Week 6

This months' focus areas:

- Scripture Story #1: Abraham & Isaac

- Scripture Story #2: Journey to the Promised Land
- Song of the month: Months of the Year song

This week's focus areas:

- Color of the Week: Purple

- Shape of the Week: Rectangle

- Letter of the Week: Ee

- Sound of the Week: /nd/ (as in band)

- Number of the Week: 5

- Book of the Week: "Harold and the Purple Crayon", C. Johnson

- Country of the Week: Egypt

- Animal of the Week: Elephant

- Spelling Words: can, fan, pan, ran, van

- Sight Words: but, not, what, all, were, we

MONDAY 
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, "E" worksheet
- Read: Book of the Week, sight words
- Animal (Special Focus): Elephant coloring page,
- Other:purple worksheet, "E" Maze
- Snack: Animal Crackers
 
TUESDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, "5" worksheet
- Read: Scripture Story #1, sight words
- Country (Special Focus): color map & flag, listen to Egyptian music
- Other: Pharaoh head dress, Egpyt maze worksheet, rectangle worksheet, "5" worksheet. sound matching worksheet
- Snack: pita chips, Egyptian food (kebabs) for dinner

WEDNESDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, "E" worksheet, sight words
- Read: Book of the Week, sight words
- Science Experiment (Special Focus):
- Other: sight word circles, purple worksheet, "E" cut & paste
- Snack: Rectangle snacks

THURSDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number,
- Read: Scripture story #1, sight words, "5" worksheet
- Craft (Special Focus): Decorate for Halloween
- Other: rectangle worksheet, "E seek & find
- Snack: Purple snacks

FRIDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, sight words
- Read: Bob Books, sight words
-  Movie (Special Focus): "Aladdin" or "Tarzan"
- Other:purple worksheet, addition worksheet, "5" worksheet
- Snack: Popcorn



How did we do?
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Week 5

This months' focus areas:

- Scripture Story #1: Abraham & Isaac

- Scripture Story #2: Journey to the Promised Land

- Song of the month: Months of the Year song

This week's focus areas:

- Color of the Week: Green

- Shape of the Week: Oval

- Letter of the Week: Dd

- Sound of the Week: /st/ (as in stand)

- Number of the Week: 4

- Book of the Week: "Go Away Big Green Monster", E. Emberley

- Country of the Week: Denmark

- Animal of the Week: Dingo

- Spelling Words: bag, wag, tag, rag, gag

- Sight Words: from, or, one, had, by, words

MONDAY 
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, "D" letter page
- Read: Book of the Week, sight words
- Animal (Special Focus): Dingo coloring page,
- Other: number worksheet, "D" maze, numbers & number words matching worksheet, play ABC memory game
- Snack: Animal Crackers
 
TUESDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, "4" number page
- Read: Scripture Story #2, sight words
- Country (Special Focus): color map & flag, China worksheet, listen to Danish music
- Other: "D" worksheet, "D" cut & paste, oval worksheet, "4" rocket worksheet, sight word circles, play ABC memory
- Snack: Danish butter cookies

WEDNESDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, "D" letter page, "4" number page
- Read: Book of the Week, sight words
- Science Experiment (Special Focus):
- Other: Green worksheet, "4" worksheet, "D" seek & find, "D" phonics coloring page, play sight word go fish
- Snack: "D" snacks

THURSDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number,
- Read: Scripture story #2, sight words
- Craft (Special Focus):
- Other: oval worksheet, number matching worksheet, word matching worksheet, green worksheet, ABC order worksheet
- Snack: Green snacks

FRIDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, sight words
- Read: Bob Books, sight words
-  Movie (Special Focus): "Rescuers Down Under"
- Other: Green maze, number matching worksheet, "D" phonics coloring page
- Snack: Popcorn



How did we do?
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Weeks 1-4 Recap

So, we made it through the first four weeks of preschool. I have learned a lot about how Evan learns, and what activities he likes, what keeps him motivated, etc. We still have a way to go, but we'll get there. The important thing is he likes preschool. He asks every day when it will be time for preschool, even on weekends. I think he relishes the one-on-one time with Mama. (With three brothers, he doesn't get much of that.) On my weekly plans I include a lot of worksheets, with no links. I get these from an assortment of workbooks I've collected over the years. Here is a list of some I use most often:

