http://mommynature.com/blog A Preschool Parent's Natural Resource Sat, 03 May 2008 15:19:33 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Let me preface this by saying I get no compensation for this product review and simply wanted to share this program by completing a review on Zoo-phonics.  This is my first year using Zoo-phonics, a kinesthetic method for teaching phonics, reading, spelling and writing using literature.  The program is based on 26 ... http://mommynature.com/blog/2008/05/03/zoo-phonics-anyone/   Outdoor Preschools/Wood Kindergartens  Have you heard of this concept?  The idea is that the children have school in an outdoor space suitable for braving all types of weather.  I love the general idea, although I'm not sure I would take a fancy to it here year round, with the tornadic ... http://mommynature.com/blog/2008/04/21/outdoor-preschool/     I don't mean to turn this blog into a freebie posting site, but lately I have found several great deals.  So, today I found this from Core Knowledge, the same people who brought us the series What Your (insert grade level) Needs to Know book series.  They have now put out a ... http://mommynature.com/blog/2008/04/10/free-download-thumbelina-read-aloud-and-activity-pages/     One of my students' favorite activities in the spring is watching caterpillars change into butterflies.  I order the small set of caterpillars from Insect Lore and we chart how they change as we discuss what we think will happen next.  After a few days of enjoying the butterflies (once they ... http://mommynature.com/blog/2008/03/21/free-butterfly-zoobook-from-insect-lore/   Let me say that I am getting no compensation for plugging MediaMan.  It is as an extremely happy customer that I highly recommend it. To quote MediaMan's self-description:  "MediaMan is the ideal software to manage your media collection. It is not only a powerful tool to keep a digital catalog of ... http://mommynature.com/blog/2008/03/18/media-man-media-organizational-program/ Here's a fun twist to encourage writing.  Use this to practice writing letters, numbers, and shapes.  Materials needed: blank paper drawing utensils blank cube template or wooden block Take a blank cube template or wooden block and label each side with letters, numbers or shapes that your child/student is working on.  Take turns rolling the "die" and ... http://mommynature.com/blog/2008/03/18/writing-game/ Children develop from the "inside out", meaning that they have control over their midsection before their arms and legs; their arms before their fingers, their legs before their toes, etc.  This is why a child rolls over before she walks and why she bats at toys before she picks up ... http://mommynature.com/blog/2008/03/11/pre-writing-and-pre-reading-activities-for-the-whole-body/ Are you trying to increase your child's protein or fiber intake and your child likes cupcakes?  You must try these! Instead of buying the quick cupcake snacks filled with hydrogenated oils and no fiber or protein, give your child a yummy treat that he will ask for more of!  My bean-snubbing ... http://mommynature.com/blog/2008/03/04/beanie-cakes-with-cream-cheese-icing-yummy/ Posted by monkeybusinessbaby on February 29, 2008: Miss Gina, My little busy boy is 17 months old and into everything. When we tell him “No” he throws a big fit. He gets over it quickly so I am not overly concerned at this point but he also hits when he does not ... http://mommynature.com/blog/2008/03/03/17-month-olds-growing-pains-ie-tantrums/ Here is a space to post your educational or behavioral questions and concerns.  Anything having to do with general (preschool - early elementary) educational or behavioral issues can be posted here to be answered in the blog.  Just click on "Comments" below and get to work.  You can post as often ... http://mommynature.com/blog/2008/02/29/teachers-questions-or-concerns-to-ask-miss-gina-post-here/