Library Discoveries #4 Audio Books and Read-Alouds

Did you know the public library has more to offer than just books?  This is installment #4 in a series about the many things that can be checked out from my local public library.  The library has so many things to offer, but I'm going to focus on things that are kid-centric. 

Reading aloud (mostly bedtime stories) to my kids is very important to me and I love to do it.  But sometimes I just don't feel like it.  Thankfully the library has several options to fill the gap.

I found out about Dial-A-Story, Playaway, Books-on-CD, and BookFLIX.

Dial-A-Story

I thought this was an interesting idea.  Just call up the number, hand your kid the phone, and a friendly recorded voice on the other end will read them a picture book.  The story changes weekly.

Unfortunately, chances are we are not going to have the picture book that the recording is reading.  So the kid won't get the full experience of being read a picture book.  Maybe it would be good to keep the kid occupied and quiet for a few precious moments while in line at the post office or in a doctor's office?  

Secundus was very excited to try it out for me because talking on the phone is a rare treat.  But this time it was reading a book of poems and she just didn't get interested.  After two poems she handed the phone back to me and said, "Thanks, but that was boring."

Playaway

This one excited the kids because it reminded them of an iPod.  You check it out just like a book.  What you get is a little audio player with one book loaded on it.  

What you don't get is headphones/speakers (you've got to use your own) and the associated book (if you want to read along, you'll have to check out the book separately.)  

Thankfully, we owned this book already and they eagerly took turns listening this fun story.

Most of the Playaways I saw available seemed to be chapter books so we'll be going back to get some for the girls.  

This picture book was fun, but not the best for Tertius because he can't read yet, and there was no "page turn" signal.

Books-on-CD

Picture Books

Of course the library has many of these available!  In the past we've enjoyed taking on vacation with us picture books that have audio cds included.  These types always have page-turn signals so they're perfect for kids to "read" independently.  

Often the CD will also include a track of the story read without potentially annoying page-turn signals.  And sometimes the CD will even include some bonus kids music.

Chapter Books

We recently discovered how much we like listening to audio books in the car.  After listening to Tales of King Arthur and Prince and the Pauper, though, the CD player broke.  :(  But I still picked up some new ones today to listen to in the house while we eat lunch.

BookFLIX

I was so happy to find this!  We absolutely LOVE watching picture books being read online.  You access BookFLIX through the library's website by clicking from the home page on "kids" then "ebooks" then "bookflix."

This one is done by Scholastic and it has a huge variety of stories.  

When you select a pair of books, one of them can be "watched" and one can be "read."

The "Watch the Story" option is an animation of the story made by Weston Wood with captioning at the bottom of the screen so kids can read along.

The "Read the Book" book gives you the option to turn on the audio so it reads to you.  Or you can turn the audio off and make your kid practicing reading new books without having to leave your house to check out more.  Also of note, with this one you have to click to turn the page (something I don't always trust the youngest ones to do without my supervision.)

What's even better about this website is that it even includes games for all the books!

Stay tuned for the next installment!

1. Art Pack

2. Subject in a Box

3. Movies and Music
5. Library of Things
6. Science Kit

Countdown to Easter

This year I decided that our Easter was sadly not Christ-centered enough.  We just haven't established any really good family traditions (beyond the Easter Bunny) yet.

After thinking about what we do to countdown to Christmas and seeing my friend post about what her family does, I came up with my plan.

This will be our new Countdown to Easter board.  There is a small lesson for everyday for 31 days contained inside an Easter egg.  Every night before family prayer we'll get the next egg, read the lesson, and attach an item to the board so we have a visual reminder of what we've learned.

The 31 days are divided into 3 sections.  1. Who is Jesus?  2. Symbols.  3. Holy Week.

The top row, Who is Jesus?, comes from this activity from the Friend Magazine.  For each day there is a statement about Christ, a scripture to read, and then either a discussion question or a song to sing. Then the accompanying picture gets velcroed to our board. (If you do this, be sure and click "download pdf" on the right side of the webpage.  That way you can print out the 2 page version instead of the small 1 page version.)

