Don't forget to turn back your clocks and resources to practice telling time.

Well, it's time for the daylight savings time change to go into affect again.  You remember the little rhyme, don't you:  Spring forward and Fall Back.  It helps to us to remember which way to move the clock during the time changes.

Coming from Hawaii where there aren't any seasons and certainly no time changes, this was all new to me when I moved to Canada almost fifteen years ago.  I'm better at remembering to adjust my clocks twice a year now, but I am willing to put up with any inconvenience just to see God's glory in the changing of the seasons and watch the leaves change from green to red to gold to brown.  It is just spectacular!!

This week I was thinking about time.  What does it mean to us on a daily basis? I decided to cover it in our math lessons this week.  Let's start with a simple game.

"What time is it, Mr. Wolf?" You can hear this game being played almost daily at any play park you visit. One group asks what time it is and with their back to the other, the "wolf" tells the players the time, hoping to bring them close enough to catch them.  Well, many of us have been caught by time. We don't have enough of it, we need more of it, we wish it would slow down or speed up for our convenience. It is the difference between a cooked and burnt dinner, finishing or winning a race between friends, or hitting a yellow light or a red one in the family van. We need to teach our children not only how to tell time but how to use it wisely. 

As Catholics, we must learn to be excellent stewards of our time whether we are sitting for an hour in Mass or an hour in the Adoration Chapel with our Lord or an hour reading to our children. Begin teaching your kids how to recognize and use time (and their watch) now! 

So I thought that I would share that I have a few simple printables that you may find useful in beginning to introduce your children to time.

Math O'clock Time Match Game
This cut apart, card-matching game is for elem + and focuses on telling time to the hour without a numbered clock face.

This game uses cards depicting a non-numbered clock face and the numeral + o’clock combination to teach children to recognize time on the hour. All pictures should orient with the black dot at 12 o'clock spot. This is especially valuable for young learners who are confident in numbers but not in telling time by arm positions alone. This was created after my little one and I sat in the dentist office one day and she couldn't figure out how long it was until her appointment time because the clock face didn't have any numbers.



Telling Time Practice
This worksheet can be used for K-Gr.4 .  Learners can practice telling time by drawing hands on the face of the clocks. Learner can be assigned times to use or can choose independently and identify both the time in digits as well as by drawing the hands on the face of the clock.





Calendar Fun worksheets
Calendars are another method of tracking and daily counting that can help children get a handle on the concept of time.  Practice time recognition using our calendar worksheets that kids can really relate to.  Interactive fun involves recognizing days of the week, ordinal numbers, simple counting and recognizing picture clues. I had planned to do the entire year originally but I just never got back to this set.  At any rate you can get worksheets for Calendar Fun Worksheet for November and Calendar Fun Worksheet for September.

We also covered time in our planet studies this week comparing how long a day was on each planet versus our 24 hour day here on earth.  Kiddos had lots of fun with this project and it is a great piece when it is completed to show case what they have learned - it even includes poetry.  I'll be sharing that resource shortly. If you are covering planets and space in your learning, you won't want to miss it.

Don't forget to make time to pray for those you love and the Holy Souls this week!

Blessings,

Kalei

Fall Harvest Graphing Fun

Everyone learns math in their own unique way and timing. 

Some of us learn by doing, others by observing, still others by listening, reading and so on. Graphing is a cool way to present information in a visual way. From newspapers to cookbooks, magazines to mail flyers, graphs are everywhere. 

There are many different types of graphs - bar graphs, line graphs, pictographs, area graphs, pie graphs and XY coordinate graphs. Graphing is not only fun but very important for children because it gives them a chance to learn that one thing can represent another. Why is this so important? Simple, in order to create adults who can stand strong in their faith and be independent thinkers for God's glory, they must first start out as children creating and honing these skills of interpreting information. Graphing helps us to be able to assimilate data to make logical conclusions. Plus, using graphs can be fun.

Here are two graphing games that focus on fall harvests.  They are variations to accommodate wee learners as well as elementary aged learners who are learning or practicing using a bar graph.

