tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14968076124643511242024-03-05T11:00:42.117-08:00Life In The UnknownThis blog is a way to examine my many adventures as I try to make the most of this life, and teach my boys how truly magical every moment can be. We may have ups and downs, but either way we are learning through exploration. My job is to try to make learning enjoyable so they always have a thirst for it.Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-1603643112756919792014-05-09T21:14:00.000-07:002014-05-09T21:14:22.294-07:00Object Lesson on Forgiveness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have mentioned that we are in the process of adopting a daughter (or daughters) through the foster care system. I know I keep saying that I will write about it, but honestly right now I am in such emotional upheaval about it that I can't write it about it quite yet. As things become more certain I promise I will share our experiences. As we are going through the process I have been volunteering my time at a local christian, residential center for teenage girls in need. Most of these girls are from at-risk homes where they have been placed by the state in treatment as a sentence, are in the foster care system and no longer welcome in a foster home, some are teenage mothers with their own child in foster care and treatment is part of their program to get their child back, placed by parents that no longer how to work with their behaviors, and/or substance abuse, prostitution, and other trauma. I have to say that the work has been one of the most rewarding things I have done. Some ladies from my church go, make these teen girls dinner, do a short devotional as we eat dessert, and then do a fun activity: paint nails, play board games, decorate cards, knit,etc. If you are interested in helping at-risk children all most all cities have a residential home and I am sure would except volunteers just to spend time building relationships with them. </div>
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A few weeks ago I had the privilege of doing the devotional. Earlier that week two of the girls got baptized. Despite that it was the day of their baptism they were holding on to past grievances, feeling angry at one another, and just in a real negative place interpersonally. I felt so sad that here was a day where they were symbolically putting to death their old self and being reborn and they were holding on to past hurts. Most of these girls had a lot of reasons to be angry at people in their life. However, that anger and resentment were only holding them back. I knew then I wanted to teach on forgiveness.</div>
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I started by reading them 2 Cor. 5:17-19:</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> "<span style="color: black; line-height: 0.22in;">Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone,
the new is here! All this is from God,who reconciled us to himself
through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 0.22in;">
</span><span style="line-height: 0.22in;">that
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting
people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message
of reconciliation." </span></span></b></div>
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So what does reconciliation even mean. According to the dictionary it means to reestablish a close relationship and to settle and resolve. How do we show the ministry of reconciliation? By forgiveness and grace. Forgiveness is to excuse for a fault or offense. It is to pardon them by renouncing anger and resentment. Grace, on the other hand, is to give kindness or favor even when a person doesn't deserve or earn it. I then read <span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Ephesians
4:31-32:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Get
rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along
with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Now on to the object lesson: </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZGWtgQtgkz9jd5YVPY3E1O7hOeWW6TNU9ZKFkUyuVGkaA8ilPJeNRolsWTDljKMb2GhiQdsi49gs2P0z04eSoFDyJbGWDBCAuzvVfPBVCNuNMeJtON-8RLrnEyWvmG6etiaqa-jds9g/s1600/DSCF2386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZGWtgQtgkz9jd5YVPY3E1O7hOeWW6TNU9ZKFkUyuVGkaA8ilPJeNRolsWTDljKMb2GhiQdsi49gs2P0z04eSoFDyJbGWDBCAuzvVfPBVCNuNMeJtON-8RLrnEyWvmG6etiaqa-jds9g/s1600/DSCF2386.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Materials you need is a class of water and effervescent vitamin tablets (like airborne). Cut tablets into fourths. I then asked the girls to think of someone they needed to forgive. Now these girls come from trauma, so I told them to think hard and only think of someone they are able to forgive at this moment in their life. If the hurt is too big and they think they can't forgive that person that is okay. Now we talked about how eventually they need to forgive so it doesn't hurt or have power of them, but do what they are emotionally capable of. Think of a hurt they can forgive. We talked about grace and forgiving even if they don't deserve it. Keep highlighting that forgiveness heals them and doesn't absolve the other persons behavior.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNCAhiZ19YxZ9_EX3oULWy_lC0J5RrgWcZGhfjUWzyd9T5HnJgS505DPIDsysrpDBd8E8JPEofbrT6Et4JfgYwRN8zSzx5Iwyp0kcwrvS7NmLgIyzoUZgTY6D7DwSnr943-NgkWqzW8Q/s1600/DSCF2387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNCAhiZ19YxZ9_EX3oULWy_lC0J5RrgWcZGhfjUWzyd9T5HnJgS505DPIDsysrpDBd8E8JPEofbrT6Et4JfgYwRN8zSzx5Iwyp0kcwrvS7NmLgIyzoUZgTY6D7DwSnr943-NgkWqzW8Q/s1600/DSCF2387.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once they have the person they are going to forgive they put the tablet in the water. At this time they can silently ask God to help them forgive the person they were thinking of. As the bubbles come off the tables imagine the hurt feelings going to God. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hacHTOPEwrX3SZ17nUgRV0nobDyEjdEFA39MWe_jV-Vh4KDdyqQc3NHOlYKPet8nc9ktYmLLz5Xwu47vjuDFnLBHZkYJ6zU-as6suxYXycy0SF8vqKS-uA0cOphB02PUmkR0B83UruY/s1600/DSCF2388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hacHTOPEwrX3SZ17nUgRV0nobDyEjdEFA39MWe_jV-Vh4KDdyqQc3NHOlYKPet8nc9ktYmLLz5Xwu47vjuDFnLBHZkYJ6zU-as6suxYXycy0SF8vqKS-uA0cOphB02PUmkR0B83UruY/s1600/DSCF2388.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tablets take awhile to dissolve. Use this illustration to talk about sometimes forgiveness takes awhile. It can be a long process to forgive. Lastly, once the water changes color we discussed how even though we forgave it doesn't mean the hurt didn't happen or affect our lives. It doesn't excuse the behavior but it allows God to change the pain and hurt into something else. </td></tr>
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<br />Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-41614511883404494622014-05-06T23:21:00.002-07:002014-05-06T23:25:56.594-07:00DYI Weighted Stuff AnimalWhen you have a child that has <a href="http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-in-world-is-spd.html">Sensory Processing Disorder</a> you hear a lot about the use of weighted blankets. Children (any age really) that struggle with ADHD, SPD, trauma, anxiety, depression, Autism Spectrum, and other disorder can benefit from the deep proprioceptive pressure given by a weighted item. The items facilitate a calming & centering feeling. Sometimes the weighted items are in a vest, lap pad, and most commonly a blanket. Parents swear by them and find weighted blankets are one of the only ways to get their child to sleep through the night (a common problem with these kiddos). My child (like many SPD children) has trouble regulating his temperature. He hates to have clothes on, never mind blankets. However, I wanted to see if the use of a weighted item would help him. I had heard about weighted stuffed animals and started looking into buying one. Like most therapy tools they can be spendy. Then it dawned on me that adapting a stuffed animal he already had would be easy and almost free. I personally chose a stuffed animal that had a longer/flatter body so that it could sit across his laps, almost like a lap pad...trying to kill two weighted birds with one stone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIuPSuQsrZ5bqyXkzY8xWJxXmwIq6yXi3vL1weAApP4wtCi7F9PF154Kt3ZJ3ahVK7_xWVIaz0abXNgoB6SRyWNtiIiSUTbc_8J1q8UpyaR5LwpRuV2Ff2x1SM6z5hL0-ueVmQfEAGIY/s1600/DSCF2409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIuPSuQsrZ5bqyXkzY8xWJxXmwIq6yXi3vL1weAApP4wtCi7F9PF154Kt3ZJ3ahVK7_xWVIaz0abXNgoB6SRyWNtiIiSUTbc_8J1q8UpyaR5LwpRuV2Ff2x1SM6z5hL0-ueVmQfEAGIY/s1600/DSCF2409.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stuffed animal we had around the house. I think "A" bought this for "B" for Xmas 2 years ago from ToysRUs Step one: Open a seam</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUBtvqcCcns7Kwl_mkWSVFOB70I02tpxQCfaQBWbM01QavZIaYsk48NLh1aO_M8krkN4DbjZdypXIzZmvjGutIQTJtx86RwktCirc7lmxAlnVuN_OrsNrMOgfEfXW5hV8uDgUG1s2AMQ/s1600/DSCF2410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUBtvqcCcns7Kwl_mkWSVFOB70I02tpxQCfaQBWbM01QavZIaYsk48NLh1aO_M8krkN4DbjZdypXIzZmvjGutIQTJtx86RwktCirc7lmxAlnVuN_OrsNrMOgfEfXW5hV8uDgUG1s2AMQ/s1600/DSCF2410.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step two: fill it with rice, beans, popcorn kernels, fish tank rocks, etc. Should be weight of about 5% or your child's weight.<br />
"B" ways about 53 lbs so our stuffed animal is about 2 -3 pounds<br />
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Step three: Hand sew it back up on the seam. I am not a great and I could did it. I told "B" he had surgery.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It really is that easy!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZXBn5fPFCcpj55Z4Y8ill9lHwPmzznvvBisP6UJOfd7S_OW5j5gXSFL6t4EFzAiM-DEgrFZelvJtgyQPt7JGqxRWYV-IVW8i1Oye76xCx9Wg1o-DRba8dMWvmm-PQaCoIGj11ZNqimQ/s1600/DSCF2411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZXBn5fPFCcpj55Z4Y8ill9lHwPmzznvvBisP6UJOfd7S_OW5j5gXSFL6t4EFzAiM-DEgrFZelvJtgyQPt7JGqxRWYV-IVW8i1Oye76xCx9Wg1o-DRba8dMWvmm-PQaCoIGj11ZNqimQ/s1600/DSCF2411.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that smile....love my happy boy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8lWLbWDVWdnx70QQ9im7ZcG9Lyr12xrHbluQ4lSqrO5VDwzCO26RaBII5a_NVRbA_YhEzZO2BXxRoiOuJjXHRL_Eb43YaPYE8tr9qYxH2PkglwWKYWWOpQDhYWsItIQLAhycCGexQ14/s1600/DSCF2412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8lWLbWDVWdnx70QQ9im7ZcG9Lyr12xrHbluQ4lSqrO5VDwzCO26RaBII5a_NVRbA_YhEzZO2BXxRoiOuJjXHRL_Eb43YaPYE8tr9qYxH2PkglwWKYWWOpQDhYWsItIQLAhycCGexQ14/s1600/DSCF2412.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using weight stuffed animal as a lap pad. He looks pretty calm to me. </td></tr>
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Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-5655158132549149562014-04-28T20:56:00.000-07:002014-04-28T20:56:18.763-07:00Poetry Journal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back when I taught 5th grade, poetry was used frequently in our classroom. We used poetry as a way for students to work on their fluency. Students would answer comprehension questions, act out the poems with peers, or draw imagery from it daily. When I home-schooled "A" for a short while I knew I wanted to give him the same exposure, but at a primary level. At <a href="http://just4teachers.blogspot.ca/p/gift-kindergarten-poetry-journal.html">Just 4 Teachers</a> I found what I was looking for, a poetry journal where kinder kids can highlight sight words, work on their reading, and do an art project for each poem. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3FLRGWDVd3s99y9nr9a87ftVXlRZ4eixZDud94wm52I3FpKvaRaCVd2tyxQxvBEhRnJsGNCpwG8-lRRdfhW8c5CPCjTxFWpa1jvoGqLxrbFvxxtSKzqxkAMORlnZOFbMk7mZKYV5TPY/s1600/DSCF2401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3FLRGWDVd3s99y9nr9a87ftVXlRZ4eixZDud94wm52I3FpKvaRaCVd2tyxQxvBEhRnJsGNCpwG8-lRRdfhW8c5CPCjTxFWpa1jvoGqLxrbFvxxtSKzqxkAMORlnZOFbMk7mZKYV5TPY/s1600/DSCF2401.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now that "A" is older and no longer home-schooled I still wanted to introduce him to amazing poetry. We still work in the journal but we do more comprehension type questions rather than look for sight words. I also pick harder poems for him to read. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVY3mBvzPII_3bFOYsFNKmGXkWEcUpGj1aLiN51UCk4LT4uP2oVawvO-d8HMDqu2_ymq-vGtesl7Uax2FU5SuJJt-Fppkn33FxUQalo4tjwek8kFfQSNW1BHHzuU6i05EBzF581flA7M/s1600/DSCF2391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVY3mBvzPII_3bFOYsFNKmGXkWEcUpGj1aLiN51UCk4LT4uP2oVawvO-d8HMDqu2_ymq-vGtesl7Uax2FU5SuJJt-Fppkn33FxUQalo4tjwek8kFfQSNW1BHHzuU6i05EBzF581flA7M/s1600/DSCF2391.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is his most current page for All Things Bright and Beautiful by Cecil Frances Alexander</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhVGsyCYdqE13tQ7gWPWiIbfPTthL2GQRir1Cm8p9r9FDfGdEUGaJ9yqYrIjywA5hrh9O8MN5xCIpcu3xhkfswrJPoTLE9YFmbmN4HQ7b12kLr0UIvqrrAIdntnaE5dgWrrRtM8jF3G0/s1600/DSCF2403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhVGsyCYdqE13tQ7gWPWiIbfPTthL2GQRir1Cm8p9r9FDfGdEUGaJ9yqYrIjywA5hrh9O8MN5xCIpcu3xhkfswrJPoTLE9YFmbmN4HQ7b12kLr0UIvqrrAIdntnaE5dgWrrRtM8jF3G0/s1600/DSCF2403.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am loving this artwork. We used our Easter colored egg shells as a mosaic for the flowers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XvYzyTvKFLtkQxIeEsEe1h5PtV044PSA9858rCrON1K-IhDHMf20S8gWbgcIc0_iXXad6p6Dh2TFoBi9hyXpDdTd9VGIIIQtNhkzNCuA7ovumQXVo3vAjzPNlnnaSfVc4-hEMLyDrdg/s1600/DSCF2408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XvYzyTvKFLtkQxIeEsEe1h5PtV044PSA9858rCrON1K-IhDHMf20S8gWbgcIc0_iXXad6p6Dh2TFoBi9hyXpDdTd9VGIIIQtNhkzNCuA7ovumQXVo3vAjzPNlnnaSfVc4-hEMLyDrdg/s1600/DSCF2408.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This page is for the poem At the Seaside by Robert Louis Stevenson. The sandcastle is made on sandpaper.</div>
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Primary Page (see highlighted sight words): My Robot Does My Homework by Kenn Nesbitt </div>
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(robot made with markers, aluminum foil & buttons)</div>
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Primary Page: Thanksgiving (great way to tie in seasonal poems). </div>
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Art made with lunch sack & construction paper. </div>
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1492 Poem with a color pencil drawing he made from step-by-step instructions</div>
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Primary Page: Another seasonal/holiday poem called Trick or Treat. </div>
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He made a trick-or-treat house from his leftover trick-or-treat candy loot.</div>
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Primary Page: Poem titled I Talk With The Moon with and handprint painted owl</div>
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Primary Page: Scarecrow poem with cut construction paper art</div>
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Primary Page: Leaves poem with abstract marker art</div>
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First one we ever did: Poem is called Harvest time with apple print art. </div>
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Check out the link above because she has the cover and some of the primary poems (like Harvest Time above) available as a free printable to get you started if you have younger kids. For older kids just search websites for popular kid poems. I will make sure to show you if we do any cool ones in the future.To read more about the importance of reading poetry to your child and tips to get started I recommend this quick article titled <a href="http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/bookfinder/celebrating-poetry/">Celebrating Poetry</a>, from PBS.</div>
Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-35930049125815104062014-04-27T20:30:00.001-07:002014-04-27T20:30:56.372-07:00Shaving Cream Painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Shaving cream "paint" has been one of my standard sensory activities for the last five years. Probably the reason I love it so much is because it so inexpensive to make. Get the white foamy shaving cream (which also happens to be the cheapest-WIN). Then add food dye. In the past, we usually paint on cookie sheets although you could certainly do it in the bath tub if you wanted to. </div>
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Then I saw the great idea from <a href="http://happyhooligans.ca/painting-with-shaving-cream/?relatedposts_exclude=2886">Happy Hooligans</a> to use the paint outside on sliding glass windows. I love how you can use something a hundred times but someone will use it completely different and it brings a whole new dimension to it. </div>
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The boys then decided that they should paint "B's" car. They have their own ideas on how the paint should be used. Which lead me to think of a car wash. Even though they were cleaning they were having a blast, a getting awesome sensory play in at the same time. </div>
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Hey while they are cleaning out there why not clean the windows as well. They didn't even see it as a chore. Bonus for me!</div>
