Charlotte Mason inspired Classical Education Kindergarten Book List

We have just finished up our Kindergarten year of Charlotte Mason Classical Christian Homeschooling. Both my Kindergartener and my Preschooler enjoyed most of these poem and living books; they had me reread some of them so many times that they could quote parts of them with me as I read. After we read each book, the girls get to flip through the pages and retell the story to me in their own words.

There are many, many, MANY great classical living books that can be read to Preschool and Kindergarten age children, here is the list that we read this year…

Here are some of my other book list posts:

Here are some of my other Classical Education posts:

National April Food Holidays

Apr 1- Wed

Apr 2- Thurs- National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

We made PB&J’s for lunch today.

Apr 3- Fri- National Chocolate Mousse Day

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 8 oz semi sweet mini chocolate chips
  • berries

Directions:

  1. Heat 3/4 cup of the heavy cream in a small sauce pan on medium heat. Remove once is starts to simmer.
  2. Add the chocolate chips to the hot cream and whisk until smooth.
  3. Let it cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
  4. Whip the remaining 1 1/4 cup of heavy cream with an electric mixer for about 5 minutes.
  5. Once is starts to peak, fold in half of it to the cooled chocolate.
  6. Then gently fold in the remaining cream to the chocolate until it is smooth.
  7. Place in 6 serving bowls and refrigerate for 2 hours.
  8. Top with berries.

Apr 4- Sat- National Ramen Noodles Day

We made Ramen Noodles for lunch today.

Apr 5- Sun- National Deep Dish Pizza Day

We tried some frozen personal deep dish pizzas.

Apr 6- Mon-National Caramel Popcorn Day

Ingredients:

  • 10 cups popped corn
  • 2 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup corn syrup (Karo)
  • 1 cup btter
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

  1. Boil the sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a small sauce pan.
  2. Add the sweetened condensed milk and cook to softball stage.
  3. Add vanilla.
  4. Put the popcorn into large bowls and pour the caramel over it. Mix until the popcorn is covered.

To reheat, place in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.

Apr 7- Tues- National Coffee Cake Day

Cake Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups milk

Topping Ingredients:

  • 1 cup melted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 TBSP flour
  • 1 TBSP cinnamon

Glaze Ingredients:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Mix the cake ingredients one at a time stopping when you get to the milk.
  3. Add in the milk slowly while it is mixing.
  4. Pour the cake mix into a greased 9×13 cake pan.
  5. Mix the topping ingredients with an electric mixer.
  6. Drop spoonfulls of the mixture evenly over the batter in the pan, then swirl it around with a butter knife.
  7. Bake for 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Whisk together the glaze ingredients, adding more milk if needed.
  9. After the cake has cooled for about 10 minutes, drizzle the glaze over the cake.
  10. Allow it to set, but serve warm

Apr 8- Wed- National Empanada Day (mini meat empanadas)

I used this mini Empanada recipe from the Landscape Insight blog.

Apr 9- Thurs- National Chinese Almond Cookie Day

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup soft butter
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • sliced almonds
  • 1 TBS milk
  • 1 egg

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare 2 baking sheets.
  2. Mix the ingredients well, adding 1 at a time starting at the top of the list and stopping with the extracts.
  3. Scoop the dough, adding 1 tablespoon at a time to the cookie sheet. Place them about 2 inches apart.
  4. Place 3 almonds in a star shape on the top of each cookie pressing them slightly in to flatten a bit.
  5. Mix the milk and egg and gently brush on the top of each cookie.
  6. Bake for 18 minutes unitl the edges are golden brown.

Apr 10- Fri- National Cinnamon Crescent Day

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cup warm water
  • 2 TBS sugar
  • 1 TBS yeast
  • 2 TBS soft butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 TBS cinnamon
  • 2 TBS soft butter
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

  1. Mix the sugar and water. Sprinkle the yeast on the top and let it rest for 5 mintues.
  2. Add the butter, salt, cinnamon, and flour (one cup at a time).
  3. Knead for 5 minutes, cover and let it rise for 20 minutes.
  4. Cut the dough into 2 pieces and roll them out into 15 inch circles.
  5. Cut each circle into 8 triangles and roll them from the large side in to the smaller side.
  6. Place on the baking sheet and let rest for 20 minutes.
  7. Brush with melted butter and cinnamon.
  8. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 mintues.

