Survey Says Game

As we are getting closer to Texas Bible Bowl I wanted a new review game for my class.  After a quick web search I decided a fun game of Survey Says (like Family Feud) would be the perfect addition. 

Supplies: 

2 - 24"x36" foam board

11"x14" Card stock

double-sided tape

Duct tape 

Velcro dots

Poster Lights 

Yard stick 

Scissors

Xacto knife

Hot glue fun

The idea was to make five pockets where I could put my answers and a sliding number card in front. I measured out five 2 1/2" x 12" slots, leaving and inch and a half between.  

I used an Xacto knife to cut out each slot. I lined the inside cut edges with duct tape to make them smooth. 

From the scraps of poster board that I had left over from the slot, I split each scrap in half yielding me ten 1 1/4" x 12" strips of poster board.  I wrapped each strip in duct tape.  Using my hot glue gun I glued a strip between each slot on the back of my game board. I added one strip above the top slot and below the bottom slot.  Working only to the left side of the slots I glued my last two strips.   This will allow me to pull the cards from the right side of the board.  

Next I cut my second piece of foam board to fit over the strips I had just glued down.  I used my glue gun to mount this to the back of my board. I now have five closed in slot that are open only on the right hand side of my board.  Perfect for sliding my answers and number cards in and out! 

Next was to center three Velcro dots on the bottom of the board for attaching the strikes.  Using the double sided tape I attached my "Survey Says" title.  The final touch was the light kit, which is simply using a dowel and poking the lights through the board! 

Here are the links for my graphics:

   Blank Game Answer Cards, add your own answers to fit your review material. 

   Game Title, this link can also be used for question cards. 

  Sliding Number Cards, laminate these because they will be used in every round.

   Strikes, to be laminated and add Velcro dots. 

The game was a great hit with my class!  Fair warning though, it is time consuming to cut out the sections with the Xacto knife and to build out the pockets.  But the final product is fabulous and can be reused for reviewing any material.  

My class is studying the Book of Acts, so one of my question cards read, "People's homes where the apostles stayed in Acts."  And Survey Says:

     1. Lydia (16:15)   40 pts

     2. Mnason (21:16)   25 pts

     3. Jason (17:8)   20 pts

     4. Simon the tanner (9:43)   10 pts

     5. James (21:18)    5 pts

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  James 1:5 

ZAP! Review Game

This is for my other Bible Class teacher friends; it’s my favorite review game called HA!  The game was originally called ‘Zap!’ but when we were studying the book of Acts we saw the footnote of ‘HA’ which means ‘leave us alone.’  It’s a great game mainly because the brightest team doesn’t always win, which makes it fun for the whole class.

This is the perfect review game for any subject matter! To build a game board you will need:

Supplies: 

24"x36" foam board

16 library card pockets

1 sheet of self adhesive numbers 

Cardstock

double-sided tape

Place the self-adhesive numbers on the library card pockets and use the double-sided tape to attach them to the board. Simple!

To play the game you will insert cards in each pocket.  Click HERE to print off the inserts.  They say things like:

• ZAP other team
• Switch scores with the other team
• Add two points to your team score
• ZAP both teams
• Add to points to the other team's score
• ZAP your team
• Subtract two points from your team's score
• Add two points to another team
• Blank (nothing happens)

To play split up the class into teams.  Have your review questions in hand to play the game.  You will need a dry erase board to keep score.

Ask each team a question, if they get it right they receive one point AND they get to pick a numbered card from the game board. The game cards can either be good, bad, or do nothing at all.  The team with the most points at the end is the winner.

I have played this as a review game in class for four years, so it was time to build a new board!  Hope your group enjoys it too! 

“Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”  Luke 4:34

Tic Tac Toe Review Game

I promised one of Bible Bowl buddies I would be sure and post a few of my favorite Bible review games that I play on Sundays with my class.  This is a simple game of Tic Tac Toe.  

