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      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
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    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
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    • 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
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      • new for us foods
    • crafts
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      • fine arts
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      • 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
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      • lunchbox love notes
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celebrating earth day, sneaking in some learning

home / outdoor learning / celebrating earth day, sneaking in some learning
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It’s Earth Week!

What a perfect platform for celebrating the outdoors and for practicing new ways of being kinder to Mother Nature?

We are trying over here–trying–to be a ‘greener’ familia, and along the way you better believe I’m sneaking in a little bit of learning.

Here’s how we’re throwing in some earth day learning every day:

  • Flower Watering Time: Planting anything, whether it’s food for your family or food for your eyes, is a great way of celebrating Earth Day. Especially for larger gardens outside, the time spent watering plants can amount to quite a chunk of time.

Maddy, Owen, and Cora literally fight to hold the hose and water our flowers. Thankfully, they take turns depending on whose day it is, but the time standing still is time I feel can be used for more than just down time. So depending on which kiddo is hose-happy that day, we might. . .

Sneak in some math practice by:

  1. counting to determine how long he or she waters each bunch of flowers (ex: count from 1-10 then move the hose; or backwards from 10-1; count by 2’s from 2-20 or higher; by 5’s from 5-50; by 10’s from 10-100);
  2. counting in Spanish;
  3. practicing doubling problems— 1 + 1 = 2 (move the hose) then 2 + 2 = 4;
  4. counting each single bunch of flowers as each is watered and move from left to right (working on making that left-right return sweep a natural movement!);
  5. counting the different colors or types of flowers and moving the hose as we count. . .
Even Brady’s getting in on the learning fun while Owen waters our flowers!


Sneak
in some spelling and alphabet practice by:

  1. spelling his or her name each time a bunch of flowers is watered (this results in lots of practice, and I have to remind them to say the letters slowly: O. W. E. N, then move hose. This is easier for my kids because they have short names–we rarely do ‘Madeline’ but probably should);
  2. taking turns spelling each family member’s name either as each bunch is watered or by moving the hose for each letter;
  3. singing the ABC Song and moving the hose from flower to flower as we sing or just saying the letters of the alphabet as he or she waters each flower;
  4. saying as many words as possible that begin with each letter of the alphabet (‘A’– apple, alligator, ant, art, Amy. . . then move hose and do ‘B’ and so on);

Sneak in some phonological awareness practice by:

  1. saying as many rhyming words as he or she can for each bunch of flowers (someone calls out a word, and we all add a word until we can’t think of any more, then move the hose);
  2. creating silly sentences—tongue twisters–that contain as many alliterative words as possible (She sells sea shells down by the sea shore, then move hose and pick another sound);
  3. saying as many one, two, or three-syllable words as he or she can for each bunch of flowers (cat, bug, hit, say / bud-dy, Sal-ly, Mad-dy, cra-zy / Ma-de-line, co-lor-ful, ha-pi-ness). . .

These are just some of the ways that we sneak in a little bit of learning while tending to our pretty flower garden out front (thanks to Maddy, Owen, and Cora’s green-thumb grandfather!). But these little tricks can be used for just about a million other outdoor activities, like the long stretches of time spent pushing kiddos on the swings, sitting on the sidelines watching never-ending tee-ball games, or pushing those tiny ones in strollers.

I’ll share some other ways we’re celebrating Earth Day over here as the week goes on, but do feel free add to this list, link back to your Earth Day posts, or share your Mother Earth-friendly ideas with us! Three cheers for Earth Week!

Thanks for subscribing to teachmama! Have a good one!

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post:new for us friday: er-u-di-tion (a sight words game!)
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Or PARENTS. 

Actually ANY grown-up who likes to unplug once in a while and CREATE. 

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Check it out. Theyโ€™ve got a ton of sets to choose from, like 
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๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’

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Follow my stories for the deals and steals for families and educators, or check the Zulily Highlight!

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is only $34.99 on Zulily WITH an extra 15% off!

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AND birthdays, holidays or rainy days!

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๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸช๐ŸŸง๐ŸŸฉ

hereโ€™s the link that will get you AN ADDITIONAL 15% off โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/JrDdbE

And remember: FREE SHIPPING ON orders of $89+

#ad #linkinbio #besttoysforkids #dealoftheday

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THE perfect gift for the tweens and teens in your life: zulily.gfpv.net/gb2NAA

@zulily #ad #giftsfortweens #giftsforteens
View
Open
Celebrate, we will! โ€˜Cause life is short but sweet for certain. . . 

What a weekend. So incredibly proud of all of these talented athletes!

๐Ÿ† 3rd in the state of Maryland for @sherwoodcheerleading ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿค

UMD Womenโ€™s Basketball won todayโ€” great job by @marylandcheer โค๏ธ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ–ค

#lovethesegirls #cheerweekend #marylandlife #lifeinmaryland #moco
View
Open
This Sugarfina Advent Calendar is what your teens want. 

