Summer plans!?

We finished Emergency Homeschool at the Lovely Day Academy Friday, May 22. It was a great day. Their school is going to do some virtual activities next week that we will log on, but I’m ready for independent learning. Usually, during the summer, the kids have some camps to attend. That is not the case this year. So...... what are we gonna do!? I still have to work, I am a 12 month educator. Usually, they can go to camps near my place of employment. I did learn that a few activities will be virtual. That’s awesome! Maybe pools will open back up?

This summer, I decided that we will do 2 miles of activity together each day. Skating, biking, walking, or running. It reminded me of a summer when we did the “summer of 100 miles.” An activity I found on Pinterest.

Whatever we do, you can guarantee that Kiwi Co is gonna be right by our side. That is a Christmas gift that keeps on giving. And of course, reading and memorizing math facts will be in full effect. The rest, I’ve gotta plan. I’ll keep you posted on Lovely Day Camp.

Be grateful

During the Thanksgiving season, we like to express our thanks. Each day a person gets to share what they are thankful for and then we write it on a feather for our family turkey. On Thanksgiving day, I then had my daughter and cousins write what they were thankful for. For the little ones, I had them draw a picture and I would add the words to it. 

Small steps for writing. 

Integrating History: Constitution Day

Constitution Day, September 17th, 2012

This document is the Supreme Law of the United States and kids in the family should begin learning about what their rights are as US citizens. You can start small with the little ones or go big with the older kids.

Here is a website for a quick list of activities can be found here.

Another great website, Constitution Day, has information on the ratificaion of the Constitution and the Founding Fathers.
Activity:
For the older kids in your family, you could match the Founding Father with one interesting fact about that person. This activity woul take longer than one day.


Books:
Amazon has a great deal on two books I read that helps kids understand the purpose of this document a little more.
David Catrow is slowly becoming my new favorite author.

 You can talk about what rules are and why we have them as you read these books. Of course since it is still the beginning of the year, you can put in place school rules for the house like:
1. No TV on a school night
2. Reading after dinner for 30 minutes
3. We will play a board game as a family one night a week.

Whatever you think will fit your schedule and family needs. The kids will love creating rules for parents as well. Have the older kids write out a constitution for the family and everyone sign it to be placed in the playroom or bathroom of the house.

Recognize this document and how lucky we are to be an American. It is your role as a parent to help create functioning citizens in this country. Start now.

Integrating Seasons: Summer Bubbles

Summer is here and if your children are like mine, they love to blow bubbles. We have already been through many jars of bubbles and it reminded me of a favorite unit that I did teaching first and second grades. At the end of year, to tie in writing, reading, and fun, I taught a bubble unit. The information and ideas are from a Teaching Guide called "Bubbles, bubbles everywhere." It was originally published by Macmillian and has tons of activities, ideas, and reproducibles. The rest of the ideas have developed since I have had a child that could be entertain for hours with bubbles. To make sure you will successfully entertain your children, first, make sure you have bubbles! A cheap way to create bubbles in a sink is with dishwashing liquid. You can also buy some jars at the dollar tree. While you are at the dollar store look for various wands, blowers, and items to blow the bubbles with. Or you can make your own: Pipe-cleaner wand: Form a loop at the end of a pipe cleaner. Dip and use. Paper cup: Use a pencil to poke a hole in the bottom of a paper cup. DIp the open end of the cup into the bubble mix. Blow gently through the hole. Funnel: Dip the large end of the funnel into the solution. Blow gently through the small end. Six pack holder: Grasp the holder at a corner. Dip it into the bubble mix. Gently wave the holder through the air. I googled a few images to give you an idea. If you buy these crayola bubbles, I recommend you do these in the tub. They are a bit messy. This bubble gun is a lot of fun. It was a gift this season. It is a light up bubble gun. I saw that you can purchase it on amazon for a great price. This is a great bubble wand I purchased at Gymboree Play and Music. I even bought the bubbles. There is something they are made of because they last a long time and do not create residue so are perfect for indoor rainy play. Here is something that I can save you from buying. I wish I read the reviews, but I saw this in the store and thought, "WOW! Thousand of bubbles in minutes!?? Bubbles 30 feet into the air!?" So I bought it. In front of my child and four neighborhood kids, we filled it, read the directions and waited with great anticipation for bubbles. We waited the said 2 minutes and there were still no bubbles. We even kept it going for 10 minutes and it looked pitiful. A few bubbles here and there. Sad. The kids walked away disappointed. So did I. That evening, I dumped the solution out and cleaned it with water, just like the directions state. My husband turned the machine on and there were more bubbles coming out of that machine just like we wanted earlier. I will try it again tomorrow. But be warned if you purchase it. Some fun books to read after an afternoon of blowing bubble are below: I had to throw this book in, there is a cartoon on the Disney Channel called "Bubble Guppies." Really has nothing to do with bubbles, but the title. And the songs are catchy. And to keep the summer fun going, have your kiddos write things down to become a "bubbleologist." Observations such as: What is inside a bubble? What colors are seen in a bubble? What shapes do the different wands make with the bubbles? Are all the bubbles the same size? How do you touch a bubble without breaking it? For the older kids, have them explore what bubble films are, how rainbows are created in or on the bubbles, and how they can create bubble domes. They can write their findings in their journals.

