52 week savings plan:Integrating Money

My children are getting older and are understanding more and more about money. Last year, I tried the 52 week challenge to save money. I didn't follow all the way through with it. But I did try it a little different. It just didn't seem to help me by spending more money as time went on. So, I alternated the weeks. Week 1-$1, week 2-$52, week 3-$2, week 4-$51 and so on.....
I didn't have want to spend my time re-creating the sheet, so I just crossed off the top and bottom to keep track. Even though I wasn't consistent last year, it was my first year, I wanted to try it again. And involve my child in saving her pennies, instead of dollars.

My goal is a vacation, hers will be a special toy. Together, we have goal.

Here is a link I saw that had three other ideas : 3 new 52 week

So, how would I motivate my children? I have a few books we will be reading and using.

 

 

 

 

 

Wish us luck! Good luck if you join. 

Integrating History: President's Day

If you can name all of these guys below, you are amazing. I still get hung up.

Today, buildings are closed.  

 My child asked why? Isn't there only one President? I would be silly to not explain to her the history of it all. Only then, did she look confused.

I luckily had these two books on hand.

That is as far as we have gotten today. 

For the older kids, there are so many other books that would be better for their reading level. These two are my particular favorites:

If anything, challenge yourself and your kids. Take that picture from the top of all the Presidents, add our current President Obama, copy it twice and play the matching game. Add their names for a challenge. Good luck and have a wonderful day off!!

Moment in history:

Last year, the living Presidents got together for this great picture. Isn't it great to live in a country where our leadership can get along and the torch passes peacefully?



Integrating Food: National Watermelon Day

August 3rd- every year we celebrate a big fruit. One of summers favorite treat and so popular. I know we have seen it at almost every BBQ we have been to this summer.

Here are some books to read.

This one is great for counting. A little description:

Max and Josephine are planting a garden,
from small blueberries to big watermelons
and everything in between.
Can you help them count the seedlings from one to ten?
And when they are ready to harvest,
can you help Max and Josephine count the crops by tens…
all the way up to one hundred?

For Watermelon Day

Description: There's a watermelon growing in the corner of the patch where the fence posts meet, and Jesse is waiting for it. Waiting for it to fill up with the cool summer rain and the hot summer sun. Waiting until at last it is ripe and ready for eating. Waiting until it is ready for her family's annual Watermelon day.

And finally, my favorite: Just then we heard a fella yellin??
He was sellin? watermelon! . . .
We chomped and slurped
And gulped and burped,
Then Peter spit a seed at Sue. . . .
Four friends turn a boring summer day into a rollicking, watermelon-seed?spitting adventure that takes them all the way into the town square, where everyone can?t help joining in on the fun. But when the mayor arrives, will she put a stop to it all? Energetic, begging-to-be-read-aloud text and boisterous, hilarious illustrations combine to form a picture book that celebrates simple, good-natured mischief.

Of course, if you are as creative as my friend is, you could even cut out a watermelon in the shape of things like a pig, a baby in a carriage or other creative things. All you have to do is "Google" it! Have a Happy Watermelon Day!!

Integrating Culture: Asian-Pacific Amrican Heritage Month

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States have enrichened the American Culture. Just like most cultures, they also have a "designated month" which is in May. But with everything going that month, I knew we could celebrate it anytime.

A few things about Hawaii from my point of view:
1. I went there for my honeymoon and fell in love.
2. It looks exactly like the pictures.
3. I really don't care to take my children before maybe the age of 13. It can be expensive and we can do the beach thing on the "mainland." I really want them to travel, just to closer places that won't hurt my wallet.

Thankfully, I live in a state that has many Pacific Islanders residing. I began looking for presentations. The big kids and Diva E's first experience was a great one. It was a group of young kids learning the dances, so they were putting on a free performance. I forgot to warn the little one that they would be without their shirts, Diva E screamed out, "EWW, mommy, he has no shirt on." At the age of three she still talks about the man who wore no shirt and had fire on a stick. It made an impression.

