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IPC Day School
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Worship and Learn With IPC
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Maddy and the Magic Scarf
Birmingham Children's Theater presents a cardboard theater puppet show right in your living room! They have also included some ideas for follow-up activities with your children. And, we all know how much fun can be had by creating your own puppets with small paper bags and those lone socks. Pop some popcorn and enjoy the show!
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Sunday, May 24, 2020
National Scavenger Hunt Day
I know we have all been on all sorts of scavenger hunts and remember the excitement in finding items on the list! We need to thank a women who decades ago apparently created a scavenger hunt for a social soiree activity, and it really caught on. So much so, that today we celebrate National Scavenger Hunt Day. Here are a few ideas to get you started, but lists and places can continue to change and offer continued fun.
EGG CARTON SCAVENGER HUNT
Now that the weather is so beautiful outside, scavenger hunts are a good way to get the family outdoors. This particular hunt idea uses an egg carton for the collection vessel and items that I know can be found in my neighborhood. The goal is to collect each item drawn on the picture and place it in the corresponding cup. The egg carton can be closed up while walking to keep things in place. If you don't have an empty egg carton, you can use a bag or shoebox with the list of items taped to or drawn on the bag. This is not an exact science, so just make it work for your family and your surroundings. For example, if you are at the beach, switch out some items for sand and shells. Mostly, have a wonderful time watching your children explore the world around them!
Another quick and easy way to do a scavenger hunt is to put a piece of masking tape or blue painters' tape on your child's wrist, sticky side out. Create a short list of items to find that will be light enough to stick to the tape as you hunt. Kids love this! It is also a fun way just to take a walk and allow children to pick up just what sticks to and fits on the tape.
If you haven't checked out the scavenger hunt I created for the Jemison Trail, you can find that list on my blog from March 20. It is a little more challenging, but with Shades Creek and all the things growing and living there, it provides an interesting walk along the trail.
As always, we invite you to join us on Sundays for a variety of classes and services. We have livestream worship at 11:00 a.m. We also have an adult Sunday school class, a youth Sunday school class, and a children's class taught usually from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium. Though we hate not being in fellowship with one another during services or classes, some of the positives about having the YouTube channel is you can watch when it is good for your family, pause to talk about anything that comes up with your children and you can go back and watch any classes you missed. Awesome!
CLICK HERE FOR CRAFT for Sunday school.
Click HERE for IPC's You Tube livestream channel for worship service and Sunday school classes.
EGG CARTON SCAVENGER HUNT
Now that the weather is so beautiful outside, scavenger hunts are a good way to get the family outdoors. This particular hunt idea uses an egg carton for the collection vessel and items that I know can be found in my neighborhood. The goal is to collect each item drawn on the picture and place it in the corresponding cup. The egg carton can be closed up while walking to keep things in place. If you don't have an empty egg carton, you can use a bag or shoebox with the list of items taped to or drawn on the bag. This is not an exact science, so just make it work for your family and your surroundings. For example, if you are at the beach, switch out some items for sand and shells. Mostly, have a wonderful time watching your children explore the world around them!
Another quick and easy way to do a scavenger hunt is to put a piece of masking tape or blue painters' tape on your child's wrist, sticky side out. Create a short list of items to find that will be light enough to stick to the tape as you hunt. Kids love this! It is also a fun way just to take a walk and allow children to pick up just what sticks to and fits on the tape.
If you haven't checked out the scavenger hunt I created for the Jemison Trail, you can find that list on my blog from March 20. It is a little more challenging, but with Shades Creek and all the things growing and living there, it provides an interesting walk along the trail.
As always, we invite you to join us on Sundays for a variety of classes and services. We have livestream worship at 11:00 a.m. We also have an adult Sunday school class, a youth Sunday school class, and a children's class taught usually from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium. Though we hate not being in fellowship with one another during services or classes, some of the positives about having the YouTube channel is you can watch when it is good for your family, pause to talk about anything that comes up with your children and you can go back and watch any classes you missed. Awesome!
CLICK HERE FOR CRAFT for Sunday school.
Click HERE for IPC's You Tube livestream channel for worship service and Sunday school classes.
