Explores the educational value and potential of everyday objects for young children and suggests practical objectrelated activities to help develop learners cross-curricular skills. In an age of ever-tightening budgets, schools are careful to spend less and to spend wisely when building up collections of resources. With these value-for-money principles in mind, Grigg and Lewis examine the use of everyday objects in effective early years teaching and learning and go on to illustrate how they can be better exploited to develop in learners the four skills widely regarded as essential in the 21st century: communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Attractively laid out for easy reference, Teaching on a Shoestring dedicates a section to each object and includes: background information and interesting facts about the object, questions and focus points for the teacher to consider pre delivery, guidance on the resources and preparation required to carry out the suggested activities, and further ideas and signposts to follow up on and extend the learning. Suitable for early years practitioners, NQTs, parents and all those who work with young children.

A "road map" for family fun and learning across the country in around a hometown. A helpful tool for homeschooling. Includes ideas for memorable--and inexpensive--vacations and field trips; how to find sources for travel money, ways to build closer family ties with children and teenagers.

Hands on student investigations using low cost materials commonly found in local supermarkets.

With the struggling US economy, many businesses have had to implement steps to curb expenses and pinch pennies. One of the first areas to feel these cutbacks is the web site design and development group. Employees have been asked to fill roles previously held by other employees due to staff reductions. At the same time, these remaining employees are expected to execute robust and efficient mechanisms for their corporate web sites on a tight or non-existent budget. Developers and designers are looking for shortcut tools to get there. It's all about getting more bang for the buck. Web design on a Shoestring is the tool these web site developers and designers need. It reveals all sorts of free or inexpensive resources that are available but unknown. More specifically, Carrie Bickner shows you how any individual can do the things a team of web professionals are often brought in to do. Learn how to create a pennywise plan so that you avoid being nickled and dimed to death later. Find out the best ways to test your web sites efficiencies and functionalities. Understand the most effective content management systems, and the commercial products to use or avoid - all with no dollars being spent.

Developing motivated, competent employees is critical to the success of every organization. Employee Development on a Shoestring provides time-bound and budget-strapped managers with the implementation tools and techniques to develop their team members cost-effectively using organic opportunities found all around their workplace. With real-life examples, case studies, and hands-on worksheets and exercises, Employee Development on a Shoestring is a tremendous asset for everyone interested in developing highly competent, engaged, and skilled workers in a variety of creative and immediately available ways outside the training classroom and 'outside the box'.

Written by Helen Lewis and Russell Grigg, Tails from the Classroom: Learning and teaching through animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) is a fascinating exploration of the use of AAIs in educational settings and how they can inspire and support learners' all-round development. There is growing interest in the idea of bringing animals into the classroom, but it is only recently that researchers have gathered clear data to show the impact of AAIs on the behavioural, emotional, physical and cognitive development of children and young people. Tails from the Classroom brings together this research in a highly accessible way, illustrated with real-life case studies from a range of classroom contexts. It also includes lots of practical guidance on how to set up, manage and evaluate a project, ensuring that the welfare of all participants, including the animals, is a priority. Helen and Russell discuss how AAIs can contribute towards learning in different subject areas and across the curriculum, sharing a wide range of examples to illustrate possible starting points for teachers in a range of subject and thematic contexts - even in less obvious areas such as the arts, literature, and religious and moral codes. They also provide a historical overview of human-animal interactions, highlighting how animals have played a central part in humans' social, spiritual and cultural development. This then underpins the authors' exploration into animals' potential role in enhancing particular dimensions of children's social, emotional, intellectual and physical development and well-being. This groundbreaking book is not just for animal-loving educators, however. It is for anyone who is serious about inspiring learners of all ages and prepared to explore new ways of doing so. Suitable for educators working with learners of all ages.

Join The Shoestring Club When the love of her life, Ed, announces his surprise engagement to her best friend, Julia Schuster is distraught but determined not to let them see how much she’s hurting. She spies a remarkable dress in Shoestring, her sister’s designer second-hand shop, and knows she’ll only be able to stagger through the wedding day, showing everyone how over Ed she is, if her body is wrapped in its soft silk chiffon. Unfortunately it costs mega bucks and she’s barely hanging on to her job as it is. Arietty Pilgrim can’t and won’t attend her fiercely competitive school reunion unless she can arrive wearing exactly the same dress. But working as an elephant keeper in Dublin Zoo does not a millionaire make. But fate has a funny way of bringing people together. Just as Julia starts to flounder amidst family troubles, problem drinking and a broken heart, she meets Arietty and the two of them set up The Shoestring Club – time-sharing one extraordinary dress and beginning a life-altering friendship.