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Jul 25 2018

Get Ready for School with Siblings, Twins, and Multiples Reading Activity

Get Ready for School with Siblings, Twins, and Multiples Reading Activity 

Yikes! Brandon’s Twin Sisters Get Ready for Big Girl Preschool!

Hi! My name is Brandon and I have twin sisters who look alike. Their names are Anna and Maria and they love to follow me around and be my best friends! When they were toddlers, their grandma took them to school because they were naughty. Both liked to chew rocks, Maria chewed the arms off her baby doll, and Anna would run and hide from grandma when it was time to eat. Finally, my grandma said they had to go to baby school to learn how to listen and play with others.

Now my twin sisters are turning three and they are getting ready for big girl preschool. Both are excited about what they will learn. They can sing their ABC’s, they know their colors, they can count to 10, and they love to do projects. I have taught them how to draw, paint, and use shaving cream for finger-painting and coloring Easter eggs. We have painted rocks, cooked with plants, and enjoyed many hours of waterplay throughout the summer. We camp, hike, ride trikes, and climb in the park.

Although my sisters have lots of fun with me, my parents want them to go to school to learn how to play with other children. They are best friends and at times get angry at each other. Although they still look the same, they now have very different personalities. Anna likes to explore and wander off while Maria loves to follow me around and play imaginative games with me. Anna will finish her art projects quickly so that she can explore on her own while Maria wants to do projects all day!

[Read more…]

Mary Ann Burke, Digital Education Expert

Mary Ann Burke, Ed.D., Digital Education Expert, is a substitute distance learning teacher for Oak Grove School District in San Jose, California and the author of STUDENT-ENGAGED ASSESSMENT: Strategies to Empower All Learners (Rowman & Littlefield: 2020). Dr. Burke creates digital language arts and substitute teaching K – 12 activities for teachers and parents. She is the Cofounder of the Genparenting.com blog. Burke is the former Director II of Categorical & Special Projects for the Santa Clara County Office of Education that supports 31 school districts serving 272,321 students in Santa Clara County. She is also a previous Director – State & Federal Compliance for Oakland Unified School District, the former Director – Grantwriter for the Compton Unified School District, and was the initial VISTA Director for the Community Partnership Coalition in southern California. Much of her work focuses on creating innovative digital trainings and partnership programs for teachers and families to support students’ learning. These programs were featured as a best practice at a National Title I Conference, California’s Title I Conferences, AERA Conferences, an ASCD Conference, the NASSP Conference, and statewide educator conferences.

Written by Mary Ann Burke, Digital Education Expert · Categorized: Academic Support and Play Activities, Early Childhood Parenting, Elementary School Parenting · Tagged: back to school, children's play, Early Parenting, Educating children, parents as teachers, Twins, twins and siblings

Feb 27 2018

The Three-Hour Grandma Play Dates!

The Three-Hour Grandma Play Dates!

During the past decade, I have cared for grandkids multiple times per week; twelve months every year. As my grandkids become older, their daily schedules become busier with afterschool activities and sports programs. I have adjusted my weekly schedule to adapt to these changes.

Listed below are 10 suggestions that support your children’s social, emotional, and academic play when face time with them is limited: [Read more…]

Mary Ann Burke, Digital Education Expert

Mary Ann Burke, Ed.D., Digital Education Expert, is a substitute distance learning teacher for Oak Grove School District in San Jose, California and the author of STUDENT-ENGAGED ASSESSMENT: Strategies to Empower All Learners (Rowman & Littlefield: 2020). Dr. Burke creates digital language arts and substitute teaching K – 12 activities for teachers and parents. She is the Cofounder of the Genparenting.com blog. Burke is the former Director II of Categorical & Special Projects for the Santa Clara County Office of Education that supports 31 school districts serving 272,321 students in Santa Clara County. She is also a previous Director – State & Federal Compliance for Oakland Unified School District, the former Director – Grantwriter for the Compton Unified School District, and was the initial VISTA Director for the Community Partnership Coalition in southern California. Much of her work focuses on creating innovative digital trainings and partnership programs for teachers and families to support students’ learning. These programs were featured as a best practice at a National Title I Conference, California’s Title I Conferences, AERA Conferences, an ASCD Conference, the NASSP Conference, and statewide educator conferences.

Written by Mary Ann Burke, Digital Education Expert · Categorized: Academic Support and Play Activities, Early Childhood Parenting, Elementary School Parenting, K-8 Family Health, Twins · Tagged: academic success, children's play, Early Parenting, Educating children, Family health, Grandparents' Influences, teachable moments, Twins, twins and siblings

Sep 27 2017

Fall GenParenting Book Signing Events

Fall GenParenting Book Signing Events

DateLocationVenueEvent
Oct 1–9:30 AMCosta Mesa, CAOrange County Children's Book Festival - Orange County, CAThe GenParenting.com team will be selling the Yikes! twin book series and our parenting book with FREE resources.
Oct 8,—2:00 PMSan Rafael, CACopperfield's BooksMeet the author, Mary Ann Burke, at this Meet and Greet Event! FREE blog resources will be provided.
Oct 14—10:00 AMSunnyvale, CABay Area Kids' Book Festival - Silicon ValleyThe GenParenting.com blogging team will be selling their Yikes! twin book series and parenting book with FREE resources.
Oct 15—10:00 AMLafayette, CABay Area Kids' Festival - LafayetteThe GenParenting.com blogging team will be selling their Yikes! twin book series and parenting book with FREE resources.
Oct 22—11:00 AMOakland, CAGreat Good Place for BooksMeet the author, Mary Ann Burke, at this special story time event. She will be selling her newly published Yikes! Brandon Has Twin Sisters book series with FREE blog resources.

