Kids Love Imagine Tomorrow!

Cute Little Story!

2011-08-18T08:09:00.003-04:00

I live in the Bucks County Area of PA. It is an amazing place to live filled with rolling hills, farms, sleepy towns, tons of culture and amazing people. I was in one of my local schools the other day and was speaking to a bunch of parents, children and teachers about fall classes. Explaining to them about the amazing benefits of the proprietary software that as well as some of the fun things we like to do each year with from special birthday detective parties to Halloween bring a friend classes. The words Halloween caught the attention of one of the kids sitting with his mom. I saw his eyes widen and up goes his hand! I said do you have a question? He said, and I quote"no I have a statement"...LOL please remember this little guy is maybe 4. I said what is your statement? He said, "I think all these things your talkin bout is good but I gotta tell you - I can smell the pumpkins already!" The entire room broke out into laughter...I asked him to come up and go on the build a pumpkin(which is a favorite of most children). He was very excited! MOM did sign him up for class right there! It was a fun and cute moment that all the parents will remember! I was joking with his mom that I might have to have her son come to the schools with me and help me introduce the kids to the Imagine Tomorrow program! Welcome Fall!!!

Kids predict the future

2011-07-20T08:35:00.003-04:00

I recently read a study "Kids are the Royal Road to Technology Innovation" where they asked 200 kids ages 7-12 questions such as "What would you want your computer to do that it can't to do now?" One of the three key insights found from the study is that 1/3 of the kids said that computers can improve (or empower) us. They viewed computers as way to gain knowledge in subject areas that they were interested in (such as learning a language or learning to cook) and as a way to create (such as create a game). I found this very interesting because this is one of the unique features of Imagine Tomorrow. Imagine Tomorrow curriculum teaches the students that computers can be used as a tool. Computers are not just to play games but as a way to gather information, create, and communicate. The students are immersed in a story line where they become computer detectives and have to solve a mission by using technology. I believe this idea of technology empowering kids open the doors for many opportunities far beyond my imagination for kids today.

From a child's perspective!

2011-07-14T06:31:00.004-04:00

Being a mom of three children and running the business that I run, I often ask the kids to tell me about there thoughts and expectations with regard to technology and their future. I found this article so interesting I hope you enjoy!

Kids predict the future of technology | Featured on eSchool News | eSchoolNews.com

Why do you need to teach kids how to use technology?

2011-07-07T13:41:00.001-04:00

When people first learn about technology classes, they often wonder, “Why do you need to teach kids how to use technology?” With over two decades experience teaching these skills to young children, we believe the answer is simple… You don’t! Using technology is natural for kids. They learn to use it as soon as they start clicking the mouse and tapping the keyboard. We don’t teach kids how to use technology; we teach them why to use technology. The difference is huge.

If a child only experiences a computer as something to play games on, they may get to be quick with the mouse or fast on the keyboard, but they are not really learning to use technology as a meaningful skill. However, when a child is given an age-appropriate way to apply technology skills to find information, communicate and share ideas, and solve problems – you begin to unlock a child’s true potential to use technology to learn.

Imagine Tomorrow’s philosophy on learning is powerful because it centers on the idea that kids learn best when they have a purpose. Too many websites and computer software programs have kids clicking through games for no reason other than to get to the next level or earn more points. Even an educational activity that teaches a skill like letters or numbers loses its potential when it is delivered in isolation and without a purpose. This is why Imagine Tomorrow thoughtfully builds each lesson around a story that teaches children to use a new technology skill to solve a funny, child-friendly problem. We give them a reason why.

For example in one episode children go on a mission to fix the sprinklers at File Farm that are spraying sugar instead of water and turning the fruits and vegetables into candy. To solve the mission they learn why it is important to save your file when you are done working on it. The goal of this lesson is not to just teach kids how to Save a File, but to make sure they understand why you need to save a file.
Technology is going to keep changing throughout their lifetime. If you teach children more than just how, but really give them an understanding of why, they will continue to be able to adapt and apply their skills to whatever type of technology they are using.

Saluting Our Military Families this 4th of July

2011-07-04T08:57:00.004-04:00

In celebration of our nation's birthday, we thank and salute all the military families out there.

We celebrate all of our class providers who help teach children of the military families the technology skills they need to stay in touch with their overseas parents.

Web conferencing, instant messaging, email, skyping... these amazing technologies allow us all to stay as connected as possible all over the world.

Technology is an integral tool for communications, especially for the military and military families.

We salute you!

Question for Judy!

2011-07-01T22:11:00.002-04:00

This week during class, I had a student ask me why is the computer class called Imagine Tomorrow? I explained that the company Imagine Tomorrow was created by Judy Patterson who was a teacher. I then explained that she started this company using computers as a tool to educate children not only about computers, but about reading, writing, math, colors, shapes etc. She seemed satisfied with that answer and then she asked me one last question. Ms. Rachel - but how did she come up with the name? I did not have an answer. If Judy could share I would love to give my little friend an answer. Have a wonderful 4th of July everyone!

Safety Tips

2011-06-30T20:28:00.003-04:00

School is out and our kids have more free time. Not only can all this free time lead to boredom, but it can lead to kids trying new things which may not be safe. In my previous post I listed some ways to beat summber boredom. Now it's time to keep our kids safe.

This first link is from NetSmartz Workshop which is a program of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It gives some great internet safety tips.
www.netsmartz.org/internetsafety

The next link is from Safe Kids USA and it gives tips for preventing injuries at home, at play, and on the way. There are safety tips for babies, little kids, big kids, and teens.
www.safekids.org/safety-basics

Have a fun and safe holiday weekend everyone!

Wow

2011-06-30T14:32:00.003-04:00

It is always fun to meet with a prospect director of a child care facility about Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes because they are always so impressed with the software and how it is custom designed to adjust to each child's level academically and technically. And then when I go into all the early academics the curriculum covers they are even more wowed. I love to be able to represent such a high quality program!

10 Ways to Beat Summer Boredom

2011-06-28T06:07:00.003-04:00

We are only 3 weeks into summer vacation and instead of "hearing" the words "I'm bored" I received a text from 10 year old that said, "Mom I'm BORED!" Keeping kids entertained in the summer can be a challenge so here are some of my favorite inexpensive ways to keep my little darling from texting me those dreaded words:

1. Try something new in the kitchen. My son loves to help me bake but to change things up a little we are learning how to can things this summer. We just pickled the peppers we have growing in our backyard. Next we are going to try and make our own pickles.

2. Pack a picnic and head to a new park. When my 20 year old and 17 year old were little we visited a different park every Tuesday during the summer.

3. Set up an obstacle course in the backyard. Our yard is not huge but we have enough room to make a mini course. To keep things exciting I turn on the hose and spray the kids as they run through the course.

4. Visit your local library and pick up a summer calendar. Our library has FREE activities going on all summer.

5. Go to a minor league baseball game. Minor league games are less expensive than major league games and just as fun for the kids!

6. Crafts.... I went to our local craft store and stocked up on cheap craft supplies. I didn't take my son with me and put the things in a closet. I am waiting for a rainy day to suprise him.

7. Dinner at the local pool. Get a bucket of chicken and take it to the local pool. Last week we ordered pizza and had it delivered to the pool. The kids loved it!

8. Scavenger Hunt....This is a family favorite and good for all ages. Your hunt can take place indoors or outdoors. Your list can include things the kids can find and things they need to create.

