Jesus' Precious Little Lambs

2013-2014

Bible Theme: I have Faith

Preschool Fun Themes: Easter and Gardening

Mother Study:

Books:

The Power of the Blood by H.A. Maxwell

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

A Family Guide to Biblical Holidays by Robin Sampson and Linda Pearce (Passover section)

Songs:

The Wonderful Cross

At the Cross

Nothing but the Blood/Hosanna

The Same Power

Movies:

The Passion of Christ

The Case for Christ (documentary)

The Prince of Egypt (Passover). Ok, go ahead and share this one with the kids.

Passover Story (you Tube Clip)

Special Dates:

April 14th-18th–NO SCHOOL Enjoy some extra time together this week preparing for and celebrating Easter!

SHARING What have you grown in a garden before? What do you like about gardening? What do you dislike? What would be in your dream garden?

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Favor for a Neighbor–We started this last month and will continue this month because its been wonderful. We find a neighbor who could use some help around the house or the yard, and go help them.

Bible Stories:

The Children’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos

Chapters 8-21 in NT, plus Easter Story in Chapters 41-56 during Easter week

Memory Verses:

Review previous verse: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me..” Galatians 2:20

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

New Verse: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” John 11:25-26

Classical Art Study:

Choose from hundreds of Garden Paintings found here.

Hymns:

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

MP3

Sheet Music Here

No Mp3 of this hymn available, so learn it beforehand using the link below, and then teach it to the children a cappella:

Faith is a Living Power from Heaven

Lyrics and tune

Poetry and Recitation:

From Christian Mother Goose

Handwriting:

The children will practice printing their memory verse and poem for the month of April.

Reading:

Materials:  printed scripture verse, loose letters, word cards for “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly like an eagle.”

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Proverbs 23:4-5 

Do not wear yourself out trying to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly like an eagle.

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Reading Lessons:
“Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly like an eagle.”

1. Write one word from the selection on the board

2. Discuss the word

3. Study it closely, then erase

4. Find the word card from a small pile of cards, then hide the card

5. Spell the word with loose letters (from memory if possible)

6. Find the word in the printed fable

7. Repeat steps 1-6 with each word

8. Do a review of all the words listed up on the board

Word Building Lessons (spelling):

Using loose letters, build words that rhyme with each of the words assigned for this month (ex: not–cot, dot, got, jot, let, pot, blot, plot, knot, trot, spot, etc.).

History Books:

Literature:

Place books on hold on your library’s website today, or order from an online bookstore, so they will be ready for you on time!

Math:

(Activities are from the Kathy Richardson books: Developing Math Concepts in Pre-Kindergarten and Developing Number Concepts)

Week 1  Sorting More or Less (p. 149)

Children will determine whether groups of objects have more or less than the group they are being compared to. String different numbers of beads on pieces of yarn and tie both ends off (or use any number set material like toothpick, button, or paper clip cards as mentioned in previous lesson plan posts). Provide one sheet of paper labeled “Less” and one sheet labeled “More”. Lay the sheets of paper side by side and choose one of the strings of beads to lay in between the sheets. Now the children will pick up strings of beads on at a time from a pile and compare whether its more or less than the chosen string. If it has more beads, it goes on the “More” sheet; if it has less beads, it goes on the “Less” sheet. If its the same, place it in between the sheets with the original string. Ask, “What have you found out so far?” and “Can you tell me which numbers are more/less than ____?

Week 2 Recording Designs and Creations (p.158)
Children will focus on shape and position by making a design and copying it. Have the children create a simple design with pattern blocks or tiles. Then have the children copy these designs by gluing down paper shapes that match the blocks (you can print “printable pattern block shapes from the internet” and cut them out before hand). The copying portion of the activity is important because reproduction requires children to pay close attention to the position of the blocks relative to each other and the number being used. Limit the number of blocks you give them if needed because it is easier for them to build than it is to copy.

Week 3 Counting Boards: Changing Numbers (p. 173)

Children will practice changing one number of objects to another. First, lay out several duplicate storyboards (several sheets of paper with a simple picture of a two lane road for example where unifix cubes represent cars driving down the road). Place a different number of “cars” driving down the road on each storyboard. Have children label each picture with the correct numeral (either write numbers on a small squares of paper or use numeral cards). Leave the cubes in place, and have children remove the number cards, mix them up, and put each in a different position than before. Now the cubes do not match their number labels. Children now adjust the number of cubes on the boards to match the newly placed numbers.

Family Traditions and Projects:

Plan and Plant a Garden

Then Write an Experience Story

“Today we planted a garden in our backyard with mommy and daddy. First, we planted a pumpkin behind the rosemary. Next, we planted planted peas in a large pot. Then we planted lettuce, carrots, radishes, corn, and onions in our raised garden bed. Finally, we made sure to water all our plants. We can’t wait to eat fresh vegetables from the garden!”

Planting a garden together is a perfect opportunity to use something called Language Experience Approach (LEA), or dictated stories. The language experience approach is a “whole language” approach that promotes reading and writing through the use of personal experiences and oral language. Beginning literacy learners relate their experiences to a teacher, who transcribes them. These transcriptions are then used as the basis for other reading and writing activities. Through LEA the teacher is able to demonstrate important concepts about print such as: starting on the left side of the page, capitalizing proper nouns and at the beginning of a sentence, spaces in between words, punctuation at the end, how to proceed to the next line on lined paper, etc.

