Enter our Giveaway!

December-January Giveaway!

Sponsored by: FamilyCorner.com  (Congratulations to Monica Penner of (pending reply) for winning November's giveaway!) Enter to win these children's music CD's from Disney, "Princess and the Frog Original Soundtrack" and "Princess and the Frog: Tiana and her Princess Friends". Princess and the Frog Original Soundtrack Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans. From the creators of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin comes a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana, a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana. The collection of magical songs from this amazing soundtrack features Anika Noni Rose (Dreamgirls), Ne-Yo (R&B music star) and Academy Award® winning composer Randy Newman. Set in the great city of New Orleans, the sounds of Jazz, Zydeco, Blues, Gospel and more are all present for an unforgettable musical experience the entire family will enjoy! This soundtrack features 8 new songs including "Almost There" by Anika Noni Rose and "Never Knew I Needed" by Ne-Yo with more original songs and compositions written by Randy Newman (Academy Award® winner for Monsters, Inc. and GRAMMY® Award winner for Toy Story 2 and Cars. Princess and the Frog Tiana and her Princess Friends The Princess and the Frog marks the return to the beloved Disney musical, reminiscent of classics like Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Aladdin. The Princess and the Frog: Tiana and Her Princess Friends is the follow up release in the successful Disney 'And Friends' musical series which includes titles such as Cinderella and Friends, Sleeping Beauty and Friends and The Little Mermaid and Friends. Join Tiana, Belle, Ariel, Giselle and others as they sing their favorite songs on this delightful collection of Disney Princess music. Features a new recording from Tiana (Anika Noni-Rose). Packaging includes sparkly tray with vibrant picture disc featuring film animation. Perfect child companion piece to the official Movie Soundtrack. To enter this giveaway, fill in your name and valid email address. One entry per day per person. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Must be 18 or older to enter. Entries will be accepted through January 31, 2009, midnight CST. Click here to fill out the entry form

Friday Activity: Bleach Snow Picture

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Bleach Snow Picture

blue or black construction paper
bleach
q-tip

Draw a snow picture using a Q-tip dipped in bleach. The picture magically appears. It is amazing to the eye as the picture shows up! Be careful not to spill any bleach on your clothes. You may want the children to wear gloves and/or aprons for this activity.

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Thursday Games: Blow Football

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Blow Football

1 box lid
1 yogurt container
12 dried beans
2 straws

Cover box lid with construction paper and draw a line across the middle. Trace a circle using the yogurt container in the middle of the line. Cut the yogurt container in half and tape each half on the end of each side of the box. Place beans inside of circle and have children begin blowing beans into their side of the box into the container. See who can blow the most beans into the container. You can give each side a name of their favorite football team. Have Fun!

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Crafty Wednesday: Clay Pot Christmas Tree

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Clay Pot Christmas Tree

3 small clay pots in varying sizes
glue
paint: green, yellow
glitter
buttons
small wooden star
spray sealer

Glue the clay pots together one on top of each other starting with the largest on the bottom then the middle sized pot and then the littlest pot so that they form a sort of pyramid. Paint the "tree" green and let dry. In the meantime paint the small wooden star yellow and sprinkle glitter on it. Glue the star standing upright to the top of the tree. Glue the buttons or "ornaments" all over the tree. Spray the tree with a glue spray and sprinkle the clear glitter (snow) on the tree.

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Tuesday Recipe: Cinnamon Snails

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Cinnamon Snails

4 slices soft texture whole wheat or white bread
1/4 cup soft cream cheese
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/4 cup melted butter

Trim crusts from the bread slices. Spread 1 tablespoon cream cheese on each slice of bread. Roll up bread slices with cream cheese on the inside. Cut each roll into thirds. Stir together sugar and cinnamon unti well mixed. Dip each cut roll into melted butter, then into the sugar/cinnamon mixture. Do not dip the ends of the rolls. Place rolls, seam side down, on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 12 minutes, or unti light brown and crips. Serve warm or cool. Makes 12.

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Monday Music: Dance Like Snowflakes

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

Dance Like Snowflakes

(sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)

Dance like snowflakes,
Dance like snowflakes,
In the air.
In the air.

Whirling, twirling, snowflakes,
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes,
Here and there.
Here and there.

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Friday Activity: Hanukkah Mobile

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Hanukkah Mobile

Fun foam dreidels
string
hanger

Make several fun foam dreidels and a Star of David. Attach string hangers to all these. Cover a wire hanger with blue ribbon, and then tie the dreidels and star to the hanger and enjoy!

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Thursday Games: Menorah Race

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Menorah Race

(for each team)
8 toilet paper rolls
1 paper towel roll
paints
block

Ahead of time, have children paint eight toliet paper rolls and one paper towel roll in hanukkah colors (blue, yellow, gold, white). Attach construction paper or tissue paper "flames" with tape or staples. The day of your Hanukkah party, after sitting through stories, candle lighting, playing dreidel and eating latkes, the crowd will get fidgety. Have a menorah race. Divide group into fairly even teams. Set a long block at the farthest point of the race, with the paper towel roll "Shamesh" (helper candle) in the middle. Each child gets a candle. Each team would have 8 candles and a menorah block base with Shamesh in the middle. The race starts. It is a relay. One by one, children on a team run to the menorah, add a candle and run back to give their next teammate a turn. The first team to build the menorah wins.

