"You parents naturally know how to relate to each of your children and to help them learn. Your biggest problem is that so many of you are afraid that teachers or society or somebody out there will frown on your way of teaching. You feel safer if you stick closely to a book or series of books, because that is somebody else's plan, that is in print, that must be right.
For some children and for some of the time, certain books will happen to be just right. But if you find yourself struggling to mold your child to a book, try reversing priorities. It's the child you are teaching, not the book. Bend the book, or find another; make the studies fit the child."
Ruth Beechick, You Can Teach Your Child Successfully, Letter to Teaching Parents
Welcome to my little homeschool world. On the side you will see numerous free or low cost resources to educating your kids. I update the links often. But due to my busy schedule with family and life, I don't get to post little blurbs or reviews as much as I would like. So, if it's been a while, please excuse me. I'm probably busy with our own schooling or part of our lives. But you will find lots of websites and blogs in the links that I'm sure will give you hours of online exploration and reading!
Have a blessed day!
Angela
Have a blessed day!
Angela
Monday, October 18, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Site of the Week - School Express.com
School Express.com
School Express is a great resource for any home educating family who is working with a small budget. They have over 16,000 free worksheets and printables. And there are online math activities and games. You can also download a very good thematic unit and workbooks for inexpensively from their online store. They give one unit away for free each week.
Don't see a worksheet you like? They offer an online worksheet generator.
There's really not enough I can say to describe how great this site is. Just check it out for yourself!
Blessings
Don't see a worksheet you like? They offer an online worksheet generator.
There's really not enough I can say to describe how great this site is. Just check it out for yourself!
Blessings
Monday, August 16, 2010
Book of the Week - Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare
Shakespeare was a wonderful writer who instructed with delight and amusement. His writings are full of wisdom, proverbs, and witty little gems. It is easily argued that his works are the highest esteemed of English Classical literature, aside from the Bible. And that Shakespeare was the world's greatest dramatist of all time.
A few months ago I shared Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb.
Recently we found another version of Shakespeare stories written for children by Edith Nesbit.
Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare was written in a simple style, easily understood by children, yet still retains the wittiness and wisdom that delights and entertains so many.
I downloaded this version for my family to listen to on our road trip to Colorado while on vacation. We listened to this most of the way there, and my girls enjoyed it immensely.
So far our favourite Shakespeare story is "As You Like It".
An audio version is available Librivox.org. You can go to the Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare archive page for the chapter by chapter playlist or MP3 download. Or click play below to hear Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare from the beginning.
You may also download the Ebook version for you to print out, or read on ereader, at the Project Gutenburg Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare page.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Blog Worthy of Note: Charlotte Mason in NW Arkansas
While I don't totally pattern our home education day after one of a Charlotte Mason Philosophy, I still do read a lot of Charlotte Mason's materials and follow several blogs of Charlotte Mason support groups. I have gleaned lots of wisdom and ideas to help me make our home education smoother and more enjoyable.
I recently came across a blog of a Charlotte Mason in NW Arkansas support group. The Charlotte Mason in NW Arkansas group blog appears to be mainly for a record of monthly activities, but there are a few ideas and resources they have shared, such as a Narration Jar and a list of handcrafts in the bible.
I have added this blog subscription to my google reader feed, in hopes that as the education year gets under way they will update more frequently with more ideas.
I hope you find it useful to.
Blessings
I recently came across a blog of a Charlotte Mason in NW Arkansas support group. The Charlotte Mason in NW Arkansas group blog appears to be mainly for a record of monthly activities, but there are a few ideas and resources they have shared, such as a Narration Jar and a list of handcrafts in the bible.
I have added this blog subscription to my google reader feed, in hopes that as the education year gets under way they will update more frequently with more ideas.
I hope you find it useful to.
Blessings
Monday, August 9, 2010
Book of the Week - Raggedy Ann Stories
Image Source
Raggedy Ann Stories by John B. Gruelle
Raggedy Ann Stories by John B. Gruelle
Almost every grown up girl remembers having their very own rag doll. If not, then it is very possible that they are living a little vicariously through their own little daughters, or little nieces.
Whether it's having tea party, dress up, doctor and nurse, tomboyish romps through the fields, or pretending to be little mommies, most little girls have a little doll friend to accompany them.
The stories in Raggedy Ann strike a semblance in every little girls childhood. Whether it's playing tea party, dress up, doctor and nurse, tomboyish romps through the fields, or pretending to be little mommies. It's a good chance that you can identify with at least one chapter within this book.
If you haven't ever read Raggedy Ann, it's time that you do. If you've never had a little rag doll, relive a second childhood just a bit and find yourself a little rag doll friend.Whether it's having tea party, dress up, doctor and nurse, tomboyish romps through the fields, or pretending to be little mommies, most little girls have a little doll friend to accompany them.
