Homeschool Swap

I just participated in a fun exchange with my "swap sister" from the Homeschool Post.  Not having a sister in real life, I'm always interested in opportunities to make my own "sister" friends.  ;0)  I got to know Lourdes through email and we exchanged gifts with each other.

Here is what she included in the package for me:

a box of tea
a small jar candle
Jolly Ranchers
Werthers Caramel Coffee
a pack of bright cardstock

Lourdes was kind enough to include a little gift bag for each of the girls, as well.  Lil Sis received a light up ball in her favorite color (purple) and Baby Girl got a rattle.  Big Sis got some bubble gum, a blank book for journaling, and an American Girl Josefina story book.  I thought it was especially nice to put something labeled with their names into the package.  They were excited!  Thanks, Lourdes!

If you'd like to join in the fun, be sure to check out the sign-ups for the next Swap Sister exchange!

Butterflies

In the most anti-climactic series of blog posts ever, I will now finish the story of our butterflies.  In case you'd like to read from the beginning, here are parts one and two.

I'm happy to report that we managed not to kill any all five chrysalides hatched into pretty Painted Lady butterflies!  There was a brief moment of panic when Lil Sis (3) wanted to get a "closer look" and shook the butterfly house a little by grabbing it a tad too roughly, but all was fine in the end.  Each butterfly emerged after about 9-11 days over a 2 day time span.  We made sure to feed them daily with a sugar water mixture.  We learned that carnations are a preferred flower, so we got some of those and carefully placed the sugar water mixture on the petals with a dropper.  We were able to observe butterflies using their proboscis like a straw to drink it up.

After about a week, it was time to let them go.  Although she had grown attached to them, Big Sis really wanted to release the butterflies into their natural environment.  It was a bittersweet moment for her.  She told them that they were welcome to visit anytime and warned them to watch out for birds and spider webs.  A caring mama right to the last minute!

We have always enjoyed watching butterflies around our yard, but now we have a vested interest.  We looked for our Painted Ladies over the next few weeks and we actually spotted a Monarch and a Swallowtail as well!  Since completing this study and lapbook, we can identify several different types of butterflies.

I never would've believed it was possible to get attached to bugs, but this study did give me an even deeper appreciation for the complexities and diversity of God's creation and the little miracles that happen around us everyday.  If He cares so much for these creatures, how much greater is His concern for us?  It's a nice lesson to see that God is involved in the details of such things.

Overall it was a great experience that Big Sis will never forget.  Before we even got back inside the house after releasing them, she asked me if we could do it again!  And how about ladybugs, too?  I guess this mom will have to get used to bugs in the house.  *shudder*

The simple things

I love the fall with its crisp, clear air.  I don't know if its the promise of a new school year and a chance to begin again or just the relief from the heat of summer, but fall inspires me.  God seems to have chosen His most special paintbrush for this season.

Last evening we enjoyed one of our favorite fall traditions -- making (and eating) s'mores!  We started the tradition when Big Sis was three, though it really has its roots in our early married years.  DH and I used to do a lot of camping BC (before children).  Fall camping is definitely the best.  Fewer bugs and just enough chill in the air to really be able to enjoy cuddling by the campfire.  I can still hear the crunch of leaves under our feet and breathe the smell of woodsmoke.  Of course the peace and quiet of enjoying nature as a young married couple has been replaced by the squeals and giggles of little girls as they smoosh marshmellows and chocolate together while graham cracker crumbs bounce off their chins.  It's a beautiful thing, let me tell you. 

Here is a picture of Big Sis at age three, enjoying her first s'more ever.  I think her expression says it all.  That and the chocolate on her face. (Photo is not great quality since it was taken before I had a digital camera and then scanned into the computer.)

Yes, her hair really is that naturally curly.

It seems like just yesterday that I took this picture, though it was five years ago!  Now Lil Sis, who was a mere twinkle in her father's eye then, is three.  It makes me realize that it's impossible to take too many pictures of the girls.  I want to freeze all these moments to look back on one day.

What inspires you?  What are your fall family traditions?

Rocking Robots (DNG review)

Robots seem to hold a fascination for children of all ages.  From toy robots to their favorites in cartoons, robots can be a great device to encourage learning, especially when incorporated into a unit study and lapbook such as Rocking Robots, the latest Download N Go from Amanda Bennett and The Old Schoolhouse.