The next two rows are pockets made of clear contact paper to house all the 16 Symbols.  It's pretty ugly-looking on the board so I may have to brainstorm a better way to do this later.
The symbols section is where we'll learn all about the details of the Atonement/Ressurection and the events leading up to it.  The eggs contain a small object (like a rock for the stone that covered the tomb and a nail for the crucifixion) and then a scripture and brief description of the significance.

The final 8 days before Easter are Holy Week.  We'll read scriptures and look at pictures from the Gospel Art Kit to learn about the key events of each day leading up to the first Easter.  And that yellow summary gets velcroed to our board.

(I can't find the Gospel Art Kit online. Does the Church not make it anymore?  I think you can probably find all of the needed pictures in the Gospel Art Book or online here.)

I mod-podged the little labels to each egg and they conveniently fit in these two cute sparkly Easter egg boxes I have.

I'm very excited to implement this next year!  In fact, I don't think I want to wait until next year.  We just may do it now.  I just need to gather a couple more symbols (a tiny cocktail sword and soap) and then I'll be totally good to go!

(I would love to share the results of my hard work with everyone!  Unfortunately, I don't know how to insert a free downloadable/printable version straight on the blog.  But if you give me your email address, I'll send you the documents I created.  The vast majority of the information came from the resources my friend shared in her posts that I linked above.)

Bacon-Topped Meatloaf

Tonight I had a dear friend over for dinner and at the request of Hubby, I made meatloaf.  He really likes this meatloaf.  So do I.  It's really yummy even if we don't happen to have bacon to put on top. 

My friend requested the recipe so here it is!  I got it years ago from some blog or recipe site.  If anyone knows where the original likely came from, let me know and I'll gladly give credit where credit is due.  

Bacon-Topped Meatloaf

preheat oven to 350

heat in large skillet on medium-high heat:

• 1 Tbsp oil
• add yellow onion (1 small, diced)
• saute 3-5 min until lightly browned

combine in large bowl:

• onions (the ones cooked above or just a few shakes of dried minced onions)
• 2 lb ground beef
• ¾ cup plain bread crumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tbsp mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 Tbsp ketchup

put on large greased baking sheet, formed in oval mound

brush 4 Tbsp ketchup on top

lay bacon strips on top

bake 50-60 min (internal temp 160-165)

Mac'N'Cheese Casserole

You know those nights when you go, "Holy cow!  It's 5 o'clock already and I have no idea what we're eating for dinner!  What do you guys want to eat?"

Often in our house the answer is "Mac'N'Cheese!" (The blue box.) I've gotten tired of explaining to them (*cough* Hubby *cough*) that macaroni and cheese (especially the overly processed junk we buy) does not constitute a meal.

So instead I make it into a meal.  I've learned that my kids are more willing to taste new vegetables when I serve it in this casserole versus serving them on their own as a side dish.  I grew up on casseroles. All the important food groups for the meal in one dish.  Only one member of the household complains about the sacred macaroni and cheese being adulterated (*cough* Hubby *cough*.)  On this day Primus learned that she likes water chesnuts.

So here it is, my super easy recipe (can you even call it a recipe?) for a quick meal on those nights when you don't know what to cook and you want even the picky eaters to eat.  It's definitely not the healthiest dinner we eat, but it includes vegetables so I call it a win!

The rough recipe below is enough for our family of 6 to eat dinner plus lunch the next day.

Mac'N'Cheese Casserole

1. Cook 1 pound frozen vegetables according to package directions.
2. Cook 2-3 boxes macaroni and cheese according to package directions.
3. When you add the cheese powder/milk/butter to the macaroni, also add the vegetables and about 6 cut up hotdogs.
4. Stir it all up and serve.

Library Discoveries #3 Movies and Music

Did you know the public library has more to offer than just books?  This is installment #3 in a series about the many things that can be checked out from my local public library.  The library has so many things to offer, but I'm going to focus on things that are kid-centric. 

This one may be a big "DUH!" for some people, but I decided to include it anyway.  :)

Movies

Kid Videos

We don't have cable so the kids like to get a lot of videos at the library.

