tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89262570798386224942024-03-04T08:29:05.883-08:00All Things BeautifulPhyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comBlogger1467125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-35859905205443498862023-12-17T09:12:00.000-08:002023-12-17T09:12:32.573-08:00How do I begin Nature Study?<div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">When I first had read enough about Charlotte Mason to feel that her teaching philosophy matched my own, one book title kept coming up, <em>The Handbook of Nature Study</em> by Anna Comstock. Nature study seemed to be an important piece to a Charlotte Mason education and this book seemed to be the agreed upon guide for it. At the next curriculum fair I eagerly located it and was surprised to find that it was over three inches thick! When I got it home, I was even more intimidated. Although it looked great and seems as if it had important things in it, I was unable to figure out where to begin. I put it aside for later. I would come back to it from time to time but never felt I knew what to do with this immense volume.</span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I heard about Barbara McCoy's blog <em>The Handbook of Nature Study</em>. Barb was obviously well informed and had a love for nature that was contagious. Her style is self-assuming, practical and very approachable. She has broken down nature study into weekly "challenges" for families, and she has broken down each of these challenges into easy step-by-step bits. Each challenge focuses first on a section in <em>The Handbook of Nature Study</em>, but it is just a small section. The teacher reads this, and ponders on this section, underlining parts that mean something to their family, until they feel ready to add this to their outdoor time. The outdoor time Barb suggests can be as little as 10-15 minutes. How attainable is that? </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, about 40 challenges later I am no longer afraid of that Nature Study tome, but instead I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlscepUmcqWtO3clg_adMy1E4gxQZp3zw9uBpcyKEZnI00SNZ8jzVunEoJNcV2K2vLAZ_OZUNkROPP43hvbxIsPXYCnARZnbL85tf1BEniDG0KXIEXdlzvkNBaG98AP9ubMO4mYuWGLg/s1600-h/img_2019.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304597500117235938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlscepUmcqWtO3clg_adMy1E4gxQZp3zw9uBpcyKEZnI00SNZ8jzVunEoJNcV2K2vLAZ_OZUNkROPP43hvbxIsPXYCnARZnbL85tf1BEniDG0KXIEXdlzvkNBaG98AP9ubMO4mYuWGLg/s200/img_2019.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a> feel that it is an ever-faithful friend. I now refer to it without thinking when something in our nature walks sparks someone's attention. I carried it with us on our summer vacation this past year, using it not as a field guide but getting from it questions to get us thinking about the subject at hand.<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ah3U0a2uj0nyRAEnjq0yWC1Jmap370iqAR9-rMfEgogvECQi4gvJCMS2VJN4ry7Sc7wRfeuM9YUNtkQWAW6R_SOQeyGcO5Hs2oStulIo-Zr5D_sElEw5F6ulAMIiulTfS_pnsT2HOg/s1600-h/Outdoor+Hour+Challenges+Ebook+picture.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304596474130049842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ah3U0a2uj0nyRAEnjq0yWC1Jmap370iqAR9-rMfEgogvECQi4gvJCMS2VJN4ry7Sc7wRfeuM9YUNtkQWAW6R_SOQeyGcO5Hs2oStulIo-Zr5D_sElEw5F6ulAMIiulTfS_pnsT2HOg/s200/Outdoor+Hour+Challenges+Ebook+picture.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 154px;" /></a>And now, Barb has done it again. She has come out with an Ebook version of her first 10 challenges. This book is so encouraging and impressive, we had a lot of fun going back and picking up a challenge we had not done previously. (That is another thing that is wonderful about Barb's <em>Outdoor Hour Challenges</em> - you can choose any of them and do them in any order.) When I first opened up the Ebook and look through it on the computer, I was initially impressed with how beautiful this book is. The layout is inviting and full of beautiful full-color photos. Although it doesn't contain a lot of white space, it does not seem at all cluttered. I skimmed through the book and found out that she had included pages with color photos of how her family had accomplished each challenge, which made it seem even more doable -one could just go out and do it themselves. The first few pages include a <em>Getting Started</em> page which is a good introduction to nature study and has a picture of their whole family, making the whole book seem friendly and approachable. Speaking of approachable, that is another thing about Barb -any time you have a question about her materials or nature study in general, she is so approachable, emailing back an answer so promptly. She really cares, and it shows through everything she does. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">Then there is a <em>General Instructions</em> page, which gives lots of good information. For example, it cautions you not to think that the journal entries are the most important part of nature study -it is the experience of getting outside that is the most important piece. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">Next is the <em>Table of Contents,</em> which I was pleasantly surprised to find out has a feature in which you can click on the entry you are interested in, and it will take you right to that particular page.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">Let me now skip to the Notebook pages in the back of the book. There not only is one page <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgf_6qw1OhIZt6HIm0G1rt_lo-22cUV8VwD7j37aa2DyiDYydVmnKKjt5t7_Gwpi6iFI3VFbdSL_BkjIQOT5-EYUuMk_jE5WctmxxL0xhyKNO8U122atJR43FGIgxFScLSZhZQvBGFA/s1600-h/img_2070.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304597492857432898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgf_6qw1OhIZt6HIm0G1rt_lo-22cUV8VwD7j37aa2DyiDYydVmnKKjt5t7_Gwpi6iFI3VFbdSL_BkjIQOT5-EYUuMk_jE5WctmxxL0xhyKNO8U122atJR43FGIgxFScLSZhZQvBGFA/s200/img_2070.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>custom made for each challenge but many blank pages that can be used for any nature study, and they are beautiful pages that are so inviting to fill out. I normally do not use notebook pages because I have felt that the fill-in-the-blank pages limits freedom and creativity. I decided, however, to try one with the Challenge we were completing this week, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much my boys loved it. They told me they had a more complete feeling by filling out the page as opposed to the open-endedness of a blank page. I think this has a lot to do with how good the page is; how the blanks are both practical and open-ended enough themselves. These pages would certainly be very helpful to someone beginning nature study to get them in the habit of what type of things go on a page. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">This was such a positive experience that the boys all elected to do all of the beginning challenges, some of which we had already completed before! But this time they will be using the <em><strong>Outdoor Hour Ebook</strong></em> and its accompany pages. These pages will make a beautiful nature notebook, continuing on with the blank pages after we finished with the 10 specifically made pages.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">The only disappointment I had with the Ebook was when I printed it out. Some of the photos did not come out well (the examples of nature notebook pages which were drawn in pencil) and they were so small they were a bit hard to see. If I were to give her any advice, it would be to make the photos larger, even if it meant that the book was longer and a bit more expensive. (At $9.95, it is the homeschooling bargain of the year!) The photos could easily be seen on the computer screen, however.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">Going back to the meat of the Ebook, it includes the first 10 challenges, which can be found on her <em>Handbook of Nature Study blog</em>, but I highly recommend getting the ebook, especially if you are just starting out, because it is loaded with additional suggestions which are simple, attainable and easily adaptable to any family's situation. Barb has a way of weaving in previous challenges so that it becomes a fabric of nature study instead of separate threads. All through the book is a tone that makes you feel that she is a knowledgeable friend by your side helping you. It is this that makes it a living book itself.</span></div>Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-10355209225508938302023-12-02T12:08:00.000-08:002023-12-03T08:01:13.963-08:00"You have the peas ready. It must be math time."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3YDQsOmysjvg1yiA95awwK451pCDEMzKMVPlVvnNetNWqRgc1_vzYfvpGlmmy4ultXopWoLKbvC4-i_FLi3922ccuED3WOxIICUq8jcD1vcMoQh1EHG4g3-u9GpSzMQ63NtYZJZvqA/s1600-h/img_1496.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292014938129396770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3YDQsOmysjvg1yiA95awwK451pCDEMzKMVPlVvnNetNWqRgc1_vzYfvpGlmmy4ultXopWoLKbvC4-i_FLi3922ccuED3WOxIICUq8jcD1vcMoQh1EHG4g3-u9GpSzMQ63NtYZJZvqA/s640/img_1496.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="480" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is two math activities in one. First you show them unshelled peas and ask them how many peas on the average are in each pea pod. Record their guesses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now open the pea pods and have them count how many peas are on each side, counting one side at a time and recording the numbers as an addition problem. (Number of peas on left side plus number of peas on the right side equals how many peas altogether.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After you have done a few of these, have them figure out the average number of peas in pods by adding together all the answers to the equations and dividing by the number of equations you did.</span></div>
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Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-5361073098044184962023-12-01T14:27:00.000-08:002023-12-03T11:08:46.487-08:00Picture Study: Monet's "The Garden at Sainte Adresse"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SZo-3ECC6tdbZRxBXMuNPewYI6nI0Ci348Wu9cmfv2uskDS7DVJFgLM5QLF4L63M7Ob2pYGmq9u0nbya0xw5KQRpyYEFmewOImNLKm1EThj9iVKn-eUicufbfmVI_jNVZm3Azk4bXqY/s1600-h/monet_Garden+at+Sainte+Adresse.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="464" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211703068699228402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SZo-3ECC6tdbZRxBXMuNPewYI6nI0Ci348Wu9cmfv2uskDS7DVJFgLM5QLF4L63M7Ob2pYGmq9u0nbya0xw5KQRpyYEFmewOImNLKm1EThj9iVKn-eUicufbfmVI_jNVZm3Azk4bXqY/s640/monet_Garden+at+Sainte+Adresse.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
<div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">We began our picture study of Claude Monet's works with the painting <em>The Garden at Sainte Adresse,</em> a copy of which hangs in our living room. This is the third day of our picture study.</span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">Preparation:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;">If I don't already own a print, I download the prints from online.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">I write Artist Name, Year of work, Name of work into my planner, if I don't already have it.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">We go to the library and check out books with prints of the artist in them.</span></li></ul><span style="font-size: large;">Weekly Study:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;">The prints I kept in a place where the students can look at them whenever they want.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">During our assigned Picture Study time, I get out the prints and:</span></li><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;">Day One: Give any background information I feel is appropriate. This could be information on the artist or about the style of art. <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/childshistoryofa009354mbp">A Child's History of Art</a>, or <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/storiesoftheital007995mbp">Lives of the Artists</a> are good sources for this. Students narrate what I have just read and this is sometimes recorded.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Day Two: We look at the print and discuss the details. I turn the print over and students narrate a description of the print or about anything they noticed. OR, sometimes students take turns, starting with the youngest and they narrate one thing they noticed/remember and we go around as long as we like.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Day Three: I invite students to sketch the print while looking at it to include with their narration. This often prompts further discussion as they notice things in the picture when they go to sketch it that they hadn't noticed before. This is the sketching's purpose.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Day Four: I invite students to do an art project related to the artist or the artist's style. This is not to replicate the print, but rather to immerse them in the art form in a tactile way. Another option would be to put together a jigsaw puzzle of the art piece. A great way to look at details.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Day Five: I lay out all the prints we have done so far that year and we compare and contrast them. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Future Days: We go to an Art Museum, especially if one is near by that has that artist's work. Any art museum is good, however, because they can compare and contrast works of art, whatever is there. We could instead go to a local artist's show, shop or home</span></li><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;">When we complete the Picture Study, I like to hang a print in the house, but this is not always possible.</span></li></ul></ul></ul><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198305848999340786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-y2MopsymiRi6z9mc8yEXawUyTQemnDBCPV5pGl09FuY93FwiFpMqjyUwvwPigF4ZE7P8rqK_xX1qLYgzqJFr-ztxqe1iEsV8yg7gNh1x1mA1QAbs-V7loTAceEhgxJBcfDY25jqmj0/s640/Picture+Study+Monet+1+005.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="640" /> </div>
Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-14913811866870175222023-11-30T13:46:00.000-08:002023-11-30T15:53:14.952-08:00How To Build a Roman Road (Viae)<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote>"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Omnes</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">viae</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Romam</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ducunt</span></span>."</blockquote><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4z7wNS0KepgRE4ZCbh80W5mw0_jfJJo2lfcYULUBQTzP_kfbCFXcQDnA_su5JMl0EuhSAlsp5KUgXMa5EouQfmnoBdmh3akDRNjEtivJAO1c2fT_gBgO_dMwaDwIuX-HM7ZyA_Vc/s1600/P5270012-001.JPG" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4z7wNS0KepgRE4ZCbh80W5mw0_jfJJo2lfcYULUBQTzP_kfbCFXcQDnA_su5JMl0EuhSAlsp5KUgXMa5EouQfmnoBdmh3akDRNjEtivJAO1c2fT_gBgO_dMwaDwIuX-HM7ZyA_Vc/s1600/P5270012-001.JPG" width="364" /></a></p><p><span style="text-align: left;">This edible version of a Roman road can be constructed by students in their own individual cups. It is handier to make at co-ops and the like, but if you'd like your students to make a full dessert for your family, instructions are below.</span></p></span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464923070137801714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmbPBUcvoWyJFcSoe1JDsKNcyUpJWBMJyTRI7Ge0u9fe19u-WWUVTz42_m9Y9R4gNKBZz34xeBkhr35v7Y7MpddfBOh8leD2nmUESazv7CcIaMIRPz-T7mtQxwSqkbOgXOMsroepGUq4/s640/img_5291.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="552" /><span style="font-size: large;">It is true that the Romans were known for their road construction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a fun and tasty way to learn about this. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfBUYdFRuKX2kQ1loms_i2UeldJygeV4srcFRiCaK8aC5PPGFplbecZ8Y52fUN8AKVyygYJqYeVyPWxdY8SiecSXFTQed4P_8qfnClstYL8ZCuPhQmZTTZ5DGNsFK752VKKKS-cdNnas/s1600/img_5276.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="352" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464923071097303762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfBUYdFRuKX2kQ1loms_i2UeldJygeV4srcFRiCaK8aC5PPGFplbecZ8Y52fUN8AKVyygYJqYeVyPWxdY8SiecSXFTQed4P_8qfnClstYL8ZCuPhQmZTTZ5DGNsFK752VKKKS-cdNnas/s640/img_5276.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> You will need:</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">a 9 x 13 inch dish that you have greased with butter or Pam</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 2/3 cup Graham cracker crumbs mixed with 1/4 cup sugar and 1/3 cup melted butter</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 large package chocolate pudding, cooled and 1/2 package of chocolate chips stirred in</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tub of whipped cream cheese with 1/3 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla stirred in</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">a bowl of whipped cream (we used whipping cream whipped with 1/3 cup powdered sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Reddi</span></span>-whip whipped cream would work fine.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Social Tea Biscuits or another 1-layer, thin rectangular shaped cookies (homemade sugar would work fine.)</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">The Roman Roads were made with a layer of sand called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Pavimentum</span></span> on the bottom.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We laid the graham cracker crust on the bottom of the pan for this.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4M7v5vcE2j_EmtwZNwEfbwvKS6rWSazizfUqnWmBPAsYLW-9MjO2JwQqoktDqa-nB1NjmlTtvRhDGX_vxTyLkoh7LTKK2bWAbtDPZnOL5GudSgPJlPh9pP4lw4JRHBLsR4Eli-KsLr8/s1600/img_5279.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="563" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464922456259332242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4M7v5vcE2j_EmtwZNwEfbwvKS6rWSazizfUqnWmBPAsYLW-9MjO2JwQqoktDqa-nB1NjmlTtvRhDGX_vxTyLkoh7LTKK2bWAbtDPZnOL5GudSgPJlPh9pP4lw4JRHBLsR4Eli-KsLr8/s640/img_5279.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> The next layer of the Roman road was called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Statument</span></span>, which was stone and mortar mixed together. Often they were 4-5 inch black stone.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We used the chocolate pudding with chocolate chips stirred in; the chips are the stones and the pudding is the mortar.</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is put on top of the graham cracker crust.</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next layer of the Roman road was called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">rudus</span></span>, and was concrete. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was sometimes laid in two layers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We spooned on the cream cheese mixture for one of these layers and the whipped cream on top for the second layer.</span></div><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">On top of the Roman road was the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">summum</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">dorsum</span></span>, or the paving stones. These were very large slabs of stone laid as close together as possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We laid the Social Tea Biscuits for the paving stones.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvRxvve43EPVwd15vvJ9bcFIEjTHjMjRyv33NLXOW3kWedfhdx53blcO_aw8yHL1V2vKIjLOoYX6jkIA6r8gBtXFzt2-75otfP100cHWPb-Yu1bbb84YXqvjpi_SapC89I6VBtNbmX14/s1600/img_5290.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464922425326431330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvRxvve43EPVwd15vvJ9bcFIEjTHjMjRyv33NLXOW3kWedfhdx53blcO_aw8yHL1V2vKIjLOoYX6jkIA6r8gBtXFzt2-75otfP100cHWPb-Yu1bbb84YXqvjpi_SapC89I6VBtNbmX14/s640/img_5290.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="480" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Now you have a Roman road,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and dessert!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The roads in Rome were marked with milestones that told how far it was to the next city. They measured these miles by something called a "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">hodometer</span>" which was a circle held by arms that let the circle move freely. There was a mark on a part of the circle, and there was a mark on the holding arms. The mark in the circle and in the holding arms were lined up and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">hodometer</span> was held against the road and allowed to roll. When the circle part rolled around full circle and the marks line up again, it made its measurement. To simulate this you can use a pizza cutter for your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">hodometer</span>. How many cycles is your Roman road from one end to the other?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another great Roman building project is<a href="http://homeschoolmommatoccm.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-of-913-917-rome-and-lots-of-time.html"> this Aqueduct</a> at <em>Adventures in Homeschooling</em>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Another great book is <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Augustus-Caesars-World-Genevieve-Foster/dp/0964380323/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287079095&sr=1-1">Augustus Caesar's Worl</a>d</em></span></div>
<script src="http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-10900430210336284802023-11-30T06:44:00.000-08:002023-11-30T06:44:15.704-08:00Stone Soup<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stone-Soup-Favorites-Marcia-Brown/dp/1591127351/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280781387&sr=1-3#_"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500914689254382930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIQ9V1coy366FqrKnYmwI4LhIPZQVXAwVq7lbTUE4EvCxjSMEcHy8Ux-1YTDxEFqRJfPJew9zKPeTAoTVlliNqpCLw_ZTWGFMAJKm3jZYxKyLycdw7ZyDtHTtuEn8srap5AilcbsYf34/s320/Stone+soup.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">This story, about three hungry soldiers who outwit the greedy inhabitants of a village into providing them with a feast, is based on an old French tale.<br /></span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500914004299608658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsAu9Jlw9zmjW-9o5SAOWXW53jETbcAk2j0Y_dr4J1iVYXjdgbb3_TZt_QLxUshHG3NshvoAhE_9eBAvSWaMC7Yonb8zvYSaoo63TzNt1fwSChuMvU51hbeVqj2wXrnMDZFeCqzQri-c/s320/P8020182.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 299px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><span style="font-size: large;">My oldest remembers when she is little and we made stone soup, so she wants to make soup with her brothers, too.<br />She has them gather <em>"three round, smooth stones"</em> and wash them thoroughly.<br />These are added to a large pot of water.<br /><br /></span><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500913855776424338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsSC4svJ5XoJXwCe-nQ-8r2W4EGwZsP18bGnzHW9wIPeurDXHmi86S4C1n0xXEI88yUcNbyxBL2iPvESJ39lwsnEOqDw_7WEtrqM6m5sgrBiJpiNnDyEHe_MdeYcFEYu1yRi0mABbN-w/s320/P8020193.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><em><span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote> "A good stone soup should have cabbage."</blockquote></span></em></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And so it is added.<br />One by one the vegetables and beef are added to the pot, just like the story. </span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500916972986582530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQ-eC_AHMZy2_dS1W635stcIshGBRhIDgQhSCl1c1NDyOKhmRmao9JPrlklTzFNzcziYrhyphenhyphencMICSBJpGy-K38tniDqMJlBUon3eL-4xwwVNYHiDQvku6tkZnkJbqmmgzfJ-wa3WPic6M/s320/P8020199.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 315px;" /><span style="font-size: large;"><em><blockquote> "If only we had a little barley and a cup of milk! This soup would be fit for the king himself."</blockquote></em><br /></span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500913851758984258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrvRxvsjGvreDV2eum48WSYQOil-jR8kmODvV7jE-Ly3HAvnctbQ-Ocxu_-uKOQ3Eo3XbozZeCe7GvCUJJqtKIQN7K-_NkhLO5sWyhLiyH6TKH1KkKG2UsgKuAWiiO-wtqsK7VSTXYB0/s320/P8020202.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 187px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><span style="font-size: large;">And so they are added...<br /></span><div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrr5-OJXRlQbk7tOLqBfTRPnSTP2YYmF84fk8XHUTTUZT22iL7qtLzAO9opo88vD8ewlC6Ts_2UTSsPfZ_l2gOO_NCjWcsOrdKCqDdhZlqlMz2Z6enMcIS5q4Xe2APauKNn6iGLzj4sI/s1600/P8020204.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500913835961368754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrr5-OJXRlQbk7tOLqBfTRPnSTP2YYmF84fk8XHUTTUZT22iL7qtLzAO9opo88vD8ewlC6Ts_2UTSsPfZ_l2gOO_NCjWcsOrdKCqDdhZlqlMz2Z6enMcIS5q4Xe2APauKNn6iGLzj4sI/s320/P8020204.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 291px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> and the pot is stirred.<br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6HqQ4PPFg4hTqCrJ7lrSh4vsdiJp1ZDd939Y6exmoKTx_FJIOK2vDiDgfwiCdm6EfVMyGF9krhEK873vZrhwWRiHhyDQjOIWT6IIaCT_d04ppwXWt2OjqVil7aI5Ac68koaoJsoXTyI/s1600/P8020206.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500913832068635842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6HqQ4PPFg4hTqCrJ7lrSh4vsdiJp1ZDd939Y6exmoKTx_FJIOK2vDiDgfwiCdm6EfVMyGF9krhEK873vZrhwWRiHhyDQjOIWT6IIaCT_d04ppwXWt2OjqVil7aI5Ac68koaoJsoXTyI/s320/P8020206.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 221px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><em><blockquote> "Such a soup! How good it smelled! Truly fir for a king."</blockquote></em></span></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFtwglQYb4QxyQIdBv6bwTHO991xa7UKm9uhrYNpnQY74Mdn0Iwej-whcrmznpvAKjuycleUpbC-qb0D1VSP609xSR3mdj6vuVIQOzsR-wCgeFaN9gjLj-vAgIuEwoQAST0vsjC78BJQ/s1600/P8020208.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501653759139205890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFtwglQYb4QxyQIdBv6bwTHO991xa7UKm9uhrYNpnQY74Mdn0Iwej-whcrmznpvAKjuycleUpbC-qb0D1VSP609xSR3mdj6vuVIQOzsR-wCgeFaN9gjLj-vAgIuEwoQAST0vsjC78BJQ/s400/P8020208.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 309px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <p align="center"></p></a> <em><blockquote> "Would not such a soup require bread-and a roast-and cider? Soon a banquet was spread and everyone sat down to eat. Never had there been such a feast. Never has the peasants tasted such a soup. And, fancy, made from stones!"</blockquote></em></span>Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-26868638693651340742023-11-30T05:56:00.000-08:002023-11-30T05:56:02.031-08:00Lamentation of Christ, Giotto di Bondone, 1306<div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506919221181506658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXps2f-GbWMma3vL-kYpARxYbDqPAV9_aCIu_geCU-3mW7azQNQ2h3J0P7zWmgaa8tQDKek8gQIIenh-jA2eOt3uPKBbax7JaCSGZwRHEREDZwqyKz0sbbUUv0hVL2tbelxJp_nTy-cg/s400/giotto+lamentation+of+christ.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 372px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> Giotto. <em>Lamentation of Christ</em>. 