The stories in Raggedy Ann strike a semblance in every little girls childhood. Whether it's playing tea party, dress up, doctor and nurse, tomboyish romps through the fields, or pretending to be little mommies. It's a good chance that you can identify with at least one chapter within this book.
An audio version is available Librivox.org. You can go to the Raggedy Ann Stories internet archive page for the chapter by chapter playlist or MP3 download. Or click play below to hear Raggedy Ann Stories from the beginning
You may download the book version for your E-reader or to print out here at Project Gutenberg Raggedy Ann Stories Page
Labels:
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Ebook,
Gruelle,
Raggedy Ann
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Reading is a Blast with A Shufflebook
I love thrift stores. They have such great finds that help make education easier or more fun. Sure you have to be picky, really look through a lot till you find a gem, and discipline yourself not to buy a lot of other things you don't need. But I really find that it's fun to sift through thrift stores to find a few treasures.
I recently found one that I know I'm going to use a lot this next year. And it only cost me $.25!
It's called a "Shufflebook" and was created by Richard Hefter and Marin Stephen Moskof, the publication date on this particular package is 1970.
It contains 52 large double sided cards. Each side of the card has words with large, colorful, pictures. The words are either nouns, simple verbs, or nouns with pro nouns.
The object is to simply create your own fun and crazy story by starting you sentence with "Today I" or "Yesterday we" (or get creative), and pulling cards out at whim to make a long ongoing sentence that forms a completely random story.
It contains 52 large double sided cards. Each side of the card has words with large, colorful, pictures. The words are either nouns, simple verbs, or nouns with pro nouns.
The object is to simply create your own fun and crazy story by starting you sentence with "Today I" or "Yesterday we" (or get creative), and pulling cards out at whim to make a long ongoing sentence that forms a completely random story.
We did this today during our read aloud time, and this is what we ended up with:
Yesterday we went to the zoo,
and the turtle
and 8 ants
flew
and she
got kissed
and the chicken
laughed
and the astronaut
cheered
and 5 cows
flipped
screamed
slipped
pouted
and he
swam
and the dog
wiggled
and I
bounced
and the turtle
and 8 ants
flew
and she
got kissed
and the chicken
laughed
and the astronaut
cheered
and 5 cows
flipped
screamed
slipped
pouted
and he
swam
and the dog
wiggled
and I
bounced
Isn't that a riot?!
These cards could have many applications. For a beginning reader they could be used for help with fluency in reading.
For a more advanced reader, these cards could be used as language arts aids by creating a sentence, and then using it to learn about subjects, predicates, verbs, nouns, pronouns, punctuation, etc.
I believe these are out of print. I found 2 for sale on Amazon.com, but these would be very easy to make on your own with index cards, a sharpie, and lots of cut out pictures from unwanted catalogs and old magazines.
Take this idea, and run with it to make learning in your home more enjoyable!
These cards could have many applications. For a beginning reader they could be used for help with fluency in reading.
For a more advanced reader, these cards could be used as language arts aids by creating a sentence, and then using it to learn about subjects, predicates, verbs, nouns, pronouns, punctuation, etc.
I believe these are out of print. I found 2 for sale on Amazon.com, but these would be very easy to make on your own with index cards, a sharpie, and lots of cut out pictures from unwanted catalogs and old magazines.
Take this idea, and run with it to make learning in your home more enjoyable!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Getting ready to roll again
We've taken an extended break from our normal routine, longer than I would of liked. But we will be leaving for vacation the next few weeks, and it didn't seem logical to start school only to interrupt it a few weeks later with vacation.
So we'll be "restarting school" after we get back from family vacation in mid August.
I am excited, and almost giddy. This is the most wonderful time of the year for me. I love shopping for school and office supplies.
I've cleared out books we no longer need or use at the moment, and re organized the book shelves. I printed out planning pages, started organizing the binders, and writing down goals and objectives for the current year. I started organizing the curriculum and resources for each subject, and making note of what I still need to purchase after vacation.
I'm also thinking hard about exactly what we should be focusing on during the next year, and what can be considered extras. I'm heavily leaning towards keeping the 3Rs (Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic) as the main focus of each educational day, and having extras be touched on once or twice each week.
We have some major changes ahead in regard to my husbands work. So our life will be bumped into overdrive within the next year, possibly the next 3 months. So I need to make sure to keep each and every day we devote to academics and learning be as simple as possible.
My earnest prayer is that I would make my plans, but God would direct my steps in every area of planning and preparation.
I will be updating my blog here with resources weekly again starting mid August.
So we'll be "restarting school" after we get back from family vacation in mid August.
I am excited, and almost giddy. This is the most wonderful time of the year for me. I love shopping for school and office supplies.
I've cleared out books we no longer need or use at the moment, and re organized the book shelves. I printed out planning pages, started organizing the binders, and writing down goals and objectives for the current year. I started organizing the curriculum and resources for each subject, and making note of what I still need to purchase after vacation.
