Here are our plans for the week, making more work materials while Mcclellan is out of town with his daddy:
Make playdough (I gotta be doing this every 2 weeks!)
Different sized jars w/ lids for screwing lids on and off
Beads and bath mat (w/ and w/o tongs) :: bath mat
2 locks with keys
Sponge water transfer :: sponges, two cup pet bowl
Funnel :: funnel, small pitcher, vases (2?)
Eyedroppers
Lacing cards
Art frame
Ball tube
Bathe doll :: small plastic doll, easy-squirt bottle
Sorting smallest to largest
Button bracelet
Acquire tessellating blocks and color baby bears
Make Lambkin...one day...
And that's just a start! We'll see how much I actually get done while also baking and cleaning the house for showings!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Focus: Verity
While, Mcclellan and Matt are out of town this week, I am looking forward to making some new materials to stock up on and catering to everything that is my daughter, Verity. I set out work just for her today. She has been going a little nutzo on the shelves. It is so fulfilling to see her helping herself to the things she wants to work on, at her level, in her interest. She just gets mad when she chucks a toy a little too far and still can't crawl to get it back!
Among her work: a basket with the jingle-bells-on-sticks (requiring assistance, of course), the shape sorter cube and ball; at her discretion is a small mirror, fabric beach ball, rattles, a bean bag, a basket with felted balls and wooden books.
Among her work: a basket with the jingle-bells-on-sticks (requiring assistance, of course), the shape sorter cube and ball; at her discretion is a small mirror, fabric beach ball, rattles, a bean bag, a basket with felted balls and wooden books.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Knife Wielding Tot
Today, we practiced cutting! I don't know if Mcclellan was more excited to use a knife or to have a banana all to himself! At any rate, cutting was to be done, banana was to be devoured. Work and snack, accomplished all at the same time!
And while we're talking about practical life skills, here is Mcclellan's new pitcher I picked up for him to practice pouring with. He loves serving himself his own drinks! Such concentration...
And while we're talking about practical life skills, here is Mcclellan's new pitcher I picked up for him to practice pouring with. He loves serving himself his own drinks! Such concentration...
Monday, April 20, 2009
A Veritable Art Gallery
Inspired by the lessons in practicality that I receive on a regular basis from my good friend and fellow Montessorian, Jennifer, I have decided to instill our own museum of paintings in our halls. The idea is to take classic works of art (in this case, all paintings) and display them at levels that may be observed and studied by the child. I'm not sure yet as to how and where I'm going to place them yet, but have just finished cutting out 20 different pictures of paintings that I got from a book called The Story of Painting. I picked it up for 0.75 at the library book sale yesterday and its my latest TREASURE. I harvested the pictures I want for our collection and am passing it on to Jennifer so she can add to hers.
I have paintings from da Vinci, Michaelangelo, and Raphael; to Van Gogh, Degas, and Manet; to Miro, Matisse, and Modigliani. How's that for timelining it, Auntie Jo? My sister, who is an art appreciation afficianado, will love what we are setting up for the kids. Most of these are works that anyone who has even a slight interest in art will recognize (Mona Lisa, Road with Cypresses, Still Life with Fruit), but there are a good number that will hopefully invoke some discussion as well. When asked, "What do you see in The Harlequin's Carnival, Mcclellan," I'm curious as to what he will say! I was impressed that when he was shown Madonna and Child Enthroned, he identified the Baby Jesus upon Mary's lap. I mean, its all Byzantine and Middle Age-y, but that kid knows who is who! I can't wait to get these laminated (possibly framed if I can find enough that will fit from the thrift stores) and set them out!
