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Creative Trash

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Your trash can or recycling bin doesn't seem like the place to find art supplies, but it's cheap and can make great fun projects.   We made a bee using a toilet or paper towel tube.  You can look at other tube projects on  this previous post . Egg cartons make great art projects.  Just make sure you wash them out. You could make spring flowers and caterpillars How about musical instruments? Every year we would make shakers using paper plates and beans or beads inside.  It's not too loud, but just the right amount of fun.  Kids decorate the outside what ever way they want.   Here is the maraca we made using a plastic Easter egg and spoons.  We covered it with colorful duct tape and shake away. We made animals with paper tubes.  Here is a zebra colored bee. What kind of fun can you have with your trash?  Did you know there is a real orchestra that makes their instruments from the trash they ...
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Reuse your trash and be creative

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I love saving things around the house that others would throw away.  Am I a hoarder? No, I'm a teacher. Our theme for the next 6 weeks is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Today we will focus on Reuse. There are lots of ways to use things that you would throw away that you can use in a different way. Check out some of these sites with great ideas. from  Frugal Fun 4 Boys magazine bead bracelets from  kids activity blog here is a collection of things that fly from  Buggy and Buddy I want to try making these race cars at  Kids Craft Room I am going to make a bee.  Let's see how creative we can be.  What will you make?  Send me a picture.  I will post a picture of my bee when I have finished it.
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Math Games

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Recognizing numbers, counting, and more or less are all math skills we can learn through playing games.  I remember playing the game where you push the button and the dice jumps.  Then you move that many spaces.  I played card games like Crazy 8's and Go Fish with my grandma.  These games played a role in my math learning.. 1    2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9      10 So Let's Play  Play a board game that uses dice or play Uno. Play Memory- with the number cards only place face down about 10- 20 cards.  Take turns trying to make matches. Play War- Split the deck of cards up between players keeping them upside down.  Pick more or less as your goal.  Turn over one card at a time.  Whose card is bigger or smaller?  The winner gets to keep the cards. Use cards as numbers to match items with....
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More Learning Resources

The internet has some great learning websites that let children play and learn at the same time.  Check out my favorites. ABC ya! Pick a grade level and start playing with letters, numbers, puzzles, and games.  There are so many games to choose from, so you may want to choose one first. STARFALL   The website is free, but you have to pay for the app.  Start with learning letters or songs.  If you child knows letters and sounds, try Learn to Read.  The books are easy and sound based. PBS Kids The characters from their favorite TV shows, teach skills like rhyming, feelings, shapes, and math.  There are even Spanish games. ABC Mouse This website is offering a free 30 day trial.  Take advantage of it.  This website has lots of fun learning opportunities. Have you found a different learning website you would like to share with us?  Which is your favorite?
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Learning Resources

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Just because we are home doesn't mean we can't learn.  Parents are the child's first teachers.  At school we have extra resources.  Many companies and authors are reaching out or giving free resources to parents.  Check out the resources below. Reading:   Authors are having read alouds online, companies like EPIC are giving out free trials, and other sites that have always been free are going to be your best friends. -Get  EPIC -  If you are in my class, I have set up a class of my favorite books.  You will get directions on how to log in.  If you are a great parent that likes free books that will help your child read, sign up for 30 days free.  When my daughter first started reading, she would not read with me.  She just wasn't confident with her skills and did not want to get words wrong.  But her teacher showed her EPIC, where books are read aloud or a click of the mouse will help with difficult words.   ...
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Making a Learning Tub

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When kids learn at home, sometimes you find out that you can't find the supplies you know you have.   My personal example would be pencils. I have no idea where they go. I think the dog at them. My family will be making a learning tub with all the supplies they may need during our distance learning experience.   Since we wont start until Tuesday or Wednesday, we have time to find everything.   For those of you at home, gather some stuff and make one for preschool age children with me.  All of the supplies you can find at the Dollar Tree, my favorite store.  If you go out this weekend, be safe and take your hand sanitizer.   1. Container How do we keep all the supplies from running away?  Put them in their own space.  You could use a basket or tub.  Anything that holds stuff is good.  I prefer the ones with lids since we are clumbsy in this house. 2. Something to write with and something t...
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The Corona Virus Has Sent Us Home

I would have never thought this would happen.  Teachers working from home?  What about all the social aspects of education?  Well, since that is canceled, we are teaching parents that they really are their child's first teacher.  I teach Pre- K, so the daily activities will be related to that age.  I have taught many different grade levels and special education, so if you have questions, I am willing to help. The great thing about this stay at home situation is that there have been so many author read alouds and virtual field trips that have popped up and are ready to be used.  Technology has come so far since I started teaching, so lets use it. I hope you follow and have fun with us.
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