How To Teach Kids

Easter Activities for Children

Teacher Tips — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:29:33 +0000

It’s easy and fun to make cupcakes that are inviting to eat. Just make your favorite cupcake recipe and frosting (or use canned). Start with white frosting and color part of it green for a “grass” effect since not everyone likes coconut (which can be dyed green for a real grass effect). Then top with your favorite Easter candies such as jelly beans, decorative marshmallow flowers on toothpicks, Easter sprinkles, etc.

Here is more information about Easter: Origin, Activities and Books for Children on this site.

St. Patrick’s Day Activities

Teacher Tips — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:17:21 +0000

If you’re wondering, “Why do we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day?” or “What is the origin of St. Patrick’s Day?” then you might want to read my post which is entitled St. Patrick’s Day: Origin, Activities & Books for Children.

Valentine Books & Activities for Children

Teacher Tips — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:45:59 +0000

Here are a couple of reviews on Valentine’s Day books. For more info about Valentine’s Day on this site, go to Valentine’s Day: Origin, Activities & Books for Children

BOOK REVIEWS:

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli. Good for ages 3-8. Story about how an anonymous Valentine card changes an unsociable man into a friend who wants to help his neighbors and also who appreciates them.
Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane de Groat. Gilbert gives two not-so-nice Valentine cards and learns something about forgiveness.

Use this link to register for a free book!

Win a Free Book – The Five Love Languages of Children

Teacher Tips — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:55:57 +0000

Children need to feel loved and cared for in order to thrive. But as you know, children are different in a lot of ways such as the way they learn, how they react to different situations, and also in the way they feel loved. What makes one child feel loved might not be what makes another child feel loved and valued. This book gives a lot of usable suggestions for learning how children interpret love and security.

If you are interested in winning a free copy of The Five Love Languages of Children, leave a brief comment at Healthy Home Blog to enter your name in the drawing. Deadline for entering is February 10, 2010. CONTEST CLOSED

Science Project: Recycled Paper

Teacher Tips — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:25:26 +0000

“WHICH TYPE OF PAPER IS BEST FOR MAKING RECYCLED PAPER?”

On the left side of the project board is the “Procedure” with drawings underneath illustrating the experiment. (Photos could have been used here.) In the middle of the board is the title, “Purpose,” and “Hypothesis.” On the left side are the “Results” and “Conclusion.”

How to Teach Main Idea to First Graders

Teacher Tips — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:59:25 +0000

With any skill I teach in the classroom, I model the skill, have the students work on the skill with guided practice, and then observe them as they work on the skill independently. Using these steps, this is how I would teach “main idea.”

First, write a short paragraph on the board or overhead such as this one: Michael had fun at the school carnival with his friends. They ate pizza and then played a lot of games. They had their faces painted. They ate popcorn. Then it was time to go home.

Explain that main idea tells what the whole story is about. Explain how the first sentence tells the main idea in this story, Michael had fun at the carnival. Then proceed with the following sentences to show how they support the main idea.

“Is eating pizza and playing a lot of games fun?” “Yes.”
“Do most kids think getting their faces painted is fun?” “Yes.”
“Is it fun to eat popcorn?” “Yes.”

Now show how the supporting sentences would not be the main idea:

“Is the main idea (the whole story) about eating pizza?” “No, because they played games, had their faces painted, and ate popcorn, too.”
“Is the main idea about playing games?” “No, because they ate pizza and popcorn, and they had their faces painted, too.”
“Is the main idea about having their faces painted?” “No, because they played games, and they ate pizza and popcorn, too.”

Reinforce how the main idea, the whole story, is about Michael having fun at the school carnival with his friends. And all of these things (eating pizza, playing games, having faces painted, and eating popcorn) are ways to have fun.

Next, give the students a worksheet with no more than four short stories on it. Make sure the stories are separated with lines so it will not cause any student to be confused. Make sure the stories are numbered so you can easily refer to a certain story.

Read the first story together orally with the class and also all of the choices for main idea. Work through the process in the same way as the above story. Have the students underline the main idea in the story with a crayon or colored marker. Then have them mark the answer.
Read the second story and answers orally with the class, but this time have them choose the answer by themselves. After they have marked their answers, talk about the correct answer and why it is correct. Allow students to change their answer, if necessary. Make sure they underline the main idea in the story.
Have students complete the third story independently. Again, after they have marked their answer, talk about the correct answer and why it is correct. Let them correct their answer. Make sure they underline the main idea in the story.
Complete the fourth story in the same manner as the third one.

Give students a similar worksheet in the same format and have them complete the worksheet independently. Then you can assess how well each student understood the concept of main idea.

Easy Science Fair Projects

Teacher Tips — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:29:29 +0000

Science Fair Projects are a great way for students to learn outside the classroom as well as in the classroom. Our own children worked on various projects through the years, and we were involved to some extent in each project. Projects are a great way to encourage parental involvement as parents help gather materials and give advice from time to time. But sometimes finding the time to work on an extended project is hard. Here are some easy project ideas when time is a factor:

24 Hour Science Projects

101 Easy Science Projects

Science Fair Projects Made Easy

Making Math More Fun

Teacher Tips — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:35:07 +0000

Would you use a math games package that has ideas for making math more fun? If so, this package has print and play math games to enhance learning. Print and play math board games, print and play game sheets, or print and play math card games can make learning more fun. If you’re interested, just simply download these e-books for a fast and efficient way to make math games that are interesting and stimulating.

FREE Online Math Video Lessons

Teacher Tips — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:15:04 +0000

Brightstorm is offering free online lessons in the following areas of math:

Kids’ Recipe: “Silly” Muffins

Teacher Tips — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:17:39 +0000

Here is an easy and fun recipe for kids to make. It’s also a great time to teach measuring.
INGREDIENTS:

1 cup of your favorite ice cream (not ice milk)
1 cup self rising flour

Let the ice cream sit out at room temperature until completely melted but still cold. Stir in the flour. Do not overstir. Spoon into greased muffin tin. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. Makes 6 muffins.