A Little About Me....

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Like many of you I am a busy mom...a SAHM. I certainly keep busy with my 101 hobbies. I plan to start preschool at home this fall with my daughter. I taught elementary school and have a Master's degree in Reading. I miss teaching, but look forward to homeschool.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Week #4 The Letter "D"

Instead of Charming, curly-haired, cutie...I have to say darling, dainty, doll baby!

It is "D" week.

I list my lesson plans here as a record for myself and to offer up ideas that you may want to try. But you must know that I do more than these activities with her. If I think of something that fits in our week I do it. Like last week we gathered up tons of stuff and took it to Goodwill. I told Katie about charity. I figured that was good use of a "C" word.

So let me start this weeks plans by saying there will be some dancing going on in our house this week.

Memory verse:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
(I cannot even express what that verse means to me. I love that the Lord is touching my heart through this too.)

Monday: Calendar math (morning) and Recipe donuts...yes donuts. I will post pictures!

Tuesday: Art: Drawing

Wednesday: Bible: David

Thursday: Language "d" words, beginning sounds and puzzle book

Friday: Science: oohh let's get dirty: dirt and digging!

I look forward to dancing, digging in dirt, making donuts, drawing, and daring to dream.

Life is a gift so enjoy each and everyday!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Mmmm.....Cake!

Today's cake making experience was interesting to say the least. We do in fact have a cake, but it was not any easy day. We had a lot of crying. Let's just say it was a small catastrophe. To start off Katie fell off the kitchen stool (landing on her feet-no injuries) and when she fell the plastic white bowl and the 3 uncracked eggs went with her. She looked at the eggs splattered on the floor and then at me. With confusion on her face I placed her on the couch and told her to watch her show while I cleaned up the mess. She then burst into tears and repeatedly told me that she was sorry. I was not upset with her at all. I just wanted to clean the mess. Poor kiddo! Then the cake bakes and Katie takes her nap. When she wakes up it is time to decorate the cake. I trim the top of the cake so it would be a nice flat surface. I let Katie eat some pieces of the cake "scraps". She was so happy. I saw her grab some more as I went to get a plate. When I looked back she had taken a fist full of cake out of the side of the cake! I guess I scared her, but I didn't mean to. I told her she was supposed to eat the cake on the plate...not grab the whole cake. Poor baby, she lost it again. With cake in her mouth she began sobbing. Again, I wasn't upset with her, but she knew that she did something wrong. I got her some cold milk and talked her down from her pitiful state. Then we decorated the cake. It turned out so cute! She was very proud of her cake and couldn't wait to show her daddy. Yay for cake!

Our cake mix....

Katie adding the mix to the bowl.....

Ta-da!
It was very colorful and yummy!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

"C" is for Cutie



We are ready for "C" week. I am thrilled at how well things are going for us in our homeschooling. Part of the reason it is going so well is because my little curly-haired cutie loves learning! So often she is learning something new and doesn't even realize it. She will be 3 next month (which I will not dwell on) but while she is two we are certainly taking it easy. I know there are kids that start reading when they are 2 or 3 years old and parents today want some kind of super genuis, but that is really not my intent. I will be thrilled if she is a good reader when she is ready for kindergarten. That would be an excellent start for any kid.


Pushing Katie hard now will only force her to grow up too fast. I want to cling to every day not rush her development. Many times you can't rush their development and that will only frustrate you as a parent. Kids will learn to read on their own time. It really won't matter if Suzy can read at 3 years old and Charlie starts to read at 6.


As a parent you need to decide what your child needs. If your child can read then by all means buy them books, but if they just want to play then let them play and be kids. This doesn't mean you never expose them to reading concepts. It is not necessary to get out the flashcards everyday and fret over learning each word now.


When I was teaching first grade, I was bombarded by parents who wanted to know what more they could do at home to help their kids in school. My answer was READ to them. Your child will learn new words, phrasing, concepts of print, story patterns (beginning-middle-end) and so much more just from hearing you read. You are modeling good reading skills. Next to reading I would say if you want your kids to excell in learning you should talk to them. I don't mean..."What do you want for breakfast? Which show do you want to watch?.....Make time to sit and talk to your kids. Take them for ice cream and talk. Go to the playground and instead of talking to your adult friend chase your kiddo, play, and talk with them.


Our Plans this week for the letter "C"
Memory Verse:
"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28


Monday: Recipe: Colorful Confetti (Funfetti) Cake and icing

Tuesday: Art: Collage

Wednesday: Bible: Creation

Thursday: Language: Make and take little "C" books and other "C" reading activities

Friday: Science: Colors-Mixing and making colors

What a fun week!! I added a few other ideas on the sidebar. Many of these concepts can be used with a variety of age ranges.