Monday, October 25, 2010

Ideal Curriculum Month 1 Preschool Kit Giveaway

Ideal Curriculum Month 1 Preschool Kit Giveaway

October 25th, 2010
ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE TRANSPORTATION UNIT MONTH ONE (DOWNLOAD VERSION).
“Transportation theme with art, science, dramatic play, and many other hands-on activities.
All of our monthly kits include:
  • Daily lessons and activities for literacy, math, calendar, oral language, and science/social studies
  • Teaching guides
  • Workbook
  • Music CD
  • Science, sight words, and concepts about print books
  • Supplemental activities
Skills Taught:
  • Letters and Sounds -Letter Names
  • Phonological Awareness -Listening Skills
  • Concepts About Print -Print is all Around
  • Sight Words -Name Recognition
  • Math -Rote Counting”
Be sure to check out the details on how to enter @ http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783211/

Friday, October 22, 2010

Weeks 7 & 8 Canada, eh?

We departed from Mexico and headed by plane , this time, to Canada with our passports in hand.  As we crossed the border, we listened to some Canadian music to set the mood.  Wee Sing  track #10 Going Over The Sea.
Wee Sing Around The World, Book & CD  -     
        By: Pamela Conn Beall, Susan Hagen Nipp
It was an interesting study, as we learned about Native Canadians; Inuits.  The Eskimo way of life is very intriguing.  We decided we would try to build an igloo this winter if we get enough snow!  Good luck with that, right?! 


Canada has two official languages; English and French.  So we learned a few phrases and words in French. 
"Comment vas-tu?"
"Je vais bein, merci."



We also caught a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) while we were there!  Fascinating!



We learned about the food chain.  Carnivores, Herbivores, and Omnivores, oh my!  We learned about scavengers, and decomposers, parasites, symbiosis, and mutualism, yep, fun stuff.   I skipped animal reproduction- just not ready to go there, yet!


Our Hero Tales hero's were Catherine & William Booth founders of the Salvation Army.  If you have some time to invest in a biography study, do look them up.  We also read about George Muller, a man of faith.  This book is a great read aloud as the children snack, or work on craft projects.

We are also reading The Book of Matthew and memorizing verses from chapter 5:11,12.  Jesus' own words of blessing and reward for being hated and despised for our belief in Him, just as He was persecuted. 


We continued playing the Geography Game in North America.  I just love sneaky education ;-)

We had a little experiment to learn how plants and trees take water from the soil and move it up to their branches using stalks of celery, water, and a bit of food coloring for visual effect.  We had to remove the Xylem (stringy veins) on one and leave the other intact.  The Xylem carries water to the leaves.  It was amazing that the celery I used was actually a bit soft, so I was worried it wouldn't turn out right.  But it was incredible, the celery stalk intact actually turned out harder, crisper, after leaving it in the water for 24 hrs. We peeled it open to reveal the stained xylem inside had obviously carried water to the leaves.  The leaves had red tips.  The celery with the Xylem removed became very wilted and soft.  Here are the pictures of our results...


Day 1

Day 2


We got silly a bit to avoid going out of our minds at one point!  Here is a little glimpse of our random wackiness!


...trying to teach Luca how to cross his eyes at the School of Hard-knocks! 




SUCCESS!!


Unrelated to our studies, we flew back to the US on a field trip to Washington Park after dark with my awesome sister. We enjoyed the splendor of more than 2,000 illuminated jack-o-lanterns surrounding the Rees Carillon and Botanical Garden.  An hour and a half flew by like nobody's business!  It was a great time!









We will be going to Brazil on Monday.  Ah, the life of a world traveler!  ;-)

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Free E-Book!! Why Homeschooling Rocks

A Free E-Book!! 

From The Homeschool Buyers Co-op:

Why Homeschooling Rocks


Homeschool Buyers Co-op
 
A New Homeschooling Classic!
The Homeschool Buyers Co-op is pleased to offer members a FREE copy of "Why Homeschooling ROCKS!" by the Members of the Homeschool Buyers Co-op.

