1st Grade Summer School

Sunshine has been in public school this past year for kindergarten.  The plan is also for him to go to public school for 1st grade.  He still needs speech services pretty intensely.

However, HE thinks he will be homeschooling. Every time I mention school in fall he mildly says, "No, Mom. I homeschooling!"

Ok.

So I promised him we'd homeschool this summer and he's been LOVING it! We have a little schedule with a chart and stickers to mark each subject we accomplish. He's very motivated by stickers and prizes (thank you public school!)

Every morning he is sitting at the dining room table with his binder and his books out.

So far, he hasn't be the least bit interested in any of the workbooks I have, which is fine, I guess. Hands-on, living learning is better anyway. I may have some kindergartenish workbooks for sale later this summer!

Our schedule consists of:

Calendar
Maps
Phonics/Reading
Math
Bible
Read-Alouds
Speech
Electives (one a day: Science, Nature Journal, Art, Music, Workbooks)

I went to Target and picked up a few things I thought he'd like for prizes: Flip-Flops and a tiny pot with seeds from the dollar spot, new watercolors, markers and colored pencils, gum (his very favorite thing in all the world). He also wants his own camera, so I'm thinking of a cheap digital camera for an end-of-summer prize. (he excitedly told someone how at the end of summer homeschool he was getting a camera and a phone! Uh, no, not a phone, sir!)

He's already earned one prize and for his first reward he picked.... (drumroll) the pot to plant marigolds! REALLY. Of all the things in the box, I'd have pegged that for last. huh. Next on his list of desires are the flip-flops. Another surprise.

He's also scheduled for (rather, he's been "invited" to (ie: targeted for extra help)) public school summer school for 5 weeks, but if this keeps going so well, I'm thinking of having him skip it. He's intense with this and we're spending about 2 hours at it, but it beats driving him in twice a morning every day. We'll see.

Not Getting Any School Done

Here Pepper is reciting her "lesson" about George Washington in their one-room (outdoor) schoolhouse.

Only problem is that we are studying ancient WORLD history.

It's beautiful outside here (about 50!) and the kids keep oozing away from the school table and slipping outside to play. After lunch they got all dressed up in their "outfits" and gathered a string full of books and went outside to play (wait for it)... School.

At their "desks"

I guess it's the least I can allow after they've been cooped up inside for 4.5 months.

Daisy is doing her recitations:

Wheels for Noah

Noah is the son of a fellow homeschooling family, the Estes, who own Hands and Hearts, the company that makes the awesome hands-on history kits.  We own a bunch of these kits and they are great.  Hands and Hearts just got great news that he Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to extend the stay of enforcement on the CPSIA through December 31 of this year. If you recall, the gov't was requiring extensive testing on all small toys and parts used in toys, even in educational kits. For small businesses, this would require an enormous cost for the testing and it threatened to put H&H out of business. Their business HAS suffered, but it's good news that they can continue to sell their fun kits.

The Estes are parents to 8 children, one of whom has a progressive genetic mitochondrial disease. I have followed 4 yo Noah's story for, well, 4 years and he is an incredible little boy, in spite of his major health issues. Recently they were able to get a wheel chair for him since mitochondrial disease makes kids super tired. In his wheelchair, Noah is able to get himself around the house to play in short bursts and to be with his family where ever they are, rather than having to just rest on the couch.

The Estes have a 15 passenger van to transport their family, but because of the type of wheelchair Noah has (it doesn't fold flat like a typical limited-use wheelchair) their isn't room for the chair AND all of their family in the van. Some of their blog readers and friends are hosting a fundraiser to help the family raise money for a transit bus. This vehicle will have room for Noah's chair (and will have a lift! It takes 2-3 adults to lift the chair into their current van!) and the whole family.

Please click on the picture of Noah to go to their online auction and support this wonderful family! There are all sorts of neat products and homeschool items there. If you aren't interested in any of the items, consider making a donation.

This family is such a blessing to everyone around them. They have shared the love of Jesus, through Noah's trials, on their blog, in person at hospitals or just around town with him. They have an incredible faith in the goodness of God and his plan for Noah in spite of the pain and suffering he faces here on earth, and they are not shy about sharing it. God is surely using this little boy and his story to further His kingdom in a big way.

