Wednesday, October 29, 2008

PICTURES!!!!!

Kayleigh's favorite past-time! She loves Henry and Mudge books! I also introduced her the books-on-tape; now I have no problems working on my school for an hour during rest-time! She follows along in the book as the CD is played, so not only is she entertained but she learns new words! Oh, and I gave myself permission to stop formal phonics instruction for now. We might pick it back up, we might not...I haven't decided. Kayleigh doesn't really use phonics to read. If she comes to something she doesn't know, I usually tell her how to sound it out, or I just tell her the word. ( I know, not exactly the "proper" thing to do) Once I tell her a word, she knows it, so I figure we'll just keep reading and she'll pick up the phonics rule as we go (I have seen evidence of this, i.e. silent "e" rule: the "e" at the end makes the vowel say it's name--didn't really "teach" her that, just told her the rule and she remembers and applies it). Plus, the rules are introduced again in spelling, so I'm not too worried about her missing something.


Who needs toys when there's rice to play with! I wasn't sure if this activity would hold Kayleigh and Tre's interest, but they played with the rice for about an hour before I needed to put it away for lunch-time. Shhhh...don't tell them that while they are "playing", they are also learning about volume and improving their hand-eye coordination.



Our first pumpkin carving attempt....I thought Kayleigh would love pulling the guts out, but I should have known better. I ended up doing most of the work and the pumpkin is still sitting on the counter un-carved!

Yes, I believe in child labor...especially when the child asks to do it!

4 comments:

Brenda said...

I'll have to add the photos to my final summary report for the consultation assignment (the child development section). My professor will love seeing what a great mommy you are! Make those cookies again and take a picture of Kayleigh helping. I'll add that photo to the meal management section. While I'm thinking of each section, get a picture for storage/organization too.

The rice center was always a big hit for my Kindergarten students, so I'm not surprised your kids enjoyed it.

Child labor? I call it OJT, train them while they are young and interested and don't ever tell them it's work. It takes everyone working together to make a home.

Schweers' Mom said...

Hey - if they are interested in helping, take advantage of it! It won't be long before they will roll their eyes and sigh really big and you'll have to crack the whip to get them to do ANYting.

Thanks for your comments on my blog. I really enjoyed Nation of Wimps. I also read Three Cups of Tea (another one you had recommended) and liked it, too.

Lori

Anonymous said...

Re: Phonics. I'm kinda of the mindset that if they can read and spell, they don't need phonics instruction. I bet that she does use phonics to read, but picked it up over the course of her first four years with you and doesn't need formal instruction. I wasn't sure how Samuel was reading until I overheard him telling a friend "the E on the end of cake makes the a say 'a.' Otherwise it would be cak." I had never taught him that an "e" on the end makes the vowel say its name. Same thing with know and now. He told the same friend that the K is silent but for some reason adding it makes it know instead of now. And I informally test his spelling occaisonally...it's right on for most words that are well above his "grade level."

And we totally believe in child labor. My kids are very close to washing their own clothes, if only they could reach the soap. They do all of the hauling, folding, sorting, switching and putting away right now, though. Start 'em early and there'll be less work for you later!!

Robyn Rochelle E. said...

Danke fuer einen Augenblick ueber die Kindern!
Thanks for a look at the kids.
Hugging you and yours!!!!