Elementary Homeschooling Archives

We Went to the Children’s Library and Took Out a Few Books – Elementary Reading

May 27, 2008 By Laura 3 Comments

I’m about to talk about children’s books, so I can guess right now that this will probably get long.

First of all, can I just tell you how much I have always loved books?? Like…really love books. Picture books especially. I love the smell of them, and the noise that thick plastic cover makes, or the slickness of those big glossy jacket covers. I always have. I recall as a child, the butterflies of excitement I would feel just walking into our town’s or school’s Children’s Library. Just knowing just about anything you wanted to learn about, was possible to find in that room. Shelves upon shelves of books, filled with pages, which were filled with words, that when read, could take you to places you’ve never dreamed, or never even heard of, or may or may not ever want to go! In the pages of the most well written books, are where imaginations are poked and put into high gear. And oohhh……the illustrations! As a little budding artist, the pictures were almost the best part to me.

Now, I have developed a little germ-a- phobia of library books over the years,,,,as I am a little germ-a-phobic. Of many things, that make perfect sense to be germ-y. : ) Not irrationally so. I just really feel the need to wash my hands right away, and thankfully, so do my kids!

To feed the fire for my love of books, was my beloved Godmother — a 1st grade teacher for a ridiculous amount of years. When she retired, her former students from all over the country (in college, with their own families, etc) came back, or sent notes and gifts, thanking her for the love and beliefs in themselves that she had planted in their hearts as their 1st grade teacher. She was never forgotten by any student who was ever blessed enough to land in her classroom. Truly…she is a remarkable woman, with deep seated faith, a passion for teaching, and a such a gentle and patient way with children. She truly lived her vocation a a teacher. So she was a big part of giving me such a love for books, but also truly fed the fire of my faith from a very young age….through ALL of my stages…with her powerful examples of living, her gentle words of guidance, and always unconditional love. Anyway….I have such a vivid memory of being at her home as a high-schooler one day, when our discussion led her to the discovery that I had never read The Velveteen Rabbit. WELL……she could NOT let that be. She quickly disappeared into the other room, to her vast collection of children’s books, and pulled that storybook from the shelves. She ushered me right to her kitchen table, handed me that large storybook, and instructed me to sit down and read it, and not get up until I was done. And there I sat…..16 years old, reading The Velveteen Rabbit. It’s one of my children’s favorite stories now too. Of course the memory attached to the story must play a part too.

When my first daughter was born, my urge to buy every picture book I picked up and loved, kicked in. I gave in quite a bit too, but tried to look in the discount book stores the most, knowing how weak I was around such things. She and I cuddled and read a lot, and she became a book lover at a very young age, and to this day spends oodles and oodles of time, reading. My next 3 children became huge book lovers much the same way, and just sitting for hours surrounded by piles of books. Or, sometimes, all sitting on me, under me, and around me…as we all huddled and cuddled together enjoying a good story. (Oh how I love that!) Now that they are reading, they love books even more! As so many of you mothers know, there isn’t anything much sweeter than hearing your little child read a book, in those little voices that are so familiar to our hearts. But for home schooling mothers, it has to be just a tad sweeter. As a Mama of 3 kindergartners I am very blessed quite a few times a day, to hear 3 little voices reading different books, from there own little places in the house. Sometimes too, they take turns reading to each other, or help each other on a word someone is stuck on. Boy does all of it tug on my heart strings!

