I am going to try to figure out why I can post pics today.  Once I figure it out I will post pics of our Earth Lapbook, it came out really cute.

With the lapbook, I decided to let my son direct on what he thought were the important things from the unit to include.  I was really impressed with what he remembered without looking through the book.  He remembered that the earth is flat at the north and south poles, that it turns on an axis which isn't a real stick it turns on.  He also remembered lines on longitude and latitude.  He could tell me about the climate of the earth and that the closer you are the the equator the warmer it is.  Then we both looked through the Usborne First Guide to the Universe for more ideas.  I struggled for a bit with how much he should actually do and how much I should do. But the Lord is faithful to give me guidance and we found a nice balance.  All in all a success.

Handwriting for a Reason: (I)Lesson 5 day one and two

Bible (I) Ways I can enjoy a friendship with God

Math (I) Started new Saxon Math Lesson 1(Calender,graphing, counting to 100, left and right)

Social Studies (I) A child's History of the world Ch6 Tomb Builders Map work "Egypt"

Bigger and Smaller (E) Series of worksheets (tried playing with a bowl of cotton balls today for an activity and he loved it. Cotton balls everywhere but worth it.

Science (I) Completed Earth Lapbook

Language Arts (I) Dictations Sheet, Spelling words with long e, long e worksheet,

Reading (I) The Cat in the Hat

Read aloud (I &E) Mr. Poppers Penguins

Another beautiful day in Maine.  I mean it's really beyond words.  We had a pretty good day today.  We had a little downer.  My oldest son had his spelling test today and he got 6 wrong and he just burst into tears.  I tried to encourage him that not everyone will get 100%, 100% of the time.  And that what matters most is that he did his best and did it unto the Lord.  He nodded through the tears and corrected his mistakes.  I felt so bad because he is usually spot on.  I think he partly didn't study enough and partly he was rushing.  Whatever the case was I didn't want him to beat himself up over it.  I had him rewrite his mistakes 5 times each and said he could have a retake tomorrow if he wanted.  He agreed so he'll have a retake test tomorrow.

We live in a very small town...literally maybe 200.  The little public school up the street has a small little student body.  If I sent my oldest son he would be in a combined class of 8.  Anyway they have after school sports.  Last year my oldest did basketball, and softball. And now it's soccer time.  He LOVED it.  They just learn basic soccer techniques and they play a mock game at the end.  He really enjoys all the kids and just playing the game.  He ran up to me at the end and wrapped his arms around me and said "thank you mom for bring me to soccer. I had a blast" Everyone commented on how sweet that was.  And although I agree it's typical of him.  Just a thoughtful, thankful kid.

So here's my problem and I NEED HELP!  My youngest is 3 1/2.  He is his brother's  best friend. They are the two peas in a pod.  The problem that I thought I had confronted is that my youngest has NOTHING to do while we're doing more instruction intense lessons.  Ok I say nothing, he does have things, he has his "homeschool box" filled with all kinds of goodies, but obviously none of them hold his interest.  I do his school first and give him my complete attention.  That is about 20 min right now.  Then he just looks so lost trying to entertain himself.  I don't want to put him in front of the tv.  It makes me sad and I feel torn.  My husband suggested breaking the day up more.  Doing two lessons and then a group project, or a walk outside, or a read aloud, something to get him involved more so the time that I do spend doing instruction is in smaller time blocks.  Anyone have experience in this?

So here's what we did

Bible (I &E) John 3 (I) What is a friend? How can I be a friend of God?

Social Studies: (I) Ubsborne Book Of History A farmers day

Science (I & E) The power of Magnets

Math (I) Ice Cream Scoop game practicing Math Facts

Shapes (E) Same and different worksheets

Language Arts: (I) Spelling test,Activity sheet with Rhyming,synonyms, antonyms, number words

Reading (I) Finished Put me in the Zoo a day ahead because "I have to know if they let him in the zoo"

Read aloud (I & E) Mr Poppers Penguins