Category Archives: Learning

Notebooks, Glue, Markers, Crayons, Paper, Oh My…

I love school supplies.† Love, love, love them.† We have gone around everywhere buying all the ‘deals’.† We have gotten tons of things.† I still need some binders but I will wait until they are on sale somewhere.


We are starting back school August 2.† We are both so excited!!

I have never done a “Post Your Curriculum” post but decided to give it a whirl this year.† If only to laugh hysterically in a few months to see how my plans have gone awry.

So without further ado….

Kei 5th/6th Grade 10 years old

TIME 4 LEARNING

Math, Language Arts, Science, History:† [We both LOVE this, it is almost no prep for me and after 3 years of pulling everything together the ease of this is awesome.† Kei loves it also]† I tried it 3 months last school year and we both adored it.

Here are some of the ëlessonsí for Time 4 Learning.

Math:

Generate Equivalent Forms of Decimals-Students will identify decimal place value and write the number in standard, written and expanded form.

Comparing and Ordering-Decimals-Students will compare and order decimals including using a number line.

Estimating and Rounding-Decimals-Students will round and estimate decimals in performing all four operations.

Language Arts:

Synonyms-The student will demonstrate knowledge by determining the meaning of synonyms from grade level appropriate vocabulary, by correctly choosing a given word or phrase that means the same thing, in reading activities that incorporate explicit instruction and application.

Prefixes-The student will be able to analyze and determine the correct meaning of a word, based on the prefix of the root word or how the prefix is used in the context of a passage.

Science:

Conduct Scientific Experiments-Design and conduct a scientific experiment within the generally accepted rules and ethics of science.

Structural Components of Atoms-Identify electrons, protons, and neutrons as basic structural components of atoms.

History:

Johnson Reconstruction Plan-Describe President Johnson’s plan for Reconstruction and the importance of the Freedmen’s Bureau, Radical Republicans, and the attempted impeachment of Johnson.

New Voters of the South-Describe the new groups of voters in the South and how Congress protected them. Define the terms: freedmen, scalawags, carpetbaggers.

I have some workbooks:

Spectrum Writing: Grade 5

Reading Comprehension: Grade 5

I am also supplementing this with various other resources:

I really, really want Real Science 4 Kids.† I am still trying to justify actually buying it since money is always a concern of mine.† I have wanted this for 3 years so I think I will just get it!† I want the Level 1: Physics, Chemistry and Biology Bundle. I did buy Real Science Physics! We are so excited about it.

We use a lot of movies to go along with whatever we are studying.† We couldnít homeschool without Netflix.

I am using Simple Schooling. Her interactive studies are awesome!

I am planning lapbooks to go along with various History lessons.† [Mainly from Hands of a Child, a few I have pulled together]

I am using Sequential Spelling for Spelling.† This will be our first time with an actual spelling program.

I am using good typing for typing lessons a couple of times a week.† This is a free online typing program that I have just found.† She will also update her blog at least every other day.

She is on the 2nd Harry Potter book and will finish all of them before Christmas along with various other reading.

We are alternating Art, Music, Photography and Nature.† Each one 2x a week.

For Geography I put all the countries in the world into a container.† She draws one out each week to complete a COUNTRY REPORT 2010.† Also she is going to try to find one dish from each country for us to make each week.

I am debating on doing a foreign language.† I go back and forth between Spanish, Latin and French.† [She wants the French]

She has ballet lessons weekly and also does plays.† During a production there is practice 3x a week.† She swims, roller skates and ice skates during the school year.

There is a lot of free play.† She loves playing and pretending and putting on shows.† She is also responsible for the exercising of our now 4 month old lab.

Friday is our Fun Day.† We go on adventures, field trips, skating, and park days with our friends.

So there it is.† Our 2010-2011 year.† Can’t wait!

Happy week,

I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn. – Albert Einstein

Music, Plays and Socialization….

Weekly Wrap-Up

Kei is around friends all the time.† Anyone who mentions anything about ‘socialization’ and homeschooling obviously knows nothing about ‘OUR’ homeschooling.† I never remember doing so much with my friends when I was young.

Kei had Camp Princess last week and loved it so much.† She learned a lot and had a blast.

