Christmas Blessing

''Reflect on your present blessings
of which every man has many,
not on your past misfortunes,
of which all men have some.''
Charles Dickens"

Banana Crunch Muffins Recipe

"Banana Crunch Muffins"
Looking for a healthy, fun breakfast that your kids can help make?
This recipe has all the bases covered. Filled with sweet banana and topped with crunchy granola, these are hearty breakfast muffins. Add chocolate chips, and you've got a satisfying dessert.

Ingredients
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup wheat bran
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup mashed bananas (about 2 medium)
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
1 cup granola

Instructions
Heat the oven to 400° F. Grease the bottoms only of 12 standard muffin cups.
In a large bowl, whisk together both flours and the bran, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, bananas, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and stir just until the batter is blended. Use a flexible spatula to fold in the mini chocolate chips (if you're using them).
Divide the batter among the muffin cups and sprinkle the tops with granola. Then bake the muffins for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes before removing them. Makes 1 dozen."

Holiday traveling with children? What to put in your kid's travel pack

The first principle of family travel: Be ready, willing and able to amuse the kids for an extended period of time. The playthings that come along for the ride make all the difference. These toys are surefire distractions, bound to occupy your kids during the unavoidable hours of 'Are we there yet?'

1. Crayons and/or colored pencils. Crayons don't need sharpening, but colored pencils are less likely to break. Re-sealable plastic freezer bags make splendid carrying cases. Don't forget a folder of white or colored paper. Print off coloring book pages previous to departure.

2. Magna-Doodle. Even toddlers love this magnetic drawing toy. How many times can a three-year-old trace her hand before she gets bored? About 200,000.

3. Stuffed animals. Indispensable. Which brings up a vital point: Don't pack your child's favorite. If it's left in a hotel room, your ride home is surely doomed. Suggest other 'comfort' toys that may not be as special.

4. Books on tape/CD. Buy your kids a headphone set that plays tapes or cd's. Many children's books include a tape or cd so your child can follow along. 'Read' the story while hearing the author on headphones."

Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make

Box of Love
To make this gift you'll need:

Small plain boxes- Jewelry boxes work very well.
Glitter, sequins or any ornamentation.
Ribbon

Printed poem, on good
stock paper if possible.

This is a very special gift
That you can never see.
The reason it's so special is,
It's just for you from me.
Whenever you are happy,
or even feeling blue.
You only have to hold
this gift and know
I think of you.

You never can unwrap it
Please leave the ribbon tied.
Just hold the box close
to your heart,
It's filled with love inside.

Have your child decorate the boxes in anyway
she/he pleases. Add ribbon and the poem
with the signature.
Tips:
Try your local Jewelry Store for boxes.

Celebrating Winter Through the Eyes of a Child

The Grand Rapids Recreation Department is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Holiday Light Celebration located on the grounds of Central School....December 22, 2010 5:00 - 7:00pm

Gather with friends and family for free corn dogs, hot chocolate, and apple cider while enjoying holiday light displays. Welcome to all!!!

Did You Know...

Kids who are read to do better in school.
Reading aloud to a child raises her self-esteem and reading ability.
Becoming a better reader helps a child do better in social studies and math.
Keeping a diary helps a child become a better writer and reader.
Reading the print on cereal boxes is good practice for a child.
Allowing your child to read in bed is a good habit to start.
Children will read on their own a book that has been read aloud to them.

Fun Fun Fun!!!

Looking for something to do Saturday night? Check out the Children's Discovery Museum!

Saturday December 11th ( that's right, this Saturday :)
3:00-6:00pm

3rd Annual H0-Ho-Ho Down Country Christmas
Fun-filled afternoon for young and old with a country hometown Christmas theme, including games, food, crafts, entertainment and hay rides.
Register by calling Eileen at 259-9509 or online at www.getlearning.org

Happy December

Friday Fun in our Local Community!!

Christmas in the Logging Camp

Forest History Center, Grand Rapids MN
Dates: Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fee: $8 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6 to 17; free for children age 5 and under and MHS members.

Step back to the winter of 1900 and experience life as it might have been for north woods lumberjacks. See draft horses pulling sleighs, lumberjacks sawing wood and visit the cook shack where Christmas preparations are underway. Visit with Santa Claus, listen to music and storytelling and enjoy hot apple cider and cookies. The museum gift shop will be open for holiday shopping. Warm clothes and winter boots are advised. Horses and sleighs provided by the North Star Draft Horse Association."

10 Questions to Ask Your Child About School: Quick Click | Scholastic.com

"10 Questions to Ask Your Child About His Day at School"

Get a sense of your child's life at school by asking questions that elicit more than a one-word response.
Move beyond 'fine' and 'nothing' by asking your child to describe his world.

The trick is to ask about things that are specific, but still open-ended. It's also great to start the conversation with an anecdote from your own day. Try one of these conversation-starters: (As found on Scholastic.com)

Tell me about the best part of your day.
What was the hardest thing you had to do today?
Did any of your classmates do anything funny?
Tell me about what you read in class.
Who did you play with today? What did you play?
Do you think math [or any subject] is too easy or too hard?
What's the biggest difference between this year and last year?
What rules are different at school than our rules at home? Do you think they're fair?
Who did you sit with at lunch?
Can you show me something you learned (or did) today?

Friday Fun!!!

Egg in a Nest

There's no better way to start off your family's mornings with a great breakfast. Here's a new twist on an old favorite that your kids will be sure to love...

Instead of serving your egg on toast, try serving it in toast. This breakfast classic, also known as Egg in a Saddle, Egyptian Egg, One Eye, and Bird in a Nest, is a long-standing favorite.

Ingredients
1 egg
1 slice of bread
1 tablespoon butter

Instructions
Crack the egg into a bowl and set the bowl aside.
Use a 3-inch cookie cutter (circle, heart, star, or flower) to cut a shape out of the piece of bread.
Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Place the bread in the pan and fry it lightly on one side (you can also fry the cutout shape). Flip the bread over. Reduce the heat to low.
Carefully pour the egg into the cut-out hole in the middle of the bread. Cover the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the egg has set in the bread 'nest.' For an over-easy egg, flip the egg and bread and cook it on the other side. Serves 1."

Thanksgiving Parent Tip

Chopstick Pass-Along Thanksgiving Games & Activities FamilyFun:

This is a fun and inexpensive way to keep little hands busy while you finish the cooking!
What You Need
Chopsticks
Unshelled walnut
Acorn
Cranberry
Pea
Small plate

Instructions
Give each player a set of chopsticks and place an unshelled walnut, an acorn, a cranberry, and a pea on a small plate next to the oldest player. She begins by using the chopsticks to pass each object, from largest to smallest, to the person on her right, who receives it with chopsticks and passes it along to the next player. The object is to try to get all four objects back to the starting plate without dropping any of them. Players unable to manage the chopsticks can use a teaspoon instead."

