Space : The Final Frontier

Nic is a lover of science, and I have to admit, I am not so much interested in it. This is more a dad area. But I am trying to encourage his interest by keeping plenty of materials on hand as much as possible and making sure we cover our science topics in fun and interisting ways. We started out by reading several great books about the planets, Earth's moon, space travel and more. We really enjoyed a dvd all about food and waste while traveling in space. I had never really pondered how astronauts relieved themselves while in the ships, but now we know the answer and it involves suctioning...not something that Nicholas or I would ever like to experience it turns out, as we discussed it in a lengthy conversation after the video ended. Have fun envisioning that one for a moment, you won't be able to stop yourself :)

Nicholas has made both a poster and 3D model of the solar system for some science and art combined. Both models include the infamous Pluto, the out casted-not-even-a-planet-anymore-reject. It came with both kits after all, and it IS out there, but just considered a dwarf planet now. The library once again has come to our aide - they have a great newish book called "When is a Planet not a Planet? The Story of Pluto" AND, lucky me, they had the audio version as well!! So I was able to read along with Nicholas in the book while we both listened to the soothing voices of the two readers, all while lounging out on the couch. This book is rated for ages 9-12 but I found it just right for Nic (age 8 1/2). It gives detailed factual information, but it does it simply and quickly while not going over his head or over-explaining. Several scientists that I plan on having us study in the future are mentioned in this book, so he got a little intro into who they are and what they did. The illustrations in the book are very eye pleasing, I am glad that I did get both the book and audio version because I think it helps to have the pictures and written words right there to focus on while he got to hear the book read aloud.

We also spend some time working on a Space workbook and flashcards, both purchased at Target in the dollar section (score)! And I was also able to borrow a kit from the library that has fictional space stories as well as puppets, so the kids and I have been able to come together for some playtime and story time again. Even though I did not focus on teaching anything space related to Sydney, she is still picking things up. She can name a few of the planets on Nic's poster (and the dwarf planet LOL, pointing out to the rest of us that it has the same name as Mickey Mouse's dog) and likes to ask Nic to read the rest to her. It's really cool getting to see Nic pass down his knowledge to his little sister, and how much she admires him for it.I remembered something from when Nic was her age, he had a Blue's Clues radio toy that sang a song about the order of the planets. I sang it to them and he remembered. Sometimes I can't believe how much time has gone by!

During moments like those, when they are sitting there all quiet and nice and it's something off of the Hallmark channel, then I know why I am homeschooling. And well, when they laundry hamper is overflowing, and they are screaming at eachother, and we are behind in math and it's 6:30pm and I don't know what is for dinner...well, it's harder to remember why we are homeschooling, but deep down I still know we chose it for our family because it's what we believe to be best for all 4 of us. I just need to go back to that quiet moment!

If You Give a Mouse a Brussels Sprout

Getting my kids to try new foods is not so easy. Some times the whining begins before they even know WHAT it is that I have cooked. (I should mention that this goes mostly for the younger one.) Lucky for me, I think I may have found a loophole in the kids rule about saying no to new foods! Hoorah, score for mom! So as it turns out, if someone other than myself suggests the food...perhaps even a made up fictional character in a book, then somehow the idea of trying it goes from gross, no way, not even if you paid me to tasty, delicious, can't wait to try it. And THIS is how I got my children to try potato soup.

We sat together in the living room and I read the story "The Cat who liked Potato Soup" by Terry Farish on one kind of chilly and definitely rainy day. I had come across the book while browsing the children's section of the library, the title grabbed my attention straight away. I flipped through it quickly, checked it out from the library, and made my shopping list later that night!

It continues to be a challenge for me to pull together lessons and activities than both Nicholas and Sydney enjoy, so finding something as simple as a short story and easy meals that the kids can help with is really great. I will be searching the shelves for more titles like this one...maybe there is hope yet that they might try some Brussels sprouts sometime in their childhood!

Music and Movement

We were invited to our first drum circle by Aunt Danica. I wasn't sure what it would entail exactly, but decided it would be fun to go and try it out. Turns out it is exactly what you would think - people drumming in a circle :) It was fun! There were all kinds of people with all kinds of drums, just making music and enjoying the outdoors. Nicholas and Sydney were both able to experiment with several types of drums, some belonging to Danica and other belonging to the group. Sydney had a blast dancing in the circle - it was cute at the time, but the group sent out an email later saying that they'd prefer the children to dance outside of the circle next time. Oops! We are looking forward to going again soon, and are also looking for a drum of our own so if you see any while you're out, let us know!

Nicholas had his trial gymnastics class last week. Saying he LOVED it would be an understatement! His group went to several stations during his hour class, doing everything from somersaults to back bends and flips on the bar. I signed him up for the next session, which conveniently starts this week! He is in an all boys class with a male instructor. I am not allowed to take photos inside the gym except on designated "photo day", but there is a seating area for visitors to sit and watch.

Sydney has been begging to go to ballet so we signed her up for a pre-school ballet/tap combo class down at the local dance studio. She went in for her leotard and shoe fitting and met all of the instructors. I didn't think she would ever want to leave! Her classes won't start until mid-September. The studio does not allow viewing during classes, but she will have a recital in June of next year. Turns out that they will preform at my old high school! So she will be dancing on the same stage where mommy performed in theatre, which I think is pretty cool since we are not even in that same county anymore!

