Amelia Earhart Lesson Activities: Book Review

Lesson Plan and Activities for Amelia Earhart

The, "I am", series from Penguin Books is a fun way to learn about famous, historical figures. In these Amelia Earhart lesson activities, you'll learn all about the history of the famous pilot. Penguin was kind enough to send us the book for review. Enjoy!

Scroll Down for our Online Lesson Activities and a chance to win.

Amelia Earhart Lesson Activities.

"I am Amelia Earhart", by Brad Meltzer, is told from the point of view of Amelia as a child. The illustrations are fun and lively enough to capture everyone's attention. Read it to younger children, let early readers read it aloud to you, and older children will learn about history with this easy reader.

Dear Teachers and Educators: We searched for the best resources on Amelia Earhart and shared them in this online lesson plan so you don't have to spend valuable time researching for your Amelia Earhart lesson activities.

Students: Follow the links to learn all about Ameila Earhart. When you've completed the lessons, play the games related to flight.

I am Ameila Earhart by Brad Meltzer.

*History Component:

Learn about Ameila Earhart with a Brainpop movie.

Amelia Earhart Biography

Ameila Earhart Plane on History Detectives.


*Language Arts Component:

After watching the video and reading the biography of Ameila Earhart, write your own autobiography in a Google Doc or your Language Arts journal.

Teachers, here's a Free Printable Biography Template for classroom use.


*Educational Science Games about Airplanes:

Make your own Forces of Flight Board Game free printable from NASA.

How Things Fly Online Game

Forces of Flight Online Game


*Physical Education Component:

Play this Forces of Flight Game with your friends, it is sort of like Simon Says. The Pilot calls out the forces of flight, and the other players do the action. For detailed instructions visit Scouter Mom.

• Thrust: Run forward
• Drag: Run backward
• Gravity: Fall down
• Lift: Jump

Recommended:

Ameila Earhart Book for Kids*

Homeschool Projects and Lesson Plans

Learn about Helen Keller

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ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

English Verb Conjugation Practice Lesson for Homeschool

English Lesson: Verb Conjugation Practice with focus on Irregular Verbs

Verbs. In American English, they are confounding! We learn that words end in "ed" and the we go changing it. How many times have you heard a child say, "He hitted me!". We teach to add "ed" and then we make so many exceptions! This lesson for homeschoolers (or anyone interested in learning the nuances of American English) focuses on irregular verbs. Scroll down for videos, practice lessons, and free online games to help with learning proper verb conjugation. Enjoy!

English Verb Conjugation Practice Lesson for Homeschool.

What is a verb? A verb is a word that describes action. How do verbs change to tell when the action happens? Did it happen in the past, present, or future? How do you know? 

Start with this game about verbs. It makes practicing verbs fun!

The best way to learn verb forms is to practice. What better way to practice than to play a game. The next online lesson for kids is suited for grade 3: Subject Verb Agreement by Turtle Diary.

Have you learned anything yet? Test your knowledge with this Google Doc: Verb Conjugation Practice Worksheet.

Try this Jeopardy Game about Verbs.

This VIDEO on Irregular Verb Tenses is very helpful. Grab your daily journal. As you watch, pause the video at the first word, and practice writing all the tenses. Press play to see how you did! It is a fun way to test yourself.

Why are some verbs irregular?

If you are a BrainPOP subscriber, watch this video on Irregular Verbs. Not a subscriber? Try these free lessons on verbs.

Now, test yourself with this verb tense online worksheet. Check your answers at the bottom of the page.

