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Week 23Week 25

Week 24 · Feb 22–Feb 26, 2027

Young Scientists

reading/dictationCharlotte's WebMozart + jazz + call-response
MonHouston ArboretumTueHMNSWedMFAH Sculpture GardenThuHouston Botanic GardenFriChildren's Museum Houston

Illustrated film

Helpers roll by

Firefighters help. Trucks have wheels. Wave hello.

Morning outing

HMNS

Museum DistrictMostly indoorTimed / ticketed

Indoor

Open Tuesday 9 am – 8 pm.

Permanent halls. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. General admission is free Tuesday 5–8 pm.

Regular hours, checked Nov 11. Holidays and special events differ. Confirm before you go

COMPARE

Compare

Choose two objects in one hall. Compare them with three words each. Which is older? Which is larger? Count one feature on both.

  1. 1Pick two real examples.
  2. 2Compare size, color, shape, sound, or movement.
  3. 3Count or measure one thing.

Paleontology, gems, energy hall, planetarium, butterflies. Choose one hall.

Rain plan: Children’s Museum Houston
Maps
Parents: books & supplies →Nanny: project setup & sessions →

Outing bag

0/5

HMNS · compare kit. Use supplies already at home; follow the venue’s rules.

If useful

Afternoon · nanny guide

Set out one activity at a time. Shorten or stop when the child needs rest.

Quiet

15–20 min

Listen, then draw

Set out: Parent-approved audio story or a familiar book · Drawing board or paper · Crayons

  1. After lunch and the bathroom, settle together in a quiet spot. Play 5–8 minutes of a familiar story at a low volume, or read it aloud yourself.
  2. Pause and invite one drawing of a character, vehicle, or place from the story. Drawing while listening is fine too.
  3. Let the child tell you about the marks. Write one exact sentence, then leave the books and drawing board available for quiet rest.

Try saying: “Which part would you like to draw? You can show me without using words.”

Circle

10–15 min

Read & explore reading/dictation

Set out: Ada Twist, Scientist · Charlotte's Web · Paper · Crayon

  1. Read Ada Twist, Scientist together for about five minutes. Stop at one illustration and connect it to something seen at HMNS.
  2. Ask the child for one sentence about a favorite illustration. Write the exact words and read them back, pointing to each word. Invite a drawing or one letter beneath it; do not require copying.
  3. Read a short passage from Charlotte's Web for 3–5 minutes, stopping at a natural break. If attention fades, switch back to looking at pictures. Mark the place for tomorrow.

Try saying: “What do you notice in this picture that reminds you of our outing?”

After Circle · clap three words

2–3 minutes with the nanny. Listen to each word, clap its parts together, and choose the number. Then return to the day’s Studio activity.

More play →

Studio

15–20 min

Build the morning comparison

Set out: 6–10 large blocks · Two paper mats · Crayon · An outing photo or sketch

  1. Recall two things seen at HMNS. Choose a pair with an obvious difference in size, shape, or number.
  2. Build one model on each mat. Line them up at the same starting edge and compare which is longer or taller.
  3. Touch and count up to five blocks in each model together. Add or remove one block and compare again; the adult can write the numbers beside the models.
  4. Photograph the pair and record the child’s words. If counting is hard, compare two towers of two and three blocks without asking for a number.

Try saying: “Which one is longer? How could we make them the same length?”

Late day

10 min together, then 30–45 min play

Snack, movement & free play

Set out: Usual family-approved snack · Water · One familiar song · Open-ended toys

  1. Wash hands and sit together for snack and water. Follow the family’s food and rest routines.
  2. Play a familiar song. Spend two minutes clapping its beat, then move slowly and quickly with the music. Pause it for a freeze game; let the child lead a turn.
  3. Offer two play choices, such as blocks or pretend play. Stay available while the child directs the play, without adding another lesson.
  4. Give a five-minute transition warning. Tidy one small area together and tell the parents one specific discovery from today.

Try saying: “Would you like to build or pretend? You can choose how the story goes.”

Books today

After lunch, offer two books and let the child choose. During Circle, revisit one favorite illustration and ask what happened first and next.

  • Ada Twist, Scientist — Andrea Beaty
  • What Do You Do With a Problem? — Kobi Yamada
  • What Do You Do With an Idea? — Kobi Yamada
  • A Rock Is Lively — Dianna Hutts Aston

Chapter read-aloud: Charlotte's Web. Read for 3–5 minutes and bookmark the stopping point.

Full basket

Music

Mozart + jazz + call-response. Play in the car 2-3 times; one 5-minute listening session; one instrument/movement session.

  1. Choose one familiar song from this week’s music. Listen once at a comfortable volume.
  2. Replay it and clap the beat together. Invite the child to choose a movement for the chorus.
  3. Pause for a freeze game, then let the child lead. Finish after 5–10 minutes while it is still fun.

Nanny note

Write the day the way it happened. Parents read it in the journal.

Moments
  • 1.

Parents · Week 24

Procure books & supplies

Young Scientists

  1. 1–2 weeks ahead: choose 2–4 books to borrow or order. Check home for project supplies, procure missing items, and arrange any tickets or reservations.
  2. Before the week starts: mark books and materials as ready when they are available. Tell the nanny where to find them and what is still missing.
  3. During the week: respond to the nanny’s requests for missing supplies or replacements.

Parents · procure for the project

scientist question wheel

Buy, borrow, or find the materials below before the week starts. Make them available to the nanny; the nanny prepares the pieces and leads the project.

Gather for one child

0/6 ready

Check home first. Quantities cover this project; substitutes are fine.

Gather at home
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find

Books to borrow or order

Start with 2–4 picture books from this basket. Borrow from your library, reuse favorites, or order ahead. You do not need to buy all 15.

Amazon links search by title and author. Check the edition, format, seller and delivery date there before ordering.

  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon

Chapter read-aloud: Charlotte's Web

Find chapter book on Amazon

Nanny · Week 24

Prepare & lead the week

  1. Before the first session: check the materials, do the cutting, folding or assembly below, and set up the project bin during your workday.
  2. Each day: check weather and venue plans, pack the outing bag, set out books and music, and follow the daily nanny guide.
  3. After the activity: clean up, save unfinished work, and share one observation or supply request with the parents.

Nanny · prepare and lead

scientist question wheel

Use the books and materials the parents have provided. During your workday, prepare the pieces, set up the space, lead the sessions, and put the work away. Tell the parents if anything is missing.

Nanny setup · before the first session

  • Cut a large circle, divide it into four sections, and make a loose paper arrow; no small fastener is needed.
  • Nanny: allow 15–20 minutes during your workday for setup before the first project session. Set aside three 15–20 minute making sessions; stop earlier if the child is ready.

Monday · 15–20 min

Start the project

  1. Draw one question in each section: what, where, how and what if. The adult adds words.
  2. Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
  3. Put the work and remaining materials together on the project tray for the next session.

Thursday · 15–20 min

Build on it

  1. Point the paper arrow to one section and ask that kind of question about a familiar object.
  2. Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
  3. Put the work and remaining materials together on the project tray for the next session.

Friday · 15–20 min

Finish & share

  1. Choose one question to investigate and draw what the child noticed.
  2. Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
  3. Write one exact sentence the child says about the work and share it with the family.

Keep for next time: Keep the project on a named tray, out of reach between sessions. Leave wet work flat to dry. Return reusable tools to the shelf after Friday.

Friday nanny note

A few lines for the parents. Nothing fancy.