Science Helps

Free suggestions for those soliciting them are always available, overwhelming as it may be to actually sort them out.  That is why that when I find a bit of usable info on this vast universe called the Web I try to make note of why it is helpful so that I can make it easier on myself later when I want to put it to use.  Here are some really great sites for free First Grade Science Experiments, although there are helps for viritually every grade to be found.  Take a look!  Let me know if you have others to recommend!
1. Education.com (http://www.education.com/activity/first-grade/science/)

They have experiments with shadows, ice, eggs, etc...Lots of household items that you already have on hand! They compliment the use of the senses concept that first graders are learning about. Lots of fun!

2. ScienceBuddies.org (http://www.sciencebuddies.org)

Their experiments seem a little more challenging, fit for science fairs, for example. Experiments are detailed and show the relative time and cost for each.

3. ScienceProjectLab.com (http://www.scienceprojectlab.com/volcano-science-project.html)

This is a link to the classic and much desired volcano experiment! We gotta try this!

4. EducationalToyFactory.com (http://educationaltoyfactory.com)

This one talks about character development (such as patience). I like how the experiments highlight the importance of making observations. They also utilize an observation journal teaching the kids to take notes. They also encourage the use of scientific terms or "larger" words to acquaint the kids with the proper terms for things instead of "dumbing down" the information.

5. SEDL.org (http://www.sedl.org/scimath/pasopartners/senses/welcome.html)

Among lots of other things, this site provides quite a few resources (and a complete lesson plan) on the five senses! This seems like a really cool supplemental bit of info. They also have a lot of interactive things for kids too.

One thing I want to keep in mind for our LIFEPAC units on the five senses is to get outside and make observation. This week in particular I would like my first grader to observe what she can using only her eyes...and then again to make other senses with each sense as we go. I also want her to create a poster board collage that uses magazine pics of people using their senses.

6. BeaconLearningCenter.com (http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/WebLessons/ChristmasBear/default.htm)

This is an interactive online story about the five senses. :)

Reflection

I thought it would be wise to take some time to reflect.  While there is nothing really groundbreaking about my observations I do find them personally applicable after encountering many difficulties, experiencing a waning resolve, and enduring lots of my own failings and flubs.  Yet, I still want to be my kids' teacher. Homeschooling is still a passion in my heart.

Here are some of the things I have learned:

1. Don't be too hard on myself.
2. Keep it simple.
3. Be diligent.
4. Be prepared to take advantage of learning moments.
5. Appoint specific personal time to rest, pray, do housework and think about other matters.
6. Invite others into our homeschooling scene.
7. Be humble about who teaches who what...be willing to learn as well.
8. Make homeschooling a lifestyle.
9. Be thankful for small victories.
10. Reward and congratulate the children for jobs well done!

I am not quite sure what the future holds for the children. However, I do look forward to the opportunities that I have to educate and nurture them. They are precious to me!

Sample Kindergarten Schedule!

One of the joys of homeschooling is that you can set a schedule designed just for you that reflects your priorities!  Still, as everyone with little kids knows, a schedule can be defeating if you think that it's the thing your world will spin according to.  So, while you may benefit from having a structure to your day, just remember to be realistic.  Expect that there will be times you will need to wing it, and make it a habit to tweak your schedule when it will help you to better accomplish your goals.

As a friend once shared with me:  "Schedules aren't sovereign: God is."

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday

Morning:

Calendar Time
Reading & Writing Notebook
Math Activity
Bible Time: Old Testament

Evening:

Catechism Questions
Bible Memory

Friday
Special Projects & Activities
Field Trips/Errands
Home Care Assignments

Free-Time Activities: Imagination Station (self-made crafts and little inventions); Math Games & Manipulatives Table; Reading Corner; Coloring Exercises (painting, crayons, colored pencils, sidewalk chalk); Magnet Board; Flannel Board; Dress Up and Role-Play Station; Toddler Trunk; Listening Activities (audio books, playtime music).