Happy Harvest Graphing Math Game  Wee + Use simple graphing of fall produce game pieces to teach children how to use a bar graph. Simply print out sheets, cut apart and you are ready to go. Each game requires ten turns to complete play. Graph rows include ten spaces each. Three items are used: an ear of corn, a crow and a pumpkin. Print out one game set per player.  Instructions are included in the game. Matthew 9:13 is highlighted in this game. Autumn Harvest Graphing Math Game  Elem+ Use simple graphing of autumn themed playing pieces to teach children to use a bar graph. Simply print out sheets, cut apart and you are ready to go. Five items are used including a crow, a pumpkin, carrots, an ear of corn and an apple.  Thirty turns are required to complete a game. Print out one game set per player.   Instructions are included in the game.  Matthew 9:13 is highlighted in this game as well as an introduction to St. Isidore, the Farmer.

Blessings for a bountiful harvest in your learning this fall!

Kalei





It's Time to Be Positive and Spread a Little Sunshine

As the school year is now in full swing for us, there are lots of things going on.  Many are overwhelmed with schedules, reading lists, and finding just the right thing to help teach something that the kiddos just can't seem to grasp yet.  So, inspired by Linky Party being thrown by Jennifer over at Rowdy in the First Grade, I thought that it would be a good time for me to focus on some positive things!



So here are some of our no fail, always bring a smile to the kiddos' faces, printable resources.

1. Aesop's Fables Montessori Cards
Kids love Aesop's Fables and these little cards help children to recall stories and remember the moral from each one.  They are fun to use to play games of recall or if using two sets, they are great for go fish as well as concentration matching games as well.




2. Sweet Shop Candy Problem Solving Game
Oh, I can't tell you the fun that we have had with this game over the years!  Using paper candy pieces, kids solve clues to make purchases at the Sweet Shop Candy store.  Although money denominations are not used in the pricing, each candy is assigned a value, which players must use to solve problems.

3.  Animal Themed Word Searches Based on Word Families
We thought our children might like to have a change in the way they learned their phonics, spelling and vocabulary words. We also thought that your learners might like to have some fun too! We created simple word search puzzles for each phonetic word family and linked it to an animal.

4. Science Detective Sheets
Kids love learning about animals and these sheets have long been a favourite with our kids and classrooms.  We've heard from teachers who enjoy using these simple sheets to help their students children learn and explore about animals and plants too.


I hope these resources bring fun and smiles to your kiddos too! :)



Blessings,
Kalei

Christmas Themed Worksheets to Make Grammar, Phonics and Math Festive Fun

Christmas themed worksheets make learning about nouns, adjectives, phonics and math fun and festive.

Many families are finishing off their lessons this week and the beginning of next week.  As we get closer to the big day of the celebration of the nativity of our Lord, it is harder for children to stay focused.  As homeschoolers and teachers, we know that we need to finish off what we had previously started, either to be accountable to someone else or to ourselves.  This week we thought that we would try and share a few schooly helps to keep things on track.  These fun printables are holiday themed and easy to use.  Let's see what we can share here. . .

How about a nice review of adjectives?  This is one of the faves here in our little homeschool.  Because writing as well as drawing skills can be used to complete these sheets, they are always fun to do.  This template could be laminated and used over and over.  Children simply draw or write a noun for a person, place or thing in the boxes provided and write a few adjectives for each.  There are three Christmas designs to choose from including the little boy on the left, St. Nicholas, and a Christmas tree.

Click HERE to get this and other sheets focusing on adjectives.


Thinking of the upcoming visits of relatives during the season?  How about using our Proper Names worksheet?  Children draw pictures of family members and practice using their proper names remembering of course to capitalize titles etc.  This is one of those sheets that you may end up adding to your proof of learning folder for the year.  It will bring smiles in the years to come as you all reminisce of your homeschooling days. 
Click HERE to get this and other sheets focusing on proper nouns.

Would you like to focus on the Jesus' Holy Family instead of your own?  We've got a sheet for you there as well.  Children use this sheet and others to learn about common nouns in families as they learn about our Lord`s family here on earth.  A word bank is provided for learners.  Learning about the Holy Family is essential at this time of year.  You will find examples for Jesus`s father, mother, grandmother, grandparents, and cousin.

Click HERE to get this and other sheets focusing on common nouns.

