Language Arts - K through 2nd

Moving Beyond the Page - curriculum for gifted and creative learners
http://www.movingbeyondthepage.com/

Writing Topics
http://thewritesource.com/writing_topics/

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

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. :-)

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

Art class

Some of Rachel's work this year.

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.

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