School Project x's 2

Wanted Poster

The end of February ushered us into the month of school projects for Emily and Matthew.

Both kid's projects were based on books they were reading. Matthew's 3rd grade class was collectively reading Charlotte's Web while Emily's 5th grade class was able to select a book of their choosing from the school library. Her book was "Asking for Trouble" written by Sandra Bryd. 

For Matthew's project, he was to choose a favorite scene from the book and depict it in a diorama. Emily was given a menu of project options. She needed to choose from the Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert menu - 3 creative projects and one style of class report. I have to say she was very excited about her choices - a wanted poster, brochure, game board and a paper bag oral report. Dave and I were very pleased that she chose items that would use her drawing abilities. Although I do have to say in the final week, I was panicking a bit about the board game selection. Of course, that was the item Emily was most excited to do. Thankfully being a crafter we had most of the supplies needed for both their projects on hand.

The completed "Wanted" poster

Okay, being a parent who loves crafting is helpful but is also a bit of a curse because I need to curb my desire to help. Now this is easy with Emily....she has the crafting gene. Matt on the other hand is not so much a man of ideas or detail. So, to keep myself sane during this two child school project "season" I let Dave help Matt with his diorama and I assisted Emily where needed. 

Matt chose as his favorite scene the time when the Zuckerman's cleaned Wilbur with buttermilk. The shoe box was painted a nice "barn" red with a black roof placed on top. Fences, felt ground, Timothy hay, plastic animals, small accessories and stick people completed his scene. As you can see, Matt was very pleased with his project. 

Even though Matt's project was completed quickly, Emily still had two more main projects to finish. One thing we've learned with both kids is the importance of having them do rough drafts of their ideas before even attempting a final copy. This also includes all the written information that will be on the project. Emily's brochure was for the academy that her main character attends.  I have to say this was my favorite project she did.

The front of her brochure

Front and inner flap

Full inner portion of brochure

Back flap

The most daunting, in my opinion, of the projects was saved for last - the board game. From day one, Emily knew she wanted it to be fashioned after the game Monopoly. After we mapped out the board and determined the amount of squares, Emily took her book and found positive and negative happenings that she would write in each square. Of course, Emily gave the extra detail of a small coordinating picture to most of the squares. What an amazing job she did and it was completed a day before it was due! 

Emily's game board

It was amazing to see the projects they produced but it was even more special to see them displayed along with all the students projects the night of the school's open house.

Emily's project display

Matt's diorama display

So pleased with all their dedication and hard work - it definitely showed in the final product! 

As always, thanks for stopping by!  

A Surprise Read

By now you either know from experience or just from reading my blog that I have a wonderful, creative, imaginative, funny son! 

Matt can be very predictable. He loves to be home and prefers not going anywhere (he is a true homebody), no matter how much homework he is given it is always "so hard" and seems to take forever, when it comes to topics that interest him he will impart his knowledge on you whether you want to hear it or not......oh and he loves his Xbox, DS and Kindle (for games of course). 

Last Friday when I went to pick up the kid's from school, I noticed that Matt's teacher had posted the classes persuasive essays on the wall outside their classroom. 

I have to say for a split second I experience a moment of panic. Oh, what is my boy going to try and persuade people of. The thoughts were whirling in my head: revolt against homework, play Xbox all day, never go to school. 

Imagine my surprise when I read the title "Church is Fun". Oh, did I fail to mention how much Matt loves God. Most of the time his love of God is heard in his prayers but this was in written form and the picture he drew was priceless.

According to Matthew, this is why "Church is Fun":

"I want you to come to my church. First, you'll learn about Jesus. You will learn how he died, suffered and how he paid the price for us to be free.

Second, there will be games in Sunday School. There are going to be races. There are snowball fights made out of paper and ball games. I hope you could come to my church."

When I read this, I was overwhelmed by how much our church has effected my son. He knows the real reason for going - Jesus - but as a kid he relates to the the fun part of church. You see not only does Matt attend Sunday School but also Upstreet which is our children's church. Upstreet is run by a wonderful man, Joe Hegedus, who has a heart for teaching our kids about Jesus. We are so very thankful for all he does to expose our kids to God and His love for them.

