Counting with Dot Painters

Arielle (mommy):

I created a simple counting page for Lil to use her dot painters on to show objects for numbers to 10.  I cut out brown construction paper to represent baskets, then wrote numbers 1-10 on them, and had her use the red daubers to add the correct number of "apples" to each basket.  This would also be cute with tree instead of baskets.  I really love having Lil use the dot painters for different math activities like this and the options are endless.  

Fall: Leaf Crayon Rubbings

Cynthia(Nanny):
Using the leaves we collected, we observed them and talked about how they felt and looked. Then, I modeled how to make a crayon rubbing. The girls had some trouble using the right amount of pressure and coloring in a single direction. Right now, they're still in the scribbling stage of coloring, so I had to realize their crayon rubbing wouldn't be as clear. Still, they had fun trying to see part of the leaf, especially the stem, show up on their paper.

Fall: Leaf Art

Cynthia(Nanny): Today we a tree with fall leaves using the girls hand and finger prints.

Fall: L is for leaves

Cynthia (Nanny):
Today I cut out leaves out of construction paper. I googled leaf templates to get an idea of how to draw the shapes. Then I gave the girls an outline of an L and had  them cover the space with fall leaves.

Fall: Leaves are...

Cynthia(Nanny):
After our leaf hunt we observed the leaves and then I asked the girls to describe the leaves using their 5 senses. Here is what they said.

Teacher Guru Spotlight: Ella Mae Woodlief

Cynthia thanks a special high school teacher.

When I was a junior and senior in high school I was blessed to have been a student of Ella Mae Woodlief. She was my Early Childhood Education teacher and FHA sponsor at Judson High School. Mrs. Woodlief was a wonderfully caring person who was there for me just as a parent would be.

What I'm most grateful for was the way she took an active role in helping me apply for colleges and find scholarships and grants I might be eligible for. My Dad had passed suddenly a couple years prior and my mom was now working longer hours to provide for my sister and I,  so I was going to need all the help I could get to continue on to a university. Mrs.Woodlief really helped make that process less scary and not become a lost dream.

I also remember her always staying late after school to offer her students extra time in her room to use her projection machine (yes, projection machine. Old school.) and other supplies to finish school projects. This was a class geared to teaching future teachers so we were always creating bulletin board materials, student games, and activities for the elementary classrooms we would visit.

Unfortunately,  I only kept in touch with her for about a year or so into college.  I wish I would have done more to touch base with her from time to time and let her know just how appreciative I was for everything she was to me.  A teacher,  a guidance counselor,  a listener,  but mostly someone who truly cared about me.

During the planning of this project I began searching public records for her,  but haven't located her yet. Wherever she is,  I hope she knows this kid really admires her. I hope to follow her lead and be a light for someone who needs that push to keep going and realize nothing is impossible.

Fall: Leaf Hunt

Cynthia (Nanny):
Today we began our Fall leaf unit by going on a leaf hunt outside. The twins each had a bag to put their leaves in.  They had fun running to find leaves and chasing butterflies along the way.  While we were searching for the leaves Big Sister found a wildflower and wanted to add it to her bag.  Even though we were looking for tree leaves I praised her for knowing that flowers have leaves too. Sometimes, kids will say or do something that you wouldn't expect and really show just how much their minds are always connecting and learning.  Just go with it.  ;)

We're Potty Training!

Cynthia (Nanny):
We've entered the wonderful world of potty training. Potty songs, a candy jar, Disney princess pull ups. We're trying it all! Big Sister is beginning to get the hang of it, while Little Sister is not quite ready yet.
What are your potty training secrets to success?

Teacher GURU spotlight: Frank Youngman

Over twenty years ago (wow!) I was a shy fifth grader in a small town in Michigan called Lake City.  I hit the elementary school jackpot when I was assigned my teacher for the year: Mr. Youngman.  

He was such a dynamic and exciting teacher!  He taught us through music daily as he sang with his guitar.  He made novels come alive as he read to us when we had a free moment. In his class we did amazing projects like paper cutting, during which we used small razors to cut pictures into construction paper.  I remember making elaborate puppets using hot glue, and needles and thread.  When I think back on those days not only do I think "wow, times have really changed," but I realize how much faith he had in our abilities as ten year olds.  Nobody cut themselves or injured a classmate, but everyone did create some things they were really proud of.  

I admire Mr. Youngman because he loves teaching and kids.  As my fifth grade teacher, he never raised his voice, and had such a kind, fun, and creative spirit.  He didn't place his students in boxes or put limitations on us.  

