Posts Tagged ‘ABC’
V is for Vegetables
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Please read the information about Read to Me & ABC here
Read to Me
Our book of the week was Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert.
Alphabet Art- Valentine V
Supplies
V Pattern
cut up valentine cards
glue
Glue the card pieces to the V and you’ll have your Valentine V!
Lessons & Lapbook
I used the lessons and lapbook from Homeschool Share. We also colored and glued some of the V printables from the Alphabet Notebook to the back of the lapbook (not pictured).
Simon’s garden journal was cute. He told me what to write:
I planted little seeds. Then it sprouted. Then it became a plant. It is going to have very huge squash on it. I am going to share it and eat it.
Here is a little greenhouse I found at a book sale (yes, I find the strangest things at book sales!).
You can recreate this idea with a plastic bag. You could even use some cardboard to make a frame for the greenhouse.
You simply tuck a wet paper towel and a few seeds inside the house. Radish seeds are great because they sprout so fast. We’ve actually use this multiple times with different seeds.
Let’s Make a Memory ~ Cooking Vegetable Soup
First, we headed out to the garden to grab some of our home grown vegetables. Then I peeled and chopped and sliced and diced until we had tons of veggies.
We started with garlic, onion, and olive oil. After it cooked Simon added the broth.
And lots of veggies (celery, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, and cabbage)!
Book Basket
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
Muncha, Muncha, Muncha by Candace Fleming
Stone Soup (any version)
Shopping List
~ ingredients for vegetable soup
~ seeds
~ plastic bag & paper towel (to create your own green house)
T is for Teddy Bear
Please read the information about Read to Me & ABC here
Read to Me
Our book of the week was Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom.
Alphabet Art- Toothpick T
Supplies
T Pattern
toothpicks
glue
markers
Simon colored all over the T with markers. Then I put a strip of glue on in a T shape. He glued toothpicks on the T shape.
Lessons & Lapbook
I used the lessons for Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? from Before Five in a Row. I used some of the lapbook printables from Homeschool Share and some of the T printables from the Alphabet Notebook.
Simon loves dressing Jesse Bear in his lapbook. I laminated the pieces and added some Velcro for stickability.
Right side of the lapbook with family book opened and cards out of pockets.
Playing the "Find the Bears Game" was a huge hit! We hid the cards in all kinds of crazy places. Simon never tires of this game. Here is one hiding in a row of books.
We glued this rhyme to the back of the lapbook. Simon enjoyed acting it out (with and without his teddy bear!).
Simon also had fun with his Bear Family Dress-Up Puzzle. I found this years ago at a book sale.
Let’s Make a Memory ~ Build-A-(Teddy)-Bear
Simon didn’t have a teddy bear, so we decided to make a special memory this time. Thanks so much to a kind friend who made this possible for us! 
Simon’s bear, Chocolate Chip Jesse, is on the left. Elijah’s bear, Paddington, is on the right.
Note: If you already have plenty of stuffed friends, or if a trip to Build-A-Bear is not something you want to do, you can make a memory by hosting a teddy bear picnic for your child’s furry friends! You can even invite other preschoolers to share the fun.
Book Basket
How Do You Say It Today, Jesse Bear by Nancy White Carlstrom
Happy Birthday, Jesse Bear by Nancy White Carlstrom
Better Not Get Wet, Jesse Bear by Nancy White Carlstrom
The Teddy Bears’ Picnic by Jimmy Kennedy
Corduroy by Don Freeman
A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman
We also listened to A Bear Called Paddington multiple times. Both boys really like the adventures of this mischief-finding bear from darkest Peru.
Shopping List
~ toothpicks (flat are best for preschoolers)
~ Aleene’s Tacky Glue
~ treats for a Teddy Bear Picnic
X is for Fox
Please read the information about Read to Me & ABC here
Read to Me
Our book of the week was Oh, A-Hunting We Will Go by John Langstaff. Oh, A-Hunting We Will Go isn’t the perfect book for x, but it does mention putting a fox in a box. I chose it because Simon loves it.
X is a tough letter because we don’t use the true /ks/ sound at the beginning of words. I emphasized the x sound on the end of words. I also had Simon point to the x’s in the words.
