Ahhh!!! Full moon & halloween!! Those 2 words combined are enough to strike terror in every elementary teachers heart - especially this Kindergarten teacher! We have got a very busy week again this week. Co-op & Tutoring for Christ on Tuesday, Trunk or Treat on Wednesday and we are having a HUGE yard sale on Friday and Saturday. Ashleigh also has practice for her play on Thursday night and we are working at the Peanut Festival Saturday afternoon. Add to the list the 2 pumpkins we need to carve, the yardsale stuff that we still have to go get out of storage, schoolwork that needs to be finished .....
This week I'm going to post about some pumpkin activities we enjoy at school.
1. Pumpkin investigation - We weigh the pumpkin, estimate how big of a piece of yarn will fit around it and then measure it, measure how many cubes tall it is, will it sink or will it float, how many seeds are inside, use describing words to tell how it feels... all the information can be recorded in a pumpkin book.
2. How many pumpkins tall are you? Cut out pumpkin shapes and tape to the wall. Measure how many pumpkins tall each child is.
3. Pumpkins on Top - instead of 10 apples on top make a 10 pumpkins on top book.
4. Read Peter, Peter , Pumpkin Eater - Draw a pumpkin shell and put someone inside . Re-write the nursery rhyme with other things Peter could have done with his pumpkin shell
5. Read Pumpkin Jack - Put your pumpkin in a jar and watch it decompose. This activity is always a favorite!!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Wow!
Hat day, bus duty, Firetruck PLUS 20 very active Kindergarteners makes for a LONG day and an exhausted teacher!! But as they say - no rest for the weary!! It is time to check school work for sweet daughter and go to church. They back home to price more stuff for the yardsale. Why did I ever think that I needed all this STUFF!! I have soooo much to sell! I wish you all lived close enough to shop - someone is going to get some great bargins and some stuff that would make awesome Christmas presents!!
I wonder if I just close my eyes for 2 minutes if anyone would notice..... shhh... don't tell.....
I wonder if I just close my eyes for 2 minutes if anyone would notice..... shhh... don't tell.....
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Doors are opening....
Isn't it great when you can see God at work? I am so excited about the new opportunities that are daily being presented to me!! As someone that HATES change and craves for things to be predictable it is a scary, scary thing but oh so exciting. I've never doubted I was where God wanted me for the past 16 years and He is giving me peace as I start to move forward into what He has planned for the next chapter.
The next 2 weeks at school we are working on Pumpkins. We will go to the pumpkin patch on Friday as a reward for good behavior. There are soooo many great pumpkin books out there and great activities. I will post some of my favorites tomorrow so be sure to check back.
Last week was Fall Break for me and a lot of Ashleigh's activities didn't meet. This week we are back full force! We had theater practice last night and today is co-op, FLOW and Tutoring for Christ. Just to make it fun lets add pictures for the directory!! Never boring!!
The next 2 weeks at school we are working on Pumpkins. We will go to the pumpkin patch on Friday as a reward for good behavior. There are soooo many great pumpkin books out there and great activities. I will post some of my favorites tomorrow so be sure to check back.
Last week was Fall Break for me and a lot of Ashleigh's activities didn't meet. This week we are back full force! We had theater practice last night and today is co-op, FLOW and Tutoring for Christ. Just to make it fun lets add pictures for the directory!! Never boring!!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Pumpkins, cannons and costumes!! Oh My!!
It was a busy week-end at our house (actually it always a busy week-end and week!! I can't believe how packed our schedule is!!)
Saturday we went to see The Battle of Newton reinactment so Ashleigh could finish her civil war report. They did a great job and we really enjoyed it (except for the ringing ears from the cannons! lol ! I jumped every time even though I knew they were coming!)
I have pictures but can't figure out how to get them on here! Hopefully I'll be able to post them tomorrow.
We also went to an awesome Halloween Bash with the students in Ashleigh's theater group. This is one of those things that I know cause a lot of contraversy (whether or not to participate in any Halloween activities) This was an awesome party and the kids had so much fun. I personally feel it was no different than sending her to public school or anywhere else. She is a light for Jesus where ever He calls for her to shine :)
Saturday we went to see The Battle of Newton reinactment so Ashleigh could finish her civil war report. They did a great job and we really enjoyed it (except for the ringing ears from the cannons! lol ! I jumped every time even though I knew they were coming!)
I have pictures but can't figure out how to get them on here! Hopefully I'll be able to post them tomorrow.
