Catch-up Post

Its a good thing that our school work has not been neglected as much as our school blog!  We've been busy with field trips, co-op, and finishing up our book work for the year.  I am amazed at how much our children have learned and grown.  Will have a 2010-2011 re-cap post coming up soon.  Three cheers for summer!

120 and 121

120 and 121 are done, but you'll have to take my word for it.  Details to come.

Our Royal Tea Party

For history, culture, education, and fun... We hosted a Royal Tea Party while watching the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.  Fun was had by all!

119

JB6
Math:
Practiced subtraction using counting blocks
Lesson 61, Vertical Subtraction
Lesson 62, Word Numbers- Twenty to one hundred

Bible:
1 John 3:11
Proverbs 18:10
Proverbs 9:10

Reading and Phonics:
Lesson 46, Review Contractions with Am, Are, & Us; Consonant Blend st
Lesson 47, More Contractions with Is, Consonant Blends tw, sw

118 Co-Op

Another Co-Op day.  JB6 learned about Ocean life.  A teacher from a local museum taught about different creatures who live in the ocean.  They learned about star fish and sea cucmbers and more.  JB6 also did several crafts revolving around ocean life.

117

AN4
Math:
Lesson 21, the number zero and counting to 10

Reading/Writing:
Get Set for the Cod pg 47-48

JB6
Math:
Test #6 today, 98/100
Addition Flash Cards

Reading and Phonics:
Lesson 43, Contractions with Have & Is
Lesson 44, Contractions with Am & Us

Bible:
Psalm 107:1
Philippians 4:4
Colossians 3:17
I Thessalonians 5:17

New Bonus Pages!
Today JB6 and I discussed the best way to play catch up on our school book work.  We came up with the "Bonus Pages" plan.  Each day that we do book work, it will be our goal to complete two math and two reading lessons.  Beyond that, if JB6 wants to do any additional pages, we will keep track of the number of bonus pages that she completes and when we she reaches 25 bonus pages, we will have a prize!  JB6, who loves charts, LOVED the idea.  We will see how it works! 

Bonus Pages Done Today
Reading and Phonics:
Lesson 45, Contractions with Are, Consonant Blends spr and spl

Math:
Lesson 60, Word Numbers- Eleven to One Hundred

Educational Experiences

My husband took our children to a chorus concert (rehearsal) for the Mercersburg Area Chorus.  Grandma and Rosanne are both singing in the Mercersburg Area Chorus: GJEILO, No Coward Soul Is Mine.  The girls absolutely loved the music, the orchestra, and the chapel where they sang. 

Back to Book School! Days 115 and 116

Two Days:
Sunday was Palm Sunday.  JB6 did the following craft in her Sunday school class.  The best part was that she came home and explained the whole story about how people laid down their coats for Jesus as he rode his donkey into town.  I just love what she learns at Sunday School!

JB6
Math: Lesson 59, Place Value

Reading & Phonics: Lesson 41, Contractions with Have

AN4
Math: Lesson 19

Reading/Writing: Get Set for the Code: pg 42-45

JB6
Bible: Psalm 107:1

Geography: Drew Map of Australia.  Learned about and prayed for missionaries Dan and Bonnie Keagan from Australia. 

Math: Lesson 58, Number Order & Ordinal Numbers

Reading & Phonics: Lesson 42, Contractions with 's and R-Controlled Vowels ar and or

AN4
Math: Lesson 20, Hexagons and Counting to 20

Reading/Writing: Explode the Code, pg 46

Field Trip #3 (114)

Field Trip #3 was to a petting zoo!  Check it out HERE

Vacation Field Trip #2 (113)

Field Trip to Washington, DC

The girls had their first experience on a city train, we visited the National Aquarium and saw the Capitol Building.  Check out the details HERE

Vacation Field Trip #1 (112)

Two Top Farms, the girls favorite field trip of our vacation!  Check it out HERE

Crafts and More Fun (111)

We traveled to PA as planned (eventually).  Aunt Becky planned a fun spring craft for the children.  Check out the details HERE

Long Time?

