Summer Science Fun

I am challenging myself to a realistic goal.
Not too ambitious that I succumb to that feeling that I bit off more than I can chew.
But one that I feel is actually attainable.


Once a week, on Thursdays, I am going to execute a fun, hands on, science activity.  This isn't home schooling. This isn't lesson planning. This is just do something fun and make some memories while learning!


Who wants to join me?!!

You are going to need to do some prep work. But really, just add what you need to your weekly grocery list.

Here are some ideas to get you started, and I will blog each week after our Science day and let you know how it went.

Messy Fun!
Materials: 1 box corn starch, 1 can shaving cream


Blow up a Balloon!
Materials: Baking soda, vinegar, balloon, funnel, spoon, empty bottle



Melting Ice!
Materials:  variety of bowls, droppers or syringes, food coloring or liquid water color, variety of salt (table, rock, sea salt, kosher)




Swamp Sensory Tub!
Materials:  Gelatin, sugar free kool-aid for color, large container, pool noodle, plastic swamp creatures, water and a large tub.  (Really... I am cheap and lazy, so I'm sure I will just throw in toys that I have around the house.)


Suzie

Dry Erase Crayons... a new must have!

Okay, can you dust off the cobwebs?!!!
It seriously has been forever since I have posted on here! 


Let me fill you in on my life in a super quick way: 

Found out my husband was going to be transferred in February. Two weeks later our house went on the market. Four weeks later we were under contract. 4 weeks after that, we were under contract on the new house...and bam, we relocated 245 miles north.

So basically, I felt like I had nothing to blog about. All I would do was organize my house, clean my house, clean it again, and then pack.

However, last week I went to my favorite/least favorite place to shop: 
Wal-Mart for a nap mat. 
And the teacher in me could not pass up all the school supplies. I snagged some random stuff which I think I will start blogging more about later.


(Here is the nap mat tutorial I am going to follow. I mean, $100 bucks on etsy is just way too much for me. I spent $12 each on fabric, and $13 for the mat. So, two washable nap mats for less than $50.)


But today, we played around with these:

Here is an easy easy activity:

Grab a plastic sheet proctor.

A sheet of paper.

And a marker.

Draw anything you want them to try to trace and slide it inside the sheet protector!

 Instant dry erase board!

For example:

2-3 year olds: straight lines, zig zag lines, shapes, single letters (like A a )

4-6: Full name (remember, we don't write or read in all caps, so you don't either.)

Site words, alphabet, numbers, a non stick person

6-and up: spelling words (tracing over spelling words 3x is a proven technique to use with children with dyslexia.), art

Hudson: don't mind his grip, we are working on that too!

 He is working so hard trying to stay on the straight black line!

 See that black rag? The box comes with this neat mitt type eraser. Hudson loved that too.

My guys aren't even three yet, but they focused on this task for about 10 minutes. 

I was over zealous putting their whole name on a sentence strip. But hey, they need to be able to 'read' it and recognize and pick out letters. So still a teachable moment.

Speaking of sentence strips, they were also at Walmart on an end-cap. (When using them, make sure the red line is at the bottom. And please for me, Uppercase letters followed by lowercase. Can you tell it is my pet peeve!!!?)

I hope to be around more often! So check back!

Suzie

Rainy Day Idea

Sarah has blogged about this idea before, but Crayola window markers are pretty fun!

Suzie

Kids in the Kitchen and a Halloween Craft

I found this recipe for Pumpkin Muffins on pinterest.

Source: sweet-verbena.blogspot.com via Susan on Pinterest

Two ingredients: cake mix and canned pumpkin. (I used spice cake and added chocolate chunks)
Seriously, you can't mess it up.
And they can eat it without having that raw egg thought in the back of your mind.  (Anyone else still eat raw cookie dough anyways... no, just me??)

And then I got bored waiting for Daddy to come home! And out came the paint and drop cloth.

Just fill the vase with candy corn and instant cuteness!! 

(I found the sticks next to the popsicle sticks at the craft store.)

Environmental Print IS reading!

Did you know that my boys can read?!!

They are 2.

It's impressive.

Kidding, kind of. 

Environmental print is everywhere, and it is the first stages of pre reading.  The symbols, signs, and pictures tell your children a message. For each child it may be slightly different.

If this sounds like a foreign language to all our non teacher readers, please check out Pre-K Pages, she does an awesome job breaking it down.  And even has great ideas for pre-k teachers, or moms!

