Author Archives: Betty Jo

About Betty Jo

I'm Betty Jo, a wife to my knight in (not so) shinning armor for nearly 22 years. We have 5 kids and another one that currently lives with us. We have been Christian home educators for 18 years with 8 more (at least) to go.

Unit Study Theory 101 – Class 2

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Welcome back to Unit Study Theory 101. Today’s class will be covering the answer to the question, “How do you keep records for the subjects covered in a unit study?”

First, I want to make it clear that the way I keep records is partly because the state of Kentucky mandates that I keep attendance records and scholarship reports. Some state laws do not require such records and some laws require more. If you are unsure about what is required of you, then you can find help here http://www.hslda.org/ or here http://www.nhen.org/home.html.

Author, Dave Ramsey uses an acronym often when giving financial advice, “KISS” it stands for “Keep It Simple, Stupid”. I don’t like it put that way, however it is a pretty good system for most everything. Let’s change it to “Keep It Simple, Sweetie” for our purposes. OK?

My record keeping system is as KISS as one could be. The subjects (in an abbreviated code) run across the top and dates run down the left side.

The chart ends up looking a bit like graft paper and continues for 15 days. So, it takes 3 copies per 9 week grading period.

With this form I check off the subjects covered each day. If my child did an extra good job they get a check with a “+”, or if they could have done better, they get a check with a “-“. If I have a % grade (spelling or math test) or a letter grade (notebooking, essay, report) to record, I just put it in the correct box instead of a check. After nine weeks. 45 days, I average the grades in the bottom columns. I count a check+ as an “A”, a check as a “B” and a check – as a “C”. I also include a note about field trips, activities, or other comments.

You are welcome to use my daily subject checklist form if you’d like.

DAILY SUBJECT CHECKLIST with Titles

DAILY SUBJECT CHECKLIST BLANK

If you missed the first post Unit Study Theory 101, you can catch up here. https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/22/unit-study-theory-101/

Class 3 of Unit Study Theorey 101 , Planning the Unit Study Week,

Unit Study Theory 101 – Class 3

If something was not clear, or if you have questions or suggestions, just leave me a comment.

betty jo

Best Moment Award, For Me?

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Still Learning Something New got an award! Wow and thanks, http://homeschoolcrafts.wordpress.com/!

“Awarding the people who live in the moment,
The noble who write and capture the best in life,
The bold who reminded us what really mattered –
Savoring the experience of quality time.”

In order to accept this flattering award, I am supposed to tell seven things about myself.

I am thrilled when I get to advise a new homeschool mom!
My house is never really clean.
If given a music choice, I pick Christian Rock nearly every time.
I stay behind my computer screen for hours and hours most days.
I’m totally amazed that people read my posts.
If researching was a talent, it would be mine.
I think babies are the most wonderful of all people.

The best part of getting the Best Moment Award is getting to give it to bloggers that I think deserve to have one. Here’s my list of nominations.

i Christian blogs hope, encouragement, music, and poetry @ http://steverebus.com/

I love the beautiful printables that are willingly shared @ http://practicalpages.wordpress.com/

A perfect mix of Scripture and astronomy lessons @ http://godmadeknown.wordpress.com/

Wonderful stories with a wonderful message @ http://especiallymade.wordpress.com/

Thank you again, Homeschool Crafts!

betty jo

Unit Study Theory 101

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Welcome to Unit Study Theory 101!

This blog post is in response to the frequently asked questions I get from homeschooling parents regarding unit studies.

What exactly is a unit study? A unit study is simply using a topic across the curriculum (covering as many subjects as possible). Note that some subjects such as spelling and math may need to be supplemented. Unit Studies use a variety of resources, text books, library books (both fiction and non fiction) web links, movies, games, etc.

How long does a unit study take? A unit study can take a day, or even months. Part of the beauty of studying this way is that you do not have to limit the time. Take as long as you want.

How does one select a topic for a unit study? If your teaching style is relaxed enough, allow your children to pick a topic that they would like to learn about. If that does not suit, pick your own. Your choices are limitless! Once you choose a topic, then you will brainstorm a list of learning possibilities, and start collecting resources.

Recently I was discussing a Viking unit study with a friend. Since we studied Vikings in our Middle Ages lessons last fall, I’ll use Vikings as an example for planning a unit study. Possible lessons would include but would certainly not be limited to the following.

