Tag Archives: homeschooling

April Fool’s Day – Learning Resources

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April-Fools-Day2April Fool’s Day isn’t the type of holiday that warrants a day off from homeschooling lessons.  However, it is one of those holidays that can be a homeschooling lesson theme.  Here’s some resources for teaching and learning on April Fool’s Day.

History –  “As April Fools’ is celebrated in different ways throughout the world, it is unknown exactly how the tradition originated. Some cultures saw it as the first day of spring, celebrating with general merriment and feasting, and certain calendars may consider it the first day of the year. One theory for the terming of an April Fool was that some refused to follow these calendars that recognized April 1st as the first day of the year, which resulted in being called an April Fool.”  And more history and information from here  http://wilstar.com/holidays/aprilfool.htm

Bible –  Study of “the fool” based on Proverbs 26  https://bible.org/seriespage/fool-proverbs-261-11

Language Arts – Worksheets and Word Game Printables  http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/april-fools-day/printables/

Science – Videos and Experiments  http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/blog/informal-science-education/celebrate-april-fools-day-with-floating-paper-airplanes-three-cup-monty-and-the-dangers-of-dihydrogen-monoxide/

Math – Magic Trick instructions using numbers – http://easycalculation.com/funny/tricks/trick1.php

Yes! I have some googly eyes in the craft box. My kids look in the fridge about 100 times a day (hoping the food selection has changed?) . This will be funny!

1522066_528375657279404_2026485770_nLast year we had some fun pranking each other.  Here’s the resources we pulled some ideas from.  I checked, and it seems the links are still good.  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/31/foolish-studies/

Have a fun day of foolish studies!

betty jo

 

 

Spring Cleaning

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spring-cleaning-road-signHooray!  It’s finally spring.  Now if our weather would just act like it!   So while we’re waiting for spring to actually make it’s appearance outside our door, we can get on that “Spring Cleaning” thing.  Our house NEEDS it.  Even though we “tidy” several times a day, it’s not deep, serious cleaning.  The windows, walls, corners, and baseboards have been sadly neglected for several months.

Spring WC Cartoon_full

I’ve found a couple of links to follow as guides as we work in some extra projects throughout the next week (or however long it takes).

Printable room by room cleaning check list  (there’s some items here that I had not thought of)  http://richlyrooted.com/2014/03/deep-spring-cleaning-game-plan-with-printable-checklist.html

Some times it’s best to separate during clean up instead of all of us working in the same room.  These task cards will work well for when we aren’t working well together.  These also will work well all through the year when we only have a few minutes “heads up” that company is coming.  Everyone draw a card and ready set go!   http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/cleanup-blitz-cards-a-free-parenting-and-housekeeping-tool/

Over the past several months we’ve been making our own cleaning products.  I’ve counted this in with lessons in economics, chemistry, environmental science, home ec., and lifeskills.  If my kids were a little younger, math and reading comp would be lessons covered too.  This link takes you to  67 recipes!   http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2013/06/homemade-all-natural-cleaning-recipes.html.

And here’s a little more  to go with this spring cleaning theme.  “Why We Spring Clean” from a scientific view point, and some history and geography as the possible origins of spring cleaning are examined.   http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/spring-clean-in-spring.htm

We won’t be forgetting the music!  Cleaning is much more fun when there’s music!

Top 10 pop songs for spring!  http://top40.about.com/od/top10lists/tp/springpopsongs.htm

A few others with “Spring” in the lyrics.  http://www.songfacts.com/category-songs_with_seasons_in_the_title.php

betty jo

Brain Awareness Week

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Brain Awareness WeekIt’s  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/

Label Diagram Printables  https://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/anatomy/brain/Classroom.shtml

Best Brain Foods  https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-brain-foods

Brain Training Interactives   https://www.mindgames.com/

Brain Hat Printable to Cut and Assemble  PDF   http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/homeschool-freedownloads/lifesciences-games/documents/BrainHatColor.pdf

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

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

Video of a Human Brain Dissection (not for the squeamish)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMqWRlxo1oQ

Bible verses about the mind https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Mind

I’m feeling smarter already!

betty jo

Happy 1st!

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1st-birthday-1Is it a birthday or an anniversary?  Still Learning Something New officially began February 21, 2013.   Birthday feels like the right word.  The original idea to encourage, advise, and share ideas and resources to a web based homeschooling community was a “conceived” notion (and like each of my five children, a complete surprise)!  I spent months keeping the idea hidden inside of me.  After some time, I trusted my ideas with my family and some of my closest friends.  I prayed, fell in love, made lists, researched, studied, compared, prepared, and finally “birthed”  Still Learning Something New.

I had absolutely no idea what to expect from my own blog , and I’m both surprised and pleased with all that’s happened during this first year.  40,000 views from more than 60 countries, 200 subscribed followers, a social media audience,  awards, and best of all, friendships made.   And of course, lessons learned.

Instead of sharing lesson plans or advice today, I’m sharing some of the highlights from this first year.

The post most visited and shared  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/05/27/preparing-the-defense/

My attempt to explain our family’s learning method  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/05/08/why-and-how/

The one I wrote from my heart and barely received any views  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/11/concerned-teacher/

The Homeschooling Humor posts on Mondays have been fun for me.  I so NEED to start the week off with a funny or two.  You can access the complete Monday collection here  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/?s=homeschool+humor

My favorite thing about our homeschool is our chalkboard wall and I’ve had the most comments left on the posts when I’ve shared our art.  Our wall gallery can be seen here  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/one-of-our-favorite-things-the-wall/

As I look back over the year these are the two posts that tie for what I thought were the best.  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/04/blogs-in-heaven/ and https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/05/the-pen-of-power/

The special days posts seem to be the most helpful for both myself and those of you who visit.  The special days listing for March is being worked on now so be looking for it in a few days.  It won’t be until April that there’s a listing for a whole year.  Then, I’ll start improving them.  For the past months click here  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/page/2/?s=special+days

I thank each and everyone of you that visit here.  You encourage me.  I’m curious about what year two is going to be.  Know that I would welcome any comments and suggestions from you.

betty jo

 

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 !
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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.
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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

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

15 He gives a command to the earth,
    and it quickly obeys him.
16 He spreads the snow like wool.
    He scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He throws down hail like rocks.
    No one can stand the cold he sends.
18 Then 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 –
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 –
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 “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!
1610035_626941697376543_236443742_n              1460973_584443378304185_1738421577_n
1800413_584443411637515_1941961007_nThis 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.
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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!
imagesbetty jo

2014 Sochi Winter Olympics – Teaching Resources

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Winter-Olympics-LogoWe 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