There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly Literacy Bag

I've been busy reopening my Ebay Shop and adding new items. I recently added There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed...Literacy Bag. These books are always a hit with children and I made story cards and props to go with 9 books. Here is a picture of my hand painted canvas bag - I wasn't sure if I would be able to paint the Old Lady, but I'm happy with how it turned out:

The literacy bag includes a CD with all of the activities. My kids love "feeding" the old lady. I made objects from each of the books to go with my Old Lady. The Old Lady is really cute and the graphic is from Original Country Clipart by Lisa. Here's a picture of my Old Lady:

Awhile back I stumbled on a great deal on Amazon. They priced some great Child's Play Storysacks at a steal. I bought 10 of them before they raised the price back to $65. I've got a few left and you can buy them for $25 in my Ebay shop if you get it with the opening bid. The set comes with a really cute stuffed old lady and bean filled objects to feed her from the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly book - the book and everything pictured is included too! Here is a picture:

I'd love to hear your teaching ideas for the Old Lady Books - feel free to comment away!
Pam

Creating Lapbooks: Killer Whales Unit

Hi all!
I've had a great couple of weeks, getting used to the idea that I'm actually retired! I traveled for a few weeks and then I tackled my workroom and garage! I've got so much teaching material - my garage was full of boxes - that I felt I needed to get organized before I start working.

I will be listing lots of teaching materials over the next few weeks, so be sure and check out my Ebay Shop. I'm also weeding out my cookbooks, so if you like to cook I've got Southern Living and Taste of Home Annual Cookbooks up for auction.

Now to my latest find. I recently discovered Lapbooks and I absolutely love them! What a great way to teach a unit! I tutor and I'm always looking for ways to keep my students excited and happy to see me. I often tutor 2 hours at a time and I really have to keep creative to keep my 6 year old students on task.

Last week, I decided to see if a lapbook would be interesting. WOW!!!! Talk about success.
In fact, she was so excited about her Killer Whale Lapbook, that her mom scheduled extra sessions, so that we could complete it! One of our favorite activities was measuring string the length of assorted whales. We had so much fun estimating how much 80 feet looked like then actually measuring! As a added plus - I was excited and engaged and looking forward to tutoring!

There are several great websites that offer free lapbooks and some great pictures of the finished product, so that you can figure out what you're doing!

Here is a great video of a Whale Lapbook:



Here are some great links for Whale Lapbooks:
Killer Whale Lapbook by Lapbook Lessons - you have to register but it's free!
Simple Lapbooks Blog - great pictures of a completed Whale Lapbook
Dolphin Lapbook by Homeschool Share = wonderful website
Whale Lapbook by 1+1+1=1
Great list of lapbook links from 1+1+1=1

I'd love your comments. Anyone lapbook? Have pictures to share?
Enjoy your day!
Pam

On Vacation! Friday Freebie Info

School's out and I'm officially on vacation! I'm heading to the beach for a week so I'm sending my Friday Freebie out today, since I will be on the road early tomorrow. I'm hanging out with my daughter and we're going to Charleston, SC for a few days visiting family then heading to Hunting Island to camp and finally spending a few days in Beaufort, SC. I am really looking forward to spending time with my family!

I will be back June 13th and plan to jump right in creating new literacy units.

I have several in the works:

The Kissing Hand

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Chicka 1 2 3

Back to School

Apples

Fall Fun

My next giveaway will begin when I return.

Remember, you earn entries by leaving comments.

This month's freebie is a cute butterfly puzzle matching uppercase/lowercase letters.

If you are following and do not receive my freebie, please email me at handsonlearningfun@live.com and let me know the name you are following under and I will add you to my mailing list.

Have a great day!
Pam

Manic Monday Giveaway: Apple Literacy Bag!!!!

