The Teacher In Me ~ Trapping Leprechauns

St. Patrick's Day is such a fun holiday for kids.  There is luck, magic, mystery & tons & tons of green! 

In our class, instead of just writing about being lucky, we test our luck by trying to catch...what else, LEPRECHAUNS!  Those little men of mystery that are said to lead you to a pot of gold.  Who doesn't want that? 

We invite the men of our class to join us and lend their creative and building skills to help their little people build Leprechaun Traps.  It's such a neat project since the dads, grandpas, uncles, etc. can rarely make it into the classroom since they are always working.  


Here's what we need:

• We ask the parents for their "junk."  We want all recycled materials (cereal boxes, milk jugs, water bottles, toilet paper tubes, etc.  Anything that will help with the construction of the traps.  

• St. Patty's Day is all about green.  So we use green everything.  Green tape, string, yarn, pipe cleaners,  stickers, ribbon.  You name it, we have green.

• Gold coins.  What Leprechaun doesn't love gold coins?  So what better way to lure one into your trap than with gold coins?  Enough said.

Here's what to do:

• The men and kids use their imaginations to construct their traps.

Do you think this will catch a Leprechaun?

Then, since the men took time out of their very busy days, we write them special thank you notes.  They are in the shape of dress shirts with ties.  TOO CUTE!

What do you do that's special for St. Patty's Day?  I love new ideas!


Alexis

Year of the Snake ~ Chinese New Year in the Classroom

I try to teach all of the major types of holidays in my classroom.  Even if it's just a quick book with a craft.  One of my favorite holidays to teach about has always been Chinese New Year.  I love the history, the traditions, and the RED!

2013 is the year of the snake.  I went on the almighty Pinterest to look for ideas to celebrate Chinese New Year in my classroom.  

We'll start our celebration by reading some books.  Here are a couple of my favorites:

Bringing in the New Year:
 
This book follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for Chinese New Year.  There are brightly colored pictures of the traditions for this Lunar New Year. 






Sam and the Lucky Money:

This is a book about a little boy named Sam who decides to donate his Chinese New Year money to a homeless man.  What a great way to teach about giving!








Check out these great snake crafts that are quick, easy, and adorable!  Yuppers, I found them on Pinterest!  (I love that site!)

 

These paper chain snakes were geared for pre-k kids, but I really think my first graders would love this one!  Not to mention, making them in lucky red....cute!

This paper plate snake is also easy and fun.  We can hang them from the ceiling...love it!

These books and crafts would also be something easy and fun to do with your kids at home too.  Put it all together with some dumplings and fried rice...mmmmm!

GUNG HEI FAT CHOI! 

Alexis

She's Crafty ~ Photo Canvases

It's football season, a time when my husband plants himself on the couch for hours on end watching a bunch of grown men hit each other and throw a ball around.  It's also a time when I get to do whatever I want and no one notices or complains.

Last Sunday I was feeling a little crafty.  I went to my Pinterest boards and picked out my first obsession.  This one came from two sources...I meshed both ideas for what suited me the best.  The first came from Literally Inspired.  I loved how she edged the canvases in black paint....so sharp!  The second was from Vickie Lan Photography.  She used the Mod Podge on the photo to give it a more "painted" feel. 

You will love how easy this project is...not to mention how cheap!  I priced these canvas prints on my beloved photo sites and even on sale, they are still about $65.  

I paid WAY less than that with this project.  I got my 8x10 prints for about $4 each, and a pack of canvases for $5 for 2.  With the Mod Podge (which will be used for many more projects to come) and everything, I paid a little less than $8 a canvas. 

Check out how easy this project is....

Photo Canvases

What you need:

• canvas (any size)
• your favorite photos (the same size as the canvas)
• Mod Podge (I used the matte finish)
• sponge brush
• Exacto knife
• acrylic paint (I used black)

1.  Paint the edges of the canvas using whatever color you like.  I chose black.  Make sure to make a little of the pain lap onto the canvas itself in case the photo doesn't reach the edge.

2.  After the paint dries, add a thin layer of Mod Podge to the front of the canvas & carefully place the photo on.

3.  Give it a chance to dry a bit and trim the small edges of the photo that may peek out.

4.  Paint a layer of Mod Podge on top of the photo and sealing the edges.  It will appear white over the photo, but don't worry, it will dry clear.

5.  Hang your photo.  Yup, it's that simple.

Will you try this easy craft?  If so, let me know about it!!

