Math Monday

Learning the value of money and exchanges can be challenging. My 7yo is very sensitive to not understanding a concept and will try to fake it (guessing wildly) and quickly get upset if I show the slightest bit of disappointment. Hard not to reveal when you've been working on a concept slowly, over and over for an hour. I gave up the first time because I have a hard time not seeing things logically. In my head it seems so simple, and then I get flustered when my seemingly easy explanations aren't understood.

So, the first day we had to take a breather. Then I realized I was missing an important tool: manipulatives and visuals. I had him get his little plastic money bank out and put the coins in piles according to likeness. I explained what a quarter, dime, nickle and penny looked like and on a piece of paper, placed one of each, with it's value above it. He was to create a pile of each above the paper.

Next, I explained how a penny is .01 cents, a nickle is .05 cents and so on. The concept of value is very hard to convey. We had to go over it quite a bit. One nickle is .05 cents and one penny is .01 cents so how many pennies makes one nickle? We actually started with dimes and counting by tens because that was easy. To show that if I have 5 dimes and each dime is .10 cents, when I add them up I can add the ones and then put a zero on the end. This was easier to understand and the flash of realization on his face was so rewarding. He knows that 5 + 5 = 10, but to count by fives is a little harder. Quarters are still being worked on, but pennies, nickles and dimes are easier after today.

So next I would give him four dimes and I would have ten pennies and ask him, "If I don't want so many pennies in my pocket, (cause it's heavy) how many dimes can I buy with the pennies I have? Then we would work up using the pile of pennies and dimes at our disposal until he had a good grasp of exchanging pennies for dimes, or the other way around. Then nickles and pennies, nickles and dimes, etc. 

What sorts of tricks did you use, if any, when teaching value and money exchange?

Fun With the Periodic Table

This is just a short post to share an awesome find I made. Learning about the periodic table can be a bit dry just reading it out of a book. However, an interactive chart that also explains how each element can be used makes it far more interesting. Enter, the Interactive Periodic Chart!

 

Screen Capture of the Interactive Periodic Table

Click HERE!! to check out the interactive table. Clicking on each element will bring up a description of each element in detail as well as other important information. There are additional links and printables useful for teaching a class.

I found this at ScienceAlert.com and there are other links within the article that are fun, including a song to help learn the elements. So tackle science and have fun!

Homeschool Curriculum Giveaway!!

So I love giveaways. I love curriculum giveaways too. Because who can't use a free leg up in the quest to get great learning tools? When you have to make a dollar stretch any freebie of quality offered up, I jump at.

The Details
You will be given the opportunity to share this giveaway with a special referral link – do it! For every single person you refer who actually comes to our site and enters – you will get an additional TEN chances to win. AND – the second place prize (which is huge!) will go to the person who refers the winner. So there is no losing when you refer someone!!!! Not only do you have a better chance of winning one of these amazing prize packages – you can help a friend win one too!

So here is the breakdown of this great offer by Encouraging Moms At Home...
 
Homeschool Prize Package One:

• Apologia American Literature Text
• Apologia American Literature Student Book
• Field Trip Journal by Apologia
• Managers of Their Homes
• Managers of Their Chores
• Homeschool Planner by Debra Bell
• Science in the Kitchen
• Restoring America’s Biblical Foundations curricula
• Financial Peace for Kids by Dave Ramsey with an extra set of envelopes
• The Missing Link by Media Angels
• The Christian Parenting Handbook
• Flourish by Mary Jo Tate
• First Language Lessons
• Write With Ease
• Sing Praise by Yancy
• New Testament Eyewitness by Apologia
• The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell
• Three high school science DVD sets from Apologia
• Seven Tools for Celebrating Your Child’s Potential by Zan Tyler
• Apologia Tote Bag

 Prize Package Two:

• Writers in Residence with Teacher’s Guide by Apologia
• Readers in Residence with Teacher’s Guide by Apologia
• Field Trip Journal by Apologia
• Math 6 with Teacher’s Guide by BJU Press
• Homeschool Planner by Debra Bell
• Flourish by Mary Jo Tate
• A Stand at Sinai by Hope Auer and published by Raising Real Men
• Three High School Science DVDs from Apologia
• Seven Essential Oils from Rocky Mountain Oils including Lavender, Rosemary, Skin Tone, Cucumber Seed, Red Mandarin, Nutmeg, and Cedarwood.
• The LOVE/HAPPY set from Pink Zebra including the base, shade and candle set with birthday cake sprinkles (scented wax melts). This was a limited edition set! (pictured below)

What are you waiting for? Follow the link to this great giveaway and while you're out, check out Encouraging Moms At Home. You won't be disappointed. Good luck, and... may the odds ever be in your favor.

