Wacky Word Wednesday: Letter Sound Plate from What Did You Do Today

Objectives:
* To review the sounds that each letter makes
* To search for things that start with each letter of the alphabet

Materials:
* Paper Plate
* Marker
* Scissors

Procedure:
* I found this idea on Pinterest from What Did You Do Today? . The lesson calls for your child to search for letters; however, I changed it a little and had Sawyer search for things that started with each letter instead of just looking for the actual written letter.  Do what is appropriate for your child's age and level. This is a great way to review the sounds of the letters and have children use critical thinking skills to match letter sounds with different objects.

* Write the letters of the alphabet around the rim of a paper plate, and then make small cuts in between each letter.

* Go on a walk or take a drive and hunt for things that start with each letter.  When your child has found something, have them flip the letter over.



* We made it back home with finding something for all of the letters.  For an extension, ask your child to recall the objects they found for each letter.  This is a fun little memory check!



Summer Thinking - Week #3

Mighty Math Monday: Hundreds Chart
Math Objectives:
* To introduce the hundreds chart
* To count to 100
* To skip count by 10s (2s, 5s, etc.)
* To recognize patterns within the chart

Materials:
* Hundreds Chart Printable from About.com
* pointer (pencil, stick, etc.)

Procedure:
* Print out the Hundreds Chart.  (I had a poster from teaching.)  Using a pointer, help your child count to 100.

* Then try skip counting.  We did it by 10s to start with.  Show your child the patterns/number layouts when you skip count.  For example, all of the 10s are in a straight line.

* Continue to use this printable to help your child advance to different skip counting skills.

Totally Technical Tuesday: IPhone/IPad Apps
Technology Objectives:
* To download apps for your IPhone or IPad in order for your children to play and learn at the same time
* To gain educational skills from each game
* To use the fine motor skills involved with touching and swiping the screen

Materials:
* IPhone or IPad

Procedure:
* Go to the App Store on your IPhone or IPad, and search for the apps you would like to install.  I have made a list of apps that I have researched and like.  Some of the apps I have chosen are free and some cost between $1-$3.  All of these are fun and educational, and both of my boys love them!  Check them out:

Toddler Teasers: There are multiple Toddler Teaser games that you can download including letters, numbers, shapes, colors, food, transportation, and animals.

Umizoomi Zoom Into Numbers: Based off of my kids favorite Nickelodeon cartoon, this game includes many math activities to help with counting, number recognition, number order, addition/subtraction, and more!

Dr. Seuss Books: There are lots of Dr. Seuss books to download.  You can have the book read to your child or your child can read it on their own.  These apps are great for vocabulary, rhyming words, and basic reading skills.



Teach Me:  These apps come in different levels starting with Toddler and going to 2nd-3rd grade.  We are using the kindergarten one right now.  Great educational download!

Preschool Memory Match:  This app allows your child to play the memory game using cards that include numbers, letters, colors, food, etc.  Each level adds a few more cards to help your child use their memory to make matches.

Animal Preschool Circus: This app has lots of lessons on puzzle making, patterning, most/least, and more.

Duck, Duck Moose:  There are lots of Duck, Duck Moose apps that include favorite kid's songs with a little twist! We have The Itsy, Bitsy Spider, The Wheels on the Bus, and Old MacDonald.

SingKids:  There are tons of these apps available.  I think we have almost all of them, and they are fun for the kids to sing along to!



Super Why: Based on the PBS show, this app is great for pre-reading skills!  It has alphabet, rhyming, spelling, and sentence building games.











Kids Learn Sight Words: This is a great app for sight word learning.  Not only can your child learn to recognize the sight words, but they can write them, as well!

Hope your kiddos have a blast playing these games!  And, yes, even a 20 month old can play! :)

Wacky Word Wednesday: Missing Letter Game
Language Objectives:
* To use phonics to sound out words
* To listen to the sounds of the letters in a word and figure out which letter is missing
* To use the fine motor skills involved with writing

Materials:
* Missing Letter Printables from me :)
* pencil
* cookie sheet and magnetic letters (if you have them, not necessary)

Procedure:

* Print out the Missing Letter pages.  Have your child look at the picture and say the word.  Then help them sound out the letters in the word.  Ask them which letter is not printed in the word, and fill it in on the page.  Remember to emphasize the sounds of the letters to help them figure it out.  You can use magnetic letters to help if you would like.

Thoroughly Thoughtful Thursday: Kelso Choices - Cooperative Behavior
Social Skills Objectives:
* To understand the difference between small problems and big problems
* To recognize different choices you can make when there is a small problem between you and a friend
* To learn how to cooperate with others on your own

Materials:
* Kelso Printable from Kelso's Choice
* Kelso Website
* stuffed frog (if you have one, not necessary)

Procedure:

* Kelso is a cooperative behavior curriculum that I used in my classroom.  It is a great way to teach your child to make good choices in working and sharing with other kids.  You can look on the website for more information!

* Explain to your child that there is a difference between big problems and small problems when it comes to working/playing with other children.  Big problems are situations in which you are hurt or someone is hurting you, if someone is breaking or tearing something up, or anything scary or dangerous.  In these cases, it is important to tell an adult.  Small problems consist of someone taking a toy away, wanting to play with the same toy at the same time, and someone doing something you don't like.  These are problems you can take care of on your own with different choices instead of tattling.

* Introduce Kelso the Frog and the Kelso chart.  Talk about the different choices that Kelso tells us to make when there is a small problem.  You can role play with your child and create different situations to help them practice making these choices.  Encourage your child to make these choices when they are with other children.

Fantastically Fun Friday: Homemade Ice Cream

Fun Objectives:
* To create homemade ice cream in a bag
* To follow a recipe
* To use the fine motor skills involved with stirring and pouring

Materials:
* Directions from 2 Little Hooligans
* sandwich size plastic bag
* gallon size plastic bag
* half and half or milk
* sugar
* rock salt
* vanilla extract
* ice











Procedure:

* Follow the directions from 2 Little Hooligans.  This is such a fun, easy way to create homemade ice cream!  And, it's very yummy!!! :)

Summer Thinking Intro and Week #1

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.


We just used tape instead of mod podge to put the paper on the containers.





Sawyer used the money he had in another piggy bank, as well.





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!