Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Erin:
Bible: read & narrate Matthew 1 ch.
Math: practiced multiplication x3, x5 using flash cards
Language: FLL #158 articles, dictaction
History: SOTW ch. 2 section 2, read & narrate
Literature: Lamb's Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, narration and discussion
Pollyanna, 3 chapters (finished)
Science: Maps & Mapping project -- mapping your room on graph paper; measurement & scale
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play: bike riding, gardening
family worship
Erin made a tea party this afternoon by herself for the rest of the family. She prepared sliced apples, tomatoes, Turkish delight, watermelon ice, and tea, and served us all. A little math was involved in figuring out how to divide three pieces of Turkish delight among four people, and conversation centered around the Chronicles of Narnia.
Aidan:
Bible: read & narrate Matthew 1 ch.
Math: practiced multiplication x3, x5 using flash cards
Language: FLL #102 capitalization, copywork (Aidan has chosen Ps. 134 for copywork and began with verse 1 today. FLL has The Goops as a copywork assignment and he will be working on that next.)
History: SOTW ch. 2 section 2, read & narrate
Literature: Lamb's Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, narration and discussion
Pollyanna, 3 chapters (finished)
Science: Maps & Mapping project -- mapping your room on graph paper; measurement & scale
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play: bike riding, gardening
family worship
Aidan cares for Abby and provides first aid when she gets a cut or scrape.
Abby:
Reading w/ Mom: two Animal Baby magazines, three Bible stories.
Practical Life: helped put clothes in the dryer
practiced stirring without noise & staying seated at tea party
Bible: read & narrate Matthew 1 ch.
Math: practiced multiplication x3, x5 using flash cards
Language: FLL #158 articles, dictaction
History: SOTW ch. 2 section 2, read & narrate
Literature: Lamb's Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, narration and discussion
Pollyanna, 3 chapters (finished)
Science: Maps & Mapping project -- mapping your room on graph paper; measurement & scale
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play: bike riding, gardening
family worship
Erin made a tea party this afternoon by herself for the rest of the family. She prepared sliced apples, tomatoes, Turkish delight, watermelon ice, and tea, and served us all. A little math was involved in figuring out how to divide three pieces of Turkish delight among four people, and conversation centered around the Chronicles of Narnia.
Aidan:
Bible: read & narrate Matthew 1 ch.
Math: practiced multiplication x3, x5 using flash cards
Language: FLL #102 capitalization, copywork (Aidan has chosen Ps. 134 for copywork and began with verse 1 today. FLL has The Goops as a copywork assignment and he will be working on that next.)
History: SOTW ch. 2 section 2, read & narrate
Literature: Lamb's Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, narration and discussion
Pollyanna, 3 chapters (finished)
Science: Maps & Mapping project -- mapping your room on graph paper; measurement & scale
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play: bike riding, gardening
family worship
Aidan cares for Abby and provides first aid when she gets a cut or scrape.
Abby:
Reading w/ Mom: two Animal Baby magazines, three Bible stories.
Practical Life: helped put clothes in the dryer
practiced stirring without noise & staying seated at tea party
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Erin:
Bible: Matthew 1 ch. read & narrate; discussed implications of the Real Presence, meaning of salt, and going the extra mile
Math: practiced multiplication x3 using bead boards, made flash cards
Language: worked independently in language workbook
handwriting workbook
History: SOTW ch. 2 section 1, read & narrate
coloring page
Literature: Pollyanna, 1 chapter
assisted with church luncheon
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play w/ friends at park
family worship
attended catechesim class on Sunday
Aidan:
Bible: Genesis 1 ch. read & narrate
Math: practiced multiplication x3 using bead boards, made flash cards
Language: handwriting workbook
History: SOTW ch. 2 section 1, read & narrate
coloring page, mapwork
Literature: Pollyanna, 1 chapter
assisted with church luncheon
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play w/ friends at park
family worship
attended catechesim class on Sunday
Bible: Matthew 1 ch. read & narrate; discussed implications of the Real Presence, meaning of salt, and going the extra mile
Math: practiced multiplication x3 using bead boards, made flash cards
Language: worked independently in language workbook
handwriting workbook
History: SOTW ch. 2 section 1, read & narrate
coloring page
Literature: Pollyanna, 1 chapter
assisted with church luncheon
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play w/ friends at park
family worship
attended catechesim class on Sunday
Aidan:
Bible: Genesis 1 ch. read & narrate
Math: practiced multiplication x3 using bead boards, made flash cards
Language: handwriting workbook
History: SOTW ch. 2 section 1, read & narrate