Monday, May 18, 2020
Professor Paige and Miss Betsy
This is our first official day of summer break, but, of course, we have been apart so long it doesn't feel much different. But here is a treat for you! Professor Paige and Miss Betsy wanted to say hi to all our school friends. Maybe this video will help you think of all the lessons they taught you about Science and God's Great Big World during the past year. It is so good to see their faces and hear their voices. Enjoy!
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Join us Sunday!
We invite you to join us on Sundays for a variety of classes and services. We have livestream worship at 11:00 a.m. and a Vespers service May 17th at 5:00. We also have an adult Sunday school class, a youth Sunday school class, and a children's class taught usually from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium. Though we hate not being in fellowship with one another during services or classes, some of the positives about having the YouTube channel is you can watch when it is good for your family, pause to talk about anything that comes up with your children and you can go back and watch any classes you missed. Awesome!
Check them out at IPC YouTube Channel.
CLICK HERE for last Sunday's children's craft.
Friday, May 15, 2020
Homemade Cool Treats for the Last Day of School
On our calendars it says THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! Who could have imagined that our last day was actually Friday, March 13th? Boy, I miss you all! Celebrate anyway with lots of play and maybe some kitchen activities like creating homemade popsicles.
Making your own popsicles at home allows you to control the ingredients, get creative and mix flavors you know your children will like, and save you money. You can pick up inexpensive popsicle molds at the store or order them inexpensively. These recipes are also easy enough that your children can get in the kitchen with you and measure and pour and you can chat about the science of mixing and freezing.
Here are some popsicle recipes that any kid should love.
Banana Popsicles
4 bananas
4 ounces avocado
1 Tbsp. cocoa powder (can omit if child doesn't like or cannot eat chocolate)
4 Tbsp. Peanut or other nut butter or Sun Butter
1 cup milk, can be non-dairy
Place all ingredients in blender and mix until smooth.
Pour into popsicle molds and freeze at least 8 hours.
Root Beer Float Popsicles
1 15 oz. can root beer
1 cup vanilla ice cream, frozen yogurt or coconut milk ice cream, slightly softened
Fill each of 10 molds ½ to ½ full of ice cream
Fill rest of mold with root beer. You will have to let foam settle down and pour again to completely fill.
Freeze overnight.
Pineapple Orange Popsicles
2 cups fresh or frozen pineapple
3 ripe bananas
1 cup 100% orange juice
Mix all ingredients in a blender and pour into 10 popsicle molds. Freeze about 4 hours.
Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles
2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
1 cup lemonade
2 Tbsp. honey (optional)
Blend the strawberries and lemonade first, then drizzle in honey if using. Pour into 8 popsicle molds and freeze about 4 hours.
Frozen Fruit Crush
This recipe is fun because you can mix the fruits to match your tastes. Get creative!
4 cups of your favorite juicy fruit, (i.e. mangoes, oranges, berries, kiwis)
1 Tbsp. lemon juice (preferably fresh, but bottled works!)
3 Tbsp. sugar
Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until the fruit mixture is thick and smooth.
Here you have 2 options:
1. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze OR
2. Pour the mixture into ice cub trays. Freeze until hard. Then throw the fruit cubes back into the blender on medium speed until crushed. Serve in bowls.
Gummy Worm Lemonade Ice Popsicles - This recipe is from a previous post, but is worth repeating because of its fun factor. Of course, you don't have to add the gummy worms and you will have simple Lemonade Popsicles.
1 & 1/2 C favorite lemonade
1 & ½ C or 8 Oz gummy worms (Trader Joe's has healthier, naturally colored gummy worms)
Pour the lemonade, pour into a container with a spout.
Stuff about 3 gummy worms in each of 10 3-ounce popsicle molds. Adjust if your molds are different sizes. Fill the molds with the lemonade, just enough to cover the worms. Freeze for at least 10 hours.
Homemade popsicle recipes have been around a long time and continue to pop up on many sites and in many recipe books. You can actually use these recipes as guides for mixing your own favorite flavors!
And don't forget about the old reliable milkshakes and floats that are a cinch to make at home and quite a treat on a hot Birmingham day!
Making your own popsicles at home allows you to control the ingredients, get creative and mix flavors you know your children will like, and save you money. You can pick up inexpensive popsicle molds at the store or order them inexpensively. These recipes are also easy enough that your children can get in the kitchen with you and measure and pour and you can chat about the science of mixing and freezing.