All of the work is done at a low cost with high educational content when you purchase Rocking Robots.  It contains Daily Objectives for five days of study, including the suggested reading list and embedded links.  If you like to utilize the latest information from the Internet in your studies, Download N Go does a great job of providing the links right there for you.  It saves hours of scouring the Internet yourself looking for safe and appropriate information related to your topic of study.  I don’t know about you, but my time is limited and valuable, so this is a great asset!

Rocking Robots is another example of Download N Go’s ability to take a subject that kids are naturally interested in and turn it into something of educational value that covers math, history, science, vocabulary, and more in an engaging way. One of the highlights of Rocking Robots is the Robot of the Day lesson where we get to learn about a “real” robot in action.

Big Sis eagerly looks forward to our Download N Go lessons and the time we spend lapbooking together.  Because the lesson plans are so organized and clearly laid out, parent-preparation time is minimal.  We make a trip to the library to gather our books and we’re ready to go!  I don’t have to spend a lot of time putting the material together, so I can spend more time just enjoying the learning right along with her!  Kids can do the lessons independently if necessary as well.

If you want to give lapbooking and unit studies a try and aren’t sure where to start, I highly recommend the DNG series.  They’re available instantly so you can start anytime, affordable, adjustable to different ages so multiple children can work together, and just plain fun.





Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of this DNG for review purposes in exchange for my honest opinion.

So many choices! (CSN Review)

Remember that CSN Stores review I promised you?  Well, I didn't end up with a headboard, but I did have a lot of fun "window shopping" through their 200+ stores.  Is it any wonder why it took me so long to decide what to get?  Even though I was tempted by everything from the cute baby shoes to housewares, in the end I decided to get something that would appeal to a lot of homeschoolers.  With products from Melissa & Doug, EduShape, Guidecraft, Educational Insights, Young Scientists, Magic School Bus, and more, the selection is great.  Here is what I finally chose:

Patch Products "Go Togethers" Language Cards
 
Features:

• Go - togethers language cards
• Includes 20 pairs of related objects
• Develop kids' thinking and reasoning skills
• Make them aware of relationships by matching associated pairs
• Quality tin storage box
• 40 cards and activity guide
• Full color photographs or illustrations
• Great for special needs children
• Ages 3 and up

I chose these for Lil Sis (3).  I want to work on her vocabulary and speech skills in a fun way so this seemed like a good idea.  It works simply -- one card has a picture of paint brushes while another card has a picture of watercolor paints, or a picture of a dog would match to a picture of a dog food bowl.  You get the idea.  I spread some cards out for her and ask her to find the things that go together, or hold up a card and ask her "What goes with this?"  Lil Sis can then match objects together.  She finds the cards and then tells me "This goes."  She has enjoyed it and feels proud of herself when she finds a match.  She also likes to just look at the pictures and name objects, colors, and shapes.  I can even see using these as story starters with Big Sis (8) by giving her several picture cards and telling her to use those objects in her story.

I have to admit I'm a little disappointed, though.  The cards aren't as sturdy as I expected.  These will easily bend, or worse yet, fall apart when a certain baby starts to chew on them.  ahem  I was expecting the same kind of quality as the DK Touch and Feel flashcards that we have, but these are more like slick cardstock.  The DK cards are about ten times as thick with the additional element of the tactile sensory stimulation of the touch and feel -- for the same price or less.  The storage tin is a nice extra, but doesn't make up for the thin cards.  I could've made these cards myself by just finding some appropriate clip art and laminating some cardstock.  That being said, we will use them, but I wouldn't purchase them again or buy the other sets I was considering.

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The other item I purchased was the Iris three drawer movable storage cart with an organizer top.

I really needed something to organize our lapbooking and craft supplies that would fit nicely in a small space next to my desk.  This is the perfect size, I'm happy to say.  It didn't take me long to fill all three drawers, either!  The "organizer" top is like one of those desk drawer organizers -- little compartments that could hold pens, pencils, paper clips, notepads, etc.  I really can't use it for much at this point because with Lil Sis and Baby Girl wandering around, any kind of choking hazards or sharp things like scissors have to be stored in a child-proof place!

One of my favorite things about this storage cart?  It's made in the USA!  All of the Iris product line is, too.  They have everything from scrapbook storage folders to big storage bins and everything in between.  I was really pleased to find this at CSN.

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My overall opinion?  CSN has a little bit lot of everything.  It's easy to order on the website and they even offer PayPal as an option.  I've added them to my list of places to look when I'm comparison shopping online.  The shipping was quick and many items offer free shipping, too.

