I am sooooo proud of TJ! He is reading! Really reading!! Woohoo!! So some years back, I bought Bob books and another set of beginning readers for the kids in my class. We weren't supplied with much leveled books back then. Anyway, I wasn't too crazy about the Bob books. I thought they were too "difficult" to be beginner books. I wanted even simpler books with maybe only 3-4 words per page. So they were set aside. When TJ started recognizing his letters and sounds, I took another look the Bob books and still didn't like them. I thought they were way too hard for TJ as a true beginning reader. I didn't want to frustrate him before he actually got started. He did "read" the other set I bought. It was a repetitive book that was conducive to figuring out words. For example the sentence would usually be the same and only one word would be different, like a color. I like white ice cream. I like green ice cream. So on and so forth. TJ wouldn't really be reading reading but he thought he was and it encouraged using picture clues - pre-reading skills.
Anyway, the Bob books have been put on the shelf for ages. I keep reading about moms raving about Bob books and I just think, "oh, they are not so great." Well, I don't know what possessed me to pull out the Bob books last night. I knew I was wondering again what was so great about these books that mom keep raving about and recommending them. But for whatever reason I did, I noticed something. I noticed that the books were numbered. Huh? I never noticed that before. Then it hit me. Perhaps the books I first looked at were at the end of the series. There's a bunch of books in the Bob books box. Perhaps that's why the books seemed so difficult to me and so non-beginner like. Duh! I found Book 1 - Mat. I quickly browsed through the book and thought that TJ might be able to read the book. So I called TJ over to read - in replacement of me doing his bedtime reading. TJ read the whole book without too much hesitation. In fact, he was able to read it fluently enough that he understood that the story was funny. That was the best part! Wow, just wow!!! I was sooo proud of TJ.
This morning, TJ pulled out the Bob books so he could read again. TJ had such a positive experience that he wanted to repeat it!! Woohoo!! We didn't really get to it b/c of a phone call and then some timeouts that were needed. TJ kind of lost interest after that. We read again later after dinner. TJ read books 1 - 3 this time. Each book built upon the previous and was a little longer each time around. Book 2 - Sam was relatively easy. For some reason, TJ was having trouble with the word 'a.' He kept thinking it was the letter p. TJ was also having a little bit of trouble with his b/d. We will have to work on that. Book 3 - Dot did leave TJ a little frustrated. He wanted to stop. But mean mommy that I am, didn't let him. I supposed maybe I could have, but his frustration was at something silly. Something I thought he should have gotten. I know when he finished the book, he was very happy about it. So I'm glad I pushed through this time. I won't always.
I browsed the rest of the Bob books in the box and I think that TJ will be able to read them all without too much problems. Wow! I just keep thinking Wow! TJ reading already. Really reading. I am not pushing him. If I was, we would have done this ages ago. So obviously I'm not. I am just so proud of TJ!! Woohoo! My little reader at age 4!!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Movie night
Today was more or less a free play day - like many of our days. lol The boys were playing so wonderfully. TJ and LJ were watching fishies swimming in a tank (upside down laundry basket.) I heard TJ talking to LJ in an endless monologue about the fish. Then they both spent time "fixing" things with the HD tool set. That was really cute and creative.
TJ got to watch Stuart Little 2 after dinner last night. He seemed mesmerized by the movie. lol I could see that he recognized characters from the book. TJ even commented on how Snowbell the cat is nice in the movie. I assume that he meant he realized that Snowbell was portrayed differently in the book. I will have to question him further on this.
We saw Stuart Little 2 again today. Today, LJ was more into it. He wasn't really watching yesterday. LJ actually asked to see it.
We had movie night tonight and saw Meet the Robinsons while having dinner. Well, TJ and LJ needed to be constantly reminded to eat. They were just so into the movie. I had wanted to bring the boys to see this movie but something always came up and we never made it to the movie theater. I really enjoyed the Meet the Robinsons. The storyline was a little bit unexpected. I didn't realize that I would have to explain an orphanage to TJ. TJ seemed a little bothered by it but didn't question it because he was too into the movie.
I got a glimpse of what it would be like to take LJ to the movies. Not that I wasn't aware of what might happen. LJ kept asking "Who that?," "What that?," "What happened!??!" repeatedly. I can just imagine how it would be at the a movie theater.
TJ got to watch Stuart Little 2 after dinner last night. He seemed mesmerized by the movie. lol I could see that he recognized characters from the book. TJ even commented on how Snowbell the cat is nice in the movie. I assume that he meant he realized that Snowbell was portrayed differently in the book. I will have to question him further on this.
