Each year we complete our school year with the study of ocean animals. Because of our proximity to the ocean the children always love this unit. They are eager to learn more about the animals they already know and to investigate interesting facts about new sea life.
When you pick up your bag from school you will find materials and crafts supplies which we will use as we begin our Ocean Unit next week. Mid May we will send home another package to use for the remainder of the month. Our Blog will be updated weekly with stories, songs and learning videos that correlate to the projects. As we investigate each animal a project sample and directions will be posted on the Blog. During our study we will continue to reinforce the letters, letter sounds, numbers and other skills.
These items include:
Sea Horse, Hermit Crab, Starfish, Shark Jaws and Crabs on the Beach Projects – with supplies
Sea Gull, Sea Gull rhyming book – with supplies
Pictures to water color – we sent home their paints
A Special Mother’s Day Surprise and “All About Mom” interview
Under the Sea – review and reinforcement packet
Underwater counting pages
Some school supplies to use at home
If you happen to be missing anything please let us know. We had a lot of packages to fill. Some little prayers have been answered though, our beaches have been reopened for swimming, surfing and strolls. What perfect timing! Please know, we wish we could all be together exploring the wonders of the ocean at school with our little friends though!
For your convenience, activities and lessons are posted for the entire week. We are hoping this will allow you the freedom to pick and choose from the activities as they fit into your weekly and daily schedule. We are available from 9:00-2:30 each school day to assist and answer questions as needed.
Let’s Exercise at Home for Letter X
Dr. Hoeffner reminded us on Virtual St. A Live last week that we have to stay active and healthy to keep our body, soul and spirit strong. Let’s do that this week as we learn about the letter X.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES TO COMPLETE EVERY WEEK
Read at least 2 books to your child each day – while reading ask questions – what do you think will happen next, who are the characters, why do you think that happened, listen for rhyming words, learn a new vocabulary word – remember to use the Epic link to expand your at home library
Letter skills – review letters and their sounds, match lower case and upper case letters, practice sounding out words for all four year olds and three year olds that are ready
Review “Everyday Words”- for all four year olds and three year olds that are ready
Number skills – review number recognition, count “as high as you can go”, count sets of objects, pattern objects
Review shapes and colors
Practice writing your name – remember they can trace and then try on their own, remind them to begin at the top and move from left to right when writing
Practice writing your numbers – begin writing from the top
Pray daily
Everyday Words
is my like when made the to are you a on go
look I do they and see me there
Xx
Letter X Week EPIC Books & Fun
The Alphabet Stories-This is Letter X The Alphabet: Xx Xavier’s m Ox’s Xylophone Experiment Foxy Fox A Isn’t for Fox What to Do With a Box Fox’s Boxes (SUPER PHONICS VIDEOS) No Pirates Allowed (pirate map) Two Pirates Are You the Pirate Captain? (map)
THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITIES & PROJECTS
1) Please select from this weeks activities and projects:
Morning Activity – Say the Pledge of Alligence and pray together with your family, count the days in April on the calendar, remember May begins this Friday, forecast the weather. Now review the days of the week with this fun song – Days of the Week
Number Scavenger Hunt Challange – Search your house for numbers, can you make it all the way to 100? Check boxes, packages, books and things hanging on the wall. Now write your numbers as high as you can go.
Dinosaur Fun – Learn about Tyrannusaurus Rex or T-Rex for short. Watch these informative videos with mom and dad. National Geographic Dino Road Trip, T-Rex Fact Song. Parents, take a little time to talk about all the new vocabulary words in these short videos. Wow, how our minds can grow!
Math Fun – Something we have fun doing at school. Roll the dice, count the dots then say the number. As an extension write the number or match a number flash card.
Science Fun – Let’s get out to the garden and do a little planting. So easy, just put a potato in a glass jar and watch it sprout!
Cooking: Make an extra special snack if you have the ingredients. Remember to review your shapes. Do you know them all? Shape Song
Movie: Enjoy an exciting adventure while you eat your snack. Maybe a summer fun time Disney movie like Moana.
Chore: Organize everyones sock drawer, match the pairs and count them. Use the “lost” socks to help dust the house.
