Beating the Summer Heat With States of Matter

Kayaking for Kids 101

It is important to stay cool during the rising summer heat temperatures.  Kayaking is one way to stay cool on a hot summer day.  Find out how we turned our pretend kayaking into a science lesson.  

Kayaking Steps

1. Make sure temperature outside is extremely HOT on a summer day!
2. Flip Daddy's kayak down on the ground outside.
3. Turn on the water and make sure hose is connected and ready for use.
4. Fill kayak to the brim with water and ICE chunks. Yep, that's what I said ... ICE!  It was her idea!  First, I asked her to predict what would happen to her ice cubes.  Then, she placed several in the kayak.  We discussed changing states of matter.  We talked about how the ice cubes melt and change their form from a solid to a liquid.  She also learned that heat can change matter.  She saw that the ice melted quickly in extremely hot temperatures.  The hotter it is outside; the faster the ice cube will melt.  We also placed an ice cube on a plate and waited for it to evaporate.  We checked several days later.  It would have been more fun to color the ice cubes or to hid tiny objects while freezing the ice.  This activity could be easily done with a kid's pool.      
5. Jump or run into the kayak at full speed (safety first).
6. Splash and play in the cool water like there's no tomorrow.

Note: Do NOT change into bathing suit for added fun!  Wear your regular clothing in the kayak.  This is usually what happens when Daddy watches Alyssa.  

PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME!

(NOT)

Go for it!  Have fun!

Although ... parents are responsible for the actions of their own child.

I will link this post to the The Schoolhouse Review Crew Blog Cruise.  To read more about how others are beating the summer heat click here.  I am sure you'll find some creative ways to keep cool.  

I will also link this post at the following blogs.  Please feel free to comment.   

 

Summer Smart Bookworms Soar

Do you homeschool all year?  Many children are off their regular school or homeschool schedule.  It is very important to continue reading throughout the summer months in order to maintain and improve literacy skills obtained throughout the year, to build children's confidence in reading, and to increase fluency and vocabulary.  Luckily, there are many summer programs available for families to explore.  So let's encourage all our bookworms and readers to read to prevent summer learning loss.    

Our Library Reading Carnival

Our local library has a wonderful program that inspires and motivates children in the area to read.  Alyssa and I recently attended our local library reading program carnival with our friends.  It was a blast even though the weather was scorching hot!  The local fire department visited the library and gave the children a tour of the truck.  There was a bounce house set-up for those interested in jumping.  Alyssa was too hot and had no interest in jumping especially if boys were present. They also had an area for children to pet and see animals including goats, donkeys, dogs, and turtles.  The children were able to decorate cookies, create newspaper hats, color masks and bookmarks, and receive a balloon.  I love the blue light special idea! If children check out particular books; then they receive a treat or small prize.  The Pilot Club donates bikes to the library.  Each age group competes to win a bike.  Last year, Alyssa was blessed through her reading accomplishments and won her first bike ever for her age group.  She read many books independently and I was so proud of her dedication.  Our library also offers free t-shirts and circus tickets after a certain number of books have been read and the form is completed. Please check out your local library to find out if they offer a summer reading program. If not, consider helping to organize and coordinate a reading program for the children.

This was the bike she won last year!

Twenty Summer Reading Programs
Please check all age limits, dates, and prize information.  

1.) Pizza Hut's Book-It Reading Challenge - Read five books to be eligible to win prize package.

2.) Scholastic Summer Challenge - Log minutes in hopes to win a super summer prize.
3.) Sylvan Learning A Page Per Day Summer Sweeps - Chance to win $500 or one of the book packs.  

4.) iVillage PBS Summer Reading Community Challenge - Daily chance to win $1,000 and other great prizes.

5.) Barnes and Noble - Read 8 books and record them in the printable journal in order to receive a FREE book when you turn in the form at a participating store.  Click here for the log sheet.  

6.) Half Price Books Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program - Read for 300 minutes and get a $5 HPB gift card. One top reader per age group each month wins receives $20 HPB gift card

7.) Homeschool Journey's Summer Reading Club - List books or minutes and send in for prize package.
8.) Super Why Right On Read-a-thon - Chart students reading progress and earn certificates.

