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Hands on the Alphabet

Hands on the Alphabet

Recently I have been sharing in our Tot School posts about our ABC Baskets, and bins.

Animal ABC Letter V Letter T Bin

We use baskets and bins, and in the past with Krash I have used an even simpler method, as you can see below with the items just on a tray {photo from this post}…

Tot School Letter P

I have had a few readers ask me to share specifically a list of toys/items that would be good for these baskets.  During this phase of our homeschool life, I am sorting a few of our toys out by letter, rather than keeping the set together.  First I will share the exact items we own, which I have separated out by letter into gallon size Ziplock baggies, for easy prep when setting up for the new school week.

Letter Collection

I will be continuing with the alphabet baskets/bins through Animal ABCs with Ladybug, and then through Raising Rock Stars Preschool {we will begin shortly after completing Animal ABCs}.

We own the following, click to see where to purchase…

Alpha Tales Set  Abc  Alphabet Soup CansMatch It ABC  Shure Fishing ABC  abc pegsLadybug Alphabet Puzzle  Alphabet Counstruction Set  How to Build an ALeapfrog abc  abc flashcards  Little Zoo  Alphabet Mats

 

We do not own the following, but if you are looking to purchase a few things, these look great!

ABC Bean Bags  alex abc  ABC Puzzles  ABC Puzzle Cards  abc memory  Lace abcs  Alphabet Puzzles  Puzzle Boards ABCAbc wooden set  alex abc puzzles  abc pegboards lowercase  ABC Pegboards  Wooden ABC puzzles  Alpha Pops

Before you purchase things, be sure to think about what you already have!  ABC flashcard sets, magnetic letters, foam alphabet puzzles, and small items that begin with certain letters. Another note-not all kids will be into this. Krash could have cared less about my alphabet collections, Ladybug absolutely LOVES them. 


A few FAQ…

Why are letter collections a good idea?

It is a fun way to expose not only letter identification, but also the sounds a letter makes. It keep the phonics learning fun and playful, but at the same time creates a hands on connection to many items that begin with that letter. Young children learn well by touching, hearing, seeing, and engaging as fully as possible with something. These collections give your child the chance to do all of those, especially when you interact with the items alongside of your child {emphasizing the sounds and letter}.

 

What in the world do I DO once I have it all set up?

Sit on the floor and PLAY with the contents, with your child.  Child not interested?  Play quietly {put puzzles together, say names of objects, etc.} and see if your child may become interested.  Try an active game of hide the objects!  Even the most reluctant child usually enjoys a good game of hide and seek!  Hide the objects around the room and as your child finds them, have him/her yell out the letter/name!  There are no rules, even if your child just sits and “plays” with the stuff, s/he is learning!

 

What if I only have a few items for a collection?

That’s fine!  We just have a lot due to me being a former teacher, homeschooling for 6 years, and grandparents who are generous in purchasing school related toys for us.  Even if you don’t have a lot, and can’t afford to buy more {or don’t want to}, that’s fine!  You can print images, draw images, and maybe even make index cards with fancy letters drawn on them in fun colors.  Think creatively and you’ll find that purchasing more stuff isn’t even necessary!


More Letter Collection Ideas…

I have more ABC ideas here on my Pinterest board. 

ABC Pinterest Board

You will find letter bins from Spell Outloud, Nuturing Naters, and Playing House. Get even more ideas for small objects beginning with each letter on this series of posts from Counting Coconuts. I was inspired by those posts to create our own ABC box, you can see ours in action here.

Alphabet Box

No matter how large or small, how uniquely creative or simple ~ learning letters and sounds can be playful and fun!  Do you have a fun way you play with letters featured on your blog?  Feel free to leave a link to a post of yours in the comments!  Do you make letter bins, letter baskets, letter boxes, or anything similar?  I’d love to see your versions!

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Carisa Hinson
Prep for next year has begun! I am considering try Prep for next year has begun! I am considering trying many new things for my daughter (will be in 8th grade) and before I choose I am trying myself. 

First up is giving @compassclassroom American History a try. I am planning to complete the first few weeks myself to see if I think it’s a good fit for her. Have any of you used this? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Link in profile to the curriculum. 

##homeschool #homeschoolers #homeschoolingrocks #homeschoolingmama #homeschoolmom #homeschoollife  #homeschoolfamily #homeschoolfun #homeschoolkids #homeschooliscool  #homeschooldays #homeschoolblogger 
#homeschoolteacher #homeschoollookslikethis #homeeducation #homeeducator #howwehomeschool #homeed #homeschoollifestyle #thisishomeschool
#homeschoolcommunity #homeschoolcurriculum #homeschoolersofinstagram #homeschooled #homeschoolcollective #homeschoolideas #homeschoolinspiration #homeschooladventures
It’s time. I finally started another Instagram a It’s time. I finally started another Instagram account just for my foster kittens. I have SO many photos and videos I want to share every single day and I know there are many of you who would love that! So, @crazy_foster_kitten_lady is your new place for loads of foster kitten content. I’ll still introduce new kittens here and share some, but it will be over the top kitten content on the new account!

