At my daycare, I work with my preschooler’s older Brother. He is entering 2nd grade this year. I have some elementary school training, including a paraprofessional certificate. However not since Common Core was introduced.
Math Geek Mama doesn’t target Common Core, but she DOES target how to teach math. From preschool through elementary grades. So after reading and applying some of her instruction, my student’s execution of all the common core steps IMPROVED.
If you want some beneficial points to improve teaching math in home school, or how to help your child improve his public school math, check out Math Geek Mama.
We are all busy and can only afford enough time for a few subscriptions. Math Geek Mama is definitely a worthwhile resource to follow, beyond free printables.
(public use photo; quote by Dr. Jean http://drjean.org/) Her blog is a great resource and we tried out the kickbox letter sound song it was great, AND they got tired haha) DOWNLOAD HERE
If people like to recieve wallpapers or this post style, I will make more. otherwise you can get graphics with quotes on my other blog.
My preschoolers adore reward and star charts! They color, mark or place stickers on the stars and are very proud doing it!
So, I created this to reward for when emotions are expressed properly. This occurs during free play. A star can also be counted after completing an emotion activity, or identifying emotions, anything about emotions, really.
The star chart participation enables children to recognize and self identify emotions internally, “get in touch with feelings”.
In the pack are 10 unicorn feeling cards, 3 different star charts, and 2 different page “Good Mood” posters (example below).
Direct Download Link is Under the Unicorn Pic:
WE love this book, its hysterical! Biology + the difficulty of waiting + humor = Bawesomeness! (butterfly + awesomeness)
( NOTE: I only use this tool ONCE for whole alphabet. When I use it again, it is for numbers. Because this is alphabet review, and they have 75% letter recognition, the content (letters) is familiar enough they can explore the number bond tool. Any repetition of using the bond for letters, may build an expectation of that’s the purpose.
I tested each of the 3 step process with my preschoolers. The skill range combined= some Kindergarten skill standards mastered – some preschool standards not mastered.
I have after school kids that I give homework support to. The first grader met all standards in Kindergarten, but fell behind Common Core math standards in the second half of first grade.
The 2nd grader had met all standards until the second half of second grade, then fell behind in Common Core math.
These students only needed more time to internalize the processes/steps they were taught. There’s so much packed into a short time-there really isn’t time for common core tools (like the number bond) to become second nature.
Construct Alphabet Letter I : Uppercase/Lowercase Trace/ I is for Iguana
I came up with Letter Bonds, to build my preschoolers familiarity with the number bond structure that is used, so that by the time they get to Kindergarten, the tool is so familiar, using it is automatic.
My theory is that the number bond format is about constructing and deconstructing, it doesn’t matter WHAT DATA is put into the areas. For example, my first grade student KNEW how to solve the problem, but he didn’t remember to draw his frame right-or his bonds right because he was in a hurry.
IF the number bond is a common tool that my preschoolers get introduced to it in preschool, then practice it with numbers later, they will just KNOW.
***NOTE: Again, I will only use this tool ONCE for whole alphabet. When I use it again, it will be for numbers. But because this is alphabet review, and they know 75% of their letter recognition, the content (letters) is familiar enough they can enjoy the number bond tool. Any repetition of using the bond for letters, would possibly build a student expectation that this is what its ALWAYS used for.
Perhaps 3 months after we finish with the pack, I will introduce simple 0+1 addition using the number bond. That practice with manipulatives and writing will include repetitive explanation of the Number Bond.
There are 3 packs to direct download separately. The packs are made to teach sequentially. Each direct download link, will be under each page example IMAGE.
I changed the format for the Letter Roll A Flower, and the result is a HUGE increase in the FUN FACTOR. We tested it out and it was reported “that is a good game!” Anyways I made a few variations for others, because as long as pinners keep pinning, I will keep making. There is a preview of all of the pages at the end of the post. If your children play this game, see if you observe the following increase in skills below, that I have.
“The world is changing but kids stay the same” Dr. Jean
Increased Skills I’ve observed with my students as a result of playing this game weekly:
My students loved coloring in stars with a sheet that had 50 stars to fill in for reading 50 books. They could see their progress and would count the stars daily. We currently recognize 85% of our letters 100% of the time, so we are moving onto sounds because we have made the mental correlation and understand how print WORKS.
This is for a student to color in the letter that she can recognize AND says the letter sound. HOWEVER, it can be used for letter recognition also.
I made it because its always great to show the students how much they have ALREADY learned, and they each get to track and celebrate their own success with this sheet.
Whether you share the above stories with children, or other summer stories, PLEASE keep diversity in mind. If you live in a rural area like we do, in a low diverse area, read a book that contains something totally DIFFERENT like “One Hot Summer Day”. If you live in a city, read something that contains a totally different world. Read a “similar” book that contains the world you live in, AND a book that is the OPPOSITE of what you live in. Not only does this encourage imagination, critical thinking, but it opens a DOOR. As Dr. Jean says, “The World Changes but Children Don’t”.
