Sunday, May 10, 2009

History Resources - K through 2nd

History Pockets
http://www.evan-moor.com/Series.aspx?CurriculumID=7&WT.svl=3&SeriesID=64

A History of US
http://www.amazon.com/History-US-10-set/dp/0195327268/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241969525&sr=1-5

Learners At Home
http://learnersathome.blogspot.com/2009/07/subject-study-for-summer-learning.html

Friday, May 8, 2009

Lapbooks!

I think I've been resisting lapbooks. I guess I didn't really get why these are so popular. It looked like more busy work when I needed to get some samples into our ES' hands.

Our first lapbook was a complete success. Rachel wanted to use a black marker, so it's not "pretty", but the activity was right up her alley. I followed Alicia's example. I have a little patriotism workbook and I took the first subject: the US flag. I went to the internet and found a free lapbook template and lots of info. I couldn't find a manilla folder, so I used one of Rachel's large drawing sheets and folded that. It worked out beautifully and I think looks better than the folder. We cut and glued the various parts on there, while I imparted some facts about our flag. We didn't do every activity and it's not officially done, but now we have something to show our ES. :-)


Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Art Resources

SouleMama
http://soulemama.typepad.com/soulemama/kids_crafting/index.html

Art classes by Brenda Benvieniste
http://web.mac.com/bbenveniste1/insideoneart.com/creative.html

Monday, April 13, 2009

Art class

Some of Rachel's work this year.



Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Science class


Rachel takes a science class through Science2U. This year they are studying rocks & minerals, the body, microscopes, inventions, birds, space, and plants.

This pic from their bird series. Rachel is dissecting an owl pellet. Yuck! Owls eat their food whole. Since birds do not have teeth, they can't chew their food. Therefore, they use their strong and sharp beaks to rip their prey apart and swallow large chunks whole. The owl slowly digests its meal by separating the softer materials (such as meat) from the harder material (such as bones). It then regurgitates the harder material along with indigestible items such as feathers and fur in the form of a pellet.

I think she found a skull and some bones from a mouse.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Homeschooling in California

Check out California Homeschool Network's "Just the Facts" guide for new homeschoolers.

There are different ways to homeschool in CA and it's best to find out about the pros and cons of each method for your family.

The "official" forms of homeschooling are:
1. Establish a home-based private school
2. Enroll in a private school that offers independent study (PSP)
3. Enroll in a public school that offers independent study (ISP or charter school)
4. Use a credentialed teacher/tutor

http://www.californiahomeschool.net

Sunday, December 14, 2008

The 12 Days of Homeschooling

(sung to the tune of "THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS")

On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can you
homeschool legally?"

On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they
socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Do you give
them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fourth day of home school my neighbor said to me, "What about
P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool
legally?"

On the fifth day of home school my neighbor said to me, "YOU ARE SO
STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they
socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the Sixth day of home school my neighbor said to me, "How long
will you homeschool, YOU `RE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give
them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the seventh day of home school my neighbor said to me, "Look at
what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO
STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they
socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the eighth day of home school my neighbor said to me, "Why do you
do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you home school,
YOU ARE SO STRANGE, hat about P.E. do you give them tests, are they
socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the ninth day of home school my neighbor said to me, "They'll miss
the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long
will you home school, YOU `RE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you
give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the tenth day of home school my neighbor said to me, "What about
graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what
they're missing, how long will you home school, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!,
what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you
homeschool legally?"

On the eleventh day of home school my neighbor said to me, "I could
never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do
you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you
homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E. do you give them
tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can they go
to college, I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll
miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how
long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What about P.E., do you
give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: "They can
go to college, yes you can do this, and they can graduate, we don't
need the prom, we do it cuz we like it, they aren't missing anything,
we'll homeschool forever, WE'RE NOT STRANGE!, We give them P.E., life
it self's a test, they are socialized, AND WE HOMESCHOOL LEGALLY!

On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How can
I get started, why didn't you tell me, where do I buy curriculum,
when is the next conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE'RE STRANGE? I think
we can do this, if you will help us, can we join P.E. and we'll
homeschool legally.

Author Unknown