Join me, Rachel (left), Joey (right) and the rest of the Friends!

#fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove #7friendsfosterkittens2022
Welcome to the rest of the Friends! The shelter is Welcome to the rest of the Friends! The shelter is packed with kittens so I went and picked up four more! 

Ross - black
Chandler - orange 
Joey - fluffy gray 
Janice - fluffy tuxedo

Yes, that’s a total of 7 foster kittens. Yes, I know I’m crazy. I love the kittens and I love helping out as much as possible when kitten season is in full swing. ❤️

#fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove @animalscmpd
Introducing our new FRIENDS ~ Phoebe (top, dilute Introducing our new FRIENDS ~ Phoebe (top, dilute calico), Rachel (middle, gray and white), and Monica (bottom, gray).💕💕💕

They are totally healthy and weigh a little over a pound right now! They were scared at first but are now all purring! 

#fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove #7friendsfosterkittens2022
The gymnastics season comes to an end and he’s t The gymnastics season comes to an end and he’s taking home the 🥈 silver medal on pommel horse again! 

It’s been a fun week of competition and time with friends. Thankful for this time together in Arizona and excited for the new season already! 

#krashthegymnast
He is 16!!!!! 🎉🥳🎉 We are busy with so m He is 16!!!!! 🎉🥳🎉 

We are busy with so much right now, most importantly final prep to leave for nationals in Arizona tomorrow! This past weekend he was presented with an award from his coach(with him in this pic) - Athlete of the Year, which is really special. He heads to nationals tomorrow in good shape, feeling confident! 

@kyler_hinson I am so proud of you for so many reasons! Seeing you fight so hard through continual pain the past few years has shown such a strength of character, determination, dedication, and perseverance. I love the man you are becoming and am so thankful to be your mom. 

We have a fun week ahead of us and I’m so excited to be by your side. ❤️
He’s 20 today. Lives on his own, with an AMAZING He’s 20 today. Lives on his own, with an AMAZING job, managing adult-ing beautifully, constantly making me smile when I think of his perseverance, determination, commitment, and ambition. I can’t put into words how proud I am of this man of mine. My son, my baby.

Happy birthday @paxtoroni ❤️ I pray you know how loved you are.
In case you missed their intro in my stories, I’ In case you missed their intro in my stories, I’d like you to meet the new fluffy trio! Named by my daughter and her friend after characters in the show Gravity Falls. 

Mabel (calico, girl)
Dipper (white/gray, boy)
Soos (tabby, boy)

They are so adorable and came at the perfect time to bring healing after we lost Bruno. ❤️

My guess is about 5-6 weeks old, and they will probably be in foster for about a month, the smallest weighing 1 pound, 3 ounces. 

The look like little dust bunnies flopping around the room, they are so round and fluffy! 

#gravityfallsfosterkittens #fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove @animalscmpd
Our youngest child is 13. I’m not sure how that Our youngest child is 13. I’m not sure how that happened. We celebrated Lili today with our best friends from Philadelphia here to visit for the weekend! She opened her presents from us, and loved on our new fluffy foster kittens. Her wish was to foster a fluffy set of kittens and that wish came true yesterday!

So thankful for this awesome kid of mine. She is such a blessing to me and inspires me continually. She is strong, compassionate, brave, unique, artistically talented beyond belief, and I just love being her mom.
8 weeks old today!!! We are in the final countdown 8 weeks old today!!! We are in the final countdown of our time together! 

Bruno and Camilo are both snuggle bugs and love to curl up on laps, or up by my chin. They both love to play hard and they still love momma’s milkies (especially Bruno). Camilo is a round plump potato weighing 1 lb, 13 ounces. Bruno is a bit skinnier (1 lb, 9.5 ounces) because he’s been having some tummy issues but he’s doing better. They won’t leave me until both are 2 lbs and 100% healthy. I’m assuming a little over a week from now. 

#encantofosterkittens #fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove
These sweet boys are 7 weeks old today. They are S These sweet boys are 7 weeks old today. They are SO sweet and often run to cuddle like this when I come to visit them. I am soaking up our last weeks together (probably 2 more), I love them so much!
.
#encantofosterkittens #fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove
My husband and I went away for the weekend to a cu My husband and I went away for the weekend to a cute little cabin we found on Airbnb and it had SUPER friendly ducks. 🦆 

These ducks brought me so much joy. As I looked back through our photos, the final photo is reflective of me in one of my happy places. I see pure joy on my face and I love the photo. Not because I want my own ducks, but because I truly love animals and being around them makes me smile. This is reflective in my fostering adventure also, it is truly one of my favorite aspects of my life right now.

So thankful for this short time away to do nothing. Well, nothing except hang out with my best friend and some awesome ducks. ❤️
The season has flown by! He is the NC State Champi The season has flown by! He is the NC State Champion on pommel horse! We head to regionals in a few weeks!

He also had a season high on rings (historically a tough event for him) and placed 3rd! That was fun to watch! 

