Pond Study

We wrapped up our Pond Unit Study with a Pond Party with our friends last weekend. It was so nice to see the kids get together and present some of what they learn through songs, poetry, stories, and pictures. We have allowed the boys to keep their turtles for the time being. The turtles are a true source of enjoyment and seem to be relatively happy in their backyard tank.

Life skills and good character

How rewarding to watch my 11 year old open a box of Kinex that he received for Christmas and follow a super detailed instruction manual and put together and amazing 2 foot high amusement park ride. He was tickled with himself for being able to do it own his own. This is such an important life skills task and character quality...to be able to follow instructions from start to finish and complete a project even when it is challenging...diligence.

Pond Adventures

Amber passed along this super unit study by NaturEd on tadpoles and frogs. I am going to pick out a few of the activities and let the kids enjoy some light hearted learning about frogs. I wanted to post a couple of pictures from our second trip to the pond last week. The kids tromped and romped around the ponds for a few hours collecting turtles, frogs, tadpoles, and all kinds of slimy pond fun. Unfortunately, most of the critters did not survive the weekend, but the 3 turtles that Dante found did. Rich told him he could keep one if he researched what of turtle it was and what was needed to keep it healthy.

Memorial Day

Rich surprised me this Memorial Day by putting together a little presentation on the computer to do with the children. It was so unique. He did a few slides explaining the significance and history of Memorial Day, a video presentation by John Wayne on the reasons to love America, and statistics of all of the war victims. The kids were so into it, just like they are so into daddy. I am blessed to have a husband who cares so deeply about every aspect of his children. It is so great to be able to incorporate "school" into the every day.

Our Nature Studies

What a fabulous time of year to embark on a Nature Study. No more textbooks, but some good ole fashioned, hands-on, nitty, gritty Science. I am sure this is my children's favorite way to "do school." At Dante's request, we took an adventure to the pond behind our local Walmart last week and filled up a huge bucket full of tadpoles. Lots and lots of tadpoles. What a great opportunity to complete a unit study on pond life. We are teaming together with some friends who also have access to pond life and are going to spend the rest of this school year celebrating ponds. Dante and Elijah took some pictures of a few of the different things that have shown up in their aquarium. Many many tadpoles, a dragonfly larvae, and some sort of disgusting slug looking thing that we need to research.
Dante also caught a beautiful butterfly that we will enjoy for a few days and then let go.
We have the kid's pond sitting in the middle of the picnic table outside so that they have access to it whenever they wish. I am looking forward to some fun schooling to end the year.

Green house experiment

We just finished up a study on the rain forest in Brazil and decided to conclude this unit with a greenhouse experiment. We planted birdseed in 2 different cups, watered both, and covered only one with plastic wrap. After about 3 days, the greenhouse cup had sprouted. WOW. Unfortunately, we made the mistake of giving very sensitive Elijah the cup that didn't grow. SOOOO, we started 2 more cups (now Justus needed to participate, too) and wound up with 3 full cups of uuuummm, BIRDSEED. It was quite a great way to show the beneficial effects of the canopy of rain forest trees has on all of the plants growing on the ground.

Justus's name

I love watching my children naturally fall in love with learning. There is this trickle effect that is happening within our home that is lightening my load. They are learning together and from one another. Justus has been very interested in letters and sounds for a few months now. He will say, "Mama, P is puh" and so on.
He is excited about writing his name. He is so close to being able to totally do it on his own. He needs a bit of help with his S and J, but other than that, he has it down.

Moving Along

I really was going to try and finish out our current curriculum, but it is just not happening. I am disappointed that Dante is just really not enjoying it. It seems so forced. He has taken this crazy initiative of digging into the things he is really into and anything else is just not happening...happily, anyway. So for right now, it is lots of books about the Civil War, day long talks about sharks and Japanese balloon bombs, great PBS shows like History Detectives, Nature, and Nova, and as always, the life skills that come along with having 4 young siblings that always need a book read or a game played with them. We are also enjoying a wonderful Creation based Science magazine called Nature's Friend that my mom ordered for the boys and a monthly Geography magazine called God's World News. These are both awesome additions to a learning environment.
We are going to incorporate 5th grade Switched on Schoolhouse Science to our current Math U See and Switched on Schoolhouse Language Arts. Highlights also sells this great Geography map program that takes you on a tour around the country, state by state. You work your way around each state with a map and a magazine that contains games and puzzles. Fun stuff.
The one huge thing homeschooling with lots of little ones is to remain flexible. There is no way for me to get my mind set on doing this one thing no matter what. It is just not a possibility for us right now.

Drinking Straw Flutes

Did you know?
A Brazilian Indian plays an end blown flute, an instrument that is found in every continent, but most particularly in South America and Asia. We are more than happy to demonstrate.

To South America

We headed to South America this week. We are going to spend about 2 weeks studying Brazil. We will focus mostly on the rain forest, more specifically the Amazon. We have found some great books from the library that are appropriate for most of the children. We came across a rain forest cookie recipe that the kids want to try. I will include a few photos of the Brazilian crafts and experiments that we complete.

DID YOU KNOW?
Carnival is Brazil's major holiday, and Rio de Janeiro has the best carnival in the country. In February, the city gets ready for the world famous event, featuring the high point of the Carioca Carnival-the samba school parade. Samba dancers and the public sing the samba theme songs to the sounds of drums, percussion instruments, and cymbals played by hundreds of marchers.

Dante created a really cool Carnival dancer couple from craft wire and yarn, using glue and wire cutters.

New Year...new momentum

I always do this. I get part way through a curriculum and am totally burnt out, questioning whether we are doing the right thing. After considering all of my options, including spending yet more money on another curriculum, falling into a total depression and doing nothing, or just trudging forward, I have decided to TRUDGE forward. When I say TRUDGE, I mean like trudging through 12 inches of snow or maybe quicksand. If nothing else we will all learn a lesson in steadfastness, thoroughness, LONG-SUFFERING!!!
We are definitely going to lighten up on the My Father's World stuff. Dante is just not enjoying it like I had hoped. He loves the hands on stuff... DUH! He loves reading about all of the different cultures, their customs and religions. Not so interested in learning facts about specific areas. He is much more fascinated by individuals. He is turning into a history buff like his daddy. I am planning on covering each area in about half of the time, focusing on more general ideas and doing all of the hands on artsy craftsy stuff available. Hopefully, we will be able to finish this year of MFW by the time baby #6 comes along some time this summer.
My conclusion...BE MORE PRAYERFUL REGARDING OUR HOME SCHOOL. What does GOD want us doing each day? He truly does have a plan for each moment.
Dante is making great progress in Language Arts and Math. Elijah is actually asking to do Math a few times each week. He should be finished up with Primer level by this summer. WOOHOO, Eli.
Just a short update for those interested.
Love,
Amy