Making the MOOSE out of Life / by Nicholas Oldland

This is a book I found while vacationing in the Teton Valley in Wyoming.  The Teton Valley is just a short drive from Yellowstone National Park.  In Yellowstone, there are many Moose!  The Moose is my most favorite forest animal!  So, naturally, because I can't say no to children's literature, I bought this book from a little tourist shop near where we were staying.   I have not seen it in many other places…I'm hoping you can find it at your local library or book store?  If you can't find it anywhere, that's OK because  I have uploaded a (very amateur) video of me reading the book while showing the pictures.  Forgive my voice, I have a slight speech impediment.

"Moose got he feeling he was missing out on something.  What could it be?"

Before beginning this fascinating story, ask a few questions: "How do you feel when you are bored?"  "What are some things you don't like to do, but wish you were brave enough to do them?"  "Have you ever accomplished something that you never thought you could?" Allow the children to be open and comfortable during this discussion.  Point out that we all have things we don't like to do, or that scare us…BUT the beauty of it is, you can be brave and try new things!

Read (or watch the video, below) "Making the Moose out of Life"

http://youtu.be/2X3-LGOZAQs

*(I now have a youtube channel & you can subscribe!)

Now ask these questions: "How do you think Moose felt when all his friends were doing activities he didn't want to do?"  "Do you think you are brave enough to take a deep breath and try something new?"  "If you could try something new…what would it be?" This question will lead you into your art project…

Supplies needed:
Paper
Crayons/Markers
Pencil

As the children answer that last question, lead them to the art table.  Have the supplies out and ready to use.  Ask them to draw that "something new" they would like to try!  Here are some of our results…

Mr. J decided it would be awesome to start a "Bug Club"

Miss S wanted to find a rainbow and live on it!

The ideas are endless and can be ANYTHING!  Imagination is a key element in this activity.  I hope this book and activity will spark your child/children to think deeply about something that would be cool to do that they have never done before.  Realistic or not, these ideas will stimulate children to move forward and accomplish "new" things.  This book club activity is more about extending thought and imagination, conjuring up fun and creative ideas, than it is about the actual project.  However, if you hang your child's "something new" art in a place where it can be seen often, those creative juices will continue to flow.  It is also a great conversation started for visitors and will make your child proud!

This is a favorite activity of mine, as an teacher.  I ADORE hearing, and trying to envision, the intuitive ideas of a child!  Their imagination is beyond compare!  So, be a sponge and soak it in…you won't be disappointed.

Peace and joy…
Miss Lisa

new name…but not really :]

From the beginning of my "teaching" days, I have been known as Miss Lisa.  I began my teaching adventures with a precious little book club by the name of My Little Book Club.  In the past few weeks I have been pondering why I ever changed the name of my very favorite little teaching adventure?  Every child I know (under the age of 10), and their Mom, know me as Miss Lisa.  Miss Lisa only came to be because of My Little Book Club….so why did I feel the need to change the name?  I love my original name!  I miss my original job!

my sweet little girls!

my energetic little boys!

My Little Book Club morphed into My Little Preschool.  My Little Preschool had to be put on indefinite hold because of some tumors, surgeries and a bunch of needed recovery time.  But, SO WHAT!  A little bump in the road doesn't mean I have to go and change everything just because other parts of my life have changed…right?  RIGHT!  So, it's back to My Little Book Club.  It is now as it was before - loads of fun for all the kids I can possibly stretch my reach to!  It's just going to have to be on the internet for a while, until I can get my voice box back to where it was BEFORE a tumor came and bullied it into not working!

I apologize if this causes any confusion.  But, seeing as I don't sell anything, promote any particular business and I'm not sponsored by anyone…I think I 'm ok to do exactly as I please!  So, as the Who sings "Old Boss same as the New Boss" in the song Won't Get Fooled Again…here we go!

Continue to join in on the fun and book review updates!  I'm so happy even if only one child has the opportunity to read and play because of my suggestions and ideas!  I'll see you again real soon with a new book, fun activities and more adventure!

