The Natural Homeschool: February 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014

Easiest Fish Craft for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Montessori Culture and Science: Land, Air, Water Lessons

It was fun learning today. Today was Science and Culture day! We had Circle Time (I know, I still have to list all of the stuff we do during this time. I'll do it another time because it is a lot of great stuff), we sang and danced, we had Bible class, did a little bit of handwriting, and we reviewed Chinese and Spanish, too.

After that, we had a snack and then got ready for Culture (Geography) class. Today, K learned about Land, Water, and Air. We talked about these three concepts and then made a craft with the animals that live in each of these places. He did really well. Then we did the same, but instead of animals, it was modes of transportation. It was really fun for him, since he loves cars, trains, airplanes, and boats.

I gave him a little break in between classes, so I let him practice his cutting skills. I gave him a magazine. He especially liked cutting the boys in superhero costumes. He's getting better at holding the scissors and cutting.

In Science class, he learned about Living and Non-living Things. We talked about how living things breathe (need air), get hungry (need food from the land), get thirsty (need water), and need a home. Then we made a craft that we will briefly revisit weekly until he grasps the concept completely.

Montessori Science (Geography): Land, Water, Air

We sorted several pictures of animals and insects depending on where
they "live." I know birds and butterflies technically don't LIVE in AIR,
but they fly and it's easier to explain to him that they can fly
and they spend time up in the air, whereas other animals can't.

Land, Water and Air lesson, but with means of transportation.

English: Land, Water, Air
Spanish: Tierra, Agua, Aire
Chinese: Di, Shui, Qi

Montessori Culture (Geography): Land, Air, and Water

First, we reviewed the differences between land, water and air.

We talk about why they are all important for life.

Then, I open the envelope with living things and K sorts them out (animals that are in air, water and land).

After that, we clean up and I open the envelope with methods of transportation and K sorts them out (airplanes, helicopters, etc go by Air, boats, ships, canoes, etc go by Water, cars, trains, trucks, etc go by Land).

Monday, February 24, 2014

Homeschooling Journal: January 2014 Part 5

Montessori-Inspired Language Arts: Forming words and pre-writing

This activity is a Melissa & Doug birthday gift that K got last year. He is enjoying it very much and is really getting into it.

Montessori Botany: Parts of a Flower

This is a lesson that we will be looking at more in depth in Classical Conversations in a few weeks, so I thought it was very timely to study this very basic introduction to the parts of a flower.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Montessori Practical Life: How to Fold Towels

I know that this sounds like such a no-brainer activity, but when it comes down to the logistics of folding towels of different sizes, it definitely comes in handy to have some direction, especially for a pre-schooler. :) I hope you find this helpful and practical.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Eggless and Dairy-free Delicious Banana Bread

This is the most delicious banana bread that I have had and I totally discovered it, after trying several recipes and not finding one that I really loved. I guess that if you want something to be right, you gotta do it yourself! Haha!
This bread is spongy, moist, delicious and healthy. It truly is amazing and easy to make.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Homemade Sugar Body Scrub

We made these super easy sugar body scrubs at our MOPS meeting.
It is 100% edible, and it smells so good, but don't do it, hahaha!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Homeschooling Journal: January 2014 Part 4

This is what we did in our homeschool during the middle and towards the end of January 2014.

Soccer Season

K is doing so much better this year. Last year, he had just turned 3 when he started. He wasn't very interested, he didn't understand the game very well and he felt a bit out of sorts because he was the youngest one in the group (ages 3-5). This year, he is loving it so much and doing much better. He still hasn't scored any goals, but at least he is running in the right direction, haha!

