Category Archives: Special Days

International Homeschool Spirit Week

International Homeschool Spirit Week starts Monday, September 23! In case you’re not yet familiar with what this is, I’ll give you a brief introduction. Homeschool Spirit Week is the last week in September. Homeschool families (from all over the world) join together as one big community to show their spirit. There will be opportunities for you to share your family’s photos and thoughts. Each day has a theme and a home education sponsor that will offer prizes and freebies. This year’s line up is this:

Pajama Day- Monday, September 23rd
Sponsored by CurrClick

Homeschool Away from Home Day – Tuesday, September 24th
Sponsored by iHomeschool Network

Crazy Hairstyle Day – Wednesday, September 25th
Sponsored by Hip Homeschool Moms

Volunteer Outside Your Home Day – Thursday, September 26th
Sponsored by Great Homeschool Conventions

Super Hero Day – Friday, September 27th
Sponsored by Free Homeschool Deals

Last year our family had a blast participating in International Homeschool Spirit Week! We were curious about what other home educating families look like and what they do, so we enjoyed the blogs and social media posts with photos submitted from other families. The week was a welcome relief from lesson planning. I made some long distance friendships with some lovely homeschooling moms. I picked up some great freebies, too.

For more information and suggestions on how to get the most from this opportunity click here http://homeschoolspiritweek.com/

Join in on the fun through Facebook, too! http://homeschoolspiritweek.com/

“We’ve got spirit, yes we do! We’ve got spirit, how ’bout you?!”

betty jo

Arrrrgh! Pirates!

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According to the special days in September calendar, the 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day! And on our planner, it’s the last day of our pirate unit study that we have been working on a couple of days a week for the past several weeks. It’s been a fun and interesting study. Below are some of the resources we have been using.

For pirate biographies, dictionary, lore, sea sickness, and more http://the-pirate-ship.com/

For learning about how much work it was to sail a full-rigged ship http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6DZIvMZWzQ

Since pirates needed sewing skills for sail repairs we have added some sewing instruction to our lessons.

https://sewing.com/hand-sewing-stitching-basics/

How to tie knots was also a valuable pirate expertise, so we gave that a try as well. This site has step by step knot tying instructions http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/

Navigation by stars was another important sailor skill https://seahistory.org/sea-history-for-kids/navigating-by-the-stars/

Instructions for making a cork and needle compass https://www.nps.gov/articles/compass.htm

Our lapbook board (we glued these to file folders once the unit study was finished).

Free unit studies and lapbook printables along with book lists and other links to follow http://www.homeschoolshare.com/connections__pirates.php

“Why are pirates called pirates?” – “They just arrrrrr!” and, lots of other pirate jokes for kids http://www.enchantedlearning.com/jokes/topics/pirate.shtml

Blackbeard, pirate, and treasure chest printable notebooking pages http://www.teacherfiles.com/resources_bp_ss.htm

More pirate themed notebooking pages http://edgalaxy.com/printable-paper-for-teachers/2012/9/22/pirate-themed-writing-pack.html

Pirate Adventure Writing Prompts https://writeshop.com/pirate-printable/

These are a few of our library finds.

Movies and music!

Interactive sunken treasure game http://nationalgeographic.org/education/multimedia/interactive/maps-tools-find-sunken-treasure/

Interactive “Walk the Plank” and Pirate themed Math Games https://www.math4childrenplus.com/?s=pirate

And “Talk Like a Pirate Day” Math Lesson https://www.yummymath.com/2018/talk-like-a-pirate-day-viral-growth/

Our chalkboard wall mural. The instructions for how to draw a pirate ship from here were quite helpful. http://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/crafts/drawing/how-to-draw-pirate-ships.htm

In conclusion to our pirate unit studies we attempted to make this treasure chest cake! https://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/category/other/pirate/treasure-chest/

Haha! Another “Pinterest Fail”, but still tasted good!

For more resources for special days in September click here

Wishing you smooth sailing!

betty jo

Constitution Week Resources

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September 17th (1787) is the anniversary of the United States Constitution and the start of Constitution Week. So often we hear or read about “Constitutional Rights” and freedoms being debated, taken away, or altered in various ways.

This week my kids will be reviewing, researching, and notebooking all things constitutional so it will be clear to them just what our constitutional rights are.

Below are some of the resources we will be incorporating into our Constitution Week homeschool studies.

Constitution Day History and Quizzes http://www.ducksters.com/holidays/constitution_day.php

Read the Constitution and explore the resources from The National Constitutional Center http://constitutioncenter.org/

US Government Learning Adventures, Glossary, and Games for all ages and levels https://bensguide.gpo.gov/

Constitutional Convention Video Playlist : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLkEA8hf_nThc3xwl5EF09aGYFS3PEqIQ

Liberty’s Kids #40- We the People
Three Branches Rap
Constitution Style (Gangnam Style parody)
The Great Compromise Explained in 5 Minutes
The Great Compromise Song
All 27 Amendments (in four minutes)
Bill of Rights (Shake It Off parody)

This song is from my childhood (from Saturday morning cartoons) and it is how I’ve always remembered the preamble to the constitution. This is also how my older kids have learned it. Now it’s time to pass it down to the youngest two. School House Rock – The Constitution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EfnNUt_nwY&list=PLKt00sUUapAJAcxUs2rp75ymjPMki6noW

