October’s Reading to Kids theme “Halloween, Magic & Monsters” started with a Solar Eclipse followed by Wonderful Books in a Campfire Style Reading, Halloween Crafts and a Magic Show Finale.
The Books Kindergarten – “Pete the Cat and the itsy Bitsy Spider” by James Dean, 1st Grade – “How to Catch a Monster” by Adam Wallace, 2nd Grade – “Ghoulia (Book 1)” by Barbara Cantini, 3rd Grade – “The Secret Zoo” by Bryan Chick, 4th Grade – “The Shadows (The Books of Elsewhere, Vol. 1)” by Jacqueline West, 5th Grade – “Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow” by Jessica Towsend.
ReadingtoKids.org provided special glasses to everyone allowing all to view the Eclipse safely. Never try to view an eclipse without the correct protective eyewear. It was a wonderful sight. From Downtown Los Angeles we viewed a partial Solar Eclipse which resembled a Firey Cresent Moon. The next Solar Eclipse is due on April 8, 2024.
Twenty-three 5th graders at MacArthur Elementary were separated into 3 groups with at least 2 readers in each group. I brought pen lights for all 3 groups. The kids took turns holding them for the readers. We left the classroom lights off to create a ghost story feeling. I had tea lights for our craft after the reading. I placed one in the center of our circle to pretend it was our campfire. A couple of the kids held out their hands as if to be warmed by the tea light; we all laughed. Nevermoor is a series of Books. If you like Harry Potter, I think you’ll enjoy this series too. Our craft was making Halloween Paper Bag decoration. See previous post “Halloween Crafts at the Park” for the “How to Steps”. The kids could place the battery powered tea lights in the finished bags for Nighttime Fun!
The snake skin I found in my back yard added to my Halloween Costume for the Event. The kids wanted to know how I got it! I told them I asked the snake nicely and he was happy to give it to me. They marveled at it’s completeness, even the skin that covered the snakes eyes is intact! Note: snakes don’t have eyelids. My Ghost Snakes name is Sssteeveeen.
Do Dinosaurs Hatch from Your Pumpkins? They do from Ours!
I picked up a good size pumpkin at the Market. After making several “Dinosaur Hatching” sketches, I selected 2 for carving in my pumpkin. I like to make designs on both sides of the pumpkin. Using a special crayon that came with a previous craving set, I drew the dinosaurs popping out of their eggs on the pumpkin. Using a nice carving set, I proceeded to make surface only cuts to get all the dinosaurs, eggs and even grasses nicked into the pumpkin skin.
Only after finishing All the Details, was it time to cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin and clean it out. Next very carefully cutting the openings to highlight the Hatchlings. Take your time with this step or you could accidently breakoff important parts of your Hatchlings. FYI: I spent close to 4 hours making the surface cut details for this pumpkin. So, Careful & Slower with the deep cuts is better. Add a tea light for night glowing and you are set from a Dino Halloween!
Stay Tuned for the Arrival of the Dinosaur Wizards & More Dinosaur Fun Facts!
Here are 3 of my favorites Museums. Remember Social Distancing & Masks to keep You & Others Safe while Everyone Enjoys Their Learning Experience. Consider a Membership with the Museum. In addition to Supporting Their Valuable Work there are Benefits to You. Special Preview Events for Members Only as well as Virtual Access Exclusive for Members. For more information and access to general public eLearning check out the links below.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections. Check out the latest Activities on their site.
The American Natural History Museum www.amnh.org You will find eLearning for Families, Students & Educators. Explore the Museum Virtually. Check Out SciCafe: Video Talks and Meet the Icons: Stories behind the Exhibits! There are Video Series covering Behind the Scenes at the Museum with Space & Dinosaur Explainers.
Chicago’s Field Museum www.fieldmuseum.org You can talk to “Maximo the Titanosaur” online, Yes Really! Visit Sue the largest T-Rex discovered! Check Out “Brain Scoop” and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.
Check Out Your Libraries eBooks. My local Library has over 900 eBooks on Dinosaurs! Here are four books for Drawing Dinosaurs that you might find at your Library. Ask your Librarian about others.
1-2-3 Draw Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals A step by step guide by Freddie Levin (2001)
Draw 50 Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals by Lee J. Ames (1977)
Draw it Dinosaurs by Patricia Walsh (2006)
I Can Draw Dinosaurs by Terry Longhurst (2003)
Stay Safe & Well.
Please Remember to Wear Masks & Social Distance as Appropriate Not everyone has been Vaccinated. And even vaccinated many Young & Old have compromised immune systems. Protect Yourself, Friends, Family & Everyone You Pass!
Thank You!
I used watercolors to make Dinosaur Designs on my N95 Masks. I couldn’t get a yes or no from 3M regarding any impact this might have to the effectiveness of the mask. Many Museums sell Dinosaur Themed Masks Check them Out!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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