Homeschooling In Our One Room Schoolhouse: Educational Games that are Actually Fun to Play (PreSchool and Kindergarten)
Don't you like it when you can do activities and games that are educational as well as something fun enough that your kids would ask to play?
We have some that we enjoy that I thought I'd share- also I am hoping that you'll give me some more ideas on others we've been missing out on!
In these pictures the boys are both enjoying the Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards
Some others that we love are, for electronics the LeapFrog® Leapster® Learning Game System 
As far as multiple player games go we LOVE Brain Quest Game - Preschool & Kindergarten Edition
We are really into floor puzzles as well here are several that we put together all the time:Charley Harper Flash Cards and Floor Puzzles
What are your favourtie educational toys???
Dreaming of a One Room Schoolhouse
I sit in our homeschooling room (what we call our Schoolroom) and think of how it would have been like in the days of little house, that time period in America's history where there were kids of all ages learning together, playing together and not separated out each year at a time. I think of the lessons that would have been learned by the older kids of taking care and watching out for the little ones, and the amazing things the little ones would have learned too-such as community, self-worth, inclusion...so much. I know I learn by helping others learn, many times even by writing it out here I learn things about myself I had never known. What are our children missing out on now that they are segregated not by what they can or cannot bring to the group as a whole, but by a very easy categorization, age. We all know kids develop at very different speeds so placing a bond on children on just that seems very much a cop-out.
This does not make sense to me for so many more reasons. One of them that it seems so obvious that not every 5 year old will be at the same level, but why give the name of 'smart' or worse yet 'not smart' when it is only an age, only a year and not who the child is. For this reason and others the boys both do the work that they can do, and if they struggle I help and then move back a little in that subject. They are not being taught the same stuff, or even held to the same standard (as they are 6 and 4) however they are both exposed to much of the same material. I am constantly amazed by the boys that they will rise to my expectations.
One day I dream of buying one of these old one room schoolhouses and living in it (with an added loft for bedrooms and an add on bathroom of course) it would have been amazing back in the day. I know there is so much to be thankful for in living now, but somethings would have been better if left alone.
A girl can dream right?! Tell me about one of your dreams, or about what you think about this schooling topic. Any thoughts?
Homeschooling: Learning of the First Americans (Native Americans)
We are going through the book of History for Little Pilgrims by Christian Liberty Press. It started with Adam and Eve and follows through history. Currently we are at the segment about the First Americans- or what we know as Native Americans. The people that were here before the European explorers came. I did like the information in the book, but I really wanted to expand on this section since I knew we could have some fun with it and when I plan out activities that really helps them understand it all.
First Americans or Native Americans used story telling as a form of passing on their history and their culture from generation to generation. Today in our history part of homeschooling we focused on the art of story telling. We read a story, called Falling Star about the Cheyenne People to get the idea of storytelling down, and then we wrote our own story about the boys letting them choose nature names. Jackson wanted his native name to be 'Moose Tamer' and Oliver chose 'Buffalo Slayer' (after I told him he couldn't be called Astronaut). Then they worked together on this tale, a tale of two boys who are very different but work together for the greater good of their people.
The Story of Buffalo Slayer and Moose Tamer
Moose tamer found a moose and tried to get it. But he missed. He threw his spear at it and it missed and the moose got away. Then he ran back home saying that he didn't find any meat. Then he grabbed his little brother Buffalo Slayer and went for a hunt, because their people were very hungry. They were gone for many days and were getting weaker from hunger. Then Buffalo Slayer slayed a buffalo to eat it with his people. And when they gained strength from the smoked buffalo meat and warm fire they set off again. This time Moose Tamer wanted to make a catch. But he was a lover and not a killer. He wanted to bring a moose to be his pet.
So they were gone for like 40 minutes and they found a moose, it was small and it was content. Buffalo slayer was about to shoot it with an arrow, but Moose Tamer stopped his brother and said. "No, we already have meat at the camp, we should capture and tame this Moose as a pet". Buffalo Slayer agreed. Then they had to think of a way to catch it. They fashioned a cadge out of wood and sticks that they carved with their knives. In it they placed food that the moose liked. They snuck away into the trees and they slept. In the morning they ate their dried buffalo and drank milk for breakfast. When they looked up, still being as quiet as a star in the moonlight. They spotted the moose which was in the cage nibbling on an apple they had left for it. Quickly they raced over and closed the cage and Moose Tamer and Buffalo Slayer carried it home on their shoulders for many miles. For many moons they would work together to tame the moose-while Buffalo Slayer made sure everyone of their people was well fed with fresh buffalo meat that he killed.
