Over the river and through the woods … Mi Families has been on the GO! Programs returned full force after Thanksgiving break.  After the holiday vacation we learned more about the 1st Thanksgiving and talked about ways the Pilgrims and Native American’s lived and traveled.

History lessons led to transportation-time-lines and how many people travel over the holidays.  We sang “Over the River” and talked about who visited family and friends for a feast.  We talked about the importance of our family and friends and made maps to destinations.

In one class students explored post cards people had sent them from far away and made postcards to send others.  Some students made postcards of their location, places traveled, places they’d like to travel, places in their imagination… Some made Christmas post cards…

Cards led us on lessons about giving gifts – gifts of time AND having thankful hearts for the things we have.  We talked about gratitude for the people in our lives and ways to travel to them.  We even designed new transportation forms!

Mi Families uses top rated curriculums to work with students of all ages.  Our littlest-learners use Mother Goose Time’s theme based kits. Our current “Transportation Station” theme was adaptable for tots to be introduced to new concepts, while tweens expanded on lessons.

Mi Families transitions through lessons so as we continue learning about things that go we’ll discover ways animals go and how they use migration, hibernation, and adaptation to survive the winter weather here in Northern Michigan! We’ll survive by keeping busy with fun winter and holiday activities.

We’ll also be busy developing our 2019 programs!!!!! Feel free to email Christi@MiFamilies.com to learn more about our homeschool classes, tutor time sessions, parent workshops, and provider trainings.  Feel free to also visit www.MiFamilies.com or find us on social media to learn more about our programs and network with our members/team.

2018_19_MGT_Themes * Past and upcoming MGT themes

Mi Families, and my own family, have been busy planning holiday activities.  After we finished eating up the Halloween candy we focused on healthy habit lessons.  We talked about healthy foods, ways to stay fit, the importance of dr check ups, how to properly wash our hands and brush our teeth…

This weeks food group lessons transitioned into Thanksgiving lessons since next week everyone’s on Thanksgiving break. Transitioning through themes makes the learning process smooth as student brains relate past, present, and future lesson plans.

Lesson plans are made easy through themes – as you can use simple seasonal activities to teach throughout all subject matters.  This week had a “Thanksgiving on the farm” focus with many materials supplied by Mother Goose Time.

Mother Goose Time is a preschool curriculum that can be simplified for little learners and expanded on for older students.  Each kit comes with 20 sub themes to support a monthly topic.  Many pictures on this post showcase materials left over from a past Thankgiving kit.

MGT materials are often re-useable! MGT provides craft supplies, books, manipulatives, even assessment tools.  When assessing my students I often use their continuum guidelines to help parents understand their child’s development.

Parent involvement is important for student success in all our programs.  Whole family engagement is encouraged! Mi Families provides whole family events, parent workshops, and provider trainings in our “for families and those who work with families” programming.

If you would like more information about our programs you can network with our team/members on Linked-IN, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube… Also feel free to visit www.MiFamilies.com or email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  Feel free to email Christi regarding enrollment or contacts for parent/provider resources.

Mi Families is “reaching out with resources!” Resources for community contacts or curriculums, such as Mother Goose Time, are available! After Thanksgiving break we’ll be utilizing MGT’s “Transportation Station” curriculum through our “Over the River and through the Woods” Holiday theme! Then it’s time to start our winter semester! …Information will be posted soon!

2018_19_MGT_Themes

Mi Families (“my families”) is preparing for our winter semester – since it’s snowing outside while I write this!

We’re preparing for provider trainings, parent workshops, family events, and youth services.  Youth services include one-on-one tutoring sessions, as well as large and small group classes.  Classes are held in community buildings, such as the Northern Michigan Homeschool Partnership in Interlochen. We have about 200 (k-12) students enjoying elective courses in life skills, PE, music, art…

This semester my husband and I are teaching art classes, robotics, journalism, drama, movie making, self defense, and child development at the Partnership.  Myself and other team-members are also teaching daycare providers, teachers and parents various subject matters.  One of the subjects adults work on is child development and truly understanding the stages of the children in their care.

