Stories come alive when flannel board is included for children.  I love retelling stories and in fact just created a new set of flannel board pictures for a class project.  Our new flannel board set is The Three Little Pigs.  I love Pinterest for ideas and then you have to figure out how you are going to make the flannel board.  One new material I recently found is a product called milk filters.  I bought mine at Fleet Farm.  They are a bit expensive at about 15.00 but sure help to make a colorful character when you are not so artsy yourself.  

With the filters you simply cut to an 8.5 X 11 sheet and run it through your printer.   I used color ink, but you can print just in black and white and then hand color your art yourself.  I then hot glued mine onto white felt for more durability, but you would not have to.

Flannel story activities increase participation and understanding of the story and hold interest for many children.  Caregivers can move the pieces to show action or to tell the story simply by moving pieces in and out of the board.  If you have not ever tried to make your own flannel board, I hope you will consider this fun story telling option.

I made the frame too simply by removing the glass from a frame and adding a piece of felt of any dark color.  I chose a black piece of felt.

April marks 12 years that I have been an instructor with Eager to Learn, lovingly called ETL.  Tonight also marks the end of my current course.  Strengthening your Communication Skills.  It is amazing how much we learn over a few short weeks, and a few live chats and shared message board discussion.  Those who feel that they are not a part of a community in an online class, likely have not tried Eager to Learn.  Students build relationships with other peers as well as their instructors and the depth of learning is evident in the growth we see in each student from the start of a course to our final chats.  If you have not yet considered an Eager to Learn online learning environment, now might be the time to give it a try.  www.eagertolearn.org.

Stop by the store tab!  www.acorneducationandconsulting.com.  A brand new Now Education training topic has been added.  Are you looking for a training option that is on your time and doesn't pull you from the comforts of your home and family?  Check it out!