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There may never be a more important time than now to practice kindness,  compassion, and empathy.  Performing random acts of kindness towards others gives us a greater sense of purpose, makes us feel connected to others,  and can even make us feel good!  It may even cause others to do the same!  Click on the link to print or view the  Random Acts of Kindness Journal. Use it (or keep your own journal) to keep track of those moments when you make a positive impact on others' lives. The result may surprise you!

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Want to learn facts but looking for a fun and interesting way? Tired of looking at the computer to practice your multiplication and division? Look at these fun and easy, artistic ways to make learning facts creative and entertaining.

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Multiplication is a basic skill students need to master before they can move on to more advanced math. Memorizing multiplication tables is one option, but it's important for kids to understand exactly what it means to multiply. This list of fun and engaging ways to teach multiplication has so many options. You're sure to find a way to resonate with every one of your students!

1. Play a game of Scoot

This is a fun way to break up the routine of worksheets. One at a time, you will post one of the multiplication task cards and your students will work to find the answer. After a set amount of time (up to you), say "Scoot." Students will leave their answer sheet on their desk and move one seat to their left. Post another task card. Again, say "Scoot" and have students rotate.

2. Practice skip-counting with a song

For many of us, setting information to music helps us memorize it. This series of videos from HeavenSentHorse features common tunes that your students will quickly catch on to like Jingle Bells, This Old Man and more.

3. Solve multiplication puzzles

Puzzles are a great way to engage students and build their problem-solving skills. These puzzles help students put together the pieces to get the whole picture and really understand how to solve a multiplication problem.

4. Play Four in a Row

This fun game challenges kids to practice their math facts. Partners will take turns choosing a circle and solving the math fact. If they get it right, they place a marker over it (here, a penguin stamp). The first player to connect four wins.

5. Solve Mystery Pictures

Students will solve the one-digit multiplication problems, then use the key to color in the boxes and create the mystery picture.

6. Play multiplication tic-tac-toe

Playing with partners, each player chooses a multiplication problem to solve. If they get it right, they mark it with their dot marker. If not, it's the next person's turn. Play goes back and forth until someone gets three in a row.

7. Build multiplication skills with Minecraft

Your kids will flip for this fun version of Minecraft multiplication. Download the game and instructions for free!

8. Deal a hand of Spiral

Players take turns rolling the dice and moving around the game board with this fun multiplication card game.

9. Sweeten up multiplication practice

Write multiplication problems on the bottom of small cupcake paper liners. On the inside, write the product. Two players take turns picking a liner, finding the answer, and flipping it over to check.

10. Take a whirl at fidget spinner math

The object of the game is simple: Spin the spinner and complete as many problems as possible.

11. Make multiplication pool noodles

Pick up some pool noodles and use our easy tutorial to turn them into the ultimate multiplication manipulatives! This is such a unique way for kids to practice their math facts.

12. Match wits at Array Capture

You can use dice-in-dice or just a regular pair of dice for this game. Players roll the dice and use the numbers to block off space on the grid, writing in the math sentence too. At the end of the game, the player with the most spaces colored in wins.

13. Punch holes to make arrays

Arrays introduce multiplication in a way that kids can easily understand. This activity is great for active learners who will love punching holes as they create multiplication arrays for basic facts.

14. Fold a multiplication cootie catcher

We love finding new and clever ways to practice math facts! Get these free printables, then let kids color and fold them up. Now they've got self-checking practice at their fingertips.

15. Visit the Multiplication Shop

How fun is this? Set up a "store" with small items for sale. Kids choose a number of items from each section to "buy" and write out the multiplication sentences as their receipt!

16. Ask a partner, "Do You Have ...?"

Got an old "Guess Who?" game lying around? Turn it into a multiplication game instead!

17. Pull out the base-10 blocks

Base-10 blocks are one of our favorite manipulatives, and they're a terrific tool to help you teach multiplication. Build arrays with them to let kids visualize the problems and their answers.

18. Color in Emoji Mystery pages

Here's a twist on color-by-number. First, kids have to answer the multiplication problems in each square. Then they get to color! Get a free set of these pages at Artsy Fartsy Mama.

19. Multiply with dice-in-dice

Something about dice-in-dice just makes learning more fun! If you don't have a set, you can use a pair of regular dice for this activity. Mix things up with polyhedral dice with higher numbers too.

20. Pick sticks to play Kaboom!

So easy and so fun! Write multiplication facts at the end of a variety of wood craft sticks. On a few, write "Kaboom!" instead. To play, kids draw sticks from a cup and answer the problem. If they get it right, they can keep pulling sticks. But if they get a Kaboom! stick, they have to put their whole collection back!

21. Match Multiplication memory cards

Practice facts with a memory game. Make your own cards by writing facts and answers, then lay them all face down. Turn over a card and try to find its matching answer or problem. Your turn continues as long as you're able to make matches.

