This has been another week of sickness for our family - this week it was the stomach flu! 6 out of the 8 of us all got sick at the same time. We were a pathetic lot. Wednesday was the worst, but wiped everyone out for many days. Today was the first day in 10 that my kids have finally gotten to play with the neighbors. I hope we are done with sickness and can enjoy the holidays.
Despite being sick, we still managed to get our school in. We even made it to all the classes and lessons we were supposed to, somehow.
For math, Peter finished chapter 21 and took the test. I corrected about 10 previous tests of his (I was way behind), and we spent a couple days going over those tests and making sure he understood everything. Kimball finished chapter 18, except for the test, learning how to count by 8s. He reviewed some addition and multiplication and did some story problems. Elsie starting on chapter 22. She learned how to divide a one digit number into a 4 digit number. She practiced estimating the answer first, and then checking her answer by multiplying her answer by the one being divided. It was tedious work. Anna is waiting for her new math book to arrive, so she practiced building three digit numbers with her math blocks. We also reviewed counting and adding. She really enjoyed doing a couple color by numbers.
For Language Arts Peter started reading a book called The Mystery of the Periodic Table. He read about 25 pages of it. He wrote a short story about a tire that was disobedient to the car for his writing class. He also learned about different types of poems, like limericks and haikus. For his debate class he prepared for another debate on the Olympics. Elsie was quite sick for most of the week. She loved to listen to me read The Little Princess to her. She started the book The Railway Children, and read about 30 pages. She also started reading Little Britches, and read 70 pages of that. She also did a couple pages of handwriting. Kimball read from his Climbing Higher book, and read about 20 pages. He also did a couple pages of handwriting. Anna learned that she could read her Dash into Reading books all by herself! She read 5 or 6 of those as review, and then she reread the last one outloud to me, Six Kits. Everyone enjoyed listening to me read an abridged version to Pilgrim's Progress outloud. We had several great discussions and learned what an allegory is.
For Science, Peter went to his Forensics class and learned more about finger printing. The class was set up into stations where they practiced taking finger prints, pulling finger prints off objects, and matching finger prints. He learned the art to the science:). He also learned that there are 9 different types of finger prints. Peter, Kimball, Elsie, and Anna learned science from a youtube channel called Wired. We learned how to build the paper airplane, "Susan" (which is the model of the airplane that holds the Guinness Book World Record for longest flight) from John Collins. He taught us how to overcome drag and gravity using lift and the center of gravity on the paper airplane. We also learned more about pendulums, that a good paper airplane will work as a pendulum, with its wings and its bottom weighing it down. We built lots of different types of paper airplanes using what we learned and went to a gym to see which technique worked the best for us. It was really fun.
For Peter's tech class, he switched from JavaScript to Minecraft this week. He built a spaceship in Lava Land and also a house in Creator. He is having a fun time exploring. He still needs to turn in his creations. For business, Elsie, Kimball, and Anna and I had a discussion about how our values and integrity will shine through the products or services that we sell. We discussed how that works, and why having good character will create loyalty to the people that we sell to. I printed off some questions about their purpose for their business and they answered them in their business journals.
For music, all the kids were miraculously able to make it to their lessons on Tuesday and Thursday. Although there wasn't as much practicing this week due to illness, they still learned and practiced a bit. Elsie is really excited because she is now working on putting both hands together for Musette, which is the last song of the book. She is working really hard at polishing her songs up and passing the book off. Peter is working on new Christmas songs for the viola, and on the duets and A Short Story for the piano. Kimball also got a Christmas song for the cello and is working on putting both hands together for his song in piano. Anna is really excited because she learned how to play Twinkle Twinkle little Star all the way through on both the piano and violin. She is having fun fine-tuning those.
That about wraps it up!
