Category Archives: Art

Peanuts

October 2 marks the anniversary of the very first publication of Peanuts (1950)! This is one of the October “special days” the kids were interested in. Yeah, I’m interested, too. I grew up on Peanuts. Below are some resource links to follow as we learn and have fun with Peanuts.

See the first Peanuts Comic! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:First_Peanuts_comic.png

Peanuts History Article http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2022745,00.html

Charles Schultz biography and printables http://makingartfun.com/htm/f-maf-art-library/charles-m-schultz-biography.htm

Faith Based Video https://www.museumofthebible.org/book/minutes/147

Read Peanuts comic strips free online http://www.gocomics.com/peanuts

Character Profiles https://www.peanuts.com/characters/

Step by step instructions for how to draw Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and other Peanuts characters http://www.dragoart.com/tags/tuts/1/2945/how-to-draw-charlie-brown-characters.htm

Blank Comic Strip Printables for making our own comics http://www.printablepaper.net/category/comics

The Peanuts theme song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQybajU2GNk

Theme Song Piano Lesson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh5C1F1QNAg

Theme Song Piano Tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tidspc7AYkE&t=24s

Easy Theme Song Piano Tutorial for Beginners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8ASSPA8OLE

Peanuts Quiz (easy)-

http://brainfall.com/quizzes/whats-your-peanuts-iq/

Peanuts Quiz (difficult) –

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/artwork/peanuts-quiz9.htm

And in case you’re wondering, I am going to give this study credit for literature (winks), art, music, history, and creative writing. We may get a PE credit too – football kicking and baseball pitching seem to go along with the whole Peanuts theme.

Good Grief!

betty jo

Learning Resources for October, 2014

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October is always a favorite time of the year for my family. It’s also a favorite month for learning! October has a good variety of themes, foods, and daily historic events. This link will take you to the list of Special Days in October, 2014 https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/09/27/special-days-in-october-2014/

Below are the resource links to take you to special day studies we’ve done with our homeschooling through Octobers in the past. I’ve also included some links that I’m thinking we’re about to use with this October’s lessons.

October Prayer Calendar Printable http://cherilynngamble.wordpress.com/2014/09/24/october-prayer-calendar/

October Writing Prompts http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/october/

Octbricks – 31 Days of Legos – http://www.educatinglaytons.com/2014/09/31-days-legos/

Autumn and Halloween Background Lined Paper printables http://www.teacherfiles.com/resources_background_paper.htm

Fall Themed Interactive Games – http://www.primarygames.com/seasons/fall/games.htm

Bats! Cross curriculum resources – http://www.franw.com/2011/10/bats.html

Fire Safety – A “Must Read” article http://www.unplannedhomeschooler.com/2014/08/how-my-kids-reacted-to-night-time-fire.html And, http://repurposemylife.com/teaching-children-fire-safety/ Also, Fire Facts http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/fire.html

The Salem Witch Trials was one of our best studies last year. Though not a “special day”, it was a nice tie in with a Halloweenish theme. Also, this resource post has been one of the most popular posts I’ve put together. https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/10/30/salem-witch-trials/

Human Anatomy can be another Halloweenish theme. Here’s some creative learning ideas http://www.homeschool-activities.com/human-body-for-kids.html

Crafts are great all year long, but the autumn ones are some of the best! http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/autumnfallartscraftideaskids.html

October offers some of the best “food themes” of the year!

Apples – Cross curriculum research project – http://www.franw.com/2013/09/apple-research-project.html

Pumpkins – Here’s a “big ole’ list” of pumpkin themed resources – http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/pumpkins-free-printables-activities-recipes/

Candy – Play, Invent and Explore – http://www.housingaforest.com/candy-potions/

Popcorn – http://www.franw.com/2014/10/popcorn-project.html

Presidents Born in October: (This link takes you to our family’s resources used for studying any president. https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/)

Oct. 1 – Jimmy Carter born 1924
Oct. 4 – Rutherford Hayes born 1822
Oct. 5 – Chester Arthur born 1829
Oct. 14 – Dwight Eisenhower born 1890
Oct. 27 – Theodore Roosevelt born 1858
Oct. 30 – John Adams born 1735

Oct. 2 –

SOS (distress code) established 1906 – Morse Code interatctive game in beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels https://www.nsa.gov/kids/games/gameMorse.swf
Anniversary of the first Peanuts comic strip (1950) – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/10/02/peanuts/

Oct. 4 – Fall Astronomy Day This link takes you to my “go to” site for all things astronomy. http://www.kidsastronomy.com/

