Coleman had to build a map or 3D model of his room. I suggested Legos (I think we have enough to spare...) and the boys (a general term here, that also includes my biggest boy, Jake) were off to become builders.
Here's the tour:
In case you haven't noticed, he's Jar Jar Binks. And I only remember that because I googled it!
This week was a mix of activities, whatever came along, we did!
I saw these Cars 2 activity pages at teachmama and thought the boys would enjoy them since we had just done the movie.
There was a number dot-to-dot, matching and a maze.
Later we played Zingo by Think Fun
Here's us in action:
Then because it's 4th of July weekend, I wanted to change out our learning board and learn about the good 'old USA! I got the printables from 1+1+1=1.
The board in progress... we still have to add our graphing activity.
The books we plan on reading tonight.
Chik-Fil-A's kids' meals came with these great little books about the different regions of the USA but they are no longer available.
We ended our week with a trip to a local chocolate factory and since it involves chocolate, needs its own post all its own. That is a 10 lb. bar of chocolate she is holding!
If you are looking for other ideas- check out the link up for the Smart Summer Challenge.
Have a blessed July 4th weekend!
Being a teacher, I know the importance of stopping the summer slide, or how kids brains start to fry up with too much TV watching or Wii playing. Not that we don't watch lots of that stuff over here, because believe me, with three kids and temperatures over 110, we do!
During the summer, I do like to focus on something educational each day. At least I try. These ladies have some great ideas for scheduling that- here and here. I think I'll make more of a list, that way if I notice the boys getting 'cabin fever' we can refer to the list for a new idea. Also, it will help me get out those toys and games I have put away.
Something I started early this summer (ours started end of May) was using this board to review basic skills like counting and sight words. The boys like it, especially when they get to use the pointer stick.
The thermometer he's coloring is not meant for Arizona- it stops at about 104, and on this particular day it was 106!
To the left I have a folder I keep activities the boys can choose from.
Coleman likes the Crack the Sight Word Code from The Moffatt Girls blog.
Window drawing has also been fun- here is there interpretation of Angry Birds.
As well as old fashioned big box fun.
If you want to join, check out the information on teachmama's blog. Check out what others are doing on the facebook page too! Meanwhile, I'll be sharing in this space the activities we're doing weekly.
{Carter is 46 months old}
Introducing the letter T:
With a little help from Daddy, Carter rolled out the letter T on the playdough mat.
All on his own at lunch, he made the letter T with toothpicks.
More creating...
Tracing...
Dobbing...
Matching...
The Big Trucks tot pack:
Reading...
Writing (tracing)...
Counting...
Truck play:
Current obsession :: garbage trucks
Big Trucks big puzzle...
Books Collection :: All Things That Go!
Our favorites:
Here is where you can buy them too! I also added some I should get, like the boat and sub ones!
{Carter is 45 months}
It was good to be back into our routine after all the holiday hoopla. I'm starting to transition Carter to more preschool activities because I think he is ready (at least some days!). Lately, he's been making letters with food, toys and just about anything else. However, I don't think I'll make the full jump until he turns four, which is in March. That will give me some time to prepare.
Theme for the month: Winter
I printed off W for the playdough mat. He was so excited because he was able to roll the dough and match it on there himself. I felt kind of weird not going in alphabet order (teacher OCDness) but I decided not to do a letter of the week until later anyway.
Of course, then we had to cut the playdough. He was making pieces for the birthday cake, can't you tell?
We played with this fabulous pattern block puzzle set from Melissa and Doug. This was the first time this was out, so I just let him play. The puzzles are simple so he was able to do these independently.
For our monthly bible verse, I suggested he outline the letters and he did!
Then we worked on some mazes.
Since the beginning of the year, I've seen a lot of growth fine motor and alphabet awareness. Back in August, I did this assessment with him and next week I'll do it again to see exactly how he's grown!
{Carter is 44 months old}
We continued to listen to our Christmas verse, Luke 2:11 on Songs for Saplings. I have to remember to print out the verse because I'm sure we're getting the lyrics wrong! Carter likes to sing only the chorus part... over and over again.
J is for Jesus Do-A-Dot art
Carter is really good at these now. I will have to print out some pages that have more dots on them.
