The pictures are detailed and realistic, just as you'd expect from NG. I particularly like the Monarch butterfly, as it shows the insect's whole life cycle. I'd like to color some of these myself for display in my classroom. It'll give me something to do over the next couple of days, in between the chicken soup, penicillin, and wild swings in body temperature. I believe in the healing qualities of a 120-count box of Crayolas. Don't you?
Printable Animal Coloring Book
Well dear readers, I've been knocked down by a sudden and nasty case of strep throat, so please excuse the brevity of this post. Even though the antibiotics have sucked away all my energy, I didn't want to break my chain of continuous daily posts. And because I vow to put something practical and useful in every single post, today I'll just direct you to this great collection of animal coloring book images, courtesy of National Geographic.
The pictures are detailed and realistic, just as you'd expect from NG. I particularly like the Monarch butterfly, as it shows the insect's whole life cycle. I'd like to color some of these myself for display in my classroom. It'll give me something to do over the next couple of days, in between the chicken soup, penicillin, and wild swings in body temperature. I believe in the healing qualities of a 120-count box of Crayolas. Don't you?
The pictures are detailed and realistic, just as you'd expect from NG. I particularly like the Monarch butterfly, as it shows the insect's whole life cycle. I'd like to color some of these myself for display in my classroom. It'll give me something to do over the next couple of days, in between the chicken soup, penicillin, and wild swings in body temperature. I believe in the healing qualities of a 120-count box of Crayolas. Don't you?
Amazing Free Paper Crafts & Card Models - Print, Cut & Assemble
I've discovered some incredible sites that offer printable paper crafts. These are not your average cut-and-fold giraffes or origami cranes; the ones I'm listing here are truly impressive. This craft is often referred to as "card modeling" because heavy cardstock is the preferred medium.Many of these are highly detailed and labor-intensive, so unsuitable as a project for younger kids. I'm going to make some animals to use in finger plays, though, and some of the toy-making projects might be fun to use with the little ones. Here are my picks for the best, along with some other links I found along the way.
1. Canon 3D Papercraft: Just wonderful! Make pop-up cards, seasonal decorations, ornaments, animals, boxes, masks, or flowers. There is also a collection of 40 buildings and vehicles that can be used together to make a miniature town. Or choose to make some famous buildings or... or just go look, it's amazing!
2. Yamaha Motor: Yes, the motorcycle company. This Japan-based site (it's in English) features models of motorcycles, animals (like the macaw pictured above), and seasonal items. They are so breathtakingly realistic you may have trouble believing they're made of paper. Lots of work but worth it if you enjoy a challenge. (Nissan, not to be outdone, also offers some paper models of cars. This site is in Japanese, though, and the cars aren't nearly as real-looking. Honda also has some cute cars, but again - in Japanese.)
3. The Toymaker: Adorable, whimsical paper creations. Some are available in both color and black and white so you can save ink and color them yourself if you so choose.
4. Haunted Paper Toys: Perhaps a bit on the dark side for the younger kids, although the "Pocket Monsters" might be a fun one. There are some mechanical toys here, too, like a bat that flaps its wings when a handle is turned. Great detail, and perfect for Halloween decor.
5. Papertoys.com: Small, and not as detailed as some of the others - but relatively easy. A variety of vehicles and landmarks.
6. Mirkwood Designs: Tons of really nice printable templates for boxes, cards and envelopes. This doesn't quite fall into the "card modeling" category, but I like it so much I couldn't skip it in this list. I can see myself having the kids decorate these, and then doing the actual assembly myself. Older kids, say fourth grade and up, could do most of these unaided. In any case these designs would be wonderful as gift boxes or to hold holiday cards.
Other Sites to Check Out
HP Activity Center
Iceberg Bouwplaten
3D Papermodel
Currell Graphics
Cardmodelers.org
Space Station 42
Childhood Brain Modification
Just came across this fascinating page with all sorts of odd behavior ideas that bring me right back to my own childhood.
The site includes detailed instructions for such entertaining activities as creating giant static sparks, playing a blade of grass like a musical instrument, and crossing only one eye. Kidlike fun with a good dose of science thrown in! If nothing else, you're sure to find something that will get your kids' attention (or completely gross them out, depending.)
ATTENTION ALL GROWNUPS. Your "inner child" has long been waiting for a chance to usurp control of your body and force it to perform certain actions. The time is now at hand. Read and follow the instructions below. Do this now.
