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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

The Legend of the Money Pit

Oct29

Are you having a difficult time getting your boys (and girls) to write? How about listening to an old-time radio program about a tunnel that has baffled people for over 200 years? The tunnel is known as the “Money Pit” and is located in the town of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. I won’t give away any more of the details, but you can listen to an account of it and follow-up with some of these activities.

Listen to the radio program Money Pit Click Here

Research the story. There are several articles that have been written about this fascinating topic. Here are some websites with information to further guide your search for the mysterious treasure. I have created a worksheet with comprehension questions and paragraph writing. The Money Pit

Neatorama Gives an interesting account of the discoveries from the excavations of the Money Pit.

Hub Pages Spoiler ALERT! The article mentions what is currently happening at the Money Pit at the beginning of the article.

The Mysterious and Unexplained has links to maps and a timeline.

Create your own model of a money pit and island. Make your model out of play dough, clay, or salt dough.

Lost Ladybug Project

Oct22

Just a few years ago we had a large population of ladybugs that would swarm the back porch every fall. I was just thinking that I haven’t seen any the past two years. Scientists are wondering  why this is the case and have been asking for the help of people like you and me to help gather ladybug data. New colonies are being started in different areas of the United States while old colonies are disappearing.

This would be a great science project to complete and now is about the time ladybugs are spotted. You can read all about it, take pictures of ladybugs and submit them if you “spot” them near your home or places you like to visit. 🙂 Here is the website called The Lost Ladybug Project to help determine what is occurring in ladybug populations. Click Here to begin the adventure.

Here are some more ladybug resources to enhance your study. Enjoy!

The Grouchy Ladybug, Eric Carle, (preschool, elementary) A fictitious account of a ladybug who is looking for a fight and uses the excuse, “You’re not big enough.” until someone muuuch bigger than her takes on the challenge. Read to find out what happens.

Ladybugs, Gail Gibbons Did you know ladybugs live on 6 of the 7 continents? You can read more about them in this nonfiction book about ladybugs.

Ladybug Websites:

Ladybug Lady has coloring sheets, FAQ’s and more.

Enchanted Learning has information as well as pictures to label and crafts to create.

Lapbooks

Grouchy Ladybug Lapbook  looks like a lot of fun! This would be a fantastic compliment to the Grouchy Ladybug book.

Lapbook Lessons Preschool-Elementary A ladybug lapbook for all to enjoy.

Ladybug Beetle Lapbook (Members)

How about Hatching your very own ladybugs? Purchase live ladybugs and start your own insect-eating colony! They are good for your gardens as they eat aphids that are harmful to roses and other flowers.

The Election Process

Oct8

I am extremely grateful that I live in the United States where I have a right to vote for those in government positions. With that right I believe it is important that we also teach our children about the election process. I have gathered resources for you to introduce and teach this process to your children.

Learn Our History by Mike Huckabee is a DVD that you can get it for FREE, you only have to pay $3.95 for shipping and handling. It is called Election Day: Choosing Our President

Here is an online resource that you and your children can use to not only learn about the election process,, but also historical facts, word origins of terms, and trivia. Look what I learned about the word ballot. Ballot comes from the Italian word ballotta, which means small ball. Centuries ago, people voted secretly by dropping a small ball in a box or other container. A white ball indicated a vote for something; a black ball indicated a vote against it. Congress for Kids

How about reading some books with your student?

Election Day, Margaret McNamara (Level 1 reader) Although this is listed as a level 1 reader, it is recommended for children who are not beginning readers. This book uses a classroom setting to illustrate campaigning.

Election Day, Patricia J. Murphy (rookie Reader)

How about doing a lapbook? This is not necessarily for primary students, but they could do it with your help or you could choose some sections to do that are more at their level. Click here

Here are several activities that you can print for your student that include word searches, coloring pages, and worksheets. Click here.