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Wednesday, 31 January 2024

Birthday Party Places for Metro Detroit Kids

By  January 31, 2024   No comments

For many of us, our most memorable childhood birthday parties involved our closest friends and family members, plenty of pizza and birthday cake, and a fun activity like bowling, a sleepover or laser tag. 

Nowadays, children’s birthday parties, and the venues that host them, have evolved to be more celebratory than ever. Kids can play at amazing indoor playgrounds, go bowling or mini golfing, soar at trampoline parks and so much more on their birthdays. 

Whether you host a small group of classmates or all of your child’s friends and family, these birthday party venues have amazing packages and rental options that will make your child’s day extra special. Many of these spots handle the food, decorations and clean up for you! 

On your child’s next birthday, throw them a birthday bash they’ll always remember at one of these cool party spots for metro Detroit kids. 

Macomb

5 Star Lanes

The Split, Spare and Strike party packers have everything you need to throw your child a memorable birthday. The Split package includes two lanes and two hours of cosmic bowling, two large pizzas, four pitchers of pop and up to 12 guests. Other packages include add-ons like glow jewelry, souvenirs and VIP seating. 

Full Throttle Adrenaline Park

You’ve never seen a party as thrilling as one at Full Throttle Adrenaline Park! With a sprawling 54,134 square-foot facility, this venue caters to both individuals and groups of up to 300 people, ensuring an unforgettable celebration. Highlighted by electric high-speed Go Karting for thrill-seeking pros and gas-powered karts for younger enthusiasts, the park also features Axe Throwing, Rage Rooms and mind-blowing Hologate Virtual Reality. The diverse range of activities guarantees non-stop excitement, making it the perfect place for an epic celebration.

Play-Place Autism & Special Needs Center

Every child deserves a wonderful birthday, which is why Play-Place Autism & Special Needs center has a variety of super fun birthday packages. Each two-hour party package includes decorations, food and beverages, set-up and clean-up services and even a special present for the birthday child. All parents need to do is bring their guests and a birthday dessert, sit back and enjoy their child’s special day. 

WhirlyBall 

Older kids, tweens and even teens will always remember an action-packed birthday at WhirlyBall. Enjoy one hour of WhirlyBall — a wacky game that combines bumper cars, lacrosse and basketball — then feast on pizza and soda pop. Parents must bring their own birthday desserts. 

Zap Zone

Celebrate your child’s birthday with plenty of pizza and pop, plus their choice of two exciting attractions. Choose from laser tag, bumper cars, glo golf, an obstacle course or a trampoline zone. The birthday kid will receive a special T-shirt and two free passes for a future visit. Add-ons include unlimited arcade games, bowling and party room rentals. 

Find even more birthday party places!

Oakland

Dinoland

Do you have a dinosaur fan celebrating their birthday soon? Look no further! For $225 ($325 on weekends,) a group of up to 10 kids can embark on a wild dino adventure in the captivating waterfall room alongside the birthday child. The package grants two hours of exclusive seating and includes two large one-topping pizzas, along with two pitchers of soft drinks. This party venue also provides various dino-themed party packages to choose from, ensuring a roaring good time for everyone.

The Friendship Factory

Little divas and fans of all things cute and crafty will love celebrating their birthday at The Friendship Factory! Start small with two glam activities at a one-hour birthday experience, or go all out with a two or three-hour party that includes crafts, cupcakes, karaoke, dancing and so much more. Additional treats, decor and glam services are available. 

Full Throttle Adrenaline Park

You’ve never seen a party as thrilling as one at Full Throttle Adrenaline Park! With a sprawling 54,134 square-foot facility, this venue caters to both individuals and groups of up to 300 people, ensuring an unforgettable celebration. Highlighted by electric high-speed Go Karting for thrill-seeking pros and gas-powered karts for younger enthusiasts, the park also features Axe Throwing, Rage Rooms and mind-blowing Hologate Virtual Reality. The diverse range of activities guarantees non-stop excitement, making it the perfect place for an epic celebration.

Legoland Discovery Center

An epic birthday party destination, children and grown-ups alike will enjoy exploring this Lego-lover’s haven. Guests can build their own Lego creations, scope out iconic Detroit buildings made of Legos, snap a selfie with their favorite Lego characters, see 4-D movies, go on rides and much more. All birthday party packages include a juice box and a cookie; parents can add on pizza. 

Peppa Pig World of Play Michigan

If your kid is obsessed with Peppa Pig, then this Auburn Hills play center is the perfect place for a party. Guests will enjoy pizza, activities and unlimited juice in a private party room before getting the ultimate birthday surprise — a meet-and-greet with Peppa Pig! After the party, guests are invited to stay and enjoy the indoor play place. 