1304-1306. Fresco. Capella <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">degli</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Scrovegni</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Padua</span>, Italy.<br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is our last Giotto picture study. We look at and narrate about this painting first, </span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507484853741630386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTlIcJAdAzE-9tDjp2dtgG66YOkH7xtNlKDlxkvNX-Si_uy0IrhiOM2lmKdTOr-lg7ODFr6Yfl3TSTsYYnEU6Llp2CTpxZoqTRbvKCGon0wHAAAaiCk_fNQbGr3d6J6dGbXp6PEd6RbA/s400/2010-08-20.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><span style="font-size: large;">and then we look again at all five of the paintings together looking for themes. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Can we learn something about the artist from looking at his works? How are they similar and different from the other artists we have studied? How are they similar and different from other artists living at the same time? How are they similar and different from his teacher, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Cimbue</span>, in this case? Did the artist always use the same medium? Did the paintings all have a similar theme? Which is your favourite and why?<br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><strong><em><blockquote><blockquote>"...Giotto will confide his interpretation of the meaning of life..."</blockquote></blockquote></em></strong></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div align="center"><br />If you would like more suggestions for Giotto's works, here is a list from <em><a href="http://www.amblesideonline.org/ArtSch.shtml"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ambleside</span> Online</a>.</em><br /></div><blockquote>"The Giotto works are all portions of larger <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">frescoes</span> in chapels, making it difficult to provide exact dimensions. Most date from the early 1300's, and are painted on walls of chapels in Italy."</blockquote><br />1. <a href="http://www.christusrex.org/www1/francis/SMM-lazzaro-m.jpg">Resurrection of Lazarus</a><br />2. <a href="http://www.christusrex.org/www1/francis/ABI-nativita.jpg">Birth of Jesus</a><br />3. <a href="http://www.christusrex.org/www1/giotto/SSC-lavanda-m.jpg">Jesus washes the feet of the apostles</a><br />4. <a href="http://www.abcgallery.com/G/giotto/giotto64.html">The Allegory of Justice </a><br />5. <a href="http://www.abcgallery.com/G/giotto/giotto112.html">The Nativity and adoration of the shepherds</a> (<a href="http://www.abcgallery.com/G/giotto/giotto112.html">Lovely close-up detail</a>)<br />6. <a href="http://www.christusrex.org/www1/francis/SSF-uccelli.jpg">St. Francis feeding the birds </a><br />Additional Interest: <a href="http://www.abcgallery.com/G/giotto/giotto13.html">Francis Gives His Cloak to a Poor Man</a> and <a href="http://www.artchive.com/artchive/G/giotto/giotto_enthroned.jpg.html">Madonna Enthroned</a> (or <a href="http://cgfa.acropolisinc.com/giotto/p-giotto5.htm">here</a>)<br /><blockquote>"We encourage <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ambleside</span> Online</em> parents to show your students large pictures of whole <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">frescoes</span> to give a sense of the scope, scale and presentation of these works. An <a href="http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/g/giotto/padova/">overview of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Scrovegni</span> Chapel </a>at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Padua</span>, Italy. Giotto's fresco contrasting personifications of the Vices and Virtues offers much fodder for observation and discussion. These are at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Scrovegni</span> Chapel. Be sure to click on the thumbnail images for a larger view. You may also wish to read more about St. Francis during this term. </blockquote><p> For further information about Giotto, see:</p>http://cgfa.sunsite.dk/giotto/giotto_bio.htm<br />http://home.wanadoo.nl/candida_martinelli/knights_of_art_giotto.htm<br />http://www.artinvest2000.com/giotto_english.htm<br />http://ww\w.ovationtv.com/artszone/programs/frescoes/cimabueandgiotto.html<br />http://www.artchive.com/artchive/G/giotto.html<br />http://www.christusrex.org/www1/francis/Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-89894490781180656882023-11-24T13:40:00.000-08:002023-12-01T04:26:23.424-08:00More Math Games with Jellybeans<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote>"Students may be skilled at addition, yet not understand in what situations that skill might be applied. This failure to extrapolate is most apparent when students are asked to solve word problems. They may have the technical ability to solve problems when numbers are provided, but be lost when asked to extract the same numbers from words. "</blockquote><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWzqNY6C4pLvQ4QVZgbq6RTD_lL63t_dZv_eUoDNloLUg_uVFBINTtMaI8hN4aw1mj1bP9S8tnlEjUQLo-L1BqH2G5fOvpqfOf1uLkHJqY0oRVoo42apHAHAyQyKxnPQzU8NfAKaZfQ/s1600/img_4094.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452304254926867730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWzqNY6C4pLvQ4QVZgbq6RTD_lL63t_dZv_eUoDNloLUg_uVFBINTtMaI8hN4aw1mj1bP9S8tnlEjUQLo-L1BqH2G5fOvpqfOf1uLkHJqY0oRVoo42apHAHAyQyKxnPQzU8NfAKaZfQ/s640/img_4094.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a> We have been making up math word problems with pictures for about a week. These pictures come from a book called <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Math-Storymats-Grades-K-2/dp/0590603396/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269465750&sr=8-1">Instant Math <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Storymats</span></a></em>, but you could sketch your own.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpi32G593NVo6V7pRFeQXJw9n_iwOQ8wraUiSSjfB0YtIRMg2e5RHKx_y7fE1KDwpjXBmdn1xCeotKgdcsxM4j7VPesJ9GTxS9b0JjZebtB9XIS1pZtqdcoGDyweGzcIZADMYOxZ9zGg/s1600/img_4110.jpg"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452304246837882450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpi32G593NVo6V7pRFeQXJw9n_iwOQ8wraUiSSjfB0YtIRMg2e5RHKx_y7fE1KDwpjXBmdn1xCeotKgdcsxM4j7VPesJ9GTxS9b0JjZebtB9XIS1pZtqdcoGDyweGzcIZADMYOxZ9zGg/s640/img_4110.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="480" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You can take turns making up stories that involve counting, adding, subtracting...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PCU8QWH1sqlGgN8i15wg0m1uVLCOUNq42atWWLrm8MZwVQRNI1fZa6MOHgBaT99JV3BRz0ZcgDzVod9Yla6YAELLG_NnbEMXXu0iTbpd6t8H6k6un9VboOlAfCbtX6RYKxFnnbFMUQ/s1600/img_4111.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452304241203306434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PCU8QWH1sqlGgN8i15wg0m1uVLCOUNq42atWWLrm8MZwVQRNI1fZa6MOHgBaT99JV3BRz0ZcgDzVod9Yla6YAELLG_NnbEMXXu0iTbpd6t8H6k6un9VboOlAfCbtX6RYKxFnnbFMUQ/s640/img_4111.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="550" /></a> and skills like multiplication and division are simple for even a five-year old...</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvt0NcM7oHelXFSHkySK4WPYAcxdkalg0rlk1rM_5javX1IYwKRQvrUDqMz6Iwk3bYALbEk57QnrBt9oP2m8-I3BfbSN4repyxptt9m7NYt9fGj2-bkw9USg-k9Ah6Dcw2Y_yQzLk4w/s1600/img_4113.jpg"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452304230879068402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvt0NcM7oHelXFSHkySK4WPYAcxdkalg0rlk1rM_5javX1IYwKRQvrUDqMz6Iwk3bYALbEk57QnrBt9oP2m8-I3BfbSN4repyxptt9m7NYt9fGj2-bkw9USg-k9Ah6Dcw2Y_yQzLk4w/s640/img_4113.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="570" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">if they are part of a story, like dividing fruit represented by colorful jellybeans between two story friends.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">My youngest particularly likes stories in which he plays one of the characters.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote>"To discover for themselves the workings of (multiplication) students have to think; this thinking is the point of all our questions and, in the end, is the point of all mathematics."</blockquote></span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">
Both quotes are from <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Way-Thinking-Robert-Baratta-Lorton/dp/020104322X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269465799&sr=1-1">Mathematics is a Way of Thinking</a></em>, by Robert <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Baratta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Lorton</span>.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-81821271513534553112023-11-19T13:53:00.000-08:002023-12-01T05:27:25.412-08:00Volcanos and Igneous Rocks Pop-Up Books<div align="justify"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">When I was taught earth science when I was a child, I was just given three lists of rocks according to their category and only the most basic information about how the groups were formed. When it came to igneous rocks, I was only told that they were formed by a volcano, but I wasn't given any information about what made one rock different from another, so of course I forgot this </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">information</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">. I wanted to give my children more. I found out some wonderful detailed information from </span><em style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">The Amateur Geologist</em><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> by Raymond </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Wiggers</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">, but I wanted to present this </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">information</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> in a visual way. So, I decided to help them make pop-up volcano books.</span></div><img alt="" border="0" height="243" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405945731183421714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2yKMnv3raIvne6V33SpfJnh7JmKDHAvSmMcwSagqNLG5-NzekoRSRerbziZFzTw3IpOcTY2tW-vKf4Zqj4ply8r8VMiSR_aDAnq6MWK25NKVhe_nY_fRJy4nI-oSPv-fXyy_kugsxA/w640-h243/IMG_8296.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 152px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;">To make these, you first need to have them draw/color a volcano. I just copied one I found in a book to have them color. These labeled the parts of a volcano. Next make the booklet. Take a regular piece of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">cardstock</span> and fold it in half and then in half again, making a little book like a card. Unfold the piece of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cardstock</span>. The volcano gets glued, centered on the fold on the bottom half of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">cardstock</span>. Leave about a half-inch or so from the bottom. When you refold the card, notice where the volcano outline falls and cut out the volcano shape, leaving about a half-inch on the bottom of either side in tact. You should be able to pull this layer out, refolding in the opposite direction, to get a pop-out mountain.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpB25SdaYhvLtAZuej8BwnSXHcp9NzwhYSNZ8tr78UGONHD-h4kXMpHsbdN29jXWzMhJLlFHQndOuI8Ch-FPzf3likxMOjzw2K_2Vp0Lbylblt1OpHFReb0Go6NTwosWE7qXXFWAEOA/s1600/IMG_8300.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405941469060750434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpB25SdaYhvLtAZuej8BwnSXHcp9NzwhYSNZ8tr78UGONHD-h4kXMpHsbdN29jXWzMhJLlFHQndOuI8Ch-FPzf3likxMOjzw2K_2Vp0Lbylblt1OpHFReb0Go6NTwosWE7qXXFWAEOA/s400/IMG_8300.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 366px;" /></a><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Have them decorate this layer as a mountain or volcano scene. Have them draw two rocks in their scene -one on the volcano or near the base and one as far from the volcano as you can on the ground. Have them also draw a rock inside the volcano. </span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405937419641022370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUt8nj4REYAQJt2ClKzCbA1RqEJ7Npm_FQ-6B3TRSC-QNp83Bq7ZLcAImq8HFMeJ9Ehm4aYSNjmc7m77VjK2x8X1pAy5BcHaMGk0aRynrVTl5cFxt1tdPoPL-QgUJ6F7hJ72wuYgmwQ/s400/IMG_8362.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 259px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><span style="font-size: large;">You can have them label the rocks while you tell them about how they are formed.<br /><br /></span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405927166733884642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2u27_v6nzcCzaj4flKbaWNJtdnRfa0GMHlaw0-aTE6ZrFeYuRa9bigPq2t3PHURrPGZ5QzY5rnIBHraVohI_Cqa-aNUfhZ6jsZRNiJZzDe3GsdfUMNG7PaIVhzobFC2S8-jathCwwfM/s400/IMG_9112.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><span style="font-size: large;">If the rock is formed far below the surface, it becomes granite </span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405927159493891794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMUWjnLAC6r4RM_XELf-DdmHYhtTu21ZvqDzZFfh6B7-uBmRwYIUxFNQ194OVcsCo91xurnm1ht9xJKqmyM6Wb9reRcYHu2w-9f97__ogQjmsE_KepANV90YjlL4g5Pcg3RX_MxqVv5E/s400/IMG_9114.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><span style="font-size: large;">and the Obsidian formed above ground near the volcano's vent. </span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405927170043497570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSpNDhlVDpAVIxKDoiDf79WHswdVXpav5sx2Zs1oKMp3wpSTV0Nt_olOGJ7XZMcok1g8FRLOa8jg7JXD5wGMqMCGJ2VmRHJCZcA63MgrbNmf_oRC-9xlKTbadAZjyklaYQrA9imBzq9Q/s400/IMG_9113.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><span style="font-size: large;">The Basalt Lava originated in a surface flow some distance from the volcano. </span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405946495726142098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8BwA4OFvDKJVaG6wu8M3mMFzoh8BQJK_4iYeFmIoaBa7_F3HJGiLPbmrUW7XsPGr0xRMRInO_uPTUkAUQvJbLLl_QooOZ5XxzeLqVU8rzN-yRz5nkPeFigLspa2z_c6w1gN5V0m4bw/s400/IMG_9109.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 279px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><span style="font-size: large;">We also looked at actual rocks and after our discussions, they could put them in the correct places. </span></div></div>Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-50165769139589958192023-11-19T09:57:00.000-08:002023-12-01T14:21:32.806-08:00Nature Study Lesson 20: House Sparrow, The Backyard Birdsong Guides and Listening to Bird Calls<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium; text-align: center;"><strong><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><blockquote><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">"...children may get a great deal of pleasure in watching the ways of sparrows..." </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>-Charlotte Mason, <em>Home Education</em>, Vol. I, p.</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oKlhl1ihD_8bHP7zQablOXjzMg4z1Us8B6Lkc6kChZcAUQordLxo3w1bwQ_bPfdBP9y1IGjmmf9Bqc_cK12wcn4rbmvOHB23N8OANgrFGoisDnqroFIYabw-TGr-iHfM3h286NSGEg/s1600-h/img_0459.jpg"><em></em></a><em><strong> 59</strong></em><br />