We saw Stuart Little 2 again today. Today, LJ was more into it. He wasn't really watching yesterday. LJ actually asked to see it.
We had movie night tonight and saw Meet the Robinsons while having dinner. Well, TJ and LJ needed to be constantly reminded to eat. They were just so into the movie. I had wanted to bring the boys to see this movie but something always came up and we never made it to the movie theater. I really enjoyed the Meet the Robinsons. The storyline was a little bit unexpected. I didn't realize that I would have to explain an orphanage to TJ. TJ seemed a little bothered by it but didn't question it because he was too into the movie.
I got a glimpse of what it would be like to take LJ to the movies. Not that I wasn't aware of what might happen. LJ kept asking "Who that?," "What that?," "What happened!??!" repeatedly. I can just imagine how it would be at the a movie theater.
Monday, March 3, 2008
LJ's Mar Reading Log
Bears on Wheels
Cat in the Hat
Barney
Go to Bed, Fred!
Babies
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Sonya Lee Visits the Doctor
Bob the Builder - Let's Count
Cat in the Hat
Barney
Go to Bed, Fred!
Babies
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Sonya Lee Visits the Doctor
Bob the Builder - Let's Count
Happy Birthday, Dr Seuss!
Or should I say Happy Belated Birthday! I did manage to dig up the Dr Seuss site from about.com. It led me to Seussville and I think Seuss University which were cute. I thought that in honor of Dr Seuss' birthday, TJ would want to hear Dr Seuss stories. But TJ said no thank you. He did make it up today. We read Cat in the Hat and Bears on Wheels. Bears on Wheels is not technically a Dr Seuss book but it did come from the Dr Seuss series. So it should count!!
Today was the first day of classes for TJ and LJ. TJ had his first day of preschool. He's been pretty excited about it and has been asking for days whether or not it was Monday. So Monday is finally here! On the way to preschool, I reminded TJ to listen to his teachers, to share, to play nicely and to make friends by introducing himself. Also most importantly, to let the teachers know if he needed the bathroom!! LJ did not want to leave the classroom. He was ready to settle in. LJ had trouble understanding that the class was just for TJ. I had to work hard to convince him to get back into the car so that we could go to the library and then go to our own class - Crafty Pairs.
We hit the library and got a couple of DVDs, Stuart Little 2 and Meet the Robinsons. I was looking for Stuart Little and 101 Dalmatians as a follow up for the books we have just read. Well, with 101 Dalmatians we should finish tonight, if TJ still wants to read the story. I follow his lead as to what story he wants to read. Sometimes he wants to continue with the book and sometimes, he has something else in mind. Anyway, the library didn't have Stuart Little on the shelf, but they did have Stuart Little 2 and Stuart Little 3. I borrowed Stuart Little 2 because it was about meeting Margolo which is in the book, Stuart Little. I wonder what Stuart Little part 1 is about. Perhaps, the pond scene? And I could not find 101 Dalmatians. I told TJ that and he said he didn't want to see it. Huh?!?? I thought he would. I will continue to look for it anyway. And then I couldn't help myself when I saw Meet the Robinsons. I had really wanted to take the boys to see this movie. It looked like a cute movie. I think I borrowed it more for me than them! lol
When we got to the Crafty Pairs class, late due to a minor mishap outside of the library, to our pleasant surprise, A and his mommy were in the class. We hadn't seen them in ages. It was nice to catch up a little while working with the boys. Today's arts and crafts theme was "March goes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." Therefore, we made a lion craft and a lamb craft. Lots of work on Mommy's part! We painted a paper plate yellow with brown trim. Then the we colored pre-printed facial features for the lion. Then we went to work on the lamb while the paint for the lion dried. We glued cotton balls on another paper plate. Then we colored pre-printed facial features for the lamb. We glued on the eyes, nose, mouth and ears onto the cotton ball covered paper plate. Voila! A lamb! Then we glued on the eyes, nose, mouth and ears on the yellow and brown painted paper plate and we had a lion! Wow, that took 45 minutes!! Okay, more like 30-35 minutes since we showed up late and then had to wait for everyone to settle down. See what happens when there are so many kids in the class and the teacher has explain and then pass out supplies. Much of the time is spent waiting for everyone to show up, pay attention, get their supplies, etc. Working one on one or even small group - although this really wasn't that big, maybe ten children, but ten 2 year olds! - is so much more endearing and time efficient than working with a whole class. Honestly, I was starting to lose LJ at the end. He was done. 45 minutes was an awful long time to hold his attention on one thing. He was ready to leave at the end but I wanted to help clean up and paused to chat with two other moms about the pros and cons of double strollers.
