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Hey parents, snuggle your kids into bed and give the MCPL Bedtime Story Line a call for a reading of one of our bedtime favorites. New stories will be posted every Thursday evening. Call 828.649.5252 to listen to this week's story.

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Check out these fun classes with famed children's author Mo Willems.

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Author and Illustrator Mo Willems has been awarded the American Library Association’s Caldecott Honor three times for his picture book illustration. Additionally, he is the recipient of two Theodor Geisel Medals and five Geisel Honors for his Elephant & Piggie early readers. Mo began his career as a writer and animator on Sesame Street, where he garnered six Emmy Awards. His work has been exhibited around the world, including solo retrospectives at the High Museum in Atlanta and the New-York Historical Society. Over the last decade, Mo has written three musical theater works based on his books, two of which were commissioned and toured by the Kennedy Center.

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Yummo!  Make something for me!  :)

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Rice balls like this are called Onigiri and are traditional "kid-food" in Japan and Hawaii. They are often stuffed with umeboshi, which are salted preserved plums. Our mom's family would sometimes substitute canned tuna for umeboshi.

Continue Reading...

This deliciously warm dishes really hits the spot on a brisk autumn day!

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These cutie pies are a fall favorite!

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Perfect soup to welcome in the Autumn season!

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Fall into autumn with a fun way to spice up your cupcakes!

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Here's a quick refreshing drink that will start your day off just right.

Continue Reading...

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Rice balls like this are called Onigiri and are traditional "kid-food" in Japan and Hawaii. They are often stuffed with umeboshi, which are salted preserved plums. Our mom's family would sometimes substitute canned tuna for umeboshi. Continue Reading... This deliciously warm dishes really hits the spot on a brisk autumn day!

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So...as the summer break has begun we are trying to relax at night and sleep. I found this book, and a YouTube video of the book. It has been nice to watch at night and try the moves.

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Mariam Gates - Good Night Yoga (Book Excerpt)

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Produce pick-up today!! (Wednesday)

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Mrs. Carney has tried for years to get the chance to see this in real person.  This year they are opening it up to all to experience!  Check it out TONIGHT!

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Virtual Fireflies Event presented by Discover Life in America

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The International Space Station Sighting.....this week!

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The International Space Station Sighting.....this week!

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Read......Celebrate......Give.......

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As parents, educators, public librarians and community leaders, we applaud all you have done for your children and students to keep them learning through unprecedented closing of schools. As we enter the summer months there is no doubt we are all continuing to adjust to this new reality together.

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Random House Launches Virtual 'Magic Tree House' Program

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Random House Launches Virtual 'Magic Tree House' Program

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Create a SUMMER SAFARI Adventure from Home with Jack and Annie!

The magic tree house has whisked Jack and Annie away on a NEW adventure this summer, and you get to come along! This week, learn about animals, explore faraway lands, and experience cultures from around the world with Jack and Annie on your own SUMMER SAFARI! Your adventure starts today-right from HOME!

Settle in for fun storytime videos from Mary Pope Osborne, download safari-themed activities, craft ideas, and recipes, play trivia games, participate in reading challenges, and more!
Join us on safari ALL WEEK, beginning August 3!
Are you up for the challenge? Complete the Summer Safari reading challenge to download an exclusive prize!

Are you ready for adventure? Read and explore with Jack and Annie!

Featured Books

Do you want to learn more? Check out these companion Magic Tree House Fact Trackers!

Featured Fact Trackers

DOWNLOAD THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS TO GET STARTED!

READ ALONG WITH MARY POPE OSBORNE

Mary is your summer safari guide on this week's Home Adventure as she reads from Jack and Annie's newest adventure, Late Lunch with Llamas! Watch the video below, and read along with Mary Pope Osborne!

Continue to explore South America with Mary as she reads from Afternoon on the Amazon. You can view the storytime video below!

LISTEN ALONG WITH LISTENING LIBRARY

DOWNLOAD ADDITIONAL SERIES RESOURCES

ASK THE AUTHOR

Watch below as Mary answers a few of your frequently asked questions!

We hope you enjoyed adventuring with Jack & Annie! With a parent's help, use this form to tell us a bit more about your experience.

To give back to teachers. Mary Pope Osborne created the Classroom Adventures Program, which provides free downloadable resources including lesson plans for every book and nonfiction Fact Tracker in the series. Please click here to find even more educational resources for this week's Home Adventures books and Fact Trackers!

Did you miss a week of Home Adventures? Check out the Home Adventures Archive for past adventures!

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Create a SUMMER SAFARI Adventure from Home with Jack and Annie! The magic tree house has whisked Jack and Annie away on a NEW adventure this summer, and you get to come along! This week, learn about animals, explore faraway lands, and experience cultures from around the world with Jack and Annie on your own SUMMER SAFARI!