22. Find it first

Write a series of products on the whiteboard, and mix in a few random numbers too. Send two students up to the board and call out a multiplication problem. The first one to find and point to the correct answer wins a point.

23. Draw Waldorf multiplication flowers

This is a creative way to teach multiplication facts. Draw a flower with 12 petals and a circle in the center. In the circle, write the multiplicand; on the petals, the numbers 1 to 12. Now, draw larger petals outside, and fill in the product of each fact. Add some color to make fun classroom decorations!

24. Play multiplication war

All you need for this is a deck of cards, plus paper and a pencil for each player. Split the deck between the players. Each player flips two cards, then writes out the multiplication sentence and the answer. The player with the higher product takes all the cards. Play until the deck is gone. The player with the most cards wins!

25. Compete at multiplication bingo

Grab these free printable bingo cards at the link and provide one to each student along with some chips or beans to use as counters. Call out multiplication facts and have students cover the answers if they have them. When they get five in a row, it's a bingo!

26. Put a twist on Rock, Paper, Scissors

Chances are your students already know how to play Rock, Paper, Scissors. This is similar, but instead, each player holds out a random number of fingers. The first one to correctly multiply them together and call out the answer wins a point. Play to 5, 10, or any number you choose.

27. Do some egg carton multiplication

Number the cups of an egg carton from 1 to 12. Drop in two marbles or beans, then close the carton and shake it up. Open it up and have students write out the multiplication number sentence based on where the marbles landed. This is an easy tool parents can make for kids at home too.

28. Try interactive flash cards

These aren't your ordinary flash cards! These free printables are a cool way to teach multiplication since the answer side includes a dot array to help kids visualize the solution. You can use sticky-note flags to cover the answers while kids use the arrays for help too.

29. Teach multiplication facts with a paper plate wheel

All it takes is paper plates, glue, and a marker to help your students learn their multiplication tables. Let kids have fun decorating their plates, and this doubles as a math craft!

30. Practice with fact family triangles

Tie together multiplication and division facts with triangle flash cards. Learn how to use them and buy a printable set at Primary Flourish. You can also have kids make their own.

31. Make LEGO arrays

LEGO bricks are one of our favorite ways to teach math! You can use multiple bricks to make arrays or just look at the bumps on the top of a single brick as an array in itself.

32. Try the finger trick

This cute craft also teaches kids a clever multiplication trick that can help them if they're stuck with multiplication "times nine." Learn the easy trick at 5-Minute Crafts.

33. Use the Force to teach multiplication

Sometimes learning multiplication facts just takes practice. Worksheets may not be very exciting, but adding a theme that kids are interested in may motivate your students. This free download from Royal Baloo features homework sheets and practice papers with graphs, mazes, puzzles, and more, all with a Star Wars theme.

34. Watch a multiplication video

From Schoolhouse Rock to Animaniacs and beyond, there are lots of fun videos to help you teach multiplication. Find our big list here.

35. Play multiplication checkers

Turn a thrift store checkerboard into a multiplication game with some stickers and a marker. The play is similar to traditional checkers, but you have to solve the problem before you can leave your checker on a new space.

36. Toss a multiplication soccer ball

What better way to appeal to students than to combine math with one of their favorite activities? These fun balls can be used in so many ways to support learning.

37. Flip bottle caps

Here's a cool alternative to flash cards. You can use metal bottle caps or plastic bottle lids, along with round stickers that fit the caps. It's a great way to go green while you teach multiplication!

38. Batter up to learn multiplication

Sports-loving kids will love this one! Get the free printables and use them along with a 10-sided die to get some multiplication facts practice.

39. Line up dominoes

Single dominoes turned sideways become multiplication number sentences! Grab a handful and have kids write out the sentences and their answers.

40. Roll to win

This works a bit like Yahtzee. Roll a die, then choose a number from 1 to 6 to multiply it by. Each number can only be used once, so choose carefully to rack up the most points. If you have polyhedral dice, you can play with higher numbers too.

41. Sculpt play dough arrays

What kid doesn't love the chance to play with play dough? Use this activity for math centers, and kids will really enjoy practicing their multiplication facts.

42. Connect the dots with Multiplication Squares

This is a math spin on the old Dots and Boxes game. Kids roll two dice and multiply the numbers together. Then they find the answer on the board and connect two dots next to it. The goal is to complete a box, coloring it in with your own color marker. When the board is full, count the squares to see who wins.

43. Cut out and assemble array cities

Here's another colorful math craft: multiplication array cities. Most high-rises have their windows arranged to make perfect arrays. Have kids make their own city skylines with buildings showing various multiplication arrays.

