Homeschool Chat Part III

[3princesses+aprince]

So i've been googling and printing away all week. We're starting out with learning all about Christopher Columbus, from there we are going into the 13 colonies and then from there the pilgrims of course for Thanksgiving. I am amazed at how many lesson plans and unit studies there are on the web. When I searched for Christopher Columbus I found SO much. I have maps of his routes, the story of his 4 voyages. ( I know I never knew he went out 4 times and where he even landed) coloring pages, printable games, pictures and some details about his 3 ships and who were on them, and even an online book. I wanted to print it out but decided i'll just read it to them from the computer, it's pretty long but geared toward kids, so they will not get confused or lost. Ok, i'm sure some if it will be over my 6 yr old's head, but it's all stuff we'll come across again when she's older.

I figured with the Holidays coming up it would be exciting to learn about all of this stuff. I think it will really hold their interest. They are all into History anyway. I even have "The History of Halloween" planned for the week before halloween before we get into the 13 colonies.

Now besides the "History of Christmas" what has anyone done for any type of lesson plan or unit study? I haven't even started looking online for that yet, just wondering what you guys have done. I would like to do a few different things in the week or maybe even 2 leading up to Christmas. I'm sure there is a ton of stuff that can be found for Christmas I'll start looking more in a few weeks as well.
Thanks!

 

[MiniGirl]

So i've been googling and printing away all week. We're starting out with learning all about Christopher Columbus, from there we are going into the 13 colonies and then from there the pilgrims of course for Thanksgiving. I am amazed at how many lesson plans and unit studies there are on the web. When I searched for Christopher Columbus I found SO much. I have maps of his routes, the story of his 4 voyages. ( I know I never knew he went out 4 times and where he even landed) coloring pages, printable games, pictures and some details about his 3 ships and who were on them, and even an online book. I wanted to print it out but decided i'll just read it to them from the computer, it's pretty long but geared toward kids, so they will not get confused or lost. Ok, i'm sure some if it will be over my 6 yr old's head, but it's all stuff we'll come across again when she's older.

I figured with the Holidays coming up it would be exciting to learn about all of this stuff. I think it will really hold their interest. They are all into History anyway. I even have "The History of Halloween" planned for the week before halloween before we get into the 13 colonies.

Now besides the "History of Christmas" what has anyone done for any type of lesson plan or unit study? I haven't even started looking online for that yet, just wondering what you guys have done. I would like to do a few different things in the week or maybe even 2 leading up to Christmas. I'm sure there is a ton of stuff that can be found for Christmas I'll start looking more in a few weeks as well.
Thanks!

It sounds like you're off to a good start. We also made 3 boats out of tin foil and floated them in our pool (or bathtub) when studying Christopher Columbus.

For Christmas, you could do a Christmas Around the World type of study. Learn where different countries are located on a map. Learn a few words in that language, and cook some traditional meals. It isnt really history, but my kids love anything we do with maps.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

polkadotsuitcase, I just checked out your website! It looks great!

Aw, thank you! I just re-launched the free newsletter -- if anyone ever wanted to know how to make Stuffed Mickey Heads, now's your big chance! (They're also just on the blog.) And hey, they're magical like Disney, so they're zero calories...

 

[3princesses+aprince]

It sounds like you're off to a good start. We also made 3 boats out of tin foil and floated them in our pool (or bathtub) when studying Christopher Columbus.

For Christmas, you could do a Christmas Around the World type of study. Learn where different countries are located on a map. Learn a few words in that language, and cook some traditional meals. It isnt really history, but my kids love anything we do with maps.

Oh the boats sound really cute. I think we'll do them! I actually googled some Christmas studies right after I posted and do think we will look at other countries. We'll look at their Christmas traditions. I read that in certain countries it is not Santa Claus that brings gifts, it is the 3 Kings or Baby Jesus. I had no idea. He is called Father Christmas, Grandfather Frost, uncle Santa and Black Peter. Pretty neat! And locating them on the map while we're learning about them is a must! Thanks, my kids love maps too

 

[robinsegg]

It sounds like you're off to a good start. We also made 3 boats out of tin foil and floated them in our pool (or bathtub) when studying Christopher Columbus.

