Sight Word Tool

Curriculum is a pain to create, but so much fun to execute. I am always looking for new tools to use. Here is a new tool I came across that I wanted to share with those of you looking for idea's for phonics curriculum. This new curriculum is for teaching Phonemic Awareness (also called Pre-Phonics) to children. Just click here: Sight Words to head to the Sight Words website where they have their latest teaching tool out. The site is packed with games, activities, and tools to help parents and educators prepare children for learning to read.  I used (and still use for my own children) some of their flashcards in my house and love them.

The site's features include:
• A Curriculum covering the full range of Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
• Classroom-tested Lessons based on the latest research, complete with “how-to” videos
• Printable picture cards, word lists, and game boards
• Teaching Tips for tailoring games to the specific needs of your students

I like that their are free and printable materials are designed to promote learning in the classroom and also at home.  Free is always good and it can be hard to find quality free tools to use.  Again, the company is Sight Words and here is the link to their newest Phonemic Awareness site: http://www.sightwords.com/ phonemic-awareness/

Hot Dot Review

I fully believe in preparing our children.  It doesn't matter how smart you are, you just have to be willing to try.  I know that their will come a time when something the kids bring home or an area of study will come up that I will find myself lacking.  I will do what I do now and keep pushing and motivating them to learn and then I will find tools to help them understand the topic while help me to guide them.  I'm always looking for a great tool that anyone can use to help with my children education.

Great Pretenders Cape Giveaway!

Do you have a little one who is very creative and always looking to disappear in a world all their own?  I know I have some creative little one's in my house who love to pretend to be half a dozen things during the course of the day.  Props are amazing and a great way to motivate their play towards something specific.  This can help you integrate learning while they play without them knowing it!  So, how would you like some help to get the creative juices going?  Check out this giveaway!

Hugo Happy Starfish- One Step at a Time ebook Review

I love books that have great messages for kids.  One series that we have been review and love at the daycare is the Hugo Happy Starfish.  The kids love to hear about this little guys adventures and see all the other sea creatures he meets.  We were very excited to check out the latest adventure for little Hugo!

Groove Kid Nation-Rhythm Bears Review

Do you and your kids love to groove?  I'm always looking for new beats to put into our music rotation!  Check out the latest one we've found:

The Magic School Bus Review

 What was one of your favorite shows as a kid?  Who remembers the Magic School Bus?  I loved this show as a kid!  This will not be a fair review because the shear awesomeness of this show has no age!  

Uglee Pen: Ergonomic Pen Review

I do a lot of writing as a mom, questions for the next doctor visit, reminders to clients on supplies needed, grocery lists, lists of things I need to do, letters to friends and family (just something about a written letter that shows you care), thank you notes, journal entries, and a lot of other mom note's!  All this writing has literally given me blisters at times!  Never thought I'd need a comfier pen, but now I do!

Boca Beth Review

I'm a big believer in exposing kids to languages early.   That's why I love language tools that you can use on your kids no matter the age.  It is nice when they are easy to use and understand.

Expanding their minds to the language of the world!

I think it is important as a parent to show your kids as much as the worlds knowledge as you can.  For some of us this will mean doing so with knowledge and books.  For others, it may mean trips abroad.  Regardless one of the most important parts of learning about the world is knowing that communication is important.  At home we can teach our kids about communicating through customs, like foods for specific occasions, maybe a way of setting the table, or decorations for a holiday the other culture you are learning about celebrates.  Each communicates different ways of respect, joy, sorry, or a broad array of non-verbal communication skills.  For those traveling abroad you may want to look into translations services  this way you can  make sure that you are full exposing your child to the parts of the world you've taken them too!  After all, a child isn't brain is so much for receptive than an adults to language opening up those avenues with exposure to properly spoken language while you do will help in opening those language pathways for use later.  Regardless of whether you are capable of going abroad or not, all families have in their power the ability to expose their children to all parts of the world.  The more you expose your child to today, the further they can go tomorrow!  

Feeling Heavy today? Blame the sun!