LEA is something useful I learned in my teaching credential program, and is very compatible with Charlotte Mason methods as it treats language as a “whole” experience. Teaching language arts as a whole means that speaking, listening, reading, writing are taught all together in a natural and meaningful way, and lessons to teach skills and mechanics of language are not taught separately because this takes them out of context, thus losing their meaning. Since LEA develops literacy through whole language, it develops literacy with the whole learner in mind. Real people love to read and write for real purposes. (FYI, learning parts of language out of a workbook is the exact opposite of whole language methods)

So to do LEA, make a shared memorable experience together, such as planting a garden, then sit down and have children all contribute to retelling the experience while you write down their words in large print that everyone can see (like chart paper or a blackboard). You may help provide the framework such as a topic sentence and transitional words such as first, next, then, after, and last. You can help provide correct grammar without totally changing the children’s story. Read your story, re-read it, revise it, make a book out of it, share it, journal it, or write it down in a memory/scrap book……..do you see all the purpose and the meaning?!

This activity is very beneficial because the children will see how the writing process works from beginning to end, they will also get reading practice as you all read and re-read the story together, and beginners enjoy the activity because it uses a topic of high personal interest and familiarity. Plus, teamwork gets the story done which makes it easy and fun for brand new writers.

Plan a Botanical Playhouse/Teepee

We did zero soil prep last year and so we got one vine instead of a bunch. I think we shall try again!

Paint Rocks to Make Cute Vegetable Garden Markers. Make sure to spray varnish each side at least 5 times or colors will disappear rapidly! One year we varnished a painted rock project only once or twice and the paint washed off in no time.

Plant and Paint Sunflowers–We do a ‘Directed Painting’ every year (As I paint on my paper and talk the kids through, they try to copy)

Repentance Box

Anne Voskamp: “As the day rolls out, and snags here and there, we find ourselves, Mama and Dad, big kids and little, taking a moment to confess our sins on small cards, slipping them into our box of repentances.

In this practice we are experiencing it afresh: Confessing sins is a cleansing, emancipating grace.

Come Easter morning, we’ll burn up our cards of sins confessed.

Because they are, astoundingly, no more, because of Christ who did it all.

And we’ll walk home with an empty box of repentance, giving thanks that He has written our names, not our sins, in His book of remembrance.”

Dye Eggs–We love to use food coloring and vinegar instead of buying egg dying kits because the colors turn out brighter.

We love doing Easter Garden Baskets!! Here are two very different ones we have done the last two years. The basket with succulents definitely worked out the best as far as longevity for us, but both types of plants made for beautiful baskets. Idea from A Holy Experience.

Cross Necklaces made out of Sculpey Clay, beads pressed in, and baked.

Doing a Passover Meal is truly awesome. I recommend looking into doing this with your family! The book Biblical Holidays is so great, and will help you with everything you need to know.

Ressurection Eggs and egg hunts are so fun. Tayler was the one to find the egg with the cross inside two years in a row.

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At the Foot of the Cross Build a cross in your garden. Sit at the cross, run to the cross daily as needed, allow your flesh to be crucified. Nail your sins to the cross, worship, meditate on the meaning of Easter/Passover, and be still before Him.

Paper Mache Eggs Fill with goodies!

Nature Study:

Find a pond and study the frog life cycle.

2013-2014

Bible Theme: I am Helpful (a servant, hard working, obedient) 

Take a look at these tiny helpers from 2012 when we just started preschool here! Awwww. It is so special to be on our third year of school and see how much the kids have grown in each of our 12 monthly themes.

Preschool Fun Theme: Spring has Sprung

Mother Study:

Goodness gracious I am loving this series about giving called ‘The Blessed Life” at our church, The Father’s House. The sermon last Sunday was called The Faithful Steward. I would love for it to encourage you to reflect on the state of your own stewardship/giving as you are exemplifying the “helper” in your home this month.

Love these relevant Little Lambs posts from last March:

• Habit Training at My House/Helper Assessment
• Smooth and Easy Days with Our Children

Special Dates:

SHARING Who can you help? What can you help with? Share memorials of God’s goodness (pictures of our children being helpers throughout the years).

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Favor for a Neighbor–Find a neighbor who could use some help around the house or the yard, and go help them.

Bible Stories:

(The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos)

Week 1 Chapters 96-99

Week 2 Chapters 100-103

Week 3 Chapters 104-107

Week 4 Chapters 108-110 & 6-7 (in NT section)

Memory Verse:

Review prior verse: “Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1

New Verse:

“Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.” Proverbs 13:13

Classical Art Study:

We are reviewing our favorite images from the 2013 Metropolitan Museum of Art Day by Day Calendar right now.

Hymn:

Print out the sheet music each month, put in a binder and voila! A hymnal!

Trust and Obey

Poetry and Recitation:

Literature:

Math:

(Activities are from the book Developing Number Concepts by Kathy Richardson)

Week 1 Tell Me Fast (p. 42)

Hold up a dot card and have the child take the number of counters they think they would need to cover the dots on the card. Then place counters on dots while counting to check. Repeat with other dot cards and aim for eventual instant recognition of quantities to ten.

Week 2 Make a Train Race (p.115)
Two partners race to finish a 30 cube “train”. Take turns rolling a dot cube (dice) and adding cubes until someone reaches 30 cubes.

