Saturday, December 20, 2008

Looking for One but Found Another

Isn't homeschooling and life full of rabbit trails? I was trying to find a version of Go Tell It On the Mountain by Garth Brooks, one of my favorites, and found Belleau Woods. Belleau Woods is based on a true story from WW1, where the Germans and their enemies held a truce over the holidays and even shared celebratory time together. Then this made me think of a movie, Joyeux Noel, I watched last year... based on the same story. Huh



Marshmallow World

One of my ALL TIME favorite songs. My mom had this album when I was growing up and couldn't wait to play it each winter. Memories (sigh)




Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra- Marshmallow World

Christmas Time

As we are done with school for the semester and have 2 family Christmas parties done, I am all about feel good Christmas Music. I will be posting some new finds as well as old favorites! Whether you celebrate the season or not... best wished to you and yours from Boys+



Trans-Siberian Orchestra- Christmas Canon

Friday, December 19, 2008

Nerd Family Giveaway

The Nerd Family has reviewed the Clean 'n' Flip charts from Trigger Memory Systems and is giving them away! You can enter 3 ways. Check it out!



Finally Finished

My den is done!!! All my books are nestled all snug in their shelves.

Movies are behind the bulletin boards. Our Library loans are on the top shelf along with the glass kitty G bought me for Mother's Day "because I am allergic and cannot have a real cat."

Ta Dah Dah Dah! My new Ikea bookshelves. I love them. I actually have one more big one but measured wrong and it wouldn't fit properly. That's ok I found a space for it.

It's in the foyer and is housing Snowmen, photo albums, and cd/ dvd binders. After winter it will hold my Mexican Alebrije and Black Pottery collection.

I am feeling so much lighter! I have a table top full of final piles to pack to the basement, find homes for, or pitch. I have filled 6 bags of trash, at least 6 for charity and added some books to Paperbackswap. Ahhhhhh

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Animal Zoo

To review vertebrates and invertebrates G is creating a zoo out of Model Magic. He is going through each class of animal in the National Geographic Animal Encyclopedia and choosing one animal to recreate. Here is what he has made so far...

Arachnids- Crab Spider


Reptile- Cobra


Amphibian- Texas Blind Salamander


Fish- Ocean Sunfish




Winter Piano Recital 2008

G had his piano recital this morning. He played two pieces. After all of the piano students were finished the Kid's Fun Choir sang. It was great!


Turkey Dinner


We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Learning Notes: Weeks 17 & 18

I am so excited! We are on Christmas break for the rest of the month!!!!! We have finished 18 weeks and will only be finishing up a model magic project and practicing our math facts so that hopefully we will be ready to start Beta in January. Ahhh, I feel like I can breathe so much easier.

Week 17

Phonics
Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading Review Lessons 157-163 (or)

Dolch List- missed words

Read Aloud
Little House on the Prairie (audio) - Finished

Raggedy Anne and the Nice Fat Policeman- finished

Egyptian Diary- finished

Independent Reading &
Book Adventure

Noisy Nora

Elephant & Piggie Books

I Will Surprise My Friend

I am Invited to a Party

There is a Bird on Your Head

Are you ready to Play Outside?

I Love My New Toy!

Handwriting
Ocean
Animals Book

Math-
Work sheets -4, -5

DK Math Puzzles

Flashcards -4, -5,

Science- Invertebrates & Vertebrates
Review

Magic School Bus Videos

Cold Blooded Animals

Arctic Insulation

Food Chain

Social Studies- SOTW 1
Ch 16, 17, 18- Assyria, Babylon, Crete

*Audio

Coloring Sheets

Bull Jumping Videos


Vanschool
Piano
* C Position
* Staccato

Library

Fieldtrip: Food Pantry

Keepers

Badges

Digestive System

Relay Races

Video at Home: Magic School Bus: Digestion

Week 18

Read Aloud
Jungle Book

Independent Reading &
Book Adventure

McDuff Moves In

Max and the Chocolate Chicken

Handwriting
Ocean
Animals Book-Finished

Science- Invertebrates & Vertebrates
Review

Model Magic Zoo- review vertebrates and invertebrates. Creating 3D models of each class.

Vanschool
Piano

Piano- recital practice

Recital- Piano & Choir

Assessment inspired by Mrs. Perkin’s Website

Reading

Number words 1-20

Color Words

Days

Months

Dolch (pp,primer, 1,2,3)

Math

Coins & value

Time to hour and half hour

Count 2 (no), 5,10 to 100

Addition 10’s

64 addition problems in 5 minutes (7.2 minutesJ)