Back to school! Let the learning begin!

Back to school!  Let the learning begin!

 

Parents can help reinforce classroom learning through fun, exciting games at home

 in ways that kids will never even know they are still learning!

 

For your new reader, here are a few ideas to practice sight words:



 

1.  Hide and Seek   

 

Using Post-It Notes,  cardboard, construction paper, deck of cards or  note cards, write one letter of the sight word you would like to learn in marker, crayon or pen in large block letters in the center of each piece.  You can add the small letter under each capital letter, if desired.   Practice the word in a chant or song before you begin.  "T-H-E spells THE!"  You can even clap to each letter as you point to the corresponding letter.  Incorporating body action with memorization helps memory retention. 

 

Then, let the word play hide and seek with your young reader.  Who knows where the word might be found!  Sitting on the bathroom or kitchen sink, in a window ledge, stuck to the refrigerator door, on a dinner plate, on top of a bedroom pillow, in a doorway, etc.  Let your imagination go!  As your child finds the word, help fill the discovery with excitement and cheering along with practice of the word... T-H-E spells THE!   Prompt your child, "Where do you think "the" will go next? We better keep an eye out for him!"   Move the word around to different spots until your child recognizes the word quickly and easily.  It will be so exciting to see the accomplishment and pleasure your child will develop as they learn new words.

 After the child has learned the word, have the word appear in a stack of cards.  Let the child place the letters in the correct order.  Repeat, T-H-E- spells THE!   Continue with the same process for other words.



 

 

 

For the next three games you will need to make a set of flashcards.  Using the sight word list from your child's class, create an individual card for each sight word.  Write each letter in large block letters in the center of each card using a dark color.  You can also create sight word cards on the computer (as seen in the pictures below.)  Cards can easily be created with a package of note cards , card stock paper or a deck of cards.

 

2.  Fishing for Sight Words

 

This game requires a little more preparation on your part, but can be adapted to so many different activities, it will be worth the time!  (See Magnetic Fishing post from June 12, 2012)

 

You will need:

 

-A stick or rod with a string/cord tied to one end.  The string should be long enough so that when your child holds the stick about waist level the magnet on the end of the stick should be able to reach the ground to "catch" fish.

 

-A magnet that can be tied to the bottom of the string.  This is your "hook".

 

-"Fish"   In this case, it will be sight words.  You can use the list from your child's teacher to add one word on each "fish".  You can make fish shaped cards or use note cards, or colored paper.  Place a paper clip to the end of each card.

 

A fun thing to do is use a blue towel or rug for your fishing "pond".  This defines the area of play.  But, it  is not necessary to play this game.  In the pictures below we just played on the storeroom floor, just to see how it would work... It worked great by the way!  Kids aren't fussy, if the cooperating adult presents the attitude of fun, exploration and adventure!

 

As you "catch" fish practice the word on the card.  If the child gets the word correct,  they get to keep their fish.  If they do not know the word, practice the word with them.  ex.  S-H-E spells she.  Point out letter and letter pair sounds.  ex.  S-H-E  the SH says shhhh.  These words are released back into the fishing pond to be caught again.  Play until all the fish are caught and can be kept.  Start with just a few words and work up to all the sight words in the pond. 

 

 

 

3.  Flashlight Tag

 

Kids love flashlights!  So, why not use them to learn.  In this game you are still using the sight word flashcards.  No paperclip is needed on the cards, but can remain on the card if you have created them for magnetic fishing.  Spread the cards on the floor in a designated area.  Turn off the lights.  Turn on a flashlight and let your child "tag" a word.  If they read the word correctly, they get to keep the card.  If not, practice and move on to another card.  Continue until the floor is picked up!  Meaning they have correctly read each word in the game.  What a sense of accomplishment they will have! 

 

And while you have the flashlight turned on, don't forget to make designs on the walls or ceiling with the light beam.  Turn on a flashlight yourself and join in the fun creating a light dance show!

 

 

4.  Flashcards

Use your flashcards like a deck of regular cards.  Hold them in your hand with the words facing you and fanned out.  Let your child take turns picking a card.  Have them read the card they picked.  If correct,  they get to keep the card.  If  the child gets the word incorrect, help them decipher the word.  Spell it out.  ex.    T-H-E-Y spells "they".  Then, use the word in a sentence.  Add the card back into your hand to try again.  When your hand is empty and your child's hand if full, the game is over.  Begin with just a few cards and add as they learn more words. 

An old deck of cards can easily be transformed into a set of sight words (or even math problems!)  Or, pick up a deck of cards with a fun picture on the back.  A picture of something that is of interest to your child.

 

 

 

5.  Search and Find

 

Use your flashcards to randomly select one word.  Then start searching. 

 

1.  You can use a magazine or newspaper to let your child search for the chosen word for the day.  Give them a bright colored crayon, marker or pen and let them circle the word each time they find it in the text.  A variation?  set the timer for a few minutes.  When it goes off, count how many of the sight words were found.  Use a different color for different words.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  During reading time have your child look for the sight word they are working on that day.  It could be the word that mysteriously keeps appearing throughout the house.  Read a page and then search for the sight word you are working on.

 

 

Keep track of the sight words you have learned.  Add the words to a master chart that is hanging someplace that can be seen every day.  As the list grows, watch your child's confidence grow as well!  Pretty soon you will have a child that is reading with confidence and speed!  And, a good reader is more successful in life!

 

Happy Reading!

 

April Fool's Day Fun!

Once again the day for pranskters, jokesters and people who just like to have fun has arrived. 
So, today is "throwback" blog post day... ok, I made that up. 
But, the fun is still the same as a throw back Thursday picture on face book...right?

Here goes!  Make your plans.  Enjoy and have fun. 