As a former teacher and mom I have used a lot of what Mr. Youngman taught me.  Because of my time in his class, I'm a better teacher. I've tried to let my students and children shine by helping them discover their God given talents just as he did.

It was a great joy to be in his class.  I know Mr. Youngman has inspired thousands of kids in Lake City throughout his career and I am thrilled to have him as our first Teacher Guru Spotlight recipient.

I happened to find my fifth grade yearbook.  I think it's fitting that even then I wrote "best teacher" above his photo.  Embarrassing shot of my ten year old self who felt the need to circle my own picture.

About a year ago I found Mr. Youngman on Facebook.  We are now FB friends, so I told him about the teacher spotlight and asked him to send me an update.

From Mr. Youngman:  I'm now the band director for Lake City. I kinda came in the back door on this one. I do love it, and have a hard time picturing myself in a regular classroom anymore with what's happening in Education these days. It would be hard to do many of the activities which you describe and I think are so valuable for kids. They don't call them standardized tests for nothing.  I've yet to find a standard kid.

Teacher GURU spotlight

MommyNannyGuru is excited to announce our Teacher Spotlight section of our blogging project in which we will take a moment recognize and thank teachers who have inspired us in some way. Everyone needs a pat on the back every now and again, right? Sometimes the nicest thing you can do for someone is to let them know they're appreciated!

Do you have a teacher you'd like to thank?

Send us a few words thanking a special teacher in your life. It can be your child's teacher, your own former teacher, or a colleague. A picture would be wonderful if you have it. You can be as detailed or as short and sweet as you want. 

Send all your entries to whatdidyoudoallday@gmail.com 

"To teach is to touch a life forever." - Unknown

Free Art Friday: Paper Towel "Painting"

Arielle (mommy):  Today I was excited to try an activity with Lil and O that Cynthia told me about.  She told me to have the kids draw on paper towels with marker, then use medicine droppers with water to make the marker bleed.  I knew both of my kids would love this and be able to do it.

Unfortunately O was asleep and still is so I'll have to try it with him later, but Lil had a lot of fun!  I think it is a really pretty effect!  I can't wait to try it with O, but I'm not about to wake him up! :)

Fall: Pumpkin life Cycle

Arielle (mommy):

Today we got scientific with pumpkins.  We watched a short youtube video about how pumpkins grow, and then we created a fun craft about the life cycle of pumpkins.

To prep:

I folded 1 peice of orange construction paper in half, then cut it into a pumpkin shap, leaving the fold in tact.  I wrote "Pumpkin Life Cycle" on the pocket.

I cut one side of the pumpkin in half and glued down the side to create a pocket.

I cut out a small green rectangle and glued it behind my pumpkin pocket.

I cut a 2 foot long peice of yarn and added tape to one end, the other end I taped inside the pocket of the pumpkin.

I cut out 6 white construction paper circles and punched holes to the top and bottom of each one.

With Lil:

After discussing how a pumpkin grows we went step by step, I asked her what you first plant in the ground, she said "seed" and then I had her draw a seed on one circle.  Then I wrote the word on it.  We went step by step that way until we got to our last step (ripe pumpkin) and she drew an orange pumpkin.  After she drew all the pictures and I labeled them, I had her place the steps in order.  Then she wrote numbers 1-6 on the circular cards.  After that it was time to thread the cards onto the "vine."  We placed a peice of tape in the yarn behind each circle to hold it in place.  

This activity was really great because it pretty much hit all the "instructional" areas. 

Fine motor: threading the yarn, putting on tape

Sequencing: putting the steps in order

Science: learning how a pumpkin grows

Numbers: labeling the cards with numbers

Early literacy: labeling the cards whit words

Art: drawing each stage

Fall: 3D Thankful Pumpkin

Arielle (Mommy):

Everyday on Facebook I have been noticing my friends posting day by day what they are thankful for.  Today we began thinking about Thanksgiving at our house as we continued our pumpkin theme.

First I cut orange strips out of construction paper (the long way).  Then Lil and I talked about Thanksgiving and being thankful.  I asked her to name things she was thankful for, and as she did, I wrote each thing on a strip of paper (Jesus, God, Mommy, Daddy, O, our dog Charlie, and dolls).  Next we layered the strips in a star formation on top of eachother, then we folded them so they all met at the top.  We taped the top from the inside and the outside, then added a green circle to hide th tape.  To make a stem, I rolled a green strip of paper up, then cut and folded the bottom so it had a base I could glue it to.  Next I cut out a vine and wrote "I am thankful for..."

