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Noodle Brain STEAM Station

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How Does Your Brain Feel?

ALL ABOUT ME | BODY PARTS | NOODLE BRAIN

How does your brain feel? It’s hard to know, but we learned about the brain with the Noodle Brain STEAM Station. Noodles are soft and squishy, like the brain. Our brains are fragile and textured like a bowl of noodles. This fun STEAM Station from Experience Curriculum, a wonderful preschool curriculum,

What are STEAM Stations?

STEAM Stations are opened ended activity areas that invite children to investigate, problem-solve, and create.

STEAM includes Science, Technology, Art, and Math aspects. These are hands-on play and activity centers that extend our learning about a specific topic. Each activity will include one or more domains and can be left out for the week for the children to explore in-depth.

STEAM Station Binder

To set up STEAM Stations, Experience Curriculum has provided a printable bundle that includes: A Big Question Poster, Inspiration Photos, and Supply Labels.

The Big Question Poster invites children to think and problem-solve.
Inspiration Photos ignite imaginations.

The Supply Labels label your materials when you put them in bins or on shelves. Labels help children stay organized, create a literacy-rich environment, and make it easy to clean up.

Each week features five unique STEAM Station experiences. The centers are optional and use basic materials you likely already have around the house.

Body Parts STEAM Bundle

The STEAM Stations coordinate the daily lessons. They are my favorite activities of the day! I love to set them up and the kids love to explore them.

The Teacher Guide indicates the supplies needed and some teacher tips.

Noodle Brain STEAM Station

Every time I set up a STEAM Station it’s a little different, but I often use my IKEA FLISAT table because it’s so flexible. It also easily seats two friends to participate in the same activity.

We used little bowls, tweezers, and cooked spaghetti noodles. I recommend undercooking the noodles so they are easier to handle.

I cooked a package of spaghetti noodles but only put part of them in the table, to begin with. Keep the rest covered in the refrigerator so you can put out fresh noodles for the next child or use the next day.

We talked about the bowls being hard like our skulls, which protect our soft brains. Experience Curriculum also provided pictures of the skull and brain to help them understand.

It’s a fun sensory experience to play with noodles! I have a couple little ones under 2 years and just the youngest one attempted to eat the noodles, but this activity wasn’t really for him. I like this table because I can put the lids over the sensory bins to “close it up” when I can’t supervise it directly.

Everyone loved this learning experience!

Some kids used their hands and others didn’t seem to like the texture so they dumped the containers back and forth or worked with the tweezers.

The tweezers offer fine motor skills and hand strengthening opportunities, making the transfer of noodles more challenging.

More STEAM Stations

I have so many more I can’t wait to share! Check back soon.

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I received curriculum from Experience Early Learning for honest and authentic stories resulting from my daily experiences using the curriculum. As a user of Experience Preschool for many years, I am pleased to share quality educational experiences. #sponsored #ExperienceEarlyLearning

2021 Handprint Calendar Template Printable

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UPDATE: The 2021 calendar template has been posted at the bottom of this post.

Note: Please understand that this calendar is NOT editable.  I also cannot accommodate every request for various pages, languages and changes. However, it is free. I will consider your requests on the next go around! Thanks for understanding.

2017 Handprint Calendar Template Printable I started this calendar template a long time ago and I should have had it out to you sooner. Life just gets in the way somehow. Thanks for your patience! I do really like this project and I’m so glad so many of you do as well.  It’s such a fun gift for parents to receive from their little ones. I will be working on this project with my group too for the next holidays.

PRINT ON 8.5 x 11″ CARDSTOCK.

handprint patternshandprint patterns 2

About the 2021 Handprint Calendar Template Printable

Calendar template for creating a child’s handprint calendar. Each a month features a poem and a coordinating handprint. Print pages on cardstock for best results. Can be printed in color or black and white. Help the child create handprints on pages by painting design on the child’s hand. After it dries details can be added with a marker. Handprint patterns are also included. Alternate pages included for:

  • March (Shamrock/ Leprechaun)
  • November (Canada/US)
  • December (Snowman/Santa)

Below are little images of the pages included. handprint calendar pages handprint calendar pages 2017 Handprint Calendar Template Printable handprint calendar pages 2017 Handprint Calendar Template Printable 2017 Handprint Calendar Template Printable

2021 Handprint Calendar|PDF

 

What’s in the Box? Weather & Seasons

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October’s theme from Experience Curriculum is Weather & Seasons. It’s an exciting time of the year when we experience the change of weather and seasons in Wisconsin so I’m looking forward to these activities with my group! Let’s see What’s in the Box? Weather & Seasons.

What’s in the Box? Weather & Seasons

The Theme Web for Weather & Seasons covers it all – Weather, Seasons, Changes, and Storms. This preschool curriculum is my favorite because it covers so many topics in fun ways.

