Historical & Fictitious Characters Come Alive

How can you take a subject like History and make it come alive for your kids?  By combining something old with something new.  I think that was the vision behind a very cool website - myfakewall, where users create fake "facebook-like" profiles.

After signing up for a free account, users can upload images, write wall posts, add comments, and even create "likes".  The fake profiles are an engaging way for homeschoolers to do biographical reports on historical figures.  Think of all the great skills that are involved, such as:  research, writing, image editing, and technology use.  Not to mention a good dose of creativity and fun.

Of course, you don't have to limit yourself to just historical figures.  This could be a great way to explore and illustrate characters from a novel.  Like... Jo March from "Little Women", Ebeneezer Scrooge from "A Christmas Carol", or Katniss Everdeen of "The Hunger Games". The possibilities for fictional characters are endless.

Finally, for those families that have facebook accounts, you will be happy to know that you can even "share" your myfakewall on your real facebook wall.  Now how cool is that?

Young Entrepreneurs Part #4 - There's A Book For That!

Well, we've all heard the quote - "there's an app for that" (Apple's advertising slogan for the iPhone), but to go one step further, "there's a book for that". In followup to my last few posts about Young Entrepreneurs,  I wanted to point out a few books worth checking out.

Marketing Your App - Recommended Reading:

I recently picked up this book at my local library.  I was amazed at all the great information it contained.  Apparently, there are lots of things to take into consideration before you actually publish an app.  Who knew?   

Get Rich with Apps!: Your Guide to Reaching More Customers and Making Money Now 
Jesse Feiler
McGraw Hill Company (April 22, 2010)

Amazon Review: 
If you’re considering entering the market, stop thinking about it and make your move. You’ll reach more customers, expand your product offerings, and grow new revenue streams. And it’s much easier than you may realize. 




Young Entrepreneurs - Recommended Reading:

I would like to recommend the following books that all focus on subject of Young Entrepreneurs.  I was delighted to learn that there are so many great books to choose from.   Obviously, the topic of Young Entrepreneurs is being taken very seriously.

Richest Kids in America
Mark Victor Hansen
Hansen House Publishing (June 1, 2009)

Amazon Review: 
Get ready to meet some amazing entrepreneurial superstars who are living their dreams and making a big difference doing it. They’ve shared their stories to inspire you, teach you, and show you that your own opportunities are endless. 

How did they discover their passion? What were their first steps to building their business? Who supported them along the way? Why do they all choose to give back to their community? In this book you’ll learn the key principles that catapulted each of these incredible young entrepreneurs to success and how these same principles will lead you to a life of ultimate fulfillment.

Kidpreneurs: Young Entrepreneurs With Big Ideas!
Adam Toren & Matthew Toren
Business Plus Media Group LLC (November 24, 2009)

Amazon Review: 
You've heard the saying, ""It's never too late." We say, "It's never too early!" Even children can be introduced to basic business principles and the rewards of entrepreneurship. Our goal with Kidpreneurs is to outline some basic tools and strategies kids can use to gain some valuable experience in starting, managing, and growing a successful business venture. Through easy-to-understand basic principles and a creative approach, we outline some key techniques that will have a powerful and positive impact on your child's ability to understand entrepreneurship. Using kid-friendly design and illustration, we break down some of the major points of entrepreneurship, so your child can have fun as he or she learns. Also, your child will enhance his or her decision-making skills by trying out simple businesses as he or she grows up.

Prepare to Be a Teen Millionaire
Robyn Collins & Kimberly Spinks
Health Communications Inc. (March 3, 2008)

Amazon Review:
The hottest teen entrepreneurs reveal what it takes to turn an idea into major money!


The founders of Millionaire Blueprints magazine, the award-winning Texas-based entrepreneurial magazine, know that teens are savvier than ever and that they possess the ingenuity and technology to take their ideas from conception to million-dollar products. Through their spin-off magazine, Millionaire Blueprints Teen, Tom Spinks, Kimberly Spinks-Burleson, and Lindsay Spinks-Shepherd have been offering teens the know-how and insider techniques to take them beyond the lemonade stand and headfirst into real-life business.

Now, in their latest book, Prepare to Be a Teen Millionaire, the authors have selected the best advice and teen examples from previous issues of Millionaire Blueprints Teen to create this one-stop compendium. Prepare to Be a Teen Millionaire features the true-life stories and struggles of – and lessons learned by – teens across the country who have successfully created businesses. It offers an array of business ideas, information, and step-by-step detailed instructions on finding funding, marketing, and manufacturing. The result is a tried-and-true 'blueprint' that assists creative and ambitious teens in fulfilling their dreams. 

Letters to a Young Entrepreneur 
Ricardo B Levy
CreateSpace (March 27, 2010)

Amazon Review: 
Letters to a Young Entrepreneur speaks to everyone with an entrepreneurial spirit, capturing the personal challenges encountered in actualizing a vision. In twelve letters, each distilling the essence of significant insights, the author reflects upon experiences that enabled and inspired his journey. Penned with gem-like clarity, this book sharpens our sensitivity to the human dynamics and complexities of growing an extraordinary business.