Apr 11- Sat- National Cheese Fondue Day

I used this Swiss & Cheddar Cheese Fondue recipe from the Butter with a Side of Bread blog.

Apr 12- Sun- Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

Ingredients:

  • bread
  • butter
  • cheese (any kind you like)
  • garlic salt

Directions:

  1. Place a pan on medium heat.
  2. Lightly butter 2 slices of bread.
  3. Place one slice of bread butter side down on the pan.
  4. Place the cheese on bread.
  5. Place the other slice of bread on top of the cheese with the butter side up.
  6. Sprinkle garlic salt on the butter side.
  7. Once the bottom is golden brown, flip the sandwich.
  8. Once the second side is golden brown, remove from heat.

Apr 13- Mon- National Peach Cobbler Day

Ingredients

  • 4 Cups fresh sliced peaches
  • 1 Cup sugar for peaches
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

  • 1 Cup flour
  • 1 Cup sugar for batter
  • 1 Cup milk
  • 1/2 Cup melted buter
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 10×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Mix the peaches with 1 cup of sugar and 1 tsp lemon juice and let them sit while you prepare the batter.
  3. In a mixing bowl, add the ingredients 1 at a time starting with the flour.
  4. Spread the batter in the baking dish.
  5. Spoon the peaches and their juices over the batter, but do not stir it. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top of the peaches.
  6. Bake for 45 minutes until golden brown.
  7. Cool for 15 minutes before serving warm with cool whip or vanilla ice cream.

Apr 14- Tues- National Pecan Day (pecan pie muffins)

I used this pecan pie muffin recipe from the No Dash of Gluten blog.

Apr 15- Wed- McDonald’s Day

We had lunch at McDonald’s today with a play place.

Apr 16- Thurs

Apr 17- Fri- National Cheeseball Day (Onion Ranch Cheese Ball)

Ingredients

  • 2 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup of dry ranch mix
  • 12 green onions (thinly sliced)
  • plastic wrap

Directions

  1. Mix the cream cheese with a hand mixer until creamy.
  2. Mix in the ranch mix and 1 TBS of the green onions.
  3. Wrap the cheeseball in the plastic wrap and form a ball shape.
  4. Unwrap the ball and roll it in the extra green onions.
  5. Re-wrap the plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours.
  6. Serve with crackers, pretzels, and chips.

Apr 18- Sat- Animal Crackers Birthday

I found a small package of Animal Crackers for the kids. They like to dip them in peanut butter or Nutella.

Apr 19- Sun- Garlic Day (Garlic Butter Chicken, Garlic Butter Rice & Garlic Parmesan Rolls)

Chicken Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 lb chicken breast ( 1 in pieces)
  • 1 tea Italian Seasoning
  • 1/4 tea salt
  • 1/4 tea pepper
  • 1/8 tea paprika
  • 1 TBS olive oil
  • 3 TBS butter
  • 2 TBS minced garlic
  • 1 TBS minced parsley

Chicken Directions:

  1. Heat the pan and add the oil and 1 TBS of the butter.
  2. Add the chicken pieces and cool thoroughly, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and paprika.
  4. Add 2 TBS of the butter and the minced garlic, cook for 1 more minutes.
  5. Add the parsley and serve.

Rice Ingredients:

  • 1 TBS butter
    • 1 TBS olive oil
    • 1/4 Cup chopped onion
    • 2 TBS minced garlic
    • 1 1/2 Cup white rice
    • 3 Cup chicken broth

Rice Directions:

  1. Heat pot to medium heat and add the oil and butter.
  2. Add the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add the rice and chicken broth.
  4. Cover the pot and simmer on low heat until the liquid is gone.
  5. Remoted from the heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
  6. Fluff with a fork and add more butter, salt and pepper.

