MINDS IN BLOOM

Good thinkers collaborate and communicate.  These problems are ideal to work on with a partner. If we encourage our children to work in pairs or small groups and share ideas, they may learn to recognize that  two heads can be better than one. *********************************** SORTING SHAPES Age 5 to 7 Challenge Level Sara and Will were… Read More

BEARS DON’T READ!

This is a feel-good story of conviction and friendship.  It celebrates Bear’s determination and acknowledges that reading is not an easy task, something our children will be able to empathize with. Fundamental to the story is the subtle message that there’s a difference between not being able to read and not wanting to read. ********************** BEARS… Read More

THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT…

These activities are opportunities for our children to practice grayscale thinking — to see the world as having some middle ground versus being a world of black and white.  When using  “Same but Different” our children are encouraged to look at the characteristics of what they are comparing. “Same but Different” activities help them strengthen an… Read More

I’M STICKING WITH YOU!

This sweet rhyming book about the ups and downs of friendship is perfect for our youngest children who may be negotiating new friendships at school or nursery, or ongoing sibling relationships that definitely have high and low points.  A story about friends’ unwavering loyalty is always welcome, and our children will appreciate the sticking-like-glue pairing of… Read More

FINISH THE PATTERN

Dear Friends, I hope you are all doing well.  As we continue on together, I am adjusting my schedule a bit.  I will be sending lessons only on Mondays and Wednesdays. All the best to you, Kathy  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When we look for patterns, we notice what changes and what stays the same from one picture to… Read More

WONDER WALKERS

When two curious children embark on a wonder walk, they let their imaginations soar as they look at the world in a whole new light. They have thought-provoking questions for everything they see: Is the sun the world’s light bulb? Is dirt the world’s skin? Are rivers the earth’s veins? Is the wind the world breathing?… Read More

I’M A HARE, SO THERE!

When a chipmunk mistakes Hare for a rabbit, Hare puts him in his place.  Actually, the chipmunk is a SQUIRREL. Or so he says.  🙂 The clever dialogue between the characters on the differences between commonly mixed-up animals is a sneakily educational readaloud.  It offers a gentle lesson on appreciating differences and standing up for what you… Read More

TRIANGLE DESIGNS

Mathematics is a creative and visual subject. Today’s activities give space for our children to exercise the visual part of their brain. It encourages them to be visual and make connections between decomposing larger shapes into smaller shapes or composing smaller shapes to make larger shapes. ********************* TRIANGLE DESIGNS This activity makes space for the whole… Read More

THE BEAR AND THE PIANO

This is one of those rare books that our children can return to again and again through the years, each time finding new meaning appropriate to their varying ages and stages.  It celebrates both the wonders of wandering far in pursuit of one’s dreams and the sweet comfort of returning home ************************* THE BEAR AND THE… Read More

TINKERING WITH CARDBOARD … Slotted Construction

With cardboard, scissors, and art supplies, our families can create DIY construction sets with interlocking slots. We all have a steady supply of cardboard these days,  so I started playing with the idea of making multiple pieces from cardboard.  I traced and cut out cardboard circles, then tested out ways to connect the pieces.  I cut… Read More