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<br />Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-49746791930689978672014-04-24T18:26:00.001-07:002014-04-24T18:26:47.026-07:00Freedom to Fly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I hate to admit it but I have a little (or a lot depending on who you ask) problem of wanting to control things. I like predictability, routine, structure. Being a parent to two boys can make that a challenge, because boys are anything but predictable! I hate to say that often I get in their way of being kids. Take for example the other day as we sat to eat dinner the boys noticed a blue jay out our dining room window. </div>
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We don't see a ton of blue jays in Anchorage. It was a wonderful reminder that spring was surely here. Spring:-what Alaskans long for as we wait for the last bit of seven months of snow to give us a brief reprieve. Well eating dinner was no longer a priorit, there was a bird to play with! "B" was especially adamant that he needed to go get that bird. Mind you he had not eaten anything and was half naked, but this was a matter of emergency. "A" was also brimming with excitement but was stifling it so he could appear to be the older, more mature child. The whole time I of course am being sensible, smart, structured....CONTROLLING. </div>
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"You need to eat your dinner."- "You don't have clothes on."- "You will get cold."- "It is dirty."- "It is too late to go out and play."-"Leave the bird alone."- "It's not like you are going to catch it." blah blah blah...</div>
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Luckily, this is ONE time as a mom where I caught myself. I reflected on how it felt to chase birds when I was a child. I remember the joy and exhilaration knowing I couldn't catch them, but trying none-the-less. I wanted to fly just like them. As a child I certainly had the energy and audacity to fly, if God had just given me wings. Why was I stifling that experience for my boys? I realize how much I was clipping their wings as I held them back from these moments of wonder and exploration. Would the 5 minutes away from dinner running around in the cold yard do any damage in the long run? No, but not allowing them the "freedom to fly" definitely would.</div>
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Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation. Just what we as a family need from time-to-time.</div>
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To remind myself of this moment and to try to be more conscious of letting my boys be kids I had them make some bird treats. Invite the birds to come and next time my kids will be ready to play with them.</div>
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Perfect activity as we celebrate Earth Day. </div>
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Take toilet paper tubes and spread with peanut butter. Make sure to punch holes first!</div>
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Roll in bird seed or cracked corn. I found a small bag for about $2.50 at Fred Meyers in the pet area.</div>
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We also found old bird houses we had painted about a year ago and hung those as well. They were found at Michaels in the $1 bin. I didn't treat it for the weather, which in hindsight I probably should have. </div>
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So we are ready for the birds and I have reminder out my dining room window that I want children that desire to fly, not be tethered down by the trappings of this life. </div>
Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-48893453455289923832014-04-17T16:41:00.000-07:002014-04-27T20:31:18.973-07:00Sea Life Sensory Bin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sensory bins have always been a favorite activity for me to put together. B has always had a propensity of putting inappropriate things in his mouth, so it has been a while since I made one. As he gets older and has more tools to help (thank goodness for chewelry) I thought I have another go-around with sensory bins. </div>
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Now I know we are quickly approaching Easter. I had all these creative ideas flowing of an Easter theme, Holy Week theme, or other Spring ideas. However, B just kept going back to the shark toy. I am trying to fight my natural instincts to take over and instead have more kid-directed play/craft time, so a sea life sensory bin it is.</div>
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We started out with little brown rocks that go into fish tanks. We added shells, agate type rocks, green play tree that look sorta like seaweed (well at least to me), and whatever sea animals I had on hand. Don't forget the sharks!!!</div>
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I also found a boat with little guy (in case we want to play JAWS), a fishing pole game found at the $3 bin at Target, and a whale sponge. Wringing out soaked sponges is not only fun sensory play but helps strength hands and forearms which promotes fine motor skills.<br />
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Next I added water dyed with blue food coloring. Another day B wanted me to try green water. Do a mixture if you want. Then just let them play. He has played with this numerous days for at least 20 min. each.<br />
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This isn't the only beach theme sensory bin I have done. To see a more traditional sand sensory bin without water go <a href="http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/2011/07/beach-sensory-bin.html">here</a>. Also if your family loves sharks I have a great game to work on learning ABCs or sight words <a href="http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/2011/07/shark-abc-attack.html">here</a>. Lastly, for your budding scientists out there we did a closer look and activity with shells <a href="http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/2011/07/closer-look-at-seashells.html">here</a>.Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-52465061703579674842014-04-14T22:55:00.001-07:002014-04-27T20:31:42.200-07:00Calm Down BasketMaking calm down baskets have been on my bucket list for years. Nothing like having a homestudy being done at your home, where your parenting techniques will be under a microscope, to light a fire under me. Part of the reason I held off for so long is because I thought it would cost a lot to get everything together or too difficult to make a calm down jar (something that I felt just HAD to go with it). Yeah, I was so wrong on both counts.<br />
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If you don't know what a calm down basket is let me enlighten you. It is a basket of items your child can use tools to help self soothe and/or self-regulate their feelings. Calm down baskets are NOT to be used as punishments. I actually have them in a different area of my house than our time-out (or in) chairs. I personally made a basket for each of my boys because some times I need them to calm down at the same time, say when sibling emotions are running high. Also with the four year age difference I needed to think about gearing certain items to appropriate age/maturity (mainly books). I ask the boys to go calm down when they are starting to get irritable and either a meltdown or fight will break out, overly-hyper and I can tell an accident will occur or any times they are being over-emotional. The trick to the success is finding times to implement it BEFORE a choice has been made that would result in a punishment. They go shake the glitter calm down jar (acts as a timer and object lesson) and then they work in the baskets until THEY feel calm. It is meant to be self-regulated where they can learn when they need to calm down and also when they can come out. Self regulation is a life skill for all kids, but for SPD (sensory processing disorder) children it is especially important. Of course, as a mom we need to teach them how to do this. You may need to give a few reminders. Don't forget to model!!! When they are in calm down I try to do something calming too: read a Psalms, drink some tea, take deep breaths, journal, and sometimes I even color.<br />
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Here is what I included in our calm down basket. Keep in mind almost ALL items I had around the house or got for a couple dollars at Target. I so wish we had a Dollar Tree up here in Anchorage. I would check there first. The goal is to find items that are calming, deal with kiddo emotions, and think about letting the children use all of their senses (great for all kiddos and especially ones with SPD).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhN0OyG3LibQePOc2uPQvFy0DG1wealMbDmKs6bngpVo8HDNQxs_7vk21DlRYRC7MRnLVboJkdv3Rb8LjXq02Z8NNjoIwaRIwLKGf379DVzRXljqM6icGkXU6K0C9YmWAlntI6H8ht7w/s1600/DSCF2326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhN0OyG3LibQePOc2uPQvFy0DG1wealMbDmKs6bngpVo8HDNQxs_7vk21DlRYRC7MRnLVboJkdv3Rb8LjXq02Z8NNjoIwaRIwLKGf379DVzRXljqM6icGkXU6K0C9YmWAlntI6H8ht7w/s1600/DSCF2326.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensory Items: teething/oral tools, massager, pinwheel, bubbles (that don't spill), Walbarger Brushing Tool (only for kiddo with SPD), velcro,<a href="http://traininghappyhearts.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-can-calm-myself-abc-cards.html"> I Can Calm Myself ABC Card</a>s from Training Happy Hearts, and some natural components (smooth rocks to rub or shells to listen to). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf_hq8R3wYDLASXmQN24VQquJsQZXhxkzA8b0umA9NBH5zZR07nTtu-GvSzqqlvfzwClSDNQRLKZIiJrcTVjkOjWwPDoaky0kbdDwb7YFEsD42nBAqHSdY7OrO8kOtnBxE548b_umbiA/s1600/DSCF2327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf_hq8R3wYDLASXmQN24VQquJsQZXhxkzA8b0umA9NBH5zZR07nTtu-GvSzqqlvfzwClSDNQRLKZIiJrcTVjkOjWwPDoaky0kbdDwb7YFEsD42nBAqHSdY7OrO8kOtnBxE548b_umbiA/s1600/DSCF2327.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lacing Cards, squishy toys that have different textures, weight, and lights, stress balls, and small stuffed animals for comfort. The elephant is a baby toy but we like it because it makes a crinkly sound and B can chew on the feet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl64Yyx8PGZLwPMOmsdsepC0kjGQK5tAk1ZRS9UzRfUjXIDnMSuLL1gZY16dOsqmkLDZ6l0O8yIhEoYRYCpZ7s6UxMwcEAjzgJKWtFODosTkTOp67YR5IQ_8PGNNtyk76AqB-ntahY6_U/s1600/DSCF2328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl64Yyx8PGZLwPMOmsdsepC0kjGQK5tAk1ZRS9UzRfUjXIDnMSuLL1gZY16dOsqmkLDZ6l0O8yIhEoYRYCpZ7s6UxMwcEAjzgJKWtFODosTkTOp67YR5IQ_8PGNNtyk76AqB-ntahY6_U/s1600/DSCF2328.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture books on emotions, manners, and behaviors, a picture book of the boys doing positive things, a prayer book, children's bible, and a compilation book of poetry for children. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNbM38byfwWT9w-v_En5tHtY-sNV1nVlwQLlMheEPUQYnDLl6hmh4AMKWHtU3f4pjJTMyYtLhnQYNTz7ALD1kY-34DvABQLqdT9e5k0hJNOGsQx277COyqrmq7bHI8GrZMQ958iSXRl0/s1600/DSCF2331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNbM38byfwWT9w-v_En5tHtY-sNV1nVlwQLlMheEPUQYnDLl6hmh4AMKWHtU3f4pjJTMyYtLhnQYNTz7ALD1kY-34DvABQLqdT9e5k0hJNOGsQx277COyqrmq7bHI8GrZMQ958iSXRl0/s1600/DSCF2331.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each basket has an accordion file. In it is some laminated mazes, search and finds, and code breakers for A, For A I also add special paper airplane folding paper and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Mandalas-Coloring-Dover-Books/dp/048646556X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397539808&sr=8-1&keywords=mandalas+for+childrenhttp://www.amazon.com/First-Mandalas-Coloring-Dover-Books/dp/048646556X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397539808&sr=8-1&keywords=mandalas+for+children">mandalas</a> to color (which is used in Tibetan culture for gaining wisdom, compassion, and healing through positive energy). I also added a white erase marker and some crayons in the file.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FmMx0UN9t5NtMUfOeasawiAW3lGsMi8ccQcmoW9-j1hA9bQ6XrCnZ_2V_GA-nWo0-TwAdcwWRAauhnokwvQgHOfi88aMpfY9fG-J7-VAIb9uCjS9PcmgwMCg69FhwbmXb1UjhLbIYD8/s1600/DSCF2332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FmMx0UN9t5NtMUfOeasawiAW3lGsMi8ccQcmoW9-j1hA9bQ6XrCnZ_2V_GA-nWo0-TwAdcwWRAauhnokwvQgHOfi88aMpfY9fG-J7-VAIb9uCjS9PcmgwMCg69FhwbmXb1UjhLbIYD8/s1600/DSCF2332.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stretching printout (image from <a href="http://www.bambinis.net/learn-through-play/raising-couch-potatoe-10-easy-exercises-kids/">Bambinis</a>) and <a href="http://thehometeacher.org/2012/02/dont-be-an-angry-bird-free-printables.html">Angry Bird Cool Down Strategies</a> from The Home Teacher( (this unit she created is EXCELLENT)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0COI4pHYLus0MN3cQFK5YiBh6jhEX6F5G_iDkSe7M9qyxQgVjgnQwSbuPl6jhRAwKnd2Q5VyYNJRUxx7iYAdUOXDHOzJE3OUMmsCiZSfhDD-fm04qzvrWLJ9d2Jzqksn2_j0STGbtZE/s1600/DSCF2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0COI4pHYLus0MN3cQFK5YiBh6jhEX6F5G_iDkSe7M9qyxQgVjgnQwSbuPl6jhRAwKnd2Q5VyYNJRUxx7iYAdUOXDHOzJE3OUMmsCiZSfhDD-fm04qzvrWLJ9d2Jzqksn2_j0STGbtZE/s1600/DSCF2329.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course it would not be complete without the much loved glitter calm down jars.These are so easy to make. Get glitter glue (think Elmer's glue size) and put about half of it in a mason jar. Then add HOT water (almost boiling). Stir until all the glue dissolves (takes a couple minutes). Next hot glue the lid on. Wait to cool and then you are done! Some use these as a timer to get out of the calm down area, but my jars take about 20 minutes to settle. The object lesson is just like we feel all jumbled when we are out of control (have kiddo shake the jar-which reliefs stress and show the glitter whirl about) we can calm down and feel relaxed when we take time to quiet our body (set jar down and watch glitter settle on bottom). </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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What do you or would you add to your calm down basket? I am planning on a small crank music box and making a lavender rice pillow to add in more smell and audio. Love to hear other ideas. <br />
<br />Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-11977053163788864222014-04-12T21:35:00.000-07:002014-04-12T21:35:17.772-07:00I'm Back!!!I can't believe I haven't been blogging in over a year and a half. YIKES! I have to learn how to do things all over again. Back in 2012, I started really examining my <a href="http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/2012/06/motives-for-blogging.html">motives for blogging</a>, and started to slowing stop. Taking a year off, I realized that blogging actually helps me be a better mommy. It held me accountable to actually <b>PLAY</b> with my children. Busyness of life crept in, and with that the time my boys spent in front of electronics increased. Confession.....I became a lazy mom. In all fairness, living in Alaska, the long winters are tempting times to bunker down and hibernate.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are in the process of adopting from foster care. Something I will share about more when I am able.Something we talk about a lot in training is attachment disorders. The amount of time kiddos are in front of television, movies, and electronic devices can exasperate an attachment disorder because they don't have to bond, attach or socially respond to other people. Even for children who aren't at-risk too much time with inanimate devices can diminish their social skills. The great thing about the adoption process and all the training and poking into your life is you get an idea of the type of mom you want to be. It is a reboot to your family. One we are in desperate need of. </div>
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So it is back to more actively, engaged time playing with my children. It is time to get silly, dirty, creative, exploratory, and active. I'm ready for more healthy and happy children who are connected with their family and the security, delight, and wonder that attachment brings. </div>
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Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-65732187149860766442012-10-06T10:09:00.001-07:002012-10-06T12:51:03.145-07:00Jet Pack CostumeFor youth group last Tuesday we had to dress up with the theme of the unit we had been teaching on: Space Quest! I knew exactly what to make for "A"-a jet pack costume! The greatest thing is I had all items on hand using recycled items and it was completely free. I originally saw the idea on Pinterest and a different variation at <a href="http://classymissmolassy.tumblr.com/post/31198060697/diy-rocket-jet-pack">Classy Miss Molassy</a>. Mine is a lot less fancy because I am a no fuss type of gal. So without further adieu...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0888wYzt-RFF_7tGwO5ommqseRhlK-XGgK__aQ_aUFTnEcpXIENX5w1SVHUuLY_yEt0nFskvAkbAGU4Hzz1uTgaYxXge7xsHHssjch9OyFAAVYux-9kzKMU_xG_5fD4skDuBg0yKmMY/s1600/IMG_1983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0888wYzt-RFF_7tGwO5ommqseRhlK-XGgK__aQ_aUFTnEcpXIENX5w1SVHUuLY_yEt0nFskvAkbAGU4Hzz1uTgaYxXge7xsHHssjch9OyFAAVYux-9kzKMU_xG_5fD4skDuBg0yKmMY/s320/IMG_1983.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take two 2 Liter soda bottles and I taped them together with clear packaging tape. Then tape them to a cardboard piece (I used a flap). Punch holes in the four corners of cardboard. Add string to be able to put it on like a backpack. Add red & orange tissue paper for flames. Viola-easy peasy you are done!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A" also wanted to make a space man "helmet". He just cut a hole in a box (the same one we got the flap off for the jet pack) and he decorated it with space drawings and "buttons".</span></div>