I have paintings from da Vinci, Michaelangelo, and Raphael; to Van Gogh, Degas, and Manet; to Miro, Matisse, and Modigliani. How's that for timelining it, Auntie Jo? My sister, who is an art appreciation afficianado, will love what we are setting up for the kids. Most of these are works that anyone who has even a slight interest in art will recognize (Mona Lisa, Road with Cypresses, Still Life with Fruit), but there are a good number that will hopefully invoke some discussion as well. When asked, "What do you see in The Harlequin's Carnival, Mcclellan," I'm curious as to what he will say! I was impressed that when he was shown Madonna and Child Enthroned, he identified the Baby Jesus upon Mary's lap. I mean, its all Byzantine and Middle Age-y, but that kid knows who is who! I can't wait to get these laminated (possibly framed if I can find enough that will fit from the thrift stores) and set them out!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
MORE! TSBVI Activities
I lurrrve the TSBVI website. It has all these Montessori activities, that are particularly helpful for small children who are blind or visually impaired. Mcclellan is neither, but the sensory/auditory activities that help blind children be aware of their environment are also GREAT for those toddlers who happen to be very sensory and auditory learners!
This one, I'm so proud to say, was built from the findings of my husband's well-stocked garage. When I read that this activity required 25 washers, 5 sets of 5, in graduated sizes, I was like, "Looks like a trip to Ace Hardware!" But no, Matt had all of these, the wood and the nails in the garage. Yesssss! I think Mcclellan's really going to like the eye-candy that this work has to offer.
Shape sequencing...as I've shown. There are four cards, each with two foam shapes glued to them. There are corresponding loose shapes to finish the "sentence" on the card.
My favorite is this one with puff paint and bottlecaps. Sure, I could've used just a marker, even a colored one. But the tactile funness of the puff paint is going to be super to encourage the one to one number matching. And bottlecaps? What kiddo doesn't love bottlecaps?
And another fun, toddlercentric one: jingle bells! Here the goal is to match the two that sound the same and are of the same size (and happen to have the same color ribbon!). But even to match the opposite bells is a good lesson in differences and opposites. Multi-functional!
This week is well stocked and I'm excited to see what Mcclellan has to do and say with his work! Verity is digging our shape sorter cube and a box full of sensory balls I've laid out for her. We also went on a nature walk yesterday and filled a tray full of shells, flowers, and rocks we found while out and about. Depending on how the flowers look, midweek, we may or may not keep this work out!
This one, I'm so proud to say, was built from the findings of my husband's well-stocked garage. When I read that this activity required 25 washers, 5 sets of 5, in graduated sizes, I was like, "Looks like a trip to Ace Hardware!" But no, Matt had all of these, the wood and the nails in the garage. Yesssss! I think Mcclellan's really going to like the eye-candy that this work has to offer.
Shape sequencing...as I've shown. There are four cards, each with two foam shapes glued to them. There are corresponding loose shapes to finish the "sentence" on the card.
My favorite is this one with puff paint and bottlecaps. Sure, I could've used just a marker, even a colored one. But the tactile funness of the puff paint is going to be super to encourage the one to one number matching. And bottlecaps? What kiddo doesn't love bottlecaps?
And another fun, toddlercentric one: jingle bells! Here the goal is to match the two that sound the same and are of the same size (and happen to have the same color ribbon!). But even to match the opposite bells is a good lesson in differences and opposites. Multi-functional!
This week is well stocked and I'm excited to see what Mcclellan has to do and say with his work! Verity is digging our shape sorter cube and a box full of sensory balls I've laid out for her. We also went on a nature walk yesterday and filled a tray full of shells, flowers, and rocks we found while out and about. Depending on how the flowers look, midweek, we may or may not keep this work out!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Teaching Moments
We did our "Color Areas" activity today. I'm finding that doing focused, specific activities is proving to be a little more challenging to get started. After putzing around a bit, needing some guidance from Mom, and a lot of "watch me do it...now YOU do it," Mcclellan finally catches on and gets interested. We collected yellow and orange materials from around the house today. These included a yellow banana peel that he spied on the counter in the kitchen...
Then, in the middle of hunting for an orange something, he has been dragging a costume-jewelry necklace of Grandma W's when I heard, "Ker-chattle!" The string had broken and black and grey squares were scattered about. We paused our orange hunt and picked up every last bead. There were 48 in all...
The brilliant new idea had struck me by then, but not wanting to deter from our regularly scheduled programming, we finished up our Color Areas. Then, "Mcclellan," I said, "We are going to sort." After the same putzing about, he was well into sorting black squares onto one plate, grey on another.
