Native American Folktale, Flute Craft And A Giveaway

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We had tons of fun with the Poppins Book Nook blog series last year and we will be continuing that fun all throughout 2014. This month's theme was, "Folktales" Keep reading to learn more about the books we read and fun crafts we made. There is also a giveaway is at the end of the post!

Books:
Gwyn is fascinated with Native Americans and it is one topic that she is constantly exploring. Earlier this month we attended the Mothers Day Powwow in Canton, GA. This event is held every year and is one that we try not to miss. There are arts and crafts, tasty foods, tepees, demonstrations, dancing, music and warriors on horseback.

So it comes as no surprise that the kids picked out a Native American folktale book for this months book club. Night Dancer is a lyrical picture book poem about Kokopelli a southwestern Native American God. The book is 32 pages and great for children of all ages. In the book Kokopelli, the god of dance and music travels through the desert at night playing his flute and inviting the desert animals to join him. Along the way Coyote, Snake, Tortoise, Javelina, Jackrabbit, Tarantula, and the children of the Rio Grande Pueblo village follow Kokopelli and join his midnight dance.

Craft Project: 

Here is the fun project we did to go along with this months theme.

Straw pan flutes:

Materials:
-8-10 Straws (larger straws like the ones from McDonalds will probably work better)
-Tape
-Scissors

What to do:
There are a few ways you can make these and we opted for the easier way, but if you want to work in some math you can have children measure out the straws to these measurements 3-1/2 inches, 4 inches, 4-1/4 inches, 4-3/4 inches, 5 inches, 5-1/4 inches, 5-3/4 inches, 6 inches

1. Have children line up 8-10 straws. The straws should form steps and each one should be about 1/2 inch shorter than one before.
2. Next place a piece of tape on the table and lay the straws onto the tape. After all of the straws are placed onto the tape take the ends of the tape and fold them over the straws to secure them together.
3. Finally cut one side so that the straws are straight across and even.
4. Blow gently across the flat side to make some pretty sounds.

Let the children experiment with the straws adding more or less, cutting different lengths, etc. It is tons of fun and a great lesson in music!

Here is a list of the wonderful bloggers participating in the Poppins Book Nook be sure to visit them for more fun ideas:

Enchanted Homeschooling Mom ~ 3 Dinosaurs ~ To the Moon and Back ~ Planet Smarty Pants ~ Farm Fresh Adventures ~ Growing in God's Grace ~ Chestnut Grove Academy ~ Learning and Growing the Piwi Way ~ The Usual Mayhem~ Preschool Powol Packets ~ Monsters Ed Homeschool Academy ~ Adventures in Mommydom ~ Teach Beside Me ~ Life with Moore Babies ~ Kathy's Cluttered Mind ~ Are We There Yet? ~ Our Crafts N Things ~ Hopkins Homeschool ~ ABC Creative Learning ~ Joy Focused Learning ~ P is for Preschooler ~ Laugh and Learn ~ A Mommy's Adventures ~ Inspiring 2 New Hampshire Children ~ World for Learning ~ Ever After in the Woods ~ Golden Grasses ~ Our Simple Kinda Life ~ A glimpse of our life ~ Journey to Excellence ~ Happy Little Homemaker ~ Little Homeschool Blessings ~ Simplicity Breeds Happiness ~ Raventhreads ~ Water on the Floor ~ Learning Fundamentals ~ Tots and Me ~ As We Walk Along The Road ~ Stir the Wonder ~ For This Season ~ Where Imagination Grows ~ Lextin Academy ~ The Canadian Homeschooler ~ School Time Snippets ~ Peakle Pie ~ Mom's Heart ~ A Moment in our World ~ Every Bed of Roses ~ Finchnwren ~ At Home Where Life Happens ~ Suncoast Momma ~ The Library Adventure ~ Embracing Destiny ~ Day by Day in our World ~ Our Homeschool Studio ~ A "Peace" of Mind ~ Thou Shall Not Whine ~ SAHM I am ~ eLeMeNo-P Kids ~ Simple Living Mama

Poppins Book Nook Giveaway! 
Every month the Poppins Book Nook group will be offering readers a chance to win a brand new storybook or product that ties in with our theme for the month. This month one lucky entrant will win a copy of the E.H.M. curriculum Journey into the World of Folktales and one copy of the book that is required to teach it called Around the World in 80 Tales by Saviour Pirotta to further their learning alla bout folktales. If you wish to become a E.H.M member to receive access to hundreds of printables join here for only $15.00.

Entrants must be 18 years or older and reside in a country that receives U.S. Postal mail. This giveaway is brought to you by the company Enchanted Homeschooling Mom who is owner and founder of the Poppins Book Nook. By entering this giveaway you are alsoacknowledging that you have read and agree to all of the Rafflecopter terms& conditions as well as Enchanted Homeschooling Mom's disclosures found here.  Just enter the Rafflecopter below to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking up with: Jay Daniel 4's Mom, Mama to 4 Blessings