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A Learning Lifestyle
A Learning Lifestyle
My preschoolers are officially not preschoolers any more. As we step into Kindergarten and 2nd grade, and as a family new to "officially" homeschooling, I recently bought writing curriculum from BraveWriter and breathed a huge sigh of relief.
The guidance offered essentially advocates for 1) focusing on creating an environment filled with books, music, and experiences; and, 2) a language-rich lifestyle - one where you listen to your child, respond thoughtfully, and pursue ideas together. (This builds on what we know about how preschoolers learn, too. ) She, of course, weaves writing lessons into the day and provides structure so parents don't have to come up with everything on their own. (Whew!)
Books, Music, and Experiences
Books, Music, and Experiences
Despite being regulars at the library, I often find myself scouring the catalog and shelves for books that might work to answer my child's question or delve deeper into the subject du jour. It is no wonder why lists are some of the most popular blogs in the world. You know the ones: "101 Books to Read Before Kindergarten," "10+ Children's Books to Inspire Kindness," and my own "24 Books for Preschool Engineers."
A Smaller, More Approachable List
A Smaller, More Approachable List
The problem is that sometimes we want a smaller, more approachable list. One with fewer books that includes other things. I just want a few good books, a CD, and a video, perhaps a toy. Something like a thoughtful little themed basket.
Invitation to Learn
Invitation to Learn
It is in the spirit of having a small sampling of one topic that I am writing Invitations to Learn. Each invitation grows from our homeschool life and is a pint-sized unit of study for the DIY crowd. With this list, I am inviting you to learn alongside your child and giving you a small amount of guidance for creating a rich learning environment in your home or school.
Read a book one day; listen to an audiobook another day; watch a movie a different day; go on a field trip a different day. By offering one great thing at a time, you are inviting your child to learn with you and enjoy learning with you! Over time you and your child will consider the topic in several different ways, using different materials, have different but related conversations about it, and you will grow your knowledge in wonderfully robust ways.
INVITATION TO LEARN EASY READERS
INVITATION TO LEARN EASY READERS
The BOB books are award winning, go-to suggestions for many early readers. My kiddos never cared for them much and so I let them go and kept my eyes peeled for other great books for early readers. Thankfully, the Theodore Seuss Geisel Award is a good place to start. It is an award given to distinguished books for beginning readers. But our local librarian guided us to books not on the list and every single one of them has been enjoyed in our house.
This is my family's list of books for beginning readers that are better than BOB...
https://louisville.flatironslibrary.org/MyAccount/MyList/16350
2013 Recipient of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award!
Three side-splitting stories in one great picture book!
In three laugh-out-loud situations, an irresistible cast of colorful birds illustrate the concepts of "up," "tall" and "high." First, a short peacock proves that he may not be tall, but he definitely isn't small. Then, a resourceful bird helps his penguin friend find a way to fly. Finally, two birds want to live in the same tree, but what goes up must come down! Each short story features a flap that reveals a surprise twist.
With fun fold-outs, easy-to-read text, and a hilarious cast of characters, these stories beg preschoolers and emerging readers to act them out again and again.
- Age Range: 3 - 7 years
- Grade Level: Preschool - 2
- Hardcover: 40 pages
Note from Julie: We might want to check out Long's book that looks similar to this called "In, Over and On the Farm."
Embark on a reading adventure with the adorable and imaginative Clara and Clem!
When Clara and Clem build a car out of blocks, they have no idea where it will take them. But with a little imagination, the two take the trip of a lifetime down winding roads, up tall mountains, and across the sky. This Level 1 reader is beautifully simple and sweet--and available in both hardcover and paperback!
- Age Range: 5 - 6 years
- Grade Level: Kindergarten - 1
- Series: Penguin Young Readers, Level 1
- Paperback: 32 pages
Note from Julie: We really enjoy all the Clem and Clara books.
Two fuzzy creatures both want to sit in the same comfy chair. The trouble is, they can’t agree who it belongs to. They get madder and madder, until…
With expressive illustrations and simple text, this giggle-inducing tale about (not) sharing and (not) being a good friend features the endearing characters from Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small.
- Age Range: 3 - 7 years
- Grade Level: Preschool - 2nd
- Lexile Measure: 20 (What's this?)
- Hardcover: 32 pages
Note from Julie: There are three books featuring these two characters and they are all wonderful. We've put her other books on hold at the library and trust that they will be equally readable and enjoyable.
Gerald is careful. Piggie is not.
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.
Gerald and Piggie are best friends.
In Let's Go for a Drive! Gerald and Piggie want to hit the road! But the best-laid plans of pigs and elephants often go awry.
- Age Range: 4 - 8 years
- Grade Level: Preschool - Kindergarten
- Lexile Measure: 240L (What's this?)
- Series: An Elephant and Piggie Book
- Hardcover: 64 pages
Note from Julie: There are a gazillion "Elephant and Piggie" books and thank goodness! They are easy to read and super silly. My kids can't get enough!
First the Egg by Laura Vaccarro Seeger
First the Egg by Laura Vaccarro Seeger
WHICH CAME FIRST? The chicken or the egg? Simple die-cuts magically present transformation-- from seed to flower, tadpole to frog, caterpillar to butterfly.
The acclaimed author of Black? White! Day? Night! and Lemons Are Not Red gives an entirely fresh and memorable presentation to the concepts of transformation and creatiity. Seed becomes flower, paint becomes picture, word becomes story--and the commonplace becomes extraordinary as children look through and turn the pages of this novel and winning book.
First the Egg by bestselling author and illustrator Laura Vaccaro Seeger is a 2008 Caldecott Honor Book and a 2007 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year. This title has Common Core connections.
- Age Range: 2 - 6 years
- Grade Level: Preschool - 1
- Hardcover: 32 pages
Note from Julie: Laura Vaccaro Seeger has a lot of books worth checking out. As early readers my children also enjoyed "Lemons are not red" and "I used to be afraid."
Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
Bug! Rug! Mug! Hug! These dust bunnies love to rhyme. Well, except for Bob. Much to the other bunnies’ frustration, Bob can never get the rhythm right. Then he saves everyone from a big, scary monster wielding—gasp!—a broom, and they all breathe a sigh of relief. But can Bob save them from the big, scary monster’s next attack? Vrrrrrroooommm . . .
- Age Range: 3 - 8 years
- Grade Level: Preschool - 3
- Lexile Measure: 180L (What's this?)
- Hardcover: 40 pages
Sight Words
Sight Words
I've never been one for flashcards but I think my kids might be ready to play around with them. So I was very excited to discover the SightWords.com website. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they provide explanations and history associated with three different lists of sight words! They offer explanations of Dolch, Fry, and Top 150 Written sight words.
The free PDFs of flashcards will be keeping us busy for years to come.
When she writes, Julie draws from both her formal education (MSE Electrical Engineering, MA Curriculum and Instruction - Science) and her informal education in Early Childhood Education and Special Needs Parenting that arose when she became a mother and shortly thereafter a blogger. Julie’s blog, Preschool Engineering, is where she advocates for children (and adults) as playful, independent Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math learners. Her experience and interests are a natural fit for her work Free-Learning in Colorado. Julie lives in Superior, CO with her husband of 16 years and their two children. In her spare time she reads, hikes, and practices kundalini yoga.
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