Theme Web for Weather & Seasons

This cute October calendar was inserted in our boxes. Love it!

adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience calendar

Wonder About Weather & Seasons Teacher Tool Bag

What's in the Box? Weather & Seasons

Core Concetps

October’s Core Concepts include numbers 3 and 4, color orange, letters C, N & U.

The Supplied Core Tools and Gathering Lists are helpful when you’re getting organized or looking for something you need.

Calendar grid and numbers featuring the AABB pattern.

October day care calendar grid and numbers

Music CD, Lyrics sheet, and Pocket Cube

Learning Displays – The color this month is orange and the updated printable sheet will be provided in Member Resources.

We love Learning Displays

Numbers and Math Mats

numbers 3 and 4

Hands on Letters, Letter and Word Wall Cards

Letter and Word Wall Cards

Hands on Letters, Letter and Word Wall Cards

Letter and Word Wall Cards

Authentic Assessment Pack

What’s the Weather? Touch & Play Display Materials

What's the Weather? Displays

Lesson 1: Sun

What's in the Box? Weather & Seasons sun

Lesson 2: Wind

What's in the Box? Weather & Seasons wind

Lesson 3: Clouds

What's in the Box? Weather & Seasons clouds

Lesson 4: Snow

What's in the Box? Weather & Seasons snow

Lesson 5: Rainbows

What's in the Box? Weather & Seasons rainbows

Lesson 6: Summer

Lesson 7: Autumn

Lesson 8: Winter

Lesson 9: Spring

Lesson 10: Seasonal Clothing

Lesson 11: Changing Leaves

Lesson 12: Daylight & Darkness

Lesson 13: Hibernation

Lesson 14: Migration

Lesson 15: Meteorologist

Lesson 16: Thunderstorms

Lesson 17: Hail

Lesson 18: Tornadoes

Lesson 19: Hurricanes

Lesson 20: Floods

Up next month is Explore the Rainforest theme. It’s time to order it now if you haven’t already.

That’s What’s in the Box? Weather & Seasons! Check back to see these activities in action.

More Weather & Seasons Activities

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I received curriculum from Experience Early Learning for honest and authentic stories resulting from my daily experiences using the curriculum. As a user of Experience Preschool for many years, I am pleased to share quality educational experiences. #sponsored #ExperienceEarlyLearning

Simple Room Refreshes with EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Duck Brand Easy Liner. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’ve enjoyed making some simple refreshes to my family child care space for the new school year with Duck® Brand Clear Laminate and EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner. See my Simple Room Refreshes with EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner.

Simple Room Refreshes with EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner

The Basket Weave print Duck® Brand EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner is one of my favorites and I used it in several places throughout my room.

Simple Refreshes with EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner

This wall space between my bulletin board and toy bin shelf has some imperfections and I thought the Basket Weave EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner would clean up and brighten the space and it does! It looks much nicer when I take photos here.

Simple Room Refreshes with EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner
Simple Room Refreshes with EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner

Our walls are textured and bumpy but the EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner adheres and is secure. I don’t have to worry about it coming down but it’s removeable.

Simple Room Refreshes with EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner

I like the decorative look of the Basket Weave EasyLiner® Adhesive Prints Shelf Liner in this space.

Simple Room Refreshes with EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner

Wall Decor

I used the Weathered Wood EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner to create some letters for my little library. I made letters about 6″ x 12″ that say READ. It fills a little space by the bookshelf.

It looks so cute and again, it’s removable, simple, and inexpensive update.

READ wall adhesive

Table Refinish

One of my tables gets a lot of use and the tabletop finish is rough. It really needs to be sanded and refinished but I don’t have time to do it.

I resurfaced the table with Basket Weave EasyLiner® Adhesive Surfaces Shelf Liner. In just 10 minutes, versus 2 hours or more, my table looks fresh and beautiful! Plus it’s easy to wipe down.

Recovered table with EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner

Toy Shelf Restyle

My favorite room refresh is the toy shelves. Again I used the Basket Weave EasyLiner® Adhesive Surfaces Shelf Liner to add some style to the back of my shelves.

Decorative shelves with EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner

The EasyLiner® Adhesive Surfaces Shelf Liner adds some style and warmth to my shelves.

The EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner is very easy to use.

EasyLiner® Adhesive Surfaces Shelf Liner is a Removable adhesive. It’s easy to measure and cut with the grid backing. The backing paper peels off easily to apply to your surface.

The EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner is removable and really easy to work with. I was so pleased that I could reposition the adhesive in order to get it straight on the back of my shelves. Even if the adhesive sticks to itself, it can be easily be repositioned and moved.

The decorative Basket Weave EasyLiner® Adhesive Surfaces Shelf Liner has a nice geometric look.

EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner on back of shelves

This is a great way to update the look of your room and it’s removable if you decide to make a change.

EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner on toy shelves

Picnic Table Update

Our picnic table isn’t in the best shape any more but it it’s still very useable so I haven’t replaced it. I decided the EasyLiner® Adhesive Prints Shelf Liner – Sky Gingham would be perfect to recover the tabletop.

