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I was so impressed with how easy and engaging the activity was, I had to share. I started by just going LIVE\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/buckandchuck\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ein my [not so] super secret Usborne literacy group\u003C\/a\u003E, but we all know those aren't pinnable. So if you're looking for a simple, yet effective process to introduce your preschool through elementary aged kiddo to butterfly life cycles, you've come to the right place!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/03\/life-cycles-and-young-children.html\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-H7Qu03U-4tU\/WPgoniOYfcI\/AAAAAAAAJqs\/ZnTvUgMjI5Atrdbtw7rTvaWoZfVnHFPYwCLcB\/s640\/18035318_726382977103_392460645_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EStep 1: Choose a book you love. \u003C\/b\u003EI chose \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/d6437.myubam.com\/p\/475\/caterpillars-and-butterflies-ir?e=651665\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EUsborne's Butterflies \u0026amp; Caterpillars\u003C\/a\u003E. In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm an Usborne rep, addict, and hoarder. I love this series of beginner books because they have a great combo of photography, realistic illustrations, and cartoon-like characters. The text is super simple, yet full of great facts and vocabulary. PERFECTION.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OiN7sGbyy5E\/WPgxNcyC0cI\/AAAAAAAAJrQ\/eQF0cXstoNo7CuQTsLphF5ed2Jo7wV94wCLcB\/s1600\/18053454_726476564553_576628726_o.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OiN7sGbyy5E\/WPgxNcyC0cI\/AAAAAAAAJrQ\/eQF0cXstoNo7CuQTsLphF5ed2Jo7wV94wCLcB\/s640\/18053454_726476564553_576628726_o.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EStep 2: Pre-read your book.\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;Because our book is aimed for 5+, it would be a lot of information for Beckett (3) to sit down and take in in one sitting. So instead I pre-read the book, and noted the pages that pertained to the life-cycle. [This is one of those ultra secret teacher strategies we use in school]. The book prepared me with sincerely interesting facts, phrased in a way that my little man could understand!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EStep 3: Introduce your Flash Cards.\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;So the AMAZING Karen, over at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/littlesmarticleparticles.blogspot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELittle Smarticle Particles\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;volunteered to be a guest blogger here just a few weeks ago! She loaded us with some fabulous ideas for teaching life cycles to littles, AND left a super awesome FREEBIE too! You can grab these beautiful flashcards, along with some other helpful tips, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/03\/life-cycles-and-young-children.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eright here\u003C\/a\u003E! Once you've got your cards, talk about them briefly with the kiddos and lay them out on the table.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XUS5Ny6H2ek\/WPgsGT8ez2I\/AAAAAAAAJq4\/q3Rq1cxGflgb1YofqcTRw9agsrYu6kGRACLcB\/s1600\/18034953_726382992073_1947198269_n.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XUS5Ny6H2ek\/WPgsGT8ez2I\/AAAAAAAAJq4\/q3Rq1cxGflgb1YofqcTRw9agsrYu6kGRACLcB\/s640\/18034953_726382992073_1947198269_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EStep 4: \"Read\" your book together.\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;While our book is too high to just read straight through, it provides GREAT opportunities for conversation by providing such dynamic photos and illustrations. Beckett and I went though our book together, reading only a couple of the sentences, but using the illustrations to talk about each step of the cycle. This is also where I add a LOT of \"oohs\" and \"aaahs\" and \"isn't that neat?\" and \"what do you think happens next?\" He ATE. IT. UP.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EStep 5: Assemble your cards in their cycle AS YOU READ. \u003C\/b\u003EAfter each page, we looked for the life cycle card that represented our page and assembled it into the circle cycle diagram! And voila!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-oESsucEr21E\/WPgsXVwk14I\/AAAAAAAAJq8\/ou1yW-IoBHcVgY6VokQTjPKY2ySrxhXRgCLcB\/s1600\/18035748_726474533623_486028951_n.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-oESsucEr21E\/WPgsXVwk14I\/AAAAAAAAJq8\/ou1yW-IoBHcVgY6VokQTjPKY2ySrxhXRgCLcB\/s640\/18035748_726474533623_486028951_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIn addition to learning about life cycles, this activity is great because the simple steps of talking about the text, then finding a card to represent it, engages your child and allows them the opportunity to show comprehension. Try to let them use the cards to re-tell the cycle. This is a great skill to practice!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBy the end of the morning, Beckett was assembling the cards on his own \u0026amp; talking to himself about the cycle. I can't get over how much he adores this sort of thing!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhat do you think? Can you totally see your littles getting into the Butterfly Life Cycle? Let me know how it goes! We're sharing this and other fabulous ideas over in our \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/buckandchuck\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E[not so] super secret literacy group\u003C\/a\u003E. We'd love to hear from you! Join our BOOK conversation\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/buckandchuck\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDon't forget to pin it!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-60yzDkiR8Ys\/WPg0RD5Hg2I\/AAAAAAAAJrg\/hTJjZn7KPW0FvMTildA0JHKTuIcyAlslwCLcB\/s1600\/buttefly%2Bpin%2Bimage.tiff\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"430\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-60yzDkiR8Ys\/WPg0RD5Hg2I\/AAAAAAAAJrg\/hTJjZn7KPW0FvMTildA0JHKTuIcyAlslwCLcB\/s640\/buttefly%2Bpin%2Bimage.tiff\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7Xb78CV79f8\/WNyWLOkU5xI\/AAAAAAAAJQM\/VB5fBVxrRqsE3szSRxFQCZ6WwlZVArPaACLcB\/s1600\/Buck%2B%2526%2BChuck%2B%25281%2529.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7Xb78CV79f8\/WNyWLOkU5xI\/AAAAAAAAJQM\/VB5fBVxrRqsE3szSRxFQCZ6WwlZVArPaACLcB\/s320\/Buck%2B%2526%2BChuck%2B%25281%2529.png\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.buckandchuck.com\/\"\u003Ewww.BuckAndChuck.com\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/Buck.And.Chuck\"\u003Ewww.Instagram.com\/Buck.And.Chuck\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/BuckAndChuck\"\u003Ewww.Facebook.com\/groups\/BuckAndChuck\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3372524963812687903\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/04\/our-perfect-preschool-intro-to.