When we went to pick up TJ from preschool, LJ was raring to go get his big brother. LJ was excited to go find TJ, although TJ had leaped from his seat and came to us. I had TJ go back to his seat, especially since he left his papers and snack box. LJ wanted to sit down at the tables and not leave! He was so upset we had to leave. The only way I got him out was to tell him we were going to the park. TJ wanted to go because he thought a new friend he had made in class was going. But since it was such a beautiful day, I thought there would be no harm in letting them play for a little bit. TJ was showing signs of no fear as he walked around the playground structure. Big difference from when I first starting bringing him to the park. LJ, on the other hand, was walking gingerly. He is usually my little daredevil, although he is afraid of going downstairs and elevators. But it may have also been the little fall he had outside the library. It could be his new shoes. They are a half a size big. He fell down quite a bit today. I need to get him proper sized shoes. We also met up with one of the moms from LJ's Crafty Pairs class, one who was asking about the double stroller. She's expecting in May also. I overheard her telling the other mom.
Oh, and I wanted to add that LJ watched Baby Einstein: Language Nursery and Baby Bach after he woke up from nap. He actually asks to watch the DVDs. I'm glad LJ enjoys the DVDs. I was also pleased to see that the library offered a decent variety of Baby Einstein DVDs.
Today was the first day of classes for TJ and LJ. TJ had his first day of preschool. He's been pretty excited about it and has been asking for days whether or not it was Monday. So Monday is finally here! On the way to preschool, I reminded TJ to listen to his teachers, to share, to play nicely and to make friends by introducing himself. Also most importantly, to let the teachers know if he needed the bathroom!! LJ did not want to leave the classroom. He was ready to settle in. LJ had trouble understanding that the class was just for TJ. I had to work hard to convince him to get back into the car so that we could go to the library and then go to our own class - Crafty Pairs.
We hit the library and got a couple of DVDs, Stuart Little 2 and Meet the Robinsons. I was looking for Stuart Little and 101 Dalmatians as a follow up for the books we have just read. Well, with 101 Dalmatians we should finish tonight, if TJ still wants to read the story. I follow his lead as to what story he wants to read. Sometimes he wants to continue with the book and sometimes, he has something else in mind. Anyway, the library didn't have Stuart Little on the shelf, but they did have Stuart Little 2 and Stuart Little 3. I borrowed Stuart Little 2 because it was about meeting Margolo which is in the book, Stuart Little. I wonder what Stuart Little part 1 is about. Perhaps, the pond scene? And I could not find 101 Dalmatians. I told TJ that and he said he didn't want to see it. Huh?!?? I thought he would. I will continue to look for it anyway. And then I couldn't help myself when I saw Meet the Robinsons. I had really wanted to take the boys to see this movie. It looked like a cute movie. I think I borrowed it more for me than them! lol
When we got to the Crafty Pairs class, late due to a minor mishap outside of the library, to our pleasant surprise, A and his mommy were in the class. We hadn't seen them in ages. It was nice to catch up a little while working with the boys. Today's arts and crafts theme was "March goes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." Therefore, we made a lion craft and a lamb craft. Lots of work on Mommy's part! We painted a paper plate yellow with brown trim. Then the we colored pre-printed facial features for the lion. Then we went to work on the lamb while the paint for the lion dried. We glued cotton balls on another paper plate. Then we colored pre-printed facial features for the lamb. We glued on the eyes, nose, mouth and ears onto the cotton ball covered paper plate. Voila! A lamb! Then we glued on the eyes, nose, mouth and ears on the yellow and brown painted paper plate and we had a lion! Wow, that took 45 minutes!! Okay, more like 30-35 minutes since we showed up late and then had to wait for everyone to settle down. See what happens when there are so many kids in the class and the teacher has explain and then pass out supplies. Much of the time is spent waiting for everyone to show up, pay attention, get their supplies, etc. Working one on one or even small group - although this really wasn't that big, maybe ten children, but ten 2 year olds! - is so much more endearing and time efficient than working with a whole class. Honestly, I was starting to lose LJ at the end. He was done. 45 minutes was an awful long time to hold his attention on one thing. He was ready to leave at the end but I wanted to help clean up and paused to chat with two other moms about the pros and cons of double strollers.
