Bfiar / Slow and Steady / something ... help

[illinoismommy]

I totally don't think we need to do anything formal..... but I think we need something to do. We have a little schedule but we end up with a lot of free time still and we get bored. I love him having free time, but I think its too much, kwim? With gas prices predicted to pass 4 dollars and us living waaaay far from things I forsee us staying home a lot more in our small town. So.... can you tell me about Before five in a row and slow and steady get me ready? We are feeling poor right now and both are a lot of money if I can't find a used copy but mostly I just want to know if it sounds like something we would enjoy since thats the most important goal right now. Oh I have also heard of letter of the week, you could tell me about that also. Especially note if it would be worth it even though he knows his letters already.... thanks

[doubleblessings]

we are doing the LOTW Preparatory Curriculum (http://letteroftheweek.com/Preparatory.html) right now (on week 3). It has a theme (so far cows, jungle, kittens) for each week with suggested books to read. It also has a vocabulary word related to the theme (calf, vine, claws). Each week has either a shape or a color, a letter, a number and a nursery rhyme. I have also added a Bible verse each week (not for them to memorize, just one I read to them). My DD REALLY enjoys it. DS likes it and seems to be retaining some, but he isn't into sitting (even if it is only 5-15 min). It has been good for getting me and our day more organized. I am also trying to do more outside/nature time with them. We went out and looked for vines last week, etc. LOTW (not the prep one) goes into the sounds of the letters not just recognition.

I just got Slow and Steady, haven't read much of it. It has one activity per week. I am considering getting BFIAR.

[The Tickle Momster]

BFIAR is ok. It has a great booklist. Several that I had never heard of. It has ideas of activities to do relating to the books and stuff to point out in the artwork. Most of the books are good for ages 4 & up, IMO. I think you can get the booklist off the website.

S&S, GMR has weekly activities from birth to age 5. The activities are geared toward getting your child ready to read and for kindergarten. There are some really fun activities. It's a good resource.

LOTW is free, uses the library tons and my kids really liked it, until I petered out on it. We didn't do all of it though. I might restart it for dd next fall though, so she can "do school" too.

Check ebay for used copies or my favorite www.allbookstores.com

[malakoa]

Check out this site http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/index.html it's fun and free! and most of the books are at our library. those that aren't we ask the librarian to replace. (choose other appropriate books.) Small loves them!

[The Tickle Momster]

Oooh, I agree with Hubbard's Cupboard! She has lots of fun ideas, including bible verse memory pages and songs, texture bins and activities and other fun stuff!

[malakoa]

also, Slow and Steady is mostly about what's on hand. But just skip any of the things you have to buy, that's what we do. :heart

[illinoismommy]

Wow im overwhelmed, i dont know what to choose or whether he is ready for some of it :think

[The Tickle Momster]

At 2.5, I'd stick with simple. Do a modified LOTW thing. Pick a color each week and find it different places, eat all green for lunch. You could do the same for shapes. Just something to help you focus your time. I'd do lots of books. LOTW can help with themes. BFIAR is really better for closer to 4 or 5. Your best bet is probably slow & steady along with the sensory bins from hubbardscupboard.org

That and lots of including him in every day life. He can help sort laundry and silverware. If you put your dishes down low, he can help set the table. Building towers with blocks, trains, legos, etc.

I just reread your original post. Since he knows his letters, I would maybe make the learning poster from LOTW ( letteroftheweek.com )Then you have a visual to remind you to focus. We added a bible verse, I think.

It feels like I'm rambling. I hope this was helpful.

[SueQ]

What I do with my preschoolers is read to them using the BFIAR book list for ideas and using books that I enjoyed as a child. Have them dig in the dirt with me outside when I am working in the flowerbeds and vegetable garden. Have blocks around for them to build with, have crayons, colored pencils, finger paints handy to get out for art. Play dough (we make it together and they then play with it.) dress up things for them to use, etc. We do a lot of reading because I love reading! LOL

I did a seach for Free homeschool ideas for you and here are some sites I come up with:

Preschool Home activities for children (http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschoolers.htm)

Preschool Lessons (http://www.funlessonplans.com/index.htm)

Homeschool Preschool Activities from about.com (http://homeschooling.about.com/od/preschool/a/preschoolact.htm)

First-School Preschool activities and Crafts (http://www.first-school.ws/)

Preschool Corner (http://www.preschoolcorner.com/)

[malakoa]

If you have excell, why not make a spreadsheet with a space for every hour on the hour. plug in the activities you are already doing - playing with toys, going to the park, chores, any classes, etc.

then for one week just pick one of the resources mentioned here and plug it in for four of the days of the week.

if that doesn't work out, chuck it, if it does add another.

if you want i can email you my spread sheet, not that it's perfect (i've only been using it a couple of weeks) but just to see an example of how things are starting out with another family...