Category — Activities

Sorting is a great activity to get kids thinking about data, attributes and patterns and how things can be organized in different ways. These are skills they need for math.

1. Collect many different kinds of things to sort (buttons, rocks, shells money, lids, beans, small toys, etc.).
2. Download the “How Many Ways to Sort” and “Sorting Mat”.
3. Use the Sorting Mat to sort the items into categories. There will be many different ways to sort the items. You can sort by shape, size, color, etc.
4. Write down all the different things you sorted and the way you sorted them on the How Many Ways to Sort sheet. See how many different ways you can sort the items. This activity also reinforces writing skills.

Download All Sorts of Sorts

Ethan likes to eat under the table so here he is having breakfast.

At Wheeler Farm, Ethan had fun throwing a stick in the stream and running to the bridge to catch it. Oh, the simple joys of childhood!

Then is was off to Great-Grandma’s condo for swimming.

After swimming, Great-Grandma took us to Wendy’s for lunch.

This is a simple activity you can do with your children (3-11 years) that will strengthen their reading and writing skills. Choose a short book to read. Whether you’re reading the book to your child or they are reading to you, be sure to stop periodically and ask questions about what has happened in the story and let them predict what they think will happen next. This is a great way to reinforce comprehension of the story. When you are finished reading, together discuss the sequence of events in the story and make a story wheel.

STEP 1 Trace 2 circles, that are the same size, on white paper. I used a plate.

STEP 2 Cut out the circles. Mark the center on one of the circles.

STEP 3 Cut out a triangular shape but don’t go right to the center marking. You will need a place to put your brad or paperclip.

STEP 4 It now looks like Pac Man. Put the two circles together and secure at the center point using a brad or paperclip.

STEP 5 On the whole circle have the child draw and color their favorite parts of the story following the sequence of the story. Each scene should fit into the cutout section. Retell the story by turning the top circle to show each drawing.

Fun math game for ages 4-10 years.

STEP 1 Print out the 20 Frame Game sheet with number cubes.

STEP 2 Cut out the number cubes and use clear tape to assemble.

STEP 3 Each player will need 1 Twenty Frame Game pattern and beans to be used as markers.

STEP 4 Have fun playing the game as follows:

1. Player # 1 shakes both number cubes and add the numbers together.
2. Place the total number of beans on the 20 frame (be sure to add the beans beginning on the top row from left to right then go to the second row adding on beans left to right).
3. Player #2 does the same.
4. The player with the greatest value wins the round. Decide ahead of time how many rounds you will play to determine the winner.

Variations:
Subtraction –Shake both number cubes. Cover the 20 frame with beans representing the number with the greatest value. Subtract the beans that represent the number with the least value. The player with the lowest value wins the round.

Addition and Subtraction – Shake both number cubes and add the numbers together. Place that number of beans on the 20 frame. Shake 1 number cube and subtract that amount. The player with the least value wins the round.

I attended a fantastic two day bookmaking workshop presented by artist and bookmaker Susan Kapluscinski Gaylord. I have been following Susan for several months and she inspired me to have my grandkids make books of their “Special Day with Grandma Liz.” All of her ideas use materials you already have and would probably recycle but now they have a new use. Check out her website Makingbooks .

Ethan making his “Special Day with Grandma Liz” book.

It was very easy to make: I just folded paper, punched two holes in the center, and tied a ribbon to hold it together.

Mason’s special day was jam packed with activities. We had fun playing dominoes then lining them up and knocking them down.

We headed to the park for a game of basketball. I had difficulty walking after that!

The day ended with lunch and swimming at Great-grandma Macey’s.

What could be easier? Just make your favorite sandwich and use cookie cutters to make the shapes. What child wouldn’t want to eat these?

Sometimes it’s hard to get children to tell you about their day. Talking sticks can get child talking. On craft sticks write different questions. Put the sticks in a cup and during dinner have each family member take turns drawing a stick and answering the question. You can also use strips of paper instead of sticks.

Suggestions:

Tell about something funny that happened to you.

Tell about something that made you nervous or scared.

Tell about something that made you happy.

Tell about something that made you feel proud.

Tell about something that made you feel angry.

Tell about something that you are excited about.

Tell about something that you look forward to.

A fun way to preserve special summer memories is by using a tin lunch box. You can find them at craft stores and they come in various shapes and sizes.

Use permanent markers and stickers to decorate the outside then use a clip magnet on the inside cover to hold all the photos. You can make a booklet with your photos or just stack them together and secure with the magnet clip. Put souvenirs, postcards or other memorabilia inside.

You can also use a tin box you already have and paint it.

We went to my school to do a few things in my classroom. Megan helped me organize and cover bulletinboards. She had fun writing on the whiteboard.

Having lunch at Sizzler. I think Megan’s favorite part was the ice cream bar.

We had so much fun making clothespin dolls. Megan had some great ideas to decorate her dolls. I think they turned out darling.