This week we are learning about the letter Xx. Review the correct way to write Xx and the Xx sound. Xx is a tricky letter. Not many words begin with Xx, so let's also point out that many words end in Xx: box, fox, six, fix, ox, ax. Write some of these words down for your child and have them underline the Xx and say the Xx sound. We do this at Circle Time.
Our 4 Year Olds should work on their packet or the worksheets that I attached via email. They come to school 3 days a week, so they should be 3 worksheets per week just as we would do if we were at school. Also, they should continue to color (so many benefits to coloring). Plus, practice writing those names.
Our 3 Year Olds should focus on the worsheets that I sent home via email. If you find something that you like in the packet that comes in Flocknote, by all means use it. But, don't overdo the worksheets.
-We learn best through play in our Preschool Years-
That being said.... Here are some hands-on activities for letter Xx. Most of these activities are things we would do in class.
*Make letter Xx with sticks. In class we would use popsicle sticks. However, if it's a nice day out go on a twig and stick hunt with your child. Use what they collect to make the letter Xx.
*To go with our X-Ray page: Paint your child's hand with white paint and make a print on blue or black paper works best. If you don't have paint, trace your child's hand and color it white. Use Q-tips to make "bones" and create a hand X-Ray.
*Create an Xx marks the spot hunt. Put at Xx on circle objects in your home. Have your child find the Xx on those objects. Do the same for square objects, rectangles, etc...
*PlayDoh fun: Make the letter Xx with playdoh. Make shapes with playDoh. Make the first letter of your name (or your whole name) with playDoh.
*Fill a dishpan with rice, sand, etc... put cardboard Xx's in the pan and have your child find them.
*Use tape to make a letter Xx on a piece of paper. Allow your child to paint over the Xx and all over the paper. Remove the tape and find your "magic" Xx picture.
*Using a cookie sheet and some of dad's shaving cream - make letter Xx, write your name, make shapes, make a fun picture.
*Each week in class we read a story about a little boy who finds things to put in his box. There is a story for each letter of the alphabet. Use a shoebox and help your child to find Letter Xx things to put in the box. It could include the letter Xx picture they colored.
Letter Xx Science: Water Xylophone (Kitchen Science)
*Lesson - Sound waves are vibrations that travel through a medium which here, it is water.
You will need:
-water
-food coloring
-4 mason jars or glasses
-wooden stick or spoon
Setting up:
Set out your 4 jars. Allow your child to "tap" each jar so that they can hear what the empty jars sound like first.
Next, fill your jars with varying levels of water. You can eyeball it or use measuring cups if you choose. Remember: more water equals a higher sound or pitcher and less water equals a higher sound or pitch. Now add food coloring to each jar for a different note (like you would find on a xylophone). Mix.
Tap each jar with your wooden stick or spoon. What do you hear? What did the jars sound like before you added the water? Try adding differenet levels to the jar to hear different sounds. Did you hear them? Try adding different liquids to the jar (maybe water and milk). Differenet liquids have different densities. Do you hear a difference?
We do this in class for letter Xx every year and out little ones LOVE it. Enjoy
Religion:
Our Religion lesson for the Preschool 3's is I CAN LOVE. See the link for our Religion book from my previous blog. Read the lesson with your child. Brainstorm ways that we can show our love to others. How does Jesus show his love to us? What I normally do in class to add to this lesson:
Trace your child's hand and cut it out. Cut out a heart shape. Write down a couple of ways that your child can love. Display for all to see. Being loved and showing love to others is essential for a child's healthy social/emotional development. Teaching our children to understand, respect, and care for others all stems from a loving family environment. Sing the song "Jesus Loves Me" with your child. Another song that we sing in class is on YouTube. It is called "God's Love is Bigger Than a Burger" by Doug Horley. It is a fun song and our Preschoolers love, love this song.
Our Religion lesson for Preschool 4 is God Made Fish. See the Link for our Religion book from my previous blog. Read the lesson with your child. On the 5th day of the Creation Story God made the birds and fish. Cut out a number 5 and help your child to make an ocean scene with different colored fish. You could also paint your child's hand and allow him/her to make hand-print fish creations. There is a cute song on YouTube called "God Made all the Fishes - 3 little words". It's a fun and colorful song that our little ones enjoy. You could also go to Saddleback kids and watch the story of Jonah and the Fish.
Lastly, Please continue to work on name writing, counting, shapes, colors, patterns. I will send some activities later in the week for patterns, one-to-one correspondence, etc...
I know that everyone is busy, overwhelmed, tired, frustrated, and the list goes on. Please know that I so appreciate all that you are doing to educate your Preschooler at home. My best advice is: Be consistent, try to have fun learning with your child, Enjoy the little things and those sweet moments that you'll never get back, Laugh together, Try to find a little time for yourself, and Relax - we've got this!!!