Here are some popsicle recipes that any kid should love.
Banana Popsicles
4 bananas
4 ounces avocado
1 Tbsp. cocoa powder (can omit if child doesn't like or cannot eat chocolate)
4 Tbsp. Peanut or other nut butter or Sun Butter
1 cup milk, can be non-dairy
Place all ingredients in blender and mix until smooth.
Pour into popsicle molds and freeze at least 8 hours.
Root Beer Float Popsicles
1 15 oz. can root beer
1 cup vanilla ice cream, frozen yogurt or coconut milk ice cream, slightly softened
Fill each of 10 molds ½ to ½ full of ice cream
Fill rest of mold with root beer. You will have to let foam settle down and pour again to completely fill.
Freeze overnight.
Pineapple Orange Popsicles
2 cups fresh or frozen pineapple
3 ripe bananas
1 cup 100% orange juice
Mix all ingredients in a blender and pour into 10 popsicle molds. Freeze about 4 hours.
Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles
2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
1 cup lemonade
2 Tbsp. honey (optional)
Blend the strawberries and lemonade first, then drizzle in honey if using. Pour into 8 popsicle molds and freeze about 4 hours.
Frozen Fruit Crush
This recipe is fun because you can mix the fruits to match your tastes. Get creative!
4 cups of your favorite juicy fruit, (i.e. mangoes, oranges, berries, kiwis)
1 Tbsp. lemon juice (preferably fresh, but bottled works!)
3 Tbsp. sugar
Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until the fruit mixture is thick and smooth.
Here you have 2 options:
1. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze OR
2. Pour the mixture into ice cub trays. Freeze until hard. Then throw the fruit cubes back into the blender on medium speed until crushed. Serve in bowls.
Gummy Worm Lemonade Ice Popsicles - This recipe is from a previous post, but is worth repeating because of its fun factor. Of course, you don't have to add the gummy worms and you will have simple Lemonade Popsicles.
1 & 1/2 C favorite lemonade
1 & ½ C or 8 Oz gummy worms (Trader Joe's has healthier, naturally colored gummy worms)
Pour the lemonade, pour into a container with a spout.
Stuff about 3 gummy worms in each of 10 3-ounce popsicle molds. Adjust if your molds are different sizes. Fill the molds with the lemonade, just enough to cover the worms. Freeze for at least 10 hours.
Homemade popsicle recipes have been around a long time and continue to pop up on many sites and in many recipe books. You can actually use these recipes as guides for mixing your own favorite flavors!
And don't forget about the old reliable milkshakes and floats that are a cinch to make at home and quite a treat on a hot Birmingham day!
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Activities for the Would Have Been Graduation Day: Bring the Outside In
This would have been graduation day for our 4's and 5's classes. It is always such a special service in the sanctuary with the children raising their voices in the call to worship, songs, and prayer. How bittersweet it is to think about being apart from our friends on what should be a huge day of celebration. We will definitely share hugs at a later date, but, in the meantime, will you please give your precious children a big hug from Miss Kathy?!
Bringing the Outside In, by Sandra Duncan and Jody Martin, is a great book and has lots of ideas for using what is found in nature to spark imagination and learning.
Here is a simple idea about pine cones (that in many places could be found on a walk around the block):
“Conduct a scavenger pine cone hunt to see who can collect the most in a short period of time. Once found, there are many experiences you can have with children, such as categorizing, classifying and matching…The authors explain that “it is also great fun to paint pine cones because of all their nooks, crannies, bumps and crevices.”
And here’s one more painting idea the authors share:
“Nature provides so much variety that sometimes it is surprising what can be created from leftover kitchen scraps. The next time lunch is prepared for children, see what kitchen scraps can be salvaged for their next adventure in painting. Dip the kitchen leftovers into paint and watch the excitement begin.” The authors give these examples of scraps that would work well to dip in paint: banana peels, carrot tops, celery stalk bottoms, potato peelings, citrus fruit rings.
Bringing the Outside In, by Sandra Duncan and Jody Martin, is a great book and has lots of ideas for using what is found in nature to spark imagination and learning.
Here is a simple idea about pine cones (that in many places could be found on a walk around the block):
“Conduct a scavenger pine cone hunt to see who can collect the most in a short period of time. Once found, there are many experiences you can have with children, such as categorizing, classifying and matching…The authors explain that “it is also great fun to paint pine cones because of all their nooks, crannies, bumps and crevices.”
