From the category archives:

pre-k & kinder

Post image for “I Love You” Sign Language Valentine Cards by Children

I learned something new this week. The sign language symbol for “I love You.”

Ms Annie traced the hands of the children in her class and created this loving board for all of the parents.

I know that Jeannine’s children are busy stitching homemade Valentine cards for friends and family.

I thought this would be a great idea to teach them. They have added this sign language design to their Valentine cards. So simple and so sweet. They simply trace and cut out their hand and then glue down the two middle fingers.

You know Grandma would just love receiving this card from her little sweethearts. I know I would!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Life with Joyce

Come win: Me and You by Genevieve Cote

Sharing this week at:

abc and 123 learning

Thematic Thursday

{ 2 comments }

W is for Winter: Early Literacy and Math for Preschoolers

January 10, 2012 at school
Thumbnail image for W is for Winter: Early Literacy and Math for Preschoolers

What Will the Weather Be Like Today by Paul Rogers is the perfect winter weather book to read here in the Hill Country of South Texas. Once in a blue moon we experience a snow day like last year but on the other hand, we often enjoy sunny warm weather in January. It might get [...]

Read the full article →

Ringing in the New Year with Preschoolers

January 4, 2012 at school
Thumbnail image for Ringing in the New Year with Preschoolers

How do you ring in the New Year with three and four-year-old preschoolers? Supplies construction paper glue sticks / glue bottles scraps of everything and anything! curly ribbon rick-rack pipe-cleaners pom-poms marshmallows feathers junk! Lesson Preparation cut out construction paper triangles prior to lesson But you know we believe in low-maintenance for the teacher and [...]

Read the full article →

Preschool Sensory Christmas Tree

December 12, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for Preschool Sensory Christmas Tree

Book of the Week GIVEAWAY: The Handiest Things in the World by Andrew Clements Photographs by Raquel Jaramillo Why we love this book: We’re often asked how we select the books we GIVE AWAY at waddlee-ah-chaa. It’s quite simple, we love books and we’re always on the look out for books. There’s no method to [...]

Read the full article →

Preschool Gingerbread Christmas Unit

December 6, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for Preschool Gingerbread Christmas Unit

This book is my personal copy of The Gingerbread Man from when I was a little girl. Everyday after lunch, my sister Jennifer and I would crawl into bed with our Mama. She would read us two story books and then it was afternoon nap time. The Gingerbread Man was one of my favorites. Fast [...]

Read the full article →

Reading Response Art, Math and Science

November 16, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for Reading Response Art, Math and Science

Book of the Week: Pig’s Egg by Katherine Sully, illustrated by Sam Chaffey Why we love this book: Pig’s Egg is a delightful book that immediately draws you in through it’s pen and ink with water color illustrations. Sam Chaffey’s illustrations capture each farm animal’s character as they each care for their individual eggs. Pig [...]

Read the full article →

Preschool Reading Response Art & Music

November 9, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for Preschool Reading Response Art & Music

Down on the Farm by Merrily Kutner Why we love this book: We love this book because the kids love this book! If you’re looking for a great little book packed full of learning then Down on the Farm by Merrily Kutner is a must have. This book full of rhyme, rhythm and repetitive text [...]

Read the full article →

Reading Response Fall Art for Children: Book of the Week GIVEAWAY

November 2, 2011 art
Thumbnail image for Reading Response Fall Art for Children: Book of the Week GIVEAWAY

Book of the Week GIVEAWAY: A Busy Year by Leo Lionni Why we love this book: In honor of the “Fall” season we are giving away A Busy Year by Leo Lionni. In A Busy Year, Willie and Winnie love their tree, Woody, all year long! We like to begin the school year in September [...]

Read the full article →

Number Recognition for Preschool: Book & Number Recognition Set GIVEAWAY

October 4, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for Number Recognition for Preschool: Book & Number Recognition Set GIVEAWAY

Book of the Week & Number Recognition Set GIVEAWAY Book of the Week GIVEAWAY: Numbers 123 by Rainbow Books Why we love this book: This book has simple photo pictures, with easy to read text and numbers. Excellent for beginning number recognition and readers. Number & Alphabet Recognition Foam Tiles Laminated Set: Number Formation Guides [...]

Read the full article →

Simple School Supply Organization

September 7, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for Simple School Supply Organization

Empowering the students is our main goal in the first few days of starting preschool. We accomplish this objective by keeping things simple and personal. Our preschool children bring the following school supplies: 1 package of 8 Crayola Washable Markers 1 box 24 count Crayola Crayons 1 rounded tip pair of scissors 1 package #2 [...]

Read the full article →

Preschool Self Portraits: Book of the Week GIVEAWAY

September 6, 2011 art
Thumbnail image for Preschool Self Portraits: Book of the Week GIVEAWAY

Book of the Week GIVEAWAY: I Like Me by Nancy Carlson Why we love this book: We’ve been starting the school year with I Like Me for twenty years. This joyful main character proclaims, “I like my curly tail, my round tummy and my tiny little feet.”  So yes this book serves up a healthy [...]