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Crafty Wednesday: Dreidel Felt Magnet

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Dreidel Felt Magnet

felt
glue
glitter
magnet
fabric paint

Cut out a dreidel shape (basically an upside down house shape) from light blue felt. Cut out a slightly smaller dreidel shape out of white felt. Cut a small rectange out of black or brown felt for the handle. Glue at the top of the blue felt. Glue the white felt onto the blue felt, so that part of the handle is inbetween them, and the other part is sticking up. Now, draw a dreidel symbol in the center of the white felt with either white glue or fabric paint. Sprinkle with glitter, let dry. Finally, glue a small magnet to the back and let dry.

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Tuesday Recipe: Edible Dreidel

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Edible Dreidel

Hershey's Kisses
large marshmallows
pretzels and peanut butter

Begin by spreading a little bit of peanut butter on the top of one marshmallow and the flat part of one Hershey's Kiss. Next, take one pretzel stick and push it through the marshmallow continue pushing the pretzel through the flat part of the Hershey's Kiss. Once you have pushed the pretzel through both the marshmallow and the pretzel, you have an edible dreidel!

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Monday Music: I Have a Little Dreidel

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

I Have a Little Dreidel

(make up your own tune)

I have a little dreidel,
I made it out of clay.
And when it's dry and ready,
Oh dreidel I shall play.

Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,
I made it out of clay

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Last Day to Enter!

Today is the last day to enter our giveaway! Click here to enter :)

Friday Activity: Hanukkah Memory Book

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Hanukkah Memory Book

Brown paper grocery bag
6 - 12 zipper-closed gallon plastic bags
red black and green construction paper
hole punch
scissors
pipe cleaner
markers

1. The plastic bags will be the pages of your book. Stack them so that the bottoms of the bags are on your left.

2. From the brown paper bag, cut a cover that folds around the plastic bags to form both the front and the back of the book. (The cover should be a little larger than the pages.)

3. Make sure all the pages are lined up inside the cover. Then punch a hole near the top and the bottom of the fold.

4. Use pieces of the pipe cleaner strung through the holes, with the ends twisted together, to hold the book together.

5. Use markers to color a picture on the front of your memory book.

6. Cut pieces of red, green, or plack construction paper to fit inside each of the plastic bag pages of your book. Then you can tape photgraphs, drawings, and other small memories of your Hanukkah celebration to the front and back of each construction paper sheet, and they will be protected by the plastic pages. (This idea can also be modified for vacation memory book, Birthday memory book, etc.)

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Thursday Games: Holiday Present Surprise

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Holiday Present Surprise

several boxes
wrapping paper
tape
gifts
candy
tape player

This game is based on the "cake walk" concept.

To prepare for the game, get several boxes incremental in size (they fit inside each other). You can use anywhere from 3 boxes and on up. Fill the smallest box with the prizes and candy, then wrap. Place it inside the next box and then wrap. Place that one inside the next box and wrap. And so on. Put a pretty bow on the last box to finish it off.

Now for the game: Have all the children get in a circle. (optional you can have picture or number markers for them to stand on). Play the music and have them walk around the circle - placing the present in the center. When you stop the music, pick one child (either by picking one of the numbers that they are standing on, or having a specially marked one on the floor). That child gets to go to the center and start unwrapping the present. (Most won't realize that there will be another box inside and it will get them excited!) Then start the music again and repeat the process.

Try to pick a different child each time. When a child opens the last box it contains the prize. That child can share the candy/prizes with the group. If you are doing a class party, you could fill the last box with little baggies of candy and prizes for each child. Have fun!!

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Crafty Wednesday: Fall Colors Place Mat

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Fall Colors Place Mat

white and black construction paper
tempera paint
paper towels
fallen leaves
clear contact paper

In a sink or a water table, wet one side of a large sheet of white construction paper. Use paintbrushes to drop yellow, green and red tempera paint around on the wet side of the paper. Tip the paper back and forth so that the colors run together, you may want to add a little more water to get an all over effect. Let it dry on some paper towels. Place several collected leaves on the large sheet of black construction paper (do not glue). Trace around the leaves. Remove the leaves. Carefully cut out the leaves. When the color swirled paper is dry, glue the black paper on top of it so that the colors show through the leaf cut out shapes. This is a great effect. You can add a decorative edge to the place mat. When done, place clear contact paper over the mat, or laminate.

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Tuesday Recipe: A Turkey For The Turkey

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

A Turkey For The Turkey

Small brown paper bag
1 ziplock bag
1 cup of rice
glue
Yellow construction paper
2 wiggly eyes
Orange construction paper
Red construction paper
Small square with the recipe printed
1 small rubberband

Print the recipe for "GOBBLE-GOOD TURKEY CASSEROLE" on a small square piece of paper. It is as follows:

1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 package onion soup mix
1 cup rice (provided inside turkey)
1-1/2 cups milk
2 or 3 cups leftover turkey

Combine all ingredients in a large casserole dish. Bake covered 45 min. at 350 degrees. Gobble up!

Next make the paper sack turkey. Put the cup of rice in the ziplock bag and insert into the paper sack. This will be for the receiver of this turkey to use in their recipe. The paper sack will be the turkey's body. Bunch the middle of the papersack together and wrap the rubber band around the middle. This will give you 2 sections to the turkey. You will cut long slits on the open end of the sack. The slits need to be close together. This will create the feathers for the rear of your turkey.

The actual bottom of what use to be the paper sack is now going to be the front of your turkey. This is where you will need to glue your turkey's head that you cut out of yellow construction paper. The top of the head needs to stick up over the sack about 2 inches. Then cut out the diamond shape out of orange paper to glue on the beak. Next glue on the wiggly eyes. Finally you need to add the wattle by cutting out a thin rectangle out of the red construction paper and curling it with your scissors. Glue this directly under the beak.