$33 shipped TO YOUR DOOR w my 10% off and FREE SHIPPING!

Normally itโ€™s $60! 

I have been sharing my fave, super-COOL, Advent Calendars for teens and adults in my stories today!

This one right here was ours from last year, and we โค๏ธ LOVED it!

It is made by @sugarfina and each day we were surprised with FABULOUS sweet treats! 

Good-bye to the ole, crappy, tinfoil chocolates. Weโ€™re taking fun, new, and different candies each day of the month!

Grab it here: zulily.gfpv.net/MX9Ngn

#linkinbio @zulily #adventcalendars #adventforteens
View
Open
Hey #MoCo Voters, Itโ€™s #ElectionDay2022! 

Do you need a ride to the polls? If you do, @VOTE411 and @lyft has got you covered! 

So, #NoExcuses. Get out there and make your voice heard!

#VotePlan #VoteReady #expectus #MomsDemandAction #appleballot #MCEA
View
Open
Get out and VOTE. 

Please. 

Not sure where to vote? https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/

#midtermelections #getoutandvote๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ #linkinbio
View
Open
Did you have a chance to join my IG live today?

It was a rainy, gross Sunday here in Maryland, and I shared one of my top picks for the holidaysโ€”> LEGO but for BIG KIDS. 

Or GRANDPARENTS. 

Or PARENTS. 

Actually ANY grown-up who likes to unplug once in a while and CREATE. 

I showed how I was doing with the LEGO Flower Bouquet (๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’๐ŸŒผ) and how many other awesome sets are 15% off and FREE SHIPPING (yayyyyy!!) over on @zulily ๐Ÿ’œ. 

Check it out. Theyโ€™ve got a ton of sets to choose from, like 
Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Friends, Disney, Mario Brosโ€”you name it. 

Find them here: https://zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

Fab prices + free shipping = BIG WIN. 

#linkinbio #ad #LEGOforgrownups #everyonelovesLEGO #holidaypicks
View
Open
LEGO at 15% off and FREE SHIPPING! 

Check out the AWESOME set that is PERFECT for teens, grandparents, and ANY grownup who likes to create! 

This bouquet will last forever!

๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’

Use this link โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

#bestgiftsforkids #grandparentgifts #ad #LEGOforgrownups @zulily
View
Open
WHAT HAS ARRIVED FROM @zulily !?

Since Zulily carries such a vast array of items, it could be ANYthing: 

๐Ÿ’œ boutique-style clothes or shoes

๐Ÿค brand-name clothing & shoes

๐Ÿ’œ toys

๐Ÿค books or magazines 

๐Ÿ’œ pantry items, snacks, & treats

๐Ÿค haircare or cosmetics 

๐Ÿ’œ pet toys, treats, or accessories 

๐Ÿค personalized gifts

๐Ÿ’œ houseplants, seeds, or bulbs

๐Ÿค basics for kids through adults

๐Ÿ’œ craft supplies and kits

๐Ÿค furniture or home goods

๐Ÿ’œ designer handbags, sunglasses, or belts

๐Ÿค luxury items and gifts

๐Ÿ’œ sports equipment 

๐Ÿค sports gear for ALL fansโ€”NFL, MLB, NCAA, you name it

๐Ÿ’œ small appliances & kitchen items

๐Ÿค towels, sheets, blankets, linens

๐Ÿ’œ home storage & organization items

๐Ÿค coats, hats, scarves 

๐Ÿ’œ just about anything you can imagine!

Follow my stories for the deals and steals for families and educators, or check the Zulily Highlight!

Especially nowโ€”as we move into the exciting holiday seasonโ€”I will more frequently share items, and they will MOVE QUICKLY! 

So make sure you are checking in regularly, and pleaseโ€”if you are looking for specific items and a specific price point, let me know! 

I am happy to do some research to help you out!

๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ

#zulilypartner #linkinbio #ad #holiday #giftgiving bestgifts

Want to check it out for yourself? zulily.gfpv.net/teachmama
View
Open
๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸฅ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸจ

THE best toy for kidsโ€”and classrooms!โ€”is on sale right now. 

The 101-piece PicassoTile Building Set (WITH CARRYING CASE!)
is only $34.99 on Zulily WITH an extra 15% off!

Stock upโ€”think: teachers, daycare providers, classrooms!
AND birthdays, holidays or rainy days!

This is a toy that I cannot recommend highly enoughโ€”perfect for littles through elemor middle school. 

From a tween I know and love: The *click* of the magnetic blocks is so satisfying, and honestly, theyโ€™re just really fun and relaxing to use. 

๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸช๐ŸŸง๐ŸŸฉ

hereโ€™s the link that will get you AN ADDITIONAL 15% off โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/JrDdbE

And remember: FREE SHIPPING ON orders of $89+

#ad #linkinbio #besttoysforkids #dealoftheday

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