Inside the "Blast Off To Space" Box

 This past month the kids enjoyed learning more about the worlds around them through Mother Goose Time's "It's a Small World".

Mother Goose Time's March curriculum is called "Blast Off To Space". I think this will be a great opportunity for my children to see there is life beyond their home. This is such a difficult concept for little minds to grasp but I know Mother Goose Time will help bring this to life for them.

One of my favorite parts of Mother Goose Time's curriculum is the new book you receive with the curriculum every month. This month's book is titled Up In Space.

Library-Style Story Time Book, Every Month

We are introduced to this exciting book on day eight when we are learning about Mars. Before reading the book you will discuss who or what can travel in space.  Children will then look through the book and explore the photos. As you read the story aloud children will tap the spaces between the words.

 On day 12 students are introduced to Uranus. They will work together to retell the story using the Storytelling Set.

On day 14 students will answer the question "Why would you want to travel to Saturn?" They then will choose a role in the Little Theater Script "Space Journey" and act them out as you read the script.

125 Active Discovery Tools, Every Month

Children will start off "Blast Off to Space" with the month's Theme Poster. On day three they will learn about the moon through making a moon snack out of rice cakes and bananas and make their own moon rocks. On day five while learning about clouds students will follow directions on the Discover Science Card to make their own fog.

13+ Art Projects, Every Month

 There are so many exciting art projects this month. Children will start the month by making their very own stargazer telescope to see what is in the sky. They will also have an opportunity to make their own pet cloud. When learning about different things in space they will make an alien headband, UFO, Mercury wand, and Neptune picture.

33 Skills Built. Every Month

You will discuss moons around other planets on day seven. Children will build rocky planets and their moons out of blocks. They then will take turns spinning to see how many moons to add to their piles.

20 Brand New Sing-Along Songs, Every Month

Hear a sample of this month's CD here!

If your child enjoys Mother Goose Time's music CDs provided every month check out Mother Goose Time's Dance n' Beats curriculum. A new series is available every month that goes along with the monthly theme.

Parents Want the Best, Every Month

 Caregivers are provided with a monthly Family Newsletter they can give to parents each month. This month's newsletter introduces parents to this month's book Up In Space and gives a suggested book list. It also gives parents tips on how to nurture curiosity in their preschooler. Lastly, it suggests at home activities parents can do with their children outside of preschool. More Family Connect Tools can be found here.

Child-led Exploration, Every Month

 At the bottom of many of the activities there are suggestions on how to simplify or make an activity more challenging. I feel I mostly need to simplify the activities for my 22 month old. I find that Mother Goose Time's Little Goose curriculum is very helpful for finding things I can do with just her while my three year old does the other activities in the curriculum. If you are finding your child needs more of a challenge please check out Mother Goose Time's More Math and Literacy.

Discover Games, Every Month

 On day 10 children will play the game Space Lotto. They will begin by discussing how Pluto is similar to and different from other planets. They then will search the photos on the Lotto Game to find the smallest and largest pictures. Children will then match the cards called to those on their board.

New My Little Journal, Every Month

 Children will be introduced to their My Little Journal on day two of the study. They will have the chance to discuss what color the sun is. They then will be invited to find crayons the color of the sun. They will then write their name on the front of their journal and draw a sun on the S page. For more writing practice please check out Mother Goose Time's More Literacy resource.

New I Can Read, Every Month

 Children will work on their reading skill on day nine with their very own I Can Read book. Students will focus on three letters and three sight words throughout the month that are also focused on in the I Can Read book. I keep our letter and sight word flowers close during circle time and we look at them each time we do circle time. Many of the resources I use for our circle time are from Mother Goose Time's Welcome Kit. The kids especially love our Circle Time CD. When it starts to play they know it is time to start the day!

New Letters, Numbers, and Shapes, Every Month! 

This month students will explore the letters S,R, and Z, numbers 7 and 17, the color yellow, and the shape star. Students will visit the letter sets over and over again throughout the month. They are a great long time addition to your learning space also. 

New Friendship Feathers, Every Month

 This month children will focus on being patient. On day 12 we will talk about how long it takes to get to some of the far away planets and that scientists have to be very patient during their journeys. Children will then travel very slowly to the planet cutouts provided.

Monthly Skills Chart, Every Month

 A helpful skills chart and gathering list are included every month. The skills chart is a great piece to hang where parents can see. I refer to the gathering list each week before I go to the grocery store. 

Teacher Guide with Built-in Assessment, Extensions, Every Month

 You can find other resources under Member Resources on Mother Goose Time's website. The member code is included in your Teacher Guide each month.There are many other Teacher Tools included each month that makes the learning more interesting and the planning much easier!!

There is still time to order your very own "Blast Off To Space" or you can join in the fun in April with Mother Goose Time's Ocean Commotion curriculum! Not sure if you want to dive all the way in yet? Check out one of Mother Goose Time's samples!!

I received curriculum from Mother Goose Time for honest and authentic stories resulting from my daily experiences in using the curriculum. I applied to be an official Mother Goose Time blogger and will continue to share my experiences throughout the 2014/15 school year.