APR
08
2013

Homeschool Art Curriculum Forum

By | Art, Curriculum, Forum, Homeschool

48 Comments

art.jpg

Hi fellow homeschoolers! Since I know a lot of you are out there contemplating your curriculum for next year, I thought it would be fun to do a curriculum series where we can all talk about our favorites. My “plan” is to discuss one subject per day with you all. I’ll of course share my picks for the subject, and then you will all be free to leave a comment on this post regarding your favorites as well!   So today I wanted to talk about your favorite art program, curriculum, unit study, website, or resource. Feel free to leave a comment below with your top art picks and why so we can all share our wisdom with one another! One of my favorite art curriculum is the See The Light Art DVDs. Not only do I NOT have to teach the actual lesson, but I can participate! And the kids love the lessons and we have been really impressed with their finished products as well. Pros: The art project DVDs include wonderful art techniques and instruction via video … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Art, Curriculum, Forum, Homeschool Tagged With:
APR
07
2013

Thomas Edison Unit Study

By | Homeschool, Inventors, Lapbook, Scientists, Unit Studies

36 Comments

IMG_8600web_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb.jpg

Hi everyone, I’ve been working hard behind the scenes over here to create a new set of unit studies! This series is all about famous Scientists & Inventors! As usual each study includes fun hands-on activities to go along with the unit to help students remember what they’ve learned, and also provide them with a fun reference too to review and recall each person they’ve learned about. Each of my scientist & inventor unit studies contains educational lessons, activities and a fun lap book that your students will work on as they progress through the study. The lessons also include book reports, vocabulary, character traits of these important figures, and critical thinking skills. I currently have 7 studies in this series. These studies are geared towards grades Kindergarten-4th, but can probably be adapted for older students as well. Today I’m pleased to present the Thomas Edison Unit Study. Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11, 1847 in Milan, Ohio. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Homeschool, Inventors, Lapbook, Scientists, Unit Studies Tagged With: , ,
APR
03
2013

Flower Dyeing Science Experiment

By | Homeschool, Science

7 Comments

IMG_8942web.jpg

Hi everyone! So a few months ago we did a fun science experiment using food coloring and daisies to show how plants absorb water up through their stems.   Normally, plants have roots which absorb water from the soil. The water travels through the roots and up the stem and into the leaves. The leaves gather sunlight, then use the sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make food for the plant in a process called photosynthesis. Cut flowers don’t have roots, but the water still moves up the stems and into the leaves giving a nice visual to how the process works. After our last experiment the kids wanted to try it again, but this time we thought we’d try to die one flower two different colors. I have to say this one was a bit trickier!   What you will need: White Daisies or Carnations (However many you’d like to use, we did four) Glass Mason Jars Food Coloring or liquid watercolors Cutting board & Exacto Knife Time to experiment with our flowers! So … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Homeschool, Science Tagged With: ,
APR
02
2013

Animal Classification Unit

By | Animals, Homeschool, Science, Unit Studies

30 Comments

cover.jpg

Hi everyone! Today I wanted to share a fun animal classification unit I created. Although my Expedition Earth and Road Trip USA curricula include quite extensive animal units, I needed something that included a little more detail on the classification of animals along with something hands-on for my younger students.     --> Click here to download the Animal Classification Unit <-- (Having trouble downloading this form? Right click on the link and select “save link as” then click “ok” to save it to your computer.)   Instructions for use: You can use this animal classification unit however best fits your needs. It is a great supplement to a curriculum teaching students about animal classes. It can also be used on it’s own as a small unit on animal classification. Here are a couple ways you can use this document to create a fun hands-on learning project for your students. The study includes fun information for mammals, amphibians, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animals, Homeschool, Science, Unit Studies Tagged With: , ,
APR
01
2013

Preschool Letter Q Activities

By | Alphabet, Homeschool, Preschool, Printables

4 Comments

IMG_8810web.jpg

Hi everyone! Today I wanted to do another Teeny Tot Tuesday post for you. Today’s post is brought to you by the Letter Q! And so we’ll be having fun with quilts. Quilt Lacing Card: Above you can see our lacing practice card. I make sure to laminate this one for durability, then punch with a hole punch every inch or so for lacing practice. Teach them patterns to do with this as well, like up from the bottom each time, or in-out-in-out sewing. Whatever pattern you can think of. Letter Q Memory Verse: “Quench not the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Song time: Hide ‘Em in Your Heart Vol 1 Hide ‘Em In Your Heart Songs – Vol 2 Read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and put up the letter V on our Alphabet Tree! You can download my small alphabet letters here. (This is an older picture of Tinker Bell adding the letter, I love how she was Queen for the day!)   Color Cubes: I use our Large Alphabet Lacing Cards to serve as templates for our 1″ building blocks. We … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alphabet, Homeschool, Preschool, Printables Tagged With: , ,
MAR
31
2013

