Lovebug Lessons #2

Today's Book of Choice is none other than "From Head to Toe" by one of my favorite author/illustrators, Eric Carle.  When thinking of a book for either your own child or maybe a baby shower or birthday present, you just can't go wrong with Eric Carle.  In this particualr book, Carle begins from the head of a penguin and ends with the toe of a human. With each page, the reader learns of a movement that is characteristic of a certain animal, while being asked, "Can you do it?".  This book has easily become a favorite at the LoveShack, because it is one that JP has been able to memorize and now "reads" on his own.  He loves to imitate the movement each particular animal makes and beams with pride when he can say, "The End".  There are so many benefits of reading with your kids and providing a literature-rich environment for them.  Make sure you are taking a few minutes every day to nurture their love for reading. 

Lovebug Lessons

Well, I wasn't really sure what to call this post, but also didn't have time to really give it much thought, or it would never be posted.  "Lovebugs" was the name I gave to my students when I taught 1st grade at Bette Perot Elementary, so I thought it was fitting for this post.  This past week, I was approached with a job opportunity to enter the classroom, once again.  The particular position (K-4 or K-5) would have been at the church where JP and GG attend MDO twice a week.  While I was very honored to be considered, I turned it down.  I do miss so many things about teaching: the relationships with the students, parents, and coworkers, as well as the creativity that goes into it.  The main reason I decided against accepting the position, was my desire to spend as much time investing and teaching my own two children, while I can.  God has blessed us with the opportunity for me to stay home with John Parker and Georgia, and for that blessing, I'm so very grateful.  So, with all that being said, I've decided to try and post at least twice a month, different books that I'm using with JP in his beginning stages of reading.  I decided this as I was reading one of his new favorite books with him.  As I sat there listening to him retell the story, I thought, "Wow, if I were teaching, I could use this book to teach adjectives as well as self-confidence."  So, I then thought, "Why not give some ideas to my mommy friends out there who I know are reading with there kids and "homeschooling" them?"  Because, whether you are officially homeschooling or not, WE as parents should all be "homeschooling" any chance we get.  Now, if I could get someone to "homeschool" me on proper punctuation! 

 

Lovebug Lesson

 

 

Clumsy Crab by Ruth Galloway

 

Great to use when teaching/reviewing the following:

 

Phonics: cl, the 3 sounds of -ed

Grammar: adjectives

Social:  Self-confidence, being content with how God made you

 

Don't forget to use really good expression when reading with your kids!  No one likes a boring reader.

 

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, the excitement, and the mystery of the world we live in." --Rachel Carlson