BrainPop

This is worth exploring, BrainPop is an animated educational site for kids. It features Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts and Music, Health and Technology.

I learned something by testing it out: today is Thesaurus Day. So happy Thesaurus Day! I even watched (part) of a video about what a dictionary is, how to find words in a dictionary, what some of the symbols mean in a dictionary and it goes on to explain a thesaurus. I can't wait to get Sterling on this site:)

I found out from watching the tour on BrainPop that you do have to subscribe to access all the movies and resources to their site (which looks like for the Family service it's $80/yr for the original BrainPop and $160/yr for BrainPop, BrainPop Jr. and BrainPop Espanol).

What we'll probably do is check for the free movie they rotate out every day (like today's one on dictionaries and thesauruses). Plus, I signed up for a free trial (which is a five day trial). I wish the whole site was free all the time--it looks really cool:)

A link to more links

Ha! If that isn't a title! I found Homeworkspot today that is essentially a resource for finding free K-12 sites for different subjects (math, fine arts, English, etc).

Create Your Own Handwriting Worksheets

For free! I love this one because you can choose the size, set it to repeat, put in a word, a paragraph, etc.
I actually picked the "paragraph" setting and typed in a couple of our scripture mastery verses and printed them up to take to church on Sunday to give Sterling an acceptable quiet activity for sitting on the pew!

Here's the link: Handwriting Worksheets

Preschool Fun

This blog looks like it might have some fun preschool activities to do with your child: I Can Teach My Child.

Art Links

Purging my bookmark menu . . continued!
These are projects I WANT to do with my boys.
Maybe you'll beat me to them! Let me know if you try any or are interested in any--maybe we can plan an art play date.

Art Links
Camp Creek Blog
Glue Prints
Yarn Friendship Bracelet
Finger-painted Silhouettes
Pump Action Squirt Painting
Jam Jar Lanterns
Mosaics with Children
Art Cards Memory Game
Winter Tree

Sight Words BINGO

Today I have planned to play a quick game of "sight words BINGO" with the older two boys. I'm sure there are sets out there or you could make a little set pretty easily (if you do, make sure to share:) but here's what we do:

1. I write "sight" words on post-it note size pieces of paper. I made two sets because I have two players. Then I wrote all the words onto slips of paper to draw from while we play. So, I'd write "the" on two papers, "I" on two papers, "it" on two papers, etc. I put each set in a ziploc baggie.
2. I give each boy his baggie and have him form a grid, 3 words by 3 words (nine in all). Nine seems to be a good number for beginners! We have more than nine words, so they get to choose each round if they would like to move their words or exchange them for different words. Gotta keep it interesting!
3. We use whatever is handy as markers for our game (pennies, cheerios, cut up pieces of construction paper) and I draw a word, read it and let them look for it and mark it. Three in a row wins.

Easy, cheesy! The boys love it and ask to play. Plus, this way, I can add harder words in as they get more proficient at reading. (We have an older cousin who was shirtless at some family function and the boys asked him why, he said, "Shirts are for jerks". He doesn't even remember saying that but that seemed to put walking around shirtless into motion at our house. Not so much, thankfully, now that it's colder outside:)