Bell Class Pictures 2016

Contrary to what many believe, homeschoolers do have opportunities like public school kids. Yes, there are dances (held at a local church, gym, etc), and yes, there are "class" pictures. This year one of the teachers at I.D.E.A. (Interior Distance Education of Alaska) had her photography inclined husband set up in one of the rooms and take pictures for students. Some of the images were a little washed out due to it being a very sunshiny day, so I fixed them up and ended up with a wonderful set of pictures for this year's pictures. Here is a collage of them that I created:

Early Reading Encouragment

 

Teach Your Monster To Read

I've got two early readers in my house right now. I received a valuable bit of advice from a wonderful kindergarten teacher (lookin' at you Ms. Caston!)

Kindergarten Teacher Extraordinaire

when my first two were early readers. She told me to choose books in areas of interest that they loved and it would be both enjoyable for them and create a lifelong love of reading. She was so correct with this advice! My older two read a wide variety of books for leisure as well as school and it all started with age appropriate reading level books in the Star Wars genre.

So along with getting books that aren't just reading level and age appropriate, I look for ones that are geared towards their interest and I find they pull the books out on their own and try to identify words on their own.

Along with this bit of advice, I have also found a few software programs that make reading and identifying words fun because they make them a game.  The first one is free and it's called "Teach Your Monster To Read". The other is called Endless Reader and this is best used on a touchscreen and can be downloaded off the app stores for Windows, Apple and Google. It also features cute monsters and I think this one is the favorite right now. It's great for when I am making lunch so they are occupied, but still learning.

Endless Reader & the Monster Crew

I hope these suggestions help you with your early reader. Fostering a love of reading is so important, especially in today's tech obsessed society. I think we are providing our children the best way to disconnect and cope with stress by giving them an endless world of imagination to turn to within the pages of books.

Updates and Absences

We continue our homeschooling journey, but I've not had time to keep up with journaling. Numerous moves have kept me from doing anything other than focusing on family and schooling. We now are back in Alaska, where we started right before choosing to homeschool. It's been a lot of ups and downs, trial and error, but we've got a good thing going and the boys have chosen to continue schooling at home. I ask them every year if they want to try public school and they decline. There are many pros to schooling at home on a schedule that fits our family. So, this post will be about that.

Pros Of Homeschooling

Diabetes Awareness Through Education

1.) Health: Connor and myself are Type I Diabetic which makes it complicated for other people who aren't familiar with this potentially fatal disease and how important it is to follow protocol. There were constant issues for Connor to deal with when he was in public school and I was always having to go to the school to deal with them. He misses a lot less days of schooling due to poor blood sugar and sick days. For myself, there are sometimes days where it's hard to leave the house due to complications of having T1D for 30 years. I have a setup that helps keep schoolwork going even when I need some recovery time.

On the f/v Magnus Martens

2.) Extra-Curricular Opportunities: Russell and Connor have now had the opportunity to learn along side their dad, the ins and outs of commercial fishing. They are not only learning the value of a work ethic that is strong and honest, but math skills that aren't taught in school. Skills that include estimating the total volume of fish and calculating the best prices offered by the canneries. I'm sure the younger two will follow in their older brother's footsteps when they're old enough to safely work on the boat.

DIPAC Fish Hatchery

3.) Learning Outside the Classroom: We have more opportunities to learn outside and learn more unusual topics than the average public school student. In fact, every outing is a potential learning opportunity and I do my best to utilize every opportunity we come across. Our calendar is full of many different classes for all the kids either learning together or apart. Art, music, science, cultural appreciation, are all just some of the things we learn about on a nearly daily basis.

Salmon Dissection/Fish Biology at DIPAC

Tlingit Culture at the Alaska State Museum

Shelter Building with Dad

History: The Sinking of the Titanic (craft time)

Sensory Box (rice): at home

Horsemanship: Echo Ranch

The possibilities are truly endless for learning and education. You don't have to have any special degree to do so, just a willingness to do the research and take advantage of all the resources available, both free and for nominal fees for at home learning. The library is always free as well. So if you want to take the plunge into homeschooling, I highly suggest seeking out local homeschool groups in your area. Facebook is great for connecting with co-ops and support groups. Don't wait! Check it out today!

The Accidental Humor of the Child-kind

What keeps me so busy: L to R - Russell 9 Lachlan 2 Brennen 3mos Connor 8

I realize I've been terrible about sharing what we've been doing in class lately. Having a baby and a toddler while homeschooling two elementary boys, is challenging to say the least. This baby also is very clingy, so I don't get much time to type with both hands (usually holding a baby), so getting blog posts out is hard, if not impossible. So, I finally have something I think you might enjoy doing. A friend shared the funniest image on Facebook a while back...

