Over the last several days, I have felt as though I'm missing something (or things) in our schooling. We've been doing the readings and narrating, but I just didn't feel deep enough. Being so new in all of this, I just have had no clue how to help the learning process or take it a little further for the kids. However, now I've been given a small nudge and the ideas are beginning to stream in (well, more like a small brook, but they're coming nonetheless).
Today, I happened upon a neat little website that happens to have a list of activites for the book Paddle to the Sea (used in AO year 1). I was so excited to read all of this that we are going to start over with the book and do more of it. I just don't think that Benjamin Bunny has soaked in very much, so we are going to have more fun with it! Here's the link Paddle to the Sea. I'm so excited! I also found a canoe coloring page here. And this website has great coloring pictures of birds.
On a walk yesterday, we saw a hummingbird. Those little critters are so quick, it was hard to tell what kind it was. I think it might have been a black-chinned though. A few weeks ago, we happened upon some California Quails in a parking lot at a hiking park near here and that was cool. They sure are beautiful birds! There were so many of them! We also got to see some cactus wrens.
Beginning Shakespear? It's been interesting for us. I'm loving the stories. (Why didn't we read these in school when I was younger? I'm getting it so much better now!) Now, Benjamin Bunny on the other hand, not so much. I'd have to say this is not his favorite reading. But he participates. So, I did some more searching and found this website or blog or something specifically about Shakespeare for children. There are some great printouts and at least a couple good ideas to get the wheels turning or interest turned up a little. We're going to do this week's reading again and try one of these and see how it works. This link is on that page, but I must mention it here because it is absolutely wonderful! You've got to visit this place, there are some great activities for the kids - a few online games that could occupy for a little while (something completely necessary now and then), a neat page with activites to share for Puck, word scrambles and meanings, challenge questions, and several others. It's pretty cool!
We also have our handicraft idea for at least this term. A clock. He's interested in them right now and it will be neat for him to read up on how a clock works and then make one on his own. We're not going the whole gear route this time, most likely. It's going to depend on what kits we can find. That would be cool though.
Well, that's it folks! I do hope you enjoy those ideas and web hits. They seem pretty cool to me and like they will be rather helpful.
Beginning the pendulum swing back into a somewhat semblance of normalcy, and signing off for this time,
~me
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
In Need of Time Off
We sure did get back into the swing of things! But I'm afraid I did it too soon. We just moved! I'm still trying to get things back in order for the house and we have several boxes unpacked. I haven't hammered a single picture up to the walls yet and it looks very sad to me. We do have a map of the US up though! I thought that would be good for school. ;) The World Map is next. Ha! Listen to me! Before I get family pictures and decorations up, I'm putting up school maps. What a teacher am I, right? We have been enjoying the winter season and Christmas activities. The kids have made Santa hand pictures (oh, how I wish I could post pictures right now!), lots of snow flakes, lots of sweet treats, snowmen, and we've wrapped Christmas presents. I'm thinking about taking time tomorrow to make some general Christmas cards and then find a nursing or assisted living home for the kids to take them to. I read that idea today and thought it would be good to help the kids think of others right now. We've had a lot of "me, me, me" and "I want, I want, I want."
For me, Christmas is a season that I get to see other people light up! I love to get together with family and friends and see other people smile and laugh! I love to sit back and watch it all unfold. All of it. I'd rather watch the madness of opening all the presents than to open those given to me. Oh, don't get me wrong, I open them and I'm excited about that part too. It's fun to see what others put into their thoughts about us. But I enjoy the laughter and squeals of excitement.
This is a season that so many dedicate to Jesus, his birth. I'm so thankful that God sent Jesus to earth for us. I'm so thankful for that night that Mary gave birth to our Savior! We have definitely started talking about the tree and what each part of the tree represents for us. We never did that while I was growing up. We didn't emphasize Jesus at Christmas time. I understand why my parents did that and it makes sense to me. But at this time in my life, it is important. The approach we take on this flows in the following manner:
1. We put up the tree - talk about what the tree is. It has wood (among other things). But we get to the wood part. We talk about the cross, it was wood and came from a tree. We talk about Jesus and his life and what he did for us at the cross.
2. We talk about the lights. Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus lives in us and so we are lights too. All the small lights represent Christians and the star at the top represents Jesus because his light was the ultimate light for us all.
3. Then we get to the ornaments. We talk about all the special moments in our life and how God has blessed us with those moments and memories. Each ornament has a story behind it and we spend at least a few seconds on each one.
This year I have noticed that perhaps I'm not spending enough time on thinking about others. As of today, I am going to change that. Cards tomorrow, treats for others at the end of the week, and other things to come.
Christmas, I love it! We were definitely in need of some time off. We jumped right back into school immediately after arriving at our new home and haven't quit. Monday was a day that I had the "I do not want to teach!" feelings! I want to get things in order! I want to have time to do all of these projects! Christmas is here - it's time for a break!
For me, Christmas is a season that I get to see other people light up! I love to get together with family and friends and see other people smile and laugh! I love to sit back and watch it all unfold. All of it. I'd rather watch the madness of opening all the presents than to open those given to me. Oh, don't get me wrong, I open them and I'm excited about that part too. It's fun to see what others put into their thoughts about us. But I enjoy the laughter and squeals of excitement.
