Shapes

Today I had a boy NOT wanting to homeschool at all.

So we did fun homeschooling today. :)

We used plasticine and we used it to make some different shape.

BUT I CAN"T was the frequent response.
So I would show him, and explain that plasticine is nice, if you make a mistake, you can just squish and try again (he's a perfectionist type). We had fun learning that boxes are squares all connected together. That balls are spheres which are circles all rounded out. That rectangles are like squares that have been pushed out longer and sometimes flatter. That ovals are circles that have been flattened a bit. and so on and so forth.

and then we put them together in different robot shapes.

AND after that we walked around the living room looking for the different shapes throughout the living room and kitchen. Shapes are EVERYWHERE. :) Sometimes they are hidden and sometimes two shapes are in the same place.

Stars: in the tree, at the door, in "bunny town"

These two cylinders are dancing together.
We found cylinders in candles, for light posts, as markers, and more.

We also played a game for a construction equipment study that we have. We used construction pieces that the lad built out of lego as our game pieces. :) He won both matches, much to my chagrin.

Christmas Break Books

A houseful of Christmas



I have to admit, when I first read this book, didn't think much of it. But the boy child seemed to like it so we read it again. It grew on me. Caused the lad to ask questions which I always appreciate.

Mog and the granny.



We got this book out because it's about a cat! It's actually a fun read about a cat and how she likes things to stay the same.

happy Christmas Ginger.



A simple book about a cat experiencing Christmas. One part made the lad laugh and say "why mommy, Why would the cat like cookies???"

If you were born a kitten



this book surprised me. and the lad would sit and listen as opposed to play and listen. he's often stick the thumb in his mouth too. Found that an interesting response. Talks about different ways that animals are when they are born.

Farm-Fresh Cats


I really just need to write a lapbook on this book. It's just a very fun read for a child to have. :)

So Many Ways to Defend Themselves

A non-fiction book about how animals defend themselves. Some things we knew, others were a complete surprise. Interesting read.

Camouflage by Kennon O'mara

We got this book out to go with the camouflage unit study that we continue to work though. Good book. Caused questions to be asked. had some good pictures in it as as well. Really showed the lad how white the artic hare and the artic fox where.

The Holly Hill Christmas Treasury

A good collection of stories, poems and more all about bunnies celebrating Christmas. The lad enjoyed it immensely.

The Golden Christmas Treasury

Can't say I liked this one as much. Neither did the lad. It had a couple of good stories in it, and poems that were fun, but that's about it.

The Christmas Cat

The lad liked this book and for the most part so did I. Decent read.

The Innkeeper's Daughter


I have to admit, I'm fussy with books that are Bible based... or at least bible story based. I didn't mind this book but found it a bit far-fetched and therefore couldn't really get into reading it beyond the once. Did lead to a good discussion with the lad about whether or not it was possible to have that kind of healing happen.

A visit from St. Nicholas and Santa Mouse too!


the mouse saved this story for the lad. :) Santa's not real mommy he said with a frown. Who's that mouse mommy? And so we read it. Not a bad book at all.

Bunny Christmas

An okay read, didn't read it beyond one or two times. he had a fondness for a couple other books more.

Waiting for Christmas Stories

Read it twice. Stories seemed not real to the lad, so he didn't much listen to them.

Snow Dog's Journey

The lad liked this book. Surprised me a bit that he did. he's not real big into dogs at this point, but this book he had a fondness for. Read it quite a few times. Always with different questions too.

The little reindeer


sometimes flights of fancy are just fun to read. And this one fit well with the season of sometimes pretend.

MEOW

LOVES this book. Makes him laugh.

Daniel's Gift


Another sorta bible based story. Made the boy listen and think, so I liked that. He knew it wasn't a true story though. :)

London's Children's Museum

Today we went to the London's Children's Museum. We stopped at McD's for a late lunch afterwards, and the lad played on the play centre afterwards.

The lad played and Played with a boy called Kyan. Kyan is four and they just had a blast together. They met at the dinasaur pit and just clicked.

