Finishing Strong

We finished school yesterday and I have SO many posts to write to update you all! First, let's talk about Josh and his karate!

Josh has been taking karate at school for one of his electives. He has an hour after classes on Monday's and an hour during Friday enrichment. He has loved it! This past Friday he tested for his new belt - a white belt with a gold stripe. To achieve this new belt, he had to show mastery in some kicks and blocks and break a piece of wood with a certain type of kick. Since I was teaching during this time, a friend captured this movie for me:

Way to Go Joshua!!!!

Joshua Pre-K {Q1 Update}

The first quarter ended this past Friday at school (hence why there weren't many posts last week - teaching is great, except for the end of a grading period). Here's some highlights of the first eight weeks of Pre-K and the cool things Josh has done!

We made a bird nest for science for the letter "n" sound

"L" shaped pancakes for breakfast one morning to kick off our school day

Josh made a bird feeder in science

God takes care of us, just like He takes care of the animals.
So Josh made this to hang in our front yard.

"T" cookies for Joshie's class when they studied the "T" sound

Math activity involving addition and subtraction

Jenna likes to practice too. She's ready for Pre-K next year!

Studying is hard work, huh Pepper?!

We are excited about starting this second quarter at school. Josh is singing in our Christmas Banquet with his classmates and he is learning SO much!!! I'm very proud of him!

Pre-K {Update}

I love school pictures.

Especially now that I officially have a school-aged munchkin.

Yep, I'm a proud momma! <3

First Day

 Yesterday was the first day of school... for me, for my Pre-K'er, for my girls who stay in the nursery at school with me, and for Jayden who now is watched down the street from school...

Backpacks were packed, lunches were made - all ready for the BIG day

 Josh got to pick out his uniform to wear

 Isn't he cute?? :)

Of course, Jenna wanted to wear a uniform too - she wanted to be just like her big brother

 the girls were excited to see their teacher, Mrs. Janis

Josh was excited too - this is his seat in his classroom

And of course, I had to get a picture with him in my classroom... although I was SO tired from getting everyone ready adn making sure everything was ready for my middle schoolers!

Josh liked meeting new friends at assembly time 

He had a great first day....

Meet The Teacher

 Thursday evening was Meet the Teacher night at our school. Normally I have the kids stay home with Jason. This year, Joshie is starting Pre-K at Legacy, so he got to meet his wonderful teacher, Mrs. Kim Wright. We kind of laugh because Kim actually was in the childcare dept. when I started, so she has known Josh since he was 10 months old! Are you ready, Kim, for our spunky little guy?

Here's his classroom where he will be taking Kinder math, Kinder language, learning bible, science and history.

 He is excited that Sage, Jenna's best friend, is at his table for class....

 Math meeting board

He woke up today and said: "Today is Saturday, which means tomoorow is Sunday, and then MONDAY!!!!" Can you tell he's excited?  ;)

Storytime with Josh {Video Post}

Josh will be starting Pre-K in the fall at the school I teach at, Legacy Prep. Christian Academy. He has been with me there since I started teaching there, 4 years ago, which means he's technically been a Legacy Lion since about 11 months. He will be five in September....and CAN'T wait to start school. Recently he has wanted to learn how to read...

I mean R-E-A-D....not just baby stuff...He wants to learn the words to his story books. He wants to read everything he is around that has letters on it.

Since I teach 5th through 8th graders math, do you think I know how to teach someone how to read??? I honestly thought that I'd be lucky and just let his wonderful Pre-K teacher do it next year.... HA! I was wrong! He has my zest for learning and also picks up things very easily.

I picked up a book while at Kroger for Kinder readers. It's a "Step 1" book and has many sight words in it for beginner readers. I thought this would be a good idea to learn the sight words first and at least expose him before starting school. Plus it makes for a good inscentive for good behavior. Tonight was night #3 with the book. I was planning on teaching him one new word each night...First we learned "go", then "he" and tonight "is". After reading with him tonight, I had to get the camera and record it again...I was amazed....

The video doesn't do justice - he was trying to read "through" the camera at times and also started to not pay attention. So after you watch the video (grandma, tell grandpa to click on the link in the email to the blog so you can watch it on the computer, and make sure your speakers are on), keep in mind that this wasn't as good as the time right before.. Leave a comment, I'd love to read them!