What We've Learned 16 July 2012

A few highlights of the past learning week in our home...

Michelle, Age 6-1/2:
1. We did cursive Z.
2. We started All About Spelling Level 2.
3. I read to Mom from More Busy Times
4. We made Very Cherry Cornbread, from my Clubhouse Jr. Magazine

Reading from More Busy Times.  Michelle has really taken off in her reading and I can hardly keep her in books!

James, Age 4:
1. We did sticks - we made a table, a chair, a tree, house, a broom, and a little design.
2. We did coloring and counting in my math book (MEP Reception Level - the activity with sticks above came from this book also. This is a great intro to math for 4-5 year olds who aren't ready for a workbook-based curriculum yet!)
3. We read Petit Ours Brun Joue Dans La Sable.  (Little Brown Bear Plays in the Sand)

Copying patterns and colors with sticks - a favorite school activity last week.

 Hope you've had a good learning week as well!

What We've Learned 5 July 2012

A few things we've learned in the past week:

Michelle, age 6-1/2
1. We learned about Debussy.  He makes music like Monet's paintings.
2. We read the middle part of "Les Trois Petits Cochons".
3. We read the legend about Frederick Barbarossa going to sleep in a mountain in Germany after he died, and later a shepherd found him, but it was probably just a dream.  (from 30 More Famous Stories)
4. We are learning how to do word problems in Math.

Michelle wanted to show you her cursive book.  We are starting to write real words!

James, age 4
I did some work with mom. 
1. We did letters E and R.  
2, We used sticks for counting.  
3. We read Jack and Jill together.

James showing off his sandpaper e and r

Hope you've had a lovely learning week in your home too!

Nature Study with Flowers - May and June 2012

I didn't really intentionally plan it this way, but the past couple of months our times of nature study have centered on flowers.   One thing I have noticed about the city in France where we are living is that they do really well keeping on the various flower beds in the parks and planters around town supplied with flowers as the seasons change.  They have changed several times as we've gone from winter to early spring to late spring and now to summer.  Perhaps that's why we are drawn to them.

A few of the flower-related activities we have done:

- Observed dandelions in all their stages of development.  I think dandelions abound everywhere, and my kids seem to particularly enjoy them.  I've seen some of the biggest dandelions I've ever seen here in France!   One interesting little tidbit I found in the Handbook of Nature Study is that dandelions take their name from the French phrase "dents de lion" or "lion's teeth", because the leaves have a jagged, tooth-like appearance.  Have a look next time to you pass a clump of dandelions and I think you'll see what I mean!!  We also watched this time lapse video (click through and scroll down) of a dandelion and Michelle gave me an excellent narration of what she saw!

- We observed the parts of a flower by taking apart a petunia (the flowers currently inhabiting most of the planters in our neighborhood.) Michelle enjoyed looking more carefully and each part with a magnifying lens. 

 

We had previously talked a bit about pollination after having read "The Selfish Salvia", a story from our current nature read-aloud Outdoor Secrets.  It was a nice follow up to be able to take a look at the parts in question.   Obviously, I don't expect that she fully understands why and how flowers are pollinated at this stage in the game, but nature study in the early years is all about laying the foundation for future science studies.  Down the road when we study the topic of botany more formally, she will have these experiences to recall.

My 'petunia' nature journal entry...

...and Michelle's (dictated to me, artwork is hers)

- We visited the beautiful rose gardens at one of the parks in town.  (You can see more  pictures of this excursion here.)   We observed the colors of the flowers and sat quietly to observe what the bees were doing as they flew from flower to flower, again recalling what we read in "The Selfish Salvia". 

- We planted sunflower seeds in pots on our apartment balcony.  Three days later and one has already started to push up through the soil!  This project will be an ongoing observation all summer, inspired by one of the suggestions in Barb's latest set of Outdoor Hour Challenges.

Sketching our first sunflower sporut in her nature journal

I recently began a study of Romans for my own personal Bible Study and right in Romans 1 it talks about how God's character has been clearly seen in His creation.  I hope and pray that as we continue to observe all of the things around us in this beautiful part of the world that my children - and I!! - will be drawn into a deeper sense of reverence for our Saviour.

Family Reading #2

A few of the reads we've been enjoying in our household lately...

A photo from the archives - taken in when we were in Australia when Elizabeth was born in 2010! Michelle was 4-1/2 and James was not quite 2!

Picture Book Highlights
Interestingly enough, the most requested picture book among all of the kids lately has been from the pile of French books we brought home to our local library.  We have two different books about a little mouse family that we have read over and over again:  La famille Souris prépare le nouvel an (The Mouse Family Prepares for the New Year) and Une nouvelle maison pour la famille Souris (A New House for the Mouse Family), both by Kazuo Iwamura (and I believe translated into French from Japanese, interestingly enough.)  Michelle even wanted to do her copywork out of one of these this week...

