MrsBanjoClown Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 My 5yo ds is just starting Kindergarten, but he is reading and doing math on at least a first grade level. I am having to backtrack a little though, because even though he can do the math at that level, he is still having trouble writing his numbers. I think handwriting is going to be one of the biggest things I am going to have to focus on this year. I also want to make his Kindergarten year fun. I don't want to cause burnout for him. What are some fun ideas for Kindergarten? I am planning on doing as many of the SOTW projects as I can because he loves art. I need to let him take out his painting and do that more, and stop worrying about the mess and the cleanup! This Friday I am planning on doing Joseph's coat of many colors and letting him paint on one of his dad's old button-up shirts. We have a field trip planned with our co-op to the local fire and police stations, and I'm sure we will do other field trips with them and as a family this year. What are your suggestions for making Kindergarten fun and interesting for an advanced and artsy boy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2smartones Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 When putting the focus on handwriting, try not to make it all pencil work. Let him build muscles with play-doh, and build dexterity by treasure hunting (hiding craft jewels in a ball of play-doh) or lego building. Have writing exercises done with crayons, markers, paints, foods (whipped cream), and things like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBanjoClown Posted August 27, 2012 Author Share Posted August 27, 2012 When putting the focus on handwriting, try not to make it all pencil work. Let him build muscles with play-doh, and build dexterity by treasure hunting (hiding craft jewels in a ball of play-doh) or lego building. Have writing exercises done with crayons, markers, paints, foods (whipped cream), and things like that. Thank you! Both of my boys love Legos, and they have been using them to build pyramids, the great sphinx, and Star Wars vehicles the past few weeks. Taking out the play-doh more is a good idea, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicagoshannon Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Handwriting is hard. It's not something you can really force. A tip I was given was to write the answer with a highlighter and then have then trace it. Last year I had to write Ll of dd's answers for her. Thankfully this year she can write them all herself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivka Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 My advice is to allow him to progress further than his fine motor skills allow. I wouldn't backtrack in math just because he struggles to write numbers - I would let him do math orally and practice writing numbers at a different time. It's only now in 2nd grade that my child is writing her own math papers. Five in a Row often gets a bad rap on these forums, but I loved it for a bright/gifted kindergartener. It's like a whirlwind tour of cultures, time periods, and ideas, and you can set your own depth. Great for a young child who is interested in everything at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 My advice is to allow him to progress further than his fine motor skills allow. I wouldn't backtrack in math just because he struggles to write numbers - I would let him do math orally and practice writing numbers at a different time. It's only now in 2nd grade that my child is writing her own math papers. :iagree: Math is not writing numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 A set of number stamps were a lifesaver when DD wanted to do math "by herself" but couldn't yet reliably write her numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 For learning to write numbers, I really, really, really liked R&S Counting with Numbers (part of their ABC series). I know it is basic counting, but the way they teach number writing was fantastic, with the cute little sayings. My DS2 picked up number writing pretty quickly with that workbook when he was 4, and now at 5.5, he's still working on writing letters, but he has fabulous number writing! He's able to do all his own math work because he CAN write the numbers now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a27mom Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 I gave my little one a bunch of scrapbook number stickers to do math, and consider the actual writing numbers to be part of handwriting. Peelling the stickers even helps with fine motor ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Five More Minutes Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 My advice is to allow him to progress further than his fine motor skills allow. I wouldn't backtrack in math just because he struggles to write numbers - I would let him do math orally and practice writing numbers at a different time. It's only now in 2nd grade that my child is writing her own math papers. :iagree:I received similar advice on these forums, along with the suggestion to use Miquon or MEP Reception. With Miquon math, my daughter was able to do the math that she enjoyed by representing numbers with tangible rods. I scribed for her when we felt it was important to write our numbers down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syllieann Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 We're also using mep and miquon orally and with rods and it is going quite well. I made little number tiles for my son to move around and use as answers. We like the free app "little writer" for practicing letter formation though you may already be past that stage. Not sure what I'm going to do about spelling or if there's a point in teaching spelling before they write well but that is another thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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