Newsletter 16
This Newsletter is brought to you by:
Happy September Everyone!
It's great to have my old computer running again! I have a 6 year old Gateway that "runs" on Windows 98. I guess it was time to upgrade to Windows XP, since my computer was running like a snail until it crashed. But, thank goodness, the problem is fixed. So onto more important things.
Counting is such an important part to math skills. Young children love to count. One day, Montessori was introducing older children in the classroom the colored bead chains to teach them square roots. The younger children loved the long chain for the 1000 cube. In fact they started counting the beads by 10's. Later on the children used arrows to mark the count.
Here is a free printout for the 1000 chain arrows and how to do the counting chain-
You can make this easy representation of the 1000 or 100 counting chain
You will need:
Also, here is a printout of the short bead stair . It's fun to color. The short bead stair is used for addition, like the cuisenaire rods
Also, there are now directions for the addition snake game
Here is a link for introducing the 100 chain.
How do you introduce finger painting and finger print art?
When introducing finger painting it is best to use one primary color. On butcher paper or shiny paper, put a spoonful of finger paint. Show your child how to paint with his or her finger tips. If you have a smooth surfaced table, you can finger paint directly on the table. Use construction or inexpensive absorbent paper (even paper toweling) to make a print from the finger paint print block(table). You can use card stock to blot the paint to make greeting or holiday cards to send to grandparents.
Next time introduce 2 primary colors, such as yellow and red. Your child can mix the colors to make orange. Other colors you can make are purple using red and blue, green -using yellow and blue. Mix all 3 primary colors which will make a brownish color.
Finger prints make wonderful bodies for insects and spiders. A thumb print with eight legs makes a spider. Use a baby finger and middle finger to make an insect body. Add 6 legs and antennae. Here is an insect site
I like to use food coloring on a inexpensive sponge as ink for finger printing. Make your favorite insects from your finger print. Finger print Art Magnet Can
If it is fall where you live, collect seeds from your favorite annual flowers and herbs. Put the dry seeds in a small container, such as recycled film canisters and label. Save a few of the seeds. Plant the rest in the spring and compare the seeds to the grown flowers.
This fall we have a new visitor to the city of Colorado Springs. Tarantulas are moving here. Changes in the environment have made this a great place to raise their family.
I usually happily share my home with spiders, but I'm not too sure about these new neighbors.
Here is an enchanting site about them.
Tarantulas.com even has a tarantula of the month.