ABC Photo Book (and the second child effect)

Arielle (mommy):

When I was a little girl I loved looking through my baby album.  Sure it only had a few pages filled out, but I enjoyed it all the same.  Sometimes I did wonder why my baby book had fewer pages filled out than my older sister's, and my mom always said it was harder to find time to do things like that with two kids than with one.  This made sense then, but now that I have two of my own I truely get it.  When I talk to my other mom friends this seems to be he case with them too.  We joke that with the first child you want everything to be perfect and with the second you are just easier to please.  

My point is not a pity party for the second born.  Subsequent children have the benefit of more easy going, experienced parents, and have someone to play with from the second they arrive on earth.  What I have decided personally though is that there are some things I did with Lil that I want to make sure I do with O too.  He may not grow up to relish looking through his baby book, but I know as he grows, I will enjoy looking back.

One thing I did with Lil when she was O's age was create a personalized ABC book with her featuring her posing with all of her favorite things from A-Z.  Not only is it a great memory book of that stage in her life, but it is also a great tool for teaching her letters and helps with speech.

To make the book I gathered pictures of Lil with family members, and then took pictures of her posing with her favorite objects.  I used some pictures we already had (some of her younger months) also.

I found a Groupon for a photo book from a company like Vistaprint or Picassa, and created the book on my computer.  Because of the Groupon, the total cost was under $20.

Today I'm going to start taking photos of O and his favorite things to create an ABC book for him.  I need everyone to keep me honest, I will post it here by 2014.  I'd love for others to accept this challenge with me and share your results!

Toddler Talk

Arielle (mommy):

Very few things make me feel more helpless than when O is frustrated, crying, pointing, trying to tell me something, and I just can't understand what he's trying to say!  At 22 months his vocabulary is growing and he's working on learning to use it to get his needs met.  

Today O's therapist came over to work with him on speech.  He doesn't necessarily have an issue with speech, but he has a diagnosis of "failure to thrive" which qualifies him for occupational therapy (to help with eating) and speech is related to all of that.  Basically the therapists visit him and help make sure he is on track in all areas developmentally.  

I thought it might be helpful to share some of the ideas and information I learned about speech today (and during my 8 years as a teacher) for 1-3 year olds.  

*For the first three years use the rule of thumb a word per year.  1 year olds say one word at a time, 2 year olds say 2 word phrases, 3 year olds use three word phrases.

*By two, children can be expected to say 50 words.

*If your child has certain object words he or she is comfortable with, model adding one word on.  Ex.  O is comfortable saying "ball", so I can model saying "yellow ball" or "small ball" or "my ball."

*Look at books with real life pictures of objects to help build your toddler's vocabulary.  We used Pompoms and had O place them on different pictures and repeat the word after us.  Ex. "Put the pompom on the nose.  Say nose."

*Give your child foods to eat with a variety of textures in order to strengthen different muscles in the mouth..

*Help your little one use an electric toothbrush when brushing teeth.  This can help by stimulating the oral muscles.

*Discontinue pacifier use by 6 months.

*Switch from a bottle to sippy cup by one.  Better yet, have your child use a regular cup.  Also give opportunities to use a straw as well.

*Take pictures of objects around the house to make photo cards to use for naming familiar objects.

*Say words correctly and annunciate the sounds.

*Let your little one explore orally by blowing bubbles, blowing feathers across a table, blowing paint across a paper, and blowing bubbles into water through a straw.

I think the important thing to remember with speech and other milestones is not to get too hung up on what kids should be doing and when.  They really grow at the pace God wants them to.

I'm looking forward to hearing ideas that have worked for others to get their toddlers talking!

Fall: Comparing and Contrasting Apples and Pumpkins

Cynthia(Nanny):
Today we created a modified Venn Diagram to review what we've learned about apples and pumpkins.
The twins did a really great job being able to place the description cards in the correct box. 

Guru Moment: When I asked them about where they grow little sister said "in a garden" then big sister added, "like a pumpkin patch!" I loved how they were able to recall their real life experience when we picked pumpkins at a pumpkin patch. Hands on/real life experiences make learning so much more fun and they remember so much better than just being told.

Arielle (Mommy):

Today I was inspired by Cynthia's comparison of apples and pumpkins with the girls to do the same with Lil while I was napping.  We created a traditional Venn Diagram with facts about pumpkins and apples.  After that was complete, we created a book, and lil used the Venn diagram as a word bank to fill in the blank spaces I provided her.  Then she illustrated each page.  This was a great opportunity to learn about the properties of matter, review the 5 senses, and discuss how things grow.  Lil added the book to her browsing box.