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Halfway There!

Nov26

It seems like we just got started this year but I realized this morning that Christmas is just four weeks away. Where did the time go?  On the other hand, congratulations, you are nearly halfway through your school year!

Now is a good time to stop and organize your paperwork. It really won’t take you long to do it. You just have to jump in! Take out some pages from each of the sections of workbooks in every subject that you have done so far. For instance, if you have been working on addition, subtraction, and telling time since August pull out several pages of each of these topics and put in a binder or an accordion file folder. You can label the papers  “First Semester”. These samples can be grouped either according to subject or time period. (semester, month, week, day, however you prefer) If you have not kept dates on each of the papers up until this time, just label it first semester. If you have, that is even better! Do this one more time in the month of December and place them in your binder or file folder.

For those subjects that you don’t have workbooks and still need documentation, how about writing your observations and siting a few examples? If you have done a Civil War unit that has been hands-on what did you do? Did you go to a Civil War reenactment,  read some books, make a trip to the Freedom Center? For younger students you can ask them about their experiences and write down their responses. For older students have them wrote a summary. This is called a narration and you can put that in with your paperwork. Are you planning on going to any Christmas plays or concerts? Save the program and have the children write or tell you and you record what was their favorite part.

Pictures are also a great way to show what your student has done.  Show some examples of the work (a lapbook, a model of a volcano, an art project, etc.)  If you have gone on field trips or have visited museums include these activities as well.

Guess what? You are finished! Small steps like this make the portfolio review appointment so much easier than waiting until the end of the year. Keep on running the race! I am cheering you on and know you will cross the finish line. If you need more tips on organizing paperwork check out my portfolio review or my resources, tips, and how-to’s sections.

~Lisa

I’m Bored!

Nov12

I am sure you have heard your kids say that to you before. Some of you might be thinking that you hear that on a regular and daily basis. But, is that really what they are saying? It seems to me that it is a catch-all phrase for several things. I allowed my boys to say that for a while until I got tired of hearing it and decided to get to the root of why they were saying that phrase. Many times it was they either were tired or didn’t know what to do with their time. They wanted me to come up with a suggestion, which many times  was met with a “Nah.” or a shake of the head no.

I came up with what I think is an ingenious idea. I created an “I’m Bored” list of things for them to do. If they couldn’t find some type of constructive activity to do on their own (besides electronic media) then they consulted the list. Sometimes I would assign them a category and they were to pick something to do from the list, such as a household chore. 🙂

“What is this wondrous list?” you ask. Well, it just happens to be your day as I will share it with you!

Household Chores (Gotta have this on the top of the list!)

  • Pick up toys in your room
  • Sweep kitchen floor
  • Clean sink of choice (bathroom or kitchen)
  • Fold laundry
  • Load dishwasher
  • Clean out the refrigerator or pantry
  • Make dinner (only for those who know how to cook)

These next categories will require you to gather the supplies ahead  of time, place in a box, and have a designated area, but it is soo worth it!

Crafts

  • Potholders
  • Knitting/ crocheting
  • Origami
  • Cross stitch
  • Make cards
  • Draw a picture for the refrigerator
  • Paint
  • Make friendship bracelets Print off directions and place in box.
  • Make duct tape creations Go here for some ideas. ducktivities I had no idea there were so many things you could do with it!

Games/Activities

These suggestions are for one person as sometimes no one else is available. Once you print off the puzzle pages and solutions there is no electricity involved. 🙂

  • Solitaire
  • Crossword puzzles This site has crossword puzzles that are small, but there are two per page. (Middle school and older) Here is a site for younger students: kids crosswords
  • Sudoku puzzles that range from easy to insane
  • Word Finds
  • Coloring pages
  • Write a story Have a cool looking small spiral pad or notebook and fancy pens to write stories.
  • Read a book
  • Play with duplos,legos, dolls, or action figures Have these reserved for this particular purpose that can only be played then.
  • Jigsaw puzzles
  • Barrel of Monkeys game
  • Mazes varying in difficulty from easy to hard
  • Dot-to-dot
  • Hidden Pictures for younger students, Hidden Owl by Crayola, Hidden Pictures for older students  If your children really like Hidden Pictures consider purchasing Highlights for Kids. These have been around for a long time and have stories, jokes, and hidden pictures.
  • Kakuro puzzles I never heard of them before, have you? They are mathematical puzzles that you can read about to see if your student would be interested in trying their hand at it. kakuro (middle school to adult)

Games for Two or More Players

  • Checkers
  • Chess
  • Chinese Checkers
  • Dominoes
  • Candyland, Hi Ho Cherry O, Chutes and Ladders, Cootie All of these games are for the younger crowd
  • Life, Payday, Monopoly
  • Tic-tac-toe
  • Mancala You can make your own game if you like. You just need an egg carton and pennies or beans.
  • Connect 4
  • Guesstures
  • Scrabble
  • Uno
  • Card Games- Go Fish, Hearts,War, I Doubt It, Old Maid, Rummy, Crazy 8’s, Spit (One of my favorite card games)
  • I Spy is a great game for young children through adults. It can help young children with their colors and for older kids they can pick objects that are difficult to spot.

