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Parent Support– Yes, Teachers Need It!

One of the coolest parts of being a parent is the chance to be an active participant in their education. I love knowing what is happening in my kids’ classrooms, hearing about their days, and getting to know their teachers. But… my all time favorite ways to get involved are by going on field trips and volunteering to help with class parties. They both offer such a fun glimpse into where my kids are all day and who they are with. 

Volunteering serves a few purposes for me— first, it lets me connect with my child and lets me get to know their peers, and second, because I have personally been a teacher, I know how valuable parent support is, and I want my kids’ teachers to know I support them and am willing to help shoulder some of their already too heavy load. My third reason is, admittedly, a little bit selfish: I love going on the field trips because it is a fun way to experience different fun things around my community that I might not get to experience otherwise. Sure, I could take my family to the aquarium or the pumpkin patch, but when I get to go with the school, there is almost always an educational class or presentation for the kids to participate in. I enjoy learning new things, and find it fascinating to hear what they teach the kids. 

Just yesterday, I got to walk with my son’s kindergarten class to a local donut shop, where we got to see where the donuts are made, watch the machinery in action, and hear all about the donut making process. It was an hour out of my day that was well spent, and I know the teacher was appreciative to have extra hands to help with students. 

Volunteering has allowed me to learn really cool things at the farm, the aquarium, museum, zoo, donut shop, dentist office, post office, dinosaur museum, children’s museum, police station, and more. 

From a teacher’s point of view, parent support is crucial. Knowing that your students’ parents have your back makes such a difference. Every classroom has different needs. Many, especially secondary classrooms, don’t have much need for in-person volunteers. Elementary classrooms, however, often have great need for in-person volunteers. Regardless of what kind of help teachers need, the support parents can give is immeasurable and is so appreciated. 

Parents, if you don’t know how to support you children’s teachers, might I suggest a couple of ways? 

  • Send an email letting them know you are thankful for what they do for your child. CC the principal on the email.
  • If finances allow, add a container of cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, or box of tissues to your next grocery order to donate to the classroom.
  • Volunteer for class parties or field trips. If you can’t be there in person, offer to donate supplies for activities.
  • Learn the teacher’s favorite snack or treat and send one to school the morning of Parent-Teacher Conferences (or any random day!). 
  • Volunteer to help assemble learning packets, cut lamination, grade papers, or to come in and help with reading.

It doesn’t take a lot to show your support for the teachers in your life. They are overworked, underpaid, and often completely exhausted. A little appreciation or support really does go a long way!

And teachers, if you find yourself barely surviving, don’t hesitate to reach out to the parents of your students and ask for help. I guarantee you’ll have at least one willing volunteer to help shoulder your load and make your job easier. 

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Fall Fun for the Classroom

It’s officially Fall! The leaves are changing where I live, and the morning air is crisp. It’s a beautiful thing! New seasons bring all kinds of changes, and those changes create great opportunities for exciting learning opportunities as well as lots of fun, creative art activities. Below you will find a few suggestions and ideas for some Fall fun in your classroom! Feel free to modify any activity to fit your students’ needs.

Science:

  • Learn about the life cycle of an apple from seed to fruit. Taste test different kinds of apples.
  • Learn about why the leaves change their colors. Talk a walk outside and see how many colors of leaves you can spot.
  • Investigate why the temperatures start to drop. Discuss the Earth’s rotation and position this time of year.

Art:

  • Go outside and gather some leaves from the ground. Use them to create leaf rubbings, stamps with paint, or press them and make a bookmark.
  • Draw a fall scene.
  • Gather small leaves from outside. Draw a tree trunk and branches on paper, then glue the leaves onto the tree.

Language Arts:

  • Read some books about Fall.
  • Write an acrostic poem using FALL or AUTUMN.
  • Write a descriptive paragraph describing a fall scene.

Math:

  • If available in your area, collect fallen acorns or pinecones. Sort and count in several different ways.
  • Conduct a class-wide survey about favorite Fall activities. Create a bar graph with the results.
  • Use fall themed candy as math manipulatives.
  • Print out and have students complete the Fall Find and Count printable at the end of this post.

Students learn best when a learning experience is engaging. And honestly, from a teacher’s perspective, teaching is much more enjoyable when the material you are teaching is fun and engaging. Play into the seasons, holidays, and other special occasions— I bet you’ll have as much fun as the students do! 

** Feel free to download the free Fall Find and Count worksheet— it is only for personal and classroom use. Please do not distribute, sell, or use as your own.**

Find & Count- Fall Fun!Download
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Make it Make Sense!

A few nights ago, I was sitting with my son while he read out loud to me. He is in first grade, so he is still trying to figure out words, sounds, and rules of the English language. He really is a great reader, and he’s catching on quickly, but with so many rules and exceptions to those rules, he’s had some frustrating moments. 

