Monthly Archives: September 2012

Continue Learning Outside the Classroom

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chalkboard

School is in full swing and the kids are coming home full of new ideas and questions and knowledge.  School is fun and exciting but it doesn’t have to stop when they step on the school bus.  Take your child’s education a step further and introduce everyday activities and experiences as learning opportunities.

Embrace the Mess- Artistic expression cannot be contained on a piece of paper or tabletop. Let the creative juices flow outside the lines and into the world around. Instead of painting on an easel, spread paper across the garage door, the side of the house or on the deck. If you are tight on open space use an open parking space.

Break it Down- We want our children to pitch in and help to develop some responsibility. Instead of going down an entire list of daily chores and tasks in one sitting, try breaking it up into morning and evening responsibilities. Becoming overwhelmed over the to-do list is a sure fire way to bring down a child’s energy.

after school activities, developing sports and arts for kidsFind Time for Extracurriculars- Local parks and recreations departments, Boys and Girls Clubs, and even your own child’s school are great places to find opportunities for fun after school activities. Sports and arts are integral components to growing minds and bodies. You never know, a new hobby might emerge.

Hit the Books – Reading is one of the best ways to keep minds growing and thinking and expanding. Visit libraries and bookstores so they can find the genre that best suits them. Let your children see you read. Encourage group readings where the children and parents take turns reading a classic or humorous story.

Promote Independent Play – Everyone needs their own space. If your children share a room or don’t have a dedicated play room, carve out a nook or corner that each child can call their own. It could be a special pillow next to a toybox or bookcase, it doesn’t matter. Let that be where your child can create, imagine, read, and learn on their own. Don’t use this space as punishment.

Talk about Everything – The incessant questions are sometimes too much after a long day, but don’t stomp on your child’s curiosity. Ask your child questions about school, friends, playdates and even shows they’ve watched on television. Expand simple questions about “what’s for dinner” into ideas for new meals and cultural cuisine differences.

Chalkboard image provided by Corey Leopold via Flickr
Ballet image provided by Thejbird via Flickr

Creative Punctuation Characters Printables

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quinn

September 24th was National Punctuation Day. What a great reminder to teach your preschooler(s) the meaning and use of the different punctuation marks!

Instead of worksheets and time-intensive crafts, I have created punctuation characters.  The personalities of each punctuation mark will help teach your young one how to properly use them as they write.

You can click the thumbnail and print them, then let your child color the characters. Then use the printout to tell stories or play make-believe!  Another option is to ask your student to draw the punctuation mark themselves, with their own creative additions.

Creative Punctuation Characters

Quinn the Question Mark always asks questions. He is always asking, “why?” about as often as a little child. Other questions he likes to ask are: “How does that work?” and “May I please have a snack?”

Ellie the Hyper Exclamation Point! She is always screaming! Loudly! She is a very happy person, always excited to see her friends and squeals with joy when they enter the room! She also cares deeply about her brother – Peter Period – and if he is in danger she yells STOP!

Peter the Period. He is stubborn. And boring. Wherever he is, the party (or sentence) is over. You could be telling a very happy story, and almost to finish when, boom. There it is. Peter Period. Ending the sentence.

Cally, the comma, is a slow poke.  Whenever you see her, you take a breath. She slows everyone down, especially Ellie. Cally is a stickler for organization.  She doesn’t like her peas touching her spaghetti and she inserts herself into sentences when there is more than one thing in a group. Look at this sentence: “The millionaire gave his money to his daughter, son, gorilla, and pilot.”  She kept all those people separated!

Cally is a high-maintenance punctuation mark. There are so many ways to use her!

The Quotation mark twins are shy. The only thing they ever want out of life is to give all the glory and attention to the person that is talking. They are like spotlights. They are so happy when they can let the world know that someone is talking!

Of course as they get older you can teach them elipses, dash, semicolon and parenthesis. But this list is a really fun and easy place to start.

How did you teach your preschooler about punctuation?

