My Little Man is turning 3 on Sunday. This makes for some changes around here.  The first is the addition of Calendar time to our daily routine. The Princess has been doing calendar time at school for the last year and a half; now Little Man has shown an interest in days of the week, dates and time in general (I think thanks to the advent calendar followed by the count down to his birthday). I decided to start incorporating calendar time in at the beginning of our tot school sessions this week. This is definitely a work in progress and I hastily put together a "calendar time center" for us to use. I took a tri-fold display board I had used for another project and covered it with felt. I then made all the labels and pieces you see in the photo and laminated them (and attached velcro). I also included a weather chart from Confessions of a Homeschooler and a temperature chart I found through google images. (we've yet to use this.)
    On another note, I also used a printable from 1+1+1=1 to make the story retelling pieces for Jan Brett's, The Hat . I have really fallen in love with our homemade felt board. I read a tip about printing on milk filters (used in dairies) so my hubby bought me a box of 100 for Christmas. I just trim them down to paper size and they go right through our printer and I have instant color graphics the kids can manipulate. 
     In addition to our tot school this week I've been busy making party favors for Little Man's birthday party which we are having next weekend. I am making "snowball in a can kits" and homemade "snowman wikki stix kits". I'll have another post on that when they are completely finished.
     Finally, we are in transition mode as I am trying to phase out the term "tot school" and start using "Preschool". (another change around here). We are already in a preschool co-op and a Mommy and Me Preschool class at our local adult school. Since the Princess is now with us two days a week and Little Man is turning three I figured we would change the name. His skills have also improved and we are ready to really focus on letter sounds, counting and learning to write our letters so it all just seems to suggest  a preschool overtone.  I will continue to utilize trays rather than boxes/ bins because that is what works for us.
     Before you take a look at the slide show with all our activities this week I just want to get this off my chest. My blogging pet peeve is when generous kind hearted people make their printables available to everyone but do not put their web site on them.  It makes me crazy when I have to go back and try to find it again to include a link. Soo time consuming and some things I save for months. SOOOOO this week there are a couple that do not have links and I have included downloads to those in the resources section. If they happen to be yours drop me a note and I will add a link for them.
     Be sure to check out 1+1+1=1, preschool corner and the TGIF Linky Party to see what others are doing this week. I've added a Follow me on twitter button if you'd like to follow our journey.

1/13/2012 05:32:32 pm

This is really smart! I'm impressed your three year old is into time! My 3 year old isn't too into it yet- but we just went over a magnetic calendar with our 4.5 year old. I have to admit- I have no idea what milk filters are- I'll have to look that up- Super idea. :)

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MiaB
1/14/2012 03:45:52 am

I LOVE all of your creative learning activities!!! I'm your newest Twitter follower and would love it if you could share this here on Sharing Saturday -

http://www.mamamiasheart2heart.com/2012/01/sharing-saturday.html

Have a great weekend.
~MiaB

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1/14/2012 04:47:08 am

Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog! I have love your activities here. You too got through a lot of winter activities. How fun! Hope you have a great weekend!
Trina
http://teachingmyblessings.blogspot.com/

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1/14/2012 10:29:47 am

Oh, this is funny. I've been here several times in the past and have always liked your activities, but I guess I was continually missing the link to your site when I would bring up your profile.

I love your site, especially the presentation of your activities with the picture slideshow.

I'd follow you on Twitter, but I don't really tweet, hehe. I'll just join your RSS feed instead.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting.

http://getitdonemomma.blogspot.com/

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1/15/2012 10:50:59 am

What a fun week! It drives me nuts when people don't put their name on stuff too because I can't find it when I want to look for more!! Good luck with the Preschool transition =-) Thanks for linking up to TGIF! Have a great week,
Beth =-)

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