Free Printable Harry the Dirty Dog Activities

Are your kids going winter stir-crazy? You need a craft afternoon. I learned as a teacher/homeschool mom to make lesson plans hands-on. So my craft parties include an interactive story and snack and lots of free printable book-based activities.   No Roses for Harry Recycled Yarn Craft, Snack, Printables

Best Childrens Literature for Black History Month

February celebrates Black History Month in U.S. history. In schools, students learn about significant people and events in the African American timeline. As a teacher and homeschool mom, I've designed and taught black history throughout the curriculum. Here's my preschool-second grade recommended reading list for Black History Month with free printable lesson plans. Some may disagree with my suggestion for Little Black Sambo to be included. But read on for my defense.  Best Pre-K-Grade 2 Kids' Books for Black History Month

Adventure Mystery Book Series for Boys--The Three Investigators

Do you have trouble getting your son to read? Boys are more often reluctant readers than girls. I'm a teacher and it's not gender-biased to say that. So how to get them to develop a love of reading? Find books they like. Might I suggest, for tween boys mystery, action, adventure, horror, historical fiction, sci-fi, tech, graphic novels, how-to? Just make sure it isn't boring.

And get them hooked on a series. That will keep them coming back for more. Our family favorite is one I read as a kid in the early 1970s--The Three Investigators. Three boys, Pete, Jupe and Bob solve mysteries as a home business. Jupe's uncle owns a salvage yard (HOW cool is that?) In exchange for work, they get junk (a boy's dream come true!). Their office-workshop is a salvaged trailer buried under yard scrap (does it get any better?) Yep it does. It's equipped with dark room, laboratory, private phone, intercom, periscope, microfiche and other spy-fi 60s gadgets. It's only accessible by secret passages and code words. Now do I have your attention, gentlemen? Oh you want to know where to lay your hands on these tales? Read on!  Adventure Mystery Book Series for Tween Boys--The Three Investigators

Why Yom HaShoah Jewish World Holocaust Remembrance Day?

January 27 marks Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this day, Jews around the world honor those lost in the Nazi genocide of World War Two. And we join them in commemorating this profound loss. The depth and width and breadth of Germany's Third Reich killing machine is too much to imagine.

And to think some deny the Holocaust happened. Those people I won't even think about. That monstrous egotism is beyond help. But then some basically loving people ask why Jews get to use the term Holocaust? Like it's a privilege? These people then cite other genocides of which sadly there are many.  It's petty, but there's hope of reaching these. So I explain Why Yom HaShoah Jewish World Holocaust Remembrance Day?

2014 Chinese New Year of the Horse Crafts, Printables

Chinese New Year begins early in western calendar January 31, 2014. This year, we celebrate the Year of the Horse. It's also called the Spring Festival and concludes with a Lantern Festival. I'd love to visit China--all that festivity! The theme is Good Fortune and the expression is "Gong Hay Fat Choy!" wishes luck for the coming year.
Speaking of luck, I happened upon a cute site I thought I'd share with parents: Activity Village. It's one I've used a lot over my career writing about educational printables. But they seem to have improved site loads and content. There are crafts, games, puzzles, coloring sheets and worksheets for kids on CNY (Chinese New Year). There are recipes, game and party ideas. Read on.  2014 Chinese New Year of the Horse Crafts for Kids

Creating Friend Maps to Learn Geography, Social Studies

When I was a little girl, my parents took me to visit big churches. The minister would ask if there were visitors and how far they'd come. It's one of the ways I developed my passion for world travel. Since I started writing online, I've done kind of the same thing. Writers come from around the globe. So I keep a mental map of places my friends hail from. You know, like those maps where you stick a pin in your location? You might attach a string to show how far you traveled to get there.  This is a great geography and social studies activity. My Bubblews World Friend Map, Where Should I Put Your Pin?

Our Lady of Guadalupe Stories and Activities

December 12 is the day we in the Roman Catholic church celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We commemorate the apparition or appearance of Mary, Our Blessed Mother, to a poor Indian in Mexico in 1513. Juan Diego, to whom Our Lady appeared was one of a small group of Aztecs who had taken up the faith of the Franciscan missionaries. The apparitions was the source of several breath-taking miracles and the conversion of over 8 million to Christianity. Here are activities and books to explore. Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Lesson Plan & Celebration Guide

Free Printable Advent, Bible Christmas Crafts

 Advent 2013 began Sunday, December 1. For the next 24 days we will prepare our hearts for the coming (Advent) of Jesus. Here are free printable Advent coloring, puzzles, crafts, calendars, wreaths and activities to celebrate the season. I have been exploring and testing links for free printable Advent activities to keep children busy productive and happy as they prepare for Christmas.Free Printable Advent Games, Crafts and Activities 

'Stone Soup Lesson Plans for Thanksgiving

When I was in kindergarten we did a Thanksgiving activity that has stuck with me all my life. We made Friendship Soup, also called 'Stone Soup' (taken from the old legend retold by Marcia Brown). Perfect for school, scouts, home school and church groups, making Friendship Soup or Stone Soup shows what wonderful things can happen when people share.  Friendship Soup and Stone Soup Classroom Lesson Plan Activities for Thanksgiving

Free Printable Books Kids Can Make and Read

I am all about hands-on lessons for kids. Children learn better when they do. So why not have them make mini books and read them? Here are free printable story books kids can cut and assemble, then color. They can use to learn vital reading skills. This site has free printable books on all kinds of subjects: ABC, numbers, shapes, animals, holidays, seasons, safety and more. Free Printable Books for Children to Make and Read