Category: All posts

Integrating Math & Art: Calculating Area + Perimeter with Piet Mondrian

By Mariah Bruehl, 19th January 2015

Learning to calculate the area and perimeter of rectangular shapes is a required skill in third grade math. The integration of art makes perfect sense in learning this skill. Piet Mondrian, indeed, is the ideal artist to study when discussing the measurement of shapes.

In my third grade classroom, we began our study of Piet Mondrian with a slide show depicting his work. A website dedicated to slide shows www.slideshare.net has shows about the art of Piet Mondrian. We watched and discussed the following show:http://www.slideshare.net/duniwayart/mondrianppt

The images presented gave us a good starting point to discuss the famous painter and his later work where he used only primary colors and bold black lines. We focused on Mondrian’s paintings from 1920 and forward. These paintings are beautiful and simple. Students will easily see bold rectangles and will be able to emulate his style to create a work of their own.

Questions To Consider:

What do you notice about Mondrian’s later (1920 and on) paintings?

What effect do you think he was trying to achieve when he used bold black lines?

Why do you suppose he limited his color palette to the three primary colors?

Let’s create our own…

Materials: white art paper, graph paper, a black permanent marker, paint colors red, yellow and blue, a ruler and a pencil

If you decide to use white art paper, share how to mark centimeters or inches off along the sides of the paper. This creates a grid to use when measuring and helps young learners in drawing straight lines.

Step One:

Draft out your idea in pencil using lines and rectangles.

Step Two:

Measure the area and perimeter of some of the rectangles (3 or more). Discuss that measuring the perimeter is adding up the length of each side, which are four sides for a rectangle. We then add all the side measurements together to get the total perimeter. Area measures the inside of a shape in square units and may be figured out by simply counting the squares covered inside a shape (with graph paper) or by multiplying the length by the width of a rectangle.

Step Three:

Show the calculations and totals on a separate recording sheet.

Step Four:

Decide where you would like to put color down and where you would like to leave white space. Mondrian left a lot of white space and sparingly added primary colors. This is your choice in creating your own composition.

Voila! You have created a beautiful piece of art, learned about the fabulous Piet Mondrian and explored how to measure the area and perimeter of a rectangular shape.

Arts integration is often very motivating for students. Learners have the chance to engage in the process and thus understand at a deeper level.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.C.7

Relate area to the operations of multiplication and addition.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.C.7.A

Find the area of a rectangle with whole-number side lengths by tiling it, and show that the area is the same as would be found by multiplying the side lengths.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.C.7.B

Multiply side lengths to find areas of rectangles with whole-number side lengths in the context of solving real world and mathematical problems, and represent whole-number products as rectangular areas in mathematical reasoning.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.C.7.C

Use tiling to show in a concrete case that the area of a rectangle with whole-number side lengths a and b + c is the sum of a × b and a × c. Use area models to represent the distributive property in mathematical reasoning.

Source

Websites:

http://art-educ4kids.weebly.com/piet-mondrian-colour-and-line.html

http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?artistFilterInitial=&criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4057&page_number=1&template_id=SS&sort_order=1

Books:

Mondrian by Hans L. C. Jaffe

Arts with the Brain in Mind by Eric Jensen

Enjoy!

10 Tips for Moving with Young Children

By Mariah Bruehl, 13th January 2015

Moving is hard work. Add a young child or two and it can be a very daunting task. Here are a few tips I found helpful before, during and after the moving process with our two young ones:

Finding things to do that you did at your old home:
- Take them to the local library to show them where you’ll be checking out new books.
- Take a trip to the new grocery store.
- Drive past the building where their parents or guardians will be working.
- Show them the local schools they’ll be attending.

Talk about moving early and often so that it’s less of a shock when the moving date arrives. Heading to the grocery store I’d say things like, “When we move to our new house we’ll find a new grocery store to shop at.” The more they hear about it, the more comfortable they become with the idea.

Books like The Berenstain Bears Moving Day are AMAZING tools to prepare kids for what to expect when moving. The stories help children make sense of what is happening, and gives them something to compare their changing world to. Here is a list of other helpful children’s books about moving.

