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spring senses

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Mi Families — No Comments ↓

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egg-caterpillar-cocoon…

We’re using our senses to find signs of spring around Adventure Academy. The last of the snow piles have melted and April showers will soon bring May flowers. We’ll smell the flowers that bloom, listen to the songs of birds … we’ll make art projects showing off the signs of spring. We can use all 5 senses as artists while creating projects, dancing, singing, putting on puppet shows, playing pretend, pretending to cook – actually cooking… I find that using every sense – every day is the key to unlocking the mystery of how each child learns, what they enjoy and what they struggle with. Art shows us their needs, interests and talents. Art makes students smart!

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math and reading book creations

There are many programs that promote academic success, yet long term research shows that academic focus doesn’t equal success. In fact studies show kids who have more time to play, explore and create are more successful in the long run – then their peers who sat at desks focusing on Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic. That doesn’t mean Adventure Academy avoids the 3R’s – we incorporate ALL subjects into our daily learning, but do so with more than paper and pencils.

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different kinds of butterflies

We use paper and pencils and crayons and markers and paints and chalk and scissors and hole punchers and glue and tape and rulers and tools and toys and books and blocks and matchbox cars and dolls and puppets and dress up clothes … We use the world around us to teach basic skills and discover new ideas. We discuss ideas and question everything. We allow younger children to observe older children researching topics and allow older children to play house. Our students aren’t defined by age or grade, but by their interests and abilities.

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butterfly decorating

Even students with disabilities thrive when you focus on what they are interested in and what they can do. We build on what they can do. We build on what they want to do. We encourage them to try what they believe they can’t do … it’s about exposure and growth, process before product. We don’t expect growth to happen overnight, but sometimes it does! Sometimes a child who has sensory issues and never has touched the playdoh suddenly decides that today they will! Sometimes a child with many labels surprises you when they are given the confidence.

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playdoh cooks

Art builds confidence. Art doesn’t mean a cookie-cutter project where each child has the same materials and creates the same result. Art is exploration of materials and defining how you’ll use it to create a masterpiece. Sometimes it’s good to offer the materials with a set of directions to see if the child is able to complete the task, if he or she can perform a non-preferred activity, if they can only perform an activity with guidance and specific steps … Materials and supplies help us understand where the child is developmentally and academically.

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bugs and beads

It doesn’t matter where they are compared to their peers – it’s about understanding where they are so you can help them build confidence and encourage continual growth in new areas, in new subject matters, in new challenging situations… Art helps encourage one to challenge themselves. Art helps encourage one to encourage another and see another’s perspective. Art teaches us that everyone is different and different is good. We can learn from each other. We can share our ideas and our interests.

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animal habitat post cards

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ages to stages of letter writing and card illustration

I enjoy using theme based curriculums (like Mother Goose Time) because it dives deeper into topics and builds on interests. This month we’ve been exploring bees and butterflies (with our MGT kit) and watched as spring topics grew into a sharing of what interests each student. Just as the butterflies morph and change each child was observed changing and growing with the theme. Children not only learned diverse subject matters while exploring the theme, but also shared what they were learning as the month progressed.

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signing names in chalk

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chalk selfie

Each month we chart what we know, what we want to know and what we learned about during throughout the theme. As we transition to new themes I’m able to learn from my students how they learn best and therefore how to teach the new topic based on what they share with me. The information shared has shown me they learn best when they are enjoying the topic and they enjoy the topic most when they have time to learn through their senses. If you know a child who’d enjoy sensory based learning email Christi@MiFamilies.com.

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team work

Adventure Academy is Mi Families (‘my families’) child care and tutoring program. Mi Families has more programs for children, their families, their parents and providers – check out at www.MiFamilies.com for more information. Network with some of our leaders and members by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube … Subscribe above for our article updates to see what adventures we have next as participants explore spring in Northern Michigan. Next week we’re exploring earth art …

Posted in adventure academy, Child Development, Curriculums, Education, Family, Homeschool, Language/Literacy, Learning through Play, Mi Families, Michigan, Mother Goose Time, Parents, Providers, Reviews, Sensory, Special Needs, Tutoring Tagged with: 3Rs, acceptance, Adventure Academy, art, Curriculums, hands on learning, interests, Mi Families, Mother Goose Time, multi age program, school subjects, senses, Sensory, Special Needs, Spring, stages, themes

Art Smart

Posted on April 17, 2016 by Mi Families — No Comments ↓

A beautiful picture is growing in front of us as we look out the windows at Adventure Academy. Spring has finally found Northern Michigan! As the last of our snow piles melt green grass grows in it’s place. Anticipating trees with leaves and flowers blooming … seeing birds return, bugs crawl and bumble bees … Even if bees have stingers we decided they were a part of the spring portrait that will be completed soon. Noting signs of spring and finding the beauty around us is part of art appreciation. Art is not only drawings and paintings, but sculptures and drama and music and … the world is full of art! Since Adventure Academy is all about exploring the world we took some time to explore art this week.