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Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-85669022316032743032012-10-05T16:32:00.002-07:002012-10-06T12:51:22.157-07:00How to Make an Apple Pie (FIAR)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A little fun with lots of learning-1st try at apple bopping </span></td></tr>
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So we have finished our first week of homeschool and my first book of <a href="http://fiarhq.com/fiveinarow.info/index.html">Five in a Row</a>: How to Make an Apple Pie and Travel the World by Marjorie Priceman. It is a cute book about a girl who travels the world to get the ingredients to make apple pie. So here is our row:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Math:</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58HqH0e4mUqrYYbEpBN1O5V0pfslpJKl_BQgFKo8vVcI9DpM5CrhnHzmz-gS5fmGQ7SfuURjHdqgF5j5D5g0onnjatuPIjeEe5GeaL4SfwZfMRlblwHk1dZlRCKST03fXxuNjx0TbrbA/s1600/IMG_1956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58HqH0e4mUqrYYbEpBN1O5V0pfslpJKl_BQgFKo8vVcI9DpM5CrhnHzmz-gS5fmGQ7SfuURjHdqgF5j5D5g0onnjatuPIjeEe5GeaL4SfwZfMRlblwHk1dZlRCKST03fXxuNjx0TbrbA/s320/IMG_1956.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various farm theme math sheets for cheap Grade 1 workbooks </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2X1Vq4Ji7b_1vQcjHzw_lxFg1EF4DfIyZciHLlbrprmsLSOwAySTPJWZXqgMmPbauZVT88R_ebjKlVeqI5iNZ4E3KIO2QVdcYUQfmP89d7iM6YgY-AZ1PqIxDuOWUaDCbITokc61BDQ/s1600/IMG_1970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2X1Vq4Ji7b_1vQcjHzw_lxFg1EF4DfIyZciHLlbrprmsLSOwAySTPJWZXqgMmPbauZVT88R_ebjKlVeqI5iNZ4E3KIO2QVdcYUQfmP89d7iM6YgY-AZ1PqIxDuOWUaDCbITokc61BDQ/s320/IMG_1970.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 part apple math cards from <a href="http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/2010/09/apples-apples-everywhere.html">1st Grade Parade</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcoXkRMFPEkQJMvaif-E7EZgZhbYl90d9tRWLlhfOSQLX_XQf1z4g1YvFAqEwjf0qpSUr_n8akibpW_P-ID0IvdspqW3emXB4OwUbtvy4JXsGoh8Xs1YoB9NxhPWqxANQcCsaop8IkbY/s1600/IMG_1974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcoXkRMFPEkQJMvaif-E7EZgZhbYl90d9tRWLlhfOSQLX_XQf1z4g1YvFAqEwjf0qpSUr_n8akibpW_P-ID0IvdspqW3emXB4OwUbtvy4JXsGoh8Xs1YoB9NxhPWqxANQcCsaop8IkbY/s320/IMG_1974.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring Trees printable from <a href="http://www.2teachingmommies.com/2010/09/tots-in-action-apples.html">2 Teaching Mommies</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvX29I7ZICU5JxFyEfNqrcUrO1scFKcISLCnbpoG4s5cdrRMIasTEOndlkIM2srgx3qtxmu2VBFF6BmMCvyx_dSRlFyCFb10f0sCEwijCvtR0GknsAvtlABQ36vF5IK2fytSCOydu4AE/s1600/IMG_1977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvX29I7ZICU5JxFyEfNqrcUrO1scFKcISLCnbpoG4s5cdrRMIasTEOndlkIM2srgx3qtxmu2VBFF6BmMCvyx_dSRlFyCFb10f0sCEwijCvtR0GknsAvtlABQ36vF5IK2fytSCOydu4AE/s320/IMG_1977.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Odd & Even Apple Trees from <a href="http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/2010/09/apples-apples-everywhere.html">1st Grade Parade</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFwaHcfxslZqT2qDU8kGhG9B9DZsoi3nSiNAkybzwaPrYVksBE3QH0ZngPExlMR5GhSmwuyrz073Vs8BXbJQPvDiPpJJexUK5mIW_M5pZ0FKYiTzV8240HVXd7DzqAAQaBBssmTqN_Pw/s1600/IMG_2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFwaHcfxslZqT2qDU8kGhG9B9DZsoi3nSiNAkybzwaPrYVksBE3QH0ZngPExlMR5GhSmwuyrz073Vs8BXbJQPvDiPpJJexUK5mIW_M5pZ0FKYiTzV8240HVXd7DzqAAQaBBssmTqN_Pw/s320/IMG_2007.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ripe Math was also a printable from <a href="http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/2010/09/apples-apples-everywhere.html">1st Grade Parade</a>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NB7vxDs8Z-9EiEqQy7JeQcPzZFJFbjYuzhZic2TawF_4v_E22dhdVyuYtpLJiDLJks4AAjZRZC1zSmwZB4LfE5JxNJkg-8mZI9BiCLNDfyghyG6Pe15d4803fRfsPnESPePHiABmoYo/s1600/IMG_2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NB7vxDs8Z-9EiEqQy7JeQcPzZFJFbjYuzhZic2TawF_4v_E22dhdVyuYtpLJiDLJks4AAjZRZC1zSmwZB4LfE5JxNJkg-8mZI9BiCLNDfyghyG6Pe15d4803fRfsPnESPePHiABmoYo/s320/IMG_2009.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We asked 25 people what their favorite type of fruit pie is and then made a pie graph. We also did a lot of introduction to fractions as well. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Social Studies:</span></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSP9TpwocisgWsnXnFxDrywd6oD3qcfIZdh_NgNW6LhdzqMm0F2nOj36IzsdB8rqulrMgTCmoAffUq8aJ5DD_fpN7_KYRoTfSsQxzaAiQs68O3OtOgO4iE_gIIC5QeNnIzbXY5c_xpMw/s1600/IMG_1940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSP9TpwocisgWsnXnFxDrywd6oD3qcfIZdh_NgNW6LhdzqMm0F2nOj36IzsdB8rqulrMgTCmoAffUq8aJ5DD_fpN7_KYRoTfSsQxzaAiQs68O3OtOgO4iE_gIIC5QeNnIzbXY5c_xpMw/s320/IMG_1940.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This idea came from <a href="http://delightfullearning.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-make-apple-pie-and-see-world.html">Delightful Learning</a>. We took the manipulatives from our sensory bin (you can see that <a href="http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/2012/09/apple-pie-sensory-bin.html">here</a>) and placed them on our world map.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vZ2uYEjwY-a3iCKGU3Nb8jMFYdU-7wrKBRMsiXPrsrp552wKd4V096hz9QTr4mUiESC6sFJohMe7_Kzmqm2cS_TVjDWed578EC0qUM6fsvAK4F7tCM9iG4DiDKWIQ38xca7cqOJ4q9s/s1600/IMG_1975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vZ2uYEjwY-a3iCKGU3Nb8jMFYdU-7wrKBRMsiXPrsrp552wKd4V096hz9QTr4mUiESC6sFJohMe7_Kzmqm2cS_TVjDWed578EC0qUM6fsvAK4F7tCM9iG4DiDKWIQ38xca7cqOJ4q9s/s320/IMG_1975.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper Plate Globe from <a href="http://mrstsfirstgradeclass-jill.blogspot.com/2012/03/continents.html">Mrs. T's First Grade</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw86OHS1o7f8-qGf6tsVW8G5yVwUx7QbOkYWz2Z5g17BKBQ3Gtj17FQfVIDIIUidfPFIYbgJ3ad5VC0mEc40P44Ti7_GSCTnDXpYZFv9kpUw9TJ4jjG3ZDhjElVQ_gbhyWsAkIlKomi4E/s1600/IMG_1979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw86OHS1o7f8-qGf6tsVW8G5yVwUx7QbOkYWz2Z5g17BKBQ3Gtj17FQfVIDIIUidfPFIYbgJ3ad5VC0mEc40P44Ti7_GSCTnDXpYZFv9kpUw9TJ4jjG3ZDhjElVQ_gbhyWsAkIlKomi4E/s320/IMG_1979.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did all the maps from the How to Make an Apple Pie lapbook from <a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/resources_applepie.">homeschoolshare</a> and the Vermont coloring sheet from <a href="http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/vermont-coloring-page/">Crayola</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/Xy7e_KAUz7s/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xy7e_KAUz7s&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xy7e_KAUz7s&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">We love this song on Youtube to teach the names of the continents</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1S6Nte3fBQKj3rEJEd66gu7P113LxmVLG_GGU8ClQaKg_i5i4xG4o-_PIFrCjCEgMZ0IfLNphhEpSCHGsxemx8qkDw8bkyFolZgtI99AIBKPnehc_zz2dSqQrNawmNwW7wryn-rlPjo/s1600/IMG_2005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1S6Nte3fBQKj3rEJEd66gu7P113LxmVLG_GGU8ClQaKg_i5i4xG4o-_PIFrCjCEgMZ0IfLNphhEpSCHGsxemx8qkDw8bkyFolZgtI99AIBKPnehc_zz2dSqQrNawmNwW7wryn-rlPjo/s320/IMG_2005.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also studied about Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman). What a truly amazing American. Here "A" is writing about how he would throw a party for Johnny Appleseed. He had to know some of his likes to answer the questions. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZ32ig60rJ8G5FLUaa1SmXHxGujZ8UsG5tty0Ox9iDwYWjJ-bzpJUIerPTqk706FZQBjG5DrFfa9B2hWhoDLSx7ejrNQJNCIxevBMnMDS4Kf10sh5CvyhKGTPTfgUh8W-YcTLcnsdmHg/s1600/IMG_2006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZ32ig60rJ8G5FLUaa1SmXHxGujZ8UsG5tty0Ox9iDwYWjJ-bzpJUIerPTqk706FZQBjG5DrFfa9B2hWhoDLSx7ejrNQJNCIxevBMnMDS4Kf10sh5CvyhKGTPTfgUh8W-YcTLcnsdmHg/s320/IMG_2006.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also filled out this Look Who is Famous informational sheet. I think we will use this sheet for all amazing people we learn about. You can find it at <a href="http://homeschoolcreations.com/files/Famous_Person_Notebooking_Page.pdf">homeschool creations</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Literacy:</span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeryMn0CjGYuoPLF8nFApJIC4TzQXy1YOyEVQhmeXwbG0LJV7EFuW5QKxStkBWoE-SMMhcvIdO1HnRKgHwwYjgSVV4-uSplXSsRsU_-UexqvYSNPMsf7E4Y0fbacIdJ7otsv4jgRA2rs/s1600/IMG_1942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeryMn0CjGYuoPLF8nFApJIC4TzQXy1YOyEVQhmeXwbG0LJV7EFuW5QKxStkBWoE-SMMhcvIdO1HnRKgHwwYjgSVV4-uSplXSsRsU_-UexqvYSNPMsf7E4Y0fbacIdJ7otsv4jgRA2rs/s320/IMG_1942.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our poetry journal which I will do a complete post about in awhile. He highlights high frequency words and illustrates it. Here is with apple paint prints. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRWs5HfxZ0_4LyWKkWS1zN4DZLRi2emM0ww-FJ9rv_h4ZvG6rfY5unv5eSi_5JdNyFjxX0TDiWrX2h_aF7_vQMfdajBozUNsPWBiwF39xll4panMyFm4PseqWeB0Fy9ctE9wptRp5IWg/s1600/IMG_1962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRWs5HfxZ0_4LyWKkWS1zN4DZLRi2emM0ww-FJ9rv_h4ZvG6rfY5unv5eSi_5JdNyFjxX0TDiWrX2h_aF7_vQMfdajBozUNsPWBiwF39xll4panMyFm4PseqWeB0Fy9ctE9wptRp5IWg/s320/IMG_1962.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our apple picking sight word game. I took the idea of my popcorn game and wrote our high frequency words on apple prints and wrote the word Rot for the word to send the apples back. Check out my <a href="http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/2011/11/popcorn-sight-words.html">popcorn post</a> on how to play.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsjXcsl1mhaqAIUC-SD8k8syfcbgLyv_rbrknqLtU-zhbaObZ1vTfWcuTsJ8xpyLlWsi178VSuWBjORnRLmTuPF3au9gTQm8e_4JAi8-RnudkjPTgDXG80zzGYKgeR7Q4XhAtDNi5U8I/s1600/IMG_1976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsjXcsl1mhaqAIUC-SD8k8syfcbgLyv_rbrknqLtU-zhbaObZ1vTfWcuTsJ8xpyLlWsi178VSuWBjORnRLmTuPF3au9gTQm8e_4JAi8-RnudkjPTgDXG80zzGYKgeR7Q4XhAtDNi5U8I/s320/IMG_1976.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a vocabulary word each day that he wrote on apples and defined: harvest, acquaintance, crop, coax </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajPDgc95DM1Ol5ajISw9EyB5ufI5M2QexVk9E-vt_mukrCSb9akhqcBGr7DRFQ0aUcXSdXkzPkb8UeLhE04bJkaXixcw_6xICrmQ75AeyHMbG1IvpAG4yQiRYavlxozA2M7rU8Dy735E/s1600/IMG_1978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajPDgc95DM1Ol5ajISw9EyB5ufI5M2QexVk9E-vt_mukrCSb9akhqcBGr7DRFQ0aUcXSdXkzPkb8UeLhE04bJkaXixcw_6xICrmQ75AeyHMbG1IvpAG4yQiRYavlxozA2M7rU8Dy735E/s320/IMG_1978.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this KWL chart from <a href="http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/2010/09/apples-apples-everywhere.html">1st Grade Parade</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN26Yj-IVOSGUCfcDM4SggoTACMnVzT45_9hrNVu1Z_DYM0BDO8roc7rxHWICpzv5rdYrnjHYwn80A3cob4OzdH-FoXuBuBrZy5N61K46PnAYjWAdSbUiC4o5e0d4NPu-lQ3aKD-8s5GE/s1600/IMG_1943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN26Yj-IVOSGUCfcDM4SggoTACMnVzT45_9hrNVu1Z_DYM0BDO8roc7rxHWICpzv5rdYrnjHYwn80A3cob4OzdH-FoXuBuBrZy5N61K46PnAYjWAdSbUiC4o5e0d4NPu-lQ3aKD-8s5GE/s320/IMG_1943.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sequence Cards from <a href="http://www.fiarcircle.com/downloads/lessons/match.htm">Fiarcircle</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHBHh0JD0sSzkSGiI3JWfQErlUu47L_wTM3mBuDvB169QzGbkMMFH3NKvw_WClLVI2yOzb4L_OgGkz9ZHfasU8O3ZrP4Xd5seHC4PTU4Nq-iI5i-jQBatG6YchWpX82X_0yR0Sobd1zE/s1600/IMG_1957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHBHh0JD0sSzkSGiI3JWfQErlUu47L_wTM3mBuDvB169QzGbkMMFH3NKvw_WClLVI2yOzb4L_OgGkz9ZHfasU8O3ZrP4Xd5seHC4PTU4Nq-iI5i-jQBatG6YchWpX82X_0yR0Sobd1zE/s320/IMG_1957.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did a comparison of the All in Just One Cookie to How to Make an Apple Pie and mapped where the books got their ingredients. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXX6phgfhWbjqqtqwPyCHn84oVCvIMnhorJzNs4l3MW5CWAoD3coEEL0eJbfiE4nbtjywERGpYCQDv16nEQgpZwPhyRbs44T3QAebEDDsm1TWykDeUM5nXHsqDzyi6yUF_KHLfElSU-c/s1600/IMG_2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXX6phgfhWbjqqtqwPyCHn84oVCvIMnhorJzNs4l3MW5CWAoD3coEEL0eJbfiE4nbtjywERGpYCQDv16nEQgpZwPhyRbs44T3QAebEDDsm1TWykDeUM5nXHsqDzyi6yUF_KHLfElSU-c/s320/IMG_2018.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This isn't the best picture but he had to write an alternate ending to How to Make an Apple Pie. What if he really wanted vanilla ice-cream. What would he need and where would he go. The only thing extra is vanilla which in All for one Cookie we learn he could go to Madagascar if he wanted-s that is what he did.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Science:</span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn70EdySFPeU1PZ3lLq2fkZUoK_q8729inVTPkByWdoKrqUXLGJMsIIqJPkhYg65EUqG7SBcNT2MkXDrpocbzqI1Mc9-NA0yQmEM9opmT_R7DOdKqFSe0NOwNC7TAY9gpTEV_4AyxHfA/s1600/IMG_2008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn70EdySFPeU1PZ3lLq2fkZUoK_q8729inVTPkByWdoKrqUXLGJMsIIqJPkhYg65EUqG7SBcNT2MkXDrpocbzqI1Mc9-NA0yQmEM9opmT_R7DOdKqFSe0NOwNC7TAY9gpTEV_4AyxHfA/s320/IMG_2008.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He labeled the parts of an apple. This printable is from<a href="http://www.docstoc.com/docs/9605400/parts-of-an-apple"> here </a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6glMOI08gAiP6bgNSA-S_DjChlPoitB7BQRhLtoQ-ALPZuDNA6fnBmi2DwRhFa1h1BDI8gof0wlwkTxQnVDj5lS9UioVlkkTMOK1kOHiCYU4bEJ-SjRxsLkx9pApYKQKGi28bVyZ2A0/s1600/IMG_1959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6glMOI08gAiP6bgNSA-S_DjChlPoitB7BQRhLtoQ-ALPZuDNA6fnBmi2DwRhFa1h1BDI8gof0wlwkTxQnVDj5lS9UioVlkkTMOK1kOHiCYU4bEJ-SjRxsLkx9pApYKQKGi28bVyZ2A0/s320/IMG_1959.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got this idea from <a href="http://mrstsfirstgradeclass-jill.blogspot.com/2011/10/seasons-of-arnolds-apple-tree.html">Mrs. T's First Grade</a>. I love the art component. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M0NyMCqKGo9tm-5zIXl-2Ftsf_hgnRWGTv-LNz3w9KjNTj-ckoqQ5aZBlfwxS4uGi4Tuu-AhFBQ5qZEg4yL7DG3tfujTRvzLTo3BJM7-dSmIcJIDlcpuTcXX61b0OmkR81Rd2MSdseY/s1600/IMG_1980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M0NyMCqKGo9tm-5zIXl-2Ftsf_hgnRWGTv-LNz3w9KjNTj-ckoqQ5aZBlfwxS4uGi4Tuu-AhFBQ5qZEg4yL7DG3tfujTRvzLTo3BJM7-dSmIcJIDlcpuTcXX61b0OmkR81Rd2MSdseY/s320/IMG_1980.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a salt evaporation experiment that is in the Five in a Row Volume 1 book. The worksheet is part of the lapbook at <a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/resources_applepie.php">HomeschoolShare</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33Z7qUOj0eFVeA2mIL77hXHSq7R8wR0HiuN2CClXR-75AQsoZkrUwHuIMbWbVhVjpIhkO-iL8rkoPmTS6ou7XHPaGlALypmXvykz5Xa5XuRHFptVxcS5Pjn6pAt40Bmq4vMh8vU_MXYU/s1600/IMG_1981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33Z7qUOj0eFVeA2mIL77hXHSq7R8wR0HiuN2CClXR-75AQsoZkrUwHuIMbWbVhVjpIhkO-iL8rkoPmTS6ou7XHPaGlALypmXvykz5Xa5XuRHFptVxcS5Pjn6pAt40Bmq4vMh8vU_MXYU/s320/IMG_1981.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This experiment I read on Pinterest and can't find the owner. Let me know if it is you. Take one clean apple slice and then drop another, rub your hands on it, etc and see which molds fastest. Great way to discuss germs!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76PC800UR_LV_5IonPQr1YUCPLKtI4jsJiMxDMMCouheTPyJcK7sOWiEM-2XqXVklO5_QkZ1KJ5AMjhWdOxkxrm5dxfx0e53sCRntHFHMClhWW16dcpY9b7t6o3sWJCRussd2o2pGSoc/s1600/IMG_1982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76PC800UR_LV_5IonPQr1YUCPLKtI4jsJiMxDMMCouheTPyJcK7sOWiEM-2XqXVklO5_QkZ1KJ5AMjhWdOxkxrm5dxfx0e53sCRntHFHMClhWW16dcpY9b7t6o3sWJCRussd2o2pGSoc/s320/IMG_1982.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course we made an apple pie! This is part science and math. We also made homemade applesauce because I love it! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1mzo7_kqlX7AfQYwPl3vWE6-yk_MCkhS1mv_hJcgIOyAUvGjRDCx2aoi9dmRrF459qHo81rWkycu_1ToPZH0ey-dCLFPGGXjz-lFYaO8ANXq9XimFKYG_UyrCTdIC-MVafwVFCh27Hc/s1600/IMG_1954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1mzo7_kqlX7AfQYwPl3vWE6-yk_MCkhS1mv_hJcgIOyAUvGjRDCx2aoi9dmRrF459qHo81rWkycu_1ToPZH0ey-dCLFPGGXjz-lFYaO8ANXq9XimFKYG_UyrCTdIC-MVafwVFCh27Hc/s320/IMG_1954.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also had to do an apple tasting. This is great to do for once for everyone. "A" loved the sour and hated the sweet-me complete opposite!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Art:</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn501WcWIueD_gnDneFhsSQ3TyI0C1qOs9AcZ30Z_A5S8UgmeIETfDdfpAYr0FK34xeS4G-FTo1vs9rzITZ1bx6GlnfgOu6hNrZuS5fnbCt0D_1jFMmTgeKapryjhg6GLYRHHWN1PlC0/s1600/IMG_1966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn501WcWIueD_gnDneFhsSQ3TyI0C1qOs9AcZ30Z_A5S8UgmeIETfDdfpAYr0FK34xeS4G-FTo1vs9rzITZ1bx6GlnfgOu6hNrZuS5fnbCt0D_1jFMmTgeKapryjhg6GLYRHHWN1PlC0/s320/IMG_1966.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We studied still life paintings. Did you know that apples symbolized knowledge and in religious paintings it represented temptation? Here is our set up-we ran out of red apples so we had to imagine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDBkmizeo8UgGfsPFfjyTyEXsE88BmI1UoBzmsU6oUZP2t0lf-CAkGVJoRk9EkNpleW3BXpoUNdA_VhR3b6nAYOqlZ9-DobYRyQOLrfHEz12ryETaNHMKOJWS1FwOJa20tmLNkS371ls/s1600/IMG_1967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDBkmizeo8UgGfsPFfjyTyEXsE88BmI1UoBzmsU6oUZP2t0lf-CAkGVJoRk9EkNpleW3BXpoUNdA_VhR3b6nAYOqlZ9-DobYRyQOLrfHEz12ryETaNHMKOJWS1FwOJa20tmLNkS371ls/s320/IMG_1967.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is"A's" finished piece using watercolor pastels. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd54oguRPtdy-tMACjDLxluhd1sS8c1EdKprKzNTXWiWMrbCM0hcCLy_isulkScdgcGGwEuoenLn9aEA7OepFSy-DDT7ZahAJK_vrRbbsOzA3DkIqlw7A70zM1VmHI3la7EOQvPwuLcFg/s1600/IMG_1964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd54oguRPtdy-tMACjDLxluhd1sS8c1EdKprKzNTXWiWMrbCM0hcCLy_isulkScdgcGGwEuoenLn9aEA7OepFSy-DDT7ZahAJK_vrRbbsOzA3DkIqlw7A70zM1VmHI3la7EOQvPwuLcFg/s320/IMG_1964.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is my still life. I love how this is something we can learn to do together. We are both students. </td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Other Resources we used:</span></b></div>
