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

Breathers are so good

The holiday season always seems to bring about a need for pausing and breathing. Maybe it's the almost halfway point or the reminder that we really cannot do it all and the birth of a SAVIOR makes that okay.

We have been trying to steer the children away from the overcommercialized idea of Christmas and really bringing it back to what it is all about.

Advent is a threefold celebration of the birth of Jesus, his return to earth, and his ever presence in our lives right now. We have decided to incorporate small bits and pieces of these ideas into our daily routine to allow our children to understand that it really isn't just about one day and lots of presents, but a time to prepare and set ourselves apart and to make sacrifices to glorify God and his only-begotten Son.

We are reading a book called "Jotham's Journey" which is about a 10 year old boy who is on an adventure to find his lost family. His journey will take him across Israel where he encounters thieves, robbers, and kidnappers, but also runs into wise men, shepherds, and innkeepers until he finds his way to his family-and to a Savior born in Bethlehem.

We have made an advent wreath and each evening one of the boys lights the candle, we snuggle up on the couch and do the daily reading. Then someone else gets to blow the candle out. (I don't know what the big deal is about blowing a candle out, but it can create quite a raucous around here.) The older boys seem to really be enjoying the story and at the end of each reading, there are a few Bible verses relating how what Jotham is experiencing to God's love, guidance, and forgiveness of Israel.

Elijah and I made a paper Advent chain, where we wrote different people we can pray for each day on very link. The children are taking turns tearing off a link before mealtime and then praying. They love that the chain is getting smaller.

We are doing a few other things and really enjoying starting some new customs that will hopefully instill good ideas and memories within our family.

Love,
Amy