"I'm sorting, Mama!" he called. And he got 24 grey squares on one plate. 24 black on the other! This teaching moment brought to you by an accident and a broken something turned into a beautiful, purposeful work activity!
Again, this was something that just can't be planned! I'm getting better, really I am!
Then, in the middle of hunting for an orange something, he has been dragging a costume-jewelry necklace of Grandma W's when I heard, "Ker-chattle!" The string had broken and black and grey squares were scattered about. We paused our orange hunt and picked up every last bead. There were 48 in all...The brilliant new idea had struck me by then, but not wanting to deter from our regularly scheduled programming, we finished up our Color Areas. Then, "Mcclellan," I said, "We are going to sort." After the same putzing about, he was well into sorting black squares onto one plate, grey on another.
"I'm sorting, Mama!" he called. And he got 24 grey squares on one plate. 24 black on the other! This teaching moment brought to you by an accident and a broken something turned into a beautiful, purposeful work activity!
Again, this was something that just can't be planned! I'm getting better, really I am!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Anti-art and Sniffing
I've come to the saddening, undeniable conclusion that my son just does not. like. to. paint. Ever since he was a baby, finger painting, he's not been enthused about the messiness, the gooeyness that is painting. He would just give me a look that said, "This stuff just does not belong on my hands, Mom." The same holds true today. He seems to love to get messy just so he can go wash up. Crazy kid. We painted our cans for our chimes and he was not a fan. We'll see how the actual assembly goes later this afternoon.
On a positive note, he did love the playdough (and always has) he was left to while I prepped his sniffing jars. Maybe a sculptor?
Our sniffing jars are a hit! I used cleaned-out sprinkle jars with the little shaker caps on them, and filled each jar with a cotton ball doused in something smelly.
Butter, wine, coffee, mint, vanilla, and smoke (each from a flavoring or the direct source). My favorite is when he grabs the butter scent, smells, and says, "Kropsu!" Kropsu does have a considerable amount of butter in it...
His little toddler fingers are having fun with the screw-off lids too. Success!
On a positive note, he did love the playdough (and always has) he was left to while I prepped his sniffing jars. Maybe a sculptor?
Our sniffing jars are a hit! I used cleaned-out sprinkle jars with the little shaker caps on them, and filled each jar with a cotton ball doused in something smelly.
Butter, wine, coffee, mint, vanilla, and smoke (each from a flavoring or the direct source). My favorite is when he grabs the butter scent, smells, and says, "Kropsu!" Kropsu does have a considerable amount of butter in it...
His little toddler fingers are having fun with the screw-off lids too. Success!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Carpe diem
My plans for storytime at the library were foiled by a too-late morning nap! Mcclellan and I were reading a poem from his High 5 that goes something like this:
"Pizza, pizza, pizza, we like it hot or cold...Pizza, pizza, pizza, fun for young and old..." and so on.
After he insisted I read it 100 times, I decided we should make pizza for lunch. And having none of those oh-so-convenient Rustic Crusts on hand, I ventured that we make our own dough. What?! Make our own pizza crust? With yeast?!
These are the teachable moments one just cannot plan for on a weekly calendar. "Tuesday: teach Mcclellan all about how yeast works, and hope against all hopes that he will be enthralled and absorbent." After two risings and our toppings of availability (we used swiss cheese and chopped olives because that's just what we had...), we had something that looked like this:
And yummy, it was! Between the two of us, we ate about half of this tomatoey, turkeyroni-y masterpiece. So while library time was deviously thwarted by the mischievous toddler and his antinapping sister, we did get some SUPER lessons in, and yummy lunch to boot!
"Pizza, pizza, pizza, we like it hot or cold...Pizza, pizza, pizza, fun for young and old..." and so on.
After he insisted I read it 100 times, I decided we should make pizza for lunch. And having none of those oh-so-convenient Rustic Crusts on hand, I ventured that we make our own dough. What?! Make our own pizza crust? With yeast?!
These are the teachable moments one just cannot plan for on a weekly calendar. "Tuesday: teach Mcclellan all about how yeast works, and hope against all hopes that he will be enthralled and absorbent." After two risings and our toppings of availability (we used swiss cheese and chopped olives because that's just what we had...), we had something that looked like this:
And yummy, it was! Between the two of us, we ate about half of this tomatoey, turkeyroni-y masterpiece. So while library time was deviously thwarted by the mischievous toddler and his antinapping sister, we did get some SUPER lessons in, and yummy lunch to boot!