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We're going on a trip....... A virtual field trip, that is!!!! :)

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We're going on a trip....... A virtual field trip, that is!!!! :)

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I just think these little videos are fun. One of the music Googles looks like an electric keyboard. That the Google for Bob Moog who lived in Asheville, NC.

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You are amazing!

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Come up with things and games to do for field day!
Bottle flip
Egg toss
Izzy dizzy bat race
3 legged race
Add to the ideas and have lots of fun

Www.thepespecialist.com

For some more ideas

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Trumpet is a popular instrument with kids, so here is a nice video about it.

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Trumpet is a popular instrument with kids, so here is a nice video about it.

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Do you know what time it is?? Summer Reading Signup! The Madison COunty Public Library will have BINGO game cards for elementary, middle school, teens, and adults. Our kind of fun in the sun... Sign up online at https://bit.ly/srp2020 and get your materials after June 1.

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Name one of your strengths in the comments ❤️

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Lava Lamp Experiment with Ms. Adams and Ella

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Education is power!

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Toys Go Out

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Free!!! ❤️

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Junior Geologists Camp

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDIEBLOX

Is your kid interested in volcanoes, gems, and weird rock formations? In this camp they'll join other young geologists, uncover terrestrial secrets, and work on the included GoldieBlox Crystal Growing Kit.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDIEBLOX Is your kid interested in volcanoes, gems, and weird rock formations? In this camp they'll join other young geologists, uncover terrestrial secrets, and work on the included GoldieBlox Crystal Growing Kit.

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Virtual field trips allow children to visit places around the world without ever leaving their homes. Through virtual field trips, they can visit other states, countries across the globe, and even other planets. This allows children to experience places they wouldn't get to see otherwise. Virtual field trips are also great for when you can't get out due to illness or can't afford to travel. Here are several free resources your family can use to take virtual field trips.

Free Virtual Field Trips

Africam - Watch animals in the African bush live.

AG Explorer - Provides a variety of agriculture related virtual field trips.

All About Birds - Watch birds all over the US and world via live webcams.

Anne Frank House - Take a 360-degree tour of Anne Frank's home in Amsterdam.

Beyond the Battle Field - Watch a behind the scenes video-based field trip of the Museum of the American Revolution.

Boeing Aerospace Tour - Join Boeing on a virtual field trip to the Johnson Space Center.

The British Museum - View the museum's galleries online.

Buckingham Palace - Tour the famous London palace virtually.

Collum's Lumber Mill - Watch the process of pine trees being made into lumber.

E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum - Browse the online collection or search for a specific specimen.

Ellis Island - Visit Ellis Island with this video created by Scholastic.

Explore - Watch animals all over the world with these live webcams.

Eggs in Schools - Take a video-based tour of several egg farms.

Farm Tours - Learn about agriculture through these virtual tours of farms in Canada.

Ford's Theater - Tour the site of Abraham Lincoln's assassination through panoramic images.

Great Wall of China - This panoramic virtual tour allows you to walk the Great Wall.

Holy Land Tour - Virtually visit Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and more.

Houston Zoo - Watch animals in several of their exhibits via live webcam.

International Space Station - Take a video tour of the space station.

The Louvre Museum - Explore exhibits at this famous art museum in Paris, France.

Marineland Dolphin Adventure - Learn about dolphins, sea turtles, and more during this video-based tour.

Mars - Explore the surface of Mars in a 360-degree view while learning about the planet and space exploration.

Memphis Fire Department - Watch a video tour of the fire department.

MetKids - Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Arts with an interactive map and videos.

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Watch sea creatures in this California aquarium with the live animal cam.

Mount Everest - Explore the mountain through 360-degree photos and informative articles.

Mount Olive Tour - Learn how pickles are made with this video tour.

Mount Vernon - Take an interactive and informative tour of George Washington's home in Virginia.

NASA Glenn Research Center - Take a look around the facilities with these interactive virtual tours.

National Aquarium - Take a virtual tour of this aquarium located in Baltimore, Maryland.

National Museum of the US Air Force - Take a virtual tour of this museum.

Power Plant Tour - Learn what goes on inside a power plant.

San Diego Zoo - Watch live videos and learn about animals, play games, and more on this interactive website.

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Virtually explore many current and past museum exhibits.

Son Doong Cave - Explore the world's largest cave with 360-degree images.

The Statue of Liberty - Learn about the Statue of Liberty through the videos and photographs in this virtual tour.

Titanic Wreckage - Virtually tour the Titanic wreckage on the ocean floor.

Vatican Museums - Virtualy tour numerous museums, chapels, and galleries.

The Virtual Rainforest - Learn about the rainforest with this interactive tour that includes informative videos and articles.

Virtual Trip to the Sun - Take a video-based journey from the Earth from the Sun, stopping at our moon, Venus, and Mercury.

Yosemite National Park - Tour the park with interactive panoramic photographs.

Zoo Tours - This YouTube channel visits zoos all over the country.

