This week I have uploaded two new resources which are just as suitable for Easter holiday fun at home as they are for learning in the classroom.
Whose egg? A logic puzzlecan be used with the whole class to introduce children to the steps involved in completing logic puzzles; or as an independent or buddy activity if children already know how to complete logic puzzles on their own.
Three friends, three eggs, and three baskets. But which friend has which egg and which basket?
Children read the story scenario and the clues, then use the information to deduce which friend bought which egg in which basket.
Great for reading comprehension and creative thinking; and for collaboration in a paired activity!
As completion, and therefore launch, of readilearn, my website of early childhood teaching resources approaches, it has become obvious that some categories are less well-resourced than others.
I consider food preparation to be a great way of involving children in learning that is fun, purposeful, integrates curriculum areas, and develops skills that can be applied in everyday life. I have previously written about learning in the kitchen with suggestions for parents at home.
In the introduction to the readilearn cooking resources I write
Cooking, including food preparation that doesn’t include any heating, is a great way to teach life skills and integrate learning in a meaningful and enjoyable way across curriculum areas. When children are involved in food preparation they may be developing:
Social skills of cooperation, turn taking, sharing, patience
Literacy skills – reading and following the recipe, selecting ingredients, writing a menu and invitations, writing a recount, writing a shopping list
Mathematics – counting e.g. the number of eggs, measuring with spoons and cups, measuring time, sharing (e.g. the number of cookies, how many slices to make)
Science – mixing, adding or removing heat
Safety – with knives, peelers and hot implements and ingredients
Social Studies: Culture – when preparing ethnic food
readilearn materials are designed to engage children in activities that are both fun and purposeful, with opportunities for learning across the curriculum in a meaningful context.
I was disappointed to realise that I had only one cooking resource prepared: How to make a healthy smiley face sandwich
A remedy was required and I tried to think of other resources I could add.
I have previously made ladybird biscuits by icing an Arrowroot biscuit and adding Smarties for spots. I will probably add that recipe in the future, but I was trying to think of something healthier to begin with. I wondered if it might be possible to make a ladybird from an apple. This is what I did:
When I made one for my grandson on the weekend, I was pleased that he recognised it as a ladybird beetle, even without the spots!
Unfortunately, it’s more suitable for an adult to make for a child than for children to make for themselves. Apples are too difficult for young children to cut. It is therefore not suitable for readilearn. However, I had fun making it and will continue to think of other recipes I can add to readilearn’s cooking collection.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.
Norah Colvin 