A short exert from Thor Ramsey on homeschooling his daughter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3kIz0hwLUY
Happy Monday, and have a fantastic week!
betty jo
Homeschooling Humor
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Tag Archives: kids
Thanksgiving Unit Study Ideas and Resources
This week we began our Thanksgiving unit studies with a couple of Pre-Thanksgiving activities. Below are some of the links we followed as we both reviewed and learned about the early American Settlements of Roanoke and Jamestown.
3 Articles about the history and mystery of the Roanoke Colony http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/roanoke2.htm
Roanoke Colony Creative Writing Prompt http://castelliclassroom.weebly.com/classroom-updates/roanoke-writing-prompt
Online interactive Jamestown adventure http://www.historyglobe.com/jamestown/
Jamestown Interactive webquest adventure http://web.archive.org/web/20040811071346/http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/schools/catoctin/3rd/webquests/jamestown/
Jamestown reading comprehension and printable quiz http://mrnussbaum.com/jamestown-printable-reading-comprehension/
The Natives and The English video from Crash Course http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTYOQ05oDOI
In addition to the early settlement studies, we began this thankfulness Bible study with printable cards and daily question/activity suggestions http://www.faithgateway.com/thanksgiving-bible-verses-free-printable/#.UnUbfhDZjFD
For the school days from now until Thanksgiving we we will be notebooking, crafting, cooking, reviewing, and researching who, what, when, where, and why – everything associated with the Plymouth Colony. We will keep journaling pages and bulletin boards of what we discover.
Below are the links we’ll be using for resources as we travel back in time to visit early America over the next few weeks.
Plimoth Plantation “Just for Kids” Activities – Coloring, Talk Like a Pilgrim, Virtual Field Trip, History Detective, and more! https://www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids
Virtual field trip to the first Thanksgiving http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/webcast.htm
Thanksgiving Myths Debunked and other Thanksgiving Articles and Child Friendly Recipes https://www.education.com/articles/thanksgiving/
Interactive trivia quiz http://www.quia.com/rr/315169.html
This site is my favorite of all the resources I’ve found. We will use this site daily. http://search.freefind.com/find.html?id=76113&pageid=r&mode=ALL&query=&sitemap=Site+Map
Grammar lessons with Thanksgiving themed mad libs http://amyswandering.com/2012/11/09/thanksgiving-mad-libs-2/
Thanksgiving themed notebooking, activity, and poetry copywork printable pages http://www.notebookingnook.com/freebies-thanksgiving-notebooking-pages-activity-pages-and-copywork-notebook/
Jokes, poems, songs, and more (scroll down and look at the left sidebar) http://www.thanksgiving-day.org/thanksgivingday-fun.html
Stories, jokes, poems and coloring pages http://www.hellokids.com/search?recherche=thanksgiving&search_go=OK
Thanksgiving Math and Printables https://www.yummymath.com/2017/thanksgiving-football-black-friday-and-giving/
Thanksgiving history, fun facts, and census https://www.factmonster.com/culture-entertainment/holidays/thanksgiving
Thanksgiving themed math worksheets (for younger students) https://www.math-drills.com/search.php?s=thanksgiving&page=1&sort=weekly
How Many Calories Are on Your Thanksgiving Plate? https://www.thedailymeal.com/how-many-calories-are-your-thanksgiving-plate/112013
Ideas and instructions for Thanksgiving themed arts and crafts http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/thanksgivingartscraftsideaskids.html
Games that pilgrim children played https://www.mayflowerjuniors2020.org/games-the-pilgrim-children-played
Thanksgiving Music Playlist
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade interactive games http://social.macys.com/parade/#/games
On nice days we’ll be getting outside for some nature observations, football (not soccer), and archery practice and just maybe some fishing.
Our science is research based (meaning the kids will have to come up with their own resources for information) and will include the following topics:
- Human anatomy – digestive system
- Why does Thanksgiving dinner make us sleepy?
- Native American agriculture and nutrition of “The Three Sisters” (beans, squash, corn)
- Natural Resources, plants, and wildlife surrounding the Plymouth Colony
Thanksgiving themed free downloads and printables for all levels and subjects for homeschools (you will need an account, but that is free and easy to set up) http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:thanksgiving/Grade-Level/Homeschooler/Price-Range/Free
Resources and Activities of Thanksgiving with a modern history twist! https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/11/15/thanksgiving-been-there-done-that/
betty jo
Visiting Solitary
Do you read what your kids are reading? I do. Not just the books that I assign them for homeschooling, but also I read the books they select for themselves.
When I was a teen I read a lot of books I had no business reading. I got immoral ideas from some of them. I developed an unhealthy fascination with the occult from others. No matter what I read, I absorbed it and somehow fit it into my life. My parents did not have a clue what was between those paper back covers. I think they were just pleased that I was such an avid reader.