Friday Fun!!!

Thanksgiving Turkey Wall Hanging - FamilyEducation.com: "Thanksgiving Turkey Wall Hanging"

Materials:
Construction paper or small paper plate
Marker or pencil
Glue
Dried beans and uncooked pasta

Directions:
Trace around your child's hand (fingers spread out) on a piece of construction paper or small paper plate.
Using the pen or marker, draw an eye and beak on the thumb and turkey feet at the bottom of the traced hand.
Decorate by gluing on dried beans and uncooked pasta.

Parent Tip

How can I ... help build his self esteem?

Children with high self esteem believe in themselves and have a sense of importance and self-respect. Self-esteem affects how your child will approach new tasks or challenges and how he interacts with others. Children with low self-esteem may avoid challenging activities or may give up quickly when things aren't going his way. He may also be bossy, have a low level of self control, and have difficulty making friends.

Children with high self-esteem feel a sense of trust, security and feel accepted by others. They understand their own self-worth, have self control and are willing to take on challenging or difficult tasks.

To promote your child's self-esteem you can spend lots of time with him, especially in activities that he enjoys and is good at, and allow him to make some decisions, so he can learn responsibility and can feel that you trust him. Learn to praise your child and to pay positive attention to him and teach him how to accept praise for his accomplishments. Also, do not always rush to rescue your child from frustrating experiences. Instead, try and help him solve the problem himself.

National Family Literacy Month

November is National Family Literacy Month. Since 1994, National Family Literacy Month has been a month long effort to celebrate and remind families of the importance of reading and learning together. Reading to/with your child is valuable in many ways.

Reading helps you child develop basic thinking and social skills such as:
* teaches children about communication
*introduces concepts such as stories, numbers, letters, colors and shapes in a fun way
*builds listening, memory and vocabulary skills
*gives kids information about the world around them
*teaches the ability to solve problems
*teaches the ability to speak, understand and write properly

Even if your not a reader yourself, you can still impact your child's academic and social success.You just have to send the message that reading is fun and important.

Parent Tip

Take a look at ways to keep your child organized with these great ideas Scolastic has to offer. Teaching kids how to be and stay organized helps kids to build good habits they will use throughout their lives.

Quick Click: 12 Ways to Develop Your Child's Organizational Skills

Cultivating a collection helps your child build sorting, classifying, and arranging skills.

Sponsored Links:

Keep a family calendar. Track everyone's activities on a prominent and accessible calendar, encouraging your child to write her own entries and reference the calendar when making plans. You also might consider checking schedules and updating the calendar as a family over Sunday breakfast.

Introduce checklists. Whether it's as simple as "3 Things To Do Before Bed" or "What To Take On Vacation," creating and referring to lists together will develop your child's ability to strategize tasks and organize his time.

Assign chores that involve sorting or categorizing. Grocery shopping, emptying the dishwasher, sorting photos, cleaning out a closet, and other tasks that involve pre-planning, making lists, or arranging things are great choices.

Get ready the night before. This one's always tough — for both of you — but it does work if you can get in the habit.

Use containers and closet organizers. If there's a place for everything, she'll find it easier to find items, keep neat, and clean up. Build "pick up" time into the daily routine.

Buy your child a planner. Ask him to help you pick it out or choose one that will appeal to him so he'll be excited about using it. Having his own planner will show him you consider his time valuable and encourage him to create a schedule. Be sure to routinely coordinate the information with your family calendar to avoid conflicts.

Organize schoolwork. Make sure your child's keeping notes, homework, handouts, and graded assignments in separate folders in a binder. Try to check her backpack nightly and set an time aside each week to go through her binder and get things sorted.

Establish a homework routine. Help your child make a "study hour" schedule and set up a comfortable workspace -- whether her room or the kitchen table. Encourage her to stick to the schedule even when she doesn't have homework (She can read, review notes, or even do a crossword puzzle.)

Create a homework supply box. Fill a box with office supplies and encourage your child to store pens, paper, measurement tools, and a calculator in it so he'll have what he needs on hand.

Cook together. Cooking teaches measuring, following directions, sorting ingredients, and managing time — all key elements in organization. Involve your child in meal planning too, challenging her to help you put together a shopping list.

Cultivate an interest in collecting. If your child has a particular interest, encourage him to create and organize the collection. It can even be something free — such as rocks or cancelled stamps — that he can sort, classify, and arrange.

Reward and provide support with organizational tasks. Your child may find organizing a challenge, so help her develop her routine and give her a treat for jobs well done!

http://www2.scholastic.com

Friday Fun

Looking for ways to help your family learn and grow while having fun? Check out Wonderopolis at http://wonderopolis.org for some awesome ideas on how to incorporate learning into everyday activities. Check out the "wonder of the day" for great topics to further learning and literacy development in children of all ages!

Friday Fun

Marble Art

Required: Small containers, tempera paints, paper plates, spoons, extra paper and marbles

Place a precut paper onto your paper plate. Pour tempera paints into small containers and place marbles into the various colors. Spoon out marbles one or several at a time onto the paper plate and while using wrist action allow the marble to roll around leaving a very colorful design. You might want aprons on the participants or you can do this project outside to prevent making too much of a mess.

http://www.funattic.com/game_family.htm#anchor15

Family Fun

Family Vacation Jar
A family vacation jar (or box) is a decorated jar used to save for the next big adventure.Whether it's a family trip or a visit to the local ice cream store, decorate the jar with pictures and words of what your saving for and the jar becomes a daily visual reminder of your dreams. Encourage everyone in the family to place any spare change in the jar and before long you will have enough for your special treat!

Friday Fun

Fun with Gas - Make Carbon Dioxide to Blow up a Balloon

Materials
Balloons
Small funnel or a small piece of paper rolled up in a funnel shape
Baking soda
Vinegar
Small clean empty bottle

Directions
Using the funnel, add 3 teaspoons of baking soda to each balloon. Fill each bottle 1/3 full with vinegar. Without dropping in the baking soda, fit the balloon over the bottle opening. Hold up the balloon and let the baking soda fall into the vinegar. Watch as the baking soda mixes with the vinegar to make carbon dioxide gas and blow up the balloon.

What's Going On?
The vinegar mixes with the baking soda to create a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas. The gas then blows up the balloon. This is a fun rainy day experiment for the whole family!

Parent Tip

Fit Generation: 6 Fun Ways to Sneak in Exercise

By Shaun Dreisbach, Parenting

1. Hit the playground! "It's honestly better -- and far more fun -- than any gym," says Stefko. The monkey bars and mini-rock wall build upper-body muscle. Jumping off the climbing structures boosts bone density and leg strength. Heck, even the swings can be a good core workout. It's like an outside circuit course.


