Can You Say That Word?

Nocturnal, orchard, palette, sketch experiment, observe, abstract, chemistry, globe---your child can say these words.  We introduce new vocabulary all the time in our daily lessons. We use the new vocabulary words in the classroom.  The children use the new vocabulary words in the classroom and hopefully carry it home. 

Why do we do this?  Because building vocabulary is an important part of your child's development and reading readiness skills.  Find out more:

https://notjustcute.com/2017/06/13/language-for-literacy-the-importance-of-building-vocabulary-in-preschool/

MCP Centers

The first day of school is approaching fast. Your child will discover that the MCP classroom is divided into 'centers'.  We believe in the power of play.  Find out more about each center:

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2019/09/our-room-mcp-centers.html

Getting Ready to Read

At MCP we do not use daily worksheets to teach letters or numbers.  Reading readiness activities are woven into our program in many ways.  What is reading readiness?  Short answer-recognizing letters, making sure books and reading material are available for children and much more. During the school year, your child will:

• learn to recognize their name
• recognize letters of the alphabet and be introduced to beginning letter sounds
• retell stories
• have literary units with crafts, projects and activities 
• be introduced to and practice new vocabulary words (palette, coprolite, concentric and many, many more)
• act out stories
• dictate reports and stories
• have center activities that encourage reading
• see  many items labeled in our classroom (by the window is the word 'window', every chair has the word 'chair' on the back)

For more information:

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-create-a-literate-home-young-child-and-kindergartner

https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/tips-developing-good-reading-habits-home

Read Me a Story

Every day.  You should be reading to your child every day.  I loved reading books to my boys when they were little. They are both good readers and read a lot!  Reading to a child EVERY DAY is one of the best ways to help them achieve success in school. Reading should be a fun and enjoyable activity for parent and child. Here are a few tips to help you help your child become a good reader-

• Read any time and all the time but make reading a part of your bedtime routine.  Most children like hearing a story every night at bedtime.
• Let your child pick the book and hold it. 
• Read your child's favorite books over and over and over again.  Young children enjoy knowing what is to come.  
• Discuss the illustrations. Point to the pictures. Encourage your child to point and discuss illustrations.
• Read alphabet and counting books.
• Read to your child with expression and feeling. 
• Stop and discuss unfamiliar words to build vocabulary.
• Rhyming and silly stories are well liked by preschoolers.
• Use books to help w/new experiences (going to the dentist, first sleepover, a new baby, etc.)
• Use 'voices' for different characters in the story.  
• Encourage your child to repeat refrains (for example in the book Owl Babies I have students 'be' Bill and say "I want my Mommy!"
• Discuss what your read to make sure your child comprehends the story.  Ask questions like "What do you think would happen if..."
• Make predictions. Ask your child "What do you think will happen next?"
• Get a library card and make trips to the library.
• Make sure your child has books at home.  On a budget?  Thrift stores and garage sales are a great place to find book bargains.
• Read every day! 

The Benefits of Using Your Local Library

Check out the summer reading programs at your local library.  Libraries are a vital resource for our children and our communities.

Illinois Prairie District-

https://www.ipdpl.org/

https://www.helpteaching.com/blog/4-ways-libraries-benefit-kids.html

B-Grab a Book

The Berenstains' B Book - Read Me A Story

Fun Food Friday---A is for Apple Muffins

  

It's Fun Food Friday!  Try this super easy apple muffin recipe with your child!   

1 box spice cake mix

1 apple

2 cups applesauce 

Preheat oven 350*.

Have an adult peel and thinly slice the apple.  If you feel comfortable, allow your child to chop the apple slices into small pieces. When we cook at school, we give the children a plastic knife and a paper plate for cutting. Put the apples in a small bowl. 

Add a spoonful of the cake mix to the apples to coat. 

In a mixing bowl combine the remaining cake mix and the applesauce. Mix well and fold in the apple pieces.

Line or spray 12 muffin trays. Scoop into each muffin tray. Bake 18-20 minutes.

12-16 muffins

Found this at --- https://momcrieff.com/apple-spice-muffins-three-ingredients-delicious-easy/

Don't have a spice cake mix?  Use a yellow cake mix!

Yellow cake mix-add 1 tsp. cinnamon, ½ tsp. nutmeg, ¼ tsp. ginger & ¼ tsp. allspice or cloves

I added a 1/2 cup of oatmeal to the dry ingredients and added a second apple. I consistently had 16 muffins and need 20-25 minutes to bake.  Enjoy some time in the kitchen with your child!  Yum-oh!

MCP Homeschool Ideas---Our Centers

Are you homeschooling your preschooler?  Preschool is all about play.  Preschools are arranged in a wide variety of centers.  Our MCP students move freely from art to building to the library and then back to art if they desire.  It's a good size room with lots of kids. Your living space may already have centers or areas for your child's play.  Keep it simple.  If you search ideas for preschool homeschool space you'll get nine million results.  Your child is not interested in a 'pin worthy' space or something that qualifies for an HGTV series.  Your child needs space---not a lot but space to be creative and play. 