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3964431201985491308\/posts\/default\/3372524963812687903"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3964431201985491308\/posts\/default\/3372524963812687903"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/04\/our-perfect-preschool-intro-to.html","title":"Our Perfect Preschool Intro to the Butterfly Life Cycle!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Denise Hill "},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07728137707367593224"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"21","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjCmqPA9h0YFaZIm64CxGqCCR2od_xUl0sMVjeFx108ipxmPfyMY8i6o1uhU058qE0RnmXNFiddH6w6iVmW3nzu1WrAa5uYvoJ14UjI7OT67j54lkLA36h-82Vbv6nxt_c\/s220\/IMG_4340.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-H7Qu03U-4tU\/WPgoniOYfcI\/AAAAAAAAJqs\/ZnTvUgMjI5Atrdbtw7rTvaWoZfVnHFPYwCLcB\/s72-c\/18035318_726382977103_392460645_n.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3964431201985491308.post-4143908165750936718"},"published":{"$t":"2017-04-18T19:37:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-04-18T19:37:54.984-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#BooksWeLove"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#STEM"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#TeacherStuff"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Featured"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mommy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Spring"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Usborne"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"What Makes It Rain Experiment!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Imagine the most darling three year old Beckett voice, in the most perfect staccato, asking: \"Mom? Why. is. it. waaayyniin??\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSwoooon!!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHow can you pass up answering THAT sweet question in the most thorough, engaging manner you can possibly dream up?! I couldn't. So we threw our \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/search\/label\/Garden\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGarden Week activities\u003C\/a\u003E to the wind and dove into our Usborne\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/d6437.myubam.com\/p\/5534\/lift-the-flap-first-questions-and-answers-what-makes-it-rain?e=651665\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWhat Makes It Rain?\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;book. We examined just the first page of the book, which has fun questions about rain (whereas the other pages are on the sun, snow, etc) and we talked about how the clouds get heavy with water until they juuuust caaan't hold it anymooore! AAAHH! And it faaallss!! Hehe. Can you just imagine the fun?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-1zXAfloAx-o\/WPas9PSHtQI\/AAAAAAAAJqQ\/qY4SNOdN3wwSRlh3eMcsZPYFVWEIv7HmQCLcB\/s1600\/18049791_726293501413_91932828_o.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-1zXAfloAx-o\/WPas9PSHtQI\/AAAAAAAAJqQ\/qY4SNOdN3wwSRlh3eMcsZPYFVWEIv7HmQCLcB\/s640\/18049791_726293501413_91932828_o.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI've seen this activity floating around the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/buck.and.chuck\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInsta-sphere\u003C\/a\u003E for a while now and I just couldn't wait to have our turn to do it. We didn't even bother to look up instructions because it seemed pretty self explanatory. ;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-CSiYhOhY64I\/WPasm9BVyYI\/AAAAAAAAJqM\/Sf1J5xOvAVk6ML1YgpVQYsym2MUtHLiQgCEw\/s1600\/2.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"364\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-CSiYhOhY64I\/WPasm9BVyYI\/AAAAAAAAJqM\/Sf1J5xOvAVk6ML1YgpVQYsym2MUtHLiQgCEw\/s640\/2.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nFirst, we gathered our materials and lined our table with wax paper. I wanted easy clean up but didn't want to clutter our pretty white space with a bright table cloth because I thought it might take away from our experiment. Because we only had gel food coloring, we used a small jar to mix it with water and shake shake shake! Of course, this was super fun for Ms. Chuck.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-j-XtH90y8cU\/WPasm9ntXRI\/AAAAAAAAJqI\/Lot8wTZj3L4XHyPM0BvBMLUa4hRQCwiXwCEw\/s1600\/3.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"364\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-j-XtH90y8cU\/WPasm9ntXRI\/AAAAAAAAJqI\/Lot8wTZj3L4XHyPM0BvBMLUa4hRQCwiXwCEw\/s640\/3.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nWe took a minute to talk about clouds and where we find them. Then we talked again about how water fills them and guessed what would happen next! Notice in the photo that our shaving cream is SUPER FLUFFY. We actually ended up dumping that first jar and going for round two. Keep in mind that good stuff GROWS!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-LrQt80J9INc\/WPasm6h3cNI\/AAAAAAAAJqE\/WqIebi3XODslpKGtZKJzu8TnslNG08HGgCEw\/s1600\/1.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"364\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-LrQt80J9INc\/WPasm6h3cNI\/AAAAAAAAJqE\/WqIebi3XODslpKGtZKJzu8TnslNG08HGgCEw\/s640\/1.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nBeckett had so much fun squeezing rain drops into our cloud, I can totally see us doing this activity every rainy day for a long time! As a bonus, it served as a great fine motor skill. ;) I've seen this done with eye droppers but since we didn't have one of those on hand, medicine syringe it was!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-CpCIMzeBCVc\/WPask8qtmTI\/AAAAAAAAJqA\/2n5NjbcB8gY-0XR0XJvdgEP3yMfWVn31wCEw\/s1600\/18051868_726306719923_1645981509_n.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-CpCIMzeBCVc\/WPask8qtmTI\/AAAAAAAAJqA\/2n5NjbcB8gY-0XR0XJvdgEP3yMfWVn31wCEw\/s640\/18051868_726306719923_1645981509_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nWhat do you think? Can you totally see your littles going gaga over this activity? Let me know how it goes! We're sharing this and other fab ideas over in our [not so] super secret literacy group. We'd love to hear from you! Join our BOOK conversation\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/buckandchuck\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDon't forget to pin it!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-c1wNcnGH1hE\/WPaxCfA12wI\/AAAAAAAAJqc\/Qrc4h60N8cMpKwDW7uxNGjRFT23e-w5swCLcB\/s1600\/rain%2Bpin.tiff\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-c1wNcnGH1hE\/WPaxCfA12wI\/AAAAAAAAJqc\/Qrc4h60N8cMpKwDW7uxNGjRFT23e-w5swCLcB\/s640\/rain%2Bpin.tiff\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7Xb78CV79f8\/WNyWLOkU5xI\/AAAAAAAAJQM\/VB5fBVxrRqsE3szSRxFQCZ6WwlZVArPaACLcB\/s1600\/Buck%2B%2526%2BChuck%2B%25281%2529.