Hello blog land! Wow, life has been so full and busy that I haven't been able to take the time to write out what has been happening in our world since the beginning of September. So what exactly has been happening around here, let's go check the calendar and see.
IN SEPTEMBER...
we did chores for friends while they were away on holidays
the science crate I ordered back in the summer arrived. The kids and I had a blast doing all of the activities. ( Mega-machines - http://crates.sciencealberta.org/Crates/CrateDetails.aspx?id=103 - Mega Machines focuses on the principles of simple machines and explores how they relate to the massive machinery in the oil sands of Alberta. Students will experiment with physical models and learn about topics such as gears, levers, pulleys, Pascal's Law, hydraulic systems, inclined planes, and the development of oil sands technology.)
The new Dr. Oz show started and we have enjoyed this show using as a resource for science/health studies. Although it is not always “child friendly” so if you decide to check it out, check out the website to see what the topics will be about and if they are appropriate for your children. On Dr. Oz's Facebook page, he shared a picture of a page of notes an eight year old took while watching the show. That is an idea I have been thinking of doing... using TV shows to help my kids with the skill of note taking from a “lecture”.
Our home school support group started the MUG UP gathering once again. It is one of the best concepts for home school families looking for support and socialization. What is MUG UP? Check it out here: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Pamela/736197/
We participated in a couple of large work projects two weekends in September. On one weekend we gathered with a few other families to reshingle our neighbors roof. The large work force (which half of it was kids) was able to get the whole roof done in one day. Amazing!!! The second weekend we camped out at friends and tore off their old back porch and built a new bigger one.
I spent a lot of time on the road in September as well. I drove to Calgary numerous times. My mom had a friend named Dale who was dying from cancer. We went to see her as often as we could. This past Sunday, Dale went home to be with her Lord.
I was also able to get to Red Deer to visit my Grandmother in Red Deer. She went in to the hospital in May due to a spinal infection and spinal stroke. For the longest time she wasn't taking any visitors but now she having visitors. She is doing so well. She was told in the beginning she would never walk again and things looked really grim. But she is doing well, she has built up a lot of upper body strength and is becoming more independent with each passing day. She can even move her toes and feet a bit which is a sign of hope she may walk with assistance some day. Yay! And I was amazed at how awesome she looks. She looks about 10 years younger and well rested like she has been at he spa. :o)
Wes has joined the community choir once again. So one night each week he is away learning new songs in preparation for Christmas performances.
We didn't get a lot of “academics” done. But we lived a lot of life. :o)
IN OCTOBER...
I organized (with the help of Heidi) a MEET and GREET for home school families in our area. I was able to meet three new families. My hope is that we can start to have more activities locally versus having to drive to neighboring towns. Sure would save on time and car wear and tear. :o)
We spent the weekend at a friends the first weekend in October. Their youngest daughter was having a princess party on the Saturday and then hosting church on Sunday, so we decided to just make a weekend of it. It was an awesome weekend for sure.
By this time, I am pretty exhausted from work weekends, weekends away and being on the road constantly... so my mommy took pity on me and offered to take the kids a few days so I could rest. I am so thankful for my mom. So my kids spent 4 days at their Nana's house. I sent a school assignment list with them and I think it was our most successful school week to date for this year. LOL! So I figure I should send them to Nana's every week. Just kidding! But I do see the value of having a “plan” written down. I guess my kids a more like me than I thought. You see, for me, if something is not written down, it doesn't exist and does not get done. Well the same for my kids. So the new plan is to write out weekly assignment sheets for the kids to complete.
Next on the agenda was a visit from my dear sister Stephanie (my sister in my heart, technically she is my cousin). She flew in from BC on on a Thursday to stay for the weekend and have her own little mommy get away (she has two kids – Sarah is almost 3 and Isaiah is 1). We had an awesome weekend together that went by waayyyyy too fast. It hardly feels like she was here. I took her to see our grandparents in the city on the Friday, enjoyed a great turkey dinner on Saturday and then spent Sunday with my mom visiting and then Monday it was back to the airport to say goodbye. :o(
On October 9 the kids participated in a science class with our home school support group. (May the Force Be With You - 12:30-2:30 p.m. Ages 13+ - Do you know how a Roller Coaster works? What on earth is a current anyway? And how on earth do some of the worlds tallest structures and bridges even stay upright? Come find out! This class will include the Science topics: Structures and Forces, Mechanical Systems, Electrical Principles and Technologies)
I bought a new movie a couple of weeks back and the kids watched last week. Who knew it would be such an inspiration to them. The movie was “Shakespeare in Love”. Well after the movie was over, the kids decided they should write a play. I don't think Jordan got very far with his but Deanna has been working on hers pretty steady. I think she is on page nine last time I checked. PLUS she has decided to spotlight Shakespeare for her history project for the history fair in November. Too cool.
Jordan has continued to work on his novel with the “One Year Adventure Novel” curriculum.
Deanna has wrote two songs. One called “Memories” which is really awesome for a 12 year old (you would have to hear it to appreciate it). Plus she wrote a cute little lullaby.
Wes has started a read aloud/bible study with the kids. He is reading the book “From Eternity to Here” by Frank Viola with them.
Jordan has finally decided on a topic for his history project... swords. It should be interesting.
ACADEMICS
both kids continue to work on their math curriculum
Deanna is reading - “Horrible Histories – Awesome Egyptians” by Terry Deary and Peter Hepplewhite
Jordan is reading - “Horrible Histories – Frightful First World War” by Terry Deary
Both kids are working their way through the book “The Usborne Internet Linked Library of Science – ENERGY, FORCES &MOTION”
Jordan has finished the book “Twenty and Ten” by Claire Hutchet Bishop. (A written summary of the book was assigned.)
Deanna has finished the book “The Big Wave” by Pearl S. Buck. (A written summary of the book was assigned.)
Jordan is reading the book - “The Lightening Thief” by Rick Riordan – aloud to Deanna.
Both kids have been reading various books from the library that are not assigned thus I do not keep a record of them.
Both kids are signed up to participate in the HISTORY FAIR coming up in November. (HISTORY EXTRAVAGANZA - We will be doing a History Fair (Sept-Nov email outs) with the final fair date on November 27. This event will be similar to past events (Science, Geography and Literary Fair). For those that have participated and come to the event they find it very educational and fun! Pick a historical event, person or invention. Each family will choose one history piece of work on or each child in the family could choose their own history piece.) Jordan's topic is swords and Deanna's is Shakespeare.)
I think that about brings things up to date. I was hoping more academics would have been done by this point but the other day I was looking at some pictures a friend had posted of her time at the beach. As I was looking you could see learning happening in the moment, not preplanned scheduled learning... but life learning. Why is planned learning more valued than life learning? I can see that when a person wants to become an expert in a field, it is good to have some in depth studies but in the pre-adult years, is it really necessary to go in-depth in the topics that we are told to (example – chemistry, physics, accounting, art, etc)? So in my mind the other day I realized I may not necessarily be a home 'schooler', but a life learner who is raising kids who I hope I will catch the life learning bug.
Well, now it is time to go and put pen to paper and make a list (a map) for the kids to follow in their academics. We were suppose to be at Mug Up today but the weather was awful and the raods even worse, so we are back at home. Only two days this week to cover, then we have the cattle drive and then hopefully next week we will get a full week of learning in.