We also went to an awesome Halloween Bash with the students in Ashleigh's theater group. This is one of those things that I know cause a lot of contraversy (whether or not to participate in any Halloween activities) This was an awesome party and the kids had so much fun. I personally feel it was no different than sending her to public school or anywhere else. She is a light for Jesus where ever He calls for her to shine :)
Friday, October 19, 2012
Nocturnal Animal of the Day - Mice
Ok - I have to admit... I am not a fan of mice! If I see one I am screaming and standing on top of whatever is close by!! Somehow I actually enjoy this unit. Could be that the mice we study are actually cute and most of the time wearing clothes! Lol!
Mice Facts
A mouse is a mammal.
Mice are nocturnal.
The lifespan of a mouse is 1 to 2 years.
Mice weigh between 1/2 and 1 ounce.
Mice have tails as long as their body that help them to climb.
A group of mice is called a mischief.
Mice can jump down 12 feet without hurting themselves!
Mice eat almost anything.
A male mouse is called a Buck.
A female mouse is called a Doe.
Baby mice are called Kittens or a Pinky.
Mice do not travel far from their nest.
Books about Mice
Town Mouse , Country Mouse
If you give a Mouse a Cookie
Mouse's Cheese Sandwich
Mouse's First Fall
Mouse and Mole
Big Week for Little Mouse
Geronimo Stilton Series of Chapter Books (my daughter LOVED these)
It's Pumpkin Day Little Mouse
Mouse on the Mayflower
Mouse's First Halloween
Bless this Mouse
Mouse Paint
Mouse and the Motercycle
Mouse Activities
Make a mouse sock puppet. Stuff a sock and add ears, nose, eyes and tail
Make a mouse fact book
Use a shoebox to make a mouse habitat
Read one of the chapter books and complete an illustration for each chapter
After reading Mouse Paint make a book mixing colors
Write your own "If you give a mouse..." book
We had a great time yesterday going to a painting class with some of the girls from co-op. Ashleigh made a beautiful cross painting.
I also got some job possiblilities . As I have already said - my heart is wanting more and more to stay home. Doors are beginning to open and I am so excited about the possibilities!! One thing that would make this transition SO much easier would be selling our house! We had it on the market a few years ago but took it off and have not reposted it yet. If anyone knows someone looking for a house or rental property in Dothan, Al send them my way! I have the house for them!!
On a sad note - Fall break is coming to an end :( I will miss the time I have been able to spend this week with Ashleigh!
Mice Facts
A mouse is a mammal.
Mice are nocturnal.
The lifespan of a mouse is 1 to 2 years.
Mice weigh between 1/2 and 1 ounce.
Mice have tails as long as their body that help them to climb.
A group of mice is called a mischief.
Mice can jump down 12 feet without hurting themselves!
Mice eat almost anything.
A male mouse is called a Buck.
A female mouse is called a Doe.
Baby mice are called Kittens or a Pinky.
Mice do not travel far from their nest.
Books about Mice
Town Mouse , Country Mouse
If you give a Mouse a Cookie
Mouse's Cheese Sandwich
Mouse's First Fall
Mouse and Mole
Big Week for Little Mouse
Geronimo Stilton Series of Chapter Books (my daughter LOVED these)
It's Pumpkin Day Little Mouse
Mouse on the Mayflower
Mouse's First Halloween
Bless this Mouse
Mouse Paint
Mouse and the Motercycle
Mouse Activities
Make a mouse sock puppet. Stuff a sock and add ears, nose, eyes and tail
Make a mouse fact book
Use a shoebox to make a mouse habitat
Read one of the chapter books and complete an illustration for each chapter
After reading Mouse Paint make a book mixing colors
Write your own "If you give a mouse..." book
We had a great time yesterday going to a painting class with some of the girls from co-op. Ashleigh made a beautiful cross painting.
I also got some job possiblilities . As I have already said - my heart is wanting more and more to stay home. Doors are beginning to open and I am so excited about the possibilities!! One thing that would make this transition SO much easier would be selling our house! We had it on the market a few years ago but took it off and have not reposted it yet. If anyone knows someone looking for a house or rental property in Dothan, Al send them my way! I have the house for them!!
On a sad note - Fall break is coming to an end :( I will miss the time I have been able to spend this week with Ashleigh!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Whooo is ready to learn about owls??
Our next nocturnal animal ? Owls! Hope you enjoy!
Owl Books
Owls by Gail Gibson (great book to get facts)
Owl Moon
Wow! said the Owl
Owl Babies
Owl Facts
There are over 200 species of owls.
Owls are nocturnal.
A group of owls is called a parliament.
Owls hunt insects, small mammals and other birds.
Owls are birds.
Some owls hunt fish.
