Tot Box

I took a picture this morning of our Tot Boxes.  It's basically the same concept as the Tot Trays, but we didn't have any trays or quite the space for them.  So, I got some small storage containers that I found on sale (school clearance) 6 for $5 at Wal-Mart.  I labeled them on either side with the different skills/activities that we do. (ex.  one box is labeled SORTING on one side and POURING on the other.  Whatever skill we're working on that day, I just turn it around to show that activity and fill the box accordingly.)  We have 14 different skills, but I only put together 6 at a time.  I've made a chart with the skills and ideas of activities to go along with it.  As soon as I figure out how to add the file to a blog, I will.  =)

Hooked on Phonics

We officially started Hooked on Phonics today!  I'm super excited about it.  Maddie did really well with it today.  We actually did both A & B today since we spent all last week on the letter B.  Today was her very first day ever using a computer and she did so well!  She played a HoP letter game on my laptop and she handled it really well.  I was really impressed with how well she did on the games themselves, too.  I think she's going to be recognizing her letters soon.  =)

Since we don't have Tot Trays, I did my own version, thanks to some ideas from 1+1+1=1 Tot Trays.  I found some school clearance items at Wal-Mart this weekend and got 6 storage boxes for $5.  This is where I am storing the activities.  When they are finished, I'll add some pics.  Today Maddie used her first activity "Small Spaces" - the spaghetti and Parmesan cheese shaker.  She did great!  Can't wait to put some more together for her.

Puzzles & Tins

I'm finding that I have to be really prepared and on top of things to keep Maddie interested.  She does really well while we're working on things, but as soon as there is a lull in our activities - she's ready to play and it's hard to get her back on track.  I have to watch myself, too.  I'm finding myself getting so caught up in reading the blogs and "planning" - that not as much is getting done.  BUT... I have a lot done and together now.  What awesome ideas these ladies have.  What did we do before the internet?  LOL  Anyway, Hooked on Phonics came tonight.  Can't wait to get started!!

Here are a couple of pictures of her in action.  She's really enjoying the puzzles.  And, I threw a little "game" together to work on sorting colors/shapes.  We have tons of foam letters and shapes, so I took a handful of shapes and a little muffin tin.  I had Maddie separate them by shapes (small & large triangles; small & large squares, small & large circles; and small & large hearts).  Then she separated them by colors.  She did really well and spent quite a bit of time with it.

Chugging Along

So, our Hooked on Phonics will not be here until Friday, so we're doing our own thing until then.  We're concentrating mostly on colors and shapes.  This week we're doing Blue & Circles and throwing in a little of the letter B.  :)  I am getting together the hand outs and supplies and organizing them in a lovely large 2 gallon ziploc bag.  ;)  It's my condensed version of the Workboxes I found at 1+1+1=1.  As our materials and needs grow, I'll incorporate the workboxes more as the system is intended.

We started our first Lapbook today.  So excited!!  What a neat concept!  I have seen and read about them before.  Today I just watched a couple of videos on YouTube that some homeschool moms have so graciously added to the internet world for the curious minds.  =)  I'll be sure to add a picture of our first one the end of the week when it is finished.

I'm going to have to get some materials together.  Maddie is so excited and getting through things pretty quickly.  We get finished with one thing and she's "Mommy, what do we do next?"  Love to see her so excited about learning.  =)

This week we're focusing on B, the color blue, & circles.

Getting Organized

I'm still waiting on our materials to come in, so I'm just winging it right now. And, I have to admit, that this was one of the best Maddie days we've ever had! My oldest daughter had school and then went to her Nana's for the night, so it was just Maddie home all day today. We had so much fun. We did some structured learning with the letter B. We used a couple of handouts that my MIL had copied for me last year from a friend that use to homeschool. We colored, cut, & constructed a bear. We used the magnets (V-Tech & LeapFrog) with the B sounds. We also spent a lot of time working puzzles today. And, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that she knows the days of the week!! I have been teaching her the 7 Days of the Week song and when we sang it today, she knew it all herself. =) Also, tonight after dinner I asked her to tell her daddy what letter we worked on today and its sound - and she didn't hesitate to tell him (correctly). Proud mama! I'm really going to start working harder with her on colors. She can separate colors into proper groups. Half the time if I ask her to show me a particular color she can. But, when I ask her what color something is, she doesn't. She did, however, draw a circle & triangle today and called them the correct name. Baby steps!

We had some great one-on-one time with Maddie tonight when hubby came home. We sang, danced, played Memory, and puzzles. After dinner she helped mommy clean the kitchen. Such a big girl! We let her stay up a little later than usual and we snuggled in bed with her to read bedtime stories and sing lullabies. Since she did not take a nap today, it didn't take long for her to fall asleep without a fuss tonight.

So, it was a much needed rainy day today and we did not leave the house at all. Therefore, we spent a lot of time reorganizing and cleaning the basement in preparation for our new Tot School. It is a work in progress, but I'm going to post some pictures.

Large hallway leading to playroom used as storage for crafts, games, etc.

This is Maddie's new class area. We don't have all the materials yet, but this will be our work area.

A view of the playroom. I rearranged to try to make more "zones".  We have our class area, "housekeeping" area with kitchen & table, TV area, and a play area with toy storage & bookshelf.

Let the good times begin!

The picture is immediately following session 1 today. Notice all the lovely stamps on her arm. =)

My name is Kim and I am a stay at home mom to 2 3/4 year old, Maddie and brand new kindergartner, 5 year old Audrey. I guess you could say that I inconsistently "tot schooled" my eldest daughter without truly knowing what I was doing. Unfortunately, my youngest is suffering from the "second child syndrome" and I have not spent as much devoted structure learning time with her. I hadn't really thought about it until my friend, Allie, started posting about what her daughter was doing (our girls are the same age). I spent a few hours last night reading & researching and just decided to jump in head first today. I actually ordered the Hooked on Phonics from Amazon last night and am anxious to start with it. In the meantime, I'm just doing more structured learning times with Maddie. Today is seemed to turn more into a 2 hour craft session, but I was able to add in some skills like painting, cutting, and sorting of colors. I made a more conscience effort to include her in my day to day responsibilities like cleaning and cooking where she could participate. Also, instead of leaving an activity and moving right on to the next, we took the time to clean up and prepare for the next. What a novel idea, right? If I can get the basement cleaned, organized, and up to par - and we continue with this path, maybe it won't turn into the massive disaster that it was when we arrived this morning. Anyway, I have tons of ideas running through my head and can't seem to read enough on the subject. I'm looking forward to our Tot School Adventures ahead!  Feel free to check out http://1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com/ for more information on your own Tot School!