The online auction will start Wednesday, March 2 and end Saturday, March 5 at 10 PM Eastern. All items are FREE SHIPPING with the donors paying the shipping to the winners.

A Spelling Alternative...Sort of

I'm posting as part of Ordinary Time's Homeschool Resource Link-Up.





I have one not-so-natural speller (and so far, 3 VERY intuitive spellers).  For this one child, spelling just isn't there.  We've tried various spelling programs and most successful has been Sequential Spelling.  However, this year we've decided to take a break from that and I pulled out my unused copy of Vocabulary Vine. (read the review in this link at Rainbow Resource)

It's a roots program teaching both Greek and Latin roots.  Over the course of 36 weeks, at 3 roots a week, students will learn 108 roots (you do the math!!).

Students make their own root cards using blank index cards and Daisy does this program completely independently.  The root and the definition are given for the day and then about 5 words using the root are given.  On the root card, students choose 3 of those derivatives and define them using what they've learned about the day's (and past) root definitions.  The definitions are always blatantly obvious and some thinking (and a little stretching) might be necessary to see how the definition of the root relates to the meaning of the word using it.

She said yesterday, when I asked Banana Boy if he'd taken his antibiotics, "I know what that means!!!!"

My hope in using this with my non-intuitive speller, is that by breaking the words down into their roots and parts, she'll begin to see the patterns, learn the spellings of the roots and be able to put it all together to spell longer, more complicated words (without fear!).

A Little Math Practice

Banana Boy has begun adding in columns without carrying.  His math book only had one page of problems, so I made up extra pages in the same style, only using family members and other objects.  For now I kept all the problems the same, which really doesn't build his word problem solving skills, but he still needed to focus on physically setting the problem up and writing it correctly, so I was fine with that.

So one of today's problems was:

Banana Boy ate 178 M & Ms.  Dad ate 21 more than he.  How many M & Ms did Dad eat?

The next problem was:

After eating 178 M & Ms, Banana Boy was really sick but he had 611 M & Ms left.  How many did he have at first?

After he had solved all the problems, I brought out the 2 lb. bag of M & Ms from the cupboard (because the reality is Dad DOES love M & Ms) and poured a big pile out onto the table.  We decided to see what 178 M & Ms really looks like.

In the process, Banana Boy got all sorts of practice counting to 20 by twos and practice counting by 20s and practice narrowing down his groups as he got closer to 178.  He made 5 piles of 20.  Then more piles of 20 until he had 60 more.  Then he knew he needed a pile of 10.  And finally, 8 more.

 2, 4, 6, 8, 10...

This is what 178 M & Ms looks like!

This is what I look like after I've eaten 178 M & Ms.

And no, the pile he actually got to eat was not the pile of 178!

World History Projects

Here are some random world history projects we've done this year.  Along with Sonlight's Core 1, Banana Boy is using Handle on the Arts core 1 go-along.  It schedules in hands-on projects with the core.

First off, regarding Handle on the Arts....  I like it.  No, really, I do.  A part of me balks at paying $19.99 for projects I could come up with myself.  And I tried this.  You can get the table of contents for free from HotA.  I searched and found most of the crafts online and copied and pasted them into a Word document.  I spent about 4 hours gathering the first 12. I enjoy this.  But after a point, I decided that it was just worth it to spend the $20.

And I'm glad I did.  While I could have done a better job collecting the projects with GOOD directions (sometimes HotA instructions are a little lacking), by purchasing the curriculum (which comes as an instant download), I got the SCHEDULE to go along with Core 1 (could have done this myself, but it would have taken forever!) and the ART STUDIES, which I didn't realize were a  part of this.

The art studies are my favorite part!  Could I have put this together?  Yes.  But why reinvent the wheel? (there's not a project on that, incidentally)  So far we've had a color picture of cave art with questions to go along with it, pointing out elements of the painting.  We've also looked at the Battle Standard of Ur up close and personal.

Additionally, there is a lapbook of Egyptian architecture.  This IS available as a free download from the site, so you could take advantage of it without the purchase.

So, for $20, I got all the hands-on activities with directions and materials lists, plus the schedule, plus the art studies, plus I saved myself hours and hours (AND HOURS) of time putting it together myself.  I think it was a worthwhile purchase!  Plus the activities are suitable for the girls, as well.  In fact, most of the time, they all do them together.

