History Activities

We have really enjoyed learning about History, and done quite a few fun activities, sadly- my camera card got deleted with a lot of the pictures. But here are a couple we have done recently

 I build this cool pirate ship, because I like Lego's too :) and Ethan decided to use it to act out the Boston tea party. (They played this a lot- in the house, but the lighting was better so I had them come out side for this pic)

 Here we practiced writing with feathers and ink, just like the founding fathers did when writing the Declaration of Independence, and constitution. We also wrote our own family declaration, I am so proud of the  boys and the things they came up with to create that. (Hard Copy is in there school scrapbooks) We also made "family flags" when he we learned about the story behind the United States Flag.

We even have a "suprise fun day" where the kids pick to only do the school subject they want, and the always pick history - love that :)

Nature Study

Over the months we have done a number of fun things to enjoy, and learn more about nature. 

These are not all of them but a nice overview of some of the things we have done. 

 We went camping in the spring, and the boys did a Geode water mining activity, we brought home all the rocks and Geodes they collect, along with the guides they them looked up, identified the different Geodes.

 When we went camping another time (we love camping) we did a nature hike, and collected rocks, we looked them up in our nature guide, and then wrote about it in their nature and science notebooks.

 Another time we went camping (we really love camping) we visited a Butterfly house, and learned about the different butterflies and the different places in the world they live. This one was in Pensacola Florida

 Another time we went hiking with two other Homeschooling Families the boys kept an eye out for plants, bugs and animals, we found a baby mole, (it was not well, alive but defiantly not well) great time to talk about life, death and the circle of life, for animals.

 Here the boys were learning about animals in our Animals in their Worlds Note booking program from Winter promise. The boys were learning about animals that do not live in our area from "Take a Beach" walk book this is a series of books the boys enjoyed last year.

field Trip 2012-2013

We are part of a wonderful home school group- I am not sure how I am going to make it with out them! 

I am the one who plans and sets up the Field Trips and Park days in our group. 

These happened in Jan-Feb of 2013

One of the field trips we did was to Publix Grocery Store. It is actually pretty cool They take the kids to each department, and tell them what they do there, and give them a sample, bakery a cookie, in the Deli it was cheese or chicken, and in produce fruit and for the other grocery area they have then a package of crackers. They also gave the a goodie bag with a pencil, orange and some stickers. 

 Here they let the kids hold the lobster (if they wanted to) They also took them into the back room, and let them go in the HUGE fridge. After they were all done they let them get some items and scan them for fun

 It's  a great fun trip especially for young kids.

 Another Field Trip we did was to WFSA News Station. We got a tour of the station and how everything works. The Meteorologist was the most interesting thing, the kids loved the HUGE map green screen. Aaron here is in the white trying to tell you about today's weather.

 Here you can see a couple of the boys on the map screen.

 Here are all the kids on the new desk where they broadcast the local news everyday. All the kids got to be on the News and wave off at the end of the update. I learned a lot about how a news station works, it was very interesting.

Another fun Trip we did was we went to the Local Fire department. I took pictures, but they got deleted. :( I got some from a friend - but for some reason I had problems getting them on my computer. I am still working on that. But we are going to do that trip again, the loved it so much. They watched a movie about Fire Safety and got to go on a Fire Truck and tour the Fire Station.

These are there Binders- (I used this system from 2012-2013) I do it a little different now 2013-2014- 

There are many other forms of this kind of "idea" out there. I have seen it done with boxes or drawers but I did not want to spend that much, nor do I have that much space. So I came up with these, and they are working GREAT for us.

What they are- these are where I list many activities that they can do on their own (mostly) Many school things we do together, but I like to spend time with each boy 1-2 times a week so in here are a ray of activities that are educational, they can do on there own. (although Ryan does Lots of things in his binder with me)
In the binder there are tabs for different subjects. Under each tab there is a large wipe off card (a piece of paper I made with a title and image that matches then I laminated it) On this card is a list of things they can choose to do in that subject. For example, for Ethan, under math, he can do a math puzzle, or activity math worksheet, or play a dice math game. Under spelling he can practice his words with stamps, finger paints of letter tiles. For Aaron under Math he can play a shapes pattern game, do a addition puzzle, or do a dot to dot page. Under Letters he can do letters with bend-a-roos, or do his letter sticker book etc. Ryan under shapes, he can play a shapes game, do a shapes activity page or under colors, he can do a color matching game or do his color sticker book .... get the idea here?

I try to list 3-4 things (for Ryan and Aaron 2-3 to many choices can be overwhelling) in each subject. Depending on how much we use the binders thy activities in them will last 3-5 weeks. Then I wip off the cards and put on new ideas. (I get the idea from my master ideas list- which is still in the process of developing, and I think will constantly be growing)

In side the front of their binders is this 9 pocket page protector, the top row they put the day of the week, the weather, and there "job" for the week (Ryan needs help but loves this) The boys loved doing the weather, and having jobs in preschool so we kept that and it has worked out well. The rest of the pockets is where they "plan there activities"
In their binder there is a packet full of cards one representing all the different topics they have a tab for, Some are the same for each boy some are different. They also have the job, weather and days of the week cards. From this they pick what subject they want to do in what order. Then when they use their binder they go to that tab and from the list on the wipe off card they pick what they want to do. When they are done they turn the card over. Once all the cards are done, they can re-set their binders.

