Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
In just a flash....
Your whole life can change! Colton had a seizure Friday at the MN State Dance Team Tournament. He had stopped breathing, was blue, and unresponsive. He received CPR and was rushed the hospital by ambulence.
The seizure was caused by the spike of a fever. We didn't even know he was getting a fever until we were at hospital.
By the grace of God....Colton is fine. My view of life and my children will never be the same!
He will be on the local news station WCCO channel 4 tonight at 10pm. It is an amazing story! I will link once story is put up on their website.
Friday, February 10, 2012
HOD BEYOND: WEEK 1 (Angelo-7)
PIONEERS FROM SPAIN SETTLE ST. AUGUSTINE
(Everything we did as written is in black. All add on's are red.)
***We do not use only HOD. We also love our TOG and are finding a way to incorporate the two together. My littles are thriving with HOD though.....so we are adding in pieces of TOG which I use mostly with dd10 and ds12.
READING ABOUT HISTORY:
All of the kids REALLY like the book "American Pioneers and the Patriots". Discussed a lot about what it would be like to travel for so long without electricity. Kids discussed going camping this summer to test it out.
POETRY AND RHYMES:
I have realized that my spunky ds7 LOVES poetry! :) We have read from a poetry collection that we own this week. He has been loving working on "The Storm". All kids illustrated and did poem puzzle.
GEOGRAPHY:
Lots of review for us this week. Angelo already knows his continents and oceans, so we focused more on Spain, St Augustine, Florida, and routes ships took.
BIBLE STUDY:
Psalm 4:8 We made up some actions to go with Scripture. Not really sticking as we are practicing LHFHG memory verses more often. lol
CORRESPONDING MUSIC:
We are skipping this for now and just doing Vol. I as that was accidentally send in our Beyond order. Worked out fine as we needed that anyway. :D
LANGUAGE ARTS:
I decided to give Angelo both grade 1 and 2 lists....so 20 words. He is doing very well with the words so far. I am fine cutting back as weeks go on, but for now, that seems to be working. He did all of the spelling activities this week.
Copywork: He did the entire poem. No complaining or whining. Writing does not seem to bother him.
READING CHOICES (CHOOSE YOUR OWN):
We all started using Reading Eggs this week. So far they are all enjoying it.....even ds12! ;)
Angelo also read some Bob books this week.
STORYTIME:
BUST! Could not find book. It is here somewhere! lol So once I find it, we will play catch up!
MATH EXPLORATION:
So much fun! Math has been a huge hit this week. I am doing activities and SM workbook with ds7 and dd5. I also am supplementing math lab stuff. This weeks big winner is our new C-Rods. They have all played HOURS with them this week. We are also tinkering with Miquin a bit.
SCIENCE EXPLORATION:
Science is pretty like warm this week. Not HOD's fault, but in us getting the swing of things, I have been less than inspirational in the science department. :( So we smashed out all of the science on Friday.
We did watch a tornado spin using our Discovery Kids Tornado Kit. Watched Brainpop Jr "Spring" which touched on floods, storms, and tornadoes. Also watched Brainpop "Tornadoes".
Boat experiment: Used card stock cut in fours. Added food coloring to the water to make it like an ocean. :) Watched Brainpop "Ocean Currents"
Blubber Experiment:
Using the water from above experiment. We also added ice cubes. Brrrr! :)
Video about Arctic Habitats. Brainpop "Dolphins" (blubber). Migration (discusses blubber a bit)
HISTORY ACTIVITY:
ARTISTIC EXPRESSION: We are skipping this activity as we are our of aluminum foil. :) We also did shields within the last 6 months.
EXTRAS THIS WEEK:
Little Learners Co-op Mondays 1-4pm (left a little early due to dance team)
Dance class Mondays 630-830pm
Veritas Press self paced class year 3 (watching with ds12 and dd10)
Songs daily from week 29 LHFH and week 1 LHFHG.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
What a week!
Monday: Angelo gave up his title as New Brighton Stockyard Days Junior Ambassador 2011. Abigail attended as current 2012 Northeast Minneapolis Jr. Ambassador. Was up til 5am celebrating! lol No official school.