I'm also thinking hard about exactly what we should be focusing on during the next year, and what can be considered extras. I'm heavily leaning towards keeping the 3Rs (Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic) as the main focus of each educational day, and having extras be touched on once or twice each week.
We have some major changes ahead in regard to my husbands work. So our life will be bumped into overdrive within the next year, possibly the next 3 months. So I need to make sure to keep each and every day we devote to academics and learning be as simple as possible.
My earnest prayer is that I would make my plans, but God would direct my steps in every area of planning and preparation.
I will be updating my blog here with resources weekly again starting mid August.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Collette's Top 10 to Keep Homeschooling Simple
As homeschoolers it is so easy to make education complicated. At least I know I can. When I first started planning and outlining everything I wanted my children to learn and the time schedule to learn it in, my list was very long. Which made our schedule complicated. I easily packed the day from waking to after daddy came home, and still didn't get everything done each day.
Then I found the Robinson Curriculum, and the Robinson Users for Christ yahoo egroup.
I've slowly had to let go of my education paradigm and change my thinking in what was really important. It took me a while to finally admit that I only had so many hours in the day, and we could only do so much. My time was limited.
The ladies on the Robinson Users for Christ egroup have been such a blessing, and so instrumental in helping me to become more relaxed in our schooling, and making learning more enjoyable. They have also given lots of advice and opinions that have helped me to understand what true education is.
I don't want to get deep into the thoughts that have shaped my Home Education philosophy tonight. But I wanted to share a list from a wise woman on the group. I have this printed out and in my homeschooling notebook in a page protector, and it is one of the things I reference regularly when I need a reminder of what is important and not so important. (The other item is "Teaching the Trivium" by the Bluedorns, but that will be saved for later)
I really hope it helps some of you as well.
1) Keep everything as simple as you can. Jesus wrote with a stick in the dirt, and He was the greatest teacher that ever lived. He used no curriculum or flannel graphs or lesson plans. Homeschooling can be made far more complicated than it should be. A simpler approach is much more effective.
2) Stick to the 3 R's. They form the foundation of life-long learning in every field because they are the tools of study. There will be no need to formalize any other subject if the children are doing their best in these 3, because people who are well grounded in reading, writing and math will approach other subjects boldly, independently and confidently.
3) Let the children teach themselves as much as they are able to. This teaches them responsibility, intellectual independence, and builds confidence. It's also better for the parent/child relationship because you can focus on parenting instead of playing schoolteacher.
4) Use the most direct method available. For reading, read. For writing, write, for math, do it, and for Bible, read it. Don't fall for catchy curriculums or methods that are really just something else for you and your child to learn.
5) Don't worry about your child's age or grade. Just let him do the best he can each day. Children grow intellectually like they do physically: in spurts. Although we may have an audience of skeptical relatives, homeschooling is not a circus, and we refuse to train our children to do tricks for people.
6) Minimize distractions in the home. Watch for excessiveness in entertainments, snacking, outings, phone conversations and the like. These sorts of things can easily get out of hand and compete with the effectiveness of a homeschool and sap the family of time and energy.
7) Seek quality over quantity. A few tapes of great music, a small case of carefully chosen books, a few special play mates, and an occasional outing is better than a large, but poor quality collection.
8) If you must document your school activities, do it after the fact. This way you will not make promises you cannot keep. If you are required to make lesson plans, be as vague as permissible. Don't let transcripts, diplomas, records and tests determine your academic plans. Focus on learning and the rest will follow.
9) Put the needs of your youngest, most vulnerable children first. If an older child gets a little behind in school, I'm sure you can forgive yourself. But if something happened to the toddler while you were busy homeschooling, I don't think you would be able to say the same.
10) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and don't neglect to seek him early...giving him the first fruits of your day and teach your children to do the same. I know that you are tired and that there aren't enough hours in your day, but we serve a God who can make the sun stand still.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RobinsonUsers4Christ/
August 2001
Then I found the Robinson Curriculum, and the Robinson Users for Christ yahoo egroup.
I've slowly had to let go of my education paradigm and change my thinking in what was really important. It took me a while to finally admit that I only had so many hours in the day, and we could only do so much. My time was limited.
The ladies on the Robinson Users for Christ egroup have been such a blessing, and so instrumental in helping me to become more relaxed in our schooling, and making learning more enjoyable. They have also given lots of advice and opinions that have helped me to understand what true education is.
I don't want to get deep into the thoughts that have shaped my Home Education philosophy tonight. But I wanted to share a list from a wise woman on the group. I have this printed out and in my homeschooling notebook in a page protector, and it is one of the things I reference regularly when I need a reminder of what is important and not so important. (The other item is "Teaching the Trivium" by the Bluedorns, but that will be saved for later)
I really hope it helps some of you as well.
1) Keep everything as simple as you can. Jesus wrote with a stick in the dirt, and He was the greatest teacher that ever lived. He used no curriculum or flannel graphs or lesson plans. Homeschooling can be made far more complicated than it should be. A simpler approach is much more effective.