E17 is an avid reader, too. I trust her, (she sticks to Christian authors most of the time), but still I always try to know what she is reading. And sometimes, I find myself “caught up” in her library selections as much as she is. That is the case with The Solitary Tales by Travis Thrasher. We just finished Hurt, the fourth and final book in the series.
If I were having to categorize the Solitary Tales, I would have to say “Christian/Suspense/Horror/Supernatural Fiction”. Does that even make any sense? If not now, it will after you read them.
These stories are about a 16 year old boy , Chris Buckley, who moves with his mom to Solitary, North Carolina. Solitary, North Carolina is no place to raise a kid. It’s an evil place, with a heritage of evil, with evil people in charge. And most of the characters that are not evil , to say the least, are quite strange, like Aunt Alice. Chris is special, though, maybe even a hero.
Thrasher must be a fan of obscure rock music from the 80’s, for he includes lyrics and suggested playlists from bands I listened to back then. I won’t say anything more as I wouldn’t want to ruin it for you. But, you should know there are awesome Bible themes and Scripture references mixed with the horror throughout the series. I’m a little sorry that it’s over.
E17 and I have had many long talks about Solitary and Chris. And having long talks with my daughter is always good. I wonder what she’s going to bring home from the library next?
betty jo
Absolutely No Pinching!
A Wish for a Friend
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!
This is an Irish blessing we read with part of our holiday unit study of Saint Patrick’s Day. This poem and other Irish blessings, as well as everything else Irish can be found here:
http://islandireland.com/index.html
Write your own Irish Limericks with the help of this printable information page and writing pages https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/St-Patricks-Day-Limericks-120141?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_campaign=LimerickPin
We are using these free printables for notebooking http://www.cyncesplace.com/friday-freebie-st-patricks-notebooking-pages/
These two quotes from St. Patrick are going to look great on our pages!
We like playing “Would You Rather …?” games. Here’s one just for Saint Patrick’s Day. Some of these questions are crazy! All of them set up some awesome discussions. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/St-Patricks-Day-Would-You-Rather-Questions-119297
We made these shamrock treats! Hershey Kiss, Green M&M’s, and Pretzels – Bake at 275 Degrees for just a couple of minutes until the Kiss has melted. Watch carefully not to over cook, because burnt chocolate happens easily!
We have a few new rules during this study: must wear green, Irish accents and phrases are mandatory, if anyone finds a pot-o-gold they must share with Mom, and ABSOLUTELY NO PINCHING!
Last but not least, a brief history video on St. Patrick from Veggie Tales
Springing
It’s springing here in Western KY. With the time change springing ahead, the extra daylight hours have aided the trees in producing their blooms. Flowers are opening up and the grass has lost it’s dead color and found new green. The temperatures are a bit warmer. The birds that stayed around through the winter are singing a happier song than they were just last week.
Spring is a wonderful time for outdoor nature lessons. We have some flowerpots to decorate and a variety of flower seeds soaking to germinate before planting. We will be making a fairy garden around a tree stump in the back yard. We will be studying the spring nighttime skies, and making a weather center.
Spring is the time to get out the sports equipment, bikes, and kites. Hiking and picnics are on our spring agenda along with some outdoor field trips with our homeschooling support group.
Our middle ages history studies will move on into the Renaissance.
Spring is also a good time for poetry studies (picture my kids rolling their eyes and sighing).
Song of Songs (Solomon) 2:11-12
Don’t you see? The winter is done.
The rains and clouds have come and gone.
The flowers are unfolding in the fields;
the birds are warming up their songs,
Poetry can be in the form of music, too (picture my kids no longer rolling their eyes or sighing).
betty jo
Art Day – Sistine Chapel Style
As part of our “cathedral” section of our current middle ages unit studies, we researched Michelangelo and his masterpiece ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. To get a feel of what laying on your back and painting was like, we taped some paper to our dry erase board and and set it across a couple of chairs, then took turns laying under it to paint Bible story scenes. Even the homeschool graduate wanted in on this project. I love it when our assignments capture the interest of the older kids.
This is A21.
Z7 and B14
A22 and E17
J9 and the finished Bible Story Paintings.
And here are the links we used for our study and notebooking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaiOzJHKaRQ
http://artsmarts4kids.blogspot.com/2007/09/artist-profile-michelangelo.html
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/michelangelo.htm
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/michelangelos_surprise.php
http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/m/michelan/index.html
For other art related posts click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/12/leonardo-da-vinci/ and https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/06/raphael/
betty jo
The Pen of POWER
One of the most often used tools as a homeschooling mom is my red gel pen. It is known around here as “The Pen of POWER” (that needs to be said with a fading echo on the word “power”). With my trusted red gel pen I “X” out wrong math answers and missed spelling words. With my red ink I circle, underline, and comment all over essays and reports. I use this pen to record grades on their “PERMANENT RECORD”.