Dictionaries, children, and the online option

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wordjar

This week for homework, my elementary schooler was tasked with a fun project to follow up on a class reading book, Donavan’s Word Jar (Trophy Chapter Book), which is suggested for grades 2 and up, age 6 and up. The story’s main character, Donavan, is obsessed with words and learning their meanings.  He creates a word jar where he keeps slips of paper listing his favorite words and their definitions.

Following the reading, my son’s assignment was to create his own jar, selecting 10 words that are interesting to him and looking up their definitions.

Big selected the following words:

  • mythology
  • hilarious
  • puzzle
  • dictionary
  • Neptune
  • Geb
  • exploration
  • proportion
  • spurious
  • candy

While Geb and Neptune are mythological gods, nearly all of the words were listed in the dictionary supplied by the school. All except for candy.

Big was perplexed. Internally, he knew the meaning of candy and could create his own definition, but was it the proper definition? When he came to me asking what to do, I didn’t quite trust his searching skills. How could spurious (a word he found in the dictionary and thought it sounded cool) be listed but not something as simple as candy? I searched the dictionary, twice. Candy really was left out of the dictionary.

We did what any other family of the 21st century would do, we pushed aside the several hundred page listing and pulled out our iPad. In seconds, we had a definition for candy:

After Big copied the definition, I watched him pick up the student dictionary, turning it as he sat quietly.

“Mom,” he said. “I don’t think I actually need this any more. Should I return it to school? If can find all the definitions online, what’s the use for a dictionary?”

I convinced him not to rid the ancient guide just yet, but asked my Facebook friends for opinions.

All good points. Of course, to each of the replies we could easily offer a retort–even for the backpacking through Europe suggestion. I mean, who would send their kid backpacking through Europe without a Smartphone?

What do you think? Should dictionary skills continue to be a focus of the elementary curriculum? Or will they be phased out in the next 20 years?

Smiles, Slime and Learning Can Go Hand in Hand

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World Smile Day activity

 

October 5th is World SMILE Day. I must have Halloween on the brain because when I saw this I automatically thought of how SLIME brings a smile to my childrens’ faces. In actuality, the day is more about encouraging everyone to “devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts throughout that world.” So, I am taking this opportunity to bring some smiles to my family’s faces and make some learning fun at the same time. We we will perform some acts of kindness that day, too.

Monster Goo

I believe that this first activity goes by many names and was told it is typically called “Oobleck”, but we have always known it as “Monster Goo”.  It is super simple to make and loads of fun.

What You Need:

  • 1 part water
  • 2 parts cornstarch
  • Bowl
  • Mixing spoon or fork
  • A large cookie sheet or a clean flat surface to play on.
  • Food coloring (optional)

Directions:

Step 1: Add water and cornstarch together into the bowl. If you want color, add it before  you add the cornstarch – just a couple drops.

Step 2: Stir together slowly. The faster you stir the harder it will get to mix it up. Be patient and just dig in it nice and slow. It should mix up quickly and will look like liquid in the bowl when it is mixed completely.

Texture Tip: It is ready when it is firm when picked up and liquid like when it is not moving. That sounds confusing, but you will know what I am talking about when you have it right.

Now the Fun Begins…

Here are some ideas of things that you can do with it:

  • For children who are learning letters, numbers or learning how to spell, have them write letters with the goo. My 6 year old son has never been so excited to spell words and my 4 year old was fascinated by watching him.
  • Roll the goo into a ball in your hand and then see what happens when you stop.
  • Create a monster. Roll it up again and then lay it on the table (or pan) and add 2 marbles for eye balls to create a monster. Watch him turn into “Monster Goo”.
  • Talk about the texture of what they feel. Is it hard? Soft? Sticky? Slimy? Are your hands soft or rough?, etc…you get the idea!
  • Give each child a couple of bowls/cups and/or spoons and let them transfer the goo from one to another.

Fun Tip: If the goo gets too dry and is not turning into liquid as fast as before, just add a little water and the fun will continue.