Tuesday:School day. Rich stays overnight at job site. (Yeah....work came in!)
Wednesday: School day. Kids and I went to the 100 year birthday celebration of Xcel Energy Riverside Plant. It was sooooo fun! They had a safety fair, dinner, and tour of the facility. Plus a fun bus ride! lol
Thursday: School day. Did school outside in the front yard. Used our portable shelter (LOVE that thing!) Abigail attended a formal tea party for NE Royalty. Dom and I discussed some restructuring of his academics and came up with a plan.
Friday: School day. Watched video of a giraffe giving birth. Joey applied for a job at our local Menard's. Dom heads off to Jerry's with Lainey, Mylee, and Abby going along for the drop off ride.
Saturday: Parade with NE Royalty in Lino Lakes.
Sunday: Abigail attending Lino Lakes coronation. Adults have Viking concession and manager training to work the Dome. :)
Tuesday:School day. Rich stays overnight at job site. (Yeah....work came in!)
Wednesday: School day. Kids and I went to the 100 year birthday celebration of Xcel Energy Riverside Plant. It was sooooo fun! They had a safety fair, dinner, and tour of the facility. Plus a fun bus ride! lol
Thursday: School day. Did school outside in the front yard. Used our portable shelter (LOVE that thing!) Abigail attended a formal tea party for NE Royalty. Dom and I discussed some restructuring of his academics and came up with a plan.
Friday: School day. Watched video of a giraffe giving birth. Joey applied for a job at our local Menard's. Dom heads off to Jerry's with Lainey, Mylee, and Abby going along for the drop off ride.
Saturday: Parade with NE Royalty in Lino Lakes.
Sunday: Abigail attending Lino Lakes coronation. Adults have Viking concession and manager training to work the Dome. :)
Friday, August 19, 2011
Outline of how we school (TOG 3 YEAR CYCLE)
Using TOG in a 3 year cycle (and science)
YEAR 1: Ancients/Early Middle Ages....Biology/Earth Science
YEAR 2: Middle Ages/Early Modern.....Earth Science/Chemistry
YEAR 3:Early Modern/Modern....Chemistry/Physics
Children are folded into each as they become that age. So right now we are in YEAR 3 and have dsbaby ;), dd2 (both Lower Primary), dd4 (Upper Primary), ds6 (Lower Grammar), dd9 and ds11 (Upper Grammar).
PRIMARY LEVELS: Goal is EXPOSURE.
Lower Primary (0-3 yrs.) Play and add in as wanted or able. (Honestly....people can say all they want about not doing anything, but my kids feel left out. Even Colton age 6 months, joins us for activities. He even played in the Oobleck the other day :D )
Upper Primary (4-6 yrs) Start the 3 R's as able and IF interested. NO PRESSURE! Working mostly on habit training, character, Bible, phonics (using Phonics Road first 5 or so weeks), and number play (Primer MUS, MEP, CSMP, Miquin, and Early Singapore options....mix with what we have :) )
History Focus: Where? Focus mainly on location of events. Working on basic map skills and land forms. As we go through stories, they are NOT expected to remember ANYTHING! :) The goal is simply to expose them to the stories so that it is easier later to make connections. Color sheets and projects are used as well to make this fun. We "row" books for this age group...rereading as they wish and making connections to science, Bible, character, etc as we go.
Science Focus: VERY BRIEF intro as they move through cycle. Main goal is to connect the science to the things around them. Example: Mammals and animal traits/behaviors.....we will really watch our pets (cat and dog) or go play outside and take pictures or video of as many mammals as we can find.
LOWER GRAMMAR (6-9yrs) Who? Connecting with the PEOPLE of History. Goal is EXPLORATION.
History Focus: Real getting to know the people that have shaped the world we live in. Continue Geography and work on memorizing countries in each continent. This will continue through out all cycles so we take our time and enjoy the process. :)
Countries:
Yr1: Asia and Africa
Yr2: Europe and N.America
Yr3: S.America and Australia
Also United States states and capitals.
Science Focus: Exploration and playing with ideas and things to learn. Working on memorizing specifics that will make science easier in future such as: cell parts, classifications of animals, types of simple machines, types of clouds, etc.