2) Stick to the 3 R's. They form the foundation of life-long learning in every field because they are the tools of study. There will be no need to formalize any other subject if the children are doing their best in these 3, because people who are well grounded in reading, writing and math will approach other subjects boldly, independently and confidently.
3) Let the children teach themselves as much as they are able to. This teaches them responsibility, intellectual independence, and builds confidence. It's also better for the parent/child relationship because you can focus on parenting instead of playing schoolteacher.
4) Use the most direct method available. For reading, read. For writing, write, for math, do it, and for Bible, read it. Don't fall for catchy curriculums or methods that are really just something else for you and your child to learn.
5) Don't worry about your child's age or grade. Just let him do the best he can each day. Children grow intellectually like they do physically: in spurts. Although we may have an audience of skeptical relatives, homeschooling is not a circus, and we refuse to train our children to do tricks for people.
6) Minimize distractions in the home. Watch for excessiveness in entertainments, snacking, outings, phone conversations and the like. These sorts of things can easily get out of hand and compete with the effectiveness of a homeschool and sap the family of time and energy.
7) Seek quality over quantity. A few tapes of great music, a small case of carefully chosen books, a few special play mates, and an occasional outing is better than a large, but poor quality collection.
8) If you must document your school activities, do it after the fact. This way you will not make promises you cannot keep. If you are required to make lesson plans, be as vague as permissible. Don't let transcripts, diplomas, records and tests determine your academic plans. Focus on learning and the rest will follow.
9) Put the needs of your youngest, most vulnerable children first. If an older child gets a little behind in school, I'm sure you can forgive yourself. But if something happened to the toddler while you were busy homeschooling, I don't think you would be able to say the same.
10) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and don't neglect to seek him early...giving him the first fruits of your day and teach your children to do the same. I know that you are tired and that there aren't enough hours in your day, but we serve a God who can make the sun stand still.
Shared courtesy of and with permission from
Colette Longohttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/RobinsonUsers4Christ/
August 2001
Labels:
Collette's Top 10,
Self Education,
Simple Education
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Book of the Week - Tales from Shakespeare
Image Source
Tales from Shakepeare - by Charles and Mary Lamb
My now 10yo daughter saw I was reading it, picked up the book, and has read several stories herself. During her free reading time this is her current book of choice, and it's been seen in the car quite frequently.Tales from Shakepeare - by Charles and Mary Lamb
Shakespeare was a brilliant writer who brought contributed greatly to English culture. His plays, poems, and sonnets are to this day seen as the most brilliant literature works in English History.
When we were forced to read Shakespeare in my Public School days, it was boring to me and I did not understand it. I really believe that I've had no introduction to Shakespeare's works before that time. I had no knowledge of any of the stories, and little knowledge of the background surrounding the plays.
Later, now as a home school mother, I am quickly falling in love with Shakespeare. This past winter I found a copy of Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb at a local used book store and read it myself.
When we were forced to read Shakespeare in my Public School days, it was boring to me and I did not understand it. I really believe that I've had no introduction to Shakespeare's works before that time. I had no knowledge of any of the stories, and little knowledge of the background surrounding the plays.
Later, now as a home school mother, I am quickly falling in love with Shakespeare. This past winter I found a copy of Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb at a local used book store and read it myself.
The stories are charming, written in a way that are easy to understand, even for children, yet accurately telling the stories keeping the wit and morals intact.
No, this is not the same as reading Shakespeare's original works. These stories are considered heavily abridged versions of his works. But they make for a great introduction for a younger child to Shakespeare. My thought is if my daughters are introduced to the plays in this way now, reading the original plays later in her school career will be less daunting and more enjoyable for them.
I highly suggest this to any mom who has been dreading reading Shakepeare as a mom time read. This would be an enjoyable family read aloud during a longer evening story time in the winter, with a family size bowl of popcorn and cider.
I have given you the link to the Googlebook version above. A preview of the GoogleBook is below You can download and print out the book, or download the book to an Ereader. This book can also be found used at Amazon.com and Half.com, or maybe as a lucky find at a local used book store.
An audio version is available Librivox.org. You can go to the Tales from Shakespeare internet archive page for the chapter by chapter playlist or MP3 download. Or click play below to hear Tales from Shakespeare from the beginning.
Be blessed and enjoy!
Labels:
Audio Book,
Book of the Week,
Ebook,
Lamb,
Read Alouds,
Shakespeare
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Developing Thinking Skills Through Play - Bloxorz
I recently found a neat game at Cool Math Games.biz. It's called Bloxorz. The goal of Bloxorz is to move a rectangular block around the playing board of each stage. At the end of each stage is a square hole that the rectangular block must fall through when on it's end. The rectangular block can be flipped from end to end or rolled from side to side based on which direction key is pressed to move the block.
