Spread the Love~

Posted on February 6, 2014 by lynne nielsen

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, consider spreading the love to friends and family. Use your scrap paper to create beautiful valentines. On folded paper, trace a “mouse ear” shape to cut and open into a heart.

Adorn the heart with buttons, lace bits, stickers, and of course something glittery! Print a message or a simple x and an o.

My “dear” one created this valentine. The treasured words inside of the heart, warm me up on the coldest of winter days.

1 4 3
~ stands for,
I Love You!

Gather your wee ones around and enjoy creating and spreading messages of love to those around you. Your children will have fun, use their imaginations, and perhaps begin to “print.” Most of all, your children will experience the joy that comes from bringing happiness to another, when they hand a valentine or heart to that special someone.

A gift of love from the heart.

x

Simplicity

Posted on December 20, 2013 by lynne nielsen

This is a very simple idea for your little learners! There are many adaptations available on Pinterest and other sites. You will need to purchase the desired quantity of plastic, refillable, clear baubles from a craft store. I have seen these baubles at, Michaels~

http://www.michaels.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-MichaelsCanada-Site/default/Home-Show

When working with children, I prefer to use the non breakable, plastic style of bauble. Collect a bowl of glitter flakes (to spoon into the opening of the bauble), or cut tinsel bits (stuffable), shredded paper, faux snow, … so many child friendly options!

Happy Holidays from me to you and yours!

a little sparkle

Sensory Bins

Posted on December 4, 2013 by lynne nielsen

Sensory bins delight curious, young minds and they are so easy to put together! Find a plastic tub or large basket and bundle up. Your job is to help your little learner discover safe* items found in nature. * As the parent, you can regulate and supervise what items you will allow to be placed into the bin. Evergreen branches, smooth or bumpy rocks, chestnuts or acorns, are just a few of nature’s gifts to the universe. Add a plastic holiday ornament, or reindeer! Perhaps an elf or gnome?

Sensory bins are so simple to put together and children love to explore them. Purchase a magnifying glass and let your child get up close and personal with the items in the bin! Note and discuss the the features of each item~ “bumpy,” “smooth”, “rough”, “prickly”, are a few of the descriptive words that come to mind. Use this moment as an opportunity to teach vocabulary to your child.

Hello, December!

Posted on November 30, 2013 by lynne nielsen

December is one of my favourite seasons. Here, in the northwest we often experience snow in December! Put on a warm jacket, wrap a scarf around your neck for warmth, place a toque on top of your head and join me for a wonderful month of fun and learning!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Nocturnal Animals~ The Raccoon

Posted on November 27, 2013 by lynne nielsen

Children are curious about these nimble, masked creatures! Did you know their scientific name is, Procyon Iotor? The raccoon is a stealthy, smart, and wild animal that prowls at night. Fill your book shelf with non fiction books about Raccoons. Dive into the text. Place your students into small groupings and have each group share one or two “discoveries” on the topic of, Raccoons.

http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids/animal-facts/raccoon.asp

Here is an example of a simple “mask” activity that a colleague and I made with a group of young learners. We traced the “eyes” using a pair of glasses! Enjoy!

November~ Nocturnal Animals

Posted on November 14, 2013 by lynne nielsen

Hedgehogs, bats, and raccoons! These are just a few of the nocturnal animals that children are curious to learn about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedgehog

Make a Play Clay Hedgehog! We used Crayola, Play Clay in “light” shades.

http://www2.crayola.com/safety/guidelines.cfm

• Young children roll a small piece of play clay into a ball. This is an excellent activity for developing finger dexterity and the children “love” to roll and poke at the play clay!

• Have the child shape a small, pointed nose at one end of the “ball” shape. Use a different colour of Play Clay to attach two eyes or use a tooth pick to “mark” the eyes.

• using round tip, large sized toothpicks*, have children insert the toothpicks into the “body” of the Hedgehog

*requires adult supervision

• Place your “hedgehog” onto a “bed” of green shredded paper

: The children love this simple activity!

