tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6807996082538954713.post5980276574881189986..comments2015-02-20T00:49:58.449+11:00Comments on Nurturing Forests: Wrestling with the budget....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509594547715402497noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6807996082538954713.post-34677645423020994952012-02-07T16:51:03.515+11:002012-02-07T16:51:03.515+11:00I'm afraid I won't be able to help you. Al...I'm afraid I won't be able to help you. All I can say is you're doing a great job. Bless you!AMAhttp://www.ama.edu.au/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6807996082538954713.post-48553568031358990592011-05-15T14:58:45.433+10:002011-05-15T14:58:45.433+10:00Hi Wendy,
I used to work in a center where we did ...Hi Wendy,<br />I used to work in a center where we did make a lot of materials for our kids.<br />One of my favourite books featuring teacher created learning materials is "Workjobs", by Mary Baratta Lorton(1972).<br />I still have workjobs I made and sometimes use them. My dream is to have some extra time to spend creating enough workjobs to have a whole shelf for my mchildren to use, and enough to rotate weekly. <br /><br />However I realize that time is limited, and you are looking for specific learning items, but just thought I'd mention this resource.<br /><br />I have 2 geoboards I purchased for $5.oo each at a teaching store. I actually have a post about them just now on my blog, if you want to take a look.<br /><br />I have seen a lovely couple of handmade geo boards, which were sanded, and rounded, and very nice. Perhaps you have a parent, or grandparent in your daycare community who could make some?Mullin Avenue Workshophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09489785153205822301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6807996082538954713.post-28602045849961784362011-05-15T02:18:41.271+10:002011-05-15T02:18:41.271+10:00Wendy, I worked in a preschool for 11 years (now I...Wendy, I worked in a preschool for 11 years (now I'm a nanny) and when I went to my classroom, I found wooden blocks and dinosaurs. I had to fill it myself as the budget was not on my side :) I haunted Goodwill stores, yardsales, dollar stores, Craigslist, Walmart, and Target. Walmart and Target have educational sections and mark down items. I have seen the same items in those catalogs in Target and Walmart. Also, there is a book called "Beautiful Stuff" - I love it. What about using items from nature, sticks, twigs, rocks, pebbles. Also, you contact certain companies, and tell them that you will feature their products on your blog, you might get FREE items. Good luck!Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04475398269430000343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6807996082538954713.post-82066257704888057992011-05-14T18:32:46.003+10:002011-05-14T18:32:46.003+10:00Wendy - it is not just you at all - mostly what is...Wendy - it is not just you at all - mostly what is in those catalogues is completely out of our league. We troll the opp shops and council cleanups for a lot of our resources, and also put out 'wish lists' for our parents. It is amazing how much we get when you put the word out there about the things you are looking for - there always seems to be someone who knows someone who has something they don't need anymore.<br /><br />Scales - we got ours at Vinnies (the kitchen variety and bathroom variety though). We use a lot of natural resources for weighing, as well as everyday things such as things in their lunch boxes, toys etc.<br /><br />Mobilo - Ebay?<br /><br />Geoboards - we did make ours, and they were easy. Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning has a great post on how they made theirs.jennyhttp://progressiveearlychildhoodeducation.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6807996082538954713.post-67397872941718973642011-05-12T21:47:16.059+10:002011-05-12T21:47:16.059+10:00Wendy-
There is a great way to make geoboards- or ...Wendy-<br />There is a great way to make geoboards- or a giant one by just using pegboard and nuts&bolts! Other than getting your pegboard cut (which some home improvement stores will do for you), They are super simple to put together, and the children can get some great practice with nuts & bolts too if they help you put them together. The best part of trying to DIY with the children is that they have the opportunity to make something useful AND they love to help and are so engaged in the use of the product because THEY made it :). I know it can me intimidating at first, but once you get over that hump.... it is so worth it!Amy A @ Child Central Stationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07846984785038373093noreply@blogger.com