Marie Curie Unit Study

By | Homeschool, Inventors, Lapbook, Scientists, Unit Studies

33 Comments

IMG_8600web_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb.jpg

Hi everyone, I’ve been working hard behind the scenes over here to create a new set of unit studies! This series is all about famous Scientists & Inventors! As usual each study includes fun hands-on activities to go along with the unit to help students remember what they’ve learned, and also provide them with a fun reference too to review and recall each person they’ve learned about. Each of my scientist & inventor unit studies contains educational lessons, activities and a fun lap book that your students will work on as they progress through the study. The lessons also include book reports, vocabulary, character traits of these important figures, and critical thinking skills. I currently have 7 studies in this series. These studies are geared towards grades Kindergarten-4th, but can probably be adapted for older students as well. Today I’m pleased to present the Marie Curie Unit Study. Marie Sklodowska-Curie was born November 7, 1867 in Warsaw, Kingdom … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Homeschool, Inventors, Lapbook, Scientists, Unit Studies Tagged With: , ,
MAR
27
2013

Educational iPad Apps: PreK – First Grade

By | Homeschool, iPad Apps, Preschool

9 Comments

slatemath_thumb.jpg

Hi everyone! Today I have some more fun educational iPad Apps for you. I wanted to focus more on apps for Preschool – First Grade. So today I’m sharing some of the top picks from the Teeny Tot and Tinker Bell. We’re currently playing with a new math app that is for Kindergarten – First Grade called SlateMath. This program is a fun way to develop mathematical skills and is a great fit for the Teeny Tot.   Tozzle: This is a fun puzzle app by nodeflexion.com. They have a lite and full version featuring over 39 puzzles. It’s a Teeny Tot approved and top listed app, and has been one of her favorite go-to apps since we got it.   Shape Builder by Darren Murtha Design. This is another one of the Teeny Tot’s favorites, it features several puzzles with easy to move shapes that snap into place. The full version features 146 puzzles for just $0.99.   LetterSchool by Boreaal – This one has a free and paid ($2.99) version.  This app … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Homeschool, iPad Apps, Preschool Tagged With: ,
MAR
26
2013

What’s in the Box Wednesday: Preschool

By | Homeschool, Preschool, Video, Workboxes

9 Comments

LOTWBinder.jpg

Hi everyone! I made a video of the Teeny Tot’s workboxes for you today. She’s just turned 4 years old and is about half way through my Letter of the Week curriculum. This week she’s working on the Letter N for nest. So if you’re interested to see what is in the Teeny Tot’s boxes for the day, click here to watch our Preschool Workboxes video!     So that’s what the Teeny Tot is doing for today. As she works, she simply pulls out an activity and completes it. When she’s all done she puts it to the side making a pile of “completed” activities. This makes it really easy for me to put the used activities away, as well as leaves her drawers empty for me to quickly refill for the next day. While she typically gets through all of her activities per day, sometimes she leaves a game or two untouched which is fine. I just leave them in there for the next day and refill the other boxes with new activities. I hope you enjoyed the video of the Teeny … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Homeschool, Preschool, Video, Workboxes Tagged With: , ,
MAR
25
2013

Preschool Letter P Activities

By | Alphabet, Homeschool, Preschool, Printables

4 Comments

IMG_8657web.jpg

Hi everyone! Welcome to the Teeny Tot Tuesday post on the Letter P! This week our Teeny Tot had fun going through some of my Letter P for Pumpkin and Letter P for Princess preschool activities. I hope you enjoy our peek into the Teeny Tot’s school week.   Letter P Memory Verse: Praise the Lord; for it is good to sing praises our God. Psalm 147:1 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11 Reading: Don’t forget to read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and put up the letter P on your Alphabet Tree! You can download my small alphabet letters here. (Here’s a link to my Chicka Boom tree) This is an older picture, but I wanted to include it so you can see how to set up your own tree.   We’re also starting to work on Letter P Blend Ladder: I use these for pre-reading practice, she sounds out each blend and sometimes we add an ending consonant to make CVC words.   Princes Size Sorting: Simply … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alphabet, Homeschool, Preschool, Printables Tagged With: ,
MAR
24
2013

Henry Ford Unit Study

By | Homeschool, Inventors, Lapbook, Scientists, Unit Studies

61 Comments

IMG_8600web_thumb_thumb_thumb.jpg

Hi everyone, I’ve been working hard behind the scenes over here to create a new set of unit studies! This series is all about famous Scientists & Inventors! As usual each study includes fun hands-on activities to go along with the unit to help students remember what they’ve learned, and also provide them with a fun reference too to review and recall each person they’ve learned about. Each of my scientist & inventor unit studies contains educational lessons, activities and a fun lap book that your students will work on as they progress through the study. The lessons also include book reports, vocabulary, character traits of these important figures, and critical thinking skills. I currently have 7 studies in this series. These studies are geared towards grades Kindergarten-4th, but can probably be adapted for older students as well. Today I’m pleased to present the Henry Ford Unit Study. Henry Ford was born July 30, 1863 in Greenfield Township, Michigan. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Homeschool, Inventors, Lapbook, Scientists, Unit Studies Tagged With: , ,