Thursday, May 1
here is a general overview of what have been up since the beginning of the year
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Here is a general overview of what we have been up to since the beginning of 2008.
January
- finished up Christmas holidays, sleepovers and visits with friends and family, play dates
- January 11 - went to the "Wrappin about Reptiles" show in Innisfail - (http://www.wrappinaboutreptiles.com/Home.htm)
- Open gym time at the Sundre Community Centre
- Saxon math
- Research about bearded dragons (both kids). Dean from the reptile show did a great job selling the idea that bearded dragons made great pets. So of course my kids wanted a bearded dragon. I told them they would have to do a 10 page report about this animal and how to care for it as a pet, the cost of supplies and such. In the end after doing the research they decided they did not want one as a pet (and mom was very relieved and was hoping that would be the outcome of this project. *grin*)
- Jordan read numerous novels.
- Home Church - studying the book of John with our group.
- Mug Up --- all day recess once a week *grin*
- Skating
- Copy work
- Library
February
- Renovation month - We spent the month of February at my mother's house doing renovations. The kids helped with painting and installing laminate flooring. They also helped with furniture moving and arrangement. There many late nights, which left little time for book work/school work.
- Saxon math
- After Deanna gave up on the bearded dragon, she turned her sights to puppies and dogs. She really wants a dog of her very own. So she decided she would do a 10 page report on dogs (just like the assignment for the lizard) in hopes of convincing her father to allow her to get a puppy. Deanna spent hours and hours reading every book and website she could find about dog breeds, how to care for dogs and raise puppies. All her spare time was devoted to this project. (She has NEVER read as much as she did for this topic. She did complete a 10 page paper about puppies and dogs.)
- Open gym time at the Sundre Community Centre
- Jordan read numerous novels.
- Home Church - studying the book of John with our group.
- Mug Up --- all day recess once a week *grin*
- TV SCHOOL -- 1. Naked Science: Angry Skies - hurricanes and tornadoes, 2. Dog Whisperer (we watch this show daily as part of Deanna's research on how to train dogs), 3. Frontiers of Construction: building for disasters, 4. Daily Planet, 5. Mythbusters, 6. Duggar Family, 7. Jon and Kate plus Eight, 8. Little People, Big World, 9. various cooking shows, 10. A Baby's Story.
- Bible reading - James and Mark
- Reading (various books and topics) (tried a new schedule but it did not work out for us)
- Library
March
- Calving Season - Deanna spent most of her time with her father working on the Ranch helping with the calves.
- Deanna wanted to work to help earn enough money to buy the dog of her dreams.
- March Math Madness - The only school work we would focus on was math for March.... two lessons per day. If they managed to do an extra 6 lessons, they would get a prize. The purpose of this month was to help them reach a goal and to learn time management. Deanna chose to only do the two lessons per day and work on the Ranch to reach her goal of earning money for a dog. At first Jordan decided to reach for the prize (and extra 6 lessons), but after about a week he changed his mind and decided to work on the Ranch as well. He is interested in purchasing an ATV for himself and knows he will need money for that.
- Jordan began doing research on ATV's. (Different models, their features and their cost).
- Alberta Provincial Election - As a family we tried to keep informed about the election. We watched the leaders debate and discussed the issues, the parties and its leaders. The night of the election we stayed up watching and discussing as the results came in until we had a declared winner.
- March 08 - Sundre Museum Heritage Tea and Bake Sale; entertainment included a Mexican exchange student who sang (Cesar Aguilar) and readings by a cowboy poet (Harold L. Webber) (see attachment for more info)
- March 8 - Visited the "Chester Mjolsness World of Wildlife" - http://museum.sundre.com/wildlife_exhibit - (see attachment)
- March 20 - We had a fun day at Moonwalkers with our home school support group.
- Sleepovers at Nana's.
- Jordan and Deanna had to file for Income Tax this year from their Ranch earnings. They were able to visit an accountant and have her do their returns for them. They had to sign many forms (great signature practice - *grin*). Both kids received a refund.
- Birthday week sleepovers with best friends.
- Home Church
- Mug Up --- all day recess once a week *grin*
- Open gym time at the Sundre Community Centre
- Jordan read numerous novels.
- Hangman marathon - great for spelling and vocabulary
- Library
April
- Visits with friends and family (and sleepovers).
- Childcare experience. (Babysitting cousins.)
- Cattle work - sorting, calving, branding. (I will have Wes do up a report again.) Jordan experienced giving some medication (needles) to a sick cow by himself.
- Deanna turned 11! She celebrated with two shopping days (one with Nana and one with her aunt), plus a birthday party and sleepovers with good friends.
- Family read aloud and study - "The Family Under the Bridge" by Natalie Savage Carlson (a Newberry Honor book). Research about France, Paris and some of the sights of Paris. Lots of vocabulary work.
- Saxon math review.
- Home Church
- Mug Up --- all day recess once a week *grin*
- Open gym time at the Sundre Community Centre
- April 29 - Olds Community Choir Spring Concert (see attachment)
- Dance lessons from dad (two-step, polka and waltz)
- Jordan read numerous novels.
- "tion" word marathon --- we tried to think up as many words as we could that ended in "tion"
- Library PLANS FOR MAY AND JUNE
- Continue with the family read aloud and study - "The Family Under the Bridge" by Natalie Savage Carlson
- Continue with Saxon math review.
- Prepare for Canadian test of basic skills (review topics covered)
- Use devotional "Keys for Kids" for reading practice, copy work, penmanship, Christian education, etc. - http://cbh.gospelcom.net/kfk/home.php
- Cattle work - branding, sorting, cattle drive and more.
- Lobley Cemetery clean up - volunteer work
- June 12 - Horse Camp for Jordan
- Horse lessons for Jordan with a neighbor in exchange for babysitting
- Deanna will continue her search for a dog.
- Home School Family camp out
- Field trip - Sports museum in Red Deer
- Two weddings
- Jordan and Wes are planning to build a go-kart together
- Games day with home school support group
PLANS FOR JULY AND AUGUST
- drive to Abbottsford to visit family
- haying season
- camping
- Ranch work
- enjoy the summer :o)
*** I think that pretty much covers it. It looks like a lot but it sure doesn't feel that substantial. ***
~ Pam ~ "Life happens in the clutter." ~L.D.~ I forgot to add under April that Deanna listened to the audio book "Ella Enchanted". She really loves this media option. Plus she has been trying to get into novels. She has been reading more which is wonderful.
We have also been listening to "Mystery of History" in the car together. I think this will be a good program to start in the fall.
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Friday, May 2 - The Family Under the Bridge
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