Peace out!
Miss Lisa

Pig Kahuna / by Jennifer Sattler

In our little corner, of this great big earth, the weather is getting a little bit warmer.  It's spring time!

This time of year ALWAYS inspires us to get outside, take a walk and go on ADVENTURES!   We seem to start our adventures on already familiar paths, and usually we are able to discover things we have seen before…and this is a lot of fun!  BUT, do you ever take a different turn on your walk, or walk a little further than normal?  Do you sometimes notice things like bugs, flowers or maybe even rocks that you had never noticed before?  If you answered "yes" to these questions then you were absolutely on an adventure!

In "Pig Kahuna", Fergus, takes a familiar walk with his little brother to find interesting items to add to their treasure collection.  What Fergus doesn't know is that he will be taking a bigger adventure than he ever expected!  Ask your child the above (highlighted) questions…but, don't read the book yet!

PIG KAHUNA

by Jennifer Sattler

Items you'll need:
small bag
Play dough (my 'go to' play dough recipe is posted below) / or *paper plate and glue
various items from your nature stroll (small stones, twigs, shells, leaves….etc.)

Kool Aid makes it smell delicious!

First: Take a short nature stroll and collect cool and interesting items you find (keep items in a small bag until you start the art activity).

Second: When you are back at home, find a comfy spot and NOW read "Pig Kahuna".

Third: Ask your child to find a spot at the craft table, with their bag of collected 'treasure'.  As they are getting settled, give them a baseball size glob of play dough (or paper plate) and ask some questions "What was the biggest treasure Fergus collected?"  "Why didn't Fergus want to put the surf board into the water?"  What fear did Fergus overcome from his unexpected adventure?"

Fourth: Have your child roll the play dough into a ball.  Then, with their hands, have them flatten the ball into a circle…about the size of a small plate.

Fifth: The child can now dump out their bag of treasure, sort through it and start squishing items into the play dough (or glueing them onto paper plate).  When the project is complete, place it somewhere it can safely dry and harden.  When it's done, your child can display his/her collection on a side table for everyone to see and enjoy! (this makes a GREAT conversation starter for when Grandma comes to visit!)

The finished product!
*(not quite dry)*
We had to use treasures we found inside
…spring brought us an unexpected & chilly storm.
But, the idea is the same!

Play dough color will fade as it dries…boys be warned, red turns to pink!  This project also looks awesome in colorless play dough, especially with outdoor treasure!

*what the project looks like glued onto a paper plate*

As you can see, this project can look completely different, according to what your treasure is and how you display it!

Either way this is a fun activity your kids can brag about for some time to come!









"Be brave.  Even if you're not, pretend to be.  No one can tell the difference."  ...anonymous

Peace, Sunshine and Happy Adventures!
Lisa

If You Give a Moose a Muffin / by Laura Numeroff

"And chances are…if you give him the jam, he'll want a muffin to go with it."

we love Laura Numeroff
and we adore illustrations by Felicia Bond

For this 'home sweet home' activity you will need to be prepared with: 

1. your child's favorite muffin mix 

2. cupcake liners (if you choose) 

3.  a cupcake pan.

(*don't forget you will need to make sure you have all ingredients required for your muffin mix!*)

This sweet story offers MANY ideas for creating fun and active involvement.  I chose to share an activity for the kitchen.  You may also paint a mural, sew button eyes onto a sock for a puppet show or even make some homemade jam?!?  The activity possibilities are many….so be creative!

Read "If You Give a Moose a Muffin"

Allow pauses in the story for a giggle or two and questions!

When the story comes to an end…invite the children to help you make the muffin mix!

The nice thing about muffin mix is that you can find it for pretty cheap!
I pulled this muffin mix from my food storage cabinet
and dug around for some festive cupcake liners I had bought for another project.
Ready to go….& I didn't spend a dime!

While the muffins are baking you may want to involve the children in a painting activity or sewing activity!  Something that will take about 20 minutes.  At random moments ask the kids if they can smell the aroma of the baking muffins…smells SO good!

everyones ready for their splendid blueberry muffin,
milk and, of coarse, homemade raspberry jam!