In Their Own Words
On July 9, 2010, the Co-op posted a simple challenge to our members on the Homeschool Buyers Co-op Facebook wall: "Tell us why homeschooling rocks, and the Co-op will give a $50 Amazon Gift Card to the member whose post draws the most "Likes" by the end of the month". We indicated that we would compile their posts into an eBook that would be published for all homeschoolers to enjoy. We had no idea what would happen.
In the days that followed, we watched with delight as a flood of answers to this simple question poured onto our wall, many of them with photos, and all of them compelling and heartfelt.
Now, as promised, the Homeschool Buyers Co-op is proud and pleased to present this moving testimonial to the joys and rewards of homeschooling. Whether you are considering homeschooling or yourself a homeschool veteran, we think you'll find words and images in this book that will inspire and delight you and your family.

Available Now to any Member
Join the Co-op now, and you'll have access to "Why Homeschooling ROCKS!" within minutes.
Don't keep this offer a secret -- forward this email to your friends and homeschool groups!
 
Get your free eBook.
We appreciate you at the Co-op!
 
Brett Walter
President
Homeschool Buyers Co-op
 

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Do You Suffer From Brick Wall Syndrome?



I know I am not the only homeschool mother out there with this affliction!  I am sure every single one of you has suffered or is currently suffering from what I call Brick Wall Syndrome!  My case is chronic, although it does go into remission from time to time.  It is painful, and sometimes ugly.  Symptoms vary from one person to the next.  It is brought on by a glazy eyed child with a faraway look possibly in tears, saying, "I don't get it!" after you have explained "it" for the umpth-teen time! 

Brick wall syndrome has driven many homeschooled children right into public school.  This is an option for treatment much like surgery.  A last resort, if you will.  However there are no guarantees it will not return in the form of "homework."  Yes, it is a serious affliction for which there is no cure, but there are some excellent treatment options available.


Connect

Talk to other homeschoolers.  They won't bite!  Afterall, they have been through their fair share of brick walls, too.  They might have some fantabulous tips, tricks, and advice on how to jump all kinds of common hurdles.  I know I have a few under my belt, and would love to share.  Just ask, you never know how simple the solution may actually be.


Learning Styles/Assessments

Sometimes it is just a matter of knowing the right angle to approach the lesson.  One child might not understand it unless they are standing on their head singing it, while another child might get it after there is a quiet environment for them to read alone.  One might need to do a craft on the topic,  or another might need it explained to them with vivid pictures.  Yes, it can feel like the days of old, adjusting that foil adorned antenna with a wire hanger attached to try to get a clear picture on TV. 

   Can you see it, yet?   


There are some wonderful assessment tests out there to determine your child's learning style, it just might be that you need to tweak the way the information is presented.  Here is a link for a free online test.
You could also get this book from the library, The Way They Learn by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias
Of course, there are many other excellent resources on learning styles out there, as well.  It could make a world of difference.

  YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!!


Skip It and Move on

Oh, but how do you dare!!  This is SO important!  She will need to know how to diagram a sentence to perform brain surgery later on in life!  I mean, really.  Is it life or death that they know it RIGHT NOW!!!  Relax, deep breaths, don't feel defeated, or like a failure.  Instead feel liberated from the topic at hand for the moment, and (gasp) dare I say it... skip to a different lesson and move on!  Try again in another week, month, next year maybe even.  Bottom line is, if they aren't ready, or willing -guess what?  You can't make them!


Curriculum Shmiculum!

Don't be loyal to a certain curriculum.  You may need to supplement with manipulatives, or toss the math and keep the rest, but don't be opposed to new material.  You can sell it, or whatever, just don't keep it if it's not working, even if you paid good money, even if you had all your hopes and dreams wrapped up in it, and it was your holy grail of curriculums.  Toss it, trade it, sell it, give it away.


Get Jiggy Wit It!