How about some phonics help?  Our Christmas vowel tree worksheet set is perfect for learners of many different ages and is simple to use.  Simply select a vowel sheet and fill in the missing blanks to create words.  Some vowels have been provided and learners need to put in the additional letters.  The vowel sounds could be for long or short vowel words.  This template could also be heat laminated and used over and over using a wipe off pen, dry-erase pen, fat washable marker, or even a simple crayon.

Click HERE to get this and other sheets focusing on vowel sounds. 

Counting down to Christmas can be difficult for all of us with the anticipation and excitement continually brewing in our hearts and minds.  We can at least make counting up to a hundred a bit easier.  If you need Advent math counters, then we have a set for you.  This set features Christmas trees with purple numbers from 0-100.  This is a simple set and does not feature any mathematical symbols.

Click HERE to get this counter set and see other sets as well.

 

Need even more counting practice? How about using our 100 Math squares counting set.  We have a new blank themed sheet (pictured left) as well as a sheet with numbers provided.  Answers are provided on a separate sheet.  These can easily be laminated and used over and over again.

Click HERE to download this set now.

We hope that these sheets help bring smiles to your school day while still providing solid practice in language arts, phonics and math skills.  Join us tomorrow for Christmas themed writing resources.

Blessings,

That Resource Team

Little Box of Learning - Mathematical Flower Shop Role Playing Game

Who knew that one little box could bring so much hands-on flowery math fun?

Did you like to play store when you were younger?  Many people did.  That's why the Tycoon style software games have become so popular over the past few years.  People, young and old, like pretending that they run a business of some sort.  We are so happy that we have finally gotten around to sharing one of the most beloved Math games in our little homeschool.  Using the prepared files below, some popsicle sticks and a craft box - your child could literally have hours of math fun by themselves, with a friend or even with their favourite doll or action figure. 

 Most learners love to play games.  Many learners enjoy imaginative play as well.  This game is a definite addition for Montessori style and hands-on learners.  This activity allows the craft box to not only hold the game itself, but also to become an interactive part of the game.  The box becomes a display case in the store or garden centre.  You may choose to use a white box and decorate it or use a brown box and just pretend you are picking the flowers straight from the ground.  Daily bouquets are put on special and the players must prepare the bouquets for sale.  They will pick the flowers required on the Daily Special card and put them in the box for the desired number of customers.  Older learners can practice using multiplication using decimals as well as conducting the transaction using your own money or play money from the toy store. 

Price list attached to box.

To prep for this game, first cut apart playing cards and signs on the lines and laminate if desired.  Glue one popsicle stick to the bottom of the price list and attach to the box if able.
  

Prepared flower front and back.

Next simply print out the flower pages and cut out the pieces on the dotted circles.  Create as many flowers as your child's skill level requires.  Children could easily be involved in this step to make it fast and fun.  Glue the circles onto the popsicle sticks.  Let dry well.  We used coloured sticks to be able to sort things faster.  You may want to use all green sticks for stems or plain sticks could be used as well.  They sell for about $1.00 for a pack of 100 at the five and dime stores.  Consider making at least one page of each flower but two pages per makes for loads more fun.  That works out to be between 100-200 sticks.

Watch your fingers! :)

Carefully using a very sharp exacto knife, cut five 4-inch slits along the cover of the shoe box about 2-inches apart.  There should be enough space to easily insert the bouquets in the slit rows.  The outside of the box can be decorated to match your local garden centre or flower shop if you like.

To begin play, put out the "open" sign.  Next, select one Daily Special card and one Customer Scenario card.  Complete the task using both cards.  Create as many bouquets as stated in the scenario.  Figure out how much each bouquet will cost using the provided price lists or make one of your own.  Check your learner's finished product for accuracy.  Learners playing in pairs could check each other's work or create daily specials for their play partner.  Players simply play according to their skill levels. 

