PreSchool- Beach and Ocean

                     

H- 4 1/2

Bug- 17 months

This last week we kind of broke away from our traditional "school" week and did learning activities out on our adventures.  We had dear friends from Utah come out to visit, and truth be told it felt like a vacation for us too.  We did many touristy things and loved every minute of learning on the go.  Here is what we did this week...

Reading-
I drew large circles in the sand and put 3 letter words across the circles.  Then I had H jump from one circle to the next saying the sound the letter makes as he was in that circle, then the whole word at the end.

He loved it, so I made another word, then another, until I had a mini scrabble board going ; )   Daddy then noticed that all of the words I had in the sand you could read forward or backward, so we had H hop both directions to figure out the different words that were written in the sand.

Bug playing at the beach... looking very concerned.

Science- Marine Life

We had the pleasure of going up to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.  The kids both really enjoyed it, and I had a great time as well.  We talked about all of the different types of fish and sea mammals we saw.  We even got to feel some of the different creatures.  H was brave enough to touch the starfish, and sea anemone, but he left it up to me to touch the sting-ray.  Bug even touched the starfish and sea anemone, though she was a little rough with them.  Guess we need to work on the meaning of gentle before the baby is born... currently not a part of her vocabulary or understanding for that matter : )

We talked a lot about how creative God is in making all of these different kinds and colors of fish.  I think this is the most colorful aquarium I have ever been to in regard to the color of the fish.  It was honestly amazing.  For the first time I was hit with the thought that there is not a color "created" by man that God did not use somewhere in creation!

 scooba diver feeding the fish

 blues, greens, orange, yellow, pink, reds... so beautiful and amazing!

The show that was put on by the seals at feeding time was fascinating.  The seals are really such smart animals.  All of the kids were thuroghly entertained!

At the end of our day at the aquarium we visited the Lorikeet exhibit.  The birds are beautiful in color.  On the way in a sign said,  to be careful because the birds may bite your finger.  H took the warning very seriously and stood with his hands behind his back the whole time we were in the exhibit.  Me on the other hand stood with my hands covering my head because a bird dive bombing my head or pooping in my hair is one of my biggest fears... true story!

Here we are with our friends, and Bug is showcasing her true independent streak in this picture as she tries to escape.

Ahh, what a great week of vacation at home/ schooling on the go!  Thanks friends for the visit, we miss you, come back soon!

Pre School- God Made the Human Body

H- almost 4 1/2
Bug- almost 17 months

This week we have continued with the 6th day of creation-  but for the entire month of April we are focusing on God created Man.  It should be a really fun month, at least we have lots of fun things planned!  The primary focus of this week was just how amazing it is that God created each and every one of us, in a unique, but such an intricate way.  We talked a little bit about each body system, but will go in depth more in the weeks to come.

God Created Man:  If you want to download my entire lesson plan with all links, book suggestions, craft ideas and all for this month, you can get it here.


Verse of the week: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14
You can download our verse cards for this month here.

We did 'Measure Me" that you can download here.  H thought it was really fun to see how many inches long his thumb was and then the foot.  Such a simple activity, but he love it.  

We also read the entire chapter of Psalm 139.  We would read a verse or two and then stop and talk about what H thought it meant.  He was really excited talking about being knit together in my mother's womb... "just like the baby in your belly mom!"  Or that God knew our structure, maybe that means our skeletal system...  Great conversation with my little man that I will forever cherish!

We traced out H's body and then he colored on it, he even drew in bones in a few places.

Then we traced one foot of each person in our family.  Here Bug is trying to get her shoes off so her foot can be traced too.

Our Family Feet- April 2010.  Seriously, how cute is Bug's tiny little foot when inside of her daddy's!


Exercise/ P.E.- 
Playing catch with Daddy... this is a new skill he is working on.  Look at the concentration on his face!

Tiny Tot School

Coloring Just like "Bro", that is what Bug calls H.

We have been really working on reading with Bug.  Just a month ago, she wouldn't sit still for a whole book.  Now she will sit on our lap for one story, hop down and grab another book from the shelf.  She may actually like to read!!  Whoo Hoo!

In the story "Night-Night, Little Pookie" the Mama gives Pookie a kiss goodnight.  Each time we read this book, Bug kisses the book then turns to me for a kiss.  It is so cute... And don't you love her post-nap, bed-head!