DRESS UP FUN: WHAT WILL YOU BE?

Some fun and simple costume ideas:

Artist -- Smock, beret, paint brushes

Jazz Musician - - Black pants, long sleeved jacket or sweater, a musical instrument, and a handkerchief.

Chef - - Apron, hat, mixing bowl and spoon

Deep Sea Fisherman - - Raincoat, boots, and hat; net or a metal bucket

Construction worker - Jeans, long sleeved shirt, hard hat, tool belt

Highland dancer - Tights, plaid skirt, plaid scarf long (to run from one shoulder to one hip) and a beret.

Fun & Easy Art Project

What you need:

• 1 canvas (stretched is best) - smaller size
• 1 canvas (stretched is best) - same or larger for adult use
• 1 roll of painter's masking tape
• Arylic paints or similar paints suitable and appropriate for the age of the child (avoid oils as they take too long to dry and the child does not get to enjoy the painting as soon)
• Plastic sheeting (to protect paint surface)
• Old shirt or painter's smock
• Brushes (2-3 sizes)
• Paper or foam plate to hold dabs of paint

Prepare area for painting (an old table, floor areas, etc.), cover with plastic. Take canvas and place tape across each canvas to create 'panes' by laying 1-4 horizontal and vertical strips. They can be spaced evenly or irregularly placed.

Encourage the child to think about what colors they want to use. Show them how to create a 'wash' ( at the top edge use straight undiluted paint), drag the brush down (dry) until the paint thins on the canvas. It is alright if the undercolor shows through. Softly blend down the heavy strong paint creating a slight washed out look. Show them how using one strong color produces a vibrant look. If using arcylics, you can also show how a heavy coating adds texture and dimension as well. Caution: it will take a little longer to dry.

As sections dry, second coats of highlighting can be added (dots, stripes, flowers, etc.). Some children may whizz through in 20 minutes and others take 2 hours to complete. Let the child's inner creativity and artistic vision drive the experience. As much as you may desparately want to "correct" something resist the urge. Demonstrate instead and let them copy the technique or idea if they desire.

Wait a while for the work to dry and ta-da!!!! Original art!!!!

READING TO SOMEONE SPECIAL

The best thing parents, grandparents, or caregivers can do for a child is to create a positive and regular habit of shared reading.

Start reading to the child when they are young, allow them to love the sound of the loving voice (0-3), then allow them to hear the proper use of the language (3-8), then allow them to ask questions and interact with the images or objects in the book (3-10), and then later talk about the issues raised in the text (5-10).

Some books are best simply to enjoy them, some to learn from, and some to make one think. Allow you and your child to experience all of those in many positive situations.

The safest way to introduce the harsh real world is through books shared in the safety zone of a lap or seated close to someone who is trusted and loving. There, children can learn some people do not ask 'right', not everyone is kind, and sometimes this happan that make you sad. In that safety zone of care, the child can learn a lesson about their own humanity and the value of a family or a safety net of those who care.

The world may not be rosy and always sunny, but there is always warmth and the light of love, when a child and an adult who cares spend time reading together.

GREAT BOOK SHARES VALUES FOR KIDS

Author Christy Elkins, The Seedling Heart, is available via Amazon.

A tale based on the the three virtues of faith hope and love. A fun lesson teaching children the importance of sharing the best part of themselves.

FLOWER POEM

The flower is yellow;

what a handsome fellow.

His bed is green;

One of the best ever seen.

The ground is brown;

even when it's upside down.

Summer flowers are fine;

But these sunflowers are mine!

CREATE A STORY

One early summer morning, a small brown bunny was wandering around the first porch of a house when....

What happens next?

Email your story to marilynahudson@yahoo.com with "Bunny's Summer Adventure" on the subject line. Include your name (children first name only), age, and location.

EXPLORING INDIA

India folktales.

India Book list.

India foods.

India clothes: Sari (video on how to wear)

BIRD TALES

One blustry day.....

RULES FOR WORKING WITH KIDS

Rule #4: Make the spaces inviting and colorful; change displays often to keep it fresh. SHown here is Ralph Ellison Library (Oklahoma City) ca 2000.