Oct. 11 – Elenore Roosevelt born 1884 – Here’s a nice short biography, reading comprehension quizzes and language arts printables http://www.gardenofpraise.com/ibderoos.htm

Oct. 13 – Columbus Day – Resources and Printables http://embarkonthejourney.com/christopher-columbus-resources-printables/

Oct. 15 – Poetry Day – Homeschool Poetry Resource List – http://homeschoolencouragement.com/poetry-ultimate-homeschool-resource-list/ And, since October is at times spooky and odd, here’s a link to study guides, summaries, and quizzes to Edgar Allen Poe’s Poetry http://www.gradesaver.com/poes-poetry/study-guide/short-summary/ Also, here’s a research guide and resources for a Poe Study http://www.franw.com/2013/10/edgar-allan-poe-research-project.html

Oct. 16 – Noah Webster born 1758 and Dictionary Day (this site has much more than a dictionary! You’ll find games, Webster biography, language history, daily buzz words, and a way to add your own made up word to a dictionary!) http://www.wordcentral.com/edu/index.htm

Oct. 16 – World Food Day – Photo Collection What the World Eats – http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/what-the-world-eats-shocking-photos

Oct. 19 –

Character Counts Week begins – Our family has gone to this site many times for help with character development http://www.characterjournal.com/ Also, there’s some nice character lapbook printables here http://www.homeschoolshare.com/character_lapbook.php
Chemistry Week begins – Periodic Table of Element Videos (this is one of our favorite chemistry resources) http://www.periodicvideos.com/ And, this site has chemistry games. worksheets, and quizzes http://www.creative-chemistry.org.uk/index.htm And, here’s a chemistry lesson about the colors of autumn leaves http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/09/11/autumnleaves/

Oct. 20 – Monster Mash Day – The Monster Mash song is the first one on this Youtube Halloween song playlist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0R_oDEvYUY&list=PLA8F349F78FC52532 And, these kids can teach you the dance moves! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ8DOL-KeWw

Oct. 22 – Daniel Boone born 1734 (We’ll definitely be playing the pioneer games again. They were awesome and they were outside!) https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/10/22/daniel-boone/

Oct. 30 – Radio Broadcast of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds 1938 – Read an article and listen to the recording here http://www.ibtimes.com/war-worlds-radio-broadcast-turns-75-listen-orson-welles-famous-hoax-1447470

Oct. 31 –

Knock Knock Joke Day – (Jokes for “school work” are always a big hit with us.) http://www.enchantedlearning.com/jokes/topics/knockknock.shtml
Halloween – History articles – http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/halloween.htm And, Halloween Science Experiments – http://www.science-sparks.com/2012/09/24/5-fun-science-experiments-for-halloween/ I’m super excited about this Haunted Halloween resource and Fran has given me a copy of her E-book, too! I’ve looked through it and think she’s a genius! I love the “Monster Capture” game! http://www.franw.com/2014/09/haunted-halloween-resource-page.html Halloween themed Party Games – http://www.partygamecentral.com/party-games.php?tp=advsearch&nb=1&inp1=halloween&inp2=&conn=0&mat1=0&mat2=0 Also, here’s some Halloween interactive games http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/halloween/games.php

I’ll be posting some other resource links as our studies for October develop. I’m thinking owls and perhaps spiders. Haunted places and monsters are being considered, too. What are some of your October themed lesson plans? And got links?

Happy October Learning

betty jo

Resources For Learning About Skyscrapers

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“SKYSCRAPERS” is one of the themes for the month of June and September 3 is “SKYSCRAPER DAY”! Below are the links we’ll be following as we learn about skyscrapers. This study will cover the subjects of science, math, language arts, history, geography, literature, and art. Most of the resources will apply to all ages.

Skyscraper Day Information http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/September/skyscraperday.htm

Fun Facts About Skyscrapers http://www.factmonster.com/spot/skyscraperfacts.html (there’s related links on the right side of the article)

How Skyscrapers Work Articles with Diagrams http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/skyscraper2.htm

Time-lapse Construction Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdpf-MQM9vY

Virtual Field Trip – 360 degree Panoramic View from the Empire State Building http://www.nylocations.com/360-panorama/empire-state-building/

Skyscraper Emergency Engineering Lab Interactives http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/skyscraper/challenge/index.html

Videos, Lesson Plans and Printable Resources, and More http://skyscraper.org/home_flash.htm

Video Algebra Lesson http://threeacts.mrmeyer.com/dominoskyscraper/

Window Cleaning Skyscraper Math (multiplication) Interactive Game http://www.multiplication.com/games/play/math-wash

Another math lessons will be skyscraper word problems game. I’ll make up and write some math problems on cards. The kids will be making some too. For example, “If the elevator travels 30 seconds between each floor and does not stop until it reaches the 37th floor. How many minutes will it take to reach the 37th floor from the ground floor?” We’ll each be able to come up with construction time and cost problems too. Once there’s a stack of question cards, we’ll take turns drawing and answering. With each correct answer, the player gets a Lego block. The player with the highest Lego Tower will be the winner.

