Kinder Goals

Although we are planning to school off & on throughout the summer, the warm weather & lake callin’ my name has made me start to take into consideration my plans for the Mustangs for next year. At the beginning of this school year I started PreKinder – a mix of Preschool & Kindergarten. I just didn’t feel that Tucker was completely ready for Kindergarten. As our year progressed, Trevor blew my mind when he started grasping all the concepts I was hoping to teach Tucker. At first, Tucker didn’t care – he had fish to catch & goats to chase. Slowly, he realized though that his little brother was passing him up. The competitiveness in him got the better of him & he began to learn with leaps & bounds. I realize that a lot can change in the next 3 months, but at this point it is looking like both my boys will be moving into mostly 1st grade work. ((sniff)) ((sniff))

Last year I made a L-O-N-G list of goals for our “PreKinder” school year. Here is where we currently stand:

Language:
Recognizes capital letters
Recognizes lower-case letters
Matches at least half capital letters with lower-case letters
Copies/Writes letters
Recognizes letter sounds
Recognizes sight words
Recognizes beginning sounds of words
Identifies & writes first & last name in print
Names time of the day
Names days of the week
Names months of the year
Simple rhyming
Repeats simple 8-10 word sentences
Retell stories/events (first, middle, end)
Tells what's happening in a picture
Understands basic parts of a book (front, back)
-Illustrator, Author
-Holds book correctly
-Indicates where to begin reading
Memory Work
-Easy poems, nursery rhymes, scriptures (ABC scriptures)
Personal Info:
Address
Phone number
Birthday
Age
Parents Names
"About Me"
Boundaries at home
Motor Skills:
Zip
Button
Snap
Tie shoes
Catch/throw ball
Maintain balance
Skip
Pull/Push
Bending
Stringing Beads
Cutting
Puzzles
Hold a pencil
Social Skills:
Understands Rules
Listens w/o interrupting (LOL)
Stays involved in self-selected activity for 15-20 minutes
Follows simple verbal directions
Recognizes dangerous situations
Understands cause & effect
Sharing
Independence - CHORES!
Self-control
Identifies feelings
Social Studies/Geography/History:
Holidays
Common occupations
What is a family - family members
Understanding of city/town, state, country, continent
Recognizes Texas on a state map
Understanding of a globe & maps
Directions (N,S,E,W)
Understanding of lake, river, pond, island
Our World
-Space
-Oceans & Continents
American History
-Our country
-American Flag
-President
Science:
Seasons
Weather
Earth
Plants
Animals (simple life-cycles)
Human Body (sensory)
Magnetism
Science Opposites (sink/float, solid/liquid, etc)
Math:
Recognizes numbers
Counts to 20
Copies numbers w/o reversal
Pairs & counts objects
Counts objects in sets from 0-10
Constructs objects in sets from 0-10
Matches objects in sets from 0-10
Pairs
Understands concepts of addition & subtraction
Adds to 10
First - Fifth
Identifies, names, & draws basic shapes when shown an example
Identifies left & right
Sorts objects (classifying)
Places objects in order
Demonstrates with objects: on, above, below, beside, under, on top of, behind, over
Understands: more than, less than, equal, one more, one less
Patterns of at least 3
Halves
Full, Half Full, Empty
Identifies size, length
Identifies money (penny, nickle, dime, quarter)
Tells simple time
Understands a calendar
Simple graph
Counting by 2's, 5's, & 10's

It’s that time again . . .

It’s THAT time again . . .

       Time for our annual MOHAWK!!

            This year Momma’s Boy was the only one that got a mohawk. 

Don’t let the pictures fool you – he isn’t upset we shaved 99% of his hair & spiked the other 1% down the middle of his head. 

 

He is upset that he doesn’t get to keep it ALL summer!

This is the 5th year (I think) of his mohawk tradition.  He had a mohawk when mohawks weren’t cool :)  Last week Momma D. reminded us of the first time she saw our family in church – Tyler had a mohawk & she told her boys, “See that boy over there?  Yeah, his parents are crazy – stay away from them.  That kid has issues.”  Now we are best friends & her boys are begging for mohawks!  LOL

Truman’s Party

My mind has been overflowing with blog topics I totally forgot to post Truman’s First Birthday!!