The other day, I confessed to my sister-in-law that I hadn't done official "book" school with the children in weeks.  She kindly reminded me that under the circumstances, that was understandable.  Read a synopsis of our scary few days HERE

School on the Move

Today marks the official first day of our family vacation.  We plan to be traveling and so we will be taking a break from our blog record until vacation is over.  Will update in a few weeks and will re-cap all that we did and learned while we were away! 

National Food Allergy Awareness Week



Ask the President to Declare May 8-14th a National Food Allergy Awareness Week by signing and sending the email at this link.  Thank you for helping to raise food allergy awareness and for assisting in keeping children with food allergies safe.

Sapping Time is Here! 110

Yum, Maple Syrup!

There are few things in the state of Maine that are as encouraging as "sap season."  When sap from the maple trees begins to flow, its a sure sign that spring is just around the corner!  Yesterday we began boiling sap once again for another year's supply of yummy maple syrup!  Its a fun and educational family affair!

Check it out at Our Family Forest

Co-Op 109

Studied St. Patrick’s Day

“St. Patrick drove away the snakes and they had parades,” was JB6’s synopsis of the lesson.

Played St. Patrick’s Day Games that tested the children’s knowledge of St. Patrick’s Day.

LC Bates taught a lesson on Fossils.

Object lessons using the day-old baby goats.

108, March 17th

JB6

Devotions: AWANA tonight, Luke 2:7
Spelling: Test today, 100%
Reading and Phonics: Test today,
Out loud Reader: It’s a Nice Day from The Fox in the Box
Math: Lesson 56 Money- Pennies and Dimes

JB6 and AN4
School in a Box: pg. 11 Beginning Language Skills: Verbal Expression

This was a great investment.  The directions suggested allowing the children to play with the box for a few minutes before starting the "lessons." While playing independently, the girls automatically began organizing the items into groups by size, color and function.  They loved the memory game where they closed their eyes, I removed two of five items from their pile, and then they opened their eyes and had to state from memory what was missing.  I would definitely recommend School in a Box.  It was fun, interactive and my four year old initiated return demonstration without any prompting! This was so simple yet so effective!

"Remember, boredom is the result of too little too slowly.  Frustration comes from too much too quickly." -Joyce Herzog, School in a Box

107

JB6
Math: Lesson 55, Subtraction-Number Line

Out loud Reading: Fox in the Box, It’s a Nice Day

Spelling: Reviewed spelling words for Test Thursday

Reading/Phonics: Test Thursday


AN4
First Official Dentist Visit!  Cleaning done and no cavities! Debbie was fantastic with our little girl!

Back at it, Day 106

JB6 and AN4

Last Night was Family Night in our home.  We closed all the curtains to keep out what little light there was sneaking through the trees at 7:30 pm. We turned on our sound system, curled up on the floor topped with pillows and blankets and listed to the amazing story of “Charlie’s Choice” from Lamplighter Theatre via CD.  Charlie is convinced that wealth is the only way to solve his family’s problems but God has other plans for Charlie.  It was a great story for all and made for a very memorable evening.  Of course, Daddy came home with ice cream which was extra exciting for everyone!

 “Charlie’s Choice” from Lamplighter Theatre


Art Time: The girls delved into art work today with a new art kit that we found for $3.00 at a local store.  Most of the morning, they colored, did paint by number, used modeling clay and more! 




Out loud Reading: One chapter of The Boxcar Children, Surprise Island


Both girls applied for an account with the Maine State Books by Mail Library Program today.  We do not have a library in our town and this was the next best thing!  They are very excited!


JB6

Reading and Devotions:

-JB6 finished reading all the way through the Veggie Tales Bible Today!