Alphabet Art- X Marks the Spot
Supplies
X Pattern
white crayon
watercolor paint
paintbrush
Without Simon knowing, I used a white crayon to draw X’s all over the X pattern. I gave him some watercolor paints (we love Prang) and let him watercolor all over the X. He was delighted to see the X’s pop out at him.
This inspired more watercolor resist fun.
Lessons & Lapbook
We used some of the X printables I created for the Alphabet Notebook at Homeschool Share.
Let’s Make a Memory ~ Treasure Hunt!
I asked Elijah to draw a map of our backyard. I added some color and some words.
I buried a treasure for Simon at the X. I gave him the map and told him he had to figure out where X was and start digging.
He LOVED this. He knew exactly where to go ("Mom! The mulberry tree!"). Yes, my boys are allowed to dig here all the time which is why it looks like a big pit.
Treasure found, opened, and (soon after) eaten!
Book Basket
Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss
Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox
Flossie and the Fox by Patricia McKissack
Chanticleer and the Fox by Barbara Cooney
Green Eggs and Ham (not with a fox/not in a box) by Dr. Seuss
Shopping List
~ watercolor paints
~ treasure for your hunt! I used chocolate coins, but you can use whatever you want.
{Give Me Five} Great Alphabet Books
I want to learn my ABCs, won’t you read a book to me?
The Z Was Zapped by Chris Van Allsburg
My favorite alphabet book! Quite the drama unfolds as B gets bitten, E evaporates, M melts, and U is uprooted! The illustrations are perfect.
Alphabears by Kathleen and Michael Hague
Sweet text and charming illustrations. A great addition to your home library.
On Market Street by Arnold Lobel
The merchants are opening up their doors allowing you to peruse their wares. You will find all sorts of fun things to buy on market street! Each page is devoted to one letter of the alphabet. The illustrations are clever and whimsical. This book is a delight for young eyes.
Note: Not every family will love this book because X is for Xmas trees. I simply explained to my children that some people shorten Christmas to Xmas, but we don’t. You can use it as a teachable moment.
The Accidental Zucchini by Max Grover
A fork fence, a macaroni merry-go-round, and peach pie pile. Expect the unexpected in this easy to read, fun to look at alphabet book.
Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
C is for currant, corn, celery, and cucumber. Cabbage, cherry, carrot, and cauliflower. A simple book done in the bright drawings you expect from Lois Ehlert.
What alphabet books do your kids love?
L is for Ladybug
Please read the information about Read to Me & ABC here
Read to Me
The book of the week for Letter L is The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle.
Alphabet Art- Leafy L
Supplies
L Pattern
brown paint, paintbrush
glue (we used Aileen’s Tacky Glue)
fake leaves
Paint the L and let it dry. Glue the leaves to the L.
Lessons & Lapbook
Simon mastered his letters and sounds a few months ago, so we are no longer making the letter lapbooks. We will simply stick the letter art pages in his ABC binder to fill in the gaps.
However, if we were making a lapbook, we would use the Grouchy Ladybug lessons & lapbook as well as the L mini-books from Homeschool Share.
Let’s Make a Memory ~ Leapin’ Lizards!
I gathered up the boys’ plastic lizards and set up three bowls on the table. The goal was to get those lizards to leap into the bowls.
Simon’s victory pose can only mean one thing. . .
. . .all the lizards are in the bowls!
Let’s Make a Memory ~ Ladybug Land
I splurged this time and purchased Ladybug Land for Simon. I knew he’d love it, and he really does. He spends time each day observing the little larvae. He can’t wait to see the pupas!
Arrival of the ladybugs!
Learning about the ladybug’s life cycle with these little guys. I picked them up about five years ago at a homeschooling convention. It’s sweet to see Simon learning with the same things Elijah used!
Book Basket
Are You a Ladybug? by Judy Allen
Is Your Mama a Llama? By Steven Kellogg
The Little Lamb by Judy Dunn
Tawny Scrawny Lion by Kathryn Jackson
Shopping List
~ fake leaves
~ brown paint
~ glue
~ plastic lizards
~ Ladybug Land
Q is for Quick
Please read the information about Read to Me & ABC here
Read to Me
Our book of the week was Quick as a Cricket by Don & Audrey Wood.
