Naturally Educational » Archive for October 2011
Simple Calaveras Masks for Dia de los Muertos
After Halloween, our friends from Latin America celebrate Día de los Muertos. The holiday has its roots in an idea similar to the Celtic Samhain and the Christian All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. In contrast with our modern Halloween, however, Día de los Muertos is more of a celebration of departed loved ones, rather than a fright fest. In Mexico, the celebration is marked with alters containing marigolds and calaveras (skulls, particularly the popular … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, History and Culture, Interpersonal
The Itsy Bitsy Spider Made 5 Spider Crafts for Kids
You know what really terrifies me? Spiders. I fully admit this is irrational and spiders are an important part of our ecosystem and yet… there is just something about those eight legs that creeps me out! Whether you are an arachnophile or an arachnophobe, Halloween is the perfect time to make spider crafts with kids! Weave a Paper Plate and Yarn Spider Web at Naturally Educational: This was our spider craft last year! Hula hoop Spider Web … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), All Ages, Ecology, Educational Blogs, Featured
Meow! Halloween Cats from Cardboard Tubes
I’ve always had a cat–and when I first met my husband, his family had four! You could say we’re cat people. Right now we have two, including the friendliest, fluffiest black cat. So, the kids were excited to craft black cats from cardboard tubes (toilet paper rolls) as part of our Halloween craft fest. A quick note–one teacher told me she was not allowed to use anything recycled from the bathroom or kitchen. So, I suggested she … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Ecology, Featured, History and Culture, Science
How to Make Banana Ghosts (or “Learn from my #CraftFail”)
Last week, I promised the kids we would make Banana Ghosts. I bought my white chocolate and bananas and chocolate chips. I cannot recall where I first saw them but I had made chocolate covered fruit and pretzels before and so I did not do any research before diving in. Big mistake. At least you can learn from my #craftfail because at the end I will tell you what finally worked! I am not particularly crafty. No, really. … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, Home Arts, Taste
Witch or Wizard Hat Craft for Kids
With Halloween coming up, our crafts have focused on the spooky. Here’s a fun, simple craft you can wear: a sorcerer or witch’s hat. Materials: construction paper or oak tag, any color, at least 11″ x 14″ paper plate scissors tape materials for decorating (paint, crayons, markers, glitter glue, Halloween stickers, etc.) Directions: 1. Cut out the center of the paper plate and decorate. 2. Twist the top two corners of your paper down and in to create a cone. Adjust to size for … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured
Is It Okay to Use a Craft Kit?
One of the best gifts we can give our children is our time. Quality time spent with our children, engaging in fun, interactive activities, boosts their self-esteem and encourages their creativity. I have had moms quietly whisper to me, “I used a craft kit…is that okay?” Well, that depends… is your goal to enjoy an activity with your child or is it to improve your own bargain shopping, cutting, and gluing skills? I kid. I think we all agree … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Art, Featured, Science, Sight
Crafty Owls
We’re big owl fans so when I saw the cardboard toilet tube owls over at Frugal Family Fun Blog, I knew I wanted to make them with my little ones! We made some (very minor) modifications to the process and, of course, you will find some educational suggestions at the end of the post! Materials: cardboard tube (cut to different heights if making a family) paint fun, patterned paper googly eyes glue (we like Elmer’s Glue-All) Directions: 1. Fold in the top of the … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Ecology, Featured
4 Picture Books About Bats
Stellaluna by Jannell Cannon: When a young bat is separated from her mother, she joins a nest of baby birds. In a beautifully illustrated book with lots of loving close-ups, Stellaluna tries to fit in but learns that she is happiest being herself. Along with her newfound friends, she also discovers that sometimes friends can be very different in some ways but alike in the ways that count. This book is my … Read entire article »
Filed under: 0-3 (Babies and Toddlers), 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Ecology, Featured
The Monster Mash-Up
Because a monster can look like ANYTHING, it makes a fabulous open-ended craft for preschoolers, kindergartners, and early elementary-aged kids. Plus, you can use up all sorts of odds and ends from your craft cabinet. I still remember a collage-technique monster I made at school from magazine cut-outs. I named it after my mom and thought she’d be flattered! She didn’t love the likeness of “Linda the Jello Monster” but she did appreciate the creativity. Here are … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddler), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Educational Blogs, Featured
Beaded Pumpkin Jack O’ Lantern Ornaments
We made these easy beaded pumpkin Jack O’ Lantern ornaments to add to our Halloween decorations. My children love to bead and it is great fine motor skill practice. Materials orange and black beads chenille stems (2 orange, 1 green) fishing wire Directions 1. First, I put them to work sorting out all the orange beads. 2. Then they strung the orange beads onto a chenille stem. 3. Twist the ends of the stem together and shape into a pumpkin. 4. Then, cut the green … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Fall, Featured, History and Culture, Home Arts
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About the Author
Candace Lindemann is a published children’s writer and educational consultant. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Working with school districts around the country and some of the most well-known companies in the education industry, Candace creates custom strategies, textbooks, and lesson plans. Her articles have appeared in print and online.
While Candace’s degrees prepared her for a career in education, she’s found that the best preparation for parenting is on the job training.
Contact Candace via e-mail, read her full biography, or connect with her using the social media icons below.
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