The first few stages are fairly easy in order to help you figure out how to maneuver the blocks using the direction keys. But as you progress through the stages you quickly find new challenges. There are 2 types of switches to open and close bridges on the level. There is 1 switch that will transport your block to another place on the playing board at random. And there are also tiles in the playing field that are fragile and will fall away.
While figuring how to move your block to hit each switch just right, and land on the hole just right, you also have to avoid falling off the edge of the playing board.
Fortunately the tutorial for this game is pretty easy to understand.
It's a pretty fun little game, but it does require thinking and some strategy. Once a child gets the hang of the controls they should be able to figure out the rest on their own. I would recommend this for about 8/9 years and older.
The website this is on has lots of good math games to help supplement your math and critical thinking curriculum. You can find the main index here: http://www.coolmathgames.biz/
This is a free site, but does have lots of advertising on it. Fortunately you can view the game alone in a larger pop out window, and minimize the window with the advertisements. This way your child is less likely to accidentally click on a wrong place on the website and click on an add. So far, the adds seem to be only for other games and pretty kid friendly. But they can be pretty annoying as well.
Parents: Please use caution when allowing your children to use the internet. I highly recommend you do not ever let a child use the internet alone and unsupervised. And please pre screen all websites before allowing your child to view them. The websites I recommend are kid friendly at the time of recommendation. But I can not vouch for them in any future time.
The first few stages are fairly easy in order to help you figure out how to maneuver the blocks using the direction keys. But as you progress through the stages you quickly find new challenges. There are 2 types of switches to open and close bridges on the level. There is 1 switch that will transport your block to another place on the playing board at random. And there are also tiles in the playing field that are fragile and will fall away.
While figuring how to move your block to hit each switch just right, and land on the hole just right, you also have to avoid falling off the edge of the playing board.
Fortunately the tutorial for this game is pretty easy to understand.
It's a pretty fun little game, but it does require thinking and some strategy. Once a child gets the hang of the controls they should be able to figure out the rest on their own. I would recommend this for about 8/9 years and older.
The website this is on has lots of good math games to help supplement your math and critical thinking curriculum. You can find the main index here: http://www.coolmathgames.biz/
This is a free site, but does have lots of advertising on it. Fortunately you can view the game alone in a larger pop out window, and minimize the window with the advertisements. This way your child is less likely to accidentally click on a wrong place on the website and click on an add. So far, the adds seem to be only for other games and pretty kid friendly. But they can be pretty annoying as well.
Parents: Please use caution when allowing your children to use the internet. I highly recommend you do not ever let a child use the internet alone and unsupervised. And please pre screen all websites before allowing your child to view them. The websites I recommend are kid friendly at the time of recommendation. But I can not vouch for them in any future time.
Audio Book of the Week - Black Beauty
Black Beauty - by Anna Sewell
All three of my daughters love horses, and my oldest has read through the book at least twice (that I know of). Since we have downloaded the .mp3 format and burned it to CD we have listened to it almost every time we are in the truck going to or fro running errands or such.
Anna Sewell really has a way of writing that emphasises the truth that all animals are God's creatures, but they really are at our mercy of how they fare. (I'm not a tree hugger, nor do I put animals lives on the same importance as human lives. But God did give us dominion over them and that includes the care of them.)
You may download the book version for your E-reader or to print out here: Gutenburg.org - Black Beauty Ebook Archive page.
Go to the Librivox.org Black Beauty Archive Page for the chapter by chapter playlist, download in MP3 format, or click play below to hear Black Beauty from the beginning.
Anna Sewell really has a way of writing that emphasises the truth that all animals are God's creatures, but they really are at our mercy of how they fare. (I'm not a tree hugger, nor do I put animals lives on the same importance as human lives. But God did give us dominion over them and that includes the care of them.)
You may download the book version for your E-reader or to print out here: Gutenburg.org - Black Beauty Ebook Archive page.
Go to the Librivox.org Black Beauty Archive Page for the chapter by chapter playlist, download in MP3 format, or click play below to hear Black Beauty from the beginning.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Begining Piano
We were blessed this past weekend with a wonderful piano.
Now we are starting to learn piano. :)
I played when I was younger, and actually competed and won a few competitions. But in my lack of wisdom in my younger years, I didn't pursue it to a higher level after I graduated school.
So I know enough to start my children's journey in music. I will teach the girls up to a point, and then hire a professional instructor.
This morning we had a "formal" lesson, which consisted of reading the lesson out loud, and then re reading the lesson while at the piano and practicing what the piano lesson illustrated.
Since my middle daughter is still younger, I'm going to use the same book for both, and supplement with notebooking and more practice for my older daughter.
"Formal" lesson's will be once a week, then during the rest of the week use the lesson time for practice.
For beginning Piano, I am using the Alfred Basic Piano Library, Level 1A. For anyone just learning piano, I highly recommend this series. They are very thorough and begin at the very basic of skills. Plus the pages are very simple, clean, and uncluttered, but they are also illustrated with fun pictures to help a young child learn. The Alfred Piano Library has a series of books, covering a wide range of ages and skill levels.