Now that your turkey's face is complete you need to cut out 2 cute turkey feet to glue on the bottom of your turkey so they stick out a little from under the paper sack. Finally you glue on the "GOBBLE-GOOD TURKEY CASSEROLE" recipe right under the chin of the turkey. You're finished! Enjoy!

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Monday Music: A Funny Bird

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

A Funny Bird

(make up your own tune)

The Turkey is a funny bird
His head goes wobble, wobble.
And all he ssays is just one word...
Gobble, gobble,gobble,
Gobble, gobble, gobble.

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Friday Activity: Apple Hunting

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Apple Hunting

colored tag board
laminating machine
scissors

Make a copy of different sizes of apples (small, medium, large). Color them red, yellow, and green. Laminate the apples to make them sturdier. Hide the apples throughout the classroom. Have the children to go and find the small green apples and so on until all the apples are found. This game will help the children to learn their colors as well as different sizes.

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Thursday Games: Feed the Turkey

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Feed the Turkey

large box
brown craft paper
construction paper
poster board
yellow fabric
beans
rubber bands
markers
glue

Remove the flaps from one end of the box leaving an open space. Cover the box with brown craft paper, leaving the open end open. Place the box open end down. Cut out eyes ,beak, and feet from the construction paper. Glue to the front of the box. Cut out tail feathers from colored poster board and glue to the back of the box. Now, cut out an opening under the beak large enough to throw a bean bag in. The best shape is a triangle to accent the beak. Now cut out several 7" in diameter circles from the yellow fabric. Fill center with beans. Gather edges together and wrap tightly with a rubber band. TO PLAY: Have the children stand back, then take turns tossing the "ekernels of corn"e into the turkey's mouth. See who can get the most in!

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Crafty Wednesday: Apple Photo Pins

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Apple Photo Pins

red fun foam
green fun foam
tacky glue
photos of mom/dad
photo of child
apparel pins

Everyone knows that a young child's very first day of school can be traumatic for both the child and parent! Make and wear these apple photo pins to keep that very special person "close by" all day! Cut an apple shape out of the red fun foam. Cut out stem and leaves from green fun foam and glue onto apple shape. Next, cut out a favorite photo and glue to center of "apple". When glue is dry, glue apparel pin onto the back of apple. Let dry completely before wearing on that first day of school!

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Tuesday Recipe: Candy Turkeys

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Candy Turkeys

fudge striped cookie
caramel candy piece
candy corn
chocolate stars or Hersey Kisses

Soften caramel in the microwave, about 10 seconds--but don't get too soft Take the caramel, place the cookie- stripes facing, on the back of the caramel, the candy corn piece goes on top of the caramel for the beak, then place the caramel on top of a chocolate star or kiss, for feet-- you have a candy turkey!

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Monday Music: Round and Around

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

Round and Around

"Round and around and around Mommy goes"
(make circles in the air with your index finger)

"Where she stops, nobody knows!"
(Tickle your child in a different place each time)

This game is very simple, but young children love it! I play this with my 2 year old son to divert his attention or cheer him up. Works every time! You can change "Mommy" to "we" or any other name. Also, pausing before picking a tickle spot creates suspense.

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Friday Activity: Thanksgiving Tablecloth

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Thanksgiving Tablecloth

Lg sheet of butcher paper
crayons
markers
paint and brushes
stickers
glitter
glue
construction paper
scissors

spread butcher paper out on table and decorate using crayons, markers, etc. use your imagination. using a thanksgiving theme. there r no limits to the fun. trace hands to make turkeys... write a list of what your thankful for, etc. makes a very cute tablecloth. You can use fall colors to decorate with, and you can also write "Happy Thanksgiving" down the center of the 'cloth'.

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Thursday Games: Stuff The Turkey!

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Stuff The Turkey!

Brown paper bag
two small brown lunch paper bags
newspaper
tissue paper
tape
stapler
glue

Fold down about 4" of the large brown bag - keep the fold inside. Fold and staple in each of the four edges of the bag so that the opening is smaller. Smooth out the opening to make it rounded. Stuff the two small paper bags with newspaper. Twist the top of the bags and tape to form the drumsticks. Cut strips of the red tissue paper and glue around the twisted top of the drumsticks for decoration. Glue the drumsticks on the sides of the "turkey". For the stuffing, wad up pieces of the newspaper and tape together to form balls.

TO PLAY: Players stand back about four feet and take turns tossing the "stuffing" into the "turkey". See who can get the most in.

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Crafty Wednesday: Apple Family Tree

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Apple Family Tree

brown paint
green paint
red paint
large sheet of paper
paint brush

Use washable paint. Paint child's arm to the elbow and hand brown. Open fingers and print the arm and hand on a large sheet of paper. Let dry. Sponge paint green leaves on the tree. Let dry. Make a fist and press either thumb end or pinky end in red paint. Press these hand apples onto the tree. Make one apple for Mom, Dad, self, siblings. When dry, add their names.

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Tuesday Recipe: Soap Paint

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Soap Paint

1 C. Laundry Soap Flakes
1/2 C. Cold Water
Food Coloring

Mix together. Beat with an egg beater until fluffy. Finger paint.

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Monday Music: Open Them Shut Them

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

Open Them Shut Them

Open them, shut them (hold hands out and open/shut them)
Open them, shut them (same action)
Give a little clap (clap hands)
Open them, shut them Fold them in your lap (fold hands in lap)

...it's also lots of fun to change the last line after you have recited it once. Tell the children to put their hands on their head, knees, nose, etc. It is great to use to quiet a group or to get them ready for snack.

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Friday Activity: Thankful For Book

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Thankful For Book

construction paper
markers
scissors
stapler

Have children trace their hand and cut out. They can write their name and what they are thankful for on it. Put all the hands together and staple to make a book. optional - you can also punch a hole at the top of each one and thread string through to make a banner and hang!

