Homeschool Highlights - Week of June 20, 2010

What a week!  We took a break from our traditional schooling for some "fun-schooling."

Sunday:

Theme:  Tea Party.

• We read Fancy Nancy Tea Parties and Shayla read Our Tea Party.
• We made fancy butterfly shaped invitations for several dolls.  The idea was taken from another Fancy Nancy book.
• We made paper fans for table decorations.
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  Originally, we dressed in fancy clothes, but since we had it outside, we decided to change back to our summer clothes!
• Our snack was fruit kabobs served with some delicious tea water.

(reading, writing, art, life skills - preparing simple foods and pouring)

Monday: 

Shayla had her annual assessment by a certified teacher (thanks, Charlene)  to meet our state's homeschool requirements.  At the last minute I was busy putting together a portfolio of her written work, as well as a scrapbook of many of the projects we do. 

It was encouraging to see the progress made since the beginning of last fall.  I'm sure she'll continue to progress. 

Water Works program:  theme:  What Do You Know About Water?

Left:  Station 1.  Bubble painting.  After last week's failed attempt, they tried again this week - with more bubbles and paint.  It worked well this week!

Right:  Station 2.  Does Water Mix.  We did several experiments here.  First we added salt to water and let it sit.  Later we put an egg in it.  The salt in the water caused the egg to float. 

Experiment 2:  Mixed oil with water. 

Experiment 3:  Floating or sinking.  We added objects to the water/oil cup (legos, balls of clay, mushy grapes, etc)

Station 3:  No pictures.  We counted as David added 19 drops of water onto the top of a penny. 

Station 4:  Forms of water:  Solid, liquid, and gas. 

Experiment 1:  We looked at ice - solid.  For fun we were given string to try to find a way to pick up the ice with it.  We found that as the ice melted we could pick it up a little by leaving the string on the ice.  We sped up the process by putting salt on the ice.  As the salt melted the ice the string picked it up.

Experiment 2:  We each had two quart jars.  One had hot water, one cold.  We added three drops of food color to each one.  The food color was supposed to disperse in the cold water faster, but ours didn't work like that. 

Experiment 3:  Steam.  We put hot water in plastic cups and put a plastic cup overtop.  It created steam inside. 

Tuesday:

Swimming and Cloverbud meeting.

Wednesday:

Passport to Fishing Program at the State Park.

Shayla was one of the few that caught a bluegill!

At the end of the program, each child received a fishing licence and their own fishing pole to take home.

Summer Reading program at the library:  Paul Merklein Draws Big Faces.  This talented artist drew famous people (and cats) from literature and audience members!

Thursday:

Spent the day on the road.  Morgan had to take her driver's licence test today.   She passed the driving, but unfortunately, has to go back and take the parking portion again. 

 

Friday: 

Ballet.


Saturday:

Nature Detective Program at the State Park.  Topic:  Birds of a Feather.

Shayla and the kids were able to see (upclose) real, stuffed birds.  They were not allowed to touch the birds because they are getting so fragile.

Not much book learning went on in our homeschool this week, but there was no break in learning!

Homeschool Highlights - Week of June 13, 2010

Well, it looks like this summer is just a continuation of the school year. 

Daily:  Abeka reading, phonics, spelling and math lessons.  Reviewing Badges.  Presidents challenge for phys ed (1 hour daily), enjoying books together, and summer reading programs.

Monday:

Our library is doing a program called Water Wonders.  It is science exploration for kids in 3rd - 6th grades.  This week's theme was Bubbles!

We read these books at home to get excited about the program.

Shayla is blowing bubbles with paint mixed in to make a bubble painting.

Miss Ellen is explaining the chemistry and physics of H20.

On the right, the kids did an experiment about carbonation.  They put raisins into a cup of Sprite.  The bubbles caused the raisins to rise to the top and lower to the bottom several times.

At the last station, the kids made their own bubble wands from pipe cleaners.  The only rule was, it could not be round!

After going to each of the four stations, it was time for some outside for some hands-on bubble fun!

Tuesday: 

Our topic was Flag Day.  Now I know it was celebrated yesterday, but we read and learned about it.

Wednesday:

Phys Ed:  Completed her first Presidential Active Lifestyle Award!  She's been earning this for six long weeks!

