This past week homeschool bloggers have been sharing their new school year photos, and I’ve decided to do that too. Here’s the students of Covenant Home School! And a silly song to listen to as you take a peek!
I have prayed over our 2013-2014 school year. Goals for the year have been set. Our study focus is decided and brain storming lists are filling up with possibilities. The letter of intent, required my our state law, has been mailed. The attendance records are printed and sorted into folders. New binders and supplies are waiting to be used. There are daily plans on the chart. I have a coffee and chocolate. I am ready!
Today is our first day back to full time homeschooling. E’s starting her senior year and she is excited. B is in 10th this year, and I see no visible signs of excitement. J covers his ears and yells, “I don’t want to hear it!” every time schooling is mentioned. Z has been practically begging to get going on the 3rd grade.
I’m smiling and confident. Smiling and confidence are good ways for me to kick off my 16th year of this homeschooling journey. Smiling and confidence are good for all of us homeschooling mamas, don’t you agree?
I’m sharing some links to help with that!
A cute co-op group and those silly questions that we get asked.
A very sweet prayer for the homeschooling mama, (even addresses my concern over algebra) http://www.educatorsathome.com/homeschool-moms-prayer/
No matter how our first day back goes, I know it won’t be as terrible as this one!
A always remembering this!
betty jo
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
betty jo
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. 
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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/
These photos were taken at our city’s riverfront last night. It was our family’s second year to attend their annual event. A few of the families in our neighborhood have been celebrating Independence Day all week and we have seen some beautiful fireworks and heard some BOOMS. Z has been excited and J has tried to be tolerant. They have had some questions. My answer is the same for each of them, “Let’s google it”. Our search resulted in our homeschooling summer school lesson of the day and covers the subjects of history, science, and because we use the internet, computer lab gets a “check”. We have a community service project also. (There is quite a bit of firework trash to be picked up in the neighborhood yards and street.)
Below are J’s and Z’s questions and the links to the answers.
“Where do fireworks come from?” “The birthplace of fireworks is generally recognized as China, with the first explosive mixture found being black powder, during the Sung dynasty (960-1279)” For the rest, click this link to the brief article, The History of Fireworks http://www.pyrouniverse.com/history.htm
“Why do we celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks?” According to Slate, that answer is , “Because John Adams wanted us to. Before the Declaration of Independence was even signed, he envisioned fireworks as a part of the festivities. In a letter to Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776, he wrote that the occasion should be commemorated “with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” The first commemorative Independence Day fireworks were set off on July 4, 1777.” You can link here for the full article. http://www.slate.com/articles/life/explainer/2012/07/history_of_fireworks_in_america_why_do_we_celebrate_fourth_of_july_with_fireworks_.html
“What makes fireworks explode in different colors?” According to a post from the Interactive Technology Experience Center’s Facebook page, “Sodium produces yellow/gold colors. Barium creates green, copper compounds produce blue, strontium salts give you red and titanium metals give you silver coloured sparks.
Other commonly used chemicals are carbon which provides the fuel, oxidizers which produce oxygen for burning, magnesium which increases the overall brilliance and brightness, antimony that gives you a “glitter” effect and calcium which deepens the colors.”
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Interactive-Technology-Experience-Center-iTEC/115400341904918
“How do fireworks work?” We found the answer in this video from Science Kids and The Franklin Institute. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/chemistry/fireworks.html
“Can we make some fireworks?” We don’t have to google this answer, I already know it, “NO!”
betty jo
Years ago, at the family visitation before my daddy’s funeral, we were sniffling and dabbing our teary eyes, when my mom spoke up, “I wish your daddy was here, we could use a joke!” My father would have had just the right one to tell.
My dad knew the art of telling a joke, eye contact, expression, dramic pause. Some he made up, some he read or heard. None were ever rude or offensive. Though as a teen I would groan and roll my eyes when he told one, I would repeat it I first chance I got. Whenever I see someone that knew my dad, they always say something about his sense of humor.
