New Years Activities for The Kiddos

 

If you are looking for a way to keep the kiddos busy this New Year's Eve without constant streams of "Is it Midnight yet?" You might want to head over to Squishy-Cute Designs where they have posted several activities (tons of freebies) for both the little ones and the older ones.  While you're there, you may want to check out some of the non-holiday related activities as well as there are a ton of them!  Happy New Year!

New Year's Freebies

Free Disney New Year's Printables

If you are looking for a way to keep your kiddos busy this New Year's you might want to try these free printables featuring everyone's favorite mouse - Mickey Mouse! Here is a fun New Year's Activity Page that features a word search and a maze.

You can also have your child make a wish list for the upcoming year with Mickeys New Year Wish List.

It's Planning Time!

Suddenly it is almost August! Where has the summer gone? I hope you have taken time for yourself so that you are feeling less stressed and refreshed - ready for a new year!  August is the time of year when homeschool parents really begin to think about the new year ahead. It is time to research new ideas to use in your homeschool, and new ways of doing some of the necessary things. I also begin to get excited about beginning the new year  fresh with my children.

As it is a new year, make some resolutions. Every homeschool parent can improve and make learning better for their children. Try some new things in your reading and math programs, improve your science program or teach more PE to improve the fitness of your children. If your organizational skills (or your children's) can be improved, work on this. Every year you should think about improving in some way!

Over the next few weeks I will be giving you some ideas for organizing and planning your homeschool year.  I will provide linkys for sharing some of your great ideas as well. And the best news?  I will also be giving away some fabulous back to school organzing and homeschool supply prizes through blog post contests and twitter parties.   Additional Prizes and Sponsors will be added - so check back frequently!

Prizes and Sponsors

(updated 7/25/11)

Totally Together organizer by Stephanie O'Dea

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See Book - Homeschool Parent

Coupon Binder - Fernley Family

Ultimate Back-to-School Combo - Mabel's Labels

$25 Gift Card to Target- Homeschool Parent

If you would like to share a blog post or sponsor this contest, please contact me at kellys3ps@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Christmas In July Lesson Plan

So last night when I asked Luke to pick a bedtime story, this is the book he picked out.  I guess with the temperatures hitting the 100 degree mark lately, he was craving a little bit of snow.  So, that got me to thinking about the phrase "Christmas in July"  I had of course heard it before, but was it actually a real thing?  Thanks to the magic of the internet, I found out that yes it was a real holiday, and there are people who actually celebrate it!  So in honor of my boy's craving for snow, I decided to plan some Christmas in July activities.  Here are a few of the things we will be doing just in case you are having a case of the summer blues:

Handwriting

Handwriting is always a little more fun when it involves Christmas, don't you think?  Have them practice writing Christmas words with this printable.

Creative Writing

You know that box of old Christmas cards you've been saving for??? Come on, fess up, I have one too.  Well, put them to use as story starters or writing prompts.  Have your child cut the cover off and write a story about it. I know one little boy who is going to be writing about snowmen in his journal!

Reading/Language Arts

Read about The Wild Christmas Reindeer with this fun reader's theater.

Practice alphabetical order using Christmas lights.

Math

Make use of those old Christmas bows that are collecting dust in your garage for some math fun!

Younger kiddos can sort them into piles to practice their sorting skills. If your kiddo is a little older, have them graph the results!  Older kiddos can practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and even division with the bows.  See if they can write their own story problems to go along with them.

Practice some Santa Subtraction

The Cost of Christmas - Have your kiddo figure out how much the 12 Days of Christmas would cost with this fun worksheet.

Now that you are in the Christmas spirit - you might want to think about tackling a chore usually reserved for later in the year. You know the one that you forget about until the last minute so now you are known for your New Year's cards that were supposed to be Christmas cards but somehow didn't get mailed out until after Christmas. - Yeah Guilty as charged.

Well, this year I think I am going to surprise all of my family and friends by taking care of the chore of ordering and getting the Christmas cards ready early - like now, when I don't have the holiday hectic.

I usually send out photo cards, so I have already booked a photo session with my fave camera friend for right after BlogHer, and I have been checking out these snowman (of course!) photo cards from Storkie.com

Just use your imagination and replace those girls with my 6 boys and wouldn't it be fab?  I think so :)
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Storkie.com. This is a sponsored post, meaning that I have received compensation. All thoughts and opinions are that of my own.