Zap Zone

The birthday kid will receive a special T-shirt and two free passes for a future visit when you book any of these exciting two-hour packages. Start with the basic arcade package, or add on activities like laser tag, bowling bumper cars, glo golf, an obstacle course or a trampoline zone.

Find even more birthday party places!

Washtenaw

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

With a specially designed birthday package, enjoy an amazing birthday celebration at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Every celebration lasts for 2.5 hours. Choose from a variety of themes and exciting activities that are fun, and science-based, for kids ages 4-12. The festivities kick off with exclusive entry to the museum’s exhibits, guaranteeing a private and customized experience for the birthday VIP and their guests.

Extreme Fun

Birthday kids will jump for joy with two hours of extreme fun at this indoor inflatable park. Parents can bring their own decorations, food, beverages and desserts to customize the party to their child’s liking. Each child will receive a free pass to return on a different day and keep the fun going. 

Pinball Pete’s

This is a genuine arcade, housing games on two floors. Located in Ann Arbor, this venue features a mix of classic and modern arcade games, ensuring a nostalgic and fun time for visitors. Alongside pinball machines and video games, there are additional attractions such as pool tables, skee-ball and air hockey.

Revel and Roll 

Parents will win some serious points with their kiddo when they host a bowling birthday party. Ideal for birthday kids ages 4 and older, the birthday packages at this bowling alley include food, unlimited soda pop, bowling time, shoe rentals, arcade credits and more. Several birthday packages are available so you can customize your kiddo’s special day with add-ons like a cookie cake and extra bowling time. 

Find even more birthday party places!

Wayne

AirTime Trampoline & Game Park

Energetic kiddos will love spending their birthday rock climbing, bouncing on trampolines, racing through obstacle courses and more. The basic party package starts with 2.5 hours of party table time and two hours of concurrent play time. Each guest will receive a pair of safety grip socks, and the birthday child will get to spin a special prize wheel. 

Dinoland

Do you have a dinosaur fan celebrating their birthday soon? Look no further! For $325, a group of up to 10 kids can embark on a wild dino adventure in the captivating waterfall room alongside the birthday child. The package grants two hours of exclusive seating and includes two large one-topping pizzas, along with two pitchers of soft drinks. This party venue also provides various dino-themed party packages to choose from, ensuring a roaring good time for everyone.

Fowling Warehouse Hamtramck 

Your child’s birthday is sure to be a memorable one when they spend it fowling! Kids ages 10 and older can enjoy two hours of this unique football-meets-bowling game. Smaller parties can bring snacks. Large parties that wish to cater their birthday celebration can reserve a party room. Youth birthday parties must end by 8 p.m. 

Kidcadia Play Café

This fantasy-inspired play venue will make your child’s birthday wishes come true! The expansive, indoor magical forest playground has vibrant slides, foam climbers and a jungle gym. The Enchanted Party package includes a private room for 90 minutes, a dedicated party host, tableware and a separate sound system so your child can crank their favorite tunes. 

Merri-Bowl Lanes

Parents will win some serious points with their kiddo when they host a bowling birthday party. Ideal for birthday kids ages 4 and older, the birthday packages at this bowling alley include food, unlimited soda pop, bowling time, shoe rentals, arcade credits and more. Several birthday packages are available so you can customize your kiddo’s special day with add-ons like a cookie cake and extra bowling time. 

Zap Zone

Celebrate your child’s birthday with plenty of pizza and pop, plus their choice of two exciting attractions. Choose from laser tag, bumper cars, glo golf, an obstacle course or a trampoline zone. The birthday kid will receive a special T-shirt and two free passes for a future visit. Add-ons include unlimited arcade games, bowling and party room rentals. 

Find even more birthday party places!

Tips for Planning Your Child’s Birthday Party

  • If you plan on bringing your own decor, food, photo props or other special touches, be sure to arrive before your party’s start time so you have ample time to set up.
  • Consider any food allergens you may have in your party. Many birthday party places have limited options (a.k.a. pizza) for those with dietary restrictions. Ask if you can bring outside food to accommodate all of your guests’ dietary needs. 
  • If your child will be opening presents at the party venue, snap a photo of your child, their new gift and the friend that gave it to them. Not only will you capture a memory, but it will make it easier to remember who gifted what once it’s time to write thank-you cards. 
  • Avoid disposable party favors. How many times has your child come home from a birthday party with unnecessary candy and cheap plastic toys? Be thoughtful when giving out party favors — try consumable items that parents will likely buy their own kids, like coloring books and crayons, chalk, bubbles or Play-Doh. 

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Peppa’s Cinema Party Coming to Metro Detroit Theaters

By  January 31, 2024   No comments

Calling all Peppa Pig fans! You and your family are invited to Peppa’s Cinema Party, a multi-day cinema experience celebrating 20 years of Peppa Pig, presented by multiple metro Detroit movie theaters beginning Feb. 9. 