So he learned cooperative play! He expressed his creativity. We played rough and tumble dinasaur's and then he had fun burying them in sand. This turned into wash and then dry them at Kyan's request. I made a rubbing of a dinosaur skin while they played. Then off the two boys went while grampa, Jim and I tagged along. Tried on Firemen suits. Then off to play in the space center, the kitchen, and doctor's office and in the treehouse. Just action and moving and chatter. They had an excellent time.
Justin and Kyan had to teach Tom (the bad cat from our night time stories) to NOT eat rabbits. So they rushed around finding all kinds of good foods for Tom to eat so that he would learn to be nice. They succeeded! :)

They were both goobs. They would run and then just fall for no apparent reason. Parents with girl children would stop and gasp. Those of us with boys just smiled and shook our heads. :) It was actually kinda funny having that 'kinship' in parenting that way. :)

Both boys were sad when they ran out of energy. We chose to leave and go for a late lunch, Kyan stayed behind to snack with grandpa.

Just a nice day out for all concerned.

Special Days -January

I find these lists just interesting, they always make me want to do something on those funky days. :)

These are for January.

Winter Wonders and Lego

Today we learned about deciduous trees and Evergreen trees. Snow and ice and Lego and patience. :)

We started working on the Winter Wonders unit study/lap book from DownLoadNGo. You can also get it from The Old Schoolhouse store, where you will find it here for $7.95. We did day one and day two. Not all of it, but most of it. It was actually fun. I made Justin write out the words that he could. He's very good at copying letters just as I write them... So I'm TRYING to be neater in my writing! Sometimes I think that's a lost cause though.

Day one consisted of learning about Seasons.
Day two consisted of learning about Snowflakes. :)

and yes, it was a bit more involved than that, but basically that's what we focused on. :) AND since it is winter here, we went tobogganing on the SNOW! :) We had a WHOLE lot of fun tobogganing, other children were out in the hill too which of course made it all the better. I've decided I need to lose some weight so I fit into my splash pants again. :)

We are hoping tomorrow to go visit the London's Children's museum in the late morning, early afternoon, but in the morning I want to see about getting the lad to paint with ice cubes. See if it's possible to do that as an experiment. Should be interesting. It was suggested as a fun activity through the DNG study. Found it here.


OH! How did the lego fit into all of this? the Lad got lego for Christmas. I wanted something bigger to keep it in so I bought some bins on Monday and today we sorted them out and played and talked. it was a good time to go over again what we learned during the study. We had some fun figuring out what evergreens are called. I said.. Are they called everblacks? NO!!!! was the laughter back to me.. they are evergreens mommy! they are green not black! :) It was a good moment. We sorted and talked and played, and then went outside and played some more. We also had some of Dad's fresh made bread...YUMMY!

Things Justin wants to do....

Stained Glass Jesus Craft. I found this site through Totally Tots.
Justin in establishing the parameters for this craft. Mommy, does it have to have words on it? can I put bunnies on it? what about a hare? Can I do something different?
Me --- You can do whatever you want buddy, as long as we can make it, and make it fit on the paper.
J --- oh, yes, I want to make it!

Nativity Pop Up Cards
Once again, he needed to establish the parameters around this. Could he make it different? Did it have to be a people picture or could he make it with bunnies, or cats, or robots ..... I figure it's a craft, and yes I want to encourage biblical knowledge, but it's a craft. :)

Preschool Christmas crafts.
he was intrigued by these as well.

This one I'm to print off tonight and get ready for him so he can help gramma with it tomorrow.

He wants to do this one as well. :)

I haven't had a chance to go through all the links on this page yet, but I"m sure some of them will intrigue the lad.

The Compound words one intrigues me, but it isn't something that he is ready for at this point.

