On my beach there are many pebbles / by Leo Lionni

Have you ever been fascinated by a rock?  I have!  In fact, I have saved rocks that are amazing and have some sort of special meaning to me.  During preschool outdoor play time, we have gathered MANY rocks.  Some of my kids were so interested in rocks they encouraged me to build a week long lesson plan strictly about rocks!

Through the next couple of days, I will share a few of those activities with you.  Today I am sharing an activity I derived from the book On my beach there are many pebbles written by Leo Lionni.

This book is so cool because it's illustrated in black and white.  Most of the pages are without words, but, full of illustrations to gaze at.  It seems to intrigue the imagination!

ACTIVITY:

*Read "On my beach there are many pebbles" and take time to soak in the illustrations and all the different and amazing rocks.  Discuss rocks…their shapes, colors, sizes and locations.  

*Go outside (or travel to a local beach or river bed) and take a walk.  Gather some of the interesting rocks you find into a basket.

*When you arrive home, find a safe place to dump out your collection of gathered rocks.  Have the children pick through their piles and find a couple of their favorite rocks.

*Decorate the favorite rocks with paint, markers or whatever you want!

SUPPLIES:

a rock (…or 5!)

paints and/or permanent markers

basket - for collecting rocks

Sit back and admire all the special rocks!  Discuss why the rocks chosen and decorated are so unique.  Ask the children to "show and tell" a little bit about their rock.  Encourage imagination and creative thinking during this time with your child.

I look forward to sharing our next "Rock" books and activities with you!  Stay tuned!

Peace always

Miss Lisa

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

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

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

paper clip bracelets/necklaces

Fun project for indoor play days!

PAPER CLIP BRACELETS

What do you need?  Well, look around, you probably have the supplies at home!

1.  Paper clips

2.  beads, sequins, plastic flowers…. (anything with a small hole in the middle)

this is what I found in my craft drawer
what's in yours?  use it!

Start by threading beads (or whatever you're using) through the end of a paper clip.  Push them around the first bend.  Repeat with a second paper clip.  Hook the second paper clip onto the first paper clip.  Squeeze the first paper clip closed (so the beads don't fall off).  Repeat this process until the bracelet fits!  You can also make beautiful necklaces.  Remember, I'm just sharing the guidelines…your creativity may take you in a different direction.  HAVE FUN!

my finished bracelet!

Questions?  I'll answer them!

Peace!

Lisa

Cloudette / by Tom Lichtenheld

Spring is here (in my neck of the woods), so it's time to celebrate warmer weather, budding trees and sprouting flowers!  During spring we start to see billowing clouds, which sometimes bring with them thunder, lightning and rain.  Mother Earth NEEDS rain storms to water her plants, fill her ponds and clean her air.  So, don't be afraid of dark clouds and thunder, they're just a warning that a big drink of water is on it's way!  Let's learn a little more….

"Cloudette could see them in the distance, doing all sorts of important cloud things.

This made her want to do big and important things too."

Cloudette  by Tom Lichtenheld

Casually discuss the idea of thunderstorms.  Maybe ask a couple questions about clouds?  "Why do thunderstorms seem so scary?"  "How is a cloud made?"  "What kinds of shapes have you seen a cloud make?"  Now let's read the story about a little cloud and her adventures….

For this fun little adventure you will need:
1.  Big glass bowl
2.  Small glass jar with lid
3.  Food coloring
4.  Blue construction paper
5.  White cotton balls
6.  Glue

This activity includes a science project as well as an art project.  You may choose to do both or just one of them.  Or, maybe you will be inspired to do a project of your own creativity!?  This activity (doing both projects) will only take 20 minutes total!  The science project has the potential to be a little messy, you may want to have gloves and art aprons near by.

Science Project:  (adult supervision required!)

