This week in Science we will be introducing our section on bird studies. For the next few weeks we will be focusing our Science lessons wholly on birds and answering questions like, what do birds eat? What is a bird's beak for and how are they shaped? What makes feathers unique? We will also learn about bird habitats throughout the world, and we will even build our own bird houses to put in the yard this spring so we can (hopefully) see first-hand how birds develop and live in the wild. We will also be visiting the local Pet Store to see different kinds of birds and talk to staff about bird care and growth. As with our section about Oceans, we will be compiling extensive research about birds during this study.
Not to be overshadowed by the introduction of our new Science section, in Math we will be working on riddles/word problems that are specifically focused on place value. We will be introducing the concepts of not all hundreds but of thousands this week, and working towards comprehending large numerical values. We will be using manipulatives, counters, the numberline, and visual representations of large numbers. This week we will also attempt a canister/jar prediction and estimation using jelly beans.
In Grammar and Writing this week we will be working on combining sentences and creative writing. We will be practicing a few different methods of creative writing, from sentence starters to idea webs, this week we will really start creating our own stories and then editing our finished products so that in the coming weeks we can write and illustrate our own books of fiction.
For Reading this week we will be reading "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and discussing the properties of the story, focusing on vowel sounds. Because Asher and Savannah are at slightly different reading levels, we will start transitioning from completely combined reading lessons to divided lessons, so both kids can be challenged appropriately for their individual ability. Since the kids enjoy being on camera, I thought a fun activity might be to have them read a short story or except on camera to upload on the computer (and facebook).
We are officially over half-way through our school year and starting to consider changes/preparations for next year. As part of my preparations, I will research state standards and expectations for achievement and academic growth. While I enjoy homeschooling and I deeply believe my children benefit from being homeschooled, I also want to ensure that they remain at or above the expectations for the state of Michigan so they can both interact appropriately with like-aged children AND in the event that we enroll them in public school, I want to be assured they won't be behind.
Similarly, I will also be selecting and planning curricula for next school year. Since I have had such a wonderful experience using Jean Wolff's Home Education Curriculum, I fully intend to stick with this program for next year, with a few additions of my own, of course. Currently we are considering adding Spanish to our 'language' elective, while still continuing with our ASL work. The kids have already learned about 300 signs at this point, and they are starting to learn to form sentences. Right now we are looking at language program options, though it appears Rosetta Stone may be the dominant choice since Muzzy seems a bit too simplistic for the kids' age and ability levels and few of the other language programs have such good reviews.
Recently we added a PE (Physical Education) element to school, and it is going very well. The kids really enjoy Crossfit a great deal, and it gives them a chance to exercise and run around in a structured and supervised fashion. After a few more sessions of Crossfit, we may consider putting the kids in dance/gymnastics/martial arts per their interests. We have also started a Healthy Me Healthy Eating 'program' which is encouraging the kids to branch out in their 'tastes' and refine their palates. They are doing an extraordinary job in trying new foods, and learning how to make healthy meal choices. It's also nice that Jill, our Crossfit Instructor, really encourages healthy eating habits and rewards the kids that make healthy and informed choices.
Since Christmas we have been adding a Children's Catholic "workshop" throughout the course of our week to give the kids a deeper understanding of Jesus and our religion. They really seem to enjoy discussing the text and working through some of the more complicated concepts together. I'm excited to see how this period will evolve throughout the remainder of the year.
We haven't quite gotten back into the swing of things since Christmas Break, but I am hoping this week will help us get back on track completely and keep us there. :)
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Review, review, review....
This week was a review week for us. It was nice to have an "easier" week this week, partly because Daddy had to work nights and had a training, and partly because I think the kids will benefit from a slow transition back into school. Besides that, my birthday is this week and Savannah's is next week, so the kids were excited to celebrate!
In Math we were reviewing two digit addition/subtraction with and w/out regrouping and introducing three digit addition/subtraction. The kids have already worked on three digit addition and subtraction, but we haven't addressed it yet this year during 'lecture' though it was included in our warm ups.
In Grammar/Writing we reviewed contractions, differences between statements and questions, pronouns, subject/predicate, punctuation, and the parts of a sentence. For our writing assignment the kids will do the age old peanut butter and jelly 'how to' activity. I'll try to post pictures of that activity. They will also do another 'how-to' paper of their choosing.
