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puzzles and more puzzles

home / Uncategorized / puzzles and more puzzles
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This morning we did puzzles. This afternoon we did puzzles. And this evening we did puzzles. For some reason, my children were all in a puzzle-frenzy today. Puzzles were done and re-done, and pieces seemed to be everywhere all day long.

For fear of sounding like a Melissa and Doug commercial, here’s my disclaimer: I do not work for this company. It just so happens that they make really fantastic products, and every friend and family member–myself included–seems to buy these items for my family. No joke.

Here are some of our favorite puzzles:

  • Jumbo ABC Chunky Puzzle: This is one of the first puzzles I ever bought for my children, so it’s seen some wear and tear. However, like all of these puzzles, it’s holding up remarkably well. I’ve used this one not only with each one of my kiddos a gazillion times, but I have also taken it to my tutoring sessions with younger students. It’s awesome because the letter pieces fit perfectly in small hands, and the pictures that go along with each letter are familiar and friendly. Another cool thing about this one is that the letters stand up, so Maddy and Owen like to spell simple words with them then mix the letters up and start again.
  • Vehicles in a Box Puzzle: This is one of Owen’s favorites. It has four separate puzzles in the same box. Each puzzle is stored in a separate compartment in the box, and the pieces are shape-coded so kids can sort them easily. For a little guy who likes both things that go and things that go back perfectly to where they belong, this puzzle is perfect for my boy.
  • Huge USA Floor Map Puzzle: I love when I see this one out on our floor, because I am far from a geography expert; another goal I have for my children is that they have a more solid background in geography than I. So, for a children’s 50-piece USA map puzzle, this one totally rocks. The pieces are thick and sturdy, and while doing it, children are learning the 50 states! Each state has a tiny picture of something state-related, so the visual associations that Maddy and Owen make with the states sparks conversation and helps them understand more about our country.
  • Magnetic Car Puzzle Game: Cora has recently begun to use this one more often, because she’s realizing how she is learning to control things better as she’s growing. This puzzle has a tow truck piece with a magnet on the end of a string which puzzle-doers use to pick up the other ‘broken-down’ car pieces on the board. The colors, like every other one of these puzzles, are bright but simple, and the car shapes give Cora just enough challenge to keep her engaged without being frustrating.
  • Farm Cube Puzzle: This is a newer one for us, and it seems to be the most challenging for Maddy and Owen. It’s actually six puzzles in one set, and each side of every cube is part of a picture of a farm animal. The secret is the border of each cube; in order to complete the puzzle, the borders must match.

On top of these, Maddy, Owen, and Cora did a bunch of the peg puzzles and several other huge jigsaw floor puzzles that we have accumulated over the years. Maddy also rocked two Fancy Nancy 100-piece jigsaws during her rest time. Holy puzzles!

Don’t get me wrong–we do have puzzles from other companies and other brands–but no other children’s toy brand seems to have so many brothers, sisters, and cousins under our roof. It’s one, big, happy M & D learning-while-they’re-doing-them puzzle family! Owen put it best–today, they were puzzle artists!

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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

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Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

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This yearโ€™s registration deadline is approaching, but you still have time! 

What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

#CivicsBuzz #strongcommunities #middleschool #civicsbee #teachersofIG
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Have you heard of The National Civics Bee? #ad 

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

Iโ€™m thrilled to have partnered with @mom_select and @civicsbuzz for this exciting campaign! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

#CivicsBuzz #middleschoolers #teachersofIG #communitypartners
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Oh HEEEEEYYY, @luvvie โ€” did you see that @littletroublemaker made our hallway bulletin board? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ™ฅ๏ธ

(Itโ€™s what Rusty the ๐ŸฆŠ is currently reading.) 

Find it at your favorite bookstore or order here: https://amzn.to/3Pu3tWs

(This is my affiliate link, so when you use it, I will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my link and supporting my small business!)

#readingteacher #raiseareader #kidlit #bestbooks #linkinbio
View
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How can people with dyslexia learn to read? ๐Ÿค”

Here are the 3๏ธโƒฃ elements that reading instruction should contain in order to be most effective for students with dyslexiaโ€”

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #readingteacher #teachreading #dyslexiaawareness
View
Open
Lately when I find four leaf clovers, Iโ€™ve been leaving them. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

So if youโ€™re in Maryland, and you happen upon a lonely, little 4-leafer with very little grass, weeds, or leaves around it, I donโ€™t know WHO tried to set you up for success.

#yougotthis #keepyoureyesopen #itsthelittlethings #kilpattyluck
View
Open
Okayโ€”how do we know if someone has dyslexia? 

Which professionas are able to make that important determination? 

โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
View
Open
What are some of the common signs of dyslexia?

Watch to learn and find out!

#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
View
Open
True โœ… or false โŒ?

#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
View
Open
What do you know about dyslexia? 

What questions do you have about dyslexia? 

For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

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