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Thursday Games: Spider Web Spin

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Spider Web Spin

large sheet white paper
black permanent marker
precut spider shapes
blind fold

Draw a large spider web with black marker on the white paper.

Use same instructions as Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Blind fold child and spin them around three times. Give them spider cut out and have them try to place the spider in the middle of the web. We use this game at our annual Halloween party, but it's also great for an insect unit!

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Crafty Wednesday: Corn Cob Printed Placemat

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Corn Cob Printed Placemat

small raw ears of corn
tempura paint
18x24 white construction paper

Paint ears of corn with tempra paint then roll the painted corn across the paper. Use different fall colors. Laminate these to use for your classroom Thanksgiving feast. Be sure to put corn-on -the-cob holders into the ends of the corn if you'd like to avoid messy hands.

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Tuesday Recipe: Cucumber Sticks and Dip

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Cucumber Sticks and Dip

Cucumbers
ranch dressing

Wash and peel cucumbers. Have an adult slice into sticks. Pour ranch dressing into a small bowl and dip!

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Monday Music: The Ants Go Marching

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

The Ants Go Marching

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching one by one,
The little one stops to suck his thumb
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain,
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two,
The little one stops to tie his shoe
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain,
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three,
The little one stops to climb a tree
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain,
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching four by four,
The little one stops to shut the door
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain,
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching five by five, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching five by five, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching five by five,
The little one stops to take a dive
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain,
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching six by six, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching six by six, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching six by six,
The little one stops to pick up sticks
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain,
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching seven by seven, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching seven by seven, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching seven by seven,
The little one stops to pray to heaven
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain,
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching eight by eight, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching eight by eight, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching eight by eight,
The little one stops to shut the gate
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain,
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching nine by nine, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching nine by nine, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching nine by nine,
The little one stops to check the time
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain,
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching ten by ten, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching ten by ten, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching ten by ten,
The little one stops to say "THE END"
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain,
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

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Friday Activity: Felt Weaving

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Felt Weaving

2 felt rectangles
scissors
glue

Pick one felt for the base, and another for the weaving stripes. Cut slits in the base felt about 2" apart. Make not to cut all the way to the edges - so be sure to leave a border of about 1/2" at the edges. Cut the other sheet of felt in 1" strips. Now weave the strips through the base one at a time. Make sure to alternate strips over and under as you add new ones. Also, after you finish weaving in a strip - make sure to push it up close to the last strip as to not leave spaces. Finish off the ends that stick up with a little glue and you are done! You can use as a placemat, or as a wall hanging.

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Enter Our Giveaway!

October-November Giveaway!

Sponsored by: FamilyCorner.com  (Congratulations to Barbara Rosen of New Jersey for winning September's giveaway!) Enter to win these wonderful hardcover books, "Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library!" and "Five Minutes Until Bed". Five Minutes Until Bed by Dorthea Deprisco Wang In the tradition of Goodnight Moon, Dorothea DePrisco Wang pens Five Minutes Until Bed, a helpful and charming story that gives parents one more tool to encourage their little ones to catch some shut-eye. Visit families of rabbits, birds, beavers, bears, and foxes to find that life in the forest, at least when it comes to bedtime, doesn't differ that much from our own. There are blankets to retrieve, songs to sing, treats to nibble, and hugs and snuggles to enjoy. With each turn of the page, another critter is off to sleep as the child at home pulls a tab within the book to reveal another gold star in the sky. Bedtime countdown continues until at last there are five golden stars glistening in the night sky and all critters of the forest are soundly snoozing in their cozy beds. Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library! by Vicki Myron The story of Dewey the celebrated library cat is now available for the youngest of readers in this new, fully-illustrated picture book adventure. When Librarian Vicki Myron finds a young kitten abandoned in the Spencer Library return box, she nurses him back to health, deciding then and there that he will be their library cat, and naming him, appropriately, Dewey Readmore Books. Dewey loves his new home, but once he discovers the littlest library visitors-who like to chase him, pull his tail, and squeeze him extra tight-Dewey begins to wonder if he's truly cut out for the demands of his new job. In the end, he is triumphant as he realizes that helping people big and small is what he is meant to do, and that by sharing his special brand of Dewey love, he can be the best library cat of all. To enter this giveaway, fill in your name and valid email address. One entry per day per person. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Must be 18 or older to enter. Entries will be accepted through November 30, 2009, midnight CST.

Thursday Games: Mummy Wrap

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Mummy Wrap

rolls of toilet tissue
children
music

Have children take turns being the "mummy". Place one child in center and have other children start to wrap the child up with the toilet tissue. You can have halloween music playing in the background. When the music stops, the next child goes. Have plenty of trash bags available to collect all the torn tissue!! *have children avoid the head/face area when wrapping, esp. with The younger ones!

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Crafty Wednesday: Bat Bells

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Bat Bells

small black paper cup
sheet of black construction paper
string
bell

Punch a small hole in the bottom of the black cup (easily found at party stores in the "over the hill" birthday section). Tie small bell on the end of yarn and string it up through the hole in cup (bell should be on the inside of the cup). Tie knots on both sides of hole so string doesn't slip through. Holding cup upside down, glue two eyes toward the bottom (the rim) of the cup. Cut out two small triangles for the bats fangs and glue or tape to the inside of the cup below the eyes so that they just show below the rim. Fold black construction paper in half and cut out one bat wing. Unfold to get the pair and center on back of cup and staple.

