Shena Leonard: Messy Table, Creative House

www.ShenaLeonard.com Messy Table, Creative House As an anonymous Kindergarten Teacher so aptly put it, “A Messy Table is a sign of a Happy and Creative household.” We couldn’t agree more! Check out all of the fun project ideas, recipes, reviews, and other things that keep our table looking well-loved every day. (=

We do a Birthday Bulletin Board for Riley’s school each month and I think this month is our favorite yet! (= Check it out…… Here’s the song the Sorting Hat is singing in case you can’t read it on the photo. Not to Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or

www.ShenaLeonard.com Messy Table, Creative House: This fun Art Adventure teaches kids about posters, and engages them in designing their own poster featuring their favorite book. This Art Adventure is a HUGE HIT with the Kids because they love creating a poster that features themselves and their favorite book. It is also a huge hit with Teachers and Parents because it encourages reading, and sharing what you love about reading. It’s an overall hit! (=

Art Adventure: Reading Posters! (=

February 12, 2017

Shena Leonard

Art Adventures, Books, Classroom Project, Cool School Stuff, Creating With Kids, Harry Potter

In today’s Art Adventure with Cabot’s class we did Reading Posters –in honor of “I Love To Read” Month. (= We started by discussing what the purpose of posters is: to CATCH PEOPLES’ ATTENTION and to CONVEY INFORMATION. Then we talked about various ways posters can meet

Bowtruckle for Character Day at school

December 13, 2016

Shena Leonard

Books, Cool School Stuff, Creating With Kids, Family Fun, Fantastic Beasts, Harry Potter, Newt Scamander

Cabot(10) is going to be Newt Scamander for Character Day at school. There’s not a lot of Newt costume stuff available at a day’s notice — but, we were able to make a quick Bowtruckle from pipe cleaners and sharpies that we found around the house. (=

How we make our Reading Pillows

October 2, 2016

Shena Leonard

Books, Cool House Stuff, Cool School Stuff, Creating With Kids, Family Fun, Gift Ideas, Harry Potter, Sewing

I gotten a lot of questions about how we do our pillows, so I thought I’d share our process & some in-progress pics. (= First I sketch out a rough pattern design of the character on large paper. Then the kids & I search through the fabric supply in my mom’s

How to make the Perfect end-of-the-year (or anytime) Teacher Present! It’s small, cute (adorable, actually) and includes EVERY Child’s Favorite Thing about their school year. Each kid has a page with their photo, info and drawing. I have made this for my kids’ teachers the last 8 years and it’s always a big hit! (=

How To Make the Perfect Teacher Gift – “What I Like About School…” books made by the kids in class

May 7, 2016

Shena Leonard

Art Adventures, Books, Cool School Stuff, Creating With Kids, Gift Ideas

For the past 8 years I have been creating the PERFECT end-of-the-year Teacher Gift with my kids’ classes. I know, I know… nothing is perfect you say…. But, this present is pretty close! The teachers really love it! And why wouldn’t they? It’s adorable, it takes up very little

Possibly the Coolest School Project Ever!

March 31, 2016

Shena Leonard

Cool School Stuff, Creating With Kids, Origami

I love the amazing school projects our teachers come up with! Cabot’s third grade teacher has kids creating businesses, learning about supply & demand, ROI, etc. The kids have to present business plans to the bank (the teacher) and see if they are eligible for business

A Cool Way to Include Kids When Designing a Yearbook Cover (=

March 22, 2016

Shena Leonard

Cool School Stuff, Creating With Kids, Yearbooks

I’m working on finalizing the yearbook over spring break and I just LOVE the cover!! It’s a K-5 school and all of the 5th graders did a self-portrait that I scanned and included on the cover. I think it looks amazing! If you’re working on a yearbook, a mosaic

A Fun Twist on BB8 for a Valentines Box. (=

BB8 (make that CM9) Valentine Box

February 11, 2016

Shena Leonard

Cool School Stuff, Creating With Kids, Valentine’s Day

This is the first year (3rd grade) that Cabot was allowed to make a Valentine’s Box for school since preschool, and he was excited! Check out CM9 (he’s a descendant of BB8 -I just love how my little guy’s brain works!). He’s made from plastic bowls and

Robot Valentine’s Box

February 1, 2016

Shena Leonard

Cool School Stuff, Creating With Kids, Valentine’s Day

The only time Cabot got to make a Valentine’s box for school was in preschool and he made a super-cool robot. It was a great use for a broken slinky! (= These pics are a but blurry, but they’re pretty cute. He was so excited about his creation. (= Sadly, he

www.ShenaLeonard.com -- Messy Table, Creative House (=

Giant Harry Potter Book Cover

November 8, 2015

Shena Leonard

Books, Cool School Stuff, Creating With Kids, Family Fun, Harry Potter

Cabot is working on a gigantic Harry Potter book cover for part of his Lego League Program presentation (nothing to do with the Robot Competition part of the competition, there’s lots involved in FIRST Lego League…) and I think he’s doing an amazing job!!! (=