coloring page, mapwork
Literature: Pollyanna, 1 chapter
assisted with church luncheon
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play w/ friends at park
family worship
attended catechesim class on Sunday
Friday, September 7, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
Erin:
Math: practiced multiplication x5 using flash cards, discussed division as reverse of multiplication, practiced /5 facts
Spanish: lesson 1
Language: FLL #157 search for adverbs and adjectives
copywork
History: SOTW ch. 1 section 2, read & narrate
Literature: Lamb's Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, narration and discussion
Pollyanna, 1 chapter
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play
family worship
homeschool social
Aidan:
Math: practiced multiplication x5 using flash cards, discussed division as reverse of multiplication, practiced /5 facts
Spanish: lesson 4
copywork
History: SOTW ch. 1 section 2, read & narrate
Literature: Lamb's Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, narration and discussion
Pollyanna, 1 chapter
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play
family worship
homeschool social
Math: practiced multiplication x5 using flash cards, discussed division as reverse of multiplication, practiced /5 facts
Spanish: lesson 1
Language: FLL #157 search for adverbs and adjectives
copywork
History: SOTW ch. 1 section 2, read & narrate
Literature: Lamb's Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, narration and discussion
Pollyanna, 1 chapter
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play
family worship
homeschool social
Aidan:
Math: practiced multiplication x5 using flash cards, discussed division as reverse of multiplication, practiced /5 facts
Spanish: lesson 4
copywork
History: SOTW ch. 1 section 2, read & narrate
Literature: Lamb's Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, narration and discussion
Pollyanna, 1 chapter
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play
family worship
homeschool social
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Erin:
Math: multiplication x5 using bead board, made flash cards, learned technique for self-study, discussed squares, multiplication as repeated addition
Spanish: lesson 3
Language: FLL #153, narration
copywork
Literature: Lamb's Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, narration and discussion
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play
family worship
Aidan:
Math: multiplication x5 using bead board, made flash cards, learned technique for self-study, discussed squares, multiplication as repeated addition
Spanish: lesson 4
copywork
Literature: Lamb's Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, narration and discussion
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play
family worship
Math: multiplication x5 using bead board, made flash cards, learned technique for self-study, discussed squares, multiplication as repeated addition
Spanish: lesson 3
Language: FLL #153, narration
copywork
Literature: Lamb's Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, narration and discussion
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play
family worship
Aidan:
Math: multiplication x5 using bead board, made flash cards, learned technique for self-study, discussed squares, multiplication as repeated addition
Spanish: lesson 4
copywork
Literature: Lamb's Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, narration and discussion
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play
family worship
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Erin:
Math: multiplication x0, x1, x2, x10
Spanish: lesson 3
Language: FLL #152, dictation
copywork
History: coloring page
Science: read & narrate from Maps & Mapping
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play
family worship
Aidan:
Math: multiplication x0, x1, x2, x10
Spanish: lesson 3
Language: FLL #152, dictation
copywork
History: coloring page
Science: read & narrate from Maps & Mapping
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play
family worship
Abby:
shape puzzle, naming, tracing with finger
geometric solids
snapping board
1,2,3 lesson periods 1 & 2 using numerals and rods
read Animal Baby w/ Mom
Cheerio book with Erin
Math: multiplication x0, x1, x2, x10
Spanish: lesson 3
Language: FLL #152, dictation
copywork
History: coloring page
Science: read & narrate from Maps & Mapping
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play
family worship
Aidan:
Math: multiplication x0, x1, x2, x10
Spanish: lesson 3
Language: FLL #152, dictation
copywork
History: coloring page
Science: read & narrate from Maps & Mapping
chores, caring for animals
outdoor play
family worship
Abby:
shape puzzle, naming, tracing with finger
geometric solids
snapping board
1,2,3 lesson periods 1 & 2 using numerals and rods
read Animal Baby w/ Mom
Cheerio book with Erin
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Erin:
Bible: read & narrate Matthew ch. 1; discussed genealogies, history relating to the geneaology of Christ, how Matthew knew Christ's genealogy
Language: spelling section J-3
Pimsleur Spanish lesson 3
handwriting workbook
History: SOTW ch. 1 read aloud & narrate
Independent activities:
