tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90222776224268616092024-03-05T01:52:01.725-08:00Waterfront PreschoolShaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-15364099918538193652010-06-22T11:59:00.000-07:002010-06-22T12:16:03.669-07:00Recipe: Pepperonata with Penne and sausageOK, this is a homeschooling blog, so you're saying "Why is she posting a recipe?" WELL....for one thing, homeschoolers (or at least the ones I know....) often find themselves at 4 in the afternoon saying "Oh, what am I going to make for dinner?" And this, 4pm thought, is the FIRST time they've thought of it all day. D'oh.<br /><br />So, this recipe is GREAT for homeschoolers, because it seriously takes 20 minutes.<br /><br />Seriously.<br /><br />I have made this recipe a half dozen times in the last year, and I LOVE it. Yesterday, I was excited ALL day knowing that this was what's for dinner. Another bonus? It's got peppers in it. My kids don't like peppers...or so they would tell you, but they eat this up like there is no tomorrow. <br /><br />Another tip? When I make it, I dice up twice as much peppers as a I need, and freeze half. Next time I make it, I won't have to dice peppers at all. <br /><br />This is from a book, I can't take any credit for the inception of this phenomena. My fabulous mother-in-law gave me a book called "Desperation Dinners: Home Cooked Meals for Frantic Families in 20 Minutes Flat"....she brought this to me when she came just before Four was born. Think she had an idea of what life would be like "after?" She is a mother of 5 after all. <br /><br />Anyway, on to the recipe:<br /><br />2 cups penne (I use whole wheat)<br />1 teaspoon olive oil<br />4 links Italian sausage (3/4-1lb total) <br />1 large onion<br />1 medium green, red, and yellow pepper<br />1 can diced or whole tomatoes (I've only ever used diced)<br />2 tbls light or dark brown sugar, lightly packed<br />1 tbls balsalmic or red wine vinegar (I've only ever used balsalmic)<br />4 bay leaves (I've made it with and w/out, I would say these are optional)<br />1/2 teaspoon dried basil<br />Salt and black pepper to taste<br />Grated parm cheese (optional)<br /><br />1. Place the penne in 2 1/2 quarts of already boiling unsalted water, cook until tender (11-13 minutes)<br />2. Meanwhile, heat the oil over medium heat in an extra-deep 12 inch nonstick skillet that has a lid. Pierce the sausages several times with a fork and add them to the skillet. (I personally cut the links up into large pieces instead of leaving them whole..but that's personal preference.) Let brown, turning the links occasionally while peeling and slicing the onion. Add the onion to the pan as you slice, seperating it into strips. (Again, out of personal preference, I dice the onion, and also the peppers....the smaller the pieces the less likely my kids are to ask questions LOL.)<br />3. Seed the peppers and cut into long strips about 1/2 inch wide. Add them to the skillet, stir, cover the skillet and raise the heat to high. Keeping the skillet covered as much as possible, add the tomatoes with their juice, the brown sugar, vinegar, bay leaves and basil. Stir well. Bring mixture to a boil.<br />4. Lower the heat to medium-high and boil until the sausage is no longer pink in the middle and the veges are tender but not mush, about 7 minutes, uncovering to stir occasionally.<br />5. Drain the penne and place some of each on each serving plate. Season the sausage mixture with salt and black pepper and top each pasta portion with some of the sauce, making sure to discared the bay leaves. (Another variation, I drain the penne and then add it to the skillet with the sauce.)<br /><br />Enjoy!Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-703217291462465462010-02-20T15:05:00.000-08:002010-02-20T15:56:34.586-08:00Catch Up!So, it's been eternity and a day. <br /><br />This is going to be my catch up post. :-) <br /><br />ABC Book project: I'm taking photos of big colored in letters along with real life items that start with that letter and putting them in a 3 ring photo album for Three to use as we're learning the alphabet. So far the project has been a lot of fun for myself, AND One and Two who like coming up with more things that go with each letter. Here are a couple examples: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenbVX6ML78UuNhanVx95UPicoIPDbp9xq2S4bO8banz8s1IhuLka0qgbxp2HFPI24erRgf_bMf6ldq5fbClxFi7KmRD7Y-gzFfV86AJ-EGnPNJxakzS9prJ8_VfrzNKukuf6SS4mJgS5b/s1600-h/DSC03584.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440469240760358770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenbVX6ML78UuNhanVx95UPicoIPDbp9xq2S4bO8banz8s1IhuLka0qgbxp2HFPI24erRgf_bMf6ldq5fbClxFi7KmRD7Y-gzFfV86AJ-EGnPNJxakzS9prJ8_VfrzNKukuf6SS4mJgS5b/s320/DSC03584.JPG" /></a> G is for Goldfish, and B is for blocks.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFuOg4JCkZdyIkYpgcIrWcwGDaalUeipeF6scrutg5GHZLO6gotSDUt1uKj9WWsXFEyLc_2cX9ouGBRF_1Pd-dJ4rWe9cKCJNjfi2zFNympMrWD_wMX1AhD3KP6P_VJSHirjYktnynoqn/s1600-h/DSC03572.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440469237643614610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFuOg4JCkZdyIkYpgcIrWcwGDaalUeipeF6scrutg5GHZLO6gotSDUt1uKj9WWsXFEyLc_2cX9ouGBRF_1Pd-dJ4rWe9cKCJNjfi2zFNympMrWD_wMX1AhD3KP6P_VJSHirjYktnynoqn/s320/DSC03572.JPG" /></a> Snow angel: <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjtR7KAvEQvJ1JV21aH56AWXvyOWTG5JLKYPLmRbowrg0AVv9KwrvBz1W2wb6TGXvuiQs8346XW5m_xLaA8sqW7bCae-AhyO5cjGoZWfV1frzr4xhq_ffslR7cemTfffsua9aVof92bId/s1600-h/DSC03343.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440469229818315426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjtR7KAvEQvJ1JV21aH56AWXvyOWTG5JLKYPLmRbowrg0AVv9KwrvBz1W2wb6TGXvuiQs8346XW5m_xLaA8sqW7bCae-AhyO5cjGoZWfV1frzr4xhq_ffslR7cemTfffsua9aVof92bId/s320/DSC03343.JPG" /></a><br />Valentines Day craft:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2Paduhdv8xGNgfdikihBQIIlGB-MT1HTiFzP0pDI9Lh7BVnOA73I31MZwEioGi6ATJ0xmSAWK0RM14MfQ4VUnDucUP-YOokmQDdbJ2V00GwBFIjJhbTw67UZoE6UMU3lKpR3E8eUMoJn/s1600-h/DSC03304.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440469226231676738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2Paduhdv8xGNgfdikihBQIIlGB-MT1HTiFzP0pDI9Lh7BVnOA73I31MZwEioGi6ATJ0xmSAWK0RM14MfQ4VUnDucUP-YOokmQDdbJ2V00GwBFIjJhbTw67UZoE6UMU3lKpR3E8eUMoJn/s320/DSC03304.JPG" /></a><br />Putting the tissue paper on the contact paper for the above craft.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AfXLihrkbmiUHMeJA3vJhLyn2L40CvlIxjyrwuXT7l8JuOI7ETMYD7WxKeatnaMBHy8M0d1cgZ_SVwDgC44PAi933NktyOSzjAlx3lqZ_GRXt_i_sKBJGXaBeetdpv9ZOUNIHOyQROZL/s1600-h/DSC03302.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440467605503311506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AfXLihrkbmiUHMeJA3vJhLyn2L40CvlIxjyrwuXT7l8JuOI7ETMYD7WxKeatnaMBHy8M0d1cgZ_SVwDgC44PAi933NktyOSzjAlx3lqZ_GRXt_i_sKBJGXaBeetdpv9ZOUNIHOyQROZL/s320/DSC03302.JPG" /></a>"Working like Daddy." (notice he is well prepared...snack right there on the tray)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXUMLWZZL20w02scMSpkwJOlKdvg67XNdR5mhGAQ58qTXe1uNrUvPddVG83kMG-66MC8uRciYl0vTTu3bdg6W0ON7nGMW1DRL-XifccQfGHdYg-Rk8_mIg00UVg_EPgpURlttof5cMnN0/s1600-h/DSC03280.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440467596938707538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXUMLWZZL20w02scMSpkwJOlKdvg67XNdR5mhGAQ58qTXe1uNrUvPddVG83kMG-66MC8uRciYl0vTTu3bdg6W0ON7nGMW1DRL-XifccQfGHdYg-Rk8_mIg00UVg_EPgpURlttof5cMnN0/s320/DSC03280.JPG" /></a> A "pigit" (picnic)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAev7bbPXlPbz3_6kkvcI9m-h6c9aKwvkZ4Jo_7p9KaYTzEWtlMBMZ_Uq28id_BtCqNX45MEjRPNRkpI6igSLltSFO_JHYXWecf6_zvh5OgBeEYj1qV5hHvmvwkoXAlXFycu1LltVYqrI/s1600-h/DSC03140.