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Homeschool Activity: Journaling
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This is an ongoing activity for the entire school year. Having your children set up a journal will serve several purposes including improving their writing skills. You can have them journal just about anything you can imagine. You can incorporate it into your current lesson or allow them to free-style journal (which is where they simply write whatever they want.)
The best idea is to have your children start a journal during their first week of their school. Allow them to take he time to make the journal their own by decorating it or choosing one that they enjoy. When they make it their own they are more likely to write and express themselves much more openly.
We use several different ways to journal including using topics from lessons for that day. It helps the kids understand an important figure better or express an opinion on a particular subject. I also have them use their journals to write out their debate speeches as it helps them grasp their points much more clearly.
Need an idea as to where to begin? Well here is a writing prompt:
It is ten years from today and..
Have your child(ren) complete the sentence in their journal. Tell them to try to get at least one full age. Throughout the year I’ll share more prompts with you.
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May 30, 2012
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Home Idea: Change Those Batteries
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One thing most people forget to do is change the batteries in their smoke detectors and other safety devices. So let me take the tie to remind you that if you haven’t already done so it is past time to not change the batteries but to also test everything and make sure it is all still in proper working order.
The U.S. Consumer Product Commission recommends that you check your smoke detector batteries once a month. The alarms will have a test button that, when pushed, will cause the alarm to sound. If it does not, replace the battery immediately. Your should install new batteries once a year. Pick a date, like a birthday or the change to daylight-savings time, and make sure all of the smoke detector batteries in the home are replaced.
If a smoke detector battery does run down or goes dead in a hard-wired system, the alarm will emit a regular chirping noise. This noise will drive you nuts until you replace the battery.Some newer smoke alarms have 10-year lithium batteries. These alarms should be tested regularly and replaced if they do not respond. Replace the entire alarm after 10 years.
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May 29, 2012
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When Children Use Dirty Words
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It has happened to all of us. We are out somewhere and for whatever reason our four year old decides to use a four letter word. So what can you do when your child uses a word that they shouldn’t. First and foremost remain calm. Don’t fly ff the handle because kids will pick up on that using that particular word gets you upset and gets your attention.
Next ask them why they said that word. find out what the the reason behind using that particular word is. Then ask where they heard that word. I hate to say it but nine times out of ten they hear dirty words from parents. we don’t realize we don it sometimes until our children remind us. If your child is old enough to understand explain to them that using words such as those are not polite and that when adults (including you) use them you are being rude.
We tell our children those are grown-up words, not very nice ones but not something that good, politer children should say. If your child is too young to understand the meaning behind those words try to ignore the word all together. It could be they heard the word, repeated, and will never say it again. In the event the word does get used more often then address the issue.
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May 28, 2012
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Memorial Day Flag Craft
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Since today is Memorial Day why not make a flag with your children. A craft stick flag is the easiest to make and you can talk with them about the importance of Memorial Day as you are working. ask them what they know about Memorial Day such as where did Memorial Day first begin on? The answer is President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed Waterloo the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1966, 100 years after the first commemoration.
Supplies your will need:
- 9 craft sticks
- Red and white acrylic paint
- Brushes
- Blue construction paper
- Glue
- Either white paper or a white gel pen
Directions:
- Paint 5 craft sticks red and 4 craft sticks white. Let them dry.
- Glue them together in an alternating pattern by gluing them to one craft stick (on the right side) and two broken craft sticks (in the middle and on the left side).
- Cut a small square of blue construction paper. Either draw a lot of white stars on the blue paper using a white gel pen, or cut and glue tiny white stars onto the blue paper.
- When the glue has set, turn the flag over. Glue on the square of blue construction paper and glue another craft stick to the long craft stick on the back. Let the glue set.
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May 25, 2012
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Memorial Day Water Safety Tips
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Monday is Memorial Day and thousands of families are flocking to the lakes, beaches, and pools that will all be opening this weekend. Here are a few tips to help and your little ones stay safe this weekend around the water whether near the pool or at the beach.
Pool Safety Tips:
- Actively supervise your children around water at all times, and have a phone nearby to call for help in an emergency.
- Make sure your pool has four-sided fencing and a self-closing, self-latching gate to prevent a child from wandering into the pool area unsupervised. In addition, hot tubs should be covered and locked when not in use.
- Install a door alarm, a window alarm or both to alert you if a child wanders into the pool area unsupervised.
- Teach children to never go near or in water without an adult present.
- Enroll your child in swimming lessons after age 4.
Open Water Safety (lakes and beaches):
- Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undivided attention.
- Enroll your child in swimming lessons – it is an important skill for both children and adults to know.
- Make sure kids swim only in areas designated for swimming.
- Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool: they need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather.
- Teach children not to dive into oceans, lakes or rivers because you never know how deep the water is or what might be hidden under the surface of the water.
Learn infant and child CPR and keep a phone nearby in case of an emergency.
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May 24, 2012
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Homeschool Activity:Make A Map
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Here’s a simple geography lesson for you child; have them make a map. The map can be of anything you want. They can make a map of the countries you are currently studying, a map of the state they live in, a map of the the place they want to visit. It is up to you.For really small children making a map of their neighborhood or city can help them learn about their area. Children are visual learners so when they draw out their map they are retaining more information. They will also be proud of their work. Another great map activity is to build a 3D map out of clay together. How about doing a map puzzle together?