Week 3 Sorting Shape Puzzles (p. 68)

Make a 1-10 number line out of a long piece of paper (or papers put together) and have children sort shape puzzles (like the ones mentioned in last month’s lesson plans) under the correct number on the number line. With this activity they will see the variations of shape that go with each number.

Week 4 Graph and See (p. 152)

Make a simple graph out of unifix cubes to display data that the children collect themselves. Have them ask a small group of people a question and record their answers. Two category graphs might be enough for a first graph experience. Record peoples answers to a question like, “do you prefer apples or oranges?,” then stack unifix cubes to match the data, and use small cards to label the stacks “apples” and “oranges.” (could use this activity as an icebreaker to meet new neighbors while out on a walk)

Group Projects:

Learn how to use creative, Bible based discipline ideas, and the truth of scripture (including this month’s memory verse) will sink way down deep into your child’s heart

Object lessons/creative discipline that teaches the scriptural principles of rewards for obedience and punishment for disobedience:

Example Rewards for Obedience (with corresponding Scriptures to talk about):

• Wear a special crown or string beads to make a shiny necklace (Proverbs 1:9–graceful ornament on head…)
• Stay up late one night, skip nap, or play longer (Exodus 20:12–days will be long)
• Give your child a tree to plant and care for with a sign displaying Psalms 1:3 (Psalms 1:3–will be like a tree, will flourish)
• Give your child more responsibility, honor, and privilege. Put him in charge. (Matthew 25:20-23–faithful in little, ruler over many things; Matthew 5:19–great in the kingdom of God)

Example Punishments for Disobedience (with corresponding scriptures to talk about):

• Pull weeds out of the garden (Proverbs 2:22–Cut off from the earth, uprooted)
• Deny requests, do not allow child to participate in a planned event (Proverbs 10:28–Expectation will perish)
• Place the disobedient child under the authority of an obedient child while performing a job (Proverbs 17:2–Will be ruled by wise servant)
• Temporarily isolate the child from other children (2 Thessalonians 3:6–Withdraw from the disorderly)

*For thousands more scriptural ways to praise and encourage an obedient child, and for suggestions on how to punish specific sins accordingly, buy the book For Instruction in Righteousness: A topical Reference Guide for Biblical Child Training!!!

Make A Beautiful Spring Tree (on canvas for the wall?)

Little Red Hen Craft

My Favorite Craft Project from Last Spring

Check out this link for housekeeping habit ideas for you and the kids! Solid habits help with the daily homeschool/housekeeping juggle for sure. Habit training is a very important part of homeschool.

Kids are happiest when they are doing things for others

Learning to Be a Servant Starts at Home–Teach Little Ones to Serve their Family by Doing Chores (Service Opportunities)

Make or Buy a Service Opportunities Chart:

Which sounds better to you – a household task or a chance to help? When I think of chore I think of Eeyore, hanging his head down because he has to rebuild his house of sticks, again. However, in service, we can choose to find freedom. The Bible urges us to serve one another in Galatians 5:13:

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom…

(habitsforahappyhome.com)

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Consider/Reconsider the Big Question of Allowance

Why or why not? How much? Given for what types of jobs? How much should be saved? How much should be spent?

Consider purchasing the book Stewardship Street to help you decide if you should set up a system of monetary rewards for special jobs well done. With service opportunities (chores), kids learn to be good employees, and with allowance, kids can learn to be faithful stewards of their earnings. Not all chores need to be paid–like brushing teeth, doing own dishes, cleaning one’s room, etc. because cleaning up after yourself is expected. Plus, some jobs can be done simply for the sake of serving without expecting any thing in return. Other jobs can be paid so that kids can learn stewardship. I think the learning potential here is huge–its time to pray about paying the kids for some household jobs here!

The book Stewardship Street wisely suggests teaching children ages 4 and up to divide their earnings into these seven categories:

• Charity
• Tithe
• Living expenses
• Discretionary spending
• Short-term savings
• Long-term savings
• Dowry

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Help Your Kids Find Ways to Serve In Your Neighborhood 

Offer to help out your elderly neighbors, do some yard work, or let them just enjoy the joyful company of your children.

Nature Study:

Look for signs of spring and get back out to your favorite nature study places!

2013-2014

I invite you to join our Jesus’ Precious Little Lambs school by following along with our lesson plans at home! You are welcome to homeschool with us! Please take a look at Welcome Back to School & Fabulous Fours and Fives for a basic explanation of each area of study that you see here in this monthly lesson plan (bold blue headings), as well as a description of the beauty of Charlotte Mason education methods. To preview our monthly themes planned for the year, also see our 2013 masterplan. If you would like to call your school Little Lambs as well, see my post Founding Message of Jesus’ Precious Little Lambs, a sweet Bible lesson I presented during one of our very first circle times that you might want to use with your kids too!

Bible Theme: I am Courageous

Preschool Fun Theme: Community Helpers (heroes)

Mother Study:

Before teaching your children, enrich yourself on how to “Be of good courage” with Charles Spurgeon’s sermon: The Cure for a Weak Heart.

Special Dates:

Police Station Field Trip! 