The hour-long experience will feature interactive Peppa Pig fun in a classic theater setting. Enjoy 10 never-before-seen episodes, including a three-part “Wedding Party Special” and a party bus bonus episode.

Quick details about Peppa Pig Cinema Party

Photo credit: Trafalgar Releasing
  • When: Friday, Feb. 9-Thursday, Feb. 15
  • Where: Participating movie theaters throughout metro Detroit. Find showtimes here. 
  • Cost: Tickets vary by theater and showtime. Approximately $7-$12. 

During the cinema experience, Peppa and her friends will break into the “real world” through a mixture of live-action and animation. Children will get to sing and dance along with their favorite characters during five brand-new songs.

Participating theaters include MJR Southgate Cinema, Emagine Canton, Emagine Novi, MJR Waterford Cinema and Ann Arbor 20 + IMAX. 

Peppa’s Cinema Party is sure to be tons of oink-tastic fun for families! But, the fun doesn’t end once the experience is over. In addition to watching more of your favorite Peppa Pig episodes at home, here are some other piggly wiggly activities for kids. 

Other Peppa Pig Activities for Metro Detroit Kids

Photo credit: Trafalgar Releasing

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Tuesday, 30 January 2024

Family-Friendly Indoor Water Parks Near Metro Detroit

By  January 30, 2024   No comments

Water parks aren’t just for the summer. In fact, since  the cold weather months far outnumber the warm ones here in Michigan, we think these all-season water parks are a dream come true.

Whether you’re looking for a nearby winter water playground or want to take a family vacation to an indoor water park, we’ve found a great selection of water parks for families. Stick to a budget and keep it local with smaller water parks in Chicagoland, or book a winter getaway at a thrilling indoor water park that is sure to be worth the drive.

Before you grab your swimsuit, read up on water safety for children and get some helpful tips for visiting a waterpark as a family.

Tips for Families When Visiting a Water Park

  • Many water parks offer their guests early access to the park. If you’re staying overnight, find out if you get any special perks with your stay that can help you beat the crowds and make the most of your trip. 
  • Most parks require swim diapers for children who are not toilet trained. 
  • Make sure your swimwear is appropriate for a family setting. Swimwear with zippers, buckles and other sharp materials is usually not allowed in the water park for safety reasons. Blue swimwear is not recommended for children because it can make them difficult to spot underwater. 
  • Obey the lifeguards. This one may seem obvious, but the lifeguards are in charge while you’re at the water park. Listening to their instructions will not only ensure you have the best experience, it can also prevent any accidents and keep your family safe. 
  • Take a swim lesson before you go. If your child is not a strong swimmer, they likely won’t feel comfortable when a ride sends them under the water. Know your child’s limitations and consider signing them up for a swim lesson to improve their skills and confidence in the water. 
  • Know your child’s height. Many water rides have a height and/or age requirement. Keeping your child away from attractions they aren’t tall enough to ride can help prevent meltdowns when they are turned away after waiting in line. 
  • Towel service can be limited on busy days. Be sure to bring your own towels, just in case.
  • You don’t want to leave the water park in a swimsuit! In addition to a change of clothes, bring any toiletries you would normally use to get ready — deodorant, a comb, hair products, wipes, etc., can all be useful and avoid an unnecessary trip back to your car or the hotel room. 

Indoor water parks near metro Detroit

Photo credit: Bavarian Inn

Macomb Township Recreation Center Pools

Plunge into two pools, featuring a water slide, lazy river and more. Kids can sign up for swim lessons, too.

Romulus Aquatic Center 

Little ones can enjoy the Splash Pool, which is zero-depth entry for easy access to play on the structure. There’s also a lazy river, a two-story twisting water slide, lap pool and hot tub.

Splash Universe

  • Address: 100 Whitetail Drive, Dundee
  • Day pass: The water park is currently closed for construction. Check back soon for more information.

This two-story spot has Goldmine Adventure Slides guests can slide down with inner tubes, a family spa that opens to the River Raisin lazy river, a floating log walk, water tree house for tykes and more. Kids experience hourly fun at the arcade, too. It’s a water park adventure close to home. Temporarily closed due to renovations.

Summit Aquatic Center at Summit on the Park

  • Address: 46000 Summit Pkwy., Canton
  • Day pass: The aquatic center is currently closed for renovations. Check back soon for more information!

The newly renovated Summit Aquatic Center has all new tile in the pools, spa and sauna, a revamped lazy river and a new water feature. A cool twisting turquoise slide complements the lazy river and zero-depth leisure pool with features for little ones; plus find a lap pool, spa, steam room, sauna, swim lessons and water fitness classes.

