Spring Garden Sensory Bin

This is my first sensory bin and a very simple affair.  I wanted a bin with lots of texture and a way to move it around.  I also wanted a bin that had some natural colors, conveying the idea of a spring garden with dirt, seeds and buds.   The ingredients are:

• Lima Beans
• Black Beans
• Split Peas
• Pasta
• A spoon
• A cup (with a picture of a bug)

Little Dude had a blast using the spoon to put the contents into the cup.  One of my big goals for this is to keep the contents in the bin, and we succeeded. 

Tot Time - Books and Shapes

Little Dude is 23 months old

This week happened a little more organically than the last few.  Because I have been dealing with his big sister's schooling a little more this week I did not have the time to put in the planning for Little Dude's week, however he found some great leaning opportunities all on his own, I just encouraged them a little bit.

The Little Dude loves books.  He has loved books since he was old enough to sit up and hold them.  One of his favorite activities is to sit (in a bookshelf - I really wish I had a picture) next to my chair while I am working on the computer and look at books.  Well, this week he decided that sitting next to me was not enough, he wanted to sit with me and look at books.  So since he was in my lap anyway, I read him the books he brought.  He thought this was the greatest thing.  He especially likes the counting books.  He points at the numbers and I say them.  

Shapes

One of the greatest toys ever invented is the Shape-O toy by Tupperware.  I have entertained scores of children in the church nursery with this toy.  The Little Dude found ours this week.  The shapes are scattered in the toy box, but this turned out to be a good thing.  We started with just one shape, the circle, he figured out where it should go.  The we took it out and he did it again.  After about 20 or so times, I went to try to find some more shapes.  I found two more, the star and the trapezoid, and we played the game again, and again, every day.  

Today being the beginning of the month, I really want to make some Tot-Time goals, more focused, structured time with the Little Dude, a monthly theme (April is Spring), and find some benchmarks/evaluations to see what he can and should be able to learn at his age.  I am continually amazed at his abilities and aptitude. 

{Linked up: Homeschool Creations, Tot School}

Tot Time - Puffballs

Little Dude is 23 months old

This week we did not do a lot in Tot School.  The Little Dude was suffering from a little cold, so most of his time was spent curled up on my lap watching Little Einsteins.  By Friday though he had recovered enough to give a go at the puffballs.  

Two different containers, two colors of puffs. He did a little bit with it, but was not really interested.  Oh well, on to the next great idea.

{Linked up: Homeschool Creations, Tot School}

Saint Patrick's Day Homeschool Fun

Holidays are a great reason to break out of the regular schedule and do something, a little different, a little special.

Here are the three activities that we are going to do today, this Saint Patrick's Day:

♣ Watching the story of Saint Patrick on the Sumo of the Opera Veggie Tales DVD.

♣ Reading the Confession of Saint Patrick.  A primary resource!  It will be interesting what Zippy thinks of it.

♣ Doing some "Lucky Charms" Math with this printable. This works out so well as we are in the middle of a unit on graphs in the Math curriculum.

Not to leave out the Little Dude out of our green celebration, he will have the opportunity to play with green blocks, green stickers, and a new tot time activity sorting with green and pink puffs in the bottom of an egg container.

What are you doing this Saint Patrick's Day?  Make a comment and let me know. ♣