Creating Stories with Your Children

When my daughters were born

I wanted to get them excited about reading, writing and learning,

so that they would have a lifelong love of and desire to learn!

 

One of the ways we did this, was that my husband and I started reading with them from birth, plus we created simple Little Learner Books with their pictures to be shared over and over again!

 

This is a front cover of the color book.

 

It was a time when the instant pictures were popular so it was easy to put a book together.

Computers and phone cameras today, also make it easy peasy!

 

We did a variety of different topics; colors, numbers, shapes, letters, family, etc. anything to help make the learning process fun!

 

The books were not fancy, just pieces of cardstock that were stitched or

bound on the left side.

 

So for the color book they would find something of that color for each page, then we would talk about what they would say and want us to write down.

 

It wasn't long before they were "reading" these little stories and

sharing them with everyone!

 

This one was a favorite story!

 

Melody loved bunnies and had a large collection of stuffed rabbits! So as the story

progresses a new bunny was added until the very last page 11,

"Melody has too many bunnies!".

 

As I looked back on them over the years,

 I realize that they have many things I could have/should have done differently.

But....there isn't always enough time in the day to make it perfect,

 just enough to make it fun! 

 

Take the time with your children to create stories and memories that can be shared and

well loved with the passing of time.

St Patrick's Day Warm Fuzzy Freebie!

This time of year is it so nice to tell people how lucky we are to have them in our lives, especially to our very own little people!

So I've included this bookmark freebie page to show you how LUCKY I am,

 to have each and everyone of you in my life!

I love to give warm fuzzies of all kinds!

They create warm fuzzy feelings in the people that get them, but I also get those same warm fuzzy feelings back, tenfold, just by watching their joy in receiving them!

So pass on some lucky warm fuzzies and watch someone smile!

I have a more detailed set of these bookmarks in this activity!

St. Patrick's Day Bookmarks & Badges for Teachers, Students, Staff and Parents

Another fun activity with a Leprechaun is called

St. Patrick's Day Song And Posters L-U-C-K-Y Was His Name-O

 There is a song poster, the word Jig poster and the letter posters that spell LUCKY. Included is a cover sheet and directions. Each poster is 8 1/2 by 11 inches.

Introduce the song using the song poster. Pass the letter cards out and have the students participate with the singing. Sing to the tune "Bingo."

To make the activity harder, sing the song with flipping a letter to Jig for each verse and do a motion or sound instead. For example, sing L U C K Y for the first verse. Then turn the letter L over for the second verse and have the children dance and sing Jig for the letter L. They would Jig, then sing U C K Y. The third verse would be Jig, Jig, and sing C K Y. Do this until all the letters are turned over and the last verse is Jig, Jig, Jig, Jig, Jig.

  It is a great way to learn some letters of the alphabet and practice memory skills!
Download Preview in the link above to see the complete activity. 

I also have a huge variety of Name-O Songs for different holidays and seasons!

Name-O Songs!

 

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing

St. Patrick's Day Free Writing Paper!

St. Patrick's Day is when I begin to feel like spring is just around the corner! The warm temperatures have me thinking about spring, even if there is a snowstorm expected the middle of next week!

 

To celebrate this coming holiday a little early, I have a set of free writing papers!

 Free! St. Patrick’s Day Writing Paper 2 Different Grids

 

This is a simple St. Patrick’s Day writing activity. It has 2 different writing grids, plus a blank page for a variety of writing levels. There are three different versions of the different papers, color and gray scale!

 

I just added a new activity to my

TeacherspayTeachers Store!

 

St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Letter Sound Match

 What a fun way to practice letter matching and beginning sounds with shamrocks! They look really cute completely cut separately, but if you don't have time they can be cut on the box straight lines. Then decide if cutting the shamrocks apart using straight lines or

do each one differently to be self-checking!

 

 

They also come in blackline to save on ink.

 

 I have included several game ideas to use with these shamrocks. They can be used with large or small groups, plus one on one and in centers!

 

 May the luck of the Irish be with you!
 

Heart Wreath of Deliberate Moments of Caring

 

This is a memorable craft that not only creates a beautiful finished heart wreath, but it fosters simple acts of caring!

Bend a clothes hanger into a heart shape. The handle at the top bends down into a loop and becomes the hook for hanging the wreath.

To decorate the wreath I cut a variety of ribbons and tulle or netting to about 8 inches long each. How many yards of ribbon needed depends on how tightly the ribbons are pushed together on the hanger.

It is always better to have too much of the materials to make the wreath rather than run out in the middle of the project. I usually use about 6 to 8 different varieties of ribbon, plus tulle using rolls of ribbon with about 25 feet on each.

Cut the various ribbons and tulle and place each different set in large zip baggies.

Share with the children that when they choose to do something helpful, nice, thoughtful or caring for someone, they may tie on a ribbon and a netting piece on the heart hanger.

Daily deliberate and intentional acts can make a big difference and get them into the habit of showing care for each other.

To tie on the ribbon to the heart wire, the child simply wraps the ribbon around the hanger and does one tie like the first part of tying their shoes, pulling it tight.

It is so simple that even the youngest learner can participate in this. It is a wonderful fine motor activity too!

I thought the ladybug ribbon looked a little like hearts to add fun to the wreath!

 

The ribbons can be put on in random order or a pattern can be established to be repeated.

Extras like shiny pipe cleaners or garland can be used to bring more sparkle!

When the ribbons are pushed up together it keeps them from falling off the hanger. The tighter the ribbons are pushed together the better the finished heart will look.

If you find the time is passing and the wreath is not getting finished, change the amount of ribbon that the child can put on the wreath to five or ten at a time. It is motivating to see the heart wreath getting more full with each passing day.

Each wreath is different!

When finished place it on the door or wall for all to see the number of
Deliberate Moments of Caring!

While this is a great month project for Valentine’s Day, it can be done for each month as a monthly theme with decorative ribbon for the season/holiday. The hanger can simply be bent into a circle shape instead of a heart.

Hopefully we are fostering deliberate actions to bring happiness to another, doing something thoughtful, nice, and caring.