So all of this backstory leads to a point. Imagine our EXCITEMENT when I discovered that a wonderful woman, homeschooling mother and author of A Picture Perfect Childhood, named Cay Gibson, decided to organize a way to feature, study and celebrate one children’s author a month. It’s called an Author Fiesta! During that month, we find as many books by that author as we’d like, and read them to, or with our children, or even let them read them on their own. Cay also will be providing wonderful printables for each author, so the kids each have their own 3 ring binder. Should I tell you how ECSTATIC the kids are to have their own notebook to keep their stuff in?? It has a cover of the beautiful bookworm too. I’m even thrilled to have my own notebook. lol. Our little ones will each have a list of the books they’ve read, they’ll be doing some copywork from the printables as well as whatever books they choose, drawings they’ve done based on the stories, and life-aiding quotes to learn. {A} will be studying the author’s works, writing author research papers, and anything else creative she would like to add to her notebook. I asked all of the kids if this was something they’d like to do together and all 4 were all for it and couldn’t wait to get started! In think there will be a new author featured every month for a year, but can be done at your very own pace. In the end, the kids will have a very informative collection of various children authors for keeping, treasuring as their own childhood work, and perhaps as a reference to use for great books to enjoy one day with their own children. (But we won’t go there now. I’m just saying. lol)

The kids have all been loving this book journey so far. Any time is a good time for another story you know! It isn’t anything we HAVE to do, and we can take or leave anything we want to along the way. This is just another thing we consider FUN, that happens to be so educational. And did I say, FUN?!

So the first month of May featured the child author Patricia Polacco. We’ve discovered she writes from the heart, in a way that really reaches her readers hearts and minds as well. Her works are based true stories, sprinkled with lots of fun imagination, based on her own family members, or other people she knows. Each story is very interesting. We have really loved the ones we have read so far. Below are just some of the titles we have at the moment.

I was not familiar with this author before. So the very first book we happened to grab and read (almost as soon as we got home from the library) was The Lemonade Club.

OH MY!! Maybe not the best one to start off with. Very, very good, but very sad. It’s about 2 little girls who are very good friends, and one gets Leukemia. Very touching and it did lead to wonderful discussion with the kids. It ends well, and there are beautiful life lessons to take from the it, including the gift of friendship, expressions of compassion and support, the celebration of life itself, and the encouragement to make lemonade, when life hands you lemons. But there was a point in the story where the knot in my throat was so tight, as the tears spilled over my eyelids, that I couldn’t get the next word out. My children were very patient while I gained my composure.

The kids and I talked openly after about how sometimes people get sick, and how we get through these things. (With our faith in God’s greater plan, prayers, support of family and friends, etc.) I love that they are able to learn about these things, with ME (or us), so I have the opportunity to help them sort their questions and fears. My youngest daughter is the most inquisitive of them all, and likes to truly ponder and absorb these things thoroughly. So she spent some extra time with the book.

We’ve read quite a few titles by now. I’ve read a few to them, and {A} has always loved reading to them as well, so she took it upon herself to do that. I’ll be blogging more about them. None have been nearly as sad, but all very entertaining and very well written, filled with wonderful life lessons and messages for the children, and us! And naturally, amazing illustrations grace the pages. What I admire so much about Patricia Polacco too, is that not only does she write the story, but she also illustrates of all her own books as well! What gifts God has given her to be so talented, and reach the hearts and minds of so many children through her work!

It won’t be long before June’s author is announced, but we’re in no rush. We were late in the game joining, but are enjoying the ride at our own pace. I am sure I will blog about this book or that as I am inspired, and keep you updated on this wonderful journey of our Author Fiesta!

Have you read a good book today?? : )

The REAL Science Field Trip – Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

May 19, 2008 By Laura 2 Comments

The kids finally had their real science field trip, to the Mass Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary, on the RIGHT day. Michael and I were not as excited to go anymore, feeling like we’ve ‘been there, done that‘. But the point was to meet and experience a homeschool co-op that was having a day there, and the kids were all for going again. So we went, and were all really glad we did. I must say, the weather wasn’t quite as nice as the mistaken day, which was so warm and sunny. This time it was on the cool side, and pretty cloudy and grey out. Rain was expected later that day. (And it indeed started sprinkling before we left.)

But what a great field trip it was anyway! As I mentioned in the post about our accidental trip, the place consists of tons of conservation land, which includes various kinds of habitats: grass plains, marshland, and ponds. These habitats are home to all kinds of birds, animals, reptiles and amphibians. There were experts there from Mass Audubon, who took us in groups and taught us and showed us so much.