When the muffins are done, poor some milk, pass out the warm muffins and sit at the table (or better yet, go outside for a small picnic)  Discuss with the children what they thought of the story about the very silly moose.  "Why did the moose have a hard time focusing?"  "What did the moose make with the socks?"  "When the moose saw the blackberry bushes, what made him want to go to the store?"

Having a daughter with ADHD and having a slight case of ADD myself, I find this book amusing and understandable!  The creativity and desire for fun, in which the moose possesses, is refreshing and sends the imagination on a wonderful adventure!

I would love to hear how your children felt about this book and the activities that are derived from it's story!  Have a great time!!

Peace and simplicity!

Lisa

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day to everyone every where!

What is your favorite thing about the earth?  Is it the lakes or the oceans?  Maybe it's the animals or the plants?  Whatever it is, it's special!

Did you know the earth gives us gifts?  Can you think of a 'gift' that earth has given you?

I love to wander around and find what the earth has given me!  I can explore in my own back yard!  Sometimes I find little potato bugs crawling across my driveway and I watch them as they go on their merry way.  Other times I see a birds nest in one of my trees with tiny little blue and brown eggs tucked inside ready to hatch.  When I look up into the sky I see birds of many different kinds flying in the breeze.  I also spot fluffy clouds that look like a dragon or a snowman.  All of these different things we see, while we are exploring, are gifts from the earth!

When I was young, I used to climb up into my Aunt Karen's peach tree.  My cousins and I would sit in it's branches and eat a peach and watch the world around us.  It seemed to us that we were hidden from the world, up there in that tree!  Do you have a tree you can climb?  Do you have a hill you can climb?  Or maybe you live in an apartment and have a window that looks out over the city?  Where ever you are able to see the world from, it's a fantastic view!

poem by Rose Fyleman

When I was "googling" today, I came upon this coloring page and poem at bltk-kids.com.  I love it!  It is very similar to what I would do if I had a huge tree in my front yard.  What would you do if you have a very big tree of your very own?  If you have soil and a pot, you can plant a tree!  Small or big, it doesn't matter…it will be your tree.  When your tree starts to grow up you can plant it in your yard or share it with others by planting it in a park!  Tree's help us breathe, give us shelter, provide fruit to eat and wood for building.  There are so many things tree's do!

Read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein…it's another one of our very favorites!

Whatever your favorite thing on the earth is...love it, cherish it and take care of it.  Remember, all of earths creations are gifts to us.  Let's make sure we tell earth, "Thanks!"

I love sharing with all of you, my internet friends, and hope you have fun with all my activities!  Life is to be enjoyed, not endured!  I'm just trying to do my part to help the children (& adults) ENJOY!

Peace and beauty

Lisa

Popcorn Popping! by Miss Nina

There is popcorn popping on my neighbors tree!

A closer look reveals little clusters of blossoms!  Not popcorn at all!

Have you ever sung the song "Popcorn Popping"?

Click on the link below.  Miss Nina will help you learn the tune, words and actions!

Then follow along…it's FUN!  

http://youtu.be/B8ABJD8d010

the lyrics:

I looked out the window and what did I see

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!

Spring has brought me such a nice surprise

Blossoms popping right before my eyes!

I can take an armful and make a treat

a popcorn ball that would smell so sweet!

It wasn't really so….

But it seemed to me…

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!

(Prepare a popcorn snack to eat later.  Set aside.)

Outdoors:

Go outside…take a walk around the neighborhood.  What do you see?  Any trees with "popping" blossoms?  Observe, gently touch and smell the blossoms on the tree.  Some trees have white blossoms, some have pink and some even have purple blossoms!  Take time to breathe it all in and enjoy the warm sun and soft breeze.  

Activity:

supplies you need:

1. popcorn popper

2. popcorn kernels

3. small cups

*Gather your children, have them sit in a large circle.  

*Place a popcorn popper in the middle of the circle.  Measure the correct amount of popcorn kernels (instructions with the popper will tell you how much) and pour into the popper.  

