Lora Langston's Blog, page 56
May 2, 2013
Featured U.K. Preschool and Craft Blogger: Jo from Le Baby Bakery with Dino Activity
Today's featured blog is Le Baby Bakery. Jo is a U.K. preschool and craft blogger who blogs about life and crafts with two boisterous boys. She also makes baby and toddler clothes and accessories which she sells through her Facebook page.
The clothes are adorable! If you're in the U.K., hop over and take a look. Handmade kid's clothes make great birthday gifts! I love this coordinated outfit for a newborn baby boy.
Handmade Reversible Baby Clothing by Jo @ Le Baby Bakery.
I met Jo through Pin it! Preschool Scavenger Hunt on Pinterest. She recently won with the most repins. Jo does lots of preschool activities with her boys.
I love this activity. She printed a Letter "D" dino worksheet, and then attached magnets to colorful pom-poms, placed the sheet on a metal tray, and let the fun begin.
Letter "D" dinosaur theme lesson with magnetic pom-poms and tray from Le Baby Bakery.
Check out more fun ideas for preschoolers at Le Baby Bakery.
Here are some companion books to read with your project.
My First Dino Activity Book for 4-8 yrs.
Dino Science for Preschool Book.
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The clothes are adorable! If you're in the U.K., hop over and take a look. Handmade kid's clothes make great birthday gifts! I love this coordinated outfit for a newborn baby boy.
Handmade Reversible Baby Clothing by Jo @ Le Baby Bakery.
I met Jo through Pin it! Preschool Scavenger Hunt on Pinterest. She recently won with the most repins. Jo does lots of preschool activities with her boys.
I love this activity. She printed a Letter "D" dino worksheet, and then attached magnets to colorful pom-poms, placed the sheet on a metal tray, and let the fun begin.
Letter "D" dinosaur theme lesson with magnetic pom-poms and tray from Le Baby Bakery.
Check out more fun ideas for preschoolers at Le Baby Bakery.
Here are some companion books to read with your project.
My First Dino Activity Book for 4-8 yrs.
Dino Science for Preschool Book.
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April 30, 2013
Trace Cute Animals to Learn to Draw or use as Free Printable Coloring Sheet
Hey Kids, want to learn how to draw cute animals? Print these
free printable sheets
to color or trace. Copying is the quickest way to learn to draw. Here's a simple bear, raccoon, and cheeky monkey traceable.
Traceable Animals to learn to draw or color. Click here for FREE PRINTABLE TRACEABLES.
We've got tons of coloring pages and free clipart printables. Hop over to our Mediafire host site more.
Sign up for our free newsletter for access to more printables.
Learn how to draw a monkey by tracing. Click here for FREE PRINTABLE MONKEY.
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Traceable Animals to learn to draw or color. Click here for FREE PRINTABLE TRACEABLES.
We've got tons of coloring pages and free clipart printables. Hop over to our Mediafire host site more.
Sign up for our free newsletter for access to more printables.
Learn how to draw a monkey by tracing. Click here for FREE PRINTABLE MONKEY.
Sign up for our free newsletter!
April 29, 2013
Why I Choose to Homeschool: Homeschooling with Online Classes through Connections Academy (INCA)
Have you been considering homeschooling? Have you considered free online public school? It's completely free and totally easy! We struggled with the decision whether or not to homeschool. Then, I saw a commercial on t.v. for Connections Academy.
With Online Homeschool, there is plenty of time for field trips and extracurricular learning.
We visited an orchard and picked beautiful blue plums off the tree.
Why did I choose to homeschool? There are so many things about public brick and mortar school I detest and dread. I hated the mean-spirited shaming I witnessed from one avid church-goer when my son mentioned he didn't really go/like to go church. It's true, he went sometimes, but I left him home with Daddy a lot. (Daddy retired from church) This strikes me as ironic, because stereotypically many people believe "church people" or "religious extremists" homeschool.
I go to church when the whim strikes me. I'm a bleeding heart, stuck somewhere between hippies and devout Christians. I guess, the remark hurt my feelings too.
I hated the complaints from my daughter of how much she hated recess. "There is nothing to do, no one to play with, and the teachers won't let me sit on the blacktop" Ah... memories. In early elementary, I walked around the edge of the blacktop waiting for the teacher to blow the whistle.
I hated picking my son up nearly every other day after lunch, because he had something with milk or dairy in it. I had a note from the doctor, but apparently, state law requires milk must be placed on EVERY child's tray! I sent in alternative beverages, but "Mommy, I just took a little sip of chocolate milk!"