Integrating Seasons: Earth Day

Today's Google grows on you!

Today is Earth Day. Earth Day, which was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970, is celebrated in many countries each year on April 22. Hopefully the weather is nice and you can get outside. The NY Times had a great article on 10 Ways to learn about the environment. Click HERE to get some ideas. Activities that inspire inspiration and awareness is what today is all about. Go on a walk, plant a flower, look for bugs. And at the end of the day, write about ways you can love the earth.

Integrating Holidays: Happy Valentine's Day!!

Make February 14 a special day with activities that extend Valentine's Day into academic subject areas. You can do counting for math, experiements in science, and of course writing in Language Arts.

The kids can make Homonym Hearts, Synonym Hearts, Ideas to Write from the Heart, and write a short story on "All about Valentine's Day". Just click on the words to see the links. They are free printables.

Of course, you can google all kinds of activities as well. Have fun teaching them why we have a day dedicated to LOVE. There is nothing wrong with that. It's what the world needs now, right? You could even find songs all about it everywhere and then have your kids write their own poems and songs.
Here are some fun books to read with your kids while you make cookies, cards, and decorate card boxes.

I love the stories of a love of child and parent best:





These are oldies, but goodies. I only recommend paper backs for a few reasons:
1. Older kiddos can read them to siblings
2. That's all we parents have time to read and reading is important-to our children as well as for ourselves.
Of course there are chapter books out there, and I will dedicate more posts to those, should you need longer reads for your kids.


Olive, the Other reindeer was a cute book and now she is back!

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!!

P.S- I really wish I could get these posts out to you sooner, so you can order the books, but as a working mom myself, it is close to impossible. I can only hope to share these with you and the local library or book store has them. You don't have to read them on that day, but all year through. Enjoy!!

Integrating Seasons: The Leaf Man

Have you been on several hikes collecting many leaves? Not sure what to do with them? The old, put them under a piece of paper and rub them is out. The easy, let's put them between two pieces of wax paper and iron them is well done.

How about turning those leaves, twigs, and acorns into artwork?



Now, mind you, this was created by an almost 3 year old, so you can use the book to help stretch the older kids imagination.

Also, here is a link about the book, author, with an activity and sticker sheets, that could help you create your own animasls, places, and people.

Leaf Man:

And of course, the book:



At the end, your child can write about the adventure of their leaf creation. Happy Fall!! About two weeks left before the snow moves in.... if it hasn't already!!

Integrating History: Patriot Day

This year will be the 10th Anniversary of 9-11. It is hard to think it has been that long. Many adults can remember the exact place they were when this historic moment that changed Americans lives occured. For many of our children, however, they were not born or cannot remember the events. Older students I talked to remember it as the "day that the planes crashed into the big buildings."

We all know this day marks the start of a very long war and lives were changed. As parents, we need to know how to appropriately educate our children without them thinking it is a Holiday.

Here are a few websites you can go to for resources:
9/11 Anniversary Websites

Memorial Website

Most importantly, we need to talk with our children about the recent death of Osama Bin Laden, and how we should never be happy when someone dies, but we are relieved that the main culprit for starting the attacks was taken care of. We can talk about the meaning of justice, grief, and forgiveness.

This day is not a day to focus on the evil that occurred, point fingers, or stereotype. It is a day to focus on the survivors, deaths, and how people's lives have changed. It is a day of compassion and education.

The Discovery channel has had an interesting series:
Rebuilding Ground Zero
They will have one more episode on Sunday, 9-11.

