Bugs

I started out this lesson with letter and number flash cards....just for fun.

Then we had a chalk board discussion about bugs. I had them name every kind of bug they could think of. Then we read some books about bugs. I was actually very surprised that I had so many books on bugs.

I really liked the "Creepy Crawlies" Usborne book. Lots of good info, and 'fun lift the flaps.'

Then we did a few nursery rhymes about bugs, such as 'The itsy bitsy spider" and 'Here is the Bee Hive.'

Here is the bee hive.
Where are all the bees?
Hidden away where nobody sees.
Watch and you'll see them
Come out of the hive.
1...2...3...4...5...BUZZ!

Make a fist with your hand to make the bee hive, and as the bees come out, count them on your fingers. Then buzz your hand like a bee at the end. (Which is where I take the opportunity to tickle my kids.)

Then we painted rocks to looks like bugs!

Then we watched this youtube video "The Ugly Bug Ball" from one of my favorite musicals.

Reading Aloud

Click on Picture

This is one of the best "parenting" books I have ever read. I some how got a copy of it when my kids were really little, and I think it has changed the way I do everything.

I've always known reading was SUPER important. I started collecting children's books for my own children long before I ever even got married. I always knew I would avidly read to my children. But I don't think I knew exactly how important it was.

This book is amazing. If you have kids or ever dream of having kids, I strongly recommend this book, and it doesn't matter how old they are. Even teens should be read to...just in a different way than toddlers.

Read to you kids 20 minutes a day. You would be surprised how easy this is to do. Read the cereal box, books, magazines, newspapers. Let your kids see you reading for enjoyment. Make a habit of reading to your children. And read this book. :)

HERE is a printable brochure.

Zoo Phonics

My daughter is starting kindergarten this fall. She went to a few "Getting to know you" nights at the school. They did activities with them to get them used to the environment. This was one of those activities. They came home with a small poster of the zoo phonics, and a work sheet that told how to do each action/sound.

I have heard of preschools and kindergartens all over the country using this phonics method because it is fun and successful.

My daughter came home able to tell me almost every animal and sound. I thought it was SO cute! She has been teaching it to her little sister who will go to kindergarten the next year. They love it.

I can't figure out how to link to a PDF of the work sheets, but this video shows a classroom doing zoo phonics.