doctor's appointment
chores, caring for animals
movie day
Aidan:
Bible: read & narrate genesis ch. 1
Language: spelling section J-3
typing practice 30 minutes
handwriting workbook
History: SOTW ch. 1 read aloud & narrate
Independent activities:
chores, caring for animals
teaching Abby to play Little Bear (computer)
Chinese jump rope
played Simon
movie day
made popcorn; created own recipe for Italian flavored popcorn
dancing
Abby:
reading w/ Mom: The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree
sewing animals: Abby can now sew by herself (up-down motion, no order)
worked independently with magnadoodle and puzzle while we did spelling
Chinese jump rope
playing little bear with Aidan
helped sweep after lunch
folded and put away washcloths without help
cleared own dinner plate without reminding
dancing with Aidan
Bible: read & narrate Matthew ch. 1; discussed genealogies, history relating to the geneaology of Christ, how Matthew knew Christ's genealogy
Language: spelling section J-3
Pimsleur Spanish lesson 3
handwriting workbook
History: SOTW ch. 1 read aloud & narrate
Independent activities:
doctor's appointment
chores, caring for animals
movie day
Aidan:
Bible: read & narrate genesis ch. 1
Language: spelling section J-3
typing practice 30 minutes
handwriting workbook
History: SOTW ch. 1 read aloud & narrate
Independent activities:
chores, caring for animals
teaching Abby to play Little Bear (computer)
Chinese jump rope
played Simon
movie day
made popcorn; created own recipe for Italian flavored popcorn
dancing
Abby:
reading w/ Mom: The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree
sewing animals: Abby can now sew by herself (up-down motion, no order)
worked independently with magnadoodle and puzzle while we did spelling
Chinese jump rope
playing little bear with Aidan
helped sweep after lunch
folded and put away washcloths without help
cleared own dinner plate without reminding
dancing with Aidan
Beginning a new year, fall 2007
Goals for this year:
to incorporate more practical work and responsibility into the children's day, as well as service, as per the Moore formula.
to do a small business project, possibly making and selling something for Holly Days
to spend more time on handcrafts and drawing lessons, especially during the winter months
to do weekly nature study and monthly wild days during the fall months
to learn the math facts
to focus on language, spelling, and handwriting daily
to incorporate more practical work and responsibility into the children's day, as well as service, as per the Moore formula.
to do a small business project, possibly making and selling something for Holly Days
to spend more time on handcrafts and drawing lessons, especially during the winter months
to do weekly nature study and monthly wild days during the fall months
to learn the math facts
to focus on language, spelling, and handwriting daily
August 27-30, 2007
First stop -- Garden of the Gods, a paradise of hiking trails amid huge sandstone rock formations:
Not only does Garden of the Gods have free admission, they also offer a Junior Ranger Program. Most state and national parks offer this program, in which children 6 and up can complete learning activities relating to the park and earn a patch and certificate recognizing their work. The Scientist and the Swordmaster both had a lot of fun learning about geology, native cultures, and wildlife as they earned their patches.
Next stop, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings:
These cliff dwellings are partially reconstructed and a bit touristy, but visitors are allowed to touch and explore inside the dwellings, which made it lots of fun. Plaques all around the site explain what how the different rooms were used. The details of the architecture were fascinating; for example, in the photo, that's a door behind the kids, not a window. And some doors were T-shaped, to allow the elderly a hand grip when climbing through. It took a good bit of parental direction to get the children to slow down, read the plaques, and find out what they were seeing, since the whole place just seemed to invite them to climb and run from one room to the next:
In the museum (once we found it amidst the maze of gift shops) we learned about cradle boards and skulls, how manure is used in the making of the traditional black pottery, how to build an adobe pit house, and the numerous uses for the yucca plant (who knew?)
Pike's Peak was next; I survived the drive, and we all enjoyed donuts, coffee and hot chocolate at the top. The kids were introduced to the aspen, the ponderosa pine, and we discussed what was the Gold Rush, why trees don't grow above 12,000 feet, why it is colder on a mountaintop, what happens to an empty plastic bottle when you carry it up Pike's Peak and down again, and what happens when brakes get too hot.
On our way to Pike's Peak, we saw a sign for the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, and set aside an afternoon for it. Florissant is the site of an ancient lake, and is one of the richest fossil beds in North America. Our hike was hurried because of an approaching thunderstorm, but we were all still amazed by the fossilized stumps of ancient giant redwood trees.
