There are zillions of books for kids about holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but not nearly as many about Earth Day. Trouble on Earth Day by Kathi Stemke not only fills that void, it's also a delightful picture book that will encourage children to appreciate and care for our environment all year long.
The pictures and plot are cute and young kids will enjoy hearing the book read aloud to them. Older children can read it themselves and participate in the many educational activities suggested. This would be a great book to add to school libraries as well as for families.

Reviewed by
Janet Collins
Children's author

This is a fun story told from a squirrel's point of view on ways to celebrate Earth Day.

It is chock full of recycling crafts to empower children to make a difference in their world.
I liked the nylon sachets and the CD picture frames/ornaments!

Patricia Karwatowicz
Children's author

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

VALENTINE'S DAY FUN!

Howstuffworks "How Valentine's Day Works"


http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/valentine,htm

The History of Valentine's Day

http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day

Valentine Exhibition-- Origins of the Valentine

http://www.americanantiquarian.org/Exhibitions/Valentines/origins.htm

Valentine's Day History

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/valentinedayhistory.html



Lesson Plans

Candy Heart Sentences Language Arts Lesson Plan

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/LAArtCandyHeartSentences34.htm

Conversation Heart Candy Math Math Lesson Plan

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/MathConversationHeartCandyMathIdea23.htm

Detective Valentine

http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=3028

Graphing Valentine Candies

http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/Lessons/2563.htm

How to Create a Valentine's Day Lesson Plan

http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/Lessons/2563.htm

Mend My Broken Heart Math Lesson Plan

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/MathLAAdditionSubtractionMendBrokenHeartIdea23.htm

Preschool Valentines Day Theme

http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/valentines/index.htm

St Valentine's Day

http://www.englishclub.com/esl-lesson-plans/activity3-valentine.htm

Valentine Letter Writing

http://www.suite101.com/content/valentine-letter-writing-a12457

Valentine Rap game Music Lesson Plan

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/MusicValentineRapGameIdeaP1.htm

Valentine's Day

http://www.schoollink.org/csd/pages/esl/valentin.html
Valentine's Day lesson plan

http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/valentine_plan1.htm

Valentine's Day Math Lesson Plans

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2544269/valentines_day_math_lesson_plans.html

Valentine's Kindness

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=492

Writing Acrostic Poems Valentines Poetry Lesson

http://k6educators.about.com/od/februarylessonplans/qt/valentines_poem.htm



Crafts

Bear Box Craft for Valentine's Cards

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/mbearbox.htm

Chocolate Boxes Paper Crafts - Learning Colors

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/m-chocolates-colors.htm

Chocolate Boxes Paper Crafts - Learning Letters

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/m-chocolates-letters.htm

Chocolate Boxes Paper Crafts - Learning Shapes

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/m-chocolates-shapes.htm
Gum Guy Cupids

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/be-my-valentine-gum-guy-cupids-666451/

Heartlight Candle Holders

http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/ys/CRAFTS/Heartlgt.htm

Heather the Heart Shapes Buddie

http://www.dltk-teach.com/shapes/mheart.htm

Love Bug

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/love-bug-671735/

Mosaic Heart for Valentine's Day

http://www.craftsbyamanda.com/2010/02/mosaic-heart-for-valentines-day.html
Valentine Placemat

http://www.teacherfunzone.com/valentine-placemat/

Valentine's Bee Craft

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/mvbee.html

Valentine's Day Crown or Hat

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/mcrown.htm

Valentine's Day Wreath Craft

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/mwreath.htm



Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html http://kathystemke.weebly.com/
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke

Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile

151 Great Craft Ideas for Mother's Day!

Why not put your kid's eager hands to work making something extra special for their mom? These crafty gifts are perfect for teachers looking for a holiday activity - and even better, wonderful for the friend of a mom or husband with absolutely no clue what to give.

I came across this website with 151 awesome craft projects for Mother's Day.

Mother's Day Central:
http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/mothers-day-crafts/

Kathy's Websites: Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.htmlhttp://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.htmlhttp://kathystemke.weebly.comFollow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemkeFollow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile

MOTHER'S DAY LESSONS!

General Information

The Complete History of Mother's Day
http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/about-mothersday/history/

Lesson Plans

Acrostic Mother's Day Poems
http://www2. scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=1259

Celebrate Mother's Day in a New Way!
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson263.shtml

Celebrating Mother's Day - MSSS Bible Lesson
http://www.mssscraf ts.com/miscellaneous/mothers.htm

Make a "Memories of Mom" Memento
http://www.educatio nworld.com/a_lesson/02/lp263-05.shtml

Mother's Day Activities
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/LAOMothersDayActivitiesIdeasK6.htm

Mothers Day for educators: Lesson plans
http://www.helium.com/items/327912-mothers-day-for-educators-lesson-plans

Mothers Day Lesson Plan
http://www.instructorweb.com/lesson/mothersday.asp

Painter for Mother's Day
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Arts/
Visual_Arts/ARA0202.html

Preschool Mother's Day Theme
http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/mothersday/index.htm

Music

Mother's Day Songs
http://www.perpetua lpreschool.com/mother_songs.html

http://www.amazingm oms.com/htm/holiday_mothersd ay_songs.htm

http://www.mothersdaycelebration.com/mothers-day-songs.html

Crafts

Creating Stained Glass Vases
http://www.brighthu b.com/education/k-12/articles/29854.aspx

Easy Soap Making
http://crafts.kaboose.com/ easysoap.html

Handprint Dishcloth
http://www.kinderar t.com/seasons/mother5.shtml

Helping Hands for Mom
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/holiday_mothersday_crafts2.htm

How to Make a Memory Book for Your Mother
http://www.ehow.com/how_16068_make-memory-book.html

Mother's Day Butterfly and Poem
http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/1061.html

Printouts
Mothers Day Award
http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/ mother/momcert.htm

Mother's Day Tracing I Love You Mom
http://www.printact ivities.com/TracingLetters/Shapes/I_ Love_You_ Mom_F.html

KATHY STEMKE'S WEBSITES:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.htmlhttp://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.htmlhttp://kathystemke.weebly.comFollow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemkeFollow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile

TEACHER RESOURCES AND FREEBEES!