2. Play a game. Kick-ball, tag, jumping rope, wheelbarrow races -- they're classics that absolutely count toward your child's daily activity requirement. For younger kids, try Move Like an Animal (it's a huge hit with the children Stefko works with). Call out the name of a critter and challenge your child to mimic the way it moves: hop like a frog, balance on one leg like a flamingo, stretch like a cat, and so on.


3. Do fun chores, like washing the car (and getting soaked and soapy in the process) or planting the garden -- it all counts toward 60 minutes of activity a day!


4. Check out a class. Take your child to an open gym at the local gymnastics center and let her try out the equipment, or head to the indoor climbing wall or skate park for a lesson. One-offs like this are good because they let your kid try out a bunch of different activities to see what she likes best -- without the time and money commitment of full-on, three-days-a-week lessons (which your child may end up hating).


5. Use people power. Ditch the car and walk or bike when you can. Pedal to the pool, playground, or pizza shop, and trek the mile to school on foot.


6. Inspire her. "Bring your kid to a sporting event -- a Major League Baseball game or a high school volleyball match -- so she can see and be motivated by the athletes," suggests Stefko. Before or after the game, kick around a ball together, shoot baskets, or play a little backyard volleyball.

Parent Tip Monday

Creating a Home Library

By: Reading Rockets (2008)

Starting a home library for your child shows him/her how important books are. Having books of his/her own in a special place boosts the chance that your child will want to read even more. Here are some ideas for creating your own home library.

Finding books

• Become a treasure hunter! Browse book store sales, garage sales, flea markets, used book stores, and sales at your local library
• Organize a children's book swap with friends, community groups, or your school
• Encourage family and friends to give books as gifts for birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations
• Don't forget quality nonfiction and children's magazines!

Building your library

• A cardboard box or small wooden packing crate that you can decorate together might make a good bookcase. Or you might clear one of the family bookshelves.
• Pick a special place for your child's books so that she knows where to look for them - in a cozy corner of your child's bedroom or close to where the rest of the family gathers and reads if your child is very social.
• Help your child to arrange her books in some order - her favorite books, books about animals, or holiday books. Use whatever method will help her most easily find the book she's looking for.
• "This book belongs to…" Bookplates give your child a sense of ownership and can add "newness" to a used book. You can make your own or download and print one of these colorful designs by children's book illustrators.
• If you and your child make your own books together, you can add those to your home library.
• Borrow books from your local library. Go to the children's section and spend time with your child reading and selecting books to take home and put in her special spot. You might even have a box or space just for library books, so that they don't get mixed up with your child's own books.

When collecting and reading books are a part of family life, you send your child a message that books are important, enjoyable, and full of new things to learn!

Friday Fun

Dig for Buried Treasure

To start, go through your house and gather some trinkets or toys you don’t mind burying. Next, put together a treasure-finding toolkit that includes a hand shovel, an old paintbrush (to clean off unearthed treasures), Ziploc bags (to contain what they find) and a map showing where kids should start their search. Then either bury the treasures in your garden (placing them in an area without plants is a good idea) or in a large bucket filled with dirt in your backyard. Give the kids their toolkits and watch them scavenge for treasures! For an extra bit of fun, have kids label their finds with made-up names and place them in a “museum” (or on a serving platter) to share with visitors.

Parent Tip

The Langauge of Touch

The importance we place on our words sometimes overlooks the importance our physical contact with children can have on their well being. Even before children understand words they learn the language of touch. Communicating our feelings of love and caring by pairing our words with a kiss and a hug expresses the basic feelings of comfort and nurturing. Touching provides sensory information to the child that is a primary part of healthy development. "Have You Hugged Your Child Today?"

Friday Fun!

Let's Play Camp

Your child will have fun "camping" with this dramatic-play activity

- Create a campsite at home for your child to play in.

- Set up a tent with a sleeping bag inside and put out several camp stools or chairs.

- Move a small table to a spot near the tent and place camping cookware and eating utensils on it.

- Help your child arrange rocks in a circle for a pretend fire pit.

- Let your child play in the campsite, doing such things as cooking pretend meals, exploring the "woods" with a flashlight and pretend sleeping in the tent.

Friday Finger Fun!!

Finger Paints

Finger paints are like a loud, life-affirming "Yes!" in a toddler's world of "Don't touch." And they're so easy and inexpensive to make from scratch -- a good thing, since those little store-bought tubs seem to disappear in the blink of an eye.

Materials
1 cup of cold water
1/4 cup of cornstarch
1 tablespoon of light corn syrup
Washable, nontoxic tempera paint
Bowls
Finger-paint paper or freezer paper
Masking tape

Instructions
Before you begin: Spread out a plastic tablecloth, keep wipes handy, and wear a smock or old clothes.
In a small saucepan, stir together the cold water and cornstarch. Whisk the mixture over low heat for about 5 minutes until it thickens and clears -- this will happen all at once. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup, then divide the mixture into bowls and stir a squirt of tempera paint into each one.
After the paint has cooled, scoop blobs of it onto finger-paint paper (taped to your table) or let your kids scoop it out themselves -- whichever they prefer -- and commence smearing. Leftover paint can be stored in sealed containers in the fridge for a day or two.

Tips:
Getting Started with Creative Projects for Little Hands
1. Keep it safe. Make sure supplies are labeled nontoxic and are not choking hazards. Discourage kids from putting supplies in their mouths.
2. Set it up. Designate an art area in your home with an easel or a low table where young artists can stand to work (this is usually easier for them).
3. Don't rush. Make sure you allow plenty of time for setup, exploration, and cleanup.
4. Don't stress over mess. Set things up so cleanup is easier for you, then try to relax and let your child have fun.
5. Write it down. Before you forget, write the date on your child's creation and, if she's talking, what she said about it.

Parent Tip

Kids and Choice

Adulthood consists of one choice after another. Making good decisions is linked directly to the development of responsibility. Therefore, a child who is told what to do all the time never has the chance to test her/his ability to make informed choices... Here is one "choice building" idea... Instead of always having to assign chores to kids, make a list of everything that needs to be done, call a family meeting and decide who will be responsible for each task. Involving kids in the process, making them part of the team, creates a sense of personal value and gives them practical experience at problem solving.

Friday Fun!

Your kids will be amazed when you tell them they can make their own crystals!

Materials
- charcoal briquettes
- vinegar
- salt
- warm water
- food color(optional)
- small enamel or glass bowl

Directions
Add three tablespoons of salt to half a bowl of warm water and stir until it dissolves. Keep adding salt until no more will dissolve. Add a tablespoon of vinegar. For colored crystals, add a dash of food coloring. Fill up the bowl with charcoal. Leave in a safe place without moving for a couple days. Take it out and notice that crystals have begun to form. As the water continues to evaporate, the bowl will be filled with rock crystals.

Quote

The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. Dr. Seuss

Fridays are for FUN!