The MCP classroom is a calm and relaxed space.  We avoid the 'crayon flu' on the walls where classroom space is saturated with bright colors and lots of charts on the walls. A room that looks likes a box of sick crayons walked in and got sick all over the walls. Too busy.  Too distracting.  Would you want to work or live in such an environment?  

Remember it doesn't have to be fancy.  It has to be fun.  If you have the time, energy and space, you can change it up so your child remains engaged and interested in what you have planned.  It's new for you. It's new for them.

MCP Centers---

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2019/09/our-room-mcp-centers.html

Art---is always best in the kitchen or outdoors.  Crayons, markers, paper, glue and scissors.  Create a collage box.  Random stuff for gluing.  Save cracker and cereal boxes for a sturdy glue surface.  

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-collage-box.html

Stop fighting the flow of the glue bottle---

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2011/09/glue-bottles-and-glue-battles.html

Writing---an old coffee table, pens, pencils, paper, envelopes (save from your junk mail), recycle greeting cards.  Remember scribbles are writing!  

Home Library--If you have the time, energy and space try not to place ALL of your child's books in their reading corner.  We rotate books seasonally, with the holidays and when we can see the kiddos are tired of the library.  

We put books everywhere.  Kids are hard on books when they are incorporated into their play. This might not work for you and your child because the books do get a little more wear and tear when they are in a center.  More info---

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-book-shelf.html

Grab a bed sheet and cover the kitchen table and place a basket of books underneath for a fun space.  Family room?  Is there space for a card table with a sheet?  (cover three sides and leave one open so you can see your child inside)

I love our building center!  

Building---Why are blocks important?

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2019/08/new-kids-in-blocks.html

If you have the time, space and energy switch it up.  Put the blocks away and have LEGOS, a train set or other building materials.  

Messy Tub---it's not for everyone because it's messy!  We use rice, sand and black beans but crinkle paper used in gift bags and baskets is fun and easy clean up!  Look under the 'Sensory' label for more ideas.

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/mcp-centers-messy-tub.html

Dramatic Play---does more than you think for your child's development.  

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/mcp-centers-dramatic-play.html

Keep it simple. Our castle, fire truck, rocket ship and pizza oven are large cardboard boxes.  Nothing fancy plus they fold flat and are easy to store in our attic space.  For more ideas check under our 'Dramatic Play' label.  

We hope this helps you and your child with your homeschool preschool.  

Books & Brain Development

 

A study at Cincinnati Children's Hospital on a  child's brain development. Reading and screen time-what happens to your child's brain development? 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/16/health/child-brain-reading-books-wellness/index.html

I'd Like to Teach the World to Read

I'm lucky.  My 'boys' love to read. We had lots of books available when they were young. As they grew older, they bought their own books. Books were birthday gifts and Christmas gifts.   We have moved about 500+ books out of our house and into their living space. Their childhood books are boxed up for later.  Books are still everywhere in our home.  So, how often should you read to your child so you can raise a reader?  

Every day.  You should be reading to your child every day.  I loved reading books to my boys when they were little. They are both good readers and they still read a lot!  Reading to a child EVERY DAY is one of the best ways to help them achieve success in school. Reading should be a fun and enjoyable activity for parent and child. Here are a few tips to help you help your child become a good reader-

• Read any time and all the time but make reading a part of your bedtime routine.  Most children like hearing a story every night at bedtime.
• Let your child pick the book and hold it. 
• Read your child's favorite books over and over and over again.  Young children enjoy knowing what is to come.  
• Discuss the illustrations. Point to the pictures. Encourage your child to point and discuss illustrations.
• Read alphabet and counting books.
• Read to your child with expression and feeling. 
• Stop and discuss unfamiliar words to build vocabulary.
• Rhyming and silly stories are well liked by preschoolers.
• Use books to help w/new experiences (going to the dentist, first sleepover, a new baby, etc.)
• Use 'voices' for different characters in the story.  
• Encourage your child to repeat refrains (for example in the book Owl Babies I have students 'be' Bill and say "I want my Mommy!"
• Discuss wht your read to make sure your child compresheds the story.  Ask questions like "What do you think would happen if..."
• Make predictions. Ask your child "What do you think will happen next?"
• Make sure your child has books at home. 
• Read every day! 

The Literate Home

 How do you create a home that encourages reading and literature? 