Learn and Remember the Bill Of Rights with these Hand Signals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgD1E3gBTWU

Mini posters of how a bill becomes a law, the Bill of Rights, and branches of government (you will need an account to get the downloads, but it isn’t complicated and it’s free) http://www.kidsdiscover.com/celebrate-constitution-day/

Copywork and Trivia Printables http://www.homeschoolcreations.net/2013/09/constitution-day-printables/

US Constitution & Bill of Rights Resource Page https://franw.com/2019/03/21/the-united-states-constitution-bill-of-rights-resource-page/

Constitution lesson plans, including debate excercises http://constitutioncenter.org/learn/educational-resources/lesson-plans/to-sign-or-not-to-sign-the-ultimate-constitution-day-lesson-plan

Calligraphy and Making Quill and Ink Resources http://www.franw.com/2015/08/calligraphy-resources.html

betty jo

Teaching Resources for Patriot Day

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I doubt that anyone needs a special day calendar reminder that September 11, 2001 is the anniversary of a major historic event. As homeschoolers, we learn about important events. Usually it’s not stressful to teach history, even though some of the world’s past is tragic, we still learn about those times. But, teaching the history of 9-11 is the most difficult subject that I’ve ever attempted to teach. It was such a horrible and painful day and that horror and pain is still fresh for so many.

Home educating parents are asking, ” How much are we supposed to expose our children to about the events and aftermath of this day?” I’m asking that myself. Even the minimal historic account is overwhelming. However, I don’t think we should just continue with school as usual.

My older kids remember vividly watching the news and seeing the devastation. They have had this topic come up in their current event studies dozens of times throughout the years. However, that won’t make reviewing this day any easier for them. My J isn’t going to be able handle much of this topic, just the bare minimum facts and a coloring sheet. Z, at 8 years old is going to have questions that I don’t have answers to. And this time there is no link to follow for answers.

As I’ve researched for 9-11 study helps, I’ve found these links. I’ve reviewed them, and parts may be helpful, I’m not in complete agreement with any of them. I will not be recommending these or perhaps even using them in our 9-11 studies, but thought I’d share what I found. I do stress that as a parent you pre-view before just pressing the play button and leaving your kids to watch.

An animated documentary explaining the timeline of 9-11 events

Lesson plans including community helpers and art galleries suitable for all ages http://www.uen.org/core/socialstudies/patriotday/

Regardless of what I decide to use for the studies, I will be having the kids journal as part of the day’s assignments. I am pleased with the free printables from here. http://www.notebookingnook.com/freebie-911-never-forget-notebooking-pages/

Also, this link will take you to some basic facts, free printables, reading list, and poetry. http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/911/

A resource collection geared toward mature tweens and teens (adults, too) https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/09/11/911-remembrance/

betty jo

Special Days in September

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Click here for Special Days in September updated for 2019!

“I Have a Dream”

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According to my special days calendar, August 28th marks the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s speech “I Have A Dream” at the 1963 March On Washington.

Below are some wonderful free resources I found to create a one day mini unit study. These resources will cover the subjects of language arts, art, music, and history.

This link will take you to a biography with photos, coloring page, test, word puzzles, and more! http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdking.htm

This link takes you to more printables as well as art, poetry, music resources! http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/mlk-day

This link takes you to printable notebooking pages and lapbook materials http://homeschoolhelperonline.com/?s=martin+luther+king+jr

For quotes click here! http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have that same dream for my five (not so) little children.

betty jo

Unit Study Theory 101 – Class 3

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Welcome to the third and final class of Unit Study Theory 101. For today’s class I will be answering the question, “How do you make weekly plans for unit studies?” However, before we get to that, I’ll explain how my longer term plans are designed.

After years of having a messy planner, (erase marks, comments in the margins, and scribbled out assignments), I gave up traditional planning and threw the planner away. It seemed like we hardly ever “stuck” to the plan because life happened, we took advantage of unexpected learning opportunities , or group activities would consume a day or two. Sometimes assignments took longer or went quicker than I expected them to.

Keeping a journal works much better. I keep my journal in a binder. The first page is this printable from Teacher Files (I changed the months to match our school year). I fill in some of the blanks as we start each month, the rest gets filled in as it happens. http://www.teacherfiles.com/downloads/Long%20Range%20Planner.pdf

Making a “possibility” list of topics and the subjects it will include for the current unit study is the next page in my binder. I add the start and finish dates as they happen, (or cross out what we didn’t do). The next page is where I record resources. I print off themed notebooking pages for my journal (usually the same pages I print for the kids notebooking/journaling assignments). When the unit study is over, I begin a new possibility list for the next study . This a simple way to keep track our learning.

I love sticky notes for weekly planning . Usually Saturday is the day I make the upcoming weeks plans. I look over the special days list first to see what I want to be included in our studies for the upcoming week. I write that on a sticky note and place on the weekly chart. Next, I put extra curricular activities on other sticky notes and add those to the chart. Finally, I make sticky notes for daily assignments (based off of my “possibility” list) to add to the chart. At the end of each day, I move the notes to my journal to record later or move the sticky note to the next day if the assignment needs more time. I found this chart at the $Tree for us to use this school year. In the past, I made my own weekly charts on poster board.

Fridays are left blank on the planner. This is the day to catch up on any uncompleted assignments or free study and group activities.

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

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

Fireworks

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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