Outdoor activities are on the decline these days, but that’s no reason to follow the trend. Organizing family games and sports will help keep your family fit and close-knit.
One of our favorite outdoor games is tossing the Frisbee – it’s cheap, portable, and of course, fun. Make your Frisbee play family-oriented with this game:

Team Frisbee
First, divide family members into two teams. If possible ask your kids’ friends and/or neighbor’s kids to join you. Ideally, you’’ll have four players on each side (but you can always play with less).

Next, raw a court in the backyard of your house (you can use chalk, draw a line in the dirt, or just use objects as boundaries). Your court should be similar in size to a badminton court.

Line up each team inside of their own respective end zones. Flip a coin to see which team starts on offense. The goal is to throw the Frisbee into the other team’s goal without going out-of-bounds, or letting the Frisbee touch the ground. First team to reach eleven points wins.
Have Fun!

Friday Rainy Day Fun!!

A tradition all kids participate in while growing up is making forts out of furniture, blankets, and cushions. The next rainy day that comes around, help your kids construct their own super fort in the family room. They'll stay busy all day long with fun, quiet activities to play inside their new imaginary castle.

Simple Strategies for Creating Strong Readers

		Without doubt, reading with children spells success for early literacy. Putting a few simple strategies into action will make a significant difference in helping children develop into good readers and writers.

Through reading aloud, providing print materials, and promoting positive attitudes about reading and writing, you can have a powerful impact on your child's literacy and learning.

• Invite your child to read with you every day.
• When reading a book where the print is large, point word by word as you read. This will help your child learn that reading goes from left to right and understand that the word said is the word seen.
• Read your child's favorite book over and over.
• Read many stories with rhyming words and repeated lines. Invite your child to join in on these parts. Point, word by word, as your child reads along with you.
• Discuss new words. For example, "This big house is called a palace. Who do you think lives in a palace?"
• Stop and ask about the pictures and about what is happening in the story.
• Read from a variety of children's books, including fairy tales, song books, poems, and information books.

Friday Fun!!

Benefits of Bicycling

There's a special bond between kids and bikes that can never be broken. Riding a bike is a rite of passage, a passport to worlds beyond the front lawn. Bikes represent fun, freedom, and fresh air -- everything that's good about being a kid. Moreover, biking is a healthy pastime that kids will never outgrow.

Here are some of the other benefits of cycling:
Developing strength, balance, and overall fitness
Burning up calories
Strengthening the heart, lungs, and lower-body muscles and bones
Developing and strengthening the muscles surrounding the knees without impact

But biking boasts other benefits as well. Children of all shapes, sizes, and abilities can ride a bike. Most important, bicycling is a healthy outdoor activity that the entire family can enjoy together.

Parent Tip

Did You Know...

• Kids who are read to do better in school.
• Reading aloud to a child raises her self-esteem and reading ability.
• Becoming a better reader helps a child do better in social studies and math.
• Keeping a diary helps a child become a better writer and reader.
• Reading the print on cereal boxes is good practice for a child.
• Allowing your child to read in bed is a good habit to start.
• Children will read on their own a book that has been read aloud to them.

Friday Fun!!

Evolving Story
This activity is best done with a clipboard to hold several pieces of paper. Have someone in your family begin a story with a single sentence. Pass the clipboard to another member of the family to write a second sentence. Continue this process until a short story is completed. It is funny to see how the story changes and to see the personal touches that everyone adds to the story.

Monday Parent Tip

Help Your Child Become a Good Friend

Four- to six-year-olds are learning what it means to be a friend. They will have fun times as well as arguments and hurt feelings. It can be tempting for parents to try to solve these problems themselves or by talking with the other child’s parent. Instead, guide your child to solve problems. With your help, your child can learn how to solve social problems.

1. Help your child understand the other child’s point of view. “I guess Suzie wants a turn too.”
2. Teach your child the following:
• Stay calm
• Do not hit, grab, or shove
3. Use words:
• “I get upset when you talk to me like that.”
• “I’m sad you don’t want to play with me.”
• “I’m angry you took the ball from me.”
4. Stand close by and watch as the children solve their problem. Being close by puts the children on their best behavior. This is how they begin to develop the confidence and skills to communicate honestly, calmly, and politely with others.

Friday Fun!!

The Backyard Volcano

Age: Elementary and up Time: About 15 minutes Type of Activity: Backyard science


Encourage your children to explore science in their own backyard. Plant a garden, catch butterflies, or better yet, build a live volcano! Sound tricky? You'll be surprised. MaryAnn Kohl, author of the book Science Arts, makes it easy with the following simple instructions.


Materials needed:· Baking pan· Soda bottle (16 or 20 oz.)· Moist soil· 1 tablespoon baking soda· 1 cup vinegar· Red food coloring· The great outdoors!


Experiment
Step One: Place the baking pan on the grass, and set the soda bottle in the middle of the pan.
Step Two: Mound and shape the moist soil around the bottle to form a mountain. Bring the soil right up to the top of the bottle's opening, but don't get the soil inside the bottle.
Step Three: Pour one tablespoon of baking soda into the bottle.
Step Four: Color one cup of vinegar with red food coloring.
Step Five: Pour the colored vinegar into the bottle. Stand back and watch red foam spray out of the top and down the mountain like lava from a volcano.


Tips for parentsExperimentation is an exciting way to teach your kids about the world around them. But before you get started, Kohl has a few words of advice: "Keep it simple! Begin with materials you have around the house, such as flour, cornstarch, and paints, and, most importantly, let the child do most of the experimenting. You can provide the encouragement." Kohl adds, "Don't worry about not understanding the 'science' that's happening." You and your kids can make your own hypotheses, then look up the answers later online or at the local library.

Parent Tip

Keep Toys Simple

The more a toy does, the less there is for a child to do. A plain toy phone will lead to more imaginative conversations than one with prerecorded messages.

Friday Fun!

Homemade Sticker Book

Make a homemade sticker book for your kids to collect the numerous stickers that they acquire on various outings. Simply use wax paper for the pages, and use construction paper or decorative paper for the covers. Let the kids decorate it themselves, and they have a great place to store their stickers. The wax paper allows them to move the stickers around and choose a favorite spot.

Parent Tip

ABC Board

For an educational project that you can do with your kids, create an ABC board. Use a large poster board, label each letter and have your kids search for items to represent each letter. For example, yarn for Y, feather for F, heart for H, etc. and glue to each letter. It provides a learning experience while making it, and leaves you with something to come back to over and over again.

Parent Tip

Write Letters to Resolve Differences
Writing letters to a teen is a great way to communicate, particularly during an argument. This way you can think out what you need to say, (in a loving way) without being interrupted, challenged or losing your cool. The result should be greater understanding and a peaceful conversation.

Friday Fun!

My Songbook
[25 Minutes]

You don't need a professional singing voice to share music with your child, just have FUN! Make a book with your child to preserve your favorite family songs.