Rolls Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 Cup warm water
  • 1/4 Cup sugar
  • 2 TBS yeast
  • 1/3 Cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 egg
    • 4 Cup flour

  • 4 TBS butter
  • 1 TBS garlic salt
  • 2 tsp parsley
  • 1/4 Cup parmesan cheese

Rolls Directions:

  1. Mid the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let rest for 10 minutes.
  2. Line 10×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
  3. Whisk in the oil, salt, egg.
  4. Add the flour and mix well.
  5. Separate the dough into 15 balls.
  6. Place the balls on the pan 3×5 rows.
  7. Cover with a tea towel and let rise for 10 minutes.
  8. Heat the oven to 375 degrees Ferenheit.
  9. Melt the butter and add the garlic sat and parsley.
  10. Brush the butter on the dough and bake for 18 minutes.
  11. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Apr 20- Mon- National Cheddar Fries Day

Ingedients:

  • Frozen Fries
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Bacon Bits
  • Olive Oil Spray

Directions:

  1. Spray your baking sheet and spread the fries on them.
  2. Bake the fries according to the directions, spraying them before putting them in the oven.
  3. Place shredded cheese and bacon bits on the fries and put in the oven for 5 more minutes to melt.

Apr 21- Tues- National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day

Ingredents:

  • 1 10 oz bag of dark chocolate chips
  • 1 8 oz can of roasted cashews

Directions:

  1. Heat some water in a pot on the oven, placing a glass bowl on top of the pot.
  2. Turn off the heat once it starts to boil, and place the chocolate in the bowl.
  3. Gently stir for a few minutes until it is melted and smooth.
  4. Remove from the heat and add the nuts.
  5. Place some wax paper on a baking sheet.
  6. Place spoonfuls of nuts on the baking sheet and chill for half an hour.

Apr 22- Wed- National Jelly Bean Day

We found Starburst Jellybeans for today!

Apr 23- Thurs- National Cherry Cheesecake Day (Cherry Cheese Pie)

Ingredients:

  • 9 inch Graham Crust
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 14 oz sweetend condensed milk
  • 1/3 Cup lemon juice
  • 1 tea vanilla
  • 1 can cherry pie filling

Directions:

  1. Beat the cream in a large bowl until fluffy.
  2. Beat in the remaining ingredients until smooth.
  3. Pour into the graham crust.
  4. Refrigerate for 3 hours.
  5. Top with cherries.

Apr 24- Fri- National Pigs-in-a-blanket Day

We wrapped crescent roll dough around our hot dogs and baked them according to the directions on the crescent roll packaging.

Apr 25- Sat- National Zucchini Bread Day

Ingredients:

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 Cup vegetable oil
  • 2 1/4 Cup White Sugar
  • 3 Cup Four
  • 1 tea salt
  • 1 tea baking soday
  • 1 tea baking powder
  • 1 TBS cinnamon
  • 3 tea vanilla
  • 2 Cup grated zucchini
  • 1 Cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour 2 bread pans.
  2. Beat the eggs, oil, and sugar.
  3. Mix in the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and vanilla.
  4. Stir in the zucchini and nuts.
  5. Pour the batter into the pans and bake for 60 minutes.
  6. Cool in the pans before you remove and eat.

Apr 26- Sun- National Pretzel Day

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 Cup warm water
  • 2 TBS sugar
  • 1 TBS instant dry yeast
  • 4 Cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tea salt

  • 1 Cup water
  • 2 tea baking soda
  • coarse sea salt
  • 1/4 Cup melted butter

Directions:

  1. Combine the warm water and sugar. sprinkle the yeast on top and let rest for 5 minutes.
  2. Mix and add the flour and salt, knead in mixer.
  3. Grease a bowl and place the dough in the bowl. Cover with a tea towel and let rise for 30 minutes.
  4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 2 baking sheets.
  5. Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a 24 inch rope and from into a pretzel.
  6. Bowl water and baking soda in a shallow pan. submerge each pretzel in the water and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
  7. Bake for 11-12 minutes and the brush with melted butter.

