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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 SPIDERS
INVITATION TO LEARN SPIDERS
I have found some of these at the library or for free online. For your convenience, I will also include affiliate links to Amazon when available.
For the full Amazon list click here: Amazon Wishlist "Invitation to Learn Spiders."
Our whole study of spiders began with autumn activities from The Artful Year. Using yarn and glue, we made stiff spider webs (click here for a web-based description). Using pipe cleaners, puff balls, and a hot glue gun we made spiders for those webs. There are endless ideas for interesting spider and web-inspired activities here... I always opt for things the kids can do themselves and independently.
Then we hit to library for some books and found these beauties!
Early one morning a little spider spins her web on a fence post. One by one, the animals of the nearby farm try to distract her, yet the busy little spider keeps diligently at her work. When she is done, she is able to show everyone that not only is her creation quite beautiful, it is also quite useful!
This multi-sensory book allows children to feel the pictures as well as see them. And with its rhythmic text, The Very Busy Spider becomes an experience to touch, to see, and to hear.
- Age Range: 3 and up
- Lexile Measure: 130L (What's this?)
- Board book: 32 pages
One day a spider appeared on the window ledge outside the glass. Right away she began to spin a web.
Thus begins an inspiring true story―a story of an expectant mother who develops an unexpected relationship with the spider that makes a home outside her window. As the summer and the mother's pregnancy progress, the spider is beginning its own circle of life. From its first graceful web, to its creation of a delicate egg sac, the spider lives through the fall season, and what should be the end of its life. But by a small miracle of nature, the orb weaver endures the snow and the winter, and stays with her eggs until spring.
This gentle story with strikingly detailed illustrations reveals the exceptional magic in the everyday world, and how it can touch our lives. The parallel stories of the human mother and the spider show how stopping to observe nature can allow you to witness everyday miracles. Additional in-depth information on spiders is included in an afterword.
- Age Range: 4 - 8 years
- Hardcover: 32 pages
Find out all about the many kinds of webs spiders spin in this level 2 Let′s Read and Find Out.
How do spiders spin such large webs? Spiders produce a unique silk that can stretch from wall to wall, or between the legs of a chair. In this book, featuring remarkably realistic artwork by S.D. Schindler, you will learn about the silk spiders produce, the webs they spin, and the prey they capture. You will even learn how to make a web of your own!
- Age Range: 4 - 8 years
- Grade Level: Kindergarten - 4
- Series: Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2
- Paperback: 40 pages
The physical characteristics, behavior and habitats of different kinds.
- Age Range: 5 - 8 years
- Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3
- Lexile Measure: 580 (What's this?)
- Paperback: 32 pages
Darlyne Murawski photographed spiders & their webs for National Geographic. Her dazzling pictures & lively narrative will show you spider webs as you ve never seen them before. You ll meet spiders that trick bees by making flower-like patterns in their webs & others that toss their webs like nets or use them like slingshots. There s a tiny Hawaiian spider that flings strands of silk with its hind legs to 'lasso' a meal, & a spider that uses its web to make an air-bubble house -- underwater! But that s not all. You ll learn how to make invisible webs visible, about other ways spiders use their silk, & what it takes to be a National Geographic photographer. Full-color photos.
- Hardcover: 31 pages
This beloved book by E. B. White, author of Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan, is a classic of children's literature that is "just about perfect."
Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.
E. B. White's Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.
3 hours 29 minutes
Note: We listened to the Audiobook recording of this book.
Ideal for little ones ages 3-8, Mighty Wolf is a music CD that is both educational and entertaining. Cheerful songs jubilantly performed by Jeff & Paige teach young children about insect migration, adaptations of arctic wildlife, lightning safety, ladybug ecology, spider anatomy, the Appalachian trail, and much more. Parents and caretakers will also enjoy these lilting, musical appreciations of the magnificent wonders of nature and science! Highly recommended. - James Cox, Midwest Book Review
From PBS KIDS: They're back - and they're saving the planet with Creature Power! Animal adventurers Chris and Martin Kratt are back in action with a new volume of Wild Kratts, a fun and fact-packed series on PBS KIDS!
Rated TV-Y.
Synopsis:
From PBS KIDS: When the creature adventuring Kratt Brothers take a nasty tumble, the Wild Kratts sets off on a mission to find and recreate one of the greatest of all biotech engineering secrets. Spider silk.
Climb aboard the Magic School Bus with Ms. Frizzle and her class for a wild ride - certified - as they learn about science first-hand in this Emmy-winning science-adventure animated series based on the best-selling Scholastic books. The Bus changes size and shape to bring the class everywhere from inside a cell to outside Earth's atmosphere. Seatbelts everyone!
Rated TV-Y.
Synopsis: Ms. Frizzle transports the class into a 1950s horror movie, where a 50-foot praying mantis is wrecking havoc on the town.
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! follows the adventures 6-year-old best friends, Sally and Nick, as they are whisked off on extraordinary voyages of scientific discovery with the Cat in the Hat.
Rated TV-Y.
Synopsis:
Nick and Sally's soccer goal has a hole in it. The Cat takes them to see Mabel the spider who teaches how she spins webs and fixes holes.
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