Learning this week

1. the fine art of measuring and shaking to make gifts in a jar. We did this one:

M & M's Cookie Mix in a Jar

About This Recipe

"I vary the color of the M&M's to the different holiday currently approaching when I give these as gifts..another favorite of the grandchildren"

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 cups M&M's plain chocolate candy
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

1. Mix baking soda and baking powder with flour.so you can add flour mixture into one layer.
2. Layer ingredients in order given into a wide-mouth. Press each layer firmly so it will all fit in the jar.
3. Attach these instructions to your gift.
4. INSTRUCTIONS.
5. Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl.Use your hands to thoroughly blend mix.
6. Add 1 stick butter or margarine, very soft. (please do not use diet).
7. 1 large egg, slightly beaten, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
8. Mix until completely blended. you will need to finish mixing with your hands as this is stiff.
9. Shape into balls the size of walnuts.
10. Place 2" apart on sprayed cookie sheet.
11. Bake in preheated 375° for 12-14 minutes until edges are lightly browned.
12. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet.
13. Remove cookies to racks to finish cooling.

2. Computer game: 1st grade, reader rabbit.
Learning how to add numbers, learning first and last parts of words and such like. Did he learn much? not sure, but he had fun and had to figure things out as he went along.

3. Trusting God to get us home safely.
had some scary moments travelling around in a winter storm.

4. Gymnastics
Listening and following instruction is always a good thing to do. He had, as usual, a really good time.

Hands of A Child Contest

Hands of a Child is eagerly anticipating the release of their 400th Project Pack, and when they do, they will be celebrating with a HUGE 400th Project Pack Celebration!

How can one of my blog readers win a free Project Pack Bundle from In the Hands of a Child?

I am telling you readers to keep an eye on their website (and be sure to sign up for their newsletter) for more information about their HUGE 400th Project Pack Celebration.

Go over there, create a wishlist of your top 5 titles from In the Hands of a Child Project Packs and post your list back here. Then I get to choose one response at random, and that reader will receive a free bundle pack** from In the Hands of a Child! Isn't that cool or what!

In the Hands of a Child offers a no-strings attached free unit study every six months. Anyone can get it. You just go here, click on the link and voila. One new study for your perusal and use.

Hands of a Child sent me this

Are you new to In the Hands of a Child and want to see what all the fuss is about? We can help! YOU can have a free Project Pack from In the Hands of a Child. We would like to offer you a Christmas Around the World Ebook Project Pack to review.

Just so you know

**Free bundle packs include a printed Project Pack, Kit Pack, and Answer Key
(when available) which will be mailed to your winner when the drawing is
completed. This is a $40 value with EVERYTHING covered by us, including
shipping!

Creation Camouflage - DNG Review and Contest

Ah...animal lovers...here we come. DownLoadNGo has a unit study/lap book on Critters and how they hide. :) Creation Camouflage available now. :) Creation Camouflage was the review of the week for DownLoadNGo. Given that it is the Christmas Season, we had five days of an incredible amount of snow falling with needing the help clear it, we only brouched two days of this study. Day one and day four. All told we got about four feet of snow, which compacted down to 2-3 feet. It was heavy sloughing for a while. Download N Go studies are 5 day - complete unit studies. All you have to do is "download n Go". There is no prep work needed!! They have lap book elements so it's easy to turn your work into a lap book. Lots of graphics, lots of links, lots of information, and a really good book list which you can use or not.

Each day has a particular focus.

Day 1: Hiding in Plain Sight
Day 2: Getting to Know the Rain Forest
Day 3: What Is in the Desert?
Day 4: Hiding in the Ocean
Day 5: Cool Things About the Tundra


My lad was absolutely fascinated to learn that hunters and the hunted can use the same way to hide! Tigers can use stripes so what they are looking forward can't see them, and at the same time what they are looking using stripes so they can't be seen! Absolutely amazing for him to learn this. Having a bunny with a white coat on white snow was a good way for the bunny to hide...but I can still see him mommy. Showing him a brown bunny on snow made it really clear to him which one was easier to see. For a boy who likes bunnies and cats VERY much this section really worked for him.
:) I was able to remind the lad how we found the Cicada shell on the bike in the backyard and on the tree bark and which ones were easier to see, and how we found one still alive that had just crawled out and how it was able to cling to the bark and when we were farther away from it how hard it was to see it.