Find more verb games at FunBrain.com

Recommended:

208 Irregular Verbs Playing Cards with Secret Decoder*

Online Poetry Lesson

Homeschooling Lessons by Grade

Moon Magic: Online YA Fiction Chapter Three

Chapter Three Young Adult Fiction Novel Moon Magic

Are you reading the YA Fiction Novel, Moon Magic? If not, start here: Moon Magic starts here. This is Chapter Three of Moon Magic online. In Chapter Two, Aurora attended a football game. It wasn't a pleasant experience. That weird guy followed her to the band room. She thinks he's a weirdo, but there is something about him that she finds intriguing. What is it? Find out in Chapter Three of Moon Magic. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Moon Magic Chapter Four: YA Novel Online

Chapter Four Moon Magic Young Adult Fiction Novel Online

Here's chapter four of my online Young Adult Fiction Novel, Moon Magic. If you haven't read the other chapters, start here: Moon Magic starts here. In Chapter Three, Aurora began to write in her diary. We also got a little taste of how she and her mother get along. It's time for her outing with Lucas, find out how it went in Chapter Four of Moon Magic. Enjoy!

This posts contains Amazon affiliate links.

Get the full novel.

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.

Pinterest 1: So, Are you one of the millions of people wondering how do I get on Pinterest?

Pinterest feels like on online gold rush. Everyone's heard of it, but no one really seems to understand it. How do you use Pinterest? How do I get on Pinterest? How do I even spell Pinterest? 

Have you noticed a lot of people spell it "pintrest" which makes me laugh. It seems they don't get the pun.

It's an online scrapbook, journal, photo album, diary... if things are of INTEREST to you, you PIN them onto your boards. Pin + Interest = Pinterest. What could be more simple?

Herein lies the problem. Newbies who log in don't understand how Pinterest works. You either see a big mess of stuff you don't really care about or a few things that are of no interest at all to you. Why?

PINTEREST is exactly the opposite from other social media. Your Facebook friends might be completely boring or visually challenged. These are some of the first people Pinterest suggests that you follow. That's okay, follow them. Maybe the will have a moment of inspiration, if not, you can get kicks out of spying on them.

Oh wait. That was in the past. Now, Pinterest lets you have secret boards. In the old days, I was shocked when complete strangers pinned the picture of the thing I planned to do some day. It felt like an invasion of privacy, and then I got a clue. Now, I'm giving you one!

First of all, I wrote THE book on Pinterest. For reals, I did. Well, I wrote a book or e book. That's right, I wrote an eBook about Pinterest. It is very helpful if you are a Blogger or a brand building a profile.

Then one day, I started building profiles for brands. (Yes, I'd love to do yours ~ let's talk HERE.) Instantly, I realized that not everyone gets it. Not everyone wants everyone else to follow them. Some people just want to find cool pictures, pin them, and save a little brain space. So, how do you get on Pinterest?

I'll answer that and all of these questions over the next few weeks:

• how do i get a pinterest account
• how do i get followers on pinterest
• how do i get recipes from pinterest
• how do i get the pinterest button
• how do i get started on pinterest

Well, the first one is easy. You no longer have to wait to be invited. Click the link to get a Pinterest account with your email address or to get a Pinterest account with your Facebook account. If you are a business go to Pinterest.com and click the "businesses" in the lower right hand corner. Got it? Good.

How do I get followers on Pinterest? Well to get them fast you should read my Pinterest eBook, How to get Pinterest followers fast. If you just want to start amassing followers you MUST follow others. Now that you have an account, click the big Pinterest logo at the top of the page. See anything you like? Click on the image and the pinner will show up underneath the picture. Follow them. Maybe they will follow you back. Maybe they won't. It depends- If they like what they see. Don't like what you see? That's okay, click the gray box with three horizontal lines in the top left hand corner. See a list of topics? Pick your favorite. Now, you should see a thing or two that is INTERESTING to you. 

Now for some secret Pinterest tips. You can choose to follow the pinner who pinned the image you like, but you can also click on the board they pinned it to, for example, "Summer Camp Ideas", click the followers of that board in the strip beneath the header on the right hand side and follow everyone. Why? Those people like the same board that you like. They like things you like. Therefore, they'll likely repin things you like. 

Your Pinterest experience should greatly improve. 

How to get started on Pinterest? Well, you're started now, but you still have a lot to learn. Check back next week for more details on what you can do to join the gold rush. And, yes, MEN should use Pinterest. It has something for everyone. I've got some great Pinterest tips and tricks to share. Some you won't find anywhere else. I've become a Pinterest guru. Hope you'll join me.