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The Sparrow is the bird that represents the small size in birds. Sparrows are very common and there are many varieties. We chose the House Sparrow to add to our homemade field guides. They painted pictures of them and listened to their calls.</span></div><div align="justify" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-color: initial; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-style: none; border-top: medium none; border-width: medium;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcU-p0bphx7q1JNeHl9MR0zs8fx6GWWzdyBJrHthE_kC50WRIstI5i-hy4zHFmxdYJ4QzwW4G_V-YT-dRTr1x8hwxrMQaPrtGKTV0TJ_Odd1rnp5v-0FLE6gwmFd8VD6BavUEqWqas0-8/s1600/bird+guide+inside+photo.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcU-p0bphx7q1JNeHl9MR0zs8fx6GWWzdyBJrHthE_kC50WRIstI5i-hy4zHFmxdYJ4QzwW4G_V-YT-dRTr1x8hwxrMQaPrtGKTV0TJ_Odd1rnp5v-0FLE6gwmFd8VD6BavUEqWqas0-8/w640-h424/bird+guide+inside+photo.bmp" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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We absolutely love our bird guide that makes bird sounds, <span id="btAsinTitle"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Birdsong-Guide-Eastern-Central/dp/0811863425/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1297816694&sr=8-11"><em>The Backyard Birdsong Guide: Eastern and Central North America (Backyard Birdsong Guides).</em></a> With a touch of a button, we can hear as well as see the birds we are studying.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_aiv7QNPlyN4ubNX75tbZkHRZEclsWpP9smjLlj5HxIPTwGajoray3dgA-wKycHeAU8RrRhwJ8krrKupJCmzvbI-ey69T9ojfpULblAEITIVUuCSFupGDRJS7E5rVxpxKz4hcB4aJro/s1600/bird+guide+inside+info.bmp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_aiv7QNPlyN4ubNX75tbZkHRZEclsWpP9smjLlj5HxIPTwGajoray3dgA-wKycHeAU8RrRhwJ8krrKupJCmzvbI-ey69T9ojfpULblAEITIVUuCSFupGDRJS7E5rVxpxKz4hcB4aJro/w640-h424/bird+guide+inside+info.bmp" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It also has quite a bit of good information.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGy5973YGHVavohvk-j5w_1tu8HmJn4NnH7Zprhqa6tRMQi2jo0__PNuYlZKAy0knIRhhWMiI1CoUODgDn0HdO5ubDCUkELV3b0gFySfe2eno8PKjbtnVG5XjU_6G_us9CMMJRsb5uS8/s1600/bird+guide+inside+songs+page.bmp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGy5973YGHVavohvk-j5w_1tu8HmJn4NnH7Zprhqa6tRMQi2jo0__PNuYlZKAy0knIRhhWMiI1CoUODgDn0HdO5ubDCUkELV3b0gFySfe2eno8PKjbtnVG5XjU_6G_us9CMMJRsb5uS8/w640-h442/bird+guide+inside+songs+page.bmp" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and illustrations in beautiful, bright colors.</span></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">"...(the sparrow) has interesting habits which we should observe." </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">-Handbook of Nature Study, page 85</span></strong></div>
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We discussed whether we had heard the different sounds before, and what the sounds are similar to, so that we can remember them. We are looking for these birds (the crow, robin and sparrow) on our nature walks, but we are also using these three birds to help us describe any bird we come across, comparing their sizes to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxwY_JAc5vJg_QO_ICoeIY3PLEvLry2pHFczZpJAgHZa2wQk_4fj4680znF-7tBh90eshZVOyVSiOIYJjYITg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-65952322611459556382023-11-17T11:43:00.000-08:002023-11-29T07:28:43.494-08:00Flexibility or Connecting to the Now<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our next door neighbor's ferret tends to get out and when he does, he sometimes comes to our house to visit. He sometimes opens the back door himself, so when the boys open the back door to go outside, he will surprise them by being there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOQoy0fXa9I/AAAAAAAAcDg/Nkk9O1uLNuM/s1600/PA020025.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOQoy0fXa9I/AAAAAAAAcDg/Nkk9O1uLNuM/w370-h640/PA020025.JPG" width="370" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the middle of our DaVinci picture study today, he came over to visit. <br />
It causes a stir, not only because it is a surprise, and not only because the the boys want to pet him, but also because the cats and the ferret are not too sure about each other and we would like to avoid any confrontation between them.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">His visit in the middle of our picture study, however, also prompted my six-year old to say, "Mom, can we do a picture study of a ferret?" My older children and I exchanged glances and smiles because we had just been looking at DaVinci's <em>Lady with Ermine.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, I replied that I thought we could.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOQoIqoaMEI/AAAAAAAAcDc/F-E2YgYx5-U/s1600/ladywitherminedavinci.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOQoIqoaMEI/AAAAAAAAcDc/F-E2YgYx5-U/w467-h640/ladywitherminedavinci.bmp" width="467" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, I printed out a copy of it and we all examined it, with the image of the ferret fresh in our minds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOQvtxOSYaI/AAAAAAAAcDw/XKbnNX2PWrs/s1600/ermine.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOQvtxOSYaI/AAAAAAAAcDw/XKbnNX2PWrs/s400/ermine.bmp" width="285" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This lead to a curiosity as to the difference between a ferret and a ermine.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This lead to research, which led us to the fact that apparently there is a <a href="https://ferretassn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Woman-with-Ermine.pdf" target="_blank">bit of debate</a> as to whether she is, in fact holding</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOQtHfytEnI/AAAAAAAAcDo/aiRNb_ZOC-0/s1600/ermine+photo.bmp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOQtHfytEnI/AAAAAAAAcDo/aiRNb_ZOC-0/s320/ermine+photo.bmp" width="219" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">an ermine or</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOQtImnPnZI/AAAAAAAAcDs/lrNuGrYfT-0/s1600/Ferrets-x2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="319" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOQtImnPnZI/AAAAAAAAcDs/lrNuGrYfT-0/s320/Ferrets-x2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">a ferret?<br /><i><blockquote>"...while DaVinci clearly used a ferret as a model, he deliberately painted it as an ermine."</blockquote></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This led us to looking at the classifications.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Mustelidae is a large and diverse family which includes many species. Ermine are from Mustela erminea. They are stoats and are only referred to as ermine when they turn white for the winter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ferrets are the domesticated descendants of the European polecat, Mustela putorious. (Don't you love that name?)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So our little visitor, instead of a diversion became an enrichment to our studies.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOVW6BW4jYI/AAAAAAAAcEg/kfNfFFivj7s/s1600/lady+with+ermine+restored.bmp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOVW6BW4jYI/AAAAAAAAcEg/kfNfFFivj7s/s640/lady+with+ermine+restored.bmp" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">By the way, I wanted to show you something I learned about this painting.<br />
There is a new technology available that virtually restores paintings so that they can be seen closer to how they looked when they were painted. </span></td></tr>
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</div>Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-29037877946276301012023-11-17T09:14:00.000-08:002023-11-29T07:32:50.077-08:00Picture Study: Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci and How We Do Our Picture Study<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOLkTqCai_I/AAAAAAAAcBw/QM1Iao729jM/s1600/Recently+Updated.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOLkTqCai_I/AAAAAAAAcBw/QM1Iao729jM/s400/Recently+Updated.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leonardo da Vinci (1452 –1519)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We began our picture study of Leonardo da Vinci's works.</span></div><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOLZzK9PxgI/AAAAAAAAcBo/IdYyxsqSEyQ/s1600/monalisa.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOLZzK9PxgI/AAAAAAAAcBo/IdYyxsqSEyQ/s400/monalisa.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Mona Lisa </strong>1503-1506 Oil on wood<br />
77 x 53 cm (30 x 20 7/8 in.)<br />
Louvre, Paris</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is our first picture study this year that is does not have a religious theme. This is one of the best known paintings of all time. One of the most curious things about this painting in terms of background information is wondering why Leonardo da Vinci spent three years painting this portrait of the second wife of an unimportant merchant when all the nobles of Europe were begging for a portrait by his hand. My older students have been enjoying <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Second-Mrs-Gioconda-L-Konigsburg/dp/1416903429/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289936747&sr=1-1">this speculation</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOLgchzAZXI/AAAAAAAAcBs/Fzhe-3rvEb4/s1600/the+second+mrs+giaconda.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOLgchzAZXI/AAAAAAAAcBs/Fzhe-3rvEb4/s1600/the+second+mrs+giaconda.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We completing our picture study in our usual fashion. In case you have not heard it before, here it is:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. First my boys have a chance to each look at their own copy of the picture and once they have spent a few minutes looking at it, I ask them to tell me what they can about what this picture is about. (At this point, if I find it illuminates the picture, I will read a portion of a book about it.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. I then asked them to turn their pictures over and then, starting with the youngest, I ask them to tell me something they remember from the picture. They each must think of something new, so by the time it gets to the older students, it becomes a bit harder. I do my best to diffuse any competitive feelings that might arise. It is not a competition.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Sometimes I have them sketch what they remember from the picture. I want them to hone their skills at paying attention. If they know they will get a second chance to fill in more details, they will not put in as much effort of attention.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. Post the picture so that it will be visible throughout the week. Sometimes they will choose, on their own, to sketch the picture again, putting in the details they missed. I let them, of course.</span></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOVUoqMk3BI/AAAAAAAAcEU/7RXuWdpkPMQ/s1600/mona+lisa+digital.bmp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOVUoqMk3BI/AAAAAAAAcEU/7RXuWdpkPMQ/s400/mona+lisa+digital.bmp" width="262" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the Mona Lisa with a <a href="http://www.lumiere-technology.com/Pages/News/news3.htm">new digital technique</a> that supposedly subtracts the effects of the varnish, revealing the true original colors.</span></td></tr>
