The more funds and resources a school has, the better. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t think resources are the answer to this whole teaching and learning thing. I’m a firm believer that teachers and the quality of teachers, make a world of difference in schools. However,  funding and better resources help a whole lot.

I’m sure we all know, the more we support our children’s schools through fundraising, the more we are able to equip them with helpful resources – it’s not rocket science.

I am here, friends, to share with you the most easy school fundraiser I been part of, to date. A whole lot of school fundraising happens, with no meetings and no volunteering required. It was so easy, I participated in this easy school fundraiser at home, in my decade old trackies and t-shirt.

Super Easy School Fundraiser

Chalk Educated Toys is an easy school fundraiser that works. Here’s why it works:

1. Chalk Educated Toys is brought to you by Modern Teaching Aids, Australia’s largest supplier of educational resources. The Chalk Educated Toys website and catalogue is filled with high quality toys at great prices.

2. The chalk.com.au website is super easy to use.

3. 20 cents of every dollar spent will be donated back to your nominated childcare centre or school to spend on educational resources. Simply select or nominate your local school or centre when you complete your order and they will receive credit in the form of a fundraising voucher. No filling out a dozen pages, signatures, etc. So, so easy! Your school or centre can spend these fundraising vouchers on learning resources and equipment.

4. You can purchase from chalk.com.au all year round, anywhere and anytime that suits you.

I spent a good while browsing through toys, books, puzzles, games, art & craft, construction, sporting & outdoor equipment, electronics, educational products, etc. There were so many great items on there, many from leading toy brands and many of which have won industry awards from around the world.

Hassle Free Quality Toys

As an example of the great selection available at chalk.com.au, here is what I recently purchased:

Plan Toys fairy tale block set. Great for open ended play. The boys couldn’t resist bringing in their superheroes to this playscene. This block set just oozes with quality.

Think Fun Rush Hour Traffic Jam Puzzle Jr. Think Fun is brilliant. I love their puzzles and the way it engages and challenges children. A fail-safe option for any gift.

Think Fun Zingo! Sight Words Again, another Think Fun game that is fun and works. This particular game is so fun that kids don’t realise they’re learning and revising their sight words as they play this. Shhh…. don’t tell them – – – just let them play!

Think Fun Amaze Game I don’t know who loves this more, my children or me. I often find the twins lying on the mat trying to figure out a maze. This maze actually has 16 maze challenges and the paths change during play. Also, with no loose pieces, this toy is also great when travelling with kids.

Magnetic Drawing Twin Pack Miss K (almost 3) loves these. It’s her toy of choice when she wants some quiet time in our cardboard box. The colours make magnetic drawing even more engaging.

Melissa & Doug’s Magnetic Pattern Block Kit Mr E (4 y.o.) is obsessed with magnets. I find my fridge magnets all over my house in the most odd places – – – (like inside the fridge?!) I’m glad we finally have a magnetic pattern block kit so he has loads of magnetic pieces to create with.

Not only did we receive fantastic, high-quality toys at great prices; every dollar that I spent generated credit for our nominated school to spend on much needed educational resources.

Start Your Easy School Fundraiser

I have since subscribed to chalk.com.au’s mailing list so I can get my hands on some great toys and help my children’s schools in the process. So handy heading into Christmas too! To be part of a super easy school fundraiser for your children’s school, you can sign up here.

Seriously, easiest school fundraiser ever.

Giveaway! Five $50 Vouchers

I am thrilled to be giving away five $50 vouchers to spend on Chalk Educated Toys.

To win one of the 5 $50 vouchers, head to the Chalk website and tell me, “What you would spend the voucher on and why?”, in the comments below. Please note the terms and conditions of the giveaway. The closing date of the giveaway is 5:00pm AEST on Friday 31st October 2014.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment; I’d love to hear from you. If you are new here, you might like to receive updates direct to your email. We have many fun ideas to share.

The post Easy School Fundraiser: Chalk Educated Toys by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

 
We have been bathing in the most glorious sunny Autumn days. Days that make you stop and boggle at fact that these lovely rays of light have travelled a whopping 93 million miles from a gigantic ball of phenomenal heat, so that when it reaches us, it’s just right. Outside has been the place to be and I was after a quick kids art and craft activity.

 
I spotted our tub of chalk, and our kids art and craft activity was set up in less than a minute. When it comes to an easy kids art and craft activity, it seriously does not get any easier than chalk rubbings. Don’t let the ease fool you though, the process is engaging and the results are beautiful.

 
My boys happily scoured our garden for various items with interesting textures; leaves and twigs were favoured items. These items were placed on the table with some jumbo sized coloured chalk and paper.

 
I showed them how to place the paper on top of their items and rub over it gently with the side of the chalk. They were creating their own chalk rubbings in no time.

 
While we had our chalk out, it was great to revisit one of our favourite outdoor plays with chalk:

 
Chalk Hop

 
Got your hands full and after more quick and easy play ideas? Try these quick and easy plays:

 

		← Water game: Waterfall  → Lights Activity Box
		← Balloon Play → Bubbles in a Bowl

More Activities for Preschoolers

Three to Five: Playful Preschool is stuffed to the brim with tried, tested and loved playful learning ideas for preschoolers. There are 25+ ideas for preschoolers, ten printable resources and additional links to over 50 more activities. A great resource for parents. Download your copy here.

The post Kids Arts and Crafts: Chalk Rubbings by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

Materials

Chalk
Sidewalk

;

Method

Draw areas to hop on.

Hop (or leap) around on the drawn areas.

A KISS (keep it short and simple) play idea that I’m pretty sure is universal. Would you agree readers?

N & M: 3 years 10 months
E: 1 year 9 months

The post Chalk Hop by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.