I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Enjoy the time with your family and friends. I know I will - this will be an awesome Christmas where we will have many (but not all) of our family to celebrate with. Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas!
I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Enjoy the time with your family and friends. I know I will - this will be an awesome Christmas where we will have many (but not all) of our family to celebrate with. Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Jingle's Pranks
We have been enjoying Jingle's pranks and activities. J will be sad when he is gone but she is hoping that he will return next year. Here are a few more of his hijinks.
Jingle slid down a yarn rope using a candy cane in the bathroom. I was glad he stayed on his candy cane, I could just imagine what would happen if he fell in the toilet!
He then went on a S'More date with Cinderella. They roasted marshmallows over a campfire, complete with bubble trees.
Jingle then had a 2nd date playing tic-tac-toe with Cinderella. He was not being a gentleman - he won all most every game!
Jingle went fishing in the kitchen. He fashioned a fishing pole from a stick and even hooked a big one - a Swedish candy fish!
This was a total surprise and because of this prank, we have 25 balloons floating around the house. Jingle filled the tub with balloons!
The balloons did not go to waste though. The next day, J and Keke drew sheep on them and played farm. J and Kaleb practiced herding sheep all day.
Jingle then brought us a puzzle and placed the pieces into small Christmas stockings. He hid the stockings around the house. The kids had to find the stockings with the puzzle pieces and put the puzzle together. J loved this - she felt like the puzzle pieces were clues to where he was hiding. But he was actually hanging over her head by a plant. Jingle keeps us on our toes, I wonder what he will do next.
Jingle slid down a yarn rope using a candy cane in the bathroom. I was glad he stayed on his candy cane, I could just imagine what would happen if he fell in the toilet!
He then went on a S'More date with Cinderella. They roasted marshmallows over a campfire, complete with bubble trees.
Jingle then had a 2nd date playing tic-tac-toe with Cinderella. He was not being a gentleman - he won all most every game!
Jingle went fishing in the kitchen. He fashioned a fishing pole from a stick and even hooked a big one - a Swedish candy fish!
This was a total surprise and because of this prank, we have 25 balloons floating around the house. Jingle filled the tub with balloons!
The balloons did not go to waste though. The next day, J and Keke drew sheep on them and played farm. J and Kaleb practiced herding sheep all day.
Jingle then brought us a puzzle and placed the pieces into small Christmas stockings. He hid the stockings around the house. The kids had to find the stockings with the puzzle pieces and put the puzzle together. J loved this - she felt like the puzzle pieces were clues to where he was hiding. But he was actually hanging over her head by a plant. Jingle keeps us on our toes, I wonder what he will do next.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Christmas Around the World - China
We are off to learn about another country and their holiday customs. We started with China which sounded close to the country that we live in. In China, not many people celebrate Christmas. It is mainly in the big cities where you will find trees and decorations even though they don't know exactly what they are celebrating. In our country, they use the trees for New Year's Eve so you may see some Christmas things around, if you are lucky.
We read about Christmas in China and discussed the similarities with our country. She colored a Chinese paper doll for her bag book.
We also read about Chinese New Year and then watched the Dragon dance (link below).
After watching the Dragon dance, she colored a Chinese mask for her bag book.
Her finished China pages for her bag book. The bag book is slowly getting larger and larger. The finished project will be awesome.
Schooltube has the video of the Chinese Dragon Dance
Spoonful has the printable Chinese New Year mask that I used, I printed it smaller.
Education.Com has the printable China paper doll
We read about Christmas in China and discussed the similarities with our country. She colored a Chinese paper doll for her bag book.
We also read about Chinese New Year and then watched the Dragon dance (link below).
After watching the Dragon dance, she colored a Chinese mask for her bag book.
Her finished China pages for her bag book. The bag book is slowly getting larger and larger. The finished project will be awesome.
Links
Schooltube has the video of the Chinese Dragon Dance
Spoonful has the printable Chinese New Year mask that I used, I printed it smaller.
