Welcome back to another installment of Latticed Learning! Today I'll be sharing some of the great resources that Gv and I will be using all year long in our journey of discovery. I'm sure I'll be adding to this page as time goes on, but here are the main tools we're getting started with:
Bibles
I spent the first year of Gv's life exploring every Children's Bible I could get my hands on. My goal was to find the perfect one, but in the end, there were two I liked equally well:The Beginner's Bible
I love the illustrations in this version and from the start, Gv was attracted to it at least once each day. I've found that the number of pictures/pages for each story is just the right amount to "prompt" Gv when she's "reading" it - by the end of the week, she can easily tell me all the details of each chapter!
My Read and Rhyme Bible Storybook
This Bible's rhymes are what attracted me the most. The illustrations are colorful and engaging, and I'm looking forward to the time when Gv is old enough to discuss the questions at the end of each chapter as well as do the activities. But for now, we have great time reading the sing-songy verses aloud each day!
I'll refer to the page numbers for both of these Bibles in each week's Latticed Learning post so that you can easily follow along in your own copies.
Alphabet books
Read these on a regular basis and have your child point out the current week's letter throughout the pages. Research has shown that focusing on only one letter at a time in isolation isn't a "best practice," but you'll see that I suggest highlighting one letter for a period of time while still discussing the entire alphabet. This puts everything into context - the integration of the letter with the whole alphabet helps your child see the whole picture.The same goes for the letter sound/name debate. I stress including all three (Capital letter, lowercase letter, and proper letter sound) each week, so that nothing is missed. To help you with all of this letter work, collect a variety of alphabet books and try to read them at some point during the week. Here are some of the main ones we use:
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
This is a favorite among Kindergarten teachers everywhere. It was a must-have in my classroom, but I have to say, I've never really cared for the book. However, Gv loves it - I guess the rhyme and the silliness of the repeating "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" are loads of fun for a two-year-old.
Luckily, it doesn't show up on the irritating books list for me, so I don't mind reading it over and over (plus, Gv's starting to remember it all by this point, so it's one she often "reads" by herself). I do like the way it highlights just a few letters on each page - I've noticed that Gv really enjoys naming those as she thumbs through the pages.
The Underwater Alphabet Book
This book would be especially fun if your child was into all things ocean, but I like that it's a unique take on an alphabet book. I'm sure it will come in really handy when the week's topic is sea life!
Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy and Bad Kitty
These are full of alliteration fun (and will give you all sorts of ideas for how to win at The Alphabet Game!) Poor Puppy is also great for learning numbers, and has taught Gv a bit about empathy - "Poor, poor, poor, poor puppy!"
Annie, Bea, and Chi Chi Dolores
I have this because it was part of the textbook series I used when I taught first grade, so I'm not so sure how mainstream of an option it is, but I like the school theme and Gv has fun pointing out all the different animals, so it's a winner for us.
Dr. Seuss' ABC
Because you just have to make sure you're reading at least one nonsensical Dr. Seuss book each week, right?
ABC: A Child's First Alphabet Book
This book is illustrated in a really cool style and has pictures of more than one thing starting with the letter on each page, but what G and I think is the neatest part of it is that there's a hint on each page of what is still to come in the book (as well as reminders of what has already occurred). It seems that each time we read this selection, I discover something new and learn something more about the couple's relationship and experiences (expressed solely through the pictures), making the book more interesting for me to endure while waiting for Gv to finish naming off all the items she sees.
26 Letters and 99 Cents
This is two books in one - there are photos of objects beginning with each letter and when you flip the book over, you'll be able to count coins that correspond to each number (so this book is great for learning about money, too!)
Elmo's Big Lift-and-Look Book
This giant board book has long been one of our favorites (it's perfect for bringing along to an appointment, because all the flaps will keep your child engaged for a long time), but you'll find yourself referring to the first page (with a set of alphabet blocks stacked up) again and again.
"Find the letter G" and "What picture do you think might be behind the Q flap" are two ways to turn time with this book into play.
Animal Alphabet
I'm not particularly fond of the wording in this book (nothing wrong with it, it's just not very "fun"), but I do like the unusual collection of animals it contains.
This book would be especially fun if your child was into all things ocean, but I like that it's a unique take on an alphabet book. I'm sure it will come in really handy when the week's topic is sea life!
Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy and Bad Kitty
These are full of alliteration fun (and will give you all sorts of ideas for how to win at The Alphabet Game!) Poor Puppy is also great for learning numbers, and has taught Gv a bit about empathy - "Poor, poor, poor, poor puppy!"
Annie, Bea, and Chi Chi Dolores
I have this because it was part of the textbook series I used when I taught first grade, so I'm not so sure how mainstream of an option it is, but I like the school theme and Gv has fun pointing out all the different animals, so it's a winner for us.
Dr. Seuss' ABC
Because you just have to make sure you're reading at least one nonsensical Dr. Seuss book each week, right?
ABC: A Child's First Alphabet Book
This book is illustrated in a really cool style and has pictures of more than one thing starting with the letter on each page, but what G and I think is the neatest part of it is that there's a hint on each page of what is still to come in the book (as well as reminders of what has already occurred). It seems that each time we read this selection, I discover something new and learn something more about the couple's relationship and experiences (expressed solely through the pictures), making the book more interesting for me to endure while waiting for Gv to finish naming off all the items she sees.
