Preschool Science: Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is an excellent opportunity to teach preschoolers about light and shadows. Here are two science activities for the budding scientists in your class or home...Shadow makingExplain to the children that shadows are caused by objects that get in the way of the sun or a bright light. Shine the light from a film projector, a slide projector or a lamp on a bare wall. Turn off the lights

Chinese New Year Arts and Crafts

For the Chinese New Year theme unit, click here.Below are the ideas for Arts and Crafts.1. Chinese New Year DragonsHave the children make dragons out of lunch size paper bags and decorations like googly eyes, and paper scraps. Have a New Year's Parade and walk through the school and have the children place the dragons on their hands and wave them up and down.2. Chinese Good Luck LettersHelp

Inauguation Day Obama crafts

Here are some craft ideas to use for an Inauguration Day and Obama theme. (for toddlers, preschoolers and some for older children too.)Don't forget to check out our Inauguration Day and President's theme unit for ages 4 and up.Craft Stick White House by Amanda Formarofor ages 7 and upBe sure to check out all of their Presidents' Day, Black History Month and Inauguration Day crafts and

Toddler Art Activities

If you are like the majority of the country dealing with bitter winter cold temperatures, your little ones can get "cabin fever" in a matter of days being indoors. Here in Texas, our winter season is mild compared to most but even my youngest gets bored if kept indoors for some time.
Here are some Toddler Art Activities to keep them busy.

Rolling Paint
You'll need empty roll-on deodorant

Inauguration Day and President theme (ages 4 and up)

On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States and America's first African-American president. Use these books, activities, and printables to help younger children understand.Note: This is an abstract topic for preschoolers to grasp, however, children build onto their base understanding each time they learn something.Books“Barack Obama: Son of

Winter Art and Crafts

(Pictured above a Puffy Paint Snowman my son made)Here are some fun Arts and Crafts to do with toddlers and preschoolers.Puff Paint SnowChildren this creative activity. Just remember to keep the shaving cream out of little eyes, it stings.Materials:Turquoise blue construction papersnowman shape (you can use the Elison snowman)collage materialsshaving creamglue.Description:Have children decorate

Preschool Science: Winter

(Pictured above a Borax Snowflake)Here are some activities that you can do with Toddlers and Preschoolers!The advent of snow and winter weather provides many opportunities for teaching toddlers about the changes of weather and the different stages of water. Show your preschooler how water is a solid as snow or ice, will melt into a liquid as water, and then evaporate as steam.1. Borax

Winnie the Pooh Day (Jan. 18)

Winnie the Pooh Day is an opportunity to enjoy your favorite bear and all of his friends. This day was created to celebrate the birth of A.A .Milne. Born in Kilburn, London on January 18, 1882, Milne is best remembered for his Pooh books, about a boy named Christopher Robin (which is also the name of his son), and characters inspired by his son’s stuffed animals. Of these the most important is

Book of the week "The Crayon Box that Talked"

This week is the first week, I'll be introducing our 'Mommy and Me" pick (chosen by me and my toddler) for "the book of the week."The current theme is Martin Luther King and our book of the week is"The Crayon box that Talked" by Shane DeRolf and illustrated by Michael Letzig. In Shane DeRolf’s deceptively simple poem, a child’s box of crayons conveys the sublimely simple message that when we all

What is Theme unit? (Unit Studies)

What is a theme unit? What are unit studies? I often get asked these questions when I tell others what method I use to homeschool my sons. A unit study, often called a thematic or topical study is a method of relating all subject matters into the study of a given topic. Simply put, unit studies use your child’s interest and then ties that interest into subject areas like math, reading, spelling,

Preschool Science: Martin Luther King day

Most of my friends were surprised I was able to find science activities that could tie in with a Martin Luther King theme. After much research I found two listed below:1. Color mixingDecorate an old sheet by spraying different colors (food coloring and water) from a spray-bottle all over it.By mixing primary colors (red, blue, yellow) you find secondary colors (orange, green, brown, etc)Have the

Teaching Tolerance Activity (Martin Luther King theme)

I came across a group activity from Education World that I can be adapted for the pre-kindergarten level.Activity:Those Tear-Me-Apart, Put-Me-Back-Together, Never-Be-the-Same-Again BluesThis powerful activity illustrates how words can hurt — or heal.http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/03/lp294-03.shtmlMy recommendations:There are areas that you would omit but for the most part I would use the