You'll need:
• hole-punched plain white paper • pen • plastic rings or binder • markers

What to do:
As your child learns new songs, write the words (and the melody in notes if you wish) onto sheets of paper.
Encourage him to make pictures to go with each song.
Bind the pages together with plastic rings.
Invite him to share the book with the rest of the family.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.
What is your favorite song in the book?
Are there any songs that you want to add to the book? Let's name the songs.
Let's make up new words to your favorite tune.

Useful information:
While you are having fun together, this activity will help your child develop language skills and social skills.

Children's Fair Book Drive Success!

Thanks to the incredible support of our communities, every child who stopped at the Project READ booth last Saturday during the Children's Fair was able to go home with two new (to them) books. Once again Project READ volunteers came through with an estimated 3000 books donated to our book drive.

A big thanks goes to our business partners: Brewed Awakenings, Reed Drug, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Edward Jones financial and the Itasca County Courthouse for hosting sites. Thanks also to the families of Southwest Elementary, RJEMS, St. Josephs School, and Greenway Schools for their generous support.

Tiffany Madsen's Girl Scouts troupe came through by placing Project READ stickers on close to 1500 books & the Kiwanis Daybreakers supported the drive at RJEMS.

Finally, the support of the Minnesota Reading Corp members at the Children's Fair ensured that everyone found a book they could enjoy.

Parent Tip

Increasing Responsibilities

To give kids a chance to earn extra money, and increase their responsibilities around the home, try posting a "Help Wanted" sign detailing various jobs and the pay for each job. For example, water the plants - 50 cents. This also helps build self-confidence and teach the importance of hard work.

Friday Fun Activity

Secret Messages

Have your kids write messages or draw pictures on pieces of white paper using white crayon. Have them paint over it with some weak watercolor paints and their artwork or message will magically appear.

Parent Tip

Expect Success

In order to learn, children must believe that they can. The feedback they get from teachers is significant, but parents are the most important adults in children’s lives. Whatever you say or do about your child’s abilities as a learner affects your child’s opinion of himself.

Friday Fun

Celebrate Earth Day....April 22!!!

Pine Cone Bird Feeder
Collect large pine cones during a walk through a park. Let the children tie a long piece of yarn around the top of each cone. In a bowl, mix 3 tbsp, of peanut butter with 3 tbsp. of margarine. Working over newspaper, use a spatula to spread the mixture all over the pine cone. Pour wild bird seed on a paper plate, and roll the pine cone in the seeds, pressing them in to cover the entire cone. Hang the pine cone from a tree branch by the yarn string for the birds to enjoy.

Parent Tip

Spelling Dictionary

To help young kids who are learning to spell, try creating a "dictionary" for your child. Use a spiral notebook, and designate two pages for each letter of the alphabet. Whenever your child asks you to spell something, write it on the appropriate page of the dictionary. The next time he needs that word, he can look it up in his dictionary. Not only does this reinforce spelling skills and keep frequently used words readily available, but it encourages sight-reading as well.

Parent Tip

Playroom Fun

A fun and inexpensive way to decorate a playroom or child’s bedroom is to use chalkboard paint on the walls. You can paint and entire wall, or several walls at your child’s level. It is as simple as painting the wall, and the kids get hours of fun, and can finally really write on the walls!

Friday Family Fun

Gak Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup Elmer's glue

1 cup liquid starch

Pour glue into plastic container.

Add starch a little at a time, stirring with a spoon or kneading with your fingers as mixture thickens.

Keep stirring until mixture holds together like putty.

Test with your fingers: if too sticky, add more starch in small amounts until mass is smooth and rubbery.

This is fun activity for the whole family... Great to make outside too!

Reading Corps Now Hiring

Minnesota Reading Corps is a program that is working to ensure that all Minnesota children are on track to read by the end of 3^rd grade. We do this by training and placing AmeriCorps members in elementary and preschool settings across Minnesota. Now we are poised to draw greater community involvement into teaching all of Itasca County's young people to read. To harness the power of community we need a volunteer coordinator.

Number of openings: 1

Position name: Volunteer Coordinator

Employment type: Full time

Employment start date: August 9, 2010

Employment end date: June 30, 2011

Location: Grand Rapids

By joining MRC, you’ll not only make a difference in children’s lives, but the training and experience you gain will benefit your own career. This is a chance to do your part in building our communities while gaining real responsibility, learning professional communication and other valuable career skills.

Learn more at www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org

Contacts: Kari Gjerde, at kgjerde@theMLC.org

Jaci David, at jdavid@theMLC.org

Application instructions: Apply online at www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org. Interview and selection is a rolling process, and the majority of positions will be filled by early July, 2010.

Description of position

Build your career skills and professional network by being part of a successful program that will help keep 18,000 Minnesota kids from falling behind. Minnesota Reading Corps (MRC) is an AmeriCorps program that is helping improve literacy skills among our youngest generation. Volunteer Coordinators are needed to recruit and manage community volunteers to provide services at local schools Learn more at www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org.

As a Volunteer Coordinator, you will host a minimum of six literacy events held either in school or at community sites. The purpose of these events is to promote literacy to kids, get kids excited to read and connect and engage community partners to the literacy efforts of the site.

You will recruit, train and support community volunteers who provide one-to-one tutoring using Minnesota Reading Corps’ research-based reading strategies. Focus will be placed on tutoring children who are on the waiting lists to receive Reading Corps services or children who have exited the program to ensure their skills are sustained.

By serving as a Volunteer Coordinator with Minnesota Reading Corps, you will build skills and a professional network critical to any career, especially in the nonprofit sector. In addition to recruiting and managing literacy volunteers and their schedules, you will establish relationships with school staff and community partners.

Skills needed for the volunteer coordinator role include: interest in education, strong networking and collaboration skills, comfort with public speaking, self-starter, proven ability to lead and take initiative.

Why join? You can be part of a successful organization that is helping children succeed in school, and gain professional experience at the same time. By serving for one year with Minnesota Reading Corps, you will build career skills, real responsibility and network with professionals. You will receive free health care coverage, federal loan deferment, a biweekly stipend of $490 and an education award of $5,350.

Are you up for the challenge? Online application is available on www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org. Positions for the 2010-11 program year begin in August. Contact Anna with questions at apeters@theMLC.org or 651-251-9075.

Minnesota Reading Corps is committed to the inclusion of all individuals regardless of disability, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation. Reasonable accommodations provided upon request.

Qualifications

Strong interest in education, specifically helping young children learn to read.

Experience working with children and / or volunteers, preferably in a literacy-related capacity.

Dedication to community service.

Computer skills, including the ability to navigate and use online database systems and e-mail.

Responsible, organized, flexible, motivated, professional.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Ability to make a commitment to complete 11 months of service (August ’10 - June 30, 2011).