Bible/Art:  Balloons.

Memory verse:  I will be glad and rejoice in thee:  I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.  Psalm 9:2

Shayla read this book aloud to me: 

And we made this paper plate balloon.

We attended a concert at our library for summer reading.  The performer was Chip Richter.  One habit that we have gotten into, since Shayla likes knowing what's going to happen next and routine, we do an internet search for the performers before we attend the show.  Quirky?  Yes! 

Thursday: 

Our annual trip to see our doctor.  His specialty is envirnomental allergy.  This is similar to the medicine that Dr. Doris Rapp made famous with the book, "Is This Your Child?"  We have been seeing this doctor for over seven years now.  Oftentimes, I joke with him that we will be in his next book.  Deep down I honestly wonder if we will. . . at the very least, I'm sure our case may come up at a medical conference.   

On doctor days we don't stop learning, we take it on the road - carschooling.  We talk about sights we see along the way.  Today we noticed the clouds, hills, rock formations, and of course the pond in front of his office building.  Another sight that we seen that was not a welcome sight, but one of the times.  When getting off the freeway there were panhandlers at each exit.  The signs they held proclaimed that if you could spare a buck, their kids would eat that day.  Regardless, it brought up some interesting discussions.

Friday: 

Ballet lessons.  Shayla is showing improvements every week!  She wasn't even bothered by all the extra people in the room this week.  Yay! 

Field trip to the Drive-in movie theater.  Who says homeschooling has to be done from 9 am to 4 pm?

One of the happiest memories of my childhood was going to the drive-in movie theater with my parents.  Although I rarely stayed awake during the whole film, it was enjoyable to dress in my pajamas and watch a movie in the outdoors.  If we arrived early enough, there was a grassy area and playground to play on before the film began.

I wanted my children to experience this adventure, too, before all the drive-in movie theaters are a thing in the past.  What perfect time to go on this adventure, the opening of Toy Story 3!  We enjoyed the movie on opening night in the cool evening air of the outdoor theater.   It was a memorable experience, Morgan was happy she got to drive our family there, and Shayla enjoyed wearing her pajamas. 

Things have not changed much in the 30+ years since I've been to the drive-in, except the last time I went, you had to attach a sound box to your car window.  Now you simply tune into a designated radio station.  I know, I'm showing my age, here! 

The other difference is they don't show the silly little cartoons about going to the concession stand.  You know where the popcorn box and soda cup are dancing around.  Anyway, I sent Morgan to the concession to buy a bottle of water for me and a small pop for her, it was $4.50!  Major sticker shock!

Saturday: 

Nature Detectives.  This week's theme was Bobcats and Bears.  Shayla made a cool imprint of a bobcat foot in plaster. 

Water Everywhere Brownie Try-It

We chose to do this badge next because our library is doing a special program for 3 - 6th graders this year, called Water Works. 

 

In addition, summer is always a great time to do water activities. 

 

Made of Water.  Your body is made of 70% or more of water, but did you know many of the products we use are also made of water?  We went on an indoor scavenger hunt, of sorts, to find as many products we could that had water listed on the ingredient label.

Items from the kitchen included:

• salad dressings
• pancake and chocolate syrup
•  lemon juice
• canned fruits and veggies
• jelly

Items from the bathroom included:

• soap, shampoo, conditioner, and detangler spray
• medicines
• toothpaste and mouthwash
• contact lens solution

There were many more items, but for clean up sake, we didn't drag everything out!

It was amazing that almost everything has added water in it!

Drip Drop.  We read the section on water conservation.  My hubby showed Shayla a you tube video about how the water conditions are in other countries.  Another thing to count as a blessing.  Sorry, I don't have the link. 

The activity was to find a leaky faucet, measure the amount of water it leaks and repair it.  I am thankful to say that we could not do this because we don't have any leaking faucets at this time.

Clean, Clear Water. 

Activity 1:  Do a taste test between tap water, distilled bottled water, and bottled spring water. 

This wasn't necessary.  Shayla has had other types of water and refuses to drink it.  I honestly believe she would die of thirst before she would drink it!  I know, you think it's all in her head, let me assure you that even if she did not see a bottle or jug of water, if I just substituted it in her glass or water bottle, she would know the difference.  Her senses are amazing.