Troy Community Center Indoor Pool

This indoor pool is open year-round and is available to those with a membership or daily pass. It offer slides, swimming lanes, kiddie water features and more.

Warren Community Center Water Park 

  • Address: 5460 Arden Ave., Warren
  • Day passes not available.
  • Monthly membership: $50/household
  • Annual membership: $480/household

Want an indoor water park near Detroit? Try this tropical spot. It’s got the biggest indoor enclosed water slides in Michigan! There’s also a lazy river and 300-gallon tipping bucket attached to a play structure that’s “a jungle gym in a foot of water,” Plus find a hot tub (15-plus) and sauna (18-plus).

Adventure Bay Family Water Park

Fight the surf in the wave pool, ride the Python with its twists and turns or try the Whizzard — hydro-dynamic water slides that provide an intense downhill race experience. Other amenities include a rainforest-themed splash zone and an activity pool where guests can shoot hoops or lounge by the pool.

Indoor water parks worth the drive

Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark at Boyne Mountain

Find a 10-degree vertical drop slide, The Big Couloir — a launch capsule that drops riders into a narrow tunnel where they instantly accelerate to 38 feet per second, Rip Zone, lazy river, hot tubs, the Vertigo Cannonbowl Slide and Splasherhorn — a multi-level play structure with bridges, dumping buckets, slides, water spouts and more.

Bavarian Inn Lodge

At this Frankenmuth water park, you’ll find four indoor pools, three whirlpools (one for adults only) and two waterslides. Plus, there’s a big arcade with more than 160 video and redemption games, air hockey and pool tables. Also, a Bavarian-themed indoor mini golf course.

The water park is currently undergoing renovations, so be on the look out for splash-tastic new attractions!

Gold Rush Waterpark

This water park offers plenty of ways to get soaked. You can soar down Western Michigan’s tallest waterslide, splash in the wave pool or relax and float down the lazy river. Also, a toddler pool, specifically for little ones.

Great Wolf Lodge

Thrill seekers can try the three-person toboggan water slide and more, while little ones explore the four-story tree house, accessible through zero-depth entry. Chill in hot tubs and lounge in the lazy river, too.

Soaring Eagle Water Park & Hotel

Catch a big wave on the Flow Rider or race down one of two big water slides, Loon’s Loop and Otter’s Run with Slide Champ. Kids can make a splash and shoot hoops in Gizi’s Splash and Dunk or wait for 317 gallons of water to fall from a huge bucket suspended at the top of Biish Falls — a water jungle gym designed especially for the youngest guests.

Zehnder’s Splash Village

Enjoy more than 50,000 square feet of aquatic fun with a six-story family raft ride, zero-entry activity pool, Splash Landing play area, body slide, Crooked Brook Creek Lazy River and much more. The spot was voted the Best of the Best in 2022. It is also Michigan’s only retractable roof water park. Also, features an outdoor pool, which is open in the summer time.

Castaway Bay

This Caribbean-themed retreat features the Air Racer Rally slide, Rocket’s Canopy Coaster, Pierce’s Play Pool, School Crossing and more. You’ll feel like you’re in the Caribbean with the natural setting of palm trees, inland lagoons and huts. Also, take a break from the pool to enjoy the family fun center, equipped with an escape room, arcade, mini bowling and black light mini golf.

Great Wolf Lodge

Thrill seekers can try the three-person toboggan water slide and more, while little ones explore the four-story tree house, accessible through zero-depth entry. Chill in hot tubs and lounge in the lazy river, too.

Kalahari Resort

In Ohio, find an interactive play area and water slides at a 173,000-square-foot indoor water park, plus Swahili Swirl and the Leopard’s Lair (there’s also an outdoor adventure park with rock walls, a zip line and ropes course). Wisconsin has a zero-depth entry wave pool, the Wild Wildebeast tube slide and more.

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Valentine’s Day Events for Metro Detroit Families

By  January 30, 2024   No comments

Valentine’s Day isn’t all about couples. The whole family can get in on some love-themed activities in metro Detroit with stories, Valentine arts and crafts and so much more!

In fact, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties are packed full of fun Valentine’s Day events for families in February 2024. Take a peek at this list and head out to the perfect activity to celebrate love!

Macomb

Teen Heart Wreaths

Feb. 6, 2024

Teens come can out to the library to create paper heat wreaths, using pomp oms and card stock. All materials will be provided. Registration required.

Valentine Crafts

Feb. 7, 2024

Families can drop in at the library to make Valentine’s crafts. This event is for all ages. No registration required.

Kids Take & Make Craft: Valentine’s Snail

Feb. 9, 2024

Drop by the library to grab a paper snail craft to take home with you. Available while supplies last.