There are also a few very good sites on line to supplement piano learning. One is Piano Play It which offers online reading, video, and printables. Another I found this morning that seems very good is How To Play Piano with Andrew Furmanczyk's Music Academy.
We read Lesson 1 in the Lesson Book, practiced a short time on the piano, and then watched Andrew's Piano Lesson 1.
Today's lesson was on learning the finger numbers. After the lesson, we traced outlines of the girls' left and right hands on a blank sheet of paper, and numbered them to re-inforce the illustration. If you have more time and don't mind getting a little messy, it would be fun to make finger paint hand prints, and then number each finger in sharpie.
For playing the piano, the finger numbers are both the same on the left hand and the right hand. The thumb is 1, pointer finger is 2, middle finger is 3, index finger is 4, and pinkie is 5. You can also look at it as numbering from center to outside when hands are held side by side palms down. This is illustrated here on Piano Play It Lesson 3.
We also learned how many keys were on the piano, the names of the notes on the piano, and how to find them in relation to the groups of black keys and white keys. And we learned how to identify middle C on the piano. Here's a printable page on Piano Play It showing the layout of part of the piano keyboard, and the names of the notes.
Both the piano layout page and the handprint fingering chart will be put into a Piano notebook for each of the girls. Anything pertinent or interesting we come across in learning piano will go on these notebooks.
I played when I was younger, and actually competed and won a few competitions. But in my lack of wisdom in my younger years, I didn't pursue it to a higher level after I graduated school.
So I know enough to start my children's journey in music. I will teach the girls up to a point, and then hire a professional instructor.
This morning we had a "formal" lesson, which consisted of reading the lesson out loud, and then re reading the lesson while at the piano and practicing what the piano lesson illustrated.
Since my middle daughter is still younger, I'm going to use the same book for both, and supplement with notebooking and more practice for my older daughter.
"Formal" lesson's will be once a week, then during the rest of the week use the lesson time for practice.
For beginning Piano, I am using the Alfred Basic Piano Library, Level 1A. For anyone just learning piano, I highly recommend this series. They are very thorough and begin at the very basic of skills. Plus the pages are very simple, clean, and uncluttered, but they are also illustrated with fun pictures to help a young child learn. The Alfred Piano Library has a series of books, covering a wide range of ages and skill levels.
There are also a few very good sites on line to supplement piano learning. One is Piano Play It which offers online reading, video, and printables. Another I found this morning that seems very good is How To Play Piano with Andrew Furmanczyk's Music Academy.
We read Lesson 1 in the Lesson Book, practiced a short time on the piano, and then watched Andrew's Piano Lesson 1.
Today's lesson was on learning the finger numbers. After the lesson, we traced outlines of the girls' left and right hands on a blank sheet of paper, and numbered them to re-inforce the illustration. If you have more time and don't mind getting a little messy, it would be fun to make finger paint hand prints, and then number each finger in sharpie.
For playing the piano, the finger numbers are both the same on the left hand and the right hand. The thumb is 1, pointer finger is 2, middle finger is 3, index finger is 4, and pinkie is 5. You can also look at it as numbering from center to outside when hands are held side by side palms down. This is illustrated here on Piano Play It Lesson 3.
We also learned how many keys were on the piano, the names of the notes on the piano, and how to find them in relation to the groups of black keys and white keys. And we learned how to identify middle C on the piano. Here's a printable page on Piano Play It showing the layout of part of the piano keyboard, and the names of the notes.
Both the piano layout page and the handprint fingering chart will be put into a Piano notebook for each of the girls. Anything pertinent or interesting we come across in learning piano will go on these notebooks.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
New book for History read aloud!
I acquired a small gem this past week at the used book store. I was looking for books on my daughter's reading list. And among the shelf labeled "Olides but Goodies" I spied an old history book.
It's called "The Story of Our Nation", published in the 1940's. Browsing through it, this seems to be an history text from an old catholic school, and it teaches early American history and the Christian roots this country grew from. Seeing that it is from a Catholic school, I might have to pick over a few items. But the non socially/politically correct content is going to be so worth it.
This will probably become part of our read aloud time once or twice a week. We are already reading "Story of the World" once a week, but I think this would make a great addition to history. I'm also going to put this one on my daughters' book list for their 9th or 10th grade year.
This is on the front flyleaf"
"The Story of a Great Country
A Country is made up of people.
A country is good or bad, weak or strong, as the people in it are good or bad, selfish or unselfish.
Our country was discovered by a man who had Faith when all others doubted.
Our country was made independent by men who loved Libery and who were ready to die to obtain it.
Our country was made a Nation by men, who loved Justice and who made a Constitution based on the Rights of Man.
Our country was preserved as a Union by men who believed in Equality of the Soul and in Freedom for all men.
Our country has grown wealthy and prosperous through men of Endurance who worked while others slept.