The site includes detailed instructions for such entertaining activities as creating giant static sparks, playing a blade of grass like a musical instrument, and crossing only one eye. Kidlike fun with a good dose of science thrown in! If nothing else, you're sure to find something that will get your kids' attention (or completely gross them out, depending.)
Make Your Own Envelope Glue or Stamp Paper
This easy technique makes lick-and-stick paper for envelopes, stamps and stickers. It's cheap, fast and easy, but takes a little planning ahead because the glue needs to dry before use.Take four packets of unflavored gelatin and dissolve it in about a a third of a cup of hot (close to boiling) white vinegar. You can also add up to a tablespoon of vanilla extract or other flavoring, although with very small children this might encourage them to eat the paper. Stir well. While the mixture is still hot, use a sterilized paintbrush or toothbrush to paint it on the back of the paper you wish to use. Work fairly quickly, because the mix will begin to gel up as it cools. Hang and allow to dry.
Another recipe involves mixing equal parts vinegar and white glue, and applying as above. I've never tried this since I'm a little uncomfortable asking the kids to lick something that has a non-food ingredient. (And I probably have seen one too many episodes of Seinfeld.) Of course, they could always wet it with sponges instead.
Once the papers have dried, you simply lick or otherwise moisten the painted side to make it stick to other papers. A fun project stemming from this recipe would be to have the kids create postage stamps. They can make small designs on the paper and then cut them out with stamp-edged specialty scissors (about $2 at the craft store). You can put on the glue either before or after they make their designs. Stick them to envelopes and have them send messages to their friends!
DIY Treasure Hunt Jar
We've all seen those cool clear plastic tubes containing small objects surrounded by filler material. They're sort of like a 3D I Spy. You twist and turn them to find specific objects. I wanted one for my classroom, but these things retail for over $20 and that's a lot out of my paycheck for just one toy. So, of course, I made my own.
All I did was get a tall, thin, clear container. I used a tennis ball package, but you could just as easily use a pasta storage container or a tall water bottle. Don't make it too wide, or stuff will disappear in the middle part. I filled mine with rice and small toys - a ball, some alphabet letters, stuff from vending machines, and so on. I alternated the rice and the objects so they wouldn't all be together. I left an inch of airspace to make it easier to shift things around inside. Then I just put the lid on and glued it with Gorilla Glue, after which I wrapped it in duct tape so the hooligans wouldn't have a chance of opening it.
You can write little rhymes like those in the I Spy books, or just have them find things that start with whatever letter. Or just let them shake it and look. Either way, it'll provide some entertainment.
All I did was get a tall, thin, clear container. I used a tennis ball package, but you could just as easily use a pasta storage container or a tall water bottle. Don't make it too wide, or stuff will disappear in the middle part. I filled mine with rice and small toys - a ball, some alphabet letters, stuff from vending machines, and so on. I alternated the rice and the objects so they wouldn't all be together. I left an inch of airspace to make it easier to shift things around inside. Then I just put the lid on and glued it with Gorilla Glue, after which I wrapped it in duct tape so the hooligans wouldn't have a chance of opening it.
You can write little rhymes like those in the I Spy books, or just have them find things that start with whatever letter. Or just let them shake it and look. Either way, it'll provide some entertainment.
Country/County Fair Bulletin Board
This was a fun one, in celebration of "County Fair Week." I created the tent, roller coaster and ferris wheel, and then painted on the fairway with black paint. I made various boy and girl figures using a stencil, and the children decorated them. (Have them color before you cut so they don't rip off paper limbs in their vigor.)To make the cotton candy, mix food coloring and water in a small bowl and soak cotton balls in it; allow to dry over a weekend. Glue bits of this into tiny paper cones.
The balloons were colored and added later, with yarn for the strings. The border is made of strips of tear-off event tickets that we had lying around in the storage closet. Click on the photos to see larger versions.
Modeling Dough Ideas and Simple Play-Doh Recipe
Kids and Modeling Dough
We all know that using modeling dough, clay and Play-Doh are very important sensory experiences for young children. These activities strengthen the fine motor skills students will soon need for handwriting. Working with dough encourages imaginative play. It's also part of early science learning. There are several things you can do to maximize your kids' time with this fun material.
First, be sure there is enough dough for each person to use. Preschoolers will want at least a cup or two to start, and probably more later on. Either make a lot of it available or limit how many children can use it at a time.