Activity 2:  Learn about water filtering.

Gather water samples from several sources (we used tap water and water from a mud puddle).  Use a coffee filter, paper towel, or cloth on top of a clear container (a different one for each type of water).  Pour the water in.  Is there any sediment on the cloth?  Is the water clear after filtering?

As you can see, dad was interested in the topic today.  He even helped Shayla with a second filter.  He cut the top off a two liter bottle, put a cotton ball in the opening and they strained the mud puddle water through that  for a second filtering.  It was still cloudy.  I don't want to drink it!

We read The Magic School Bus:  At the Waterworks by Joanna Cole.  I wanted to do a field trip to a local water treatment facility, but life is too hectic right now!  Maybe later.

Water Snooper.    We made a water snooper by cutting the bottom out of an empty nut can.  (I liked this one because there were no sharp edges to get cut on).  Stretch a piece of plastic wrap over one of the openings and secure it with a rubber band. 

Use the water snooper by pushing the end with the plastic into water sources for a better view.

Bet you can't guess what our next activity was since we just built a water snooper. 

Water Explorer.  With all the rain we have received recently, we had more opportunity to explore. 

Exploring the goldfish in our new rock pond.

A mud puddle in our flooded front yard.

A mud puddle in our driveway.

The usually small creek running through the back of our property.  Many times this creek dries up, but as you can see, it is definately flowing right now.  We were unable to see any small critters because the water was flowing too rapidly.

Water Layers.   Salt Water vs. Fresh Water.

Discuss bodies of water that are fresh water (creeks, streams, the Great Lakes) and salt water (the ocean.)  Discuss that certain fish are fresh water or salt water fish.  I wanted to take a field trip to the aquarium, but we settled for the pet department of a local store to learn this. 

What makes fresh water and salt water different?  There are ways more than taste.

Put 1 cup of water in a glass jar.  Add salt and keep stirring.  Stop stirring when the salt will no longer dissolve and stays on the bottom.

Add food coloring to the salty water to see the separation.

Hold your spoon to the the top of the water and very slowly add 1 cup of fresh water by spoonfuls.  The fresh water should stay ontop, because it is not as heavy as salt water. 

Homeschool Highlights - Week of May 31, 2010

Monday:

Activities/Music:  We got out the instrument box and made some music.

Character/social skills:  Taught the kids respect and honor by visiting the graveside of lost love ones.  We pulled weeds around the graves and wiped the headstones.  The girls also left flowers from our house on the graves.

Earned the Wave the Flag Brownie Try-it. 

Science:  When leaving the cemetery, we noticed a BIG, black snake across the road.  My hubby is still a little boy at heart, he had to get a closer look.  Anyone know what kind it is?

Bible:  Memory verse:  Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

We learned about the sun by reading some books.  (reading, science) 

Shayla made this paper plate craft of the sun.

For fun we read/sang May There Always Be Sunshine by Jim Gill

We also sang This Little Light of Mine and Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam.


Tuesday:

• Math
• finished up the sun Bible craft
• reading, phonics, and spelling lesson. 
• Reviewed Badge 1 verses.
• Field trip to the library.  Signed up for several programs this summer and chose books for summer reading.

Wednesday:

Reading:  We chose a pile of easy reader books for Shayla.  This is the first year she will read books completely independently for summer reading.  This is more just reading.  I am making Shayla write the book titles on the log-in sheet.  AND, I am trying to make her assume some responsibility in keeping track of her own library books.  No more tears (from me or her)!

Bible:  Reviewed Badge 1.  She was a little rusty yesterday, but she truly has hidden the words in her heart.

Phys Ed:  1 hour of outside playtime

Scouts at Home:    Worked on the Watching Wildlife Try-it.  Watching the snake the other day was definately hands-on "watching wildlife."  LOL!

Thursday: 

Just the basics.  Nothing noteworthy.  Just the basics.


Friday: 

Phys Ed:  Ballet class.  Shayla was afraid she would have to miss class this week because her oldest sister was coming home.  We assured her she would still be able to go one way or the other. 

She did wonderful!  This was her third class and she seemed a natural.  She moved with smiles, confidence, and grace.  It was awesome!

