Monday- The USA, Intro(They didn't have starfruit at the store so we made do with our heart cookie cutters instead. We also used a pink handspun yarn in place of twine.)
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Wordless Weekends
Monday- The USA, Intro(They didn't have starfruit at the store so we made do with our heart cookie cutters instead. We also used a pink handspun yarn in place of twine.)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Around The World- The USA, New Orleans
The USA, New Orleans
Book: Chef Creole
Movie: The Haunted Mansion (There wasn't much of a selection at the library and I still haven't seen this movie.)
Music: Cajun Music- The Essential Collection
Food: Fried Okra w/Green Onion Aioli @ Nola Cuisine
Craft: Tragedy & Comedy Garland @ KabooseBonus Clip: Hurricane Katrina @ Postcards from Buster
Bonus Song: You've Got the Groove @ Postcards from Buster
Bonus Song: After the Hurricane @ Postcards from Buster
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Around The World- The USA, Native America
I was originally planning on just doing a few states but then I got to thinking- what about our own unique history? Am's still too young for an in depth history lesson but I can at least devote a little time to a piece of our countries heritage.
The USA, Native America
Book: The Drum Calls Softly
Movie: Pocahontas (I know, I know but I'm a bit of a Disney nut. This is a family movie tonight.)
Music: All Spirits Sing
Food: Hoe Cakes @ The Hillbilly Housewife
Craft: Native American Headdress @ No Time for Flashcards (I'd suggest dreamcatchers or more traditional crafts for older children.)
Bonus Clip: Arapaho Grass Dance @ Postcards from Buster
Bonus Song: Tradition Is a Circle @ Postcards from Buster
Movie: Pocahontas (I know, I know but I'm a bit of a Disney nut. This is a family movie tonight.)
Music: All Spirits Sing
Food: Hoe Cakes @ The Hillbilly Housewife
Craft: Native American Headdress @ No Time for Flashcards (I'd suggest dreamcatchers or more traditional crafts for older children.)Bonus Clip: Arapaho Grass Dance @ Postcards from Buster
Bonus Song: Tradition Is a Circle @ Postcards from Buster
Monday, July 5, 2010
The USA, More Links
Audio Stories:
The Adventure of Tom Sawyer @ Livingbooks For The Ears, June 2 2010
George Washingtons Shoes @ The Story Home
The Adventure of Tom Sawyer @ Livingbooks For The Ears, June 2 2010
George Washingtons Shoes @ The Story Home
Around The World- The USA, Intro
Right now I've been planning out the curriculum to use for Am's homepreschooling. She was all set to be enrolled in a real preschool this fall but it looks like we'll be moving, hopefully into our own place this time. That leaves us with no preschool once again- and that's fine. That's a great benefit of being a stay at home mom, I can teach my daughter myself. I've been checking around. We're all set for the fall and will be doing the Harvest Time Preschool Curriculum from Wee Folk Art but that still leaves us with a lot of time on our hands this summer. That's why I've decided to do a loose "Around The World" unit starting with The USA. Each day will have a music CD, movie, craft, food, and book with a bonus gift thrown in every now and again for good behavior (or in our home completing the potty chart).
That brings us to today. Now I'm not making up these idea's. Mostly the crafts and recipes will be links but I'm still gonna post them in case anyone else wants to follow along or have some inspiration. Also, a little about us- while we're not vegetarian we are following a budget and eat mostly meatless meals, especially during the summer when fresh veggies are plentiful. Our food links will reflect that (and our pantry) and might not be the most common food in a country.
Adult/Older Child Craft: Toy Soldiers @ Over the Crescent Moon
Bonus Clip: Muppet Patriotism
Bonus Coloring Page: USA Map @ Make & Takes
That brings us to today. Now I'm not making up these idea's. Mostly the crafts and recipes will be links but I'm still gonna post them in case anyone else wants to follow along or have some inspiration. Also, a little about us- while we're not vegetarian we are following a budget and eat mostly meatless meals, especially during the summer when fresh veggies are plentiful. Our food links will reflect that (and our pantry) and might not be the most common food in a country.
The USA, Intro
Book: Apple Pie Fourth of July
Musician: Dave Brubeck
Movie: Reading Rainbow- Sea to Shining Sea
Food: Red, White, and Blueberry Skewers @ Make & Takes
Craft: Fourth of July Bunting @ Alphamom
Musician: Dave Brubeck
Movie: Reading Rainbow- Sea to Shining Sea
Food: Red, White, and Blueberry Skewers @ Make & Takes
Craft: Fourth of July Bunting @ Alphamom
Adult/Older Child Craft: Toy Soldiers @ Over the Crescent MoonBonus Clip: Muppet Patriotism
Bonus Coloring Page: USA Map @ Make & Takes
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Our Home... School
Lately I've really been working on trying to figure out what works. I used to be big into Waldorf. I loved it and everything it stood for. The problem came along when I was struggling to incorporate all of the routines while making my home a nurturing environment. It finally came to the point where I just gave up on all of it in frustration. We're really not set up to work that way.
I had to ask myself what exactly was my motivating factor drawing me towards that method. I found that it was mostly a healthy admiration but I also came to the conclusion that 100% Waldorf might not be the way to go for us. Quite simply routines are very hard for me. Sure, I can handle the bedtime story or doing my shopping on Thursdays. I just can't seem to create a daily plan. I don't want to sing a story when I wake up. Most of the time I want to lay in bed bleary eyed for 10 min until I have enough energy to drag myself out and, when I'm lucky, start the water boiling for some coffee. This is just how I operate- it's how I roll man.
So naturally it was hard to really do those songs and dances. You know what I finally figured out the other day?
It doesn't matter.
It really doesn't matter if we're Waldorf, Unschooling, Classical, Christian, or any other number of homeschooling names. In the end as much as we might like one style we still need to go with what works. Right now for my family it's a book a day with a craft/field trip/family movie/cooking project/etc thrown in- and that's okay. In the end it comes down to us. The way I see it so long as I focus on my daughter, she's happy, she's learning, and I'm not stressing out it's all good.
I had to ask myself what exactly was my motivating factor drawing me towards that method. I found that it was mostly a healthy admiration but I also came to the conclusion that 100% Waldorf might not be the way to go for us. Quite simply routines are very hard for me. Sure, I can handle the bedtime story or doing my shopping on Thursdays. I just can't seem to create a daily plan. I don't want to sing a story when I wake up. Most of the time I want to lay in bed bleary eyed for 10 min until I have enough energy to drag myself out and, when I'm lucky, start the water boiling for some coffee. This is just how I operate- it's how I roll man.
So naturally it was hard to really do those songs and dances. You know what I finally figured out the other day?
It doesn't matter.
It really doesn't matter if we're Waldorf, Unschooling, Classical, Christian, or any other number of homeschooling names. In the end as much as we might like one style we still need to go with what works. Right now for my family it's a book a day with a craft/field trip/family movie/cooking project/etc thrown in- and that's okay. In the end it comes down to us. The way I see it so long as I focus on my daughter, she's happy, she's learning, and I'm not stressing out it's all good.
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