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440467591689244098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAev7bbPXlPbz3_6kkvcI9m-h6c9aKwvkZ4Jo_7p9KaYTzEWtlMBMZ_Uq28id_BtCqNX45MEjRPNRkpI6igSLltSFO_JHYXWecf6_zvh5OgBeEYj1qV5hHvmvwkoXAlXFycu1LltVYqrI/s320/DSC03140.JPG" /></a> Three recently celebrated his 3rd birthday, in honor of such a wonderous event Mother Nature gave Three a double rainbow for his birthday.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12i1kQcaWABaIEt2OvSlEkQWMwVJi4OsiqPezb_I83Zll2WBeTue6XhUVPhyphenhyphenIQI5oJLw4NCMBluTUYdK6It4QDA6_9gRThMLnjJioVfquUBoRBzOA3kXNIKsyYdWIejYy3QPHzduP8vVs/s1600-h/DSC03255.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440467587075497090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12i1kQcaWABaIEt2OvSlEkQWMwVJi4OsiqPezb_I83Zll2WBeTue6XhUVPhyphenhyphenIQI5oJLw4NCMBluTUYdK6It4QDA6_9gRThMLnjJioVfquUBoRBzOA3kXNIKsyYdWIejYy3QPHzduP8vVs/s320/DSC03255.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This was a birthday craft. It was a large candle. He painted the paper for the candle, then I cut a flame shape from contact paper and he sprinkled glitter on the sticky side. Then I sealed it shut and we glued it to the back of the candle.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxJnmyK-JP_xI5Dk0W3Qp8IO-6fp6nu9e-Rvx2RfEEfvUGrwqN3E-S9RMrcLM20ooFvy16QEsQgsR13N0EWM30FWrujknQnbRBaIThip8qWQUFqCB5jMyloC8evYPQZpKhwiYUviIveNl/s1600-h/DSC03137.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440467579625385394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxJnmyK-JP_xI5Dk0W3Qp8IO-6fp6nu9e-Rvx2RfEEfvUGrwqN3E-S9RMrcLM20ooFvy16QEsQgsR13N0EWM30FWrujknQnbRBaIThip8qWQUFqCB5jMyloC8evYPQZpKhwiYUviIveNl/s320/DSC03137.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>Look forward:</div><div> </div><div>I have put together a unit on Dental Health for this coming week. Three is now asking every day to "do school," and I've been doing a better job of getting things together. :) We are seeing the dentist for a cleaning (Three's 2nd visit, and his first visit where I won't be going back with him) in a couple weeks so we're going to go over all that sort of stuff again. He did phenomenal at his first visit, but we had talked about it A LOT, so I'm hoping. Ohh, and I'll be taking our Letter D to the dentist and get him to pose with it for our ABC book. Lucky me, our Dentist's name is "Dr. Don" so he's a 3 for one shot (Doctor, Don, Dentist!)<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-60068228977764201302009-08-23T10:33:00.000-07:002009-08-23T11:02:33.625-07:00Weeks WorkWeek of August 17:<br /><br />This is a toy called "Pyramis" made by Haba. The blocks have holes in them, and there are cylinders that fit into each hole, so they all nestle into each other. It's very neat. Three doesn't quite "get it" yet, but he enjoys working with it and exploring different ways to fit them together.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDTWbUUCNSBKWoXBswkNJTcOQVDC9i0FPbFdqgdJ2Gt9REJmOf3A2T03Tb0ZxvkdtWgILgEkwIlUG0QO8fwAvQhc_ygwEkAaoNzPtp7E_3K7PLuwlrhcx6jGNcOn-Si2TsZ5Hy8zGRdS5/s1600-h/DSC01029-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373219536092061538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDTWbUUCNSBKWoXBswkNJTcOQVDC9i0FPbFdqgdJ2Gt9REJmOf3A2T03Tb0ZxvkdtWgILgEkwIlUG0QO8fwAvQhc_ygwEkAaoNzPtp7E_3K7PLuwlrhcx6jGNcOn-Si2TsZ5Hy8zGRdS5/s320/DSC01029-1.JPG" /></a><br />Another idea from <a href="http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/">No Time For Flash Cards </a>(seriously, I love that site!). Three is not a fan of getting his hands messy, so actually getting him to fingerpaint was tough. Although, since then he has asked repeatedly to finger paint, so that's progress!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9isiYGHl1L7D4E5oc3Z9ehKTJkPrQSY5AW6ZXBGdJ_Tx_MFc49xz63YV0UhaKLx-kwNuGMkloNItUl6vpJ_dRjd3Ehf0kLW6fQAXq7-wH8OPSsc_EXhX50q5AiR35tZ_v2SUKPSKDJaY/s1600-h/DSC01024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373219528034464962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9isiYGHl1L7D4E5oc3Z9ehKTJkPrQSY5AW6ZXBGdJ_Tx_MFc49xz63YV0UhaKLx-kwNuGMkloNItUl6vpJ_dRjd3Ehf0kLW6fQAXq7-wH8OPSsc_EXhX50q5AiR35tZ_v2SUKPSKDJaY/s320/DSC01024.JPG" /></a><br />I was nursing Four, and working with One on her schoolwork when Three painted the fish (using a rolling pin covered in bubble wrap for a neat texture). Daddy and Two were helping. So, I didn't get a picture of the actual painting, but here are the painted fish, and some I had already cut out.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv63N6wbGYh2dBEtjQv5T0BOqANWTAvk2ZB88mtc-dIZ3Fe7Xzp3Qipu3Hy3ZGENAIbG7HYozamtvGJuXI4mqRPkXyUrmdplRyNOYhc7KKwjJOLpejreb42-JoCDzyM9cR40jka-7Xhj82/s1600-h/DSC01025.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373219521993466226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv63N6wbGYh2dBEtjQv5T0BOqANWTAvk2ZB88mtc-dIZ3Fe7Xzp3Qipu3Hy3ZGENAIbG7HYozamtvGJuXI4mqRPkXyUrmdplRyNOYhc7KKwjJOLpejreb42-JoCDzyM9cR40jka-7Xhj82/s320/DSC01025.JPG" /></a><br />And, the final product:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lW1xJFnTzpIqarVZS64EkilUhBuPHppHrt7qsApNANu5cAe517e8OzJAULaELjvPE0BslV5yPmfretstlyj3WTxIXmzm4o1H661rz9fl9xBYc514f42CwCokjXqaWzXxBElBjkN46bAZ/s1600-h/DSC01035-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373219512009141954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lW1xJFnTzpIqarVZS64EkilUhBuPHppHrt7qsApNANu5cAe517e8OzJAULaELjvPE0BslV5yPmfretstlyj3WTxIXmzm4o1H661rz9fl9xBYc514f42CwCokjXqaWzXxBElBjkN46bAZ/s320/DSC01035-1.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This is a Hide-N-Seek box I made (see previous posts) after seeing the idea on Totally Tots (a new site I love! New to me that is). Let me just tell you all that Three LOVED LOVED LOVED this...it was by far his favorite thing this week, and he has played with it over and over. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoahxlvRwQKL8KpLhsD0kH7CciiOxxwplb6J3uSJvHy_9XWkMNk0b3pjQVuN77B9g2J6SJjcRn6OxQdtBkGYFglE6NC3pboOHZC73mVIHR8NoKbC1U6E5CkRIY7MdD3WQZvZKKT71J7Prn/s1600-h/DSC01000.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373219502390167266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoahxlvRwQKL8KpLhsD0kH7CciiOxxwplb6J3uSJvHy_9XWkMNk0b3pjQVuN77B9g2J6SJjcRn6OxQdtBkGYFglE6NC3pboOHZC73mVIHR8NoKbC1U6E5CkRIY7MdD3WQZvZKKT71J7Prn/s320/DSC01000.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-51204796483415291762009-08-16T11:37:00.000-07:002009-08-16T11:39:52.693-07:00Give-Away!<a href="http://www.themombuzz.com/">The Mom Buzz</a> and <a href="http://www.onestepahead.com/">One Step Ahead</a> are doing a great giveaway of a Sit n Stand Elite Stroller! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.themombuzz.com/2009/07/sit-n-stand-elite-stroller-from-one.html">http://www.themombuzz.com/2009/07/sit-n-stand-elite-stroller-from-one.html</a><br /><br />Entry is easy! Visit The Mom Buzz today. :)Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-17864167660476296512009-08-16T09:55:00.000-07:002009-08-16T10:10:49.482-07:00Projects for New Works to come<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkNDaZtSWLLkC3Nzr62oEt99fmZSxyEJo1IdCrFIYg2RkWtSQCDOTrao1B0_jwuX4ygDFCeRTIOUuukhBFb48VO9thkpP3QxoaDQEaM3MfaQ0p1WfLZdKcdUnhLwkhMfr5tQ68WXx4V9K/s1600-h/DSC00999.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370606781721221922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkNDaZtSWLLkC3Nzr62oEt99fmZSxyEJo1IdCrFIYg2RkWtSQCDOTrao1B0_jwuX4ygDFCeRTIOUuukhBFb48VO9thkpP3QxoaDQEaM3MfaQ0p1WfLZdKcdUnhLwkhMfr5tQ68WXx4V9K/s320/DSC00999.