Native American Indian Paper Bag Crafts for Thanksgiving

Many schools teach Native American Indian history. Around Thanksgiving in the autumn is a popular time to explore native themes. Here is a cross-curricular lesson plan and craft to make Native American costume from a paper bag. Perfect for Halloween.  Recycle Bin Native American Indian Paper Bag Crafts for Thanksgiving 

Furry Thief Goes Trick-or-Treating, Gets Halloween Harvest

A naughty, greedy deer is caught on camera pilaging a neighbor's bushes. Her excuse? Kids get candy from strangers at trick-or-treat. Why can't I do my own Halloween harvesting? Enjoy this funny photo expose we snapped. Furry Thief Caught in the Act

Vintage Gothic Haunted House Ideas

I recently did the Haunted Museum at our local historical society. I don't believe in spook houses nor in scaring kids but I thought it would have an educational bent. It didn't, so I tried to swing it vintage Gothic to get away from a gory a little. Here's how I scripted, costumed and staged it.  I Have a Flair For Scaring People with Gothic Horror, to My Chagrin

My Dual Purpose Halloween Costume, Boadicea Scary and Non-Scary

I will be dressing up for Halloween this year and I need two costumes--a non-scary one for helping at my daughter's school concert. I'm volunteering at our local "Haunted Museum." I'm not big on scary costumes. But a haunted event will draw kids to the museum and give them interactive experience with history outside ho-hum textbooks. Being a teacher, I want my costume to have educational value. My Dual Purpose Halloween Costume, Boadicea Scary and Non-Scary

Preschool Apple Themed Printables, Crafts, Lessons, Recipes

Apples are the perfect theme for fall lessons. And just in time for harvest and Halloween. Here's an interactive, cross-curricular apple unit with crafts, recipes, science, art, creative writing, math, social studies, practical life, field trips and community-builders. I've added free printable apple-themed lesson plans and worksheets for activity extenders.   Preschool Apple Unit, Cross-Curricular Hands-on Crafts, Activities, Recipes

Healthy Pumpkin Treats Kids Can Make

Boy, pumpkin sure is the theme--everything from IHOP pancakes to beer features it. And right in time for harvest and Halloween parties. So I thought, why not tap into that beta-carotene goodness for my Week-of-school-snacks and Five-day-school-lunch-menu series? Here are healthy recipes featuring pumpkin. Use fresh (use pumpkin, not a jack-o-lantern) or take my lazy way out and use canned--not pie filling. Involve toddlers and preschooler in preparations. Weekly Snack Menu, Healthy Pumpkin Themed Kids Treats

Paranormal Prose Flash Fiction Slam for Halloween

On another site I wrote for, we used to have an annual Halloween flash fiction contest. Several years in a row, I "hosted" a fiction share thread on our forum. We'd share our submissions, read each others' and have good spookable fun. I added submissions to my blog

thewritersgarden.blogspot.com

You can read preceding year's selections under "horror" and "Halloween" tag or by clicking the Paranormal Prose Promotion link list. Last year, I decided to resurrect (pun intended) that fright fest with a Paranormal Prose Promotion of Facebook (same idea). Here's a way you can get in on the Halloween hauntings. Visit Bubblews   Paranormal Prose Flash Fiction Slam for Halloween

Free Printable Apple Activities for Fall, Halloween

Apples are a popular theme for fall lesson plans, especially for preschool lessons. Looking for apple activities for a harvest party, science lesson plans or maybe Halloween? Have I got a great sweet treat for you--a plethora of free printable apple-themed fun. This booklet includes apple math activities, science puzzles, social studies lessons and history extensions. There are printable creative writing prompts, word games and more.  Free Printable Apple Activities for Fall Preschool Lesson Plans 

Halloween Recycled Trash Crafts for Kids--Homemade Hats

Got rainy-day, can't go out to play bored kids? Why not get started on a nifty homemade Halloween costume? If you need a fun fix fast, I'm your go-to gal. My ideas cheap, easy and parent-friendly. Your recycle bin is your best ally. Today's boredom first-aid: homemade hats for trick-or-treat costumes. Use for school projects, history lessons, too.Rainy Day Recycle Bin Crafts for Kids--Homemade Hats

Homemade Preschool Animal Costumes for Halloween

 Dramatic play develops preschool social, emotional, artistic, creative and communication skills. Plays lend themselves to all content. Here are homemade costumes, props and settings for life science theater. I call it bio-drama. Using recycled materials teaches real-life environmental science! Perfect for Halloween costumes and displays. Excellent for group costumes. Homemade Preschool Dramatic Play Animal Costumes, Habitats