Creating Cattails

leslie March 16, 2017 0 Comments
We've had so much fun learning all about the Pond in our newest unit study!Unfortunately Sweet Pea had the flu, so we haven't had many outdoor adventures to the local pond; however she did make her own picture of cattails at a pond the other day and had fun even with the flu.Mother Goose Time supplied us with sticks, green paper, and the blue sheet along with the inspiration photo of cattails....

Experiencing God with a Toddler

leslie March 8, 2017 0 Comments
Have you ever experienced God?I mean, have you ever been through something or looked at a particular person and KNOWN it was God right there?I am the Kinder-5th Grade Children's Director at my church.If you told me that I would be used by the Lord to teach kids about His love 10 years ago, I would have laughed in your face!  I wasn't even a believer then, and I didn't grow up in...

Using the Planning Journal

leslie March 1, 2017 0 Comments
In case you don't already know, I have a deep love for our monthly thematic study from Mother Goose Time.  Each month I try to do all 20 days.I have failed every month... for 7 months in a row thinking each month will be different.Obviously I can't do it all.Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.I am not insane, nor do I want to set myself up for...

Tot School: Play-based Assessment

leslie February 25, 2017 2 Comments
Assessment.That word used to give me the heeby-jeebies when I taught public school.Now assessment means something totally different.Play-based and present observation.When I assess Sweet Pea and whether or not she knows a skill, I just observe her playing.  Playing! As a former public educator, playing in the classroom is not something incorporated into curriculum or worksheets....

Tot School: Valentine’s Day

leslie February 20, 2017 0 Comments
Valentine's Day is such a fun day to celebrate with kids!My husband and I don't celebrate Valentine's Day at all, which is fine by me;however, I do want Sweet Pea to know what the day is about and why.I still want to make it special for her, but I didn't want to spend money. My desire was to spend some really good quality time talking and making things special for our Love day.Mother Goose Time...

MGT: Manipulative Monday Giveaway!

leslie February 13, 2017 0 Comments
Are you ready for a giveaway?There's a million great things about Mother Goose Time, but one of our top 5 things we love is the new manipulatives we get each month.  Manipulatives are hands-on objects children use to work out problems.  They manipulate objects to learn. Mother Goose Time sends us 2 new sets of manipulatives each month. One set is usually some kind of counter or...

1, 2 Buckle My Shoe

leslie February 11, 2017 0 Comments
1, 2 Buckle my shoe3,4 Shut the door5,6 Pick up sticks7,8 Lay them straight9,10 Do it again!We are absolutely LOVING this month's Nursery Rhyme Unit from Mother Goose Time!Each day we learn a new little rhyme with motions to go with it.This rhyme was on our 2nd day, but Sweet Pea keeps coming back to it- she loves to act it out. My teacher guide gave some great examples of what to do with...

Creative Academy for Kids

leslie February 3, 2017 0 Comments
I have a dream y'all.  I think it's pretty good, but it would take more than me to pull it off.  This dream is not about me, but about the future- all of our futures, because this dream centers on kids.The Dream:Do you craft?  If you do, I can only imagine what your space looks like... probably a lot like mine. Surfaces covered with paper, scissors, all sorts of markers, pens,...

Me and My Toddler’s Daily Routine

leslie January 30, 2017 0 Comments
I taught in public school for 8 years... from 3rd graders to seniors, I taught them all.  The one thing that I always pushed was a routine.  Our class period always started out the same way, whether it was a quick 5 minute sketch when I taught art, watching CNN Student News when I taught Social Studies, or doing our daily DOL (Daily Language Review, Grade 1) when I taught English, the...

Tot School: Interactive Reading

leslie January 25, 2017 0 Comments
My girl is in love with books.It goes with her quiet, contemplative, cautious personality I think.She loves to sit in laps, look at pictures, tell you about them, and snuggle with whoever she is sitting with... mostly it's me. <3 Mother Goose Time sends us a NEW BOOK each month with our monthly kit.Naturally with this month revolving around the theme of baby animals, we received a book...