Read Jan Brett’s delightful tale, Hedgie Loves to Read. Jan Brett has a wonderful website and has written many stories “starring,” the little darling, Hedgie! Your children will be hedgehog experts and story tellers in no time!

http://janbrett.com/hltr/hltr_jacket_audio.htm

Here comes winter,

cold and grey.

The hedgehog tucks
itself away.

hedgehog 2

Here comes ice
and here comes snow.
It needs somewhere
warm to go.

Here comes mist
and freezing fog.
Here’s a good old
hollow log.

And here’s a pile
of leaves that are deep.
It rolls up tight
and goes to sleep.

Tony Mitton

Come Sit Under the Apple Tree

Posted on September 24, 2013 by lynne nielsen

Here is another “cute” apple tree idea for your darlings!

Have the child trace their forearm and hand onto brown construction paper. Spread the fingers wide as the fingers become the branches of the apple tree. Cut out the traced hand/forearm. Glue this piece onto a piece of white paper. Add tissue paper green leaves. Using a Bingo Dabber, let the child dab on “apples.” I chose to use a red dabber for this activity, however, you could use any colour you wish! You could even use a crayon to draw and colour the apples.

Enjoy!

An Apple For You

Posted on September 17, 2013 by lynne nielsen

I have shown you the “cut” and the “torn” version. You can adapt this activity depending on the age of your children and their finger strength.

This a “dear” idea to celebrate the Fall Apple Harvest, encourage a nutritious snack, as well as a perfect symbol for “school.” Have the children trace or tear a circle shape from red construction paper. Cut a slit up and stop at the centre of the apple shape. Overlap the edges and glue, creating a 3-D effect. Using scraps of brown and green paper, cut out or tear a stem and leaf. Glue onto the apple.

• These apples are adorable when grouped together under a banner that reads, You Are the Apple of My Eye!

Ten Red Apples

Ten red apples grow on a tree

Five for you and five for me

Let us shake the tree just so

And then red apples will fall below

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

The Apple

Up in the apple tree

High off the ground,

I see an apple

So big and round

I climb up the tree

And hold on tight.

I pick that apple

And take a big bite!

M-m-m-m-m, Good!

Encourage Creativity

Posted on September 1, 2013 by lynne nielsen

Children “love” to paint and you will feel that “love” when you adorn your Gallery wall/s with creative masterpieces! Have you tried painting on canvas? The Dollar Stores/Michaels offer a variety of sized canvasses at affordable prices. Here is a dear example of a painting created by my dear one on a sunny, summer morning. We used watercolour pencils to create the dog of choice!

The French Bull Dog~

Painting on canvas!

It’s That Time Again!

Posted on August 31, 2013 by lynne nielsen

Time to return to school! The pencils are sharpened and the backpacks are full. The kiddies are eagerly and for some, nervously preparing for the first day of school to begin. To help your child adjust to the back to school routine try these tips~

• label your child’s items with their first name

• pack a bag of school supplies to get your child through the first week of school. Include~ crayons, pencils, erasers, a glue stick and child safety scissors. Include a package of plain paper~ children “love” to draw and colour. Place a book into the back pack for your child to look at during “free” moments. Tuck in your phone number and an emergency contact, just in case it is needed. Pack a change of clothes.

• let your child decorate a file box to “house” papers and projects from school. Help them to print their name onto the front or lid of the box. You can “weed” through the box as time permits.

• decorate a book bag to house library or personal reading material

• establish a regular bedtime routine, complete with a story. Snuggle up together and read!

I leave you with the Wisdom of Winnie the Pooh~ A.A. Milne

“My spelling is wobbly. It’s good spelling but it wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places”

and that is “okay!” Reassure your child with a hug and leave them with a smile on your face. School is a wonderful place to learn, grow, and form friendships. Teachers will help your child adjust. Wear a smile!

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The Talented Teacher

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