I thought it was brilliant. So I typed up my own and had my boys fill it out as not just a creative writing exercise, but stressed good handwriting and to try to remember if they had heard any before and to accurately finish them if they could. Here is the template I created:

Answer Key:

 (I think you can print them out from the images. Let me know in the comments if you can't. I'll remedy that if I can.)

So, what did your kids come up with? I had some that I think should be put on a plaque and hung up. Like:

"Love all, Trust the truth."  - Russell age 9

"Children should be seen, and not unseen."  - Connor age 8

and of course, because my kids are cool, both put:

"Never underestimate the power, of the dark side."

It was fun to see what they came up with. Please share in the comments if your kids came up with some good ones!

The Beautiful Reason For My Absence

Standard Units of Measurement

I've been teaching the kids how to use a ruler and wanted to explain why it's important that we use "standard units of measurement". I came up with a really fun lesson plan and wanted to share it with you. First, I created a worksheet that you can copy and print or at least use as an idea for creating your own:

I then had the kids trace their feet on different colored construction  paper, and cut them out, putting their name on one side. I divided each  cut out with lines to show 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 so they had more than just  one of their feet as a measurement.

Next, I included a piece of paper with three lines of different  measurements (I had measured out 10", 4" and 6") and then chose our dry  erase board and my personal calendar that hangs on the wall. Prior to  the lesson, I had measured the other items and found the calendar to be  1" and the dry erase board exactly 3".

After reading  through the explanation of what a standard unit of measurement was, and  estimating how big they thought the dry erase board was in their own  feet, I set them loose to measuring.

I had traced and cut out my own construction paper foot and measured along with them and it was fun giggling about how much bigger mom's feet were than theirs. When all was done, we sat down and compared our answers to the written questions. The ideas on what could be used other than a ruler to measure things was fun. We had everything from licorice sticks, band-aids (but what size?), toy cars, legos and the list grew just talking about it. It became clear real fast, that if people used anything to measure, there would be a lot of confusion. Then, before moving to our charts of measurements, I measured our foot cut outs to see exactly how long they were in actual inches. It was really funny, because a couple times, the measurements would have been right. Such as, the length of one line, was exactly 3/4 the length of my son's foot. The line was actually 4" and when we measured what it would be on his foot, 3/4 the length of his foot was exactly 4".

So, now they are measuring things with their feet and giggling over how big daddy's feet are compared to theirs. I hope you get inspired to have fun with your lesson plan. I sure did!

Field Trip To Police Dpt.

Class field trips were always the highlight of the school year. A chance to get out of the classroom and go where most people don't get to go. Get a sneak peek at the back rooms and factory secrets of local businesses and get to know the people in our neighborhood who are working hard for us.

I decided to ask the local police department if they would be willing to give a tour to a very small homeschooling group. At the time, it was myself and my three boys. I then called my cousin and asked if she would want to bring her two girls along. She agreed and the date was set. Sadly, Connor got sick and couldn't come, but I have plans for a fire department tour and I think that will make up for missing this trip.

So, we were met at the door by a female officer, of the Kalispell Police Department, who was taking time in the officer right before her maternity leave. Being pregnant myself, it was nice to see an active expecting mom. The kids all got plastic police badges and the tour began. The department was in the process of expanding to gain more room, so it was very busy.

We were shown the dispatch office, and what was formerly their temporary holding/photograph and fingerprinting area.







Next, we were shown the daily roster of officers on duty, the weapons room (just a peek) and on to the weight room, where officers stay in shape and do defensive training. Another officer came and demonstrated the coolest workout equipment called a Jacob's Ladder. I could see that whipping anyone in shape if they could survive for just five minutes a day! Here is a short video I found on YouTube showing how it works:

Next, she showed where they train with their tazers and the indoor shooting range. This is pretty cool, because the officers are encouraged to keep up their skills, which is very important. There were various barriers to utilize to simulate different situations. There was a wall with a small window, a curb and blockade wall, a mailbox, and fire hydrant. It is well ventilated and well put together. We chatted with the officer and the kids explored the area.

I think it was a good experience and I think the kids enjoyed it. The officer was really nice and I could see she would be very good at her job. It takes a combination of heart and strength of character to be a good officer and she seemed to have that. The kids were at ease with her as well.


