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There are many important reasons to have themes in education. For the kids, it provides predictability, structure, and also a little variety. Kids need routines that make them feel like their lives aren't in chaos, but also variety to make it seem not-so-boring all the time. For parents/educators, themes make sure you aren't off track and you cover all the necessary material.

This week's themes are:

  • Letter: B
  • Number: 2
  • Shape: Crescent
  • Color: Black, Blue & Brown
  • Food: Bananas, Beans, & Beef
  • Animal: Birds & Bats
  • Special: All About Me (the body & body parts)


So, today I wanted to post something a little different. I wanted to branch out from my own blog and instead of only showing you all my own ideas, I wanted to show you some other interesting blogs I have found around the web.

Feel free to comment with your blog as well.


This blog has some very interesting new activities for homeschoolers. She seems to mention the Melissa & Doug products, which I absolutely love!


No Time For Flash Cards 
This is another homeschooling blog specifically geared towards babies, toddlers, and kids.

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This blog gives lots of ideas for reinforcing ideas when learning. They also show a multitude of other ideas from other blogs (complete with pictures)!

These are some of the activities I have planned for today. Please note that most activities are geared towards younger children, but can also be adapted for older children. I try to note any different possibilities for each activity.
They are sorted by major skill category, but may work for multiple categories. Also, I have noted the theme each activity covers after the title in (blue parentheses).

Fine Motor Skills:

  1. Print out a giant number 1 or many number 1s on a sheet of 8 1/2" by 11" paper. Have the kids trace the number 1 with their finger, crayons, pencils, or whatever you have. (number 1)
  2. Print out a giant hollow number 1 and let the kids color it in any way they choose. (number 1)
  3. Take a shallow pan or tray and fill it with sugar, rice, or pudding. Let the kids trace the number 1 with their fingers or a stick. (number 1)

Discovery:

  1. Look for the number 1 wherever you go (books you read, signs you see, cereal boxes, etc).  Let the kids point them out first, but if they need some encouragement you can chime in, especially if it's in an unusual font.
  2. Count 1 of objects throughout the day (1 banana, 1 book, 1 car, 1 mirror, etc)
  3. Teach the kids the number 1 in sign language.

Books:



These are some of the activities I have planned for today. Please note that most activities are geared towards younger children, but can also be adapted for older children. I try to note any different possibilities for each activity.
They are sorted by major skill category, but may work for multiple categories. Also, I have noted the theme each activity covers after the title in (blue parentheses).

Fine Motor Skills:

  • Print out a giant letter A or many letter As on a sheet of 8 1/2" by 11" paper. Have the kids trace the letter A with their finger, crayons, pencils, or whatever you have. (letter A)
  • Print out a giant hollow letter A and let the kids color it in any way they choose. (letter A)
  • Take a shallow pan or tray and fill it with sugar, rice, or pudding. Let the kids trace the letter A with their fingers or a stick. (letter A)
Discovery:
  • Look for the letter A wherever you go (books you read, signs you see, cereal boxes, etc).  Let the kids point them out first, but if they need some encouragement you can chime in, especially if it's in an unusual font.
  • Find items that begin with the letter A and collect them or draw them in a notebook. Then write the name of each one on a whiteboard or big piece of paper. Teach the kids how to pronounce each word and let them discuss or ask questions.
  • Teach the kids the letter A in sign language.
Books:
Songs:



These are some of the activities I have planned for today. Please note that most activities are geared towards younger children, but can also be adapted for older children. I try to note any different possibilities for each activity.
They are sorted by major skill category, but may work for multiple categories. Also, I have noted the theme each activity covers after the title in (blue parentheses).

Fine Motor Skills:

  • Make cookies from scratch or premade cookie dough with the kids. You can use cookie cutters or if you buy the cookie dough in a roll you can cut them into circles. If you want them to bake into perfect circles though, you have to cut them into cubes. ;) Make sure the light in your oven works so you can let the kids peek as they bake. (circles or other themes you choose to make shapes out of) You can also decorate them with Amethyst or Amber frosting to link the colors of the week.
  • Have the kids color a picture of a circle any way they want.
Discovery:
  • Look for circles wherever you go. Let the kids point them out first, but if they need some encouragement you can chime in.
  • Collect circular objects to touch and discover more closely, or draw them in a notebook. Write the  name of each one on a whiteboard or big piece of paper. Teach the kids how to pronounce each word and let them discuss or ask questions. (circle)
  • Teach the kids the shape 'circle' and apple in sign language. Click this link to go to a site that has LOTS of signs for ASL, but it's a little tricky. If you click on the tab for ASL for Babies they have fewer signs. Just click the letter that the word begins with then scroll down the column under the letters on the left to get to the word you want to learn the sign for. 
Books:
Songs:

These are some of the activities I have planned for today. Please note that most activities are geared towards younger children, but can also be adapted for older children. I try to note any different possibilities for each activity.
They are sorted by major skill category, but may work for multiple categories. Also, I have noted the theme each activity covers after the title in (blue parentheses).