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</div>Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-42629519880656454462023-11-16T08:18:00.000-08:002023-11-16T08:19:05.555-08:00Why I write this blog.<p> </p><h4 style="text-align: center;"><img height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYrVYd6AXNet3H1eoyaGx2kcxYZD1TdIDszx-hERcj5pntKhZXHKXL51nBBoYEESOmMCnbNLVGdZnx_S696HDHfrsiCrzJKWmIdUjl6K0n-iV9Agy19cPls-4zKTpirl0rJsQmZ1aYoxG/s400/why+blog.png" width="400" /></h4><h4><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">How does your blog differ from other blogs in its genre?</span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"> </span></span></h4><h4><div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-weight: 400;"><div></div><div><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">There are a lot of homeschooling blogs out there, it is true. So, why do I think I have something unique to offer? Well, I didn't start out to be a homeschool projects blogger. I started out to just to record for my children all that we do together, so whether there were other such blogs out there, was not my concern. There is nothing in this world I enjoy more than being with my children and I wanted them to be able to look back and enjoy remembering all the fun times we had.</span><br /><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Then as I began posting about what we did, people began asking me for explanations of how exactly we did the things we were doing. So, I began making more tutorial posts, and so the style of blogging that this blog has become was born. I think we have an unique style of homeschooling as it doesn't seem to fit wholly in any category. I personally favor Charlotte Mason, because that is the way I would have wanted to learn, but my children need other things at times. Some claim me as an unschooler, some talk about my classical bent, with all the Greek and Latin we do. I like to think of myself as a liberal arts teacher, and I think that is a little unique.</span><br /></div></div></h4><h4><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Why do you write what you do?</span></h4><h4><div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-weight: 400;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">More importantly than the tutorials and activities that I show on my blog, I want to describe how we school. I believe the most important thing we can teach our children is how to get the most joy out of their lives, and it is this that I most want to blog about.</span><br /><br /></div></h4><h4><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">How does your writing process work?</span></h4><h4><div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody" style="font-weight: 400;"><div><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">I actually use my blog as an organizer for my homeschooling. I have in my drafts folder all the topics I want to cover and the activities I want to offer my children to do in the process of learning about these various topics. It is my planner, of sorts. Then, as we accomplish these tasks, I add the photos and the details of what we actually did and voilia! A new post is born.</span></div><div><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></h4><h4><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">How has your blogging changed over time?</span></h4><h4><div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody" style="font-weight: 400;"><div></div></div></h4><h4><div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since my youngest is now in college, I have had some time to reflect on this blog, and I took it off-line for awhile so that I could modify it to meet the new goals I have for it. I have taken out most of the identifying photographs as I feel as if they need their privacy as they have gone into adulthood. Also, I am in the process of actually turning this blog into a free curriculum of sorts, as I think that education should be free to all. I hope that this can be of benefit to someone. On the other hand, I make no claims about this blog's content and you are free to pick what you like and leave the rest. I don't invite any negative comments. There is enough negativity in the world.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></h4>Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-78563178335513809812023-11-13T12:29:00.000-08:002023-12-01T05:34:34.820-08:00Theseus and the Minotaur<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span><blockquote><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Take this dagger and this string </i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i>and let it unwind as you go in. Then you will be able to follow the string when you come back. Without it, you'll never find you way out again."</i></span></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i></i></span></span><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403689275849072178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JoKccW771KpT4wO079rXSBban2L1pUCu17Sz4B6aAHzY57LQcNQqn0Rx8kBSwbI_wzEH48fBb-ntGGz832Zbni6CXtqWY59-DD_eY14X9l9rz7qeKUeChTVi8fxNPbeyfIrComdDSA/s400/img_8972.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="523" /><span style="font-size: large;">Theseus walked down long twisting tunnels and winding passages, around many corners, farther and farther into the maze. He could hear the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Minotaur</span> bellowing and stamping his hoofs...</span><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403689272776489554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8povPTOgu4y5LEHao7zlvPCVNdL_j2wRIwZIoCc0kwjQT7lysfmO6p91uae7O7mhcrrXM7jMFfo165bj5XS-gTLXAXQ4kxUPBYbJkO4OoNbBh481Gq48Jg8hIAEs3Y1QQBKUvhr3yA/s400/img_8971.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="424" /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span>At last he saw the huge monster. It bellowed and charged. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Theseus struck the Minotaur again and again with his dagger. </span><img alt="" border="0" height="364" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403689266378145794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquLBIWjR6dGWh49GfNVfGu0NfB2JREUlhbnbSdR-imNSeINXlEUK8ATL8m-vkBhtMKwAKtnxWczZytswV-dVE4p2K8d_pCs5G3rLMSXveSdWEWpGVi3kVtexJ3tN6zZ5qgTsq1Sa8mw/s400/img_8977.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At last the Minotaur sank to the ground and lay still. </span><img alt="" border="0" height="334" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410055696979650114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpHtbSuwTqOnvkBGLaGxTkV-MB8WKlY2P5Hed7pobxxCNWE5FFatQLdw8udxYf7TLm7V7ZVdbDAy6SAClm151051Ret24haRomP_7hRTadZUvx9bK7vq4xeGUR4cjmBag1J_nzNB4hg/s320/img_9568.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;"><span> He was dead. Cutting off the beast's horns, Theseus headed back through the maze, following the string.</span><br />
</span><img alt="" border="0" height="428" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410055709247822226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroo_XDnWLteCWM5ctOU9v79-FOOTuRpZPpvD2QdBdp0uCy8PexmgaVEGLUCK0EZ9iAlJg-Gf8rINX4iGrV4-xp_r7SlyCZR_nnuSOzYD0sNa7uPuQVUcH4RRT3mT_TDlyoC97oTWQ0w/s320/img_9571.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span>The story is adapted from </span><em><span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Usborne</span> Greek Myths.</span> </em><br />
Read this and other<a href="http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/gft/index.htm"> Greek Tales</a> and <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/thgff10.txt">Fables.</a><br />
Idea for using this story as a shadow play, as well as other ideas,<a href="http://acornpies.blogspot.com/2011/01/visiting-art-museum-with-children.html"> here at <em>Acorn Pies</em></a>.<br />Legos has made a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Games-4568196-Minotaurus-Game/dp/B002WCNKUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295026672&sr=8-1">game, <em>Minotaurus,</em> featuring the Minotaur and a maze</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIa7DxzZHrETGfrVFOoIN1diA5hcccWR-VfHuqAUlllGtuAq5zBV26b3JHUDxhZYVculI9wv233HxbuBZJnx3ov9KN-RchGLjx3MibSTZMpXFbWstGC7vD5vBAn42xp2fOFzGQaNpIDo/s1600/P1060045.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="336" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIa7DxzZHrETGfrVFOoIN1diA5hcccWR-VfHuqAUlllGtuAq5zBV26b3JHUDxhZYVculI9wv233HxbuBZJnx3ov9KN-RchGLjx3MibSTZMpXFbWstGC7vD5vBAn42xp2fOFzGQaNpIDo/s400/P1060045.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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This is a great resource for <a href="http://bogglesworldesl.com/greekmyths_flashcards.htm">Greek Mythology Flashcards</a> with game ideas.</span></div>
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Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-2768132096863356482023-11-12T14:51:00.000-08:002023-12-01T05:29:11.041-08:00ABC's Bowling Game<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes it is tricky when teaching a Preschooler or Kindergartner letter sounds making sure that they don't forget the sounds they have already learned while they are learning new ones. This simple game is a fun way to review the sounds they have already learned.<br /></span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403726147232087522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00q2TV4rpyaJZ6zsPiJ7IF6VPZdCW2boInV1gMw1wkNnuUC77JrSwnfec472zvGO9cHx7QLzLCDLn3Z7Nz5mXihC9ymdAvXV6fPel_wMynvMHOR3rzbnX5pem_vd2YCKWhbiJuE_fGg/s400/IMG_8986.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Just label bottles from your recycle bin with the letters you want to review. Using a ball, have them bowl. </span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403726149768717314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3PJLrVn70UJstG9pl6ymcc3SR9wqWOhVHd1Wg6BBFSASdhv21Elnc2jyUAypSeqC1JEkrptiBK48dCxkfrDW_dG1nff-uHlgKNBpFoYcZKzrDh_2qIivBY7tArDa7m4C9SLS7QB1IA/s400/IMG_8985.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><span style="font-size: large;">When they strike a bottle-pin down, have them say the letter's sound or name. If they can, they can take that pin out of the game. If not, you review the sound/name and put it back in the game.<br /></span><br /></div>Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-40489403836312537382023-11-12T11:39:00.000-08:002023-11-12T11:39:54.347-08:00How We Study Geography<span style="font-size: large;">Geography is a study for all ages. It is particularly good for large families with children of all ages, because they can be all working on the same subject, but at their own level. This is how we study geography.<br /><br /></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>Before you begin</strong></em> your study with your children, look for any books in your current collection of book that might be appropriate. Then look online for worksheets, coloring pages, games and the like. Print out and prepare what you like, but leave yourself flexible to see how the interests develop. </span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><p></p><p></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL4UYCgoLu2aXCf_opIvdU-vxPfMHvDIbKgOUQia7ZFlPyO35Wyig0qbk9PjA5q0zGMMDkR2NIjMCQYJFU5Ih2tI_ZadArnShJnwrY8l9zhE_jbl80JAW-C54MQO5F5Hh8czpyFGpFQ/s1600-h/img_0411.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267894293428258034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL4UYCgoLu2aXCf_opIvdU-vxPfMHvDIbKgOUQia7ZFlPyO35Wyig0qbk9PjA5q0zGMMDkR2NIjMCQYJFU5Ih2tI_ZadArnShJnwrY8l9zhE_jbl80JAW-C54MQO5F5Hh8czpyFGpFQ/s16000/img_0411.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px;" /></a>I like to use a pretend passport for my younger students so that they can keep a record of where they have studied. You can use stickers of flags or little maps of the countries or whatever appropriate. Another thing I have done is to have them draw pictures in the passport at the end of our study of the country of something that interested them in their study. If you use the drawing method, this can be a type of narration. You can write down a sentence they tell you to describe the picture. Now that you are somewhat prepared, you can now invite your children to the adventure with you.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>1: Collect and Read</em></strong><strong><br /></strong>Go to the library, and check out several books about the country and its people. Children’s books are best, but also look for large “coffee table” books in the adult section. If possible, find a movie or a story that takes place in your country. Don’t forget to look for ethnic music and nonfiction videos. If you can find a book that excites their imagination enough, they can pretend that they are there with the book and then you ask them to narrate what it was like to be there.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>"There were fish in the sea. </strong></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2-Yvb8SF1ZZfVFTBFeRH4FM_3_yXDDQVHamtqP0ihcOOhfFb5j7FwBaXUmqkOvd0z7eF2xGNH-QjUk-jteVzm3MLx12rIRloJPpm8Zi-eYowrpXheW9cZ1-ycoedC4fVCeWogfr-FQ/s1600-h/spanish,+mexico+001.jpg"></a><em><strong>Some fish were even clear! They ate one of my favorite foods -Tacos. They also ate something they called tuna. It is a fruit and they said it was sweet and it was good with ice on a hot day. They even have a pet turtle. They wear shorts (long pants when they go to a party or </strong></em><em><strong>downtown) and T-shirts." -Student, age 10<br />"The goldfish were pretty." -Student, age 3</strong></em><br /><br /><strong><em>2: Maps, Terrain & Animals</em></strong><br />Find your country on a map or globe. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_5XUCkm0L-FbTCTOmldWLfoTqSl-6RjlCLkDvOK6yWwMEOZcUh-QtnL7GvLZVWamxPvDbp_pYhUc-5qC94lqUjz0REyC5-xZRJIvrNf0KGcfC3tlWv1Z-LJMl-z4bz0uLldPtJd66g/s1600-h/img_0417.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267896722742566722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_5XUCkm0L-FbTCTOmldWLfoTqSl-6RjlCLkDvOK6yWwMEOZcUh-QtnL7GvLZVWamxPvDbp_pYhUc-5qC94lqUjz0REyC5-xZRJIvrNf0KGcfC3tlWv1Z-LJMl-z4bz0uLldPtJd66g/s200/img_0417.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 186px;" /></a>Talk about bordering countries, climate, and natural features such as rivers, lakes, mountains, deserts. This can take you on tangents you don't expect. I would follow your child's interests. This is the time when you can have your child work a puzzle that includes this country. This is also when you can use that coloring page that is an outline of your country, or you could make a relief map out of clay instead. Talk about how long it would take to get to your country. What ways would you travel -by boat, plane, car, etc., which often gets into a discussion of the terrain. What time is it there? What kinds of animals and plants would you find? You could color pictures of the animals or do a craft featuring an animal. Older children can write reports or give a narration of what they have learned to the other children. Sometimes older children can run the craft.