44. Stack math power towers

There's a universal appeal about making stacks of cups, so don't be surprised if kids clamor to play this game over and over again. Pull a cup, answer correctly, and stack. See who can get a stack of 10 first, or who can build the highest tower in 2 minutes, and so on.

45. Change your students' names (temporarily)

Grab some name tags and write multiplication equations on each. Give a tag to each of your students. For the remainder of the day, everyone will refer to each other by the answer to the equation on their tag (e.g., the student with the name tag that says 7 x 6 would be referred to as "42").

46. Take multiplication to the gridiron

All you need is poster board, 12-sided dice, and a couple of game pieces to teach multiplication using football. Students move their game piece up the field by rolling the dice and multiplying the two numbers that face up. They get four chances to score a touchdown.

47. Roll and Bump!

Print the free game boards, each with a multiplier in the heading. Roll two dice, add them together, then multiply by the multiplier. Then place your game piece over that answer. If another player also comes up with the same product, they can "bump" your game piece off and replace it with their own. The player with the most markers on the board at the end of the game wins.

48. Weave multiplication patterns

Skip-counting provides an introduction to multiplication. We love this hands-on activity where kids skip-count and weave yarn into pretty patterns.

49. Challenge kids with Multiplication Jenga

Grab an old Jenga game at the thrift store (or pick up the generic version at the dollar store). Write multiplication problems on each block, then stack 'em up. Player one pulls a block and tries to answer the problem. If they get it right, they keep the block. If they miss, their partner gets a chance. But if no one can answer it, the block gets stacked up on top. Keep playing until the tower collapses!

50. Twist and learn

Your students will love this twisted version of an old favorite! The original Math Twister was designed for addition, but it works for multiplication too. Simply write products on sticky notes and add them to circles. Then call out math problems like "Left foot, 4 x 5!" The player must put their left foot on the number 20-if they can!

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50 Fun Hands-On Ways To Teach Multiplication

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Looking for unique ways to teach multiplication so kids will really understand? Try these games, activities, and other engaging ideas!

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This is an uber-important skills for all readers. Making an inference is a skill we use in all forms of reading.  It's also a big part of problem solving! Start your journey with this slideshow (yes - you'll have to work on the computer for this one!) but you won't want to miss out on practicing this skill. When you complete this activity, go to the next Inference challenge!

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Evidence + Reasoning = Inference Challenge yourself with these Inference Cards. Read the evidence presented on each card and decide which Inference shows the best conclusion. (Answers on the last slide)

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Do you have a story that you worked on throughout the school year? Do you have a story that you are proud of and would like to make it into a book?  Here is your chance! With just a few materials that you can find around the house, you can watch this video and publish your own book. It takes a little effort, but a book is forever!

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Grades K - 4

Easy and exciting challenge! Build a boat - load it up, but don't let it sink!

Don't Sink the Boat! Instructions

Update: the Youtube video in the instructions doesn't work, but here is an alternate video.

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Being able to be aware, to step back and find calm, and to name feelings are so important to everyone's health. Click to view the guide: PAUSE. Let it help you navigate through your feelings and stay connected to yourself and others.

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Next time the opportunity comes up, go shopping with an adult. But you'll need to bring your notebook and pencil! You can be the accountant who keeps track of how much is being spent. Keep adding and subtotaling until you get to the register. Check your result against the total at the register. Go ahead-you can ask the cashier how much the total was before tax!

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Make an Inference, My Dear Watson!  Inference Challenge: Part 2

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Make an Inference, My Dear Watson!  Inference Challenge: Part 2

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This one will keep you busy all summer - or longer!  Drawing an inference can go  beyond reading. Ever wonder what this thing was that you saw at grandma's house? What was that object you saw in the museum?? Look for clues and evidence, like a detective.  Click on the link and see if you can infer what these strange objects are. But the fun just begins!  On the pages that follow, keep track of interesting objects you find around your house, at grandma's, while strolling through the park, or anywhere! Take a picture of make a sketch and use evidence and clues to make an inference as to what that crazy object could be!

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Make an Inference, My Dear Watson! Inference Challenge Part 2.pdf

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Students - in this scenario, it's up to YOU to research a new vacation location for the family. You will research multiple aspects, ie: cost, location, attractions, etc. of the trip from multiple sources. Decide where you and the family would like to vacation and why. Feeling like a travel agent? Create a brochure and write a letter to your parents stating why the location you selected should be where the family goes on vacation. Use maps to plan the route and decide what everyone will need to pack.
Click Here to go to a website with a printable Travel Planner

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What's a Rube Goldberg? Only the coolest machine-building experience you'll ever have! Build a crazy, artistic and complex machine to.....give your dog a treat! Here's an awesome one someone built.  Watch the video and see how you can create your own Rube Goldberg machine. If the videos don't load, click the refresh button.

