Monday, October 7, 2013
A Great Giveaway!
I know that it has been a LONG time since I've posted anything here. However, I wanted to take a minute to share about this giveaway that a friend of mine is hosting on her blog. Be sure to check it out! http://thoushallnotwhine6.blogspot.com/2013/10/sweet-potato-biscuits-homemade-fruit.html
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Expedition Earth: China
Ni Hao! We have had a wonderful time over the last two weeks studying China! I am so thankful to have found this curriculum packed full of hands on learning activities so that BOTH of my kids can learn at the same time.
We started off our week “flying” to China. They each have their own passports which we stamped with the Chinese flag and dated our entry (sorry, no pictures).
Here are a few of the things that we did while we were “in” China:
-read LOTS of books about China, looked at pictures, discussed similarities and differences
-learned how to say “hello” in Mandarin Chinese. They also practiced painting the symbol for hello.
-We used Google Translate to listen to our names and many common words in Mandarin Chinese.
- They learned to count to 10 in Chinese using this fun YouTube video.
-They made some fun paper lanterns.
- We watched several YouTube videos and read about The Great Wall of China. Then, they built their own little version out of sugar cubes! It may not look like much, but it sure was a lot of work! It also gave us a lot of time to talk about what it must have been like to build the real wall without all of the modern machines we have today.
- We studied animals of China. Alexis did some copywork about the different animals and them classified them according to their kind. Then, we took a few days to study Pandas. After we studied them, they made Panda masks and watched “Kung Fu Panda.”
- We read “Look What Came from China” and talked about the many things that we use today that were invented in China. One of the many things we read about was paper. So, we made our own paper! We used paper from our shredder, which happened to have some green construction paper in it. Therefore, we ended up with green paper!
- They used their paper to practice writing their numbers in Chinese.
(notice Schuyler in the background, trying to get his hands on the Expedition Earth binder!)
- We played with Tangrams, an ancient Chinese puzzle. Alexis really enjoyed doing these and was very good at them!
-They made their own dragon puppets and watched Mulan.
- Read “The Story about Ping” by Marjorie Flack. Then we watched a YouTube video about Comorant fishing.
- Learned to identify China on the map. Alexis also completed a mapping activity and learned major landmarks.
- We learned about children in China with the book “Children Just like Me.”
-We are compiling all of their work in their Expedition Earth binder.
- We culminated our study of China by celebrating with the family. We made a Chinese meal (fried rice, oriental salad, and egg drop soup). We added fortune cookies, even though we know they did not originate in China. During our meal, we made sure not to eat until the eldest person took the first bite. The eldest person was also to face the door. Also, no knives or forks were allowed at the table (those are considered weapons).
(eating with chopsticks was not so easy!)
My little cuties dressed the part….
The kids also helped me to come up with things to pray about for China. We wrote these on a prayer card (we will add a card for each country we study) Will you join us in praying for China? You can pray…
1. Although Bibles are being printed in China, not everyone who wants a Bible has access to one. Pray that everyone can have a Bible.
2. Pandas are facing extinction. Pray that these beautiful animals that God created will be protected so that future generations can enjoy them.
3. To limit population growth, China has a one-child policy which is leading to forced abortions and many children in orphanages. Pray that these children will be happy, healthy and find good homes where they will learn about the love Jesus has for them.
4. Pray for the government of China. Pray that the leaders humble themselves and recognize Jesus as Lord.
Next stop….South Korea!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Traveling the World–Introduction to Geography
Over the last two weeks, we began our two year study of the world! We had a great first two weeks of introduction to geography. The main resources that we are using are Expedition Earth from Confessions of a Homeschooler. This is loaded with hands-on projects, printables, and more! We are also using Galloping the Globe.
Alexis and Josiah are both excited to learn about many different countries. I issued them their very own passports that will be stamped with the flags of the countries as we “travel” to them.
Here are a few things that I managed to capture this week.
They had LOADS of fun making a paper-mache globe!