The Kalispell Police Department also utilizes a bike patrol in the summer, which she had done and really liked because it was more personal, with citizens able to see the officers and converse with them. It is easier to get into unusual areas, like the local park as well and be more efficient with patrols.

I think, as a homeschooler, this is a valuable tour to take advantage of if your local PD is willing. Kids should know and recognize who the good guys are, and know how important their job is. It isn't just about driving around in a car, or arresting people. Police officers have to be well trained, and keep up with that training. They have to know the area they serve and the people they are protecting, as well as those they are protecting us from. So, take advantage of this resource if you can with your homeschoolers! You won't be disappointed.

American History Revisited

Since my main focus for this year is American History, I am trying to inject important lessons throughout the year in various formats. I bought The Founding of America (History Channel series), at Costco ($40 as opposed to $65 online!) and had the boys start watching the first video a few days ago. I have them pause the movie and give me an oral report on what they are learning every so often. It's a great series and I am working on lesson plans and worksheets to go with it. The History Channel has an "History In the Classroom" area that spotlights lesson plans and gives ideas on incorporating some of their programming into the classroom.

We are continuing to study the Constitution and it's importance, not just in history, but it's relevance today. With MLK Jr. Day coming up (not a holiday but learning day in our house), we are focusing on inalienable rights and why they are important. I am reading through this lesson plan, "Documenting Democracy" and working on some projects I hope to share soon.

So, if you are like me, and don't think certain holidays should be used as a vacation from learning, but a point of interest in the learning process, take advantage of the upcoming MLK Jr. Day and teach your children about the rights we all have as human beings: The right to LIFE, LIBERTY and PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS regardless of age, sex, or race!

Tricky Math

 Math is not my strong suit. I hated math in school and always challenged teachers to prove I would use it anywhere in real life. I never finished algebra because the teacher couldn't site a single time I would use it in the real world unless I went into drafting (which was obvious I had no interest in). So, I learned all kinds of techniques to help me with math so I didn't look like a complete dunce if I had to add something up on the fly. Like calculating if I had enough money while standing at the register with ten people staring at me. So, here are a few cool techniques and links I've used to help my kids learn their math.

Multiplication comes with various tricks, and teaching them to my kids is important because, I just memorized my times tables, so trying to explain why 9 x 8 = 72 gets tricky when you can't say, "Because it just does." It has to make sense. There is a cool hand counting technique that you have to try because it is so clever. It only works for the nines tables, but still neat. "Multiplication 9s Trick" is a pdf file that also has a worksheet attached so you can print it out for a lesson and then have your child use the technique to solve problems.

Another trick that I figured out as a kid, is that whatever the number is (1 - 10), subtract one from it. That tells you the first number in the answer. Then whatever you have to add to that number, to make nine is the second number. For example: 9 x 8  take 1 - 8 = 7 so that means seven is the first number. How many then do you have to add to seven to make nine? The answer is two. So the answer to nine times eight is seventy-two (7 + 2 = 9).

With subtraction and addition, I taught the kids that they can always check their work by working the problem backwards. So, 9 - 8 = 1 and reversed 1 + 8 = 9 . Likewise, 9 + 8 = 17 so in reverse, 17 - 8 = 9 . This has made it possible for the kids to check their own work before turning it in, and they are more likely to have more right answers.

About 45 minutes past cherry pie.

We haven't gotten to division yet, but I'm already searching for tricks to figuring those out. Teaching how to tell time was fun when we used the illustration of pie to figure out sections of time. Money also came into play, to explain quarters of an hour. Here is where I got the inspiration for using pie to illustrate time. It's a story with worksheets, called "15 Minutes of Pie". I also drew up on our dry erase board, a clock and labeled each hour with it's five minute increments, labeled the hour and minute hand, and then talked about half an hour being thirty minutes, or HALF the pie. The kids really took to it. Then they asked for cherry pie for lunch. Oh well. Food is a good motivator, that comes with risks.

I hope you found some inspiration. Good luck with those math lessons. Just think, if you struggle with math like I do, all this is strengthening your own knowledge and that's a good thing!

If you are interested in any more of the printable worksheets like the examples I provided. Check out Super Teacher Worksheets. A great site with really creative ideas and fun printables, all free. Update: The site Super Teacher Worksheets has become a paid membership site. There are some freebies, but not many. Bummer, but still an excellent site if you are able to pay for it.

Click on the image, a new window will pop up!

Is It Really Nearing 2012??

So, I meant to be more active in posting our goings on with regard to our homeschooling adventures, but of course, it's been busy. Just keeping the boys interested and on task while a toddler insists on disrupting class time has kept me very preoccupied. However, I have some great tips!

