I took a little break from writing, so will mention just a few highlights from the past couple weeks.
In Geography we traveled to Canada where we learned to speak some words in French, watched Anne of Green Gables, read a magazine article about the Northern Lights, wrote to our Canadian pen pals, and made a blueberry dessert and enjoyed tea and cookies. Now we are back home in the United States and are learning lots about our own country.
Faith started playing soccer Tuesday afternoons with other home schooled children. We went for our monthly pizza and swimming day on Seth’s fifth birthday.
In addition to reading the Daily Devotions and Happy Times magazine we started using 100 Bible Stories, 100 Bible Songs each morning. The kids really like to sing and dance to the songs; some we already know and some are new.
Faith finished reading her last chapter book in the Hooked on Phonics first grade orange level and is moving on to new sound combinations and stories in the red level.
We did a neat science experiment of placing green beans in a jar with a wet paper towel and then recording what happened each day as the beans begin to sprout. Now we are reading some books from the library about how plants grow.
For Earth Day we did an activity book I printed from the Internet and cleaned up the road ditches by our house.
I purchased some new computer games and so far the whole family has enjoyed playing Oregon Trail together and Faith and Seth have tried a science program where they learn about weather, seasons, sorting different plants and animals, etc.
For arts and crafts the kids used contact paper with a rainbow pattern traced on it to stick crumpled up tissue paper on to make a puffy rainbow. Then we made sugar cookies, frosted them white and used red shoestring licorice and gel icing to make them look like baseballs.
For creative writing the kids were given this writing prompt, “Imagine you had a hundred dollars, but you couldn't’t keep it. You had to give it away to a person or charity. Who would you give it to? What would you want them to do with it?” I was proud of their answers:
Seth: “I would give it to God (church). I would put it in the offering plate and use it to fix the church’s swing set or buy a new one.”
Faith: “I would give half of it to the poor and half of it to fix the swing set at church. I would spend some money to help people in need, like people with cancer and the elderly. I would get new parts for the swing set or buy a new one. I would get medicine for the sick people, a walker for the elderly and new clothes, shoes, a house and food for the poor.”
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
A few thoughts......
We had a wonderful, but busy spring break.
During spring break week I usually like to tackle some kind of project around the house or farm. This year it was time to paint and add a few new touches to our living room. I had gone into town the Saturday before to pick up all the needed supplies and was able to accomplish this task during the first three days of the week. It now looks like a completely different room, warm and cozy, just the way I pictured it. I bought these packages of wall art stickers for the kid’s bedrooms and our living room. Faith, Seth and Anna picked out Disney Princesses, Hannah Montana, and Thomas the Train. There were also many ones to choose from with different quotes or expressions. I found the perfect one for our living room that says, “Bless This House.” But it was even more perfect when I discovered it actually came with the words, “God Bless This House.” For some reason the manufacturer chose to leave the word "God" off of the front of the package. This puzzled me. Was it because they thought they would sell more without it or were they afraid someone would be offended? I think it is just another way of taking God out of America.
Although Thursday was windy I found plenty to do in the garage. Loren came home to find everything that was in the garage is now sitting in front of the garage waiting for him to sort through and place it neatly back inside. Now that we discovered our garage has a floor the children have spent many hours riding their smaller tricycles around and around.
Friday and Saturday were beautiful, so those days were devoted to yard work and I began to place the fence posts for the older calves’ electric fence. My parents came over one afternoon to plant onions, potatoes and raspberry plants with the kid’s help.
Faith even woke up bright and early one morning to help with chores and we baked bread and cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Someday I hope she will look back on moments like these with fond memories.
You know the little things are what makes our time together most special. Some days we spend a lot of time in the kitchen; cooking, cleaning, eating together, doing projects at the dining room table, etc. We do not have a television on the main level of our house, but we enjoy listening to the radio. One of our family's favorite memories are the countless noon hours we spent intently listening to Paul Harvey's News and Comments and The Rest of the Story. We sure miss these programs ever since Mr. Harvey passed away. We still listen to the news at noon and discuss what's happening in our community, the country and the world. Our main radio station features classic country music along with some new artists, but we enjoy the old-time country and Bob Becker's Old Tyme radio program featuring lots of polka music on Sunday afternoons. Today during lunch the kids and I were singing along to the song "White Lightning" one of our favorites. It makes me think of grandpa's moonshine still and my brother brewing up his own batch at Loren's and my wedding. (I didn't taste the stuff) Sometimes we dance around the kitchen together and sing. None of us have any real musical talent, but we sure do try!