Monday, April 13, 2009
"Hiatus"
Well, I'm at it again. With our extremely successful garage sale last weekend and the move happening in two weeks, I'm just no good at housekeeping. Let alone lesson planning. The only solution? Hiatus!
So my only official plans for the next two weeks include getting out of the house at least once a day (even if that just means to the thrift store or to buy eggs), and doing at least one "work" activity daily. Today we borrowed from the TSBVI site's "Poke and Peek."
POKE & PEEK
Focus: encourages fine motor development and eye-hand coordination.
Materials:
We're talking a good ten minutes of one happy, focused toddler. And when he suggested the use of his new tongs, I brought out more little Dixie cups, as the pincing of toothpicks wasn't so much easy for a 2-yr-old...
And then to up the skill level, little steel sorting cups. We're talking another good ten minutes or so. (The addition of the silicone mat was solely for the purpose of sound damping during Verity's nap.)
Now, if only I could come up with something motivating to get us out of the house on this gray, wet, 40-degree day...
So my only official plans for the next two weeks include getting out of the house at least once a day (even if that just means to the thrift store or to buy eggs), and doing at least one "work" activity daily. Today we borrowed from the TSBVI site's "Poke and Peek."
POKE & PEEKFocus: encourages fine motor development and eye-hand coordination.
Materials:
- colander
- tin bowl
- coloured toothpicks
Procedure: Invert the colander. The child will insert the toothpicks into the holes. Add a tin bowl underneath the colander and it will give auditory feedback to the child.
We're talking a good ten minutes of one happy, focused toddler. And when he suggested the use of his new tongs, I brought out more little Dixie cups, as the pincing of toothpicks wasn't so much easy for a 2-yr-old...
And then to up the skill level, little steel sorting cups. We're talking another good ten minutes or so. (The addition of the silicone mat was solely for the purpose of sound damping during Verity's nap.)
Now, if only I could come up with something motivating to get us out of the house on this gray, wet, 40-degree day...
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Not Feeling It
Well, sadly, and as good a curriculum it really is, I think we're going to retire Little Hands to Heaven to a shelf. For now, anyway. I'm just not liking the set-up, or the content, or the activities, or something. Maybe its me. Maybe its Mcclellan. But its just not a very fun addition to our school time. This is the second (third?) time I've tried to introduce LHH to Mcclellan, probably because I just feel like since I spent all of $18 on it, I should use it. Maybe in another 6 mos?
Speaking of curriculums and dropping the $$ on them: next weekend is the MPE homeschooling conference. Its a big one, because it combines all the homeschoolers imaginable from Eastern KS and Western MO; those include Topeka, Lawrence, JoCo, KCK, KCMO and all surrounding small towns. Which sometimes have more HSers than the big towns. At any rate, its a big deal around here and we plan on going again this year. But this time, just to the curriculum fair.
Jennifer and I went last year for both days, attended workshops, observed the crazy thing that is families of 12, homeschooling in all their long-denim-skirted glory. It was fun, but at this stage in our homeschooling life, not something that I feel is absolutely necessary every year. At least not this year. Matt and the babies are going to join me for the fair, where we stroll up and down aisle by aisle, perusing programs and trying out educational "toys." I have a few specific things I'd like to check out and consider for this year, especially since Mcclellan has a little more of a personality and learning style. In any case, any curriculum or materials we do purchase, I really want to be sure we'll use. I've heard this is an all-too-common malaise that homeschoolers experience: buying everything that looks fabulous and then setting it on a shelf until 10th grade rolls around you realize you never even broke the seal on the box.
I'm really into art and literature, especially during this fun preschool season, so I think we might try to embrace unschooling for a while, just learning about what comes along. And with the impending move, we will have access to so many things that the children can learn from experience, not a curriculum. Wanna learn about mermaids? Done! How about steam engine boilers? No problem! The sun? Yep, we can study that too. I suppose, in that sense, we might be doing a little bit more a unit study format, but hey, we are a growing, evolving, never static, ever learning homeschooling family unit here.