After all of this education, you can have your children of all ages do a reflective writing piece:
Ages 0-5- they can draw a flag, flower, or something pretty for the children survivors.
Ages 6-8- can write a letter to the children with an illustration
Ages 9-13- can write a letter, note, or question to children that lost a loved one.
Ages 14-above - Can write a speech on what a survivor stands for or anything related to what they learned.

Remember to have them brainstorm these ideas before they just dive into writing.

In my town, I visit a Healing Field every year. There is something moving, beautiful, and reflective about the amount of flags in one area. You can go to the Healing Field website to see about Flag Displays in your area.

Finally, here are some books you can use to guide your way through the discussion. With it being so soon, I think there will be a waiting list at your local library, but since this is a part of our American History, you can always come back to the stories.





Here is another link for more books:
Apples for teacher

May you all take this time to refocus, be grateful, and recognize all of the heroes that played a part in this historic day. Thank you Patriots of 9-11.

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.

Integrating Careers: Nurses Day

On May 12th, it is Nurses Day. It is one of the professions where I really am so grateful for their knowledge. They assist doctors in important surgeries and give reassurance to little children who have to give shots. (And moms that have to watch their little babies receive their first shots.)

So in honor of them, why not talk about them at home? Who knows, you might give a child an idea for a new career they never thought about.




An easy activity to follow would be a thank you letter for your personal nurse or someone you know that is a nurse. They would sure appreciate it.

Integrating Holidays: Mother's Day

Hallmark is going to make a lot of money this week. Why shouldn't they!? Dads, we are going to honor our favorite ladies: mom. Here are some books you can read to the kids to get them excited, ready, and wanting to make lists for what to do for mom.






Of course afterwards, to encourage writing, have them write out a list of things they can do for mom. For the younger kiddos, have them draw pictures while you write what it represents. You can pick the top items. Making and writing a mother's day card is also something you can do. Enchanted Learning has wonderful card making ideas!
Finally, dad, I bet if you took the kids out for an afternoon at the movies or bowling alley and left mom at home, she would not feel left out. You might even drop her off at a friend's house, so she doesn't end up cleaning!

Integrating writing: National Poetry Month

Spring has a lot of reasons to write. The melting of the snow, the budding of trees, new animal babies being born, and the sprouting of flowers.

A new book for young poets that came out March 2011:



For more ideas, books for adults, and a poem a day visit: Poets.orgRemember mom and dad: Poems do not have to rhyme!

Integrating Arts and Writing: Paper plate bunny

A tried and true classroom craft can now come to your home- The paper plate Bunny. So simple. So perfect. So easy.

You can add many things to this craft. Instead of wiggly eyes, you can add jelly beans. Sometimes the bunny needs a little bit of hair, why not put the multi-colored Easter grass from the basket? There is always too much in the package anyway. For the whiskers-try licorice candy. Before you know it this piece of art has become edible. What other ideas can you use to turn this into edible art? Then, of course, when the bunny is complete, write a story about your new friend. Don't forget a beginning, middle, and end, whether it be only 3 sentences your child can write, or 10.

Integrating movies: The books that inspired them

I am the type of person that has to read a book before seeing the movie, and so I share the same habit with my students. With my 4th graders, we read Ella Enchanted before seeing the movie. It allowed for some serious compare and contrast activities.

Writing can really be fun. What better way to write about a good movie and a great book!? In school, we always wish that students felt comfortable with writing. Parents, you can help!

I finally saw "Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs" and I have to say, I am so glad I read the book first. I was amazed with how much "meat" they added to make it into a feature film. Watching the movie got me thinking, how many more childrens books were amazingly extended into a movie. From my memory I thought if these few:





Polar Express still amazes me as to how they took such a short book and turned it into a favorite must see Christmas movie.

The next time you get ready to view a children's movie, see if a book inspired it first. If so, pick up the book with your child, read it, watch the movie, then afterwards compare the two.

To extend as a writing activity, you can use:
Venn Diagram: Book in "A", movie in "B", and what was the same between both in "C"

"T" chart: compare the two side by side.

A Concept chart would be great for older writers.


At the end, the could work on paragrah writing. Make sure it contains a beginning, middle, and end. For the primary writers it would look like this:
In the book, there was a story told by the grandpa. In the movie, it was real. They both had to leave the town.

As the children get older, you can expect more detail comparing the two. What a fun way to pass an otherwise boring day. You can stock up for Spring Break!

For more books that were made to feature films, click: Books into Feature films