tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929778502868305482024-03-12T16:42:11.619-07:00Day to day in homeschoolingDistressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-61664529998493067612010-03-16T09:26:00.000-07:002010-03-16T09:28:29.671-07:00And the potato is off to the races!Mr. Potato was planted Sunday! We have several nice, tall green stalks coming up! I am really excited and so are Bubba and Sissa. I will keep you up to date and upload new pics soon!Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-88899209003336407822010-03-05T07:26:00.000-08:002010-03-05T07:44:56.174-08:00<div><div><div><div> </div><div>Bubba is still plugging along in his studies. I wish I had more specific learning stuff to share, but he is scattering his learning. </div><br /><br /><div>We are doing another Science project! We are growing potatoes from eyes! I am so excited!<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/S5EjkssyXfI/AAAAAAAAAAc/XhgYzyc3Ia4/s1600-h/Image270.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445172537848913394" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/S5EjkssyXfI/AAAAAAAAAAc/XhgYzyc3Ia4/s320/Image270.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/S5EkNO3vWqI/AAAAAAAAAAk/Wiou_TF08QI/s1600-h/Image271.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445173234216426146" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/S5EkNO3vWqI/AAAAAAAAAAk/Wiou_TF08QI/s320/Image271.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /> </div><div>This is Day 1. Mom cut the potato so that the eyes were in water to promote root growth. We are holding the potatoes up with staws.<br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/S5EkiHC5uxI/AAAAAAAAAAs/WJdegioXH84/s1600-h/Image289.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445173592893012754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/S5EkiHC5uxI/AAAAAAAAAAs/WJdegioXH84/s320/Image289.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/S5Ek8zdG29I/AAAAAAAAAA0/NkDvr3oMAeI/s1600-h/Image293.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445174051490683858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/S5Ek8zdG29I/AAAAAAAAAA0/NkDvr3oMAeI/s320/Image293.jpg" /></a><br />Day 4: We have roots! </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/S5EmBOvIL1I/AAAAAAAAAA8/jjgoz9Th-nI/s1600-h/Image295.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445175227045130066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/S5EmBOvIL1I/AAAAAAAAAA8/jjgoz9Th-nI/s320/Image295.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Day 5: Look at the roots we have! I can't wait to get our garden ready for planting!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/S5EjkssyXfI/AAAAAAAAAAc/XhgYzyc3Ia4/s1600-h/Image270.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/S5EjkssyXfI/AAAAAAAAAAc/XhgYzyc3Ia4/s1600-h/Image270.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-56841053016801461772009-12-01T14:36:00.000-08:002009-12-01T14:55:55.885-08:00Um, yeah...So I forgot I had a blog...whoops. We have actually been busy. There have been family members that have left us to go home to God. We have taken trips, done projects and have just had fun.<br /><br />We had a rough beginning. Our official start day came without issues but it lasted a week before my grandmother fell ill and passed away. Man, I do miss her. We didn't really miss any study time because we were so far ahead anyway.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">October</span> brought our lessons on the origins of Halloween and our modern traditions. We <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">also</span> took on studies of the seasons. Math brought new things our way as I decided to take <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bubba</span> back to basics...yes, he now does well with place values and line symmetry. I really recommend this site <a href="http://www.linkslearing.org/">http://www.linkslearing.org</a> . There are areas for students, teachers, and more. <br /><br />November had us learning about the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Pilgrims</span> (a word <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">which</span> I was misspelling until my 6 year old corrected me, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span>) and their trip to the New World. That led us to the first Thanksgiving. Math for November has <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">consisted</span> of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">fractions</span> and addition of larger numbers that require carrying numerals. Bubs is still working on multiplication in his spare time.<br /><br />We also took a trip in November from Florida to Indiana. It was one big field trip. Give me a bit and I will set an entire post on the trip and what was learned.Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-20473253555544448442009-08-24T13:11:00.000-07:002009-08-24T13:24:40.117-07:00My own little "Bill Nye the Science Guy"...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/SpL15dG-raI/AAAAAAAAAAU/4-k5XtS063g/s1600-h/bubbapool.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373627672821673378" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/SpL15dG-raI/AAAAAAAAAAU/4-k5XtS063g/s320/bubbapool.jpg" /></a><br /><div>or, Bubba has a Scientific mind!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I love it! Bubba has truly blown my mind.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>He and Sissa had watermelon in a plastic baggie and were snacking on our way home today. Bub was squishing his to bits, and I was about to get onto him for wasting when he said "look, Mama. I made digestion"! He went on to tell me that the zippy part of the bag was a mouth to chew the watermelon and now it was squishing up in the stomach. Now, who can be mad at that? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-1505854959810104252009-08-11T13:23:00.000-07:002009-08-11T13:34:43.479-07:00I am having so much fun!I really am. The past few days have centered around getting our educational goals set for the year. I can proudly say that, by George, I think we've got it!<br /><br />I have been searching so many educational websites today and I hope we get to try all the ones that I bookmarked. I will be reviewing them as we use them, so keep reading.<br /><br />I feel like I need to clarify a few things. Even though we were learning this summer it wasn't anything formal. I really needed to do a trial run before we dove head first into home education. I do believe that we passed the first test. I wanted to have more of an unschool environment, but I have gotten into all the curricula and I find that I am not nearly creative enough to make every day things seem educational. That is why I have set up educational goals for the year. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">believe</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bubba</span> does better learning on his own, but he does need to be nudged in the right direction to keep on track.<br /><br />Fall will be interesting, to say the least. I can't wait for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">September</span> 14<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>!Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-63085004033166673732009-08-10T19:54:00.000-07:002009-08-10T20:09:02.798-07:00When Life Gets in the Way or Why I am a bad BloggerBoy did I get behind. I greatly apologize, life happens.<br /><br />What wonderful opportunities for learning we have had! We have gotten some real first hand knowledge of illnesses, including some that cause rashes and about the life cycles and eating habits of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dragonflies</span>.<br /><br />Yes, we believe that Chicken Pox is alive and well. As is an insane stomach bug. That is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">truly</span> all I have to say about Summer illness in our home!<br /><br />We have had several dragonfly pairs lay eggs in our small pond out front. The eggs have hatched and we now have 10 or more very hungry, aggressive dragonfly nymphs. They have attacked and eaten nearly all of the mosquito <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">larvae</span> in there!<br /><br />I also have a change to report: Our "official" start date is September 14<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>. I couldn't see beginning before Labor day, so I chose the next Monday. And it IS official...I have sent in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">required</span> notice of intent to home educate to the county school district! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">WOOT</span>! I can't wait, so excited.<br /><br />I will also have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bubba</span> blog and write on here. So, look forward to seeing his outlook on his home education experience.Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-5646998048527460172009-07-11T15:28:00.000-07:002009-07-11T15:42:10.586-07:00Joy of Summer<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bubba</span> has been doing very, very well. <br /><br /> I decided not to begin a full <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">home school</span> schedule yet. We will be beginning full time on Sept. 1. With that being said, we are still working on lessons and games from <a href="http://www.brainpop.com/">http://www.brainpop.com</a><br /><br /> I have also been searching free <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">curriculum's</span> online. We will be using curriculum ideas from <a href="http://www.guesthollow.com/">http://www.guesthollow.com</a> and this site <a href="http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/index.htm">http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/index.htm</a> has many things to explore and use. <br /><br /> I have also looked into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Charlotte</span> Mason, and have found that I really like the idea that children should know poetry and to have them do <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">copy work</span>. So on that note, I went and borrowed <em>Falling up </em>by Shel <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Silverstein</span>. I figure that the kiddos will enjoy his work.<br /><br /> I cannot wait to get everything up and running.Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-88599337462634176142009-07-08T14:48:00.000-07:002009-07-08T14:49:57.029-07:00Just a small note.Sorry that I have not updated recently. We have been very active and I have a lot to report. Unfortunately, I will have to wait until Bub and Sis go to bed.Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-24595232248681363532009-07-02T13:29:00.000-07:002009-07-02T21:31:30.381-07:00Progress for 1-2 JulyWell, we've been very productive! I made some worksheets on mathematics, on science, Spanish and language arts with art.<br /><br /><br />Bub has been working on addition and subtraction, to and from 20. He finished those sheets and asked me for multiplication! So, off I went to make some multiplication worksheets for him. He did both the 1's and 2's times tables and did a small sheet on random multiplication numbers. Should I say that he got it all with very little instruction?<br /><br /><br />I had him write a short story on our trip to the river and draw a picture to go with it for Language arts with art. Here is his story:<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><em>"I like the river because it is cool! I did a float spin."