High school diploma or GED and must be at least 18-years-old.

U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien.

Preferred: College coursework, college degree, or equivalent work experience

Parent Tip

More than Just Nourishment

Make an effort to eat dinner together as a family. Research shows that children’s literacy rates are higher in families that eat together. A relaxed suppertime is not only fun, but the conversation can help your child build his vocabulary and social skills.

Friday Fun

Restaurant Play (30 minutes)

Need something for your child to do while you prepare dinner? Play restaurant with your child and help them develop lots of skills!

You'll need
*paper *pencils, markers, crayons or pens *apron *tray *napkins *notebook or paper

What to do:

1. Together with your child, plan a special restaurant menu poster for the evening meal including prices for each dish
2. Encourage him to make a poster of the meal and display for the rest of family members
3. Invite him to seat everyone as if they are in a restaurant, and pretend to take their orders on a slip of paper
4. Perhaps your child can serve drinks or salads on a tray
5. Remind him to serve from the right and pick up from the left when he clears their dirty dishes
6. Remember to leave him a big tip when the meal is over

While you are having fun together, your child is developing reading, writing and social skills!!

Quote

No parent should expect more from their child than to have them fulfill their full potential in life. There is nothing more critical in helping this become a reality than being able to read.

-Alan and Wendy Pesky

Do you have books to share?

It's time for spring Cleaning! We know the closets in the community are full of children's books that need a new home.

Why not donate those books to Project READ? We will distribute all your gently used children's books at the annual Children's Fair on April 24 or on our Bright Red Bookshelves.

Drop sites are located in many of our local elementary schools and middle schools or at the following businesses:
-Brewed Awakenings
-Reed Drug
-Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
-Minnesota Reading Corp offices at the Old Central School
-Edward Jones Financial at 72 SE 7th St.

The drive continues until April 13.

Project READ Monthly Meeting

The next Project READ meeting is March 25 at 8:00 AM at the District #318 Administration Building. Come and join us to find out more about what we do!

20 Minutes A Day

By: Richard Peck

Read to your children

Twenty minutes a day.

You have the time,

And so do they.

Read while the laundry is in the machine.

Read while the dinner cooks.

Tuck a child in the crook of your arm

And reach for library books.

Hide the remote,

Let the computer games cool,

For one day your children will be off to school.

"Remedial?", "Gifted?"

You have the choice;

Let them hear their first tales

In the sound of your voice.

Read in the morning;

Read over noon;

Read by the light of

Good Night, Moon.

Turn the pages together,

Sitting as close as you'll fit.

Till a small voice beside you says,

"Hey, don't quit."

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Mr. Martinson was "Cat in the Hat" for Cohasset Elementary's celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday. You can go to his blog and see pictures.

IASC Community Education has a few costumes including "Cat in the Hat" that can be checked out to enhance your literacy events.

Gotta Keep Reading

Ocoee Middle School in Ocoee, FL partnered with Full Sail to create an inspirational music video to get students across the country excited about reading. This video was inspired by the Flash Mob Dance on the Oprah Winfrey Show performed by the Black Eyed Peas and several thousand of Oprah's fans.Full list of credits is at the end of the video.

Thanks to Mr. Martinson at Cohasset for posting it on their school web site!

Is your child learning to Love to Read?

Check out this podcast from "Good Enough Moms".

As people around the world prepare to celebrate World Read Aloud Day on March 3, Pam Allyn, founder of LitWorld and author of What to Read When, and Meredith Sinclair, star mommy blogger of Hoo-dee-hoo.com, join Dr. Marti Erickson and daughter Erin Erickson to share tips on how to ignite the joy of reading in your daughters and your sons. You also will learn fun and creative ways you and your children can join with others near and far to celebrate World Read Aloud Day.

10 Tips for Choosing Books for Children of All Ages

1. Have children choose their own books as soon as they start showing a preference for one over another.
2. Find the children's section of your local library. Get to know the librarian, who can be a great resource.
3. Find out what your child is interested in, and help choose books that are related to his or her interests.
4. Ask friends, family, and teachers what books their children have enjoyed; try a book swap.
5. If your child does not like a book you are reading together, put it away. Reading is a fun time to share, not a time to fight.
6. Again, Again, Again! Children may want to read the same book many times, even if you think they have outgrown it.
7. Use book lists generated by various literacy organizations; they usually have good suggestions. For example: American Library Association, International Reading Association, Children's Book Guild
8. Look for books that you will like reading aloud. Your enjoyment will shine through and become contagious.
9. Try out different kinds of books to see what appeals to your children.
10. Have fun! Show your children the joy of reading and how it can open up a brand new world!

Project READ Meeting Notice

The next monthly meeting for the Project READ leadership group is this Thursday, Feb. 25 at 8:00 AM. All partners are welcome at this meeting. We will be in Room 117 of the District #318 Administration Building. This is a change from our regular meeting room.

We will be discussing a number of topics including the upcoming Book Drive for the Children's Fair, The Quick Steps for Kids fundraiser and initial planning for the Fall Community Summit.

I hope to see you there.

10 Tips for Parents of Young Readers

1. Read aloud to your child every day:
Read to babies even before they can talk
Let your child see and touch the book
Play with voices and the sounds of words

2. Create a print rich home environment
Have a wide variety of books available to children
Encourage children to look at books on their own
Set aside a family reading area and a family reading time

3. Model reading and writing
Make use of the family reading area on your own
Let children see you reading for work or to learn something
Let children see you reading for pleasure

4. Use grocery shopping to encourage reading
Have children help you search for specific brands
Use the aisle markers with your child to find items
Match coupons to products

5. Cook with your child to develop literacy
Show your child how to read a recipe
Read the labels on ingredients together
Make a family cookbook of favorite recipes

6. Explore books together
As you read, point out important features about the book
Ask your child questions
Point out new vocabulary

7. Tell stories together
Talk together about your family history
Look at old vacation photos and discuss your memories of the trip
Tape your storytelling

8. Sing and rhyme with your child
Choose songs with rhymes and word play
Play rhyming games with your child, what other words sound like monkey?
Challenge your child to sing or say rhymes as fast as he can and dont forget to laugh if the results come out silly

9. Write with your child
Provide lots of writing materials chalk, markers, crayons, and pencils
Encourage your child to draw and write on her own
Encourage your child to write thank you notes to grandparents, make to do lists and the like

10. Visit the library often
Make weekly trips
Encourage your child to get her own library card.
Take advantage of library programs such as read alouds and family book clubs

Why Read Aloud?

Because reading aloud:

• Is great fun, and it benefits your children's growth as readers and learners.


• Nurtures your children's love of both the written and spoken word.


• Gives you a chance to rediscover favorite stories and find new ones.


• Helps your children develop important language skills that will help them learn to read on their own.

Friday Fun Day

Check out these read aloud stories on YouTube. Your Family will love reading along with their favorite story or finding new stories to listen to.

