School Bell: Learning for sale..Cheap [part one]

Today Hanukkah is winding down, Christmas is coming soon, Kwanza right after, and birthdays are constantly popping up.  So, I decided to share a few of my favorite inexpensive tidbits to give for a quick learning boost for your kids.  No, these aren't commercial products and yes, they will require imagination and instructions [brief]. Here are a couple of suggestions to end the year with fun and discovery.

1. Magnifying glass--
Found in most department stores, kids stores, or online, these stimulate and build on the natural curiosity in all children. Add any kind of box or latching case and you have an instant science kit for collecting and comparing shells, pebbles, wood, or even different fabric clothes.  Add a memo blank book to keep track of their discoveries and comparisons. To really boost the fun, get a couple of different strength magnifying glasses for close and closer-ups. If you have time, download or print a list of adjectives they can choose from to widen their vocabulary in describing things.  Cost $3.95 and up.

2. Maps --
Develop an awareness of where we fit in the world with simple United States or World wall maps and a set of map tack markers.  Mark places where family members live.  Mark where friends move. Mark places in the news.  See how many states or countries you mark in a week, in a month, in a year. How many continents? One year we almost got all 50 states by Dec 31st.  I never saw kids listen to the national news so intently. They even brought articles cut [with permission] from magazines and newspapers at school. You will also gain dinner conversation topics as you talk about the stories you have found, the states that have the most [and why], the least, etc.  Cost: $2.99 and up.

Next Monday... a gift to make math practice FUN.... for under $1

Image credits: tedpella.com, geology.com