Supplies: 

24"x36" foam board

1 small roll of washi tape

9 library card pockets

1 sheet of self adhesive numbers 

9 adhesive Velcro circles

double-sided tape

Print out 5 X's and 5 O's to be used in game play and print out a header for your game.  Mine reads "Bible Bowl Tic Tac Toe"  Use your Washi tape to mark your tic tac toe board and use the double-sided tape to attach library card pockets. 

Place a self-adhesive number on each pocket. Allow enough room to place a Velco circle on the outside of each pocket.  The back of each X and O will have the other side of your Velcro dots.  Click HERE to download my Game Board Heading and X's and O's Game Pieces. 

To play the game I have question cards review cards that I slide into the nine library pockets.  The teams take turns selecting a pocket number.  If they answer the question correctly they can place an X or and O on that pocket.  If they get the question wrong, I review the correct answer with them and then place a new question card in the pocket.  I usually place the hardest question in the center spot! 

The winner of the game is the first team with three in a row.  I did laminate my X's and O's and game board heading so the board can be used for many review games to come! 

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,

    for the ears of the wise seek it out.

Proverbs 18:15

Game Board Carrying Bag

Each year I create game boards for my Bible Bowl class to use in review games.  This make a great way to review our Bible lessons.  However, I don't have a regular classroom for my class so I have to transport my games back and forth to class each week. 

The only problem with this is that they are 24"x36" foam board games, a little awkward to carry.  I knew it wouldn't take much to create a custom carry bag, so with less than two yards of fabric I went to work.  

Taking two side panels 26"x 40", I created a draw string close complete with a side pocket for game pieces. Now I can transport my Paul Down the Wall, Jeopardy, and Zapped games back and forth to class. 

Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.  Psalm 119:66

You Had Me at ;)

I get practically giddy when one of the kids ask for my help with some sort of craft project! So you can imagine my excitement when Abigail said she wanted a little help with t-shirts for Camp Blue Haven.  Every year camp has a 'Twin Day' and each year Abby, Tate and Abigail wear something matching, last year they went as M&M's.  

This year the girls decided to go as emojis.  The girl's priced t-shirts and iron on transfers and were afraid that it wasn't very economical for a shirt they would only wear one day, enter today's craft project.  Abigail and I visited Five Below, our local dollar store, and purchases three emoji pillows.  Next we bargain shopped for black t-shirts. 

The next few hours were spent with a seam ripper!  Abigail used my Brother Serger to run a rolling napkin hem around the faces.  We were able to use a light weight Wonder Under to position the faces on the shirts and then Abigail hand-sewed the faces to the shirts.  

The picture in the lower right corner is the finished t-shirt project.  From left to right: left (Blowing Kisses) is Abby; center (Tears of Joy) is Abigail; and right (Smiling face with heart eyes) is Tate! 

The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.  Numbers 6:25

Doctor Who Shoes

The girls were needing new shoes so we ran up to the local dollar store and picked up some simple shoes to decorate.  Next we looked at Pinterest, where all great craft ideas come from, for ideas!  Abigail selected Doctor Who themed shoes, so with a little masking tape and paint we had a fun pair of shoes. 

 

Next will be Captain America shoes for Sissy!  On a side note, even if you buy cheap shoes, make sure you get a decent inserts!

Your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  Ephesians 6:15

North Texas Soup n' Bowl

We are just a few weeks away from North Texas Soup n' Bowl, an event to raise money for Metro Relief.  Great local chefs prepare soup and each ticket holder gets a great lunch and a hand painted bowl to take home to commemorate the afternoon.

 

Approximately 200 ceramic bowls were donated for the event, but they all need painted and fired before the end of January.  Abigail and I did our part to knock out a few bowls. 

 

In the upper right corner Abigail is painting an orange bowl with the Metro logo, the lower left photo is the fired version of her bowl. 

 

We were painting at Whimsey and Grace a logo paint and party shop.  The owners are big supporters of Metro Relief and have assisted in the Soup n' Bowl event for several years.  If you are in our area, please check out their shop, it is a great time.  Today we took a few friends from church with us to help paint! Everyone had a great time and it's kind of neat to think our art work will be in someone else's home.

