Just because it's the weekend, doesn't mean "learning" is taking a rest. No, we don't "hit the books" on the weekends, but the process of learning goes on. Today, it took on the form of a field trip to the Teddy Bear Care Fair.
Maddy, Kenna, and I had fun at the Teddy Bear Care Fair this morning! Thanks to Harrisburg Medical Center and WADI for sponsoring such a great event! Upon arriving, the girls "registered" their stuffed animals (Maddy took Ellie the Elephant puppet and Kenna took Honey the Bear). We then proceeded to the nurses station for a check of vitals (where we saw our friend Naomi Hall working), to X-ray where our friend Jennifer (Darnell) was working, to the lab where "blood" was "drawn" from the patients, to surgery where corrective procedures were performed, to respiratory therapy for a breathing treatment, to physical therapy where both patients received a leg splint, and on to be discharged. The kids were lavished with stickers, copies of their animal's X-ray (complete with their heart showing), lab reports, coloring sheets, get well cards, a variety of healthy snacks, a bottle of water, a tongue depressor bookmark, a woven bracelet, and this was all in addition to the little goodie bags they were given. What a terrific program! I can happily report, though returning home with lots of stickers, band-aids, med-wrap, their admission bracelets, and a splint on their leg, both Ellie and Honey are feeling much better after their visit to the Teddy Bear Care Fair!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Day 13 Of K Homeschooling
I take the girls to the library each week. They each choose and check out 4 books and 1 movie. This week, one of the books Maddy checked-out is a Step into Reading + Math book for Preschool - Grade 1. It's called "A Dollar for Penny" written by Dr. Julie Glass. We read it today and I do recommend it. It covers coin recognition and value.
Each morning, after breakfast and before the official homeschooling experience begins, we have family Bible study. Our goal is to read the Bible, cover to cover. Anyone want to tag along? Day 13 of school found us in Genesis 12:1-8, about the call of Abram. Bear in mind, we are reading from the NIV Kids New Adventure Bible by Zondervan so that a kindergartener and preschooler can understand the content. So far, so good. Maddy always has lots of questions and she remembers what we talked about from the previous day. As we do our Bible study, we are charting the genealogy of the ancestors of Adam and Eve. It's the parents' responsibility to teach their children about God; attending church (while a very good thing) only is intended as a supplement to your home teachings, not the other way around.
We also discovered a wonderful, free art software program called Tux Paint. Our kindergarten computer book, Kindergarten Technology, suggested it - along with Kid Pix, which we have ordered and should be here next week. Both are geared toward the younger children.
Each morning, after breakfast and before the official homeschooling experience begins, we have family Bible study. Our goal is to read the Bible, cover to cover. Anyone want to tag along? Day 13 of school found us in Genesis 12:1-8, about the call of Abram. Bear in mind, we are reading from the NIV Kids New Adventure Bible by Zondervan so that a kindergartener and preschooler can understand the content. So far, so good. Maddy always has lots of questions and she remembers what we talked about from the previous day. As we do our Bible study, we are charting the genealogy of the ancestors of Adam and Eve. It's the parents' responsibility to teach their children about God; attending church (while a very good thing) only is intended as a supplement to your home teachings, not the other way around.
We also discovered a wonderful, free art software program called Tux Paint. Our kindergarten computer book, Kindergarten Technology, suggested it - along with Kid Pix, which we have ordered and should be here next week. Both are geared toward the younger children.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Art & Math Can Go Hand-in-Hand
Today's art was necklaces and bracelets made from wood beads. The girls chose their beads, laid out their pattern, and then had fun stringing them. Learning about patterns and sorting the different types and colors of beads also tied our art time into math time.
In math today, the "official" kindergarten lesson was to work with linking cubes to count to 5. Before we got started, Maddy asked if she could write her numbers of the chalkboard. Well, we never did get around to the linking cubes to 5. Maddy started counting and writing her numbers on the board and went all the way to 22 before her hand got tired! Kenna joined in and drew her first perfect square on the board (with the motor skills difficulties she has you would know was a huge deal for her!), which then led to a shapes lesson and the board being filled with circles, squares, and triangles.
In Spanish, Maddy learned her numbers 6 - 10.
Since school began, we have been studying "Children Around The World", focusing on a different country each month. National Geographic for Kids' website has been a tremendous help. The girls have enjoyed watching videos (the volcanoes and acid waterfalls in Russia and the Canadian Rainforest, Home of the Spirit Bear have been their favorite "destinations" so far).
