Everything Butterfly: Butterfly Bubbles

Welcome back to "Everything Butterfly" if you missed the introduction post click HERE!  

We absolutely LOVE bubble wands!!!  I think they make the BEST bubbles.  Kids love bubbles AND they are a great learning tool for the young child!  We decided to get creative and turn our bubble wand into a butterfly!

These are the following items you will need...

1. Bubble Wand
2. Large Foam Butterfly Cut-Out
3. Pipe Cleaner for the Antenna
4. Googly Eyes 
5. Stickers (or other fun objects to decorate with)
6. Hot Glue to Attach Foam to Bubbles (for ADULTS only)

 Tips & Ideas for Your Butterfly Bubbles

• To use the foam butterfly for just the wings simply trim off the foam antennas (you will be using pipe cleaners for the antenna).
• Kids may want to decorate with markers BUT markers will bleed when bubbles are blown.
• The butterfly bubbles are REUSABLE!!!  Simply REFILL when the bubbles run out. 
• GREAT craft idea for playdates.
• Use as a party favor for a birthday or special get together.
• Give as a gift to someone special!
• I called these bubbles "butterfly kisses" when we blew them!  The children thought this was fun and silly!
• See the supplies below from my amazon affiliate link!

Happy Creating Butterfly Bubbles!!

Everything Butterfly: Hands on Life-Cycle

Welcome to "Everything Butterfly!"  If you missed the introduction click HERE! Today's "Everything Butterfly" post shares two simple hands-on activities that teach the butterfly life-cycle.  The first activity uses play dough!

Print off a simple life cycle worksheet and place it inside a plastic page protector.  The plastic page protector will act as a play dough mat which will prevent the play dough from sticking to it!  Using play dough have your child form each stage, discuss the stage as they create it.  I also supplied a butterfly cookie cutter for additional play and fun!


The next activity uses a popcorn seed and uncooked noodles to form the life-cycle on a stick!

• The Popcorn Seed = Egg
• The Rotini Noodle = Caterpillar
• The Shell Noodle = Chrysalis
• The Farfalle Noodle = Butterfly

I attached each piece with a hot glue for extra security! 

I love teaching through great books!  Check out these titles below through my affiliate links!  Happy butterfly learning!

Everything Butterfly: Introduction

The life cycle of the butterfly is truly amazing.  It points to our creator who so intelligently, beautifully, and magnificently created butterflies for His glory and our knowing and enjoyment of Him!

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.  Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 

Romans 1: 20 (NLT)

Join me as I share with you our enjoyment of God's creation, EVERYTHING BUTTERFLY!  We have been very busy watching the life-cycle unfold, visiting our local butterfly garden, making our own backyard butterfly garden, creating butterfly arts & crafts, and even eating fun butterfly themed treats.

Today I will share with you a simple stamping activity that will help children recognize that God created butterflies for His glory!  This lesson was taken from "Jesus, What a Savior!" curriculum created by Children Desiring God.  If you would like to read the review of this particular curriculum click HERE.

The lesson is titled, "God Created the World to show How Special He Is."  I have used this lesson MANY times while studying or enjoying nature with my children.  The key verse is Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims his handiwork."  The three main ideas are...

1. God is overflowing in His greatness and worth.
2. Creation is a display of how special God is.
3. In creation, we can see, feel, touch, hear, and smell how special God is. (Click HERE for more ideas of how to extend this idea). 

After discussing the main ideas and reading the correlated bible verses we stamped butterflies to the worksheet above.  The completed worksheet would then communicate to the child, "God Created BUTTERFLIES (stamped picture) to Show How Special He Is."  After, I displayed the completed worksheet for us to be reminded of this great truth!


If you are looking for another way to use stamps try this...

Simply use a variety of colored markers to color directly onto the rubber stamp then press stamp directly onto the paper for a beautiful colorful design!

Please join me as I share with you and your family more "EVERYTHING BUTTERFLY"  activities and ideas!

Theology Thursdays FOR KIDS Lesson & Link-Up #20 Human Beings are the Greatest Part of God's Creation

Welcome back to, "Theology Thursdays FOR KIDS!!"  Don't forget at the end of the post you are invited to Link-Up!  If you missed the introduction post please click HERE! This will give you all the information about this series!  Theology Thursdays posts will now be on the FIRST THURSDAY of each month!

(affiliate link below)
Current guidebook for the series.
Order HERE!

Theology Lesson FOR KIDS #20

Human Beings are the Greatest Part of God's Creation
  
"When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?

 You have made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor."