Our country has been a Refuge for the oppressed from other nations.
Our country - What can we do to keep our country a great land?
We ourselves must be a great people.
Our Ideals must be:
Courage in our own lives.
Justice to our neighbor.
Loyalty to our government.
Peace with other nations.
Faith in God.
These are the things which make a people truly great.
St. Xavier College
Febbruary 2, 1940"
Yes this was published in the 40's and so much has changed. Our nation is in deep debt. Our legislature no longer has Faith in God. We are creating peace with the wrong nations, and shunning our true allies. And so few of us has real courage.
But, I believe, teaching our children the true roots of this country, and giving them a firm foundation of this nation's Faith in history, is a must if we are to have hope of raising up a generation that will make this nation great once again.
It's called "The Story of Our Nation", published in the 1940's. Browsing through it, this seems to be an history text from an old catholic school, and it teaches early American history and the Christian roots this country grew from. Seeing that it is from a Catholic school, I might have to pick over a few items. But the non socially/politically correct content is going to be so worth it.
This will probably become part of our read aloud time once or twice a week. We are already reading "Story of the World" once a week, but I think this would make a great addition to history. I'm also going to put this one on my daughters' book list for their 9th or 10th grade year.
This is on the front flyleaf"
"The Story of a Great Country
A Country is made up of people.
A country is good or bad, weak or strong, as the people in it are good or bad, selfish or unselfish.
Our country was discovered by a man who had Faith when all others doubted.
Our country was made independent by men who loved Libery and who were ready to die to obtain it.
Our country was made a Nation by men, who loved Justice and who made a Constitution based on the Rights of Man.
Our country was preserved as a Union by men who believed in Equality of the Soul and in Freedom for all men.
Our country has grown wealthy and prosperous through men of Endurance who worked while others slept.
Our country has been a Refuge for the oppressed from other nations.
Our country - What can we do to keep our country a great land?
We ourselves must be a great people.
Our Ideals must be:
Courage in our own lives.
Justice to our neighbor.
Loyalty to our government.
Peace with other nations.
Faith in God.
These are the things which make a people truly great.
St. Xavier College
Febbruary 2, 1940"
Yes this was published in the 40's and so much has changed. Our nation is in deep debt. Our legislature no longer has Faith in God. We are creating peace with the wrong nations, and shunning our true allies. And so few of us has real courage.
But, I believe, teaching our children the true roots of this country, and giving them a firm foundation of this nation's Faith in history, is a must if we are to have hope of raising up a generation that will make this nation great once again.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Observations with Play Dough....
No matter how much of it you buy or the variety of the colors, it all ends up the same color eventually. So it's great to take brand new play dough and teach colors, and how some colors mix well to make a new color or don't mix well and make a bad color.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Book of the Week - Little Women
Little Women - By Louisa May Alcott
I have to admit I have never read this book up to this point in my life. I honestly think that I was a little intimidated by size of the book when I would look at it on the shelf, whether abridged or unabridged.
But I bought myself a small MP3 player that has E Book capability in .txt format. So I have downloaded this book in .txt format from Gutenberg.com and MP3 format and loaded it on my player.
I am really enjoying reading this book. The more I read it, the more I think that Jo March and I could be sisters, and the more I want to be like Marmee (Mrs. March). There are several wonderful examples each of the girls facing personal character shortcomings and Mrs. March encouraging her children to look to their Helper and Heavenly Father whenever they need help or strength.
I am currently in Chapter Ten and so far I have laughed out loud in almost every chapter, and cried a few times as well.
So far this is my favourite quote, from Chapter Nine, "Meg Goes to Vanity Fair."
"I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good. To be admired, loved, and respected. To have a happy youth, to be well and wisely married, and to lead useful, pleasant lives, with as little care and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send. To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman, and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience. It is natural to think of it, Meg, right to hope and wait for it, and wise to prepare for it, so that when the happy time comes, you may feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy. My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world, marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is wanting. Money is a needful and precious thing, and when well used, a noble thing, but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace."
This resonates deeply within my heart and so easily describes what I want for my own girls. I will be copying this into my journal and into my Homeschooling mission statement.
I hope to read this aloud to my girls myself and have put it on our "Must Read Together" list.
But this week we will listen to this during our quiet activity time throughout the week.
If you have not yet read this book, I highly encourage you to! And I am quickly starting to believe that every girl must read this book at least once in their life, and every mother and daughter must read this together at least once.
You may download this book for free at Gutenberg.org. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott etext.
Go to the Librivox.org Little Women archive page for the chapter by chapter playlist, download in MP3 format, or click play below to hear Little Women from the beginning.
Labels:
Audio Book,
Bible,
Book of the Week,
Ebook,
L.M. Alcott,
Little Women,
Read Alouds
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Nature Study - Taking advantage of TV Programs
Nature Study and TV don't usually go together in the same sentence, nor in the same paragraph. But in the winter months it really is difficult to go outside and get a good first hand experience with nature. The weather is harsh, or muddy and mucky during a thaw, and most live things are dormant or in hibernation.