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Discover gratitude and happiness for the Summer by taking part in a photo challenge! Grab a camera and a friend and brainstorm places, people, or things that make you feel joy. Snap a photo of each one. You could turn it into a slideshow, a poster board, or just hang up the pics around your room. Everyday you can think about the photos and show gratitude for all the things that bring you joy! Here are a few ideas:

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You can learn so much just by using things you have around the house! Here is a great game that will help you reinforce your conversion of measurement skills. Just grab a deck of cards, and read these directions!

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Have some summer-time fun meeting these reading challenges! Can you fill the whole board by the end of the summer?? You can do it! Click the link to see or print your very own Summer Reading Bingo board!

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What exactly is a closed circuit? Why do the lights turn on or off when I flip the switch? Why does electricity seem to travel better through some items, but not others? These answers and more when you explore the *complete* lesson from Eversource: Insulators and Conductors. Videos and other materials linked right on the sheet for you to use.

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Durham/Middlefield has loads of great hiking trails, get out and explore with your friends or family. It's great exercise and a fun way to explore your town.
Some tips before you go:
1. Go morning or later in the afternoon, 12-2pm are the hottest part of the day.
2. Pack the bug spray and wear a hat and drink plenty of water.
3. Always go with a responsible adult so you make sure you are following the trail guide.
4. Have fun!

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Looking for a great trail near Durham, Connecticut? AllTrails has 16 great hiking trails, trail running trails, views trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. If you're looking for the best trails around Wadsworth Falls State Park or Talcott Mountain State Park, we've got you covered. You'll also find some great local park options, like Ragged Mountain Memorial Preserve or Hubbard Park. Ready for some activity? There are 8 moderate trails in Durham ranging from 2 to 8.2 miles and from 318 to 757 feet above sea level. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time!

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Looking for a great trail near Durham, Connecticut? AllTrails has 16 great hiking trails, trail running trails, views trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you.

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What better place and time to practice computing numbers with decimals then when you're......SHOPPING! Click on the link to read your directions. All you need is your favorite catalogs, pencil and paper (and it helps to have someone check your work!)

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Many people think of keeping a journal as one of the best habits students can build. Journaling allows you to reflect and express yourself. It enables you to identify strengths - not to mention it helps you to experiment with a different form of writing. Grab a journal - any notebook or journal  will do. Click on the link to view or print Summer Journaling Ideas for 5th or 6th grade and see what amazing ideas you are capable of.

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Summer Journaling Ideas 4th, 5th and 6th Grade July.pdf

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Making music and finding a rhythm can be done anywhere, any time! Open the Bingo sheet here and complete these tasks to tap into your musical intelligence!

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That's right, even in the summer it's important for your body to stay healthy and get enough sleep.

If you like to watch TV or scroll through a phone or tablet before bed, it may be interfering with how well your body is able to sleep at night.

Here is a list of things you can do before bed to make sure you are getting the best sleep possible.

1. Read a book

2. Take a warm bath or shower

3. Deep breathe, or meditate (you can listen to a GoNoodle like the one attached)

4. Write in a journal, keep track of how you felt during the day, you can set goals for yourself or just reflect.

5. Draw a picture

6. Drink a cup of decaffeinated tea

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Focus your breathing and settle your swirling thoughts in this calming mindfulness exercise.

Keep Moving With GoNoodle

GoNoodle is free for teachers, parents, and kids! Get moving with 300+ dance videos, mindfulness activities, and more engaging videos for kids!

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Focus your breathing and settle your swirling thoughts in this calming mindfulness exercise. GoNoodle is free for teachers, parents, and kids! Get moving with 300+ dance videos, mindfulness activities, and more engaging videos for kids!

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The 2025 Commissioner's Summer Math Challenge stresses the importance of maintaining math skills during the summer. The Math challenge hasn't been updated for 2026 yet, but you can scroll to the bottom to access Passport Math Tasks.

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CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website

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Overview

The 2020 Commissioner's Summer Math Challenge stresses the importance of maintaining math skills during the summer. Schools compete based on student population and grade level. The program identifies the schools with the highest percentage of participating enrollment and the highest number of badges earned by participating students. Registration instructions, district reporting forms and all other materials are available online.

Information on the 2020 Summer Math Challenge

Top-performing Schools from 2019
Highest Participation - Elementary Level

Bradley School, Derby Public School

Highest Total Minutes Completed - High School Level

Guilford High School, Guilford Public Schools
Overall Highest Participating District

North Haven Public Schools

Connecticut Summer Math Passport
Passport booklet

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The 2020 Commissioner's Summer Math Challenge stresses the importance of maintaining math skills during the summer. Schools compete based on student population and grade level. The program identifies the schools with the highest percentage of participating enrollment and the highest number of badges earned by participating students.

