Productivity Planner

Honest Review – On Course

The Lowest Price we could find is $80.95 $45.18

ON COURSE: STRATEGIES FOR CREATING SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND IN LIFE presents a hands-on approach to learning essential life and study skills. Now in its 6th edition, ON COURSE is used as a text in student success courses, first-year experience programs, and inward-looking courses that promote student growth and self-awareness. ON COURSE demonstrates the choices that successful students make. A self-assessment tool at the beginning of the text helps students to identify behaviors and beliefs they may wish to change in order to achieve more of their potential in college and in life. Students have an opportunity to revisit their self-assessment at the conclusion of the text. Written in a positive, motivational style, ON COURSE empowers students with the tools they need to take charge of their success in college and in life. Downing’s distinctive guided journal entries help students develop essential life skills by encouraging exploration of personal responsibility, self-motivation, interdependence, and self-esteem. Extensive coverage of study skills–reading, note taking, memory and test taking–provided in the “Wise Choices in College” sections helps students excel in all of their college courses. Students are encouraged by hearing from their peers through a unique feature called “One Student’s Story,” which highlights the implementation of the text’s strategies.

Review:

I’m currently taking a 2 credit class that is using this book as its material. I do not feel as though I got what I was looking for.

If you are looking for a program that has practical advice that can be applied instantly to do better in school, this book isn’t for you. I am tired of exploring my inner demons and frustrations. This should be Dr. Phil for College Students.

I gave it 3 stars for some helpful self management tools and notetaking methods.

Bottom line: The book is overpriced and didn’t live up to my expectations.

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A Review for – The Teacher’s Daybook, 2011-2012 Edition: Time to Teach, Time to Learn, Time to Live

The Lowest Price we could find is $26.25 $24.69

Jim Burke‘s Teacher’s Daybook was an instant hit, helping tens of thousands of educators stay organized, professional, and sane. But all along, Jim has been collecting suggestions on how to improve the Daybook’s usability, and now he’s combined your feedback with some new ideas of his own to create the ultimate tool for managing your time.

Using The Teacher’s Daybook, 2011-2012 Edition, is like having Jim down the hall for daily professional development. The Teacher’s Daybook has what you need to make the most of every day:

room for on-the-go notes during your daily activities

ample space for long- and short-term professional reflection and planning

options for organization-now including complete 12-month weekly and monthly planners with dates

helpful worksheets and forms that maximize your efficiency

great ideas from Jim in his new introduction.

Even the Daybook’s companion website (books.heinemann.com/daybook) features more resources to help you every day.

Each day you spend in a classroom offers numerous chances for professional growth. Let Jim Burke guide you in organizing your time so that you can make the most out of both your professional and your personal life.

Click here to purchase 10 copies for your department or grade-level and save $42!

Review:

Last year I purchased the 2006-2007 day planner and found it very useful. I organized the way Burke advised–I put it into a 3-ring binder and added extra pockets for various important documents. I also added divider tabs to the different sections so that I could access them quickly. Before the school year began, I very carefully filled out the planner so that all of the important information was at my fingertips. I can’t tell you how many times I was glad I did! Think of those days when you have two minutes before the bell rings, you’re online to the ESD trying to reserve a film for one of your classes, and you need to find your ESD member number…grab your planner, it’s right there with all of your other important numbers. Also, I take my planner home every night and I keep a copy of my students’ grades, contact information, department information, etc. and I know all of it is right there and I don’t have to search through files and folders or anything else.

The only con to this planner is that the lesson planning area isn’t broken down into periods or classes. It would be nice to have “alternative” planning pages available for teachers who teach multiple subjects.

The website teachers can access once they purchase the planner has a variety of forms available. I plan to utilize these more this year.

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My Review for – Mom’s Family 2012 Desk Planner

The Lowest Price we could find is $14.99 $7.98

Moms on the go need a planner on the go! The spiffy personal assistant that slips easily into a purse or bag, Moms Family Desk Planner helps keep the whole family on track. The 17-month planner boasts a comfortable, smartly designed week-at-a-glance grid on the righthand page of each spread. There is plenty of space for writing down Moms comings and goings, plus room for the rest of the familys. But this hardworking calendar has a playful side, too. The hippos, the cows, the dinosaurs, the pigs, the obligatory chickensevery weeks full-color illustration appears on the lefthand page and is pure Boynton, and pure, put-a-smile-on-your-face charm. In the back of the planner are 52 weeks of perforated grocery and to-do lists, plus space for important phone numbers. Front and back covers sport handy storage pockets, and 150 full-color stickers are bound into the book.