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="left">I've been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">perusing</span> blogs this week during my free moments on the computer (which are far to few these days!), as well as combing through a book my MIL (Mother-In-Law) bought for me when she was here when Four was born, called "The Toddler Busy Book." </div><div></div><div></div><div>The laminated sheet that you see has a couple different projects on it. The small pieces of paper you see are something called "Find the Oddball." Each strip has 3 of the same stickers or drawings on it, and one "oddball." The two larger pictures are for our vocabulary building/sorting/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-reading set. We often discuss what the object in the pictures are, and we are moving into sorting them into groups, and then we will move into laying them out left to right, top to bottom as a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-reading skill. I have a fairly large set of these cards, and I'm almost constantly making more. Anytime I have a spare spot on a laminating sheet I throw a few on there. :) </div><div></div><div></div><div>The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ziploc</span> bag has 3 different kinds of pasta in it, for a pasta sort game. I will give him the pasta in a larger bowl, with 3 small glass bowls to sort the different pasta in to. </div><div></div><div>The cube you see that has a red top is 2 milk carton bottoms put together to form a cube. We are going to cover each side with a different color. This will the base for several different games. First game being obvious, colors! We will toss the cube and whatever color lands on top we will find something of that color in the house. Second game, I will tape shapes to the sides, as well as an outline of the shape on the floor. We will toss the cube and whatever shape it lands on everyone will run to and try to stand inside of! Third game, numbers. Fourth game, alphabet. You get the idea, right? :) Another idea from the book.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Lastly, the clear container that is half filled with oatmeal. This is an idea from <a href="http://totallytots.blogspot.com/2009/02/simply-made-hide-n-seek-bowls.html">Totally Tots</a> called Hide-N-Seek bowls. The oatmeal was a suggestion found in the comments section. I had some extra oatmeal that I had for reindeer food back in December so I grabbed it and made this easy activity. I think he'll like it, and someday in the future I'll change it to beans, then maybe pasta, then maybe rice to keep the activity new.</div>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-65203319758850239462009-08-16T09:33:00.000-07:002009-08-16T09:55:55.420-07:00Other Works from this WeekThis is just a gratuitous photo of Three and Four. :) <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCrNqiPqO_h8SSRSKcsga-YLDApxCU2PBx8dML4zTHIroo-WWwmK2WkmZST-zj7zH0XO4dEKRkQyQJ_iEMX63xIBVSzuKkMXsmmZKjEDrmmxtI2UaKKeVNbEPhL3hjRQuWHnHUP1_1RTM/s1600-h/DSC00900.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370604224340460898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCrNqiPqO_h8SSRSKcsga-YLDApxCU2PBx8dML4zTHIroo-WWwmK2WkmZST-zj7zH0XO4dEKRkQyQJ_iEMX63xIBVSzuKkMXsmmZKjEDrmmxtI2UaKKeVNbEPhL3hjRQuWHnHUP1_1RTM/s320/DSC00900.JPG" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pre</span>-Writing skills practice:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPRW-cHbnvoet7h-yHQONt0JRWShP2g8VaNAj9tPI049SiDxxqQtfPLC0dARos4WH_QMmjQk89_AmWez5Ygnauf4spfXHPibYCJg6r31t-DJUhA_DNv7k2iyhLIBaP40UgJ3jQGgXsz-5/s1600-h/DSC00927.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370604214254033666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPRW-cHbnvoet7h-yHQONt0JRWShP2g8VaNAj9tPI049SiDxxqQtfPLC0dARos4WH_QMmjQk89_AmWez5Ygnauf4spfXHPibYCJg6r31t-DJUhA_DNv7k2iyhLIBaP40UgJ3jQGgXsz-5/s320/DSC00927.JPG" /></a><br />Sorting shapes (these are just shapes cut from cardboard):</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoBq9c7Be0RLH56kNVhhY8McxxSTV8wW-hu7rnR4tl2J8tgOU9X471KFPB86eF5dLclLPra1KrNvI6pbEvkmjNnJvqhoNRf_EaajSOXGt_aYSrVG_7Z8VynEqsm3x_dvVKUIJwmrnMrgE/s1600-h/DSC00930.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370604207298900610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoBq9c7Be0RLH56kNVhhY8McxxSTV8wW-hu7rnR4tl2J8tgOU9X471KFPB86eF5dLclLPra1KrNvI6pbEvkmjNnJvqhoNRf_EaajSOXGt_aYSrVG_7Z8VynEqsm3x_dvVKUIJwmrnMrgE/s320/DSC00930.JPG" /></a> Then we glued those shapes to a piece of paper, I had intended for Three to paint the shapes with watercolors after he glued them on, but he wanted to go outside instead. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_SYpDqSoGt1N9GvEeV-H7108YK3iGmwx9m_o32RH9iEcaNdQyipIBjf9uLWOjrdeZgr7XiHiNcObpJeDUeK80uBzabHasrZsXtGLb-e3G4a_K0kGMZgFPWLGFQWaBdlvuf1PFfy-UJ1l/s1600-h/DSC00936.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370604200493243682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_SYpDqSoGt1N9GvEeV-H7108YK3iGmwx9m_o32RH9iEcaNdQyipIBjf9uLWOjrdeZgr7XiHiNcObpJeDUeK80uBzabHasrZsXtGLb-e3G4a_K0kGMZgFPWLGFQWaBdlvuf1PFfy-UJ1l/s320/DSC00936.JPG" /></a> The finished (unpainted) project:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDvOPY7lPTGjWynnTnDiwGeQ6gIvmLmwQ9SnIMsWRfyjZAu95GtRk1jIehcWs6TPoNycPtA1Srzy_b7EVB8ldYixRzaWfGI1xWN8zwPZAOPl1HcMx_4MPPWO2XQqZSx_RL8cpUI4Ocq3w/s1600-h/DSC00938.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370604189910865586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDvOPY7lPTGjWynnTnDiwGeQ6gIvmLmwQ9SnIMsWRfyjZAu95GtRk1jIehcWs6TPoNycPtA1Srzy_b7EVB8ldYixRzaWfGI1xWN8zwPZAOPl1HcMx_4MPPWO2XQqZSx_RL8cpUI4Ocq3w/s320/DSC00938.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>These are actually in reverse order of the way I intended for them to post....but I don't have the time right now to go back and correct them. Sorry! Finished caterpillars...(excuse Three's messy face!) This craft idea is also from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.notimeforflashcards.com">No Time for Flash Cards</a>. <br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpYjr6_sypK3SVqX5evOJ2gQ_-svdO9IwaQweJHWvzXdJGsEhZaOyMyGj52v4e-SyX4F1TnPT9kL9wjNcpZ2jlJj1C8cz_MFaF_XINk0SICCXxKwjEi80bwnHVyU0nW5vr2YF4FlCM_vC/s1600-h/DSC00923.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370602734039954162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpYjr6_sypK3SVqX5evOJ2gQ_-svdO9IwaQweJHWvzXdJGsEhZaOyMyGj52v4e-SyX4F1TnPT9kL9wjNcpZ2jlJj1C8cz_MFaF_XINk0SICCXxKwjEi80bwnHVyU0nW5vr2YF4FlCM_vC/s320/DSC00923.JPG" /></a> Adding <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">googly</span> eyes is serious business:<br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb43GQvjHaMniB23S6Lln4DXaQt8AvMdEItHX-lbJhj0EbvOZUD9jRMwOMt5ydh7Ao2AEz4qqKp8TdwZYa7MyNFfoclUwRtwfWJFN3-j1dwnCw5GhWlET9FBaMoL-tS0lNsxfkNpfpM3ia/s1600-h/DSC00920.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370602724902381458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb43GQvjHaMniB23S6Lln4DXaQt8AvMdEItHX-lbJhj0EbvOZUD9jRMwOMt5ydh7Ao2AEz4qqKp8TdwZYa7MyNFfoclUwRtwfWJFN3-j1dwnCw5GhWlET9FBaMoL-tS0lNsxfkNpfpM3ia/s320/DSC00920.JPG" /></a> First time I let him use liquid glue...it went better than I anticipated.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbA5LOR9Ca2c-rKCqsd0Y-izOoz-brg7Hx65UKvyeZ2_aU3m7W8hy8ne9aP24DyTfWMfLPuqv_OSDjcBgINHYy3UQsiQhZTha9xZXlSDfTiv4zpcF_d8t59ggeqml0EJXUW0ZFBEcko_y/s1600-h/DSC00919.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370602716149910514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbA5LOR9Ca2c-rKCqsd0Y-izOoz-brg7Hx65UKvyeZ2_aU3m7W8hy8ne9aP24DyTfWMfLPuqv_OSDjcBgINHYy3UQsiQhZTha9xZXlSDfTiv4zpcF_d8t59ggeqml0EJXUW0ZFBEcko_y/s320/DSC00919.JPG" /></a> Painting the egg carton:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5inr2jqJzJ1-2NF61uaXF4c7C0Ng5VcZGZ_xRP36CAE8OXURUctqWkd11TNt3BDb-i14h9NKxXrwno_zKk2HETqJumwU1QN89g0a1v4b6gIe_AHyMD9iEHQXHoe25wY88Ks7paS6jz8u7/s1600-h/DSC00918.