What I Learned Week 1

Reflection.  It's a good thing, necessary for growth, both personal and professional.  It's an indispensable tool for teachers of all types.  It comes naturally to me but I don't always remember to write it down, which isn't helpful.  This past week was our first week of homeschool for the 2015-2016 school year and I have learned (or was reminded) of SO many lessons from my children.

What Did I Learn?

• Spreadsheets are Helpful but Simple is Best - I had a huge spreadsheet for Week 1.  I mean HUGE, about three times what is shown below.  I had it divided up by day and subject, including page numbers and references.  It was super organized.  Did I use it?  Some, but I kept simplifying it to a little daily checklist.  
• Calendar Time is almost useless as long as it remains in their room (with all their toys nearby). Do the routine and picture books but notebooking is pointless.
• Quiet Boxes - It's pointless to plan what goes in them ahead of time.  
• Reading - Picture book reading works best as part of Calendar Time; Read Aloud time works best during afternoon snack time.
• Phonics - It either clicks for my girl or it doesn't.  If it doesn't then there's no use dwelling on it.  It will frustrate us both.  Keep practicing reading skills and eventually it will just click.
• Handwriting - My girl needs practice, practice, practice until all those old bad habits from public school are gone. My boy isn't ready - color and trace, color and trace.
• Fridays are for review.  No one feels like sitting and concentrating on something new by that point in the week.
• Feedback from the kids - Craft projects. More music time. Don't leave Science until last.

What Did We Do?

Week 1

Subject	Activity
Field Trips	Beach; Six Flags; Library
Routine	Bible Verse, 100 Days, Letter, Number, Pledge, Weather
Reading	Hot air : the (mostly) true story of the first hot-air balloon ride Marjorie Priceman. How do hot air balloons work? Buffy Silverman. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper The Cheese by Margie Palatini
Activities	A Year of Playing Skillfully
Sensory Box	Sand & Seashells
Literacy	Phonics - CH/SH; Phonics Review; Phonics Review; Writing - All About Me; Sight Words - First Grade
Math	Singapore Math - Go Fish, War card games
Science	Hot Air Experiment; Intro 5 Senses & Can You Hear It?; Intro Scientific Process for Journal Sound Garden Investigation; Waves of Sound
Bible	Bible Sketchbook - God made Heavens & Earth, Eve and the Serpent, Rules - Fruit of the Tree
Music & Art	Combined with Science and Writing
Spanish	Combined with Calendar time

Play-based Scope and Sequence - THP Giveaway

So many people expressed interest in a Scope and Sequence for A Year of Playing Skillfully (AYPS) that I thought I would give it a shot! Below I provided an example of how I organized the first month, September, which you can receive as a free trial from their website, isn't that fun? [September Free Trial]

And in publishing it I decided there could be no better time for a book giveaway.  Now I realize that most of you who are navigating to this post already own The Homegrown Preschooler - and know how awesome it is - so this is your time to share it with your friends! 

By "Scope and Sequence" I mean a simple outline set up by week that gives a suggestion of what activities to complete together.  I did my best to group activities by a logical theme and order.  If you have purchased the entire curriculum and would like assistance putting together a sequence that works for your family, please feel free to contact me.  I am happy to help.

Click the link or the picture for your own PDF that outlines the first month of AYPS.

A Year of Playing Skillfully

 The Homegrown Preschooler Giveaway

 

Now for the added bonus - don't have your own copy of The Homegrown Preschooler yet? Leave a comment below telling me why you love Play-Based Learning or a suggestion of how to improve the Scope and Sequence.  I will draw a winner and ship out the book to you in time for the new school year.

As mentioned previously - I typically post our week's lessons here as a reference point for myself and my husband, like this: Week at a Glance.  You are welcome to follow along.  And I am slowly but surely getting back to crafting, sewing, and knitting so a few of those posts will hopefully come along too. Enjoy!

Scope & Sequence (In Progress)

For this year we are preparing for First Grade (6 y/o girl - G) and Preschool (almost 4 y/o boy - J). We are now officially required by Texas to include Reading, Writing, Spelling, Math, and Civics lessons into our schoolwork, not that we weren't including this previously, but now we have to be able to prove it.

G is reading right at a Kindergarten level and loves the Hooked on Phonics program.  She is a Math whiz and Singapore Math works well for her.  She enjoys seat work that "feels like school".

J disagrees.  He's very active but has just recently taken an interest in his sister's seat work.  He plays well on his own, which is good because sister likes to have absolute silence when working on seat work, but unfortunately brother's independent play time does not always coordinate with her desire for silence.  Handwriting has also been a challenge so we took some time off and will be returning to letter formation this year.

