Year in Review: Science with CC

Animals, rockets, planets, and even aeronautics are regular topics around our house--making science the favored subject.  This year with Classical Conversations science has been made easy for us.  Each week we memorize a science fact and then we can learn as much or as little about that fact as we want (or as much as time allows).   

We began the year with Ecology and spent 6 weeks learning important facts and information.  We read books about biomes, pretended to be carnivores and herbivores, drew pictures of food chains, researched the water cycle, dressed in pajamas and "hibernated", watched documentaries on pollution and took a nature walk to pick up litter.  

Our CC group visited Grand Bay Wetland Education Center and we had the opportunity to view animals in their natural setting.  Along with the alligators, we saw bobcats, snakes, owls, turtles, deer, lizards, and much more.  With its education center, boardwalk through the wetlands, and 54 foot observation tower, Grand Bay was a treasure!!

For the next 6 weeks our focus turned to Astronomy.

As we began learning about stars and the sun, we read many books and the boys drew pictures of different types of stars.  We also created Star Jars.

Next came the planets in our solar system.  We used sidewalk chalk to create the planets outside and watercolor paints for inside. :)

Food makes everything better (especially chocolate).  So we made a Brownie Solar System.  After we made the brownies and licked the bowl of course, we let the brownies cool completely.  We used yellow icing for the sun, white icing for the orbits, and M&Ms as the planets.  This was lots of fun!  Everyone named the planets in order--even Memphis Belle!  When Daddy came home, you know they had to see if he knew them all. ;)

The boys also created the solar system using paper cut-outs for the planets.  They enjoyed doing this with their CC group.

The phases of the moon came next in our study of Astronomy.  We talked about the how the moon is made of rock and found rocks we pretended were moon rocks.

We also made Moon Dust (a new twist to the Cloud Dough we made last year).  We made a new batch and the kids had fun pretending it was moon dust.  

Each night we watched the moon, talked about its shape and discussed how it seemed to be changing.  We read books on the moon phases and enjoyed making the phases using Oreos.

Asteroids, meteors, and comets made the list and we enjoyed researching the difference between them.  Lastly, we learned about US Space Missions.  The Military Channel devoted a day to space missions, and we were fascinated by the documentaries and hearing the names of what we were memorizing.

In the new year we will turn our focus to physical science.  We are excited to see what it has in store for us!

Happy New Year,

Jenny

Medieval Times: Knights, Castles, and Dinner

For the last 5 weeks, we have been learning about all things Medieval.  Our history work in Classical Conversations has taken us through the Middle Ages and given us the chance to focus on castles, knights, and important events during this fascinating period.  We decided to take a family trip to the nearest Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament so that the boys could experience life in the Middle Ages.  And I can't recommend it enough!!!! 

We were taken back to a time of knights, castles, falconry, horsemanship, and jousting.  We loved that everything we had read about came to life before our eyes...from the jousting tournament to eating without utensils.  This also gave us a great topic for a presentation once back with our CC group. :)

Along with our trip back in time, we have also been busy at home.  Here is a look into how we keep the Middle Ages fresh in our minds.

As we wandered through the toy section of Target, Old Crow found this Castle Lego set.  He was so excited!!  We brought it home and he quickly got to work.

They enjoyed painting this castle with Q-tips.  

Crazy Horse pulled out this boy magnetic doll and realized he could make him into a knight!  

After reading about life during the time of knights, they wanted to draw a picture of a castle in their journals.  This is Crazy Horse's picture.

We also built a castle from building blocks, held our own knighting ceremonies, watched a portion of A Knight's Tale, and read some great books.

Their two favorite books were:

Until next time,

Jenny

First Week Happenings

Our school year has officially begun, and we have been at it for 2 weeks.   We had distractions, schedule adjustments, and attitude adjustments.  But overall, I would say it was a success.  :)  Here is a glimpse into our first weeks of school. 

Memphis Belle began her half-day church preschool class.  While she is at church, the boys and I do our "homeschool thing" (as Crazy Horse calls it).

Each day Crazy horse practices his handwriting and letter formation.

He improves fine motor skills with coloring, tracing, and various activity trays.

We also work on letter recognition and letter formation using playdough and blocks.

Old Crow works on his reading each day.  He is currently reading The Bears on Hemlock Mountain.

