Language:
We made a 'm' potato stamp and used blue paint to stamp m's on paper.
Math:
He traced and counted to 5.
Practical Life:
Cutting exercise.
- Brandy
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
May 21st Report
We left for vacation that day and I never wrote the report, but here is a brief look at what we did.
Language:
We made a 'm' potato stamp and used blue paint to stamp m's on paper.
Math:
He traced and counted to 5.
Practical Life:
Cutting exercise.
- Brandy
Language:
We made a 'm' potato stamp and used blue paint to stamp m's on paper.
Math:
He traced and counted to 5.
Practical Life:
Cutting exercise.
- Brandy
Thursday, May 20, 2010
May 20th Report
Language:
Help the mice find the m's:
Traced kumon write and wipe letter. (quite dirty after a day of helping me in the garden)
He's getting really good! I've noticed his writing/drawing has taken a leap today. And so has he. He figured out how to draw faces today and was quite pleased with himself.
Math:
We counted the dots on the number 5 kumon card and he practiced writing it. I might encourage a lot of 5's since that seems to be where he gets derailed in counting a lot. I'm also pretty sure he can visually recognize numbers 1-4.
Sensorial:
Played with the pink tower with quite a lot of concentration. :) And put it away! Even the playsilk!
Practical Life:
He did a cutting exercise from the kumon cutting book.
- Brandy
Help the mice find the m's:
Traced kumon write and wipe letter. (quite dirty after a day of helping me in the garden)
He's getting really good! I've noticed his writing/drawing has taken a leap today. And so has he. He figured out how to draw faces today and was quite pleased with himself.
Math:
We counted the dots on the number 5 kumon card and he practiced writing it. I might encourage a lot of 5's since that seems to be where he gets derailed in counting a lot. I'm also pretty sure he can visually recognize numbers 1-4.
Sensorial:
Played with the pink tower with quite a lot of concentration. :) And put it away! Even the playsilk!
Practical Life:
He did a cutting exercise from the kumon cutting book.
- Brandy
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
May 19th Report
Long time no see! Can I blame it on a new baby?
Eden Catherine was born January 7, 2010 (in our car, while it was moving, with my underwear still on...fun day :) ).
So, I've moved onto a bit more of an eclectic teaching style incorporating bits of Montessori.
Here's what we did today:
Language:
Letter of the week is "m". We use the phonetic sound mmmmm, and only the lowercase letter. We added a map with hidden letter m's to our m wall this morning.
He circled the m's and added his own additions to the map.
He also traced the sandpaper letter m and used the Kumon write and wipe letter m.
Math:
We used the sandpaper numbers laid out on a playsilk and the kumon write and wipe numbers to play a matching game. First we counted the dots on the back of the Kumon cards. He counted up to 4. For number 5, he counted 1,2,3,4,9, so after that I counted the dots so he could have more exposure. Then he found the matching sandpaper letter. I encouraged him to trace the sandpaper letters with his finger, but he didn't do it for all of them.
Sensorial:
He did the sound cylinders. I gave him a new presentation and we watched the YouTube video of a presentation, but he still needs another one next time. He packed it up and we put it away together.
Practical Life:
He did several pages in his kumon easy mazes book.
In other news:
I started a "progress chart", mostly to help me as I've become lax at guiding him into well-rounded activities. Here is how it looks...
He picks a sticker.
And we put it here.
- Brandy
Eden Catherine was born January 7, 2010 (in our car, while it was moving, with my underwear still on...fun day :) ).
So, I've moved onto a bit more of an eclectic teaching style incorporating bits of Montessori.
Here's what we did today:
Language:
Letter of the week is "m". We use the phonetic sound mmmmm, and only the lowercase letter. We added a map with hidden letter m's to our m wall this morning.
He circled the m's and added his own additions to the map.
He also traced the sandpaper letter m and used the Kumon write and wipe letter m.
Math:
We used the sandpaper numbers laid out on a playsilk and the kumon write and wipe numbers to play a matching game. First we counted the dots on the back of the Kumon cards. He counted up to 4. For number 5, he counted 1,2,3,4,9, so after that I counted the dots so he could have more exposure. Then he found the matching sandpaper letter. I encouraged him to trace the sandpaper letters with his finger, but he didn't do it for all of them.
