written by Lisa Amstutz Kids love apples—fresh, in juice or cider, dried, or best of all—as applesauce! Why not try making fresh, homemade applesauce with your kids this year? This easy crockpot version will fill your home and classroom with apple-icious smells all day long! Don't forget to read children's books like my new book, Applesauce Day, while you feast. Easy Crockpot … [Read more...]
24 Book Series 3rd Graders Love to Read
What are the best book series for 3rd graders? Here are 25 chapter book series that not only are just right for third graders but that they'll LOVE to read. (For those of you not in the U.S., third grade is generally 8-year olds.) 24 Book Series 3rd Graders Love to Read Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel HUMOR In a word: Hilarious. We all think Bad Kitty is very naughty. But, oh so funny. These books … [Read more...]
Picture Books about Growing Up and Being Yourself
It helps kids if we reinforce that every child learns (valuable) life lessons as he or she grows up. And growing up sometimes isn't easy. Reading picture books about growing up and being true to yourself can help. Here's a batch of newly published titles that hit the right spot. Picture Books about Growing Up and Being Yourself (Fall 2017) Philomena's New Glasses by Brenna Maloney … [Read more...]
What’s New in Fantasy Books for Ages 8 – 12 (Fall 2017)
I'm so excited to share with you the new fantasy middle grade books for children ages 8 - 12! If you're like me and love this genre, you're going to be thrilled with so many fantastic new titles. What's New in Fantasy Books for Ages 8 - 12 The Wonderling by Mira Bartók This beautiful, heart-warming story is one of my favorite books of 2017. The story begins at an orphanage of … [Read more...]
Back to School Backpack Zipper Charms (To Stay Organized)
Sometimes we all need a little help to stay organized during the busy mornings before school. Before your kids go back to school, make these helpful Backpack Shrinky Dink Zipper Charms to provide a visual reminder of daily must-haves at school. This fun idea is just one of many in The Superkids Activity Guide to Conquering Every Day: Awesome Games and Crafts to Master Your Moods, Boost Focus, Hack … [Read more...]
What’s New for 2017 Back to School Picture Books?
Each year about this time, we discover the new back to school picture books. Teachers and parents, you'll find lots of great choices for 2017, great choices to be enjoyed by children ad perfect for reading aloud. 2017 Back to School Picture Books Here Comes Teacher Cat by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Claudia Rueda You'll love this sweet, silly story about a reluctant … [Read more...]
Making Learning Fun Through Play
You already love to play with your 3- to 5-year-olds. Now, turn those play times into rich learning experiences. It’s easier than you think and lots of fun. In fact, your child won’t even know how much they’re learning! For each of the preschool learning topics, colors, numbers, shapes, science, and engineering, you’ll find suggestions you can do today with little or no prep. As Fred Rogers … [Read more...]
Care For Your School with Box Tops for Education
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with compensation received from General Mills. As always, all opinions are my own. Did you know that for every Box Tops for Education, your school earns $.10? CVS stores nationwide carry so many General Mills brand products with Box Tops Clips. Purchasing these products is an easy way to care for your school, making a direct, positive impact on the health … [Read more...]
Easily Make Your Own Literacy Book Bags
You've heard of busy bags, but do you also know about literacy book bags? These are bags with a picture book and playful toys, games, or other related hands-on activities to do. And you can easily make your own! Literacy book bags help children go deeper into the story. The bags encourage a child to retell (reenact) the story. This helps with sequencing as well as understanding story structure. … [Read more...]
Picture Books About Books, Words, and Storytelling
Reading picture books about books, words, and storytelling builds more literally a child's understanding of all three concepts. Of course, reading in general builds a child's understanding of these in a more abstract sense. Both are foundational. It's helpful to introduce these kinds of books to children so they start to think about the person behind the stories (the author) as well as how to … [Read more...]
Kids Love Sphero’s SPRK+ for Creative STEAM Learning
Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Sphero to write this article. #sponsored #beyondcode Your kids can do SO MUCH with Sphero’s new app-enabled robot that inspires not just coding but also learning STEAM topics in creative ways. SPRK+ from Sphero caught my kids attention from the get-go and held it as they began to explore the various learning possibilities with it. This is creative technology … [Read more...]
Hands-On Journal: My Book of Beautiful Oops! #BeautifulOops
My Book of Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg is a hands-on, write-in, decorate-in, scribble-in journal based on the iconic Beautiful Oops! (affiliate link) book. I'm working with Workman Publishing to share this sweepstakes of My Book of Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg! (Read the author's post on Imagination Soup about My Beautiful Oops and making your own "beautiful oops" here.) A … [Read more...]