Learning Oragami

I had in my binder of  "to try/to do", a tutorial on origami boxes. We had done some basic origami in the past and thought we'd move on to something a bit more challenging.  I set out all the necessary items and a group of children gathered round to give this a try.   We measured and cut the size of paper we'd need, began the first few folds and things were going smooth until we got to the folding it into a box shape.  We tried, re-tried (lost a couple participants at this point) and finally made our own folds to finally make the box come together.



I always encourage the children to face a challenging task. Whether it means tackling it to the end or taking a breather and coming back to finish before the end of they day, it gives them the ability to build their thinking & reasoning skills and to learn about how to cope with a stressful situation.

They were very proud of their accomplishment! 

We'll keep practicing :)

Until You Read Again....



Baking Club

A couple years ago I baked frequently with the children.  The larger the group became the further from the kitchen we ended up.  Our classroom is now at the opposite end of the school from the daycare; it has its pros & cons.  "Con":  we're far from the kitchen, "Pro's": we have our own space to work in, I now have a second staff with me...which means I can take a group to the kitchen.
Anywho, we were sitting around the snack table one afternoon eating maple cookies and one of the children spoke up "we should make our own cookies" and that's when I realized that YES, we can make our own cookies.  I called a team meeting the next day and had the children brainstorm some snack ideas.  They suggested everything from peabutter cookies to hard boiled eggs and from that "Baking Club" was formed. 
This upcoming week i'll be helping guide the children as they make Scones. 

Blueberry Flax Scones:
3 cups flour
1 1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. grated lemon zest
1/2 cup margarine (or butter)
1 egg
1/4 cup applesauce
1/3 cup milk
3/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/4 cup flax seed
Extras: parchment paper, pastry cutter, wax paper, rolling pin

To Make:
1)Preheat oven to 375F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2) Whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon and lemon zest in a large bowl.  Cut in margarine with pastry cutter (or two butter knives); set aside.

3) In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, applesauce and milk until well combined. 

4) Make a well in the middle of dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients; stir with a spatula until a ball just begins to form (if too dry add another teaspoon of milk).  Fold in blueberries and flax.

5) Spread out a piece of wax paper.  Gather ball of dough in hands and plunk it onto the wax paper; add another piece of paper on top.  Use your hands to flatten the dough a little and then roll it to about a 2.5 cm (1 inch) thickness.

6) Bake 15-20 min's or until the scones are golden on the bottom.  (Optional: drizzle with confection. sugar icing)  Eat them with a little spread of jam or butter or enjoy them as they are :)

Until You Read Again.....

Flower Fairies

I've noticed lately that the children like everything in miniture.  I shuffled through my collection of craft books to see what they could make and whatdaya know....Flower Fairies!

Materials:

Floral wire

Faux flowers and fauna

Wood beads

Embroidary thread

Pencil crayons or acryllic paint

Glue (I used hot glue)

To Make:

1. Cut a 14cm (6") piece of wire and a 7.5cm (3") piece of wire.  Bend the large wire in half and wrap the smaller wire around near the bend....this will form the arms and loop for the head.

2. Use embroidary thread to wrap the arms and torso to create a bodice or shirt.  Secure the thread at the back with a tiny knot or dab of glue.

*Note:  if you're not using hot glue you may have to wait in between steps until glue dries*

3. Pull apart faux flowers, mix and match to make an outfit.  Slip the petals over the "legs" to make dresses, skirts, pants, etc.  Add a dab of glue to the underside so the petals don't fall off. 

4. Bend ends of wire into loops to form hands and feet.  Add facial features to the bead and use the thread to make a hairstyle....you can also paint on hair!  Add a dab of glue to the inside of the bead and firmly attach to the head loop. At this point you can also add hats and wings or other extras you imagine up!

5.  Challenge: How many combinations can you make?  What other floral friends can you create?

Until You Read Again.....

Our Latest Craze

After one of the children showed interest in learning how to knit (like her mom) I began searching for ideas to teach the basis.  I remembered from college one of our prof's showing us how to finger knit, however, that was 10 years ago so I needed a refresher.  I found this great tutorial that was easy for the children (and myself) to follow.

How to Finger Knit

Hope you have as much fun as we've had!

Until You Read Again....

Cardboard Builders

Another way to upcycle your cardboard.

1. Cut cardboard into shapes
2. Paint/dry
3. Snip slots into 3 or 4 sides of shapes

Scultures a-plenty! 

(unfortunately, I do not remember what site I found this....my apologies)

Until You Read Again....

Warm Smells for Chilly Days

When the air begins to cool, it can be of great comfort to come in to warm and soothing aroma's.  In our Centre we are not able to light candles, so a homemade potpourri is often set to simmer on the electric hot plate.

