Cover story continued ... J une Pearl: Lustrous pearls, the only gemstone created by living creatures, are symbols of purity and new beginnings. Moonstone: Ancient cultures associated the luminous moonstone with dreams and the phases of the moon. Alexandrite: This mysterious, color-changing gem is prized for its beauty and rumored ability to grant good luck. J uly Ruby: The fiery glow of rubies makes them a symbol of passion, prosperity, and protection. Ancient folklore claimed the fire burning within a ruby was so hot that it couldmelt wax or boil water. A ugust Peridot: Historically, green peridots were confused with emeralds, whichmight be why both gems are believed to bring good fortune. Spinel: Dubbed the“most underappreciated gem,”spinels are oftenmistaken for another red gem. In fact, many famous rubies turned out to be spinels. These gems ease the stress of workaholics.
Sardonyx: Striped sardonyx gems have been popular throughout the ages. This is the stone of strength and protection. S eptember Sapphire: While most often associated with blue, sapphires occur in all colors but red. Worn by ancient Greeks who sought answers from the Oracle of Delphi, sapphires became symbols of wisdom and spiritual enlightenment. O ctober Opal: Many ancient cultures viewed colorful opals as lucky, although the superstitious of today suggest that wearing an opal is bad luck for anyone not born in October. Tourmaline: Another stone available in many colors, tourmaline is believed to ward off evil forces and negative thoughts. N ovember Topaz: Often pictured as yellow, topaz gems actually come in a variety of colors. The lore surrounding this soothing stone says it can calm tempers and banish nightmares. Citrine: Named for the citron fruit, citrine stones range from bright yellow to golden
orange. Citrine is said to spark imagination or help those searching for a new beginning. D ecember Turquoise: Turquoise has been valued since humankind first began working with gemstones. Found across the ancient world, from Egyptian tombs to Native American bows, turquoise was commonly believed to offer protection. Zircon: During the Middle Ages, Zircon was used to induce peaceful sleep. But today, colorful zircon gems are thought to increase confidence and compassion. Tanzanite: A relatively modern stone, the alluring blue tanzanite is a calming gem, said to promote empathy. Its discovery in 1967 prompted the American Society of Gems to alter the birthstone list, adding tanzanite to December. While birthstones are a fun way to express ourselves and unite with others born in our birth month, there’s no rule saying you can only wear stones connected to, say, January. If there’s a gemstone that speaks to you, embrace it! Every stone is as unique as the person who wears it.
Want to See Better Report Cards in 2018?
Make Reading a Family Resolution
U se R eading A pps Goodreads is a social network for bibliophiles. You can find recommendations, share ratings, and create lists of both completed and to- be-read books. Users also create reading lists based on topic, genre, decade, andmore. With over 2 billion books added, you’ll never run out of inspiration. Biblionasiumoffers the same services, but it’s designed specifically for children. Talk to other parents and create a network of friends and classmates. After all, nothing is cooler to a kid than what their friends are doing. Avid readers tend to do better academically from kindergarten through college. In fact, a study from the Journal of Education and Practice found that reading comprehension predicted success in other subjects more than any other factor. If you want to see improved report cards, make a reading resolution for your entire household.
Every parent wants to see their child do well in school, and there’s one fun activity that benefits students of all ages: reading. In a world with so much stimulation, however, it can be difficult to motivate kids to put down a screen and pick up a book. New Year’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity to make reading a priority. Here are a few tips to make 2018 the year your kids become bookworms.
M ake I t a F amily R esolution There’s no better motivator than solidarity! Plus, we’re guessing everyone in your household could stand to read a little more. You don’t have to read the same books or set identical goals, but it’s a lot more fun when everyone participates. Schedule weekly reading discussions so everyone can share the cool stories they’ve read. Stack your completed books in your house somewhere as a monument to all the knowledge your family has gained.
S et R eward M ilestones Positive reinforcement will propel your kids to keep reading long after the calendars have turned. For a certain number of books completed or hours spent reading, offer them a prize. You can even create a big end goal to really cement those reading habits. Better yet, set a combined goal that the entire family can work toward. Don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops. If your kids know that reading one book per week through June means an extra-special summer vacation, their enthusiasm won’t wane come spring.
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