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Does your 4-6th grader read the newspaper every day? Probably not, but by cutting up the newspaper and teaching him how to “fish for headlines,” you can turn everyday reading into a new adventure for your child! This game only takes a little preparation and can be played over and over again.

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In intermediate grades, teachers often start asking kids to give class presentations, often in conjunction with multistage projects, which are also a common part of the curriculum. This may sound easy--after all, it's just fourth grade, right? But for most kids, it's anything but. Stage fright is always an issue; so, too, is the natural tendency of most 4th-6th graders to tell a story pell-mell, sideways, and even backward.

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An oil spill in an ocean or other body of water is a major problem for the ecosystem. Have you ever thought about how scientists clean up after an oil spill happens? How do you think an oil spill should be cleaned up?

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I recently had another opportunity to observe a science program in an after school setting, this time at Greenleaf Elementary School in Oakland, CA. The rising fifth graders have an hour and a half of STEM programming after lunch every afternoon, and the day I visited they did an activity about cleaning up oil in the ocean. They worked with trays filled a few inches with water, feathers, straws, cotton balls and sponges.

I think it's especially challenging to lead activities like this, where the materials you have to work with are analogies of what really happens in the real world. I was impressed with the ways the facilitator drew connections between the activity they were doing and what happens in the real world.

The facilitator started the activity by asking the kids what they already knew about oil spills. I was struck by how many hands went in the air, and details the kids knew including the catastrophic spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

The group discussed what kinds of engineers help solve the environmental problems caused by oil spills - chemical and environmental engineers.

In groups, the kids examined their 'oceans' of water, with oil floating on top. They discussed and wrote observations in their science notebooks.

The facilitator introduced some terms and definitions and then passed out materials the kids would use to try to clean up the oil.

As kids formulated their plans for working together to get the oil off the feathers and out of the 'ocean', the facilitator passed around photos of actual oil spills and the effects they have on wildlife. Then it was time to work together to figure out how to use materials to clean up the oil.

During the discussion after the activity, the kids all said that they enjoyed this activity even though it was very difficult to get all the oil out of the water and off of the feathers.

In order to help kids make connections between the science activities we do after school and science in the real world, here are some things we see quality programs doing:

Ask kids what they already know about related issues

Show kids pictures, news articles or videos

Introduce kids to a scientist who works on the problem in the field

Take a field trip

Participate in a citizen science project to help a scientist conduct a study on a related issue

Let us know some ways that your after school science program connects kids to real world science!

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Oil Spill! Connecting STEM activities to real world problems

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I recently had another opportunity to observe a science program in an after school setting, this time at Greenleaf Elementary School in Oakl...

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Use a pieces of graph paper and draw a robot using rectangles of varied sizes. Find the area of your robot. As a challenge, design a different robot that has the same total area.

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Select one or more of these writing prompts to get your creative writing juices flowing.

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Have you ever tried to grow crystals using water and salt? Well this is a new twist on the experiment that creates a beautiful suncatcher that you can use to observe how sunlight shines through crystals.

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I love a good suncatcher craft over here at Babble Dabble Do, and this crystallized one we just tackled was actually a happy accident. Crystal Suncatchers are a fun science experiment for kids that are an offshoot of our popular crystal growing project: Overnight Crystal Gardens. Consider this project the sequel; it can either be done on its own or as a supplement to the crystal gardens. I recommend doing both projects because they are easy and the results are incredible to look at!

So here's how this accidental project came to be: After all the experimenting we did testing out Epsom salt crystal gardens, I kept pouring off the excess liquid to look at the gardens and noticed that any water that spilled and dried crystallized. I racked my brain for a way to "preserve" these gorgeous puddles of crystals when it occurred to me to try creating suncatchers using plastic lids.

[clickToTweet tweet="Turn crystals into suncatchers!" quote="Turn crystals into suncatchers!"]
This post contains affiliate links to products I love and recommend to my readers.

Materials

Epsom Salt

Clear Recycled Plastic Lids- use the clearest you can find

Water

Empty Jar

Bowl or glass measuring cup

Fork

Microwave (optional)

Tray

String

Exacto/Pin

Instructions
If you are doing this experiment on it's own, start with the following steps:

Step One | Measure You will be using a ratio of 1:1 water to Epsom Salt for this project. Add 1 cup of Epsom salt to an empty glass jar.

Step Two | Heat the Water Add 1 cup of water to a microwave safe bowl. Heat the water in the microwave for 45 seconds. Alternatively use very hot tap water and skip the microwave.

Step Three | Combine Pour the water into the jar with the salt. Do this quickly so that the water is warm. Stir the salt and water for 1-2 minutes to dissolve the salt.

Step Four | Make Your Suncatchers See steps 5-9 below.