And how can one hide in the ocean? "It's just water mommy." He learned that in the ocean there is much more than water. There are plants and rocks and coral.... and all the fish can use those things to hide in. Learning about how a squid hides was hard for him to really get a grasp on until we played a computer game called Animal Genius from Scholastic. On that is a game where the octopus has to hide from a fish by using his ink! That was FUNNY and it worked "HE GOT AWAY MOMMY!". was hollered with great excitement!
What my lad likes about these studies is he has lots of opportunities to draw things. He doesn't always like what he's asked to draw, but often he can encouraged to do so, or we find a new way to do things (aka can you trace over top of this drawing?). I love the fact that there are so many links included that finding different ways of doing an exercise isn't very difficult at all.

Creation Camouflage will be on sale from Dec 13-18 for $5.95 at DownLoadNGo.
You can read other reviews here. And did you know that DownLoadNGo has a blog? Yep, you can find it right here. :) Catch all the latest news.

Oh and Guess What? I've been allowed to offer up ONE copy of this study for you! Isn't that cool? Leave me a comment by December 23rd with your favourite camouflaging animal. Tell me what makes the animal interesting. :)

There's a contest up at DownLoadNGo...but I think it may be over by the time I get this posted. :( Sorry about that.

As part of the DownLoadNGo Review Team I received a copy of for my free and honest review. I liked it and hope to finish it in the new year with my eager animal lover son.

Cookies!

Today we got together with a family from our homeschool group. We made cookies. :)

We had fun.

Got to know each other a bit more.

The lad played with her four children.

Learing Games for Children

learning games for Children.

Flight! - Airplanes and such

Golden Age of Flight

Science Kids Flight Lesson Plans

Homeschool Bytes - why planes fly

Franklin Institute - flights of inspiration

What Birds can Teach Children

the Wright Brothers

Paper Plate Blimp

Making a helicopter (whirl a gig thing like on Timothy)

Styrofoam Airplane

Candy Gum

The History of Flight

TOS December sales

Check out the homeschooler bunders from The Old Schoolhouse.
They are priced at $99, and excellent way to get some good product for less. :)

The Old Schoolhouse® is committed to serving your bundles of joy who are growing up into fine boys and girls, men and women, and with that commitment in mind, we have an announcement of their own—the arrival of six New Homeschooler Bundles™—six collections of handpicked products and resources for brand-new homeschooling parents.

The Old Schoolhouse® wants to serve you by providing you with resources
that will strengthen and mature your “roots.” TOS is confident that these Homeschooler Bundles™ can help you thrive. Each of the TOS Homeschooler Bundles represents a value of at least $500, but TOS is offering them to you for only $99!

ALSO you can save over 65% on a subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine! Until midnight PST on December 31, you can select from three subscription deals. Each has its own free gifts too!

Option A: $7.95 subscription special Purchase a one-year subscription for just $7.95 and receive your choice of any TOS digital Planner for free!

Option B: Purchase a one-year subscription for just $19.95 and receive a Cranberries & Cream Homeschooling with Heart tote bag, and E-Book: Cranberry Christmas for free. Enjoy great savings on The Old Schoolhouse Magazine with the holiday Cranberries & Cream subscription sale

Option C:$37.00 subscription special Purchase a two-year subscription for just $37 and receive a Cranberries & Cream Homeschooling with Heart tote bag, any TOS digital Planner, and E-Book: Cranberry Christmas for free.

Merry Christmas!

Suncatchers and the Nutcracker

First off...how to make suncatchers/borax crystal things. I want to do this with Justin. :) Found that blog through the homeschool carnival.



anyways, today we went to see the Nutcracker. I've never been to a ballet before and I found this just fun to watch. Wow... never expected ballet dancers to sound so loud. :) I enjoyed watching the students put on this performance. They didn't do it perfectly but they did it good enough for me. :) Justin had brought his paper and pencil as he's apt to do when going to new things he's not sure he'll like. He put them away and watched. he asked questions and was curious. he thought it quite interesting and fun. It was put on by the Dance Steps Studio of London. Jim attended with us.