Sensorial:
He did the sound cylinders. I gave him a new presentation and we watched the YouTube video of a presentation, but he still needs another one next time. He packed it up and we put it away together.
Practical Life:
He did several pages in his kumon easy mazes book.
In other news:
I started a "progress chart", mostly to help me as I've become lax at guiding him into well-rounded activities. Here is how it looks...
He picks a sticker.
And we put it here.
- Brandy
Friday, December 11, 2009
December 11th Report
Today, Elijah initiated both activities, which is really really great.
He picked the two new things I put on the shelves while he was sleeping. First, the smelling bottles.
He will need a new presentation next time.
For the record, I'm dissapointed in this activity. Not the activity itself, but the one I bought. The lids are hard for even an adult to operate. So, he will likely never be able to do completely independently. Which is a big dissapointment in my book.
Next, he chose the new spooning work.
Which was a big success! This must have fit his needs perfectly because he used it for almost an hour! And he picked up every little pom pom that dropped (something he did not do with earlier attempts I've had on the shelf with spooning beans or grains). He also completed the cycle and put this back on the shelf. Big success with this activity today!
- Brandy
He picked the two new things I put on the shelves while he was sleeping. First, the smelling bottles.
He will need a new presentation next time.
For the record, I'm dissapointed in this activity. Not the activity itself, but the one I bought. The lids are hard for even an adult to operate. So, he will likely never be able to do completely independently. Which is a big dissapointment in my book.
Next, he chose the new spooning work.
Which was a big success! This must have fit his needs perfectly because he used it for almost an hour! And he picked up every little pom pom that dropped (something he did not do with earlier attempts I've had on the shelf with spooning beans or grains). He also completed the cycle and put this back on the shelf. Big success with this activity today!
- Brandy
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
December 9th Report
Today, we played a letter sound scavenger hunt. We looked for things that started with the sound, "a". We found...
Atom Ant and apple slices.
I think I'm going to find some more "a" items and put them in the room. Once we do a, m, t, and s, he'll be ready for BOB book # 1. He really enjoyed this activity.
After that, we read the Blue Number Counting Book.
We read it twice and he was pretty engaged the whole time.
Then we moved onto the Red Letter Alphabet Book.
He was not as engaged in this book. He really needs a tactile letter experience where we can pick just a few letters (like the sandpaper letters we have yet to purchase, perhaps soon).
We did some letter sounds and then he got up to play with his tools.
I attempted to pull him back in by looking for the letter sounds that correspond to his tools. Like "s" saw...
But, really, he wasn't interested, so I just let him play.
I would like to set up a new practical life activity where he can use real tools. He has a high interest in them right now, especially hammers. He has a hammer activity on the shelf, but tends to like getting out his "tool set" (Handy Manny tool set) then gets frustrated that these tools don't actually fix anything. Suggestions for homemade activities that could make use of his favorite tool set would be highly appreciated!
-Brandy
Atom Ant and apple slices.
I think I'm going to find some more "a" items and put them in the room. Once we do a, m, t, and s, he'll be ready for BOB book # 1. He really enjoyed this activity.
After that, we read the Blue Number Counting Book.
We read it twice and he was pretty engaged the whole time.
Then we moved onto the Red Letter Alphabet Book.
He was not as engaged in this book. He really needs a tactile letter experience where we can pick just a few letters (like the sandpaper letters we have yet to purchase, perhaps soon).
We did some letter sounds and then he got up to play with his tools.
I attempted to pull him back in by looking for the letter sounds that correspond to his tools. Like "s" saw...
But, really, he wasn't interested, so I just let him play.
I would like to set up a new practical life activity where he can use real tools. He has a high interest in them right now, especially hammers. He has a hammer activity on the shelf, but tends to like getting out his "tool set" (Handy Manny tool set) then gets frustrated that these tools don't actually fix anything. Suggestions for homemade activities that could make use of his favorite tool set would be highly appreciated!
