Support from your Local Homeschool Parent Group

How does your homeschool parent support group support you?  Mine offers many wonderful opportunities. They organize field trips, ice skating free-skate (along with other sport related activities), parent curriculum discussion, project fairs, curriculum re-sale opportunities and sharing time for uplifting parent-educators. But now, my support group provides dissections.  The Mommy became the RockStar of the month by signing up two Gs for a cow's eye dissection.  The third G was asked to be an assistant to the medical presenter-educator.  The Daddy and I helped each G with the scalpel, but really, there wasn't much to the process.

It just seems that there is more to dissections (science in general) when the parent-educators try to take on such a task independent of any outside help.  We tried to dissect two years ago on our own from a mail-order kit. We got through the seastar, clam and worm, but the frog remains to be dissected. So, when we got an incredible lesson about the eye from Dr. Callentine, I was ecstatic!  So grateful for making this memory with my kids.

Checking In with Weekly Report

Ok, so y'all are always posting weekly accomplishments and I'm the sluggard who is just trying to keep up on who ate last and who is going where. So, here is a run down or sum up of what point we are in the schedule for 4th and 5th grades. 

G#2 started a week earlier than her brothers because she was ready while they were still playing with legos until noon back in August. She is completing Week 26 of an approximately 40 week schedule for 4th grade.  She read and finished all the sources for the Story of the World chapter 28 about the Roman Empire. She enjoyed a video about Ancient Roman art from Harmony Arts Mom's 5th grade plans.  She learned some new words from Spelling Workout lesson 26.  She is done with Rod and Staff English 5 lesson 56 and Saxon 5/4 lesson 73.  She survived flute in homeschool band for week 18 along with her brothers as well as read about Mongolia after moving all the way East in Asia from the Mediterranean Sea.  Her habitat studies have her and her brothers in the rainforest with the Hands of a Child crew answering a question in paragraph format regarding why the rainforest is a great place for animals to live.  She was especially grateful for poor weather this week as it was the Elemental Science Logic Stage Life Science week for Amphibians and a frog dissection. The dissection which needs to be done outside was postponed until better weather hits the Chicagoland area.  Our CBS lessons took us to Genesis 33 and it was a nice change to have more action from Bible study.

G#1&#3 both sailed through the same habitat, flags, CBS, science and art lessons. They both have their own grammar, spelling and math lessons which keep them busy.  History finds them in chapter 25 of SOTW and notebook pages from our 2009 Rome field trip were completed with pictures of each kid in historic locales.  G#1 finished reading the final book of the Roman Mysteries and wrote a short narration to complete his collection which will get printed out and placed in his history binder.

We were all active for gym time on Tuesday and enjoyed time with friends on the ice for homeschool kids ice skating time.  So much activity is initiated around here from time off the couch while playing the Wii games.  I actually allowed a library Wii game after each G completed the winter reading program from our local library on Wednesday. I'm so glad for the freedom to move in and out of the library during a regular school day.

MacBride Raptor Center on a beautiful day

Didn't spend much time except to introduce the birds to our Aunt who accompanied us to the lake for a hike. We enjoyed few bugs and lots of sunshine near the water.

Easter with family in Iowa

We began the 29th week of our classical studies for 1st and 2nd grades in the 'burbs, but drove to Iowa for Easter adventures near the farm. We read and completed a few lessons on birds in zoology I. But, then went fishing at my uncle's pond. There was four hours of fishing in the warm sunshine. The goal for using our fishing poles at least once a year is complete. Now, any other fishing is over and above the goal!

On the return trip to the 'burbs, once some of the Easter egg hunts candy was done, we found the Macbride Raptor center at Coralville Lake on Monday in the cold and rain. We identified what the large variety of birds ate from droppings and remnants laying around the containers and we saw the fresh dinner being prepared by the University of Iowa caretakers involved in the program. There were also reasons that brought each bird to the center. Some were obvious like the saw wet owl with one eye. And one bird missing a wing. The osprey's nest was the connection that G#1 made with the Burgess Bird Book story about how it was made and where it was located above the lake for easier reach once a fish was caught from the water. Each of my three Gs made wonderful connections with the flying things Apologia study and I'm pleased to have a sister-in-law who did the research to find us this wonderful site to visit. We can't wait to take her back next month when we find this place again on a warmer, greener day.

