MONSTERSAURUS by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort Project

We read the book,  "MONSTERSAURUS" for our Book Break this afternoon.  The boys LOVED this goofy story about a boy named Monty who creates three different monsters by doing the experiments in a zany science book.  We had fun with the KAPOW, POOF, and WHOOSH resulting in these silly monsters.  After reading the story, we made our own!

This is what we did:

1. We used foam cut-outs purchased from Target.  I got a huge pack for $5.00.
2. The boys glued googly eyes, feathers, foam teeth, horns and legs to their creatures.
3. The put dots on the monsters with our Dot Art markers.
4. For glue we used tacky glue.  It dries quickly and doesn't drip.  I pour a little bit of glue into a mini cupcake liner for each kiddo.  They apply the glue with Q-tips.

We worked on this project for about 20 minutes.  The boys had fun and they ROARED a lot while making them.

Hand Print Autumn Tree

The boys enjoyed working on this fall craft while I made dinner.  We could have just used crayons for this project, but Big Guy uses those at school a lot.  I think he was getting tired of them so we brought out the Dot Art (AKA Bingo Dobbers).  I think it turned out cute and I LOVE when the boys are busy while I prepare dinner!

This is what we did:

1. I traced the arm and hand of each boy.  It is good to have them spread their fingers so that they can make leaves between the branches.
2. I set out colored pencils, Dot Art, flower stamps and washable ink pads.
3. The boys did whatever they wanted!

Max's Dragon Shirt by Rosemary Wells Project

I sent my oldest (Big Guy) off to kindergarten!  He LOVES it.  So, it's just my Little Guy and me home during the day.  We've also started taking care of another boy.  He's become Little Guy's best buddy.  Little Guy and Best Buddy keep me busy.  We've started a routine of "Book Breaks" in the afternoon because Best Buddy doesn't take naps.  We read a book and then do some type of project that coordinates with the story.  Today we read, "Max's Dragon Shirt" by Rosemary Wells.  The project was simple but actually worked on a lot of pre-school skills. 

This is what we did:

1.  We read the story, "Max's Dragon Shirt" by Rosemary Wells.
2.  I printed an image of "Max".  This is the link:  Max's Dragon Shirt Printable
3.  I cut out the image.
4.  The boys glued the picture onto a piece of construction paper.
5.  They colored it by looking at the picture in the book.
6.  Notice that Little Guy was actually able to copy part of the Dragon's face onto Max's shirt.  This is the first time he has tried to replicate a picture from a book.  There are a lot of shapes to draw!
7.  We added a bunch of stickers around the page.  Kids love stickers and I think it helps with fine motor skills.
8.  I wrote Little Guy's and Best Buddy's names on their pictures with a pencil.  They traced their own names.

There was a lot of thinking that happened during this project.  They had to match colors, hold the markers correctly, peel off stickers, transfer information, etc.  While the final project isn't exactly "pinterest" worthy, the boys worked really hard.  I'm going to have them copy more pictures from books in the future.  It only took seconds to prepare and they LOVED it and learned a lot!

Be A Cheer Reader

I LOVE to read and so do my "Grand" kids.  All of them were exposed to books at a very early age and thereby instilled with a passion for reading.  I firmly believe that when given the option, most children will choose to have a book read to them before choosing to watch a video. Inspired by this belief, I hope to inspire all kids, big and small, to Read, Read, Read!

 BE A CHEER READER

Open a book
Take a good look
Read!  Read! Read!

You're always a winner
When you're a beginner
Read!  Read!  Read!

There are new things to see
For both you and me
Read!  Read!  Read!

So share with a friend
The fun that won't end
Read!  Read!  Read!

Be a cheerleader
BE A CHEER READER
Yeah Books!

The Path Is Narrow & Difficult

The first day of school has come and gone. After busy weeks of shopping for new clothes and needed supplies, my grandchildren walked out of the protective homes of their parents and into the care and guidance of others.  As their parents looked on with hardly a wave goodbye, (sound familiar?) they were probably flooded with a host of feelings - great joy, great sadness, and maybe great apprehension.  For even though weeks and years of preparation have readied their children for this special day, no one can protect them from everything that lies ahead. 

So as the new school year begins, I am reminded of these words of wisdom:

"DO NOT PREPARE THE PATH FOR YOUR CHILDREN.  RATHER, PREPARE YOUR CHILDREN FOR THE PATH." 

Jesus told us that the path is narrow and difficult. Will they be ready?  Will we be ready?