Podcasts: Listen to learn! All the cool kids are doing it!

Let's face it, most of our kids have some sort of electronic device or another.  Why not put them to good use?  We give you.... the podcast. It's probably one of the least used features on the smartphone. We love podcasts because they are especially useful for our auditory learners.  Auditory learners can remember an amazing 75% of what they hear so they can be a fantastic resource for them. ExploreMore! has listened to hours and hours trying to find the best ones for you. The podcasts that we feature vary in length from 15-35 minutes which is a perfect amount of time- not too long, not too short. All of these podcasts can be accessed through Apple, Android or through the website listed.  We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Here are ExploreMore!'s top picks:

Tumble Science Podcasts for Kids

Tumble is a science podcast for kids to be enjoyed by the entire family.  They tell stories about science discoveries with the help of scientists.  Join Lindsay and Marshall as they ask questions, share mysteries, and learn what science is all about.

www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/home

Shabam!

Shabam is a new type of science show that blends fictional stories with real science.  If you love science but hate those awkward scientist interviews that involve graphs and confusing metaphors, you're in luck.  First off, Shabam! is an audio program- so no graphs.  And second, through the magic of sound effects and music, you'll hear stories that reveal the awesomeness in the world around us- like cellphones and vaccinations.
www.shabamshow.com

The Book Club for Kids
This is a podcast where young readers meet to talk about a book.  The show includes a celebrity reading from the book.  Plus, the author joins us to answer your questions.
www.bookclubforkids.org/new-blog

Shakespeare Retold
Ten of William Shakespeare's most famous plays become the inspiration for a collection of stories by leading children's writers and read by some famous voices.  Writers include Frank Cotrell Boyce, Pamela Butchart and Jamila Gavin; readers include Simon Callow, Shirley Henderson and Julian Rhind-Tutt
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03dwshd

Stuff You Missed in History Class
This podcast is from the authors of HowStuffWorks.  The hosts of this show look at stories from history that you may not have heard about in class.  This podcast is geared for students in grades 6-12.
www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts

We hope you enjoyed our selections. What podcasts do you and your children listen to? We would love to hear from you!

Back to School Tips for Gifted Kids

It's back to school time! It is hard to believe that in just a few short weeks, our kids will be back at it! Hopefully, everyone had a restful summer.  ExploreMore! has been working all summer to find resources and enrichment opportunities that will engage your students.  We hope that you enjoyed our summer camp and have found the articles posted on our facebook page enlightening. In preparation for the new school year, we would like to offer you some resources on how to start the year off on a good foot. TIME MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION We often hear, as teachers, that time management and organization are a hurdle for students.  Bright students, especially, have difficulty.  They can be absent-minded professors!  Some students benefit from color coding and checklists.  Here are some additional tips to help get your child organized for the upcoming school year. As for time management, studies have shown that a child's ability to organize their time is more an indicator of success than IQ.  Children have a lot on their plates.  Sports, dance, scouts, technology and other things all vie for their attention.  Giving them the skills early, can help them succeed later in their education careers. LEARNING STYLES Howard Gardner, a developmental psychologist, has created the theory of Multiple Intelligences. Knowing how your child learns and processes information is invaluable.  Some students learn kinesthetically, while others are visual.  There are seven types in all, and most kids are a combination. Once you have determined how your child learns, there is so much you can do to ensure that your child is successful.  If you don't know how your child learns best, try this quiz. You might find out that they really do learn better by listening to music! HEALTHY LUNCHES We have all been there.  At the beginning of the year, we launch into Pinterest to find the coolest lunches to pack our kids only to last the first week or maybe month.  And while breakfast is the most important meal of the day, kids need fuel to feed their brains.  Foods like nuts, whole grains, fruits and vegetables have proven to boost brainpower.  Here are some suggestions on lunches that will feed their stomachs AND their minds. Hopefully, this list will keep it going all through the year. It's that time again!  Here's to a great school year!