AirPano - Visit locations all over the world virtually with 360-degree videos and photographs.

Discovery Education - This website offers a wide variety of virtual field trips.

360 Cities - Provides interactive 360-degree videos and images of locations around the world.

Sites in 3D - Tour locations across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Yemen, and many other countries using 360-degree images.

Google Arts and Culture - View the art collections of over 500 different museums and galleries. Some of the museums also offer full virtual tours.

Google Earth - "Fly" anywhere in the world in seconds, explore hundreds of cities in 3D, take guided tours, and create your own maps and stories.

Google Maps Street View - Type in any address, select street view and explore the area. Not only can you take a virtual trip down the streets, but you can also "step" into many museums, landmarks, and other attractions. Here are some I've found.

The White House - Washington, D.C.

The Colosseum - Rome, Italy

Stonehenge - Wiltshire, United Kingdom

Palace of Versailles - Versailles, France

Wilson Island - Great Barrier Reef, Australia

This is just a small sample of the places you can tour with Google Maps. Search for other locations that interest your family and see if Google will let you take a peak inside.

Other Posts You May Enjoy
Free Virtual Science Labs and Dissections Homeschool History with YouTube Homeschool Science with YouTube
Free Curriculum for all Subjects and Every Grade - Simply choose a subject from the menu on the main page to get started.
Note: This post was originally published on March 16, 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Virtual Field Trips | Freedom Homeschooling

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Virtual field trips allow children to visit places around the world without ever leaving their homes. Through virtual field trips, they can visit other states, countries across the globe, and even other planets. This allows children to experience places they wouldn't get to see otherwise.

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Something for us all to work on this week! ❤️

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From all of us at Brush Creek and Hot Springs ❤️

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From all of us at Brush Creek and Hot Springs ❤️

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Try setting up different stations outside... keep your kiddos entertained for hours... ❤️

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Madison County Schools: Food Pickup 4-6 today at Mars Hill FD Annex, Spring Creek FD, Walnut FD, Laurel FD, Hot Springs Salvation Army and Ebbs Chapel Comm Cent

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This work of composer Aaron Copland is 'Fanfare for the Common Man.'  It is beautiful and the video .....well...just watch.

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This work of composer Aaron Copland is 'Fanfare for the Common Man.'  It is beautiful and the video .....well...just watch.

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This Resource Includes:
1. The Imagine Neighborhood Podcast: Solving Problems With the Fire Pirates
2. Dr. Sherri’s Emotion Experiments
3. Mr. Music Man, Lindsay Jones Calming Music
4. I Like To Move It, Move It! Calm it Down Dance
5. Mind Yeti Mindfulness Practice

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JOIN THE IMAGINATION CONVERSATION: Problem Solving with the Fire Pirates!

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Hello from The Imagine Neighborhood! This week on the show, we helped Cap’n Marion resolve her eternal feud with Fieryous George the Lava Monster. This week’s activities will build upon important problem-solving skills and themes to help you and your kids better solve those tough problems that come…

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I highly recommend this ❤️

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Parenting tips

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Kids Regressing? Help Them Cope With Stress During Coronavirus | Parenting Tips & Advice | PBS KIDS for Parents

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What can stress look like in kids? Here are ways to understand and support your children's feelings of stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Decorating our home with creations from today!!! 

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Decorating our home with creations from today!!! 

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What is something you have created that is special to you?

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1. Take off crayon wrappers
2. Break them into small pieces
3. Put them into silicone/metal (baking proof) molds... We found ours on Amazon
4. Set oven to 200 degrees
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes (until crayons are completely melted)
5. Let cool around 30 minutes
Ta-Da Beautiful Creations ❤️

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For any families with younger children!! 

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For any families with younger children!! 

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I love the Imagination Library!
https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/affiliate/NCPCMADISON/?chkAvalAddressData=eyJjYWxsYmFjayI6dHJ1ZSwiYWRkcmVzcyI6eyJjb3VudHJ5IjoiVVMiLCJ6aXAiOiIyODc1MyIsInN0YXRlIjoiTkMiLCJjaXR5IjoiTWFyc2hhbGwiLCJjb3VudHkiOiJNYWRpc29uIiwic3RyZWV0IjoiIn19

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Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program

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Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program

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North Carolina has been approved for the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. This program will provide extra help buying groceries for the families of the more than 800,000 children who normally receive free and reduced lunch at school.

Families will receive approximately $370 in total P-EBT benefits per child, provided over two installments. Families can use the P-EBT benefit to purchase food items at EBT authorized retailers, including most major grocery stores.Unused benefits will rollover month-to-month and must be used within 365 days.

Families do not need to apply for the P-EBT program. P-EBT eligible families currently receiving Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits received an additional benefit on their existing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.

P-EBT eligible families not currently enrolled in FNS will be mailed an EBT card in the next few weeks and will receive a letter from NCDHHS in the mail explaining how to activate and use their card.

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What is P-EBT?