"My House" Toddler / Preschool / Kindergarten Craft

This activity was so simple and so fun! It is totally doable by a toddler, a preschooler and a kindergartner. To see the entire activity with list of instructions and materials, keep reading.
"My hows." "My house." Gotta love invented spelling.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Spanish Lessons for Preschoolers and Kindergartners (Part 2)

Here, you will see lessons on: Colors, Shapes, Fall, Greetings and Vocabulary

I am currently teaching Spanish and French in our homeschool co-op (ages 1-5) and additionally Mandarin Chinese to my children.
The only thing I stress is that I make sure they notice and know which language we are working on at the time. They switch gears rather easily and do very well. Even those who do both French and Spanish with me (on different days) haven't had a problem. I haven't thought of a strategy on how to teach languages to youngsters because I haven't really encountered the need to have one.
My 2 year old was mixing letters. She knew all the letters in the alphabet in both English and Spanish, but she'd say some in English and some in Spanish. She is now getting better at differentiating them a bit more. Hope this helps.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Valentine's Day Activity with a Lovely Toddler

This is the impromptu activity my lovely 2-year old daughter and I did tonight. As soon as she saw me take the strawberries and the chocolate chips out, she was happily offering to help. How could I even explain to you her excitement? She has been under the weather and it melted my heart to see her so willing to help and participate.

Classical Conversations and Montessori-Inspired Math: Skip Counting

This is a cool and easy project to put together to help little ones memorize their skip counting numbers from one up to fifteen. Take a look at how we did this and how it works so well for us. Even though it is for the Classical Conversations curriculum, it is almost Montessori-inspired. I love it and so does K! This activity is great for children ages 4 and up.

I printed out 2 copies of the templates for skip counting numbers 1-15.
Then, I laminated all of them and cut 1 copy of each into individual sheets and the other copy I cut the numbers and title separately.

I cut a bright blue sheet in half and placed one half on either side of the card.
On the back of each card, I taped an envelope.
Inside, I placed all of the individual numbers as well as the title.
Now, we are ready to start!

First, take a nice placemat and put it at the bottom. Take all of the individual numbers out of the envelope and place on the bright sheet on the left (all out of order).
Second, practice placing all of the individual numbers over the matching numbers on the card. It is very important that this is done in order.
Third, once done, move all of the individual numbers to the bright half sheet on the left again and flip the card over (so the student cannot see the numbers.
Fourth, Take the title and place it on the top part of the bright half sheet on the right.
Start placing the individual numbers in order.
So first, you practice by being able to see the numbers and second, you test your memory and try to place all the numbers in the correct order without looking.

Answer key: turn the card over and compare.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Montessori Botany: Parts of a stem, a leaf, a seed

Parts of a Stem

Definitions

1. Stem: The main part of the plant that is above ground and that supports the branches, leaves, flowers, fruit, etc.

2. Node: The section where the leaf branches out of the stem.

3. Internode: The part of the stem that is between two nodes.

4. Axil: The area on the onside or upper end of the node that helps support the branch or leaf. It looks like a tiny bud on top of the node.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Homeschooling Journal: January 2014 Part 3

Food for thought...

Classical Conversations Review (Weeks 1-4)

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Bible: God Made Us Special

God has purposely made this world interesting and fun, colorful and attractive. When He made us, He made us different and special. He has not only made us different on the outside, but also on the inside.

Homeschooling Journal: January 2014 Part 2

Gym / Ballet Co-op

In Ballet, we only had the two girls, but it was lots of fun. We talked about lost teeth, pierced ears and such. We had a hard warm-up and some muscle-building exercises for legs. We also did all of our rhythmic counting in French. We loved it!

Homework:
1) do all five positions, feet only
2) do all five positions, arms only
3) do all five positions, both feet and arms
You can refer to the chart I gave them for Christmas.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Montessori Math: Numbers and Counters (Introduction to Odd and Even)

The purpose of this activity is to verify that each number is a quantity on its own, that numbers can be sequenced, and that there are odd and even numbers within the alignment of numbers 1-10 and beyond. In addition, children will begin an informal lesson on division.

