The Greatest Gift Tic-Tac-Toe

It’s time for a new Nativity A Day post and I believe that this is the 8th one already.  Are you enjoying them??  I know I am!!  It’s making things a little hectic sometimes to get something new created AND posted, but I did make this a personal challenge.  So far so good!!

Today, I have a simple game that uses beautiful graphics.  The game is tic-tac-toe.  The game board features the greatest gift, baby Jesus in his manger.  The player tokens are Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus and the 3 Wise Men with baby Jesus.  This game should be great to fill in those quiet times for the kids and keep them busy!!

Nativity graphics © Trina Clark with permission.

Here’s a thumbnail view of today’s game…..

If you’re interested in downloading this game, please just…..

If you use my FREE nativity printables, please leave a comment and let me know how you and the little ones like them….or don’t like them. I’d also appreciate it if you’d click the button below once a day to vote for my blog.   I love feedback and create by the input that I receive….thanks!!

The information that is posted on this blog is general information purposes. It is not intended to substitute for curriculum or for obtaining advice from your principal, church or DRE. It is for informational and educational purposes only. All activities, games, information, etc. on this blog are free. However they are ONLY to be used for classroom and personal use. They may NOT be published on any websites/blogs or other electronic media, distributed in any manner, uploaded to any file sharing service/storage, or sold for profit. If you know someone who would benefit from these materials, please refer them to this blog. Do NOT share the materials that you download with them. Copyright © 2008-2011. All rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.

Double the Nativity A Day

Today is a double freebie since I was totally unable to post my Nativity A Day yesterday!!  I do apologize, but I expected at some time, life would step in….and it might not be over yet considering it’s the holiday season and all.

First up is the printable that I would have shared yesterday.  It’s a “Roll the Shepherd’s Nativity”.  The player(s) will roll a die and collect the pieces indicated for that number and assemble the nativity as they go.  This is the shepherd’s nativity or the angels telling the shepherds of the good news.

Nativity Graphics © Northumberland.

Here’s a thumbnail view of the pages in this activity….

If you’re interested in this nativity printable, please just click to….

My second offering, which is today’s Nativity A Day freebie, is “Nativity Word Strip Puzzles”.  The kids will assemble word strip puzzles featuring words associated with the nativity.  There are 10 puzzles in all, but 3 of them are for the 3 Magi/Kings/Wise Men.  That way, you can choose the nativity word puzzle for them depending on what you teach and your faith since they do vary.

Nativity graphics © Alice Smith prior to 1/21/10 with permission.

Here’s a thumbnail peek at some of the pages in this set of word strip puzzles…..

If you’re interested in downloading these nativity word strip puzzles, please just click to…..

If you use my FREE nativity printables, please leave a comment and let me know how you and the little ones like them….or don’t like them. I’d also appreciate it if you’d click the button below (as well as in the side bar under “Rate My Blog”). I love feedback and create by the input that I receive….thanks!!

The information that is posted on this blog is general information purposes. It is not intended to substitute for curriculum or for obtaining advice from your principal, church or DRE. It is for informational and educational purposes only. All activities, games, information, etc. on this blog are free. However they are ONLY to be used for classroom and personal use. They may NOT be published on any websites/blogs or other electronic media, distributed in any manner, uploaded to any file sharing service/storage, or sold for profit. If you know someone who would benefit from these materials, please refer them to this blog. Do NOT share the materials that you download with them. Copyright © 2008-2011. All rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.

Nativity Magnet Sheets

Today is the 3rd day of my Nativity A Day.  The first two were over at my free printables blog, The Schoolhouse.  I hope that you were able to download them and that  the kids are enjoying them!!

My offering today is a set of magnet sheets.  This is a set of 6 that includes N for Nativity, A for Angel, S for Shepherd, H for Holy Family, W for Wise Men, and J for Jesus.  There’s adorable nativity graphics that have place for magnets, do-a-dots, bingo daubers, or anything else the kids choose!!