This is a season that so many dedicate to Jesus, his birth. I'm so thankful that God sent Jesus to earth for us. I'm so thankful for that night that Mary gave birth to our Savior! We have definitely started talking about the tree and what each part of the tree represents for us. We never did that while I was growing up. We didn't emphasize Jesus at Christmas time. I understand why my parents did that and it makes sense to me. But at this time in my life, it is important. The approach we take on this flows in the following manner:
1. We put up the tree - talk about what the tree is. It has wood (among other things). But we get to the wood part. We talk about the cross, it was wood and came from a tree. We talk about Jesus and his life and what he did for us at the cross.
2. We talk about the lights. Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus lives in us and so we are lights too. All the small lights represent Christians and the star at the top represents Jesus because his light was the ultimate light for us all.
3. Then we get to the ornaments. We talk about all the special moments in our life and how God has blessed us with those moments and memories. Each ornament has a story behind it and we spend at least a few seconds on each one.
This year I have noticed that perhaps I'm not spending enough time on thinking about others. As of today, I am going to change that. Cards tomorrow, treats for others at the end of the week, and other things to come.
Christmas, I love it! We were definitely in need of some time off. We jumped right back into school immediately after arriving at our new home and haven't quit. Monday was a day that I had the "I do not want to teach!" feelings! I want to get things in order! I want to have time to do all of these projects! Christmas is here - it's time for a break!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Term 2 ... Lots to Do!
Whew! Term 1 was pretty good. I did find myself questioning the method, if it really was right for our family. Wondering if I was doing things right. Term 1 exams were very telling. Also, now that we are into T2, I know the answer to all of those questions. The answer is a resounding YES! Things are going so fabulously wonderful right now. Readings have gotten better and I feel that we are on the right track. The only thing is that I do feel we might need to add a bit more for science. I've been looking at the God's Design series. I think we are going to start with the Life set soon.
We have recently moved to the Phoenix area and this is largely different from our atmosphere in Kansas! However, I'm loving it and we really do have quite a bit within good distance from us. We are fairly close to mountains, half a day from the ocean, and we live in the desert. There is a lot to be learned about God's creation with that variety! I'm so grateful for the moves we have had because our children have had the opportuinity to see so much of the great creativity God had when creating our world! This summer we made a trip to Canada, driving. Our family has nearly driven from one side of this country to the other in it's entirety. It is a beautiful country! I am glad to say I'm a part of it.
Now to get to what we've been doing for T2 and what the plans are (they are just plans, they can change!).
Bible - OT: beginning in Joshua; NT: starting in Luke
Composer - Edvard Grieg
Artist - John Singer Sargent
We are following the reading list from AO year 1 and we are enjoying all of the books. The only change we have made is that we are reading The Wonderclock instead of The Blue Fairy Book.
For nature studies, I'll get us out to as many places as we can find. There is Papago park close to the zoo, Estrella mountain, south mountain, and some other mountains close by. We have talked about going up to Sedona sometime and finding lots of hiking around. Next summer, we are going to go to the Grand Canyon! Sometime after that, we will head out to the ocean!
For science this term we are supposed to be studying birds, but I'm not sure how we will really incorporate that, we haven't seen too many birds around here. I'll have to take a trip to a wildlife store of some kind to see what I can find out about wildlife out here. It is really different! Lots to learn!
This Christmas, I am planning on us learning a little more this year about traditions, symbols, and read more Christmas themed books.
We started Flopsy in Kindergarten officially this week. We have her "curriculum" and we are doing about 45 minutes each day. Right now, we are working on the creation and making a creation book. We're using MFW right now for this early year. She was just so anxious to get started and wanted something official! It's been interesting figuring out how to school two children at once while entertaining a busy toddler. So far, overall, things are running fairly smoothly. I have my moments though!
Well, I wanted to get on and update after the move. I'll try to post more this term.
We have recently moved to the Phoenix area and this is largely different from our atmosphere in Kansas! However, I'm loving it and we really do have quite a bit within good distance from us. We are fairly close to mountains, half a day from the ocean, and we live in the desert. There is a lot to be learned about God's creation with that variety! I'm so grateful for the moves we have had because our children have had the opportuinity to see so much of the great creativity God had when creating our world! This summer we made a trip to Canada, driving. Our family has nearly driven from one side of this country to the other in it's entirety. It is a beautiful country! I am glad to say I'm a part of it.
Now to get to what we've been doing for T2 and what the plans are (they are just plans, they can change!).
Bible - OT: beginning in Joshua; NT: starting in Luke
Composer - Edvard Grieg
Artist - John Singer Sargent
We are following the reading list from AO year 1 and we are enjoying all of the books. The only change we have made is that we are reading The Wonderclock instead of The Blue Fairy Book.
For nature studies, I'll get us out to as many places as we can find. There is Papago park close to the zoo, Estrella mountain, south mountain, and some other mountains close by. We have talked about going up to Sedona sometime and finding lots of hiking around. Next summer, we are going to go to the Grand Canyon! Sometime after that, we will head out to the ocean!
For science this term we are supposed to be studying birds, but I'm not sure how we will really incorporate that, we haven't seen too many birds around here. I'll have to take a trip to a wildlife store of some kind to see what I can find out about wildlife out here. It is really different! Lots to learn!
This Christmas, I am planning on us learning a little more this year about traditions, symbols, and read more Christmas themed books.
We started Flopsy in Kindergarten officially this week. We have her "curriculum" and we are doing about 45 minutes each day. Right now, we are working on the creation and making a creation book. We're using MFW right now for this early year. She was just so anxious to get started and wanted something official! It's been interesting figuring out how to school two children at once while entertaining a busy toddler. So far, overall, things are running fairly smoothly. I have my moments though!
Well, I wanted to get on and update after the move. I'll try to post more this term.
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