Psalm 8:3-5

We've moved into the fourth section of Dr. Ware's book.  This section will focus on, "Our Human Nature and Sin."  Today's focus is, human beings are God's masterpieces of creation!  Dr. Ware gives us the following truths to consider for this...

1. God created man on the last day of creation, God's grand finale was humans!
2. Humans are the only creation made in the image of God.
3. God gives us the right to rule over the animals of the earth.  God views mankind as having a special place in authority over creation.
4. "God values who we are, created in His image, more then He values any other part of His creation.  This can be seen since the Bible describes God's plan and work on behalf of sinful humans, made in his image."

Dr. Ware then helps us form some principals in light of the four truths above....

• First, "The only reason human being are so special is because God made us this way.  We had absolutely nothing to do with it...we need to be humble, not proud, in light of God's goodness to make us in His image." 
• Second, "We should see human life as very dear and precious, never to be taken lightly...humans are a much greater value in God's eyes than any other part of creation.  God created things this way, and we should see them the way God does." 

I appreciated the first principal to consider as I help my children understand how special they are  NOT in their own doing but because of God's!  This gives the glory to God! 

Consider these Ideas for Teaching Theology to Children...

• Don't be afraid to challenge your child to THINK!  In a world where children have many thoughtless and effortless tasks (video games, TV, and computer time) challenge your child to THINK through great truths of the gospel!
• Take your time to soak up truth!  Don't rush through a lesson, allow time, opportunities, and study to help resonate a specific truth within them (and us!!).
• Begin an individual journal or family journal about the theological truths learned, review it regularly. 
• Pray that the Lord would give you wisdom and understanding as you seek to honor Him in the teaching and training of your children.
• Pray that God would open the eyes of your child's HEART that they would EMBRACE the gospel not just KNOW the content intellectually (see this related post).
• Talk about these truths DAILY and when teachable moments present themselves take advantage of them! 

AND NOW...

The Featured Post from Last Week's Link-Up...
 

Darling Downs Diary shared, "Some Days are Diamonds" 

a wonderful post on thankfulness in the simple things!

It's your turn to LINK-UP! Please see the rules below!  

Your participation is a BLESSING to me (and I'm sure others as well!)

Link-up Rules:

1. Please link up any related post on biblical theology, teaching God's Word to Children, or even a general biblical post for encouragement! 
2. I would appreciate if you link back to my blog in some way!  
3. Then don't forget to come back and visit other bloggers who linked-up too!

*I reserve the right to remove any post that I feel may not be appropriate or applicable to this particular link-up.  Thank you for reviewing and following the link-up rules!

An InLinkz Link-up

Was your blog featured?  Grab this button below to display on your blog!  Thank you for your participation!

Theology Thursdays FOR KIDS!!! Lesson & Link-Up #19 God Controls Pain and Suffering in the World

Welcome back to, "Theology Thursdays FOR KIDS!!"  Don't forget at the end of the post you are invited to Link-Up!  If you missed the introduction post please click HERE! This will give you all the information about this series!

(affiliate link below)
Current guidebook for the series.
Order HERE!

Theology Lesson FOR KIDS 19: 

God Controls Pain and Suffering in the World

In this session we conclude Dr. Ware's third chapter, "Creator and Ruler of All."  I have enjoined this chapter as it addresses the difficult questions of good/evil and the question "why?"  To read the posts related to this chapter please see below (click on the title to be redirected to that particular topic/post).

#14 God Made the World

#15 God Rules the World He Has Made 

#16 God Provides All Good Things in the World

#17 God Controls All Bad Thing in the World 

#18 Our Responsibility in the World God Controls 

#19 God Controls Pain and Suffering in the World (below)

In this section Dr. Ware points children to five principals that help them think correctly about suffering from a biblical and Christian point of view.

1. Suffering is not, in itself, something that lasts forever.  In Revelation 21:3-4 it speaks of pain and suffering NOT being part of the new re-creation to come! Praise God!!
2. Suffering is often planned and used by God to bring about good.  Dr. Ware shares several ways God may use suffering...Suffering can be used by God as a tool of judgement, to call children back to himself, enable believers to grow, to show the greater strength and glory of God, so that believers will be better able to help others who, in similar ways, experience suffering in their lives, and suffering is part of being a believer of Jesus.
3.  God has promised his children that everything in their lives, even suffering, will be used for their good.  Romans 8:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Ephesians 5:20, and Psalm 34:10
4. God is more concerned with our character then our comfort, with our holiness rather than our happiness.  James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-5
5. We should pray for God to remove our suffering while we also pray for God to help us accept our suffering.  Example of Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Even in the midst of difficulty God is on the throne, He is in control, and we can trust Him!  Press On!! 

