Simply House Keeping

Wordless Wednesday: Rainy Day Art

Art project found at Art Projects for Kids and Kathy Barbor.

First Week of School 2011

Our first week of homeschooling is two weeks behind us. It was a good week with a field trip and learning new tools. It was not a full fledge workboxes out and six subjects week. I decided this year to keep things simple and cover the basics.

We awoke and had pancakes while discussing our day. The expectation was set with the following sign.

During the summer we started the day with breakfast while watching an hour of TV. That's right breakfast was over an hour long. An hour for breakfast is not a great way to start a homeschooling day.

Then we completed two chores and sat down at our new IKEA desk to begin our daily devotional. This desk is setup up stairs looking out a window so he has plenty of sun light and is not distracted by the kitchen, frig, TV or couches. The table is adjustable so he always has an age approiate writing surfaces. It even tilts so he have a drafting desk.

Week 1 Summary

Bible

We are disussing Luke and the story of Jesus this month.

Math

We are using Mammoth Math. During the summer we completed at least one page everyday of math. It is easier to start back when you have been practicing all summer. The first day Ironside completed three full pages without a single prompt and was signing while doing his work. GOAL!

Science

At his request we have been studying storms and natural disasters for the first week of science. This is because in the week before school we experienced an earthquake and the edges of Hurricane Irene. As an adult I was shaken so just imagine what a child feels with these events so close together. I used science to discuss his fears and give him pro-active plans for living through a diaster.

Our resources were:

Bill Nye -Storms

Brain Pop- Weather

Flash, Crash, Rumble and Roll (An old favorite.)

We also discussed how God has a plan, a big picture which we do not have access to but he promises it is all for our good.

History

Field trip to Newusem and MLK memorial.

Fine Motor

These activties were a lot of fun and a great way to get warmed up for handwriting.

• Theraputty scavenger hunt with buttons, pearls and mini-figs.
• Geo-Board: Stretch rubber bands over the pegs of a geo-board to make artistic designs, letters and patterns then copy the design on grid paper.
• Whiteboard shape race while crossing the midline of your body.

Physical Education

Martial Arts

It was a good week but we did not see a lot of friends because they were either sick or still on vacation or started public school. Social time will pick up next week with the return of homeschool activties.

Blessings,

First Field Trip 2011 Part 2: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Our first field trip was to Washington D.C.'s newest addition to the national mall, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

This was such a moving experience for the whole family. I just keep thinking about my grandmother who was a civil rights activist in Mississippi from 1950 well into 1970. She would have been so proud.

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

We got to see a newsperson at work while we were visiting. Earlier we visited The Newseum to learn how reporting started and captures history. This was a great learning tie in for Ironhide because he got to she her use all the equipment we just learned about.

It was a beautiful day that we will remember forever.

Composer of the Month:Georg Philipp Telemann

Georg Philipp Telemann

We are continuing our study of the Baroque period composers with the most of productive composer of that time Georg Philipp Telemann. We will be listening to his music and completing the activities provided by Classics for Kids.

This Week's Prayer

Father we ask your blessing on our day as mothers, educators, wives and sisters in Christ. Father help us to remember our children as pure potential and not get caught up in their current isses. For Father you have a great plan for them.


In Jesus we pray Amen.

Wordless Wednesday: Handwriting