Lora Langston's Blog, page 61

First Grade Math Activity Games using Tens and Ones

First grade game for math activity center involving tens and ones counting. Make this game at home and print our free printable chart to play.












Printable Hundreds Chart.





















Help your early elementary or preschooler learn about tens and ones or counting by 5's with this simple game.





You will need  12 mini cups, 2 dice, and macaroni. We used Phineas and Ferb Macaroni.



Mark six of your cups with the number 10 and six with the number 1.



Take turns rolling the dice and building numbers. Child chooses which number to build. For example, the roll shown above can be played as 46 or 64.



Place the dice in the squares on the free printable playing chart. Use the Hundreds chart to help count to 64. 



Then, build the numbers in the cups. For sixty four, place 10 pieces of macaroni in six cups (60) and one macaroni in four number one cups (4).



Once cups are filled, count to find out how many tens and ones. 64 = 6 Tens, Four ones. Mark this on your playing chart . Under the appropriate heading.



For further understanding, use the free printable hundreds chart to check your work. If macaroni adds up to the number rolled score 5 points. First one to 20 points wins.




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How to make a Kitchen Stove for Kids Pretend Play from a Cardboard Box

Is there anything better than cardboard for creative play? A box is the best toy ever so we made a cardboard kitchen stove for kids pretend play. Here's a 'how to make' picture tutorial. 


Cardboard Pretend Stove with all the Recycled and Upcycled bells and whistles, ahem, knobs and handles.


















DAY ONE

First, measure a width of wax paper and trace onto cardboard front of your box. Nevermind, if a flap is in the way, we'll fix it later. Now cut out the window (for your oven door) and reinforce the flaps with duct tape. Tape the wax paper on the inside. You can also use plexiglass and duct tape. Get a cardboard paper towel tube and attach to top of oven door. This will become your handle. 




The difficult part is attaching the interior shelf. Get a glue gun and attach strips of cardboard to each side to serve as the ledge the shelf sits on. Make them 2-3 pieces of wide, glue together, and attach face side to the right and left walls of oven. Cut shelf to fit. I used flaps from another box. Now it will slide in and sit atop your pieces of cardboard. I also added "legs" for extra play durability. (The cat likes to climb in and sleep on our shelf!)




Now tape up the bottom and back side flaps of the box. Leave the top box flap up to serve a the area for a clock and knobs. See the photo above, I also added a flap from another box to hold this flap upright, otherwise it likes to fall closed. You are tired and worn out from all of the cutting, taping, and thinking. Sleep on it and save the rest for day two.




DAY TWO

See picture below. Now, trace the fast food cup holders on the top of your box. You may have room for four burners. Cut the hole about 1/2" smaller than the tracing. I used duct tape to attach the burners, but I encourage you to use hot glue and reinforce with tape... BUT NOT YET.




First, cover the sides and the door with some leftover wrapping paper. I used a glue stick on the box and secured the edges with tape. Then, cover your cardboard tube with foil. Cover your stove top with foil. Yes, the whole top. Poke a hole in the center of each opening and cut a small "x". You will have a slit opening with triangles. Fold the triangles in and tape on the underside to the "stove top". Now you can attach your fast food "burners". Tip: I cut the foil about 3" more than what I needed to cover the top of the stove and neatly folded it down forming a chrome edge. 




Go take a break; it will look better after you've had some time away from it.




When you return, attach your knobs (soda and milk lids glued together) and your clock front (Numbers printed off from a Word Document). Let these dry for at least 15 minutes. Remind the kids not to really turn the knobs these are the push to start variety :) We lost one on the first play!




Now, call the kids! It's time for a session of creative play. We save the little french fry containers, small cereal boxes, and juice containers to pretend.




And... the Mommy you are awesome hugs and rewards are worth the frustration :)








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What She's Wearing (Kid Creations) Homemade Ninja Spy Costume?

