Rainy day relaxation

DOWN-TIME
Hi everyone :)

This week (so from 29th May) to the 4th June I will be taking some relaxation time. I am not going on holiday (although if anyone reading this would like to sponsor a holiday for me I won't say no hahahaha) but going on a stay vacation. This is something new I am trying. I will not be going on Facebook or going on Pinterest for 6 days. Would like to do a social media break. Enjoying a mini holiday but staying at home.

Lately, I have been feeling like I am on social media a lot and I am getting caught up in all things but not enjoying this great time of year. Some of you know that I love the rainy season. So for this week, I am going to focus on getting back into shape, pick up a book and take every opportunity to wear my comfortable cat slippers.

Don't stop learning this week and I will see you all next week :)

Enjoy the rain as I know I will! :)

Kind regards,

Krysten

Fun Games when learning words

Sight Word Games
On the blog today, please have a look under the Phonics Development section. Every second week I am going to do some research into different Sight word games. I will post what I find. The blog post today is a game I recently learned called Oh! Don't be greedy. It is such fun. Have a look at the Phonics Development page for more information on how to make the game and how to play.

Happy learning! :)

Fish Maths

Fish Game
I am always looking for fun ways to teach Maths to little ones. I have made lots of flashcards with Quick Maths (more on that at a later stage) sums on it. But I have come up with a wonderful game that involves a touch of creativity and logic. Have a look at the Numeracy Development section for a fun fishy Maths game: https://countingstarstutoringsupport.blogspot.co.za/p/numeracy-development.html

Happy learning! :)

Yummy! Yummy!

Yummy Muffins
Since it is a rainy Monday, I thought I would blog about something fun to do today. I am posting a simple recipe for muffins. Muffins are very simple and delicious. Muffins can be frozen and can be placed in your little one's school lunch box. If all else fails and you lose your insanity with baking, buy store bought.






WHAT YOU NEED:
* 500g White self-raising flour
* 15g Baking powder
* 2.5g Salt
* 30g White sugar
* 1 egg, slightly beaten
* 250ml Full cream milk
* 60ml Melted butter
* Spray and cook

WHAT TO DO:
1. Sieve all the dry ingredients
2. Mix all the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until there are no lumps
3. Spray and cook a muffin tray. Spoon the mixture into a greased muffin tin
4. Bake the muffins for 30 minutes in a 180-degree oven until golden brown
5. Allow cooling before storing in an airtight container

* If desired to make chocolate chip muffins or any filling, add the filling with the wet ingredients

Picking up a book

Lifelong Readers
One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, how do I know my child is ready for reading? I don't mind answering the question as it is an important one. Your child will show you the following signs when they are ready to learn.

1. Show an interest in books: This may be an obvious one but this is the first indication your child is ready to learn to read. Children who show an interest in books and children who are interested in you reading to them out of their own shows that they would like to read

2. Picture books: Children who like to read a lot of picture books and who are interested in themselves becoming the storyteller, this shows that they are ready to learn to read

3. Understanding and care: When a child can understand what they are reading, they are ready to start learning to read. A child who looks after books by knowing how to turn each page carefully and knows how to take care of book is ready to learn to read

4. Alphabet: When your child knows each letter and sounds of the alphabet they are ready to learn to read. They know how to pronounce their sound blends then this indicates they are ready to learn to read. Your child must have a great understanding of this to move forward with reading

Don't rush this process with your child and understand they will get there in due time. From about the age of 5 to 6 your child will show signs of wanting to learn to read. Encourage this so your child becomes a lifelong reader. If your child is having a delayed issue with reading, please seek help from a professional.

Letters together mean words

Increasing learning

As adults, we tend to forget the day when we first started to learn to read. Many of us take for granted knowing how to read. There was a time when we first learned each letter of the alphabet and then we were taught the letter blends. Then before we knew it, we could read. Learning to read is a process with your little one but I do encourage daily reading every day with your little one. Find exciting books to read together and try to incorporate reading in everyday life. But today's post is all about increasing the vocabulary with your little one. Your little one's school should be doing this already but if they are not, here are some idea you could use:

1. SIGHT WORDS:

Sight words are my favourite aspect of learning when it comes to reading. Sight words are difficult to learn as they are words we use every day. We cannot sound them out but we recognize them by sight. Sight words are words like: one, every, could, etc. Write simple sentences using the sight words but highlight the sight word in the sentence so it stands out. When reading the sentence, emphasizing the word. Colour helps when learning to read sight words.