Monday, November 12, 2018
Monday, November 5, 2018
Learning Log #11
For math this week, my kids worked fairly diligently on their Math U See curriculum. Anna finished her Primer Math book!! She learned how to subtract by 1s, and reviewed some addition problems, telling time, and subtraction, and did some story problems. She also tried to answer math questions when her grandpa tried to quiz her.😃 Elsie finished chapter 22 in her math book, dividing 3 digit numbers by 2 digit numbers. She also did story problems and reviewed previous chapters. Kimball finished chapter 14 (getting 100% on his test), where he learned to multiply by 6s and reviewed finding the perimeters of shapes. He started on chapter 15, learning to count by 8s. He also learned how many quarts are in a gallon, and did lots of story problems. Peter finished chapter 20, and started chapter 21. It is about finding the least common multiple of numbers using different methods. He did some word problems and reviewed long division, and reviewed last weeks chapter also.
For Language Arts this week Anna re-read a couple of her Dash Into Reading books to me. She also read four pages out of her First Steps reading book. She learned and practiced reading words with the blends “ew”, “ow”, “oo” (as in look), and the long vowel sound of e in “ee”. She also listened to a lot of books read out loud at story time at the library, about pumpkins. She did 3 Jenny Phillips handwriting worksheets, practicing print. Elsie finished reading about WWI in her book, I am an American. She learned how the Germans broke their promises that were made through the international laws in Hague. She also read a story about Thomas Edison and how he made the light bulbs, and how he always stayed positive, despite his many failures. She wrote in her diary several times and did four Jenny Phillips worksheets, practicing her cursive. She did 3 pages of spelling out of her book Spelling Works. Kimball read 2 chapters of Climbing Higher and 4 picture books, The Rechargeables, Leon and Bob, Peep and Ducky, and The Princess Gown. He also did 4 Jenny Phillips worksheets, working on his print. He passed a spelling test, where he had to spell "poultry", among other things. Peter read a few pages of Lord of the Rings (book 1). He also wrote a funny short story about Bill Gates taking over the world. He debated the topic whether service hours should be required for graduation. He had to prepare for both sides, and ended up having to oppose the topic.
Towards the end of the week, we slowly started getting sick, starting with the baby. By Friday, most everyone was sick, walking around with burning eyes, soar throats, stuffy noses, and achy limbs. No Fun. So, whatever classes we had left to do, stayed undone or was done with less gusto. Peter did go to his library classes on Thursday, so for Peter's forensic class he learned about fingerprinting and how there are different types of fingerprints, and within those types there are special characteristics that are hard to see without a magnifying glass. For his Pyramid Project, he worked on fine tuning his skills of observation on a nature walk he took.
Kimball watched several Generation Genius shows, learning more about pendulums, illusions using light, and extinct animals. He learned that their bones and teeth can tell us much about them. The teeth can tell what they ate, and their skulls can help in estimating their size. Elsie got her science from watching t.v., and learned about sea snakes in the ocean. She learned that the males are dark and the females are light. She learned that when the male wants to mate he kind of becomes the female's shadow, swimming beneath her, mimicking whatever she does. They can also hold there breaths for an hour! Anna was the only one who didn't get sick, so she found some of her Ohio buckeye seeds, which are very similar to chestnuts, and planted them throughout our yard. We will see this spring what happens!
The kids all went to their music lessons and practiced well this week. On violin, Elsie is still working on Minuet 1, but also started a little on the next song Minuet 2. In piano she is learning the left hand part to the first and last line of a song she has been working on. Kimball learned the last part to Go Tell Aunt Rhody on his cello. Now he can play the whole song! In piano he learned how to put both hands together on Cookoo. He says it's hard, but he can also play through that song now too. Peter is working on memorizing Gavotte and fine tuning The Happy Farmer on his viola. In piano, he started on a new duet and is working on putting his hand together and memorizing A Short Story. Anna learned the whole song to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the piano. She is working on good hand positioning and fingering. On the violin, she is working on the first part of the Twinkle song and then short excerpts or exercises for the next two songs in her book.
The kids all had fun carving pumpkins, going to a ward Halloween party, and going trick-or-treating. Kimball had a birthday, and turned 9, and had fun celebrating with friends and family. It was a fun and busy week!