-The Fox in the Box, Mike Won’t Come in

Math: Lesson 54, Time-Hour and Half Hour

Spelling/Writing: Lesson 29, Write a story about the picture

AN4

Math: Lesson 18, Ordinal Numbers, Counting to 15

Get Set for the Code: 40-41

The Teacher

Took a lesson in grammar today.  Amazing what the teacher learns in the process of teaching.  Learn more about the Semi-Colon at Our Family Forest!

Dance Class this afternoon for the girls!

105 Self-Study in First Grade?

The children are well!  Back to school.

JB6 asked if she could create her own school day.  This is how it went.  She self-taught herself how to use a weaving loom and then made 4 potholders, and then taught me how to use it as well. 

Then she completed the three following pictures. 

The math is obvious, she did a set of addition facts.


For science, she explained to me that she bounced three separate  balls and because of their different “elasticity” the two filled with air bounced higher than the one filled with stuffing. 


Then finally for Bible and art, she reproduced a picture of Jesus feeding the 5,000.


Didn’t know that there was such a thing as 1st grade self-studies but apparently, there is. For the added creativity and initiative, I granted her a counted school day!

Mom's Mini-Vacation

My husband and I got away for a couple of days for a Mini-Vacation at the Maine State Homeschool Convention!  Yippee!

http://familyforest.blogspot.com/2011/03/mini-vacation.html

I am very excited to try out the new hands on critical thinking curriculum that we just brought home!  Its called "School in a Box."  Will definitely let you know how well it works for us!

High Temps and No School

We are going on three days with a temp of 102.0+,

so school is out of session until further notice!

104

Family Fun and Outings!

A blurred three days... 103

I am really not planning to make a habit of this but our school books have not been our main source of education these last few weeks!

In the last three days we have:

Learned about Daniel and the Lion’s Den and made a “Lion Mask” to play with.







Devo: Rock Buildings

Did school at Meme’s- school work that Meme created and had the girl’s do… still haven’t gotten the details on what exactly that entailed?

Practiced Sewing.

Several out loud readers done.

Completed one lesson from our Phonics and Reading and then had the rest of our school day interrupted by a trip to the ER (as a side note, we are all ok).

Co-op was especially fun!  Mrs. Libby brought in her fossil/rock collection and taught on the topic of earth science. 

Today was the big day to explode the volcanoes!  So much fun for all!  Thank you Ms. Amanda for braving the mess for the sake of education!







Guess we are practicing the life skills of adjusting schedules and multi-tasking.  Homeschooling is flexibility in action.

Feb 24th, 100 Days! Yippee!

ALL TOGETHER


My Utmost for His Highest, Jesus Wants all of Me
by Phil A. Smouse
Just Help Yourself: II Corinthians 12:15 “I will gladly spend and be spent for your souls.”


The True Story of Noah’s Ark by Tom Dooley and Illustrated by Bill Looney.  This book is an accurate depiction of Noah’s ark, not like the precious moments version!  I love that the story is not watered down, it depicts the truth accurately and was still able to capture the girl’s interest.  Great Book. JB6 has listened through the audio cd several times now. 

“Mommy, did you know that there were thousands of people living together before the flood?” 

“Look Mom, there were dinosaurs on the ark!” 
Well… yes there were!



What Happens to Your Food? Flip-Flap by Usbornne 
We read the book, discussed how food is processed from beginning to end.  Which foods help with healing, energy, and vitamins.  Discussed importance of hygiene and food safety.  Then JB6 taught the book back to her sister!  Was very cool to listen to everything she learned. They both got a good laugh when the book ended in the bathroom!

AN4
Math: Lesson 17
Get Set for the Code: Pg. 38 to 39

JB6
Reading and Phonics: Lesson 39, consonant blends lk, lt, lf, ft
Outloud Reader: The Fair from The Fox in the Box
Spelling: Lesson 28
Math: Addition Flash Cards
Lesson 53, Number Order, fractions, subtraction and less than and greater than

Feb 23, 99 days down!

