A is for Astronauts or Aquariums: Themed Activities

I have to laugh! I was sitting looking at the two options I was considering. Should I do astronauts or aquariums? Right away I hear the baseball news came on and say, "The Astros". So that should be my answer but as I began to write my mind was like, "But it is summer, kids need to be inspired to go to Ripley's Aquarium! Water related activities is where it is at" So I decided to cover both, in part.

We can travel from the depths of the ocean to the heights of the outer universe, not in practice, but in our learning experiences and imaginative tales. As we gaze at the waves on the beach or look up to the clouds in the sky, we can explore a spectrum of experiences and places that will inspire us in our daily life. The dreams of childhood are wrapped up in moments like these.

From the highest of heights...

  1. Make giant leaps from hulahoop to hulahoop to pretend you are walking on the moon.
  2. Lay on the lawn and stare up at the night sky. Count the stars or see if you can name the constellations.
  3. Sing the song "Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, We're Going to the Moon" and do all the actions.
  4. Visit a planetarium or a science exhibit about space or learn about the planets and stars in books.
  5. Make it a summer project to create a solar system model or design constellations with glow-in-the-dark star stickers on the ceiling of your bedroom.

To the depths of the sea....

  1. Try supervised swimming in a lake or ocean and see what underwater life exists in that locale.
  2. Build your dream sandcastle on the beach, in the playground or in your yard.
  3. Sing the Song: "There's a hole in the bottom of the sea" and do all the actions.
  4. Visit an aquarium like Ripley's in Toronto or even visit a local pet shop to check out the fish.
  5. Create a summer collection of seashells, sea glass, sand from different beaches or pebbles.
Creation reveals God's majesty. Take time to enjoy the world we live in and the miracles of everyday life. Learn the science and beauty of our surroundings and expand our base of knowledge. Explore and Imagine and have a beautiful time sharing the world with those around you, especially with those little ones under your care!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

W is for Water: Themed Activities

  Water: As a fundamental necessity for life, water is highly esteemed. Without it, we cannot survive. But more than a basic requirement, it is also the source of many fun activities that you may enjoy with the child(ren) in your life.  Here are a few suggestions but the list is extensive! Be creative! Add rice or beads or coloured water to a water bottle and seal it to make a sensory bottle or shaker. Bob for apples in a bucket of water. Saturate a sponge and wring it out in another bucket 20 feet away. Which relay team will reach a set limit first? (ie. fill a glass to the brim) Learn to swim. Add food colouring to glasses of water and add in white carnations and wait. Watch how they change colour. Practice a thorough hand-washing routine. You can use a GloGerm kit to find out if you managed to get rid of all the germs! Learn about the water cycle. Do a science experiment to test different paper towel brands. Which one is the most absorbent when placed on a spill of 1/4 cup ...
Read more

S is for The Snowy Day: Library Notes

Image
We have had a snowy winter so perhaps this book has already been well-read and loved by the child(ren) in your life!  I wanted to be sure you know it exists because it is a classic. It covers the winter season, clothing for cold weather, and it suggests things to do on a snowy day...all in one book! Not only that, but it also helps children know that snow melts too and as the boy goes through that disappointment they think through what to do when they face that scenario too. Ezra Jack Keats wrote and illustrated this picture book in 1962 about a boy named Peter. His illustrations won him the Caldecott Medal. He layered fabrics and decorative paper and then added to that to create his illustrations.  A great follow up activity for children would be to attempt a picture using various materials such as those used in this book. The scenario is simple and familiar.  What do you do on a snowy day? Crunch in the snow. Make patterns as you walk and leave footprints behind. Make s...
Read more

Library Notes: Clap Your Hands

Image
One book that has proven the test of time is called "Clap Your Hands" by Lorinda Cauley.  The sheer number of lessons that can be covered by reading this book are incredible.  You can find the book online to purchase and/or to listen to in a recorded storytelling  Here are some accompanying thoughts. Expression: With body and words this book helps you express ideas in a fun manner alone or in a group Engagement: It is an interactive book to entice reluctant readers and engage children in the class. Understanding Emotions:  Build on the phrase, "Show me a smile. Show me a frown." Connection to the world:  Connect to people ("Tell me your name.  How old are you?") and to the animal world by making animal sounds and copying their actions ("roar like a lion, growl like a bear") Language Skills:  Study verbs (action words) such as clap, stomp, shake, wiggle, wave. How many are in the book? Vocabulary: Label body parts ("clap your hands, stomp you...
Read more