For a cool Halloween look, add some glow-in-the-dark paint for coloring and turn off the lights. We didn’t have to add much and because we used pink it did not seem to leave any after color. The kiddos loved it!

Flubber

Another fun and definitely more SLIME looking recipe that we attempted was for Flubber.

What You Need:

  • 2 tsp Metamucil
  • 2 cups water
  • Small pot
  • Stirring spoon

Directions:

Step 1: Add Metamucil and water together in pot.

Step 2: Stir together and begin to heat on med-high. You will want it to start to boil, but not be on a high boil. Keep on heating while stirring occasionally until a lot of the moisture is gone. We heated for 5-10 minutes 3-4 times, letting it cool in between heatings to see if it was the texture desired. The original instructions we used (found here) encouraged the use of the microwave, but when we followed them, we literally dehydrated the mixture to nothing. So we decided to go with the stovetop where we could observe it better and it was much cooler to watch transform.

I will admit that it turned out very cool to make and look at, but it was not as handy for spelling letters as I had hoped. And for us, once it got pulled apart a bunch, it never really looked like it’s starting form…”Slimey”. It was still a fun project, though!

How to Make Homemade Playdough

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homemade playdough

Kids love playdough.  It’s brightly colored, it can be molded into almost anything, and can be used over and over again.  It is also great for fine motor skills.  You can also make your own at home. Kids will love helping to pick colors and this is a great excuse to get out a color wheel and teach them about how colors change when blended together.

Playdough is surprisingly easy to make, and according to my son is pretty tasty too.

What you need:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup salt
  • 2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp vegetable oil
  • food coloring – I used the Wilton 4 pack of colors (red, blue, green, and yellow)

To make:

Add the water and salt to a saucepan and warm over high heat.  Once warm (not boiling) add the flour, cream of tartar, and vegetable oil.  Stir continuously.

The process from start to finish moves fairly quickly.  You will begin to notice the mixture becoming lumpy and thick, then it will begin to move away from the sides of the saucepan and will look rubbery as you continue to stir.

Turn down the heat to a simmer.  I find that just because it’s rubbery on the outside, does not mean it isn’t still a little sticky on the inside.  Flatten it a little into the base of the saucepan using 2 large spoons, pull it apart a little and flip it over.  Do this a few times to ensure that it is cooked properly in the center.

Turn out of the saucepan onto a cutting board and set aside to cool.

Once cool, separate the playdough into equal piles for coloring.  I was making the playdough for two children so I doubled the ingredients above and made 4 colors for them to share.  This will give you an idea of how much I made:

Make a small well in the center of the playdough and add a few drops of food color. Go ahead and experiment with colors and shades.  While wearing gloves, knead the playdough until the color is completely mixed in.

You don’t necessarily need to use food coloring to make playdough, you can also use Kool-Aid, jelly crystals, or natural colors such as beet juice, turmeric, and cocoa.

This is a perfect cold weather activity now that we are heading into fall.  It also makes a great gift for kids.  This playdough will last for a few weeks if used often and stored in airtight containers..

My kids had a great time playing with it today while it was over 100 degrees outside.

The Smartest Card in Your Wallet

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I love the library!  When I saw the announcement that September is Library Card Sign-up Month, I remembered the day my mom took me, along with my sister and several of my brothers, to get our own library cards.  I remember the great feeling of independence I had with that card.  A real and true plastic card I could keep in my own wallet!  I could check out anything I wanted from the library!  I proudly signed my name in ink on the back of the card, then slid my stack of books across the counter to get them checked out.  It was the first of many, many trips to the library.  Those visits to the library were wonderful.  I often got recommendations from the librarian, but always wandered in the stacks looking for something that would catch my attention.

I still had that library card for years after I moved away.  In fact, I think I still have it tucked away.  That card was a part of my childhood, and a tangible reminder of the feeling of independence I had when I could check out the books I wanted and escape to other times and places.

