Everyone can have a summer of STEM! Channel your inner Benjamin Franklin with this electric activity from The Budding Scientist:

What You'll Need:

• Balloon (Safety note: Balloons pose a choking hazard. Use with care.)
• Empty soda can, clean and dry
• Wool item (Such as a sock, scarf, or sweater)

What to Do:

1. Ask an adult to blow up the balloon and tie a knot in it to keep the air in.
2. Rub your balloon on a wool sock, scarf, or sweater until you hear a faint crackling sound. (This "charges" the balloon with static electricity.)
3. Place an empty soda can on its side on a flat surface.
4. Hold the balloon near - but not touching - the can. The can will begin to roll quickly toward the balloon, as if pushed by an invisible hand!

Take this activity a step further!

Try the following experiments with a balloon that is charged with static electricity:

• Tear tissue into small pieces and hold the charged balloon over them. What happens?
• Hold the charged balloon near a running faucet. The thinner the stream of water, the better the effect. What happens to the water?

Books to pair with this activity:

• Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll by Franklyn M. Branley
• Switch On, Switch Off by Melvin Berger

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The Budding Scientist (ISBN: 978- 0-87659-385-1, 72 pages, $9.95) is available in both paperback and eBook formats at Kaplan Early Learning Company.

What does appropriate technology use look like in an early childhood classroom?

Follow these do's and don'ts from Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth, authors of Digital Decisions: Choosing the Right Technology Tools for Early Childhood Education, and you are off to a great start!

Do...

Be intentional with your technology practices. Incorporate technology into your weekly, monthly, and yearly planning for the group and for individual children.

Don't... Put technology devices out without planning for their use.

Do...

Infuse technology and digital devices into many interest areas in the classroom and offer them as choices with clear objectives.

Don't... Only use technology in the "Computer Center" or computer lab.

Do...

Use digital tools as options when they make experiences more meaningful or efficient and add value to learning.

Don't... Offer "computer time" only as an "edutainment" option during choice time or small-group time.

Do...

Use software and apps that help children meet curriculum learning objectives, meet program and state standards, and lead to deeper learning experiences.

Don't... Offer technology experiences as rewards or for entertainment purposes.

Do...

Select an array of devices, software, and apps that encourage creative thinking and offer multiple divergent learning paths.

Don't... Select software that is only designed to entertain or provide didactic instruction on discrete basic skills or computer skills.

Do...

Balance teacher-facilitated technology activities with those that are child-initiated and independent. Balance child-initiated independent technology experiences with those that involve small and large groups and collaboration.

Don't... Only allow children to use technology with a teacher in instructional experiences, and never allow independent exploration.

Do...

Develop systems in your classroom to track children's use of technology to ensure they are spending appropriate amounts of time engaging in a range of choices.

Don't... Think of technology experiences as "technology for technology's sake." In other words, don't put out the devices and let children explore them without capturing vital information.

Do...

Feel competent and confident when it comes to choosing and implementing the most appropriate technology tools for your early childhood classroom!

~~~

For more guidance in choosing and implementing the right technology tools in an early childhood classroom, check out Digital Decisions by Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth (available in paperback and e-book formats).

Praise for Digital Decisions:

"Digital Decisions will open your eyes and expand your awareness of how technology fits into a purposefully planned, child-centered classroom." –Paula Jorde Bloom, Michael W. Louis Endowed Chair, McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership

"Simon and Nemeth...transform the debate from defining technology as good or bad; rather, showing us how to use technology actively and interactively with good active and interactive early childhood programs." –Ellen Galinsky, Author, Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs

Teach children all about the Olympics with an activity that will help them develop and strengthen gross motor skills while building self-esteem.

Materials needed:

• Pictures of Olympics events
• Small table
• Chairs
• Scooters
• Balance beam
  
• Masking tape
• Balls
• Large blocks
• Tumbling mat

What to do:

1. Discuss the Olympics with the children and show them pictures of some Olympic events.
2. Have the children do some mock Olympic activities in the classroom but avoid making them competitive. The following are a few suggestions:
• Balancing on one foot for several seconds, then hopping on one or both feet from one point to another.
• Walking on a low balance beam or masking tape line and jumping off the end in victory stance.
• "Ski jumping" off a low table (make sure it is stable) and landing with bent knees.
• "Bob sledding" on a scooter by following a curved course marked with tape on the classroom floor.
• Tumbling on a gymnastics mat, doing somersaults and cartwheels.
• Playing ball games that involve bouncing, throwing, and catching.
• Following an obstacle course (e.g., large blocks to crawl under and around, row of chairs to crawl through, book stacks to step over).
3. After all children have had the opportunity to participate over several days, present ribbons to everyone. Parents may be invited to the ceremony.

More to do:

As an art project, have children decorate Olympic medals made from gold and silver paper glued to cardboard. Punch a hole in the top of each medal and thread through a string. These medals can be worn by everyone.