I didn’t really get any great photos. Again, I would have needed that big tele-photo lense for some really fascinating shots. But also, our kids were always in groups with other people who may have not wanted their photos taken, and it wouldn’t be right to post them on my blog with their faces showing, (without permission either)…..so my camera did a lot of resting. Although I did get a few simple photos, one of course of the boardwalk bridge, which I probably took one similar last time too.

boardwalk bridge

The first thing we did was go out on a tractor-pulled wagon hayride with a group, and a very nice and informative woman who was a wildlife expert, right out into the grasslands, where she taught us much about the birds that habitat there. The little ones enjoyed the ride, and learned quite a bit just listening to the talk. {A} brought along her notebook and sketchpad. Remember I told you {A} was ‘a bird expert as far as I could tell’? Well, she’s a bird expert as far as a bird expert can tell, too! lol. The woman had large laminated cards of various kinds of birds, not all the kind we see every day in our own yards. The woman often started with ‘Does anyone know what kind of bird this is?’, and {A} always did. She also knows more about their behaviors than I even knew she knew. The woman was impressed! Some of the birds we saw and/or learned all about were Osprey, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Swallows, Bluebirds, Flycatchers, Bobolinks, and Orioles, as well as red and grey fox, raccoons, and some rodent of which I forget the name of or what it really looks like. (Maybe on purpose. lol) ) We saw LOTS of Bobolinks darting around, there was an Osprey there as well, and we learned that Orioles fly all the way to and from South America every year! (Wow!). We have seen them in our yard several times in the past couple of weeks, and I just LOVE them. The woman said if we put a string out on our deck, the Orioles will take it to build a nest. If we put one out every day for them, they just may build there nest in your yard and stick around for the whole season! I definitely want to keep them around….so we did just what she said today. But it was still there last I checked.

When we got back from the hayride, we learned about bird-banding Tree Swallows. The woman explained how they catch the birds, how they harmlessly band them, measure their wing span, weigh them, record all of that info, where they send, and why. She had different strings of leg bands, as shown below, each of all the same size, but with different identification numbers on them. It was fascinating to hear the woman tell us how some years she would have birds she had banned the year before come back, or get notice in the mail from another sanctuary that a bird she had banned had been at their habitat thousands of miles away.

After that little information session, the kids moved on to learn more about bugs and insects. They even went into the tall grasses to catch some in fabric nets, put them in containers, and learn more about exactly what they caught. (You can bet I did a tick check after that little activity!) After {A} transferred what she had in her net, into a container, she discovered she caught syphrid flies, aphids, a spider, beetles, and ants. Did you know there is a difference between bugs and insects?

There were games to play, a bubble blowing table, and a little craft table as well. The kids made these dragonflies out of pipe-cleaners, beads and tinfoil. Pretty cute, huh? I don’t think they’ve much put them down since.

All in all it was a fantastic day. We all learned LOTS, had FUN doing it, and met so many wonderful people. There’s another co-op field trip coming up soon too…….a tide-pool study at the ocean, with more Mass Audubon experts there! We have a few of our own field trips planned as well, but I am sure we’ll be sure not to miss the co-op tide-pool study! The kids will really, really LOVE that, and so will us big kids! We love the beach and ocean, and feel so blessed to have a private beach within walking distance of our home.

The next day, {A} had a parish youth group activity planned. They were having a beach clean-up, and then gathering at the parish center for a cookout and some volleyball. It initially was cancelled that morning because it had been raining and was still drizzly. But some kids showed up anyway, so the leader called {A}, and she was happy to go and help. I did not take photos activity either, because I didn’t go. Michael took her. But I did some shots of her ready to go (one of which is below) with her own trash poker stick, and one to share. She had a really great time, despite how the weather was less than ideal at first. Of course she makes everything she does fun. The sun did break out once they were done cleaning up. As if God was pleased with their work. : )

The rest of our weekend was spent doing some work, some house-cleaning, and some shopping. You have no idea how excited our kids can get over bubble wands and water-shoes! Good golly. We are all knee-deep in enjoying this warm weather season, and still have so much exploring, learning, relaxing and FUN to look forward to.