Apr 27- Mon

Apr 28- Tues- National Blueberry Pie Day

Ingredients:

  • 2 pints fresh blueberries
  • 2/3 Cup sugar
  • 1/4 Cup corn startch
  • Lemon Zest from 1 lemon
  • 1 TBS fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 tea cinnamon
  • 1/8 tea salt

  • 2 TBS butter (cut into tiny squares)
  • 2 Pie Crusts 9 inch
  • 1 Egg for wash

Directions:

  1. Refrigerate pie dough for at least an hour.
  2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a baking sheet in the oven to heat.
  3. In a large bowl coat blueberries with sugar, corn starch, lemon zest, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt.
  4. Let that sit while you prepare the crust.
  5. Spray and flour the bottom of a pie plate. Place one pie crust in the pie plate.
  6. Pour the berries in the pie plate, and spread the tiny butter pieces on top.
  7. Cut the second pie crust into strips and weave it on the top of the pie. Crimp edges and trim any crust hanging off around the pie plate.
  8. Brush with egg wash.
  9. Chill for 20 minutes.
  10. Place the pie on the heated pan, and bake at 425 for 20 minutes.
  11. Reduce heat to 375 and keep baking for 35-45 minutes until it is golden and bubbling.
  12. Cool on a rack for 3 hours.

Apr 29- Wed

Apr 30- Thurs- National Oatmeal Cookie Day (Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies)

Ingredients:

  • 1 Cup shortening
  • 1/2 Cup butter
  • 1 1/2 Cup peanut butter
  • 2 Cu brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tea vanilla
  • 3 Cup oats
  • 2 tea baking soda
  • 1 tea salt
  • 10 oz peanut butter baking chips

Directions:

  1. Cream the shortening and butter. Add the sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
  2. Mix in the rest of the ingeredents.
  3. Chill for 30 minutes.
  4. Preheat oven to 350.
  5. Drop teaspoonfuls onto a treated baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Hot Springs National Park (Junior Ranger Program)

We visited our third national park this weekend. We camped at Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. The younger girls got a Junior Ranger National Park Passport Book to put their stamps in. They also completed the Hot Springs Junior Ranger program and received their Junior Ranger Badges. The older boys enjoyed exploring and hiking.

Junior Ranger Guide

We studied about Hot Springs before we went because they wanted to participate in the National Parks Junior Ranger program. I found this list of all of the Junior Ranger Park Programs here. The girls filled out this National Park Research Paper and Hot Springs Brochure (well, I filled out most of these since Storm broke her right arm again). We used The National Parks Scavenger Hunt by Stacy Tornio for help along with Hot Springs National Park website. We also printed out the Hot Springs Junior Ranger activity guide before we left, so we could look it over and plan out our trip.

Once we got there, they told us that they now have an updated Junior Ranger activity guide and gave us a copy, but they still let us use the one that we had printed out. Below is a picture of both activity guides next to each other, but my instructions are for the online printed one.

We planed our visit to see all of the things that interested us and also the locations that were mentioned in the Hot Springs Junior Ranger activity guide. We read and filled out pages 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 at home. We learned about the hot water springs water cycle and the growing city on these pages. We also filled out the certificate on last page, so we wouldn’t have so much to do at the park.

We arrived Friday afternoon and went right to our camp site at Gulpha Gorge Campground (read more about this below).

On Saturday morning we were planning on hiking to the Mountain Tower, but it was still raining so we decided to find an indoor family activity. First we went to the Pancake Shop in historic Hot Springs for breakfast. Then we decided to visit the Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs, Arkansas. You can read more about our Pancake Shop and Mid-America Science Museum experience below.

Saturday afternoon we it finally stopped raining so we got to visit Bathhouse Row. We started at one end of the street so that we could walk along the front of all of the bathhouses to fill out page 4 in our Hot Springs Junior Ranger activity guide. We stopped in front of each bathhouse and looked at the page in our booklet to match up the architecture of the bathhouse with the name. The girls really enjoyed this scavenger hunt type activity. When we finished that, we went into the Fordyce Bathhouse which is now the visitor center and Hot Springs museum. While on the tour we filled out page 3 of our Hot Springs Junior Ranger activity guide. In the music room we found the answer to page 9 on the ceiling:

Once we were finished in the Fordyce Bathhouse we went back outside to the right so we could see the Grand Entrance and the hot spring fountain. We filled out page 5 in our Hot Springs Junior Ranger activity guide when we saw the 1921 “Hot Springs Reservation” monument statue:

Then we walked behind Bathhouse Row on the Grand Prominade for finish up page 11 in our Hot Springs Junior Ranger activity guide. You can read more about our Grand Prominade walk below. After this we returned our Junior Ranger books to the Fordyce Bathhouse visitor center. the Park Ranger helped the girls say the Junior Ranger Oath, and then she gave them each a badge. Then they got to stamp their Junior Ranger National Park Passport Books.