NCDHHS, working in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, requested activation of the Pandemic Electronic Benefits program (P-EBT) program for North Carolina families to use during school closures. The P-EBT program provides a benefit on an EBT card to North Carolina families whose children have access to free and reduced lunch at school. The P-EBT card will function like a standard EBT card, and the same guidelines will apply.

Who is eligible for P-EBT?

All families with one or more children in their household who normally have access to free and reduced lunch at school are eligible for P-EBT benefits. Due to school closures caused by COVID-19 pandemic, these households are now eligible to receive a benefit on an EBT card to help them buy food for their children.

Students over 18 will receive P-EBT benefits if they are enrolled in school and would have normally had access to free or reduced lunch.

There are two categories of ways people will receive benefits:

P-EBT benefits for P-EBT families already receiving Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits will be issued mid-May.

P-EBT eligible families who are not already receiving FNS benefits will receive an EBT card in the mail in mid to late May, as long as their mailing address on file with their school is up to date. These families will first receive a letter from NCDHHS in the mail explaining how to activate and use their card.

P-EBT benefits will be staggered when released to take into consideration supply chain needs and other Food and Nutrition (FNS) benefits. We expect the second issuance to happen the first two weeks of June 2020.

There are two categories of ways people will receive benefits and thus the answer varies:

P-EBT families actively receiving Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits will need to contact their caseworker to report the change of address and if needed, to reissue their EBT card via NC FAST.

P-EBT families not actively receiving Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits will not have benefits showing in NC FAST. Their benefits will be available in ebtEDGE and any updates to address and reissuance of card will need to be conducted in that system.

It should be noted that undeliverable cards will be returned to the EBT vendor. Counties will receive a report of the undeliverable cards and someone will attempt to contact the family to get their card to them. These attempts will be made via the phone number on file for the child(ren) in the Department of Public Instruction's records, or through collaboration with your local school if the phone number on file is not correct.

Families will receive approximately $371 in total P-EBT benefits per child, provided over two installments. The first allotment accounts for closed school days in March and April 2020. The second allotment accounts for closed school days, May 1 - June 12th, 2020.

Families receiving a P-EBT card will need to create a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to activate the card. Applicants may log into www.ebtEdge.com, utilize the ebtEDGE mobile app, or call 1-888-622-7328 to complete this process.

The family will be asked to enter the date of birth of the youngest school age child receiving free or reduced lunch in the household prior to creating the PIN.

For example: The household consists of 2 school age children; one is 13 years old (DOB: 04/04/2007) and one is 15 years old (DOB: 01/01/2005) and both receive free or reduced lunch through school. To create the PIN, the family would enter the date of birth for the 13 year-old (04042007). The user will then be prompted to create a unique PIN.

Note: If there are multiple children in your household it may be necessary to try each child's date of birth to successfully activate your P-EBT card.

If the household is on the report as being approved for P-EBT: The list was generated from information obtained from the Department of Public Instruction. There is no application process for the P-EBT through the Department of Social Services, applicants must apply for and be approved to receive free or reduced-price meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The household must contact the child's school to apply for free and reduced-price meals.

If the household is not on the report as being approved for P-EBT and wants a hearing: Hearing rights are not applicable to this special issuance because the household did not make an application for P-EBT benefits through the department of social services. The information was based on the application for free or reduced meals through DPI (https://www.dpi.nc.gov). The household must contact the school for further information about free or reduced meals eligibility.

If the household is listed on the report as being issued a card but it went to someone other than the individual that is stating the children are living with them: The list was generated from information obtained from the Department of Public Instruction. If the information is incorrect the client will need to contact the local school to correct the information for future reference. There is no application process for the P-EBT through the Department of Social Services, applicants must apply for and be approved to receive free or reduced-price meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The household will need to contact the person that received the card and have them provide the card to the person the child(ren) are currently living. The household must contact the child's school to apply for free and reduced-price meals.

The Department of Health and Human Services will utilize data contained in the Department of Public Instruction file to confirm sibling sets and consolidate "household" records as much as possible. Children in the same household should be issued on one card in the Head of Household's name as indicated in the information sent from the Department of Public Instruction.

Exception: Foster children in congregate care will have the same address, however they will not be linked as a household and would receive individual cards There also may be instances with siblings in the same household that do not consolidate correctly via DPI data. In these cases, households may receive individual cards.

All children, under age 18, who normally has access to free and reduced lunch at school are eligible for P-EBT benefits. This includes children in foster care as reported by their school. The P-EBT card for children in foster care will go to the address as reported within the child's school record.

Foster children in congregate care will have the same address, however they will not be linked as a household and would receive individual cards.

There is no cost to the recipient as the P-EBT benefit is entirely federally funded. The State does not provide any of the cost of P-EBT benefits but does incur some modest costs to operationalize the program.

Families who receive P-EBT benefits will not have to pay back the benefits.