Valentine Cards & Crafts (All Ages)

Feb. 10, 2024

All ages are welcome to come decorate a card for residents of a local assisted living facility. 

Valentine Wreaths

Feb. 10, 2024

Ages 4-12 can come by the library to create a Valentine Wreath for a gift to someone or to keep for yourself for Valentine’s Day. Registration required.

Take & Make Craft – DIY Valentine’s Card

Feb. 12, 2024

Kids of all ages can drop into the library all day long to pick up a DIY Valentine’s Card, while supplies last. Only one card per child.

Teen Valentine Suncatchers

Feb. 13, 2024

Teens come can out to the library to create sun catchers using different colored glass gems and glue. All materials will be provided. Registration required.

Oakland

Drop-In Craft: Heart Edition

Feb. 1, 2024

All ages are welcome to come out to do a heart craft for Valentine’s Day. This is a drop-in activity.

Mystery Valentine’s Day Rom-Com at Royal Oak Public Library

Feb. 14, 2024

Teens can stop by the Royal Oak Public Library to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a rom-com movie.

Washtenaw

Valentine’s Day Sensory Bottles

Feb. 3, 2024

Kids in grades preschool-third grade can come out to Traverwood Branch to create a glittering sensory bottle for Valentine’s Day.

Be My Valentine Mosaic Ornament Workshop

Feb. 4, 2024

Come out to River Raisin Distilleries Broken China Mosaic Workshop to create heart-shaped mosaics using your own creativity. Each participant will go home with three hearts. All materials are included.

Chocolate Extravaganza in Downtown Chelsea

Feb. 10, 2024

Shop Chelsea’s annual Chocolate Extravaganza and get treats and goodies, just in time for Valentine’s Day. There will be events for kids, too.

Ladybug Valentine’s Cards

Feb. 10, 2024

Grades K-5 can come out to Westgate Branch to create a Valentine’s card in the shape of a ladybug with a special Valentine’s message written inside.

Make Valentine’s Day Cards

Feb. 11, 2024

All ages can enjoy making Valentine’s Day card at Kerrytown Market & Shops using materials provided. Meet in the common area by the elevator.

Family Maker Night: Resist Art

Feb. 14, 2024

Families can come out to the library to create a patchwork heart resist art for Valentine’s Day using oil pastels and watercolors to create patterns. All supplies will be provided.

Wayne

LEGO Printed Valentine’s Cards

Feb. 6, 2024

Families can use LEGOs at the library to build a printing press and print original Valentine’s Day card designs! This event is first come, first serve.

Hearts & Crafts

Feb. 10, 2024

Join Parkman Branch for fun Valentine’s Day activities and crafts. For all ages.

Winter LoveFest

Feb. 10, 2024

Families can enjoy a pre-Valentine’s Day even that celebrates love and Black History in and around the historic Palmer Log Cabin. There will be live music, African dancing and drumming, art-making, hot cocoa, treats, games and prizes.

Valentine’s Day Stamping Art

Feb. 14, 2024

Families can stop by Detroit Public Library – Jefferson Branch to use rubber stamps to create cards and a room ornament.

This post was originally published in 2017 and is updated regularly.

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How Are Gifted Students Graded?

By  January 30, 2024   No comments

Independent schools can offer a unique approach that recognizes the educational needs of gifted students and provides an individualized approach to help students thrive. When selecting a school for your gifted child, be aware that private and independent schools in Michigan are not required to follow assessment methods mandated by the Michigan Department of Education.

Be prepared to ask prospective schools how they assess their students’ progress, suggests Christopher Federico, Head of School at The Roeper School, an independent PreK-12 school for gifted students with campuses in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills.

“Parents should talk to the teachers at the school and to other families who are there. Take a look at examples of the work the students are doing,” Federico says, adding that learning what destinations the students reach following graduation can offer insight, too.

“If it is an elementary school, what high schools and programs are they going on to? Or, if the students are attending through grade 12, what university destinations are they going to?” It’s not all about how many are getting into Harvard, Yale and Princeton, but if they are going to the destination that suits them the most — and if they are ready for that destination, he says.

“At Roeper, we do have more than our fair share going to Ivy League Schools, but many others will go on to other places to study things ranging from aeronautics to fashion design to social justice,” says Federico.

Assessing the work of gifted students is a continual process

Educators at The Roeper School recognize the range of achievement experienced by gifted students — a sixth-grade student may be working at a high school level in math and be at grade level in reading, for example. While they use some recognized metrics to report core competencies, Roeper teachers also use more complex and individualized assessment methods.

At Roeper, the primary purpose of assessments is to promote learning, providing feedback to students and guiding the educational approaches used by instructors.