A nice added feature of this game is that we have chosen to highlight realistic flowers so that children can begin identifying flowers while learning math. There are eight different varieties of plants used in the game: pansy, tulip, ivy, daffodil, dahlia, primevere, peach rose, and magenta rose. Included are a twelve sample Daily Special cards, six scenario cards, templates for you to make your own specials or scenarios, a cost sign board with plain numbers (no decimals - for younger players) as well as a cost sign with decimal numbers.  The file is 18 pages in all including directions.  This game helps with:

number recognition

following directions

sorting

simple addition

using decimals

using money

multiplication

flower nomenclature

pattern recognition

good manners in business relations

We hope you find this Little Box of Learning resource game loads of fun to create and useful for your child's learning adventures. 

Click Here to download this Flower Shop Play Pack.
(This is an 18 page download with lots of graphics.  Please be patient with this larger file as it downloads.)

 

Blessings,

That Resource Team

Thoughts? Comments?  Questions?  Reach us HERE through our website. 

 

New Math Puzzle sheets - 100 Squares for Fun in Counting

Colourful Puzzle sheets help children learn to count to 100

Counting is a very basic math skill.  As children move up the primary grade scale so do their counting skills and abilities.  Using a 100 square can make counting fun and challenging.  Instead of have children just sing-song-say each number from 1 to 100, these puzzles require real thinking skills to properly complete them. 

Today's resources are five different themed 100 square counting puzzle sheets.  Each is bright and visually appealing with easy to read numbers in a variety of counting tasks.  Some sheets are more challenging than others keeping the activity fresh and fun.  Some 100 squares begin on the numeral 1 and others with the numeral 0 to provide a bit of a challenge.  Answer sheets are provided for all puzzle sheets so that children can check their own counting if needed. 

To extend the life of these sheets simply laminate them with a heat laminating sheet and have learners use a crayon, wipe off pen, dry erase pen, or a washable fat tipped colouring marker to complete.  Wipe clean with a paper towel (and water if needed).

Space theme sample puzzle and answer sheet



Nature study themed sample puzzle and answer sheet


We hope your learners enjoy using these puzzles as much as ours do.

Click Here to download this 10 page 100 Square counting resource set.


Blessings,

That Resource Team

More Dino Resources - Math Counters and Colouring Sheets

More hands-on dinosaur resources help bring learning to life

As we continue our dinosaur themed learning, we thought that we would share more goodies that help keep with the theme and encourage more tactile learning and 'outta the box' learning.  These printable resources are fast, easy to prepare and fun to do.

Dino counters used in a simple way.

Dino Math Counters add fun to learning for many different ages.  The focus of this set includes cards for the numbers from 0-100, even & odd numbers, and the math symbols: + - ÷ = < > .  This resource is perfect for Montessori style learners and are always a hit or the boost to success when a change of pace is needed in studying one of the most difficult of subjects.
This set can be used to reinforce numeral names, number order, math symbols, number sentences and also odd and even numbers. Each coloured set of Dino graphics has been assigned even or odd numbers to help players learn independently. Also, odd and even usage can be worked into other usage games as well. For example, if number sentences are created, players can be asked if the answers are odd or even.  Another simple game is to have siblings try to stump one another by calling out a number sentence and the other player must put it together and correctly figure it out using only the cards.  You may want to print two sets to do more advanced games. You can find this set as well as our entire collection of math counter sets here, each with a slightly different focus.

Our Dino colouring sheets were a direct request from our daughter.  She requested that there be an animal to colour, their name to trace and the pronunciation of their name as well.  So we managed to come up with a few using public domain images.  We hope your children enjoy them as much as ours do. 

Click Here to download our Dino colouring sheet set.
We also have other colouring sheets that can be found here including Aesop's Fables and some Burgess books go-alongs as well.


We hope your learner enjoys some hands-on fun today learning about these giants of the past.

Blessings,

That Resource Team

Welcome Fall with Fun Seasonal Themed Learning Resources



Autumn Harvest Graphing Game

 Let the fall fun begin with bright fun themed printables and games.