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Tuesday Recipe: Pumpkin Rice Krispies

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Pumpkin Rice Krispies

Food Coloring
Rice krispies
Brown cake decorating icing
marshmallows
butter

Follow the recipe for making rice krispie treats. Add food coloring to the marshmallows as they melt to create an orange color. Instead of pressing them into a square pan, roll them into balls to create pumpkin shapes. Make a small batch of rice krispies dying them green with the food coloring. Make into small stem shapes and place on top of the orange balls. When cool, make pumpkin faces on the pumpkins with the brown icing. Chill to set the icing and enjoy!

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Monday Music: Five Little Firefighters

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

Five Little Firefighters

Five little firefighters (show five fingers)
Sleeping in a row. (rest cheeks on hands & close eyes)
Ring goes the bell- Down the pole they go. (Pretend to slide down pole)
They jump on the engine (Jump Up)
And put out the fire. (Pretend to squirt with a hose)
Now they're back home- My, but they're tired. (Stretch and yawn.)

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Friday Activity: Child's Lasting Hand Print

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Child's Lasting Hand Print

Flour
Salt
Water

Mix equal parts Flour and Salt (example: 1 Cup flour and 1 cup salt) Add enough water to get a firm clay-like mixture. Take out about 1/2 cup of dough and squish into a circular shape on a lightly greased cookie sheet. It must be big enough for child's hand (or foot) to fit onto with fingers (toes) out spread. Push child's hand or foot firmly into dough. Repeat the whole procedure for remaining children. Let dough dry for several weeks or put in oven at 225 degrees for 2-4 hours depending on thickness of dough. You will cherish these prints for the rest of your life!

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Thursday Games: Mr. Pumpkin's Nose

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Mr. Pumpkin's Nose

Cut a large pumpkin shape out of orange bulletin board paper. Draw only the eyes and mouth on the pumpkin, you can add a stem and lines if needed. Laminate the piece. Attach it to the wall at the child's level. Give each child a triangle cut out of black construction paper, and label with the child's name. Attach a piece of rolled up tape to the back. Have each child close his/her eyes and place the nose on the pumpkin. You can give awards such as stickers for the one who was the closest, making sure each child gets a sticker. Optional: You can also make a body and laminate and attach it to the head, making sure that it can be at the child's level.

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Crafty Wednesday: Halloween Wind Sock

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Halloween Wind Sock

Halloween Cookie Cutters or Halloween Sponge Shapes
(1) 12"x18" Orange Construction Paper
White Paint
String
Tissue Paper Streamers (Black & Orange)
Stapler
Tape

To Make a wind sock decorate paper with shapes dipped in paint, let dry. Roll paper in a tube and staple. Punch two holes in the top of tube and attach string then attach tissue paper streamers to the bottom. Tie string and hang!

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Tuesday Recipe: Gooo-Blek

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Gooo-Blek

1 cup of corn starch
1/4 to 1/3 cup of water
bowl

Pour the corn starch into the bowl. Add the water on top. Mix well until a thin mixture occurs. Let it sit until it gets solid. Even though it appears to be solid, the heat of your hand when you pick it up turns it to liquid!

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Monday Music: Here's a little Candle

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

Here's a little Candle
(sung to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")

Here's a little candle dressed in white,
Wearing a hat of yellow light.
When the night is dark, then you will see
Just how bright this light can be.

Here's a little candle straight and tall,
Shining it's light upon us all.
When the night is dark, then you will see
Just how bright this light can be.

Here's a little candle burning bright.
Keeping us safe all through the night.
When the night is dark, then you will see
Just how bright this light can be!

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Friday Activity: Cornucopia Countdown

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Cornucopia Countdown

construction paper
scissors
glue
pen
decorative items (eyes, glitter)

Cut a cornucopia (horn o'plenty) out of brown paper. Cut as many fruits and vegetable shapes out as there are days left until Thanksgiving. Decorate each one with glitter or bobbly eyes, if desired. Leave space on the shape to write what you are thankful for. Then, every day, glue one shape onto the cornucopia. When the shapes are all glued on, it's Thanksgiving and you have a handmade door decoration!

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New giveaway for October and November!

We've uploaded a new giveaway that runs through November 30th. This month we are giving away two adorable books you can read to your kids or give as gifts. This month's giveaway is sponsored by FamilyCorner.com.

To enter this month's giveaway click here. Remember you can enter once per day!

About the prizes:

Five Minutes Until Bed
by Dorthea Deprisco Wang

In the tradition of Goodnight Moon, Dorothea DePrisco Wang pens Five Minutes Until Bed, a helpful and charming story that gives parents one more tool to encourage their little ones to catch some shut-eye.

Visit families of rabbits, birds, beavers, bears, and foxes to find that life in the forest, at least when it comes to bedtime, doesn't differ that much from our own. There are blankets to retrieve, songs to sing, treats to nibble, and hugs and snuggles to enjoy.

With each turn of the page, another critter is off to sleep as the child at home pulls a tab within the book to reveal another gold star in the sky. Bedtime countdown continues until at last there are five golden stars glistening in the night sky and all critters of the forest are soundly snoozing in their cozy beds.

Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library!
by Vicki Myron

The story of Dewey the celebrated library cat is now available for the youngest of readers in this new, fully-illustrated picture book adventure.

When Librarian Vicki Myron finds a young kitten abandoned in the Spencer Library return box, she nurses him back to health, deciding then and there that he will be their library cat, and naming him, appropriately, Dewey Readmore Books. Dewey loves his new home, but once he discovers the littlest library visitors-who like to chase him, pull his tail, and squeeze him extra tight-Dewey begins to wonder if he's truly cut out for the demands of his new job. In the end, he is triumphant as he realizes that helping people big and small is what he is meant to do, and that by sharing his special brand of Dewey love, he can be the best library cat of all.

