Fun School Explorations

Like I mentioned in my previous post, we’re getting back to our FUN SCHOOL Explorations.  These are activities that Caleb completes in addition to his daily lessons in Bible, English, spelling, and math.  I tweaked it a bit from what we’ve done in the past, and I’m hoping it’ll help add some fun into the school day.  I think it’s all self-explanatory, but if there’s any activity you’re curious about, just comment or shoot me a message.  I’ll be happy to explain. 
The nice thing about this schedule is that it can be tweaked to meet YOUR child’s interests.  It can also be used with ANY grade.  You can adjust how much research/reporting you require based on your child’s ability.  I’ve contemplated making one for Micah, but for now…I’m going to hold off.  When he enters first grade, I may make him one.  For now…it’s just for Caleb. 

Week 11 of Learning 2013-14

Well, it doesn’t normally take us longer than 5 days to complete a week of schooling.  However, this week 11, it did.  We had to put school on hold while we made a quick trip back to Georgia to visit my mom in the hospital (she’s been in for two weeks now, and she will soon be moving to a rehab facility).  So, with that said, here’s how week 11 went for us.
Micah, Kindergarten

• Bible – We continued to talk about Joseph.  Micah memorized Genesis 50:20a, and he also completed a “coat of many colors” puzzle piece.

• Phonics – This week Micah worked on the consonants ‘v’ and ‘f’.  He also worked on the phonograms “-ob, –ock, –ent, and –uff.”  His sight words were ‘away, she, this, who.’

• Poetry – Our poem this week was ‘Teddy Bear.’  We used the poem to find rhyming words, syllables, and periods.

• Math – This week we worked on the numbers 11-30. 

Caleb, Fifth Grade

• Bible – This week Caleb read about the Tabernacle.  He read from Exodus and Leviticus.  Here’s his interpretation of the Tabernacle.

• Math – This week Caleb worked on long addition; addition word problems; rounding and estimating; pictographs and bar graphs; and adding three or more numbers.  He’s doing really well with Teaching Textbooks, and the fussing is gone.  So, this is a HUGE plus.
• English – This week Caleb worked on action verbs, direct objects, and sentences with more than one direct object.
• FUN SCHOOL Explorations – I am not sure why we ever got away from our “FUN SCHOOL” studies, but I made sure to implement them again this week.  I’ve tweaked the schedule quite a few times, and I’ll come back with a more detailed post on that.  Here’s what Caleb did during his FUN SCHOOL this week.
• Travel Somewhere Tuesday – Caleb chose to read about India.

• Want to Know Wednesday – Caleb used the Young Einstein’s Club website to find out a topic to research.  He chose to list 20 types of dinosaurs.

• Take it To Your Seat Thursday – Caleb sorted a box of dinosaur flash cards.  He chose to sort them by their appearance (long neck, short arms, etc).

• Tell Me More Tuesday – Caleb researched dinosaurs and then presented four facts.

• What Does it Mean Wednesday – Caleb used Hot Dots Vocabulary cards to study words.

So, it was a very productive and fun week.  I’m really hoping going back to our FUN SCHOOL Explorations will add lots of fun into the school day.  It also helps by giving Caleb a somewhat independent activity (or two) while I work with Micah. 

Week Ten of Learning 2013-14

Well, another week has come and gone. 
Micah, Kindergarten

• Bible – This week we started reading about Joseph and the coat of many colors.  We also read about how his brothers treated him, and how he eventually forgave them.  Micah’s memory verse is Genesis 50:20a.

• Phonics – This week Micah learned the letter ‘m’ and the short vowel ‘o.’  He learned the phonograms ‘-im, –op, –ot.’  His sight words were ‘not, make, funny, am.’
• Poetry – Micah’s poem this week was ‘A Wave.’  We used it to find periods, commas, and sight words.

• Math – This week Micah learned about telling time to the hour. 

Caleb, Fifth Grade

• Bible – Caleb continued to read from Exodus.  This week he read about Food in the Wilderness; The Ten Commandments; and The Golden Calf.  Here’s his interpretation of the golden calf story.

