Global Twister: A Tutorial

As promised, here is the tutorial for our Global Twister game!  There are a variety of ways you can play it.  The cards allow for selecting a continent and then right/left, hand/foot options.  For younger one's it is possible to make the game even simpler.  My previous post outlined some of those options!

Materials:

* blue vinyl fabric, measuring 55in (width of fabric I bought) x 36in.

* download and print  my map and the cards. (Make sure you set the page scaling to none for the map so that it prints at full size.)  You will need 25 pages for the 5x5paged map.

* exacto knife

* acrylic paints for each continents.  (Make sure these are not be translucent.  I didn't read the  fine print and discovered this the hard way...)  I chose this particular color scheme because it matches all of the Montessori geography materials.  Although I don't own any, I find their wooden puzzle mapsbeautiful!

* paintbrush

* paint sealer.  I used a spray on Scotchgard fabric protector.

Directions:

1. Print the maps and assemble them into one large map.  Each page is numbered in the top left-hand corner to make it easier to assemble.  Either tape together or better yet trace onto large sheets of butcher paper if you have some.

2. Next we will create our giant stencil by cutting out the continents with an exacto knife.

3. Gently punch out continents and then place completed stencil map on your blue vinyl tablecloth.  Using books and small weights make sure that stencil is securely placed so it won't move while you work.

4. Paint using strokes that go from the stencil towards the middle to minimize any paint that would seep under the edge. It might take more than one coat in order to cover the blue underneath.

5. Allow to dry and spray with sealant.  Once this dries, carefully remove the paper stencil and you are ready to play!

I'd love to hear how this works out for you all or any variations that you made that worked!

Feel free to link to this tutorial, but please don't repost. I have a newfound respect for those that do tutorials on a regular basis. That was a lot more work than I anticipated...

Come check out all of our WORLD GEOGRAPHY ADVENTURES!

Some of the ways we've used our Global Twister Map:

Going Global - how we play Global Twister

Mapping the Mayflower

Sailing Through Review

Open-ended Rainy Day Play

 

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Grateful for Him!

I'm so grateful for him! 

My friend, my lover, my partner in this grand adventure of parenting!

Me on the Map

As we embark on this adventure around the world, we felt it best to get a firm handle on where we are on the map!
The book, Me On the Map, was a perfect way to introduce this idea!  Afterwards, we set out to make our own map books!

The boys mapped out their room, their home/street, their town, state, country, continent and planet! 

The boys loved showing off their finished product to every visitor that came by this week!

Now that we know where are on the map, we are ready to explore the continents, one-by-one!  Since we're already here, I guess we will just start with North America!

Going Global

We plan on traveling all over the world this summer...

...without ever leaving home.

That's right, this summer we embark on a journey around the world and discover where we fit into it!

Xander already has my love of maps.  Sometimes I wonder if it can be genetic.  Afterall, I am the daughter of a cartographer dad and a geography-degreed mom! 

This last year we've had fun running to our wall map of the world to find locations that come up in our reading.  After reading a book about the earth, the boys set to work creating their own maps!

I was actually pretty amazed at the features and locations that Xander (5.8 yo) included on his map.  He totally pegged where we live in his rendition of North America and was able to pinpoint where Ittiel lives (the Peruvian boy we sponsor through Compassion.)

Keegan (3.8yo) drew a fanciful map of his 'world' which included mostly local places (our house, the store, the cookie store, Oma/Opa's house, Aunt B's, etc...)

It is always amazing to see where they are each at and appreciate them for who they are and what they are ready to create!

While coloring is fine and dandy, the icing on the cake of our introduction to world geography was the hands (and feet) on approach of playing our version of Twister - global style!

There is something so powerful in engaging one's whole body in the learning process.  They loved figuring out the names of the continents.  Xander loved using both his hands and feet to mark the continents I called out.  With Keegan, we kept it simpler and I asked him to "hop into" _____ continent.  And Trey, at 2 years old just loved running and hopping at random, although I wouldn't be surprised if he catches on and is participating more!

We plan on eventually adding in the four oceans to the mix and when he's ready for an added twist, specifying right or left!

It was a challenge to get the idea from my head successfully to a mat.  In the end, although I ended up freehanding the continents (don't look too close, Dad), I'm happy with how it turned out. 

A tutorial for this just might need to be done.  So much fun is just meant to be shared! (Tutorial found here.)

Come check out all of our WORLD GEOGRAPHY ADVENTURES!

For the Children's Sake and other reads...