9. Set up a tent! It's a little hot in Texas right now to put the tent in the backyard but my son loves to make his own tent in our family room. Popcorn and a movie and we are set!

10. Last but not least log onto http://www.imaginetomorrow.com/ and paint a summer picture!

I know the next text from my son will be "Mom you ROCK!" LOL! Wishful thinking!

School year ended summer camp time!!!

2011-06-21T23:05:00.004-04:00

What a fun year we had this year...Imagine Tomorrow partnered with Learning Care Group. This partnership allowed Licenses to teach at this great brand of childcare centers across the country. I have personally enjoyed meeting the Directors, Teachers and all the little kids in my area. We are now pushing forward with summer camp. The 1st week of camp for us starts next week. I can not wait to go on all the fun learning adventures with the kiddos! Wonder where Mr. Scott and the puterbugs will have us next? HUM...

I Do It!

2011-06-21T22:35:00.002-04:00

Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes start as young as 2.5. I love watching a child this young grasp how to use the mouse and keyboard and how quickly they catch on. Last week was Gavin's first class. He needed a lot of assistance on how to navigate the mouse. Today was his second class and he was working most of the class independently. He kept yelling out, "I do it!" It was fun to watch the excitement on his face and seeing it "click" for him.

All Aboard the Microchip Cruise Ship

2011-06-03T08:39:00.003-04:00

This week we started our summer curriculum. My students are so excited to be taking the Microchip Cruise Ship around the world of Imagine Tomorrow. They loved typing their name and age on their cruise ship tickets! Digital code, spacebar, networks, and resize graphic tools are just some of the technology concepts we will be learning about this summer. Hop aboard...it's going to be a great summer!

Should I buy my child their own computer?

2011-06-02T08:28:00.003-04:00

This is a question I receive from parents quite frequently. I think parents have to do what works best to fit the needs of their family. My daughter received her "own" computer when she was leaving for college last year. The most important advice I can give is to monitor your children when they are using the computer. It's just as important to monitor your 3 year old as it is to monitor your 16 year old. In our house the rule is the computer must stay down in the main living area. If I let my 17 year old take the computer to another room, I always check on him. Computers are incredible tools and it's important to teach our children to use them safely whether they are using a family computer or their "own" computer.

Avoiding summer brain drain

2011-05-31T17:26:00.001-04:00

I always have a struggle in the summer keeping my kids engaged academically but letting them enjoy the summer and the break from the school year. Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes are a great way to mix the two. One class once a week the kids have a blast becoming computer detectives and solving missions all over the world of Imagine Tomorrow such as Keyboard Castle or Internet Island while learing key early reading & writing skills, math skills, creativity, problem solving, and listening skills. The kids have enjoy the classes so much they keep signing up year after year. I have kids who have taken the classes for 3 years and are asking for more classes once they hit first grade!

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-30T14:17:00.000-04:00

I would like to thank all of our military for all that they do and want to remember all of the men and women who have given there lives for us to remain free. Today I took my family to our local Memorial Day Parade in Doylestown, PA. As we watched all the old guys in there hats and some in uniform march or drive down the streets, I was moved to see all the kids clap and solute these men and women. Thank you for being our hero's and God Bless you all!

Doylestown Hosts Oldest Memorial Day Parade In The Country « CBS Philly

School year coming to an end

2011-05-24T08:15:00.003-04:00

The school year is winding down and the Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes are coming to an end at most of our schools. We are sad to say goodbye to many our the computer detectives. It has been a wonderful year watching the computer detectives grow. They have learned so much....letter recognition, reading readiness, beginning sounds, number recognition and counting, sorting, patterns, listening, attention span....But most importantly their self confidence has soared! I know the computer detectives will be successful in the digital future!

New technology giving voice to kids who can't speak - WAVE 3 News - Louisville, Kentucky

2011-05-17T19:19:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share this article as I am always amazed at the contributions to everyday life technology adds. It made me think about when I was expecting my 1st child and my husband had a beeper. I had to beep him and wait for his call back if I went into labor. Truly an unbelievable thought in this day and age. It's amazing to think and read about how far technology has come in the past 13 years. Can you really think about how far it will go in the next 13. Enjoy reading...

New technology giving voice to kids who can't speak - WAVE 3 News - Louisville, Kentucky

Does your mom speak digital? My mom does!

2011-05-04T16:15:00.005-04:00

Most moms today are very digital.... we have our I-phones, or Droids. We text. We share photos. We're on Facebook.

However, it's our moms (the grandmas of today) that are often not so digital.

Learning how to 'speak' the digital world of technology is like learning a new language. Walking our moms through skype, email, or computer basics is often a very big (and frustrating) task!

But we do it, because we want to share photos of the grandkids and get our parents into the world we live in, speaking our language.

Kids are so different! They are sponges. They are learning how to 'speak digital' in a totally immersive way today as technology surrounds them and is such a normal part of their everyday lives.

This Mother's Day, I applaud all great moms out there who are helping their own moms 'speak digital' - maybe you even bought your mom a digital gift like a digital frame....

And I also applaud my own mom - as the founder of Imagine Tomorrow, she's the most tech-savvy, forward thinking 'mom' of her generation. She had the vision 20 years ago about how technology would be changing our lives.

Happy Mother's Day, mom! I'll look forward to skyping with you!

Call from Mr. Scott?

2011-05-01T17:21:00.002-04:00

The other day when I was teaching I forgot to turn off my cell phone during class and it started to ring. One of my students asked, "Is that Mr. Scott?" I love how the students are so immersed in the storyline created in the world of Imagine Tomorrow. Why wouldn't the call be from Mr. Scott--the students just talked to him via webcam and were in the process of solving the Case of of Hide and Beek so they could email Mr. Scott and let him know that they solved the case.

Interactive Children's Toys - Does Everything Have to Make a Noise?

2011-04-26T10:29:00.004-04:00

This morning I surrounded my 9 month old with a bunch of age-appropriate toys for babies while the older boys got ready for school... And it made me realize how our software is designed to teach children to be creative thinkers, not just button-pressers and clickers.

Seriously? Does every thing need to make a noise or light up when you touch it?
Luckily, I found a good old-fashioned jack-in-the-box. Crank it and pop! No lights, no digital sounds!

Although it is the same cause and effect concept in the digital versions of toys today, I don't need my baby to be stimulated with digital effects everytime he touches something. No wonder why kids today press any circle on any toy or furniture, thinking it will 'do' something for them in return! (Even though I am a proud mom that he 'gets' that concept!)

There are so many toys and software packages today that "TELL" a child what to do. "Press the red circle," "Push the button," "Click here".....

If the interactive toy or software TELLS a child what to do, and then rewards them with lights and sounds for doing it, it teaches a child to wait for a command and do it. I've taught these kids over the years who then ask me, "What do I do next, what do I do next?" These toys and games lack the creative thinking process that more open-ended, self-directed toys and software offer.

In our software, we do our best to allow the child to naturally explore and click, with as little commands as possible. Mr. Scott and Puterbugs help guide children, but the children are the main characters in the driver's seat, and the laptop is their key in the ignition. When they explore on their own, and reach success, it builds the confidence they need so they don't ask "What do I do next?"... they can figure it out!

Using our software to explore their creative side, they learn problem-solving and creative thinking skills - really important skills to sharpen in today's digital world.