9.) BJU Press - Wonderful reading logs and book list available for each age group.
10.) Chuck E Cheese Reading Rewards - Earn 10 tokens when your child reads for two weeks straight.  Food purchase is required.
11.) H-E-B Grocery Store - Read 10 books and receive a prize package via mail (takes 3-4 weeks to deliver).  I believe this may be for "Texas residents only" but you'll have to look into it.
12.) Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge- Select and read books from their reading list and earn a free book.  You can also enter the drawing for the backpack full of books AFTER completing the challenge.
13.) National Amusement Theaters Bookworm Wednesdays - Kids earn free admission to select films when a book report is presented.  You can search for participating theaters - list is limited. We do not have one in our area but you might.
14.) Book Adventure (K-8th Grade) - This is not a summer reading program but you can create your own reading challenges through Book Adventure.  Children read books and take comprehension tests.  Points are earned for passing the test.  Points can be redeemed for prizes.  This program reminds me of the AR tests the children took at schools.  Alyssa uses this program and reads books based on her interest.  You'll need to check the title of the book to make sure there is a comprehension test for it.  They do have a new reading contest posted.  
15.) TD Bank Summer Reading - The bank will deposit $10 in a new young savers bank account after reading 10 books.  You must take the completed form to the local TD Bank.  Parent Photo ID and SS cards (parent and child) are needed.  We do not have a TD Bank in our area but you might. However, this program could be easy recreated as an at home reading program.    
16.) Hastings Summer Book Club - Submit an essay for your chance to win a Inspiron computer for you and the school of your choice.
17.) Zane Grey Reading Challenge - Read 10 books and then write a book report or draw an illustration to earn a FREE book.  Book can be mailed to you.
18.) MemeTales Read-a-thon - Create a FREE account and receive twenty FREE online books to read.  Read a book from the weekly theme list and earn certificates.  Share the activities and crafts that you do related to the book on their FB page.
19.) No Time for Flashcards Summer Reading Challenge - Tally reading for a chance to win a $50 Amazon card.
20.) The Homeschool Buyers Co-op has a summer fun reading program with weekly prizes (three winners chosen each week) and the chance to win the grand prize on August 31st.  The grand prize is an Apple iPad 2.  Your child will receive a certificate at the end of the program.  Membership to the homeschool co-op is FREE.  Children can participate in other reading programs and use the hours read at the HSBC.  Click on the link below.

What is the Homeschool Buyers Co-op?  

The Homeschool Buyer Co-op is a free homeschooling organization for both new and veteran homeschoolers.  Co-op membership is free and confidential, and entitles homeschooling families to discounts from over a hundred educational suppliers. They also sponsor "GroupBuys" for curriculum packages that save homerschooling families lots of money. On the site you'll find lots of free information, such as databases of free curriculum, field trips, and educational contests and scholarships. Highly recommended. Click here for more information.
Disclosure: I will receive 100 Smartpoints if you choose to sign up for a FREE account by clicking the link.

Homeschooling's #1 Way to Save

Note: Please remember to check the local libraries for summer reading programs.  We have three in our area!

Can you think of any other summer reading programs?  If so, please let us all know in the comments below.  Do you participate in any of these programs?  What do you think about them?      

Reading Charts and Logs
Google to find more reading logs or charts.  

1.) How Does She - Subscribe and receive her subscriber freebies which includes her summer reading star printables.  

2.) Cassie at 3 Dinosaurs has a great set of summer reading charts.
3.) Jolanthe from Homeschool Creations created reading progress charts for each season.  Click on summer.
4.) Small Types - Take an adventure through the alphabet while reading ABC books.
5.) Rebecca at Simple As That
6.) Creative Mamma Reading Kit

Reading Lists
There are so, so, so many reading lists out there.  Here are just a few to get you started.  Don't forget you can also use reading lists from popular curriculums or create your own list using living books or classics.  Google this too!   