And here’s one more painting idea the authors share:
“Nature provides so much variety that sometimes it is surprising what can be created from leftover kitchen scraps. The next time lunch is prepared for children, see what kitchen scraps can be salvaged for their next adventure in painting. Dip the kitchen leftovers into paint and watch the excitement begin.” The authors give these examples of scraps that would work well to dip in paint: banana peels, carrot tops, celery stalk bottoms, potato peelings, citrus fruit rings.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles
Bubbles and soapy water are magnets for children. Running out of bubble solution can prove to be quite a disappointment, so I wanted to share a simple, 3 ingredient recipe for making a homemade bubble solution. Children can definitely help with the measuring and pouring and stirring. And, remember the kitchen can be your science lab so talk about what happens when you mix this up.
HOMEMADE BUBBLE RECIPE
Ingredients:
5 cups water
2 cups dish soap, like Dawn or Joy
¾ cup corn syrup
Container with a lid for mixing and storing (a pitcher with a lid works great)
Smaller containers for individual bubble solution
Bubble wands - these can easily be saved from store bought bubbles
How To:
1. Pour the corn syrup into the 5 cups of water.
2. Stir really well.
3. Measure the dish soap and add to the corn syrup/water mixture.
4. Stir well again. Don't shake it up or you will be overwhelmed with foaming bubbles.
5. Pour bubble solution into smaller containers for each child.
BLOW BUBBLES AND HAVE FUN! This solution makes big, strong bubbles.Your kids will have fun for hours!
WASH YOUR HANDS AND SING!
I know we are getting into good hand washing routines, but sometimes it does seem boring and we may be tired of singing Happy Birthday. This website will liven up your next hand washing for sure.
SINKS AND WADING POOLS! And, what could be more fun than playing in a sink full of bubbles? Or a wading pool filled up with suds now that it is getting warm? Get your child safely in front of the sink or next to a pool (or in it if it is warm enough - can double as a really fun bath!) and stay close! Fill up your sink or pool with soapy water and give them plastic measuring cups, bowls, sieves, hand beaters, and utensils and let them enjoy.
They could also have a car wash or give a baby doll a bath. There is endless fun when you pair kids with water!
HOMEMADE BUBBLE RECIPE
Ingredients:
5 cups water
2 cups dish soap, like Dawn or Joy
¾ cup corn syrup
Container with a lid for mixing and storing (a pitcher with a lid works great)
Smaller containers for individual bubble solution
Bubble wands - these can easily be saved from store bought bubbles
How To:
1. Pour the corn syrup into the 5 cups of water.
2. Stir really well.
3. Measure the dish soap and add to the corn syrup/water mixture.
4. Stir well again. Don't shake it up or you will be overwhelmed with foaming bubbles.
5. Pour bubble solution into smaller containers for each child.
BLOW BUBBLES AND HAVE FUN! This solution makes big, strong bubbles.Your kids will have fun for hours!
WASH YOUR HANDS AND SING!
I know we are getting into good hand washing routines, but sometimes it does seem boring and we may be tired of singing Happy Birthday. This website will liven up your next hand washing for sure.
This is a funny link a teacher shared with me after her teenage daughters discovered it. Type in your child’s favorite song, print it out and it will show you how to wash your hands properly phrase by phrase. Tape it (or certainly multiples so everyone doesn't have to agree on one song) over the sink for easy reference. And when you are tired of a song, there are plenty more to choose.
SINKS AND WADING POOLS! And, what could be more fun than playing in a sink full of bubbles? Or a wading pool filled up with suds now that it is getting warm? Get your child safely in front of the sink or next to a pool (or in it if it is warm enough - can double as a really fun bath!) and stay close! Fill up your sink or pool with soapy water and give them plastic measuring cups, bowls, sieves, hand beaters, and utensils and let them enjoy.
They could also have a car wash or give a baby doll a bath. There is endless fun when you pair kids with water!
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
You Have Questions, Science Has Answers
There is so much to know out there, and science can give us a lot of the answers! Who doesn't love science? And, it you don't now, this will make you a convert.