Bible Stories:

Week 1 Genesis 23, 24, 25, 27

The Child’s Story Bible chapters 17-19

Week 2 Genesis 27-33, 35

The Child’s Story Bible chapters 20-23

Week 3 Genesis 37, 39, 40, 41, 42

The Child’s Story Bible chapters 24-27

Week 4 Genesis 43-50

The Child’s Story Bible pages 28-31

Week 5 Exodus 1-5, 7-11

The Child’s Story Bible chapters 32-34

Memory Verse:

Review last years verse: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Learn new verse: “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. ” Psalms 31:24

Classical Art Study:

Rebekah at the Well

Esau Sells Jacob His Birthright

Isac Blessing Jacob

Jacob Wrestling with The Angel

Hymn:

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

sheet music    MP3

Poetry for memorization:

The 1st verse of “Try Again”, by William Hickson, 1803-1870

‘Tis a lesson you should heed–
Try again;
If at first you don’t succeed,
Try again.
Then your courage should appear;
For if you will persevere,
You will conquer, never fear,
Try again.

Handwriting:

The children will practice printing:

“(Child’s Name) is a (whatever they want to be when they grow up)“

and various words from the reading lessons below.

Reading:

Materials:  printed poem, word cards for lines 3 and 4 of the poem, loose letters                 

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                   Rain 

by Robert Louis Stevenson

“The rain is falling all around

It falls on field and tree,

It rains on the umbrellas here,

And on the ships at sea.”

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Reading Lessons:

1. Write one word from the poem on the board

2. Discuss the word

3. Study it closely, then erase

4. Find the word card from a small pile of cards, then hide the card

5. Spell the word with loose letters (from memory if possible)

6. Find the word in the printed poem

7. Repeat steps 1-6 with each word

8. Do a review of all the words listed up on the board

Word Building Lessons (spelling):

Using loose letters, build words that rhyme with each of the words in the 3rd and 4th lines of the poem (ex: at—hat, mat, fat, sat, chat, splat, etc.).

History Books:

Literature:

Math:

(Activities are from the book Developing Number Concepts by Kathy Richardson)

After completing each of the following lessons, and the children feel comfortable with them, make the materials available during independent work time for the children to practice the activities on their own.

Week 1  Copy a Design Made on a Geoboard

Week 2 Grow and Shrink (p. 35)

Materials: Counters, dot cubes (dice, or make your own) or numeral cubes (make your own) with quantities at your child’s level (1-6 or 4-9 or 7-12 for example). Lesson: Name a number and have children put out that many counters. Name another number and have children show that number. Continue naming numbers and notice how the children approach the task. Do they remove all the counters every time or do they add (or take off) just the amount they need? Say, “Do you think we need to get some more or take some off to make the number?”, but do not teach them how to add and take away counters. Simply observe their level of thinking. Extension: Have children roll a dot cube to practice recognizing quantities, or a number cube to practice recognizing numerals.

Week 3 Arrangement Patterns (p. 107)

Materials: Unifx cubes and pattern task cards made by drawing squares in different arrangments. Lesson: Children choose a task card, copy the pattern with the unifix cubes, and then extend the pattern. Children will learn that patterns are not just in straight lines.

Week 4 Is it More or Less? (p. 146)

Materials: Unifix cubes. Lesson: Have children build several trains of specified lengths (all under ten). Say, “Show me a train that has more than six. Show me a train that has less than six.” State the relationship together: “Four is less than six, six is more than four.” Repeat with trains of various lengths. Extension: Decide how many more or how many less one train has than the other. “What can we do to the red train to make it just as long as the blue train?” is easier than “How many more cubes does the red train have than the blue train?” Choose the wording your children are ready for.

Week 5 Stacks

Materials: Unifix cubes Lesson: You and the children each make a stack of 10 to 12 cubes and then hide the stacks behind your backs. Say, “Stacks,” and then everyone breaks off part of their stack and places it in front of them. Each child compares their stack to yours announcing something like, “Two is less than three” or “Five is more than three”. Ask, “What can we do to make these two stacks the same?” or “How many more cubes does your stack have than mine?” (Five cubes is 2 more than 3) depending on what language each child is ready for.

Fun Group Projects:

Set up a Community with Melissa and Doug’s town Blocks

Create a Neighborhood Map

Use creative thinking, problem solving and spatial awareness skills to make a simple map of your neighborhood.

Take a walk together around the neighborhood.  Look carefully at the houses closest to yours. Then notice important roads / streets and other landmarks nearby. When you come back inside, draw a rough draft map of your neighborhood using your child’s observations and then mark where you took a walk with a red marker. Explain that together you are going to make the same neighborhood “map” out of paper or blocks. You could use blocks, colored or masking tape, construction paper and trashable materials such as tubes, egg cartons, small boxes and containers to make a 3-D map. Provide children with construction paper and tape and help them make a “floor” for the map. Use tape to make the roads / streets, green paper for yards and parks etc. Next talk about whose houses/buildings to include. This works best when you start with your house and then move to houses further away. This can be done over a process of time as your little one notices more and more on each walk. Keep in mind that accuracy is not the most important thing. The process young children work through is the key. Youngsters learn from the cooperative experience of interpreting real life into block forms.

Five Little Firemen Handprints

Reach Out to Your Community by Passing Out Pumpkins to the Neighbors

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Visit a fire station or police department or other community helper’s place of work.

Do a “Thank You Firefighters/Police/etc.” Cooking Project and Deliver the Goodies

Make a Crayon Resist Fall Leaf Watercolor

Collect Signs of Fall and Make a Collage or Do Leaf Rubbings with Crayons

Make a Paper Bag Pumpkin

Make Crayon Drip Pumpkins

Nature Study:

Be Awed by God’s Seasonal Handiwork and Spend Time Enjoying the Autumn Leaves!