You will receive:
Apples Literacy Bag

Hand Painted Canvas Bag

with CD containing over a dozen activities:

Sample of Activities:

Apple Tree Counting Mats 1 - 10

Five Little Apples - interactive book

How to Eat a Apple Sequence Cards

From Seed to Apple Sequence Cards

Apple Sorting Mat - Beginning Sounds

Blacklines for letter A recognition

Recipes

Crafts

and more!

How to Enter:

First, you need to follow my blog

Your comments will earn you entries!

Every comment will earn you one entry - you may comment on any or all of my posts during May 4 - 16

Visit any of my shops (links are on the left sidebar) and comment on a favorite item - 2 entries

Add my Etsy shop to your favorites - 2 entries

Blog about my giveaway and leave a comment with link - 3 entries

Send a email to your friends telling them about my giveaway and copy me - 3 entries

Giveaway will run from today - May 4th - May 16th

Winner announced on Sunday, May 17th

Have fun!
Pam

Teacher Appreciation Week: What is a Teacher?

WHAT IS A TEACHER?
A teacher is someone
who sees each child

as a unique person
and encourages individual
talents and strengths.
A teacher looks beyond
each child's face
and sees inside their souls.
A teacher is someone
with a special touch
and a ready smile,
who takes the time to listen
to both sides
and always tries to be fair.
A teacher has a caring heart
that respects and understands.
A teacher is someone
who can look past disruption
and rebellion,
and recognize hurt and pain.
A teacher teaches the entire child,
and helps to build confidence
and raise self-esteem.
A teacher makes a difference
in each child's life,
and affects each family
and the future of us all.
by Barbara Cage

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week

I am offering a gift certificate good in any of my shops.

Certificates can be in any amount and personalized.

Email or convo me and mention you are a blog follower and you will receive a 10% discount for gift certificates up to $50

All gift certificates $50 or greater will receive

20% savings!
Just print certificate and you are set!

Each certificate has a code and can only be redeemed once.

This offer is only good during Teacher Appreciation Week

Here are some links for other ideas:

Volunteer Spot free ebook of ideas
All Star Activities Creative Teacher Gifts

Cute door decoration ideas from Skip to My Lou

Sunshine 4 Teachers

Enjoy!
Pam

Friday Freebie

Woohoo! It's Friday!
I just sent this week's Freebie, so be sure and check your email.
If you are following and did not receive it, please send me a email with the name you are following under at handsonlearningfun@live.com and I will add you to my mailing list.

It's a really cute Animal Opposites Game.

Saturday, I will catch up on my posts. The end of school is rapidly approaching and keeping me very busy during the week.

Enjoy your weekend!
Pam

Manic Monday Giveaway!!!!!

Manic Monday Giveaway
Sponsored by my friend, Shawna Huggins

Shawna has a wonderful Etsy shop: The Student Corner

Shawna's Info:

Hi, my name is Shawna Huggins. I am a professional tutor . That means that I get to work with students of all ages (9 - 21) on academic subjects ranging from punctuation to physics, astronomy to ancient history, and geometry to game making, all in one day. I work out of my home and the students come to me because all my toys are here.

Currently, three of my students are participating in the Etsy store experience. We use Etsy to practice creative writing (product descriptions) and math (gee, what does net and gross mean, and what do you mean pay pal takes a percentage - what is percentage anyway?). It is amazing how quickly students learn decimals, multiplication, division, and percent when they have to use it to figure out how much of the sale they get to take home.

We are so happy to be participating in the Monday Madness Giveaway. All of the art in this store was made by Nalani, Age 13, Keelianna, Age 9, and Kyle, Age 13.
I live in Medford, Oregon with my husband, dog, and cat. We have a grown daughter living in Portland, Oregon. We laugh a lot and enjoy life.

Giveaway Info:

You may enter: April 20th - April 26th

Winners will be announced Sunday, April 27th

How to Enter:

Follow my blog - 1 entry

Visit Shawna's shop: The Student Corner and leave a comment about your favorite item - 1 entry

Visit my artfire shop: Hands On Learning Fun and leave a comment about your favorite item - 1 entry

Post about my giveaway on your blog and leave comment with link - 3 entries!