For Language Arts this week Anna re-read a couple of her Dash Into Reading books to me. She also read four pages out of her First Steps reading book. She learned and practiced reading words with the blends “ew”, “ow”, “oo” (as in look), and the long vowel sound of e in “ee”. She also listened to a lot of books read out loud at story time at the library, about pumpkins. She did 3 Jenny Phillips handwriting worksheets, practicing print. Elsie finished reading about WWI in her book, I am an American. She learned how the Germans broke their promises that were made through the international laws in Hague. She also read a story about Thomas Edison and how he made the light bulbs, and how he always stayed positive, despite his many failures. She wrote in her diary several times and did four Jenny Phillips worksheets, practicing her cursive. She did 3 pages of spelling out of her book Spelling Works. Kimball read 2 chapters of Climbing Higher and 4 picture books, The Rechargeables, Leon and Bob, Peep and Ducky, and The Princess Gown. He also did 4 Jenny Phillips worksheets, working on his print. He passed a spelling test, where he had to spell "poultry", among other things. Peter read a few pages of Lord of the Rings (book 1). He also wrote a funny short story about Bill Gates taking over the world. He debated the topic whether service hours should be required for graduation. He had to prepare for both sides, and ended up having to oppose the topic.
Towards the end of the week, we slowly started getting sick, starting with the baby. By Friday, most everyone was sick, walking around with burning eyes, soar throats, stuffy noses, and achy limbs. No Fun. So, whatever classes we had left to do, stayed undone or was done with less gusto. Peter did go to his library classes on Thursday, so for Peter's forensic class he learned about fingerprinting and how there are different types of fingerprints, and within those types there are special characteristics that are hard to see without a magnifying glass. For his Pyramid Project, he worked on fine tuning his skills of observation on a nature walk he took.
Kimball watched several Generation Genius shows, learning more about pendulums, illusions using light, and extinct animals. He learned that their bones and teeth can tell us much about them. The teeth can tell what they ate, and their skulls can help in estimating their size. Elsie got her science from watching t.v., and learned about sea snakes in the ocean. She learned that the males are dark and the females are light. She learned that when the male wants to mate he kind of becomes the female's shadow, swimming beneath her, mimicking whatever she does. They can also hold there breaths for an hour! Anna was the only one who didn't get sick, so she found some of her Ohio buckeye seeds, which are very similar to chestnuts, and planted them throughout our yard. We will see this spring what happens!
The kids all went to their music lessons and practiced well this week. On violin, Elsie is still working on Minuet 1, but also started a little on the next song Minuet 2. In piano she is learning the left hand part to the first and last line of a song she has been working on. Kimball learned the last part to Go Tell Aunt Rhody on his cello. Now he can play the whole song! In piano he learned how to put both hands together on Cookoo. He says it's hard, but he can also play through that song now too. Peter is working on memorizing Gavotte and fine tuning The Happy Farmer on his viola. In piano, he started on a new duet and is working on putting his hand together and memorizing A Short Story. Anna learned the whole song to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the piano. She is working on good hand positioning and fingering. On the violin, she is working on the first part of the Twinkle song and then short excerpts or exercises for the next two songs in her book.
The kids all had fun carving pumpkins, going to a ward Halloween party, and going trick-or-treating. Kimball had a birthday, and turned 9, and had fun celebrating with friends and family. It was a fun and busy week!
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| Kimball's Birthday! |
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| Here are Peter's giant pumpkins he grew this year |
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| Anna: "cat"; Peter: Nearly Headless Nick; Adam: Yellow Crayon |
Monday, March 28, 2016
Simplify
This word has been on my mind lately. I've been thinking how frazzled I often feel, and how I wish I had more time to read, blog, and sit down at the piano. Instead, I find myself running every which way, trying to clean, run a child to a lesson, prepare for an upcoming homeschooling club, or just meet the demands of dependent children.
As I was thinking about the craziness I surround myself with all the time, I was asked to give a lesson in my church to a group of women (I was asked over the phone, while my husband was super-gluing a child's head together - are you visualizing "crazy"?). The lesson was to review a talk given by President Uchtdorf. In his talk, he asks the reader/listener if the gospel of Jesus Christ was working for them. Was it producing the peace, charity, faith, and clarity of thought (among other things) it was designed to give? Not exactly, was my thought. Maybe I was missing the mark on something, I continued to read.