Game: Play Alphabet Bingo, you can use noodles, marshmallows or Cheerios for markers. Here is a link to Super Simple that has some nice printable ABC Bingo Cards. Have Fun! Bingo Card Link
http://www.jackhartman.com – this site has fantastic phonics and letter songs, counting songs, sight word songsand movement songs; click on the yellow “Videos” tab at the top to access each category
http://www.supersimple.com – Love this site! It contains great phonics songs, counting songs, sing alongs; most videos also have coordinating printables and activities; click on one of the purple word tabs at the top to access a multitude of topics, the “Themes” section list skills very nicely
http://www.bouncepatrol.com – another site with wonderful songs reviewing letters and their sounds, counting and nursery rhymes; the children love the “Alphabet Series”; scroll down to the red “Watch” prompt on the left and the topics are divided into categories: the singers’ costumes are amazing!
http://www.learningstationmusic.com – many videos covering learning skills and super fun “Brain Break” dances too; click on the green tab “Watch YouTube Videos” on the right; scroll down to pick a skill or topic; lots of fun seasonal dances:)
The Beginner’s Bible – this is the children’s Bible we use at school, simplistic retelling of Bible stories
All Things Animal TV – interesting and informative short animal videos; they also a few longer versions with “Ed & Eppa” the site’s explorers
ABC Mouse – terrific computer learning site; you’ll have to log on but there is a free trial
Teach Your Monster to Read – adorable games in “First Steps” for children learning their letters and sounds; the second level “2 Fun With Words” is perfect for those children ready for word fun; the last step is for children reading short sentences
5 Facts About Sharks the will make your JAWS Drop! (Video)
Notes of Importance
Parents you are doing an awesome job! The children are doing a fantastic job with Distance Learning. The many emails, texts and posts speak volumes. It is wonderful to see the children reading so many books on the Epic site too. This certainly has been an interesting adjustment for everyone, but it seems we are falling into a new routine. For your convenience, activities and lessons are posted for the entire week. We are hoping this will allow you the freedom to pick and choose from the activities as they fit into your weekly and daily schedule. We are available from 9:00-2:30 each school day to assist and answer questions as needed.
Dr. Hoeffner helped us remember last week on Virtual St. A Live the importance of starting our school day with Prayer and The Pledge of Allegiance. Say a prayer and then The Pledge of Allegiance as a family. Enjoy watching this special patriotic song we enjoy learning at school afterwards. Through children’s eyes, this sweet song helps us remember all the wonderful things we have to be thankful for each day.
Fun Follow Up Activity : Draw or paint an American Flag to hang in the kitchen or in your bedroom.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES TO COMPLETE EVERY WEEK
Read at least 2 books to your child each day – while reading ask questions – what do you think will happen next, who are the characters, why do you think that happened, listen for rhyming words, learn a new vocabulary word – remember to use the Epic link to expand your at home library
Letter skills – review letters and their sounds, match lower case and upper case letters, practice sounding out words for all four year olds and three year olds that are ready
Review “Everyday Words”- for all four year olds and three year olds that are ready
Number skills – review number recognition, count “as high as you can go”, count sets of objects, pattern objects
Review shapes and colors
Practice writing your name – remember they can trace and then try on their own, remind them to begin at the top and move from left to right when writing
Practice writing your numbers – begin writing from the top
2) Please select from this weeks activities and projects
Morning Activity – count the days in April on the calendar, review the days of the week and forecast the weather (this is one of our regular morning lessons); Months of the year song
Alphabet Scavenger Hunt Challange – search your house for things that start with each letter of the alphabet. Help your child write a list of your finds and send it to their teacher.
Read a letter “J” book – Here is a great option – Jack and the Beanstalk – then try this fun activity. Parents, you could write numbers or words on the leaves too. Then roll a dice to move your marker up the vine, say the letter, number or word as you climb to the top. Have fun!
Letter “J”craft: Jellyfish
Write some lowercase and upper case “Jj’s” on paper or use your weekly packet sheets.
Animal Fun – Learn about Jaguars and other big cats, this is a fun video to watch with mom and dad. They are truly magnificent animals. Big Cats Here is a fun mask to try and make too.
Math Fun – Help empty the dishwasher. As you work, count the plates, glasses, forks, spoons, etc.. Then count as high as you can go – were you able to make it to 100? We know you can!
Science Fun – Let’s defy gravity and make Raisins Dance. Remember to send a photo!
Just for fun – This is a great activity on a warm afternoon. Fill a bucket with water and get a paint brush. Let your child help paint the house.
Nursery Rhymes – Sing some nursery rhymes with your family, here is a new “J” rhyme Jack & Jill
Bible Story: Jonah and the Whale – Although we have already read this story at school, this valuable scripture always has room to be retold to teach the lesson of God’s forgiveness and love. Enjoy reading this passage from your child’s Bible.
Prayer for the Week: Children find comfort in routine – this is beautiful nighttime prayer to add to your evening.
Movie: Enjoy a Disney Classic, “The Jungle Book” then draw a picture and/or write about your favorite part of the movie.
Cooking: Make Jello or peanut butter & jelly sandwiches then have fun learning this song – Peanut Butter and Jelly Song
Chore: Help clean out the “junk drawer”. Yes, we all have one that needs a bit of organization.
