Flectamus genua: Preschool Day 2

J.M.J.

Here is day 2 for the preschool program I am putting together. This year's plans will come in fits and spurts (and not necessarily in time for specific feast days) and as time permits, so my apologies to those who have 4 year old children this year. But if you have 3 year olds, the these plans should be ready for you to use by next year! Enjoy!

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We will call today Day one and a half, as we only got through half of the curriculum. I had waaaay too much planned for a 4 year old! But that is OK, because I have also decided he needs school almost every day. So instead of a new plan for Friday, I will have the rest of today's plan to use tomorrow. :)

We celebrated the Immaculate Heart of Mary today, as it is her feast day on the Traditional calendar, but it is also her month, so this would work for anyone in August. :)

My thought process behind today's lesson plans is focusing on Our Lady and her Immaculate Heart. With this, we will also be exploring issues of personal hygiene and keeping ourselves 'immaculately' clean. We only got through the religious portion of the lessons today, so tomorrow we spend the day with a petri dish, washing our hands, learning about germs, playing a fun game online and going on a germ hunt and a 'sin' hunt in the house, both of which will be appropriately labled. (You'll just have to see it tomorrow - trust me! LOL)

We wanted to make the Immaculate Heart cookies seen on Catholic Icing. One quick comparison between her cookies and mine will tell you I did not have some crucial ingredients onhand today. I thought I had food coloring, but alas I did not. Living 40 minutes away from the nearest store meant I had to do some quick thinking. So I convinced Fulton we needed to have the hearts white because Our Lady's heart was so clean and pure. We colored the flames with carrot juice (and you all know why I suddenly have a gallon of that stuff aroung the house!) and the strip of flowers was made out of dough colored with homemade blueberry preserves! We tossed a chocolate chip to give a color contrarst to the flame and voila! Immaculate Heart of Mary cookies, natural style!

They smelled soooo good baking, but I had to resist, as they were not on my fast plan, even if they were 'natural'. The children are still enjoying them as I type, though, which means the temptation will not last long.

Immaculate Heart of Mary

Use ‘Yes Ma’am’ page throughout the day and use as part of accountability to Daddy

Read 2^nd half of Treasure Box book

Do pre-writing worksheets, write name, etc

Rosary Quilt program: Discuss the story of the Annunciation. Pray the Our Father, Hail Mary and a Glory Be using activity blanket

Color Immaculate Heart picture and write 'I love you' on it (picture found below)

Read this book pgs 2-15 and 26 – 28

Quote for the day: St. Francis of Assisi: “Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us.” (Recite for Daddy at dinnertime as part of his accountability)

Make Immaculate Heart cookies – Listen to ‘Immaculate Mary' song and try to sing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCgk-b4iMOk

Also use this time to count, discuss letters of the alphabet, and talk about Our Lady

Play online puzzle of Immaculate Heart of Mary while cookies are cooking http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/20155468E57

End with praying the prayer the angel taught the 3 shepherd children before Our Lady appeared to them:

Fatima prayer of the Angel

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, who do not adore, who do not hope and who do not love Thee.