On the last day, we visited the Van Briggle pottery, and the Ghost Town Museum. The museum was hokey, but we did get to pan for real gold. I suspect the kids -- at least the older two -- were a little disappointed at how labor intensive and unproductive the process really was, but we did come out with four small specks of gold. This we compared in the gift shop to pyrite, or fool's gold. After taking the children back by the Garden of the Gods nature center to pick up their Junior Ranger badges in the afternoon, I detoured into the Rock Ledge Historic Ranch. With a buy one get one free coupon from the nature center, it cost us a mere $8 admission, and was far and away the best of the west. (Sorry, no pictures -- I didn't have the camera that day!) Rock Ledge is a living history ranch, with interpretive sites ranging from American Indians of the 1600-1700s on through the turn of the century. It is authentic, authentic, authentic, with knowledgeable re-enactors who answered the myriad questions the children threw at them, and the original and meticulously refurnished homes of the various owners and inhabitants of the ranch over the course of three centuries. The carriage house offers an exhibit about Thomas MacLaren, a Scottish architect who came to Colorado Springs -- like Van Briggle of the Van Briggle Pottery -- because of tuberculosis. So, on top of it all, we discussed tuberculosis, sanatoriums, and the open air cure.
All in all there was ample fodder for nature notebooks/discovery journals, plus postcards written to faraway friends (a lesson from First Language Lessons we saved especially for the trip), reading of road maps, and calculating the cost of the journey... a full week of non-stop learning punctuated by moments of utter relaxation.
Not only does Garden of the Gods have free admission, they also offer a Junior Ranger Program. Most state and national parks offer this program, in which children 6 and up can complete learning activities relating to the park and earn a patch and certificate recognizing their work. The Scientist and the Swordmaster both had a lot of fun learning about geology, native cultures, and wildlife as they earned their patches.
Next stop, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings:
These cliff dwellings are partially reconstructed and a bit touristy, but visitors are allowed to touch and explore inside the dwellings, which made it lots of fun. Plaques all around the site explain what how the different rooms were used. The details of the architecture were fascinating; for example, in the photo, that's a door behind the kids, not a window. And some doors were T-shaped, to allow the elderly a hand grip when climbing through. It took a good bit of parental direction to get the children to slow down, read the plaques, and find out what they were seeing, since the whole place just seemed to invite them to climb and run from one room to the next:
In the museum (once we found it amidst the maze of gift shops) we learned about cradle boards and skulls, how manure is used in the making of the traditional black pottery, how to build an adobe pit house, and the numerous uses for the yucca plant (who knew?)
Pike's Peak was next; I survived the drive, and we all enjoyed donuts, coffee and hot chocolate at the top. The kids were introduced to the aspen, the ponderosa pine, and we discussed what was the Gold Rush, why trees don't grow above 12,000 feet, why it is colder on a mountaintop, what happens to an empty plastic bottle when you carry it up Pike's Peak and down again, and what happens when brakes get too hot.
On our way to Pike's Peak, we saw a sign for the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, and set aside an afternoon for it. Florissant is the site of an ancient lake, and is one of the richest fossil beds in North America. Our hike was hurried because of an approaching thunderstorm, but we were all still amazed by the fossilized stumps of ancient giant redwood trees.
On the last day, we visited the Van Briggle pottery, and the Ghost Town Museum. The museum was hokey, but we did get to pan for real gold. I suspect the kids -- at least the older two -- were a little disappointed at how labor intensive and unproductive the process really was, but we did come out with four small specks of gold. This we compared in the gift shop to pyrite, or fool's gold. After taking the children back by the Garden of the Gods nature center to pick up their Junior Ranger badges in the afternoon, I detoured into the Rock Ledge Historic Ranch. With a buy one get one free coupon from the nature center, it cost us a mere $8 admission, and was far and away the best of the west. (Sorry, no pictures -- I didn't have the camera that day!) Rock Ledge is a living history ranch, with interpretive sites ranging from American Indians of the 1600-1700s on through the turn of the century. It is authentic, authentic, authentic, with knowledgeable re-enactors who answered the myriad questions the children threw at them, and the original and meticulously refurnished homes of the various owners and inhabitants of the ranch over the course of three centuries. The carriage house offers an exhibit about Thomas MacLaren, a Scottish architect who came to Colorado Springs -- like Van Briggle of the Van Briggle Pottery -- because of tuberculosis. So, on top of it all, we discussed tuberculosis, sanatoriums, and the open air cure.
All in all there was ample fodder for nature notebooks/discovery journals, plus postcards written to faraway friends (a lesson from First Language Lessons we saved especially for the trip), reading of road maps, and calculating the cost of the journey... a full week of non-stop learning punctuated by moments of utter relaxation.
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