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Book Activity: Please Write Back!

February 25, 2010 by notjustcute Filed Under: Building Readers, Learning through Play and Experience Leave a Comment

Please Write Back! (Scholastic Reader Level 1)In Please Write Back! Alfie writes a letter to his grandma- going through all the steps of letter writing addressing and stamping by himself- and then waits anxiously for her reply.  Finally, he gets something.  But it’s not the letter he expected, it’s a package!

After reading this simple story, extend the story and support sensory skills by doing a feely box activity.  Just as Alfie was anxious to find what was in his box, the children can take turns feeling an item in a box and guessing what it might be.  You can simply use a box and hold it high enough that the children can’t see – though someone will always try to peek!  You can create a simple feely box by securing a sock around the top of an empty oatmeal canister.  Then, cut the end of the sock, so that a hand can reach through it and into the box.  You could also make one with a small square box, using an inexpensive (and/or outgrown) stocking cap in the same manner.  Stretch it around the sides and then cut a slit in the top for a hand to reach through.

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Book Activity: Raymond and Nelda

February 24, 2010 by notjustcute Filed Under: Building Readers, Learning through Play and Experience, Positive Guidance and Social Skills Leave a Comment

Raymond and NeldaHere’s a quick one for those of you looking for more mail-themed reads.  Raymond and Nelda is a story of….well, Raymond and Nelda, of course!  They’re best of friends but have a falling out.  Their neighborhood mail lady sees both of them upset and urges them to work it out.  Through a series of letters they eventually come to understand that they each made mistakes and need to apologize because their friendship is more important than their pride.  This book is great for tying together the themes of friendship and communication!

You could follow this book up with a variety of mail-themed activities, but I usually have a short discussion about the social aspect of the books (being a good friend and making apologies) and then build some pre-reading skills by doing a little phonemic awareness exercise in small groups. 

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Mailing May and Mailing Me!

February 24, 2010 by notjustcute Filed Under: Building Readers, Create, Learning through Play and Experience, Positive Guidance and Social Skills 2 Comments

Mailing May

Back in 1914, a five year-old little girl by the name of Charlotte May Pierstorff wanted desperately to visit her grandmother, but her parents couldn’t afford the $1.55 it would cost for a train ticket.  Soon her family hatched an ingenious plan and, with the help of a cousin who worked on the mail car of the train and some creative application of the postal code, May was sent by parcel post with 53 cents in stamps on her coat.  This true story is told in wonderful narrative fashion and with beautifully detailed watercolor illustrations in the book, Mailing May , written by Michael O. Tunnell and illustrated by Ted Rand.

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Cornmeal Play

February 22, 2010 by notjustcute Filed Under: Learning through Play and Experience 1 Comment

If you’re looking for something new to put in your sensory table, consider cornmeal!  Some types are more fine than others – the fine stuff can leave a bit of a dusty residue on those little hands, but no permanent harm done, right?  Whether you have coarse or fine cornmeal, the kiddos just love it!  Compliment the play with toy cars, scoops in a variety of sizes, and even combs to create a fun texture!  Around Valentine’s Day, I threw in some foam hearts and the children kept themselves engaged burying and digging up their “treasures”!  You could add any foam features, plastic figures, or some beads or rocks. 

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The Perfect Pretzel Recipe…..Really.

February 19, 2010 by notjustcute Filed Under: Building Readers, Learning through Play and Experience, Snack Time 11 Comments

I have never found a recipe for big soft pretzels that I really loved.  They were too complicated to make with kids, or didn’t taste very good, or had the wrong texture.  Well, that all changed this last Christmas when my sister-in-law, gave me this little gem as part of a collection of recipes.  (I love getting good recipes for Christmas!)  I tried it out, and it couldn’t be easier!  The kiddos can help from start to finish.  Just mix your ingredients, shape your dough (letters, hearts, geo shapes, or the traditional pretzel knot), brush, sprinkle, and bake.  They’re so fast, but so good!   Here’s the recipe so you can find out for yourself!

Big Soft Pretzels

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Do You Know This Friend of Mine?

February 19, 2010 by notjustcute Filed Under: Building Readers, Learning through Play and Experience, Music and Movement Leave a Comment

Here’s a song the children love!  It’s perfect for reinforcing phonemic awareness and a great reminder of their classmates’ names.  I learned it way back in my university days, so I really don’t know who to credit for it.  Whoever you are, many children send an enthusiastic  “Thank you”!

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My Magic Words

February 18, 2010 by notjustcute Filed Under: Learning through Play and Experience, Music and Movement, Positive Guidance and Social Skills Leave a Comment

If you haven’t heard of Signing Time, you should check it out.  It has an inspiring background story, and the research behind preverbal signing in hearing children can be quite compelling.  Though they are oblivious to all of that, my boys just really enjoy it, and that’s why we’ve watched many episodes at our house.  It’s a fun and dynamic mix of vocabulary, song, and sign. 

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You've Got Mail!

February 16, 2010 by notjustcute Filed Under: Building Readers, Learning through Play and Experience, Positive Guidance and Social Skills Leave a Comment

Do you remember how excited you were to get mail as a child?  The mail system seemed magical and mystical.  You might get a package from Grandma, an invitation to a birthday party, or a letter from a secret admirer.  The possibilities were endless!  In these days of email and text messages, children still love to get mail!  Here’s a great mail activity that will give them the opportunity to get and send mail while also getting some practice with recognizing and forming their written names. 

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You’ve Got Mail!

February 16, 2010 by notjustcute Filed Under: Building Readers, Learning through Play and Experience, Positive Guidance and Social Skills Leave a Comment

Do you remember how excited you were to get mail as a child?  The mail system seemed magical and mystical.  You might get a package from Grandma, an invitation to a birthday party, or a letter from a secret admirer.  The possibilities were endless!  In these days of email and text messages, children still love to get mail!  Here’s a great mail activity that will give them the opportunity to get and send mail while also getting some practice with recognizing and forming their written names. 

[Read more…]

Heart Art

February 13, 2010 by notjustcute Filed Under: Celebrate!, Create, Learning through Play and Experience Leave a Comment

Sorry for the delay in posts!  It’s teething time again around here, and I’ve been spending a lot of time snuggling a certain 10-month old.  You’d  take snuggling him over writing too if you saw those eyes!

So, while I was planning on giving you plenty of heart art ideas here, I’ll finish the write up of the ones I had ready and link you to some great ones I’ve found on another site by a blogger I assume doesn’t have any teething ten-month olds.

[Read more…]

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I’m Amanda Morgan. Here’s what I’m about…

In early education, there is too much distance between what we know and what we do. I bridge the gaps that exist between academia, decision-makers, educators, and parents so that together, we can improve the quality of early education while also respecting and protecting the childhood experience.

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