Mark Sellers who is from Decatur and a ‘star’ of sorts came to talk to them.† He was a dancer in Michael Jackson’s Thriller video and showed the kids the dance.† Kei was so THRILLED!

Thriller!

He also commented on Kei’s outfit and her boots.† She did look pretty darn cute.

Coolio Kei!

She got the only speaking line in their “Hard Knock Life”† and a little dance solo with 1 other girl and 2 other boys in the “Hairspray” number.† She was beyond excited.

Friday night was the ‘production’ and Daddy, Marlene, Suzette, Dave, Emily, Zachery, Esther, Matt, Jake, Chandler and Ben all came!!!† We were blown away that so many of our friends and family came to see Kei.† We have the best friends in the world.† We are so lucky to have found an extended family.

Picture by Esther Crawford

Afterward we went out to eat with all of our friends.† They had eaten so they all ate desert while Kei and I ate yummy calzones.

Livvy spent the night with Kei and as always they had a blast playing and talking into the night.

Kei and Livvy also put on a play.† Kei can’t spend more than a few hours with anyone without talking them into doing a play!

The Mandatory Play

Kei made an outfit for Nomad that was more like a straight jacket.† Poor Nomad suffers so many indignities for Kei.† Kei was laughing SO hard about it.

Get Me OUTTA Here!

We went to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Spring Park Tuesday.† The Music Hall of Fame was kinda cool.† None of us knew very many of the artists but it was still interesting.† The girls recorded a song “Eye of the Bison” about the infamous Bison vs. Suzette Incident.† We had a blast but it was so very hot.

Kids at Music Hall of Fame
Girls at Recording Studio

They also sang “Sweet Home Alabama”.

After the Hall of Fame we went to Spring Park.† The kids all rode the roller coaster about 100 times, rode the train, rode the carousel and played and talked.† It was a great day but very hot!

Kei and Brit on Ride #47ish

All the girls decided to come home with us.† It was a blast having 4 girls.† They talked and giggled and laughed and played.† Good times.

Just relaxing...

I had to clean and refill the pool but they managed to find a way to stay cool anyway.

Staying cool...

So in the last week, we were with friends and family about 5 days.† And that wasn’t an unusual week.† Socialization is such a NON ISSUE.

Tomorrow is supposed to be freakishly hot so we plan on staying inside and playing games.† Stay cool everyone!
Happy rest of the week,


The idea of learning acceptable social skills in a school is as absurd to me as learning nutrition from a grocery store.
~ Lisa Russell

Piercings, Picnics, and Naked Barbies…

The United States is the only country with a known birthday.† ~James G. Blaine

Happy 4th of July!† It is hard to imagine how it was for our forefathers back in 1776.† How they must have felt finally being FREE.† I am not a believer in war, however at times I suppose it is necessary to growth.

We plan on celebrating quietly.† We hung out outside in the sun and played with Nomad.† We swam and played some board games.† Tonight we are going to grill out and shoot some fireworks. Kei spent 30 minutes making this water chair.† When she finally got on it I asked her, “What is the difference in just having in on the grass”? and she showed me by falling off of it into the water.

Water Chair

Kei shot a few last night to get prepared.

Pre 4th Fireworks

Nomad has a new favorite toy.† It is an old Barbie doll of Kei’s.† He loves it and carries it everywhere.† Kei said she needed to find him a Ken doll and I told her it was probably better if he tried to chew the head off the female one…right?

Barbie Love

This is a contraption we made him for alone time play.† I think we should patent it don’t you?

More Barbie Love...

Kei has been playing with her Little Pets a lot.† She got this idea to pierce their ears.† My Momma loved jewelry and had tons of it.† Kei found earrings and went to work. I about cracked up when I saw the ‘finished’ pets.

Oh La La....

Here is Hopper with her new earring.

One earring bunny...

More HOLEY Pets…

Here they are having a race up the washing machine.

And the Winner is...

I am so glad my child is easily amused.

Kei has been getting my camera and taking pictures.† She told me she really wanted to learn more about Photography.

Here are a few of her shots.† I thought she did really well.