In the morning when I set the daily schedule, the boys get their "schedules set" remember this is just for binder activites only, so when the Main calender says "stations" with the binder picture they pull these out. I hope this makes sense.
I got MANY ideas from this book click HERE on activities for them to do, I also have lots of preschool/parent kid books and many I just came up with. If you want ideas let me know and I can email you my lists. These things do not have to be big, the idea is for them do learn to plan, do and return and report on there own goals. The focus is getting self motivated, and involved and entertained while I work with another child or pay bills, or something like that. We do not do these everyday, but most days we do. They do not work from them for long periods at a time, the activities in them are short 15-30 minutes tops. But they are a great for keeping them focused. If you have ANY questions about this system PLEASE ASK!

Curriculim for 2012-2013

Our Study for this year......

our Main focus this year is Animals and their Worlds. This is a Charlotte Mason based Curriculum By Winter Promise- for more info click HERE there programs are not the cheapest so I just got the main activity book, and the coordinating animals spiritual thought book. Although I sure wish I had the teacher guide book. In the student activity book (that big binder) it gives, animals, trees, habitates etc to study, activities and experiments to do. Questions to answer things to think about it really is great. We just get books from the Library (or at least try to, don't get me started on how lame our Library is here) we also use the internet for fun animal videos etc. The kids made there own animal journal books and use them for all the activities.

This Animals bible story book is GREAT! you can get it on Amazon Click HERE to check it out. For example today we read about "the busy beaver" it talks about beavers and what they do, and how hard working they are, it teaches how we can learn from the beaver and try to work hard even when we are tired or board. Then their is a scripture, but I usually look it up in the actual bible instead. The art work is really great too. (for ages 5-10+)

READING

I have never done any formal lessons or phonics lessons with any of my boys.

I do have them watch The Baby can read movies - click HERE this is NOT Charlotte Mason biased, but we have them, and I think they help so we still use them. They are movies that "train" the brain to memorize words well. Now, let me just say I have NO desire for my kids to read at lightning speed or to be reading at HS level in elementary school. The soul reason I bought these (used on ebay) was because the guy who developed them talked about it virtually eliminating the reading disability of dyslexia. I have dyslexia and struggled all my life, and hated school. If I could change that now for my kids was going to. and I did. I DO NOT fallow the whole program, my boys (Ethan and Aaron) all watched the movie once a day or less- and we did the flash cards or books regularly- not every day. Now Ryan and Dallin do the same thing. Ryan is starting to recognize words, Dallin, can sign "more" ha ha. (has nothing to do with these movies though)

we also read books. all. the. time....

and I did get a book THIS file folder games book they are fun. I again, no formal lessons just learning from life, books and games. As we read, do letter puzzles, we talk about the "phonics rules" but no offical lessons. It has worked well for us.

Ethan, who started reading pre-school, and fully by the end of Kindergarten is now 2nd grade- (age 7) and is ripping through 3-4 grade reading level books in 30-60 minutes.

Aaron (kindergarten- age 5, and had been diagnosed with ADHD) started readind some words in preschool ans is now reading at a 1-2 grade reading level, and really taking off.

This is also a reading "program" set of books that I can across when reading with Aaron, and I really love them They are called Now I am reading - click HERE to check them out. Each set is a group of 10 little books. They start from pre-readers and progress through the levels to independent readers. Aaron really loves them, and Ryan (is not reading on his own much yet) but will point to the word and say it after me. He really loves them too. There is a place the kids can put a sticker when they read the book, they are funny to read, and the art work is great too. I got these on Amazon and also a set of three of them on ebay. All used.

MATH

For Math we use a program called Math - u see click HERE for more info

I love this math program, plain and simple. That is what it is. It teaches math in the most clear way. The lessons are short, the work for the kids is short. Math is the only officle lesson that we do every day, and the kids are really getting it. The teachers DVD's are great for the kids, they watch him teach the lesson (we stop and talk about it along the way) and they do it. If they have questions they ask. But the directions are so easy and simple and with the blocks they can visually work everything out. I love it, and I am glad it goes up all through HS math too.

Other Subjects- for fun -

those are our main subjects, we read, and do math every day. Animals lessons we to twice a week then other lessons we have do 1 time a week or every 2 weeks are they are; Science, Art, Sign Language, geography (have not started yet) music, and Language Arts.

Language Arts-

I do a this book a well Trained Mind - click HERE with Ethan, (note this book is level 1 only the book I have is grade 1 & 2 together) but I only do it 1 lesson a week or every couple weeks. Charlotte Mason style does not start formal Language Arts lessons until grade 3. She says to focus more on developing a love for learning, as well as good Habits. Her thoughts are that teaching these things at this young of a age is just pouring facts that they do not fully understand in their head. If you wait until they are older they get it, and they get it fast and there is no need to repeat year after year. Same with spelling. So, we do this lightly just as an introduction. I like the book nice short lessons. The poems in it are dumb though. I don't do them. But I like how it is laid out and quick to do. I do not fallow all the activites, but the basic instruction for the lessons I like, esspecially since I know I am BAD at Language arts :) ha ha

PE- the boys do a PE- for Homeschoolers program at the YMCA and they LOVE it!

they get to play all kinds of sports with other homeschooling kids, and they have a ton of fun.

