Showing posts with label Preschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preschool. Show all posts

Monday, March 13, 2017

Rush Hour Jr: A fun Workout for young Minds!


If you're a parent, you know there are times where need something to keep your kids quietly occupied. For me, it's often when I need to make a phone call or help my oldest out with her schoolwork. It can be easy rely on technology. Coloring books and simple crafts sometimes work for our preschooler but it depends on the day. Thankfully I now have a new way to keep her busy and learning...and it requires no screens or electricity!


Recently Thinkfun sent us the kids version of the Traffic Jam Logic Game Rush Hour® to see what we thought of it.

Just like the classic version Rush Hour Jr. you need to shift 3D cars and trucks around on 'streets' in the correct sequence in order to help your ice cream truck escape the gridlock.

It's easier said than done!


Included in the game are 40 challenge cards, 15 vehicles, and the grid. 



To begin the player selects a card at the level of play they are working at (there are four levels from beginner to expert). 

The card will show how the vehicles need to be initially arranged on the grid. From here the player can begin sliding the vehicles forward or backwards to try and get the ice cream our of the traffic jam.  If you get stuck you can always refer to the solution on the other side of the card.

Both kids really enjoyed this game. To begin with I played it with our 4 year old as she had a little trouble setting up the board. As far as the game play, she really took off with it. It held her attention and was content to sit quietly and figure it out several cards at a time.

When our 8 year old managed to get a turn she thought it was 'pretty cool'. This is definitely not just a preschool game. The upper level cards are challenging for her and I think this Jr version of game will be fine for both of them for a good while. As for Grown-ups it gave my brain a good workout too. I would seriously look into adding the adult version to our board game collection as a family christmas gift too this year! I especially liked that is sturdy and the vehicles chunky enough for little hands to hold. The size of the base makes it extremely portable. A little cloth bag is included to carry the fun with you to pull out at restaurants or at the Doctor's waiting room.

You can find  Rush Hour Jr. at  Thinkfun's Online store! It would make a great gift for birthdays and other special occasions. Grandparents and Aunts might like to get one to keep at their place for when the little ones visit too! 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Kitchen Geography: Teaching landforms the fun way!

We are sharing a fun way we used to review all the different types of Landforms Miss K is learning about in Geography and Science this year. This project is a twist on the typical clay model. We made a Landform cake!

The base is a sweet Scone Dough. The kids used it like play dough. Following a picture from a favorite Science book, Miss K shaped an island complete with a peninsula, coastlines, bay, and a gulf.  Using the last of the dough they made hills, rivers, canyon, plateaus and a mountain.

After baking and cooling our island was ready to decorate. The 'paint' was powedered sugar and water and food coloring. Mixing up the correct colors were trial and error but it was a good art lesson in itself!


This is the finished product. At this point the  kids were begging to eat it. However I was a mean mama and asked them to label it first.


If you want a tasty way for your kids to learn Geography (and a sweet treat to go with your coffee) give this project a try too!



Wednesday, September 3, 2014

The Nutcracker Ballet Unit Study (Make your own from more that 60 free web resources)


In a few weeks, the girls will be auditioning for their parts in their ballet school's Christmas production of 'The Nutcracker.' Miss K, especially, has been excitedly reading and learning all about the characters and their dances. It seemed like great great opportunity to add a Nutcracker Ballet unit study! 

Below you will find all the links to the free web resources we will be using. I have listed them by subject rather than by the order we will be using them. Including nine study guides from different Ballet Companies all over North America might seem a bit over the top but they are all different.  Be sure to check out each guide as they all have unique suggestions for activities, puzzles and games. Each guide also outlines the theatre, cast and crew for their performance. Some of the photographs of the dancers and theatre alone are worth pouring over with your kids! We hope you have as much fun as we will studying the Nutcracker! 