Review:

While I am computer savvy and carry a smart phone, I never took to keeping my schedule on a computerized device. To keep the family’s schedules organized, we tried a whiteboard calendar, color coded for person and type of event, but it was hard to find markers fine enough to fit everything in. We tried the Mom’s Family Wall calendar, which was cool especially with the column for each person, but ultimately neither of those solutions worked because I couldn’t carry it around with me. I started using Mom’s Family Desk Planner last year, and now I don’t know how I’d function without it. As a single mom, working full time with two very active kids with many activities and different school schedules, I can plan everything out months in advance and have it all at my fingertips. The size is PERFECT to fit in a shoulder bag / medium to large purse, and I take various papers that apply to an event for any given week — say a receipt to pick up a Scout uniform from the tailor, or paperwork for a home repair appointment or doctor’s appointment, or packing lists and instructions for camp — and fold them in half and stick them in the appropriate page of the calendar. I use a little sticky flag tab to mark the current week. The size is perfect for holding standard 8 1/2 by 11 papers folded in half. There is also a handy pocket in the front of the book for things I reference a lot, like soccer or chess club season schedules. This thing goes EVERYWHERE with me. I never leave home without it. It is either in my work bag or my purse, or sitting beside me at home. That way when I am working on scheduling something new or something changes, I have it at my fingertips for easy reference and planning.

I read some of the other reviews about the ink from the pictures bleeding through, and it does that, but I don’t mind. I use pen and ultimately end up with a lot of stuff scratched out and added in. For most busy, proud moms, a chaotic looking planner page is a badge of honor, and I can celebrate when I’ve lived through a cram-packed week. I also saw a note on the stickers — not enough of certain kinds — I don’t use them, myself, and my daughter is always happy to take them off my hands (the sticker pages tear right out) and play with them. I haven’t started using all the other fun lists in the back yet, but probably will with my new 2012 version I just received today.

This book is extremely sturdy. I’ve never had any issues at all with the binding or any pages coming apart, bending, or tearing — very important!

Finally, Sandra Boynton just makes me smile and chuckle every time I look at her illustrations. Mom’s need that humor break every day!

I will continue to buy this planner every year and use it to organize our lives!

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Interesting Video ‘College Series: Back to School Shopping!’

I thought this was pretty interesting and wanted to share it with my readers

Author’s Description:

Collective back to school shopping Goodwill: Black and clear box – $3-4 probably 3M Command white board – Fossil shoulder bag – Walgreens: 3 ring binder – Reinforcements – Pilot G2 2 pack of pens – Papermate mechanical pencil – Ajax grapefruit dish detergent – 99 cents Target: Student planner – $5 Room Essentials 4 pack picture frames – Beatles Abbey Road folder – or so Harajuku Mini I heart nerds folder – Harajuku Lovers 3 subject notebook – Bic Cristal 10 pack of pens – $1 Owl pencil pouch – $2 Owl pencil, eraser, sharpener combo – $2-3 Room Essentials 10 shelf closet organizer – $7 Room Essentials shower caddy – $7 Scotch Brite dishwand – $3-4 Hello Kitty lemonhead folder – $2 Sharpie 10 pack highlighters – Tide to go – Dove deodorant – Oral B toothbrush – Crest 3D White toothpaste – ELF 100 piece eyeshadow palette – $10 Up & Up index cards (unruled) – 45 cents each Tension rod for curtains – Disclaimer: I bought all of these products myself and am not being paid to endorse

People

This video has had 109 views and is 934 seconds in length

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Video: Apps for Work and Students

Here’s a good video I came across – Hope you like it

Author’s Description:

Blog: Google+ Twitter: App City is my new installment on my channel where I review apps available to smart-phones and Juice Defender: This is a great app which has helped me save my Android’s batter up for to days! Be sure to check it out in the Android Scanner Radio: Scanner Radio allows you to listen to any police, fire, and emergency channels across the You can listen in to your own home town, or listen in on another crime riden Like Los Angeles! Algeo: This app gives you scientific calculator for your Meaning, you can do just about any equation you could think As well, you can graph out the entire Evernote: This app is great for school, work, just about You can create quick and simple notes and categorize them into their own You can also access your notes on any tablet, smart phone, or The app can be downloaded for any platform you Class Buddy: A great app for students to help organize your class schedule, your homework, school events, and anything else school Be sure to check this out in the Android Documents To Go: This app allows you to view and create Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint files on your You can also share these files between devices and The only downside is this app runs up to $15 and