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Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-7677742001735440752012-10-04T23:05:00.000-07:002012-10-04T23:06:13.489-07:00Tot School-ApplesThis week I have attempted once again to start up Tot School. As I have mentioned many times before my tot is behind in speech and some other cognitive development areas due to his Sensory Processing Disorder. Previously, I would print out tot school pages and suggested activities and it just brought to light all that he couldn't do and not what he good. It made me feel frustrated and grieving the fact he wasn't where other kiddos were at. I am going to do things I know he can succeed and like-period!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6HoF9FAs9Xyp0_LWOSO9ped3RqZqr9XEZZZdEPKgSgRZIMGHCKg4AGRPJCChyphenhyphenpFwLAP7G6fyuOxzMSaAKPk0FiYUxfaucFCMWw5elBjahtyZ9qDvZbLu15XEdaHHY68GzyQIwVUq0mY/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6HoF9FAs9Xyp0_LWOSO9ped3RqZqr9XEZZZdEPKgSgRZIMGHCKg4AGRPJCChyphenhyphenpFwLAP7G6fyuOxzMSaAKPk0FiYUxfaucFCMWw5elBjahtyZ9qDvZbLu15XEdaHHY68GzyQIwVUq0mY/s320/IMG_1930.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A is for Apple Color sheet from <a href="http://twistynoodle.com/a-is-for-apple-20-coloring-page/">Twisty Noodle</a> with our color of the week RED! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlVF4sjlNLrDqqGfJKYzMRrroUsJiRKLdKj-DafPMnHmQDW1dE9PU-Zdq-muOFwY1AuWR5VKv8HZqojGMHAC3pOFJELAvWgJHDNgr8t-efwXwdX_k1TAQhBeoMzL9JT41JQIc6DHMF40/s1600/IMG_1931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlVF4sjlNLrDqqGfJKYzMRrroUsJiRKLdKj-DafPMnHmQDW1dE9PU-Zdq-muOFwY1AuWR5VKv8HZqojGMHAC3pOFJELAvWgJHDNgr8t-efwXwdX_k1TAQhBeoMzL9JT41JQIc6DHMF40/s320/IMG_1931.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going on a red hunt. I had these in a basket for the week. I had to help with this because he has a hard time sorting and matching. That is why we are staying on one color and trying to saturate him with it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoezFrdAl_swiXEY1EfbNHWnho-IpH32749F3_4S7vgwXGG5m7AyNC2NTZB37k9nGIIx1AWRUIuIk3RAfQNhsbdjFs7YWAmMKpRJZJ4E4pR27HLMrpLyMmn8zrf7_7-43-OLpetNtpk8/s1600/IMG_1935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoezFrdAl_swiXEY1EfbNHWnho-IpH32749F3_4S7vgwXGG5m7AyNC2NTZB37k9nGIIx1AWRUIuIk3RAfQNhsbdjFs7YWAmMKpRJZJ4E4pR27HLMrpLyMmn8zrf7_7-43-OLpetNtpk8/s320/IMG_1935.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montessori-open and closing containers with different trinkets inside. This he excels at and loves it! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexpPB3QI4uUuZiblO57QgTiR71P_eYcWKsT_EPoBHCTP3gY2qWRElLuC9mjqGdw5KfbA3GlWK3cEZfYCEbKAYep6qUBvVRbjWgfSLBqHiqnW0qusepe9yF5firjRvgYd4Abo0wyM_a8o/s1600/IMG_1939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexpPB3QI4uUuZiblO57QgTiR71P_eYcWKsT_EPoBHCTP3gY2qWRElLuC9mjqGdw5KfbA3GlWK3cEZfYCEbKAYep6qUBvVRbjWgfSLBqHiqnW0qusepe9yF5firjRvgYd4Abo0wyM_a8o/s320/IMG_1939.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple prints. I put a corn on the cob holder in the apple so all he had to do was stamp it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVacRxNf4-g5HU3kO9Tyo9gHN6NlHTNsAVn04lnrQ8Dxe4pK3wK3H0XZ9M-YCGO5cLp3MFLi10mKukgN3xd1Ko1z-FlHAg_87E6vVy0RWo7VQI6SmYIaEfXlyVMyGY-d0nF5JpVIWVn08/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVacRxNf4-g5HU3kO9Tyo9gHN6NlHTNsAVn04lnrQ8Dxe4pK3wK3H0XZ9M-YCGO5cLp3MFLi10mKukgN3xd1Ko1z-FlHAg_87E6vVy0RWo7VQI6SmYIaEfXlyVMyGY-d0nF5JpVIWVn08/s320/IMG_1941.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another thing he recently learned to do and enjoys is stickers.I colored the tree for him. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuv2i-_TqfATN1wQ9iUMmeMFHJIg_Dlf_rHJqwkC8mfpYd9hAgZn4rvKUFOdM4wTjWZsG28wiEHH78t02PmIlaCy0tjtCQKUjPV6PudsIr9q2EqyUbeXrF6MBngqOKGg4OI0Q8oKAmncc/s1600/IMG_1944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuv2i-_TqfATN1wQ9iUMmeMFHJIg_Dlf_rHJqwkC8mfpYd9hAgZn4rvKUFOdM4wTjWZsG28wiEHH78t02PmIlaCy0tjtCQKUjPV6PudsIr9q2EqyUbeXrF6MBngqOKGg4OI0Q8oKAmncc/s320/IMG_1944.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This week was his first time using a glue stick. He LOVED it but had some difficulty. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwK1SQL7F1yotdrAQA-Uxb7VZMLlXn-XoXVNpOJxDD8dTRSHbBZdFZ9Ji_z-J0f3zMf_Woiw2hUnYj1e_oLZFdEJvhO63XV837zn0oIdkgJ73Q1f-VcV3ia0tq8y0M62Zn1FQnq5TlGtA/s1600/IMG_1945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwK1SQL7F1yotdrAQA-Uxb7VZMLlXn-XoXVNpOJxDD8dTRSHbBZdFZ9Ji_z-J0f3zMf_Woiw2hUnYj1e_oLZFdEJvhO63XV837zn0oIdkgJ73Q1f-VcV3ia0tq8y0M62Zn1FQnq5TlGtA/s320/IMG_1945.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He did the bingo paint plotter. We both loved it and will keep doing it. I definitely had to model it by guiding his hand for the about half of the sheet. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8uY3v2K-cY3rUN_QkbNg3pWRf_5cDynbZYkMa8ehXy6OiM6TZZitL0Zpk1SBqcg3BShEkb1hdQ_huWQA-_rXZxQMoIg6ifz871bnnJqw15UG8sNhmjD9HuHCyxv_fYfTAwWhZurxzgE/s1600/IMG_1953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8uY3v2K-cY3rUN_QkbNg3pWRf_5cDynbZYkMa8ehXy6OiM6TZZitL0Zpk1SBqcg3BShEkb1hdQ_huWQA-_rXZxQMoIg6ifz871bnnJqw15UG8sNhmjD9HuHCyxv_fYfTAwWhZurxzgE/s320/IMG_1953.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He tried apple bobbing after watching brother. Then we did an apple tasting. He has trouble chewing so this was a sensitive activity but he did great under TONS of supervision.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeTF682AI6budbxIwPzpieCZYVGUhIHhIpsc-wzt3z5Z0Krx3UHn1YsQicLTyMO3HKHCsEqGUi5SwGTIhz7wrggCsjTv8Di9BUz1_1_h6DAQK4nRULX5Yz0xpaMepSuxG47S2luXcAdM/s1600/IMG_1955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeTF682AI6budbxIwPzpieCZYVGUhIHhIpsc-wzt3z5Z0Krx3UHn1YsQicLTyMO3HKHCsEqGUi5SwGTIhz7wrggCsjTv8Di9BUz1_1_h6DAQK4nRULX5Yz0xpaMepSuxG47S2luXcAdM/s320/IMG_1955.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A red collage-Mommy precut the pictures and he helped put them on the page. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0GdyeU0VTGcr5a_dqNm-Y3u9XiloY6NVDQjTc4e6N5lYfq_JG8Ja372yw6NIHNMRYxhc5Iu8Ckwd_qjZQZzdZRk663kh5FdTkxtldpbwGeC1utt69jAYGLDMu7H5xD0Abx6RGhDDXWU/s1600/IMG_1969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0GdyeU0VTGcr5a_dqNm-Y3u9XiloY6NVDQjTc4e6N5lYfq_JG8Ja372yw6NIHNMRYxhc5Iu8Ckwd_qjZQZzdZRk663kh5FdTkxtldpbwGeC1utt69jAYGLDMu7H5xD0Abx6RGhDDXWU/s320/IMG_1969.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matching-this is REALLY hard for him so it took about 3 days. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5X00j45092G6xHar5GBgw8Jn9peIWMJAotbyFrQCI9tRh8lIA3uC75vMlOD6MZiE05mMiOzJrWRo21RQ8IBF6SUxU4Kix9kBBMTrrIbyOD1YuCrozpaYP3o-drnnJkeooAQ3ApSZZB4/s1600/IMG_1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5X00j45092G6xHar5GBgw8Jn9peIWMJAotbyFrQCI9tRh8lIA3uC75vMlOD6MZiE05mMiOzJrWRo21RQ8IBF6SUxU4Kix9kBBMTrrIbyOD1YuCrozpaYP3o-drnnJkeooAQ3ApSZZB4/s320/IMG_1972.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All that he achieved in his first week. A lot to be proud of!!! </td></tr>
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We used the awesome Aa is for Apple pack from <a href="http://allourdays.com/lettertheme-printables">Allfordays</a>. We will be linking up with Tot School at 1+1+1=1. She is the go to for anything and everything tot school related and such an inspiration.Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-58142707643605132302012-09-22T21:48:00.002-07:002012-09-22T21:48:28.617-07:00Apple Pie Sensory BinStarting Monday we will be rowing our first<a href="http://fiarhq.com/fiveinarow.info/index.html"> Five In A Row</a> book: How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World. We have a week chocked full of apple fun, science experiments, math, continents, and more. I can hardly wait to begin our first full week of homeschooling. This past week we introduced some routines and I assessed him in reading, writing, and math.<br />
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If you haven't heard of Five in a Row you should check it out (even if you don't homeschool). FIAR is curriculum where they chose some quality picture books that you row for a week. What is rowing? Well, you read the same book each day and focus on a different core subject for each day. One day you focus on literacy, another math, science, social studies, and art. You can do the days in whatever order and the books have excellent suggestions of what to do for each book. I am kind of bitter that I didn't write this curriculum because I pretty much have been doing this exact same thing with my boys for years. When researching what other bloggers do with FIAR I came across some amazing gurus. My two favorites are <a href="http://blog.aussiepumpkinpatch.com/2009/03/how-to-make-apple-pie-and-see-world.html">Aussie Pumpkin Patch</a> and <a href="http://delightfullearning.blogspot.com/2012/09/fiar-blog-roll-and-link-up.html">Delightful Learning</a>. Delightful learning has a blog roll for each book so there is amazing resources available.<br />
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<a href="http://delightfullearning.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-make-apple-pie-and-see-world.html">Delightful Learning </a>had a great idea of making a sensory bin to accompany How to Make an Apple Pie. You know me-I'll take any excuse to make a sensory bin. Her's is truly great and she did some great social studies activities with the bin that we will be doing next week. Here is my take on the sensory bin to go with the book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhQMwzk8qNzS1Ebm-zJSWDWQYrFdvxYwecGvG8dB6TxUajyPW1SVpBDn4lnPVMVq6CjLn6NxEEzbDuG7AIDr7Ls9-cWZl86bCJz8KdJI3OCLoA7zYr0eWqe-CiJYIgP6XZ7_8pKCEdXg/s1600/IMG_1874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhQMwzk8qNzS1Ebm-zJSWDWQYrFdvxYwecGvG8dB6TxUajyPW1SVpBDn4lnPVMVq6CjLn6NxEEzbDuG7AIDr7Ls9-cWZl86bCJz8KdJI3OCLoA7zYr0eWqe-CiJYIgP6XZ7_8pKCEdXg/s320/IMG_1874.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sy2ui1bFyM-6N3jz-WgwNsb2013uxqXHUZ0Bj16Lfml_uvV4E8Ni1rWG6USJeev-tuKPrEABB7Ih1P5jFf8MkHwXlfipGn5FweZGDko3iaYIEbbANg0ZaeNzV1R9AiH4aOMKYXSTTf4/s1600/IMG_1875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sy2ui1bFyM-6N3jz-WgwNsb2013uxqXHUZ0Bj16Lfml_uvV4E8Ni1rWG6USJeev-tuKPrEABB7Ih1P5jFf8MkHwXlfipGn5FweZGDko3iaYIEbbANg0ZaeNzV1R9AiH4aOMKYXSTTf4/s320/IMG_1875.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is included:</span></div>
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Apple Cinnamon Cheerios (for filler)</div>
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Chicken & an toy food egg</div>
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Cow & toy food milk</div>
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Sugar, Allspice, Salt, and Cinnamon</div>
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Toy apples</div>
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Apple block from Alphabet train</div>
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Apple tiles from Zingo game</div>
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Apple and Tree from Guidecraft Feel & Find</div>
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Felt Apple Tree</div>
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John Deere tractor and combine</div>
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Farmer</div>
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Vermont state card (where she gets apple in the book)</div>
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plant from my backyard to mimic wheat (don't have any up in Anchorage)</div>
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Measuring cups & spoons</div>
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Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-28414023624755810402012-09-12T22:34:00.000-07:002012-09-12T22:34:07.712-07:00Ch-Ch-ChangesSo it is official.... as of next week I will be a homeschooling Mama/Teacher. Wow! That is weird to say. I am a public school teacher! I Triple Heart Love public schools. Let me revise that to say I triple heart love schools that follow a social constructivism style of teaching. I want the student to take an active role in their education, rather than passively listen as they are being lectured to.<br />
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My 1st grader son has been having a hard time since the move and struggles with irrational fears, explosive outburst, negative feelings about himself, and inability to be still and focus. He is also funny, kind, social, and smarter than any other child I know (seriously). Everyday I was seeing a spark go out as he went off to school to sit at a desk that he was unable to get up from ALL day, except for lunch and his one and ONLY recess. He cried with happiness whenever I picked him up and exclaimed,<br />
"Having you get me is the best part of my day."<br />
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I have had to stay home this year to take my youngest to FIVE therapies a week. He was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder four months ago. We have found a great pediatric therapy clinic and he sees an Occupational Therapist twice a week, a Speech Therapist once a week, and a Feeding/Speech Therapist twice a week as well. I am home anyway, I am qualified to teach, and my oldest son needs me right now. It isn't what I intended, but it is what needs to be done.<br />
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The good news is since I will be forced to do AMAZING and AWESOME activities with my boys my blogging will INCREASE tenfold. I am really excited to start blogging again and have some amazing things to share with you all. So next week in-laws are visiting and my curriculum is arriving. I am excited to start Five in a Row among other things. Our first theme will be apples and I have TONS planned.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEH0vDNxynJdd0C61q-p0rFPY3iR96ydHDzSnkAmBK9DTpISQy8BCmm92WSXKvtb7yvN286ebMM_hf3Z3ueu0Lm7fGl8ypyRcGV1YrPlj6WBYJvtCcOiJvSkc-VosAKQerfxHDMQQJNLE/s1600/IMG_1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEH0vDNxynJdd0C61q-p0rFPY3iR96ydHDzSnkAmBK9DTpISQy8BCmm92WSXKvtb7yvN286ebMM_hf3Z3ueu0Lm7fGl8ypyRcGV1YrPlj6WBYJvtCcOiJvSkc-VosAKQerfxHDMQQJNLE/s320/IMG_1827.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting the classroom set-up (will share pics later)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing school desk I got at a garage sale for $10-Wahoo!</td></tr>
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<br />Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-15504497811257365722012-09-02T18:40:00.001-07:002012-09-02T19:48:17.256-07:001st Day ApprehensionsWe have moved to a new state, new school district, and new school. I am a little hesitant this year because the kids are forced to sit in a desk all day. As many of you know I having my elementary teaching degree and I thought we had moved away from the idea of direct instruction with kids listening to lectures at their desk to more active learning. I think it is imperative for students to be able to move, have choice in books and what they write about, working in small collaborative groups, and an environment that encourages meta-cognitive thinking. Evidently, not in the AK.<br />
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On top of the classroom environment the school days are about 30 minutes longer than his other school (which I don't mind), but he only has ONE 20 minute recess ALL DAY. Also he can't have any snacks. For my little active sensory kiddos I feel like this is just setting him up to fail. So what can I say-I am remaining hopeful (although not positive). I am also making contingency plans to pull out for homeschool if it comes to that. But anyhoo, here it was "A's" first day of first grade...</div>
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For the adorable first day of school signs you can go to <a href="http://www.supermommoments.com/2012/08/2012-first-day-of-school-signs/">Super Mom Moments</a> blog. I am so grateful for creative people out there to help me make memories with my little ones.</div>
Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-32067935909134262412012-09-02T18:30:00.000-07:002012-09-02T18:30:17.442-07:00Sensory Diets for Seekers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My son is a sensory seeker. His OT recently described it this way: "You know how when you are driving and you are getting sleepy. We roll down the window, turn the radio up high, fidget, eat, etc to stay awake. Well that is how he is ALL the time. He needs the extra sensory input." So what do you do for little sensory seekers = GIVE THEM MORE!!! Even if that means he goes outside in the cold and plays in only his diaper (CRAZY RIGHT). Well, since he can't do that all the time the goal is to give him some safe ways to get his sensory output throughout the day so he can be balanced and "normal" the rest of the time.This is called a sensory diet! A set of sensory activities done at specific intervals through out the day built into his routine. We do it for about 30 minutes three times a day.<br />