2. RHYME ME THIS:

Using basic words, see how many words your little one can come up with that rhyme with the word. This is a fun activity but take it a step further by reading lots of Dr. Seuss books to your little one.

3. SILLY SENTENCES:

This is for the advanced little ones, so if your child is 8 - 9 years old. Find silly words and have your little one make silly sentences. I love this as it encourages creativity and a bit of silliness in learning. Be sure to add the correct sentence structure when putting the sentences together and don't forget about the punctuation marks

4. SYNONYM AND ADJECTIVE WORDS:

Synonyms are words that are similar to one another. So the word large, a synonym will be big. Synonyms and Adjectives are for advanced readers. Adjectives are words that describe a noun. This would be: The little cat slept on the soft pillow. Encourage your little one to use more exciting words when writing sentences. More on this and how to stretch sentences at a later stage.

Happy learning! :)

Just something that must be done

Learning times tables
One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, would you be able to teach my child times tables? Times tables are so important. One of my favourite students from last year flourished in this to say the least. The idea of times tables used to make her cry for hours - well it felt that long. But by the middle of the second term, she somehow got it. I do thank her amazing grandparents for assistance in this. Every morning, I gave my Grade 3's a Speed Times table test. I gave them all 144 sums and 10 minutes to complete. The record time was set by my star student. She completed all 144 sums in 6 minutes. This is the top time and she also (and always did from then on) get 100% for the Times tables test. Today's post is about my top tips for learning times tables:





1. FIND OUT FIRST
Teaching all times tables from 1 - 12 can be a process. Speak to your little one's teacher and ask if times tables will be introduced. Ask when this will happen. Rather start practicing sooner than later. Find out exactly which times tables will be the key focus. I say learn all from 1 - 12 but if this seems too much, rather find out the important ones that must be focused on. For Grade 2 level, I recommend only learning x1 - x6 and x10

2. MAKE FLASHCARDS
Flashcards are fun and are an important tool to use when learning times tables. Making flashcards is useful for left-brained learners

3. DO RESEARCH
For students who are right-brained, I encourage parents to do research on how to teach times tables. I am always doing this and find it very interesting. Make learning visual and colourful. Videos on Youtube are great. The Times table videos are super cheesy for us adults but kids will be happily singing along and learning at the same time

4. EXPLAIN WELL
Times tables are basically the shorthand of an additional sum. Have your little one see the sum as an addition to see why it important to use times tables. Think about 5 x 3, this is just 5 + 5  + 5.

5. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
Times tables is a process. It will take time to master. Don't put pressure on your child. It will take time overnight. Don't leave it to your little one's teacher to teach Times tables. You as the parent need to do this. Make a poster, make your flashcards or use the visual and colourful learning.

6. ONCE MASTERED, TEST
A simple speed test is a great way to test your child. Keep the first time to 10 minutes and then slowly work down.

Keep practicing the times tables. It is so important for future learning in Maths. It helps assist with understanding Division and Long Mulitiplication. Keep practicing, it will pay off

Happy learning! :)

Register and motivation

Important of school attendance
Every morning I take my hat off to parents who have to wake up their children for school. As an adult, I can sometimes find this difficult. Let's face it, sometimes we wish school started a bit later especially during the cold Winter months. But sending your child to school every day is so important:

• Academic success: Academics are constant because they are attending school every day. Everyday work is done at school so it important for your child to not miss out as the work is continued

• Routine: Getting up every morning and getting ready for school puts children in a good form of routine. Routine is great for children as they know what to do every morning

• Time management: Children learn to manage their time in the morning and also it is important that parents also do this. Children learn a lot from us adults. Children see how we manage our time. I used to teach a child who was always late for school. I didn't mind because at least the child got to school and I knew how busy the Mom's life was

If your child struggles to get up in the morning, do what I do, cold old motivation: 

• Perhaps make a small calendar that shows how many Mondays they have to wake-up until the end of the term. Having a motivation countdown calendar can be of great help

• Motivation using numbers: Also have a countdown of how many days are left in the term until the holidays

• Motivation day: Designate one day a week to doing something fun. Perhaps every Tuesdays go to the 5pm show together. Have one day a week where you and your child make dinner together. The Motivation day will get your child excited for the what is going to happen in the week. Friday Movie Night is a big hit. Rent a movie or go see one on a Friday can be great fun
• Prepare for the mornings: Children thrive on organization so why not help prepare everything that can be done the night before school. Whether it is having their uniform ready or preparing lunches. The organization puts children at ease and allows for a smooth morning

