CLICK HERE FOR FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES, LINK BUTTONS AND MORE! »

Monday, January 24, 2011

calendar math


Our calendar time was getting pretty boring so I decided to clip out some pink and white mittens. Now during calendar time, I have the girls predict which color of mitten will come next in the pattern. I have also been putting special days on the calendar and asking questions like, how many more days until...

Next month, I will choose a different pattern to go along with our monthly header!

Friday, January 21, 2011

co-op class - astronomy

This semester at our co-op group, I am teaching the astronomy class. Another mom taught it for the first semester, so for the last 2 weeks, we have been reviewing what we have learned so far.

week 1-

We reviewed the order of the planets by learning a song called The Family of the Sun and doing a solar system art project that I saw on My Montessori Journey. We are including Pluto in our learning, but we have told the kids that scientists no longer think Pluto is a planet, that it is a dwarf planet. I got the print out of the planets from the coloring castle.



week 2-

We sang The Family of the Sun song a fewer more times and then talked about how the sun, moon and earth revolve. We sang the song and wore the necklaces to help us learn about the relationship between the sun, moon and earth. I saw this idea on My Montessori Journey, too.



Be sure to check out The Preschool Corner for more ideas and activities to do with your preschooler!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

curriculum frustration - homeschool village

The Homeschool Village
The topic over at The Homeschool Village is really hitting home with me this week. I think our Abeka curriculum isn't working out for Gracelyn. I only chose to do the reading and phonics from Abeka but it just isn't clicking with her. The lessons have been ending with me being very frustrated and her in tears. This is so NOT how I envisioned this first year of homeschooling to go. So, with all that said, I think I am going to table the lessons and workbook pages and try a different approach.

I have actually downloaded a free version of funnix, which is a computer based reading program. We did our first lesson today and it went so-so. She became frustrated because it was new and different, but after we finsihed the lesson she asked to do it again. The second time through was better! We will try this approach for awhile and see how it clicks with her.

Friday, January 14, 2011

community helpers - firemen!

We finally finished up our lapbook on firemen! Hopefully, the next community helper won't take us as long to finish! As always, I pulled in different ideas to compile together for our lapbook. My goal is to make lapbooks that all 3 of my kids are interested in.

front-



middle-



left side:

fire safety review rhyme


Fireman, fireman number one, why do we call 9-1-1?
For emergencies

Fireman, fireman number two if we catch on fire, what should we do?
Stop, Drop and Roll!

Fireman, fireman number three tell us where our meeting place should be.
By the trees

Fireman, fireman number four tell us why we should touch the door.
To see if there is a fire on the other side of the door

Fireman, fireman number five what can we do to stay alive?
Get out and Stay out!

Fireman, fireman number six should we play with lighters, matches and sticks?
NO!

Fireman, fireman number seven what should we do when the smoke is to the heavens?
Crawl to safety

Fireman, fireman number eight can you tell me a rule that is great?
Never hide under your bed

Fireman, fireman number nine tell us who to call one more time.
9-1-1

Fireman, fireman number ten who is your friend?
A fireman dressed in all his gear

right side:


matching dalmation spots with numerical number and number word from Homeschool Creations

back-


fire truck magnet page

crafts-


fire truck

coloring sheet-


stop, drop & roll!

Be sure to stop by The Preschool Corner for more ideas and activities to do with your preschooler!