Halloween Themed Homeschooling Story Time

I am leading the story time for a homeschooling group and here's what I've prepared:

We will start with a song



1st Book:

Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell

I have found a free printable for the life cycle of a pumpkin here, and adjusted it a bit to fir the purpose of a game I want to do.

2nd Book:

Moonlight the Halloween Cat by Cynthia Rylant

I've created a worksheet that I will print for each child and let them draw things that Moonlight sees during the Halloween night. I haven't decided whether to do it while I am reading the story or when I am done reading..

3rd Book:

Halloween Hats by Elizabeth Winthrop

 For this book we will do an active activity. I will bring a small chest full of hats and let kids pick one before I start reading the book. At the end we will play a game of marching, throwing hats into the air, and catching some other hat and pretending to be that new pretend character (the book describes this game in its last few pages).


4th Book:

Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman 

 

For this book we will go outside. I will bring a robe and kids will split into two groups. One side, holding up to the robe, will pretend to be a pumpkin and squat, while the other side will pull them, trying to "roll them down". 

Egyptian Writing

We were studying about writing in early Egyptian times and kids made impressive scrolls, using popsicle sticks and paper. A. even wrote a sentence in cuneiform writing.

Entertaining your child for less than $1

Don't we like keeping our kids entertained for as cheap as possible? Well, here is lifehacker link to ten different ideas to entertain your children for a dollar or less: LifeHacker.

Wipe Flash Wash Sign

E.V.E.R.Y. S.I.N.G.L.E T.I.M.E! my children use the bathroom I ask, "Did you wipe? flash? wash?" and E.V.E.R.Y. S.I.N.G.L.E T.I.M.E! their response is "Oops!" and they run back to the bathroom!

It's not the wiping that they forget, but the other two quiet necessary actions :) 

Here's a sign I am putting back in my bathroom today:

 

You are welcome to print it and tape it next to the potty for your little ones to see! :) 

Worksheet: 14 Minus

How Chinese Multiply

I saw this video being passed around on Facebook and I was amazed at how it works! I don't think my 5-year old is ready for it, but I will keep it for the future:

Taking Breaks

I've been under the weather lately. This Texas heat is taking its toll on me... I barely have energy to do anything around the house and even AC blowing all day isn't helping much.

Last night I had hard time falling asleep and ended up very tired this morning. I noticed my little one was in about the same condition. We sent J. off to preschool and her and I just took it slow today.

I felt guilty at first, but then realized that the harmony and calm atmosphere at home was so pleasant and enjoyable, that no guilt should be present.

While I was sorting the laundry in the bedroom, my 5-year old daughter cleaned her room up without me asking or nagging her - on her own initiative! I was on the 7th heaven. Then she wrapped stuffed caterpillar and played "become a butterfly", so we read Animal Encyclopedia laying on the floor. Then we did some grocery shopping and picked her brother up from preschool. So far - it's a nice day off! I think we both needed it.

They are pretending to nap right now. I took a 30-min nap and updating this blog and looking for a new credit card to flip. 

Soon, we will be making dinner together and have some late studying done :) 

I love homeschooling!  

p.s. Last night our neighbor's 4-yr old stop by to get help with her ps Math. She was exhausted and had really hard time understanding the material. Once again - love homeschooling!