The princess decided last Thursday that she was going to spend the day walking around in a box.. Oh sorry, "train." She also requested that we use trains to do school. I am convinced she thinks I am a walking kindergarten curriculum! Once again, I had to think fast. In literally minutes, I didn't have one, but two plans! Oh yes, I was very proud of myself. I started out making very rough worksheets that would help us practice reading using word families. One of them has had a little make over and is now available to you for FREE!
After we worked on our fun "train words," the princess wobbled next to the wall in her "train." I sat my chair in the center of the room, facing her. I asked her questions like "what letter does cookie start with," "what does book end in" and "what rhymes with sad." Every time she got the answer correct, she took one step closer to the "train station" aka MOMMY. It wasn't fancy, but the princess wasn't looking for fancy this time. She just wanted to play a game in her train. I met her expectations and we got to practice some important pre-reading skills.
If you are interested in printing out the Train Word Game for your family, you can find it here
My Daughter, one of my little wild things, is always on the run. She constantly has something she wants to do or something she wants to discuss. Does this mean she wouldn't sit and listen to a long lecture or go over flashcards if she was asked to? I honestly don't know. We are just too busy to try. There is so much to do!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Draw That Family
If you and your little ones spend as much time around the table drawing as my family does, this may be a game for you. Draw That Family is a Wild Thing School original. Think of it like "draw something" for beginner readers.
What you need:
- a set of words that are the same except for the first letter
- pencil or crayons
- paper
How to play:
1. Write the words you would like to use in a list. I prefer to write in large print.
2. Secretly select one word to draw.
3. Start drawing!
4. Your child tries to guess which of the words on the list you are drawing. I have the princess try to guess the word before I finish drawing. You could also use a timer.
5. When your child guesses what you drew, have him/her put a finger on the word. This is just simple assurance that they are reading the words. You could leave this step out if you're sure they are reading the word.
6. After the child correctly guesses the word you are drawing a picture of, let him/her cross out the appropriate word. (we also had a little treat between words).
7. Draw again!
8. Soon all of those words will be crossed out and your child will be impressed to see how many words he/ she can read!
After I draw, the princess likes to change the roles. She draws and I guess. She still has to read the words, and she gets to draw. You can also take turns drawing each word.
What you need:
- a set of words that are the same except for the first letter
- pencil or crayons
- paper
How to play:
1. Write the words you would like to use in a list. I prefer to write in large print.
2. Secretly select one word to draw.
3. Start drawing!
4. Your child tries to guess which of the words on the list you are drawing. I have the princess try to guess the word before I finish drawing. You could also use a timer.
5. When your child guesses what you drew, have him/her put a finger on the word. This is just simple assurance that they are reading the words. You could leave this step out if you're sure they are reading the word.
6. After the child correctly guesses the word you are drawing a picture of, let him/her cross out the appropriate word. (we also had a little treat between words).7. Draw again!
8. Soon all of those words will be crossed out and your child will be impressed to see how many words he/ she can read!
After I draw, the princess likes to change the roles. She draws and I guess. She still has to read the words, and she gets to draw. You can also take turns drawing each word.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Snow Bunnies
There is snow on the ground and a chill in the air. Who are we kidding, that chill isn't just in the air.. it's everywhere! The chill is on your feet, your hands, everything you touch is like ice. You simply aren't thrilled about putting your bare feet on that excruciatingly cold floor first thing in the morning. Get up. Fix that little bunny jumping all over your bed some breakfast. She needs it after burning all that energy so early in the morning! All right, you have both finished your breakfast. You look out the window. Oh yes, gotta love winter. You can't sleep in, but the sun can!
Does this sound familiar? If not, I need your trick. Who doesn't struggle to get energy on a cold dark morning? I know I do. But, sleeping in hasn't been an option since I was in high school (too many years ago to admit to the world). Even if it were an option, I wouldn't want to miss out on the precious times with my baby bunnies. We had one of these cold days last week. After looking at the window, we headed back to bed! The covers were calling my name. No matter how white the grass is or how grey the sky is, little ones still need to be cared for, learn, and be busy. So, while laying in bed I took a few minutes to think things over. HA! I wish I had a few minutes to think things over. If you have little ones running around, you know how it is. I had literally seconds to make a plan.
One of the things the kids and I always enjoyed doing was what my family calls flying angels. It is when you put the kid on your feet or knees and fly them from the floor up over your head. It was so wonderful to see their eyes light up as they looked at me from up above. With my son, I would even lower him for a big old kiss on the forehead. It is one of my most treasured memories. I miss those days, when I would gently toss them up in the air to hear them giggle. As the princess got older and heavier, I stopped flying angels and stopped tossing her in the air. But, on this day, I didn't let the extra length she grew or pounds she gained stop me from having a little extra bonding and fun. I can also never pass up an opportunity to throw in a bit of school!
We started a little game. The princess laid across my knees, just like she did when she was little and I was about to fly her like an angel. Then, I chose a letter and asked her what sound it made. When she answered it, I picked up my knees. And in the excitement of her getting the question right, I tossed her slightly in the air. She giggled just like she did when she was a quarter the size she is now. We both had a blast. She wanted to continue it much longer than I had expected. In fact, I was the one that asked to do something else. My arms were worn out! My body was warmed up and ready to start the day.
Sometimes, it's just not a paper and pencil day. I think that's okay. Take a few extra minutes this morning. Cuddle up in bed and talk. Giggle a little. How many people actually get this opportunity? Winter may not be the best time to go to the park, but it is a perfect time for a little mommy and me time - and learning too of course!
Does this sound familiar? If not, I need your trick. Who doesn't struggle to get energy on a cold dark morning? I know I do. But, sleeping in hasn't been an option since I was in high school (too many years ago to admit to the world). Even if it were an option, I wouldn't want to miss out on the precious times with my baby bunnies. We had one of these cold days last week. After looking at the window, we headed back to bed! The covers were calling my name. No matter how white the grass is or how grey the sky is, little ones still need to be cared for, learn, and be busy. So, while laying in bed I took a few minutes to think things over. HA! I wish I had a few minutes to think things over. If you have little ones running around, you know how it is. I had literally seconds to make a plan.
One of the things the kids and I always enjoyed doing was what my family calls flying angels. It is when you put the kid on your feet or knees and fly them from the floor up over your head. It was so wonderful to see their eyes light up as they looked at me from up above. With my son, I would even lower him for a big old kiss on the forehead. It is one of my most treasured memories. I miss those days, when I would gently toss them up in the air to hear them giggle. As the princess got older and heavier, I stopped flying angels and stopped tossing her in the air. But, on this day, I didn't let the extra length she grew or pounds she gained stop me from having a little extra bonding and fun. I can also never pass up an opportunity to throw in a bit of school!
We started a little game. The princess laid across my knees, just like she did when she was little and I was about to fly her like an angel. Then, I chose a letter and asked her what sound it made. When she answered it, I picked up my knees. And in the excitement of her getting the question right, I tossed her slightly in the air. She giggled just like she did when she was a quarter the size she is now. We both had a blast. She wanted to continue it much longer than I had expected. In fact, I was the one that asked to do something else. My arms were worn out! My body was warmed up and ready to start the day.
Sometimes, it's just not a paper and pencil day. I think that's okay. Take a few extra minutes this morning. Cuddle up in bed and talk. Giggle a little. How many people actually get this opportunity? Winter may not be the best time to go to the park, but it is a perfect time for a little mommy and me time - and learning too of course!
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