Sometimes I catch a look of dread as I am giving an assignment back to one of the kids as they notice the red all over. They know they will have corrections to make. They are learning that it is better to do it right the first time. Sometimes they may think that I’m being too critical with the grading. But, I “X”, circle, underline and comment because I’m trying to be helpful. I want to encourage them to try harder… to always do their best. I want them to learn that when mistakes are made, they should try to fix them. With my pen of power I help my kids share their ideas in ways that will be correct and easily understood. It is with this pen that I help them to be the best students they can possibly be.
In my old KJV, Christ’s spoken words are in red. These red words correct me when I’m wrong. These red words help me to learn what is correct and in a way that is easily understood. These red letters encourage me to try harder. They give me the push I need to be the best I can possibly be. His words are never too critical, but always helpful and always spoken in love.
I want my red letters to be spoken in love whether they say “A+”, or “rewrite”, or “correct for half credit”. My red gel pen truly does have power. Spiderman said, “With great power, comes great responsibility”. With my red gel pen I do have great responsibility…to train up my kids in the way they should go.
betty jo
Coffee And Donuts With The LORD At Home
We belong to a “cool and hip” kind of church. We have a coffee bar with the absolute best donuts, wi-fi, 2 large video screens and 1 HUGE one, special lighting, large speakers, and powerpoint There is so much musical talent in the church that the bands and worship leaders have to rotate. Our pastor is well educated, a marvelous speaker, tells jokes, juggles, preforms magic, and loves and cares. Dressing up is not a requirement. And the Presence of Christ is powerful, alive, and active. Yeah, like I said “cool and hip” very. Just last Sunday we started a new thing by watching video from Life Church TV’s series Altar Ego. With the broken car just sitting in the driveway waiting for the garage to have an opening, we were trying not to be bummed about missing today.
My husband takes his work truck to the donut shop and I make coffee. There is a kind of peace that we don’t usually experience on Sunday mornings. No one arguing about who’s turn it is for the bathroom, no one panicking over not being able to find a matching pair of socks, and no pressure to get all 8 of us somewhere on time. With the sermon available on the web we were going to have church at home. We have school at home nearly everyday, why not church sometimes, too
We send the two youngest off to another room (because last weeks sermon was PG) and husband, big kids and I settle in for Altar Ego part 2 – “Need for Control”. What?, Wait a minute- “Need for Control”? I’m thinking this might not be so good after all. I’m a momma, I control my household, my kids, our budgets, menus , our activities and schedules. If you asked my husband he’d tell you I have a lot of control over him, too. Control freak? Maybe, maybe not. I know to turn over my worries, I know God has better plans than I do..He’s the only one who really needs to be in control over our situations.
The preacher poses some questions about our need to be in control. The second one pierces me right in the heart…”Is it mine to control?”
My first born is 21 now. He works, he goes to college, he has a steady, serious long distance.relationship. He’s drug/alcohol free. But he messes up sometimes. And recently he messed up BIG TIME. While part of me wishes I could just step in and fix everything for him like I did when he was little (take control), the other part of me almost jumps for joy that he didn’t mess up like this during my watch. Today I know that he is not mine to control just to love. Below is the link to Altar Ego 2 . betty jo
Still Learning Something New
Welcome to my blog! Here you are always welcome. If it were possible, I’d offer you a cup of coffee or a Diet Coke (depending on the time of day), and we’d let my “big kids” watch the littles so we could hang out in the kitchen for a while and have a minute or two of grown-up time. Of course I know we’ll end up talking about the kids. But, just maybe there will be a little more to it than that.
For starters, I’ll tell you how the name for this blog came about. Two reasons really…first, when ever I’m with a group of homeschooling moms, someone always makes the comment “I’m learning as much as the kids”. So true. Through our 15 year homeschooling journey, I have learned MUCH. And well I should have.. This is my 4th time in high school! 1. Graduate of Lone Oak High School a long time ago. 2. Learned along side my son who has graduated from Hendrickson Covenant High School . 3. Presently I am in both freshman and junior classes at Covenant High.(as my daughter calls her school) 4, And I’m just starting the learning journey over with my 2nd grader.
The other reason for naming my blog Still Learning Something New is because there is a MOMMA connection. When I was just a little girl, my momma was always learning a new craft, starting a diy project, making up recipes….you get the idea. She lead scout troops, taught Sunday school, taught crafting… After I’d left home, she started up an after school program in which gave her opportunity to continue learning more and share what she knew. She went back to college when she was in her 60s. She loved it. She said it’s so important to always be around children and to always be learning something new. She’s in Heaven now and I’m sure she’s Still Learning Something New everyday. Me too.
Still Learning Something New 