Thursday, June 3, 2010

stART: A Little Princess in the Making

This week for our story + art project, we chose A Little Princess in the Making by Emilie Barnes. Sissy and I (and the boys because they want to be included) have been working on a Princess Unit this week. (For the boys' sake, we call it Prince and Princess Unit.)
I really like this book. I picked Princess Unit because...well, there isn't anything Sissy likes more than that. But my plan was to focus on the heart of a princess - what it really takes to be a princess, which isn't just wearing a pretty dress.

We haven't gotten through the entire book because I want to take our time. There are only 30 pages in the book, but it is divided into chapters that begin with "I'm a Little Princess when I..."

The 6 chapters include Care For My Castle (being kind, obedient, and appreciative, etc.), Am a Good Friend (and being a good host), Travel Through My Kingdom (manners, The Golden Rule, etc.), Make Myself Pretty (which is more about hygiene and taking care of yourself), Dine at My Fancy Table (eating healthy, table manners, setting the table, etc.), and Have a Grateful Heart.

There are also two pages at the end with princess paper doll cut-outs. I want to get the boy version of the book, A Little Hero in the Making, next.
If that's not your kind of thing, we've been reading many other princess books this week, too.We went the "jewelry as art" route. We've been making jewelry of all kinds this week. One thing we did, which I just loved, is making Sparkly Confetti Necklaces. I got this idea from ShowKidsTheFun.com.
I cut a small freezer bag in half, one piece for each of them. They poured glue onto the plastic in the shape they wanted. (Sissy said circle, and Dash said oval.) Then they covered the glue with sequins, pieces of aluminum foil, jewels, glitter, and little colored shells.
We let them sit for a couple of days. (After a day or so, we peeled them off the plastic bag and turned them over to let the other side dry faster.) Once the glue dries, we were left with these shiny pendants. I poked a hole at the top of each one and let the kids choose a ribbon or string.
my little Princess-in-the-making and Hero-in-the-making
For more great story + art ideas, visit A Mommy's Adventures.

11 comments:

Brimful Curiosities said...

The princess theme is right up our alley, too. My daughter thinks she is a princess and even has a special princess canopy over her bed. One of her favorite books is Do Princesses Really Kiss Frogs? Your jewelry is very bling.

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

You've got some really great princess books there, we'll have to check them out!

Sandra said...

I like the way you included your son with this book. As a mom of boys, we usually stay clear of princess books (except the Frog Prince) but after reading your review of the book, I'd look for this book to read to the boys. Great crafts and I love the "hero in the making" idea! Thanks for sharing!

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice said...

Those are so awesome!!! They turned out great.

Unknown said...

You found so many great books to fit your theme. The jewels are wonderful.

MaDonna Maurer said...

Those books sound great! I'm going to have to locate them for our house...my daughters LOVE princesses and I love what that book seems to teach. Thanks Jenny!

phasejumper said...

That book sounds great! It would be a perfect gift for my niece.

Ticia said...

I am totally going to go get these books. I have three kids who would love them.

Valerie @ Inner Child Fun said...

How neat!! Love all the princess themed books you've picked out!

shannonmarie said...

I'll have to remember this princess post when Hayden gets old enough. I always refer to her as my little princess.

Allison said...

What a beautiful (and FUN) idea! And your MTM is so cute!