Rhyme Time

I continued to the next lesson from readinglessons.com today.  We listened to and sang Down by the Bay, paying close attention to the rhyming pairs.  We played a rhyming game from the Disney website, and another two rhyming games from the PBSkids website.  (Where they also have printout activities to go with the Cat in the Hat show!)  We used rhyming word cards to make our own verses to Down by the Bay, which the kids thought was hilarious.  We spent time all during the day listing all the words we could think of that rhymed.  When I asked them what rhymed with bay, they came up with tons of words.  We talked about how words are made up of several sounds, and that the ending sound is important in rhyming.  Onset and rime in teacher talk.  We matched pairs of rhyming cards and played games with them as well.  We also sang lots of songs that have rhymes, and read several nursery rhymes together.  Both kids noticed how often they use rhymes while watching the Cat in the Hat.

During our math time we focused on patterns.  I drew a simple two shape pattern, and they told me what came next.  Then I made a slightly more complicated pattern and they again had to continue it.  They were able to identify and continue many patterns, and of course this helps them identify shapes and colors too.  We talked again about shape attributes, and sorted some shapes.  We spent a lot more time on lesson stuff today, since it poured all day and we had to stay inside.  Again, our schedule worked really well, and we were all able to accomplish a lot today. 

We also talked about science.  On Sesame Street the episode was about the Happy Scientists, and they talked about hypothesis and investigation.  Now since we watch Dinosaur Train, the kids know what a hypothesis is, and were excited to see this somewhere else.  All day CJ has been making hypotheses and testing to see if he was right.  We also listened to their bug music.  A great cd we borrowed from the library, and then had to find since they loved it so much.  They know so much about animals, animal types, and science in general.  Rich and I are going to figure out a simple science experiment we can do with them some weekend.  In November, after all the amazing Walktober activities we are going to do.  This weekend we will visit one of the Farmer's Cow farms, and Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm.  The kids are excited to see the animals.  I am excited to get some turkey pot pies! 

Tomorrow we start some more intense work with individual letters.  I am really hoping to get CJ more interested in writing, since he is so interested in reading.  It still amazes me that he is able to read and spell so many words.  For math activities we are going to continue talk about patterns, and talk about sets.  Compare and contrast items in a set, and identify things that don't belong.  For example a square, a rectangle, a triangle and a rhombus.  The triangle doesn't fit, because it is the only shape that isn't a quadrilateral.  I am trying to teach them to describe and explain their thinking.  Metacognition is the most difficult part for most children, and adults.  It is not easy to think about your thinking, but is vital to lasting knowledge.  I have some printouts that go with the Down by the Bay song to help with this activity, as it requires the child to identify the part of the set that doesn't belong.  I will have them explain why it doesn't belong.  Later I will have them put some of their rhyme cards in sets.  There are several vehicles, animals, and other items that will be easy to sort.  I know we will be using those websites to do more literacy games as well.  The kids loved them and it helps teach computer literacy. 

So to recap, love the new routine, and it seems to be working for everyone, naps and bedtime have been smooth.  Meals have been handled easier, as is the no food anywhere but kitchen rule.  And the kids are less bored, so less cranky and whiny, which makes me happier and less stressed.  Continuing with the rhyme time theme I wrote a sappy little poem for my sweeties.  They are so empathetic, and always want to help people.  They are sweet to each other, and to people they don't know.  CJ and Eliza do not want to go trick or treating, because they want to be home to give away the candy.  They said it is their favorite part about Halloween.  We are bringing our extra tiny pumpkins from the garden to the senior center tomorrow, so that the seniors can enjoy them.  The kids are thoughtful in a way beyond their years, and we of course want to foster this, so any suggestions on age appropriate service projects would be greatly appreciated.

The kids are cute, adorable true,

and oh so clever and smart.

But my favorite thing about them is, 

the amazing breadth of their hearts. 

Every day they amaze us all

With all they learn and know.

And even more they show concern

For others as they grow.

I want them to be safe and well

and to be an amazing team.

And every day they show me up,

With kindness beyond my dreams.