Years ago Loren and I used to host a Potluck Picnic on the farm with all our friends, family and neighbors. My dad and some of his old band mates would set up in our front yard and play old-time music. People would sit in our front yard, visit and eat, then get up and dance. We stopped the year Loren's dad died and haven't had our get-together since. I miss those days.
Well, enough reminiscing. Time to go make some more memories......
During spring break week I usually like to tackle some kind of project around the house or farm. This year it was time to paint and add a few new touches to our living room. I had gone into town the Saturday before to pick up all the needed supplies and was able to accomplish this task during the first three days of the week. It now looks like a completely different room, warm and cozy, just the way I pictured it. I bought these packages of wall art stickers for the kid’s bedrooms and our living room. Faith, Seth and Anna picked out Disney Princesses, Hannah Montana, and Thomas the Train. There were also many ones to choose from with different quotes or expressions. I found the perfect one for our living room that says, “Bless This House.” But it was even more perfect when I discovered it actually came with the words, “God Bless This House.” For some reason the manufacturer chose to leave the word "God" off of the front of the package. This puzzled me. Was it because they thought they would sell more without it or were they afraid someone would be offended? I think it is just another way of taking God out of America.
Although Thursday was windy I found plenty to do in the garage. Loren came home to find everything that was in the garage is now sitting in front of the garage waiting for him to sort through and place it neatly back inside. Now that we discovered our garage has a floor the children have spent many hours riding their smaller tricycles around and around.
Friday and Saturday were beautiful, so those days were devoted to yard work and I began to place the fence posts for the older calves’ electric fence. My parents came over one afternoon to plant onions, potatoes and raspberry plants with the kid’s help.
Faith even woke up bright and early one morning to help with chores and we baked bread and cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Someday I hope she will look back on moments like these with fond memories.
You know the little things are what makes our time together most special. Some days we spend a lot of time in the kitchen; cooking, cleaning, eating together, doing projects at the dining room table, etc. We do not have a television on the main level of our house, but we enjoy listening to the radio. One of our family's favorite memories are the countless noon hours we spent intently listening to Paul Harvey's News and Comments and The Rest of the Story. We sure miss these programs ever since Mr. Harvey passed away. We still listen to the news at noon and discuss what's happening in our community, the country and the world. Our main radio station features classic country music along with some new artists, but we enjoy the old-time country and Bob Becker's Old Tyme radio program featuring lots of polka music on Sunday afternoons. Today during lunch the kids and I were singing along to the song "White Lightning" one of our favorites. It makes me think of grandpa's moonshine still and my brother brewing up his own batch at Loren's and my wedding. (I didn't taste the stuff) Sometimes we dance around the kitchen together and sing. None of us have any real musical talent, but we sure do try!
Years ago Loren and I used to host a Potluck Picnic on the farm with all our friends, family and neighbors. My dad and some of his old band mates would set up in our front yard and play old-time music. People would sit in our front yard, visit and eat, then get up and dance. We stopped the year Loren's dad died and haven't had our get-together since. I miss those days.
Well, enough reminiscing. Time to go make some more memories......
Monday, April 12, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Thursday, April 8 - Friday, April 9, 2010
Daily Devotion: Read Hosea 6:6 and Philippians 1:3
Writing: Alphabet Journal page and did a creative writing story, "If you could have any animal for a pet what would it be and how would you care for it?"
Math: Did another worksheet on putting groups of numbers (0-100) in order from smallest to largest, worked on writing number words.
Reading: Reviewed all of our helper words cards
Science: Watched a science DVD on plants and started our tomato seeds indoors.
Arts & Crafts: Painted a rainy day picture with water colors and sprinkled salt on the wet paint. After the pictures dried we brushed off the salt and it looked like rain drops.
Geography: Learned about the "School of the Air" in Australia where kids in the outback use two way radios to communicate with their teacher. We made our own communication system by attaching a string to two tin cans. Then for added fun we got out our old walkie-talkies and took them outside to play with. The kids even used them to keep in touch with me when they walked through the woods to Grandpa and Grandma's house for a visit. Faith also helped make an Australian Meat Pie for supper, which was delicious!
Spelling: Unscrambled words from list 4, played a spelling computer game
We are still enjoying lots of time outside, especially going for walks and bike rides.
