National Fall Foliage Week!

This is a picture taken a week ago at Roughlock Falls near Spearfish, South Dakota!  I just had to share this picture -----as the scenery in this area ---and really all over the state this time of year is really something!

Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather to take your students ---or your kids ---on a nature hike. Turn it into a scavenger hunt by giving them a list of things to look for - different kinds of leaves, trees, rocks, animals, insects.......and fun!

Halloween Fun!

Your first thought is that Halloween is over a month away---this is way too early!  I agree!  It seems like we rush the seasons and holidays so much that by the time it gets here - we're tired of looking at the decoration!

I thought it would be fun to create a booklet of learning activities that could be used starting now and continuing though Halloween - so here it is!!!

The ABC Halloween activity booklet has one learning activity for every letter of the alphabet. The  activities meet English language arts, math, science, social studies, health or safety standards. Check out this fun book at the KidZ Learning Connection Store - and best of all - it's free today!! (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Kidz-Learning-Connections)

Teaching Health - Fitting It In!

How do you find the time fit health education in to your already packed day???  I've been working in the education field for almost 30 years--from working in schools to writing curriculum to managing statewide programs.  I know how busy you are!

My areas of expertise are in the business education, health, safety and career subject areas. KidZ Learning Connection was formed for the purposed of providing you with quick and easy health and safety resources that can be integrated into just about every subject ---or that can be used at those times during the day when you need a meaningful learning activity that will only take a few minutes.  Here's an example of something that may work! 

Farm Fun:  Milk Math

This activity teaches basic information about cows and milk though the lens of math! Use this as a mini-lesson right after lunch. 

1. Introduce the topic by asking students:
a.  "How many of you drank milk with your lunch today?"
b. "Why is it important to drink milk?"
c.  "What food group does milk belong to?"


2. Ask students to solve the math problems individually or as a large group. This would be a great Smartboard acrivity!

3. Ask students to share information from the worksheet that surprised them.

4. Ask students to share other information about cows and milk.

5. Challenge students to drink a glass of milk with each meal.

A Fun Weekend!!

Just had to share!!!  We had such a great weekend celebrating my sister's birthday!  We stayed at a campground in the Black Hills and spent time touring, riding the Hill City Train, swimming, having a campfire---and just being together!

September is All American Breakfast Month!

Breakfast is one of my most favorite meals. There's nothing better than coffee---Belgium waffles - or eggs, toast, hash browns and coffee to start the day out right.  Most often though, my breakfast consists of two granola bars---and lots of coffee!

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. It's important for kids to have something to eat in the morning before they head off to school. Who can learn on an empty stomach??

Here an activity that you might find useful in your classroom---or for planning and working with your kids at home!

The activity uses the MyPlate food groups and asks students to classify the breakfast food pictures according to their correct food group.

Optional Classroom Activity:

1. Ask students to fill in the plate by drawing or writing what that had for breakfast.
2. Lead a class discussion on the topic of healthy foods.  Ask students to rate if their breakfast was healthy or not healthy.
3. Continue the discussion by asking student to share what they could change to make their meal a healthy one.



Find this activity at:https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Kidz-Learning-Connections 

The Kids on the Bus!

This week is Child Passenger Safety Week!  With school just starting----safety for kids riding the bus is on our minds.  

This activity leads students through bus safety rules while drawing a picture. A fun way to learn these important rules!!

Find the activity at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/School-Bus-Safety-Getting-On-and-Getting-Off-the-Bus-2031680

Friends........

A little off topic.......but it's so hard to concentrate on work-related things today.  I lost a good friend this week - a person who left us way too soon---and left a huge impact on those who knew her.  Lisa dedicated her life to special needs kids--to her family---and to her close friends.  Her entire life was spent putting others first....and doing thoughtful things for others. She and I worked in the same building for many years, so we had a chance to visit daily and do things outside the office together too.  I marveled at her ability to be constantly on the go----and never appear rattled.  I will miss her greatly and feel honored to be called her friend. 

Try 5 Health and Safety Bundles/Units

KidZ Learning Connection features a series of "Try 5" units on many health and safety topics---with many more to come!

The "Try 5" series all follow the same format - a self check with 5 statements dealing with major aspects of the topic. Students answer "yes or no" to each statement and then select one of the five statements to work on for improvement.  Activities are provided that address each of the five statements. A total unit---that includes fun learning activities.


Here's an sample of the "Try 5: Stranger Safety" checklist.  Find the learning packets for grade K-1 and 2-3 that go with the checklist at KidZ Learning Connection:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Kidz-Learning-Connections

Let me know what you think!!!!  Should lesson plans be added for each unit too??

Apple Crisp Marathon

One of the things I like best about this time of year is all the fresh fruits and vegetables that are ready to harvest for the the pantry and freezer.  We had our annual 'apple crisp marathon' last night.  We ended up with 12 tins in the freezer----all in the space of 90 minutes.  My husband is always roped in to peeling the apples - which is 75% of the work. We make a good team. Here's the recipe I always use - straight from Betty Crocker (http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/apple-crisp/3715a45c-3c00-430c-bbe2-9865f9013238)  The apple crisp can be baked right from the freezer ---or thawed first.  The cooking time needs to be adjusted if the crisp is frozen!

Ingredients

4

medium tart cooking apples, sliced (4 cups)

3/4

cup packed brown sugar

1/2

cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

1/2

cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats

1/3

cup butter or margarine, softened

3/4

teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4

teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cream or Ice cream, if desired

Directions

• 1 Heat oven to 375ºF. Grease bottom and sides of 8-inch square pan with shortening.
• 2 Spread apples in pan. In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients except cream until well mixed; sprinkle over apples.
• 3 Bake about 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm with cream.

Off and Running to a New School Year!

With Labor Day over and past---we are now off and running into a new school year as well as a change of seasons!  We had a hail storm yesterday that was a surprise--and not a welcome one. It's now time to do the drill of getting the vehicles and house looked at and getting started on repairs.

A big part of the school day for kids is recess! I have created some playground safety resources that ask students use their critical thinking and decision making skills to stay safe and still have fun on the playground.  Find the activities at the KidZ Learning Connection Store at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Kidz-Learning-Connections


This activity provides students with practice in making decisions. The task cards present twelve different playground safety scenarios. Students are asked to view and/or read the cards and then decide if the situation describes a 'safe' or 'sorry' action. Students should provide reasons for their answers. The cards can be used in individual, small and/or large group activities. The cards can be used as a writing exercise. Students may role play the situations described on the cards 
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For another activity on playground safety, check out 
Safety KidZ: Playground Safety Star Rules

Feeling of Fall

I'm sitting here this morning --drinking my coffee--and catching up on the news! A feeling of fall is definitely in the air!  School is back in swing in most schools---and some will be starting next week.  Many kids are and will be riding the school bus.  Here's an activity that  is a good review of bus safety rules! Find the activity at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/School-Bus-Safety-Checklist-1675665

Welcome to KidZ Learning Connection

Welcome to the KidZ Learning Connection blog!  I am new to blogging----but am excited to learn and to share resources, ideas and tools for your classroom and also your home!  I have a wide variety of interests - ranging from health to safety to social studies - to career education.  I also love home decorating  and cooking, so I will share some of those things with you too!  Take a look at what we're about on the KidZ Learning Teachers Pay Teachers Store - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Kidz-Learning-Connections

I'll be back soon!