Special Days in August, 2018
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Category Archives: My Family
Snakes!
“Snakes. Why’d it have to be snakes?” asks Indiana Jones, and this homeschooling mama is asking that too! I know some people who have pet snakes and enjoy them and others who have extreme fear of them. Growing up in Kentucky, I’ve even heard rumors of snake handling in churches! Personally, I’m in more of a basic “just avoid them” category. Honestly, I’d rather avoid a snake study but “July 16 – World Snake Day” was marked on our list of Special Days in July , which means it’s an interest study request. I don’t want to say no to an interest study, and it’s been a while since we did an animal research project, so …
Here’s my collection of cross curriculum snake themed resources to share with you for when you find yourself facing a snake study.
Image Gallery: Snakes of the World
Labeled Anatomy Diagrams:
Live Science Article – Why We Fear Snakes
Importance of Snakes in the Ecosystem
Snakes in Religion search results
Read Kipling’s Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Printable Worksheets and Activities
Snake Unit Study and Lapbook Printables
Snakes Notebooking Printable Pages
Songs About “Snakes” (Heads up! Not all will be appropriate for families)
Snakes in Art – Statues, paintings, pottery, drawings, and more, from ancient to modern day, and from all over the world. (Again, Heads up! Not all will be appropriate for families, but you can easily choose which pieces suit your study.)
Step by Step How to Draw a Snake
Printable Snakes and Ladders Game – “When you download the game, you will get a printable board and a set of question cards. With every move the player has to answer a question in order to stay on their new position. This game comes with the questions of the World of Knowledge game. But you can create your own set of questions. But you can also play it without any questions, just roll the dice and have fun!”
I couldn’t find a “snake” math resource so I’m thinking I can use some printable math task cards for the above Snakes and Ladders game.
There’s hundreds of thousands of snake related videos on Youtube and I’m sure we’ll watch a few of them. Since we’re fans of “Good Mythical Morning” I have this one saved for ‘fun?‘ and a crazy PE idea (not real snakes but maybe a rubber one or two).
I’ve already been to my local library’s website and put some snake books on the hold shelf. We don’t have a zoo in our area, but we do have nature centers and pet stores, so I think a field trip can be easily planned to wrap up our snake study.
betty jo
American Flowers Week
These photos are showing a few of the flowers we have growing in our backyard. We’ll be looking at them closely as we venture on to our next summer school study.
American Flowers Week begins June 28th and that’s a wonderful time to begin a summer school study about flowers! Here’s a fantastic list of free cross curricular resources for learning about and with flowers!
“American Flowers Week is the advocacy, education and outreach campaign …” Find out more about the celebration and how to participate at their website! https://americanflowersweek.com/
Photo Gallery of arranged flowers from all 50 states
Free US map of official flowers and each state’s official flower coloring pages
Photo Gallery of Official State Flowers
Free Flower Anatomy Printables
Step by Step Flower Dissection Instructions
Gardening and Flowers Vocabulary List
Wild Flowers Identification Guide
Step by Step How to Draw Flowers
Read Flower Stories, a public domain book from 1903
Video Tips, How To’s, and Projects from Flower Experts
https://www.youtube.com/user/expertvillage/search?query=flowers
Video Math Lesson with Fibonacci Flowers
What flowers do you have growing in your yard to homeschool with?
betty jo
Special Days in July, 2018
Summer Schooling – Resource and Activity List
June 21 is the first day of summer and the start of fantastic summer time learning! Here’s a list of free cross curricular summer themed resources and activities:
Reasons for the Seasons – Ted Ed Video Lesson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD_8Jm5pTLk
Seasons and the Sun – Crash Course Kids Video Lesson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b25g4nZTHvM
Search your city’s sunrise/sunset times, sun distance, sun altitude, and more https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/
Day and night world map https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/sunearth.html?iso=20180618T1406
Bible Verses for the Summer http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/bible/bible-verses-for-the-summer.aspx
Ancient Solstice Celebrations Article http://www.kidzworld.com/article/890-summer-solstice-the-first-day-of-summer
https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-summer-solstice-holiday-litha-2562244
“The Longest Day” Math Lesson https://www.yummymath.com/2018/the-longest-day-2/
“How Much Pee is in the Pool?” Math Lesson https://www.yummymath.com/2018/how-much-pee-is-in-that-pool-2/
Summer Theme “Would You Rather” Questions http://minds-in-bloom.com/20-would-you-rather-questions-for-2/
Sun Experiments https://www.franw.com/2016/06/experiments-you-can-do-with-sun.html
Home Remedies (these make for some good science labs when the unfortunate happens)
Testing Sunscreen Effectiveness – Science Fair Project
Pesticide and Repellent – Science Fair Projects
Make a Thermometer http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=1715
Make a Barometer http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=1745
Summer Astronomy Events, Maps, and Guides https://www.almanac.com/astronomy
Dream Vacation Writing Prompts https://writeshop.com/dream-vacation-writing-prompts/
Camping Writing Prompts https://writeshop.com/writing-prompts-about-camping/
Camps and Summer Vacation Vocabulary https://myvocabulary.com/word-list/camps-and-summer-vacation-vocabulary/
Summer Crafts and Activities https://artfulparent.com/100-summer-crafts-activities-for-kids/
Animated Shakespeare’s A Mid Summer Night’s Dream Summary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1wMfOwlAZ8
A Mid Summer Night’s Dream from “No Fear Shakespeare” ( Shakespeare’s language side-by-side with a facing-page translation into modern English) http://nfs.sparknotes.com/msnd
Famous Paintings of Summer http://blog.bridgemanimages.com/here-comes-the-sun-famous-paintings-of-summer/
Vivaldi’s Summer with Nature and String Instruments Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhkoUQ7HdIQ
Billboard’s Top Summer Songs https://www.billboard.com/articles/list/513566/top-30-summer-songs
ICE CREAM! ice Cream in a Bag Recipe and learn about the history of Ice Cream https://www.franw.com/2011/07/ice-cream.html
Healthy Summer Snack Recipes https://www.superhealthykids.com/30-kid-friendly-summer-snacks/
Swimming Pool Games http://www.medallionenergy.com/blog/40-swimming-pool-games-play/
DIY Backyard Games https://www.brit.co/diy-outdoor-games/
And, don’t forget about your local library! Many have special summer programs!