Arts and Craft Recipes

Art Supplies RecipesFrom time to time, I’ll be adding to this page for more resources for recipes to make crafts. Here are the links to navigate to my posts for Art and Craft recipes that I have posted.Bubble RecipesClay RecipesCrayon and Chalk RecipesFun and Yucky Recipes (kids love)Glue and Paste RecipesPaper Mache' Glue RecipesPaint, Dye and Ink RecipesPlaydough Recipes

Bubble Recipes

Giant Bubble recipeIngredients:6 cups water3/4 cup corn syrup2 cups dishwashing liquidDirections:Mix together and let sit 4 hours before using.Giant Bubbles recipe #2Ingredients:1 C. Warm Water1/4 C. Blue Dishwashing Liquid >LI>1 Tsp. SaltDirections:Combine all ingredients. Mix well until salt dissolves. Use.Bubbles recipe #1Ingredients:1 cup of water2 Tbs.liquid detergent1 Tbs. glycerine1/2 tsp.

Clay Recipes

Modeling ClayIngredients:1 c. cornstarch1 ½ c. water16 ounces baking sodaDirections:Combine cornstarch and baking soda together in large saucepan. Stir in water and cook over low heat until the mixture becomes thick and forms a ball. Remove from heat and cool. Knead the dough on a countertop dusted with cornstarch until smooth.Air Dry ClayIngredients:3 c. flour1 c. salt½ c. white glue1 c. water1

Crayon and Chalk Recipes

Multi-colored crayonsIngredients:Broken pieces of crayonaluminum panDirections:Peel broken crayons and melt in a small aluminum pan at 350 degrees for 15 -20 minutes.Cool and break into new multi-colored pieces.Soap Crayons #1Ingredients:1 3/4 cup Ivory Snow50 drops food coloring1/4 cup waterDirections:Mix water and soap flakes together. Add food coloring and thoroughly mix. Put mixture into an

Fun and Yucky Recipes (kids love)

Slime #1Ingredients:1 cup Lux soap flakes2 Liters warm water1 large plastic containerFood colouring(optional)Directions:Dissolve soup flakes in warm water in large plastic container. Add food colouring here if you want. Allow mixture to stand until it becomes thick. Add more water, if necessary.Beat in mixture with egg beaters. (let children do this)Use kitchen gadgets to pour, measure, scoop and

Glue and Paste Recipes

Homemade GlueIngredients:3/4 cup water2 tbsp. corn syrup1 tsp. white vinegar1/2 cup cornstarch3/4 cup cold waterDirections:Mix water, syrup and vinegar in saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil. In small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water. Add this mixture slowly to first mixture. Stir constantly. Let stand overnight before using.Waterproof GlueIngredients:2 packets (1/2 ounce) unflavored gelatin2

Papier Mache Paste Recipes

Papier Mache Paste #1Ingredients:1 cup water1/4 cup flour5 cups lightly boiling waterDirections:Mix flour into the water until mixture is thin and runny, stir into boiling water. Gently boil and stir for 3 minutes. Cool before using.Papier Mache Paste #2Ingredients:one part flourone part waterDirections:Mix flour and water in a bowl until you get a smooth consistency. Use.Wheat Flour Papier Mache

Paint, Dye, and Ink Recipes (updated Jan. 30)

Those recipes with *** indicate they have recently been added effective Jan 30, 2009Thanks,~ Mrs. K ~Snow Flake Finger paints ***1 cup Ivory Soap Flakesenough water to give a consistency to that of whipped creamMix the water and soap flakes; beat with a rotary beater until creamy. Add food coloring for different colors.Snow Puffy paint ***Shaving creamElmer's glueMix equal parts of shaving cream

Playdough Recipes (updated Jan. 30)

those recipes with *** indicate they have recently been added effective Jan 30, 2009Thanks,~ Mrs. K ~BETTER PLAYDOUGH TIPS:Try substituting baby oil for vegetable oil in playdough recipes. The smell is wonderful and the playdough itself will not mold or get that rancid odor . It remains soft for a very long time.You can use playdough to enhance nearly any theme in your curriculum.PERFECT PLAY