Saturday, November 19, 2005

Friday, November 18, 2005

I just realized that we haven't learned much about the American Thanksgiving. G-8 did when he was in school. I sure hope there are a few books left at the library. The boys have been begging for some activities and creative play, so I think I might have them put together a lapbook or small Thanksgiving Journal.

After doing a bit of online research and ordering some books from the library, I have come up a personal realization. I don't like learning about History. Well, at least not according to the traditional American Timeline. I don't know what it is about me, but I can't just take in information and spit it out. I just can't expect that of my children either. Yes, I was that kid who could not stop arguing with the teachers. I just couldn't stand that they wouldn't teach history. That we just read the book and did the tests and that was it. But, what about the other side of the story? Sometimes, I don't want to pass that trait along to my boys. I just want them to follow the line. I want them to be able to answer all the questions and do the right things. I think this is a personal "problem" I really need to work on. Is this just something I missed because I didn't finish college yet? Maybe kids just aren't read for so much in depth information. I admit that sometimes I start getting into a subject and I realize that even G-8's eyes have glazed over. I think I've even scared him a bit sometimes.

Here are two of the books I really want to read..but I'm afraid to do it.

History Lessons: How Textbooks from Around the World Portray U.S. History

I've borrowed

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong

from the library and I just can't make myself read it. I'm afraid to read it. I'm afraid to think I had to waste all that damn time in those useless classes. Why couldn't I just read and enjoy myself all those years. Oh wait..this is about History right? I thought the reason we learned History is to understand the past and our older generations. To see where we have come from. To see how different governments are run and see what is successful and what has failed.

While searching through B&N for the ISBN's I came upon yet another book to burst my little bubble of confusion.

Everything You've Been Taught Is Wrong: Fact, Fiction, and Lies in American History: 14 Lectures (Portable Professor Series)

I think I'm going to dictate this poem to G-8. I really want to have start doing some more Waldorfy journal pages.
Thanksgiving Poem

Thankful Wreath
These are directions to make a paper plate wreath with a leaf template to cut out and color. We are going to use some cardboard from boxes. The boys collected some leaves to study and draw.

Map of the Mayflower journey and a quiz.

History Channel's Thanksgiving page

Timeline of United States Thanksgiving History

Christian Thanksgiving Bible Study

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Environment

Here are some resources that lean towards environmental studies.

Nature Challenge 4 kids
Thinking about an exciting career in the environmental field?

Books we like! (And, yes there are Barnes and Noble links here. No, I'm not asking you to go and purchase all your books from Barnes and Noble. If you must buy books online then try some discount online book sellers or your local small town bookseller. But, really ask your library and if they don't have them, then request they purchase them. Oh, and the reason I use the Barnes and Noble links is because I like the visual. If I see a picture of a book I can remember it a lot better if I see it later.)

Lorax

Lorax

Henry Hikes to Fitchburg

Henry Builds a Cabin

Henry Climbs a Mountain

Henry Works

Order Free Teaching Materials about Forestry, Trees and Endangered Species
I haven't recieved these yet, but I'll let you know what I think when I do.

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Phonics and Grammar

P(5) is finally ready to read this year. We are focusing heavily on that with him. I try to get some one on one time with him every day. G(8) is just learning about Grammar and the English Language. I'm so excited. I adore writing and I really need to work on my Grammar studies. We plan to spend time on Phonics and Grammar M, W, F. Our lessons are short and sweet and often happen on the couch or in my King Size bed. My bedroom is the warmest place in the house during the winter, so it's nice to snuggle in there.

And, if I haven't said it before I will say it again. I use the library for almost all my resources. If you library doesn't have these resources please contact your library. Talk to the reference desk. My library system even has an email address, so that I can email them the information for a new book to order. Many library systems have the funds for new purchases and are just waiting for suggestions!

Phonics

http://www.starfall.com Starfall.com Phonics "game" G(8) still plays this online "game". I love that they update from time to time.

Bob Books Fun!

There are quite a few Bob Books and each set builds on the last. I normally use the library for books, but I do happen to own these.

Ready, Set Read: A Start-to-Finish Reading Program Any Parent Can Use

This book works really well with the Bob Books series. It's the first book I have ever read on teaching reading that makes sense. It's simple and to the point. It does teach phonics and it's very child friendly. I love it. I use it with a deck of ABC flashcards although the book suggests sandpaper letters or large magnet letters.

Grammar

Online Grammar Games:
Funbrain.com Grammar Gorillas
Eduplace.com Grammar Blast

Grammar Manipulatives Kids Love!

You know we love Hands On! I love these Scholastic manipulatives books. These are great to make up and put in baggies. Then you whole punch the bottom of the baggie and it can go right in a notebook. Many of them are great for making up notebook pages or lapbooks.

First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind

This is going better than I thought it would. And, yes it's another library find. It's for First and Second graders, so we are just moving on through it with no problem. Gibran enjoys it and we have found a lot of ways to make it funny. I can't believe how much we were laughing yesterday!

Sunday, November 6, 2005

The Human Body

Normally we use KONOS unit studies and we get a lot of Science and History mixed together. But, since we have been studying Ancient Egypt we haven't really studied a lot of Science. So, I gave the boys a stack of Magic School Bus books. We put them all in piles according to the proper science and I let them pick what they wanted to study.

The Human Body is it! I just ordered a bunch of resources from our library and I'll start putting those up this next week. If you can think of anything else please leave a comment, so I can check it out!

These are my Plans. I was going to divide them into weeks, but I know we will go longer than that. I believe in letting the boys discover. I love to have an outline, but you never know when you are going to have a child that really has a gift or drive in a certain area. I'll try to update these sections as we go along.