Sunday morning we finally got to hike before heading home. We also went up in the Mountain Tower, which you can read more about below as well.

Gulpha Gorge Campground

The only campsite at Hot Springs National Park is Gulpha Gorge Campground. Unfortunately the park was under a burn ban so we could not have a campfire this weekend. It also started raining after we set up our campsite so we decided to go out for dinner and then we went back to the campsite and played games in the tent during the rain. It continued to rain and occasionally storm until Saturday afternoon. We set up our CAMPROS tent and the girls liked using our LED lanterns once it got dark. We also used our new Asinking Car Rooftop Bag to pack things in for our drive this time.

Pancake Shop

We were hoping to go for a hike to the Mountain Tower, but since it was still raining, we found a local place for breakfast. The kids all really liked the Pancake Shop. They had giant banana and chocolate chip pancakes along with scrambled eggs and bacon.

Mid-America Science Museum

We didn’t plan on visiting the Mid-America Science Museum, but since it was raining, we decided to give it a try. It was amazing, all of the kids from the 3 year old up to the 20 year old enjoyed much of the museum. They had so many hands on educational activities. The little girls loved the water spouts best and the older boys like making a short video. Titus (15 years) also loved the blacklight climbing area, but this scared the girls too much.

Bathhouse Row

We walked down Bathhouse Row to see the front of all 8 historic bath houses. Then we toured the museum in Fordyce Bathhouse and got to see all sorts of old bath utilities and attire. When we came out of Fordyce Bathhouse we went to the right and saw a hot spring fountain. The kids all tried to touch it, but the water is over 140 degrees so be careful. We also saw the grand entrance to the original Hot Springs Reservation. Once we walked past it we came to the Grand Prominade.

Grand Prominade

Before you reach the Grand Prominade you can see a natural hot spring on the right. The kids also touched this Hot Water Cascade as well. Then we climbed the stairs to reach the Grand Prominade. The Grand Prominade is an easy half mile walk. We found some chess boards, but no chess pieces. The boys thought this one very neat since they both enjoy playing chess. At the other end of the Grand Prominade there was a fountain to fill your water bottles with the hot springs mineral water. It was too hot to drink at first, so be sure to let it cool.

Hiking

We got to hike around the Gulpha Gorge Campground. There were several trails to follow once you crossed the stone path going over the river. All 4 of the kids loved crossing the river and exploring the trails. The 15 year old wanted more time to explore, but hiking was cut short this trip because of all the rain. We tried to cross the river right after the rain, but there was so much water it was covering the stone path.

Mountain Tower

We ended our trip with an adventure up the Mountain Tower. When you enter the bottom (visitor shop) of the Mountain Tower you can purchase your tickets to go up the elevator. If you go to the second floor you get an enclosed window view with a little museum. If you go to the third floor (the top floor) you get an open air view of the surrounding springs. We could see the steam rising from the woods.

Here are some of our other National Park Adventures:

Gateway Arch National Park (Junior Ranger Program)

We visited our second national park this weekend. We took a day trip to Gateway Arch National Park in St Louis, Missouri. The younger girls got to add a stamp to their Junior Ranger National Park Passport Book . They also completed the Gateway Arch Junior Ranger program and received their Junior Ranger Badges. The older boys enjoyed exploring the museum and hiking down by the river.

Junior Ranger Guide

We studied about Gateway Arch before we went because they wanted to participate in the National Parks Junior Ranger program. I found this list of all of the Junior Ranger Park Programs here. The girls filled out this National Park Research Paper and Gateway Arch Brochure. We used The National Parks Encyclopedia by Allison Lassieur for help along with Gateway Arch National Park website.