Reading Rockets

Sonlight's Summer Reading Recommendations Lists prepared for boys and girls
About.com has a recent post linking to their top ten book list websites.
New York City Public Library book lists by grade levels
Scholastic Summer Challenge Book List scroll down to find lists for all ages
Book It Reading Aloud Suggestions

Create Your Own Motivational Reading Incentive Program
* I understand that several of you would disagree with rewarding for reading because you want the love of reading to be internal and not based on extrinsic rewards.  Please don't feel like you have to offer rewards.  Try these activities without incentives and rewards.  I have done so in the past with success.  When we do use rewards, we try to make prizes free activities or something we can do together as a family ... something that we don't always get to do.  I may also purchase inexpensive prizes at Dollar Tree.  

1.) Caterpillar - Cut uniform circles of all colors on light construction paper - you'll be writing on it.  For each book, number of pages, or number of minutes read the child completes a circle and will add it to the caterpillar face.  The basic information to write on the caterpillar would be the title, author, and date.  You could also have the child draw and color an illustration for the book indicating their favorite part.  They could compare characters in a book or focus on the main character.  They could illustrate the setting or include a flip book with drawings for the beginning, middle, and end of the story at the bottom.  Older children can do written summaries for the book.  The reading caterpillar can also be created as a family read aloud activity. Here is a reading caterpillar printable in case you don't want to create your own. I think it is more fun if the children can create it with you!  E How Mom explains how to make a reading caterpillar. Here's another example from Macdonough School.  Playing in Prep has a reading caterpillar program too.  All of these activities can be used during a butterfly or caterpillar unit study.  I created a reading caterpillar with Alyssa last year without rewards and she loved seeing how long her caterpillar grew throughout the summer. The reading caterpillar looks GREAT along the top part of the ceiling!

  

2.) Paper Reading Chain - Children can earn a link for each book read, for a particular amount of minutes read, or for a certain number of pages read.  The child could write the title of the book, date, and author on a paper strip and link the strips together to form a chain.  If possible, a small illustration of the child's favorite part, the setting, or a picture of the main character could be drawn.  Families with more than one child can compare the lengths of their chains throughout the program and at the end of the program.  They can count the number of links and discuss more than and less than.  This activity is fair for all because each child can read at their own level.  Laura Candler taught children how to make connections and combined it with the paper chain activity.  Go to Wiki How to read step-by-step directions on how to make a paper chain if you haven't done so before.  You could also set a family read aloud goal and see how long your chain can become throughout the summer.  One link for each book read together.  Hang the chain from the ceiling for all to see.  Here is a link to a school chain idea.  Read the third suggestion at EAI and see how you can combine the Read-a-thon and paper chain activity.  The Teacher Wife has a 100 Book Challenge Paper Chain Reading Program.  Children enjoy seeing the chain grow and how long they can make it during the summer months.

3.) Link "N' Learn Manipulatives - I was thinking if this can be done with paper it can surely be done with links.  The child can do the same activities as mentioned above (excluding writing activities). However, they can create a pattern with the links as they read books. Patterns can also be created with the paper chain strips above using different color paper or by writing numbers on the outside of the strips.  Be creative!  Amazon also sells the plastic math links.  The child can find items inside and outside that are the same length as his or her chain.  

4.) Beaded Necklace - Each bead represents a certain number of minutes, pages, or books read independently or aloud.  This can also be used for each chapter read in a chapter books.  The children can also create patterns with the beads earned from reading.  Use something sturdy for the necklace.      

5.) Reading Express Train - Build a reading train with your child. Add a locomotive cart for each book, number of minutes, or number of pages read.  Google train clip art if you do not have one.  Write the date, title, and author on the train clip art.  You could do the same type of activities a mentioned under the caterpillar.        

6.) Create Your Own Read-A-Thon - We did this when I taught in the classroom with a Polar Express theme around Christmas time. Set individual or family reading goals.  Children can bring blankets, pillows, stuffed animals or pets, and of course many books to one room.  Rearrange the room and spread across the floor.  Read together and independently all day.  This activity can be theme related if you desire.    

