Grasshopper New Media Presents...

Welcome to The May 1st edition of Hot Stuff! Hot Stuff is your opportunity to draw attention to a great post that you have stumbled across recently. Below are the nominations we have received in the past week. Give each of them a look and see which one really earns your ultimate respect, your vote for Hot Stuff Of The Week.

As always, if you would like to nominate for next Tuesday’s edition, please leave a link in the comments section. Participation is key, so please, jump right in!

And now, ladies and gentlemen, parents of all ages, here are your nominations:

New Media in Today’s Classrooms
Barb says “Oooh, I have a great one to nominate for next week - I absolutely loved it, nodding my head all the way through.” Pay Attention is posted at TeacherTube. It encourages teachers to use new media tools in the classroom. TeacherTube seems like a super cool resource for educators. I think one could get lost in the selection. I am really curious as to what you all think about some of the ideas presented here.


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A Mother’s Day Gift that Mom will Love (so will Grandmas)
Hey Moms, close your eyes! Or open them and send this link to someone who loves you! There are lots of great ideas around for Mother’s Day gifts. Personally, I love the idea of my guys putting some time, effort, and energy into a book. Mom and I is an activity Dad or Grandparents or teachers can do with the kids to create a really special gift for Mom. (P.S. A pedicure would be nice, too!)

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Shake up Snack Time
My kids can quickly tire of their snack options… fruit, crackers, granola bars, and garbanzo beans day after day get pretty boring. Sometimes we use sunflower seed butter, apple slices, and raisins to make a flower. Sometimes we make a fruit salad. Sometimes we need new ideas! Kid Cuisine to the rescue! This recipe for South of the Border S’mores looks fun and interesting and just right for an occasional snack or dessert.

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Choosing A Bike
Buying a bicycle for your kid is a rite of passage. But it’s also a bit confusing. How do you know which bike is right for your child? What size should you get? Fortunately, The International Bike Fund has put out this handy guide to kid bikes, complete with a table that uses your child’s age and inseam to help pick the right wheel size. Just print it out and bring it with you to the local bike shop. And don’t forget your helmet!

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What Should A 4 Year-Old Know?
Here’s an oldie but a goodie: Alicia Bayer wrote an essay that explores the myths and realities of society’s concepts of age appropriate achievement. The piece is thorough, cogent, and beautifully moving. A must-read for any parent.

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Remembering
Erica has nominated 15 Things That Remind me of Childhood. It’s a nice list and it might just conjure up some fun memories of your own!

Please take a moment to visit the nominees. Then come back and vote for your favorite. The winner receives a sizzling Hot Stuff Award!

[tags] parenting, new media in schools, home made mother's day gift, finding a bike, 4 year olds, teaching children, remembering, memories, creating memories for kids[/tags]