Fall is one of my favourite times of the year.  Why?  Of course there are the big traditional reasons of celebrating Thanksgiving, All Saints Day, Remembrance Day, and the beginning of the liturgical season of Advent, but there are also lots of little special things that make this season so memorable.  Like many Canadian families we enjoy canning fruits and veggies, waiting for the first frost to signal putting away the lawnmower, anticipating the first snowfall, lighting the first fire in the fireplace, and of course, watching hockey!! (Go, Canucks, Go!!)  But fall is special because it is a distinct reminder of God's glory in action.  Having grown up in the tropics, I only studied about the pronounced seasonal changes that many people take for granted.  It wasn't until I was an adult that I truly stared in awe at bright red maple leaves that were just green a few days before and thought to myself in childlike wonder,  "Wow, this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."  (This was, of course before I saw my first snowfall..lol.)

The resources we highlight today were all inspired by my love of fall and all the richness that comes with this season.  We hope your family of learners finds them fun too!!  Click the resource title to find these resources and others like them from our main resource website.

Fall Chore Chart

Fall Themed Chore Charts

Use these cute chore charts to help children remember daily or weekly chores.  This resource is only available in a blank form, in two themes.  These sheets can easily be laminated and used daily or weekly over and over again using a dry erase pen. You will also find other themed chore charts at this link.

Apple Counting Fun

 Apple Counting Fun

Younger learners can practice simple counting skills using this cute and colourful fall themed worksheet based on a favourite fall fruit, the apple.  This sheet is very appealing to new writers and the Pre/K-Gr.1 age group.

Happy Harvest Graphing Fun (pictured above)

Use fall harvest foods to practice the mathematical skill of using a bar graph.  Available in two skill levels, this simple to make and fun to use math game can be used over and over.  Non-readers can enjoy this game too. 



Fall Leaves Nature Page

Fall Themed Nature Notebooking Pages

In our collection you will find apple themed pages, falling leaves themed pages and more.  These bright cute and unlined pages remind us that fall is definitely here.  Use this page for nature walk and study notations, writing, drawing or any combination learning activities.  These are perfect for Charlotte Mason style learners.  You will find many other themed nature notebook pages at this link.

Fall Assignment Sheet

Fall Themed Assignment Sheets

Help make everyday sweet learning fun with this checklist style fall fun learning assignment sheet.  This theme is available in blank as well as pre-filled subjects (like the example at left).  These sheets help learners to stay organized while accomplishing tasks daily or even weekly.



Virtue Incentive Sheet

 Our Virtue Lesson on Thankfulness

As Thanksgiving is coming up in a week or so here in Canada, we thought you may want to begin thinking about using Our Virtue Lesson on Thankfulness as your focus for October or November.  Our Virtue Lessons are fun, easy to use, and very well received by homeschoolers and other educators as well.  We have tried to include everything you would need for a gentle month long study of the virtue of Thankfulness.  Find our core sheets to help define the virtue and give examples of the virtue in action, our printable prayer card, Aesop's Fables and copywork, scripture passages, a light reading list, worksheets, certificates, projects, incentive sheets, mini-posters and more.

I hope you find these resources helpful this fall. :)

Blessings,

Kalei - That Resource Team

Teaching Catechism Using Math, Dictation, and Art - Really :)

Teach the truth's of the Catholic Faith using math facts, dictation or copywork and art

Inspired by our faith and our children's love of drawing, we created this resource that can help children of different age levels begin to learn the unique and rich details of our Catholic faith while reinforcing simple math facts, practicing dictation skills (or copywork if you or your learner don't use this skill yet) and honing drawing skills.

Here is how this resource works.  Print out the sheets needed.  There should be one sheet used daily. You may choose to use a plain notebook instead of our sheets and that's perfectly fine.  (See same at left.)  Just use a ruler to create the margins needed. 

Announce the number for the day.  Ask your learner if they can think of anything from their catechism knowledge that could fit the criteria.  For instance the number four could prompt - 4 authors of the Gospel, 4 marks of the Church, 4 weeks of Advent, etc.  Give leading prompts if needed. Announce the answer, read the passage and then give a short explanation of it. This is an excellent time for catechism lessons to unfold. Don’t be afraid to take some time and really explain the truth of the faith. We have purposely included some vocabulary terms with which children may not be familiar.  Read the passage again twice for dictation. Read it through once for content and then a second time for them to write it out.  You could treat this as copywork instead of dictation using a blackboard, whiteboard or other paper. 

Next ask them to draw a picture that goes with the truth they just wrote down.   Lastly, ask them to either write the addition fact family for the number or the multiplication table that goes with it.

