Make the Date with Money

For several years, each day we have done calendar time. You have probably seen in a number of our homeschooling photos, our lovely and large green calendar.

This year, we are going to spice it up and make it a little more challenging by adding new features and activities.

I found a great idea from Carisa at "1+1+1=1" blog to use money to "Make the Date."

Money is a concept that Lil' Monster doesn't know much about, making it a new challenge.

First, we did our typical calendar work of putting up the day, date, month, weather, etc.

Then we discussed the different coin names.

Using counting blocks to show value, we counted out how much each coin was worth, in columns of 5.

 Then we discussed the date (yesterday was the 9th) and counted out how many blocks we needed = 9.

We formed columns of five.

Then we placed a nickel on the top.

We discussed the remaining four blocks as singular units (as they can not be grouped in 5s) and then placed a coin on each of those.

 I was surprised at how quickly he picked it up.

As Lil' Monster begins to remember the value of each coin, I will begin to phase out the counting blocks.

This is a great way to mix up our calendar time and teach new skills.

Back To School - Kindergarten

copyright © Mamma Sass

copyright © Mamma Sass

It is the first day

Back

to

School

Lil' Monster is one happy boy.

copyright © Mamma Sass

We decided to being a new tradition of celebrating the first day back to school with some fun activities.

copyright © Mamma Sass

Today we began with a delicious breakfast, of pumpkin muffins and doughnuts from our favorite local bakery (The Moose is Loose).

copyright © Mamma Sass

This was followed by casting a hand impression, for future memory.

© Mamma Sass

We then followed this up with reading, some review of materials from last year's school, and calendar work.

Then off to Gymnastics - a fun way to close out the school day.

We then celebrated by having a nice family dinner at a local restaurant - a rare treat indeed.

By bed time, Lil' Monster was exhausted but content.

The rest of this week, our lessons will consist of a review of last spring's education.

Next Monday, we will begin our new Lessons of our Sonlight Curriculum.

Post update: I just wanted to share the finished handprint project:

What a great remembrance this will be when he is older. He is still deciding if he wants to color it or add anything to it or leave it as is. 

Which Way Does the Wind Blow?

Preschool Graduation

We are a homeschooling Family.

We LOVE it.

Lil' Monster is about to graduate from Preschool course to his Kindergarten course.

We have moved at a leisurely pace throughout the Pre-K Sonlight course,

as we believe every day is an education,

and

we fit our education around our life experiences;

which over the past couple of years has had numerous changes with lots of ups and downs.

We love the Sonlight program for its flexibility to accommodate families and their lives.

.

Today 

Lil' Monster finished off one of his last "assignments."

Over the past year, as we have studied the Alphabet using Dr. Seuss,

I noticed that Lil' Monster was able to recite the words.

This made him feel as if he was reading.

What a glorious skill reading is.

He kept this skill a secret from Mr. Elskan.

He wanted to surprise him.

Surprise him he did,

when he 'read' the WHOLE book to him.

What a proud moment! 

Post Update:

Here is Lil' Monster with his diploma

Soon, we will begin his year of kindergarten.

Lil' Monster can't hardly wait!



School Days

This year Lil' Monster is

education is coming from our favorite curriculum:

We are doing the P4/5 (Pre-Kindergarten):

Exploring God's World

  It is very exciting.

In addition,  

to a more focused homeschooling for our dear little preschooler,

he now has his

own special space

right in Mamma's office/schoolroom.

In our loft there are two large but odd sized closets under the eaves.

We transformed one of them into a play room just for Lil' Monster.

It will be nice, because he can be close by while Mamma does her work without being on top of everything or anyone.

 Also, there are doors that can be shut to block some of Lil' Monster's noisy distractions. Nevertheless, he is not sequestered so far away that he feels isolated and lonely.

He' has no idea what is behind those closed doors.

Shocked to know this space if just for him!

Lil' Monster was thrilled to show off his new space to Pabbi.

Here is my bucket of cars.

Yay!!!

I think we have a happy camper on our hands.

May the new School Year Commence....

POST UPDATE: (August 29, 2011)

I am thinking Lil' Monster really loves his new space.
While I was working, it went quiet in Lil' Monster's play space.
This is what I found:

 
Sleep Sweet Baby!



...How Does Your Garden Grow, Too?

We are back at it:

Garden Growing.

We decided to make some more pots 

and planted some more  tomatoes 

UPDATE on :

...How Does Your Garden Grow?

Only 10 days later and we already see the blossoming of our Pea plants.

In it's little greenhouse-of-a-jug it stays pretty moist and warm.

But add water once in awhile to keep it that way.

Don't forget the occasional hug!!