School Songs for Little Ones

These are the songs we will be singing at the start of class this year. For some of my children it's review and for others singing these songs will present another opportunity to learn some more basics. Once everyone knows these pretty well (or we've tired of them) then I'll find a new set.

The Alphabet Song



A Counting Song



Days of the Week Song



Months of the Year Song



I'm also going to add a gospel "song of the week."

Homeschool Preschool

Homeschooling preschool aged children is fun. If you can instill a love of learning in your children early then they will become self learners when they become older. Right now my three youngest are ages 2, 3, and 4. Since they are so close in age it easy to teach them all together. This is what I'm doing right now in our homeschool preschool class.

Letter of the Week

Each week we learn a new letter. I start with "A" and I go through the alphabet until everyone has mastered all 26 letters. Currently we are on our second time through. We learn our letter 4 days out of the week. (The other day we do our Bible curriculum.) Each day we do each of the following activities based on the letter of the week. For example, let's say this week's letter is "C". Below is listed the type of work that we do each day. Plus, you can click on the links to see examples of the worksheets that the children would work on.

• Tracing/Copy work
• Art/Craft
• Phonics, click on the letter C
• Tumble Book, click on the Tumble Book icon and then choose a story book that starts with "C" - like Calliou
• Read library books

I give the children different tracing and crafts each day but click on the same letter on Starfall all week and we also read the same Tumble Book all week. Preschoolers enjoy repetition and also it helps them learn.

When going over the letter I teach letter recognition and phonics at the same time. For example, when I hand out the crafts that start with "C" I might say something like, "here is a cat. Cat starts with "C." "C" says," and then I say the two sounds that "C" makes. Or I may ask the children to tell me what letter it is or what sound it makes. This method is highly effective. And the best part is that the children feel more like they are having fun than learning. Of course learning is fun. So I'm glad that they see it that way.

What about colors, shapes, and the like in homeschool preschool?


I'm glad you asked. We read a lot of library books. And I do mean a lot. I check out books on colors, shapes, and whatever else young children need to learn. We read the books several times during the six week period that we have them. (I have a teacher's library card.) We also learn those things just by going through our everyday lives. I point out objects and tell what color they are. I have the children count to 10 or to 20 when they wash their hands. I start teaching them their body parts in the tub when they are just a little over a year old.

It's all done very casually but the children learn what they need to know. Homeschooling is just a way of life to us. We are constantly learning or teaching throughout the day. You could probably teach a child everything they need to know through Kindergarten without ever actually having to sit them down at a desk and chair and formally "teach" them.

Revamping Preschool

Of course I'm a bit biased here but all of my children are extremely bright. This is becoming increasing evident in my 3 year old who is soaking up the alphabet and letter sounds in record time. Now what I was doing in homeschool isn't working. 3 yr old is getting bored easily.

So, I'm stepping up the fun in our preschool. I'm going to set up a schedule where the children have more computer time playing online educational games. I'll sit next to 3 yr old during his time and help him as needed. And I'll put 2 yr old on my lap and let her tell me the answers. Then I'll click on them for her.

Right now I'm in the process of compiling a list of websites that have free educational games, like Funschool.

Teaching Tuesdays - Letter Q

This week we're studying the letter "Q."

Here is the order of our school day.

Prayer
We thank God for another school day and ask Him to help us with our studies.

Starfall.com
Letter Q

Letter sound book
Quack! the Sound of Q by Cynthia Klingel and Robert B. Noyed (LSB)

Song of the week
From Rusty and Rosy Nursery Rhymes and Songs video

Subject of the day
M: Language Arts - Q worksheet and mini book
T: Math - I'll show the children a quarter, explain what it is, and let them color a picture with a grey crayon
W: Science - Quails
Th: Social Studies - queen coloring page and explanation of royalty
F: Art - Q project

Tumble Readables - check to see if your library or child's school is a subscriber
One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root

Felt board story
5 Little Ducks

More Reading
Click, Clack, Quackity, Quack by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
Little Quack's Hide and Seek by Lauren Thompson

Bible Study
I use the Little Blessings Bible Lessons and sometimes I supplement it with an online Bible story.
Subject: Creation
Bible Story: When God Made Everything

Nick Jr. Video
Usually Blues Clues or Wonder Pets

My lesson plans are based loosely on the free Letter of the Week preschool curriculum.

Preschool Websites

I'm constantly looking for websites with free info for felt boards, preschool curriculum, crafts or anything else I can use to make our homeschooling more fun.

I'm going to list links of helpful sites here as I come across them.
Bible for Children - fonline Bible stories
ChildCareLand.com free printables
First-School - preschool curriculum
It's Storytime
Little Blessings Bible Lessons - This curriculum isn't free. But it's a low price and well worth every penny.
Resources for Christian Teachers

Teaching Tuesdays - 12/4

This week we're learning about the letter "N." We'll also be doing some Christmas crafts this month.


Printable Activities/Crafts
Nanny N
Nn Template
Necktie
Christmas Lacing Project - we're doing the bell
Reindeer popsicle stick craft
Paper plate snowman

Videos
Fifty Nifty
Alphabet Song
The Letter People - Meet Mr. N
Sesame Street - Letter "N" Interview
Sesame Street -Let's Hear It for Capital "N"