Art Week - Book making!

One of the projects we will be doing during art week (July 8-12) is book making! I used to teak book making classes at scrapbook stores all across the US. I'm excited to get back to my roots and teach kids an easy way to bind their own books. This project isn't what we will be making, but is a scrapbook I made for my daughter to use after her trip to Space Camp in July. She can add photos & journaling later.

Looks like fun to me! 

Dragon Puppet Tutorial (what we'll be making at Daffodil Days!)

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to be attending Spring Hill's Daffodil Days event next Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Spring Hill Middle School.

I will have a table with information about my summer camps & be making dragon puppets with the kids who come by! Dragon puppets are just a sample of some of the cool things we will be making this summer during my camps. I thought I would share a tutorial on making the puppets in case you can't come to Daffodil Days but still want a SUPER COOL dragon anyway!

To begin the craft, you will need:

• Dragon coloring sheet printed on white cardstock - you can print it here
• Markers or crayons
• Double-sided tape, scotch tape runner or glue gun
• 2" x 12" strip of heavy cardstock scrapbook paper
• 1 or 2 straws
• Scissors

Begin by printing the dragon images on white cardstock. Then, color the dragon in colors complimentary to your scrapbook paper. 

Once you are done coloring, cut the images out. 

 Next, cut a 2" x 12" strip of heavy scrapbook paper.

 Fold the paper accordian style with each fold about 1" apart. 

Fold the dragon head image in half. Glue or tape the head of the dragon and the tail of the dragon to each end of the scrapbook paper strip. I used double sided tape. 

 Cut a long straw in half or use two straws. 

 Using double sided tape or a hot glue gun, attach 1 straw to the back of the dragon head and the back of the dragon tail. 

 And now you have a dragon puppet! You can use this in a puppet show, as a toy or to celebrate Chinese New Year.

So come on by Daffodil Days next Saturday and make a dragon with me OR make your own at home! And - don't forget - email me ASAP to reserve your spot at one or more of my summer camps! :)

"What's Your Business" - Week 2 Camp

Hi everyone, I've been working on the "What's Your Business?" camp lessons over spring break. There is so much out there to explore...it is hard to focus on projects for just one week! I could do a whole summer on this topic! One thing I really want the children to do during this week is to be introspective and ask themselves "Who am I? What do I like to do? What am I interested in?" Because a life that can merge your passions and talents with your work is usually a recipe for fulfillment! Here is the description of this fun camp:

June 10-15

What’s Your Business? Entrepreneurial education is fun and can be profitable! Participants will learn what it takes to start and run a business. We’ll visit with local business owners to learn how they got their start. Participants will write a business plan. They will manufacture a product and then attend the Saturday Farmer’s Market to complete marketing and retailing of their product.

$80 plus $20 Business Tool Kit

We will be looking at lots of different young entrepreneurs and revolutionaries this week too. Check out this video by Thomas Suarez - a 6th grade iPhone App designer.

Our week will be HEAVY on looking at tech careers, playing with coding and encouraging exploration in math and science.

We will also be looking at world problems and asking ourselves, "How can I help solve these problems?" One of our activities is brainstorming the creation of our own non-profit. We will begin by identifying a world problem:

The children will complete this brainstorming graphic organizer with pencil, then cut out the different squares.

Next, we create a folded booklet that contains our brainstorming squares plus photos from the Internet and magazines, drawings, sketches, text from Web sites and books - whatever we want to add to flesh out our ideas and increase knowledge.

The children will also be brainstorming their own for-profit business from scratch following a similar model. Then, they will work together on a team business model that will also raise money for a local food pantry. Students will take turns serving as CEO, CFO, VP of Marketing and VP of Manufacturing. 