Gross Motor Skills:

  • Ring Around The Rosies. If kids are too young or cannot stand, just sit on the floor holding hands in a circle and rock back and forth as you sing. (circle, Spring Equinox)
  • Make a large letter A on the ground (inside with tape, outside with chalk) and "walk" the letter the way you would write it. Older kids can hop from the outside to the inside dash. Younger kids can crawl. (Letter A)
Books:
Songs:




There are many important reasons to have themes in education. For the kids, it provides predictability, structure, and also a little variety. Kids need routines that make them feel like their lives aren't in chaos, but also variety to make it seem not-so-boring all the time. For parents/educators, themes make sure you aren't off track and you cover all the necessary material.

This week's themes are:

  • Letter: A
  • Number: 1
  • Shape: Circle
  • Color:  Amethyst & Amber
  • Food: Apples & Asparagus
  • Animal: Ants, Alligator, & Alpaca
  • Special: Spring Equinox (First Day of Spring 3/20/12)

Welcome new readers.

My name is Kimie Bailey, but you can call me Mama Bailey. I am a mother of 4(ages 9, 4, 3, and 1) living in the New England area. I am a supporter of natural parenting ways, such as cosleeping, breastfeeding, carrying, and of course, homeschooling.

Over the years however, I have become frustrated with the lack of homeschooling information for toddlers. Most of the information, tips, and advice you can find is how to occupy your toddlers and infants while you teach older children. This is not what I am looking for.

Especially when the prime years to teach all children is the first 5 years of their lives. That is when their brain develops the most.

I am developing this blog to show other parents the way I have found you can teach toddlers and infants at the same time as older children.

Feel free to comment on any post or email me or even follow my twitter @KimieBailey.

I will start posting up lessons within the week, but for starters, here is a little explanation about how I am going to outline all my lessons and plans.

First, I will introduce a weekly theme. There are many important reasons to have themes in education. For the kids, it provides predictability, structure, and also a little variety. Kids need a routine that makes them feel like their lives aren't in chaos, but some predictable variety also spices things up just right.

The themes will include topics such as:

  • Letter of the Week
  • Number of the Week
  • Shape of the Week
  • Color of the Week
  • Food of the Week
  • Animal of the Week
  • Specials and/or National Holidays

Mostly the themes will all be tied in together as well, like:

  • Letter: A
  • Number: 1
  • Food: Apple
  • Animal: Antelope
  • Special: America
Then each day I will outline daily lesson plans that follow along with the weekly themes. Each days will include some lessons from the following learning areas:
  • Gross Motor Skills
  • Fine Motor Skills
  • Reading
  • Songs
  • Discovery (i.e. finding objects in your environments)
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Recipes

This song is from Sesame Street's Muppet Alphabet Album - The Sound of the Letter A

Alligators and Acrobats, Antelopes and Alleycats, 

Those are words that begin with ... the "A" sound! 

Animals living in the zoo, the Alphabet, and an Apple too, 
Those are words that begin with ... the "A" sound! 

And if by chance, it happens your name is Alice ... 
Or Ann, or Albert, 
Then you can say ... 
To everybody 

"My name is Alice, Ann, or Al-bert, 
And my name begins with the sound of the letter 'A'!" 

(conversation with Ant named Ambercrombe) 

And if by chance it happens your name is Alice ... 
Or Ann or Albert, 
Than you can say ... 
To everybody 

"My name is Alice, Ann, or Al-bert, 
And my name begins with the sound of the letter 'A'!" 
The letter "A" 

The letter "A!" 


In this video, she only goes up to three ants, but here are my lyrics that go up to ten ants.

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching one by one,
The little one stops to suck his thumb
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two,
The little one stops to tie his shoe
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three,
The little one stops to climb a tree
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


The ants go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching four by four,
The little one stops to shut the door
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


The ants go marching five by five, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching five by five, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching five by five,
The little one stops to take a dive
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


The ants go marching six by six, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching six by six, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching six by six,
The little one stops to pick up sticks
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


The ants go marching seven by seven, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching seven by seven, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching seven by seven,
The little one stops to say "Hi" to Kevin,
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


The ants go marching eight by eight, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching eight by eight, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching eight by eight,
The little one stops to shut the gate
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


The ants go marching nine by nine, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching nine by nine, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching nine by nine,
The little one stops to check the time
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


The ants go marching ten by ten, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching ten by ten, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching ten by ten,
The little one stops to say "THE END"
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!