*Turn on the popper WITHOUT the lid on!  Remind the kids that the popper can get very hot…so, NO touching!

*Let the popper do it's thing!  The children will get a kick out of watching the popcorn fly into the air!
(hint: sing "Popcorn Popping" while waiting for the popcorn to pop!)
*When the popping is complete, have the children fill a small cup full of popcorn. 

Art:

supplies you need:

1. blue construction paper 

2. glue

3. markers and/or crayons

4. small cup full of popcorn (the one filled during the activity) 

Don't give any instructions…just pass out the supplies and tell the kids to create a picture of the tree they observed outside.  Here are a couple of our finished projects…..

I am a big fan of being outside and observing nature!  Any opportunity I have to share the joy of nature with a child…I DO IT!  I hope you will too.  There's so much leaning and adventure to be had in the world around us!

Peace and happiness!

Lisa

The Five Chinese Brothers / by Claire Huchet Bishop and Kurt Wiese

"The first chinese brother swallowed the sea."

The Five Chinese Brothers
by Claire Huchet Bishop and Kurt Wiese

Another favorite book of mine, and highly approved by 7 of my preschool boys!  The 'powers' these 5 chinese brothers possess save them from certain death!  The activities, I will share in this blog, are so much fun to participate in WHILE reading the story!  I will walk you through it…but it's pretty easy to figure out!

Supplies needed:

water balloons 

thick stick (hard to break)

measuring tape or ruler

tea or votive candle

small glass jar

marshmallow's (I recommend the big ones)

Sit down in a circle, so you can see everyones face.  Ask a couple questions…."If you had a special power, what would it be and why?" "What special abilities do you use each and every day that make you unique?" Begin to read the story.  

Read until you arrive at page 15.

Have your child pick a water balloon.  Attach it to the end of the kitchen faucet or outside hose and fill it full of water until it bursts!   (This activity can obviously be messy…you have been warned!)  Ask your child, "How big did your balloon get before it exploded?" "Why did it explode?"  Discuss that the similarities between the balloon and the First Chinese Brother.

Read on….to page 26 and stop there.

  

Have the children grab their heavy sticks.  Ask them to break it in half.  Can they do it?  Some might and some might not, that's OK.   Ask some obvious questions, "Was it hard to break the strong stick?" "How hard did you work your muscles to break that stick?" Explain that iron is a strong material that doesn't break (or cut)!

Read on…to page 32.

Tell the children to lay on the ground and stretch!  Remind them to feel the stretching from the tips of their fingers to the end of their little toes!  Measure how long each child can stretch…reveal the "longest" stretcher and ask all, "How long did your stretch measure?" "What is something you are taller than?" (*great little math activity*)

Read on…stop on page 36.

Perform the little science experiment below…I provided a video for this one, just so you can see how it works!  Then ask, "How long did it take for the flame to go out?" "What are the rules about playing with fire?"

Read through page 41.

OK, you will need to get out your bag of marshmallows.  Stuff your mouth full of marshmallows.  "How many did you fit in there?" "Could you hold those in your mouth until tomorrow morning?" Of coarse not!  That's a super power only Chinese Brother number Five has!

Go ahead and finish the story…while munching on marshmallows and M&M's, pretzels or crackers (whatever you have in the pantry).  "What did you think about this Chinese tale?" "Which brother had the very best 'power', do you think?" This story creates a lot of discussion.  So go ahead and dig into all those curious little thoughts and questions.  

**When I have used this book for activities, in both preschool and book club, I have made sure to emphasize the importance of knowing the difference between "REAL" and "PRETEND".  Stories, like this one, are derived from old ancient tales, these are called Fable's (explain what a fable is).  Focus more on the moral of this story so that the children understand the meaning of it**

Peace as always!

Lisa

Elmer / David McKee

*Elmer was not elephant color.  He was patchwork.*

The story about Elmer can be understood by just about each and every human being.  Ask your children some questions about how they see themselves and how they feel others see them.  "What makes you different from other kids?"  What would you change about yourself, if you could?"  "Would it make you happier?"

