Homeschooling with Co-Ops

One of the greatest misconceptions that people have when they hear the term “homeschooling” is that children who are homeschooled do not have the same opportunities for social interaction as children who attend school. In reality, homeschooled children have many resources and opportunities to lead a social life, including church, sports, hobbies, and educational co-ops. Recently, I asked homeschooling moms that are members of our two Yahoo groups to share some of their co-op experiences with me and I received a great response from many of them!

1. Kids enjoy the variety of resources and materials provided
2. Parents do not have to do as much research and footwork on their own; they are able to share with other co-op parents
3. Co-ops gives homeschooling families the opportunity to bond with other families in their city or state
4. Co-ops keep homeschooling families on schedule
5. Co-ops keep homeschooling families accountable for their studies
6. The extracurricular activities are fun for both the parents and kids, including football games, craft parties, theme parties, field trips, etc.
7. People who belong to co-ops sponsored by their church appreciate the opportunity to share their faith and bond with other parish families and the pastors, who sometimes participate also
8. Co-ops that offer classes or unit studies give students the opportunity to learn a broader range of topics and/or to learn a subject their own parents may not be comfortable teaching, for example higher level mathematics, music, or foreign languages
9. Students are exposed to different types of teachers
10. Students are held accountable by someone other than their parents
11. Parents provide each other with support and encouragement
12. Students have the opportunity to interact with kids of all ages, not just their grade or age level
13. People who belong to co-ops have a wide selection of experiences. Some belong to large co-ops that include over 200 families. Larger co-ops are able to teach many classes (one offers 80 different classes from preschool through high school with subjects ranging from science, math, history, art, music, foreign languages, drama, and public speaking) and sponsor many field trips and other activities. Some larger co-ops even offer courses that students earn college credits for.

Smaller co-ops may not have as large of a selection of resources, but the benefits are the same. Even a co-op with just a few families can benefit from the interaction with each other as well as gaining exposure to the different teaching and learning styles of its members.

Some co-ops meet once a week for a few hours and some meet a couple times a week for an entire school day. Many homeschoolers belong to Art, Music, or Physical Education co-ops. These organizations are a great resource to help parents include “extras” in their children’s education that they might not be offering at home. While music lessons, dance classes, soccer, gymnastics and other sports are great ways to add to a student’s regular curriculum, they can be quite costly. Co-ops that are organized strictly for phys ed give students the opportunity to learn a sport, play with other kids, be competitive, and to get their exercise.

Another great thing that many co-ops sponsor is Educational Fairs. These events are great opportunities for students to show off their work, whether it is art projects, science projects, or lapbooks! One Art co-op sponsors an art show for its students. They invite family and friends, serve desserts or appetizers, and allow kids to showcase their artwork!

In addition, some homeschoolers belong to online co-ops. Online co-ops may not offer the same social interaction or benefits to the students, but they are a great resource for parents. In addition, online co-ops are a perfect way to hold families accountable for their studies and to keep them on schedule. An online co-op is a great way for a parent living in a rural area to have the opportunity to interact with other homeschooling parents. Online co-ops are also a great idea for a first-time homeschooler who needs some guidance and support from others who are more experienced.

The biggest benefit that many homeschool moms liked about co-ops is the fact that their children (and themselves) are able to form real bonds with other children who homeschool. Whether the members of a co-op meet once a week for a couple of hours or meet several times a week for an entire day, the benefits are the same. Co-ops provide both parents and students a place to work together, support each other, and learn together!

©2007 Katie Kubesh

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child. Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect. They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with complete ready-to-assemble lapbook units that are available in eBook, printed book, and CD formats. Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.

Tags: community activities, educational fairs, Encouragement, homeschool, homeschool co-ops, Homeschool Support, In the Hands of a Child, joining a co-op, Lapbooking, Unit Studies, Yahoo

The Star of Bethlehem

Explore the science and the history behind the Biblical event that signaled the Messiah’s birth

It is easy to relegate it to an afterthought in a nativity scene or as just another tradition when it is placed atop the tree, but law professor Rick Larson wants everyone to take another look at the star that signaled the arrival of the Messiah.