Provide tools for the children to use with the dough, or it may bore them quickly. Plastic cookie cutters come in countless shapes and are easy for small fingers to grip. Small rolling pins are important to have on hand; cylinder blocks work well too. Try the Dollar Store for cheap kitchen utensils such as wooden mallets and large spoons. Try a colander to push dough through. Muffin tins and small molds provide shaping and sorting possibilities. I also give the kids safety scissors and dull plastic knives for cutting. More mature children can be offered spray bottles to moisten drying clay.
You can purchase all sorts of accessories intended for commercial Play-Doh, but beware: those with moving parts, like presses and machines, break easily and will be fought over. I dislike using commercial products like that in my own classroom anyway. (Did you know that children are exposed to 20,000 advertisements a year?)
In addition to tools, try giving the kids objects that can also become part of sculptures. Tongue depressors, craft sticks, toothpicks, and large wiggle eyes are great additions. Beads and buttons are fun. Pipe cleaners, cut in half, make cute antennae and legs.
You may need to model what to do with the dough. Depending on your group you can do this with the whole class or just sit at the center and show those who come over. Show the kids how to roll, flatten, and pinch it. I make large and small balls and put them on a flat clay "plate" like peas. I roll out long strands, then smoosh them and form bowls. I poke holes with my fingers. Then, I show them how to cut shapes with cookie cutters and add wiggle eyes to make creatures. After you've demonstrated, leave the kids to their work. You don't want to stifle creativity by making them think they're expected to be as good at it as you are.
It's essential to make sure your students understand the limits and rules around playing with the modeling dough. I'll give you some examples from my classroom. Children at the sensory center each get a tray, and that is where their dough has to stay. A central tray holds extra dough, tools, and so on; I teach the kids to put the stuff there when they're done so it's available for others. Dough that falls on the floor is to be thrown away, a rule that encourages them to be conscious of what they're doing. I also teach them that it's never okay to put the dough in their hair, throw it, or try to eat it. (Some teachers use edible dough - intended for consumption - but I find that confuses the kids then next time I make non-edible dough. It also gets in the way of me teaching them not to play with their food.)
Expose your kids to several types of dough. The soft Play-Doh variety isn't the only kind out there. Slick, non-drying modeling material is satisfying to use, although it does require more strength. Natural clay is also a core experience for young artists. Varying the kind of material gives children different sensory feedback, exercising small muscles and helping them interact better with the physical world.
You will also want to have times when the dough is just there to be played with, and other times when the children can save their creations. Play-Doh, and the dough recipe below, are not really intended to be dried out and saved. Oil-based modeling material won't dry either. Natural clay or paper-based clay can be air-dried and painted. Some clays are baked in a kiln (ask your local high school if you can use theirs). Polymer clays like Sculpey are baked in a kitchen or toaster oven. They are relatively expensive, but come in dozens of colors and hold detail very well. Makins Clay is similar to polymer clay but can be air-dried.
Finally, a note on colors. It's irritating for us type-A folks to make carefully measured portions of different colors (or spend a bunch of money on 12 colors of the commercial stuff) and then watch them get completely smooshed together within five minutes. Let it go, and let them do it. It's part of their learning. Leave the dough uncolored, or use only primary colors, and let them mix away.
Dough Recipe
This recipe makes enough smooth, soft play dough for two kids to use. I double or triple it for use in my sensory or science centers.
2 cups flour
2 cups water
1/2 cup salt
2 tbs oil
4 tbs cream of tartar OR 2 tbs baking soda and 2 tbs baking powder
1. Place water, oil and cream of tartar in a large saucepan and heat over low heat until hot.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.
3. Cook, stirring constantly, until it gets so thick you can't stir any more.
4. Remove from heat, cool to lukewarm, and store in an airtight container. It may seem a bit sticky but improves with time and kneading.
Variations & Tips
• You can add food coloring to the dough while it's cooking, or wait until it's done and divide it up to make multiple colors. If you do the latter, wear gloves and knead in the coloring.
• You can add Kool-Aid powder for color and scent. You can also try vanilla or strawberry extract, cocoa powder, or lemon juice.
• Try varying the texture with a quarter cup of one of these add-ins: sand, rolled oats, lint, glitter, or rock salt.
• This mixture does not have to be refrigerated. I find it lasts about a week with daily classroom use as long as you put it in a sealed container after use. If it begins to get dry, put it in its container overnight along with a wet sponge or paper towel.
We all know that using modeling dough, clay and Play-Doh are very important sensory experiences for young children. These activities strengthen the fine motor skills students will soon need for handwriting. Working with dough encourages imaginative play. It's also part of early science learning. There are several things you can do to maximize your kids' time with this fun material.