Feather
Beauty
Kei's Doggie

Kei and I have been having tea parties for years.† We wear flowery dresses, hats and drink from a hand painted tea set Kei made when she was about 5.† This was our 1st Tea Party in the new house.† We decided to have it in the rose garden.† I am always Miss Chamomile and Kei is Miss Sassafras.† Nomad was invited and he was Mr. Fluff.† We always speak in either British or very Southern accents. It was an interesting addition inviting Nomad.

Miss Sassafras
Mr. Fluff NOT cooperating...
Mr. Fluff drinking his tea..
Miss Sassafras and Mr. Fluff relaxing

Kei has been working on her treehouse.† It isn’t really a great tree for a treehouse. I tell her when I win the lottery I will get her a killer treehouse. Seth spent the night and he helped her work on it.† He put her in a seat.

Perched..
Lookout

We also went swimming at Cathy’s and ate lunch.† We had such a great day!

Just keep swimming...

On the way home Kei saw a turtle in the road and freaked out for me to get it.† I just knew either me, Kei or the turtle was going to end up smooshed but we all made it home safely.† Kei let the turtle out in our creek.

Sniffing it out...

The next day we went bowling shopping and some of the kids did the bungee jumpy thingy.

Boing!!

Thursday Kei and I went to see Eclipse.† We really liked it and I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.† I think it was my favorite Twilight so far.† We also saw the trailer for Deathly Hallows!!!

Kei and Johnny chillaxing...

Kei is responsible for changing our fishbowl every week.† I told her only, ‘Make it beautiful”.† This is this weeks.

Art in a bowl...

I am loving our summer, our new doggie and my girl.† I am blessed.

ìDon’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.î† Winnie The Pooh

Have a wonderful week.

Swinging, Swimming, Digging and Other Stuff…

Saturday night.† Kei is at a party and I am sitting here listening to silly pooch bark his head off.† The barking….please make the barking stop!

Kei went to a Luau and she was all lualed out.

Aloha...
Hanging Ten...???

Today was also Nomad’s 3 month birthday.† WalGreen’s were also having a “Bring Your Dog and Take Their Picture” Day.† Of course we were there bright and early.† Everyone was oohing and ahhing over Nomad and Kei was strutting around like a proud Mama.† The people at WalGreens said he was the best dog they had all day.† He jumped up and sat for his pictures.† All the other dogs were running around kinda crazy.† One lady told Kei she would have to come train her dog when Kei said “Sit” and Nomad sat. He really was the cutest thing in his bandanna.† Reminded me of when Kei was little and everyone would oooh and ahhh over her, but I never strutted, really, I didn’t….not much anyway

Kei and Nomad

When we got home we had to have a little party for him.† Kei put on his favorite song, “Who Let the Dogs Out” and they danced in their party hats.† I told her I wasn’t doing this EVERY month!!

Shaking it Doggie Style..

Kei has seen something on TV she MUST have.† It is a pillow pet [Do NOT click this link] and no matter how much I try to convince her it is for 3 year olds, she wants one.† I guess I should be happy she doesn’t want a push-up bra and a 6 pack!† I have told her that I was not giving her almost $30 for it so she made up a list of chores that she would do and get paid.† Her prices were ridiculously low so I had to adjust them to 2010 standards.† One thing is weeding which I DESPISE.† Yesterday she worked her little butt off weeding a flower garden.† It took her 2 1/2 hours.† She was supposed to get $3 but I gave her $5.† She was as dirty as she has ever been!† [You clicked the link didn’t you? Now you have that ridiculous song stuck in your head don’t you???]

Dirty Work..
Weeds Be Gone!
YUCK!

We got some corn and beans from the Farmer’s Market and Kei shucked the corn.† I think she loved doing that because she feels all farm girlie.

Ah Shucks...

Kei has been swimming in her pool often.† Even though it is a little crooked.† I really should have put some sand under it since the yard slopes so much.† Oh well…next year….

Handstand...

She also has loved her tire swing even though I am afraid she will slam into the big oak tree.† She was on it with her bathing suit on and I just could see her body wrecked on that tree.† Of course the fear didn’t prevent me from capturing the moment on film digital.

Just Swinging....

Chan spent a couple of nights and they played in the creek, played in Kei’s room, played with Nomad,† played Rock Band and swam.† I was exhausted just watching them.

Doggie Love...

