May Grandview Program and Art Co-op

This week was our last Grandview Co-op for the 2014/2015 School Year.  We have had so many great programs this year and the children (and their parents) have learned so much!  I believe that children learn better by being able to experience new things and do hands on activities to go along with them.  One of our great resources in Arkansas is the funding of our state parks with the 1/8 cent conservation sales tax.  Because of this we have great opportunities to take advantage of many free educational programs.  The staff at Grandview has gone above and beyond to put together exciting educational programs for us.

Some of the topics and projects we have had for the science portion this year were:

September- Birds- painting a gourd bird house

October- Fish- Fashion a fish

November-Recap of mammals, fish, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians- diorama of a habitat with all of the different types of animals

December- Nature Crafts

January- No co-op due to illness

February-White Tail Deer- color and decorate deer in their habitat

March- Birds of Prey- We took home an owl pellet to dissect

April- Possum- mama possum with babies, possum pouch, mama possum, 2 month old possum

For our May program, we did Alligators.  We had a program about the different features of alligators, what they eat, where they live etc.. Then we got to meet and hold Mr. Al E. Gator.  Some of the children were a little nervous about him at first, but by the time we went home, my girls wanted to bring Al home with us!!

After that, we made a paper craft alligator.

Each month we take a short lunch break after the morning program and then after lunch, I teach an art co-op.  Each month we feature a different artist, view some of his works, create a notebook page for that artist, and try to recreate a piece of artwork similar to what the artist would have done while exposing the children to different types of art materials.

This year we covered:

September: John James Audubon-nature drawing-water colors

October- Georges Seurat -pointillism-acrylic paints

November- Grandma Moses- variety of materials

December- Alexander Calder-sculpture- construction paper and pipe cleaners

January- no co-op

February- Michelangelo- frescoes- clay and watercolors

March- Henri Matisse- cut paper collage- cardstock

April- Degas- chalk pastels

 For the month of May we learned about Vincent van Gogh.  Our project was to recreate something similar to what he would have done using oil pastels.

While we will not be having any other homeschool co-op days until next fall, there are several summer programs going on and I am sure we will have a chance to take part in a few of those.

Happy Homeschooling!

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Schoolhouse Review Crew: WordsBright

We have opportunities to review many different types of products.  But it is not very often that we get products for my youngest, who loves to get mail and be included in some school work of her own. Recently we had a review just for her, S is For Smiling Sunrise from WordsBright. S is For Smiling Sunrise is a hardcover book that would be enjoyed by preschoolers, kindergartners, and early readers.  Each page in the book features a different letter of alphabet.  Both the upper and lower case version of the letters are shown on the page along with an illustration and a rhyme for that letter.  The book was designed with 4 different goals:
To teach and reinforce the alphabet to young learners.
To increase vocabulary and comprehension and music skills through illustrations and sing along text.
To support character development through a use of positive words and concepts that focus on the values of goodness, beauty, and wonder.
To be enjoyed by children and the adults that are reading with them.
The book also includes a free mp3 sound track of the rhyme for you to download and enjoy.  The song is sung to the tune of the ABC song. The first song is sung to the tune of the letters A to P, the second to the tune of Q to Z, and then the pattern repeats.  
A teacher's guide is also available to go along with the book.  In it the first think you will find is  pre or post reading questions about goodness beauty, and wonder.  Then for each letter of the alphabet you will find a concepts section, questions to ask, vocabulary words, and activities.  Most of the activity suggestions are very simple and do not require a lot of preparation or special supplies.  Some examples include: view and identify different types of flowers, identify day verses night in a variety of pictures, identify and examine different colors, do a coloring activity, use beads and string to make a necklace, look at the moon with binoculars or a telescope, draw and paint a night scene with the moon, and more.
S is For Smiling Sunrise can be purchased as either a hardcover book or an ebook.  The price will vary depending on where it is purchased.  The retail price is $16.95 for the hardcover book and $5.99 for the ebook.  You can find more purchasing information here.
I read S is For Smiling Sunrise with my 4 and 6 year olds and we listened to the song as well.  I actually think they preferred listening to the song rather than just having me read it.  They enjoyed the pictures and the rhymes that went along with them.  Lily was inspired to do some artwork after reading the book for the first time.  