When we went to pick up TJ from preschool, LJ was raring to go get his big brother. LJ was excited to go find TJ, although TJ had leaped from his seat and came to us. I had TJ go back to his seat, especially since he left his papers and snack box. LJ wanted to sit down at the tables and not leave! He was so upset we had to leave. The only way I got him out was to tell him we were going to the park. TJ wanted to go because he thought a new friend he had made in class was going. But since it was such a beautiful day, I thought there would be no harm in letting them play for a little bit. TJ was showing signs of no fear as he walked around the playground structure. Big difference from when I first starting bringing him to the park. LJ, on the other hand, was walking gingerly. He is usually my little daredevil, although he is afraid of going downstairs and elevators. But it may have also been the little fall he had outside the library. It could be his new shoes. They are a half a size big. He fell down quite a bit today. I need to get him proper sized shoes. We also met up with one of the moms from LJ's Crafty Pairs class, one who was asking about the double stroller. She's expecting in May also. I overheard her telling the other mom.
Oh, and I wanted to add that LJ watched Baby Einstein: Language Nursery and Baby Bach after he woke up from nap. He actually asks to watch the DVDs. I'm glad LJ enjoys the DVDs. I was also pleased to see that the library offered a decent variety of Baby Einstein DVDs.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Websites
See I am so not good at this blogging stuff. I keep leaving stuff out. And not blogging much. So time to play catch up.
Starfall.com. What can I say? It is such a neat site. TJ loves going over the letters and sounds and playing the games. That's what he thinks he's doing and in reality he is reinforcing letter sounds. Neat, huh? He spent almost 2 hours on starfall.com the other day. Oops! I think I was cooking and didn't realize that so much time had passed. But in that time period, he had gone over calendar concepts and reviewed the entire alphabet with all sorts of activities. I think it was time well spent. But now he hasn't played in a while. I think he was starfalled out. lol But I don't really want him into computers and games too much. He has plenty of time for that. There are other things to do. That's why I want to provide him with a wide variety of activities that touch upon different aspects of learning - with the computer, video games (I will get to that), worksheets, books, arts and crafts, etc.
At my parents' place last weekend, TJ was on the PBS kids website. Another very nice website. I think TJ is getting pretty good at getting around that site and is able to access the activities for each other shows that he was interested in pretty well. I was able to leave him alone for the most part while I was packing up. I know he played the matching game with Clifford. That one I saw him play while at home. He also did a find and seek activity with Dragon Tales, a letter game with Super Why and this really noisy one with Teletubbies. I have no idea the benefit of the Teletubbies game. I will have to look into that one. He may have played others, too. I think he spent the most time on the Dragon Tales game. It provided a picture list of items and TJ had to find them on the page to create a recipe. I explained to him that this was how I made things in the kitchen. I have recipe and I have to find the items and put them together to make whatever it is I want to make. TJ really liked the idea of this. He was having fun guessing what the list of items was going to make.
Tomorrow is Dr Seuss' birthday. In honor of this momentous day, Lakeshore was holding a Dr Seuss celebration. We managed to make it. Almost didn't after last night's snow. But by morning all signs of snow and rain were gone. The boys spent over an hour doing arts and crafts in honor of Dr Seuss. TJ and LJ made Dr Seuss hats (Cat in the Hat.) They also did dot-to-dot art with various pictures. They also made and decorated potted plants. And the boys also fished in the "fishing pond" (One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.) I have to figure out what books the other crafts related to. And of course, I had to pick up some Dot to Dot markers and a giant thumbprint stamp pad. I also picked up a few more leveled reading books for TJ.
Right now, TJ is playing with his VSmile. He is playing with the Cars cartridge. I think this is only the 2nd or 3rd time TJ has played with the VSmile since he got it for Christmas. I like how it's not like the video games of old - say, Ninetendo, Atari, which had no education value whatsoever. Yes, I'm aging myself. VSmile seems to be a different way of making learning fun. I would not have TJ play this every day or even every other day (so far it seems like only once a month! lol), but consider this a different form of reinforcement of skills. What's neat about it is that he doesn't even realize that he's learning.
Oh, and I've registered TJ for that Pizza Hut reading thing. I forget what it's called. But it's the first "official" thing I have done towards identifying TJ as a homeschooled kindergartener. Woohoo! The more people I tell about TJ being homeschool and the more steps I take towards identifying TJ as a homeschooler, the more real it will become!