In math today, the "official" kindergarten lesson was to work with linking cubes to count to 5. Before we got started, Maddy asked if she could write her numbers of the chalkboard. Well, we never did get around to the linking cubes to 5. Maddy started counting and writing her numbers on the board and went all the way to 22 before her hand got tired! Kenna joined in and drew her first perfect square on the board (with the motor skills difficulties she has you would know was a huge deal for her!), which then led to a shapes lesson and the board being filled with circles, squares, and triangles.
In Spanish, Maddy learned her numbers 6 - 10.
Since school began, we have been studying "Children Around The World", focusing on a different country each month. National Geographic for Kids' website has been a tremendous help. The girls have enjoyed watching videos (the volcanoes and acid waterfalls in Russia and the Canadian Rainforest, Home of the Spirit Bear have been their favorite "destinations" so far).
Monday, September 17, 2012
School Day #10
Today is our 10th day of our homeschooling experience, and we are loving every minute of it! I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to be able to homeschool my children.
People ask sometimes what a day of Kindergarten homeschool is like. Here's how today went:
1) Up at 6 a.m. to do some housework before time to get the girls up at 6:45 a.m.
2) Sit down to breakfast at 7 a.m. As we are nearing the end of our meal, we had Bible Study (Gen. 9:18 -28, The Sons of Noah). While I do breakfast dishes, the girls get dressed and ready for school.
3) "Morning Meeting" at 8 a.m. This included time for each: attendance (I mark our chart), calendar (day of the week, month, date, year, and "Count the School Days So Far"), weather (we have a weather chart), Pledges (American, Christian, and Bible), opening prayer, then "A-Manner-A-Day".
4) Art - Today they used markers, glitter glue, and "gemstones" to decorate a wood plaque (Maddy's was a pile of candy and Kenna's was a cupcake).
5) Math - We used the pictograph we had made earlier in the week and practiced reading a graph. We also explored with Teddy Bear counters (we used Teddy Grahams and snacked along the way, too) and Pattern Blocks.
6) Handwriting - Practiced printing the letter "E", in both upper and lower cases.
7) Science - Observing everyday, familiar things. Today we took note of "Same and Different".
8) Reading - Read "Marie, Simply Adorable", "Rat-a-tat, Cat", "A Frog in the Bog", and "Let's Eat". We usually only read two books aloud, but the first two are about Disney's Marie from Aristocats and they were very short. "Let's Eat" also helped us explore some new Spanish words. We then worked on labeling objects around the classroom (family room) and living room with those items that begin with the letter we are working on. Also worked with our Leap Frog Word Whammer ( an educational phonics toy). We work on sounding out words and recognizing "sight words" all day long.
9) Spanish - Continued to practice on the color words.
10) Social Studies - Studied about the children of Russia. Watched a National Geographic Kids video on Russia's volcanoes, and later in the day Maddy sent a postcard depicting a scene from the Russian culture to 6 of her friends/pen pals she just hooked up with this afternoon (all people I know and using our homeschool e-mail account).
11) Computer - Learned more about digital pictures. Once school is "out" for the day, Maddy practices her mouse skills by playing about 30 minutes of educational computer games.
12) Music - We did "strike up a note" off and on throughout the day. Singing "Days of the Week" and "Stars and Stripes" during "Morning Meeting", playing children's favorites during lunch break, and listening to music during P.E.
13) Maddy journals each day in a Primary Journal. She draws her favorite part of the day and then signs her name to the page. I "transcribe" any notes she wants added.
14) P.E. is the final subject of the official school day. Outside whenever possible, today was drizzling. We used the giant balance ball indoors.
Seems like a lot to fill the day. But remember, I am not having to corral and help a dozen or more children with their worksheets and lessons. Kenna joins in class when she wants to - usually for Bible Study, Morning Meeting, Art, math (especially when there are Teddy Grahams to eat!), reading aloud (takes place in Dad's recliner with the girls on each side snuggled in), and P.E. (good for her balance and legs). Sometimes, computer (she's very impatient and gets frustrated easily because she doesn't have the control she wants to work the mouse, but it'll come). At other times she either does her own playing but comes to me often with "dishes" she's made or to help her with whatever she is playing with. I don't mind the disruptions. Although she is always welcome to join us, I don't push her to do it all...after all she's only 3 and will be doing all this when it's time for her to start kindergarten. She has her own student desk, and her own supplies. Sometimes, she sits at her desk while Maddy and I are doing a subject and colors or plays quietly. Her "school job" right now, as far as I'm concerned, is just to be a kid.
