Sight Word Fun!

Zachariah started kindergarten a few weeks ago. Since then many friends have commented “oh, I thought you were going to homeschool?” I have loved having Zachariah home most everyday for the past 5 years…and have done the best of my ability not to waste any of that precious time..teaching him as much as possible while he was home with me. 
At this time, we have chosen to send Zachariah to kindergarten and I enjoy supporting his teacher to the best of my ability in the things he learns at school. 
I am writing this post with the intention of sharing with others how to support what your child is learning at school….at home!
Soon…after starting Kindergarten,Zachariah’s amazing wonderful teacher sent this home.

This is his book bag,filled with reading materials on his reading level. Some are pre-made, some are books he has created in class, and a ring of sight word flashcards.  His teacher recommends 80 minutes of Reading per week.
Having a 5 year old sit down…and “practice reading” is __________________. (Fill in the blank for your family)
However; having your 5 year old sit down……
and make their words in playdough


or GLITTER GLUE

or SAND

is so much more FUN!
I would love to share with you the early reading program that  my blog friend, Carisa, developed.

You Can Read is an amazing sight word program that you can download for your child. The first lesson included 3 of Zachariah’s sight words on the ring his teacher sent home. The 2nd lesson had 2 more of the words…and the 3rd week…had another. I am amazed how closely it is following what he is doing at school.  He is very excited about finding these words in his book bag after seeing them in a hands-on format!
Zach circling the sight words I call out.

Zachariah is putting together a puzzle of his words.

Drawing a line to each sight word.

Finding his sight words in our sensory table….
Rainbow Rice Recipe is here.

We are also building a caterpillar out of the sight words as he masters them. After I am fairly certain he has learned a word…we add it to his caterpillar on his magnetic board in his room.

There is a free download here for this fun activity!

I also found this amazing activity…which is great for any energetic child!

These fun cubes are called education cubes. You can learn more about them   here.
I have a set of sight word inserts in our blue cube. Zachariah kicks the cube and then calls out the word that is face up.

Although I am a little suspicious that AND came up everytime….here is a cute video!

Make sure to visit the show and tell to get lots of other great ideas!

And I know your going to ask….”When,do you do all of this on top of the homework being sent home?" Well, first of all Zachariah goes to a 4  day kindergarten, so we do the bulk of this on Fridays or Sundays if we take a field trip on Fridays. I will admit…he is often given the choice of “nap time or work with mom time” while the younger 2 nap. I do think most kids could handle one activity per day even if they attend school 5 days. They are fun activities. Also, Zachariah wakes up super early…so he usually does one activity with his breakfast before his siblings even know the dawn of a new day has begun!

Apple Pickin

So our 3rd day in Michigan led us to a charming little apple orchard called Apple Charlie’s.

After filling up on some donuts. We headed out to the orchard for some “pickin.”





Such a fun time!
I had plans to bring these home and make some apple pie……but it didn’t happen! Next time,maybe we can do this early in the trip…and let Grandma make the pie!
We did however,take them home and count them…..

And wash them…..


And eat them….


My favorite random pictures of the day……
 

Michigan Trip Day 2

On our 2nd day in Michigan,I was continuing in my challenge to find things for the kids to do that were free……or almost free!
We started the day with a super fun surprise!

The Milk man was delivering the weeks milk to  Grandma and Grandpa! The kids had never seen anything like this before:) Levi rushes out to help with the milk!
After breakfast…we decided to burn off some early morning energy with a one mile walk/bike ride to Gordon’s Elementary School. (Gordon was actually at the airport with Zachariah and his dad) I had the younger two. Levi is riding his bike…and Ava was enjoying the walk!

After getting to the school, the kids enjoyed playing on the playground!

After playing for a bit, we started the mile back to Grandma’s house! About 3/4th of the way back…we were happy to see Grandpa driving behind us….and give us a ride for the last quarter of a mile!
Levi wasn’t having any trouble on his bike…but 2 miles is a lot for any princess….and she is too big for me to carry now!
After a drink and a snack….Levi and Ava worked together in Grandma’s kitchen to make a “blueberry pie” with an old toy they found in the basement!

The basement also had some other jewels hidden away…..

A fun little oven that Grandpa made for his daughters when they were young. Ava is busy helping Daddy clean it up for her to play.

After all….she must get busy making her acorn soup! (After collecting acorns in cups of course!)

Ahhh…she decides her soup needs to go in the oven:)

In the meantime, our soccer star is kicking his ball around! Thanks to Aunt Amy for the Soccer Set….(free to me! ha!)

Next up is an “almost free activity”…
I had packed Levi a small lego set with him since he went 2 days before I got up there.  After I got to Michigan, I helped him make a paper plate runway for his Lego Airplane.

Grandma also found Ava an old tea set to play with. We all know how Ava loves a good tea party!

Last but not least….I even found an “almost free” fine motor activity for the kids at the Detroit Zoo! These are "lightning bugs” when the kids touch them with the tongs…they light up! Super fun!


This day was super fun…..kids were even in bed by 6:30 pm; allowing Mommy and Daddy to sneak in a movie date! It has been probably at least 2 years(maybe even longer?) since we had seen a movie together! Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for the “date!”