Calm, Cool and Collected

These days the pressure has really increased...not really with homeschool issues, just with life issues...and it seems hard to believe but by the grace of God I am doing just fine. In fact, the more distressed I am tempted to feel the more I am seeking to lean on the Lord and to trust Him with strength, with hope and with joy.

My biggest concern is that once homeschool starts the pressure will increase to such a point as to make it a difficult experience and thereby discourage us! It has caused me to realize, yet again, that the matter of sending one's kids away to school is sometimes because the other issues of life are permitted to crowd out one's mind, heart, time and energy. Of course, public school may be the only option for some...I'm not being insensitive to that...it was, after all, the only option my mother had at the time. Yet, I do have the choice and along with that the obligation to make the best decision(s) that I can!

I'm asking the Lord to enable me not only to walk through the various trials and difficulties of life in dependence upon Him but also to enable me to discern where my own decision making or even my own personal pursuits contribute to the complexity of the day. There is nothing wrong with weeding out the unnecessary and in fact, it is a desirable thing to do for one who wants to make the most of the opportunity!

From a worldly perspective it may seem silly to put aside my own desires and preoccupations, like continuing my education or involving myself in more church activity, in order to stay home and make purple hippopotamuses out of egg cartons, but I'm not living according to the expectations of this world! I am living for my Savior and committed to His will for me! He is leading me to be at home with these kiddos and He will supply the strength and the encouragement that I need!

Toddler Trunk Idea

Here's a nifty idea for keeping the little ones busy during school time! It's called a Toddler Trunk! Inside are safe and fun things for kiddos to do to better their coordination and concentration skills!

• Old pictures glued onto index cards and hooked together with a ring ( or a piece of ribbon) make a quick photo book.
• Plastic tongs can be used to pick up little objects (erasers, little bouncy balls, little rocks, rotini noodles, etc.) for a great fine motor skills activity!
• A magnifying glass and different items to observe (old piece of carpet, sea shells, different textured fabric scraps, etc.) can be a great learning activity for your toddler!
• Give your child a paint brush, small cup of water, and a sheet of construction paper for some water painting!
• Fill a deep baking pan or bucket with rice or beans. You can hide foam letters and numbers in the pan and have them search for the hidden treasures. I often sit my children inside an old plastic swimming pool along with the container of rice/beans and let them dig away!
• Colored craft sticks can be placed in matching colored cups.
• Have your child clip clothespins to a piece of decorated cardboard.
• Old paper towel tubes and boxes make great tunnels and garages for that little car lover in your home!

JoEllen Hurst (CurrClick.com Weekly Newsletter, dtd. 07/27/09)

Homemade Ice Cream

Someone from church mentioned this on Sunday evening...that homemade ice cream was the best! One word: brilliant!

You will need:
- 2 bags of party ice
- 1 gallon whole milk (or chocolate milk for chocolate ice cream)
- Ice chest
- 1 box of kosher salt
- Paper cups (a least one for each student, and 1 for each teacher in the building who wants to try it)
- 1 lb. Sugar
- 1 gal. Ziplock bags (2 for each pair of students)
- vanilla extract
- Plastic spoons
- 1 quart ziplock bags (1 for each pair of students)
- paper towels
- Measuring cups, teaspoons and tablespoons

Directions:
- Combine 2 tablespoons sugar with a few drops of extract and 1 cup (8 oz) of milk in a small ziplock bag (quart size) and zip it up. This is the small bag!!!
- Add 2 cups of ice and 1/2 cup of rock salt in a gallon ziplock bag. Place this bag into another ziplock bag to reduce leakage. This is the large bag!!!!
- Place the sealed small bag into the large bag and seal the large bag.
- Have the children pair off, and have each partner hold one end of the large bag and shake it until the ice cream is firm.
- After the ice cream is firm, supply the children with cups and spoons so they may pour the ice cream into the cups and try it.

Reference: http://www.123child.com/UBB/showthread.php?t=6342

How to Make a Flannel Board

For some reason it never occurred to me that I could make one of these at home! Now that I see how to do it I feel so silly for not thinking of it myself!

Reference: http://babyparenting.about.com/od/activitiesandplay/a/flannelboard.htm