Lavender Sensory Playdough

*The color got a lot darker after sitting for a bit…after I took this picture!
2 3/4c flour
1c salt
4t cream of tarter
6T oil
2c water
purple or red and blue food coloring (if desired)
several drops of Lavender Essential Oil
Mix all the ingredients in a sauce pan on Medium Heat, and keep stirring until it forms a smooth ball of dough that is not too sticky/goopy.  Remove from heat, and mix in food coloring and EO.
This makes for a great sensorial experience as well as fine motor!
It seriously smells soooo good!
Be sure to store in an air tight container or ziploc bag!
I made this for our Flowers unit we are doing and gave the kids flower shaped cookie cutters and foam stamps as well as a variety of other playdough tools.
You could also mix in dry lavender or fresh petals if you have some!



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The Snowy Day Unit Study

Here is a sneak peak at the preschool curriculum I’m working on!

It is titled -

Montessori Inspired, Manipulative Rich, Literature Based, Hand’s On Preschool Curriculum for ages 2-5

by Jennifer Altman MEd/ECE

Each Month there will be several suggested books as well as many suggested activities.  Since the curriculum is designed for ages 2-5, you will not do every activity each week.  Just pick the ones that interest you and your child and are on your child’s level.  The themes for each month tend to go together, so activities can carry over from week to week as well.  Here is a sneak at one week for January -


(Click image to go to book website)
Other books: The Snow Day by Keatts, The Mitten by Brett

Letter Recognition:  Letter S Box/Tray – Fill with items that start with the letter S.

Cooking: Make Snow Cones

Lots of snow themed snacks http://www.childfun.com/index.php/activity-themes/seasonal/267-snow-activities.html?start=3

Cognitive: Snowflake Match (see attached)

Provide several pairs of gloves and/or mittens for your child to try on and match.

Science: Freezing – fill a small plastic bag half full with water (or have your child do it) and put in the freezer to see what happens, after frozen remove it and observe the ice melt. You can even put toys or fruit in it before freezing and then try to get the objects out of it when frozen. Watch Sid the Science Kid MY ICE POP - http://www.pbs.org/teachers/includes/content/sid/change/frozenfruit.pdf

Make Borax Snowflakes http://chestnutgroveacademy.blogspot.com/2011/08/alaska-state-study.html#.UPtz1CdZWSo

Hot or Cold File Folder Game

Sensory - Sand & Water Table – Fill the water table (or a large basin) with snow (bring in from outdoors if you have some) or blocks of ice (freeze in a variety of sized containers) if snow is not available or fill a bin with InstaSnow  Use mittens to stay warm. Provide Artic animals for play.

Fill the Water Table with sudsy water and white puff bath sponges http://mysmallpotatoes.com/2012/11/29/weekly-kids-co-op-bubbly-bowl-of-snowballs-a-wintery-themed-sensory-activity-for-babies-and-toddlers/

Put some plain shaving cream on the table to play in. (It’s great for cleaning the table too!)

Freeze colored water in ice cube trays and then paint on white paper with them

Art: Paint with white paint on blue paper to make snowy pictures

Draw with white chalk on black paper

Make Snow Glitter Puffy Paint – Mix 1/2c Flour, 1/2c salt, 1/2c water and put in a squeeze bottle. Squeeze onto paper.  It dries 3D and sparkles! You can paint over it after dry for another effect.

Use a Q-tip as a paint brush (dot paint) to make a wintery snow scene

Make snow paint and paint a snow man (or other winter scene) – it’s made from glue and shaving cream http://hojosteacherstore.blogspot.com/2012/01/finally-completed-pinterest-project.html

Make snow globes with small jars (Stage 3 baby jars are perfect) use a small tree or other winter type object, add water and glitter then seal the lid with hot glue http://chestnutgroveacademy.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-activities.html#.UPtk_ydZWSo

Fine Motor – Using coffee filters or white paper and scissors your child can cut out snowflakes

Look through magazines find and cut out pictures of things you would wear in cold weather. You could also look for pictures of things to wear in warm weather and sort them. Or use the Hot or Cold – What to Wear cards from Montessori Print Shop

Snow Dough – add rock salt to playdough for texture, or make frosty fluff snow with cornstarch and shaving cream

Courtesy of Keepin’ it Kool in Kinderland

More Snowy Playdough Recipes and Ideas http://livingmontessorinow.com/2013/01/14/montessori-monday-montessori-inspired-winter-playdough-activities/

Salt Tray Writing – Put some salt into a tray, or shoebox lid (or something else similar).  Your child can practice writing with his/her finger or using a craft stick. Depending on their age and ability, use the Prewriting cards in the printable links below for them to copy the forms in the salt.  So for younger kids, have them make lines (curved,straight, diagonal), when they master that move onto letters.  When forming letters have them start at the TOP.