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7Xb78CV79f8\/WNyWLOkU5xI\/AAAAAAAAJQM\/VB5fBVxrRqsE3szSRxFQCZ6WwlZVArPaACLcB\/s320\/Buck%2B%2526%2BChuck%2B%25281%2529.png\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.buckandchuck.com\/\"\u003Ewww.BuckAndChuck.com\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/Buck.And.Chuck\"\u003Ewww.Instagram.com\/Buck.And.Chuck\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/BuckAndChuck\"\u003Ewww.Facebook.com\/groups\/BuckAndChuck\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4143908165750936718\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/04\/what-makes-it-rain-experiment.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3964431201985491308\/posts\/default\/4143908165750936718"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3964431201985491308\/posts\/default\/4143908165750936718"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/04\/what-makes-it-rain-experiment.html","title":"What Makes It Rain Experiment!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Denise Hill "},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07728137707367593224"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"21","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjCmqPA9h0YFaZIm64CxGqCCR2od_xUl0sMVjeFx108ipxmPfyMY8i6o1uhU058qE0RnmXNFiddH6w6iVmW3nzu1WrAa5uYvoJ14UjI7OT67j54lkLA36h-82Vbv6nxt_c\/s220\/IMG_4340.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-1zXAfloAx-o\/WPas9PSHtQI\/AAAAAAAAJqQ\/qY4SNOdN3wwSRlh3eMcsZPYFVWEIv7HmQCLcB\/s72-c\/18049791_726293501413_91932828_o.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3964431201985491308.post-617287315249446200"},"published":{"$t":"2017-04-04T21:54:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-04-05T23:26:29.732-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#BooksWeLove"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#teachermom"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Featured"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mommy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Usborne"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Four Sneaky \"That's Not My\" Literacy Skills "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nOk, we've had these \"That's Not My\" books in our house for several days now and let me just tell you: if I weren't swooning so much over how much my kids love them, I would probably be ready to hide them. I have heard the phrase \"That's Not My\" about one bajillion times in the last 48 hours. I might actually end up dreaming of bumpy lamb hooves and dinosaur teeth.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nBut I not-so-secretly love it.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nI've seen endless touchy feely books over the years, but the Usborne \"That's Not My\" Series is hands down the best quality I've ever encountered. The textures are deep, exaggerated, and creative. I bought them thinking Chuck would love them, but what I didn't expect was to have so many learning opportunities for Beckett, my preschooler! We officially have the very first books he can \"read\" on his own!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-tOwQgVNBFaM\/WORP5d7bH2I\/AAAAAAAAJSU\/r5g6PtO0B6wuHCM7Y6-wB9PMB_qogGL0gCLcB\/s1600\/17796346_723115145863_424038918916929602_n.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"428\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-tOwQgVNBFaM\/WORP5d7bH2I\/AAAAAAAAJSU\/r5g6PtO0B6wuHCM7Y6-wB9PMB_qogGL0gCLcB\/s640\/17796346_723115145863_424038918916929602_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWe've had such an incredible time exploring and learning with these book that I decided to share with you the four SNEAKY ways we're learning with Usborne's\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/d6437.myubam.com\/p\/3157\/thats-not-my-lamb%20?e=651665\"\u003EThat's Not My Lamb\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/d6437.myubam.com\/p\/171\/thats-not-my-dinosaur?e=651665\"\u003EThat's Not My Dinosaur\u003C\/a\u003E. Your kids will love these bad boys so much, they won't even know they're hitting super important reading (and writing) skills!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E1. Tracking\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBecause ALL of the books in the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/d6437.myubam.com\/search?q=that%27s+not+my\u0026amp;e=651665\"\u003EThat's Not My series\u003C\/a\u003E follow the same pattern, there's a REALLY good chance your kiddos will memorize them! This is great for a number of reasons, but Beckett and I have been working on tracking words. This means that he follows the words with his finger as he reads. You can also use a fun tool like a magic wand for this purpose. Tracking is a super important early learning skill. It helps them learn that words move from left to right on the page, and helps them understand that each word on the page matches a word that comes out of their mouth.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KPc_0PJpGxQ\/WOW-o3jGbYI\/AAAAAAAAJTE\/OBNTJr-H3kobvY0gP1lZ6QvwxBKU1_X5QCLcB\/s1600\/17820354_723446896033_69091073_o.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KPc_0PJpGxQ\/WOW-o3jGbYI\/AAAAAAAAJTE\/OBNTJr-H3kobvY0gP1lZ6QvwxBKU1_X5QCLcB\/s640\/17820354_723446896033_69091073_o.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E2. Sight Word Practice\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAgain, because the books are repetitive, they provide a great opportunity to start identifying words. After reading the books several times, and then tracking the words as you read a page, try one of these questions:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo you see the word, \"my?\"\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECan you read this word? [pointing to a familiar word]\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhat words do you recognize on this page?\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E3. Using Picture Cues\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\nA strong reader uses context clues to determine words they don't know. As we get older and become more capable readers, we use the context of the paragraph or story to determine the meaning words we don't recognize. \u0026nbsp;Young readers use illustrations to do the same thing! Teaching kids to use picture clues empowers them to be independent readers! The \"That's Not My\" books are a perfect opportunity to practice this skill because only a few words change on each page. Each time a word changes, there's a clear illustration to guide the reader!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nE-lbI46gI4\/WOW__F90L2I\/AAAAAAAAJTQ\/ioNzJDb4lak4giblSe19hwBehUEXiAUrQCLcB\/s1600\/17797397_723198823173_1102075168_o.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nE-lbI46gI4\/WOW__F90L2I\/AAAAAAAAJTQ\/ioNzJDb4lak4giblSe19hwBehUEXiAUrQCLcB\/s640\/17797397_723198823173_1102075168_o.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E4. Using Descriptive Words [Adjectives]\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\nThis was the MOST fun activity we did with this book, and it was SO SIMPLE! After reading the book several times, I went through and asked questions about the pages.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHow does his hoof feel?\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo his ears feel rough or soft?