FALLING into FALL

 

 

 

 

FALLING into FALL

It is one of my favorite times of the year.  Here in Southern Indiana the corn fields are being harvested and children see this no matter where they go in the area.  Take time to enjoy the world that children should be aware of .............changing of the seasons.

Below is an on going project that can be added to a curriculum, displayed in an in home center or any classroom.

 

Materials needed: 

 Milk or water - gallon or 1/2 gallon jugs

Cut the jugs leaving the handle for easy moving

SOIL - get good soil at your local store

Ears of corn - I suggest an ear of field corn and another ear of Indian Corn

 

Invite the children to plant the ear of corn with the top (end where the shuck was pulled off) inserted in the soil.  Water with 1/2 cup of water.

PREDICT
COMPARE
MEASURE
WHY AND HOW

 

How much water will be needed and how often should you water ?  Make this an on going process for all the children.  We put a different ear of corn in each classroom and once a week we placed them together to see who had the most growth.  The same classroom won each year because she had the most sun coming through her window.  She faced the South.  The corn in the Northwest window did not grow much...............what a comparison for children to see.

 

Print a corn picture for each class and measure the growth. 

 

 

 

 

SEEING NATURE UP CLOSE

 

 

There are many local farms in our area.  Schedule a field trip and visit a local farm in your area. 

 I will share a funny. 

 One year we went to a dairy ....way....out....in the country and it was not a modern dairy.........human beings actually milked the cows.

The barn,  and areas around the barn,  were layered with manure and we all walked around and went inside the barn.  Inside the barn all the children got a chance to milk a cow sitting on a bucket. They also saw newly born kittens. 

 

 When we walked back to our cars (we could car pool in the old days) there was a mother with a garbage bag for each child's shoes.  She did not want manure in her car...........I still laugh because when we took the shoes out of the bag ............they were covered with manure.

 

So, we let the children go home without shoes and gave the bag to our parents.  It was a wonderful trip touching all 5 senses.

 

Wright's Berry Farm

 

 

 

 

This visit is filled with vegetables, fruits, flowers, tractors and all the things children need to experience first hand.

 

AUDUBON ARTS DAYThis event is for the Special children and adults in the Henderson, KY area.  Ms. Kim McGrew has received a national award for putting this event together.  It lasts for 3 days and hundreds of people are involved.  Kim has the camera in the bottom picture.  A musician, potter, camera man, balloon man, bubble lady, t-shirt maker and myself the storyteller are blessed to be asked to be part of this event.

This year they had a fancy chair and crown just for the storyteller.  It was wonderful to sit in the chair and see the expression on the visitors faces. 

 

This blog is longer than I had planned but when you get started it is hard to cut things off.  The pictures below are from St. Joe Child Care Center and I have permission to share them with you.  It is truly a kid friendly atmosphere.

 

 

Plant some corn, tell lots of stories, sing songs and enjoy the magic of the season.

 

Check out my new web site at www.storytellin.com and stay tuned for new and exciting adventures.  Sign up for my newsletter.............which will come out 4 times each year as the seasons change.

God has blessed us all with a special connection to a child's world.

Next month I am featuring a special book and the author just in time for the Christmas holiday.


NAEYC - Come to Washing, DC Nov. 20 - 23

Mary Jo's  workshop Sat. 10:30 a.m.  ROOM 146

You ALL come and also check out the Kaplan Booth on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
and Check out the FROG STREET booth for date and time of presentation.

 

 

 

GET READY for the CHA, CHA…..PENGUIN CHA-CHA!

GET READY for the CHA, CHA…..PENGUIN CHA-CHA!

This month I want to showcase a young author/illustrator, Kristi Valiant, who lives in my hometown.  She is an extremely gifted young woman.  Not only being the mother of two beautiful young girls, the wife of a busy man, and the illustrator of several books…………..she is now the author/illustrator of “PENGUIN CHA-CHA.”  Every Early Childhood classroom needs this book on their book shelf. 

Many of us have habits and one of my biggest habits is buying books.  The mail lady says I keep her job important with my Amazon and ABE book orders.  Put your books in important spots in your curriculum and then add projects that reinforce the language shared with the children.   
  