The talk then went on to explain the need to simplify our lives. Things were all coming together for me. As I truly thought about his words, in a way that I could teach them to others, I came to the realization of how to begin to make the little tweeks in my life to achieve greater charity, peace, and faith. I realized that I was spending too much time and effort into worrying about things that weren't all that important: clean counters, a picked-up floor, laundry, my children's check-off lists, fixing dinner, etc, etc, etc. Where my day needed to start was much more significant - in fervent scripture and prayer. Some may call this meditation. Call it what you want, but the key word is fervent. Not just reading a few scriptures bleary eyed in bed, or saying my prayers while I nod off to sleep. No, God deserves better than that in my life! Why did I not catch this earlier? If I can clearly put time aside to devote myself to my beliefs every morning, wouldn't that help me see things more clearly? Wouldn't that help me be more patient to the spilled glasses, the half-done practicing of my children, and the messy counter tops? Would I be more in-tune to help those around me? The answer is yes.
The way to do this is to live by faith. To focus on the most important things, to focus on loving my family and neighbors. After that, the rest falls more easily into place. It's an ongoing process, simplifying. So many good things continually crop up, and continually I need to re-prioritize and get rid of all the excess in my life.
I have this quote in my room for an added measure of inspiration. It is by Rachel DeMille, a homeschooling guru, "The Family lived a life of simplicity, free of mundane clutter, distractions or addicting or toxic influences in their time or space or diet. They worked together and played together, they sang and laughed and loved." This is my vision for my family and my day to day life. I'm not there yet, but I am on the path of improvement. Wish me luck in my quest to simplify!
As I was thinking about the craziness I surround myself with all the time, I was asked to give a lesson in my church to a group of women (I was asked over the phone, while my husband was super-gluing a child's head together - are you visualizing "crazy"?). The lesson was to review a talk given by President Uchtdorf. In his talk, he asks the reader/listener if the gospel of Jesus Christ was working for them. Was it producing the peace, charity, faith, and clarity of thought (among other things) it was designed to give? Not exactly, was my thought. Maybe I was missing the mark on something, I continued to read.
The talk then went on to explain the need to simplify our lives. Things were all coming together for me. As I truly thought about his words, in a way that I could teach them to others, I came to the realization of how to begin to make the little tweeks in my life to achieve greater charity, peace, and faith. I realized that I was spending too much time and effort into worrying about things that weren't all that important: clean counters, a picked-up floor, laundry, my children's check-off lists, fixing dinner, etc, etc, etc. Where my day needed to start was much more significant - in fervent scripture and prayer. Some may call this meditation. Call it what you want, but the key word is fervent. Not just reading a few scriptures bleary eyed in bed, or saying my prayers while I nod off to sleep. No, God deserves better than that in my life! Why did I not catch this earlier? If I can clearly put time aside to devote myself to my beliefs every morning, wouldn't that help me see things more clearly? Wouldn't that help me be more patient to the spilled glasses, the half-done practicing of my children, and the messy counter tops? Would I be more in-tune to help those around me? The answer is yes.
The way to do this is to live by faith. To focus on the most important things, to focus on loving my family and neighbors. After that, the rest falls more easily into place. It's an ongoing process, simplifying. So many good things continually crop up, and continually I need to re-prioritize and get rid of all the excess in my life.
I have this quote in my room for an added measure of inspiration. It is by Rachel DeMille, a homeschooling guru, "The Family lived a life of simplicity, free of mundane clutter, distractions or addicting or toxic influences in their time or space or diet. They worked together and played together, they sang and laughed and loved." This is my vision for my family and my day to day life. I'm not there yet, but I am on the path of improvement. Wish me luck in my quest to simplify!