Education.Com has the printable China paper doll
Friday, December 20, 2013
Winter Promise - Week 16
This week proved to be difficult in trying to stay on task. My older kids and DH returned for the holidays and all they wanted to do was play. :) So, we worked hard to keep on track and finally finished our work for the week in time to have fun with the siblings. Here are a few of the activities that we did.
J is working on syllables in her reading program. I showed her several ways to discover the syllables in words and she chose the clapping method.
She also learned about open and closed vowels. This was one of the last lessons in All About Reading Level 1. She finished the 49 lessons in Level 1 and will continue with Level 2 after the holidays.
The story she used for fluency practice was Biscuit. It was found in her reading textbook. She read it every day.
Not only did she finish All About Reading Level 1, she also finished her Handwriting Without Tears Yellow Book. I now need to figure out how she will be practicing her handwriting for the rest of the school year.
We read all about elephants and finished her savannah habitat study, just in time for a break. I love how it we ended the unit for the break. It just worked out so nice. When she returns in January, we will begin the Polar habitat study.
Lastly, I wanted to share the wreath I made for my mother's door. Isn't it cute? I love snowmen. Well, we finished our studies and are now going to enjoy family and friends for the holidays. We will be taking the next few weeks off for a holiday (including a blog holiday) and we will return in January with lots of new ideas and plans. I wish you all a great Christmas and Happy New Year. Hope to see you soon.
J is working on syllables in her reading program. I showed her several ways to discover the syllables in words and she chose the clapping method.
She also learned about open and closed vowels. This was one of the last lessons in All About Reading Level 1. She finished the 49 lessons in Level 1 and will continue with Level 2 after the holidays.
The story she used for fluency practice was Biscuit. It was found in her reading textbook. She read it every day.
Not only did she finish All About Reading Level 1, she also finished her Handwriting Without Tears Yellow Book. I now need to figure out how she will be practicing her handwriting for the rest of the school year.
We read all about elephants and finished her savannah habitat study, just in time for a break. I love how it we ended the unit for the break. It just worked out so nice. When she returns in January, we will begin the Polar habitat study.
Lastly, I wanted to share the wreath I made for my mother's door. Isn't it cute? I love snowmen. Well, we finished our studies and are now going to enjoy family and friends for the holidays. We will be taking the next few weeks off for a holiday (including a blog holiday) and we will return in January with lots of new ideas and plans. I wish you all a great Christmas and Happy New Year. Hope to see you soon.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
More Jingle
Who knew the Elf on the Shelf was this much work? Every day we see his new antics and then we must clean up what mess he made from the day before. Our elf is still moving along, we never know where we are going to find him each day.
After two good days of solid rain, J found Jingle with his own Santa Cafe. He was serving hot chocolate, cookies, and cupcakes to his new friends/customers - Santa and Snowman.
The prices weren't that bad either! He will probably have customers all day. J made me move Jingle with tongs (you aren't allowed to touch him or he loses his magic) so she and Kaleb could play Christmas Cafe. Thanks, Jingle, this may keep their minds off the tons of rain and the fact that they can't go outside and play.
The next day, Jingle was somewhat naughty. He covered the tree in red paper and accidentally caught himself.
Jingle decided to be nice after that. He brought the kids aprons, chef hats, and set out all of the ingredients to bake a special treat. He gave them two choices - s'more cupcakes or gingerbread men. The kids decided to bake gingerbread men with the cookie cutters. Doesn't Jingle look cute with his paper towel chef hat and apron? What a crafty elf!
Jingle decided to make a tree from plastic cups. This was a tricky one, however, as right in the morning my dad opened the door and the breeze knocked them down (several times, luckily before the kids got up). So, the tree tower was moved to my bedroom where there would be less traffic and less chance of getting knocked over. I am so glad he ran out of cups because it would have been a lot harder to pick up this mess....perhaps he should have taped the cups together.
