Summer Theme Week – Dinosaurs

Theme Weeks, Uncategorized May 25, 2013 Comments: 2

Dinosaurs

*Just an FYI – I am a Christian and I believe in Creationism.  This dinosaur unit is based on that belief.*

Day 1: Dino Digdino puzzle

  • Read “What Really Happened to Dinosaurs” pages 6-11
  • The book mentions that it can be very difficult for a scientist to put dinosaur bones together.
  • Set up a Dino Dig in a sandbox with wooden dinosaur bones.  This 3D puzzle would be great to use for the dig.  Since I have 3 kids, I will probably order 3 puzzles.  I will then put a color code on each one with a small colored dot to indicate which pieces go together.  
  • Once the bones have all been found, we will construct the dinosaurs.  Using books from the library – we will learn about the different types of dinosaurs.
  • Create a dinosaur journal and record information:  What is the name of your dinosaur?  What does your dinosaur eat? How big is your dinosaur? List 3 new facts you learned about your dinosaur. etc.
  • Online Dinosaur Puzzle

Day 2: Dino Eggsdino egg

Day 3: Fossilsdino clay

Day 4: Dinosaur Day!

  • A day of dino fun!  Search Pinterest and you will find plenty of activities.  Here are the ones we will do on this red dinosaur t-shirt craftsday:
  • Craft- Dino Shirts (to wear on our field trip of course).
  • Dino Activity Books or Printable Worksheets
  • Ceramic dinosaurs to paint HERE.
  • Pick out some fun projects and activities here.
  • Dinosaur Lunch – Dino chicken nuggets, dino mac & cheese, dino fruit snacks
  • Watch Dinosaur Train

Day 5: Field Trip

academy-of-natural-sciences-trex-philadelphia-587

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Summer Theme Week – Terrariums

Theme Weeks, Uncategorized May 19, 2013 Comments: 3

Terrarium Week

My daughter has been wanting to make a “Fairy Garden” all year.  This summer her wish will come true.  Terrariums are fun, easy and low maintenance.

** I suggest you keep a large poster displayed for the week where you will record the different plants and animals found in various habitats.  This will help your children decide what kind of Terrarium they want to make and how they will decorate it.**

Day 1: Desertdesert terrarium

  • Watch Video on the Desert
  • Look at a world map or globe and talk about where the major deserts in the world are located.
  • Read : Succulents by June Loves and Life in a Desert by Carol K. Lindeen
  • Talk about the types of plants and animals that live in the desert.
  • Free Worksheets to reinforce what was learned
  • Craft – I found a Lizard craft at AC Moore for $1.  You could also fill a jar with different colors of sand.  Or look around AC Moore for desert stickers and make a picture.
  • Snack – use pre-made biscuit dough (like Pillsbury) and form into cacti.  Bake as directed.
  • Add the desert plants and animals to the poster/journal.

tropical terrarium

Day 2: Tropical Forest

Day 3: Woodlandswoodland terrarium

Day 4: Make A Terrarium! 

Day 5: Field Trip

  • Visit Tyler Arboretum – a great place to see little fairy homes and gardens.

tyler

Please post your completed Terrariums! 🙂

 

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Summer Theme Weeks – Rocks

Theme Weeks, Uncategorized May 9, 2013 Comments: 3

Rock Week

If your kids are anything like mine, they love to collect and play with rocks.  Why not turn their fascination with rocks into a fun learning experience?

I recommend getting an inexpensive rock kit for the kids to observe through the week.  Amazon sells some pretty good kits for a decent price: Click Here

  • Day 1:rock-candy-04
  • Begin making Rock Candy – this takes a week, so it’s best to start on Monday.
  • Watch “Way Cool Science – Rockfinders” (found this video at the library)
  • Talk about where rocks and minerials are located and how they are used.
  • Then visit the different areas to collect rocks. Creek beds, river banks, beach, parking lots, etc.
  • Using a Field Guide, Poster or Rock Kit, identify and journal the different kinds of rocks that were found.