For Reading this week, we spent some time reviewing sentence compounding: compound subjects and predicates. We also worked on vowel sound combinations, like (oo, ee, oe, ea...) The kids are getting pretty adept at remember the rules for reading/sounding out vowels. We also continued practicing bump reading.
This week we also did our first oral group story, where the kids took turns telling a story a few sentences at a time. They created some pretty integrated and surprising combinations.
We didn't start much new in Science, but rather finished up our relatively intense Ocean section from the last few weeks. Reading our books to each other, coloring or painting posters about Ocean pollution and similar activities that serve to reinforce what the kids learned. We also started our new section in Science, Birds. Asher and Savannah did a close observation of Grandma's Parakeets, noting different characteristics about the birds, what they eat, how they fly, climb, and a variety of other things.
Last week the kids finished up the workbooks that we use for warm-ups. This is quite a feat since their workbooks were about 300 pages long. I bought a new workbook to finish out the year that I think the kids will be able to enjoy, but since this is a review week, we spent our warm-up times telling stories, reviewing story elements, and working on group building and fun. It was a great week. :)
In Math we were reviewing two digit addition/subtraction with and w/out regrouping and introducing three digit addition/subtraction. The kids have already worked on three digit addition and subtraction, but we haven't addressed it yet this year during 'lecture' though it was included in our warm ups.
In Grammar/Writing we reviewed contractions, differences between statements and questions, pronouns, subject/predicate, punctuation, and the parts of a sentence. For our writing assignment the kids will do the age old peanut butter and jelly 'how to' activity. I'll try to post pictures of that activity. They will also do another 'how-to' paper of their choosing.
For Reading this week, we spent some time reviewing sentence compounding: compound subjects and predicates. We also worked on vowel sound combinations, like (oo, ee, oe, ea...) The kids are getting pretty adept at remember the rules for reading/sounding out vowels. We also continued practicing bump reading.
This week we also did our first oral group story, where the kids took turns telling a story a few sentences at a time. They created some pretty integrated and surprising combinations.
We didn't start much new in Science, but rather finished up our relatively intense Ocean section from the last few weeks. Reading our books to each other, coloring or painting posters about Ocean pollution and similar activities that serve to reinforce what the kids learned. We also started our new section in Science, Birds. Asher and Savannah did a close observation of Grandma's Parakeets, noting different characteristics about the birds, what they eat, how they fly, climb, and a variety of other things.
Last week the kids finished up the workbooks that we use for warm-ups. This is quite a feat since their workbooks were about 300 pages long. I bought a new workbook to finish out the year that I think the kids will be able to enjoy, but since this is a review week, we spent our warm-up times telling stories, reviewing story elements, and working on group building and fun. It was a great week. :)
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Ocean Animals Research Project
This week our focus in science is completing our Ocean Animals Research Project. For the last eight to ten weeks we have been studying the Oceans, pollution, the water cycle, and the many creatures that live in the Ocean. Now we are putting all that we have learned together and creating our own research books! We have the book blanks, we have the paint, crayons, markers, and researched information. Now to put it all together!
We are going to begin by painting a few of the pages in our book with a basic watercolor ocean scene background, much like ones the kids made in art displaying the continental slope, continental shelf, ect, which they will label. Since paint takes a while to dry, we will only paint a few select pages/animals/scenes and the rest will be illustrated in various mediums of crayons, colored pencils, markers, stickers, and cut-out pictures or stenciled items. Google images, here we come! (We already returned the library books used for our research)
For ease of reading, the kids will type up their information. So, instead of spending computer time solely on Time4Learning doing supplemental school activities in every subject, they will be typing up the information from their research for each animal. We haven't practiced proper finger placement or typing technique so I'm curious to see how this goes.
After typing up their information, the kids will need to organize their 'books' complete with a Table of Contents and prepare to put them together. We won't actually glue anything into their books just yet!
The last step of the process will be illustrations, though the kids will illustrate as we glue their typed research on the individual pages, the format and layout will be part of organizing their books. Illustrating will take some time, because at least two pages will be painted and need some time to dry, and the other pages will be the kids' renditions of the individual animals they have researched. I'm excited to see their finished products! They have been working hard on various parts of this project for the last eight to ten weeks.
