Rush Hour Logic Game

Feel free to skip all these next posts... we're just sharing some of the great ideas we've compiled for preschoolers/kindergarteners. With all the help Grams gave us last month, Mom was able to get a lot of quick activities planned out. It really gave our homeschooling a kick start!! I'm amazed with how much more we do (well, it helps that Elora seems to be so much more mature. Logan declared that she's no longer a toddler... one thing is for sure, she's not a baby any more!) -- -especially with the organization the workbaskets have given us (see posts about that below). It helps that the kids are excited to do things... both kids will ask to do things that they find in the work baskets. And, that includes not only the crafts, but also some of the more academic subjects too. They'll both ask to do math or reading, history and so forth.

We still get outside and have been enjoying the cool, lovely weather. Logan has learned to jump rope (with Mom twirling the rope); we play soccer together; we go on walks; play ghost in the graveyard and tickle monster; and Logan has been learning to ride his bike without training wheels.

Anyway, here are some of the activities we've done lately. Logan enjoyed the challenge of Rush Hour. You have to get the red car out of the traffic jam by moving trucks out of the way. Often it takes several steps to move them from the red car's path. Delenn was frustrated, so I simply made the pattern easier for her.

 
 
 

Hole Punching Activity

This activity is for developing fine motor control and hand strength. I used a meat skewer (with the sharp tip cut off) with rubber bands wrapped around it.


 
 
 

Make a Tree

I thought these projects turned out great!

Twist a number of pipe cleaners together up to about half-way. (The kids gave a twist, then Mom gave a twist, etc.)

Roll a ball of self-hardening clay -- and flatten one side. Stick "trunk" of tree in the base.

Spread out pipe cleaners to look like branches.

Cut up strips of paper.

Poke through the pipe cleaners to look like leaves; add beads for flowers if desired.


 
 
 
 

Make an Aquarium

 
 
 
 

Made with two paper plates -- the top one has a hole cut out. Cut out a circle from a ziploc bag and tape to the inside of the top plate to make it look like glass.

Pom Pom Sorting; Straw Necklaces

Elora amazes us with how much she wants to participate -- and how well she does with the activities! Look at her threading the straw onto the (plastic) string!


 
 
 
 

More Daily Activities

Here are a few more activities to share with you:

Another Montessori activity is hole punching; in this case Logan is using a skewer to punch holes along the continent of Africa. It's good for strengthening hand muscles and for fine motor control.

Delenn is putting hair barretts onto a rubber band (again, fine motor skills; matching colors).

Shape matching activity.

 
 
 
 

More Preschool Box Activities

Here are a few more activities that I have yet to put in Delenn's preschool box:

Put the eraser on the pencil (small motor skills).

Consonant blend sorting.

Matching the capital and lower case letter (I'll just set out about 5 at a time in a ziploc baggy).

Opposites puzzles.


 
 
 
 

Preschool Activities in a Box

Continuing the trend to be organized, I have a number of preschool activities set to go. Each activity has the items needed, ready to go in its own ziploc bag. Pictured here is a "practical life" activity -- button flowers. I saw this Montessori activity that someone else had made and put it together last night (in about 1/2 hour). Also pictured is a matching activity (match the foam pieces with their mates). I have animals, cars, ocean creatures as one activity and letters as another. Finally there's an activity to string straw pieces to make a necklace.

It took very little time to put this file box together since we had all these materials around the house -- and Delenn spent over an hour this morning doing some of the activities! Looking for preschool activity ideas? I keep an eye on these websites for ideas:

http://mymontessorijourney.typepad.com/
http://chasingcheerios.blogspot.com/
http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/preschool_activities.htm
http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/

Also, I get a lot of great ideas and worksheets from http://kidssoup.com/ -- I paid for a subscription (well worth it for preschool/kindergarten aged kids), but they also have some free activities and ideas posted there if you'd like to check it out.


 

 
 
 

By the way, someone shared a link to some free online e-books if you're interested. The illustrations are lovely and the pages load reasonably quickly. Some titles include My Even Day, My Odd Day, Kersplatypus, The Rainforest Grew All Around, and more. Sorry for the long link:

http://homeschooling.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=homeschooling&cdn=education&tm=7&gps=188_94_1148_617&f=10&tt=13&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.sylvandellpublishing.com/sitelicense.php%3Fsc%3DR2OFNK

Scissor Skills

 
 
 

Small Motor Skills -- Stringing Beads

 
 
 
 

Hike along the Woodlands Trail, Simpson Gap

While the temperature was perfect, the flies were pretty bad. Poor Elora had lots of them all over her face. We had fly nets... but we left them safely in the car.



