Valarie Budayr's Blog, page 104
June 19, 2013
The A-Z Summer Reading Tree: 26 Ways To Encourage Reading This Summer
If school is not already over in your part of the country, it will be ending soon. Soon to follow is the flurry of parents working to actively keep their kids busy for the summer.
It’s no surprise that reading is a huge part of our summer and I know that is also the case with many of our readers. At Jump Into a Book we are always looking for ways to encourage families to “pull books off shelves and stories off pages.”
Books can be more than print on paper.
They can be invitations to new worlds and lively adventures,
and ones that can be enjoyed as a family unit.
The following is a short, simple list of tips, ideas, activities, and booklists to help reinforce summer in a fun, interactive, and family-orientated way.
The Leaves of the A-Z Book Jumper Tree
A. A summer of reading starts with a SHELF: Start a summer reading bookshelf filled with great books for summer.
B. Bake up some sunshine:Spend some quality time in the kitchen with this sun-kissed recipe for Happy Sun Bread while reading Sun Bread by Elisa Kleven
C. Challenge yourself: Challenge yourself and your family to walk in the woods and just “be” like Henry David Thoreau
D. Dig into a Delightful Diorama! A few month back during our Family Book Festival, friend and fellow writer Sara Merkel Wilson created an activity that, to this day, is one of more popular posts: Building The Hobbit diorama of Smaug’s Mountain
E. “bEe” grateful! Be grateful for what nature provides! Check out books like The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco and all the fun bee-related activities that go along.
F. Fairy Houses: Discover books like Tracey Kane’s Fairy Houses and create your own backyard Fairy Hideaway. When my girls were little we use to watch this movie called Kristen’s Fairy House. Oh how they would watch this and then go up into our own garden and create a fairy garden just like Kristen.
So what IS a Fairy House?
Fairy Houses are small structures for the fairies and nature’s friends to visit. Sticks, bark, dry grasses, pebbles, shells, feathers, seaweed, pine cones and nuts are just some of the natural materials used. Ranging from rustic to intricate ‘Fairy Mansions’, these whimsical habitats are built by children, families, gardeners and nature lovers reflecting their creativity, joy and pride.-FairyHouses.com
G.Go Rediscover the Library: Check out your local library and sign up for kid’s reading hour.
H. Have a fort building adventure and create a new cozy “book nook” for your readers.
I. Investigate a good mystery! There are so many wonderful “mystery-themed” books out there for Middle Readers. Series like Capital Mysteries, 39 Clues, Haunted Histories, Encyclopedia Brown, The A-Z Mysteries Series books, and even vintage Hardy Boys Mysteries can stimulate your child’s imagination for hours of fun. And just for good measure, here’s a Secret Codes, Mysteries, and Adventures download from Jump Into a Book!
J. Jump Into a Book: Jump into your favorite classic children’s books like Heidi or Treasure Island and share why those books were important to you as a child.
K. Kids and Patriotism: Here’s a great Booklist to help your family celebrate The 4th of July!
L. The Land Long Ago is a worthy adventure along with a side order of some tasty dragon bread.
M. Magazines: Don’t forget magazine! There many high quality magazine for kids available. Magazines are great for reluctant readers and even easy reading during family road trips. You can find a lengthy list of good kids magazines HERE.
N. Nature, Nature, Nature: There are soooo many amazing books for kids about nature! Here’s some of my top picks:
I Love Dirt:52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature
Let’s Go Outside: Outdoor Activities and Projects to Get You and Your Kids Closer to Nature
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder
Go Wild!: 101 Things to Do Outdoors Before You Grow UP.
O. Organize a book swap. Or create your own Little Free Library. Your friends, family, and neighbors can all round up their already-read books and trade with your family for some fresh new titles!
P. Poems, Poems, and more Poems!
R. Read Around the Continents: Visit places like South America and Africa through the pages of a book.
S. Step into Someone else’s Shoes: The Book Same Sun as Here is a story about an unlikely friendship between a boy from Kentucky and a girl from India who has recently immigrated to the United States. Through their letters and emails via a pen pal exchange, Meena and River realize they have more in common than not. Take the time to learn about other cultures and people, and walk a virtual mile in their shoes through the stories in a book.
