Trains, Trains and Trains

Well, this unit isn't as "developed" as I would like it to be, but this is what we've done so far. Pictures to come, hopefully! I have a new camera and need to figure out how to upload the pics to the computer...
Anyways, we took an idea offered by Christin and made an "Alphabet Train." We live in Michigan so this had to be outdoors rather than using sidewalk chalk like she suggested (although hopefully I'll remember to do this in the summer, also!) Anyways, Jan Brett has some great alphabet cards that you can print off on cardstock and laminate from her website. They're super cute! We just layed them out in alphabetical order and then said "chugga, chugga, chugga, chugga, choo choo!" before we got to each letter. At each letter Carter needed to tell me the letter sound(s). He really liked this and it was very simple!
We also did some rhymes and songs about trains. There's also a cute little Usborne book that tells about different trains (they have even more train books, but unfortunately, I don't have them yet. However, I am going to an Usborne party this month so plan to pick one up to save for Carter's birthday). The one we have is a chunky little board book. Usborne

Today I set up 4 of our dining room chairs in a row (the train) and printed off tickets. I numbered each chair w/a sticky note and also numbered each ticket. Carter (and Carlee w/some assistance) had to find their seat. Before they boarded the train they got a whole punch. I wore an apron to be the conductor (Amy, I could really use that hat of yours that you wore to my house this summer! lol!). Anyways, once we were on the Reading Train I read "The Little Engine that Could." A classic.

Hmmm...I'm trying to think of what else we've done. Unfortunately, not as much as I would like. On a positive note, preschool is an absolute HIT with Carter! For that I am thankful. He's usually the one saying, "Mom, could we do some preschool today?" :) Once I post some pictures I'm sure it'll trigger any other ideas of things we've done that are train related. We've also just been practicing adding shapes for simple addition. You can print these worksheets off of abcteach.com. They're a little advanced for Carter but he LOVES math so it's not a problem to do them with him. Oh, and also, starting the 1st of the year, I've been trying to make sure we do one of his devotions from the One Year Book of Devotions for Toddlers. It is a great devotional (in my opinion)> :)