Social Studies: Who were some famous Vikings? Where did the Viking live? Who are some famous Vikings? Answering these questions will cover the subjects of history, geography, vocabulary, and reading. If your child notebooks or journals, then composition is covered also.
Science: Since the Vikings were strong and healthy, research their daily lives and diet habits, (agriculture and hunting) . Take a look at Viking ships, architecture and weaponry, how they were made and their contributions to technology. And don’t forget to add dragons (dinosaurs?). These science lessons will count as history, reading, and vocabulary. If your child notebooks or journals, then composition is covered also.
Vikings and the Bible: Vikings are famous for their raids. What do the Scriptures tell us about stealing? Who and what influenced the Vikings not to be barbaric. Compare the Norse religion to Christianity. Once again, vocabulary, composition, and history can be covered in this lesson.
Arts: Draw dragons, make paper dolls, construct miniature ships, coloring pages, and make a costume are only a few suggestions.
Math: Miles traveled by Viking explorers. Years passed since the Viking era. Calorie counts of the Viking diet. Measuring ingredients for a Viking meal.
Language Arts: This is the easiest subject to cover in any unit study. Literature, spelling, writing, vocabulary, grammar will naturally flow if your child journals or notebooks.

Class 2 of Unit Study Therory 101, How to keep records of subjects covered when using a unit study method. https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/25/unit-study-theory-101-class-2/

Class 3 of Unit Study Therory 101, Making Weekly Plans https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/08/04/unit-study-theory-101-class-3/

In case you are considering Vikings for a unit study. I’ve put the links we used here for you. https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/22/vikings/

betty jo

Vikings

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Recently a friend asked about our Viking studies from last fall. Here are the links I had saved. I thought I’d pass the collection on to those of you who might be thinking about a Viking study as well.

Movies to include: Veggie Tales: Lyle the Kindly Viking, Brave, and How to Train Your Dragon

Interactive History Games http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/vikings/

Unit Study and Labook Printables http://www.homeschoolshare.com/viking_adventure.php

And another Unit Study and Lapbook Printables http://www.tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com/middle-ages-to-reform/vikings-lapbook/

Leif Erickson Biography Resources http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/History/Explorers/Leif_Ericsson/index.htm

paper dolls printables (this site is interesting, it is written in (perhaps?) Scandinavian so I have very little idea what it says, but wonderful art to browse) http://www.ungafakta.se/pyssel/klipp/klippdockor/

Arts and Craft Projects https://www.diys.com/viking-themed-projects/

Walkthrough type videos http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/

168 page English to Norse dictionary. (we didn’t spend much time learning this, but it was an interesting list to look over a few times) http://www.yorku.ca/inpar/language/English-Old_Norse.pdf

And this was our chalkboard wall mural!

betty jo

Our Homeschool Week Ending 7/19

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This week was very little studying and a lot of tomatoes. Our keyhole garden science project is producing tomatoes. We are picking about 15-20 ripe ones a day! For just six plants, I’m impressed. I remember last year we couldn’t get anything to grow.

We shared a few of them, but kept the rest.

Gallons of chili mix for the deep freezer! The tomatoes and 3 kinds of peppers are from our garden experiment. Spices added and smelled great, considering it’s like 100 degrees out side and no one is wanting chili. All we’ll have to do is add the meat and and beans when we’re ready to cook chili.

We will share more later when it’s time for church and homeschool group chili suppers.

No more summer schooling for us. We are taking the rest of July off. The kids can just have some downtime and fun. I’m going to be having fun too, but downtime isn’t going to be happening. I’ll be organizing my resource links, and making lists, finding back to school bargains, and changing some organization strategies , and wearing out my printer, and running out of ink, and…

For more about our keyhole garden science project click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/14/homeschool-gardening/

and here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/05/23/watching-our-garden-grow/

betty jo

Roar!

Dinosaurs…kids love them and want to learn about them so homeschooling parents teach it. But the study of dinosaurs can lead to debate, especially for the parent who is using social media to ask for lesson links or curriculum suggestions. This discussion/debate is active once again as many of us are planning out our studies for the school year. I have some thoughts, article links, and some teaching resources here.

https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/05/25/dino-debate/

betty jo

Preparing the Defense

Rembrandt

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According to my July’s special days calendar, artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, was born July 14, 1606. He will be the subject of our homeschool/summer school lesson of the day. (And an excuse to bake a birthday cake. Studies are always better with cake.)