In a medium, heavy pot, place 3 cups of water and a combo of the following:

• Apple peel and cinnamon stick
• Orange peel and cloves
• Lemon peel and a nub of fresh ginger
• Lime peel and coconut extract

You can also experiment and create your own scents! 

(*Notes: keep an eye on the water level and refill as it evaporates, be respectful of children/staff that are scent-sensitive or have allergies, never leave the hot plate on when you leave the room and keep the hot plate at a safe distance from curious hands & fingers)

Until You Read Again.....

*Blink*

There went August.....and September is rolling in.  Time to welcome returning and new children and families. 
How do you prepare for a new school year?  Do you have a traditional activity, song, or  room set-up? 

Until You Read Again.....

Make-It-Yourself Games

Often when a game gets broken or has lost pieces, it just seems easier to go out and buy a new one.  I try and challenge the children to remake the same game with items we have or can be easily donated to us.  One of the children's favourites is Pick Up Sticks.

We used bamboo skewers(with the tips trimmed off) and coloured them.  We used a paper towel tube as a storage container.

The newest favourite and a great take-a-long game, is X's and O's.

Cardboard bottom from a juice bottle pack.

Colour, paint or decorate the board. 

 Buttons as the X's & O's.

CHALLENGE:  What games can you build from things around the Centre or house?

Until You Read Again.....

Flower Pot Reuse

Another good way to reuse something that might end up in the landfill.

You might also like to try putting your crayons, markers or pencils in it. 

Until You Read Again......

A "Super" Observation

It's morning play and the indoor gross motor area has manifested into dramatic play; super heroes and magic powers.  I watched in awe and wished that I could remember how to whole-heartedly transform myself into a super something-or-other.  Myself and my Team Teacher recalled the things & people we used to become....Charlie's Angel's, She-ra/He-Man characters.  Anyway, these are some of the (partly subjective) observations I made:

1)  The invention of a special ability or power, that when watching them use it, makes it seem real.....and to them in that frame of time, it is!

2)  The non-verbal cues that seem to tell a sidekick what the "plan" is and the reading of each others body language can be very subtle yet quite effective. 

3)  The Girls:  huddle together and set up a plan of action, follow through with said plan, then pause to shout out what happens next.

The Boys:  add things in whenever they see fit, tell everyone the plan as they already begin implementing it or after the fact.

*This isn't always the case, but today it just happened to play out in such a way. 

4)  Phrases often uttered may include, but are not limited to:
"Pretend that (I), (you)....." , "....and then (I), (she/he), (they)...." , "....and now (you're), (I)...."

5) When it's all said and done, life is content, an hour seemed like 10 and memories have been rendered!

What observations have you made about super hero/fantasy play?  Got a anecdote to share, would love for you to post it here!

Until You Read Again....

Flights of Fancy

Decorate the sky with these super easy and super fun kites that the children can put together in 30 minutes or less!

Wrapping Paper Kite at Canadian Living
Newspaper Kite at Mothergoose
and my favourite.....

The Plastic Bag Kite:

Happy Flying!

Until You Read Again.....

Asphalt Canvas

Found a great "how-to" at Let the Children Play via The Crafty Crow on making your own chalk paints.  Although ours didn't turn out just like theirs, for the children it was simply the ability to freely create their own paints that mattered most.  The looks of pride in their faces when they finally reached their perfect colour was wonderful : )

Mixing colours in jars.

Spectacular! (yah, I enhanced the photos @ Picnik)

What a great way to brighten the playground!

Until You Read Again....

Stacking Up, Up, Up

Throughout the school year a small handful of the ASC (after-school children) had turned some little cups that were suppose to hold beads, into a cup stacking activity.  Last week I added 60 more cups to the few we had and now it's one of the top 5 activities.  The stacks range from small to grandiose and challenges ensue to see whose stacks go highest or how intricate they can design them. The giggles, gasps and faces that follow a crashing of unbalanced cups, is priceless! 
Challenge:  Create stacks, towers and bridges using only the little plastic cups!

How will your creation stack up?

Until You Read Again......



SnAcK AtTaCk #2

"Flower Pots"

This was a treat snack we had during our end-of-school party. 

Originally we were suppose to make the classic worms & dirt, but I forgot to pick up the gummi worms...opps!  It's what I like to call a happy accident.

What we used:

~ instant pudding

~ crushed chocolate cookie wafers

~ melon slices

~ plastic cups or clean flower pots

~ bamboo sticks

~ green ribbon or mint leaf gummie candy

How we made it:

~ Whip up instant pudding and divide into cups.  Sprinkle cookie crumbs on top.

~ Cut melon into 1/2 inch slices and cut out the flower shapes with cookie cutters.  Don't forget to eat the delicious scrap's!

~ Tie ribbon to bamboo sticks and insert into "flowers"; stand up in "pots" and keep refrigerated. 

(Note: 2 sm. pkgs of instant pudding made 18 flower pots filled with about 1/3 cup of pudding.)