Our new adventure begins 2009-2010

Today was day #1 of our 2009-2010 school year. Nicholas has now begun the 3rd grade and Sydney has started a pre-k program, all right here at home of course :) Sydney was most excited, she asked straight away if school had started, this just after she woke up and was still wiping the sleep from her eyes. I told her we needed to wait until we ate breakfast, daddy was cooking this morning and everything. Nicholas was a little more hesitant to say goodbye to lazy summer days but his interest perked back up when I asked him to journal about what he wants to learn about this year. His entry was this: " I want to learn about Egypt. I would love to learn about space. I would die to learn about forest animals. I would bug you all day to learn about Presidents." I laughed so hard when I read that last part! I am so proud of him for expanding on the "I want" and getting creative with his wording. Very good progress.

The first day went smoothly with both kids getting to see some of their new school books and supplies. They both worked on the letter "A" today, Sydney had an apple tree craft and Nicholas got to start writing in cursive, starting with the first in the alphabet. Nicholas helped Sydney with her new ABC puzzle (voluntarily even!!), they both painted, Nicholas and I did some coin counting practice from his Marvel math book and worked on some grammar review as well. I think we are off to a great start!

I am still working on my weekly plans, although the basic outline of what we are covering between now and December is done. I have found some cool field trip opportunities for this year as well, I'm just not sure what we will actually be able to fit into our schedule,budget, and of course what will work for both kids. I am looking into signing both kids into program of their choice, Nicholas would like Gymnastics and Sydney has chosen Ballet. I think I can keep them good and busy and learning though :)

Here is our basic outline for this semester, looking forward to adding more as I find things:
Science - dinosaurs, astronomy, anatomy and germs
History - more on Egypt (Nic's request), ancient Rome, Vikings, early American history
Language - learning Spanish as a family...might need to push this off until next semester, we'll see...
Art/Music - the works of Eric Carle, basics of music and rhythm
Math - completing the Marvel Comic math book, learning multiplication, more focus on money
English - more grammar review, reading many new novels including the Harry Potter series, learning cursive, expanding vocabulary
Photography - (this is for me) learning how to get a picture of my kids where I can see more than just their backs...that would be GREAT

I am still using the Core Knowledge Series as my basis for topics covered throughout the year, but we use more living books than textbooks.

A place for recess - we are building a treehouse!

Ok, so it's more like Jeff is building a treehouse LOL. But I make a great assistant I think! It's a work in progress right now, a little more gets done everyday. I will update this post with newer pictures as it gets finished. There will be a swing, a slide, a rock climbing area, a little house underneath with a fort on top. Everything we need for a fun recess in the backyard this school year :)

Days 2: I cleared out the weeds and Jeff built the framework. Slide is not attatched yet, just there for measuring.

Day 6: The floor of the toplevel is built and there is a ladder!

Day 8: Syd helps build! There is a backwall with window now and the slide is attatched!

Day much-much-later: We used most of the supplies that we had on hand and it is playable! The downstairs area is not finished as planned though and money cannot go to this project, as so many other projects have come up. I hear this is called life *sigh*. There are 2 signs on the treehouse that Jeff made, one with each of the kid's names, very cool. I am proud of his handy work!

Now we're cookin!

Nicholas LOVES to help in the kitchen, so I have been using that eagerness to help us move along with math and other basic life skills. Several times throughout the 2nd grade, Nic and I have read thru kids cookbooks from the library and he was given the opportunity to chose a recipe for us to make together. He makes the grocery list with me and also does the majority of the cooking himself with my supervision/help. One time he chose to make French Toast which was real surprise because he never likes it when I make it for breakfast. Well, he absolutely loved the recipe we used and requests it frequently now! This is something we will be carrying over into the 3rd grade for sure. I love that it is teaching him some basic skills that everyone needs to know: how to make a grocery list, how to read a recipe, how to make simple foods, and even the importance of trying new foods.

The library also had an interesting video series called "Meals in Minutes" that we checked out. The video host is comedian Stevie Ray and he made the videos fun to watch. The videos we selected covered basic kitchen food prep and safety. It said grades 6+, but Nicholas thought it was great. He also loves to watch Good Eats with Chef Alton Brown on the Food Network and get new recipes and learn all about foods.

Another way we have incorporated Nic's love of the kitchen into his lessons is by signing him for classes at the local Young Chef's Academy. There he gets to be with other homeschooled children (some from one of his playgroups even!) and cook up a new recipe each month. Their brightly colored kitchen serves as a classroom as well and the kids get to feel like real chefs in their hats and aprons while they cook. Parents are invited to sample the classes creations, but I have noticed that the desserts never make it that far. Last month's Tuscan Bean Soup was delicious, and Nic tells me the cake was great but of course I didn't get a taste hahaha. I am greatful that this company offers homeschool classes at a discounted rate, the same rate that the school field trips get.This is not going to be something we sign up for on a regular basis, but just from time to time as our budget and schedule allow.

Field Day for the Homeschooled

Can childhood be complete without a day in the sun with friends, juice boxes, and a tug of war? Sure, but we found out that even the homeschoolers in our area were attempting a Field Day this year, so we joined in too. We all got together and had sack races, three-legged races, long jumps and of course a big Tug-of-War finale. The 1st attempt was hilarious, boys vs. girls, and the rope (sheets) broke right down the center and all kids went down!! Sydney was even participating in that one and thought she had won somehow LOL. We of course had a do-over, and girls won, even though they had the disadvantage of pulling uphill! I awarded Nic with his very own Field Day medal at the days end and he thought that was pretty cool :)