Archive for June 2009
Love You Forever
by Robert Munsch is perhaps the classic tear jerking picture book. I read this for years and years to children and had no problem getting choked up, it never bothered me, then I gave birth and I can’t read it without sobbing. The premise is simple, a mom sings this simple song to her son as he grows ” I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as you’re living , my baby you’ll be.” until she can’t sing it anymore and it’s his turn. For days after I read this I tear up as I lay my son in his crib.
Makeup Mess
by Robert Munsch . After seeing my son covered in paint this book immediately came to mind. It’s a fun and silly story all about Julie’s desire for make up , she uses all her money and buys $100 worth! Now I do not like to see little girls encouraged to wear make up or made to feel they need it to be beautiful, but don’t worry that is not what this book is about, quite the opposite. It’s a fun book with a good heart!
Moira’s Birthday 
by Robert Munsch is a silly book, most of his books are, but silly is great! Moira is excited about having her birthday and doesn’t know how to say no to all the kids at school when they beg to come to her party. She ends up with the whole school at her house and her parents don’t know what to do! Luckily Moira does. This book at first look may seem like Moira is a spoiled brat who gets her way but really she is problem solving and when she gives away a present to each child who helps clean up, you can see she just wanted a good party, and isn’t a gift grabbing brat at all! Kids LOVE this book, I have never read it to a class that didn’t laugh hysterically.
Murmel, Murmel, Murmel 
Stephanie’s Ponytail 
is my favorite Munsch book. I feel a little like I am cheating on The Paper Bag Princess but I love Stephanie’s confidence. The story is about Stephanie whose friends, and even teachers start copying how she wears her ponytail. She moves if to the side, to the top of her head even right in front of her face and they keep copying her. So she outsmarts them all with shocking results. I like this book and while reading it to a class I would re-arrange my own hair to match Stephanie’s and have the class in hysterics when my ponytail ended up block my view of the book. The message though is about being your own person, a powerful one for kids today.
The Paper Bag Princess
Zoom!
I have had the opportunity of participating in a couple of wonderful conference calls hosted by Hooked on Phonics where some parent bloggers like myself join Hooked on Phonics’s CEO Judy Harris and chat about literacy and learning. It was on this most recent call that Amy @ teachmama shared this great idea. I filed it away and yesterday when my son had no interest in going shopping I reworked it with what we had on hand and he had a blast!
- Gather your materials. You will need some coupon books or flyers with pictures. A piece of white paper, a piece of construction paper, double stick tape, post it notes , a marker and scissors.
- Cut out the coupons. We did 8 total and that was just the right amount, I tried to use things I knew my costco has, and spread out the items throughout the store.
- Tape them onto the white paper, and trim.
- Cut the construction paper so it frames it and it ads a layer of strength so even little hands can hold it without it bending.
- I thought about using stickers but post-it notes were a better choice. They were easy to peel off, stick on and adjust if needed. I just cut a small strip off a few. My son loves exclaiming “We found it!” so I added his catch phrase.
- Gather your little person and go to the store. I handed him the sheet and explained that we were going to play a game , we needed to find each of these things and when we did add the sticker. The post its stick right to the cart.
- Help your child find the items on the list by asking them if they see anything that matches when they are close to the item. Count your stickers after adding each one, and keep going.
- Celebrate when you find everything! We grabbed a turkey wrap and busted into the 100% fruit bites that a day later are already close to empty.
teachmama
Ever have an idea that works great in your head but by George it just doesn’t work when your hands are making it? Well I knew I wanted to make a shape picture using blue painters tape but it was ripping all my paper. I am not one to give up when I want something. The answer was foam! I love how this eventually turned out. The picture looks blurry but it’s the way the markers blended together- the edges are sharp.
- Gather your materials. You will need a sheet of foam, some markers, and painters tape. I also used a scrap piece of construction paper ( it had stuff on the other side) and let the tape spill onto it. It gave a nice buffer for the markers when it came time to color.
- Start by applying your tape on the foam. I did the application with my son generally pointing where he thought it should go, so he was involved but I could make sure to make shapes.
- Color over it all, no need to be careful. We used lots of different colors, you do want to make sure the edges of the shapes are colored. I just kept handing my son new colors and it kept him coloring until they were all full.
- Say some magic words and do jazz hands.
- Peel the tape off!
- Viola magic shapes appear! My so loved this and after figuring out what materials to use it was so so easy.
15 Comments »
- Gather your materials. You will need a piece of black construction paper, a few cupcake liners, markers, glitter ( of course), scissors and glue.
- Start by drawing on your cupcake liners with the markers. It was challenging for him to hold the liner and color, but a good challenge. If it’s frustrating , just tape the edges with masking tape.
- Fold your cupcake liner up and cut slits into it.
- Add glue to your black paper.
- Add your fireworks.
- Time for glitter.
- Let dry.
Books!
“Apple Pie 4th Of July” by Janet S. Wong is an awesome book. I am always awed by authors who can tackle complicated “adult” issues in the pages of a children’s book successfully. In this case the issue is 1st generation identity and immigration, at least that’s my take. The little girl in this book is sulking around her parent’s store on the 4th of July. They are busy making Chinese food for customers she is sure won’t come, who would want Chinese food on such an American holiday is her rational. Of course there are layers about her connection to her ancestral culture and her own national pride. As a proud owner of a green card and a Canadian passport I relate to this story, sure the differences are as deep or as obvious to an outsider but unlike the previous book when this book ended with fireworks I got tingles of pride for my adopted country. Fantastic book- and my son liked it too.
” M is for Maple, A Canadian Alphabet ” by Mike Ulmer. This book will make you feel proud to be from Canada if you are Canadian and teach you something about your neighbour if you are an American. It will also teach your children things about the country they live in and why we feel pride when we hear names like Terry Fox, Anne with an E and Gretzky! I love this book and have since I first read it during teacher’s college in Thunder Bay, if you can be happy about being in Canada during a very cold Thunder Bay winter you can be happy about it anywhere.
11 Comments »
- Gather your materials. You will need a rectangular box, some craft paper, markers, tape, scissors , envelopes, stickers and a piece of white paper.
- Start by cutting off one end of the box.
- Cut a slot ( make it wider than I did if you don’t want to be saying “Try it the other way, turn it around” 300 times between frustrated 2 year old almost tantrums)
- Wrap the box like a present in the craft paper.
- Cut the paper where the slot it and tape it on the inside.
- Time to color, let your child go nuts. I just let him go for it.
- Make a sign ( if you child can do this have them do it!)
- Tape it on.
- Time to make the mail- I used blank envelopes. Have your child add addresses, if they can write letters, do that too. No matter what stage they are at have them add the address, if it’s scribbles cool, if it’s a full address that’s great.
- Add a “stamp” we used stickers.
- Play!
My son filled the mail box then declared ” Delivery time!” knocked it over took the mail and delivered it around the house. Then repeated this many many times.
Book!