Tech

This video has had 191 views and is 328 seconds in length

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First Looks: Creative Resources for the Early Childhood Classroom

The Lowest Price we could find is $88.95 $39.89

This best seller is used by early childhood educators across the world. A theme based curriculum, this book is presented in Alpha order and contains 70 different themes ranging from Ants to Zoo Animals. Each theme contains a variation of the following content depending upon that theme: Curriculum, Web, Theme Goals, Concepts for the Children to Learn, Vocabulary, Bulletin Board, Parent Letter, Music, Fingerplay, Science, Math, Dramatic Play, Arts and Crafts, Sensory, Large Muscle (Gross), Small Muscle (Fine), Field Trips, Social Studies, Group Time, Cooking, Transitions, Books, Multimedia, Recordings and Song Titles. The book sections at the end of each theme have been updated with hundreds of new activities. In addition, an accompanying back-of-book CD-ROM contains important assessment tools, lesson plan forms, evaluation forms for documentation boards, and more.

Review:

I spent months looking through Preschool/Kindergarten curriculum and found this to be the best by far. I bought the 4th edition and this is what is new in this edition – according to the book.

1 – “New themes and activities – Over 100 activities with 3 new themes: feet, frogs, amd worms. Each thematic unit begins with a curriculum web. This webbing is designed to inform teachers of the major subconcepts that can be included under each theme.”
An example of this for the unit of ants would be –
Ants:
Colors – black, brown, rust, gray, red
Kinds – carpenter, weaver, leaf cutter, fire, cornfield, thief, army
Homes – underground, earthen mounds, inside trees or hollow plants
Foods – insects, fruits, plants
Growth stages – egg, larvae, pupae, adult
Roles – queen, soldier, worker, male
Importance – eat large number of insects, food source for birds, frogs and other animals
Body Parts – Head, antennas, eyes, mouth parts, trunk, 6 legs, wings (males and queens)

I really liked this breakdown b/c it gave me the ability to teach in a well rounded method to ensure the kids were learning more than just the color and what they ate. We did all of this and bought an ant farm (Ant Hill – Living Ant Habitat) and my 2 and 4 year olds can tell you all about ants and are now so intrigued by them b/c they understand them! This ant hill was great. It is made for preschoolers and it doesn’t tip.

2 – Revised and additional bulletin boards.
3 – New and Expanded reference materials – books and multimedia.

Each unit is broken down into different activities. They are as follows –
Arts and Crafts
Cooking
Dramatic Play
Field Trip/Resource People
Fingerplays
Group Time
Large Muscle
Math
Music
Science
Sensory
Social Studies
Books to read
Mulitmedia to listen to or watch

This book is amazing and full of wonderful information that is straight forward to teach and easy for little ones to learn. The price did seem a little high but considering how well rounded it is…I didn’t need to purchase anything else.

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An Honest Review for ‘The PCOS Diet Plan: A Natural Approach to Health for Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome’

The Lowest Price we could find is $18.99 $10.00

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, and if left unchecked, is linked to serious health issues like infertility, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and endometrial cancer. In this groundbreaking book, registered dietitian Hillary Wright explains this increasingly diagnosed disorder and introduces the holistic symptom-management program she developed by working with hundreds of patients. With Wrights proven diet and lifestyle-based program, you can influence your reproductive hormones and take charge of your health. Featuring a carbohydrate distribution approach at its core, The PCOS Diet Plan also zeroes in on exactly what exercise, supplements, and self-care choices you can make to feel better every day.

With information on how to develop healthy meal plans, choose a sustainable exercise routine, relieve stress, address fertility issues, and find emotional support, this accessible, all-in-one guide will be your trusted companion to a better life.

Review:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – PCOS for short, may finally help you put the puzzle of your medical symptoms together. According to Hillary Wright, MEd, RD, author of The PCOS Diet Plan: A Natural Approach to Health for Women with Polycycstic Ovary Syndrome, PCOS is the most common female hormonal disorder. It affects 5 to 10% of women and more than this number of women may experience several but not all of the symptoms.Wright says, “PCOS is a complex genetic disorder. It’s incurable, but controllable.” Sadly PCOS often goes undiagnosed for years until women face infertility issues or worse yet, it’s never diagnosed.

Good news is that there’s greater awareness of PCOS today, more cases diagnosed and better treatments. I’m particularly interested in PCOS and this complete guide from dietitian Hillary Wright because of the strong connections between PCOS and prediabetes and eventually type 2 diabetes. Let’s just say research suggests that women who have PCOS are at much greater risk for developing metabolic syndrome, a precursor if you don’t take action, to prediabetes (link to blog).