This lady does very well to describe this song. Sorry I could not find a video that showed it with any kids, but she does give you the idea. And also you can always feel free to change things to your liking. I personally prefer to use the sign for apple. Now here's the lyrics:

Here we go 'round the apple tree, the apple tree, the apple tree.
Here we go 'round the apple tree on a frosty morning.

Here we climb the ladder, the ladder, the ladder.
Here we climb the ladder on a frosty morning.


Here we pick the apples, the apples, the apples.
Here we pick the apples on a frosty morning.


Here we go wash the apples, the apples, the apples.
Here we go wash the apples on a frosty morning.


Here we go eat the apples, the apples, the apples.
Here we go eat the apples on a frosty morning.

Yum!


The video above shows this song as a finger puppet song. This is a great idea, however if you cannot or do not have the time to make finger or glove puppets for this, you can change the presentation without changing the idea behind it. 

Here are some ideas I came up with:
  1. Draw apples (or whichever food you're working with) across a sheet of paper. Point to each one as you sing the song.
  2. Take a piece of cardboard and glue a solid color piece of felt over the whole piece. Then make apples (or again whichever food you're working with) out of red felt with green felt leaves. Felt sticks to felt, so just stick the apples onto the big piece. Make sure you make the apples small enough to fit on the whole piece. 
  3. Draw apples (or whatever) on the sidewalk with chalk. Make a line for each kid and have them hop into each one as you sing, or the kids can even hop in one line. Also, if you're sidewalk or walkway or driveway isn't long enough to make ten apples, then just make five and turn around and hop back. 
  4. Cut out apples from pieces of construction paper. Lay them out and point to each one OR hang them on a wire coat hanger or just on the wall OR have the kids hold them up one at a time as you all sing. 
Hope that gave you some good ideas. If you have any more, feel free to leave them in the comment section below. Now for the lyrics:

One little, Two little, Three little apples,
Four little, Five little, Six little applies,
Seven little, Eight little, Nine little apples,
Ten little apples falling from the tree.

Count them, count them, count them with me.
Count them, count them, count them with me. 
Count them, count them, count them with me. 
Count the apples falling from the tree.

One little, Two little, Three little apples,
Four little, Five little, Six little applies,
Seven little, Eight little, Nine little apples,
Ten little apples falling from the tree.


Sing these lyrics as you all hold hands and dance or walk in a circle. For younger kids, you can sit in a circle, hold hands, and rock back and forth.

Ring around the rosy
Pocket full o' posies
Ashes, Ashes
We all fall down!


Picking up the daisies
Picking up the daisies
Up, up, up
We all stand up!

I really enjoyed this video teaching how to do the ASL alphabet


Signing Time has made some of my kids favorite sign language music videos. In this one, Rachel teaches us numbers 1 through 10.


I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas.
I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas.

I like to ate, ate, ate ay-pples and ba-nay-nay-s.
I like to ate, ate, ate ay-pples and ba-nay-nay-s.

I like to eat, eat, eat ee-pples and ba-nee-nees.
I like to eat, eat, eat ee-pples and ba-nee-nees.


I like to ite, ite, ite i-pples and ba-ny-ny-s.  
I like to ite, ite, ite i-pples and ba-ny-ny-s.   

I like to oh-te, oh-te, oh-te oh-pples and ba-noh-noh-s.   
I like to oh-te, oh-te, oh-te oh-pples and ba-noh-noh-s.    

I like to oot, oot, oot oo-pples and ba-noo-noo-s.    
I like to oot, oot, oot oo-pples and ba-noo-noo-s.   

You can hold your arms up over your head in a circle when you say "Mr. Golden Sun", and hold your hands in front of your face when you say "hiding behind a tree." Make it fun to hold your kids attention.

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me.
Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Hiding behind a tree.

These little children are asking you,
To please come out 
So we can play with you.


Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me.


Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me.

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Hiding behind a tree.


These little children are asking you,
To please come out 
So we can play with you.


Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on,
Please shine down on,
Please shine down on me.


This is a pagan song/chant, so there are no videos for it. However it goes along the same lines as "We All Come From The Goddess".

WE ARE A CIRCLE

We are a circle
A Rainbow circle 
With no beginning
And never ending


WE ARE CIRCLING

We are circling
Circling together
We are singing
Singing our heart song
This is family
This is unity
This is celebration
This is sacred