I have found that one of the best and most memorable ways kids learn is simply through playing. Make it fun and they remember it more clearly and with more passion than any boring lesson.
This is always in the back of my mind as both a mom and as a teacher. Everything I do stems from this basic little fact and it inspires me to keep things fun, active and memorable for my Lil Divas.
The Lil Divas love jumping on our pillows, couches and well just about anywhere. Don't let my nickname for them fool you! They might be Divas but they love active, rough & tumble play.
Playing to Learn: Sight Word Island Jumping
Inspired by our latest monster read - Where the Wild Things Are![]()
and the 30 Day Play Challenge from Hands:On We Grow and The Imagination Tree I took all the pillows we had on our couches and created Sight Word Islands for some hopping & learning fun.
What You Need:
pillows
paper
marker
tape
Prep: Write up your target sight words, letters, numbers, colors, etc on index cards/sentence strip paper/card stock and affix w/tape to pillows. *This can be modified for so many things - so get creative!*
The Lil Divas getting ready to play -
Let the Wild Rumpus begin!
They are on their safe island but beware - all around them are wild beasts ready to roar, snap, gnash & claw!
How To Play:
I would call out a word and the Lil Divas had to jump to the correct island/word.
Rules: They could only jump to the middle "base island" pillow to help get across to other islands. They could not jump on any other words except for the target word. They could not walk on the floor/play mat or they risked getting caught by those pesky wild things! :) They LOVED that part of the game so much - we of course had some jumping in the water & the inevitable taming of some wild thing or other by staring into their terrible yellow eyes without blinking once! Thank goodness they were able to become Queens of the Wild Things! ;)
Lots of fun, playing, jumping and imagination.
Plus, they were learning too!
A fabulous way to play to learn!
Book:
Bern
*I am linking up to some of these fun linky parties.*
How fun!! I would love it if you would share it at my Sharing Saturday Party at http://craftymomsshare.blogspot.com/2011/11/sharing-saturday-4.html. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love the use of sight words in this game, very clever! Its so interesting to see what all the mums do with the different play challenges.
ReplyDeletesassy of sassysanity.blogspot.com.au
ps your blog is wonderful, so many ideas jammed in
I homeschool and am thinking this would be such a fun addition to our school day. Great game! Thanks for sharing:>
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to help learn those sight words!
ReplyDeleteShared on fb. Thanks for the post.
What an awesome idea! I am going to do this with my son this week! Except we will jump to the letters he is learning. Thank you for the reminder to keep the fun in homeschool. Sometimes we get wrapped up in the busyness of homeschool and life and I forget to use games in teaching.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like SO much fun!! Thanks for sharing such a fabulous idea, I will definitely be giving it a go! :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, this is WAY cute! But, whose surprised you always have such fun, clever ideas. I'd love for you to link up again this week at TGIF LInky Party - http://livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com/search/label/Linkey%20Parties
ReplyDeleteBeth =-)
Great idea! I love it. We can totally do this with colors and numbers (my kids are younger). Thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat sight word game, DS would love it.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had LOTS of fun! A great way to set up the activity!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
This looks awesome. I love adding the big motor units to help activate that kinestethic component. Thanks for sharing such an easy to prepare idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! This would be fun for a rainy day activity when the kids have way too much energy for inside. I love that you could adapt the idea to review so many concepts in addition to sight words.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like great fun! JDaniel would love hopping from word to word.
ReplyDeleteMy girls would love this! Great idea thanks for sharing. Have an amazing week=)
ReplyDeleteLove this, Bern. Pinned it for my first grader for sight words and my preschooler for letters and numbers. My kids are constantly flinging the pillows off the couch and jumping around on them. Might as well sneak some learning in. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so much fun. I have found that one of the best and most memorable ways kids learn is simply through playing.
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