Writing: Alphabet Journal page and did a creative writing story, "If you could have any animal for a pet what would it be and how would you care for it?"
Math: Did another worksheet on putting groups of numbers (0-100) in order from smallest to largest, worked on writing number words.
Reading: Reviewed all of our helper words cards
Science: Watched a science DVD on plants and started our tomato seeds indoors.
Arts & Crafts: Painted a rainy day picture with water colors and sprinkled salt on the wet paint. After the pictures dried we brushed off the salt and it looked like rain drops.
Geography: Learned about the "School of the Air" in Australia where kids in the outback use two way radios to communicate with their teacher. We made our own communication system by attaching a string to two tin cans. Then for added fun we got out our old walkie-talkies and took them outside to play with. The kids even used them to keep in touch with me when they walked through the woods to Grandpa and Grandma's house for a visit. Faith also helped make an Australian Meat Pie for supper, which was delicious!
Spelling: Unscrambled words from list 4, played a spelling computer game
We are still enjoying lots of time outside, especially going for walks and bike rides.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Daily Devotion: Read John 20:18 "Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: 'I have seen the Lord!' And she told them that he had said these things to her." Read a story from the My Devotions book.
Bible: Read a story about a little seed who is happy just the way he is, but keeps changing and growing, did a coloring page. Talked about how God continues to help us grow and change.
Writing: Alphabet Journal; Faith practiced the letter S and made a picture of rainbow snakes.
Math: Did a review sheet of putting groups of numbers in order from smallest to largest.
Spelling: Alphabetized words from list 4.
Reading: Finished reading Detective Dog and the Ghost, answered questions about the book and practiced some new sight words.
Geography: Finished reading the library book about Australian history and facts. Then did a worksheet with a koala bear and leaves on it. Each leaf had a fact about Australia on it; if the fact was true the leaf needed to be colored green, if the fact was false the leaf needed to be colored brown. This was a fun way to review and memorize the information we had learned.
Loren had two fire calls in the past 24 hours and one was during evening chores. The kids and I actually saw the house on fire and saw the fire trucks coming when we were in Frazee. I was really proud of how the kids stepped up and helped me milk the cows and feed the calves. Faith takes it very seriously that her daddy helps put out fires. Farming gives us the opportunity to pull together and get the work done; what a great feeling!
Bible: Read a story about a little seed who is happy just the way he is, but keeps changing and growing, did a coloring page. Talked about how God continues to help us grow and change.
Writing: Alphabet Journal; Faith practiced the letter S and made a picture of rainbow snakes.
Math: Did a review sheet of putting groups of numbers in order from smallest to largest.
Spelling: Alphabetized words from list 4.
Reading: Finished reading Detective Dog and the Ghost, answered questions about the book and practiced some new sight words.
Geography: Finished reading the library book about Australian history and facts. Then did a worksheet with a koala bear and leaves on it. Each leaf had a fact about Australia on it; if the fact was true the leaf needed to be colored green, if the fact was false the leaf needed to be colored brown. This was a fun way to review and memorize the information we had learned.
Loren had two fire calls in the past 24 hours and one was during evening chores. The kids and I actually saw the house on fire and saw the fire trucks coming when we were in Frazee. I was really proud of how the kids stepped up and helped me milk the cows and feed the calves. Faith takes it very seriously that her daddy helps put out fires. Farming gives us the opportunity to pull together and get the work done; what a great feeling!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Daily Devotion: Read John 20:24-25 Jesus Appears to Thomas and read a story out of the My Devotions book
Since we are finished with our Health curriculum we took the time this morning to do an arts & crafts project that we skipped a couple weeks ago. We cut kite shapes out of foam board and the kids decorated the kites with sequins. The tail was made with yarn and bows cut from felt.
For handwriting Faith wrote a letter to her pen pal in British Columbia, Canada; a boy her around her age who is also homeschooled. She also took a picture of her kitten with her own camera and we printed it from the computer so she could send it along. We had bought some items for the family a few weeks ago and were able to get everything in a package and mailed today.
Faith took a math test on calendars and telling time, so tomorrow we will move on in the workbook.
We read a couple library books for Geography. One was full of facts about Australia and the other was a fun story about a koala bear named Koala Lou.
In spelling Faith practiced writing each word from list 4 twice.
She read Chapter 3 in a Detective Dog book for reading and can't wait to finish it tomorrow and solve the mystery.
