A New Plan

This past year, I have been trying to do little learning activities each day--Monday was Gentlemen Training, Tuesday-Literacy, Wednesday-Math/Science, Thursday-Art/Music, and Friday-P.E. It went fairly well, but I'll admit that the week when we did something everyday and stuck to the schedule was rare. Life just gets too busy...with what, I don't know. Because I enjoy doing learning activities with my kids, and because I feel like it really is beneficial for them, I've decided to re-vamp my program and do things a little differently. I've decided to pretty much do preschool at home with my boys two days a week. My oldest boy, Sam, will still be going to preschool because I think that it is important for him to interact and learn from other people and children, but on the days that he's not in preschool, we'll do school of our own. I don't think you can ever do too much learning! Also, I'm a teacher at heart and making lesson plans just makes my heart swell with joy. You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but you can't take the classroom out of the teacher!

Just a little background: I have three little boys and a little girl on the way. My boys are 4 1/2, 2 1/2, and 1 1/2. I plan on differentiating the learning to meet the needs of each boy. Hey, if Laura Ingalls Wilder could teach a classroom with little kids to teenagers, I can do this! My hope is to be well-organized and have a good plan, but to also be very flexible and able to change plans as needed.

So, here's the plan:
We will have class twice a week. This doesn't include Gentlemen Training which we will still do on Mondays as its own separate activity.
Each month we will have a theme for the month and will try to focus all of our learning and activities around that theme. (Before, I picked out books and activities according to the letter of the alphabet we were learning, but now we will focus the concepts we're learning around the theme).
Each day our lessons will include something from the following categories: literacy (reading/writing), music, math, science/social science, art, and movement. I anticipate our preschool to last about two hours, including a snack break. I'm planning on going from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m./lunch. The structure will look something like this:

1. Literacy
2. Music
3. Math
4. Snack
5. Science/Social Science
6. Art 
7. Movement

Each child will have their own binder or folder where we will keep his papers. They will also have their own pencil box with their own class supplies, such as crayons, pencils, and paint.
I am trying to decide whether to get a learning mat and sit on the floor or to get a 'learning' table cloth and sit at the kitchen table. I want something that will signify that we are now doing learning time. Maybe I will get both. =)
I also want to do at least one field trip each month.
My goal is to keep this as fun and simple as possible. I will be having #4 in September, so things might get a little crazy, but I really think we can do this. Cross your fingers for me and feel free to use any ideas that you like. I'm so grateful for Google and Pinterest. I really try to give credit where it's due. I am amazed by the creativity and ideas of other people. Thank you, creative and smart people! You make my life so much better!
 I am really loving the planning phase and can't wait for September to come so that we can get started on this!

Health/P.E.

Fridays are all about being active and moving!

Here are some concepts and ideas:

• Taking care of our bodies
• Eating right (the food pyramid)
• Exercising
• Stretching and yoga
• Throwing, rolling, kicking, catching, and bouncing a ball
• Soccer
• T-ball
• Bowling
• Jumping
• Hopscotch
• Gymnastics
• Dancing
• Moving like a...
• Germs
• Tennis

Math and Science Thursday

Math is very intimidating to me. Luckily, my boys are at the age where we're just working on counting to ten. As things get more complicated, I'll just refer them to daddy!
 I love science. The world is full of wonder and so are children. I think we're going to have a lot of fun learning new things and discovering the world around us. By the way, I hear Bill Nye the Science Guy is going to be on Dancing with the Stars. I think I just added another show onto my list of Shows-I-Must-Watch-Without-Interruption-Each-Week. =)

This week we ended up doing our literacy activity as our math/science project. First, we sang the Ants Go Marching and practiced counting to 10. Then we discussed the basics of the scientific method--asking questions, researching and experimenting, and writing down your results. We made a science journal and wrote down questions we had about ants. One of our questions was: What do ants eat? We then did an experiment to find the answer. We placed a piece of hot dog, celery, a chip, and a plastic knife with some peanut butter on the sidewalk in front of our house and waited to see which the ants would choose. It turns out ants are not big fans of celery. =) We then made an ant farm using two jars. It was fun to watch the ants and see them carrying pieces of food and dirt around. I think it was a math/science lesson success!

Math Concepts

• Counting 1-10 (# names, fingers, written # recognition)
• Counting 1-20
• Counting by 10's
• Basic adding
• Basic subracting
• Telling Time

Science Concepts

• The scientific method
• Days of the week
• Months
• Seasons
• Bugs
• Weather (temperature, what to wear, clouds, rain, snow, sleet/hail, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.)
• Animal and human homes (shelter)
• Habitats
• Sounds
• Smells
• Taste
• Sight
• Touch
• Plants
• The solar system (the sun, stars, planets)
• The Earth (land and water)
• Things that go
• Dinosaurs
• Rocks and fossils
• Animals
• Machines
• Our body and how it works

Resources
Discovery Gateway
Local museums
The Magic School Bus
Bill Nye the Science Guy

Art and Music

Our art and music lessons are very informal, but I want to expose my boys to different art and music and to the beautiful and wonderful world of music and art.