Sunday, July 19, 2015
#IAmAPioneer
July 24th is a holiday for the LDS church where we commemorate Brigham Young entering the Salt Lake Valley (through Immigration Canyon) and saying, "This is the Place!" Those Mormon Pioneers definitely sacrificed a lot and left an amazing legacy for me, and others, to follow. The LDS church is making a point to focus on modern day pioneers, and encourages others to leave their legacy for future generations. During my readings on some modern pioneers from the website, I came accross this quote I really liked:
“A pioneer is not a woman who makes her own soap. She is one who takes up her burdens and walks toward the future.” Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
I liked that definition, and I definitely know some modern day pioneers, including each member of my family. So I got to thinking, what's my legacy? What am I leaving behind? My decision to homeschool our children definitely makes me feel like a pioneer. As I prayed to know how to help my son while he was completing the 1st grade about 3 1/2 years ago, the thought to homeschool settled into my mind. I recently found this quote, "The Holy Ghost can carry us to places and tasks that our mind will not allow." I have definitely found this to be true, and following those promptings is a great way to be a pioneer. While I was seeking out the avenue to homeschool, I was reading the Book of Mormon early one morning and I read 1 Nephi chapter 18, where Nephi is commanded to build a ship, not after the manner of men, but how it was revealed to him by the Lord. Part of versus 2 and 3 read, "I did build after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me....Wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things." These words sank deep into my heart, and I knew I had to trust God as I took this leap of faith to take my son out of school to teach him at home. I doubt the pioneers knew the effect their choices would make to their posterity and the future of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This scripture is my hope, and something I feel God lead me to as a promise - that if I would trust him, he would reveal great things for my family. Being a pioneer takes courage and faith, but brings great blessings. This is my small, simple story. I know many of you have wonderful stories of greater faith and courage. I would love to read yours in any sort of social media of your choosing - just write it and comment below where I could find it. Cheers to pioneers!
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Fireworks and birthday candles
Last weekend was another busy 4th - with the birth of our nation and the birth of our firstborn to celebrate. We had a fun weekend of setting off and watching fireworks. I love the neighborhood gatherings fireworks create. Our family has the most amazing neighbors that have become some of our closest friends. It's always fun to have an excuse to come together.
When we watch the city fireworks, extended family comes together, and that's always fun as well. This is especially so because we can celebrate Peter's birthday, as well as his cousin's, who was born just a few hours later on the 4th. Adam really love the fireworks! He yelled in excitement and giggled at the bright explosions. I spent about as much time watching him enjoying the fireworks as I did watching show itself.
Peter and Elsie prepared and celebrated the 4th of July by participating in a Patriot Camp. They really loved learning about the founding of our country, learning sign language to our national anthem, memorizing the preamble of the constitution, and dipping candles, making butter, setting off a canon, and writing secret messages to name some favorites. Kimball is excited to join them next year.
Annnnd, Peter turned 10 through the excitement of everything else. Yikes! Are we really into double digits already? He is getting bigger, becoming more responsible, working harder, and becoming more and more aware of the world around him. I guess that's what growing up is all about - seeing one's place in the wide, wide world, and learning to accept and fulfill one's personal mission. I can see Peter taking little steps on this journey that I find myself continually adjusting for myself as well.
For his birthday, Peter was more than ready to retire his Lightening McQueen comforter for a new plaid and red blanket for his bed. His grandma's each gave him some money which he has enjoyed spending on a new Nerf gun and bullets. His dad also gave him a really cool flashlight. It''s a father/son fetish.
I am so proud of my little man and the choices he is making. He is such a good example to his siblings - he is kind to them and sharing. He works hard to bring peace into our home. Peter is my right hand when we are in public, helping me look after my keys, purse, and children. He is the perfect fit into our family - oh how we need Peter! Happy birthday!
When we watch the city fireworks, extended family comes together, and that's always fun as well. This is especially so because we can celebrate Peter's birthday, as well as his cousin's, who was born just a few hours later on the 4th. Adam really love the fireworks! He yelled in excitement and giggled at the bright explosions. I spent about as much time watching him enjoying the fireworks as I did watching show itself.