History 


The History of the Nutcracker (the tool/ornament) at Magicofnutcrackers.com

Study Guides









Language Arts Nutcracker activities
5 Nutcracker Language arts based activities from the Union City Youth Ballet


Drama, Theater and Dance activities
Comparing Smooth and Sharp movements of Dance from Lesson Planet

Math Based NutcrackerActivities
2 Math activities for Pre K - 1 from the Union City Youth Ballet
Compare Nutcrackers with a Venn Diagram printable from Teach123
Symmetrical Nutcracker Activity from A Faithful Attempt

Science Based Nutcracker Activities
4 different areas of science to explore from Union City Ballet 
Learn about Clarks's Nutcracker bird at Allaboutbirds.org
Hands on activity to explore different kinds of bird beaks from Utah Education Network
Hands on activity to explore Levers in everyday use (incl. worksheets) from ingridscience.org
Make your own crystal snow flake -an experiment from Science Kids New Zealand

Social Studies & History Activities 
Ideas about studying the history of Ballet and the Country of Russia (the origin of the story)


The History of the Nutcracker (the tool/ornament) at Magicofnutcrackers.com


Music 
Learning about Tchaikovsky
Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra -An interactive online book/game from the Carnegie Hall site
Hey Kids, Meet Tchaikovsky at Making Music Fun
A great collection of Musical instrument worksheets can be found at Enchanted Learning
Free 60 Pg Musical Lapbook Printable  from 123Homeschoolf4me.com
Music Coloring Pages from Coloring.ws
Active listening and Discussion worksheet for 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' at Lesson Planet

Art and Crafts

Nutcracker Paperbag Puppet Printable from Jim Gamble Puppets
Make Nutcracker & Clara puppets with this printable from Lesson Planet
Recipe for Sparkly Sugar Plums from the Cupcakeproject.com
Recipe for Sugar Plum Fairy Cupcakes from the Cupcake Project


Ballet

Ballet Lap n Note from Homeschool share: 
Topics Incl.: Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, history of ballet, creative writing, positions, tutu 

Preschool Nutcracker Ideas and Activities

Nutcracker Cut & Paste Activity from Makinglearingfun.com
Nutcracker Montessori 3 Part Card Printables from Laura's Place
Nutcracker Coloring Pages from Supercoloring.com
2 Math activities for Pre K - 1 from the Union City Youth Ballet

Free Clipart and images to add to your project

Free Dance Themed B & W GIFs at ClipArt etc
Free Theatre Themed B & W GIFS at Clipart etc
Color Nutcracker image at Phillip Martin Clipart
Male Ballet Dancer Image at Phillip Martin Clipart
Openclipart.com has a lot of ballet themed images
Candy and Gingerbread Clipart at Mycutegraphics.com

Free iOS Apps


Monday, July 28, 2014

Pirate themed Summer Fun for Kids for the Poppins Book Nook

This month we are sharing a great collection of books by one of our favorite New Zealand authors and the Pirate activities that have been keeping us cool this month. Margaret Mahy wrote over a 100 hundred children's books and pirates were clearly one of her favorite characters!




The Man Whose Mother Was a Pirate is a about a shy man with an office job takes two weeks leave  to help his Mother relive her youth -as a Pirate!
It is a bright and fun book full of characters that try to put him off setting sail. You'll have to check this one out to see if he finds his sea legs!






The Great Piratical Rumbustification is a treat because it is also illustrated by Quentin Blake who also illustrated many of Roald Dahl's books. Pirate turned Babysitter, Orpheus Clinkermanages to turn his latest sitting job into an all out pirate party. Be sure to read this one out loud because it is one of the best examples of Ms. Mahy's fun alliteration that kids love.









The Horrendous Hullabaloo switches the pirate theme up to show that not all pirates behave badly! Peregrine Pirate has left his aunt and parrot at home for the last time. He never takes them to his parties so Polly and his Aunt decide to through their own Parrot Pirate Party at homes. Oh no!







Our pirate fun this month continued with two cool projects: Frozen Gold Doubloons treats and Pirate Bath Treasure.


