Ripe avocado pit 3 toothpicks Glass of water  Stick toothpicks into middle of pit, spacing so that pit can balance inside the rim of the glass, large end down. Fill glass with enough water to cover bottom of pit. Place in warm spot-not in direct sun. Replace water as it evaporates. When a good […]
The Letter S is a very unreliable letter that often makes sounds other than the base /s/ sound:     /s/ as in snake     /z/ as in was     /sh/ as in sheep   1. Present a capital and lower case S to your child. See if she knows the name of the letter and […]
The Reason for the Pelican  The reason for the pelican Is difficult to see: His beak is clearly larger Than there’s any need to be. It’s not to bail a boat with— He doesn’t own a boat. Yet everywhere he takes himself He has that beak to tote. It’s not to keep his wife […]
The letter Q is an extremely reliable, but redundant, letter. It does not make its own unique sound — it makes the /kw/ sound as in queen. This makes it a difficult letter for children to sound out.  1. Present a capitol and lower case Q to your child. See if she knows the […]
We keep a box of small, nonworking appliances, such as an old telephone, answering machine, radio, etc. Then when my kids get bored, I have them choose one of the appliances and take it all apart, and then try to put it back together again. If they get it together and there are some extra […]
Oh, Where do the Fairies Hide  Oh, where do fairies hide their heads When snow lies on the hills, When frost has spoiled their mossy beds, And crystallized their rills? Beneath the moon they can not trip In circles o’er the plain; And draughts of dew they cannot sip, Till green leaves come again. […]
1. Present a capitol and lower case O to your child. See if she knows the name of the letter and the sounds it makes. Explain that it’s a letter that sometimes makes the same sound as its name. Give examples of long o words such as ocean, only and oatmeal. See if she knows […]
 Card stock in assorted colors Scissors Hole punch Glue Paper fasteners Yarn or embroidery floss for a giraffe mane and tail Flexible straws  Cut out the shapes as shown from card stock. Punch holes in the head for an eye, a nostril, and a mouth. Next, punch holes in both movable leg pieces […]
