Math ~ Normal math program (we are using Horizons Math)
Spelling ~ Spelling test! Usually we do this on Friday, but since we have a field trip tomorrow, we took care of it today.
Grammar ~ Normal grammar program (we us Spectrum)
Edison ~ Read Chapter 4 together (Time Bio for Kids)
Samantha's World ~ Read sections 5 and 6 of chapter 1
Discussed pre 1900 housing and 1904 housing. Documented the changes on a chart
Geography ~ Reviewed/quizzed 50 states; Read about VA and NC using Nifty 50 cards
Independent Reading ~ Ch. 6 of Meet Samantha (approx. 20-30 mins. of reading)
We received the results of my daughter's CAT-5 tests today. She is such a smart little girl!! Lowest percentile was 86th and several of them were 99th percentile!! She'll be more intelligent than me and her dad in no time! I am so proud of her and all of her hard work and accomplishments!
Math ~ Normal math program (we are using Horizons Math)
Spelling ~ Normal spelling program (we use Spectrum)
Grammar ~ Normal grammar program (we us Spectrum)
Edison ~ Read Chapter 3 together (Time Bio for Kids)
Samantha's World ~ Read sections 3 and 4 of chapter 1
Discussed pre 1900 transportation and 1904 transportation. Documented the changes on a chart ~ continued/reviewed from yesterday
Geography ~ Reviewed/quizzed 50 states; Read about RI and WV using Nifty 50 cards
Writing ~ Friendly letter with proper greeting, date, body and salutation. During the early 1900's and the Victorian Era, writing was seen as an art form, so she was encouraged to be pleasant and use her best handwriting.
Independent Reading ~ Ch. 4 of Meet Samantha (approx. 20-30 mins. of reading)
We also have basketball practice on Wednesday nights. Field trip Friday is scheduled and we will be visiting one of the homes that Rockefeller used as his summer vacation home.
If your elementary student is having trouble learning the basics of ratio, try this hands on activity:
Fill several cups of water and give them food coloring in the primary colors. Let them experiment making new colors by adding varying "parts" together of the food coloring to see what happens.
Alternatively, you can use paints instead of the food coloring.
Tuesday 4-12-11
Math ~ Normal math program (we are using Horizons Math)
Spelling ~ Normal spelling program (we use Spectrum)
Grammar ~ Normal grammar program (we us Spectrum)
Edison ~ Read Chapter 2 together (Time Bio for Kids)
Samantha's World ~ Read first two sections of chapter 1
Discussed pre 1900 transportation and 1904 transportation. Documented the changes on a chart
Reviewed the meaning of "naive" and how it applies to Samantha. Also discussed times when we have been naive and whether it is a good or bad thing.
Geography ~ Reviewed/quizzed 50 states; Read about MD and NJ using Nifty 50 cards
Science ~ Energy forms ~ today we learned about heat energy
Independent Reading ~ Ch. 3 & 4 of Meet Samantha (approx. 30-40 mins. of reading)
Our social studies, history and language arts/reading program is very much integrated. Learning history and social studies through stories is a wonderful way to learn! Being required to learn battles and dates can be very boring, so students often tune out. But learning through stories provides a fun, historically accurate alternative that kids enjoy! I wish I had learned this way when I was
Today was our first day with unit study on American Girl Samantha.
Math ~ Normal math program (we are using Horizons Math)
Spelling ~ Normal spelling program (we use Spectrum)
Grammar ~ Normal grammar program (we us Spectrum)
Edison ~ Read Chapter 1 together (Time Bio for Kids)
Samantha's World ~ Read the intro and previewed chapter 1
Discussed progress and how it can be both good and bad.
Defined and discussed the meaning of "naive"
Geography ~ Reviewed/quizzed 50 states; Read about PA and NY using 50 Nifty cards
Independent Reading ~ Ch. 1 & 2 of Meet Samantha (approx. 30-40 mins. of reading)
We also discussed the field trips, art, music, Women's Rights, and people that we will study during the next 6 weeks. The first day of any untit is typically an intro day, and that's what today was for us!
Take a homeschooling journey with us over the next 6 weeks as we complete our American Girl unit studies with Samantha. Samantha grew up in 1914. We will do various writing activities, musical studies, art study, field trips, Einstein, Wright Brothers, Susan B. Anthony, Women's Rights, etc. all covering the Victorian Era!
My journal entries will be daily (M-F) for the next 6 weeks as we read the Samantha book set of 6 books. I look forward to letting you into our homeschool for a look at this unit of study. Samantha
If you have kids who love to create art projects, try this fun and super easy craft.
Gather cotton balls, crayons or markers, scissors, paper and glue or a stapler.
1. Cut out 2 identical bunny shapes from the paper.
2. Decorate the bunny shapes ~ 1 will be the front and one will be the back.
3. Staple or glue the decorated shapes together leaving the last 1/4 open.
4. Stuff the bunny with cotton balls.
5. Once stuffed to your liking, finish stapling or gluing the bunny shapes together.
6. Glue one final cotton ball on the back of the bunny for the tail.
If you need educational books and you are a teacher or home educator, you can get 25% off plus a free calendar this weekend at Books A Million stores! As a home educator, I only needed to present my paperwork from the school district showing that I began a home education program and I was given a discount card on the spot!
They have tons of educational products for use in supplementing education or as a whole curriculum.
Ugh! What a week we've had! My oldest daughter got an ear infection that required antibiotics. Since she's only been on antibiotics maybe 1 or 2 other times in her life, we didn't realize that she is allergic to Amoxicillin, but OH BOY IS SHE EVER! The rash was horrible and required a round of steriods to get rid of it! Luckily, both the ear infection and rash are mostly gone! So, that's why there haven't been any recent posts to this blog.
I decided this year to give my daughter a standardized test as opposed to a portfolio review. I want to see how her home education is measuring up against other kids her same age. This is more for my information and peace of mind than out of necessity. Our state of Florida does not require standardized testing for homeschool students. So far, so good. The process was very low-key and no pressure. She understands that she is not expected to know the answers to each and every question, but that she should try her best. I also made sure to explain that this test will in no way affect her schooling.
Up to this point, we are very happy with the testing process. I will give an updated evaluation (and name the test and administrator we used) once the testing and scoring process is complete. Check back for an update in about 3-4 weeks!
It's always fun to incorporate cotton balls into art work. It's no secret that when you enhance learning through art, children have more fun and learn more. We recently learned about the different types of clouds. To further cement this learning, we used cotton balls and created samples of the different types of clouds. This is an ideal art tool for clouds because you can pull and stretch or put them together to look like actual clouds. Then, the students can decorate the rest of the paper to make a creative scence of their choosing.
Other examples of where you can use cotton balls in art work are: to create waves, snow, smoke stacks from trains and buildings, bunnies, snowmen, igloos, and a variety of other things. They can also be painted or spray painted to make bricks, rocks, bushes, trees, etc.
Enhance your lessons through art and watch how engaged your students will become!
Happy schooling!