After a little break, we are back and ready to start our lessons again. This summer we will be giving the themes a rest and working on specific learning activities for math, technology, language, and social skills, as well as some fun in the sun play! I have divided the days of the week (Monday-Friday) into categories to make sure we are covering each area every week. Here is the breakdown of each day along with the first week's lessons:
Mighty Math Mondays:
Mondays will be devoted to math activities. These lessons will include counting and number recognition, patterns, addition/subtraction, graphing, money math, estimation, shapes, measurement, sorting, telling time, and problem solving.
Lesson #1: Math Treasure Hunt
Math Objectives:
* To search for items around the house that coordinate with mathematical concepts
* To measure with a ruler/tape measure
* To use counting and critical thinking skills
* To recognize shapes, numbers, and patterns
Materials:
*
Treasure Hunt List (or you can create your own)
* Pencil, Crayon, or Marker
Procedure:
1. Print out the treasure hunt list and read it with your child. Help your child find each item around your house, checking them off the list as you go. Let them use their critical thinking skills to figure out where the objects are or how to measure them.
Totally Technical Tuesdays:
We are definitely in the age of technology, and children need to be well informed of how to use a computer and other technical resources in order to keep up with this fast-paced world. There are fantastic academic games and activities out there, and each week I will showcase a different one. We will be getting the children familiar with how to use the keyboard, mouse, IPad, and IPhone while they are learning. We will also focus on typing skills.
Lesson #1: Starfall
Technology Objectives:
* To learn how to use a mouse on a computer including clicking and dragging motions
* To explore the Starfall Website
Materials:
* Computer
*
Starfall Website
Procedure:
1. Show your child the Starfall site and explore together starting with the letters and moving on to the stories. Demonstrate how to use the mouse on the computer. Have your child place their hand on top of your hand as you move and click around. Then let them try on their own.
Wacky Word Wednesdays:
Wednesdays are strictly for language and reading skills. Examples include upper/lowercase letter recognition, rhyming words, alliteration, sight word recognition, phonics, and writing.
Lesson #1: Cookie Sheet Letters
Language Objectives:
* To match upper and lower case letters together
* To match pictures with the letters they start with
* To create and spell rhyming words and words that start with the same letter
Materials:
* Cookie Sheet
* Magnetic Letters (or letter blocks or printed letters)
* Pictures of different objects to match with letters
Procedure:
1. Spread out the magnetic letters and pictures on the floor or on a table. Have your child match the upper and lowercase letters together and stick them on the cookie sheet. Next ask them to find a picture that starts with that letter.
2. After this you can focus on rhyming words. Show your child how rhyming words have the same ending letters, therefore, the same ending sounds. Then you can create words that start with the same letter, all the while finding the pictures that match the words. Help your child sound out the words, as well.
* Teachers Pay Teachers has a great link for more activities to do with cookie sheets and magnets! The pack is only $3 for the download.
Thoroughly Thoughtful Thursdays:
I really wanted to have a day that ultimately focuses on and glorifies our Savior. On Thursdays we will be doing bible stories and activities, social skills lessons, acts of kindness, and positive/cooperative behavior strategies.
Lesson #1: Give, Save, Spend
Social Skills Objectives:
* To learn what the words give (generous), save, and spend mean
* To understand the importance of handling money well
* To discuss the reasons why we give money to our church and others in need
Materials:
* 3 jars or containers (we used Crystal Light plastic containers)
* construction paper
* scissors
* glue, tape, or mod podge
* money that your child has earned or was given
Procedure:
1. I got this idea from
Home Spun Threads on pinterest. You can follow the directions from the site. (We changed the words on the containers.) Talk about what it means to give, save, and spend money. Have your child sort the money that they have into the 3 containers. We read a book about being generous, as well, in order to really understand the concept of giving. Sawyer and I talked about taking the "give" jar to church each Sunday and putting his money in the offering box or searching for a ministry that he can give some of his money to.
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| We just used tape instead of mod podge to put the paper on the containers. |
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| Sawyer used the money he had in another piggy bank, as well. |
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| We placed the containers on a high bookshelf so little brother doesn't get into them! :) |
Note: I have started a chore chart for Sawyer to teach responsibility. He earns $2 at the end of the week if all chores have been completed. I found a cute chart from Leah Remillit. Check it out!
Fantastically Fun Fridays:
What better way to end the week than with some exciting games and activities to get your kids movin' and groovin'! Many of these lessons will take place outside to have some fun in the sun! These will be things like crazy science experiments, water activities, sports games and drills, cooking, music, and arts and crafts.
Lesson #1: Kite Flying
Fun Objectives:
* To fly a kite and observe the effects of wind on a light object
Materials:
* Any kite, store bought or handmade
* A windy day :)
* A wide open space outside
Procedure:
1. Go outside and feel the wind blowing. Talk about what the wind is and how it moves things around like the leaves on the trees, the grass, a flag, etc. Ask your child to guess what will happen when a kite goes into the wind.
2. Fly your kite!
3. After you are finished, have your child state what happened to the kite and why. Ask your child if the kite would have flown if the wind was not blowing. Talk about what would happen if there were lots of trees or houses around when the kite was flying.
We will also be doing a calendar and weather time each day, along with a review of all of the bible verses we have learned so far. I know summers can be crazy busy, and there will definitely be some weeks in which we will be out of town, so the schedule is flexible! :) Do what you can and what you want! Also, feel free to share any of your great ideas or activities that you have done that your children enjoyed! Have so much fun spending time with your kiddos this summer!