We were not able to print out the Junior Ranger packet ahead of time, so we picked one up at the front desk of the visitor center. You can get the Junior Ranger book for the Arch at the Visitor Center, and the book for the Old Court House once you enter the Court House. We looked at the Arch book while we were waiting for our turn on the tram to the top of the Arch.

We arrived at the Gateway Arch first thing in the morning, we knew we could explore it all in just one day since it is the smallest National Park. We planed to visit the Gateway Arch museum, the Old Courthouse, a Riverboat ride, and of course a tram ride up to the top of the Arch. The Junior Ranger book is laid out so that you can fill it out as you walk though the museum. We filled out page 1 while waiting for our tram ride, it is all about the Osage American Indians.

Next we visited the Gateway Arch museum. Pages 2 through 7 are laid out so that you can fill them out as you walk though each time period of the museum. While you are at the tram entrance you can see the brick mural and fill out page 8. Page 9 is a list of people whom you can locate as you walk through the museum as well.

We filled out page 10 after our walk down to the Riverboat. Then we returned our books to the visitor center and the Park Ranger helped the girls say the Junior Ranger Oath, then she gave them each a badge. Then they got to stamp their Junior Ranger National Park Passport Books. 

The Junior Range book for the Courthouse is a bit to advanced for my young girls, so we will have to come back in a couple of years to get that one.

Tram Ride to the Top of the Arch

Right after we picked up our Junior Ranger books, we bought out tram tickets to ride to the top of the Arch. We rode in a tiny 5 seat pod that took 4 minutes to travel the 630 feet up to the top. The Tram System was specially made with a mix of elevator, escalator, and Ferris wheel science.

Once we were at the top, we had about 10 minutes to look out of the windows. We saw the Mississippi River, the River boat, Busch Stadium where the Cardinals play, the Old Courthouse, and much more.

Gateway Arch Museum

The Gateway Arch is sometimes called the Gateway to the West, because it was built to commemorate Thomas Jefferson’s vision to explore and settle from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

The museum had several hands on exhibits for the girls to try out. You walk through each time period as you move through the museum. It starts at 1764 to today.

Even the boys found something to do in the museum. They spent over half an hour on this puzzle, and they finally solved it.

Riverboat Ride

Then we walked down to the river and discovered that they don’t have riverboat rides in the winter.

So we just played by the water and hiked around the Arch. The kids had fun tossing rocks into the river and leaning against the Arch.

We were able to see the riverboat from out of the Arch window.

Old Courthouse

We decided to skip the Old Courthouse since the girls are still so young, but we plan to go back when they are older. The Old Courthouse is where Dred and Harriet Scott sued for their freedom in 1847 and 1850.

We did see the Old Courthouse from the windows in the top of the Arch though.

The circle at the bottom of this picture is the entrance to the visitor center and the museum (they are both underground).

Here are some of our other National Park Adventures:

L is for Love (preschool)

The girls had fun learning about love today. They enjoyed painting and matching. We got our recourses for today from the Letter L is for Lion, Letter Carrier, & Love Preschool Pack Digital Download.

Love Learning

Love Writing

  • The girls each had a similar writing paper for the letter L. My 3 year old had a capital L and lowercase l with tracing arrows, along with love (hugging hearts) to color. The 5 year old had the same paper, but added a short poem and more tracing L’s and l’s on the bottom. I found both of these in the Letter L is for Lion, Letter Carrier, & Love Preschool Pack Digital Download.

l is for love Craft

I printed this l is for love Craft onto cardstock for the girls to paint. I cut out the lower case “l” for them to paint a favorite color. After that dried they glued it to a piece of pink construction paper. Then I cut out the hearts for them to glue on.

Six Hearts

Love Shape Puzzles

  • I printed out the Love Shape Matching game and then cut the pieces and laminated them. Then the girls took turns making a match as they told me the color and shape that was on the heart.

Love Worksheets

Love Counting

  • I printed out the  love Hearts Counting game and then cut the pieces and laminated them. She counted how many hearts on each piece and then matched it up to the matching number.

Love Books

AlphaTales

Here are some of our other alphabet preschool posts:

L is for Letter Carrier (preschool)

The girls had fun learning about letter carriers today. They enjoyed coloring and exercise video. We got our recourses for today from the Letter L is for Lion, Letter Carrier, & Love Preschool Pack Digital Download.