• Check out her homework assignment! Each child was asked to bring in the cover of their favorite cereal box. (The only thing I would have done different is put black dots under each word for my kids to practice touching as they read.)  And then you have an awesome repetition book! (Meaning each page says ________ eats _________.)

photo from www.pre-kpages.com

Other environmental print examples:

My boys see this:

And say Apples.

We drive through and get apple slices (they are $1.00 and the skins are peeled.)  

They have yet to realize how amazing the french fries are.

They see this:

And they say lemonade.

I am SO SO sorry if you don't have one in your state. 

Truly, you are missing out on the best company geared for family fun.

Not everything revolves around food!

Luke see's this sign and shouts "hair cut" every single time.

Which is daily.

He has been there twice.

It really is amazing.

So, I decided to make an environmental print poster. But it would be just as fun to make a book, or collage, or put it in those fun picture cubes.

Environmental Print Poster:

Large sheet of Construction Paper

ClipArt, magazine pictures, food labels, real pictures, etc

Glue

My poster:

If I really wanted to do my poster right, I would have taken pictures of the signage where we actually go, like HEB, The Mall, parks, stop signs, school, school busses, etc.
Maybe that could be my next outing with the kids. and I could turn it into a book! Ohhh... and call it The Places We Go... 

I feel the need to add more posters to the wall. And SOON.

And before you throw out your trash next week, PLEASE, I beg you.... Take 30 seconds and just read this quick page from Dr. Jean's Trashable to Teachable!  It really is reading plus so much more!

Fast and Furious: Art Wall

I have been talking about an art wall for a really long time. I even linked some pictures awhile back of just hanging empty frames and rotating the art. Well, never happened.

So, after a great art session with Luke, I thought, what am I going to do with these 20 scribble art pictures. They are too precious to throw away... just yet. I mean, he was even naming them, like masterpieces. Because to him, they ARE!

And, telling him how great they were only made him want to draw more.

So, I thought, why not do what I did in my classroom. Teachers, well me, hate spending their own money on classroom stuff. So I would just make do with what I had available to me at the time.  Same thought went through my head today at home.

Poor Man's Art Wall:
Staple Gun
Yarn
Paper Clips or Clothes Pins

Art to  Art Wall in less than 30 minutes, complete with hand painted sign! (I'm telling you it really was fast and furious)

Just tie a knot at one end, and staple it to the wall. I got out the level and had my husband helped me. String it the wherever you want it to end, and staple it up, and tie a knot. Pull it really tight and and one more staple. And then add a staple to the middle so it wont sag too bad.

And there you have it! Art Wall complete.

Suzie

Just an Ordinary Day

After crying through Sarah's post yesterday morning, I found myself crying as I ended my night last night.
Kids grow up too fast, and before you know it, our roles as mothers has changed.
Take a few minutes and watch this video:



(Nothing tragic happens, just a well written story about a mother and her love for her boys.)

Now, check out Baby Rabies post about everyone blogging their Ordinary Day.  I let so many 'ordinary' days pass without even getting out my camera, or writing down funny conversations... because they happen every single day. And I think this stage will never end. But sadly, it will. And before you know it, I will be like the lady in the video... only BOTH my boys will leave for college at the same time.  Sigh. I have baby fever.

Baby Rabies posted her day in 16 pictures.

I started taking pictures at 7:30 this morning, every hour on the hour. I will share my day... tomorrow.
It's pretty fun to look at all the things you do that are just ordinary, and see them in a whole new light!

Suzie

Arts and Crafts Organization

Some of the best ideas come from other people! I think that is what I love most about reading tons of blogs. I wake up every morning and check my Google Reader, and get so excited to see what is going on with friends, family and even strangers with AMAZING talents. I read all kinds: teaching, fashion, shopping, DIY, baking, cooking, party planning blogs... the possibilities are endless!

Jenae, from I Can Teach My Child, shared pictures of her over the door organizer. I loved it, and thought I would keep my eyes out for one.

Well, the next week, Jenae had this post!
1. It was a sale.
2. It was organization.
and
3. It was something I could put all the 'stuff' that had been cluttering our hall closet shelves.

I LOVED it. I Bought one. It just came today!

This picture does not do it justice. 

Check out those other links!

Add I Can Teach My Child to your reader! It will not disappoint!

Suzie

Extreme Makeover: Playroom Edition

Not really!! I just cleaned it out today during nap time. I took a box of toys to the little boy a few houses down, and saved a couple that the boys really loved.