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<i>WARNING SUPER LONG POST COMING </i></div>
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<b>First we do some vestibular activites</b>. Vestibular activites are movement of his head in space (one of our senses-outside of the 5 we typically know). Some ideas are riding a bike, swings, rocking chair, roller-skating, somersaults, and scooter boards. While we do vestibular activities we listen to music. My son prefers arhythmic music like: rock, techno, latin/salsa, and jazz. So we do one or more activities the length of a song.<br />
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Spinning (Vestibular)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UQujiqjl7rzX9gq3C9TATMn9rql0BXenRdU_QpUVsylorUTzKHTbcqgRc9qURlcqlhf0g-s192PCZGOBUaDP5bKOxUSihAY55LIpB9_Mc-aVpp448pORNZd9bzGKEFy_6Gxma1-0qDs/s1600/IMG_1478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UQujiqjl7rzX9gq3C9TATMn9rql0BXenRdU_QpUVsylorUTzKHTbcqgRc9qURlcqlhf0g-s192PCZGOBUaDP5bKOxUSihAY55LIpB9_Mc-aVpp448pORNZd9bzGKEFy_6Gxma1-0qDs/s320/IMG_1478.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Sit-N-Spin was bought at a kid consignment store for $4-score!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyPisJL6cYh-7i0g1c2uRCpRIeFni37V68K5YuX3sdcp-kkGphlESqxbJkICXXbrVvRLGrkLSvtT04-ZqewL_4MSvp-JqWCfhxqM24QnuOf2bhs7g9nPu8UJoLoGwGWkZy1Od9EUEOR8/s1600/IMG_1488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyPisJL6cYh-7i0g1c2uRCpRIeFni37V68K5YuX3sdcp-kkGphlESqxbJkICXXbrVvRLGrkLSvtT04-ZqewL_4MSvp-JqWCfhxqM24QnuOf2bhs7g9nPu8UJoLoGwGWkZy1Od9EUEOR8/s320/IMG_1488.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another favorite thing to spin around in. This is what he did most of the summer-besides water play. This coup was at a yard sell for $1-can't believe the steal!!!<br />
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Rolling (Vestibular)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wgOyySY8HlmG7L1RjAIQAUlXBoTlsSUu_GdbeisS3aGzRlWhkaNrThBQDMnapi7z0uR5egkZafFA1JV-BcxTqgcOD-o3PkICnixaqtjdMqKNnYCdz2Sk98mQVNPG7xtjOHQUS6b3JDg/s1600/IMG_1476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wgOyySY8HlmG7L1RjAIQAUlXBoTlsSUu_GdbeisS3aGzRlWhkaNrThBQDMnapi7z0uR5egkZafFA1JV-BcxTqgcOD-o3PkICnixaqtjdMqKNnYCdz2Sk98mQVNPG7xtjOHQUS6b3JDg/s320/IMG_1476.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We gently roll him in our tunnel. These are inexpensive and great to set up an obstacle course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWTWSCnW0zEkH-QDqGQvtzU6ZYatKGzfoP0JByCBt1d9YcJBo60LzWH63I-QC7zbE3-wgU347KAWxBv4RCSfG4HosMcyq30XblyQyC5eeZHBNHk1FQsKmGirptAu09EdbB9E4Oc-sXOk/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWTWSCnW0zEkH-QDqGQvtzU6ZYatKGzfoP0JByCBt1d9YcJBo60LzWH63I-QC7zbE3-wgU347KAWxBv4RCSfG4HosMcyq30XblyQyC5eeZHBNHk1FQsKmGirptAu09EdbB9E4Oc-sXOk/s320/IMG_0552.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also roll him in a mesh laundry basket that has a lid</td></tr>
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<b>Secondly, we do a proprioceptive activity</b>. Proprioception is another sense outside of the typical 5 senses. Most sensory seekers struggle with these two (vestibular & proprioception) senses especially. Proprioception is the movement of our limbs in space. One of the biggest proprioceptive areas is in our jaw so oral can be a huge activity on its own (one reason kiddos with SPD have feeding issues outside of food aversions). Food recommended for sensory seekers is sour, bitter, crunchy, hard, chewy, rough, and cold. Other great activities are blowing bubbles, whistles, swimming, theraband exercises, wall push-ups, pushing/pulling, and vibration<br />
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Jumping (Proprioceptive)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNiGrIs8zuV5LDEZ90DMCy20e_Ffm8RkoksKV87LP8h_3BMzWud9ZtRrFBeJpIxu3ycop-ouKXjOy77h29Y0UdOI-PM4EhKnAqics_RBSUCFZUdP5THm-59p9rwSo9mWi4gApoPXB8tM/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNiGrIs8zuV5LDEZ90DMCy20e_Ffm8RkoksKV87LP8h_3BMzWud9ZtRrFBeJpIxu3ycop-ouKXjOy77h29Y0UdOI-PM4EhKnAqics_RBSUCFZUdP5THm-59p9rwSo9mWi4gApoPXB8tM/s320/IMG_1101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This trampoline was bought at Sam's Club for about $120.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgs3frTzZ5wGXQyGbCueunf5o54maYFlAg1MhRhRHUY0bY_s5vPobmOghKxM6M7dF87NaIAJt1JCk0veSmKUSYcU19AGLAxljXWOjmniq8qUE2wDYGB6SO3hotdg1DQGA8bQ85T7YoXY/s1600/IMG_1482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgs3frTzZ5wGXQyGbCueunf5o54maYFlAg1MhRhRHUY0bY_s5vPobmOghKxM6M7dF87NaIAJt1JCk0veSmKUSYcU19AGLAxljXWOjmniq8qUE2wDYGB6SO3hotdg1DQGA8bQ85T7YoXY/s320/IMG_1482.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also have this bumblebee hop toy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0YBMDu2KNXGboPCOOqZug3RWjgGQJDV4d8J3jqKCz11umzRr9dlAYBy48be1k7V18zvC9t1zQKHCvzRydh_itgmHwn-MMx4sr6gxh8G6eopfQMBil6Fp3W15gFLik8R21O4CYackGGE/s1600/IMG_0842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0YBMDu2KNXGboPCOOqZug3RWjgGQJDV4d8J3jqKCz11umzRr9dlAYBy48be1k7V18zvC9t1zQKHCvzRydh_itgmHwn-MMx4sr6gxh8G6eopfQMBil6Fp3W15gFLik8R21O4CYackGGE/s320/IMG_0842.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We use to have this type of trampoline but with no handle or safety sides he used it for other interesting purposes. I have seen people turn these into swings (another huge sensory activitiy) so I am saving it for that.</td></tr>
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<div>
Heavy Work (Proprioceptive)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCt1vCd64EPqqcSdWE3Vo-_A5AljCRAO911lYaQbEyzz9Oj8ufBByCahYqJnTDxe5flHnf6yE0V1vtM-NTbcvQHafy82ymhMYGamZXHBR97SUfC5c55nJQFGiKPwcTzYtNErEwsVceWi8/s1600/IMG_1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCt1vCd64EPqqcSdWE3Vo-_A5AljCRAO911lYaQbEyzz9Oj8ufBByCahYqJnTDxe5flHnf6yE0V1vtM-NTbcvQHafy82ymhMYGamZXHBR97SUfC5c55nJQFGiKPwcTzYtNErEwsVceWi8/s320/IMG_1487.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Push & Pull play is huge (shopping carts, strollers, <br />
wagons, laundry baskets,etc)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigs1K6eb7dZ0OKETUQyuxxuzJ_btpo259_et5s1vijwUH6UKmxJdmEFxGLamvbadeMJT_AwPkRbspEtzLIE3o5LwKbmSdAMkZVt8eTAPWjyjo9Y62rOSKrqCKZ2vn2R033Qb9K7LGfEJw/s1600/Heavy+Work+Blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigs1K6eb7dZ0OKETUQyuxxuzJ_btpo259_et5s1vijwUH6UKmxJdmEFxGLamvbadeMJT_AwPkRbspEtzLIE3o5LwKbmSdAMkZVt8eTAPWjyjo9Y62rOSKrqCKZ2vn2R033Qb9K7LGfEJw/s320/Heavy+Work+Blocks.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavy Work "blocks" (telephone books wrapped in duct tape) To provide extra weight . Could also use juice jugs, water, cans, make them carry groceries, and put diaper items in a backpack for them to carry.</td></tr>
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<b>Thirdly, we do a tactile activity</b>. Pull those sensory bins out!. It can be playing tag, crashing, vibration, sensory balls rubbed over their back, bubble wrap, water play, jumping on textures, play-doh, fingerpaint, etc. I have MANY posts on sensory bins. For bins for kiddos that don't put everything in their mouth you can get ideas <a href="http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/search/label/Sensory%20Bins">here</a> for my sensory "bins". If you have a toddler or an oral fixated child you can get ideas <a href="http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/search/label/Sensory%20Basket">here</a> for my sensory "baskets".<br />
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Some tactile play:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHD8YRwS_pBv3wJ1hMXJizAjgqig8GyJdmRfWPLWW1kVRzq7wYrsWWqs4VoqqEkLzdSYFcOhNwarM-PPu7HMf38eOHx196GtlTPFkkAYQgLMR8O3szEolDnw9otobbzMWtKgV-ENIAjM/s1600/IMG_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHD8YRwS_pBv3wJ1hMXJizAjgqig8GyJdmRfWPLWW1kVRzq7wYrsWWqs4VoqqEkLzdSYFcOhNwarM-PPu7HMf38eOHx196GtlTPFkkAYQgLMR8O3szEolDnw9otobbzMWtKgV-ENIAjM/s320/IMG_0825.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painting with ice (colored with food dye)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGri1vFYpa0amLJEDtzYr30xNcFstGfoY0-iDyHwYun9TSFrMFhyphenhyphen3-tVq1_D36h7NVV1yp8mR0yQumwKSkpF-OcqOfx7IwlIt9mMSx24TZicYTNvQJwqfUkLusovG9O-tM9NfqIoTZucY/s1600/IMG_1498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGri1vFYpa0amLJEDtzYr30xNcFstGfoY0-iDyHwYun9TSFrMFhyphenhyphen3-tVq1_D36h7NVV1yp8mR0yQumwKSkpF-OcqOfx7IwlIt9mMSx24TZicYTNvQJwqfUkLusovG9O-tM9NfqIoTZucY/s320/IMG_1498.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry spaghetti bin<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAekdzNJrLkrT4DagA_W3rgk94NXOPJckySCmeUsu_43rtwS_TcLFf158UqqO6Qaocd7TmT74eSMv3_PahsYyVyndeX8rXjpj9sWAfLaCJs-tNpzWWBgURXK9i75tbf0cd4ukV_a7hEu8/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAekdzNJrLkrT4DagA_W3rgk94NXOPJckySCmeUsu_43rtwS_TcLFf158UqqO6Qaocd7TmT74eSMv3_PahsYyVyndeX8rXjpj9sWAfLaCJs-tNpzWWBgURXK9i75tbf0cd4ukV_a7hEu8/s320/IMG_1619.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with Dirt/Mud</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSTvmcRo-DtWHdKhGH6bda5PMAq1VmE70-CDpF_YrxwzvkxJwyieW5W2o_CmBT3nUzEw0zxup-VeecNw30xYYE3H7zJx9FawJpH6GkWsSpbFqRAHRWlO-z5FmBaVOjMb2qnjU_vQESno/s1600/IMG_1473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSTvmcRo-DtWHdKhGH6bda5PMAq1VmE70-CDpF_YrxwzvkxJwyieW5W2o_CmBT3nUzEw0zxup-VeecNw30xYYE3H7zJx9FawJpH6GkWsSpbFqRAHRWlO-z5FmBaVOjMb2qnjU_vQESno/s320/IMG_1473.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with jello</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRk9usKAOJSIlI_U69plnA52OCGof07Pxe__RYEe0iYZTZpXliKMUlU_Oo7WWFaYMG7KK4_0afN2hgczF1p3DVPjVh7ner2adzpXP-f4Hm6pwOtXwevcttJpRWTeCJ-46L8LvOKFlq_o/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRk9usKAOJSIlI_U69plnA52OCGof07Pxe__RYEe0iYZTZpXliKMUlU_Oo7WWFaYMG7KK4_0afN2hgczF1p3DVPjVh7ner2adzpXP-f4Hm6pwOtXwevcttJpRWTeCJ-46L8LvOKFlq_o/s320/IMG_0976.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">water play (this was like $10 at a grocery store) </td></tr>
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<b>Lastly we do a passive proprioceptive activity</b>. This would be squeezes (bear hugs), weights, and joint traction/compression. This is when I usually do the Wilbarger Brushing Protocal (see pic). <span style="text-align: center;">This has been HUGELY helpful in calming down my boys but doesn't work for everyone. It is a brushing technique followed by joint </span><span style="text-align: center;">compression</span><span style="text-align: center;">. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR OT SHOW YOU THE PROPER METHOD BEFORE DOING THIS! </span><br />
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Squeeze/Compression (passive propreceptive):<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiCI1cl2AVDT_6CgCSLPe29zP4_zei5S0ZDHQLNi4EVjCcxC__1hVq5IxsKQIwfhuh0TS0uIW5zdEE-wJurflDfho9AfVoG8RxRPQmfLiMCj8WIGom3mcc-jMfJgOVlODTOzVuHyxhl8/s1600/IMG_1489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiCI1cl2AVDT_6CgCSLPe29zP4_zei5S0ZDHQLNi4EVjCcxC__1hVq5IxsKQIwfhuh0TS0uIW5zdEE-wJurflDfho9AfVoG8RxRPQmfLiMCj8WIGom3mcc-jMfJgOVlODTOzVuHyxhl8/s320/IMG_1489.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boy sandwich :0) Bean-bags or pillows and then we lay gently on him. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M_pWyp_t5BIvlixW2l_8qp3YZ4fgLUHoGno7cCf0P3ukeDZx82b85xmbdvUnf6LeMTxtduVP2sF6W-h-qW0m-X-lryzZ4cAI-laOMrPM5YpHC-8EWBLJhC-KQDQEdXVVxtwKoEtdzsk/s1600/IMG_1493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M_pWyp_t5BIvlixW2l_8qp3YZ4fgLUHoGno7cCf0P3ukeDZx82b85xmbdvUnf6LeMTxtduVP2sF6W-h-qW0m-X-lryzZ4cAI-laOMrPM5YpHC-8EWBLJhC-KQDQEdXVVxtwKoEtdzsk/s320/IMG_1493.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burrito Boy. We use a thick blanket for extra weight. I gently roll them back and forth to add a little vestibular but this is suppose to be the calming portion, so be careful not to overdue it.</td></tr>
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Other Propreceptive tools:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrXqF04E7JJkj1wifWS1XY2HLsN83eNJFe0Fc9LhTvtiu_qBRSoikp0KRb6T4xdpmMaNniEnjj1-GCJwkgT2ha9F0ScpTmxr3NP0wMle5P5ZI9sgWdvpUZ9mDteKolcvGAeC87Gl9Fts/s1600/IMG_1481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrXqF04E7JJkj1wifWS1XY2HLsN83eNJFe0Fc9LhTvtiu_qBRSoikp0KRb6T4xdpmMaNniEnjj1-GCJwkgT2ha9F0ScpTmxr3NP0wMle5P5ZI9sgWdvpUZ9mDteKolcvGAeC87Gl9Fts/s320/IMG_1481.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zo-li (about $2 each) are great to wake-up the mouth before feeding. Also we use a vibrating toothbrush-a huge hit in our household. The white brush is a special medical brush for the Wilbarger Brushing Protocal. </td></tr>
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Few! Then we are done!!! Keep in mind this is a huge list of ideas. The whole sensory diet shouldn't be longer than about 30 minutes. We about 5 minutes for each of the four steps (give or take). Also these ideas are fun for all children (except maybe the last photo). If you have stuck with me for this ENTIRE LENGTHY POST you are my hero.<br />
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Coming up soon will be our bedtime routine-you can hardly wait I know!</div>
Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-28360612445965384792012-08-07T17:18:00.003-07:002012-08-07T22:35:04.123-07:00Top 10 "First" Chapter Books<i>I haven't done a <a href="http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/search/label/Top%2010">Top 10 book post</a> in awhile. Since "A" is starting to become a more emergent reader the question is what are some of the first chapter books he (or any child) may enjoy. I have compiled a list that is not exhaustive. As I was thinking about which books to include I can think of at least 18 books to include. I have whittled it down by 1) books that were at the reading level of an emergent/early fluent reader, 2) books that are not only at the appropriate reading level but the content is appropriate for the age range of 6-8, and 3) books that are in a series. The reason I chose books in a series is because if your child finds a book they like they will most definitely keep reading from the series, and at this age we want children to not only get use to reading frequently but love it as well. So hopefully you can find a series that works for you and your child.</i><br />
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1) <b>Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown:</b> This book has been around for 40 years (gasp). The original story is about a boy who gets flattened by his bulletin board and stays flat. He has many adventures (being a kite, stopping robbers, and mailing himself). New books keep being made and there is a whole new series called <b>Flat Stanley Worldwide Adventures</b>.<br />
<<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061802476/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061802476&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0061802476&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061802476" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061429902/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061429902&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0061429902&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061429902" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Another important note about Flat Stanley books is the Flat Stanley project. Typically in 2nd grade, students read the first book at school and then make a Flat Stanley character. They then mail him off to people around the world, hoping the person returns it with a picture of themselves and the character. It is very common to see our soldiers holding Flat Stanley, and even Presidents of the US. If kiddos are super lucky they get a special care package back with goodies from their Flat Stanley's adventures. My sister recently moved to Okinawa, Japan, where her husband is stationed. She made a book of Flat ("A") and his adventures in Okinawa. Probably the coolest gift she has ever done. Here are some pics from the book:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAKGHeVEQWoPuv4Cw0Ony90TVtjyJyXLWPwwLlLeLIhqMDc8zHCwHGqv8cMHTXqOlJliRuPkO4X27709Johw2EZRfUj2PKvJX4hjCNYUzmmADPuDSTXvfAyheqok-zKu4WGdDG2DgtLg/s1600/IMG_1672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAKGHeVEQWoPuv4Cw0Ony90TVtjyJyXLWPwwLlLeLIhqMDc8zHCwHGqv8cMHTXqOlJliRuPkO4X27709Johw2EZRfUj2PKvJX4hjCNYUzmmADPuDSTXvfAyheqok-zKu4WGdDG2DgtLg/s200/IMG_1672.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister and brother-in-law with the Flat "A"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5Eyr2f0gWQCcB9lSy8fRhIBIyww3yQ1tmWVdtPHzUzZXymkpXRYv6THyh3Xm4y-yksXNTcFEHHgsK9tOCchZGviSsj3xpOqLIcjnr_WiFILK47KIzNyG-O0HwBrLsJILgSZXjRGpdYE/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5Eyr2f0gWQCcB9lSy8fRhIBIyww3yQ1tmWVdtPHzUzZXymkpXRYv6THyh3Xm4y-yksXNTcFEHHgsK9tOCchZGviSsj3xpOqLIcjnr_WiFILK47KIzNyG-O0HwBrLsJILgSZXjRGpdYE/s200/IMG_1674.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat "A" holding Japanese Yen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BbNXGeJFA7LLjTNV0zeciahjRh-lZ_d5boG6ZjtuSg9ZTS4gvkcYOfDLnnPhg3XE2tgdypiKdlFlTFtWWD0LCV7br31MDqWUpQlsuuR1fE-yGGioltLZqgpqUJ1I5e4t2AguR__2k0w/s1600/IMG_1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BbNXGeJFA7LLjTNV0zeciahjRh-lZ_d5boG6ZjtuSg9ZTS4gvkcYOfDLnnPhg3XE2tgdypiKdlFlTFtWWD0LCV7br31MDqWUpQlsuuR1fE-yGGioltLZqgpqUJ1I5e4t2AguR__2k0w/s200/IMG_1675.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat "A" posing with some cool Japanese girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSI0h67_aEE_KGDeJ1Gj5tgDl6exfAv3waIeFVH9KCIrtnZ3voVOsPpaypayh0C1_Asv4EuBcDCkCNyoZ0Fsp0uSHAVfWOr3snRwMpdtO627K9PyhIgcbdpYptB9VJX1Rhi1yuNF8quk/s1600/IMG_1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSI0h67_aEE_KGDeJ1Gj5tgDl6exfAv3waIeFVH9KCIrtnZ3voVOsPpaypayh0C1_Asv4EuBcDCkCNyoZ0Fsp0uSHAVfWOr3snRwMpdtO627K9PyhIgcbdpYptB9VJX1Rhi1yuNF8quk/s200/IMG_1676.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat "A" using a squatty potty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLnAHWTERmvOVsXp-mU2Krm9FnwIl2or6-Lb6xGsAEDy6drQGgUevJIZ7FgSjJNHVgT7t6ohDp3MPkXkSZWzniJg4eXdl-_PbFn1wNloOxpRQm4mazVbwNZ9WoPHECXh26tAcnEFXPFc/s1600/IMG_1677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLnAHWTERmvOVsXp-mU2Krm9FnwIl2or6-Lb6xGsAEDy6drQGgUevJIZ7FgSjJNHVgT7t6ohDp3MPkXkSZWzniJg4eXdl-_PbFn1wNloOxpRQm4mazVbwNZ9WoPHECXh26tAcnEFXPFc/s200/IMG_1677.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat "A" with a Koji statue (I think that is right)</td></tr>