 
 

Hike at Simpson's Gap

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Delenn at Soccer

 
 

Anzac Day Parade, April 25th

 
 
 
 

Veteran's Day & Anzac Day Lapbook

Veteran's Day has come and gone (celebrated in the US on Nov. 11; here in Australia Nov. 11 is "Remembrance Day.") April 25th is Anzac Day. It is celebrated in Australia and New Zealand to honour those who fought at Gallipoli (Turkey) in WWI. It is a public holiday and now honours all those who died and served in military operations for the country. Even a small town like ours honours its veterans with a dawn service and parade.

The day before Logan and Mom put together this lapbook (which we had gotten for free back in November). Logan was excited by this project and we worked on it for nearly two hours straight -- talking about the branches of the military and who in our family has served in the military.

 
 
 
 

Do You Know a Veteran? We do!

 

Heritage Night at the Telegraph Station

On Friday evening, we went to the Telegraph Station for the festivities there. We got to try damper bread (made on a campfire) with butter and honey. Then we saw an old wagon, learned about bush foods and the kids climbed into a wagon with their friends.

 
 
 
 

More Heritage Night

The kids enjoyed seeing the sheep, watching the blacksmiths work and watching people demonstrate spinning, quilting and embroidery work.


 
 
 
 

My Sister's New Book!

In the proud family tradition of writing, my sister's book is now available at Amazon! WAY TO GO, CYNTHIA!!

 


Here's the Amazon description:

While there has been a great tradition of scholarship in medieval manuscripts, most studies have focused on the details of manuscript production by male copyists. In this study, Cynthia J. Cyrus demonstrates the prevalence of manuscript production by women monastics and challenges current assumptions of how manuscripts circulated in the late medieval period. Drawing on extensive research into the surviving manuscripts of over 450 women's convents, the author assesses the genres common to women's convent libraries emphasizing a social rather than a codicological understanding of how manuscripts of women's libraries came to be copied.

An engaging mix of biography, women's history, and book history, The Scribes for Women's Convents in Late Medieval Germany will change the way medieval manuscripts are understood and studied.
While there has been a great tradition of scholarship in medieval manuscripts, most studies have focused on the details of manuscript production by male copyists. In this study, Cynthia J. Cyrus demonstrates the prevalence of manuscript production by women monastics and challenges current assumptions of how manuscripts circulated in the late medieval period. Drawing on extensive research into the surviving manuscripts of over 450 women's convents, the author assesses the genres common to women's convent libraries emphasizing a social rather than a codicological understanding of how manuscripts of women's libraries came to be copied.

This is a proud family tradition of writing as my grandparents helped write a book called, River Reflections. My Mom wrote a book called Experiencing Race Class and Gender in the United States. I'll post a picture of that below:

On the topic of writing, this is the cover of Mom's book:

 

After nearly two months of silence -- We're back!

Greetings from the DingoDen!


 
 

Workbasket Activities

Here are some quick activities I had in their workbaskets today (see more about workboxes and our work baskets below!). We had letter tiles and word cards laying around. I put them together and they spent time spelling out words.

 
 
 

Math Activities

Here are a few more things we did from our workbaskets:

Logan has been learning American coins (we've been using American coins because it uses pennies, unlike the Australian system). This was from some file folder games.

In the second picture Logan is using manipulatives from Right Start Math. He's been learning about place value to the thousands.

Delenn is doing another Right Start Math game about sequencing. She had to hide her eyes while I mixed up the numbers. She's then putting them in order.

Finally, Delenn wanted me to take a picture of her making the "pretty butterfly." Here it is!!

 
 
 
 

Dyed Flowers

This is an easy craft to do with young kids. Cut out a circle shape from white coffee filters. Fold the filter and use a clothes pin to grab the end. Dip it into two colored dyes (you can use food coloring and water; we used the extra dye from the Easter eggs). Let it dry, then place on a pipe cleaner, crinkle and you're done!

 
 

Getting Sand for the Egyptian Desert

As you'll see from some posts below, we have been studying Ancient Egypt. I read about this geography project and thought the kids might enjoy it.

It has really helped the kids understand why the Nile River was so important to Egypt, where food was planted and the fact that very little grew in the desert area.

In the pictures below we gathered sand for the Egyptian desert.

 
 
 
 

Creating the Nile River and fertile river valley

We created the Nile River out of aluminium foil. Then we put some fertile soil in the river bed. We added water and watched as the soil flowed over the sides of the river. Logan really "got" the importance of flooding (I think!).