Feeling heavy today?  Blame the sun, literally!  Right now between 11 and 1 pm the earth is at the closest point to the sun!  This means that the gravitational pull is the strongest during this time.  This affects the laws of gravity.  At least that's what legend tells us.  Which is why the kids and I were able to do a fun experiment!

Go Learn Something!

The kids are at school, maybe for the first time, and suddenly you find yourself with a few hours to yourself!  It's so exciting at first, you catch up on cleaning or finish a book you started last year or you watch a few shows you DVR'd.  If your a mom like me though you would get everything caught up and find yourself wondering when the next school break is so you can be busy again.  I suggest taking some classes online to keep yourself occupied!  No this isn't the normal online schools advertised everywhere, but some classes more interesting!

Russian in my Pocket Review

For those of you with Ipods or Ipads who are travelling abroad this year it may be a good idea to get an app for that!  The language that is, you can study and study, but when in an actual usage situation with native speakers finding the right terms can be tricky.  Our minds only work so fast when recalling facts and facts which we haven't frequently use can take longer to recall.  Do  you really want to be trying to order a meal and have it take 5 minutes just to remember how to order a salad risking annoying your waitstaff(we all know what can potentially happen then!!!)?  Check out this fun review of an app just for this issue!  

Instant Chalkboard Review and Giveaway

 I run a daycare and can't always bring out the chalkboard easel plus the billion other things going on, but the kids love to draw!  When I was asked to review the Instant Chalkboard I, of course, said yes.  I received the product in the mail shortly after ordering.  Here is what I thought of it:

Big Fish Games Guest Review and Giveaway

Mommy Moments with Abby loves learning tools and kids love games.  I know that as parents my readers love things that combine both and was happy to get a chance to share a Guest review and the chance to win an awesome game and learning tool!  Check out what Powered by Mom had to say and then enter to win!!!!

Child Up Review and Giveaway

I run a daycare and am always looking for products that I can use for all ages.  Or at least most of the ages.  I review products with the kids to see how they work and what the kids think of them.  Some of  them work out and I post about them, some don't and I don't waste your time.  I was sent some learning cards to test on the kids for ages 1-5.  Here is my Review of Child Up's Learning Card Games on numbers.

Loopeez Review

I have a kid who is getting ready for Kindergarten and needs to learn to tie his shoes.  So, I accepted the request for a review on Loopeez.  Most of us don't think of the skills outside of the ABC's when we prepare our kids for Kindergarten but kids need to learn to tie shoes among other things in order to make the transition smooth and avoid potential ridicule.  So, here is my review of Loopeez.

Juppy Review

Mommy Moments with Abby Review: I was lucky enough to win a great prize and am now telling you what I think!  I run a daycare and have a 1 year old of my own.  He is up and walking/running, but hasn't mastered the non-smooth surfaces yet.  Rocks, they are the enemy!  How many of you have that problem?  Your little one finally starts walking but change the surface and it's spill city?  Well, I got my prize in the mail and set to testing it out!

How do you sleep baby Dolphin Book Review

Do you have a kid who hates to go to bed and uses questions to stay up?  Guess who has a two year old who has tried this tactic!  My little one loves animals and will ask to see turtles, birds, and fish right before bed to keep from going down.  Luckily, I was asked to review a book that is perfect for our new night time story.  I tested it with the daycare kids first to make sure that it was a good one.

Howard Wigglebottom Book Review and Giveaway

Does your kid have a hard time sharing or being a good sport? For that matter maybe we should take this book with us to sporting games for some, ahem, adults to look over?  It is a book about being a good sport and working together to achieve a common goal.  What better way to express this to kids than with a bunny right? So, getting to the point, here is a review of Howard Wigglebottom Learns about Sportsmanship, Winning isn't everything.

Gustafer Yellowgold's Year in the Day CD and DVD Guest Review and Giveaway

Yeah for Powered by Mom who is pleased to bring you another wonderful giveaway, Mommy Moments with Abby is lucky to have blog friends like this who offer to share their giveaways with you, my readers!