If you are doing this experiment as Part 2 of the Crystal Gardens experiment start here:

Step Five Place several plastic lids on a flat-bottomed tray in a sunny location where they can remain undisturbed.

Step Six Pour off some of the excess liquid from your jar/crystal garden into the recycled plastic lids. Use just enough to cover the bottom of the lid. DON'T OVERFILL!

Step Seven Place your lids in sunny location. Depending on how much liquid has been added it will take a few hours or a day to start crystallizing. I know it will look like lids full of water at first but be patient!

Step Eight When the liquid has completely evaporated your crystal suncatcher is ready! You will be able to see lovely crystal structures from both side of the lid.

Step Nine VERY carefully poke a small hole in the edge of the lid and thread a piece of string through the hole. Tie in a knot and hang your suncatcher up!

Tips:

I recommend using the cooled liquid after the crystal gardens have formed. It will make for the most interesting looking crystals. You will also have a "preview" of some sorts because the type of crystals that have formed in the jar will resemble the types of crystals that will form in the suncatchers. Needle like crystal gardens will form more needle like suncatchers. Gardens that ended up with larger crystals will make for larger crystals in your suncatchers.

These are VERY fragile! One big bump and your crystal suncatcher may crumble. I recommend an adult handling the threading and hanging part of the project. Make a few in case you lose one!

Over time your crystals will begin to dry out and harden even more. Eventually they will whiten as the salt dries out completely. These suncatchers will have a limited lifespan. We have just made ours but I would expect that they will last a week or two.

Use the clearest types of lids you can for this experiment so you can see the crystals from both sides. The best type is the completely clear plastic found in food packaging, some to-go cup lids (like those used for iced coffee) or mini sauce and salsa lids at restaurants.

Looks Like

Victor Vaserely. Crystals always remind me of the work of Op Artist Victor Vaserely. Vaserely's work is all about warping geometry. This particular print reminds me of what crystal structures would look like if they were man made. My parents had a few Vaserely prints in our house when I was growing up and as a kid I thought they were some strange optical illusions. As an adult I have a deeper appreciation for his work; yes, it does symbolize the 60's and 70's because op art was very popular at the time, but the exploration of both color and form in such an eye catching manner is appealing to both kids and adults. For more info on Vaserely click here.

I love accidental projects!

This fun science experiment was definitely a happy side discovery after tackling our Overnight Crystal Gardens. The great thing about this complimentary project is that you can have a better view of the lacey texture and patterns of the crystal structures that form. For further exploration drop a pinch of the super saturated liquid on a slide and look at it under a microscope!

More Fun Science Experiments:

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Fun Science Experiment: Crystal Suncatchers

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I love a good suncatcher craft over here at Babble Dabble Do, and this crystallized one we just tackled was actually a happy accident. Crystal Suncatchers are a fun science experiment for kids that are an offshoot of our popular crystal growing project: Overnight Crystal Gardens.

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Here is a Link to Virtual Graph Paper for Your Robot Design

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Here is a Link to Virtual Graph Paper for Your Robot Design

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Free easy to use virtual graph paper. Draw lines, write notes, undo if you need to, and print. It’s simple, easy, and interactive online graph paper.

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Learn a new word everyday and grow your vocabulary. Do you want a challenge? Try to use your new word in a conversation throughout the day.

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What It Means

Pandemonium refers to a situation in which a crowd or mass of people act in a wild, uncontrolled, or violent way because they are afraid, excited, or confused.

// Pandemonium ensued when a power failure knocked out the city's traffic lights during rush hour.
See the entry >
pandemonium in Context

I went to the ______ store to buy a birthday card.

Did You Know?

When John Milton needed a name for the gathering place of all demons for Paradise Lost, he turned to the classics as any sensible 17th-century writer would. Pandæmonium, as the capital of Hell is known in the epic poem, combines the Greek prefix pan-, meaning "all," with the Late Latin daemonium, meaning "evil spirit." ( Daemonium itself traces back to the far more innocuous Greek word daímōn, meaning "spirit" or "divine power.") Over time, Pandæmonium (or Pandemonium) came to designate all of hell and was used as well for earthbound dens of wickedness and sin. By the late-18th century, the word implied a place or state of confusion or uproar, and from there, it didn't take long for pandemonium to become associated with states of utter disorder and wildness.

Test Your Vocabulary

Fill in the blanks to complete a word meaning "hell" or "eternal damnation": p _ r _ i _ _ o n.

VIEW THE ANSWER

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When John Milton needed a name for the gathering place of all demons for Paradise Lost, he turned to the classics as any sensible 17th-century writer would. Pandæmonium, as the capital of Hell is

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Select a book to read that has been made into a movie. Use the template provided to compare and contrast the book with the movie. Which was better?

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Are you interested in film making? Follow these step by step instructions to make your very own stop motion film!