 

  • Day 2: Igneous rockssemi50Geodes1 (Small)
  • Watch video
  • Read “Volcanic Rocks by Connor Dayton“
  • Break open Geodes
  • Journal what was found inside the rocks.
  • Listening activity: Place all Geodes on table.  Describe a specific Geode and have kids take turns trying to figure out which one is being described.  Kids can then take turns too.

 

 

 

 

  • Day 5: Field trip to Crystal Cave 
  • If you don’t have a place like Crystal Cave in your area, you could go for a hike to view different rocks at the top of a mountain.

crystal cave

Don’t forget to take your journals, cameras and rock snacks on your fields trips.  Have a rock’n time!

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More great “Rock Books” I discovered:

  • “If You Find a Rock” by Peggy Christian
  • “Rocks” by Sally M. Walker

 

Summer Theme Week – Parks and Picnics

Theme Weeks, Uncategorized May 7, 2013 Comments: 2

Parks and Picnics Week

Each day we will make a picnic lunch (together) and visit a playground to play and eat.  A fun and simple idea!  By the way, it’s FREE!!

Here are some great playgrounds in our area.  Post yours below and join the fun!

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Manderach Memorial Playground – Montgomery County

Swamp Pike & Ziegler Rd

Limerick, PA 19468

**Mondays the park is closed until 2PM for maintenance**

           manderach park  heart park

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Rustic Park – Berks County

Directions:  from Reading, follow business 422 east, turn right on Rt 82 South  into Birdsboro; don’t take the detour, rather continue straight on 82 through Birdsboro, all the way to the road closure.  Rustic Park entrance will be on the right-hand side at location of road closure.

RusticPark91x1

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All Abilities Playground (at Kerr Park) – Chester County

1 Park Ln, Downingtown, PA

all abilities playground

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Park Sci (at Parkside Place Complex) – Montgomery County

1 Parkside Pl North Wales, PA 19454

park-sci-playground

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Smith Playground – Philadelphia

Smith is located at 3500 Reservoir Drive in East Fairmount Park, just above Kelly Drive near 33rd and Oxford Streets.

** Closed on Mondays, see website for open hours **

smith-memorial

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Just in case it rains….

Mr. B’s Coffee House & Indoor Playground

Located at Calvary Church | 820 Route 113, Souderton, PA

mr_bs_coffeehouse_souderton-300x200

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Picnic Ideas:

  • Ring Bologna, cheese, crackers, grape kabobs
  • Peanut butter & jelly cut with cookie cutters, yogurt, carrot sticks
  • Ham &  cheese roll ups, melon salad, goldfish
  • Homemade granola bars, cucumbers, pasta salad
  • Egg salad in pita, apple slices & peanut butter, cheese stick
  • Visit my Pinterest page for more ideas!  Click Here

Don’t forget to share your ideas below!

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Summer Theme Week – Movie Making

Theme Weeks, Uncategorized May 6, 2013 Comments: 3

Movie Making Week

Although this may seem a little ambitious, I think I will be able to pull together a small scale “movie” with the kids.

Materials needed:

  • Video Camera
  • Editing Software (I use iMovie on my macbook)
  • Imagination
  • Patiencewheres mark

Day 1:

  • Talk about what it means to “act”.
  • Practice acting exercises. Click Here for ideas.
  • Watch a kids play on-line as an example of children acting on an amateur level.  Click Here for an example.
  • Choose or write a script.  We will be acting out two of our favorite books.  “Where’s Mark?” by Jacquie Hann and “The Little Red Hen” by little-red-hen-byron-barton-hardcover-cover-artByron Barton.
  • Read through books and assign parts.

Day 2:

  • Create Costumes & Practice Lines.
  • “Where’s Mark?” costumes are just pajamas.duck hat
  • “The Little Red Hen” costumes:
  • Hen (make the mask red and wear red shirt and pants)
  • Pig Mask with pink shirt and pants,
  • Duck – Color white baseball hat yellow with orange brim and 2 black eyes – wear yellow shirt and black pants and orange knee socks
  • Cat Mask – black outfit
  • 3 stuffed animal chicks

Day 3: Filmingmovie reel

  • Start filming!  Get creative and film lots of takes.  Set up scenes or record like a play.  