On this night in particular, he was reading a sentence that had the word ‘clean’ in it. His initial pronunciation was something along the lines of “clihaahn”. When he couldn’t figure it out on his own, I stepped in to help him. I told him how to correctly pronounce the word, then explained that when there is an ‘e’ and an ‘a’ next to each other, it will make an ‘eee’ sound. … and then we got to the next page, where there was the word ‘great’ waiting for us, and the little lesson I’d just given him was no longer valid for this new word. Imagine his confusion when I had to explain that sometimes the ‘e’ and the ‘a’ make a different sound together. 

Take, for instance, the following words: clean, great, heart, early, and head. All contain the ‘ea’ digraph… and none of them sound the same! Or take into consideration through, though, tough, cough, and bough. Again, same letter combination, but all pronounced differently. Make it make sense!! 

Not only do we have digraphs that make different sounds, we also have homophones— words that sound the same, but are spelled differently and have different meanings! Sheesh! As if it wasn’t complicated enough already. Trying to keep it all straight is enough to drive a grown person crazy. Thinking about this is flashing me back to my teaching days when the core curriculum required me to teach a certain set of homophones to each grade level. Let me tell you: teaching seventh graders to understand the difference between capitol and capital, principle and principal, there, they’re, and their, and allowed and aloud was quite the task! I found myself coming up with all sorts of creative ways to help them remember the difference between words. 

As someone who has been speaking and reading the English language for a while now, I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on how to pronounce most words. My brain has been programmed and wired to be able to read a word, determine which sound(s) the letter combinations will make, and pronounce the word, all in a matter of fractions of a second. It’s really quite remarkable that our brains can do what they do! Honestly, it’s so automatic that I really don’t even think about the process of figuring out how to pronounce a word anymore. That is, until I’m sitting with my kids while they read, and then I am reminded of just how complex our language is. 

I’m reminded that I, too, was once in the position of not knowing which ‘ea’ words made a long ‘e’ sound, which made a long ‘a’ sound, and which made a ‘eh’ sound. I once struggled to make sense of the letters and words on the pages in front of me, too, and that’s okay. It’s in the struggle of learning that we make sense of things and train our minds to remember the rules and parameters of our language. 

Every time I’m in a position of helping someone learn how to read, I am reminded just how tricky it can be. These reminders have prompted me to be a little more patient and kind. So when I want to loudly exclaim, “Gahhh! Don’t you know that read and great don’t sound the same and don’t rhyme, but phony and bologna do?!”, I tell myself that learning this language is hard, and it’s going to take practice and time for new learners to figure it all out. It’s a slow process, but one that is undeniably worth every single bit of effort, time, and mistake along the way, for teaching someone to read is setting them up for a lifetime of success.

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Who Knew There Were So Many Kinds of Schools?!

When I was growing up, there never really was any question about which school I would be attending— whichever elementary or secondary school I was living in the boundaries for is the one I would attend. There weren’t many other options; if there were, they weren’t widely known and weren’t talked about much. The thought of having a choice to attend anything other than a traditional public school was foreign to me. 

Fast forward many years, and there are a plethora of options for parents and students to choose from. While the majority of students today attend a traditional public school, there are many who choose otherwise. Not all schools are created equal, thus providing opportunities for  unique learning experiences for all kinds of learners. 

So what even are the differences between the various types of schools? We’ve got public, charter, private, magnet, boarding, parochial, and home schools. That’s a lot! Until I became a teacher, I honestly didn’t really fully understand the differences between each of these types of schools. If you find yourself in the same boat, look no further— I’ll explain!

Public Schools

Traditional public schools are the most widely attended across the United States. These types of schools are open to the general public, and service all children within their geographical boundaries. Students are not charged tuition, but sometimes are required to pay fees. Schools are funded by taxpayer dollars and other government funds, and are held to certain standards set by school boards and education departments. 

Charter Schools

Charter schools are a type of public school, but unlike traditional public schools, they are free from many of the regulations and rules that traditional schools are held to. They also do not have the weight of the school board’s scrutiny over them. They do not charge tuition. Charter schools are open to the public, and are typically founded by parents, teachers, organizations, or for-profit groups. Charter schools are known for being more rigorous than traditional schools, and often push the boundaries on how learning is structured and delivered. They also often require a uniform and have a strict dress code. 

Magnet Schools

Magnet schools are fairly new to the education game, and are becoming more popular. These kinds of schools are a type of charter school, but they specialize in specific areas, such as STEM, arts, music, etc. Students must still receive general education, but the main focus of study lies in how the school is specialized. Magnet schools tend to be very competitive and very selective about who they let into their programs. Since magnet schools are a type of charter/public school, they are tuition free. However, because they are specialized, they can require students to be at a certain aptitude level to be admitted. Magnet schools tend to have higher standards for their students, expecting great things academically. Magnet schools are really cool in that they give students a chance to be surrounded by likeminded peers who all share an enthusiasm for learning the particular area of focus for the school.