I did discover that when given some money to buy whatever I want, I spend a good deal of time in shock and awe before making a choice.  Then I second guess that choice and start all over.  Then I panic that the decision process is taking too long so I just buy the first things on my list.  Then I kick myself for not making a wiser choice.  Then I realize that it didn't cost me anything, so what the heck?  Then I tell the whole story on my blog.  Just keepin' it real, folks.  However, if anyone else wants to give me gift certificates or free money to spend, I'll accept it with shock and awe graciously and do my best.


Disclaimer:  I received a gift certificate from CSN Stores in exchange for my honest opinion and review of any item of my choosing.

Getting carried away with vocabulary

While relaying the day's schoolwork to Daddy when he got home, Big Sis (8) told him about the definitions of carnivore, herbivore, and omnivore.

Big Sis:  I defined these words today, Daddy!  "Defined" means to tell someone the meaning of a word.  Hey, I just defined "defined!"

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Lil Sis (37 months) has been taking more of an interest in schoolwork so she can be just like Big Sis.  One of her favorite things to use is a magnifying glass.  She carries it around and looks at everything with it.  It's funny to see her coming towards me with one big eye peering at me through the glass and the other eye scrunched shut.  What's even funnier is how she pronounces magnifying glass:  ma-wah-fy-ging gwass.  Another one of my favorites is feather, which Lil Sis pronounces fedder.  I don't ever want to forget all those cute little quirks of speech!

Hop on over to Not Before 7 to read more Tiny Talk!

Homeschool Village -- History

This week's topic at the Homeschool Village is about our own homeschooling history -- when did we first hear about/consider homeschooling?

At 12 years old, I vividly remember being in the car with my mom as we were running errands one day.  The car in front of us at the stoplight had a bumper sticker that read Proud Homeschool Mom.  I'd never heard the term "homeschool" before, so I asked my mom about it.  When she said that some people teach their children at home rather than sending them to public school, you could've knocked me over with a feather!  You mean you can actually do that?  We have a choice?

That was in 1987.  Whoever was driving that car that day was really a pioneer at the time.  They were brave enough to buck the system and announce that different path to the world (or at least to our town as she drove around).  I decided right then and there that no child of mine would be forced into public school if there was an alternative.  I began telling everyone that I was going to be a teacher when I grew up.  I wrongly assumed that you had to have a teaching certificate to homeschool, but it became that important to me that I would do whatever it took to spare my children the misery of what I had endured in public school.  This isn't meant to be a "bash public school" post, but it was my perspective at the time when I first heard of homeschooling because of my own personal experience.

About four years after seeing that bumper sticker, I became involved in a 4-H Journalism program.  The leader of the group just happened to be a homeschooling mom of five.  I learned a little more about homeschooling and became even more convinced that it was what I wanted for my future kids.

Fourteen years after first hearing the term "homeschool," our first daughter was born.  By that time, my husband and I had become Christians and had even more reasons to homeschool.  Thankfully, DH never questioned my conviction about homeschooling and has continued to encourage it all along.

I'm sure that woman never knew what an impact her bumper sticker had!  I know that God planted that seed in my heart when I was just a child.  Homeschooling is a part of my destiny that I absolutely embrace.

Chrysalides!

Our caterpillars are transforming!

Our caterpillars grew quickly and each of the five made a chrysalis at the top of the jar.  It was exciting to cheer them on and watch as they each climbed to the top and hung upside down.  This happened between the 7th and 9th days after they arrived.  {I'm not blogging this real-time, obviously, because my blogging time has been so limited lately.}

Big Sis documented the progress and drew some pictures for her lapbook and butterfly journal.  She said she decided not to name them because she didn't want to get too attached to them since we planned to release them.  *sniff*  I think it was too late to not get attached to them.  I even found myself rooting for them.  Bugs.  Really.

The next step was actually transferring them to the netted butterfly house.  DH did this part because I didn't want to touch them.  Because they're bugs, remember?  We were nervous since they seemed so fragile and papery, but it worked out.

Big Sis thought it was pretty entertaining to watch them jump and twist occasionally like Mexican jumping beans.  She learned that it is a method of self-defense to deter predators.  As two of the last caterpillars climbed their way to the top, they apparently came too close for comfort to the other chrysalides so we got to see this in action.  ;0)

To read the first installments, click here.