Our “education through recreation” programs are stage before age focused, meaning they are multi age designed to accommodate kids who are below or ahead of grade level. It is often the responsibility of the parent to decide which stage courses best meet their child. I do offer academic / developmental assessments upon request.

Most assessments are through authentic observation, meaning student’s are observed while working within groups or during one-on-one tutoring sessions.  Tutoring sessions are individually designed to help students master basic skills.  I also try and lesson plan for group activities with intent to observe each child’s skills and struggles.

To work on areas of struggle I focus on individual strengths and interests.  Often this means teaching through theme based units.  Right now my students are coming off their candy-high from Halloween and anticipating Thanksgiving dinner – so we’re focusing on our food groups, brushing our teeth, and other healthy habits.

This theme transitioned from our Mother Goose Time’s Orchard based curriculum.  As we get closer to holidays we’re moving into MGT’s transportation theme with an “over the river and through the woods” traveling unit.  MGT is a preschool curriculum that I often simplify for little learners and expand on for older students.

MGT is an easy to use curriculum that includes lesson plans, project materials, manipulatives, music, assessments… CLICK HERE to learn more about Mother Goose Time.  CLICK here to learn more about Mi Families programs.  If you have any questions or would like to enroll a student for tutoring email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  You can also network with our team/members on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest…

2018_19_MGT_Themes * Click link on right for upcoming and past themes  …

… Non theme based programs / tutor time services (click for larger image) :

Parents and teachers have often told me they don’t do any homework during holidays…

I tell them we do extra – and kids love it! Holidays and seasons provide great opportunities to learn!

For example a seasonal item, such as pumpkins, can be used to teach all subjects.

STREAMS – or Science, Technology, Reading (&wRiting), Engineering, Art, (Music&) Math, Social Studies (&hiStory)…

We learned across all subject matters through a Halloween theme this week.

Curriculums such as Mother Goose Time provide preschoolers a different theme each month.

MGT’s theme based kits can be simplified for little learners or expanded on for older students.

This past month we’ve been exploring farms and orchards with their materials.

I often have extra materials from past themes or use their holiday-sub-themes to transition through lessons.

We transitioned from fall to apples to pumpkins … next week we’ll finish up our orchard theme focusing on healthy harvests.

As we learn about healthy habits (after finishing up our Halloween candy) – I’ll assess what was retained from our orchard theme lessons.

Most assessments with my little learners are through authentic observation – meaning I observe them during hands on activities.

Using MGT’s developmental continuum and other tools I note their strengths and area’s of struggle.

Using students strengths and interests I help them work through struggling areas across all subject matters.

Some students thrive in our large and small group programs, while others prefer one-on-one tutoring sessions.

All services are stage before age focused meaning assessments and activities are individualized based on the students.

Mi Families (“my families”) has “education through recreation” programs for children, their parents, and providers.

If you are interested in learning more about provider trainings, family workshops, or youth services email Christi@MiFamilies.com.

Visit www.MiFamilies.com to learn more or network with our team/members on LinkedIN, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest … and learn more about Mother Goose Time HERE

Mi Families (“my families”) LLC facilitates programs for children, their parents, and their providers (such as teachers). All programs have an “education through recreation” focus – meaning participants learn through fun activities.

Activities are offered for multi age classes through community groups and homeschool partnerships.  Depending on the class and age-range we have top rated curriculums to choose from!

Curriculums choosen often have an open-ended approach to assist in meeting the students diverse needs.  For example many of the pictures showcased in this article are from Mother Goose Time…

MGT is a preschool focused curriculum that can be simplified for the littlest learners and expanded on for older students.  My child development class encourages tweens and teens to think of ways to utilize the materials with 0-5 year olds.

Themed based curriculums help us transition topics.  Last month we used MGT’s
“Friends and Feelings” kit which we transitioned to friends around the world – then weather/seasons around the world.  Now we are focusing on the season of fall.

Fall will transition to farming and orchard topics.  Themed based topics can be used to teach all subject matters to all types of learners. Students who are “gifted and talented” are encouraged to expand on lessons and assist in teaching others.