Art makes us smart. Our students use many different curriculums to build up their smarts, such as Mother Goose Time. Although MGT is developed for the preschool stages it is adaptable for younger and older children. All ages enjoy the arts and crafts that come in the monthly kits. If you look back at the different themes we’ve enjoyed you’ll see some cute art activities as well as learning materials provided in each kit. Each kit uses a different theme to teach basic skills. From letters to numbers to shapes to colors to worldly concepts – each box contains daily bags which includes crafts, games, books and more! This months supplies are all around the theme of Bees and Butterflies.

This was our 2nd week investigating bees. Investigating the bees helped us discuss fears of being stung before the bees arrive. Discussing signs of spring, what we’re anticipating and fearing helps us plan ahead. Roll playing spring activities prepares us for upcoming sports and adventures. One adventure we are preparing for is a growth hunt – looking for signs of things growing – including ourselves and our friends. With the director expecting a baby this summer everyone is curious about the growing belly and the development of babies. Playing with baby dolls and playing make-believe in other ways is a form of art. Dramatic play is preparing for drama. Often our drama includes music – another form of art!

Music is a form of expression and learning tool for our daycare and tutor time kids. We use music to teach different skills, memorize facts, and get out energy. Mother Goose Time offers a fun music and dance program with each theme. Most themes we follow the lesson plans and daily bags as designed, but sometimes we do them out of order or add our own ideas. From dance moves with our Dance-n-beats, to books related to the theme, to creating new project ideas… We incorporate the theme into our hands-on-learning, which often produces masterpieces showing off each child’s new skills. Masterpieces may be works of art parents can take home, but more often than not it’s a work in progress. A masterpiece viewed during activities such as music and dramatic play.

If you know a child who would love to learn through play and other hands on activities email Christi@MiFamilies.com. We have a couple part time child care and tutor time spaces available this spring. We are even starting to schedule our fall students! We are also scheduling our fall workshops and trainings for parents and providers. If your a parent or provider who’d like to know more about our programs visit www.MiFamilies.com. If you would like to network with other parents and providers follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter… If you’d like ideas for your home or center check out our Pinterest boards. If you’d like to see curriculums (like Mother Goose Time) in action check out our YouTube channel. If you’d like to see what activities and adventures we do next – subscribe above!

Posted in adventure academy, Back2School, Child Development, Curriculums, Education, Family, Homeschool, Learning through Play, Meet our Director, Mi Families, Michigan, Mother Goose Time, Parents, Providers, Reviews, Tutoring, Video Tagged with: Adventure Academy, art, babies, bees, Christi Morgan, Curriculums, dance n beats, dramatic play, growth, Mi Families, Michigan, Mother Goose Time, multi age, music, social media, Spring, themes

You’re a piece to our puzzle

Posted on April 9, 2016 by Mi Families — No Comments ↓

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puppets = a piece to our story

Each and every child at Adventure Academy is an important piece to our puzzle. A puzzle is something that “tests ingenuity or knowledge” and we gain more knowledge – together! When a child misses a session we miss them! We still have sessions with missing piece spots available – would your child like to join us for child care on Mondays or for Tutoring on Tuesdays or Thursdays? We also have some drop in spaces available over weekends. Our small group sessions individualize learning for tots to teen students. Each child learns different and shares their knowledge in different ways with their peers, making our unique program puzzle complete.

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different learning styles – hands on or online

Because our programs fit multi-ages and stages together each piece looks very different from next, making the final picture uniquely beautiful when put together. A finished puzzle is a work of art and no art piece looks the same. No artist enjoys the same types of art or uses the same medias or methods. Some prefer to follow a provided pattern – others like to create their own image. Not every child learns through “cookie cutter” approaches – in fact most people learn through a combination of their own methods.

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What can we build together with these pieces?

People – big and little – learn best when they understand their individual interests, gifts, talents, strengths – and struggles. Even children with “labels” who feel significant struggles can find ways to learn significant skills when we focus on their growth. Even though it is snowing as I type this it is technically spring and this spring we are focusing on growth. Growth of each student and growth we can observe in nature. We are using the “Bees and Butterflies” curriculum from Mother Goose Time to learn more about such concepts.

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beehives and bubble wrap painting

This week we started to observe the few patches of grass where the snow had melted. We watch impatiently for our world to grow more green, for birds to land on that grass, for flowers to grow in that grass, for bees to visit those flowers. We discussed the need for all seasons and for all creatures – including bees that many children are frightened by. We talked about “Bee Basics” from their homes to their foods, babies, work and safety. We read books, played games, played pretend and made projects.

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spring creations

Often I would show students the prepackaged crafting supplies from our Bee-box and ask them if they would like to make what the project presented or what else they could create with the supplies. Often an older student would use the materials in a certain way and younger students would try and mimic what they were creating. No creation was wrong. We encouraged different approaches, praised all efforts and noted when a child felt accomplished – even if that meant they followed a peers example.

