Guidecraft Educator Review/Giveaway: PowerClix

Each month, the Guidecraft Educators will share our honest feelings
about a Guidecraft product(s) and how these products would fare in an
early childhood classroom. This month's selection is from a long-awaited new line by Guidecraft - Powerclix. 
 
From Guidecraft:  PowerClix TM, the 3D Building System from Guidecraft, lets you explore and build endless models with the easy click ‘n connect system. Super-strong magnetic force creates a quick connect for fast, simple and powerful 3D modeling. Build bridges, skyscrapers, animals and more. Colorful translucent plastics and unique geometric shapes and extender rods allow for open-ended, creativity-inspiring constructions. The PowerClix TM Activity Guide gives young builders step-by-step instructions on how to create a variety of models while teaching them the basics of science, construction and engineering. Ages 5+


The new PowerClix building system is currently available in 4 different sized kits - 18 pieces, 36 pieces, 52 pieces and 68 pieces.  The product provided to Guidecraft Educators for review was the 52 piece system.  

My thoughts: 

• Without having had the opportunity to share them with children due to summer vacation, I would imagine that the 52 piece set would be ideal for a group of 2-3 children.  Any more children would most likely result in an argument over the pieces.  However, this is an ideal toy for cooperative play and I'm very much excited about introducing them in my classroom this year! 
• The PowerClix building system could be used in a variety of educational ways, in addition to creative arts expression!  The use of magnetics as a building system allows the opportunity for doors to open on the science end - how do you think the pieces stick together?  What is a magnet?  What does a magnet do?, etc.  
• The activity guide provided gives children lots of visuals for models to replicate until they seem to get the hang of using the PowerClix.  I personally plan to laminate the pages in this guide and place them with the toy on the manipulatives shelf.  I also think that I will be encouraging children to build structures of their own and then create additional pages to add to the guide that shows the childrens' creations and challenges other children to try building these AND new structures!
• What I loved the absolute most about the toy was the simplicity involved in clean up.  You can pretty much pick up one piece and use that one piece to pick up all the others... that is the force of magnetism!  Amazing and super-simple clean up!!!

My only complaint about the PowerClix was my own difficulty in opening the packaging!  I'm not sure if I was having issues or if others experienced the same difficulty, but I had to use scissors and literally cut the packaging into pieces to get out the PowerClix!  Could have just been me, but I'm not sure!


Overall, as our Guidecraft contact promised, this product was DEFINITELY worth the wait!  So can't wait to break these out in the classroom this year!

So... what do other 'Guidecraft Educators' have to say about the PowerClix 52 pc Building System?

Maureen at Simply Stacie
Andrea at MommyPR
Deborah at Teach Preschool
Carrie from Huppie Mama
Jody from Mommy Moment
Candace at Mamanista!
Lisa from Planet Weidknecht
Vanessa from Pre-K Pages

The Giveaway

Guidecraft is generously offering ONE lucky reader of the Guidecraft Educators a chance to win one of these PowerClix sets!!! To enter, head on over to Simply Stacie for details!

Or... if you just can't wait to win one and NEED them now, they can be purchased online at: 

PowerClix:  Guidecraft.com or Amazon.com

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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Literacy Activity Bag #1 - A is for Alligator

I've been working on creating some new Take Home Literacy Activity bags for my classroom this year.  My goal is to have 30-40 of them so each child can take one home each week for the duration of the school year.  They're slow going, but once I get started, they develop quite nicely! 

So, today... I'm sharing with you my first "complete" bag - everything's there!  I have four others in various stages - waiting on books, materials, etc to arrive.  They'll be done soon enough and I'll be sure to share those as well!

Before I share the specifics of this kit, I thought I'd share that each of the kits I've created are intended to share with families for a week-long time frame and have learning activities that focus on different areas of the Head Start Early Learning Framework.  Once the families return the kit, their child may then select another to take home.   PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE leave a message if you're interested in purchasing any of these kits and I'll make them available for purchase!!!

Contents (most available for download):

• Snap! A book about alligators and crocodiles, by Melvin and Gilda Berger
• Alligator Baby, by Robert Munsch
• Learning Activities Guide
• Venn Diagram (homemade with felt) and Venn Diagram sentence strips 
• Alligator's Hungry (scissor cutting story)
• Alligator-themed scissors
• A is for Alligator tracing sheet/Phonological Awareness Activities

 The two books were selected based on the idea of focusing on letter A with an alligator theme.  Robert Munsch's Alligator Baby is a book that has been shared with my groups of students in the past and has very much been enjoyed.  Snap!: A book about alligators and crocodiles was selected due to it's ability to act as a science activity and expose children to non-fiction text. 