Letter Carrier Learning

Letter Carrier Writing

  • The girls each had a similar writing paper for the letter L. My 3 year old had a capital L and lowercase l with tracing arrows, along with a letter carrier to color. The 5 year old had the same paper, but added a short poem and more tracing L’s and l’s on the bottom. I found both of these in the Letter L is for Lion, Letter Carrier, & Love Preschool Pack Digital Download.

Letter Shape Stamp Match

Letter Color Stamp Match

Letter Counting

  • I printed out the Letter Counting game and then cut the pieces and laminated the pieces. She counted the letters as she placed them in the mailbox and reviewed her numbers.

Letter Carrier Names

  • I printed out the Letter Carrier Hat onto  cardstock and the girls wrote their names and a number on the badge spot. I cut them out and placed a strap around the back so the would fit.
  • I printed out the Letter Names and let the girls cut out their names and glue them to the envelope.

Five Letter

The girls each had a similar number 5 paper for counting letters. My 3 year old had the number 5 with tracing arrows, along with a helpful poem, and 5 letters to color. The 5 year old had the same paper, but added more tracing 5’s on the bottom. I found both of these in the Letter L is for Lion, Letter Carrier, & Love Preschool Pack Digital Download.

Letter Carrier Exercise

Letter Carrier Books

Here are some of our other alphabet preschool posts:

L is for Lion (preschool)

The girls had fun learning about lions today. They loved all of the painting and crafting. Storm just loves big cats. We got our recourses for today from the Letter L is for Lion, Letter Carrier, & Love Preschool Pack Digital Download.

Lion Science

Lion Writing

L is for Lion Craft

  • I printed this L is for Lion Craft onto cardstock for the girls to paint. I cut out the capitol “L” for them to paint orange. After that dried they glued it to a piece of green construction paper. Then I cut out the head, tail, and legs for them to glue on.

Lion Ten Frame

  • I printed out the Lion Ten Frame game and then cut the pieces and laminated them. Then she would tell me what the number is on the Daddy lion’s sign. Then she counted out the correct number of cubs to add to the ten frame.

Four Lions

Lion Mane Craft

  • I printed out the Lion Mane Craft onto cardstock for the girls to watercolor. After is dried we cut it out. Then the girls cut strips of orange, yellow, and brown construction paper. They curled the strips of paper on a pencil and then glued them to the lion’s mane.

Lion Tracing

Lion Color Match

  • I printed out the Lion Color Match game, and cut them out. I laminated them and the cut them again. Then we turned them all upside down and took turns flipping to try to find matching colors. They enjoyed this game, and did great taking turns.

Lion Books

My “L” Book

Here are some of our other alphabet preschool posts:

K is for Kite (preschool)

The girls had fun learning about kites today. They flying a kite outside and painting as always. We got our recourses for today from the K is for Kangaroo, Koala, & Kite Teachers Pay Teachers pack.

Kite Learning

Kite Writing

  • The girls each had a similar writing paper for the letter K. My 3 year old had a capital K and lowercase k with tracing arrows, along with a kite to color. The 5 year old had the same paper, but added a short poem and more tracing K’s and k’s on the bottom. I found both of these in the K is for Kangaroo, Koala, & Kite Teachers Pay Teachers pack.

K is for Kite Craft

  • I printed this K is for Kite Craft onto cardstock for the girls to paint. I cut out the capital “K” for them to paint blue. After that dried they glued it to a piece of blue construction paper. Then they used their dot daubers to decorate their kites before they glued them on. I cut out the clouds for them to glue on.

Kite Counting

  • I printed out the  Kite Counting Bows game and then cut the pieces and laminated them. She told me the number on the kite and then added the bows to the kite’s string.

Kite Names

  • The girls use the Kite Names paper to practice making their names.

Six Kites

  • The girls each had a similar number 6 paper for counting kites. My 3 year old had the number 6 with tracing arrows, along with a helpful poem, and 6 kites to color. The 5 year old had the same paper, but added more tracing 6’s on the bottom. I found both of these in the K is for Kangaroo, Koala, & Kite Teachers Pay Teachers pack.

