Dirty Dogs

Dirty Dogs

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean."  Isaiah 1:16

Project:                  Dirty Dogs

Children's book:    Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zolotow

Snack:                    Scooby Doo graham crackers for kids (shaped like dog biscuits)

  

Finished Dogs Hanging Together

Add caption

The things we dislike doing usually aren't all that bad.  We are happiest with ourselves when we do what we know is right.  When we make bad decisions by doing things we know are wrong our conscious is bothered.  When we "come clean" by confessing what we have done, a weight inside is lifted and we feel right with the world once more.  Harry, in Harry the Dirty Dog, goes through just such an experience.  Grandma knits him a sweater he just can't stand.  He gets rid of it then feels badly about what he has done.  In the end he makes things right and is happier for it.  

Supplies:

              Dog stencil

              white construction paper                                                        

              black construction paper

              sponges cut into abstract shapes

              white/black tempra paint

How to:

Cover work area.  Trace dog stencil on white construction paper.  Carefully cut out keeping the negative space.  Glue the white dog onto the black construction paper.  Glue white negative space onto another sheet of black construction paper.  You should now have one white dog with a black background and one black dog on a white background.  Dip sponges into paint and press onto dogs.  Use white paint on black dogs and black paint on white dogs.  Allow to dry and display side by side!

Did you know???

• Dogs need a bath only once a month.  More than that their skin can dry out.
• 1 John 1:9 says that, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." By confessing to God our shortcomings,  He forgives us.

Extension: Practice counting by counting the spots on each dog, add spots of each dog together, compare less and more, explore caring & feeding pets.

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Lilypad Flier

Lilypad Flier
"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."  Mark 16:15

 Project:                 Lilypad Flier

Children's Book:   Tuesday by David Weisner

Snack:                   Frog on a Lilypad cookies

Flier shown unpainted. 

Some people live a life of adventure either because adventure finds them, they seek it out or it is a by product of where they chose to live or what career path they've chosen.  Mark 16:15 admonishes believers to "go into all the world and preach the gospel".  A missionary's life is full of adventure.  In the book Tuesday, some frogs get a chance to live it up magically on a full moon night. Before the night is through they experience all sorts of adventures.  They were not preaching the gospel but they did happen upon some once in a lifetime experiences.  You can create some memories of your own through today's project:  making a lilypad flier.  This is a parent-child project.  The end result is a toy that will last for years to come.  

I want to fly!!!

 Supplies:

18" round piece of wood (available at large chain hardware stores)- at least 1/2" thick

4 sets of double wheels

2 handles

green outdoor paint suitable for children's furniture

shellac

decorative frog stickers or frog stencil, optional.

How to:

Cover work area.  In a well ventilated area paint the 18" round piece of wood green. Allow to dry completely.  Decorate top with frog stickers or stencil a frog design on top.  Coat with shellac.  Allow to dry.  Have adult attach wheels to underside of flier. Attach handles to opposite sides on top of flier.  Wear helmet at all times while riding.  Kids can scoot along while sitting on flier.  We chose to pull kids via an attached rope.  Note: Go slowly when making turns since flier can tip.  

Modify:  Trace a stencil of a small frog onto round piece heavy cardstock.  Paint with green craft paint and decorate as desired.   (glitter, jewels, etc.) Allow to completely dry.  Glue or tape back of cardstock to a plastic straw. Allow to dry.  Tie a string to the back of a chair and stretch string across room.  Before tying to another chair thread string through straw. Blow up a balloon but do not knot.  Fasten with double stick tape to underside of straw.  Let go of balloon and watch the frog fly along the string!  [Supplies for modification:   circles cut from heavy cardstock, green paint, frog stencil, decorative items such as glitter, jewels, etc., glue, plastic straws, deflated balloon, double stick tape and long string.] This toy won't last for year's but it is better suited for larger groups of children and is a neat experience.

Going Further:  

• Want to see an actual frog jumping contest?  Go to www.frogtown.org to get directions, dates and times.

• Draw sequence of changes as a pollywog transforms into a frog.

