Preschool Environment Set-Up

I've been planning for weeks now on the best way to home preschool Izzie. Last year we loosely did Tot School, but not every day. I've been so inspired by the numerous amount of planning being done on the many blogs that I follow. I finally sat up a preschool environment for Izzie, found several curriculum guides to follow, and have an idea of what we'll be doing each day. The schedule will differ each day because Izzie has speech therapy 3 times a week at different times.

We will start our day after breakfast in the dining room with Bible Study. I will loosely use the 3 year old curriculum from ABC Jesus Loves Me. I added a homemade felt board for the weekly Bible verse and other Bible activities. We will be using the Read and Share Bible.

Afterward, we will have Circle Time. During this time, we'll complete the calendar and weather board (picture to be posted soon, still a work in progress), sing songs, and either complete a felt board activity or pocket chart activity.

I received my inspiration for the Seasonal Tree from Miller Moments. I added two pocket charts (Target $1 each). This week's pocket chart activities are for the color green. The seasonal tree is located in our almost completed garage converted playroom.

I really like the Montessori/Tot School style environment. I created a little area for Tot School in the corner of our living room. Each week, I will add a new assortment of items.

I like the idea of having "theme" weeks. It seems so much easier to plan for, so our first week is "On The Farm."

Top Shelf: Old MacDonald Had A Farm book and Fisher Price Barn Set

Second Shelf: Library books (see below for list of books), bottle tops spelling cards, On The Farm Magnetic Play Set, and How To Build An A

Third Shelf: See n' Say Farm, muscial eggs, color green activity, Preschool Scholar workbook

Top Shelf: Melissa and Doug Farm Lacing Beads, Mrs. Potato Head, Melissa and Doug Magnetic Pattern Set

Second Shelf: My One Book with container of sand, number egg carton activity, counting chicks activity

Third Shelf: Farm Animal Domino Game, bowling game, and 2 farm puzzles

Library Books:
Barnyard Banter
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type
Rise and Shine
Over On The Farm
Wake Up, Big Barn
If You Give A Pig A Pancake
Barnyard Lullaby
Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Farm
The Cow Who Clucked
Farm Alphabet Book
Cock-A-Doodle-Moo
Does A Cow Say Boo?
Big Red Barn
Barnyard Dance
Farmyard Animals
Animal Babies On The Farm

Ballet Lessons

Izzie loves, loves, loves to dance around the house. Therefore, she received Ballet lessons as a birthday gift from my husband and me. I was so excited to see her in her ballerina outfit. However, it was not easy an easy task transforming her into a ballerina!

She didn't like her hair up in a bun, she didn't like the way the tights felt on her legs, she didn't like that the tights covered her toes, she didn't like the one piece outfit, nor did she like the shoes. After about a hour of trying to get her dressed and redressed, I was feeling defeated and almost gave up! She cried the entire time to the dance studio, as she pulled her hair out of the bun and kicked off her shoes. I won't pressure my girls into anything; however, I do feel like they need to try different things at least once. I reassured her that if she didn't like Ballet that tonight would be her last night, but I wanted her to try one class. Once I got her hair back up, her shoes back on, and her in the door....the ballerina inside her took over!

She had the best time! She was so excited to see the other little girls in their ballerina outfits and was amazed that they all had on pink shoes too. The parents aren't allowed in the studio, but can sit and in a waiting room and watch the entire lesson over the television. I was a little scared that Izzie would have another meltdown with me not in the room, but to my surprise, she jumped off the chair, ran and stood in line with other ballerinas, and marched off to the studio. I was so proud of her! She participated and followed directions very well. The entire way home, she kept saying, "Mama, more dance please!" So, next week, here we come... hopefully, with a little less drama!

Izzie is 3 years old

We celebrated Izzie's birthday over the weekend. It's amazing how quickly time has gone by. It's hard to believe that she's already three years old! Izzie is obsess with Diego, so it was a Animal Resurer party!

Every Animal Rescuer needs a rescue pack! After looking everywhere for one and not finding one, I decided to make her a rescue pack out of felt.

After taking the picture, I did add Velcro to the opening of the Rescue Pack. I found the face template here.

Food included: Beetle Wings (pretzels), Croc Teeth (apples), Monkey Mix (Chex), Sea Turtle Eggs (grapes), Dried Ants (M&Ms), and Live Worms (hot dogs).

Diego cake and Baby Jaguar cupcakes. Inspiration from Nick Jr.

Art Corner

This week, Shannon at Teaching My Little Bookworm is showcasing Art Corners. To limit the amount of toys scattered around the house, we are in the process of converting our one car garage into a playroom. It is almost finished...before and after pictures will be posted soon. Here is the Art Corner in the converted playroom. I really wanted to create an Art Corner where the materials were open and available for Izzie. We are hoping to add an art easel as a Christmas gift.

Izzie's Art Corner

Old television stand used as a desk for creating masterpieces! I used Velcro to attach fabric to the open front. Bucket of coloring books beside desk.

Fabric hides Play-doh materials, paint and accessories, and dry easrse board.

Pocket organizer bought at Target for $2.50. Top pocket holds extra markers, second pocket is for Dot markers, third pocket contains stamps and pads, and the last pocket has sponges and stencils. I started to add lables for Izzie. The little tin cans (I found at Target for $1 each at Easter) hold markers and crayons. I need one more to complete the look.

Finally, on the wall I attached a dry easre board and Doodle board with Velcro. I found the dry easre board for $2.50 at Target. Izzie enjoys being able to remove the boards to use them on the floor. She also has aprons ($1 each at Dollar Tree) for painting.

I really hope that Izzie's imagination runs free in her Art Corner!


For more insipring Art Corners, click here.

Cozy Book Corner

Shannon over at Teaching My Little Bookworm has started a weekly carnival featuring different areas in your home for all age groups. You will be able to link up every Tuesday. This week's feature is "Cozy Book Corner."

Our first book corner is in the living room. Izzie enjoys sitting on her Mickey Mouse chair, while reading her books. We find ourselves here multiple times during the day reading books.

Izzie also has a reading corner in her bedroom. When she disappears, this is the first place that I look...she's normally sitting in her rocking chair with a book. We read at least 10 books from the basket before bed each night.

Be sure to check out more Cozy Book Corners here!

Next week's theme is Art/Craft area.