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lil’ bee journals from MGT

Mother Goose Time provides some great example activities and sometimes our projects are made exactly as recommended, while other times the projects look completely different from the model and even different from each others work. The different outcomes explain where a child is developmentally, what materials they are comfortable using, what things interest them … Different is not just “ok” – it’s good. If we all had the same interests, abilities and answers to finishing our “puzzle” – it would be a very boring classroom – a very boring world!

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creating weather charts

Adventure Academy will continue exploring our world and each students unique contributions to it throughout spring. We will be closed for summer vacation and will re-open next fall. Email Christi@MiFamilies.com if you’d like to enroll your child in our spring sessions or hold your space for fall today! Also email Christi if your interested in facilitating programs for parents and providers through Mi Families other programs. Adventure Academy is only one of the programs we host. Check out www.MiFamilies.com for more information on who we are and what we do.

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MGT circle time fun

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“Bee hunt”

Basically Mi Families “my families” reaches out with resources for families and those who work with families – using an education through recreation approach. We want learning to be fun for all and want all to have resources available to help them thrive. Resources include having networking opportunities for adults to talk with other parents and providers. To connect with others follow us on Facebook, find us on Twitter, stalk Christi Morgan on LinkedIn, find and share ideas on Pinterest and YouTube… See what we’re up to next by subscribing above. Next we’re going to explore how ART makes us SMART!

Posted in adventure academy, Child Development, Curriculums, Education, Family, Homeschool, Learning through Play, Mi Families, Michigan, Mother Goose Time, Motor Skills, Parents, Providers, Reviews, Sensory, Special Needs, Tutoring, Video Tagged with: Adventure Academy, art, bees, growth, interests, learning styles, Mi Families, Mother Goose Time, multi age program, parents, providers, puzzle, resources, seasons, Special Needs, Spring, talents

U belong in our groUp

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Mi Families — No Comments ↓

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free art fun

Most of our local school districts are on Spring Break this week, which means many parents are starting to plan summer break! I’ve been getting lots of requests for summer care and tutoring services, but due to our baby girl’s July due-date Mi Families will be taking a summer vacation. No worries – Mi Families will facilitate provider trainings, parent workshops, family events, mini camps – and of course Adventure Academy – again next fall! Until summer vacation we do have a couple spaces available for spring care and tutoring.

Our child care and tutoring services are perfect options for a preschool practice, kindergarten readiness, and tutoring for the end of the year exams. Our “homework without tears” program works wonders for the struggling elementary student and our curriculum options are treasured by the advanced learners. Our child care offers lots of hands on learning activities, while strengthening social and emotional development for the younger children in our group. Our group includes tots to pre-teens who learn and grow together.

Our multi-age 1-room schoolhouse keeps low ratios encouraging group interactions, yet providing individualized education and developmental interactions. No matter where your child is on the developmental continuum they are a part of the group. Everyone develops and grows at different speeds, and while older students conquer their goals – young children are exposed to new concepts without the pressure to perform. While starting our spring themes we’ve been discussing the growth of each child in our program and the growth of nature observed outdoors.

In Northern Michigan we still hit snowy days, but that doesn’t stop us from observing and exploring nature. This past month we have been comparing our land to that of a desert with the help of Mother Goose Time. Although the curriculum is designed for preschool stages – older and younger have all enjoyed the theme. Just as we individualize learning by interests and abilities, we adapt pre-packaged curriculums for all. As the target audience used the kit as intended the older children used the theme to explore the concepts further. For example one made a venn-diagram comparing and contrasting a cactus to local plants.

Not much is able to grow yet in local gardens, but we’re seeing daily changes proving spring is near, from plant life to the animal world. While an older student compared and contrasted local animals to desert life, preschoolers made desert animal crafts and young children enjoyed the stories and sensory play included in the package. We have a huge resource library to add books and materials to each packaged theme. Since it was Easter we morphed from the desert to reading “How the Jackrabbit got his very long ears,” which was a story about the “great spirit” creating animals to adapt in the desert.

Jackrabbit led to other Easter bunny activities and we flipped the provided bunny bag craft over to create a goodie bag for the children to take home their Easter treats in. Easter treats have morphed into healthy treat discussions and the fresh fruits and veggies we’ll soon plant. Since it’s April Fools Day we read the funny tale of a bunny who tricked a lazy bear into giving him the “Tops and Bottoms” of the produce. We’ll continue learning about growing gardens and the bees that visit the gardens and caterpillars growing into butterflies and other other spring topics throughout April.

