Sharon Creech- Lover Of Children

I'm not sure if I have shared this before, but as a child I was NOT A READER!  

**BUM BUM BUM**

I did not get into reading until I was forced to by that dreaded AR (Accelerated Reader) program when I was 12 or 13. As you would expect from an angry teenager with anxiety and an attitude problem who has never learned to love reading, I hooked onto the R.L.Stine fear street series. 

(In the interest of full disclosure I did like the Thoroughbred and Saddle Club books at some point.)

After that I moved sideways into L.J.Smith, then up into Anne Rice, then sideways to Anne McCaffrey. Occasionally, I caved in and read the books I was supposed to read for school like Othello and To Kill A Mockingbird (more on that later!).

Long story short, I never read the 'normal' books that other kids read when they are young. No Judy Blume or Ronald Dahl or E.B.White for me. This may or may not explain my obsession with children's and teen books even though I am physically an adult now, or so people tell me.

When I was working at Barnes and Noble they would have Christmas parties. When I say party I mean they would school us in all the pertinent holiday policies and events then play games where we win books. Not cheap mass market ones either. Newish, hardcover ones. I once won The Castle Corona and later acquired (I don't remember when or where) Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech.

I found these books to be phenomenal. 

After that I would often look at the C section in the young readers aisle at libraries and bookstores and think about picking up another of hers, but never got around to it until this week.

While we were volunteering at the library this past week I grabbed Cycle of the Werewolf by Stephen King, Pandora by Anne Rice, Love Life and Elephants by Daphne Sheldrick, the DVD of Hugo, and of course The Boy on the Porch and Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. 

She is a really cool author. She writes books about orphans who find people who love and care for them and about how kids really feel about things. I find her perspective fascinating. I feel like her books help me understand what goes on in those crazy little heads of the children around me which in turn makes me a better caregiver, teacher and parent. So really it's like professional development! (See I can justify anything!)

Next time you come across one of her books pick it up. It will only take you an hour or two to sail through one. I promise you won't be sorry.

Past and Present

As Gwen and the kids I watch in the summer get older (happens every year, believe it or not!) I have had to go more and more out of my ‘little kid’ comfort zone for activity ideas.

Two years ago the summer Olympics was taking place in London, so we did an Olympics theme. We had an opening ceremony where we ran the torch around the yard. There was swimming, track, gymnastics, hula hooping, and jump roping competitions, along with many more. We each picked a country to represent and researched those countries and their competitors.

Last summer we did art and artists. We explored Van Gogh, Monet, Da Vinci and more. They made their own versions of famous paintings and tried different styles and mediums. I could only find a few pictures of them.

This summer I thought we would try building and architecture. It’s not really something I am good at(not that I am great at sports or art!), but as there are so many ways to build and things to build with we are going to run with it!

Our first building experiment was a success! I gave each child 40 foam cups, 25 band aids and a whole book of stickers.  

Cost was $3 per child.

Activity lasted 45 minutes.

Prep time was 1 minute and cleanup was about 5 minutes.

Just a dream

Summer around here has a slightly different flavor then any of the other seasons. Many of our 'regulars' (Kids that come 10 months out of the year) are missing and our 'occasionals' are frequent and sometimes there are kids here for only a few weeks out of the whole year or one day a week for a couple of months. Really, it's just a little dizzying to tell you the truth. So, of course, our schedule suffers a bit. It gets tweaked and adjusted until it barely resembles our normal routine. 

It all turns out alright. I plan a loose theme that is very shallow but entertaining and flexible. I'll tell you what I would love, though. I would love to take a classic book like Tom Sawyer, Treasure Island or The Secret Garden and base our whole summer program around it. 

I would read them a few chapters a week. Plan appropriate games, crafts and field trips. Really delve into the time period and the culture and have fun with it. 

Weird, I know. It's just a dream. It's just the crazy homeschooler that I have become, mixing with the nerd I have always been and creating wackiness. 

It is also impossible. There is no way with kids here random days and hours to really get into any kind of thematic unit with any depth, but it's fun to think about. 

Maybe some day I will run a literary summer camp!! 

Melting Crayon Art

As I was browsing pinterest yesterday I came across an interesting looking picture of a little girl holding a hair dryer over a piece of color-splattered paper labeled Process Art with Kids: Blow Paint with Hair Dryers.

I was intrigued. When I clicked on it, it led me to a website overflowing with fun ideas for preschoolers!! Jackpot! ChildCentralStation.com This really fun lady and her husband have a group home daycare in Michigan and are simply exploding with creativity. Huzzah! They also have a Facebook page!

Anyway...

