Happy New year..At last!!

Rather delayed post ..I have no idea where the past few months have gone really! Two days ago Hubby and I decided if it was nice to go out to the beach on his next day off , as all we do is stay in and do housework really in winter on his day off. "Lets have fun in winter!" In our madness we decided a trip to the beach was in order. Freezing but huge fun and we had a little  friend to come with us , Chips, hot choccy, and bringing home smelly buckets of treasures! Some Identification went on. Next time we go I will start carrying small bags of water and plaster of Paris for our traking work and gather seaweed to press and identify. Can't wait for summer!

Activities ideas. Sort shells into Univalve and Bivalve
                        Make a sticks and stones sundial
 Pre school activities http://uk.pinterest.com/offsite/?token=627-59&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.2teachingmommies.com%2F2011%2F08%2Foceans-updated.html&pin=129689664242468081

http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2010/07/ocean-animal-movements.html

Family activites http://artfulparent.com/2014/08/10-ways-creative-beach-trip-ocean-crafts-for-kids.html

Make an indoor ocean "Suitcase" http://uk.pinterest.com/pin/561331541026990076/

They found a huge rotting (eww) fish head and half a spine ..Conga maybe?

Tiny Acorn Barnacles

Most apt!

Seagull tracks ..obviously

Our fav Fisherman Friend

Yip..It's cold!

Reading notice about Oyster conservation

Some of our fav books

A land anchor ..made the boys laugh and Dance "Mr Bean" Style

A Garden at the beach..something to Check out next time!

Crafty Christmas learning

I firmly believe as a person who worked with children and in the art sector, that children (and adults) can be taught so much via Art and crafts. My sons decided to Christmas crafts where the order of the day so we decided to spend a few hours making and playing. One set is from Usbornes big book of Christmas crafts, we have had for a few years now, and make some every year. We also purchased some kits from our local Spar as I really loved them, and they where inexpensive, but we also made one from recycled cardboard.

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/snowflakes  Some videos and activitys to learn about snowflakes

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/xmas/trees.html  interesting facts about Christmas trees with beautiful pictures! 

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/xmas/decorations.html  This time decorations and facts . 

Have fun making !

MIND YOUR BOGROLLS!

The boys seem to have a current obsession with Junk modelling, Which is fab as it keeps all of them happy, (plus I enjoy it to having spent most of my adult life in the Art sector of retail) They wanted to make something Christmassy (Already?) . We decided on toilet roll models . We picked The fun Reindeer project from this lovely tutorial .
http://lafactoriaplastica.com/?p=19758

A cute old black and white You tube vid about children and life in lapland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaEFGGDYWa0

And a huge stack of Reindeer lesson plans and activities http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/reindeer.htm

Colouring pens are from this lovely company one end thick the other thin.Great coverage, nice tight fit lids great for children or professionals alike...perfect! http://www.smiggle.co.uk/shop/en/smiggleuk

Have fun!

CleanTrash sorting deciding what to make.

Lovely colouring pens sent by Smiggle

We have 9 reindeer and Santa on a sleigh