Classroom subject areas
Folk and fairy tales are in our state’s standards up to 7th grade, and Rapunzel is an ideal fairy tale for use with older students. Preschool teacher Margaret Elkins says she uses it with the younger ones, too, by focusing on the theme of love. The husband loved his wife enough to… Continue reading
We visited the Museum of Native American History (MONAH) in Bentonville, Arkansas. We expected to see a large collection of local arrowheads, and we did, but there is lots more than that to see at MONAH! When you first enter, you will be greeted with a mammoth skeleton and mammoth… Continue reading
Coyote Rescues Hawk is a traditional Chumash story, retold by Alan Salazar, who is a Chumash tribal elder and storyteller. This book is illustrated by Mona Lewis, who uses natural colors in her illustrations. In the story, a hawk, Khwitš, paddled off with a couple of other bird friends in… Continue reading
We visited the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, where we learned a lot of interesting things. The Channel Islands are off the coast of California. The first inhabitants were the Chumash, who lived there until the 1800s. Europeans began to arrive in the 1600s. Today, the Channel Islands are a national… Continue reading
Ladybugs make a cheerful theme for a summer classroom. Once you establish the theme, it’s easy to carry through, just by using red and black. You can make a bulletin board with red background paper and black paper spots and you’re set. There are ready-made ladybugs for bulletin boards: Borders,… Continue reading
Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd and has become an international event to promote environmental protection and awareness. The event began in the United States but quickly spread to countries around the world. Earth Day is now celebrated in over 190 countries worldwide, making it the largest environmental… Continue reading
Bridges are important parts of human communities around the world. They make a good study for all grade levels. Exploring Bridges Grade Level: Elementary (3rd to 5th grade) Subject: Science Objectives: Students will understand the basic principles of bridges and their importance in transportation and engineering. Students will explore… Continue reading
Hans Christian Andersen’s story of Thumbelina is the tale of a tiny girl, no bigger than her mother’s thumb, who grows in a flower from a magic seed. Her mother is delighted with her and she has a happy life until a toad comes and steals her away to serve… Continue reading
There are three obvious directions to go with the idea of rainbows: weather, colors, or the symbolism of rainbows as signs of good fortune. Rainbow colors classroom ideas Use rainbows to look at colors with a bright classroom theme: Rainbow of Possibilities Fadeless Rainbow bulletin board paper Garden Mama’s Waldorf… Continue reading
A country study can begin with location. Find Spain on a world map. What continent includes Spain? Can students identify any of Spain’s neighboring countries? Note how close Spain is to Africa — this has been important in the history of Spain. While you’re thinking about Spain’s location, you… Continue reading
