Earth Day Goop Bag

Well this was supposed to be posted last night, but the OKC Thunder game was just too exciting! I had made these bags before when I was introduced to them while working on my teaching degree as well as in my years in the classroom. We would use them as a fun way to practice writing letters and words. A non-cooking method for the classrooms that I often used involves putting hairgel in a ziplock bag before adding glitter. I was reminded of the fun when reading this blog. Since we were at home, I opted for the true goop. Tuck kept saying "Tis is so cool!"

Supplies needed: cornstarch, water, sugar, and plastic bag with a large circle drawn on it.

In a large pot, mix 1 cup of cornstarch with 4 cups of water and 1/3 cup sugar. Stir over low/medium heat until the mixture thickens into goop. I then added it to two bowls before adding a few drops of blue and green food coloring.



Tuck and daddy mixed the goop with the food coloring. We then added the goop to the bag and squished away!



Note: In the classroom, I always taped the seal of the bag with clear packing tape so little fingers couldn't open the bag spilling the contents.

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! I meant to post this yesterday, but we had a busy day/evening hanging out as a family enjoying the beautiful weather and working in the yard.



Supplies needed: paper towel, blue and green food coloring, eye dropper, 2 cups of water, and scissors.

I had originally planned for us to dye a coffee filter, but the colors didn't show up very well so we scratched that plan.



Tuck dropped drops of blue and green water onto Viva paper towels before we cut it out to symbolize the earth.



We are doing another Earch Day activity with daddy tonight, so check back later for more fun!

Bunny Ears

Sunday is Easter, so here's another Easter craft that Mr. T and I made.



Supplies needed: construction paper, scissors, pink marker (he loves markers right now), and glue]

I began by cutting 2 strips of off-white paper as well as two ears from 1 sheet of construction paper.



Mr. T then colored the ears pink with a marker before we attached them to one of the strips of paper. I then glued the strips of paper together so that headband would fit him. He's a huge fan of wearing his ears around the house!

Dr. Seuss

Tuesday is Dr. Seuss's birthday. We are planning on going to a community wide birthday celebration at our library Monday night, so I decided today we would make a Cat in the Hat hat today. I've made these many times with the kiddos that have passed through my classroom, so I modified it a bit for my little guy.



Supplies needed: construction paper, scissors, stapler, and glue stick.

This activity was more parent involved than child involved. I started by folding a piece of red construction paper in half hot dog style and free handing a hat pattern from it. In first grade, I typically gave the kiddos a pattern copied on red construction paper that they cut themselves. I also cut a long band and strips of white construction paper.



Mr. T then glued the strips on the hat. I stapled the band around the back and let him try it on. In my classroom, we always cut two pieces of red paper and stapled it to a band and again at the top for stability. I wish I would have done that here in that it doesn't stand up when he is wearing it.

Dental Hygiene Month

As a first grade teacher, we always celebrated dental hygiene month. We would talk about the importance of brushing our teeth and even chew on the little pink tablets. I must admit that it would often make my stomach turn looking at the results from those little pink tablets.

Anyway...Tucker and I created a big toothbrush last week. During this activity, I let him use safety scissors for the first time. I was a little worried, but he did great!



Supplies needed: copy paper, construction paper, glue stick, marker, and scissors.

To begin, I cut the copy paper in half hamburger style and the construction paper in half hot dog style. I then drew lines on the copy paper for him to use as a guide for cutting.



I then showed Mr. T how to hold the scissors and even helped him cut a few inches. Then I turned him loose! He did great for it being his first time. As much as I would have liked him to cut along the black lines, I didn't care if he did or not...I just wanted to him to start getting a feel for cutting.



After cutting the copy paper, Tuck glued it to the construction paper to make his toothbrush. Then he begged to go brush his teeth!