![A vending machine for art. It looks like it was re-purposed from a cigarette vending machine.](https://laureldecher.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/p1080651-scaled-1-300x225.jpg)
How do Grades Hurt Us?
February 11, 2020
Reading an article about how it hurts kids to focus on “grades” instead of “learning”: “Grades vs Learning: Shifting Attention to What’s Important“ “Drafts, re-dos,
![image of 4th grade pass to parks](https://laureldecher.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2019_4thgrade_cutbadges_front_nohole-200x126-1.jpg)
Were you ever a Junior Ranger?
January 14, 2020
I’ve been doing a little more research for the next Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tale. Look what I found! 🙂 Did you know you can get
![ancient castle wall with steep roofed stairs](https://laureldecher.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/burgrheinfels_08jul2019-scaled-1-225x300.jpg)
Lost in a Campground
January 6, 2020
Burg Rheinfels (Fortress Rhine Boulder) is the inspiration for the Saffron Kingdom. ©Laurel Decher, 2021. Do you have a good sense of direction? How about
![cartoon image of a surveyor](https://laureldecher.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/aid1215841-v4-728px-become-a-surveyor-step-1-version-3-300x225.jpg)
What tests do you need to pass to become a. . .?
December 11, 2019
What careers have you always wondered about? The next Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tale stars the Saffron twins, Magellan and Saffy, so I’m thinking about what