UPPER GRAMMAR (9-12yrs) When? Connecting with the Timeline to History. Goal is EXPAND. Expand on what you already know.
History Focus: Real getting to know the the time frame and order that things occurred. Continue Geography and work on memorizing countries in each continent. This will continue through out all cycles so we take our time and enjoy the process. :)
Countries:
Yr1: Asia and Africa
Yr2: Europe and N.America
Yr3: S.America and Australia
Review United States states and capitals; learning Canadian and Mexican provinces.
Science Focus: Expand knowledge of topic areas. Continue working on memorizing specifics that will make science easier in future such as: cell parts, classifications of animals, types of simple machines, types of clouds, etc.
LOGIC/DIALECTIC (12-15yrs) Why? Start asking questions. Pull apart the details and figure out the ins and outs of how it all happened. What, where, who, why, how, and when.
History Focus: Making connections based on what they have been learning. Looking more in depth based on their interests.
Science Focus: Really exploring why ____ does what it does
RHETORIC (15-18yrs)How it is/was and What we can do about it. This is the Understanding and Application phase. Focus on social issues and what we can do about them.
History/Science Focus: USING what we have learned. Community service work/projects.
QUICK TIPS FOR 3 YEAR CYCLE:
1) You make the program, the program do NOT make you! Use it so that it WORKS. Make it your own. :)
2) Work within students level. Sometimes we get too eager or don't push them enough. I am big on leaving them in each of the TOG levels or DROPPING a level. Still with me? ;) I believe TOG is that strong!
3) Be willing to let some things go. TOG is MEATY! You don't have to do it all. For me, it means leaving the dishes and the laundry! :D
4) Do what works. Don't like a book? Sub it! Want more videos? Add them guilt free.
5) Shop at home FIRST! Look through what you already own to se if you can ave money or time.
6) Become friends with your librarians. :) If you plan on using them to do TOG, set up a tour for kids and teach them how to use the library. Staff should be supportive and helpful.
7) Use TOG to help YOU as a teacher. You don't have to use it as written for your kids. You can use it as a skeleton of your studies. I am using a few things and using some of the books as a "book basket" option. Make it your own.
8) Make purchases/substitutions/eliminations based on YOUR STUDENTS preferences. It is easy to make a plan based on what other peoples children love, but then watch your children's eyes glaze over with boredome. Hurts! lol Let your children be your guide!
Any questions??? :D Hope this helps!
YEAR 1: Ancients/Early Middle Ages....Biology/Earth Science
YEAR 2: Middle Ages/Early Modern.....Earth Science/Chemistry
YEAR 3:Early Modern/Modern....Chemistry/Physics
Children are folded into each as they become that age. So right now we are in YEAR 3 and have dsbaby ;), dd2 (both Lower Primary), dd4 (Upper Primary), ds6 (Lower Grammar), dd9 and ds11 (Upper Grammar).
PRIMARY LEVELS: Goal is EXPOSURE.
Lower Primary (0-3 yrs.) Play and add in as wanted or able. (Honestly....people can say all they want about not doing anything, but my kids feel left out. Even Colton age 6 months, joins us for activities. He even played in the Oobleck the other day :D )
Upper Primary (4-6 yrs) Start the 3 R's as able and IF interested. NO PRESSURE! Working mostly on habit training, character, Bible, phonics (using Phonics Road first 5 or so weeks), and number play (Primer MUS, MEP, CSMP, Miquin, and Early Singapore options....mix with what we have :) )
History Focus: Where? Focus mainly on location of events. Working on basic map skills and land forms. As we go through stories, they are NOT expected to remember ANYTHING! :) The goal is simply to expose them to the stories so that it is easier later to make connections. Color sheets and projects are used as well to make this fun. We "row" books for this age group...rereading as they wish and making connections to science, Bible, character, etc as we go.
Science Focus: VERY BRIEF intro as they move through cycle. Main goal is to connect the science to the things around them. Example: Mammals and animal traits/behaviors.....we will really watch our pets (cat and dog) or go play outside and take pictures or video of as many mammals as we can find.