Special needs students are included in our programs and work through activities in their own way and in their own time.  One-on-one and small group tutor times are also available to assist them in developing new skills and meeting developmental needs.

If you’d like to learn more about our programs visit www.MiFamilies.com or email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  You can also network with our team or members on LinkedIN, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube… You can also learn more about Mother Goose Time’s curriculum by visiting www.MotherGooseTime.com.

This fall started off with learning about ourselves and our families.

We learned about how special and unique ourselves and our families are.

We learned about using our strengths to help others who are struggling.

All of our programs talked about ways to show family and friends love.

Infants through adults worked on caring community projects.

Participants learned ways to communicate with people near and far.

Technology helps us communicate and create around the world.

Technology helps us learn more about other places, people, and animals.

We focused on responsibility and respect for everything and everyone.

Our littlest learners used Mother Goose Time to learn about “Friends & Feelings.”

Older students expanded on the lessons and helped plan transitional topics.

Topics are flowing from people around the world to world weather.

Weather transitions to seasons and learning about local fall changes.

Mother Goose Time’s “Orchard Harvest” pack will help us learn about tree life.

Tree life will lead to wonderful lessons on primary to secondary color mixing in our art classes… We have many classes for children, parents, and providers and I can’t believe it’s time to start planning our winter courses.  If you have thoughts on what you’d like us to offer please contact Christi@MiFamilies.com.  Check www.MiFamilies.com to see what we have been offering and visit us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, & YouTube to network with our members and team !

To learn more about MOTHER GOOSE TIME visit  https://www.mothergoosetime.com/

Exactly 1 month ago we started our fall schedule.  It still felt like summer then, but it feels like fall now – actually it feels like winter!

Snow was reported in spots of Northern Michigan where some trees are still green, but leaves are changing and falling fast!

As the seasons transition so do our lessons.  We started off this semester with lessons about ourselves, our families, and our friends.

We learned about reading “feeling faces” as we discussed emotions using Mother Goose Time’s “Friends and Feelings” curriculum.

MGT is a prepackaged curriculum designed for preschoolers, which can be simplified for the littlest learners and expanded on for older students.

As our youngest friends learned concepts of emotions, older students researched ways to communicate their feelings.

MGT provided crafts, workbooks, storybooks, manipulatives and other supplies that kept our classes busy learning!

Mi Families uses many top rated curriculums throughout our programs for families and those who work with families.

Those who work with families, such as teachers, love our unique trainings. CLICK HERE for more information!

Parents can CLICK HERE to learn about our parent and family workshops.

Trainings, workshops, and youth classes continue to grow and continue to “reach out with resources.”

All of our programs have an “education through recreation” approach meaning we make learning fun!

Our hands on learning approach is designed with take home resources for each class.

While learning about people and emotions connection resources were sent home and crafts were made to showcase learning.

After learning about emotions we transitioned to learning about how we communicate through feeling faces, body language, writing and spoken words.

Young students played communication games with each other, wrote letters to people, and created pretend computers and phones.

Playing with phones led to lessons on when to use 911 and what to do in case of an emergency.

Emergency lessons and basic safety is taught each week in our child care courses for adult providers, as well as in our teen child-development class.

Our child-development students will continue learning about keeping kiddos safe, while also learning how to keep them busy.

Our future teachers and caregivers are learning how to plan activities and transition through activities.

We transition through activities and themes to keep student interested.

Making smooth transitions helps students build connections in their learning.

Building connections across themes helps students relate lessons to the world around them.

From colors to shapes to math to reading and writing – all subject matters can be taught through a simple theme.

Our youth services incorporate all subject matters (STREAMS) Science, Technology, Reading (&wRiting), Engineering, Art, (Music&) Math, Social Studies (&hiStory).

Our parent and provider programs can show you how to incorporate hands on learning themes into your homes or programs.

Parent and provider programs can help you develop schedules and routines for your home and programs.

Parent and provider programs can share ways to turn chaos into calmness, organize environments, complete “homework without tears…”

Parent and provider programs can help you learn ways to communicate with children – and help you teach children to communicate with others.