Here is the Week Two, Day One Schedule:

9-9:30	Introductions	Introductions, Rules, Overview of Week, Rules, Create an “IDEA” book.
9:30-10	Videos & Discussion	Time Magazine for Kids (3:21) Alexandra Nechita - Art Prodigy  (2:10) Self Made Millionaire at age 14 (8:45) Billy’s Business Plan (1:13)
10-10:15	Morning Snack
10:15-11:00	Who am I? Poster	Create a poster about yourself to help brainstorm ideas of what you would be best at for your business. Supplies: Camera, Photo Printer, 11x17 Construction Paper, Idea Cloud Die Cuts, Markers, Pencils, Scissors, Glue
11:00-11:30	Outdoor Time	Spud, TV Tag, Free Play
11:30-Noon	Free Time / Exploration, 15 min. at each	·         Monopoly (either board game or on Kindle) ·         X-Box 360 Kinect – Just Dance ·         Lap Top – Code Exercises ·         Books – Kid Biz, Steve Jobs book
Noon-12:30	Lunch	Tacos,  Orange Wedges,  Baked Potato Chips
12:30-2	Career Exploration	Helping Others  – “Doctors Without Borders” BRAINSTORMING BUSINESS FOLDER Design a simple business plan for a business / charity that would help other people.
2-2:15	Afternoon Snack	Milk & Chocolate Chip Cookie
2:15-3	Farmer’s Market Business	Introduce the Team Business Model. Introduce the problem (we are trying to raise money for a local food pantry). Allow the children to brainstorm possible solutions for how to raise money for this charity during the week while keeping expenses low. Next, introduce product solutions (product the children can manufacture & sell at the Farmer’s Market). Allow the children to vote on one of the product solutions.

Spring Break...a time for planning!

It's Spring Break! And that means time to plan for the 2013 camps! I've been scouring my craft & curriculum books along with the internet for exciting ways to excite children about LEARNING this summer! The sky is literally the limit! I'm also taking some hours of classes that are required for my licensure with the State of Kansas and getting ahead on some homework for my FHSU classes. 

One REALLY fun site I discovered today is the National Wildlife Foundation's KIDS site. It's FULL of crafts, games, educational activities and more. It made me remember the subscription I had to "Ranger Rick" magazine as a kid. I got "Ranger Rick" for YEARS and loved it! Any time there was a story about a Koala Bear, Raccoon or Bear, I would hang the pictures up in my bedroom. Our WILDLIFE WEEK (June 17-21) is going to be a lot of fun and VERY interesting. I'm lucky to live near a great trail that our campers will walk daily. There are some open fields and a park with a small pond all within walking distance of my house so we'll have lots of time to explore and look for clues as to what wildlife inhabits Spring Hill! 

Camp Registration

Make sure the camp you want is available by registering early! Send in your Camp Registration form along with your 25% deposit to reserve your child's space at this FULLY LICENSED day camp! 

The camp registration paperwork can be found here.

Campers will also need to complete the medical history / immunizations form here as well as the authorization for medical care form here. These forms are required no later than the first day of camp. 

Week One, Day One Activity List

Working on the curriculum for this camp is TOO exciting and I just can't wait to share it with our campers.Want a taste of week one, Space Exploration!?! Here's a sample day's activities (the first day, to be specific!)

9-9:30	Introductions	Introductions, Rules, Overview of Week, Rules, “WHO AM I” game. Supplies: Note cards, pencils, iPhones & iPod touch
9:30-10	Videos & Discussion	Space is Cool (1:30) The Solar System (4:20) Discovery’s Final Flight (2:32) Space Nerd & I Know It (4:30)
10-10:15	Morning Snack	Yogurt & Granola Bar (Camp Provides)
10:15-11:00	Illuminated Solar System Craft	Supplies: 11x17 Black Construction Paper, Scissors, Tissue Paper Cut into Squares, Translucent Paper, Tape, Glue, Pins, Paint Brushes, Sample picture of Solar System, Planet shapes for tracing.
11:00-11:30	Outside Activities	The jump rope games teaches the planets in the solar system, the obstacle course game teaches facts about the planets & sun.
11:30-Noon	Free Time / Exploration, 15 min. at each	·         Space Board Games  ·         X-Box 360 Space Chimps Game ·         Lap Top – NASA Videos ·         Books – Astronomy, NASA History
Noon-12:30	Lunch	Camp Provides Lunch
12:30-1	Finish Solar System Craft	Finish Solar System Craft. Others may continue Free Time activities
1-1:30	Lesson on THE SUN	Group discussion and debate on The Sun. Information cards about the sun will be distributed and the campers will teach each other facts about the sun.
1:30-2	NASA Challenge Introduction	Introduce the Team to the Week’s BIG PROJECT – The NASA Challenge. Students will be  recommending materials that best block harmful radiation and design a space shielding device for Orion.
2-2:15	Afternoon Snack	Milk & Chocolate Chip Cookie (Camp Provides)
2:15-3	Ray Shielding Activity	Complete Part 1 of the Ray Shielding Activity

Sound like fun?!? Sound educational? Well - it is! We'll also be looking at Earth's relationship to the Sun & Moon, the aerodynamics of rocketry, Mars discoveries, and more!