Day 4: Edit

hollywood

  • If you have younger kids, like me, this will mostly be work for you.  So while you are editing, here are some worksheets and ideas to keep the kids engaged:
  • Make “Star” Posters: Cut out big yellow or gold stars.  Children write “The Little Red Hen starring (their name) As (name of character)” and decorate.
  • Make cookies in the shape of a star
  • Story Map Worksheets
  • Free Printable Worksheets: http://www.kidzone.ws/

Day 5: Movie Viewing Party

  • Order some fun supplies herestar trophy
  • Invite family or friends over to see the movie.
  • Have kids dress up like movie stars
  • Lay down a red carpet (paper or runner)
  • Set up a “Snack Stand” and offer snacks like popcorn, candy, soda, soft pretzels
  • After viewing the movie, have an award ceremony and give each actor a Star Trophy for various awards – Best Duck, Best Costume, etc.

Leave a comment below and let me know what books or scripts you will be acting out!

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Summer Theme Weeks

Theme Weeks, Uncategorized May 4, 2013 Comments: 6

I love having my kids home in the summer.  No more running around to get out the door for school and activities.  Instead we get to indulge in lazy mornings in our pajamas and calmly move through the days.  Ah.. summertime.

That being said, if I let me kids do whatever they want all day in the summer, they will inevitably fight, bicker and get bored.  So how do I keep them entertained through the summer?  I have summer camp at home.  It’s more cost effective than sending them to camp, and we get to learn something new as a family.  Each week I pick a theme to learn about and we incorporate a field trip to tie it all together.  Keep in mind, we do have lots of relaxing down time – but it’s nice to have some things planned to keep them learning and engaged.  Click on the links to view my plan for each week.  Keep in mind, my kids are 6,5 and 3.  My plans are tailored to them, but could easily be modified for older kids.  Enjoy and please share your ideas and experiences!

Art History

Rocks

Make A Movie

Terrariums

Dinosaurs

Parks and Picnics

Summer Theme Week – Art History

Theme Weeks, Uncategorized May 4, 2013 1 Comment

Art History Week

  • Day 1: Piet Mondrian.Mondrian_CompRYB
  • Read Biography.
  • Watch video to view artwork.
  • Create a painting using Mondiran’s technique.  See project idea here (we will probably use canvas, black marker and paint):
  • Math connection: Graph the number of squares, rectangles, colors, corners, etc. in the finished projects.
  • Complete on-line painting.
  • Worksheet for younger students.
  • I will probably premake these cookies as a special surprise snack on our field trip day.
  • Day 4: Georgia O’Keeffered-poppy
  • Read “My Name is Georgia” by Jeanette Winter
  • Watch video
  • Go for a walk in the yard and collect objects.  Then draw or paint what was found.
  • Another project idea – Flower Drawings
  • Write an Acrostic Poem using Georgia O’Keeffe
  • Make flower cookies using a cookie cutter 0r cut sandwiches into flower shapes.
  • Day 5: Visit the Art Museum: We are blessed to be close to the Philadelphia Art Museum.  Kids under 14 are free.  Since my kids are young, I won’t be taking them through the whole museum, just the parts that apply to what we were learning this week.  I will also bring some drawing supplies along so we can draw outside the museum while we eat a picnic lunch.

philadelphia-museum-of-art-600

Do I have any art enthusiasts out there that will be trying out “Art History Week” this summer?

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It’s Easter Time Part 3: Five Crafts For All Ages

Holiday Ideas, Uncategorized March 15, 2013 1 Comment

I’m sure you can tell by now that I like crafts.  I enjoy the thrill of creating something and putting it on display.  What you might not know is, I’m also a “practical” craft person and I want my creations to have a purpose.  I also want my kids crafts to have a purpose.  Not that I don’t loath enjoy all the paper crap creations my kids bring home from school, but I would rather they put their creations on something useful.  That said, here are 5 crafts that you can do at home, WITH your kids and have a useful product in the end.  Oh yeah, and they make great gifts for grandparents. Enjoy! 🙂

P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest!