According the my special days calendar, International Joke Day is celebrated on July 1. This is a day to tell jokes not play jokes (pranks). The purpose of this day is to make as many people as possible laugh or at least smile. Our homeschool/summer school calendar lesson of the day will be language arts focused. We’ll be reading, writing, and telling jokes. And sense Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine”, I suppose it can count as a health class credit, too.
I try to include jokes into our homeschooling lessons from time to time. They make fun copy and memory work. They also lighten things up when the studying gets serious or boring. Jokes are good public speaking practice, and I think something humorous should be included in most oral presentations. Jokes and riddles also make cute additions to our lapbooks.
These are a couple of library books we checked out for homeschooling on International Joke Day.
This is my favorite site for kids jokes, riddles, and printables (we especially like the holiday list) http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/kids_jokes.htm
These free blank comic book style printables make an interesting way to copy jokes or riddles and illustrate. http://www.printablepaper.net/category/comics
Because it’s good to laugh at ourselves sometimes…
“How does a homeschooler change a light bulb?”
“First, mom checks three books on electricity out of the library, then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison and do a skit based on his life. Next, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles. Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they’ll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five dollar bill. On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the five dollar bill. Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed. And there is light.” ~Author Unknown
For my list of July’s special days click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/28/julys-special-days/
betty jo
June 22 is the Great American Backyard Campout! This event is organized by the National Wildlife Federation. Thousands of families across America will be camping out and connecting with nature and each other.
I really have no desire what so ever to sleep on the ground. But, we will set up our tent so Z , J, and their friends can play in it. And if they can talk B into staying out with them, then they can spend the night backyard camping. However, I am in favor of campfire roasted hot dogs and s’mores and have volunteered to help with the campfire cooking.
As a homeschooling mom, I tend to make every thing a learning opportunity. I found these links to follow as we learn “camping”.
Tips, songs, recipes, campfire stories, and more at the Great American Backyard Campout site http://www.nwf.org/Great-American-Backyard-Campout/Get-Ready.aspx
Free camping activity pack from the coolest nature resource website http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/packs/camping_pack.htm
Last summer, the week before the Great American Backyard Campout, we made this camping lapbook from http://www.homeschoolshare.com/camping_lapbook.php It was neat looking back over it. It is also a great reminder of what Z and J are going to be needing for their backyard campout this year.
betty jo
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.
Z stayed busy on the floor with rocks, more plants, more fish and a very cute crab.
We added a shark for a bit of danger.
J wore his arm out coloring water. He colored some on the jelly fish, too.
A sea turtle, and clown fish were added.
Now presenting our completed Ocean Wall! It turned out to be one of our favorite murals yet.
For more about our chalk board wall click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/one-of-our-favorite-things-the-wall/ , here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/01/oops-i-forgot/, here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/21/the-old-has-gone/ , and here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/19/942/
For another post about our coral reef study click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/11/reef/
betty jo
This week E went to Tennessee with a friend’s family. She had a wonderful time camping. Here’s the cabin and it’s view.
While on the trip, E and her friend had the opportunity to spend the day in Nashville. They had lunch at an aquarium themed restaurant…
and then a visit to the zoo!
E wasn’t the only one to get an up-close look at animals this week. J and Z went to the library for Animal Tales, a live animal, “edZOOcational” program. Z was picked to assist the handler with the African Spurred Tortoise.
After the program, Z was invited to pet a Woma Python!
At home this week, we have enjoyed these last days of spring observing the daily changes out in our yard. Our keyhole garden science project is growing like crazy! This week we picked the first Hungarian Pepper. The Jalopinos are ready to pick, too! It’s time to be thinking about adding fried green tomatoes to our menu.
Our Zinnias have blooms and we have our first Pansie.
Our Magnolia Tree is blooming too! It smells so good. I brought a couple of petals in to use as air freshener. (Our bathroom smells good, too.)
For more about Animal Tales click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/13/diggin-the-library/
For another post about our homeschooling garden science project click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/05/23/watching-our-garden-grow/
I hope you had a good week and wishing you another good week next week!
betty jo
Still Learning Something New 