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Tuesday Tales – Magic Tree House Books Take 2

Posted on May 29, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

It is hard for me to believe that my baby has already turned five. This September, JSL will be heading to kindergarten. He loves to learn. I believe that with a little help from his big brother, he may be ready to try reading this summer. JSL adores being read to, but I can tell he wants to take off with a book and try to do it on his own.

The summer before NHL started kindergarten, we spent a lot of time at the library. It was a place to explore, keep cool, and find books to read with both of the boys. This was also the time that we first read The Magic Tree House book series by Mary Pope Osborne. Although I began reading these early chapter books to NHL, TechyDad eventually took over since I was busy with the little guy. It was sad not hearing the stories, but in the back of my mind I knew I would have another chance.

By the time NHL was almost finished with kindergarten, he had read the 40 Magic Tree House books that were already published! The first book was published in 1992 and the 48th book with Jack and Annie will be coming out this July for the 20th Anniversary of the series. It only seems right that JSL and I started reading these books now.

JSL and I sat down over two nights and read Dinosaurs Before Dark and he loved it. He already has demanded to keep reading more about Jack and Annie. I am certainly not going to say no. As a parent and educator, I love the positives in the book. The characters do not give up, they help each other, they think about their surroundings, and they are chock full of educational items. From dinosaurs, to knights, to pirates, and onward he will be learning about literature, people, places, and things from history and the world of science.

Although the books are made up of ten chapters, they are the perfect length to introduce children to longer stories. They are filled with just the right amount of writing and pictures to keep the attention of younger children. In addition to that, the stories connect with one another and will allow kids to really get to know characters and their adventures.

I know that JSL and I will continue reading these books. Even NHL has joined in to listen since it has been a while since he enjoyed them. Before I know it, the little guy will probably be reading the books to me. For now, I will enjoy our time together as we see where Jack and Annie are off to next. Who knows, maybe we will even be able to check out the Magic Tree House play one of these days.

Are you a Magic Tree House fan? I would love to know what other books you like to read with your preschoolers that are getting ready for school. What have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

Categories:
books Educational milestone school summer Tuesday Tales

Fun Classroom Themes

Posted on May 25, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

When I was teaching younger kids, one of the items that was fun was to pick a unit plan, theme, or other item to cover with the kids. In first grade, this would involve lesson planning across academic areas and lots of items for center activities. One of my favorites was for If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and also the Five Senses. Yes, there are days when I really miss that part of being in the classroom.

As the parent of a child in preschool, it has been fun to see what his teachers pick and choose each week to do with kids that are now 4 and 5 years old. Tuesday morning, we walked into the classroom and the theme was very clear.

The details in the classroom were amazing. There were dinosaurs romping all over the place. They were here:

Yes, there were even more dinosaurs over on the other side of the room. The best part: Laurie Berkner’s We are the Dinosaurs was playing as the kids explored the new dinoland.

When JSL went in the next day, I suggested wearing one of his dinosaur shirts. Little did we know that his shirt would be perfect inspiration for a project they were making. Check out their dino hats.

So my question to you week is inspired by my son’s creative teachers:

What theme in school was your favorite as a child? If you can not recall, how about a favorite your child has done or perhaps one you wish you had done.

It's Me

P.S. If you are in a dinosaur dancing mood, here’s a little Laurie Berkner video.

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #204

Categories:
Aloha Friday arts and crafts Educational fun interesting jsl me moments photos school

Love for Doc McStuffins

Posted on April 26, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

I fully admit that I allow my children to watch television and have since they were little. When NHL was little, we would sing and dance along with Bear in the Big Blue House, The Wiggles, Stanley, Jo-Jo’s Circus, and other shows on what was then called Playhouse Disney. By the time JSL was born, the shows had changed and things were morphing into Disney Junior. For JSL, we would sing and dance to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and The Imagination Movers.

Of course, Disney Junior is no longer just a morning lineup for children on Disney Channel. Now, it is a dedicated cable station that runs 24/7 with kid and family friendly programs and movies. When the channel debuted, we got to meet Doc McStuffins. Doc is now a major favorite of my four year old son. He pretends to be a doctor and I will often hear him singing the songs when playing on his own.

If you are unfamiliar with Doc McStuffins, please watch this small segment.

As a parent, I love that Doc uses real terms for things (though some are made up), incorporates items to help ease kids fears of medical professionals, promotes women as professionals, and embraces stay at home fathers. There are also great online Doc items on the Disney Junior website.

While at Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, I will be attending a break out session that will be with the executive producers of Doc McStuffins. It will be wonderful to hear how they select topics for the show and make them developmentally appropriate for our children. I know that thanks to their work my youngest is even more well versed in staying hydrated, getting rest, being compassionate, and other healthy living items.

Are you a Doc McStuffins fan? What is your family’s favorite character or part of the show and why?

Disclosure: Although we paid for our own trip to Disney World to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, we were given an incredible deal from Disney. Also note that Disney never asked us to blog about this event. As a long time Disney fan, it is my pleasure to share my experiences from the event. Thank you to Disney Junior for the photo and more clips can be found on their YouTube channel.

Categories:
Disney DisneySMMoms Educational EduMICKation jsl looking back nhl television

Yom HaShoah Candles

Posted on April 19, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Today, April 19, 2012, is Yom HaShoah. On this day, people around the world remember the Six Million Jewish people and others that were senselessly murdered by Nazis during World War II. I knew the day was coming in April, but I have to admit that I forgot the exact date until this arrived at our house:

These candles are sent to families to light the evening before Yom HaShoah. We do this to remember the lives lost and promise that we will not allow this to happen again. The color is the same as the yellow star badges that the Nazis made Jews wear during their occupation of Europe.

Of course, simply lighting the candles is not enough. We must make sure that future generations know the truth about the Holocaust. Each day, Holocaust survivors are passing away and with them their personal stories could fade away if we do not make sure to pass them along to our children and generations to come. I know that as my boys get older, TechyDad and I will do our part. We will make sure to read them books on the subject, visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, and make sure that they never forget about the Six Million that lost their lives simply because of their religious choice.

On this Holocaust Remembrance Day when we know more terror is happening in other places this very moment – teach your children about tolerance. Make sure your family learns about other religions, cultures, and people. The more knowledge we have the better we will be able to understand the beauty of differences among us.

It's Me