For Christmas, you could do a Christmas Around the World type of study. Learn where different countries are located on a map. Learn a few words in that language, and cook some traditional meals. It isnt really history, but my kids love anything we do with maps.

There's a whole series of books (I got several from my library) that can be found at http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Switzerland-Around-World/dp/0716608952/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286318290&sr=1-3

 

[graygables]

So i've been googling and printing away all week. We're starting out with learning all about Christopher Columbus, from there we are going into the 13 colonies and then from there the pilgrims of course for Thanksgiving. I am amazed at how many lesson plans and unit studies there are on the web. When I searched for Christopher Columbus I found SO much. I have maps of his routes, the story of his 4 voyages. ( I know I never knew he went out 4 times and where he even landed) coloring pages, printable games, pictures and some details about his 3 ships and who were on them, and even an online book. I wanted to print it out but decided i'll just read it to them from the computer, it's pretty long but geared toward kids, so they will not get confused or lost. Ok, i'm sure some if it will be over my 6 yr old's head, but it's all stuff we'll come across again when she's older.

I figured with the Holidays coming up it would be exciting to learn about all of this stuff. I think it will really hold their interest. They are all into History anyway. I even have "The History of Halloween" planned for the week before halloween before we get into the 13 colonies.

Now besides the "History of Christmas" what has anyone done for any type of lesson plan or unit study? I haven't even started looking online for that yet, just wondering what you guys have done. I would like to do a few different things in the week or maybe even 2 leading up to Christmas. I'm sure there is a ton of stuff that can be found for Christmas I'll start looking more in a few weeks as well.
Thanks!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these products: http://www.handsofachild.com/shop/ They make it SO easy, it's all very hands on, DDs enjoy putting them together and they are adaptable for different ages. It also gives us a nice record of what they've been learning and can serve as a jumping off point for even more research. Have I mentioned I LOVE them???

 

[dis-happy]

Oh the boats sound really cute. I think we'll do them! I actually googled some Christmas studies right after I posted and do think we will look at other countries. We'll look at their Christmas traditions. I read that in certain countries it is not Santa Claus that brings gifts, it is the 3 Kings or Baby Jesus. I had no idea. He is called Father Christmas, Grandfather Frost, uncle Santa and Black Peter. Pretty neat! And locating them on the map while we're learning about them is a must! Thanks, my kids love maps too

Our French teacher was born and raised in Holland and she always incorporated the traditions of both countries into Christmas for us. We loved it!!! You can make a Bouche Noelle (pan cake that is rolled with a creme frosting and decorated to look like a log; inside two trinkets are placed and the finders are the king and the queen). She also did the candy in the wooden shoes from Father Christmas. Really fun!

 

[graygables]

Our French teacher was born and raised in Holland and she always incorporated the traditions of both countries into Christmas for us. We loved it!!! You can make a Bouche Noelle (pan cake that is rolled with a creme frosting and decorated to look like a log; inside two trinkets are placed and the finders are the king and the queen). She also did the candy in the wooden shoes from Father Christmas. Really fun!

I was brought up in Germany and we had St. Nicholas on 12/6 fill our shoes with gifts and goodies, then the Christkind brought gifts on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day was for sleeping in. My kids still get the benefit of the "German Santa" on the 6th and the "American Santa" on Christmas morning.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

I was brought up in Germany and we had St. Nicholas on 12/6 fill our shoes with gifts and goodies, then the Christkind brought gifts on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day was for sleeping in. My kids still get the benefit of the "German Santa" on the 6th and the "American Santa" on Christmas morning.

Sounds like our holidays, too! We always celebrated St. Nick's when I was a kid, and I've always done it with my kiddos, too.

I think studying Christmas around the world is a fantastic idea!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Thanks for the Christmas replies. That will definitely be fun for all of us. I didn't realize there were so many different versions of Santa Claus and different beliefs. Since there are many, I don't want to confuse the kids with too much, I think i'll pick a few different countries. This way we can get into everything they do for Christmas like their tradition, what date it's celebrated on, what they bake (YUM) and how and when they decorate! St. Nicholas from Germany on 12/6 filling the shoes is very interesting! The Bouche Noelle from Holland sounds fun too! I enjoyed hearing your traditions. I can't wait to start this up now even though it's only October 6th. Oh, soon enough it will be Christmas

I'll check out the links that were suggested too! Thank you!

