Highlights from Letter D: Preschool (age 3)

This was a very busy month.  I didn't get to do everything I planned, but we did more than I planned in other areas.  Be looking for some fall crafts we did soon.

Books we read:

 

Bible verse:

Source: 1plus1plus1equals1.com via Shonda on Pinterest

Activities we did:

Dog Bone Addition

Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb

Read, Build, Write

Read, Build, Write with dog

Painting while reading Dog's Colorful Day

Dog's Colorful Day- Literature activity

Crafts we made:

Coloring dolphins (all himself!)

D is for drum

Circle dog craft

Drum for Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb

Lesson Plans:
*My Letter D lesson plans (although I didn't do all of these).
*All of my ideas were taken from my Pinterest board (except Dog's Colorful Day- I thought of that!) for Letter D.

 

1001 Bible Questions Kids Ask (and God Answers) Book Review

 

1001 Bible Questions Kids Ask (and God Answers) is a book that addresses questions kids ask about the Bible.  The book is divided into sections so that each question from Genesis is in one section with verse references included.  The appendix also has list of all the topics covered in the book.  The questions and answers were very simple and straight forward, but I think that kids might have more questions coming from the answers given.  However, I think it is a great book for discussion starters and ways to incorporate digging deeper into God's Word.  Kids will enjoy looking up questions that they have had and learning answers to pique their curiosity.

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. *

Handy New Book Answers the Most Common Questions Inquisitive Youngsters Have About the Bible

Did God really create the universe? Why did God make people
speak different languages? Is it wrong to cheat on a test?
The Bible raises all sorts of questions that can be especially confusing for children. book, 1001 BIBLE QUESTIONS KIDS ASK AND GOD
ANSWERS (Zonderkidz; September 2012; $6.99).
The book guides young readers, ages six to nine, through the New
International Version Bible text in a simple Q&A format, from
Genesis to the New Testament, touching on important topics like
God, heaven, earth, angels, sin, creation, and more.

An excellent resource for curious young Bible readers and a must-have bedside companion, 1001 QUESTIONS KIDS ASK will equip parents to satisfy young curiosity about Christianity and encourage learning and understanding of the Bible.

****

Zonderkidz™, a division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children's communications, it produces bestselling and award-winning Bibles, books, board books, graphic novels, audio, video and digital products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 16 and the people who love them, from family members to educators. Zonderkidz is the publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader’s Version) Bible translation, the third-grade reading level edition of the NIV that is ideal for children and those who speak English as a second language. Visit Zonderkidz on the Internet at www.zonderkidz.com.

Zondervan, a HarperCollins company, is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources authored by influential leaders and emerging voices and has been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher.

The Really, Really, Really Big Dinosaur by Richard Byrne Book Review (Tiger Tales)

The Really, Really, Really Big Dinosaur  by Richard Byrne is the story of a big dinosaur who is trying to be a big show-off in order to get some jelly beans from his new friend, Jackson.  Jackson continues to outsmart the big dinosaurs attempts to get jelly beans by telling about the bigger friend that he has.  It is not until the very end that the big dinosaur discovers that Jackson's friend is MUCH bigger and they all decide to share the jelly beans together.

This cute story from Tiger Tales is sure to be a big hit with your little dinosaur lover. As the story progresses, see if you can find the MUCH bigger dinosaur "hiding" on each page.  This is such a great story to learn about sharing.

For ages 3-7

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Tiger Tales  for my review.  All opinions are my own.*

Find more great books for children at Tiger Tales.

Visit Tiger Tales on Facebook.

Zonderkidz Presents two books in the Veggie Tales I Can Read- Pirate in Training AND Princess Petunia and the Good Knight by Karen Poth

These two books are perfect for young children learning to read and who love Veggie Tales! Pirate in Training is a lesson about following God's plan and Princess Petunia  and the Good Knight is a lesson about putting others first.  Both books share Biblical values in fun ways and the simple sentences give confidence for the new reader to read these books for themselves.  My son was very excited to listen to a Veggie Tales book and I, as the mom loved the lessons that he could learn from them. I know he will enjoy reading them on his own very soon.   These books are winners!

*I was given complimentary copies of these books in exchange for an honest review.* 

 

 The Lovable VeggieTales Characters Return in Two New Fun, Easy-to-Read Books from the Popular I Can Read Series

The popular VeggieTales return with more fun and good lessons in a new pair of I Can Read! books written by Karen Poth. With simple text written especially for new readers, the VeggieTales brand continues its mission to teach children Christian values using popular characters brought to life in familiar situations.