For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

After a friend had mentioned reading this book, I scanned my mom's bookshelf and found her well-worn copy that she bought back in the mid 1980's. The cover art is obviously different from the new edition, pictured here, but I didn't want to scare anyone away from this amazing book with the 80's artwork.  (Although aren't the 80's back in vogue?!?!?)

As I read, I was inspired in the way I view my parenting and my children. While not specifically a 'homeschool' book (in fact her children were in all kinds of school both formal and at home), I really feel like she gets to the heart of what it means to parent and lays out a beautiful philosophy for raising children. It confirmed many of the thoughts I'd been having and confirmed the calling I felt to educate my children at home.

She really challenges modern notions of 'school' and 'education'. Education is so much more than simply sitting at a desk and learning skills. Learning is a beautiful, creative and fulfilling way of life. It has been incredible to see our home transform into a place where we are all seeking to learn and respecting the different capacities and levels that each one is at - both child and adult alike. There is joy in the discovery and it has been a delight to watch my children discover more about the incredible world around us.

I also appreciate Macaulay and Charlotte Mason's respect for young children and their need to 'play to learn'. Both advocate a very developmentally appropriate approach to early education!

I can't say enough about it. If you have kids, read it!


Other books I have LOVED include: )

Miseducation: Preschoolers at Risk by David Elkind. Again, not a homeschool book, but an awesome book on what is healthy and appropriate learning in the preschool years. We live in a culture where there is a lot of pressure to build our toddler/preschoolers brain and 'do' formal academics with them. Elkind, a renowned developmental psychologist, dispels the myth that this is good and in fact shows how dangerous it can be to push academics at an early age. From the description on Amazon: "Development in toddlers, he cautions, can be seriously damaged by parents' well-meaning rush to give them a head-start on education or in sports. Preschoolers ought to be encouraged in their spontaneous learning rather than given formal instruction that teaches them "the wrong things at the wrong time." Incredible book, especially if you are feeling pressure from well-meaning friends/family or struggling with not wanting your toddler/preschooler to be left behind.

Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less. This super helpful book is chock full of information on scientific studies of how young children learn and cautions against the rush to cram academics. Like Dr. Elkind does, they point out that there is no evidence that early academic training has any long term benefits and in fact can cause harm. One of my favorite parts when I read it several years ago were the sections that layed out developmental milestones and 'experiments' (i.e. games) you could play with your children to see if they had reached certain ones yet. I found it a facinating, freeing and inspiring read perfect for those with 1-4 year olds!

Endangered Minds: Why Children Don't Think and What We Can Do About It by Jane Healy This is the book that got me started on my fascination with the science of how children learn. I even explored the option of going back to grad school to pursue this further... (Back in my post homeschool student, post biology undergraduate and pre-kid stage of life!)  The review from amazon sums it up quite succinctly saying that this book is "a fascinating exploration of today's much-deplored decline in school achievement....[Healy] clearly conveys the relationship between language, learning, and brain development, then explains why television viewing and present-day lifestyles sabotage language acquisition, thinking, and personal success. "

So those are some of my top picks... What parenting/education books have you found helpful?

Finding Beauty in the Details...

It is becoming easier and more natural to take a closer look and see the blessing regardless of life's circumstances.  Although sometimes it takes either stepping back from a situation to get the big picture or moving in for an up-close look. 

At a first glance, the creosote bush is plain.  In fact, it is pretty ugly.

But upon closer inspection, there is beauty.

And upon further investigation, there are so many benefits and 'gifts' that this ugly little desert plant has to offer.

• 
  
  It was widely used by Native Americans as a medicinal plant in the form of a medicinal tea to cure such ailments as flu, stomach cramps, cancer, coughs, colds, and others.
• 
  
  It is the most drought tolerant plant in North America and can survive up to two years with NO water.
• 
  
  An individual plant can live for a very long time (between 100-200 years).
• 
  
  And my favorite, the release of oils into the air after a desert rainstorm that gives Arizona that characteristic "desert rain" smell! 

Beauty and blessings can be found wherever I look.  I just need eyes that see...

So I continue to count my way to 1,000 gifts:

296. Our beautiful desert home.

297. A brief break in the scorching summer temperatures.  A high of 82 was nice this weekend.

298.the sight of dusty shoes after a last run through the desert before temperatures become bearable again in the fall.

299. a loving, supportive mother-in-law!

300. meeting someone at church who had been in one of the college Bible studies I led 12 years ago who came to know Christ that semester.

301. celebrating with my hubby as he graduated from our town's intensive leadership program.  I'm so proud of him!

302. patience with tantrums.

303. overhearing little boys telling eachother 'non-sensical' jokes.

304. getting to sneak a peak at pretend play where dinosaurs and cars interact.

