Jul. 22, 2008 - Camera Woes
Someone (who will remain unamed) dropped our camera and put it out of its misery.
I am completely uninspired to post without pictures. Sigh. I can't show you Elijah's Homophones Lapbook (a delight-directed study believe it or not!) or his Little Toot Lapbook or his Birds of Prey Lapbook. I can't show you my toddler covered in spaghetti sauce or doing a series of gravity experiments (I'm very serious!). I can stop whining, though. :)
So, for now (if you didn't already notice), I am talking a blogging break.
Hopefully I will be back in the swing before too long.
:) Ami
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Jun. 10, 2008 - Strawberry Pickin' Time!
"...Jewels of strawberries we didn't deserve,
Eating our way down.
Till our hands were sticky, and our lips painted,
And over us the hot day fainted..."
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Jun. 10, 2008 - Meerkat Lapbook
Elijah has been asking to learn more about Meerkats for a long time! We read Meerkat Mail (very cute!), another book about Meerkats, and now we are reading Rikki Tikki Tavi to learn more about mongooses. To see an up close and personal look at the window book, check out this post.
A huge thanks (again!) to Breezy for her fabulous meerkat drawings!
These lapbook templates will be posted at Homeschool Share sometime in July.
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Jun. 9, 2008 - The Gap Theory
I was browsing some curriculum sites today, and one caught my eye with their bold claim-- “…you can feel confident knowing that your child is receiving a complete education with no gaps…” Oh-no. Not the G-word.
Gaps.
Those huge holes in your child’s education that will remain empty because you didn’t cover all your bases or follow a premade checklist or choose the right curriculum. Everyone will forevermore know that you were a bad homeschooling mom because of GAPS. (Gasp!)
This is really something that you just have to get over. In this age of information there is no way that you are going to cover everything. It’s impossible. If you try to cover everything, your student’s education will be a mile wide and only an inch deep. Wide, but not deep. You’ll produce a student who thinks they know everything about everything, but really, they won’t know anything about anything.
So, I subscribe to the Gap Theory. It’s pretty simple. Basically, it goes something like this – “there will be gaps and that’s okay.”
I had to smirk as I walked away from the claim-– “no gaps” –- no way. If I would have used xyz curriculum for kindergarten this past year, Elijah would have gaps-- Birds of Prey. Big Cats. Carnivores. Animal Classification. Meerkats. He had big fat questions about these things that needed answers. We found the answers and filled the gaps. In finding the answers, we’ve discovered more questions…these will lead us forward in our journey.
Elijah and I also have the chance to work on character training-- to fill the gaps that matter the most. We have a large self-control gap right now, but we can work on it (with prayer and the Word). I doubt xyz covers that.
As a home educator, you have the opportunity to fill the unique gaps in your student’s education.
~It can’t be done at an institution where everyone has to learn the exact. same. thing.
~It can’t be done by a marvelous scope and sequence put together by some well- meaning Board of Education who wants to educate the general masses. (What would my son have learned about this year? Traffic signs? Community helpers? Living vs. Non-living? Bleeehhhhh.)
~It can’t be done by a magical curriculum or textbook (so you can stop looking).
It can be done by you being sensitive to the curiosity God has placed in your child’s heart and mind. What does your student delight in? What is he hungry to learn more about? That’s what you need to feed him. And trust me, he will come back for a second helping.
Remember the Gap Theory-- "there will be gaps, and that's okay!"
Happily Gapping Along,
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Jun. 6, 2008 - Making a Window Book
Note: Four Window Template can be found at Homeschool Share
When I was designing the Meerkat Lapbook, I needed something different. Something new! So, I tried a four window book (thanks Jimmie for the inspiration and template!)
Meerkats have different jobs within their mob (or colony). With three different jobs and a cover page, I knew I had the amount of information needed for a four window. I asked Breezy to draw up some meerkat pictures for me (and she did FANTASTIC!).
First, I cut all four pages out, and I used an exacto knife around the windows.
Then, you glue pages 1/6 to the cover/back.
Here are pages 1/6 (lines/the teacher) and pages cover/back
I only added glue (rubber cement, actually) on the backs around the window (making a frame). I didn't put any glue on the solid sheets.
Then I stuck them together.
I repeated the same step with pages 2/5 and 3/4
So, now I had 2 sets of pages glued together.
In order to attach these, I used my handy dandy swivel stapler
And, viola! Here is what the finished book loooks like (after Elijah narrated to me and colored/cut/pasted the pictures in). He thinks this book is too cool.
Cover Page
Cover Page with window opened.
The Guard Pages- window closed
The Guard Pages - window opened
The Babysitter Pages- window closed
The Babysitter Pages- window opened
The Teacher Pages - window closed
The Teacher pages - window opened
And, that's all, folks! We are finishing up our Meerkat Lapbook today. Hopefully, I will post some pictures sometime before JULY.
