lesson plans – Page 17 – JenEric Designs

Week 3 – Moana Results

November 25, 2020September 30, 2020 by Jen Desmarais

Week 3 went quite smoothly with both virtual school and home school, minus a weird hiccup with google classroom not giving a link to the actual class. The teacher was able to fix it up quite quickly, though, so barely any time was lost. Dragon willingly spoke to the teacher several times during the day, which was great.

Dance

I kind lost track of how many times we did ballet this week. Essentially, I do this whenever she stops sitting still, so more often on some days than others.

Music

No piano learning yet (my mom has said she will teach her, but my mom is very busy with her own life right now, so this might take a bit of time). We listened to a bunch of French music. Coeur de Pirate was the favourite yet again and I am thrilled because it is a beautiful album.

Crochet

We managed to get a few more stitches in on Friday. This is definitely the category we do the least, as it involves me not crocheting on my own project in order to help her with her own.

Basic Information

We have played with the days of the week and have finished cutting out the months of the year. We’re storing each of them in their own separate envelopes (French and English together).

Printing words

Note to self, try to avoid words that involve combo letters. I felt like coeur was an important word to learn, though, so I kept it in for this week.

Counting objects/math-type activities

Her numbers have really improved in the few short weeks since we started doing this. I’m so impressed and love seeing the progress!

Draw x number of coconuts on a palm tree – this was cute and fun. We used the image from the above counting sheet in order to draw a palm tree, and then I had her put a certain number of coconuts in the tree and a certain number on the ground and then had her count them.

3 coconuts in a tree + 5 coconuts on the “ground” = 8. Sorry about the printing in the background – we’re reusing old dot matrix paper.

Count and talk a bit about the planets (before going star gazing!) – I printed out planet worksheets for her to colour and count (and then explained about Pluto not being a planet). Sorry I didn’t include the link for the one image – I couldn’t find it again! 🙁 She’s getting better at remembering the name for 5, but still needs practice for that and for 7 (in French, she has no trouble in English).

Storytime

One of the books that were gifted to us was an under the sea create your own book. Dragon made the octopus one this week.

Activity

Star gazing – We went out on Monday night to use my old telescope (my dad came to help, thank goodness! My telescope is very beat up and hard to use). We started by looking at the moon, to give Dragon a chance to figure out how to look through the telescope (genius idea of my dad’s). She got VERY excited when she finally figured it out. I got a picture of the moon through the telescope lens! Then we shifted it over to look at the incredibly bright Jupiter, and were able to see 3 of it’s moons as well! I also got a shot of Jupiter through the telescope, although it just looks like a bright spot. Dragon says she saw it, but I’m not sure she did… And then we shifted over to see Saturn, and WOW! At first it just looked blurry, but then I pulled my head back a tiny bit and BAM! I saw it’s rings! No picture, sadly, because we lost it and couldn’t find it again. But overall, I would call star gazing a success! I’m even considering ordering a new telescope – one that connects to my phone to make it easier to see what we’re trying to look at.

Grand-dad helping Dragon look through the telescope at the moon

Bake with coconut – cookies – Papa and Dragon made no-bake peanut butter and white chocolate balls. The coconut was put in the melted chocolate. Dragon learned how to melt chocolate properly, and was able to comminucate this to my mom and sister (video call for the latter) a day later. She also understood how many 1/4 cups are needed to make 1 cup and how many 1/5 cups are needed to make 1 cup. Pretty cool combining baking and math!

Objects floating in water – we had a lot of fun gathering the objects, guessing at whether they would float or sink, and dropping them in the water. Then she cut and glued them onto the page…she was very excited when she realized that the objects on the paper were the same as the objects she had dropped into the water earlier that day.

Week 4 – Tinker Bell

September 23, 2020 by Jen Desmarais

Tinker Bell is a super cute movie and has several sequels that are definitely worth watching. This movie was the first one that Dragon paid attention to at around 18 months old. So of course, I had to include it in her lessons.

