Homeschool Log Sunday April 18 - Saturday April 24

Austin and Amanda
Day by Day Kids Bible
Monday - 2 Kings 15:17-35, Isaiah 6,2 Chronicles 27:1-6, Micah 1:1-9, 16
Tuesday - Micah 4:6-7: 5:2,4-5: 6:6-13; 7: 7-8, 10, 16-20
Thursday - 2 Kings 15:29; 16:1, 4-5; Isaiah 7:2-19, 23-25
Friday - Isaiah 8:1-8, 11-14, 18-20; Isaiah 9:1-7; Isaiah 10:5-27









Agatha Christie - Peril at End House

Chapters 4 -8 I had planned to only read through chapter 7 this week but after pleas of please, please read one more chapter, I read another one.










Gamequarium Math Videos
Monday - Hip Hop Math Tables (9's)
Tuesday - Three is a Magic Number
Thursday - Naughty Number Nine
Friday - Lucky Seven

Field Trip
One Saturday we went to the Riverfest Wildlife Shows with friends and had a great time.



Austin
Reading
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Great Illustrated Classics) pages 170 - 210

My Audio School 
Monday
Ancients - Greece - Aesop's Fables from the Junior Classics by William Patter
           The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse through the end.
           The Iliad for Boys and Girls by Alfred J. Church through The Repentance of Agamemnon


Social
 Sunday Austin had a friend (Zac age 11) over. He went to church with us and stayed for the afternoon to play. On Monday afternoon Zac was here again for about an hour after school. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons Tristan age 12 was also here for a couple hours after school. Also on Thursday his friend Gabe age 10 was also here. His time with his friends included riding bikes, playing tag, caterpillar hunting, playstation games, computer games and whatever else it is boys do when they spend the afternoon having fun.

Independent Living Skills
Austin spent a lot of time this week in the kitchen. His job was to do any work on dinner that could be done ahead of time and then to empty the dishwasher from lunch. This gave him practice in keeping his workspace organized, following instructions, measurements, fractions including adding and multiplying since we often double or triple recipes, and thinking ahead.

He also had his daily chores to do as well as household assignments on his schedule that he has to read and complete during the time alloted for these activities.

Another of his daily activities is helping with the younger kids. This helps him to learn to understand the needs of others and to think about and understand how others may be feeling.



Amanda
Reading
The Widow of Larkspur Inn  (Book 1 of the Gresham Chronicles) by Lawana Blackwell - chapters 15 -19.












My Audio School 
Monday
Ancients - Greece - Fifty Famous Stories Retold by James Baldwin
         George Washington and His Hatchet through Androclus and the Lion

Social
On Wednesday evening Amanda's friend Holly age 11 was here for a couple hours after school. They went for a walk together, and played playstation games. Friday evening she spent the night with Arielle (13) and Sierra (10). Then Saturday they came over and spent the night with Amanda. They went on several walks, watched movies, played computer and playstation games and played with the younger kids.

Independent Living Skills
This week Amanda was in charge of making and serving lunch. Our lunches are usually simple - homemade lunchables, sandwiches, soup, fresh fruit and vegetables, etc. She also had her household work, chores, helping with the younger children and taking care of her pets.

She has also taken on two large projects. First she has been discovering the joys of paperwork by keeping up our USDA food program daily logs. She has to log which children were in attendance for each meal and the food served. She's doing a great job with this.

Her second large project is redecorating her room. At this point she is getting it ready to paint. The walls have been washed, most of the wallpaper border scraped from the top of the wall and the masking tape is on the woodwork. And she has done nearly all of the work herself.  I'm hoping she can start painting this week.

Both Austin and Amanda had a great week and I'm very proud them.

Homeschool Log Sunday March 28 - Saturday April 3, 2010

Austin
Reading - Austin is reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Great Illustrated Classics). This week he read pages 80 -100.

My Audio School
 Austin finished Aesop's Fables - Volume 1 on Monday.

Amanda
Reading
The Cross and the Switchblade
Amanda read the last two chapters of this book this week.











My Audio School
Amanda finished Peeps in Many Lands: Ancient Egypt by James Baikie and began listening to Aesop's Fables - Volume 1.

Austin and Amanda

Day by Day Kids Bible - Micah 4:6-7, 5:2, 4-5, 6:6-13, 7:7-8, 10, 16-20, 2 Kings 15:29, 16:1, 4-5, Isaiah 7:2-19, 23-25











Leapholes by James Grippando
We finished the last two chapters of this book and began reading some of the interviews with "real live attorneys" that are in the back of the book.