Counting and Identification of Common Birds, my students really began paying attention to birds once I started pointing them out! There are 4 to find, Robins, Bluebirds, Crows (or blackbirds, whichever you see locally, remember blackbirds have a YELLOW eye though), AND the “I SPY” bird, which is a pretend bird haha.
We are mastering letter recognition and targeting sounds. Recognition they know Aa 100%, B 75%, b 25%, C I just introduced because it is one of the easier letters. After we go through the entire alphabet in sequence by three’s, I will target pairs. d and b. e and c-to aid the students forming e correctly by contrasting. p and b, and so forth.
Today we played the first time and it is a challenge for the students which is what I wanted. They really have to follow the steps , slow down, focus and think.
I don’t think anyone reads the blurbs but I wanted to explain WHY ha ha.
My 1st and 2nd grader are struggling with common core. The 2nd grader JUST started struggling. My observation is simply the material is not given enough time to sink in. The students are doing the steps without understanding the WHY, or dynamics. I’m NOT anti-common core, I’m anti rushing through material to meet standards.
As a result I am trying to build as much common core methodology with my preschoolers, so they will only have to focus on the actual math work and not the procedures. I started at age 4, not knowing if they were ready but they have picked it right up.
Again, I do allow – at other times- Â process art by using an entire bottle of glitter glue on a project if they want. They have to be able to explore and splurge with the medium before you can expect them to use it properly. Â What THIS craft is good for is learning sequencing, following directions, methodology, attention span, LISTENING.
Upper left is 4.5 year old, Upper Right is 6.5 year old, bottom center is mine because I hardly ever have time to craft ha. AND the kids really like it when I can sit down with them and make my own also.
Students might even be encouraged to outline the edges, especially if they have an example to look at. Later we are going to use this craft as part of our flower study.
I did not include ribbon, guess who’s going to be tying the ribbon on, or helping with it? I wanted this to be a no holds barred CREATION, using ALL MASTERED SKILLS.
2. Ninja Pig and Wolf Puppets, Letter P and W worksheets https://readcountcraft.com/2019/04/06/three-ninja-pigs-book-free-printable-activity-pack/
They build a house that the wolf could not blow down. It was tested by waving a hand fan really hard. They had a blast with this! The hand fans I picked up for free from a Cellular One Stand at a street fair thing- I covered the words with sticky glitter paper from the $Tree.
Fanning hard to see if the Pig House Falls down
2. Ninja Pig and Wolf Puppets, Letter P and W worksheets https://readcountcraft.com/2019/04/06/three-ninja-pigs-book-free-printable-activity-pack/
Otter Loves Easter is about Otter making and sharing dyed egg after he scarfs all of the candy the Easter Bunny brought him. Woven within the story is counting differently sized items, finding eggs in the egg hunt.
Page with Colored Key and a Page with Blank key to add colors to,Â
Page without Key, Key page with colors and Key Page without colors.
-Large B/W Earth with Recycle Symbol
-Earth helper Decorations
-Extra Earth Decorations
-I Spy Page
-Critical thinking, what doesn’t belong? This is open ended, student only needs to have a reason for her group base. For example, she can choose by shape; odd one out is the square/heart. OR she can choose by color; odd one out is the black and white. OR choose by symbol; odd one out is earth.
-The final page is to choose what is good/bad for the Earth.
SUPPLIES: Glue stick, poms, circle stickers, coloring tools
UnicornandRainbowsPackohmy
The fun thing about this game is we use the color rolled for whatever place on the unicorn we want to. So, even the body can be three or four colors!
We use a big foam dice from the color store. The kids get a lot of exercise running back and forth to see what they rolled! I don’t have to worry about it getting lost, or, breaking something.
Supplies:
An empty glass or plastic container with lid
Spoons for scooping in dirt to container.
Yard dirt or local dirt to fill up container at least half way
Biodegradable items: Use the Compost Stew book , it has lots of choices.
1- We took turns filling up the jar about 1/4 full, with our dirt.
2- Capt. D. put in the soft fresh pear pieces.
3-JoJo added used coffee grounds.
4- Capt. D. added a snip of my hair.
5- JoJo added dryer lint.
6- The boys finished by spooning the rest of the dirt into the jar and sealing the lid.
What we knew: We didn’t know anything about composting.
What we wanted to know: What exactly is composting anyway?
What we learned: How easy it is to make a compost stew and what we can throw in there.
Watch and see what happens: A week later we are still checking daily to see if the things we put in have become one with the dirt.