Larson isn’t an astronomer, but he is passionate about the star and its part in God’s miraculous plan. After hanging a star as an outdoor decoration at Christmas, Larson began to question what the star as we know it really was. He researched and studied extensively until he found his answer. He shares both his historical and scientific findings – as well as his faith – in The Star of Bethlehem, a beautifully produced DVD of the presentation he has given to many live audiences. It is a story Larson feels he is divinely directed to share.

“I couldn’t have dreamed up something like this,” Larson said. “I did not need this project. My plate was full. All I really felt I did was to keep saying yes. It happened a little piece at a time. It feels like a calling. I put thousands of hours in the research but it didn’t feel like work.”

Larson’s presentation outlines real astronomical events that occurred around the time of the birth of Jesus, correlates those events to the Bible and presents what he terms the poetry planned by God and evidenced in the sky. Larson is as emotional when discussing the project as he is during the presentation included on the DVD. For him, this is more than a Christmas tradition – it is the revelation of God’s omnipotence for all to see.

“It is inherently interesting and also has enormous impact,” he said. “It isn’t just information. It is a worshipful experience.”

For homeschoolers, it also makes for a wonderful unit study. Larson includes research and supplemental information about ancient documents on his web site.

“You get to do history, math and astronomy,” he said. Students can “have a blast learning about astronomy and first Century history. You get to do math with Kepler and Newton.”

And, most importantly for Larson, the story of the birth of Messiah is told – even to those who have no interest in opening a Bible.

“I have been praying that God would take it to the world,” he said. “He put it in the sky for everyone.”

Though his life has been taken on a different course, Larson is thrilled to tell the story of the star of Bethlehem.

“What could be better?” he asked. “What more could I possibly ask than to bring people into the awe of God?”

“The Star of Bethlehem” is $12.95 on DVD and is available at Christian retailers and online. Total running time is 65 minutes. For more information, including movie trailers, an overview and more, visit www.thestarofbethlehemmovie.com.

Chris Worthy is mom to Caroline (16) and Nolan (11) and has been married for 20 years to her favorite person, John. Chris practiced law before becoming a writer and stay-at-home mother more than 10 years ago. She enjoys cooking, crafting, spoiling dogs, green living and rummaging though old books. Follow along at www.chrisworthy.com

Tags: Christmas, Messiah, movie review, Rick Larson, Star of Bethlehem Movie, Unit Studies, unity study

Me On the Map: Unit Study for Preschoolers

I’ve recently discovered the Joan Sweeney “Me” series and fallen in love! These are great books to create your own unit study with a preschool aged child. They begin simply, and gradually progress to the big picture making each topic easy to read, grasp and explain to your preschooler.

In our preschool we are beginning with a Geography unit study based on Sweeney’s book, Me On the Map. Me On the Map begins with your child in their own bedroom, then their home, street, town, state and so forth until you’ve covered the entire world through maps. What a fun way to introduce your little one to Geography through maps, a study of their own state, the US and finally their world. Ideas and possibilities for your unit study are endless!

We will be covering our Me On the Map unit study indefinitely. It will possibly end up being our Geography curriculum for the first half of our academic year.

Here are some suggestions and ways you could use Me On the Map for your preschool Geography unit study:

• Have your preschooler draw his own maps as often as possible beginning with his room, home, street and so forth just as written in Sweeney’s book.
• Purchase maps of the USA, world or different countries in various sizes, laminate them and cut them up to create your own puzzles.
• Take local field trips around your town, surrounding cities and state if possible.
• Study the 50 states (or several key states) in depth. You could incorporate Adam Gamble’s “Goodnight America” series for extra reading.
• Check out movies, music and books about other countries from your local library for your study of the world.
• Cook snacks/foods from different parts of the USA and the world. Usborne Books offer some great kids’ cookbooks featuring recipes from around the globe.
• Make simple crafts to go along with what you are studying.

I hope these ideas help you have lots of fun with your preschooler and your own Me On the Map unit study. You can follow our Me On the Map unit study weekly at Our Homeschool Fun.