\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECan you find something bumpy?\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\nThen I challenged Beckett to describe things around the house with our new adjectives! We rubbed the carpet and he determined it was \"wooly.\" We touched a fire log and determined it was \"rough.\" We ran our fingers over the air vent and labeled it \"bumpy.\" So simple and SUCH a great vocabulary builder! I was expecting to have to guide Beckett quite a bit on this activity but he actually was able to choose an appropriate descriptive word for every object in the house I found. Then we switched it around and HE got to find the items and challenge ME!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7vC8752VfAE\/WORaOn5LDlI\/AAAAAAAAJSw\/eYRkvZygKJcu_8XChkPV-SG-ttbcGrxfgCEw\/s1600\/17522083_723198843133_1957476715_o.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7vC8752VfAE\/WORaOn5LDlI\/AAAAAAAAJSw\/eYRkvZygKJcu_8XChkPV-SG-ttbcGrxfgCEw\/s640\/17522083_723198843133_1957476715_o.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\nAnd that's it! A book that I initially thought would be appropriate only for babies has turned into an excellent learning tool for my preschooler as well. Usborne currently has 36 different titles in this series and is rumored to have more than a dozen new ones coming! Check out the whole collection \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/d6437.myubam.com\/search?q=that%27s+not+my\u0026amp;e=651665\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\nWhat do you think? We'd love to hear from you! Join our BOOK conversation \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/buckandchuck\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7Xb78CV79f8\/WNyWLOkU5xI\/AAAAAAAAJQM\/VB5fBVxrRqsE3szSRxFQCZ6WwlZVArPaACLcB\/s1600\/Buck%2B%2526%2BChuck%2B%25281%2529.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7Xb78CV79f8\/WNyWLOkU5xI\/AAAAAAAAJQM\/VB5fBVxrRqsE3szSRxFQCZ6WwlZVArPaACLcB\/s320\/Buck%2B%2526%2BChuck%2B%25281%2529.png\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.buckandchuck.com\/\"\u003Ewww.BuckAndChuck.com\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/Buck.And.Chuck\"\u003Ewww.Instagram.com\/Buck.And.Chuck\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/BuckAndChuck\"\u003Ewww.Facebook.com\/groups\/BuckAndChuck\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pSZF5qeBuEg\/WOXC43Ds4II\/AAAAAAAAJTg\/B98h-xciWtYHQq3a_bseUQ3SmjsenieJwCLcB\/s1600\/Early%2BLiteracy%2BSkills.tiff\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pSZF5qeBuEg\/WOXC43Ds4II\/AAAAAAAAJTg\/B98h-xciWtYHQq3a_bseUQ3SmjsenieJwCLcB\/s640\/Early%2BLiteracy%2BSkills.tiff\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/feeds\/617287315249446200\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/04\/four-sneaky-thats-not-my-literacy-skills.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3964431201985491308\/posts\/default\/617287315249446200"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3964431201985491308\/posts\/default\/617287315249446200"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/04\/four-sneaky-thats-not-my-literacy-skills.html","title":"Four Sneaky \"That's Not My\" Literacy Skills "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Denise Hill "},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07728137707367593224"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"21","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjCmqPA9h0YFaZIm64CxGqCCR2od_xUl0sMVjeFx108ipxmPfyMY8i6o1uhU058qE0RnmXNFiddH6w6iVmW3nzu1WrAa5uYvoJ14UjI7OT67j54lkLA36h-82Vbv6nxt_c\/s220\/IMG_4340.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-tOwQgVNBFaM\/WORP5d7bH2I\/AAAAAAAAJSU\/r5g6PtO0B6wuHCM7Y6-wB9PMB_qogGL0gCLcB\/s72-c\/17796346_723115145863_424038918916929602_n.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3964431201985491308.post-4346818945210436625"},"published":{"$t":"2017-04-02T23:18:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-04-17T12:28:20.709-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#BooksWeLove"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#DIY"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#ProcessArt"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#SaintPatricksDay"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#TotSchool"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Featured"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mommy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Spring"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Noah's Ark Process Art Collage"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"In this house, March was for all things Saint Patrick's Day, Rainbows, and Noah's Ark! Logical succession, right?! We thought so, and we had a total blast with it! We spent the month talking about Real vs. Pretend, playing with colors A LOT, and of course discussing the story behind [what I assume is] the first rainbow. We ended our month the most beautiful process art collage I've ever laid my eyes on!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-B8qFb_pJh6E\/WOG5jZuqrkI\/AAAAAAAAJQs\/9h-kObXx92Ms-wMJhBFVkJrV3pEHEshmwCLcB\/s1600\/17758137_722954956883_1044306655_n.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-B8qFb_pJh6E\/WOG5jZuqrkI\/AAAAAAAAJQs\/9h-kObXx92Ms-wMJhBFVkJrV3pEHEshmwCLcB\/s640\/17758137_722954956883_1044306655_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nThis process was not a super short one, but it wasn't complicated either! As long as you're willing to give it a few days, you're going to ROCK this project! Here's what we did:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFirst we started off by\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/03\/march-book-box-bonanza.html\"\u003E reading about Noah\u003C\/a\u003E, and discussing the fact that it's a REAL story. We followed it up with PRETENDING using \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Animal-Movement-Cards-3092877\"\u003Ethese beautiful animal action cards\u003C\/a\u003E. If you need a good workout in your day, I recommend stomping like an elephant, pouncing like a cheetah, and hopping like a kangaroo around your house a couple times! The kids got a TOTAL kick out of this and it burned a good amount of energy before we sat down for some art!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Animal-Movement-Cards-3092877\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-t8QHnxDxF1k\/WOG63UHIzjI\/AAAAAAAAJQ4\/wmUqY8Z3WpAtLCppUR2aNV2A2JhHoUdXACLcB\/s640\/17793215_722955276243_1263267156_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOnce we were all worn out, we sat down with some\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Animal-Movement-Cards-3092877\"\u003E animal cards\u003C\/a\u003E +\u0026nbsp;paints that I had strategically chosen. We discussed one card at a time, and which colors we saw. Then we chose the paints that corresponded! To do this scraping activity, you simply dot a few colors of paint over your paper, then use an old gift\/rewards\/credit card to scrape it around!! I thought Beckett (3) would be great at this and that Charlie (19 months) would be a mess but it was totally the other way around! Since Chuck's little hands can't squeeze too hard, she ended up with perfect little dots, while Beckett DROWNED his paper and life-guard mommy had to come in for the rescue [every. stinkin. time].