Who invented pizza? Can animals laugh? Why do we get the hiccups? What's the biggest excavator?So many questions! Check out mystery science lessons for answers to these questions as well as others in shorter mini-lessons and longer full length lessons. The free site offers kindergarten lessons, but don't let that scare you off if you have a younger child; these lessons can definitely be suitable for lots and lots of our age children. The longer lessons have a follow-up activity, too. I get the hiccups all the time so I really enjoyed the explanation and the great visual.
Help your child come up with a few questions of their own. Let them hypothesize an answer. Have them tell you where you might find the answers, then try to find out following their lead. If that doesn't work, use your brain and help them find the answers. It is all part of the learning process. Drawing a picture of something new you are learning is a great extension. I can't wait to hear about all the new knowledge our little students gain while we are apart. I know Professor Paige will be impressed, too!
Who invented pizza? Can animals laugh? Why do we get the hiccups? What's the biggest excavator?So many questions! Check out mystery science lessons for answers to these questions as well as others in shorter mini-lessons and longer full length lessons. The free site offers kindergarten lessons, but don't let that scare you off if you have a younger child; these lessons can definitely be suitable for lots and lots of our age children. The longer lessons have a follow-up activity, too. I get the hiccups all the time so I really enjoyed the explanation and the great visual.
Help your child come up with a few questions of their own. Let them hypothesize an answer. Have them tell you where you might find the answers, then try to find out following their lead. If that doesn't work, use your brain and help them find the answers. It is all part of the learning process. Drawing a picture of something new you are learning is a great extension. I can't wait to hear about all the new knowledge our little students gain while we are apart. I know Professor Paige will be impressed, too!
Monday, May 11, 2020
Make Your Own Paintbrushes
Yes, you really can make your own paintbrushes. You can make them out of things inside your house and from things brought in from the outside. You only need a few items along with your imagination to get going:
Handles - Clothespins or pencils work well and are easy for little hands to hold.
Items for the brush to attach as "bristle replacements" - feathers, cotton balls, sycamore gum balls, yarn, candles, aluminum foil ball, etc.
Connector to use to attach brush items to handles if not using clothespins, or connectors to hold pieces together before attaching.
Simple! Your kids will probably have some really good ideas. And, they will enjoy seeing the different textures and thickness of paint that these "brushes" leave on the paper when they paint. Any kind of paint will work just fine.
I hope your children will really stretch their imagination as they think outside the box and create, with your help, lots of interesting new paintbrushes.
Handles - Clothespins or pencils work well and are easy for little hands to hold.
Items for the brush to attach as "bristle replacements" - feathers, cotton balls, sycamore gum balls, yarn, candles, aluminum foil ball, etc.
Connector to use to attach brush items to handles if not using clothespins, or connectors to hold pieces together before attaching.
Simple! Your kids will probably have some really good ideas. And, they will enjoy seeing the different textures and thickness of paint that these "brushes" leave on the paper when they paint. Any kind of paint will work just fine.
I hope your children will really stretch their imagination as they think outside the box and create, with your help, lots of interesting new paintbrushes.
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Happy Mothers' Day
Happy Mothers' Day to all you wonderful, patient and creative moms who have taken over as full-time teachers, entertainers, and short order cooks for your children. Kudo's to you and know that everything you are doing is worthwhile and appreciated even if you don't hear that a lot. I hope today you can rest and relax at least a little.
Taking time to pause and enjoy IPC 11:00 Sunday service, adult Sunday school, youth Sunday school and children's Sunday school would be one way to to refocus and fill up your own tanks.
Instead of lots of arts and crafts, experiments, Spanish lessons, or anything else that will add to your stress, take today to take a leisurely walk, play board or card games, do a puzzle or watch a family movie and let someone else in the kitchen.
Taking time to pause and enjoy IPC 11:00 Sunday service, adult Sunday school, youth Sunday school and children's Sunday school would be one way to to refocus and fill up your own tanks.
Instead of lots of arts and crafts, experiments, Spanish lessons, or anything else that will add to your stress, take today to take a leisurely walk, play board or card games, do a puzzle or watch a family movie and let someone else in the kitchen.
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Make Your Own Pop-Up Card
With a few simple materials, like paper, scissors, and glue, you can make your very own pop-up cards. It sounds more intimidating than it really is. The sky and your own creativity are the only limits here. This would be a great father-child project to do for Mother's Day and then mother-child project for Father's Day and birthdays forever. Reading all the way through the instructions once before beginning will help you understand the desired end product and give you a mental picture of where you are going.