Ideas for Teaching Theology to Children...

• Don't be afraid to challenge your child to THINK!  In a world where children have many thoughtless and effortless tasks (video games, TV, and computer time) challenge your child to THINK through great truths of the gospel!
• Take your time to soak up truth!  Don't rush through a lesson, allow time, opportunities, and study to help resonate a specific truth within them (and us!!).
• Begin an individual journal or family journal about the theological truths learned, review it regularly. 
• Pray that the Lord would give you wisdom and understanding as you seek to honor Him in the teaching and training of your children.
• Pray that God would open the eyes of your child's HEART that they would EMBRACE the gospel not just KNOW the content intellectually (see this related post).
• Talk about these truths DAILY and when teachable moments present themselves take advantage of them! 

AND NOW...

The Featured Post from Last Week's Link-Up...
 
Stop by and read, "God's Own Curriculum" from Darling Downs Diaries!

It's your turn to LINK-UP! Please see the rules below!  

Your participation is a BLESSING to me (and I'm sure others as well!)

Link-up Rules:

1. Please link up any related post on biblical theology, teaching God's Word to Children, or even a general biblical post for encouragement! 
2. I would appreciate if you link back to my blog in some way!  
3. Then don't forget to come back and visit other bloggers who linked-up too!

Please check back each week as I may feature your blog the following Thursday!  Also follow "My Teacher's Name is Mama" on pinterest to see your links pinned under "Theology Thursdays for Kids LINK-UP."

*I reserve the right to remove any post that I feel may not be appropriate or applicable to this particular link-up.  Thank you for reviewing and following the link-up rules!

An InLinkz Link-up

Was your blog featured?  Grab this button below to display on your blog!  Thank you for your participation!

Homeschooling Your Child with Special Needs

I'm very excited to begin a new blog series focusing on homeschooling your child with special needs!  Today will focus on the decision to actually homeschool your child.  Making the homeschooling decision may be difficult.  Often times we place so much pressure on ourselves. We think of homeschooling as an enormous, unattainable task.  We seek perfection and battle fear of failure.  We compare, doubt, and worry.  Sometimes you may just need a little support.  I am hopeful that I will be a breath of fresh air through this series for you!

If you are considering homeschooling there is a reason why!  You want the very best for your child.  Use that motivation, to be the best for your child, and provide for them a wonderful home learning environment!  Don't use that motivation for perfection and fear.  Take one learning day at a time! 

Resources are plentiful!  Today we live in an information overloaded world.  We have resources and information always with us through phones, computers, i-pads, tablets, and the list goes on.  Use these resources in a way that is helpful for your family, resist being overwhelmed by it.  You will have plenty of resources and you can simply use or adjust the content to meet your child's learning needs!  (More on this to come throughout the series)

You know your child the best!  You can see a melt down coming before it hits, you know distraction or irritability, you sense when it's a good day, you have the best motivation for your child, you know when your child will be engaged, and this list goes on.  You are the best teacher for your child because you KNOW your child inside and out.  You can schedule your day to fit their best learning times, create individual motivational charts, prevent overload and meltdowns all in a safe and calm home learning environment!

Academic learning doesn't need to be from the traditional 8:30am to 3:30pm for your child to be successful.  Because you are giving one-on-one support to your child you will be amazed at how much you can accomplish.   This actually opens up the day to create even more learning opportunities (cooking, cleaning, playing outdoors, field trips, self-help skills, crafts, arts, music, etc.)

Please join me on this journey of homeschooling your child with special needs.  This will never be a decision you will regret.  Investing in your child brings much fulfillment and happiness!!  What a wonderful opportunity you have before you.  Embrace it with joy.

Don't miss a post in this series!  Subscribe by email below!!

Happy Mother's Day 2015!!! (with FREE Resource)

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Becoming a mother is LIFE-CHANGING!  It has been one of my greatest joys to mother a child and now two!  To think that the Lord would entrust me with the great responsibility of raising children for His glory is overwhelmingly fulfilling.  I often feel the weight of this responsibility just to have it lifted when I trust in God's sovereignty for myself and my children.  I desire that my children love the Lord their God will all their heart, soul, and mind.  I pray for their salvation daily and ask that God would open the eyes of their heart to the truth of Himself.  I cling to Deuteronomy 6:5-9 as I (and my husband) train our children.

⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

In light of Mother's Day you may enjoy a free downloaded book from John Piper's web-site (www.DesiringGod.org) titled "Mom Enough."  Click HERE to be directed to this encouraging book for moms!!  Happy Mother's Day!