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teach mama

helps families connect & build bridges between home & school, by amy mascott

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  • digital literacy
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  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
home / Activities / foundations

foundations

foundations of learning and living: teaching kids the foundations, the basics, the fundamentals

PAW Patrol, Blues Clues & You! and Melissa & Doug

My love and admiration for Melissa & Doug products is not a secret. And when I found out that both Blues Clues & You! and PAW Patrol have …
Read morePAW Patrol, Blues Clues & You! and Melissa & Doug
egg dyeing 101 | teachmama.com cover new

egg dyeing 101: making egg dyeing as mess-free, easy, and FUN as possible for families

Many parents rank egg dyeing up there with pumpkin carving: a highly-anticipated activity that often results in a huge mess, complete with crying kids …
Read moreegg dyeing 101: making egg dyeing as mess-free, easy, and FUN as possible for families
brain teasers for kids | teachmama.com

brain teasers for kids

We're longtime fans of brain teasers for kids over here, in any form, at any time. We dig brain teasers at lunchtime, brain teasers in the …
Read morebrain teasers for kids
the fox and the crane: shadow puppets with printables | guest post by @liskarediska on teachmama.com

the fox and the crane: shadow puppets with printables

This week, Liska from Adventure in a Box shares a super-cool, totally new-to-teachmama.com idea.  So cool, it's nuts. Liska is a toymaker, a …
Read morethe fox and the crane: shadow puppets with printables
get kids interested in language and the world: little pim twitter event, 4.29.14

get kids interested in language and the world: little pim twitter event, 4.29.14

Kids who know about their world will naturally care for it more too. Little Pim is a language learning system that hopes to do more than teach your …
Read moreget kids interested in language and the world: little pim twitter event, 4.29.14
toddler shapes learn and play | teachmama.com

toddler shapes: learn and play

      The following guest post is written by talented and creative Australian homeschooling mom of two, Rachel …
Read moretoddler shapes: learn and play
Five Activities for Crossing the Midline (and Why It’s Important)

five activities for crossing the midline (and why it’s important)

The following guest post is written by the amazing Devany LeDrew. Devany is a former Kindergarten who now shares adventures with her children--most …
Read morefive activities for crossing the midline (and why it’s important)
help kids with articulation

how to help kids with articulation (you CAN help!)

As an educator and parent, I've always had an ear for the way my kiddos learned language, spoke, and pronounced their words. Their …
Read morehow to help kids with articulation (you CAN help!)
pretzel patterns learning during snacktime

pretzel patterns: learning during snacktime

It's been crazy over here for the past few weeks, with nutty, awful weather, with colds and stomach bugs, lots of late meetings, and lots of …
Read morepretzel patterns: learning during snacktime
playing the recorder

how to play ‘mary had a little lamb’ on the recorder (or try to, at least)

We tried. Maybe a bit too hard--or maybe not hard enough--depending on how you look at it. But we have been rockin' the ole recorder over here …
Read morehow to play ‘mary had a little lamb’ on the recorder (or try to, at least)
two ways to use shoeboxes

2 crazy cool ways to use shoeboxes

Let's face it, times are tough for a lot of us, so it's due time that we really begin to use what we have in clever and creative ways. How about …
Read more2 crazy cool ways to use shoeboxes

summer fun cards: making the most of our summer

One of our most favorite parts of summer is making our Summer Fun Cards. We've made them for the past three years, and each year I'm thrilled that …
Read moresummer fun cards: making the most of our summer

how to develop language through play

I'm excited to share a few posts I've written that focus on developing children's language through play. Each short article offers parents two …
Read morehow to develop language through play

quick trick: take reading on the road

A few weeks ago, I took the kids to Pennsylvania for the weekend--another solo trip and one I've done dozens of times before. But what I realized …
Read morequick trick: take reading on the road

quick trick: keep. those. LIDS!

