Tea Cups in the Garden

• Apr. 3, 2008 - Home Education Week-Show and Tell

Posted in Homeschooling

Dana has had a week's worth of writing prompts and surprise activities for...

I asked my children what they would like me to feature on Show and Tell.  They wanted me to show the unit celebrations.  Last year we started doing unit celebrations with our Tapestry of Grace studies.  We have had a lot of fun. The children like to dress up, as long as Mom dresses up too.  My parents come and my mom is especially caught on every aspect of the presentation.  My husband enjoys the whole thing.  Last year my mil flew 1500 miles to come see one.  She hopes to come out to our last one of the year this year too.  ;)  These have changed slightly from unit to unit.  Because my dc were weak in writing and speech skills before we started Tapestry of Grace, I thought I'd start small in their weak areas and have them try a new skill with each unit. 

Year 1 Unit 1 was about Egypt and the first 5 books of the Bible. 

Here is our Egyptian family, protecting the cat of Bubastees from harm.  Right before my mom arrived, my ds got the idea that we should give a little speech at the beginning to tell who we are and how we became believers of God.  What a terrific idea!   That was the only formal presentation of the whole thing.  Mom had no idea what this would be like.  Her eyes popped out when she saw us!  She asked about every single food item, project and book that had been read.  My dc had been learning to write strong paragraphs with IEW (finally, structure and style!). 

Opening with blowing the shofar.

Egypt display.

Time to eat.

 Days of creation book...

DS is quite the artist...

DD's page...

We made a model of the tabernacle...

DS made all the clay "furniture."  The dc explained the significance of each part.  This was so cool to do.  It was a lot of work, but finally we understand how this is set up and what it means.

For Unit 2, we dressed as a Hebrew family.  We had studied history from the books of Joshua to David's reign as king.  We also studied other ancient cultures during this time.  This time we each gave a speech on who we represented.  I was Deborah (Judges), dd was Ruth, and ds was a Phoenician trader of purple dye who had learned of the one true God in his travels, and now followed Him.  We used IEW's method of doing a KWO and studied that for our speech.  

Ancient India.  All of this is a lot of work. But the dc enjoy it. Also it employs a lot of SI work!

The Mayas...

Early Minoans and Myceneans...

Ancient China...

Hebrews...

Unit 3 we studied Ancient Greece...

DS made that hoplite costume!

They put on a Greek play, featuring one of Aesop's fables!  Once again, we did a KWO for the parts and practiced the week before.

We made a model of Solomon's temple.  Once again, ds did all the clay work.

The white squares are our feeble attempts at friezes.  The dc gave up on those, but they certainly appreciate them when they see them now!  ;) 

 

  

DD gave a 5 paragraph speech (using a KWO on notecards) for Greek architecture.

DS gave a speech on hoplites.  He also explained the layout of the temple.  He used a 3D site on the laptop to give us a tour.

 Unit 4 was the Ancient Romans.

Because they were all about being oratory, we did a lot of that!  DD prayed "The Lord's Prayer" in Latin. Each of the dc gave a speech of who they were. Ds was Paul and quoted his speech from Acts given on Mars Hill. 

 Ds art projects.  The scrolls are each of their 5 paragraph essays on Ancient Rome. They were read aloud...oratory. 

 DD's projects...

This year we've been doing Year 2.  Last November, our unit celebration was a Medieval Feast!  It was all scripted out to be as authentic as possible, right down to the singing birds in the pie!  For dinner entertainment, they read a sampling of their papers.  (I couldn't convince them to learn acrobats or juggling or anything.) It was soo much fun!  Once again, Mom and Dad were blown away!  Doing these have helped the extended families embrace homeschooling more and get more involved in what their grandchildren are doing!

In February our unit 2 celebration went up to the Elizabethan Era.  Each of the children gave a speech on who they were. Each of the children chose a Renaissance art piece and did a power point presentation, explaining the artistic style.  They also shared what they learned from a small, 4 page research paper, on Leonardo da Vinci. Each memorized a piece from Shakespeare. The cat even came in on cue!  