Love to all.
Our 4 Year Olds should work on their packet or the worksheets that I attached via email. They come to school 3 days a week, so they should be 3 worksheets per week just as we would do if we were at school. Also, they should continue to color (so many benefits to coloring). Plus, practice writing those names.
Our 3 Year Olds should focus on the worsheets that I sent home via email. If you find something that you like in the packet that comes in Flocknote, by all means use it. But, don't overdo the worksheets.
-We learn best through play in our Preschool Years-
That being said.... Here are some hands-on activities for letter Xx. Most of these activities are things we would do in class.
*Make letter Xx with sticks. In class we would use popsicle sticks. However, if it's a nice day out go on a twig and stick hunt with your child. Use what they collect to make the letter Xx.
*To go with our X-Ray page: Paint your child's hand with white paint and make a print on blue or black paper works best. If you don't have paint, trace your child's hand and color it white. Use Q-tips to make "bones" and create a hand X-Ray.
*Create an Xx marks the spot hunt. Put at Xx on circle objects in your home. Have your child find the Xx on those objects. Do the same for square objects, rectangles, etc...
*PlayDoh fun: Make the letter Xx with playdoh. Make shapes with playDoh. Make the first letter of your name (or your whole name) with playDoh.
*Fill a dishpan with rice, sand, etc... put cardboard Xx's in the pan and have your child find them.
*Use tape to make a letter Xx on a piece of paper. Allow your child to paint over the Xx and all over the paper. Remove the tape and find your "magic" Xx picture.
*Using a cookie sheet and some of dad's shaving cream - make letter Xx, write your name, make shapes, make a fun picture.
*Each week in class we read a story about a little boy who finds things to put in his box. There is a story for each letter of the alphabet. Use a shoebox and help your child to find Letter Xx things to put in the box. It could include the letter Xx picture they colored.
Letter Xx Science: Water Xylophone (Kitchen Science)
*Lesson - Sound waves are vibrations that travel through a medium which here, it is water.
You will need:
-water
-food coloring
-4 mason jars or glasses
-wooden stick or spoon
Setting up:
Set out your 4 jars. Allow your child to "tap" each jar so that they can hear what the empty jars sound like first.
Next, fill your jars with varying levels of water. You can eyeball it or use measuring cups if you choose. Remember: more water equals a higher sound or pitcher and less water equals a higher sound or pitch. Now add food coloring to each jar for a different note (like you would find on a xylophone). Mix.
Tap each jar with your wooden stick or spoon. What do you hear? What did the jars sound like before you added the water? Try adding differenet levels to the jar to hear different sounds. Did you hear them? Try adding different liquids to the jar (maybe water and milk). Differenet liquids have different densities. Do you hear a difference?
We do this in class for letter Xx every year and out little ones LOVE it. Enjoy
Religion:
Our Religion lesson for the Preschool 3's is I CAN LOVE. See the link for our Religion book from my previous blog. Read the lesson with your child. Brainstorm ways that we can show our love to others. How does Jesus show his love to us? What I normally do in class to add to this lesson:
Trace your child's hand and cut it out. Cut out a heart shape. Write down a couple of ways that your child can love. Display for all to see. Being loved and showing love to others is essential for a child's healthy social/emotional development. Teaching our children to understand, respect, and care for others all stems from a loving family environment. Sing the song "Jesus Loves Me" with your child. Another song that we sing in class is on YouTube. It is called "God's Love is Bigger Than a Burger" by Doug Horley. It is a fun song and our Preschoolers love, love this song.
Our Religion lesson for Preschool 4 is God Made Fish. See the Link for our Religion book from my previous blog. Read the lesson with your child. On the 5th day of the Creation Story God made the birds and fish. Cut out a number 5 and help your child to make an ocean scene with different colored fish. You could also paint your child's hand and allow him/her to make hand-print fish creations. There is a cute song on YouTube called "God Made all the Fishes - 3 little words". It's a fun and colorful song that our little ones enjoy. You could also go to Saddleback kids and watch the story of Jonah and the Fish.
Lastly, Please continue to work on name writing, counting, shapes, colors, patterns. I will send some activities later in the week for patterns, one-to-one correspondence, etc...
I know that everyone is busy, overwhelmed, tired, frustrated, and the list goes on. Please know that I so appreciate all that you are doing to educate your Preschooler at home. My best advice is: Be consistent, try to have fun learning with your child, Enjoy the little things and those sweet moments that you'll never get back, Laugh together, Try to find a little time for yourself, and Relax - we've got this!!!
Love to all.