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 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 Culture: Chinese New Year

2012 is the year of the Dragon. It is going to be a legendary year! This starts the calendar year of the Spring Festival in China. January 23rd, 2012.
Here are a few books that you can look for to read throughout this month. Hopefully, your local library has a few books to enjoy.






Now that you have a few ideas, get some sheets, paper and old shirts to make your own moving dragon with your family.

Integrating History: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King wrote a pledge and would have the marchers sign it during Civil Rights march, I recreated a shorter version of what they would say. Dr. King was a nonviolent man and had each marcher read and sign a pledge.

I had to take anything out that mentioned God or Jesus, because it was done in a public school. I will post both for you.

(edited version)
Pledge of Nonviolence
A portion of the pledge which was required to be signed before a person was
allowed to march for Civil Rights back in the 1960’s:

1. Remember the nonviolent movement seeks justice and reconciliation – not victory.
2. Walk and talk in the manner of love.
3. Observe with friend and foes the ordinary rules of courtesy.
4. Perform regular service for others and the world.
5. Refrain from violence of fist, tongue and heart.
6. Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.

The Civil Rights Marchers would march in protest and while they were treated bad, hit, yelled at, arrested and jailed, they were committed to non-violence.

Be a student of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream-work together for all people. Remember because of him and his beliefs, we can all be in school together.

I, _________________ (name), sign on January 11, 2012, will do my best to work to be a better person and to uphold the values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s. dream.


Dr. King's full version:
The pledge of nonviolence written by Martin Luther King Jr., and signed by his marchers, 1963
1.As you prepare to march meditate on the life and teachings of Jesus


2.Remember the nonviolent movement seeks justice and reconciliation - not victory.


3.Walk and talk in the manner of love; for God is love.


4.Pray daily to be used by God that all men and women might be free.


5.Sacrifice personal wishes that all might be free.


6.Observe with friend and foes the ordinary rules of courtesy.


7.Perform regular service for others and the world.


8.Refrain from violence of fist, tongue and heart.


9.Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.


10.Follow the directions of the movement leaders and of the captains on demonstrations.


Print Name ______________________________
Signature _______________________________

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.