We begin our 50 States Project today. This will be a 10-week long project. Each day we will introduce one State. We will learn about the name of the State, State abbreviation, State location on US map, State capital, State Nickname, State border outline, State Flag, State flower, State bird and State landmark. We will also listen to the State song and learn a brief history and background of the State.
Children will then write and draw what they learn about the State on their research project.
Each day we also we sing our own 50 State Song to assist the children to remember the name of each State.
Here are some good websites to help your children to do the research:
http://www.netstate.com/states/index.html
http://www.mrsjonesroom.com/songs/50states.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/usa/
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
New Year Resolutions for Kids
2010 is only few days away. Beside preparing a New Year Eve party, you can help your kids to write down their New Year Resolutions.
American Academy of Pediatrics has a list of 21 Healthy New Year's Resolutions for Kids .
Depending on your kids' ages, write fewer resolutions for the younger kids. The older kids, they can write more resolutions.
Steps to have a successful New Year Resolutions:
1. List out resolutions on their favorite papers. Repeat this twice, so they have two copies.
2. Hang one of the resolutions up in their room, by their desk or somewhere visable for them
3. For the next few days, have them read the resolutions once a day
4. On the New Year Eve, ask them what is their New Year Resolutions and then ask them to put one of the list inside an envelope.
5. Parents save the envelope in a secret place. On Dec 31, 2010, take the envelope out and see if your kids achieve their resolutions.
6. The second copy will be used by parents. Parents please read the second copy once in awhile throughout the year so you will remember your kids resolutions and help them to achieve them.
American Academy of Pediatrics has a list of 21 Healthy New Year's Resolutions for Kids .
Depending on your kids' ages, write fewer resolutions for the younger kids. The older kids, they can write more resolutions.
Steps to have a successful New Year Resolutions:
1. List out resolutions on their favorite papers. Repeat this twice, so they have two copies.
2. Hang one of the resolutions up in their room, by their desk or somewhere visable for them
3. For the next few days, have them read the resolutions once a day
4. On the New Year Eve, ask them what is their New Year Resolutions and then ask them to put one of the list inside an envelope.
5. Parents save the envelope in a secret place. On Dec 31, 2010, take the envelope out and see if your kids achieve their resolutions.
6. The second copy will be used by parents. Parents please read the second copy once in awhile throughout the year so you will remember your kids resolutions and help them to achieve them.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Recycling Tips after Christmas
A day after the Christmas is a good day to relax and to enjoy your gifts but it is also a good day to start a recycling project with your kids. To teach them how to live GREEN and love our earth.
There are many ways to recycle your wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift boxes, gift cards, pine cones, etc. Don't throw away these great art & craft materials! Many of gift boxes, tissue paper and wrapping paper can also be reuse for next year Christmas or other party.
1. Party Popper - cut wrapping paper into small pieces; fill these colorful pieces inside a toilet paper roll. Wrap the toilet paper with tissue paper or gift wrap and tie it up with ribbon. Make enough for your New Year Eve party.
2. Christmas Ornament - the decorative pine cones can turn into Christmas Ormament for next year. Have your kids color all the pine cones and decorate it. Tie a ribbon on the top of the pine cones. You can hang it up next year on the Christmas Tree.
3. Stickers / Collage Art - even if you can smooth out your wrapping paper You can cut out the characters or patterns and use them as stickers, or collage art. We usually collect these pieces in our collage material box. It will come in handy.
4. Homemade Christmas Card - we love to make homemade Christmas card using recycling materials. Often we collect buttons, cotton balls, yarns, etc. Let your kids design their very own Christmas greeting cards.
There are many more fun activities you cam do with your kids by recycling.
There are many ways to recycle your wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift boxes, gift cards, pine cones, etc. Don't throw away these great art & craft materials! Many of gift boxes, tissue paper and wrapping paper can also be reuse for next year Christmas or other party.
1. Party Popper - cut wrapping paper into small pieces; fill these colorful pieces inside a toilet paper roll. Wrap the toilet paper with tissue paper or gift wrap and tie it up with ribbon. Make enough for your New Year Eve party.
2. Christmas Ornament - the decorative pine cones can turn into Christmas Ormament for next year. Have your kids color all the pine cones and decorate it. Tie a ribbon on the top of the pine cones. You can hang it up next year on the Christmas Tree.
3. Stickers / Collage Art - even if you can smooth out your wrapping paper You can cut out the characters or patterns and use them as stickers, or collage art. We usually collect these pieces in our collage material box. It will come in handy.
4. Homemade Christmas Card - we love to make homemade Christmas card using recycling materials. Often we collect buttons, cotton balls, yarns, etc. Let your kids design their very own Christmas greeting cards.
There are many more fun activities you cam do with your kids by recycling.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Last Minute Holiday Gift Idea (My personal choice)
My personal idea of the last minute holiday gift is "BOOK". Book is a wonderful gift for young children. It is not only give them an opportunity to develop a good reading habit but also it is a gift they can keep for a long time and pass it on to sibling or friends.
My children have their favorite authors beside Dr. Seuss. If your children haven't read these books, try them out. It is priceless when reading the books to your children and see them giggle.
1. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems:
http://www.pigeonpresents.com/
2. If you give a mouse a cookie (It is worth to buy "Mouse Cookies & More: A Treasury"; it comes with a CD; my children love the songs and the stories)
http://www.lauranumeroff.com/books/index.htm
If you like these books, you can book from amazon.com
Wishing you a happy holiday with your family. Share the laugh with your loved one.
My children have their favorite authors beside Dr. Seuss. If your children haven't read these books, try them out. It is priceless when reading the books to your children and see them giggle.
1. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems:
http://www.pigeonpresents.com/
2. If you give a mouse a cookie (It is worth to buy "Mouse Cookies & More: A Treasury"; it comes with a CD; my children love the songs and the stories)
http://www.lauranumeroff.com/books/index.htm
If you like these books, you can book from amazon.com
Wishing you a happy holiday with your family. Share the laugh with your loved one.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Advantages of Cursive
Recently research has showed the advantages of teaching cursive early such has Kindergarten instead of 3rd grade in traditional schools.
This document (http://www.swrtraining.com/id29.html) explainted the advantages and an excerpt on how cursive may help those children who might have Dysgraphia.
Here is a great cursive worksheet generator:
http://www.worksheetworks.com/english/writing/handwriting/handwriting-cursive-trace.html
This document (http://www.swrtraining.com/id29.html) explainted the advantages and an excerpt on how cursive may help those children who might have Dysgraphia.
Here is a great cursive worksheet generator:
http://www.worksheetworks.com/english/writing/handwriting/handwriting-cursive-trace.html
My 5 years old daughter enjoys learning cursive now. So far, there is no confusion between print writing and cursive writing. In fact, it provides a positive challenge to her; she will look at the cursive alphabet chart and begin to brainstorm how to connect the alphabet together.
Cursive alphabet chart (reference from Wikipedia):
Monday, December 14, 2009
Gingerbread House
Making gingerbread house has became our family tradition. Why buy the package when you can build your own? Here are couple good websites to show how to make gingerbread house with easy steps.
Your kids would love to spend time together and build your very own gingerbread house. It is a great way to use their creativity.
Make Gingerbread house with Graham Crackers
Build your very own Gingerbread House
Your kids would love to spend time together and build your very own gingerbread house. It is a great way to use their creativity.
Make Gingerbread house with Graham Crackers
Build your very own Gingerbread House
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