Snowman Playdough Mats http://www.prekinders.com/2011/12/snowman-play-dough-mats/

Math: Cut snowflakes of various sizes and have your child put them in order by size

Using wagon wheel pasta or honeycomb cereal as snowflakes, count out the number of snowflakes as the number on the snowman card (use could also use cotton balls or white pompoms). For older children they can add the numbers. (see attached)

Make snowmen and/or snowflakes using pattern blocks http://www.prekinders.com/2009/11/christmas-pattern-blocks/

More Snow Themed Math Ideas http://prekandksharing.blogspot.com/2013/01/montessori-inspired-winter-math-activities.html

Music and Movement: Play Musical Freeze – Play the music, when it stops FREEZE

Dance with white scarves and pretend to be snowflakes

Play “Hot and Cold” Hide and Seek – Hide something and then give clues of Hot and Cold to say if they are close or not close to the object.

Let your child ‘ice skate’ in his/her socks on an uncarpeted floor surface
Have an indoor snowball fight http://frugalfun4boys.com/2012/12/21/indoor-texas-snowballs/

Printables on the web:
The Mitten Printables http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net/2013/01/the-mitten-printables/
More Mitten Printables http://www.homeschoolcreations.net/2012/01/printables-for-mitten-by-jan-brett/
The Mitten Odd and Even Number Sort http://www.homeschoolcreations.net/2013/01/the-mitten-even-and-odd-number-sort/
The Snowy Day Printables http://www.homeschoolcreations.net/2013/01/the-mitten-even-and-odd-number-sort/
Winter Themed Pack http://3dinosaurs.com/wordpress/index.php/free-winter-pack/
Snow and Ice Pack http://www.2teachingmommies.com/2012/01/snow-ice-expanded.html
Winter Fun Pack http://www.2teachingmommies.com/2012/01/winter-fun-expanded.html
Winter Themed Tot Packs http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/WinterFunTotPack.html

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Addition and Subtraction with Homemade Play Dough

Any parent who wants to add a little fun to their kids’ educational activities knows how hard it can be to mix the two. This activity is a no fail combination of fun and math that will have your kids counting and subtracting like pros. Plus, the process is inexpensive and easy, safe for kids (it’s a no-cook recipe), and you end up with some awesome homemade play dough that will keep them entertained for days. Here is a fun way to introduce this addition and subtraction activity to your kids:
1. Read Your Recipe Aloud:
Here is the basic recipe for the play dough you will be making. Start out with your white board or a big piece of paper and write the recipe out on the board on a large piece of paper to hold up for your kids. Read out the recipe to them. Then, have your students take turns reading the recipe out loud.
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup water
1 cup flour
Food dye
Have two measuring cups ready. Hold up one measuring cup and ask your students, “How much is one cup?” Then ask, “How much is a half cup?”

Using water to demonstrate, ask your students (depending on their age) to pour out a half cup in the first measuring cup. Write ½ c. on the white board. Then ask them to measure out a half cup in the second measuring cup. Finally, ask them how much you have when you add both the half cups together. Repeat this process, adding and taking away cups, half-cups, and even fourth cups, of water, until you’ve practiced for a while. After that, it’s time for the fun part!
2. Add to Prepare your Work Space:
-Count 8 sheets of newspaper. Lay them down on the floor, kitchen counter, or table.
-Plus 1 big bowl. Place it on the newspaper.
-Plus 3 small bowls (or as many as you want to use to make different colors).
-Plus 1 measuring cup. Place it next to the bowl.
How many items do you have now? (13 items)

3. Add to Find Ingredients:
-Count 1 bag or container of flour.
-Plus 1 canister of salt.
-Plus 1 bottle of water.
-Plus 3 bottles of food coloring. (Will vary based on how many colors you have.)
How many ingredients do you have? (6 ingredients)
4. Add to Combine Ingredients:
-Measure 1 cup of flour, and pour it into your mixing bowl.
-Measure 1/2 cup of salt and add it.
-Measure 1/2 cup of water and pour in.
Stir everything together with a large mixing spoon. You may need to adjust the measurements. If the play dough seems too runny, have your kids measure a small amount of flour to add. If the mixture is too thick, add more water.
5. Subtract to Separate the Play Dough:
Depending on how many colors you want to make, you will need to divide up the play dough accordingly. It’s easiest and most fun to subtract using handfuls.
-Subtract one handful for blue. Have one student grab a handful from the mixing bowl and place it into a smaller bowl.
-Subtract one handful for red.
-Subtract one handful for yellow.