I thought the illustrations were very well done. I especially enjoyed the nature scenes.  I was glad to see that the book was hardcover as that makes it much sturdier for little ones to carry around.  The teaching guide had several great suggestions to do more of a study of each letter and concept.  The questions are very informal and laid back and will create interesting discussions with your little ones. We really enjoyed reading, listening to, and discussing S is For Smiling Sunrise.  
To see what my Crew Mates had to say, click on the banner below.

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Homeschool Wrap Up Week 33

We had a busy week this week!  Nick, Alex, and Christian finished up their spring soccer seasons and Lily finished up with gymnastics.  We HAD a field trip planned to the zoo on Wednesday but a last minute sickly child kept up home.  We also had archery, a 4 H activity, and a fishing derby.  We got a little bit of school work completed too.

Week 33 In Our Homeschool

Bible: We have read through chapter 9 in One Great Purpose and finished Lesson 6 of our study of Moses from Real Life Press.

History:  We finished Lessons 2 and 3 of Famous Men of Rome.

Science: We started reading aloud from The Long Winter and worked on week 5 of Weather on the Move.

Art/Music: Alex worked on lessons 2 and 3 of Drums with Willie.

Grammar/Literature/Writing: Christian and Anthony did Lesson One of the Nose Tree (book one Fix It! Grammar) and Nick and Alex did Lesson One of Robin Hood (book two of Fix It! Grammar.)  Anthony and Alex watched the first lesson of SWI A.  Anthony wrote a key word outline and a rough draft of a paper on sea snakes.  Nick started the introductory lessons of Dynamic Literacy.  Christian and Anthony and I are still reading through The Wheel on the School.

Spelling/Reading: Christian and Anthony finished lesson 19 in All About Reading.  Alex completed step 3 of AAS Lesson 5.

Math: No math this week!

My Father's World Creation From A to Z:

Lily started the unit on butterflies.  We only managed to get in day one and day two so far and will finish up the rest of the unit this week.

Other Activities This Week:

Monday- Nick and Alex had their soccer tournament game Monday night.  It was their last game of the season.

Tuesday- Lily had her last gymnastics class for this school year.

Wednesday- We were supposed to go to the zoo to meet some friends.  But, literally as we were walking out the door, Christian threw up!  I thought it was just because of all the nasal drainage he was having upsetting his stomach but rather to be safe then sorry we stayed home.  The children were very disappointed (and I was too!)  Christian felt just fine by the afternoon thankfully and I promised them I would take them to the zoo on the next nice day.  We did take the day off school.

Thursday- Thursday we had archery. 

Right after that we had 4 H B Day.

Then we went out to eat.  After that Christian had his soccer tournament game and it was his last game of the season.

Friday- Grocery day.  I also started cleaning toys out the playroom.  What a job!  I think the toys were multiplying because just when I thought I was getting close to finishing I found more toys!

Saturday-We went to Grandview for a fishing derby.  There were several storms the night before but it cleared up just before the derby started.  We did not catch a thing!  The children each got a nice door prize though.

I hope you all had a great week in your homeschool and a great Mother's Day!

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4 H Bicyles, Bait Casting, BB Shooting (B Day)

Every year in the spring our county has a competition known as BDay which stands for BB Shooting (gun safety), Bicycles, and Bait Casting.  Children ages 5 and up and can participate in one or more activity.  Ribbons are awarded at the county level and first place winners in the junior and senior age groups are able to go on to the district competition to compete in June.

The bicycle competition has the children ride a short course.  This year they had to ride between the cones in a straight line.  They loose point for knocking over cones, excessive breaking, or putting their feet down.  Christian, Anthony, Alex, and Lily participated in this activity.  Lily still has training wheels on her bicycle and could not fir between the cones so they had her ride in a straight line beside the cones.

BB Shooting requires the children to take a gun safety test.  You can read the test aloud to younger children.  Then they shoot at a target.  They get one practice shot and three shots that count.  Nick, Alex, and Christian participated in this activity.

Bait Casting has a fish ID and fish anatomy test.  You can read the test to younger children.  They get one practice cast and three that count.  There is a marked off area they aim for and point are awarded depending on where it lands.  Lily, Nick, Alex, and Christian participated in this activity.

Emmie kept herself busy.

They all had a lot of fun at B Day!  Lily got a 2nd and 3rd place ribbon, Christian got three 1st place ribbons, Anthony got a 3rd place ribbon, Alex got one 2nd place, one 3rd place, and one  participation, and Nick got 3rd place and participation.