North Carolinians can call 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162, 24 hours a day to speak to an NC 211 call specialist. NC 211 has up-to-date resources and information to help people through these difficult times. NC 211 will link callers to resources such as food pantries and distributions, state government resources, mental health and healthcare assistance, general information on COVID 19, and current information on closures and government notices. Calls to 211 are free and confidential and the service is available in most languages. The NC 211 resource database can also be searched on-line at www.nc211.org.

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Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program

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North Carolina has been approved for the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. This program will provide extra help buying groceries for the families of the more than 800,000 children who normally receive free and reduced lunch at school.

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Comment below which career interests you most!

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WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Have you ever thought about what you want to be when you grow up? A good way to start thinking of what you want to do for a career is to think of things that interest you. Do you like to bake? You may want to own your own bakery or restaurant. Do you like math or science? There are lots of careers such as a fighter pilot or meteorologist that use math and science to do their job. You can do or be anything you want with a little hard work. Below you will find some videos to help you explore what career you may want to work towards.

Have you ever thought about what careers may look like in the future? Click the video below to hear students discuss different thoughts and ideas about the future.

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Have you ever thought about what you want to be when you grow up? A good way to start thinking of what you want to do for a career is to think of things that interest you. Do you like to bake? You may want to own your own bakery or restaurant.

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Make some homemade freezer jam with your family!

All you need....

2 cups crushed strawberry’s

4 cups sugar

1 packet of Sure🍓Jell

3/4 cup of water (follow directions on Sure-Jell package)

Jars or plastic containers

Enjoy ❤️

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Comment below what career interests you most!

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Exploring different careers Pre K-2

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Hello parents and students. Usually this time of year we would have a career day at a school. This year we still want to ensure your child has the opportunity to participate in a career day so they can hear all about different careers. This year we will be holding a Virtual Career Day. Please have fun with your child exploring all the different activities on this page while learning about different careers. This page is filled with different videos, songs and stories. Be sure to share with your child what you do for a career and discuss things they are interested in becoming. Education is an important first step in helping students to explore and learn and develop who they are, who they will be and what they will become.

StoryBots, What To Be when You Grow Up Video

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Exploring different careers Pre K-2 Hello parents and students. Usually this time of year we would have a career day at a school. This year we still want to ensure your child has the opportunity to participate in a career day so they can hear all about different careers.

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Exploring Emotions | Sesame Street in Communities

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When you help children to understand and express their emotions, you help them to grow and thrive.

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This week your lesson is to play outside for at least 30 min. Try and get outside at least twice a day. The weather is going to beautiful! Soak up some Vitamin D.

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Mental Health Support

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Toys Go out!

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4-6 PM

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Parents be aware, I sing the original song in German to begin with, which might song funny to the kids

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I hope this brings a smile to your face today! :) 

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I hope this brings a smile to your face today! :) 

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In a special performance from a riverbank in the woods, Kermit the Frog sings Rainbow Connection, his Oscar-nominated hit.

The song was originally written for the frog and his banjo by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher for 1979's The Muppet Movie. Watch the original here. From Vanity Fair:

Swamp-dweller Kermit plucks a banjo, contemplating rainbows and "what's on the other side"-much like Judy Garland's Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. But "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was not the song's main inspiration.

"The model we used was ' When You Wish Upon a Star,' which opened Disney's ," Williams said. "This is Kermit's 'I am' song. This song will show that Kermit has an inner life, a spiritual life..."

"The thing that is so human about the song, and spiritual at the same time, is that it honors the questions, not the answers," Williams explained. "That moment made Kermit not the mentor, not the teacher, not the preacher. He became a seeker with the audience."

This video is tagged with made for kids, but really, it's made for all ages. Watch this next: Judy Garland sings Over the Rainbow for U.S. troops (1943).

Plus: More muppets and more Jim Henson, including How to make puppets with Jim Henson (1969).

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Rainbow Connection, a 2020 performance by Kermit the Frog | The Kid Should See This

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In a special performance from a riverbank in the woods, Kermit the Frog sings Rainbow Connection, his Oscar-nominated hit. The song was originally written for the frog and his banjo by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher for 1979's The Muppet Movie . Watch the original here.

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This week..Sing with Me (Wednesday), Front Porch Music (Thursday), and make an instrument

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Toys Go Out

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Make sure you only add a small about of water to your paint/bubble mixture... recipe down below...

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For those of you that enjoy these hunts... I know my daughter and I have a lot of fun with them!

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30 Kids Crafts That Are Fun for the Entire Family

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Kiddie crafters of all ages will love getting creative with these fun and easy projects. From handmade jewelry to science projects, paper crafts and pom-poms, there's a DIY to delight everyone.

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As requested by students, here are some fun and easy crafts to try at home...

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This post and its photos may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!

These 50+ quick and easy kids crafts can be made in under 30 minutes using items that you probably already have around the house! No special tools or skills are required, so ANYONE can make these cute crafts for kids! Great fun for the entire family!