All good things are inspired by God! We share freely here to be a blessing to you with all that He has given us. Thank you for sharing what you have been given with others too. “Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8

2013-2014

We are excited that school is about to start in just a few short weeks! We may not be following these September plans very closely since we will be adjusting to life with a new baby, but I typed them up anyway and hopefully they will be helpful to you. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers, and I will be praying that your heart is stirring with expectation of wonderful things to come this school year.

I invite you to join our Jesus’ Precious Little Lambs school by following along with our lesson plans at home! You are welcome to homeschool with us! Please take a look at Welcome Back to School & Fabulous Fours and Fives for a basic explanation of each area of study that you see here in this monthly lesson plan (bold blue headings), as well as a description of the beauty of Charlotte Mason education methods. To preview our monthly themes planned for the year, also see our 2013 masterplan. If you would like to call your school Little Lambs as well, see my post Founding Message of Jesus’ Precious Little Lambs, a sweet Bible lesson I presented during one of our very first circle times that you might want to use with your kids too!

Bible Theme: I am a Child of God (special, one of a kind, precious in God’s sight)

Preschool Fun Theme: All About Me (name, family, favorite things, gifts and talents, accomplishments, special memories)

Mother Study:

Before teaching your children, enrich yourself on your inheritance as a child of God with Charles Spurgeon’s sermon: The Sons of God.

Special Dates:

Welcome baby! Noah and Faith are having a new baby brother or sister mid-September.

Bible Stories:

Week 1 Genesis 1-2

The Child’s Story Bible pages 1-6

Week 2 Genesis 3-4

The Child’s Story Bible pages 7-11

Week 3 Genesis 5-8 & 10-11

The Child’s Story Bible pages 12-20

Week 4 Genesis 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22

The Child’s Story Bible pages 21-27

Memory Verse:

Review last years verse: “I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. ” Psalms 139:14

Learn new verse: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. ” Jeremiah 1:5

Classical Art Study:

Paradise

Fall of Man

Noah’s Ark

Tower of Babel

The Sacrifice of Isaac

Hymn:

All Creatures of Our God and King

sheet music    MP3

Song:

He Knows My Name

MP3

Poetry for memorization:

(from The Christian Mother Goose Big Book)

Handwriting:

The children will practice printing:

“(Child’s Name) is a child of God”

and various words from the reading lessons below.

Reading:

Materials:  printed poem, word cards for each of the following words, loose letters                 

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                   Rain

“The rain is falling all around

It falls on tree and field”…….

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Reading Lessons:

1. Write one word from the poem on the board

2. Discuss the word

3. Study it closely, then erase

4. Find the word card from a small pile of cards, then hide the card

5. Spell the word with loose letters (from memory if possible)

6. Find the word in the printed poem

7. Repeat steps 1-6 with each word

8. Do a review of all the words listed up on the board

Word Building Lessons (spelling):

Using loose letters, build words that rhyme with each of the words in the 1st two lines of the poem (ex: rain–Cain, stain, plain, train, gain).

History Books:

Literature:

Math:

(Activities are from the book Developing Number Concepts by Kathy Richardson)

After completing each of the following lessons, and the children feel comfortable with them, make the materials available during independent work time for the children to practice the activities on their own.

Week 1  Counting Stories (p. 30)

Materials: Counters and Storyboards or blank paper. Lesson: Tell number stories and have the children act them out using some counters as objects in the stories. Children place the counters on a storyboard that represents the setting for the story. Pass out storyboards–paper with a simple picture of a two lane road for example. Say, “Four trucks are driving down the road. Two cars pass them. Count the trucks and cars.” Children place counters on the storyboard and add them up. Extensions: Have children make up their own counting stories. Write the numerals on a small chalkboard as you say them so the children can learn to associate numerals with the amounts they represent (or don’t say the number as you write it if children are familiar with numerals). Or have children write their own numerals (placing counters right on top of the chalkboard).

Week 2 Creations (p. 33)

Materials: Unifix cubes, creation cards. Lesson: Create a model out of unifix cubes (resembling a simple animal for example), or use the provided creation cards in the book. Have children build a matching creation exactly as shown by the model or creation card, and without laying it on top of the model or card. Extension: Have children record the number of cubes they used to build each creation (writing or numeral card).

Week 3 Rhythmic Patterns (p. 90 & 95)

Materials: Unifx cubes. Lesson: Have children copy a rhythmic pattern you make up like ‘Nod, nod, clap; nod, nod, clap…..’. Labeling the parts of the rhythmic pattern aloud using letters can be helpful (A, A, B; A, A, B……) Have the children make the ‘Nod, nod, clap’ pattern with unifix cubes. Say the cube pattern the children chose with both colors (green, green, yellow; green, green, yellow……) and letters (A, A, B; A, A, B……). Extension: Make sure children are also exposed to other patterns such as ABC, AABB, ABB, etc.

Week 4 Is it More or Less? (p. 146)

Materials: Unifix cubes. Lesson: Have children build several trains of specified lengths (all under ten). Say, “Show me a train that has more than six. Show me a train that has less than six.” State the relationship together: “Four is less than six, six is more than four.” Repeat with trains of various lengths. Extension: Decide how many more or how many less one train has than the other. “What can we do to the red train to make it just as long as the blue train?” is easier than “How many more cubes does the red train have than the blue train?” Choose the wording your children are ready for.