The learned the names and locations of the seven continents and five oceans by singing them to the tune of “Oh My Darling.”
We began the week by talking about the Creation of the world. They worked on pages for their Earth lapbook, which I do not have pictures of.
Books we read included: Me on the Map, Follow that Map, and How to make an Apple Pie and See the World.
After reading, Me on the Map, they found their own “place on the map.” Thanks to TeachMama for the printables! They worked together on this projects. Josiah did most of the cutting, and Alexis did the writing. This activity helped Alexis with learning the difference between continents, countries, towns, and states. A lot of this was still over Josiah’s head, but he is still picking up things and learning. Our layers include: My Planet, My Continent, My Country, My State, My City, My Street, and My Home.
Josiah really enjoyed the mapping books! He has always loved to play with maps and always asks questions related to directions. Whenever we are in the car, he wants to hold a map or the gps. From a very young age, he could tell when we were headed in a wrong direction. Now, he says things like, “Why are we headed West?”
With our studies, I plan to use as many Five in a Row books as I can. This week, we used “How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World.” There were so many things to do with this book that we could have spent a few more weeks with it! They both enjoyed this story very much! I found many ideas on Homeschool Share.
We used printables from Homeschool Share to create a scene from the book. They love whenever I bring out a big roll of paper. They spent a a long time working together to make their scene!
Baking our very first apple pie was great practice with reading a recipe and practicing fractions. It was also great practice for my patience
I didn’t manage to get any pictures of the process!
Afterwards, we had an Apple Pie Party! They invited family over to share their pie with. The scene that they painted and the paper-mache globe made great decorations. They sang their Continents and Oceans song and Alexis read “How to Make and Apple Pie and See the World” for our guests to hear!
First, we will be traveling to Asia! When I told the kids that we would be studying China first, Alexis said, “Lots of things are made in China!” Stay tuned for more world travels!
Alexis and Josiah are both excited to learn about many different countries. I issued them their very own passports that will be stamped with the flags of the countries as we “travel” to them.
Here are a few things that I managed to capture this week.
They had LOADS of fun making a paper-mache globe!
The learned the names and locations of the seven continents and five oceans by singing them to the tune of “Oh My Darling.”
We began the week by talking about the Creation of the world. They worked on pages for their Earth lapbook, which I do not have pictures of.
Books we read included: Me on the Map, Follow that Map, and How to make an Apple Pie and See the World.
After reading, Me on the Map, they found their own “place on the map.” Thanks to TeachMama for the printables! They worked together on this projects. Josiah did most of the cutting, and Alexis did the writing. This activity helped Alexis with learning the difference between continents, countries, towns, and states. A lot of this was still over Josiah’s head, but he is still picking up things and learning. Our layers include: My Planet, My Continent, My Country, My State, My City, My Street, and My Home.
Josiah really enjoyed the mapping books! He has always loved to play with maps and always asks questions related to directions. Whenever we are in the car, he wants to hold a map or the gps. From a very young age, he could tell when we were headed in a wrong direction. Now, he says things like, “Why are we headed West?”
With our studies, I plan to use as many Five in a Row books as I can. This week, we used “How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World.” There were so many things to do with this book that we could have spent a few more weeks with it! They both enjoyed this story very much! I found many ideas on Homeschool Share.
We used printables from Homeschool Share to create a scene from the book. They love whenever I bring out a big roll of paper. They spent a a long time working together to make their scene!
Baking our very first apple pie was great practice with reading a recipe and practicing fractions. It was also great practice for my patience
I didn’t manage to get any pictures of the process!
Afterwards, we had an Apple Pie Party! They invited family over to share their pie with. The scene that they painted and the paper-mache globe made great decorations. They sang their Continents and Oceans song and Alexis read “How to Make and Apple Pie and See the World” for our guests to hear!
First, we will be traveling to Asia! When I told the kids that we would be studying China first, Alexis said, “Lots of things are made in China!” Stay tuned for more world travels!
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