Once Upon a Book ~ In the Castle

In the Castle by Anna Milbourne

Book Summary: Follow the imaginative adventures of a little boy who is whisked back in time as he plays in the ruins of a castle, only to find himself transported to the hustle and bustle of the building in its heyday - complete with jousts, banquets and valiant deeds. A perfect mix of information and story for tots!

Bible Verse:
Ephesians 6:11--Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Art:
Using this tutorial, make a shield out of cardboard! My "little knight" loved this! If you have a girl, make a "lady in waiting" hat.

Jonah used his knight shield and foam sword to storm the castle...er, I mean, swingset!

Fine Motor:
I cut a small shield out of some thin cardboard (recycled cereal box). I used a hole-punch to make holes along the edge. We used a lacing cord from another lacing set we had and Jonah practiced lacing.

Math:
I had some crown cut-outs from my teaching days that I pulled out. Jonah counted "jewels" to go with each crown. The "jewels" were some glass beads bought from the Dollar Tree.

 

Imaginative Play:
While we were learning about knights and castles, some friends from church blessed us with a great hand-me-down gift! I kid you not, they gave us this gigantic Imaginarium Medieval Castle and lots of Knight Figurines to go with it! We were so excited that they passed this along to us after their grandson grew tired of it. Jonah has played with it nonstop! It was the cherry on top to our castle week!

Videos:

We watched The Backyardigans: Tale of the Mighty Knights and Backyardigans: Escape From the Tower. You can get both of these DVD's through Netflix! There are also two streaming Netflix Backyardigans episode involving castles called "Knights are Brave and Strong" (Season 1, Episode 9) and "Robin Hood the Clean" (Season 3, Episode 14). This was great for some afternoon downtime!

 

Other Resources We Used:
We used the Knights Preschool Pack from Homeschool Creations and played the Crown Grid Game from Mama Jenn.

Once Upon A Book ~ I’d Be Your Hero

I’d Be Your Hero: A Royal Tale of Godly Character

by Kathryn O’Brien

Summary:  A unique book that captures the special relationship between a boy and his mom, as he seeks to attain the scriptural traits he has been taught.  (If you like this book, you’ll LOVE The Squire and the Scroll by Jennie Bishop, a book filled with sword fights, bravery, and honor in action.)

Bible Verse:  Whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Math / Fine Motor Skills

Supplies:

• envelopes (10)
• castle note cards (10) (ours are from Michaels) or die-cut of a castle (which you could find at the teacher store) or create a pattern yourself
• marker
• knights, horses, kings, or queen action figures (optional) or use other counting manipulative
  

Directions:

• Label castle note cards 1-10 and do the same with the envelopes using a marker.
• Have your Tot match the numbered castle to the correctly numbered envelope. 

If this proves challenging to them, place the correct castle in each envelope and simply have them take the castle out of the envelope. 

This exercise alone is a great fine motor activity, and proved just right for Gabe.  I asked him to find a specific numbered envelope.  As he gingerly pulled each castle out of its respective envelope, I reminded him of the number.

Variation(s): 

• Add some action to your castles!  Have your Tot place the correct number of “counters” on each numbered card.  (We ended up having sword fights all the way to the castle.)

• Color your castles!
• Help your Tot place the castles or envelopes in numerical order.  (A little beyond our learning right now!)

Craft:  Target practice

Supplies:

• white, yellow, and red construction paper
• scissors
• glue
• stickers or paper scraps

Directions:

• Create a target, similar to the one in the book.  (As you can see, mine isn’t perfect because I wanted something quick and I just wanted to spend time with Gabe.) 
• If possible, you could have your Tot trace various sized circles onto the appropriate paper.  With child scissors allow them to even cut out the circles and glue the target together with some assistance. 

• Now for the fun part.  Have your Tot place the stickers (or paper scraps) inside the smallest circle.  My little guy was so proud of his target . . . he showed everyone who came over to our house.