What She's Wearing is dirty clothes off the floor (scroll to see the horror), her own homemade Ninja Spy Costume with snow boots, a little brown marker on her hands and face, and a dangling spy badge of some sort. Again, I'm just a victim. I was minding my own business trying to go to sleep when this spy girl popped into my room. "I'm gonna throw Ninja stars at Jake." Ninja Stars? "Yep, see this glow-in-the-dark star that fell off his ceiling? It's perfect. Shh... I have to sneak up on him." Okay, goodnight.





Ninja mask, somehow very disturbing.



Ninja pose.



Hey, but look at those mad fine motor skills. She cut those eye holes out all by herself! She also sized the mask to fit her head without help from anyone else. Fashion model? Print model? Fashion Designer? Ooh, I'd love it if she turned out to be a costume designer someday!



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How to Make a Crock Pot Loaf of Bread Recipe

Want to know how to make easy bread? Do you have a fancy bread machine stored in a closet or taking up space in a cabinet? Simplify by making a crock pot loaf of bread with this easy, tried and true recipe we found a Busy Mom's Menu Plan . I've been dying to try one, but just reading most recipes takes 20 minutes! We made this on a Sunday. It's a relaxing activity to do with kids and you can teach about the science of yeast.






This isn't a crock pot loaf of bread; it's fake French Bread for Creative Play.

You are welcome to print and use the loaf of bread above as clipart.













Crock Pot Loaf of Bread Recipe

Make an easy bread dough like this one from Busy Mom's Menu Plan.
Let rise for 1 hour.
Spray crock pot with non-stick spray.
Place bread dough in pot. Put lid on the crock pot.
Cook on low for 1 1/2 hours.  
Bread is ready when the crust is golden brown 
Slice open the top and add butter.
Serve with jams, jellies, or your favorite chocolate hazelnut spread.


Tip: Make sure your yeast is not too old. Our bread didn't rise much. Our yeast had been in the cabinet for years.
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Barack Obama Paper Bag Puppet- Hey When is President's Day Anyway?

When is President's Day? Today, Monday, February 18, 2013. In the United States President's Day is always celebrated on the third Monday in February. We combine the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington into one special day. Here's an easy craft for President's Day or Black History Month.



Mayhem is a huge fan of Barack Obama so when tasked with the assignment to make a "worker" puppet for  Social Studies class she said, "Barack is a worker for America." Thus, the paper bag puppet below. In one hand he has a microphone for giving speeches (she loves to watch). In the other hand, he has a ring for his wife, Michelle Obama, because "they are married together". 





Make a President Obama Puppet in honor of President's Day.








So, when I was a kid in elementary school I remember the big election doings of Jimmy Carter. He was my favorite President for years. A real life cartoon character with peanuts and Billy too boot. Shh... I guess he still is today, but don't tell any political analyst or anyone like that. I love all of the humanitarian work he does, his sense of humor, his forward thinking on going GREEN, and his smile. Hmm... I think I see a pattern here.



Who is your favorite President? Remember a particular election? 

Now, if you will pardon me for rushing off... I've got to go make a Jimmy Carter paper bag puppet.






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Penguin Printable Coloring Pages Winter Theme

Here are two winter theme penguin printable coloring pages. Winter fun with cute baby penguin skating and silly penguin teaching the letter P. "P is for penguin". Search the tabs for free printable coloring pages and more penguin pictures and clipart.





Silly Penguin Letter Recognition "P".
Right Click to save to computer or click here
for printable penguin letter "P". 





Skating anyone? Penguins love to play.
Right Click to save to computer or click here for
printable baby penguin coloring sheet.














































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Saint Patrick's Day Game The Stingy Leprechaun Counting Money

This stingy leprechaun is the perfect Saint Patrick's Day game. He wants to keep his money while you learn to count it. This first to third grade math activity is for children of all ages. Learn the basics of counting money. Printable templates included. I played with my first and third grader and the third grader loved it. Of course, he was in it to win.





Stingy little leprechaun wants to keep his coins.



How to play:  Roll the dice and take that number of coins or dollar bills. You want to trade up to a $20 dollar bill to win. To open Stingy's arms and get the money you must roll the magic number a two (2) or four (4). Once you've opened his arms roll again. This number reveals the amount of money you can take from the pot. But wait, there's more! For complete printable instructions click here.