“Assessment information is gathered by teachers to determine how well their students are doing and the data informs how they teach. They’ll ask themselves if there are concepts they need to reteach or approach differently,” explains Federico. “In an independent school context and at Roeper, the focus is centered on the child, and that’s important. Teachers are continually adapting curriculum methods to the children in front of them.”

Lower School is focused on experiential learning and growth

In Roeper’s Lower School, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students learn experientially — and, at this level, they do not get letter grades. “Teachers assess based on what they see every day, on the conversations they have, the questions students are asking and the way they are working in small groups,” Federico says. Parents receive detailed feedback during multiple conferences and through regular reports highlighting their student’s areas of excellence and those needing improvement.

The Roeper School
Photo credit: The Roeper School

“Parents appreciate this because the focus is on improved student learning, what is going on in the classroom, their child’s specific strengths and how they can partner with the school to improve their child’s experience,” he says. “It’s very individualized to their child and not about measuring against the performance of another student.”

Middle School assessments continue with observation and detailed reporting

The introduction of grading begins subtly in middle school. The Roeper School, for instance, starts assigning grades only from 7th grade. Even with this shift, the focus remains on individualized assessment.

Recognizing the diverse talents of gifted students, Roeper provides a robust curriculum that includes core subjects, electives, and unique interdisciplinary studies. For example, a project on climate change might integrate concepts from English, science, math, and social studies — and often students can display mastery of the subject in a variety of appropriate ways.

“Not every student will sit down and write the same test to determine what we hoped they would learn,” Federico explains. “Some kids will do well on a test, and some will not, and that difference might have nothing to do with how well they understand the information.”

Students may write an essay — or they may do a presentation or a dramatic interpretation, and the assessment remains focused on detailed, individualized feedback about what is going well and what areas of growth can be explored.

Upper School students demonstrate specialized approaches to subject mastery

As gifted students move on to high school, they begin to consider their post-graduation options, and at Roeper, they’re engaging in increasingly complex material, including the core competencies of humanities, social sciences, English, math and physical sciences.

“But the emphasis is also on applications to real-world problem solving,” says Federico. “They might have a test in math, but they’re also applying the mathematical principles to real-world problems or exploring how they are used by experts in their field. They may demonstrate understanding of physics by building bridges and applying weight to test their design.”

A distinctive feature of the Roeper curriculum is the George A. Roeper Project, a capstone project during which 12th-grade students can undertake in-depth research in an area of their interest, ranging from STEM to social activism. This project demonstrates the school’s commitment to applying knowledge across disciplines and developing well-rounded, socially conscious citizens.

Throughout their child’s educational career at Roeper, parents can also log in to the portal to see in real time how their child is progressing.

Think beyond grades when selecting a school for your gifted child

When seeking the right educational environment for your gifted student, recognize the school that thinks broadly about student engagement and assessment, and consider using this as your starting point.

Gifted students may think more in-depth and make more complex connections. However, Federico says all students can benefit from learning through open-ended tasks and experiencing continual assessments to improve learning outcomes.

The Roeper School
Photo credit: The Roeper School

“If a teacher decides up front to use a test to assess a student’s work, that puts a box around what students can do, and the kind of knowledge they are going to focus on,” he says. “We want students to take the learning in the classroom and extend and create novel solutions to problems and make new connections individual to them, yet still relevant to the next step of their academic journey.”

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Who’s Teaching Our Kids? A Detailed Look at K-12 Teachers

By  January 30, 2024   No comments
Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping our children’s futures. Many of us may recall a teacher who left an indelible mark on our lives. So, who exactly are the educators currently guiding our elementary and secondary school students?

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) published a report in May 2023 detailing the characteristics of public school teachers. This report provides data covering the 2020-2021 school year.

TeacherCertification.com took a close look at this data to identify key trends, their implications, and expert opinions on the findings.

A pie chart showing the education level of elementary and secondary school teachers

TeacherCertification.com

More than half of school teachers have earned a master’s, making teachers among the most well-educated professionals

Teachers are among the most educated workforce in the United States. Over half (51%) of elementary and secondary school teachers hold master’s degrees, while more than one-third (38%) have received as high as a bachelor’s degree. Only a small minority of teachers (1%) do not have a bachelor’s degree.

Examining the contrast between elementary and secondary school teachers reveals only slight differences. The largest difference is between elementary and secondary school teachers whose highest level of education is a bachelor’s degree, 41% and 35% respectively.

Despite teachers’ advanced education levels, they often don’t receive the salary benefits commonly associated with other highly educated professions. According to the Census Bureau, teachers’ earnings fall short compared to similarly educated individuals in different professions. For example, the average teacher with a bachelor’s degree earned $52,000 for the 2020-21 school year. Meanwhile, the average human resources worker earned a salary of $77,430.

pie chart showing racial demographic breakdown of elementary and secondary school teachers

TeacherCertification.com

The teaching profession is predominantly white, presenting potential disadvantages to minority students

Children in the US will likely be taught by a white teacher. In the 2020-21 academic year, white educators made up 80% of the teaching force in elementary and secondary schools. Hispanic teachers were the next largest group at 9%, followed by Black teachers at 6%.

