It warms my heart...

One thing I enjoy very much is how my kids descend upon the new pile of library books whenever I bring them home.

When they come with me to the library I always have to remind them to watch out for traffic, since they're probably reading a new book on their way out to the van, too.

Independent Writing Project

I had to share dd7's writing project for today. It was a journal entry.

I'm dreaming of a bridge - the longest bridge so far in history - stretching from the tip of Maine around the world to China to make a beautiful landscape across the world. Also other smaller bridges like from Japan to Central America and from Rome to Ireland - even though I havent went there yet. I am only a 7 year old child who has already pictured a landscape - a long strip of life - in my memory... - 2012

Book Club at Home

This post could also have been titled:


Sometimes Mom *Does* Know Best...


This week each of the kids is reading a different chapter book. I'm reading the book, too. Then we get together and discuss it. They have enjoyed this process so far, having my full attention, in turn, to talk about the things they find in their books.


Dd6 is reading "Mr. Popper's Penguins". I have a Progeny Press Literature Guide for it. We're using some of the questions and the vocabulary lists from that, but picking and choosing. I also have a Scholastic guide to penguins with activities. She's the arts-and-crafts lover so we're going at a slow pace with the book and throwing in the extras for fun.


Dd9 is reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". Or, I should really say, he *read* the book. He was so hooked, it took him just one morning to finish. I have to say, he was not interested in reading the book when I suggested it. But I asked him to just try it, and that he could choose the next book. Did I mention he loved it? And, I'm pretty sure he has chosen the next book--next in the Narnia series!


Before I gave him the book, I gave him an overview on the life of C.S. Lewis. So much from the book comes from themes from Lewis's life. I know I have found reading Narnia to be much more pleasurable knowing these things. For him, I also have a Progeny Press Literature Guide. Since he was so into the book, we'll save many of the Progeny questions for later.

I also have to mention that when Ds9 and I started looking at some of the Christian allegory ideas in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" he become visibly excited. His whole face lit up. He started seeing the book in a whole new light. He first read it because it was a great story. He then appreciated it on a deeper level. It was really fun to find these things together.


C.S. Lewis once wrote that a truly good children's book is so good that it also appeals to parents. Thumbs up to that!

I LOVE Rainbow Resource

I have to put in a plug for my absolutely favorite go-to source for my teaching needs:

RAINBOW RESOURCE

When I first started homeschooling, I was overwhelmed by the vast number of companies selling teaching materials. I was looking for a reputable company from which to buy my curriculum materials, math manipulatives, and fun extras. I heard about Rainbow Resource from The Well Trained Mind and decided to give them a try. I have been a fan ever since!

I truly think that the highlight of my June is receiving their 1300 page catalog! For the past 4 or 5 years I've read it almost cover to cover. The product reviews (for almost every single product) are very thorough and their website offers customer reviews in addition to  this.

I have always received fast service, particularly when I place my order earlier in the summer (June/July). On the extremely rare occasion that there was a problem with something I ordered, I have always received friendly service and the problem was corrected.

As a bonus, the Rainbow Resource family is truly a family-oriented company. I have also appreciated their commitment to homeschooling--From their website:

"In the Old Testament, God's people offered up the first fruits of the harvest as a sign of trust in His provision.  We would like to do something in this same spirit.  We are offering up all our profits for the month of June and giving them to homeschool families who have educational needs due to hardships of any kind..."

How cool is that!

By the way, it's not just for homeschoolers! Any "brick and mortar" schoolteacher, any parent, or grandparent would LOVE to get their hands on these products.

Give them a try!

Aaarrrgh! Another Year Gone Already?

We just want to say

A happy birthday to you

We hope you have a wonderful day

In whatever you may do

Know that God loves you so

And wants for you the 'best'

So look to Him each precious day

And know that you are blessed.

by M. S. Lowndes

found here

Happy Birthday to my now DS9!

Penguin Stampede--An Original Game by Dd6

My daughter is on a penguin kick. Today she made up a game to play. These are the instructions she made up herself. I left them in her words as much as I could (only modifying a couple things to make them more clear).

***

I made up a little game called " Penguin Stampede". 
Here are the instructions:
1. Roll your die. If you roll the highest number you go first.
2. Set up a line for start and finish.
3. Roll 2 dice. If on 1 die you roll a one, you waddle backwards as many tiny "penguin steps" as the number on the other die.
4. Roll 2 dice. If on both dice you roll a 1, then you don't move.
5. Roll 2 dice. If you don't roll a 1, then move forward as many tiny "penguin steps" as the number on the dice together.
6. After you roll and take your "penguin steps", the next person in line rolls the dice and waddles his "penguin steps".
7. Keep on rolling till someone gets to the finish. 


Tip: If someone yells, "penguin stampede", then everyone goes to start and his turn is over. You can only say, "penguin stampede" once in the game.