When your child develops these skills even in the virtual world, then they can take these skills and apply them in school and off-line. They can stay a lot more focused on the good old-fashioned wooden blocks and toys that inspire creative thinking. The more they can correlate their virtual play with real-world play, the better they will see technology just as another tool.

....so time to take out the wooden blocks -- and save on batteries! ;)

Awesome teacher student ratio

2011-04-25T12:00:00.003-04:00

One of the many things that impress me about Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes for Kids is the ratio and individualized attention each child receives. I was observing another extra curriculum activity at one of the schools where I was teaching and there were 12 kids in the class with one teacher and the class only lasted for 20 minutes. The Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes are consistent across the county where each class has a 5:1 ratio and the children work on their own computers using custom designed software that adjusts to the child's level academically. The teacher encourages each child with positive feedback boosting the child self confidence. It truly is a top notch program!

Happy Earth Day! Be Green Through Technology

2011-04-22T13:16:00.003-04:00

This Earth Day, we applaud all schools and individuals who use technology to be green. Here's such a simple way to cut down on paper:

It was such a shocker last year for me when my son entered Kindergarten how much STUFF he came home with every day. PAPERS exploded out of his backpack daily...

Is that really necessary? No! I tried to re-use them for my todo 'lists' I make almost every day! But it was still just too much.

Many schools are starting "green" teams to alleviate this paper problem.
Just imagine how much toner / ink and paper this saves!

This Earth Day, push your schools to be green. I'm so thrilled to say now that my son's new school puts out all parent information on a weekly password-protected BLOG.

It's so much more efficient, and I love it because my kitchen counter can stay cleaner!

Happy Earth Day!

Celebrate Your Young Child! Being a Good Technology Role Model

2011-04-15T12:28:00.003-04:00

To wrap up the NAEYC's Week of the Young Child, it's important to reflect on priorities in life -- our children. They learn from watching us, so it's important to be a good example. This is really important when it comes to technology and playtime.

As a mother of 3 little boys and running a technology business, I know first-hand how busy life is. ...and how consuming technology can be!

It's important to set aside specific time to put down technology, (I actually have to turn the power off), and go play together!

At night, we turn everything off right after dinner and play a good family card game of Uno! (Parents vs. Kids is always fun!) Or a good old-fashioned board game.

During the weekends and after school, we spend as much time as we can enjoying the outdoors (easy to do in our beautiful state of Colorado!).

Technology and playtime is about creating appropriate BALANCE. By un-plugging technology to go play with your children, you are leading by example. And you are showing your child that you all respect technology, and one another!

Time for me to go outside and play a quick game of croquet!

Such a great time was had by all!

2011-04-15T09:30:00.002-04:00

Last night the Learning Care Group hosted a wonderful open house in all of there locations across the country. Some of the schools had magicians, some of the schools had games and some had arts and crafts. The school I went to had an ice cream social! I must say I had a blast. You can always tell a lot about the school watching the students interact with the parents, directors and teachers. I was amazed to see all the children who love the school so much that they get sad to leave! They are all happy to see there parents but will miss there teachers. Such a nurturing experience for them!

CyberTykes, my company, offered a guess the jellybeans contest to win free classes and we did a fun craft! Thank you to all of my schools for asking me to participate. I really enjoyed the night!

Silent Auction in PA

2011-04-15T09:23:00.002-04:00

Tonight Friday April 15th starting at 6:30 Solebury United Methodist Preschool is hosting a Silent Auction! They have so many amazing baskets and items up for Auction including two four week sessions of Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes! If you are in the area come out and visit! Please see the link below for more information!

Good Luck everyone!

2536 Aquetong Road
New Hope, PA 18938
http://www.soleburyumc.org/10.html

Dance with Mr. Scott! And Celebrate the Week of the Young Child

2011-04-14T12:28:00.008-04:00

Mr. Scott helps teach letter recognition in fun ways with the help of the Puterbugs, fun characters that align to each row of the keyboard! Fly with the top row Puterbugs, Jump with the homerow Puterbugs, and Slither with the bottom row Puterbugs! To Mr. Scott, technology should not just be about sitting around and playing games. Do the Freeze Dance with your child and get up and move around! Then show them how they can find these letters on your keyboard at home. Most importantly -- have fun while learning!

Digital Times Call for Digital Measures

2011-04-13T12:15:00.002-04:00

Have you ever seen a 2 year old 'swipe' on a smart-phone? It's like seeing the modern-day version of turning the page of a book!

Although we believe that technology should not REPLACE "old-school" books, we want to show children how these tools can be useful -- just like a book.

To the people who are 'against' technology... Digital times call for digital measures. Why not use the GREATEST learning tool available? These tools FASCINATE children. They ENGAGE children. Let's harness that fascination and use it to our advantage to get kids excited about learning!

Have you ever met a child who came across a computer and didn't want to touch it?

During this NAEYC Week of the Young Child, we applaud all schools who try to integrate technology effectively with their curriculum - to make it a powerful tool just like any other media.

"Doing" the Best form of Learning

2011-04-12T11:56:00.008-04:00

What I hear, I forget; What I see, I remember; What I do, I understand. ---Confucius

Because technology engages the 3 main learning senses - SEE, HEAR, and TOUCH - all at once.... children are actively "doing" learning. This is so important at the youngest of ages - when children naturally explore by doing. Also, we turn kids into computer detectives who become the main characters of their mission. Through a hands-on approach, they solve the problem of the day using technology as their tool. They are in the 'do' role throughout their mission.

We believe the more connected a child's technology experience is to their real world, the more they can understand it and apply it. Other games and even other educational software and websites often lack this meaning and purpose. We celebrate the NAEYC's Week of the Young Child April 10-16. We applaud everyone who dedicates their work and passion to impacting children's lives through fun hands-on learning.

Celebrate Week of Young Child with Technology!

2011-04-11T12:44:00.003-04:00

Learning in disguise!

Imagine Tomorrow's Puterbugs taught my son at 2-1/2 years old how to master letter recognition and keyboarding skills at the same time! "If it has flies with wings, that letter Puterbug lives on the top row!" The characteristics of each bug aligns to where it 'lives' on the keyboard. Learning letters has meaning and comes to life through playing with these fun Puterbugs!

At Imagine Tomorrow, we believe that there has to be purpose and meaning to a child's technology experiences and immediate application to their real world. They don't just play games! Everything they do connects to a reason for learning it so they can apply what they are learning. This builds a respect for technology as a tool.

In celebration of NAEYC's Week of the Young Child theme "Early Years are Learning Years," join us all week for posts about how technology - when introduced and integrated effectively - can have such a positive impact.....and why we believe it is important to START YOUNG!

OMG - I love mommy!

2011-04-07T11:47:00.009-04:00

So our 6 year old Sam overheard an older child at school saying OMG. At dinner last night, he asks my husband and me - what does O-M-G mean? We explain just like how mommy and daddy text message each other throughout the day, to cut down on writing out words, text messages often use the first letter of each word. We had a teachable moment about acronyms and texting. Then - best part - we started using OMG in context. (BTW - We teach Oh My Goodness!) OMG I love the mac and cheese tonight. OMG you did a great job eating your carrots. Then my 4 year old Will turns to me, jumps over to my chair and hugs me so tight and says, "OMG - I LOVE MOMMY!" We all laughed and it brought a tear to my eye.