-Brandy
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
November 16th/Elijah's Morning Routine
Well, I'll admit our Montessori time has taken a back seat in the past few weeks. I do have some rather good excuses--recurring pregnancy nausea and vomitting, family emergency, unexpected babysitting, and the start of a new Wednesday only job...I still feel guilty.
But, it's true, you can't really halt learning. There are learning experiences built into everyday. It's felt a little more "unschooling" around here lately. And while I respect that movement, it hasn't been my goal. Working up to a 3-hour work period 5 days a week has been. And I'm not sure quite where to go from here. I suppose one day at a time.
Elijah's Montessori equipment has still gotten much use over the past few weeks, but not neccesarily in large spans of time. A little here, a little there. And that's better than nothing, right?
Even sometimes with a friend.
But, all in all we do still have a Montessori style home that strives to cater to Elijah's independence.
And, in accordance with that, one of the things we've been working on this week is a new morning routine for Elijah. He seems to be enjoying it, yet drags out some parts (which is perfectly fine by me).
Here's his routine:
-Wake up
-Help mommy make bed
-Potty and brush teeth
-Set own little table with tablecloth and napkin
-Once table is set, mommy brings super porridge (and tv is allowed for one show...I know, I know, not awesome, and perhaps one day I'll find away to do away with this part)
-He is in charge of getting his sippy cup from the bedroom. If he doesn't want to, I don't push it. I clean it out and refill after breakfast (it stays cold and fresh all night, sometimes even still has ice in it)
-When he is done with breakfast and credits roll on the show, the tv gets turned off (if he doesn't turn the tv off, I do...it's important for his closure to turn it off during the credits).
-Elijah brings his bowl and spoon to the kitchen and places it on a dirty dish tray below his clean dishes
-Elijah puts his placemat and napkin in the hamper in his room
(yes, his room needs cleaning)
-Then, we take his pajamas off. Elijah sits on his bed and I give him step by step directions for him to do it himself. His clothes go in his hamper.
-Elijah washes his hands and face. (he may also choose to brush his hair and or teeth, too--he's interested in grooming right now and may spend a great deal of time doing this)
-Elijah picks out a pair of pants and a shirt from his closet.
-Elijah sits on his bed and I talk him through and assist when necessary until his clothes are on.
-Mommy writes a to do list and Elijah sits next to her and "writes" one too
All of this tends to take a GREAT deal of time, perhaps 2 hours. He frequently is simply not ready for the next step but wants to play with me. I tell him I'd love to play with him--when he's ready for the day and all dressed. When he's goofing off and not quite ready, I usually do the things on my morning to do list--load of laundry, shower (during his breakfast/tv time), unload dishwasher, balance checkbook, etc.). So far, I think it's really working for both of us--and I'm excited to see how it will come along over a few weeks.
But, it's true, you can't really halt learning. There are learning experiences built into everyday. It's felt a little more "unschooling" around here lately. And while I respect that movement, it hasn't been my goal. Working up to a 3-hour work period 5 days a week has been. And I'm not sure quite where to go from here. I suppose one day at a time.
Elijah's Montessori equipment has still gotten much use over the past few weeks, but not neccesarily in large spans of time. A little here, a little there. And that's better than nothing, right?
Even sometimes with a friend.
But, all in all we do still have a Montessori style home that strives to cater to Elijah's independence.
And, in accordance with that, one of the things we've been working on this week is a new morning routine for Elijah. He seems to be enjoying it, yet drags out some parts (which is perfectly fine by me).
Here's his routine:
-Wake up
-Help mommy make bed
-Potty and brush teeth
-Set own little table with tablecloth and napkin
-Once table is set, mommy brings super porridge (and tv is allowed for one show...I know, I know, not awesome, and perhaps one day I'll find away to do away with this part)
-He is in charge of getting his sippy cup from the bedroom. If he doesn't want to, I don't push it. I clean it out and refill after breakfast (it stays cold and fresh all night, sometimes even still has ice in it)
-When he is done with breakfast and credits roll on the show, the tv gets turned off (if he doesn't turn the tv off, I do...it's important for his closure to turn it off during the credits).
-Elijah brings his bowl and spoon to the kitchen and places it on a dirty dish tray below his clean dishes
-Elijah puts his placemat and napkin in the hamper in his room
(yes, his room needs cleaning)
-Then, we take his pajamas off. Elijah sits on his bed and I give him step by step directions for him to do it himself. His clothes go in his hamper.
