The Best Things in Life Are...Free with Suggested Donations
Ok first, let me address the elephant in the room. Yes, Alice, Ever After got a makeover. I've been annoyed with the layout for quite some time but my knowledge of how to fix and change things to the way I want them is quite limited.
Enter spectacular, amazing, talented BF. He has a tech job. He knows how to do these things. Earlier this week I mentioned my continued frustration and tonight he sat down and helped me knock it out. Voilà ! A whole new look for this baby. Let me know your thoughts! The new things are, in no particular order: new color scheme (obvi), page titles on the top to find posts about specific topics, tags are minimized below, and, um. That's it? Man, it took a lot of work to make those changes.
Let me know if you miss something or wish something else was there! Mom - just text me. :)
The BF, of course, did this all for free. He has a great big heart and I appreciate that. Nobody likes to come home and do their job again so big thanks BF! This week I have had some other exciting "free" moments so I thought I would share them! Half of these are in Boston. My apologies to those living elsewhere!
Adidas RunBase
Yesterday the sis and I wanted to go for a run before a free (that's next!) yoga class in downtown Boston. We heard rumors that the Adidas RunBase on Boylston St. in downtown Boston had free lockers so we decided to check it out. Turns out the rumors are true! Any old person can come in, store their things in a locker - bring your own lock- and head out for a run downtown. They also have pretty spectacular showers if you need to rinse off when you are done. I noticed a pile of yoga mats that might be available for use, not sure. We did snag a free map that showed a route for a 4ish mile run along the Charles River. Check it out!! Adidas RunBase, 855 Boylston St. Boston.
Free Fitness Classes
This summer there are loads of free fitness classes all over Boston. Yoga, zumba, bootcamp, you name it! Classes are mostly held outside so be sure to check appropriate websites for any cancellations. This Boston Magazine article has an easy to use daily list. Get your fitness on!
Teachers Write
Yes, I mentioned this in my last post. But this is one of my favorite things ever. From Kate Messner's website: Teachers Write is an online summer writing camp with author-mentors who donate their time to work with us. It’s free.
Now, the suggested donation is that you purchase at least one book from one of the guest authors. Which is totally fair. For real published authors are taking time away from their actual writing to give feedback to the Muggles. The least we could do is buy their books. (Bonus! Other members give feedback as well so you are getting lots of feedback on writing.) Even more generous? The leaders of Teachers Write tell you if you really can't swing buying any of the books, get them from your library, ask your library to purchase them, or review one of the books online. Yeah, I think that's fair. This year I am feeling braver and ready to write. Two-ish days in and I have found my tribe.
Expeditionary Learning EL Education Curriculum
I believe in Expeditionary Learning. (Side note: they are rebranding as EL Education. Whatever it is, it is where I'm at.) I believe so strongly that this structure of teaching is the best for all kids in all schools regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, whatever! I can't tell you how much I believe in it. Sadly, my school is not a member of the EL school system. However, my amazing leadership team supports the same type of innovative and creative curriculum design that EL does. Which means, I can beg, borrow, and steal my way to using any inspiration from EL I can find. But wait! This summer I discovered that EL GIVES ITS CURRICULUM AWAY FOR FREE!!! No joke. Two days into summer break and I learned that EL believes so strongly in what it does, it has made open source curriculum available to the whole world. I signed up to be on an email list and then got a phone call from a rep from EL. You can definitely buy published versions of the curriculum and that you have to pay for. And if you want any type of support or PD for your school you will have to fork over some dough for that. But seriously? Free, top notch curriculum? That, my friends, is what we call true social justice. Rock on, EL. You are my favorite forever.
There you have it folks, four free-ish things happening in our world as we speak. Know anything else? Tried any of these? Let me know in the comments!
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| Me, Alice, Central Park |
Enter spectacular, amazing, talented BF. He has a tech job. He knows how to do these things. Earlier this week I mentioned my continued frustration and tonight he sat down and helped me knock it out. Voilà ! A whole new look for this baby. Let me know your thoughts! The new things are, in no particular order: new color scheme (obvi), page titles on the top to find posts about specific topics, tags are minimized below, and, um. That's it? Man, it took a lot of work to make those changes.
Let me know if you miss something or wish something else was there! Mom - just text me. :)
The BF, of course, did this all for free. He has a great big heart and I appreciate that. Nobody likes to come home and do their job again so big thanks BF! This week I have had some other exciting "free" moments so I thought I would share them! Half of these are in Boston. My apologies to those living elsewhere!
 |
| Don't forget - libraries are also free! Persephone (grand daughter) and I exploring BPL's Central Library. |
Adidas RunBase
Yesterday the sis and I wanted to go for a run before a free (that's next!) yoga class in downtown Boston. We heard rumors that the Adidas RunBase on Boylston St. in downtown Boston had free lockers so we decided to check it out. Turns out the rumors are true! Any old person can come in, store their things in a locker - bring your own lock- and head out for a run downtown. They also have pretty spectacular showers if you need to rinse off when you are done. I noticed a pile of yoga mats that might be available for use, not sure. We did snag a free map that showed a route for a 4ish mile run along the Charles River. Check it out!! Adidas RunBase, 855 Boylston St. Boston.
 |
| After our run, free yoga! My beloved Boston Public Library in the background! |
 |
| Those front row goofy ladies are in my run/yoga crew. Love them! |
Free Fitness Classes
This summer there are loads of free fitness classes all over Boston. Yoga, zumba, bootcamp, you name it! Classes are mostly held outside so be sure to check appropriate websites for any cancellations. This Boston Magazine article has an easy to use daily list. Get your fitness on!
Teachers Write
Yes, I mentioned this in my last post. But this is one of my favorite things ever. From Kate Messner's website: Teachers Write is an online summer writing camp with author-mentors who donate their time to work with us. It’s free.
Now, the suggested donation is that you purchase at least one book from one of the guest authors. Which is totally fair. For real published authors are taking time away from their actual writing to give feedback to the Muggles. The least we could do is buy their books. (Bonus! Other members give feedback as well so you are getting lots of feedback on writing.) Even more generous? The leaders of Teachers Write tell you if you really can't swing buying any of the books, get them from your library, ask your library to purchase them, or review one of the books online. Yeah, I think that's fair. This year I am feeling braver and ready to write. Two-ish days in and I have found my tribe.
I believe in Expeditionary Learning. (Side note: they are rebranding as EL Education. Whatever it is, it is where I'm at.) I believe so strongly that this structure of teaching is the best for all kids in all schools regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, whatever! I can't tell you how much I believe in it. Sadly, my school is not a member of the EL school system. However, my amazing leadership team supports the same type of innovative and creative curriculum design that EL does. Which means, I can beg, borrow, and steal my way to using any inspiration from EL I can find. But wait! This summer I discovered that EL GIVES ITS CURRICULUM AWAY FOR FREE!!! No joke. Two days into summer break and I learned that EL believes so strongly in what it does, it has made open source curriculum available to the whole world. I signed up to be on an email list and then got a phone call from a rep from EL. You can definitely buy published versions of the curriculum and that you have to pay for. And if you want any type of support or PD for your school you will have to fork over some dough for that. But seriously? Free, top notch curriculum? That, my friends, is what we call true social justice. Rock on, EL. You are my favorite forever.
 |
| Below are some pictures from our EL inspired "Bee the Change" unit Bees, flowers, and making a difference |
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| "Bees get polin fum fawr." |
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