This boy is a total crack up.  He is super smart.  Not a big talker, yet extremely spoiled & demanding.  Considering my LASIK sugery was the day before his first birthday & his birthday fell on the same day as the Arlington Homeschool Bookfair – we decided to celebrate until Mother’s Day.  When Truman was born our church we in a desperate search for a pastor, so we held off on having his baby dedication.  What a better date to have him dedicated than on Mother’s Day!!  Our pastor did an excellent job, unbeknownst to him = he used the  “teaching diligently” scripture as his main point!!  I love it when God speaks like that :)

A Busy Girl

I have been a VERY busy girl this past week.  I have so much to blog about & lot’s of pictures to share, but just not enough time!  (Sigh)  So for now, I’m poppin’ in to say Hi & tell ya what’s been keeping me so busy .  .  .

First of all, Big Daddy & I are very different in more ways than I can explain; however, we do have a few commonalities – one of which is “projects.”  We both have half a dozen projects going at all times.  (He just never finishes his.)  Right now, at the Rockin’ C:

• Big Daddy is busy attempting to be a fish farmer – don’t ask!  My kitchen STILL isn’t completed & the schoolhouse has not made any progress; however, we now have 4 100 gal. “aquariums” in his barn! 
• We also have 44 baby chicks hatching on my kitchen counter in an incubator as I am typing at this very moment! 
• We have planted about 3 acres of watermelons. 
• Truman had a super high fever all last week & after a couple trips to the doctor we discovered he had pneumonia.  - No cough or wheezing – just fever.  He has had reoccurring fevers almost every 2-3 weeks!  So, he was tested for several very scary diseases – all to come back negative.  Our doctor is looking into 2 different causes, but we still aren’t sure why our sweet boy is spiking a fever so often. 
• Tyler’s team is #1 in their division & have made it to the playoffs – so next week I will have ballgames over an hour away 4 outta 7 days. 
• My cousin’s daughter is coming to visit us for a week. 
• I’m babysitting one of the Mustangs friends 2 days a week for the summer. 
• I am also VERY proud to announce that I have had a very successful start to my new photography business!  I had 3 photo shoots on Sunday! 
• I have been editing 100’s of pictures, designing a photography website & facebook fan page, & have a potential of 6 more sessions in the next 2 weeks!! 
• Did I mention we homeshcool?  Yeah, we’ve been fitting a little of that in too!
• We will be going on a 2 week long vacation in just a couple of weeks!  Super excited, but have sooooo much to get in order before we leave.

I promise I haven’t forgotten about my blog or giveaways – hang tight!  (I’m going to try to make it to the post office on our way to Tucker’s last T-Ball game this afternoon! 

. . . I have just been a VERY BUSY GIRL!

Hope on over to my new Rockin’ C Photography website for a peek at some of my business.

Sweet Little Priss

This sweet little priss pot is absolutely adorable! 

I had the privilege of doing a maternity shoot with her & her momma & daddy.  It was a blast!  I’m crazy busy editing their pix still, but just look at what a cutie she is . . .

Okay, just one more:

Head over to Darcy’s for more SWEET SHOTS this week!

About Me

1. I can’t sing or dance.
2. I love designer clothes.
3. I have a small obsession with bags & purses. (I LOVE my Coach purse my mother-in-law got me for my birthday!!)
4. Nordstrom used to be my favorite place to shop (before kids!).
5. I drove a brand new camaro when I got married.
6. I’ve died my hair purple.
7. I love to shop WITHOUT kids!
8. Target is my one stop shop! 
9. American Eagle is where most of my clothes come from. 
10. I hate Walmart, but shop there the most. 
11. I am a huge sweets eater.  I love my Aunt Kelli’s fudge, I sneak Sour Patch Kids at the checkout line, I add sugar to strawberries, & I would fight for a glass of sweet tea!
12. I wear short shorts, but not in public anymore.
13. I found out I was pregnant my Spring Break of my Senior year in High School.
14. I HATED high school!!!
15. I was a Criminal Justice major in college.
16. I’m starting a “Rockin’ C Photography” business.
17. I only dated Big Daddy for 5 months before we got married.
18. I used to live in the ghetto.
19. I’ve dated a gang member.
20. I talk to my mom EVERY DAY!
21. I went an entire year without speaking to my dad.
22. I would love to sew, but HATE sewing machines!
23. I was almost a black belt in Tae Kwon Do
24. I curse more than I’d like to admit.
25. My family & daughters calls me “Tippy”
26. I am very good at planning, but horrible at implementing.
27. I’m almost 30!!
28. I’m giving away my new Workbox Schedule Card to ANYONE that leaves a comment, blogs, tweets, facebook’s, etc about:

• my blog
• this giveaway
• your favorite post or topic on my blog

  THEN . . . I will pick 1 comment from Random.org for a CUSTOM designed workbox schedule card of your very own (*Just 1 design, but I will print & laminate up to 6 cards!!)