Fun Group Projects:

Read this poem and then make footprint and handprint art.

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Make an “All About Me” book. Or “My Life” or “I am a Child of God” or “God Knows All About Me” or “God Loves Everything About Me”. Include narrations with photos of: me as a baby, me growing up, what I look like now, my fingerprints, my footprints, my family, my school, my friends, my favorite _________, my house, my room, my neighborhood, things I am good at, my scripture promise, etc. Could be child narrated or written together in simple language. Use the book as a reader for your child.

Paint or Draw Self Portraits

Make a fun inexpensive dollhouse that resembles your own house and create dolls that represent each of your family members.

Or make a playhouse out of a cardboard appliance box (you can get them for free at an appliance store).

Or make paper bag houses. You can review shapes if you supply lots of different shapes to glue on the houses. Also learn your address (print it on the house).

Measure (with measuring tape and/or stacking and counting unifix cubes), weigh, and compare body measurements and sizes. 

Trace bodies on sidewalk with sidewalk chalk. Add clothes and features using sidewalk chalk or homemade sidewalk paint.

Nature Study:

Go on a Tarantula Trek on Mount Diablo. And go play outdoors before the chilly weather comes!

All good things are inspired by God! We share freely here to be a blessing to you with all that He has given us. Thank you for sharing what you have been given with others too. “Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8

2012-2013

Bible Theme: I have Joy

Preschool Fun Theme: Bugs and Butterflies

Mother Study:

Before teaching your children, enrich yourself on the topic of Biblical joy with Charles Spurgeon’s sermon: The Joy of the Lord, the Strength of His People

Special Dates:

May 7th–Mother’s Day Tea Party We will celebrate moms and grandmas today with a frilly tea party. (See last years ideas for planning your own party)

Bible Stories:

Week 1 Joy Comes as a Result of Faith (1 Peter 1:3-9 –mom look over New Life Version for a simple way to explain, but present King James Version to children for literary value)

Week 2 Psalms 100, & spend some extra time singing and dancing

Week 3 Paul and Silas (Acts 16)

Week 4 Heaven (Revelation 21–22)

Memory Verse:

Review last years verse: “My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise Him. ” Psalms 28:7

Learn new verse: “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Classical Art Study:

Choose from hundreds of Mother and Child Paintings here.

The Young Mother by Mary Cassatt, 1900

Hymns:

To God Be the Glory

MP3   Sheet Music

Come Now Fount

MP3 and Sheet Music

Poetry for memorization:

Select favorite verses from Jane Taylor’s poem:

My Mother

Who fed me from her gentle breast,
And hush’d me in her arms to rest,
And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?
My Mother.

When sleep forsook my open eye,
Who was it sung sweet hushaby,
And rock’d me that I should not cry?
My Mother.

Who sat and watched my infant head,
When sleeping in my cradle bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed?
My Mother.

When pain and sickness made me cry,
Who gazed upon my heavy eye,
And wept for fear that I should die?
My Mother.

Who dress’d my doll in clothes so gay,
And taught me pretty how to play.
And minded all I had to say?
My Mother.

Who taught my infant lips to pray,
And love God’s holy book and day.
And walk in Wisdom’s pleasant way?
My Mother.

And can I ever cease to be
Affectionate and kind to thee,
Who was so very kind to me?
My Mother

Ah, no! the thought I cannot bear;
And if God please my life to spare,
I hope I shall reward thy care,
My Mother.

Who ran to help me when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My Mother.

When thou art feeble, old, and gray,
My healthy arm shall be thy stay,
And I will soothe thy pains away.
My Mother.

And when I see thee hang thy head,
‘Twill be my turn to watch thy bed.
And tears of sweet affection shed,
My Mother.

Handwriting:

The children will practice printing:

mother

Word Building:

Use lowercase letters to build:

Week 1 mom

Week 2 bug

Week 3 grub

Week 4 ant

Extension: After building the assigned words, select other beginning consonant letters that form a new word from the same word ending (this can be done by the child or the teacher). For example, you could lay out letters b, c, f, m, p, r, s, to choose from and then have children make new words by taking off the h in hat and replacing it with a new consonant. However, half the fun for the kids is finding the initial consonants that form new words for themselves, so I have my kids try letters one by one to find new words through trial and error. Either way, have the children sound out their new word and announce what word they built. The children will see that many words can be built from the same word endings ( word endings being –om, –ug, –ub, –ant). See Welcome Back to School post for more Word Building information.

Provide real objects or pictures to represent the word of the week during your word building lesson if you want.

Literature and Reference Books:

Place books on hold on your library’s website today, or order from an online bookstore, so they will be ready for you on time!

Insect fables, like The Grasshopper and the Ants, in:

Math:

(Activities are from the book Developing Math Concepts in Pre-Kindergarten)

Week 1  Patterning (p. 151)

Object: to copy and extend patterns. Provide several unifix cube patterns (trains) and have the children choose one that they feel comfortable extending the pattern (by building onto the provided pattern). Ask the children to tell you/show you their pattern. Extension: have the children make up their own pattern train. What is the level of complexity of the patterns the child is able to work with? Do the children simplify the pattern and always make an AB pattern?