I felt the need to expose MY kids to this crazy melted crayon idea. By 'My kids' I mean all the children that come spend time with me at my house, obviously. They are mine to nurture for a few hours anyway :)

So yesterday I spent some time peeling the paper off of old crayons and as soon as breakfast was over today I called everyone to the kitchen table where I had gathered a baking dish, card stock, flat head screwdriver, 'naked' crayons and a hair dyer. 

I folded the paper up to fit in the dish, which also helped to keep the wax on the paper. For the first couple crayons we held them with the screwdriver while holding the hair dryer very close to them. It only took about 30 seconds for the crayon to start melting.

It was soon apparent that holding a melting crayon down while it was being blasted with hot air was both difficult and uncomfortable because of the heat. 

So we started using a small bit of glue from a glue stick to hold the crayon and used the screwdriver for scratching the wax instead.

 After we had explored the reasons why it melts and the basic components of crayons, we were able to discuss the air currents.

 Even though the corners where slightly raised the wax kept pooling in them because that is the way the air was pushing.

We also got the wax to mix and create new colors.

So, did I have to spend some time scraping wax from my dish, the table, screwdriver and hair dryer? Of course.

Was it worth it because of the hour and a half of fun, learning, creativity and excitement? Absolutely!

My Love, My Life

      

Gwen and I may not have tons of frequent flyer miles, but I have taken my child to the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh, Narnia with Lucy, Out West with Laura, North of North with Bella, England with Mary and China with Ping.

 We have been to Japan with Masako, Africa with Ki-Pat, Spain with Ferdinand, Boston with the ducklings and to Paris with Madeline.

We have been to the vet with George, the Garden with Peter, Under the sea with Emily, and to the farm with Happy.

We have been to Droon with Eric, into the woods with Robert Frost, Canada with Toklo and New York City with Chester the cricket.

Side by side we have battled snowstorms with Katy, ran a circus with Olivia, chased bees to their tree with Mary Ellen, been chased by Monsters with Jewel, and traveled the world in Santa’s sleigh with Felix.

Together we mastered the high wire with Mirette, been adopted with Martha, escaped the Vikings with Jack & Annie, played with Danny’s dinosaur, and misunderstood EVERYTHING with Amelia.

My daughter and I have built fairy houses and birds nests. We have cleaned up litter and watched a turtle eat (It happens veeerrrry Slllooowwlly). We have explored forests, wetlands, beaches and fields as a team.  

These are experiences that will shape her life. Someday she will think of me and get feelings of excitement, love, approval, and acceptance. She may not remember every moment of every day she spends with me, but she will have a great desire for adventure and knowledge. She will know that I loved her enough to give her that, no matter how long it took us or where we ended up.

Dependable Book Reviews

Some of you may know that I have always been more comfortable with my daughter reading books that I have read first and given my seal of approval.

*Don't look at me like that! There are a lot of parents that do this.

You may also be aware that this beautiful child of mine now reads at a 5th grade reading level and as quickly as I do. I love it, of course! Unfortunately, I do not have as much time to read as she does... You know, because little things get in the way. Like my job and house and teaching a homeschool curriculum. So I have been searching for a web site that I can trust for book reviews of the books I have not had a chance to pre-read. Thanks to suggestions from my friends on Cafemom I have found several great resources.


Common Sense Media
I have used this website for movie reviews in the past, but somehow didn't realize that there were book reviews as well! This site allows registered members to give the book a

• Star Rating
• Age Recommendation
• Rating for topics such as Educational Value, Positive Messages, Positive Role Models, Violence, Sex, Language, and Drinking Drugs & Smoking.

Christian Book Websites
Christian book distributors usually only carry books that have been carefully reviewed. One is The Way Station


Another is ChristianBook.com which allows customers to review books and give the book a

• Star Rating
• Rating for Quality, Value, and Meets Expectations

Sparknotes
Remember these? The old fallback for when you didn't do your high school summer reading? Well, now they can help you find out the ins and outs of a book even if you don't have time to read the whole thing before your speed-reading child! (Or if, like with me and Gwen, you and your child have differing opinions on what you like to read) This website seems to have everything the books have, including, but not limited to

•  Plot Overview
• Character Analysis
• Themes
• Breakdown of Chapters
• Explanation of Important Quotes
• Key Facts

Thriving Family
This is my favorite site of the ones I have found. It doesn't feature as many books as I had hoped, but I love the quality and breakdown of the reviews. It supplies

• Age range
• Plot Summary
• Christian and Other Beliefs
• Profanity/Graphic Violence
• Kissing/Sex
• Discussion Topics

And more!


Books About Books!!
When in doubt, look in a book!!!
 
Honey For A Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt is out in it's 4th addition. It is a guide of wholesome books for ages 0-14. Honey For A Teen's Heart is in it's 1st addition and lists over 400 titles!