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

**Contest ends tonight at midnight!

Temper, Temper

ALL of my boys have one,

This boys’ seems to show more often,

And is probably a little bit worse,

They get it from their dad = of course!!

Temper, Temper!

I call them Wild Mustangs for a reason!

D.E.A.R.

Another homeschool mom (who is graduating her last daughter next year) recently shared a tradition she stole from the Public School system . . .

D.E.A.R.  Every day after lunch they Drop Everything And Read for 30 minutes to an hour.  It is a nice little down time for everyone to do a little reading for pleasure.  I wonder if the association with deer would help it go over any better with my crew?  I think we are going to try this out soon.  When my schoolroom is complete I may set up a few pop-up tents & let them do a little D.E.A.R. hunting – for books!!

What about you . . . do you have any traditions you’ve created over the years?  Is there something you’ve done since the beginning that you’d like to share?  Or do you have a reading tip you’d like to share? 

If so leave me a comment, I’d love to hear/read about it!

Workbox Wednesday

When I first saw these I was so excited! 

I added my twist to them, gave ‘em a lil’ Texas flare & these were our schedule cards:

They were fabulous!  I was so proud of myself.  But then I admitted that they were a bit much for my crew.  My outlaws quickly became frustrated with flipping back & for & I continued to mix up the days.  So, as an alternative I made these:

  The clock in/out & schedule strips are all on one sheet!  They absolutely LOVE them!  Much easier!!  On the back of Momma’s boy’s is his HELP section – if you remember on the original ones I just put 4 velcro coins on the back for the “Help” cards, but when he would bring them to his scatter brained momma, I would loose them :)  So, now we have a better way of keeping up with them. 

Now for what’s in the boxes . . .

The Mustangs:

As I worked the kinks out of my planning, I made an outline for setting up the Mustangs’ boxes:

1. Math
2. Math Activity
3. Letter/Handwriting
4. Explode the Code
5. Letter Activity
6. Story time &/or Activity
7. Science Activity
8. Reading
9. Reading Activity/Misc.

Using these labels made planning MUCH easier!! 

(*Keep in mind this week’s letter is “W”)

          *Tomorrow we are going to see a college performance of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.”

I’ll explain so of these workbox activities in another post soon!

OH!  I almost forgot . . .

I hate to waste these:

If you would like our old schedule strips:

Leave a comment & tell me how many you need (Limit 3).

If there is more than one person I will use random.org to pick a winner on Monday (because it’s my birthday!). 

And since it’s my birthday & all . . . there might just be another giveaway coming for a chance to win one of our newly designed schedule strip.  I’m just sayin’ . . . Maybe!

Sweet Sweet Sisters

 

How do I pick between 2 sweet sisters for 1 sweet shot?

I don’t!  I pick the one with my kid in it!! 

BUT first click to enlarge the collage below for the sweet picture story of these two friends.

And now for my Sweet Shot Pick:

If you only new this boy.

I have 1 son that has been head over hills in-puppy-love with the same girl from our church for years.  He would be totally content marrying this girl (years from now obviously) & never ever even consider even looking at another girl.  He is seriously a 1 woman kinda guy.  Poor boy, he will probably have his heart broken someday.  

I have another son that just loves all girls & I will be lucky if I ever get him to settle down & be faithful to just one girl.  He is such a flirt!  He will probably break lot’s of hearts someday.  

Then, then there is this son.  He seriously does NOT like girls.  Hasn’t since he was old enough to realize there was a difference.  Barely likes his own sister, & only likes me because I’m not a girl – I’m a momma!  :)  But this girl seems to have broken the mold & become the exception.   They are great friends & he is very sweet to her. 

Prayers for Nicki

My “Real-Life” friend, Nicki @ 400 Things is expecting #5, but this pregnancy has her bedridden with major ALL day sickness.  She has been to the hospital at least twice.  She is not only fighting nausea, but she is also having migraines & is on meds for an infection.  PLEASE pray for my friend. 

In the meantime I’m poppin’ in over there from time to time just to liven things up while she is sick.  So exactly, how does a homeschooling household function when mom’s sick?  Hop over to Nicki’s to for a few ideas . . .