Make Lists! Keep in mind things that will need to travel with you in the family car so that they are accessible immediately at your new home. I made checklists for each of my girls (as well as my husband, myself and the dog). It ensured that I didn’t forget any night-lights, blankets, or baby shampoo!

Pack a bag of some of their favorite toys to bring with you in the car so that they have something familiar to play with while the rest of your things are being delivered. It will give them something to do on the drive as well as in the empty house.

Show them pictures of the new house before you get there. My oldest daughter felt much more comfortable with our new home because she had already seen lots of pictures and knew exactly what each room looked like. She could pick out her room based on the photos we shared with her which gave her confidence in her new environment.

Find things to do in your new community to take attention away from their missing things and try to fit some into your busy box-emptying schedule as soon as possible. Spending an hour or so away from home with not only familiarize your children with the new surroundings, it will give you a breath of fresh air and hopefully rejuvenate your motivation to tackle those boxes.

Ideas include…

Checking out new attractions that you may not have had at your old home:

– Is there a zoo close by?

– Any museums or discovery centers for kids?

– Trampoline or indoor climbing parks?

– Water parks?

Enjoy the outdoors:

– Let them simply explore their new back yard (give them a magnifying glass and a bucket and let them go wild!)

– Find parks close by!

– Find a nature preserve for a breath of fresh air and lots of fun discoveries

– Is there a lake, river, or pond close by?

Don’t wait for your neighbors to come to you. My daughter was dying to meet the new neighbors, so I decided to go to them instead. To make things simple, I bought lots of the Nestle cookie dough and made a dozen cookies to take to a few of the neighbors’ houses. Nothing fancy, just cookies on a paper plate, but it gave us something to take to them and my daughter was so excited to meet her new neighbors!

Search out Mom groups! I found a local mom’s Facebook page that has connected me with moms in the area. We’ve only been here three weeks and I already have play date this Friday! A community of moms is a wonderful way to get connected in a new place. They can often clue you in to some of the great things offered in your area too.

Find local activities like sports teams, music classes, etc., to help your kids meet new friends (and you’ll meet friends through their friends’ parents!). We all know what a difference friends can make.

Finally, be patient. Moving is hard on toddlers. They are creatures of habit and are completely thrown off by this new environment. They’re going to throw tantrums. They aren’t trying to be unreasonable; they’re simply unable to express their feelings in a more productive way just yet.

SaveSave

Mulitplication Games, Arrays, and Stories

By Mariah Bruehl, 8th January 2015

Second, third and fourth grade students across the country are busy learning and practicing multiplication facts. There are many fun ways to engage with them and provide fun for all.

The third grade common core standards place an emphasis on learning to multiply and divide within 100. The Operations and Algebraic Thinking Standards for the Common Core include the following outcomes for third grade students:

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division.
Understand properties of multiplication and the relationship between multiplication and division.
Multiply and divide within 100.
Solve problems involving the four operations, and identify and explain patterns in arithmetic.

(Source)

There are many different fun, interactive ways to learn the multiplication / division facts up to 100.

Matching Dominoes – Use two sets of six by six dominoes. This game can include up to four players or played individually. It provides students with a hands-on way to work on multiplication facts up to six times six. Have children take turns flipping over two dominoes to face up on their turn. Each player says the multiplication fact for the domino he/she turns over, even if it is not a match. For example, if a player turns over a 3 / 2 domino, the player says three times two is six. This way, all children hear the fact with the answer. Provide scrap paper for players to figure out facts as needed. This game is played like a traditional memory / match game where the player with the most matches at the end wins the round.

Triangular Flash Cards – These flash cards are perfect for working on fact families. Each card has one number in each of three corners showing a fact family. To work on having children see how multiplication and division are related play a game using the triangular flash cards. One player holds up a card while covering one corner. The other player figures out which number is covered. For example, multiplication / division fact family could be 6, 3, 18. The covered number is 18 and so the player says 6 times 3 equals 18. The corner is uncovered to check for accuracy. Provide paper or other supplies as needed to allow players to figure out answers.

