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Showing posts with label lesson plans. Show all posts

Free printable Stone Soup lesson plans, recipes and sharing activities


Hello my Omschooligans! Today Teacher Omi (Grandma, that's me!) is thinking about gardens. I got a pretty herb garden for Mother's Day. And my Louisiana grandkids have a huge garden full of good things to eat! So I am going share some gardening and cooking activities from one of my favorite books, called Stone Soup." The legend of "Stone Soup" is a timeless classic. It's been retold many times, notably by Marcia Brown, Ann McGovern and Jon J. Muth. This story is sacred text in preschool and elementary classrooms. Here are free printable Stone Soup lesson plans just in time for summer produce harvest! First, let's start with the recipe and a game to play!


🍲 The Magic of Stone Soup

A Recipe for Sharing and Community

Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 45 mins | Serves: A whole village



Ingredients

  • 1 Large, Smooth Stone (Scrubbed very clean!)

  • 6 cups Water or vegetable broth

  • 3 large Carrots, sliced into rounds

  • 3 stalks Celery, chopped

  • 1 large Onion, diced

  • 4 medium Potatoes, cubed

  • 1 cup Green beans or peas or corn

  • 2 cups chopped cabbage

  • 1 can (15 oz) Diced tomatoes

  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced

  • Fresh Herbs: Parsley, thyme, or bay leaf

  • Salt & Pepper to taste

  • Optional: A handful of barley or small pasta, some cubed beef roast and a little milk or cream. If you can coax it out of your little villagers 😆

Instructions

  1. The Secret Start: Place your "magic" stone in the bottom of a large heavy pot. I would use a crock pot or slow cooker for safety in the classroom. Fill the pot with water or broth and bring it to a gentle boil.

  2. The First Contribution: Add the onions and garlic. Let them simmer until the water begins to smell fragrant.

  3. Building the Flavor: Add the potatoes, carrots, and celery. As the legend goes, "a bit of this and a bit of that" makes the soup better.

  4. The Final Additions: Stir in the tomatoes, green beans, and herbs. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 30–40 minutes until all the vegetables are tender.

  5. The Seasoning: Remove the lid and add salt and pepper. If you have a crusty loaf of bread nearby, now is the time to slice it!

  6. The Reveal: Carefully remove the stone (save it for next time!) and serve the soup hot to friends, family, and neighbors.

"It is amazing how much flavor a simple stone can have... when everyone adds a little something to the pot."

🎨 Teacher Omi’s "Sharing Soup" Game

The Setup: Ask each child to bring in one small vegetable or ingredient (or provide them yourself) and have the children "hide" them—either in their desks, under their chairs, or behind their backs during circle time. 

The "Wondering": Place your pot and "magic stone" in the center of the circle. Begin to "wonder" aloud.

  • "Oh, this stone soup smells lovely, but it would be so much better if only we had a bright, crunchy carrot..."

The Magic: The child with the carrot then "finds" it and brings it forward to the pot to share! Continue until every child has contributed their piece to the village feast.

            The Lesson: It transforms a simple recipe into a lesson on how everyone has something valuable to contribute, no matter how small.

Souper Simple Sharing Soup



So you could make a "Souper Simple Sharing Soup" for Thanksgiving or any time, just by asking each child to bring in one can of his favorite vegetables. This "souper simple" recipe works well in classrooms because it's quick and easy to make. All you need is a can opener and a crockpot, if a stove isn't available. It's endlessly creative and never turns out the same! It was fun to see how many different kinds of vegetables were brought in. It's also cheap and easy for parents. You could do it with frozen or fresh vegetables too. 

And now for the free Stone Soup printables

Literature Connections

Marcia Brown's "Stone Soup" is the oldest book version (1947). It was a Caldecott honor book. Brown also wrote other Caldecott children's literature winners "Shadow" and "Once a Mouse." Ann McGovern is the "If you lived..." book lady. In the 1960s she wrote a non-fiction Scholastic series on what it would be like to live with Sioux Indians, Colonial Times, etc. 