From there, once the books were selected, I created the Learning Activities guide for parents.  This gives them the specifics about the included activities, as well as a guide for discussion based on the two stories included in the kit.  As you can see in the picture, the content area from the Head Start Early Learning Framework is shared so parents can see exactly what academic area they are focusing on.  Then, the guide gives the information about how to use each activity.  Lastly, there is a space with an example for parents so they are able to provide feedback on how the activity went over with their child - was the activity enjoyed?  Was it successful?  Did the child struggle?  This guide is laminated and then hooked onto the handles of the bag using key rings.  When the kit is taken home by a child, a copy of the same sheet will be provided, with blank boxes for the feedback.  This will serve as the tracking sheet for homework response and In-Kind purposes. 

The Venn Diagram activity may be a bit too complex for some of the 4's I work with.  However, I figure if I expose them to using this as a means for sorting throughout the school year, they may have enough of an understanding to be able to handle the activity!  It is intended to be used with the sentence strips (which contain details pulled from the Snap!: A book about alligators and Crocodiles) as a comprehension activity.  I'm hoping that parents will read the strips and ask the children "Is that something that you know about the alligator?  The crocodile?  Or both the alligator AND the crocodile?"  The venn diagram was made by sewing pieces of blue, yellow and green felt together to form the shape.  The sentence strips were laminated and have a piece of velcro on the back so they stick to the felt while completing the activity.

Many of the students I have worked with in the past have not had access to scissors at home, despite
my providing them in the previous supply kits I've sent home.  Parents are leery of allowing children access to these and for this reason (and difficulty with cutting activities at school) I thought a great way to allow this exposure at home would be to provide parents with a story of sorts to help them work with their child on cutting and scissor use.  I found the alligator scissors online and created my own story about how to use the scissors.  I also plan on using this same story at school while teaching children how to use scissors!

The last activity in the bag is a letter writing story, which will hopefully help children in forming both upper- and lower-case Aa.  I created those stories myself as well, centered on the alligator theme.  The sheet is laminated and I will provide a dry erase marker and eraser for use with the worksheet.  On the back side of the same sheet, is a phonological awareness activity that has children circling pictures of items that begin with the /a/ sound and then a column for parents to try and see if their child can come up with a list of words that start with letter Aa.

If you have any questions feel free to ask!  More kits to come soon!




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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Review and Giveaway: Because Amelia Smiled

After a brief, unplanned 4-month hiatus... I'm back to blogging!  And my first post in my return has an incredible review and giveaway for you!  Read on to find out all about it!

Imagine my surprise as a package arrived for me one quiet afternoon and I opened it up to find this inside!  My first thought, was "What????  Why is sending me this for my vacation?"  The package arrived one week prior to my departure to South Carolina!  When I looked at the label and saw that the shipment was from Candlewick Press, I knew I must have signed up for some sort of blog tour and forgotten about it!  Sure enough, looking back at my emails, I signed up for the opportunity take part in the "Because Amelia Smiled" suitcase tour... 11 months ago!  It's no wonder I had forgotten all about this!!!

Anyway, I popped the latches on this fancy suitcase real quick, interested to see what was inside (since I clearly had no recollection of the tour)... and discovered two hardcover copies of "Because Amelia Smiled" and four different smile props!  As I began pawning through the book, I quickly discovered that the stickers on the outside of the suitcase were representative of the impact of Amelia's smile (how far/places where her smile ultimately traveled)!  How neat!

"Because Amelia Smiled" reminds me of a "pay it forward" - the beneficiary of a good deed repaying it to others instead of to the original benefactor and author, David Ezra Stein found a very clever way to instill this concept in the hearts of young children!

From the inside jacket cover: Because Amelia smiles as she skips down the street, her neighbor Mrs. Higgins smiles too, and decides to send some cookies to her grandson, Lionel... in Mexico.  The cookies give Lionel an idea, and his idea inspires a student, who in turn inspires a ballet troupe... in England!  And so the good feelings travel across the world, inspiring ever more smiles, kindness, and love along the way.

I absolutely love the story and the illustrations that go along with it!  They are so whimsical!  While it may be over the heads of many of my Head Start/UPK kids, I'm totally trying to use this book with them to inspire kindness amongst themselves and outside of the classroom, as well!  Hopefully it works.  The text is extremely simple, so with a bit of discussion and breaking down of things, I'm thinking they may be able to handle it!  Perhaps it might be more meaningful if I tie it into an activity in which we "give some smiles" to our neighbors at school - I'm sure I can think of something!!!