Here is the link for the downloadable materials. (Again, please let me know if you have any problems so I can fix it!)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Watch movie	Nature walk (weather dependent)	Lego kit	Puzzle	Flex

Summary of the week

Daily details:

Dance

Ballet and martial arts on alternate days

Music

Singing, listening to different pieces, learning piano

Crochet

The project she is working on (currently she is making herself a poncho)

Basic Information

We talk about the days of the week and play games with the cutouts of the names. We do the same thing with the names of the months of the year. You can find the print-outs here.

Printing words

Download materials

Counting objects/math-type activities

Practice counting objects and writing how many of each type – in download materials

Count leaves after collecting them on nature walk

There used to be four fairy friends – now that Tinker Bell has joined them, how many are there?

Storytime

Activity

Nature walk – look for different kinds of leaves, acorns, maple keys, flowers, etc (weather dependent – you want no rain the day before as well as day of)

Build a Lego kit

Puzzle – put a puzzle together

Next week: Halloweentown!

Week 2 – Cinderella Results

December 19, 2022September 23, 2020 by Jen Desmarais

Week 2 was even better than the first. Dragon tried very hard in her virtual class through the school, and raised her hand several times to talk to the teachers – she even said some words in French. She worked hard on printing words with the letter ‘i’ (poussin, maison, voici, and poulailler (chicken coop – why she insisted on trying to spell that word rather than ‘ici’ is beyond me)) and on understanding how to break down numbers into their smallest components (4 into 1&3 and 2&2) and understanding the French names for the numbers. There were still technical problems, but not on our end, thankfully. I’m incredibly impressed by the patience and kindness of the teachers.

The part of the week taught by me went fairly well. There were a couple of hiccups with the paper doll project… well. You’ll see in the comments.

Dance

Ballet was fun and she got her first Martial Arts this week.

Music

We listened to a bunch of French music. Coeur de Pirate was the favourite and I foresee using this CD often.

Crochet

We managed to get a few more stitches in.

Basic Information

I added a new category – basic information. In here, we talk about the days of the week and play games with the cutouts of the names. We will do the same thing with the names of the months of the year. You can find the print-outs here.

Printing words

Worked really well. The blank sheet was used on the second day with the filled in sheet as a guide for spelling.

Counting objects/math-type activities

The download sheet worked really well. She got to practice writing numbers and she counted well.

We also added a clock activity! Here is the link to the clock.

Storytime

I feel like she’s understanding more, or perhaps we’re just reading books she’s more familiar with?

Activity

Sewing a button – This ended up being a huge success! I cut a scrap of fabric and let her pick whatever button she wanted. She had a bit of trouble threading the needle (very small eye) and tying the knot in the thread, but she grasped the concept of sewing the button on very quickly and is so very proud of herself!

I ended up making a pillow for her little chair, so she got to see how a sewing machine worked (and how to ask Grannie for help!). We measured the chair and transferred the measurements onto the material. We talked about adding seam allowance, and what that means. We discovered that the ties need to be on the inside of the pillow before stitching if you want them to be on the outside of the pillow when you turn it right side out (again, thank you Grannie for catching that mistake!). And I showed her how I finished off the stitching with an invisible stitch after stuffing it.

Learn about mice (info here)

Make paper dolls (web) – do not use this link. The clothes are missing flaps and do not stay on the dolls. Dragon was super patient about colouring each item (she outlined them and made colour-coordinating clothes for the dolls) and even did some cutting, but we both agreed that they were not worth keeping. This activity definitely need to be re-thought. Maybe a simpler, larger doll and fewer outfits? Or maybe buying a simple set from the store would be better than printing one out?

Week 3 – Moana

September 23, 2020September 16, 2020 by Jen Desmarais

This week is Moana, the 2016 film by Disney. I thought it would be nice to be able to go star-gazing when it’s not too cold but gets dark a little bit earlier. And this week has great viewing opportunities for Jupiter and Saturn at the beginning of the week (Mon-Wed).

