Saturday, May 31, 2014

Reading Tent Town 5

We did our latest Tent Town (and last one of the school year) a few weeks ago.  By now, we've pretty much got things down-pat.

This time our main story was Each Peach Pear Plum.  Grandma Cindy then made binoculars (two toilet paper tubes wrapped in construction paper and glued together) for the kids to decorate.  Then they got to wander around the yard and "eye-spy" pictures of the characters from the book that we printed out.

 The other stories read were: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, How Do Dinosaurs..., The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Critter stories, Elephant and Piggie stories, Frog and Toad, and Giggle Giggle Quack


To save on ink, I've printed the tent signs the last few times in black and white.  My kids love coloring them for me before I hang them on the tents.


 Line up the cards like this and pre-write the kids' names on them along the left side. It will be easier to find the kids' cards and pass them out when it's time.

I've learned that in the early afternoon the sun shines right on this side of my yard.  And it gets pretty hot and uncomfortable for the mom sitting by the tent.  Easy fix: turn the door of the tent around so the tent's shadow lays across the entrance where the mom is. 


 For the treat at the end that the kids earned, I made popsicles.  They were just apple juice, strawberries, and bananas blended together and frozen in little Dixie cups.  They didn't go along with any theme, but they were perfect on this hot day!  And doesn't Quartus look adorable with the cold mess on his face and shirt?

Friday, May 23, 2014

Science Fair- Potato Clock

 The girls had an opportunity to participate in their very first science fair.  We had bought a potato clock kit so I just had them do additional experiments with it and then make a presentation board (that board is actually the backing for an old bookcase that fell apart.)  Maybe next year we'll spend a little more time on our project and discuss the scientific method. 

 The instructions that came with our clock basically said that what makes the electricity for the clock is a chemical reaction between the copper, zinc, and acidic juice of the potato (or lemon.)  So imagine our surprise and consternation when the clock worked when we put the copper and zinc in glasses of tap water, tap water with baking soda in it, and distilled water! In fact, of all the things we tested, the only thing that didn't work were sticks of butter!  I was so confused.  My brother explained that it's not the acidic environment that you need, but rather electrolytes

So why is it called a potato (or lemon) clock!?  Why don't any of the tutorials online talk about making a Water Clock??!!  Perhaps I'll do more research on it later...

In addition to displaying their project, they got to present it to the whole group.  They got to go first.  Secundus volunteered to do all the talking and she was absolutely adorable!  Primus stood up there next to her with note cards to keep her talkative sister on track. 

Perhaps the most exciting part was the certificates with two gold seals they received at the end for participating. 

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Celtic Feast

For dinner we had a Celtic feast, as suggested by our current studies in Story of the World.  With some Celtic music going on in the background, it was a very fun, yummy meal.  Of course the kids thought it was cool to eat without utensils.

The only thing that would have made it better would be if I had warned Hubby ahead of time and he could have brushed up on his ancient Celtic history and played our bard.


Monday, May 19, 2014

The Two Worst Arguments Against Homeschooling

I LOVE my public schooling friends. I love to hear about the wonderful things their kids learn and do in their classrooms. I love to hear about wonderful public school teachers who are dedicated, kind, and creative. I trust that my friends strive to make the best choices for their kids and it is not my place to say they should do something different. I will never say that homeschooling is the *best* option for *every* child.

(And if you vent to me about something about your kid's public school experience that is less-than-desirable, I will listen with a sympathetic and friendly ear. I will NOT tell you condescendingly, "You wouldn't have this problem if you homeschooled!")

All that said, you should read this blog post. Blogger Matt Walsh has some excellent points to counter two of the biggest arguments against homeschooling. Warning, though: he is pretty blunt and abrasive. 


 Behold: the two absolutely worst arguments against homeschooling