Self confidence is a touchy subject with some children.  The story about Elmer can help a child know that it is OK to be different, unique from others.  It's what makes them special!  Explain you love your child/children and the little things you find so special about them.

Read "Elmer" by David McKee….

ACTIVITY:

supplies you will need:

art apron & plastic gloves

paper towel

2 white pieces of paper

small water dropper (or a straw)

small cup of water

food coloring

(optional: a cookie sheet - for working surface)

Run water onto a paper towel until it is nice and wet.  Ring out the paper towel just enough so it's not dripping but still quite damp.  Lay the paper towel onto the cookie sheet.

i like cookie sheets because the have an edge to catch messy messes
*and they are non porous!
*and you can get them at the dollar store!

Place the white piece of paper onto the wet paper towel.  Press the paper into the paper towel until you see the water marks seeping through.  (if you are making a frame, like I did, make sure to press the sides of the paper a little harder)

the reason we get the paper towel wet and not the paper itself
is because we don't want the paper soaked.

see the water marks?
that's where i pressed down the hardest to get the most moisture

Gloves!  Open the food colors your child likes the most.  Help them line the edge of the paper with little color dots (shown).  If you are weary about allowing your child to use food coloring, you drip it onto the paper…have your child show you exactly where he/she wants each color dropped! 

Fill a small cup half full of water.  Take the small dropper, or straw, collect enough water into the tube for a few drops of water.  Have your child give each color drop one or two droplets of water.  More than 2 and the colors will start to bleed together and look like mud…trust me.  

The water will run a bit and spread out the colors.  Take the paper off the cookie sheet and place it in a safe place to dry.  Remember, the food coloring will dye any porous surface it comes in contact with…So, I suggest letting it dry outside on the grass or inside on a granite or stainless surface.

see how the colors start to spread out?

While this project is drying, have your child create a self portrait on a slightly smaller piece of white paper. (I usually cut an inch off all 4 sides of the paper)  Or, you can spend some time taking "selfy" pictures….funny, serious and crazy faces are all acceptable!!  When the portrait is finished, or the pictures are ready, paste them into the middle of the dried colored paper…creating a frame! (shown below!)  Hang it on the fridge and celebrate your child's uniqueness each time you look at it.  You could also laminate it or put it in a real frame for a more permanent display.

Little Miss S never looked to bright and cheerful!

Encourage your child to admire their work!!  Ask some questions: "Tell me about your portrait?" "What's the most beautiful part of this work of art?"  "Can you tell me what you like the most about YOU?" 

I REALLY hope the story of Elmer and this beautiful activity encourages feelings of self confidence and self worth within your child's little spirit!  Tell them you love them EVERYDAY!  Compliments can't ever be given too often!

Peace!

Lisa

Are You Ready to Play Outside? / Mo Williams

I'll tell you right now that Mo Williams is one of my most favorite children's authors!  I recommend you visit his website www.mowilliams.com.  He has written a few series of children's books that are so adorable, humorous and simply illustrated;  Elephant and Piggie series, Pigeon! series and Knuffle Bunny series.   There are many more books written by this fabulously talented author!  All equally as great as the next.

Here in my little spot of the Salt Lake Valley, it has been cold and raining for days.  Since I'm a sunshine kind of girl, I have been desiring to see the sun and feel the warmth of it on my face.  I WANT TO PLAY OUTSIDE!  So, it only seemed natural to pick a book (for today's book review) that seemed completely understandable to me!  A selfish move…but it's been made, so bear with me.  Have fun reading "Are You Ready to Play Outside" by Mo Williams….after all it's a Theodore Seuss Geisel Award winner, that's the best award (in my opinion) that could ever be given!

"It's raining."  "It's pouring."  "…it's really pouring!"

First: Prepare a snack!  Hot chocolate and warm muffins, maybe?  Nothing helps lighten the mood on a dark day more than some 'comfort food'!

Second: Read the book while feasting on your warm treats!  Discuss Elephant and Piggies situation.  "Why didn't play time work out the way Elephant and Pig wanted it to?"  "What kind of feelings did the friends have when it started to rain?"  "Who helped them see that playing in the rain can be fun?" 