Our branch usually has a good selection of kids shows.  The only frustrating part is that sometimes the discs are really scratched up.  It's even worse because our DVD player is pretty sensitive.  Sometimes the DVD refuses to read the disc or it freezes, but the same DVD will be fine in the computer.

What's great is that they don't just have PBS cartoons.  They also get major motion pictures!  We've checked out Frozen on two separate occasions.  With the popular movies you have to reserve them through the website and get on a waiting list, though.

Educational

I like to pick up educational DVD's to have on the shelf for it we're having a sick day or a Mommy-is-too-busy-to-teach-but-we-can't-take-an-actual-holiday day.  Our favorites are the DK Eyewitness series, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and most things by Schlessinger Media.

For the Grown-ups

Hubby and I occasionally get some good stuff for ourselves, too.  Documentaries, TV series, and major motion pictures (both classic and current.)

Music

I refuse to listen to kids' music in the car.  I'd rather listen to talk radio (which drives the kids crazy) or pop music on the radio (with my finger on the volume control to sensor as needed.)  But the library's extensive children's CD collection has been helpful when I have taken a turn leading our Mommy-and-Me music class.

If the month's theme is "animals," for example, then I quickly look at the back of every CD to read track titles and guess if it seems to go with the theme.  Then I take my huge stack home and decide which CD's to keep and use (no more than 10 songs are needed.)  I have found some really cool music that I otherwise wouldn't have known about.  My favorite find was Recess Monkey.  They've got some cool songs.

Stayed tuned for the next installment!

1. Art Pack
2. Subject in a Box

4. Audio Books and Read Alouds
5. Library of Things
6. Science Kit

Library Discoveries #2 Subject in a Box

Did you know the public library has more to offer than just books?  This is installment #2 in a series about the many things that can be checked out from my local public library.  The library has so many things to offer, but I'm going to focus on things that are kid-centric.

Subject in a Box

Find it on the website, have it "reserved" and sent to your local branch, and then pick it up and check it out just like a book.

I feel like this may been have designed specifically with homeschoolers in mind.  It sure saved me a bunch of time looking up and reserving individual titles and then waiting for them to become available one at a time!

Another bonus is that this counts as only one check out.  This is important to me because we often find ourselves at our 30-checkouts-per-card limit.  (Between the kids and I we've got 4 library cards.  I'm very tempted to get 2 year old Quartus his own card already.)

What you get:
Books
DVDs
CDRom
List of informative and kid-friendly websites

Science this year for us has been very relaxed.  I bought no set curriculum.  When I brought this kit home, it became our curriculum for a while.  We watched the DVDs and explored the CDrom together.  Then the girls each picked a specific insect (Primus picked ladybugs and Secundus picked monarch butterflies) and had to use these resources to study and answer a bunch of questions I gave them about that insect.  Finally all the research they did was compiled in book form.

This research project took them several days to complete and they were really proud of themselves when it was all done.

Stayed tuned for the next installment!

1. Art Pack

3. Movies and Music

4. Audio Books and Read Alouds
5, Library of Things
6. Science Kit

Later

Poor Tertius (age 5) is trying to master the meaning of language.

Understanding different references to time is especially hard.  Yesterday he told me that Next Week and Next Year are the same.

This morning he told me that he figured out another vocab word.  Apparently he has discovered that "Later" means 3 different things:

"It means 'I will take care of it tomorrow.'  And if a girl says it, it means, 'not ever.'  But if a boy says it, it doesn't mean anything."

 Thank you, Princess and the Frog!

Library Discoveries: #1 Art Pack

Did you know the public library has more to offer than just books?  This is installment #1 in a series about the many things that can be checked out from my local public library.  The library has so many things to offer, but I'm going to focus on things that are kid-centric.

Art Pack by the Crocker Art Museum

Find it on the website, have it "reserved" and sent to your local branch, and then pick it up and check it out just like a book.