Send a email to your friends about the giveaway with a link to my blog and copy me: handsonlearningfun@live.com - 3 entries!

I love comments!!!! Comment throughout the week about my posts and receive 1 entry per day

You will receive 2 photo cards by Keelianna, age 9



Summer Time photo Card by Keelianna, Age 9

I love summer and sunflowers.

Hi, My name is Keelianna. I'm almost 9. I love to paint. When I was four I used to doodle. I still do. My doodles look much better now. So now you know me. Bye.This is a photo of Keelianna's original painting. It is glued to a 6.5 x 5 inch folded ivory card and comes with an envelope.Keelianna enjoys painting, reading, writing stories, and learning new things every day.

Happy Time photo card by Keelianna, Age 9.

I made this painting when I was very happy. It is a heart with wings and a halo.

Hi, My name is Keelianna. I'm almost 9. I love to paint. when I was four I used to doodle. I still do. My doodles look much better now. So now you know me. Bye.This is a photo of Keelianna's original painting. It is glued to a 6.5 x 5 folded ivory card and comes with an envelope. Keelianna enjoys painting, reading, writing stories, and learning how to borrow in subtraction.

Have a great week!
Pam

Manic Monday Giveaway Winner!!!!!!!

We have a winner!

Melissa Tingle

You have won Teena's awesome giveaway!

Please email me with your mailing address at handsonlearningfun@live.com

I used random.org to choose our winner:

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 49

and Melissa won!

Check back tomorrow for my new giveaway - you're going to love it!

Special thanks to Teena of Teena's Teacher Tidbits for providing such a wonderful giveaway.
Enjoy your Sunday,

Pam

Terrific Tuesday Free Easter Printables!

I love finding free printables online. Here are some of my favorite Easter printables from

MES - English Be sure and explore this website. You will find so many free printable flash cards and activities!

Easter Bingo Cards

Bunnyland Game with playing cards

I like to use mini erasers for markers, but you can use most anything.

Here is a Easter Book to color: CLICK HERE

There's more: Stickers, Sticker Charts, Bookmarks, Awards!

Here are some cute printable Easter Cards from 123 print.com

Check out a free downloadable song from Dream English

Last but not least, 9 cute Spring Cooking Activities. CLICK HERE

You still have time to enter my Ladybug Literacy Bag Giveaway. Winner will be announced tomorrow!
Have fun exploring MES-English!

Pam

Freebie Friday is Here!

Good Morning!
Freebie Friday is here! Tonight, I will send all of my followers an Spring Activity via email.
If your email is not accessible in your profile please email me at: handsonlearningfun@live.com
It's not too late to sign up and there is still time to enter my Ladybug Literacy Bag Giveaway - CLICK HERE

I love your comments! Please comment away and if you have any suggestions or special requests, let me know.
Enjoy your Friday!
Pam

Two Awesome Children's Educational Websites: Poisson Rouge & StoryPlace

Poisson Rouge - Red Fish Soup - Games For Children
There are over 200 activities on this wonderful site created by Patric Turner and Edith Furon.
The alphabet is offered in 3 languages: English, French, and Spanish.
Every time I visit this site I find new activities. There are no instructions, just click on the pictures and have fun! If you would like a written explanation just click on the user guide and it will guide you through each activity, but you will find that children are very adept at finding all of the activities and figuring out how they work!

StoryPlace Pre-School Library
The StoryPlace Pre-school Library is full of great activities for you to explore. Choose a theme and start the fun! There are 15 different themes and each theme has the following activities:
Online story
Online activity
Take home activity
Suggested Reading
Parent's Activity

StoryPlace also has an Elementary Library for older children.
This section contains the following activities:
Topsy Turvy Tale
Print-Out Activity
Suggested Reading

Enjoy exploring these great websites and leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
Don't forget to follow me and you will be automatically entered in my giveaways and Friday Freebies. CLICK HERE to read more.
Pam