He really got it! And I got a great memory!! I can't wait to text it to him back someday when he's older! ;)

Spring Festivals are upon us!

2011-04-04T08:31:00.003-04:00

Spring is here again and that means festivals galore in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, PA. CyberTykes who proudly offers Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes for Kids will be participating in the silent auction at Solebury United Methodist Children's Learning Center in New Hope, PA. The event will take place Friday, April 15th, 2011 at 6:30pm. If you are in the area please stop by and check it out! Hope to see you then and feel free to call me, Rachel VanDerBas for more information. 215-534-3019

Where in the Imagine Tomorrow World is Mr. Scott?

2011-03-31T18:30:00.003-04:00

I started a new block of curriculum with my students last week. As the kids were going through the lesson I noticed that I had downloaded an old version of the curriculum. It didn't seem to be a big deal until the end of the lesson when there was no video voicemail from Mr. Scott. They were all disappointed and wanted to know where Mr. Scott was. I told them that Mr. Scott was on spring break and he would be back next week. Someone said, "Where is he Cyber Space?" This lead to everyone thinking of places in the world of Imagine Tomorrow Mr. Scott might be visiting on his spring break! So Mr. Scott we all want to know where in the Imagine Tomorrow World did you go?

March - National Start a Business Month!

2011-03-31T18:08:00.003-04:00

Did you know that March is National Start a Business Month? I didn't -- until my mother informed me that she heard it on the radio today!

So, I wanted to give a quick shout out and thank our new licensees who just joined our growing family at Imagine Tomorrow. We know you have many choices on what you can do with your lives, and you chose us. We appreciate that!

You are welcomed by a great network of licensees just like yourself - looking to create a flexible schedule, make a difference in your community, and most importantly, positively impact children's lives.

Thanks and welcome to our world of Imagine Tomorrow! It's time to dive in! Best of luck.

Silly Mr. Scott!

2011-03-31T17:25:00.003-04:00

We had a funny moment in class today when one of my students noticed during the Video Voice Mail that Mr. Scott used his cell phone to call webs. My student said why is he using his cell phone when he has a bluetooth on his ear? I said well you cannot dial on your bluetooth right? He said yup but he can talk on it! So Smart at 4 years and old totally gets bluetooth technology - very impressive!

Email the Tooth Fairy

2011-03-31T15:32:00.002-04:00

My 6 year-old daughter came downstairs this morning because the tooth fairy forgot to come last night (oops). She asked if I could email the tooth fairy to see what happens. It is so exciting to see how kids know to use technology to communicate with anyone including the tooth fairy!

Santa Sends Emails

2011-03-31T13:16:00.002-04:00

Below is part of an email that I received from a parent about one of my students. I appreciate the weekly newsletters regarding the lessons. I wanted to pass on a cute story... After I read a particular book to Ben and his younger sister, Jill, several times, Ben enjoys "reading" the book to Jill and seems to do a good job remembering the story. On several occassions I have seen the influences of your computer class and I've gotten a good chuckle out of it. Just this past weekend, he was "reading" The Christmas Pumpkin to Jill before bedtime and when he got to the part toward the end where Santa left a letter to James, he referred to it as an e-mail. That's right - young James received and e-mail from Santa! It was really cute and proof that he is soaking things up. It's so great to hear stories like this about my students! I love my job!

Technology and my children...

2011-03-30T06:31:00.005-04:00

My name is Rachel and I am an instructor/teacher of Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes for Kids! I also have three children and it is so amazing to see how kids learn and grow from their experiences in life. As a parent you try to give your children as many chances to learn and sample life to see where they excel. My children have all been though the Imagine Tomorrow Program. From my son who is now 12, my middle one who is 10 to my little one who is 6 going on 7. I am impressed to see how much information they have kept with them through out the years. They have grown to love computers, use then as a tool to learning, but I think the most amazing lesson that they have maintained is how to respect the technology that they have. I am always amazed to go into my sons room, which like most pre-teen/teen can be scary, and see his DSI and Laptop in a safe charging spot and so clean. These are great lessons to learn at a young age to help them maintain there technology!

Spring Flowers Bring What?

2011-03-30T06:14:00.002-04:00

In class last week we were doing an extension for the end of the 8 week session/welcome spring I called it. We had a few extra minutes in class so I decided to share the extension where Webs our 8 legged pal - who controls the webcam in the world of Imagine Tomorrow has her little babies. The kids loved seeing the eggs hatch and baby spiders spread all over the world. We were also discussing how beautiful the world is about to get when all the flowers bloom. I said to my little friends do you know what April Showers bring? They said yup, "baby webs"! LOL....

My Mouse!

2011-03-28T13:18:00.004-04:00

Here's a tip we give to parents: When you need to jump in and help your young child at the computer, it will be less frustrating to the child if you offer assistance without completely taking over. To stop a potential power struggle, do not put your hand on top of your child's hand on the mouse. Instead, empower your child by placing your child's hand on top of yours. You'll actually be in control of the mouse, guiding your child, but having the "upper hand" will give your child a feeling of control as you work together.

Instant Message

2011-03-22T18:46:00.003-04:00

I went to a classroom to pick one of my students up for computer class and his hands were all sticky because he just finished breakfast. I asked him to go wash his hands. When he came back I commented on how quick he was and he said, "I quick like instant message"

Spring - A Time for New Beginnings, A Time to Blossom

2011-03-20T12:05:00.004-04:00

Spring represents a time for new beginnings. It's a great time to refresh and redesign the path of your own destiny. Who do you want to be? Do you want to wake up and know you're making a difference? ...Know you're making the world a better place - especially for our future leaders, the children?

This Spring, I genuinely want to thank our growing base of class providers who have made the decision to make Imagine Tomorrow a part of their everyday lives.

I have read so many testimonials from parents of the children you teach, and I know that children everywhere are going to 'blossom' this spring because of you!

Thank you and enjoy this beautiful time of year!!
Laura St. John

Welcome SPRING!

2011-03-20T10:05:00.004-04:00

Kids can make a Puterbug Spring picture with this online activity:

http://bit.ly/gkBlws

Use the tools to color fill, add characters, or move and resize them... to give each picture that personal touch!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T14:40:00.003-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of the Computer Detectives both past and present. What a fun week we had this week. I hope that you all have the luck of the Irish, find your pot of gold and catch that catch the leprechaun.

Icon Do Anything!

2011-03-14T11:59:00.001-04:00

"I can do ANYTHING if I put my mind to it!" That's the motto we exclaim at Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes.

This week, our computer detectives learned about icons... One of our little detectives excitedly exclaimed, "We say that each class-- I-con do anything if I put my mind to it"!

Love it!

Submitted By: Shelly Geist , Kid e Clickers, LLC

All kids speak digital

2011-03-01T15:32:00.003-05:00

This week I got to teach a native Spanish speaking 5 year old who tends to shy away from expressing himself verbally. This makes it tricky for his teachers to know where he is in the reading readiness skills of Kindergarten. We were all pleasantly surprised that he excelled in solving the problem of the day by expressing himself with the computer!

We were able to observe that he does have letter recognition while "warming up the home row", a silly, creative side when he got to get the 'puterbugs ready to go their mission, great critical thinking skills when he completed the pattern of webcams, and of course excellent fine motor skills with the mouse.

ALL kids really do speak digital!