305. Finally figuring out the project that had stalled me out for a couple of weeks!  The kids get to try out our global twister game tomorrow!  I'll let you know how that goes...

306. Discovering afresh that necessity truly is the mother of invention.  We are not fix-it people, but when our dishwasher broke this last week, Rich was able to discover the source of the leak.  (A hidden blessing in spite of this horrible economy.  Otherwise we probably would have just assumed it would be too expensive to fix and gone ahead and replaced it.)

307. the discovery that the specific source of the leak is one of the few things still under warranty!  Thank you Jesus!

Announcing...

Speaking of homeschool conventions, not only will I be there, but my mom and I will be giving a workshop titled, Cultivating Curiosity: Growing Your Little One's Love of Learning (description on page 11).  It is one of the workshops specifically geared for those with kids 7 and under!

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to motivate and inspire parents on their journey of developing life-long learners and do so in a holistic way that is developmentally appropriate in these crucial early years! 

We loved our first team-teaching experience two years ago when we talked about learning through play at the AFHE homeschool convention.  This last year, we have spoken at several homeschool support group meetings and look forward to a talk that once again specifically focuses on the littles. 

For Arizona Parents of Preschoolers...

For any of you out there in Arizona who are considering homeschooling, Arizona Families for Home Education (AFHE) is providing the opportunity for you to attend this years homeschool convention for FREE!   That's a savings of $55!!!  We live in a wonderful state with so many educational options.  I'm excited that parents of preschoolers can have the opportunity to explore the option of homeschooling before any 'official' decisions need to be made. 

You can qualify as long as you meet the following guidlines:

1. Your oldest child is 5 years old or younger.
2. You have never attended the AFHE homeschool convention before.
3. You register using this form by the early registration deadline of June 23, 2010.

The Annual Arizona Homeschool Convention is an amazing opportunity to hear wonderful and inspiring speakers and explore a huge vendor hall filled with all kinds of curriculum and educational bookes, games and misc supplies!   I'm a 'touch and feel' kind of girl, so having the opportunity to actually open up curriculum and supplemental materials, look them over and ask someone in person about it is really what I need before I make purchase decisions...    I come away each year, inspired and full of motivation for the next year!

The Gift of the Spirit-Led Life

Today has been a crazy day.  I'm in the thick of trying to pull a couple of big projects together including a geography game that is proving to be a lot more challenging than I originally thought it would be.  That seems to be how most creative projects work out for me...   It's hard to get the idea in my head to come together in real life.  I guess you could say I've discovered multiple ways that it WON'T work.  :sigh: 

But I didn't want to just let my day end trying to pull those things together and not take time to reflect on God's goodness.

I feel like God is doing a work on my thinking and how I am living.  It has been a common theme that has resurfaced over and over again in my life.  What does it look like to live a Spirit-led life?  

It is a good thing that there are so many different seasons and circumstances in life.  If there weren't, being the creature of habit that I am, I would be content to go on autopilot and have no need for God at all.

But my life seems to be in a constant state of change and I am so thankful for it.  Each day, I need to seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit who provides direction, comfort and power to do what He has called me to do.

Every day is different, but the Spirit never changes.  Learning to let the Spirit lead in my life is beautiful, exciting and scary all at the same time.

My sister recently told me about the free audio download this month of Francis Chan's new book, Forgotton God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit.  I'm only halfway thru it, but loving it so far.  After the time we spent on preparing for and meditating on Pentecost, this has been especially powerful to read.

Thinking about the Holy Spirit's work in my life reminds me of how much I have to be thankful for...

285. that the Holy Spirit dwells inside of me - guiding me, directing me, comforting me, changing me.
286. hearing that still small voice in the midst of the noise and chaos of life.
287. quick, miraculous and specific answers to prayer.
288. early morning boy giggles.
289. late-night whispered conversations with my hubby after we've gone to bed.
290. air-conditioning, especially on a day like today with temperatures over 110 degrees.
291. brother-camaraderie
292. experiencing a special connection with my middle bit this week.  Oh God is so good.
293. my week of taking a computer break.  Sweet time with my boys, special time with God and a much calmer mommy.
294. fellowship and fabulous finds at a used curriculum fair!
295. the early morning quiet.

Working my way towards recounting 1,000 of His gifts...  Want to join?

Reminiscing of days, long gone...

He doesn't seem to understand that you don't need a ski cap when it is over 100 degree's outside!

Welcome to life with a stubborn but adorable two year old little boy.  I guess he wanted to keep in some heat up top, while the bottom got airtime.

Yup, potty training is still in progress, but progressing well.