You may not be able to attend presentations, but here are some things you can do:
1. Watch a YouTube video of a dance or two and try to do the same dance or create your own dances.
2. Make flowers to put in your hair
3. Find shells to make bracelets and necklaces
4. Invite friends over to do a big cookout and have your own Luau (we have a great hawaiian restaurant I love to order from.)

 Some great ideas of what a luau can be here at this Party ideas website .

Here are great books you can share with your child:

I love the counting book, it has a CD with it.

There are many events that your city may even hold if there is a large Asian/Pacific Islander population. I know for us here in Utah, the Polynesian Cultural Center is coming to visit us to perform favorite pieces from their performance Ha:Breath of life. I was so excited right and bought tickets right away! What a great way to end the theme week.

Integrating Celebrations: Flag Day, June 14th, 2012

According to Wikipedia, "In the United States Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.[1] The United States Army also celebrates the Army Birthday on this date; Congress adopted "the American continental army" after reaching a consensus position in the Committee of the Whole on June 14, 1775." By now, your child has been exposed to Memorial Day and will soon be exposed to the 4th of July. So to a young child, this all could be very confusing as the flag is present in every Holiday. I explain to my child that Memorial Day is to remember all those people that fight for us, 4th of July is America's birthday, and Flag Day is well, the flag's birthday. All represent America. Here are some books you can read to your child. I find that even for my older children, they love to hear a quick story, especially in the summer. Pictures books are great for all ages. w a Afterwards, have some fun making a yummy flag treat. I find there are so many places to find recipes, but my favorite is KraftFoods.com What You Need: **3cups boiling water, **2pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Berry Blue Flavor Gelatin **2cups ice cubes, **2pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened **1/4 cup sugar **1tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, **2pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Strawberry Flavor Gelatin, or any red flavor **2cups halved strawberries **1/2cup blueberries Make It: STIR 1-1/2 cups of the boiling water into dry blue gelatin in medium bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add 1 cup of the ice cubes; stir until ice is completely melted. Pour into 13x9-inch dish. Refrigerate 20 min. or until gelatin is set but not firm. PLACE cream cheese, sugar and half of the whipped topping in large bowl; beat until well blended. Spoon over blue gelatin layer in dish; spread carefully to evenly cover gelatin layer. Stir remaining 1-1/2 cups boiling water into strawberry gelatin in separate bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add remaining 1 cup ice cubes; stir until ice is completely melted. Let stand at room temperature 5 min. or until slightly thickened. Spoon over cream cheese layer in dish. Refrigerate 3 hours or until set. SPREAD remaining whipped topping over dessert just before serving. Decorate with strawberries and blueberries to resemble a flag. Store leftover dessert in refrigerator

Integrating Culture: St. Patrick's Day

Thanks to Pinterest, people are getting ideas to do so many fun things and crafts. I hope that these books will help to pair up with the cute green foot prints and green food coloring I spied earlier this week. Getting the little one excited about a tricky leprechaun will be fun!

Last year, I gave a writing activity for the older kiddos. You can see the link here: St. Patrick's Day

This year, here is a baby book, along with a few more picture books.

Integrating Feelings: Llama llama

These books are so cute. I love the way they rhyme. The illustrations are great. The author, Anna Dewdney does a good job with the stories. It explains just how little ones feel as they begin school, want to leave the store, or need to go to bed. What I love about these books is that the Little Llama grows up in each book. You can read them in order and have your little one explore that.

All ages can read and enjoy the books, but the activities and website are geared toward children ages 2-9.






They are just easy reads. I bet your older children could write their own Llama llama book. You should challenge them to try.
Teacher vision.com has great ideas for teachers and parents to use to get their children thinking.

For Comprehension it is suggested that:
• Ask your readers to make predictions about the text. They should focus on the characters’ feelings, events in the plot, and problem/
solution situations.
• Readers can become involved in the story by visualizing the scenes that take place throughout the book. Ask students to draw their
own versions of the story action before seeing the real illustrations.