 
 
 
 

Planting Seeds in the Nile River Valley

In the pictures below the kids (including Elora) planted seeds in the fertile soil. We then watered the seeds, posed for pictures.

Logan then announced that we HAD to have pyramids and a sphynx. That was our next project for the morning.

 
 
 

Making Little Pyramids for our geography project

 
 
 
 

Evening project -- clay Sphinx

We had to make an emergency trip to the shop (it COULDN'T wait another day!!) to get some air-hardening clay to make a Sphinx. That was our after-dinner project and then we showed off the final project to Daddy.

 
 

After three days our seeds began to sprout

 

Logan and Delenn sit proudly with their Egypt project!

 
 

Plants Grow in the Nile River Valley!

After just a few days, the flooded Nile River valley came to life.

Logan took the last two pictures and wanted to be sure to include them on the blog.


 
 
 
 

Our Homeschool "Workbox" System

Let's get organized!

While Grams was here we gave lots of thought on how to organize our homeschooling schedule and activities a bit more efficiently. I am really happy with how much this has transformed our days. Activities, school work, and fun stuff is organized and set out for the kids ahead of time... just with a glance they can see the cool stuff they can do. We've gotten a lot more done each day. As you'll see from some of the posts below, Delenn has especially benefited because I'm including lots of Montessori activities in her workbox area.


 
 

Homeschool Organization

In the past few weeks a lot of homeschoolers have been caught up in an organizational system called workboxes. It's based on a book written by Sue Patrick. (Here's someone else's blog. She writes a lot more about the workbox system and why it works well in her family: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/walkingbytheway/667481/) She suggests that you have twelve bins (shoe box sized) and place the kids work, games, fun activities and so forth in them. Much like a Montessori school, the kids then can see what work they can/need to do for the day. It also helps the parent get out some of those cool homeschool activities hidden deep in the back recesses of their cabinets.

While the bin-method wouldn't work for me (because Elora would just help herself to the contents!), the system itself made a lot of sense to me. It helps kids to be

independent: because they can see what needs to be done and can learn to work independently

motivated: the kids are excited the fun they see waiting for them

creative: it helps you add more variety to their schoolwork; the kids can "run with" whatever items you have out (For example, Logan wanted to add a coconut to his basket so he could open it and see what the insides looked like!)

accomplishment: it helps you accomplish more throughout the day. Kids see things they can do and do it! I've been amazed at all the things we manage to get done now since things are at hand and I don't have to go searching for this or that.

So, after a lot of thought, here's what I've done. As you saw in the picture above, I have three hanging baskets where I can place the day's activities. I have a schedule strip (using blu-tack) of the activities for Logan to work on. As he finishes things, he pulls them off and drops them into a basket on the dining room table. Most activities take about 10-20 minutes. These include things like reading, card games, a craft idea (if they're interested), copywork (writing practice), Montessori activities (in Delenn's basket), file folder games, a drawing book, mazes, dot-to-dots, our lapbook project, etc. I also have a file folder of activities and games -- one on each card that I can thumb through and pull out. For example, I wrote down ALL of our board games, extraneous homeschool activities we have, craft ideas I have stashed away or have come across over the Internet, etc.

I also have a tray set up on the craft table where I put out a new board game, puzzle and preschool activity games most every day. Even if they don't play the game, I rotate a new game out for the next day when we clean up at the end of the day.

Books: We are great book lovers here at the DingoDen. If you haven't read Jim Trelease's Read Aloud Handbook I highly recommend it. Anyway, he suggests displaying books with the cover out. We've always had a bookshelf designated for displaying books. I change those books most every evening. I also have a napkin holder on the dining room table where we display books. We read often read aloud during breakfast/snacks/lunch.

With this same principle in mind I decided that a book display would add to our homeschool display system. That way i can display school books that I hope will grab the kids' attention (history, science or whatever). I gathered our limited tools and put together a book display that fits neatly below the baskets. Take a look at the next entries to see the end results!

These pictures below are a little out of order, but you'll get the idea of some of the things that have helped organize our homeschool days/materials.

Oh, and not pictured here is a calendar that hangs near the dining room table. The kids (Logan mainly) changes the date each morning. We have any outside activities posted there (dance class, soccer practice, Kindergym, library day, etc.)

 
 
 
 

Hard Plastic Files

Instead of using plastic bins, I used hard plastic file folders. I can fit in everything from workbooks, printouts from the Internet to card games and math manipulatives. They are clear so the kids know what activity they can work on. They are hard enough to open that Elora can run off with them without destroying the contents or spreading them from one end of the house to the other!