Follow the instruction in this photo!
Taken from "365 Science Experiments"

I learned to LOVE science when I began volunteering in the PTA program at my daughters elementary school.  My love for it grew when I began running children's learning groups out of my home.  By the time I started teaching preschool, science was my favorite subject to play around with (I mean 'teach'…he he)!
This book "365 Science Experiments" by Hinkler Books was tested and approved by teachers.  I use it all the time and have enjoyed every experiment I have tried.  Remember, it's science…sometimes we have to give it a couple tries before we get our desired results.  However, that's the fun of it (and it teaches great patience!).  I am NOT selling this book, only approving it!  I encourage 'frugal' projects!  So please visit your library and your junk drawer before purchasing the supplies I list!

the beginning of the experiment...

 the discovery!
the food coloring should rise to the top
resulting in a colored underwater cloud!
it took me 3 try's…so be patient

Take a moment for learning and explain how clouds are made due to high and low pressure created by hot or cold air.  Just like the experiment showed!

Art Project:
This project is easy squeezey and only takes a minute!  But, it is art…so if your child chooses to take his/her time THAT IS OK because this project does not need much adult supervision.  Don't ever rush an art project.  If time runs out, put it away until more time becomes available to finish it.  Art projects should be a rewarding thing, an expression of sight, feeling and personality.

Upon going outside to actually see the clouds up in the sky we found there were not any!!!  The sky was completely blue.  So we did our science project first, walked outside a little later and noticed some very fine and thin clouds up by the mountains.  These are called Cirrus Clouds!

for my project, I decided to create exactly how I viewed the cirrus clouds in the sky...

Cumulous Clouds are the big fluffy ones, that create fun and interesting shapes!  If cumulous clouds are floating around in your sky, lay down on the grass and gaze for a moment.  Pick out the most interesting clouds and what shape they seem to be making.  My 18 year old daughter and I still do this often!  It's relaxing and amazing to gaze upon.

Cumulous clouds seemed more fun for some of the 'littles' to create!
So, a rabbit in the sky it is!  

If CUMULONIMBUS clouds are up in the sky…beware!  Those are lightning and thunder clouds and can be dangerous to be outside in.  This has happened to my group of preschoolers before, we stayed inside and looked through the windows.  We took out some gray and black ink pads, patted our cotton balls on to them a couple times and then glued them on to our paper.  And, as usual, our art projects turned out awesome!

"Cloudette" has been tested and APPROVED by children ages 4 - 8!

Questions?  Feel free to ask!

Suggestions?  Feel free to suggest!

Peace!

Lisa

Dinosaurs Love Underpants / by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort

"I don't want to eat you up, I want your underpants!"

Dinosaurs Love Underpants  by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort

Let your child (or children) gaze at the cover of this book…for a minute.  Then quietly and thoughtfully ask "What in the world do you think this book is about?"  "How do you think Dinosaurs became extinct?" Listen to the answers with MUCH interest!  Then begin reading…

For this T-Rex sized art project/activity you will need:

1.  White underpants…your childs size. (if in a group, to avoid embarrassment, use undershirts)

2.  Fabric dye, paints or markers (which ever one you choose)

3.  Art aprons

4.  Plastic table cover

We chose camisoles for the girls and boxers for the boys.
We chose to tie dye our unders.

This is a VERY messy activity!  Beware and Prepare!  Be creative….

First:  Read the book, ask questions, have a short discussion…"Did this story turn out the way you though it would?"  Discuss the ideas you had about the book before you read it, and talk about the comparisons. 

Second:  Cover your kitchen table with a (cheap!) plastic table cloth.  Prepare to decorate your item of clothing.  Have your child grab the white underpants (or shirt) they are going to decorate.  Proceed (following the instructions on the package of your art/craft medium) to decorate your underpants or shirt!  Leave it WIDE OPEN…this is an art project, so no rules on results! 

*these are pictures of my own camisole & boxers - the other projects went "home to dry"*

tie dyed boxers

tie dyed camisole

* I have used permanent markers for this project before, they work just fine and might be something you already have at home *

Third:  While project is drying/setting, clean up your craft space & wash hands.  Prepare a small snack, gather at the table again to eat snacks and have a final discussion about the book:  "What happened to T. rex's unders?" "Why were the cavemen worried?" "Tell me how you think the story should have ended?"

This activity takes 30 minutes (...and a little patience!).  You did it!   That's active engagement your child will remember for a long time to come!

"Dinosaurs Love Underpants" has been tested & APPROVED by children ages 4 - 7!

"Children see magic because they look for it."  -Christopher Moore

Peace!

Lisa

questions?  suggestions?  leave me a comment!