C is for Caterpillar

This week we'll be talking a lot about Caterpillars. It starts with C, there are tons of crafts to do with them and lots of fun activities that reinforce the concepts we're focusing on this week.

This morning we talked about patterns. I told the girls that since they were SO smart and already knew ALL their colors we were going to start learning about patterns instead of single colors.

We talked about A-B or 1-2 patterns and made A-B caterpillar chains. They enjoyed using their new vocabulary and whenever they accidentally grabbed the wrong color they would correct themselves and talk about how that wasn't the right pattern. "Oops I tried to make an ABB pattern!"

Afterwards they went outside for a brownie and strawberry break. We'll probably run off to the library and pick up our books for the week today. I'm hoping the weather holds up and we can stop by the park for a picnic lunch after the library....I can't wait for summer!

More Homework...Yippeee!

I've been printing out worksheets for the girls to do during letter time and math time. I call it their "homework" and they are crazy excited to do it every time.

Three of the websites I use for "homework" also have worksheets for older kids. I thought I'd share the links for summer use or those times when the need for quiet meets the ability to prepare...I know it doesn't happen that often! :)

Learning Pages. This website is for members but the membership is free.

TLS Books. Completely free but they ask that if you use it regularly to consider a $1.00 donation.

Kid Zone. This site has a lot of activity sheets but also a bunch of coloring pages.

The other website I use is The Mailbox online extenders. It's an online resource for subscribers of The Mailbox magazine. It's really cool and has some free areas that are worth checking out.

R is for Rain

We made pet rain clouds. Since the girls were so into acting today I thought I would try to get them to 'pretend' it was raining while sitting under their clouds. It was hilarious to watch them try to actually "act." It was really more of an interpretive dance. This is the only picture I got of them both "acting" and not over-"acting" so much that it was just a blur. ^_^

T is for Thespians

My visiting teacher came over this morning so the girls decided to put on plays for us. The plays were triumphs of dramatic enterprise. They consisted of one of the girls coming out dressed up in some elaborate costume, announcing the other (Attention, Attention. Now presenting the Princess, Evil Witch, Prince With A Sock On His Shoulder, Fairy, Rock Star, etc etc), bowing with artistic flair and then running back into the room to change again. You can see what I mean by triumph...each act totally fulfilled all 6 of Aristotle's elements of drama: plot, theme, character, dialog, rhythm and lots and lots of spectacle. :-)

Here is a video of their final masterpiece.

It's SEVEN DEGREES! Oh..wait...it's SEVENTY GREES!

When Isaac and Sydney showed up this morning in shorts there was quite the uproar about the forecast for this afternoon. It was great to be able to listen in on 5 kids discussing the weather. They haven't quite got the jargon down yet but they know what it all means...it's gonna be a great day.

The girls ate their snack outside on the 'patio' this morning and they're sitting outside right now "unsweating" their feet with water. Apparently sweaty feet is a big problem with the under 6 set. I have to admit when it's 7 tea greeeze outside it's very very sweaty for my feet too.

Scout is still under the weather so I've been trying to keep her sitting still (when she moves around she sends herself into a coughing fit) but this weather isn't helping! Hopefully they'll be content to sit in the shade, enjoy the weather and relax. Yeah, right! :)