For their last month of school, the first graders project is taking the students to the Ocean waters. The kids were asked to allow their imagination go wild and create their own Ocean scene in a box.
Ocean Diorama Project.
Materials/Tools Needed
Cardboard
Hand drawn scenes
Blue Construction Papers
Scissors
Synthetic Plants
Stones
Fish cutout (from drawings or Magazine)
Card stock
Markers
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Fishing Wire
Step by Steps:
Decide on the shape of box you want.
For background, draw a scene on a blue construction paper, cut it out then glue inside box.
Draw Sea creatures on paper, cardboard or simply cut out shapes out of magazines.
Use fishing wire to make free-floating fish by taping them to the top of the box and the body of the fish.
Hot glue the stones and synthetic plants on the floor of the diorama.
It was another fun project which my Son completed with the assistance of his Father and Sister.
This Month at my Son’s Elementary School, they are learning about recycling and taking care of the Planet. The kids were asked to make a RecycleBot out of any materials such as cans, boxes, bottles (glass and/or plastic), bottle caps, cardboard, electronics, metal, paper, eggs cartons, etc.
After looking around the house, he found a few recyclable materials that would work for his school project.
RecycleBot (Front).RecycleBot (Side).
My Son found a small LED light that changes color at Kohl’s and has a wire attached to it with a switch at the end, to turn it on momentarily (pictured below).
RecycleBot (Back).RecycleBot (Front).
Materials/Tools Needed:
Yogurt Cups
Ice cream Cups
Cardboard Pieces
Fishing Wire
Sports Drink Container
Spray Paint Cover
It was such a fun project which my Son completed with the assistance of his Father.
As Winter ends, it gives way to Spring, the season of new beginnings and allergies.
With slightly warmer temperatures, the Earth awakes with plants starting to grow, leaf out and bloom. Animals come out of their winter hibernation and begin their activities and migratory birds return. As beautiful and rejuvenating as Spring season may be, it also comes with a price for allergy sufferers.
We have all been sick with the Common Cold for a week. It’s hard when everyone is sick at the same time, especially when kids are involved. Other than the raw, rough cough and painful sore throat from constantly coughing, we are now recovering and slowly regaining our appetite. If like us, you worry about your children coughing constantly, click here to learn about the types of Coughs you need to Worry About.
We couldn’t go outside for some fresh and cold air since we have a fruitless Mulberry Tree which produces pollen and catkins, wreaking havoc on allergy sufferers like us. With Mulberry trees all over the neighborhood and our High Desert winds which carries the pollen great distances, additional precautions must be used. Yesterday my husband cut off all the branches from the tree and we are still debating on a total removal of the tree trunk or not.
Male Mulberry Catkins and Leaves.
For as long as I can remember, I have not had any allergies problems until we moved to the High Desert seven years ago. Every Spring and Fall, I have a bad case of nasal allergies and approximately a year after settling in our Home, I started developing allergic symptoms from some fruits and vegetables. As of today I can no longer eat Avocado, Banana, Apple without experiencing serious itchiness in my mouth and around the face.
What can you do about Pollen and Allergies?
Keeping your yard free of weeds to eliminate the sources of pollen around you.
Stay inside during pollen production periods as well as on windy and smoggy days.
Soaking down the vegetation to prevent the pollen from remaining airborne.
Replace heating and air conditioning filters often.
Purchase a high efficiency Air Purifier to filter, trap and hopefully remove these allergens from the air.
Keep your windows and doors closed at all times.
Wear a facial mask when conducting any outdoor activity (during pollen production periods).
Shower, change clothes and wash hands when you are done with outdoor activities.
Use sunglasses or prescription glasses to protect eyes when outdoors.
Drink Tea to provide relief for nasal congestion and inhale steam to soothe sinuses (more information here).
Talk to your doctor as soon as you have concerns.
Below is a list of allergy causing Plants and Trees:
According to Northwest Sinus & Allergy Clinic, Mulberry trees are considered severe allergens with yellow flowers appearing in the Spring and bringing significant discomfort to those who are allergic to the pollen. Symptoms of mulberry allergy include Asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis and occur following contact with pollen from this tree.