Tot Tray:  Spooning

 

Supplies:

• spoon
• jewels
• “treasure box”

Directions

• With spoon in hand, have your Tot transfer “jewels” into the treasure box.
• Take it one step further . . . as Gabe was spooning jewels we talked about how instead of storing money, that we can store up treasures in heaven.  

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy,

and where thieves do not break in and steal.  (Matthew 6:20)

After discussing this, we then put our family memory verses into the treasure box to be used at each meal. 

 

Because . . .

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
   By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
   do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
   that I might not sin against you.  (Psalm 119: 9-11)

 

 

P.S. Our memory system can be found at Simply Charlotte Mason.  And our scripture cards, which are too fun, are from Memory Cross. 

Songs: I’m a Knight in Armor (sung to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”)

I'm a knight in armor, look at me.
See how shiny I can be.
With my visor up my eyes you'll see.
But with it down it protects me.

Coloring pages:  Check out these great armor of God coloring pages!

Involving Older Siblings:  I have found that for my Tot School to be successful, it is best for me to involve Gabe’s older brothers. 

Gabe likes them around and it gives the older children a chance to essentially play the role of teacher. 

 

For this theme, Asher and Ezra helped create Gabe’s sensory bin. (All of our supplies came from Michaels.)

 

However, Gabe was NOT thrilled with the blue sand.  Which occurred almost immediately after this picture was taken! 

Phew . . . we did more, but that is all I am going to share with you!  Enjoy!

Want to see what's coming next (and books we've done in the past)? Click here to see our Once Upon a Book webpage!

Mommy Made Printables ~ Princesses, Princes, Knights & Castles

We are excited to share some Princess ~ Prince ~ Knight ~ Castle printables for you to use with your tots as you explore together!

Knights Preschool Pack {from Homeschool Creations}

 

Princess Preschool Pack {from 1+1+1=1}

P is for Princess{from Confessions of a Homeschooler}

Crown Grid Game {from Mama Jenn}

Princesses & Frogs {from Mama Jenn}

 

Do you have any free Royalty printables YOU have created {and share}? If so, leave a link to your blog post in the comments below!

Crafty Corner ~ Princesses & Knights

 

Princess Carriage from Sun Hats and Wellie Boots

 

Knight Shield from No Time For Flashcards

 

Jeweled Crowns from Confessions of a Homeschooler

 

Shape Castle from No Time For Flashcards

 

Princess Wand from No Time For Flashcards

 

Soda Bottle Crown from Ramblings of a Crazy Woman

 

Styrofoam Brick Castle from Confessions of a Homeschooler

 

Do you share tot-friendly crafts on your blog? If so, please read here first and then email me (JennAtTotallyTots@gmail (dot) com)! I would love to add you to the "search" list for future posts! Do you have a princess/knight themed craft on your blog that is not already linked here? Please feel free to share your craft by leaving the link to it in a comment!

 

What’s in the Tub ~ Princesses and Knights

Next month our theme at Totally Tots is Princesses and Knights.  Here are some ideas for you to use in a sensory tub with your little one to explore the theme up close and personal.   

What’s in the Tub?: 

• green split peas
• unfinished castle birdhouse
• small craft sticks (hot glued together)
• blue glass gems
• princess figurine
• prince figurine
• knight figurine
• Knights and Dragons Toob (we didn’t use the dragon)
• princess novelty buttons
• ceramic crown
• small wooden mirror

I used the glass gems to make a moat around the castle and the craft sticks as a draw bridge. 

The small ceramic crown held our glass gems and small treasures.

So, what fun things did we do with the tub? 

• Dug for the princesses lost treasure (buttons)
• Counted how many glass gems it took to make our moat 
• Defended the princess from the bad Knight and made up lots of fun stories

What’s in the Tub? is a feature that focuses on fun sensory tub ideas to go along with the monthly theme at Totally Tots.   Click here to see past sensory tub ideas.