I so agree with Rembrants parents. They recognized that their son had talent and provided him with opportunities to study so that he could be his possible best. And because of that, he developed into one of the world’s most famous artists. If only they would have taught him money management skills too, as he became bankrupt from overspending.

Below are the links we will be following for our Rembrandt study.

For a brief biography, gallery, quiz, printables, and more we will go here http://www.gardenofpraise.com/art44.htm

For notebooking, we will use the free artist biography page https://practicalpages.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/latest-famous-artists-biography-pages/ (Sorry, but you’ll need to copy and paste the link.)

For a tour and documentary of the Rembrandt House we will click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmcR4Iqzuio

Because we like mysteries, we’ll research the theft of this piece. It has never been recovered.

(Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee)

And we may even make a bit of a mess and try some impasto (Rembrandt style 3D) painting. http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/impasto-presto!-lesson-plan/

Artist studies are one of my favorite homeschooling subjects. I always try including artists on our history timeline or our calendar studies. For other artist posts click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/12/leonardo-da-vinci/, here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/06/raphael/, and here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/07/art-day-sistine-chapel-style/

For my listing of July’s special days, click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/28/julys-special-days/

betty jo

Our Homeschooling Week Ending July 12

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Our homeschooling summer school week was relaxed (as summer school should be.) Only B and E had places to go and they didn’t need me to take them. I enjoyed my time at home working on the plans for our everything American history studies starting in September. I also had some awesome opportunities to share homeschooling ideas with a few ‘newbies’.

We have been picking peppers and tomatoes daily from our homeschooling garden science project. We’ve had the privilege to share some too!

Not all is well in the garden. A month or so ago, the two year old neighbor uprooted and broke one of our plants. We re-planted it in hopes that it would be fine. It looks sad, but still has tomatoes growing on its only green vine.

E17 was in the kitchen this week. This newest recipe was a huge hit. Sauteed steak, mushrooms, and onions stuffed in a pepper half and topped with cheese and baked. She also made yummy potato wedges to go with.

Z went to the Dome Theater show at our local library. He particularly enjoyed the volcano parts. .

Z and J have started a new chapter book series, Cork and Fuzz by Dori Chaconas. I’m impressed with these tales of an unlikely friendship and I’m happy the boys are enjoying them. We will be checking out more of them soon. Our local library has the entire collection.

We had a much appreciated break from the humidity and heat the past couple of days. It was wonderful spending time in the yard and taking some summer school studies outside.

While spending time in our backyard, we enjoyed the neighbors rose bushes. I love their garden which boarders our yard. They do all the work and I get to witness all the beauty.

This week was the most relaxing, no pressure week I’ve had in a long time. I hope yours was as well.

betty jo

For more about our science project garden click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/14/homeschool-gardening/ and here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/05/23/watching-our-garden-grow/

For more about this week’s summer school studies click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/08/the-liberty-bell/ and here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/12/studying-ramadan/

Studying Ramadan

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According to my special days calendar for July, the Muslim holiday Ramadan started on the 9th and continues for thirty days. Other than knowing that it is a time of fasting followed by a celebration for those of the Islamic faith, I know very little about the holiday. With the current estimated Muslim population being over 1.6 billion, I think learning more about Ramadan is something we need to add to our summer school calendar studies.

Below are the links we are using for our Ramadan study.

The Homeschool Buzz has a free download for a Ramadan activity book designed for children 5 to 7 years. I think this is an excellent source for all of us who are not familiar with the holiday regardless of age. I learned a great deal and I’m sure others who are not of the Muslim faith would also. I appreciate the work and creativity put into this resource and the willingness to share. You can download the Ramadan activity book here. http://pakistanhomeschooler.wordpress.com/2013/07/11/ramadan-activity-book-free/

For a Ramadan guide that is not in a pdf format click here http://www.msichicago.org/scrapbook/scrapbook_exhibits/catw2004/traditions/countries/ramadan.html

Several basic Ramadan information links here http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/ramadan.htm

The Huffington Post has put together a photo album of current Ramadan pictures from around the world http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/ramadan-2013-pictures_n_3573707.html

For traditional Ramadan recipes from around the world click here http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Ramadan/Detail.aspx

Click here for my July’s special days calendar https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/28/julys-special-days/

betty jo