POP-UP CARD INSTRUCTIONS
What you will need:
2 pieces of construction paper or thin poster board
Ruler
Pencil
Scissors
Glue
Markers or crayons and other other items to use to decorate
Steps:
1. Decide what size you want your card to be and have both pieces of paper that size.
Fold both pieces of paper in half and then close and crease along that fold.
2. Take 1 piece of the folded paper (and move the second piece aside - (you will need it again in step 6) - and divide and mark the folded paper into thirds at the fold line. Using a pencil, draw lines from the marks at the fold to the center of the paper.
3. Cut along the 2 lines only.
4. Fold the cut-out section down and crease on the fold.
5. Open the folded paper and push the small cut section through to the inside.
6. Glue the second folded piece of paper (from step 1) to the back of this piece you have been working on. Be sure to keep the pop-up section from getting glued down. The card will open and close like any card and the middle will pop-up when you open it.
Now the fun part begins! Decorate with markers and crayons, ribbons, glue down jewels, buttons, pieces of wrapping paper and anything else you have at home. Once you have mastered the engineering part of this creation, it will get easier and you can make your own pop-up cards again and again!
Crayola has some more good ideas for Mothers' Day Art and anytime art.
POP-UP CARD INSTRUCTIONS
What you will need:
2 pieces of construction paper or thin poster board
Ruler
Pencil
Scissors
Glue
Markers or crayons and other other items to use to decorate
Steps:
1. Decide what size you want your card to be and have both pieces of paper that size.
Fold both pieces of paper in half and then close and crease along that fold.
2. Take 1 piece of the folded paper (and move the second piece aside - (you will need it again in step 6) - and divide and mark the folded paper into thirds at the fold line. Using a pencil, draw lines from the marks at the fold to the center of the paper.
3. Cut along the 2 lines only.
4. Fold the cut-out section down and crease on the fold.
5. Open the folded paper and push the small cut section through to the inside.
6. Glue the second folded piece of paper (from step 1) to the back of this piece you have been working on. Be sure to keep the pop-up section from getting glued down. The card will open and close like any card and the middle will pop-up when you open it.
Now the fun part begins! Decorate with markers and crayons, ribbons, glue down jewels, buttons, pieces of wrapping paper and anything else you have at home. Once you have mastered the engineering part of this creation, it will get easier and you can make your own pop-up cards again and again!
Crayola has some more good ideas for Mothers' Day Art and anytime art.
Friday, May 8, 2020
Rain for Roots Songs and Stories for Kids
Rain For Roots is a collective of songwriters, young mothers and friends who came together around a single vision to make new scripture songs for children. Inspired by traditional folk melodies, this band of four set out to make new, timeless songs about the old gospel Story. Many of these songs are posted on YouTube for your enjoyment over and over.
Rain for Roots
After listening to one or several of these beautiful songs, your child could respond with a picture, a story, a poem, or their own song.
Rain for Roots
After listening to one or several of these beautiful songs, your child could respond with a picture, a story, a poem, or their own song.
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Art on the Sidewalk
Your sidewalk or driveway can be your very own museum. Sidewalk chalk can provide hours of fun and endless opportunities for creativity for the artist and pleasure to the passerby who has the opportunity to look at it. Now that the weather is getting warmer, there is more time for budding artists to decorate the sidewalks and driveways. This fun never has to end because after the rain washes it all away, there are clean slates to decorate once again.
Fun for many ages:
Think beautiful pictures:
Think interactive artwork for kids (or stuffed animals in my case):
Think instructive/obstacle course:
In this day of ordering what we need, you can have an endless supply of sidewalk chalk. If you are adventuresome, you may want to make some of your own sidewalk chalk paint for something a little different and equally as fun.
Here is an easy 3 ingredient recipe for sidewalk chalk paint. You probably have the ingredients in your pantry, and it is a cinch for the kids to make. Kitchen magic (aka science)!
SIDEWALK CHALK:
5 - 8 eggshells finely ground
1 tsp. hot water
1 tsp. flour
food coloring is desired
Mix all ingredients well. Pack into toilet tissue rolls and let dry. Either push up as the chalk is used or peel the cardboard roll.
