Life as a Leach

Many of you found the academic activities I shared to be helpful, so I have compiled some more.  I know doing the same thing can get boring and variety is key...especially if we are out of school for much longer than originally planned. 😒 *  This is a set of free printable maker station (STEM) activities.  You will want to scroll through and probably just print the ones that appeal to your kids.  I do like that there are QR codes for each activity with additional resources. * Check out this list of online field trips and even more online field trips ! Kids really enjoy these.  Just make sure there's a writing component involved so that they aren't just clicking and scrolling!  Have them write in a journal about what they learned.  For older kids, you will want to move them past the "fact listing" and have them write about how they can use the information they learned or how it applies to something else they already knew. * I share this one...

Caleb has been working on his writing, but not with old fashioned pencil and paper!  We've been using Cool Whip and chocolate pudding, which double as great textures and tastes for Abby to try.   I think it's safe to say that it was a hit! And Caleb even did some great spelling practice, spelling and writing words like cat, bat, and bed.   He has officially declared himself The Master of Words. I pray for his future kindergarten teacher! :)

I'm not sure if any of you use vinegar the way I do, but it's quite the multipurpose house cleaner!  Some of these you may already know about, but there's at least one you may not! *  We use it to wash out Abby's suction canister, feeding bag, and humidifier because it's safer than soap and doesn't leave a residue (if soap were to get in her trach, it would be really bad!) *  I spray down the counters and table with it multiple times a day. *  Caleb has recently started wiping down the 1/2 bath daily to earn an extra dime for his snack shop.  I have him use vinegar because it's safer and will clean well in between the times when I really clean.  We get a whole lot more traffic coming through there than we ever have, so it gets messy very quickly. *  Here's the one you may not know...vinegar is a fabulous fabric softener!  I had read that it works well, but hadn't tried it until about a month ago.  If you have a load of sme...

I figured I would write a bit more detail about what I do with Caleb for "school."  Some of these activities are daily, and some are sporatic.  Caleb is the kind of kid that loves to learn, but on his terms.  I capitalize on teachable moments around here! *  When Caleb was learning his letters, I would write all of the letters of the alphabet mixed up with chalk on the driveway.  Then, I would call out a letter and we would both try to find the letter and land on it.  The person who got there first got a point.  He would run, skip, ride his bike...whatever his fancy at that time!  We have also done it with sounds, and I imagine I could alter it a bit to make it work with the blends we're beginning now.  ("What two letters make the 'br' sound?")  I'm even thinking that this could work for basic addition.  Hmmmm... :)  It's pretty fun, and it lets him be outside and be active while we're learning. *  I am in the pro...