Week 12: Ask Mr. Bear

Another great story written by Marjorie Flack! "Ask Mr. Bear"
Basically this book is about a little boy looking for a birthday present for his mother. He asks all of the animals on his farm for ideas. The little boy ends up going into the forest to "Ask Mr. Bear" what present he should give his mother. Mr. Bear says he should give her a big bear hug! 

Here are all the kids sitting nicely waiting for the show to begin! My friend Audra taught this week and created a puppet show to act out the book.  The first thing the kids had to do was sit quietly with their hands on their lap.  I find with 3 kids so little you need to take every opportunity you can to teach them when to pay attention and sit still. Ok well I guess that applies to all kids!

Little People glued to popsicle sticks worked wonderfully as the characters.  

After the show the kids decorated cupcakes for the "un-birthday party".  In "Ask Mr. Bear" the main character asks all the animals on his farm what he should get his mother for her birthday.  Since none of the kids had a birthday on this day we had the "un-birthday party" instead. Preschoolers are really into birthdays so decorating cupcakes and singing was a huge hit.

Later on that week I made a farm animal sensory bin for the kids. Sensory bins can be quite messy but I usually find they are worth it.  This is the perfect way to get the 18-month old involved in school and the 3-year olds usually love it as well.  My sensory bin was composed of the top from a tote box.  Rice, pretzels, dried veggie sticks.  

 Yes, I am still vacuuming up rice from my shag run! My fault, should have put down a sheet.  

Here we are working on holding a pencil correctly. My daughter, for example is very good at tracing letters and shapes.  She can hold a pen and pencil perfectly without a problem. Her twin brother on the other hand has a much harder time and needs instruction each time we practice writing. I find it so interesting to compare the two 3 year olds and the level they are at with each skill we work on.  The worksheets used here are from www.homeschoolcreations.net.

Here is a game sorting Farm Animals Vs. Forest Animals.  Glue was involved, of course making this a fun activity.

Last but not least, the kids practiced eye hand coordination with a Melissa and Doug Lace and Trace Farm set.  

  

Another successful week of teaching my kiddos at home!