Weeks 12 &13

I am combining these last two weeks together, since Artsy Girl has been sick with bronchitis.  She has had a rough time, so we have been doing lots of reading.  Sometimes I think that just by reading to your children, they learn an abundance about our world and history.  I have really taken to the principles of Charlotte Mason and her beliefs that literature and nature are the foundations of education.  So we have read and read and read some more this week.  We finished reading a couple of books about the Revolutionary War.  She finished her Magic Treehouse Book detailing Jack and Annie's adventures with George Washington during the war.

Soccer Boy finished up his study of the letter "O".  My Father's World had us exploring the oceans and even an octopus.  We cut pictures out of all my stacks of magazines (I knew they would come in handy) of anything that had to do the ocean.  On Tuesday, we made an ocean poster with all our finds.  To help him with the sight words we have been reading, I decided to make him a little "ring" of words.  Really any excuse to use my laminator...makes me smile!  I will continue to add new words each week or two.  I plan on him using these in the car or when Artsy Girl is in karate and we have some downtime.

We are off next week and off the the Smoky Mountains to enjoy some of God's beautiful color He paints over the mountains!  Happy Fall!!

Week #11

Last week flew by in a flash...whew!
Soccer Boy jumped back in time to learn about the time of the dinosaurs.  We read tons of books...who knew we had so many about dinos!  He is continuing to learn new sight words each week, building upon the last week.  I am so very proud of the progress he is making.  This is his "attempt" at making a dinosaur out of clay.

Artsy Girl spent the week learning about George Washington's early life as we will move into learning about the Revolutionary War next week.  Both the kids took their hand at making "Tricorn Hats".  These were the typical hats seen during colonial times but usually made out of beaver fur.  We took the week off from science as we had far too many extracurriculars this week to attend to.
She is greatly enjoying Teaching Textbooks 3 so far.  We struggled with math last year...she was becoming quickly bored.  So, what's a mom to do other than begin researching alternatives.  That is another great reason we love homeschooling.  When something does not work, we fix it!  This program has been a blessing to us.  It gives her the freedom to move at her own pace while still allowing me to check in once a week to view her grades...did I say how much we love this program?

Who says tricorn hats can't have glitter and sequins?

Delaware Memorial Bridge

Since Artsy Girl has been learning about the state of Delaware this week, we made a large replica of the Delaware Memorial Bridge.  It's the largest twin suspension bridge in the world.  We used a heavy piece of cardboard for the bottom and blue foam paper for the water.  We then went crazy with the popsicle sticks, glue and craft rope.  I think it turned out pretty cute and she learned a lot about the amount of engineering and design it takes to make such a large structure.  Thanks to Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler and her Road Trip USA Geography curriculum for the great idea!

Week #10

Artsy girl had a terrific week finishing up her Science study of weather. We have been using The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane book. She completed her Weather Lapbook thanks to Homeschool Share.  I came across lapbooks last year, and I have to say that they are a great way for the kids to creatively share what they have been learning about.  I chose to just simply use a blue folder and we taped all the pieces rather than using glue.  With our larger lapbooks, we usually use two file folders.  But this one easily fit onto one.  They do take a little prep work to print, cut, etc.  But, we really enjoy looking over these from time to time.  I try to have her create one every chance I get.

She also learned about our very first state, Delaware. We built a very large replica of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the largest twin suspension bridge in the world. Pictures to come of our bridge with details on how we made it.  We are also using the Which Way USA by Highlights.  These are great little books filled with activites...one for each state and a map too.

Soccer Boy finished the letter Tt and started Uu. He practiced being a turtle and we spent a beautiful Fall morning at the zoo examining turtles close up. The letter Uu is all about the wonderful way God created "us". We have been testing out our five senses, which we will continue with on into next week.    

He had one of those "a ha" moments this week.  We began putting together 3 letter words of some of the sounds we have learned thus far.  He read the word "sat" by himself and the excitement he portrayed will be something I will never forget.  Learning to read actual words is a very big step and I am so  fortunate  blessed (would be a better word) to be right there beside him every step of the way:)  We are greatly enjoying the My Father's World Kindy curriculum so far.

A Trip to the Apple Orchard

What a beautiful week we have been having! We have been doing our school work outside some days enjoying God's beautiful Autumn weather.
I decided to take the kids to a nearby orchard for some apple picking. Soccer Boy recently learned about apples, so this was a great experience for him. It was a little competition between the two as to whom would find the biggest, prettiest apple.
What a wonderful blessing it is to homeschool our children. I get to spend my days romping through apple orchards, visiting the zoo and playing chase around the park. I wouldn't change my "job" for anything in the world.

Week #9

What a beautiful week!
The days are a little cooler now and the nights have gotten a little chilly...my favorite time of the year.

Artsy girl has been learning all about the state of Connecticut this week. Our special food this week was hamburgers, since this is where the very first hamburger was created.
She also began a study of the weather in Science. We are using several books we already owned about weather, plus we are reading "The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane". These are really enjoyable books for this age. She is working on a Weather Lap Book which should be completed next week. I will post finished pictures and details then.
Since weather is all about air, we also did a little experiment using a glass bottle, boiling water and a balloon. She learned that as air is heated, it expands and rises. She was amazed that the balloon inflated on its own. I explained that this is how hot air balloons work too.
A very good week...a post to follow detailing Soccer Boys adventures.

Rainbow Pancakes

Since we are studying about weather this week in Science, why not have "Rainbow Pancakes" for breakfast. These were a huge hit with the kids!! All you need to do is mix a little food coloring with your pancake recipe. I tried to incorporate all the colors and the kids even ate two platefuls;). It's these little moments that make life special. Have fun!