Snack:
Frog on a Lilypad Cookie  (These are a personal favorite.  So minty delicious!)
This cookie has three layers.  The middle layer is a brilliant green.  For extra fun garnish the tops of cookies with a gummy frog and a small edible flower decoration.
Cookie:
4 eggs
2 c sugar
1 c cocoa
1 tsp peppermint flavoring
1 c melted butter
1/4 tsp salt
Beat eggs and sugar.  Add remaining ingredients.  Pour into greased 11 x 17 jelly roll pan.  Have adult bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Cool.

Mint Frosting:
1/2 c melted butter
4 1/2 c powdered sugar
1 tsp peppermint flavoring
2 T milk
green food coloring
Mix and spread on top of cooled cookie layer.

Chocolate Frosting:
12 squares unsweetened chocolate
12 T melted butter

Have adult melt chocolate and butter together.  Spread on top of green layer.  Cool completely. Cut into rounds to form lilypad shape. (a biscuit cutter, a round cookie cutter or a small drinking glass can help with cutting round shapes.)  Place gummy frog and edible decorative flower on top! Enjoy!

The Mirror Game

The Mirror Game
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children."  Ephesians 5:1

Project: Mirror Game

Children's Book:  Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

Snack: Chocolate pudding and banana slices

It has been said that imitation is the highest form of compliment.  The monkeys in Caps for Sale copied the salesman to the point of anger. Not all imitation is bad and some monkeys can be very helpful.  Did you know Capuchin monkeys have been trained to help quadriplegics and people with other severe spinal cord injuries?  The Bible admonishes people to "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children."  Ephesians 5:1.  While it goes without saying that we should be comfortable with our own self and develop our own individuality,  there is also a time for learning through imitation.  Following the ways of someone more experienced with a skill can help build your own abilities.  In Caps for Sale, a treeful of monkeys imitate the motions of a frustrated man.  It is not until the man loses his temper that he realizes how simple it actually was to achieve his goal. We can get frustrated with things in life too but when we look to someone who has experience we can learn from them making our own path easier and less frustrating. 

How to:  The Mirror Game is played with two people sitting across from and facing one another.  Take turns being the person looking into "the mirror".  The other person acts as the mirror image. The mirror image person must imitate the movements of the first person.  Start with simple movements such as holding your hand in a stop sign position then moving in a circle.  As you get used to the idea of replicating movements make your actions more complicated.  After a few minutes switch roles.

 

Go further:  Want to make a red sock monkey?  The original plans are found at www.sockmonkey.com. 

Extend learning:  Explore monkey habitats and foods.

Secret Message Scrolls

Secret Message Scrolls

"And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also." 1 John 4:21

Inside the scroll can be a secret message, an invitation, a favorite verse, etc

A variety of ABC stamps, ink pads, and pretty picture stamps make this project fun.

Project: Secret Message Scrolls

Children's Book:  Tiki Tiki Tembo by Arlene Mosel

Snack:  rice cakes

Siblings.  They can be our best friend and our worst enemy.  Friends come and go but family usually stays.  Siblings go through childhood together experiencing things side by side.  Tiki Tiki Tembo by Arlene Mosel is a story of a brother desperately trying to seek help for his brother who is in deep trouble.  As the story winds down, we are presented with a theory for why Chinese names are traditionally short.  Our project, Secret Message Scrolls, takes inspiration from the many beautiful Chinese block printings seen throughout art.  

Supplies:

• Rectangular sheet of marbled paper, neutral in color
• alphabet rubber stamps, picture stamps
• ink pad
• two dowels slightly longer then height of paper.
• glue and/or tape
• scratch paper

How to:
Cover work area.  Print child's name on scratch paper.  Using this as a guide have child stamp their name onto marbled paper.  Stamp other favorite words or names.  Older children may want to stamp a favorite quote from a book or verse.  Younger children may want to use picture stamps to convey a thought or image.  Glue or tape dowels, one on each end of paper.  Roll each side to the middle to create a scroll.