We got some really large sheets of butcher paper and my children made maps of the United States, Mexico, and the World. We hung these maps on the wall and they are the ones that we use each year. I attach string to thumbtacks while we learn about a particular region or area. We attach pictures to the sides depending on where we have been and what we are learning. Try it with your children and see where it leads.
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May 23, 2012
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Home Idea: Repurpose an Old Dresser
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Do you have an old dresser that’s looking a little worse for wear? Don’t toss it in the garbage, repurpose it! The best way to redo a dresser is to pull out the drawers, take out those rails that the drawers run on. Next you want to sand (if needed) and paint it in a fresh color. Paint inside where the drawers used to be as well or even put some great contact paper in there.
Now you have a great shelf or buffet! You can add some baskets on the shelves and use it to store toys, movies, or even books. What to do with those drawers that you pulled out? Repurpose those as well. Clean them up, paint them,and then use them and storage for under you bed. I have a set under my bed that I attached some inexpensive wheels to the bottoms of . This way they side in and out very easily and make finding those shoes a breeze.
This same method can be used for one of those small two drawers dressers. I left the to drawer in and now use it as a nightstand . There is no reason to go and spend a ton of money when you can get an old dresser at a garage sale and make it over into something new.
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May 22, 2012
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The Great Feeding Debate
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There is a huge debate that goes on between mothers everyday; to breast feed or bottle feed? Which you choose is of curse up to you but both sides make compelling arguments. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. I thought I would share some information with you and let you decide which is an advantage and which isn’t.
Breast Feeding:
Contains high levels of nutrients ,Easily digested and absorbed
Infant determines amount
Free to use and always on hand
No preparation time
Nursing pads, nursing bras, etc.
Breast pump (optional)
Mother must be available for feeding or to provide pumped milk if she is absent And she must pump if feeding is missed
Bottle Feeding:
Not as efficiently utilized as breast milk
Nutritional content depends on proper preparation
Formula ranges from $54 to $198 per month depending on brand
Anyone can feed the baby
Preparation time varies
Baby may not tolerate formula well
Bottles, nipples, etc.
| Perfect balance of nutrients | Not as efficiently utilized as breast milk | |
| Contains high levels of nutrients | Nutritional content depends on proper preparation | |
| Easily digested and absorbed | Some babies have difficulty tolerating certain nutrients | |
| Content varies according to milk production stage, which meets the changing nutritional requirements | Pediatrician/care-giver determines amount | |
| Infant determines amount | ||
| Costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free | Formula ranges from $54 to $198 per month depending on brand | |
| Nursing pads, nursing bras, etc. | Bottles, nipples, etc. | |
| Breast pump (optional) | ||
| Advantages | ||
| Always the perfect temperature | Anyone can feed the baby | |
| No preparation time | ||
| Milk is readily available at any time and any place | ||
| Disadvantages | ||
| Mother must be available for feeding or to provide pumped milk if she is absent | Warming formula | |
| Mother must pump if feeding is missed | Preparation time varies | |
| Early breastfeeding may be uncomfortable | Baby may not tolerate formula well | |
| Certain medication | ||
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May 21, 2012
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Homeschool: What Your 1st Grader Should Know
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To be able to tell if your first grader is ready to advance to the next grade there are a few things they need to know. There are four basic subjects that your first grader should have a grasp of: Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Many parents teach other subjects but these are the basic requirements. Here are a 5 basic guidelines for each subject:
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Math
- Add and subtract up to the number 25
- Understand what estimate means and be able to estimate simple numbers.
- Identify quarters, nickels, dimes, and pennies and begin to be able to add them in combinations up to $.25.
- Able to tell time by hour and half hour.
- Read and understand a ruler.
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Language Arts
- Learn phonics blends such as br, sl, and ch.
- Recognize and be able to write sight words. At least 5-10 per week.
- Able to read 1st grade readers .
- Comprehend a story.
- Able to label a story as to which comes first, second, and third.
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Science
- Understand the steps of investigation.
- Understand some scientific terminology such as hypothesis and observation.
- Identify the three principals of matter (solid, liquid, gas).
- Understand the concept of motion.
- Identify living and nonliving thing.
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Social Studies
- Recognize the United States on a map.
- Recognize their state on a map.
- Able to tell what makes a good citizen of a community.
- Discuss other cultures and compare them to your own.
- Discuss the concept of a family and create a family tree.
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May 18, 2012
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Family Activity: Treasures in the Sand
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When the weather turns hot and the kids are out of school some days you are left unsure how to entertain them. One tried and true method around our house is Treasures in the Sand. It is a version of a game I played as a child. It is very simple to play, you take a small child-sized pool, fill it up with sand and then put any sort of small treasures in it.
My kids love the archeologist version of it the best. I bury pieces of pottery and other such toy items (sometimes dinosaurs) and then they hunt for them. They spend time cataloging each item,discussing it, and sorts of things. Since we live in Georgia and it gets pretty hot, they say it’s like being in Egypt. Use your imagination and just go wild with it, although a word of caution; I put a screen and tarp over the sand to keep any creepy crawly things out and it allows us to use the sand all summer long. When all of nieces and nephews are here we throw pennies in and they race to see who can find the most.
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