If you’d like to enroll your child for our spring growth activities email Christi@MiFamilies.com. Also feel free to email and request your fall spot reserved for child care, tutoring, or other events / trainings facilitated by Mi Families. While your planning your summer – we’re already planning out our fall adventures! If you’d like to see what adventure we’re doing please subscribe to this news letter above. If you’d like to plan out your future ideas – or network with other parents / providers find Mi Families on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube…

If your looking for an easy curriculum to adapt for your home or center contact Mother Goose Time! Most of the pics above showcase activities utilizing their “Discover the Desert” curriculum (which included extra Easter activities this month) … Mi Families and Adventure Academy utilize many curriculums and resources to help individualize programs for all the children and their families that participate. Mi Families is for ALL families and ANYONE who works with families

Posted in adventure academy, Child Development, Curriculums, Education, Family, Health, Holidays, Homeschool, Language/Literacy, Learning through Play, Mi Families, Michigan, Mother Goose Time, Parents, Providers, Reviews, Social Skills, Special Needs, Tutoring Tagged with: Adventure Academy, Curriculums, daycare, Easter, fall enrollment, family events, garden, hands on learning, Homeschool, homework w/o tears, individualized instruction, kindergarden readiness, Mi Families, mini camps, Mother Goose Time, multi age program, nature, Northern Michigan, parent workshops, preschool, preschool practice, provider trainings, resources, social and emotional development, spring break, summer vacation, test taking, tots to teens, Tutoring

we’re all “special”

Posted on March 19, 2016 by Mi Families — No Comments ↓

Mother Goose Time suggests topics for their blog ambassadors (like myself) to discuss. This month we’ve been sharing thoughts on “Individualizing Instruction” regarding our students interests, developmental levels, learning styles and “adapting for inclusion.” During a discussion on inclusion I was surprised how many providers felt they didn’t need to adapt, as they “have no special needs students.” Recent data shows that special needs students account for 13% of the children in a classroom and this statistic is thought to be low. When asked who they considered special needs many defined significant labels or described physical impairments. This is why many with delays or mental illness do not get the early intervention they need to be successful in their later years.

Special needs can be physical, intellectual, emotional, medical… EVERYONE has some kind of special need. The level to which that need impacts their daily life is how we measure if they need additional special services to succeed or even survive. But even if their need is not life threatening they deserve all the resources available to assist them in their area of struggle. EVERYONE struggles in some areas and we all deserve the assistance to survive beyond that struggle. But first we must note our struggles and admit them and be ok with labeling ourselves. A label does not have have to be a bad thing if it gets us services to be successful at reaching our goals. Everyones goals are different, but everyones goals start of the same – simple survival.

After surviving fetal stages we move through infancy and development is noted each week…each month of our first years. When certain developmental milestones are skipped or delayed or regressed we need to note that. Yes everybody conquers milestones at different rates, but observing red flags throughout development help us help each child reach their full potential. At 2months an infant should be able to make eye contact, by 6months that baby should be reaching for objects, at 9months he or she should be able to sit upright, by their first year they should be able to bear weight on their legs. That one year old should be chewing solid foods, by 18months he or she should be at least starting to walk and talk. Toddlers should start mastering their walking (even up and down steps) and mastering their talking (using short phrases).

Preschoolers should be communicating with peers and trying to be independent with self help skills, such as using the toilet. If they are not meeting “school readiness” guidelines during those preschool years, if there is poor interactions with others or within their own body, or if parent/provider instinct says there are concerns someone should seek developmental resources. Some programs (like ADVENTURE ACADEMY) have additional resources and service contacts available to even meet at the center or in the families home. During a resource and referral discussion I was asked if there are special needs students at Adventure Academy and the answer is yes. We have students with specific labels, developmental delays and even medically fragile children who attended and who all learn and play together.

One benefit to our inclusive / multi-age program is that no-one is compared to another. Everyone has areas they struggle with and areas they succeed. We focus on success and use our gifts, talents and interests to help teach each other. Toddlers bring books for elementary students to read to them, students who have yet to master math skills watch other students solve equations, and when young children become interested in a topic such as dinosaurs it resparks a curiosity in older students to study that topic on a deeper level. Older students become more confident in skills by teaching those younger, while younger students are exposed to higher levels of learning without intimidation. Those who have questioned this multi-age approached or worried about the impact of inclusion have later told me of the blessings it’s brought their child and their family being involved.

If you’d like your child to be involved we have a couple part time openings available. Contact Christi@MiFamilies.com for more information on Adventure Academy or any of our Mi Families “my families” programs. Also feel free to contact me if you’d like to learn more about working with special needs children. Parents and providers often feel intimidated by the term special needs until they realize everyone has special needs … and special gifts and talents and interests and ideas … and we all learn differently from each other, yet can learn from each other. There are many different tools to teach different learning styles and different developmental levels. Often the best way to reach a group is through themes of interest that you can adapt for each individual student. One of the theme curriculums we use is Mother Goose Time. This month we are “Discovering the Desert.”

Many of the pictures posted are from this weeks desert explorations. Each month we explore a different unit and sometimes we follow teacher guides as intended and other times children decide the order of our learning adventures. We use different curriculums and resources from libraries and social media: such as our Pinterest boards, YouTube channel etc… Feel free to check out our ideas online. Feel free to network with us, other parents and providers on our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages. Feel free to click “subscribe” above to follow our future adventures and learn more about the programs we facilitate. Fore more information on such programs visit www.MiFamilies.com. “Mi Families is reaching out with resources – for families and those who work with families across Michigan.”