\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-eOQv7tvYSw8\/WOG8oyIWFFI\/AAAAAAAAJRE\/bpyFAAHt_3wyotJ656YlbXItlJWmuhp_gCLcB\/s1600\/2.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-eOQv7tvYSw8\/WOG8oyIWFFI\/AAAAAAAAJRE\/bpyFAAHt_3wyotJ656YlbXItlJWmuhp_gCLcB\/s640\/2.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nTo make the Ark, we used this same process with brown, black, and deep red on a brown paper bag. By the time we finished papers for five animals + an ark, we were DONE for the day! A full week later, we came back to finish the process.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFor the animal's faces, I simply \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=0B3KxvOxKYTIGbThoX0pCeW1WbGc\"\u003Etraced outlines I found online\u003C\/a\u003E and cut them out of our painted papers. Beckett helped a little bit, but his fine motor skills are not ready for this work! So while I worked on the animals, Buck \u0026amp; Chuck worked on the water! I handed them blue felt, construction paper, and tissue paper, showed them how to cut strips and glue them on, and then set them loose [sitting very close by and guiding the process, obviously]. They actually did a FABULOUS job on this and I was so excited!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-1N8JN_oMtiQ\/WOG93kKSvsI\/AAAAAAAAJRQ\/oM5Y8iDcrRw5GPPC5CpTIdwx--S-sVfLgCLcB\/s1600\/3.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-1N8JN_oMtiQ\/WOG93kKSvsI\/AAAAAAAAJRQ\/oM5Y8iDcrRw5GPPC5CpTIdwx--S-sVfLgCLcB\/s640\/3.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOnce we were done cutting our animals and creating our beautiful blue background, it was time to assemble! Beckett helped me place the animals by telling me which one could be in the water and which had to be on the boat. Then he and I worked together to hot glue everything down and get those adorable wiggly eyes in place!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-0dKUsvaY1Og\/WOHGEkz2_bI\/AAAAAAAAJRs\/o5ktBDaXZi8Yv0O12PHosqUex3eXN_ZbgCLcB\/s1600\/17760257_722954961873_1374659722_n.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-0dKUsvaY1Og\/WOHGEkz2_bI\/AAAAAAAAJRs\/o5ktBDaXZi8Yv0O12PHosqUex3eXN_ZbgCLcB\/s640\/17760257_722954961873_1374659722_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd that's it! This project could totally be fun with an range of ages, and can be applied to so many different themes! We will DEFINITELY do this scrape painting again. Process art for the win!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDon't forget to pin it!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-E6dFV2xN1IM\/WPT7K8MifyI\/AAAAAAAAJpc\/8skQ1l8JP2MgwrcpvEO_S-nGxequ0EUpgCLcB\/s1600\/noahs%2Bark%2Bcollege.tiff\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-E6dFV2xN1IM\/WPT7K8MifyI\/AAAAAAAAJpc\/8skQ1l8JP2MgwrcpvEO_S-nGxequ0EUpgCLcB\/s640\/noahs%2Bark%2Bcollege.tiff\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7Xb78CV79f8\/WNyWLOkU5xI\/AAAAAAAAJQM\/VB5fBVxrRqsE3szSRxFQCZ6WwlZVArPaACLcB\/s1600\/Buck%2B%2526%2BChuck%2B%25281%2529.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7Xb78CV79f8\/WNyWLOkU5xI\/AAAAAAAAJQM\/VB5fBVxrRqsE3szSRxFQCZ6WwlZVArPaACLcB\/s320\/Buck%2B%2526%2BChuck%2B%25281%2529.png\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nwww.BuckAndChuck.com\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nwww.Instagram.com\/Buck.And.Chuck\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nwww.Facebook.com\/groups\/BuckAndChuck\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4346818945210436625\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/04\/noahs-ark-process-art-collage.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3964431201985491308\/posts\/default\/4346818945210436625"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3964431201985491308\/posts\/default\/4346818945210436625"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/04\/noahs-ark-process-art-collage.html","title":"Noah's Ark Process Art Collage"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Denise Hill "},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07728137707367593224"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"21","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjCmqPA9h0YFaZIm64CxGqCCR2od_xUl0sMVjeFx108ipxmPfyMY8i6o1uhU058qE0RnmXNFiddH6w6iVmW3nzu1WrAa5uYvoJ14UjI7OT67j54lkLA36h-82Vbv6nxt_c\/s220\/IMG_4340.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-B8qFb_pJh6E\/WOG5jZuqrkI\/AAAAAAAAJQs\/9h-kObXx92Ms-wMJhBFVkJrV3pEHEshmwCLcB\/s72-c\/17758137_722954956883_1044306655_n.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3964431201985491308.post-6684980777102656524"},"published":{"$t":"2017-03-30T06:30:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-03-30T06:30:12.555-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#Freebies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#GuestBlogger"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mommy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Spring"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Life Cycles and Young Children"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Happy Spring, y'all! I'm Karen from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/littlesmarticleparticles.blogspot.com\/\"\u003ELittle Smarticle Particles\u003C\/a\u003E, and I'm thrilled that Denise is letting me share some fun ideas for teaching and learning about life cycles with your little ones.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFirst of all... do you think you are not a \"science person\"? No problem. Children are naturally curious about the world around them, so science concepts are a natural fit (\u003Ci\u003Eespecially \u003C\/i\u003Ewhen it comes to critters).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSecondly...(I have to get on my soapbox for a moment), as a veteran teacher and a mother of grown children, I have to tell you that the most important thing that you can do for your children is to \u003Cb\u003Etalk to them\u003C\/b\u003E. Have conversations. Listen to them. Stop and show them stuff and explain how it works. You don't have to be technical. It is my firm belief that when parents talk to their children and read to them (daily!), they are setting them up for academic success.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBut I know you already do this. How do I know, you ask? Because you are already a step ahead of the game by visiting Buck \u0026amp; Chuck!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSo... let's get this party started. I have found that one of the best ways to get things rolling is with a good read aloud. I happen to love just about any book by Gail Gibbons. She is my go-to author for all things non-fiction. She is also the illustrator, and she labels her illustrations... (yay! as a science teacher, I'm all about the labeling).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4z68t_1_LBs\/WNcQJqTCKUI\/AAAAAAAAI-s\/r9IY8ezfkbcF-HXmJx1x9PHcRCBD-YauQCLcB\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bdesign%2B%25284%2529.