7.) Reading Genre Tic-Tac-Toe - Click on the link to see tic-tac-toe game card examples for grades K-5.  Children read a genre and try to get three in a row for a tic-tac-toe.  Reading, Writing, and Technology Connection activities are also included and could be used before covering a square.  I used to create my own tic-tac-toe boards for our independent reading genre study at school and for reading homework.  It is a great way to differentiate if you have several learners and can be used for several subjects. Here is a blank template to use.  

   

8.) Reading Genre Bingo - Children read from each genre in order to get five in a row or coverall (blackout).

9.) Brown Paper Packages - Click on the link to read about another reading incentive program using buckets, slips of paper, and rewards.


Other Fun Reading Activities

Family Reading Packets or Family Reading Literacy Bags - Themed bags with activities to complete as a family.
Book Swap - Organize a neighborhood book swap.  Children can swap their books and read newly acquired books.
Book Club - Children read the same book and get together to discuss it.
Summer Virtual Book Club -  Read a book from a selected author each month, do an activity, and link up what you did with your children.  This looks so COOL!

Summer Reading Challenge

I challenge you to READ!  Read with your children.  Listen to them read to you ... really listen.  Read as much as you possibly can with your children and make it fun at all times.  Watch their attitudes about reading and their love of books soar.  Participate in or create your own reading programs to encourage your children to be avid readers and life-long book lovers.

 

Sonrisas Spanish Curriculum - Shape Theme

Just a Note
This is an older lesson that I typed some time ago.  I figured since I spent the time typing the post, finding activities or creating additional activities, and linking to the websites ... it only makes sense to post it ... even if it is a late update.  I still have several update posts using Sonrisas Spanish Curriculum to come.  I have a lot on my plate this month and hope to accomplish everything on my to do list.  

Spanish Shape Lesson

We used our Spanish shape die inserts from Education Cubes to make learning the shapes more fun and active.  We also used a shape poster "Las figuras geometricas" by Creative Teaching Press. I can't seem to find it on Amazon.  It was purchased at our local educator's store.  I used the poster to introduce the shapes in Spanish and we played the "Shape Hunt" game as described in the manual.  She identified the top of her stool as a circle.  We also added our Education Cubes and the Treehouse Languages Shape Finders as mentioned below.  Alyssa rolled the cube, identified the shape in Spanish, and told me the number of sides in Spanish.  She also showed me the number with her fingers.  Finally, she searched the room for the different shapes she rolled.  I asked Alyssa to tell me the color of the shapes to reinforce previously learned vocabulary.  We pulled out her old shape sorter and said the name of the shape in Spanish before fitting it in the correct opening. Additionally, the names of the shapes in Spanish were reviewed with an old shape puzzle.  First, she told me the names in Spanish and the number of sides.  Then, she used a pointer to identify the shape that I described in Spanish.  

 
Story Time

The story we used for the theme was Las formas en el arte by Rebecca Rissman.  This was not the best book to use for Alyssa's age group in my opinion.  Her interest in the book and activity was very limited this time around.  But, that's okay because she enjoys the rest of the curriculum so much that one book won't stop her from learning and enjoying Spanish.  We did not read through the entire book.  I skimmed and read over important parts to simplify the information.  I tried to read the entire book aloud ... Alyssa got bored with it and was not very attentive.  I tried reading it on several different occasions but I received the same reaction for this particular book.  It is a very, long informative book.  I feel this book may be best for older elementary students rather than pre-k or kindergarden children.  Luckily, the curriculum manual contains a list of book suggestions for each theme.  We were able to get a different book on shapes for other activities.

Art
One of the art lessons was a basic connect-the-dot sheet.  Alyssa connected the dots in order to draw or form the shapes.  We discussed what the shape was and the number of sides for each shape. She counted the number of sides, wrote the number next to the shape, and the shape name was correctly identified and labeled. Patterns were drawn and colored inside the shapes.  Shapes were also found in the room and traced on construction paper.  The drawings were also labeled with the shape name and the number of sides.  When discussing shapes in Spanish I would ask Alyssa - Que forma es? Cuantos lados tiene la forma_____?

