So here we are year two since the big changes from in-person school to homeschool. If you read my last post on our homeschooling journey, you will notice that we were doing the distance learning program Jewels school had offered. This year, they didn’t give it as an option…or at least not one that we liked and felt comfortable with so we opted out of it and went with a private homeschooling program.
From Distance Learning to Homeschooling
It’s been 1 month in and so far I am so pleased at the program and the mini zooms with the teacher. It’s like a full time job for the parent(s) who are working with and guiding their homeschooled child along. We are getting into a good routine and I think in another month or two we will have it down solid.
Jewels didn’t get much out of last year and ended up not enjoying to read, like most kids her age should. She actually hated it as well as having to write anything. Since being in the new homeschooling program she has picked up reading books and is learning spelling words so much faster than ever before. I find her sitting in her room actually trying to READ! Yes, of course we have our days when we have trouble getting through a lesson or two but come on she’s a kid. It’s to be expected and I handle it with breaks, snacks and lots of hugs.
A little Extra Is All You Need
With most homeschooling programs, they provide you with the books and materials needed for the course. Although, I found to have extra fun learning tools around has been an added bonus. Especially for my pre-schooler. These products below have helped us keep the girls busy when not doing school but keep them learning.
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Pre-School - Kindergarten
Heart loves doing pages in this book. Even though she is in pre-school the kindergarten book is perfect to get her ready for the next grade level. Every two pages she completes, she gets a sticker of the character on that page to put in the top right corner. She gets so excited she wants to keep going to get more stickers. There are books for every grade level too.
Both Jewels and Heart love using a dry erase marker board. I’m pretty sure most kids do. And what kid doesn’t like Frozen? Right? Here is the perfect combination of the two. These dry erase Disney learning books, help with letter and word writing. There is also a sight words book which both girls use.
Believe it or not, these Pop It’s have been helping not only get through school but also just the anxiety of the pandemic. When the kids are feeling nervous or upset they know to get their Pop It’s and it calms them down. I was honestly hesitant at first but I’m so glad I tried them out. The heart one in this set also has raised ABC on each bubble so you can use them as a game to teach letters.
Even if your kids don’t homeschool, this wiggle seat might be the solution to any homework time wiggles. I started using this seat for the kids zoom sessions and then even at the dinner table.
We use these dry erase white boards everyday. It helps save on paper and makes writing and learning fun for the kids. Having multiple in the house is useful so everyone in the family can use one at the same time. Especially helpful when parents are teaching the kids and want to write and show something at the same time.
When I was growing up Ten Frames meant ten picture frames. When I first heard about ten frames and number bonds I thought, “What is this witchcraft”. Then as I had to learn alongside Jewels, I was like, “Oh I get why they do this”. These counter toys for ten frames will help 1st grade and up.
These little counters have become so helpful when doing 1st/2nd grade ten frames and addition and subtraction problems. They are durable plastic counters that provide a variety of counting and probability activities for students. Counters measure one inch in diameter and are red on one side, yellow on the other. Can be used for counting, sorting, patterning and more.
We started using these when Jewels was in Kindergarten but they were most useful in 1st and 2nd grade. These block might seem like just a fun STEM building toy but they actually help math skills (one-to-one correspondence, counting to 100, skip counting, Comparison, Making 10, Nonstandardized measurements, Grouping, Addition, Subtraction, Graphing), Color identification, Shape identification, Patterning, Matching, Fine motor skills, Eye-hand coordination, and Motor planning. Kids might see the resemblance between these and the Netflix show Number Blocks.
I bought this game when I was going through a tough time to get Jewels to want to read again. She loved playing this game and I believe it started her in the right direction. Heart who wasn’t even reading yet also found the game fun and was able to find matching words.
These magnetic letters have been very effective in teaching my kids to recognize letters and for Jewels, to read words. The JOYNOTE letters are magnetic foam that easily sticks on the magnetic white board What drew me to this set was it having more than one letter per letter making it easy to spell out words.
This is something both girls use. Helps them learn geometric terms, and develop stronger problem solving abilities.
My kids love all the Piggie and Gerald books by Mo Willems. If Jewels needs to choose a book to read the first choice is always one of these books. Easy to read and humorous books. They are great for kids!
Both my girls love to play this game and put words together. When we first started the game we played without the timer and paper. I wanted to focus more on having them find and spell words without the pressure of a clock.
“Players compete with themselves and each other in this fast-paced word-building game. Kids hurry to build words using all sides of the Reading Rods® within a two-minute time limit. Game can be played at multiple levels and can be customized to practice specific reading and word-building skills. Includes 112 color-coded Rods, one two-minute timer, four pencils, one score pad and instructions. For 2-4 players.”
This post contains affiliate links. These products may or may not work with for your child but we suggest giving them a try.