-by Jackson and Oliver Canfield (2010)
Tonight we are going to act it out, they will dress up and play their parts as I read the words. The boys love learning about different cultures and history- I love doing all these fun things together!
Summary of our lesson of History and Art about the First Americans:
*Read History for Little Pilgrims pages 66 and 67 for a background information.
*Point out the locations mentioned on a globe (North and South America especially important).
*Explain that these peoples passed on their culture, memories and history with Storytelling.
*Read an age appropriate Native American Folk Story or legend. I just did a google search.
*Help children write their own story, help them come up with their own Native names and work with them on making the story somewhat logical- but don't hinder their creativity too much!
*If your children like to draw, have them make a picture of their favourite part of their story that you wrote together. Encourage them to spend time on it. If they would rather make a sign for their play that would be great too.
*Have them dress up and act it out for their friends or family while you (or an older sibling) play the roll of Storyteller.
Outtakes
(these are the faces I got the first time I tried to take their picture, I was not a popular person!)
Can you think of other fun things to do in this lesson?? Let me know below what you think!
Easy ‘Stained Glass’ Kid’s Craft
This is such a fun idea that kids can do easily. We made them for grandparents as gifts, but now I want them to make me one too so I can have it in my window. All you need for this homemade kids craft is a frame (try thrift stores, they have tons!), some Wacky Glue (or other glue that is strong enough and dries clear) and some of these glass pebbles or whatever they are called.
I picked the colours at the craft store and then just dumped them out on the table after putting glue all over the glass and let the boys work away. This was a great craft for them! Both boys loved it so it works for kids age 3 to 5 for sure :) Enjoy the process and then gift or keep, but be sure to set it in a sunny window to get the full effect.
A Handmade Christmas: I will keep posting ideas for a non-tacky handmade christmas. This is the first so far, I am a little slower this year as my babybelly is making me tired. I will still try and get quite a few ideas up before Christmas that you can make for family and friends I will re-post from the years gone by as well.
Previous Ideas from my Handmade Christmas Craft Series: Pretty Dress Book Page Origami Ornament * Jesse Tree Advent Ornaments *Kid Friendly Stained Glass Craft * Homemade Heat Pack or Cold Compress (Rice Socks)* Knit Granny Washcloth (or Dishcloth) Pattern * Reading Pillow for the Bookaholic(s) in Your Life * True Love Heart Ornaments * Bath Salts Soak Recipe* Coffee or Tea Sleeve Patterns * Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe *
Above all, enjoy this season- and remember what it really is all about: the Birth of Christ.
Homeschooling: Kindergarten and Preschool Study of Thanksgiving
The boys (and I ) are studying the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans and how they both lived. First we did a study of how the settlers came, from England to the Americas.
There is so much to learn about these people from our past, this is a great adventure journey for the boys! But I wanted to find accurate portrayals of these people groups. The pendulum has strayed both back and forth on this topic but I wanted to give the boys an image that is as in the center of the truth as possible.
Did you know that really historians have no idea if turkey was even served at the First Thanksgiving, and they are certain that popcorn and cranberries and mashed potatoes were not even invented yet!? Yeah, how does that change things for you? The meat most likely served was duck and venison (or deer). Bust out your deer jerky (oh, that stuff is so good)! I wish I had some venison in my fridge that I could cook up to celebrate this Thanksgiving in real style. Oh well.
I have found some really neat sites that I want to share:
You Be The Historian- this is my favourite site filled with good info, activities and many read-out-loud clickable buttons so even the littlest ones can enjoy hearing the story read to them.
The First Thanksgiving- This one is great for checking out the different topics so you can focus on one aspect a day. It has three main topics with tons of subtopics in each) of The Voyage of the Mayflower, Daily Life, The Thanksgiving Feast. Enjoy!
