Classroom subject areas
Google Earth is a wonderful free tool for the classroom. Use it for studying your community. Click on the link to download it. A couple of years ago I asked Josepha how she used Google Earth and she said that she looked at stuff and said, “Ooooh!” This is… Continue reading
Do you have public art in your town? We live in towns with plenty of public art, and you may, too. Here are some forms of neighborhood art: statues fountains murals art installations If you can’t think of any examples like this from your town, look a little further… Continue reading
Community helpers and careers plans go together. For younger students, you may focus more on the community helpers aspect, recognizing the grownups in their neighborhoods, while older students may focus more on the jobs they might choose to hold when they grow up. We think it’s a continuum, with an… Continue reading
When we study about communities, there are three things we can mean by the word “community.” Usually we study all of them. A community is a place. Learn to read the name of the town where you live, find it on the map, and identify your own neighborhoods, the location of… Continue reading
Is Peggy Rathmann’s Good Night, Gorilla really a classic? I think so. For little children, this nearly wordless book provides just the right amount of plot and character. There’s wit and suspense. If you’re three, it’s absolutely gripping. The story is simple. The gorilla steals the zookeeper’s keys as the… Continue reading
Crocodiles and alligators are fascinating creatures. Online resources: Nile Crocodile Make a crocodile or alligator moving figure with paper fasteners. I like to put these on two craft sticks, one for the jaw and one for the tail, and wiggle them around as puppets during story time. (Use the same… Continue reading
Get excited about a class trip to the zoo by watching our album, and then make your own album! Continue reading
A relaxing slide show for naptime, quiet time, or morning work time. Continue reading
Sir Ken Robinson said, discussing creativity, “I don’t mean to say that being wrong is the same thing as being creative. But if you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.” It is an inspiring speech. You can also read Sir Ken’s book, Out of Our… Continue reading
Monsters make a good metaphor for fear. Small children are sometimes sincerely scared of monsters, but older students can relate to the idea of vanquishing the monsters in their lives. Approaching monsters, feeling the fear, deciding whether it’s wise to continue, and showing courage or prudence — these are… Continue reading