It looks so much nicer now and it’s easy to wipe clean.

I’ve found many uses for Duck® Brand Clear Laminate and EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner. I hope you’ve enjoyed my Simple Room Refreshes with EasyLiner® Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner.

Duck® Brand Sticks with Education Social Contest

Have some ideas of your own? Enter to win the Duck® Brand Sticks with Education Social Contest.

Enter to win:
Post photo(s) or video(s) on Instagram showing how you use Duck® Brand products in your classroom to organize, decorate, teach lessons & more.

Tell us about how you used Duck® Brand products in your post and use #DuckBrandSticksWithEducation + #contest + tag us @theduckbrand

The Entry Period runs from 8/5-9/30. Judging will take place from 10/1-10/9. The winner will be announced on 10/16.

Judging Criteria

Entries will be judged on: Originality & Creativity – 20%, Workmanship – 20%, Quality of Content – 20%, Use of Color & Design – 20%, and Use of Duck® Brand Product(s) – 20%.

Prizes

  1. One (1) Grand Prize Winner: a year’s worth of school supplies valued at $2,000
  2. Includes mix of Duck® Brand products & other key supplies + gift card
  3. Two (2) Runners Up: school supplies valued at $500 each
  4. Includes mix of Duck® Brand products & other key supplies + gift card

Meaningful Calendars for Preschoolers

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If you’re working in Early Childhood Education, you’ve heard the arguments for and against using calendars for preschoolers. Some educators say, yes we do calendar time and others say no, it’s not appropriate for preschoolers. So what should you do with the calendar?? I don’t think it’s a question of if we should introduce the calendar or not, but how can we make meaningful calendars for preschoolers?

Meaningful calendars for preschools image

I believe calendar time can be beneficial for preschoolers if used in a developmentally appropriate way. Children love the routine of circle time, calendar, and weather. We use the calendar every month from Experience Curriculum formerly Mother Goose Time.

Routines and repetition are a great way to learn. It doesn’t need to be a long sequence of events but circle time introduces children to number and time concepts. Try a couple of these tips at a time. Don’t try to do it all every day otherwise you’ll lose your little learners.

Here is a great article about Calendar Time for Young Children.

Ideas for Meaningful Calendars for Preschoolers

Below are my suggestions for using the calendar in a developmentally appropriate way including matching, talking about special days, counting and working on patterns.

Matching

Meaningful Calendars for Preschoolers September grid

Write the numbers on the calendar with a marker. I do it at the beginning of the month while counting with the children so they can see me writing the numbers.

Then each day a child can take a turn matching the calendar number to the number on the calendar grid.

putting up numbers on the calendar Meaningful Calendars for Preschoolers

Special Days

Put a sticker or stamp on special days like birthdays, holidays, or vacation so they can count down the days or see when they are. Talk about these events throughout the day and reference the calendar.

marking the calendar with stickers for holidays and birthdays

When the children ask when a party day is, for example, they can find it on the calendar and see how many days it will be when we celebrate.

Counting

Have your calendar helper use a pointer to count the days of the month every day. Soon your group will be able to count 1-30! Also, since the numbers are written on the calendar, we’re able to work on number recognition.

preschool calendar display for Meaningful Calendars for Preschoolers

Children love this job and it helps them practice one to one correspondence when they say a number and point at the number on the calendar. Skipping the calendar is a missed opportunity to focus on basic concepts.

Days of the Week

Sing the days of the week song while pointing to the days on the calendar. Experience Curriculum has a “Days of the Week” song (Circle Time CD) in the Digital Music Catalog under Member Resources. Other versions can be found on YouTube.

days of the week at circle time Meaningful Calendars for Preschoolers

While it may take a long time before children understand what day of the week it is, they do like songs and pick up the Days of the Week very quickly through singing. In this case, the children may be learning only the song.

We refer to the weekdays as school days and weekends as “family days”.

Patterns

Look for patterns on the number cards. If you use Experience Preschool, the calendar cards have patterns on them each month that relate to the theme. Each month has a different pattern sequence such as ABAB, AABB, or ABBA.

calendar numbers and patterns from Experience Curriculum

If don’t have patterns on your number cards, consider adding a color or picture pattern to make the cards more meaningful.

Additional Benefits to Calendar Time

Coming together for calendar time and circle time activities, creates a sense of community, teaches children expected behaviors, and develops attention and self-control.

There are so many great things going on with the calendar! Don’t miss them.

Printable Blank Calendar Grid

For children who are ready to practice writing numbers, they can write in the numbers of the month on the calendar. Click here for the free printable blank calendar grid.

Check out my tips for Super Fun Circle Time!

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I received curriculum from Experience Early Learning for honest and authentic stories resulting from my daily experiences using the curriculum. As a user of Experience Preschool for many years, I am pleased to share quality educational experiences. #sponsored #ExperienceEarlyLearning

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