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.

http://astore.amazon.com/fooavefinthep-20/detail/006443009X

http://astore.amazon.com/fooavefinthep-20/detail/B00008XPBG

http://astore.amazon.com/fooavefinthep-20/detail/B000J0C9SM

http://astore.amazon.com/fooavefinthep-20/detail/B003U6P2GS

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.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312367481?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=0312367481&tag=fooavefinthep-20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NV7L0I?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=B000NV7L0I&tag=fooavefinthep-20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004BQ0DGK?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=B004BQ0DGK&tag=fooavefinthep-20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PNSVQA?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=B002PNSVQA&tag=fooavefinthep-20