Plymouth Plantation, study topics: The 'Pilgrims' as People, Understanding the Colony this provides the information about he Colonists, their reasons for leaving, religious beliefs, cultural beliefs, all in all click there and you'll get to know the pilgrims! Much of this stuff is way too much for kindergartners, but it is great for you as a parent teacher to read through and then give your kids a kindergarten level lesson of what you have learned. Here are some other great topics on the Plymouth Plantation website: Plymouth Colony Timeline, The Mayflower Compact, Building a Wampanoag Home in the 17th Century,
Seriously now, there was No Popcorn at Thanksgiving!? Yeah.
Example of how to teach little ones about the Wampanoag and the Settlers:
Our Weeks Worth of Lessons on How the First Thanksgiving Took Place:
For Each of the following lessons, go to the above recommended sites and learn all you can on the topics before teaching your children. There is so much to learn, but you probably want to start out slow and just let them soak it will all be really new to them. ENJOY!
Reasons the Pilgrims Left England and The Mayflower's Journey : Show the kids pictures of the ship, do some interacting on sites with the Mayflower. Have kids write or name a list of things they would bring if they had to leave their home behind. How many people were on the ship? How many made it? Have kids draw or colour a picture of the Mayflower.
The First Year and Learning to be Prepared: What did they learn? Talk about the seasons. What if they would have arrived in the early spring? Have kids list things they would plant for survival. Show kids what their houses looked like. Have children draw their garden and the house they would build. Remind them to stick with the time period, and that everything was done by hand. Build a house with blocks or Lincoln logs.
Wampanoag Culture: Who are they? Tell the children the story of the Wampanoag helping the Settlers. Look online at crafts made by the Wampanoag. Have them draw their favourite, or colour a picture of it. The Wampanoag made many clay pots, alow each child to make his own clay pot from some craft store clay or homemade play dough. Use a sharpened pencil to carve small designes in the outside of it. Include Hunting and Fishing, Weapons/Hunting Utensils if you want a longer lesson.
Wetu Homes of the Wampanoag Inside and Out. Show the children pictures of how these were built. Look at many different pictures of Wetus and then have your children draw their own. Spend the rest of the time building a fort out of things that are in your house or if you are hardcore in your backyard, explain to the children that out of the items the Wampanoag had their homes were completely practical for what they needed.
Reasons to Celebrate: Why the First Thanksgiving Took Place. What food was there for sure? Ask the kids to list what they would have at a feast if they could pick their favorite foods? Explain how when you are trying to survive you can only eat what you have. Go to the library and check out some Thanksgiving books to read. Talk about how the sharing of what each culture had made this feast what it was. With your kids make a banner, a string with pieces of paper folded over that hang on it (see below) either write out the word 'thankful' with a letter on each paper or you could as your kids to write what they are thankful for on each sheet, or draw a picture.
Do you have suggestions? Questions? Advice? Please share.
Make sure to enter my current giveaway of THREE SETS of two cookbooks!!
Our Favourite Pre-K and Kindergarten Read Aloud Boy Books
We made the decision to homeschool a couple of years back, but then we tried preschool with Jackson and knew for sure we wanted to do it. Right before this school year though I wavered a bit, not really knowing (or not wanting to know) what we were supposed to do. At the last minute I thought how cool it would be to send Jackson off to school for several hours every day, but then I prayed and God gave us the same answer He had all along. Homeschool.
We have started and now I wouldn't want to do anything else. Jackson is 5 years old and is in kindergarten and Oliver (3 years old) is preschool age. They both are happy learners, they love to be read to even if there are no pictures at all and enjoy chapter books. Jackson has gone through Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons , a book which we loved for learning to read and I will most certainly use it with Oliver as well.
Now Jackson is on to stage one reading, he can read short books and stay focused really well. He can write his letters and is working on his numbers now. We decided to not buy curriculum for this year, but wanted to concentrate on the basics of reading and writing and then next year we will see what we'll do. I really like the SonLight curriculum, and am leaning towards that for sure. Oliver can't wait to join in and he is starting to write his letters now too (wants to be just like big brother!) There are some books that we love that I want to highlight over the next couple weeks so stay tuned. And most certainly YES, learning can be is fun.
Today I want to highlight some chapter books filled with good old fashioned values and tons of adventure to keep little boy's minds fascinated, we love all of them, but the first two are by far the boys' favourites. Since it is hard to read some of the titles, I have the titles listed below books from left to right and top to bottom.
