Alpha-Breaths! Learning the Letters of the Alphabet Through Peace and Play
What's included
2 live meetings
1 hrs 10 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
In the enchanting world of Alpha-Breaths, young learners embark on an exciting journey to discover the magic of the alphabet while nurturing their minds and bodies through mindful breathing, creative storytelling, building concentration, dexterity and fine motor skills, and artistic expression. This virtual class is designed to captivate the imaginations of little letter explorers, as they dive into the wondrous realm of language, creativity, and serenity. Class Structure: Welcome & Mindful Breathing: Every class begins with a warm welcome and the introduction of the letter of the day. Together we will take a deep, peaceful breath that corresponds to the letter we're about to explore. A for Alligator Breath, B for Butterfly Breath, C for Cake Breath...... Exploring the Alphabet: Through 26 unique and fun ways to take peaceful breaths, each associated with a different letter of the alphabet, children will develop a deep connection to the world of letters and their sounds. American Sign Language (ASL): Next, we embark on an enchanting exploration of American Sign Language. I will introduce the ASL sign for the letter of the day, followed by the signs for five words that begin with that letter. Together, we craft a whimsical story using these words and signs, reinforcing the letter's name, its sound, and ASL skills in a delightful and interactive way. Handwriting Adventure: With the aid of my second camera, children will join me as I demonstrate how to write the featured letter. During this portion of the class, we dive into the art of handwriting, learning the proper names for the lines and shapes used to construct each letter and mastering the correct letter formation. We pay special attention to using lined paper as our guide, ensuring that young learners develop excellent handwriting skills. Each student will be provided with writing paper and prompts to practice alongside me. Illustration & Creativity: Once we've completed the handwriting segment, we embark on a creative journey as we craft an illustration that reinforces the day's learning. Our collaborative masterpiece incorporates the letter of the day and elements from our story, serving as a visual reminder of the fun we had and the knowledge we gained. Closing & Compliments: To wrap up our enchanting class, we conclude with a session of heartfelt compliments, reinforcing the importance of positivity and kindness. We finish with one final Alpha-Breath, leaving our young learners with a sense of calm and accomplishment. What to Expect: Alpha-Breaths is an engaging and peaceful exploration of the alphabet designed to instill a love for language, mindfulness, and creativity in young children. Through a holistic approach that encompasses letter recognition, ASL, handwriting, and artistic expression, this class provides a well-rounded educational experience that promotes a sense of calm and self-confidence. Join us in this imaginative journey where letters come to life through mindful breathing and joyful learning! Week of November 13: Letters A, B Week of November 20: Letters C, D Week of November 27: Letters E, F Week of December 4: Letters G, H Week of December 11: Letters I, J Week of December 18: Letters K, L Week of January 8: Letters M, N Week of January 15: Letters O, P Week of January 22: Letters Q, R Week of January 29: Letters S, T Week of February 5: Letters U, V Week of February 12: Letters W, X Week of February 19, Letters Y, Z This class meets twice a week. Each day we will cover one letter and learn two letters a week. Students may join at any time. When we get to the end of the Alphabet we will start at the beginning and students can learn the letters that they missed in earlier classes.
Other Details
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Get $10 off my classes with coupon code FRIENNOVEMBER10 until Dec 1, 2024.
Welcome to The Friendly Forest School!
I come to you with a wealth of knowledge, classroom experience, and a passion for teaching young children though play.
My classes follow a Waldorf-inspired approach that focuses on the holistic development of children, ensuring that academic skills are nurtured in an engaging and imaginative manner.
A predictable peaceful rhythm, delightful melodies, American Sign Language, and captivating tales (often set in the Friendly Forest) infuse every lesson, making learning a joyful exploration!I
By embracing the ebb and flow of nature's cycles, my goal is to help children feel grounded, secure, and ready to absorb knowledge with open hearts and curious minds.
ABOUT ME:
My journey began in the summer of 2001 when I had an internship in Early Childhood Education at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. After graduating from Purdue University with my Bachelors Degree, I began working as a social worker and case manager for young children in LaPorte, Indiana.
I then moved to Phoenix, AZ and started my journey in Special Education, working as an in-home therapist for children with Autism and other developmental disabilities. I specialized in building expressive language through American Sign Language. Additionally, I focused on treating the whole child though sensory integration and positive behavior support. In 2005 I was named by the Governor as Arizona's "Caregiver of the Year"!
In 2006, I obtained my Masters Degree in Special Education and began working in a K-6 Self Contained Classroom. During this time I worked to develop an award winning School-wide Positive Behavior Intervention Support program based entirely on peace and mindfulness. I was awarded the "You Make a Difference" award by the Osborn School District for my work on this project!
My daughter, Eleanor, was born in 2010. In 2013 I left the classroom to be a full-time mama. My youngest daughter, Annalise, was born in 2013. During this time I began to adopt Waldorf philosophies at home and began homeschool using Waldorf and Montessori inspired pedagogy.
In 2017, I started my own Early Childhood Center called "Let's Play Learning". The developmentally appropriate curriculum was based on the view that children learn best when they are actively exploring the natural world and a carefully constructed environment in the company of their caregiver and directed by loving, professionally prepared teachers. I closed my doors at the beginning of the pandemic and began teaching online, which I love!
In my classes I strive to create a culture of peace and mindfulness while teaching academic skills through nature, imaginative play, storytelling, and artistic expression.
I now live with my family just five minutes away from beautiful Lake Michigan.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$25
weekly ($13 per class)2x per week
35 min
Completed by 12 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 4-7
3-10 learners per class