2013 Camps Announced!

Looking for something fun, safe & air conditioned to do this summer? I am offering unique camps for local youth that will integrate math, science, language arts and technology. This opportunity begins with a promise of fun, learning and summer enrichment for your child. Each week focuses on a different subject area with activities and programs that will inspire your child and ignite their passion for learning! For Children entering 3rd – 6th grades or ages 8-12*. Participants must bring a sack lunch and water bottle each day. *Younger siblings of campers may attend as well and I can look for modified activities. Please contact me to discuss. 

email: springhillsarah@yahoo.com

Here is the camp flier:

If you would like to register your child for one or more camps, please email springhillsarah@yahoo.com or call (913) 526-1227. 

More information about each week's activities:

June 3-7	Outta this World Space Exploration We’re headed up – straight up – for a week of learning and discovery straight from the stars. Our week will focus on astronomy, NASA research, robotics and rockets! Don’t miss your chance to learn all about the stars, planets and universe!	$80 plus $20 Rocket Kit
June 10-14 Plus Farmer’s Market booth on June 15	What’s Your Business? Entrepreneurial education is fun and can be profitable! Participants will learn what it takes to start and run a business. We’ll visit with local business owners to learn how they got their start. Participants will write a business plan. They will manufacture a product and then attend the Saturday Farmer’s Market to complete marketing and retailing of their product.	$80 $20 Business Toolkit
June 17-21 June 21 Ernie Miller Nature Hike at 7 p.m. with parents	Wild about Wilderness Get out the map, the microscope and the search engine as we become explorers looking for wildlife and natural resources. We’ll investigate geology, ecology, botony and local wildlife while gearing up for a Friday night hike at Ernie Miller.	$80
June 24-28	Ready to Rock! We all know that kids can really rock out! This week is all about slaying some wicked guitar solos and smashing drum kits galore! We’ll put on our best KISS makeup and make heads explode with our awesome rock anthems. Campers will explore the history of rock and roll, investigate a variety of instruments and put on an air band concert at the end of the week!	$80
July 1-3	Cooking Basics Mini Session Want to learn some basics of cooking, kitchen safety, nutrition and more? Attend the Cooking Basics camp where we’ll learn how to make salads, smoothies, gnocchi, marinated chicken, pie from scratch and more! Get your apron & chef hat on – this one is sure to fill up fast!	Mini-Session, $60
July 8-12	ART WEEK! Is art your passion? We’re spending the week getting to know some of the greatest artists of all time and then working in their medium. We’ll explore the use of oil, acrylic and watercolor paints, draw and sketch with charcoal, sculpt with air-dry clay and sculpey and create paper sculpture, Dia de los Muertos icons, paper bag books and more!	$80 $20 Art Kit
July 15-19	THEATRE WEEK! This week our campers will come together to write their own play that will be performed on Friday for family and friends. We’ll create a set, costumes, props and learn all about writing a script, character development, acting and so much more!	$80
July 22-26	Myths, Fairytales and Folktales Ancient worlds will be discovered, “Once upon a time…” lands revered and several dragons will certainly be slayed. Don’t miss this chance to explore beloved treasures and discover some hidden gems! We will bring these tales to life through creative devices like painting, sculpture and performance.	$80

·         $80 / Week plus materials fees (noted on each session)

·         Early drop off – add $20 (7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.)

·         Late pick up – add $30 (3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.)

·         Limit 10 campers per session

·         25% Deposit required to reserve camper’s spot

·         Minimum of 5 campers required to conduct each session

·         Emergency Notification and Computer Internet Permission Form REQUIRED