Helen Keller Video

Nest Learning puts short video clips on YouTube that you can view for free. Here's their latest video on Helen Keller. They also have 30 other videos on YouTube. Click here to view their collection.

Teddy Ruxpin DVD Giveaway

Woohoo! It's time for the Bloggy Giveaways. This giveaway is for 2 Teddy Ruxpin dvds. These are volumes 1 and 2, which include episodes 1-10. The value of this giveaway is approximately $24.

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment below. If you’d like two entries for this prize, you can write an article about this giveaway and/or Little Fun; Little Learning on your blog. If you decide to use this route, please leave a separate comment below with the link to your article.

Unfortunately, blogger does not provide me with email addresses of commenters. Please leave a way for me to get in touch with you or check back next week when I will announce the winner.

Please check out my other giveaway at Thrifty Mommy. You can click here to see a complete list of Bloggy Giveaway participants and prizes. There are already hundreds to choose from.

A Homeschool Family

We've seen comedian Tim Hawkins in concert a few times. Tonight I searched for him on YouTube because I wanted a laugh. I found this video and thought it was appropriate for you all. Enjoy! :)



Click here if you'd like to see the better quality video from his site.

Poor Kitty Game

Students sit down in a circle. One student is chosen to be the kitty. The student goes around the circle and chooses someone. That person has to look at the kitty and say "Poor Kitty" three times while patting the kitty on the head. If the person laughs then that person becomes the kitty.

Of couse, you can change the phrases if you'd like. You may want to try, "What a cute kitty" or "Don't cry kitty".

This game can be played indoors or outdoors and it does not require any expensive equipment. Hooray!

Preschool Supply List - Sample

This is a copy of the supply list I had when teaching full-day preschool.

folding nap mat
small pillow and blanket
change of clothes
baby wipes or antibacterial wipes
2-3 rolls of paper towels
gallon or pint size easy zip storage bags
durable folder for taking home papers
scissors
Crayola markers - classic and assorted
Crayola colored pencils
Scotch or Elmer's glue sticks
hand sanitizer (8 oz or larger)

---------------------------------------------
For glue sticks, colored pencils, and markers I ask that you buy the name brands specified. Through experience we have learned that the other brands do not work as well and that the children become very frustrated that their supplies do not work properly. Please do not buy Dollar Tree brand school supplies.

****This list was done five years ago. Back in those days (grin), the RoseArt and Dollar Tree brands did not work well and did not hold up like the Crayola. This may have changed since then.

Social and Emotional Development

More stuff from my basement. :)

The Three Year Old - A Year of Beginnings

• more extended child to child interaction and cooperative play
• friendships, but friends are often whoever the child is playing with right now
• "You're not my friend anymore" is a common phrase.
• taking turns and sharing, but still pretty "me, me, me" oriented
• humor - They love the ridiculous, slap stick, silly language, and wild silly games.
• feels sympathetic to other children
• "imaginary companions" may appear
• feelings of independence and pride emerge
• common fears are loud noises, the dark, animals
• loves to help
• the 3 1/2 year old may exhibit a rebellious, testing attitude

The Four Year Old - An Exuberant Year

• mostly cooperative play, little solitary play
• joins most group activities willingly
• outgoing and boastful; will tattle, but is generally polite and cooperative
• sharing is easier, learning to negotiate and to compromise
• exuberance, bordering on wildness requires adults to set limits
• can be aggressive, lots of superhero worship and interest in violence
• extreme with emotions, either loves or hates things
• impatient and jealous, likes to be center of attention
• silly and playful, experimenting with swear and bathroom words
• anxious to tell family tales and new adventures outside home
• takes pride in accomplishments

The Five Year Old - The Composed, "Together" Year

• calm, serene, wants to be "good", to do what is expected by adults
• develops strong friendships, and will defend friends is they are in trouble
• like familiar things and repeating same activity
• has good judgement about what can and can't do, eager to accept responsibility
• "lying" is common, will take things that belong to others
• accepts punishment, but soon forgets
• likes humor a lot, and will share it with adults' makes up nonsense language
• has active curiosity about babies; increasingly aware of sexual differences
• able to follow through on projects that take more than a day
• the 5 1/2 year old may become brash, disobedient, overdemanding

Somebody's Scavenger Hunt

This scavenger could probably be played with older kindergarteners as well as first and second grade students. More treasures from my basement. :)

Find someone who

1. is the tallest _________________________________

2. wears glasses __________________________________

3. has the most freckles __________________________

4. has the shortest hair __________________________

5. has been to Disneyland _________________________

6. likes broccoli _________________________________

7. can whistle you a tune _________________________

8. has a pet but not a dog or a cat _______________

9. rides a bus to school __________________________

10. has shoelaces _________________________________

Teacher & Staff Survival Kit

Some of you may have seen the teacher and staff "survival kits". It's a cute little gift. You can assemble the following into a baggie with this poem.

