Back To School Cool

RRRing!!!

It's the call of the 3 Rs: Reading, (w)Riting, and (a)Rithmetic and all across the world, school's on.

Of course, there's always major angst that first day. Are you kidding me?  New teachers, classrooms, subjects, lockers, and for some, even a new school to navigate! Sure everyone's slightly nervous. But then, here come the old, familiar faces. Just catching up with old friends becomes a year-long social "to-do". And school's fun again!

So here's Tudy's Back-to-School Basics to help you ace the new school year:

Always prepare your backpack or school bag the night before.  Always!  Whether it's the first day, the 100th day, or the last day of school, doing so will keep your mornings ( and Mom's! ) zen-like.  Ooommmm!!!

Be a writer. Write things down. Write notes to yourself to remind you of names, places, and deadlines. Texting can only get you so far.  Your assignment notebook is your life-line. Use it!

Carry healthy snacks. Stir clear of sugar packed candy bars.  Fresh fruit, vegetables, and protein bars will keep you energized when days are long and those prime numbers ( you know they're infinite, right??? ) are slowing you down ....

Do you Sudoku?  Bring puzzle books and magazines to help pass the time on bus rides or between subjects.  Plus a little brain flexing always helps!

Wear a watch. Go ahead, make it your fashion "must-have".  Time management is a life-long skill and no other accessory helps manage your day!  Remember: you snooze, you loose! There's a big difference between a lunch break that starts at 11:45 and one that starts at 12 noon. Be on time!

And lastly, Zero in on that new face. Be the first to say "hello" to the new kid in school. First impressions make lasting connections.  Who knows? You just might make a new BFF!

So here's to school! Stay focused. Stay cool. And that's a Tudy Rule!

Bike To School

You know you love it! It was your first taste of freedom. And it nourished in you an immediate sense of your surroundings and the great outdoors! So what are you waiting for, Tudygirls? Grab those handlebars and pedal away! Bike to School~ you'll get your morning workout done and feel more alert the rest of the day :-)

Here are a few Tudy Tips to help you feel safe and cycle-sure:

1. Have Dad, Mom, or a grown-up map out the safest route to school.
2. Always wear a helmet. Always!
3. There's safety in numbers so bike with friends. (It's just more Tudylightful that way!)
4. Stay on bike routes. Steer clear of roads.
5. Follow the flow of traffic. Never bike against it. Remember, the rules of the road apply to bikers as well.
6. Always lock your bike. Always!7. Stay hydrated and connected. Two Tudy must-haves when biking: a bottle of water and a cell phone. (You never know when you'll need the lift!)

So cycle away! You'll breeze through traffic and that endless congestion. You'll help ease the morning commute and pollution. But most of all, you'll get to school on time, all the time. And your mind and body and heart will love you for it!

Children Crossing

"Wayside School was accidentally built sideways.

It was suppose to be only one story high, with thirty classrooms all in a row.
Instead it is thirty stories high, with one classroom in each story.
The builder said he was very sorry."

Here's a gem of a book that'll lure you back into the school zone: Louis Sachar's Sideways Stories From Wayside School. 

There are thirty stories in this book and they all occur in that one room on the thirteenth floor.  They are all funny, scary, and, here's the kicker, totally relatable (oh, you know it!!! ). Each chapter showcases a character from Wayside School and, somehow, evolves into its own book (way cool!!! ). When you're done, you can flip thru the pages and reread your favorites. Like school, it's the kind of book that'll get you visiting (and hopefully reading! ) again and again.  I personally loved Chapter 1, Mrs. Gorf, and found kindred friends in D.J. and Calvin.

And for whatever its worth: watch 'em apples!!!

Tudy's take: A+

The Trick's the Tale .....By Tudette

The Monster From TooWoomba

I always do my homework.
I do! It’s true! I swear!

But there’s a monster in my locker,
And it’s blue and huge and smells.

And every time I stow my books,
The monster throws me a hungry lyyk.

So I feed it all my homework.
I do! It’s true! I swear!

And that is why, dear teacher,
My homework’s there, Down Under!

Tudy's A+ List

Homework driving you crazy? And poor Mom and Dad are just as clueless with your school work as a deer caught in the headlights? Here's a Tudy list of great websites to help you ace that homework. It's like having the best and most patient tutors right there beside you. Honestly, Tudygirls, who needs study hall?

1. Edhelper
A subscription-based website that offers a whole array of information for any grade level! From History to Science to Spanish and (yes!) SATs, it's one of the best educational websites available. It'll save you a trip to the library or bookstore time and time again. And for $40.00 a year, it's a steal!

2. Math.com
Can't tell an improper fraction from a mixed? Or an integer from an exponent? Math.com to the rescue! It's back to basics with this oh-so-simple-to-follow math website. And it's all there for free! So do the Math, Tudygirls! Click on!

3. Wikipedia.com
Imagine a whole encyclopedia at your fingertips! No time-consuming, heavy-lifting, page-turning agenda! Just type in the subject and presto info (!), it's all there.

4. Fact Monster
Just the facts please! Build your own data base with this fun website and suddenly, a 10, 20, even 30-page (!) inquiry is a finger-typing snap!

5. Coolmath4kids
A really easy-to-navigate website. Who knew numbers could be s000 much fun? There are a gazillion exercises and games to get you going. And a scoreboard to boot! Don't believe me? Just click on the digits!

6. National Geographic Kids
Your e-ticket to exotic lands minus the long line, delays, and security checks! Travel the world without leaving home and learn all about the planet! A Tudy fave, this website is your passport to the world.

So don't fret, don't sweat! Homework help is on it's way. There's never been a better time to get all your sources together. Suddenly, being Miss Smartypants (and you know she really rocked!) is just a click, click away.

Art Stole the Scene!

Art won as your fave subject with a masterful 71% of the vote. Math equalled second with 33%. Reading and writing inked in at third with 29%. And science experimented at fourth with 24%. Thanks for taking my Fave Subject Poll!

Check out the Tudy Tips and Tudy Gifts links under my Memo Board for more fave polls and fave poll results!

The Room With A View

It's your school library of course! It's the one room you should get to know ASAP! Make a visit to your school library an essential part of your week. You'll get access to every literacy skill imaginable!

And make the connection: Borrow Newberry Award winner Jerry Spinelli's The Library Card. There are four stories in this book and the only thing that keeps the stories together is the reappearing, blue library card. It'll lend credence to the power of books, literature and your local school librarian. You'll never look at a library card the same way again...