First, be sure there is enough dough for each person to use. Preschoolers will want at least a cup or two to start, and probably more later on. Either make a lot of it available or limit how many children can use it at a time.
Provide tools for the children to use with the dough, or it may bore them quickly. Plastic cookie cutters come in countless shapes and are easy for small fingers to grip. Small rolling pins are important to have on hand; cylinder blocks work well too. Try the Dollar Store for cheap kitchen utensils such as wooden mallets and large spoons. Try a colander to push dough through. Muffin tins and small molds provide shaping and sorting possibilities. I also give the kids safety scissors and dull plastic knives for cutting. More mature children can be offered spray bottles to moisten drying clay.
You can purchase all sorts of accessories intended for commercial Play-Doh, but beware: those with moving parts, like presses and machines, break easily and will be fought over. I dislike using commercial products like that in my own classroom anyway. (Did you know that children are exposed to 20,000 advertisements a year?)
In addition to tools, try giving the kids objects that can also become part of sculptures. Tongue depressors, craft sticks, toothpicks, and large wiggle eyes are great additions. Beads and buttons are fun. Pipe cleaners, cut in half, make cute antennae and legs.
You may need to model what to do with the dough. Depending on your group you can do this with the whole class or just sit at the center and show those who come over. Show the kids how to roll, flatten, and pinch it. I make large and small balls and put them on a flat clay "plate" like peas. I roll out long strands, then smoosh them and form bowls. I poke holes with my fingers. Then, I show them how to cut shapes with cookie cutters and add wiggle eyes to make creatures. After you've demonstrated, leave the kids to their work. You don't want to stifle creativity by making them think they're expected to be as good at it as you are.
It's essential to make sure your students understand the limits and rules around playing with the modeling dough. I'll give you some examples from my classroom. Children at the sensory center each get a tray, and that is where their dough has to stay. A central tray holds extra dough, tools, and so on; I teach the kids to put the stuff there when they're done so it's available for others. Dough that falls on the floor is to be thrown away, a rule that encourages them to be conscious of what they're doing. I also teach them that it's never okay to put the dough in their hair, throw it, or try to eat it. (Some teachers use edible dough - intended for consumption - but I find that confuses the kids then next time I make non-edible dough. It also gets in the way of me teaching them not to play with their food.)
Expose your kids to several types of dough. The soft Play-Doh variety isn't the only kind out there. Slick, non-drying modeling material is satisfying to use, although it does require more strength. Natural clay is also a core experience for young artists. Varying the kind of material gives children different sensory feedback, exercising small muscles and helping them interact better with the physical world.
You will also want to have times when the dough is just there to be played with, and other times when the children can save their creations. Play-Doh, and the dough recipe below, are not really intended to be dried out and saved. Oil-based modeling material won't dry either. Natural clay or paper-based clay can be air-dried and painted. Some clays are baked in a kiln (ask your local high school if you can use theirs). Polymer clays like Sculpey are baked in a kitchen or toaster oven. They are relatively expensive, but come in dozens of colors and hold detail very well. Makins Clay is similar to polymer clay but can be air-dried.
Finally, a note on colors. It's irritating for us type-A folks to make carefully measured portions of different colors (or spend a bunch of money on 12 colors of the commercial stuff) and then watch them get completely smooshed together within five minutes. Let it go, and let them do it. It's part of their learning. Leave the dough uncolored, or use only primary colors, and let them mix away.
Dough Recipe
This recipe makes enough smooth, soft play dough for two kids to use. I double or triple it for use in my sensory or science centers.
2 cups flour
2 cups water
1/2 cup salt
2 tbs oil
4 tbs cream of tartar OR 2 tbs baking soda and 2 tbs baking powder
1. Place water, oil and cream of tartar in a large saucepan and heat over low heat until hot.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.
3. Cook, stirring constantly, until it gets so thick you can't stir any more.
4. Remove from heat, cool to lukewarm, and store in an airtight container. It may seem a bit sticky but improves with time and kneading.
Variations & Tips
• You can add food coloring to the dough while it's cooking, or wait until it's done and divide it up to make multiple colors. If you do the latter, wear gloves and knead in the coloring.
• You can add Kool-Aid powder for color and scent. You can also try vanilla or strawberry extract, cocoa powder, or lemon juice.
• Try varying the texture with a quarter cup of one of these add-ins: sand, rolled oats, lint, glitter, or rock salt.
• This mixture does not have to be refrigerated. I find it lasts about a week with daily classroom use as long as you put it in a sealed container after use. If it begins to get dry, put it in its container overnight along with a wet sponge or paper towel.
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