Elementary Learning

Cave Painting Activity

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What better way to kick off Ancient History studies than with a simple cave painting activity? This activity requires only a few supplies and very little prep. For the small investment required, it is a ton of fun and even a little educational. (You are welcome to use my free printable if you would ...

First Grade Minimalist Math Curriculum

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I created this minimalist math curriculum because I want my own kids to have a positive attitude towards math. I feel like all the repetition that kids experience using a more traditional curriculum is unnecessary in the elementary years. If kids develop a distaste for math because they are ...

Visit the Getty at Home

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Not long ago, my kids and I hosted a book club party in which we transformed our home into the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Living in California, it will probably be a long time before we visit the actual Met. However, to get the art museum experience in real life, my family recently went to the ...

Michelangelo Soap Sculpture Activity

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Recently my kids and I finished reading From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. (Click here for full review.) We decided to do this soap sculpture activity inspired by Michelangelo as part of a book club party school our family was hosting. If you are interested in this fun way of ...

Illustration Paper for Kids

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My kids are always wanting to write their own stories. For awhile, I was typing them up as they told them to me, printing them, then letting them draw pictures underneath. (You can see some examples in this review of a binding machine.) However, using this illustration paper for kids, they can be a ...

Around the World Stories Europe Review

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My kids LOVE Around the World Stories. We just finished listening to the complete collection of 52 stories about Europe. Before I begin, let me just say that this post is not sponsored in any way. I paid for these stories with my own money. I have so many wonderful things to say about this audio ...

Spotting the International Space Station

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I LOVE astronomy. It all started when my mom rented me Space Camp from our local video store about 30 years ago. I became absolutely obsessed with that movie. As a junior in high school, I figured out how to enroll in our local community college so I could take Intro to Astronomy over the summer. ...

Cloud in a Jar Experiment

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For the past several months, my kids and I have been studying Earth Science using the Sassafras Science Adventures curriculum. (My kids still enjoy this curriculum after 2 full years. Click here for my full unsponsored review.) However, as the school year draws to a close, we've definitely fallen ...

Color-Changing Invisible Ink

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What better way to get kids excited about science than with an experiment straight out of a spy novel? Write a secret message using colorless ink, wait for it to dry, then use a special secret solution to reveal the message. This activity was inspired by the Berlin blue experiment in this chemistry ...

Sight Word Star Charts

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My 6 year old is so excited to read. With my oldest, I never really made a big deal about sight words. At 8 years old, his spelling might not be the best, but he learned all the standard sight words just through reading. I don't think there's anything wrong with using this "organic exposure ...