Michelle's Reading (Age 6-1/2)
Michelle says the most interesting books she has read by herself in recent weeks have been Busy Times and More Busy Times, two of the second grade level readers in the Pathway Readers series.  May I commend these to you if you are looking for material for your early readers?  These are simple stories about the children in a large Amish family and often emphasize good character and 'reaping what we sow'.   And given that they are Michelle's pick of the week, you can see that she gives them a thumbs up too. =)  She is currently reading More Busy Times out loud to me, but often picks up both of these volumes for free reading as well.

Featured School Book
Our current book for character development studies is Missionary Stories with the Millers, and was also Michelle's pick for the "most interesting school book we read from this week."   We're only a couple of chapters in, but so far we are enjoying the stories of people who have trusted God with their very lives.  We've chosen to include missionary biographies as part of our character development studies because I personally find them encouraging and inspiring in my Christian life, and I hope that the kids will find them inspirational as well.  We read this once a week as our special read aloud on our 'project day'. 

Bedtime Read-Aloud
We are reading and loving Heidi right now.  Such a sweet story about God working all things together for good.  Highly recommended!

On Mama's Nightstand
Okay, if you didn't already think I was nerd enough for admitting I have been reading history for fun in the last book post, you will think I'm a nerd now when I admit I enjoyed reading Uncovering the Logic of English by Denise Eide.  It is part a description of what is wrong with reading instruction in the modern USA and therefore why there is a need for a greater understanding of phonics and spelling rules, and the rest a handy reference and explanation to how to use those rules, with lots of charts and such included.  Really, very interesting stuff, and useful to me as James is close to entering the beginning reading phase.  I expect it will be a very handy reference since I like to teach reading sort of organically rather than following a strict phonics curriculum. (But how I teach reading is a post for a whole other time.) You can read some quotes and comments from this book here if you are intrigued...

What we've Learned...26 June 2012

Okay, trying a quicker and easier way to check in with our school progress here. =)  Each week on our "Project Day", I will have the kids list out several of their accomplishments or things that interested them most in their previous week of school. =) Obviously this isn't everything we have done or worked on this week, but they are the things that made the biggest impression on them. =)  So, voila, the first edition....

What did you learn or do this week for school that was new or interesting for you?

Michelle, Age 6-1/2
1. Writing full sentences from dictation into my Spelling Book. (We finished Level 1 and started Level 2 of All About Spelling.)
2. Copying 2 whole sentences at a time of my version of the "Monkey and the Cat" into my copybook.  (She tells it to me orally, I write it down, and then she has been slowly copying it into her copybook.)
3. Doing Math Copywork.  (We are working on the +8 family.)
4. Reading and Acting out the first part of "Les Trois Petits Cochons"  (French version of "The Three Little Pigs")

Michelle's Illustration to go with her version of "The Monkey and the Cat"

Here is Michelle's narration (retelling in her own words) of the Aesop Fable "The Monkey and the Cat":

There was once a cat and a monkey who were great friends and always getting into mischief.  They were pets in the same house.  Once they were sitting by the fire and they saw some chesnuts cooking on the hearth.  The cat half-burned her paws trying to get them.  Each time the chestnut got into the monkey's reach, he gobbled it up. The cat was angry because she had no chestnuts.  The master scampered away and the cat and the monkey went away and stayed in two different houses.

James, Age 4
1. Letter E.  My favorite letter activitiy is cut and paste.

James showing off his wall of all the alphabet cut-and-pastes we have done so far. =)

Daybook: The "Thought I'd Check in Since it's Been Awhile" Edition

Outside my window:: Sunny and 81.  Gorgeous.  I want to say that summer has come to France to stay, but that might just be inviting a cold and rainy day tomorrow and we just couldn't have that, now could we?

Listening to:: Michelle sitting next to me, reading over my shoulder as a type. =)  But as for everyone else, they're all asleep.  Much needed Sunday afternoon naps all around.

Giving thanks for:: Warm sunny weather.  Funny things my kids say to make me smile on those days that I need to lighten up a little bit.  A husband who helps around the house.  Friends and fellowship...in French and in English.

Pondering:: Today our French church had a baptism.   This wasn't something tacked on to the end of a service, it was the service.  We started with singing, the lady who was being baptized shared her testimony, then we all drove up to the lake together where the baptism took place, and then returned to church to share a potluck supper together.  It was a full-on party.   And well it should be - when someone decides to testify publically to the work of salvation that Christ has done in their life and declare they want to follow Him with their whole hearts, there should be celebration.  I know for me, having been raised in the church, it is so easy to to take for granted the wonderful gift of salvation.  The baptism this morning was the latest in a string of reminders lately that He has brought me from darkness and death into New Life as well.  Thank you, Jesus.