Sign up for our free newsletter!

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Moroccan Food Acorn Squash Fall Recipe

This Acorn Squash Recipe with Moroccan Spice give your taste buds a kick. 

Angie shares her favorite spicy recipe. Moroccan Food Rocks. After you use your squash for a fun, Fall Thanksgiving Craft, make this recipe in the kitchen with your kids 

Angie's Recipes at Kids Creative Chaos.

"I made this the other night; 
it has just the right mix of sweet and savory. It is delish!"

Moroccan Spiced Acorn Squash Recipe

2 medium acorn squash (I used 3)
11/2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 tbsp packed brown sugar
¾ tsp salt, divided
½ tsp black pepper
2/3 Cup uncooked wild rice blend
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp Moroccan Rub
1 1/3 Cup water
1/3 Cup Golden Raisins
1 Medium red apple such as fuji (I used Jonagold's)
1 can 15oz. Garbanzo beans (Chickpeas) Drained and rinsed
2/3 C. slivered almonds, toasted and divded
1/3 cup snipped fresh chives
Additional snipped chives (optional)

Preheat oven 450.  Cut squash in half crosswise.  Remove and throw away seeds.  Place squash on Medium sheet pan or Large Bar Pan.  Using basting brush, brush squash with ½ tbsp of oil; sprinkle with brown sugar, ½ tsp of salt and pepper.  Bake 32-38 min or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and put on cooling rack.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tbsp oil in 10in skillet over medium heat 1-3 min or until shimmering.  Add rice blend, onion and rub; cook and stir 1-2 min or until onion is tender.  Add water and raisins; cook covered, 12-15 min or until rice is tender, stirring occasionally.

Dice apple, zest lemon to measure 1 tsp.  Add apple, lemon zest, chickpeas, ½ cup almonds, chives and remaining ¼ tsp salt to skillet.  Cook covered, 1-2 min or until heated thru.  Spoon rice mixture evenly into squash halves.  Garnish with remaining 2 tbsp almonds and additional snipped chives, if desired.

Cook's Tip: To form flat base, trim ½ in off top and bottom of the squash.

Recommended Reading:

Kids travel journal: my trip to morocco*

Morocco Recipes* 

Learn Multiplication Tables Online Free Homeschooling

Need to Learn your Multiplication Tables Fast Online?

Learn Multiplication Tables Online Free Homeschooling.

If you need to learn multiplication tables fast, you've come to the right place! In this edition of our interactive, free online homeschooling lessons, we explore math and the multiplication tables from 0-12. We share our daily homeschool activities with you each week for FREE! This week, we focused on multiplication. Scroll down for the fun math videos, games, and curriculum.

Suggested for Elementary Mathematics: Grades 2-5

Multiplication Tables

Teacher Resources:

Multiplication Lesson Ideas from Brainpop.com

Free Printable Number line Math Worksheet.

Free Printable Multiplication Table Chart and awesome worksheets.

Student Lesson:

Start with the Schoolhouse Rock Multiplication Videos from 0-12. These catchy tunes will stick in your memory... FOREVER!

If you don't have Multiplication Flash Cards, grab some index cards. While you watch the multiplication videos, make flashcards for each set of numbers from 1 to 12. On the front of your flash card, write the problem and on the back write the answer.

Front of Card: 1 x 3 = ?  Back of Card: 3

Zero Multiplication Table Video




One Multiplication Table Video

You know the one's tables. One times anything is the number.
For example, 1 x 1 = 1 and 1 x 6 = 6


Two Multiplication Table Video





Two Times Table Rap Video





Three Multiplication Table Video





Four Multiplication Table Video





Five Multiplication Table Video





Six Multiplication Table Video






Seven Multiplication Table Video





Eight Multiplication Table Video





Nine Multiplication Table Video





Ten Multiplication Table Video





Eleven Multiplication Table Video





Twelve Multiplication Table Video





Cool Math Times Table Trick Video

You can do this with your hands, go ahead get your marker and write on your fingers like the picture below. Then, watch it and practice!