LOWER GRAMMAR (6-9yrs) Who? Connecting with the PEOPLE of History. Goal is EXPLORATION.
History Focus: Real getting to know the people that have shaped the world we live in. Continue Geography and work on memorizing countries in each continent. This will continue through out all cycles so we take our time and enjoy the process. :)
Countries:
Yr1: Asia and Africa
Yr2: Europe and N.America
Yr3: S.America and Australia
Also United States states and capitals.
Science Focus: Exploration and playing with ideas and things to learn. Working on memorizing specifics that will make science easier in future such as: cell parts, classifications of animals, types of simple machines, types of clouds, etc.
UPPER GRAMMAR (9-12yrs) When? Connecting with the Timeline to History. Goal is EXPAND. Expand on what you already know.
History Focus: Real getting to know the the time frame and order that things occurred. Continue Geography and work on memorizing countries in each continent. This will continue through out all cycles so we take our time and enjoy the process. :)
Countries:
Yr1: Asia and Africa
Yr2: Europe and N.America
Yr3: S.America and Australia
Review United States states and capitals; learning Canadian and Mexican provinces.
Science Focus: Expand knowledge of topic areas. Continue working on memorizing specifics that will make science easier in future such as: cell parts, classifications of animals, types of simple machines, types of clouds, etc.
LOGIC/DIALECTIC (12-15yrs) Why? Start asking questions. Pull apart the details and figure out the ins and outs of how it all happened. What, where, who, why, how, and when.
History Focus: Making connections based on what they have been learning. Looking more in depth based on their interests.
Science Focus: Really exploring why ____ does what it does
RHETORIC (15-18yrs)How it is/was and What we can do about it. This is the Understanding and Application phase. Focus on social issues and what we can do about them.
History/Science Focus: USING what we have learned. Community service work/projects.
QUICK TIPS FOR 3 YEAR CYCLE:
1) You make the program, the program do NOT make you! Use it so that it WORKS. Make it your own. :)
2) Work within students level. Sometimes we get too eager or don't push them enough. I am big on leaving them in each of the TOG levels or DROPPING a level. Still with me? ;) I believe TOG is that strong!
3) Be willing to let some things go. TOG is MEATY! You don't have to do it all. For me, it means leaving the dishes and the laundry! :D
4) Do what works. Don't like a book? Sub it! Want more videos? Add them guilt free.
5) Shop at home FIRST! Look through what you already own to se if you can ave money or time.
6) Become friends with your librarians. :) If you plan on using them to do TOG, set up a tour for kids and teach them how to use the library. Staff should be supportive and helpful.
7) Use TOG to help YOU as a teacher. You don't have to use it as written for your kids. You can use it as a skeleton of your studies. I am using a few things and using some of the books as a "book basket" option. Make it your own.
8) Make purchases/substitutions/eliminations based on YOUR STUDENTS preferences. It is easy to make a plan based on what other peoples children love, but then watch your children's eyes glaze over with boredome. Hurts! lol Let your children be your guide!
Any questions??? :D Hope this helps!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Owl Pellets
Register for a contest to win owl pellets for your homeschool! :D So gross! lol
My kids would love it! ;)
http://ritsumeithoughts.blogspot.com/2011/05/owl-puke-pellets-giveaway.html
Enjoy!
My kids would love it! ;)
http://ritsumeithoughts.blogspot.com/2011/05/owl-puke-pellets-giveaway.html
Enjoy!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
TOG on the Cheap! YR 2 Unit 1 Books
Just checked out library to see how many we could get. The results?
Lower Grammar: Out of 24 books
We own:2/24
Famous Men of the Middle Ages
Usborne Internet Linked Encyclopedia
Library has:13/24
Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp
Brigid's Cloak
Days of Knights and Damsels
Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi
Kitchen Knight
The Making of a Knight
Marco Polo
Marguerite Makes a Book
Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland
The Renaissance
Saint Valentine
The Tomten
You Wouldn't Want to Work on a Medieval Catherdral!
Either through interlibrary loan or have to purchase:9/24
Caedmon's Song
Chanticleer and the Fox
Joan of Arc:Heroine of France
Knights
Johann Gutenberg and the Amazing Printing Press
The Minstrel in the Tower
Squire and the Scroll
The Vikings
You Wouldn't Want to be a Crusader!