Math Madness! & Memorization – Kindergarten

May 8, 2008 By Laura 4 Comments

$math-graphic$

We’re talking about the beginning skills of math memorization, for little ones, today. Our Kindergartners ( {J} {O} {S} ) have been working on addition and subtraction in their workbooks throughout this year. Their math curriculum (Horizons/Alpha Omega Publications) had introduced math problems in both numerical sentences, as well as stacked, and as of recently, even in math story problems. Their aid right along has been a number line on the page to use for adding or subtracting. They start at the given number, and count going forward (adding) or backward(subtracting), and the number they land on is the answer to the problem. I have thought right along that this technique was rather clever, in that the kids are learning now, for the future, how to line their number columns up properly as they write their answers, and to get the idea of adding some to, or taking away from, and just the whole general idea of how math works. It’s been the fastest subject every day for them, unless we add an extra math activity with manipulatives — like money or time telling.

So tonight right after dinner, I was working at the computer. I had an order I really needed to prep, and was also just already burned out as it was, from an intense and exhaustive appointment I had today after schooling. Michael had to run out to do something himself, so he was not around. So I am working along and conversing with the kids at the same time, as I often do.

And then the math started……

{S} “Mama….give me some math problems.”

{Me} “Okaayyyy…ummm…7+2.”

{S} “7+2?” (pause) “9!”

{Me} “That’s right! Very good!”

{S} “Give me another one!”

{Me} “Ok, How about…18 – 4”

{S} “18 – 4?” (pause – a thinking noise) “14!!”

From there, as he was getting them all right, I just went with bigger numbers, and he still kept nailing them. Then {J} comes in because he heard all of the excitement, and wants some problems too. “Give me some! Give me some too!” They take turns, and it becomes an intense competition between them. {O} was busy and very focused copying an adult’s crossword puzzle. But the boys were not letting up on wanting more. Addition, subtraction, big and small numbers, calculating in their head…and they were doing it! I think they were surprising themselves that they could do it! (I didn’t know they were ready to do that either.) There were no double digit addends or subtrahends involved, where carrying over or borrowing would be necessary, but still. Granted too, they were probably using their fingers, but hey…I still do sometimes too. And they are in kindergarten!

They really could not get enough. It went on for a long time, as I tried to work. I began hoping Michael would walk in the door any minute and take over being the ‘math problem pitcher’. And he did, eventually. He was pretty impressed with what we were doing while he was gone, and thankfully, was happy to take over. I was then able to finish up my client’s order a little quicker.

The math game went on all the way through, and in between each hug and kiss for bed, and not doubt they’ll be begging to play again as soon as they open their eyes in the morning. I’m grateful for the break tonight now that they are in bed, (although numbers are still flying around in my head, because that’s me) but also really amazed and grateful at how effective their whole curriculum, and lessons we’ve taught them, have been for them. It is an advanced Kindergarten curriculum, but have really credited how each concept is introduced in a building, and spiraling, and building some more, sort of process, and have thought of it as just that; Base prep work and building techniques for next year. But they are truly getting it more than that. And with JOY as they do. That’s what I love the most. Whether they get a concept or not — it’s that they have FUN learning that matters most to us, because eventually they are going to get it all. But to see them truly understand and demonstrate it over and over is a satisfying feeling. Seeing how much they are getting so early on, is encouraging. Because the truth is, I don’t think my kids are some unique geniuses, or necessarily smarter than other kids. And I surely do not need them to know everything now. It’s just the re-enforcement of our strong beliefs all along; that kids will learn more, and EMBRACE LEARNING, even CRAVE it, when they have fun doing it.