- My Kindergarten Learning Book

- Sesame Street Ready, Set, Preschool! Workbook  

- Fisher Price Preschool Learning Pads (there are more than just this one)

- Parents Magazine Skills for Kindergarten

- Giant Basic Skills Pre-K-K- 1 Reading Workbook

- Giant Basic Skills Pre-k-K-1 Phonics & Spelling Workbook
- Playskool Preschool Colors
- Playskool Preschool Shapes

The Dollar store is also a good resource for preschool workbooks. I think that is where I picked up the Fisher Price learning pads and Parents Magazine Kindergarten book once upon a time. I recently bought the Playskool books there and they are great. They also have coordinating letters & numbers books that I might go back for!  I really like the first book. Mine came with a CD so I could print off as many extra worksheets as I wanted (which is helpful since my oldest had already completed most of the pages in the book). It also has sections for learning the US states and countries around the world. Great book. I have also added a link list on the right-hand column of my Pinterest boards where I pin cool website for learning, fun activities, and food.

Here are some photos from the past month!

 The first day of school!

 Writing and coloring.

 Puzzles, learning apps, arts & crafts!

He's a bit of a nut, but he is having fun!

Week 4

This months' focus areas:

- Scripture Story #1: Noah & the Ark

- Scripture Story #2: Nephi & the Brass Plates
- Song of the month: Days of the Week song

This week's focus areas:

- Color of the Week: Orange

- Shape of the Week: Heart

- Letter of the Week: Cc

- Sound of the Week: /ow/ (as in flower)

- Number of the Week: 3

- Book of the Week: "Lon Po Po", E. Young

- Country of the Week: China

- Animal of the Week: Cat

- Spelling Words: cap, map, nap, tap, sap

- Sight Words: they, I, at, be, this, have

MONDAY 
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, "C" letter page
- Read:Book of the Week, sight words
- Animal (Special Focus): Cat coloring page, cat paper toy, paper plate cat face
- Other:number worksheet, "C" maze, heart pattern worksheet, number worksheet
- Snack: Animal Crackers
 
TUESDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, "C" letter page
- Read: Scripture Story #2, sight words
- Country (Special Focus): color map & flag, China worksheet, listen to Chinese music
- Other: Chinese dragon craft, number worksheet, "C" worksheet, Rio cutting practice
- Snack: fortune cookies (and Chinese food for dinner)

WEDNESDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, sight words
- Read: Book of the Week, sight words
- Science Experiment (Special Focus): balloon cars
- Other: heart pattern worksheet, sight word circles, number worksheet, "C" worksheet, play ABC memory game
- Snack: "C" snacks (carrots, cucumbers, crackers, cheese, cinnamon pickles)

THURSDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number,
- Read: Scripture story #2, sight words
- Craft (Special Focus): clay cats
- Other: big/small worksheet, number worksheet, "C" worksheet, "C" cut & paste, play sight words go fish, Toy Story same/different worksheet
- Snack: Goldfish snack mix

FRIDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, sight words
- Read: Bob Books, sight words
-  Movie (Special Focus): "Mulan"
- Other: number worksheet, word matching worksheet, big/small worksheet
- Snack: Popcorn



How did we do?
Check back for our experience!

Week 3

This months' focus areas:

- Scripture Story #1: Noah & the Ark

- Scripture Story #2: Nephi & the Brass Plates
- Song of the month: Days of the Week song

This week's focus areas:

- Color of the Week: Blue

- Shape of the Week: Triangle

- Letter of the Week: Bb

- Sound of the Week: /sh/ (as in shells)

- Number of the Week: 2

- Book of the Week: "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs", J. Scieszka

- Country of the Week: Brazil

- Animal of the Week: Baboon

- Spelling Words: bad, mad, pad, sad, lad

- Sight Words: for, on, are, as, with, his

MONDAY 
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, "B" letter page
- Read:Book of the Week, sight words
- Animal (Special Focus): Baboon coloring page, Baboon Mask, Baboon YouTube movie
- Other:number worksheet, "B" seek & find, sight word go fish game; Counting, sorting & patterns with counting bears
- Snack: Animal Crackers
 
TUESDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, sight words
- Read: Scripture Story #2, sight words
- Country (Special Focus): color map & flag, word search, listen to Brazilian music
- Other: Play ABC memory Game (letters A-E), balloon cut & paste worksheet, number order worksheet
- Snack: "Square" snacks

WEDNESDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, sight words
- Read: Book of the Week, sight words
- Science Experiment (Special Focus): Rain in a cup
- Other: Pattern worksheet, number worksheet, sight word go fish game
- Snack:

THURSDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, sight words
- Read: Scripture story #2, sight words
- Craft (Special Focus): seashell picture frame
- Other: "B" worksheet, number worksheet, sight word circles, ABC memory game
- Snack:"Blue" snacks

FRIDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, sight words
- Read: Bob Books, sight words
-  Movie (Special Focus): "The Lion King"
- Other: word match worksheet, number worksheet
- Snack: Popcorn


How did we do?
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Week 2

Sorry this is a couple of days late, everyone. I was finishing up a wedding cake this weekend and slacked on the preschooling.

This months' focus areas:

- Scripture Story #1: Noah & the Ark

- Scripture Story #2: Nephi & the Brass Plates
- Song of the month: Days of the Week song

This week's focus areas:

- Color of the Week: Yellow

- Shape of the Week: Square

- Letter of the Week: A

- Sound of the Week: /ee/ (as in tree)

- Number of the Week: 1

- Book of the Week: "Curious George", H.A. Rey

- Country of the Week: Australia

- Animal of the Week: Armadillo

- Spelling Words: cat, rat, sat, mat, hat

- Sight Words: is, you, that, in, he, was

MONDAY (Labor Day - No School!)
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number
- Read:Book of the Week, sight words
- Animal (Special Focus): Armadillo coloring page, Armadillo YouTube movie
- Other: Armadillo coloring page, "Square" worksheet, "1" tracing page
- Snack: Animal Crackers
 
TUESDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, spelling words
- Read: Scripture Story #1, sight words
- Country (Special Focus): color map & flag, Fuse Bead craft
- Other: Play ABC memory Game (letters A-E), "A" tracing page, /a/ sound worksheet, color matching worksheet, "square maze", "1" number recognition page, Noah's Ark craft
- Snack:

WEDNESDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, sight words
- Read: Book of the Week, sight words
- Science Experiment (Special Focus): Curious George Rockets
- Other: "A" coloring page, /a/ sound worksheet, Pattern worksheet, "1" castle coloring page, sight word circles, Toy Story Cutting Practice
- Snack:

THURSDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, spelling words
- Read:Scripture story #1, sight words
- Craft (Special Focus): Armadillo craft 
- Other: "a" coloring page, \a\ sound worksheet, shape worksheet, "one" number worksheet, sight word go fish
- Snack:

FRIDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, sight words
- Read: Book of the Week, sight words
-  Movie (Special Focus):"Curious George"
- Other: "ABC" coloring page,  \a\ sounds worksheet, color matching worksheet, Rio "same/different) worksheet
- Snack: Popcorn


How did we do?
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Week 1

And off we go! Here is my lesson plan (so far) for Week 1. (I am planning on running through Week 38 if you are curious.)  Next week I will blog a separate post to show how things went!
Note: These item are not set in stone, they are flexible. No four year old is going to want to do one thing for an extended amount of time. Arrange the activities to give your child variety in their school day - I will!

This months' focus areas:

- Scripture Story: Adam & Eve

- Song of the month: ABC song

This week's focus areas:

- Color of the Week: Red

- Shape of the Week: Circle

- Letter of the Week: Intro to the ABCs

- Sound of the Week: /ck/ (as in clock)

- Number of the Week: Intro to Numbers

- Book of the Week: "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie", L. Numeroff

- Country of the Week: USA

- Animal of the Week: Dog

- Spelling Words: am, an, as, at, ax

- Sight Words: the, of, and, a, to, in

MONDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter (ABC chart), number (Numbers 1-10)
- Read: Weekly Sight Words, Book of the Week
- Animal (Special Focus): Color Animal letter sheet, go for a walk with our dogs
- Other: 1st day of school crown
- Snack: Animals crackers
 
TUESDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, spelling words
- Read: Scripture Story, sight words
- Country (Special Focus): color flag & map, work on USA puzzle
- Other: paper plate clock craft (Sound of the week tie-in)
- Snack: "circle" snacks (Oreos, cherry tomatoes, round fruit snacks & Ritz crackers)

WEDNESDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, sight words
- Read: Book of the Week, sight words
- Science Experiment (Special Focus): Humming bird feeders (fill & hang)
- Other: Go to Library, Lorax Number Worksheet
- Snack: Lorax snack

THURSDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, spelling words
- Read:Scripture story, sight words
- Craft (Special Focus): Pre-K book
- Other: Dog pattern recognition, Sight word circles
- Snack: "red" snacks

FRIDAY
- First 6 + song of the month
- Writing: name, letter, number, sight words
- Read: Book of the Week, sight words
-  Movie (Special Focus): Cars
- Other: Dog number/number word matching
- Snack: Popcorn


How did we do?
Check back for our experience!

A Few things First...

Here are some basics I did before starting school. I think they will be helpful and keep us on track.

1. Bulletin Board: I made a bulletin board for our "First 6" time at the start of each class session. It has a calendar, weather chart, and small white boards (laminated squares) that tell our focus areas for that week/month, such as the color/shape of the week, etc. The calendar has velcro dots to make changing the calendar a little easier.

2. Planner: I bought a school-year planner from Target to schedule our school year. I went through the whole year in advance and wrote the following for each week on it's proper pages.

Letter of the Week

Book of the Week

Country of the Week

Weekly Spelling Words

Weekly Sight Words

Number of the Week

Sound of the Week

Color of the Week

Shape of the Week

Animal of the Week

Then in the "Notes" area at the beginning of each month I wrote our "First 6" routine, the monthly Scripture Stories and the Song of the month. I will also write in field trip plans for the month, if any. I am planning on filling in the weekly plans a couple of weeks before hand, in case something isn't working I won't have to white-out the entire remainder of the book!

3. Worked out a daily/weekly schedule. I worked out a general schedule for daily activities and weekly activities from a list of things I wanted to do with Evan in preschool. Every day we start with our "First 6" at our bulletin board. Here are the things we go over:

First 6

- Calendar/Weather (Add today's date on the calendar, count up to today's date, change the weather arrow)

- Color of the week/Shape of the week

- Number of the week

- Letter of the week/Sound of the week

- Animal of the week

- Country of the week

 This is meant to be a quick overview, not an in-depth discussion of any one thing. Feel welcome to change things as you feel the desire.

4. Supplies: Some supplies I have found helpful for setting up our preschool.

Laminator

Bulletin Board

Paper cutter (small)

White-out
File box
Bin for supplies

The PreSchool Experiment

My third son (we have four) is four this year. Both of his older brothers will be in school full-time, starting this coming Monday (August 27th). He was so excited to go to preschool this year, but we ran into a problem. The preschool at our local elementary school is great (both of our older boys went there), but out of our budget since they lost their Title One funding. It is the same for private preschools in our area - out of the budget. I checked with the local HeadStart preschool, but we don't qualify. So, what to do with my four-year old who is so excited about getting to go to school? The answer, for us, was to do it ourselves (by "ourselves" I mean me and him). So, this is our journey. Hopefully we can find things that work for us and that he enjoys, so he has fun learning. And if it is a success, he has a little brother who will get to do the program in a year or two!
Now for the disclaimer. I am not, nor ever have been, a school teacher. I have taught a Primary class before, but a 5-day a week teaching job will be new for me. Evan already knows his ABCs, numbers, colors, shapes, etc. So, the focus won't be so much on those. I am hoping to work on reading, writing, counting and spelling. I am also going to highlight a different animal, country, and book each week. There will be at least one craft project and science experiment each week, along with lots of coloring. We will focus on two different scripture stories each month, and have a monthly song and a movie & popcorn day every Friday. I am hoping to start after lunch, around 12, each day and be done before the older boys come home from school at 3 so they can all have their after school snack together. The schedule may change along the way, but hopefully I can post each week's plan in advance if you want to join us. I will try to post all of my sources as well.
Come along on our Preschool Experiment!