<br /><br /><em><strong>3: Culture</strong></em><br />Find information about this country’s native clothing, food, language, writing, homes, games, sports, government, celebrations, festivals, and religion. You could play children’s game from this country, recreate their clothing, find recipes you’d like to try, </span><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504318410005212802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsGUAsCeqawxO8nlxhyLWhrQ5bULBWUEgb0uZJkC4ND_wRIudEliGvLfPMc1bTwcqyAO4GzihjMtP4g4h1s3jbtBpMlmtD86s_w-taEytWiE8hIVs-TjLQx2lipWecSpJw5LKG8-yrgA/w480-h640/Israel.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" width="480" /><span style="font-size: large;">make a model of a typical home, learn a word or two in their language. Find a coloring page of their flag or complete a flag craft. </span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Do you know anyone from that country? Can you invite them to share with you about this country? (How about an on-line friend?) </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://stitchinlife.blogspot.com/2010/08/canada-geography-altered-book-pages.html">Here </a>is a lovely example of how to record all the things you have learned in geography journal pages.<br /><em><strong></strong></em></span></p><p><em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have any other ways of studying geography?</span></strong></em></p>Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-68775012777177649952023-11-12T10:41:00.000-08:002023-11-12T10:41:47.482-08:00What To Teach, and When<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/zooland-part-2-plants-animals-and-their.html?showComment=1360286402171#c191871305794749099">A Reader asks</a>, "First of all, I love ALL of what you do! I take that information and try to use it in our homeschooling...but I have a question for you, when you have time. How do you determine what you will teach, and when. For example, I prayed to know what to teach my children this year, and was led to Science based on the Creation, art, US geography and "the basics" (reading, writing, math). You seem to have so much all at the same time. How do you determine what to teach when, how do you organize it all and then how do you apply it in your schooling day? I realize this is a loaded question...but I would love love LOVE to do all the curriculums you do, I just think I would get overwhelmed. What is your secret? (And thank you so much for all of your ideas, photos and links!!!)"</i><br />
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The secret, if you can call it that, to not being overwhelmed is to relax and not worry so much about gaps in their learning or if you completed your lists' worth of things to do that day, or that week, for that matter. I realize that this is easy to say, but not easy to do. Every homeschooling mom from time to time worries about <i>are they doing enough? </i>Homeschooling is just like parenting in general. If you worry too much or compare yourself too much with other parents then you will always feel you are not doing enough. In the first few years of homeschooling, the main thing that is being learned is how it all works best for you, your student(s) and your family. It takes time to discover this, and it is something that you will have to re-discover over and over again as your student(s) grow older and change and as your family dynamics change.<br />
But, to answer the question as to what, practically, to teach. I do have a general goal in mind for my students...where I want them to be once they have graduated. It has become easier for me to see that now that I have one graduate and a high schooler. Back when my kids were very young, I had difficulty seeing through the year, much less beyond. That is okay and just a stage that homeschool teachers go through. With that in mind, however, I do have a very general scope and sequence.<br /></span>
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For science, I rotate between the three general science categories; Physical Science, Chemistry and Biology. But, and this is the most important part for our family, I will gladly drop any planned activity I have, in exchange for any interest my student might have. I don't jump on any curiosity by planning a month's worth of activities, for that is the most sure way of killing an interest in the subject and a most sure way of making sure your student never brings another topic to you. Instead, find out the answer to the question together. Make it a challenge and have fun along the way. If this inspires either of you to complete a project on the subject, then that is fine, but it doesn't have to. Not all of our learning is recorded in some way. I also caution you to not make the project a required task. Let him do it only if he wants to. Be willing to let go if your student wants that. Some unschoolers never suggest a project, and have the student always come up with his own ideas or not. The problem with this is that, especially for younger students, they often don't have the experience enough to even know how to come up with a project. This is where a little coaching from you can open up new doors of fascination. And that is exactly what it is, coaching.<br />
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For history, I rotate between Ancient History, Medieval History, Renaissance or Early Modern History, and Modern History, which includes Current Events. Notice that I did not separate off American History. I always teach American History in a World History context, which means I teach American History just as I teach history from any other country, for many of our country's events have been born out of or influenced by events in other parts of the world. Again, we will explore topics out of the planned sequence, if a student has a question, or wants to explore something else, or if we go on a field trip that is centered on a different time period than we are currently covering.<br /></span>
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I would also like to point out that the main learning avenue for our family is books. We read them all the time, and I read to my children long after they know how to read for themselves because being read to and sharing this time together is a most pleasant thing. I don't require them to sit if they don't want to, if they are too fidgety. My attitude toward books is that they are precious and wonderful and I tempt them with them as much as possible. I read in front of them as much as I can. I talk about what I have learned from books. I have lots of books, in every room of the house. I read all types and topics of books. Their history is learned in the context of books, not textbooks.<br /></span>
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Math is one subject in which I suggest a particular sequence of curriculum. I teach math in a very hands-on way. I begin with<a href="http://www.center.edu/MathTheirWay.shtml"> Math Their Way</a> and then on to a more traditional math program. I particularly like <a href="http://www.center.edu/MathWayThinking.shtml">Mathematics: A Way of Thinking</a>, with <a href="http://www.mathonthelevel.com/">Math on the Level </a>as a resource to look up how to teach a concept, sample math problems and the like. I use this when a student needs more practice on a topic or when I need some problems quick to see if he understands a concept. Usually I know if he can do a particular type of math problem, however, because we are practicing all the time. They are coming up with <i>their own problems </i>to solve. (It tells you how to accomplish this in <a href="http://www.center.edu/MathTheirWay.shtml">Math Their Way</a> and <a href="http://www.center.edu/MathWayThinking.shtml">Mathematics: A Way of Thinking</a>. Again, often we will veer off the topic we are working on if it come up in real life, such as a student wanting to learn how to tell time or how to measure. If you want a more step-by-step topical outline, you can find them at <a href="http://www.worldbook.com/typical-course-of-study?wbredirect=1&Itemid=216">World Book</a>, but it is easy to get caught in the have-to-check-off the-topic syndrome, so I avoid using it as much as possible, maybe once a year to see what type of thing is coming up for the next year, or did I miss something last year that I need to look at a creative way of presenting.<br />
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English is more difficult for our family because of the multiple learning disabilities they have. All of my children have been very late readers and writers. I follow as much as possible Charlotte Mason's techniques of oral and then written narrations, combined with simple but clear grammar study. Writing techniques, spelling, grammar and the like are often practiced within the concept of their writing in their other studies. If we are learning adjectives, for example, then I encourage them to add them to their nature journal descriptions of a plant they saw, or in another piece of writing they have done. Field trips are wonderful topics for writing because they are real and tangible to them. Rarely until high school at least do I assign a topic just for English, for narrative, persuasive, comparison and contrast essays are easy to do in context of history, science or through books.<br />
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I like to have lots of variety in our schooling, so I often separate off topics into smaller pieces. For instance, we will often study history and geography as distinct subjects. Not that we don't study geography in our history, (and history in context of our geography studies), but we study history sequentially and geography by region and when they overlap, there is a built-in review. The key, is, however, that we only do each subject a little bit at a time. World Geography may take us years, going slowing, one little bit at a time, spiraling back around as they get older to add more detail to their study. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">So to look at our list of subjects, one might say, "Oh, my! I can't do ALL that!" but if you could see our school, you would see that it is not overwhelming because a small bit is covered at a time. And if it does become too much, we will drop a subject as we need to. For example, while I went through my cancer treatment, we temporarily stopped our geography studies, and only concentrated on history. If we can add the geography back in later, then that will be great. If we don't for awhile, that is fine, too. Most of the time, they will miss the subject after awhile and begin asking questions and making explorations on their own if we have dropped a subject for awhile. Then it is time to add it back in again, even if they do it on their own for the most part.<br />
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Once they reach about seventh grade, I make sure I have added in foreign language exposure. For our family, we enjoy learning Greek, Latin and a Modern Language. That may sound like a lot but it is not, if you take it slowly. Once they get a bit of Greek and Latin under their belt, Modern Language is so much easier because so many of them have roots in those languages, as does our own English. They get so much grammar review and understanding by studying Greek and Latin. Exposure in the younger grades is fine, too, but I don't worry about it much if it doesn't make its way to our list of subjects for the year. There is time.<br />
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Other subjects you might include are Nature Study, Artist Study, Composer Study, Art Techniques, Plutarch, Shakespeare, Poets, Hymns, and Folk Songs. Many of these topics, too, can be incorporated in other subjects, such as art techniques to make a piece of art can be combined with our history studies. Artist and Composer studies can be also taught in context of history.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Include what you can, what inspires or motivates you and your students and do not worry about the rest. There is time.</span></i></h3>
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I hope this answers your question, and if I have left something out, feel free to leave a comment with more questions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><i>Originally published Mar 3, 2013</i></div>
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Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-74049888681917093762023-11-12T07:20:00.000-08:002023-11-12T07:20:25.979-08:00What is it? An exercise in making inferences<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">The boys had a good time with an activity about making inferences.<br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">First they had to make a guess about what they thought might be in a box, </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">without looking, of course.</span></div><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They had to record what they thought it might look like, and then they got to look inside and draw a picture of that, too.</span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186837089758145378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XBRHQDx8m-oXEVwITIL_R3cUlfAFVH3xtgWCjL59mnVT-f7RE7L79uvC2JTY6sUaTKWzOhg5f0Ke5QQpaELpIk-3dyd1cpm77ByoA00c1-Lm1PCl6eIG-G54j2r5KGh2QOhrRv8I9rs/s16000/Chemistry+Pre-level+Experiment+1+007.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><p align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">They then looked at the outside of a kiwi. an avocado and an artichoke and guessed what it looked like inside. Then we cut them open to see how they looked.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTGESheZndL-RbU8G8hWxdXEXcPp21ShfpKDTpbH-KTo6PEUNTMh5yUksWWAdsblIak2QGqW7GXx7UXKTqSXIUDiIOicZrR-Hyr5jApwMZ80X9gqaZ8QosPwihKV6piZcv43oMnpqBTk/s1600-h/Chemistry+Pre-level+Experiment+1+014.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186837098348080002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTGESheZndL-RbU8G8hWxdXEXcPp21ShfpKDTpbH-KTo6PEUNTMh5yUksWWAdsblIak2QGqW7GXx7UXKTqSXIUDiIOicZrR-Hyr5jApwMZ80X9gqaZ8QosPwihKV6piZcv43oMnpqBTk/s16000/Chemistry+Pre-level+Experiment+1+014.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKqTNsSDi36wor4vXV7lvJ1RhELpUWhDkwmIyNKaLl7uOqg2F7EcILJRsft62CJhXumSkQ6DBP7KIf2IixSkeeZ_nLzAW4cvUXy2F_g21BqgczSj69KCh7Gq3_5-pFokzVaLFQgeVwAc/s1600-h/Chemistry+Pre-level+Experiment+1+015.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186837106938014610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKqTNsSDi36wor4vXV7lvJ1RhELpUWhDkwmIyNKaLl7uOqg2F7EcILJRsft62CJhXumSkQ6DBP7KIf2IixSkeeZ_nLzAW4cvUXy2F_g21BqgczSj69KCh7Gq3_5-pFokzVaLFQgeVwAc/s16000/Chemistry+Pre-level+Experiment+1+015.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></p>Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-10010963253120488842023-11-11T14:26:00.000-08:002023-12-01T05:46:20.049-08:00Experimenting with Craters on the Moon<div align="center"><br />
