I have to admit to loving our Netflix streaming account. We watched a 45 minute documentary on Denali National Park. The boys also
- practiced their piano
- read for 30 minutes
- hauled wood (PE)
Day #62/175 days
Thursday, January 5, 2012
January 5, 2012
A short day - getting back in the swing of things.
I have to admit to loving our Netflix streaming account. We watched a 45 minute documentary on Denali National Park. The boys also
I have to admit to loving our Netflix streaming account. We watched a 45 minute documentary on Denali National Park. The boys also
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
January 4, 2012 - Field Trip
Today we again gathered at church for our monthly class with the Tanglewood 4H instructors. This month we are doing a class on bats - "The Secret Life of Bats."
The two instructors who did this class were very energetic. I really enjoyed (as did the kids) how they split the class up in to "listening" time and "interactive" time. They began by quizzing the kids on what they already knew about bats. Then they put on a little skit for them. One instructor was a bat and the other was a red fox.
They did such a great job. The kids (and adults!) really enjoyed it and also learned quite a bit about the difference between bats and birds.
I can't share any photos from the interactive time as there are too many faces of kids who aren't mine. However, suffice it to say the kids loved it! They played a version of Marco Polo but there were two people in the middle. Everyone else stood in a circle around them (to keep the ones in the center safe). One person was blindfolded and was the bat. The other was a bug. The "bat" used all their senses but their eyes to find the "bug."
After they watched a short PowerPoint on bats. They also played had a short quiz (which they again really liked) about bats.
The class ended with them being able to observe some real-life bat specimens.
They all had a great time and I think they are looking forward to class next month.
Day #61/175 Days
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Update
We've taken a long and unexpected break from our homeschool. We started back today - very slowly. I'm currently working on revamping our homeschool and figuring out what's working and, more importantly, what is not.
The biggest thing that is changing is our math. I've been a long time fan of Math-U-See and loved how it works. However, one thing I've come to realize is that in our relaxed style of homeschooling it doesn't work. I've never worried if we haven't finished a book a year. However, now I have a ninth grader who is not yet ready to do Algebra. Some would argue that is his where he is and that's okay. I agree with that. However, I also need to prepare him for life outside the home and, hopefully, college. I'm also having similar issues with my younger boys. As a result I will be switching them to Rod & Staff. They will be all working slightly below grade level for now as it's a pretty intense program. More so than they are used to. It's also much more textbook than I typically use. However, the price is fantastic and I was able to get most of what I needed used. The only thing I purchased new were the workbooks for first grade. Only first and second grade have workbooks. After that there are non-consumable textbooks for each grade. I also plan to purchase their "bookkeeping" program for my oldest to complete later this year or next year. For now we'll be brushing up on the basics.
We'll also be implementing Institute for Excellence in Writing. I was given this as a TOS Crew review product last year and loved it but we didn't get far with it. My goal is to make my boys better writers. It's a great skill to have but I'm finding it harder to teach then math and that's saying something!
For history I'm not sure yet what we'll be using. I did buy The Teaching Company's high school American history program and want him to go through that. I may have the two younger ones tag along and we'll flesh it out as needed.
I have more planned, but right now we'll just keep plugging away. I do love this time of year. It's a great time to revamp and re-evaluate and plan for next year. It helps to get over the "winter blues."
The biggest thing that is changing is our math. I've been a long time fan of Math-U-See and loved how it works. However, one thing I've come to realize is that in our relaxed style of homeschooling it doesn't work. I've never worried if we haven't finished a book a year. However, now I have a ninth grader who is not yet ready to do Algebra. Some would argue that is his where he is and that's okay. I agree with that. However, I also need to prepare him for life outside the home and, hopefully, college. I'm also having similar issues with my younger boys. As a result I will be switching them to Rod & Staff. They will be all working slightly below grade level for now as it's a pretty intense program. More so than they are used to. It's also much more textbook than I typically use. However, the price is fantastic and I was able to get most of what I needed used. The only thing I purchased new were the workbooks for first grade. Only first and second grade have workbooks. After that there are non-consumable textbooks for each grade. I also plan to purchase their "bookkeeping" program for my oldest to complete later this year or next year. For now we'll be brushing up on the basics.
We'll also be implementing Institute for Excellence in Writing. I was given this as a TOS Crew review product last year and loved it but we didn't get far with it. My goal is to make my boys better writers. It's a great skill to have but I'm finding it harder to teach then math and that's saying something!
For history I'm not sure yet what we'll be using. I did buy The Teaching Company's high school American history program and want him to go through that. I may have the two younger ones tag along and we'll flesh it out as needed.
I have more planned, but right now we'll just keep plugging away. I do love this time of year. It's a great time to revamp and re-evaluate and plan for next year. It helps to get over the "winter blues."
January 3, 2012
All together - slowly easing our way back in to school
- Hauling wood (PE)
- Axis & Allies (strategy - Happy & Conductor played)
- Independent Reading
- 4H Record Sheets
- Practice piano
- Piano Lessons
- Watched "Learn Our History" DVD (20 mins)
Day #60/175 Days
Friday, December 16, 2011
December 16, 2011 - Field Trip
Our 4H group headed north today for one of the best field trips we've had in awhile - the "Bread Man's" bakery. Karl runs a family business right from his home. A fellow homeschooler, he began baking and selling bread a few years ago to support his family after a job change.
We all piled in to his commercial kitchen - just off the foyer to his home - and watched as he and his son created the bread they needed for the Farmer's Markets they would attend the next day. It was simply amazing to watch and even better to smell!
This scale is used to weigh the dough.
Loaves ready to go in the oven
That is a LOT of dough! Karl is getting ready to
cut and measure it and then form in to loaves.
Going in the ovens
Getting ready to cook
All done!
Snack!
Yes, they cut open a fresh, warm loaf of bread...we added butter...oh.my.gosh! There is a reason I don't make homemade bread on a regular basis. I would eat the whole loaf! Karl was also generous enough to send home Stromboli with each of us. Yummy!
Day #59/175 Days
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
December 13, 2011 - Art Class
Today we headed north again for our monthly art class. This month we did watercolor. It was fun. Karen showed the kids how to do various techniques. At the end of the class they were able to pick one of their favorite creations and have it matted. They did a great job.
Day #58/175 Days
Monday, December 5, 2011
December 5, 2011
Today our 4H group got together and created greeting cards. There was a county workshop for the same thing but not enough space for all our group to attend so we just decided to have our own. I've been a scrapbooker for quite some time and had plenty of supplies to donate. The kids had a blast. They all made six cards. They kept three of them and the other three were donated to the Senior Companions program. They kids did a great job and had a lot of fun.
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