Naturally Educational » Subject Matter
DIY Microwave Pressed Flowers: For Your Flower Pressing Emergencies
Did you know you could press flowers in the microwave when you have a pressed flower emergency? What? You do not have pressed flower emergencies? It is only me? Most of us know how to press flowers for crafts and studying and preserving memories. You place the flowers in between two sheets of newsprint and then place that in between two pieces of cardboard. Then you stick the entire cardboard, newsprint, flower sandwich under a pile … Read entire article »
How Are You Connected?
“Bees,” my three year old likes to call out, “make honey for me!” Global warming, diminishing species diversity, and acid rain are “capital P” Problems that seem very far away to a young child. A glob of honey, on the other hand, is immediate and sweet. We have to take care of the bees because they pollinate the beautiful flowers and make us tasty honey. Raising children who feel connected, in ways both big and small, is … Read entire article »
Forsythia Tissue Paper and Twig Craft
Budding branches are among the most beautiful and clear signs that spring has arrived. While we do not have the opportunity to see many cherry blossoms around here, we do see plenty of forsythia heralding the coming spring. We made twigs bud with tissue paper blossoms. Materials: twigs yellow tissue paper glue white paper Directions: 1. First, go outside to collect your twigs. My kids love picking up sticks and this step lasted the better part of a morning! 2. Glue down your twigs … Read entire article »
Cherry Blossom Stamps
We’re celebrating spring with lots of floral crafts! Here’s a cherry blossom stamp art project. Bonus: you reuse/recycle a soda or water bottle for your stamp. Materials: brown paint pink paint white paper paint brush soda or water bottle Directions: 1. Dilute the brown paint a little with a drop of water and paint the branches and twigs. I showed my kids how you can get thicker strokes by pressing down with the brush. We also examined branches to see how smaller twigs … 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), Art, Ecology, Featured, History and Culture, Spring, Weather
6 Ways Kids Can Help Animals
The Lorax speaks for the trees and also the Brown Barbaloots, Swomee Swans, and Humming Fish. Children are drawn to animals, both wild and domesticated. Providing guardianship for the animals who cannot speak for themselves is a natural way that children can live like the Lorax. Little people learn that they can make a big difference. 1. Make a Bird Feeder Our backyard songbirds are in trouble. Vanishing habitats and food sources, toxic insecticides, and predators like … Read entire article »
Teaching Two-Digit Addition with Regrouping
My daughter just moved on to two digit addition with regrouping (that’s “carrying” for us old folks). Since a dime conveniently equals 10 pennies, I thought we could use coins to make the concept more concrete. We start with the basic concept that each penny is one cent and that each dime is ten cents so one dime is equivalent to ten pennies. Next, I write out a two-digit addition problem that will require regrouping (the … Read entire article »
Filed under: 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, Logical-Mathematical, Mathematics, Visual-Spacial
Random House Read & Play Community Launch Party!
Random House wants to build a community of readers and you are invited! The Launch Party Live Chat is April 11 at 9:00 PM EST and I hope you will join me and the other community leaders, moms, educators, and Random House representatives, to discuss year long and life long learning! If you have questions, tips, or concerns, about literacy, summer reading lists, book recommendations, special events and holidays, or more, here’s your opportunity to connect with … Read entire article »
Filed under: Literacy
Stained Glass Fairy Suncatcher
We’re all about fairies here! We like to dance like fairies, eat like fairies, play like fairies, and decorate like fairies. My daughter wanted to make a fairy suncatcher for our window and so we used the simplest “stained glass” suncatcher technique. Materials: clear plastic (you can use toy packaging, sweater bags, just about anything will do) tissue paper permanent marker (“Sharpie”) stencil (unless you are an artist!) glue and water mixture paintbrush scissors Directions: 1. Using a black permanent marker, draw or trace your … Read entire article »
Filed under: 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Art, Featured
14 Children’s Books to Welcome Spring
Today is the first official day of spring. On the vernal equinox, the tilt of the Earth is neither towards, nor away, from the sun. In the Northern Hemisphere, spring means the return of warmth and flowers and butterflies. Here are 14 children’s picture books to welcome back spring with open arms: And Then It’s Spring, by Julie Fogliano; illustrated by Erin Stead (Ages 3+): A clever little narrative about patiently waiting for the brown of late … 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), Featured, Spring, Weather
5 Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green
Young children are natural eco-warriors. Their interest in their environment provides a deep connection to the natural world. From there it is a hop, skip, and spring puddle jump to learning about responsible guardianship of the Earth. Going green is a lot easier if you are born that way. Taking good care of our planet is a habit you can start from day one. Here are some of the ways that we encourage eco-friendly attitudes in … Read entire article »
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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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