What’s at the core of PCOS? Wright notes, “the driving force toward PCOS is insulin resistance.” The same can be said for the continuum of metabolic syndrome, to prediabetes and to type 2. Fifty to 80% of women with PCOS are overweight. (The same can be said for prediabetes.) And 50% of women with PCOS meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Why some women develop PCOS along with insulin resistance remains a question.

Wright’s book is divided into four parts and is about 250 pages in length. Wright dedicates part 1 to giving the reader an indepth overview of PCOS. In part 2, the largest section of the book and appropriately so, Wright takes a step-by-step approach to layout the hows and whys for her food and eating plan recommendations. As Wright states, “It’s about modifying your behavior to incorporate lifelong healthy habits (that would be for the rest of one’s life).” This is not `a diet’. Wright doesn’t profess the need for an extreme makeover. She explains that insulin resistance, (remember, that’s what you’re treating), responds to a small amount of weight loss derived from healthy eating and some physical activity. Hmm sounds familiar? (Yes, it’s the same treatment for prediabetes.) The goal? Increase insulin sensitivity which “fixes” some of the symptoms and medical problems, such as elevated blood glucose and abnormal lipids.

Wright notes, “women with PCOS are a high risk for jumping on the low carbohydrate bandwagon.” The problem with this approach. Wright says, is that it ignores research supporting the value of foods with good quality carbohydrate – whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy foods. (Thanks for the sanity, Hillary!) Wright takes a very holistic and natural approach to the treatment of PCOS. She is practical and realistic in her approach, particularly in part 3 The PCOS Diet: Making It Happen. Part 4 covers other considerations such as planning for pregnancy (yes, with treatment many women find they are finally able to conceive), finding support and more.

All in all Wright has put together a very complete guide. It’s way more than just a “Diet Plan.” She integrates a science-based approach and matches that with her practical approach gained from years of counseling women with PCOS in the Boston area. My one critique of the book: there’s more basic medical and nutrition information than need be.

Hopefully many women will catch PCOS early enough to take the actions necessary to also slow or prevent the progression to prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

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Video – Interview: LADOT Bike Program’s Christopher Kidd talks social media

Thought you guys might like this one

Author’s Description:

I spoke with the LADOT Bike Program’s former Assistant Coordinator, bike blogger, and recipient of the 2011 APA Distinguished Leadership Award – Student Planner, Christopher Kidd, just after his last day on the job this In his two year’s with the LADOT Bike Program, the LADOT has gone from being technologically in the dark, to adopting social media in innovative and impressive Sprawling multiple networks, the program created an engaging presence on Twitter, Facebook, and of course the LADOT Bike We talked about how the LADOT Bike Program initially adopted the use of social media, engagement with the Los Angeles bike community online, transparency, and Follow the LADOT Bike Program on Twitter @LADOTbikeprog More at Twitter @bikecommutenews Joe Anthony @ohaijoe Follow on twitter via hashtag #bikeLA

People

This video has had 51 views and is 431 seconds in length

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Honest Review – 2011/2012 Achieve Student Agenda Day Planner

Best Price $12.95

The 2011/2012 Achieve Student Day Planner is a mid-size planner. Unlabeled daily blocks allow for maximum flexibility, while afternoon and weekend areas let you track personal study time and extracurricular activities. With full-color photos, inspiring character content, study skills, SAT vocabulary, and a robust academic reference section, the Achieve helps you prepare for every class – and success in college or careers. Heavy duty double loop wire binding and a sealed-edge front cover hold up to tough use. 7 x 8.5 – 144 pages 13 months (August – August) Grades 6 – College Action Student Planners are used by nearly a million students worldwide. Give it a try and you ll know why.

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A Review for – 2011/2012 Aspire Student Agenda Day Planner

Best Price $12.95

The 2011/2012 Aspire Student Day Planner is our largest planner. Perfect for younger or especially busy students, the Aspire includes ample writing space organized by subject (4 labeled, 4 blank), plus a weekly journal and parent/teacher communication areas. New for 2011/2112 is a daily hall pass, Charter Activities and anti-bullying content. As with all Action Agendas, full-color photos, inspiring character content, study skills, SAT vocabulary, and a robust academic reference section make the Aspire as fun to use as it is educational. Heavy duty double loop wire binding and sealed-edge laminated front cover hold up to tough use. 8.5 x 11 – 144 pages 13 months (August – August) Grades 6 – 12 Action Student Planners are used by nearly a million students worldwide. Give it a try and you ll know why.

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