<br /><img alt="" border="0" height="619" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402976979466190162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6eBnsPJZPutfLXoVGW8tgv98edax4_-Aac1SueQ4rYZcfsY3R-uWeZ3aXR4_dCgjdG3Ay9LNXvsOK9LX3Lm2V2oXjae1yaziTVQaEcYK_p2yn9oAsUNIMzcCYJO-zbaWKlBLI0tbiA/s400/img_8901.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;">Answering the question as to why the moon has so many craters, we talked about how the earth's atmosphere burns up many meteors that would otherwise hit the earth, but that the moon doesn't have such atmosphere. We talked about the light that comes from a shooting star and how it is the atmosphere rubbing against the meteor that makes the energy in the form of light. To determine why the craters on the moon differ in size, we did two demonstrations. </span><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402976985969561026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi_VcO2aMr_-k84IBXFyRSNRdj_TZMQuO2DRpk23Ip59T4hfAJ8Sp0RWI4VqrO2XYIuFSnHTN8t0C-_mM-SKYX3GoOOasa31bFUwWLC3Awmjem1-EJxENz9OC4kHSlB01gRsFas1EDQ/s400/img_8899.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="588" /><span style="font-size: large;"> The first was to see how the size of the rock would affect the size of the crater. We took a large bowl of flour and smoothed its surface by shaking the bowl gently back and forth. Then we used a spot on a nearby post to determine the height at which they would drop their rocks. In this way we eliminated a variance of speed affecting our results. As expected, the larger the rock, the larger the crater. We also noticed, however, that the craters were considerably larger than the rock that made it. Scientists estimate that the size of a crater on the moon will be about 20 times larger than the rock that created it. </span><img alt="" border="0" height="504" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402976972918008066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3G7rMUmxIm3s8YD-IVbqd4aLSO4uJTcC5X603fQ6ufKOWh0Dt-Yy2tva2zbkyUyslN79hlknFIXKlzrmwDh8JWydccKAeOSGpbQN-ea_bDKKyM1AMSqqGwWbKuz_uJc_Hm2Yg7w7ww/s400/img_8902.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;">We then did a second demonstration in which the size of the rock remained constant and the height at which we dropped the rock increased with each drop. </span><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402976983227212530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOX9-GRWluHujE5cj4UiFRQ9NXyw0JH_V2Y5l05WUAy5YhMI42viXgNw93cLEJ9yUdC5TBFdYda7Z_7uhXFvajCDURv6FU590g6Ks4NwPsB92s71GCdHUxzD0Yz_hKJODCtx_icDbZg/s400/img_8900.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;">As expected, the larger the impact (or the higher the drop) the larger the crater. </span><img alt="" border="0" height="564" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402976969125348722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhee5L9rATryKMVJWuZIWPc5i2jU2-ySuoCraOYoRhvy4HG1bpYidr-D7lR6-exRVvB5TtiBLd_JpCa5zMSYcBqyHJC4h4LNwfFFb_E96-HVMg5AKBJI4YtossDBXgJjrIrK6gPwIyywQ/s400/img_8903.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;">With the highest drop, the stone bounced up and made a second crater. We noticed when we looked at pictures of moon craters, that the craters were almost always perfectly round. We learned that no matter the initial shape of the meteor or the angle of the impact, the resulting crater is always round. </span><img alt="" border="0" height="544" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402982162041092786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZboPLLicI3cneRIOcSpmXtA-hujtNC6jkc8pOx2Y4_Q8yBurVXfG6AxZzl1rbS7XW3s7dt28erMTpv3ZMmEzv2SCYWi-zHaFn3tp-VOxVlXttRD0yv6Yrn09ai062E0T1dtVP-Volw/s400/img_0353.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;">I also had them recall an experiment that the oldest had led last year in which she photographed drops of water falling in a pan of water. They discovered then that as soon as the drop hits, it goes below the surface of the water, making a sort of crater, that ripples come from the center, hit the walls of the pan and bounce back and forth and that a mound of water forms in the center of the crater right after the drop is dropped. </span><img alt="" border="0" height="540" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402982156079566642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGiGgfq8lxzioMAvF0cT36R6ZqS2dUFJe2NlZpwYkGYv_V330lQyasITgQXmTMpChYllazMtHKxPLHgIyEbHpO2C1ch5zi-O9kylXP-AqIfNQjzfNpf2AN3bhA53DaqwXwQIpFWPnbw/s400/img_0365.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Very large meteors have struck the moon so fast that they melt the rocks and the moon's surface turned into molten rock for a few minutes. It then solidifies before the peak has a chance to become level again. These craters then have a central peak.</span><br /></div><div align="center">
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<a href="http://almostunschoolers.blogspot.com/2010/07/moon-pudding.html">Another Version of Making Craters </a>(this time with pudding!)</div>
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Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-64053289498313207412023-11-11T13:59:00.000-08:002023-12-01T05:51:40.443-08:00Metamorphic Rock Bars<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Metamorphic Rocks change from one form to another through Earth's heat and pressure. To demonstrate how heat and pressure can make substances change form, it is fun to make these bar cookies.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">First put 1/4 cup melted butter in a 13 x 9 inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle over it 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (you could use cookie crumbs instead). Pour 6 ounces of sweetened condensed milk over this. Sprinkle on, in layers, 3 1/2 ounces of raisins or coconut, </span><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402972219474328338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvZnFZn72C-p0AVykwhlRIO1IqGCpk_qJElErd8SPbEdk-S7__ohLp0CbQHqB6gsNVS-fEcAwd_YoZ5pMTmLQV5Arm2MgVvme0A-s9yZhxNuS_KO_VCPumyeB_H6xSMvDvSV-P-F2sg/w640-h480/img_8888.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;">(We used a combination.) 4 ounces of your favorite nuts or seeds (whatever you happen to have on hand.), </span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402972217247260946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdRftVC1D5AtSZNfO7RmYQCWi64CULyXSz2mJJzdHzMgCkWvqvwq2zUC4ZpAT5ff-AO-09dufidOT0KZHuHYq5u3dd90NYP2KbdHrj5o3zlyajXGRrPIX6vhrCsfmmZiRZp6M8CevzA/s400/img_8892.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 391px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><span style="font-size: large;">4 ounces of chocolate or butterscotch chips. Top with 3 1/2 ounces granola.<br /><br /></span><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tu0CHX_RGTMSA3Pzsgp6RlzwvNJvF_B95ShJJj6ti0ftDbV1YlrYQOLLS9-TE_UM_BnT9lajK3mWeQGBlqzgRfYyrr39l244NVqkGO9npnWuW9tndhhJ3yIoK5ZIVYYBETRAB8sIdQ/s1600-h/img_8894.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402972210720431826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tu0CHX_RGTMSA3Pzsgp6RlzwvNJvF_B95ShJJj6ti0ftDbV1YlrYQOLLS9-TE_UM_BnT9lajK3mWeQGBlqzgRfYyrr39l244NVqkGO9npnWuW9tndhhJ3yIoK5ZIVYYBETRAB8sIdQ/s400/img_8894.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 360px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Place waxed paper on top and press down all over. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This represents the pressure exerted on metamorphic rocks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">Take off the waxed paper and bake about 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Cool. Slice into bars. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Notice how some of the ingredients have changed a lot while others have made more subtle changes. This is also true for metamorphic rocks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Rice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Krispie</span> bars could be made instead.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></div><br /></div>Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-32620320792831044552023-11-08T14:36:00.000-08:002023-12-01T06:08:22.177-08:00How Sedimentary Rocks Are Made<div align="center"><div><div><div><br />
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<div><img alt="" border="0" height="608" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401867499177292306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEl2KaMjpLhlUr47TzkXaomk1vKVkDhz0RonWEIj6QMLLnrgl2pRp1P97M8JYM_OovT6c0T5uOvLfE5Gpm-pUFCnncbfFnhvGrkUhWxX0Nfnp-33l4YhUowopp2L8ZX1askWVouWyqQ/s400/IMG_8615.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">First pour equal amounts of sand, dirt, pebbles </span><span style="font-size: large;">and water into a jar. Add a few shells, too. It doesn't matter what order you put them in, but saving the water for last will make putting the other components in easier. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Shake well. It will be murky. Let it sit for awhile...</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">perhaps an hour or more. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">The layers will <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">separate</span> on their own according to density. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Have your students sketch </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">and label the layers.</span><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402170216424344658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4luWNZu4LOKe_gSamk2PvYJZErawp4ajUQAc5SyfrBfu3CTsl5HJD1irhouM1JH6hPeBF8K-Zd9HZCP_OxN-aMFGPVIxTgvTZXEaS4bVWQ9GE6pt_RKuBj_6uz9VHWrsiwt-ZQQ3mg/s400/img_8737.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="480" /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Then on the other side, have them list what rocks these sediments turn into over time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>stones</b> turn into <b>conglomerate rock</b>, the <b>sand </b>turns into <b>sandstone</b>, the <b>dirt</b> turns into <b>shale</b> and the <b>lime in the shells</b> can turn into <b>limestone</b>. The <b>plant material and the shells</b> could make <b>fossils.</b></span></div>
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Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-3115415278161925612023-11-08T13:32:00.000-08:002023-11-29T08:29:08.029-08:00Fractions + Snacks = Recipes (and Math...shhh...don't tell them!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhfh_PN9GI/AAAAAAAAbso/sV1hN7Yv-YA/s1600/PB080079.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" px="true" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhfh_PN9GI/AAAAAAAAbso/sV1hN7Yv-YA/s640/PB080079.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Kids are naturally attracted to snack foods. If you have been reading here for awhile, you have probably seen how I have incorporated food ideas in many of the activities. It is because it draws their interest and then you can wrap this natural interest around some nugget of a concept you want them to learn. It could be the <a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/layers-of-earth-you-can-eat.html">layers of the earth</a> or how the <a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/roman-road-viae.html">Romans made roads</a> or it could be fractions. I have talked about how I have used <a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/baking-bear-math.html">measuring cup fractions</a> with cooking on more than one occasion. Today's activity, however, was not them following a recipe but around them making up their own recipe. And, therefore, their own fractional problems to answer. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How empowering is that?</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhfxN7FzqI/AAAAAAAAbss/y6tjoMnKWno/s1600/PB080080.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhfxN7FzqI/AAAAAAAAbss/y6tjoMnKWno/s640/PB080080.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I got together a table full of munchies from the cabinets. The rules of the game are, however, that they have to stick within a reasonable 2-cup limit.<br />I had some of these cutsie little snack boxes for them to make their mixes in. <br /><span style="font-size: large;">I gave them slips of paper, some of which were folded into either three sections or eight sections.</span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-size: large;">They could pick which type of paper they wanted to use and got to work writing down what they picked for their mix, including the fractional amounts.<br /><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhgzu6cnII/AAAAAAAAbtA/v6ps4YTVyaE/s1600/PB080087.