Posted in adventure academy, Autism Spectrum, Behaviors, Child Development, Curriculums, Education, Family, Health, Homeschool, Language/Literacy, Learning through Play, Mi Families, Michigan, Mother Goose Time, Motor Skills, Parents, Providers, Reviews, Social Skills, Special Needs, Speech Delay, Tutoring Tagged with: adapting for inclusion, Adventure Academy, Blog, curriculum, delays, desert, developmental levels, emotional, gifts, Goals, individualizing instruction, infant, intellectual, interests, labels, learning, learning styles, lesson plans, medically fragile, mental illness, Mi Families, Mother Goose Time, multi age program, physical impairments, preschooler, resources, social, social media, Special Needs, talents, teaching, toddler

The way I learn

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Mi Families — No Comments ↓

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MGT Lasso day supplies

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lasso shape game

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rope names

“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” It sounds simple – yet in today’s packed classrooms where teachers are given their curriculum guidelines it is a challenge to individualize lessons. This is one reason why Adventure Academy works for so many early education students, homeschoolers and those who need just a little extra help on their homework afterschool or on weekends. Our flexible 7days/week schedule still has a couple part time spots available for child care and tutor time students.

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MGT “my little journal”

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letters…numbers…shapes…doodles…

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MGT “horse day”

From infant development thru elementary education our program offers multiple curriculum options for all ages and stages. From our 2nd grader performing at a 4th grade level to the developmental delayed preschooler we have some kiddos who don’t fit the typical continuum. Some are ahead in some areas and behind in others and some are right on track according to developmental experts. Each child and their family decide their goals and schedule time with other students or through one-on-one services.

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“H book” from More Literacy wkbk

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making up horse shoe games

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matching games

Even if students are scheduled to attend with other students – their goals are individualized. Often we utilize a fun curriculum theme for all but expectations differ for each child. This month we are using the “Discover the Desert” theme from Mother Goose Time. Discovering desert terrain and wildlife excites us for the warm weather that spring will bring to Michigan! Although we don’t see many of the animals we’re learning about in our area we can visit them at zoo’s …and since we live in a rural area the cowboy discussions were close to home.

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MGT “Rodeo day”

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team puzzle building

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MGT “desert day”

Cowboy discussions led to farm life discussions and how some of our families are prepping their farms for spring growth – which led to discussions of other things that grow in spring, including each child. In understanding that each child is unique we don’t expect huge growth spurts for all, or growth in all subject matters at the same rate, but we do expect growth in all areas – in the child’s time. Each child’s timeline is different and as little ones learned about the concept of timelines older students worked on various timelines from historical events to their morning routines.

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MGT “camel day”

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desert worksheet from More Math

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making up solitary games

Older students discussed percentages and fractions of time spent doing daily activities, while younger students worked on mastering typical daily activities. From dressing self to math equations each child worked on individual daily goals, while tapping into different subject matters. From self concepts to occupational therapy, from language to math and sciences each child had access to learning skills beyond their level without it being presented in an intimidating way. Even though elementary students worked on skills beyond a preschoolers level, preschoolers wandered over to watch and were later observed imitating the lesson.

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MGT “desert animals”

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MGT “Pyramids”

Developmental level and learning styles are considered before lessons. This is accomplished by the students themselves defining lessons, and topics to branch off on. This is why our lesson plans often change as their abilities and interest change. Even observing a toddler at play can help you define lesson plans and personal goals. If they can’t verbally tell you what they want to learn about and how they learn best – watch them. If they are always playing with animals – how can you integrate animals? If they are constantly playing at the sand table – how can you integrate sensory activities?

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math builders with legos

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building pyramids with fractions

Experiment with different audio, visual and kinesthetic styles of teaching and see who retains what, who wants to keep exploring the topic further and who you’ve lost the attention of. If you lose the attention of a student switch it up and teach the same concept a different way. Students who understand the lesson will only gain stronger basic skills in that area and also be able able to peer teach their friends, while students who are still grasping at the idea will be exposed multiple times and in different manners assisting them and you in discovering the way they learn.

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independent learner

If no one is interested in learning that topic – move on and return another time. Using theme activities instead of set curriculums allows more flexibility in this area. You can still teach all subject matters to all areas but changing up the theme to topics of interest will help them understand the lessons and keep them interested. The most important part of teaching is keeping them interested in learning new skills. Too often parents request my assistance because their child “hates school” and a child should never hate school! School should be fun! This is how we engage children to one day follow their dreams towards careers.

