Friday, February 28, 2014

Medieval Times, Lesson 31

Japan

Tessa had an absolute blast studying Medieval Japan. (I will admit, most of what we actually studied ended up being more about Japanese culture in general.) We also had one of our most successful Fun Friday crafting days ever. There were so many great Japanese books to choose from that we couldn't read them all during school time, so we added several to our bedtime reading line-up as well.  


Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Other Books of Interest

Tessa is a fan of sticker paper dolls, so little Aiko was a big hit. I made extra color copies of the doll so she could dress Aiko in all of the costumes at once.
Tessa is a fan of sticker paper dolls, so little Aiko was a big hit. I made extra color copies of the doll so she could dress Aiko in all of the costumes at once.

This Japanese flying carp craft was so much fun! I thought it might be a bit tedious for Tessa, but it wasn't at all. I did pre-cut the tissue paper and help in applying the double-sided tape. Other than that, this was her own creation. So cute!!
This Japanese flying carp craft was so much fun! I thought it might be a bit tedious for Tessa, but it wasn't at all. I did pre-cut the tissue paper and help in applying the double-sided tape. Other than that, this was her own creation. So cute!!

Tessa loves Iwako Japanese erasers. She's been rather sad that they seem to have gone out of vogue here in the U.S., so I ordered the Doll and Lucky Cat set above from a seller on eBay. It matches two of the books we read pretty well..."Little Oh" and "I Am Tama, Lucky Cat."
Tessa loves Iwako Japanese erasers. She's been rather sad that they seem to have gone out of vogue here in the U.S., so I ordered the Doll and Lucky Cat set above from a seller on eBay. It matches two of the books we read pretty well..."Little Oh" and "I Am Tama, Lucky Cat."

Apparently, the Iwako Doll and Lucky Cat set I ordered from the previously mentioned eBay seller was out of stock. He overcompensated by providing an abundance of loose Japanese dolls and Lucky Cats in addition to an entire Japanese food blister pack. Tessa was over the moon to say the least. We totally forgave him for the oversight!
Apparently, the Iwako Doll and Lucky Cat set I ordered from the previously mentioned eBay seller was out of stock. He overcompensated by providing an abundance of loose Japanese dolls and Lucky Cats in addition to an entire Japanese food blister pack. Tessa was over the moon to say the least. We totally forgave him for the oversight!

Saturday, February 22, 2014

World Thinking Day 2014 Award

Tessa earned the World Thinking Day 2014 Award with her troop and other Girl Scouts in our "neighborhood" at a World Thinking Day celebration. Our troop chose to present the Bahamas and Germany. In preparation for the event, they learned a bit about the countries, their famous women and their scouting programs. They also colored pictures of their flags and crafted SWAPs to trade. All troops provided samples of their country's national foods.

World Thinking Day 2014 Award

Our troop crafted Bavarian pretzel SWAPs for Germany and beaches in bags for the Bahamas.
Our troop crafted Bavarian pretzel SWAPs for Germany and beaches in bags for the Bahamas. 

Switzerland went all out by constructing a neat little winter chalet.
Switzerland went all out by constructing a neat little winter chalet.

Tessa enjoyed chocolate fondue at Switzerland's booth.
Tessa enjoyed chocolate fondue at Switzerland's booth.

China's booth featured some super cute decor. They handed out chopsticks, lucky red Chinese New Year envelopes and fortune cookies along with their SWAPs. Tessa especially enjoyed this booth because we had just studied Medieval China earlier in the week and she had been playing Chinese New Year for weeks.
China's booth featured some super cute decor. They handed out chopsticks, lucky red Chinese New Year envelopes and fortune cookies along with their SWAPs. Tessa especially enjoyed this booth because we had just studied Medieval China earlier in the week and she had been playing Chinese New Year for weeks.

Looking for more World Thinking Day award ideas?

Check out my HUGE 113-page World Flags, World Friends - Girl Scouts - World Thinking Day Activity Pack printable scouting helper.

Clover (Green), Use Resources Wisely Petal

The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in St. Louis held their first annual Girl Scout Day on February 22. Fortunate for us, the event featured a badge workshop for Clover's petal, which Tessa hadn't yet earned. So, we jumped at the chance to have a little badge-earning fun outside of the house. (We also ordered a Butterfly Garden Fun Patch from advantageemblem.com.)