Alphabet Art- Quilted Q
Supplies
Q Pattern
fabric scraps
glue
paintbrush and lid (optional)
I cut the scraps with pinking shears to give them more of a fabric look (whatever that is!). I don’t love this alphabet art, but don’t tell Simon because he’s quite proud! Those of you who sew could make this quilted Q much cuter.
I think you know what to do: glue & stick. I let Simon use the paintbrush with some watered-down glue because it works better for him.
Lessons & Lapbook
I used some of the lessons & printables from the Quick as a Cricket unit I created for Homeschool Share.
Let’s Make a Mess Memory ~ Queen of Heart Tarts
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk
jam (Your choice! We used blackberry because we made a fresh batch last week)
Directions
Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
Using a different bowl, cream together shortening and sugar.
Add eggs, vanilla, milk, and sifted ingredients. Mix well.
Roll out on a floured surface. Cut with a medium sized heart-shaped cookie cutters. (We started with a small one. . . no one wants to eat tiny tarts!)
Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool.
Spread some jam on each cookie and top with another cookie. Dust the tops of the cookies with powdered sugar (because they clearly don’t have enough sweetness already!).
We sat down for a Mother Goose tea-time and started with the obvious:
The Queen of Hearts,
She made some tarts
All on a summer’s day.
The Knave of Hearts,
He stole the tarts
And took them clean away.
The King of Hearts,
Called for the tarts
And beat the Knave full sore.
The Knave of Hearts
Brought back the tarts
And vowed he’d steal no more.
Book Basket
The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle
Little Quack by Lauren Thompson
The Random House Book of Mother Goose ("Queen of Hearts" pg. 74)
Shopping List
~ fabric scraps
~ glue
~ ingredients for Queen of Heart Tarts
R is for Rainbow
Please read the information about Read to Me & ABC here
Read to Me
The book of the week for Letter R is A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman.
Alphabet Art- Rainbowed R
Supplies
R Pattern
Spectra Art Tissue Paper (or another kind of bleeding art tissue)
1/4 cup vinegar (in a small bowl)
paint brush
Show your child how to dip the brush in vinegar and brush it on the R. Then let him stick a piece of tissue paper to the wet spot. Continue until the entire R is filled (or until your child is all done!).
When your child is finished, let the paper dry.
After it’s dry, let your child pull all the tissue papers off and throw them away. You will be left with a Rainbowed R!
There are also other fun art projects you can make with the bleeding tissue paper!
Lessons & Lapbook
Simon mastered his letters and sounds a few months ago, so we are no longer making the letter lapbooks. We will simply stick the letter art pages in his ABC binder to fill in the gaps.
However, if we were making a lapbook, we would use the R mini-books from the HSS Alphabet Notebook.
Let’s Make a Memory ~ Race Cars in Rice
I put a few cups of rice on a large cookie sheet and let Simon have fun with it! We drew R’s with our fingers and he raced his cars in it. If you don’t have any race cars, just have fun with your fingers.
Book Basket
The Little Rabbit by Judy Dunn
My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann
What Makes a Rainbow? By Betty Ann Schwartz
Rooster’s Off to See the World by Eric Carle
The Red Carpet by Rex Parkin
Little Red Riding Hood (any version you choose)
Shopping List
~ white vinegar
~ Spectra Art Tissue Paper (or another kind of bleeding art tissue)
~ rice
I is for Instruments
Please read the information about Read to Me & ABC here
Read to Me
Our book of the week was Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss.
Alphabet Art- Itchy Insect I
Supplies
I Pattern
red ink
black marker
Talk about itchy insects and explain to your preschooler what you are going to do. Let him stamp his thumb in the ink and on to the I. Once he is finished, use the black marker to add legs (six!) to each insect along with a face and antenna.
Lessons & Lapbook
I used printables from the Alphabet Notebook from Homeschool Share. Simon also added an entire little book of Dover Musical Instrument Stickers.
Let’s Make a Memory ~ Musical Instruments
We made two musical instruments.