The Magic Third Class

2011-03-01T08:05:00.002-05:00

I had a very young 3 year-old start class a couple of weeks ago and she had a hard time navigating the mouse. This past week was her third class and she was moving the mouse on her own and working through the Imagine Tomorrow software. Since the Imagine Tomorrow software adjusts to the child's level technically it let each child go a their own pace and time and time I have noticed for those you children who have not used the computers it just takes 3 classes for them to be off and running! It is fun to watch how quickly they catch on and their excitement in their accomplishments.

My Computer has the Puterbugs!

2011-02-28T21:17:00.003-05:00

My students are always so excited when they are able to log into the online adventure journal at home. They can't wait to tell me that they were able to see the Puterbugs on their computer at home. Not only are the students able to do activities to reinforce the lesson taught in class, but parents are able to get a summary of the day's lesson.

The Puterbugs are Nice!

2011-02-28T21:00:00.002-05:00

Last week during class we were talking about the problem the Puterbugs had that day. One of my students said, "The Puterbugs are nice! They don't make mistakes on purpose and they are not trying to be mean." This led to a great discussion about the differences between right and wrong and how it's okay to make mistakes but it's not okay to hurt people on purpose. I love the way Imagine Tomorrow classes are not just about teaching technology skills.

Building confidence

2011-02-23T16:48:00.003-05:00

I just took about 25 kiddos through a trial class at a local La Petite center. What I think is amazing about the design of the Imagine Tomorrow software is how it quickly builds confidence in the child. I had several kids who were timid to put their hands on the mouse and keyboard and within 5 minutes of going through the software those same kids starting yelling "I did it" Since the software is designed to adjusts to the child's level academically and technically each child even those who have never used a computer before quickly start experiencing success! Plus the software has cheering for the kids after each activity to build upon their excitement.

Computers Help Class Overcome Language Barrier...

2011-02-23T14:48:00.001-05:00

One of the schools where I teach Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes has a new student who only speaks Spanish. Her classroom teacher was concerned that she may not understand much about the class, but agreed that the smaller group might help her connect with her new friends. After watching the Video Voicemail, we headed off to our computers where Alexa was a star! She would repeat the colors and shapes in Spanish. By the end of the class, all the students were talking about estrellas verdes (green stars) which the children focused on in the lesson today! She has had difficulty making friends because they don't understand eachother, but she left the computer room holding hands with another girl in the class!

Careful Steps

2011-02-23T11:47:00.016-05:00

I opened the door for my daughter (5 y/o) to get out of our minivan. She was talking about her day. She stopped in her tracks as she approached my laptop bag on the floor and said, "I'm not going to climb over the computer because we respect technology." On behalf of myself and my laptop, thank you Imagine Tomorrow for teaching my daughter to respect technology!

Submitted By: Michelle Burt

What your favorite World in Imagine Tomorrow?

2011-01-31T19:59:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite questions to ask my detectives what is your favorite place in Imagine Tomorrow that you have been to so far? I am always met with a bunch of boys who love Cyber Space and Cyber Stadium and most of the girls answer Keyboard Castle and File Farm. I had one little boy who had such a wonderful answer that I wanted to share with everyone. He said well, I love Cyber Space but I have to say that my favorite place is where ever those silly puterbugs have themselves in a mess again! I like that they need help and that I can help them but gees they cause a lot of problems! I did giggle the whole day and told by buddy how lucky those puterbugs are to have such a wonderful detective to help them!

Oops forgot the mouse...

2011-01-28T14:08:00.003-05:00

I was setting up to teach an Imagine Tomorrow class today and I noticed that my teacher who used the computers the day before forgot to put the mice back with the computers. Since I didn't have time to get more mice I decided to let the student try using the pad on the laptops. They were all excited to try something new and it is amazing how quickly they picked up on the new skill you would have thought they were using that mouse all along. I love working with kids because they have know fear in trying new things especially when it comes to technology.

Where is your driver's license!?

2011-01-17T13:40:00.002-05:00

I joke with the kids during any activity they are driving a car or boat, or in this case hot air balloon, that I need to see their driver's license! The children hold out the palms of their hands for me to take a look at the driver license they are pretending to hold. This last week two of the children I have in class before I could make my usual joke said "Nope, Miss Heidi we don't have our driver license--Are you going to tell our parents?" They both got huge smiles and we all shared some very good belly laughs! I said "Well it depends on what kind of a driver you're being today!" to which they replied "Oh, we are crazy drivers today!" Not only did they drive the hot air balloon like "crazy drivers" but they told me how many microchips they collected and what they picked up for the mission along the way during our end circle time! Having fun and boosting memory and story retention skills... What more could you ask for?

Submitted by: Heidi Hart
Location: Meadville

Kids Love the Puterbugs!

2011-01-12T15:34:00.005-05:00

Some Puterbugs crawl, some jump, and others fly--depending on where they "live" on the keyboard! Young children quickly relate to these tiny creatures in the World of Imagine Tomorrow because they have so much in common with them--they're small, smart, love computers, and love to explore the world around them.

Email VS Instant Message

2011-01-07T16:55:00.002-05:00

This week my students went to Cyber Space. In order to solve the mission they had to send an instant message. We talked all about the differences between snailmail, email, and instant messages. I just received an email from one of my 3 year old student's mom. She said when she was driving her daughter home from school her daughter said, "Mommy what's better and email or an instant message?" I love it! Her mom loved it too!

Why is Imagine Tomorrow so Unique?

2011-01-07T08:11:00.002-05:00

I just completed trial classes at a new school in my location yesterday. Prior to Imagine Tomorrow the school offered computer classes through another vendor. It was amazing to watch the teachers as they learned how impressive and top notch Imagine Tomorrow is compared to other computer classes. They loved how each child worked on their own computers. The teachers commented on how awesome it was that the software is custom designed to adjust to the child's level academically and technically. They loved how this allowed for the child to go at their own pace and not get frustrated. The teachers were also impressed with the many different early reading & writing and math skills were integrated throughout the program. And Imagine Tomorrow takes it one step further by offering an online adventure journal where the students can continue the adventure at home with a sample of activities from the class that day!

Happy 2011 to Everyone!

2011-01-05T07:52:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year to All of my Friends, Family, Co-workers and Computer Detectives! I am looking forward to a new year filled with adventures, success and growth!

Video Voicemail

2010-12-31T09:27:00.002-05:00

I love to watch my students respond to Mr. Scott and the Puterbugs when they receive their video voicemails each week. Last week I heard one of my students say, "I can do anything you ask me to do!" She was responding to a Puterbug that asked for help getting dressed for the day's mission. Her positive attitude made my day!

Launch Your Webcam!