Now my local library is a beautiful English Tudor style building.  It was named the Most Beautiful Branch Library in America…in 1935, but I think it is still beautiful.  I love opening the big wooden doors and walking up the creaky steps into a world of books.

Of course, getting a library card here wasn’t quite as exciting as getting that first card, but I still enjoy my trips to the library.  And although I love the convenience of reserving online the books, audio books and DVDs I want, I still wander the stacks looking for something to catch my attention.

Have you been to the library to get a card for your child yet?  With the beginning of a new school year, now is a great time to do it!

To get a library card, you need a valid and current photo ID with a photo, name and local address, and the library card application.  Children under 14 need a parent’s signature to complete the application process. The application may be available online.  Use the search feature on this link to find a library near you, and happy reading (and exploring)!

 

Library image: http://www.slcpl.lib.ut.us/branches/view/sprague

The Halloween Boo Project & Crafts

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For weeks now I’ve been seeing Halloween decorations at my favorite craft stores and discount super giants.  This means it is time to start decorating the yard, thinking about costumes for the kiddos, and of course, fun crafts!   Last year, I wrote about the Halloween Boo project that some of my neighbors started. We had so much fun, I thought I would share it with you and participate again this year.

The Halloween Boo Project is a fun, neighborhood activity. It works kind of like a secret Santa event you may do at work or with friends.  What basically happens is that one neighbor kicks it off by picking two neighbors to “Boo.”  A Boo is a goodie bag or Halloween pumpkin basket that you fill with treats or crafts and secretly leave at your neighbor’s doorstep.  Inside the basket you include The Boo Poem and instructions on what to do next.   You should also include a picture of the cute little ghost above, or do an internet search for “boo’d for Halloween” to find other ghost printouts.

Once you get Boo’d, you post the ghost picture on your door letting your other neighbors know that you have already been boo’d. (You still might get Boo’d twice but that’s okay, twice the fun.)

I had never heard of the Boo project until it happened to us and still don’t know who actually “Boo’d” us. We had so much fun doing it last year that we can’t wait to do it again this Halloween.   Except this year, I would like to make a simple craft to put in our boo basket instead of running to a dollar discount store to fill the basket with trinkets and candy.  I was thinking that maybe we can make ghosts out of tissue paper.  These  gravestone lollipop covers look fun and add a scary touch to something store bought.  And finally, these white chocolate ghost cookies look yummy and seem like something that can easily be recreated with the kids.

The holidays are always a fun time and good opportunity to implement crafts for the kids.  For us, this Halloween will kick us off for another crafty season!

Have you heard of the Boo project in your neighborhood?

Learning with Great-Grandma

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My grandmother has lived such a full and story-filled life.  My three children are beyond blessed to have her in their lives.  She was in Alaska in 1963 during the huge earth quake. She lived in Indonesia during the USA’s bicentennial. She was married twice – both to officers in the USA Army.

Learning is not completely academic. It is holistic, and when my children visit her house they are hearing her stories, looking at her collectibles from around the world, and gaining a broader view of their world.

Grandma’s stories

On Grandparent’s Day this past Sunday, my 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son spent the afternoon with her. I sat back and listened as my grandma’s eyes lit up, reminiscing her past.

David’s favorite story was the Alaska earthquake.  Great-grandma pulled out an original magazine, published soon after the quake and filled with photos.

“I was in church when it happend and I thought it was the end of the world,” she shared. “The scary thing was that it happened on Good Friday. The priest was holding the Bible and just finished telling the story of how Jesus died when the ground started to move! We heard a huge roar as the beams to the church bent and swayed!”

My children were born and raised in Kansas. They have never heard of an earthquake yet. Until now. They turned the pages of the magazine, asking questions.

“What happened to that house?”
and
“Was someone in that car when the building fell down?”

Great-grandma laughed when she told us about how she immediately flew home to Kansas to be with her parents after the quake.

“But as my dad was driving me home from the airport he kept looking at the sky,” she said. “Turns out we were in a tornado watch!” Her eyes rolled and she slapped her legs as she remembered the irony of her homecoming.