Week 2 Sorting Number Sets (p.144)

Object: To count and place number set materials in the correct sections of a number line, and to notice how the same number can be represented in many different ways. Make number set cards (like the toothpick set pictured in my December lesson plan) with varying objects such as buttons, paper clips, bread tags, beads on bracelets, beads strung on yarn, objects glued on popsicle sticks. Make two number lines: lay out two long pieces of butcher paper, each marked off into five sections labeled with numerals 1-5 and 6-10 (and corresponding number of dots next to each numeral). You can use one number line at a time to make the activity easier. After the children have placed several cards in one section on the number line, say, “Let’s check and see if all these are fours, sixes, threes (and so on).” Extension: If children are ready, have them sort the number set materials and put them in order without using the paper strip. Do children notice that the numbers get bigger to the right and smaller to the left, or do they search randomly for where to put their card? Are they comfortable choosing small numbers or big numbers? Are they able to sort the small numbers quickly? Do they need to recount the dots on the paper strip before placing their card? Are they accurate? Do they check and recheck to make sure they counted right?

Week 3 Matching (p.146)

Object: To practice making two sets of the same number of objects, either by using one-to-one correspondence or by counting. Use the same number set cards used in the previous “Sorting Number Sets” lesson. Provide collections of various items (buttons, keys, nuts and blots, etc) and several sheets of construction paper. Have the child choose one of the number set cards. Then, have the children use the collections and construction paper (like a mat) to build a set that has the same number as the card. What size numbers can thhe work with? Do they copy the arrangement?

Week 4 More or Less (p. 148)

Object: To compare a group of objects to determine which group has more and which has less. This is a game that can be played by two children, or you and a child. Use the number set cards from the two previous lessons, and create a More/Less spinner (use a spinner you already own, cover one half with paper labeled “More” and one half with paper labeled “Less”). Have each partner draw a card out of the pile of number set cards. One partner spins the More/Less spinner. If it lands on “More,” the partner whose card has more wins and takes both cards. If it lands on “Less,” the partner whose card has less on it wins and takes both cards. Play continues until they run out of cards. Are the children able to tell immediately which is more or which is less, or do they need to count?

Group Projects:

Craft a tea party invitation.

Paint your own Bug Barn–Only $3.75 at Rainbow Resource!

Order a ‘Grow Your Own Butterflies’ Kit

Raise a Snail Family

Dig for Worms and then Make a Worm Farm

Make a Buggy Snack

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Listen to Relaxing Sounds of Insects

Have some end of the year fun making Sharpie Tye Dye T-shirts!

Nature Study:

Catch and Study Your Own Bugs

Field Guides, The Handbook of Nature Study, and the website whatsthatbug.com can help you with insect identification.

The scriptures say that God reveals Himself in the Word, in the conscience, and in creation. Therefore, just as studying the Bible reveals truths of God to your children, so does studying nature! Most Christian families would never omit Bible study, but how many Christian families are missing out on the enjoyment and theological significance of studying nature?

Go enjoy nature with your children this month!

All good things are inspired by God! We share freely here to be a blessing to you with all that He has given us. Thank you for sharing what you have been given with others too. “Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8

2012-2013

Bible Theme: I have faith

Preschool Fun Theme: Gardening

Bible Stories:

Week 1 Hebrews Chapter 11, Parable of the Mustard Seed (Luke 13:18-189)

Week 2 Jesus Feeding the 5,000

Week 3 Jesus Walking on Water

Week 4 Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego

Memory Verse:

Review last years verse: If you have faith as small as mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20

Learn new verse: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (Charlotte Mason used KJV, and we try to use it because it teaches literary language and vocabulary)

In other words: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Classical Art Study:

Choose from hundreds of Garden Paintings here.

In the Garden by Claude Monet, 1895

Hymn:

No Mp3 of this hymn available, so learn it beforehand using the link below, and then teach it to the children a cappella.

Faith is a Living Power from Heaven

Lyrics and tune

Poetry for memorization:

Annie’s Garden from a Child’s Book of Poems by Gyo Fujikawa

(by the way, mignonette is pronounced min-yə-ˈnet, and means ‘any genus of herbs’)

Handwriting:

The children will practice printing:

garden

Word Building:

Use lowercase letters to build:

Week 1 hat

Week 2 sun

Week 3 mud

Week 4 wet

Extension: After building the assigned words, select other beginning consonant letters that form a new word from the same word ending (this can be done by the child or the teacher). For example, lay out letters b, c, f, m, p, r, s, to choose from and then have children make new words by taking off the h in hat and replacing it with a new consonant. Have the children sound out their new word and announce what word they built. The children will see that many words can be built from the same word endings ( word endings being –at, –un, –ud, –et). See Welcome Back to School post for more Word Building information.

Provide real objects or pictures during your word building lesson if you want.

Literature and Reference Books:

Place books on hold on your library’s website today, or order from an online bookstore, so they will be ready for you on time!

Math:

(Activities are from the book Developing Math Concepts in Pre-Kindergarten)

Week 1  Measuring with Strings (p. 97)

Object: Children will be introduced to the idea of a measuring tool. Have the children use a length of string to find objects that are the same length, longer, or shorter than the string. Since we previously practiced measuring things around the room with our arms to find objects that are “the same as me”, ask, “Is it easier to measure with your arm or a string?” Do the children try measuring things that seem unlikely to be the length they are looking for or are they discriminating, measuring only those things that are fairly close to the length of their string? How close do the children need to get to an object before they can tell if they have found something that might be the same length?