Third: Activities (i'm posting a few…you make the choice!)

Art: make a rainbow…"You can't have a rainbow without a little rain." 

Simple!  All you need is scratch paper, a set of (*cheap*) watercolors & water!
Painting with watercolors has be proven (for real!!!) to calm the spirit and open the mind!

Easy!  You only need scratch paper!
Find white and all sorts of other colors, then grab some scissors and glue!
We have also done this with ribbon, pattern paper and yarn.
Be creative!

Indoor play: hopscotch inside (obstacle course, dance competition or Twister! …anything to get the wiggles out!)  A hopscotch can be made by outlining the shape and squares, on the floor with, masking/painting tape!

We made it fun by holding a competition!
Make it exciting…
1. count out loud, how long doest it take?
2. who threw the bean bag on the highest number?
3. who's hit the lowest number?
etc….winner choses next activity or gets first in line!

Science: (this one can be done outside if it's actually raining!)

This activity comes from the book 365 Science Experiments (Hinkler Books), again, and I do not have photo's to give you the visual.  I apologize.  However, the paper looks so beautiful when it's all dry, so many watercolors to gaze at.  Trust me on this one!

Outdoor play: Why don't you do what Elephant and Piggie did?  Make the most of the rain!  Take a nature walk, look at how bright the colors of the grass, flowers and even rocks are when it rains.  Splash in puddles, catch drops in your mouth….play!

Little Miss A and Miss K drawn to the colors of the flowers!
Each yard we passed involved a 'new' search for  even brighter flowers!

rocks are pretty!!!!  who knew???

Enjoying time with our kids is the greatest thing and a treasured blessing.  Memories don't take outstanding moments or great amounts of time…they just take a second.  Make those seconds good ones!!  Read, play, laugh and hug!

Peace and Rain!

Lisa

The Red Hen / by Rebecca and Ed Emberley

Who will help Red Hen bake a cake?

The Red Hen  by Rebecca and Ed Emberley

A little work never hurt anyone…especially when it comes to getting something we REALLY want!  Talk about this with your children.  "Is it fun to work hard?" "How do you feel when you make something and it turns out awesome!?"  "What would you do if someone took something that you made?"

This particular take, on the classic story of The Red Hen, is my favorite.  I love the bold & abstract illustrations.  I particularly like the recipe for 'Red Hen's Simply Splendid Cake' at the back of the book!  A simple recipe children can easily help with…IF they decide to?!?  So, now the only question is…"Who want's to help me bake a cake?"…but, don't read the book yet!

We are cooking today, so you will need:

1.  medium mixing bowl

2.  9 inch pan or muffin pan

3.  sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, baking powder and milk (or a boxed cake mix)

4.  food coloring *optional*

My favorite part of the book!
Pictures help children easily determine which ingredient comes next.
Large text makes it easy for beginning readers to follow.

This step is completely optional (& NOT in the book)!
I only added the food coloring because today is April Fools Day!
I know my kids won't be expecting a BLUE cake underneath the frosting!

If your children choose, have them help you with each step of making the cake.  Have fun together by licking the beaters, choosing a food color, or maybe even a little bit of a flour fight?  While the cake is baking READ THE BOOK!  Ask the obvious questions after…"Who made the cake?"  "Who chose NOT to help make the cake?"  "Do you think it's fair that Cat, Rat and Frog were not allowed to help Hen eat the cake?"  "Why?"

When the cake is done baking you may choose to frost and decorate it.  That is up to you.  However, it is definitely time to EAT IT!  Invite all children who helped make the cake to come and enjoy eating it.  Have those who declined to help stand by to watch the others take their first couple bites…this is really hard to do, but if you want to prove a point it really works!  Then ask them if they would like to join you?  When they say yes, let them…BUT…ask them how they felt when they were not allowed to enjoy in something they didn't work to accomplish?  This is a great moment to discuss the importance of hard work and its benefits!  It is also a good time to discuss the importance of sharing and showing compassion.

Any questions?  As usual, PLEASE ask!

Peace, love and happiness!

Lisa