Books in the Series by Ann McGovern

  • If You Lived in Colonial Times (1964) – Covers life in the New England colonies between 1650 and 1750.

  • If You Grew Up With Abraham Lincoln (1966) – Details what it was like to live on the frontier and in the city during Lincoln's time.

  • If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 (1969) – Explores the journey and the first year of the Pilgrims in Plymouth.

  • If You Lived in the Circus (1971) – A look behind the scenes of traveling circus life.

  • If You Lived With the Sioux Indians (1972) – Describes the daily life, traditions, and hunting practices of the Sioux on the Great Plains. (We know now it's not accurate to call them Sioux. They are correctly called Lakota. And we now say American Indians or native American or indigenous. But it's still a good book.)  

  • If You Lived 100 Years Ago (1999) – Focuses on life at the turn of the 20th century (specifically in New York City).

  • If You Lived in the Days of the Knights (2001) – Covers the training, armor, and daily routines of medieval knights in the 13th century.


    Jon J. Muth wrote a Japanese version of Stone Soup. Muth is a celebrated author and illustrator whose career spans award-winning children's picture books and influential graphic novels. He is perhaps best known for his series featuring Stillwater the giant panda. Many of these works are inspired by Zen koans and Buddhist parables.

    TitleYearNotable Awards/Honors
    Stillwater and Koo Save the World2023
    Addy's Cup of Sugar2020
    Zen Happiness2019
    Mama Lion Wins the Race2017
    Zen Socks2015Junior Library Guild Selection
    Hi, Koo!: A Year of Seasons2014Beehive Book Award (Poetry)
    Zen Ghosts2010
    Zen Ties2008Children's Choice Book Award (Illustrator of the Year)
    Zen Shorts2005Caldecott Honor; Book Sense Book of the Year
    Stone Soup2003
    The Three Questions2002National Children's Publication Award

Teacher Omi’s Note on Evolving Language

When we read books written several decades ago, like those by Ann McGovern, we sometimes find words that were commonly used then but have since been corrected.

  • The term "Sioux" is actually an exonym—a name given to a group by outsiders. It originated from a French version of an Ojibwe word that meant "little snakes" or "enemies." 

    • The Preferred Name: Most people within that nation prefer Lakota, Dakota, or Nakota (depending on their specific dialect and region).

    • The Meaning: In their own language, these names mean "allies" or "friends." It’s a much more beautiful and accurate way to describe their community!

    • Oceti Sakowin: You may also see the term Oceti Sakowin (The Seven Council Fires), which is the proper collective name for the entire alliance of these bands.




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Geography Landforms craft projects and free printable topography maps and lesson plans


Hello my Omschooligans! Today in the Omschool you and I are going to make some hands-on Geography crafts projects. We'll begin by making topography maps. Let's first mix up a large batch of play dough. Make the play dough in class and use it for interactive math measuring lesson plans. Here's an easy play dough recipe.  Students will use these in hands-on geography lessons.

🥣 Omschool Kitchen Science: Topography Play Dough

Turn your kitchen into a geography lab with this simple, non-toxic recipe. Use this for interactive lessons in fractions and measurement before the geography lesson begins!

Yield: 1 Student Portion (Multiply for class size)

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Hot water

  • 1 cup White flour

  • 1/4 cup Salt

  • 1 tsp Vegetable oil

  • 2 tsp Alum (or Cream of Tartar)

  • Food Coloring (Blue and Green/Plain)

Instructions:

  1. Mix: Combine ingredients with a fork until the dough is smooth and cool enough to handle.

  2. Divide: Separate the dough into two equal balls.

  3. Color: Leave one ball plain (Land) and color the other blue (Water).

  4. Prep: Give each student a paper plate, a plastic knife, and two zippered bags for storage.



Next, introduce geography bee terms and definitions for landforms. Demonstrate shapes of landforms using play dough and then by drawing landforms on the overhead projector. Use black pen for land and blue for water. Students will use their blue and white clay to create landforms based on drawings from the board or overhead projector. Students should locate examples of landforms on topography maps or globes with 3D landforms. 