Reading Aloud

It's fun. It builds community and a sense of belonging. It strengthens vocabulary, language, grammar and writing. It makes us aware of other places and other lives. It creates life-long readers. There is a great deal of research that shows it to be the most effective part of any reading program. We're talking about reading aloud of course. Click here for a list of great books to read aloud to your child 0-5 years of age.

Kiwanis Deliver New Bookshelves

Thanks to the Kiwanis Daybreakers group! Bill Litchke just delivered 6 new bookshelves that will be painted red and put into use on the Bright Red Bookshelf project. New shelves are slated for ICC & the Deer River Clinic, replacement shelves are going to Bovey and the IRC. Volunteers will paint the shelves and get them in place soon.

Thanks to everyone who manages shelves, donates books and publicizes the Bright Red Bookshelf project in our community. Getting books into the hands of kids who need them can go a long way toward promoting reading success.

Reading to your baby

Different Ages, Different Stages
Young babies may not know what the images in a book mean, but they can focus on them, especially faces, bright colors, and contrasting patterns. Read or sing lullabies and nursery rhymes to interest and soothe your infant.
Between 4 and 6 months, your baby may begin to show more interest in books. He or she will grab and hold books, but will mouth, chew, and drop them as well. Choose sturdy vinyl or cloth books with bright colors and repetitive or rhyming text.
Between 6 and 12 months, your child is beginning to understand that pictures represent objects, and most likely will develop preferences for certain pictures, pages, or even entire stories. Your baby will respond while you read, grabbing for the book and making sounds, and by 12 months will turn pages (with some help from you), pat or start to point to objects on a page, and repeat your sounds.
When and How to Read
Here's a great thing about reading aloud: It doesn't take special skills or equipment, just you, your baby, and some books. Read aloud for a few minutes at a time, but do it often. Don't worry about finishing entire books — focus on pages that you and your baby enjoy.
Try to set aside time to read every day — perhaps before naptime and bedtime. In addition to the pleasure that cuddling your baby before bed gives both of you, you'll also be making life easier by establishing a routine. This will help to calm your baby and set expectations about when it's time to sleep.
It's also good to read at other points in the day. Choose times when your baby is dry, fed, and alert. Books also come in handy when you're stuck waiting, so have some in the diaper bag to fill time sitting at the doctor's office or standing in line at the grocery store.
Here are some additional reading tips:

• Cuddling while you read helps your baby feel safe, warm, and connected to you.
• Read with expression, pitching your voice higher or lower where it's appropriate or using different voices for different characters.
• Don't worry about following the text exactly. Stop once in a while and ask questions or make comments on the pictures or text. ("Where's the kitty? There he is! What a cute black kitty.") Your child might not be able to respond yet, but this lays the groundwork for doing so later on.
• Sing nursery rhymes, make funny animal sounds, or bounce your baby on your knee — anything that shows that reading is fun.
• Babies love — and learn from — repetition, so don't be afraid of reading the same books over and over. When you do so, repeat the same emphasis each time as you would with a familiar song.
• As your baby gets older, encourage him or her to touch the book or hold sturdier vinyl, cloth, or board books. You don't want to encourage chewing on books, but by putting them in his or her mouth, your baby is learning about them, finding out how books feel and taste — and discovering that they're not edible!

FRED in Grand Rapids

Last week Project READ supported two spectacular FRED (Fathers Reading Every Day) events in Grand Rapids schools.

Forest Lake Flyers demonstrated their school spirit when 78 dads and 97 children showed up for an exciting time of pizza and story telling. A big thank you goes out to Grand Itasca for their support in purchasing the pizza. Dion Card of the MN Reading Corp organized the event.

The Cohasset Cougers turned out 85 people for their event just two days later. Thanks to Lake Country Power for supporting their event & to Teresa Greniger for organizing the event.

FRED encourages Dads to read to their kids daily. Research shows that when Dads are involved in promoting literacy, kids become better readers. Thanks to all those dads for showing their support!

Choosing Books for Toddlers

Toddlers want to feel included and competent; choose books that your child can follow along with, especially those with repetitive text so he or she can fill in words. Maintain your toddler's interest by choosing books with small amounts of text on the page and books about topics that you know are of interest.

• For younger toddlers (12 to 24 months) you'll want sturdy board books with pictures (especially photos) of kids doing the things they do every day. Books about bedtime, baths, or mealtime are all good choices; so are books about saying hello or good-bye. Keep active hands busy with lift-the-flap pages and textures to feel.
• Toddlers from 24 to 36 months are beginning to be able to turn paper pages, so this is a good time to expand beyond board books. They are also beginning to understand the mechanics of reading and like books that are repetitive and easy to memorize so that they can "read" along.

By now you will start to know what your child's passions are - whether trains, trucks, or stuffed bears, find books about these things of interest. Children this age also like books about children, families, and animals.
Toddlers love to look at homemade books, scrapbooks, or photo albums full of people they know (try adding simple captions). Poetry and songbooks are good choices for this age group too. You may find that story time turns into sing-along time.
Take your toddler to the library and let them pick out some of their own books to read.

Friday Fun Day

It is always great to volunteer in your community. Here are ways to volunteer in your community:

• Volunteer with a local non-profit organization. ex: Special Olympics, United Way, Human Society, ect.
• Make pillows, cards, games, or stuffed toys for children who are sick in the hospital
• Make booboo bunnies for children to receive at a health clinic or at school
• Collect items to make baby bags for poor mothers who recently had a baby -- can contain diapers, baby bottles, pacifiers, burp rags, formula, baby food, etc.
• Plan and share craft projects with other children
• Read with children at a local hospital or wellness center
• Hold clothing drives and donate clothes that are in good condition to those in need
• Lead a craft project with children that will help elderly in a nursing home
• Make, buy, or donate toys for children in orphanages or shelters
• Sort through clothing, toys or books others have donated for children in need
• Play basketball or other sports with children in need
• Write letters to local and governmental leaders about the need to protect children from abuse and neglect
• Donate your hair for children with cancer or other medical conditions
• Make a first-day-of-school package with school supplies
• Write letters to or for sick children
• Organize a teddy bear drive
• Donate and sort books, clothes and party supplies for disadvantaged children
• Make bags for children in other countries through Kids for Peace
• Donate your favorite (healthy!) snack to give to children in need

There are many children out there who need our help....get involved!