The folks at Candlewick Press Inc., have generously offered me a copy of this title so that I spread a smile of my own!  Keep reading for details on how to enter the giveaway!

To Enter the Giveaway

1. Comment on this post, sharing with me how you intend to pass on a smile if you happen to be the lucky recipient of "Because Amelia Smiled" - ideas might be making a plate of cookies for a family member as Mrs. Higgins did for her grandson to sending a "smile" to a random address pulled from the phone book! Think of something your family would enjoy participating in!!!
2. Be sure to leave an email address so I have a way to contact you if you are the winner! 

The giveaway is open to United States residents only.  You have until 11:59PM, EST on  Tuesday, August 5 to enter the giveaway.

 

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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Last Minute Easter Picks for Your Little Peeps!

 Looking for a last minute filler for your child's Easter basket?  

How about one of these hot new titles?!?!

Grogan, John.
Marley and the Great Easter Egg Hunt.
January 2013.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher. 

My thoughts: Children are sure to be chuckling as Marley embarks on this Easter Egg Hunt adventure!

Description from Amazon.com: The day of the annual town Easter Egg Hunt has arrived, and Marley and his family are ready to find the biggest, most eggstravagant egg! Marley is great at spotting the eggs in trees and behind plants, but he just can't seem to get the eggs to Cassie or Baby Louie before someone else snatches them up. So, in true Marley fashion, Marley decides to forge his own path . . . right through the doors of the town shops. Stopping into the grocery, the bakery, and the party store, Marley creates calamity wherever his paws touch. But will his wild egg chase end up with Marley finding the big, glorious egg before the hunt is over?


Wax, Wendy.
Easter Bunny on the Loose: A Seek and Solve Mystery.
January 2013.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

My Thoughts: This book is sure to keep children occupied for a great deal of time!  It is great for practicing comprehension strategies and for puzzling young minds!  This would be a great road-trip companion this spring break!

Description from Amazon.com: The Easter Bunny can’t wait to hippity-hop his way to deliver all the Easter eggs this year! The only problem is . . . there are no eggs! Some-bunny has taken the Easter Bunny’s golden egg, and without the golden egg, Easter is on HOLD. Can you sort through all of the possible suspects hopping about Easterville and find the culprit who stole the golden egg? Be quick as a hare—time is running out!


Clark, Leslie Ann.
Peepsqueak Wants a Friend!
January 2013.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

My Thoughts:  A great story for teaching children about accepting all and not leaving one to be an outcast!  Might be a little deep for the younger children but appropriate for 6-8 year olds.

Description from Amazon.com: The farm animals wake up and come running out to play . . . 2 by 2!  Peepsqueak needs a friend! But if he can't find the perfect friend on the farm, where can he look next?

Farley, Robin.
Mia: The Easter Egg Chase.
January 2013.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

My thoughts: Loved how Mia decided to take a step back and wanted to help her younger cousin become a part of the Easter egg hunt instead of focusing on the prize - the chocolate bunny!  A great story about how helping others can make you feel just as good as finding the prize!

Description from Amazon.com: It's an Easter Eggstravaganza, and Mia can't wait for the festivities to begin! Every year, Mia's family has an Easter egg hunt, and a big chocolate bunny is hidden as a special prize. This year is going to be the year that Mia finds the bunny all by herself!

But when Mia's little cousin Sophie can't find as many eggs as the other kittens, Mia has to decide between finding the chocolate bunny and helping her cousin. Can Mia make sure everyone has an eggcellent time?

 



Tweet If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Black History Month - New Titles & Giveaway

New titles to help celebrate Black History Month!

Myers, Walter Dean.
I've Seen the Promised Land: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
December 2012.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Overview from Barnes & Noble:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is one of the most celebrated figures of the twentieth century. A crusader for nonviolent social justice, he led African Americans in their demands for equality through peaceful protests during one of the most tumultuous times in recent history.

Set against key moments in the civil rights movement, here is the story of the powerful, eloquent spiritual leader and his belief that nonviolence could be used to overcome racial discrimination.

Walter Dean Myers's moving narrative and Leonard Jenkins's compelling paintings portray a vivid and striking image of the man who moved American society closer to the ideals of freedom and fairness. Dr. King's dream that all Americans would be judged by their individual actions and character is one we still cherish today.