Nativity graphics © Resale Clipart with permission.

Here’s a thumbnail peek of the pages in this set of magnet sheets…..

If you’re interested in downloading these nativity magnet sheets, please just…..

If you use my FREE nativity printables, please leave a comment and let me know how you and the little ones like them….or don’t like them. I’d also appreciate it if you’d click the button below (as well as in the side bar under “Rate My Blog”). I love feedback and create by the input that I receive….thanks!!

The information that is posted on this blog is general information purposes. It is not intended to substitute for curriculum or for obtaining advice from your principal, church or DRE. It is for informational and educational purposes only. All activities, games, information, etc. on this blog are free. However they are ONLY to be used for classroom and personal use. They may NOT be published on any websites/blogs or other electronic media, distributed in any manner, uploaded to any file sharing service/storage, or sold for profit. If you know someone who would benefit from these materials, please refer them to this blog. Do NOT share the materials that you download with them. Copyright © 2008-2011. All rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.

Pumpkin Prayer

Halloween can present may problems and issues for many Christians.  Every year, there is the debate on whether to celebrate it or not.  For me, I like to teach my religion class to find the good points to it.  Halloween only needs to be as scary and “demonic” as people want it to be. 

Liz Curtis Higgs has a great book called The Pumpkin Patch Parable.  You can read about it by clicking the book cover below.

I used the basis of this book to create the craft that we did in religion class tonight.  The kids all colored in their pumpkin patches and the pattern pieces.  Then, they cut out all the pattern pieces.  As we read the poem together, the kids assembled their pumpkin patches.

Here’s a thumbnail view of what’s included in this craft project…..

My class had so much fun with this!!  This was a fairly simple craft for us to do with restricted time.  They love the coloring (we used markers).  And, they enjoy anything they get to cut and glue!!  They were all showing their parents as they got picked up, so I know it was a success for my little ones.

If you’d like to download this freebie, just….

So, Shine with the light of Jesus and enjoy the project….and Halloween!!  I always appreciate any comments or suggestions that you leave. It helps me to know that what I created is used or what I do is like or not liked. Also, please click the button below to vote for my blog….thanks!!

The information that is posted on this blog is general information purposes. It is not intended to substitute for curriculum or for obtaining advice from your principal, church or DRE. It is for informational and educational purposes only. All activities, games, information, etc. on this blog are free. However they are ONLY to be used for classroom and personal use. They may NOT be published on any websites/blogs or other electronic media, distributed in any manner, uploaded to any file sharing service/storage, or sold for profit. If you know someone who would benefit from these materials, please refer them to this blog. Do NOT share the materials that you download with them. Copyright © 2008-2011. All rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.

Sequence & Pray – Hail Mary

I haven’t made anything new for my religion class in quite awhile.  I’ve been using what I have or searching out new things.  However, we’re learning the Hail Mary right now and I wanted something versatile for them.  That prompted me to create this “sequence and pray”. 

There are 7 cards with the words to the Hail Mary on them.  If 2 copies of the cards are printed, one could use them to play concentration.  I also created a board to go with where the cards should be placed in sequence order. (Print the board on LEGAL size paper!!)  There’s so many uses for the cards because they could just be used to recite the prayer as well.

Here’s a thumbnail view of what’s included in this “sequence and pray”…..

If you’d like to download this “sequence and pray”, just….

I always appreciate any comments or suggestions that you leave. It helps me to know that what I created is used or what I do is like or not liked. Also, please click the button below to vote for my blog….thanks!!

The information that is posted on this blog is general information purposes. It is not intended to substitute for curriculum or for obtaining advice from your principal, church or DRE. It is for informational and educational purposes only. All activities, games, information, etc. on this blog are free. However they are ONLY to be used for classroom and personal use. They may NOT be published on any websites/blogs or other electronic media, distributed in any manner, uploaded to any file sharing service/storage, or sold for profit. If you know someone who would benefit from these materials, please refer them to this blog. Do NOT share the materials that you download with them. Copyright © 2008-2011. All rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.

