Each year I try to do some sort of fun thing for Advent. This year we’re doing a combination of things. First, I made these cute little numbered ornaments for our Advent activities. Click here to download the Advent Ornaments You simply print and punch out with a 2” circle punch. Then using mini-clothespins attach each one to a mini-Christmas tree or a string of garland. Each day we take one down and do whatever activity is on the back. For this you can print my activities on the backs (they are included in the download) or you can print just the ornaments and write in your own activities. Last year we did The Jesse Tree, so this year I ordered some Make your own Advent Candles and Bartholomew’s Passage. I have to say that these candles didn’t come with any instructions, so if you’re a newbie like me here are some instructions on making Beeswax Candles! We’ll light the candles each night as we read a chapter from our book. If you’re not up for purchasing a new … [Read more...]
Character Study: Arguing
I am working on some character studies for our family and I wanted to share them with you all as well. I’ve been collecting verses that support issues we’ve had in our household and turned them into a 4 day character study that we've been doing each week.I've completed 10 studies, this is the first in the series and is based on arguing, you can click on the image or link below to download a pdf of this study. I will post the rest of the studies weekly. A Character study: Arguing Other books required for this study: The Bible (any version will do!) Each day you will learn a verse, read a story where this sin is illustrated, then discuss the consequences of this sin followed up by the blessings of obedience. I encourage discussion with your children on ways they can help one another to stay free from this sin. Putting these ideas into practice on a daily basis will help them to become habit.We also do a daily/weekly "Challenge" for each study, so for example the challenge for this … [Read more...]
Nest DVD Giveaway!
As promised, we have another great giveaway from Nest Learning for this month, The King is Born DVD is up and would make a great stocking stuffer! Yipee! Nest Learning offers Biblical animated DVD series covering the Old Testament and New Testament. They also have a Hero Classics series and other great DVD choices. When you purchase a series of DVD’s you also receive an instant download activity book for each video in the series. The activities range from games, puzzles, coloring pages and more. What I like about them is that the activities cover Prek – 8th Grade, so I can print off a coloring page for my preschooler, a maze for my 1st grader and a crossword puzzle for my 2nd grader. You can purchase the videos individually or as a set! Now for the giveaway! Nest Learning has offered the The King is Born DVD FREE to one of you just in time for Christmas! Click here for more info on The King is Born DVD Journey with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, and witness the humble birth … [Read more...]
Candid Conversation with God
I wanted to share the conversation I had with God before we started homeschooling. It came to me a few times so maybe it’s the Lord’s way of asking me to share, so here we go… Dear Jesus, I wanted to discuss this whole homeschooling thing you have called us to. I have a few concerns and would just like to hear from you, you know some kind of confirmation that we should homeschool, that we’re on the right track, because I’m freaking out just a bit. So here’s where I’m at with this whole thing… 1. I’m scared. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deut 31;8) And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt 28:20) 2. I’m worried about what other people will think or say. Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. (Prov 29:25) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is … [Read more...]
ADVENTure of Christmas Winner
Thanks to everyone who entered to win The ADVENTure of Christmas from Lisa Whelchel! We have our winner, congratulations to Chris from The Mommy Journey! But don’t worry, there’s still time if you didn’t win a copy, I highly recommend getting one, you won’t regret it! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and stay tuned Monday for The King is Born DVD Giveaway from Nest Learning! … [Read more...]
Expedition Earth France Activity: Eiffel Tower
So what’s a trip to France without the Eiffel Tower!?! Of course for this week we learned about the Eiffel Tower and made a small scale replica of the Eiffel Tower using a 3D Puzzle we found. This puzzle was fairly easy to put together. I know people who have done the popsicle stick towers but it just seemed like too much work to me, so we did this one instead! Since I only purchased one puzzle, we separated it into “floors” so everyone could have a turn. This one is a foam puzzle so you do have to be somewhat careful not to bend the pieces, but all in all it was fairly easy to complete. For now, our Eiffel Tower is proudly displayed in our homeschool room, and may become part of a geography fair display, we’ll have to see. Click here to see all of our activities from France! Click here if you’d like to follow along with our Expedition Earth Geography Curriculum Journey! … [Read more...]
Expedition Earth France Activity: Handmade Soap
Did you know that it wasn’t until a French scientist discovered how to make soap inexpensively that everyone began to buy it and use it? Me neither, don’t you just love homeschooling! It gives me a chance to learn all that stuff I didn’t pay attention to when I was a kid. The French are famous for soap that is made into pretty fancy shapes scented with lovely fragrances. This craft was one of the easier one’s we’ve done, so easy in fact that our soap may become Christmas presents for family! So what do you need? Some soap shavings (We purchased a block of soap from Michael’s craft store) Soap coloring (Also found at most hobby stores) Soap Fragrance (Also found at most hobby stores) Some sort of soap mold (I bought one at Michael’s, but you can also spread it on a cookie sheet and use cookie cutters to shape it) Bowl to melt soap in. (I used an old tupperware bowl that I tossed after, but actually the soap cleans out really easily, I mean it IS … [Read more...]
Letter H for Hippo
Welcome to Letter H! We are having fun with Hippos this week! Hope you enjoy! (Scroll down for the large floor number cards!) Letter H Memory Verse: "Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10 "Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise" Ephesians 6:2 For our verses and accompanying games/stories we use the following books: ABC Memory Verses & My ABC Bible Verses Read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and put up the letter H on our Alphabet Tree! You can download my small alphabet letters here. Song time: Hide 'Em in Your Heart Vol 1 Hide 'Em In Your Heart Songs - Vol 2 Letter H Writing Practice: Blend Ladder reading practice: Letter H sign language: Letter H Tracing: I laminate this and use with Expo Dry Erase Markers for pre-writing practice skills. Hh Do-A-Dot Page: We use Do-a-Dot Art Markers with this! Hippo Scissor Skills! A new one, I've been wanting to do more scissor skills, so decided to add an … [Read more...]
December 2010 Meal Plan
Happy Thanksgiving! What better day to talk about food? I love the holidays, because it means that I’ll be eating spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread, turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and pie, most of which I didn’t have to cook ;o) And knowing that December is right around the corner, I wanted to get my meal plan out for you all asap! So here it is… December 2010 Meal Plan Download the meal plan here: December 2010 Meal Plan WORD December 2010 Meal Plan PDF I always get a few of the same questions when I post this, so here are some answers to those FAQ questions: 1. Do you really cook at home this often? A: No, I do TRY to follow my plan as best I can to save my sanity, however we do eat out and weekends are really up in the air. I find that having a schedule takes a LOT of stress off of me. I know that I don’t have to worry about what to make, it’s already planned for me. It’s much easier to change up the menu or eat out spur of the moment than it is to come up with a … [Read more...]
Expedition Earth ~ France
Bon jour and welcome to our week on France! We always start off by stamping our passports and locating our new country on the World Map. Here are some of the things we covered this week: Located France on the map, and found the Bay of Biscay How to say “Hello” in French – Bonjour! Prayed for the French people Learned a French Song Completed a lapbook activity Learned about and classified 6 animals of France Learned about the Eiffel Tower and made a small scale replica of the Eiffel Tower using a 3D Puzzle we found. Read: Geography from A-Z Pg 12 Cliff, Cave, Pg 40 Sea Cave/Arch Visited The White Cliffs of Normandy France Learned about Children in France Made homemade soap! Here are some of the highlights of the week: Well, it just wouldn’t be a trip to France without the Eiffel Tower, so we took a fun virtual tour online then made our own replica using this fairly easy 3D Puzzle. We made homemade soap which was fun and the kids can’t wait to try it out! … [Read more...]