 

with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,  to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. Exodus 35:31-33

Whimsey & Grace Active Partners with Metro Relief

Whimsey and Grace is a local art store where you can custom paint ceramic or canvas.  They have been big supporters of Metro Relief and will be hosting April Showers to benefit Metro.  April Showers will be a baby shower of sorts, collecting much needed baby items and personal items April 6th - 20th! 

The owners were putting together the store display for April Showers and asked for an artsy piece of the Metro Relief bus.  Mr. Austin asked and I was delighted to paint a 12"x12" canvas of the bus with Whimsey & Grace's logo.  Whimsey and Grace is located on South Colony and Main Street in the Colony.  

If you have baby items, diapers, wet wipes, toilet paper, feminine products, soaps, shampoo, etc. Please drop them by!  And, stick around to create something wonderful!! 

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

    and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Pinterest Projects

So you know all those great do-it-yourself craft projects that you find on the Pinterest website that you are going to do some day.  Over Christmas break I knocked out a few of my favorites.  

The first project was a Sharpie bowl.  We made a few coffee cups and candy dishes decorated with Sharpie markers and then baked at 350 for 30-45 minutes.  On the bowls, I coated them with a spray sealer, but I chose not to use the sealer on the coffee mugs in case it was toxic! 

Next up was hoodies for the kids.  They were wanting Metro t-shirts but all they had were XL's so I took this opportunity to try a few more projects.  For Caleb's hoodie (the Navy one), I used the bleach pen method.  I started with a print out of the Metro Bus and then used fabric tracing paper.  Be prepared, the tracing paper doesn't give you a real clear image, but just a general idea of your layout. Next, I used a bleach pen to outline my drawing and then waited for about five hours before rinsing it out. Once the design was dry I used fabric paint to add a little color.

For Frankie's (the yellow one) and Abigail's (the white one) hoodies  I simply printed out my design and then used fabric tracing paper.  Once it was traced then I began painting using fabric paint. Because the girls shirts were light colored the tracing paper worked better on the girls shirts.  If you have trouble with your pen punching through the paper simply put the lid on your pen and trace using the wider rounded edge. 

I this point I have laundered all three hoodies on cold gentle cycle and they have laundered well.  

Maybe Spring Break I'll tackle a few more items from my Pinterest DIY Crafts board! 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10

Pop Tab Bracelet

Most of our friends know that Caleb collects aluminum cans to recycle and then gives the money to our churches mission funds.   With that said we have LOTS of aluminum cans!  Friends, neighbors and even Jon's co-workers bring us bags of cans.  Caleb smashes them and then when we have a dozen trash bags full, we take them to the recycle center. 

Back when he first began recycling cans, Caleb would pull the tab top off of the cans before smashing them.  He saved all the tab tops and used them to make chain armor and everything else boys create with random stuff. 

Recently I came across a tutorial on how to make tab top bracelets and showed it to Abigail.  Since we have an abundance of tabs, we dug out the ribbon and got started crafting. I think when the day was over she had created a dozen or so cute bracelets.  She is planning to take them to church and share with her friends.  Abigail has already decided she wants to make a belt too!

she was always doing good

Acts 9:36

Finger Print Jewelry

The finished product, finger print jewelry!

Polymer clay is one of those craft products that have always intrigued me, but I have never worked with it.  With the recent popularity of the online pinboard Pinterest I have gotten a better look at all the possibilities.  A recent pin on how to make fingerprint jewelry caught my eye, brilliant!  Imagine capturing the kid’s fingerprints in sterling silver using polymer clay.
 

I used the tutorial and had the kids press their thumbprints into the clay.  Since the kids aren’t exactly babies anymore, the charms are a little larger than a typical charm.  Next I stamped each child’s initials and simulated birthstone.  Finally I used a small petifour cutter to cut the charms into heart shapes.