 

 

 Some of Kristi's other book, s and they are all on my shelf can be viewed on Amazon.  The Goodbye Cancer Garden is a favorite and I purchase and give it to people who are diagnosed with cancer.  It is a beautiful story written by a mother who a the cancer diagnosis.  Kristi's illustrations make you want to reach out and touch each page.  They compliment the entire story and are in your memory forever.

 

Cora Cook's Pancit can be added to a multicultural curriculum and  to the list of things to do with the children in the kitchen.  Cook and Eat!

 

 

This precious smile is always inviting others to share her excitement about writing and illustrating her books.  She is the Indiana representative for SCBWI (Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and has revived the group to the top of the ladder of exciting organizations to belong too.....................check it out and join today.

 

 

 

DIANNE DE LAS CASAS

 

GOTTA HAVE THIS LADY'S BOOKS

 

 

 

 

Dianne De Las Casas is another author friend from Harvey, LA.  This girl has set the world of picture books on fire.  Check out her web site at www.storyconnection.net and you will be thrilled to share all the story connections and author information.

Above is just a sample of one of her newest books "Little READ Hen" and it is filled with great language and language twists.  The circle at the bottom is her branding logo and when you see this logo you will see something exciting from Ms. Dianne.

The characters on the left are from the Little READ Hen book and can be used for puppets so children will retell this story.  Her books have a connection to State Standards and Core Curriculum.

 

 

 

 

Dianne has a beautiful daughter Ms. Eliana who is an author of children's cook books.  She is a beauty just like her sassy mama and has hit the circuit of chefs with a thunder.  Watch out world here she comes...........pot, pans, skillets, mixing bowls and great recipes!!!!

 

PICTURE BOOK MONTH

 

Picture book month was created by Dianne and is an international celebration of picture books.

She has a special shelf at my house and this shelf is filled with signed books by my author friends.  Get yourself a new book and go to the author's web sites and sign up for their blogs and learn the curriculum connections.

 

Something new on the horizon........................beginning February 2014 I will be offering

IN-HOUSE-FIELD-TRIPS

via

 

The background is up, the camera is on the 37" screen, my office needs cleaning and all props are being prepared for this event.  In Feb. I will be offering a WINTER WONDERLAND visit and then in April the connection will be a SPRING FLING.  All 30 minute visits will be seasonal.

Give me a call for more information and secure a date for a visit to your school, library or home.

 

Until next month have a great beginning of FALL and celebrate our FREEDOM.

 

Mary Jo Huff
Author, Storyteller, Song Writer, Puppeteer
www.storytellin.com
maryjo@storytellin.com
812-455-1558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Educational FUN in Summer Time!

EDUCATIONAL FUN in the GOOD OLE SUMMER TIME

As an amazing summer starts slipping away I want to share a little piece of my world in July and give you information for July 2014………………just one year away.  If you plan to treat yourself to an amazing conference somewhere in this big world keep in touch with FROG STREET.

In my OPINION, it is the best conference in the entire USA.  They have a Pre-K curriculum that is outstanding and each member of their staff has the best attitude about their Froggie world.

Meet the Frog Street Leaders:

Bill, Jay, Sharon, Ron, Amy

A group dedicated to the value of a great early childhood education for all children.

There is always an area for photo shoots and it is a busy place during the whole conference.  Special times are set up to get photos with Fannie and Fernando.

Workshops are conducted by some of my favorite people.  Check out the group……….many of these people are part of the original DREAM TEAM gathered by Ron Chase, Sharon Burnett and Pam Schiller.

The world of Pre-K educational resources changed and offers the best of the best.

Thursday is an intensive day filled with make/take experiences, Curriculum instructions and seeing old friends.

Pete the Cat producer Michael Levine rocked the stage with his music and visuals about how Pete the Cat has become a household name.  Michael is the musical master of "The Learning Groove!"  His music is the music that thousands of children and teachers are singing every day.

