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Thursday, March 26, 2020

Remote Learning: At-Home Literacy (Fun!) Challenge

Looking for ways to help your child branch out in their literacy skills, while they're home?

Try putting the kids in charge :) This is a multi-step, fun project that could be broken down over several days :) They will learn about characters, setting, adding details, writing down information, making choices about writing, and compiling notes into a "report." All while having fun ....... :)



Step1:

Get out some art materials and design a character (animal or person) to write about. (They may be able to do this alone, or need help with outlines or models, depending on their age and/or ability. Sometimes just drawing a simple outline with shapes will help them get started...)

I picked a mouse for my character (and he has a lizard friend!) ... maybe you will choose a bear, a person, a snake, or something else. Look at books to get ideas, if you need to. Use colors and add details to make your character super cool! Definitely come up with a name for your character! When you're done, cut your figure out.

Step 2:

Design your character's "house." Find a small box or envelope (bigger than your character) and draw on the outside, making it into the type of place that your character would live in. Add pictures of accessories and cut them out to tuck them in, if needed/wanted.

Step 3:

Find some writing paper - computer paper, paper from a notebook, whatever you decide on will be great! Fold it or cut it into smaller pieces - either quarters or strips. I cut mine into strips so I could write across and then fold it up later to fit in my "house."

Step 4:

Decide on a list of questions that you want to answer about your character. Think about what your character looks like, what their house looks like, what his/her family is like, what their favorite color is, what they like to eat, play with, etc. If you need help, ask a bigger person to write them down. 

Step 5: 

Take one question at a time and write about your character. When all questions are answered, ask some more questions and write some more answers :) It could be as simple as "Snakey has no feet and is green," or much more detail, if you're older. Small friends can do this with a big friend. 

Step 6: 

Write an introduction, as if you were introducing your character to a friend. Line up all your writing pieces and decide which piece of information should go first, next, last. Put it all together into a book about your character. Staple or tape together, or rewrite if needed.

Step 7:

Make a cover and have an author's reading with the family - sit in a special chair and read aloud. Consider recording it on audio or video and sharing :)

So, you have your character forever now ...
maybe they'll take some adventures next ... !

Have fun!

Thursday, March 19, 2020

More free resources (Part 2)

Everyone is getting very creative but just in case you’re looking ....
More resources ....

On FacebookLive - check out PhillyZoo at 2 each day.

Audible books for all ages - https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

Aquarium live cams - https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams

San Diego Zoo also has live visits with animals on Facebook and FacebookLive.

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is offering fun videos and activities for kids https://www.childrensmuseum.org/museum-at-home

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh has maker projects on its Museum at Homepage https://pittsburghkids.org/museumathome

Have fun!

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Free in-home learning resources: during Coronavirus 2020

While we are all adjusting to our new schedules, and learning how to adapt to doing things differently, so many resources are being made available to families to facilitate in-home learning. Check these links (subject to date/time restrictions) to find ways to extend your child’s learning :)


For extensions in Literacy, take a look at:

Storyline Online.  https://www.storylineonline.net/about-us/

Seussville  https://www.seussville.com

Oliver Jeffers ("The Day the Crayons Quit") is doing daily Instagram read-alouds, and Peter H. Reynolds ("The Dot") will be on FacebookLive. Check for your favorite authors on social media - more and more are stepping up.

PenguinKids is doing a daily read-aloud at 10am ET on InstagramLive, so check them out, too :)

YouTube has an amazing assortment of books read aloud by teachers and others, if you're looking for a particular favorite. Many local libraries are also operating online, even if they are closed to the public.

For Math, there are Math games and lots more ... at https://www.education.com/

Interested in Science? Mystery Science (mysteryscience.com) is opening up for free for all different ages, and Scholastic.com has a great library of videos to view on many different topics.

Don't miss a daily visit on FaceBook Live with the Cincinnati Zoo :) 3PM
https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/

Looking for Dance and Exercise fun? Try these ...

Ballet:  https://www.clevelandinnercityballet.org/single-post/2020/03/14/Cleveland-Inner-City-Ballet-to-launch-Virtual-Online-Ballet-Instruction-Program

Yoga: https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

All the budding artists can join Mo Willems for his Lunchtime Doodles at 12N ET:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmzjCPQv3y8

Many museums and performance art establishments are working on getting their content out to the public. Check as the days go on to find even more things to do :) I saw this compilation of at home things to do/view, but always preview before having kids jump in :)

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/what-to-do-at-home-streaming-art-museums-concerts-coronavirus-trnd/index.html

Have fun with your exploring time!


Note: all info subject to changes