Upper Grammar: Out of 15 books
We own or can read online: 3/15 (plus versions of 2 more)
Famous Men of the Middle Ages
The Story of the Middle Ages
Trial and Triumph
The Adventures of Robin Hood (have some versions)
Tales of King Arthur (have some versions)
Library has:10/15
The Adventures of Robin Hood (one suggested)
Castle
The Door in the Wall
Fine Print
Knights and Castles: 50 Hands on Activities to Experience the Middle Ages
Leif the Lucky
Marco Polo: Overland to China
Mecca
Tales of King Arthur (suggested version)
Viking (Eye Wonder)
Either through interlibrary loan or have to purchase:2/15
The Middle Ages
Story of the Crusades Coloring Book
DIALECTIC out of 17 books
We own: 5/17 (plus versions of Arabian Nights)
Famous Men of the Middle Ages
Aladdin and Other Tales from The Arabian Nights (have some versions)
Men of Iron
Our Island Story
Stories of Beowulf Told to the Children
The Story of Europe
Library has: 7/17
Aladdin and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights (suggested version)
The Ancient Celts
The Byzantine Empire
Canterbury Tales
Marco Polo
Morning Star of the Reformation
Son of Charlemagne
Either through interlibrary loan or have to purchase: 5/17
The Art of the Middle Ages
The Church in History
Medieval Myths, Legends, and Songs
Medieval Times
Usborne Encyclopedia of World Religions
RHETORIC Out of 20 books.
Pretty much have to buy them all. I think library has maybe 2.
That at least gives me a guideline for planning. Now I know what books to focus on searching for and getting used. :)
Off to plan some more!
Lower Grammar: Out of 24 books
We own:2/24
Famous Men of the Middle Ages
Usborne Internet Linked Encyclopedia
Library has:13/24
Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp
Brigid's Cloak
Days of Knights and Damsels
Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi
Kitchen Knight
The Making of a Knight
Marco Polo
Marguerite Makes a Book
Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland
The Renaissance
Saint Valentine
The Tomten
You Wouldn't Want to Work on a Medieval Catherdral!
Either through interlibrary loan or have to purchase:9/24
Caedmon's Song
Chanticleer and the Fox
Joan of Arc:Heroine of France
Knights
Johann Gutenberg and the Amazing Printing Press
The Minstrel in the Tower
Squire and the Scroll
The Vikings
You Wouldn't Want to be a Crusader!
Upper Grammar: Out of 15 books
We own or can read online: 3/15 (plus versions of 2 more)
Famous Men of the Middle Ages
The Story of the Middle Ages
Trial and Triumph
The Adventures of Robin Hood (have some versions)
Tales of King Arthur (have some versions)
Library has:10/15
The Adventures of Robin Hood (one suggested)
Castle
The Door in the Wall
Fine Print
Knights and Castles: 50 Hands on Activities to Experience the Middle Ages
Leif the Lucky
Marco Polo: Overland to China
Mecca
Tales of King Arthur (suggested version)
Viking (Eye Wonder)
Either through interlibrary loan or have to purchase:2/15
The Middle Ages
Story of the Crusades Coloring Book
DIALECTIC out of 17 books
We own: 5/17 (plus versions of Arabian Nights)
Famous Men of the Middle Ages
Aladdin and Other Tales from The Arabian Nights (have some versions)
Men of Iron
Our Island Story
Stories of Beowulf Told to the Children
The Story of Europe
Library has: 7/17
Aladdin and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights (suggested version)
The Ancient Celts
The Byzantine Empire
Canterbury Tales
Marco Polo
Morning Star of the Reformation
Son of Charlemagne
Either through interlibrary loan or have to purchase: 5/17
The Art of the Middle Ages
The Church in History
Medieval Myths, Legends, and Songs
Medieval Times
Usborne Encyclopedia of World Religions
RHETORIC Out of 20 books.
Pretty much have to buy them all. I think library has maybe 2.
That at least gives me a guideline for planning. Now I know what books to focus on searching for and getting used. :)
Off to plan some more!
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