So it starts...

So our first week is over. Technically, it was just a pre-preschool week. I really just wanted to see what my little one was capable of. And I must say, I was quite impressed. At the beginning of the week, he couldn't hold the scissors. By the end of the week... Well he was cutting everything. (Note to self: If I want to save his work, I must put it away because he will cut it up!!)
This week, we went to the library for the first time. It was fun. He liked the environment, especially the toys. But the books... Well he barely noticed them. Until we took some home, along with some movies.
We worked on the letter "a" and he did a great job. He can now write the letter, but if we point it out, he still doesn't grasp that it's an "a" everytime. But it's a work in progress and I am very proud of what he did pick up so far.
Next week, we will continue with "a" and add "m." We didn't really get into the themes for the month (all about me and my family/ fabulous fall.) but we did pick up some great books and I can't wait to go over emotions with him.
How about you? How are things going? Have you begun or are you waiting until this week?
Please send me pics. I would love to see my lesson plans in action. I have already received some pictures and I can't wait to post them. (sn: thanks Helene... Love seeing you and the twins in action. They look like they love mommy school!)
Until next time...

September

Here it is!!! TheSeptembers curriculum. Thank you all for the great idea to start my own blog. I hope this helps you all!! Please feel free to leave comments and questions below, or send an email to MY LITTLE BIG KID.
Also, when you do any of the activities or lessons that I post, PLEASE send me pictures to the above email!! I will share your pics at the end of each week, along with my activities that I do with my son!! So let the fun begin!!


Letters of the month:





Numbers of the month:


Shape of the month:



Colors of the month:



Themes for the month:

ALL ABOUT ME...AND MY FAMILY

FABULOUS FALL


This month we will also:

• Learn how to use scissors

• Learn how to trace dots

Heres your basic lesson plan for the month. Each thing will have its own section on this blog with great activities, worksheets, field trips, and so much more. I'm not doing all of the activities with my son that I post, I just like options and I am sure you do too.

Getting your "classroom" ready

Now is the time to get all those much needed supplies. Stores like Target and Walmart have basic school supplies for as low as 15 cents. So stock up now.
I am not at all telling you to dedicate a whole room in your house to teaching (although if you have the room, then go for it). Personally, I don't have the space for that, but I will keep a section of the living room for classroom supplies, maybe even a mini classroom.
Heres where I started. I bought this three drawer unit at Target

 

(they were $9.99 when I got them, the website says they are now $14.99).
I am going to store all of the basic supplies in these drawers. These basics are:

• Construction Paper. I am sure you can find this just about anywhere. Target had a 200 pk for less than $5.

• Markers. The thicker the better. The kids are just learning to grip these so thickness will make it easier.

• Crayons

• Pencils

• Pencil Sharpener

• Erasers

• Pencil Case

• Glue

• Glue Sticks( and yes... you will need both glue and glue sticks!!)

• Scissors, make sure they have a round tip, we don't want any accidents! (Also, make sure these are not kept in reach without your supervision, or else you may have to make an emergency trip to the hair salon to fix curiousity gone wrong!!)

• Paint (I got watercolor and crayola washable kids paint)

You can also...
When I taught preschool and kindergarten, Kaplan was one of my favorite places to shop, mostly because my school had an account with them. My school also had an account with Oriental Trading, and they are a great source for arts n crafts supplies, but they are more for classrooms because most items are sold as bulk items, so I will probably just get art supplies that I know I will need a lot of from them.

So that's it... If I think of more things, I will add them! Did I miss anything??

Welcome

So I must say, I was completely surprised at how many people were interested in the curriculum that I have planned for this upcoming "school year" for my son. But I guess I am not the only one who's kid just misses the cut off date, and has to wait another year to put them in school. Or maybe you are also like me and you just aren't ready to send your kid to school. Or maybe you are sending them to school but you want to make sure they learn everything they can to prepare them for Kindergarten. Whatever your reason for checking this blog out, Thank You.
As many of you know, I was a teacher for 5 years (Preschool/Pre-K/Kindergarten). I loved every minute of what I did. During those years, I learned a lot about early childhood, some that I did not learn in school.

• I learned just how much a 3-5 years old can really achieve. Don't think for one minute that just because the books say its not possible, that somethings not possible! I had students who were reading, and reading well. (This was all before the "My Baby Can Read" phenomenon.)
•  I learned that kids learn best through play, but worksheets are a great way to reinforce what they are learning.
• I learned that children love  NEED structure. Although there is no need to sit and do paper/pencil learning for 8 hours straight, playing all day with no structure is not a good thing and will not benefit your child.
• But put enough emphasis on Play! Make learning fun!! Learning about leaves in the Fall is not as fun as going on a nature walk, picking up different leaves, and talking about them! And chances are, your child will learn and retain so much more with this interactive learning.
• All children learn at their own paces. Just because my child grasp something, doesn't mean yours will. And just because my child can't do something, doesn't mean no three year old will be able to do it. Don't beat yourself up it, and more importantly, don't beat the child up over it.

Here are a few things I plan to do with this blog.

• Each month, I will post two or more themes that I am introducing to my little one. These will be seasonal themes or themes that coincide with other events that often go on in that month. I will include tons of activities that go with the them. These activities will include art, science, math, and so much more!!
• Along with the themes, I will be introducing a few letters for the month. I do not just pick random letters nor did I follow the order of the alphabet. The order of my letters is based on research that I did. Certain letters are easier for the children to say, some are harder. The harder should be introduced later. Letters with similar sounds should not be introduced one after another,(example: B and D) as this could get confusing.
• Next, I will introduce numbers to my LO. Unlike letters, this can and should be done in order. When I say numbers, I am not referring to counting, but number recognition.
• There will also be one or two shapes introduced .This will include basic and not so basic shapes/
• Finally, we will include colors. My LO already knows most of his colors, but not all. So we will go over old and new colors.

Things I will not do in this blog:

• I will not be making daily or weekly lesson plans. Everything will be on a monthly basis. I will post often during the month, but I plan on moving at whatever pace my son feels best. This leave plenty of room for you to do the same. You may be a SAHM and have more time to do more activities. I will make sure that I post enough activities/worksheets to keep you and your LO occupied.
• I will not post anything holiday or religion-based activities. If you choose to do these themes, that is up to you.
• I will not claim that all of the ideas posted on this site are from my crafty little head. In fact, most of what I post will be ideas that I find on other amazing sites. I will try my best to give credit where credit is due!

So that's pretty much what I would like to accomplish. But this is where you all come in.

•  I will need your questions, because most likely  you are not the only one with it.
• Please Please Please!! Send me pictures. I want to see your LO benefiting from my post. I want to see your twist to things I post. 
• Send all emails to mylittlebigkid1@gmail.com

Its getting late and I am getting tired... But thanks again to you all for following my blog. I cant wait to see the progress we make for this upcoming "school" year!! Happy Teaching!!!


SOURCES:
http://livingmontessorinow.com/2010/09/07/in-what-order-should-you-introduce-letters-to-your-preschooler/
http://www.schoolsparks.com/blog/3-tips-for-introducing-the-26-letters