We also work on phonics-based spelling with our All About Spelling board.

For math practice and copywork, Old Crow likes to take his work to his "office."  We set up a small desk in a nook in his bedroom.  It is perfect for a quiet space with no distractions.

Old Crow was reluctant to play the piano, but he has taken to it so well!  He loves his lessons and looks forward to practicing each day.

We enjoyed learning our continents with sidewalk chalk.

Then we learned about oceans with a blob map and watercolors.

The boys work together with blocks and Legos while listening to memory work.

Then to celebrate our hard work we made cupcakes!!

I also enjoyed a cupcake or two...this "homeschool thing" is hard work for Mom too.  ;)

Jenny

Classical Conversations: Our Schedule at Home

During the planning stages this summer, I spent a great deal of time organizing my daily schedule.  Now that I am teaching multiple children, I really want my day to go smoothly and efficiently.  Each child deserves their one-on-one attention, and I needed to take into account areas we want to do together as a family and those areas where one child needs a quiet space with no interruptions.  So planning the order and arrangement of our subjects became very important.  I actually made about 10-15 different schedules (not exaggerating) before I settled on one.  So far, our first weeks of school are going great.  We have made a few tweaks, and I think we have something now that will work great for us!

I find that scheduling is also a big concern for other homeschooling moms.  We like to know what others are doing to help finalize our own thoughts.  So hopefully this will be of help to others. :)

Our Daily Routine

9:00-9:30

We begin the morning together with our Bible reading and prayer (this is often done during breakfast).  We also update our calendar, review scripture, and discuss our Godly character trait.  We pull out our notebook and practice writing our personal information---name, address, phone number.  Also in our notebook, we fill out our "Page of Prayers" and "I'm thankful for..." page.  These notebook activities are not all done on the same day.  I spread them out through the week.  

Then we begin our workboxes!

Workbox 1:  Math for both

Old Crow begins with independent math work (XtraMath on the iPad, drill sheets, flash cards, etc) while I work one-on-one with Crazy Horse.  Once we are finished with his lesson, Crazy Horse plays a math game or math manipulative and I begin Old Crow's lesson.  

*This is an area where Old Crow needs total concentration, so I send little brother to a nearby room to play on the rug while Old Crow and I work together.

Workbox 2:  Centers for Crazy Horse & English for Old Crow

For lack of a better term, Centers is just a rotating list of independent activities for Crazy Horse.  Listening center, book basket, iPad game, file folder game, puzzles, etc are all things that could be included in his workbox.  Old Crow and I work on English together.

Workbox 3:  Copywork/Writing for both

The English curriculum we are using often gives copywork so we extend that into our writing box.  Scripture is also something we use for copywork.  While Old Crow completes his copywork (usually at a desk in his bedroom for a quiet space), I work with Crazy Horse on his handwriting and letter formation.

Workbox 4:  Classical Conversations for both

I am so thankful for Leigh Bortins, the creator of CC, for giving this idea in the Foundations Guide.  This is something she does with her boys and it is working great for us!  The boys pull out blocks, Legos, etc and play together quietly while listening to the Classical Conversations memory work CD.  Once the songs and week's memory work are over, we clean up and are ready for a snack break.

Workbox 5:  Snack Break

During snack time, I sometimes read aloud or once CC begins I may use that time to drill the memory work.  It is also a great time to unload the dishwasher and put on a load of clothes. :)

After snack, we discuss our CC geography and trace/blob maps.

Workbox 6:  Reading for Crazy Horse and Piano for Old Crow

I send Old Crow off to the playroom where he practices his piano.  After that he has free time and can play until I call him for the next box.  While Old Crow is in another room, Crazy Horse and I concentrate on his reading program.

Workbox 7:  Piano for Crazy Horse and Reading for Old Crow

They basically switch places for this time period.  I work with Old Crow on his reading while Crazy Horse spends time on the piano and then free time in the playroom.

Workbox 8:  Playtime for Crazy Horse and Spelling for Old Crow

Crazy Horse remains in the playroom for free time or he can come and listen in on Old Crow's spelling lesson.

By this point, it is usually around 11:30.  We take a break and get Memphis Belle from preschool.  We eat lunch and play outside.

Afternoon Block with CC

During the afternoon, we have a rotation cycle for our Classical Conversation studies.

