What is Creeping Round the Hen House?

Oh my, what in yonder wild wood creeps.  Yesterday, when we out to check on our chickie girls, we found where something had been trying to dig under their coop?



I wonder what it could be?  A nosy bear cub?  A mischievous wood sprite wishing for some downy feathers for a wee feather pillow?

I don't know, but we set up a trap.  If we figure it out, I'll  let you know!

Oh, starting a week from tomorrow, you will be in these pictures. If you click on them, you can see them bigger.

When you come next Monday, we'll be on the lookout for Ole Slew Foot and the Woodland Folk. Of course, we'll be smart and camouflage ourselves.  

What? You don't know Ole Slew Foot?  Let me introduce you.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmPvQBDFol4

What? You've never met a Woodland Folk?  Well, Gnomes are one of the wee folk you live in the Woods.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG-XOuyKoyE
Looking forward to some woods fun.

Summer Camp is Coming

I'm getting so excited about our reading, writing and spelling camp.  Camp is full, so now it is time to finalize the  plans for tons of fun, wrapped up in woods and worms and all kinds of play that I have been turning over in my mind for months.
The numbers worked out for there to be a small group boy/girl 4-5yrs,  which will be our Wood Sprites.  A group of girls that will be our Woodland Fairies.  A group of boys, first and second grade will be our Grizzly Bears and 3rd and up boys our Polar Bears.
Parents, I know you are all over the board about how involved you want to be in this experience and I am A-Okay with that.
If this is just a way to keep them reading and learning three days a week, that's what it will be.
If you were hoping for a bigger connection and bit a more reading, writing or spelling work for the summer, just let me know.
I'd be happy to recommend books, send books, read a book along with your kiddo and catch-up while they are here.
If spelling and writing are important, I would love to be pen pals with your Woodland Fairy or Grizzly Bear.  Just let me know.
I will post pictures and anecdotes throughout each week, so you can see what we are up to.
Each week, each child will have an appropriate poem to work on all week- a poem in their pocket.
With each poem, I'll  pull out a rule to work on.  Anytime they can read the poem, talk about the rule and see if they can find other words that follow the rule will be a bonus for your young reader.
You'll find it all right here.
Welcome to learning through play.

The Wonderful World of Woods, Worms and Words

The Wonderful World of Woods, Worms and Words

A Joyful Learning Experience

                   Mission- to increase reading, writing and spelling skills in an environment of nature, movement and play.  

As the years flow by, state curriculum has reduced recess, and play areas in early childhood classrooms.  Today, kindergarten is the first grade of my past.  Added to this developmentally inappropriate expectation, children spend more time with electronics than ever before.  This lack of play and movement at school and at home,  and increased expectations have resulted in an increase of students who do not read at grade level and who have no confidence in themselves as readers and writers.  Everywhere you look you will find books and articles about this new dilemma. The affect of constant electronic use in some children is frightening.  Being turned off to reading in a young child is just sad.

This past summer I was trained in the Orton Gillingham method of reading rehabilitation.  All research points to the effectiveness of this method. However, it takes time and is very costly.  In the fall, I wanted to practice what I was taught and began tutoring in the morning before school.  I could not imagine any child wanting to come to school 45 minutes early four days a week to drill with flashcards.  I prayerfully considered the many books and articles I’ve read and developed a program attempting to hit on all the student’s needs- phonics, comprehension, test taking skills, fluency and movement.  Thank the Lord, it has really seemed to benefit these students.

With that in mind, I am offering a summer program for the struggling reader/writer.

  

This program will look like an outdoor wood’s school, but the Orton Gillingham component, fluency, comprehension and writing will be consistently woven into the play. The goal- to increase your child’s confidence as a reader, writer, and speller.

We will meet each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning from 9 to 12 with the exception to the week of July 1. Please see attached calendar.

In order to be an affective program, I will need a helper for every five campers.  Signing up will mean a financial commitment for the whole summer, six weeks.  I will waive payment for one week, besides the one we’re already off, for vacation. Once your camper is signed up, materials will be purchased and help will be paid.  In addition, our goal cannot be met if campers aren’t in attendance. Thank you for your careful consideration of this matter. 

$75 weekly

$50 registration fee due May 1

$200 due June 4

$200 due June 25   or $125 if vacationing one of the six weeks.

  *Important* Attire- This is a camp with an equal focus on outdoor play as on reading.  In order to best protect students in wood and grass, they need long pants and a long sleeved shirt (these can be lightweight cotton), sprayed with whatever you use as mosquito and tick repellant.  They also need a complete athletic shoe with socks- no sandals or Crocs. I will spray their socks and shoes with premithrin to prevent ticks.  For creek days, they should come to camp in swim clothes under their pants and shirt and shoes they can be worn in the creek.  No flip-flops.

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