Spring..a time for budding authors!

I always encourge all children to write their own books.  Writing a book does not mean they have to know how to spell or even write letters.  It is how they express a beginning, middle and end. They can use letters, words, scribbles, scratches and drawings. You can give them the opportunity to write a book by taking 2 pages of white paper, fold it in half and staple on the binding twice.  You can offer to dictate and write for them once they read it to you.  Give them a topic or tell them to write about anything they like!

OR... I have used these when discussing specific themes.  This is a great idea and you can read it to them or they can "read" it to you!   It is a spring mini book. http://dltk-teach.com/minibooks/spring3/index.htm.

Enjoy the sunshine and hope that warmth follows soon!
Tanya

A trying week for this mom/ SPRING in the home.

Friday, we had a bit of a scare with Jake.  He had to be taken to the ER for chest pains and near fainting (3 days of complaints).  OY! fortunately his EKG and Xray was normal.  He is restricted until he gets to a peds cardiologist for the all clear.  I tell ya, never a dull moment.  Hopefully all is clear and last week was just some freaky episode.

So what are you doing to pass the time while we wait for REAL spring? Dont' forget, we are in Chicago, so don't get too excited about hearing the birds singing or letting your child out without a coat.  This is prime tricky weather time.  Make sure those kids are washing with soap and water after trips to the park, the store, a friends house etc. 

Well, here is a great experiment/activity to get a bit of spring happening in your home!

• book: Jack and the Beanstalk* by Matt Faulkner (Scholastic, Inc.; $3.25)
• dried lima beans
• paper towels
• plastic sandwich bags
• small plastic cup or milk container
• soil
• chart paper and brown craft paper
• marker
• plastic scoop (for soil)

1. Read children the folktale Jack and the Beanstalk. Then show them a handful of dried lima beans. Ask them if they know what type of bean it is. Invite children to plant the beans two different ways — in a cup with soil and wrapped in paper in a plastic bag — to see if a beanstalk will grow. Prepare a sheet of chart paper listing the two lima bean experiments. Ask children to predict what will happen in each experiment.
2. Invite children to work in small groups to prepare the first experiment. Provide children with a plastic cup. Assist them in filling their cups halfway with soil. Place two lima beans in the soil. Cover with more soil. Add water. Write each child's name on a piece of masking tape and attach to the cups. Place the cups in a plastic bin or container to prevent it spilling and keep them in a sunny area of the room.
3. For the next experiment, provide each child with a plastic sandwich bag, a damp paper towel, and two lima beans. Ask children to carefully wrap their lima beans in the damp paper towel and then place them into the plastic bags. Label children's bag with their names. Find another sunny area in the classroom to place the bags.
4. Prepare two five-day observation charts on long sheets of brown craft paper so that children can record their observations for two weeks. List each day of the week and make two columns below each day to record observations for the Planted Beans and the Wrapped Beans.
5. Plan a time each day for children to observe the growth of their beans. Remind children to water their beans when the soil feels dry and to dampen the cloth if it becomes dry. Record children's observations daily. Compare the growth of their lima beans with their initial predictions

Optional: Photograph the process of the children's experiments to document their learning experience. Children can assist in placing the photographs in sequence and provide dictations to describe their observations and the outcome of their experiments. Create a display in your science area or class bulletin board.

until next time...enjoy your kids.
TB

Prayers for Japan

Keep the people of Japan and of all over the world with family and friends in Japan.  My friend's family is directly affected.  If you can, check out their story and help in anyway you can.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Breun-Family-Japenese-Relief-Fund/186239164752348

Spring is in the air!

'Tis the time to open the windows and clear out some germies.  I know that yesterday and today it was so great to hear the kids playing outside.  The dogs are running and chasing each other.  It's great.  However, we are in Chicago...don't gt too excited!

You can start checking out the libaries for new story times.  These usually begin about mid to late March.  Many libraries also have the free museum passes.  You can take a family of 4 to the shedd for the cost of parking!  Check into that.  When the ground dries, take a spring "ISPY" walk.  Look for blossoms, specific colors, birds, squirrels etc. Go home and have them draw their favorite part.
Let's pray for people in Japan.  It's devistating.  I know I have a friend who has family there and has not yet heard anything, so keep everyone in your prayers and thoughts.

Tanya

A rainbow to kick off spring!

There seems to be no better time of the year than around St. Patrick’s Day to paint a rainbow! These fun little prints amaze kids! They won’t believe half a rainbow can be turned into a whole rainbow!

Set out a rainbow of acrylic paint.

We painted on the shiny side of freezer paper. Cut what ever size you like.

Fold the freezer paper in half. On one side of the paper paint half a rainbow.

Fold paper in half and lightly press. Don’t slide hands, just press. With one finger you can slide along each individual color of the rainbow if you like.

Open paper. We then added a touch of glitter to make our rainbows sparkle! Dip a dry brush into DecoArt Glamour Dust.

This glitter is the best. It is so fine that in adheres really great to the paint. My daughter said, “I am all about this glitter!”

Tap a finger or pencil on the handle of the paintbrush and your rainbow will receive a beautiful sprinkle of glitter!

May there be a big pot of gold at the end of your rainbow!

add a little something to the paint!

If you are at home painting with your child, add some sand or salt to the paint mix.  This will give a different texture not only to the painting itself, but they will feel it with their hands and or with their painting utensil.  Speaking of utensils...think of the different things you can use to paint with.  How about a toothbrush, a feather, toothpick, spoon, squished up small towel held by a clothes pin.  Just some fun thoughts on these rainy days!

Keep having fun.
Tanya

Northwest Side school leading in national recycling contest - Chicago Sun-Times

Northwest Side school leading in national recycling contest - Chicago Sun-Times

Well this is pretty amazing! WTG guys.

Wishing my Academy families and friends a Blessed Lenten Season

Stay tuned for engaging Easter ideas.

March comes in like a LION!

Day one went really well.  I love the schedule.  I miss my other kiddos lots and lots, but I will be in touch.  Here is a cute idea I have done and came across for this lovely time of year.  Try it this weekend!

What you will need

• Construction Paper
• Paper plate
• Scissors
• Glue
• Face Paint (optional)
• Rubber bands (optional)
• Puncher (optional)

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What to do:

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Step 1: Let the child cut strips of the construction paper. Each child would need at least two colors to make the basic pattern. In our case, we cut out a variety of colors and let them choose the two colors they wanted

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Step 2: Cut out the center of the paper plate. This is where they would insert their faces later on

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Step 3: You could also include one hole on each side of the paperplate where you could insert the rubber band/elastics later on. We opted not to use them though ‘coz the circular shape of the paperplate gets deformed for the smaller faces.

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Step 4: Let the kids put glue all around the paperplate

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Step 5: Let them select two colors to use for your pattern and start making the pattern. “red, blue, red, blue…”

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Step 6: Once done, wait for it to dry

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Step 7: Use a pencil or edge of the scissors to curl the paper for the added effect

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Step 8: If you have some face paint, you could paint the kid’s noses to make them look more like lions!Just make sure you tell them how to remove it so they don’t get grossed out.