Gamequarium Math Videos - Math in Everyday Life

• Real Life Math
• That's Mathematics

Gamequarium Language Arts Videos - Pronouns

•  Rufus Xavier Sasparilla
• Personal Pronouns

Homeschool Log Thursday March 11, 2010

Austin and Amanda
Today we started reading Leapholes by James Grippando.
From the back cover -

Best of all, Leapholes is a fun way to learn that lawyers help people, and that legal precedents are about real people who had real lives and real problems, just like we do today. Featuring an Afterword from many of today's prominent lawyers and lawyer-authors, telling why they became lawyers.

We read chapters 1-8. The chapters are short and there have been a lot of twists and turns in the story already that keep it really interesting. It definitely has some elements of science fiction but we enjoy that so that's okay with us.


We also read Amos 4-6 and 7:1-9.

Both Austin and Amanda watched a Language Arts video and a Math video at Gamequarium.

Both Austin and Amanda did their chores, took care of their pets, and helped with the younger children.

They spent the evening at their grandparent's house.

Austin
Austin read part of chapter from Apostle to Inland China: The Story of J. Hudson Taylor.

Amanda
Amanda read one chapter from The Cross and the Switchblade.

This afternoon she listened to one chapter of Peeps At Many Lands by James Baikie. while she worked on washing the walls of one the bedrooms upstairs (the one that will be hers).

Homeschool Log Wednesday March 10, 2010

Austin and Amanda
We read the last two chapters of The Shack today. I was going to stop with one chapter but they were both begging me to finish the book so they could find out how it ended so we did.

We also read Hosea 10; 2 Chronicles 25:26-28, 26; and Amos 1-3.

They both did their chores and helped with the younger children.

This evening they went to the childrens/youth program at church.




Austin
Austin finished reading the chapter from Apostle to China: The Story of J. Hudson Taylor that he started yesterday. His eyes were still bothering him a little so I didn't ask him to read any more

During his time with me this afternoon he chose to play Go Fish.  We call it "Mom Time." At one point we had a tie, so after that I had him calculate how many matches I had based on how many he finished with, using our tie numbers as a starting point.

He also added another design to his art blog.

His friend Tristan was here for a little while this afternoon and they spent most of that time outside. It was 63 degrees this afternoon and everyone had the urge to head outdoors.




He enjoyed playing Sid Meiers Pirates on the computer, as well as a few other computer games.

Austin finished listening to Peeps in Many Lands: Ancient Egypt by James Baikie and began listening to You are there!The Rise of Alexander the Great. I am so grateful for quality educational material that he can listen too. If he can hear it instead of trying to read it he retains the information so much better, and is able to enjoy learning as well.






Amanda
Amanda read another chapter of The Cross and the Switchblade

She also updated her blog.

Her choice of activity for "Mom Time" was to play UNO.

This afternoon her friend Holly was here and they also spent most of their time outside. They played baseball (as well as they could with only a few people, Tristan and Austin played with them), and collected walnuts and tried to break them open on the concrete. I don't think that worked too well for them though.



 While working on a flower made of perler beads for the display she is designing for the playroom, she also listened to two chapters of Peeps in Many Lands: Ancient Egypt. She doesn't enjoy these audio sessions as much as Austin does but she does remember what she's hearing and I try to make sure she has something to do that she does enjoy while she listens.

Homeschool Log Tuesday March 9, 2010

Austin and Amanda
We read another chapter of The Shack this afternoon. We are almost finished reading this book. The kids haven't said a lot about it but now and then I hear a comment that lets me know they are thinking through what we are reading.

We also read Hosea 1-8.

Austin
Austin read half of a chapter from Apostle to Inland China: The Story of J.Hudson Taylor. Then he came and asked if he could take a break from  reading because his eyes were hurting. They were red and watery so I told him he could just stop for today and read the other half tomorrow.

He listened to part of Atlantis Found by Clive Cussler. He's listened to this audio book before but is enjoying hearing it again.

He also listened to chapters 8-11 of Peeps In Many Lands: Ancient Egypt by James Baikie on the the online site My Audio School.

He went to Gamequarium and watched a Language Arts video and a Math video.

His friend Tristan (11) was here all day and Zac (10) as here for about half an hour this afternoon. They spent most of their free time playing computer games. They would have liked to outside since it was so nice but Tristan had a bike wreck over the weekend and was sore and bandaged up, so they had to stay inside.

This afternoon we played several hands of UNO as well as Rhyming Go Fish.

He did his chores and he helped with the younger children. Austin does a great job entertaining and helping with the younger children. We have one child especially, who is a year old, who begins calling Austin's name the minute he comes in the door. It's so sweet. And it's great to see Austin learn to relate to and understand the children and hep them when they need something.

And speaking of helping, this evening he helped Doug install our new baby gate. And did a great job of that as well.

Amanda
Amanda read another chapter from The Cross and the Switchblade.