People ask sometimes what a day of Kindergarten homeschool is like. Here's how today went:
1) Up at 6 a.m. to do some housework before time to get the girls up at 6:45 a.m.
2) Sit down to breakfast at 7 a.m. As we are nearing the end of our meal, we had Bible Study (Gen. 9:18 -28, The Sons of Noah). While I do breakfast dishes, the girls get dressed and ready for school.
3) "Morning Meeting" at 8 a.m. This included time for each: attendance (I mark our chart), calendar (day of the week, month, date, year, and "Count the School Days So Far"), weather (we have a weather chart), Pledges (American, Christian, and Bible), opening prayer, then "A-Manner-A-Day".
4) Art - Today they used markers, glitter glue, and "gemstones" to decorate a wood plaque (Maddy's was a pile of candy and Kenna's was a cupcake).
5) Math - We used the pictograph we had made earlier in the week and practiced reading a graph. We also explored with Teddy Bear counters (we used Teddy Grahams and snacked along the way, too) and Pattern Blocks.
6) Handwriting - Practiced printing the letter "E", in both upper and lower cases.
7) Science - Observing everyday, familiar things. Today we took note of "Same and Different".
8) Reading - Read "Marie, Simply Adorable", "Rat-a-tat, Cat", "A Frog in the Bog", and "Let's Eat". We usually only read two books aloud, but the first two are about Disney's Marie from Aristocats and they were very short. "Let's Eat" also helped us explore some new Spanish words. We then worked on labeling objects around the classroom (family room) and living room with those items that begin with the letter we are working on. Also worked with our Leap Frog Word Whammer ( an educational phonics toy). We work on sounding out words and recognizing "sight words" all day long.
9) Spanish - Continued to practice on the color words.
10) Social Studies - Studied about the children of Russia. Watched a National Geographic Kids video on Russia's volcanoes, and later in the day Maddy sent a postcard depicting a scene from the Russian culture to 6 of her friends/pen pals she just hooked up with this afternoon (all people I know and using our homeschool e-mail account).
11) Computer - Learned more about digital pictures. Once school is "out" for the day, Maddy practices her mouse skills by playing about 30 minutes of educational computer games.
12) Music - We did "strike up a note" off and on throughout the day. Singing "Days of the Week" and "Stars and Stripes" during "Morning Meeting", playing children's favorites during lunch break, and listening to music during P.E.
13) Maddy journals each day in a Primary Journal. She draws her favorite part of the day and then signs her name to the page. I "transcribe" any notes she wants added.
14) P.E. is the final subject of the official school day. Outside whenever possible, today was drizzling. We used the giant balance ball indoors.
Seems like a lot to fill the day. But remember, I am not having to corral and help a dozen or more children with their worksheets and lessons. Kenna joins in class when she wants to - usually for Bible Study, Morning Meeting, Art, math (especially when there are Teddy Grahams to eat!), reading aloud (takes place in Dad's recliner with the girls on each side snuggled in), and P.E. (good for her balance and legs). Sometimes, computer (she's very impatient and gets frustrated easily because she doesn't have the control she wants to work the mouse, but it'll come). At other times she either does her own playing but comes to me often with "dishes" she's made or to help her with whatever she is playing with. I don't mind the disruptions. Although she is always welcome to join us, I don't push her to do it all...after all she's only 3 and will be doing all this when it's time for her to start kindergarten. She has her own student desk, and her own supplies. Sometimes, she sits at her desk while Maddy and I are doing a subject and colors or plays quietly. Her "school job" right now, as far as I'm concerned, is just to be a kid.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Maddy's First Library Card
While Maddy and Kenna have regularly participated in Miss Alice's Story-Time for preschoolers since August 2010, this year only Kenna gets to attend the Story-Time group.
Maddy, though, spent her time at the library while Kenna was in Story-Time doing her computer lesson. When she went to check out her 4 books, Miss Betty (our head librarian) told Maddy could have her own library card as a kindergartener. Maddy loves reading and was thrilled! She took her new card home, found a purse to "keep it safe in" and we now have a wallet on our shopping list so she will not lose it.