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370602708315137730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5inr2jqJzJ1-2NF61uaXF4c7C0Ng5VcZGZ_xRP36CAE8OXURUctqWkd11TNt3BDb-i14h9NKxXrwno_zKk2HETqJumwU1QN89g0a1v4b6gIe_AHyMD9iEHQXHoe25wY88Ks7paS6jz8u7/s320/DSC00918.JPG" /></a><br />This is a pizza craft that was One's idea. They each decorated a pizza, then put them on the "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">fridger</span>". In order from left to right, One, Three, and Two.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmE-EjrY7AthxVJXRJJu0FXO4tMwbj1rNDXPRiQumxJKaAQHyGyO0wE4ubbF3cfPLaX4u4YrAgw1MW8Fyt4gXZmCMxAdOdpLpYId4m8DAw3AgJY0rkPYVQnk1g2z0iAmpPUMxFi5Sc1O8/s1600-h/DSC00905.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370602696421396290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmE-EjrY7AthxVJXRJJu0FXO4tMwbj1rNDXPRiQumxJKaAQHyGyO0wE4ubbF3cfPLaX4u4YrAgw1MW8Fyt4gXZmCMxAdOdpLpYId4m8DAw3AgJY0rkPYVQnk1g2z0iAmpPUMxFi5Sc1O8/s320/DSC00905.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Three also put poker chips into a container. He enjoyed it. It was an empty <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">crunchies</span> (Gerber) container with a slit cut in the lid. I have also used it with pom-poms, and fake coins. He enjoyed all 3. I didn't get any pictures of it though. We also played "Memory", he had a really good time with it until Four began screaming and made it virtually impossible to concentrate. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-79518483051379649012009-08-16T09:24:00.000-07:002009-08-16T09:32:29.794-07:00PicturesHere is the finished project (see last post for link with directions):<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJWB7rBA5zd5OfrAhDlVLmnCu9sHf6-uoW15FfqnGPS3RpbV71h-B3EDwapRwm1fm8M0YeMWir1I4R3JI-Y8ofAayoiotuNVUxqoMzCWucCcahDT2F828cjhZWImJeh8r1ZmOCL_7m1wM/s1600-h/DSC00896.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370600093369303410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJWB7rBA5zd5OfrAhDlVLmnCu9sHf6-uoW15FfqnGPS3RpbV71h-B3EDwapRwm1fm8M0YeMWir1I4R3JI-Y8ofAayoiotuNVUxqoMzCWucCcahDT2F828cjhZWImJeh8r1ZmOCL_7m1wM/s320/DSC00896.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBpuJhkCO-UplG8LNOSW04xVGx6-DgBmvENojV6IjYWp3N7qvfrBowxIC9otZW8VLT0MbW3EAKsJAEO-qvANKoCtei7AvtdH5Q-LULH4kaHPnniyXExsV-39U72uBO3OM8WLZVMB0PHRE/s1600-h/DSC00871.JPG"><br /><p align="center"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBpuJhkCO-UplG8LNOSW04xVGx6-DgBmvENojV6IjYWp3N7qvfrBowxIC9otZW8VLT0MbW3EAKsJAEO-qvANKoCtei7AvtdH5Q-LULH4kaHPnniyXExsV-39U72uBO3OM8WLZVMB0PHRE/s320/DSC00871.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8CGTr6s0L-dKs-59ZzwlgE0jXGM6ENW_c_juT7mX0JOlOr1hBu6br7pVJFtx7XERaBodQ3uhnVFqiXFlG0YZhQuNmndKUWdWszie2f4y1gx8hunYNPKffeA-dhP5DYUW7ZibkKl3sDmo/s1600-h/DSC00872.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8CGTr6s0L-dKs-59ZzwlgE0jXGM6ENW_c_juT7mX0JOlOr1hBu6br7pVJFtx7XERaBodQ3uhnVFqiXFlG0YZhQuNmndKUWdWszie2f4y1gx8hunYNPKffeA-dhP5DYUW7ZibkKl3sDmo/s320/DSC00872.JPG" /></a> </div>Three was not entirely sure he liked the feeling of the shaving cream on his hands. This didn't suprise me, as he is not a "messy" boy. He must have asked 10 times for a napkin before I finally just let him clean it off! LOL<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3btUvt70qchWVcZSx4mbBdIVkUzfBTv6Pl2I3aBOsSuIhHLJcuqZSU1UgMDik7GvLqixRAGancFuE-em4FE3B0q1Oma3VsQdE2W8zzC0YdDEUc6e4Q-315PQLjP3tYxMnsi2eFKFxKCzr/s1600-h/DSC00877.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3btUvt70qchWVcZSx4mbBdIVkUzfBTv6Pl2I3aBOsSuIhHLJcuqZSU1UgMDik7GvLqixRAGancFuE-em4FE3B0q1Oma3VsQdE2W8zzC0YdDEUc6e4Q-315PQLjP3tYxMnsi2eFKFxKCzr/s320/DSC00877.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-bTEeDdcp-UVTiP7rF-vtjKz7WYTzOAJ0SRTLM7XN3Bq-Kn0WVLNSBfMBV0UPZM2yX2miCYZHeQ3CXa-HHjHcvBPKE2amYYGd3Hh6PAsC8SzcJ8wFfoQMPeB6DwitSQxjF6PS2OKahg9/s1600-h/DSC00881.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-bTEeDdcp-UVTiP7rF-vtjKz7WYTzOAJ0SRTLM7XN3Bq-Kn0WVLNSBfMBV0UPZM2yX2miCYZHeQ3CXa-HHjHcvBPKE2amYYGd3Hh6PAsC8SzcJ8wFfoQMPeB6DwitSQxjF6PS2OKahg9/s320/DSC00881.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-28911758146499743852009-08-11T10:24:00.000-07:002009-08-16T09:33:16.541-07:00This Afternoon's Plans<a href="http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2009/08/recipe-for-cookies.html">http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2009/08/recipe-for-cookies.html</a><br /><br />I'm going to do the puff paint, and I'm about to create a set of pretend cookies to sort and sell.Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-86433465875709947382009-04-03T10:56:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:57:08.880-07:00A blog I love:<a href="http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/">http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/</a>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-67085253225018455222009-03-10T07:44:00.000-07:002009-03-10T07:51:02.803-07:00Shape Box<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw9984E9WhiKrDtK1r-b1AURztgSsKV8yvdInOYYZTEIOyF7WVtwKLNRRUAFh7CbVKGld0oeZSSoLb8vDWLqM2_ve4Gwa2ANZUHwQX8aHmearTjdyAaee6RmJmsiNcvJf-IYbZTN7r3YB/s1600-h/P1010004-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311570296236899522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw9984E9WhiKrDtK1r-b1AURztgSsKV8yvdInOYYZTEIOyF7WVtwKLNRRUAFh7CbVKGld0oeZSSoLb8vDWLqM2_ve4Gwa2ANZUHwQX8aHmearTjdyAaee6RmJmsiNcvJf-IYbZTN7r3YB/s320/P1010004-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I made a shape box. What is a shape box? Well, in this particular scenario a shape box is a box (betcha wouldn't have guessed that!) that has various shape materials in it. It contains wooden shape puzzle pieces (that have long ago had the puzzle board itself broken and tossed), index cards with a traced shape on them, the name of each shape is written on the back, and two of each shape cut from felt. After some time, there will also be household items that are examples of each shape, but I'm still in the process of collecting those items and will probably add them as we learn each shape. I'd like to do a box for each color too, but at this point I'm thinking that may have to wait until after "four" arrives. Ideally, it would be done before...as we are currently working on colors and shapes, but alas, life gets in it's own way. I'll keep you posted if I get to those color boxes. :-)<br /><div></div>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-17007696607877253102009-03-10T06:36:00.000-07:002009-03-10T06:40:23.493-07:00Blogger NeglectMost of you found this blog via the homepreschool yahoogroup, or a birth board that I am a member of and therefore are probably aware that I am currently expecting baby #4. This has caused a great deal of blogger neglect. However, I'm going to try to get several projects completed in the next 2 months and hopefully will get them all posted to this and my other blog.Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-52394476992769568262008-10-14T08:27:00.000-07:002008-10-14T09:25:39.597-07:00Today's ActivitiesThis morning my son said his first color name! Now, I cannot say that he actually knew which one it was in the box, but it was the name of a color nonetheless! Expanding vocabulary is a big thing in our house right now. I KNOW (in the logical side of my brain) that he is well within the range of normal for vocabulary and he understands FAR more than he is capable of verbalizing....but you know there is that non-logical side of my brain that says but his sisters were talking in complete (and for my oldest, elaborate) sentences by this age. My oldest knew the ABC song, and several shapes and colors....so there is this small part of my brain that says "Hmmmm." So him saying "Blue" while pointing at the box of markers was a BIG moment. Like I said, I don't know that he really meant he wanted the blue one, but I did give him the blue one again (he had already had it). <br /><br />After he colored for a good long while, the longest amount of time he's ever been interested in coloring (I give credit to the use of markers here....usually I give him those boring old crayons..pffft who wants those things) his hands were covered in marker so I set up a hand washing station (He LOVES this activity.). He washed his hands and then I gave him fresh water and he played in the water with cups, spoons, bottles, and funnels. He also poured from one bowl to the other.Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-42658055525548631022008-10-13T09:53:00.000-07:002008-10-13T10:10:48.877-07:00A couple new worksI can't take credit for this first one, as it hadn't occurred to me. I was at a birthday party on Saturday night, and was talking with the hostess and a mutual friend about trying to entertain the toddlers while schooling the big kids. I mentioned the spooning, and jar lids. And our mutual friend (someone whom I adore BTW, she's just full of fantastic ideas) suggested letting them put things into an empty wipe container. You know the kind with the pop up lid, with the slot to pull one wipe through at a time. She said she remembered doing pom-poms. It was an AHH HAAA moment. Not that long ago, someone on our birth board mentioned that their child loved putting coins in her piggy bank...this is a VERY similar activity, but yet I hadn't thought of it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This morning I did this activity with Ben. I asked him if he wanted something to do, and he gleefully answered "UH huhhh" (he still doesn't say Yes or N0). So I sat him down at the table (a nice low table) and got out a bowl, the poms, and an empty wipe container (I KNEW there was a reason I had kept that....HA to my husband, my junk DOES have purpose!). I gave the demonstration and them let him get to work. He repeated it with all the poms I had given him 3 times! He would bring it to me and say "more", I'd empty the poms back into the bowl and he'd repeat the activity.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's a pic:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256685766165868226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieS5X4l-J3Wsi6495KtdAtTy3UnYza5th_PeWjjs3IKHbMVV1BWrFTHyDvL28eyLx32TGDHyXO-AuJvf9xOSxKfYCk1fOJkq88xsqZ53w-4aZJFLN8e-eJmR38qhqP2YcmF5IAWVg9gBOY/s320/P1010010-1.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>I can think of a couple variations for this: poker chips (I have these), and LARGE beans or buttons. </p><p>After he tired of this activity, I broke out the pegboard. I didn't snap any pictures of that work but this is the board we have: <a href="http://www.drtoy.com/1999_c/dtpeg.htm">http://www.drtoy.com/1999_c/dtpeg.htm</a> He likes to fill all the holes and he likes to see how tall he can stack them before they fall over.</p><p> </p>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-78335479125905745112008-08-18T07:22:00.000-07:002008-08-18T07:41:59.301-07:00More of Toddler Lessons<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">So, I'm sharing some more of our "school" time. My DS loves to help unload the dishwasher. He brings things and says "Thank You." as he hands it to you, because that's what we always say to him as he gives it to us. It's too cute. The problem with this? Oh, yes there is a problem. When I'm trying to LOAD the dishwasher, he comes running saying "Thank You! Thank You!" Because he wants to UNload the dishwasher. It's a minor problem, and worth the life lessons involved in helping out the family.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0wn83J3megarrQQmPS522Jz1H4OFZVnd62EBnmJexKTJ9psES9x6CsJzQXDTxTpLPSEgUCyZBw2QMmtEycGp8_W5kLi01BErAiCJrDqu1PSZrgXurb3BSJBIMiqHgCIvMZeHHQtKkQJZ/s1600-h/P1010021.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0wn83J3megarrQQmPS522Jz1H4OFZVnd62EBnmJexKTJ9psES9x6CsJzQXDTxTpLPSEgUCyZBw2QMmtEycGp8_W5kLi01BErAiCJrDqu1PSZrgXurb3BSJBIMiqHgCIvMZeHHQtKkQJZ/s320/P1010021.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeFAf30IeWLb7tst9N355lfsKR4tZivMF-6hR1VhjKjc7MQS057LwY8lFwl1hdYdfUpa4TTWbCi7mhrsTCBRa-jBbdYmVqsSR5jSiE6m5JVsaC5jKauJdcJr9f23bGtVv6KKV8CbatlkI/s1600-h/P1010022.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeFAf30IeWLb7tst9N355lfsKR4tZivMF-6hR1VhjKjc7MQS057LwY8lFwl1hdYdfUpa4TTWbCi7mhrsTCBRa-jBbdYmVqsSR5jSiE6m5JVsaC5jKauJdcJr9f23bGtVv6KKV8CbatlkI/s320/P1010022.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS98f_mFOaDwSFRHnBMrPQHD4XHPE3BqNkOyu_UXubzUjf6iCeB9rKE5uewQZDbb-vW2ttmZxwEPVuwFchnGlbdHa9IcCGqbYEUx2d_HA0jKKzwF_qluejyEPCJreR8D7_go84tdmU-utK/s1600-h/P1010025.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS98f_mFOaDwSFRHnBMrPQHD4XHPE3BqNkOyu_UXubzUjf6iCeB9rKE5uewQZDbb-vW2ttmZxwEPVuwFchnGlbdHa9IcCGqbYEUx2d_HA0jKKzwF_qluejyEPCJreR8D7_go84tdmU-utK/s320/P1010025.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusYEo5Wz4o2_RpB8j1eHMk7OkAPcFuCkDzMOEIQMRsubO6Y8vbT9V_Wb_p2H22Q6ZrxrMo-j2wAtHcpnSWkThtCO6vEcRreEo23ZtIHP5Q40Ysdw5yVWEh4T0Las8I8JLLDhA-U0MNFtC/s1600-h/P1010026.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusYEo5Wz4o2_RpB8j1eHMk7OkAPcFuCkDzMOEIQMRsubO6Y8vbT9V_Wb_p2H22Q6ZrxrMo-j2wAtHcpnSWkThtCO6vEcRreEo23ZtIHP5Q40Ysdw5yVWEh4T0Las8I8JLLDhA-U0MNFtC/s320/P1010026.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Some things he knows where they go and can put away himself after he retrieves them from the dishwasher.<br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235866560238036514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZklH-qw3uiLzo7eMIbNxjAA5AFh9fkoRYNUsjv9QmZ2yrYXYCiTVu20fb6DoKCd_mXkk0YKJpUrW8F4I1Fsdy0tA7dNmnveUO12EH3_B51ZT4H377_jnE1mE_scmGBsRl2jXyf2X3m-zK/s320/P1010028.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><p>Most important of all, imaginative play with the farm (we are learning the signs for farm, and the animals).</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235866564545582050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPkef_kvB2xlhGGyOzw2DsjEm6ghTYuQmFo7Wl3-cEYsZKdDJE63iJox79cKv0b_ZAaWRqnIpdQ1Ql6tzj0VFqHnXXB9X3lB9EhsZz5sGU9h63zEG6MokMylBwR7Nkdn5EdyoCXVjplpu/s320/P1010031.JPG" border="0" /></p><p> </p><p>And there was just something so very wicked witch of the west about this that I couldn't help but share it. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235866571598833554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO46ZaXLDjhEGDzUrFyvovwpYxJe4EZFkrH6Fg3OrwE0mTQqXfJFRRmD6dNjk_Z8Id_NMUIhjDUzY1S5ElRf4zSsbjNk91V_8-ND5OxylEqRTwvJjMNXz65HTna944_Gua6BrgLkA4W7_5/s320/P1010035.JPG" border="0" /></p>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-75537911022769691892008-08-14T05:28:00.000-07:002008-08-14T05:43:34.894-07:00Transferring Activity<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">We didn't get to do beans the other afternoon, I realized I only had small beans. While my DS isn't big on putting things in his mouth anymore, it still presented too much of a choking hazard for me to let him play with them..on the off chance he might put them in his mouth. Now, if I had been planning on sitting there with him, that would have been a different story. But, one of my goals is to get him to do more things independently, so I didn't want to sit there. Well, this morning he got out our transferring bowls again, and I was searching for something around the house that he could transfer without me worrying about him. I then found the container of buttons! I knew these would be a HIT as he is ALWAYS asking to play with them, and I've never allowed it before (mostly because they would just be scattered everywhere, and I didn't want to deal with that).