It is Dr. Seuss’ birthday this week. So we’re keeping it easy and doing some Seuss stuff. We’re reading Seuss books, making green eggs and ham and maybe watching Horton Hears a Who.
Theme of the Week: Dr. Seuss
Written by admin on February 28th, 2012Theme of the Week: Clouds
Written by admin on February 24th, 2012We had a cloud week. We just started our theme-of-the-week schooling, but we had a good time integrating it into our day. We did several crafts. We tore white paper and glued it to blue construction paper to make clouds. I was also trying to explain that clouds can sometimes look like things, but that didn’t go over very well. We glued cotton balls to blue construction paper in different shapes. Read several books from the library about clouds, including a little science book about the topic we happened to already own.
There were some subjects we didn’t cover, but this was a first week of doing this preliminary type of schooling.
Theme of the Week: Introduction
Written by admin on February 24th, 2012This week we started more formal schooling of John. At his age of 2.5yrs, I’m not doing much; on purpose. There are so many great looking worksheets and things out there, but I believe they overwhelm a child, stifle creativity, and generally are not productive. So what I’m doing, like I said…at this age, is loosely doing themes around multiply subjects.
We’re doing a lot of reading, talking about the date and weather, science, fine motor, outdoor time, language and Bible story. I’m trying to tie our theme for the week into each of those “subjects”.
Fish for Lent
Written by admin on February 24th, 2012I really need better food ideas for Lent. Ash Wednesday we ended up eating fish sandwiches at McDonald’s. This evening I thought I had a good one, but it flopped. I served stuffed clams, fish cakes, cauliflower, and seasoned tator tots.
It is tough to serve fish dishes on a budget. We really like salmon, but WOW, salmon costs an arm and a couple legs to serve. It is recommended to serve fish 2-3 times/week. Sardines….maybe!
Other Australia Books for Preschool Age
Written by admin on February 7th, 2012Koalas: A New True Book by Emilie U. Lepthien
Kangaroos, Koalas, and Other Marsupials by Ellen Rabinowich
A Family in Australia by Rollo Browne
The Bunyip of Berkeley’s Creek by Jenny Wagner
Wombat Stew by Marcia K. Vaughan
Koala Lou by Mem Fox
Wombat & Bandicoot: Best of Friends by Kerry Argent
Waltzing Matilda by A.B. Patterson
One Woolly Wombat by Rod Trinca & Kerry Argent
Written by admin on February 7th, 2012Great for reading to young children, especially when studying Australia. It is a counting book featuring animals of Australia. Maybe talk about how the Australian animals differ from locally found animals. Field trip idea too to see any Australian animals at the local zoo.
Cute Kangaroo Poem
Written by admin on February 7th, 2012When studying Australia or kangaroos etc. Here is a cute little song for little people.
Poem and next to it, the actions.
Jump, jump, jump Jump
Goes the kangaroo Jump
I thought only one– Hold up one finger
But now I see two! Hold up two fingers
Mommy and her baby Wiggle thumb between index and middle finger
With his head popping out;
He holds on tight Pretend to hold on tight
As they jump all about! Jump all about
Ocean, in Miniature
Written by admin on February 7th, 2012Fill a clear plastic, two-liter soda bottle (or other vessel) halfway with tap water. Add a few drops of blue food coloring and shake gently to mix. Fill the rest of the bottle with vegetable oil, leaving no space for air. Cap the bottle tightly and then, tilt it slowly back and forth to see miniature waves roll and crest.
Idea for National Week of the Ocean, studying waves, ocean etc.
Boomerangs
Written by admin on February 7th, 2012The idea was originally to make a boomerang of poster board and just decorate them. But with a boy, I’m thinking he could fashion a boomerang from wood or other substance, then decorate it and USE IT! This would be a great craft when studying Australia.
Playing wth Marbles
Written by admin on February 7th, 2012April is National Knuckles Down Month so celebrate by trying your hand at one of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite games–marbles. Practice the true shooting technique: turn your hand palm up with all of your knuckles (except for your thumb) touching the ground. Place the marble between your index finger and thumbnail and flick it. Then, test your skills with a homemade course made of jar lids (to hit) and tissue tubes (to roll through). Or use chalk to draw a three-ring bull’s eye on a paved surface and assign each circle a certain number of points. Mark a shooting line several feet away. Then players can take turns trying to score by landing their marbles inside the bulls-eye.