Make Arrays – Let’s take our math learning into the kitchen or to the great outdoors. Creating arrays is a meaningful way for children to see how multiplication works. An array is a group of items placed in rows and columns. One could make an array out of almost anything such as mini – marshmallows, chocolate squares, M & M’s, carrots, grapes or outdoor items such as pebbles, acorns and leaves. Provide a multiplication fact such as 4 x 2 and share how to create four rows of an object with two objects in each row. Discuss, then, how to count for the total. Try several different multiplication facts. To incorporate division facts, you could share a completed array, ask the child to count the total, and show him / her how to write a division fact using the total and number of rows or number in each row.

Multiplication Snap – (2 player) To play you will need one set of playing cards and two players. Take out the face cards. Deal out the deck of cards evenly so that each player has the same amount. To play, each player snaps down a card and the quickest player to say the multiplication fact with the answer takes both cards. The player with the most cards at the end wins. The game ends when one player loses all of his / her cards or players decide to play by time and the time is up. Provide scrap paper for computation.

Children’s Literature: There are many wonderfully rich children’s literature books to share with children that not only have a great story but also incorporate multiplication and division concepts. Read and discuss some of these titles with the young learner in your life. Work on figuring out the answers and discussing the concepts together.

2 X 2 = Boo: A Set of Spooky Multiplication Stories by Loreen Leedy
Amanda Bean’s Amazing Dream by Marilyn Burns
Divide and Ride by Stuart Murphy
Anno’s Magic Seeds by Mitsumasa Anno
7 x 9 = Trouble by Claudia Mills

Lessons From the 100 Acre Wood

By Mariah Bruehl, 8th January 2015

0ne / two

I just recently finished reading A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner to a class of second and third graders. I am embarrassed to admit that at first I was hesitant in using these books as a classroom read aloud. I mistakenly assumed that a group of 7-9 year olds would find Pooh and his friends to be childish and infantile. I had no idea how immersed they would become in these characters and how much they would come to adore Pooh and his friends (especially Eeyore). They begged me to read every day. They drew picture after picture, usually at home, of each and every character and laid them on my desk. One child started a “Winnie the Pooh Club” in the classroom. We had a Pooh Fest the day before my students left for winter break.

We all fell in love (or fell in love again) with this Bear of Very Little Brain, and I believe we are all a little better and wiser for having experienced the story together. We learned so many things from Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.

I strongly recommend that you find time to share these books with your own children. Sharing stories together is a powerful way to make meaning of a text, and these particular stories make an excellent springboard for some honest and reflective conversations.

Below are 4 lessons I think we can all learn from life in the Hundred Acre Wood, along with some questions and quotes to ponder as you share the stories together.

1. Be brave and believe in yourself.

One could say that Pooh’s best friend, Piglet, is not very brave. He wants the world to believe he’s brave, and he usually does a great job at looking brave, but on the inside Piglet is often scared. The irony is that Piglet ends up being perhaps the bravest of all the friends in the Hundred Acre Wood because he believes in himself. He actually talks himself into being brave, and when he does, he ends up doing more great (and brave) things.

As you read, think about these questions:

What do you think it means to be brave?
Has there ever been a time when you’ve felt brave? How did it feel?
Has there ever been a time when you’ve felt less than brave? How did that feel?
The next time you are feeling less than brave, what could you do? Create a plan or a mantra for yourself. (A mantra is a word or phrase that can be repeated when you need to calm down or think before you act or speak.)

“There is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

~ Christopher Robin

2. Be a good friend to others.

Pooh teaches us that being a good friend means you are there in good times AND in bad times. It means you always have someone to lean on, to share your thoughts with, to join you on adventures, or to help you find your tail when it’s missing.

As you read, think about these questions:

What qualities do you look for in a friend?
What qualities do you have that makes you a good friend?
What do you think you could do to be an even better friend? Think of one thoughtful thing you can do for a friend and then do it!

“We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?’ asked Piglet. ‘Even longer,’ Pooh answered.”

~Pooh and Piglet

“Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So today is my new favorite day.”

~ Pooh

3. Take time to get to know people and embrace their inner beauty.

When Kanga and Roo arrive in the Hundred Acre Wood, the friends are worried about these newcomers (even a little prejudiced against these unknown animals who [gasp] carry their children around in pockets). After Piglet tells his friends that Christopher Robin claims Kanga is One of the Fiercer Animals, Rabbit concocts a plan to kidnap Roo. Kanga thwarts the plan and the friends realize that there is much more to these Fiercer Animals than meets the eye. Yes, they are different but Kanga is smart as a whip, gentle, nurturing and motherly while Roo is adventurous and enthusiastic about everything. The friends find that these qualities make wonderful additions to the Hundred Acre Wood family.

