A Work of Heart

• Jan. 30, 2006 - Week In Review

I have seen some people doing a week in review for what they did. I find this very encouraging (as I am VERY new to homeschooling). And even though we are not officially homeschooling yet, I thought it would be great for me to start keeping track of what the children are doing, share it with you (in hopes that it might help/encourage you and in hopes that someone might share ways to exand on what we are doing, as we are really leaning towards child-led/relaxed homeschooling). I would LOVE to know the terminology for WHAT they are doing (you know, what teachers use). Is there a web site that lists these terms and what they mean??

ALL:

Made edible playdough - work on creativity and imagination
Listened to Peter and The Wolf - talked about musical instruments and different feelings they evoked. The 6 and 4 yr olds actually learned what instruments represented what characters.
Read Alouds - worked on listening skills
Listened to classical music
Keeping Home - by doing their chores, they are learning to keep home (Titus2)
Singing - replaced word in song with another word. For example, the Itsy Bitsy Spider became the Itsy Bitsy Mommy, The Itsy Bitsy Orange, etc.
Momma Time - they all have baby dolls and frequently practice being a mommy
Watched March of the Penguins and acted like penguins on their march

2YR GIRL:

Alone Read Aloud Time
First Words book - I would point out pictures and she would tell me what they were. She really REALLY likes this. She would also point out things she already knew (like shapes I had no idea she knew!).
coloring on blank paper

4YR GIRL:

Worked on How To Read in 100 Easy Lessons - she is really wanting to learn to read and really likes 100EL
Puzzles

6YR GIRL:

Alone Read Aloud chapter books - I have a feeling this is how she will learn to read. She does not like 100EL so we don't do that.
Drawing - she LOVES to draw pictures that tell stories
Word Bag - she likes to take words out of her word bag and make sentances
Retells read alouds to Daddy (she does this on her own just to share with Daddy!)
learned about baby growing inside mommy - read more

Posted in Homeschooling

• Jan. 30, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by kleo30

Hi there! Your hsing days sound so lovely. I miss those days of cuddles and reading and littles. They grow up too fast!

Thanks for your comments on my blog. I'm glad you're enjoying it. I just blabber on and on and not quite sure if anybody cares LOL. My kids are sweet helpers and are kind, loving and helpful. I wouldn't always say respectful LOL. I'm glad I'm not putting negative vibes out there. I have some negative vibes about the oldes. That teenage testosterone is a vicious thing LOL.

I'm enjoying your blog and go down memory lane every time I read it.

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• Jan. 30, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by DandelionSeeds

You sound like you're off to a wonderful start! Great job!

Blessings,
Amy

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• Jan. 30, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by eyecorn

Oh, we love to listen to Peter and the Wolf...even 13 yo ds who has heard it many times over. The word bag game sounds great...I have to try this with my DD...she loves playing these types of games.
Thanks for sharing your week...I always need new ideas!

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• Jan. 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by appleleaf

It sounds great. One of the best things about making weekly lists like this is that you get such a feeling of achievement and satisfaction when you read them over again, don't you think?

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• Jan. 31, 2006 - I looked

Posted by Juliestew

at the flat ones. I wanted a US and a World one. They were 14.95 and 19.95. Good grief!!! They should be gold inlay for that price.
Julie

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• Feb. 1, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by DandelionSeeds

Thanks for stopping by... the carnival was something going on a few weeks back, and as far as I know, it's done... it's an infomational spot, but I'm not sure where to go to find it... maybe ask Gena. As for the "what grade are you in?" question... I understand that one too. We've just made sure to continue to say the kids are in the grade that their age is representative of. (When we thought about our girls "graduating" and leaving early because they were done with school, we didn't care for the idea... this also helps with Sunday School and AWANA. The kids know it's just a way to put them in with the children their age, and not representative of the level of school they're doing. (Plus it saves on explaining to those who don't homeschool... as I said... that one would be a hard one to explain to an "orange"!)

Blessings,
Amy

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• Feb. 1, 2006 - Hi!

Posted by KristenS

Thanks for visiting! I've been meaning to ask, how do you make edible playdough?

The children's history museum I mentioned is in my hometown, and I am trying to avoid putting specifics like that out on my blog, at the request of dh. But here's a link to it: http://www.earlyworks.com/ We went to the building that's the top-left picture. It's a nice place, but I see you're in Colorado, and a trip all the way to Alabama might not be worth it, just for this. :) If you do happen to be here, though, it's worth a visit.

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• Feb. 3, 2006 - Hi There :)

Posted by MrsStevens95

Looks like you had a great week :) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you go to Barnes & Noble you can request an educator discount card. If you are a member of a homeschool support group - they will want to see your membership card to verify that. If you are not a member of a support group yet I have heard that they will allow you to use your letter of intent to homeschool. They do not verify anything - they just look at it while you hold it in your hand. You have to renew the card every year. There is no cost to it. The discount is 20% off per item. Every year they have an educator sale where you can get 25% off each item. I love these sales :) The only thing that does not seem to get the discount is magazines - including homeschooling magazines :(
(there are many great places to get educator discounts/rewards: Staples, OfficeMax, Office Depot, JoAnn fabrics are a few.

~ Rachel

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