Owls claws are called talons.
There talons are very powerful and help them catch and kill prey.
Owls have large eyes and a flat face.
Owls can turn their heads as much as 270 degrees.
Owls are farsighted. They cannot things that are upclose well.
Owls are very quiet when they fly.
The color of their feathers help camouflage them in their enviornment.
Barn owls have heart shaped faces.
Owl Activities
Owls have very good hearing. Blindfold the "owl" and have the "mouse" go hide. The owl will say "who, who" and the mouse will quietly say "squeak, squeak" as the owl hunts for him.
Use handprints to make owl wings
Color an owl picture and make a book of owl facts.
Go to the zoo and see an owl ! Take pictures for your owl book
We are off to a painting field trip today with our co-op. We are going to a dear friends painting studio.
If you have not clicked on the link to the free homeschooling resources or the crash course check them out! The crash course is over 300 pages and is awesome! Anything you could want to know about homeschooling is in this course!!
When I get to 50 follows I will do my first give-away! If you haven't followed me yet please do!
Owl Books
Owls by Gail Gibson (great book to get facts)
Owl Moon
Wow! said the Owl
Owl Babies
Owl Facts
There are over 200 species of owls.
Owls are nocturnal.
A group of owls is called a parliament.
Owls hunt insects, small mammals and other birds.
Owls are birds.
Some owls hunt fish.
Owls claws are called talons.
There talons are very powerful and help them catch and kill prey.
Owls have large eyes and a flat face.
Owls can turn their heads as much as 270 degrees.
Owls are farsighted. They cannot things that are upclose well.
Owls are very quiet when they fly.
The color of their feathers help camouflage them in their enviornment.
Barn owls have heart shaped faces.
Owl Activities
Owls have very good hearing. Blindfold the "owl" and have the "mouse" go hide. The owl will say "who, who" and the mouse will quietly say "squeak, squeak" as the owl hunts for him.
Use handprints to make owl wings
Color an owl picture and make a book of owl facts.
Go to the zoo and see an owl ! Take pictures for your owl book
We are off to a painting field trip today with our co-op. We are going to a dear friends painting studio.
If you have not clicked on the link to the free homeschooling resources or the crash course check them out! The crash course is over 300 pages and is awesome! Anything you could want to know about homeschooling is in this course!!
When I get to 50 follows I will do my first give-away! If you haven't followed me yet please do!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Raccoons - Nocturnal Animals day 2
Day 2 of our Nocturnal animal study is raccoons. My kinder kids always love learning about these animals. They always think they are sooo cute! The one we saw camping last weekend was not what I would call cute - lol !
Raccoon Facts
Raccoons have a black mask across their eyes.
Raccoons are found across southern Canada and most of the United States.
Raccoons are nocturnal.
Raccoons are omnivorous. (They eat plants and animals)
Raccoons have adapted to eat trash and other food available in urban areas (and campgrounds!)
They live alone.
They can reach speeds of 15 miles per hour on the ground.
They are excellent climbers and swimmers.
Raccoons mate between late January and early February.
Raccoons have been known to live a maximum of 16 years in the wild.
A captive raccoon has lived 21 years.
Raccoons live an average of 5 years in the wild.
They are preyed on by coyotes, wolves, hawks and owls.
Raccoons have excellent night vision.
Raccoon Books
The Kissing Hand
A Color Game for Chester Raccoon
A Pocket full of Kisses
A Bedtime Kiss for Chester Raccoon
The Raccoon Book by Katharyn Aal
Raccoon and the Ripe Corn
Raccoon Crafts
Use paper plates to make a raccoon mask
After reading Raccoons and the Ripe Corn make indian corn pictures using a corn outline and tissue paper
National Geographic website has some cool raccoon trading cards you can print
Print a raccoon coloring sheet and make a book with raccoon facts
I hope that someone is finding these post about nocturnal animals interesting :) I love sharing things that we use to have time to do at school. On a homeschooling note we had co-op yesterday so it was a very busy day. I am very blessed to have my mother-in-law home from the mission field this year (they served as missionaries in Romania for 10 years) and available to help with homeschooling. She takes Ashleigh to co-op for me on Tuesdays. They have co-op from 8:30 - 4:30! After co-op Ashleigh went to the movies with her theater group to see a Shakesphere play.
Continue to pray for me as a seek a way to stay home next year. I have felt called to be home for the last several years but never as strong as I do now... I'm sure the homeschooling is part of that. I love teaching but feel I no longer am allowed to teach! I would love to share my teaching ideas with others (and get paid for it would be great!)