I created a smaller heart with each child’s birth year.  The next step was to coat each piece with silver dust and bake at 250 degrees for 15 minutes.  After cooling, I coated each piece with a sealer and then assembled my charms.

 

I created a set in silver and in gold.  The polymer was so easy to work with and I foresee many more similar projects!  I was amazed at how clear the fingerprints showed up and just how pretty these charms turned out!  Because they are made of baked polymer clay they are lightweight even though they have a metallic look. 

Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Provervs 7:2-3

Pillow Hospital Pet

I have a dear friend who is headed to the hospital for abdominal surgery.  She has young children and was deliberating over how to explain to them her upcoming surgery.  That gave birth to my latest craft project, a Pillow (Hospital) Pet. 

I have a satin shirt that was too big so I used it to paint the digestive system on, I wanted a child friendly painting and not too technical.  After completing the painting, I rubber stamped the organ names on the shirt.  I finished the art work with several coats of scotch guard. The painting measured about 9"x 7". 

Next I purchased a butterfly Pillow Pet, and then proceeded to cut a 10"x8" flat centered on the belly of the butterfly.  I also backed the painting with a second layer of satin to ensure softness.   I used satin blanket trim to finish off the edges of the flap.  Next I laid the blanket trim out on my artwork to ensure that I maintained the 10"x8" hole.  Next I inserted the drawing and hand stitched it in place.   I did include 2 small pearl buttons to secure the flap.

My thought is it can be a good talking point with kids, or a reference point when having a conversation with doctors, or even something to soften the seatbelts impact against an incision.  When my Dad was in the hospital following bariatric surgery, the doctors encouraged him to hold a pillow against his incision when coughing those first few weeks following surgery. 

Caleb saw me working on this and said, 'you can tell you homeschool, who paints the digestive system on a kid's toy.'  Abigail came in right when I was cutting the belly of the butterfly out and repeated the great line from ToyStory, 'I don't think that kids ever been to medical school.'

Next, I'm thinking the respiratory system on a Car's Mater Pillow Pal! 

The man with two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said,

‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’

Mattew 25:14

 

Christmas Tags

There are lots of things I enjoy about Christmas time, an the presents are definitely one of them!  I love wrapping the gifts, my sweet friend Ms. Kresta always had the prettiest packages with matching paper! I love the matching paper and ribbons.  I generally try to color code the ribbons so I can easily tell the packages with red ribbons go to Jon's family, green ribbons go to my Dad's home, and silver and gold ribbons are for Christmas morning. 

But none of those things are what my children enjoy, their favorite part is the tags, yes, the Tags! All the gifts to the children from Jon and I have creative names in the 'from' section.  For example, above there is a gift To:  Frankie   -  From:  Van Gogh. Now the name in the from section will give some kind of hint as to the gift.  A gift from Van Gogh could be art related, paints or bushes, maybe coloring books, tickets to an art exhibit, no telling, that is part of the fun.

Above you can see a gift to Caleb, From: Captain Jack Sparrow.  What could be inside?  A DVD, a Keith Richards CD, maybe eyeliner, who knows!  You can also see a gift to Abigail, From Mike Wazowski!  Inside could be something Monsters, Inc. related, but that would too obvious!  Think about Mike Wazowski has one eye, it could be eye glasses case!  Mike Wazowski is also bright green so inside could be Neon Green nail polish! 

Of course, I have actually listed the enclosed content because the kids read the blog, but you get the idea.  My kids love the tags almost as much as they love the gifts inside!  Family traditions don't have to be big things, it the smiles and fun we share each day!

Show me the wonders of your great love

Psalm 17:7

Home Depot Day: White Board

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The first Saturday in the month means it must be Home Depot Day. Most of the kids that attend the kids workshop are younger, however, Frankie enjoys the simple crafts and painting. She and I work together, I don't think we've built anything yet with a wood screw that we didn't split the wood, but that's ok, that's why their is a painting station. Today the girls built mini white boards that they can leave notes on!