To modify substitute marbled paper with a half a piece of typing paper.  Substitute dowels with plastic straws.

Did you know?:

• Sometime between the 4th and 7th century AD, the Chinese invented block printing.  
• It wasn't until 1450 AD that the Guttenberg printing press was invented. 

3" wide pretty paper, taped to two dowels, rolled up with rafia!

What message could be inside?????

Everyone had their own thoughts.

More fun to stamp then to slice eggs for lunch.

Fun for boys too!!

Supplies can be found in local craft stores, dollar stores, dime stores and by following the links below.

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Splatter Paint Picture Frame

Splatter Paint Picture Frame

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise."  Psalms 98:4

Ready to add a picture for a personalized touch!  Perfect present for Grandma especially if picture is of Grandma and child.

Craft Project:            Splatter Paint Picture Frame

Childrens Book:        Olivia by Ian Falconer

Snack:                       Mini Pigs in a Blanket

Judy Garland once said, "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."  Olivia, in the children's book Olivia by Ian Falconer, is very much her own person.  She is not afraid to be herself and to try things.  She enjoys life and puts her whole self into any activity that she does.  In this particular story, Olivia visits an art museum and is taken by a painting that she feels she could do just as well herself.  Once she gets home she does give it  try...on the wall.  This project allows kids to try splatter painting in a constructive way.  My kids felt so proud of what they created.  This makes a wonderful present for a loved one especially if you add a picture of child with recipient. 

Supplies:

Tempra paint (3 colors at most)

Unused new toothbrushes (one per color)

4x6 white picture mats 

acid-free tape

picture of each child

Deep box lined with newsprint plus extra to cover work area

How to:

Cover work area.  Place picture frame mat in the bottom of a lined box.  Add fresh liner paper for each child.  Dip a new, unused toothbrush in paint, gently shake off excess paint.  Run fingers over bristles holding brush a few inches from mat.  A splatter effect should take place.  Repeat with different colors until satisfied.  Dry.  Tape picture to back of mat.  Enjoy!  This project could be done on a large piece of construction paper to cut cost.  Allow to completely dry before mounting picture front and center on construction paper.  

Blue is loaded and ready to be splattered!

We kept a package of baby wipes at the ready to wipe off fingers.

Drying in the warm sun. 

Supplies can be found in local craft stores, dollar stores, dime stores and by following the links below.

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Mini Pigs in a Blanket

A Kid Friendly Recipe

Refrigerated biscuit dough

Bite sized hot dogs- (cocktail wieners)

Have each child flatten a round of biscuit dough.  Place one mini hot dog on top of dough.  Close dough around hot dog.  Pinch dough closed to seal.  Place on a cookie sheet.  Have an adult bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. 

Extension: Investigate pigs characteristics, habitat, and foods. 

Hidden Doodle Pictures

Hidden Doodle Pictures

 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Craft Project:             Hidden Doodle Pictures

Childrens Book:       Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Snack:                            Creme Puffs  (can be bought frozen, fresh or hand made)

Look for pictures within the scribbles.  The longer you look the more you see. 

Add details to pull what you see out of the scribble.

Sometimes life throws us curve balls.  How do you look at the bad things that happen in life?  Do you say why me or do you make the best of it?  In John 16:33 God tells us that bad things will happen to us in life but to take heart.  He has overcome the world.  God wants to walk by our side throughout life.  He wants us to turn to Him in times of sorrow and in joy.  When you do life doesn't seem so gloomy and you are able to find peace even during a difficult situation.

In the children's book Madeline, Madeline is taken to the hospital in the middle of the night with appendicitis.  It is frightening and obviously painful but she makes the best of her bad situation.  While there she discovers a secret picture on the ceiling and is showered with attention.  When Madeline saw the crack in the ceiling she didn't focus on how run down and in need of renovation the hospital condition was in.  She found a rabbit to keep her company!  What about us?  Would we find the crack to be unnerving or would we find a rabbit?  Her friends came and met the rabbit and saw how her attitude had made a bad situation good.  Soon all the little girls wanted to have their appendix out too.  Madeline made her bad situation look so good that the other little girls were envious.  Our goal in life should not be to try to make others envious of our bad situation but rather to find peace and trust God amidst difficult times. Make the best of bad times. 

