Brilliant Mornings

This week we begin to explore patterns - in numbers, poetry and nature - as we introduce Fibonacci - an Italian mathematician!  Our number of the week is 15, and our blend is PR. 

You will need:
1) If possible to find or purchase (even if it arrives later in the week) - the book Blockhead: the Life of Fibonacci by Joseph D'Agnese, illustrated by John O'Brien. (You may omit some name-calling such as "idiot" as I did when reading to my children; however, the concepts in the book teach the Fibonacci sequence in such a wonderful and clear manner!)

2) (Preschoolers) Manipulatives to use for counting - toys, beads, even food!

3) (K-1st Grade) Paper or math notebook and writing instruments (or blackboard/whiteboard) to write the numbers 1-15 so they can visually study patterns.

4) Objects to tie/group together in groups of ten.  You should have at least three groups of ten, so that your child may use these throughout the day.  Ideas: groups of ten sticks tied together; necklaces with ten beads each; see resource for an excellent explanation of the topic: The Charlotte Mason Elementary Arithmetic Series by Richele R. Baburina; Book 1

5. Nature Journal/pencil for sketching and time outside to examine plants and find if they are designed with numbers from the Fibonacci sequence. 

Today we wrap up one adventure and chase down some thieves after discovering Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel! 

You will need:
1) Manipulatives with which to play while listening to the story.
2) A picture (online or printed) of the Creation of Adam - a portion of the fresco painted by artist Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel - and any other pictures of the Sistine Chapel fresco. Discuss what is happening in the painting(s) and which colors are used. 
3) Optional: Find a map of Italy and locate A) Rome; B) Sicily; C) Stromboli 
4) After looking at a map of Italy, try to draw or paint it's shape - it looks like a long boot kicking a ball!
5) What do you notice about the names of the Italian detectives?  
6) Supplement by reading books on the Italian Renaissance and/or Michelangelo. 
7) Read books on Italy and research it online.  Pretend you can take a family vacation there and plan out what you would most like to see, taste and touch in this special country! 

Join your friends at Brilliant Mornings as we introduce the mystery country and some of it's most amazing minds!  It looks like the Pizza and Poetry Group has crossed the Atlantic Ocean for an adventure...stay tuned! 

You will need:

1. Math manipulatives (for counting/adding)
2. Paper and pencils for drawing
3. A special sketchbook dedicated to nature exploration drawings
4. Any books or resources on Leonardo Da Vinci and Galileo Galilei for further exploration!  (Please see recommended ones in Episode 1 notes.)

Today we dive into the meanings behind certain the days of the week - which were named after the sun, moon and planets - and learn a song about the planets.  We continue with our number 14-centered math activities and the -ay chunk.  Parents are encouraged to use this day for exploration - reading about the planets, discovering great inventors, and encouraging their children to spend time sketching their own inventions! 

You will need: 
1. Chalk - make an outdoor hopscotch board with the -ay words (or other spelling words) in the boxes to shout out as you jump on them (weather-permitting)! 
2. Math manipulatives to use for children who are adding single-digit numbers. 
3. Books or websites on the planets.
4. Paper and colorful pencils/markers for sketching
5. Websites/books to research two brilliant men who changed the world - both from the mystery country! 

Today we begin a mystery story that includes many opportunities to recognize -ay chunks and work with addition and even multiplication concepts, while focusing on the number 14.  Parents can listen to the episode with their children, providing hands-on manipulatives (puzzles, toys, kinetic sand, etc.) for the younger ones who can play and absorb what they hear simultaneously. 

You will need: 
1) 28 small math manipulatives to use when counting and grouping (rocks, pennies, pasta, sticks - any small objects will do!). 
2) Paper/whiteboard/blackboard to write a poem with -ay words (the parent or child can write, depending on developmental/skill level, as you talk together about it).  
Instructions: Write several -ay words and read them with your child (play, pray, lay, stay are examples). Then, give your child prompts such as: I like to _______.  Ask him/her complete the sentence with the appropriate -ay word.  Write several lines in this manner, making sure that the last word in the sentence is an -ay word, and create a short poem! 
3) Books or Internet to search for a country that has three live volcanoes. 

Please email me anything you would like to share at [email protected]. You may guess the mystery country at any time over email. 

Spice up your Monday morning as we introduce our number of the week - 14; chunk of the week - ay; mystery country clue and much more!

This episode includes activities for a variety of ages - the target ages being 4-8, as it’s a family-style meeting with a little something for everyone.  Children four and under should have coloring or quiet toys available for them so they can play while listening to the activities for older siblings. Older siblings should encourage the little ones with their activities.

You will need: 1) a world map or globe 2) a piece of paper and crayons/colored pencils to draw with; 3) math manipulatives to count with - these can be beads, dry pasta, rocks, etc.; 4) paper, a marker board, or blackboard to write out new words/math problems as needed.  Optional: manipulative letters (wooden/magnetic).

This podcast is a flexible tool to give parents ideas and organization. Parents are encouraged to listen to the podcast ahead of time and consider their children’s ages and learning styles as they decide whether to:

1) listen to the show along with their children, stopping and starting it as needed to figure out math problems and discuss questions at their children’s pace, or
2) simply create their own morning meeting based on the episode, selecting the activities that will work for their children and teaching them with manipulatives. You know your child best!

Visual and hands-on learners will benefit from seeing the concepts we discuss written out, and using manipulatives wherever possible!

We also invite you to borrow or purchase some books that will go along with our themes during the rest of the week*:

The first is Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo Da Vinci, by Gene Barretta – this book is a simple one with a few sentences per page, and it's interesting for all ages. The next is My Crazy Inventions Sketchbook: 50 Awesome Drawing Activities for Young Inventors by Lisa Regan and Andrew Rae.  This book will inspire the imaginations of elementary-aged children, and challenge them to sketch new inventions - hours and hours of creating! 

 *We are in no way affiliated with these authors, books or publishers, but have enjoyed them as a family.