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2. <b>Weird School Series by Dan Gutman:</b> This is a funny series about AJ (a boy who hates school) and his friends at Ella Mentry School. This series takes place in 2nd grade and all the grown-ups are weird. It has great titles like Mr Klutz is Nuts and Mrs. Cooney is Looney. The following year in 3rd grade begins the <b>Weird School Daze series</b>. This is a great series for kiddos that are hesitant to read and for boys who aren't interested in books.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062022717/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062022717&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0062022717&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0062022717" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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3.) <b>Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park:</b> This is another series that takes place mostly at school. We follow a adorable girl through Kindergarten and 1st grade. This is one of the first "big girl" books a girl can read, but I have caught many boys reading them too. Junie B. is just such a likable character, and you won't be able to wait to read of her next antics. One of students favorites is the Batman Smells book in the series.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375813616/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375813616&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0375813616&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0375813616" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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4.)<b> Clementine by Sara PennyPacker</b>: I can't mention Junie B. without then mentioning Clementine. Clementine is a newer series and very much in the same style of Junie B. She is an eccentric 3rd grader (all though I think she acts a wee younger) who innocently gets into all sorts of mishaps. I think Junie B. was the newer version of Ramona and Clementine is the newer version of Junie B.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1423153731/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1423153731&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1423153731&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1423153731" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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5). <b>Alvin Ho books by Lenore Look:</b> This is a newer series and I am in love with them. Alvin Ho is Chinese-American boy who is afraid of everything. This 2nd grader has so much anxiety that he can't even talk at school (at home he is fine). These books are HILARIOUS and you will just fall in love with Alvin and his neurosis. These books are very much like Junie B. Jones books but the protaganist is a BOY (no way!)</div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/073938046X/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=073938046X&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=073938046X&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=073938046X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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6.) <b>Dinosaur Cove series by Rex Stone:</b> This is a great series for those dino lovers out there. It is similar to MagicTree House in that the protagonist are magically transported back into time. Tom & Jamie live on east coast near a lighthouse. On the beach, they find a cave that by walking through they go to Prehistoric times. Each book highlights a different dinosaur. There are a few black and white illustrations. One thing I did was buy a copy to keep and then "A" colored all the illustrations. It was a fun way to make the book his own and keep him engaged. Both the characters are boys so it may be more geared to that sex but if your girl really likes dinosaurs she may love these adventures. Also if your kiddo loves dinos make sure to read my <a href="http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/2011/07/dino-mom.html">post</a> for all my dino learning picks.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545053773/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0545053773&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0545053773&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0545053773" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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7) <b>A-Z Mysteries by Ron Roy</b>: This is our newest favorite series in our house. I think we are up to letter N in the series. This is a fabulous way to introduce the genre of mysteries. The story is of Josh, Dink, and Rose (three best friends) who solve mysteries in their small town. Each mystery is from a different letter of the alphabet (Absent Author, Bald Bandit, Haunted Hotel, etc). I love the books as a mother because the characters are really good kids. They listen to their mother, help people in the neighborhood out, and are overall do-gooders. In one book they win a large sum of money for solving a crime and they give to a friend for college money. The mysteries aren't overly scary either!<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679881689/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0679881689&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0679881689&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0679881689" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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8) <b>Stink series by Meg McDonald:</b> Stink is the smart & funny younger brother to <b>Judy Moody</b>. I love these books and the Meg McDonald's use of language. I actually prefer Judy Moody over Junie B. and Clementine but they are a little higher reading level (why I didn't include them in the list). Stink books are just as funny as Judy Moody (and we still get to hear about her), but these books are about Stink's adventures. He is inventive and proactive. I remember one book where he wrote to the jawbreaker company and complained that it didn't last as long as advertised. When he got gifts from the company in return he wrote to letters of all the toy companies he could think of to get free loot. Pretty clever! Also the Judy Moody (with Stink) movie came out recently on DVD and is live streaming right now on Netflix (just saying)!<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763639869/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763639869&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0763639869&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0763639869" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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9) <b>Rainbow Magic Fairy books by Daisy Meadows</b>: This is a series most likely only for the girl readers. If your daughter loves fairies (and Tinkerbell) this is the series for you. They are easier to read then the Tinkerbell Disney fairy series that came out and there are TONS to choose from. The themes are endless: fairies named after colors, jewels, flowers, weather/seasons, and even some with pets. </div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545150094/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0545150094&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0545150094&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0545150094" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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10) <b>Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne:</b> This is the number one books for beginning chapter readers. They appeal to both boys and girls with a sense of adventure! Jack and Annie find a Magic Tree House in their backyard and realize by opening a book they can wish to go to the setting of the story. The books take them to the rainforest, moon, ice age, Camelot, Revolutionary War, etc. There is a great deal of fantasy and adventure, but it is a great way to introduce history as well. There is a fun computer game to play and a passport book online as well. You can read a blog I wrote about it <a href="http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/2011/11/magic-tree-house.html">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375813659/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375813659&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0375813659&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0375813659" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<i>Well there it is, my choices. There was a lot more I could include (especially classics) but it's called Top 10 ;0). If you did want more suggestions just ask. Encouraging a love of reading at this stage is so vital to creating a life-long reader. My next Top 10 post will be on Fairy Tale spoofs-can't wait!!!</i></div>Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-71039928004911001882012-07-22T17:45:00.000-07:002012-08-07T22:07:45.247-07:00What in the world is SPD?I have mentioned in a few posts about my youngest being diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). What is SPD you may ask? Basically it is a neurological disorder where the brain doesn't process sensory cues like normal people. The wires get crossed so to say. This can present itself in kiddos who experience senses more extreme than others or it can be the opposite and they don't experience senses as intensely. Some kiddos experience both depending on the sensory we are talking about. It is a spectrum disorder so there is a wide range of how it can turn out in each child diagnosed with it.<br />
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I am still learning myself. It is like learning a new language and I have had to learn quickly. My youngest was diagnosed at 19 months because I originally thought he had a speech delay. A development specialist and speech pathologist came to observe him and all though he didn't say anything they observed "hurricane play", extreme reckless behavior & rough play, eating issues, and more. They really felt the language was there, but because he could regulate his sensory issues he wouldn't use language. In fact, the sensory issues was affecting his entire way of being able to function. Then came an observation from an OT (or new saving grace) and she confirmed SPD diagnosis.<br />
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It has been a whirlwind last three months. With lots of reading and scouring the internet. The most ironic thing is my oldest son may have it as well. There are some major red flags, but they are completely different than my younger ones. Hence, the spectrum part of things. Here is some things that helps shed light on the whole issue if you interested (they can explain it far better than me):<br />
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Books that I like on SPD:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399531653/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399531653&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0399531653&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0399531653" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399532714/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399532714&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0399532714&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0399532714" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1572244631/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1572244631&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1572244631&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1572244631" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399533079/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399533079&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0399533079&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0399533079" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143115340/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0143115340&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0143115340&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0143115340" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Super long post I know. Hmm now you know what has been on my plate. The good thing: a lot of the way you work with these kiddos is with sensory play. Well I can do that-I have been doing that. Now I am learning new ways to play and can I just tell you my little one is up to saying 18 words since we started OT sensory activities. He also will look at a book, and can point out body parts & animals, and play (well for a little bit). It's true! That doesn't mean I don't have a LONG road up ahead because I do. I hope you still read as I continue working with my boys, even if it tends to be more sensory related. Post this week on sensory play ideas that are great for ALL kids!!!Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-72285470342690709782012-07-04T15:06:00.000-07:002012-08-07T22:10:42.609-07:00CategoriesThis is a game of critical thinking that we do in the teaching world. I decided to introduce the game to "A" who is going into 1st grade next year. You want to take picture of something that are related, but not completely. For example you could do geometric shapes but not all triangles or animals but not all mammals. I chose to teach "A" the game with animals because I just happened to have a bunch of National Geographic animal cards that come in the Little Kids magazine (love this magazine for primary kiddos). I know they also have similar cards in the Zoobook magazines.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000R2YU5M/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000R2YU5M&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000R2YU5M&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000R2YU5M" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEepEZD6xyA1-_Pm98qjmN77Kjr9IQcPmmZ-xqTd9IXz2f3Nu3saLsMVoZaW7wjIacXGOvfY5bvFrgjjBp8TzKjCGDCDM6xbddCUTkN-p4YnR6Mk0o3_vT4Vg3ChKc1mlOt06TKoBVLk/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEepEZD6xyA1-_Pm98qjmN77Kjr9IQcPmmZ-xqTd9IXz2f3Nu3saLsMVoZaW7wjIacXGOvfY5bvFrgjjBp8TzKjCGDCDM6xbddCUTkN-p4YnR6Mk0o3_vT4Vg3ChKc1mlOt06TKoBVLk/s200/IMG_1156.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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The way you play Categories is to have the child sort the cards into different categories of their choosing. You can tell them they can sort it by type of animal, color, where they live, whatever they want it is their choice but all the cards in that category must be related somehow. Tell them you will guess which categories they chose when they are ton. Then sit back and RESIST THE URGE to tell them what to do or direct them in any way. The point of the game is critical thinking so they need to work it out for themselves. I left the room actually. When "A" was done he called me in to guess. His first were things that live in water, near water, and completely on land. It was a tricky one. Have the child explain the categories and why they chose them (part of the critical thinking process). Next I sorted the cards and he guessed. This is a great way to model how to play. He loved it and we played many rounds of taking turns making categories. Here is some of the categories we came up with:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKnCeXVkDiTESTMnIrhkZ2-wc2cCCHF-yd2xdrr4Md0z6iO6Cly2r2C7HUBYDhOVNK6j530kge5udPz8UgYoeNqRsVUyRxo9y4gvf3z5jamu-tJXnZOWUw702bz1vnQ1BtEkozUrDk-s/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKnCeXVkDiTESTMnIrhkZ2-wc2cCCHF-yd2xdrr4Md0z6iO6Cly2r2C7HUBYDhOVNK6j530kge5udPz8UgYoeNqRsVUyRxo9y4gvf3z5jamu-tJXnZOWUw702bz1vnQ1BtEkozUrDk-s/s200/IMG_1143.JPG" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With shells</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZwM4Ab6_0NXKapm6fPouh3vL8nP81JW5L5yE2D51DAJXOtA62mPQg1rOUp-rSeTszQdnReU3LQwKLdjfYzLcZgHrWuHS2O8NBkA2E1fF5H8pBC_VSJvTKvcwp4dX8dbyAc-ZMJ0OWcE/s1600/IMG_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZwM4Ab6_0NXKapm6fPouh3vL8nP81JW5L5yE2D51DAJXOtA62mPQg1rOUp-rSeTszQdnReU3LQwKLdjfYzLcZgHrWuHS2O8NBkA2E1fF5H8pBC_VSJvTKvcwp4dX8dbyAc-ZMJ0OWcE/s200/IMG_1144.JPG" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBh5MeF0Hw4RpLxaFaoexvHVFq39PZMy8wnicLTUlgdCWYRBIwxudyu9uQKOBG-1SDAdzQCfCzBhXDmMk9K36BU_d9kWN1FyTwBnLk7_y78b6fPERZDsh0Nx0Jhj8YOH27ij33BXQu_BQ/s1600/IMG_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBh5MeF0Hw4RpLxaFaoexvHVFq39PZMy8wnicLTUlgdCWYRBIwxudyu9uQKOBG-1SDAdzQCfCzBhXDmMk9K36BU_d9kWN1FyTwBnLk7_y78b6fPERZDsh0Nx0Jhj8YOH27ij33BXQu_BQ/s200/IMG_1147.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Animals (another group was unsure of age)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUF3T73tBBfQk807-ZWnTGnkvE635AKTtwEOKoZepovIw-E2F6OLhxPmGKGcOF1lZr7tR_P-Jgxv8gc8f10Ugdm4PqSEOsvzHah6yqab1ajQk2XquQmmLMMDvOZALsQcvEN9Y0IURjgs/s1600/IMG_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUF3T73tBBfQk807-ZWnTGnkvE635AKTtwEOKoZepovIw-E2F6OLhxPmGKGcOF1lZr7tR_P-Jgxv8gc8f10Ugdm4PqSEOsvzHah6yqab1ajQk2XquQmmLMMDvOZALsQcvEN9Y0IURjgs/s200/IMG_1149.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have Spots</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cK5a8o6FxON0Pqu0PZc7XHKx_cA2Re7-8XA5vwEi4i6GlnSZG98KC6oSmTZPSQ37M-KxKL7nEvae_RN4VEDZ2IoYXrCv_-CUPFmwsoOqpQNd-nwIGgWXkPm-tYhhXRrgjBCZKk9mZrs/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cK5a8o6FxON0Pqu0PZc7XHKx_cA2Re7-8XA5vwEi4i6GlnSZG98KC6oSmTZPSQ37M-KxKL7nEvae_RN4VEDZ2IoYXrCv_-CUPFmwsoOqpQNd-nwIGgWXkPm-tYhhXRrgjBCZKk9mZrs/s200/IMG_1150.JPG" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stripes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins2c0IFiw1-fQQkc2HuijUV-duHZBXxqOHSiSBzINvalEp3qxpP4y71NbDXDefjy_vQCNyLtbtgg7a8oHoeCwURb4VwIZNZAJWaQeLpy6omuAmAna679zV4O5GPxMP7ky9BGINFXE2-w/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins2c0IFiw1-fQQkc2HuijUV-duHZBXxqOHSiSBzINvalEp3qxpP4y71NbDXDefjy_vQCNyLtbtgg7a8oHoeCwURb4VwIZNZAJWaQeLpy6omuAmAna679zV4O5GPxMP7ky9BGINFXE2-w/s320/IMG_1153.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What continent they live on (that was me not me 6 year old)</td></tr>
