Cells

In science we are learning about the human body and our first lesson was about cells. We enjoyed this lesson because we got to make a model cell.

Zip-lock bag= cell membrane
Jello= cytoplasm
Piece of fruit (banana) = nucleus


Our cells divided and grew a new cell.

Then of course we ate them!

Love and Logic

Love and Logic is the parenting course that I have just started taking for the third time. I love it and the things they teach seem so powerful. I just wish I was perfect at doing them.

The course that I just started is run by a couple from Firth Idaho and is offered through our IDVA school. It is a live online classroom. Tonight was our first meeting out of six. They even have a blog that they keep. http://schooleffectivelyathome.blogspot.com/

I feel that my parenting is in serious need. I also want what is best for my children and so therefore I will keep studying and trying to improve myself.

Tonight what I am most excited that I learned (or relearned) is Recovery. A twist on time-out. Recovery is not a punishment but a chance to 'pull ones self together'. Heaven knows how bad I need to send myself to recovery often. And I think that it is good for kids to see that we have frustrations. It's okay that Mom struggles. We all do.

Another thing I was glad to be reminded of is how Love and Logic teaches ways to be the good person in my kids eyes. I can still parent them and be on their team.

I hope and pray that I will be able to apply all that I learn or at least one thing. Just as long as I make an improvement of some kind.

My top 5 things I've learned

#5 - There are a lot more choices than just public school when it comes to education .

Maybe I should have realized it sooner but I really just learned in the last two years that public school is not the only choice and that in fact public schools were started so that the poor could have a chance to be educated too, not neccessarily ment for everyone. And I love this education that we found.

#4 - Moms need socialization just as much as kids.

Infact, I have to say that one of the reasons I love to homeschool so much is because of the friends I have made, and because I get to get out and be with them on a pretty regular basis.

#3 - I am crazy!

Many people have told me that I must be patient or organized or motivated ect., and while I don't think any of this is true I do think I am crazy. This is not easy and if I don't fit any of the compliments I must be crazy.

#2 - I like being crazy!!

I do love what I do. Not all the time but in the long term perspective I love that we are willing to do this.

#1 - I love to have my kids around!

I understand many women love to send their kids away and have a break and while I do like to have a break every now and then I more prefer to have them with me. All the cute things they do and say. All their unconditional love. All their help. Their sweet voices and hugs. Non-stop hugs at that. Next to all these reasons, we get to choose what time to get up, how long we want to do school, where we want to do school, and when and if we want to go outside in the cold. I can't seem to adjust to the thought that it is nice to have them gone 7+ hours a day 5 days a week. That seems like a bit much. I guess you could call me selfish.

"A Mile Wide and a Mile Deep"

There is a saying that the curriculum of k12 is "a mile wide and a mile deep." I would have to say that that makes total sense to me.

In literature Lulu has been reading stories from the American Revolution (both sides of the story) to the Civil War to stories of immigrants and pioneers. She has even read stories about Abraham Lincoln and the Gold Rush and of course classical stories.

In history we have been learning about ancient Rome with stories about Cincinnatus, Julius Caesar, and Augustus Caesar. We even studied the 'Pax Romana' (Roman Peace) and the birth of Jesus Christ during this time (the beginning of Christianity). Today's history lesson is about the Good Samaritan. Next we will be learning about Pompeii. In fact the kids are very excited about these and asking me to do them right now.

In science we have begun simple physics and simple machines. Of course these are age appropriate lessons and it is my theory that every year they will get a little more in depth in subject matters like these. These simple lessons in the primary grades will help them grasp the harder concepts in the older grades.

In art we have been studying Henri Rousseau, and Leonardo da Vinci. We have been practicing different colors and lines with patterns. We love studying different art works and enjoy making them. Even the little girls like to get in on this action.

This curriculum really is 'a mile wide and a mile deep.' I love all that we are learning. I am excited that my kids are being subjected to such a great vastness of knowledge. I love being able to witness them learning. Words cannot explain how much it means to me to watch the light bulbs click on when they learn something new.

Socializing

This week to be social we went to game night on Wednesday where the kids got to just play with their friends and some neat toys. Thanks to another Mom who is doing this school for bringing them. We also went to Gym day on Friday and the kids played kick-ball. All the children that came were split up into age groups the two older groups worked on their presidential fitness and played volley-ball. The Kindergartners through second graders played kick-ball and the Preschoolers/toddlers played duck duck goose, had stories under a fun little tent, made turkeys out of paper plates, and tossed plastic bags in the air. They all had a great time. I am very grateful for all the time these volunteer moms give. My kids love going.

How fun it is for me to be able to watch them socialize. My kids are growing and learning and I get to enjoy every minute of it with them. How thankful I am!!!

P.S. I forget my camera when we go and do these things but I promise someday I will remember. (Last time we went to Gym Day they had a ballroom teacher come in and teach the kids. It was great to watch.)

We love art!

This week has been very busy and very full. We are trying to catch back up to where we would be if we had not gone to public school.

Any how - this week in art we have been learning more about lines, shapes, and colors in art. We studied primary and secondary colors. We looked at art works like 'Two Cats' by Franz Marc and 'The Water Hole' by N. C. Wyeth, and many more.

The kids learned a little about the life of Franz Marc and we studied his painting 'Two Cats'. Then the kids made their own painting from primary colors (red, yellow, and blue). That was the colors of paint I gave them then they made their own secondary colors (orange, purple, and green).





















Lulu painted 'Cat in a Pumpkin' and Buster painted 'Buffalo Drinking'. They named their painting themselves. I am excited about what comes from their most recent art work. It is a multiple set process and today they will do their second step in the process.

We are excited about our art because our plan is to make our home into an art museum and send out invites for people to come join us to look at our art. Of course with refreshments!

We're back!

Sorry for the lack of posts. It is about to get lots better. Why have we been gone? We decided to put our kids into regular old public school. You know, the brick and mortar school. While the public school did have its good points we felt disappointed for the most part. The kids missed k12 and I missed k12.

We have been back for a week and have been loving it. Some things cannot be mocked till you try it. I understand it is not for everyone but it is for us.