(This post contains affiliate links.) We're just a month into summer vacation, and my kids have let me know more than a handful of times that they're "bored." Most of the time, I let them solve this dilemma on their own. But sometimes I help them create an opportunity for play. Nothing fancy. Pretty inexpensive. Often messy. Almost always fun. To do our doughy dinosaur dig, we ... Read More
Fun ways to make the letter G
We love finding interesting ways to create each letter of the alphabet. Check out the fun ways we found to make letter G! I printed a giant block letter, and my Four filled it with packages of gum. It's always great when we can fill in the letter with something that begins with its sound. Get your own giant letter by clicking HERE. After I helped him see which way to begin, my Four was able ... Read More
Free Alphabet Printable: G is for Gumball
We're adding to our dot sticker page collection (only eight to go!) with this free alphabet printable. I don't do many worksheets with my kids (you can learn why in this post), but I've created these dot sticker pages as an alternative. While they may look like worksheets at first glance, they can be used in a variety of ways. None involves a writing instrument. (This post contains affiliate links.) Free ... Read More
Graphing activities for kindergarten
I've been teaching my kids (ages 4, 5, and 7) simple ways to make a graph. This is old news for my incoming second grader, but graphs are fun - so she has been happy to play along. My preschool boys also enjoyed creating a variety of graphs with me. (This post contains affiliate links.) Graphing activities for kindergarten 1- Gather a pile of coins and graph by type We graphed coins as part ... Read More
Nursery rhymes and songs for letter G (free letter book!)
Nursery rhymes and songs for letter G (free letter book!) (This post contains affiliate links.) When my Four was two years old, I was concerned because he wasn't picking up the alphabet like his older siblings had done. So I started creating these letter books of songs and rhymes. Soon afterward, I launched this blog. These letter books, combined with focused attention to the alphabet, helped him go ... Read More
Character analysis worksheet
Today I'm sharing a free character analysis worksheet. My Seven (going into second grade) is an avid reader. I'm glad she loves to read a variety of books - both fiction and nonfiction - but now it's time to take her a step further. How to teach the concept of character analysis: 1. Does your child know the word character? Explain that it's the main person or animal in a story. Fiction books usually have both ... Read More
Simple Letter G Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Simple Letter G Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers As we do our letter projects, I try to include a mixture of crafts and process art. This letter G collection is heavy on the craft side... with not a whole lot of room for creativity. However, I'm trying to achieve a balance with the rest of our alphabet crafts, and I also find that there's something calming and peaceful about simple crafting. My kids all enjoyed ... Read More
Summer Boredom Buster for Preschoolers – Make a garden in a box
For each letter of the alphabet I share an idea for fun sensory play. My kids have loved helping their Dad in the garden, so I knew that they'd enjoy making their own garden in a box. It's a great summer boredom buster too! (This post contains affiliate links.) As I thought about a sensory play idea for letter G, I thought about a few possibilities. Grapes? No. Grass? Maybe. Garbage? ... Read More
Fun books about history for kids
How do you feel about history? Boring? Interesting? Something you study for school and then forget? I actually love history. In college I majored in Elementary Education, but "social studies" was my concentrate. Unlike most of my peers, I enjoyed the ancient history lectures by our 75-year-old professor. But my love of history didn't begin until high school, when an enthusiastic teacher brought American ... Read More
Creative Ways to Make the letter O
This is the progression we like to follow when learning to write letters: Fill a printed block letter with objects or stickers. Create the letter using straight or curvy objects from around the house. Use small manipulatives to make the letter. Write the letter using a finger. Use handwriting pages in three levels of difficulty. First I printed a giant letter O (get yours by clicking HERE). ... Read More