Game: Practice jumping on your left foot and then your right foot. How many times can you do this in a row? Keep a log and track your improvement during the week. Practice jumping rope, learn to play jacks, play Jenga or try to juggle.
http://www.jackhartman.com – this site has fantastic phonics and letter songs, counting songs, sight word songsand movement songs; click on the yellow “Videos” tab at the top to access each category
http://www.supersimple.com – Love this site! It contains great phonics songs, counting songs, sing alongs; most videos also have coordinating printables and activities; click on one of the purple word tabs at the top to access a multitude of topics, the “Themes” section list skills very nicely
http://www.bouncepatrol.com – another site with wonderful songs reviewing letters and their sounds, counting and nursery rhymes; the children love the “Alphabet Series”; scroll down to the red “Watch” prompt on the left and the topics are divided into categories: the singers’ costumes are amazing!
http://www.learningstationmusic.com – many videos covering learning skills and super fun “Brain Break” dances too; click on the green tab “Watch YouTube Videos” on the right; scroll down to pick a skill or topic; lots of fun seasonal dances:)
The Beginner’s Bible – this is the children’s Bible we use at school, simplistic retelling of Bible stories
All Things Animal TV – interesting and informative short animal videos; they also a few longer versions with “Ed & Eppa” the site’s explorers
ABC Mouse – terrific computer learning site; you’ll have to log on but there is a free trial
Teach Your Monster to Read – adorable games in “First Steps” for children learning their letters and sounds; the second level “2 Fun With Words” is perfect for those children ready for word fun; the last step is for children reading short sentences
Alphabet Stories – This Is Letter Q
Queenie Quail Can’t Keep Up
How the Queen Found the Perfect Cup of Tea
Queen Quail is Quiet
Little Bird Be Quiet
What Is Quiet?
Sort It by Sound
One Quiet Night
What is Hatching?
My Q Box
The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet
A Quick Picnic
Q and U video
Long and Short Vowels song
Super Phonics’ Rap a Tap Tap
Things to Remember
We will post our lesson at the beginning of each week not daily. This will allow you the freedom to pick and choose from the activities as they fit into your weekly and daily schedule. Please email us if you have any questions. We are available from 9:00-2:30 each school day to answer questions or to set up a phone conference.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES TO COMPLETE EVERY WEEK
Read at least 2 books to your child each day – while reading ask questions – what do you think will happen next, who are the characters, why do you think that happened, listen for rhyming words, learn a new vocabulary word – remember to use the Epic link to expand your at home library
Letter skills – review letters and their sounds, match lower case and upper case letters, practice sounding out words for all four year olds and three year olds that are ready
Review “Everyday Words”- for all four year olds and three year olds that are ready
Number skills – review number recognition, count “as high as you can go”, count sets of objects, pattern objects
Review shapes and colors
Practice writing your name – remember they can trace and then try on their own, remind them to begin at the top and move from left to right when writing
Practice writing your numbers – again, always begin writing from the top
Topics this week include: Lady Bugs, Dental Health, Butterflies, Helping Others, Rain
Make a chart to mark brushing your teeth for the week – remember at least twice a day:)
Try a “Play Starter” this week – there are a lot of fun ideas!
2) Please select from this weeks activities and projects
Write the numbers from 1 to 30 (or as high as you can go) on cards or papers, hide them around them the house and read them as you find them during the day; after finding them all put them in order from lowest to highest
Read a letter “Q” book – here are two options: The Very Quiet Cricket or Little Quack – follow up activities…listen for crickets in the evening, make a duck craft
Animal Fun – Learn about Ducks on All Things Animal, Five Little Ducks Counting Song, now count as high as you can go and practice writing your numbers. Remember you can do it!
Write some lowercase and upper case “Qq’s” on paper: extra pages if needed Worksheet 1, Worksheet 2
Just for fun – paint with Qtips
Math Fun – gather mom and dad’s coins – sort them into pennies, nickels, dimes & quarters; count each set; create patterns with the coins; make simple addition sentences (3 quarters + 2 Pennies = 5 coins); make coin rubbings
More Math Fun – count and sort your Easter jelly beans, graph the colors
Science Fun – Float and Sink Experiment – make predictions about which objects will float or sink; then have fun playing in your water tub!
http://www.jackhartman.com – this site has fantastic phonics and letter songs, counting songs, sight word songsand movement songs; click on the yellow “Videos” tab at the top to access each category; found this out too-he’s a GATOR!
http://www.supersimple.com – Love this site! It contains great phonics songs, counting songs, sing alongs; most videos also have coordinating printables and activities; click on one of the purple word tabs at the top to access a multitude of topics, the “Themes” section list skills very nicely
http://www.bouncepatrol.com – another site with wonderful songs reviewing letters and their sounds, counting and nursery rhymes; the children love the “Alphabet Series”; scroll down to the red “Watch” prompt on the left and the topics are divided into categories: the singers’ costumes are amazing!