My next move is to get tested to figure out which trees trigger my allergies and irritate my immune system. Since male trees shed highly allergenic pollen, I will check for male trees around my property (if any) and replace them with female trees which are pollen-free.
Click here and here for more information on allergy causing Plants.
When we inspected our Home a few years ago prior to putting in an offer, I fell in love with the backyard as the numerous structures on the lot broke the land into sections. As I looked onto the side of the house, I spotted a semi-shady corner which was ideal for a Playground and/or a Kid-Friendly Garden.
Corner Garden.
Five years ago, I started by creating a tiny corner garden and added a decorative wrought iron border fence around the garden as well as some color changing solar globe lights along the borders. The selection works well, as it provides a specific learning and playing area for our children. I added two comfortable sitting areas for them to sit still and enjoy conversing, enjoy the day, or for us to relax and watch them play. I have Garden Benches and Patio/Bistro Sets all over my garden as the yard is huge and it can be quite exhausting walking around sometimes. I enjoy retreat areas. Besides, sitting areas in a yard, if placed correctly, create attractive focal points.
A few years ago, I was given a beautiful hand made miniature vintage Mexican clay couple as well as a tiny Puerto Peñasco Pottery Vase. They are now resting underneath one of my Scotch Broom shrubs.
Miniature Vintage Mexican Clay Couple.
The fairy wind spinner is a purchase from Collections Etc., and a gift to my daughter who adores anything fairy and ballerina. It’s a beautiful addition to our front yard as it attracts hummingbirds and twirls in the breeze.
Fairy Wind Spinner.
Somewhere in my backyard, we created this cute little area in memory of our wonderful neighbors and parent figures (one of whom is no longer with us). The picture features their wedding wine glasses, vintage 1960’s spaghetti porcelain poodle dog figurines and a porcelain ornaments box. The huge rustic fisherman metal art was a purchased from Horseshoe Art by Don Henry in Lucerne Valley, CA.
Rustic Fisherman Metal Art.1960’s Spaghetti Porcelain Poodle Dog Figurines.
We love our Woodland babies!
Collectible Woodland Babies.
The toy frog was a favorite of my son. He placed it himself among the daffodils when he no longer wanted it.
Toy Frog hiding in the Daffodils.
Geckos Metal Wall Art
Geckos Metal Wall Art.
The children at play figurines were also a purchase from Collections Etc.
The balancing love birds stake is in the front yard, next to the water fountain. It gently swings back and forth in the breeze. The Angry Gnome is one of many in our gnome collection.
Balancing Love Birds and Angry Gnome.
These Gnomes on a Ladder are eager to find out what is growing in my daughter’s planter.
Gnomes Climbing a Ladder.
The stone mushrooms were the bases of chain linked posts that were dug up, flipped up side down, and buried. We spray painted them red/green and added white spots.
Stone Mushrooms.
The Conga Line Dog Silhouettes were so hilarious that I decided to get one. The Children Chasing bugs are adorable too.
Conga Line Dog & Children Playing Silhouettes.
One of my daughter’s favorite statues is the Little Girl Gardening statue below. She found a use for the tiny planter.
Little Girl Gardening Statue.
Every time I shop online, my kids look for an opportunity when I step away to add a few favorites of their own in the shopping cart. The Ladybugs are beautiful and the Bunnies are just perfect for Easter.
Ladybugs & Bunnies Crossing.
The Fairy and Deer Friend Shadow Garden Stake is one of my favorite.
Fairy and Deer Friend Shadow Garden Stakes.
There are unlimited ideas and ways to encourage kids to go out …
Last week my Son received his very first Pizza Hut® Book It!® Reading Program Certificate (for his 2013-2014 school year) to celebrate another reading accomplishment. Tonight he placed an order of his favorite Pan Cheese Pizza and received a sticker, making it the second sticker in the new redesigned Passport.
Book It!® Reading Program Passport & Certificate.
Book It!® now offers a free online Minute Tracker which means that as soon as a child meets the monthly reading goal, the teacher gives him or her a Reading Award Certificate. Click here to sign up and get started.
It’s been a very good day and we are all content. The weather forecast for tomorrow predicts rain early in the afternoon, which means that I have to make sure my Son is dressed warm for school in the morning.
By JM Perez