Wave the Flag - Patriotism Brownie Try It

In honor of Memorial Day and upcoming Flag Day, and Independence Day, I thought it would be a good time to learn some patriotism.

While doing this badge, I realized that we have not done enough history and patriotism studies in our homeschool.  I think it's more important to learn these things now than ever.  I hope we can read through the Abeka history curriculum, Homeschool Ponies, and do the activities of Little Hands Celebrate America.

I have an ancient Brownie badge requirement book, so I looked up the badge requirements online.  Here's what I found.

We read about Memorial Day and American landmarks in the Childcraft encyclopedia.

Next, we read these books. 

Flag Facts.  We learned some interesting facts about all the flags the United States has used. 

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  Who made the first flag?  I think most could answer that question.  Betsy Ross.
• What  the Stars and Stripes stand for?  I must admit I had forgotten this since homeschooling Morgan.  We never learned it in the public school I attended. 

For those of you who don't know the symbolism behind Old Glory:

1. Red stands for the courage and strength of those that fought and died for America.
2. White stands for purity.  Our country is not perfect, but we love our country.
3. Blue stands for truth.

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  Why have the number of stars changed over the years?  The stars represent the number of states. 

Show It Off.

I hoped to be able to find some printables of the White House, the Capitol Building, the Statue of Liberty, Mt. Rushmore, etc.  I wanted to make a collage.  Unfortunately, I was unable to find these.  Anyone have any suggestions?

We did find a US flag printable here. And a US map outline here.

Check It Out. 

We discussed the monument in our town.  There is no picture because, let's just say, it's not easily accessible. 

Our town received this monument for selling the most warbonds in WWII.

We also checked out the new monuments in front of our county courthouse. 

Celebrate. 

Since it was Memorial Day weekend, we put pulled weeds and put flowers on loved ones graves.

I think this was a lesson on many levels.  Christian values, character, history, etc. 

My adopted parents did this annually for a few years when I was younger.  I am embarrassed to say that I remember dreading this holiday!  The cemetary was so far away, I had never met the family members, they died before I was even born.   

My folks never explained why we did this and eventually they discontinued this tradition (probably partly because of my loud protests).  Even though I am unable to tell them anymore, thank you for this tradition.

It is something that we have explained to our daughters and they don't seem to mind doing. 

Since Morgan is in the high school marching band, we were blessed to be able to attend another one of the many events.  The band plays an annual show at several local cemetaries to honor veterans.  They played many patriotic tunes.  A big thank you to Mr. K for teaching these to our kids!  There are not only songs performed by our band, but speakers, veterans, and a 21 gun salute. 

Through the Years.  No one important has come from our small community yet.   We did look online and learned how our area became a community. 

We visited our area Memorial Park donated to Veterans of all wars fought.

 

This is the monument on our town square was earned by selling the most war bonds during WWII.  The monument was recently renovated because the base of it has been hit many times by semi trucks trying to turn.  It has caused much controversy in our small community, because our area is very hard hit with the economic downturn.  Many believe the money should have been spent on projects benefiting the community better, or at least moving the monument (possibly to Memorial Park). 

Sorry for the bad photo, it was taken by me from inside my car, while at the stop light. 

Do Good.  We try to live our lives by doing good everyday.  We help out where we see a need, whether it be at the state park, neighbors, or elderly grandparents. 

The main good deed Shayla did this weekend was helping out grandma by taking care of her lawn. 

Homeschool Highlights - Week of May 23, 2010

For those of you counting, we finished up our formal homeschooling last week.  What exactly does that mean?  It means I have fulfilled my annual obligations for learning to the state. 

We will still continue to "play school," but it probably will not be as structured.  I continue to work with her with reading and math skills, because if she doesn't use it, she'll lose it.  I hope to do either reading and/or math daily (or almost) until we finish up the Abeka curriculum.  I plan on doing more scouts, art, phys ed, playdates, and other learning opportunities (like the summer reading programs at the library).

Don't tell her it's supposed to be summer break.  Ok?  It's easy to get away with it now, because Morgan is still in school, we'll see what happens when she finishes for the summer.  :)

Monday:

Phys ed:  Miss Kathie gave homework from ballet class last week.  We are to practice positions 1-5, plies, and releves. 