Make your list, prepare your boxes and you’ll be all set. If you have any suggestions I’d love to add them to the list.You can never have too many ideas to have available for when you hear your child(ren) say, “I’m bored!”

~Lisa

Lamplighter eBook and Audio Series Set

Sep27

Christmas is not far away and these resources would make a great present for the family. Lamplighter is a Christian publishing company that produces literature and audio series that build character. Who wouldn’t want that for their children? 🙂 I see they are running a special this month and wanted to pass it along to you. Here are the titles of one of the series:

4 eBooks:
The Boy of Mount Rhigi
That Printer of Udell’s
Basket of Flowers
Always in His Keeping

3 Dramatic Audios:
Teddy’s Button – 2 hrs
Sir Knight of the Splendid Way – 2 hrs
The White Gypsy – 2 1/4 hrs

Wait! There’s more! Another set is available for purchase for hours of quality entertainment and discussion.Click here to see the details.

Homeschool Camp

Sep20

Here’s a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to have hands-on experiences for science as well as enjoy the great outdoors. If you can’t make this particular event there are other ones to choose from throughout the year.

Homeschool Camp

October 2-3, 2012      REGISTER for one day or both!

Come discover the wonders of God’s amazing creation in His great outdoor classroom. You can spend one day or both days as your child learns from professional in their area of expertise with hands on applications. Pleasant Vineyard Ministries Camp’s 80 acres of woodlands, creeks, ponds, and hiking trails will serve as the outdoor lab as your child participates in hands on learning that will help them to discover God in Nature.
Classes
 
Birds of Prey – See birds of prey up close from a Hueston Woods Sate Park Ranger.
Enviroscape l – This class allows students to observe and simulate, in real time, the interactions of precipitation with various land use practices and the impacts they have on streams, lakes, water supplies, and ground water.
Rocks and Minerals– Specimens of rare minerals and unique rocks will captivate each student as they investigate them while learning how they were formed.
Forestry– Students will take a hike with an ODNR expert as she teaches students how to identify trees and plants in the woods.
Art in Nature– Students will create art from objects found in nature.
Geology of SW Ohio – Students will explore evidence found on the grounds of PVM Camp from Noah’s flood and glaciers.
Project Wild – Project WILD is one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high school.
Fur Trunk – This trunk contains a variety of furs and skulls from Ohio’s wildlife. Students will enjoy guessing what type of animal the furs come from, as well as feeling how soft the pelts are.
Enviroscape ll – This class will teach about the science used in developing a landfill and why recycling is important.
 Activities
There will also be activities such as the 500-ft. zipline, the 40-ft. rock tower, canoeing, nature hikes, campfires, fishing, large group games for all ages and much more.
 
Schedule
Tuesday ,Wednesday
8 AM Registration                    8 AM Registration
10 AM Forestry Hike               10 AM Project Wild/Fur Trunk
11 AM Birds of Prey                  11 AM Enviroscape ll
12 PM Lunch                              12 PM Lunch
1 PM Zipline/free time             1 PM Rock Climbing/free time
3 PM Eviroscape l                      3 PM Art In Nature
4 PM Rocks and minerals       4 PM Geology of SW Ohio
5 PM Dinner                               5 PM End of camp
7 PM Campfire program
Registration Fee

Cost is only $35 per family member for one day or $60 per family member for two days. Includes all meals and lodging. (Family one day max. is $140 and two day max. is $240.)

To register for the PVM Homeschool Camp download the Homeschool Camp Registration Form and mail or fax it back to Pleasant Vineyard Ministries at:

PVM Camp
1259 Swann Beatty Rd.
Camden, Ohio 45311

Fax 937-452-5566

Phone registrations with a credit card may be made by calling 937-452-3347.

CLICK HERE FOR A REGISTRATION FORM

Phoenix Phaxx: A Learning and Giving Adventure

Sep17

Phoenix Phaxx

I saw a supplemental curriculum for Social Studies that Sonlight curriculum and the  Far East Broadcasting Company are offering. It is a fun online program that features five countries.  History, daily life, and faith are discussed in the 8 minute long videos. You can also read about each country and discuss this with your child(ren). The program is called Phoenix Phaxx’ Pocket Guide to The Great Commission. Your children can collect money to help purchase a wind-up radio for children in these highlighted countries to share the Good News of the Gospel.You are encouraged to give a donation of $30.00, but it isn’t mandatory. Click on the link to see what it’s all about. click here

Have fun!

~Lisa