Afterwards we dropped off some bunnies, then went to the mall as we were supposed to meet someone there. Then went to Mcd's for lunch where we unexpectedly met up with a couple of homeschool moms and their children. Justin had fun playing with them. We had wanted to dine at the Mandarin but they are on holiday pricing now so they've jacked their prices up. I dislike that practice, but what can one do? Simply refuse to eat there.

Then we went to Costco to pick up items for our open house on the weekend.

Upon return home we made a gingerbread house and that for the most part summed up our day.

Christmas Bureau

Today we helped out at the Huron County Christmas Bureau.

We were there for about 2 hours. Justin did a fabulous job helping sort mittens, hats, socks, slippers and underwear. he had FUN ripping off price tags and then sticking them in mommy's pocket to take home to play with later. he walked around with another lad (looked about 6-7) collecting garbage. He was a very busy, very helpful boy and at the two hour mark said "MOMMY, Can we go home now?" Figuring he had done an excellent job and knowing that I had said we'd be there 1-2 hours I was happy to take him home (after we did some shopping first).

I see volunteer work as an important part of schooling and life and was absolutely delighted that he was allowed to come and help out. It's good to develop a servant's heart in a person. It really is.

Anyways... What else did we do?

Oh, this morning we did day one of the Creative Camouflage unit study from DownLoadNGo.
The lad found part of it interesting, but he was more interested in being able to do "other stuff". So we worked on it together. He found it interesting that zebras used stripes like tigers do. He found the walking stick insect just TOO confusing. Walking sticks are used by old people to walk around with, they AREN"T INSECTS MOMMY! BUT he did find it fascinating that they are observed in order to help build robotic times. I enjoyed the study, but think easier studies are more fun for the lad overall. :)

And tonight before bed we finished off part of the Currclick Trains mini lapbook. There was a section there for counting that the lad hadn't finished off yet. It gave him good practice remembering how to write out the different numbers from 1-10.

Library book - December 7

Farm fresh cats - scott santoro

The lad just LOVES this book, and I have to admit, it's a good read for me too. If you have a child who likes cats..get this book out. If you have a child who likes the unexpected...get this book out. It is a fun read. We get this book out over and over and over again, and everytime we read it he's right there looking at the pages and listening actively.

Justin says "I love cats! There is too much cats in it!" (with a huge grin)

Meow - Judy Reinen

Justin says "I love the cats in it".
And this book is full of cats, some in funny places. Makes a lad smile. :)

have you seen birds - by joanne oppenheim

I got this book out because the illustrations were done by barbara reid, and she lives up to her standard. BUT it ended up being a good book. Inspired the boy child to act out the different birds using his stuffed animals.

Justin says "there are too many birds. That it starts with a cat!"

I am Canada - heather patterson

Not a bad book at all. Introduces children doing different things in this beloved country of ours. As Justin says about this book "I AM CANADA". :)

Room for Rabbit - Roni Schotter

This book was oft requested. It's about a child dealing with the after-affects of divorce. Wasn't sure about introducing that topic to Justin but overall he was more curious about what rabbit had to say to his little girl.

Justin says "that rabbit says there's not enough room"

Wish Come True Cat - Ragnhild Scamell

Sometimes wishes come true in ways we don't expect.
Justin says "that a cat goes thump on a window" :)

The other goose - judith kerr

This book is a fun read about a lonely goose. It performs a good deed and gets an interesting reward because of an observant little girl.
Justin says "that the goose things there's a goose in the car!"

Spring Thaw - steven schnur

this book makes me think I could make a unit study or lap book out of it. A decent book with different observations about a spring thaw.
Justin says "there's a horse in it".

Snow Day

We were supposed to go to Gymnastics this morning. But since we had two feet of snow today with continuing squalls. Gymnastics was cancelled.