In an effort to address both their needs and integrate programs I am working on a Scope and Sequence for our activities and lessons.  It also helps should I ever have to present our curriculum to the state. Brother wants to do anything that sister does, but sometimes that interferes with both of their learning.  I plan to use a Quiet Box to keep him learning in a separate space from his sister when she needs to focus.

We are using:

• A Year of Playing Skillfully (The Homegrown Preschooler)
• Hooked on Phonics
• Hooked on Spelling
• Singapore Math
• Handwriting Without Tears
• My Bible Story Sketch book

I supplement from a number of sources, such as Sid the Science Kid coordinated Science lessons and Doodles Ave Lonestar State coloring books for Civics lessons.

I split the organization into three pages:

• First Grade (items only G completes; J joins for Shared Reading)
• Preschool (items only J completes, G joins for Literacy at her choice)
• Combined

These are a work-in-progress that I will update with additional activities and links over the next week or two.  We intend to start after Labor Day with our new school year.

A few things to note - since we live in Texas certain activities are earlier/later than may be usual in other parts of the nation.  For example, we have to pick apples early, but our foliage won't change until very late.

Very shortly I will also post a weekly outline similar to what we used last semester: Week at a Glance

Week #4 at a Glance - Easter & Color

Monday
Activity                                                       Supplies
Calendar Time                                            Supply box, dry erase board
Bible                                                          Crayons, Bible page

Sophia books & Chapter book of choice
Easter postcards*                                       White postcards and markers (Oval stencil if necessary)
*Show her the steps on the website. Discuss foreground, middle ground, back ground.

Tuesday
Activity                                                       Supplies
Calendar Time  - Supply box, dry erase board
Bible - new memory verse                                                        

Short vowel sounds - review
Books of choice 
Shaving cream eggs
Color Mixing - Color Mixing Kit
Field trip: Play for All Abilities Park
*Gymnastics

Wednesday
Activity             Supplies
Calendar Time - Supply box, dry erase board
Bible - Read one of the the Easter Story books & talk about the real meaning of Easter.
Sick Day
Crayon Light Ray Cross - Use the ruler and help Grace draw her own cross template.  Then she can trace it onto a piece of cardstock.  Use the "Twistables" crayons instead of pastels.  They smudge easily.

Thursday
Activity                                                       Supplies
Calendar Time - Supply box, dry erase board
Bible - Easter story
Sight Word Book - Practice the pink sight words (inside the book on the window sill) and then use them to create sentences. Have her dictate the sentences to you.  Encourage more than one per sentence in some cases (like his, her). Write them in the book I laid out.  She can then illustrate it and read it back to you.
Make Number Post Its - Post Its, Stickers

Friday
Activity                                                       Supplies
Calendar Time - Supply box, dry erase board
Bible - Read one of the the Easter Story books & talk about the real meaning of Easter.
Sight Word Book - Help her read it, then finish illustrating, and practice the pink set of sight words.
Read Easter books. - In the racks in the bedroom.
What Color is Black? (p. 196) - Black marker, coffee filter, jar, water, pipe cleaner; Review primary and secondary colors.  We talked about them on Tuesday.
Number Memory Match Up  - Match Up Cards; Try just with looking at them, not an actual memory game and have J help.  Grace needs to work on 1-to-1 correspondence and he needs to work on number recognition.
Modern Easter Rabbit - She will probably need help.  Have her pick 3-4 colors for the rabbit, a different set for the background, and another set for the edges.  Help her color - it's a lot and if she does it all herself then her hand will hurt.

Saturday
Easter crosses at sunset

This week's playlist: Kids 1 YouTube Playlist
Easter video:  Easter for Kindergarteners

This month's 'extras':

1. How Legos are Made
2. The Lego Story
3. Rainbow Loom bracelets (craft cabinet)

Playing Skillfully in January and February - At Home Edition

We took about a week unofficially "off" this month for a convention and a visit from Grandma and Papa Hoot.  Even still we packed in a lot of activities.  In fact, I had to split up the photos in two posts because we had so many.  I guess next month I will have to post more often. How did y'all learn this month?

Making Porcupines

Sword fights.

Lego Castles

Block Castles (with Shopkins)

Newspaper Word Hunt

Play ball!

Havin a "parade"

Mud.

Brownies

Looking for a cool spot in the shade.