<br /><br />You need two bowls (Montessori methods prefer glass or wood....but I don't have any of those yet, so mine are plastic). A large spoon. And, whatever objects (buttons, large beans, pom poms, dried wagon wheel noodles, or anything else you come up with) you are going to transfer. It's also best to have a workmat, you see that I'm using a placemat as our workmat. It keeps the bowls from sliding around. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Here is the setup:<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234349846129879186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLs5oCfsGXlqad664gpp0YOx1pDSLudgrczOoI8SUSmHmnfwxwyDnsuBJOiiOVJoTamb51UjTFwjTCmvPkkf31DvFM1emqxejbn48mFkHFMEwnJTpBglpAUDyQlXD_T0HHO3bNazshmUBF/s320/P1010001-1.JPG" border="0" /><br />And then I did the presentation, I unscrewed the lid of the jar. I said "Don't touch, watch mama." I poured some of the buttons into the first bowl. I picked up the spoon, I scooped a few buttons up and dumped them into the second bowl. I repeated it three times. Then I asked if he'd like to try. "Uh huh!" (He never says yes or no, uh huh and uh uh.) I handed over the spoon, and he was able to do it successfully. Another 30 minutes!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqj7O9zLRhqLABExZ0UloOWc5A_FYoAqCk7ArAE9byN2FCthZSpFGZjW0TjoVGCzmt77gUvVC-Ph2nTtxK34kjlzCGI5q3ZKLvdHd-8LLMU5443e80vcyaKnqSCR6RVQ3ulR2Y3xj1cJzD/s1600-h/P1010015.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqj7O9zLRhqLABExZ0UloOWc5A_FYoAqCk7ArAE9byN2FCthZSpFGZjW0TjoVGCzmt77gUvVC-Ph2nTtxK34kjlzCGI5q3ZKLvdHd-8LLMU5443e80vcyaKnqSCR6RVQ3ulR2Y3xj1cJzD/s320/P1010015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZIuLQoWCQHEGx-dgOOn5rSRedSZXBO13lHlKxf3OMJ79jEuSRGCPa-1dWJWmDiehNZLlBm3CAjR5I80tMqSchD7NGyyJR3s3IGXv6-8lPA6daxociZPqZYaj3foMggKB39dQ1yRmxtO3/s1600-h/P1010016.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZIuLQoWCQHEGx-dgOOn5rSRedSZXBO13lHlKxf3OMJ79jEuSRGCPa-1dWJWmDiehNZLlBm3CAjR5I80tMqSchD7NGyyJR3s3IGXv6-8lPA6daxociZPqZYaj3foMggKB39dQ1yRmxtO3/s320/P1010016.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_aMtui9UnWLyRrcHGbQIpGNJglT9v1swnJCMsdLttRGqkTx-_WSX_FJmP0JH-XmZCh8rO2YZyBVomkiPUbvwgbtvQvWguz5GOHFktSp8D1aVxcokShXHncsSJgspl957jUADFjukO3V-/s1600-h/P1010017.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_aMtui9UnWLyRrcHGbQIpGNJglT9v1swnJCMsdLttRGqkTx-_WSX_FJmP0JH-XmZCh8rO2YZyBVomkiPUbvwgbtvQvWguz5GOHFktSp8D1aVxcokShXHncsSJgspl957jUADFjukO3V-/s320/P1010017.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyALkh47FpkEml151cG8Hd3XpLxfyqJ4wo9zcTOfJrHFre0v2YRvySGSnrocBhf7bG5Jjpqhx-NzP_aC-M0MF4SYyzI_nAEks3FGPZ2jSUKKPhUQf5yjyD4iw6L7rkBZmV5Ipbe3G3sjLm/s1600-h/P1010018.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyALkh47FpkEml151cG8Hd3XpLxfyqJ4wo9zcTOfJrHFre0v2YRvySGSnrocBhf7bG5Jjpqhx-NzP_aC-M0MF4SYyzI_nAEks3FGPZ2jSUKKPhUQf5yjyD4iw6L7rkBZmV5Ipbe3G3sjLm/s320/P1010018.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-4697436111415492112008-08-12T11:55:00.000-07:002008-08-12T11:56:01.412-07:00What We Did Today....<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">I think I'm mentioned in previous posts about our collection of jars. I have several, although I just found out this morning when my toddler pulled them out that my husband threw out almost all of the lids! So, now I have to start collecting AGAIN, so I can have jars with lids. SIGH. Anyway, we managed to have a very productive morning without them. My son often asks me to open the cabinet that has the jars in it (it's in one of the few baby proofed areas). I almost always oblige. This morning, he got them out (my involvment is usually simply opening the cabinet door..then he chooses how many/which ones he wants and goes on his merry way) and took them to the table. You'll notice he also grabbed the bowls we use for transferring objects. He spent nearly 15 minutes (he is only 19 months old, so that's a good amount of time) playing with the jars alone! He put the smaller ones into the larger ones, and attempted to put the large ones into the small ones. Then he had to work some to get the small ones back out. The jar you see that is painted purple is part of our sound jars set (there are jars with different content and when you shake them they make various sounds, and there is a matching set). After he had lost interest in playing with them alone, I decided to show him how to take the lids off. I took the only two I have with the lids (which is fine for him, because he's small and has a short attention span...but my 4 yr olds student really enjoyed this activity as well, and now he'll have to wait til I have restocked the collection), I cleared the table off and sat the two jars up. I told him not to touch, and to watch Mama. I picked up the large jar, and slowly showed him how I twist my hand to take the lid off (to which he delighted "OFF!"). I sat the jar and the lid back on the table, and picked up the smaller jar and repeated (again to a very delighed "OFF!"). Then I put the lids back on, and asked him if he wanted to take them off. He said "uh huh" (with the best inflection on that huh you've ever heard). The first time he couldn't do it, so I demonstrated again. And, to my surprise, on his second attempt with the large jar he was able to unscrew the lid! The smaller jars lid takes a bit more effort to twist, and he never did successfully get it off, but hey, there was still victory! And, the fantastic pronouncement that it was "OFF!" (Off is currently his favorite word.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzq1WN-uLbWTpqovGSwJQTxWAiUVCAgSqqLKVjfZn7or3K1iDT-KUviRLsgaPhoa24rE7KqqfG4R-E9J810Tp9907IZVleS0NmeSDeMbGWzEtoPukd1GLk7K8Ay2uPNsvAjUlWSkSEGom/s1600-h/P1010023.JPG"><br /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzq1WN-uLbWTpqovGSwJQTxWAiUVCAgSqqLKVjfZn7or3K1iDT-KUviRLsgaPhoa24rE7KqqfG4R-E9J810Tp9907IZVleS0NmeSDeMbGWzEtoPukd1GLk7K8Ay2uPNsvAjUlWSkSEGom/s320/P1010023.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeMT3um8gJQYRsV7L3s3r9nafAmopy2TLgT6NI-BdhPboE1OKJZr11nJSNVA-ZAiajnjvP5uvtLP13SOm2t2FYCm78zhAQWWM6g9PkUz6sn1_WX_2PP2JmsSmLudX0_Xp6ShY5gmuxltO/s1600-h/P1010025.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeMT3um8gJQYRsV7L3s3r9nafAmopy2TLgT6NI-BdhPboE1OKJZr11nJSNVA-ZAiajnjvP5uvtLP13SOm2t2FYCm78zhAQWWM6g9PkUz6sn1_WX_2PP2JmsSmLudX0_Xp6ShY5gmuxltO/s320/P1010025.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br />After such success with my jar activity, and a messy snack necessitating the need to wash hands, I decided I could do a second presentation on hand washing. So I set up a towel, a bowl, the soap pump, and a small towel to dry with. I did a presentation on washing hands (another favorite activity btw, although we had never done it this way) and to my surprise he REALLY copied me almost exactly. I was impressed. Then of course, there were cries for "wata" "wata", so I got him some fresh water in his bowl, gave him a second bowl (for pouring you know) and funnels, scoops, large spoons, a baby bottle, a glass jar, and let him play in the water. I showed him how to use the jar to scoop water from the first bowl and pour it into the second. He was relatively successful. My oldest daughter (10) came to play with him while I helped my younger daughter (8) with her language arts activities, and she showed him to just pick up the first bowl and pour it into the second bowl. He loved that. He did that three times before we ended up with the water spilled everywhere. I gave him one more fresh bowl, and he continued to play. This bought me a good, happy 30 minutes! <br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHGrl9YZrvH4-Bz1Mp1apYKiEFhLVlcvw7ETCrH5RTwT06GLwwlOgsjPgoRtD5ad0B9MSgM4s_sQCBDv9FAgQx10ppF6y6R5876PRaXq1g4bFXcwNtoIhrDKKfTaVYKMUjgqmXqsWYOSf/s1600-h/P1010026.