 

[wasnotafan]

We aren't homeschooling this year since we found a good, affordable school, but DS reading program is lacking. He is in 3rd grade and reads at a 6th grade level. I'm looking for an inexpensive source for books for him. He loves Geronimo Stilton, Boxcar Children, etc. but also just finished Silas Marner and is reading Billy Budd so he likes just about everything. We've hit the library sales and I watch EBay, but what am I missing?

 

[NHWX]

We aren't homeschooling this year since we found a good, affordable school, but DS reading program is lacking. He is in 3rd grade and reads at a 6th grade level. I'm looking for an inexpensive source for books for him. He loves Geronimo Stilton, Boxcar Children, etc. but also just finished Silas Marner and is reading Billy Budd so he likes just about everything. We've hit the library sales and I watch EBay, but what am I missing?

Library book sales? They sell books for a quarter around here. Does he have friends at school with similar reading tastes? If so, they (or parents could) arrange a book swap. Do you have any used bookstores in your area? We have an independent bookstore that has a used section plus about 45 minutes away there are several stand-alone used bookstores.

Your library can also probably order anything through interlibrary loan though there are drawbacks. In our town, if it's new, it might be a long wait. And due to the fact that they're being shipped around the state, there's usually not too long a borrowing period.

Scholastic catalogs usually have at least one book for 99 cents in each issue, or at least they did when my two were that age. Does your son's school participate in the Scholastic program? If so, be sure and ask your son's teacher to get the fliers for the next couple of grades ahead.

I'm sure other people will have lots of good ideas.

NHWX

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

For those with younger ones looking for science activities. kids.woot.com has five cool looking lab kits for beginners for 29.99 plus 5.00 shipping. So $7 each total, not bad

 

[Cinderkella]

Hi everyone. I'm considering homeschooling my children and need some basic info to help me make the decision. I was wondering if there is anyone willing to exchange some emails with me to help me learn more about it from their personal experiences. I am interested in curriculum that does not have a religious basis. Is there anyone willing to share your experiences? My oldest son just turned 5 and would be starting kindergarten next year, my other son is almost 4 and my daughter is 2. Now is the time to figure this out!
Thanks!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Hi Cinderkella, we are just starting with homeschooling, so I don't have as much advice as I'm sure others will have, but I know the first step will be the HSLDA website to find out your states laws. From that website you can also find a list of any homeschool groups in your area. That is where I found mine. We do Co ops, field trips, monthly meetings, weekly park days etc together.

I think you are thinking about this at a great time. I am taking my kids out of public school, I think it would be a much easier decision to start from the beginning. I thought about this for years, it's such a tough decision.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

So I think i'm actually going to start our Abeka math books in January, right after Christmas. 2 of my kids are so behind in math that I think I need to spend some time catching them up. For my dd11, we are going to work on memorizing the multiplication tables and then division/fractions. When it comes to division and fractions, she barely scrapes by.

My dd9 (who is developmentally delayed) can barely add and subtract. So, I know we have to start there with her. She is in 3rd grade, I may even start with Abeka grade 2 for math. I was looking at their sample pages and grade 3 is too advanced for her just yet.

Anyway, has anyone ever started in January? I just don't want to be all out of whack. If I start the math then, we will have to go through the summer, or else it will be forgotten. ( I kind of wanted to school (lightly) through the summer anyway, so that would be fine) Also, at the end of the "school year" in June when I have to report, she'll only be halfway through with math, even though she's had a full year of it, they'd have half the school year doing one grade and january would start the next grade? Does this matter? Maybe I could start math in january, school through the summer, and then be caught up by next september, so that wouldn't happen?

Ahhhhh! Am I making this an issue that shouldn't be?

 

[Nicolepa]

Anyway, has anyone ever started in January? I just don't want to be all out of whack. If I start the math then, we will have to go through the summer, or else it will be forgotten. ( I kind of wanted to school (lightly) through the summer anyway, so that would be fine) Also, at the end of the "school year" in June when I have to report, she'll only be halfway through with math, even though she's had a full year of it, they'd have half the school year doing one grade and january would start the next grade? Does this matter? Maybe I could start math in january, school through the summer, and then be caught up by next september, so that wouldn't happen?