SIDEWALK CHALK PAINT:
You will need:
½ cup cornstarch
⅔ cup water
food coloring
Mix the cornstarch and water in a non-breakable bowl.
Distribute the mixture evenly in a 6 hole muffin pan.
Add food coloring to reach the desired colors you want in each hole.
Stir well and carefully.
Use large paint brushes to paint on the sidewalk!
Fun for many ages:
Think beautiful pictures:
Think interactive artwork for kids (or stuffed animals in my case):
Think instructive/obstacle course:
In this day of ordering what we need, you can have an endless supply of sidewalk chalk. If you are adventuresome, you may want to make some of your own sidewalk chalk paint for something a little different and equally as fun.
Here is an easy 3 ingredient recipe for sidewalk chalk paint. You probably have the ingredients in your pantry, and it is a cinch for the kids to make. Kitchen magic (aka science)!
SIDEWALK CHALK:
5 - 8 eggshells finely ground
1 tsp. hot water
1 tsp. flour
food coloring is desired
Mix all ingredients well. Pack into toilet tissue rolls and let dry. Either push up as the chalk is used or peel the cardboard roll.
SIDEWALK CHALK PAINT:
You will need:
½ cup cornstarch
⅔ cup water
food coloring
Mix the cornstarch and water in a non-breakable bowl.
Distribute the mixture evenly in a 6 hole muffin pan.
Add food coloring to reach the desired colors you want in each hole.
Stir well and carefully.
Use large paint brushes to paint on the sidewalk!
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Stringing Beads
Stringing beads is one of the best ways for little hands to improve fine motor control, dexterity and coordination. There are several ways to let your children do this - and even big kids enjoy stringing beads. Remember it is the process, not the product, but your children might really enjoy making bracelets and necklaces to wear and to give away.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
pipe cleaners, yarn, or spaghetti
beads of all sizes or pasta such as penne that has a hole through the middle
TAPE TO THE TABLE METHOD:
If using pipe cleaners or yarn, tape one end to the table so the beads or pasta won't slide off the end.
This is not possible with spaghetti, but you could stick one end in a small mound of play dough.
Once the long piece is in place, children can start beading. Watch as their little fingers work as they hold the end of the yarn or string or spaghetti with one hand and slip the beads or pasta on with the other. If they are making something particular, help them untape one end and join the two together in some kind of not or twist. If they will be repeating the activity, they can just slide the beads off and store for next time.
COLANDER METHOD:
Using a colander to hold pipe cleaners for beading is a genius idea. You will either need to pull pipe cleaners through so that only a few inches are showing or cut the pipe cleaners in half. Leave space between the pipe cleaners so little fingers can grasp and bead. Once pushed through the colander, you will need to bend or tape the ends to give them some stability. Beads can be strung over and over until you need your colander again!
Children can sort and count the beads by colors first as a math activity. Older preschoolers can even follow or make their own patterns with the beads, a great math literacy skill.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
pipe cleaners, yarn, or spaghetti
beads of all sizes or pasta such as penne that has a hole through the middle
TAPE TO THE TABLE METHOD:
If using pipe cleaners or yarn, tape one end to the table so the beads or pasta won't slide off the end.
This is not possible with spaghetti, but you could stick one end in a small mound of play dough.
Once the long piece is in place, children can start beading. Watch as their little fingers work as they hold the end of the yarn or string or spaghetti with one hand and slip the beads or pasta on with the other. If they are making something particular, help them untape one end and join the two together in some kind of not or twist. If they will be repeating the activity, they can just slide the beads off and store for next time.
COLANDER METHOD:
Using a colander to hold pipe cleaners for beading is a genius idea. You will either need to pull pipe cleaners through so that only a few inches are showing or cut the pipe cleaners in half. Leave space between the pipe cleaners so little fingers can grasp and bead. Once pushed through the colander, you will need to bend or tape the ends to give them some stability. Beads can be strung over and over until you need your colander again!
Children can sort and count the beads by colors first as a math activity. Older preschoolers can even follow or make their own patterns with the beads, a great math literacy skill.
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Let's Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is a national holiday in Mexico, and we love to celebrate it as well in the United States. The holiday remembers the 1862 Mexican military victory over Napoleon III's French forces at the Battle of Puebla. Your children do not have to grasp all the history to have fun though. Here are some ways to commemorate the day at your house.