Pretend puddles & rain showers

Melting crayons into hearts

Valentine's Day paintings

Teaching Daddy Math

Making muffins

Making Valentines

Chocolate-covered marshmallows

Writing Books

The Homegrown Preschooler

While at the Great Homeschool Convention in Fort Worth last week I had the privilege of hearing both Kathy and Lesli from The Homegrown Preschooler speak.  It felt like a breath of fresh air. Both ladies asked such great questions - "What will your preschooler remember seeing, hearing, touching, etc. from their childhood?" to "What is your end goal for homeschooling your child?" Somehow I got trapped into thinking I needed to bring school to our home, even though I knew that's now how to raise a creative, innovative leader.  Sitting with these ladies reminded me that it's not about completing 'lessons' in a curriculum.  It's about helping my children develop into well-rounded people who love learning and construct their knowledge through experience.

But that's a lofty (and sometimes overwhelming) goal, right?  I mean how do I possibly create a new learning experience every day?  I could (and still do) scour the Internet and Pinterest, but I was spending so. much. time. trying to do that.  After flipping through their binders, seeing their booth, talking with them both several times - I felt a calm wash over me.  I can't explain it in any other way.  I just felt the peace of the Holy Spirit.  My kids don't need to sit with flash cards and phonics worksheets - they need to read books and ask questions and make their own books.

Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/thehomegrownpreschooler/photos_stream

Their booth included two sensory tables - one with scented play dough and nature items, the other with red and white water beads and containers.  My kids were enthralled.  They played and played and played - calmly and creatively.  My three year old made water bead cupcakes and muffins and pancakes. My five year old made a "forest" with play dough, branches, and pine cones. Imagination at work!

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/thehomegrownpreschooler/photos_stream

Before I start here, let me be clear: I'm not paid in any way to say these things. I need to share the A Year of Playing Skillfully curriculum with you. They took what I know kids need - new experiences - and put it into a curriculum.  This is constructed knowledge at its finest. And I don't have to spend hours developing objectives and activities or hunting down How-to tips and coordinating recipes (and then getting behind and spending a couple of days mostly with sit-down activities and workbooks).  I saved myself SO much time.  The full curriculum covers September-May. It is comprehensive (but not overwhelming).  And reusable!  Because it's an experiential process it won't look the exact same two years in a row.  I have shared it with several other moms so far and their responses were so similar I was surprised: It's so simple but I never even thought of this stuff!

I also encourage you to take a look at their book (which I will review in full and giveaway soon) - The Homegrown Preschooler.  It isn't nearly as comprehensive as the curriculum, but I've started blending ideas from the book into our life.  So helpful!

Homeschool Music Time - Playlist #2

It was time to update our playlist a bit after having kept the same songs for most of our PreK schooling. I think I changed it a bit too much, but the kids loved the worship songs. We talked about the lyrics and the videos. I might have shed a few tears when explaining "Kings and Queens" to Grace. It was a very moving music time this morning.

Preschool Goals

What does my toddler need to know/do?

I had better know what Boy Hoot needs to know before I start teaching, right?  I wanted to keep it simple, but measurable so that I could track progress.  Sure, "be nice" sounds like it should be a good thing to work toward but how do I measure an improvement in "nice"?  It's not impossible, but I needed to narrow that down more so that I know what social skills we need to improve - is it sharing that is the difficulty?  Or taking turns?  Or is he only unkind if sleepy or hungry?  

I can't tell you what your child needs to learn without knowing your child.  Maybe your kiddo is great at sharing and talking to others, but never ever picks up after himself.  These are the points that were important for us:

Spring 2015 Goals

1. Recognize capital letters A-J.
2. Count to 20.
3. Number recognition to 20.
4. Recognize written name - Uppercase with lowercase.
5. Answer questions - “What’s your name?” and “How old are you?”
6. Increase fine motor skills - scissors, pencil grip.
7. Identify colors - ROYGBP + Black, White, Gray.
8. Identify shapes - circle, triangle, square, rectangle.
9. Draw lines - curved and straight.
10. Participate in sit down arts and crafts.
11. Brush teeth correctly.
12. Clean up after meals and snacks.
13. Pick up own toys.
14. Memorize Bible verses - 1 per two week period.

I try to give myself both the goal and what I need to track and measure progress. I take into account what he already knows and what we need to work on. For us, social and practical skills are more important because academic skills come to him more naturally so they take less work and practice. These are also skills that develop best through play so that fact is reflected in our daily routines and activities.

What are your goals for your toddler/preschooler? Why?

Feeling stuck? Leave me a comment or send me a message. I'm happy to help.