Take this Multiplication Tables Quiz Online to see how much you remember from the videos.

Now, watch Tim and Moby from Brainpop.com, (for Brainpop subscribers only) explain all about learning the multiplication tables.

The video comes with this helpful multiplication question and answer session, make sure you read each question and click on it to uncover the answer. Did you know the answer? Did you guess correctly?

Do this, you can type your answers online and right click to save them for your teacher or parent:

Free Printable Activity Worksheet (Downloadable)

After all that studying you should be able to fill in this multiplication table chart.

Multiplication Review Quiz for Brainpop Subscribers.

Mathematics: Multiplication Games

Online Game for Multiplication

Gate Math Game: Math Game for Gamers

Math Blocks: Factors Game

Language Arts Component

Grab your Daily Journal or open a Google Doc and define these math words:  

Product, Multiple, Factor, Memorize, Shortcut.

Recommended Reading:

Math with M and M's Chocolate*

Famous Explorers Online Lesson

Math Counting Game for Tens and Ones

         

Copyright 2014 by Lora Langston, Kids Creative Chaos.

ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Abraham Lincoln and George Washington Compare and Contrast: President's Day Skit and Lesson

George Washington and Abraham Lincoln Stage Play for President's Day

Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were two of America's most beloved presidents. In this compare and contrast lesson for homeschoolers or school enrichment, we answer a popular question, were Washington and Lincoln friends? Find out by performing our stage play for classroom use. The free printable skit imagines what it would be like if they were beamed to a 21st century classroom. Scroll Down for our Presidents Day Classroom Skit. Enjoy!

We've included some companion printables for a Presidents Day lesson on George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Right click and print Abraham Lincoln's Beard.

George Washington display printable from Mailbox Magazine.

We found this cute George Washington printable project display holder at Squish Preschool Ideas. I think all the details are at Scholastics.com: Abraham Lincoln Printable.

Though, it was designed to highlight a paper, I think it would make a good president paper bag puppet.


Teachers/Parents:

Download this printable Venn Diagram, and have the students fill it out prior to reading the stage play. As they read the play aloud, let them add details to their Venn Diagram. We've also linked to a fun printable that compares and contrasts facts about Washington and Lincoln.

Free Printables:

Abraham Lincoln and George Washington Venn Diagram Printable

Abraham Lincoln and George Washington Facts

PRESIDENT'S DAY SKIT

Free Printable President's Day Skit: Were George Washington and Abe Lincoln Friends?


Language Arts Component:

Another popular question... Who would win in a fight between George Washington and Abe Lincoln?

Easy. As a past military hero and soldier, George is the clear choice. Honest Abe wouldn't fight unless it was a battle of wits and then he has our vote, but both men were very intelligent in their own right. 

Grab a journal and write about who you think would win and list reasons why.



Recommended Reading:

Presidents Day Lesson

Jimmy Carter Facts

President Benjamin Harrison Activities

When is President's Day? Barack Obama Pattern

If I Were President

Presidents' Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays)

Bald Eagle Paper Bag Puppet Pattern

















ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Social Studies for Kids: Treaty of Paris Free Online Lesson for Homeschoolers

Free Online History Lesson for Homeschoolers: The Treaty of Paris

In this fun Social Studies Lesson for Kids, we delve into the 1783 Treaty of Paris. Like most of our free online lessons for homeschoolers, this lesson can be adapted for children from K-12. We always try to include something for all age groups. Teacher Resources, Curriculum, Free Printable PDFS, and Lesson Plans are included at the bottom of the page. Scroll Down to start the lesson.

Social Studies for Kids: Treaty of Paris Free Online Lesson for Homeschoolers. Pictured from top left to right: King George III, George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and General Cornwallis.

We encourage you to use Google Docs for journaling. Our kids work in Google Docs and then share the their work with us. In Google Docs, we can chat, message, and edit at the same time. You can also make slide presentations and forms for free. It is a great way to collaborate or work remotely with others.