Ahhhhh! Am I making this an issue that shouldn't be?

It really doesn't matter when you start or where they are. If you have to report to someone you will just need to show they are making sufficient progress. So if you start in January then you should be about 1/2 done by June and finished by the following January.

That is actually where we are right now. Our school year this year will end at the end of January/ early Feb. and we will be done w/1st semester by June. I have a friend who has always started her new year in January, except Math she starts in September. Another friend just finishes when she finishes.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

That's what I figured and seeing how my kids struggle in math, I think we'd want to keep up with that through the summer anyway!

So, I was on the teaching textbooks website earlier today and oh WOW, it looks amazing. I'm going to stick with the Abeka Math for all 3 this year, but for next year for 6th grade with my oldest, i'm going with that. I viewed a sample lesson and it makes everything so clear. The price almost scared me away, but i'm glad I watched the lesson. You cannot put a price on that one! Then when the other 2 get to 6th, I can use the same book, just buy new workbooks. (Or just do them without the workbooks, they say you can do that too, you'd just have to write the problems out) Math is not my strongest area, so that is amazing. It's like having a tutor . So, TT it will be for them all after that!

Question: Next week will be our first week homeschooling. (Today was their last day at their PS. I cannot believe after all of these years of saying that i'm going to do this, i'm finally doing it ) I know i've heard many times to give the kids a break before starting up. Now I know my kids are looking forward to learning with me. They love to learn. Would I be making a mistake by starting right up on Tuesday? I could start with just our Christopher Columbus History lesson, some language arts and some reading. (We could wait a week to start Math, Science, spelling and writing) I think if we didn't do much but hang out all week, they'd wonder if they were ever going to learn anything at all with me. My dd9 (special needs) will most likely be very confused if we do not do any type of schooling because that's what she's expecting

And the following week we have our first field trip with our homeschool group! It's going to be an awesome one.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Question: Next week will be our first week homeschooling. (Today was their last day at their PS. I cannot believe after all of these years of saying that i'm going to do this, i'm finally doing it ) I know i've heard many times to give the kids a break before starting up. Now I know my kids are looking forward to learning with me. They love to learn. Would I be making a mistake by starting right up on Tuesday? I could start with just our Christopher Columbus History lesson, some language arts and some reading. (We could wait a week to start Math, Science, spelling and writing) I think if we didn't do much but hang out all week, they'd wonder if they were ever going to learn anything at all with me. My dd9 (special needs) will most likely be very confused if we do not do any type of schooling because that's what she's expecting

And the following week we have our first field trip with our homeschool group! It's going to be an awesome one.

I'd go with the general consensus -- why force a break if everyone's raring to go? Jump on that energy now! If, after a few weeks, the "honeymoon" wears off a bit and you feel like everyone needs some down time, you can work it in then. That's the beauty of homeschooling -- it's flexible to meet your family's needs.

Have a fun trip!

 

[Nicolepa]

Question: Next week will be our first week homeschooling. (Today was their last day at their PS. I cannot believe after all of these years of saying that i'm going to do this, i'm finally doing it ) I know i've heard many times to give the kids a break before starting up. Now I know my kids are looking forward to learning with me. They love to learn. Would I be making a mistake by starting right up on Tuesday? I could start with just our Christopher Columbus History lesson, some language arts and some reading. (We could wait a week to start Math, Science, spelling and writing) I think if we didn't do much but hang out all week, they'd wonder if they were ever going to learn anything at all with me. My dd9 (special needs) will most likely be very confused if we do not do any type of schooling because that's what she's expecting

And the following week we have our first field trip with our homeschool group! It's going to be an awesome one.

Here's what I'd do. I'd either go out for breakfast, or make something fun that they normally can't do on a school day because of time. Then I'd do light school and slowly work up to a full schedule. Just be aware that, even though they are excited you may not get much done. It's an adjustment. They say it takes a week per year of PS to get into the homeschool groove or mindset and it was exactly that long for my son (including preschool time).