</em></div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Giggle! The picture he drew is of him in the float ring, spinning down river. There is also a fish in a bucket.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I also made a sheet up on a few basic Spanish words and a phrase we use almost daily. He had to read the Spanish word/phrase and write the English word/phrase next to it. He got all but 1 without help.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="justify">He has also done a quiz on Pill Bugs. He got the 7 questions mostly right. We are working on the items he left out of his answers. </div>Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-76438593782404608542009-06-30T12:00:00.000-07:002009-06-30T12:07:18.558-07:00End of June...Today is Tuesday, June 30, 2009. Tomorrow is July 1st. Bubba told me this just a few minutes ago. He also told me that there are 11 days until he is 6. What a smart little stinker!<br /><br /> Bub has been doing math in his head today. He asked me what 25+25+25+25 was. I asked him what HE thought the answer is and he told me 100. Then he asked about 50+50+50+50+50+50+50+50+50+50, and he answered that is was 500. I believe it is time to make an addition worksheet for him to work on. <br /><br /> Right now, they are listening to music and dancing around the living room.Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-82241030543148100642009-06-29T10:40:00.000-07:002009-06-30T12:10:59.531-07:00End of Our First Week<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/SkpjL6Rvi6I/AAAAAAAAAAM/m0qRIv1QASg/s1600-h/kids2009+078.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353200163356642210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GoPTDxLOp3I/SkpjL6Rvi6I/AAAAAAAAAAM/m0qRIv1QASg/s320/kids2009+078.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This has been a wonderful week. Bubba has learned a bit more Spanish and is using it properly. We had a field trip to the library where we picked up books on hurricanes, pill bugs, map making, and an Arthur book.<br /><br />Saturday and yesterday found us at Perdido River. We had a great time swimming, chasing fish and butterflys, walking in the woods, and socializing with other familys. The only problem I have with going out there is that the water is still slightly polluted. I have a feeling people are still Muddin through the river somewhere upstream, as there is a faint oil/gas smell to the water.<br /><br />Education wise, here is what has been accomplished this week.<br /><br />*Geography: Bubba was able to place 30 out of the 50 states in the proper area on a blank map. He is able to draw the Continental US very well and add states in his drawing.<br /><br />*Biology: Learned about freshwater fish (Bass and Catfish) and Butterfly life cycles.<br /><br />*Ecology: Learned why we do not dump garbage, fuel, oil, and other toxins in unapproved places. Explained the repercussions of litter and unethical dumping.<br /><br />*Earth Science: Has read and continues to read and learn about hurricanes.<br /><br />*Physical: Using major muscles to swim, run, and dance.<br /><br />*Reading: This week Bubba has read <em>Arthur Lost in a Museum, Maps, Pillbugs, Hurricanes- Witness to Disaster </em>by Judy and Dennis Fradin,<em> </em>and <em>Hurricanes </em>by Seymour Simon.<br /><br />Bubba has been playing educational games at <a href="http://www.addictinggames.com/showdown">http://www.addictinggames.com/showdown</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-51419825315937408432009-06-25T10:46:00.000-07:002009-06-25T11:02:11.394-07:00Oh Weather Channel...Thank you for Hurricane Week. It has been a wonderful <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">catalyst for Summer science, history, and cartography lessons.</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"> This week, we will be focusing on hurricane development, the whys and hows of charting hurricanes and on storms such as Ivan that have hit in our area. I also will be teaching hurricane safety by having Bubba help me make our shopping list for a Hurricane kit. </span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"> This afternoon finds us getting ready for a trip to the local library. I can't wait to see what treasures we find today. </span>Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492977850286830548.post-2710042112609894892009-06-24T19:16:00.000-07:002009-06-24T19:36:38.132-07:00Wow...Here we areI am not sure where to begin, as we are just beginning to home school.<br /><br /> Bubba is a 6 year old child gifted with the love of learning and the ability to pick up knowledge on his own. He taught himself to read at 2, and was writing many words by 3. He has picked up the Spanish language originally by watching Dora the Explorer and Diego, but has turned to immersing himself in the language by watching the TV channel, Vme. He loves to use the computer. He has several sites that he navigates himself, such as <a href="http://www.vmetv.com/">http://www.vmetv.com</a> , <a href="http://www.noggin.com/">http://www.noggin.com</a> , <a href="http://www.poissonrouge.com/">http://www.poissonrouge.com</a> , <a href="http://www.brainpop.com/">http://www.brainpop.com</a> (a pay site), and many more.<br /><br /> He has been tested and found to be "gifted". He is, however, learning to overcome social and sensory issues. He has fine and large motor skills problems and a congenital heart defect.<br /><br /> Sissa is 3. We will be letting her tag on with our learning experience until she actively asks to be included. She is more physical than Bubba. She likes to dance, run, climb and ride trikes.Distressedprincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08465711386173318708noreply@blogger.com0