First, you will want to learn about the American Revolution. BrainPop Subscribers: What caused the American Revolution? American Revolution Review Quiz. No BrainPop? Click Here: Causes of the American Revolution for Children.

1783 Treaty of Paris recognizes the 13 colonies as free, sovereign, and independent states.

To get a quick overview of the history of The Treaty of Paris, watch this history rap video and then test your knowledge on the interactive american revolution timeline linked below.



Visit the Interactive Timeline for the American Revolution and put your knowledge to the test.

Spelling and Vocabulary Component

Terms to Know
Pick eight of the terms below. Define and describe what role they played leading up to or in the 1783 Treaty of Paris. Use your daily journal or a Google Doc.

Townsend Act
First Continental Congress
Revolutionary War 1775
Independence Day 1776
Writs of Assistance
Benedict Arnold
General Cornwallis
George Washington
West Indies
Frigate
Crispus Attucks
Paul Revere
Dicey Langston
French and Indian War
Stamp Act
Boston Massacre 1770
Boston Tea Party 1773
Tea Act 1773
Intolerable Acts
King George III
Coercive Acts 1774
James Otis
Sons of Liberty
Tarred and Feathered
Boycott
Daughters of Liberty

Summary of Liberty Kids Video on Treaty of Paris.








Review SchoolHouse Rock No More Kings from our history lesson on U.S. Capitals. When you click the link, you'll find many SchoolHouse Rock videos that tell the history prior to the Treaty of Paris.

Language Arts Component: Research and Writing Skills

From the vocabulary words to know, choose a famous person from the Revolution. Write a biography including details about the 1783 Treaty of Paris. How did this historical figure affect the Treaty? What role did they play? Do you think the Treaty would have happened without their input? Why or Why not?

Make a video or slideshow about this historical figure. Use this sample as a guide: The Treaty of Paris Video. Use your research paper to write the script for your video.

In Google Docs, start a rough draft for your research paper.

How do you research? What are the main things you need to do? Click here: What you need to know about How to Write a Research Paper. Read the "Research" text window. If you are a Brainpop subscriber, watch the video. Then fill in this Research Graphic Organizer (Save it to your computer). If not, try these outline tips.


Teacher Resources:

Liberty Kids Program Descriptions Printable PDF

Homeschool Lesson Plan for the American Revolution

9 Week Study on Treaty of Paris


Recommended Reading:

U.S. Currency Lesson Plans

Smart About the First Ladies: Smart About History*

Celebrating President's Day Book*

Benedict Arnold: American Hero and Traitor (Graphic Biographies)*

Napoleon: Emperor and Conqueror (Wicked History)*

George vs. George: The American Revolution As Seen from Both Sides*







ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Homeschool Resources: Varun's Quest Review

Great Resource for Homeschoolers

Homeschooling help for parents: Looking for a great resource for homeschoolers? Our website offers many educational resources for homeschoolers. Below is a review of Varun's Quest a wonderful book for homeschoolers of any age. Keep scrolling because we've also added links to our favorite homeschool resources. Enjoy!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I get a small commission.

Jake's Journey in Art includes Language Arts.
Here he reads the beautifully illustrated Varun's Quest by Timothy Goldsmith.

Science Books for Homeschoolers

• We were given the opportunity to review Varun's Quest, which is a wonderful science book for homeschoolers. Varun's Quest is a fictional tale depicting non-fiction science. The story is fun to read aloud as a family or in a group setting with the ideal audience being 2nd - 5th grade. Older children will enjoy reading the story themselves and then sharing the details with "the class."  The author of this creative tale, is Yale Biology Professor, Timothy Goldsmith. Get your copy here: Buy Varun's Quest.

An elf leads children through the story quest while he shares all about the science around us. It starts with an informative science lesson on bees. Jake, enjoys the way the stories unfold and likes that the stories are based on reality. Whenever he isn't sure about something, he Googles to find out more, so these stories have evolved into a full blown science curriculum. He'll write questions in his daily science journal and then look them up later on Google. What a great way to teach science to your homeschooler! For a fun activity, pair this book with Bee Movie.

