According to the special days calendar for October, 2015, the  8th is World Sight Day.  This awareness day is sponsored by  WHO (World Health Organization) and was established to draw attention to blindness and vision impairment.  Below is a collection of free resources for teaching about the human eye and blindness.

Printable human eye diagram and eye vocabulary list  http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/anatomy/eye/

Interactive eye dissection  http://www.eschoolonline.com/company/examples/eye/eyedissect.html

These are articles written for middle and high school levels which discusses how the eye works,  the causes of blindness, and what doctors can do to detect and treat visual problems  http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/sight/visual_impaired.html# and http://www.planet-science.com/categories/over-11s/human-body/2010/12/let-there-be-light.aspx

Interactive quiz to test eye knowledge  http://kidshealth.org/kid/quizzes/EYEquiz.html#cat20913

Vision experiments  http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/chvision.html

Braille alphabet chart  http://library.thinkquest.org/J001326/page9.html

There are many Bible verses relating to the eyes, blindness, and healing of the blind.  However, Isaiah 42:16 is what I have selected for our homeschool Bible discussion, copy work and journaling

“I will lead the…

A couple of years ago our Patriot Day studies were geared a little more toward the younger boys than my big kids.  Here’s the link to that study and the resources we used.  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/09/10/teaching-resources-for-patriot-day/

And, for this year, I’ve found the following resources to further our studies.

“Teach and Learn” from the 9/11 Memorial Museum  https://www.911memorial.org/teach-learn

President Bush’s Address to the Nation from 9/11   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbqCquDl4k4

Photo Gallery and More from the New One World Trade Center  http://onewtc.com/gallery-images/2069/august-2014-site-update-looking-north-east-image-2

B and I (and which ever big kids happen to be home) will be researching and learning from these more mature sites:

Video Facts and Timeline of 9/11 Attacks   http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks

Post 9/11 and Terrorist Attacks Articles   http://www.factmonster.com/spot/sept11features.html

Mathematical Perspective of 9-11 and After   http://scottberkun.com/2012/the-math-and-aftermath-of-911/

Patriot Day Lesson Plans, Articles, Videos, and Teaching Tips   http://www.uen.org/core/socialstudies/patriotday/

How to Prepare for a Terrorist Attack and Links to Other More Detailed Preparedness Plans and Facts  from The Dept…

When we looked over this week’s special days (https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/08/29/special-days-in-september-2014/), the 3rd caught our attention, “Skyscraper Day”! This is a day to appreciate and admire the world’s tallest skyscrapers. With all the fantastic resources I found, this study will probably hold our interest for more than just a day.  I’m thinking it’s going to be “Skyscraper Rest of the Week or Longer” for us.  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

According to Special Days inAugust , (https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/07/25/special-days-in-august-2015-2/) , “Aviation” is one of this month’s themes.  And, this week is “Aviation Week”  The reason behind “Aviation Week” is in celebration of the accomplishments of Orville Wright who was born Aug. 19, 1867.

The following links are to the online resources we used as we took a week to learn about the Wright Brothers and aviation.

A biography of the Wright Brothers along with printables – http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdwrigh.htm

Learn about the Wright Brothers. See their house and shop as well as their famous flight in Kitty Hawk, NC. with this old and brief educational movie.  http://www.havefunwithhistory.com/movies/wrightBrothers.html

We’ve been watching some of the animated series Adventurers – Masters of Time so we’re excited to see a Wright Brothers episode  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJud1QjUvo8&list=PL608A5B35B7419A93&index=15  If you haven’t seen these before, I recommend you start with the first episode so you’ll understand the theme, then you can skip…

Back at the beginning of our summer break, J requested that we create a jungle mural on our chalk board wall.  We’ve been really slow about getting it finished, but at least we have an elephant.

Elephants happen to be one of our favorite animals and according to Special Days in August ,stilllearningsomethingnewcom/2014/07/27/special-days-in-august-2/ , the 12th is “World Elephant Day”!  I’m pretty excited that we are taking some time to study these magnificent creatures.

Below are the resources we’ll be using as we learn about elephants.

All about Elephants – African vs. Asian, Elephant Sounds, and Facts  www.elemotion.org/learning-center/

Scientific Research – How Elephants Think  thinkelephants.org/pages/ow-elephants-think.html

Meet the Elephants who live at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee  www.elephants.com/meetElephants.php

Elephant Myths and Folklore  socyberty.com/foldlore/elephant-in-myths-mthology-and-folklore/

Elephant Jokes  www.enchantedlearning.com/joke/animalselephant.shtl

Elephant Themed Language Arts Interactive Games www.learninggamesforkids.com/mammal-games-videos/elephant-games-videos.html

I snagged this Elephants – Speedy Lapbook  a while back as part of a freebie offer.  Currently…

I miss my mom every day.  She’s been in heaven for twelve years.  I try not to be sad about her being gone, especially on Mother’s Day.  She would want me to celebrate, not mourn.   I love Mothers Day, the flowers, the special brunch, and cards from my kids, but oh how I wish she could be included more than with just memories.

Sometimes I allow myself to get a bit carried away with my imagination when I’m missing her.  I wonder what awesome things she’s doing up there.  Is she at a Mothers Day brunch in heaven?  I rationalize my wild thoughts, “Since there is a “Wedding Supper of the Lamb, and other mentions of heavenly feasts in the Bible, why not a brunch for mothers?”

I imagine what this brunch looks like.  Flowers of marvelous colors in silver vases.  And crystal bowls filled with fruit.  And bread.  And…

March 16-22 is the 2015 official date for  Brain Awareness Week.  This week is dedicated to brain research.  Our homeschooling science lessons will also be dedicated to brain research.  Below are some of the links we’ll be following during the week.

What our Brains Do Information and Diagrams  http://askabiologist.asu.edu/what-your-brain-doing

Brain Anatomy Vocabulary/Glossary   http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/anatomy/brain/glossary/

Best Brain Foods  http://www.parenting.com/blogs/mom-congress/melissa-taylor/brain-foods-kids-and-adults

Brain Training Interactives  http://www.mindgames.com/brain-games.php

Brain Hat Printable to Cut and Assemble  http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/homeschool-freedownloads/lifesciences-games/brainhemishpere.php

Compare and Contrast Mammal Brains  http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/moreb.html

Brain Experiments and Activities  http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/experi.html

Brain Games Videos (not all will be young child appropriate, so previewing the episodes is a good idea)

http://bg3.nationalgeographic.com/episode/0/

Video of a Human Brain Dissection  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMqWRlxo1oQ

I’m feeling smarter already!

betty jo

Chinese New Year is Jan. 31 this year!  2014 is the year of the horse.  My J has already started a special project about the origins, traditions, and celebrations of Chinese New Year.  Below are some awesome links we’ve found for this project.  The whole family has been involved with helping him and we’re all learning!

Chinese New Year resources, games, recipes and printables  http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/chinese-new-year/

Printables, coloring sheets, worksheets and more  http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese-new-year

Chinese New Year craft ideas and instructions  http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/chinesenewyearsartscraftsideaskids.html

Free downloads for language arts and math activities with a Chinese New Year theme  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:chinese+new+year/Grade-Level/Homeschooler/Price-Range/Free

Chinese New Year Family Traditions  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noiouIzjJZE

Learn Mandarin Chinese – 40 online lessons with audio, including reading, speaking, writing, modern vocabulary, grammar, calligraphy, examples and exercises    http://www.chinese-tools.com/learn/chinese

So far J’s project is looking great and his report is coming together nicely.  We will be adding some arts and crafts and cooking this coming up…