This means that there are a lot more white teachers than white students. Only 46% of students identified as white. Furthermore, 28% identified as Hispanic, 15% as Black, 5% as Asian, 4% as two or more races, 1% as American Indian/Alaska Native, and less than 1% as Pacific Islander.

The lack of representation can be a disadvantage to minority students. During a webinar at the Brookings Institution, Dr. Seth Gershenson, a professor of public policy at American University, noted that exposure to same-race teachers “increases and improves all sorts of educational outcomes both immediately and in the long run.”

Gershenson enumerated further benefits, noting that students with same-race teachers experience fewer absences and suspensions and achieve better test scores.

A graphic representation of the Gender Distribution Among Elementary and Secondary School Teachers

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More than two-thirds of teachers are women; nearly 4 in 10 of all teachers have less than a decade of experience

The teaching profession is predominantly female. According to NCES data, women have outnumbered men in the teaching field since the 1890s, with records showing that as early as then, 68% of teachers were female. [Please be aware that the data from NCES currently recognizes only two gender categories, not accounting for a broader spectrum of gender identities.]

Fast-forward to the last few years. NCES data shows that throughout the 2020-21 school year, 23% of all elementary and secondary school teachers were male and 77% were female. However, the data looks significantly different when examining elementary and secondary school teachers separately. Among elementary school teachers, 11% were male and 89% were female. In secondary school, 36% were male and 64% were female. This means that more than one-third of secondary school teachers are male compared to just over 1 in 10 elementary teachers.

As this gap persists, different publications have explored its causes and potential consequences. The New York Times asks, “Why Don’t More Men Go Into Teaching?” while the Australian Association for Research in Education asks, “Do We Really Need Male Teachers?”

In an interview for their exploration of male teachers, Rafe Esquith, an author and teacher with 32 years of teaching experience told NYT that he wants to show his students “a guy who lives a different life than a lot of the role models that they see.”

Both the AARE and NYT suggest that to attract and retain more males to the profession, “the underlying factors [such as workload and pay] that deter both men and women from the profession need to be addressed.”

A line graph showing Salary Scales for Elementary and Secondary School Educators by years of experience

TeacherCertification.com

Salary increases steadily with experience, but after 20 years it plateaus

The NCES examined teacher salaries from five different angles – elementary vs. secondary school, years of experience, highest degree received, gender, and race.

The average elementary school teacher receives a salary of $60,500 compared to the average secondary school teacher’s salary of $62,700.

Sorting teachers based on years of experience, we find that teachers make more money the longer they teach. The average teacher with 1 year or less of experience received a salary of $45,900. That figure rises as a teacher’s experience does, eventually plateauing around 20 years of experience. Teachers with 20 to 24, 25 to 29, and 30 or more years of experience all received a salary of ~$72,000.

We see a similar trend when organized by the highest degree received. Teachers who have received their PhDs make an average of $71,300, 36% more than the average of $52,500 that teachers with bachelor’s degrees receive, 6% more than the $67,000 average of teachers with master’s degrees, and 1% more than the average of $70,500 received by those with education specialist degrees or certifications.

In terms of gender, the average male teacher receives a higher salary than the average female teacher — $63,100 to $61,000. So, even though there are more female teachers in both elementary and secondary schools, male teachers typically get paid more than their female counterparts.

Finally, Asian teachers receive the highest average salary at $70,200 while American Indian/Alaska Native teachers receive the lowest average salary at $52,100. The average Hispanic teacher receives a salary of $62,100 and the average white teacher receives $61,600. Both are higher than the salary of the average Black teacher at $59,000.

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Sunday, 28 January 2024

5 Ways to Be a Better Listener — and Why it Matters

By  January 28, 2024   No comments

We are all distracted. You may be reading this article and pausing to check a phone notification or answer a work email. Or you may have to stop to give your child a snack or change your baby’s diaper. As parents, we are being pulled in a hundred different directions all day, not to mention having an attention span of 15 to 20 minutes, which shortens in the evening and with lack of interest in the topic being discussed.

Needless to say, our listening skills are suffering.

When is the last time you sat down without distraction to have a conversation with your child or spouse? If it’s been a while, it’s time to stop and listen.

Here, Kenneth Hammond, Jr., master’s level psychologist with Sollars and Associates, offers advice on being a better listener — and why it matters.

Why listening matters

When your child comes home from school and is eager to tell you about his day, you may not be interested in the topic or you simply may be too busy in the moment to truly listen. But that can have a major impact on the relationship you and your child share, Hammond says, because over time “what happens is that the kids start to disengage.”