http://www.learningstationmusic.com – many videos covering learning skills and super fun “Brain Break” dances too; click on the green tab “Watch YouTube Videos” on the right; scroll down to pick a skill or topic; lots of fun seasonal dances:)
The Beginner’s Bible – this is the children’s Bible we use at school, simplistic retelling of Bible stories
All Things Animal TV – interesting and informative short animal videos; they also a few longer versions with “Ed & Eppa” the site’s explorers
ABC Mouse – terrific computer learning site; you’ll have to log on but there is a free trial
Teach Your Monster to Read – adorable games in “First Steps” for children learning their letters and sounds; the second level “2 Fun With Words” is perfect for those children ready for word fun; the last step is for children reading short sentences
We have started using a new resource called Epic! This website has books for students of all ages. This resource will be free for our children to use through June 30th. You should have already received an email from your child’s teacher inviting you to activate your account. If you did not receive the email please reach out to us. We will make several book recommendations each week, but please feel free to read additional books and share this excellent resource with your other children.
Suggested Epic Stories & Videos:
Alphabet Stories- This is Letter “U”
Under the Sea
The Ugly Duckling
Unicorn (and Horses)
A Unicorn Named Sparkle
Blues for Unicorn (rhyme)
Umma Ungka’s Unusual Umbrella
Up the Creek (teamwork)
My Yellow Umbrella
Today I Will be a Unicorn
Umbrellas Go Up
Umbrella Bird Story & Video
Things to Remember
We will post our lesson at the beginning of each week not daily. This will allow you the freedom to pick and choose from the activities as they fit into your weekly and daily schedule. We wish we could eliminate the pop ups and commercials but we just haven’t found a way to do this yet. Please email us if you have any questions. We are available from 9:00-2:30 each school day to answer questions or to set up a phone conference.
A fun way for you to reinforce the CDC’s guidelines at home:
GENERAL ACTIVITIES TO COMPLETE EVERY WEEK
Read at least 2 books to your child each day – while reading ask questions – what do you think will happen next, who are the characters, why do you think that happened, listen for rhyming words, learn a new vocabulary word – you can now utilize the Epic link to expand your at home library
Letter skills – review letters and their sounds, match lower case and upper case letters, practice sounding out words for all four year olds and three year olds that are ready
Review “Everyday Words”- for all four year olds and three year olds that are ready
Number skills – review number recognition, count “as high as you can go”, count sets of objects, pattern objects
Review shapes and colors
Practice writing your name – remember they can trace and then try on their own, remind them to begin at the top and move from left to right when writing
Practice writing your numbers – again, always begin writing from the top
Animal Fun – Learn about underwater animals on All Things Animal – use crayons to draw a picture of your favorite underwater animal, use blue paint or water colors to add water, decorate with stickers if you have them
Movie: Watch an “Underwater” movie … perhaps The Little Mermaid or Finding Nemo
Cooking: Make an “unusual dinner” … have breakfast for dinner.
Chores: Help mom and dad put away the utensils in the kitchen, clean out under your bed – did you find something you were missing?
Game: go outside and admire the “universe” – look for constellations, observe the moon – is it waxing or waning? Read a space book – there is an entire section on the Epic site – a few are listed below, Story Bots Universe song
http://www.jackhartman.com – this site has fantastic phonics and letter songs, counting songs, sight word songsand movement songs; click on the yellow “Videos” tab at the top to access each category; found this out too-he’s a GATOR!
http://www.supersimple.com – Love this site! It contains great phonics songs, counting songs, sing alongs; most videos also have coordinating printables and activities; click on one of the purple word tabs at the top to access a multitude of topics, the “Themes” section list skills very nicely
http://www.bouncepatrol.com – another site with wonderful songs reviewing letters and their sounds, counting and nursery rhymes; the children love the “Alphabet Series”; scroll down to the red “Watch” prompt on the left and the topics are divided into categories: the singers’ costumes are amazing!
http://www.learningstationmusic.com – many videos covering learning skills and super fun “Brain Break” dances too; click on the green tab “Watch YouTube Videos” on the right; scroll down to pick a skill or topic; lots of fun seasonal dances:)
The Beginner’s Bible – this is the children’s Bible we use at school, simplistic retelling of Bible stories
All Things Animal TV – interesting and informative short animal videos; they also a few longer versions with “Ed & Eppa” the site’s explorers
ABC Mouse – terrific computer learning site; you’ll have to log on but there is a free trial
Teach Your Monster to Read – adorable games in “First Steps” for children learning their letters and sounds; the second level “2 Fun With Words” is perfect for those children ready for word fun; the last step is for children reading short sentences