 

In PRINCESS PETUNIA AND THE GOOD KNIGHT (Zonderkidz; October 2012; $3.99), Princess Petunia is at the Castle of Scone to watch the knights compete in the Great Pie Games. While each knight competes in the championship, it is the good knight, not the winner, who catches Petunia’s eye. Readers will learn that the Duke of Scone won the attention of the Princess because he showed kindness towards others. 

 

Pirates Pa Grape, Larry, and Mr. Lunt are exhausted and napping after a long day of being pirates in Pirate in training (Zonderkidz; October 2012; $3.99).

But when Junior Asparagus waltzes onto their ship to declare that he’s quit school to become a pirate too, they awaken quickly to urge the youngster to complete his studies. They explain that being a pirate isn’t all laughs and amusement. Even pirates must read maps and do math. Readers will realize, along with Junior Asparagus, that finishing school, no matter what one chooses to become, is important. And they’ll learn that children can become anything God wants them to be.

****

For more information on PRINCESS PETUNIA AND THE GOOD KNIGHT and/or Pirate in training, to request an interview with Karen Poth or receive review copies, please contact Candice Frederick at DJC Communications at 212-971-9707 or candice@djccommunications.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: With more than 15 years of experience leading design teams at the Walt Disney Company, Big Idea and May Merchandising Company, Karen Poth has a thorough understanding of both the entertainment and retail industries. She has written other VeggieTales books including 2011’s The Fairest Town in the West and The Case of the Missing Patience. Poth lives with her husband and six-year-old son in Nashville, Tennessee.

ABOUT I CAN READ!: The first I Can Read! book, Little Bear, written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, was published in 1957 and is still cherished by young readers. Today, I Can Read! is the number one beginning reader series in the country. It features more award-winning titles, authors and illustrators than any other beginning reader series. The brand includes more than 200 titles for readers at five beginning reading levels. I Can Read! books have won Newbery and Caldecott Honors, and have been recognized as American Library Association Notable Children’s Books, New York Times Outstanding Children’s Books and Parenting’s Best Children’s Books. They’ve also won Parenting’s Reading Magic Awards. www.icanread.com

ABOUT BIG IDEA BOOKS/VEGGIETALES: Big Idea Entertainment is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children's and family programming, characters and brands. Since 1993, Big Idea's bestselling animated series, VeggieTales, has sold 53+ million videos, 13 million books and more than 7 million CDs. VeggieTales and Big Idea's property, 3-2-1 Penguins!, enjoyed four seasons as the top-rated series on NBC Saturday mornings, Telemundo and ION TV via the qubo® children's programming block. The studio's two theatrical releases, Jonah—A VeggieTales Movie (2002) and Universal Pictures' and Big Idea's The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything—A VeggieTales Movie (2008), are distinguished among the top ten most successful faith-based films of all time. Big Idea also maintains an extensive presence in publishing, licensing and live entertainment arenas. veggietales.com

****

Zonderkidz™, a division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children's communications, it produces bestselling and award-winning Bibles, books, board books, graphic novels, audio, video and digital products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 16 and the people who love them, from family members to educators. Zonderkidz is the publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader’s Version) Bible translation, the third-grade reading level edition of the NIV that is ideal for children and those who speak English as a second language. Visit Zonderkidz on the Internet at www.zonderkidz.com.

Zondervan, a HarperCollins company, is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources authored by influential leaders and emerging voices and has been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher.

Email Subscriptions Update

Hi Friends-  Well, it looks like Feedburner is back in business for my blog.  At the beginning of October, I realized that those who subscribed by email were no longer getting their emails so I switched to Mail Chimp.  However, that was A LOT of work to keep up with, but I was willing to do it for you.  I had a few switch over to Mail Chimp and I greatly appreciated it.  But now, Feedburner is working  again and so I can sit back and relax and have them do all the work of sending my posts to you by email.

Recap:
*I will no longer be using Mail Chimp (unless Feedburner stops working).
*If you have not yet subscribed by email, you can do so on this form for Feedburner.

Enter your email address:

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Again, I'm so sorry for the confusion and thanks for sticking with me!  Have a great day!  -Shonda

Fall Bible Reading Adventure #4

NOTE:  I hope you don't feel that if you haven't read everyday or did the study that you shouldn't check in.  My hope is for you to make a habit of reading the Bible to your kids.  I haven't read everyday as I planned and I don't always get to the extra study either.  Just do what you can where you are!