Right click to save to your computer or click here for free printable template pdf.





Right click to save to your computer or click here for free printable template pdf.




You might like these eight easy St. Patrick's Day Crafts for Kids .






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Donate your car for Kids? Teach Philanthropy and Giving

Did you know you can donate your car for kids? Begin to teach your children about philanthropy at an early age to build a lifetime of giving. We give tons of things to Goodwill every year. You probably already know you can donate your vehicle to Goodwill and get a tax credit (write-off), but I bet you didn't know lots of other organizations are hungry for that old car too. It doesn't have to run. They can sell it for scrap where it will get recycled. Scrap Metal is a hot commodity so the charity can get a significant financial donation from your old car- probably more than most of us could give otherwise.





Gotta an old, race car? Maybe a crashed up derby car?

Yeah, they'll take it off your hands at no cost to you. 

Here are the 3 reputable charities where you can 

DONATE YOUR CAR FOR KIDS (to Charity). 



Unicef - Donate your car for kids

Your car donation makes a personal difference from birthing kits to help women have safe deliveries, to delivering vaccines to children worldwide, to portable School-in-a-Box kits to make classes possible almost anywhere.



Donate your vehicle to Make-A-Wish® Wheels for Wishes

They even pick your vehicle up for you! Proceeds from the sale of your vehicle donation benefit your local Make-A-Wish® and help grant wishes of children diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.



The Ronald McDonald House Vehicle Donations

Donate a vehicle you're not using, and the One Car One Difference® program will auction your donation vehicle for cash for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Supporting more than four million families a year, RMHC and its local Chapters ensure families have the stability and resources to keep their child healthy and happy.



There are many other organizations in your local community anxious for your donation. I help fund raise for Santa's Elves of Indy . Every Christmas we collect toys and clothing for children in need. If you are in Indiana, visit the Santa's Elves Facebook page and comment or leave a message. We'll make arrangements to pick up your old, abandoned vehicle. No need to wait, we accept donations year around. 



Donating to most of these organizations is a tax deduction, but be sure to check with your tax preparer. 



What are you waiting for a child somewhere needs Bessie, it's time to let her go!






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Free Valentines Coloring Page Printable Snowman

It's Valentine's Day a great holiday for kids to learn about giving! Here's a free printable valentines coloring page for you loved ones. A little snowman, but don't love him too much- he might melt!





Happy Heart Day!  Don't warm his heart too much or he'll melt.
Free Printable PDF Snowman Valentine Coloring Sheet








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How to Make a Chef's Hat/Cat in the Hat/What's She's Wearing

Wondering how to make a chef's hat? I suggest you make one for a child's costume and not for your cat. Your cat does not want to wear a hat. He doesn't want to wear it in a chair. He doesn't want to wear it over there. He doesn't want to wear it in the kitchen. No, I'm sorry, your cat doesn't think a hat is bitchin'. He doesn't want to wear a hat near the stair. Believe me, he doesn't want to wear a hat anywhere! 





I cut ear holes so he couldn't squirm out as easily- fail. No animals were hurt in this post.



I tried to hold him very still for the picture. The picture is bad from all the movement.








Almost.



Shaking it off. Yep, that was the hat.



"Oh geez, just get this over with, will you!"  After three days of trying this is the best we can do.







So, make your hat bigger for you kids.




You only need paper, scissors, and tape. That's easy :)















For a cat's hat or doll's hat use 8 1/2 x 11 paper. For a child's hat use legal size paper or tape two sheets of letter size paper together. Now draw a line (or eyeball it) about 2" from the edge of the paper. Next, cut strips about 2" wide to your line. Your paper will look like giant fringe. Take the fringe and gently fold it over the edge of your 2" border. Tape it down and repeat. When all of the fringe pieces are taped down wrap the paper around your cat/child/doll's head to measure for proper fit. Tape to secure. Now you know how to make a hat for a cat  child's costume for an impromptu session of creative play! Would also make a great hat for a teddy bear.



Does your cat like to wear clothes?



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