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHGrl9YZrvH4-Bz1Mp1apYKiEFhLVlcvw7ETCrH5RTwT06GLwwlOgsjPgoRtD5ad0B9MSgM4s_sQCBDv9FAgQx10ppF6y6R5876PRaXq1g4bFXcwNtoIhrDKKfTaVYKMUjgqmXqsWYOSf/s320/P1010026.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9YZtFzYW1PRA7TkwBn99byiZwnGBM32w77ROWqpRxXuvORNkLpRJ6FUAnc8qsVrAE_PzyL3XFDjt16F3hxRLt0g-4Uix-OwxcvoOGDlTZChiSudQZlNZPPEpnDSoA9_Anji9kCOJXtE4/s1600-h/P1010028.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9YZtFzYW1PRA7TkwBn99byiZwnGBM32w77ROWqpRxXuvORNkLpRJ6FUAnc8qsVrAE_PzyL3XFDjt16F3hxRLt0g-4Uix-OwxcvoOGDlTZChiSudQZlNZPPEpnDSoA9_Anji9kCOJXtE4/s320/P1010028.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br />When he wakes up from his nap, we're going to try another transferring activity. Beans in bowls. :-)<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-60335357271371064752008-08-09T03:35:00.000-07:002008-08-09T03:35:44.014-07:00Blue Squares<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Our newest goal is learning the color blue, and the shape square. Here he is coloring with a blue marker.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtKJKzGKMravtO2r5sbxhoN4nW2T99NrlaCK7HeLmrWznTts2IUfJnl2iqv4e3bifXoPTo_fz4ZYFgJwbHl0FU5sYdY5aASnAYu0xQcyIujF06Ev5J7qouakMC5-FBmmGdV_fmaB7YPnQ/s1600-h/P1010006.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtKJKzGKMravtO2r5sbxhoN4nW2T99NrlaCK7HeLmrWznTts2IUfJnl2iqv4e3bifXoPTo_fz4ZYFgJwbHl0FU5sYdY5aASnAYu0xQcyIujF06Ev5J7qouakMC5-FBmmGdV_fmaB7YPnQ/s320/P1010006.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br />I drew a square, and we talked about the name of it, and he repeated the name. Then I drew a second square for him to color blue.<br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wdUfQ37SwkiPrOFZV4K6dqsvBGUH9TO_jMXr4IlEvc3I7GY1v6IkYT-kWh1SByzAFQVp4g8SGbLrpLtv-BJLr7XL6ZwxtILUUNw4ury6foMjpIPRHzuqy3A7ehCwo5an6N0VvtbueSSe/s1600-h/P1010007.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wdUfQ37SwkiPrOFZV4K6dqsvBGUH9TO_jMXr4IlEvc3I7GY1v6IkYT-kWh1SByzAFQVp4g8SGbLrpLtv-BJLr7XL6ZwxtILUUNw4ury6foMjpIPRHzuqy3A7ehCwo5an6N0VvtbueSSe/s320/P1010007.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br />Then he figured out it was much more fun to actually just keep taking the lid on and off the marker. <br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lag2oHCjoS6jJQMI2uiAR6AOk7QPdw_7UhiGeUKT07Zfy-B9waUOpTabR1brvYuzexb-j6N3gi21sSWaDv6xmpAxlkyxPXYkrd6zMDfilProWx9jo3_jmIJmyWviPc20o2xSVRdecprb/s1600-h/P1010008.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lag2oHCjoS6jJQMI2uiAR6AOk7QPdw_7UhiGeUKT07Zfy-B9waUOpTabR1brvYuzexb-j6N3gi21sSWaDv6xmpAxlkyxPXYkrd6zMDfilProWx9jo3_jmIJmyWviPc20o2xSVRdecprb/s320/P1010008.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br />Finished project.<br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGUKfNkuUXY6HsnZ1cXw1P9YktS0yu4gZ9q-Y2XLLu-h-66GjRJg_mYt2K4yaQ1khgcEZUbKhfehaQu41HId06cwlydlUBLH8Ffi8TYtzZvkiSgra3SKZ4zk0xP5sDdSTGqbT_VK3zeFq/s1600-h/P1010010.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGUKfNkuUXY6HsnZ1cXw1P9YktS0yu4gZ9q-Y2XLLu-h-66GjRJg_mYt2K4yaQ1khgcEZUbKhfehaQu41HId06cwlydlUBLH8Ffi8TYtzZvkiSgra3SKZ4zk0xP5sDdSTGqbT_VK3zeFq/s320/P1010010.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br />I also made a set (2) of blue felt squares to play with on our felt board. I chose blue for square for continuity. Our shape sorter set has blue squares as well.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-88766822017074701302008-07-17T06:41:00.001-07:002008-07-17T06:41:58.167-07:00Great Toddler Site!So, this is something I stumbled upon today, and it is my new favorite.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.preschoolexpress.com/toddler_station.shtml">Toddler Activities by Jean Warren</a><br /><br />Check it out!Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-81851705037380598382008-07-17T05:47:00.000-07:002008-07-17T05:48:53.285-07:00Letter N(I am several weeks behind, and have lots of letters I need to post, but I'm going to get this up right now while I have the file open!)<br /><br /><br />Nest: Playdoh nest, or make a nest from various materials, including things from nature (we pressed grass into our playdoh nests). We made eggs as well (to review letter E).<br /><br />First-School.ws Letter N worksheet and mini book<br /><br />Number Collage--using the sales flyers from the newspaper (or the financial section would work as well) cut out numbers. The child I teach is visual, and I think he'll appreciate the wider variety of colors and sizes provided by the sales flyers. Glue them on to construction paper. Talk about the numbers as you cut them out.<br /><br />Decorate N: Glue colored noodles onto a large cutout N shape, you could use construction paper or cardstock, we'll be using a foam N shape because it will hold up to the glue and noodles better. Another good idea would be to glue on cutout pictures of noses to an N shape.<br /><br />Name: Review child's name and how it is spelled. Make a name puzzle. Print the child's name on a piece of paper, on a second piece write the name again only this time cut the letters apart and mix them up. Have the child put them in the correct order using the first sheet as a guide. If your child already knows how to spell their name, you wouldn't need the first peice, but they'd probably still enjoy the puzzle activity.<br /><br />Necklaces: Any variety you can think of! wagon wheel pasta would be a good choice, or any other easily threaded pasta. We painted cheerio's cereal (I have some that has gone stale...so why not use it!), and will thread it through with letter beads spelling the child's name.<br /><br />Lacing Letter N<br /><br />N is for Nest Sesame Street Coloring Page: http://pbskids.org/sesame/coloring/n.htmlShaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-29434297600227784172008-05-24T03:27:00.000-07:002008-05-24T03:28:59.648-07:00Letter SCircle Time: <br />Alphabet Song<br />Simple Simon Rhyme<br />Auditory directions (things like "clap, pat, clap" you could adjust the difficulty of these to the ability of your child)<br />Simon Says<br /><br />Gray Squirrel<br /><br />Gray squirrel, gray squirrel,<br />Swish your fluffy tail.<br />Gray squirrel, gray squirrel,<br />Swish your fluffy tail.<br />Wrinkle up your little nose,<br />Hold a nut between your toes.<br />Gray squirrel, gray squirrel,<br />Swish your fluffy tail.<br /><br /><br />Math: <br />Hop, Skip, Touch Your Nose: Math game<br />Recognizing Numbers-1-4, introduce 5. <br />Introduce coins: Penny (maybe nickel)<br />Measuring the length of common snakes (again)—we’ve been seeing lots of snakes lately, so we’re going to repeat this activity.<br /><br />Fine Motor: Playdoh Snakes (cut them w/scissors after forming letter S with snake); <br />Gross motor: slither like snakes; skip;<br />Block Play: Lego's<br />Learning TIme: letter S (strawberry, snake, shoe)<br />Make a rattle snake sound shaker;<br />Letter S mini-book from <a href="http://www.first-school.ws/activities/alpha/s/snake.htm">http://www.first-school.ws/activities/alpha/s/snake.htm</a><br />Letter S cutout, cut out a large S from construction paper/poster board and allow the child to cover it with star stickers.<br /><br />Writing/Penmanship: Tracing straight lines; Tracing Letter S on the sound shaker.<br /><br />Social Studies/Science:<br /> <br />Animal Habitats: Where do snakes live? A snake is a reptile, and reptiles are cold blooded (meaning they have to get their warmth from the sun). Now we know why we see them laying on the road!