26 Letters and 99 Cents
This is two books in one - there are photos of objects beginning with each letter and when you flip the book over, you'll be able to count coins that correspond to each number (so this book is great for learning about money, too!)
Elmo's Big Lift-and-Look Book
This giant board book has long been one of our favorites (it's perfect for bringing along to an appointment, because all the flaps will keep your child engaged for a long time), but you'll find yourself referring to the first page (with a set of alphabet blocks stacked up) again and again.
"Find the letter G" and "What picture do you think might be behind the Q flap" are two ways to turn time with this book into play.
Animal Alphabet
I'm not particularly fond of the wording in this book (nothing wrong with it, it's just not very "fun"), but I do like the unusual collection of animals it contains.
Toys
Magnetic letters and numbers
I had these from my classroom, where I would use them as a reading center for even my gifted second-graders to build words with all over the sides of my file cabinets. I put them up on the refrigerator fairly early for Gv (just for something to play with - moving the magnets around), but we have them on our washer and dryer and the metal door to our garage now, too. These things are so versatile - you can spell your child's name or other words out, in addition to displaying them in alphabetical order.
I had these from my classroom, where I would use them as a reading center for even my gifted second-graders to build words with all over the sides of my file cabinets. I put them up on the refrigerator fairly early for Gv (just for something to play with - moving the magnets around), but we have them on our washer and dryer and the metal door to our garage now, too. These things are so versatile - you can spell your child's name or other words out, in addition to displaying them in alphabetical order.
Letter and number puzzles
Gv loves playing with puzzles, so when I found some great foam versions similar to these at our local dollar store around Easter time, I knew they would be perfect in her basket. Even a very young toddler will enjoy dumping the pieces out and trying to put them back in, long before noticing the letters and numbers they contain.
Gv loves playing with puzzles, so when I found some great foam versions similar to these at our local dollar store around Easter time, I knew they would be perfect in her basket. Even a very young toddler will enjoy dumping the pieces out and trying to put them back in, long before noticing the letters and numbers they contain.
Letter and number blocks
I had a set of these when I was little (in fact, these are the same blocks that Gv now uses!) and I remember building structures and spelling out words with them long into my later elementary years. There are so many different ways you can use these blocks, I truly think they should be a childhood staple.
I had a set of these when I was little (in fact, these are the same blocks that Gv now uses!) and I remember building structures and spelling out words with them long into my later elementary years. There are so many different ways you can use these blocks, I truly think they should be a childhood staple.
Websites
Starfall
My students used this website daily in my classroom - not only is it fun (& free!), but it uses sound educational practices, as well. There's even an app that you can download. The free version doesn't include everything on the website, but it's got enough to keep Gv busy during one of my tutoring sessions, and I feel like she's really learning while she's playing.
There are plenty of swell blogs for me to share that have great resources for all letters of the alphabet, but you'll have to look for those as the weeks go by.
Looking for all the great posts associated with this concept in one place? Check out my Latticed Learning page here to find organized links to everything you need and visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store to get easy-to-print sets of some of the best Syncopated Mama printables I've created for this venture.
My students used this website daily in my classroom - not only is it fun (& free!), but it uses sound educational practices, as well. There's even an app that you can download. The free version doesn't include everything on the website, but it's got enough to keep Gv busy during one of my tutoring sessions, and I feel like she's really learning while she's playing.
There are plenty of swell blogs for me to share that have great resources for all letters of the alphabet, but you'll have to look for those as the weeks go by.
For even more helpful tools
Click here to follow my Latticed Learning: General Resources Pinterest boardLooking for all the great posts associated with this concept in one place? Check out my Latticed Learning page here to find organized links to everything you need and visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store to get easy-to-print sets of some of the best Syncopated Mama printables I've created for this venture.
And be sure to pin this page and come back to visit throughout this series, because I'm guessing that I will discover even more fantastic resources to add as Gv and I take this journey!
What are your favorite Bible/ABC/123 resources? I'd love to hear! Either leave a comment below or email me at lisahealy (at) outlook (dot) com.
Also, if you don't want to miss a single minute of great tips like this and all the fun around here, be sure to sign up for free updates and then look forward to having each post delivered right to your inbox.
Linked up with: Merry Monday, Motivation Monday, Thoughtful Spot, Mom 2 Mom Monday, What'd You Do This Weekend, Meet Up Monday, Totally Terrific Tuesday, Two Uses Tuesday, Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party, Tell it to Me Tuesday, Good Tips Tuesday, Talented Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, A Little Bird Told Me, WFMW, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, The Mommy Club, Creative Muster, Grandma Ideas, The Ladies Collective, Drop & Run Wednesdays, A Little R&R Wednesdays, This Is How We Roll, Frugal Family Linky, Creative Ways, Hearts for Home, Creative Exchange,I'm Lovin' It,Kitchen Fun & Crafty, Inspiration Spotlight, Home Matters, Pretty Pintastic Party, Front Porch Friday, Weekend Potluck, Awesome Life Friday, Creative Collection