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Easter Wreath

IMG_3454

Supplies:

  • Wooden Wreath
  • Wide base ribbon
  • Skinny accent ribbon
  • Wooden Letter
  • Wooden Eggs
  • Craft Paint

Step-By-Step Directions:

1. Let the kids paint the wooden eggs using craft paint.

2. Wrap base color ribbon around the wreath, leaving extra at the top to tie a bow later.

3. Wrap accent ribbon around the wreath in the middle of the base color.  Tie a knot at the top slightly in the back of the wreath.

IMG_3457   IMG_3461   IMG_3462

4. Glue wooden letter onto wreath using craft glue or hot glue. (If using craft glue, put a book on top and let sit for several hours).

5. Glue wooden eggs to wreath using craft glue or hot glue. Try to tuck the eggs into a branch to help secure the eggs.

IMG_3464  IMG_3466  IMG_3479

6. Tie a bow at the top and hang up to decorate.

IMG_3491

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Easter Hand Towels

Supplies:IMG_3520

  • Pastel Colored Tea Towels
  • Fabric Paint – white & pink
  • Fabric Markers

Step-By-Step Directions:

1. Prewash towels and iron flat.

2. Paint child’s hand with white paint as shown below.

3. Stamp hand onto towel (you might have to do this twice to get enough paint onto the towel).

IMG_3522  IMG_3523  IMG_3525

4. Using pink paint, use child’s finger to make a print for the bunny nose and finger stamp the bunny ears.  Allow paint to dry completely.

5. Using a black fabric marker, draw whiskers, mouth and eyes onto the bunny.

6. Hang up for display or wrap it up to give as a gift (another idea shown below is to use footprints to make a cross).

IMG_3559   IMG_3562

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Easter Centerpiece

IMG_3539Supplies:

  • Plastic  Easter Eggs
  • Permanent Markers
  • Two glass vases – they must fit into each other with space in between for the eggs
  • Flowers

Step-By-Step Directions:

1. Allow kids to decorate the plastic eggs with permanent markers.

2. Nestle the smaller vase into the larger vase.

3. Add the plastic eggs to the space between the two vases.

IMG_3543   IMG_3548   IMG_3550

IMG_3557

4. Once vase is filled with eggs, add water and flowers to the smaller vase.  Voilla!

Other ideas: paint wooden eggs or use real dyed eggs on Easter day.

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Sun Catchers

Supplies:IMG_3494

  • Tissue Paper
  • Contact Paper
  • Construction Paper

Step-By-Step Directions:

1.  Cut tissue paper into little squares.

2. Cut out design on construction paper.

3. Lay cut-out on Contact Paper with the sticky side facing up.

IMG_3496  IMG_3498  IMG_3501

4. Allow kids to add tissue paper to the sticky area however they like.

5. Cover with Contact Paper.

6. Trim shape leaving a border of construction paper.  Hang on window to decorate.

IMG_3507  IMG_3512  IMG_3518

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DIY Resurrection Eggs

Ok, so I didn’t make these yet, but you should try them!

What are resurection eggs?  A dozen colorful Easter eggs containg simple objects that assist in teaching the story of Easter.

You can buy them for about $12 on amazon or christianbooks.  Or you can make your own.  Click Here to find out how.