Maddy, though, spent her time at the library while Kenna was in Story-Time doing her computer lesson. When she went to check out her 4 books, Miss Betty (our head librarian) told Maddy could have her own library card as a kindergartener. Maddy loves reading and was thrilled! She took her new card home, found a purse to "keep it safe in" and we now have a wallet on our shopping list so she will not lose it.
We Pledge...
As part of our "Morning Meeting" time, we cite all three Pledges...
Pledge Of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Christian Pledge
I pledge Allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands, one brotherhood uniting all mankind in service and love.
Bible Pledge
I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word, I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God.
Even Preschooler Kenna joins us during our "Morning Meeting." She loves "pledging her allegiance", too!
Friday, September 14, 2012
Maddy's Birthday!
This week was Maddy's birthday! Turning 6 is a big day for little girls! Although we did celebrate with Birthday Pancakes, a Birthday Brownie for lunch, presents, and more, we still made sure we got in our full school day. The kids' party is later in the week.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Olympic Picnic After Homeschool
On Monday (sorry, just now having time to organize pictures), after our homeschooling day experience we gathered with about 6 other families for an "Olympic Meet & Greet Picnic" hosted by our local WADI, who works with McKenna once a week through home visits. The kids had a great time and the adults got the chance to visit, too. Thanks to Miss Angel and all the WADI staff who provided a delicious ham roll-up meal for everyone!
Monday, September 10, 2012
The Teacher Has Class
Maddy thought it quite funny, and loved the idea of her "skipping" school on Friday so that she and Kenna could stay with Nana and Papa for the day while I went to the local junior college to take the first day of a 2-day Food Service Sanitation class. Even the thought having to "make up" her work didn't bother her.
When I came home from the 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. class with homework on the first day, Maddy again thought it was funny. I wasn't laughing as hard - I had 112 pages to read, 33 essay questions to answer, and was supposed to be at the Friends Trivia Night to help with concessions and I was in charge of the Table Decoration Contest at 5 p.m.. Maddy offered to help me with my homework, and I may have taken her up on it (well, probably not) except that she was already in bed by the time I got back home from the Trivia competition. The girls had stayed home with Alan. I got started immediately on my homework (actually took it with me to the Trivia, but there was no time for studying there, plus a storm came through and the power went out in the town...but they continued to play Trivia thanks to cell-phone lights and flashlights). Enjoyed Pizza Rolls the girls had left me for my supper while reading. When the instructor told us it would take, at a minimum, 2 to 2 1/2 hours to do our work, he was serious. It was 2 a.m. before I was finished - 5 hours! A friend of mine who also took the class and was in charge to the Trivia concessions, told me she was up past 2:30 a.m. and didn't get her questions finished.
But I am very happy to report that, although our grades from the state won't be back for 4 - 6 weeks, I am confident that I passed the Food Service Sanitation test. Which means now I go apply (once the Certificate comes back) for my Cottage Operations permit. My goal is to be able to sell baked goods and produce at our local Friends Farmers Market to bring in a little extra income. My ultimate goal is become a licensed facility so that I can also create and sell my own spice and tea mixtures (and start a small family business). Little steps while homeschooling a kindergartener with a 3 year old, too. But one of these days...
When I came home from the 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. class with homework on the first day, Maddy again thought it was funny. I wasn't laughing as hard - I had 112 pages to read, 33 essay questions to answer, and was supposed to be at the Friends Trivia Night to help with concessions and I was in charge of the Table Decoration Contest at 5 p.m.. Maddy offered to help me with my homework, and I may have taken her up on it (well, probably not) except that she was already in bed by the time I got back home from the Trivia competition. The girls had stayed home with Alan. I got started immediately on my homework (actually took it with me to the Trivia, but there was no time for studying there, plus a storm came through and the power went out in the town...but they continued to play Trivia thanks to cell-phone lights and flashlights). Enjoyed Pizza Rolls the girls had left me for my supper while reading. When the instructor told us it would take, at a minimum, 2 to 2 1/2 hours to do our work, he was serious. It was 2 a.m. before I was finished - 5 hours! A friend of mine who also took the class and was in charge to the Trivia concessions, told me she was up past 2:30 a.m. and didn't get her questions finished.
