|
|
Lesson Plan
Search For Activities
 |
- September 2005 Activities -
| For some
children starting school is a source of stress. Life
brings stress – how each child handles it makes all the
difference. #1 Often the stress of school
work can be lessened by having good time management
skills. Set up a system where a child can clearly see
what is to be accomplished by the day or week depending
on the age of the age. By developing a system that
illustrates tasks to be accomplished by your child, you
are helping them reduce their stress while teaching
responsibility and a sense of control.
Some examples –
- 1. A wipe board made with a glazed tile from a building supply
store. Cost was under a dollar and we personalized it with a picture
of the child.
On this wipe board we have written down a set routine to follow. The
routine includes reviewing homework assignments and setting
priorities – tests, project, or daily work. Check on school notices,
exercise, practice musical instrument, household chores, and other
happenings.
- A magnetic board that lists each child’s name and tasks can be
displayed and removed when accomplished.
On this magnetic board, a parent and child can add items to their
area together and remove when accomplished – empty dishwasher,
review spelling words, read for 15 minutes, decide topic for science
project, etc.
- A calendar printed from the internet that can be designed by the
parent or student. An older child can use a longer time frame
calendar to plug in dates and deadlines.
Calendars are great for breaking down assignments into manageable
segments. For example an assignment of a short story of 1 page due
on Friday is broken down on a calendar.
- Monday: pick topic for short story.
- Tuesday: Make outline for story
- Introduction
- Main Theme
- Conclusion and
- Write opening paragraph.
- Wednesday: Write rough draft and review with peer or
parents.
- Thursday: Write final draft and check spelling, neatness,
and grammar.
- Friday: submit final story
A larger calendar works with teenagers who are juggling school
work, school activities, jobs, church groups, or volunteer time.
|
(Click photos to enlarge image.) |
#2
Young children look forward to becoming readers. They want to read
just like older siblings or adults. The first step is to learn the
letters of the alphabet.
-
This idea is great because all you
do is open a cupboard or food pantry door.
-
Let the child look at the items
while you show a letter of the alphabet or say a letter name. You can
begin with A and continue through the alphabet or pick randomly.
|
 |
-
If "A" is the letter
chosen encourage the child to find a food item that begins with that
letter. It can be the contents of the can/package or a brand name.
Applesauce would be a good choice for "A".
-
If this is too difficult, encourage
the child to find the letter on any label or package.
-
For an independent activity see if
they can find an item for each letter of the alphabet and line up in
order on the counter.
#3 Our
next idea for alphabet recognition is a variation of the finger play
"Where Is Thumpkin?" and uses that singing tune for the
following activity.
-
Begin by writing one letter of the
alphabet on both thumbs using washable marker or use alphabet
stickers.
-
A good letter to choose would be a
letter from your child’s name. Let’s use "E" from Elissa.
Learn the long vowel sound first and then the short sound.
|
 |
-
Begin with hands behind your back
and say – Where is "E"? Where is "E"?
-
As you bring each hand in front say
– Here I am. Here I am.
-
Bend your thumbs as if they were
talking to each other. What do you say "E? What do you say
"S"?
-
Bend both thumbs as you say - /e/
/e/ /e/ /e/ /e/ /e/
-
When your child’s first name
letters are learned proceed to last name and on to all the alphabet
letters.
This is a great bedtime ritual.
Let me
know by e-mail what your favorite activity was this month. I am compiling information for a resource book
and want your input. Thanks.
|
|
|