May your mornings be a happy and stress-free one! :)

Put a star up

Reading  Reward Chart idea

Reward ideas
I am all for a reward system. Over the years of working with children and being a teacher, I am always looking for new fun reward ideas. My favourite idea that I came up with was the Apple Tree and Apple Reward System. More on this below plus my ideas for fun reward charts:

Reward Chart idea

1. APPLE TREE AND APPLE REWARD SYSTEM:
Find a simple black and white clipart along with black and white clipart apples. Keep everything black and white as this will allow your child to colour their tree as they want. Encourage your child to use different colours for their tree and not the standard green and brown colours




2. FROG POND REWARD SYSTEM:
Same as above for a Reward Chart but this time find a pond and lots of frogs. After so many frogs, a treat is given

Fun written Reward tags you could cut out and use

3. HOMEWORK STARS REWARD SYSTEM:
A simple star chart that can be printed. Every time your child does their homework, either a star sticker is given or a paper clipart star. This great star chart as it assists with academic progress

4. SIMPLE CHOICES
Never say to your child that they can what they want but instead give two simple choices. Children love being in control of what they are doing. Giving two simple choices allows for critical thinking and cognitive development

Remember a Reward Chart is something fun and doesn't use it as a bribery system. Reward Chart is something special and your child must expect to get a reward for something that they are supposed to be doing anyway. This would be taking a bath or brushing their teeth before bed.

Encourage positive behaviour! :)

Flashcards are Fun cards

Utilizing Flashcards for Orals
I love flashcards and better yet, I love making flashcards. Flashcards are an important part of learning because:

1. Flashcards engage active learning
2. Flashcards help with self-reflection
3. Flashcards help us summarise and remember the important facts

Flashcards can be used for a number of different things. From learning times tables, Spelling words and Sight words. Today's post is all about how effectively use flashcards for Orals. Some of my Do's and Don'ts:

DO'S:
1. Do make the flashcards the right size
2.Do only use 8 words for sentences for only 5 cards
3. Do use colour
4. Do write neatly
5. Do keep it simple, relevant and easy to read

DON'TS:
1. Don't put too much information on each card
2. Don't make the cards, guide your child and work together
3. Don't use too many colours for keywords
4.  Don't practice too much
5. Don't use irrelevant words

When making flashcards for orals, remember to use two different colours. Perhaps one for subheadings and one for the short information. Make use of a 3 main and interesting pictures.

My top 3 favourite flashcard making websites:
http://www.cram.com/
http://flashcard.online/editor/
https://spark.adobe.com/sp/login - This does require an account but it is free

Happy flashcard making! :)

Just leaf it!

Autumn Craft
It is Friday time so it is time for a craft. The craft blog post is one of my favorite crafts to do during Autumn. The craft is great for the Fine Motor Development as it involves lots of paper tearing as well as cutting. This is a fun craft that can be done over two days if the template is printed a specific size. Have a look at the Fine Motor Development tab for information on the craft. If all else fails and the fingers end up being full of glue, bring out the pencil crayons and colour away.

Happy crafting! :)

A repeat post

Learner Development Support Program Packages:

☆ The Write and Read help: This package includes help with Reading and Writing only

☆ The  Thinking help: This package includes help with Creative Writing and Oral Preparation

☆ The change my brain help: This is for Afrikaans Klanke, Taal (beginner stages) and learning Elke Dag Afrikaans (Grade 3 only)

☆ The change my brain a little help: This is for learning Afrikaans Klanke and Elke Dag Afrikaans 

☆ The Beginner Learner help: This is for Grade 1 and it helps with Learning to Spell and Read-only

☆ The Left Side only help: This is for Grades 1 - 3 who require help with Maths only

☆ The Let's work the small muscles help: This package requires assistance with Fine Motor Skill Development

☆ The I'm still little help: All Grade R work, please email to inquire about the work that will be covered

PLEASE NOTE:

☆ The above packages require one payment up front to secure booking

☆ Some packages require more than one lesson

☆ Different packages are different amounts per session

☆ If you require a package, please contact Counting Stars a week before the starting date of the first session

☆ All cancellations not made 24 hours beforehand will be charged for 

☆ Tutoring, Homeschooling, Reader, Scribe, and Facilitation is offered as a separate package and doesn't require one payment up front

☆ Reader and Scribe help: Please contact a week before and email through the name of the school (selected schools only) and the timetable as this service has its own service rate as well
☆ Please allow 24 hour response time via email to all inquiries