Homemade shoebox dioramas: Social studies crafts, science projects, book reports

It's 8 pm and darling daughter is wailing. She forgot to make her book report diorama project and it's due TOMORROW! Have you been there, done that, parents? Were you tempted to tell her "tough luck. You were told to do your homework and didn't. So take the F." Perhaps you wanted--like this mom did-- to put her on the street wearing a sign "free-- please take." But I am an eleventh hour girl myself and understood. So we bailed out Last Minute Lucy out. The whole family helped--dad and three older teen siblings. We made an awesome woodland Native American Indian diorama with stuff around the house--and made happy family bonding memories. From that experience grew this guide to making homemade shoebox dioramas for social studies crafts, science projects or book reports. All you need is a recycle bin, craft scraps, household junk and a little ingenuity. Homemade shoebox dioramas: Social studies crafts, science projects, book reports | Examiner.com

Preschool learning centers: DIY cardboard playhouse play kitchen appliances

When I was a little girl, my father and mother made an entire cardboard playhouse for me from recycled cardboard boxes. Here's how to make appliances for a cardboard playhouse play kitchen, including refrigerator, sink, stove, oven and play kitchen utensil rack. As a Montessori preschool teacher, I made recycled cardboard play kitchen sets for my students You can make super easy Montessori preschool practical life learning centers in about 30 minutes. Use your recycled cardboard playhouse at home, in homeschool or in Montessori preschool practical life learning centers. All you need to make a recycled cardboard play kitchen are recycled cardboard boxes (from a television or similar sized products), black permanent marker, sharp scissors, X-Acto Knife, Widget or box cutter, packing tape or duct tape, brass paper fasteners and your recycling bin!   Preschool learning centers: DIY cardboard playhouse play kitchen appliances | Examiner.com