If it feels like perhaps it may be burn-out causing this giant brick wall.  By all means take a break!  Play hooky, go fishing, meet up with other homeschoolers just itching for a break too.  They may have some good tips on what worked for them.  It could do you all some good!  Bust out in an impromptu music session.  Blast it, let them bang on pots and pans.  Get jiggy wit it!  silliness and humor can erase all mental dark murky clouds hanging around in there.  Sometimes just a break in the routine is a huge refresher.  I love, love, love me some Download & Go lapbook unit studies for just this very thing.  For those of you whom cannot stand to just take a week off and do nothing, this is a great way for them to learn while having a blast making lapbooks.  You can get a wide range of topics to choose from.  I highly recommend!


Don't Take It Personally

Boy is this a hard one for me!  My first thought when they just aren't learning is, 'What am I doing wrong?'  Self doubt creeps in like a thief robbing me of my joy.  'All those doubters and Home Educator-haters out there are right after all!  Just who do I think I am?' 
Nope, that's not it. Oh, we can be so downright mean with ourselves at times.  Just remember this, if they were in a classroom with 20 other kids, this brick wall you are beating yourself up over would be virtually invisible and nobody would even care.  (not always) It would possibly get completely overlooked, and they would never learn it.  They for sure wouldn't get the one on one they need, or the care of a teacher willing to do all the things mentioned above in order to help him "get it."  No one is to blame, here.  Everyone has their stumbling blocks, their brick walls. It can be scaled!


Take it to the top

Last, but certainly not least, take'er to the Maker.  This may be the last piece of advice, but it is step number one, because it really needs to come first.  Ask for help from the One who knows our troubles and struggles. 
"Jesus wasn't a homeschooling mother," you may say?  Obviously not, but he IS an expert at overcoming Brick Walls.  Just ponder that one.
He may not deliver you out of them, but he will guide you through them.   Also, remember to love that child whose driving you mad!  God designed our childrens' brains the way they are.  He created them with the unique and wonderful personalities they posses, and knows exactly what each child needs. 

Yes, Brick Wall Syndrome can be real and ugly, but after all those walls have been scaled, one day you will look back and see it was all worth it.  God bless your homeschool.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

The Story of Slavery




In a previous post I had mentioned I was looking for a book to help my children understand a little deeper the history of slavery in the US.  I should have just looked in my online bookstore, duh!  I found an excellent one!  For those of you who, like me, would like a wonderful "living" book to teach about slavery, I highly recommend this book.  You can peek inside over at Reading is Priceless.



Monday, October 11, 2010

Are you busy being too B U S Y ?

I recently saw something a friend showed me on Facebook and it was so true.  In fact, I have often said the very same things, and been guilty of hypocrisy on the matter.  It was a video story basically about Satan keeping Christians busy so they don't make time for Jesus.  In the end it described busy as B-eing U-nder
S-atan's Y-oke.  This really grabbed my attention. 

Of course, lots of things can keep us busy, especially us homeschool mothers.  Besides the demands of our schooling, and daily housework, our children keep us busy with their demanding needs.  I am amazed at the schedules of some of my friends, with their soccer practice, music lessons, scout meetings, home businesses, co-ops, swim lessons, church meetings, volunteer work, etc... all in a weeks time!  It makes my head spin thinking about it! 


But what about those of us that aren't busy with extracurricular activities, yet finding ourselves slacking in our Bible reading, or prayers?  Worse yet, what about those of us NOT slacking in our Christian duties, yet our hearts and minds are busily distracted anyway? 

Regardless of what category we find ourselves in, it is normal for us to wax and wane in our Christian walk, but is it acceptable?


This passage and especially the passages that follow are very sobering.  We get so caught up in the fact that Jesus loves us, imperfections and all, that we forget our goal here is to strive for our Master.  J.C. Ryle is one of my favorite's and I do believe he says it best in his article Self Exertion;

"Watch against the slightest inclination to be careless about any means of grace.  Beware of shortening your prayer, your Bible reading, your private communion with God.  Take head that you do not give way to a thoughtless, lazy manner of using the public services of God's house.  Fight against any rising disposition to be sleepy, critical, and fault-finding, while you listen to the preaching of the Gospel.  Whatever you do for God do it with all your heart and mind and strength.  In other things be moderate and dread running into extremes,  In soul matters fear moderation just as you would fear the plague.  Care not what men think of you.  Let it be enough for you that your Master says, "STRIVE."
I know I am B U S Y more than I care to admit.  If you are feeling a heap of conviction as I am in this area, I challenge you as well as myself, to turn from being too B U S Y (Being Under Satan's Yoke) and be B U S Y about the Kingdom.  (Being Under the Savior's Yoke)  God bless you in your walk, dear Christian.