We also ran over to Bridge Street to pick up my PowerBook…again.

Kei and Chan

Kei is still loving her dance classes.† She seems to be really learning a lot because the class is small and they work one on one with them.

Just a little further...

Kei is ready to start school back so I think we will do that in a week or so.† I am so excited about it!† I know it’s early but we just love learning!† I can’t believe I started homeschooling when she was in 2nd grade and she would be in 5th grade the coming year.† I just want her to SLOW DOWN!

As we move into July soon, the days are getting hotter, everyone is moving a little slower, we are eating more ice cream, the A/C is running constantly but life is still sweet.

“The good life, as I conceive it, is a happy life. I do not mean that if you are good you will be happy; I mean that if you are happy you will be good.“††††† Bertrand Russell

Happy Weekend,

Dog Paddling, Free Movies and Apples…

As June moves into the 2nd week we are having a wonderful summer so far.† There have been a few bumps in the road but things are mostly smooth.

Nomad is getting so big.† He is still not potty trained, but doing better.† Kei has been so good with him.† She has him trained to sit and also to remain in his crate† until she gets his lease on him.

He has swam with her too.† He didn’t completely love it but I think it is because he didn’t feel safe without a way to get out.† I mean how much would you like to be thrown in a water filled container over your head with smooth sides and no way to climb out?† Even with Kei right there he was like, “Rut ro, I am not really sure about this water thing!”

Nomad the Water Dog

When he started swimming she said, “Wow he is really dog paddling” and I was like, “well duh”. 🙂

Dog Paddling

We have both been reading “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” that came highly recommended by Esther.† We are loving all the nature aspects of it.

Kei reading about Callie Vee

We went to the free movie at Monaco Pictures.† It is so awesome that they do that all summer for the kids in the area.† We saw “Hotel for Dogs” which we have seen before and loved.† We met some of our bestest friends there.† Here are a few pictures from outside the theatre at the fountain.

Roamschool Kids
Kids at Bridge Street

Silly Moms
Mommy Bags

Constance always paints faces before the show and she let Kei borrow her Fairy Wings.† Beautiful!

My Little Fairy
Kei

After the movie we took my laptop to the Apple Store. Wow!† I love that store.† We have always been “PC” girls but I am seriously thinking about changing to Mac’s.† My laptop will be $310 to fix and my great boss said to “put it on the card”.† He is the best!

After lunch at Steak and Shake <yummy> we went back to the Apple Store for me to actually drop off my laptop.† Afterward we went to Kei’s favorite candy store, “The Chocolate Crocodile” She spent 10 minutes searching for the perfect truffles.

French Mint Truffle

Last night we had a huge lightning storm.† Our power went out about 2:00 AM and was out until 3:15 AM.† Complete silence and dark are very scary things.

Summer days…

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.† ~James Dent

Have Happy Days,


Pt. Mallard, Puppies & Parties…

This past weekend we had Livvy over to spend the night.† Kei and Liv met in Kindergarten and have been friends since then.† They both spoiled Nomad to death!

We went to Soulstock at Pt. Mallard and it was awesome.† Kei and I were supposed to work the Epic booth but mainly I worked and Kei and Liv wandered around.

Kei and Liv
Kei and Livy working hard at SS

It has been a great week, not for any particular reason just because.† The weather has been amazing,

We have spent the better part of each day outside.† My plants are doing so well. † I have about 15 glads poking up through the soil.† I can’t wait to see the colors!† Nomad is adorable and quickly becoming part of our family.† I just can’t believe I am one of those people…a dog person. I am a DOG person.

We have spent $50 on toys, but does he play with them? Of course not, he prefers my 99 ¢ shoes!

Who Needs Toys??

Kei found a baby bunny huddled up by our door.† He was so cute.

Baby Bunny

Today was Nomad’s 2 month birthday.† We had a party, with hats and balloons and cupcakes and punch.† Kei liked it much more than Nomad did I am sure.

2 months old
Happy Birthday Nomad

One of Kei’s goals this summer is to read all the Harry Potter books.† I told her I wish I had never read them and could read them all over.

Ahhh Hogwarts...

Happy week,

Gardening, Pooch Plays & Hobbits….