So, my panic was replaced with joy. God is in Matt's heart and mind and is someone he wants to share with others. This essay is a small glimpse of that fact.

Oh, if you would like, you are always welcome to come to our church. After all, "Church is Fun."

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Matt, Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

On Tuesday, Matthew had a school math project due that involved a snowman.

The students were given a list of items that could be used to "build" their snowman. The math portion was that they were unable to go over $60 with their purchase of supplies. They also had to create an advertisement as to why someone would want to buy their snowman. Finally, they had to create a snowman on a 12 x 18 piece of paper which represented the one in their advertisement.

Now, you all know I'm the crafter but math, well I conceded all math issues to Dave after all he is an accountant. So, Dave and Matt worked on the calculations, completing the supply order and then the advertisement. Matt's pitch for buying his snowman is that it will do your homework for you. He also gave the snowman a name - Bells Jingle!

Monday the kids were off for MLK Jr's birthday so Matt and I took that day to make his snowman come to life. 

When the assignment was first given, we decided that he would make it using mini marshmallows. So, out came the marshmallows and hot glue. Matt traced 3 circles using two bowls and a coffee mug to make the snowman's body. Then we got busy! I dispensed the hot glue and he placed the marshmallows on the outline. A few times he did touch the glue but he quickly learned how to avoid doing that. We used about 3/4's of a bag of marshmallows (Matt was hoping to have some left over to eat).  He did a great job! We let the snowman set for a few hours just to make sure the marshmallows adhered to the glue and let them dry out a bit before "dressing" him.

Thankfully, I have quite a bit of left over felt in my craft supplies. The snowman's hat, scarf, gloves, eyes, mouth and nose were cut from felt and attached with hot glue. The sticks for the arms were from outside our home. We attached 3 buttons with hot glue and made the shovel from card stock (also on hand in my craft room). 

It was fun helping Matt create Bells Jingle. 

Oh, by the way, that many marshmallows actually weighed down the paper quite a bit. Matt transported it in a box the next day so he wouldn't drop it due to its weight. 

So, on Monday we did build a snowman! A marshmallow snowman!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

The Kids in School Project Mode

The past two weeks both kids have been in school project mode. 

Emily submitted her report on the state of Hawaii Tuesday and is finishing the second part of the assignment which is a brochure or post for the state. Of course, Emily opted for doing a poster.

Matt's class had to do research on an animal that was assigned to them from reading the book "The Mitten". His animal is the snow shoe hare. Last night, we worked on creating his diorama. Dave had him cutting and "shaving" a styrofoam evergreen tree. The projects are complete and due next Monday.  It is nice that they got them done ahead of time as this weekend is going to be particularly hectic with the beginning of our church's performances of "The Jesus Story". Saturday, I have pratice from 9-12 and then the first performance is at 4pm. Then, Sunday there is a 4 pm performance after church in the morning. Dave will also be help at these too.  As you can see, it leaves little time for project work.  

Well done kids!!!

It All Begins With a Picture

Today Emily and I made a trip to the Lodi Municipal Complex. Emily received a Social Studies assignment where she has to make a 3D rendering of a building in the community. Of course, Emily drew the town hall. Oh boy!!! Why not Dunkin Donuts?!!

Our Lodi town hall is the middle part of this building. Thankfully, I have become a pro of cutting foam board and Emily loves crafting and creating. We got the board in order to make the model today. It is going to be a busy couple of weeks for us. The project is due March 29th. We will see how close a rendering is produced. Wish us luck!!!

Book Report #2 - Done!!!

Thankfully by Thursday night Emily had completed all of her work on her second book report for the school year. She worked very diligently on it every night last week so that it would be done before we left for our weekend getaway.

Today when we got back home all we needed to do was put it in the binder and attach the pictures. I think making the pictures is Emily's favorite part of doing the book reports.

It is due tomorrow so it is in her backpack ready to be handed in.