Friday, October 8, 2010

One Lovely Blog Award


Wow!  I got a blog award!  How cool! 
A big sloppy smooch to my blog buddy Anna @ Passionate Motherhood

I was so honored to get this award and from a blogger I really respect and admire.  For her to pick me as one of the 3 blogs she thinks deserve this award really means a lot to me.  So, I gratefully accept.  :D

The Rules: Share 3 things I think are Lovely
1: My Savior
2: My Family
3: Homeschooling

Now, I need to pass on the loveliness to 3-5 blogs that I find wonderfully lovely....

Passionate Motherhood (back atcha babe! ;-)

Moments of Clarity by Gretchen

Mishmash Maggie




The rules, should you choose to accept it: =)
1: Put the one Lovely Blog award logo on your blog
2: in a new post, share 3 things that you think are lovely
3: pass the award on to 3-5 other bloggers
4: link the nominees in your post
5: let the nominees know they have won the award by commenting on their blog
6: share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award

Disclaimer: No need to pass the award on if you dont want to or dont have time to. I'll still love ya =)

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Week 6- Some weeks are just a wash!

What DID we learn this week??  It seems like we just could not get motivated this week.  It's getting colder, so it's harder to get out of the warm covers in the morning.  We couldn't keep our focus, and not a lot of info was retained, I am afraid.  You'll have that, right? 

I was so busy trying to get all the meat of the schedule done that I skipped the crafts and "extras." 
So to sum it up, it was a wash! 

We listened to #7 El Coqui and #8 Chi Chi Bud Gigi LOVES to dance!


We learned some common phrases, colors, numbers, and days of the week in Spanish.
Oh yes, and don't forget the You-Can't-Throw-A-Fit-And Expect-To-Get-Your-Way lesson. 
 Very important!



We added Dunes, Deserts, and Badlands to our Geo. cards slideshow. Just click on the tab above to view.
Hopefully next week will be a bit more exciting, although I have a feeling we will not be home much.  ;-)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Week 5 Hola Mexico!

Passports? Check!
Train tickets?  Check!
Excited children eager to learn?  Check! Check! Check!






I had to preface that we weren't really going to Mexico!  Whew, I know I spared a tantrum there!

Wow!  What a jam packed week!  It seemed like a lot, so I skipped the Global Art crafts suggested and opted instead for the one thing they have been dying to do for like, a year now!









SHAVING CREAM & POWDER TEMPURA PAINT ART!!!  WOO-HOO!!

We also played a game that came included in our curriculum. This, I just cannot say enough good about.  It is AMAZING
how much we learned and retained the location of all/most the countries of North America in just one game!
We will have a gameboard of each continent we visit, and by the time we are through with this school year the world will seem a much smaller place. 






WE LOVE MY FATHER'S WORLD!!
I wish I had started 7 yrs ago with this curriculum, but am thankful we found it in time to start with Exploring Countries and Cultures.  I tell you it really makes me want to go be a missionary family. 
We listened to #5 Pin Pon and #6 Tingalayo and it's so cute to see Eli and Gigi sing and dance!
Here is a pic of them sharing at snack time


We have moved on from forests and are learning about deserts. Check back for updated pics on the geography cards tab.  We got a bit behind on these, so I'll have them all posted soon.
Fascinating factoid: Desert temperatures can get up to 120 degrees in the day and drop to nearly freezing at night.  Temps can also be 10-20 degrees cooler in the shade of an oasis.  So we had a little experiment of our own to see how fast bags of ice would melt in the sun vs. shade.