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The sky is the limit on the different categories you can make just with the animal cards alone. In a school setting we have played this game for almost every unit we teach: plants, colonial life, Native Americans, geometry, landforms, habitat and environment, rocks & minerals, etc. If you don't have cards make ones from magazine cut-outs or Google images. Kids love thinking they can stump, and better yet, teach adults-its empowering!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzcwrClBq6-4Q0ERchcD5U7e21Y9D2n7devrcvVq_sNR_Uspk2jljqJmrkjSq5ywvizXnAB4vdp7I6_Q03bcwaSFQ3cwgan5KlQMoIIxsCL6Zv_RhYIGGi1q0iXO8iVw9xGiZJOEj1nI/s1600/IMG_1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzcwrClBq6-4Q0ERchcD5U7e21Y9D2n7devrcvVq_sNR_Uspk2jljqJmrkjSq5ywvizXnAB4vdp7I6_Q03bcwaSFQ3cwgan5KlQMoIIxsCL6Zv_RhYIGGi1q0iXO8iVw9xGiZJOEj1nI/s320/IMG_1148.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Playing Everyone!</td></tr>
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<br />Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-92016753439691621342012-06-23T10:45:00.000-07:002012-06-23T10:45:16.499-07:00Motives for BloggingMy mom asked me if I was still blogging and the answer is yes-sort of! This is the thing: I am really investigating my motives for blogging and if it is healthy for me. When I first started I LOVED it. I loved all the pretty posts and my accomplishments immortalized. I loved the idea of my boys being able to see all that we had did together. I felt like part of a community of amazing people-parent bloggers.<br />
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Then I started looking at how many hits I was getting-obsessed actually. I started worrying why some post weren't getting any attention. Then I started to get insanely jealous about people who started blogs after I did and yet had more followers. Oh man-the whole follower thing....is that how my worth is measured?<br />
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If you can't tell I have a tendency to compare myself to others-bad habit, I know! When I do this honestly I don't stack up! I am NOT the perfect mother. Man, oh Man do I screw up-daily. I also have two extremely difficult boys. Its a battle everyday just to do the mundane. I love my boys but motherhood is H-A-R-D!!!! You look at other mothers and its hard to wonder how their life can seem so easy or simple, just like people who may read my blog must think the same thing.<br />
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So to make this super, long story come to an end. I plan on blogging, for my boys! Since it is for my boys some weeks don't go as planned and we don't accomplish anything and other weeks are great. Those are the weeks I will blog! I hope I still have some readers by then, but if not I understand. Not only do I understand but I will convince myself that I am still a good person and decent mom despite of it.Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-57273614739880764012012-05-21T16:38:00.000-07:002012-05-21T16:38:17.338-07:00A-Z Art: A is for Apple PrintsPart of how our summer schedule is that every Monday afternoons will be Masterpiece Mondays (more on our schedule tomorrow). Since art is going to be a frequent activity this summer I wanted to have a focus. About a year ago, I heard about a woman who decided to do an A-Z theme with picking different mediums and art ideas based on the letter of the alphabet, I was inspired! My oldest and I sat down and came up with an plan for 26 different art projects. The ideas are truly endless. It was hard to narrow down what to do for each letter because I kept thinking of more different ways we could do art- at least there is always next summer!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A-Apple Prints</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">B-Bubble Art </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">C-Contact Collage</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">D-Drip Art</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">E-Eggshell Art</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">F-Fingerpaint</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">G-Glue & Watercolor Resist</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">H-Handprint Art</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I-Inventions (robots)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">J-Jars (glitter)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">K-Kenya Masks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">L-Leafprint Art</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">M-Melted Crayon Art</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">N-Newpaper Art</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">O-Origami Art</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">P-Pottery</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Q-Quill Art</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">R-Rocks (Story)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">S-Seed Mosaic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">T-Tissue Paper Stainglass</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">U-USA Needlepoint</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">V-Valentine Heart Suncatchers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">W-Wheel Print Art</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">X-Xray Sketches</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Y-Yarn Weaving</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Z-Zentangles</span></div>
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For our first Masterpiece Monday we painted with apples. I cut up four apples and put out four different colors of paint (apple colors of course). I decided to make some puffy paint too for different texture. To make puffy paint: mix white shaving foam, white Elmers glue and paint. I don't have exact ratios but just kept adding glue and paint for good measure. I let it be COMPLETELY kid-directed (which won't always be the case on all letters). I really thought they would stamp with the apples but my sons wanted to drag the apples like paint brushes. Both boys liked the sensory aspect of the puffy paint. If you have a kiddo with a sensory disorder or an oral toddler I would be careful putting paint (that isn't edible) on apples and freely handing it to them. Apples are meant to be eaten, right?!? I'm slowly learning about this sensory stuff!<br />
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Anyhoo, keep checking back for A-Z Art ideas, Masterpiece Mondays, and our new AWESOME summer schedule.Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-2026863946477644332012-05-12T08:07:00.002-07:002012-05-12T08:08:13.083-07:00Sensational SpaghettiAs I am trying to come to terms with "B's" Sensory Processing Disorder diagnosis I am trying to find ways to get his sensory fix and be safe at the same time. He is still sticks everything in his mouth and due to the diagnosis I don't think this will change any time soon. His therapist recommended edible play dough, finger paints, and painting with pudding to name a few (look forward to posts about these fun things later). When they listed some of the options dyed spaghetti came to mind (after all noodles are one thing he actually likes to eat).Here is "B's" spaghetti sensory bin:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boil the noodles, drain, and oil & food dye, play! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwa5vAmNY3VRCcEQNmn8FH-lqfDRmihA2yWwLEal3pUZMUtpu5peMrqPTntGtVDt0CD6L7DfwpegptGuASfDvZh-c52usH8ly1cANWH3AgHu2cmdInrkeNQRsB-TzHaFcjfpsoV0ewZEg/s1600/IMG_0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwa5vAmNY3VRCcEQNmn8FH-lqfDRmihA2yWwLEal3pUZMUtpu5peMrqPTntGtVDt0CD6L7DfwpegptGuASfDvZh-c52usH8ly1cANWH3AgHu2cmdInrkeNQRsB-TzHaFcjfpsoV0ewZEg/s320/IMG_0811.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is why I made noodles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizC1WfJSTkGliUjc-2yY-X57DfFAgGSlHt0TYG0hmFSHq05yjNPxM8bMhc9ydAOMJpmotMwVBcGmgfTmfJ8hVqO73izljo_vCwc4AiYtqc7Nn3bLShGP17rqcDNBeCLiATZz4SoIB-cuQ/s1600/IMG_0814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizC1WfJSTkGliUjc-2yY-X57DfFAgGSlHt0TYG0hmFSHq05yjNPxM8bMhc9ydAOMJpmotMwVBcGmgfTmfJ8hVqO73izljo_vCwc4AiYtqc7Nn3bLShGP17rqcDNBeCLiATZz4SoIB-cuQ/s320/IMG_0814.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hide the banana ;0)</td></tr>
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Spaghetti sensory noodles aren't just for kiddos with SPD either. All kiddos love messy play. Also if you are a parent to a tot and want to do sensory bins, but are afraid they will put little things in their mouth- there are other options out there. Happy sensory play everyone!Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-26145427261310358092012-05-11T16:05:00.000-07:002012-08-07T22:37:19.309-07:00Exploring Color<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"A" has been asking me for months what different colors mixed together make. Which is funny because we have worked on primary colors in the past, but its good to relearn things to help aid recall and build schema. This week I drew some circles on a piece of paper and wrote the names of some colors under them. Then "A" would paint the two colors and then after mixing the two tell me what the new color they made was. I got the idea for this from <a href="http://kirascraftylife.blogspot.com/2011/10/art-lesson-with-little-kids-color.html">kirarts blog.</a> Here is "A" working on it:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQCAc6q2JiFx9zmtMFYTR7vBSvCWIElCWHoydmUofe5wnR2fQXJcBMA9XgifwCVsThhosfcC-tSvkC_8Lb0hEuV6HBkNZ447nZmrIguYWnddiVFDNdpbGZbzEfBsqhZmNA_KCLd47yjQ/s1600/IMG_0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQCAc6q2JiFx9zmtMFYTR7vBSvCWIElCWHoydmUofe5wnR2fQXJcBMA9XgifwCVsThhosfcC-tSvkC_8Lb0hEuV6HBkNZ447nZmrIguYWnddiVFDNdpbGZbzEfBsqhZmNA_KCLd47yjQ/s320/IMG_0816.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted to include more than the first three traditional color mixes.</td></tr>
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If your child likes computer games there is a Curious George game that is great for color mixing and exploring color. There are only four colors to choose from and you have to pick when colors and the amount. George mixes it up and you can paint a coloring sheet. It took me some time to figure out how to make the color for Curious George himself but I did it. To play Mix and Paint go to <a href="http://pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/games/mix_and_paint/mix_and_paint.html">PBSkids.org</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"A's" finished picture (all painted using only white, blue, red, and yellow)</td></tr>
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Then because "A" loves water play so much I broke down and let him play with water glasses & food dye. I totally let it be kid-directed and let him have at it. This is so hard for me to do (especially because he used almost ALL of the dye). When he was done with the mixology I gave him some syringes so he could work on filling them with liquid and then squirting tit into one of our silicone ice trays. This was great fine-motor skill work for him and encouraged him to remain focused.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWtlocQvR0mtW-eZl0yWfWkV_gdu2jkGQehrhCJcfllpHjMbC0hx11S6U8QY5qH5baMPWW2seGRWbOGUz0_9A8zhCOYaEVIMgobVgKDXW5XW-e4h3UYAm7YjaKKceNXyZ0kROgdqNsrw/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWtlocQvR0mtW-eZl0yWfWkV_gdu2jkGQehrhCJcfllpHjMbC0hx11S6U8QY5qH5baMPWW2seGRWbOGUz0_9A8zhCOYaEVIMgobVgKDXW5XW-e4h3UYAm7YjaKKceNXyZ0kROgdqNsrw/s320/IMG_0820.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got the tray from Ikea for about $2.50</td></tr>
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After the ice cubes were made we did a little ice painting. The "paint" is very subdued and similar to watercolors. Since this was such a sensory activity I could have "B" participate. He wasn't in a mood so he only played with the ice a short while, but I popped them back in the freezer for another day. I am looking forward to more "messy play" with "B" as I learn more about his diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder. I was happy it was an activity that the whole family could participate, instead of leaving poor "B' out to watch big brother.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't they pretty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM-_Yg_8O56uO669TBAhDaD03Zxm3zldPtw-OdPsjhEjVnDwthbYI0E5qCJtkcENZH5RdgyNh1jxojZXDI_z8Y9qOrh3JEQ2Pov2foAEtFm32g-8wvUZipNCZQa9XF4MH7REh-7qfq5g/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM-_Yg_8O56uO669TBAhDaD03Zxm3zldPtw-OdPsjhEjVnDwthbYI0E5qCJtkcENZH5RdgyNh1jxojZXDI_z8Y9qOrh3JEQ2Pov2foAEtFm32g-8wvUZipNCZQa9XF4MH7REh-7qfq5g/s320/IMG_0832.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the ice painting masterpieces</td></tr>
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Lastly, I wanted to show you a cute book we found by Melani Watt (one of our most favorite children's writers) called Leon the Chameleon. It has a great color theme-along with other important themes like feelings and friendship. This book in particular encourages critical thinking. Why would a chameleon be afraid if they turned into the opposite color of what they were standing on? To hear my 5 year-old read the first few pages watch the video. So proud of my reader!!!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1553375270/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1553375270&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1553375270&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" ></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1553375270" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-48149000794044881152012-05-09T12:25:00.000-07:002012-05-09T12:25:04.115-07:00Tot School-FarmI have been wanting to do <a href="http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/TotSchool.html">Tot School</a> through <a href="http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/">1+1+1=1</a> since "B" was born. I keep waiting for when he would be ready to do some of the typical Tot School things...and it never arrives. My older son was doing Tot School activities (all though I didn't know it at the time) around 15 months but "B" is just different. At almost 19 months he still says ZERO words, won't play traditionally, won't let me read to him, isn't safe in a seat, constantly puts things in his mouth, and does thrill-seeking (AND DANGEROUS) activities. This week we had him evaluated for speech and it turns out he most likely has Sensory Processing Disorder. Evidently my little guy's brain doesn't feel some of his senses as strongly as most people, which leads to him sensory seeking. This sensory imbalance is effecting him learning things like speech. We are meeting with an occupational therapist and coming up with an Individualized Family Service Plan next week. I am overwhelmed to say the least (but at least I know what to focus on). Before the diagnosis I was focusing more on speech. I learned to focus on farm animals for early intervention speech because farm animal noises correspond with the first sounds babies make (B, W, M, N, D, and P). Here was our first week of Tot school (actually 2 weeks) on farm animals:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18 months/3 weeks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizL51fpsvMK-XeqXGyICsR4FdwRAGyd_OM4csG3abbkWF3jzI0x4iw2QQhD1bTgKb7CdSPKTWhKd9h5tLt733fyIY-eep6sGBOwTkLqoSCDGNy-MQ3kVfRfmkmli36T1187EIbAULOrT4/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizL51fpsvMK-XeqXGyICsR4FdwRAGyd_OM4csG3abbkWF3jzI0x4iw2QQhD1bTgKb7CdSPKTWhKd9h5tLt733fyIY-eep6sGBOwTkLqoSCDGNy-MQ3kVfRfmkmli36T1187EIbAULOrT4/s320/IMG_0721.