T. Tangrams! Ever wondered how to tell a story in tangrams or how the legend of tangrams came to be? Here’s your chance.
U. Unicorn lovers unite: Sometimes the world CAN be “all butterflies and unicorns.” Looking for some “unicorn-themed” reading? Check out the The Great and Incredible Unicorn Book List Part I and II
V. Virtual Book Club for Kids! I can’t even imagine what the world would be like without Pinterest 
I found this wonderful Virtual Book Club for Kids profile on Pinterest. 20+ bloggers host a monthly Virtual Book Club for kids. Each month we choose a specific author to spotlight. We read the book with our kids, do book related crafts and activities, and then we share them on our blogs. An endless source of book lists and activities!
W. World Atlas by Barefoot Books: Embark on a mind-expanding journey across the planet. Your guide is earth enthusiast and TV presenter Nick Crane. Your map-maker is artist David Dean. Divided by geographical region, the Barefoot Books World Atlas looks at the way in which communities and cultures across the world have been shaped by their natural environment, and at the ideas and initiatives which are shaping the future. An atlas for the twenty-first century, it shows how all parts of the planet are interconnected and looks at the challenges which face us all in creating a sustainable future.
The Barefoot World Atlas app for iPad is now available HERE
X. eXplore: Take the time to eXplore a new town, city , or state and read about it’s history.
Y. Your Imagination: Are your kids writers or young authors? Encourage young mind to create their own stories and adventures. We found some excellent resource for your budding author HERE.
Z: Zombies! Zombies seem to be all the rage these days and there’s plenty of “kid-friendly” Zombie fun to be had. Check out books like Zombie Kids by Julia Dweck, Zombie Chasers, The Zombie Zone (A to Z Mysteries), How to Speak Zombie: A Guide for the Living and The Zombie Zone (A to Z Mysteries)
What book inspired fun are you working on this summer?
**some of these links are affiliate links.
The post The A-Z Summer Reading Tree: 26 Ways To Encourage Reading This Summer appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
June 18, 2013
If You Spent the Day with Thoreau At Walden Pond by Robert Buleigh
This book immediately brought back the memory of another day spent at Walden Pond with my son. The story is a simple look at one of America’s more simple men Henry David Thoreau.
In 1845 in Concord, Massachusetts, Henry David Thoreau built a cabin in the woods and lived there alone for two years while he examined the world around him.
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately.”
He spent his days walking the shores of Walden Pond. We visited this wonderful place and I can share with you that it was pouring rain the day we were there! As we walked round the pond, we could see people swimming the whole length of the pond. From what we have heard, some people do this every day as long as the water isn’t frozen.
Henry David Thoreau also grew beans and observed all the plants and wildlife around him. He recorded all of these findings in his notebooks.
This book tells the story of Henry David Thoreau through the eyes of a child. I know how special and magical this place is by experiencing it through the eyes of my child. What if you could spend the day with Henry David Thoreau ?
Through the pages of this book you now can. There is a special shimmering light at Walden Pond, both on the water and in the surrounding area. Artist Wendell Minor has perfectly captured it, so much so that I was transported back there immediately.
Somethings To Do
If you spent the day with Thoreau you’d wake up at sunrise and watch the sunrise. Take a sunrise walk and watch the world wake-up. What do you see? What can you hear ? What’s the temperature like ? Does it get warmer as the sun comes up ? How does the world wake up where you live ? You can leave a comment and the bottom of this post. I love to see how things are in other places around the world.
If you walked with Thoreau you would tend his beans in his bean patch. Plant some green beans of your own and watch them grow. If you’re reading this post in a non-growing season, take some Lima beans and place them in a wet towel in a glass jar and watch them sprout and come alive.
Take a walk in the woods together.
Listen to the birds. What are they saying ? How many different sort of birds can you hear ?
Pick huckleberries, blueberries, or black berries. Then make a yummy cobbler.
Lie on your back and watch the clouds. Thoreau called this “Dreaming Awake” time.
