July Sensory Bin - Our Nation

This sensory bin is a take on last year's sensory bin and is all about America.  This time I included a few surprises for the kiddos.  Can you figure out why I put them in?

• Blue and red dyed pasta (use vinegar and food color)
• Stars
• Red and blue bracelets
• Pom poms
• Flipper
• Keys
• Bus
• Horse
• Pineapple
• Ice cream
• Bucket
• Spoons

Preaparing the Molcajete

I have had my molcajete and tejolote sitting as a display piece for a really long time.  For some reason it intimidated me although I am a pretty good cook.  I made a resolve to use it, so I enlisted the kiddos to help me prepare and use the molcajete for the first time.

First, I set out the molcajete and we inspected it.  I had Mister and Ladybug guess what it was and from what material it was made.  Also, we watched how a molcajete was made.

Then it was time to prepare and make our guacamole.

Ladybug grinding up salt.

The Wee One seasoning the molcajete with garlic gloves and cumin.

Mister grinding up avocados for the guacamole.

Our finished guacamole.  I didn't get a single drop of the guacamole because they enjoyed it that much.    

My molcajete was relatively smooth and didn't need much work, so we sped up the preparing process.  We also made baked tortilla chips and had frijoles.

Our Easy and Kid Friendly Guacamole

2 avocados
1/2 Onion
Tomato
Cilantro
Lime

Holy Frijoles - Part 1

We have only done these activities a few times this month.  So far they have seemed to enjoy them.

Math

Mister and Ladybug put the correct number of links on the soccer ball and then add (join) two of them together.

Roll a graph - Mister and Ladybug rolled the die six times and added a sticker to the correct column.  

Literacy

The -et family

Ladybug is very excited to write and for a dollar I made her day.

Practical Life

We are still working on Mister's pencil grip, so I put out "Things from Mexico" pushpin.

Cultural/Geography

The Wee One

This work was first presented to Mister and Ladybug as an introductory lesson to colors in Spanish.  We did a group lesson on the rug and took turns matching and saying the colors.  Also, it's on the Wee One's shelf for color matching.  She finds is really easy and has attempted to say the Spanish words a few times.

There you have it.  Next month I really want to study Mexico and I have plans to include an artist study among other things.

Passport Please

Every traveller needs a passport and a suitcase and we are no exception.  Inside our suitcase are artifacts, a map, pictures, money, etc from Mexico.  All three kiddos have enjoyed sitting on their mats and going through suitcase and inspecting each item.

May Sensory Bin - Holy Frijoles

This month is brought to you by El Skippito Friskito and Mexico.

Mister and Ladybug were given SkippyJon Jones for their 3rd birthday and it has sat on the shelf mostly unread.  A few times we have tried to get through the book, but it wasn't until we listen to the audio version with Judith Schachner that Miser and Ladybug that they fell in love with series.  Even the Wee One walks around saying, "Not your beans!" I am taking their love for El Skippito Friskito, as he is known around here, we are doing a country study of Mexico.   It's time to dust off the Spanish (four credits shy of my degree) and take a trip to Mexico.

Edit - Never, ever try to take a picture and do a post before your first cup of coffee while your children are recovering from being sick.