• Math – Caleb seems to still be liking Teaching Textbooks, and that couldn’t make me happier.  I don’t hear nearly as much complaining when it comes time for math.  This week he learned about families of facts, seasons, finding the missing number, and adding numbers ending in zeros.
• English – This week Caleb reviewed for and took a test on nouns. 

Both boys started a Co-Op class this week at one of the local churches.  Micah is taking a class on children’s literature and art, and Caleb is taking a rocks and minerals class.  They both enjoyed their classes and had fun.  We’re looking forward to seven more weeks of fun and classes.

***I’m sure you’ve noticed that there are lots of pictures of Micah but none of Caleb.  Well, Caleb is not a fan of pictures, and he always fusses when I try to snap one of him.  So, I tend to just avoid it in order to escape the fussing.  Maybe in time he’ll grow to be a fan of the camera.***

Week Nine of Learning 2013-14

We are finished with another week of learning, and it went really well.  Like I mentioned in my previous post, we’ve got lots going on.  So, it’s sometimes 3:30-4 before we get to our school work (Micah still naps, hence the late afternoon session), but – we’re staying on schedule. 
Micah, Kindergarten

• Bible – Our lesson this week was on Jacob and Esau.  Micah’s Bible verse was Matthew 7:12a.

• Phonics – Micah learned the letter ‘l’ and the phonograms ‘-ell and –ill’.  His sight words were ‘where, are, did, and no.’
• Poetry – Our poem this week was ‘The Brontosaurus.’  We used the poem to discuss rhyming words and syllables.

• Math – This week Micah worked on ordering events.

Caleb, Fifth Grade

• Bible – This week Caleb continued to read in Exodus, and he read about The Passover, the Exodus, and Crossing the Red Sea.  Here’s his interpretation of The Passover.

• Math – This week we started using Teaching Textbooks, and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s going so far.  Caleb completed 8 lessons and took a quiz.  He reviewed addition, addition facts, place value, days/months, reading a calendar, writing the date, and subtraction.  I’m praying we’ve finally found the BEST math curriculum for him…time will tell. 
• English – Caleb worked on nouns of direct address and prefixes.

We’re enjoying exploring the different parks here in our area.  We meet other homeschoolers at a local park every Thursday, and the boys love that they’re able to build forts.  Caleb also has fun gathering seaweed from the river.    There are so many other parks that we’ve yet to venture to, but we do look forward to making our way to them soon.

Week Eight of Learning 2013-14

We’re slowly finding our groove here in Florida when it comes to managing school lessons, extra curricular activities, and homeschool activities.  There are days when I’m totally spent, but it’s all worth it to see the smiles on Micah’s and Caleb’s face.  They’ve done really well adjusting to life here in Florida, and we’re starting to make some new friends, so that’s a huge bonus. 
Micah, Kindergarten

• Bible – This week we learned about Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac.  Micah’s Bible verse was Matthew 19:26b.  Micah painted a star with watercolors to represent God’s promise to Abraham that He would bless him with as many descendants as there were stars.

• Phonics – Micah worked on the consonant ‘g’.  He also worked on the phonograms ‘-and, –ig, –ug, –ag, –eg.’  His sight words were ‘for, help, jump, and look.’ 

• Poetry – Micah’s poem this week was ‘Family Tree.’  We used the poem to discuss commas, periods, and syllables.

Math – This week Micah worked on the numbers 11-19. 

Caleb, Fifth Grade

• Bible – Caleb continued to read in Exodus, and he read about Moses Kills and Egyptian and Flees to Midian; The Burning Bush; and The Plagues.  Here’s his interpretation of Moses killing the Egyptian and fleeing to Midian.

• Math – We took the week off from math as we waited for our Teaching Textbooks order to arrive.  Caleb really didn’t mind at all.  LOL!
• English – Caleb worked on irregular nouns, singular and possessive nouns, and appositive nouns.

Both boys have started with archery lessons, and they’ll be able to practice 3x a month.  This is something we’ve wanted for some time for them.  My dad taught them both how to shoot, and I’m sure he’s proud to see them continuing with the skill.

Stay tuned to see how Week Nine went…