Step One Prewriting

Check out the cool video below, that helps explain prewriting, especially for those who are more visual learners. Both my kids learn via different methods, so I have to be creative in the ways I teach them.

So what exactly is prewriting? Basically it is all the things you think about, in any given day. Using all your senses, to expand your thoughts. Would the thought make a good writing topic? If yes, start to explore the idea a little bit more. Read about it, ask questions, observe, and listen.

There are several ways you can organize your thoughts: story maps, graphs, tables which is similar to a graph, diagram, outline, word cluster, list, or just jotting down your thoughts randomly. The last one is my personal favorite. I do better with things are a little less formal, and time consuming.

Lessons for 9/4/08, Question About Yahoo Buzz, Great Field Trip Idea

This post is packed full today. I have limited time, now, so I am adding more than one thing per post on most days.

First is a question. Has anyone tried Yahoo Buzz, yet? I know it is fairly new, but I am interested in what users think of it. What do you like, or dislike, about it?

Second, for any of my local readers, to the Gainesville area. The Gainesville Museum, has a cool exhibit called Grossology. It is basically a travel through the Human Body. I thought it was a great field trip idea, and we will definately be going to it. That makes 4 field trips, we have planned so far. It is open from 10 AM-4PM Sept 27th-Jan 11th, so there is plenty of time to see it.

Here are our lessons for 9/4/08
Spelling Lesson 1- put your spelling words in alphabetical order

Vocabulary Lesson 1- write the definition for each vocab word two times each

Math- muliplication, addition, subtraction, expanded notations

Language Arts- nouns, phonics review, punctuation

Reading- read chapter 3 of Dinosaurs Before Dark

Writing- tell what makes a good friend

Health- care of your eyes and ears, and how healthy are you?

If you want a cool website to help with teaching of your body, here are two http://homeschooling.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=homeschooling&cdn=education&tm=19&gps=69_207_1362_583&f=00&tt=13&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.kidshealth.org/misc_pages/mybody_SW.html and http://homeschooling.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=homeschooling&cdn=education&tm=15&gps=113_58_1362_583&f=00&tt=13&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.optima-hyper.com/eyetests/kidsquiz/KIDSAFE.htm The second is an eye test, you take with your kids.

PE- 30 minutes

Recess- 30 minutes

Spanish if time permits

Caitlin will be starting preschool at the local library, on Fridays, in addition to preschool at home. This weeks arts and crafts project, is a surprise, and is usually done on Fridays. However, due to the length of time involved I will be doing it either Wed or Thurs of this week. I recently painted our master bath, and my husband suggested letting the kids paint on the cupboards. At first I was like, no way, they have never really painted. He laughed and said, who cares, only we use that bathroom, and it will have lasting memories. So that is the art project for this week. I bought some special stencils, and we will see how it goes. Stay tuned for pictures of the outcome.