Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Fairy Tales

Fairytales or fables can be fun for kids of all ages. There really is lots you can do to extend the lesson. For example, if you are are reading Jack and the Beanstalk, talk about different types of beans. Plant beans and graph them as they grow. Experiment with light and no light. Younger kids can sort beans according to size, color, texture…, make bean and cheese quesadillas, act out the story, change the ending to the story, make a bean collage…

A fun activity is to write a family fairy tale involving all the members of your family. Create a story board. A storyboard will help us organize our thoughts by drawing pictures of the setting, characters, the problem, the attempts to solve the problem and the solution. Be sure to add color illustrations. Write a fractured fairy tale, they are my favorites!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Heart Smart

February is the time of year we exchange valentine cards, eat candy hearts, give candy in a heart-shaped box… Sometimes we cross our heart when we give our word to someone. Sometimes we sing about how our heart is overflowing with love for someone or something, or how our heart was broken. I don’t know about you, but I don’t ever think my heart has actually been broken, maybe bruised a bit, but not broken. Whew! Thankfully, most of have healthy beating hearts.

Your heart is really a muscle, but it not shaped like a valentine. It's located just to the left of the middle of your chest (between your lungs), and it's about the size of your fist, and it looks red like meat. The heart sends blood around your body. The blood provides your body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs, and it carries away waste.

Have you ever wondered what your heart sounds like? Try building a stethoscope in this activity so you can listen to your heart.