So I will use more TV shows, and online programming to help my kids learn a little bit more about nature. One of the program sites I frequent often is PBS.org.
Nova had a past episode on Monarch Butterflies, and we watched it today. My daughter loves reading about butterflies and learning about them so this program was right up her alley. Did you realize that the year long migration cycle is made by four generations of monarchs? Three generations only live just over a month and then die, but the fourth generation lives about 9 months. It is the fourth generation that makes the several thousand mile migration from North-Eastern USA and Canada south to Mexico, in two months.
Most of the programming on PBS is great and educational. But a note of caution. As expected, PBS programming usually includes something that is pro evolution or extreme enviromentalism. Watch these programs first. Then watch them with their kids. Then discuss with your kids what was good and not so good about the program.
And don't ever let your kids roam the internet unsupervised.
So I will use more TV shows, and online programming to help my kids learn a little bit more about nature. One of the program sites I frequent often is PBS.org.
Nova had a past episode on Monarch Butterflies, and we watched it today. My daughter loves reading about butterflies and learning about them so this program was right up her alley. Did you realize that the year long migration cycle is made by four generations of monarchs? Three generations only live just over a month and then die, but the fourth generation lives about 9 months. It is the fourth generation that makes the several thousand mile migration from North-Eastern USA and Canada south to Mexico, in two months.
Most of the programming on PBS is great and educational. But a note of caution. As expected, PBS programming usually includes something that is pro evolution or extreme enviromentalism. Watch these programs first. Then watch them with their kids. Then discuss with your kids what was good and not so good about the program.
And don't ever let your kids roam the internet unsupervised.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Auditorium - Developing thinking skills through play
It's important for me that the things my kids do in school time or free time helps to develop logic and thinking skills. We watch very little tv or movies, and have no video gaming systems in the house. Most of our play and creative time is spend working on paper crafts, hand crafts, single player games, and multi player games. Very little of our free time during a school day is spent on the computer.
I am not against gaming systems, they do have their place and purpose in play and recreation. We just have very little room to store one with all the games and accessories that come along with it.
But when I find a computer game that helps to develop thinking and logic skills, while letting my girls be creative and have fun, I feel that I've hit pretty close to the jackpot. And I've done that with a game I found online earlier in the school year.
Auditorium, found at http://www.playauditorium.com/, is an abstract game that stimulates creative thinking. Each level and puzzle has no right or wrong answer, and no one solution. The game is very entertaining in that it utilizes sound and color.
Each "puzzle" begins as a single stream of light. Controls are moved around the screen to bend the stream, change the color of the stream, the direction of the stream, or the speed. The object is to direct the stream to an Audio Container, and fill the container. The container transforms the light into sound. On the levels where there are several Audio Containers, it creates a pleasing and harmonious "symphony".
The concept is simple, but requires real thought to be put into the game to solve. And usually the first attempt at solving the puzzles with multiple containers is not successful. Which also teaches to not give up on the first try, but try again.
The online demo is free, and offers hours of playtime. You can also purchase the full version for even more options and controls. Flash Player is required to play.
I highly recommend this for upper elementary/lower middle school on up. Younger ages can play too, but probably better sitting in mommy's lap as a helper.
I am not against gaming systems, they do have their place and purpose in play and recreation. We just have very little room to store one with all the games and accessories that come along with it.
But when I find a computer game that helps to develop thinking and logic skills, while letting my girls be creative and have fun, I feel that I've hit pretty close to the jackpot. And I've done that with a game I found online earlier in the school year.
Auditorium, found at http://www.playauditorium.com/, is an abstract game that stimulates creative thinking. Each level and puzzle has no right or wrong answer, and no one solution. The game is very entertaining in that it utilizes sound and color.
Each "puzzle" begins as a single stream of light. Controls are moved around the screen to bend the stream, change the color of the stream, the direction of the stream, or the speed. The object is to direct the stream to an Audio Container, and fill the container. The container transforms the light into sound. On the levels where there are several Audio Containers, it creates a pleasing and harmonious "symphony".
The concept is simple, but requires real thought to be put into the game to solve. And usually the first attempt at solving the puzzles with multiple containers is not successful. Which also teaches to not give up on the first try, but try again.
The online demo is free, and offers hours of playtime. You can also purchase the full version for even more options and controls. Flash Player is required to play.
I highly recommend this for upper elementary/lower middle school on up. Younger ages can play too, but probably better sitting in mommy's lap as a helper.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Audio Book of the Week - Hurlbut's Story of the Bible
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part One
Go to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part One chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part Two
Go to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part Two chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part Three
Go to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part Three chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part Four
Go to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part Four chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
Go to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part Five chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part Six
Go to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part Five chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part Seven
Go to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part Seven chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
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