Supplemental Shape Activities (NOT part of Sonrisas)
1.) Shape Do-A-Dot - Say the shape's name in Spanish and repeat the name every time the child uses the dauber to fill in a shape.  You could also have her repeat the shape name.  Ask questions about the number of sides and what the shape is while working.

2.) Attribute Shape Sorting - Alyssa sorted the attribute shapes based on whether the shape was round or not round. I reviewed the names of colors in Spanish and the number of sides for each shape. She would also tell me the name in Spanish. 

3.) Shape Match File Folder Game (scroll down) - Match the shape while saying Spanish shape names.
4.) Find the Shape - Spanish Shape View Finders - Treehouse Languages offered these free shape viewers and we used them during the shape hunt activity mentioned above.
5.) Ideas for Preschoolers - Many of the ideas listed here can be easily adapted and used during a Spanish shape lesson with a little creativity.
6.) Shape Pocket Matching - You will find other great shape activities on the right side such as shape button sorting and the felt board shape story.
7.) Shape Bingo - Any shape bingo board will do for this activity. The teacher can describe a shape in Spanish and the child can find it or the teacher can state the name of a shape (always in Spanish) and the child identifies it by covering the shape.  You could also create shape cards of different colors and sizes. The child can flip over a card and then find and cover the shape as an independent activity.  This activity can also be done with a shape cube as seen above - the child would roll and cover the shape.  Add a color cube if your bingo boards use different colors and shapes. Another activity would be to have the child spin a shape spinner, say the name in Spanish, and cover the shape.  
8.) A Shape Book - Give the child white paper to create a Spanish shape book.  Trace or draw the shapes.  Draw one shape per page. Label the shapes and make a cover page titled Mi Libro de Figuras Geometricas or Mi Libro de Formas. Staple all of the pages together and place tape on the back side of the staples to protect child's hands.  Have your child cut out magazine pictures of shapes and glue them to the corresponding pages in the book.
9.) Shape Concentration or Memory Game - Use two sets of shape flashcards to create a memory or concentration game.  The child must flip over two matching shapes and say the shape's name correctly in Spanish before keeping the pair of cards.  If you wanted you can make it a bilingual game matching where the child matches the Spanish shape name to English shape names.

How do you teach shapes? 

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Thank you for visiting and PLEASE stop by again!  Feel free to leave a comment below.

Tracey

O is for Operations: DYI Montessori Stamp Game

This post almost did not happen.  I was doing last minute editing yesterday ... I tried to add a button for one of the link-ups and my entire post disappeared for some odd reason.  I was so bummed after all the time I put into researching and typing it up.  Luckily, I had my blog post opened in two windows on my Mac so I quickly saved an old, unedited version before I lost the entire thing.    

Alyssa completed her math curriculum and I have been organizing math activities for her to do on a daily basis since we homeschool year round.  Recently, we began work with the Montessori Stamp Game.  Creating a stamp game has been on my to do list for quite some time now.  I finally pieced it all together and presented it to my daughter.  I had all the supplies at the house so no extra purchases were needed to make our stamp game.  The Montessori Stamp Game is a great tool to teach, practice, and understand mathematical operations such as the process of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  This is usually presented after gold bead work.  However, we do not own a set of golden beads so I introduced it after working many times with Math U See Blocks and Base Ten Blocks.  Please understand that I am by no means an expert or teacher of Montessori methods.  I am just a mama who LOVES using Montessori materials!   

What I Used to Make the Game:
Color Square Tiles (Green, Blue, Red)
Bingo Chips or Colored Round Counters (same colors)
Game Pieces (same colors)
Silverware Container (eraser to separate materials)
Stamp Game Paper
Paint Stick (ruler, pencil, pipe cleaner, string, etc)
Golden Beads, Base Ten Blocks, or Math U See Blocks
Large Number Cards - FREE at Montessori Print Shop
Green, Red, Blue, and Black Colored Pencils
or
Fine Print Dry Erase Markers if you laminate stamp paper
Velcro
Note: I used velcro to attach the paint stick to the side of the stamp game so that it would not get lost.

