Homeschooling

Tot Trays-10 Fall Trays & Activities

November 6, 2012 By Thaleia 23 Comments

10 Fall Tot Trays and Activities

One last hurrah for Fall while Thanksgiving and Christmas are almost upon us. I always think way ahead that it’s too early to get out such and such then the next thing I know that month/season/holiday is upon us. Where does the time go?

These Fall Tot Tray ideas will help keep your little learner busy while exploring some fun seasonal trays. Feel free to make substitutions for materials you already own or head to the local craft or dollar store for some inexpensive supplies.

Here are 10 last-minute ideas to do with your tots and preschoolers. Maybe you have the supplies on hand or maybe you can pick up a couple of things at the store. Halloween clearance may prove good for a few things.

1. Acorn & Paint Palette Spooning– plastic acorns from Dollar Tree, melon baller, paint palette and tray!

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Busy Bags in Action

November 1, 2012 By Thaleia 6 Comments

Wanna See Busy Bags in Action?

Well, here is your chance. I’ve talked about busy bags before. I’ve talked about the busy bags I want to make. You see posts all over the blogosphere about busy bags swaps and making busy bags, but rarely do you see kids playing or using busy bags! I took two of my newest super loaded busy bags with me to my Preschool CC Childcare class. Boy were those kids excited to play with some new things. (We set out table type toys each week to help them transition into playing with us and forget that mommy left them.)I took the Little Scientist and Mini Office busy bags that I had blogged about at All Our Days.

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Field Trip- Freshwater Farms

October 26, 2012 By Thaleia Leave a Comment

Freshwater Farms of Ohio

We went with our local homeschool group to Freshwater Farms, Ohio’s Largest Indoor Fish Hatchery! Oh, my goodness we had so much fun. Lil’ Red stayed home with dad, but I know he would have really enjoyed it as well.

Sturgeon Petting Zoo- the kids loved seeing and petting Flipper!

Trout Feeding Frenzy- They were so surprised and excited when those crazy little trouts started jumping and flopping around. (yep, 2 jumped out of there tanks. Eldest tried his hardest to catch it while the tour guide was at another tank! He was really worried the fish would get hurt on the gravel.)

Fish & Critter Displays- alligators, turtles, salamander, albino catfish are just a handful of the critters you can see or touch at Freshwater Farms.

Each child that paid the $3 tour guide fee (minimum of 15 people or $45 for the group) got a simple goodie bag with frog finger puppet, tattoo, and fish candy. The kids were all very pleased even the teens! That wasn’t enough souvenirs for us!

Being the critter and nature loving family that we are WE COULD NOT LEAVE without bringing home a new pet! Yes, we were the ONLY family out of the 10-12 families in attendance that bought a Bullfrog Tadpole! We even named him, Tom the Tadpole!

You can meet Tom the Tadpole and read all about his first day home! We may even update with video created by Eldest.

If you ever find yourself in Urbana, Ohio then do yourself a favor and stop by:

Freshwater Farms

3rd Weekend of September is Fish & Shrimp Festival
Monday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Closed Sundays & Major Holidays
1-800-634-7434
2624 N. U.S. Hwy. 68
Urbana, OH 43078

Homeschool Post : Fantastic Foto Field Trip Linkup Button

{Spice Up Your Homeschool} Historical Markers

October 25, 2012 By Thaleia 3 Comments

{Spice Up Your Homeschool} Series Intro

Got the homeschool blues? Need to spice things up a bit?
Have you been homeschooling for a while and want to try something new?
Maybe you are new to homeschooling and still trying to figure things out.
If you need a break from your “typical” day or routine then check out
{Spice Up Your Homeschool} for valuable tips and ideas!

{Spice Up Your Homeschool} History

Have you ever rushed out the door to a field trip and saw something of interest along the way, but didn’t have time to stop? Have you traveled to a new area or visited family and wanted a way to incorporate something educational? Maybe you had to rush home from a field trip and noticed one of these signs:

You can find out where the nearest spots are near you by checking out: The Historical Marker Database. This website not only lists markers for the USA but other countries as well. If you know of a new marker near you, then please contact them with pictures and description including GPS coordinates. I’m sure they would love current information.

I have to admit we did this yesterday. Getting ready for the field trip I didn’t even think to look up the historical markers along the way. I even KNEW about the ones we’d see if we took a certain route home. So we went whizzing by at 55 mph with our new tadpole, Tom, rushing home to get him into his bowl:) Eldest and Princess were very excited and worried so we headed straight home!

I was quietly bummed that we missed a great impromptu History lesson along the way home. Do not be like me:) Check your route or your hometown even for Historical Markers. (Our town has 26 markers listed!)Make sure to bring your camera and Flat-Stanley’s if you have them!

What have you done to spice you your homeschool?

Check out all the posts in this series:

Newest Member of the Family

October 23, 2012 By Thaleia 4 Comments

Introducing… Tom the Tadpole

Our newest member of the family!

Yep, we are one of those crazy homeschool families that cannot resist a new pet or science project. We went on a field trip with our homeschool group to a fish hatchery. The kids had loads of fun. (more on that in another post!) We got to see all sorts of things and hold all sorts of critters. Eldest wanted a salamander for Christmas and I said maybe.

I was contemplating what slimy pet we could do with 3 energetic and curious kids while walking back to the main store area. I heard a few other kids talking about going to an aunt’s farm and catchy 20 salamanders. Hmmm, I thought maybe we could tag along and catch one? If it’s on private property would we still need a permit from Natural Resources, yikes- I do not know?

Well, when we got back to the store area there were more fish and TADPOLES!! The kids were allowed to hold the tadpoles. Eldest and Princess both were trying to find some out the big huge barrel. I could tell they were both falling for these slimy little guys. I told them could get one if it was alright with their dad. So we quickly called him and told him the price. He approved.

So for under $3, which included a small bag of food, we now have a Tadpole named Tom!

Mom: Why did you want a tadpole?

Princess: I’ve always wanted a pet something. I’ve always wanted a pet frog.

Eldest: Because it would be really fun to have. I have always wanted to have a tadpole.

Mom: What about when he turns into a frog?

Eldest: I will be really excited! I mean seriously, eek.

Princess: I really have wanted a frog.

Sorry our pics aren’t that great. We were so excited to get him home and in his new home that we forgot to take pics while he was in his take home bag:)

Sign made by Princess:

What have you or your kids or your hubby brought home as a new and unexpected pet? Please share you funny or crazy stories!