Did you like my game? If I gave you some ideas of a different game, then when you make it remember to tell me about it or at least how to play it. If you liked it then remember to play it a lot. Also remember to tell me if you liked my game or not.  
***

I thought that the game was exceptionally well thought-out. It was fun for her (and me, too)! These directions are her original plan with only two changes. I decided that we should limit "penguin stampede" to once per game (otherwise it could go on forever). She added the rule for rolling two ones, to add a twist to the game.

Titanic Teaching Ideas--Activities for "Sail It"

The basic outline I used for my unit is as follows: 

(Part) 1: Build It 

(Part) 2: Sail It  

(Part) 3: Sink It  

(Part) 4: Save It  

(Part) 5: Remember It 

Projects relating to the sailing of Titanic:

*A few vocabulary ideas: -starboard -port -class -bow -stern -passenger -crew -private -sea lane -voyage -telegram -stoker -steward -immigrant -orchestra -promenade -lounge -abroad -attire -spacious -coast -launch -embark -diversity –applause

  

*Use a world map to color/pin tacks on the countries from which passengers on Titanic came. Were you surprised to find passengers from so many countries? Also mark the cities where people boarded, where Titanic was built and fitted out.

*Morse code and Morse lamp were used on board Titanic to relay messages. Write your own messages in Morse code.

*Many of the third-class passengers aboard Titanic were unable to take many items with them. Many of them were moving to America to start a new life. Imagine that you were moving to a new land. If you could take only one or two special items with you what would you choose? Why? Why would you leave other items behind? Choose one family photograph to take with you. Describe the photograph. If possible, include a copy of it. Why would you take it? What one outfit would you wear? Will you consider the weather or choose your favorite? In contrast, many of the first-class passengers were traveling with much more luggage and for leisure. How would your packing change if you were a first-class passenger with room for 3 or 4 suitcases?

*Cooking project. Make and serve some items from titanic's menus. A good source for ideas is the book Last Dinner on the Titanic by Rick Archbold. Advanced students can calculate calories and nutrition information per serving.

*Be a first-class dinner guest: Girls will dress in their fanciest dresses and may even create a jeweled shawl, period hat or other fine jewelry to accessorize. Boys may dress in their finest clothes and may want to add a homemade bow tie, top hat, or cane. Discuss fine table manners and fancy table settings. Re-create a first-rate dining experience.

*Practice the job of Titanic’s food staff. Set a formal place setting for one of your meals.

*While you’re in the kitchen, practice converting recipes to feed a crowd. Find a recipe for something served on board Titanic. (Easy recipes would be Vienna rolls, corn bread, scones, or vegetable stew.) Convert the recipe to plan for the entire first-class (329 people) or second-class (285 people) or third-class (710 people). Convert the recipe for your entire family or group. Cook and serve it.

*The actual record of food brought on Titanic has been lost. We do have Olympic’s information, however. Olympic carried 40 tons of potatoes. Record the amount of time it takes you to thoroughly wash one potato. How long would it take you to wash all of the potatoes on the ship?

*Create a poem about the Titanic. Perhaps you could write about the most surprising or a most favorite thing you’ve learned so far. Maybe the grandeur or the passengers have caught your attention. Experiment with different types of poetry...conrete, acrostic, ode.

   

*Second class passengers had chess, dominoes, and other games available. Try these.

*Passengers aboard Titanic heard many different types of music. Some were in Titanic’s music book. Others were played at various occasions such as the Sunday church service. Find recordings of songs including Nearer My God to Thee, Songe D’Automne, The Glow Worm, Merry Widow Waltz, Somewhere a Voice is Calling, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Maple Leaf Rag, Oh You Beautiful Doll. If you can’t find these, you can use other genres of music played on board including polkas, marches, waltzes, and ragtime.

* Become familiar with the instruments played aboard Titanic: cello, violin, viola, piano.

  

*Practice more of the jobs done by the staff of Titanic and those who built her. Great life skils include:

-baking and cooking

-cleaning: mirrors, sinks, toilets, tubs and showers, baseboards, dusting, emptying trash, mopping, washing windows, make beds

-clearing the table, drying dishes,  

-upkeep: folding clothes, towels, sheets, mending

-organizing: closets, cupboards

-pack items into a suitcase

-make appointments

-painting a room

  

*After trying out some of the tasks of workers on board Titanic (Marconi operator, kitchen help, captain, stoker/fireman (without real fire, of course!), purser, kitchen and bedroom stewards, decide which you'd most like to have had. Why?

  

*Make a picture that you think represents...the excitement of the immigrants boarding titanic to come to the US…the pride of the first class passengers upon entering the luxurious ship…the feelings of the eyewitnesses who saw ice on deck. Students could choose several of these and compile them for an end project, perhaps presenting them in gallery format and hosting a private "opening" where he/she could comment on the reasons he made the particular pieces and answering questions.

*Titanic had its own patterned dishes. Can you re-create the design using clay? Design your own modern set of dishes. (There are kits available for kids to make their own dishes.) It would be a nice keepsake.