He'd have an asthmatic reaction, go to the nurse for his inhaler, and then... And then... poor nurse. Let's just say, it came out both ends.
Number one, the school bus! I hated leaving the safety of my kids to another person- someone I didn't know, no seatbelts on the bus, bullies on the bus, other dangerous drivers, etc. Just pulling into our neighborhood was a deathtrap. Waiting for the bus with the middle schoolers out too was traumatic for Mommy. Well, it didn't seem right to me; my kids were just newly 5 when they started school.
They begged to ride the bus. I let my son ride a few times. The neighbor child had some problems. He was sort of a bully, but he was also bullied by the older kids. The nice, old man bus driver had him sit up front with my little one. My son came home with lots of amazing new life lessons.
Then, the kid started causing trouble. The bus driver would pull over and wait it out. So, the bus was often late. No thank you, we started driving the kids to school permanently once my daughter hit all-day kindergarten. She's a handful. I can't imagine she'd stay in her seat without a seatbelt. I didn't think the sweet, old man needed the added stress.
I'd pick the kids up from school, have an after-school snack, try to squeeze in a little outdoor playtime, then it was time to make supper, get baths, do homework, and go to bed. Impossible.
I hated the homework! We'd be up late finishing projects for first and second grade!
My son is gifted. We looked forward to a special program at the school, but it didn't start until third grade. In the meantime, he was placed in a class with high ability learners. Even so, the teacher felt there were problems. He understood concepts in ways other second graders couldn't which led to arguments and frustrations. Since, we were planning to move, the teacher wondered if online school might work for him. This way, he could work at his own pace. I wasn't sold on the idea until...
The second lockdown at school. That's right, second. I shrugged off the first one. The second one was for the same reason, a bank robber near the school grounds and shots fired. I tried to get in the car line to pick up the kids, but the road was blocked by police cars. I called a friend, Angie, she arrived a few minutes prior to me. She was told to get out of her car and head to them gym for safety.
Yep, I was a mess.
BUT... I can't homeschool. I don't have the patience. I'm not disciplined enough. My kids need socialization. I don't want other people to think we're freaks.
WHATEVER.
It's just not like that anymore. I CAN (of course I can). We actually have LESS busy bookwork than regular school. The kids have online live lessons with their teachers and classmates. The teachers check in regularly with emails and phone calls. As a learning coach, I'm a big part of my kids academic experience, but I'm not the teacher.
Indiana Connections Academy, Free School Online!
We homeschool through INCA or Indiana Connections Academy. The supplies are completely free! This includes all textbooks, science supplies, art supplies, and companion DVD's & CDRom's for classes.
We take required state standardized tests with our class in an university classroom. There are school sponsored field trips and local group gatherings. We meet up with a local group of homeschoolers outside of INCA for recreation or SOCIALIZATION.
Yep, next to giving birth... homeschooling is the best idea I've ever had. I have more time to spend with my kids, hone my novel writing skills, and work as a freelancer.
In case you're wondering, my kids were offered the opportunity to attend regular school next year. They both declined with a resounding, "No way!"
Sign up for our free newsletter!
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With Online Homeschool, there is plenty of time for field trips and extracurricular learning.
We visited an orchard and picked beautiful blue plums off the tree.
Why did I choose to homeschool? There are so many things about public brick and mortar school I detest and dread. I hated the mean-spirited shaming I witnessed from one avid church-goer when my son mentioned he didn't really go/like to go church. It's true, he went sometimes, but I left him home with Daddy a lot. (Daddy retired from church) This strikes me as ironic, because stereotypically many people believe "church people" or "religious extremists" homeschool.
I go to church when the whim strikes me. I'm a bleeding heart, stuck somewhere between hippies and devout Christians. I guess, the remark hurt my feelings too.
I hated the complaints from my daughter of how much she hated recess. "There is nothing to do, no one to play with, and the teachers won't let me sit on the blacktop" Ah... memories. In early elementary, I walked around the edge of the blacktop waiting for the teacher to blow the whistle.
I hated picking my son up nearly every other day after lunch, because he had something with milk or dairy in it. I had a note from the doctor, but apparently, state law requires milk must be placed on EVERY child's tray! I sent in alternative beverages, but "Mommy, I just took a little sip of chocolate milk!"
He'd have an asthmatic reaction, go to the nurse for his inhaler, and then... And then... poor nurse. Let's just say, it came out both ends.