The basic lesson plan format is:

1. Sing a song
2. Short music lesson
3. Listen and dance
4. Short art lesson
5. Art activity

I am not necessarily an artist or a musician, but I love creativity and I love exploring creativity. I'm excited to learn and explore with my boys.
This week this is what we did--We began by singing two requested songs: The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Next, I read two books with the boys (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle and The Big Red Ball and the Little White Kitten--Scholastic) to work on color identification. We watched Baby Einstein's Colors and had to dance whenever we were wearing the color being presented in the video.  Then we made rainbow cookies. (http://www.soudersstudios.com/recipes/rainbow-pinwheel-cookies.php) The cookies were kind of a last minute whim but a tasty one!)

Here are some of the concepts we want to learn about:
Art

• Different mediums (watercolor, oil painting, sculpting, paper folding, etc.)
• Artists
• Shapes
• Colors
• Textures
• Patterns
• Art projects according to holidays or seasons (Ie. Halloween art and crafts in October)

Music

• Musical Instruments
• Different styles of music
• Beats and rhythms
• Favorite songs

Resources:
Wee Sing (the library has these books and CD's available for check-out)
Baby Einstein (videos)
White Horses (Sam did a wonderful class last year with a neighbor called Sound Beginnings. You can check it out here: http://www.letsplaymusicsite.com/)
Discovery Gateway offers art classes with membership
Little Einsteins (videos)
www.redtedart.com
www.kinderart.com
www.teachkidsart.net
www.teachpreschool.org/creative-art-on-teach-preschool/
Young At Art--Susan Striker (book)

Literacy Links

Again, I will be updating and adding to this post often, so check back once-in-awhile! =)

Mommy and Me Book Club: http://preschoolbookclub.blogspot.com/

My Pinterest "Kid Learning" Board (This is getting edited and added to constantly!): http://pinterest.com/mj4toty/kid-learning/

Alphabet:
Letter Parties (super cute idea): http://www.serving-pink-lemonade.com/2011/03/letter-parties.html
No Time for Flash Cards (I love this website and use it all the time): http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2012/05/25-alphabet-activities-for-kids.html

Literacy (Reading and Writing)

Right now I am really going to focus on the alphabet with my children. Cole (my one year old) and Mark (my two year old) need to learn the alphabet song and naming letters. Sam (my four year old) recognizes letters and is ready to start learning sounds. This year I'm going to be focusing on a letter each week and using the Mommy and Me Book Club format. I did the Mommy and Me Book Club last year and really liked it. The focus there is helping children enjoy books and develop a love for literacy using good books and hands-on activities. This year I'm doing the same thing, but adding the alphabet element. So for week one, we will be focusing on A and will be reading a book about Ants. The art activity will be focused on working with the letter of the week.

Here's the basic format for the lessons:

Mommy & Me Book Club
Gathering Activity
Welcome Announcements:	Welcome Song (tune: London Bridges) Come along and clap with me, Clap with me, clap with me. Come along and clap with me, It’s time for us to start.
Circle Time	The More We Get Together Sing ABC song. Count from 1-10 forward and backward.
Book Time
Art Activity (Fine motor skills activity)
Snack
Game  (Gross motor skills activity)
Closing	Good-bye Song (tune: Here We Are Together) Now we wave good-bye, Good-bye, good-bye. Now we wave good-bye, I’ll see you next time.
Other	Resources:

Manners/Virtues Resources

Parents are usually more careful to bestow knowledge on their children rather than virtue, the art of speaking well rather than doing well; but their manners should be of the greatest concern.

R. Buckminster Fuller 

I seek constantly to improve my manners and graces, for they are the sugar to which all are attracted.

Og Mandino

I will be editing and adding to this post often, so check back to see what's new!

Websites:

http://www.childcarelounge.com/general-themes/good-manners.php

Annotated Book List (I will write my thoughts about each book as I check them out from the library): 

Picture Books

Dear Miss Perfect: A Beast's Guide to Proper Behavior--Sandra Dutton
This book was okay, maybe a little too old for my kids though. The format is like the help letters in magazines and newspapers but for animals. It was cute, however, and it would be fun to have the kids look for good manners and bad manners in animals, ie. not taking a bath and being stinky like a skunk or eating food from the cupboards without asking like a mouse.

What Do You Say, Dear?--Sesyle Joslin

The Scallywags--David Melling
I'm undecided about this book because I felt like it gives a mixed message. The other animals complain about the wolves', The Scallywags' manners. But when the Scallywags start behaving, the animals decide they're too boring, and it's better when they're just themselves. Good message about being yourself, but not so good for teaching manners.

Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf--Judy Sierra
This book was a cute story about B.B. Wolf trying to learn good manners and get a better image with his friends. A fun take on the Big Bad Wolf.

Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons--Amy Krouse Rosenthal
There isn't a storyline in this book, just words and definitions along with a cookie theme. For example, "Cooperate means, How about you add the chips while I stir?". The illustrations are wonderful, and the boys seemed to like the book. I would use it to talk about different ideas like being generous or compassionate.