50+ Quick & Easy Kids Crafts

One of the #1 things that people often say to me is, "I would love to make creative projects with my kids, but I'm just not crafty. I don't even know where to start!" My reply is always, "Trust me, you do NOT need to consider yourself 'crafty' to start getting creative with your children!" There are hundreds upon hundreds of craft projects that you can make with your children that require NO special skills or tools and that take less than half an hour of your time. In fact, most of these 50+ quick and easy kids craft project ideas that I've rounded up here actually take less than FIFTEEN minutes to make!

Why Craft with Your Kids?

A recent study by Dr. Richard Rende revealed that creative interaction between parents and young children engaging in activities like arts and crafts not only provides immediate and lasting cognitive benefits but also creates a unique bonding experience, which creates lifelong memories. Taking time to be creative with your children is a topic that I am incredibly passionate about. I know firsthand the benefits that children reap when they are exposed to arts and crafts activities, and in an age where arts are in a decline in the school systems, it is even more important than ever for parents to take the initiative to introduce art activities to their children.

Other key findings of Dr. Rende's study showed that:

* Arts and crafts engage multiple brain areas simultaneously and

improve bilateral coordination between the left and right sides of

the brain, leading to immediate and future cognitive development.

* Activities like arts and crafts accelerate the development of muscles

in the hands and fingers, improving fine motor skills that are

essential for school success in the earliest formal years.

* Face-to-face interaction in the early years is critical for optimal

* Arts and crafts promote rich social interactions that help develop

language skills and social cognitive abilities like understanding

* Creative activities are a great way to bond with children and create
Nearly 90% of the parents surveyed for the study said that they would like to spend more time creating arts and crafts with their children, but they didn't know where to start or how to carve out the time needed.
With this list of quick and simple crafts, I'm hoping that I can show you that there is always an easy to bond and spend creative time together. It's SO simple!

These Recycled Tin Can Windsocks are one of my family's favorite crafts to make (we've also made a turkey version for Thanksgiving!), and they only require a recycled can, paint, glue, and ribbon!

Bird Seed Ornaments are a fun easy kids craft that your feathered friends will also enjoy!

Quick & Easy Kids Crafts

Quick & Easy Kids Crafts

Lunch Sack Kites are a fun easy kids craft that's perfect for a windy day!

Dyed Pasta Necklaces are one of those classic kids crafts that never goes out of style! Quick, easy, and inexpensive - now that's my kind of crafting!

Kids who love to sort and put things into color order will especially love this fun Pom Pom Rainbow craft for kids!

Just a few basic supplies are all that you need to make this awesome Hawaiian Flower Lei Necklace!

These cute are just one of the many ways that you can paint and decorate rocks! Perfect for decorating your yard and garden!

are a great way to stay cool in summer! A super fun and useful kids craft!

These awesome DIY Spinner Toys provide hours of entertainment!

Bring this Fire Breathing Dragon to life with a cardboard tube, tissue paper, pom poms, and googly eyes!

These adorable Baby Turtle God's Eyes couldn't be any cuter!

No matter which of these fun kids crafts that you and your child choose to create, you're sure to build lasting memories and have a great time together! Happy crafting!

You May Also Like These Other Quick & Easy Kids Crafts:
20 Easy Spring Crafts for Kids
Easy Easter Kids Crafts - made with things around the house!
15 Easy Easter Crafts for Preschoolers and Toddlers
15 Cute & Easy Butterfly Crafts for Kids

Pin These Easy Kids Crafts for Later!

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50+ Quick & Easy Kids Crafts that ANYONE Can Make!

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50+ quick and easy kids craft project ideas that take less than thirty minutes to make - no special tools or skills required - ANYONE can make these!

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Pinecones

Peanut Butter

Bird Seed

Ribbon

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This post and its photos may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Did you know that February is National Bird Feeding Month? Honestly, I didn't either, but it ties in perfectly with this super easy craft, don't you think?

I filled the bottom of a shallow pan with some birdseed. I love foil roasting pans for jobs like these (I use them for everything from marble painting to paper making, and we always are able to reuse them dozens of times before they finally lose their shape and need to be recycled. I pick them up at the Dollar Tree where they're 2/$1). A shallow cardboard box or box lid would also be perfect. The boys loved the sensory aspect of sifting through the birdseed, picking out the corn and sunflower seeds, and sorting the other seeds into different sizes.

We selected a couple of pinecones that we collected on our last nature walk, and the boys got to work covering the pinecones with peanut butter.

(Be sure to sneak huge amounts of peanut butter when you think Mom isn't looking!)

Once your pinecone is completely covered with peanut butter, place it into the tray of birdseed. We chose to leave the very top of our pinecones un-peanutbuttered for easier handling and ribbon tying later.

Roll the pinecone around in the birdseed until it is completely covered.

