Naturally Educational » Mathematics
Balloon Obstacle Course
Today, please welcome the fun-tabulous Jamie of Hands on : as we grow. She has a gift for sneaking authentic learning into fun, play-time activities. While I am on maternity leave, I will be featuring a few inspiring posts from some of my favorite activity, craft, and education bloggers! Making an activity course is super simple and easy to do with just a couple of balloons! It can be filled with tons of learning experiences along … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), Bodily-kinesthetic, Featured, Guest Post, Mathematics
Is Homework Worthwhile?
My almost five year old daughter is too young for homework–or at least that is what I believe. She’s picked up on the idea somewhere, though, and has introduced it into her play: “My homework today is to dance!” When my son, almost three, mimicked her, “My homework is to throw this ball,” his sister replied, “You’re too young for homework!” But is homework an effective learning tool at any age? Homework’s Effect is Negligible…Except in Math An interesting … Read entire article »
Filed under: Academic Achievement, All Ages, Mathematics
March Weather Bar Graph
Just like we gradually introduce our children to the signs and sounds of language, mathematics pre-literacy is an important first step towards understanding operations and equations. A fun way to familiarize children with the vocabulary and tools of mathematics is to make a bar graph. We’ve done this before with Valentine’s Candy Hearts and for this activity we used our March Lion and Lamb calendar cut-outs. 1. Each day in March, determine whether it is a “lamb” … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, Logical-Mathematical, Mathematics, Spring, Visual-Spacial, Weather
Hoo Do You Love?
My daughter loves birds, owls especially. And Valentine’s Day is a time for sharing the love so we were very inspired by these Valentine’s Day Owls from Molly at Mommy Coddle. Owls are a perfect animal for Valentine’s Day because while most owls have round facial discs, the barn owls (sometimes called “monkey-faced”) have heart-shaped facial discs. We modified the design two years ago to create this owl, which is mainly my cutting and my then-two-year-old-daughter’s … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddler), 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Art, Featured, Mathematics, Winter
Yarn Pumpkin
We made a yarn pumpkin, similar to this yarn egg we made for Easter. This requires some manual dexterity and patience but it is very simple and relaxing and I think it looks lovely hanging from our chandelier! Supplies: Balloon School Glue Orange Yarn Green Pipe Cleaner Directions: 1. Inflate a balloon of any color until it is round. 2. Tie four strings around the pumpkin, knotting at the top, to create eight “sections”. Paint the yarn with glue. (Note: I did this … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Fall, Featured, Mathematics
Apple Tasting
My kids love the opportunity to taste different varieties of the foods they love at local farms and markets. I was lucky enough to participate in an apple tasting with my daughter on the day I volunteered at our preschool co-operative. Once the tasting was over, the teaching assistant, who has an amazing traveling science museum called Science on the Move, whipped up a delicious peanut-free dip for the apples! Creating an apple tasting for your … Read entire article »
Filed under: All Ages, Fall, Featured, Home Arts, Mathematics, Science, Taste
Yarn Easter Egg Ornament
We’ve been trying some gorgeous Easter Crafts for kids this week, starting with this Yarn Easter Egg Ornament from No Time for Flashcards. I love “busy hands, calm spirit” crafts like these. This is so simple and yet it requires a lot of focus, patience and dexterity. You can also use this as an opportunity to practice measuring (the yarn) and cutting with scissors. Applying the yarn. Popping the balloon. Finished ornament hanging up. Head over to No Time for … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Home Arts, Mathematics, Spring
In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb
As we enter the end of winter and the beginning of spring, it is a great time to talk with young children about the weather. Last year, we used a calendar “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” project to explore the concept of the changing weather. March Lion and Lamb Calendar Directions Print a blank March calendar. Print/photocopy Lion and Lamb clip art and cut so each animal is on its own square. … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), Mathematics, Science, Spring, Weather, Winter
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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 or on Google.
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