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Spring play = Charlottes Web (farm fun)

What does your child want to be when they “grow up”? An astronaut? A rock star? Don’t discourage their dreams – instead turn their interest of space or music into a unit you can teach the other subjects through. Need help getting your child excited about learning new things – contact Christi@MiFamilies.com. Want to network with other providers or parents about learning matters – find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube… Want to explore other parenting or provider topics – check out the workshops MiFamilies facilitates at www.MiFamilies.com. Adventure Academy is just one of Mi Families programs…

Posted in adventure academy, Child Development, Curriculums, Education, Family, Homeschool, Language/Literacy, Learning through Play, Math, Mi Families, Michigan, Mother Goose Time, Parents, Providers, Reviews, Sensory, Social Skills, Special Needs, Tutoring Tagged with: Adventure Academy, child care, Child Development, cowboys, Curriculums, daycare, desert, farms, field trip, growing, Homeschool, learning styles, lesson plans, Mi Families, Mother Goose Time, preschool, school subjects, Spring, teachers, timelines

It’s all about ME

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Mi Families — No Comments ↓

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Our winter playground

While facilitating provider trainings at centers and schools I’m often told how “individualized” their program is. Yet during observations I feel that many teachers and caregivers are individualizing their classrooms for their own needs and goals. Often their own instruction style or creative classroom set up is evident, but the curriculum remains group focused. It’s easier that way.

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MGT teacher bag contents

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MGT circle time kit

When I was the preschool teachers of 19 students in Los Angeles I found it difficult to individualize my classroom. I didn’t have an assistant and many of my students didn’t even speak english – making it difficult to understand their needs and develop individualized goals. Yet I made it a priority to discover ways to encourage each child’s interests and assist with individual struggles.

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MGT day1 materials

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MGT boot craft

At Adventure Academy it’s much easier to individualize with the low ratios and multi age programming. The multi age programming helps keep perspective of developmentally appropriate practices. This does not mean age defined activities are offered. This means students at lower developmental levels have access to higher learning tools encouraging their growth, but at their own speed.

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MGT circle time fun

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using MTG supplies to make new games

Adventure Academy uses many curriculum options for our tots to teen level students. One curriculum we enjoy is Mother Goose Time, which is preschool focused, but all ages enjoy the thematic studies. While tots simply listen in on the themed stories and explore new materials, young discoverers learn to follow directions in using the provided materials, and older explorers adventure beyond by researching the unit further.

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MGT cowboy hat decorating

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MGT math manipulatives

This months study unit is “Discover the Desert,” which brings warm ideas to our snow covered location. The concept of a desert is thawing our frozen brains and showing me who has any understanding of what a desert is and what is different from that location and our own. Last month we discussed healthy life styles, which included food groups. Before transitioning to the new theme we had to discuss the difference between desert and dessert!

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into animals? what animals live in the desert?

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dress up bear led to what we wear in the desert

Last month we also discussed how our students are growing and as we learn about desert life we’ll learn about what things grow in the desert and what we can grow in Northern Michigan once warm weather finds us again! We’ll eat our ice-cream for dessert and think of warm places and talk about things that are fun in the sun. We’ll talk about activities we enjoy in different seasons and different locations.

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puzzle fun led to desert scene discussion

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train track building led to desert transportation game

I’ll learn about the unique things each child likes and dislikes and use that in my lesson planning. Although we’ll have group activities around the theme I’ll offer individual activities for each child based on their talents and needs. Although I’ll have a lesson plan for each day it’s a flexible plan that changes as the group or even one child challenges me to do so.

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art interest turned into creating desert shelters

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student drawing desert scene

Typically I follow the lessons as presented in the curriculums, however this month I had the children help me plan out the months daily topics. It was interesting to see which students wanted to follow the plan exactly as presented, which wanted topics modified and which wanted completely different and seemingly random themes instead.

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sometimes we play alone, sometimes with friends

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MGT = Dance n Beats workout

If you discuss their thoughts further you’ll find no idea is random – they got to that concept some how – and that train of thought opens up their world of interests and personal goals and teaches you how to teach them best. Learning to step back and let them teach you is the best way to individualize your program. Listen to their ideas and follow their lead – teaching them to be tomorrow’s leaders.

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dr seuss name hats

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penciled in planner … bc it will change 😉

We have a couple part time spaces left in our program for future leaders. For more information about Adventure Academy email Christi@MiFamilies.com. For more information about other programs – such as our provider trainings – visit www.MiFamilies.com. To network with other providers and parents feel free to stalk us on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube…

Our social media sites – such as this blog – continue to grow with resources for families and those who work with families so stalk us and subscribe and follow and ask questions and share ideas and be a part of our community! We love adding more family members to our family tree.

Posted in adventure academy, Child Development, Curriculums, Education, Family, Health, Homeschool, Learning through Play, Mi Families, Michigan, Mother Goose Time, Organization, Parents, Providers, Reviews, Social Skills, Tutoring, Video Tagged with: Adventure Academy, desert d, dessert, Goals, individualized curriculum, lesson planning, Mi Families, Michigan, Mother Goose Time, multi age classroom, needs, provider trainings, social media, student interests, themes, units

Going = Growing

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Mi Families — No Comments ↓

“I’m getting so big” was the response almost every child had after checking their height and weight this week during our Going = Growing HEALTH WEEK. Using the Mother Goose Time curriculum for “Food and Fitness” we explored topics like health care, exercise and rest with our 2-12 year olds at Adventure Academy.