Eddie, Seth, Katherine and Heather came over yesterday to help us in our yard. Eddie had bought us some plants and herbs. He showed me how to clean out a bed and plant. I am constantly amazed with my pleasure in digging in dirt. Eddie said it is because we come from a long line of farmers!

We first planted some herbs; parsley, thyme, rosemary and oregano. Kei planted most of the herbs after Eddie showed her how.

Herbs
Vinca
Coleus

We also planted 20 Glads.† I can’t wait for them to start coming up.† After all that work, Eddie and Heather left.† Since it was their anniversary the kids stayed for the rest of the day.† Seth helped my clean out a flower bed that was in yucky shape.† He worked his butt off digging up a dead rose bush.† At one point he came up to me and pointed to his “Hobbit Feet”.

There and Back Again..

We spent the afternoon outside.† The kids swam for a bit, I read in the rose garden, and Nomad frolicked!† Late in the afternoon Kei and Nomad put on another play.† She was the sun and Nomad was a flower.† I sure hope he loves having crazy costumes put on him.

We woke up today to rain.† We took Nomad outside, he put his little puppy paw on the grass, turned around and peed on the patio!† We have a Diva Dog I guess.† After church Kei introduced him to the wonders of Disney Channel.

Important Stuff

I can’t believe tomorrow is Monday once again.† The middle of May.† How quickly time goes by.

Happy week,

Missing, Dog’s Life & Happiness….

The 2nd anniversary of my Mother’s death came and went. I laid in bed on the eve of her anniversary in the same room she died in. I thought it would really upset me to be in there and while I didn’t sleep much, it wasn’t a ‘freaking out’ restlessness.

I remember that night. My brother and I spent the night here. We knew Mother didn’t have long. It was a horribly long night. They had hooked her up to a breathing machine and I spent most of the night on her floor listening to her struggle to breath. My 2 aunts stayed late. When they left it was just my Daddy, my brother and I. I finally got on the couch and spent all night back and forth from the den to her room. I talked to her and held her hand and touched her face. I remember looking at the clock at one point and it was 3:00 AM. That is such a lonely time. I remember thinking “I don’t know if I can exist in a 3 am that doesn’t have my Mother in it”.

We woke the next morning early, around 6:00. Eddie and I knew that she was almost gone. I called my aunts to ask them to come. They got here around 7:30. We all sat around her bed talking to her. All of us except my Daddy. He couldn’t handle it. It made me think of the line from “Steel Magnolias”, “I find it amusing. Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something. I just sat there. I just held Shelby’s hand. There was no noise, no tremble, just peace. Oh god. I realize as a woman how lucky I am.” My Mother breathed her final breath at 8:03 AM on May 10th. I walked outside and was surprised to see the world moving on. The sun was out, birds were singing, flowers blooming and my Mother was dead. It was one of the most surreal moments of my life.

But time marches on. We are living in her house. We are loving living here and I have discovered I actually like yard work. I have never done it. I grew up with 2 brothers who did the yard work. When I was married my husband did the yard work. Since then I have lived in apartments. But I enjoy it. I am learning, slowly about flowers and shrubs and just yard stuff.

Nomad is adorable. We are loving having him in our family. I never thought I would ever be a ‘dog person’ but I love him. Kei is wonderful with him and we don’t even mind the 3:00 AM potty breaks. He is the cutest thing.

A girl and her dog

Isn’t he just beautiful??

Awwwww

We had Brit and Cody here for a few days and had a blast.† Kei and Brit gave Nomad his first bath.† The girls loved it, Nomad not so much.

They played games, sang, talked and gave Nomad tons of attention.

Rub a Dub Dog..

Kei and I put up a Stage Curtain for outdoor plays.† Her and Nomad put on their 1st of what I am sure is many plays.† Nomad had 3 roles, a lion, an alligator and a bunny.† I was cracking up.

Hippity Hop Bark
Finale

I love living here.† I love our yard.† I love sitting in the rose garden and reading in the swing.† I love waking up early in the morning and walking outside and everything is crisp and lovely.† I love watching the birds and squirrels and bunnies and chipmunks.† I love the feel of the cool clovers on my bare feet.† I love watching my sweet girl running with her dog.† Life is good.

Blessings,