👩‍🏫 Omi’s Pro-Tip for the Classroom:

"When modeling these landforms for the class, I like to use a black pen for land and blue for water on the overhead projector. This way, the students can perfectly match their clay colors to my drawings on the board. It keeps everyone on the same page (and the same continent!)"

🗺️ Geography Bee: Landform Key

Use these definitions and examples to identify features on your topography maps and globes.

Water-to-Land Connections

  • Isthmus: A narrow strip of land separating two large bodies of water and connecting two larger landmasses (e.g., Isthmus of Panama).

  • Strait: A narrow strip of water separating two large landmasses and connecting two larger bodies of water—the inverse of an isthmus (e.g., Straits of Mackinac).

  • Delta: The mouth of a river where it fans out in silt or tributaries to meet a larger body of water (e.g., Mississippi Delta).

Island & Coastal Features

  • Island: A small landmass surrounded by water.

  • Archipelago: A chain or group of islands (e.g., Hawaii).

  • Atoll: A circular ring of islands, often surrounding a lagoon.

  • Peninsula: Land that juts out into a body of water (e.g., Michigan, Florida).

  • Key: A small island in a chain.

Inland Water Features

  • River: A narrow strip of water flowing from high to low elevation.

  • Tributary: A branch or smaller stream that flows into a main river.

  • Lake: A large body of water, generally smaller than a sea (e.g., Lake Superior).

  • Basin: The area along a river that is drained by that river.

Elevation & Terrain (Highlands)

  • Mountain: A high area of land rising to a peak.

  • Mesa: A steep, narrow elevation with a flat top—like a table.

  • Butte: An isolated rocky hill with vertical sides and a flat surface.

  • Plateau: A wide, expansive area of high, flat land.

  • Cliff/Bluff: Sharp or rounded edges where land drops off to a lower elevation.

Terrain (Lowlands & Passages)

  • Canyon: A narrow corridor or pass between rocky elevations.

  • Gorge: A canyon with a riverbed at the bottom (e.g., Snake River Canyon).

  • Dune: A sandy elevation, often found along the shoreline.

Printable landforms charts


🌍 Landform Discovery Chart

CategoryLandform TypeDescription
HighlandsMountain, Mesa, Butte, Plateau, Hill, Bluff, Cliff, PromontoryElevated areas ranging from sharp peaks to flat-topped "tables."
LowlandsValley, Canyon, Dune, BasinAreas that sit below the surrounding terrain, often carved by water or wind.
Water FeaturesRiver, Tributary, Lake, Bay, Sea, OceanBodies of water that vary by size, salt content, and movement.
Coastal & IslandsPeninsula, Cape, Delta, Strait, Isthmus, Archipelago, Atoll, KeyLand features defined by their relationship and proximity to the sea.

📚 Montessori-Style Landform 3-Part Cards

  • The Helpful Garden: Offers a fantastic free download of land and water forms using real-life photographs. These are highly recommended by Montessori educators for their clarity.

  • Kid World Citizen: Provides 20 free landform posters with beautiful illustrations and definitions that can be used for a matching game or a classroom word wall.

  • Landforms Match-Up Foldable: A free TPT resource that includes photos and definitions for 8 key landforms (plateau, isthmus, cape, etc.) specifically designed to be used in a graphic organizer.

🧩 Landform Matching Worksheets & Games

  • Super Teacher Worksheets: A great set of 2nd-4th grade picture cards that can be used for a memory game or a classic "question and answer" review.

  • Tutoring Hour Landform Pack: This site has a massive collection of free PDFs, including a "Cut and Glue" matching activity where students match picture cards to written descriptions.