Homeschool Preschool Schedule

Things have been pretty crazy around here for the past year between me working on and off, finishing graduate school, renovating and selling a house, moving across town, then moving states.  The only thing routine about life has been the lack of routine.  Transitioning now (finally) into a calmer state of affairs, I find myself again at home with a toddler.  However this toddler is entirely different than my last one.  Boy Hoot learns differently, with less structure and more action.  So while I previously put together loosely structured lessons for Lil' Hoot's homeschool preschool at an even earlier age than Boy Hoot - he's not ready.  So I gathered up some resources from the Internet and Pinterest. Then sat down to give it some thought.

Questions to Ask

1. What is important for my toddler to learn? (And why?)
2. What does my toddler love to do?
3. How much time do we need to spend outside of the house?
4. What is the best time of day for my toddler to do _______ activity?
5. What are my resources?

My two children are very different so the answers to these questions for Boy Hoot were a departure from how I approached preschool in the past.  For example, Boy Hoot dislikes leaving the house for any reason (even if it's fun) so I know that one outing a week is really all he can handle right now.  I also know that his naps are unreliable so if there is something I really want him to learn or focus on then it better be something I teach earlier in the morning.  

Next I went searching for free printable cards to make a Daily Routine Chart.  However, I didn't find one that fit what we needed so I made up my own.  Click above for a copy in case it's helpful to you.  For us, what time we do things and how long we spend on activities varies quite a bit from day to day and for Boy Hoot that doesn't seem to matter so I just post the picture that corresponds with the activity and we walk through them together.  Our routine looks like this:

• Potty, Breakfast, Get Dressed
• Chores
• Calendar Time
• Music
• Potty Break
• Guided Choice Time (Snack) - This makes up most of our morning.  He can choose the activity but I have already grouped the bins.  I try to lead him to new activities and work with him to develop skills through play.  Examples include: puppets, art, musical instruments, play doh
• Outside Time (if possible)
• Bible Time
• Lunch 
• Potty Break
• Outside/Active Time
• Reading
• Potty Break
• Quiet Time/Nap
• Potty Break
• Free Choice Time/Play with sister 

On Wednesday we take a morning outing so that replaces Guided Choice Time for the day.  This routine also works in conjunction with sister's homeschool Kindergarten schedule so that Boy Hoot is busy at the same time as sister.  He is free to join us, but sister enjoys sit down work more than brother so his visits are typically brief.

Homeschool Music Time - Playlist #1

Our favorite playlist that we kept mostly the same for the past year.

Sidewalk Chalk Paint

What do you do with all those stubby ends of sidewalk chalk?  Why make paint of course!  

1. Round up the chalk pieces and separate them by color. (Good sorting activity)
2. Put the pieces in a bag and beat them with a rubber mallet until they are nothing but power. (Aaaaahhh, stress relief.)
3. Put the chalk powder into a spare container.  I suggest something you can devote to this purpose because ours are stained.
4. Add water.  Go easy.  You can always add more but you can't take it away.
5. Stir it up, then start painting.

We noticed that it really does need to be pulverized into a powder.  If your broken up chalk is still chunking then you won't get a really vivid paint.

 

 

 

Lil' Hoot hates having her hair brushed - can you tell?

Wordless Wednesday - Ice Cube Paint

 

 

Treasure Hunting

Inspired by my daughter's relatively newfound enthusiasm for Jake and the Neverland Pirates, I thought she would have fun with a treasure map all her own.  I drew one up real quick, hid some "gold doubloons" while she was watching the show and then took her outside for an adventure all her own.

 

She thoroughly enjoyed it and at the very end I hid a special chocolate surprise to eat along with her snack.  I am certain will be repeating this adventure!



I love how a toddler brain works.
"Gee...Mama left this elastic out.  Hmmm...there's a hole in this screen."
A few seconds later,
"Hey MOOOOOOM!  Look, I've got a rope!"

Wordless Wednesday - Edible Necklaces

 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday - Fine Motor Skills

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday - Shoebox to Doll House

 

 

Foam Flower Garland

Talk about a simple craft that Lil' Hoot absolutely loved.  We got a hand-me-down bucket (and I mean bucket, that thing was huge) of foam flowers, butterflies, and dragon flies from Grandma.  We threaded them on a piece of yarn using cut pieces of straws as "beads." Another fun fine motor skills activity!

 

Individual Dirt Pudding Cups

We made this snack to as part of our unit on Gardening.  Conveniently planned so that Lil' Hoot could garden with Mama.  We planted seeds and dug in the dirt.  Yes, we "should" have scraped off the Oreos more and crumbled them up more but Lil' Hoot looooves the icing and doesn't like the texture of them when they're crumbled up more. 

 

She was able to help with every step of the process, though I decided to do the pudding so she wouldn't have to wait for it to set up.  Then she added the worms and Oreos.  
She had fun crunching up the Oreos.