Welcome!

I came up with a basic outline for what I want to do.  I am sure this will change frequently, but here is what I have for starters.

I a going to run Playschool every Monday and Wednesday starting after lunch.  I plan for it to last 1-2 hours, but that is flexible depending on topic and my weekly schedule.

Each session will start with a routine.  First go through the calendar, including the "Days of the Week" song (To the tune of "The Adams Family"... There's Sun and there's Mon, there's Tues and there's Weds, there's THurs and there's Fri, and then there's Saturday.  Days of the week, *clap clap*, days of the week *clap clap*, days of the week, days of the week, days of the week *clap clap*).  After the song, we talk about what day it is and add the number to the calendar.

Then we check the weather and put up the appropriate sign based on the outside.  Then we do the number of the day.  On Mondays I will introduce the number, I will show examples of objects that represent that number, we will use 10 frame cards to see the picture and then we will practice writing the number.

Ten frame cards

Number Tracing Cards (these aren't the ones I have, but I can't find the ones I am using and these ones look pretty cool, too).

(I am gathering more ideas on how to teach number sense to preschoolers, so this will change and get better as times goes on).

Next we will move on to the Letter of the Week.  Once again, I don't know how to teach letters to 3 year olds, especially how to teach letter sounds.  So thus far I am using songs on youtube, our little letters bucket, letter coloring books, letter tracing pages, etc.  I have found several websites that give more ideas, so I will continue to study over the next few weeks and get more ideas.

Letter Tracing Pages

Letter Coloring Books (Once again I can't find the one I did... I'm so mad I didn't save the sites.  But here is another cool one that I guess I will have to start using from here on out for the rest of the letters.  Plus this one is only one page folded up, so it will save paper from the last kind I was using).

After letter time, I will move on to the "Theme of the Month".

Jan-the 5 Senses
Feb-the Body
Mar-Nature
Apr-Seasons
May-Animals
June-Dinosaurs
July-Water
Aug-Oceans

The themes will basically give me ideas for activities to do that will be engaging and be based in discovery.  I don't intend to do a ton of hard core lessons, but rather, things that will open her eyes to the world around us and understand a few new things.


On our off days, I do want to give her other things to work on.  Tuesdays will be spent going through this book.  My cousin is using it with her son and she highly recommended it.  I ordered it this week, but haven't gotten it yet. I'll let you know what I think of it later.

On Thursdays she will have computer game time.  My cousin highly recommended starfall.com.  She has a membership that she can share with family members, so we're going to try it out for free.  I also found a website that is free and has some fun looking educational games.  Once again, I'll let you know how it goes.

Fridays will be "Fine Motor Friday".  I am finding games and activities that are not as much educational as help her develop her fine motor skills.  I am also hoping to get weekly playdates on Fridays.  We have our first playdate tomorrow!

Anyway, there's an outline of what I've come up with.  We'll see how it goes.  This week I have only done my Mon and Weds "class", but B had a GREAT time both days and asks for more school every day.  I think that in and of itself makes it successful.