Pictures and easy-to-read text introduce the life of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

My Thoughts:

The story is well written and accurately portrayed.  However, I'd say it's a bit lengthy for most children under age 7.  At the age level I teach, preschool, this book would be most appropriate placed a bookshelf for children to explore on their own and ask questions about but would not work as a read aloud.

Nelson, Kadir.
Nelson Mandela.
January 2013.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Overview from Barnes & Noble:

One day when Nelson Mandela was nine years old, his father died and he was sent from his village to a school far away from home, to another part of South Africa. In Johannesburg, the country's capital, Mandela saw fellow Africans who were poor and powerless. He decided then that he would work to protect them. When the government began to keep people apart based on the color of their skin, Mandela spoke out against the law and vowed to fight hard in order to make his country a place that belonged to all South Africans.

Kadir Nelson tells the story of Mandela, a global icon, in poignant verse and glorious illustrations. It is the story of a young boy's determination to change South Africa and of the struggles of a man who eventually became the president of his country by believing in equality for people of all colors. Readers will be inspired by Mandela's triumph and his lifelong quest to create a more just world.

My Thoughts:

Again, a wonderfully written story with somewhat simple text.  I'd say it's most appropriate for children aged 7+.  Children should have a basic understanding of the injustices faced by African Americans during that time period in order to really understand and take away the most from the story.

Thomas, Joyce Carol.
In the Land of Milk and Honey.
September 2012.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Overview from Barnes & Noble:

I ease myself back in the window seat and breathe in as the train breathes out We're on our way!

On our way to the Land of Milk and Honey

Lemons as big as oranges, the cool Pacific Ocean, mountains that rise up beyond the outstretched bay—California beckons as one girl makes her way west on a journey filled with excitement, hope, and the promise of a place where people from all paths come together and music fills the air.

This is the true story of author Joyce Carol Thomas's trip from Oklahoma to California in 1948, when she moved there as a girl. During that time, many people went west, drawn by warmth and possibility, reflected in the people of all cultures and ethnicities who started a new life there.

Coretta Scott King honoree Joyce Carol Thomas and Coretta Scott King Award winner Floyd Cooper capture the anticipation of a bright adventure and a world filled with freedom and opportunity.

My Thoughts:

Of all of these titles that focus on Black History Month, this was my favorite - the illustrations were amazing, very eye catching and interesting to look at.  The text is simple enough that most of the younger children (4-6 year olds) will be able to sit through the story and have a basic understanding of what the book is about.  Definitely my pick of the litter!

Smith Jr., Charles.
Brick by Brick.
December 2012.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher. 

Overview by Barnes & Noble:

The president of a new country needs a new home, so many hands work together as one.

Black hands, white hands, free hands, slave hands.

In this powerful story of the building of the White House, Coretta Scott King Award winners Charles R. Smith Jr. and Floyd Cooper capture the emotion and toil that created this incredible structure, the home of our president. The White House was created by many hands, several of them slaves', who will be remembered throughout history for their extraordinary feat. Many slaves were able to purchase their freedom after earning money from learning a trade through this work, which speaks to their unbelievable strength. The title reflects how this towering symbol of America was created by hand, human hands, working toward their freedom, brick by brick.

My Thoughts:

This is another great story, simply written, that will allow young children to start to form an understanding of what slavery was and how it "worked."  I could see using this book as a starter to such a discussion!  

For some reason, I received two review copies of Charles Smith Jr.'s Brick by Brick.  See below for details on how to enter the giveaway!

To Enter the Giveaway

1. Comment on this post, sharing how you teach Black History Month!  
2. Be sure to leave an email address so I have a way to contact you if you are the winner! 

 The giveaway is open to United States residents only.  You have until 11:59PM, EST on  Thursday, February 28 to enter the giveaway.

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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Guidecraft Educator Review/Giveaway Link: Community Buildings: Set of 6

Each month, the Guidecraft Educators will share our honest feelings
about a Guidecraft product(s) and how these products would fare in an
early childhood classroom. This month's selection comes from Guidecraft's Block Play line - Community Buildings: Set of 6.

The set of 6 community buildings features a hospital, police station, car wash, fire station, store and school.  The buildings are simply designed, yet colorful enough to catch the eye of young children and inspire them in new ways.  The blocks are wonderful for vocabulary building and pretend play, yet offer the opportunity for so much other exploration as well!  Needless to say, I was very excited to see theses arrive... I had almost purchased them for my classroom prior to their arrival!   They have been such a huge hit and have really added a wonderful element to young imaginations at play in the block area!

