Cain and Abel-Plus some math!!

Yesterday we read the story of Cain and Abel.  We talked for a long time about the two of them and Goose was really interested in the story (she loves the story Adam and Eve too).

Today we made a lamb and wheat craft to symbolize the gifts Cain and Abel gave to God.  We reviewed again and Goose remembered everything we read about the day before.

One issue I am having with these old testament stories is that God is so angry and very unforgiving.  I am having a hard time knowing how to explain this when it comes up (which won't be for a long time I hope).  I don't think I even have the answer to why He was so unforgiving but now is very forgiving.



On another note, our new math program came in today.  After much research and consideration, I decided to go with Horizons math.  I feel it goes well with common core, which I use as my curriculum.  It's a good foundation and I have other workbooks already if I need to supplement.  We did the first four lessons today and she just flew through it!  It was all a review of what she knows already.  Soon enough it will cover new things and I'm sure we'll have to slow down.

I'm back! A review

I feel like I haven't blogged in forever.  Goose and I have been very busy with school work and with Daddy traveling.

I wanted to drop a few lines about the new reading program we are using.  After a lot of consideration, we went with Starfall and ordered their kindergarten program.  It goes along well with most of the curriculum in our area, so that was important to me.  I want to make sure that she is right on par with others.

So far, the program has been great and Goose is up to quite a few high frequency words.  She has read three sight word books so far and can read simple sentences such as "I see you" or "You see me".  The Starfall program is easy to use and incorporates a lot of subjects in one.  The best part is that Goose LOVES it.  She is learning a ton.

Some cons of the program are as follows: there is no teacher guide.  You have to print it off online each week.  For what we spent on it, I would expect that to come printed.  There are other things that are not sent to you-you must go to their website to print it off.  For some things, the website is not very user friendly and you really need to learn your way around it before starting the program.

Overall, I would recommend this program to anyone trying to teach their child how to read.  In order to start this program, it is much easier if your child already knows her letters and letter sounds (which Goose does).

I am not paid by Starfall for this review-just letting you all know how the program is going so far.  If you are looking for something more structured to do with your little one, check them out!

http://www.starfall.com/n/N-info/curriculum.htm

Daycare vs. Preschool

So, this August Goose will be old enough to attend preschool...  She attends an in home daycare now that we love. 

Those of you with older children, did you enroll your child in preschool?  What are the positives and negatives of going?  If you could do it again, would you choose preschool?

Right now I feel that we should NOT send her to preschool.  She interacts at daycare and gets enough education here at home.  My school's preschool program is only part time and I need full time.  Also, if she were to do preschool and daycare, she would have to take the bus, and I'm not comfortable putting a three year old on a bus (without me).

Tell me your thoughts!!

Learn through play

Before you think I'm a tiger mom, who forces her kid to do worksheets and flashcards, we do a LOT of learning through play, which is what should be done when teaching a toddler.

One fun activity that DD loves is stickers.  I pick up stickers whenever I'm out shopping.  I can usually find them for 99 cents or a couple dollars, depending on the size and amount of stickers.  I have to keep a lot in stock, because she can easily go through 50 stickers in one sitting.  The best places I've found are Dollar Tree, Walmart, and Party City.

DD has small notebooks that we call her "sticker book".  She puts her stickers in there.  She also has a jumbo coloring book that she enjoys sticking stickers in as well.  It came with HUGE dog stickers.

Things she learns when doing stickers:

colors
shapes
names of things
sounds animals make (if we have animal stickers)
fine motor skills (peeling the stickers off)
numbers
letters
letter sounds
counting

So much more!

When doing stickers you can ask lots of questions about the sticker, and they kid doesn't even know they are doing "school".  It's an inexpensive way to have fun and to learn.

Tot School Returns!

All summer I have been working on things with DD, but not as structured as during the school year.  She practices her letter sounds, identifying numbers/shapes/colors, etc.  We play with her dolls and stack blocks.

Now that it's August I am back in school mode.  I have already laid out her schedule for the next few weeks.  Here is what we will be working on:

Workbox 1

• Plant parts
• What living things need
• Naming things that are living/non-living

Workbox 2

• Creation (which will review numbers 1-7)
• Cones, prisms, pyramids

Workbox 3

• Sorting by attributes
• Same vs. different

Workbox 4

• Maps and globes
• Flag
• Bald eagle
• Feelings

Workbox 5

• Exploring nature-leaf collection, making a bird feeder, etc

Workbox 6

• Human body
• Review numbers 1-7
• Review plant parts

Workbox 7

• Review creation
• Numbers 1-10
• Review same/different

You know you're a teacher when...

Ever since DD was born she's been read to, talked to, and given basic educational lessons.  Now that she is walking and talking I have decided to start a toddler curriculum with her.  If she were in a traditional daycare setting (she goes to an in home daycare) she'd be getting exposed to these concepts.  Each day I work with Emily on things like colors, letters, animals, etc.  The normal things that toddlers should be exposed to.

I recently came acorss this fantastic blog: http://rockabyebutterfly.blogspot.com/

Now, while I myself am against homeschooling, I find her ideas terrific!  I have decided to become more organized with the lessons I give Emily and really focus on a few things a day for several weeks before moving on to another concept.

So, this blog will now be mostly about educating her and things you can do with your toddlers.

I hope you all enjoy it!