That said, on Monday, TJ will start the township "preschool" program. I use the word "preschool" lightly. It's from 9:15 to 11:30am on Mondays and Fridays for 4 weeks. I consider it more a drop off playgroup. They do arts and crafts, play and have snack. And maybe a couple of worksheets which are coloring a page with a letter on it. If TJ is okay with it I will sign him up for the second session as well, but that's all they offer for the Spring. But the only reason for doing this is to have one on one time with LJ. LJ and I will have an arts and crafts mommy and me class on Mondays while TJ is in preschool. Our township is pretty strict in not allowing siblings when you're part of a class. This really limits us because what am I going to do with one child while the other is in a class?? Are they trying to push for one child families!?? We'll see how long we are going to be here. Maybe next spring, if we still live here, I will put both TJ and LJ into the preschool program, so that the baby will finally have some alone time with me! Poor baby!
Starfall.com. What can I say? It is such a neat site. TJ loves going over the letters and sounds and playing the games. That's what he thinks he's doing and in reality he is reinforcing letter sounds. Neat, huh? He spent almost 2 hours on starfall.com the other day. Oops! I think I was cooking and didn't realize that so much time had passed. But in that time period, he had gone over calendar concepts and reviewed the entire alphabet with all sorts of activities. I think it was time well spent. But now he hasn't played in a while. I think he was starfalled out. lol But I don't really want him into computers and games too much. He has plenty of time for that. There are other things to do. That's why I want to provide him with a wide variety of activities that touch upon different aspects of learning - with the computer, video games (I will get to that), worksheets, books, arts and crafts, etc.
At my parents' place last weekend, TJ was on the PBS kids website. Another very nice website. I think TJ is getting pretty good at getting around that site and is able to access the activities for each other shows that he was interested in pretty well. I was able to leave him alone for the most part while I was packing up. I know he played the matching game with Clifford. That one I saw him play while at home. He also did a find and seek activity with Dragon Tales, a letter game with Super Why and this really noisy one with Teletubbies. I have no idea the benefit of the Teletubbies game. I will have to look into that one. He may have played others, too. I think he spent the most time on the Dragon Tales game. It provided a picture list of items and TJ had to find them on the page to create a recipe. I explained to him that this was how I made things in the kitchen. I have recipe and I have to find the items and put them together to make whatever it is I want to make. TJ really liked the idea of this. He was having fun guessing what the list of items was going to make.
Tomorrow is Dr Seuss' birthday. In honor of this momentous day, Lakeshore was holding a Dr Seuss celebration. We managed to make it. Almost didn't after last night's snow. But by morning all signs of snow and rain were gone. The boys spent over an hour doing arts and crafts in honor of Dr Seuss. TJ and LJ made Dr Seuss hats (Cat in the Hat.) They also did dot-to-dot art with various pictures. They also made and decorated potted plants. And the boys also fished in the "fishing pond" (One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.) I have to figure out what books the other crafts related to. And of course, I had to pick up some Dot to Dot markers and a giant thumbprint stamp pad. I also picked up a few more leveled reading books for TJ.
Right now, TJ is playing with his VSmile. He is playing with the Cars cartridge. I think this is only the 2nd or 3rd time TJ has played with the VSmile since he got it for Christmas. I like how it's not like the video games of old - say, Ninetendo, Atari, which had no education value whatsoever. Yes, I'm aging myself. VSmile seems to be a different way of making learning fun. I would not have TJ play this every day or even every other day (so far it seems like only once a month! lol), but consider this a different form of reinforcement of skills. What's neat about it is that he doesn't even realize that he's learning.
Oh, and I've registered TJ for that Pizza Hut reading thing. I forget what it's called. But it's the first "official" thing I have done towards identifying TJ as a homeschooled kindergartener. Woohoo! The more people I tell about TJ being homeschool and the more steps I take towards identifying TJ as a homeschooler, the more real it will become!
That said, on Monday, TJ will start the township "preschool" program. I use the word "preschool" lightly. It's from 9:15 to 11:30am on Mondays and Fridays for 4 weeks. I consider it more a drop off playgroup. They do arts and crafts, play and have snack. And maybe a couple of worksheets which are coloring a page with a letter on it. If TJ is okay with it I will sign him up for the second session as well, but that's all they offer for the Spring. But the only reason for doing this is to have one on one time with LJ. LJ and I will have an arts and crafts mommy and me class on Mondays while TJ is in preschool. Our township is pretty strict in not allowing siblings when you're part of a class. This really limits us because what am I going to do with one child while the other is in a class?? Are they trying to push for one child families!?? We'll see how long we are going to be here. Maybe next spring, if we still live here, I will put both TJ and LJ into the preschool program, so that the baby will finally have some alone time with me! Poor baby!
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