Living the Educational Life:: School with the kids is plugging along well, as is my continuing appreciation for the methods laid out by Charlotte Mason, but you can read more about what we have been doing here and here and here. 

 Language school is plugging along well also.  I made it into Group 5 this month, which is the highest level class at our school right now.   I still have a long way to go, but I am making progress and feeling more comfortable interacting in French every day. I have also been able to get involved in a small-group tutoring session that meets each week and has been helpful as well....and there are a few other opportunities on the horizon, although we'll see how they all pan out.

Preparing in Kitchen:: So, last time I posted a daybook, I talked about the lunch menu that I had developed in response to the fact that lunch was just not working around here because my kids eat too much and we never had enough leftovers anymore  (and sandwiches are expensive - at least here - and boring.)  Okay, the ultimate irony of this?  Ever since I developed the plan, we've HAD ENOUGH LEFTOVERS TO EAT FOR LUNCH CONSISTENTLY.  Go figure.  That said, it has been nice to have a fall-back reference for the couple of times we've not had something available to eat.  So, I guess we'll keep it folks.

Following these links::  Very interesting article about language learning here from Multilingual Living.   Some good thoughts on Bible and devotions and whether or not to tackle them as 'school subjects' here from A Peaceful Day. I can often relate to the thoughts on transition that Renee shares over at FIMBY, and these posts on The New Normal is Flux and Grounding Practices were no exception.

Finding Rhythm:: Somedays it's as elusive as ever...but I have found a school rhythm that seems to be working for us.  Rather than scheduling a whole week off at a time, we're just taking days off here and there as we need them, based on what else is going on.  I keep track on a calendar how many days we've done to help avoid the temptation to take days off just because I've feeling lazy and not for any other good reason.  I have also scheduled in a 'project' day.  Each time we've finished a 'week' (meaning a  5 day cycle through all of our subjects), we take a day to do things like nature study, art, a 'field trip' or what have you - the stuff that tends to get left behind.   Michelle is also doing more and more independent work, so she has a checklist now of things that she can do on her own.  It has been so very helpful to have this laid out, rather than constantly having to tell her to do this or that.  We've been doing this for almost a month now and I'm really liking the flexibility.   I keep thinking I'm going to post on our schedule/routine, but it keeps changing on me.  Maybe someday I will...

Kiddos this week::
- Michelle at the church potluck today: "Mom, what is the [French] verb that means 'to drink' again?"   Not sure how she knew what a verb was....  
- James, last night as I tucked him in: "Mama, I want to give you a kiss!"  Immediately after said kiss: "OK, you can go away now."  Well then...
- Elizabeth apparently can count to 10, although she usually skips 8.  Always says 'merci' instead of thank you.  And has...drumroll please...made the transition to a big girl bed!

Praying::  For daily wisdom and strength as a Christian, wife, mother, homeschool teacher, and student.  That I would daily recognize my need to depend fully on Christ.  For continued progress in the French languge.

Planning the Week Ahead::  Besides all the normal stuff....Tuesday evening I am hosting some ladies for the first part of the All-Day Charlotte Mason Video seminar, Thursday evening headed to a friend's house for some time of ladies fellowship and to listen to the second part of a parenting seminar, and Friday evening hosting a meeting for all the aviation team heading to Africa with our organization next year.   Yup, this is why I'm an irregular blogger, folks.... 

Capturing a Moment::

All photos in this post: Family outing to see the Rose Gardens at one of the local parks.

How We Do....Preschool, Part 2

Did you read my first preschool post yet?   If you didn't, then go take a look at that first.  It explains my overall preschool philosophy and the first and most important things that I think preschoolers should be doing.  More important than what I will share in this post, actually.

Read it?  Good.  So let's move on...

The cheesy "I'm so excited" smile...

Disclaimer!
...but one more little disclaimer before we do. =)  Please know that this post is merely descriptive of what we are doing, not something that is meant to be prescriptive for all households.   Every child is going to be ready for doing number and letter activities at different ages...some will be younger and some will be older.  And that's totally normal and fine.  Please follow your child's lead with early learning activities.  If they are frustrated or uninterested in what you are presenting to them, then back off for awhile and try again later.  The preschool and early elementary years are primarily for developing a love of learning, so don't kill it by pushing your child too much or too soon. 

Also,  I have picked and chosen the activities to fit our needs among many of the free, printable preschool curriculum sets out there. I don't use any of the programs mentioned below in their entirety, nor do I recommend doing so. But I still mention them here as I find them good sources to pick and choose from when looking for actvities for preschoolers. Go ahead and browse these sites and see what you can find to meet the goals you have for your child!

