As outlined in a previous post answering a request for monthly special days in the early childhood classroom, I am posting special events for each month, according to my idea books from The Mailbox.

January 4: Birthdate of Louis Braille.

Talk to students about what it means to be blind and lose the sense of vision.

Play the Blind Walk game by blindfolding one student and have another student lead him by the hand and use his voice to give directions.

Make a braille book by gluing buttons or sequins on paper to represent the words and have the students rub their fingers over the bumps, pretending to read braille.

Have students draw a simple design with a white crayon on black paper. Place the paper on a folded paper towel and use a pencil with a blunt point to punch holes along their drawings. Close their eyes and rub their fingers along the bumpy marks they made on their drawings.

If there is a special needs/blind school nearby, invite a professional to visit to tell about blind students and their needs and accomplishments.

See what other leaders are saying about The Multi-Colored Promise: Words written by Brenna Phillips; Illustrations painted by Kristie Chamlee.

From Tony Kummer:

Too often, Christians have turned Noah’s Ark into a fairytale. You might get the idea that Noah was starting a floating petting zoo and his only problem was keeping out the rain. I love Bible story books that put the focus back on God and how he told the story. That’s what I appreciate about this little volume. The illustrations and text prompt the imagination without washing out the real facts of Noah’s Ark. It points us back to a God who will judge sin, but provides an escape for all who turn back to Him.

From Len Sweet:

A tender retelling of the Noah story with sensory alertness, keen intelligence, and welcoming passion

Happy birthday to the best dad in the entire world. I hope you have a great day. Love you!

Each case should be considered on a case by case, teenager by teenager, basis. Some teens are ready to finish high school and move on to the college level, at least the community college level. There is an interesting article on this topic and Fox & Friends did a story on this topic this morning.

I have a friend currently in 10th grade considering doing this very thing. She was homeschooled from 1st-8th grade, entered public school in 9th grade and is passing each subject with flying colors. She works hard and has parents who greatly support her. I have complete confidence that she could pass a test to graduate early from high school and enter a community college then transfer to a 4-year college to complete her degree. Her maturity level is well above some high school students and she isn’t interested in a lot of the typical high school scenes.

The only concern I have is the social aspect of college life. Is a 16 year old ready emotionally and socially to enter the college scene?