We used the book as a catalyst for making scientific posters, doing science experiments, and of course, to practice creative writing.

• Our all time FAVORITE Science Books for Homeschoolers are the Life of Fred Science books. These books are great for kids of any age. Parents will enjoy them too. Anyone reading Life of Fred will learn something new!

• Gail Gibbons Encyclopedia Series are a wealth of information for anyone who enjoys reading. All of her books are beautiful illustrated. They cover science, history, and art. While these books may be at a higher reading level for early elementary students, younger children will enjoy looking at the pictures while listening to the stories.

• More Science Stories for Kids.

Homeschool Resources

• Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers is a homeschool blog full of homeschool advice and curriculum.

• More Homeschooling Helps and Curriculum from Kids Creative Chaos.

• TeacherSherpa is a website that offers free printable worksheets in every subject.

• Make Corn Muffins as a Science Project with your Homeschooler

• College Level Entrance Exams for Homeschoolers

• Teachers Pay Teachers is full of teacher created materials for teachers and homeschoolers.

• MobyMax is an online educational app for homeschooling with curriculum that adapts to your child's learning to find and fix gaps.

• Acellus Power Homeschool can be used as an app or as full school with access to teachers.  Check out Acellus Curriculum for Homeschool Students. We currently use the middle school courses. There are lots of classes to choose from including music and art!

• Science and Health Curriculum and Resources for Homeschoolers

• Fair Trade Science Lesson for Homeschool

• Dr. Seuss Resources for Homeschoolers

• Open Letter to Future Homeschoolers

• Homeschool Curriculum Resources and Supplies

• Lewis and Clark online Homeschool History Lesson

• For more homeschool resources follow us on Pinterest!

.

Recommended Reading:

Cave Science Project Model

The Complete Book of Maps and Geography, Grades 3 - 6

The Everything Homeschooling Book: All you need to create the best curriculum and learning environment for your child

Five easy ways to throw an eco-friendly birthday party for kids

You can have an Eco-friendly, Up-cycled Birthday Party for Kids and save money too!

This guest post is from Kara Carrero at ALLterNATIVElearning. She and her family are passionate about the environment and conservation. In this post, she has ideas on how to throw an eco-friendly birthday party. Enjoy!

The modern birthday has lots of cake, plenty of decorations, and almost always disposable plates and utensils. However, our family strives to find a balance in making birthdays both special and environmentally sustainable. Birthdays don’t have to lose their luster by choosing to not waste or spend a lot of money.

My daughter’s first birthday was this past fall. Like many first time moms, I had anticipated the day it would arrive since she was about 3 months old and planned little bits here and there throughout the year. But my main goal was to throw an exciting and memorable party without trash or excess.

Eco-Friendly  Birthday Party Ideas

1. Use real dishes or compostable paper plates. If you plan it right, it doesn’t have to be a hassle to use real dishes. In fact, having some small Corelle dishes on hand easily pays for itself. They do not break as easily as regular dishes and are easily replaceable or you can add to them. We grew up with them and rarely broke anything and it’s still what my parents use. My 15 month old has thrown one and it didn’t even chip. If you just can’t do that, use real silverware with basic paper plates that break down in the compost or can be recycled. Even here in Oklahoma (not very eco-friendly) we have options for community compost and recycling.

2. Re-use old décor and don’t throw any away. Up-cycle old material for new decorations. We made bunting from old magazines and used paper, and it was really cute! I had a few things from parties from several years ago, so I reused a couple of things. I also had some SOLO cups that I re-wash and use for the kids while adults use our glass cups.

3. Make the birthday about the experience and not the decor Birthdays are about the fun and not about having perfect decorations. We threw a carnival with fun homemade games instead of investing a lot of time and money into party hats, balloons, and streamers. Even growing up, I don’t remember how my parties were decorated, but I definitely remember the fun I had or the silly things that happened. Focus on making the most of the brief time given rather than stressing over the things that won’t be remembered.