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If you want to introduce your child to stop motion animation, this post is written for you. I'll show you how to do this with an iPad or similar device, and you'll be making your first movie in minutes.

While my girls have been in a little bit of camp this summer, it's mainly been Camp Mom for our family: local adventures, crafts, and lots and lots of unstructured play. We're lucky to have some great neighbors with kids, and our girls have been lost in imaginative play that expands beyond the reach of anything I could possibly fabricate for them.

However, we've had a few mornings filled with creative projects and this stop motion animation project is a winner.

If you're looking for a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) project, this is for YOU!

This project would be great to set up on the STEAM Table.

Stop Motion Animation, explained

For the uninitiated, stop motion animation is a film making technique that makes inanimate objects appear to move on their own. Think Gumby or Wallace and Gromit.

To make it work, you place an object in front of a camera and snap a photo. You then move the object a tiny bit and snap another photo. Repeat this process twenty to ten thousand times, play back the sequence in rapid progression, and the object appears to move fluidly across the screen.

While my older daughter, age six, really flew with this project, her little sister who's just two months shy of four also got in on the stop motion animation action. I'll share their finished projects in just a moment. But first, let me show you just how simple this set up can be. Take this as a starting point and feel free to add your own flourishes.

Supplies for Stop Motion Animation
This list contains affiliate links for your convenience
Method

1. Set up a backdrop. This could be a wall or pice of foam core.

2. Gather toys to include in your animation.

3. Set up your touch pad or smart phone on a stand or tripod, across from the foam core.

4. Start the Stop Motion Animation App and make your movie!

The Stop Motion Animation Set Up

As you can see, there's nothing too fancy about the set up. While you could certainly add some elaborate lighting, we set this up by a window to keep it simple. I added the trash can behind the piece of foam core to keep it from falling over during filming. I know, super glamorous, right? Any heavy object should do the trick.

The kids had fun sorting through what we call the Character Basket for their just-right objects. My six-year old was up first, and my little one took it as an opportunity to play with cars and mini sheep while she waited her turn.

Using the stop motion app was really easy and intuitive. I did a demo run to show the kids how it worked, and then my six-year old took over and worked on her video for a solid half hour. When she was done, her little sister took over. I was surprised at how easy it was for her too.

Easy Stop Motion Ideas

My kids jumped in on this with tons of enthusiasm. Here are a few easy stop motion ideas that you can show to your children.

From three-year old R...

From six-year old N...

Benefits of Stop Motion Animation

Offers children ownership and autonomy in the film making process

Teaches children how stop motion animation works

Debunks the mechanics of how movie-making happens

The creative constraint of the medium encourages problem solving

It's a simple, hands-on technology that young children can achieve

Encourages children to project and plan out where a story is heading

Fosters iteration and experimentation through trying and testing

Supports storytelling

So, are you ready to give it a try?

More Stop Motion Resources

You can't really beat the classic stop motion animation of Gumby! Gumby on the Moon, YouTube. This would be an inspiring thing to show a child as an intro to stop motion animation.

Best Stop Motion Videos from Short of the Week. Lots of good inspiration here.

How to make things fly in Stop Motion Animation, using PhotoShop: YouTube. This is for the super-advanced students, and worth checking out if you're curious about how these things work.

More Projects like this one
DIY Paper Tube Marble Run Fort Building Kit DIY Water Wall, it's like a marble run, but with water! Build an easy light table Make Gumdrop Sculptures Build a Rube Goldberg machine for Little Engineers

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Easy Stop Motion Animation for Beginners - TinkerLab

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This Stop Motion Animation project is easy to set up in minutes, and a great way to encourage STEAM concepts with children.

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I am a two digit even number that has 8 factors including 1, 6 and 7. What number am I?
A. 48
B. 42
C. 67
D. 84

Answer: 42
The factors of 42 are :
1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 21, 42

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Collect your families favorite recipes and create a family cookbook.

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The length of a ribbon is 35 cm. A rope is 40 cm longer than the ribbon. What is the length of the ribbon and the rope together when placed next to each other?

Answer: 110 cm

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Download the file and print it out. Cut out the two Bingo game cards and all of the multiplication problems. Play Bingo by marking the products for facts turned over.

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Fun with symmetry & measurement

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~ An Autumn Inspired Mandala ~
A magnet for your fridge... a center piece for your fall table...something decorative for the wall or (as Luna decided) a fairy home table top!

To create these you will need

Spray varnish (if you choose)

A couple good magnets for the back or a paper clip and glue gun to attach it to the back (for a way to hang it).

First collect some seeds and spices that appeal to you. We used turmeric, alfalfa seeds, amaranth seeds and paprika.

Find an old cd that you no longer need...

Painted the cd white. Let it dry. Then draw any kind of geometrical design that inspires you.