CHARACTER ANALYSIS
Values & Decision Making
Explain the concepts of values and personalities to your students. Ask students to think about things they personally value: their families,
friends, toys, etc. Get to know Llama Llama by reading Llama Llama Red Pajama, Llama Llama Mad at Mama, Llama Llama Misses
Mama, and Llama Llama Holiday Drama out loud to your class.
• Little Llama grows older with each book. Read the books in order and discuss how he changes.
• Use the text and pictures in each book to find examples of Llama’s values and personality traits.
• As a class, make a list of Llama’s favorite things and words that describe his personality.
Do the same for Mama Llama. Compare and contrast your lists. How are your students similar
to and diff erent from little Llama?
• What does he learn at the end of each story?

For more information, see the website above.

You can also visit the cutest website ever: Llama Llama Homepage

There is even an APP for that!!

Integrating Holidays: Fourth of July

Explaining what the 4th of July is to a 2 1/2 year old is quite interesting.

Upon seeing the bags of decoratins, plates, etc. the conversation goes something like this:
Toddler (T): We are going to have my birthday party.
Mom (M): No, honey , we are going to have a party for America.
T: Yeah! It's 'merica's birthday. Where does 'merica live?
M: We live in America, the United States of America. We celebrate where we live because we have freedom.
T: (Looking up in deep, deep thought). Where is she? I want to see America.
M: Well......forget it honey, let me find a book about the 4th of July and America's birthday.

What a concept that we take for granted. We know what it means to be free, what liberties we have, and how far our country has come. This year, let's not forget the little ones who are still trying to grasp this concept.

A new website I love that sends weekly updates each Sunday with activities is imom.com. This week, it was chuck full of actvities for the Fourth. Check out the objective this week: Operation Red, white, and blue

A few books that you can order or find at your library to read each night to your children are:




I also have one in Spanish to read called: Celebra el cuarto de julio by Alma Flor Ada and F.Isabel Campoy. Reading in a different language to children helps their comprehension and you can ask questions like:
What do you think the book is about?
What do you think they are talking about on this page? How do you know?
By using pictoral cues, children are still reading and using a higher level of thinking.
For the babies, a book I found is:


Of course, you can always google some activities to play in your backyard, but some activites that I am personally using for our party on Sunday game from Disney's family fun website. We will be playing the flag tag relay.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!!

Integrating Seasons: Sun catchers

The mailbox had a great craft idea that I just had to share, making Sun Catchers:
Tape a piece of plastic wrap to a file folder or piece of cardboard. Brush glue on the plastic wrap; then place one-inch squares of tissue paper on the flue. Apply another thin coat of glue atop the tissue paper. When dry, cut out an animal shape, glue on wiggle eyes, and punch a hold through the top. Feed a piece of yarn through the hold and tie the ends together in a knot. Hang the completed crafts near a window.

Of course for any children under 4, there will be quite a bit you will have to help them do, but don't underestimate the young ones. They can do it!


While you are waiting for them to dry or a view of the sun, here are some books you can read together- for all ages.




Here are a few board books for the babies:



I hope you are enjoying the sunshine!

Integrating Holidays: Father's Day

Why do dads get a day in June?
*Dads get the warm weather, so they can golf.
*Dads get there to be no school, so mom can watch the kids all day-so he can golf.
*Dads get a day on Sunday, so he can watch sports.
These answers are from a student when asked why Father's Day was in June.

Students often get to make all kinds of crafts for moms on their day, but school is usually out when it comes to dads. Here are a few ideas so fathers can get the homemade crafts with love.

I always love to go to enchanted learning to see what ideas they have. Such easy, practical crafts.

Michael's had great site this month for crafts: Crafts for dads

Barnes and Noble has a great section for gift ideas.

A few good reads:








My ultimate favorite gift I had the kids make for their dad was a book. I ordered them from Bare Books. We started the books on the first of June, 2006. I placed a picture of each child and they could decorate the cover. On the back we created an "about the author page."
We then did the steps for writing, prewriting, outlining, drafting, editing, writing, and publishing.
They wrote on the bottom of the page and drew their illustations on the top.
When they first started this project, they were 5 years old. This year, there are 8 more pages left in the book that they will complete. For 5 years, the kids have been adding to the bare book, and now it is a chapter book.
Dad loves it. I love it. It is great to see how the kids have grown.


Whatever you decided to do for dad, I am sure he will have a wonderful day just being remembered.