He knows the Number...

If God knows the number of hairs on our heads, how much better does He know the number of feathers on a bird. We learned about wing and tail feathers today and how the 5 different types of feathers are varied in make and purpose. Here is a link to the Burgess Bird Book for Children that we are reading now (chapter 17). And, as G#1 says, "God must have very good math" skills to do all of this counting.

Classical Christian Homeschooling Online Catalog: Orthography of Grammar (1-2 Grades)

As we finish the first chapter of Zoology I Flying Things, I consider that the remaining weeks of the school year leave me no other choice but to plan for next year, not buy - mind you. Just to plan. I'm am reminded by this site Classical Christian Homeschooling Online Catalog: Orthography of Grammar (1-2 Grades) and relieved for some idea of what to look for in language arts materials. Our trip through First Language Lessons will finish for G#1. I don't know much about Lexile ratings or how much he should be reading, but for now, I'm not scared so bad that I should send him back into the classroom. Dictation works, memorization satisfies and composition looms. What to do? I wonder if it's time to pray about it?

Finishing Week #18

The boys, like their father, are more consistent with this rising early and working through their weekly checklist of school work expeditiously. I need to be a better example. I've been able to rise early as well and complete my Bible study before coming down to find them with their noses in the books. We all enjoy our afternoons much more too. The snow is being shoveled from the driveway and ensuing play in the snow is had; I made home made laundry soap yesterday; we went to the library and enjoyed some new books and cd-rom time there; we vacuumed the entire first floor of our home together in order to prepare for evening guests last night; and today there is a play date planned for G#1. It was good to sign up for the winter reading program at the library and each are anxious to finish it. I'm excited that Jupiter is half covered and they still enjoy knowing more about the fifth planet. When you next see them, ask them about Jupiter - they're really paying attention to this one. I've asked G#1 to read through 2 sections of the book about where babies come from. Yes, it's a little early, but it's better if he learns it from us than from the neighbor kids down the street. Today, I'm hoping to make paper. I picked up the book at the library to walk me through it. I would love to put seeds in the paper so it can be used to sprout little flower pots, but I may need to practice a bit first. I wonder if the little girl will finish her school checklist in time to work with me on that one...

Home-school nature hike - Yahoo!

We're up to 67 days of school today, kicking and screaming. But, there was the incentive to go to St James Farm for a nature hike today with Ranger Kev from the DuPage county Forest Preserve. Our Daddy was able to attend with us for the first time in a year of attempting these outings. The 600+ acre farm was recently acquired by the Forest Preserve from the McCormick's of the International Harvester heritage. According to the history lesson today, Mr. McCormick invented the reaper in 1920 in order to make farming faster and more efficient. These people who owned today's site may not be the exact inventor's direct family, but they were involved in the collection of wealth due to the company's success. It had been since June at West Chicago prairie that we'd done a nature hike. But today, unlike June, there were no mosquito's. It was cold and windy. There were flurries while we stood outside in the weather, but we got a good walk out of the trip and we were witness to sand hill cranes moving south. Very cool for the Mommy.

Tonight G#1 is building a popsicle bridge with the Daddy for a Boy Scout activity. The little girl is cleaning the crayon off the carpet under her desk. Her twin brother is recovering from scarfing down home made pizza. I'm listening to The world is flat by Thomas Friedman.

Sunday Beef Roast & Gravy!

Yes, that's correct! I've made my own beef gravy without my gravy mentors or mom on the phone to walk me through it. My kids ate the beef roast without complaining. It was tasty. I've not baked one for over 2 years because of all the whining and moaning from the table of hungry people before. It's about time considering that I'm 40+ years old and it's my very favorite side dish at a meal with a decent baked potato handy.