2010-12-27T11:54:00.002-05:00

I always love to see the progress our students make from when we start our school year program in September to this point in December. In particular, for me it is always amazing to see how 3 and 4 year old students have integrated the technological vocabulary we are teaching them into their everyday speech. We will be doing a lesson and I will hear them talking to one another and using such phrases as “launch your webcam”, “press backspace to erase”, “click the hot spot” and “look for j on the home row”. This is just another example of how the Imagine Tomorrow program provides our students with class experiences that integrate sophisticated technology concepts that even young students understand and enjoy!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2010-12-23T09:16:00.000-05:00

Make a free ecard

Mr. Scott comes to St. Louis

2010-12-20T21:30:00.003-05:00

This past weekend, Imagine Tomorrow world came alive with a guest appearance from Mr. Scott and Miss Laura. Each week the computer detectives watch a video voicemail from Mr. Scott to learn about their mission for the day and the technology concept used to solve the mission. They were so excited they could barely contain themselves when Mr. Scott when walked in his usually attire of a cowboy hat and saying "I can do anything, if I put my mind to it" attitude. Mr. Scott helped the kids make puterbug masks and applied tatoos of the kids' favorite Imagine Tomorrow characters. The kids scrambled to have their picture taken with Mr. Scott. We even had one boy show up dressed just like Mr. Scott wearing a cowboy hat. The kids really seemed to enjoy themselves and left with big smiles on their face. We hope Mr. Scott and Miss Laura will visit St. Louis again! It was a blast!

Meet Mr. Scott

2010-12-16T08:58:00.002-05:00

We are so excited to have Mr. Scott visit the St. Louis area this Saturday! It has been a lot of fun to share this event with our students and watch their reactions. They are so excited to meet him and get his autograph. The best question I have heard so far, "Is he going to come out of the computer?" What a blast for the kids!

Who wants to build a snowman?

2010-12-14T21:50:00.002-05:00

We had flurries today in the Northeast sadly only a dusting! However, luckily you can go to www.imaginetomorrow.com and build a snowman! My daughter has been on the website half the night building very fun snowmen...Have fun everyone and Happy Holidays!

Holiday Fun!

2010-12-08T20:54:00.006-05:00

We at Kidclicks would like to wish all of our "Computer Detectives" and Imagine Tomorrow families a very happy holiday season. Get into the holiday/winter spirit and "Build Your Own Puterbug Snowman on Microchip Mountain" by visiting the Imagine Tomorrow website. Have fun creating your own "special snowman" with Webs and the Puterbugs.

Give the Gift of Education

2010-12-01T08:21:00.002-05:00

Parents at my schools have been very excited to hear about our gift certificates for computer classes for the holidays. We all know that our kids have plenty of toys that get played with a few times and end up in the closet. The gift of education lasts a lifetime!

Megabytes or Money?

2010-11-30T18:23:00.002-05:00

There is a section in many of the Imagine Tomorrow lessons where students Patch the Missing Megabytes (just another technological term our young students have incorporated into their vocabulary!) A lesson at the Digital Desert required the students to patch rectangle megabytes. As part of my usual routine, I asked the students to name the shape of the megabytes. Without missing a beat, a four year student looked up at me and said quite confidently "Ms. Vicky, of course they are green rectangles, you know just like dollar bills-we are making money!" I never really thought of it that way but it was interesting to see how this child was thinking outside of the box. It is always great to see a child's perspective on things. Plus, I got a big laugh out of his observation-both pluses of being an Imagine Tomorrow teacher.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to say thanks!

2010-11-30T17:27:00.004-05:00

This is the time of the year when we all take a breath, think about what we have and thank the people in out lives...I would like to say thank you to my family, friends, students and everyone I work with teaching classes and running my business. Its been a great experience and look forward to the continued growth of both Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes for Kids and CyberTykes, LLC. What a ride its been so far I am very lucky and blessed! Thanks again to everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Even Our Graduates Love Imagine Tomorrow!

2010-11-30T14:52:00.002-05:00

Recently, I went to one of my weekly schools and was surprised to see a former student there. It turns out that when public school is closed this school has a "drop in" policy for older students. This student was so excited to see me with my computers and "Puterbugs" that I decided to let her attend computer class for the day. During the class, she proceeded to tell me how easy "tech" is in her new school and that her current teacher thinks she "rocks" when using the computer. Looking at her I again realized how the Imagine Tomorrow program continues to impact the lives of our students even when they graduate from our program. This child is just another example of how students who go through the IT program develop an understanding and appreciation of technology and go on to use technology as a tool in their future!

I Love Skype Too!

2010-11-29T15:13:00.002-05:00

I have to ditto Laura's comment on being thankful for skype. My husband travels ALOT and in my first grader's class they have mystery readers every couple of weeks. Well because of skype my husband was able to read a book as he sat on the beach in Florida to my daughter's first grade class in Missouri. The kids thought it was awesome! In an Imagine Tomorrow class we teach the kids that computers are not just for games but they are to be used for as a tool for communication, gathering information etc. I have carried on this philosophy with my own kids and using the skype in class was just another reinforcement on how technology can be used a tool for communication for me kids.

Mr. Scott and the Macy's Day Parade

2010-11-25T08:21:00.003-05:00

Did you know? Mr. Scott has been a part of the Macy's Day Parade in the past! He was an official balloon handler and vehicle manager for the Big Bird balloon. To my surprise, the balloon training and preparation quite intense! He really enjoyed being a part of this memorable parade, and I enjoyed the VIP seating! We are excited that one day, we would like to have our own Imagine Tomorrow float and a Puterbug balloon. Just wait and see!!!

Giving Thanks for Technology!

2010-11-24T10:17:00.002-05:00

I give thanks for technology like Skype on special holidays like Thanksgiving where I cannot be with my entire family. My family and I get to 'talk' and see cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents from across the country. The coolest part is that for the kids, they don't think it is unusual at all. It's like the next best thing to being in the same room with their cousins sharing stories and making funny faces. With future advances in technology what will be next? It's exciting to be a part of this technology revolution. But I still can't wait for the next holiday that I can give my family a real big hug! xoxo Laura St. John

Home Row Success!

2010-11-19T22:19:00.002-05:00

We went to Keyboard Castle for the Case of the Magic Bookcase this week. At the beginning of class I wanted to review the home row letters. I knew that almost all of my students would at least know that homerow starts with 'A'. Just to test them I asked what letter comes next - to my surprise 3 of the students yelled out 'S' and then we continued all the way to ';'. (They did get stuck for a minute when it came to 'J'). Their parents were AMAZED that they knew all the home row letters WITHOUT looking!! The 3 students who remembered are 4 years old and in their 2nd year of IT classes.

Submitted by: Jamie Gec
Location: Sparta, NJ

Tshirt design contest

2010-11-19T14:05:00.002-05:00

Don't forget to vote for your favorite winter tshirt design. I asked my kids which one they liked best and of course they could not decide because they were all their favorites. It is so much fun to wear puterbug apparel around town and kids will stop me and point to my shirt and say "Hey I know the them I take them at my school!" and then they will continue to talk to me about a mission or Dakota or Mr Scott.

Great Thanksgiving Activity for Kids

2010-11-16T00:41:00.003-05:00

Check out the Paint the Pilgrim activity on the Imagine Tomorrow home page. The kids will have fun with this painting activity. We send out this link, along with the Thanksgiving Color Activity extension, to all of our Techi-Tots' Computer Detectives. The kids enjoy these extra activities online and really love to get email from us. Have a great Thanksgiving and have fun painting too!

I have computer classes at home!

2010-11-12T15:50:00.004-05:00

Two of my students this week were so excited to start their mission!

One student said: "Miss Heidi I have computer classes at home. I know about this mission!" He of course was talking about the Adventure Log-In Journal. I said "Yes, your mom told me that you have been practicing at home."

Quote from his mom the week before: "I am so glad my son enjoys your class. He looks forward to Thursdays and tells me about class when he gets home. He really enjoys it... Last night we pulled up the (Imagine Tomorrow) website and he sat for 2 hours showing me the different adventures...was nice to see him enjoying it... Thank you very much--He looks forward to his next class!"