My New Blog

I went and started a new blog today!!  I’m so excited and I feel great about this.  I’ve been struggling for awhile trying to find a balance between sharing my printables and just being able to blog about what I want.  When I only share my printables, my daily readers and photography buffs leave.  When I go on a rant, talk politics, or other such things that touch my life, my readers after printables leave.

So, I found a solution….I started a new blog.  It will be strictly for my Christian and educational printables.  This will the the place that I can share and help the kids.  I hope that you will follow me to my new location, as well as remain here with the Commotion from the Ocean of Life!!

I’m going to attempt to move my Christian and educational file folder game/printables pages to the new blog.  Then, I will add new stuff via blog posts.  I plan to share my first new materials tomorrow!!  So please, come check out….

Tomorrow will also be Foto Finish here, so come see what my latest photo project will be!!  This blog will be about my hobby….photography, and continue to just be about life.  So please stick around and see what happens next!!

What I Have….and Don’t Have

I feel like I’m in over my head right now.  I’m not a person that ever really feels this way.  Unfortunately, I am right now and it’s affecting me in so many ways.

I’ve had a Thursday Thirteen in draft for over 2 weeks now.  I have photos to post for Macro Monday and Foto Finish.  I just don’t have time to blog.  I mean, I could do my own posts and that’d be it.  However, when I do my own, more than ever, I have to go visit other blogs.  I like to leave comments on people’s photo blogs and hope that they comment on mine.  I can’t very well expect to get comments if I don’t give, that’s for sure!!  Plus, I’m just behind reading period!!  I don’t subscribe to any blog.  I can’t keep up.  My inbox is full enough as it is on a regular basis.  I just have to take my time and go visit all my faves when time permits.

I have printables to share.  I’ve created some pretty good stuff lately.  Not alot of it, but what I have is pretty darn good!!  I just haven’t had time to upload it all and make posts about it.  When I do that, I have to create my sample image, plus check and recheck links to make sure that they work.  It just seems like too much right now.  I do have them though!!

Miss K is waist deep in Pre-Algebra.  She’s working so hard and doing so well!!  I wish the rest of the school year had been like this.  Today, she did a whole chapter in Science and before I knew it, it was done!!  In July, she’ll be taking her couple of weeks of classes at the v0-tech.  She’s also enjoying her weekly summer movie.  Usually, they play it for 3 days, but this year they’re only doing it for 2 days.  That presses us a little big more for time!!

So as you can see, I have a whole lot….what I don’t seem to have is enough hours in the day!!  Oh well.  I’ll chug along on and sooner or later, I’ll catch up.  I just hope that everyone bears with me while I play keep-up.  The old saying is “time flies when you’re having fun” sure is true for me right now!!

No matter what, I know that I’m blessed and nobody can ask for more than that!!

Author Study: Mem Fox

In my Y!Group, we like to do author and book studies.  So much learning is focused around themes and stories.

Most recently we did Mem Fox.  She’s definitely a favorite children’s book author.  Her books are so fun to read and really draw the kids in.  Her illustrators always draw the perfect pictures for the story.  Everything is paired very well.  I used to love to read her books to Miss K.  Our favorite was Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild.  We read it over and over!!

As I always try to do, I created a couple printables to go with our Mem Fox author study.  I have only been able to get a couple things created for it.  I’m not going to say that I’ll make more, because I’m just not sure!!  I wanted to with Richard Scarry and it just didn’t happen.  Time seems to be premium!!  However, I did get a magnification game and an interactive preposition book done for Mem’s works.  I really like the book and hope that you do as well.

Here’s a thumbnail view of some of the printables available….

If you’re interested in these Mem Fox printables, just…..

