http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:31:00 -0500 Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:31:00 -0500 It's snowing!   hoping pregnancy sickness and exhaustion will thin out now that I'm nearing second trimester!      For bday DH took me to see the movie One Night with the King. I've watched all the yak on TBN over the movie with all my bedrest  and really wanted to see the movie. My favorite part was when she offered her jewish necklace to the king.  Did you see the actresses bathing suit strap tan line?  I guess the Persian King's crown was correct for the time period?  I didn't care for it.   Afterwards.... We were coming home, without the kids, on a main road through town and 5 deer were crossing the road...unfortunately the one deer we were trying to avoid leaped into our windshield and  totally crushed it in.  The deer ran off.    DH went to find it; but it was gone.  What a night.  So glad the kids were not with us. and glad our insurance covered the replacement.  The lady driving behind us stopped and said she had All State Insurance and they would not pay for her broken windshield from hitting a deer.   School activities Bison Ranch  Denver Nature Museum Rock/Mine exhibits fit great with Roxaboxen Annual Rock Show  Bird Fair     DS has been notebooking on astronomy and we've pulled out the Elem Apologia Astronomy book to read today...I forgot how much I really like these books.  Mrs. Fulbright is so amazing!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/221603/ Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:31:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/221603/ I planned on NOT blogging our routines; but it seems a good way to share with relatives and others.   We have to put a start date somewhere, so today we begain the hit the books a little harder.   Boys are doing great with the Bible Explorer for quiet time Monday they work on the memory verse write each word on a card and play mix up.   We are working on MOZART and DS7 is addicted to his music! I gathered these products: Zeezock Publishing has a book, study guide and CD. Classical Kids MOZART  story on CD. Mozart music and life narrated on CD. Lots of listening CD's Hope to buy  Color the Classics and find a Movie.   We tried LLATL today and it really clicked, I hope it's a good fit. Still deciding on Math, we worked on flashcards and computation. Someone shared www.touchmath.com and it sounds very similar to Dianne Craft right brained.  It has the system I need for DS9 all addition then all subtraction.... not sure it's worth $130 for have the workbooks all figured out... . We are starting our year with Indians and Where the Buffaloe Begins. I snatched the book at Goodwill and wrote lessons to share at www.homeschoolshare.com ...we'll finish the week off with a trip to the Bison Ranch about an hour from our home.  The boys are all thrilled with the idea!   We did art today so we made felt mocassins. The boys worked over an hour whip stitching, then we gave in and used the sewing machine...they did a great job. Add photos sometime.   PRESCHOOL using Little Hands To Heaven DD4 and DD2.     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/200437/ Mon, 11 Sep 2006 18:08:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/200437/ Here's what we are concentrating on:  Implementing dipping pens and permanent inks into copywork books!  Am I crazy??  YES!  Boys love this idea...they flipped through history books trying to find photos of Historical figures using quills!! And are asking when can we start?  The first link below has enough info to convince you to give this a try! Benefits: 1.  Forces child to pay attention and slow down to handwriting. 2.  Does not cramp child's hands...Dipping pens do not need the PRESSURE to write. 3.  It's just FUN!  Boys know it's special ...they want to create special work!   This isn't expensive to get started:  We bought a Speedball basic alphabet pamphlet and a calligraphy pen set and ink for under $10...   LINKS OF INFO on Dipping Pens>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   www.hopechestlegacy.com  bought her real quill pen and nib set to use for copywork. Her discounted price and high shipping even out enough to justify the purchase.  She has a really neat website with lots of free info on getting started and other subjects besides dipping pens...free hope chest designs, free hymn histories, free tea time recipes etc...     http://www.thelibraryshop.org/journalpensets.html  cute  mini leather journals, dipping pen, and bottle of ink   http://www.jennibick.com/writing-tools.html  very pretty glass dipping pens   http://www.jennibick.com/writing-tools.html  nib care 101 ...lots of  cleaning hints...   