By lunch time the sun kept ice was melted about 90 % and the shade kept ice was about 60 % melted.  Conclusion: It stays cooler in the shade. Duh! LOL!

So I guess that just about covers our excitement for the week.  Unless diagramming compound sentences really does it for you!



anyone? ...anyone? ......Beuller??

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Week 4- Where did you go???



Isn't it amazing how a whole week can fly by without a clue as to where it went?  That was our week, thank you and goodnight!  No seriously, we trudged through the week, playing catch up a bit.  Greg had my camera at the shop (woodworking) and I didn't take many pics.  We had some colds to contend with and overall it was just a 'bleh' kind of week.  You'll have that, right?  Boy, we have our share!

Anyway, we learned about Christian Hero, Harriet Tubman.  Wow, it's tough trying to explain slavery in America to the kids!  They just don't seem to "get it."  Anyone know of a good film to help them see and understand what slaves in the U.S. went through?  I think it's important that they grasp this a little better, especially the older kids. 

Luca, my kindergartner, is so excited to do his letters everyday.  Last year he could care less, so it's really cool to see him retaining the information this year, and the eagerness to learn.  Here is a sample of his work...




We have more geography cards on display, click here for a slide show.  We are learning all about forests.  It's so fun to learn all these awesome things alongside your children.  I hope they home school their own children someday, so they can get educated!  ;)  You appreciate the knowledge so much more as an adult. 

So, we took a tour around America.  Explored the diversity.  From the deserts, to the forests, the mountains, lakes, and cities.  We explored the bitter cold of Alaska, and the warm tropics of Hawaii.  If only...

This is a really fun book with great illustrations, and tons of really interesting facts about our country.  We learned the story behind The Star Spangled Banner.  I was prompted to sing it.  Why is it that I get choked up a little EVERY TIME I sing that song???   Yep, I do, right around the part, '...and the flag was still there...'   



Next stop, Mexico...ALL ABOARD!!!


See you there!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

A New Day in My Father's World: Keepin' it Real

A New Day in My Father's World: Keepin' it Real: "Oh no, don't you dare think for one second that my family is perfect, near perfect, or even striving for perfection! Sure on the surface, i..."

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Week 3




          What a week!  It was short, but sweet and jam packed!
We took off Monday for Labor Day, and Friday we start our Homeschool Co-op for the year.
We began our week with a treasure hunt using a treasure map!
I got up in the morning and hid treasure for the kids to find, each in a different spot throughout our neighborhood.  I had made up some maps, and they each had one, except Luca and Gianna shared one.


So we set off to find the treasure...

Luca & Gianna finding their treasure

Sofia next...


Sofia finding her treasure


Bella was last and farthest away...
Bella finding her treasure

What WAS  the treasure??


BOOKS!!!

Usborne's Sticker Dolly Dressing Popstars, Usborne's Sticker Dolly Dressing Movie Stars, Usborne's Gulliver's Travels book and CD, and Babybug.

After that, it was a little hard to focus on schoolwork!  But, at least they learned how to read a map key, and follow a map. 

We are studying the USA this week and next, too, I believe.  So, we had a Native American art project from Global Arts.   The Sioux Indians would draw pictures of events past on circles of rawhide and tie them to strings hanging from sticks to make Coup Sticks. These were useful for storytelling.



Gigi was happy to just use her face as a canvas for stickers instead!

She just loves our native American song for the week from Wee Sing Around the World <---click here for a sample, it's #3.



We added to our Geography Cards slide show, just click on the tab above to view those. 

Also, we are learning about Christian Hero's in a book; Hero TalesThis week's hero: Dwight L. Moody.

We're studying the different types of forests and waiting on some books from the library for tree identification for the leaves we collected.

I am writing this on Thursday, and Co-op is tomorrow, YAY!  So I have nothing to report on that, yet.  We are all looking forward to the classes this year.  I do hope we can find a good dependable, affordable van so we don't have to borrow again this year.  Prayers, please!!!

 It was a fun week, but I am glad it's almost over!  Hope you all have a blessed weekend!