It’s Easter Time Part 2: Non-Candy Egg Fillers and Egg Hunt Ideas

Uncategorized March 8, 2013 1 Comment

If you’re like me, your kids get about 2 treats a day max.  One after lunch and one after dinner (if they eat all their dinner of course 🙂 ).  Each of my kids has a “treat bucket” to draw sugar filled goodies from.  The buckets are filled from Easter and Halloween.  These0336269329016 “treat buckets” are typically overflowing and to be honest, 3/4 of them get thrown away each year.  So, I’m constantly on the search to find “non-candy” easter egg fillers.  For older kids and toddlers, there are many things to choose from.  Enjoy!   (P.S. you can find most of these things SUPER cheap at a Thrift Store)

Top 20 Non-Candy Egg Filler Ages 3+

  1. Goldfish
  2. littlest pet shop
  3. money coins
  4. squinkies
  5. lego people0139757949016
  6. puzzle erasers
  7. bracelets
  8. stickers
  9. hair accessories
  10. mini cars
  11. polly pockets
  12. small transformers
  13. fruit snacks
  14. small my little ponies
  15. Mario Characters
  16. animal crackers
  17. socks (think $1 bin at Target)
  18. coupons (stay up late coupon, go out for ice cream coupon, wii time coupon, etc.)
  19. Toobs (you can also get these at AC Moore with a 50% off coupon)
  20. Magic capsules

Top 10 Egg Fillers For Toddlers:

  1. 0246276304016ABC Magnet Letters
  2. Goldfish
  3. Cheerios
  4. Puffs
  5. Duplo Blocks
  6. IKEA Finger Puppets
  7. Small Blocks
  8. Little People
  9. Socks
  10. Mini Beanie Babies

3 Ways To Organize An Egghunt

1. Standard & Named

  • Fill eggs, hide them around the yard and let the kids loose.
  • Pros: Easy to prepare
  • Cons: Kids don’t get an even amount of eggs which leads to breakdowns for little ones.

OR

  • Fill eggs specific for each child and label egg with names.  Children then have a certain number of eggs to find with THEIR name on it.  If they find an egg that does NOT have their name on it, they need to put it back.  
  • Pros: everyone gets the same number of eggs and you can make it more difficult for older kids and easier for younger kids. 
  • Cons: Preparation

0246276300016

2. Clues

  • Instead of filling eggs with treats and prizes, create an egghunt where the kids have to find a basket of goodies base on clues found in the eggs. To do this you need to label the eggs with names and tell the kids how many they need to find.  Some clue ideas:
  • Each clue has a number with one word on it.  Once all eggs are found, the child would need to order the words which would spell out the location of the prize.
  • Treasure hunt with eggs.  Each egg has a clue that leads to the next egg with a prize at the end.
  • Pros: Great for older kids and will keep them busy for a long time.
  • Cons: Lots of prep involved.

3. Prize Cash In

  • Fill eggs with tickets that can be “cashed in” at a prize table.
  • Pros: Easy to organize and you don’t have to find little trinkets to put in the eggs.
  • Cons: The thrill of “opening the prize” won’t be there.

 

0336269711016

Hope you are inspired for your upcoming Easter! 🙂

It’s Easter Time! Part 1: Bible Based Easter Baskets

Holiday Ideas, Uncategorized March 5, 2013 1 Comment

March is here and Easter is not too far away.  I really enjoy thinking of just the right theme for my kids’ Easter Baskets.  Since the kids get so much candy from the various egg hunts, I try to fill the baskets with other items.  This year I went with a religious theme to reinforce the real menaing of Easter and the importance of Easter in our house.  I tailored each basket to fit the personality of each child.  BUT, here’s the catch – each basket still had to contain the same types of things or there would be a whiny fued as soon as the kids discovered the baskets.  So this year the baskets will contain:

  • A doll/action figure
  • DVD
  • Book
  • Activity Book
  • Bracelet
  • Jelly Beans
  • Snack Packs (Goldfish, Popcorn, Granola Bars, etc.)

Now for the details….

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J-Man’s Basket

“J-Man” is 6 years old and in first grade.  He’s a sensitive thinker type with a dash of crazy boy at times.  He enjoys comic books and action figures – although his action figures are usually used for display on his shelf.  His favorite color is “Camo” .  J-Man’s basket:

  • Joshua Action Figure – can be found a Christianbook.com for $6.99 or on Amazon for as low as $2.99.
  • DVD about Joshua.  I chose the Greatest Heroes version. Christianbook.com or Amazon for $4.99
  • Book: “Welcome To Holsom”.  This is the first time we’ve ordered this series, so we will see how we like it.  It’s a graphic novel (score!) and deals with character development traits (awesome!) with plots involving underground labs and robots (how could J-Man not love it??).  There is a kindle version for $.99 or paperbacks for $9.99.
  • Bracelet: First off, it’s “CAMO!”.  Second, it has a great reminder to “Fear Not” as in Psalm 118:6 “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.” A great reminder for kids that struggle with fear and anxiety. $7.99 at Christianbook.com
  • Jelly Bean Prayer Activity Book: an age appropriate activity book to learn the true meaning of Easter.