Then Jingle decided to take a joy ride from the ceiling fan. He was enjoying the ride until Kaleb noticed that he was riding in his McQueen underwear and Kaleb started crying to get them back! He has been busy. J looks for him every day after she wakes. What fun (but definitely a lot of work).
After two good days of solid rain, J found Jingle with his own Santa Cafe. He was serving hot chocolate, cookies, and cupcakes to his new friends/customers - Santa and Snowman.
The prices weren't that bad either! He will probably have customers all day. J made me move Jingle with tongs (you aren't allowed to touch him or he loses his magic) so she and Kaleb could play Christmas Cafe. Thanks, Jingle, this may keep their minds off the tons of rain and the fact that they can't go outside and play.
The next day, Jingle was somewhat naughty. He covered the tree in red paper and accidentally caught himself.
Jingle decided to be nice after that. He brought the kids aprons, chef hats, and set out all of the ingredients to bake a special treat. He gave them two choices - s'more cupcakes or gingerbread men. The kids decided to bake gingerbread men with the cookie cutters. Doesn't Jingle look cute with his paper towel chef hat and apron? What a crafty elf!
Jingle decided to make a tree from plastic cups. This was a tricky one, however, as right in the morning my dad opened the door and the breeze knocked them down (several times, luckily before the kids got up). So, the tree tower was moved to my bedroom where there would be less traffic and less chance of getting knocked over. I am so glad he ran out of cups because it would have been a lot harder to pick up this mess....perhaps he should have taped the cups together.
Then Jingle decided to take a joy ride from the ceiling fan. He was enjoying the ride until Kaleb noticed that he was riding in his McQueen underwear and Kaleb started crying to get them back! He has been busy. J looks for him every day after she wakes. What fun (but definitely a lot of work).
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Tot Tuesday
I admit that I have been somewhat lax lately with my tot schooling. It is bothering me to no end. I truly want to spend the time I know he needs to work with him. It has been so difficult with all of the moving around that we have done this year but I am hoping that at the beginning of the year, I can change that and we can get back on track with our Wheel School which I know he absolutely loves and misses. But for now, I have resorted to practical life skills. This week, he practiced cutting. I gave him a butter knife and a cucumber and let him have at it.
Look at that concentration! It can be difficult to cut cukes.
He is so happy when he can help make dinner and he definitely loves those cucumbers.
Look at that concentration! It can be difficult to cut cukes.
He is so happy when he can help make dinner and he definitely loves those cucumbers.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Christmas Around the World - Africa & Sweden
We are still learning about different holidays around the world. We recently learned about Christmas in Africa.
J read about the different customs of celebrating in Africa using the QR code on the sheet.
J then colored an African mask to fit into her bag book. This was not one of the included crafts of the unit. I added it myself.
She worked on a silhouette picture of a hippo to fit in her bag book pocket. I chose a hippo because the was the animal we read about, it seemed fitting to create a craft for it.
She mapped how to say Merry Christmas in Afrikaans on the country of Africa.
J's Africa pages completed in her bag book.
After using the QR reader, we read all about St. Lucia's Day in Sweden. We read about how a new girl is chosen each year to play St. Lucia. She became a saint because she would feed the persecuted Christians in Rome.
St. Lucia usually wears a crown of leaves and candles. So J created one with construction paper.
According to the website, the children leave a sandwich for St. Lucia and her donkey to eat while she drops off her presents. So, it seemed fitting to have ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch.
For her bag book, she created a small version of the crown, which we will flatten, and a Swedish paper doll. I feel like I am breezing through the countries and am worried it is too fast for her to learn. But she is learning, she surprised me by explaining that she heard how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish on Handy Manny the other day. So, even though this is not an in depth study of the countries, just some of the holiday customs, she is learning quite a bit. Yay!