Remember, both parties need to have fun.
Don't use this day as an excuse to be hateful or unkind to someone.




"The first of April, some do say,

Is set apart for All Fool's Day.

But why the people call it so,

Nor I, nor they themselves do know.

But on this day are people sent

On purpose for pure merriment."

`Poor Robin's Almanac 1790



Joke for the day

Q: Why are people so tired on April 1st?

A: Because they just finished a 31-day March!

Giggles and groans escaped my children over the years as I "tricked" them on this fun day.

Try a few of the following to get a few giggles and groans of your own!

1. Choose a bright color of food coloring to add to the milk. Buy milk in a cardboard carton this

week so no one can see inside. Make sure you are around when the first glass is poured!

OR... pour a glass of milk and then add chocolate/strawberry syrup or food coloring to the milk, but do not stir it! Let the kids guess what kind of milk they have.

(You can do the same thing with play dough. Leave it white after you make it. Roll into balls and then insert a small drop of food coloring into the center of each ball. As the children squeeze, push and pull the play dough, SURPRISE! the color appears!)

2. Serve lunch or dinner in reverse order, the dessert first, then the main dish and last serve the

appetizer.

Mix up the dishes... main course in a dessert cup, soup in a glass etc.

3. Wear your clothes inside out and/or backwards OR for the opposite season

4. Tape the silverware to the table...upside down!

5. Give everyone a plate with different designs (from different sets of dishes)

6. Use mismatched paper plates, eating utensils, and cups

7. Buy realistic-looking toy plastic flies and strategically hide them in breakfast, lunch or dinner

meals. Drop a plastic bug into their glass of juice or milk

8. Make ice cubes that have a plastic bug frozen inside

9. Use small glass jars for drinking glasses

10. Have a "flour" center piece (5# of flour) it the center of your table.

Use a pillowcase for your tablecloth or table runner.

11. Give everyone a different chair at the table

12. Drop an invitation in lunch boxes, cereal boxes, book bags etc. inviting your family to dinner.

Write all the words written backwards so they have to be read in the mirror.

13. Bugs on a Log: celery stalks filled with peanut butter, cream cheese or cheese.

Place raisins on top for "ants".

14. Beef Cake or cupcakes- A tasty way to fool your family is to make April Fool's Day dishes that

deceive the eye and palate. Make the meatloaf in a round pan or muffin tin with cupcake liners.

"Ice" with mashed potatoes. Garnish with carrot curls or strips for candles and steamed

vegetables. Peas make pretty decorations.

15. Big Foot

At dinner the night before April Fool's Day, introduce your kids to a new vegetable and tell
them if they eat it, they will wake up bigger and stronger. (If your kids have never eaten Brussels
sprouts, this is the perfect time to serve it.) When they go to sleep, stuff the toes of their shoes
with cotton or newspaper and, if possible, swap out their jeans and shirts with clothing a size too
small. You can also have your kids do this to your spouse's shoes and clothing for some extra
giggles.

Source:

http://www.sheknows.com/holidays-and-seasons/articles/827335/best-april-fools-day-pranks-for-kids

16. For your fruit-loving kids, core an apple and insert a dark-colored gummy worm.

17. Create a bag of donut seeds by using any cereal that is round with a hole in the middle, such as
Cherrios. Put them in an envelope and on your computer create a picture of donuts with the title
of "donut seeds" at the top.

18. Glue Googly Eyes to the food in the refrigerator or

on the toiletry products in the bathroom (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)

You could also use a Sharpie and draw faces on all the food cartons.

photo source: http://lolsnaps.com/news/42722/0/

19. If the drawers in you chest of drawers are interchangeable, move them around.

20. You’ll have to hold back giggles when you watch your family trying to take a sip of this gelled

juice. Angle the straw for a much more believable “drink,” but you could also

set the Jell-O in a large pitcher and watch various members of your family hilariously try to pour

themselves a cup. Get the recipe for Undrinkable Juice

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/tasty-pranks-april-fools-day-recipes/3-b-129779#129783

21. Use a small post-it note and place it under the computer mouse (covering the ball on the

bottom). When they go to use the mouse, it won't do anything! Remember to write "April Fool!"

on the bottom!

Make sure to get your April Fool's Day trick in early or you may hear the age-old chant,

"April Fool's gone past, And you're the biggest fool at last!"

Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest

 

Recently, we attended a charity event for spinal cord injury victims and their families. 

The event coordinators had provided lots of easy, fun activities for the children. 

One of these activities was a watermelon seed spitting contest.  What fun the kids had!

 

This reminded me of a time in college when a group I belonged to had a similar contest. 

I don't remember how I did in that contest.  But, the memory that is engraved in my mind is that of one of my professors who sat on a grassy knoll and spit watermelon seeds farther than any of the students could.  She was remarkable and memorable. 

 

The point of this stroll down memory lane is that this activity is great fun for all ages.

  So, pick up a watermelon at the local produce stand or grocery store

(not the fancy "no seed" varieties) and have a family contest. 

Invite the neighbors over and let them join in the fun too!

 

 

http://www.poweredbystarlight.wordpress.com

 

 

I have a garden patch...I've got my eye on the watermelons that I planted

 and my fingers crossed for a good crop.  

                                                   I feel a contest coming in my future!

This Blog Post is inspired from the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky B. Baxa

If you would like more fun ideas to share with your children

(that do not require batteries or electronics )

you can purchase this 180 page book,

full of color photos,

for $21.95

from Amazon.com or Etsy.com

Or

from the gift shop at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO,

Silver Dollar City- General Store in Branson, MO .

This book can also be checked out of the following libraries:

Scenic Regional Library - Union and Pacific, Missouri

First Christian Church - Washington, Missouri

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, Hawaii

Story City Public Library - Story City, Iowa

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, Maine