http://www.covingtoninnovation  info on Fountain pens, italic and calligraphy. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/182550/ Sat, 12 Aug 2006 00:54:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/182550/     I've been bit by the quilting bug...and it's SUMMER!   I made DS9 a Yellow Brick road Outer Space Quilt 1 1/2 years ago...and didn't make it big enough so we are adding fabric to the ends...DS loves that quilt!  Why not, the constellations GLOW in the dark!       We were at WM and his Shamu fabric was on the clearance rack...DS has waited patiently  for 2 years for me to get this quilt made...He just won't outgrow Shamu's!  He has a stuffed animal collection , called his POD, of 20 Orca/Shamus.       DS7 SHAMU QUILT  very blue! This will be a Yellow Brick quilt when finished.  I did have turqois with it to brighten it up; but we decided the pastel blue is best.  of course, black and white fabric!   THIS IS THE QUILT KIT that began the Yellow Brick Road...When DD4 was born , I chose the Cicely Mary Barker Rose Fairy as her "thing"...being a June baby. I bought this kit of CM BARKER fabric...and FINALLY had the guts to cut it ....she's more into HORSES; but thankfully she got excited about the Fairy Dust and sparkles on this fabric!  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/173589/ Wed, 26 Jul 2006 23:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/173589/   Oh today was sooo humid and hot, I lay in bed saying...What could I possibly get done today in this weather???  What a wonderful day this turned out to be....   July 20. After praying, her actions were EXCITEMENT...I'm sooo excited!!  You could see the affects of the Holy Spirit entering her HEART!  My sentimental goal is to put their photo on a mug...so here's DD's salvation moment.-her mug photo.  We immediately went to buy a special necklace...it'a a locket with a cross and heart inside to celebrate the occasion.  Her brother made her a very pretty card without being asked...  our spiritual bday tradition is to make a white heart cake or cookies to remind them they are growing in Christ.  So we made white heart cookies today and shared them with those she loves. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/170621/ Fri, 21 Jul 2006 13:53:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/170621/ 1912 copyright, www.oldfashionededucation.com   If you know of this series published from 1900-1930 please tell me more!   The Real Book about Inventions, 1951, Epstein and Williams http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/170306/ Thu, 20 Jul 2006 20:42:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/170306/   Thanks to  notebooking corner blog for sharing the MAIN Letterboxing Website  http://www.letterboxing.org/....   the journey begins!   So I let  DH in on the secret...  of all the thousands of rubberstamps"we" own...We still need gum erasers to carve an image!  LOL!   The kids love this idea and what perfect timing in the midst of our PIRATE activities!    I love the longterm rewards and that is has my favorite hobby involved!   We began researching at the official LBN website(listed above)   We found  There are almost 200 Boxes in our state, so that's a perfect starting point.  There are a set of boxes hidden that go along with "History of the state"  so it will be a fun tie in for Nature walks and State history!     I just bought this book, can't wait to read! ********************************************* -    Letterboxing LINKS    /www.stampinthebox.com/start.asp     http://www.gigagraphica.com/Michelle/letrbox.html first box....   http://www.letterboxing.info/glossary/  I like this link! LB ettiquette.   http://www.alphabetbandits.org/ourboxes.htm   homeschool family great stuff!   http://www.letterboxingonhorseback.com/         http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/169810/ Wed, 19 Jul 2006 23:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/169810/   When was the last time you read the unabridged Wizard of OZ??     Do you know there are 14 books in the series??   We are very careful to have peace of mind and heart what we read...A few years ago,  This has been a careful selection and only after the children were saved and had understood the discernment the holy spirit will give.  They kept comparing parts of the Yellow Brick road journey to Pilgrim's Progress journey.  (insert photos)_   Here's is part of DS7 narration from a favorite part of the story.... "I have lots of favorite parts ....when the house fell on the witch...And the China Wall....When the tin woodman made a ladder out of trees and they climbed up it and sat on the wall and everything they saw was made of china glass.  