Kite Shape Puzzles

  • I printed out the Kite Shape Matching game and then cut the pieces and laminated them. Then the girls took turns making a match as they told me the color and shape that was on the kite.

Kite Worksheets

My “k” Book

I read the My “k” Book by Jane Belk Moncure to the girls too. Little k finds kites to fly.

Kite Books

Kite Flying

  • The girls were glad to have enough wind to fly their kites today.

Here are some of our other alphabet preschool posts:

K is for Koala (preschool)

The girls had fun learning about koalas today. They enjoyed puzzles, coloring, and counting. We got our recourses for today from the K is for Kangaroo, Koala, & Kite Teachers Pay Teachers pack.

Koala Science

Koala Writing

  • The girls each had a similar writing paper for the letter K. My 3 year old had a capital K and lowercase k with tracing arrows, along with a koala to color. The 5 year old had the same paper, but added a short poem and more tracing K’s and k’s on the bottom. I found both of these in the K is for Kangaroo, Koala, & Kite Teachers Pay Teachers pack.

Koala Shapes

  • I printed out the  Koala Shape game and then cut the pieces and laminated them. Then she reviewed her shapes as she matched up the koala to the eucalyptus tree.

Koala Tracing

Counting Eucalyptus

  • I printed out the Counting Eucalyptus game and then cut the pieces and laminated them. She counted the leaves as she fed them to the koala as she reviewed her numbers. We read in our lesson today that the koala smells the each leaf before deciding to eat it, so she made her koala smell each leaf before she fed it to him.

Five Koalas

The girls each had a similar number 5 paper for counting koalas. My 3 year old had the number 5 with tracing arrows, along with a helpful poem, and 5 koalas to color. The 5 year old had the same paper, but added more tracing 5’s on the bottom. I found both of these in the K is for Kangaroo, Koala, & Kite Teachers Pay Teachers pack.

Koala Color Match

I printed out the Koala Color Match game, and cut them out. I laminated them and the cut them again. Then we turned them all upside down and took turns flipping to try to find matching colors. They enjoyed this game, and did great taking turns.

Koala Books

Here are some of our other alphabet preschool posts:

K is for Kangaroo (preschool)

The girls had fun learning about kangaroos today. They enjoyed painting and hopping today. We got our recourses for today from the K is for Kangaroo, Koala, & Kite Teachers Pay Teachers pack.

Kangaroo Science

Kangaroo Writing

  • The girls each had a similar writing paper for the letter K. My 3 year old had a capital K and lowercase k with tracing arrows, along with a kangaroo to color. The 5 year old had the same paper, but added a short poem and more tracing K’s and k’s on the bottom. I found both of these in the K is for Kangaroo, Koala, & Kite Teachers Pay Teachers pack.

k is for kangaroo Craft

  • I printed this k is for kangaroo Craft onto cardstock for the girls to paint. I cut out the lower case “k” for them to paint brown. After that dried they glued it to a piece of green construction paper. Then I cut out the head, tail, and pocket for them to glue on.

Kangaroo Jump

  • We used this Kangaroo Jump Poster to jump as high and as far as we could. The girls loved this as they do with all active play that we have.

Kangaroo Color Match

  • I printed the Kangaroo Color Match on cardstock and cut out the joeys and made a slit in the momma’s pockets. Then she reviewed the colors as she made the joey jump into the momma’s pocket.

Four Kangaroos

  • The girls each had a similar number 4 paper for counting kangaroos. My 3 year old had the number 4 with tracing arrows, along with a helpful poem, and 4 kangaroos to color. The 5 year old had the same paper, but added more tracing 4’s on the bottom. I found both of these in the K is for Kangaroo, Koala, & Kite Teachers Pay Teachers pack.

Kangaroo Cup Pouch

  • Print out the Kangaroo Cup Pouch pages and cut out the momma and the joey. Color a paper cup brown and glue it to the momma kangaroos pouch to help her stand up. The child can make the joey jump into the cup pouch.

AlphaTales

Kangaroo Books

Zoo Field Trip

We got to see a kangaroo jump at the zoo this weekend.

Here are some of our other alphabet preschool posts:

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