Number one, the school bus! I hated leaving the safety of my kids to another person- someone I didn't know, no seatbelts on the bus, bullies on the bus, other dangerous drivers, etc. Just pulling into our neighborhood was a deathtrap. Waiting for the bus with the middle schoolers out too was traumatic for Mommy. Well, it didn't seem right to me; my kids were just newly 5 when they started school.
They begged to ride the bus. I let my son ride a few times. The neighbor child had some problems. He was sort of a bully, but he was also bullied by the older kids. The nice, old man bus driver had him sit up front with my little one. My son came home with lots of amazing new life lessons.
Then, the kid started causing trouble. The bus driver would pull over and wait it out. So, the bus was often late. No thank you, we started driving the kids to school permanently once my daughter hit all-day kindergarten. She's a handful. I can't imagine she'd stay in her seat without a seatbelt. I didn't think the sweet, old man needed the added stress.
I'd pick the kids up from school, have an after-school snack, try to squeeze in a little outdoor playtime, then it was time to make supper, get baths, do homework, and go to bed. Impossible.
I hated the homework! We'd be up late finishing projects for first and second grade!
My son is gifted. We looked forward to a special program at the school, but it didn't start until third grade. In the meantime, he was placed in a class with high ability learners. Even so, the teacher felt there were problems. He understood concepts in ways other second graders couldn't which led to arguments and frustrations. Since, we were planning to move, the teacher wondered if online school might work for him. This way, he could work at his own pace. I wasn't sold on the idea until...
The second lockdown at school. That's right, second. I shrugged off the first one. The second one was for the same reason, a bank robber near the school grounds and shots fired. I tried to get in the car line to pick up the kids, but the road was blocked by police cars. I called a friend, Angie, she arrived a few minutes prior to me. She was told to get out of her car and head to them gym for safety.
Yep, I was a mess.
BUT... I can't homeschool. I don't have the patience. I'm not disciplined enough. My kids need socialization. I don't want other people to think we're freaks.
WHATEVER.
It's just not like that anymore. I CAN (of course I can). We actually have LESS busy bookwork than regular school. The kids have online live lessons with their teachers and classmates. The teachers check in regularly with emails and phone calls. As a learning coach, I'm a big part of my kids academic experience, but I'm not the teacher.
Indiana Connections Academy, Free School Online!
We homeschool through INCA or Indiana Connections Academy. The supplies are completely free! This includes all textbooks, science supplies, art supplies, and companion DVD's & CDRom's for classes.
We take required state standardized tests with our class in an university classroom. There are school sponsored field trips and local group gatherings. We meet up with a local group of homeschoolers outside of INCA for recreation or SOCIALIZATION.
Yep, next to giving birth... homeschooling is the best idea I've ever had. I have more time to spend with my kids, hone my novel writing skills, and work as a freelancer.
In case you're wondering, my kids were offered the opportunity to attend regular school next year. They both declined with a resounding, "No way!"
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April 26, 2013
Free Facebook Header Spring Images and a Dandelion Make a Wish Poster for your Wall ~ Happy Spring!
We love inspirational posters, don't you? Remember when you were a little kid and somebody you admired taught you about Dandelion parachutes? Maybe you called them pinwheels? Either way, wasn't it the coolest thing ever? Blow the seeds while you watch them fly away, make a wish, and wait for it to come true. Here's some FREE bling for your Facebook Header and cool wall posts to boot.
Dandelions - weed or a flower? It depends on your point of view!
Be happy, be positive, and make wishes come true.
You can print these pictures or post them to your Facebook wall. Speaking of Facebook, I made some seasonal Spring headers for your timeline wall. These are already sized to fit, just save them to your computer and you're all set.
Make a wish...
Dandelion Header for Facebook Page Timeline Wall. This works with Google+ too.
Free Spring wildflower header Google+ or Facebook.
First sign of Spring tree leaves and sky Image for header.
Creek photo image picture in Spring for header sized to fit Facebook. Right click and save to computer.
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Dandelions - weed or a flower? It depends on your point of view!
Be happy, be positive, and make wishes come true.
You can print these pictures or post them to your Facebook wall. Speaking of Facebook, I made some seasonal Spring headers for your timeline wall. These are already sized to fit, just save them to your computer and you're all set.
Make a wish...
Dandelion Header for Facebook Page Timeline Wall. This works with Google+ too.
Free Spring wildflower header Google+ or Facebook.
First sign of Spring tree leaves and sky Image for header.