Susana is a homeschool mom to three–almost four–beautiful blessings ages 9, 4, 17 mths and EDD 09/17. She is married to her best friend and treasures her role as a wife, mother and teacher. She is very passionate about teaching her children and giving them a firm foundation in faith, academics and an overall love of life. She is new to homeschool and considers it to be the biggest blessing and reward in her life besides her family. In her free time she enjoys scrapbooking, baking, exercising and blogging. You can visit her at Our Homeschool Fun.

Tags: early elementary, Geography, Joan Sweeney, Learning With Maps, Mapping, Me On the Map, pre-k, Unit Studies

What My Children Teach Me

Recently, a follower of mine “tweeted” (twittered? Twitted?) a link to a homeschool conference video. The particular topic of the video was, “What did Your Kids Teach You this Past Homeschool Year?”

As humbling a thought as this is for many of us who pour hours (not to mention dollars!) into curriculum and who sweat over flawless execution of our plans, it is very real. I should correct myself: it is very real if we are willing to step out of self and embrace the fact that we are not the only vessel through which education can flow. So, I thought about my own year, and what my children taught me. At first, the answers were superficial, and I almost felt silly. Yet, a spirit willing to learn something new led me to delve deeper, and I was left with such a spine-chilling sense of purpose until I thought it might bless you, too. This is what my kids taught me last year, and each year, for that matter:

Patience is not just a virtue; it is life and breath to your home environment. Whether you are entering year 1 of your homeschooling journey or year 101, it is your journey. Though some will take it as their personal responsibility to tell you what you should do, where you should be, and how you should have gotten there, what will be most important is to create an environment where your children can learn. Set goals, even stretch goals, but be open to your children’s needs, their challenges, and the way that they learn best. You will gain far more this way than by following a strict list of have-to’s.

Field trips in-the-moment can be very effective, but on a budget, a living book will free both the body and the mind. Not too long ago, our own trial with temporary unemployment during this recession left me somewhat depressed about all of the trips and tours we did not take this year. As an aside, our area offers a number of free/ low-cost trips and tours, but I prefer an in-the-moment excursion that enhances our current studies to a field trip just for the sake of a field trip. This means that our field trips often take us away from our immediate area and require planning and budgeting. We were not able to do that this past year—a real source of frustration and anguish for the way that I like to educate. Yet, one of my favorite bloggers described best what can happen when we experience learning through quality literature:

‘Music, art, animals, nature, politics, literature, poetry, equations, Rome, Iceland, Ireland, the moors, the sea, metropolises, machinery, the universe, the past, the poor, royalty, Heaven and earth…you name it, they have dipped their hands in the chest and pulled out something of value as they have explored truth and beauty in the world around them.’
From LindaFay’s HigherUp and Further In, “Ask and it Shall be Given You,” May 25, 2009

Taming the tongue is harder than taming a lion. This applies not only to how we speak to our children, but also to the negative self-talk we fall prey to when things are not going well. Once those plans go awry, it becomes easy to embrace what others might have said in a moment of sheer brainlessness:

“Maybe you aren’t cut out for this.”
“I’ll never be able to…” (or worse, thought about our children:) “You’ll never be able to…”

Come against the attack of the enemy, confess what the Lord says about you and your children, and step out on His renewed grace and mercy.

It may be the song of an unfamiliar bird, not the travels of Odysseus, that inspires a child to explore and discover. The end result is the same. I love to plan. I get excited about planning the way that some women get excited at a shopping mall or a lady’s night out. But, I realize—though it took some time—that plans can sometimes get in the way of what I really want the homeschool experience to produce in our children: a natural yearning to know more, to grow more, and to be more. When the kids run to the field guide to identify a stranger at our feeder, or launch into a discussion about some historical event or character (when I want them to do something else), this, too, is learning. Just because it was not written on my outline does not belittle the value of a purposeful diversion or its power to catapult their interests and overall education.

When you cannot feel God’s hand in your plans, trust His heart. Jeremiah conveyed it to us so very well, and my words will never be as eloquent as the Word of God:

For I know the plans that I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

May God bless you and quicken your spirits to the lessons He wants you to teach, as well as the lesson he wants your young ones to teach you.

