Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Simple Paper Kite




You child can fly a kite outside or indoors. This kite is simplified for preschoolers, enabling them to make their own kite and fly it anywhere.


Materials:
·         Paper with an outline of a kite
·         Crayons, color pencils or markers
·         Scissors
·         Streamers
·         Stapler
·         Single hole punch
·         Ribbon

Materials:
1. On a piece of paper, draw the outline of a kite. Have your child color it and cut it out with scissors. 





2. Cut out a piece of streamer. Because children will be running with the kite, make sure the piece of streamer is short enough that your child will not step on it while playing. Secure the streamer to the bottom of the kite with a stapler. 

3. Fold the kite in half and punch 2 holes in the kite, equidistant from each other and the edge of the kite, on the line dividing the top and bottom of the kite.

4. Securely fasten a piece of ribbon through the holes (step 4). Make sure the ribbon is long enough that the kite can “fly” while your child is running.




5. You can decorate your classroom with the kite or have your child fly it. 


Friday, March 22, 2013

Spring Flowers





Spring means flowers will be blooming soon! Add some color with this simple craft that is fun for any age. 

Materials:
  • Construction paper 
  • Pencil
  • Scissors 
  • Tape 
Directions:
1. Trace your child's hand onto different colored construction paper. Cut out with scissors. 


2. Draw stems with leaves on green construction paper. Cut out with scissors. 


3. Fold the hand cut outs into the shape of a tulip: golf the pinky and thumb of the cut out towards each other. 


4. Tape the stem to the flower. 

5. Decorate. 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Saint Patrick's Day Window Decoration




You can make lots of window decorations for your home or classroom using only construction paper, tissue paper and glue. This craft is simple and fun to make with children of all ages. For more window decoration ideas, check out our Paper Stained Glass Window craft.

Materials:

  • Green construction paper
  • Green tissue paper
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Glue
Directions: 

1. On a green piece of construction paper, draw the outline of a shamrock. Cut out with scissors. 


2. Fold the shamrock cutout in half and cut out, along the same outline, a smaller shamrock, leaving a shamrock outline. You can continue cutting out smaller and smaller shamrocks, if you desire. 

3. One you have cut out all the shamrocks, take out a piece of green tissue paper. 


4. Trace all the shamrock cutouts on the tissue paper. Cut out with scissors. 


5. Glue the tissue paper shamrocks to the corresponding construction paper shamrock outline. Allow to dry. 

6. Hang up on windows. 

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Radio Interview

Today, I had the opportunity to speak with Kevin Willett, from the "Friends of Kevin" radio show on WSMN 1590. Although the interview was short, we had a great conversation about what Montessori is and talked about the education program at Evergreen Montessori House.

The interview in its entirety is posted below. Take a few moments to learn more about our school and learn why we're so passionate about what we do. Feel free to leave any comments or questions you may have.




Monday, March 4, 2013

Saint Patrick's Day Ornament




This Leprechaun ornament is both simple and fun for any age. It also makes a great decoration for around the classroom or home.

Materials:

  • Beige or white construction paper
  • Green construction paper 
  • Orange construction paper
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Crayons, color pencils or markers 
  • Single hole punch
  • Ribbon
Directions:

1. On a beige or white piece of construction paper, draw or trace a circle. Cut circle out with scissors. This will be the Leprechaun's head. 


2. On a green piece of construction paper, draw the Leprechaun's hat. Use the circle as a guide to make sure the hat is proportional to the head (step 1). Cut out with a pair of scissors. 


3. Trace your child's hand on an orange piece of construction paper. Cut out with a pair of scissors. This will be the Leprechaun's  beard. 


4. Glue the hat to the top of the head and beard (with the fingers pointing down) to the bottom of the head. Have your child draw the Leprechaun's face on the head. 

5. With a single hole punch, make a hole in the top of the Leprechaun's hat. Loop a piece of ribbon through the hole and tie with a secure knot, both ends of the ribbon together.