How many of you have recycle bins that are nearly overflowing by the end of the week? I know ours is, despite all of the recyclables that I …
Read morequick trick: keep. those. LIDS!

quick trick: focus on free play

This little Quick Trick isn't as much a trick as it is a reminder--for parents, caregivers, teachers. .  . for my husband and me. Though I have …
Read morequick trick: focus on free play

best of teach mama countdown: #2 — spelling words

Yay! We're getting down to the wire with this teach mama top 10 all-time best countdown! This post is one that I have shared probably more than …
Read morebest of teach mama countdown: #2 — spelling words

best of teach mama countdown: #5 — letters b and d

I love it when I find a resource that really, truly helps my kids. And PBS has provided me with so many ways to support my children's learning, in …
Read morebest of teach mama countdown: #5 — letters b and d

new for us friday: LeapFrog Peek-A-Shoe Octopus (& giveaway!)

As much as I have had a ton of success with LeapFrog products and love nearly everything LeapFrog, I knew that I needed to outsource a bit when it …
Read morenew for us friday: LeapFrog Peek-A-Shoe Octopus (& giveaway!)

partners: ‘we teach’ and melissa & doug (and the north ‘poll’ news!)

I'm thrilled to announce that as of last month, the we teach forum has partnered with the amazing Melissa & Doug! What this means is that …
Read morepartners: ‘we teach’ and melissa & doug (and the north ‘poll’ news!)
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Hot off the presses!

I've been working CRAZY hours because I'm prepping for a launch in the next two weeks. G U L P!

I'm SUPER excited, and I know you will be too.

Read more here: https://take5.teachmama.com/

#linkinbio #teachmamatake5 #bestoftheweb #take5 #coolestclubintown
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Loving my new St. Patrick’s Day 🍀 tee and eyeing about 5 others I totally want!

Remember—the more we can get our kids reading, the better! 

So find a fun and festive shirt for everyone in the fam and teach kids phrases like: 

🍀 Saint Patrick’s Day sparks JOY

☘️ Happy Go Lucky

🍀 Team Irish

☘️ Lucky Charm

🍀 Irish I was a little bit taller

☘️ Here for the shenanigans 

🍀 Lucky mama

☘️ A wee bit Irish 

and more!

Right now on Zulily you can grab tees, hoodies, dresses, pj sets, tank tops, slouchy tees, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and more starting at under $20!

Check them out: zulily.gfpv.net/rnegED

#stpatricksdaydecor #linkinbio #saintpaddysday #familyfun🍀 #irishkids #zulilypartner #raiseareader
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If you have not yet met the Buddha Board, today is your lucky day.

The Buddha Board is the ideal way to help kids find focus and to relax, and honestly every family could use one.

I would do anything some days to bring a little big of peace and calm–and zen–to our home. 

With a Buddha Board always out on a shelf, we are always just minutes away from unplugged focus and relaxation.

Have you tried one? 

Here are the deets:
https://teachmama.com/help-kids-focus-and-relax-with-the-buddha-board/

#linkinbio #buddhaboard #calmyourmind #mindfulmoments #unplugged
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Doesn’t it seem like time has become a crazy mashup of virtual-hybrid-normal-life, scattered with the *occasional* bright spot—with an overload of disappointment, confusion, and uncertainty? Like it’s hard to pinpoint what happened exactly last spring or the summer before last or even last fall?

It’s all kind of a jumbled mess?

It feels like that for me. 

But I know this for sure: spending time with these women is truly good for my soul. It’s what my heart needs. Time slows down. I can breathe. 

And it’s what I’m betting everyone needs right now—some time with good friends—sister bffs—friends like family. 

No matter what is going on in the world, these women ground me, help me feel more centered, and fill my heart with so. much. joy. 

I walked Louie this morning with what felt like lighter steps and a bigger smile on my face, and I know it’s because I spent time with beloved friends last night. 

Friends, listen to me: It’s EASY to want to hole up right now and not do much of anything—it’s dark by 5pm, it’s freezing out, it’s grey and gross outside, and we are all so tired. But one night this week or next, call a pal. 