Tie on a ribbon, hang it from your favorite tree, and wait for your feathered friends to come and feast!

(Looks like they like the sunflower seeds!)

I think I may need to resurrect the idea of a sensory bin for these guys! They loved playing in tubs full of dry rice and beans when they were toddlers, but I didn't realize how much fun they still have with stuff like this, just in completely new and imaginative ways!

Filed Under: Kids, Outdoors

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This post and its photos may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! Did you know that February is National Bird Feeding Month?

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Dish soap

paint

cups

straws

paper

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The boys and I were looking for something new and fun to do on a particularly windy and overcast morning this past week. I was finishing up the breakfast dishes and remembered that bubble painting with dish soap was on our project to-do list, and I figured it would be the perfect day for it.

The first thing I did (beside gathering up my eager project testers and covering them up in painting aprons) was to cover my countertop - we like to use shower curtains from the dollar store because they clean up nicely, they are reusable, and they are a bit thicker than your typical plastic tablecloth. I also put a couple of paper towels underneath each kiddo, because this project has some seriously messy potential!

Supplies needed: Dish soap, paint (we used washable tempera paint), cups, straws and paper. We used white construction paper, but watercolor paper would be especially good if you have some handy.

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The boys and I were looking for something new and fun to do on a particularly windy and overcast morning this past week. I was finishing up the breakfast dishes and remembered that bubble painting with dish soap was on our project to-do list, and I figured it would be the perfect day for it.

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One cup of flour

3 teaspoons of baking powder

1 teaspoon of salt

Add water... making the consistency of pancake batter (start with small amounts then add more as needed)

Divide mix into Ziploc Bags with food coloring...

Squish it all around to mix up the colors!

Place Rubber Bands around the bags and cut a tiny hole in the tip of the bag....

HAVE FUN!!

Once you make your creation... Microwave for 30-45 Seconds...

Share your masterpieces!!!

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DIY paint that puffs up in the microwave? Sounds like a surefire hit to me! I saw this idea on Mommy Labs awhile ago and filed away for a rainy day. Today just happened to be the perfect combination of rain and bored kiddos, so I whipped up a batch - quick, easy, and SUPER fun!

We started with one cup of flour and mixed in 3 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt and enough water to make it the consistency of pancake batter. We divided our mix into four parts and put them into snack size Ziploc baggies along with some food coloring. Part of the fun was squishing it all around to mix up the colors!

Rubber band the baggies like you would if you were icing a cake and snip off the teeniest little bit of the tip.

Paint away! When you're finished, pop the painting into the microwave for 30-45 seconds and watch the paint puff up and grow - such fun! I loved that it was completely dry out of the microwave so we didn't have to worry about any extra messes or accidents as our pile of paintings grew.

We made about ten paintings this morning, and we still have plenty of paint leftover so that Sawyer can have a chance to try it when he gets home from school too. Nothing beats cheap entertainment, especially with some fine motor skills practice and a built-in kitchen science lesson!

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DIY paint that puffs up in the microwave? Sounds like a surefire hit to me! I saw this idea on Mommy Labs awhile ago and filed away for a rainy day. Today just happened to be the perfect combination of rain and bored kiddos, so I whipped up a batch - quick, easy, and SUPER fun!

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Here are some new ideas for you this week, artists! 

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Here are some new ideas for you this week, artists! 

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Mother's Day ideas, weaving, paper marbling, drawing, architecture, and clay! Oh My!!

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You add an exercise or movement to the course that I started

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Listen along as we read our 2nd One Book, One School Book

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Mrs. Carney and Reed Introduce "Toys Go Out" stay tuned........

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Mrs. Carney and Reed Introduce "Toys Go Out" stay tuned........

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12-2 PM Beacon of Hope Services Marshall

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Happening Today 5/1/20 Kids Summer Clothes 

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Happening Today 5/1/20 Kids Summer Clothes 

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Beacon of Hope Services Marshall

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Let me know if you complete this scavenger hunt? What was the hardest item to find?

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Guided Lesson through Dynamics from Cincinnati Symphony

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Guided Lesson through Dynamics from Cincinnati Symphony

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Just saying hey and guiding you through the listening of the lesson below.

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Followup to Dynamics with the Cincinnati Symhpny

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Hope you enjoy this story and activity.

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Parents, this is a great resource for different questions to ask about kids artwork.

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Lets all fill someones bucket today!!! (and our OWN) 

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Lets all fill someones bucket today!!! (and our OWN) 

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How do you feel when you fill someone’s bucket?

How do you feel when someone fills your bucket?

What does kindness look like? Sound like? Feel like?

Why is kindness important?

Can you think of someone who is really kind? What stands out about their kindness?

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Parents, need a break? You can schedule your young reader to read with us at the Madison County Public Library! Here's the link: https://forms.gle/SUcMei168jpHoiU1A

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New reader, struggling reader, reader who needs practice or just a break from family reading? Sign up to read to one of our Library Puppets. Here's how it works: sign up for a session (at least 24 hours in advance). Make sure to include all information including reader's name age/grade level, and email address.