They have also been entertaining themselves, and each other, with memorization and recitation. All 3 of them are very fluent readers now, (well, all 4…lol) and they have taken to finding funny stories or poems in their abundance of books, and memorizing them, and then reciting them for eachother, or us…or anyone who will listen, in stores, or where ever we are. Most of what they have a desire to memorize are the funny, very silly things, of course. You know how, with kids, if something is funny once, it’s still funny the next 999 times. So they take turns spouting off this poem or that, and they all crack up, and it just never gets old. But this practice of memorization, that is merely a game to them that they came up with on their own, is just how education at home, in life, happens on it’s own. Yet it builds their memorization skills for the things they will HAVE to memorize for an assignment, or for functioning in life. Just like the scripture memorization they have done, they are acquiring various valuable benefits and skills from the ‘game’.

I just had to express what….contentment I feel tonight. Again. About this life of ours I love, and our decision to homeschool. These are the moments, that we have every day, that show us the fruits of our ‘labor’, if you want to call it that. To see the progression of their skills and gain of knowledge every day, as they display it for us in various ways, with such HAPPINESS and pride in themselves, IS the reward and the pay-offs. We wouldn’t want to miss one minute of the amazing progress for the world; from introduction of a new concept, to seeing the lightbulb in their head go off, to them grasping and running with it with such enjoyment. Just living, loving, and learning, every day. That’s what it’s all about to us. Witnessing these moments, is something we treasure and are so grateful for, even if we are hearing one thing or another for the 1,001 time. “Listen to this, Mama” “Watch me do this, Daddy! Look!” “Mama, see what I can do?” “Watch me again!”

Yes, we will always listen and look. Sometimes with eagerness, and sometimes with some real scrounged up patience, when we are trying to accomplish something of our own, because it matters to them. It is life. It’s the learning process of little ones, and it is the love of learning, growing, and the satisfaction of new accomplishments and skills they can each call their own. And there can never be enough. There will always be time for such things. It is all gifts, our gifts, receiving gifts, and just multiplying before our eyes.

So bring it on, kids. We will listen, we will look, we will cheer, and we will clap, as all 4 of you realize there is nothing you cannot do, with hard work, desire and determination, and the grace of God. The rewards are all yours. And it is enough for us to just listen, and watch, over and over again.

Update on the 6 Tiny Potted Plants

April 26, 2008 By Laura 1 Comment

tiny potted plants

Here’s a quick little update on our 6 Tiny Potted Plants! As you can see above, the plants are coming along nicely! There is a labeled photo below for reference. The first to sprout were mine and {JM’s}, which would be the Hollyhock. Daddy and O’s Rudbeckia started to come up next, and then we had several days of nothing from {A’s} and {S’s} Delphinium. We started to worry a little, when finally we spotted some wee little sprouts.

I think what we have discovered is very consistent results between the alike species, in terms of growth rates. They have been really fun to watch grow these past several days. The next time I post about them again, it may be because it is time to transplant them outdoors in our flower beds. I can’t wait to see the colorful flowers among the greens.

tiny potted plants

The hostas (below) are coming up beautifully! Just look how tall and green they’ve become! They aren’t pathetic little nubs anymore! They are starting to open, and it won’t be long before they really start filling out those beds. We need to put some mulch out there, and some railroad ties will be going along the back there, behind them. But I am enjoying them as they are, already. I didn’t take photos of the tulips, because I didn’t get over to there, but the buds have sprung up from the center of the leaves.

hostas

Below are photos of the type of shrubs that are along the head of our driveway. For some reason, I thought they were called Junipers. It may be that the man we bought this house and property from years ago, told us that – because I surely would not have known what type of bush/ground cover they were all those years ago (or much cared back then!) But that is why I am posting them. Not too long ago, in the last couple of years anyway, when I referred to them as Junipers to someone, they informed me that that’s not what they are. (I think it may have been my mother-in-law?). But they weren’t sure what they were, exactly. So if anyone does know what they are, please e-mail me or comment. At some point at least some of them are going to need to be removed, and I would like to find out the best way to transplant elsewhere in the yard, if possible. But in researching that info, it would be helpful if I knew what they were! Don’t you think?

shrubbery

That’s all for now. We’ve got some fun crafty projects coming up, so I’m sure I’ll be posting again real soon.