Joshua Joshua and the Battle of Jericho, Greatest Heroes and Legends of the Bible DVD -  #1: Things Not Seen: Welcome to Holsom Graphic Novel -<br /><br /> By: Craig W. Schutt</p><br /> <p> Fear Not Camo, Canvas Bracelet -  The Jelly Bean Witness Activity Book -

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Dude’s Basket

“Dude” is our youngest child.  He’s a stocky, red headed, testosterone filled brute.  His desire to compete is never ending, including winning every verbal battle possible and turning the simplest things into a competition (who can get to the car first? Who can finish dinner first? Who can fall asleep first? etc.)  Now you know why I picked the items I did for our youngest.

  • David Action Figure – can be found on christianbook.com or Amazon for about $7.
  • DVD about David & Goliath.  Same series as above, just a different story.
  • Book: Goodnight Warrior – a bedtime devotional book.  “Dude” doesn’t sit still very often, so reading books all day is hard to do.  Once he’s in bed at night, it’s usually easier to have some reading time and I thought this book would get him excited to learn about God and prayer.  What little warrior can resist a book with a sword yielding knight on the cover?
  • Bracelet: “Be Strong” based on Phillipians 4:13 “ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”  A positive reminder for my little warrior.  Oh, and it’s blue which is his favorite color 🙂
  • Jelly Bean Prayer Activity Book – using colors of Jelly Beans to learn the true meaning of Easter.

David David and Goliath, Greatest Heroes and Legends of the Bible DVD -  Goodnight Warrior: God's Mighty Warrior Bedtime Devotional Bible -<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> By: Sheila Walsh</p><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p> Be Strong, Canvas Bracelet -  The Jelly Bean Prayer, Easter Coloring Book -

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Girly Girl’s Basket

Our 5 year old middle child who is girly to the max.  The one who stated at 3 years old that sports “are not for me.”  Her world is pink, pink, sparkles, and you guessed it – pink.  Dresses are a must and she doesn’t care if princesses aren’t real – she wants to be one anyway.  Her basket was a little trickier as it is hard to find stories and dolls based on women in the Bible.  At least stories that would appeal to “Girly Girl”.   But I think she’ll like it.

  • Doll: A horse toy of some kind – not pictured (This ties into the book).
  • DVD: God’s Little Princess.  A 3 part DVD series about learning to be a princess for the greatest heavenly King of all! $14.99 on Amazon or chrisitanbook.com
  • Book: Princess Charity’s Courageous Heart.  One of the books in the princess series.  This book is based on the Good Samaritan parable.  (See the horse on the cover? Hence the toy horse.) christianbook.com $9.99
  • Bracelet: Multi colored sparkley (and of course pink) bracelets that say “He Loves Me”.  An important reminder for little girls to know that God loves them, always. christianbook.com $5.99
  • Jelly Bean Prayer Activity Book – an age appropriate activity book to learn the true meaning of Easter.

God's Little Princess DVD Treasury Box Set -<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> By: Sheila Walsh</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p> Princess Charity's Courageous Heart -<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> By: Jacqueline Johnson, Jeanna Young</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p> Illustrated By: Omar Aranda</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p> He Loves Me Stretch Bracelets, Set of 3 -  The Jelly Bean Prayer, Ages 4-7 Activity Book -

There you have it.  As much as I would love to post a picture of the finished baskets, they aren’t done yet!  I wanted to make sure I shared my ideas in time for you to order your items before Easter.  Enjoy!