Prudent Baby - watercolor silhouette project idea that I used for the hippo picture
Scholastic - has some information on St. Lucia's Day
YouTube - we watched a video of a girl choir singing in Swedish
Education.Com - has the printable Swedish paper doll
J read about the different customs of celebrating in Africa using the QR code on the sheet.
J then colored an African mask to fit into her bag book. This was not one of the included crafts of the unit. I added it myself.
She worked on a silhouette picture of a hippo to fit in her bag book pocket. I chose a hippo because the was the animal we read about, it seemed fitting to create a craft for it.
She mapped how to say Merry Christmas in Afrikaans on the country of Africa.
J's Africa pages completed in her bag book.
After using the QR reader, we read all about St. Lucia's Day in Sweden. We read about how a new girl is chosen each year to play St. Lucia. She became a saint because she would feed the persecuted Christians in Rome.
St. Lucia usually wears a crown of leaves and candles. So J created one with construction paper.
According to the website, the children leave a sandwich for St. Lucia and her donkey to eat while she drops off her presents. So, it seemed fitting to have ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch.
For her bag book, she created a small version of the crown, which we will flatten, and a Swedish paper doll. I feel like I am breezing through the countries and am worried it is too fast for her to learn. But she is learning, she surprised me by explaining that she heard how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish on Handy Manny the other day. So, even though this is not an in depth study of the countries, just some of the holiday customs, she is learning quite a bit. Yay!
Links
Prudent Baby - watercolor silhouette project idea that I used for the hippo picture
Scholastic - has some information on St. Lucia's Day
YouTube - we watched a video of a girl choir singing in Swedish
Education.Com - has the printable Swedish paper doll
Friday, December 13, 2013
Winter Promise Week 15
We are still learning about the African Savannah and our focus animal was the zebra. We practiced money and subtraction in Math. J loved listening to Poppy on CD that I will be looking for more books to listen to. We began reading the Magic Tree House chapter books starting with number one. I thought she might be ready for these and, just as I figured, she loved them and kept asking for one more chapter.
Although the Elf on the Shelf is a lot of work, I love that J is writing about his antics every day. She writes what he has done and draws a picture. When the month is done and Jingle is back in the North Pole, we will put all of the pages together so she can remember the funny things he did.
Her story of the week was My Buddy Stan. It was a cute story written in the pet dog's perspective. She read it every day for fluency practice.
She is just about finished with her handwriting practice book. She is now writing numbers at the end of the book. I will have to think of some other way for her to practice her handwriting everyday.
She practiced counting coins this week for Math. She is getting better at it although she still sometimes mistakes some of the coin values.
J and I played a doubles game. She rolled a die, doubled it, and then covered it with a goldfish cracker. I found this game at Teachers Pay Teachers. I can't find the original file but I found another free game that looks like fun.
J read about hippos this week and as a fun project, I found a cute hippo book that she colored.
It turned out so cute and she will put it into her animal notebook.
The focus animal was zebras. J is reading about zebras and working on her notebook page.
Every day, I have J work on her fluency. Here she is working on Big Bubble Boxes, boxes that have several sight words for her to practice. One more week of school before the holidays. I am trying to keep it strong until the end. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the holidays and just want to "do" that. So, we will have school next week even though it will be around the older siblings(and hubby) home from college and getting ready for Christmas. Wish me luck :)
Although the Elf on the Shelf is a lot of work, I love that J is writing about his antics every day. She writes what he has done and draws a picture. When the month is done and Jingle is back in the North Pole, we will put all of the pages together so she can remember the funny things he did.
Her story of the week was My Buddy Stan. It was a cute story written in the pet dog's perspective. She read it every day for fluency practice.
She is just about finished with her handwriting practice book. She is now writing numbers at the end of the book. I will have to think of some other way for her to practice her handwriting everyday.
She practiced counting coins this week for Math. She is getting better at it although she still sometimes mistakes some of the coin values.
