As we continue to work on new ways to practice letter sounds, I keep thinking about how important learning phonics can be to a beginning reader. They need all the extra review to make sure they can read letter sounds quickly. Otherwise, sounding out words becomes very challenging. So we will practice, practice, practice and…
Is anyone else having trouble getting their kids to concentrate already? We’ve hit this moment before where the excitement of the holidays makes school work impossible. I just don’t remember it happening so soon! I’m going to have to pull out all the stops with holiday themed work so we don’t lose ground in December! …
Did you ever throw a party when your child reaches a milestone? Like, a big milestone? Logi-Bear learned to read earlier this week and we told him we would throw a family party after he read his first book. He is so proud of himself. Now, when I say he learned to read I mean…
We have been working diligently on our spelling (translate that to, they want to write messages on signs in Minecraft and I refuse to help them spell words…so they must learn spelling) so I’ve been working on some activities to help push the spelling along. Make a Word activities are great because it’s really more…
It’s been years since we’ve had a Christmas Tree up, but this year we are getting one. I’m pretty excited, but not nearly as much as the boys. Of course, they don’t know yet that it’s going to be an educational experience. Muah haha! I see no reason why we cannot incorporate an amazing tree…
My kids like to throw things. Not just me, right? A lot of parents put their “throw-ey” kids in sports, but mine don’t like sports. They still want to throw things though. So I give them dice in school because it knocks out two problems. 1. They get to throw things and no one gets…
My kids have started asking for more of these simple math games! So of course I said yes! We end up only playing them a few days, but that’s perfect! They don’t get bored of them in the few times we play but they still get a lot of extra practice! I felt like a…
I don’t remember learning arrays as a kid. It’s one of those concepts that someone had to explain to me before I could teach it myself. I love arrays! First, what a great visual representation of multiplication. And it’s so orderly. Second, arrays make an excellent bridge between multiplication and area! And I think anything…
Have you ever been the mom of the kid who tells other kids that Santa isn’t real? Confession: We don’t do Santa in our house. It’s a long story but we just don’t do Santa. However, they do understand that others “do Santa” and we try to respect that. However, Baloo (10) also likes to…
Sometimes I like to pretend I’m a kid again. It helps relieve stress to just pretend like I have no responsibilities. I often picture myself as Will Ferrel in Elf. Because he was the epitome of an adult who never grew up. Actually, when my husband calls I often answer “Buddy the Elf, what’s your…
Gingerbread men seem to signal that Christmas is coming. They’re not fully Christmas but definitely part of the holiday season. They seem almost like a precursor to the holidays. First Thanksgiving, then Gingerbread men, then Christmas and Hanukkah. I honestly do not like Gingerbread at all to eat, but the smell is incredible. Cassie and…
I swell with pride for my husband whenever Veteran’s Day arrives. He’s really not that into having a day as he feels it was more his duty to serve than some amazing feat. Either way though, I’m proud. And I want my kids to be proud, too! So we try to do at least a…