**PLEASE NOTE: Books and characters © Mem Fox and the publishers – I in no way lay claim to ownership of the characters, images, books, or anything else pertaining to Mem Fox.**

If you enjoy my blog, use my printables, or just like what you see, please click one or both of the buttons below to rate or vote for my blog. This helps me to know if I’m doing what is what my readers want and need. Thank you in advance!!

The information that is posted on this blog is general information. It is not intended to substitute for obtaining advice from your principal, church or DRE. It is for informational and educational purposes only. All activities, games, information, etc. on this blog are free; however they are ONLY to be used for classroom and personal use. They may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. If you know someone who would benefit from these materials, please refer them to this blog. Do NOT share your materials with them. Copyright © 2008-2011. All rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.

Richard Scarry’s Birthday in The Busy World

Richard Scarry's 92nd Birthday Google Doodle

Today would be Richard Scarry’s 92nd birthday.  He’s best know for his Busytown books.  His characters are so cute and memorable.  I remember reading his books when I was a kid!!  I’m sure if I dug deep enough, I might even find a couple of them still in storage.

To honor Richard Scarry, I’ve created several materials to share with you.  Most of them were created around the covers of his books, but a few are his Busytown characters.  Right now, there’s only 3 items.  They are tic-tac-toe, jigsaw puzzles, and memory.  I hope to make more soon, as I just ran out of time!!

Here’s a thumbnail view of some of the printables available….

If you’re interested in any or all of these Richard Scarry printables, just…..

**PLEASE NOTE: Busytown books and characters © Richard Scarry and the publishers – I in no way lay claim to ownership of the characters, images, books, or anything else pertaining to Busytown or Richard Scarry.**

Don’t forget to check back throughout the week to see if I’m able to create any more items for Richard Scarry!!  What I have created so far is exclusive to my blog readers because I didn’t get them done on time for my groups, so please enjoy!!

If you enjoy my blog, use my printables, or just like what you see, please click one or both of the buttons below to rate or vote for my blog. This helps me to know if I’m doing what is what my readers want and need. Thank you in advance!!

The information that is posted on this blog is general information. It is not intended to substitute for obtaining advice from your principal, church or DRE. It is for informational and educational purposes only. All activities, games, information, etc. on this blog are free; however they are ONLY to be used for classroom and personal use. They may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. If you know someone who would benefit from these materials, please refer them to this blog. Do NOT share your materials with them. Copyright © 2008-2011. All rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.

Oscar the Grouch’s Birthday

Today is Oscar the Grouch’s birthday.  Everyone’s most lovable grouch celebrates his special day on 1 June.  For this occasion, I had to create some fun printables for the kids to celebrate with him!!

If Oscar is one of your favorites, check out….

Oscar the Grouch Fun Facts, Oscar’s Sesame Street page, and Oscar’s Muppet Wiki.

For our resident grouch, I created several puzzles in a variety of sizes.  There’s also Oscar the Grouch strip puzzles for 1-10 and skip counting.  I made some shape clothespin cards and some Oscar lacing cards.  You’ll also find some shadow match 2-piece puzzle cards and some label the color cards.  I think that no matter the age, kids will have fun with Oscar the Grouch!!

Here’s a thumbnail view of some of the  printables available….

If you’re interested in any or all of these Oscar the Grouch printables, just…..

**PLEASE NOTE:  Oscar the Grouch character © Jim Hanson and Sesame Street – I in no way lay claim to ownership of the character, images, books, or anything else pertaining to Oscar the Grouch or Sesame Street.**

If you enjoy my blog, use my printables, or just like what you see, please click one or both of the buttons below to rate or vote for my blog. This helps me to know if I’m doing what is what my readers want and need. Thank you in advance!!

The information that is posted on this blog is general information. It is not intended to substitute for obtaining advice from your principal, church or DRE. It is for informational and educational purposes only. All activities, games, information, etc. on this blog are free; however they are ONLY to be used for classroom and personal use. They may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. If you know someone who would benefit from these materials, please refer them to this blog. Do NOT share your materials with them. Copyright © 2008-2011. All rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.