My Buttons Jar

April 19, 2008 By Laura 2 Comments

(My Button Jar)

Like many women, I am sure, I feel that a home is a place in which you should be surrounded by the things that make you happy. Things that touch your soul, lift you up, comfort you. Aside from one’s family, I think that these are the things that make the house, a home. They could be meaningful pieces, that perhaps have a family history, or were passed down to you. Maybe it’s something that brings back cherished memories. Perhaps it’s something created just for you, or given to you by a very special person in your life. Or maybe it’s just ‘things’ you collect, because they speak to you, for reasons you aren’t even sure of. (And don’t really feel the need to figure out.) You just like seeing them there. Whatever those things may be for you, they matter, and should be part of your ‘sacred environment’.

My button jar is one of those things in my home. I simply just started getting and collecting buttons in this jar, because I liked the idea of it. I love buttons, and I knew seeing a bunch of them, in all of their colors, in a clear jar, would just give me one of those quiet inner-smiles. And they do. But for even more reasons than the visual appreciation I have for it, now.

It started with my husband’s comment in the store on that late summer day, as my oldest daughter and I excitedly spun the button rack, plucking off little packs we loved. He asked “What are all these buttons for, again, Honey?”. It was the way he said it. So gently. He knows better than anyone, how I get when I get an idea. I go on an urgent mission. He doesn’t always understand it. But he is always so understanding of ‘me’ and my simple needs, and you can just hear the love in his voice, when he asks these questions, trying hard to understand the purpose behind the urgency of my latest mission.
So he asked, in that sweet way he does.

By the grace of God, an answer came to me, that didn’t sound quite so crazy, as the truth it initially was. I said “Well, I’m going to keep these in the school room, and they’ll be great manipulatives to have on hand for the kids, in helping them understand math concepts and stuff, for kindergarten.” I surprised myself, and thankfully, the answer seemed to suit him just fine. So then I honestly added, “And also, I just want a button jar.” Which made him laugh, in a way that I knew, he knew, that was the bigger of the truths.

Turns out, those buttons have been used a whole lot! They don’t ‘just’ sit there, looking pretty. At the beginning of the kids schooling, they used the buttons for the building of math skills, on their number charts. I would call out a number, and they would see how fast they could find that number on their chart, and mark it with a button. Or we would teach them about numbers that come before, after, or in between, other given numbers.

$buttons-math-chart-homeschooling$

As the beginning of the year wore on, we also used them for lessons on counting higher, comparison, direction and position (right, left, up down, next, last, over, after, before, etc.) They also came in handy for number theories (ordinal numbers, even, odd) , and sequences such as first, 2nd, 3rd, last. etc. At this point in the year, we mostly use them to show them the visual concept of addition and subtraction.

I’m not the only one that has truly enjoyed having this jar of buttons in our home! The younger kids ask all of the time “Mama, can I play with your buttons?“, and the ‘your‘ part always makes me chuckle. (But I don’t feel the need to correct them 😉 Of course, I always say “Yes“. They ‘play’ with them, making up their own games that incidentally, re-enforce every mathematical concept we have taught them. Everything they learned with those buttons, was FUN to them, and so they just want to do it more. And I think ‘Keep playing.’

When I first got that jar of buttons together, and sat it on my school cabinet, the sight of it, as I said, just gave me a quiet inner-smile. Maybe they represent my surpressed urge to start sewing. (For all of the beautiful sewn things I just totally make up in my head, and then so surprisingly, cannot find in the stores!)

But more than anything now, seeing that jar already brings me warm memories: Of the thoughtfully put question my husband asked me in the store that day, or the fun the kids have had with them during school time, and the value in the various lessons they’ve learned while using them. Or the many times I watched any one of the children at the table, buttons scattered about, ‘playing‘. Suddenly, the vision-turned-reality of my button jar just sitting there, holds true purpose, life-long lessons, family value, and cherished memories. It’s times like these I am really glad I had such a crazy idea.
And as it sometimes turns out, so is everyone else in our family.

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