Skyscraper Building Activity Challenge http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skyscraper-Challenge-A-Team-Building-Activity-279407

To add a Bible study to our lessons, I entered “skyscrapers” into the search feature at Bible.org. I was pleasantly surprised to see more than the Tower of Babel to choose from! https://bible.org/gsearch?search=skyscrapers

The Runaway Skyscraper , written by Murray Leinster, is a science fiction novelette , originally published in Argosy magazine (a general-interest fiction magazine) in 1919, now it’s a free read from Project Gutenberg http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17355/17355-h/17355-h.htm

The Two Skyscrapers Who Decided to Have a Child is one of the short stories of the Rootabaga Stories written in 1922 by Carl Sandburg and is a free read here http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/carl-sandburg/rootabaga-stories-the-two-skyscrapers-who-decided-to-have-a-child/2206/

Skyscrapers are tall. “Tall” isn’t a greatest choice of adjectives for describing a skyscraper. Here’s the link to synonyms and words related to “tall” for a grammar, writing, and vocabulary lesson. http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/tall

A Word Mining Game will be another language arts connection. After we have as many words made as possible from the letters in “SKYSCRAPER”, we’ll categorize them into the relative parts of speech they belong to, noun, verb, adjective, etc. Then we’ll try to put those words together for silly sentences.

How to Draw a Cityscape http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/link/4534/1/1/how-to-draw-a-city.htm

Print, Cut, and Fold Skyscraper Models –

Chrysler Building http://www.papertoys.com/chrysler-building.htm
Empire State Building http://www.papertoys.com/empire-building.htm
World Trade Center http://www.papertoys.com/world-trade-center.htm

I’ve been on my local library’s web site and reserved a few skyscraper books to pick up this week and while we’re out, we’ll take a close look at our city’s 2 tallest buildings – 19 stories and 10 stories.

betty jo

Teaching July

Special Days in April, 2014

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Click here for Special Days in April updated for 2019!

Snow Week

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Ice, Snow, Wind, maybe even Blizzard Conditions! The local public and private schools will be canceling for “snow days” but not us. “Snow Days” make some awesome learning days! Below is a great resource collection for winter studies whether you have snow or not !

Why it’s good for us to get outside even when it’s cold – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/15/but-its-cold-out-there/

Winter Weather Science Lessons, Safety Tips, and Activities http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-winter-storms.htm

How to Survive Winter Weather Preparedness Guide https://thesurvivalmom.com/surviving-severe-winter-weather/

Bring some snow inside for observation and experimentation.

A study of snow wouldn’t be complete without some research into the life and discoveries of homeschooled farmer boy turned scientist, Snowflake Bentley. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V1cxjcRXCw

Bentley Biography, Photos, and exhibits

https://snowflakebentley.com/

Snowflake and Snowman Printable Writing Paper for Notebooking/Journaling. (The kids tend to write nicer/better when we use decorated paper. I appreciate these for not using much ink.) http://www.teacherprintables.net/free-printable-bp-holidays.html

Bible Focus – Psalm 147:15-18

¹⁵He gives a command to the earth,
    and it quickly obeys him.
¹⁶He spreads the snow like wool.
    He scatters the frost like ashes.
¹⁷He throws down hail like rocks.
    No one can stand the cold he sends.
¹⁸Then he gives a command, and it melts.
    He sends the breezes, and the waters flow.

Amazing and beautiful! Macro Photographed Snowflakes –http://www.natureknows.org/2013/11/amazing-macro-photography-of-individual.html

Fun Snowflake Resources, Activities, Recipes –

http://www.franw.com/2014/01/snowflake-activities-and-resources.html

Winter Weather Themed Math – http://www.yummymath.com/?s=winter

Snowmen – Netflix has this award winning film. Our local library has it, too. We loved it, (some of the themes were on the mature side, but my younger boys did just fine with it) Here’s a preview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUq8VS6aa9U

Snow Week learning can still happen without actual snow!

Printable Paper Snowflake Templates –

https://www.firstpalette.com/printable/snowflake.html

“Grow Your Own Crystal Snowflake” Kits. – I used purple pipe cleaner sticks thinking the color would be pretty coming through the crystals. We thought the borax crystals were fun to watch grow and turned out quite interesting!