Lachlan attacking Connor mid lesson... *sigh*

I've been marking my calender down with important dates to help with lesson planning as well as having a few days of nonsense (but educational) fun. So, for starters check out  Holiday Insights that has each month with listed little known holidays (not national of course, like Pen Pal Day). It's been fun to surprise the kids with Picnic w/Your Teddy Bear Day or Cashew Day. This has enabled me to discuss things like, fantasy and reality, creative writing, and measuring/cooking (we made our own cashew butter). It helps me also remember that there is a lesson in nearly everything.

Also, utilizing videos to teach concepts has been a great tool. Try checking out The KidsKnowIt Network which has great videos that range from math skills and science to creative writing. I have the kids watch the movie, take the interactive quiz and then have worksheets designed around the theme. I also have made a playlist on Youtube with various videos that are educational and fun. We are currently discussing the virtues Diligence and Perseverance. I searched for the story of the Little Engine That Could and we watched the short video and discussed it.

So remember, making learning fun doesn't just benefit the kids by peaking their interest. It is also good for you as a parent because when the kids are having fun learning, you are spending less time struggling to get a lesson across.

I'll try to share more, but of course it's that chaotic Christmas season, so we'll see how it all goes! Good luck!

Pirates In the Classroom!

Avast ye maties! After rousing me swabs from their quarters and setting them to their vittles (freshly plundered from the Super1), we scuttled to the map room to set our course for intellect. We donned our finest piratey clothes and I (first mate and fine wench that I am) my favorite booty. We honored fallen mates by telling their tales through verse and song. We studied "The Code" to ensure smooth sailing for the day and no thought of mutiny would arise.

By midday, we were feeling a bit scurvy, and headed for the galley to feast on limeade and hardtack with peanut butter and jelly. We frittered about on deck while a squall raged outside, chasing the pup and crossing our swords for practice.

For our final lessons, we reviewed our special pirate speak, and made artwork. Tis was a fine day, and all the poor land lubbers who trugged home from the King's school, long after we were through with our lessons, who grubbed on about us fraternizin' in the fresh air during their hours of instruction, we simply gave the eye and laughed 'em to scorn. Arrrg!

Pirate Fun Links:

• International Talk Like A Pirate homepage
• Pirate Coloring Pages
• Pirate Themed Lessons
• Pirate Speak: The Basics For Jr. Pirates 

My Littlest Matey

Handwriting Skills

After watching both the boys struggle with their handwriting, every morning, and struggling to comprehend what was written in their journals, I decided daily handwriting practice was necessary. I started out by printing blank handwriting sheets and random ones that were appropriate for their age. Then I stumbled onto a great site that has many handwriting exercises as well as a program that allows you to create a handwriting practice sheet using any words you want. You could create a handwriting practice sheet using spelling words, or the student's name.

So, after much grumbling, the boys have settled into practicing the art of legible handwriting skills. If you are interested visit TLS Books and check out their handwriting pages. There are many other printables that are all free. There is a link to donate, which I think they deserve a donation for offering such a great free resource!

Pledge of Allegiance

On this day, in 1892, the Pledge of Allegiance was first printed. So today, we have been learning about the Pledge and all week we have had an art lesson on the symbols of our country. I feel it is important for my kids to learn about our country and how it is meant to be respected and that we began with God as our foundation. I think this is especially relevant now, due to the disrespect being paid by so many, even our own president. So, here are some of the resources I used this week, if you need inspiration of your own!

We discussed symbols by first defining what a symbol is. We listed what some of the symbols for our country are. Then, I had them create a booklet with construction paper and printed coloring pages. I had them color this flag/US image: US FLAG/US and put their name on one of the stripes, then cut it out for them (difficult shape). Then I had them paste it to the front of the construction paper book. Then I printed this flag image: US FLAG and had them color it and (I cut this out) paste it onto the back of the construction paper book.

• A booklet I printed for them to cut and color. I then stapled it for them:

American Symbols Coloring Book

• Worksheets for further comprehension of the Pledge of Allegiance:

The Pledge of Allegiance in pictures
Understanding the Pledge of Allegiance  - Just have it print, pages 2-4.

There are so many free resources out there, all you have to do is google search. I searched for free printables and free worksheets.

We ended, with an excellent powerpoint presentation that I highly suggest you check out. It really got a great discussion going and the kids learned new terms and we went beyond just the pledge and talked about our country and government. If you don't have powerpoint viewer, it is a free download here:

• Microsoft Powerpoint Viewer - download and install, quick and easy
• Pledge of Allegiance Powerpoint Presentation - simply download and open with Microsoft PP