It seems like a long time since I have worked with a young one on school.
What are your fave websites, workbooks, etc... for a pre ker?
:)

We just recently got a 3 pack of reader rabbit workbooks from scholastic that ds is enjoying. There were a few pages that had confusing directions, i thought, and even checked them out w/ friends but overall i've been happy with them. He's also interested in his letters and numbers. Today he practiced writing his numbers from 1-20 2 different times. that's about it here for now.

First of all, this is a great website for printing off worksheets. www.learningpage.com It is free to become a member, and then you have access to lots of different themes. Each theme has worksheets geared towards all levels, preschool to 3rd or 4th grade, I think??

Kaya and I have been playing a simple game of shutes and ladders that I drew up on a piece of cardboard. For now, we just use one die instead of the usual two dice. I was amazed that she is already able to play, and can look at a die and call out the number without counting most times!

Also, she is really into learning letters and numbers right now. I take blank index cards and write letters on them and make a matching game. For now, we leave all of the cards face up. When she makes a match, if she doesnt know the letter, I'll tell her "Good job, you found two N's!!!!" and she'll repeat what I've said.

I have also been working on comparisons with her. I cut different color shapes out of construction paper and ask her things like "Can you find the biggest triangle?" or "Can you find two shapes that are the same color??"

I also really love the activities at www.enchantedlearning.com

Parenting magazine has some cool books (bought mine at Rite Aid but seen them at Staples; the latter also had them all in one book.) Phonics cards that I got at Staples. I am also using a few Abeka books (Christian based). Checked out Oak Meadow (I think that is it) because although I am a Christian, I am not necessarily going to use all Christian books. Their preschool stuff was very basic and you can find the supplies through other places too. (paper, beeswax crayons, etc.). I lot my dd do lots of watercolor painting, paint with poster paint, glue, glitter, finger paints and will be doing, with the upcoming spirng, some nature walks and let her collect leaves and things she likes (planning on getting a flower press).

:) Jennifer

I'm trying to keep it simple. From TWTM it's suggested to just do "Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready" and reading Preschool level books form "The Read Aloud Handbook". I am also doing books suggested in "Books that Teach Moral Character" and I really *love* those books.

I'm reviewing "You Are Your Child's First Teacher' and feeling confused but good.

Other resources I like are "Earthways" and "Story S-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-r-s".

*HUGS*

I'm putting together a simple circle time from the Enki stuff I just got. http://www.enkieducation.org

Fingerplays to start, songs with movements next, maybe some beanbag tossing games, then lie down and listen to a story...sing a closing song and that's it.

We're also doing some crafts and Waldorf-style wet-on-wet watercolors at least 3 times a week. His favorite crafts are playdough and painting. He likes to help cook too.

I like Meeshi's idea to cut out construction paper shapes to match and play with. We'll probably do that this week. Jake also likes to play with pattern blocks.

Anyway we are keeping it simple and fun.

Lots of reading aloud! :)

http://www.first-school.ws
We are trying to do a letter a week, but sometimes we do not get to it.

My dd has some materials from the http://www.hwtears.com site
(These were a big fat fluffy fluffy FRIVILOUS splurge I bought with some holiday money. And I do not even regret it barb griffin!!! ;) My two youngest love this stuff!)

Hope

Oh! Almost forgot~
http://www.letteroftheweek.com
We get some of our letter of the week ideas from here!
(Barb 'thrifty never buys books' Griffin sent me the link!)

(These were a big fat fluffy fluffy FRIVILOUS splurge I bought with some holiday money. And I do not even regret it barb griffin!!! My two youngest love this stuff!)

:p and no, not following you around, hee.

i could not get into the letteroftheweek stuff despite being very enthusiastic about it initially. maybe later.

the just turned 3year old is learning phonics, so everything s sounded out at the moment, so mmmmmuuuummmmm, or dddddoooogggg lol.
we use Jolly Phonics .
we so a lot of read alouds too. i just found that our salvation army sells pretty good second hand books for like 30cents so we have/will be picking up a whole pile.
joel has a Magna Doodle so he figured how to write his name and some lettters.
bible crafts from The Big Book of Christian Crafts.


the 5year old is reading well so he does Singapore Maths workbooks since that is what he will be using when he goes to school next year.
a simple science experiment once a week (from 50 simple things you can do to raise a child who loves science and nature)

i intend to do bible devotions from Little visits 1-2-3 with the 14month old soon.