Monday:  Prepare for Tuesday's presentations

Tuesday:  Science book basket

Wednesday:  Science readings and science-related activities

Thursday:  History readings and history-related activities

Friday:  Fine arts focus and activity

Daily:  Storytime and A Child's History of the World readings are also done in the afternoon or at bedtime.

Having a routine provides structure and allows the kids the know what to expect each day.  However, the fact that no two days are the same is the beauty of homeschooling.  We are flexible, and I often let the boys lead in their interests.  If they want to talk about bugs and butterflies for a few minutes...let's do that.  Today they wanted to play Pilgrims and Indians after breakfast...sure!  We just adjusted and moved on.  :)
Jenny

Continents and Sidewalk Chalk

Although our Classical Conversations classes and curriculum will not begin until August 27, we decided to get a jump on the geography section.  I want Crazy Horse to have a basic understanding of maps, globes, and continents before we officially begin with CC.  

After locating the different continents on a globe and counting them, we grabbed some sidewalk chalk and took our learning outdoors!  Together we blobbed the 7 continents in correct relation to each other.  The boys were amazing and did very well remembering where each continent was located.

We then began in North America and took a tour of all continents...jumping to the correct continent I named aloud.  We bunny hopped around the world, swam around the world, and finally they flew around the world.  The movie, Planes, gave us inspiration and they pretended to be their favorite character...flying around until I said "Freeze."  Once they were frozen, they told me what continent they had landed on.  

There are so many ideas on how this "outdoor map" can be played again and again...each time offering a new skill.

*Have children blob the continents themselves

*Blob certain continents and children figure out which ones are not included

*Blob shapes and have children fill in the names of the continents

And of course, this will be perfect when we begin with oceans!

It's hard to beat fresh air, fun, and learning!

Jenny

Homeschool Orientation for Kids

This year will be my first attempt at officially homeschooling more than one child.  I will have both a Kindergartener and a 2nd grader.  While Old Crow is now a pro at this homeschooling thing, little brother--Crazy Horse--still can't quite figure it all out.  He knows about the schoolroom and where we keep the puzzles, crafts, and markers.  He knows we "do school" at home, but he can't wrap his mind around what he will be doing this year.  :)  

So to ease his mind (and mine) a little, I decided to have a special day where it was just him.  A day set aside to provide him with some one-on-one attention before our "1st day of school" on August 12.  

This past Thursday was Crazy Horse's special day.  We began the morning with a tour of the schoolroom.  I made sure he knew where everything was located--books, craft supplies, puzzles, his workboxes, and his notebook.

We spent some time playing with the puzzles. :)

 

I then went over my expectations for his behavior and attitude.  This was just a reiteration of what he discuss daily.  ;)

Next, I showed him his workbox system.  This has worked great for Old Crow and it is especially recommended when teaching multiple children.  So Crazy Horse now has his very own.  We took time to look in each box, and he also wanted to look through some of the things already placed in his boxes.

The shelf on top of the 10-drawer rolling cart will hold his notebook.  This notebook is basically like a portfolio that will house all of his work.  It is divided into sections...Name (for writing his name and personal information), Bible, Geography, History, Science, and Arts.  It will hold ongoing work as well as finished projects.  We got the idea from Brandy at Half-A-Hundred Acre Wood.  Check out her Classical Notebook here.

Crazy Horse put to use our new art carousel and decorated the cover of his notebook.  This keeps all of our supplies in one spot and they are able to share since it easily turns.

Last, we talked about the calendar board. 

Then we enjoyed the rest of the day doing things that Crazy Horse loves!

Popcorn snack

We rode to the airport and looked at the planes and jets.

And topped it off with a visit to our favorite frozen yogurt store.

You guessed it...Friday was Old Crow's special day.  We began the morning with his choice for breakfast.

Chick-fil-A

Once we were back at home, Old Crow and I spent one-on-one time in the schoolroom.  He didn't need as much preparation so I basically just wanted him to understand how having 2 workboxes would work.

And then he decorated the front cover of his notebook.

I also showed him some new math applications he would be using on the iPad.

We ended his special day with the movie Planes.

Today is Saturday and Memphis Belle has declared that today is her day.  I can't wait to see what is in store. :)

Jenny

For a more detailed look at our schoolroom and workboxes, click here.