Letter "B"

Teachable Moments happen all day long if we'll only be aware. You dont have to fall into the trap of perfectionism like I often do saying "when I get my act together I'll plan this elaborate amazing thematic unit." Sometimes you just need to start something and cut yourself some slack, God extends grace to us and we should remember that he expects us to do all for his glory not ours. In an effort to obey and try to glorify God in my few minutes to teach my 2 year old something this activity was born. This took little to no planning but achieved my goal that my son would understand that Blueberries and the color Blue start with "B." Now this may be a fluke, but he seemed to get it and enjoy coloring his blueberries on the page. Simple, few materials, to the point. Remember teaching children or anyone else is about making something connect to a previous experience to encourage a new memory/connection, and thus learning commences.

Ok for you over achievers this is too simple- here are some ideas to make a day/week/unit of  letter "B":

Snack: eat blueberries, blueberry bagels, bread, (anything starting with "B")experiment with blue foods or using food coloring to dye another food blue- personally blueberries give a good dark blueish color to make smoothies, blueish yogurt, etc.

Music: Find songs that focus on the letter "B", my son loves singing "Who let the "B" out b b b b b," "My Bonnie lies over the ocean," "Bringing home a Baby Bumblebee," etc.

Art: Coloring with a blue crayon,
Blue/b collage- for younger kids provide only pics starting with B or the color blue- use your judgement about bringing in a different one to compare. (My two year old could distinguish between blue and say red so I could talk to him about that and have him choose only blue ones.) The older/more aware of differences they are the more choices you can give to them for their collage.
Blueberry bliss: have "blueberries" cut out in different shapes and help the child figure out which shape is the real shape of a blueberry and glue to a piece of paper- and if feeling brave help them cut out the shape then glue.
Blackout: Color on a small piece of paper hard a few colors, then color over the top with black crayon, next help them write the letter B and draw pictures of their favorite "B" words by scratching it out using a popsicle stick or another wider sized utensil.

Extra stuff: Don't forget you can do these things with the color brown, and black and incorporate ideas using brown bears, black bears, etc.

A fav site for great preschool ideas: www.everythingpreschool.com
Happy teaching- planned or unplanned!;)

Confessions of a "former" teacher

Here is my new blog about all things related to teaching not just in a classroom, resources, ideas, topics ranging from Special Education, Homeschool, Homemaking, Faith, kids, food, and anything else i can think of related to making the most of every opportunity to help others learn, teach, and grow in all areas of life.

I titled this post Confessions of a "former" teacher because I taught 5 1/2 years as a Special Education teacher focusing on self-contained Autism and inclusion. During my 6th year I was blessed to have my son who is now two and a very curious, clumsy, and fun to teach. Shortly after my aunt with special needs came to live with us and has proven to be a great teacher, a willing helper, and a wonderful challenge. Every day I teach others, and learn from them. The reality is that everyone is teaching and learning, we don't always realize the impact on others or on us. I believe God has given me a gift to teach others about Him and how he is involved in every aspect of life:


The Law of the Lord Is Perfect     To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5  which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
    the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
    sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Sooo let me know what you think- I appreciate comments that encourage, instruct, and even challenge or correct my errors.