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farm Animals and Blocks Play</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxP6rnCmkPhAg870KIX0O3HG7DxNOpX_tstJy5AMUz4fV8odV2OGzxoMEkUzPgLRE4ZayqQAJZE5mwQrHgWzxjYJ3V_4r_GWftu-8lHtlYa9MM332yCn6kq8BuZ1vGXo0GOhlF1GtY8k/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxP6rnCmkPhAg870KIX0O3HG7DxNOpX_tstJy5AMUz4fV8odV2OGzxoMEkUzPgLRE4ZayqQAJZE5mwQrHgWzxjYJ3V_4r_GWftu-8lHtlYa9MM332yCn6kq8BuZ1vGXo0GOhlF1GtY8k/s320/IMG_0726.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice Pouring (he LOVES pouring)- he still puts things in his mouth though ;0(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvbfL8aII0SqA7eGJMNX4UQs68U48uQKlZh_W-4eKYxoJ9_m57L1p8TyGI4ZSnlLI9gjh7q8K5qPn12bLjqcj-lX-VsRG3VqIkBj-KGoU1PA9tFLYYe0Sow6h5bpaOpX_kaJBeXRAF7U/s1600/IMG_0728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvbfL8aII0SqA7eGJMNX4UQs68U48uQKlZh_W-4eKYxoJ9_m57L1p8TyGI4ZSnlLI9gjh7q8K5qPn12bLjqcj-lX-VsRG3VqIkBj-KGoU1PA9tFLYYe0Sow6h5bpaOpX_kaJBeXRAF7U/s320/IMG_0728.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was one of the best ideas I did this week (put mini farm animals in his <a href="http://snack%20cup/">snack cup</a>). He really has to work to get them in and out which was fun for him. Great tool to use for play !!! Each time he pulled one out I would say the name and make the sound. With speech it is important to only focus on ONE word then add more once they get it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaeI-YSRDrs_MVa0vJzJpSk6d9LMEb0IlQCkOE5lyAYqioVLlyaX9r1LlBWBWiFP8a5iQdmsVEwJ4MJrcBaxY-3QHD0bQ1qL66H7ufyKhxUEQjamRCb9HgoMzYWwY2guQOTdCbkWFcCs/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaeI-YSRDrs_MVa0vJzJpSk6d9LMEb0IlQCkOE5lyAYqioVLlyaX9r1LlBWBWiFP8a5iQdmsVEwJ4MJrcBaxY-3QHD0bQ1qL66H7ufyKhxUEQjamRCb9HgoMzYWwY2guQOTdCbkWFcCs/s320/IMG_0730.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Earlyears-Baby-Farm-Friends-Bowling/dp/B000087L1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336591091&sr=8-1">Farm Animal Bowling</a>. He liked to hit them with the ball still in his hand. Pretty Funny!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtScNATDyjcD9_X-sd29uAH9YcVg_Bpz3SsmkU_CIEsZHnvW7iR84dEP7kxnX2oD22VAsO0iDFmstIfWMMVPbLP5JVURVfzc595FWHLBh3tJi5aEkC6aCnj-OW1K9f0Y6N6iBaoLd-iA/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtScNATDyjcD9_X-sd29uAH9YcVg_Bpz3SsmkU_CIEsZHnvW7iR84dEP7kxnX2oD22VAsO0iDFmstIfWMMVPbLP5JVURVfzc595FWHLBh3tJi5aEkC6aCnj-OW1K9f0Y6N6iBaoLd-iA/s320/IMG_0734.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They can go in the corral too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Lbmds-FQBD7jE5amhCw2p_mB05kYDxjLe85b8LPPXLmFC1IoaoMOKmZkA8G32Iw5ke_fCgIO7dl5Be1hZWBDub2ftbpPRjye5vGkV081r6Z8otNlWMWdNbr6bARqBcna-iGcIx4TCVw/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Lbmds-FQBD7jE5amhCw2p_mB05kYDxjLe85b8LPPXLmFC1IoaoMOKmZkA8G32Iw5ke_fCgIO7dl5Be1hZWBDub2ftbpPRjye5vGkV081r6Z8otNlWMWdNbr6bARqBcna-iGcIx4TCVw/s320/IMG_0735.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby App voted one of the best for Early Speech Intervention (<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/peekaboo-barn/id300590611?mt=8">Peek-a-boo Barn</a>) We love it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zHsIVoeV0BY1ZivIT57N1l-Po0X8-XoxYzfA-4JcRw2H3XmYDjFuC6TMK5JlbyYvv4k4nSTXBWxoiKvGwn9TCntA7FZaRotkbpyz-pg2LrIwZKA47b2LbfavHgACPwRH5PJHt1xE8vY/s1600/IMG_0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zHsIVoeV0BY1ZivIT57N1l-Po0X8-XoxYzfA-4JcRw2H3XmYDjFuC6TMK5JlbyYvv4k4nSTXBWxoiKvGwn9TCntA7FZaRotkbpyz-pg2LrIwZKA47b2LbfavHgACPwRH5PJHt1xE8vY/s320/IMG_0801.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He just started coloring recently. I added farm stickers (oh MAN did he love the stickers). Had a fit when they were gone. Putting stickers on what actually a difficult task</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qFH-Nht5Jr1upn8GfGZMt6b9aXYpPIeqQ4n6THert7WIyYAQ5mpOntWVsADQgL-kN_25fWygWKZPDHzDVoc1irGVZy4WpUoDloaK5eH0iFWlgvqIue79wW4DDYVS1XKfHlqZ7eYQXzE/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qFH-Nht5Jr1upn8GfGZMt6b9aXYpPIeqQ4n6THert7WIyYAQ5mpOntWVsADQgL-kN_25fWygWKZPDHzDVoc1irGVZy4WpUoDloaK5eH0iFWlgvqIue79wW4DDYVS1XKfHlqZ7eYQXzE/s320/IMG_0802.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More pouring and transferring-this time with porcupine balls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodez1kcAiR0N2Xx9WKEkby2vo1AmA5LtrU8_W99_URO5J3naYRfPSPHBWwRm9zLAWVgNkCUeVT7fRffnnWu_jEQqeKxNbp1a97ytflUV4dg7ydxh2oFAnUsAY3dJAFXphScP07eZNjPU/s1600/IMG_0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodez1kcAiR0N2Xx9WKEkby2vo1AmA5LtrU8_W99_URO5J3naYRfPSPHBWwRm9zLAWVgNkCUeVT7fRffnnWu_jEQqeKxNbp1a97ytflUV4dg7ydxh2oFAnUsAY3dJAFXphScP07eZNjPU/s320/IMG_0804.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting pipecleaners in a Parmesan Shaker. He actually did great sticking them in the hole, but had difficulty pushing them down. It kept him busy for a bit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSXvcGFOoEtfwkxVXo8Ccd7MGAqnxBKIqhO4TG2hMakNyaDgNvl_9Awdw7UrSp1K_sgiBZGeRF3bgE7nwnhon3_RKpZzKYlCvwQuZjJiyNiJNounyHYTfEkm-CQNr_TuiUYrGK3BH_Ak/s1600/IMG_0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSXvcGFOoEtfwkxVXo8Ccd7MGAqnxBKIqhO4TG2hMakNyaDgNvl_9Awdw7UrSp1K_sgiBZGeRF3bgE7nwnhon3_RKpZzKYlCvwQuZjJiyNiJNounyHYTfEkm-CQNr_TuiUYrGK3BH_Ak/s320/IMG_0805.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very SIMPLE farm<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Puzzles-and-Rack-Set/dp/B00640TXJ4/ref=sr_1_44?ie=UTF8&qid=1336590954&sr=8-44"> puzzle </a>because his attention span is so low!</td></tr>
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<br />
"B" just started to show an interest into books. He still won't let me read to him for long but he will sit through one book. I pulled out a lot of the same books I read during my 5-A-Day books quite awhile back. You can see the five books I read and learn more about
5-A-Day from this <a href="http://www.blogger.com/5%20A%20Day%20Books:%20At%20the%20Farm">post</a>. I would like to get back into doing the 5-A-Day challenge, but was getting so discouraged with "B's" disinterest in reading. Considering my focus has been in libraries it was pretty devastating because I know how valuable reading is. In addition to the five books from the post we also read this Little People's book called Baby Animal Sounds. I can't find it on amazon but is cloth with a button that babies can push that make farm animal sounds. If you can find it I highly recommend it.Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-65630629157956226862012-04-30T12:37:00.000-07:002012-04-30T12:37:33.904-07:00Black & White Sensory BinWe bought some beanbag chairs recently and I took some of the filling out to make them a little more comfy. Instance lightbulb moment: beanbag filling would be a great sensory bin filler. I didn't have an idea in mind to begin with but just stared at it hoping ideas would flow. I think it would make great snow and first thought snowmen (have some really cute ones pinned) but winter is OVER in my book. Then I thought Arctic since we just moved to Anchorage, but I don't have enough goodies yet. Trying to find things around the house I decided to go with a black and white theme.Here is the finished product:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYBMRAuLIJm6n1iv8S0zHmgJb8I9QrRWI1A_cIipLH9f8UgP2pjYDP6u-FyS48ktYvkIcvcLY7wGghEGp21tLBCpOYf_s7nSYP7lGUhtPuobbRfLSXLAzt7zgE_QDzV6GKbOEeHa66fk/s1600/IMG_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYBMRAuLIJm6n1iv8S0zHmgJb8I9QrRWI1A_cIipLH9f8UgP2pjYDP6u-FyS48ktYvkIcvcLY7wGghEGp21tLBCpOYf_s7nSYP7lGUhtPuobbRfLSXLAzt7zgE_QDzV6GKbOEeHa66fk/s320/IMG_0641.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What is included:</b></span></div>
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Measuring cups and spoons</div>
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Black Poms (very large to small)</div>
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PVC pipe cut to make a tunnel</div>
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Buttons</div>
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Police Car & wooden train engine</div>
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Animals: lamb, zebra, dalmation dog, cow, orca</div>
</span><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
White knobbily sensory ball</div>
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Pipecleaners</div>
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Dupblo Blocks</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Googly Eyes</div>
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BeanBag Filler</div>
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"B" actually played with it successfully without putting any in his month (SHOCKING)! He doesn't "play" very much---something that concerns me greatly. I was more than elated to see him playing with the sensory bin for over 20mins and having a hot fit when I put it away finally. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO57AbyDnGb2ofpRGFLeF_fHIicY3SOlBUfAw5Zwrr5hDuHgYPOC-Oj3gTD1bCQdqsPrliZMgK-g_PpD_M4LedAcXuxZm0ET-d94BYNaC8W0RWyDQTCyOczyIJy2PuRMqP36-YNhBH_j8/s1600/IMG_0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO57AbyDnGb2ofpRGFLeF_fHIicY3SOlBUfAw5Zwrr5hDuHgYPOC-Oj3gTD1bCQdqsPrliZMgK-g_PpD_M4LedAcXuxZm0ET-d94BYNaC8W0RWyDQTCyOczyIJy2PuRMqP36-YNhBH_j8/s320/IMG_0642.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Brother had to get in on the action.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL4lTZsFGrO9PBfSY1IwxFe8jiWeRlDatLzg_Wx_ybAsoWoK21QzkV6cOwxOIQTUBefFwWtmvF7nxa6hyphenhyphensymYb930HHrd3mSZrKWN3XU6YiX-T-2kQatsIRsCeJE_F8ZjibZG5ed0WKU/s1600/IMG_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL4lTZsFGrO9PBfSY1IwxFe8jiWeRlDatLzg_Wx_ybAsoWoK21QzkV6cOwxOIQTUBefFwWtmvF7nxa6hyphenhyphensymYb930HHrd3mSZrKWN3XU6YiX-T-2kQatsIRsCeJE_F8ZjibZG5ed0WKU/s320/IMG_0651.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am so proud of his scooping abilities.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE1hrsUlrXxIgbd7Z4JA6xaqG_XwXBaBUGxoXviGiar8_NUJpYPrdrceQ7lVb6jZfFLh5sMXn3zgM5y1p69qeyERsmMBPc-WShAiEx5Gl67t5ckuS3IFl4xTK29ZyAr7sHF3swuuu24k/s1600/IMG_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE1hrsUlrXxIgbd7Z4JA6xaqG_XwXBaBUGxoXviGiar8_NUJpYPrdrceQ7lVb6jZfFLh5sMXn3zgM5y1p69qeyERsmMBPc-WShAiEx5Gl67t5ckuS3IFl4xTK29ZyAr7sHF3swuuu24k/s320/IMG_0652.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Snowman---it works (sort of)</td></tr>
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</span>Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1496807612464351124.post-22548574402639835612012-04-25T11:27:00.000-07:002012-08-07T22:45:02.907-07:00I Will Make MiraclesI ran across the most amazing book at the library the other day, <i>I Will Make Miracles </i>by Susie Morgenstern. It is one of those treasures that stick with you about a boy that believes when he grows up he will do so much more than be a pilot but in fact make miracles. The illustrates are just as captivating. Some are more realistic representations but others are just brush strokes and colors to set the mood.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599901897/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1599901897&linkCode=as2&tag=lifintheunk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1599901897&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lifintheunk-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lifintheunk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1599901897" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIPzR4iXRO5-mcXsZWn3bmiYluyfVJCYw4PD5LdjzarQJ5qjKKXvcOopnghGScUIkjtouKQeiwL7TUF_56MAGmW0oUlDFLC6T4sImYQcTtUwoUrIcOCxTYtMuc0vTP9NvhWM546sEsSw/s1600/IMG_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIPzR4iXRO5-mcXsZWn3bmiYluyfVJCYw4PD5LdjzarQJ5qjKKXvcOopnghGScUIkjtouKQeiwL7TUF_56MAGmW0oUlDFLC6T4sImYQcTtUwoUrIcOCxTYtMuc0vTP9NvhWM546sEsSw/s320/IMG_0654.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ehto0wvHUHqjDTdp3iq7ejXidR6r_M3dtbbINZ8LvUs-iDogwwI0D6hkDuKXSrUlrBK3LT6G9ZMuEkY4HJB6e4B_s4N2SO5qL2pK_7B-OP5_p-Zx0jRJfQdBCigt_Jo2ZP2znRksj7Q/s1600/IMG_0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ehto0wvHUHqjDTdp3iq7ejXidR6r_M3dtbbINZ8LvUs-iDogwwI0D6hkDuKXSrUlrBK3LT6G9ZMuEkY4HJB6e4B_s4N2SO5qL2pK_7B-OP5_p-Zx0jRJfQdBCigt_Jo2ZP2znRksj7Q/s320/IMG_0655.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brush strokes to represent fighting in the world</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiun8ASaED6_S7bciu73G2ayu8C7RhZT6rhlPYe9QiG9QhCEKhYw-IDNe1LoEUzA3r_YvEHmW9JBRKL9fkbBbR66o8OwE5EDEezkQ75sVmMi0kvvn-DYO5R1HretfjfyWK4gDw7M08OoYM/s1600/IMG_0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiun8ASaED6_S7bciu73G2ayu8C7RhZT6rhlPYe9QiG9QhCEKhYw-IDNe1LoEUzA3r_YvEHmW9JBRKL9fkbBbR66o8OwE5EDEezkQ75sVmMi0kvvn-DYO5R1HretfjfyWK4gDw7M08OoYM/s320/IMG_0658.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life is more, much more than seems</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-DAnn3x2zX_unIW5xEPriwuRj7Rr-yqiOdIlmPhiYOKNmv0Ngq2Xln4pMXj4hGTkjFTMGCuFalpccXnbfg9SYY3btt__XQoM0QJ-B0HCUjz4lhPqm7VxXAVWCGomJpjG-k_xuPrPnEM/s1600/IMG_0656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-DAnn3x2zX_unIW5xEPriwuRj7Rr-yqiOdIlmPhiYOKNmv0Ngq2Xln4pMXj4hGTkjFTMGCuFalpccXnbfg9SYY3btt__XQoM0QJ-B0HCUjz4lhPqm7VxXAVWCGomJpjG-k_xuPrPnEM/s320/IMG_0656.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love not only locking up bad guys but turning them into wise old sages</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCUMnq7dUcB-8b4HeaCzaXAcYY_sTvd4y1jaJnbMljVeZo_OGRIdLPmJJnA7ZRNKwbQOT2nMGB829k9BU7nzeKKBTMCW99LHgXYUfOXd1hz4HhKCj6gWI72vOTtzL8KoxP-di3pbkvT4/s1600/IMG_0659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCUMnq7dUcB-8b4HeaCzaXAcYY_sTvd4y1jaJnbMljVeZo_OGRIdLPmJJnA7ZRNKwbQOT2nMGB829k9BU7nzeKKBTMCW99LHgXYUfOXd1hz4HhKCj6gWI72vOTtzL8KoxP-di3pbkvT4/s320/IMG_0659.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strokes to represent earthquakes, floods, and fire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpw9EsobJDeG1vwvNsWcq3u7mXl9CKJklNfJjiMKDEo9nnWF5ycylyMGV9iaPA97YSnGqS5EzWEfa6l-yLuGaGxyyHbclC8ggZOt1TGLyS-DwrpQxDslR-3ErDXS-BQILE1ecf0i6jRo/s1600/IMG_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpw9EsobJDeG1vwvNsWcq3u7mXl9CKJklNfJjiMKDEo9nnWF5ycylyMGV9iaPA97YSnGqS5EzWEfa6l-yLuGaGxyyHbclC8ggZOt1TGLyS-DwrpQxDslR-3ErDXS-BQILE1ecf0i6jRo/s320/IMG_0660.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stretch days longer so everyone can grow stronger ((LOVE))</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyaIfxLGfvm37Gx-Bo6-2efuk390s7aS6NelLumJlnj94lS6PO1oF1LZr2hCfjrjGjCy2WBJjMRM1jO9v3y39N-5J4LTWoJQA-ilm47J95ssAmBBymGCMga9JfS2S7phGJC28tU6OQ-k/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyaIfxLGfvm37Gx-Bo6-2efuk390s7aS6NelLumJlnj94lS6PO1oF1LZr2hCfjrjGjCy2WBJjMRM1jO9v3y39N-5J4LTWoJQA-ilm47J95ssAmBBymGCMga9JfS2S7phGJC28tU6OQ-k/s320/IMG_0661.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMUCVr93MZPqRNc2YdP6BjuNKquFIuo8UoNNDLn8n6FVJBjfgd92zCxZ5Bt1VwqtBBbKw3lxy62S0Stmsp5ygkYTPDRUw-u4E0cFGhC7dc3Cz8j3escfBdSDycoP8S0uF5T2DrjfL5Rs/s1600/IMG_0662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMUCVr93MZPqRNc2YdP6BjuNKquFIuo8UoNNDLn8n6FVJBjfgd92zCxZ5Bt1VwqtBBbKw3lxy62S0Stmsp5ygkYTPDRUw-u4E0cFGhC7dc3Cz8j3escfBdSDycoP8S0uF5T2DrjfL5Rs/s320/IMG_0662.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To change the world you need to first read and write</td></tr>
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Pretty amazing, right? Get the book and read all the amazing miracles I didn't include. The art and message of this book just lended itself to a little art lesson of our own. I asked "A" to think of a miracle he would like to make and then do an art representation of it. I really wanted him to use the broad brush strokes but he didn't want to. He wanted to so something with space so I suggested shooting stars. Then he reminded me it had to rhyme. Typical boy he had to add the skeletons to the mix (but he got inspiration from the book-you have to read it to see where). I did one too of course...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLikUrJrnFBnnxFevIFEuAQyvCbWBlj5W-saHCmokdRViBP5OeAzNylSPO84IsLP1gK1KLF_mvCiDkEjVCVaiTM_XR4pdS4kV_NV3Pj8XHSoOEG5Cq_joD9WtRRIJ1ZpRH3a0HvFfwJVs/s1600/IMG_0663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLikUrJrnFBnnxFevIFEuAQyvCbWBlj5W-saHCmokdRViBP5OeAzNylSPO84IsLP1gK1KLF_mvCiDkEjVCVaiTM_XR4pdS4kV_NV3Pj8XHSoOEG5Cq_joD9WtRRIJ1ZpRH3a0HvFfwJVs/s320/IMG_0663.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"B's" first watercolor experience. Why, Yes that is red paint on his forehead and hair ;o)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrLv1VZGsh1oaGiMg_enVutwuLycoNmm07KBrCXdIMs6_dPKcRhTHq4awp73WxEgNtiVQuuHzqkw45q_fJTat1EUOjKZkJG3wbhOqUIoOo8PUENubVjuVZlL7_44JZSeWNnG8BNwQG4Y/s1600/IMG_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrLv1VZGsh1oaGiMg_enVutwuLycoNmm07KBrCXdIMs6_dPKcRhTHq4awp73WxEgNtiVQuuHzqkw45q_fJTat1EUOjKZkJG3wbhOqUIoOo8PUENubVjuVZlL7_44JZSeWNnG8BNwQG4Y/s320/IMG_0665.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mine: This saying was inspired by "A" asking that we add respect all living things to our new house rules.</td></tr>
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One more little art project "A" did with highlighters he found on a three-panel paper. I think he secretly was trying to make a LONG piece of art after watching the movie Romona and Beezus (which I loved but could be because I adore John Corbett). Romona and her dad (Corbett) make a scroll of her town that wraps around the school room. Ours is definitely not that LONG but maybe we will have to do the scroll idea soon.<br />
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<br />Sarah Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13450552052260892082noreply@blogger.com0