STEM I pad apps

This site has some great links to 40 great science technology and engineering apps. Overall this site mentions and reviews some really good educational apps. It further goes on to some teaching ideas and links to some websites with homework help etc...

STEM

Summer Olympic Games for Kids

How to have fun with your child as you are watching the Olympics. It seems every moms mag has something to say. Here are a few of the best ideas: One idea is hosting your own neighborhood toddler Olympics. Olympics There are related articles written by Olympic gold medalists about health and nutrition. Additionally,there is an article about teaching your child to ride a bike. I never knew there were so many techniques that could be used. http://familyfitness.about.com/od/preschoolers/f/teach_bike_ride.htm

Also, there is an article in parenting magazine.com with ideas for converting pool noodle toys into an obstacle course .
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Red River Moms Magazine

I love the Red River Moms magazine. This magazine has articles about local events, local mothers, and ideas for summer educational projects. The July calendar highlights a local cake decorating contest, sign up for Bossier little league, and the cinderella play showing this week.   The current July issue has some great ideas by Angela Vinet who is employed at Four Corners Learning. She wrote an article about ideas for educational bug projects aimed at different age groups of children.  the magazine is available online at

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/section/REDRIVERMOMS/RedRiverMoms-Magazine

Educational things to do in Shreveport

#1 The Science center now does $5 days on Wednesday please call ahead to see if still valid
#2 RW Norton Gardens
#3 Go fishing
#4 Barksdale air museum
#5 Chimp Haven
#6 Yogi and friends
#7 arrange a group trip to milk cows

Product Review - Melissa and Doug Pattern Blocks

I love Melissa and Doug classic toys.  I love the solid wood and the size of the pieces. I also love  the retro feel and the tie to games referenced in old child development textbooks. One toy in particular has struck me and my daughter's fancy: pattern blocks and boards. This toy consists of boards with some classic pictures.  Kids match shape blocks to the pattern board to create the picture. This toy teaches children to develop a sense of shapes in objects, patterns, and size and proportion. These skills translate into math, art and engineering skills.  Another great thing about this toy is that it grows with the child and more difficulty and creativity can be added as your child gets older.

Our Shapes Project

This week Schuyler and I will start a lesson on shapes. I am printing out a shape book and worksheets. They also incorporate counting and colors. I plan on adding a few extra things like cutting out some shapes from construction paper and having her match and glue them onto a black and white page.




 While we are doing this, I am preparing for my next lesson: growing a plant. I am ordering some of the following books on amazon (four for the price of three) and gathering a pot, seeds, and materials for  a plant craft. 
From Seed to Plant (Rookie Read-About Science) [Paperback]Allan Fowler (Author)
From Seed to PlantGail Gibbons
The Vegetables We Eat [Paperback]Gail Gibons (Author)
One Bean [Paperback]Anne Rockwell (Author), Megan Halsey (Illustrator)
Jack's Garden [Paperback]Henry Cole (Author, Illustrator)


http://www.tlsbooks.com/preschoolshapes.htm
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/spring/mflower.html

Starfall.com Review

www.Starfall.com is  an educational website focused on teaching early phonics skills. It features a number of activities to encourage kids who are learning to read. The activities build on each other, starting with learning the alphabet and its associated sounds, and followed by reading simple online books and more advanced reading activities.

What Does it Offer: There are lots of interactive games and a full curriculum to purchase. There are a few free worksheets which go along with the online activities. Additionally, they sell decodable early reader books from $5-$15. 

Educational Impact: Starfall uses a phonics-based learning system that is supported with both online games and activities and a print series. Skills taught include: phonemic awareness, systematic phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. 

My daughter loves this site. She is learning to use a mouse to point and click and she really enjoys the alphabet chants. 

 They have a whole game and a book about growing a plant. I think I will purchase the book, buy a pot and some seeds, and do a project with her  this year.