I've also signed up for facebook and I'm really not sure if I like it or not. A bit addicting I must admit, but didn't keep me from getting through a bit of schooling on Monday with all three Gs doing well. We're listening to A door in the wall on tape from the library because it will have so much to do with our history lessons very soon. Today we finished talking about medieval India and will move on to the rise of islam tomorrow. Mars is going well so far and all the rest, spelling to math, didn't cause huge wailing and moaning today.

The little girl is enjoying a lesson from Draw and Write. She didn't even know that she is doing a lesson in art. I'll post it when she is done.

Exploratorium Visit

It was a wee bit of a haul from our airport hotel room, but it was an opportunity to field trip for free as part of our ASTE membership. We took the free hotel shuttle to the airport. We then rode the BART to Montgomery station with my new full-price round trip tix and the kids' Sunday discounted tix. THEN we took the 30 Stockton bus to the end of its path. We saw things that we'd seen on Sunday during the bus trip IE. Union Square, Chinatown, Pier 39 and Hyde St Pier. But then we walked two blocks to see the Exploratorium. I was thrilled to have seen my children experience this place, a landmark to remember. Yes, that is a cow's eye dissection. And when you turn around from the last landscape picture, you are next to the water that is just entered under the Golden Gate Bridge with container ships included.

Wednesday Wiggles

We got the wiggles and giggles today. Can't help it. The breezes are cool and the windows are open. These three Gs are playing tag with their game hats pulled down over their eyes. Yes, they are crashing into each other and the laundry that I'm trying to finish. The oldest was outside for a few minutes to help with the recycling and got stung by a bee. No, he didn't die, but you'd think that was the most severe pain he'd ever knew in his life.

I'm also, between officiating independent work and laundry, trying to create a chore/work chart. The file from currclick created at Notebookingnook.com is full of just the right icons and tasks. These three children will someday need to keep track of their work as adults in an organized manner, but for now, the organization charts for school and chores will let us all know what is done and what is remaining to do.

BTW, maybe you could check out the article on msnbc about globe trotting kids. It's from an article in Forbes magazine. It would be wonderful to raise kids who lived in this world and knew how to navigate/deal with this world, but not of it.

That's a gun Mom!

Yep, a pistil. That was the answer my kids remembered this morning when I used this broken lily to reinforce lessons on plants from last spring. We reviewed stamen, anther, filament, pistil, stigma and style. They remembered the purpose for the stem and leaves. I reminded them the photosynthesis term, but everything else worked. These children really are little sponges.

We enjoyed a summer visit to the prairie on Tuesday afternoon only after the application of mosquito repellent. We'd been there in the fall and now we've seen it with all the beautiful flowers on a restored mesic prairie in the middle of an industrial complex. Nope, there is no path; we just follow the ranger.

One of the ladies at new church is continuing her life with cancer. She just suggested in a prayer request email that we "Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly..." and to remember that "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain." It's as simple/complex as that.

Travel Awaits Us

We passed up the trip to nature hike Timber Ridge in order to meet Grampa at the airport and jet off to visit AMSE Oak Ridge TN this week. Well, we've done a little school work what with reading, grammar, spelling (#1 is doing a brilliant job - wonder if it has to do with his voracious reading and great memory???). We've finished listening to the Hobbit and are doing ok to narrate what happens in each chapter while listening to Alice in Wonderland. Math isn't so bad for each and all are familiar with the books of the New Testament now. Again, the oldest has memorized them. But the others will soon. We've done some finishing touches on huge word search exercises that helped test the northern and southern border states and capitols. All that was in preparation for the eastern Tennessee trip. We are continuing the initial year of life science study by reviewing exactly how to classify five types of animal groups. Fish were finished today. It helps to get a big shot of science at the museum this week.

