Penguin Unit

Penguins.....Just typing the word reminds me of the cute little birds that act like a fish. Their little legs and their little waddle....just so stinking cute! I mean, who doesn't love penguins.  They are interesting little creatures that provide entertainment and learning for all ages.

I decided that the kids would enjoy a penguin unit during the winter months of January.  Plus, I could find or create activities that address both preschool and second grade.

For Micah, I used the penguin unit as a way to introduce the letter P.  The penguins were also used as a way for continued exposure to numbers, shapes, and colors.  I created this packet for the preschool age.
This packet includes a letter maze, a color matching game, pattern play, shape tracing, letter tracing, and more all with the penguin theme throughout.

Preschool Penguin Pack

In addition to the Penguin Preschool Pack, I also used the following activities:

Color by Number
Penguin Number Dot-to-Dot
Penguin Letter Dot-to-Dot
Other Fun Penguin Activities



For Abby, my second grader, the penguin theme was used to teach math, literacy, geography, and science (habitat, predator/prey).  So I turned to the Internet for sources that I could use for instruction at the second grade level.  And here is what I found:

Math
Mathwire --  This site offers a TON of penguin themed math activities.  The area that I liked the most for Abby was the problem solving section.  In addition to math activities for Abby,  this site could be utilized for preschool as well, although some activities may require some minor modification.

Penguin Grid Activity -- A fun coloring activity that also focuses on plotting points.

Literacy
I found several different short passages with comprehension questions for Abby.  Since reading is an area of concern for her, we generally spend 3-5 days on a passage to ensure comprehension and to improve reading skills through repetition.  However, there were a couple of these that she just read 2-3 times in one day and then answered the questions.

Penguin Passages --  Read Works is a great website that has reading passages for all different reading levels. They offer fiction and non-fiction choices as well as a wide variety of topics.  PLUS each passage has corresponding questions.  You do have to be a member to download the passages and activities, but it is a FREE membership...and what's better than getting something for free.

Peter the Penguin --  Another great website for reading passages is Have Fun Teaching.  The reading is divided into grade levels and each come with comprehension questions as well.

Penguins Reading Passage

After reading the passages, Abby would generally complete a journal entry as well.  With several of the passages, she simply summarized the passage.  However, we also made a deliberate attempt to identify the who, what, when, where, why, and how of each passage as well as discussing the differences in fiction and non-fiction.

Science

Playful Penguins -- This is a great free packet that highlights six species of penguins.  The habitat, food, predators, appearance, and facts about each species is covered.  There is also a neat graphic organizer for each species as well.  Also, when we studied each penguin, we used a map to highlight where each species lived.  It was a great way to discuss Northern and Southern Hemispheres, continents, the equator, and other geographical facts.

In addition to the provided activities, we did a measuring and comparison activity, which the kids loved.  I cut out a strip of paper (actually it was three that I pieced together) that measured to 48 inches and marked off inches and feet.  Next, I cut out nine read arrows (six for the penguins, three for my kids.)  I wrote the names of the kids on three of the arrows.  Abby cut out the little circle images of the six penguin species discussed in the Play Penguins unit.  So using the measuring strip, we marked the height of each penguin and the kids. They LOVED seeing how tall they were in comparison to the penguins and thought it was so funny to learn that emperor penguins are pretty much the same size as Micah (who is five.)  We referred to this activity several times throughout the unit.

Books

Once Jude is down for his afternoon nap, we have story time, just me and the older two.  It is such a fun time for me because everything is calm and I can simply enjoy my kids without having a 22 month requiring CONSTANT supervision.  These are a few books that we read that correlated with this unit.  Judging from the questions and discussions that stemmed from story time, I would say the kids LOVED these books.

Antarctica by: Helen Cowcher

Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester

Penguin Chick by Betty Tatham


In addition to the activities above, we also finished some fun art projects:

Penguin Glyph
How To Draw a Penguin
Penguin Paper Plate Craft

All in all, this was a really fun unit for everyone.....including me.  Happy learning!!

Start the Day Off With Math!! Daily Math Sheet

Every morning, the first thing Abby completes is a daily math sheet.  Not necessarily her most favorite thing to do, but it starts the day off with learning in mind.  It's a great little review that highlights place value, time, money, and expanded notation while reviewing calendar basics.

 It is also a great way to see her growth over the year.  Some things she could not complete at the beginning of the year, but now she can.

I generally print this front and back to save on some paper.  Happy learning!!

Daily Math Sheet

Rachel

ABC...Easy as 123 Spelling Packet

For Abby's spelling this year, I chose to not purchase a curriculum because there is an abundance of spelling lists for all levels available on the Internet.  As a review, Abby's first four weeks of spelling consisted of sight words from first grade.  Since then, I have used spelling lists that are available on Spelling City.  Lists do not require a log-in and password, but some of the activities are unavailable without it. However, other lists can be found from a simple search of the internet.  I generally try to use a list where the words have something in common.  For example, some of Abby's lists have included -oi and -oy words, glued sounds (-ild, old, -ind), and ending sounds (-less, -ment, -ful, -ness).