But with their 2nd birthday quickly approaching and then Christmas around the corner, the room just needed some organizing.

This is nothing new or original.  And I'm betting everyone else has already done this, it just took me this long to get on the bandwagon....
Are you ready for it?

LABELING

I know, classic. My husband laughs knowing, the toys will be thrown out in 2.5 seconds after they wake up. But we will just keep practicing how to clean them up.  I hope.

Start with a clean room!

Then take pictures of your drawers. Upload to Picnik, and add text! (I like to use a font that is thick, but has lowercase letters.)

Print on cardstock, and I told my printer to print 6 pictures to a page, so they would be smaller.

Cut, and cover with packing tape.

I left one blank, because it is like the 'junk' drawer. Whatever has no home ends up here!

This toy bin is from Ikea in case anyone is curious.  Cheap, but does the job.

Suzie

Meet the Teacher

I am sure this post is a little too late for most of you. 

We have 'Meet the Teacher' tomorrow morning!

I wanted to make Mrs. Tracee a little something. Not over the top, but didn't want to show up empty handed in the morning. 

Gifts are totally not necessary, but as a former teacher, just getting a card or a flower on that first meeting let me know the kids were just as excited about our school year as I was.

Like I said, this is short, and sweet. And I threw in a Starbucks gift card because I know she will need it after a morning with my twins!

I printed a picture of them off picnik on white card stock, and I used a cricut to cut out the shapes. Saved a hole for the gift card, and ta da... easy, painless, thoughtful Meet the Teacher gift!

I hope everyone is having a great school year so far!!! I am anxious/excited to see how my babies do at preschool! I know they will LOVE it!!

Suzie

Back to School Breakfast Ideas

I cook a hot breakfast Every.Single.Day.

I started it, and now it is just our morning routine.

It makes me feel like we had a great start to our day when the twins eat a big meal right from the start.

But, some mornings, we sleep in, lounge around, and before you know it, I am running late. This is the story of my life.

So, I am thinking I should cook some stuff and just freeze it for the mornings we are running late.

Exhibit A:

Eggs baked in muffin tins, then I could just defrost a few and warm them up!

Source: snackinginthekitchen.com via Susan on Pinterest

Example 2:

Now this looks so easy! You must click on the link and see how she makes the eggs!

And you can freeze these too!

Source: macheesmo.com via Susan on Pinterest

And Numbero 3:

OATMEAL! Duh. Seriously, why did I not think of this. I make oatmeal on the stove, the real way for the boys, but it takes FOREVER to cool down, and by then they are screaming at me because they love their oatmeal and don't understand why I am being so mean and not handing it over.

Source: thekitchn.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Do you guys have any tips for this novice mom and cook!!? I want to hear your back to school breakfast routine!

Suzie

Kitchen Helpers

I took a little blog hiatus when Sarah came into town. I also have been teaching swim lessons like a mad women! I heart summer!

I love to cook. (However, I am not a good cook.)

So, when I am in the kitchen, the twins pull up their chairs, and get right in the middle of what I am doing.

Annoying? Sometimes.
Messy? Always.
Helpful? Occasionally.
Fun? ABSOLUTELY!

Sometimes, I feel like we are in our very own cooking show. I am talking, explaining, measuring, talking some more, running from kid to kid, counter to counter.... but I know they are having a blast and they MUST be learning something right?!!

An added bonus: They almost always eat what they helped me make. And hardly any food ends up on the floor!

I really think ALL children, boys and girls.... need to learn how to take their dirty dishes to the sink and rinse them off. So, no time like the present to start working on that little task!

I love my little kitchen helpers!
I challenge you to let your children join you in the kitchen too!

Suzie

Father's Day Craft!

I'm back with another hand/foot print craft for Father's Day!

If you are my husband, please stop reading. This will take out all the fun for you on Sunday!

Okay, I hope he stopped reading.


My husband and father in law are sports fanatics. The boys watch more ESPN and Sports Center than most children. So I wanted to make something for them both to have for their office to remind them of the twins.

Supplies Needed:
Brown Paint
Orange Paint
White Paint
Card Stock
Black Paint pen or Sharpie

Really Easy:

Paint a foot brown.
Add 3 white stripes
Outline with Sharpie

 Paint a hand orange.
Add basketball lines with sharpie or paint pen!