Happy Summer Schooling!
betty jo
Memorial Day
I’ve found some wonderful free cross curriculum resources for learning with a Memorial Day theme!
Memorial Day Lesson Plans, Projects, Printables, and Activities (I love the arts and craft idea of making a shoe box parade float!) https://seasonal.theteacherscorner.net/memorial-day/
More Memorial Day Projects, Printables, and Activities http://www.theholidayzone.com/memorial/
Memorial Day Bible Lessons and Resources https://mintools.com/veterans-memorial-day-resources.htm
History of Memorial Day video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRXrfs0f1Fo
Soldiers placing flags at Arlington National Cemetery video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHhIkWlHw60
Memorial Day Vocabulary List and Word Puzzles https://myvocabulary.com/word-game-puzzles/memorial-day-may-30th-vocabulary/
Free Printable Patriotic Writing Paper https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:patriotic%20writing%20paper/Price-Range/Free
Memorial Day Math Lesson https://www.yummymath.com/2018/memorial-day-2018/
Poppy Classification http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/wasicek_lind/Classification.htm
Poppy Description, Uses, Symbolism, Photo Gallery https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppy
Timeline of American Wars http://www.roswellmemorialday.com/history/timeline-of-americas-wars/
My friend Dawn has some awesome ideas for “War” studies on her Journey Through History list! https://schoolinswag.wordpress.com/our-journey-through-history/
betty jo
Special Days in June, 2018
Special Days in April, 2018
Newspapers In Education Week
EXTRA! EXTRA! Read and Write All About It!
“Newspapers in Education Week” begins on the first Monday in March. This has been a homeschooling project week for our family for several years. We read newspapers, make recycled newspaper crafts, and write articles. In the past couple of years we have published a school family newspaper. Below are some fantastic resources we’ve used in the past along with some new ones we’re going to be using this year.
Newspapers in Education Cross curricular pre-k through high school resources and ideas.
Newspaper Printing Press Virtual Tour
America’s Historic Newspaper Pages from 1789-1963
“School Journalism” is a wonderful site for video instruction, lesson plans, and reporter training for both teachers and students! (Hover the mouse over the “Journalism Lesson Plans” option on the top left to access the learning resources. These are geared toward higher grades.)
Elements of News is a simple slideshow presentation explaining what makes a story “newsworthy”.
News Article Writing Guide geared for upper elementary and middle school levels.
How To Write An Editorial is a helpful 3 Part Lesson Guide and Creative Writing Activities for all grade levels.
Create A Comic Activity Ideas and Resources
Writing Tips Slide Show for Asking and Receiving Advice and Formal Complaints.
Write a Weather Report Tips, Format, and Writing Guide with Examples
Write a Review Lesson Plan, Activities, Resources
Write a Food Review Step by step guide
Write a Sports Article 3 Ways, Tips, Examples
Tabloid Tales “Learn about the power of exaggeration by writing news stories to accompany actual tabloid newspaper headlines!”
Spotting Fake News Quick Tips and Guide
Write Ads 7 Step Writing Guide
Wacky Headlines Prompts and activities for creative writing
Interactive Printing Press Create and publish your own newspaper.
Newspaper Templates Printable Notebooking /Writing Pages
betty jo
Celebrate Your Name Week
The first full week in March is Celebrate Your Name Week!
- Sunday – Namesake Day
- Monday – Fun Facts About Names Day
- Tuesday – Unique Names Day
- Wednesday – Discover What Your Name Means Day
- Thursday – Nametag Day
- Friday – Middle Name Pride Day
- Saturday – Decendants Day
Below are some wonderful free resources for learning about names and some activity ideas for added fun.
Celebrating Names Activity Guide and Resources
Name Origins, Crest, and History (also related ‘for sale’ products)
How to Say, “My name is” in 475 Languages
What’s In a Name Game from Funschooling and Recreational Learning
Sticky Note Guessing Name Game
“The Name Game” from the 1965 Hit Song by Shirley Ellis at Youtube
“The Name Game” Lyrics and Music for Karaoke at Youtube
12 Names of Jesus Printable Cards from The Purposeful Mom
Praying and Pronouncing the Names of God from Tony Evans
Names of Large Numbers Chart (because we need a math lesson this week too!)
I hope you’ll enjoy Celebrating your family’s names!
Betty (A diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning My God is plentiful) Jo (A diminutive of Josephine meaning May Jehovah add. Also diminutive of Joanne meaning God is gracious.)
Still Learning Something New 