Private Schools

Private schools are as they sound— private and very selective. Private schools often require an entrance exam of some form, and students must apply to be let in. These schools are funded through tuition as well as other grants and donations from private entities. Typically, private schools require a uniform and are also quite rigid in their standards and expectations for their students. 

Boarding Schools

Boarding schools are a type of private school where living arrangements are provided on site. Students live, eat, and learn on campus. 

Parochial Schools

Parochial schools provide a private education that is heavily influenced by religious beliefs. We typically see these kinds of schools run by Catholic parishes, Protestant denominations, or other religious groups. Religious teachings are integrated with general education subjects.

Home Schools

Homeschooling has gained more popularity over recent years, with a large surge in interest happening after the COVID pandemic of 2020. Home school is as it sounds— students are educated at home, typically by a parent. Requirements for home school vary by state. Some states are very strict on how home school is run, requiring the parent to be a credentialed teacher and have regular check-ins with the school district. Other states are very lax in their requirements, not even requiring notification that a student will be homeschooled. Most states will fall somewhere in the middle. Homeschool offers a unique opportunity for students to be taught at a slower pace in the comfort of their own homes. Parents and students can join forces with other homeschool families and create cooperatives to allow for more opportunities for homeschooled children. Many students participate in a hybrid school experiences, where some of their subjects are taught at home or online and others are taught in person at a school. 

It’s incredible that there are so many kinds of schools to pick from! There truly is a type of school for every kind of student. Having so many options allows for students to thrive as they attend the type of school that suits them best. There is no wrong or right type of school— all provide educational opportunities, and all give students the chance to challenge themselves academically and prepare for their future!

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Brain Breaks & Challenge Cards

We’ve all been there as teachers— we plan the perfect lesson or activity, anticipating that it will fill as much time as possible… and then it doesn’t, and suddenly, you’re left with time to fill. A few minutes of “free time” at the end of class isn’t so terrible, but too much time? You’re going to end up with chaos and mayhem! 

If (when) you find yourself in a situation like this, or find that you need a short brain break in between tasks or activities, it’s always good to have an idea or two in your back pocket to quickly pull out for your class to do. 

Sure, the Internet is teeming with ready-to-go brain breaks and time fillers, but sometimes, you just need something that is not tech related and is still fun and engaging. I remember playing “Heads Up, Seven Up” or “Silent Ball” and having so much fun. If there is an element of mystery or challenge to the game or activity, it makes it even more fun. 

I’ve created a fun “Challenge Game” full of different kinds of challenges to engage students and targeting several areas of learning. As a teacher, you know how much time you have available, so you can choose the type of challenge— some are super quick, while others take more time. Choose a challenge card, then pick one (or more if you have time) challenge activity and have your students complete the challenge. Split them into groups or do the challenges as a whole class— whatever fits your needs! 

Have fun and enjoy connecting with your class. Parents, you can use these challenge cards, too! We all know that sometimes you just need a few minutes to reset at home. These are even great to cut out and keep in your car! Tuck them into your purse and pull them out while you wait for your food to come, the doctor to see you, or to keep the whining to a minimum when they claim they are bored.

As always, the printable is free, but is intended for classroom or personal home use only. Do not sell, distribute, or repost as your own.

Challenge GameDownload
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2026 Build A Better Future Scholarship Dates

Attention all graduating seniors! Every year, Honors Graduation awards five seniors each with a $10,000 scholarship. Applicants must design and work on a community improvement project, using our checklist as a guide.

In previous years, we have seen some incredible projects, and we’re certain our 2026 applicants will do amazing things as well! If you need some inspiration or want to read more about our previous winners’ projects, you can find all of that by clicking here.

If you would like to read more about our scholarship, you can find all the details here. You can also find all of the application links, FAQs, and other details on this page.

For your reference, the deadlines are as follows:

Optional Strategy Feedback Form- due by March 9, 2026
Final Submission Form- due by April 13, 2026
Winners will be chosen by May 4, 2026

If you are a senior, you know a senior, or you teach/work with seniors, please spread the word! Share this blog post, and follow us on social media for updates and tips!

Facebook: HonorsGradU
Instagram: @honorsgradu

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2025 Scholarship Winner Spotlight: Japteg Singh-Bamrah

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been spotlighting our 2025 Build A Better Future Scholarship recipients. Each of our winners worked hard to design and execute a project that bettered their community. Their determination, hard work, and perseverance was inspiring. You can read more about each of the projects here. 

