Day 2!!

My favorite part today?  hmmmmmmmmmm.....maybe that Eli slept until 11 and we schooled about 3 1/2 without him? :-)

I guess I better say Writing.  Handwriting is an area that I have miserably failed the boys.  But this year I wanted to grab that bull by the horns and straighten it out.  So back in June I went to the CHEK homeschool conference in Louisville and met Iris Hatfield.  She has written New American Cursive  Penmanship Program published by Memoria Press.  Actually I had purchased the books before I met her...but once I met her and she gently talked me through the program...I felt empowered.  Thanks Iris!  It is our second day and the boys are loving it and begging for more than 10 minutes on writing :-)

She also introduced me to Twist 'n Write pencils...so we are off to a fun start on our writing.

Montessori #3!!

Sorting!!

This one is a winner!!  Right now these divided trays are everywhere!!  I picked this one up a the Dollar General for $1.  

Again this idea was from the workshop with Debbie Fox from The Bottom Shelf.  If you ever get a chance to attend one of her workshops do...her knowledge is so workable. { She even shared the basics of dinner swap clubs!}  There is info on her site on how to book her as a workshop speaker.

 Word of caution...I picked up beads from the Dollar Tree...I plan to use them in another lesson also...but pick 

items that is safe for your childs age.  Other sorting objects could be...dried beans, buttons, colored marshmellos...just look around...see what is available!  Enjoy!!

Montessori #2!!

Hammering!!

Eli loves this!!

This kit I purchased from Debbie Fox ~~the Bottom Shelf~~

It has ten wooden golf tees

a lobster wooden mallet

non drying clay

and a plastic bowl.

yes he did hammer his fingers a few times...but he did catch on and played quietly hammering, hammering, hammering!!

Tips from Debbie:

~~these lessons are only available to him during lesson time

~~ he must put the lesson kit back neatly on the shelf

~~lessons are rotated to keep them fun and fresh

~~assign each of the older schooling children a 30 minute time to spend "working" with the preschooler.  {I used that idea the day after the workshop and all three boys enjoyed "Eli time".}

word strips

The school year is winding down but I wanted to share this really inexpensive and fun phonics tool.

Paint chips!!
{{{thanks Walmart!!}}}

Homeschool Product Review: Learning Pallette

I am in love with the Learning Palette from Learning Wrap Ups!  This game can be expanded by adding new card packets.  It is so much more than "busy" work...The student even check and corrects his project as part of the whole process.  I purchased one base and card kits for each of the boys.  Even my four year old can learn with it and check himself while I work with my six year old.  I purchased my first set from a store but then found that I could save $$$$$ by purchasing the card kits directly from  Learning Wrap ups.