Isn't 1 John full of good nuggets?  I hope you are learning as much as I am during this Fall Bible Reading Adventure.  Please be sure to CHECK-IN!  (Check-in is also available on my blog in the upper right corner.) Also, tell us one thing you learned about each: Father, Son, Holy Spirit and Anti-Christ for the Review/Study days in the comment section!


Reading Plan for the week:
*Monday- 1 John 3:1-3
*Tuesday- 1 John 3:4-8
*Wednesday- 1 John 3:9-10
*Thursday- 1 John 3:11-12
*Friday- 1 John 3:13-15
*Saturday- 1 John 3:1-15
*Sunday- 1 John 3:1-15

*Review/Study-This week I want you to make a Wordless Book with your kids!  I used to use it all the time to share the gospel with my students, but I haven't made one yet with my own children.  Directions and verses in the link.
*And with every week ask "What does God want me to know by reading these verses?  What does God want me to do by reading these verses?"
*Write a prayer to God.

Don't be shy about sharing what you are learning! 


As you are reading the daily verse(s), take time to answer questions your kids have or explain what the verse means.  Reading and understanding God's Word is key to knowing Him.

If you want more insight into these verses see Good Morning Girls. My schedule is slightly different from theirs.

Be sure to check back on Monday, November 5 for the next reading plan, activity and CHECK-IN!!

Here is the schedule:

We wills start October 1 and read until  November 30.  That's 2 months of reading the Bible EVERY DAY.

Here's what you need to do:
1. Fill out this form to join: Fall Bible Reading Adventure
2. Download and print the printable from Scripture Adventures so you can keep track of your reading. Click on Download Reading Charts. We will only be using October and November.
3. Get the reading plan for 1 John. Download as a PDF.  (You can also read your own verses.)

I am going to print the Scripture Adventures download off and then flip and print the I John Bible Reading Plan that I created.  Every day we will read the verses and then mark off a number on the calendar.

There are two Review/Study days built in. 

I will post the daily verses on my Facebook page from the New Living Translation (which is what I will be reading). 


Would you like to join me?  Fill out this form and every week I will have a check in. I will post a check-in on this blog, so either subscribe by email or I will have a check in button on the side bar.    I will give a prize to the family that completes the challenge by checking in weekly and answers an ending survey.  Sound good?

Prize will be A Christmas Adventure from Scripture Adventures.

You can join anytime!

Join Fall Bible Reading Adventure

Free and Fun Friday: Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch a few weeks ago. My kids really just like playing! The farm where we go offers everything for free (except the pumpkin). We didn't even get a pumpkin. That's ok!

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With All My Heart by Brian Rock Book Review (Tiger Tales)

  

With All My Heart by Brian Rock is story about two bear cubs who ask their mama "Who do you love best?"  She tries to answer the question, but the cubs are not satisfied until she is able to give them a more thorough and very unique answer. And she does love them "with all my heart."

This book from  Tiger Tales will be a sure hit for both mom and kids alike.  I always wondered how I was going to answer this question when both of my children start asking.  Hmm, I guess I'll just have to read this book to them.  It certainly is written in a very special and fulfilling way to give peace to a child's heart about who mama loves best.

For ages 2-5

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Tiger Tales  for my review.  All opinions are my own.*

Find more great books for children at Tiger Tales.

Visit Tiger Tales on Facebook.

I Have a Brother and I Have a Sister by Smiljana Coh Book Reviews (Tiger Tales)

I Have a Brother  and I Have a Sister by Smiljana Coh are two books that address life with a new baby sibling.  The big brother and big sister can teach their baby sibling all the things that they know.  The older sibling also remembers when the parents took care of them as babies and they loved all the special times with their parents.  But most of all they can love their little sibling as much as they can and that is the most special part of being a big brother or big sister.

These two books really create a positive look at brother/sister relationships when adding a new baby to the family.  Tiger Tales makes family relationship stories very understandable and creative for young children.  They really focus on simplicity and variety to draw the young reader/listener to view family relationships as important and enduring.  The bond of a brother and sister is irreplaceable and these two books are a sweet reminder of how special siblings can be for each other.

For ages 2-5

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Tiger Tales  for my review.  All opinions are my own.*

Find more great books for children at Tiger Tales.

Visit Tiger Tales on Facebook.

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