Mom, I'm Bored!

Summer is here and it officially starts the continues chant of "Mom, I'm Bored!" We do not homeschool during the summer. I need the break as much as they do! We do small things here and there just to keep the summer brain mush syndrome at bay. We've worked too hard during the school year to lose it all now! I usually grab one of those "all in one" workbooks to help them review what they've learned.


This year I'm taking a different approach! I've seen all these great ideas on Pinterest for boredom jars, summer bucket lists, etc. All great ideas, but not doable in our house with a limited budget and usually only the use of a vehicle a few times a week. I've combined all these ideas into one, including a schedule to help keep us on task, off the computer (mostly for me) and away from the tv for hours on end!  


I made my schedule all girly and colorful, don't feel like you have to do the same. Make your own! These are laminated and hanging on one of our school cabinets. 

I KNOW we will not follow this to the exact minute, other things will pop up, illness, vacation, unexpected play dates. So we are completely flexible, but I hope this will help curb some of the "Mom, I'm bored!" that we all hear each summer. 

A description of activities, etc. will be posted soon.

Have you done a project like this? How did it turn out? I'd love to hear your comments.

Homeschool: Art

Our 2011-2012 school year started up this week and we've made a few changes. We've added some new subjects like Spanish, Art and music lessons.

Molly loves art! She loves to create! I have several "books" she has made over the last few years of stories from her own little imagination complete with drawings. These will be so much fun to look back at years from now. So I set out to find an art curriculum that was fun, but also educational. I found The World's Greatest Artist Unit Study Vol. 1 from Confessions of a Homeschooler.  This is a FREE curriculum, but worth paying for! Lesson plans, lapbook components, art projects and more!


We are learning about Picasso this week. Molly is enjoying reading about his life and painting styles. She was dying to make something so I handed her a piece of paper and told her to try and draw one of Picasso's paintings. Here's what she did:

 Boy in a Sailor Suit with a Butterfly Net (Picasso) and Molly's version (age 8)

HSLDA Free 3 Month Trial Membership

If you are a homeschooler like me you know of or have heard of someone who has legal issues relating to homeschooling. HSLDA helps protect homeschoolers! Usually a one year membership is $115, but right now you can join HSLDA for a free 3 month trial. Afterwards you have payment options if you want to continue your membership.


If you want to apply for the free trial go here.


Thanks Canaan for sharing this!

Homeschool Freebies

 

Homeschool Freebies

Here's another big list of homeschool freebies for all ages!


US Presidents ebook- This is the link for the Word download. The PDF version has some kinks.
Super Teacher Worksheets- offers a variety of FREE printable worksheets.
Worksheet Works- LOTS of worksheets on multiple subjects. Prints in PDF with an answer sheet.
Free Animal Report- from CurrClick. Freebies rotate at CurrClick so if you are at all interested in this one get it now before it's gone.
LakeShore Learning- LOTS of free materials
Math Drills- math worksheets and answer keys from K-High School
21 Day Bible Memory Verse- from CurrClick. Again if you are at all interested get it now before it's gone.
February Events e-book- from Teacher Created Resources. Available thru the end of February.
Mighty Book Jr.- A great website for emerging or struggling readers. Free 1 yr. membership using learntoread as the code. I think this one is still available.
Elson Reader Teacher's Edition- Early Reader Primer
Agricultural E-book- from the USDA

Homeschool: Zebra Lapbook and art project

Conversation between my 7 yr. old and her Daddy while they were playing around the other day:


Molly: "Dad, you're sillier than a zebra!"
Hubby: "Are zebras silly?"
Molly: "I don't know."
Hubby: "Do a report on zebras and find out if they are silly or not."


It's conversations and assignments like these that get me sidetracked with our schooling! But they are also one of the many things that I love about homeschooling! Where else can you completely change directions and study about something because you want to?


We just started a unit study in science on biomes. So this was actually perfect! Molly did a little research about grasslands (where zebras just happen to live) last week. So this week we've worked on a lapbook and some art projects on zebras. We'll finish the week up tomorrow with a short report on zebras and whether or not they are silly.


Here's Molly's lapbook. I got all of the printable from Homeschool Share. The local library doesn't have the Zebra Zoobook the link recommends, but I was able to find all the information online.

Here's Molly's art project. I found the idea on Deep Space Sparkle. This was our first trip into art with chalk pastels. Can you say messy? I'll be purchasing oil pastels next week to cut down on the mess. 

The Old Schoolhouse- Cheap Subscriptions!

If you are a homeschooler or are considering homeschooling "The Old Schoolhouse" magazine is a great outlet for good ideas and advice. TOS is offering some great deals right now to receive the magazine.

Deal #1:
1 yr. subscription for $7.95 to anyone in U.S. or Canada and you get a freebie too!

Deal #2:
1 yr. subscription, tote bag and e-book: Cranberry Christmas for $19.95

Deal #3:
2 yr. subscription, tote bag, planner and e-book: Cranberry Christmas for $37

Go here to check the deals out for yourself and sign up!

Why we love to Homeschool

I just wanted to share another reason why we love to Homeschool! Where else could you learn about measurements better than in the kitchen baking with Mom!?

Christmas Learning from 1+1+1=1

While looking for more components for our Christmas lapbook and unit study I came across this great blog called 1+1+1=1. Carisa has done an AWESOME job of putting together this great 10 day lesson plan all centered around Christmas for Tots to Toddlers and even stretching into the lower grades.  We are doing a mish mash of the Nativity Preschoool Pack and the Tot Book.


I'm mostly doing the lessons with my 3 year old nephew that I homeschool along with my 7 year old, Molly and the baby, 16 month old Allyson is learning by osmosis!

I remembered to grab the camera to show Tyler doing some of the lessons. 

Each day there are several activities (don't feel like you have to do them all!) Books, ABC's, 123's, hands on, music, art and fun! The best part it's all FREE!!! Carisa has a ton of other great downloadable lessons and unit studies for all ages. If you want to check it out go over to 1+1+1=1 and browse around.

Homeschool: Christmas Lapbook components and other Christmas themed school work

Once again this year Molly is making a Christmas Lapbook. Last year was mostly just fun things (crossword puzzles, games, coloring pages, etc.) This year we are going into more detail about the Jesus' birth and what it all means. I've been pulling a bunch of great lapbook components and holiday themed worksheets from online that are of course FREE and thought someone else might like them too! I'll continue to update the list as I print more so keep checking back!

Candy Cane Minibook
Christmas Symbols Minibook
Happy Birthday Jesus Minibook
Christmas Bible Reading Chart
Huge list of Christmas lapbook printables
Christmas for Tots-From 1+1+1=1