Classical education? Yeeekes. May be a little too organized for me. Good thing we don't start that whole "formal education" thing until 7! Phew!
Speaking of curriculums and dropping the $$ on them: next weekend is the MPE homeschooling conference. Its a big one, because it combines all the homeschoolers imaginable from Eastern KS and Western MO; those include Topeka, Lawrence, JoCo, KCK, KCMO and all surrounding small towns. Which sometimes have more HSers than the big towns. At any rate, its a big deal around here and we plan on going again this year. But this time, just to the curriculum fair.
Jennifer and I went last year for both days, attended workshops, observed the crazy thing that is families of 12, homeschooling in all their long-denim-skirted glory. It was fun, but at this stage in our homeschooling life, not something that I feel is absolutely necessary every year. At least not this year. Matt and the babies are going to join me for the fair, where we stroll up and down aisle by aisle, perusing programs and trying out educational "toys." I have a few specific things I'd like to check out and consider for this year, especially since Mcclellan has a little more of a personality and learning style. In any case, any curriculum or materials we do purchase, I really want to be sure we'll use. I've heard this is an all-too-common malaise that homeschoolers experience: buying everything that looks fabulous and then setting it on a shelf until 10th grade rolls around you realize you never even broke the seal on the box.
I'm really into art and literature, especially during this fun preschool season, so I think we might try to embrace unschooling for a while, just learning about what comes along. And with the impending move, we will have access to so many things that the children can learn from experience, not a curriculum. Wanna learn about mermaids? Done! How about steam engine boilers? No problem! The sun? Yep, we can study that too. I suppose, in that sense, we might be doing a little bit more a unit study format, but hey, we are a growing, evolving, never static, ever learning homeschooling family unit here.
Classical education? Yeeekes. May be a little too organized for me. Good thing we don't start that whole "formal education" thing until 7! Phew!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Staying on Task
Using the amazing Letter of the Week curriculum (online, see side), we have opted to do the learning poster each week. It give a great visual of what we are learning about, we post pictures of new vocab words, and well, it just helps me (and Mcclellan) stay on task with what we are learning.
This week, we are learning about eyes.
This week, we are learning about eyes.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Regular Scheduled Programming
I've been working on the lists of links on the side. Not so much is this a resource for any readers I might have, as it is an ongoing "Favorites" list for myself. With consecutive computer crashes under my belt (each one with the re-compiling of documents, pictures, favorites lists), I've decided to just log my lists on here, should another Blue Screen of Death surprise me. Okay, its not so much a surprise. My laptop is about 5 years old and has been on the out for a while now. One day the husband will realize he can no longer fix it himself.
I digress...
The one-stop-shopping of links and plans in one superstore (a.k.a. this blog) is super. If you're looking for a great online resource for spreadsheets, I highly recommend Google Docs. I started with the editgrid online software, but it slowed my machine and eventually froze it up a few time. Google Docs allows you to publish a webpage which can, happily, be linked from here!
And I've gotten several people asking about leaving comments on here. I think I'm going to continue to make this blog a comment-less one, but happily welcome discussions and comments at my email listed on the side. ;) wink.
We got through our first day of returning to school. It was a decision that had to be made after a few weeks of no school, endless packing, and Mcclellan walking around chanting our call to schooltime. Yes, I am the definition of slacker mom. I had put us on...er, extended Spring break...to allow more time and energy to pack and move. But then, I couldn't just ignore Mcclellan's pleas for some schooltime. Even if, after Spring break ended, he still had a typically two-year-old reaction to sitting on his school spot; Oh well, at least he has good intentions, right? Kinda like his mama...
I digress...
The one-stop-shopping of links and plans in one superstore (a.k.a. this blog) is super. If you're looking for a great online resource for spreadsheets, I highly recommend Google Docs. I started with the editgrid online software, but it slowed my machine and eventually froze it up a few time. Google Docs allows you to publish a webpage which can, happily, be linked from here!