Clover (Green), Use Resources Wisely


What We Did - At the Butterfly House
  • Built a bee house with bamboo sticks.
  • Listened to a reading of "Clover's Story: A Visit to the Busy, Buzy Bees" from The Daisy Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting.
  • Discussed "Clover's Story," bees, pollination, honey, etc. with a butterfly house volunteer and other Girl Scout Daisies. Felt beeswax.
  • Toured the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House to see pollinators in action.

Tessa created a bee house by tying together five bamboo sticks with twine. Using a renewable resource such as bamboo is one way to use resources wisely.
Tessa created a bee house by tying together five bamboo sticks with twine. Using a renewable resource such as bamboo is one way to use resources wisely.

After listening to a reading of "Clover's Story" and viewing the indoor exhibits, we visited the butterfly garden to see pollinators in action.
After listening to a reading of "Clover's Story" and viewing the indoor exhibits, we visited the butterfly garden to see pollinators in action.

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Looking for more Clover the Clover petal ideas?

Check out my "Bee" Resource Wise - Girl Scout Daisies - "Clover - Green Petal" (Steps 2 & 3) printable scouting helper.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Medieval Times, Lesson 30

China

Finally...a civilization with plenty of resources! This was Tessa's third time studying China in some capacity, so I tried to find activities we hadn't done before. Since Chinese New Year was just a couple of weeks ago, it only made sense to use the horse as our theme for craft day. It is the "Year of the Horse" after all.


Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Earlier in the week, we read "The Warlord's Puzzle." Tessa completed a horse tangram on Friday, which I thought was a good way to tie the book and our Chinese New Year theme together.
Earlier in the week, we read "The Warlord's Puzzle." Tessa completed a horse tangram on Friday, which I thought was a good way to tie the book and our Chinese New Year theme together.

Using just a red paper plate and a handful of craft supplies, Tessa crafted a horse to celebrate learning about Medieval China.
Using just a red paper plate and a handful of craft supplies, Tessa crafted a horse to celebrate learning about Medieval China.

* HO = History Odyssey

Thursday, February 20, 2014

...3 Cheers for Animals! - Session 10 & The Final Celebration

It's Your Story - Tell It!: A Leadership Journey
Girl Scout Daisies

Session 10 and The Final Celebration relies heavily on team activities, so I created gift bags with fun things the girls could do at home. The bags also contained their final two ...3 Cheers for Animals! badges.

Download ...3 Cheers for Animals! - Session 10 & The Final Celebration handout.


Session 10 & The Final Celebration - Many Skills to Learn & Celebrate Our Learning!


Story Time:
“Mari’s Story,” pages 54-63 from “How To Guide
“Back in the Garden,” pages 64-71 from “How To Guide
  • Read “Mari’s Story” and the accompanying profiles (pages 54-63), plus “Back in the Garden” (pages 64-71) from the girls’ book.

Care for Animals:
Make a Recycled Bird Feeder
I provided each Journey girl with a recycled bottle with pre-cut holes, prepared lid, string, wooden spoons, stickers from the dollar store and bird seed.

Tessa's completed recycled Backyard Bird Feeder before we filled it with bird seed and put it outside. Our American Goldfinch seem to really like it!

Celebrate Your Journey:
Craft an African Safari Beaded Necklace
  • Crafted African safari beaded necklace.
I provided each Journey girl with African-themed pony beads, plastic lace to thread them on and a color chart.

African Safari Beaded Necklace

Remember Your Journey:
“Red Robin” Plush
  • Dollar Tree had various Lil' Kinz for just a $1 each. One was a robin, so I bought each of our Journey girls one to remember the ...3 Cheers Journey by.



That's it, we did it! Our ...3 Cheers for Animals! Journey is officially complete. Thanks for following along.


Our somewhat complete "...3 Cheers for Animals!" mural. Occasionally, girls forgot pieces of the mural at home and there are still a few girls finishing up the Journey.

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Looking for more activities to complement the ...3 Cheers for Animals! Journey?

Check out my Girl Scout Law Ring Book - Pets Version - Girl Scout Daisies & Brownies printable scouting helper.

...3 Cheers for Animals! - Sessions 7, 8 & 9

It's Your Story - Tell It!: A Leadership Journey
Girl Scout Daisies

Session 7 - "Girls continue to explore how caring for animals resembles caring for themselves and begin to experience the good feelings that caring gives them."

