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Kindergarten Readiness: Social Studies, Math, Science, Art and Music Part III

Jan28

cartoon_house_st5This is a series on readiness skills and resources for preschoolers taking the next “Big Step” to kindergarten.

This week I want to look at mathematic concepts and science. Behind each skill is a website that has worksheets to print or online games to play. This is the last in the series. 🙂

Social Studies

  • Recognizes basic traditions such as birthdays
  • Understands that people live in different parts of the worlds and have different customs and traditions
  • Explores simple maps and visual representations of neighborhoods or communities (Making a map)

Mathematics Concepts

  • Compares the size of groups of objects using language such as “more,” “less” and “same as” (kidzone website is a great resource!)
  • Arranges objects in size order (big to small, or small to big) (havefunteaching has answer keys for self checking if you want to set up a work station)
  • Uses comparison words, like “bigger,” “smaller,” “heavier,” etc.
  • Understands concepts of none, some and all and more than and less than
  • Identifies and draws a square, circle and triangle (practice worksheets for shapes)
  • Correctly counts four to ten objects (tlsbooks has a large variety of worksheets)
  • Knows that the final number counted represents the total number of objects in a set
  • Recognizes some numbers, 1 – 10 (FREE Number sense worksheets)
  • Can distinguish numbers from letters, and understands that numbers relate to quantity
  • Understands the effects of addition and subtraction

Science

  • Shows interest and asks questions about objects and events observed in their environment (create a scavenger hunt list)
  • Notices common properties and differences among objects and materials
  • Knows some facts about common plants and animals, such as what they eat and baby names (Baby animal names online game)
  • Recognizes some objects in the sky such as the sun, moon, clouds and lightning(Check out this adorable solar system lapbook)

Creative Arts & Music

  • Recognizes and names basic colors (Colors and Shapes matching cards)
  • Draws recognizable shapes and simple objects (see link above or Shapes and Colors worksheet)
  • Tells a story with pictures
  • Moves to a beat
  • Explores with common musical instruments
  • Enjoys improvising or copying musical patterns

Portfolio Review Giveaway

Jan21

imgres

Guess what? I am giving away a free portfolio review!($40.00 value) All you have to do is follow my blog. 🙂 If you are currently following my blog, leave me a message about what you like most about homeschooling. If you are a new follower, leave me a message too! One message entry per person.  If you’d like more chances to win, tell a friend and get them to follow! They will need to mention your name with their message. This portfolio review would be beneficial to you who live in the Cincinnati area as you will meet with me, a current Ohio certified/licensed teacher, to discuss your student’s school year.

The Giveaway ends February 25, 2013. I will announce the winner on February 26 at 5:00 AM.

Kindergarten Readiness: Reading and Writing Skills Part II

Jan14
Ashley's Get Well Wish

Ashley’s Get Well Wish

Last week I looked at Motor, Reasoning and Language Skills for preschoolers taking the “Big Step” toward kindergarten. This week these are the skills for Reading and Writing. The above picture is from my niece, isn’t it sweet? 🙂

Reading Skills

  • Looks at books or pictures on their own
  • Pretends to read books by reading the pictures
  • Tries to read in everyday situations (signs, labels, etc.)
  • Recognizes rhyming words (worksheet 1, worksheet 2, more rhyming worksheets! A list of ending sounds to rhyme with your scholar)
  • Blends sounds into words
  • Recognizes some common words in print (flashcards Use flashcards for a matching game, online sight words game)
  • Recognizes many uppercase and lowercase letters (worksheets, online alphabet games)
  • Recognizes some letter sounds (A lot of sound activities pinned for you! Click on the website under the picture you are interested in seeing.)
  • Relates stories to personal experiences
  • Puts events of a story in order (beginning, middle, end) Idea: Pick a favorite book and read aloud to your child. Ask them to tell you what happened at the beginning, in the middle of the story and the end. If this is overwhelming to your child, start with identifying the beginning and increasing it to the telling about the end. Do what happened in the middle after both of the others have been mastered.

Writing Skills

  • Tries to write words (practice sheets, more practice sheets)
  • Asks you to write words or notes to others
  • Attempts to write own name and recognizes their own name in print Idea: Provide paper and stickers for an extra incentive and fun way to display their name. Create a place to display their work such as the refrigerator or a cork board.

Kindergarten Readiness: Working on Skills in Preschool Part I

Jan7

abcs“How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?” moms ask me when trying to determine when they should start educating their child. While I am no expert, I do have a checklist of skills this week regarding motor, reasoning, language, reading,  and writing skills to help you. (www.leapfrog.com) I have also listed resources, both worksheets and online games if you are working with your preschooler to prepare them for the “Big Step”. There are so many terrific links to check out and worksheets to download here for your student to enjoy and have fun with learning.

Motor Skills

  • Can put puzzles together (for purchase, online puzzles)
  • Cuts with scissors (printable worksheets)
  • Holds pencils and crayons correctly “Why does it matter?” It can help with comfort, legibility, fluidity, brain development, and less stress on your joints. (Here’s a video you can watch to help with correctly holding a pencil. Do you have a left-handed student? This picture will help.  left hand grip)
  • Builds with blocks (wooden, duplos)
  • Tries to tie own shoes (video)
  • Enjoys outdoor activities, like running, jumping and climbing In other words, your child is physically active.

Reasoning Skills

  • Matches or groups objects according to size, shape or color (Check out these worksheets: tangrams, comparing shapes, coloring shapes )
  • Groups objects that are the same and can describe how they are the same or different (online game)
  • Understands concepts of in/out, under/over, on/off, front/back, etc. (Directional worksheets)
  • Shows an understanding of the passing of time, including concepts of before and after, and today, yesterday and tomorrow

Language Skills

  • Talks in sentences
  • Follows one- and two-step oral directions (A fun activity that incorporates following directions, shapes, and movement, free worksheets)
  • Uses sentences that include two or more ideas
  • Uses descriptive language
  • Knows by heart and recites some common nursery rhymes and songs (A website of  common and not-so-common nursery rhymes!)
  • Pretends, creates and makes up songs or stories
  • Tells or retells stories and/or everyday experiences (Write down stories your little one dictates to you. Make into a book and have them illustrate it.)
  • Asks questions and expresses curiosity
  • Expresses ideas so that others can understand

Next week I will have Reading and Writing Skills and resources for you. Have a great week!

~Lisa

Online Government, Economics Courses

Dec31
Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill

Would you like some help teaching Government or Economics? I saw these two live online courses being offered by Founders Academy in January for junior and senior high school students. They can either be taken as an 8 or 16 week course. Government 101 and Economics 101 courses begin on January  14 and you will need to order a textbook for your student.  Each course is $149.00 and if you have more than one student taking the class you get a multiple student discount. There is an Open House on January 7 at 8:30 pm EST that you can see if you would like your student to take one of these classes, but you need to RSVP. Click Here to read the details.

If your student isn’t to the junior or senior high level yet, Founders Academy offers classes for younger students too.

January 17 Martin Luther King Live! class  Ages 5-10  Cost: $7.00 10:00-11:00 am PST Click Here for more details.

January 28 – Live! Medal of Honor Boot Camp | 3 sessions – 1/28, 1/30, 2/01 | 2:30 – 3:30 pm PST | Cost: $27 Best for ages 11-18 Click Here for more details.