MOPPETS today!  The girls learned about Abraham and Sarah.  JB6 informed me that “Abraham lied and said that his wife Sarah was his sister so that the people would not try to kill him and take Sarah from him.”  Guess she understood the lesson!  She also informed me that lying was not the right thing to do! Both girls had music, art/craft, games, and social time today!  School with Ms. Morgan is their favorite! 

98 Days down!

30 minutes of “Signing Time”

Reading- check!  JB6 is now reading through books smoothly and with ease.  Even her brother and sister enjoy listening to her now!

In her free time today, JB6 studied the different types of animals in Antarctica. She particularly liked the Elephant Seal, the Harp Seal,  and especially the Weddell Seal which we learned can remain under water for up to 40 minutes and can also break through the ice from underwater.

We read Freddie’s Farm, Penguins, It’s Too Soon, and 4 stories from The Complete Book of First Experiences (one of my personal favorite books to use when teaching reading skills!)

Basketball skills (taught by “Brahaw”) Girls learned and practiced the proper technique to dribbling a basketball.  AN4 LOVES Basketball!

4 More Days makes 97 Down

These last few days of school have not been traditional, to say the least.  I willingly admit that we did not open our math book or science book or spelling book 

(well with the exception of when a friend wanted to see the curriculum that we use, oh the irony of this week). 

However we did MANY things

and I am ok with that.

In the last 4 days we:

-Attended Co-op where the teacher from a local museum came and shared about the precious stones of Maine.

-JB6 created her own window rock

-Play date with Caleigh

- Studied Sparkies sections

-Attended AWANA where JB6 had store night and purchased presents for everyone in her family with her Sparkies money.

-Read The Berenstain Bears Collective Stories

-Sleep over at Lily’s!

-Visited a local craft store and selected new crafts to do.

-Painted a Rabbit sculpture

-Painted Grand Prix Cars

-Assembled Grand Prix Cars

-Today, the girls attended the 2011 AWANA Grand Prix! JB6 placed 3rd for speed in the Sparkies category and AN4 placed 2nd in the Cubbies category.  They were both very excited!

JB6 informed her Sparkies teacher before the race today that “it doesn’t matter if I get a trophy, its just fun to race.”  I was so pleased with her spirit.

  

   

 

 

   

 

Feb 15, 93 days down!

AN4
Math: Lesson 16

Get Set for the Code: pg 37

JB6
Spelling: Lesson 27

Reading and Phonics: 38, contractions

Outloud Reader: Theres a Wocket in my Pocket

Math: Lesson 52, Subtraction

Ballet last night: Created a Ballet Poster


JB6 spent a great deal of time “organizing” her dolls to look just right! 
She took this picture herself.

Feb 14th, 92 days down!

Together

ABC Devotions: “L” Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

ART, CRAFT, SCIENCE:  The girls each drew a design for a AWANA Grand Prix car.  They traced the design onto the block of wood and then watched daddy cut out the shape with his band saw.  Next they began painting their cars!  Tomorrow: Finish painting and begin the assembly of the wheels.  Will have to make sure that the car is balanced and drives smoothly!  Very exciting for everyone!








AN4
Math: Lesson 15

Get Set for the Code: pg 36, letter “N”

JB6
Spelling: Lesson 26

Math: Addition Flash Cards
Lessons 50 and 51

Reading and Phonics: Beginning Consonant Blends:
pr, tr, fr, and sn

Outloud Reader: Fred’s Lesson from The Fox in the Box

Saturday School Science Fun! Feb 12th, 91 days down!

Air Power!  Science with a rocket balloon! 
You need:

-long piece of thread
-straw
-long balloon
-sticky tape
-peg (clothes pin)

Thread the string through the straw.  Then tie the string between two chairs (we used the window valance and then secured the bottom to the couch with tape so that the “rocket” could shoot “up!”) Blow the balloon up and peg the end with the clothes pin to keep the air from coming out. Tape the straw to the balloon.   From The Usborne Book of Science Activities Volume Two



The tapped air will rush out and propel the balloon forward.  The balloon will flatten as it moves along and the air is displaced. 

 

Our Family Forest