Truly all three

Well, it's done. The first day of h-s all three children is complete. They studied the books of the BIBLE and the oldest is reviewing the Apostle's Creed. I'm trying to catch up on how far his math skills are and he is responsively patient. Reading, math and the difference between dolphins and sharks were covered. Finally, we listened to chapters 3-7 of Treasure Island while coloring Van Gogh's "Starry Night" outline from Enchanted Learning. Now it's time to pack - for we attempt to fly tomorrow :- )

Thank you Tax Payers of Our County!

We enjoyed an awesome visit to a preserve in the southern section of our county yesterday!!! It was a nature hike lead by Ranger Kevin up to lookout point with a view of a River. There were over a dozen kids and their folks. We learned about why this preserve existed (as a buffer to a national laboratory next door) and invasive plant species and native plants and so much. The twins did an brilliant job listening and staying behind the Ranger as to not trip the guy up when we hiked. It was at least 3 miles there and back! No kidding... both kids asked when the next hike was and they are quite ready. Here are some pictures of them listening to the Ranger and playing PoohStick at the creek. The last picture is for Grampa, the aficionado of such things.

My vocabulary is expanding...*sigh*

http://classical-homeschooling.org/grammar/grammar.html
Orthography is the study of the elementary sounds, letters, and syllables of our language. Therefore phonics is a branch of orthography, as is penmanship. Spelling is also considered a part of orthography.

We're enjoying a good week and I wanted to get a few tidbits out there before closing for a very busy weekend of soccer and planetarium visits etc. The good week included "Horton hears a who," beginning of "Story of the World" with the fertile crescent exersize AND discussion of Ohio outline map including a story about Columbus (since the capitol city of Ohio is named for somebody too). We listened more "Little House in the Big woods" and began listening to "Little House on the Prairie." Questions about how cream is made were very important when we made a microwave lemon cake that included whipped cream. Ma in the stories skimmed the cream and this fact resonated with my pupils. We listened to a story about Archimedes and one story with the older brother about Junie B Jones. We survived phonics & copy work of the second commandment several times this week which might make it easier to do more next week (she said with a wicked, tortuous tone).

The old hard yucky morning vitamins are gone and the new chewable gummy vitamins are being consumed on a regular basis. The home-made planetarium guide for our visit tomorrow is printed and ideas for next week are set up. Let the weekend come - and cooler breezes for the bees.

Busy times

Labor Day weekend became the get-everything-done time when we got ceiling fans in all four bedrooms, all bathrooms got plug-ins wired for gfci to function properly, one bathroom got a new light/fan kit wired, new garage work table plug-ins installed so that the deep freeze won't loose power when the cord is stretched too far AND we got time to run to IKEA to introduce the cousins and aunt to amazing idealand. Due to the handy work of the dremel, Daddy and I got the junction boxes in the ceilings for our handy uncle to run conduit after fishing down to the light switches in the wall. A true feat of skill indeed. All children are practicing soccer with the new district teams and will have games this Saturday through the end of October. Praise God none of the games are at the same time AND not far away sites when right after each other. Boy scouts starts for #1 soon too.

Kindergarteners continue with handwriting (A Reason For Handwriting, Kindergarten: by Carol Ann Retzer and Rob Harrell), phonics, literature, math and reading (Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Siegfried Engelmann, et.al.). Our verse for this week comes from the catechism and is The first commandment: You shall have no other gods. History and geography found it's way into the mix with the beginning of the northern border states of the USA. I read from the Grolier Online provided by our local library online about Washington, his namesake state and Idaho this week. All three children are enjoying The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay for introductory lessons on science. More hands on work is done later Bubbles, Rainbows and Worms: Science Experiments for Preschool Children as well as Project Wild or Project Wet lessons. We have our good times and our bad times, but I don't regret their spending more time home for a little longer. How else would we have enjoyed the Morton Arboretum visit during the day last Thursday. Splashing and building dams in the water as well as climbing among the tree tops on rope ladders. Audio books are helping me with my reading times too. We've enjoyed stories about The little house in the big woods and will continue to follow along on that series while we look forward to Herriot stories soon too. YIPPEE!