Homeschool Preschool: Constructing Homes

Learning all about homes is the theme for this month's Mother Goose Time, and although we are late starting our study this month, we have already had a blast constructing different homes.

On our first day, we received these home templates. as we studied Houses.

  Using stickers, markers, and shape stamps (provided in last years's boxes of MGT), 

we made houses while reviewing letters, their sounds, and the shapes on our shape stamps.

This is our first time for me to create the same thing alongside my girl.  I don't want her to copy me; I want her to make her own art.  However, while she observes me manipulating the different mediums she learns different techniques to try.  While I was working, she asked if she could work on my piece, and of course I let her.  She's been improving in actually drawing lines and not scribbling.

After designing our homes on the paper cut outs, we constructed a home for her toy lizard using our light box and building blocks.  We discussed where to place windows and a door so her lizard could get out.  He also needed food, hence the toy raspberries and blackberries in the home.

On our apartment day, we built tall towers.  MGT suggested calling out a number and building a tower that many blocks high.  The pic below shows a tower my girl built after I told her to use 10 blocks.  She was pretty proud of herself as was I.

On the day that we discussed RV's and Hotels, we reviewed our shapes as we constructed an RV puzzle provided by MGT.  The only one she missed was the octagon (which we haven't really discussed) as she called it a hexagon.  Still close. :) 

We then worked on tracing different shapes from blocks.  She would do really well tracing one side, but then would move the piece she was tracing.  I also noticed that she switched hands to draw!  She's normally right handed but switched to her left to make tracing the object easier, which I captured in the second pic below!  We had a lot of fun and I love seeing her create.  

We will be practicing tracing more things in the future.

Meanwhile, my 6th month old son and our pup Bailey enjoy some tummy time in front of the mirror.  Bailey loves to keep close to Everett while I am working with my girl in the same room.

It's pretty adorable.

   

Happy learning!

The Purpose of a Garden

Why grow a garden besides for yourself?

To strengthen relationships with your neighbors and your community.

During the month of May we learned all about growing gardens with our Mother Goose Time preschool curriculum.  As I have been reflecting on gardening this month, I have come to realize having a garden is all about community and sharing your abundance.  What better way to get to know your neighbors than to stop by with a fresh basket of veggies or flowers from your own garden?

We have a row of zinnias next to the fence that borders our neighbors and us.  The other week we found out that one of our sweet church members was having surgery.  Avaleigh and I cooked them some lasagna, and my girl went out to our zinnia garden to pick some fresh flowers for Mrs. Susan.

I received a sweet text of gratitude later that day from Mrs. Susan thanking Avaleigh for the beautiful flowers.  Sharing is caring, right.

Our neighbors move today.  The ones we picked carrots and onions from their garden.  The ones who allowed us to cut fresh herbs from their herb garden.  I am so sad to see them leave, but excited for their new adventure of retirement and traveling.  They sure were wonderful neighbors sharing their garden with us. Sharing is caring.

On Memorial Day weekend, we took a trip to my hometown to see my parents and their amazing garden which is pictured above.  The past few years my parents have become quite the avid gardeners.  My dad built raised beds and tilled areas in the backyard to grow all sorts of produce throughout the seasons.  They live outside Houston, so the weather is very accommodating toward year round gardening.  For the past few years, Avaleigh has been able to pick fresh veggies from their garden over Memorial Day weekend.  Mom wrapped up Avaleigh's pickings and shared some canned pickles and marinara sauce she had made from this season's abundance.

Sharing is caring.

A garden shares.

Caring for the garden allows us to share and care for our friends and community.

A beautiful reason and purpose for gardening.

Happy Gardening!