A Harvest of Fairy Tales for You

A fall harvest of fairy tales Note: The late fall sun makes the book look light green, but it’s actually purple. #writer #notaphotographer An unusual year . . . can also bear fruit This was the year I thought I’d get monster “beefsteak” tomatoes in three colors. I started plants in January. They were trees, […]

How is a story is like a crossword puzzle?

A fairy tale village on the Mosel River in Germany, complete with half-timbered houses and ruined castle. ©LaurelDecher, 2021 While you wait for me to solve my puzzle, here’s a crossword for you A crossword puzzle isn’t something you solve by working your way from top to bottom. Sometimes it works to “solve” a story […]

A Seven Kingdoms #BookBirthday Celebration!

#BookBirthday Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting It’s pumpkin time again and that means it’s the perfect time to listen to a book and bake some pumpkin bars with the gang! The recipe follows below and there’s a  zany book suggestion that the whole family will enjoy. It’s for ages 9 to 12, but the […]

Multiplication Magic

Multiplication tables for kids are a rite of passage . . . Multiplication tables for kids . . . the healthy way Multiplication tables for kids: are you looking for ways to encourage kids who are learning their times tables? Did you know moving helps kids learn multiplication tables? Keep reading for practical tips and […]

Tour the Saffron Kingdom: Burg Rheinfels

Burg Rheinfels is the next stop in our Tour of the Seven Kingdoms! The Saffron Kingdom! The Seven Kingdoms fairy tale world is inspired by real castles in the Rhine and Mosel River valleys in Germany. Clip the map below to find all the tours: Inspired by the Rheinfels Castle: Zany Adventures for ages 9 […]

Tour a Fairy Kingdom???

What does fairyland look like to you? Clear, rushing water and green leaves under the trees. Near Kell, Rhineland Pfalz. Germany. ©Laurel Decher, 2020. What does a Fairy Kingdom look like for you? On this hike, we walked for five or six hours and I got buckets of new ideas about the Fairy Kingdom. I […]

How do Grades Hurt Us?

This re-purposed vending machine is all about external motivation–which piece of art would you like to buy? ©Laurel Decher, 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, and ‘evolving assignments’” may help students to focus on getting […]

Were you ever a Junior Ranger?

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 a Junior Ranger badge and book for your kids (ages 5 to 13+) at all of these National and State Parks? If the list of 400+ parks overwhelms you, try […]