The Hand That Rocks The Cradle by Nathaniel Bluedorn was revised and updated about 5 years ago. This book includes summaries, reading levels, and settings for 400 classic read-a-loud books.

Happy Reading/Reviewing!!!!

Your New Discovery Toys Consultant

After years of considering the idea, I have decided to start selling discovery toys! I am super excited about it. The toys are amazing.

Years ago when I first started watching kids I was appalled that people wanted their children in preschool. I thought that 5 was young enough to have to start school and it was terrible to force little kids to begin a regimented education so early. I didn't know it then, but I was an advocate for 'unschooling' little ones. Here's a link for anyone who doesn't know what that is.

I can't say I have completely changed my mind, but my understanding of child development, early education and kindergarten expectations has made leaps and bounds. When Gwen was kindergarten age I started to understand what was expected of these kids on even the first day of school. At some point I realized that not all kids are getting the attention and time that it requires for them to learn what they need to know before that day in home settings.

I am now even more of a fan of learning through play. I want these kids to learn AND play at the same time. Simple things that can happen right in the livingroom, kitchen or backyard. Children find fun in discovering new things, so I help them discover. They get enjoyment out of creating something original some days and copying something difficult on others. They do not have to be in a classroom to learn. If given the right options and opportunities they can learn SO much.

That is why I love discovery toys. They are so much fun and (shh!) they're educational too!

Measure up cups for example are great for nesting and stacking and teach numbers, volume, addition, subtraction, multiplication, pre-time telling skills and have playdoh stamps on the bottom. I can use these with a 1 yr old and then turn around and use them to teach my 8 yr old.

The large pegboard is another multi-level toy. It has toddler safe pegs on one side for stacking, sorting, and early shape, letter, and math skills. Then you can turn it over to use it as a geoboard for elementary age students (kindergarten-4th/5th-ish)

Then there is Whiz Kidz. Good for preschoolers learning letter sounds and elementary/middle schoolers to increase vocabulary then all the way up to college students (I hear it's a good drinking game).

I look at this as another step in my education of education (LOL!) AND a great opportunity to share my passion of it! I even have my own website; http://www.discoverytoys.com/colleenmoore

Spreading The Love!

So, because I enjoy reading so much I always want to help kids enjoy books from a very early age and I have a method to my madness

Step 1: Exposure. I take them to the library, read to them at least twice a day (I actually can't remember the last time I only read to them twice in a day...) and always have books available to them.

Step 2: Knowledge. I teach them how to take care of books, how to find the ones they're interested in at the library, and how to use them to learn about anything in the world.

Step 3: Do It Yourself. I believe it is very important for them to have a good experience when learning to read. So I encourage them in recognizing letters and learning their sounds even before 'preschool age'. Not just through worksheets, but with things they can explore. The Leapfrog Word Whammer, Starfall.com, painting, and sensory exercises.

It has worked in the past anyway

Guilt

So many of the Homeschool Blogs I follow have really incredible areas set up for the kids. Some have entire classrooms, or corners with posters and desks and computers. I did try to have a space like this for my child with a desk and dollar tree posters. It didn't work out. She did not want to work there :(

So... we are back to what we had before that. A desk near the printer for computer work and a couple loaded bookshelves in our home library.

We do most of our work at the kitchen table next to our white board and world map.

Is it ideal? No, of course not.

Do I go through moments of guilt? Yes, occasionally.

Do I think it's effecting her education? NOPE. If it's changing anything, it's that the kids I watch are soaking up more advanced learning by listening to and watching what she is doing.

So, while it's not what I would like it to be... It works :) and if it's not broke, why fix it?

Simplicity

Any of you other homeschoolers feel the need to have more teaching supplies then you really need? I do continuously. I have 2 complete sets of math manipulatives that could be appropriate for the level math we are doing, but instead of bringing them out and making use of them, I found myself bunching straws together with rubber bands one day last week.

The straws worked just fine. So, I guess there is something to be said for keeping it simple :)

New Stuff

Well, soon after my post on Friday I received an anxious call from a friend who desperately needed to get out of her house and away from her children and husband for an hour or two. There's no shame in that. We've all been there. If you're sitting there judging her then we need to find a way for you to walk in her shoes for a week... heck, a day would probably be enough.


SO. I packed up my poor kid and we scooped up my friend and spirited her away to...


LAKESHORE LEARNING!!!! We were in the car for 2 hours to get there so once again I am insanely grateful that Gwen is into audio books now.


We spent an hour in the store. If I hadn't had a budget I would've been a lot quicker. It was a lot of picking up and putting back and looking and exclaiming and putting back. I talked myself down to just a few, super exciting things

 
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom activity tree


Math board game for Gwen


Fun Foam

Also Old MacDonald felt characters, and a large jug of glue. It was so much better explore in person then it was online :)