These are the eyes my daughter has after lunch when she says “Can we do an activity?” She means a mini-lesson. She doesn’t mean me giving her something to do, she wants to learn. Coming from teaching grade 6 and having to do everything (within my sometimes magical powers) to make them excited about learning, this is a little shocking and overwhelming at times. This lesson was the perfect fit for her; a challenge, learning something new and it involves movement.
I noticed last week that Daisy was forming some of her numbers incorrectly. I had not taught her to write numbers, daycare had. I try to compliment what she learns at daycare. She attends 3 days a week, while I work and loves learning in the preschool room. It amazes me what she picks up from her wonderful teachers and this often prompts our lessons at home.
A huge advantage of my job is getting to test educational products, next on the list are Motor Numbers and Ten Frames. Planning the assessment around these two great products makes perfect sense. I love diagnostic teaching so I assessed number recognition as I taught correct number formation.
Daisy’s first reaction to the Motor Numbers was excitement. She began making the zero. I checked she was moving in the correct direction. We then made the number larger in the air, again to reinforce directionality.
Finally, writing practice.
We moved through the numbers 0-10 in this order:
- Move the button on the Motor Number (emphasize start and finish positions)
- Air draw the number, big.
- Use the Ten Frame to check number counting recognition.
- Write the number as many times as wanted.
- Show the number with fingers.
High 4!
Daisy whizzed through this activity so we made a numbers 1-12 book. She counted and added the corresponding number of stickers. On the other side, I drew the number and added arrows to remind her how to write it.
You’re doing great work with her. It can only help in the future. Certainly doesn’t hurt that she wants to learn new things all the time.
Thanks. She certainly is a wee sponge!
I was asked to do Handwriting Without Tears with some of the preschoolers today. I think the concept is sort of similar. Unfortunately we don’t have such nice manipulatlves, only workbooks! It was hard for some of the kids to remember to write the letters the way the workbook showed them, instead of just tracing the letters in any random order.
Great point, thanks. They need to do it over and over again, without inducing boredom! I am working on a post to share ideas to build kinesthetic memory. Stay tuned…
Wow! What a great round up! I love those motor numbers. I haven’t seen those before.
They are pretty neat… and well made.
This was so enjoyable to read as your child wants to leatn, you take the time, and you have great teaching resources to tell about. Thank you. I have to pay more attention to your products. Carolyn
Thanks Carolyn. To teachers good resources are like candy to kids!