Thank you to everyone who has visited my blog! I would love to hear your comments and ideas of things you would like to see. I am also thrilled to see people joining this blog! Thank you for making me smile!!
Raccoon Facts
Raccoons have a black mask across their eyes.
Raccoons are found across southern Canada and most of the United States.
Raccoons are nocturnal.
Raccoons are omnivorous. (They eat plants and animals)
Raccoons have adapted to eat trash and other food available in urban areas (and campgrounds!)
They live alone.
They can reach speeds of 15 miles per hour on the ground.
They are excellent climbers and swimmers.
Raccoons mate between late January and early February.
Raccoons have been known to live a maximum of 16 years in the wild.
A captive raccoon has lived 21 years.
Raccoons live an average of 5 years in the wild.
They are preyed on by coyotes, wolves, hawks and owls.
Raccoons have excellent night vision.
Raccoon Books
The Kissing Hand
A Color Game for Chester Raccoon
A Pocket full of Kisses
A Bedtime Kiss for Chester Raccoon
The Raccoon Book by Katharyn Aal
Raccoon and the Ripe Corn
Raccoon Crafts
Use paper plates to make a raccoon mask
After reading Raccoons and the Ripe Corn make indian corn pictures using a corn outline and tissue paper
National Geographic website has some cool raccoon trading cards you can print
Print a raccoon coloring sheet and make a book with raccoon facts
I hope that someone is finding these post about nocturnal animals interesting :) I love sharing things that we use to have time to do at school. On a homeschooling note we had co-op yesterday so it was a very busy day. I am very blessed to have my mother-in-law home from the mission field this year (they served as missionaries in Romania for 10 years) and available to help with homeschooling. She takes Ashleigh to co-op for me on Tuesdays. They have co-op from 8:30 - 4:30! After co-op Ashleigh went to the movies with her theater group to see a Shakesphere play.
Continue to pray for me as a seek a way to stay home next year. I have felt called to be home for the last several years but never as strong as I do now... I'm sure the homeschooling is part of that. I love teaching but feel I no longer am allowed to teach! I would love to share my teaching ideas with others (and get paid for it would be great!)
Thank you to everyone who has visited my blog! I would love to hear your comments and ideas of things you would like to see. I am also thrilled to see people joining this blog! Thank you for making me smile!!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
October Fun - Nocturnal Animals (Today's Post: Bats)
I love the units that I use to be able to do in October (when we could still do fun activities) ! Nocturnal animals is such a fun unit for October and you can learn so much about some cool animals God made. I've decided to share some things I've done in the past with Nocturnal animals starting with our friend the Bat. This unit was always a favorite for the boys in my class (and most of the girls loved it too)
Bat Facts
Bats are nocturnal.
Bats are the only mammal that can fly.
A single brown bat can eat 1000 mosquitoes in a single hour! (where was he when I was camping??)
Brown bats are one of the world's longest living mammals for its size - living almost 40 years!
Most all bats are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
Most bat moms give birth to a single baby (known as a pup) each year
Bats have very good eyesight.
Bats have excellent echolocation so they do not become entangled in human hair (this is very good to know! lol !)
Bats seldom transmit disease to humans or other animals.
The worlds smallest bat is a bumbleebee bat which weighs about as much as a dime.
Fruit bats are giant flying foxes and have wingspans of nearly six feet! They live in Indonesia.
Bats are very clean and like cats groom themselves often.
The pallid bat is totally immune to the stings of scorpions and centipedes that it eats.
Bat Books
Bats by Gail Gibson - this book has TONS of bat facts . It was a little long for my kinder kids to listen to all in one sitting. I would either do a few pages a day or skim through the facts that I wanted them to learn.
Stellaluna - love , love , love this book!
Bat Jamboree - you have to have the tape/cd for this book!! It is awesome!! They LOVE hearing the bat lady sing at the end of the book!
Hello Bumblebee Bat
Bonita the Fruit Bat counts to ten
National Geographic - Bats
Boo - the little brown bat
Night Song
Activities for Bats
There are tons of great bat activites on teacher websites. Just goole bats and you will get tons of cool stuff. Here are a few of my favorite that we did
1. After reading Bat Jamboree we would make a bat pyramid. We liked to draw our own bats for this and then cut them out and glue to make a pyramid. Label it ____ Bats (list the number of bats in your pyramid)
2. Use your hands to make prints for bat wings - draw the body & paint or color then cut out your handprints (again you can use paint to do your hands or just trace around them. I'm a fan of paint ) Write a fact about bats and glue it on the back
3. After researching the brown bat have your child glue small mosquito pictures on a paper plate to show how many mosquitos he can eat in an hour. See how many plates you need for 1000 mosquitos.
