How Soap Works: Pepper and Soap STEM Experiment

Are you looking for an activity to show children why it's important to use soap when they wash their hands?  This pepper + soap STEM experiment is a favorite among early childhood and elementary school teachers and shows children exactly why they need to use soap.  It requires very few materials and... chances are... you already have them in your kitchen.  Keep reading to learn more!

Disclosure: Affiliate links to Amazon are included in this post.

Fun Facts About Sled Dogs

A few months ago, I wrote a blog post about Run Like a Sled Dog and Black Bear Goes to Washington by Denise Lawson.  (Run Like a Sled Dog and Black Bear Goes to Washington are two children's books inspired by a retired sled dog that Denise Lawson adopted.)  That particular post generated some interest in my readers to learn more about the lives of sled dogs.  What are sled dogs like?  What do sled dogs eat?  How do sled dogs manage in the Arctic cold?  Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and to learn more about these magnificent creatures!

The Brave Butterfly Gratitude Journal Product Review

Several months ago, I wrote a blog post about Abby Cadet... the young author who wrote and published Living in Two Homes Is Tough when she was 9 years old. Since then, she has written a second children's book and has released a series of gratitude journals for children. (Pretty amazing, yes?)  Today's blog post is a product review of one of Abby Cadet's gratitude journals that can be used at home or at school.  Keep reading to learn more!

This is an unpaid review of a Brave Butterfly Gratitude Journal. I was given a promotional journal in exchange for my HONEST review.  To learn more about product reviews, please visit the Authors, Publishers, and Sponsors page.  Disclosure: Affiliate links to Amazon are included in this post.

Painting the Fourth of July Fireworks

Five little firecrackers getting ready to zoom...

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle...

... BOOM!

The Fourth of July... also known as Independence Day... is only a few weeks away.  On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, separating the 13 colonies from England.  Since then, the Fourth of July has been considered 'America's birthday' and people all over the United States continue to celebrate America's birthday with parades, picnics, and... everybody's favorite... fireworks!  Are you looking for a simple craft to help with your Fourth of July celebrations?  Try this simple painting activity with your children at home or school.  Enjoy!

Disclosure: Affiliate links to Amazon are included in this post.

10+ Children's Books About Juneteenth

Juneteenth will be here in a couple of weeks!  What is Juneteenth?  Juneteenth is an important day in American history and for Black Americans across the country.  On June 19, 1865... two years, five months, and 18 days after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued... slaves in Galveston, Texas finally learned they were free.  Since then, Juneteenth... named for June + 19th... has been celebrated with festivals, cookouts, picnics, family reunions, fireworks, church gatherings, etc.  There is no one way to celebrate Juneteenth.  Anywhere people gather together to commemorate Juneteenth is a celebration.

Listed below are 10+ fiction and nonfiction children's books about Juneteenth, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Opal Lee... the Grandmother of Juneteenth.  Keep reading to learn about these books.  If you know of a children's book that should be added to the list, tell me in the comments below.  If it's a good fit for this list, I'll add it for you!

Disclosure: Affiliate links to Amazon are included in this post.

How to Make a Picture Frame Craft Out of Pebbles and Rocks

Has anyone ever told you, "You Rock?"  If so, they were paying you a compliment!  They were being sincere in telling you how awesome they think you are.  Do you know someone who rocks?  Do you want to make a unique gift for them?  Keep reading to learn how to make these pretty picture frames with your students!

Disclosure: Affiliate links to Amazon are included in this post.

All People Are Beautiful by Vincent Kelly

Last month, Vincent Kelly released his children's book called All People Are Beautiful.  All People Are Beautiful is a cheerful, delightful story that will put a smile on your face and make you feel good inside.  It has bright illustrations and features children from all over the world.  Keep reading to learn more about All People Are Beautiful and how you can use it in your classroom.

Disclosure: Affiliate links to Amazon are included in this post.

Fun Facts About Cicadas

It's summer 2021... the year of the Brood X (Brood Ten) cicada!  At the time of this posting, billions of cicadas have already emerged from the ground in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington DC and are singing their mating songs, hoping to find a mate.  Do you live in an area that has been inundated with cicadas?  Have you ever wondered what the life of a cicada is like?  Read on to learn some interesting facts about these noisy insects!

Dancing Popcorn Science and STEM Experiment

Dancing Popcorn is a popular STEM experiment among teachers of young children.  It requires only three materials, is easy to prepare and clean up, and can be used to teach a variety of science concepts such as:

• buoyancy, sink, float
• density
• states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases)
• chemical changes
• making and confirming predictions
• vocabulary development: carbon dioxide

There are two ways to do the Dancing Popcorn STEM experiment, one using seltzer water and the other using vinegar and baking soda.  This blog post is going to focus on the easier of the two... dropping popcorn kernels into seltzer water.  Keep reading to learn more about this experiment and how you can use it with your little ones.

Disclosure: Affiliate links to Amazon are included in this post.

Exploring Density: Sink or Float STEM Experiment

Sink or float science and STEM experiments and popular with early education and early elementary school teachers.  These experiments are easy to prepare and conduct and have a fun wow factor with students.  Back in September, I wrote a blog post about a Halloween candy-themed sink or float STEM activity you can use in your classroom.  This blog post is about another sink or float activity... but with a twist.  In this STEM activity, you will be dropping objects into a container of oil and water.  How will this change the results?  Keep reading to find out!

Disclosure: Affiliate links to Amazon are included in this post.