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This week we are spelling the days of the week! Enjoy I miss all my bears!!

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Parents/Caregivers this is for YOU!!! ❤️❤️

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Parents/Caregivers this is for YOU!!! ❤️❤️

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Sesame Street: A Moment to Yourself | Parent PSA

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More on Dynamics from Cincinnati Symphony

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More on Dynamics from Cincinnati Symphony

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If you have trouble with this link, I will try do have a mini lesson video up tomorrow morning which guides student through the map.

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Trolls | A Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure! 🍄 Trolls Videos for Kids

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Mrs. Carney is looking for recommendations of a good book to share with the entire school.  If you have a suggestions, drop it in the comments below!

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50 and 51

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5th zoomed today. We did a BreakoutEDU Activity and Mrs. Carney Shared a story.

For those who are interested, here is the link to the "free" Breakouts you can do at home. :)

https://www.breakoutedu.com/funathome

Keep on Reading!!!!

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Madison County Schools: Supplemental food pickup at local fire departments from 4 - 6 pm today.

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Brush Creek: Packets will be outside until tomorrow morning, Apr. 24. Please come pick up your child's packet if you have not already done so.Thank you!

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Phenomenal
Resource, please take the time to check this out...

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Try these out and let me know which works best for you...

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Sorry this took some time...I had a song copyright lesson, which took some time.

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Chapters 45 - 49

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Earth Day Folding Surprise with Art for Kids Hub

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Earth Day Folding Surprise with Art for Kids Hub

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These are always fun! Happy Earth day, artists. I miss you! I hope you are enjoying some sunshine today.

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How To Draw An Earth Day Folding Surprise

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Be sure to take a listen and vote for your favorite!

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Be sure to take a listen and vote for your favorite!

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North Carolina Children's Book Award Voting is open!

This is something that I always love to do with our BCES bears.  Since we are not able to do it together, make sure you watch these stories and then vote for your favorite story.

The North Carolina Children's Book Award program is a children's choice program sponsored by school and public librarians in North Carolina and is designed to introduce children to current children's literature and to instill a love of reading.

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Listen to all of the 2020 North Carolina Children's Book Award Picture Book nominees and then vote! Voting will end at the end of the day on May 31.

Click on the title or the caption under the book cover to listen to the book.

Click here to listen to the author read the beginning of the book.

Now that you've listened to all of the books, you may vote for your favorite (as long as you're a kid!)

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Listen to all of the 2020 North Carolina Children's Book Award Picture Book nominees and then vote! Voting will end at the end of the day on May 31. Click on the title or the caption under the book cover to listen to the book.

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On this beautiful day let’s make our world a better place, pick up all the trash around your house. ❤️

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This weeks Front Porch Music will focus on DYNAMICS, and we will be talking about the composer Rossini and his dynamic work, "The Storm" from the opera William Tell.  In the link below it is #4-Weather Music.  This is a neat website, so take time to explore.

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This weeks Front Porch Music will focus on DYNAMICS, and we will be talking about the composer Rossini and his dynamic work, "The Storm" from the opera William Tell.  In the link below it is #4-Weather Music.  This is a neat website, so take time to explore.

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Composers

Gioachino Rossini

February 29, 1792 - November 13, 1868
Romantic Period Born in Italy
Gioachino Rossini, the most popular opera composer of his day, was born in Pesaro, Italy. Like many composers, Rossini learned about music from his parents. Gioachino's father played the horn and the trumpet, and his mother was an opera singer. When Gioachino was a little boy, he learned to play the piano and to sing.

In Rossini's day, the opening of a new opera was as exciting as the opening of a new movie is for us. Rossini wrote his first opera when he was 18 years old. His most famous opera is The Barber of Seville. And after composing the opera William Tell in 1829, when he was 37, Rossini stopped writing operas.

After that, Rossini didn't compose again for years. When he was much older, he wrote some music for the church, and he wrote a lot of small pieces to entertain his friends. Because those pieces were not very serious, he jokingly referred to them as "Sins of Old Age."

Music by Rossini:

William Tell Overture: Finale

Shows about Rossini:

Lesson Plan

Educators, there is a Lesson Plan available on this site for Gioachino Rossini. Click here to learn more.
Return to List

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Composers February 29, 1792 - November 13, 1868 Romantic Period Born in Italy Gioachino Rossini, the most popular opera composer of his day, was born in Pesaro, Italy. Like many composers, Rossini learned about music from his parents. Gioachino's father played the horn and the trumpet, and his mother was an opera singer.

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Yogi poses tied to outside.  Try these poses outside and come up with new poses and ideas. Take pictures of your poses and post if possible.  Also walk around your yard and neighborhood and pick up sticks or stuff that the wind has blown in your yard.  Don’t forget to keep writing in your journals.