Dropbox changed the way they store links and how they are shared. It took me some time to go through all of my pages and update the links. All SOTW and other download links have now been updated. Thanks for your patience.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
abc pencil wreath
Need something to jazz up your classroom door or wall? I saw this wreath in a magazine (I can't recall where) a couple of years ago.
I purchased the cork hot pad and pencils from the Dollar Store. I bunched the pencils into groups of three and got crazy with the hot glue gun. I finished the center off with some large scrapbook letters I had on hand. The wreath is mounted to the door with Command Strips.
This is probably the easiest wreath I have ever made. Happy decorating!
Monday, August 24, 2015
tunnel book report
I wanted to help my kids make their book reports come to life! I found a fabulous YouTube tutorial on how to make a tunnel book! (link below)
Open the front cover and you see different layers of pictures which adds depth and the 3D look. My daughter typed up her story and pasted it to the insides of the front cover.
Take the first picture out and you see the second "scene" of the story.
We used an exacto knife to cut out windows in each scene.
Another close up picture of a scene.
These are the five scenes in the story. You can see that we started cutting out more of the cardstock with the first layer and decreased the amount cut out with each scene. The last scene has only a little cardstock cut out near the sun.
Want to try this? This guy has a fabulous YouTube clip that walks you through all the measurements and how to put it together!
This tunnel book gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "book report." A tunnel book can be used across the curriculum and can be attractive as an alternative to the "old school" book report. It appeals to students who enjoy drawing, as well as helps to assess their ability to express themselves via a personal narrative or summary of what they've already read. Students love the chance to make something 3D using minimal materials.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
paul revere puppets
Creating puppets is a great activity for multiple ages. Even the big kids got into these!
I used what we had on hand--I had brown or white paper bags to choose from, construction paper that we cut to look like coats, cotton balls (though one of my daughters wanted to make regular hair), feathers, google eyes and markers. For the hat, I made a simple pattern and then cut it out multiple times.
While the kids created, we listened to a SOTW audio lesson. I also read a short book about Paul Revere to them. Then I let them chat and have fun creating with their friends.
A few of our favorite Paul Revere resources:
Monday, November 10, 2014
moon phases with oreo cookies!
This idea is all over Pinterest, so it is not my original idea. I did, however, turn it into a "book report!"
My daughter wrote a short paper about the moon and it's features. We simply divided it into four sections and glued it to the poster board. I happened to have some poster board on hand from the dollar store and we glued two sheets of black construction paper on top.
The "world" is a sticker from Gymboree that I received with gift packaging years ago--saved it! You could simply print an image from Google and paste it on. I used hot glue for the Oreos. Easy peasy. This project did not take long and the kids LOVED it! Of course that may have been because they got to eat the other half of the cookie and frosting . . . but I tell myself it's because they love being educated!
Tip: Target sells Oreos in a pack of 10 in the check out lane for $1.00--then you don't have to buy an entire package!
Thursday, October 9, 2014
solar system with shaving cream
This was such a fun project! We are learning all about the Solar System around here and I discovered this "puffy planet" idea here. She gives a full tutorial on the ratio of white glue and shaving cream. Just add food coloring for color!
Each of my kids made their own and loved swirling the color until they got it "just right." I purchased thick, black poster board from the Dollar Tree for the background.
Who knew shaving cream and white glue could be so much fun!? We added different types of glitter with a glue stick to represent the stars. The "asteroid belt" was made with thick glitter, micro beads and small blue beads--I just used what I had on hand.
Overnight a few of the planets imploded on themselves--too much shaving cream I guess. My kids still thought they looked cool. The kids used a silver chalk pen that I had on hand to label the planets. This project took a couple of hours and the glitter made a huge mess, but it was totally worth it. My kids LOVED this project! (Ages 10, 8, and 5) And now they know all the names of the planets and where they go!
8-year-old
5-year-old
Monday, October 6, 2014
benjamin franklin's kite
We are still in the midst of studying the Revolutionary War. This week we tackled Benjamin Franklin and we made kites! This was a project that all ages enjoyed.
Our homeschool neighbors are joining in the history fun this year.
One of my daughters got creative and added the "key" to the kite!
Want to see how to make the kite? I found the tutorial here.
Our favorite Benjamin Franklin books:
(Value Tales Series)
(by Ingri D'Aulaire and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire)
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