J and I played a doubles game. She rolled a die, doubled it, and then covered it with a goldfish cracker. I found this game at Teachers Pay Teachers. I can't find the original file but I found another free game that looks like fun.
J read about hippos this week and as a fun project, I found a cute hippo book that she colored.
It turned out so cute and she will put it into her animal notebook.
The focus animal was zebras. J is reading about zebras and working on her notebook page.
She worked on drawing a horse which she turned into a zebra by adding black and white stripes.
Every day, I have J work on her fluency. Here she is working on Big Bubble Boxes, boxes that have several sight words for her to practice. One more week of school before the holidays. I am trying to keep it strong until the end. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the holidays and just want to "do" that. So, we will have school next week even though it will be around the older siblings(and hubby) home from college and getting ready for Christmas. Wish me luck :)
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Christmas is About Jesus
We are enjoying our daily advent reading from the book Christmas is About Jesus by Mukkove Johnson. Each day a new item from the holidays is discussed and how it can be applied to our lives as believers. Because we are also doing a Christmas Around the World unit study, I am trying to keep our activities simple (ha,ha). The key here is NOT to get stressed. We have a small Christmas tree where we are schooling and each day, the kids make an ornament with a bible verse for it.
Snowflakes are unique just like we are.
The kids made glitter popsicle snowflakes as their first ornament for the tree. Super simple and what kid doesn't like glitter?
J then made a picture for Grandma using a snowflake punch.
They also took turns creating a snowfall jar. We added 2 bottles of clear school glue, water, glitter, and a tons of snowflakes. When you shake it, you can watch it "snow."
They made cross ornaments for the tree. These are also from a kit that I found.
We read a neat book that I found in a thrift store - Trim the Tree for Christmas! by William Boniface. The book includes small ornaments that fit into slots in the book. The kids had fun finding where each one went.
Jesus is the Rock.
With some beads and pipe cleaners, the kids made simple candy canes to hang on the tree. We attached the bible verse for the day as well.
Jesus is the King of Kings
I found some foam crown shapes at the Dollar Store and gave the kids a variety of items to glue to them to make crown ornaments for our school tree. They glued buttons, sequins, snowflakes, and stars.
Jesus is The Life.
Kaleb made a simple Christmas tree ornament from foam and glue.
J made a tree ornament from a pine cone that we found in our travels. She painted it green, sprayed it with glitter, and added sequins for decorations.
Day 1 - snowflakes
Snowflakes are unique just like we are.
The kids made glitter popsicle snowflakes as their first ornament for the tree. Super simple and what kid doesn't like glitter?
J then made a picture for Grandma using a snowflake punch.
They also took turns creating a snowfall jar. We added 2 bottles of clear school glue, water, glitter, and a tons of snowflakes. When you shake it, you can watch it "snow."
Day 2 - snow
Jesus' blood washed me white as snow.
They made snowmen ornaments from a kit that I found. Kaleb's snowman was fashioned after Picasso.
They also decorated the windows of the school room with clings.
Day 3 - ornaments
Show people Jesus.
They made cross ornaments for the tree. These are also from a kit that I found.
We read a neat book that I found in a thrift store - Trim the Tree for Christmas! by William Boniface. The book includes small ornaments that fit into slots in the book. The kids had fun finding where each one went.
Day 4 - candy canes
Jesus is the Rock.
With some beads and pipe cleaners, the kids made simple candy canes to hang on the tree. We attached the bible verse for the day as well.
Day 6 - Hats
Jesus is the King of Kings
I found some foam crown shapes at the Dollar Store and gave the kids a variety of items to glue to them to make crown ornaments for our school tree. They glued buttons, sequins, snowflakes, and stars.
Day 7 - Christmas Trees
Jesus is The Life.
Kaleb made a simple Christmas tree ornament from foam and glue.
J made a tree ornament from a pine cone that we found in our travels. She painted it green, sprayed it with glitter, and added sequins for decorations.
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