Then they hopped down on the scarecrow and Dorothy broke a glass ladies cow leg!  Then the lady was not happy and Dorothy began chasing the princess.  And the princess said, stop chasing me!  Dorothy asked why and the princess said, "If you broke me then I'd have to get mended.  She showed her a clown with little cracks running all over him, and then Dorothy was sorry.  And then, they all got over the glass wall and the Lion broke a church and they got stuck in a big wood and a tree tried to fight the scarecrow.  The tin woodman chopped off  one of it's branches and then the tree was in pain.  Then they went through the wood and they found another nice wood and there was wild animals.  And the tiger told the Lion there was a great big ugly spider, it had big long legs like tree trunks!  When the Lion found the spider it wack-ed it's head right off.  And then it went back to the animals and said, "The spider is dead!"  And they all bowed to the King Lion.  the end." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/169152/ Tue, 18 Jul 2006 22:45:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/169152/   JULY   The firecracker kids!   The kids made these hats at the park while waiting for the fireworks Well, they loved running around with firecracker heads and others were entertained by our antics!    Read alouds /Books on tape as time permits  Wonderful Wizard of OZ   completed!  Boys loved this book. Might have to read a sequal.  Swallows and Amazons    completed on tape.  Watched COOT CLUB MOVIE (offensive language is included! overall gave a feel for the story and learned more about ships and birds)   and lots of books on Pirates!   A Pirate's Promise by Bulla, Pirates! by Gail Gibbons, DK Level 4 Pirates! , Bellerphon Pirates coloring book. Bos buried treasure and drew pirate maps. Made lots of Paper Pirate hats.   Yet to finish read alouds: OWLS IN THE FAMILY CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (DS7 request) CASTLE IN THE ATTIC JUNGLE BOOK unabridged   Boys interests this month: Pottery Wheel, Making things with Long Balloons (I picked up some books on different balloon animals and things), Wood burning, Bike Riding, Swimming,   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    JUNE read alouds  CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG!!                      CHARLIE and the CHOCOLATE FACTORY on tape camping trip.                      Burgess BIRD BOOK                      Castle in the Attic First Camping Trip of Season We took a week to learn to can  garden fruits and vegetables.   Jonathon Park Adventure Series (creation science)  American Heritage audio CD's  (Thomas Edison,  Wright Brothers, and other stories were listened to over and over) Boys interests this month: DS turned 9 and  enjoying practicing on the BMX track., Woodcarving, Pottery Wheel, Nature Journals,  Wood burning projects,   Goal is to create timeline notebooks using www.homeschoolinthewoods.com products. Daily bible and read aloud practice with icecream incentives at the end of the week.   Started Little Hands to Heaven preschool curriculum for DD4   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/167125/ Fri, 14 Jul 2006 18:11:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/167125/ Our schooling accomplishments while travelling this past weekend:   MATH - leap frog twister game for drills. READ ALOUDS - OWLS in the Family (a favorite of the boys)   American History - Patch the Pirates Great American Time Machine CD                               article on the Indian Gall (intriguing to DS7 kept asking                               questions!) PHONICS - explode the code workbooks Nature Walk  - Craters of the Moon  boys going down into cave opening  ...Kids still spotted nature on this walk               we found the beautiful Indian Paintbrush Flower and 2 birds nests in               the cave!     Idaho Nature while driving.... :  the obvious -the beautiful mountains and greenery rivers etc...    Birds - one day we focused on birds because we saw some really    neat birds with LONG tails...(Magpies)  We counted 7 in an hour!    2 Eagles Nests  and a handful of Hawks   We are excited to see the kids independent observations to God's creations.  We were listening to Purpose Driven Life and he reminded us that God is pleased to see us PRAISE him through observing his creation  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/137326/ Thu, 18 May 2006 18:09:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dickinsonfamily/137326/