 
 

Making a Book Display

Hooray! The book display turned out awesome! My Dad is an awesome carpenter (his father/my grandfather was a carpenter by trade) -- and I picked up a couple skills from him... most important was "measure, measure and measure again, then take a break and measure again." With this in mind, I didn't make too many horrible mistakes! Just wish I had a few more tools to make it easier!

Everything here is very expensive including lumber. I used an old curtain rod which is why the dowels don'e all match. I figured it wouldn't matter once the material was put in place. I sewed the material and just eyeballed the measurements from rod to rod. In the end, it worked out fine!

 
 
 

Backyard Cubby Paradise

While I worked on the book display, the kids made and played in a HUGE cubby village!


 

The finished book display

 
 

Ta Da! Baskets, homeschool book display area! YAY!

 

Afternoon fun...

Just by setting things out on display the kids are doing more on their own and "discovering" things we have hidden away in the cabinets.


 


 

Sleepover!

Bradon and Seth came over for a sleep over, April 15. Elora enjoyed all the attention!!

 
 
 
 

Boy and his Dog

 

Everybody does some painting, including Elora!

 
 
 

Wii Fit

 
 

Elora Leads Grams Around

Finally, at the end of Grams' visit Elora had warmed up to Grams.

 
 
 
 

Elora finds the Easter Chocolate

 
 

Hanging Out with Grams

 
 
 
 

Easter Family Photos

 
 
 

Hunting for Eggs Outside (April 12)

 
 
 
 

Easter Egg Hunt Inside

 
 
 

Easter Morning

 
 
 
 

Decorating Easter Eggs

 
 
 
 

Easter Parade

 
 
 

Another Montessori Activity

Sorting pompoms:

Delenn sorted by color. Logan sorted them into groups of five. Listen to where this activity went from here: Logan decided to make a potion with the pompoms. When Mom objected to getting all the pompoms wet he decided to make some "smells" (lemon, cinnamon, garlic and other things)... -- and then wanted to set up a stand to sell smells for five cents each!). Our neighbors (about five or six people!) came over to Logan's stand and smelled his smells. Logan was really excited to have customers and declared that his store would be open every Saturday and Sunday. Eventually, he changed his mind (and we could dump out his smells), but he sure was proud of himself for earning money.

 
 

Smells for Sale!

 
 
 

A nice photo of the kids and Grams

 
 

Once Mom was in sight it was all over!

Elora was fine playing with Grams, until the moment Mom came into view!

 
 

Outside with Grams

Grams spent lots and lots of time playing with the kids outside while she was here.

 
 
 
 

Easter School Games

I came across a wonderful Montessori resource for preschoolers (http://mymontessorijourney.typepad.com/). She shares some great activities she does with in her Montessori preschool class. Here are a couple things I set up. Both kids enjoyed them:

Easter Egg Game: Each player had to roll the dice and cover that number of Easter eggs with a button. The first player to fill his/her card wins

Bead counting: Put the number of beads on a pipe cleaner.

Money Sorting: Logan has been working with American coins. This is a great game I came across called the Candy Store. Unfortunately I can't remember where I got it, but if I come across it, I'll try to add in the link.

 
 
 
 
)

A Quick Getaway!

Mom, Dad and Elora had a brief holiday down in Adelaide while Grams stayed with Delenn and Logan.

 
 
 
 

Walk to Glenelg

Elora and Mom walked from our place into Glenelg. It was a 2 or 3 mile walk each way. The weather was beautiful and the scenery was perfect!


 
 
 
 

More Cute Elora Pictures

 
 
 
 

More beach pics

 
 
 

West Beach, Adelaide

 
 
 
 

Telegraph Station

Picnic at the Telegraph Station, March 28

 
 
 
 

Studying Ancient Egypt

Our study of Ancient Egypt has been quite spread out because we took a break during Grams' visit. Here the kids are showing Daddy their ancient Egypt crafts (a pyramid, sarcophagus with a mummy inside, and various colored pictures). We'll be posting a few more pictures soon of the Nile River valley we made -- more about that soon!

 
 
 
 

March 15-18, 2009

Grams arrived for a 5 week visit March 12. She stayed with us until April 13th. These are pictures from her first week with us.

As you can see below, Elora has a special bond with Boomer! She is always sitting with and/or on Boomer.

 
 
 
 

March 12-15, 2009

Grams fresh off the plane from Missouri; playing with the kids and at a Arizona cheerleaders show with friends.