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4z68t_1_LBs\/WNcQJqTCKUI\/AAAAAAAAI-s\/r9IY8ezfkbcF-HXmJx1x9PHcRCBD-YauQCLcB\/s640\/Untitled%2Bdesign%2B%25284%2529.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EAffiliate Links:\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2niZ37f\"\u003EMonarch Butterflies\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2niShOI\"\u003EFrom Seed to Plant\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2nAvKzn\"\u003EFrogs\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2nj2A5p\"\u003EChicks \u0026amp; Chickens\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\nLet me backtrack for a moment. When my children were small I read to the regularly. I love to read, and I wanted to them to love to read as well. But, what I noticed was that each of my two children were very different. My daughter could sit in my lap all day and be read to, while my son would only sit still for so long. Sound familiar?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\nSo here's the secret: adapt to them. If they can sit for a while, read the text word for word. Track the text with your finger and take time to discuss the pictures. If you have a little one that doesn't sit still for long then summarize. Hit the highlights. Look at the pictures and describe what is on the page. Ask them questions and let them ask you questions. If you don't get the entire book read, no worries. Read it in chunks. A little here, a little there.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\nAnother fun idea for teaching young children is with play. I saw these fun toys at a workshop and knew I had to have them. Luckily I won a door prize and got to pick what I wanted. Yay!!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-s6Hds0KKnts\/WNbnMLAQ0NI\/AAAAAAAACQE\/NPUHsI_f3LY96PKu8L54qch8Ka-8sCQFwCLcB\/s1600\/Picture1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"298\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-s6Hds0KKnts\/WNbnMLAQ0NI\/AAAAAAAACQE\/NPUHsI_f3LY96PKu8L54qch8Ka-8sCQFwCLcB\/s400\/Picture1.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wgyVHtg-CBk\/WNbnMJyjZfI\/AAAAAAAACP8\/YPYvQmveYZEmVd8GEVzUYtzB1_yjADQ-gCLcB\/s1600\/Picture2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wgyVHtg-CBk\/WNbnMJyjZfI\/AAAAAAAACP8\/YPYvQmveYZEmVd8GEVzUYtzB1_yjADQ-gCLcB\/s200\/Picture2.jpg\" width=\"196\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-AlG958gmyi4\/WNbnMHXJr9I\/AAAAAAAACQA\/KCPO9uxMOTo2g4taVVsWw0HvEB8DfzRYACEw\/s1600\/Picture3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-AlG958gmyi4\/WNbnMHXJr9I\/AAAAAAAACQA\/KCPO9uxMOTo2g4taVVsWw0HvEB8DfzRYACEw\/s200\/Picture3.jpg\" width=\"195\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\nWhen you talk about these toys, be sure to use the words hatchling, chick, chicken, and hen. It won't be long until you notice that when they play with them, they will also be using the proper vocabulary. You can always ask questions that lead your kiddo to sequence the the figurines with the words first, next, last, finally, etc... Your kiddo will be learning valuable skills that go way beyond just knowing about life cycles! These life cycle toys are from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.safariltd.com\/catalogsearch\/result\/?q=Life+Cycle\u0026amp;cat=\"\u003ESafariology\u003C\/a\u003E. They also have sets available for butterflies, ladybugs, frogs, plants, and quite a few more.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\nWhile I love my Safariology toys, at $9.99 a set, they can get a bit pricey. So...how about a freebie?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\nI've created a set of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0B4yQTvYvzZg2dkNLSEc5eE91eVk\/view?usp=sharing\"\u003Esequencing life cycle cards\u003C\/a\u003E for chickens, frogs, and butterflies. Each card also has an arrow that can be cut out. Use these arrows to arrange the cards in sequential order and reinforce the concept that a cycle happens over and over. Just copy them on cardstock, cut, and your ready to go!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-gMj1jnm8mnk\/WNbswDpIZoI\/AAAAAAAACQY\/VMZ43Eue2hULwLwm9xoswmoJBuGcPHdlwCLcB\/s1600\/Picture5.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-gMj1jnm8mnk\/WNbswDpIZoI\/AAAAAAAACQY\/VMZ43Eue2hULwLwm9xoswmoJBuGcPHdlwCLcB\/s640\/Picture5.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-U1F1Ybjzo4M\/WNbswBbQbbI\/AAAAAAAACQc\/xxImddAaFEYqTnqz9RfCjQ3QmjTlzAXsgCLcB\/s1600\/Picture6.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-U1F1Ybjzo4M\/WNbswBbQbbI\/AAAAAAAACQc\/xxImddAaFEYqTnqz9RfCjQ3QmjTlzAXsgCLcB\/s640\/Picture6.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NOUXqjyhirQ\/WNbsv1oFMeI\/AAAAAAAACQU\/eKO-Q9hGVwswzC-Ixf5TQn5jBy72ln6BACLcB\/s1600\/Picture7.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NOUXqjyhirQ\/WNbsv1oFMeI\/AAAAAAAACQU\/eKO-Q9hGVwswzC-Ixf5TQn5jBy72ln6BACLcB\/s400\/Picture7.png\" width=\"387\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;I hope you enjoyed my post... have fun learning and exploring with your little one!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\nKaren\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lFZ5nGghaQw\/WNbxLC5j30I\/AAAAAAAACQo\/KVjHoySww_MVMndq6mkJ8c6RiBG5WiHWACLcB\/s1600\/Logo1.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lFZ5nGghaQw\/WNbxLC5j30I\/AAAAAAAACQo\/KVjHoySww_MVMndq6mkJ8c6RiBG5WiHWACLcB\/s200\/Logo1.png\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6684980777102656524\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/03\/life-cycles-and-young-children.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3964431201985491308\/posts\/default\/6684980777102656524"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3964431201985491308\/posts\/default\/6684980777102656524"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/03\/life-cycles-and-young-children.html","title":"Life Cycles and Young Children"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4z68t_1_LBs\/WNcQJqTCKUI\/AAAAAAAAI-s\/r9IY8ezfkbcF-HXmJx1x9PHcRCBD-YauQCLcB\/s72-c\/Untitled%2Bdesign%2B%25284%2529.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3964431201985491308.post-3613190811489731515"},"published":{"$t":"2017-03-28T06:52:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-03-28T07:22:07.595-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#Easter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#GuestBlogger"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#ProcessArt"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#STEM"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Featured"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mommy"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Four Fun Ways to Play with Plastic Eggs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wwZkYvqzzGk\/WNjKsCFRz0I\/AAAAAAABldk\/Wia8ue-t7KMEvS2tB8dH0Ac8yRaGd8p1ACLcB\/s1600\/eggbasket.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wwZkYvqzzGk\/WNjKsCFRz0I\/AAAAAAABldk\/Wia8ue-t7KMEvS2tB8dH0Ac8yRaGd8p1ACLcB\/s640\/eggbasket.