As you read, think about these questions:

What words would you use to describe your inner beauty? Click here for an extensive list of character traits.
How are you different from people in your family or within your group of friends? How do these differences enhance your family structure or your group of friends?
Take time to get to know someone new. Make a list of his/her unique qualities or character traits and embrace their inner beauty!

“The things that make me different are the things that make me.”

~ Piglet

4. Go out of your way to be kind to others.

When I think of being kind, I immediately think of Eeyore. Eeyore needs a little kindness in his gloomy life, and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood are often found trying to spread kindness in his direction. In The House at Pooh Corner, Pooh and Piglet come to realize that Eeyore does not have a house like the rest of their friends. He has always just lived in the Gloomy Place. So they decide to build Eeyore his very own house out of sticks. So what if Eeyore had already built himself a house that Pooh and Piglet mistakenly disassembled, and then they used those very same sticks to build him a new house? In the end we learn that it’s truly the thought that counts!

As you read, think about these questions:

How have you shown kindness to others? How did this make you feel?
How have others shown you kindness? How did this make you feel?
Make a plan to spread a little more kindness in your world. What could you do to be kind to someone else? How can you show more kindness in your family?

“A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.”

~ Eeyore

What other life lessons have you and your children learned from Winnie the Pooh and his friends? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Original art work by E.H. Shepard, Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Healthy Snacks for Kids

By Mariah Bruehl, 5th January 2015

During a recent girls’ group, my daughter and her friends expressed an interest in learning some healthy snacks that they can make for themselves after school-a time that they need a nutritional pick me up. It’s easy to grab a piece of fruit and some crackers, but kids want something more exciting and they like feeling independent in the kitchen. Here are some snacks that fit the bill (tested and approved by kids):

This snack is so simple and can be eaten right away or kept in the fridge for an easy grab-and-go snack or even breakfast. It can be made in a large batch but we prefer to make it in single serving size containers (short, wide mason jars work well). All you need are your favorite:

granola
yogurt
fruit (fresh or thawed blueberries, strawberries, mango, blackberries, raspberries)

Start with a layer of yogurt, then granola, then fruit. Repeat. That’s it. Be sure to leave some space at the top to get a spoon in!

My kids love these so much they request them for lunch. Depending on your child’s age, you could prepare a platter of toppings, or let your child do it all from start to finish. Here are some ideas:

cucumber slices, of course
cheese slices
cream cheese
hummus
ham or turkey slices-add a playful twist by letting your child use a small cookie cutter to cut out fun shapes
tomato slices

Starting with the cucumber as the base, layer toppings in your desired order . We like adding the cheese or spread first. If you like, keep it together with a toothpick.

This one is a little sweeter treat and involves some wait time, but it’s worth it! Either make them a day ahead or, on a non-school day, make them a few hours before snack time. We gathered our favorite toppings and followed these directions:

dark chocolate chips (for melting)
mini chocolate or peanut butter chips (for coating)
nut butter
chopped nuts
granola
shredded coconut
chopped dried fruit

Don’t they look delicious?! I hope your child enjoys these healthy DIY snacks and is inspired to try others.

Resolve to Keep Happy…

By Mariah Bruehl, 1st January 2015

Wishing you an inspiring 2015…

xo,

The Playful Learning Team

A Book List for Young Architects

By Mariah Bruehl, 30th December 2014

Taking a close look at the development of buildings over time is such a wonderful starting point for architecture and engineering.

The following titles are perfect for your young architect…

Architecture According to Pigeons by Speck Lee Tailfeather
Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty
Rosie Revere Engineer by Andrea Beaty
Walk This World by Jenny Broom
From Mud Huts to Sky Scrapers by Christine Paxmann
The Story of Buildings by Patrick Dillon
All the Buildings in New York: That I’ve Drawn So Far by James Gulliver Hancock
Lego Architecture: The Visual Guide by Philip Wilkinson

There are also some apps which encourage building, such as Toca Boca Builders and Minecraft. Oh Minecraft, you are amazing, but also a little too addictive for our School Boy, so we have to have very strict time limits.