RULES FOR WORKING WITH KIDS

Rule #3 - Engage the imagination or no learning ever takes place. Use the senses: have the children see, feel, experience....through the imagination. This leads to other learning and a desire to know more..... I used a large vinyal cutout of a dinosaur footprint (actual size) and then had children estimate how many people could stand on the footprint, etc. They competed in dinosaur roaring contests as we learned about vocal cords, sound waves, and wondered if dinos really were related to birds might they chirp really loud????

RULES FOR WORKING WITH KIDS

Rule #2: ALWAYS maintain your dignity. [Note, all children shown are now adults. I, however, have not aged one single day. A miracle it is.]

RULES FOR WORKING WITH KIDS

Rule # 1: Make literary connections whenever possible. Halloween? "A Wrinkle in Time", "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", etc.

BOARDS BY MARILYN: Welcome Lynn Moroney

Here author-storyteller Lynn Moroney stands in front of a board dedicated to her visit to a school. Also pictured are Jeannie Johnson and Marilyn A. Hudson.

BOARDS BY MARILYN: Winter Wonders

Tissue paper has so many uses, wrap a gift, or tassel to create dimensional pine boughs or scrunch to create snow covered ground.

BOARDS BY MARILYN: SPIN A TALE FOR OCTOBER FUN

A black trash bag, filled with trash, created the spider and the web. The letter were a type with push pins attached to the back - very handy.

BOARDS BY MARILYN: BACK TO SCHOOL/OFF TO SUMMER

A Marilyn A. Hudson created bulletin board. Note the curls of hair; the sun in the sky will remain in place for several months of board displays.

SCU HOSTS FAMILY FRIENDLY STORYTELLING IN APRIL

'TELL IT AGAIN!' FAMILY STORYTELLING EVENT
"Tell It Again!", family storytelling event, Saturday April 17, 2010, 1p.m. to 3 p.m.- at Southwestern Christian University (Patrick Building), Bethany, Oklahoma will feature three well known Oklahoma author-storytellers. Molly Lemmons, Kathryn Thurman and Jim Etter.

Molly Lemmons, aka"Molly Lou Belle with Tales to Tell!", of Mustang, is well known and loved around the state of Oklahoma and beyond for her charming stories of the way things used to be. Humorous, touching, and totally enjoyable she will entertain any audience. She is also an award winning author of several books based on a popular newspaper column and on personal remembrances of life: "Kind of Heart", a novel "The Passing of Paradise", and a book for young girls, "Pure as the Driven Snow."

Kathryn Thurman, of Midwest City, has been sharing tales, directing plays, and working with community groups for many years. She is the author of several books and led numerous workshops on the use sound equipment, character development, and stage presence for emerging storytellers. She often weaves an Indian flute into her stories and lends a moment of awe and magic to tales from across time. Funny and often fast paced she adds many unique stylings to keep every audience listening.

Jim Marion Etter, Bethany, is a retired, award-winning reporter for The Daily Oklahoman whose offbeat, folksy writing about his home state has earned him the reputation as "Oklahoma's master country storyteller." A writer of both fiction and nonfiction, he's the author of five books and a contributing author of four others, and has written for numerous magazines including Persimmon Hill and Western Horsemen. A native of the small Muskogee County town of Oktaha, he now lives in Oklahoma City. He's also been a newspaper and television reporter in Laredo, Texas - "El Charro Flaco" - and has served as a military journalist and translator in Latin America. His books have captured a nearly forgotten Oklahoma history and his stories provide a glimpse into the byways and people of some interesting places. His books include:Thunder in the Heartland: Parables from Oklahoma, It's A Dirty Shame:101 Unforgettable Places in Oklahoma,and others.

Serving as MC will be Marilyn A. Hudson, another Oklahoma storyteller , who also writes the "Oklahoma Tellers" blog keeping people informed about tellers, events, and history of storytelling in Oklahoma.

The event is free and open to the public. Call 405-789-7661x3451 or marilynahudson@yahoo.com for information or to reserve a space for a group. Southwestern Christian University is located near NW 39th Expressway and Rockwell in Bethany.


The event is a jointly sponsored by the SCU Professional Services and University Library Deaprtments.