Creek photo image picture in Spring for header sized to fit Facebook. Right click and save to computer.
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April 20, 2013
Loaf of Bread Coloring Page or The Letter "B"
Yummy and B-eautiful = Bread. Here's a fun Letter "B" Coloring page or use the other cartoon picture as clipart.
"B" is for bread is a fun way to help preschoolers learn the alphabet. We've got other letters too! Click on the printable coloring pages for kids tabs above for more fun educational coloring sheets.
Loaf of Bread Coloring Sheet for the letter "B".
Bread Science Experiment
Baking Bread Clipart or Coloring Page.
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"B" is for bread is a fun way to help preschoolers learn the alphabet. We've got other letters too! Click on the printable coloring pages for kids tabs above for more fun educational coloring sheets.
Loaf of Bread Coloring Sheet for the letter "B".
Bread Science Experiment
Baking Bread Clipart or Coloring Page.
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April 19, 2013
Homeschool Science Project: Bread Making Investigation - How Does Matter Change?
Looking for Science Curriculum ideas for elementary homeschooling? Have you ever investigated the MATTER of bread? In this homeschool science project you are required to experiment with bread making ingredients to study how matter can change.
After the experiment, make a loaf of bread and watch how yeast makes chemical changes. Find an Easy Artisan Bread Recipe on the internet like the one in this linky. We've included a link to our free printable worksheet: investigating the matter of bread. Instructions for the project are included in the worksheet.
Homeschool experiment with bread ingredients.
Print out worksheets from the link below.
Homeschool Science Worksheet:
Investigating the Matter of Bread
Free Bread Clip Art
What happens when you experiment with bread ingredients?
Get your safety glasses ready and find out.
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After the experiment, make a loaf of bread and watch how yeast makes chemical changes. Find an Easy Artisan Bread Recipe on the internet like the one in this linky. We've included a link to our free printable worksheet: investigating the matter of bread. Instructions for the project are included in the worksheet.
Homeschool experiment with bread ingredients.
Print out worksheets from the link below.
Homeschool Science Worksheet:
Investigating the Matter of Bread
Free Bread Clip Art
What happens when you experiment with bread ingredients?
Get your safety glasses ready and find out.
Sign up for our free newsletter!
April 17, 2013
April Showers? Color an Umbrella Craft for Kids
April showers! Finally, after all the April snows, Mayhem was able to color her Yumbrella umbrella from Alex Toys. It took spring forever to... er sprung- and patient she ain't. Anywho...
Coloring an umbrella with permanent markers.
This cute umbrella craft comes with permanent markers. We used some of our own Sharpies too. She colored one triangle, got tired, and took a break for a week. Now she can color whenever she gets bored. The craft that keeps on giving!
You know, she'll be modeling this with her latest rubber galoshes. What am I saying? It's Mayhem, she'll probably wear ballet flats when she goes skipping in the rain.
Mayhem colors a lollipop on her Yumbrella.
The Umbrella is decorated with cute, yummy sweets.
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Coloring an umbrella with permanent markers.
This cute umbrella craft comes with permanent markers. We used some of our own Sharpies too. She colored one triangle, got tired, and took a break for a week. Now she can color whenever she gets bored. The craft that keeps on giving!
You know, she'll be modeling this with her latest rubber galoshes. What am I saying? It's Mayhem, she'll probably wear ballet flats when she goes skipping in the rain.
Mayhem colors a lollipop on her Yumbrella.
The Umbrella is decorated with cute, yummy sweets.
Sign up for our free newsletter!
April 16, 2013
Purple Tutu, Pink Leggings, and Combat Boots: She's back! What's She's Wearing Wednesday
Who doesn't love a good purple, Target tutu with a pair of combat boots? Pink leggings and a fancy shirt (worn backward) tie it together. This pairing was planned to help the Daddy build the chicken coop/duck pen. "Cause, it's cold and I need pants and boots."
These don't look very heavy. I can help build a chicken coop and duck pen. I've got my boots!
(Okay, Jake's boots.)
Later, she added a pair of grippy work gloves. No diva can be without fancy work clothes, right? There's nothing quite like Mayhem fashion. We need to start our own kid's clothing line, don't you think? Maybe, she'll make the pages of J. Crew someday?
Oh! That's heavier than I thought.
"Mommy, Grandma doesn't know that I'm not a girly girl who likes to wear fancy clothes and keep clean." -Mayhem
I can do this!
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These don't look very heavy. I can help build a chicken coop and duck pen. I've got my boots!
