LFH - Learning From Home

Hello Friends!

I just wanted to wish all of my mommy and daddy clients and friends well as we all work together to figure out the next several weeks.

Beyond trying to continue on with our own schedules and meeting our deadlines, I know we also have the added responsibility of continuing education for our children. (If we did not already, this is when we will REALLY FOR REAL appreciate our teachers! We love and appreciate our Ms. Ps!!!)

I have been working on a daily schedule, figuring out where and when each person will be and what they will be doing. I am sure many things will be adjusted tonight; we are already 7 minutes behind! (If you are looking for an example of general daily activities, here’s a good one: https://wideopenschool.org/).

With kids at 2 different grade levels, I found some educational websites that would apply to both my kiddos and thought I would share.

Online Learning Tools

Exercise

https://www.gonoodle.com/

https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

General Academics

https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html - A short lesson divided by grade and day.

https://mysteryscience.com/school-closure-planning?fbclid=IwAR04JJkVH_aHV4-U2K0Jvl_AgeYiJk16p_qEFeA7KqlV0yK81gSiR7yXjYY - One of my kids’ favorites! Videos that teach and asks questions.

https://go.brainpop.com/COVID19?utm_source=covidhub&utm_medium=hero&utm_campaign=coronavirus&utm_content=free-access - Watch videos and take quizzes on a vast number of subjects.

 Art

https://cassiestephens.blogspot.com/ - From what I can tell, Cassie wears crazy colorful and creative clothes that she handmade and teaches art to kids in a really positive way. She’s awesome.

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtforKidsHub - We used to have family art night following Rob and his talented kids’ videos.

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems - Mo Willems (creator of Elephant and Piggie books) talks about his process in drawing his characters, shows his sketches, and then does a quick drawing exercise. There is a lot of talking so if your child loses interest quickly, I would recommend sticking with Cassie, above, for art.

Math

https://www.khanacademy.org/ - Math is presented in a game-like format, making it fun for kids to solve math problems. The site also includes other subjects.

https://www.openmiddle.com/ - “Challenging math problems worth solving.”

Reading

https://www.storylineonline.net/library/ - “Streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.”

https://www.commonlit.org/en/texts - For advanced readers, “CommonLit is a free collection of fiction and nonfiction for 3rd-12th grade[rs].”

 
Printable Lesson Plans and Worksheets

General Academics

https://www.superteacherworksheets.com/

Art

https://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plans

Math

https://www.youcubed.org/

https://m.k5learning.com/free-math-worksheets

Music

http://www.opusmusicworksheets.com/worksheets-for-the-young-child/

Reading

https://www.rhteacherslibrarians.com/resources/

Thanks to Angela, Emily, Pam, Dave, Kendra, and Annie for your ideas.

And, because I know I will need lots of help keeping perspective throughout all of this, a website with stretches for parents (https://darebee.com/) and a live view of the squids at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (https://laughingsquid.com/live-video-streams-from-monterey-bay-aquarium/). If you want a real workout, https://watch.lesmillsondemand.com/free-content.

I tend to worry maybe slightly more than the average person, so writing things down and trying to be organized helps me. I hope this helps you a bit as well!

I am grateful that work closures do not mean we can’t afford to eat. I am grateful that we have the resources to continue to help our children learn. I am grateful that we are healthy and safe.

As a teacher friend of mine wrote, “Be forgiving of your kids and yourselves (and teachers). You won’t (can’t) get everything done all the time... and it’s okay.” Thanks, Dave.

Be well, friends!

Sincerely, Lena

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Baby M - Los Gatos Newborn Portrait Photography (Sneak Peek)

I had the privilege of photographing Baby M for her newborn portrait session. Los Gatos San Jose San Francisco Bay Area Newborn Portrait Photographer Newborn Baby Photography Hollister Portraiture

She was just the sleepiest sweetest little baby.  I'm pretty sure that Baby M poses for oil paintings when not posing for newborn portrait sessions.  That's my theory, anyway.

Los Gatos San Jose San Francisco Bay Area Newborn Portrait Photographer Newborn Baby Photography Hollister

Thank you, Mat and Teresa, for trusting me to photograph your lovely family.

More images to come...

Happy Father's Day

Thinking of all my awesome dad clients today, who have dressed up, entertained older siblings, offered to help me move my equipment, or just patiently hung out while I focused on mommy and baby. Lena Wang Photography Fathers Day 2018 Dads Father Daddy Dad San Jose Northern California Bay Area Newborn Photographer Baby

Wishing all fathers, new and old, a Happy Father's Day!

(And, of course, to my husband... thank you for watching our kids while I go off to follow my passion and do what I love!  You are the backbone to our family and I love you!)

Megan and John - Southern California Maternity Portrait Photography (Sneak Peek)

I met John and Megan at the beach to celebrate the impending arrival of their baby boy. I randomly asked them to look "Vogue" and this is what they did. Southern California Maternity Dana Point Huntington Beach Newport Beach Corona Del Mar Photographer Northern California Irvine San Jose Los Gatos San Francisco Bay Area Portraits (2)And then one of the most stylish grandmas I have ever seen walked into the frame and made this image even vogue-ier.

Here is to one of the cutest and vogue-iest (it's a word, probably) couples I know.  Can't wait to meet Baby S!

Baby G - Monterey Newborn Baby Portrait Photography Session

Merry Christmas Eve eve, everyone! Here are some of my favorite images from Baby G's newborn portrait session.

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I often wonder what babies think and dream about.

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I bet Baby G was dreaming about his parents... or his cat siblings.  Baby G was and still is the smileyest baby I have ever met... it could be a word!

Photographing newborn babies brings me so much joy.   I love their tiny eyelashes and pouty lips.

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Is there anything better?

Emily and Eric, thank you for allowing me to photograph your newborn baby boy!

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With that, I wish everyone a very lovely and Merry Christmas and holiday season!