Archaelogical Dig--suggested in HotA, but this one was entirely of their own volition.  They were playing up in the orchard one day and someone spotted a bone.  Then another.  They all began digging and soon they had a wagonload of raccoon bones.  At least two coons, we figure.  Why were they there?  Who knows!

Ancient Cave Painting--suggested in HotA.  We modified it to the shower because our bathroom has no windows and we could make it completely dark.  It was hard to draw by torchlight!

Aboriginal Dot painting-- Suggested in HotA.  The kangaroo outline is available online. Under the supply list, click on "click here for printables"

Making felt--suggested in HotA

Cheesehenge.  Daisy's own creation.  

They made henges out of every available material for about two days after reading about Stonehenge.  We watched part of the National Geographic documentary "Stonehenge Decoded" on Netflix instant play.

Ancient Egypt

We've been steadily moving through Mystery of History, the curriculum we're using to study ancient history. It's Biblically-based and divided into short chapters. A week consists of a pre-test, 3 chapters and a post-test, plus timeline figures (not included, although directions for making them are), maps (included, although we are using MapTrek) and extra reading. I think I'll put up our weekly lessons because, even though there are TONS of MOH schedules out there, I think it always helps to look at someone else's to see what they are doing. I also love to see what new resources I need to add are out there.

So right now we're continuing to move through history while doing some long-term projects on Egypt. Pepper is going to be doing History Pockets Ancient Civilizations, the Egypt pocket. Daisy is making a travel brochure about Ancient Egypt (you might want to sign up for her tour package once you see it!)

We made mummified oranges and a green pepper from Neferchichi.com.  There is tons to explore here if you are studying Ancient Egypt.  We haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the resources here.

Anyway, here they sprinkling natron over the dead Pharaoh Pepperiti.

Here are all 3 pharoahs:  Pharaoh Pepperiti, King Pulphaman I, and King Frufru I.  Those are their internal organs drying out in the packets.

Daisy did some Egyptian math --most gladly, I may add.  She was thrilled to take a break from her regular math and even though there was some research involved, she enjoyed it.  Most of it was just the right level for her--just challenging enough.  A few I had to help her with.  I printed out the pages, rather than having her fill them in online.  The links to the "answers" are on the above page, below the links to the problems.

Pepper attempted some Egyptian wall art from Artistic Pursuits I today, but became frustrated.  Not sure if she'll continue with it or not.

And now we're going on a field trip/picnic to look at a local archaeological dig.

Praying for India

Sonlight Curriculum, which we use, is currently sponsoring a program called My Passport to India (Choose the video you'd like to watch from the tiny panels above the main video box).  It's a 5-week multi-media learning experience about India via video.  A pastor named Chris, from the US, visited India and filmed his experiences visiting children's Bible clubs all over India.  Mission India is the organization working there and, partnered with Sonlight, they've made this program available.  Kids here in America are encouraged to save up change to donate to the program while they learn more about India and the Bible clubs reaching kids with Christ.  Sonlight is also going to match the first $167,000 raised by students.

So we signed up.  The kids have enjoyed watching the videos and reading Chris's travel diary.  They received passports and stickers in the mail which they fill out each time they watch a new installment of the program.

Coincidentally, my mom also invited us to hear a gentleman who has worked in India the past 9 years speak at her church.  One of her former pastors is a colleague of this man and so we were already familiar with the program.  It was exciting to see his slides of their work and hear how many people they are teaching and reaching with the gospel.  One statistic he mentioned was that they currently have 90 seminarians!  He said many organizations would be grateful for 1 or 2 with interest in becoming pastors.  And they have NINETY!  (with 30 already graduated).

October 2010 - World Missions/India from WELS Streams on Vimeo.

I was really struck by the quote in the WELS video above that there are millions of gods in India, none of whom forgive sins.

If you'd like an excellent FREE curriculum to learn more about India, check out Voice of the Martyrs Kids of Courage.  You do need to sign up to access it.  It's a download, so you can print just what you want.  I planned to use it last year when we were going to do SL's Core 5, and still will, whenever we get around to that.

The population of India has topped 1.2 BILLION people.  Please pray for the people of India to hear the gospel and learn of the hope of eternal salvation.  There are many wonderful organizations working in India toward that end.  These are just two of them.