Belinda Bullard is a wife and homeschooling mother of three, Belinda is an author and the owner of A Blessed Heritage Educational Resources, a literature-based history curriculum featuring African-American presence in history, as well as the contributions of other races to American history. A chemical engineer by formal education, she also serves as adjunct faculty for college distance learning programs.

Tags: art, Christian homeschooling, electives, field trips, homeschool conference, homeschooling, music, nature, patience homeschooling, Scripture, Twitter, Unit Studies, What Children Teach You Through Homeschooling

The Study of Whales and the History of Whaling

Whales…hmmm, what do we know about the history of whales? Well, God created them, then Jonah got swallowed by one…but theres’ more. We’re going to learn about these amazing ocean creatures, how many species, where they live, their unique design and also how they have been useful to man. The oceans are teaming with whales and once man discovered ways that whales could be useful, an industry bloomed. You might be wondering what kind of industry and whether it was even “right” to use whales, so let’s see what the Bible says about this!

When God created animals he gave man dominion over them and after the flood He gave Noah the following directives concerning animals –

And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants. I give you everything. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood…Genesis 9:1-4

Throughout all of history man has used all sorts of animals for all sorts of thing: fur to keep warm, hides for shoes and clothing, meat for food, bones for tools as well as many other bi-products that man needs. The problem comes in when man abuses and over uses animals for greed!

People discovered that whales were rich in blubber which when melted down becomes oil – a fuel that would light the lamps in homes around the world, the baleen could be used for boning in women’s clothing, spermaceti (found in the head of the sperm whale) could be used for smokeless candles, and ambergris (found in the stomach of the sperm whale) was used to make perfume. Whale bones could be ground up and used by farmers for fertilizer. Bones were also used for tools and the teeth were used by a sailor’s craft called “scrimshaw” by engraving beautiful designs.

The first “whalers” were the shore whaling Basques from Spain. Sailors hunted for whales close to land and developed a way to sort of “herd” them using small boats until they became beached. Once the animal was killed, it could be processed right on the beach. But after a time the whales were as plentiful by the shores so whalers had to venture further and further out so the whaling expeditions could take 2-4 years. Ships had to be outfitted with everything needed to supply a crew for a long voyage AND everything need on board the ship to process the whale once it was caught.

Because a large ship cannot go very fast, small boats called shallops, were sent out on the chase. Once a whale was spotted a shout of “Thar she blows” went up and off they went. When the boats got close enough to the whale, the harpooners would spear the whale which would usually tow the boat around until it tired out – this is what they called a Nantucket Sleighride. Whaling was a dangerous job and sometimes that whale would dive taking the boat under with it.

The shallops would then tow the whale back to the ship where it was fastened to the side of the ship and a platform was lowered so the sailors could begin the task of removing the blubber. This was a dangerous, smelly and slippery job but it could payoff in the end. The whole crew got a share in the profits when the ship returned with 1-2 thousand barrels full of whale oil.

What kinds of whales did the whalers seek? Pretty much anything they could get, but there were some breeds that were more desirable than others. The Right Whale – named because sailors believed this was the right kind of whale: it swam slower than others so they could catch up to it, it stayed close to shore and it didn’t sink.

So, now you have it…a brief summary of the history of whaling. Now let’s look at whales, different species, and their behavior. You can see that we’ve listed several different species of whales, but they all fall into two categories: toothed or baleen. You can add to this list and do a little research so you can do a mini report on one species. Whales are mammals – not fish, so they have live young which they feed milk, they must surface to breath oxygen. Whales will lunge out of the water which is called breaching, they also “spyhop” which means they come up and sort of tread water to have a look around, and they also just lay in the water when sleeping or at rest which is called “logging” because they look like a log. You can do further research about where they live and how they feed…on you own. Have fun!

