Christmas Craft Playdate

We had a birthday party for Jesus with some friends last week.

We had a couple of crafts for the kids to do: coffee filter snowflakes and mod-podge ornaments.

We had story time - tons of great Christmas books from the library!

And what is a birthday party without some cake?  The kids all had a great time and us moms loved being able to remind our children the real reason for the CHRISTmas season.

Isaiah 9:6 -  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Craft Playdate

We had some friends over one beautiful afternoon last week for a craft playdate.  Nate picked out a few Dollar Birdhouses at JoAnn's and we just let the kids go to town with the paints.  They all were pretty serious about their painting.  ;-)

It was a laid back visit.  We had a snack and played Quirkle...  Not over-planned.  Just hanging out and enjoying being with our friends.  What a blessing!

Chester's Way - DIY Story & Craft

One week I used Chester's Way as inspiration for our class.  I found this great printable from Live Oak Media that had lesson plan ideas and discussion questions.
For our craft I decided to keep it simple and had the kids make "disguises" like Chester, Wilson and Lilly wear in the book.  I had little mouse faces that I got at the dollar store and the kids drew their own disguises on them. 
Then I pulled out what I thought would be the exciting part.  I had mustaches for the kids to have their own disguises.  Sadly they were less than excited.  But as you can see from the photo, my teacher's helper and I were excited about the mustaches.  ;-)  Oh, well... not every idea is a home run.  But that is ok.

Julius, Baby of the World - DIY Storytime and Craft

The next Story/Craft at our homeschool group is inspired by Julius, the Baby of the World.
The riotously funny Lilly, last seen in Chester's Way (Greenwillow), thinks her new baby brother, Julius, is disgusting -- if he was a number, he would be zero. But when Cousin Garland dares to criticize Julius, Lilly bullies her into loudly admiring Julius as the baby of the world.Lilly knows her baby brother is nothing but dreadful -- until she claims him for her own. "Henkes displays a deep understanding of sibling rivalry and a child's fragile self-esteem....Lilly is a superb and timely heroine." -- Publishers Weekly. "

Lily wears a crown most of the time so we made and decorated cardboard crowns for our craft.  The kids loved being able to express themselves and of course, what kid doesn't like to be able to wear their artwork?  ;-)  They seemed to have a great time. 

So much of this semester is working out the kinks in all of this.  I feel like by the time I get the hang of things its over.  So, I volunteered to teach the same class to another age group in the next semester.  We haven't gotten the schedule made for the spring yet but I'm looking forward to feeling like I have it together... even if it is an illusion.  ;-)

Chrysanthemum - DIY Storytime and Craft

Last week in our homeschool group preschool class we read

Chrysanthemum.  She was a perfect baby, and she had a perfect name. Chrysanthemum. When she was old enough to appreciate it, Chrysanthemum loved her name. And then she started school. "I'm named after my grandmother," said Victoria. "You're named after a flower." Chrysanthemum wilted. Life at school didn't improve. In fact, it got worse. Then the students were introduced to their music teacher, Mrs. Twinkle. Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle. And suddenly, Chrysanthemum blossomed....

I have used this printable guide to for of  Kevin Henkes' books.  It helps give me ideas for discussion questions and activity ideas. For our craft we helped the kids bead their own name bracelets.  We had to work out some kinks along the way because the stretchy plastic string would not hold a knot.  But then another mom came in at the end and saved us with a special knot that worked.  Though for the life of me I cannot remember what she had us do.  But the kids had a good time.  And that is all we can ask!

Story/Craft: Owen by Kevin Henkes

Last week for our homeschool group's preschool story/craft time I share the Caldecott Honor Book: Owen by Kevin Henkes.  

Owen had a fuzzy yellow blanket. "Fuzzy goes where I go," said Owen. But Mrs. Tweezers disagreed. She thought Owen was too old for a blanket. Owen disagreed. No matter what Mrs. Tweezers came up with, Blanket Fairies or vinegar, Owen had the answer. But when school started, Owen't mother knew just what to do, and everyone -- Owen, Fuzzy, and even Mrs. Tweezers -- was happy. 

We talked about the book using the discussion ideas found here. Then the kids spent some time on coloring pages that I found here.  Since the kiddos cannot read yet, us grownups colored a swipe of the appropriate color on each blanket and the kids matched it up with the proper crayon while they were coloring.  I also brought with me a large piece of flannel that I cut up into "hankies" for the kids to take home with them.

Kevin Henkes Story/Craft - Lily's Purple Plastic Purse

Since becoming a parent I have grown to love Kevin Henkes' books.  So, when I was asked to teach the preschool class at our homeschool co-op I jumped at the chance to use his books.

The first week we read Lily's Purple Plastic Purse.  Lilly loves everything about school, especially her cool teacher, Mr. Slinger. But when Lilly brings her purple plastic purse and its treasures to school and can't wait until sharing time, Mr. Slinger confiscates her prized possessions. Lilly's fury leads to revenge and then to remorse and she sets out to make amends.

I found this printable lesson plan with discussion questions and activity ideas online.  The kids and I discussed the story and then the grownups helped the kids make their own purse with construction paper (similar to this).  We followed that up with a coloring page of Lily carrying her purple plastic purse. 

Being the first day of classes things were a little busy as we were getting settled into our groups so I neglected to take any pictures of the class in action.  I'll try to do better next week.  Let me know if you have any great story/craft ideas!

Apple-y Story/Craft Playdate

Its been awhile since our summer craft camp ended and we miss our friends!  ;-)  So we had a little fall craft playdate together last week.  We had a smaller group because a couple families were unable to attend. But it made for a little less chaos so that was kind of nice.  ;-)

 I got the only two apple themed books I could find at the library.  'Tis the season.  So, we read One Green Apple by Eve Bunting and The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall.

 

 I stole the idea for our craft from Hannah's wedding (her guestbook).  Each mom helped her kids make apple trees with their thumb prints. The kids got to draw their tree trunks and then they stamped their leaves and apples onto the tree with their fingers.  It was a little messy, but fun!

 All the kiddos were so proud of their trees.  After crafting, we had mini bagel pizzas and apple slices with different dips.  It was yummy!  We had such a fun day together!

If you are going to have an apple story & craft playdate here are some helpful links:

Mom to 2 Posh Divas shared some great apple themed books and crafts HERE.

The Crafty Crow has some cute apply crafts HERE.

Suite 101 has a come suggested books to illustrate the life cycle of an apple tree HERE.