Teacher & Staff Survival Kit

Puzzle Piece: To remind you that our school isn't complete without you!

Smarties: To help you have all the answers when you need them.

Crayon: To remind you that your work leaves a mark.

Charleston Chew: To remind you why you "chews" to work in education.

Equal Packet: To remind you to treat everyone fairly.

Peppermint Pattie: To help keep your cool.

Thyme Seed Packet: To give you a little extra "thyme" to get things done.

Character Qualities

Every now and then you teach kids that seem to get on your last nerve. It helped me to have this list of character qualities to remind me of the good qualities in each child. These are also character traits to model and teach your child.

obedience
love
perseverance
kindness
attentiveness
thankfulness
loyalty
orderliness
patience
fairness
service
tenderheartedness
joyfulness
discernment
tolerance
hop
helpfulness
promptness
thoroughness
encouragement
resourcefulness
humility
decisiveness
flexibility
genuineness
virtue
confidence
honesty
friendliness
wisdom
faith
meekness
self-control
diligence
forgiveness
initiative
commitment
creativity
responsibility
contentment
generosity
honor
reliability
thriftiness
courtesy
courage
alertness
carefulness
eagerness
persistence
tactfulness

Kindergarten Report

A few days ago I gave you a progress report for 3 and 4 year olds. Today I found a kindergarten report. My basement is full of all kinds of treasures. :)

Check plus = Commendable - The student has exceeded the expectations for him or her individually or for the group.
Check = Performing Successfully - The student has attained the performance level for his or her group or for the child individually.
Check minus = Experiencing Difficulty - The student has not reached the performance level for his or her group or for the child individually.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
_____ Has positive attitude toward self
_____ Considers the feelings of others
_____ Interacts well with peers
_____ Monitors and controls own behavior
_____ Exhibits appropriate listening skills
_____ Attempts to solve own problems
_____ Accepts responsibility for personal possessions

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
_____ Speaks so that he/she is understood
_____ Uses age appropriate vocabulary
_____ Listens and responds appropriately to language
_____ Verbalizes own thoughts and ideas in a group

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
_____ Controls pencil well
_____ Manages scissors and pasting comfortably

READING READINESS
_____ Enjoys books, stories, records, listening tapes
_____ Knows letters covered to date
_____ Name
_____ Formation
_____ Sound
_____ Can retell a story
_____ Understands story content
_____ Can predict outcomes
_____ Blends sounds comfortably
_____ Attacks new words independently

NUMBER DEVELOPMENT
_____ Associates a number symbol with number name
_____ Recognizes and continues patterns
_____ Applies knowledge of numbers to daily activities
_____ Forms numerals correctly
_____ Responds to oral math activities
_____ Understands basic coin values
_____ Can join sets
_____ Can separate sets
_____ Compares objects as to length, size, shape, quantity
_____ Understands counting order
_____ Understands basic shapes

WORK HABITS
_____ Exhibits interest in learning
_____ Values own work
_____ Exhibits age appropriate attention span
_____ Listens to and follows individual directions
_____ Listens to and follows group directions
_____ Works independently
_____ Thinks independently
_____ Uses time wisely
_____ Seeks help when needed

_____ French _____ Music _____ Physical Education

Preschool Progress Report: 4 and 5 Year Olds

As I am packing to move, I continue to come across things that I think you all would like to see. This week I found a preschool progress report for four and five year olds. Please remember that this is a guide and that your child does not need to master all of these goals. These are things to look for and strive towards.

Evaluation Key: This progress report is designed for four and five year old preschool children.

G = Good Progress
W = Working on Skill
NA = Not Applicable

Self-Reliance Skills
I go to the bathroom alone.
I am learning to dress myself.
I can brush my teeth.

Practical Skills
I can say my first and last names.
I know how old I am.
I know some colors.
I can recognize/point to body parts.

Social/Emotional Skills
I accept and respond to my teacher's authority.
I respect and show concern for people and things around me.
I play and share cooperatively with other children.
I have a good self-image.
I have appropriate control over my feelings.

I follow routines independently.
I can follow direction.
I can work well in small groups.
I am learning not to disturb classmates while they work.
I seek only my share of teacher's attention.

Listening Skills
I listen quietly; my attention span is lengthening.
I respond to a story by answering questions.

Speaking Skills
I speak clearly.
I communicate in sentences.
I can answer some questions.
I am expanding my vocabulary.
I wait my turn when speaking in a group.