Thankful for grandparents who were able to be there and teammates that have been there since they were babies many years ago. 🥰

#krashthegymnast
I can’t even find proper words to share how much I can’t even find proper words to share how much their 3 week birthday means to me. I am finally relaxed and just enjoying these precious boys, rather than constantly worrying. The changes in the past few days are adorable - walking all around, playing, purring, rolling over for belly rubs, climbing on my lap when I’m near!  I just LOVE them! 

#fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove #encantofosterkittens
Another meet complete! I wasn’t at this one, my Another meet complete! I wasn’t at this one, my wonderful friend (teammate’s mom) took him to Orlando for me since I couldn’t leave the kittens (who are absolutely perfect, praise God!).

He had a solid meet, had fun with his team (who won 1st), and brought home some new medals. 

A few weeks off and then it’s time for the state championship meet! #krashthegymnast
This is Camilo. He sticks his tongue out a LOT. It This is Camilo. He sticks his tongue out a LOT. It is VERY cute. 

Bruno and Camilo are 2.5 weeks old and thriving. We are so thankful for them. I’m still not 100% relaxed from my worry, but a lot better. They are gaining weight, playing, and nursing well. Thankfully they seem very different from their sisters. We are sad the girls aren’t here growing alongside of them but we have healed a lot in the past few days. These two boys and their amazing momma are a huge part of the healing.

#fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove #encantofosterkittens
Oh Fern. So elegant, so fluffy, so fabulous. Swipe Oh Fern. So elegant, so fluffy, so fabulous. Swipe to see her *other* look. 😆 I love this girl so much and her sweet snuggles have been very healing to me this past week. #fabulousfluffyfern
So sad I missed his meet but so proud of him and h So sad I missed his meet but so proud of him and his team! He competed yesterday as a part of the state elite team and they won 1st place team! His home gym team is in the top photo and they all had a great meet which is wonderful! He brought home 2nd All Around, and 1st on floor and pommel. He’s still improving his routines this season, heads to Florida to compete again next weekend!
#krashthegymnast
My sweet tiny Dolores is gone. She was the one I w My sweet tiny Dolores is gone. She was the one I was most worried about from the very beginning because she was the runt and gained so slowly. She fought hard and was with us for 13 days.
.
I held her in my hands as she slipped away last night around 1 am. Crying tears over her and keeping her warm and held as she left us. I thought I had accepted that we would lose her too. The entire day I just knew. When she was finally gone I just screamed. My husband and son were away at a gymnastics meet, and my daughter spent the night at my moms to get away from the constant worry here. I’m so glad Lili left. I’m glad everyone was gone so I could just scream in the middle of the night. I just never thought this would be what I’m posting about. Let alone three posts in a row. 
.
Whatever took Isabela, Luisa, and Dolores was probably all the same. There’s nothing I could have done. Dolores got every single life saving support throughout her last day and when I went in to tube feed her at 1am, I just knew. Instead of feeding her, I wrapped her in the warm blanket and just held her as she passed. It wasn’t time for trying all of the things to save her, it was time to let her rest. 💕 
.
This photo was taken earlier yesterday when she was still with us. 
.
#fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove #encantofosterkittens
This girl. I love her. We shared one of the sweete This girl. I love her. We shared one of the sweetest and saddest moments of my fostering journey when her baby Luisa died. I can finally share the story without sobbing as I think about it.
.
I had taken Luisa and Dolores to the vet for fluids, and for the vet to show me how to give fluids at home. Everything seemed fine at the vet, we commented on how much better Luisa seemed. She wasn’t out of the woods by any means, but her nose was slightly clearer and her weight was good. Honestly in that moment I was more worried about Dolores, who is the runt, and wasn’t nursing well. 
.
It was heavy traffic time so my drive home was 45 minutes. I checked on them while driving several times, placing my hands in the carrier to feel them. During the last 15 minutes of my drive, the traffic was heavier and I was in the interstate so I focused on driving. I was at peace the all was well. I didn’t put my hand in the carrier.
.
I came inside and my daughter and mom were in the kitten room awaiting the news, which I said was good. Gosh how I wish I would have checked them in the carrier before this. Hindsight. 😞 I pulled them out and that’s the moment we saw Luisa was gone. I so wish my daughter didn’t have to see that moment, it was awful for her. I was just so angry. I knew Luisa’s passing was possible, even likely, but in the moment I was just so mad because she seemed to be doing better.
.
Lili left the room and Mirabel was pacing around and very agitated. I was holding Luisa in my hands and I bent down so Mirabel could see her. Mirabel immediately began licking her baby and I just sobbed as I held Luisa and watched momma say goodbye. It was a moment I will never forget, one I wish never had to happen.
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After this, Mirabel was calm and attended to her other babies. She just needed to say goodbye.
.
I am hopeful for the final 3, while also knowing anything can happen. ❤️ I have all of the resources now, I know how to tube feed, I know how to give fluids, and have direct contact with the shelter vet who is amazing and answers my texts within minutes. We are fighting for them together.
.
#encantofosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons
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