SING, SPELL, READ AND WRITE

I can't believe that summer is already in full swing and flying by so quickly! Punkin and Banana are away at day camp this week, so Boo and I have had lots of good quality time together. I had purchased this Sing, Spell, Read and Write program for her for this fall, but just one week into summer she was asking for more school. I thought this week would be a great time to really concentrate on working on her reading skills. So, I think this program will be perfect for her for over the summer.

What a mess - but lots of fun!!

The program uses a Raceway theme - this is the track. She has a little car that she moves along the track as she completes each step of the program.

Boo absolutely LOVES all the songs that go along with the program. You WILL wake up in the middle of the night with these songs stuck in your head. But they are great for teaching little ones all the letter sounds, letter blends, short vowels and long vowel sounds. I thought about putting a video of her singing some of them on here, but decided we shouldn't ALL have to be up in the middle of the night with the songs stuck in our heads.

She is such a hard worker!

Having a Chik-Fil-A sweet tea available during the lessons is a requirement....well, kind of.

I would love to say that this program is so completely wonderful at teaching new skills that the kids just can't get enough and keep coming back for more time and again.... and this IS true..... but I have to admit that it's because of THIS!!!

A simple little treasure chest full of junk... I mean full of prizes. It keeps her wanting to reach that next step so that she can get her prize. Genious I tell you, genious.

I think the Sing, Spell, Read and Write people are on to something here. They have a very systematic approach to teaching kids the basics of language arts, and from the three (rather intensive) days that we have been doing it, she has made HUGE leaps in her reading abilities. The songs, the games, the stories and yes, the prizes, keep her coming back for more. Mom has to call it quits for the day sometimes well before she is ready to stop.

So when momma just can't sing, spell, read or write anymore, then it's time for a CRAFT!! Today we read the Rainbow Fish, because basically, my little girl could hear this story every day and it wouldn't be enough. I think it's because she identifies rather well with the fish in the story. This fish only wants to be beautiful and strut around in front of the other fish showing off his beautiful colorful scales, and he thinks that everyone will love him simply because he is beautiful. Of course, the story goes to show that it's what is inside that counts. Giving away all of his beautiful scales makes him feel much happier and everyone likes him because he is kind and generous instead of prideful and selfish. Yep, my Boo is completely enraptured with that concept, I think it touches a certain little part of her heart. Oh to be able to get into the mind of a four-year-old.

I love that girl.

We found yet another use for our Ten Thousand Tissue Paper Squares!!

and the beautiful shimmery scales were made of tinfoil.

Another thing Boo and I have done is make this poster of the all the State Flags. For some reason she has quite a love of flags. I found these state flag stickers and she had a grand time identifying all of them and labelling them for each state. Her favorite states are Maryland, Minnesota, Florida and Texas - and she loves to point them all out on the map. I can understand the first three favorites because that is where all of her family lives. But I had to ask her why Texas? We don't know anyone that lives in Texas? She said "Mom, its because the capital is AUSTIN - You know??? My cousin?? AUSTIN!!!"

Wheeeew!! Having an "only child" is a lot of work! It's tough when her sisters aren't around. There is a small part of me that thinks having lots of kids is easier than having just a few.

Only two more days until the big girls are back home..... hopefully Boo (I mean I) will survive!!