We discussed reasons for doctor and dentist check ups and played lots of pretend while exploring emergency care. We talked about ways to stay healthy and how to monitor our growth and development. We talked about ways to get bigger and stronger during strength building exercises. We worked on small and large motor skills through activities such as balance games.

We learned about the importance for rest and relaxation and enjoyed quiet times individually and with our friends. We learned that our friends don’t have to be the same as us, for often our best friends are those who are quite opposite than ourselves.

Adventure Academy assists in the physical growth of students, but also their social and emotional growth. Focus on social and emotional development is the key to future academic and life success. Although we use various curriculums and assessment tools to monitor ones development we focus on the individual child’s interests, talents and needs in our goal setting.

Each child, each family has their own set of goals by which they measure success. One of the many advantages to our multi-age program is that younger students are encouraged by their older peers success but do not feel pressured to preform beyond their own abilities.

To learn more about our program or to sign up your child please email Christi@MiFamilies.com. Adventure Academy has a couple part time spaces still available, including evening and weekend hours. Adventure Academy is one of the many programs facilitated by Mi Families. Visit www.MiFamilies.com for more information about our other programs.

Visit us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube… to network with us, other providers and parents. Mi Families (“my families”) is reaching out with resources for families and those who work with families. Our resourceful programs are based on an education through recreation approach.

Recreation is defined as an activity done for enjoyment when one is not working. Although learning is “work” -our programs are developed with a philosophy that we learn best when we are enjoying the educational experience – meaning all our programs include hands on fun for all ages!

Posted in adventure academy, Child Development, Curriculums, Education, Family, Health, Homeschool, Learning through Play, Mi Families, Mother Goose Time, Motor Skills, Parents, Providers, Reviews, Safety, Social Skills, Special Needs, Tutoring, Video Tagged with: Adventure Academy, development, doctors, emergencies, exercise, families, fitness, food, friends, Goals, growing, health curriculum, Mi Families, Mother Goose Time, motor skills, multi age child care, parents, providers, rest, social development, Tutoring, video

Healthy = Happy

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Mi Families — No Comments ↓

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Michigan February Fitness

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waiting for for spring fun

“Because it’s fun to run and jump and play catch and I can’t wait for the ice to melt so we can swim at the beach too!” … When I overheard a 6 six year old student make this comment it got me wondering why many forget how fun it is to exercise?! When did exercise become a task on the to-do-list instead of a playful activity one looks forward to participating in? I got my answer when a 10 year old student said “I love to play sports, but hate to exercise.” Perspective. When we PLAY it’s fun, when we only look at it as a task that needs to be completed the enjoyment fades.

summer time at the splash pad

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fall fitness

All year round we enjoy fit-fun activities. This month we have been learning about healthy bodies and the students agreed that when they feel healthy they are happy We looked at concepts of food and fitness with the Mother Goose Time curriculum and found ways to encourage each other to try new foods and new activities. We talked about how we’re growing bigger every day and charted our heights and weights. We talked about other ways we grow and how we learn to do new things. From getting self dressed and using the potty to learning how to read and write and ride a bike …we had quite a list of accomplishments!

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year round – indoor gym and super hero training

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healthy food circle time – presented by a student

Adventure Academy provides childcare, tutoring and developmental services. Some of our students are participating in developmental assessments and small motor/ large motor skill evaluations this month. If you’d like your child to be evaluated or are seeking referral services for developmental assistance feel free to email Christi@MiFamilies.com. Mi Families has many resources for families and those who work with families – Adventure Academy is just one of our resource programs.

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racing through reading activity

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draw how you can be a good sport

This week at Adventure Academy we focused on large motor skills such as running, jumping, kicking, throwing/catching … and stretching. Yes these are forms of exercise, but we didn’t look at it like that and instead just played. Through playing games we are having fun, while learning skills one’s development can be observed without them feeling assessed. Parents and providers can request such playful assessments at any time and every 6 months our current families are reminded of such services and often take advantage of the opportunity understanding the importance of early intervention.

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Leap frog activities – Saving frog piece for our LEAP DAY event 🙂

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daily lessons are easy to follow with MGT

EVERY child, every person has something they can work on. Often we note areas of struggle or times to challenge a child through simple observation. Adventure Academy participants get a portfolio to take home daily with notes about the child’s day and samples of the child’s work. This portfolio is a great way to show development and monitor behaviors that keep getting mentioned in daily notes. The portfolio also proves that every child is gaining skills during their time in the program.

