Campbell House at Christmas

It is Christmas time and it is a perfect time to take a tour of the Campbell House.  The Spokesman website has a wonderful slideshow.  

Here is a quote from the Northwest Museum of Art's and Culture website. "Historic Campbell House and the Carriage House will be in an open-house format with festive holiday decorations, cooking demonstrations and professional actors portraying people that actually lived, visited or worked in the Campbell family home during the late 19th and 20th centuries. There will be fun, take-home children's activities, too. Appropriate for all ages. This seasonal program is included in your museum admission and open Wed- Sat noon - 4pm through January 1, 2013. (Check in at Museum Admissions first)"

Twelve Days of Christmas

We love to sing 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' in our house and classrooms.  There are two ways we use this book.  In our home we use the song to remind us of our faith.  We also like to use this book as a triangular number pattern example in the classroom.

Classroom:  The 'Twelve Days of Christmas' provides a wonderful math/music lesson in the classroom.  The gifts really start to grow, assuming that the partridge in a pear tree was given ( 1 x 12 =12) twelve times.   The book demonstrates a triangular number pattern.  

Day 1:  Partridge in a pear tree=1 gifts

Day 2:  Partridge in a pear tree + two turtledoves = 3 gifts

Day 3:  Partridge in a pear tree + two turtledoves + three French hens = 6 gifts

My husband and I love to teach this lesson.  The students predict how many total gifts were given by the twelfth day.  Many of the students guess much too low.  We use Jack Kent's 'Twelve Days of Christmas.'  The main characters overwhelmed expression just adds to the story.  The students start to feel sorry for the main character. 

In the past we have made charts to show patterns, individual posters for each day, and wrote new lyrics.    

You can find our 'Twelve Days of Christmas' lesson at our Liz and Ron Store.

Home:  Here is a quick history review.  Long ago, the Roman Catholics were forbidden to practice their faith openly.   'The Twelve Days of Christmas' was written as a "catechism song" to help children to learn about their Roman Catholic faith.  The song was written somewhere between 1558 to 1829.

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed 

Keeping The Christmas Season About Those in Need

Our family loves to hold onto traditions new and old. Christmas seems complete when we watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," and "Rudolph."  We have added some new videos in the last several years.  VeggieTales continues to release Christmas movies that are wonderful for the whole family.  One film I would like to highlight is "Saint Nicholas:  A Story of Joyful Giving."  The theme of giving is important for children to hear during the Christmas season. St. Nicholas Day is December 6th. I am sure that many families have traditions to share that help their families focus on the needy and less fortunate. We would love to hear from our readers!

Christmas Books for the Classroom and Home

We love Christmas books in our family, but we do have a favorite.  "The Quiltmaker's Gift" is not categorized as a Christmas book, but it embraces the value of "gift giving and not receiving."  The Quiltmaker only makes quilts for the poor.  A greedy king decides that one of these quilts will make him happy.  The Quiltmaker has a great challenge for the king and it changes his life.  

"But Jonathan thinks that if it's not wrapped up in a package
 and tied with a ribbon, it's not a gift."

Thanksgiving Books for the Whole Family

It is time for Thanksgiving.  "A Turkey For Thanksgiving," written by Eve Bunting is a family favorite.  Here are some books that we enjoy reading throughout November. Also, the Plimoth Plantation has a wonderful "Just For Kids" page.  The site is full of stories, virtual field trips, and recipes.

Keeping Our Preschoolers Growing and Learning During the Winter!

We know it is hard to keep our kids active, engaged, and challenged during the winter. Here are some low cost educational activities for the the winter months.  

Physical Education

“Dancing Balloons”-  

• Try to keep the balloon off the ground. (music)

• Have your child lay on his/her back.  Put the balloon between their feet.  The child tries to pick the balloon off of the ground with straight legs and bring the balloon over their head.  Then lower the feet without letting go of the balloon. Many people do this exercise with a Yoga ball.

Movement

• Rent a kids movement DVD.
• Example:  “Bo on the Go”  or  “Wiggles”
• Zumba Kids-YouTube 
• Create a hopscotch with tape in the garage or in a spare room:

Math

Measurement:

• Rice Bin-Supply the bin with variety of scoops, measuring cups, counters.

Spacial:

• Cookies-The child rolls out the dough and estimates if the cookie cutter will fit on the flattened dough.  Is the surface area enough?  Do we need to roll the dough more?   Do we need to add more dough?

Literacy

Writing Activities:

• Take a cookie sheet and cover it with shaving cream.  Have the child practice writing letters and their name.
• Also you can fill the cookie sheet with rice.  

Take a mirror and Crayola Window Markers.  Have the child practice writing letters and their name. The markers erase with soap and water.

• Create a simple story with a beginning, middle, and end using PowerPoint, Prezi, Page Maker, etc.

Literacy Technology

Computer Games and Apps-

• Articulation  
• Starfall 
• PBS 
• Toddler Flashcards (Free) 
• Baby Flash Cards-Letters (Free) 
• Write My Name

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Building Number Sense Before School Age

We know that babies, toddlers, and preschoolers need opportunities to explore with their hands. Sometimes it is hard to move children from exploration activities to higher level comparisons and questioning. 

Activity 1: Less than More Than

Step 1:  Take two containers and label them “ 1” and “2”.

Step 2: Student counts items in each container.  “Which container has more stars (objects)?”

Step 2: Student counts items in each container.  “Which container has more stars (objects)?”  "Which container has the greatest amount of stars?"

Step 3: Keep doing the activity.  Repetition is important. Make sure to do the activity with an empty container.  It is important for the child to see what “zero” or “none” looks like.

Extension:  After the student understands the words "more" and "greater than."  Take time to move to "less than"  and "least."

Look for "Number Sense: Counters, Scoops, and Rice Activities" @ our TPT store.

Base 10 Blocks: Never Let Them Go!!

Why is it important to use Base 10 manipulatives in the classroom?  I can’t imagine teaching without Base 10 blocks.  Here are four reasons to never let these blocks out of your sight.

Number 1:  Prime and Composite Numbers

It is hard for students to visualize large numbers. Students need to build and compare composite and prime numbers. When blocks are used students can see how composite numbers differ from prime numbers. 

Number 2:  Area vs. Volume

Students can communicate the difference between area and volume using these blocks.  The added dimension of height is more obvious using base 10 blocks.  You can you read more about building a “Millions” cube, area, and volume at our store.

Number 3:  Weight and Size

One cube weighs 1 gram and measures 1cm.  Great for any metric activity.

Number 4:  Decimals and Percents

Take a flat (100) and place one smallcube on top of the flat demonstrates 1/100.  Now you have 1%.  Place a cube on a rod (10) equals 1/10.  Now your percentage is 10%.  

Election Day and U. S. History Fun

Here are great sites to use in your classroom on Election Day!!

• Presidential Pop Quiz
• White House Interactive Tour
• U. S. Government for Kids
• Congress for Kids
• Election Day for Kids
• Vote for President
• Election Day
• Kids Voting U.S.A

Tribes of Washington State

It is not easy to find information on Washington State tribal history.  Here is a quick video describing House Bill 1495. Many universities and OSPI have developed resources and curriculum for Washington classrooms. 


Tribes of Washington State

• more information  

Washington Map

• more

Seattle University

OSPI-lesson plans

• more

Eastern Washington University

"Must See Indian Country"