  • Landforms on Earth Flashcards: A set of 12 vibrant, colorful flashcards perfect for visual learners to identify key terrain features.

Assorted Links for Geography worksheets to print. 


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Free Printable Play Money for Real World Consumer Math Lesson Plans


Hello my Omschooligan friends! Teacher Omi (that's me! it means "Grandma" in Dutch) here with some flashback fun for kids. When I was young, I loved to pretend I had a grownup job in an office, hospital or grocery store. My Opi (grandpa) was a printer for a newspaper and he brought me all kinds of stationery supplies to play with. My favorite was play money. I thought you might like some play money for your recycled cardboard grocery store we just made a few days ago. Teachers and homeschool parents, use play money in your preschool math learning centers. 

Money math lesson plans

Money math is a favorite hands-on preschool lesson plan. 
  • Students can learn consumer math skills by pretending to run a grocery store. 
  • Interacting with play money, teaches children to count, add, subtract, multiply, divide
  • Counting money develops skip counting skills and times tables, counting by fives, tens and twenty-five. 
  • Making change teaches counting backwards.
  • Consumer math is great way to demonstrate positive and negative numbers. Positive numbers are money you have. Negative numbers can be thought of as money you owe.
  • Money math teaches fractions, decimals and percent.
  • Consumer math helps students learn about using credit, interest, fees, sales an discounts as examples.

Ways to use printable play money

Here are links to free printable play money. Print play money and use in preschool learning centers like practical life, math center and house area. Use free printable play money in math classes like

  • marketing
  • life skills 
  • economics
  • business math
  • special needs




Free printable play money



Money math in the real world

The best way to learn new skills, Montessori teaches is to practice them in real world applications. That builds HOTS or higher order thinking skills. Bloom's Taxonomy says that regular lesson plans in which students memorize and demonstrate comprehension of facts, is limited. Students just learn to regurgitate data rather than impacting or being impacted by it. 

Bloom's Taxonomy Model of Omschool Market 

Here is an outline of how money math lesson plans help build higher-order thinking skills, based on the provided Bloom’s Taxonomy for ‘Money Math’ chart:

  • Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)

    • Creation (Apex of the pyramid)

    • Evaluation

      • Assess complex financial choices

      • Determine the financial impact of debt

      • Evaluate investment options

    • Analysis

      • Analyze a personal budget

      • Distinguish "needs" vs. "wants"

      • Compare prices to find the best value

  • Lower Order Thinking Skills (LOTS)

    • Application

      • Use play money for transactions

      • Make change

      • Calculate simple totals

    • Remembrance & Understanding (Base of the pyramid)

      • Recognize denominations

      • Identify coins and bills

      • Understand basic counting


Stay tuned for my next post where we'll take your mad money math skills to the next level! 




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Multicultural lesson plans: respectful ways to explore global traditions around the world


Hello my friends of the Omschool. Today, Teacher Omi is going to show you how we are all lifelong learners. And today's life lesson is about cultural sensitivity. We're going to discuss ways to explore the wonderful world we live in, respectfully, without minimizing or generalizing. 

Rethinking multiculturalism

33 years ago, I created a preschool "multicultural unit" for Vacation Bible School. We "visited" saints around the world. So I made cardboard playhouse to simulate some of the dwellings of the people the saints missioned to. In retrospect, I can see where even this can smack of  "White savior complex" in which a dominant group attempts to "convert" what it sees as non-believers to its ideology. 

The saints we visited were more helpers in specific struggles, such as St. Peter Claver working against the slave trade. And St. Mother Theresa reaching out to assist then "untouchable" caste in India.  I also was gearing it to specific time periods in which the "play house" dwellings were more reflective. But there were still some problems, that I now see. 