Our Do-It-Yourself Stamp Game

Problem: Our tiles are not labeled but it did not cause any problems with Alyssa's understanding.  I labeled and propped a foam tile in the compartments to indicate 1's, 10's, 100's, 1,000's.  The only issue we had was when cleaning off the mat.  Most of the green tiles were found in only one compartment.  This was an easy fix.  I told Alyssa to start with the units and place them into the units compartment and so forth when cleaning up the tiles after each addition problem.  She has already internalized the meaning of each stamp tile.

Alternative Do-It-Yourself Stamp Games
Discovery Days and Montessori Moments
The Learning Ark

Introducing the Stamp Game
First, I introduced the stamp tiles using a three-period lesson.  I also wanted Alyssa to associate the stamp tiles with the correct place value cards and blocks including Math U See and Base Ten Blocks. Below you will see a variety of photographs using the three-period lesson to review the blocks and to introducing the stamp tiles. These are not step-by-step photographs of the three-period lesson - if that makes sense.  Montessori Training posted a You Tube video demonstrating the three-period lesson using stamp game vocabulary. You can also read about the three-period lesson at Montessori Print Shop, Living Montessori Now, and 1+1+1=1. Thank you Jennifer, Deb, and Carisa for these resources!

Number Formation
The next step for Alyssa was to work on forming numbers with the stamp tiles.  I labeled foam square tiles with the letters U, T, H, and TH and asked her to place them above the correct term on the place value chart.  We worked on forming smaller numbers first.  I called out a single or 2-digit number and she used the stamp tiles to create the number starting with the units first.  I wrote larger 3 and 4-digit numbers on index cards for her to create with the stamp tiles.  I used markers to color-code the numbers written on the index cards.

Place Value Mat

The place value mat is located at ABC Teach ... this is a member only document. You can make the mat with felt or fabric and use foam letters, alphabet stickers, or markers to write or abbreviate the terms units, tens, hundreds, and thousands at the top.  I ended up using opaque white paint markers and wrote on foam squares from storage because I could not find my colored foam alphabet stickers.  

• Problem: The place value mat was too short.  I knew that it would be a problem when we used the stamp game to add two larger numbers.  We ended up using the flannel board and pipe cleaners to separate the columns in the chart.  I may use ribbon, felt, painter's tape, foam, or string to separate the columns later and work towards using a board without the dividing lines. Any place value mat suggestions?    

Arithmetic Operation: Addition Using the Stamp Game
Then, we reviewed the meaning of the addition symbol or "plus" sign. We also reviewed terminology related to addition such as "addends" and "sum."  On the same day, we introduced static addition. Dynamic Addition will be introduced in the near future.  I showed Alyssa the stamp paper and wrote a 4-digit number using the colored pencils in the correct squares.  She proceeded to build the large number.  I gave her a second large number to build.  The last step was to remove the paint stick.  The stamp tiles were pushed together and counted in order to find the sum.  Alyssa recorded the sum for the addition equation on the stamp paper.  I am also printing addition command cards from Montessori Print Shop so that she can work independently.

You can find the Stamp Game with instructions and printables at my absolute favorite Montessori store, Montessori Print Shop. Jennifer recently posted the ENTIRE set under her FREE resources so head on over now to download and print it!  The packet also includes information on how to use the stamp game for other operations. The Moveable Alphabet and Montessori Primary Guide also describe the game in detail if you like to compare instructions. Montessori Materials offer black and white stamp tiles you can print on colored card stock to create your own game. Additionally, Karen Tyler and Montessori Album have the stamp game materials and stamp paper. Montessori Album has stamp game paper with illustrations at the top representing the golden beads on the chart.

For those of you lucky enough to own an iPad ... there is also a Stamp Game App by Montessori Tech.  Oh ... how I wish I had an iPad.  Sorry, I didn't mean to dreaming out loud.

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