Lie on your stomach on the ground and watch the ants.
What sort of observing and “Thoreau-like” activities can you think of?
The post If You Spent the Day with Thoreau At Walden Pond by Robert Buleigh appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
June 15, 2013
Weekend Links: Wonkalicious!
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When we weave collaborative play into the fabric of our everyday life, we open the door to transform our relationships, our view points and perspectives on creating happiness, and the joy of innovating with our children.-Valarie Budayr
It’s been a busy, crazy, exciting, “Wonkalicious” week!
In case you missed our big announcement on Thursday………
iTunes at the iBookstore announced that our The Ultimate Guide to Charlie and The Chocolate Factory enhanced digital ebooks for kids is only 99 CENTS from June 13 through June 16th. A HUGE discount from the normal $7.99 price.
If you have been wanting to experience “Charlie” for your “i-devices” (iPad, iPhone, iPod) this is a great chance to give your kids hours of educational and interactive fun this summer.
This wonderful (limited time) sale prompted us to reflect back to all the great moms and bloggers who shared their “Charlie-inspired” crafts and activities with us. Here’s a few of our favorites:
Something to Offer’s Thaleia Maher and family had a ball making Charlie’s Chocolate Dipped Pretzels.
Melissa Taylor of Imagination Soup’s list of The Top 14 iPad Books for Kids. Thank you Melissa!
Our wonderful friend and supporter Amy Ambroult from Elemental Design and her family created some pretty amazing “Fizzy Lifting Drinks”
Kristen from CraftGossip.com and her kids opted for the fun Willy Wonka Luminary craft on her site. It turned out great too!
This wasn’t an activity, but we were so proud and excited when the DailyApp Show reviewed The Ultimate Guide to Charlie and the video that resulted in the review has been the perfect way to help readers who don’t quite “get” Charlie to understand just how special and unique and enhanced digital ebook can be!
CreateWithMom.com creating some very cute “Square Candles Looking Round” (and some fun3-D shapes) with Marshmellows and edible paint!
Have you gotten your copy of Charlie yet? Remember, The Ultimate Guide to Charlie is only 99 CENTS from June 13-June16th on iTunes iBookstore!
Go HERE to get your copy and enter the wildly fantastic world of Willy Wonka this summer!
For non -iPad/iPhone/iPod users, get the pdf version for $9.95 HERE.
Still not sure? I’m so convinced you’ll love this that I’m offering a money-back guarantee. If you’re not 100% satisfied, I’ll give you a full refund. Just email me.
**This book is not affiliated or associated with the author, publisher, or distributors of Roald Dahl’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
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June 13, 2013
Wonkalicious
From there the adventure began into one of our all time favorite books, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory“. Chapter by chapter we explored the world of Willy Wonka.
What We Encountered Along The Way
We won our own golden tickets by sheer wit.
We entered into the jungle to learn how chocolate and gum were made and even got to make some of our very own.
We met Oompa Loompas and even had a wardrobe exchange. We’ve never truly been right since then as they have very short legs.
We learned the true secrets of gobstoppers. We’d tell you but our mouths are full.
Willy Wonka’s factory is a masterwork of mazes. We had to utilize our skill at them to work our way through this enchanting chocolate factory, including but not limited to the ever famous scissor maze where we walked clean through a piece of paper. Of course we haven’t kept that info to ourselves but have happily shared it with all of you.
After all that we were truly thirsty and so very glad to discover that fizzy lifting drinks are real. Not only that but we came away with many new recipes for you to try as well as the science behind them so you can make up your very own fizzy concoctions. The best part is the burping of course.
Square candies looking round aren’t just for the Chocolate Factory but they can look round your very own home or classroom too.
One of our more hilarious encounters happened to be made in the Nut Room where a bunch of very ingenious squirrels taught us a very fun snatching game. We still play it all the time. No special occasion needed.
Do you think we spied Mike T.V. in the Television Chocolate Room ? No we did not, but we did shrink the shadow of Willy Wonka into a miniature size and made him into a night-light or decorative luminary.