Session 8 - "Girls strengthen their communication skills as they progress on their Red Robin Project."

Session 9 - "Girls educate and inspire others on animal care, building their own confidence along the way."

Download ...3 Cheers for Animals! - Sessions 7, 8 & 9 handout.


Sessions 7, 8 & 9 - Inspired by Animals, What Animals Tell Us & Teaching Others with Confidence!


Opening Ceremony:
Animals Around the World, page 89 from “How To Guide
(Panda: Japan/China)

Tessa spelled out "Endangered" and "Eats Bamboo" with stickers to add to the panda portion of the Team Animal Mural.
Tessa spelled out "Endangered" and "Eats Bamboo" with stickers to add to the panda portion of the Team Animal Mural.

Story Time: “Gloria’s Story,” page 84 from "How To Guide"
  • Read “Gloria’s Story” (pages 40-47) from the girls’ book.
  • Practiced “Japanese Garden Yoga” (pages 50-51) postures from the girls’ book.

Tessa practiced "The Crane" and other yoga postures from "Japanese Garden Yoga." Her favorite posture was "The Turtle."
Tessa practiced "The Crane" and other yoga postures from "Japanese Garden Yoga." Her favorite posture was "The Turtle."

Origami: Turning Paper into Art, page 84 from "How To Guide"
  • Read "A Bird in Space" (page 49) and "Turning Paper Into Art" (pages 52-53) from the girls’ book and then folded the featured origami cat.

Tessa blinged up her origami cat with supplies from her craft kit.
Tessa blinged up her origami cat with supplies from her craft kit.

Closing Ceremony
  • Tessa drew a picture of her favorite way to exercise on a yellow bird cutout. She placed the drawing in her previously crafted “All About Me” nest. (See “As Girls Arrive,” page 83 from the “How To Guide” for more details.)

Tessa's completed work from "...3 Cheers for Animals!" Sessions 7, 8 & 9. She drew a picture of her riding our recumbent bike as her favorite way to exercise.
Tessa's completed work from "...3 Cheers for Animals!" Sessions 7, 8 & 9. She drew a picture of her riding our recumbent bike as her favorite way to exercise.

Red Robin Project, page 76 from "How To Guide"
  • Tessa created an eye-catching poster with a sheet of tag board that shows and tells about her selected animal-care idea. She got creative and used paper cutouts, stickers, pompoms, recyclables and other art supplies. After displaying it at the next troop meeting, she received her Red Robin Award!

Whoo wee! Tessa's Red Robin poster was a project indeed. From start to finish, we spent no less than five hours working on it. That doesn't include the time we spent brainstorming and searching the internet for possible supplies.

Tessa decided right off that she wanted the focus of her poster to be the ways people love and care for their pets. After explaining to her that it is important for posters to have short, catchy titles, she decided on "Love Pets" for her title. She used a glittery heart to stand in for the word love. Tessa adores sticker dressing and any tablet game that involves decorating fairies, princesses, animals, etc. That adoration inspired how she went about creating her Red Robin Project poster.  

Tessa used Hot Diggity Dogs Cut-Outs by Carson-Dellosa, and letters and stickers from the dollar store as the foundation of her poster.
Tessa used Hot Diggity Dogs Cut-Outs by Carson-Dellosa, and letters and stickers from the dollar store as the foundation of her poster.

Tessa accented her Red Robin poster with pompoms, a recycled bottle cap, piece of sponge, lentils, glitter glue and cut outs of hearts.
Tessa accented her Red Robin poster with pompoms, a recycled bottle cap, piece of sponge, lentils, glitter glue and cut outs of hearts.

Tessa's completed Red Robin Project poster reads, "Love Pets: All pets need...exercise, food, friends, shelter, water." We had a bunch of extra dog cutouts left over, so we attached heart suckers and a synopsis of Tessa's poster to them and then handed them out at the troop meeting. (I created a presentation board for the girls to display their posters on and had wanted to take pictures of all of their posters, but I was so busy that day that I forgot.)
Tessa's completed Red Robin Project poster reads, "Love Pets: All pets need...exercise, food, friends, shelter, water." We had a bunch of extra dog cutouts left over, so we attached heart suckers and a synopsis of Tessa's poster to them and then handed them out at the troop meeting. (I created a presentation board for the girls to display their posters on and had wanted to take pictures of all of their posters, but I was so busy that day that I forgot.)

