The Teacher In Me ~ Keeping the Learning Going

I'll admit it, when it comes to learning, I let go in the summer.  As a teacher by trade,  I know I should encourage my kids to keep their skills up so there isn't so much loss in the summer, but I'm just so exhausted from the school year, that the last thing I want to do is fight with my kids to do work.  So I slack off.  I'm such a bad mommy & teacher....

Not this year!  It's a summer goal of mine to keep the learning going.   
  


Reading:

This is an easy one.  Pick up a book and read.  

I base the time of reading around The Nag.  However long it takes him to read a chapter, that's how long Little Ricky needs to read.  (Not to mention that Little Ricky is like his mommy, once he starts reading, he doesn't want to put it down.)  

We recently cleaned out our home library.  We donated a bunch of books that the kids have outgrown to our school and to cousins.  Now, we have tons of chapter books left for summer reading.  Right now, the boys are working on The Magic Tree House series.  We also have plans to make it to the public library.  


Math:

The boys' teachers sent home Summer Math Packets for the kids.  They are essentially the math worksheets that the class didn't finish during the school year, so it's a nice bridge to the learning that will take place next year.   I have them work on 2-3 pages every few days. 

My husband also likes to ask them "hard" math facts (addition, subtraction, and multiplication) while we are in the car or eating a meal, so they can work on their recall.  Sometimes, if we are at a restaurant, we make up math problems for them on their "kiddie menus" for them to solve. 




Writing:

Another easy one.  We have marble notebooks that we use as journals.  We got them at the Dollar Tree.  I have them write a paragraph or two about what we did that day.  They also like to write stories from time to time.  Little Ricky just wrote a book as a gift for Father's Day.  (Totally his idea)  I also plan to work on their handwriting....it's awful!!


Science:

The boys LOVE science!  My plan is to do at least one cool science experiment every other week or so.  I also want to take them to The Miami Science Museum for the first time.  We are also planning on revisiting The Fort Lauderdale Museum of Science and Discovery.  These places should get those little scientific brains going!



I'm not saying that I'm home schooling this summer.  Just an hour every couple of days.  Mostly on the days when we don't have an outside activity planned or it seems they may just kill each other.  


What do you do to keep the learning going in the summer?  I would love more ideas!


Alexis

Our Favorite Holiday Books

It's a ritual...after dinner, the kids take a shower and then snuggle in their beds ready to read.  Now that they are older, reading is a requirement for school, but we still love doing it.  I love to read (even though I don't have time) and I want to instill the same love in my boys.

Now that the holidays are here, I wanted to share some of our favorite children's books for this time of year.



The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

This book is just a given.  If you've never heard of it, it's a wonderful story about a boy who is invited aboard a train headed for the North Pole.  Even after the MANY times that I have read this book, I still get goosebumps and teary eyed.  It's a MUST READ!



Olive the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh

What a clever play on words for the title alone.  Olive, a dog from the North Pole, wants to be a part of Santa's fleet of reindeer.  When she's given the chance, her own special qualities shine through.

 





Light the Lights by Margaret Moorman

Although we do not celebrate Hanukkah, my kids love reading about the festival of lights.  This story is about a little girl who celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas and how her family keeps tradition.


 

How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky

This hilarious tale is about how Santa first got his job and all of the other jobs that he had in between.











What children's books are your favorites during this time of year?


Alexis

Raising Book Lovers

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes...if only I had more time for it....
I'm trying to instill the same kind of love for reading in my kids. 

Since I am a teacher and I have been doing it for so long, I have a HUGE collection of children's books, not to mention my sister gets my kids books for Christmas every year.  

Each night at bedtime, I sit with my kids, and when my husband is in town we sit as a family to read stories.  Both boys get to choose a title that they want to read.  Many nights we have "repeat offenders," but there are nights that I will look on the shelf to introduce a new title.  My oldest is a beginning reader, so at times we have him join in and "show off" his new found skills.


Here are some books that we enjoy reading:

First Grade Jitters by Robert Quackenbush

This story is about a boy who is nervous to start first grade.  We are reading this more recently because my son is going into first grade.  Although he doesn't have quite the same issues with first grade since I teach first grade, he is still a little nervous.

A Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein

We LOVE this book!  There are many things that happen to this boy and a giraffe.  The story is very repetitive.  This helps even the youngest of readers to "read" the book with you.  My 4 year old is a BIG fan!

Scaredy Cat, Splat by Rob Scotton

This is a Halloween themed Splat the Cat book.  Yes, we are still reading it now...I told you, "repeat offenders." Splat wants to win the scariest costume contest at school.  There are many misadventures when Splat is around.  I enjoy the illustrations in this book.

Olivia by Ian Falconer

Olivia is an overly dramatic and imaginative pig.  In all of her adventures, you get lost in how Olivia sees the world, even if it's not necessarily what is really taking place.  I think my kids like this because they too are pretty dramatic and imaginative.

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly is a mouse who worries about everything.  What if no one comes to her party?  What if people come, but there isn't enough food?  What if I don't have enough money to buy the new shoes that I want?  (Oh wait, that's my worry!)  Her major worry is what will happen at school.  This is also a great beginning of the school year read with your little ones.


What are your favorite stories to share with your kids?





Alexis