But I am very happy to report that, although our grades from the state won't be back for 4 - 6 weeks, I am confident that I passed the Food Service Sanitation test. Which means now I go apply (once the Certificate comes back) for my Cottage Operations permit. My goal is to be able to sell baked goods and produce at our local Friends Farmers Market to bring in a little extra income. My ultimate goal is become a licensed facility so that I can also create and sell my own spice and tea mixtures (and start a small family business). Little steps while homeschooling a kindergartener with a 3 year old, too. But one of these days...
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Math & Mexico
Just a glimpse at our homeschooling experience today...
In math we used pattern blocks again. After putting together various triangles, squares, and rectangles, and then being told to "make something with your pattern blocks that is different from what you did yesterday," our 5-year old came up with this. Can you see the turkey? I'll give you a hint: it's wearing a hat. Still don't see it? Try this view: 4 tail feathers, the body, the head with the hat on it, and 2 legs. Good job Maddy!
and...
During Social Studies, we learned about the children of Mexico. We discussed how the children in Mexico and the U.S. are alike and different, their clothing (sombreros, ponchos/serapes, and Maddy has a hand-made dress from Mexico), some customs of Mexico, their language (which Spanish is one of our regular subjects), their food, and about Cinco de Mayo (celebrated by local Mexican restaurants). And of course, what study of Mexico's children would be complete without piñatas (Diego and a monkey)? We also located Mexico on the both the world map and on the North American map.
Maddy's Spanish, in two days, has reached...
¡Hola!
¿Cómo te llamas?
Me llamo Madison.
¿Cómo estás?
Either: Bien. or Mal. or Así, así.
¡Adiós!
and...
Maddy's Spanish, in two days, has reached...
¡Hola!
¿Cómo te llamas?
Me llamo Madison.
¿Cómo estás?
Either: Bien. or Mal. or Así, así.
¡Adiós!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
First Day Of School
We had a great first day at Sisney H.O.U.S.E. When I went in to wake the girls up, they both jumped up, all excited and ready to go. They enjoyed Maddy's favorite link sausage and biscuits for breakfast (both declined eggs or anything to go with it). We had our Bible study on Genesis 1. Both eagerly got dressed for school and we were ready for our 8 a.m. "Morning Meeting" a few minutes early.
Our Morning Meeting consisted of attendance, calendar (day, week, month, and school day count), our weather chart, the Pledges (American, Christian, & Bible), prayer, and then "A Manner A Day".
The rest of our day included art, math, handwriting, science, reading, Spanish, social studies, computer, music, journaling, and P.E.
When we started out for our first recess break, Kenna informed me, "We can't go to recess! You don't have a whistle!"
And we finished just 17 minutes over our projected "school's out" time of 3 p.m.. Not bad for a first day!
Our Morning Meeting consisted of attendance, calendar (day, week, month, and school day count), our weather chart, the Pledges (American, Christian, & Bible), prayer, and then "A Manner A Day".
The rest of our day included art, math, handwriting, science, reading, Spanish, social studies, computer, music, journaling, and P.E.
When we started out for our first recess break, Kenna informed me, "We can't go to recess! You don't have a whistle!"
And we finished just 17 minutes over our projected "school's out" time of 3 p.m.. Not bad for a first day!
Monday, September 3, 2012
The room is ready! So am I!
The desks have been moved into the family room, the chalkboard wall is drying, and the bulletin board is in place. The "Alphabet and Numbers" posters are in place on the wall and on the desks. Students' names are on their desk (even though Kenna is still preschool age - at 3 - she also has a desk that she may "join" in anytime she would like to).
The nervousness at being out of practice of homeschooling and at teaching a kindergartener has subsided and the enthusiasm has kicked in. Maddy' s excitement over the first day of school arriving is contagious! Can't wait to get started!
The nervousness at being out of practice of homeschooling and at teaching a kindergartener has subsided and the enthusiasm has kicked in. Maddy' s excitement over the first day of school arriving is contagious! Can't wait to get started!
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Vintage School Desks
Went by a friend's home (they bought an abandoned junior high) and picked up 2 vintage student desks and wood chairs. This was a local junior high school that my husband went to and Maddy and Kenna thought it was so neat to get desks that their Dad may have used "to school in". We plan on cleaning them then painting them, but for the first day of school on Tuesday, they may be used "as is". A busy weekend!
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