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Review: A Heart's Danger by Colleen Coble

Description:"On the brink of war with the Sioux, a young woman risks everything to expose the betrayal threatening the man she loves. Christmas is coming, and the air at Fort Laramie has turned cold . . . but relations with the Sioux have turned colder. As tensions between soldiers and natives approach a tipping point, Ben Croftner and Jessica DuBois prepare a trap for Rand Campbell. Bitter from rejection and backfired plans, Croftner has enlisted the help of Rand's new fiancée to keep Rand from ever returning to Sarah Montgomery . . . for whom his heart clearly still yearns. Sarah is simply trying to move on with her life at Fort Laramie, but doing so under the watchful eyes of both Campbell-the man whose love she craves-and Croftner-the man whose lies have cost her everything. Will Rand fall victim to the conspiracy and go through with his wedding? Or will he declare his love for Sarah and make good on the promises that brought her into the rugged western territories?"

A Heart's Danger is Book Three of the A Journey of the Heart series.  There are 6 books in total of the series that has recently been released.  The original series was called Where Leads the Heart and Plains of Promise and was the author's first series.  Each of the books in this series are short, around 100 pages, and are quick and easy reads.  I have shared my thoughts on series books before that I love a good series but generally like to see them in 3 books or less.  When they are more spread out they tend to cut off just as the story is being developed to keep the reader interested enough to read the next book.  So far, A Heart's Danger has been my favorite in this series.  There was more action and adventure in this book compared to the other two.  A few things were a bit predictable, but overall it was a very good story and I will be looking forward to reading the next ones in this series.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC regulations.

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Schoolhouse Crew Review: Real Life Press

Heidi St. John is a homeschooling mom of 7 and is a popular speaker at homeschool conventions and author.  Her husband Jay is a worship pastor.   Their company, Real Life Press is a publishing company who believes that exploration of the Bible and a consistent relationship with Jesus will help us to live the real life we were meant to experience in all areas of our life.  We recently had an opportunity to use and review Firmly Planted, Books of Moses, Part 2 Family Study Guide and Student Book. The Firmly Planted series is made up of 10 week studies for adults and children of all ages.  You need to purchase a family study guide in either an ebook copy or a physical book.  There is also a student workbook you can purchase in ebook or physical format.  The books in this series are: The Books of Moses Part 1, The Books of Moses Part 2, The Gospels 1, and The Gospels 2.
The Books of Moses Part 2 contains the following lessons:
Joseph Sold Into Slavery
Joseph Saves His Family
Moses and the Burning Bush
The Plagues
Crossing the Red Sea
The Ten Commandments
The Tabernacle
The Golden Calf
Choosing the Levites
Exploring the Promised Land
I received a physical copy of the Family Study Guide.  It is a 112 page paperback book and can be purchased for $14.99.  Each lesson in the Family Study Guide has several components:
The Seed is the key concept for the week.
Planting the Seed is the recommended memory verse for ages 4-11.
Additional Planting the Seed is a more challenging verse for older students.
Watering the Seedling 5-6 minute story lesson.
Daily Study is the days daily devotion.  Each week has 4 daily studies.
Digging Deeper is for use with adults and older children to into deeper discussion.
Taste the Fruit is a life application segment based on what was learned each day.

To go along with the Family Study Guide, I also received a physical copy of the Student Workbook.  This book is a 225 page spiral bound book. In it you will find a wide variety of learning activities to make the lessons come alive for your students such as : puzzles and mazes, copywork, prayer journal pages, coloring pages, word searches, nature studies, discussion questions, vocabulary words,and more.  The workbook also has an upper class section to give older students a deeper understanding of what is being studied.  The workbook has a generous copyright allowing you to make copies within your own family.  You can purchase the workbook for $39.99.

There are different icons listed in the workbook as well.  Nurturing the Sapling shows that a new lesson is being introduced and will include different activities.  Bearing Fruit draws attention to a deeper life application and extended discussion questions.  Digging Deeper indicates a deeper life application is being introduced.