Thursday Games: Haunted Hangman

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Haunted Hangman

This is a quick and easy game to play at any party. Use the list of words below to play. You write a line for each letter in the word. Write out the alphabet to the side. Each time a child guesses the answer, cross the letter off. You also fill in the blank if the guess a letter correctly, or draw a shape on the hangman (head, arm, leg, etc.) If the hangman gets filled in first, they lose. If the word gets filled in first they win!

Here is a list of words you can use for a Halloween party:

Spiders
Black cat
Bats
Chills
Scarecrow
Haunted house
Hayride
Scary
Cauldron
Witch
Ghost
Black widow
Mummy
Pumpkin
Goblin

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Crafty Wednesday: Halloween Lantern

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Halloween Lantern

empty fruit can
nail
hammer
black spray paint
wire for handle
drawings of halloween cat or bat

Using a clean fruit can fill with water and freeze, the ice helps the can hold it's shape. When frozen tape picture onto can, following pattern, lightly pound nail through the can to make holes. Make one hole each on either side of the top for the wire handle. Remove the ice, let dry and spray paint the outside. When dry insert a votive candle.

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Tuesday Recipe: Banana Boat Snack

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Banana Boat Snack

banana
peanut butter
raisins
wooden skewer or toothpick
construction paper

Slice a small piece off the bottom of a banana and lay it on a plate so that the bottom you cut off is flat and touching the plate and the "ends" of the banana are pointing up. Spread peanut butter on the top of the banana, and then place raisins on the peanut butter. (These are the sailors). Make a small triangular flag from construction paper and write "S.S. ________ (your child's name)" on it, thread it through a wooden skewer or toothpick, and stick the skewer into the banana. Tip: You may also want to pour some chocolate syrup around the "boat" to create "water".

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Monday Music: Did You Ever See a Lassie?

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

Did You Ever See a Lassie?

Did you ever see a lassie, A lassie, a lassie
Did you ever see a lassie Go this way and that?
Go this way and that way, Go this way and that way
Did you ever see a lassie Go this way and that?
Did you ever see a laddie, A laddie, a laddie
Did you ever see a laddie Go this way and that?
Go this way and that way, Go this way and that way
Did you ever see a laddie Go this way and that?

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Friday Activity: Apple Hunting

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Apple Hunting

colored tag board
laminating machine
scissors

Make a copy of different sizes of apples (small, medium, large). Color them red, yellow, and green. Laminate the apples to make them sturdier. Hide the apples throughout the classroom. Have the children to go and find the small green apples and so on until all the apples are found. This game will help the children to learn their colors as well as different sizes.

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Thursday Games: Roly Poly

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Roly Poly

Place children in a circle. Teacher calls a child's name and rolls the ball to that child. The child then rolls the ball back to the teacher. This continues until all the children have had a chance to roll the ball. As the children learn each other's names, the game can be changed to have the children call another child's name and roll it to them. This game is great for recognizing each child in the class and letting them know the teacher knows who they are! We use this game in the beginning of the year...but it quickly becomes a favorite among the children. Especially when they can call each others names!

Optional: you can also use this as a learning game. Call out a subject and the child has to call out a related term before they roll the ball. Example: Bugs! Before the child rolls the ball they need to call out a bug (spider, butterfly, ladybug, etc.).

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Last day to enter!

Just a reminder that today is the last day to enter our contest! Please visit this link to enter. Good luck!

Crafty Wednesday: Acorn Napkin Rings

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Acorn Napkin Rings

acorns
glue
thin cardboard
construction paper
scissors

Cut a piece of cardboard into a 2" by 5" strip. You can use an empty cereal box as the cardboard. Cover the strip with yellow or orange paper. Make the strip into a loop and staple to form the napkin ring. Glue acorns all over the ring (you may need a strong glue or a glue gun(with adult help)). Then cut small green leaves and glue in between the acorns. Let dry and then enjoy on your Thanksgiving table! * You could use a paper towel tube cut into strips as well.

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Tuesday Recipe: Puffy Paint

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Puffy Paint

Flour
Salt
Water
Tempera Paint

Mix equal amounts of flour, salt and water. Add liquid tempera paint for color. Pour mixture into squeeze bottles and paint. Mixture will harden in a puffy shape.

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Monday Music: Ten Acorns in a Row

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

Ten Acorns in a Row

10 acorns, leaves, pumpkins or other seasonal small items

Give each child his/her own acorn (or leaf, pumpkin, or other seasonal item). If there are less than 10 children, some may get two. Sing to the tune of "Ten Little Indians".

One little, two little, three little acorns
four little, five little, six little acorns
seven little, eight little, nine little acorns
ten acorns in a row

Each child places his/her acorn on the floor, lining them up in a row. This is a good opportunity to discuss that an acorn is food for squirrels and that it is also a seed that grows into an oak tree.

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Friday Activity: Fall Triangle Tree

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Fall Triangle Tree

construction paper
red, orange, yellow, brown triangles
brown tree trunk
poem
glue

This is a great way to introduce fall colors as well as triangles. Have students cut out a brown tree trunk and glue it onto a blue (or any color) construction paper. Then have them cut out, (or you precut if necessary) several triangles from the fall colors to make leaves. Students glue them onto the tree and have some falling to the ground.

Teach and attach this poem:

The leaves are falling gently down.
They make a blanket on the ground.
Then "Swish" the wind comes blowing by
and takes them flying to the sky.

This is a fun art project that also teaches some great concepts.