This is the recipe and instructions we used for the kits. http://creativecynchronicity.com/2011/12/crystallized-snowflakes/

Add Crystal Comparison Experiments by making Epson Salt and Sugar Solutions. Of course you can make icicles instead of snowflakes. They fit better in smaller jars.

Snow Dough – 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup corn starch, 1 1/2 cups water. Combine all ingredients in sauce pan. Cook over medium high. Stir continuously until it’s the consistency of mashed potatoes. Move dough to bowl and cover w/a towel until cool. Knead well. Store in airtight container.

Sensory Cloud Dough – Baking Soda and White Hair Conditioner also Flour with Baby Oil works well – Just mix until the texture feel right to you

Put tortilla shells goes on the grocery list! These dessert snowflakes are fun to make and really yummy!

Cut round flour tortilla shells into snowflakes, lightly fry in oil then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Homemade Crockpot Hot Cocoa is a delicious warm up to any snow day!

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)

6 cups whole milk

2 cups heavy whipping cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients in a 4-quart crockpot. Stir well. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours stirring occasionally. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream. Stirring with a peppermint stick is tasty, too!

Stay warm and enjoy learning with snow!

betty jo

2014 Sochi Winter Olympics – Teaching Resources

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We aren’t particularly “sports fans” at our house, but there are some sporting events we are occasionally interested in. The Olympics is our top sports interest. The 2014 Winter Olympics begins Feb. 7th. And, as it happens at my house, where’s there’s interest, there is learning potential.

I have been planning for a Winter Olympic Unit Study and been collecting a stock pile of links for our homeschooling lessons. I have some awesome resources for teaching during the Winter Olympic Games to share with you.

The Official Olympic Website – http://www.olympic.org/sochi-2014-winter-olympics

Bible Based Olympic Discussion Guide for the Family – http://whatsinthebible.com/the-sochi-winter-olympics-2014-five-questions-to-engage-your-kids/

Olympic Themed Interactive Games for Kids – http://www.primarygames.com/socstudies/olympics/olympics.htm

Sport Event Coloring Pages – http://www.classroomjr.com/olympic-coloring-pages/

Support Team USA with a snowflake and a photo http://www.nbcolympics.com/sochisnowflake?aff=wwlp

Information about the 15 Sports of the Winter Games http://www.mapsofworld.com/olympics/winter-olympics/events.html

Maps and facts of Russia – http://www.mapsofworld.com/russia/

Meet the Team USA Atheletes – http://www.teamusa.org/Athletes

Short videos showing how skis, skates, and curling stones are made – http://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/how-its-made/videos/how-its-made-winter-olympics.htm

A Video Series of the Science of the Olympic Sport Events http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTVqtGTfIc8&list=PLB6B38A6C0540EEB6&feature=share&index=6

Winter Olympic article series from Time Kids – http://www.timeforkids.com/minisite/2014-sochi-olympics

Gold (Au79), Silver (Ag47), and Bronze (Copper-Cu29) Information from this Interactive Element Chart – http://humantouchofchemistry.com/pages/periodictable.html

Gold, Silver, Bronze Element Videos – http://www.periodicvideos.com/

Olympic Printables and Activities – http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/winter-olympics

Teaching Resources and Printables for all grades and several subjects – http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:winter+olympics/Grade-Level/Homeschooler/Price-Range/Free

Crafts and Games – http://www.makeandtakes.com/winter-olympic-crafts-and-games-for-kids

And finally, the 2014 Winter Olympics Events Schedule and TV Listings – http://www.nbcolympics.com/results-schedule

Know that I’m cheering for our homeschools to have winning Winter Olympics studies!

betty jo

Merry Christmas

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Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care! (The above photo is our latest chalkboard mural)

It’s Christmas Eve and our family is wrapping presents (yes, science toys and art supplies and books), baking cookies for neighbors, and listening to Christmas music! As busy as I am today, I just had to stop by the blog, and wish you all TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY! And send you our family’s new favorite Christmas song.

Have a very merry CHRISTmas!

betty jo

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 Ocean Wall

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After a week of a blank chalkboard wall, tic-tac-toe, and random graffiti, we finally decided it was time for a new mural. I had thought a camping scene was a good idea for summer, but it was voted down. J and Z had been learning about coral reefs and ocean life in their summer school science lessons, so they wanted an under water scene.

I knew this was going to be a big project so we enlisted some friends to help. This is K, a friend from our homeschool support group. She did an awesome job on the plants, coral, purple fish, and pink dolphin.

I attempted a scuba diver. I truly appreciate working with chalk. It is so forgiving. A mistake is easily wiped off or blended in.