Each year, we choose five projects that have been especially inspiring to receive a $10,000 scholarship. On top of that, one of those five projects is chosen as our top project, with the winner receiving an additional $5,000 grant to continue their project. This year’s top winner was Japteg Singh-Bamrah, whose project, The SolarMech Engine, aimed to help rural farmers obtain energy by harvesting the power of the sun, thus improving their livelihood and capacity to continue farming, even when the area’s power is out. 

Japteg is from Punjab, India, and recently moved here to the states. He will be attending Purdue University where he will be studying Robotics Engineering Technology. He loves science, and has been particularly drawn to physics. He finds great joy in building and creating, which he was able to use for his project. He said his favorite snack (and form of self-care) is a hot cup of noodles— which he likes to enjoy while sitting in a cold, dark room with Netflix on. 

The SolarMech Engine was born when Japteg was in 10th grade and was required to do a project that reflected his interests. His initial idea was to do something based around food and cooking, but after he spotted an old toy steam engine sitting on his bedroom shelf on night, his mind began to conjure up a new plan. He said, “If I had to describe it, I’d say the inspiration was like a tornado—many factors swirling together and creating something powerful. Just seeing [the steam engine] reminded me of how fascinated I used to be with moving mechanical parts and engines. That changed everything. I ditched the cooking idea and started researching different kinds of engines instead. As I read more, a new idea took shape in my mind: What if I could build an engine that used solar heat as its only fuel? It seemed like a crazy and ambitious idea at the time, but I felt so drawn to it that I decided to give it everything I had.”

Initially, the SolarMech Engine wasn’t designed with a particular need or demographic in mind; it was designed purely out of innovation and curiosity to see if it would actually work. However, it didn’t stay that way for long. He said, “Things changed when I switched schools after 10th grade… My new school was located in a more rural region, near the foothills of Badhani. That’s when everything started falling into place.
During my daily commute to and from school, I saw so many farmers using handpumps to draw water, old diesel-powered flour mills running in completely unhygienic conditions, and even in our school, the power supply was so unreliable that we had to rely on bulky, polluting diesel generators. I was seeing all of this every day, and it started to bother me more and more. That’s when it hit me—my engine could actually be useful here.
The SolarMech Engine, with its ability to generate both electricity and heat from solar energy, could be a game-changer for these communities. It could reduce their dependence on diesel, provide a cleaner way to run small-scale machines like flour mills, and even help with heating during the harsh winters in that area. And later, we even considered that the same engine could be used for cold storage applications, which would be very helpful for preserving harvested crops.
So yes, the connection to this demographic came after the idea was born, but once I saw the match between the two, I knew I had to pursue it.”

When Japteg first began bringing his idea to life, he didn’t have access to a lab, funding, or other materials he’d need. Rather than give up, he worked with what he did have access to: steel cans, balloons, and bicycle spokes. Japteg eventually realized that if he wanted to continue to push his project forward and create a useable machine, he would need funding and access to materials. His project paused for over a year, until he came across the Jigyasa EPIC Hackathon, which is a national-level innovation challenge put on by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Japteg was surprised when his project was chosen to be in the top 50 projects (out of over 1,500!). This gave him a confidence boost as well as access to the support he’d been needing to continue his project. 

He was paired with Dr. Nasir UI Rasheed at CSIR-IIIM Jammu, and the project took off from there. Now, with access to a research lab, funding from CSIR, as well as equipment needed to experiment with, Japteg was able to really push forward with his idea. About this, he said, “We tried five different engine configurations and three types of solar collector designs, testing them at various altitudes and temperatures. Eventually, we found that a vertical dual-piston, no-valve engine with a hexagonal center-cut collector plate gave the best performance.” In addition to Dr. Rasheed’s mentorship, Japteg’s mother, father, and brother were incredibly helpful and supportive. The project took first place in the Hackathon! You can read more about that here.

As with any project of this scale, there are bound to be setbacks. In addition to the initial lack of access to needed materials and funding, Japteg also experienced difficulty with time management, rejection from an engineering professor, and resistance from his mother when he first began his work. All of these problems were met with determination, and Japteg was able to work through them. 

One of the biggest concerns he faced was the fact that he was moving to the United States— he would need to find new support systems, teammates, and figure out where to gain lab access. Despite this challenge, Japteg is determined to continue his work on the SolarMech Engine while at Purdue. He is hoping to use resources available at the university as well as to gain the support and help of like-minded peers and professors. His goal is to move from a model to a field-deployable machine, and he has every plan to make that happen! 

Since the project is still in the works, it has not yet been deployed on a large scale. However, with the few machines that have been created, Japteg was able to demonstrate his SolarMech Engine to some farmers. Those that were able to see how the machine worked were excited and hopeful that they would soon be able to benefit from Japteg’s innovative idea. 

What an amazing idea that will no doubt change the lives of many, particularly the farmers who will be able to use the SolarMech Engine. We are excited to see the impact of Japteg’s work as he continues to move forward with his project!