Fine Motor Skills
I use my small muscles in:
Holding, using my crayons
Holding, using my pencils
Holding, using my scissors
Easel/watercolor painting
Pasting/gluing
Simple puzzle assembly
Playdough/clay
Stringing beads
Manipulating small pieces
Manipulating zippers
Manipulating buttons
Manipulating snaps
Tying my shoes

Gross Motor Skills
Walk up/down stairs (alternating my feet)
Walk (forward, backward)
Run
Jump in place (two feet together)
Balance (left foot, right foot)
Hop (one foot, two feet)
Throw a large ball forward
Kick a large ball forward
Catch a large ball
Bounce a large ball
Do a forward somersault
Gallop
Skip
Take part in games

Reading Readiness
I can say the alphabet (rote memory).
Lower case alphabet: Identify some letter names
Produce some letter sounds
Upper case alphabet: Identify some letter names
Produce some letter sounds
I can print my first name.
I can recognize eight colors.
I can identify human feelings (sad, happy).
I can identify likenesses/differences.
I know some opposite words (hot/cold).
I know some position orientation words (top/bottom).

Math Readiness
I can rote count to ________.
Recognize some numbers
Name some numbers
Recognize some shapes
I can find shapes in my environment.
I can identiy size difference (big, little).
I can sequence different sizes (small, smaller, smallest).
I can categorize objects (shape, color, size, texture).

Music-Art-Science-Social Studies Readiness Skills
I participate in music activities.
I participate in art activities.
I participate in science activities.
I participate in social studies activities.

Weight:
Start of year
End of year
Height:
Start of year
End of year

Handprint Flower Craft

As some of you know, I will be moving in just a few weeks. My time here at Little Fun is limited, but as I come across some of my old teaching things I'm trying to share those ideas with you.

This is a hand and footprint flower that is easy to do and inexpensive to make. (Well, other than getting the kids to sit still! lol)

To make:

1) With a paint brush, paint the child's foot with green paint. Press foot down onto cardstock paper.

Tips: I have found that if the children look at their foot while pressing it down, they will try to press it down themselves and it makes a smudged mess. I ask the child to look at something while I press their foot down. This helps a lot! I had a pan of water sitting by to clean the children's feet. It looked like I was having a foot washing service. ;)

2) On separate cardstock, make the petals of the flower using the child's handprints. As you can see from the picture, you can face the handprints whichever direction you choose. After the petals dry, cut around them to make a flower shape.

3) Use the child's forearm for the stem. I wait until the feet have dried before I do this. Cut around the feet (leaves) and forearm (stem). Attach the handprints (petals) to the feet and forearm by stapling them together. If you choose, you can use a poster board instead of having to attach the pieces together.

Although this craft is easy, it is very time consuming when you have 13 children in your class. I suggest spreading it out over several days.

If I remember correctly, this idea came from an older Mailbox magazine.

Have fun!

Fun Filled Friday: On the Farm (eggs)

I'll be busy tomorrow, so I wanted to leave you with some fun activities today. Enjoy!

You could use these activities to go along with spring or when learning about farms.

Two Little Eggs (Poem)
Two little eggs
In a nest soft and deep.
Two eggs crack;
Then two birds peep!
Two birds eat,
And two birds sleep.
Then two fly away
With a "Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!"

Chicken Noises
Make a noise like a rooster. (crow)
Make a noise like a hen. (cluck)
Make a noise like a chick. (peep)
Make a noise like an egg. (silence)

Ten Chicken Eggs
Five eggs (hold up five fingers)
And five eggs (hold up five more fingers)
That makes . . . ten!
(pause and let children answer ten)
Sitting on top is Mother Hen.
(Place hands together knuckles up.)

Crackle! Crackle! Crackle (clap three times)
What do I see? (look amazed)
Ten fluffy chickes. (hold up 10 fingers and wiggle them)
As yellow as can be. (Close fists)

Peep!, peep!, peep!, peep!
(hold up a finger for each peep)
Peep!, peep!, peep!, peep!
Peep! Peep!

The Chick in the Egg
Tune: "The Wheels on the Bus"

The hen on the farm lays a smooth white egg,
Smooth white egg, smooth white egg.
The hen on the farm lays a smooth white egg,
Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck!

Inside the eggs grows a little chick,
Little chick, little chick.
Inside the egg grows a little chick,
In twenty-one days.

The chick has a beak to crack the egg,
Crack the egg, crack the egg.
The chick has a beak to crack the egg,
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap!

He hatches from the egg and flaps his wings,
Flaps his wings, flaps his wings.
He hatches from the egg and flaps his wings,
Flap, flap, flap, flap, flap!

The hen keeps her chick warm in the nest,
In the nest, in the nest.
The hen keeps her chick warm in the nest,
Peep, peep, peep, peep, peep!

Try these books:
Good Morning Chick by Ginsburg
The Golden Egg Book by Brown
Egg-napped! by Montes
Chickens Aren't the Only Ones by Heller