I cannot believe it is week #8 of our summer vacation. School for us will start in three short weeks. I have been concerned about having a pre-kindergartener and a first grader. For you Moms who home school multiple children, please understand I am new at this.
This summer we have been attending weekly sessions at our local library on Animals, including a puppet show, even got to pet a live skunk, rabbit, and turtle. We also had learned about beetles, butterflies, and other insects.
Our local library has also been a great resource for plan my pre-kindergarten curriculum. They published a great reading guide on preparing your child for kindergarten. I used much of their recommendations to design Bumblebee's Pre-K academic experience.
This is part of my summer challenge of crossing off one BIG project a week from my "TO DO" list.
So far this summer, I have tackled:
2. Cleaning out the Home Schooling Stuff Part I
3. Cleaning out the Home Schooling Stuff Part II
4. Cleaning out the Junk Drawer
Tackle It Tuesday is hosted by 5 Minutes for Moms.
PRE-KINDERGARTEN
LANGUAGE ARTS
Start with short vowel sounds in The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading by Jessie Wise and Sara Buffington
Continue with upper and lower case letter recognition
Continue with rhyming words games and songs.
We will chose books to read, which promote Literacy during circle time, lunchtime and at bedtime. Here is a small sampling of our selections. We already have some of these books; we will use our weekly library trip to borrow the others. :
The Animal ABC by Leslie Baker.
Dog’s ABC: A Silly Story about the Alphabet by Emma Dodd.
The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book by Lisa C. Ernst.
26 Letters and 99 Cents by Tana Hoban.
Smash! Mash! Crash! There Goes the Trash by Barbara Odanaka.
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.
Alphabet Rescue by Audrey Wood & Bruce Wood.
MATH
Along with Ladybug, Bumblebee will be reviewing the following:
Weather and Seasons
Calendar
We will continue to play counting games and songs.
We will chose books to read, which promote Mathematics. Here is a small sampling of our selections.
Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker.
1,2,3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle.
Telling Time with Big Mama Cat by Dan Harper.
Shapes by Shape by Suse MacDonald.
The Line Up Book by Marisabina Russo.
How Many Cats? By Nancy E. Wallace.
Ten Little Fish by Audrey Wood.
SCIENCE
Bumblebee will be focusing on Life Science and use the following materials.
Animals: Kingfisher First Encyclopedia of Animals
Human Body: The Kingfisher First Human Body Encyclopedia
Plants: Green Thumbs: A Kid's Activity Guide to Indoor and Outdoor Gardening
Bumblebee will also be conducting experiments from:
Bumblebee will also be growing plants from seed for our vegetable garden.
In addition, she will be taking field trips to the local aquarium and zoo. We are fortunate we received annual family memberships for both places.
Through the year, Bumblebee will be keeping a science journal to document our reading, experiments, and garden results.
We will also be reading the following picture books:
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle.
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert.
In My Backyard by Valarie Giogas.
Is Your Mama a Llama by Deborah Guarino.
Curious George Plants a Tree by H.A. Rey
SOCIAL SCIENCE
When visiting the post office, library or doctor’s office, discuss the various jobs people do at each location. What do they do to help the family? Talk about the tools each person is using to do his job.
Read the following books on various jobs around the community:
On the Town: A Community Adventure by Judith Caseley.
Check it Out! The Book About Library by Gail Gibbons.
Career Day by Anne Rockwell.
All the World by Elizabeth Scanlon.
Physical Education and Motor Development
Bumblebee along with Ladybug will engage in an art project weekly. During this, she will be drawing, cutting, gluing, and using scissors to strengthen her fine motor skills.
She will also learn art appreciation through regular visits to the Chrysler Museum of Art, which now offers free admission.
We will also be following the activities in these books:
If You’re Happy and You Know it!: A Sing-Along Action Book by Jane Cabrera.
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle.
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow.
Pretend You’re A Cat by Jean Marzollo.
Bumblebee is also taking swim lessons through the American Red Cross.
Faith Formation, Personal and Social Development
Bumblebee will attend weekly CCD classes at our church.
She will also be learning about the Holy Scriptures through The Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study for Kids.
Along with our Faith Formation, Bumblebee now had chores to do around the house including setting the table and putting laundry away.
We will also be reading the following books, which focus on respecting self and others, and expressing emotions through words rather than actions, utilizing self-control and making good choices.
Another Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown.
Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis.
Corduroy by Don Freeman.
A Good Day by Kevin Henkes.
Help! A Story of Friendship by Holly Keller.
June and August by Vivian Walsh.
Oh, I've been looking at Great Adventure Bible Study! How do you like it?
Posted by: Julie Robison | 08/10/2011 at 10:52 AM
My kids are preschool and junior kindergarten aged..thanks for the great list of books and resources!
http://ramblingsmom.com
Posted by: Savannah | 08/10/2011 at 11:34 AM
Wow you are going to be very busy, hope it all works for you.
Posted by: Sharon O | 08/10/2011 at 02:51 PM