Sitting Still Not Required

Trying to read to a toddler who just won't sit still can be frustrating. It's important to be patient and keep trying. Find a book or a few pages that capture his or her interest. If you can't do that, don't force the reading but be sure to try again later. Remember that toddlers love repetition - if your child seems uninterested in books, you may need to find a favorite and read it over and over again.
Some busy toddlers like to stand up while you read to them. Others like to look at a page or two before moving on to something else. Keep the book out - he or she may want to return to it later, which you should encourage. Don't worry if your child can't sit still for an entire book - his or her attention span will start to get longer soon. You might want to keep reading even if your child moves around. Before bedtime, allow your child to touch and play with favorite toys while you read aloud. The sound of your voice will be a soothing reminder of your bedtime routine and that books are a part of it.
You may find that your child sits still better while coloring or playing with a favorite toy while you read. Don't assume that because your child isn't looking at you or the book that he or she isn't interested or listening.
You want your child to have positive associations with reading, so if you are feeling tense or your child is resisting, consider setting the book aside and returning to it later.
If your child really doesn't like to spend much time reading, remember that reading to your child is just one thing you can do to encourage emergent literacy. You also can:

• limit TV
• talk to your child throughout the day
• sing songs together
• play rhyming games
• make up your own stories together

It's Friday and Friday's are for FUN!!!
The weather is warming up so now is the time to get outside and enjoy the snow! Have some family fun time outside with these fun outdoor activities. Dress up warm and let get some fresh air and exercise. You'll come back in hungry and ready for some quieter activities.
Here goes:

1. Make a snow angel by lying on your back in the snow and spreading out your arms to the side then moving them up and down. Get up carefully and see your angel with wing prints.
2. Build a snow fort. Have a snow ball fight.
3. Build a snowman. Give him a carrot nose and a hat.
4. Take a walk and look for animal tracks.
5. Play chase, tag, or hide and seek.
6. Shovel snow.
7. Build an igloo.
8. Put out suet and birdseed for birds.
9. Wrap in a big stadium blanket and sit on the porch swing.
10. Bird watch.
11. Scavenger hunt for winter nature stuff.
12. Collect pinecones for decorations, fire starters, wreaths, study,src.
13. Watch the sunset.
14. Go fishing.
    Outside a window shovel out a square spot. Plant sticks with bright colored streamers to look like flowers or "plant" a row of plastic flowers.
15. In shed or garage, repair dog house. Paint the house. Add hay for warm bedding.
16. Look for poetry or story ideas.
17. Hunt for bird nests. Note ones high in trees that you can watch next summer.
18. Take photos of trees. Compare to summer.
19. Ice skate.
20. Go sledding down a hill.
21. Shovel a path in the yard like a maze.
22. Put up a bird feeder.
23. Have a snowball battle.
24. Visit with neighbors. Drink hot chocolate outside.
25. Lick an icicle.
26. Sit in a sunny place and absorb sunshine.
27. Play with toy cars and trucks in the snow.
28. Play expedition. Pretend you are an explorer going to the North Pole.
29. Pull someone or something in a a sled.
30. Take a nature hike.
31. Check out last year's garden plot. How has it changed?
32. Lay on the ground and watch the sky. What do the clouds look like?
33. Stamp out words in the snow.
34. Make a neighborhood map. Color it later inside.
35. Decorate a tree in your yard with streamers to blow in the wind.
36. Watch for animals--sqirrels, deer, cats, dogs, horses. What animals are in your neighborhood?
37. Have a winter picnic. Take along a warm sandwich and cookies in an insulated bag , cocoa in a thermos or even hot soup in a soup thermos. Take a blanket to sit on.
38. Sketch houses, barns, buildings, plants and animals.
39. Make a list of the trees in your yard. Power walk or jog.
40. Go out at night and see the stars.

Dress warm and have fun! When you are tired and chilly, head back inside for hot chocolate, spiced tea, or hot cider and rest.

What do you like to do outdoors in the winter? Share.........

Americorp Volunteers Sort books for Science Explosion

Thanks to Americorp volunteers Cathy Seely, Karla Foix, Sara Gonzales & Bethany Grooms for their help yesterday. The volunteers sorted books for a book give away at the "Science Explosion" event that will take place on January 22 from 1:30 until 7:00 PM at the Robert J Elkington Middle School. January 22 is an "early release day" for our area students.

Festivities include science shows and science displays. Look for the Project READ display. Chippy will make an appearance & science themed books will be given away on a first come, first served basis.

Check your Children's First! New Year's brochure for more information or post a question here.

When and How to Read to Your Toddler

Experts recommend you read to your child as often as you can and that you strive to have at least one scheduled reading time each day. Choosing regular times to read (especially before naps and bedtime) is a way to help your child learn to sit with a book and relax. But you can read anytime your child seems in the mood.
If your toddler will let you, hold him or her in your lap when you read. It's a great spot for:

• helping your child feel safe, happy, and relaxed
• giving undivided attention
• showing new things
• inviting participation

You'll find that your toddler has a mind of his or her own and wants to be independent and successful. Nurture these instincts by offering three or four books to choose from, praising your child's selection, letting your toddler help you turn pages, and asking for help as you find things on a page. Your child will love to finish sentences in books with repetitive phrasing or rhymes.
Here are some additional reading tips:

• Read whatever books your toddler asks for, even if it's the same book every night for weeks and weeks (and weeks and weeks).
• Read slowly enough for your toddler to understand.
• Read expressively, using different voices for different characters and raising or lowering your voice as appropriate.
• Use puppets, finger plays (like the "Itsy Bitsy Spider"), or props while you read.
• Encourage your toddler to clap or sing when you read rhythmic, sing-song books.
  Talk about the illustrations with your child. Point to items and name them. Then ask your child to name them with you and offer enthusiastic praise as he or she does so.
• Ask open-ended questions - "Why do you think the lion is going into the woods? What do you think will happen next?" This encourages your child to think about the story and to ask questions.
• Substitute your child's name for the name of a character in the book.

Have fun! Show your child that reading is enjoyable.

Friday Fun!

It's Friday....and Firday's are for fun!
Kids are indoors trying to stay warm. Keep them busy by creating Paper Bag Puppets. Use your puppets to tell stories. Creates creativity in your child.
The easiest form of building paper bag puppets requires only a paper lunch bag and crayons or markers. Simply draw on a face and you have a puppet! To make the characters more elaborate, decorate with yarn for hair, buttons for eyes, and glitter for cheeks. Ribbon can be added to the hair or made into a bow tie for the "neck". Draw on eyelashes and lips with colorful markers.

Have FUN and Stay WARM!

Why Should I Read to My Toddler?

Studies show that children with active exposure to language have social and educational advantages over their peers - and reading is one of the best exposures to language.
Reading to your child lays the foundation for later independent reading. But before your child can read independently, he or she needs a set of skills called emergent literacy skills. These include:

• having a large vocabulary of words and knowing how to use them
• understanding that words are made up of smaller sounds (this is called phonemic awareness)
• understanding that marks on a page represent letters and words
• knowing the letters of the alphabet

You don't need games, flashcards, or special instruction to help your child gain these skills. You just need books, your child, and you. Reading to your child as often as possible is the best thing you can do to help him or her learn to read independently.