Communication is the key to success in any home or program.  For our programs to continue to grow tell us what services you’d like us to provide! Share your thoughts and network with our members and team on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIN!

weekly and daily schedules…

Do you keep a calendar for appointments? Do you write out to-do-lists for work, chores, shopping, etc? Most adults have a plan of what their day will look like and what they hope to accomplish. It keeps us feeling in control, even if it doesn’t always go as planned.

all about me… my family and friends…

Recently I asked kids about the plan for their day and many expressed frustration that they never know what to expect.  Even young children need predictable daily routines or at least warnings before activity transitions. For toddlers and preschoolers I’ve always hung up picture schedules.

creating friendship puzzles

As my own kids and students get older I have them help define schedules and remind them of transitions. We talk through what goals need to be accomplished and how to prioritize the schedule order. Learning how to schedule activities is a life skill.

MGT craft kits

Learning how to organize our life helps us feel more in control. Feeling in control makes our world seem more calm – and less chaotic!  This week we talked about other ways to feel calm and in control.  As we continue learning about ourselves, our families and our friends, we talked about supportive people and our own “mindfulness.”

Hands on learning

Next week we’ll transition to lessons on feelings.  How to know when we’re feeling overwhelmed and how to know what others are feeling.  We’ve been using the “Friends and Feelings” curriculum from Mother Goose Time. Lessons are simplified for our littlest learners and expanded on for our older students.

MGT manipulatives&books

We have access to top rated curriculums and learning materials for our homeschool classes, tutoring programs, parent workshops and provider trainings.  We’re filling up quickly, but some fall services still have spaces if you’d like to enroll.  Contact Christi@MiFamiles.com or visit www.MiFamilies.com for more information! Also find MiFamilies on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and LinkedIn!

and just like that – summers over

The beginning of the school year feels chaotic to many.  Many parents, students, and teachers feel overwhelmed with changes to their environments and schedules.  I try and keep our schedule flexible, but with similar routines year round to make seasonal transitions easier.  In the fall when I have new students, or new classes, I start by letting everyone know what to expect – what the routine will be during our time together.  We go over the rules so students know what is expected of them.  The rules are simple: be responsible and respectful.

Being responsible means learning to take care of oneself.  It means making sure you brush your teeth and do your homework, etc.  Being respectful means learning to care for other people.  It means being kind and helpful, helping others with chores and helping others learn… We talk about reasons we want to be respectful and responsible, and reasons we have rules. Rules help turn chaotic environments into calm areas. Rules help keep us safe.  Safety drills also help keep us safe.

During the first couple sessions we go over drills and safety plans for homes, schools, and out in the community.  We talk about how we learn to stay calm in drills, so if there is ever an emergency we can stay as safe as possible.  We want everyone safe and healthy, because everyone is special – important – valued…  Everyone is a part of our team – a hero team.  We start off the school year with an “all about me” theme talking about how everyone is a hero who can help others.

This last week we transitioned from the theme of ME to the theme of family.  We talked about how each family is a unique team.  We talked about team work and helping out our families.  I teach infants through adults so such lessons look differently depending on the class.  Preschoolers might talk about helping pick up toys, elementary students might draw a picture of why their family is special, teens might write ways their family can help the community, parents might learn new team building games to play at home with their kids…

Different stages learn differently.  Mi Families (“my families”) programs are stage before age based and include provider trainings, parent workshops, individualized tutoring services, and group class (such as Body and Brain builders (lg/sm motor development), Sensory Studies (art class), Journalism, Child Development… Parent and Me Playgroups, etc..).  To learn more about program options visit www.MiFamilies.com. To enroll your child in tutor time email Christi@MiFamilies.com.

All programs, especially tutoring services, include “education through recreation” activities through top rated curriculums, such as our early-education Mother Goose Time curriculum.  This month MGT has prepared a “Friends and Feelings” kit we’re transitioning to next week as we go from ourselves, to our families, to our friends, and learning more about our world. Our world studies will help us continue learning how to be responsible and respectful – to ourselves, other people, and the world around us.