This year, we plan on looking at buildings in our community and sketching them as we sit and spend time in the city or capturing them with a digital camera to view at home. We hope to create a little journal of buildings, which inlcude acts such as architect, date of build, etc. There’s so much to take in once you start to notice the details…

* This post contains affiliate links.

Sending Notes of Thanks

By Mariah Bruehl, 30th December 2014

Once the holiday celebrating is over and the gifts have all been opened, it is a perfect time to discuss with your child the importance of giving thanks. Whether you use store bought cards or make your own, keeping a small collection of supplies handy will ensure an afternoon of writing fun.

What to include:

Note pad or printable thank you card checklist to keep track of names, gifts and cards
Pencils or pens
Eraser (because sometimes the best way to learn is by making a mistake!)
Cards and envelopes
Optional: stickers, rubber stamps or colored pens to further decorate the envelopes

If sending cards in the mail, you may also want to include:

Personal return address labels
Address book
Postage stamps

Handmade Cards…

A homemade card is a gift in itself and is a lovely way to give thanks. Here are some simple ways of making some personalized cards.

“Framed Artwork”

Cut a coordinating color of paper to “frame” your child’s artwork before attaching it to the front of the card.

Scan a Favorite Drawing

If there is one piece of artwork that your child was most proud of during the year, scanning the artwork and printing the image onto blank greeting cards is a way of sharing the art without giving up the original artwork. Printing on glossy paper adds a professional look, although be sure to use a permanent pen when writing inside.

Photos of Thanks

With digital cameras, printing photos of your child using the gift is easier than ever. Everyone loves to see a child playing with the gift that they gave.

As important as it was to plan your gift giving, taking the time to put on some quiet music, gather your cards and chat with your child about how blessed they are to have such generous people in their lives is a learning experience that will last a lifetime.

Holiday Book List: A Little Bit More

By Mariah Bruehl, 24th December 2014

When I originally decided to write a blog post about multicultural holidays and their shared message of peace and giving, I imagined myself surrounded by stacks of books, poring over them and selecting my favorites to share with you. As it turns out, the hardest part about writing this has been finding books.

Many of the religious holiday books told about traditions, food, or the candles, or why people fast, but didn’t share the spirit of the holiday.

So what I hope you will find here are books that invite a sense of awe at the beauty of the season, remind us we have so much to be grateful for, and reveal that we all want peace on earth. I have included books from different cultures, although not always holiday themed. I encourage you to share your favorite holiday books about peace and giving in the comments below.

Books with Theme of Giving, Generosity:

Latkes, Latkes Good to Eat: A Chanukah Story, by Naomi Howland

Moishe’s Miracle: Hanukkah Story, by Laura Kraus Melmed, ill. by David Slonim

Both of these books are adapted from “The Magic Porridge Pot” by the Grimm Brothers. The first one is more appropriate for younger children, and the second one has eye-popping illustrations. These books could create an opportunity for a conversation about helping others and sharing what we have with those who need it.

Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier, illustrated by Lori Lohstoeter

This true story is about Beatrice and her family. Because of the gift of a goat, her family is able to sell the milk and raise enough money to send her to school. If you are looking for an opportunity to invite your children to give globally, this is a great story to show them how they can make a difference.

Books with Theme of Giving Heartfelt Gifts:

Love Monster and the Perfect Present, by Rachel Bright

I would have never picked this book up, but thankfully, a librarian recommended it. I love it. While there is no snow and it is not multicultural, it is universal. It is present day and Love Monster is lured in by the shops promising the perfect gift. We are reminded how easy it is to be caught up in the advertising and commercialism of the holidays. Since the stores don’t except lint and buttons as payment, Love Monster goes home empty-handed and very sad. In the end, he makes a present, telling his true love, “You are sunshine and stars to me.” Who wouldn’t love to receive that gift?