We played in the snow this morning instead. :) Digging, sliding, and just having fun.
Then we made cookies. They were good. :)

These are the cookies that we made (we cut the recipe in half)

Oneta Lyon's Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups softened butter
2 2/3 cup brown sugar
2 2/3 cup white sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla extract
24 ox chocolate chips
2 cup flour
4 cup flour
nuts are optional

Cream butter and sugars. Beat eggs, add salt, b.soda and vanilla.
combine the above ingredients and slowly add remaining ingredients. Mixture will be fairly stiff.
Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased and floured cookie sheet. NOTE I couldn't drop them. I just rolled small balls and put them on the cookie sheet - secondary note: parchment paper is LOVELY to use as are those silicone cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Do not overbake. NOTE: I found 14 minutes to be perfect, it gave me a mostly hard, but slightly chewy cookie.

Store in an airtight container with one slice of bread on top. This will keep the cookies fresh. Makes 8-9 dozen.

Munched on cookies rather than have lunch.

And then I got to work putting together a trains unit study. Not so much on trains, but using trains instead to teach basic kindergarten concepts. came from Currclick Trains mini lapbook.

we learned the sign for Train, and train gone. :)

Easy Fun School Christmas

Easy fun school Christmas

Hands on Science Lessons

hands on science Lessons.

Not all the links work, but enough of them do to prove intriguing.

these are the physical experiments.

Coming back from sledding at the church after work

J - "mommy, did you know something?"

M - "No Justin, what should I know?"

J - "Daddy and I played together ALL DAY Today, well...mostly. (he then mumbled something) We played and had snowballs and sledded too!"

M - "sounds like you had a good day today."

J- "Yes, and then I gotted to play with you too!"

My boy.. loves to talk. And he makes me smile. :)
Isn't snow marvellous stuff?

TOS magazine subscription

TOS is trying hard to get 25,000 subscribers by the end of the year. not sure why, but it's a goal they have.
To that end you can get some pretty good deals on a subscription. Seriously... Check these out.

Deal 1:
We're asking that you help us by spreading the word - we are willing to provide a one year subscription (normally $25) for $7.95 subscription special to anyone in the US or Canada, until January 2nd. Please consider buying several subscriptions for friends, families, your library or doctor's office at the super low price of $7.95.

0h - and before we forget - any $7.95 purchase will result in a GIFT for you - choose any digital TOS Planner - FREE. Each of your kids should have one of these, and you should have the massive parent one; they are incredible. The writers at TOS have done an amazing job on these planners and we want you to see them. So take one at no charge when you buy a one-year subscription for $7.95. For each subscription you buy (whether for yourself or friends), take a student planner or the big one, since we're at almost mid-year on these.

Deal 2, 3, and 4:
We also have our two year subscription on sale for $37 with a tote and a planner of choice, plus the Cranberry Christmas E-Book. This amazing price is for new, renewal, or a gift subscription for U.S. and Canada.

Deal 5:
Finally, we have the ONE YEAR subscription which gets a tote and the Cranberry Christmas E-Book all for $19.95.

Anyways, go on...get a subscription for $8.00 it's a pretty good deal. :)

Different Sites.

The Dollar Stretcher. They have a variety of sections, this one on Christmas.

Shelley Lovett's Video Teaching Tips Library

Shelley Lovett's ChildCareLand site offers a huge library of short teaching tips and learning activities videos (in streaming format) for preschool and kindergarten age students — over 300 brief, practical, helpful ideas and demonstrations that will enhance any pre-school or kindergarten age learning time.

freebie of the day.

Every weekday, Monday through Friday, we’ll post a new homeschooling “freebie” to this site. What kind of “freebies”? Stuff like: Unit Studies… Ebooks… Audio Programs… Games… Samples… Lesson Plans… classic books… and other quality resources! This is the REAL THING.

Many of these will be products that you would normally pay for on their regular websites… but here on the Homeschool Freebie of the Day site, they’re 100% free… at least for that one day! Just download your copy and enjoy! It’s as simple as that!

Do know that if you sign up for freebie of the day, you'll get an email every week telling you what they will be posting. They occasionally post "you can buy this inexpensively" items, and will send you and email or two about that item. They don't send those type of emails out all the time though. Some of them are indeed good deals. Each weekly email includes a freebie that you get by being a subscriber and some of them are pretty neat. :)