This week marks my first week off from school and I love sleeping in and spending time with my Beau man! It is so rewarding. I never feel rushed or frustrated with him, like I did when I was working. I mean, who could resist this face?!?!
I am also watching a friend's kids, two year old Hazel and a six year old Zeke. This works out great because it keeps Beau entertained throughout the day and I can earn some extra spending money. But... I can only let them play for so long before they get bored of just, well, playing. So, I decided this summer I would teach Beau his letters, colors and numbers.
This week we learned about the letter M and the color red. I started off by reading Frog Street's big book "Marvin the Monkey." Someone was giving away an almost whole set of these books at my previous school so I snatched them! You could also read "Goodnight Moon" and have them find the mouse on every page.
After we read the book, we did the interactive phonics lesson on Mm on More Starfall. If you don't have an account with them, you need to get one, like yesterday.
Then we danced a little dance to the Mm song on ABC Mouse. Don't have a subscription? Catch it on You Tube for free.
We used red play doh to make the letter M. Then we played with it while trying not to eat it. The struggle is real people.
Using red crayons we colored a M worksheet. (I got it from More Starfall. Like I said, subscription... yesterday.) This was right before nap time, and well, I should've known better.
Another activity we did was making a glitter M. I drew a block letter Mm on a half piece of red cardstock. We used our pointer finger to rub glue on it, which for a two year old is very exciting. Then we sprinkled glitter on it! It was a little messy but nothing a vacuum couldn't handle.
Great art work for the fridge!
On Friday we went over to a local farm (I buy raw milk and un processed meat there) and the kids got to see a baby cow! It had just been born that day. So, of course, I asked them... what does a cow say?
On Monday we finished off the letter Mm by reading "Marvin the Monkey" one more time and making a monkey. I drew a template free handed.
They showed me where their finger was and I let them use that finger to spread their glue around.
Then, with plain brown construction paper ripped up, I let the kids put one piece on their monkey at a time. Hazel did great with this, Beau did not quite get the 'only one piece' concept.
This kid will do anything for a lollipop.
Here is the finished product:
I encourage you to do this at home with your little ones. You can use the materials you already have at your house to make fun, educational activities!