Peter and Elsie prepared and celebrated the 4th of July by participating in a Patriot Camp. They really loved learning about the founding of our country, learning sign language to our national anthem, memorizing the preamble of the constitution, and dipping candles, making butter, setting off a canon, and writing secret messages to name some favorites. Kimball is excited to join them next year.
Annnnd, Peter turned 10 through the excitement of everything else. Yikes! Are we really into double digits already? He is getting bigger, becoming more responsible, working harder, and becoming more and more aware of the world around him. I guess that's what growing up is all about - seeing one's place in the wide, wide world, and learning to accept and fulfill one's personal mission. I can see Peter taking little steps on this journey that I find myself continually adjusting for myself as well.
For his birthday, Peter was more than ready to retire his Lightening McQueen comforter for a new plaid and red blanket for his bed. His grandma's each gave him some money which he has enjoyed spending on a new Nerf gun and bullets. His dad also gave him a really cool flashlight. It''s a father/son fetish.
I am so proud of my little man and the choices he is making. He is such a good example to his siblings - he is kind to them and sharing. He works hard to bring peace into our home. Peter is my right hand when we are in public, helping me look after my keys, purse, and children. He is the perfect fit into our family - oh how we need Peter! Happy birthday!
Monday, June 22, 2015
Birthday Girl!
Anna turned three this past weekend. Mike had been gone for several days and came home just in time to install a "big-girl" bed in her room for her birthday. She has really enjoyed her new bed, mostly because it has more space area to pile-up her books and toys at night when she won't go to sleep. Anna had a lot of fun listening to us sing Happy Birthday to You, getting a phone call from grandma and grandpa, going to the dollar store and picking out TWO birthday balloons, and getting a Sophia birthday cake (on clearance, such a blessing to me). She wore a huge smile.
For her birthday dinner we had pizza sticks, a specialty of the local grocery store's.
That morning the neighbor's had a garage sale. Elsie woke up especially excited and headed out the door in search of the perfect present for her sister. She came back with a pillow pet and an elephant rocking toy. Anna loved getting presents all day long from her siblings.
Anna is full of sugar and spice. She loves to sing and dance by herself. She loves and idolizes her sister Elsie. Anna also adores her little brother, Adam, and his binkie. Her favorite song is Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree, she loves to play with her friends in nursery, and she loves to have anyone's undivided attention (I think that's of why she loves her grandpa so much). Anna is a little, but strong light in our home and we are so happy to have her in our family!
For her birthday dinner we had pizza sticks, a specialty of the local grocery store's.
That morning the neighbor's had a garage sale. Elsie woke up especially excited and headed out the door in search of the perfect present for her sister. She came back with a pillow pet and an elephant rocking toy. Anna loved getting presents all day long from her siblings.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Baby Coons
While we were talking to our friends we met up with from Yellowstone, an interesting story came up. Apparently they had some friends who found a pesky racoon hanging around their property this spring. They caught it and drove it up to a canyon and let it loose, only to find a few days later two baby racoons in one of their trees. These babies were obviously not in good conditions, and these people knew what good animal caretakers (aka, suckers!) these friends of ours were. They came knocking on their door with these baby racoons and our friends took them in and nursed them back to health. Now, about three months later, they have to frisky pet racoons living in their home! A couple weeks after we got home from Yellowstone, we went over to their house to see their great pictures of Yellowstone and to hold and pet their baby racoons. The kids had a blast. Kimball especially couldn't leave those little coons alone. Even Anna and Adam were excited about their animals.
We took a ton of pictures. Someday my kids are going to look back on this blog and for fear of them thinking I love one child more than another, I am putting pictures of ALL of them holding all the animals. So, forgive the plethora of pictures and understand I'm just trying to be a loving and fair mom.
We were all enjoying the racoons, when she brought out their pet turtle as well. The kids were beside themselves.
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| Anna was unsure, but look how brave! |
We took a ton of pictures. Someday my kids are going to look back on this blog and for fear of them thinking I love one child more than another, I am putting pictures of ALL of them holding all the animals. So, forgive the plethora of pictures and understand I'm just trying to be a loving and fair mom.
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