4. Make party favors about memories, experiences, and sustainability. We had two different party favors. Her birthday party was specifically a grow theme, we provided small bio-degradable pots to decorate and soil and seeds to grow a small garden. It’s a gift that keeps on giving!

We also had a a photo booth. We asked everyone who attended to make an up-cycle costume and take a picture with the frames we provided. They left us their email address so then we emailed them a picture when we sent them an e-thank you card for coming and for gifts.

5. Make the gifts count. I know this sounds a bit presumptuous, but in reality it doesn't have to be. Be clear with your attendees because I have never met someone who didn't appreciate knowing that their gift was well-received. For us, we put a line on the e-vite that read “no gifts necessary, but if compelled to bring something we needed x,y,z”.

These are five easy ways to throw and eco-friendly birthday party, not break the bank, and still have awesome memories with friends and family. For us, it’s just one more step in doing better in making conscious decisions about what we need vs. what we want which has become increasingly important with kids.

For more from Kara visit her site at ALLterNATIVElearning.com

Recommended Reading:

Your Birthday Book: A Keepsake Journal

Birthday Monsters!

 
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5 Extracurricular Activities for a Holistic Education

5 Extracurricular Activities to Give Your Child a Holistic Education

Kids can only learn so much from traditional education, which is why it is vital that they also get involved in a host of extracurricular activities. These recreational pastimes for children aid their development and help them discover their passions. Extra curricular activities also can help kids to make friends and find positive role models. You want your child to become a well-rounded adult with much to contribute to society. You can help give kids a kickstart by sparking a passion for any one or more of these extracurricular activities that help give your child a holistic education.

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links.

1) Music

Studying music has shown to improve test scores and help students do better in school. Music also can provide kids with a new way to express themselves. Additionally, the study of music helps kids to concentrate and can give them a sense of accomplishment as they learn to achieve their goals.

Get Videos on Folk Musicians and FREE Lesson Plans

 

There are many different instruments with which kids can start. One popular option is the drums. If you think this might be a good fit for your child, then you can learn more here.

 

2) Sports

Sports are an excellent outlet for getting exercise and building teamwork skills. Many kids even find themselves meeting some of their best friends through sports.

 

With so many different sports to choose from, your child will find something that works for them. If your kid has a hard time staying active, then participating in sports may provide the perfect fun way to get regular physical activity.

3) Art

Art is a fantastic way for children to express themselves and let their creative sides run wild. Many kids get a great sense of accomplishment when they create a beautiful piece of art.

 

There are many ways to get your child involved with art. While you can have your child take lessons, you could also involve them in crafts at home. The process of making things is essential to childhood development, no matter how you go about it.

4) Drama

Participating in performing arts can help kids to boost confidence. Drama also increases empathy because it requires your child to walk around in someone else’s shoes. Learning to play a character can help kids to see things from a different perspective and be more understanding.

Find our Plays & Skits at TeachersPayTeachers

 

Drama can help kids build trust and learn to rely on each other. When they are on stage, they need to trust that their scene partner will always have their back if they forget a line or something goes wrong. Even if your child never becomes a star, the performing arts can significantly change their life.

5) Writing

Writing is a pastime that has many professional advantages. One of the most sought-after skills in the professional world is strong writing. Starting young can help your child to succeed in their career.

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Writing can help children to process their thoughts and express themselves. It also may assist kids in their overall communication skills. Encourage your child to write short stories, poems, or to keep a journal.

The Bottom Line

Childhood is the perfect time for people to explore a plethora of different activities to find the things that they enjoy. Hopefully, these suggestions will give you some ideas about what your children might like to do in their free time. It's great to open their minds to all sorts of possibilities. Something may spark a career choice.

However, it is essential not to force your child to do anything that does not interest them. While encouragement is helpful, pressure can be counterproductive and may cause resentment. You need to strike a careful balance. Remember that your kids are just kids, and they may not become the next Olympic athlete or musical prodigy, and that is okay, just let them enjoy their extra curricular activities. 

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