I Can Write My ABCs! Early Letter Shape Skills: Pre K Learning With Ms. Liz
We'll work with Mat Man (a Handwriting Without Tears program) to practice important letter writing readiness skills like drawing basic lines types, letter placement and name recognition, which can help make writing easier to learn.
Ms. Liz
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(401)
What's included
1 live meeting
35 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade Preschool - Kindergarten
Beginner Level
In this one time class we will work with Mat Man, (a Handwriting without Tears program) or "Mat Mate", to practice important writing readiness skills that include size recognition, placement and basic lines and curves that can help make writing letters easier to learn. It's also a great way to teach how to draw a person! We'll listen to the Mat Man song and then practice drawing the lines and curves in the song using the provided outline to create our own Mat Mate. Learners can create their Mat Mate free hand or with the included Mat Mate tracing page (depending on your learner's hand strength and previous writing experience). We'll read books like "Lines that Wiggle", by Candace Whitman or "A is for Alligator B is for Bear Animal Alphabet" by N.V. Smith and talk about letter names and the lines and curves we see in the letters in the alphabet. And, we will finish class practicing writing some of the letters in the alphabet including the letters in each learner's name!
Learning Goals
Learners will practice Pre-K concepts such as recognizing letter names and drawing letter lines and shapes that can help develop strong drawing and cognitive skills. We will listen to the Mat Man song and work on listening and observation skills while learners are encouraged to follow directions and concentrate on making lines and shapes that are important to writing development when we create our own Mat Mate using lines and curves on the provided Mat Mate outline. ** Learners can create their Mat Mate free hand or with the included Mat Mate tracing page (depending on your learner's hand strength and previous writing experience).
**In order to promote class discussions and participation I do not mute learners' microphones. This also helps learners practice their social skills such as active listening and taking turns. In order for this to work, students need to be in a quiet setting away from background noises (loud conversations, telephone calls, t.v, etc.). **
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Because of the age of the class I recommend a grown up be within "ear-shot" to help with any technical hiccups (mic and video) that might come up. Please bring writing tools to class!
**In order to promote class discussions and participation I do not mute learners' microphones. This also helps learners practice their social skills such as active listening and taking turns. In order for this to work, students need to be in a quiet setting away from background noises (loud conversations, telephone calls, t.v, etc.). **
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Mat Man is a resource created by Learning without Tears https://www.lwtears.com/blog/meet-mat-man
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of Wisconsin- Madison
Hello Outschool Families!
My name is Liz Stone, better known as Ms. Liz, to my 3, 4 and 5 year old friends. Did you know that reading aloud to kids has clear cognitive benefits? For example, brain scans show that hearing stories strengthens the part of the brain associated with visual imagery, story comprehension, and word meaning.
Experts from the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning also explain that reading books to kids helps expand the number and variety of words they use. Think about it: The books you read often contain words you might not otherwise use in your everyday communications.
While reading a book, you might end up using more specific names for different plants or animals or use more adjectives altogether. And this adds up.
One 2019 study from the National Library of Medicine estimated that children who are regularly read to in the 5 years leading up to kindergarten are exposed to 1.4 million more words than children who aren’t read to during those years.
Another study found that kindergarten children who were read to at least three times a week had a “significantly greater phonemic awareness than did children who were read to less often.”
I created The Pebble Academy, an online learning and play experience for 3-5 year olds, after I fell in love with teaching and learning with Pre-K kiddos as I watched my own kids grow-up. I'm the mom of three and an early childhood educator who wants to help make reading togther and creative learning for 3-5 year olds more accessible! I've observed the confidence my students gain when I encourage them to participate in an online learning and play experience that is welcoming, comfortable and tailored to them.
In my 30-40 minute interactive classes, I will introduce your children to new ideas with activities like picture book reading, songs, show and share and themed activity pages and projects we work on together. Most of my classes include in class activities or ideas for post class at home activities and all my classes incorporate ideas that promote pre-reading skills, early math strategies, nature, community, family, arts and crafts, music and physical activity.
Over the past 12 years, I have worked as a teacher and Site Coordinator for Northwestern University’s Weekend Enrichment Program, I’ve taught in my community's Early Childhood Program, I’ve been a lead teacher for 3 year olds at a local early childhood center and I created The Pebble Academy!
Incorporating fun into reading and learning is what it's all about! For me, nothing compares to sharing an “Aha!” moment with a student. I hope we have the chance to learn together soon and I look forward to meeting you in one of my classes!
**If my posted class schedules don't work for you, I'm happy to try and schedule a class that is more convenient for your learner!Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$15
per classMeets once
35 min
Completed by 10 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 3-5
1-5 learners per class