Alexis

Get Crafty with GapKids Shine On Saturdays

This post is sponsored by GapKids. Check out all the fun Shine On activities at your nearest Gap store. For event dates and locations, visit Gap’s Facebook page and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #ShineOn.

It's no secret, my boys hate to go shopping with me, but there are times when they have no choice in the matter.  Keeping them occupied while I shop for new duds for them is somewhat of a challenge.  Having them create art while I shop is even better.

Throughout the month of August, GapKids hosted Shine On Saturdays, a crafting session for designed for kids.  The DIY projects at select GapKids stores were designed by Merrilee Liddiard of Mer Mag.  

The projects were inspired by the GapKids and babyGap fall collection, including the best new 1969 denim - Jewel Box Skinnies for girls (the new skinny jean updated in bright stretchy denim) and Action Stretch Denim for boys (designed for play all day- it’s denim that’s made to move).

For my Miami (& South Broward) peeps, check out GapKids Shine On Saturday this Saturday, August 25 10am-1pm GapKids @ Adventura Mall on the lower level (19575 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 331).  This week the kiddos will be making an animal character badge.

 

You have one more week to check out the GapKids Shine On Saturday event at GapKids locations across the country with fun activities designed just for the kiddies!        I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.        Alexis

What to Do With Leftover Party Supplies

So, as you know, I cleaned out  the hall closet in my house during Operation Organization.  During my purging, I decided to make a "Party" box with all things needed for birthdays and other festivities.  Things like number candles, birthday banners, noise makers, and colored paper goods.  But then I found that I had leftover party supplies from the themed birthdays that we've had.  You know, Batman, Superman, Toy Story, etc.  


Now that the boys are older and I have gotten wiser.  I don't buy the themed paper products anymore because I'm always stuck with leftovers and I don't know what to do with them.  


That's when I turned to the almighty internet.  When in doubt, search it out!

First off, I asked those of you on Facebook & Twitter.  Here are some of the suggestions that I got:

@workandcats told me "We keep some in the car for when we have impromtu picnics in the park + napkins are useful if I run out of paper towels."  Not to mention having napkins in the car are great for those "accidental" spills that happen all too frequently!


Lindsay Hamer told me: "Napkins, I save for school lunches. I will pack a different one every time I make my kids lunch. (on "yucky" days. They are like fun party reminders.)"  How sweet!!


Abby from Abby & Eva shared: "Paper plates and spoons/forks can be made into masks... Sometimes I just let my kid cut and glue til her heart's content."

Then I researched ways to sell my outdated party goods.  MmmHmm, make money on this junk!!

One way is My Party Is Over.  This website is dedicated to selling party supplies: new, gently used, or even handmade.  You can also buy supplies too!  

 

Another way to sell those party items is to use the tried & true eBay.  This was suggested by none other than Caroline, Smarty Pants Mama.  She even gave me suggestions on how to find the right price on eBay.

Now I have my work cut out for me...

I think I may keep some for those last minute spills and picnics.  But I will probably sell or donate the rest.  

What do you do with your leftover party supplies?

Alexis

How to Stay Sane on Rainy Days

Rain, rain, go away.  Come again another day.  Little boys NEED to play!  Rain, rain, GO AWAY!!

It has been raining in South Florida for more than 24 hours.  I'm not just saying an annoying rain, I'm talking down pours!  That kind of weather used to be welcomed in this house....we could stay in bed, drink coffee, read books, watch movies, and take naps.  

Now with two overly active boys, it could be MURDER!  

It takes a lot to make this family stay still for longer than 2 hours.  We aren't used to sitting still.  But we have been forced to.  

Here are some things to do to stay sane with your little ones on rainy days (while staying in your pjs all day!):

1)  Play games 
And not just the electronic kind.  We played Guess Who and UNO.  Two family favorites.

2)  Draw 
Always a kid favorite.  I keep them drawing longer by telling them that they have to add background to the pictures.

 

3)  Crafts 
I found some easy foam sticker crafts at Michaels.  Today, the boys made spooky skeleton door hangers.  We also made Shrinky Dink pirates.  (Throw back to my childhood!)

4)  Bake.  We made cookies and brownies. (Not that I needed either of those!)

To be honest, all of that took approximately 2 hours out of the 12 that we were awake, so we decided to:

5)  Watch movies
 The boys chose to watch Annie (a personal favorite) and Shrek.  The whole family snuggled on the couch with popcorn.

Maybe rainy days aren't so bad afterall....

What do you do to pass the time on rainy days?

Alexis