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nPlastic eggs: they're not just for treats anymore! I'm here for a visit with not one, not two, not even three, but \u003Cb\u003Efour\u003C\/b\u003E super fun ways to use those gorgeous little jellybean holders that don't have anything to do with jellybean holding :) \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHi, Buck and Chuck buddies! My name is Cara. I'm a stay-at-home momma, homeschool preschool teacher, professional sock matcher, Instagram addict, and blogger. You can usually find me over at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/raisingkinley.com\/\"\u003Eraisingkinley.com\u003C\/a\u003E, but I'm so excited to be here with you guys! My four-year-old super cool daughter, Kinley, and I have been testing egg activities (egg-tivities?) all week, and I think we have narrowed them down to the top four most egg-citing ideas.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIf you are like me, every single year you want to throw all of those cute little plastic eggs away when Easter is over, but they are just too bright and colorful so you just throw them in a tote and save them for next year. But then next year comes and Target has a brand-new egg color scheme and you need those fresh new eggs, too. Is that just me? Well...this is embarrassing. Okay, so even if you \u003Ci\u003Earen't\u003C\/i\u003E a pretty plastic egg hoarder, we can agree that 99 cents is a small price to pay for four educational\/incredibly fun and entertaining ideas, right? Oh, good :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nLet's get started!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFirst up, \u003Cb\u003EPlastic Egg STEM\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-yNYVfQ9QSp8\/WNjIQfCwr3I\/AAAAAAABldI\/C-yQzSogSHkSZduLM6j1qL2W-7tQTz8FACLcB\/s1600\/eggnew1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"510\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-yNYVfQ9QSp8\/WNjIQfCwr3I\/AAAAAAABldI\/C-yQzSogSHkSZduLM6j1qL2W-7tQTz8FACLcB\/s640\/eggnew1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003ELeaning Tower of Eggs\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOkay, I know what you are thinking-- How exciting can stacking egg halves be?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003EWhen I saw this idea from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.theresourcefulmama.com\/plastic-easter-egg-towers-stem-challenge\/\"\u003EThe Resourceful Mama\u003C\/a\u003E on Pinterest, I was skeptical, too, but I swear it's wayy more fun than it looks. Like your little human is going to plead with you to play this game every. single. day. kind of fun.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nKinley and I had competitions all week to try and build the highest stack without those wobbly eggs falling over. We tried making stacks of just tops, and just bottoms. We tried big Easter eggs and small Easter eggs. We had about a million speed stacking races. We counted them and kept track of our record numbers (she still reigns supreme with a whopping 37!) and tried sorting the eggs by color and then making stacks out of each sorted pile. There were many conversations about different methods we could use to help our towers stay standing and what made them fall.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBasically, we used this game to practice just about every preschool math and engineering (and a heck of a lot of fine motor) skill you can think of. And we had a blast doing it!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFour super nimble thumbs-up from these girls :) \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nLet's move on to \u003Cb\u003EPlastic Egg Art\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-JfD5JuqMu08\/WNjJstgxodI\/AAAAAAABldc\/0-RKRL1qPoYAc7dZOF_DmoWIIfda8nCygCLcB\/s1600\/eggpaint.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-JfD5JuqMu08\/WNjJstgxodI\/AAAAAAABldc\/0-RKRL1qPoYAc7dZOF_DmoWIIfda8nCygCLcB\/s640\/eggpaint.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EPlastic Egg Process Art\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhile you are at it with the egg halves, break out some paint and let's get a little bit messy! This project really couldn't be any simpler. Squirt paint on plate. Dip half egg in paint. Stamp egg on paper. Voila! :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nProcess art concepts sometime seem too simple to hold a little one's attention, but once you try it you realize that your kiddo doesn't need extra instructions to get creative and have fun. I even like to make my own process art right alongside Kinley. It's so relaxing to just paint or draw or stamp and not worry about perfection.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nJust in case you don't know what process art is, I'll give you a quick rundown. Process art focuses on the fun of making the art, instead of focusing on the end product. Instead of showing your kiddo a craft to copy, you give him materials and maybe a simple prompt and then step back and let him do it, his way.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nKinley made a rainbow with her egg stamps, and then she tried dipping them in paint and dragging them around and they made really cool egg shapes that almost looked like they had been sponge-painted. There's no wrong way to make plastic egg art!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIf you wanna try another \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.raisingkinley.com\/2017\/03\/plastic-egg-process-art-painting.html\"\u003Eplastic egg process art project\u003C\/a\u003E, I just posted one on my blog the other day. This one involves wiggling and shaking, and turns out some gorgeous results.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI'm not finished yet! Plastic egg activity #3: \u003Cb\u003ELiteracy\/Large Motor\/Super Incredibly Fun\u003C\/b\u003E! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-WKcGqxm4LYI\/WNYvX1U823I\/AAAAAAABlOo\/93onQFpUoXgCy0tlRX6nbsAMznqVSEHWwCLcB\/s1600\/buck2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-WKcGqxm4LYI\/WNYvX1U823I\/AAAAAAABlOo\/93onQFpUoXgCy0tlRX6nbsAMznqVSEHWwCLcB\/s640\/buck2.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EABC Egg Hunt\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nKinley cannot get enough of this game. She asks to play it over and over again. It's the last thing she asks about when she is headed off to dreamland, and the first thing she requests when she wakes up. And how can I say no? After 3 days of playing this game nonstop, she has mastered 5 of the 6 letters she has trouble identifying. It works!