"Caps for Sale"

This week finds us exploring "Caps For Sale" by Esphyr Slobodkina.

For our first day, we learned what the words "bunch" and "cap" mean.

On our second day, we watched youtube videos about how monkeys play and then Gideon got to wear a monkey mask and act like a monkey.

This week we're also learning about the letter B. We had fun walking and running the letter B that we'd made with flour outside.

We also had fun making the letter B out of blocks.

On our third day, we read the story and noticed the different feelings presented in the story. We discussed anger and how to deal with it in a positive way.

For the next day, we experienced the artistic aspects of the book. Gideon got to become part of the story with a mustache and different hats.

We then made a flip book of different occupations and the "hats" they wear.

We matched each occupation to the hat they would wear.

For our last day of fun with "Caps for Sale", we learned about standing tall and balance. Gideon enjoyed trying to stand still enough for the book to stay on his head and the victory of being able to walk with it staying there.

"The Story About Ping"

"The Story About Ping" by Marjorie Flack and Kurt Wiese is our book for the week.

For Social Studies on our first day, we spent time learning about China and the Yangtze River where this story is set.

Zoe made mini-books of China's flag and a map of China.

For Literature on our second day, we learned about fiction and non-fiction. Zoe made her own mini-book of fiction.

On our third day, we explored the illustrations of "The Story of Ping" and talked about viewpoint. We read a go-along book "Daniel's Duck" to not only discuss the artistic expression of viewpoint but the validity of differing viewpoints in other areas of life.

Zoe then drew a picture of a man and his plant from two different viewpoints: side and front.

On the next day, we enjoyed practicing counting skills while reading the story. Counting the ducks, boats, and members of the boy's family was a fun addition to the reading process for Zoe.

Then we learned about different types of birds with the help of the internet. Then we used our knowledge to play this board game I found via homeschoolshare.com. We played twice and then Zoe made sure that we plan to play again as a family tonight when Rod gets home.

For our last day of Ping, we did a science experiment to learn about buoyancy. First we gathered all of our items and Zoe made predictions as to whether the items would float or sink.

Then Zoe dropped each item into the bucket of water

and recorded what happened.

She enjoyed seeing how many she'd guessed correctly.

So many great memories with "The Story About Ping"! Zoe was dismayed again that we will be moving on to another book next week.

Mama said there'd be days....

Today could be one of those days, but due to a drastic change in my view of schooling and what I expect from myself, this day has been full of fun and learning. I had another night of insomnia (might've been that huge cup of coffee I drank around 11pm) and finally found some sleep around 4:30am. Instead of that making today an off day, we have just rolled with it. The kids got to watch some learning shows (Little Einsteins and Super Why!) while I caught an extra hour of sleep on the couch and then we started our scheduled learning activities. After completing such a morning, I would have usually been on my last nerve and feeling overwhelmed. Today I just felt somewhat tired, but also felt that it had been a fun and productive morning for everyone involved. My view of how my school day and the standards I put on myself for other areas of the day has changed due to a wonderful blog: Simple Homeschool. Because I see every moment (whether structured or not) as a learning experience, I have been freed of the pressures of my own "perfection".

Today could've been a day for the books....and not the good ones. But, it was a day of triumph for me. In no way do I believe I will never again have rough days (homeschooling and three children just breed that possibility!), but I do know that my perspective makes a huge difference in my reality.

Beginnings with Gideon

Gideon's first week of Before Five in a Row (second week of Pre-K) gave us a book that we will love for years to come. For our first day reading Michael Rosen's "We're Going on a Bear Hunt", we acted out the family's trek to find a bear.

On our second day, we discussed family relationships and how many people were in the family in the story. Then Gideon drew a picture of our family.....including a bear.

On day number three, we looked at the illustrations throughout the book and enjoyed discussing the feelings and thoughts they portray.

On our fourth and last day (due to the Labor Day holiday), we watched Michael Rosen perform his story....and then we watched it three more times.

Then we went outside and experienced the feeling of mud between our toes.

This book will definitely be added to our family library and continue to be a favorite!

Beginnings with Zoe

For Zoe's FIAR book, we explored the fun of "Storm in the Night" by Mary Stolz for the week of September 5th.

Social Studies Monday (which became Tuesday due to Labor Day): Zoe and I discussed the special relationship that Grandfather and Thomas had in the story. She then wrote about her relationship with her Pinki (Grandmother) and why it's special to her.

Zoe sitting on her Pinki's lap reading.

For Language Studies on Wednesday, we read the story and wrote out our vocabulary words which doubled as some handwriting practice.

Zoe made 3x5 cards to go her in vocabulary box.

For Math Thursday, Zoe looked at the quilt on the bed in the story that Grandfather hid under when he was scared of the storms. She learned about equilateral triangles. Then she completed a Quilt Math worksheet.

For our last day with "Storm In the Night", Zoe thought of different sources of light.

We used the wonderful internet to look up pictures of different types of storms and learned about different types of clouds.

What a great start to a Fall full of learning. Zoe was disappointed that we only read the book for five days and would be moving on to a different book next week.

An Introduction

This will be a peek into our life of experience learning at home and everywhere we go. I am excited to have three amazing children to guide on their individual learning journeys.

My oldest child, Zoe Love, is beginning to experience the Five In A Row program as well as workbook pages of Math and Phonics, practicing handwriting and reading, and any other interests she finds we explore and learn about them.

My second child, Gideon, is enjoying his experience with B4FIAR (Five In A Row's preschool program), becoming acquainted with letters and their sounds, and various workbook pages. My youngest, Toby, joins in whenever interested.

All of these scheduled learning experiences are mixed in with many unplanned and natural learning experiences of daily existence. We take field trips, go on walks, play at the park, raid the library, cook and bake, and make lots of messes together. I'm excited to share our journey with you and look forward to the memories I will enjoy when I look through.