After lunch Faith, Anna and I rode our bikes to the river and did some exploring. Faith found some new junk, like bottles and a license plate to add to her collection. We spent some time hanging out at our hunting shack down by the river. Seth had Head Start today, but when he got home he was very excited to tend to the two rabbits he received for Easter. He also helped water and feed milk to all the baby calves. Faith went along with Loren to the Co-op Store to buy diesel fuel. It's that time of year; field work!
Since we are finished with our Health curriculum we took the time this morning to do an arts & crafts project that we skipped a couple weeks ago. We cut kite shapes out of foam board and the kids decorated the kites with sequins. The tail was made with yarn and bows cut from felt.
For handwriting Faith wrote a letter to her pen pal in British Columbia, Canada; a boy her around her age who is also homeschooled. She also took a picture of her kitten with her own camera and we printed it from the computer so she could send it along. We had bought some items for the family a few weeks ago and were able to get everything in a package and mailed today.
Faith took a math test on calendars and telling time, so tomorrow we will move on in the workbook.
We read a couple library books for Geography. One was full of facts about Australia and the other was a fun story about a koala bear named Koala Lou.
In spelling Faith practiced writing each word from list 4 twice.
She read Chapter 3 in a Detective Dog book for reading and can't wait to finish it tomorrow and solve the mystery.
After lunch Faith, Anna and I rode our bikes to the river and did some exploring. Faith found some new junk, like bottles and a license plate to add to her collection. We spent some time hanging out at our hunting shack down by the river. Seth had Head Start today, but when he got home he was very excited to tend to the two rabbits he received for Easter. He also helped water and feed milk to all the baby calves. Faith went along with Loren to the Co-op Store to buy diesel fuel. It's that time of year; field work!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Daily Devotion: Read Matthew 27:27-31 The Soldiers Mock Jesus
Discussed Good Friday, attended church in the evening and explained to the children the meaning of the black altar cloths and the extinguishing of the candles.
Creative Writing: Faith and Seth each came up with an Easter story and drew a picture to go along with it.
Math: Used our clocks to complete a worksheet on telling time to the hour, which ended up being a review from last year.
Geography: Colored the flag of Australia and read what the symbols represent.
Spelling: Faith did an Easter word find.
Arts & Crafts: All the kids made Easter bunny bags out of brown paper lunch sacks.
Watched a Signing Time (sign language) DVD. These are our favorite!
Earlier in the week the kids had a couple of friends over who are also home schooled. One of my concerns when we first started homeschooling was if our kids would develop close friendships, but this has not been a problem. I would say that the friends they have made have proven to be very good, trustworthy and kind friends whose families share some of the same beliefs and values as ours.
Tomorrow night we plan on making Easter Story Cookies for the first time. Here is the recipe:
EASTER STORY COOKIES
To be made the evening before Easter. You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. Vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch salt
1 cup sugar
Ziploc bag
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important-don't wait until you're half done with the recipe)!
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. Vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents -- in God's eyes -- the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9. Share The Easter Cookie Story with friends and family May the Lord bless you & protect you, May the Lord make His face shine upon you & be Gracious to you, May the Lord lift up His Countenance to you & give you Peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Discussed Good Friday, attended church in the evening and explained to the children the meaning of the black altar cloths and the extinguishing of the candles.
Creative Writing: Faith and Seth each came up with an Easter story and drew a picture to go along with it.
Math: Used our clocks to complete a worksheet on telling time to the hour, which ended up being a review from last year.
Geography: Colored the flag of Australia and read what the symbols represent.
Spelling: Faith did an Easter word find.
Arts & Crafts: All the kids made Easter bunny bags out of brown paper lunch sacks.
Watched a Signing Time (sign language) DVD. These are our favorite!
Earlier in the week the kids had a couple of friends over who are also home schooled. One of my concerns when we first started homeschooling was if our kids would develop close friendships, but this has not been a problem. I would say that the friends they have made have proven to be very good, trustworthy and kind friends whose families share some of the same beliefs and values as ours.
Tomorrow night we plan on making Easter Story Cookies for the first time. Here is the recipe:
EASTER STORY COOKIES
To be made the evening before Easter. You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. Vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch salt
1 cup sugar
Ziploc bag
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important-don't wait until you're half done with the recipe)!
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. Vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents -- in God's eyes -- the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9. Share The Easter Cookie Story with friends and family May the Lord bless you & protect you, May the Lord make His face shine upon you & be Gracious to you, May the Lord lift up His Countenance to you & give you Peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
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