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Jun. 6, 2008 - Reference Lapbook
I made this up as I taught a lapbooking workshop; I thought I'd never use it because I'm very familiar with all the minits! But, it came in handy when Elijah made his bear lapbook; he looked at my reference lapbook to help him make choices and organize his information.
It is two file folders glued side by side.
First file folder
Second file folder
You may want to consider making one of these up for yourself or for your student if he is ready to venture out and make his very own lapbook!
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Jun. 6, 2008 - Tot School
For the most part, Simon plays, plays, and plays. We don't do anything structured unless he wants to be at the table like "Buuuuuuub" (and yes, you really must drag that short u sound out in order to say bub right).
You never know what's going to appeal to a toddler. When I purchased this puzzle, I though it would be way too hard for Simon. He works diligently to get all the pieces matched up and fitted together. He is just so proud of himself everytime he interlocks a pair!
You can buy this puzzle (and others like it) from Mudpuppy.
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Jun. 6, 2008 - Dinosaur Lapbook
This really was a great unit for us. We were able to discuss creation, the fall of man, the effects of sin, and the flood while learning about dinosaurs at the same time!
Cover Page (thanks Marie for the photo!)
This lapbook is two file folders glued side by side. Here is the first folder:
Here is the second folder:
Some pictures of various minit books open:
This is a free lapbook offered at Homeschool Share.
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May. 22, 2008 - Simon helps the seeds...
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May. 22, 2008 - Spectacular Maple Seed Show
Last night Elijah and I went for a walk. We were throwing handfuls of maple seeds in the air (something that delights both of my children). Watching his face light up gave me an idea. A big idea for a little boy. I told Elijah we should come back with a bucket and collect as many seeds as possible. So, today, we did that. Once we had the bucket stuffed, we launched the seeds into the air. My children were dazzled.
Have fun as you explore God's great big world with your children,
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May. 21, 2008 - Dinosaur Dig
This week (and next) we are learning all about dinosaurs. Elijah spent over five hours digging out these bones! He is convinced that he will be a paleontologist.
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May. 19, 2008 - FIAR Co-op ~ Daniel's Duck
I am so behind in blogging all of our FIAR adventures (and our delight-directed studies such as Insects and Tigers...maybe I can get those posted soon!). Here are a few pictures of our Daniel's Duck co-op. We met at a local park, and we toured a REAL log cabin!
We are going to follow up this co-op with a little County Fair in June! In the mean time, all of the kids are busy making some homemade wares to sell.
I didn't have pictures with me at our Grandfather's Journey co-op, but you can check out my friend, Jodi's blog, to see what wonderful surprise awaited our students!
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May. 17, 2008 - To the Zoo! (with Grandma and Grandpa)
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May. 5, 2008 - Happy #2, Little Piggy! :)
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Apr. 25, 2008 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood...
I was at Target Meijer somewhere last night (hey, it was late), and I remembered that Elijah asked if he could plant some flowers by the mailbox. I headed straight for the plants potted in plastic, and on my way over, a little naggy voice started whispering, "if you were really a good mom, you would buy seeds for him to plant...all the other homeschool moms let their kids plant from SEEDS. Real seeds."
I felt twinges of panic encompassing every inch of my being..."you're a bad mom...you don't come close to the other homeschooling moms...you don't even buy real seeds..."
Ms. Mom Guilt had zapped in to rob my joy (once again). She's a liar. She's a thief.
I had a lot on my list in my head last night. My sister will be in from Seattle on Monday and her birthday was yesterday (so a party will be in order), Simon's birthday is Monday, my cousin's wedding is Saturday (and my birthday is Saturday, too!). So, I was pleasantly surprised when I actually remembered to pick up a tea-time treat. I found some Almond Biscotti dipped in chocolate and thought that would be fun.
Then, she had the nerve to show up again! "If you really had what it took, you'd make your own biscotti. Tea-time treats should be homemade (as all good homeschooling moms know)."
I was tired. Really tired. Too tired to think about homemade biscotti. Maybe that played to my advantage at midnight last night.
I looked Ms. Mom Guilt straight in the eyes, and said, "I am doing the best I can. I will NOT let you or me or anyone else make me feel guilty for what I've decided (by the grace of God) to do with MY children."
At this point you probably either
~think I'm nuts~ OR ~know exactly what I'm talking about~
As moms we are in seemingly no-win situations sometimes.
Do I do the dishes (and have a clean house...because after all, ALL stay at home moms should have clean houses...what else do you do with your day?) ?
OR
Do I take the kids outside to enjoy this beautiful day (because, after all, no child should be left inside)?
It really doesn't matter. It really doesn't matter. Just in case you didn't get that, let me just say (one more time), IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER.