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAll you need are some eggs and one of these foam ABC puzzles from Dollar Tree. If you don't have a Dollar Tree near you, just fill your eggs with letter magnets or make your own letters out of cardstock. I made a version of this game for St. Patrick's Day with cardstock gold coins and letter stickers from the Target One Spot. I even made a puzzle mat to match the letters to by tracing the paper coins on a white sheet of paper and attaching matching letter stickers to each traced coin. If you want to see what that looked like, I posted a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BRtg5a6hI4g\/?taken-by=cara.raisingkinley\"\u003Epic on Instagram\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt's really easy-- just put one letter in each egg, choose one room of your house so the hunt doesn't get too frustrating, and hide all of those eggs. We like to do a couple of hard ones, but mostly ones that can be seen without moving things around. Then, you just set your kiddo loose to go on a finding frenzy. Kinley likes when I use my phone to time her egg hunts and she is constantly trying to beat her own record.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAfter all of the eggs are found, we crack open the eggs and K puts them in the puzzle. As an extra added level of difficulty, I won't let her pop the letter in its spot until she's named it. If she doesn't know it I tell her, but she still has to say it out loud. I think this is what has made a difference with her hard six letters. You could also use this to practice letter sounds.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIf you are missing some puzzle letters, send that little egg hunter back in to find the ones that have been left behind.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd then repeat. Again and again and againnnnn.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nYay, letters! Well, that was fun, but I have one last super incredibly fun and versatile use for those pretty plastic eggs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003ESensory\/Fun Bin\u003C\/b\u003E time!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wLe3CRTy054\/WNYzSaCWyAI\/AAAAAAABlO8\/LMit27vprJcgWLu88p8uLNbePUYW7M5xwCLcB\/s1600\/buck8.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wLe3CRTy054\/WNYzSaCWyAI\/AAAAAAABlO8\/LMit27vprJcgWLu88p8uLNbePUYW7M5xwCLcB\/s640\/buck8.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EEgg Hunt Bin\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhen I say we love bins, that is an understatement. I make one for every holiday and unit that we work on, and Kinley is \u003Ci\u003Ealways\u003C\/i\u003E excited no matter what the filler is. Usually, I go more sensory heavy (water beads, sand, shaving cream, even jingle bells) but we also love a good small world or imagination bin. This one is kind of a mix of all of that!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI filled up our giant bin with four different kinds of super cheap Easter grass--green and orange regular plastic kind, pink polka dotted paper kind, and that pretty iridescent clear kind. Kinley loves to dig in this stuff and she has since she had her \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.raisingkinley.com\/2014\/04\/egg-shakers-and-easter-grass.html\"\u003Efirst Easter bin\u003C\/a\u003E when she was just a tiny girl. Picture this stuff strewn from one corner of the room to the other like confetti and a grinning little stinker standing right in the middle of it with Easter grass sticking out of her hair. That's pretty much everyday :) I don't mind a giant mess, as long as it provided at least 15 minutes of fun, and this bin is good for wayyyy more than that.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOther than Easter grass, I put K's first Easter basket in there and a cute little wind-up bunny and chick that we have affectionately named Buck and Chuck ;) and EGGS, of course. I just have Kinley shut her eyes and I hide them under all that beautiful grass for her to dig out.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFinding empty eggs didn't seem very fun, so I came up with a few egg-filler ideas for you:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Esmall toys (Shopkins, Tsum Tsums, bouncy balls, finger puppets, fake bugs, etc)\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eletters or numbers, just like the literacy activity\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eslips of paper with wiggle prompts\/questions written on them ( \"Find something red and bring it to me.\" \"Do 10 jumping jacks.\" \"What's your favorite movie?\" etc.)\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Epuzzle pieces, one in each egg and complete the puzzle as you open eggs\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\nI broke this bin out for Kinley today, and she opened and reopened those same eggs filled with small toys at least 7 times. And she acted completely shocked and surprised every single time, bless her hilarious little heart :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI think I'm going to start making one surprise egg a day with a Hershey Kiss or some special treat in it, so she will be actually, for real surprised. And I'm gonna keep brainstorming egg ideas. I'm planning on switching out the fillers every couple of days to keep it fun and interesting.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWell, you guys, I hope you are feeling inspired and ready to get your Easter egg on. Who knew 99 cents could provide so many hours of entertainment? Hey, you might even be able to get to that ginormous pile of clean laundry sitting in the basket waiting to be folded while your little ones are busy painting and hunting and stacking. Here's hopping....wait, hoping? Here's hoping! :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHappy Easter, y'all!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dQ2f5TRzzp8\/WNjPSunX4_I\/AAAAAAABldw\/S06sDDVSWzoSJ4-5mrI6IjnC5sEAkD6hACLcB\/s1600\/raisingkinley.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dQ2f5TRzzp8\/WNjPSunX4_I\/AAAAAAABldw\/S06sDDVSWzoSJ4-5mrI6IjnC5sEAkD6hACLcB\/s200\/raisingkinley.png\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWanna have more fun with us?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBLOG: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.raisingkinley.com\/\"\u003Ewww.raisingkinley.com\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nINSTAGRAM: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/cara.raisingkinley\"\u003Ewww.instagram.com\/cara.raisingkinley\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFACEBOOK: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/raisingkinley\"\u003Ewww.facebook.com\/raisingkinley\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nPINTEREST: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/raisingkinley\"\u003Ewww.pinterest.com\/raisingkinley\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3613190811489731515\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/03\/four-fun-ways-to-play-with-plastic-eggs.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3964431201985491308\/posts\/default\/3613190811489731515"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3964431201985491308\/posts\/default\/3613190811489731515"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/hashtagteachermom.blogspot.com\/2017\/03\/four-fun-ways-to-play-with-plastic-eggs.html","title":"Four Fun Ways to Play with Plastic Eggs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wwZkYvqzzGk\/WNjKsCFRz0I\/AAAAAAABldk\/Wia8ue-t7KMEvS2tB8dH0Ac8yRaGd8p1ACLcB\/s72-c\/eggbasket.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}}]}});