Lindy's Homeschool: Tall Tales

Monday, February 21, 2011

Tall Tales

This week we learned Tall Tales of the American Frontier. I even learned a new one…Mike Fink. This subject was a winner with my kids (of course.) Paul Bunyan is definitely a new favorite hero. We made yarn dolls and I explained how children on the frontier would make dolls just like this and then pretend stories about the Tall Tale characters with them. They loved it.

We also weaved placemats out of poster board. I explained how a story is weaved by many people to make a whole Tall Tale…I'm not sure if they got that symbolism, but they were sure proud of their mats.

For science the light saga continued. This time we talked about how light bends when it goes through things like water and curved glass (lenses.) We did a really fun experiment where you put a penny in a bowl and get far enough away that you can't see the penny and then add water to the bowl, and you can see the penny again. It was like magic. We also did a lot with magnifying glasses including making a fire….well, it was more like burn holes through dry leaves and make smoke. We couldn't quite get flames going…it wasn't quite sunny enough.

For field trip, DADDY took the boys to a fire engine museum. The boys had a BLAST. They even got free fireman hats. (Mommy liked the break too :)

For the last two weeks, Maxwell has been taking swimming lessons every morning. He has loved it and has learned a lot, but I have to say that I'm so glad it's over. It was getting me out of sync with my morning routine. Some days we weren't even doing devotionals until after lunch...

2 comments:

LynetteFebruary 24, 2011 at 8:31 PM
I've been reading your posts and wondering -- how is your history curriculum laid out? I mean, how far back does it start with U.S. history and how is it presented? I'm always looking for new ideas and your projects and activities intrigue me. I know you use the Four Year Plan, so maybe you could explain a little bit more how it works with younger kids...Am I making any sense? :) :) :)
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Lindy's HomeschoolFebruary 27, 2011 at 9:11 PM
I basically do what you do. I decide on my topics for the month, get my activity ideas mostly from the Four Year Plan, and then go to the library and get every book I can find.

I started with Native americans and I will go through until reconstruction after the civil war, leaving the 1900s to the year I do modern world history. I know I threw in government and presidents in there which had modern history, but that's what Four Year suggested, so it was easier just to go with it.
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The "awkward and unprepared" Myth

There are many misconceptions and biases against homeschooling, and many people really think that I've never heard them or considered them. Many people worry about the "inevitable social awkwardness" of homeschoolers or that they are "unprepared for the world." In my experience, I've found that homeschoolers tend to be as socially "normal" or "awkward" as their parents. As far as "unprepared for the world" is concerned, that depends on how they are taught, but I have seen many successes first hand. Basically, I know the ins and outs of the decision I've made, thanks.

Why I Homeschool

When I was first married, I fell in love with the kids of the Leavitts and Schafers (my sisters-in-law families.) They were...and still are...confident, leaders, innocent where they should be innocent, creative, and accepting. They were also homeschooled. I wanted my future kids to be like them, and if homeschooling was part of that equation, then I was willing to make the sacrifice. Now, after years of study, prayer, and experience, I want to homeschool for many reasons. I want my kids to be family oriented not peer oriented. I want to include the gospel in every aspect of what they are taught. I want them to think out side of the box. I don't want them to be obsessed with what is "cool." I want them to feel loved by those around them. I want them to know who they are and what they stand for before they are bombarded by outside influences. I know that many families can do this without homeschooling, but it seems a lot harder to me. Basically, I'm a control freak. I want to be in control of my children's learning and social life....homeschooling makes that easier.

Also, now that I've realized they are severely dyslexic, I think homeschool is the best place for dyslexics to learn.

And there's the statistics.

My Schedule

7:15

START OUR DAY

Daddy does scriptures

Breakfast

Devotional w/ videos

Come Follow Me

Goals/mindfulness/memorization

9:00

School Starts

Maxwell

School of Hope Online

Hyrum's 3 "R"s

IEW Grammar and Writing

Video Text Algebra

Spelling (Word Wasp)

Daniel's 3 "R"s

Writing Prompts

Rightstart Math level "G"

Spelling (Wasp)

William's 3 "R"s

All About Reading

Creative Writing

Rightstart level "D"

Abraham's 3 "R"s

Logic of English

Handwriting Without Tears

Rightstart level "B"

Activity in afternoon:

Social Studies

Science

Art

Chess

field trips

Literature Club

WAS classes

My Curriculum

For math, I do RightStart Mathematics, which is an abacus based math, Times Tales to memorize multiplication, Video Text for Algebra, and Mathantics or other supplements on youtube.

For Devotionals, I use Come Follow Me.

For Reading, I have used the Barton Reading and Spelling program, but right now I'm experimenting with All About Reading and Logic of English.

For Writing, I use Handwriting Without Tears, IEW Fix It! Grammar, and IEW Student Intensive Writing.

For History, and Science, I use The Four Year Plan (which I LOVE.) This year we are using the "Family Jubilee" book which covers Biology, Modern World History, and New Testament.