Our last day of school is quickly approaching here, and my 2nd grader is definitely in tune to that. Each day, he tells us how many more school days he has left, and then he proceeds to name all the fun things he’s going to do over the summer, from sleepovers to trips to the grandparents’ house to swimming and playing with the neighbors. He also knows that many of the things he does in school now will be carried over to the summer.
Summertime is just around the corner, and my second grader will be a newly-appointed third grader. Summer, for us, means swimming, sleepovers, and a bit of educational “stuff” to keep us on our toes.
One of my favorite activities to do with my boys is so simple, it is amazing that I don’t try it year-round. For the summer, I set up several “themed” boxes. These boxes are self-contained learning centers that can travel with us, be stored on a shelf or in a closet, and cost virtually nothing for me to set up. We love to pull out a box on a rainy day or when we’re not feeling our best. And, when my little guy is napping, we usually find time for the boxes then as well! I typically use plastic lidded bins, but shoe boxes would work as well. The idea is to find things to use in a different way that will be fun and enjoyable while still promoting my child’s educational needs during the long break.
She is the one who taught your son to subtract. He is the person who helps your daughter with her understanding of science concepts. She is the constant influence of a love of learning in your child’s life. And, it is time to honor that special person. Next week, May 5 - 9, is Teacher Appreciation Week! Here are some simple ways to tell your child’s teacher how much he or she is appreciated. Read more…
Jenna* is a child in my pre-k class. She is your typical just-turned-5-year-old - curious, sweet, full of energy. Jenna comes from a strong family unit with a brother who probably tests off the IQ scale, a dad who is a high school math teacher, and a mom who is a nurse. Jenna is in crisis.
Start your day off right with a few fun ideas for reinforcing letters and their sounds!
Every moment is a teachable moment, including meal times. Whether your child eats at home or is away for a meal, you can find ways to make it fun and educational!
What follows are ideas that I have gathered from fellow parents through observation in my pre-k classroom. There are loads more - share in the comments if you can think of others!
When I first started my career as a public school teacher, I had two requirements: children had to come to me knowing how to add and how to read (thus began my career in junior high!). I felt that once they had a foundation, I could work with them to do just about anything. But, I didn’t want to be the responsible party for learning “the basics”.
Fast forward to Today. I’m teaching four year olds. And, what am I teaching them? Numbers and letters. And, you know what? It isn’t as daunting as I thought it would be! So, I thought I would share a few “tricks of the trade” with you. If you have preschool to early elementary children, these are great activities to do with them at home.
At the preschool where I work, I am the Queen of the Felt Board. There is nothing more fun for me than storytelling with felt pieces. Not only can “regular” people or objects be used, but random shapes (triangles, circles, hexagons) can be used to create the visual parts of a story. And, the pieces can be used to create a new story as well.
So, it should come as no surprise that I made my boys a felt board.