Manners Can Be Fun--Munro Leaf

Poem Stew--William Cole

Goops and How To Be Them--Gelett Burgess

Whoopi's Big Book of Manners--Whoopi Goldberg

Emily's Everyday Manners--Peggy Post
Bear Says "Thank You"--Michael Dahl
This is a super simple and cute book about saying "thank you" and "I love you". It was great for my toddlers. Not too long and not too many words, but makes the point. There are also three other books in the series, Hippo Says "Excuse Me", Penguin Says "Please", and Mouse Says "Sorry".

Excuse Me! A Little Book of Manners--Karen Katz

This is a very short, simple book with flaps to lift that is great for very young toddlers. I used this book first just to introduce the manner lessons. I also added little discussions as we read the book.

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food--Jane Yolen

The Golden Rule--Ilene Cooper

Don't Do That--Barry Louis Polisar

Lady Lupin's Book of Etiquette--Babette Cole

Manners--Aliki

Thingumajig Book of Manners--Irene Keller

Mary Louise Loses Her Manners--Diane Cuneo

Please is a Good Word to Say--Barbara M. Joosse

Time to Say "Please"!--Mo Willems

Rules of the Wild--Bridget Levin

This Little Piggy's Book of Manners--Katherine Madeline Allen

Books for Parents

365 Manners Kids Should Know--Sheryl Eberly

This is a great book to read as a parent just as a refresher course on manners. Eberly explains a wide range of situations and good manners for the situations. She also gives little activity ideas for each manner that can be as simple as tell your child about a time you said you were sorry (p.6) or a little more complicated, such as make a 'Thumbs Up' card and when your child gets 5 Thumbs Up, he/she gets a treat (p. 33). The most current edition addresses more current manners such as with texting. This would be an especially good resource for working with older children and teens.

Everyday Graces--Karen Santorum

50 Things Every Young Gentleman Should Know--Bryan Curtis 

The Book of Virtues for Boys and Girls--William J. Bennett

This is a classic that is sometimes forgotten nowadays. It has poems and stories for various virtues such as honesty, loyalty, and friendship. You can read the stories and poems to your children, or with younger children, tell it to them in your own words. I think for now I will tell the stories to my kids and have them draw pictures to go along with the story or find a picture on the internet to go along with the story. 

Manners Monday

Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.

Emily Post

Here are the basics for my manners/virtues lessons:

Lesson Plan Format
Song
Review of last week's lesson
Lesson/Story
Activity/Practice

My plan is to only spend about 15-20 minutes each Monday on these lessons. They should be fun, easy, flexible, and focused on concepts that the kids need to learn at that moment. So, if I notice that my boys are having a hard time with saying "Thank you", then I will plan a thank you lesson for that week. The concepts can also be taught over and over again (as much as needed) with different materials. I will also reinforce the concepts through out the week. Manner and virtue instruction is really on-going, but with these lessons I can refer back to them. "Remember what the boy in the story said..."

Concepts

• Please
• Thank you
• Sorry
• Greeting/Meeting People
• Stranger Danger
• Honesty
• Helping 
• Sharing
• Kindness
• Happy Attitude
• Gratitude
• Saying nice things--compliments
• Yucky words
• Phone etiquette
• Table etiquette
• Patriotism
• Service
• Reverence

Here is a little song that I made up:
The Good Manners Song (sing to "Are you sleeping")
We say thank you;
We say please;
We say sorry;
We say excuse me;
We cough into our elbow,
And sneeze into our elbow.
We are polite.
We are polite.

The Basics

I have three boys under the age of four. Most days I don't know where the time goes. I have many ideas of things I want to do with the boys, but sometimes everyday life just zips us through the day, and we don't accomplish any of my ideas or goals. I want to teach my children good things. I want my boys to be smart, kind, and good. I want to cut down on our screen time. I want, I want, I want.

In an attempt to be more structured and to make sure I do some quality things with my kids each day, I've decided to implement what I'm calling The Mommy I Wonder Preschool. I Wonder because I hope to fuel my children's sense of wonder...and because sometimes I wonder how I'm going to do all of this! The idea behind all of this is to teach my kids the basic things that I think they need and to keep it simple and thus doable. I am working with very young children, so the concepts will be very basic. I'm also working on a budget, so I will be trying to keep expenses down.

I've decided to start this blog and share what we are doing so that you can use some of the ideas too. You are also more than welcome to comment and share some of your ideas and thoughts too. It would be greatly appreciated!

Here's the basic structure:
Each day we will have a different focus. And like I said earlier, I want to keep this simple but structured.
Monday--Manners and Virtues
Tuesday--Literacy (reading and writing)
Wednesday--Art and Music
Thursday--Math and Science
Friday--Health and P.E.

I will be taking advantage of local resources also, such as story time at the local library or book store, Discovery Gateway, local museums, etc.

I'm so excited to get this started. I have to admit that when I used to teach middle school, one of my favorite things was lesson planning. (I'm kind of a nerd like that). And, of course, I really love my students!