The children made these with very little assistance from myself and it was the most popular treat that afternoon!

Until You Read Again......

Layers

One afternoon I set out the colouring area with small squares and rectangles of card stock and regular paper.....no takers.  The next morning I stepped in for a co-worker in the Kindergarten program and set out the same activity.  The first two children in that day gravitated towards the table and asked "can we use these?", "Of course!" I said.  The children began laying out the different pieces of paper on the table top, one of the children said "how am I going to stick this together?"  I went to the paper drawer and pulled out large pieces of (frame) matting, set them on the table with some glue sticks and they eagerly began gluing down their masterpieces.  They finalized their art with shades of blue accented with black, grey and white.
 

BEAUTIFUL!!!

Until You Read Again....

Wax Paper Painting

This idea hit me as I was contemplating doing the wax paper and crayon sun catchers.  Why not paint them?
Start by unrolling a sheet of wax paper, leaving enough on the bottom to make a palette (the children then get to arrange their own pallette and mix colours freely).  Using a permanent marker, draw your picture to be painted.  It can be a free-form design or place the wax paper over a picture and trace with a fine tipped permanent marker.  Finally, use acryllic paint to finish off your design!  

Give it a try!

Until You Read Again.....

Paper Tube Cuffs

The children had oodles of designing fun yesterday when they made paper tube cuffs and bracelets.
You can make them too with stuff you probablly already have handy!



Paper tubes and Scissors...

Collaging Materials...

....and Glue

Oooo Lala!

They spent a good part of an hour creating and kept coming back in between other play times to make more!

Hope this inspires you and your group.

Until You Read Again......

Rainbow Noodles

Sometimes, when it's grey and gloomy outside, a little colour inside can brighten the day!

Coloured noodles were always fasinating to me as a child, "the pasta at my house doesn't look like that" I'd think to myself.  Although most of us as Educators have been taught not to use food as art items, my personal philosophy/opinions sometimes bend the rules. 

Making coloured pasta is extremely easy and there is NO need to use rubbing alcohol as some recipes suggest.

You'll Need:
~ Noodles of various shapes
~ Liquid food colouring....and lots of it!
~ Baggie or container with a tight seal
~ Newspaper
~ Table or large drying area
~ Rubber gloves

How To:
1) Spread out newspaper on table or drying area
2) Fill baggie or container 3/4 full with noodles (fyi - this is a great way to learn the actual names of the noodles)
3) Add 2 (or more) Tablespoons of liquid food colour to the baggie or container and SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE!!!  Mix and mingle colours to see what happens....how does one make black and lime green?
4) Wearing your rubber gloves, spread noodles out on the newspaper, turning once (possibly twice) to evenly dry.
5) Make necklaces, create collages, play sorting games and if you feel adventurous, boil and eat them!

I hope you enjoy this activity as much as "my" children have!
Until You Read Again......

Tin Can Chime - First Tutorial!

I've wanted to make this for the longest time.  It's a fun (and easy) way to upcycle all the tin cans we would otherwise recycle.

Let's get started......

Materials:

• 3 tin cans of various widths
• water
• hammer and nail
• string/yarn/twine
• buttons or beads
• bolt or heavy washer

How To:

Step 1)  Clean out cans, fill each can with about 5cm (2 in.) of water, then freeze.

Step 2) Take cans out of freezer and turn upside down on a stable work surface.  Hammer a hole into the centre of each can, making it large enough to put the string through. (*note: please give the children straight, clean nails to use....I grabbed the first one I saw and it's condition is, well, older!)

Step 3) Run hot water over cans to dislodge the ice; dry cans.  Cut a very long piece of string and prep. 3 buttons or beads.  Thread the string through the largest can, leaving about 15cm (6in.) at the top, and tie on a button/bead to secure it in place.  Continue with the next two cans, being sure to secure them so that each can sits about 2.5cm (1in.) into the other can. You can fiddle around with it though to get it just the way you like it. 

To Finish: Thread buttons or beads on the bottom string and tie the bolt or washer to the very end.  Hang in the yard or by an open window :)

As an extension or a pre-chime making, decorate the cans!  Let me know how yours turn out!

Until You Read Again.....

SnAcK AtTaCk #1

After school can be a great time to teach children basic cooking skills and they often seem to enjoy eating new foods when they've had a hand in making them.

Fancy Toast 
Sliced bread
Peanut butter (or Pea butter or Soy butter)
Honey, liquid
Toasted pumpkin seeds
Dried cranberries

1) Toast bread and spread with peanut (or other) buter.
2) Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and cranberries.
3) Eat it all gone...yum!
*You can switch up the combo of dried fruits and seeds. Fill up little bowls full and the children can pick and choose their own!



 What's your favourite after school snack?  Share the recipe here!
Until You Read Again.....