The Best Christmas Ever, by Chih-Yuan Chen

The story opens with the father bear being out of work and the family not having enough money for food. The words do not tell the whole story, but you will see clues in the pictures as to what is happening. In the end, there are gifts for everyone—lost hat, missing button, repaired kite, polished glove. The children notice footprints in the pretend snow around the tree. They wonder why they are so small. On the last page, the littlest member of the family is sitting on a chair and the bottoms of his feet are white. What a beautiful message about giving and noticing what might put a smile on someone’s face. It doesn’t have to be shiny and new but a simple act of thoughtfulness.

The Perfect Gift, by J. Samia Mair

This story takes place at Ramadan and Eid. It is the most religious of the books in this selection. A little girl wonders what to get her mother for Eid. Walking through the snowy woods, she discovers a lone flower. Its simplicity is perfect for this time of year. Why not have a walk through the woods or park and see what “gifts” you find?

Books with Theme of Peace and Nature:

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message, by Chief Jake Swamp, illustrated by Ervwin Printup, Jr.

OK, this is more appropriate for Thanksgiving, but with all of the excitement around presents, it is the perfect time to encourage discussions about the many wonders of the natural world to be grateful for.

Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa, by Jeanette Winter

Mama Miti, by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai, by Claire A. Nivola

These three books are about Wangari Maathai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. I am including all three titles because I think they are appropriate for different ages. I am partial to Mama Miti because Kadir Nelson’s illustrations are gorgeous. While these books are not about holidays, they are about peace for each person, for nature and for a country.

Night Tree by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ted Rand

This story is about a quiet family tradition of caring for nature. Every year on Christmas Eve the family drives to the edge of town where there is a copse of evergreens and decorate one with stringed popcorn, tangerines and apples for the wildlife. Year after year, they find the same tree to decorate so there is admiration for how the tree has grown over the year. I love the oneness with nature and the quiet thrill of hoping to spot a deer or mouse nibbling on the treats. They also bring a blanket and sing carols, which probably spoils any chance of seeing a badger. Never mind.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

This is another book about peace with nature. I love the anticipation of seeing an owl in the woods. While this book is not a holiday book, I think this is the perfect time to get outside with our children. Nighttime is so magical and lights are such a focal point for the holidays. What better lights than the stars?

And of course, this list would not be complete without a reference to How the Grinch Stole Christmas, because we all need to be reminded that “Maybe Christmas (or Hanukkah, or Diwali, or Eid…) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.”

DIY Digital Gifts for Kids

By Mariah Bruehl, 22nd December 2014

DIY gifts are an engaging way to involve children in the spirit of giving at Christmas. These digital DIY gifts are perfect for the budding photographer and artist in your family, and can be adapted so all age levels can participate. Not only that, they easily become frame worthy presents that grownups will truly enjoy receiving and displaying. Below are three photo editing apps that can make everyday pictures extraordinary. You and your child could choose from photographs you have already taken, or go on an expedition to take pictures just for this occasion.

I’ve included examples of my own picture morphed into three different versions using each app. My starting picture is a shot I took when we first arrived on family vacation this summer and it is the view of the path from our condo to the beach. This place has special meaning for us since we have a family reunion (over 50 people usually!) every other summer in this same location.

The first app to experiment with is called Waterloge. I first discovered this app at a friend’s home. She had three framed pictures of local landmarks in her dining room, and I asked where she had found her artwork. It turns out, she created them herself with Waterloge! This app turns your pictures into water color paintings, and is ideal for landscapes, objects, and buildings. Wouldn’t it be neat to take a picture of Grandma’s house, the spot someone was married/engaged at, or a favorite, frequented local destination?

The next app, called Percolator, was introduced to me by an art teacher. I love it because it reminds me of a mosaic. The app is somewhat coffee themed, you can choose the “grind”, “brew”, and “serve” of your picture, but I prefer to use their examples and then tweak from there if needed. The various styles provided lead to endless artistic opportunity.

Finally we have Wordfoto (shown in title photo) I used it with fourth grade students when working on projects about their homes/families, and they loved it! This app allows you to transform your picture by recreating it out of words. Brainstorm a list of words describing your picture or the people in it, and then the app uses your word set to create your new picture.

Once you’ve altered your pictures using one of the apps above, simply have them printed as you would normally print pictures, select a frame, and you are ready to wrap a personalized, special gift!