She also went to Gamequarium and watched a Language Arts video and a math video.

This afternoon her activity of choice with me was to play UNO.

I had her start working on a display for the playroom today. I gave her the perler beads and told her she could decide what kind of scene or display she wants to make. We have two walls in the playroom that are very bare and I knew she would have fun livening them up. She started out today by making a cat. no surprise there. It will be interesting to see what she does with this project.

Doing her chores, taking care of her pets and helping with the younger children rounded out her day, as well as some computer games.

Homeschool Log Thursday March 4, 2010

Austin
Austin read another chapter of Pinocchio today. The last chapter. He's already wondering what he'll read next and I have a book lined up for him that I think he'll enjoy and will be a challenge to read but not overwhelming.

This afternoon we read some more of the article Flight to Adventure by Tay and Lowell Thomas, Jr. We enjoyed the pictures in this article showing daily life among the various people of Africa.

He also worked a little on the timeline.

He and Tristan did some woodwork over lunchtime. Tristan ended up with two wooden trinkets to give to his mother that he and Austin made together. 

                      

Amanda
Amanda read another chapter of The Cross and the Switchblade.

This afternoon we played UNO and Tristan (12) joined us. There was a lot of good natured competition between the two of them. Austin joined us for the last hand as well.

 

 

Austin and Amanda
We read another chapter from The Shack this afternoon. There is so much to absorb as we read this book that I think we'll come back and read it again in six months or so. I had read the book before but still find myself pondering new thoughts and insights as we read.

We also read 2 Kings 13 and 14 and 2 Chronicles 25. We're using the Day by Day Kids Bible. This is our second time reading through this version of the Bible for kids.

While reading a post at Hawai'ian Dreaming I came across a link to My Audio School. I checked out the site and liked what I saw. Here is one sentence from their home page - "Classic books, old-time radio theater, historical radio and television broadcasts and more make My Audio School a treasure trove for educators, parents and students alike." I think it is an accurate description of this site. So today both Austin and Amanda began listening to Peeps at Many Lands: Ancient Egypt by James Baikie. Austin really liked it and Amanda didn't complain. They both listened to the first two chapters.

Both kids also went to the Gamequarium website and watched a math video and a Language Arts video.

This afternoon both Austin and Amanda spent time outside playing with their friends Holly(11) and Tristan (12). They are still digging caves and tunnels in the big pile of snow outside.

The kids spent the evening at Grandma's house as usual for Thursday evening.

Chores, taking care of their pets and helping with the younger kids rounded out their day.

Homeschool Log Tuesday March 2, 2010

Austin
Austin read another chapter of Pinocchio and is planning to read the last two chapters tomorrow.

He and his friend Tristan spent a lot of time together today. A lot of their time was spent playing games on Austin's laptop.

He also worked on the timeline for awhile. Right now he's working on measuring and cutting the construction paper strips we will need to construct the timeline.

This afternoon we played One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Go Fish. It's a  new card game (new to us anyway) that someone gave us and he wanted to try. It's very similar to regular Go Fish. He enjoyed it but I don't think it's going to be a favorite.

He watched more MacGyver episodes. I think he's watching season three now. He can never simply sit and quietly watch these shows. He yells, laughs and talks to the screen the whole time - very entertaining for everyone around him.

Amanda

Amanda read chapter three of The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson. When she finished the chapter she told me it's starting to get interesting.

This afternoon we played UNO. I suggested we play points this time but she wasn't interested so I didn't push it.

Her friend Holly (11) was here this evening for a couple hours and they had a wonderful time together as usual.

Austin and Amanda

We read another chapter from The Shack this afternoon. We also read Joel 1 and 2. 

Both kids went to Gamequarium and watched Math and Language Arts videos.

It started snowing this afternoon and both kids along with thier friends who were here today went outside for awhile. They took shovels, hoes and other tools out to the big snowpile in the parking lot and were digging tunnels, ditches and caves in it. 

Chores, taking care of their pets and helping with the younger kids rounded out their day.

Homeschool Log Monday March 1, 2010

Austin
Austin read another chapter from Pinocchio today. He chose this book to read but he's looking forward to being finished with it and starting another one.

A new post was added to his blog.

Austin helped me make macaroni and cheese for lunch. Since we made a double recipe I had him practice some math by figuring out how much of each ingredient we needed.

He also spent about half an hour working on the timeline we want to put in our downstairs hallway.

Amanda
Amanda read chapter 2 from The Cross and the Switch Blade by David Wilkerson. She also updated her blog in true preteen fashion - with pictures of her new clothes.

Austin and Amanda
We read one chapter from The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. We also read 2 Kings 10 and 11 and 2 Chronicles 22:7-12.