Our next unit celebration is this Sunday!  Last night they just completed a 13 page research paper on the settling of the 13 Colonies. In IEW, we used the Super Essay format. Whew!  We feel so good to have that done!  It's a real sense of accomplishment. Next we will put together a power point presentation on the colonies. My husband just taught me some of the basics of making slides. So the dc and I plan to do that today, based on the points that were in their essay. (I don't like to do double duty. I like writing about what we are already studying.  I like doing this power point based on all the history reading, which they compiled into a term paper.  It really hammers in the main idea while processing it from different angles and saves lots of study time!)   They will divvy up the colonies between themselves and take turns presenting the settlement of each one.  They will also give a short speech on who they are dressed up as.  

There you've seen something the dc really enjoy.  It's a lot of work but worth it since it motivates them to do present information before an audience.  The grandparents are more involved and embrace homeschooling more.  I am thrilled that my children are finally learning to write and give speeches!  Whew! 

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• Apr. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by kellieann
Man alive...I love looking at your unit celebrations. I wish I would have seen your Greek one before we had our festival. Lots of great ideas....
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• Apr. 3, 2008 - Show and Tell

Posted by Morning Rose
Wow, amazing job! Great ideas for writing, speaking, and celebrating unit studies.
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• Apr. 3, 2008 - Unit parties

Posted by Homeschoolmama
Wow! I want to go to your school! I'm so bad about getting the "extras" done. Maybe the excitement over our unit parties will make me get into gear!
Not to mention, like you said, the unit parties would do wonders for proving to our families that homeschooling is the right choice.

Dawn/Homeschoolmama (in NB)
www.homeschoolmama.wordpress.com
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• Apr. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous
Awesome! awesome! awesome!
We do TOG as well, but haven't done any unit celebrations (we started this year with yr. 3) I hope to be more organized next year.
I would like to bookmark this page of your blog to show at our TOG tea in June.
~Christy
http://www.isaiah5413.blogspot.com
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• Apr. 3, 2008 - Show and Tell

Posted by Ellen
Oh wow. Your family goes all out on Unit Studies. It looks like you all are having lots of fun. You must have a natural talent for home education and getting the kids interested.
http://ellenfunlearning.blogspot.com/
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• Apr. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous
Wonderful! I love the idea of unit celebrations! I also love the way that you have interwoven Biblical learning into the historical units. There is a ton of learning on display in the celebrations, and also in the process of pulling together what you've learned!
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• Apr. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous
Oh, my - - that is AMAZING!! I LOVE Unit Studies - - one of the things I am planning to do with History/Science.
Thanks for all o fthe ideas (and pics to show what you were talking about!! :)

Heidi
http://jhcckkm.wordpress.com
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• Apr. 3, 2008 - heather @ http://untraditionalhome.com

Posted by Anonymous
It looks like you all are having fun.
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• Apr. 3, 2008 - Love all the celebrations...

Posted by proverbsmomof3
wish I could get the extended family to participate in things like that. The kids and I always try to get the rest of the family interested in our projects, but there seems to be a lack of enthusiasm. My mom has a Dr. in Education, specializing in adult ed, so it's hard to get positive reinforcement from her. But the kids and I enjoy all our projects and Dad loves to see and hear what they've done. I'm looking forward to seeing what you have come up with for the 13 colonies. We finished our study a couple of weeks ago and have moved on to Amy Pak's TimeTravelers-The American Revolution. I needed a break from all the planning. LOL
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• Apr. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by andijeane
Your unit celebrations are amazing! I've only managed to do two of them, but we're planning on doing the colonial times one this time around. I'm going to show my children this post for inspiration! :-)

~Andrea
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• Apr. 4, 2008 - WOW!!!

Posted by kympossible
I want to go to your homeschool too!!!! You do some amazing stuff!! Hats off to you and your children - they are obviously enjoying what they are learning! Thanks for sharing, and inspiring us!

Blessings,
Kym
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• Apr. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous
Wonderful Laurie! I loved seeing the pics from your unit celebrations from year 1, as I had not seen those before. Wow. You and your children do such a great job preparing for them! I'm glad it's given the grandparents a more positive view of hsing now, and you have all these great pics to relive the memories when your dc are out of the house someday! I'm praying for you right now, as you are either doing your unit study or are preparing for it later tonight. I know it will be great too!

blessings,
Pam
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• Apr. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous
That was supposed to be unit "celebration" rather than unit "study". Sorry!