Whale Species:

• The Humpback Whale
• The Sperm Whale
• The Blue Whale
• The Sei Whale
• The Gray Whale
• The Minke Whale
• The Fin Whale
• The Killer Whale
• The Pilot Whale
• The Bowhead Whale

Areas to Study

• Different species of whales and where they live
• Classify into: Toothed and Baleen whales
• Learn about where whales live and what they eat (i.e. The sperm whale’s favorite food is the giant squid)
• Learn how long whales can stay under water
• Learn how the different spouts show sailors what kind of whale is surfacing. Draw a picture
• Learn about the anatomy of a Whale (label a diagram)
• Look at pictures of scrimshaw.
• Do a mini report – include pictures and diagrams
• Learn about echolocation.
• Try to draw a whale – See: http://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Whale
• Read about Jonah and the lesson he learned about obeying God – Write out your favorite passage from Jonah for handwriting practice.
• Draw a diagram showing the different spouts. Label the species according to its spout.
• Find a picture of a New England home with a “Widow’s Walk” – Explain what they were used for.
• Divide a sheet down the middle and write Fish on one side and Whales on the other. Now compare (Fish / scales Whales / smooth skin Fish / Gills Whales / Surface for air etc.)
• List whale products and what people used them for.

Whale Books
Thar She Blows by Stephen Currie
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Good-bye for Today by Peter and Connie Roop
The Whale Song by Dyan Sheldon
Gone A-Whaling by Jim Murphy
Yankee Whalers by M.J. Cosson
Cornerstones of Freedom: New England Whaling by Conrad Stein
Yann and the Whale by Hanze
Ibis – A True Whale Story by John Himmelman
Whales (All Aboard Reading level 2) by Graham Faiella
The Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick
Baby Whale Rescue True Story by Arnold and Hewitt
Beluga Whales (True Books) by Ann Squire
True Blue Friend: A Webs to Whales Nature Tale (with CD-ROM) by Cheryl Block

Hey, if you’re interested in learning more about how easy unit studies can be, check out my book Everything You Need to Know About Homeschool Unit Studies on our website: www.unitstudies.com.  We’re here to help. Please also feel free to call. Jennifer is often available to answer questions and give advice! 888-4-R-UNITS

Jennifer Steward is a happy wife married to her highschool sweetheart, mother to eight children, and grandmother to five grandchildren. She counts it a blessing to have been able to educate all of her children from home since the beginning. Four of them have graduated from homeschool high school…four to go! Jennifer is the owner of a home business called STEWARD SHIP, and author of the popular Choreganizer and Everything You Need To Know About Homeschool Unit Studies.

Tags: homeschool, Jennifer Steward, sea life, Unit Studies, whales

Homeschooling Perk #8

Well, here we are in January, and for many of us this month can sometimes represent the January Humdrums. Where did our motivation go? Where is our excitement? The bustle of Christmas is over and the January bills are coming in. It’s hard to keep up the enthusiasm and needed perseverance to get back into the math and grammar texts.

This leads me in to the topic of my January post as I continue my Top 10 Homeschooling Perks (my most humble apologies for not making my posting in December – sigh). Persevere, I must.

So, what is Homeschooling Perk #8? Well, I hope to encourage you and counteract the January Humdrums with this little fact: You can cater to your children’s interests. That’s right: you can cater to their interests.

So, fear not. If Mom (or Dad) is feeling a little less enthusiasm than usual, why not allow this time to explore some of your children’s interests. Are they anxious to get out that new microscope they got for Christmas? Or read a new series of books? My youngest daughter received a rock tumbler for Christmas and as I listen to the thing tumble and churn away, the thought crossed my mind to allow her to spend a little time exploring geology before our scheduled science topic of Sound and Light. It’s not always easy for the kids to become reacquainted with their school routine either after a few weeks of Christmas holidays – which for the most part (at least with us) involved lots of unstructured play time, a little sleeping in, and ample time for dust to collect on their math books!

By taking advantage of this little homeschooling perk, a parent can allow their children to re-ignite the enthusiasm and help build some fresh excitement. Enthusiasm is contagious, so why not take advantage of it? Take a few cues from your children this month. And yes, you will still have to get out the math books and sneak in a little grammar (or whatever your child’s least favorite subject is – I have one who happens to love math) – but allow that natural enthusiasm for learning to flourish. Before you know it, you’ll be back on schedule.