Print words on Cardstock, here Most Valuable Daddy

And Frame!
If I was smart, like you guys.... I would print the words on white cardstock first, and then add the hands and feet around it, so there is less glue and cut mess!

Happy Happy Father's Day!

UPDATE:
We did this at a play date today! So fun!

Suzie

Playroom Decor: Alphabet Charts

I have one very large bare wall in my playroom that just taunts me daily. Its like begging for art. Or something.

I have all these ideas for it:

• I want to find large old wooden frames from garage sales and paint them and hang them on the wall. Then tack my kids artwork in them. Cute right? But that would involve having the time to go to thrift stores, and goodwill. (I am determined to still do this one day!)



Image from here

• Sometimes the nerdy teacher in me wants to go into the attic and dig out my old blue pocket charts and staple them up to the wall. I have visions of using sentence strips and putting little black dots under each syllable of every song I hang up. Then I daydream about getting out all my pointers for them to use. And then... I get a block thrown at my head and I realize we aren't there yet.

• However, today, Kimberly, from Custom Nursery Art posted a link to a free alphabet printable. FREE. CUTE. ALPHABET. I have picture hanging wire I could string across the wall, and tons of wooden cloths pins. I love it. I really do.

The Handmade Home

But there is one, little, minor, problem. I am neurotic about alphabet charts and ABC books. It is pretty much my only pet peeve with teacher stuff. The rest I let slide. These things are created by people who have never taught little children to read.

For example: The letter Ee will have a picture of an elephant. Great right? Elephant starts with the letter Ee. What is the problem you ask? It isn't the right sound. In Elephant the e makes the /l/ sound. There needs to be a picture of an egg. Get it. E /e/ egg

Or my other favorite:

Ii, and they show a picture of Ice. Then you have to teach the kids about 'magic e' and how the e at the end of the word makes the vowel before it say it's name and not the letter sound. So I would rather see a picture of an igloo... at least there you get the correct sound.

Which brings me to my post.... I decided to get an alphabet chart to hang up there! I will make it a teachable wall rather than just a cutesy wall.

Here is my favorite alphabet chart of ALL time. This company was founded by a teacher. She has done workshops for my old school. Her stuff is awesome.

Steps to Literacy

However, the free one is precious and cute and FREE. So if you aren't the crazy alphabet police, then I doubt you will find issues with it!!

DIY: Matching and Tactile Letter Cards

I've been MIA.
Sorry.
SO.... You get TWO ideas for the price of one!
But, this is what our yard looks like:

So needless to say, my free time has been spent outside, cleaning up dirt, giving baths, and doing laundry.

But, they LOVE the dirt so much, that I decided to bring a little inside!

I decided to make my own tactile letter cards using the dirt in the back yard!

I picked the letters in their name, but you can just pick a couple. (Try not to put them in alphabetical order, sometimes I think the kids just memorize the song.) Use school liquid glue, glitter glue, or tacky glue... and then sprinkle your letters with (dirt in my case) glitter, jello powder, sand, colored sand, tiny pebbles (like fish gravel). Let dry. And touch away! (Hold their hand and show them how to touch and say each letter. Do it over and over.)

Teacher Tips:

If you child is left handed, put the letters on the left side of the page, so he can hold it with his right hand and touch with his left. (Look at Luke's card for example.)

DIY: Matching Animal Cards:

Seems so easy, but is a great skill to work on! AND the boys have no idea they are learning, they just think we are playing! I LOVE this age! Everything is so new and fun!

Print the animal cards from here: Counting Coconuts

Why re-invent the wheel?? Tons of awesome stuff is out there, just use it and make it your own!

So here is what I did:

I printed two sets, just on regular paper. Nothing fancy here, my kids will destroy it anyway.

First, I wanted to see if they could just match cow to cow, and etc. Start with just 3-4 pictures on one side and then slowly add more or take some away.

Store them in a plastic baggies and tack the baggies to the playroom wall... wait, what?? Sorry, my organizational skills went out the window when the twins came.

THEN (another day when you want to feel good about yourself)... see if they can match the baby animals to the right mommy!!!! (But start with a small stack first!)

If this is a bust, try it again in a few weeks. I promise it is the BEST feeling when they can do it!

Remember, I am not super mom. My house is a mess, I have laundry to fold, and this activity only took 30 seconds to print and cut. (Stack them all together and cut once!!)

And we played for 3-5 minutes. But, I feel better about my day knowing we did something fun together!

Also shared at We Play and ABC123.