You Are Here
Right Here and Right Now!
ADDED February 17, 2010
We've all seen those oversized maps in malls and amusement parks. These helpful maps always include a small way of letting you know where you're standing: "You are here." That designation is the inspiration behind today's family activity.
Sometimes kids have strong feelings. Very often, something makes kids feel angry, sad, or anxious (even though that last is probably not a word they use).
One effective way of dealing with strong emotions is to focus the child's attention in the present moment. Encourage them to concentrate on where they are now -- not elsewhere in time or place.. . .
How Many "Pastas" in the Box?
Seriously. How many?
ADDED February 16, 2010
Okay, this activity requires a box or a bag of dry pasta, but we really feel strongly that you must use “little shape” pasta -- not “long noodles” such as spaghetti. This activity would be best for kids in the “low” elementary grades -- say, K through 4th.
If your kids’ hands are grubby -- and believe me, my kids’ hands are always quite grubby, seemingly even when they wake up in the morning -- you will want to do a very thorough hand-washing.
Next, have your beloved little ones sit down at the kitchen table. Give them a box of pasta -- we like “elbows” or macaroni -- and ask them to count how many “pastas” are in the box. (The correct English, I suppose, would be pieces of pasta.)
Well, how many are there in the box?
This activity might seem pretty pointless, but…. . .
Right, Wrong, or Poetry
Well, which is it?
ADDED February 15, 2010
You may have heard of Samuel Taylor Coleridge before. He’s a famous British poet who lived from 1772 to 1834. Among his most well known poems is the Rime of the Ancient Mariner. It’s about a man traveling by sea, and the troubles he encounters. It’s a good poem -- and if you have a few moments, you might want to check it out.
Poetry like Mr. Coleridge’s inspired today’s activity. You see, in his poetry -- and in most poems generally -- liberties are taken with language. Outside the confines of a poem, these unusual uses of language might be viewed negatively and called “mistakes.” But in an English class or a literature book, these language irregularities are called “poetry.”
In the Rime of the Ancient Mariner -- which tells a story -- a man is listening to a sailor talk. The listener listens very intently, “like a three years’ child.” In every day talk, we wouldn’t use say it that way, of course. We’d say “ like a three year old.” But it’s pretty easy to understand what is meant by a “three years’ child,” isn’t it? And this poetic way of talking is nice. It’s different; it’s interesting.
Today we want you and your kids to discuss these concepts. And you guys can make up some little bits of poetry yourselves.
Then, have the kids evaluate everything as: right, wrong, or poetry. Here are some examples:
You can see the sun up in the sky. (Right. This statement is true. I don’t think you could argue with it.)
You can see the sun down in a deep dark cave. (Wrong. This statement isn’t correct, really.)
You can see the sun in the eyes of a puppy. (Poetry. This is an interesting, different way of expressing the thought. It’s poetry! And it’s easy!)
Here are three more examples, just because this is really fun to do.. . .
Unexpected Valentine
Shhhhhh!
ADDED February 12, 2010
Hearts are the traditional symbol for Valentine's Day, of course, and thankfully, they are easy to make. Even boys like to make Valentine's hearts, we've noticed. This is the time of the year that hearts and lovey-dovey-ness are not too yucky for any kid! Well, those things are tolerable.
Today, in honor of Valentine's Day, give your kids some free craft time to make an original, creative, and unexpected Valentine.. . .
Knock and Spell
A fun way to learn spelling!
ADDED February 11, 2010
Learning to spell words can be a difficult task, but with a little creativity you can make the formidable enjoyable. I really have my daughter to thank for this activity — she created it all by herself.. . .