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still story building activity from MGT

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example day bag from MGT

Adventure Academy monitors the physical development of each student, their academic progress and also their social / emotional growth. Parents and Providers can request trainings on our monitoring methods, which is simply an observation through play technique. When a child is enjoying activities in a natural manner you gain better insight into the child’s interests, talents and needs then in a sterile testing manner. For more information on observation through play, trainings and programs offered take a look at the Mi Families website.

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we love that we can keep the MGT activity cards for future use

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so excited to play the stretching game

For opportunities to network with our team, other providers or parents find us on LinkedIN, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube… Also subscribe above to see what activities we’ll be keeping busy with as we continue to learn about being happy by growing up healthy! Feel free to steal our ideas and share your own! Feel free to adapt ideas for all ages in your program or at your home – even adapt them for yourself to become a happier / healthier you! Decided to make time to play today – don’t think of it as exercise – that’s the first step! The next step is to exercise your brain – how fast can you do simple learning games?

Posted in adventure academy, Behaviors, Child Development, Curriculums, Education, Family, Health, Homeschool, Language/Literacy, Learning through Play, Mi Families, Michigan, Mother Goose Time, Motor Skills, Parents, Providers, Reviews, Special Needs, Tutoring, Video Tagged with: academic growth, Adventure Academy, child care, developmental assessments, exercise, fitness, foods, gift & talents, growing, healthy, interests, learning, Mi Families, Mother Goose Time, outside, physical development, portfolio, referrals, resources, social & emotional skills, social media, Special Needs, sports, Tutoring

healthy hearts

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Mi Families — No Comments ↓

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if sensory sensitive trace hand then let them paint it in

Each child is loved for who they are at Adventure Academy. Each child is valued for their uniqueness and encouraged to share their gifts, talents and creativity with each other. Each child comes from a different family dynamic, with different cultural values and different goals and needs …and those different components are a part of who they are.

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practicing measurements with solids vs liquids

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MGT money math

While continuing to learn about healthy foods we also began learning about how to keep our hearts healthy. Besides eating well we need to care for who we are and love who we are becoming. From food groups to healthful hints and safety steps, we learn how to grow up big and strong, but also how to appreciate our bodies and care for our hearts.

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cutting = small motor skills, fractions and much more

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reading with MGT books

We learn that a caring heart is more important than what someone looks like on the outside or what challenges one might face. We learn the lesson of being beautiful and healthy on the inside and that growing up and accomplishing milestones is not a race. This is a lesson that means different things to the toddler learning to navigate their movements and the pre teen navigating developmental changes.

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example MGT daily bag supplies: craft, activity, book…

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Pizza can have all the food groups!

No matter the developmental stage of the tots to teens that visit our center we focus on skill observation not test taking ability. We use curriculums such as Mother Goose Time to set up theme related activities and see how they utilize the materials. Skill level is recorded through work samples and forward progress (no matter how slow) and is achieved with every student.

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stories and pictures and so much more when all ages and stages read together

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circle time lessons and story boarding fun

Some programs focus on how many grade levels one can jump through in a short amount of time, but research shows that those achievements are often short lived. However, focusing on skill mastery has long term rewards including confidence. Without emotional growth we’re building heartless robots!

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individualizing their valentine boxes

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ready for the party

Far from robot responses – even our youngest students join in discussions of what they want to learn about and how to learn new things. Although a theme is presented the lessons and activities morph as the children shift their interests and abilities. Topics transition as interests and abilities change.

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different adventures – different days = lotsa valentines for lotsa friends

Often topics focus on seasonal and holiday activities that they anxiously await. Although Valentines day may not be a major holiday it was here, and each child expressed how much they love the idea of a love holiday and a focus on loving each other. So, much of our week was spent talking about valentines and how to share love with others.

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MGT valentine party pack!

One unanimous decision was made that food was a way to anyones heart. Everyone loves sweet treats, but even more everyone loves the idea of another taking the time to make them something sweet to eat. So we enjoyed many activities. From measuring and pouring to chopping and stirring, then baking and cooking … we learned how to serve others.

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our heart cake! one square = 2 circle halfs

We learned reading skills, math concepts, science and social studies … We learned to work together as a team and that even the kitchen holds an adventure all can participate in. If you’d like your child to join in our adventures we have some part time spaces available! Email Christi@MiFamilies.com for more information. If you’d like to learn more about Adventure Academy or other programs Mi Families facilitates check out our WEBSITE. If you’d like to network with our team, other providers or other parents find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, etc… If you’d like to see what learning adventure we’re on next please subscribe above and thanks for reading this article!

Posted in adventure academy, Child Development, Curriculums, Education, Family, Health, Holidays, Homeschool, Language/Literacy, Learning through Play, Meals, Mi Families, Mother Goose Time, Motor Skills, Parents, Providers, Reviews, Safety, Science, Sensory, Social Skills, Special Needs, Tutoring Tagged with: Adventure Academy, family, food and fitness, healthy foods, love, Mi Families, Mother Goose Time, students, sweets and treats, unique kids, valentines

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