Integrating Holidays: Happy Birthday Calendar!!

My 3-year old asked me whose birthday party it was when we were celebrating "Noon" Year's Eve at the local library. There is really not an easy way to explain it, so I just told her it is the calendar's birthday. That seemed to work.

Last year, I posted some ways different cultures bring in the New Year. You can view that again here: New Year Celebrations.

This month, there are a few celebrations you can start the new year off with.
Jan 16 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - National Day of Service
Jan 18 - Winnie the Pooh Day
Jan 23 - Utah Legislature Convenes

Jan 23 - Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon-Dragons are legendary in Chinese mythology symbolizing power, strength, and good luck.


Looks like it will be a strong year!!

Integrating Authors: Old Lady

We all love the "There was an Old Lady." She swallows everything. For the Holidays, she swallows a bell.

You can then have your kids draw each item from the book. The next day, see how many they can put in order before re-reading the story again.

There have been sites that even create the Old Lady. The belly is a plastic bag and you can have her "swallow" all of the items.

Integrating Holidays: Advent

Many Christians around the world celebrate Advent. It begins December the First. I have not been able to update the blog weekly like I have wanted to , but wanted to begin this Christmas Season with some ideas and websites your family can go to for writing, crafting, and reading ideas.


Disney has many links and countdown calendars you can create and enjoy.

Countdown Calendar

Ornaments


Advent Calendar


My favorite one that I will be working on for next year:
Persnalized Advent Calendar

I really like the activities in the calendar.


Here is an idea I am using in my home this year. I took a shoe holder and will be using the pockets for the readings, candy, and activities. It is not what I want it to look like yet, but it is only December first. I am just proud I had it ready to go.

We just got done with our first activity: Make an ornament and give it to a neighbor.

Integrating History: National American Indian Heritage Month

I will do my best to give a quick overview of this month, recommend a few books and then supply some yummy, easy recipes.

Check out this website for places close by you where you can take your children to.
National Park Service.
There are places from Alaska, to New York, to Wisconsin, all the way down to Florida.

The following is Information courtesy of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior
"What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.

In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including "Native American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month") have been issued each year since 1994."
For more information, you can go to the government site: National Indain Heritage Month

Here is a book for the family in time for the Holidays:


Here is a novel for the young adult and the parents to enjoy:

Many children do not know about the Code Talkers during World War Two, so this will lead to a very interseting discussion.

After talking and exploring this wonderful Heritage, try out your skills in the kitchen.
Title: Acorn Bread
Categories: Native amer, Breads
Yield: 1 Loaf

1 c Acorn meal
1 c Flour
2 T Baking powder
1/2 ts Salt
3 T Sugar
1 Egg, beaten
1 c Milk
3 T Oil

Sift together, acorn meal, white flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. In
separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, and oil. Combine dry ingredients
and liquid ingredients. Stir just enough to moisten dry ingredients. Pour
into a greased pan and bake at 400F. for 30 minutes

Title: Indian Pudding
Categories: Bakery, Desserts, Vegan
Yield: 4 servings

2 c Water
1 c Cornmeal
3/4 c Liquid sweetener
1/4 c Vegetable oil
1 ts Salt
1 lb Silken tofu
1 ts Ginger
1 1/2 ts Vanilla
1/2 ts Cinnamon (optional)

Cook water and cornmeal in pot for 20-25 minutes, stirring
occasionally.

Add remaining ingredients and mix in blender until smooth.

Bake in an oiled dish for 1 hour at 350F in preheated oven. Serve hot.

John Paino & Lisa Messinger, “The Tofu Book”. Posted by Karen
Mintzias

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 Culture: Hispanic Heritage Month

It has come and gone, but the information is just as important: Hispanic Heritage Month. From Sept. 15th-Oct. 15th, there is a time for schools to educate students about the people of this culture. Even though the official "month" has gone, you too can extend what hopefully was talked about in schools in your own home.

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!!