MAKE QUESADILLAS
Ingredients:
4 8" flour tortillas
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (You can use 2 cups of whatever melting cheese your children like.)
1 cup cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp. butter cut into 4 equal pieces
Optional toppings: Salsa, avocado or guacamole, sour cream
Place the tortillas on a cutting board. Scatter ¼ of each kind of cheese over one half of each tortilla. Fold the uncovered half over the tortilla half that has the cheese. Press gently to form a quesadilla.
Melt ¼ of the butter in a frying pan and add 1 filled tortilla to the pan. When the underside of the tortilla is golden brown, use a spatula to flip the quesadilla over. Continue to cook, pressing gently. After about 2 minutes, the cheese should be melted and the underside golden brown.
Using the spatula again, remove the quesadilla and put on the cutting board. Cut into 4 wedges with a knife, or my favorite - a pizza cutter. Repeat the process until all 4 quesadillas have been cooked and cut.
Serve with toppings you love!
MAKE TAMBOURINES
You will need:
2 paper plates
markers, crayons or paint, glitter, jewels, stickers, etc.
dried beans
streamers, ribbons, pipe cleaners
hole punch
Place the 2 plates together, bottom sides out. Punch about 5-6 holes through both plates.
Have your child decorate the raised side of the paper plates. If you have streamers available, they may be glued on the inside of a plate. This decorating can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. If your child is old enough to understand, you could use only the colors of the Mexican flag, red, green and white to decorate. If using paint, let dry.
Fill one plate with some beans. Place the other plate on top, bottom up, lining up holes. Tie securely with ribbon or pipe cleaners.
Shake away!
MEXICAN SOMBREROS
You will need:
paper plate
paper cup
paint, crayons, jewels, stickers
pom poms
glue
Have your child decorate the right side up side of the paper plate.
Glue pom moms around edge.
Glue cup into center of plate.
And there you have a simple sombrero for decoration or to dance the Mexican Hat Dance around!
Learn the Mexican Hat Dance
And here is a link from Señora Cobb, our Spanish teacher, for some more ideas to help celebrate the day: 5 fun ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
MAKE QUESADILLAS
Ingredients:
4 8" flour tortillas
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (You can use 2 cups of whatever melting cheese your children like.)
1 cup cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp. butter cut into 4 equal pieces
Optional toppings: Salsa, avocado or guacamole, sour cream
Place the tortillas on a cutting board. Scatter ¼ of each kind of cheese over one half of each tortilla. Fold the uncovered half over the tortilla half that has the cheese. Press gently to form a quesadilla.
Melt ¼ of the butter in a frying pan and add 1 filled tortilla to the pan. When the underside of the tortilla is golden brown, use a spatula to flip the quesadilla over. Continue to cook, pressing gently. After about 2 minutes, the cheese should be melted and the underside golden brown.
Using the spatula again, remove the quesadilla and put on the cutting board. Cut into 4 wedges with a knife, or my favorite - a pizza cutter. Repeat the process until all 4 quesadillas have been cooked and cut.
Serve with toppings you love!
MAKE TAMBOURINES
You will need:
2 paper plates
markers, crayons or paint, glitter, jewels, stickers, etc.
dried beans
streamers, ribbons, pipe cleaners
hole punch
Place the 2 plates together, bottom sides out. Punch about 5-6 holes through both plates.
Have your child decorate the raised side of the paper plates. If you have streamers available, they may be glued on the inside of a plate. This decorating can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. If your child is old enough to understand, you could use only the colors of the Mexican flag, red, green and white to decorate. If using paint, let dry.
Fill one plate with some beans. Place the other plate on top, bottom up, lining up holes. Tie securely with ribbon or pipe cleaners.
Shake away!
MEXICAN SOMBREROS
You will need:
paper plate
paper cup
paint, crayons, jewels, stickers
pom poms
glue
Have your child decorate the right side up side of the paper plate.
Glue pom moms around edge.
Glue cup into center of plate.
And there you have a simple sombrero for decoration or to dance the Mexican Hat Dance around!
Learn the Mexican Hat Dance
And here is a link from Señora Cobb, our Spanish teacher, for some more ideas to help celebrate the day: 5 fun ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
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