Fantastically Fun Friday: Blow It Up Science Experiment

Fun Objectives:
* To learn what a chemical reaction is
* To watch what happens when baking soda and vinegar are mixed together
* To understand that when mixed together, these ingredients create carbon dioxide
* To see this chemical reaction blow up a balloon
* To use prediction skills
* To use the fine motor skills involved with pouring

Materials:
* Baking Soda
* Vinegar
* Bottle/Jar with a small top
* Funnel (I used a small icing tip)
* Balloons

Procedure:

* Talk about what a chemical reaction is.  Ask your child to predict what will happen when the baking soda and vinegar are mixed together.  Ask them if they think the reaction will blow the balloon up or if it will stay down.

* Pour about an inch of vinegar into the bottle.

* Using the funnel, pour about a tablespoon of baking soda into the balloon.

* Carefully place the balloon over the mouth of the bottle.



* Lift the balloon up so that the baking soda will fall into the vinegar.  Watch the bubbles form at the bottom of the bottle.

* Super Cool!!!  Talk about the chemical reaction and how the baking soda and vinegar mixed together to create carbon dioxide.  This created the air to blow the balloon up.

Of course, we had to do it again! :)

Thoroughly Thoughtful Thursday: The Ten Commandments from Train Up A Child

Social Skills/Thoughtful Objectives:
* To listen to the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments
* To learn what the Ten Commandments are and why God gave them to us
* To create a visual representation of the Ten Commandments to help remember each one
* To discuss how to obey God's rules for us

Materials:
* Bible - Exodus 20:1-17
* Ten Commandments Printable from me :)

* 2 colors of construction paper
* Scissors
* Glue
* Marker

Procedure:

* I saw this idea on Train Up A Child and thought it was such a great way to teach the Ten Commandments. However, I knew that my children would not understand the biblical wording of each commandment, so I found different phrases on a children's poster and made my own printables to help them comprehend what each rule means.  You are welcome to use the others from Train Up A Child.  There is also a cute Commandment Train to make if you want to. 

* Read Exodus 20:17 from your bible or use a children's bible.  Explain to your kids what these rules mean and why God gave them to Moses and to us.  Discuss how to obey these commandments.  You can role play different situations to help them understand.

* Cut out each commandment from the printables.

* Then have your child make handprints with paint or trace and cut their handprints out of construction paper and glue them onto a second piece of construction paper.

* Glue each commandment in order onto a finger of the handprints.

* Number each finger 1-10 and write "The Ten Commandments" on the bottom.  Review each commandment and ask your child to explain what each one means.  Pray together and ask God to help you follow and obey each of these rules.

Wacky Word Wednesday: Vowel in the Middle Game from Classroom DIY

Language Objectives:
* To recall the short vowel sounds
* To sound out words
* To recognize which short vowel sound is in each word

Materials:
* Printables from Classroom DIY
* Craft Sticks
* Glue (The website says to use a glue gun, but I just used regular glue.)
* Sharpie
* Scissors (or circle punch)
* Clothespin

Procedure:
*  I found this activity on Pinterest (of course!), so I will let you follow the directions from the Classroom DIY website.  This is a great way to help your child differentiate the short vowel sounds, as well as practice sounding out words.  Have your child sound out the word of the picture and put the clothespin on the correct vowel in the words.

Totally Technical Tuesday: You Tube Learning Videos

Technology Objectives:
* To use You Tube videos in order to learn educational concepts
* To listen to and learn songs and images that help to remember these concepts

Materials:
* computer
* You Tube Links:
* I Can Count to 100
* ABC Phonics Song
* Animal Sounds Song
* The Shapes Song
* Colors for Children and Toddlers
* Five Little Ducks
* Spanish Counting 1-10
* Months of the Year
* Days of the Week

Procedure:
* It is proven that music and visual images help children, as well as adults, learn and memorize subject matter faster and more efficiently.  These videos and songs will provide an outlet for this type of learning.

* Click on any of the links above to go to a video.  I have just listed some of our favorites, but feel free to search and find ones your children enjoy.  Have your child watch and listen to the songs to help them learn the content of each one.  Help them sing along as you watch together!

Mighty Math Monday: Pattern Block Patterns from Lory's Page

Math Objectives:
* To work with ABAB, ABB, ABC, ABBC, ABCB, etc. patterns
* To understand the flow of the patterns and continue each one
* To create your own patterns
* To recall the names of shapes and the characteristics of each one (# of sides, # of corners, length of sides, etc.)

Materials:
* Printables from Lory's Page
* Pattern Blocks or Paper Pattern Blocks Printable from Teacher Vision (if needed)
* Scissors (optional)

Procedure:
*Print out the patterns from Lory's Page, making sure the patterns you print are on your child's level.  You can cut out each strip or just leave them together like we did.

* Starting with the basic ABAB pattern, have your child say the shape pattern aloud and figure out which shape comes next.  They can place the next 2 shapes on the empty spots in each row.

* Continue with each page, ending with the "create your own" patterns.  Demonstrate by making one yourself, then allow your child to do the others.  Don't forget to make sure your kiddos know the names of the shapes and their characteristics!

We're Back!

Well, after a little break to re-group and get into the swing of the new school year, we are back and ready to do more lessons!  I have thought a lot about what format to use this year and how to create lessons for lots of ages.  I decided to do both the theme units, as well as daily subject lessons in order to have a little something for everyone.  Here's how it will work:

I will TRY to post a daily lesson for older children that will focus on the subjects we did this summer (math, technology, words/reading, thoughtfulness, and fun).  Then, I will post a theme unit about every other week for younger kids with lessons centered around early learning concepts and simple fine motor skills.

I might be in over my head with all of this, but I will do my best so that we can all continue working with our children at home!  Be looking for the mighty math lesson coming later today with the other daily lessons to follow, as well as a two week farm unit at the end of the week!

Thanks for your patience with me and your willingness to keep following!
Jennifer

Feedback

Well, the summer is coming to an end!  We were a little busier than I thought we would be, so I apologize for only doing a few posts within the last 3 months.  Hopefully we can get back into a good routine, and I will blog more!

I don't even know if anyone still reads this blog or does the activities, but if you do, I would love some feedback from you!  My oldest son Sawyer has started 3 year old Pre-K every day for 1/2 a day.  Of course, I will still work with him at home on different subjects, but the majority of his teaching/learning will come from school.  I now have the mornings to work with my almost 2 year old.  I can continue to create lessons for Sawyer's age (3-5 year olds) that will become increasingly more challenging, or I can shift the focus back to toddlers and start on that level.  I can also try to do activities that are adaptable to multiple ages.  What do your children need/want?

Also, what format do you prefer? I can stick with the "summer thinking" style and have a specific subject focus for each day, or I can go back to the weekly themes.  I can even try something new.  Thoughts???

I want this to be a blog that is beneficial for you and your kiddos, so I would love your input.  Be honest, and let me know what you think...if you are still out there! :)

Thanks,
Jennifer