For more information about these events and to purchase books, log onto Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ann-Burke/e/B001H6IXXW/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0.

Mary Ann Burke, Digital Education Expert

Mary Ann Burke, Ed.D., Digital Education Expert, is a substitute distance learning teacher for Oak Grove School District in San Jose, California and the author of STUDENT-ENGAGED ASSESSMENT: Strategies to Empower All Learners (Rowman & Littlefield: 2020). Dr. Burke creates digital language arts and substitute teaching K – 12 activities for teachers and parents. She is the Cofounder of the Genparenting.com blog. Burke is the former Director II of Categorical & Special Projects for the Santa Clara County Office of Education that supports 31 school districts serving 272,321 students in Santa Clara County. She is also a previous Director – State & Federal Compliance for Oakland Unified School District, the former Director – Grantwriter for the Compton Unified School District, and was the initial VISTA Director for the Community Partnership Coalition in southern California. Much of her work focuses on creating innovative digital trainings and partnership programs for teachers and families to support students’ learning. These programs were featured as a best practice at a National Title I Conference, California’s Title I Conferences, AERA Conferences, an ASCD Conference, the NASSP Conference, and statewide educator conferences.

Written by Mary Ann Burke, Digital Education Expert · Categorized: Health and Wellness, Infants | Preschoolers Health, Social-Emotional Health, Twins · Tagged: Early Parenting, Educating children, family values, Grandparents' Influences, teachable moments, Twins, twins and siblings

Sep 05 2017

Yikes! The Twins Turn Two!

Yikes! The Twins Turn Two!

What does terrible two look like when twins, who look identical, flip their personalities daily? I could never predict my confusion and joy in grandparenting twins. I watched countless videos about twin antics and read numerous parenting books about twins before they were born. I worked with lots of families of preschool siblings when teaching early childhood education classes. Nothing, however, prepared me for the craziness that twins love to share by confusing their family with their many antics. [Read more…]

Mary Ann Burke, Digital Education Expert

Mary Ann Burke, Ed.D., Digital Education Expert, is a substitute distance learning teacher for Oak Grove School District in San Jose, California and the author of STUDENT-ENGAGED ASSESSMENT: Strategies to Empower All Learners (Rowman & Littlefield: 2020). Dr. Burke creates digital language arts and substitute teaching K – 12 activities for teachers and parents. She is the Cofounder of the Genparenting.com blog. Burke is the former Director II of Categorical & Special Projects for the Santa Clara County Office of Education that supports 31 school districts serving 272,321 students in Santa Clara County. She is also a previous Director – State & Federal Compliance for Oakland Unified School District, the former Director – Grantwriter for the Compton Unified School District, and was the initial VISTA Director for the Community Partnership Coalition in southern California. Much of her work focuses on creating innovative digital trainings and partnership programs for teachers and families to support students’ learning. These programs were featured as a best practice at a National Title I Conference, California’s Title I Conferences, AERA Conferences, an ASCD Conference, the NASSP Conference, and statewide educator conferences.

Written by Mary Ann Burke, Digital Education Expert · Categorized: Early Childhood Parenting, Twins · Tagged: Early Parenting, Grandparents' Influences, parenting twins, Problem-Solving, teachable moments, Twins, twins and siblings

Apr 04 2017

The Yikes! Brandon Has Twin Sisters Book is Now Available on Amazon.com


Yikes! Brandon Has Twin Sisters
 Is Now Available on Amazon.com

Our readers continue to approach us about their unique needs as parents of twins, multiples, and siblings.  When I considered my relationship with my grandchildren, I was inspired to share my grandson’s journey of accepting his twin sisters by creating a children’s book titled Yikes! Brandon Has Twin Sisters. Preschool children can relate to the many adventures Brandon encounters when navigating life with his twin sisters. Primary grade children can read the book and learn about living with twins and multiples. Children like looking at the photos of the twins, who look alike, but have different personalities.

[Read more…]

Mary Ann Burke, Digital Education Expert

Mary Ann Burke, Ed.D., Digital Education Expert, is a substitute distance learning teacher for Oak Grove School District in San Jose, California and the author of STUDENT-ENGAGED ASSESSMENT: Strategies to Empower All Learners (Rowman & Littlefield: 2020). Dr. Burke creates digital language arts and substitute teaching K – 12 activities for teachers and parents. She is the Cofounder of the Genparenting.com blog. Burke is the former Director II of Categorical & Special Projects for the Santa Clara County Office of Education that supports 31 school districts serving 272,321 students in Santa Clara County. She is also a previous Director – State & Federal Compliance for Oakland Unified School District, the former Director – Grantwriter for the Compton Unified School District, and was the initial VISTA Director for the Community Partnership Coalition in southern California. Much of her work focuses on creating innovative digital trainings and partnership programs for teachers and families to support students’ learning. These programs were featured as a best practice at a National Title I Conference, California’s Title I Conferences, AERA Conferences, an ASCD Conference, the NASSP Conference, and statewide educator conferences.

Written by Mary Ann Burke, Digital Education Expert · Categorized: Early Childhood Parenting, Elementary School Parenting, Infants | Preschoolers Health, K-8 Family Health · Tagged: Family, Parenting, parenting twins, Twins, twins and siblings

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