The real excitement came when we got to go up and out of the Chocolate Factory in the glass elevator. We had to investigate how it was done. This led to an afternoon of tower and shaft building trying to figure out how such a thing can move up and down, sideways and forwards, and definitely we wanted to know how does one move diagonally ?
Alas it was now time to go, all that was needed was Willy Wonka’s top hat to make all of our memories complete. Though Willy Wonka wouldn’t give us his top hat, he did provide us with the instructions for our very own.
All of these adventures we’ve taken together and now you can too. Although The Ultimate Guide to Charlie is a beautifully illustrated interactive e-book, the entertainment comes from doing the crafts, recipes, and games once the book is shut. It’s good old fun ,21st century style. We loved creating a balance between the virtual world and the actual world. Magic comes from our inspirations and imagination. The Ultimate Guide to Charlie will lend itself to hours of fun again and again.
It’s been nearly one year since our “Charlie” hit the virtual shelves of the iTunes iBookstore and what a year it’s been! We have much to celebrate:
We’ve seen “Charlie” top the charts to #1 on the iTunes iBookstore no less than 7 times in the months of November/December.
We won the coveted QED award for innovative design.
We won a Bronze medal in the E-Lit Book Awards.
Along with our formatter and distributor KiteReaders, we are so very thankful and we want to share that gratitude with you. It’s all of you who have made The Ultimate Guide to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory so successful.
From June 13th through June 16th, The Ultimate Guide to Charlie is .99 on iTunes on the iBookstore!
Just in time for summer too! Charlie will keep your children busy for hours with exciting and educational FUN. Go HERE or click the iTunes logo to grab your copy of “Charlie” at this exceptionally low price. Hurry! The sale ends 6/16!
Something To Do:
I thought I’d get you started inside the wonderful pages of this interactive guide with our Chocolate River Covered Pretzels.
Ingredients
24 pretzel rods
12 oz. of semi-sweet chocolate chips
An assortment of your favorite sprinkles
1 tbsp. shortening
Cooking Utensils
waxed paper
Non-metal spatula or spoon
Double boiler, or a pot and a non-reactive heat-proof bowl.
Step 1: Tempering Chocolate
Set a long piece of waxed paper on your work surface. (if it slides too much, place a damp paper towel or dish towel beneath it.)
Place the chocolate chips and the shortening in a double boiler or in a non-reactive bowl set on top of a pot containing an inch or so of simmering water. It’s very important to make sure the double boiler insert or bowl does not touch the water. Stir the chips and shortening until completely melted and well blended.
Note: Some people may prefer to melt chocolate in a microwave but it is much more difficult to evenly control the heat. Remember, tempering is about heating chocolate very slowly. In a microwave, the chocolate may get too hot in spots and turn into a big clump of unmanageable goo. If you decide to use a microwave, stir the chocolate every 20 seconds or so to more evenly distribute the heat.
Step 2: Dipping the Pretzels
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. If you don’t have a cookie sheet, just place a sheet of waxed paper on your work surface.
Take a pretzel rod and hold it by one end.
Starting at the top of the chocolate River, roll the pretzel down toward the bottom. Repeat until the pretzel rod is well-coated.
Place the coated pretzel on the waxed paper to cool.
Continue with the remaining pretzel rods.
shake your favorite sprinkles all over them quickly before they dry or they won’t stick.
**This book is not affiliated or associated with the author, publisher, or distributors of Roald Dahl’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
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June 11, 2013
10 Ways to Make the World More Beautiful with Miss Rumphius
As part of the Natural Nester At-Home Nature Summer Camp eCurriculum we’re sharing the day with a very dear friend of mine Miss Rumphius. How many of you love Miss Rumphius ? I Do !!! I Do !!!
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney is a classic. I’ve read it to a variety of nieces and nephews throughout the years, and my own children grab it often. Miss Rumphius is an old friend that we go back to again and again.
Miss Rumphius is the life story of Miss Alice Rumphius (otherwise known as the Lupine Lady) as told by her young niece, Alice. When she was a young child, Miss Rumphius set two goals for herself; she would follow in her grandfather’s footsteps by traveling to faraway places and then settle down in a home by the sea. Alice’s grandfather tells her there is one more thing she must do.