What you get is a backpack full of themed activities perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.  We tried the Color Garden set.  Here is everything it had:

1. A folder full of teaching/activity ideas and a classic painting with discussion questions.

2. Three colorful scarfs.

3. Color mixing paddles and chart.

4. Color sorting magnetic maze.

5. Noise-making toy.

6. Nursery Rhyme CD.

7. Five books.

8. One color discovery box.

9. Colorful bug counters with pattern cards.

It's like an entire preschool unit curriculum.  We'll definitely be getting another one of these in the future.

Stayed tuned for the next installment!

2. Subject in a Box
3. Movies and Music
4. Audio Books and Read Alouds
5. Library of Things
6. Science Kit

Tent Town #7

 Today's Reading Tent Town was very small.  Only 5 story tents and 6 children.  Apparently our experiment with doing it during Spring Break (so older siblings could also attend) did not work.  From now on I think we'll stick with toddlers and preschoolers and not try to schedule around special requests.  I've also got to plan another one for the homeschool group.

Today's feature story was The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak.  It's hilariously awesome.

For the activity to go along with it, I made these textured words by gluing sand to paper.  Then the words were taped next to the corresponding object.  Then they had make their own book by finding the words, put a paper over the top, and rub with a crayon to make the word the object's texture appear.

The other books read today were Little Critter books, Clifford's the Big Itch, Pete the Cat, and Go Away Big Green Monster (using a hand puppet).

The prizes that were earned at the end were these "books" easily made by wrapping Fruit Roll Ups around prepackaged Rice Crispy Treats.

Organizing the Snack Cupboard

This year I have worked really hard to get into a good routine when it comes to regular mealtimes and snacks, and fitting in all food groups.  The kids and I all love what we've come up with.  When I started, I had to set alarms on my phone to keep us consistent time-wise.  But now we're all so used to it that I could probably turn the alarms off most days.

We're not big breakfast eaters so usually all we have is milk and cereal, oatmeal or toast.  At 9:30, though, it's time for some fresh fruit while we transition from independent learning to group history or science time.

Lunch is at 12:15.  Lunch always includes half a glass of fruit juice and a serving of veggies along with our entree.  Two more servings of veggies are served with dinner.  I'm really pleased with how much and variety of vegetables my kids eat.

Then later in the afternoon 3 o'clock snack marks the end of the school day.  Usually we finish way before that, but the kids know that no later than 3 I basically "clock out."  Everyone grabs their own snack and gets to have some free, unstructured independent time (including mommy.)

To make 3 o'clock snack time go easier so the kids could be more independent, I keep these snack boxes well stocked.  The box on the right is full of fruit: dried fruit, applesauce, and fruit cups.  The box on the left is full of grains: crackers, granola bars.  They have to pick one thing from each box.

As you can see, these boxes fit perfectly in this space that used to hold my oven.  It's the perfect height for the kids to access by themselves.  Even Tertius and Quartus can make their selections easily if they push a chair over.

Another key to the way we do snack time is that all snacks have to be already in individual serving sizes.  We do like to buy packaged granola bars.  But what about Goldfish or raisins?

Pre-packaged single serving snacks are expensive and wasteful.  Portioning into plastic baggies is also expensive and wasteful.  Plus, the crackers get crumbled too easily.

So we use a variety of containers.  I've gotten creative. I have not bought a single container for this purpose.  Check it out.

Sprinkle bottles, small tupperware I was gifted, breast milk storage bottles, spice bottles, hand-me-down homemade baby food containers, and bullion cube containers.  Perfect.  Things like rice cakes and graham crackers obviously don't fit, but I'm fine with the occasional ziplock bag for that.  Or the big package will sit in the cupboard up above and can be gotten down if a majority ask for the same thing.

When these bottles get emptied, the lids get put back on and they're thrown in the space behind the snack boxes (ideally by the child who did the emptying) to await being refilled.  I don't even feel it's necessary to wash all the containers every time.  I definitely don't want to increase my dirty dish pile!  And if I do wash a container and the lid somehow gets lost (dishwashers eat small lids the way dryers eat socks) then I don't worry too much because most of these were free and easily replaced!