Another student told me in front of her Preschool Teacher "I went to the bookcase last night!" She was talking about the Case of the Magic Bookcase. I said to her Preschool Teacher "Did you hear that? She practiced today's mission at home last night. She is ready to start her mission!" My computer detective got the biggest smile and said "Yes, I am ready!" It is so nice to see the confidence my computer detectives have in themselves!

Submitted By: Heidi Hart
Location: Meadville PA

The comment of the year!

2010-11-09T13:01:00.002-05:00

This morning was one of those mornings where nothing was really going right! Kids were dragging, sitter late and needed to get gas on way to teach my class which made me a little late-ugg...So I get into the school set up the 5 computers, mice, mouse pads , etc., go up to get my first group of kids and I was met with such happiness! Okay so starting to feel a little better about the day. Had a blast in class Digital Desert: The Case of the Fossil Find. My second group of friends comes in and one of my little guys sits on the computer and says I have really missed you! You have not been here in 2 whole weeks! To which I respond, I know buddy we were off for election day and you had a field trip to pick pumpkins the prior week. He said you know what Ms. Rachel I want to say something! Yes, I said, "This computer class is even better then Ice Cream!" My little buddy made my whole day better with that one comment! You can not get a better endorsement from a 4 year old! Thank you Max :) From Ms. Rachel

Great teaching moment

2010-11-07T23:42:00.002-05:00

Teaching these classes is so much fun! Not only do we get to teach the kids great literacy and technology skills, but we get the benefit of getting to know them as well. Here's a joke I was told by one of our Techitots kids.

"Why did the chicken cross the playground? To get to the other slide!"

How great is our job!

When I Grow Up, I Want to Be....

2010-11-03T23:04:00.003-04:00

The other night, my boys (ages 4 and 6) entered the official Imagine Tomorrow filming studio where Mr. Scott (their dad) films his clips. They pranced around in a circle, chanting proudly "I am Mr. Scott. I can do anything! I am Mr. Scott. I can do anything!" Scott turned to both of them, and said "Oh yeah? Why don't you film that with me now?" Now, their first 'video' is up on our home page on the tree - http://www.imaginetomorrow.com. Check it out! It is such a 'raw' quick clip that my 4 year old still has his bike helmet on! It's so amazing to see that with Imagine Tomorrow, it's not just about technology. That's just a piece of it. What Imagine Tomorrow really represents is a positive attitude, an outlook on life, a respect of oneself and belief that you can really do anything when you put your mind to it.
It teaches your child that when he grows up, he can be anything! There's nothing more rewarding than seeing your child exude that confidence.

2010-11-03T14:49:00.001-04:00

Each week Computer Detectives get to pack a Puterpack with all of the items they will need to solve their mission. One important item that we always pack is our laptops. One of my parents just sent me an email to tell me that at the dinner table the other night her son asked if he could get a laptop and a backpack to put it in. His older siblings were very impressed with their 3 year old brother!

Student's Continued Success

2010-10-31T23:15:00.002-04:00

Last week my husband, my son and I went out to eat at one of those casual burger and steak restaurants - you know, the kind you can throw your peanut shells on the floor to help add to the ambaince of the place. All the sudden we heard the familiar "yee-haw! We have a cowboy birthday today! Little Joshua is eight years old!" We turned around and saw one of our first students, who we tought computer classes to when he was in Pre-K! He was a bright student then - always the first to raise his hand and answer the question! Now in second grade, he loves math and science and wants to be a doctor. I reminded him of the Imagine Tomorrow motto that we used to yell in class - I can do ANYTHING if I put my mind to it!" Maybe when I get older, Dr. Joshua will take care of me!! :)

Really Making A Difference

2010-10-31T23:05:00.002-04:00

I am a light-hearted person who loves to laugh. I love the time I spend with our kids and the entire experience of Imagine Tomorrow. I wanted to take a moment to say that you really do get what you put in. When you put your heart and soul into something positive, you get that positive back ten-fold! I've been blessed to have to opportunity to work with children that have ADD, ADHD, Multiple Sclerosis, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, legally blind children and other behavioral and social issues.

I will never forget offering trial classes to a school with a young four-year-old child with fetal alcohol syndrome who had never had the opportunity to use a computer before. He was one of the first students who came to the demo and at first he was scared. As soon as he saw the Puterbugs on the screen his face lit up and he was in seventh heaven! We let him stay with us the entire four hours we offered the trial class. By the time we were packing up to leave, I thought he was going to follow me home! He was an absolute pleasure to have and as much as I hope we made a difference to him, he left a warm memory in my heart that I will never forget!

2010-10-31T22:13:00.003-04:00

Where Do The Flying Puterbugs Live?

2010-10-31T21:22:00.002-04:00

The Puterbugs are the main characters in our missions each week and they are loved by all Computer Detectives. The Computer Detectives help solve the Puterbugs' problems each but there is more to the Puterbugs than meets the eye.

The Puterbugs help the Detectives learn to find the keys on the keyboard. Each Puterbug is a letter on the keyboard. There are Flying Puterbugs that live in the top row, Jumping Puterbugs that live in homerow, and Crawling Puterbugs that live in the bottom row. When my students see the Flying E Puterbug they know to look in the top row of the keyboard for the letter E. Thanks Puterbugs for making learning so much fun!

Did You Know...

2010-10-31T17:44:00.002-04:00

-computers speak in a special language called digital?
-a network is family of computers connected together?
-computers can get a virus just like people?
-blue tooth technology helps computers connect to other things such as a mouse or keyboard without using any wires?

These are just a few of the questions that my computer detectives are now able to answer because they learned them in my Imagine Tomorrow classes this month. The IT curriculum is designed to teach young learners sophisticated technology concepts in an age appropriate manner.

Halloween Costumes

2010-10-31T14:04:00.002-04:00

It is great fun to dress up at Halloween, for both the young and old! I think it would be great if the IT store had some themed T-shirts and sweat shirts for Halloween and all the different holidays. I for one would most certainly buy and promote them. Just a thought!

Parent Testimonial

2010-10-31T13:53:00.002-04:00

We were recently asked for some parent testiomonials to acquire additional grant money for our local Head Start/Techi-Tots(Imagine Tomorrow) collaberative program and this is what one parent wrote:

"Techi-Tots is a great program that allowed my daughter to practice skills she had as well as develop new ones. Each week she came home excited about Techi-Tots and she couldn't wait to get online at home to practice! It made learning exciting for her. Completing her mission at school and practicing at home helped her to build self confidence as well. She was excited to show her little brother and anyone that came over what she could do on the computer. I believe that learning all these skills now will help her to be successful in school and as an adult. Thanks so much for this wonderful program!"

Happy Halloween Everyone!

2010-10-29T08:28:00.004-04:00

I have had such a great time this month running contests at most of my locations...GUESS THE WEIGHT OF THE PUTER-PUMPKIN was fun, fun, fun! Thank you to all of the parents, children, directors and teachers who participated and congratulations to all the winners. I hope you all have a wonderful, safe Halloween - full of giggles and candy! Halloween

Video Voice Mail!