 ~~~

This activity was contributed by Rayne P. Reese and taken from The GIANT Encyclopedia of Theme Activities for Children 2 to 5. For more theme-based activities for young children, visit our website.

 Does your classroom feel more blah than beautiful this year?

Pin It to Win It!

Real Classroom Makeover Contest

Enter for the chance to win $5,000.00 worth of teaching resources from Kaplan Early Learning Company and a signed copy of Real Classroom Makeovers by Rebecca Isbell and Pamela Evanshen.

Contest Entry Period:  August 1 - August 31, 2012

Step 1:

• Go to www.kaplanco.com/contest and pin the graphic to get started.

• Follow us on Pinterest & create a board on your Pinterest profile with the title “My Kaplan Classroom Makeover.”
• Include at least 5 products from www.kaplanco.com and at least 1 image of your dream classroom or classroom inspiration. Pin each item with the hashtag #PinIt2WinIt.
• Kaplan products pinned on boards must total no more than $5,000. (This does not include taxes or shipping and handling.)

Step 2:

• “Like” us on Facebook & tell us why your classroom should be the winner!

• Post a comment with a link to your board on Kaplan Early Learning Company’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kaplanco.
• To be considered all comments must contain a link to a Pinterest board as described in Step 1.

Winner Selection:

• Kaplan Early Learning Company will choose one GRAND PRIZE WINNER among the participants, judged on creativity and originality (50%) and the use of Kaplan product images (50%).
• Winner will be announced on Facebook and Pinterest on September 3, 2012.
  

More Information About Your Pins:

• Entrants must follow all of the above instructions. All steps must be completed between 12:00 AM EST August 1, 2012 and 11:59 EST August 31, 2012.
• Limit one online entry per person regardless if entrant has more than one Pinterest account.
• Pinterest is invite-only, so if you haven’t already joined, you can request an invite from Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/about/help/

Have fun – we can’t wait to see your boards!

For additional information and official contest rules, visit www.kaplanco.com/contest.

 Have a look at our sample board for inspiration:

Grow a grassy guy or gal and play "hair" stylist -- creating everything from buzz cuts to ponytails and braids! Variations of this fun summer activity are quite popular on Pinterest. Our version is below (taken from The Budding Artist):

What You Will Need:

• Black marker
• Children's safety scissors
• Grass seeds
• Large Styrofoam cup
• Potting soil
• Small watering can
• Trowel or large spoon
• Water

What to Do:

1. Draw eyes, a nose, and a mouth on the outside of the cup.
2. Add potting soil to the cup, about two-thirds full.
3. Sprinkle grass seeds on top of the soil, then cover the seeds with a small amount of soil.
4. When you finish covering the seeds, pour a small amount of water into the cup. What do you think will happen? Do you think the grass will grow quickly or slowly? Why do you think you drew a face on the cup? How tall do you think the grass can grow?
5. After several days, when the grass grows and reaches a height of 1" to 2" above the rim of the cup, trim the grass with safety scissors. If you need help working the scissors, ask an adult how to use the scissors or ask him to put his hands over yours and guide you.

Try these ideas!

• Pull up a few of the blades of grass as they grow, and examine the roots.
• Cut out butterflies and bugs from construction paper, and use them to decorate the grass.

Books to enjoy with this activity!

• The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krass
• In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming
  

 ~~~

For more art-inspiring activities perfect for ages three to six, check out The Budding Artist (ISBN 978-0-87659-384-4, paperback and e-Book formats, $9.95). This fun-filled collection of arts and crafts activities will help you and your child have as much fun creating art as admiring the finished product!