Supplies:

               6 sheets of large white paper or newsprint

               colored markers 

           6 songs of varying mode, tempo, character, etc. (See recommended songs below.)

               Timer

Hidden Doodle Pictures allows children to respond to various types of music followed by finding pictures hidden within their scribbles.  Set timer for one minute.  Begin first song.  Child selects a colored marker (allow music to influence choice.)  Scribble on large paper.  Do not draw shapes or objects, simply lines.  Scribble freely allowing music to affect movements.  When timer rings, set marker down.  Take fresh paper and repeat for second song.  Repeat for all six songs.  Now look at each of your scribble sheets and pick your favorite.  Look for pictures within the scribbles.  The longer you look at the scribbles the more you will begin to recognize objects within the lines.  Use a different colored marker to color in shape.  Look for more objects.  How many can you find?  Switch papers if you wish.  Works best if you do not mention before hand that they will eventually be looking for hidden pictures within their scribbles.  

Music suggestions- download from ITunes:

Camille Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals (The Swan) -YoYo Ma

La vie en rose by Edith Piaf

C'est si bon by Yves Montand

Aux Champs Elysees by Paris

Partons Vite by Kaolin

Extension: Collect change, gently used stuffed animals/toys, small notebooks, etc to donate to a childrens hospital.  Perfect partner to units on repurposing used items and recycling. 

Supplies can be found in local craft stores, dollar stores, dime stores or by following the links below.

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Creme Puffs

A Kid Friendly Recipe

Ready to bake puff pastry shells (found in the freezer department at grocery store)

Favorite flavor pudding mix, 3.4 oz

1 1/2 c milk

powdered sugar

Have kids help prepare pudding as for pie filling by adding 1 1/2 cups milk to pudding mix placed in a bowl.  Thoroughly whisk until blending.  Set in fridge to chill.  Bake puff pastry shells according to package directions.  Ours said bake at 400 degrees F for 12 minutes.  Cool.  Kids can remove cooled pastry shell tops and spoon pudding into pastry.  Replace tops and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Sprinkle with powder sugar and serve. 

Pasta Wheel Trains

Pasta Wheel Trains

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

Project:                Pasta Wheel Trains

Childrens book:   The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

Snack:                  sliced apples and segmented oranges

"Be like a postage stamp- stick to one thing until you get there"- Josh Billings.  The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper is a timeless classic children's story about perseverance.  With a bit of determination you can achieve goals that seem far beyond your capabilities.  Stick to it and you will overcome obstacles.

Supplies:

Uncooked wheel shaped pasta

Paper plate or reusable paint tray

tempra paint- 3 colors

black marker 

9x12 construction paper.  (white, light blue or green would work well.)

How to:

Using uncooked wheel shaped pasta for stamps, we will be creating pictures of our own trains.  Cover work area.  Put a few dabs of three colors of paint on a paper plate.  Provide an uncooked pasta wheel per color/per child.  Stamp two wheels of like color fairly close together on white construction paper.  Repeat all over page.  Once paint has set, a black line or rectangle can be drawn on top of each set of wheels to from a pasta train.  When completely dry you can add cross hatch track between trains if desired.

Feel the pasta wheel to be sure spokes are flush with rim. Flush wheels/rim will stamp better then concave pasta. Test on plate before stamping.

Did You Know?: Interested in riding an exact replica Little Engine That Could train?  Rail Events, Inc schedules a yearly US tour.  Contact www.littleenginethatcouldtour.com for a complete tour schedule.

Snack: sliced apples and orange segments

The Little Engine was carrying all sorts of delicious food and treats for the boys and girls on the other side of the mountain.  Some of the food on the train were apples and oranges!  Apples can be soaked in 7-up or lemonade to help prevent browning. 

Supplies can be found in local craft stores, dollar stores, dime stores and by following the links below.