This a very simple treat the kids were able to make themselves. We mixed together:
  • 4 Oz Container of Vanilla flavored Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Mashed ripe banana
  • 1 Tablespoon of Peanut or Almond Butter
Spoon the mixture into a ice cube tray and freeze until solid (approx 2-4 hrs). We love the Fred and Friends Have an Ice Day Icetray.


The bath time treasures I made for my little pirates can be used as body and hair wash!


Here's what you need!

1 Packet of Gelatin (2 1/2 teaspoons)

1/2 cup hot water

1/2 c kids’ shampoo and body wash (we used Sauve Kids Wash)

1/2 teaspoon cooking oil

Mixing bowl and spoon

Square plastic container to use as a mold

Plastic knife

Directions

1. Prepare the mold by greasing it with the vegetable oil
2. Pour the hot water into the mixing bowl and add the gelatin.
3. Whip the mixture quickly until the gelatin has dissolved.
4. Add the shampoo and mix until completely combined.
5. Pour the mixture into a container and place in the refrigerator for 4-5 hours.
6. When the jelly is set, turn out onto a paper napkin and cut into a 1 inch cubes
7. Store the cubes in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them.

I hope we inspired you to grab a pirate book or two and have some fun! Please take some time to look at all the other creative posts from the rest of the Poppins Book Nook bloggers this month!





Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Have You Seen My Tail? #Kids #Book Blast

We are pleased to be helping Mother Daughter Book Reviews promote a new adorable picture book "Have You Seen My Tail?" by Kathryn Harper.

Have You Seen My Tail? by Kathryn Harper

About the Book

Title: Have You Seen My Tail? (Katie-Jane, Book #2)

Author and llustrator: Kathryn Harper

Publication Date: July, 2014Publisher: Green Cup Publishing 

Recommended Ages: 3 to 8 

Anyone who has ever struggled to accept - or longed to experience - change of any kind will be able to relate to Katie-Jane's second story, "Have You Seen My Tail?" Using rhyming verse, and laugh-out-loud situations, Katie-Jane begins this story feeling bored. She is surprised to meet a butterfly, a frog and a snake. All of these animals are all struggling to accept the recent big changes in their lives. Different perspectives help all four characters to accept their own situations, and embrace change in the way life offers it to them. "Have You Seen My Tail?" is the second book in the six-part Katie-Jane series, designed to encourage the reader to 'be the very best version of you.'  

Have You Seen My Tail? by Kathrn Harper - Inside Page
 

Purchase

Amazon | Book Website

Am I a Chameleon by Kathrn Harper
You can also purchase the first book in the Katie-Jane Series, "Am I a Chameleon?" by clicking the book cover above.

Early Buzz About the Book

"Author Kathryn Harper offers insightful questions and answers at the end of the book explaining how she feels about change. I love how these insightful thoughts give the reader a chance to verbalize their own feelings. Like her other books, the illustrations are beautiful and vivid. Each of the animals has a wonderfully rich texture, color, and personality. The Katie-Jane books continue to not disappoint, I look forward to seeing the next books in the series." ~ 5 Star Review, Katherine R., Amazon
"Katie-Jane is a very sweet character in "Have You Seen My Tail?" She helps to explain change in a gentle and unsuspecting way. This is the second book in the series for Author, Kathryn Harper. She writes a relatable story that children all over the world can grasp and understand. " ~ 5 Star Review, Mary Jo P., Amazon
 

About the Author: Kathryn Harper

Kathryn Harper

I have always loved to write, draw and create, but my books are inspired by more than my love for their medium. As a child I was selective mute. Both my struggles and my breakthroughs are a source of inspiration toward creating Katie-Jane and her stories. I grew up in the UK, after living in Johannesburg between the ages of two and five. Today I live in Wanaka, New Zealand, with my two gorgeous children and partner, Simon. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to call this place home, where an adventure can begin every time we step outside.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

 

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card

MDBR Book Promotion Services
  Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: August 21, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Kathryn Harper and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, July 21, 2014

The Flight Of The Mite: A Kids Book About Big Imaginations


We are sharing another great kids book today called Flight of the Might by Grayson Smith and illustrated by Alana Kyle! 