Pam
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About Me

Gardens thrill my soul. My senses awaken, my soul is refreshed, my mood calms down...and if given time for quiet ponder, I've enjoyed the sound of buzzing bees while collecting pollen, the delightful croak of shy Mr. Toad, the exuberant flutter a hummingbird near my face thanking me for scrumptious flowers, and the gentle touch of the butterfly who settles on my shoulder. I've been known to walk into the house with my hair showered in lavender crepe myrtle blossoms and my clothes covered in blue plumbago blooms. Picture a rustic wrought iron bistro set with floral cushions and gingham pillows under a crepe myrtle dripping in blooms. I've set out some tea. Come and sit with me while I catch you up on the latest of the happenings in my family. Welcome to my garden.




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Curriculum for dd-15

A Beka Math-8
National Spelling Bee
Latin Road to English Grammar Book II
Exploring Creation with Physical Science
Tapestry of Grace, Year 2 Unit 4
Institute for Excellence in Writing
Piano


Curriculum for ds-12

A Beka Math-6
National Spelling Bee
The Bridge to the Latin Road
Charlotte Mason/Classical style science
Tapestry of Grace, Year 2 Unit 4
Institute for Excellence in Writing
Piano


Current Read Aloud

Winning His Spurs: A Tale of the Crusades AD 1190 by GA Henty


Books on My Nightstand

Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity
by Charles Swindoll

A Charlotte Mason Companion:
Personal Reflections on the
Gentle Art of Learning
by Karen Andreola

Guns on the Heights


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Spring Reading Thing 2008

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Spiritual Growth

The Mystery of God's Will:
What Does He Want For Me?
by Chuck Swindoll

Ruth: The Romance of Redemption:
A Love Story
by Diana Hagee

Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity
by Charles Swindoll

Hope Again: When Life Hurts and Dreams Fade
by Charles Swindoll

So You Want to be Like Christ?
Eight Essentials to Get You There
by Charles Swindoll

Read Alouds to my Children

The Dragon and the Raven:
The Days of King Alfred by G.A. Henty (AD870)

Wulf the Saxon: The Story of the Norman Conquest
by GA Henty

Winning His Spurs: A Tale of the Crusades
by GA Henty

Our Literature and History Books

The Second Mrs. Giaconda by e.l. Konigsbur
With Pipe, Paddle and Song by Elizabeth Yates
Annie Henry: Adventures in the American
Revolution by Susan Olasky

Why Not, Lafayette? by Jean Fritz
Early Thunder by Jean Fritz
America's Paul Revere by Esther Forbes
George Washington's World by Genevieve Foster
The French Revolution by Sean Connolly
Daniel Boone: The Opening of the Wilderness
by John Mason Brown

A Colonial Town: Williamsburg by Bobbie Kalman
Why America is Free: A History
of the Founding of the American Republic

Susanna Wesley: Mother of John and Charles
by Charles Ludwig

Gulliver's Stories
Stowaway by Karen Hesse
Alone Yet Not Alone by Tracy Michele Leininger
George Washington by Cheryl Harness
Shh! We're Writing the Constitution
by Jean Fritz

Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold by Jean Fritz
Guns on the Heights
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Liberty: How the Revolutionary War Began
by Lucille Recht Penner

George Washington: A Picture Book Biography
by James Cross Giblin

When Washington Crossed the Delaware
by Lynne Cheney

Ben Franklin's Almanac: Being a True Account
of the Good Gentleman's Life
by Candace Fleming

Inventing America:
The Life of Benjamin Franklin:
A Museum Book Featuring Removable
Sketches, Letters and Historical Documents
by Mark Essig

The Declaration of Independence:
The Story Behind America's Founding
Document and the Men Who Created It:
A Museum in a Book
Featuring Removable Documents,
Letters, Diaries and Artifacts
by Rod Gragg

In Their Own Words: Benjamin Franklin
by Peter and Connie Roop

My Further Studies

1776 by David McCullough
Daniel Boone: His Own Story
Yankee Doodle Boy
Private Yankee Doodle

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