They realize that mom and dad are cutting them off or asking them to repeat themselves.

“The level of trust definitely decreases because now they can’t even trust (their parents) with having the same excitement or just retaining the information that was said previously,” he adds.

Honing your listening skills

“Did you hear what I said?”

“Are you listening?”

“Can you please look at me when I’m talking to you?”

If you’ve heard any of these statements from a loved one, it’s time to tweak your listening skills. Here are five ways to become a better listener.

  1. Schedule time. Too busy in a moment when your child is trying to discuss something? “What I have learned with my couples that I do therapy with and my adolescent teens, it’s more beneficial to say, ‘I heard what you said. Can we meet back up to discuss this?” Hammond says.
    Be up front that your mind is occupied and tell your child you’ll be available at a specific time. When that time rolls around, give your child your undivided attention.
  2. Silence notifications. With more and more parents working remotely, Hammond says it can be difficult to disconnect, but before you have a conversation, there are few steps to take.
    “I do recommend some of my clients to take that time to go outside,” he says. “Take that time to go to a different room because work is always going to be there. Stressors are always going to be there but there is time in our schedules where we can put the phones down, we can close the electronics and we can disengage from the stressors that we are having and really dedicate to what is going on in this current state.”
  3. Work on body language. Don’t scroll on your screen or look out the window while someone is talking to you. Instead, face the person you’re talking to and make eye contact with them. Nod and smile (if smiling is appropriate for the conversation, of course) to convey that you’re paying attention to what the speaker is saying.
  4. Ask questions. “One of the biggest qualities of a good listener is being genuinely interested,” he says. When it comes to your kids, take time to ask questions about things they are interested in, whether it’s a video game, sport or class. Say things like, “Can you teach me about that? What made you love it so much?”
    If you didn’t understand something, ask questions for clarity.
  5. Don’t interrupt. In an article from Forbes on 10 steps to effective listening, the writer notes that interruption sends a variety of messages to the speaker, including that the listener doesn’t care what they think, that they are more important than the speaker and what they’re saying is more relevant.
    “We all think and speak at different rates. If you are a quick thinker and an agile talker, the burden is on you to relax your pace for the slower, more thoughtful communicator — or for the guy who has trouble expressing himself,” the writer adds.

Content brought to you by the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation. For more information, visit flinnfoundation.org. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s A Parent’s Guide to Family Mental Health.



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Saturday, 27 January 2024

Photos: See Inside Michigan Science Center’s New Above and Beyond Exhibit

By  January 27, 2024   No comments

An interactive aerospace exhibit is opening at Michigan Science Center on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. 

At the “Above and Beyond” exhibition, visitors will learn about the science of flight through flight simulators, immersive theater shows, touch displays and augmented reality experiences. 

Quick details about Above and Beyond

Photo credit: Kari Zaffarano
  • Cost: $18/ages 3 and up, free children under 3
  • Parking: Metered street parking is available around Mi-Sci. Pay to park in the Cultural Center Lot or the Rackham Memorial Parking Garage operated by Wayne State University. Prices and hours vary. 

The 6,000 sq. ft. exhibition hall includes five galleries. Some of the exciting experiences offered include a simulated space elevator, a virtual high-speed jet race and a group flying experience. 

After you’ve taken virtual flight as a bird, in a jet and in more transformative aerospace vehicles, there is still so much to see and do with kids at Mi-Sci. Check out these other suggestions for visiting the museum and making a day trip out of your visit to downtown Detroit. 

Photos: See inside the Above and Beyond exhibit

Photos credit: Kari Zaffarano

More things to do with kids at Mi-Sci 

Photo credit: Michigan Science Center
  • Little learners can play at the museum’s Early Child Learning Space. The recently revamped space puts toddlers at the center of science with age-appropriate STEM activities.
  • Control the weather at “Earth. Wind. Weather” by creating avalanches and geysers, exploring atmospheres and commanding the ocean tides.  
  • Make math into a fun game at “Math Mountain.” 
  • Learn about matter in motion at the hands-on “Motion Gallery,” an educational play space filled with circuits, magnetic fields and more.

Other things to do near Michigan Science Center

Photo credit: Detroit Institute of Arts
  • Make sure to hit the Science Store on the way out. It features tons of Stem-themed toys, puzzles, science kits and more.
  • Make it a museum day with a visit to the Detroit Institute of Arts, located right next door. 
  • Explore the best places to eat, shop and play with tips from our downtown Detroit family guide.
  • Have lunch at Ima Noodles, which has Buttered Udon Noodles & Market Veggies, Steamed Rice & Market Veggies and Chicken Noodle Soup on their kids menu. 

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