She must do something to make the world more beautiful.
Alice agrees to honor her grandfather’s request, but does not yet know how she will do it. Alice grows up and accomplishes her goals of traveling the world and finding a home by the sea.
Still, Miss Rumphius wonders how she will make the world more beautiful.
Then one spring day, after having spent many months in bed with a bad back, Miss Rumphius discovers that the lupines she had planted in her garden had spread to a nearby hill. Miss Rumphius orders five bushels of lupine seed and begins to sow them wherever she goes that summer. By the next spring lupines are growing all over her seaside town and Miss Rumphius, now known as the Lupine Lady, has accomplished her grandfather’s request.
Now a very old woman, Miss Rumphius graciously entertains the neighborhood children with stories of faraway places. Her niece Alice says that she will follow in her aunt’s footsteps by traveling to faraway places and then settling down in a home by the sea. Aunt Alice tells her that there is one more thing she must do.
She must do something to make the world more beautiful. Young Alice agrees to honor her aunt’s request, but she does not know yet how she will do it.
This is a legacy story. Just as Alice was asked by her grandfather and then Alice asked her niece, “what will you do to make the world a more beautiful place?”
I’m now asking you. I asking, “What will you do to make the world a more beautiful place ? “ It’s completely alright if you don’t know what that is yet. The joy is in the discovery. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
10 Ways to Make the World More Beautiful
1. Smile
2. Eat and Buy Locally
3. Start a garden – Plant a Tree
4. Be Kind
5. Recycle – Repurpose – Reuse
6. Be a Good Neighbor
7. Ride Your Bike – Walk
8. Participate in a Community Clean-up
9. Give a Compliment
10. Conserve Water and Electricity
**what will you do to make the world more beautiful today?
Don’t forget!
The we teach Summertime June SUMMER LEARNING twitter event is TODAY (June 11) 8:30-9:30pm ET
Details and prize information HERE.
The post 10 Ways to Make the World More Beautiful with Miss Rumphius appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
10 Ways to Make the World a More Beautiful with Miss Rumphius
As part of the Natural Nester At-Home Nature Summer Camp eCurriculum we’re sharing the day with a very dear friend of mine Miss Rumphius. How many of you love Miss Rumphius ? I Do !!! I Do !!!
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney is a classic. I’ve read it to a variety of nieces and nephews throughout the years, and my own children grab it often. Miss Rumphius is an old friend that we go back to again and again.
Miss Rumphius is the life story of Miss Alice Rumphius (otherwise known as the Lupine Lady) as told by her young niece, Alice. When she was a young child, Miss Rumphius set two goals for herself; she would follow in her grandfather’s footsteps by traveling to faraway places and then settle down in a home by the sea. Alice’s grandfather tells her there is one more thing she must do.
She must do something to make the world more beautiful.
Alice agrees to honor her grandfather’s request, but does not yet know how she will do it. Alice grows up and accomplishes her goals of traveling the world and finding a home by the sea.
Still, Miss Rumphius wonders how she will make the world more beautiful.
Then one spring day, after having spent many months in bed with a bad back, Miss Rumphius discovers that the lupines she had planted in her garden had spread to a nearby hill. Miss Rumphius orders five bushels of lupine seed and begins to sow them wherever she goes that summer. By the next spring lupines are growing all over her seaside town and Miss Rumphius, now known as the Lupine Lady, has accomplished her grandfather’s request.
Now a very old woman, Miss Rumphius graciously entertains the neighborhood children with stories of faraway places. Her niece Alice says that she will follow in her aunt’s footsteps by traveling to faraway places and then settling down in a home by the sea. Aunt Alice tells her that there is one more thing she must do.
She must do something to make the world more beautiful. Young Alice agrees to honor her aunt’s request, but she does not know yet how she will do it.
This is a legacy story. Just as Alice was asked by her grandfather and then Alice asked her niece, “what will you do to make the world a more beautiful place?”