Make plans for coffee or a meal together, and just RECONNECT with some friends. Put on a little lipstick. Dust off that bottle of perfume. Wear a big sweater over a tee shirt and leggings and put on fun earrings. It’s not that hard, but it makes a difference. 

I guarantee it will be exactly what you need and you will move forward the next few days with a brighter spirit. 

Love you, @jessicamcfadd @justicefergie and @sandie_chen so, so, SO MUCH. And love Evie too!! 

Let’s get another date on the calendar stat. 😉😍

(Of COURSE we made beautiful @eve.mcfadden pose with us last night after her dance class because we are her bloggy aunties and have known her since she was 2yo and we love her like our own.)

#wwh #bff4life #ogbloggers #sisterfriends
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Thank you @delegateericluedtke @senzucker @delegatepamqueen for meeting with Maryland @MomsDemand volunteers to discuss how we can work together to end gun violence in our communities. 

JOIN US at our next event by texting READY to 644-33 to get involved in your community!

#MDGA22 #MDpolitics #MomsAreEverywhere #DoSomething #SaySomething #BeTheChange
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As a @MomsDemand volunteer, I just met virtually with my #MDGA22 legislators to work to keep our state safe from gun violence. 

I told @delegateericluedtke @senzucker @delegatepamqueen that:

- In 1999, I was teaching English at Wilde Lake HS in Columbia, MD when the Columbine HS massacre took place. I vowed then that I would do everything I could to prevent something like that from happening again. I thought: There is NO WAY this will happen when I have children in school. Laws will change. Surely we will protect our children better.

- In 2007, I had just had my 3rd child, and a month later, the VA Tech shooting took place. I watched the news in horror and thought, please, please, PLEASE let smart people make laws to prevent this from ever happening again. PLEASE. 

- In 2012, I had three kids in elementary school--K, 1st, and 3rd grade, and my husband was an admin at a different school. That same year, 20 children and 6 adults were shot and killed at Sandy Hook ES. I joined @sandyhookpromise as soon as it was created. I thought: THIS will be the last one. No more senseless, preventable deaths.

- In 2022, just last week, at Magruder HS, where I once taught English and where my husband coached soccer, there was another shooting. This time with a ghost gun. Every day, I send my 3 children off to high school 10 minutes down the road from Magruder HS, and every day, I plead, pray, and beg God to keep them safe. 

They should not fear for their lives when they walk into school each day, nor should ANY child, any teacher, any administrator, or support staff. Schools should be safe places.

Today, we asked #Maryland lawmakers to prioritize legislation to prohibit the manufacture & sale of ghost guns: do-it-yourself weapons that can be downloaded or purchased online, bypassing the background check system that keeps us all safe. 

Please do the same. Join your local @momsdemand or @studentsdemand 

#UseYourVoice #DoSomething
#MDpolitics #MomsAreEverywhere
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Although I can’t be in Annapolis today, this Maryland @MomsDemand volunteer stands with those there in urging my legislators to protect our state from ghost guns. #MomsAreEverywhere #MDGA22 #MDpolitics

Want to get involved? 

❤️ visit momsdemandaction.org

❤️ share ANY and ALL @momsdemand @studentsdemand or @everytown posts

❤️ share any and all #MDGA22 #MDpolitics posts 

❤️ join this movement and make a difference!

#DoSomething #SaySomething #BeTheChange #EndGunViolence
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🔥 Hot off the presses 🔥

Take 5: here's what happened to me, and here's where we're going. . .

Excited about big things happening over here in 2022. 

Things may look a little different as we release and share, but if you want to stay ‘in the know’, subscribe here: https://take5.teachmama.com/

#herewego #thescoop #herearethedeets #linkinbio
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Time for your New Year’s Family Interview! 

If you haven’t done it yet, it’s OKAY. We are all feeing a little bit behind already this year. 

Be good to yourself. 

Love your people well. 

Head over and grab your *new and improved* New Year’s Family Interviews here: https://shop.teachmama.com/product/new-years-family-interview/

#newyearinterview #familyfun #easytraditions #linkinbio

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