Working with Sandpaper Letters and Vowel/Consonant Cards

Coming Up with a Plan
Before James and I started 'school', I thought through what skills he already had.  He knew all of the capital letters by sight, and about half of the lower case.   He had a fairly good sense of print awareness from all of the reading we had done together (here is an interesting article on how to help your child develop print awareness).  He knew basic shapes and colors, and could count up to at least 10 by rote.   He had better fine motor skills that you might expect from a not-quite-4-year-old boy. 
Based on that, I decided to focus our 'school time' on these areas:

•  Letter recognition, especially associating upper case and lower case letters with each other.
•  Phonemic Awareness - letter sounds/phongrams and activities to introduce the idea of blending sounds together
•  Tracing
•  Associating numbers with actual amounts

The Early Years Chart at SCM might give you some ideas of where to begin with your child if you're not sure where to start.   I also really like Ruth Beechick's book The Three R's (especially the Reading section) for ideas of how to begin teaching basic skills to young children.

Going on a Letter Hunt...

Letter Recognition
For correlating upper and lower case letters, we are using the Bottle Cap Letter Match cards from the Confessions of a Homeschooler Letter of the Week curriculum set.  I print the card with lower case (or upper case) letters, and give him the opposite type of letters to match up.   Each 'letter' set has a different card, the link here goes to the letter D.  You can find all of the Letter of the Week posts here with each individual activity available as a free download, or you purchase the complete set in a single download here.
We also use the Letter Hunt stories from Confessions of a Homeschooler.

We also have some things like a Lauri Foam puzzle set and a set of Montessori sandpaper letters that we play around with.

Letter Cut and Paste

Phonemic Awareness
As advised in Denise Eide's book The Logic of English, I am presenting James with all of the sounds that each letter can make right from the get go, rather than just the primary sounds.  So, rather than just telling him that 'a' just says 'a' like in apple, we talk about how it also says "ay" and "ah".   (You can listen to Denise Eide's talks on the Logic of English here (scroll down until you see Denise Eide) for free, or purchase her book Uncovering the Logic of English on Amazon, which explains all of the sounds, phonograms, and spelling rules in the English language. Fascinating stuff, at least if you are a nerd like me!)  We also play games to help James develop phonemic awareness - an auditory awareness of sounds and how they are put together.  There is a great list of ideas on the Logic of English website to give you an idea of what I mean.  We use a basic, Montessori-style 3 part lesson when introducing new letters and sounds.

We have also played around with some activities for matching initial sounds with the correct letter:
Vowel and Consonant Cards from Homeschool Creations
Alphabet Cut and Paste Sheets from Homeschool Creations
Phonics Worksheets, part of the Raising Rock Stars Kindergarten Curriculum from 1+1+1=1  (each letter set includes one of these worksheets)

Tracing

Tracing
For tracing, we use the Montessori sandpaper letters, as I already mentioned.  We are also using the "Getting Ready" worksheets which you can find as part of the Raising Rock Stars Preschool Curriculum sets on 1+1+1=1 (scroll down to download the set for each letter of the alphabet).  James also likes tracing the letters at the beginning of each row on the Phonics Worksheets linked above.

Numbers
For numbers practice, we use a set of homemade sandpaper numbers and the unit blocks from Michelle's Math U See curriculum (but any kind of counters will do).   I have also printed off a few of the counting games that are included in the Confessions of a Homeschooler Letter of the Week Curriculum linked above, just to mix things up and keep them fresh since we typically spend a week or two on the same set of numbers.  James knew most of his numbers by sight before we started, so we have primarily worked on matching quantities with the corresponding numeral, counting out various quanities, and one-to-one correspondence.  We started with just 0-3, and have gradually worked our way up adding a new number or two at a time, again following the basic Montessori 3 part lesson format.   I have debated starting him on Math U See's Primer level, but the verdict is still out on that one.   Mostly because I hate to BUY something when there is so much free stuff out there...

Every once and awhile we will use the Color and Shape/Following Directions sheets that are part of the Raising Rock Stars Kindergarten sets as well.

Matching numbers and amounts

Practical Considerations
I like to print off  about 5 'letters' worth of activities at a time so I am not having to constantly return to the printer.  I slip all of the printable sheets we use into page protectors and we use dry erase markers to complete them.  That way we can re-do them as many times as we want.  I keep all of his old sheets in a binder that he can choose to revisit if he is looking for something to do while I am working with Michelle. (All of my kids also seem to think it is way, way cool to use dry-erase markers on stuff!)

On a typical day, we 'work' for 15-20 minutes.  I choose 1 or 2 of the letter/alphabet activities and a math activity for us to do together.  We don't necessarily do work everyday, especially if he is engrossed in something else at the time.  And we always try to quit while we're ahead!  Certainly we stop if he is getting frustrated, but even better yet is to try to read his thoughts a little and quit for the day before he reaches that frustration point.

Anyhow, I hope this has been helpful!  Please feel free to ask if you have any other questions!