6. Add to Make Colors:
Have students start with two drops of color each. Then they can add drops until they reach the color they desire. Simply drop in the color and knead the dough until the color runs solid.
If you want, you can get creative with addition to mix colors and make new colors, such as:
-2 drops blue + 2 drops yellow = green

By-line:
Jemima Lopez is a freelance blogger and writer who writes for Zen College Life, the directory of higher education, distance learning, and best online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email: lopezjemima 562@ gmail.com.
Photo credits:
measuring cups -  http://www.flickr.com/photos/like_the_grand_canyon/3444726721/sizes/m/in/photostream/
mixing bowl -  http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwstucke/2251927116/sizes/m/in/photostream/
play dough balls -  http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyeliam/3894469442/sizes/m/in/photostream/
numbers -  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescridland/2272701122/sizes/m/in/photostream/
food coloring -  http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewbland/3111904731/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Baked Clay Ornaments

Tot School - 32mos, 5yrs

So, I really didn’t think I was even going to get a post up this week for BTT, but so glad I can!  It was my turn to teach at co-op this week.  So, for Music we watched Mr. Kreuger’s Christmas.

For Science and Art we made Baked Clay (Corn Starch Dough) Ornaments.   I had seen these on pinterest, and then was given the suggestion by 2 other friends, so we went for it.  I was really nervous about any type of ‘food item’ ornaments b/c of roaches and ants here in HI, but I don’t think they’ll find corn starch and baking soda to tasty! 
The recipe is really easy -
2 c. baking soda
1 c. cornstarch
1 1/4 c. cold water

Mix soda and cornstarch together, blending well. Add the cold water and mix well until mixture is smooth. Boil for one minute until it has consistency of mashed potatoes. Stir constantly. Spoon out on a plate. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to cool. Knead dough and roll out on waxed paper. Cut out designs with a cookie cutter or shape by hand. Let dry until hardened, about 1 to 2 days. Or you can speed up the process by baking them @ 250 until hardened.
Then we painted them.  We used a straw to make the holes (before baking), I forgot on one, but it was still a bit soft, so I stuck a paper clip through it.

I made some dough ahead of time, and then made a batch to show the kids the reaction of mixing the ingredients. (for the science portion of our lesson).  That way we didn’t have to wait for it to cool, and we watched the movie while they baked, and also did another ornament craft from Oriental Trading, then we painted them!
My kids enjoyed it so much that we even made more after everyone from co-op went home! 

Linking up with:

Workbox Wednesday

Tot School – 11mos

Dropping clothespins into an empty juice bottle

Tot School – 30mos

Constellations poke page

Space Sensory Bin – I have some blue rocks, and glass beads, some rubber jacks, glow in the dark stars, planets, two large bouncy balls with glitter inside, the top of a toob, and a measuring scoop.

Golf tees and marbles with a block of wood (the hubs drilled holes in it to fit the golf tees).  Put golf tees in holes and then place marbles on top.

Spooning star buttons

Tweezing pom-pom balls and putting into cupcake tin (I liked that the tins were the foil one for this,b/c it looks space like!)

Space Puzzle

Star Size Sorting – FREE FROM ME

Moon Rocks counting (#1-6), (#7-12) – FREE FROM ME, the numbers are on moons.  Used with smooth rocks (‘moon rocks’) for counters.

Glitter Galaxy Playdough with star, circle and moon cutters.

Recipe:
1 3/8c Flour
1/2c salt
2t cream of tarter
3T oil
Glitter (I added about 1/4c of silver)
1c water
blue food coloring
Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan and heat over med until thick and it forms a ball.  Knead until smooth.  Add more coloring as you wish.  (I halved the recipe I used for the Pumpkin Spice Playdough, that’s why the measurements are a bit odd).

K5

Space Shuttle Floor Puzzle

This week’s Read Aloud – Star Jumper: Journal of a Cardboard Genius

Space words and Lowercase Letters (Teaching Tiles)

Activity from Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Your Child to Read – ‘ea’ words on cards, 4 cards say ‘eat a treat’.  There were 4 cookies on the desk.  Flip the cards, read the words, and when you get ‘eat a treat’, you do it!  He loved this one (And yes he is STILL wearing his Halloween costume, he has worn it pretty much non-stop since Halloween).

Linking up with:

Pumpkin Spice Playdough

One of the things in our workboxes this week is Pumpkin Spice Playdough!  It smells soooo good, it seriously had me craving pumpkin something while I was making it!

The pictures shows about 1/3 of the recipe, so it makes a pretty fair amount

2 3/4c flour
1c salt
4t cream of tarter
6T oil
2T pumpkin pie spice (or a tad more)
2c water
red and yellow food coloring (if desired)

Mix all the ingredients in a sauce pan on Medium Heat, and keep stirring until it forms a smooth ball of dough that is not too sticky/goopy.  Remove from heat, and mix in food coloring.  (I was really low on yellow, so mine is not that orange, but you can make it as orange as you’d like).

This makes for a great sensorial experience and well as fine motor! 
It seriously smells soooo good!

Be sure to store in an air tight container or ziploc bag!

I had it in the workbox with Halloween shaped cookie cutters and the letter P for pumpkin!  But I have a variety of activities planned for this dough!

Counting Coconuts had another great yummy smelling fall playdough activity HERE, Check it out!

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