Naturally Educational » Archive
5 Picture Books About Rainbows
Who doesn’t love a rainbow? They are colorful, magical, and full of hope! Rainbows are a bridge into other times and cultures, science, color theory, and so much more! Here are a few children’s picture books about rainbows to get you started on your journey! What Makes A Rainbow?, by Betty Ann Schwartz; illustrated by Dona Turner (ages 0-3): In this cute tale, a young bunny asks his colorful friends what makes a rainbow. With each turn … 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, Logical-Mathematical, Science, Sight, Spring, Visual-Spacial, Weather
Picture Books about Maple Sugaring and Syrup
If you live in the northern latitudes, I hope you have had an opportunity to go maple sugaring. If you are too far south, try turning maple syrup into maple sugar candy to explore the science of this delicious treat! While you are waiting for your pancakes with fresh maple syrup, try these lovely picture books about maple sugaring and maple syrup! The Sugaring Off Party, by Jonathan London; paintings by Gilles Pelletier: A French-Canadian grandmother recounts … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, Home Arts, Science, Spring, Weather
March: Yup, In Like a Lion!
While we still haven’t seen the kids’ much-wished-for snow, March entered like a lion with a wet, cloudy, chilly day. As in past years, we will be reading In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb, by Marion Dane Bauer, and making some sort of craft, like our lion and lamb masks from last year. Last year we created a March weather bar graph of lions and lambs. This year, my daughter will also create a chart … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, Logical-Mathematical, Mathematics, Science, Sight, Spring, Weather, Winter
A Hat for the Cat
We made a Cat in the Hat craft last year and wanted to try a new approach this year. With Dr. Seuss’s birthday approaching, it seemed like a great time to try! Materials: white poster board (oak tag) painter’s tape red paint paper plate scissors tape stapler Directions: 1. Measure your poster board and create stripes 1.5-2 inches wide. 2. Use painter’s tape to mark off the stripes and paint the exposed poster board red. My son also made one but he was feeling sick that day … Read entire article »
Filed under: 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), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, Literacy
A Seusstastic Snack
We’re gearing up to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with this healthy Cat in the Hat snack! Ingredients: Raisins Pretzel sticks Banana Strawberries Wheat Bread Directions: 1. Cut a slice of wheat bread in half. 2. Slice a banana into coins. Place two coins as eyes. 3. Use raisins to create pupils, a nose, and a smile. 4. Use two pretzel on each side as whiskers. 5. Use rows of slices of strawberries and bananas to create the hat. Enjoy! Ask your kids if they can make other Seuss … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), All Ages, Featured, Home Arts, Taste
How Sweet it Is: Maple Sugaring
Each year we visit a local family farm for their Maple Sugaring demonstration. What a hands-on (and tasty) way to learn about Native American and Colonial culture and history, chemistry, the weather, and ecology! We followed the maple sugaring process from start to finish. First, we learned a bit about the sugar maple (which is so important that New York, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia share it as their state tree). Farmer Bob gave a talk on how … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), All Ages, Bodily-kinesthetic, Ecology, Featured, History and Culture, Home Arts, Logical-Mathematical, Science, Spring, Taste, Weather, Winter
Gone Hiking!
We’ve been enjoying the outdoor weather this February (cannot believe I just typed that) so we have not done many indoor crafts or activities beyond my eldest practicing piano or her language lessons. That doesn’t mean the learning has stopped..far from it! We’ve been out in nature, observing the first signs of spring and checking out interesting local flora and fauna, like the swans and mallards… …and this neat pink earth lichen (the pink fungus-like structures are the … Read entire article »
Candy Heart Bar Graph
Still have candy left over after dissolving it in hot or cold water? If you have M&Ms, Skittles, or Conversation Hearts, here is another way to use them up and learn. Directions: 1. Create a grid with columns for the numbers and each color of the candy and 11 rows. Write the numbers 1-10 in the first column (skipping the first row) and then write the colors in the bottom row for each column. My daughter was … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, Logical-Mathematical, Mathematics, Visual-Spacial
Candy Hearts Experiment
Have lots of leftover Valentine’s Day candy? Expand your mind instead of your teeth (or mom and dad’s waistlines). We actually did this one last year and ran out of time to post it! Experiment – Do Candy Hearts Dissolve More Quickly In Hot or Cold Water? Materials two bowls of water, one hot, one ice-cold two candy hearts pencils and pads Directions: 1. Form a hypothesis. My children predicted that both hearts would dissolve but the one with the hot water would … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, Logical-Mathematical, Science
Bee My Valentine Pencil Topper and Magnet
I love Valentine’s Day for little kids–everyone gets a little token of affection and extra hugs! In a few years when the holiday is fraught with emotional angst, I’m sure I will change my tune. Until then, we really enjoy this day when my daughter gets to indulge her love of all things glittery and pink and my little boy has an excuse to kiss everyone he loves–not that he needs one! “Bee My Valentine” was … 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), Featured, History and Culture, Home Arts, Interpersonal, Literacy
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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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