You can also purchase the book and workbook in a set for $49.95.
I used The Books of Moses Part 2 with my 4,6,8,9,11,and 13 year olds 4 days per week as our morning Bible study.  Two things that jumped right out to me when I was chosen for this review was that I could use it with all my children and I could copy the pages of the workbook.  Both of those are a huge benefit when you are homeschooling a crowd.  Sometimes when a curriculum says you can use with all ages, what it really means is you CAN use it with all ages, but you are going to have to make some adjustments to it to make it work.  With this study, you can really use it with all ages without having to make any adjustments.  There is a wide variety of activities and memory verses that really will suit all ages.  With my younger girls I had coloring and drawing pages for them while they listened to the readings.  For the middle children we had crosswords and word searches for younger ones and advanced for the oldest children.  Some of the activities we all did together.  My favorite activities in the workbook was the Nature Studies and the Map It! pages.  I thought these items added something a little more in depth than many devotional studies.  And I thought it was very cool when my 9 year old saw a map the other day and said, "Look there are the bunny ears we mapped the other day," (the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba.)  Though I didn't use it with my children, the inclusion of the upper class section is wonderful and enables even older children and adults to work on the same study just more in depth.

One of the struggles that I had was because there are so many things to choose from there is little guidance telling what to do when.  I would have liked to see more direction in the workbook such as suggestions for spreading out the activities to match the different daily devotions.  There is an answer key in the back of the book for each lesson but it does not include the definitions or answers to the What Do You Remember sections.  Also, some of the Bible passages you are reading are not included in the book and some that are do not show the entire passage so be sure to have a Bible close by.
I have enjoyed working through this study with my children and will spend the next few weeks finishing it up.  
Member of The Crew reviewed a variety of items from Real Life Press such as The Gospels Part 1, The Gospels Part 2, The Books of Moses Part 2, The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance, The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Daylight, and Lapbooking Made Simple.  To see what my Crew Mates had to say, click on the banner below.

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Homeschool Wrap Up Week 32

I honestly don't even know where last week went.  It has just been a crazy couple of weeks (some good, some not so good.)  I didn't even realize I hadn't posted anything since Tuesday until I got ready to write this post.  Our school year is still going strong.  We have finished up a few things things this week and started a few others.  Our summer will be mostly "review school" using review products and working on some subjects that really need to be worked on all year long like math and reading.

Bible: We finished lessons 3 and 4 in our study of Moses from Real Life Press.  We also started reading a missionary story on Jim Elliot.

History: We completed Lesson One of Famous Men of Rome from Memoria Press.

Science: We worked on week 4 of our Weather on the Move study and finished reading Swiss Family Robinson.  We also watched some weather science experiments from our Go Science DVDs and made some terrariums.

Our butterflies emerged from their chrysalis and we set them free.

Art/Music: We did Lesson 5 in  ARTistic Pursuits K-3 Book 3.  Alex is working on his first lesson of Drums With Willie.

Anthony's artwork drawing a nature scene in different seasons

Grammar/Literature/Writing: Christian, Anthony, and I are still plugging through The Wheel on the School.  Nick and Alex finished up Fix It! Grammar The Nose Tree.  The did not have a writing assignment this week.  I started watching the new TWSS from IEW and will start SWI A with Alex and Anthony this week.  Nick and Alex will move on to Fix it! Book 2 Robin Hood and Anthony and Christian will start Book One.

Spelling/Reading: Christian and Anthony finished Lessons 17 and 18 of AAR.

Math: All of the boys completed their Math U See books!

My Father's World Creation From A to Z

This week we did the unit on Jewels.  Lily completed all of the MFW worksheets:drawing page, handwriting page, sound recognition, math page, picture card page, blend ladder page, and jewel badge.  We read lots of information about jewels and looked at some close up. For our hands on activity we made a sun catcher and glued on colored jewels.

the girls were quite busy one afternoon playing with these ladybugs they found

Other Activities This Week:

Monday we were supposed to have archery and soccer, but soccer ended up cancelled and we had some other issues at the house and stayed home from archery that day.

Tuesday Miss Lillian had gymnastics and we ran a few errands.  Soccer was cancelled.

Wednesday was a stay at home day!

Thursday we went to archery, spent some time visiting with some friends, and had 2 soccer games.

our friends had 7 baby possums they had rescued when the mama was killed

Friday we did grocery shopping, played at the park with friends, and had a soccer game.

Saturday we spent at the house cleaning inside and out and started painting the girls room.

I hope you had a great week in your homeschool!

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