Our week in pictures

Counting to 40

        We used counters to count to 40!  These are going to come in handy to use for pattern work.  The best part is that to him, they are just like playing with toys!

        We created a "hundred's" chart using numbers 1-40.  We mixed up the numbers so that he could go on a "number hunt" to find the right ones.

        After we completed our chart, we used it to point and count to 40 by ones and then count to 40 by tens.

Read and create "at" words

        We found some letter tiles while cleaning out the closet.  These worked perfectly for creating "at" words!

 Identify stages of life cycle of butterfly

        Squeezing paint out to create our butterfly!  He went a little squeeze-happy, but he had fun!

         Smashing it all together.  We had paint oozing out the sides by the time he finished!!

        Our beautiful butterfly!!

Reading Assessment

        To monitor reading progress, we will be reading from the Dolch Sight Words lists.  I will begin with the pre-primer lists.  Each day, I will have E read from one of the lists.  If he completes the list without any mistakes, I will document that it was mastered on that date.  If he misses any, I will simply say the word correctly and allow him to continue.  I won't document anything for that list or that date.  The next day we will read from a different list until all lists are mastered.  While there are many different ways reading progress can be charted and documented, this way will be quick and easy for us.

        Once E has mastered all of the words in the four lists for the pre-primer level, we will move to the primer level, 1st grade, and so on.  I will post the other lists as soon as possible in case anyone following along has higher level readers.

            Pre-Primer Sight Words

List 1	List 2	List 3	List 4
and big can for in is it me one	a I my not red run see the to up we	blue come down find go look play said two you	away funny help here jump little make three where yellow

Lesson Plans for Week 1

Week 1

Math Skills

1. Counting to 40    Related Standard: Count to 100 by ones and by tens.
    Activities: 1) Create a "hundred's chart" 1-40 by gluing numbers written on squares of paper in numerical order onto a graph containing 40 spaces.
                     2) Practice counting to 40 by 1 & by 10 using chart.
                     3) Practice counting 40 things in the house (noodles, craft sticks)

2. Identifying cube, cylinder, sphere
    Related Standard: Correctly name shapes regardless of orientation/overall size.
    Activities: 1) Shape hunt.  After cube, cylinder, and sphere will be displayed and features of each discussed, we will search the house to find 3 things for each shape.

                     2) Practice identifying shapes using www.ixl.com.
                     3) Practice identifying shapes using www.smarttutor.com.

Reading Skills

1. Read and create "at" words

    Related Standards: Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.  Recognize and produce rhyming words.  Add or substitute individual sounds (phonemes) in simple, one syllable words to make new words.
    Activities: 1) Read the book -at as in cat.
                     2) Use fridge magnets to create -at words.

2. Read text for meaning
    Related Standards: Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.  With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.  With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
     Activities: 1) Read Diego's Birthday Surprise and answer questions about plot, characters, setting, and major details.
                     2) Practice answering comprehension questions using www.smarttutor.com.

Writing Skills

1. Legibly writing name

    Related Standard: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.  Print many upper- and lowercase letters.

    Activities: 1) Practice tracing name with finger paints.

                     2) Practice tracing name with crayons/pencil.
                     3) Connect the dots to write name.

Science
1. Identify stages of life cycle of butterfly
    Related Standard: Students identify, analyze, and use patterns such as cycles and trends to understand past and present events and predict possible future events.
    Activities: 1) Listen to the book Waiting for Wings read aloud.
                     2) Create Symmetrical Glob Art Butterfly.  Fold an 8.5" x 11" paper in half.  Apply a few globs of glue to one side of the paper.  Press together at fold to create symmetrical design.  After it dries, cut into the shape of butterfly.
                     3) Cocoon Surprise. Create caterpillar with pom poms.  Tuck caterpillar into cocoon made from toilet paper roll and brown construction paper.  When child is not around, replace caterpillar with butterfly made from tissue paper and pipe cleaner.  Have child open cocoon and find that the caterpillar has changed into a butterfly!
                     4) Listen to the books: Hermie: A Common Caterpillar, Becoming Butterflies, & Butterfly Count

Social Studies/Calendar
1. Identify September as a month of the year

    Related Standard: 
    Activities: 1) Listen to book September read aloud.
                     2) Flip through calendar and recite months of the year in order.
                     3) Identify important events in September (i.e. Sister's birthday)

                     4) Watch video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5enDRrWyXaw

Social Skills/Life Skills

1. Know how and when to call 911

    Related Standard: I will not often link standards to this category.

    Activities: 1) Practice dialing 911 on a pretend telephone.
                     2) Practice dialing 911 on cell phone.
                     3) Listen to scenarios and say "yes" or "no" if 911 should be called.

FYI

We've actually been running practice for preschool for the last 3 weeks.  Each week something has been going on that has made home-schooling nearly impossible.  Now that we have settled into our fall routine, we will be working each week from a set of lesson plans.  I will plan 2-4 lessons in each content area and pull from those each day.  Every week all lessons will be completed although we will not follow a set schedule.  This means some days more lessons may be completed and other days less.  Some days may be more math focused, others science or reading, or a balance.  Through our "practice" schooling weeks, I have learned quickly that it works best to plug in the lessons or content area when those teachable moments arrive each day instead of saying "9:00 is math time, 9:15 is reading time, etc."

We are not starting at the beginning, just picking up where skills are lacking or have yet to be taught.  Please feel free to use anything you like or to adapt any lesson plans and/or activities to meet the needs of your homeschooling/classroom journey!  Thanks for following along with us!  Details and pictures to follow!

Our Preschool Adventure

Our Preschool adventure begins Monday!  I have our lessons planned for the week, and I can't wait to start this exciting journey! I plan to use this blog to document all of our lessons and to attach the state preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade standards.  Come along with us on our Preschool Adventure!  There is sure to be some fun and learning ahead!