Cheryl has been married to her ‘do all’ husband for 13 years. They live in British Columbia, Canada on beautiful Vancouver Island. Cheryl has been homeschooling their two daughters ages 9 & 11, for 6 years. Her approach to homeschooling is mostly ecclectic with a dash of Classical & Charlotte Mason. She used to be one of those parents who thought they could never homeschool – boy, was she wrong! She enjoys blogging to encourage others that they too can homeschool if the desire is upon their hearts. She homeschools simply because – her kids are worth it. Please visit Cheryl at HomeSchool Journey.

Tags: Encouragement, finding time to relax, getting back on schedule, homeschooling, homeschooling perks, January, schedules, top ten, Unit Studies, winter

October Unit Study: Trains –n- Railroads

Fall is here – it’s that comfy cozy time of year where we can settle into our school year with our hot cocoa and our pile of books in hand! It’s apple pie and pumpkin time and can’t you just smell those vanilla spice candles burning?

The topic – Trains, makes for a great study. This is a VERY broad topic so instead of focusing trains / railroads of North America. We can classify this study as: history – the history of the railroad, science – the invention of the steam engine and how it works, geography – where railroads are located.

The steam engine was first used in England to pump water out of the coal mines. People couldn’t think of another use for the steam engine until they started experimenting with wheeled vehicles that ran on tracks. You can read about the first successful locomotives (The Rocket etc.), in nonfiction books. (see resource ideas) The development of travel by train and the advance of the railroad…changed the world forever.

Areas to Study:

~ The invention of the steam engine / James Watt

~ How a steam engine works

~ Other types of engines (diesel, electric)

~ Famous trains – Thomas the Tank Engine, The General, Big Boy etc.

~ Wheel configuration (4-4-0)

~ Gauge of the track (the width of two horses: 4 ‘ 8.5″)

~ Identify train cars: coal car, cattle car, caboose etc.

~ Orphan Trains

~ Railroad Companies

~ The Iron Horse (so called by the Indians)

~ The Transcontinental Railroad (Driving of the golden spike)

~ Driving of the golden spike

~ Railroad workers (Chinese, Irish etc.)

~ The Big Four

~ Railroad Companies (funding the building of the Transcontinental Railroad)

~ Theodore Judah

~ Types of Trains: passenger, freight etc.

~
Railroad workers / jobs

~ Hobos and transients

~ Famous people of the railroad (Casey Jones, John Henry, Kate Shelly)

~ Trestles, bridges, tunnels

~ Outlaws and train robberies

~ Train accidents and fires

Bible

See if the Bible mentions the word “train” and then tell where and what it means. (His “train” filled the temple…Train up a child…)

Geography /Diagrams

~ Use a black line U.S. map to show the network of railroads at different times in history and the advance of the railroad. (i.e., there were railroads west of the Mississippi River before the Civil War…but after…

~ Draw a diagram of a steam engine and label

~ Draw the route of The Transcontinental Railroad marking a different color for the route showing both the eastern and western routes.

~ Draw a diagram showing how a track is laid

Activities

Learn the different wheel configurations, then test yourself by looking at several pictures of different train engines

Art

~ Draw a track at the bottom of a sheet of paper and make copies. Have each child draw a different train car and then tape your train to the wall.

~ Draw some of the railroad company symbols (Union Pacific)

Math

~ Calculate distances

~ Learn about how the time changes as you travel from East to West

~ Using a 5 foot piece of butcher paper, make a wall timeline and post important events as you learn them

Handwriting

For practice, write out this quote: “Let the country make the railroads, and the railroads will make the country.” Edward Pease

Writing

Read about The Transcontinental Railroad in “Full Steam Ahead” then write a paper about Crazy (Theodore) Judah and his influence on the railroad.