What does matter is that your children see you pursuing God.
What does matter is that your children see you loving your husband.
What does matter is that you have a dynamic relationship with your children-- you know them and they know you.
The rest is just jellybeans.
The next time Ms. Mom Guilt comes sneaking around, trying to grab your joy (or all that's left of your sanity)...tell her that God gave you these children and you will not compare yourself to other moms, you will not be manipulated into doing something you don't need to be doing, and that YOU (by the grace of God) are quite capable of doing what's right for these little ones that you love with all your heart.
Goodbye Ms. Mom Guilt,
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Apr. 24, 2008 - Spring Thing
We were outside playing a few days ago, and Elijah declared,
"Mom, I just can't wait for the whole world to BLOOM!"
I love this kid!
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Apr. 20, 2008 - Little Nino's Pizzeria
After we rowed Little Nino's Pizzeria, we went to a local pizza place with co-op and we...MADE PIZZA! Then we made pizza at home (Simon is beoming quite the pizza maker -- if you like lots of mushrooms, that is). Every time we make pizza, Elijah wants to call it Little Nino's Pizzeria Night.
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Apr. 11, 2008 - Spring Poem
This morning while we were walking, I noticed that Elijah kept saying some really cool things about spring. I told him when we got home that we'd work on putting his words in a poem.
I gave him prompts such as
I smell spring...
I see spring...
I feel spring...
I hear spring...
He changed the line to I see some spring. This was hard for me since every word counts in poetry, and it's best to elminiate (what I call) "wimpy" words, but I decided not to make it in to a battle. I think, in the end, it worked nicely for him.
I formed his words (mostly his exact words) in to lines since I think lining is a hard concept to grasp, but I may have him copy the poem in his own handwriting, and that will give us a chance to discuss line and why it is important in poetry (it's *usually* best to end on a strong word).
I also added "stealing my brother's hat" -- he was trying to think what to say about the wind, and the wind really did carry Simon's hat away this morning! The rest are his words. :) I think tea time with poetry is really paying off! He included so many images without any prompting from me!
God Made Spring
by Elijah
I smell some spring
fresh
like lemons
in the sky
I see some spring
green
peaceful grass
red buds on trees
I feel some spring
sun
rising on me
wind stealing my brother's hat
I hear some spring
birds
singing like an opera
in the sky
If you decide to do this exercise with your own students, please post and leave me a note in the comments, so I can read their spring poems (Elijah would love that).
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Apr. 11, 2008 - SPRING!
Our nature walks these past few weeks have revealed one thing-- Spring has finally sprung!
Here is one of my favorite poems about spring (by Gerard Manley Hopkins)
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Apr. 7, 2008 - If You Give a Boy a Lapbook...
...he can do amazing things!
Last week Elijah decided he would like to make a Bear Lapbook. I told him he was on his own because
1. It wasn't what I had planned
and
2. I know nothing about all these different bears (that he knows so much about).
I told him he was the teacher, boss, and appointed expert. I gave him my reference lapbook to look at to decide the types of minit books he wanted me to print. He told me he needed some time to think. LOL! When he was done thinking, he asked me to make a list as he told me some of the things he was going to do. Honestly, he said, "Mom, I need a layer book for eight kinds of bears." I almost fell on the floor when he said, "I need a three flap with cover for brown bears, and I will put three different kinds inside like Kodiak, European Brown Bear, and Himilayan Brown Bear."
He did much by himself, but he did have my help for a few things including the following...
~I printed the templates for him as he told me what to print. He did make the trifold on his own, though.
~I cut out the petal book, but he did the others.
~I helped a LOT with the bear map.
~I googled the names of the bears as he told me (Google images) so he could choose pictures.
~I gave him a page of information to use as he pleased.
~He explained what he wanted for the "What are Bears" minit book. He told me, "I want people to guess -- birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, or mammals." So I showed him a five flap, and he said, "yes, that's what I want." He wrote yes/no behind each flap.
~I asked questions once in awhile to get him thinking about different things, but I really tried hard to let him be. He kept reminding me, "You said I'm the boss this week, mom." LOL
~I cut out the panda bear.
~I helped with the final lay-out. He doesn't enjoy that part at all.
That's all, folks. He did the rest. He brainstormed, made a list, organized information, created minit books, told me if he needed anything...he DID it! HOORAY!
I went to a conference last week where Andrew Pudewa told us that, "children want to do what they think they can do." I also heard Jeannie Fullbright speak, and she gently reminded us that we need to be moving toward independence. So, with both of those ideas in mind, I decided to let him try his own thing. He told me his next lapbook will be Big Cats (one file folder) and Little Cats (another file folder). Oh, and after that... Birds of Prey. ;) So, I'm trying hard to put some of my plans to the side (so, you know, he can *really* learn).
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