This week, I am getting ready to start the ABC Jesus Loves Me curriculum. Bubs with be doing the 4 Year curriculum since he will be going to Kindergarten next year and Sweet Pea will be doing the 3 Year Curriculum. Although it will be three years until Sweet Pea goes to Kindergarten, we will either do the 3 or 4 curriculum two years in a row depending on her development.
Here is a list of the items that I am doing to prepare:
– Print off Week 1 & 2 lesson plans
– Gather supplies that are needed: bible, worksheets, games, activities, food, books etc.
– Put all needed books on hold at the library or order from Amazon or other supplier
– Create a schedule so that you know what day and times you would like to designate as “school” time
– Create a space to have school time that has good lighting, a desk that is appropriately sized for the child, and away from central activity in the house
– Look over the Week’s Lesson Overview
– Ask any questions from me! Let me know how I can help you get ready to start!
Okay, so if you were me, (with a 4 year-old and 3 year-old and 1 child-sized table,) would you recommend getting another table so the kids could each have their own space? I have a wooden one that I scored at a garage sale, but I'm thinking of getting a child-sized card table for 12 dollars. That way my son would have a workspace and I wouldn't have to worry about him getting marker and crayons and such on it. I'm leaning towards doing it, but I'm wondering what you think. Thanks, girl.
Great question! I would get another table because I have found that the surface area is too little for two kids. It cuts down on a lot of discipline issues too!
I'm beginning your 3yo program in the next week or so and am so very thankful that you have made this available. I appreciate the time and efforts you put into all the information. I'm not a "teacher" by nature and the curriculum is exactly what i need to feel confident…..structure and good material. Couple of questions
1- My daughter is 3 1/2 and has been tracing letters and shapes on a dry erase board book for about a month now. Do you think I need to have the tactile letters? Totally willing to get them…just ignorant if that would be going backwards or not??
2-Do you have a thought on getting the Karen Henley Bible vs the newer version?
Thanks
Mom to Xan
Love the questions! They help me improve the curriculum, so thank you!
First, all of the items used in the curriculum are suggestions. If you have a better idea, please let me know about it as I may have missed something in creating the curriculum.
1. The purpose of the tactile letters is for them to "feel" the shape of the letters. This would be a precurser to writing. Your daughter might be passed this. There is a very wide range of development in the preschool years. I tried to gear the curriculum to a "norm". Some kids will be ahead, while others will be behind.
That is one thing that I love about the curriculum – you get to pick and choose what works best for you.
2. There are many children Bibles out there to choose from – and good ones. I believe the Bible you mentioned is the one that our church uses. For this and that reason, I liked the Beginner's Bible better. This is simply a preference. The only plus to using the Bibles that I have chosen is that I have the page numbers already figured out for you. Otherwise you can use any Bible. The stories will be the same.
Let me know what other questions you have. I appreciate it!