2010-10-25T08:51:00.002-04:00

One of the things that the kids really enjoy during the start of class, is the video voicemail. Children love to know what to expect as well as the feeling of success. Such a fun way we begin each class is with Mr. Scott, Webs and the Puterbugs explaining what the mission of the day is and where we are going! I love that the children think they are video conferencing - its very cute to have them answer Mr. Scott when he asks a question. Lastly to end the video voicemail with the signature Imagine Tomorrow - "I can do anything, if I put my mind to it" makes me smile every day! I really enjoy how pumped up all the kids get before they break off onto their own computers.

Getting recognized by past students

2010-10-17T15:24:00.002-04:00

It's so much fun to run into our older students around town and still hear their excitement about our computer classes! My daughter started Kindergarten this year and I have found that many of the children that I have taught in our Techitots/ImagineTomorrow computer classes in the past attend the same school as my daughter. I have the pleasure of picking up my girl after school right outside the main entrance. Everyday the kids come out of the building and one child or another always comes up to me and says, "remember me, I took Techitots at ---- with you". We then talk about many of the skills they learned and how they still visit the IT site to play and learn. It is just so great to have been involved in a part of their learning careers. I just love this program and how I get to help in creating bright and prepared children for their futures. So rewarding!!!

Computer for all children

2010-10-11T18:58:00.003-04:00

To piggy back Tammy post on No Labels we just starting offering Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes in 3 different inclusive early childhood centers. I am so excited to be able to offer the classes to all children. This is a top notch program that I believe every child ages 3-7 should experience. One awesome thing I witnessed at one of the inclusive early childhood centers is a child with autism completely engaged in the computer and the Imagine Tomorrow software and after he completed his mission he went around and helped his friends on their computers. When I told his classroom teacher she was amazed at the breakthrough. Computers are a awesome tool because they are able to reach all children and uses the 3 avenues of learning-touch, sight, and auditory

No Labels

2010-09-30T22:15:00.002-04:00

Let's face it, there are many children that have obstacles that impede their learning and adults are often quick to categorize these children. The kids are more aware of these labels than we may think. The IT curriculum provides ALL students an opportunity to learn in an environment where there are no labels. I have just started my fifth year teaching Imangine Tomorrow classes and over the years I have had students with many learning differences. When I see my students on the computer I do not see a child who has ADHD or autism. I do not see a child who does not speak English or a child who does not speak at all. I see children who are using technology as a tool for communication. When my students are on the computer all of the labels they have been given disappear and they all become detectives on a mission. Because the IT curriculum scaffolds to each child's ability level, EVERY child leaves my classroom feeling successful and I know for 30 minutes the pressures they may sometimes feel have been forgotten and they leave happy and very proud of what they have accomplished.

A student's first day

2010-09-30T22:12:00.002-04:00

One of the most rewarding things about teaching Imagine Tomorrow computer classes is a student's first day. Not knowing what to expect can be an exciting or scary experience for a young child. Some students jump up and down when we call their name for class, other students are quiet and reserved. The minute they join our class, they are included as a part of a team as much as they are able to learn on their own. The kids instantly connect to the characters in the program (the Puterbugs) and are rewarded for a job well done. In the end, they all leaving energized and asking when we'll be back for the next class!

Where Are We Going Today?

2010-09-30T22:05:00.001-04:00

Each week when I pick up my students from their classrooms the first thing they shout is, "Where are we going with the Puterbugs today?" They love finding out where our adventure is taking us and what problem they are going to help the Puterbugs solve. As a former elementary school teacher I love how the Imagine Tomorrow curriculum integrates technology skills with early literacy skills. Not only do my students learn a new technology skill each week, but they also learn about problem and solution, characters, and setting. I know when they get to elementary school they will easily be able to translate the things that they learned in computer class to their reading classes and have a great head start to more advanced learning in school.

I CAN do anything!

2010-09-30T22:03:00.000-04:00

In Imagine Tomorrow computer classes, we believe in building self-esteem through positive reinforcement. At the end of every class, we encourage the students to shout as load as they can the motto of Imagine Tomorrow, 'I can do anything, if I put my mind to it!' We tell them if they shout it loud enough, they might make the teacher Mr. Mark fall over. It's a sily way to encourage the kids to believe in what they say and literally understand the power of their words. Not suprisingly, they always seem to make him fall! :)

The Super Puterbugs

2010-09-30T11:12:00.002-04:00

In our class this week the computer detectives solved the Case of Piggy E-I-E-I-Oh No at File Farm. One of the technology concepts for the day was Control-S to save. After class, one of the students ran up to his mom excitedly and said "Mom, I now know what I want to be for Halloween ..the SUPER puterbug Control." As he said the Control he put both his hands in the air imitating a superhero.

From an Imagine Tomorrow licensee.

2010-09-29T22:29:00.002-04:00

I wanted to write a post about my experience as an Imagine Tomorrow Computer Classes for Kids licensee. Usually when I write in this blog I love to share all of the fun stories about my day as a teacher, but today I have decided to share how wonderful this adventure has been. Let me start by explaining how much fun each day is as a teacher in this position. I get to make my own hours, help children learn from this amazing program, and see happy little faces everyday. I truly get more out of this career then I ever imagined possible. If I have a problem or concern I am able to pull from a pool of mentors that are experienced, honest and helpful. They share their thoughts and tips in our mentor center which is such a great asset to this business. I really want to send a special thank you to Judy for creating this concept, Laura for her amazing business sense and wonderful positive personality and Joyce for always helping answer the borage of questions that I ask. I must say that they have really created a very unique and professional business that I am proud to say I'm part of. So thank you to everyone who participates with Imagine Tomorrow for the wonderful opportunity to be part of this organization. I'm having the time of my life!!!

a great addition to what is learned in the classroom

2010-09-20T19:08:00.002-04:00

I was conducting trial classes at a new facility and one of the teachers observed the classes and was so impressed with the amount academics threaded throughout the software. She commented on how this was only going to help her students learn the skills they are already focusing on in the classroom such as letter recognition, shapes, and patterns. She was excited to share the information about the classes to her parents.

I love to hear from students I have taught!

2010-09-20T09:36:00.002-04:00

Nice story to share - I just received an email from one of the parents, her daughters took my classes for three years. She sent me an email to thank me for preparing her kids for computer lab and centers at there new school. She explained to me that being a working mom who left the house at 6 am and returned with her kids back home by 6:30pm left her very little time to spend that one on one quality time with her children on the computer. She explained that she knew it was important and knew they needed it but after dinner, bath, books and bed it left very little time for the one on one. She then went on to explain how the teachers were impressed by the tech savviness of the kids. She was impressed with both there knowledge and skill levels. She did share with the teacher that her children had taken the Imagine Tomorrow computer class for the last few years. Teacher's response was "very impressive". So happy to be able to continue to touch the lives of so many children each week.

Crush on Mr. Scott

2010-08-31T20:34:00.006-04:00

My students love when Mr. Scott talks to them during their missions each week. I over heard one of my little girl detectives talking to her friend about Mr. Scott. She told her that it was almost time for Mr. Scott's video voicemail. She also said, "I think Mr. Scott is cute. I want to marry him." She then asked me if Mr. Scott was married. She was very disappointed to hear that Mr. Scott was married to Ms. Laura. The following week I heard her talking to her friend again. She said, "Did you know that Mr. Scott and Ms. Laura are married? It's okay if he's married to Ms. Laura I still think he is cute and I love his video voicemails!" I love my job. My students put a smile on my face every week.