Field Trips

We've been trying to take some field trips this fall, now that Sunshine is in PS kindergarten and things at home are, um... easier!  (he is doing WONDERFULLY, btw).

At first we were going to visit the "Milwaukee Museum" as my kids call it.  We buy a membership each year because it's a good deal for us.  Not only is it paid for by two visits of our (large) family, you get discounts or free admission on other museums as well.  We haven't used any of these yet, but we plan to.

After some discussion of desired field trips, however, we determined that we'd rather go to the Milwaukee Zoo instead while the weather was nice.  I checked into memberships online (because after checking into admission fees and parking, it was going to set us back $55 for ONE VISIT!).  So I bought a membership for $65.  We went to the zoo (saving $44) and were able to park for free on the street (if you get there early enough--saving $10 or $11) and we had a great time.  Because of the membership, we knew we could go again anytime within the next year, so we were able to see the zoo at a leisurely pace and even quit when we got tired, even though we hadn't seen everything!

 Hyena laughs are contagious!

 Daisy, I don't think that it's wise to take that from him!

 Pepper kisses the lioness

Look!  Cave drawings just like we made!

A couple of weeks later, on another beautiful Fall day, we visited the International Crane Foundation.  I've always wanted to go there, the kids were game AND admission was free with our Milwaukee Zoo membership pass!  FREE!  This is the only place in the world which houses all 15 species of cranes.  Their breeding program targets the very endangered whooping crane, with great success.  We read about the history of their breeding program, meet the 15 species of cranes, and enjoyed a walk through the tallgrass prairie.

 Check out our wingspans!

Grey Crowned Crane of Africa 

(makes me think of the Crowned Crane, Savannah, from WeeBee Tunes!)

Future trips on our list include the Missisippi River Museum, and the NEW Zoo, both free or discounted with our Zoo pass, the Milwaukee Public Museum, the state capitol in Madison, and selected museums in Chicago (a larger undertaking--who likes to drive in Chicago?? :P )  We also plan to visit some art museums and see some shows at the Overture Center in Madison.

Happy field tripping to us!

Tuesday Teatime

In Bravewriter fashion, we have begun Tuesday Teatimes and they have proved to be HUGELY popular!  We haven't missed a one so far.

Each Tuesday, someone (usually Daisy) volunteers to bake something and at 2pm, we set the table with a table cloth, flowers and the good china.  I make the tea and everyone brings a poem to tea.

We serve the tea and snacks using our best manners and then, one at a time, we share the poem we've brought.

I gathered all of the poetry books we own (and which we've very seldom used in 15 years of homeschooling!) onto one shelf.  One week, Banana Boy even wrote an original poem and brought it to share.

So, like never before, we are enjoying poetry on a regular basis.  The kids enjoy choosing a poem to share.  I get to share some of my favorites.  We're sampling many different authors and types of poetry.

And the tea is good, too!

Hey, they took away my blog design!

The blog template I was using was from Cutest Blog on the Block, but apparently, they don't keep the designs indefinitely, because when I came here today, my background was missing!

Temporarily (which may become indefinitely) I've inserted some pink stuff from Blogger, but prepare for my blog to be ugly for a while.

Friday Art

We are studying world history this year.  Daisy and Pepper are doing Mystery of History and Banana Boy is doing Sonlight's Core 1.

Along with Core 1, I have added a craft/art package called Hands-On History for Core 1 from Handle on the Arts.  The first week's project was to do a cave painting.  The curriculum came with a printable art print of a cave painting with which you do a mini art-study.  We talked about the animals we saw in the painting and some of the elements the artist used when making the painting.

Then we got to make our own cave paintings!

Banana Boy and Pepper are here in the cave.  The wall is not very smooth, nor is it even. It slopes downward and has some big bumps. They brought along a hide to sit on and two torches so they could see.

Pepper's painting

Banana Boy's painting

One of the wonderful things about Mystery of History is how it ties Bible history in with world history so you get the whole picture.  We've been reading about Jubal and Tubal-Cain.  Their story illustrates that early man was not just a grunting caveman, but and intelligent being who lived in a civilization with the leisure time for music and the skills and wisdom for metal-work.

So while we study cave art, we don't by any means believe that all early people lived in caves.  Certainly, some of them did.  This project at least gave us an appreciation for how uncomfortable it is to draw in a cave in the dark!  Early man was a determined guy!