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Extension:  Investigate different types of trains, the names of the various train cars and famous train tracks. 

Tissue Paper Butterflies

Tissue Paper Butterflies
"Behold all things are made new in Me." II Corinthians 5:17

Craft Project:              Tissue Paper Butterflies

Children's Book:         The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Snack:                          Bug shaped graham crackers (caterpillar, butterfly, ladybug, etc. Keebler)

We are all works in progress. As we learn and grow we change.  Some changes are subtle, we hardly notice them.  Other changes are dramatic.  Take a caterpillar.  It begins looking like a worm but eventually becomes a beautiful butterfly!  Are we working towards bringing out the most beautiful version of ourselves?  Let's strive to nurture our inward beauty so that it beams on the outside: graciousness, kindness, love, joyfulness, purity of heart, helpfulness, patience, faithfulness, and self-control. Richard Bach once said, "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly."  Be patient with yourself.  We are all works in progress.

Supplies:

• 8x10 construction paper
• construction paper butterfly mask
• small squares of tissue paper in various coordinating colors
• contact paper- double sided stick

How To:

Stick contact paper to solid construction paper. Remove top film to expose top sticky side.  Contact paper should cover the entire area that will show through mask.  Students place overlapping squares of tissue paper onto contact paper.  Be sure to completely cover area.  Place mask on top and hang in a window!

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Toy Cork Raft

Toy Cork Raft 
"For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened."  Luke 11:10

Craft Project:         Toy Cork Raft

Childrens Book:    The Night Pirates by Peter Harris

Snack:                        Monkey bread

The finished raft ready to launch!

Luke 11:10 instructs us to ask God for the things we desire.  It is that way with friends too.  If we want to join in playing with a group of friends sometimes all it takes is to ask.  In the Night Pirates, Tom wanted to join a band of pirates but the pirates were girls!  He asked and they let him join their adventures.  And what an adventure it was!!  Today's project is all about creating a toy cork raft to have your own pirate adventures.

Supplies:

approximately 20 corks (wine bottle corks work well)

approximately 10 tongue depressors or popsicle sticks

1 kabob stick
1 piece of colorful scrapbook paper

non-water soluable glue, non-toxic- we used Elmer's

glue brush

hole punch

How to:

Cover work area.  Before gluing, arrange tongue depressors in a crisscross pattern to form the base of raft.  Lifting one stick at a time, brush glue between sticks.  Next,  arrange corks to cover base of raft.  Patterns can be formed by laying one row of corks in one direction and the next row perpendicular to the first row.  Lift one cork at a time then glue to stick.  Allow to completely dry.  Place kabob stick upright in middle of raft by gently inserting stick into a cork.  Cut out a house shape from scrapbook paper to form sail.  Cover each side with contact paper.  Punch hole towards top of sail and another towards the bottom.  Thread house sail through kabob stick and place upright in cork. (House should be upside down as in story).  Launch!

The criss-cross tongue depressor pattern

 Supplies can be found in local craft stores, dollar stores, dime stores and by following the links below.

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Did you know?: We tend to think of pirates as men but Anne Bonny and Mary Read were two infamous and fierce female pirates. 

Extension: Explore history of pirates and famous pirates. 

Monkey Bread-Tropical islands laden with pirate treasure and monkeys.  What better snack than warm monkey bread?

2/3 sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

30 buttermilk canned refrigerator biscuits

1 stick butter, plus more for pan

1/2 cup brown sugar

Grease and flour a bundt pan and set aside.  Have an adult preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  

Combine sugar and cinnamon.  Place in a gallon size ziploc bag.  Cut refrigerator biscuits in half, roll into a ball shape,  and shake in cinnamon and sugar. Melt stick of butter in a saucepan, add brown sugar and bring to a boil.  Put coated biscuit pieces in bundt pan.  Pour how butter/brown sugar mixture over biscuits.  Have an adult bake for about 30 minutes.  Remove from pan immediately.  Cool.  Great with a glass of cold milk!