down down the mountain

This week we rowed Down Down the Mountain. This book is about a sister and brother, Hetty and Hank, who really want a new pair of shining creaky squeaky shoes. Their granny tells them exactly how to get the new shoes just by planting some turnip seeds.

We had a lot of fun with this book and even managed to do a couple of projects to go along with it - log cabin building and soap making! I got the printables for the lapbook from homeschool share. I was really impressed with the girls at how well they were able to compare and contrast life on the mountain for Hetty and Hank with our life today. I'm trying to incorporate more graphic organizers and visuals for the girls. We did lots of math story problems, also found on homeschool share, too. They still really really LOVE math journals! Their copy work came from Psalm 112:9, "...share freely and give generously to those in need. Your good deeds will be remembered forever." We also did a sequencing activity on what a plant needs in order to grow. I'm still trying to locate a real turnip for the girls to investigate and learn about. We tried by looking at a picture online of a turnip, but it was too hard to see details about the leaves and roots. We still haven't completely finsihed all of the activites I wanted to do based on this book, so we may take another day or two to finish up. This is what we have done so far...
lapbook
copywork
compare and contrast activity
what does a plant need to grow sequencing activity
soap making (re-making!)
log cabin building

harold and the purple crayon

This week we have been rowing Harold and The Purple Crayon. We have done lots of different learning activities and an art project to go along with this book.

art -

materials - chenile sticks, pom-poms, button, sequins, felt shapes

Ethan, age 3 (had a little help!)
Gracelyn, age 6
Ella, age 5

math - fractions (1/2, 1/4 and 1/8)

cutting purple playdough pies into halves, fourths and eighths

exploring fractions

math journal - Harold had 12 pies. He ate 2 and gave 5 away. How many pies did he have left?

math journal - draw a triangle above a square. draw a circle next to a rectangle

copy work and poem -

illustrate a monster to go along with the poem

the story about ping

"The tale of a little duck alone on the Yangtze River, The Story About Ping is a sweet and funny book with wonderfully rich and colorful illustrations. On a day like any other, Ping sets off from the boat he calls home with his comically large family in search of "pleasant things to eat." On this particular day, he is accidentally left behind when the boat leaves. Undaunted, the little duck heads out onto the Yangtze in search of his family, only to find new friends and adventures--and a bit of peril--around every bend".

their favorite part

Science-

sink or float experiment

Math-

counting skills and following directions

Comprehension-

story sequence cards

Art-

art - drawing water ripples

illustrate a duck

We also talked about some literary components like repetition, fiction, and what makes a story a classic. We talked a little about where China is, learned about the Yangtze River and looked at some examples of Chinese culture.

To finsih off this book study, we celebrated by making Chinese Lanterns!

I decided instead of doing a lapbook, I would try putting everything in a folder since we had so many full sized sheets to go along with the book.

the tale of peter rabbit

We have just completed a lapbook on The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The girls really enjoyed the extended learning that we did with this book. We talked about onomatopoeia, real versus fantasy, and why it's important to obey rules. Gracelyn helped Mr. McGregory plant a new vegetable garden and then wrote him a letter of apology on behalf of Peter. Ella put together a mini book on staying well in winter.

memory verse - "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1 cover middle back favorite part of the story vegetable garden letter of apology real vs. fantasy worksheet our house rules drawings of rabbits

If you are wondering what the letter says, it says: Dear Mr. McGregory, I am sorry for eating your vegetables. I would like to plant more vegetables in your garden. Sincerely, Gracelyn

the legend of the candy cane

This week we have been learning with candy canes! We also did a lapbook to go along with The Legend of the Candy Cane. It has pretty much been a light week as I'm sure next week will be a light week as well. We are basically doing just enough to keep the kids from getting bored! I haven't introduced any new concepts last month or this month. Everything we have been doing is a review to reinforce the skills we have learned so far. The Legend of the Candy Cane- "A stranger arrives in town one dreary November and begins hammering and sawing away at his newly rented storefront. When a small girl offers her help, she's in for a childhood fantasy-come-true, as it turns out all the shelves and counters are being built for a candy shop. After offering young Lucy gumdrops and lollipops, Mr. Sonneman launches into the history of the candy cane. With his guidance, she discovers that the upturned candy is in the shape of a j--for Jesus. Right side up it looks like a shepherd's staff. And the red stripes? The blood of Christ from his terrible whipping. Lucy and Mr. Sonneman set out on a quest to share this story with everyone in town." lapbook: front middle components- candy counting bible verse back extras- candy cane counting candy cane size sort craft- pom-pom candy canes *Be sure to check out some other preschool ideas and activities at The Preschool Corner!

mirette on the high wire

With this FIAR book, we learned about French culture and had fun painting with water colors! Mirette on the High Wire - "In this picture book set in 19th-century Paris, a child helps a daredevil who has lost his edge to regain his confidence. Many traveling performers stay at Madame Gateaux's boarding house, but Mme.'s daughter Mirette is particularly taken with one guest--the quiet gentleman who can walk along the clothesline without falling off. Mirette implores the boarder to teach her his craft, not knowing that her instructor is the "Great Bellini" of high wire fame. After much practice the girl joins Bellini on the wire as he conquers his fear and demonstrates to all of Paris that he is still the best." lapbook- middle left side - color word matching painting with water colors compound words draw a picture and write a sentence about the book