Jingle Glove
You need five bells, a needle, thread, and an old glove for this project. You simply sew one bell on each finger. This was something I made for Simon. He wanted to be involved, but there wasn’t much he could do other than get the five bells out of the bag for me.
Bottle of Beans
This is a makeshift maraca. You just add beans to an old water bottle. You probably want to add glue around the edges of the bottle before adding the cap (so you don’t have any accidental bean blow ups!).
We also turned a coffee can into a drum, but it’s not pictured.
Here is Simon playing both instruments at once!
Book Basket
This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt
Our Marching Band by Lloyd Moss
Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni
Shopping List
~ red ink stamp pad
~ black marker
~ empty water bottle
~ beans or rice (enough to fill 1/2-3/4 of your empty bottle)
~ glue
~ old glove
~ five jingle bells
~ needle & thread
G is for Gift
Please read the information about Read to Me & ABC here
Read to Me
The book of the week for Letter G is Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack. Don’t miss out on emphasizing the G words in this book- goose, goat, galloped.
Alphabet Art- Gift Wrap G
Supplies
G Pattern
wrapping paper scraps cut into squares and rectangles
glue
Just stick and smile!
You could also make a green or gold glitter G!
Lessons & Lapbook
Simon mastered his letters and sounds a few months ago, so we are no longer making the letter lapbooks. We will simply stick the letter art pages in his ABC binder to fill in the gaps.
However, if we were making a lapbook, we would use the Ask Mr. Bear templates as well as some of the G mini-books. Ask Mr. Bear is on the list for one of Simon’s co-op classes this fall, so I’m sure we’ll do the lapbook then.
Let’s Make a Memory ~ G is for Gift Wrap Match!
This is from a Preschool Activity Bag swap. Basically, you just make pairs of matching cards from wrapping paper scraps and clear contact paper. Turn them over and play memory!
Let’s Make a Memory ~ G Gift!
I decided to give Simon a gift that started with the a G for some extra fun this week. He was very excited to receive an unexpected gift.
What’s in the package? GARDEN GLOVES!
Book Basket
The Golden Goose by Uri Shlevitz
The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Goodnight, Gorilla by Peggy Ratham
Shopping List
~glue
~wrapping paper (if you don’t have any)
~contact paper (if you don’t have a laminator)
~G gift (I purchased garden gloves. Other ideas: grape gum or groovy glasses.)
O is for Ocean & Octopus
Please read the information about Read to Me & ABC here
Read to Me
We read multiple books this week without focusing on one single book (see book basket for ideas). Simon’s favorite books were the books about octopuses.
Alphabet Art- Ocean Scene O
Supplies
O Pattern
sand
glue
blue finger paint
paint brush
salt or spice shaker (optional)
ocean themed stickers
paint tray (I just recycle old meat trays)
Simon painted the bottom part with glue. I drew some lines on the O to help guide him.
Next, Simon adds some sand. I put it in a shaker to make his job a little easier.
Hello ocean! Here comes the blue fingerpaint!
We let the paint dry and then Simon added some stickers (that we had left over from the "Let’s Make a Memory" game).
Lessons & Lapbook
Simon mastered his letters and sounds a few months ago, so we are no longer making the letter lapbooks. We will simply stick the letter art pages in his ABC binder to fill in the gaps.
However, if we were making a lapbook, we would use the lesons and lapbook made for Hello Ocean as well as some of the O mini-books from the Alphabet Notebook.
Let’s Make a Memory ~ Shells Memory Game
I found this idea in Family Fun magazine. You need lots of shells, 2 pages of ocean themed stickers, and two kids who love to play memory! You simply stick the stickers under the shells. You need two of each sticker.
My boys have played this game together over and over and over again.
Book Basket
Mr. Seahorse by Eric Carle
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
Over in the Ocean in a Coral Reef by Marianne Berkes
How to Hide an Octopus by Ruth Heller
The Octopus’s Garden by Mark Norman
Gentle Giant Octopus by Karen Wallace
Shopping and Supply List
~glue
~blue finger paint
~sand
~salt shaker or spice shaker (just recycle an old one!)
~paint brush
~shells
~ocean themed stickers (2 pages)