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Thursday Games: Pumpkin Patch Game

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Pumpkin Patch Game

various sizes of pumpkins
coins

Start the game with 3-5 pumpkins of various sizes or textures. Give 5 coins(pennies) to 5 different students. Chant the following- "5 orange pumpkins in a pumpkin patch You know, the kind that are big, and round, and fat Along came (child's name) with a penny to pay He bought his pumpkin and took it away." The child then steps forward, pays the penny, and chooses a pumpkin. For language development, have the child ask, "I want the big/small/medium/bumpy/smooth/etc pumpkin, please." This is a great game for teaching manners, language development, money awareness, descriptive words-- lots of stuff. The students join in the fun, and hardly know they are learning from this simple game!

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Crafty Wednesday: Autumn Bookmark

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Autumn Bookmark

Hard orange art paper
clear,shiny contact paper
real leaves in assorted colors
scissors
glue

Cut orange art paper into a 9-inch by 2-inch shape. Break leaves into 1-inch pieces and glue onto both sides of the art paper. Let dry. Cut contact paper into 9-inch by 4-inch piece and wrap around entire bookmark until both ends of contact paper meet. Enjoy!

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Tuesday Recipe: Cinnamon Chips with Fruit Salsa

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Cinnamon Chips with Fruit Salsa

3 large tortillas
vegetable oil
cinnamon & sugar mix
5 or 6 large strawberries
1/2 peach & peach syrup
1/2 apple
sugar to taste

This recipe requires adult help. Cut tortillas with a pizza cutter into 8 triangular pieces each. Heat oil on stovetop and drop tortilla pieces in carefully. Cook until brown on one side, turn over and cook until brown on the other side. Remove from oil and lightly blot with a paper towel. Sprinkle with a cinnamon and sugar mix. Set aside. Finely chop strawberries, apple, and peach. Mix fruits together and add enough peach syrup to give the mixture consistency of regular salsa. Use sugar to sweeten to taste. Serve chips with the fruit salsa for a great snack!!

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Monday Music: Teeny, Tiny Spider

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

Teeny, Tiny Spider

Sung to the tune "Eensy, Weensy Spider"

Teeny, tiny spider, Climbed under a big bridge. (sitting on floor, child moves wiggling hand under raised knees.)

Down came the bridge, And knocked the spider out. (child brings knees down on hand.)

Up went the bridge, (child raises knees.)

And never again, Did the teeny, tiny spider Go under a big bridge. (Child moves wiggling hand out from under knees.)

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Friday Activity: Apple Tree Bulletin Board

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Apple Tree Bulletin Board

Tree with branches and trunk
fall leaves made from construction paper and laminated
dessert size white paper plates
red and green construction paper
camera
apple smile snack

Each year as we prepare for Curriculum night, our special education preschoolers prepare a special bulletin board for their parents. I bought a tree complete with trunk and branches for all seasons from a local teacher store, and fall leaves. The children made apples to go on the tree by either a) tearing red typing paper b)cutting red construction paper to glue on each paper plate. Then the children glued a leaf to the top. After we made our snack during cooking, Apple Smiles, we took pictures of the children holding up their Apple "smile". On each child's apple we put their picture on it, and hung them on the tree. Now each child knows which apple is his/hers by their picture and so does their parents! Above the tree, we put the letters "These are the apples of our eyes!" A big hit with everyone in the school!

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Thursday Games: Pass the Pumpkin

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Pass the Pumpkin

Pumpkin
music

Children sit in a circle. They begin passing the pumpkin. Turn on the music as they continue passing the pumpkin. Stop the music. The child holding the pumpkin sits in the middle. Continue playing. One child at a time replaces the one in the middle of the circle.

(Same concept as Musical Chairs)

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Crafty Wednesday: Apple Photo Pins

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Apple Photo Pins

red fun foam
green fun foam
tacky glue
photos of mom/dad
photo of child
apparel pins (found at craft stores or fabric stores)

Everyone knows that a young child's very first day of school can be traumatic for both the child and parent! Make and wear these apple photo pins to keep that very special person "close by" all day! Cut an apple shape out of the red fun foam. Cut out stem and leaves from green fun foam and glue onto apple shape. Next, cut out a favorite photo and glue to center of "apple". When glue is dry, glue apparel pin onto the back of apple. Let dry completely before wearing on that first day of school!

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Don't forget to enter our giveaway, you can win a copy of Winnie the Pooh: Return to the Hundred Acre Wood!

Tuesday Recipe: Octopus for Dinner

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Octopus for Dinner

Hot Dogs
Baked Beans

Cook beans as directed and put on plates. Slice hot dog in half from one end but leave an inch uncut. Slice each "leg" in half again, still leaving the top uncut. Boil in hot water and "octopus legs" will curl up. Set on beans and serve.

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Monday Music: Traffic Light

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

Traffic Light

The red at the top Tells us to STOP! (Extend arn out with palm facing out.)
The green below Tells us to GO! (Sweep arm out as traffic director would do)
The yellow in the middle Tells us to WAIT! (Extend both arms out.)
Please don't worry- You won't be late!

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Friday Activity: Secret Message

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Secret Message

white crayon
paper
markers

Write a message and draw pictures on the paper with the white crayon. Then color over it with the markers - and the message shows up! You can also send a "message" by writing with the white crayon, and then giving instructions for the receiver to color over it with a marker to reveal the message. Have fun!!

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Thursday Games: Pin the Crow on the Scarecrow

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Pin the Crow on the Scarecrow

Scarecrow
crows
push pins or tape

Make a flat scarecrow for hanging on the wall out of child shirt and pants. Add a paper face and straw hat. You can also use a store-bought cutout. Cut out crows from black and yellow (for beaks) fun foam. Give each blindfolded child a crow with tape or tack. Pin the crow on the scarecrow's shoulder!