Mother Goose

If you didn’t catch it in previous posts, I recently co-hosted a “Show & Tell Curriculum” Day for homeschool mom’s in our area. One of my good friends shared about Mother Goose Curriculum & I wanted to pass the information on . . . ‘cause I’m cool like that. I am considering using this curriculum with my Lil’ Buckaroo next year – not that I’ve thought that far ahead or anything :)

ANYWAY, as the Mother Goose Time website explains, “it is a preschool curriculum designed for 2.5 to 5 year olds that weaves together art projects, music, storytelling, math games and science experiments around a monthly theme.”

Image from the Mother Goose Times Website.

Each month a box is delivered with a lesson plan book along with ALL needed materials. Everything you will need is included! You can order one month at a time or for a discount up to 2 years in advance. Click HERE to see the monthly themes. Be sure to click on at least a couple themes to discover the topics covered in that theme.

Mother Goose Curriculum seems to be a perfect preschool curriculum that ties in all the preschool “work” with fun themes to discover a long the way. - So much easier than trying to blend 2 different curriculums together. It does seem to be on the more expensive side of preschool curriculum; however, keep in mine that it come to you ready to go. You will receive 1 starter kit each year, 1 teacher tool bag each month, as well as a day bag each day for your child. As my friend, Beth, pointed out it was Time vs. Money. If your time is worth more than your money & you are looking for a fun, well organized & completely put together preschool curriculum, you should definitely consider Mother Goose Curriculum.

“About” I’m Gonna Miss This . . .

“Because”  “About”  same thing according to this mustang!

When Tucker talks he says “about” instead of “because.” 

 

I Love you Tucker about your such a sweet boy! 

You have a look for everything.  You speak more with your expressions that with words, but when you do use your words it brings a smile to my face. 

I love how you have your own little wordings – about it makes you you.  You are a special boy & I’m going to miss your about’s someday!

Dad’s Top Hand

It’s official!!

  The other day the boys when down to gather eggs from our chicken-coop.  Tucker came running back to the house screaming about a snake.  Okay, over the years, I’ve adapted pretty well to the country . . . BUT not to the mice & definitely NOT the SNAKES!!  AHHHHHH!!!!  So I try to put on my brave mommy face, get the gun, & try to convince myself that I can do it.  Once I get there the snake is missing.  Then Tyler spies it.  It’s curled up in the feed room.  “I think I can, I think I can . . . I CAN’T!!!!!!!!!!!!”   I was a great big CHICKEN (pun, intended!).  As we are debating the best way to blow the snake to pieces, the boys discover ANOTHER one in the chicken roost.  OMGoodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I’m outta there!  My oldest son, “manned up”, went to the house got his gun, loaded it & not only killed 1 snake, but 2!! 

The long snake was almost 6 feet long!!  Big Daddy was so proud of his Top Hand for taking care of things while he was at work.  So, it is official he is his daddy’s Top Hand, but snake killer or not – He will ALWAYS be my boy!! 

Momma’s Boy Reading Update

I am super-dee-dooper proud of my reluctant reader!!

After doing my homework on reading, I discovered the main area my “reluctant” reader was struggling with was fluency.  Since my discovery, we have diligently focused on building fluency skills.  One of the ways we have done this is by reviewing common phrases.  We started with the first 100 phrases on March 15 & have been pretty good about practicing every Monday (or at least once a week).  Here is what our records show:

Date:	1st Attempt (Time)	1st Attempt (Errors)	2nd Attempt (Time)	2nd Attempt (Errors)
3/15	4.12 min	10
3/22	3.18 min	8	3.14 min	6
3/30	3.23 min	4	3.8   min	7
4/19	2.5   min	3	2.59 min	0
4/26	2.58 min	0	2.32 min	0

WAY TO GO TYLER!!! 

Now we are moving on to the 2nd 100 Phrases . . .  WHEW-WHOOO!!!

Math

I have used Math U See from the beginning of homeschooling. Our family absolutely LOVES it. Math U See has helped my Math CHALLENGED child, as well as my Advanced child. You can click here to read more on what a blessing MUS has been in our homeschool.