I will probably be feeling those plies and releves later. :)

Handwriting:  1 Peter 5:8

We did most of our lessons outside on a blanket under the maple tree.  It's amazing what a change in scenery can do for your attitude.  I wasn't the only one that felt this way, Shayla remarked several times yesterday that it was the best day ever.

Field Trip:  Attended Morgan's last band concert. 

*Note to self:  We sat on the plastic bleachers rather than the metal folding chairs.  It was an experiment.  Shayla used to be fine at these concerts when we sat on the bleachers.  First of all, it's more toward the back, but I reason that the music seems to conduct more through the metal folding chairs.  Thereby, you can feel the music go into your whole body.  I am a highly sensitive person and notice these things, too, but not to the degree that Shayla does.  Regardless if it's proven scientific fact, it worked, Shayla actually had fun, although, yes, she still plugged her ears the whole time!  UGH!

(We also did 1 hour of phys ed, read aloud - both Shayla and I, one lesson of reading/phonics/spelling and math)

Tuesday: 

Reading:  Shayla finished Fun With Pets the first book in the Abeka readers.

Social Studies/Reading/Arts:  I read Dance is Fun aloud.  It told the different time periods and the history behind each dance.  It was fun to incorporate countries and culture into her new interest of dancing.

Unit Study:  We finished up the unit study on Little Rabbit's Loose Tooth by Lucy Bate.

Little Rabbit has a loose tooth and has trouble deciding what to eat.  After several days, she looses her tooth, but now she must decide what to do with her tooth. 

Finally, she decides to put the tooth under her pillow for the Tooth Fairy.  She awakens in the morning to find a dime under her pillow, instead of her tooth.

This story reminds me of someone else I know of.  Only she has never put her teeth under the pillow, she is terrified of the thought of the Tooth Fairy. 

First we read a story about bunnies.  (science)

Shayla loved learning about the bunnies.  She had been asking for one as a pet prior to this.  Hopefully, we can hold her off until she is old enough for 4-H next year. 

Next we searched through our own personal library and found several books with the tooth fairy theme. 

We discussed what the tooth fairy might do with all those teeth.

We would have done a full blown tooth unit, but we have already done that one several times.  I usually do that around the time for a dental appointment.

Lastly, we did a paper packet.  Including these crafts:

This is Little Rabbit.  I love her use of colors. 

Right:  A blot bunny.  Fold paper in half longways and cut out a bunny shape.  Use dot paint on one side of the bunny, then fold the white side on top of the dotted.  The dots should transfer to the white one.  As you can see, ours did not.  But she loves to use those dot paints, anyway!

*Several days later, Bryan brought a baby bunny up to the house for Shayla to see and touch.  Isn't it cute!

Wednesday:

Handwriting:  1 Peter 5:9

Reading:  Shayla read I Am a Ballerina to dad.  This is the 5th book out of 10 for her HE Buddy t-shirt. 

Art:  We attempted to make Sawdust Bugs.  The idea came from The Little Hands Big Fun Craft Book. 

They didn't turn out like we expected.  Maybe it was because I improvised supplies.  The recipe called for sawdust (we used pencil shavings out of the sharpener) and wall paper paste (I made my own using a paper mache recipe 4 pts flour to 1 part water).

On the positive, I think using the pencil shavings made it colorful.  There were specks of blue, red, yellow, and green from different colored pencils.

Scouts at Home:  Shayla earned her Plants Try-It. 

We also worked on 1 math lesson and President's challenge.

Thursday:

Last day of Wee Discover Program.  In addition to the program, there was a picnic and playtime on the playground before the session.

Friday:

Tying up loose ends day! 

Handwriting:  Wrote thank you notes to friends and family.

Reading:  Finished reading books for HE Buddies t-shirt. 

Handwriting:  Finished Badge 6!  Hooray!  I don't think we'll start badge 7 yet, just review badges 1 - 6.

Science:  Tadpoles.  Shayla read From Tadpoles to Frogs, then we went outside and looked at our own tadpoles.  Dad discovered them in a hole outside.  How fun to have a real science lesson!

Social Studies:  Worked on the Wave the Flag Brownies Try-it in time for Memorial Day.