My children are blessed to be able to learn social science and cultural studies from their great-grandma. I hope one day I can help her write down her stories so they can be passed down to my children’s children too!

What do your children learn from their grandparents? 

It’s Apple Season

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green apples, apple season

September is apple season and we have already made our way to the local orchard to gather our half bushel of Honey Crisps. There’s something about apples that gives off a hint of fall even though the temperatures are still saying it’s summer. Apple season came early this year due to a warm spring so make sure you don’t miss the fantastic crops out there and try something new.

Here’s a collection of apple themed books and snack ideas to enjoy while reading.

Ten Apples Up On Top! by Theo LeSieg
In true Dr. Seuss fashion, the rhymes about how three friends trying to outdo each other balancing apples on their head will bring giggles to all kids.

The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbonsapple lovers cookbook
This story tells of the life of a very special apple tree and the little boy that loves it.

The Apple Lover’s Cookbook by Amy Traverso
Think beyond applesauce and try some of these simple and easy recipes that will start traditions and become family classics.

Apples A to Z by Margaret McNamara
An ABC book featuring different kinds of apples.

Apples but Elaine Landau
A true book about the growing and history of apples. A nonfiction work that could be used for research.

Apple Snack Ideas

Use your favorite apple variety for these simple snack ideas. Encourage independence by letting children be involved in preparing their own treats. Allow your child to help spreading, sprinkling and dipping. Invest in a kid friendly knife to show them how to safely cut an apple and other produce. Giving a child tools of their own can positively impact healthy eating habits.  Here are some delicious ways to eat apples:

• Apple wedges spread with peanut butter and covered with crushed granola
• Apple slices lightly coated with honey and chopped peanuts
• Top butter cracker with thin sliced apple and sliced cheddar
• Mix creamy vanilla yogurt with a sprinkle of cinnamon and dip apple slices
• Stuff chopped apples, cinnamon and brown sugar into prepared personal size pie crusts.

Reading to your children

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mom reading to boy

About 2 years ago, the kids and I spent hours laying across my bed while I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to them. Often times I’d notice their eyes closed in a dream like stance, but the minute I’d pause to make sure they were still awake, their eyes would pop open, always wanting more.

Before long, however, my older son learned to read on his own, and read ahead of us, completing the first 3 books in the series. Now a big third grader, he loves reading books on his own. But he still makes time for read alouds, sometimes joining in the reading, but, mostly, listening to my voice take on the characters and storyline.

It’s true that children should learn to read on their own, to not just decode the words but to also comprehend what they’re reading. But just as important as developing those skills is developing listening skills and listening comprehension. A child who only reads to himself misses out on opportunities to hear a different voice or a different method of reading. He also needs to continue to develop strong listening skills to become a strong student in lecture halls, in conversation and in every day life. We all need to learn how to follow another person’s words.

While many teachers assign reading as homework each evening, there are a variety of ways a child can read. Reading aloud to himself or others, reading silently to himself, listening to a story and following along on the computer (like in software such as Rusty & Rosy) or books on CD that have follow along prompts and books attached. Listening to an adult read aloud is a skill that needs to be practiced several times a week so children learn to not just listen, but to read with rhythm and learn to discuss what they’re listening to.

While nearly every story makes a great read aloud, look for books that are written with suspense. Mysteries and adventure offer a higher interest level for children and keep them coming back for more stories. A few great stories to pick up and read with your Kindergartner through third grader are:

  • Harry Potter & the Sorcer’s Stone
  • Nancy Drew Mysteries
  • Little House on the Prairie series
  • Cam Jansen series
  • Magic Tree House series
  • classics such as Treasure Island, Gulliver’s Travels, Sword in the Stone
  • Stuart Little

By continuing to read with your child you’ll not just share a story, you’ll share moments that enforce a strong bond between you and your child. Enjoy reading aloud as often as you can. It won’t be long until he rolls his eyes and walks away (though I recommend that you keep reading. He’s likely really listening outside the door.)

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net