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?board=3.0
Reusable craft ideas WOW!!

http://www.allthedaze.com/recycle.html
Recycle: great projects

http://www.projectalphabet.com/index.php
Make your own alphabet book with your digital photo-great!

http://kids.creativity-portal.com/d/articles/
Great site!

http://www.worksheetlibrary.com/
Some free worksheets.

http://www.school-clip-art.com/education_clipart.shtml
Free clip art

http://www.toolsforeducators.com/
Make dice, etc.

http://www.writinga-z.com/

·Federal Reserve Bank of New York-click on the education link and order free materials.

·Dole 5 a Day Program-encourages students to eat five servings of fruit or vegetables a day. Has both online materials and materials to order. (Shipping is suspended during the summer so order for fall in the spring) Your school must register but then all teachers can order their free materials.

·Crest-curriculum materials for 1st grade dental health

·Puffs-curriculum materials for 1st grade about germs

·Mead Parent Conference Packet-fill in a form and get a packet on how to have productive Parent Teacher conferences

·Starfall-will send free teaching materials and books for you to use in your classroom K-1st grade level

·Koko the Gorilla's Club for Kids-get free materials about Koko and the project of communicating with gorillas.

·The History Channel-offers various teacher's guides, calendars and other special offers for teachers.

·National Gallery of Art-borrow materials from here to enhance your art education program-well organized

·National Arbor Day Foundation-materials about the importance of trees, growing trees and other issues. A sampler pack is free other materials are available for costs

·Wright Center for Science Education at Tufts University-free posters dealing with various topics in science. Also have free lesson plans and teaching ideas available for download.

·National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information-offers a set of free magazines appropriate for Middle School. Poke around in this site and discover other anti-drug and drug education materials.

·State Farm Insurance-kits that include videos, posters, teaching guides, and handouts on a variety of subjects including character education, insurance basics, and other subjects. Also offers presentations to schools

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#<a href="http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html">http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com

Earth Day Activities II

Recycle toilet paper rolls to make napkin rings

1. Cut each roll in half.
2. Paint the ring.
3. Wrap 13 feet of thin ribbon around the ring and glue the ends.
4. Tie a large bow on the front.
5. Place a napkin in your new napkin holder.

Recycle cardboard and gift wrap to make a bookmark

1. Cut a cardboard rectangle 2 ½” by 7”.
2. Wrap it up like a gift.
3. Cut a 1” by 4” piece of construction paper.
4. Put each child’s name on the paper.
5. Glue it to the center of the bookmark.

Recycle short pieces of crayon

1. Put shavings of old crayons in a cookie mold.
2. Add several colors together.
3. Heat and let them melt together.
4. When cool, draw and see the interesting effects that you can make.

Pebble jar vase

1. Clean a large pickle jar. (4 ½” diameter)
2. Glue a 2” to 2 ½” jelly jar inside the pickle jar.
3. Place small rocks or pebbles between the two jars.
4. Tie raffia around the rim of the pickle jar.
5. Fill with dried flowers.

Make a pinecone birdfeeder

1. Tie some string around a large open pinecone
2. Spread peanut butter all over the cone.
3. Roll the cone in oatmeal, nuts, or birdseed.
4. Hang it from a tree and watch the birds feed.


Make a litterbug

1. Paint one section of a paper egg carton.
2. Poke three holes on each side of the body.
3. Place three pipe cleaners through the holes to make legs.
4. Glue beans, buttons, or small rocks on for eyes.
5. Glue yarn or a small twig for a mouth.


Recycle ice cream containers to make blocks

1. Wash them out.
2. Glue the lids on.
3. Paint them.
4. Have fun building things.

Recycle old nylons to make sachels

1. Cut a 4” section.
2. Tie one end with a ribbon.
3. Stuff with poppori.
4. Tie off the other end.
5. Hang them in closets.

Recycle old CD’s to make ornaments

1. Spray glitter on the CD.
2. Tie a ribbon through the hole to hang.
3. Take a picture of each child.
4. Cut the edges with pinking shears.
5. Glue the child’s picture in the center of the CD.

THINGS THAT FLY!

How High Can You Fly?

1. Tape a large piece of paper to the wall.
2. Practice jumping and touching the paper with one finger.
3. Put one finger on an ink pad
4. Take turns: jump, touch the paper, mark with ink
5. Measure the height with a ruler

Make paper airplanes with each students name on it. Place a 25 foot measuring tape outside on the playground. Have flying contests and measure how far each plane goes.

Balloon Craft

1. print out the template (click on picture to enlarge)
2. color the balloon
3. take digital pictures of each student in the class
4. cut out and glue students into the box
(tissue box or strawberry carton)
5. tie lengths of ribbon or string to each of the 4 corners of the box
6. glue or tape the other end of the string to the balloon
7. tape a fifth piece of string to the top to hang

Air Balloon Action
(I’m a Little Teapot Tune)

I’m a big bright balloon, way up high,
(from squat, rise up onto your toes)

Gliding on air currents, watch me fly!
(arms out, fly around the room)

When the air is used up, I’ll come down,
(touch the ground)

Swirling and whirling, to the ground!
(turn, spin, and squat)

For a dot-to-dot hot air balloon go to:
http://www.first-school.ws/t/cp_transportation/balloon_trace_c.htm