Thursday evening is always an invitation for everyone to jive and jam with Don Monolopi, Stephen Fite, Mary Jo Huff, Frog Street’s newest crooner Jay, Shawn Brown.  Upper right is Don with Mary Jo and the bottom left is Don and Stephen  acting like Sonny and Cher.....so funny.  The middle has Don, Stephen and Jay.  The two upper right pictures are Greg and Steve having some fun.  Mary Jo is in the bottom rt. corner telling a fun story about Rabbit and Snake with the audience.

Late night fun captured all the techie enthusiast even some in their pajamas.  Debbie Clement blasted my mind with her internet expertise................I don' t have enough brain left to even absorb all the daily changes in this area of our world. 

Friday begins a full day of workshops geared for educational connections and invites to learn the best there is from the best presenters to be found.  There are Keynotes and give-a-ways galore.

Friday evening ALL attendees are treated to a sit down dinner, live music, huge give-a-ways……..I mean dollars, big dollars and even a free registration for the following year.  The staff at Frog Street is introduced and the owners are given a standing ovation.  The music plays on and on but this lady retired for the evening because my 3 workshops were all scheduled on Saturday.

 

What a thrill to see the room fill up with anxious Early Childhood Educators……………that is a big crank for me and I seem to talk faster and faster because I have so much to say and so many ideas to share.

Two new workshops were introduced this year and will become part of what I can do.

Catching a 6:00 a.m. flight at the Dallas airport gave me time to take a nap on the way to Detroit.  It is always good to come home but when you have a Frog Street experience under your skin you keep an itching to return and start making plans for the following year.

So, YOU ALL make plans to have the best time of your life in San Antonio, TX in 2014. Keep in touch with the web site www.frogstreet.com

Watch my web site for some new information.  I have put together several programs that can come to you via SKYPE.  I will come to you as an IN-HOUSE-FIELDTRIP.

We are working out the kinks and then I am ready to be aired by hundreds of kids across the waves………………bringing a special, unique presentation filled with music, movement, stories (some old and some original), poems, puppets and finger plays.  All presentations align with CCSS and Early Childhood Foundations.

Watch for a preview.  I will come to you with over 35 years of exciting, educational fun and I still  have a passion and excitement about telling stories with children.

Mary Jo Huffwww.storytellin.com
maryjo@storytellin.com
812-455-1558

 

 

MEET MY FRIENDS: Chateau Meddybemps!

MY FRIENDS

I want to introduce you to two incredible people.  Both are passionate about Early Childhood and best practices for children.  Sharing part of their web site will entice you to check it out so you can share in the new world of technology and young children.  Sometimes in life we meet special people and my friends are special people in the lives of all children.

 Welcome to the world of Chateau Meddybemps!

The writer, illustrator, and designer of this site is Jerry Jindrich (pronounced jin'-drik). That's me. I live in the small town of Newburgh, in southwestern Indiana, with my delightful wife and good friend since first grade in Fairbanks, Alaska, Susan. Susan is responsible for all the material about learning you'll find on the site. 

Susan and I grew up in Air Force families, moving often, changing schools, seeing and appreciating different parts of the world. Somehow, we both ended up going to Auburn University.

I began my career in 1967, after earning a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Design from Auburn. I spent roughly eleven years working in educational television, advertising, and medical communications. I freelanced for five years, and finally spent twenty-three years with a major pharmaceutical/nutritional company.

When the World Wide Web was created, I oversaw that company's online presence, eventually being named the Manager, Internet Design and Development. In that role, I designed and managed its corporate and brand sites through my retirement in 2006. Since then, I have once again taken on freelance projects and am devoting considerable energy to Meddybemps.com.

Susan is a graduate of Auburn's School of Education. She also has an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Southern Indiana and a Master's Degree in Kindergaten/Primary from Indiana State University.

Until this June, Susan was the Program Chair, Early Childhood Education, at IVY Tech Community College in Evansville, Indiana. She was named Teacher of the Year on her campus for the 2011-2012 year. Now she is teaching two courses per semester as an adjunct instructor and loving it. She uses her knowledge and talents to improve teachers' skills.