Resources

Trains by Julian Holland (Nonfiction)

Full Steam Ahead – The Race to Build a Transcontinental Railroad by Rhoda Blumberg

I Didn’t Know That Some
Trains Run on Water by Kate Petty

Tchaikovsky Discovers America by Esther Kalman

The Story of the Golden Spike by R. Conrad Stein

Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express Margaret K. Wetterer

All Aboard Trains by Mary Harding

You Wouldn’t Want to Work on the Railroad by Ian Graham

Life in the Old West: The Railroad by Bobbie Kalman

We the People series: The Transcontinental Railroad by Jean F. Blashfield

We the People series: Orphan Trains by Alice K. Flannagan

Orphan Train Children: Lucy’s Wish by Joan Lowery Nixon (series)

Orphan Train by Verla Kay (Picture story book)

Train to Somewhere by Eve Bunting (Picture story book)

READ ALOUD – The Railway Children by

The Boxcar Children book #1

Polar Express …the movie

Ideas From …

Rachel…Her family’s blog is — http://keeptheway-christianacademy.blogspot.com/

We just got finished with our week long study on transportation with my preschoolers! While we included books and activities on airplanes, cars, trucks, buses and boats, Trains were a major focus as there are so many great resources out there!

Favorite Preschool Picture Books on Trains:

The Little Engine that could by Watty Piper

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo by Kevin Lewis

Stop, Train, Stop! A Thomas the Tank Engine Story (I can read it all by myself dr. Seuss beginner Book)

Choo Choo Charlie Saves the Carnival (an I Think I can book from the LIttle Engine that could series) by Megan E Bryant
This Train by Paul Collicutt

A Ride in the Crummy by Gary Hines

Favorite activities:

We did this lapbook from Homeschool Share: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/trains_lapbook.php

We also planned on taking a ride on our local metro train but Hurricane Ike messed it up… oh well, great idea though!

We got out our toy trains and looked at all of the parts

We watched a video on The Little Engine That Could from the library

Tags: Curriculum, history, Homeschool Methods, transportation, Unit Studies

Geography Treasure Boxes

While creating my geography unit study lens, I stumbled across a blog post at LaPaz Home Learning telling about the Continent Boxes she had just completed. Finally, I knew what to do with all the “artifacts” we create during our studies of different countries. Continent Boxes are sort of like treasure boxes- one for each continent- which contain maps, books, and artifacts from the countries on that continent. You can buy or create things specifically for your continent boxes, or you can do a “scavenger hunt” around the house to see what objects you can come up with.The boxes can be plain shoe boxes or plastic totes, or you can decorate them with maps, pictures, and flags from each continent. Here are some ideas of what you can include.

Maps
If you’re going to study geography, it is only sensible that your study should include maps. The physical geography of a country is important, not only because it tells us where a country is located, but also because it gives us a glimpse into the cultures of the area. Cultures are influenced in many ways by the physical geography of the place where they live.An example of this is the Inuit people of the Arctic regions. As we were preparing to study them the other day, I asked my children if they knew where the Inuit lived. Two of my children answered “Mexico” and “South America.” If you know anything about the Inuit, you can see how ridiculous these answers are. The cultures of the Arctic peoples are vastly different from those of Central and South America.Each box ought to include a map of the continent and maps of individual countries on that continent. You might also want to include puzzles or games featuring the physical geography of that continent.

Pictures
A picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure you include several in each box. These pictures should include things like people, buildings, food, animals, plants, and landmarks. Photos can be cut from old copies of National Geographic and pasted with a label onto cardstock or made into a collage. Travel brochures would also be a great addition. Or, you could just include a few nice picture books. If you can find some copies of the local art, add those in too.

“Artifacts” and Souvenirs
The best things you can put in your boxes are real items from the countries you want to learn about. If you haven’t been blessed with the ability to travel the world to collect your own souvenirs and don’t know anyone who can do it for you, try looking around your house to see what “foreign” items may be hiding there. Check out the ethnic food shelves at your local grocery store or go shopping at a store which specializes in selling exotic merchandise. There are also many online stores where you can purchase items from overseas.You can also add all the projects your children complete as they study different countries. Or, include craft items and instructions in your continent boxes so your children can complete these projects at another time.

Money
You can learn a lot about a country’s history and what its people value by seeing what they put on their money. Kids especially love to examine foreign coins. Both coins and bank notes are available for sale on Ebay. You might also ask your local bank if they can get them for you or ask friends and relatives to bring some back from their travels.If you can’t get the real thing, you can still print off some pictures of foreign money to add to your continent boxes.