(Okay, Jake's boots.)
Later, she added a pair of grippy work gloves. No diva can be without fancy work clothes, right? There's nothing quite like Mayhem fashion. We need to start our own kid's clothing line, don't you think? Maybe, she'll make the pages of J. Crew someday?
Oh! That's heavier than I thought.
"Mommy, Grandma doesn't know that I'm not a girly girl who likes to wear fancy clothes and keep clean." -Mayhem
I can do this!
Sign up for our free newsletter!
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Preschool and Sayings for Facebook? Follow Kids Creative Chaos :)
We're trying to grow our Internet following. We are growing like weeds on Pinterest, but our Facebook page needs some love. We share lots of fun preschool ideas, activities, and quotes to share on your Facebook wall. Click on the Quotes tab above for images and sayings to share.
Follow Kids Creative Chaos on Facebook.
Please, hop over and join the conversations. I love to see your ideas. Feel free to share links to your blog posts on our wall too.
This reminds me of a sorority song, "Follow Us". We sang it during rush at Ball State University. Hmm... Did you ever sing that song or a similar version in church? It was taken from a John Denver song, "Follow Me".
It goes something like this:
Follow us where we go, what we say and what we do. (Yikes... that's creepy- never noticed.)
Make it part of you to be a Sigma Tri.
Follow us up and down all the way and all around.
Take our hands and say you'll follow too.
Oh my gosh, just found this Tri Sigma rap song on You Tube. My, how things have changed.
Back to the point- You can follow Kids Creative Chaos , on Facebook, Pinterest (Pin it! Online Preschool Scavenger Hunt), Twitter (@playconnection), and You Tube.
Make it part of your busy day too.
Follow us over here, over there, and everywhere.
Take our lead and be a follower too.
You know it's long been on my mind.
That's why I asked you to follow me today.
To try to find a way that you can help share what I say. :)
Thanks for following. We love our friends and followers. Feel free to start a conversation in the comment section following our posts.
Sign up for our free newsletter!
Sign up for our free newsletter!
Follow Kids Creative Chaos on Facebook.
Please, hop over and join the conversations. I love to see your ideas. Feel free to share links to your blog posts on our wall too.
This reminds me of a sorority song, "Follow Us". We sang it during rush at Ball State University. Hmm... Did you ever sing that song or a similar version in church? It was taken from a John Denver song, "Follow Me".
It goes something like this:
Follow us where we go, what we say and what we do. (Yikes... that's creepy- never noticed.)
Make it part of you to be a Sigma Tri.
Follow us up and down all the way and all around.
Take our hands and say you'll follow too.
Oh my gosh, just found this Tri Sigma rap song on You Tube. My, how things have changed.
Back to the point- You can follow Kids Creative Chaos , on Facebook, Pinterest (Pin it! Online Preschool Scavenger Hunt), Twitter (@playconnection), and You Tube.
Make it part of your busy day too.
Follow us over here, over there, and everywhere.
Take our lead and be a follower too.
You know it's long been on my mind.
That's why I asked you to follow me today.
To try to find a way that you can help share what I say. :)
Thanks for following. We love our friends and followers. Feel free to start a conversation in the comment section following our posts.
Sign up for our free newsletter!
Sign up for our free newsletter!
April 14, 2013
Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and Captain Hook Coloring Pages for Kids
That silly Tinker Bell always so stubborn and jealous. It's a wonder Peter Pan stays her friend. I guess she's got too many endearing qualities. Who is the most famous pirate ever? No, not Jack Sparrow. It's Captain Hook, of course!
We've got coloring pages and activity sheets from the Movie. Click on the images for a free printable pdf version. If you aren't feeling it, just right click the image and save to your computer to print later. It won't be a perfect 8 x 11, but it will do!
Peter Pan Coloring and Activity Sheets.
Looking for more free printables?
Tinkerbell coloring pages.
Maybe some fun clip art or homeschool lesson worksheets
Peter Pan's Captain Hook Free Printable Activity Sheet.
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We've got coloring pages and activity sheets from the Movie. Click on the images for a free printable pdf version. If you aren't feeling it, just right click the image and save to your computer to print later. It won't be a perfect 8 x 11, but it will do!
Peter Pan Coloring and Activity Sheets.
Looking for more free printables?
Tinkerbell coloring pages.
Maybe some fun clip art or homeschool lesson worksheets
Peter Pan's Captain Hook Free Printable Activity Sheet.
Sign up for our free newsletter
Sign up for our free newsletter!