Here is the link for the downloadable materials.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Watch movie	Star-gazing	Bake with coconut	Objects floating in water	Flex

Summary of the week

Daily details:

Dance

Ballet and martial arts on alternate days

Music

Singing, listening to different pieces, learning piano

Crochet

The project she is working on (currently she is making herself a poncho)

Basic Information

We talk about the days of the week and play games with the cutouts of the names. We do the same thing with the names of the months of the year. You can find the print-outs here.

Printing words

Downloadable materials

Counting objects/math-type activities

Practice counting objects and writing how many of each type – in downloadable materials

Draw x number of coconuts on a palm tree

Count and talk a bit about the planets (before going star gazing!) – Youtube link/ French Youtube link

Storytime

Activity

Star gazing – Best days to view Jupiter and Saturn this week are Mon-Wed 2020 (just check weather first!) During the day – talk about the two planets and what to expect while observing them – add in some planet worksheets for colouring (web link, web link)

Bake with coconut – cookies? Any option you like

Objects floating in water (experiment link, printable worksheet in downloadable materials)

Next week: Tinker Bell (2008)

Week 1 – Tangled Results

September 16, 2020 by Jen Desmarais

Dragon’s first week of Jr Kindergarten went well. There were some hiccups with technology for her virtual classes for her real school on the first day, but after getting a new link (and downloading new firmware for the camera) the second day went much smoother – other than several meltdowns from a very tired Dragon. We’re trying to figure out how to have her be part-time (one day a week), with the teacher’s assistance.

As for the part of her week taught by me, that also went well, for the most part.

Dance

Ballet was a big hit

Music

We listened to a bunch of French music. Coeur de Pirate was the favourite.

Crochet

We managed to get a few stitches in.

Printing words

Worked really well. The blank sheet was used on the second day with the filled in sheet as a guide for spelling.

Counting objects/math-type activities

The download sheet worked really well. She got to practice writing numbers and she counted well.

Storytime

She enjoyed the books, but I’m not sure she understood them

Activity

Baking – cake – talked about mixing colours and measurements.

Painting – free-style with Crayola washable paint on paper – talked about mixing colours.

Make a paper lantern – need ~~construction paper,~~ paper bag, stencil (in download material), cardboard box, paper towel folded in fourths, and screwdriver ~~thumb tack, and pen~~ (instructions are Number 11). Put the paper bag over the cardboard box, and slide the folded paper towel in between the box and the bag. Place the stencil over-top of the bag/paper towel. Use the screwdriver to punch holes in the stencil/paper bag. Be careful not to move the stencil, or you will mess up your design. (Edited in italics after attempt.)

First attempt at the lantern – the push pin was too small for her to hold, and the cardboard too stiff to push into. She pushed on my fingers as I made the pricks – not as much fun for her.

Week 2 – Cinderella

September 17, 2020September 9, 2020 by Jen Desmarais

Cinderella is one of my favourite classic Disney movies. Dragon agrees with me.

Here is the link for the downloadable materials. (Again, please let me know if you have any problems so I can fix it!)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Watch movie	Sewing a button	Learn about mice	Make paper dolls	Flex

Summary of the week

Daily details:

Dance

Ballet and martial arts on alternate days

Music

Singing, listening to different pieces, learning piano

Crochet

The project she is working on (currently she is making herself a poncho)

Basic Information

We talk about the days of the week and play games with the cutouts of the names. We do the same thing with the names of the months of the year. You can find the print-outs here.

Printing words

Download materials

Counting objects/math-type activities

Practice counting objects and writing how many of each type – in download materials

Work on clocks – putting numbers on a clock and understanding hours (web link to blank clock faces)

Cinderella has how many stepsisters?

How many different types of animals help Cinderella? Mice, birds, dog, horse

Count popcorn kernels

We also added a clock activity! Here is the link to the clock.