Stamps and Postcards
Stamps and postcards are like tiny windows through which we can glimpse small amounts of a countries culture. These can be collected through exchanges or from aquaintances who like to travel. Sometimes you can find them in shops which sell collectables. If you can’t get them anywhere else, try looking on Ebay.

Miniatures
Your boxes ought to contain as many real “treasures” as possible. But some items are obviously going to be too big to put in a box. This is where miniture replicas fit in. Miniatures can be things like toy animals, tiny models of famous landmarks, or dioramas of native landscapes. Many items which are intended for dollhouses would be perfect for your continent boxes. Or, you could even get some modeling compound and have your children create some minitures of their own.

Costumes
These would be the most fun if your child could wear them. But they coud also be doll-sized. If you are not handy at sewing, search the resale shops for likely items. We have also found lots of great costumes on the clearance racks after Halloween.

Flags
Small flags are another item which is easy to add to your boxes. These can be made using white cloth and fabric markers, or they can be purchased.

Music and Instruments
Your Continent Boxes include more than just things to touch or things to see. Try adding a CD with native music and national anthems or a few native instruments for the kids to play.

Additional Items
Here are a few more things you may want to include:
* samples of writing
* spices, ethnic foods, or recipes
* textiles (such as a piece of silk for China, plaid for Scotland, etc.)
* childrens’ books and folktales from or about each country
* paperdolls

Melissa Telling is a the homeschooling mother of seven: ages 3-12. They love notebooking, lapbooking, unit studies, and hands-on education. She is also the owner of Lilliput Station. Please visit Melissa at her blog.

Tags: art, Geography, history, Lapbooking, Projects, Unit Studies

The Middle Ages by Hip2Homeschool / Review

UPDATE!
The winner was: Donna Sweet!

Excerpts from Amy Bayliss’ Review:

Tags: Giveaways, history, Literature, Reviews, science, Unit Studies

Showin’ Off

In my last article, I offered up some ideas on how I’ve engaged my attention-challenged littles around here with mini-units and lapbooking. I promised a “show off” of the extended units we’ve tried and a “how-to” on planning. And some of you asked how much work I had to do up front. Good question. Not as much as I was putting into pulling their proverbial teeth in our traditional “school work.” Also with 3 learners between the ages of 2 and 6 right now, I like that I can do so much more with them all together. Which also equals less work than what I was doing, plus nobody feels like the other is getting to do the cooler work – we’re all doin‘ about the same things. And, I think I must admit here one of my dirty little secrets: I’m a geek that loves (way too much, by the way) the research and printing and organizing of the upcoming study.

Once I decide on a topic I make all copies that I will need for the week. Since I teach all 3 of the older kiddos at one time I make 3 copies of everything and then just tailor how I teach it according to their ages. After I decide what I’ll cover on which day, I then separate the material into file folders labelled with each day of the week. I make a list of further research or printables that I’ll need and sticky note them to the front of the appropriate folder to look up and print off on that day. I have 3 Ziplocs, gallon-sized, that I collect all of their finished work in until the unit is over. I keep all of these things stashed in a 3 ring binder to be the “teacher’s guide” for our units. I print off the lesson, put it in the binder for current teaching and future reference, and separate each lesson with (none other than…) a file folder! So far, I’m only planning for the next week. I’m rollin‘ with whatever tickles their fancy. I printed off a scope and sequence check list that I refer to from time to time to keep me on track.

These extended lessons all began with watching “A Bee Movie” a couple of weeks ago. My girl kept asking why the flowers all died. So I did what any self-respecting homeschoolin‘ mama would do. I looked up honey bees and then found a good story to read to my little honeys. We then jumped into a literature-based unit study turned lapbook “Winnie the Pooh and Some Bees” by A.A. Milne. And incredibly my short-attention spanned lovebugs stayed on task daily for a whole WEEK!

Tags: Day in the Life, Homeschool Methods, lapbooks, Unit Studies

Next Page »