Mikey Socks

It is almost embarrassing to post this on the blog, but Abigail would be disappointed if she didn’t find it here! Abigail has loved Monster’s Inc since before she could walk! She loves all things Mikey and Lil’ Mikey! That includes her Mikey socks. She has had several pairs of these same socks and wears them until they have no toe or heal left. Now that her foot is almost the same size as mine, they don’t make Mikey socks in her size. So I took her size 12 kids socks and cut the toe and heal off, carefully preserving the Mikey face! I then cut apart a new pair of ladies white socks with bright green trim, yielding her a little more wear out of her favorite socks! She was delighted, her prayers at lunch included thanking God for her ‘creative Mom!’ Totally worth it!!!

PEACH Kick-Off 2011

Tonight was our 2011-2012 PEACH (Plano Educational Association of Christian Homeschoolers) Kick-off! Last year we concluded the year with 300+ homeschooling families from Plano and surrounding area. All of our meeting are held at the church of Christ on McDermott Road.

We had a great turn out! Families came to sign up to be a part of PEACH. There were some 45 field trips families can register. There were also homeschool vendors presenting info on sports, art classes, music and more! Abigail decided this would be a great entrepreneurial time for her! She made Lego necklaces and together we made PEACH totes and sold them. She did great business and even had a few orders for additional totes!

Frankie helped me at the membership table and Caleb spent the evening lifting and rearranging tables and chairs and Jon arrived in time for clean up!

How Smurfy!

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Today I was going to make a new library bag for Frankie. The totes came in a pack of 3, so when it was all said and done, I had painted three Smurf/Harry Potter totes. Why Smurf/Harry Potter, because it made me smile. The kids got a kick out of my creativity. I finished the girls totes with ribbon. I really doubt Caleb will use his, but he found it amusing. And it was a lot more fun than laundry!

But be glad and rejoice
forever in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem
to be a delight and
its people a joy.
Isaiah 65:18

Harry Potter Visits the Land of Oz

Today I needed to go to the grocery store, we're out of milk! I needed to stop and pick up tissue paper for the fourteen graduation gifts for Seniors at church. I had a flower bed that needed weeded and laundry that needed folded, however . . .

The children are in the final days of school, so they are completing tests and reports, requiring me to hang out in the class room with them. None of the things on my 'To Do' list were completed but I had a great time painting. It started as a simplistic Wizard of Oz setting, but somewhere it took on a Harry Potter look! The kids were so enthusiastic about wanting to see it completed they put up the laundry and weeded the flower bed in the back, so I could finish!

God had given them great joy.
The women and children also rejoiced. Nehemiah 12:43

A Case for Smiles

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.Friday afternoon, we got together with our local homeschool group to sew pillowcases! Each of the kids each made two pillowcases, one to keep and one to give to ConKerr Cancer's Miles of Pillowcases Smiles.

“ConKerr Cancer: A Case for Smiles” was started when Ryan Kerr was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer at the age of twelve. Despite his illness - and many, many trips to the hospital - Ryan lived a full life of school, sports and friends. To make his hospital room cheerier, his mom Cindy began making fun, whimsical pillowcases to brighten up his day and put a smile on his face. Ryan liked them so much that Cindy started making pillowcases for the other children in the Oncology Unit. In a short time, the pillowcase project grew in amazing ways and has provided more than 210,000 pillowcases to sick children.


We learned how to use Hot Dog Pillowcase Tutorial with a French seam to make the pillowcases, and they all looked great! The goal in keeping the second pillowcase is that it will remind them to pray for the sick child who receives the matching one.

Green Frog Blanket

Abigail loves running and softball, rocking climbing and all things tomboy-ish. She is not a princess, not in to the dress-up and girly thing. But the creative side of her loves to cook, and sew and many of those type of feminine activities. The other day we purchased fabric and I showed her how to machine quilt. She made a simple quilt top with green frogs and a soft cotton backing. I enjoy quilting too and was blessed that Frankie's foster mom took the time to show me how to quilt.