There is also another group of kids that gets to gether once a week that homeschool in the area and do physical activites too. Plus our Church Homeschool group does feild trips/activites once a month too!

Sign Language- I love it! I have taught all the kids sign when they were babies, they all dropped it when they started talking, but we are getting back into it, and it is fun to do with the boys. We have these DVD's and I love them- the creator is also LDS :) we do this 2 times a month - but practice more then that just for fun casually.
Science-

this is a Winter Promise (same company as my main curriculum) program. Is is Nature and science program. There is a teacher book that tell me just what to do, and what books what pages and what activities to do. I love it, there is no work for me there programs are really great. I got this set used on ebay. The kids made Science Notebooks with lined and plain paper. (I LOVE MY LAMINATE AND BOOK BINDING MACHINES) 
Art and Music-

nothing formal here, we go with the flow, play-dough, paint, marker, whatever they want. Sometimes we play music, sometimes we dance and listen to it. When they get older we will start doing picture study with art (I think next year) and also music study- and learn different artists. Right now it is all about loving the atmophere of learning, and developing good habits (more on that in posts to come).
this is not easy... homeschooling.... but I love it, it is extreamly rewarding because I know it is what right for may family, and I love learning right along with them.

I love my boys...

Penguins & Arctic Study

For the past couple months we have been doing Artic Animal study we learned about a lot of different animals, that live in the Artic, but penguins and polar bears were the favorites. My kids really love penguins so we did more activities for this animal then other Arctic animals. At the end of learning about them we watched the movie March of the Penguins. 

This was a craft where you make the outside shape of half a penguin and then fold it in half. To make a whole penguin. Then they used cotton balls to make snow, Ryan's has en egg in his pouch, and Aaron's is in a wind and snow storm, and Ethan's is on an ice burg.

To also help learn some basic "creative" skills we made these stuffed penguins. The boys designed them. I drew it out on packing paper then we used that as a pattern to cut out and sew together our penguins. The boys were really involved with this, I was thinking of doing a basic square or rectangle with the colors of a penguin and we could add a face but noooo, they wanted it shaped like a penguin. Then Ryan said he wanted a pouch to put the egg in, and Aaron wanted a fish to feed his penguin. This project took way way way longer then I had intended, but it was great to see them involved, they also sat with me and help sew them, they stuffed them, and played with them tons, and now sleep with them too. 

one side of the baby is an egg the other side a baby penguin- that was my addition to the ideas flowing... love love love fostering creativity and showing them how they can make things happen. Ethan designed the feet idea too.

not really at all about animals, but just for fun since we were learning about snowy places. Bananas, apple, grape, carrots and raisins. Saw this in family fun magazine, and I did it with out candy :)

We also learned about polar bears this were some cute masks I saw on pinterest, made with a paper plates, Popsicle stick, cotton balls, felt for the nose, and you mix shaving cream and Elmer's glue I think they said equal parts but I just guessed, it did take a long time to dry but was really fun.

we also watched Arctic Tale at the end of our Arctic Study.

Preschool Learning- through organized play...

I do not have a fancy degree in child learning, I did take a child Development class in college but I honestly remember very little. I am reading a book called "Tools of the Mind" which is interesting but also seems to find a lot of "deep science" type studies from what seems like common sense to me. But there are also some great things I have learned that I did not know. It is not an easy read though- very thick with science terms and facts, and fancy words! 

One of the things I read in there was the power of organized play, and to be honest I think they had a more fancy term for it. But that is what I like to call it. What you do is give the child 2-3 options of things to play with. Things that flexible in play, and can be used in many ways. Blocks, containers etc. They get to use great development skills by looking at each option, and then making a choice. 

 Then they are Free to play as they want,  but they are to clean up, before moving on, and there may also be a time limit as well (keeping the idea organized) but still giving them freedom to be creative. There are to be no other things/toys around them, this helps them to stay focused on this creative play. Also to clean up when done teaches them to take care of there things. The time limit helps them to learn  and understand that time is in periods or segments.

 We do this organized play at times when I am working with another boy, these ideas that Ryan can choose from are listed in his binder, I do help him see his options and he picks then plays. Cleans up (not always happy about that). He goes get much Total free play as well.

 Some things he likes are the containers and mini animals, I got those at ikea, really cute. He loves them. Here he is playing in our rice box. Cost $6 bucks, $1 for the container, $1 for the plastic bugs, $1 for plastic lizards $1 for the shovel and rake and $2 for the rice.

 Another activity he likes to do is draw with chalk, he is free to do what he wants but I give him letter cards too if he wants to use them. He drew the letters ridding a roller coaster!