Previously, Susan spent eighteen years with Head Start, as a classroom teacher, in various managerial roles, and finally as the Director of a three-county program. She has also taught 2nd and 3rd grade in the public school system. She is one of those magical people that children instinctively trust and enjoy.

In 1995, frustrated by rejection notices and the glacially slow submission process used by children's book publishers, I launched the Meddybemps.com website to showcase my work, hoping to create something so wildly popular that publishers would come to me. I included some of my stories and a few activities to amuse young children. Before anyone publishers called (and some have, finally), it dawned on me that I could accomplish something greater. 

At the time, Susan was developing materials to help parents understand how young children learned, how there was a sequence of skills development, and how parents could take an active role in their child's education. Many parents have unrealistic expectations and this causes problems for them and for their children.


Susan and I realized we could use our website to teach parents and to give them a variety of playful learning tools to use with their children. Our site could be seen families everywhere who had access to the World Wide Web. And, due to the relatively low cost of online publishing, they could use the site for free.



So we changed the nature of Meddybemps.com. On one level, our site is simply a place for children (and grown-ups) to have fun. There are original stories, amusing characters and whimsical ideas. Wordplay and humorous illustrations abound, offering visitors opportunities and reasons to smile, maybe even to laugh. But on a second level, Susan and I are building a site that quietly reflects our belief that learning is a wonder-filled experience for all ages, an experience that can be shared by children, parents and teachers. This site celebrates that belief.

We are continually adding information and activities to the site. Our goal is to promote understanding and provide useful tools. The Internet gives us an unprecedented opportunity to share this material with people around the world.

Creative Services with simplicity and style

Now that I've left the corporate world, I'm free to take on selected creative projects. While I have a broad range of skills and experience, I'm most interested in Web projects and illustration. If you need illustration or Web design/consulting services, write to me at bananas@meddybemps.com or call me at 812-853-7693.

A Talented Contributor

Many interactive elements appear on Meddybemps.com thanks to the talents of a terrific illustrator and designer named Suzanne Muse. Visit Suzanne's Web site (www.musecreative.com) to learn more about her and see samples of her work for a variety of clients.

Here are links to the pages on this site that she's made more engaging by building Flash interactive modules based on my illustrations:

Magic Paint Brush

Alphabet Practice Pad

Flower Shop

Pet Shop

Pumpkins

Puzzles

Maze

Matching games
 

Come Back Often.

Building a site like this one takes time. So come back now and then to see what's new. We add new material monthly and highlight it on the Fun & Games page and usually on the What's New page.

E-Mail your questions, compliments and/or complaints to: bananas@meddybemps.com.

Or mail them to:

Chateau Meddybemps

P.O. Box 1054

Newburgh, IN 47629, U.S.A.

If you enjoy Chateau Meddybemps, share it with others. Parents who are interested in early learning can really help their children with our parenting guides and activities. Everyone enjoys a good children's story or a bit of humor now and then.

If you wish to support the site, purchase a souvenir or two from our online store. There are lots of colorful T-Shirts, coffee mugs and other products designed by Jerry and available through our partner, Zazzle.com. Teachers may be especially interested in our downloadable products and the 101 Story Starters CD-ROM. Every little bit helps!

Most of all, HAVE FUN!

Cordially yours,
Jerry and Susan Jindrich

Mary Jo Huff: Storytellin'

                                               

This article could be many more pages but I will introduce many of my friends as time goes along.  Take a few minutes and explore the fascinating site at www.meddybemps.com and enjoy the young child connection.  That’s all until August……….enjoy summer and remember the sunshine when cold weather reenters our lives.

I am privileged to call Susan and Jerry friends and as we work on some new ideas together keep in touch ……there are NEW IDEAS getting ready to bloom.  Check my website for adventures and ideas generated from the world of STORYTELLING. 

Mary Jo Huff
Storytellin'

Watch for new adventures from my visit to Texas and the big SPLASH conference by Frog Street.

Also if you are coming to Washington DC for NAEYC in November.......... catch a workshop ................... I am proud to announce that I have been accepted again this year and will plan new and exciting literacy connections.