Read the full article →

Gossie, her bright red boots and a little math fun!

April 19, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for Gossie, her bright red boots and a little math fun!

We just can’t get enough of Gossie, her bright red boots and her friends. During this Easter and Spring season, Olivier Dunrea’s characters are among our very favorites to share with the children. Join us as we revisit one of our spring posts . . . (And if you still need an Easter Basket Stuffer [...]

Read the full article →

God Made the Colors of the World: FREE printable book

April 12, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for God Made the Colors of the World: FREE printable book

Some of you are familiar with my journey to Cambodia and the children who have forever stolen a piece of my heart. If you have no idea what I’m talking about: My Journey Begins Here! Since the children in Cambodia are trying to learn English, I created a simple color book for them. The children [...]

Read the full article →

Journal Writing with Kindergartners: Book of the Week GIVEAWAY

March 29, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for Journal Writing with Kindergartners: Book of the Week GIVEAWAY

Book of the Week GIVEAWAY: Baby Bear, Baby Bear What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr & Eric Carle Why we love this book: What’s not to love?  It’s Bill Martin Jr & Eric Carle! As we continue our series on journal writing with kindergartners we cannot emphasize enough the importance of easy familiar [...]

Read the full article →

Journal Writing with Preschoolers: And a Two Book GIVEAWAY

March 8, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for Journal Writing with Preschoolers: And a Two Book GIVEAWAY

Book of the Week GIVEAWAYS:  On The Go by Ant Parker and Airport by Byron Barton Last week we began our series on age appropriate journal writing with toddlers. This week we’re continuing the series with preschoolers. As a Teacher and now a homeschool Mom, I’ve learned to keep things low maintenance! For all of [...]

Read the full article →

Journal Writing with Toddlers: Book of the Week GIVEAWAY

February 28, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for Journal Writing with Toddlers: Book of the Week GIVEAWAY

Book of the Week GIVEAWAY: Baby’s First Animals by Hinkler Books Why we love this book: We start reading to children when they are infants. This book with it’s simple colorful pictures and text are just what we look for when reading to baby. For toddlers, the one word pages introduce toddlers to the concept [...]

Read the full article →

Math Investigation: What Shapes Can I Make On the Geoboard?

January 31, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for Math Investigation: What Shapes Can I Make On the Geoboard?

This week it’s Valentines, Love, Friendship and Shapes. Yep, shapes! Backtrack to yesterday for the FREE printable book and art activity. Today it’s all about math. Our geoboard math investigation was sparked by a request from Miss Enigma, “Mommy, I want to play with the geoboards.” While Miss Enigma enjoyed her free exploration time, she [...]

Read the full article →

Kevin Henkes DVD and Book of the Week GIVEAWAY

January 31, 2011 at school
Thumbnail image for Kevin Henkes DVD and Book of the Week GIVEAWAY

Book of the Week GIVEAWAY: A Weekend with Wendell by Kevin Henkes and Chrysanthemum . . . and more mouse mayhem Storybook Treasures DVD by Scholastic (This DVD includes 6 stories: Chrysanthemum, Owen, A Weekend with Wendell, The Caterpillar and the Polliwog, Hondo and Fabian and Mouse Around) Why we love this book: Valentines, Love [...]

Read the full article →

I Dare You Not to Sing-Along

December 1, 2010 at home
Thumbnail image for I Dare You Not to Sing-Along

Great Little Christmas Stocking Stuffer! We first highlighted Readeez back in April. We highly recommend this for all of the little “Readeezers” on your Christmas list. . . Our children do not own very many DVD’s.  Every few weeks we head down to the local library and the kids pick out a combination of “fluff” [...]

Read the full article →

Alphabet Guides: The WINNER

November 29, 2010 at school
Thumbnail image for Alphabet Guides: The WINNER

Random Integer Generator Here are your random numbers: 3 Timestamp: 2010-11-29 14:20:30 UTC Congratulations Robin # 3 Robin November 24, 2010 at 10:56 pm My favorite alphabet book is the A,B,C’s of the sea. There are more ABC books out there but I like that one the best. Contact us at our email: winner at [...]

Read the full article →

Now I Know My ABC’s: FREE Printable Alphabet Guides

November 24, 2010 at school
Thumbnail image for Now I Know My ABC’s: FREE Printable Alphabet Guides

We’re GIVING AWAY FREE printable Alphabet Guides. Look for the printable link at the end of this post. We’re also GIVING AWAY a set of  professionally printed of Alphabet Guides. Research shows that there are three simple indicators that build strong early literacy foundations in young children: 1. Children engaged in conversation with adults. 2. [...]

Read the full article →