Stereotyping, caricaturing and cultural appropriation

When creating a multicultural or world-focused learning unit in an early childhood setting, thoughtful implementation is key to ensuring that activities remain educational and respectful. While the activities I created were designed to spark curiosity and appreciation for different traditions, there are a few elements that are frequently discussed by educators regarding cultural representation, also called "cultural appropriation." 

Here are a few considerations and suggestions to ensure the lesson remains culturally respectful and avoids common pitfalls:

  • Avoid Stereotyping and Generalizations: Grouping diverse cultures or entire continents into a single representation can lead to oversimplification (for example, using one style of "grass hut" to represent an entire diverse African continent, or using general symbols for all Native American tribes).

    • Alternative: Focus on the specific homes of individual tribes, nations, or regions, and discuss the geography or climate that makes those homes unique.

    • Instead of attempting to recreate homes, especially in a modern setting with modern materials, gather books showing real people creating and interacting within their real life societies. 

  • Consult Authentic Voices: When teaching about Indigenous or specific cultural groups, it helps to use books or resources created by authors and artists from those communities. This ensures that the children are learning authentic perspectives rather than interpretations.

    • Alternative: Feature traditional stories, photographs of real homes (like a Mongolian yurt or an Arctic igloo), and celebrate specific cultural achievements with the children.

    • Here's a video showing an Inuit family building an igloo. Here is a video showing the building of a traditional grass hut in Uganda. The technology is simple but ingenious. And talk about using found materials. This is the ultimate "repurposing" hack. 

  • Focus on Function, Not Costume: While children love dress-up, using sacred cultural regalia (such as headdresses) as a "costume" can be deeply insensitive. In my original piece, I cringe to recall how I suggested that kids "play dress up." 

💡 Pro-Tip

Keep It Respectful: Use your reading corner to share multicultural stories that highlight real individuals and historical figures, encouraging children to appreciate diverse traditions with empathy and accuracy!

Crafting respectful lesson plans on multicultural diversity

 When building a multicultural unit for early learners, the goal is to move beyond surface-level representations and foster a genuine, respectful connection to different ways of life. Here are several ideas for culturally sensitive, engaging activities that focus on authentic cultural exchange and appreciation:

1. Authentic Storytelling and Literature

Instead of using generic themes, introduce children to specific stories written by authors from the cultures being highlighted.

  • Activity: Set up a dedicated space in the reading corner featuring translated picture books and folklore from around the world.

  • Discussion Prompts: Ask children what the characters' homes look like, what foods they eat, or how the weather/geography is different from our own.

2. Exploring World Geography Through Homes

Rather than generalizing types of housing across whole continents, focus on the ingenuity of specific dwellings and local climates.

  • Activity: Compare the geography of different regions using photos and books. For instance, you can examine how a traditional Mongolian yurt is adapted to the open steppe or how an Arctic igloo works with snow and ice.

  • Craft Integration: Build small, specific models using natural materials like clay, twigs, or clean recycled items, discussing the science and geography behind the design.

3. Cultural Cooking and Daily Life

Food and daily routines are a wonderful way to connect children to real cultural practices without resorting to costumes.

  • Activity: Prepare a simple, authentic snack or drink from a specific culture. Examples include making fresh salsa from a Mexican recipe, or preparing a traditional tea ceremony using real, child-sized teaware.

  • Learning Focus: Discuss the ingredients, the origin of the food, and the tools used to prepare it in that culture.

    Hummus for Little Hands

    Introduce children to the joy of making healthy "world food" snacks with this simple, safe, and nutritious dip. It's the perfect no-cook sensory recipe for kids to practice measuring and mixing!

