Mar. 4, 2009 - Beginning Lapbooks
My son and I enjoy creating through art, so I was naturally drawn to lapbooking. It's a wonderful supplement for our growing curriculum and learning style.
My son is in cub scouts and needs to fulfill requirements for his Webelos badge. Our very first lapbook was for his Traveler pin, completed on January 30th. Mac has always enjoyed cutting, pasting, coloring, so I had a feeling that he would enjoy lapbooking. He enjoyed coming up with extra things to add to his book. His den leader was impressed by his presentation! When Mac was presented with his Traveler pin, his cubmaster mentioned his wonderful presentation (lapbook) to the entire pack! I will get pictures of this book, after it is displayed at the next pack meeting.
That same weekend, we completed a lapbook for his lesson on Laws of Motion to correspond with the Pinewood derby races. This time, I printed out the templates and placed them in sheet protectors. Now, I can copy ones I need onto card stock. Coming in first place, in both the pack and district races, made this book even more exciting for him!
After winning his first of 4, 1st place trophies!
(More pictures are located at each link)
Laws of Motion ~ Pinewood Derby Races
Our third book was for his Citizenship pin. This was a longer lesson, complete with US history, government, and laws. We were able to get a little more creative with this one, after having some experience. I actually created my own fold for the US flag. Simple really. It's just a long rectangle, folded like the flag should be. Mac especially loves folding and refolding that one!
Citizenship ~ Cub scouts
Our next lapbook will be for his Fitness pin. Can't resist making these fun books!
On a side note, my son did something very sweet last month. We weren't feeling well one week with colds and such. While I was taking a brief nap, Mac made his own lapbook for me! It has hearts all over the front, mini books stapled inside with pictures of us, and folded papers with more hearts and "I love yous"! It is indeed something that I will cherish forever!
Valentines Day Present
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Sep. 17, 2008 - Pizza!
I've been homeschooling for almost a month, and I'm still around...
This month, I've been finding out what works and what doesn't work. You could say that we've been deschooling and taking it slowly. I was actually getting worried with myself, ie "is he getting enough each day?" I just have to keep remembering all those days spent in school, as he struggled just to survive (not really learning much).
Today we had some great breakthroughs and ideas on how to do the things I've been wanting to include in his learning. It all started by reading the first poem in a book titled "A Pizza the Size of the Sun" (poem, same name). DS loved the rhyming of the poetry and was remembering what I was reading! Reading Comp, check.
Then, we ran across a big word that he didn't know. He got his dictionary, and I showed him how to find the word. Afterwards, I created a notebook for his "big words"... Vocabulary, check; Resource books, check (man, we're on a roll).
I put a Charlotte Mason spin on things and asked him to narrate the poem back to me. Afterwards, he took the poem and made his own short poem with the same theme (all his doing, not mine)... Creative writing, check!
This all came from reading only one poem in 5 minutes. I was amazed!
Now the irony, yesterday we went to a pizza place for a tour as a homeschool field trip. We are going to incorporate the poem with our pictures and start a field trip scrapbook. Art project, CHECK!
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Jul. 3, 2008 - Oh, Where To Begin
This will be my first year of homeschooling. My sweet boy has tried to survive public school for 5 years now... 5 years, where does the time go??? After trying everything under the planet, I am adventuring into the world of homeschooling. I've attended 1 conference, 1 used curriculum sale, and 1 state convention. From one, I've made new friends and became literate in the works of Jane Austen. Not to mention sharing laughs and great food! I'm in the process of accumulating our curriculum and setting up our "school room". Homeschooling takes on a life of its own. I'm working on becoming more organized in our house, better understanding of my son, and creating a stronger relationship with my hubby. I'm looking forward to the journey.
Edit: I've never written a blog, so this is all new to me.