I held off on putting them out into the block area until we had started our "In the City, In the Country Theme."  Along with adding these for the "In the City" component, I added a set of farm blocks that I had purchased last year... the way the children interconnected the two different concepts was pretty interesting to say the least!  They took "that man" to the hospital because he's sick."  The "kids" (pretend people) were taken and put into the school building and the "firemen" were stationed outside the fire house.  When coupled with the pretend people, all sorts of curriculum content can be touched upon during child-centered play - sorting, vocabulary building, social skills, pretend play... the list can go on! 

The children took it upon themselves to combine the two unique sets of blocks into one working area, building the road and extending it "a long way away" to distinguish the distance and differences between city and country life.  As you can see from the picture on the right, the children in the foreground were working in the city.  The children in the background were busy building their farm.  The little girl in the very front opted to build "sky scrapers" using the plain old wooden blocks. 

So far, I am VERY pleased with the quality of the 6 pack Community Buildings blocks.  They seem very sturdy and have thus far tolerated the wear and tear of a VERY busy class of 20-preschoolers!  Definitely a must have for this age group, especially if you already have the Roadway System and/or the 

So... what do other 'Guidecraft Educators' have to say about the Community Buildings: Set of 6 blocks???

Maureen at Simply Stacie
Andrea at MommyPR
Deborah at Teach Preschool
Carrie from Huppie Mama
Jody from Mommy Moment
Candace at Mamanista!
Lisa from Planet Weidknecht
Vanessa from Pre-K Pages

The Giveaway

Guidecraft is generously offering ONE lucky reader of the Guidecraft Educators a chance to win one of these Community Buildings: Set of 6 sets!!! To enter, head on over to Huppie Mama for details!

Or... if you just can't wait to win one and NEED them now, they can be purchased online at: 

Community Buildings:  Guidecraft.com or Amazon.com

Roadway System: Guidecraft.com or Amazon.com

7" Block Play Traffic Signs:  Guidecraft.com or Amazon.com

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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Despite the fact that Valentine's Day is nearly over, I figured I may as well get these reviews out there... you can always add them to your TBR (to be read) list for next year, or any time really! 

Scotton, Rob.
Splat the Cat: Funny Valentine.
November 2012.
Harper Collins Publishers.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Splat the Cat returns in this new Valentine's Day tale in which Splat is the mastermind behind a secret Valentine surprise... for his teacher.  Children are sure to love the lift the flap pictures, which contain questioning prompts that will get them actively engaged in the reading.  

Farley, Robin.
Mia the Sweetest Valentine.
November 2012.
Harper Collins Publishers.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

The "Mia" series is apparently a new series popular amongst the 4-8 year old girls.  She's new to me - this is my first experience with Mia.  With the fun, colorful pictures, what's not to like?  After hosting a Valentine's Day party for her friends, Mia discovers that they ate the Valentine's gift that Mia's father had bought for her mother... and now, they have to figure out a new gift!  Mia's creativity will likely inspire little girls to put a little creative effort into their own Valentine's... a great story to break out a few weeks in advance of Valentine's Day next year!

Clayton, Dallas.
An AWESOME BOOK of LOVE!
December 2012.
Harper Collins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Dallas Clayton is a new author to me... but one whose work I'll definitely be exploring more!  This book is perfect for a parent to give to an older child who has good reading comprehension or even great for a young couple in love or an older couple looking for a unique Valentine's Day or anniversary gift!  Definitely a great book!

Enerson, Adele.
When My Baby Dreams of Fairy Tales.
January 2013.
Harper Collins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Love, love, love this book!  I followed Adele's blog several years ago, when she was first taking the pictures of this adorable napping baby!  All I can say is... what a fabulous way to "scrapbook" all those amazing photographs!  All my creative friends out there could make their own take on this!!!  Amazing - truly awesome!

What a great bunch of books to add to your Valentine's Day collection!

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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Everything Goes: Henry Goes Skating

Biggs, Brian.
Everything Goes: Henry Goes Skating.
August 2012.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Everything Goes: Henry Goes Skating is a perfect story for beginning readers.  The text is simple, with many sight words weaved throughout.  The text is also predictable and many of the words repetitive.  Young children will likely enjoy the story and the factual information that can be learned while reading/listening.  This is a great book for discussing vocabulary and receiving information about the winter season!

To Enter the Giveaway

1. Comment on this post, sharing a creative way in which you assist children in learning their sight words! 
2. Be sure to leave an email address so I have a way to contact you if you are the winner! 

 The giveaway is open to United States residents only.  You have until 11:59PM, EST on  Thursday, Ja



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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!