On a Personal Note....

Over the past few weeks I have been re-energized to get our lessons back in the flow. Next Tuesday we start back with Latin, Read Alouds and Chess. The kids have done math every weekday for the last couple of weeks. I figure it was time for me to wrap up our life lessons learnt over the Summer with a short post.

Michelle and Ken wrapped up their Ballet lessons last week. Michelle will be continuing ballet classes in September. Oh how she loves this class! New words in French are spoken daily.

                                                                       

Ken is more into sewing and figured out she rather me use the money on more fabric. Since she is now taking lessons from an instructor she has flourished and knows exactly what her project will be for the day, week, month, year, you name it.

                                                                               

Over the weekend DJ made a decision to not play football anymore. Mostly because it was taking too much time away. Practice was everyday from 6-8pm. He learned a great deal, but most importantly he learned that football is not where he wants to spend his time on, at least not right now.

                                                                                

                                                                             

He rather be close to the animals.

I learned that I needed to have more patience than I did before. It is HARD waiting on people to visit the Studio, especially when they might not know this place exist. I have wanted to throw in the towel many of days! And then out of blue someone walks in with words of encouragement. I have to pray every night! Did I mention I miss being home? I also missed being in this space. I missed reading your blogs. Please tell me how has everything been for you? Have you learned anything new about Life this Summer? 

Friday Five: Geography Edition

In the past we have taken on geography through work plan assignments, special interest and through books that inspired the children. This year I have plans to incorporate Geography as a subject of it's own, which will allow them and I to make connections independently. I love it when subjects interconnect and I hope that the following top five resources that we will be using will help make this happen.


        1. Mapping the World By Heart.                                                             

2. We will be studying Biomes by using Waseca Biomes Curriculum. I am finishing up making the free resources and plan to purchase all necessary materials that I am unable to make. I am confident that this program is a great fit for Ken and DJ.

                                                                                  

3. Continent Boxes and Folders.

                                                                                

4. Fundamental Needs of Man cards and charts.    

                                                                              

5. Montessori Map Puzzles.

                                                                                  

Linking up with the Geography and History Meme hosted by All Things Beautiful, and Montessori MOMents Friday Five: Geography Edition.

                                                                           

                   

In The Hands of a Child~ A Schoolhouse Crew Review

 Schooling and reviewing a product from In the Hands of a Child has made Summer Schooling a breeze. We were given an opportunity to review the Edgar Allen Poe Project Pack which is geared towards grades 7-12th.
                                                                      

The project pack includes a five day lesson plan guide, 15 hands on activities, a 7 page research page, an answer key and tons of background information about Edgar Allen Poe.The Project Pack is by far the easiest review material I have ever received to implement with my children. It was as simple as reading through the materials, involving Michelle (10th grader) to choose a book to read from the suggested reading list and printing. I decided to go a step further and bind the Project Pack together since she was going to be using the Project Pack as an independent study and I like to keep everything as organized as possible.

                                                                             

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Once Michelle had all of her materials she worked through the Project Pack in three days, she is a voracious reader. She already had a strong interest in Edgar Allen Poe so this was a perfect study for her and lead her on many rabbit trails, that even after the Project Pack was finished she still continued to study Edgar Allen Poe, especially his lifestyle. The Project Pack is perfect in such a way that it gave enough information for her to do research, but left enough out so that Michelle was able to make research work of her own from the information.

                                                                               

                           

Michelle's favorite activity from the Project Pack was writing about how Edgar Allen Poe's' childhood had an affect on his writing. I would have to take several photos of how much writing this inspired her to do:) Michelle loved this Project Pack and has requested me to give her more Project Packs. Using this Project Pack was easy peasy and I highly recommend this if you have an independent learner. I almost felt a bit guilty, because really I wasn't actively involved in this learning process. Then I had to remind myself isn't that one of our homeschooling goals, to become self learners? I didn't know that it could be this easy to meet our learning goals! I am incredibly grateful to In the Hands of a Child for creating this work and making it accessible and affordable.

 The cost of the Project Pack is $10.00, but as I publish this post it is on the website at a special price for $5.00. You can click here to download a sample.

I absolutely love the Project Packs and In the Hands of a Child offers so much more. Go check them out!

                               

Friday Five: Science Edition

I know it's Monday, but better late than never right? Again I am linking up with Lori at Montessori MOMents for her Friday Five: Science Edition.

In no particular order of favorites here we go!


1. We absolutely love our TK2 scope.

                                                   

2. Our anatomy models are used a lot! Right now we are studying Forensic Odontology so the Teeth Model is getting a lot of attention.

3. Books! We especially like the DK series of science books.

4. Computer programming with the LEGO MindStorms NXT. They are learning much more than robotics.

5. Our Timeline of Life. The kids have managed to use this timeline for more than a year's worth of zoology studies, and currently are using it to challenge or agree with theories on evolution.

We are a science loving family so please note that our list could go on and on :)

Refocusing!

Just a word of encouragement for those like myself who may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the material making involved in homeschooling using the Montessori Method. I have been reading our State's Standards(Michigan) and 7th Grade Social Studies particularly makes me feel good. Why? Well I would like  for you all to visit this link here. I think if you have been doing any research for Elementary or Upper Elementary you may be able to see that ALL of the lessons involving The Fundamental Needs of Man covers most of the requirements and when the child is left to absorb the information and takes little rabbit trails along the way they probably would surpass these standards. As my eyes were reading I had a lightbulb moment. I find it is going to be much easier for Ken, DJ, and I if I continue to make the materials, and plus we love the Montessori Method. 

Friday Five: Advanced Practical Life Edition

I am joining in with Lori at Montessori MoMents for Friday's Five. This week Lori's theme is Practical Life. You can join in too, and your Friday Five doesn't have to be about Practical Life if you are inspired to share your Friday Five about something else.

I absolutely love all things Practical Life, there truly isn't one work in this area that wouldn't make this list. However, I am going to accept the challenge and narrow it down to five. These Practical Life activities are my children's list of their five most favorite works.

                                                                           

1. DJ absolutely loves Woodworking. Once he is into a project he may even miss a meal, which says a lot for this kid.

                                                                                        

2. Baking is Michelle's favorite thing to do. I love how she has even created her own recipes and her decorating skills are improving every time she bakes. 

                                                                                  

3. Sewing is one of Ken's favorite past times. She has been keeping her foot on the pedal all Summer long!

                                                                                

4. Learning how to use dissection tools. Oh boy!

                                                                             

  5. LEGO building. My girls have even been enjoying using LEGOS and following those directions in the manuals. The model above had three manuals involved. Have you ever tried to build a LEGO creation with over 1000 pieces? It is no small feat. Michelle has been using some of DJ's LEGO skills to create animations.                                                  

Well there you have it the kids Favorite Five Practical Life activities. Thank you Lori for hosting!  I have been trying to find a way to jump back into blogging and this theme was just perfect.

Have a great weekend everyone!