Spelling requires of repetition, phonetic understanding, and practice.  However, I didn't want to just have Abby write her spelling words each week but use different strategies to learn the spelling words.  So I created this packet that can be used with any spelling list.  Also, since there is a wide array of activities, each week can be different.  In total, the packet includes 15 pages (13 spelling activities, 1 weekly guide sheet, and 1 sheet of additional activities.)  Hopefully, this packet can be beneficial for your little speller whether you homeschool or not!!!!

Spelling Packet


Rachel

Happy 5th Birthday, Micah!!

On December 3, I tucked in a four year old for the last time because the next morning, Micah woke up a five year old!!  It is hard to believe that five years has passed since his birth.  I still remember his kicks and movements when we were still one.  But now that we are two, I get to experience "I love yous" and hugs each and everyday.

So Micah, what kind of a boy are you now that your five?

• You are still one of the sweetest boys on this earth.  Multiple times throughout the day, this conversation will occur.  Micah:  "Mama, I need to tell you sumpin (something)."  Me: "Okay, what is it?"  Micah:  "I love you!!"  So sweet!!
• You have learned all your numbers, colors, and shapes and how to write your name.  You love homeschool preschool.
• Although you still love Fatman (yes, you STILL say Fatman instead of Batman), you now have a new love---Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!!  Michelangelo is your favorite.
• You still love to wear your cowboy boots!!
• You love to listen to stories, especially at bedtime.
• You have quite an imagination!!  You use all of your little figurines to fight epic battles, it doesn't matter that Batman, TMNT, Transformers, cars, and "weinie" dogs generally don't work together:)
• Dress up is one of your favorite activities--Batman, ninjas, pirates, cowboys--I never know what you will be from one day to the next!
• "Break dancing" is also one of your newest activities.  You have recently perfected the knee-spin, the "Austin Moon", the crab move, and the cow turn....all Micah originals, of course!
• Although there are several squabbles throughout the day, you love your brother and sister so much!! I pray the bond you all have formed continues for a lifetime.
• You are funny, affectionate, loving, and a joy to have in our family.

We all love you more than you'll ever know!!  God truly knew what he was doing when he picked you to be part of our family.  Happy Birthday Micah!!

Family Updates

In September, I posted that we were having computer troubles and I was excited to have the computer functioning properly again....well, it officially crashed a couple of weeks after my last post.  Although, I could have blogged via the iPad, that is almost a form of torture.  So in October, a new computer was purchased, but I wasn't a fan of the latest Microsoft operating system and wanted an older operating system that I was more accustomed to and also wanted our old computer revived as well.  Needless to say, that took MUCH longer than anticipated.  So now I have a new laptop that works AWESOME and the old computer is working too (which has years of pictures.)  So now I can resume blogging on a consistent basis to document life with the Wilson's!!!

Quick updates:
Abby's cat that Josh hated he now thinks is the coolest cat ever!  She kills a mole or mouse every other and displays it for all to see on the front porch.  Josh has decided that her name should be changed from Sweetie Pie to Katniss!!

Drake, the young German Shorthair puppy that Josh was training to be a bird dog, was unfortunately hit and killed on the road.  He was a good dog that was a quick learner and doing well in his training. It was a sad day for the whole family.  However, Josh has since acquired two more German Shorthair puppies, Chase and Gunner. Time will only tell if they prove to be as instinctual as Drake.

Micah had his first deer hunting experience and it turned out well!!  Although he didn't actually pull the trigger, he had the opportunity to be with his Daddy and Papaw Steve when Josh killed a nice 8-point buck. I think Micah was definitely the most excited!!

Hilton Head Island

(July 11-16)
Josh has been blessed in his job since our move to North Carolina.  As a result, he won the All-Star for the family to Hilton Head Island.  This was our first trip to Hilton Head and we LOVED it.  We enjoyed swimming in the pool, combing the beaches for seashells, great seafood, a sunset bike ride through Spanish moss laden trees, and a whole lot of relaxing, family time.

Although, the kids have taken some swim lessons this summer, this mama still required life jackets.

Soaking up the sun

The theme for this year's All-Star was a beach party.  Micah was playing pirate ship.

Jude enjoying the show!!

Future guitarist?

Clearly, air guitarist skills are hereditary!!!

Look at her go!!

Good morning!!  Jude is laying on Micah!!

Going for a bike ride....this is the life!!

Admiring a little seashell

Rachel

Baby Brothers Shower

(June 22, 2013)

My sweet sister Stephanie and her husband Tommy had a baby shower to prepare for their new baby boy.  Although Stephanie has a 10 year old son and Tommy has an 8 year old son, it has been awhile since a little baby has graced their home and they definitely needed all the goodies that come from a shower.  Here are some pictures of the festive affair.

Another beautiful cake made by my sister in law Pam.  The baby's room has frogs and alligators.

Wishing Tree...guests of the shower were able to write a tidbit of advice for the parents and hang them on a wishing tree.

 

Tommy and Stephanie Brothers

All of the goodies!!!

Rachel