All we have been talking about is the economy and how it's changed the rules for everyone's life. Well, just forget about it for a minute. Here's some simple, fun, free things you can do this summer to make you smile.

Ideally, companies and organizations should upgrade software and hardware to meet new "standards" every five years. And if your school's computers are older, or much older, than that, you probably have the IT staff on speed dial.

The best blog for kid book reviews: A year Of Reading Looking for the latest children's books reviews? Well, this blog has them! Written by two teachers, this site shares thoughts about new publications from a classroom perspective. There's also some links to other book review blogs.

Well folks, there lies the biggest problem with social networking. You can't benefit from what you don't utilize—you have to log in every now and again! Before you scroll away, frustrated with "all this new technology" that seems to demand constant attention which you can't imagine squeezing into your already over-booked workday, give us a second to highlight how various sites can benefit your position.

e-Readers on Campus: What College Students Had to Say The ever-evolving technology world has recently brought the idea of electronic libraries closer to a reality for schools and universities. On the ISM listservs, people are starting to ask about introducing e-readers to students. Since it seems to be of interest, we dug a little into what people are saying about reading and researching on e-reader screens versus "hitting the books" in their campus libraries.

No matter how hard we try to protect our children, there will always be some form of danger lurking along their path. We can never be careful enough, and this is especially the case when it comes to online safety. Over the years we've seen different trends in online crime. Chat rooms and social sites have been an ongoing topic of discussion. Predators seem to pool in these places, just waiting for an opportunity.  

Everyone feels awful when an employee is disabled by injury or illness—especially if the injury occurred on the job. Things can get even worse though if your school doesn't have proper injury reporting procedures in place—and worse, still, if you are not vigilant in your communications with your Workers' Compensation insurance provider. The National Insurance Crime Bureau says workers' compensation fraud is a significant contributor to the country's $30 billion insurance scam problem. Here are a few tips for keeping your school from becoming part of this statistic.  

If your school dyes eggs in celebration of the season, here's a tip that won't stain your fingers. (Or your clothes, carpets, or floors either.) Ask students to bring in their one of their dad's old silk ties. Or they can shop at a local thrift store for an old tie. Usually thrift stores ties aren't much more than a dollar or two. Encourage them to bring in one with a vibrant pattern. The more intense the pattern, the better the outcome will be. And you'll want to tell them to make sure the ties are silk.

Read the original article at philly.com. There's a lot more positive energy in the air this season than there was last fall concerning the economy, that's for sure. Maybe some of us are starting to adapt to our reduced budgets and cautious approaches—we've accepted the struggle and have found alternative ways to stay focused. But, although there's a more positive perspective on how the market will be in the near future, we're not in the clear yet—and teachers are feeling it.  

Remember your grandparents always telling you to slow down, chew your food, there's no reason to rush? Or perhaps you're always telling your children to slow down and enjoy the meal you've prepared. All great advice, but maybe for reasons you and your grandparents aren't even aware.