Finally, creating their cover art will be the last step after gluing their typed information and illustrating their books. Voila! The first official science research project is complete! They did an AMAZING job!
We are going to begin by painting a few of the pages in our book with a basic watercolor ocean scene background, much like ones the kids made in art displaying the continental slope, continental shelf, ect, which they will label. Since paint takes a while to dry, we will only paint a few select pages/animals/scenes and the rest will be illustrated in various mediums of crayons, colored pencils, markers, stickers, and cut-out pictures or stenciled items. Google images, here we come! (We already returned the library books used for our research) |
 |
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| Finally done typing and ready to move on |
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| Gluing our information into books |
Finally, creating their cover art will be the last step after gluing their typed information and illustrating their books. Voila! The first official science research project is complete! They did an AMAZING job!
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Back to the Grindstone
So, we took a week off to visit some family while Daddy worked nights. It was a nice break, but I think it's time to really get back down to business. We took a short break from our healthy eating habits while we were away, so we are getting back on track with eating right, too. The kids have officially started Crossfit and they seem to really enjoy it. Of course, now the local community education program is getting ready to start, which means the kids might end up doing "double duty" to participate in Crossfit and another 'elective' of their choice. I'm guessing they will want to try swimming classes again.
This week we are going to continue our study of the United States and work on finishing our Ocean Animals Research Project. I finally found book blanks! I've been thinking I would have to make them, but fortunately WalMart had some really basic blanks. I make a lot of our school supplies and project boards, but sometimes it's nice for the kids to have something different or special, so I'm really glad I found the blanks for them. It will make the project seem more 'professional' and official.
We are starting a study of shapes in Math this week. I'm curious to see what the kids remember. Obviously they know their basic shapes, but I think we will delve even deeper into three dimensional shapes and other flat shapes that we haven't as yet studied.
In Grammar and Writing we are focusing on Articles this week (a, an, the). I think this will be especially helpful for Asher, as he seems to forget them in both verbal and written communication. Reading will follow right along, introducing the concept of Comparatives (big, bigger, biggest). Using these language concepts should easily blend into parts of our Math lessons, too.
Last week, the kids continued doing computer work, though we'd technically taken the week off. This week they will continue doing Time4Learning, and we will be adding an economics (saving) lesson beginning this week. If the kids are able to keep up with their weekly savings plan, they will have saved enough money to build a playhouse/structure in the yard. I'm excited to see how well they do working towards their goal.
This week should prove to be interesting since so many subjects will blend together exceptionally well. The kids are making a great deal of progress and I am excited to see how they do this week since it will be the first week of our eight-week term trial. After we have completed eight more weeks of school, we intend to take another full week off of school for a mini-break, which should fall right around the time most public schools will be on spring break. I'm excited to get the week started!
This week we are going to continue our study of the United States and work on finishing our Ocean Animals Research Project. I finally found book blanks! I've been thinking I would have to make them, but fortunately WalMart had some really basic blanks. I make a lot of our school supplies and project boards, but sometimes it's nice for the kids to have something different or special, so I'm really glad I found the blanks for them. It will make the project seem more 'professional' and official.
We are starting a study of shapes in Math this week. I'm curious to see what the kids remember. Obviously they know their basic shapes, but I think we will delve even deeper into three dimensional shapes and other flat shapes that we haven't as yet studied.
In Grammar and Writing we are focusing on Articles this week (a, an, the). I think this will be especially helpful for Asher, as he seems to forget them in both verbal and written communication. Reading will follow right along, introducing the concept of Comparatives (big, bigger, biggest). Using these language concepts should easily blend into parts of our Math lessons, too.
Last week, the kids continued doing computer work, though we'd technically taken the week off. This week they will continue doing Time4Learning, and we will be adding an economics (saving) lesson beginning this week. If the kids are able to keep up with their weekly savings plan, they will have saved enough money to build a playhouse/structure in the yard. I'm excited to see how well they do working towards their goal.
This week should prove to be interesting since so many subjects will blend together exceptionally well. The kids are making a great deal of progress and I am excited to see how they do this week since it will be the first week of our eight-week term trial. After we have completed eight more weeks of school, we intend to take another full week off of school for a mini-break, which should fall right around the time most public schools will be on spring break. I'm excited to get the week started!
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