Growing Girls Scouting Helpers Logo
Looking for more activities to complement the ...3 Cheers for Animals! Journey?

Check out my Girl Scout Law Ring Book - Pets Version - Girl Scout Daisies & Brownies printable scouting helper.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Earth Science: Astronomy, Units 2 & 3

Stars & the Sun

A brief intro to the stars and sun.


Unit 2 - Stars

Unit 3 - The Sun

Tessa cut out pictures from magazines to make a collage of things that depend on the sun to survive.
Tessa cut out pictures from magazines to make a collage of things that depend on the sun to survive.


Thames & Kosmos - Space Exploration Kit

Friday, February 14, 2014

Medieval Times, Lessons 28 & 29

India & Southeast Asia

Last year during our study of ancient times, we read books related to the origins of Hinduism and Buddhism. This time around, Tessa learned more about how people today practice these religions.


Lesson 28 - India

Lesson 29 - Southeast Asia

* HO = History Odyssey

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Earth Science: Astronomy, Unit 1

Our Solar System

Tessa and I are beyond excited to begin exploring space! This will be our final science unit of the year. So far, Tessa is completely enthralled. We are planning a trip to the planetarium soon.


Monday

Tuesday
The Magic School Bus book and episode mentioned above follow the same story line. Tessa loves The Magic School Bus, so she didn't mind the overlap. If you can only get one, get the audiobook. It is better and more informative.

Wednesday

Tessa created this out-of-this-world planet chart with the Evan-Moor "Put the Planets in Order" lesson from above. She painstakingly colored the planets and then pasted them in order on black cardstock (several pieces taped together). She also drew the sun.
Tessa created this out-of-this-world planet chart with the Evan-Moor "Put the Planets in Order" lesson from above. She painstakingly colored the planets and then pasted them in order on black cardstock (several pieces taped together). She also drew the sun. 

Other Resources of Interest
The magnetic solar system set includes a play board underneath the magnets. Imagine the scene in the pic below without all of the planets, labels, etc. on it...just the sun, stars and orbits. (And, silhouettes for where the classic planets go.)

Magnetic Solar System Playset by Ata-Boy

Friday, February 07, 2014

Medieval Times, Lesson 27

Africa

One week a month, I switch up our schedule to work in some extra fun electives that we don't have time to study on a weekly basis. This month, I got lucky and was able to work it where history, literature and art aligned. All three subjects focused on Africa.


Monday

Tuesday

Thursday

Thursday - Literature

Friday - Art

Tessa used a heavy duty oval paper plate, wrapping and tissue paper, yarn, feathers and a variety of other craft supplies to create an "African" mask during Atelier art time.
Tessa used a heavy duty oval paper plate, wrapping and tissue paper, yarn, feathers and a variety of other craft supplies to create an "African" mask during Atelier art time.

* HO = History Odyssey

Atelier Art, Level 1 - Module B, Lesson 5

Masks

"Masks" is a cultural appreciation lesson. Tessa used liquid starch (actually, Modge Podge...we didn't have any liquid starch on hand) to decoupage tissue paper, wrapping paper and other elements onto a heavy duty oval paper plate. She cut fringe and curled paper (both of which are required techniques for this lesson), added accessories and tied on yarn for hair.

Tessa thought creating her own "African" mask was really cool and had all kinds of ideas of how to use it to scare people. (Too much Scooby Doo, I think.) She didn't do real well decoupaging...she kept missing the edges, but enjoyed making fringe and adding all of the accessories.

Even though I prepared the eye holes, nose, etc. ahead of time, this project ran a bit long. Tessa was ready to be done by the end. I looked at the time stamps on my photos and it took seventy minutes from the time she cut the fringe to the time she added glitter on the cheeks. Add in everything else and I'd say it took about two hours total. A lot of the work was kind of tedious for her.

After decoupaging pieces of tissue and wrapping paper onto an oval paper plate, Tessa cut fringe for the top part of her mask.
After decoupaging pieces of tissue and wrapping paper onto an oval paper plate, Tessa cut fringe for the top part of her mask.

Tessa curled strips of paper she cut by wrapping them around a paint brush.
Tessa curled strips of paper she cut by wrapping them around a paint brush.