Week 2 Can You Find It? (p.122)
Make number set cards (like the toothpick set pictured in my December lesson plan) with varying objects such as buttons, paper clips, bread tags, or beads on bracelets, beads strung on yarn, objects glued on popsicle sticks, etc. Each set should include at least 3 or 4 of each of the numbers from 1 to 10. Object: children will match quantities, count without touching, and practice recognizing quantities up to six without counting. Hand out 5-6 number set cards to your child. Hold up a number card set and ask if he/she has a card with the same number as yours. Do they need to touch the objects or can they count just by looking? Do they just check the cards that look similar or do they count the objects on every card even though it couldn’t possibly have the same number? When working with number sets of six or less, let the children know that it is good when they can tell you how many without counting. Counting when needed is good, but some children think they are supposed to count every time even though they don’t need to. Preschoolers can sometimes recognize groups of 2 or 3 without counting, but you want to encourage and work up to the instant recognition of numbers to 4, 5, or 6.

Week 3 Concentration (p. 123)

Object: same as week 2, but different format. Set up cups upside down in three rows of four. Use counters to place two sets of each number being worked with underneath the cups (two cups with 3 beans underneath, two cups with four beans underneath, and so forth) OR (one cup with 3 beans, one cup with 3 pennies, one cup with 4 seeds, one cup with 4 beads, and so forth). Have children uncover two items to see what number is hiding. If they uncover a matching pair, they remove them. If the pairs don’t match, they cover them again and the next child gets a turn. Do the children choose cups randomly, or do they remember what number is hiding underneath? Are the children able to recognize that different groups have the same number, even when they are different materials?

Week 4 Pattern Block Puzzles (p. 93 )

Object: children will explore how shapes fit into other shapes and find ways to fit shapes into puzzles outlines. Level one puzzles in the book have interior lines, and level two puzzles are without interior lines (see this advanced example of level 2). Have children find pattern blocks that he or she thinks will fit and fill in a puzzle shape (you can print out or draw). For example, give the children a puzzle that is the outline of a trapezoid, and see if they can discover that it will accommodate two triangle pattern blocks and one hexagon pattern block. Do the children test the blocks and move them around to make them fit? Do they know ahead of time what blocks to get?

Group Projects:

Plant and take care of a garden!

Write an Experience Story

“Today we planted a garden in our backyard with mommy and daddy. First, we planted a pumpkin behind the rosemary. Next, we planted planted peas in a large pot. Then we planted lettuce, carrots, radishes, corn, and onions in our raised garden bed. Finally, we made sure to water all our plants. We can’t wait to eat fresh vegetables from the garden!”

Planting a garden together is a perfect opportunity to use something called Language Experience Approach (LEA), or dictated stories. The language experience approach is a “whole language” approach that promotes reading and writing through the use of personal experiences and oral language. Beginning literacy learners relate their experiences to a teacher, who transcribes them. These transcriptions are then used as the basis for other reading and writing activities. Through LEA the teacher is able to demonstrate important concepts about print such as: starting on the left side of the page, capitalizing proper nouns and at the beginning of a sentence, spaces in between words, punctuation at the end, how to proceed to the next line on lined paper, etc.

LEA is something useful I learned in my teaching credential program, and is very compatible with Charlotte Mason methods as it treats language as a “whole” experience. Teaching language arts as a whole means that speaking, listening, reading, writing are taught all together in a natural and meaningful way, and lessons to teach skills and mechanics of language are not taught separately because this takes them out of context, thus losing their meaning. Since LEA develops literacy through whole language, it develops literacy with the whole learner in mind. Real people love to read and write for real purposes. (FYI, learning parts of language out of a workbook is the exact opposite of whole language methods)

So to do LEA, make a shared memorable experience together, such as planting a garden, then sit down and have children all contribute to retelling the experience while you write down their words in large print that everyone can see (like chart paper or a blackboard). You may help provide the framework such as a topic sentence and transitional words such as first, next, then, after, and last. You can help provide correct grammar without totally changing the children’s story. Read your story, re-read it, revise it, make a book out of it, share it, journal it, or write it down in a memory/scrap book……..do you see all the purpose and the meaning?!

This activity is very beneficial because the children will see how the writing process works from beginning to end, they will also get reading practice as you all read and re-read the story together, and beginners enjoy the activity because it uses a topic of high personal interest and familiarity. Plus, teamwork gets the story done which makes it easy and fun for brand new writers.

Paint Rocks to Make Cute Vegetable Garden Markers. Make sure to spray varnish each side at least 5 times or colors will disappear rapidly! Last year we varnished a painted rock project only once or twice and the paint washed off in no time.

Grow a Sunflower House

Make mushrooms grow in the garden. I love this idea because I have a thing for toadstools, polymer clay, and garden decor. Last year we painted something made out of polymer clay, kept it outside all  year long, and it still looks great. I am surprised how well painted clay weathers, and so I think the mushrooms will stay pretty too.

Paint Sunflowers

Nature Study:

Find unexpected natural treasures.

Pick them, and then every time look very astonished at mommy’s no picking rule.

God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures. –Francis Bacon

All good things are inspired by God! We share freely here to be a blessing to you with all that He has given us. Thank you for sharing what you have been given with others too. “Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8