We have tried to include everything you may need to complete this activity.  This is fun and can be used as quickly or as slowly as you desire.  We have included multiple options for writers in our line spacing options.  We do this to accommodate as many learners as possible including those who are just learning to write, practicing cursive, or have trouble controlling with motor skills. 

(Sample sheet from our set which includes 6 different page offerings per file)

 

We want all children to know and love their Catholic Faith!! :)

Click Here to download this resource with an emphasis on Number Fact Families
Click Here to download this resource with an emphasis on Multiplication Facts/Tables


 
Blessings,
 
That Resource Team

Famous Mathematicians Timeline and Pieces

Learn about famous mathematicians in a fun and interactive way.

I came across a dime store find of a book called Historical Connections in Mathematics, Resources for Using History of Mathematics in the Classroom by Wilbert and Luetta Reimer.  Great find!!  It has colouring biography sheets, biography read aloud pages, and cool math activities.  I was so inspired by the fun possibilities for math that we made the book part of our learning year.  We then found the book, Mathematicians Are People, Too, Stories from the Lives of Great Mathematicians by the same authors at the library.  This book is perfect for Charlotte Mason narration! :)  Our daughter loved it and we decided to buy a copy for ourselves.  I began merging the two books for organizational purposes and came up with the the idea for a mini timeline for mathematicians. 

We will be adding go-along notebooking sheets to the website shortly to go with this year-long project.  We'll read the books one biographical focus at a time, do some activities for each, finish up with a notebooking page, and then put the corresponding timeline piece on the wall.

The time line is fast and easy to assemble and is made for small spaces.  (The picture at the left is a quick preview.)  You can use regular 8.5"x11" paper, although we recommend heavier bond paper for longevity.  Full instructions are included in the file. 

Print out the pieces in one file - there 18 scholars in all.  Print out the time line in the other file.  The cards could also be used separately for Montessori purposes or for card play.  Just print out two sets for Go Fish and Concentration Matching Type games.

We hope you find this useful.  We will also have a similar timeline for The Life of Jesus Christ coming out very shortly.  Just finishing up the last few pieces.  It is the perfect companion to Child's Bible History by Knecht.

Click Here to download the Mathematician Timeline Cards

Click Here to download the Timeline Pieces


Blessings,


Kalei - That Resource Team

New Printable Friend Cards

Help learners grasp, in a very tangible way, how God created each person to be special and unique

God made each person unique and special in their own way.  Sometimes it is difficult to illustrate to children about God's gift of diversity when you have just a few learners in your homeschool, co-op, or CCD class.  Thinking in terms of curriculum, subjects like math or social studies many times will ask learners to interview or poll ten or more people to ask simple questions like what kind of pet do you own, how many brothers do you have, etc.  It isn't always feasible in a scheduled homeschool day to call or contact five or six people to ask what their favourite food or colour might be.  So we came up with Friend Cards in an effort to meet the need for lots of learning friends in your homeschool.

Simply download the friends that you want, print out the files, and fill in the cards.  Any age could use these resources.  They are fun to complete and leave lots to the imagination.  Friends are available in over 15 different options with five different backgrounds.  We have even provided a set of friends for learners to colour in themselves or draw one of their own choosing.  A photo of a real friend could be pasted onto the card as well.  Each set is available in Can/UK English or USA English.

Parents may choose to fill out the cards themselves and present it to their children completed to provide information needed to complete specific assignments.  There is ample space to add additional information to each card.

 

CCD USE:  As an additional activity to illustrate God's creation of man to have unique features, distinctions, and free will, these cards can prove to be a useful tool.  To use this resource in a CCD class or co-op setting, you could ask each child to fill out a card and then compare the information about each student on the board or chart paper.  This allows children to see how each person can be similar or different.  As an alternative for a really small class, you could have each child fill out a card for themselves and their best friend to have more participants and then simply compare and contrast the data.  This is also a great ice breaker activity for beginning of the year class meetings.


We hope you find these cards useful in some way.  They have come in handy for our family a few times already.


Click Here to visit our printable Friend Cards resource page.


Blessings,

That Resource Team