And I've gotten several people asking about leaving comments on here. I think I'm going to continue to make this blog a comment-less one, but happily welcome discussions and comments at my email listed on the side. ;) wink.
We got through our first day of returning to school. It was a decision that had to be made after a few weeks of no school, endless packing, and Mcclellan walking around chanting our call to schooltime. Yes, I am the definition of slacker mom. I had put us on...er, extended Spring break...to allow more time and energy to pack and move. But then, I couldn't just ignore Mcclellan's pleas for some schooltime. Even if, after Spring break ended, he still had a typically two-year-old reaction to sitting on his school spot; Oh well, at least he has good intentions, right? Kinda like his mama...
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
I did a weird thing today...
I talked to someone else (gasp!) about educating my son. For some reason, just the simple thought of turning him over for two half-days a week at the local Waldorf school really kinda freaked me out. What? Pay someone else to teach him things that I won't be part of? I mean, I don't even set him in front of a television without being there with him to talk about what we see and hear. Call me overprotective (he is only 2 for crying out loud!) and controlling. No really, I am. And why shouldn't I be? That's another "philosophy of homeschooling" post for you. Not this one.
At any rate, I was freaked. I love the activities, the environment, even the subject matter taught in a Waldorf setting. I love the idea of getting some minimal exposure of my child to other kids his age. I love the idea of getting involved with a parents-of-preschoolers community. So where does my anxiety come from. I mentioned to the enrollment coordinator at Prairie Moon that it was weird considering education for my firstborn; sending him off to someone else for the caring and feeding of my spawn. She smiled and nodded. "Silly young mama," I'm sure she thought. "We do have a lot of homeschoolers who come here around 3rd grade, either because its just not working for the kids...or the parents," she casually explained to me when I told her of my plans for part-time schooling and aspirations to educate mine own at my home. How silly indeed, I must be.
Digress as I may, I still have a weird, uneasy feeling about sending Mcclellan off (not even until 2010!) to another school (and this one is even private!). I guess it comes down to me just not being ready (fine, I still have like, 10 months), and needing to do more research in when/where/if to put my kids for any outside-the-home education. There is a Montessori I still want to check in to, and I really need to explore Prairie Moon specifically to see if it will fit in with a Biblical worldview; if it would be edifying, supplemental, or just downright distracting. Oh, yes, I plan on spending days with these preschool classrooms to see if they are right for my kids.
How do public schooling parents do this? Yes, I know I am an overachiever and an idealist. But, seriously: How do parents plan to send their kids off to public schools. Judgments and arguments for or against public/private/homeschooling aside, I really do want to know. A discussion on our philosophy of homeschooling? Oh, you can bet there will be one of those eventually!
At any rate, I was freaked. I love the activities, the environment, even the subject matter taught in a Waldorf setting. I love the idea of getting some minimal exposure of my child to other kids his age. I love the idea of getting involved with a parents-of-preschoolers community. So where does my anxiety come from. I mentioned to the enrollment coordinator at Prairie Moon that it was weird considering education for my firstborn; sending him off to someone else for the caring and feeding of my spawn. She smiled and nodded. "Silly young mama," I'm sure she thought. "We do have a lot of homeschoolers who come here around 3rd grade, either because its just not working for the kids...or the parents," she casually explained to me when I told her of my plans for part-time schooling and aspirations to educate mine own at my home. How silly indeed, I must be.
Digress as I may, I still have a weird, uneasy feeling about sending Mcclellan off (not even until 2010!) to another school (and this one is even private!). I guess it comes down to me just not being ready (fine, I still have like, 10 months), and needing to do more research in when/where/if to put my kids for any outside-the-home education. There is a Montessori I still want to check in to, and I really need to explore Prairie Moon specifically to see if it will fit in with a Biblical worldview; if it would be edifying, supplemental, or just downright distracting. Oh, yes, I plan on spending days with these preschool classrooms to see if they are right for my kids.
How do public schooling parents do this? Yes, I know I am an overachiever and an idealist. But, seriously: How do parents plan to send their kids off to public schools. Judgments and arguments for or against public/private/homeschooling aside, I really do want to know. A discussion on our philosophy of homeschooling? Oh, you can bet there will be one of those eventually!
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