Western Branch Tutoring

Neural Nugget: Between 0–3 years old, a child’s brain forms over 1 million neural connections per second. This time in life is the most pivotal, and also the most vulnerable for brain development. Early experiences shape cognitive development in early childhood.

We’ve made the science of baby brain development accessible for all. The Baby Brain Map is your interactive guide to early brain science. Start exploring now and help lay the foundation for healthy growth: https://bit.ly/4w3j4jg

This past school year, Fiona and Ms Jessica experimented with unschooling. Unsure of where Fiona would land, the two forged ahead. Fiona scored nicely on the Iowa, but it didn’t give us much new information.

Good work Fiona!

Today, August 9, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples around the world and honor the cultures, languages, knowledge, traditions and communities carried forward across generations.

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples has been observed annually since 1995, following its establishment by the United Nations General Assembly.

This year’s theme is “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being,” recognizing the knowledge, care and traditions Indigenous midwives continue to carry within their communities.

From generation to generation, Indigenous Peoples continue to preserve languages, strengthen cultures, care for their communities and pass knowledge to those who come next.

Today, we celebrate that strength, knowledge and cultural continuity. ❤️🪶

To our Indigenous relatives around the world: what Nation, community or people are you representing today? 🌎

Love this!!

Accessible communication always in reach💚

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The Oregon Trail became one of the most influential educational video games ever created, but its origins were remarkably humble. In 1971, college students Don Rawitsch, Bill Heinemann, and Paul Dillenberger developed the original version in just 10 days while studying at Carleton College in Minnesota. Designed to help eighth-grade students learn about westward expansion, the game was played for only a few days before the school unit ended. Rather than discarding it, Rawitsch saved the code, and in 1974 it was donated to the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC), which distributed educational software to schools throughout the state. The creators received no royalties from the game's later commercial success.

After being rewritten and expanded for the Apple II in 1978, The Oregon Trail spread to classrooms across North America during the 1980s and became a defining experience for an entire generation of students. Players managed supplies, navigated rivers, hunted for food, and faced historically inspired challenges such as disease, accidents, and harsh weather while attempting the 2,000-mile journey from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon's Willamette Valley. Although the game simplified many aspects of the real migration and became famous for the phrase "You have died of dysentery," it introduced millions of children to American history and remains one of the most recognizable educational video games ever made.