Storytime

Activity

Sewing a button

Learn about mice (info here)

Make paper dolls (web) – do not use this link. The clothes are missing flaps and do not stay on the dolls.

Next week: Moana!

Week 1 – Tangled

September 17, 2020September 2, 2020 by Jen Desmarais

The first week, we will be focussing on Tangled, the DIsney movie released in 2010. We are starting on September 7, even though it’s a holiday, because we’re just watching a movie on the first day. So her first real day of school will be the 8th.

I thought it was fitting after several months of quarantine to watch a movie about a girl locked in a tower for 18 years.

Here is the link for the downloadable materials. (I hope this works…please let me know if you have any problems so I can fix it!)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Watch movie	Baking	Painting	Paper lanterns	Flex

Summary of the week

Dance

Ballet and martial arts on alternate days

Music

Singing, listening to different pieces, learning piano

Crochet

The project she is working on (currently she is making herself a poncho)

Basic Information

We talk about the days of the week and play games with the cutouts of the names. We do the same thing with the names of the months of the year. You can find the print-outs here.

Printing words

Download material

Counting objects/math-type activities

Practice counting objects and writing how many of each type –(in download material)

One Stabbington brother plus one Stabbington brother equals how many?

Three people stole the crown, but one had a change of heart. How many are still bad guys?

Storytime

Activity

Baking – cake

Painting – free-style with Crayola washable paint on paper (please note that this might be a good outdoor activity – check weather in advance and move days if necessary)

Make a paper lantern – need ~~construction paper,~~ paper bag, stencil (in download material), cardboard box, paper towel folded in fourths, and screwdriver ~~thumb tack, and pen~~ (instructions are Number 11). Put the paper bag over the cardboard box, and slide the folded paper towel in between the box and the bag. Place the stencil overtop of the bag/paper towel. Use the screwdriver to punch holes in the stencil/paper bag. Be careful not to move the stencil, or you will mess up your design. (Edited in italics after attempt.)

Next week: Cinderella (the 1950 edition)!

How I Taught My Dragon

June 3, 2021August 26, 2020 by Jen Desmarais

Kindergarten education through genre media

As you may be aware, we have chosen to keep our Dragon home from Jr Kindergarten (Maternelle) this September. This is entirely due to Covid-19. We have nothing but the highest respect for the teachers who are working very hard to keep themselves and the children in their care safe.

We have yet to talk to Dragon’s Kindergarten teacher about the virtual learning that we have signed up for. We hope to hear from them late this week.

I have looked at the Ontario curriculum for Kindergarten and its overall expectations. You can see them here.

To this end, in order to supplement what the teachers will be providing, we will be following a home-based curriculum around a different movie each week. Dragon helped me come up with the movies and ideas for the activities, and is super excited to do these.

I will be posting the weekly lessons here the week before, including any worksheets I plan on printing out.

Each day will include the following:

Dance (ballet and martial arts on alternate days)
Music (singing, listening to different pieces, learning piano)
Crochet on the project she is working on (currently she is making herself a poncho)
Basic Information about the days of the week and months of the year. You can find the print-outs here.
Printing words related to the movie of the week (as she already knows how to print individual letters) ENGLISH template, FRENCH template (both in Word; if you want a different format, let me know and I’ll see what I can do) You will need the KG Primary Dots font in order to see these properly. The weekly questions will be PDFs, so you don’t need the font for those, only if you want to make your own.
Counting objects/math-type activities related to the movie of the week, including printing numbers TEMPLATE for the counting/printing sheet You will need the KG Primary Dots font in order to see the printing part properly. Again, the weekly worksheets will be PDFs, so you won’t need the font unless you choose to make your own.
Storytime
An activity outlined in the chart (subject to change)

The September movies are:

Tangled (2010)
Cinderella (1950)
Moana (2016)
Tinker Bell (2008)

Please be aware that this is supposed to be as support for what the teachers provide, and therefore there are components missing from the daily routine.