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-create-a-literate-home-young-child-and-kindergartner

Letter Recognition & Reading

I hope you and your child are reading a lot of books.  Reading with your child will keep you connected and comforted.  Books are safe and familiar space.  Here are some helpful hints for you that we use at MCP when reading stories:

• Reading will help build your child's vocabulary so stop and ask if they understand unfamiliar words.  You hear me say, "Can you say that word?"  Give your child the definition of the word. 
• Keep story time playful and fun.  Uses voices and hand gestures.  Be theatrical.  This keeps the story interesting and fun.  
• Many stories will allow your child to participate.  For example, when we read  Owl Babies the children are always Bill.  
• Let your child stop you and ask questions and make comments.  This means they are curious and engaged in the story.
• Look at the illustrations.  Point out things in the pictures.  Count. Identify colors and shapes. 

You might be learning that working on letter recognition with your child is hard.  It is and that's okay.  Be patient.  We are going to continue to provide you with lots of ideas (and I'm sure there are millions of  others out there doing the same) on how to work on letters. Here is a start:

• Sing the ABC song.  The oral language comes first.
• Work on just a few letters at time until you feel your child is ready to review all of the letters.
• Notice letters around your home. We tell the children there are letters everywhere.
• Do you have flashcards?  Play Hide & Seek with the flashcards and when your child finds the card, identify the letter.  Start to add more cards and place in alphabetical order.  
• Learning all the letters of the alphabet takes time.  Be patient and keep it fun.  Encourage your child and celebrate their success.  

Cereal Box Fort XII

It's 12' long, 8' high and 5' 5" wide.  There is one door, a large window and lots of little windows to let in natural light. 

The library and the writing center are inside the fort.  

And how many boxes?  281

From years past...
2019---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-cereal-box-show-cbf-11.html

2018---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2018/01/cbf-x.html

2017---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2017/01/my-impenetrable-cereal-box-fort-version_30.html

2016---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-impenetrable-cereal-box-fort-version.html

2010-2014---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-impenetrable-cereal-box-fort-version.html

Can You Say That Word?

Nocturnal, orchard, auger wagon, palette, sketch, experiment, observe, abstract greatest, least, chemistry, globe, liquids, solids---your child can say these words. We introduce and use these words in our classroom.  Why? Building vocabulary is an important in your child's development and reading readiness skills.  Find out more:

https://notjustcute.com/2017/06/13/language-for-literacy-the-importance-of-building-vocabulary-in-preschool/

Beanie Babies

I went through the Beanie Baby craze with my boys.  We have Beanie Babies and Teeny Beanies-more than I ever should have bought!  Now what???  Well, I turned them into a preschool matching game for our MWF classes.  I used clip art for pictures and also drew clues. We use a lot of picture clues with words in dictation activities and games in our room. This game is in one of our centers. Ask your child if they played this game!  

Pete the Cat | I love My White Shoes

Tiny Bubbles

Bubbles bring joy!  Tablets, smartphones, electronic learning tools do not bring the squeals, giggles and laughter that bubbles do.  Bubbles have a universal appeal to all children.  My husband and I  watched this scene on our vacation one summer.  Children were running and laughing and the adults around them were smiling at their exuberance and abandon.

We love bubbles at MCP.  We do not use commercial bubbles but make our own and use summer swim nets found at your local dollar store for the bubble wands. Remember to closely supervise young children around liquids (even bubble solution).  An adult should be within arm's length of any water source even buckets and 

pans.

Bubbles---

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2010/04/bubbles.html

Have fun blowing bubbles with your child this weekend!

How Often Should I Read to My Child?

Every day.  You should be reading to your child every day.  I loved reading books to my boys when they were little. They are both good readers and read a lot!  Reading to a child EVERY DAY is one of the best ways to help them achieve success in school. Reading should be a fun and enjoyable activity for parent and child. Here are a few tips to help you help your child become a good reader-

• Read any time and all the time but make reading a part of your bedtime routine.  Most children like hearing a story every night at bedtime.
• Let your child pick the book and hold it. 
• Read your child's favorite books over and over and over again.  Young children enjoy knowing what is to come.  
• Discuss the illustrations. Point to the pictures. Encourage your child to point and discuss illustrations.
• Read alphabet and counting books.
• Read to your child with expression and feeling. 
• Stop and discuss unfamiliar words to build vocabulary.
• Rhyming and silly stories are well liked by preschoolers.
• Use books to help w/new experiences (going to the dentist, first sleepover, a new baby, etc.)
• Use 'voices' for different characters in the story.  
• Encourage your child to repeat refrains (for example in the book Owl Babies I have students 'be' Bill and say "I want my Mommy!"
• Discuss wht your read to make sure your child compresheds the story.  Ask questions like "What do you think would happen if..."
• Make predictions. Ask your child "What do you think will happen next?"
• Get a library card and make trips to the library.
• Make sure your child has books at home.  On a budget?  Thrift stores and garage sales are a great place to find book bargains.
• Read every day! 
  

Reading Readiness 2019

Reading readiness is a key component to the MCP curriculum.  We work on letter recognition, beginning sounds, writing stories and much more. 

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2016/08/reading-readiness_19.html

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-create-a-literate-home-young-child-and-kindergartner