Flight of the Mite

Publication Date: 2013 | Publisher: Peppermint Toast Publishing: Independent | Pages: 32

Recommended Ages: 3 to 8 |

Reviewed by: Renee and Dominic (Mother and Son)

Information About The Book: A tale of wonder and imagination, Flight of the Mite is a children's read-aloud picture book, written by Grayson Smith and illustrated by Alana Kyle. As a tiny mite stares in wonder at the nighttime stars, she becomes certain that if she were only able to travel to them, she would meet a world of wondrous creatures. She determines to build a flying contraption, and through persistence, ingenuity, and wise counsel, journeys to the nearest star. There she encounters the Others of her dreams and finds herself on an adventure where she learns that her imagination is her most important tool! This story of imagination, courage, and determination is perfect for the little mite in your life! Flight of the Mite is the first book published by the independent small press, Peppermint Toast Publishing, out of New Westminster, British Columbia. Peppermint Toast Publishing strives to work with emerging authors and artists towards the high-quality and environmentally-friendly publication of children's picture books and literature, in profit-sharing partnership with local charitable organizations.  

Purchase

Peppermint Toast Publishing is happy to be contributing $3 from the sales for each copy of Flight of the Mite sold, going to help sick kids get better at BC Children’s Hospital. Visit their Online Store to purchase your copy!

Peppermint Toast Publishing | Amazon (Canada)

 

The Buzz About the Book

Mother and Son Review by MDBR: "Flight of the Mite is a delightful, rhyming picture book featuring an adorable little mite who dreams big as the main character; a magical story underscoring the importance of imagination in children's development; and absolutely gorgeous and whimsical illustrations. I highly recommend this book to children ages 3 to 8 and I think it would be a great choice for reading aloud to children in a classroom or library setting."
"This is our new favourite story to read and will be a book that we will be keeping to pass down to future member of our family." ~ Raincity Parent
"This wonderful piece of children’s literature is well crafted and appropriate for children and adults, the message is clear, embrace diversity, ones weakness may actually be strength. The most interesting and entertaining part is that there is a consistent rhythm and rhyme to the story, keeping the powerful message light and playful." ~ Active Lee Dadding
" I have read the sweetest story!...The combination of these two talents [i.e., the author and illustrator] working together has left us with a sweet rhyming story about a little mites big imagination." ~ Moments in Mommyland
"I recently received a new children’s book to review called Flight of the Mite. So of course I went to the best critic in the house – my 4 year old son[...]. We sat down to read the story together and discovered a delightful tale about imagination and discovery... The illustrations are delightful and [my son] insisted that we stop to discuss some of them along the way. There was more than one “wow!” over a picture of the mite climbing a dandelion." ~ Prenatal to Parenting
 

About the Author: Grayson Smith


Grayson Smith was born in Alberta, but attended a boarding school in Germany for 11 years. After high school, he attended SFU, where he obtained a degree in Criminology and met his beautiful wife, Linda. Throughout university, Grayson wrote stories when he should have been paying attention in class. After completing his degree, he became a police officer, and still enjoys that job thoroughly. As of 2012, Grayson gets to re-envision the world through the eyes of his baby son, Josiah. Writing is a wonderful way for Grayson to express the silliness and vagary that simmers beneath his well-practiced outer layer of respectability and professionalism.    

About the Illustrator: Alana Kyle

Alana Kyle was born and raised in the Lower Mainland. As a small child, she was sweet, quiet, and frequently lost inside her own head. Ever since she was young, she was motivated by her love of artistic creativity and attention to detail, and remains captivated by storybooks and imagination. Alana attended and graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and also obtained a three-year diploma of Illustration and Design from Capilano University. She works as an illustrator and graphic designer, and lives in Coquitlam.  

Links to More Information

Peppermint Toast Publishing | Twitter | Goodreads

Facebook (Peppermint Toast Publishing) | Facebook (Flight of the Mite)

 

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card

  Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: August 19, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Grayson Smith and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

MDBR Book Promotion Services
 

About