<br /><br /><br />Art: Straw painting<br /><br />Concept: Rectangle (review oval, square, circle, triangle, heart, STAR and moon) Try drawing a circle/square/triangle;Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-61159838526554576432008-05-03T06:12:00.000-07:002008-05-03T06:15:04.134-07:00Letter RBooks:<br />Rainbow Fish<br />What Makes a Rainbow?<br /><br />Science--Reptiles:<br /><br />Learn the charachteristics of a reptile, look at pictures of reptiles.<br /><br />Make a "poisonous frog" poster<br /><br />Arts and Crafts:<br /><br />Rainbow Coloring Page<br /><br />Rainbow painting<br /><br />Necktie snakes<br /><br />SnakeTake a large circle, cut a spiral into the circle. Add two eyes and a tongue and hang. It will bounce a little!<br /><br />Tissue paper rainbow.<br />Pre-cut tissue paper in rainbow colors (small squares).<br />Cut a half circle for each student.<br />Glue squares on the half circle in the order of the rainbow to make the rainbow stick out. Let dry over night and then add long streamers from the bottom and add a yarn hanger at the top to display the rainbows in your class.<br /><br />Math:<br />Measuring SnakesMeasure out different kinds of snakes with yarn. The kids will be amazed by how long a boa constrictor really is!<br /><br />Count the colors in the rainbow.<br />Review numerals and counting.<br /><br />Fine Motor:<br />Play-doh snakes<br /><br />Snack:<br />Slippery Salamanders (from jello)<br /><br />Learning Time:<br />Letter R mini book from first-school.ws<br />Game/Gross Motor:<br />Leap Frog<br />Sensory:<br />Discovery bottles of the different colors.<br /><br />Song:<br /><br />Lizard Finger play(Use fist of one hand to represent the lizard - have pointer finger move in and out of fist quickly to be the lizard's tongue. 5 fingers of the other hand are the bugs that "disappear" as the lizard's fast tongue "gets" them.)<br />5 little bugs on the forest floor Along came a sticky tongue lizard ... SLURP!!!<br />Now there are 4.<br />4 little bugs on a kapok tree<br />Along came s sticky tongue lizard ... SLURP!!!<br /> Now there are 3.<br />3 little bugs without a single clue.....<br />2 little bugs soaking up the hot sun....<br />1 little bug knew that he was done.....<br />Now there are none.<br /><br />Boa Constrictor Song--<br />I am being swallowed by a boa constrictor,<br />I am being swallowed by a boa constrictor.<br />Oh no, he's swallowed my toes. ( grab toes)<br />Oh no, he's swallowed my toes.<br />Oh gee, he is up to my knees. (grab knee)<br />Oh gee, he is up to my knees.<br />Oh fiddle, he swallowed my middle.( wrap arms around your middle)<br />Oh fiddle, he swallowed my middle.<br />Oh heck, he is up to my neck.( put hand around neck)<br />Oh heck, he is up to my neck.<br />Oh dread, he swallowed my...(Gulp very loud)<br />Oh dread, he swallowed my...gulpShaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-61772645610112040772008-05-03T06:07:00.000-07:002008-05-03T06:12:39.396-07:00Letter MSocial Studies:<br />Manners (focus on good manners and asking for things we want, not demanding)<br />Review parent's names, and begin learning address.<br /><br />Science:<br />magnets<br /><br />Song:<br />We think mice are nice.<br />Oh, we think mice are nice!<br />Mice have [ noses that twitch and sniff].<br />We think mice are nice!<br /><br />Repeat the song using feet that hurry and scurry and then with whiskers that wiggle and jiggle.<br /><br />Math:<br />Counting to three<br />Recognizing numerals 1, 2, and 3<br />CENTER: Moose Muffin game<br /><br />Fine Motor:<br />Muffin cups: scraps of paper with the numbers 1-3 on them, using small tongs, move the correct number of pom-pom's into the cup with the matching number; <br /><br />Art:<br />Moose Magnets http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/MooserefrigeratorRecipeHolder.htm<br />Mouse craft: http://www.first-school.ws/t/craft/hearts_mousebw.html<br />May Day baskets<br /><br />Learning Time:<br />M Mini Book: <a href="http://www.first-school.ws/">http://www.first-school.ws</a><br /><br />Snack: MuffinsShaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-83235361338164021292008-04-21T06:33:00.000-07:002008-04-21T06:37:29.809-07:00UpdateJust to update things, I will be posting a lesson for this week, but probably not until Wednesday. We are spending all day tomorrow at the zoo, and then on Thursday we'll be doing a review of all the letters/numbers/shapes/colors/concepts we've learned so far (since we will only be having sit down school one day this week). I'm also going to use this week to attempt to plan further in advance....we'll see.Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-72786820988339355272008-04-17T09:23:00.001-07:002008-04-17T09:25:16.546-07:00A great link<a href="http://jojoebi.blogspot.com/2008/04/free-downloads-veggie-cards.html">http://jojoebi.blogspot.com/2008/04/free-downloads-veggie-cards.html</a><br /><br />This is another blog, and it has some great stuff in general, but these free downloads (there are more than just the veggie cards) are GREAT!<br /><br />Enjoy.Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022277622426861609.post-56347970523399460932008-04-15T04:55:00.000-07:002008-04-15T04:56:34.663-07:00Letter FMath:<br />Fractions: 1/2 using fraction circles<br />Counting, recognizing numbers, and number correspondence<br /><br />Concept:<br />On top of, underneath: using blocks (put the red one on top of the blue one; now the blue one is underneath the red one)<br /><br />Music:<br />The Farmer in the Dell<br />Old McDonald Had a Farm<br /><br />Growing Flowers (Fingerplay)<br />Little flowers in the ground (wiggle fingers on the floor),<br />Watch the wind blow you round and round (move fingers in circular motion)<br />Grow up to the sky so tall (wiggle fingers slowly upward),<br />If I don't water you, you will fall (quickly move fingers back to ground).<br /><br />Science:<br />Flowers: basic flower parts, and what flowers need to grow; <br />Plant some flower seeds. <br />File Folder game labeling the basic parts (stem, leaf, roots, petals)<br /><br />Social Studies:<br />Fireman<br />Life on the Farm and a trip to the Farmer's Market;<br />Visit a farm<br /><br />Game: Printout of a barn and printouts of several animals (both farm animals and non-farm animals), have child match all the animals that belong with the barn.<br /><br />Sensory:<br />Smells and touching the animals at the farm; Smells at the Farmer's martket; <br /><br />Reading:<br />The Rainbow Fish<br />I want to be a Firefighter<br /><br />Art:<br />Flag (create your own)<br />Trace childs hand onto yellow construction paper, twice each hand. Have student cut out hands. Take round black circle from construction paper and glue all hands to back of (this is the center of the sunflower) finish by adding a green stem.<br />Use a cutout of a sheep and glue onto a paper plate. Spread glue onto the sheep's body and let the children put on the "wool" using dry oatmeal.<br />Milk Carton Barns<br /><br />Dramatic Play:<br />Play with farm (little people farm house) and farm magnets (Melissa and Doug Farm Magnets in a Box is what I have).<br />Firefighters (dress up and pretend to be fireman rushing to an emergency in the truck with the siren going, put out the fire) and of course play with firetrucks!<br /><br />Fine Motor:<br />Accordion Folding<br /><br />Gross motor:<br />Tossing a football<br />Tossing a frisbee<br /><br />Snack:<br />Flower shaped sugar cookies<br />Fruit<br /><br />Shape: OvalShaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194071192971747030noreply@blogger.com0