I’m now asking you. I asking, “What will you do to make the world a more beautiful place ? “ It’s completely alright if you don’t know what that is yet. The joy is in the discovery. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
10 Ways to Make the World More Beautiful
1. Smile
2. Eat and Buy Locally
3. Start a garden – Plant a Tree
4. Be Kind
5. Recycle – Repurpose – Reuse
6. Be a Good Neighbor
7. Ride Your Bike – Walk
8. Participate in a Community Clean-up
9. Give a Compliment
10. Conserve Water and Electricity
**what will you do to make the world more beautiful today?
Don’t forget!
The we teach Summertime June SUMMER LEARNING twitter event is TODAY (June 11) 8:30-9:30pm ET
Details and prize information HERE.
The post 10 Ways to Make the World a More Beautiful with Miss Rumphius appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
June 7, 2013
FREE We Teach Summertime Learning eBook:Fun Learning Ideas for Summer!
Summer has just begun and we are finding more and more wonderful resources and options for summer fun and learning for families.
We are proud and excited to be one of the sponsors of our latest discovery in summer fun, and that fun is from Amy Mascott of TeachMama. Amy is celebrating the release of the we teach summertime learning eBook, full of tons of fun and fabulous free learning ideas to take you through the summer.
Not only will you find answers and ideas to summer learning questions, you’ll also have a chance to win a Highlights gift pack! More details HERE.
Summer Learning eBook–30+ Free, Fun Learning Ideas for Summer includes:
Over 30 ideas for summer learning from talented we teach members
Craft ideas
Cooking ideas
Literacy ideas
Math ideas
Science ideas
Focused play ideas
Indoor and outdoor options
Considerations for taking learning a step further
This ebook is filled with easy, cool crafts for rainy day like dried flower stamping letter and word play, pretzel making, and more! Outdoor fun includes discovering nature at the park, creating an A to Z summer, and playing sudoku on your driveway.
The great news? The eBook is totally and completely free for all members of we teach, and anyone can join the forum.
We Teach will also be pinning ideas and recognizing their awesome eBook sponsors on the we teach pinterest boards, and it will be packed with cool ideas.
Join the We Teach Team for a twitter event on June 11, 2013 to kick off the publication of the eBook and to chat about summer learning. Here are the details: summer learning twitter event.
Get ready for a summer of learning and FUN!
The post FREE We Teach Summertime Learning eBook:Fun Learning Ideas for Summer! appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
June 4, 2013
It’s Mine by Leo Lionni
It’s Frog Week at the Natural Nester Summer Camp. I was recently hiking in the mountains and spied a very small tree frog. He was so cute and it made me think of the book It’s Mine by Leo Lionni.
“ On the island lived three quarrelsome frogs named Milton, Rupert, and Lydia. They quarreled and quibbled from dawn to dusk.”
This colorful and clever book tells the story of three selfish frogs who bicker all day long.” It’s Mine ! It’s Mine ! It’s MINE !” they yelled.
A bad storm and a big brown toad help them realize that sharing is way much more fun.
The story has a strong and simple message which is seamlessly told through text and colorful collages.
Get your copy of “It’s Mine!” HERE.
Somethings To Do:
Are you ready to have a little frog fun. These activities will have you frog hoppy… I mean happy in no time.
Origami Frogs
This craft will have everyone happily hopping along. For instructions have a look here.
Here’s a folding sheet from KiddyHouse which really helps a lot with this activity.
The Frog Masks
These little mask are so so very adorable from My little 3 …..and Me. This creative mom recently jumped into this Leo Lionni book as part of her Virtual Kids Book club selection. They are just the cutest things ever. Head on over to her site for the downloadable template and to learn a little more about a frog’s world and life.
Don’t forget that it’s summer and summer camp is ready to be downloaded. You can start anytime you want to, on any week you want to. I’m honored to be a camp counselor for the Natural Nester’s At Home Summer Nature Camp eCurriculum. It’s been so much fun and there’s just tons of the most creative things to do with your family.
Happy Reading and Happy Summer !!!!