However, I have decided to change Momma’s boy's math curriculums next year. I’m 98% sure, we will be switching to Teaching Textbooks. After my friend, Nichole, shared TT with us at our Curriculum Show & Tell I was very optimistic about the change. The icing on the cake was when I showed it to Momma’s boy & he referred to it as a game. He was so excited about it. I’m sure the new will wear off eventually, but I think it is going to be a good change for him. Math comes naturally to him & I think TT moves along a little quicker than MUS. MUS is designed to introduce one concept a week & review past lessons. The reviews are wonderful & the lessons are well explained; however, TT builds on a concept throughout the week. The student watches the video tutorial & then has the option to practice or begin a lesson. From my observation, once he begins his lesson, one question at a time is shown & he can work the problem on scratch paper or in a corresponding workbook. He inputs his answer & is instantly graded. If the problem is wrong he has the option to view the solution. I, as the teacher, can view a “progress report” at any time & can also check to see if he watched the solution for problems or not. I’m looking forward to the change.

Another friend of mine (Beth, who used to be a 4th grade teacher) also shared about Horizon & Saxon math. Briefly, I would like to add my notes from her opinion she shared with us. Beth described Horizons as a “spiral” math program. In her opinion she did not find this curriculum to be “on level.” For those using Horizon’s math, she suggested picking & choosing lessons & problems. She also recommended to not feel pressured to complete ALL of it. She explained that she would only have her son complete odd or even numbers, or a particular section.

In addition to Horizons, Beth has also used Saxon math. She shared that one benefit from Saxon was that it was a scripted program. She believes Saxon is a great math curriculum for parents who are not Math people. Like the other math programs mentioned above, Beth describes Saxon to be a spiral program as well. According to Beth, Saxon math’s downfall is that it needs more teacher/student review.

What math program are you using?

“Tru” Blue

It’s official, I now own a DSLR camera!!  I recently purchased a Nikon D5000.  I LOVE IT!!!  Since I’m now part of the DSLR club, I’ve decided to link up to:

Only there is one problem . . .

 

I couldn’t pick just 1 Sweet Shot!

My Lil’ Truman & His True Blue Eyes  . . .

Ahhh!  SO SWEET!!

Our Classroom

He Loves Me

My oh so sweet, Momma’s boy is embarking on the changes every momma of a momma’s boy dreads . . . He is gradually pulling away from his momma & identifying with his daddy.  Although, I love seeing the two of them together my heart is breaking as I watch him grow.  During part of this stage he has been kinda mean to me.  Not disrespectful or anything (he is such a good kid!) just a little snide.  You know, like I’m just a dumb mom.  :)  Every now & then, I have to correct him & dish out a warning here & there, but mostly just sit & watch – watch him grow into a strong, responsible, God loving, young man who is becoming more of his dad’s “top hand” than his “Momma’s Boy” by the minute!

He let his guard down the night before my LASIK surgery though.  All day he was such a punk  (way more than normal).  Honestly, I was rather annoyed by his attitude.  He knew I was stressed, had a lot to do, & was worried about the risks involved.  HE KNEW.  Yet, he was such a lil’ turd.  (yes, I call my kids turds every now & then – just keepin’ it real :)  I was really upset with him.  Of all days, right?  Well, I read the kids a story, did our routine devotional, prayed with them, & kissed them all goodnight.  Several minutes later, as I passed through his room, I hear a shaky voice, “Mom, my tummy hurts . . .”  Initially, I thought to myself - “NO.  Terrible timing.  You can’t be sick!  Not now.  It’s all about ME right now!”  I scooped him up & decided he was either hungry or needed to use the restroom.  He went with the hungry choice.  We decided on strawberries for a late night snack together.  As I cut the strawberries & my boy sat & watched, the Holy Spirit spoke to me . . .

“HE KNEW.  It is about YOU!  He is worried. ABOUT YOU!”

My eyes filled with tears & I turned to my tender-hearted, first born, Momma lovin’ Boy & asked, “Honey, are you worried about mommy?”  He began to sob immediately!  I sat & held my almost as tall as me son as tight as I could.  We prayed together & I assured him that his momma would be just fine. 

He was worried about me.  No matter how big he gets.  Or how dumb he thinks I am.  HE LOVES ME!  <3

God’s Work

With homeschooling, especially in large homeschool families, you are bound to find a variety of personalities & even have a few that clash with each other. 

Do your children’s personalities clash with one another? 

Does your personality clash with one or some or all of your children?

What do you do when your learning or teaching style is different than your child’s learning style?

*If you aren’t sure what your child’s learning style is or what your teaching style is I would HIGHLY recommend reading Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 Picks!