4. Complete a bbbbb batman book to learn about beginning sounds. Put your child's face on a picture of a bat and have them write the first letter of their name on the lines. Sallys page would be ssssssssssss satman! Do a page for different family and friends
5. Discuss the wing span of the fruit back. Measure things and find things that are smaller than the fruit bats wings and larger. Would he fit in your door? Is he longer than you when you lay down? Is he longer than the car?
Bat Facts
Bats are nocturnal.
Bats are the only mammal that can fly.
A single brown bat can eat 1000 mosquitoes in a single hour! (where was he when I was camping??)
Brown bats are one of the world's longest living mammals for its size - living almost 40 years!
Most all bats are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
Most bat moms give birth to a single baby (known as a pup) each year
Bats have very good eyesight.
Bats have excellent echolocation so they do not become entangled in human hair (this is very good to know! lol !)
Bats seldom transmit disease to humans or other animals.
The worlds smallest bat is a bumbleebee bat which weighs about as much as a dime.
Fruit bats are giant flying foxes and have wingspans of nearly six feet! They live in Indonesia.
Bats are very clean and like cats groom themselves often.
The pallid bat is totally immune to the stings of scorpions and centipedes that it eats.
Bat Books
Bats by Gail Gibson - this book has TONS of bat facts . It was a little long for my kinder kids to listen to all in one sitting. I would either do a few pages a day or skim through the facts that I wanted them to learn.
Stellaluna - love , love , love this book!
Bat Jamboree - you have to have the tape/cd for this book!! It is awesome!! They LOVE hearing the bat lady sing at the end of the book!
Hello Bumblebee Bat
Bonita the Fruit Bat counts to ten
National Geographic - Bats
Boo - the little brown bat
Night Song
Activities for Bats
There are tons of great bat activites on teacher websites. Just goole bats and you will get tons of cool stuff. Here are a few of my favorite that we did
1. After reading Bat Jamboree we would make a bat pyramid. We liked to draw our own bats for this and then cut them out and glue to make a pyramid. Label it ____ Bats (list the number of bats in your pyramid)
2. Use your hands to make prints for bat wings - draw the body & paint or color then cut out your handprints (again you can use paint to do your hands or just trace around them. I'm a fan of paint ) Write a fact about bats and glue it on the back
3. After researching the brown bat have your child glue small mosquito pictures on a paper plate to show how many mosquitos he can eat in an hour. See how many plates you need for 1000 mosquitos.
4. Complete a bbbbb batman book to learn about beginning sounds. Put your child's face on a picture of a bat and have them write the first letter of their name on the lines. Sallys page would be ssssssssssss satman! Do a page for different family and friends
5. Discuss the wing span of the fruit back. Measure things and find things that are smaller than the fruit bats wings and larger. Would he fit in your door? Is he longer than you when you lay down? Is he longer than the car?
Monday, October 15, 2012
Thank You Friends!
Thank you to a sweet friend from school for helping me figure out how to add links to my page! I am so excited and went a little crazy adding things! Mrs. P you have created a blog monster!! and how exciting to see that 6 people have visited this blog already! Woohoo!! I will be beside myself when I get to 100!!
New Blog - Take 2!
Well here we go again! I had my blog set up and going and then after 3 post I could no longer get on to post! Crazy huh? There is no telling what I did!
I am out for Fall Break this week and loving the time with Ashleigh. It only makes me know more than ever that I want to be home!! I just feel the years slipping away and realize that at this time in my life I need to be at home. This is a new feeling for me! I have NEVER felt the pull to stay home like I do now. I have always loved every part of my job. Now I feel God leading me in a new direction...
Our Homeschooling Week
Since I am home this week we are busy catching up on a lot of projects! We are using Switched on Schoolhouse this year and it is going really well. Ashleigh does her work independently (9th grade - wow!) aand I check it and help if she has any questions (she usually doesn't). The only part she needs to be motivated to do is the projects.
I am out for Fall Break this week and loving the time with Ashleigh. It only makes me know more than ever that I want to be home!! I just feel the years slipping away and realize that at this time in my life I need to be at home. This is a new feeling for me! I have NEVER felt the pull to stay home like I do now. I have always loved every part of my job. Now I feel God leading me in a new direction...
Our Homeschooling Week
Since I am home this week we are busy catching up on a lot of projects! We are using Switched on Schoolhouse this year and it is going really well. Ashleigh does her work independently (9th grade - wow!) aand I check it and help if she has any questions (she usually doesn't). The only part she needs to be motivated to do is the projects.
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