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June 2, 2013
Weekend Links: More Fun Nature-based Activities
As the bees start to buzz and the birds start hopping about, I’ve noticed a whole slew of delightful bloggers sharing wonderful nature-based activities. Just in time for summer vacation too. Here’s some of my favorites:
This Miniature Fairy Herb Garden from Sun Hats & Wellie Boots absolutely stole my heart. Looking for a creative planting activity for preschoolers? How about creating your own mini fairy herb garden! These are actually great for any age, & a neat way to encourage an interest in plants & caring for living things, as well as exploring creativity & design.
The month of May is over, but this MayPole Dancing from Home to Run a Home Daycare could be great for any month! How cute and creative is THIS?
Play*Create*explore had a delightful and timely idea with their Dinosaur Garden activity.
And The Craft Train reminds us that sometimes just a simple walk in the woods with kids is fun, relaxing, and educational.
Speaking of nature…. A Natural Nester has created this amazing At Home Summer Camp eCirriculum and this on-line eCurriculum is your guide to a fun, affordable summer spent exploring your own backyard! By now your kids should be done with school and the “I’m bored!” blue will be setting in.
This 8-week eCurriculum is packed with ideas and inspiration to keep kids engaged and happy all summer long. It offers 8 kid-approved themes with outdoor activities, indoor projects, arts & crafts, recipes, field trip ideas, book & media suggestions, and more. Jump Into a Book is proud to be a “camp counselor” for this event and during the 8 weeks we will be hosting exciting book jumps and activities right here on JIAB.
Jump Into a Book is proud to be a part of the hugely anticipated Natural Nester Home Summer Camp e-Curriculum For 8 weeks we will be a part of this huge event created and hosted by Liz from A Natural Nester.
The e-curriculum available for download on NOW and is a full-color PDF that can be read on a computer screen, tablet, or printed out. Designed for children ages 5-11, it is fun and easily-adaptable for all ages! Register and save your spot at “Summer Camp” ASAP!
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May 30, 2013
The ABC’s Of Book Jumping
What is a Book Jumper?
It’s more than just an “activity.” Book-jumping is a way of life. It’s where we look at the story from the same perspective as the characters. Instead of the book “being magical”, we actually become the magic. -Valarie Budayr
It’s the process of taking the solitary act of reading a book and transforming it into an event to be shared with others. It’s the act of pulling books off shelves and stories off pages. It’s the act of making kids books come ALIVE and living inside the pages. It’s creating places of magic and wonder, without ever leaving the house.
A-Adventure and exploration via the pages of a book.
B-Bringing about a movement where reading is no longer a solitary act, but one meant to be shared in a group atmosphere.
C-Creating crafts and projects to help bring stories to life.
D. Developing young minds and imaginations through the power of literacy.
E. Embracing the power of books and sharing that passion with others.
F. Finding pathways and walkways that lead to the wonderful world of reading.
G. Generational: Not just for kids, but also for moms, dads, grandmas, grandpa’s, aunts, and uncles.
H. Having fun and learning at the same time.
I. Inspiring a generation of Slow Readers.
J. Jump into a book!
K. Keeping the act of Family Reading a cherished and much-anticipated event.
L. Learning to unplug from the virtual world, and instead experience a world within the pages of a book instead.
M. Making supply lists before starting a new chapter.
N. Not just reading about the magic within the pages of a book, it’s becoming the magic.
O. Offering a platform to connect with children through reading.
P. Pulling books off shelves and stories off pages.
Q. Quiet reading time is the new “family time.”
R. Reaching into the pages of a story and bringing characters to life.
S. Stretching the act of Jumping Into a Book over the course of several days instead of one evening
T. Tugging at heart-strings and influencing young lives.
U. United families reading a single story together.
V. Varying themes and genres to expose kids to all aspects of literacy
W. Wandering through amazing worlds and strange lands without ever leaving the house.
X. Setting eXamples for young readers, communities, and schools.
Y. Young minds blooming and growing.
Z. EnthuZiasm!!
You Know You Are A Book Jumper When
Instead of using words like “read” or “enjoy”, you use “enter.” As in; “enter one of the most beloved children’s tales of all time.”
Reading a book is a group activity, not a solitary event.
You need to fill a “supply list” before you begin a new chapter.
Are you a Book Jumper?
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