Next, starting in the center of the cd, outline the inner design carefully with craft glue. Shake on your seed or spice of choice. Then shake off the excess.

Do this for each part of the mandala, going outwards.

Then if you choose, spray it with a glaze. This protects it and gives it a beautiful glossy finish.

There you have it!
Luna peeking out of the mandala ~ her soon to be fairy table top.
I would like to end by sharing this quote
You have noticed that everything as Indian does
is in a circle, and that is because the
Power of the World always works in circles,
and everything tries to be round.....
The Sky is round, and I have heard
that the earth is round like a ball,
and so are all the stars.
The wind, in its greatest power, whirls.
Birds make their nest in circles,
for theirs is the same religion as ours.... Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.
Black Elk (1863-1950)
Oglala Sioux Holy Man

Autumn love and light to you all

p.s. my girls love coloring mandalas ~ If you think your lovelies may enjoy that too, check out this free mandala coloring site

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An Autumn Inspired Mandala ~ A magnet for your fridge... a center piece for your fall table...something decorative for the wall or (as Luna decided) a fairy home table top! To create these you will need Spray varnish (if you choose) A couple good magnets for the back or a paper clip and glue gun to attach it to the back (for a way to hang it).

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Durham Public Library’s Youth Summer Reading page! We have many awesome types of activities this summer. Check out our page for more information. Even includes a bingo board for adults so the whole family can participate!

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Levi Coe Library’s Youth Summer Reading event page! We have many awesome types of activities this summer. Visit their Facebook or Instagram page or check out our page for more information.

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The Nutmeg book award is for students in grades 2 and above. Click here to access the book lists.

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Nutmeg Book Award - 2027 Nutmeg Nominees

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Governor's Summer Reading Challenge 2026

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Governor's Summer Reading Challenge 2026

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It’s that time of year to encourage your student to participate in CONNECTICUT READS, the 2026 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge!  Click the link to be taken to  Governor's Summer Reading Challenge page:

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CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website

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Overview

It's that time of year again to encourage students to participate in CONNECTICUT READS, the 2022 Governor's Summer Reading Challenge! To support summer reading, the Connecticut State Library's statewide eGo eBook platform is now available through many local public libraries, and provides access to digital resources for all ages. For a list of local public libraries currently offering eGo, visit https://egoct.org/.

Information on the 2022 Summer Reading Challenge Suggested Summer Reading

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It's that time of year again to encourage students to participate in CONNECTICUT READS, the 2022 Governor's Summer Reading Challenge! To support summer reading, the Connecticut State Library's statewide eGo eBook platform is now available through many local public libraries, and provides access to digital resources for all ages.

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Choose your own summer learning challenge courtesy of the Connecticut State Department of Education.  Choose from activities such as Tech Ed  Bingo Challenge, Social Studies Ambassador,  Story of Me Learning challenge and more!  Links to the Governor's Reading Challenge and the Commissioner's Math Challenge also located on this page.

Please click HERE to be taken to the Department of Education Summer Learning Hub page. Enjoy your learning!

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CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website

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Summer Learning Hub

Welcome to the Summer Learning Hub! A place to choose your own Summer Challenge.

WHY: The summer learning challenges offer K-12 students engaging options and opportunities to assist in sharpening essential college, career, and civic knowledge while better poising them for academic success in the fall.

WHO: The summer learning challenges offer K-12 students engaging options and opportunities to assist in sharpening essential college, career, and civic knowledge while better poising them for academic success in the fall.

WHEN: The Challenges begin June 12, 2020, with Reading and Mathematics. Over the next month, additional challenges will be released pertaining to a variety of topics.

HOW: The challenges will be introduced by a memo to superintendents and kept on the website for stakeholder access. Challenges include a mix of plugged and unplugged activities that students complete to assist in answering an array of essential questions including: What career am I most interested in pursuing? What role do I play in my community?

OUTCOME: Students will be engaged in high-quality, standards-aligned activities to assist in sharpening essential college, career, and civic knowledge while better poising them for academic success in the fall.

Learn more with a PD Playlist:
Career and Technical Education Bingo Challenge - New! Social Studies Ambassador Learning Challenge - New! Story of Me Learning Challenge - New!

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Welcome to the Summer Learning Hub! A place to choose your own Summer Challenge. WHY: The summer learning challenges offer K-12 students engaging options and opportunities to assist in sharpening essential college, career, and civic knowledge while better poising them for academic success in the fall.

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CT State Library - PebbleGo Next & interactive books

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CT State Library - PebbleGo Next & interactive books

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PebbleGo, PebbleGo Next and a variety of Capstone Interactive books are available June 1-August 31 as part of the CT Governor's Summer Reading! Link - then click on the large blue-ish/purpleish PebbleGo graphic on the left.

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CT State Library - Division of Library Development - Pebble Go