Since both kids just got new clothes I helped them sort through their old ones this afternoon. We finished Austin's but Amanda has more that we need to go through. Since Amanda is a pack rat (like me) she has a lot of clothes to go through. And it takes awhile because we have to have a discussion about each item and where it should go. And a proper good-bye has to be said to it. It's a long and tiring process.

Both kids did their chores, took care of their animals and helped with the younger kids.

Weekly Homeschool Log November 8 - November 14

Math
Austin - Balloon Addition, Ed, Edd, n Eddy Addition , Tom & Jerry Addition, Mr. Anker Tests


Amanda - Worksheets - A Quick Review, That's Odd, Add It Up, Two By Two

Language Arts
Austin - Grammar Rock - Nouns, Proper Nouns and Capitalization, What Are Nouns?, Forming Plural Nouns



Amanda - Worksheets - Articles and Demonstrative Nouns, Adjectives That Compare, Special Forms of Adjectives That Compare, Action Verbs and Linking Verbs

Typing
Austin and Amanda - Dance Mat Typing - Level 3 Stage 7

Reading


Austin and Amanda - Chapters 14 - 17 from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (Great Illustrated Classics)

Austin - Chapters 2-4 from The Hardy Boys: The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon





Amanda
Chapters 1-3 from Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
The Trouble With Skye by Marsha Hubler (the entire book)
Chapters from A True Test for Sky by Marsha Hubler


Science
Austin and Amanda
- Chemical Reactions Take Place Inside Cells
- Cells Capture and Release Energy
- Materials Move Across the Cell's Membranes
- Cell Division Occurs In All Organisms

Social Studies

Austin and Amanda - Although we haven't tried any of the recipes in this book we have enjoyed reading about the various tribes and the food they ate.
-California: Acorns, a Chumash Meal
-The Southwest: Hopi Farmers
-Great Basin: The Nomadic Shoshone
-The Great Plains: Hidatsas of the Earth Lodge





Austin checked out these two books on cassette at the library Tuesday and listened to both of them.

Other
Wednesday evening both Austin and Amanda went to the kids/youth program at church. They always have dinner there and then activities the rest of the evening.

Thursday evening is nearly always spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandpa picks them up in time for dinner and brings them back later in the evening. They have a great evening with cousins and other family.

Friday evening Austin left for his first overnight outing with the church youth. He was very excited and looking forward to it. We have great youth leaders who do a wonderful job looking out for the needs of each kid and I knew he would do fine. I still worried though but he came home happy.

Homeschool Log Monday November 2, 2009

Math
Austin - Modeling Fraction Subtraction
Amanda - Matching Numbers Worksheet

Language Arts
Austin - Adverb Game
Amanda - Adjectives worksheet

Science
Austin and Amanda - Cells Are Diverse

Reading
Austin and Amanda - Chapter 11 "Oliver Is Rescued" from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens



I had to include this picture of Amanda reading with the stuffed dog she bought Saturday evening. She named it Casey and is amazed at how easy it has been to teach her to sit and stay. She says it's because she has watched so many dog training shows and has learned how to train dogs. Notice she even dresses the dog to match with her owner. I'm not sure why she has such a serious look on her face. I guess the book must take a lot of concentration.



Typing
Austin and Amanda - Dance Mat Typing stage 2 level 6

Sign Language
Austin and Amanda - Unit 13 vocabulary

Bible
Austin and Amanda - Proverbs 1, 2, 3:17-24, 4

Social Studies
Austin and Amanda - The American Indians Before 1500

Literature
Austin and Amanda -Chapter 17 from Anne of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery

Preschool Fun
Songs

We colored the Letter Jj song coloring page. Michael also practiced writing his name. He would rather write than color. We do hand over hand at this point and he loves it.



Leggos
While building with leggos we talked about the different colors we were using. We also had a discussion about not knocking down what other people built.

Books
We only read two stories today, "Daniel in the Lion's Den" and "Dumbo." While reading Daniel in the Lion's Den we also looked at and identified the animals in the story. Along with the lions there were also a dog, a cat and a bird. Then we talked about the sounds the animals made and counted the lions. While reading Dumbo we again identified the animals, talked about the sounds they made and counted.

Homeschool Log Thursday 10/29/09

This was Austin and Amanda's normal day off from school work and they really seemed to need some down time today. Often they find a lot of interesting and even educational activities to do on their own but this was not one of those days. I guess we all need some down time and this was their day for it.

Preschool Fun

Songs

Ice Cream Dot-To-Dot
Ii is for Ice Cream



We read books.


We also had fun with another activity that I haven't gotten out much lately. A big bowl of dried beans, and some containers and plastic spoons. It didn't take long to remember why I don't get it out much. It doesn't take much time to cover a floor with dried beans, but it was fun while it lasted.