    Prep time: 10 mins | Yield: 4 servings | Category: Snack

    Ingredients

    • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
    • 1 clove garlic (optional, or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)
    • 2 tbsp lemon juice
    • 2 tbsp tahini (sesame seed paste)
    • 2 tbsp olive oil (plus a little extra for drizzling)
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • 2 to 3 tbsp warm water

    Instructions

    1. Pour and Rinse: Help the children place the rinsed chickpeas into a medium-sized mixing bowl or blender.
    2. Add the Ingredients: Add the lemon juice, tahini, olive oil, and salt directly into the bowl.
    3. Mash it Up: Using a sturdy potato masher or a child-safe fork, let the children mash the chickpeas and mix the ingredients together until fairly smooth.
    4. Drizzle and Serve: Add warm water, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is creamy. Serve with crunchy vegetable sticks!
    💡 Pro-Tip: Encourage children to create their own unique "food art" on top of the hummus with paprika or chopped fresh herbs before dipping!

4. World Music and Movement

Children naturally connect with rhythm and song.

  • Activity: Listen to music from various regions or cultures. Focus on the instruments used (such as the African djembe, the Japanese koto, or Latin American maracas).

  • Hands-On Craft: Make simple shakers or drums using recycled materials like dried beans, paper tubes, or cardboard, and discuss how different materials create different sounds. 




5. Traditional crafts

Here is a simple, child-friendly batik tutorial designed for a fun learning environment!

💡 Pro-Tip

Design Authentically:
 Avoid trying to "recreate" native patterns. Design your own that reflects you!

Simple Cardboard "Batik" Tutorial

Real batik uses hot wax and fabric dyes, but you can create a beautiful, textured "faux batik" effect using basic classroom materials like washable glue and watercolors.

Materials Needed

  • Stiff drawing paper or watercolor paper

  • White school glue or water-based glue

  • Watercolor paints and brushes

  • Cotton swabs or small sponges

  • A small pencil for light tracing

Step-by-Step Instructions

  • Step 1: Sketch the Design Encourage children to draw their own unique, symmetrical, or abstract patterns directly onto the paper using a pencil. Remind them to keep the lines simple and bold.

  • Step 2: Apply the Glue Line Carefully trace the pencil lines with the glue to create a "resist" barrier. Let it dry completely overnight.

  • Step 3: Paint the Sections Once the glue is completely dry and clear, use watercolors to fill in the sections between the glue lines. The glue barrier prevents the paints from bleeding into one another.

  • Step 4: Add Texture Use a cotton swab or a damp sponge to dab away excess moisture from the colors, creating a subtle, varied texture that mimics traditional wax-resist fabric.

Easy Faux Batik Fabric Tutorial

Real batik uses hot wax and professional fabric dyes. This kid-friendly version uses flour paste or washable school glue and fabric paints (or acrylics mixed with fabric medium) to create a beautiful, textured result.

Materials Needed

  • A square of light-colored cotton fabric (such as muslin or an old cotton pillowcase)

  • A piece of cardboard or newspaper (to place under the fabric to protect your table)

  • Flour and water paste (or washable white school glue)

  • Foam brushes or small paintbrushes

  • Fabric paints or acrylic paints mixed with a textile medium

  • An iron (for adult use only to heat-set the finished paint)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  • Step 1: Prepare the Design Place your cotton fabric flat on top of the cardboard. Use a pencil to sketch a simple, bold design directly onto the fabric.

  • Step 2: Apply the Resist Trace your pencil lines using the flour paste or washable glue. Squeeze a thick, even line to ensure it acts as a barrier. Let the design dry completely overnight.

  • Step 3: Paint the Fabric Once the barrier is fully dry, paint the sections of the fabric with your fabric paints. The paste or glue lines will resist the paint, keeping colors separate.

  • Step 4: Wash and Set Once the paint is fully dry, soak the fabric in warm water to wash away the flour paste or glue. Squeeze out the excess water and let it dry, then have an adult iron the back of the fabric for 3–5 minutes to heat-set the paint.

💡 Pro-Tip

Keep It Grounded: Ensure that all materials come directly from authentic cultural sources (such as traditional textiles, real cooking utensils, or authentic artwork) to give children an accurate, respectful view of the world!

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