-Elijah washes his hands and face. (he may also choose to brush his hair and or teeth, too--he's interested in grooming right now and may spend a great deal of time doing this)
-Elijah picks out a pair of pants and a shirt from his closet.
-Elijah sits on his bed and I talk him through and assist when necessary until his clothes are on.
-Mommy writes a to do list and Elijah sits next to her and "writes" one too
All of this tends to take a GREAT deal of time, perhaps 2 hours. He frequently is simply not ready for the next step but wants to play with me. I tell him I'd love to play with him--when he's ready for the day and all dressed. When he's goofing off and not quite ready, I usually do the things on my morning to do list--load of laundry, shower (during his breakfast/tv time), unload dishwasher, balance checkbook, etc.). So far, I think it's really working for both of us--and I'm excited to see how it will come along over a few weeks.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
October 27th Report
We did about 45 minutes of Montessori time today.
Started with the color tablets. He needs a new presentation. I gave him as much of one as he would watch today before he took over. We didn't do any language on this activity today.
While using the color tablets, he threw them to me several times. I debated in my head which strategy to take on discouraging this. I think I used several. Once I told him we could throw balls, but we need to treat our toys gently. Once I told him it made me sad to have things thrown at me. And once I merely made a mental note that perhaps I needed to model the correct behavior for him.
Within the thought that I could model for him, I thought of two things. One, that I frequently throw things myself--a piece of trash into a trash bin, a sock into a drawer, a shirt into a hamper. And perhaps it'd be better if I didn't. Elijah may or may not be discriminating which items are okay to throw and which are not. So, I will be paying closer attention to this.
The next thing that came to mind in the modelling realm, is that perhaps we could set up a "pass to me" game. This would be easier with more players. A good activity for when Chris is home. Chris and I could start by asking to "please pass me ___" and then gently handing the object to the other using two hands. We could use the Montessori equipment both to build language (please pass me the smallest pink cube), and to model respect for these objects. This would be a Montessori grace and courtesy lesson.
Then moved onto what is still his favorite activity--discs in a slot.
Then, we read 4 BOB books.
And, then he got out a ball from the back room (presumably because I mentioned earlier that balls were okay for throwing). We rolled and kicked and caught.
And all of this reminded me that there are some gross motor goals that I stated in the beginning. I thought it might be fun for me to pick some games/sports that develop these skills and work that into our weekly plan. We could walk to the park and use the soccer court. I'll be working on that soon!
- Brandy
Started with the color tablets. He needs a new presentation. I gave him as much of one as he would watch today before he took over. We didn't do any language on this activity today.
While using the color tablets, he threw them to me several times. I debated in my head which strategy to take on discouraging this. I think I used several. Once I told him we could throw balls, but we need to treat our toys gently. Once I told him it made me sad to have things thrown at me. And once I merely made a mental note that perhaps I needed to model the correct behavior for him.
Within the thought that I could model for him, I thought of two things. One, that I frequently throw things myself--a piece of trash into a trash bin, a sock into a drawer, a shirt into a hamper. And perhaps it'd be better if I didn't. Elijah may or may not be discriminating which items are okay to throw and which are not. So, I will be paying closer attention to this.
The next thing that came to mind in the modelling realm, is that perhaps we could set up a "pass to me" game. This would be easier with more players. A good activity for when Chris is home. Chris and I could start by asking to "please pass me ___" and then gently handing the object to the other using two hands. We could use the Montessori equipment both to build language (please pass me the smallest pink cube), and to model respect for these objects. This would be a Montessori grace and courtesy lesson.
Then moved onto what is still his favorite activity--discs in a slot.
Then, we read 4 BOB books.
And, then he got out a ball from the back room (presumably because I mentioned earlier that balls were okay for throwing). We rolled and kicked and caught.
And all of this reminded me that there are some gross motor goals that I stated in the beginning. I thought it might be fun for me to pick some games/sports that develop these skills and work that into our weekly plan. We could walk to the park and use the soccer court. I'll be working on that soon!
- Brandy
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