I also read I love the Earth by Todd Parr, and Thank you Earth which is a photograph book with one sentence of a poem on each page, during the two weeks we did these experiments. I read the other two books out loud, during our regular daily reading time. These books aren’t considered science books, but if we emotionally connect with nature, nature IS biology. Which is science. We live in the mountains, but one of the things the boys asked me today is to go and see how the canal microsystem has changed.Â
Biodegradable and Non Biodegradable Materials: any type of paper, plastic, metal, cardboard
Jars with lids, water to fill the jars
Sticky notes and a pen for labeling jars
We chose: bottle plastic, grocery bag plastic, an old cardboard book cover and bond paper to put into our jars of water.
What we know: We read the books and talked about where trash goes. We talked about what happens if our Landfill got full with trash, where would we put another one? We decided WE didn’t’ want a landfill next to where WE live.
What we wanted to know: Do things go away (dissolve/biodegrade) once they are buried in a landfill.
The prediction was that all of our materials would dissolve.
The boys- (4yo and 6yo), filled two jars apiece up with water. Then cut up a few pieces of their items to put in their jars.
We checked our covered specimens every day, a week later the cardboard and paper showed signs of dissolving. The book cover turned the water a bit green. After a week the plastic had not changed at all. We were ALL surprised that the bond paper was only soft, not dissolved yet.
What we learned: We talked about our observations, and that plastic stays in landfills. We also talked realized that plastic won’t dissolve in the ocean, either. That’s why we recycle our plastic, and even our paper. Otherwise, where will all the garbage go?
Finally, we watched a 3 min. video about the Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch, which shows the result of what can happen to trash if not disposed of properly. No verbal narration, but the words can be read outloud if desired.Â
(The video provided transition to our compost experiment, next post.)
Watch and see what happens: the boys still check the jars daily to see how the paper is changing.
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BUILDING SKILLS:Â Writing: Letter formation and recognition, fine motor
                   Science: color mixing experimentation
                   Math: Counting ribbon colors, counting the colors used.
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SUPPLIES:
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Read each book by itelf at least 3 different times to the class, over one or two weeks.
Now you are ready to start a discussion about the similarities, differences and what are the same with the class.
Skill building:
I like to use this page as a fill in activity for those unplanned moments. Especially helpful when the kids spend most of the time indoors. After counting and putting in number, we can even talk about same and different, what’s your favorite item, etc. Make sure to orchestrate discussion so preschoolers understand what the objects are, and are called, for vocabulary. I don’t have a worksheet emphasis in my curriculum, but its an important skill to know how the physical world transfers to paper. I consider it a life building skill instead of a learning skill, because the adult world is full of paperwork! Enough jabber, the direct download link is below the leprechaun.
I like to use these worksheets for fill in activities. They are great for critical thinking. I put mine in protective sheets so the worksheet can be used again. If I don’t want to re-use, the students will either circle the different one, OR use a bingo dabber.
DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS:
Enough jabber jabber, under the leprechaun is the link!
Use this for a no prep intro, review or practice of pattern production. I DIY laminate with clear contact paper and use for a go-to fill activity. Â If manipulatives are desired, have child place them on the correct hat.
How can you make sure you get a chance to download?
I will be making a rainbow roll and color game as part of this series.
Build alphabet writing skills with this free printable!
Supplies: Printable, Die and coloring tools
I tested this by playing with a preschooler and it was really fun! There’s really no win/lose, but he wanted a win/lose so we decided the person who has the most colors in the rainbow wins.
This game builds the following skills: counting, subtizing, color recognition, memory, following directions
And fits into many themes: Â Colors, Counting, Rainbow Theme, St Patricks theme, Unicorn theme, Spring Theme!
Scavenger Hunt Sticky Collage Activity
Creating masterpieces
Finally, they decided to blend oil pastels on the back, which can be seen here.
I use this book to introduce mixing colors, and I use it again periodically to review color mixing. We have done several activities practicing color mixing, including oil pastels. Oil pastels continues to be the most popular.
I gave them a huge piece of paper, $store watercolors and three or four jars of water each. The goal was to let them mix paint in the water and watch the water change and explore as they wanted.
They spent much excitement and wow time predicting what the water color would change to, and then observing the change of color.
 When I thought they might be ready to transition, I mentioned mixing colors on their paper.
I truly become inspired when I see this awesomely pure creativity expressed!
(I made some shapes and traced around to create puzzles, then reused for this project)
brilliant way to stop the stigma and work together as a family
Did you know the Dopamine royal family doesn’t stop at the queen? That’s right, there are two princes and one princess of dopamine as well. My kids are young, 8, 6 and 6 months. I knew early on I would have to talk to them about my bipolar disorder. It wasn’t until my oldest was 6 years old that it really came up.
I was mid manic episode being super mom cleaning, cooking, folding laundry, singing nursery rhymes and supervising a craft while on the phone with work when it happened. LA dropped a full gallon of milk and it exploded all over the kitchen. I snapped. Some serious manic rage came out directed right at my perfect little dude. He obviously didn’t mean to spill it, in hindsight I was only mad at myself for being too wrapped up in the other stuff going on to notice he needed…
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