This activity is recommended for ages 4 and up (preferably after working with the spindle boxes). I started my son with these when he was 3 years old and did very well. So, if you are unsure, try it and follow the child. If he/she isn't ready yet, try again in a month's time.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

French Lessons for Preschoolers and Kindergartners (Basics: Greetings, Colors, Numbers)

This is our window. I made it into functional space, where I

have a high bulletin board and a low bulletin board. The middle

part has a mesh (sun screen) fabric that lets good light in. We

used up the two walls we had and this was a good way of making

good use of the third wall. On the top, I put the colors in 7

languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Portuguese,

German, and Italian) and on the bottom, I posted the

numbers (0-10) in 7 languages as well. We read these about 3

times a week and yes, we do them all. I tried to do one language

a day (colors and numbers), but K always wanted to keep going,

so ok, we keep going. :)

Here, you will see lessons on Greetings, Colors, and Numbers (1-10)

I am currently teaching Spanish and French in our homeschool co-op (ages 1-5) and additionally Mandarin Chinese to my children.
The only thing I stress is that I make sure they notice and know which language we are working on at the time. They switch gears rather easily and do very well. Even those who do both French and Spanish with me (on different days) haven't had a problem. I haven't thought of a strategy on how to teach languages to youngsters because I haven't really encountered the need to have one.

My 2 year old was mixing letters. She knew all the letters in the alphabet in both English and Spanish, but she'd say some in English and some in Spanish. She is now getting better at differentiating them a bit more. I hope this helps.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

February Packet Review From Little Natural Cottage

Natural Beauty and Health Giveaway

Our giveaway winner is S. Milton from California! She happily picked her prize: an awesome Ava Anderson Non-Toxic Lip Gloss.

Ultra sheer, hint of pink, moisturizing and conditioning lip gloss made with long lasting organic ingredients. Shiny, moist lips, with natural color.

Ingredients: organic Jojoba, organic avocado oil, organic sweet almond oil, organic meadow foam seed oil, organic shea butter, organic cocoa butter, organic grape seed oil, organic beeswax, candelilla wax, organic purple carrot extract, organic spearmint essential oil.

I love sharing Ava Anderson products!

Our winner picked this because she wants to share an alternative that is titanium dioxide-free with her daughter.

Congratulations!

Our 2014 (Jan-June) Homeschooling Journal

Homeschooling Journal: January 2014 Part 1

Our new header! This is such a beautiful design! I had a beautiful new friend help me with this. She is such a kind and gentle spirit and feel so blessed that she took the time to help me (without even knowing me!).

Monday, February 3, 2014

Montessori Sensorial: Knobless Cylinders

This activity is great to start at around 4.5 years of age, but I have worked with these with my son since he was 3.5 years of age.

Homeschooling December 2013 Part 6

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Monthly Goals: February 2014

Review of January 2014

~ January Goal 1: Get back into the groove of things without over-filling our schedule.
* Focal Point: Develop better time-management skills.

+ Review: I failed MISERABLY at this one! I feel so horrible for not accomplishing this goal and frankly, quite exhausted. There was way too much on my plate and it is all my fault for letting it pile up. Big lesson learned, though.

~ January Goal 2: Homeschool for 2 hours daily (Monday through Friday).
* Focal Point: Setting priorities in their right places.
+ Review: This, we accomplished. For the most part, I let nothing interfere with our homeschooling time and I cannot tell you what a difference this made. Homeschooling is something I love so much and thoroughly enjoy. It was my haven, my saving grace. I wouldn't have survived this month without it.

~ January Goal: Have at least one planned play date a week (at home or elsewhere).
* Focal Point: Be social, be fun.

+ Review: This one didn't go so well either, but it wasn't as bad as goal #1. The play dates weren't planned, even though we did have play dates every week.

And now, on to our February Goals:

Goal 1: See my calendar? I will try to not overfill it.

Focal Point: Again, like last month, time management.

Goal 2: We had so much fun homeschooling both children together

(lessons they can both do and learn from) that I want to do more of those.

So far, we were only doing Mandarin Chinese and Bible lessons together,

but last month, I included a couple of other lessons (that she could do, too,

not paper and pencil, etc) and it was super fun.

Focal Points: Teamwork, small group dynamics, sharing (time, attention,

materials, etc).

Goal #3: Mind our eating style better. Balance is key and it is important to

stick with what works and is better for our health. Over the holidays, it was

difficult eating only wholesome foods and it has been time to get back to that.

As a goal, I'd like to juice 2-3 times per week and have smoothies 2-3 times

per week, like before. And that is only the beginning.

Focal Points: Healthier eating, better habits, consistency.

To see other bloggers' goals, click here.