Almost Over!!

I told you about what has been keeping me busy during the day time hours but I must elaborate on the night time tasks.

Just before Winter Break, Emily was assigned another book report that had two required study guides along with the actual report. Thankfully we had the two second study guide, which was due Tuesday, done and ready to be turned in by Sunday.

As for the report, we are headed away for the weekend leaving Friday and coming back Sunday, so Emily had to have everything done by tonight - she wasn't to thrilled with the time crunch but it was either getting it done or not go away. Monday was writing the setting and creating the cover and setting picture; Tuesday was the main characters report and Emily wrote out her summary on the book; Wednesday, we reviewed and rewrote the summary (we kept the work simple so she could make it to AWANA); tonight Emily wrote out her book review.

Thankfully her regular homework load has been light this week so we could stay focused. BUT I still have Matt which means helping him with his homework, so you could say I am glad this report is almost over!!

Oh, I failed to mention that Emily got a Social Studies assignment on Monday which requires her to make a 3D model of a building in Lodi - she drew from the options the Town Hall. I know you saying "but it is crafting which is right up your alley" but did I mention it is due March 29th and Emily has to present it to the class. One assignment ends, another begins. Oh 3rd grade you are haunting me so!!! :)

Obsessed with the Lorax

The kids have been eagerly anticipating the release of the Dr. Seuss Lorax movie.....it has been marketed very well and my kids have taken in every advertisement.

This week at school they had their annual book fair. On Monday, Emily received a pamphlet of the books that would be available for purchase. Matt made sure he perused Emily's as his wasn't sent in his folder that night.

Sure enough, there it was a book "Look for the Lorax". This along with "If You Give a Dog a Donut" were the only books Matt wanted.

On Wednesday, he went down to buy his books but the Lorax book wasn't in yet. So, he brought his money home. At night, I asked him if he still wanted to get it and sure enough he did. Back the envelope went in his backpack.

I got a call midday from a friend working the sale who advised that the book still wasn't in and wanted to make sure that was the only book he was to get. Silly me, I forgot to cross off that he already got the other book.....he did tell them he got it but they wanted to be sure.

Matt came out of school with these little trees he made at school. Oh, this week has been the celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday too. Of course, the movie is about trees. As he got closer to me, he was all excited he told me he got his book. Of course, I told him no it was coming tomorrow and he corrected me......they did get a shipment in late in the day and my friend, Dawn, made sure he got it.

Dawn called me later that afternoon to tell me that I have a hilarious son. She had told him the day before he would get it today, so when he went to get the book he went straight to her and said "you got my book". She had to tell him "no" assured him he would have it Friday. Dawn said he wasn't happy that the book wasn't in. Later when they did get in, she said the look on his face was priceless when he saw she had it. He was ecstatic. Matt's teacher told her that when he came up from the sale he said "man, they still don't have my book".

Now back the the trees. As we were getting out of the car after school, I told Matt that the "trunks" look like bees - black and yellow. He was quick to show me his book and say "mom that is the color they are suppose to be....see". Sure enough they are black and yellow. I guess he does pay attention to detail.....I know he pays attention to advertisements.

Silly Hat Day

Friday was silly hat day at school. The kids each made their own hat for this "event" and they loved that they didn't have to wear their uniforms that day too!! Emily considered hers to be like a peacock. Matt's hat project coincided with having a Show and Tell item that included something to celebrate the 100th day of school. So, we combined the two "events" and his hat had 100 antennae on it and I think we also added 100 buttons. They were both very proud of their creations.

A Hundred Dresses

This school term Emily was required to read the book "A Hundred Dresses" complete two study guides and a book report. One of the book report requirements was to make a picture cover for the report and draw a picture of the setting. Well, if you know Emily, you know this part was her favorite.

She loved making her cover of dresses.....yes, she drew each one. The setting picture is of the classroom where most of the story takes place.

When I see drawings like these, it makes me want to enroll Emily is some form of art class. After all she wants to live in Paris, France and what better career to have in Paris but that of an artist. :)