Using a newly mastered skill, Tessa tied on multi-colored yarn for hair.
Using a newly mastered skill, Tessa tied on multi-colored yarn for hair.

Tessa raided her craft kit for cool accessories to add to her mask. She came up with the idea of using a feather for the mouth. As a final touch, she used red glitter to color the cheeks.
Tessa raided her craft kit for cool accessories to add to her mask. She came up with the idea of using a feather for the mouth. As a final touch, she used red glitter to color the cheeks.

Tessa's completed mask, which she absolutely adores.
Tessa's completed mask, which she absolutely adores.

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

Earth Science: Weather, Unit 7

Weather Forecasting

This was our last week studying weather. I don't know about you, but I am overjoyed to be moving on! Weather is not my favorite thing. Tessa, on the other hand, is sad to see it go. Of course she is, right? Next up...space.

(Somehow, I managed not to take any pics this week.)


Monday

Tuesday
If I would have known how much Tessa was going to like tracking and recording the weather, I would have invested in some real weather instruments. I wish I would have anyway because I'm not sure any of our homemade gadgets really worked all that great. The anemometer was a complete flop. Seriously, don't make these...find something better.


Wednesday
I was going to have Tessa complete "Winter Skit: Weather News for the U. S." that I found at TeacherFileBox.com, but our day ran really long. I ended up skipping it.


Following Tuesday
  • Finished The Mailbox Investigating Weather, Grades 1-3 "Weather Forecasting: Meteorologist Mixer" data recording worksheet (page 42).
  • Completed The Mailbox Investigating Weather, Grades 1-3 "Weather Forecasting: Mapping It" worksheet (page 45).
I just never know what Tessa is going to enjoy. The things I think might bore her to tears turn out to be her favorite things. She was all about looking up weather data in the newspaper and then mapping it and the weather data we collected on national and local maps. Who knew?

Monday, February 03, 2014

Rosie the Rose (Rose), Make the World a Better Place Petal

Up to this point, Tessa has earned all of her Daisy petals in the order outlined in The Daisy Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting. Rosie's petal was a little out of sync because it is the last petal Tessa will earn at home. She will earn Clover's petal in a couple of weeks on Girl Scout Day at Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in St. Louis. Tessa will earn Vi's petal in March at a badge workshop at the Missouri History Museum, also in St. Louis. (The latter is free and offered several times throughout the year. If you live close, you may want to check it out.) I thought it would be nice for her to get out of the house to earn these last two since there is opportunity to do so.

Rosie the Rose (Rose), Make the World a Better Place Petal


What We Did

Tessa and I acted out "Rosie's Story" with Flower Friends craft stick puppets. Tessa added hats to Rosie and Officer Rocco so they would be a little more true to the story. She didn't want sunglasses on Sunny for some reason, though. (I forgot Mari when I printed our puppets. I have since updated the file to include her as well.)
Tessa and I acted out "Rosie's Story" with Flower Friends craft stick puppets. Tessa added hats to Rosie and Officer Rocco so they would be a little more true to the story. She didn't want sunglasses on Sunny for some reason, though. (I forgot Mari when I printed our puppets. I have since updated the file to include her as well.)

Tessa had a fun time playing this free "Let's Recycle Sorting Game" that I ran across via Pinterest. There are a lot of similar sorting activities about, but I liked that this one had a tad more to do since it is set up game-style. For the troop setting, something similar to "Recycling Sorting Activity + Free Printable Recycling Signs & ebooks" would probably be better...more hands-on for everyone.
Tessa had a fun time playing this free "Let's Recycle Sorting Game" that I ran across via Pinterest. There are a lot of similar sorting activities about, but I liked that this one had a tad more to do since it is set up game-style. For the troop setting, something similar to "Recycling Sorting Activity + Free Printable Recycling Signs & ebooks" would probably be better...more hands-on for everyone.

To help reduce trash, Tessa created an aluminum can recycling box. (We live in a small, rural town where there aren't a lot of recycling options.)
To help reduce trash, Tessa created an aluminum can recycling box. (We live in a small, rural town where there aren't a lot of recycling options.)

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Looking for more Rosie the Rose petal ideas?

Check out my Random Acts of Kindness - Girl Scout Daisies - "Rosie - Rose Petal" (Step 3) printable scouting helper.