Recently, at our Curriculum Show & Tell, my friend & homeschooling pioneer, Kari, told a great story (giving us all hope) about how her daughter’s “bossy” personality.  She lovingly shared how her daughter was organized & always pushing everyone out the door.  She had a plan!  - Unlike her unorganized mother.  And she was NOT afraid to let everyone in the family know what their job was.  But wait, that wasn’t her job!  She wasn’t the mother!  How often do you hear yourself say that in a day,

“HELLO!  I AM THE MOMMA!!  Nice to meet you.” 

Please tell me I’m not the only one?  Although my daughter & I clash in several areas, we are also VERY MUCH alike in many others – TOO MUCH ALIKE!  We both think we know everything, don’t like to be told what to do & definitely not how to do it!  There are days I feel like I’m a competitor in a major job competition.  Then there is my wild child.  You know, the one that just melts your heart, but can send you to a phsyc-ward in 0.2 seconds.  AHHH!  Our house is full of personalities!

Well, according to Kari, they aren’t ruined.  You can meet the challenge & both win.  There is light at the end of the tunnel!  Her organized, bossy daughter is a marine now.  You see, God’s plan is so much bigger than our own.  He took a personality trait that most would consider a flaw & made good out of it. 

Sometimes, as mothers we judge ourselves by our children.  When they do something we don’t approve of we are overcome with guilt, “where did I go wrong.”  Or we believe they are doomed - “If she doesn’t stop being so bossy, she’ll never have any friends.”  We assume we need to “fix it.” 

Who we are & how successful we are as mothers does not lie in who our children are – we are ALL children of God.  He has great plans for us!  Did you catch that, He has great plans for that bossy little Sassy May of yours (and mine!).  Who we are is all in our Lord.  And who our children are is all in our Lord. 

“School of relationships is where God does His work!”  - Kari

WANTED:

A Lil’ Buckaroo who is 1 today!

*He is signing:  Momma & Bubba!!

I love you sweet boy!

 

Goodbye Glasses

Guess what I’m doing today?

Yep, I’m saying GOODBYE to my glasses (& contacts for that matter)!! 

We’ve been together since 3rd grade, but it’s time I end this relationship.

When we first met, I thought you were so cool.

Then as I entered my teen years I was totally embarrassed by you & cheated on you frequently with new friends, contacts.

Even though contacts were much more high maintained than you, I still choose them over you.  ((Sorry!))

But over the past year, due to chicken pox, we’ve become reacquainted. 

I have remembered what a hassle you are.  I’ve endured the headaches you’ve caused.  You’ve broken on me & jumped in the lake at the most inconvenient times.  You are just way too vulnerable & such an inconvenience!  And frankly, I’m not taking the abuse from contacts or you anymore!!

Goodbye Glasses!

If I slack a little over the next few weeks on my blogging it is because I will be enjoying the world with a whole new view!!

400 Things

I’ll be guest blogging at 400 Things from time to time – My real life friend, Nicki, is expecting a baby & is experiencing REALLY REALLY bad morning  ALL DAY sickness.  PRAY FOR HER! 

Click HERE to read my most recent post, Struggles of Life.  While your there love on Nicki.  She could use all the encouragement she can get.

Momma of little boys . . .

Broken bones, bloody knees, & black eyes,

I take it all in shaky stride-

 

Just grateful it’s not worse!

I should have been a nurse . . .

Transportation Activities

Vroom Vroom!!  Start your engines . . .

We had a blast during playing with our Cars during C week.  I found some great transportation activities at PreKinder.  We did these activities as one of my enrichment classes last month & the boys had so much fun we decided to do them again this week. 

 

We played matching games with car colors, we added tires to number sheets, & put together some car puzzles.  They separated their cars into categories by size & color, then worked on biggest to smallest.  We also played “Red Light, Green Light” which got to be slightly competitive :)  We used the circles from another game as steering wheels & they drove their cars all over the place.  They even had a some street races!  Their favorite was using the cardboard from our IKEA Trofast furniture we used for our workboxes as ramps.  They compared which cars would go the fastest/slowest & explained why.  Tucker also had a grand ol’ time drawing roads & a mini town with chalk in my office.  Trevor was all about the tire tracks in the play dough! 

ABC

   

My Mustangs had a great time reviewing the letters they have already learned.  We are working on matching lowercase & uppercase letters.  I put the entire lowercase alphabet in a gift bag & put the uppercase letters on a magnetic board.  Then I had the boys draw out a letter without looking.  Their job was to find the matching uppercase letter. 

We used Melissa & Dough magnetic letters.  I really liked these for this activity because the upper & lowercase matching letters share the same color.  Once the boys caught on, this trick it made narrowing down the difficult ones a little bit easier.