Let’s “Adopt” a Tree

Originally wanted to do what I used to do, ie, blog down everything we do for each week in an entry.  Sigh… too much work for that.  Think it will be easier for me to blog as and when.

Our theme this week for both children – tree.

Just like clouds, how can we learn about tree within the building right?

Before 

I love to start with a book.  It set the tone for what we want to do when outdoor.  After that, armed with crayons, sketch books, papers, binoculars, magnifying glass, and off we go.

During 

We strolled around our estate, rub differnt types of barks, look at the different types of leaves, the fruits, the tiny insects, birds that live on the trees, take pictures, etc.

Be ready to change the plan 

It was sunny and windy, perfect weather.  But both kiddos  got a little grouchy towards the end.  Originally wanted to rest on the grass patch to draw the trees, decided to change the plan and went back home instead.

After

Back home, after some snacks and water, we looked at the different tree rubbings we have done, and each of us decided on the tree we gonna ‘adopt’.

Adopt a tree – we are not going to give the trees money, and they certainly don’t need our watering. But, we will simply give it a little more love, a little more care, a little more time, to take note of its beauty and its seasons of change.

Sad thing is, I don’t know the actual names of these trees.  Will be great to know.

Science

For Ms Z, the experience itself, plus National Geo’s Windows on Literacy’s range of books, it was already a lesson on Science. 

Downloaded a book on Trees from Reading A-Z.  The book is quite a lengthy non-fiction book, but with the outdoor experience, Mr E enjoyed reading it tremendously.

Spelling 

Picked up 4 trees related words from the book, ie, trees, roots, seeds, leaves, flowers, and these will be the words Mr E has to learn to spell.

t for “tiger”, t for “tree”, and what’s the sound of “t”?

For Ms Z, we stand up tall, arms raise up wide, look into the mirror, and we have the alpha “t” for tree.

Top with a tree poem, link it to 3rd day of Creation, zoo phonics, some simple tracing and collage on the alpha “t”, we complete our introduction to the alpha “t”

Chinese

Well, Chinese reward system is still working very well.  Will take it really slowly, not much writing, just plain knowly the parts of the trees in Chinese.

Math

Nothing much to mention for Mr E since I’m using BJU’s Grade 1 curriculum.

For Ms Z, we are still on our 1 & 2.  From our calendar session, she is able to recognise both numeral well.

Simple game like “Spot the pair on our body”, “Socks matching”, re-inforce the quantity 2.

Clay numbers 

Shaped 1 and 2 using air-dry clay, painted them when dry. 1 – 1 color on it, 2 – 2 colors on it.  In the midst of doing that, little Z see the transformation in colors when she picked blue & yellow to be painted on her 2.

Mr E & myself joined in the fun.  And we have all kinds of 1s & 2s, fat, skinny, tall, short, poker dots, etc.

Wow!!!

I only wanted to write about our outdoor experience, and it turns out to be such a lengthy post.

And, my household is still one that lives in Singapore!  So, I still have to let my kiddos do some EPH assessment books to keep up with the system here.

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