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Crafty Wednesday: Clothespin Pal

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Clothespin Pal

wooden (doll-type) clothespin
markers or paint

On the top (head) of the clothespin, draw or paint a face for your pal. Decorate the rest of the clothespin with fun and bright colors. Let your Clothespin pal dry. Slip on to your shirt at the collar, pocket, your pants pocket or your backpack to carry your pal with you to school or around town.

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Tuesday Recipe: Flubber

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Flubber

Solution A:

1 1/2 C. Warm Water
2 c. Elmers Glue
Food Coloring

Solution B:

4 tsp. Borax
1 1/3 C. Warm water

Mix solution A in one bowl, mix solution B in another bowl. Dissolve both well. Then just pour solution A into solution B, DO NOT MIX OR STIR! Just lift out flubber. I made this with my daughters class, and the teacher & children loved it! It's neater than "Gak" or "slime". And it also a safe chemical reaction for the kids to see. I used a glass bowl for solution B so the kids could see the flubber form in the bowl. It just becomes a big "cloud" of rubbery stuff. Store in baggies. If you half the recipe, you only need to half the solution A and it will work the same.

Visit The Idea Box for all of our kid's recipes and craft recipe ideas

Crafty Wednesday: Apple Bag

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Apple Bag

small paper bag
red/brown paint
green construction paper
newspaper
and a rubber band

This is a fun apple project for a fall day. Take a small lunch bag and stuff it with newspaper. Tie a rubber band around the top of the bag leaving some bag at the top for a stem. Next, paint below the rubber band red for the apple and the top stem should be painted brown. After this dries, you can cut out and attach a green construction paper leaf. **Looks great on a bulletin board or in a big basket for display!

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Tuesday Recipe: Banana-Nut Pancakes

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Banana-Nut Pancakes

whole wheat pancake batter
1 mashed banana
1/2 chopped walnuts

Add banana and nuts to the pancake batter and cook as normal... great served with syrup warmed whith a little butter and cinnamon and topped with a few chpped nuts. You can also add a few slices of banana and a little whipped cream!

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Monday Music: Everybody Line Up

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

Everybody Line Up
Sing to the tune of "Mama's Little Baby Loves Shortnin' Bread"

Everybody line up, line up, line up
Everybody line up at the door.
Not on the ceiling, not on the floor
Everybody line up at the door.

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Friday Activity: Class Stationery

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Class Stationery

paper
pen
copy machine

Each child in your class draws a small picture of themself and writes their name underneath. Make a border of the pictures and your class' name at the top of the page. Make copies and use whenever for whatever! Color copies look great! This could also be done with family members for a family stationery.

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Thursday Games: I've got a friend

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

I've got a friend

This is a great introduction activity, but the kids like it so much that we play it all through the year.

All children are seated in a circle. Teacher starts the song, children join her.

"I've got a friend and her name is____, ____ Stand UP!
Do a little dance now! Make a funny face now.
Touch your toes now. _____ sit DOWN!"

Always do this with a SMILE on your face! The teacher works her way around the circle, choosing a new childs name each time. That child moves to the center of the circle when she stands up..then moves back to her place when told to sit down.

The words can be changed to any activity that you can think of..the sillier the better! My students sit on carpet squares so that they always stay in a circle and know where to return to, and the circle maintains its shape!

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Crafty Wednesday: Paper Plate Cat

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Paper Plate Cat

9" Paper Plate
Black Paint
(2) Black Construction Paper Triangles
(2) Yellow Colored Sticker Dots
(1) Black Colored Sticker Dot
(6) 4" Black Pipe Cleaners
Glue
Paint Brush
Stapler

Paint one side of the paper plate black and allow to dry. Attach triangles to paper plate using glue or stapler to form ears. Use sticker dots to give the cat two eyes and a nose. Glue or staple the pipe cleaners to form the whiskers!

Variation: You can also simply use a black plate to start with, and use wiggly eyes or yellow construction paper eyes. Then use a black pom pom for a nose, and you can also make wiskers out of long thin pieces of black construction paper. Use your imagination!

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Tuesday Recipe: Back to School Bus Cookies

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Back to School Bus Cookies

Nutter Butter cookies
raisins
icing
toothpicks

Take nutter butter cookies and with the tooth pick apply the icing where the wheels would be on a school bus. Then put the raisins on. If you have the cake decoration bags you can also make little windows on the cookie. these are very easy and fast to make for a quick after school snack and the kid love them no matter what age your child is. Good luck and have a great school year!

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Monday Music: Hand Washing Song

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

Hand Washing Song
(sung to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat)

Wash, wash, wash, your hands
play our handy game
rub and scrub, scrub and rub
germs go down the drain HEY!

Wash, wash, wash your hands
play our handy game
rub and scrub, scrub and rub
dirt goes down the drain HEY!

If children wash their hands with soap and water during the time it takes to sing this song then they will have effectively cleaned them well!

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Friday Activity: Foam Tray Printmaking

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Foam Tray Printmaking

blunt pencil
paintbrush
foam tray
white paper
scissors
ink or black paint
foam paintbrush
brayer or roller

Use a blunt pencil or the tip of a paintbrush to carve a design into the foam tray. You can create lines, squiggles, dots or a picture. After you have created your design - cut a piece of paper to fit just inside the tray. You may want to cut several for more prints. Now ink up the foam tray - you can use ink or black paint. Use a roller to spread out the ink evenly. You can also use a foam brush. Once ink is spread, place a piece of paper over the design and press. Use a brayer or your fingers to make sure the entire paper gets pressed down firmly. Remove paper and you have a print! Repeat to make more copies.

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