The Sword in the Tree
My Side of the Mountain
Little House in the Big Woods
Little House on the Prairie
Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook
My Father's Dragon
Daniel's Duck
Stuart Little
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass
I hope you find some here that will be your favourites too. Do you have a favourite to share? Any ideas on good homeschooling curriculum? Do tell!
I am a Powell’s affiliate and I do receive a percentage of the sales of any book you buy using my links. Thank you!
We Are All About Age-Appropriate Sex Education!
My husband and I had just started talking about when we would tell the boys about the amazing miracle of babies. Yes, that is right, of sex, fertilization, conception and the process of how babies are made. I know they are young (only 3 and 5 to be exact) but they have questions, they watched Milo and Otis and saw the little puppies "popping out of the doggies behind" and then came even more questions. So when do we as parents tighten all up and avoid and when do we just answer straight on what really should be discussed just like anything else? Well, now or never right? For us, for our family, the time is now.
We decided that having "the talk" is weird, it is hard for parents and hard for kids so Brad and I had mentioned several times how we wanted to just tell the boys what we thought was age appropriate at each step and then, really they wouldn't even remember having "the (horrid) talk". We were jazzed about this new idea of ours!
It seemed like days later that I was jumping for joy when I was offered by Bethany House Publishers two books that were hot off the press. They are from the Pure Foundations series by Jim Burns the first one is God Made Your Body for ages 3-5 and the second book in the series is How God Makes Babies for ages 6-9. When the books came and I saw them I was even more excited to sit down with the boys and read them together.
A couple of days ago we read God Made Your Body in which Jim Burns explains through very appropriate pictures, and simple non-detailed language that God made us all unique and special, different and beautiful. Gracefully Burns moves on to name the differences between boys and girls, and how that will make them moms or dads in the future. The part I was most worried about was the initial intro into the actual sex part, but the boys got it completely the first time. Since it is easy to worry about that I wanted to include that portion of the book for you, so you can decide for yourself, but I think he does a spectacular job.
"To make a baby, a mommy and a daddy come together in a special way called making love. Making love is something God made just for a husband and a wife to enjoy together.
When a mommy and a daddy make a baby, they each give one special part of themselves. the daddy gives a part called a sperm. The mommy gives a part called an egg. the sperm and the egg join together inside the mommy and form an embryo. All babies begin as an embryo..." (Jim Burns, God Made Your Body p. 19)
While reading that to the boys the first time, I wondered if they would get it. Both my 3 year old and 5 year old understood it completely. They wanted to repeat the process to me twice and then said, "that is cool that God does that". And were ready to finish up the rest of the book that talks a little about the development of the baby in the womb, about birth, and adoption and ends explaining that no matter how your family has come together that God made you a family and how special that is.
I am a full fledged believer in these books now. It really helped me figure out a better way to describe the whole process in a simple, straight forward way with just as much detail as they need at this age. Now if you ask my littlest how babies are made, he says " they are made from one part of the daddy, the sperm, and one part of the mommy, the egg. They join together to make the baby". Okay, it is as simple as that, our first sex talk was a cake walk. I certainly don't have things all figured out, but this proved to be a lot less difficult than I had ever anticipated. I am so thankful that there are books out there that match up so 
perfectly to what our views are on how and when to talk to children about sex. Laying the foundations for healthy sexuality (especially today) is very important.
The Next book in the series, How God Makes Babies is for ages 6-9 and we will wait to read it until the boys are in that age group. But, since I already know how it all works I read it and I can tell you the deets. It is the basic concept of the first with a lot more detail, really all the detail that they need about the process up until pre-marital counseling! Ha. Well, maybe not, but it is enough to definitely have them understand the whole process easily. It is more information than I ever understood from any sex ed in school that is for sure, but it is done in a Godly way and that really is the key in both of these books. I stand by them %100 and know that parents wouldn't need to cringe the way they do if they would just help themselves out and explain things when kids ask, a little younger maybe than they think, but why wait?
Do you have horror stories about having "the talk"? Oh, do share! Do you wonder when to share with your own kids? Or do you have strong feelings about this topic? Spill it.
Buy these books from Powell's Books:
God Made Your Body by Jim Burns (Pure Foundations)Ages 3-5
How God Makes Babies by Jim Burns (Pure Foundations)Ages 6-9
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