Christmas Shapes
We played a finding the shape game.
ABC Tracing Book
Highlight of the week: He traced the letters of the ABC book all on his own! You can tell he was proud of himself. I didn't even have to prompt him to do the little 'a'.
Christmas Sensory Bin
He enjoyed the sensory bin. His favorite was ringing the bells and playing with the felt garland, inspired by Soule Mama's book. However, the felt garland came apart and Amelia was very busy trying to get all those tiny pieces in her mouth!
In the sensory bin:
Library
Took the dumptruck with us to library storytime to help us haul the movies and books.
And the tiny tot enjoyed storytime now that's she's sitting up!
Carter's snowman craft from the library. I'm counting that as the weekly craft!
Coming Up...
Lots of fun planned for next week:
{Carter is 43 months old}
In My Heart
We started the week with our memory verse about friends- A friend loves at all times Proverbs 17:17. Of course we sang it with our friend Adam.
Carter was making a road for his bus on the memory verse color paper.
Math
Worked on counting 1-5 but Carter was distracted by the mini pom poms. He quickly moved from this activity to using them with his dump truck.
He was sorting the erasers into matches.
This is all we did for the week due to crazy life going on- like my beautiful neice being born! Next week I hope to finish the Turkey Preschool Pack and do some Thanksgiving crafts.
{Carter is 43 months old}
Considering the fact that I had this post written but was erased my children, I will be short this week. Tot School only happened once this week due to my radiator in the van that needed to be fixed. Yes, it was one of those weeks.
We started our Thanksgiving theme this week, from 1+1+1=1. Carter is rolling out playdough for the letter T.
We made a runway for his jet.
Also, we had a little adventure going to the store, you can read about it here.
{Carter is 43 months old}
This week Coleman, my 5 year old stayed home sick for two days this week, but he wanted to join in on the school fun too.
Cutting
I have been hearing good things about the Kumon workbooks. We used one to help Coleman with his handwriting and he liked it. This one is the cutting one and Carter cut on the lines for the first time!
Fall Sensory Tub
Carter absolutely loves this activity but my vacuum does not like to suck up those noodles and beans! There is some macaroni, dried kidney beans, small plastic pumpkins/pumpkin ice tray (from Dollar Tree) and plastic leaves (on clearance from Micheal's).
Fine Motor
Do-a-dot letter C, for his name. I am trying to get him to recognize his name. Just recently he has been pointing out the letter 'g' to me. However, I have no idea how he knows this, he probably learned it from a TV show. Sigh. The good news is he was very purposeful in doing the dots- the last few times, he just went crazy with it.
Coleman is matching up upper and lowercase letters, I got this from Homeschool Creations.
Then he wanted to match up the color puzzles from 1+1+1=1.
Then, because the weather dipped down into the low 80's, we celebrated with a mug of goodness- chocolate milk that is!
{Carter is 43 months old}
Fall was definitely on my mind as we did Tot School this week.
Fine Motor
Using tongs to transfer pumpkins and acorns into pumpkin tray.
Stringing cars on the rope.
Painting on the door window with window chalk. I was trying to get everything ready and Carter decided he would start without me, which resulted in blue paint on the carpet. At least it matches the window.
Apple painting with brother.
Which resulted in this...
Do-a-Dot leaf painting. This time he was really focusing on dobbing (is that really a word?) the circles instead of painting with it.
Musical
We worked on our In My Heart memory verses, finishing with 'D', He will take great delight in you, Zephaniah 3:17 (I have to sing it in my head to write it down).
Carter is reviewing Keep me as the apple of your eye, but kept saying Keep the apple on my eye!
Carter loved singing songs about leaves. We sang Leaves are Falling from 1+1+1=1.
Being silly singing the 'tooty-ta' song at storytime at the library.
Imagination
Toy trains are still a big hit, he is driving the train by our hand painted station.
Fun Stuff
Got a little creative with the PB & J and cut it out with the bat cookie cutter. Worked well because none of us like to eat the crust!
A visit to a park. Most of the parks where we live have recycled tire bits for the floor. He was busy packing them in his lunch box.
Movie and popcorn with his buddy.