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" px="true" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhgzu6cnII/AAAAAAAAbtA/v6ps4YTVyaE/s640/PB080087.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, now the game was on.<br />After the ingredients were added to make 2 cups of snack mix, they shook them up to mix.<br />This mix is an equal mixture mixed nuts, chocolate candies, white chocolate chips, popcorn; 1/2 cup each.<br />The fractional amounts can be written out as fractional problems.<br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 +1/2 +1/2 +1/2 = 2</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhhBJR9pcI/AAAAAAAAbtE/7MgaYSwHiDs/s1600/PB080088.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" px="true" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhhBJR9pcI/AAAAAAAAbtE/7MgaYSwHiDs/s640/PB080088.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is one student's mix, that we called it <i>El Blano</i>, as it looked so white. His recipe is 1/4 cup white chocolate chips, 1 cup popcorn, 1/2 cup mini marshmallows and 1/4 cup chocolate candies.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 + 1 + 1/2 +1/4 = 2<br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhhPGd767I/AAAAAAAAbtI/Zgm9KxnHjgU/s1600/PB080096.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" px="true" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhhPGd767I/AAAAAAAAbtI/Zgm9KxnHjgU/s640/PB080096.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This one had a complex recipe of 1/8+ 1/3 cup chocolate candies, 3/8 + 1/3 cup popcorn, 3/8 cup pretzels, 1/8 cup mixed fruit, 1/3 cup white chocolate chips. <br />1/8 + 1/3 + 3/8 + 1/3 + 3/8 + 1/8 + 1/3 = 2</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhhcVczTfI/AAAAAAAAbtM/q_WVSjImvbw/s1600/PB080098.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" px="true" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhhcVczTfI/AAAAAAAAbtM/q_WVSjImvbw/s640/PB080098.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is my youngest student's variety mix of 1 cup popcorn, 1/4 cup mixed nuts, 1/4 cup raisins, 1/4 cup chocolate candies, and 1/4 cup white chocolate chips. <br />1 + 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 = 2</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhhqmwgQpI/AAAAAAAAbtQ/rZFnzX9VACM/s1600/PB080097.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" px="true" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNhhqmwgQpI/AAAAAAAAbtQ/rZFnzX9VACM/s640/PB080097.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And what goes better with a math snack than a choice of hot chocolate or tea?</span></td></tr>
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Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-65074993335188794402023-11-05T13:13:00.000-08:002023-11-23T11:32:21.614-08:00Advanced Division {3-6}<div style="text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">With Beans, Cups and Bowls</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We have worked with beans, cups and bowls as math manipulatives for a long while. We have used them to explore <a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/base-six-math.html">different base systems</a>, <a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/place-value-introduction-counting-game.html">place value</a>, <a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/advanced-addition-and-subtraction.html">addition and subtraction</a>, <a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/beginning-multiplication-for-problems.html">beginning multiplication</a>, <a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/beginning-division.html">beginning division</a>, and <a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/decimals-3-6.html">decimals</a>. Now we use them for some advanced division problems. Sometimes I give them the problems and sometimes I will have them randomly make up problems using a die to roll out the numbers and sometimes I let them make up their own problems. Today I had him roll a 10-sided die to make up the problems. Here is the first one and how we worked through it using beans, cups and bowls. The first roll was for the beans, or ones column and he rolled a <i>6.</i> The second roll was for the cups, or tens column, and he rolled a <i>0.</i> The third roll was for the bowls, or hundreds column, and he rolled a 1. The fourth roll determines the number of groups he will be dividing the beans, cups and bowls into. In this case, he rolled a <i>4. </i>We set up a little chart in his math notebook that holds this information. It looks like the above picture. He draws columns with four lines to them to represent the fact that we are dividing by four.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He sets up the board with the appropriate amount of beans; for this problem, 1 bowl (containing 10 cups with 10 beans in each cup), and 6 beans, equaling 106 beans in total. For his own explorations, I give him ample time to make his own discoveries by trying to solve the problems in any way he wishes, but for my teaching sessions, I show him the method that I find is the easiest for me, which means starting with the bowls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is easy for him to see that the 1 bowl of 100 beans must be broken down into amounts of 10 in order to divide them, so he takes the cups out of the bowl and begins sorting them into four groups.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He notes at the top of the bowls column that 1 bowl cannot be divided without breaking it down by putting a zero above the bowls. He then breaks down the cups of ten into the four rows on the chart and sees that they break down into four groups, each containing two cups of ten and that he has two cups of ten left over, which he notes on the chart. It doesn't show it in this picture, but he also noted it with a two above the tens column.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He then moves on to the remaining cups, or the tens. He cannot divide that by four, so he must take the beans out of the cups and put them all in the ones column to be divided there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He discovers that the two bean cups, once the beans have been taken out and the beans already in the beans column divides into four groups of six beans, with two beans remaining.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He writes the six above the ones column and puts the two for the two remaining beans as the top part of a fraction, with the bottom part as the divisor, or four, in this case, making 2/4. He didn't finish the re-drawing of the beans once they were put in the ones column because he didn't need to. He could see the answer without drawing it, so I did not insist on this for this problem. He may see the need for it in future problems, but he has to see the need for it himself for it to be useful to him. I also don't worry about simplifying the fraction at this point. That is to be done at another time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now that he has completed the process, he can begin making up his own problems and working them out, using the chart and board as much as he wants to.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Division with Chips</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We started out our working with chips instead of beans by asking him to put five orange chips, four purple chips, three red chips. two blue chips and one green chip on the new trading board.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He has<a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/advanced-addition-and-subtraction.html"> worked with this color scheme before</a> and knows that each color is a multiple of ten of the chip to it's direct right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We began by dividing this amount (54,321) by three. We began by starting at the ones/green column, making trades from the left, as needed. It wasn't too long before he discovered that this method did not work right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, we tried again, dividing the orange/ten-thousands column first into three groups. The leftover chips are converted to purples/thousands. This continues with purples, and all the other colors, moving towards the right. Finally the green/ones chips are divided, with any leftovers places to the right of the trading board, for the remainder fraction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also noted what he was doing on the board on the notebook page. I also noted what was happening on the board in the traditional form.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, he can roll dice to determine the number of chips to place in each column of the chip trading board, and the number of groups into which they are to be divided. He needs to learn how to draw a mini board on the notebook page with the appropriate number of rows beneath the chip trading board. He also can begin recording the problems in the traditional form, if he wishes, but is not required to at this time.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Long Division</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There comes a point in which the problems become so large that the trading board becomes too cumbersome.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"...a time comes in both multiplication and division when the scope of a problem outstrips the practicality of using materials. In multiplication, this situation was alleviated by <a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/advanced-multiplication-3-6.html">lattice multiplication</a>. To supplement the students' capabilities in division the next series of lessons presents an abstract system of dividing that serves the same purpose as the boxes in multiplication." -</i>Bob Baratta-Lorton, <i>Mathematics; a Way of Thinking</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We began by his writing the numbers one through 10, putting a circle around each number. I then get him to go by five down the line, so by the 1, he puts 5 and by the 2, he puts 10 and so on.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So now we begin with a division problem, but I want it to be small enough so that we can check his problem with the chip trading boards. This should bridge the gap between them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4321 divided by 5, and I write it in the traditional manner.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I get him to make a by 5's column as before and I get him to look for a number that could be subtracted from four. When he tells me there are none, I tell him to put a 0 over the 4.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What is the largest number in the fives column that we can take from 43?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">40. Can I subtract 40 from 43?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes. What about the next number, 45?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">No. Okay, we can't use that then. Let's use 40. The circled number next to 40 is what number?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, so put the 8 above the 3 in the problem and put the 40 below the 43, and subtract.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay. We've used the four and the three. The next number we use is the two. We bring it down beside the three, like this.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now we have 32. What is the largest number in the fives column we can take from 32?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We continue in this manner, writing the division problem in the usual way, and using the fives column to assist us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When we get to the last number, which doesn't take any numbers from the fives column, we write it as a fractional remainder.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img height="577" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TOF5W_TxrvI/AAAAAAAAb_E/FJfIJdGkkkg/s640/PB150372.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/long-division-theory.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Advanced Division: Long Division Theory</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I get him to check his answer with the chip trading board, (<a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/long-division-theory.html">just as I have done with his brother</a>.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Tz25dpd-K6y4ELJqhMDDPRqh9w1i-QsXtc432OR7-qZ2n5Gb8_Rchkx1J8H_a_l-h1wWoS0I0EHBZnj8RXYGKwBCptauC0o0kj2UbMkDQzNYuwRNwyHxwoNGMX_ucIlq40Quyd_U7P4/s1600/PB050003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Tz25dpd-K6y4ELJqhMDDPRqh9w1i-QsXtc432OR7-qZ2n5Gb8_Rchkx1J8H_a_l-h1wWoS0I0EHBZnj8RXYGKwBCptauC0o0kj2UbMkDQzNYuwRNwyHxwoNGMX_ucIlq40Quyd_U7P4/s640/PB050003.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I then give him more problems, with different column numbers to work with.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yptx6QSJHKHlJp-xn5VKJgYu_uDkedEVmPp8_3URp5OQHUPcM6ccMwRUSWtuCb3QifhQC5Amwkdnf-_-y5V5HzN62gOQBqPa-OTqggwF9wD_qKzCS63zUXdLqFg2pHRScMQR3qKA5GU/s1600/PB050004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yptx6QSJHKHlJp-xn5VKJgYu_uDkedEVmPp8_3URp5OQHUPcM6ccMwRUSWtuCb3QifhQC5Amwkdnf-_-y5V5HzN62gOQBqPa-OTqggwF9wD_qKzCS63zUXdLqFg2pHRScMQR3qKA5GU/s640/PB050004.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">At some point, I ask him to teach me by telling me the steps, one-by-one as he does the problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At this point, he can create his own problems, either from whole cloth, or by rolling a die.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He also is asked to solve word problems...</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote>We are having a party at our homeschool group, and we have been asked to bring peanuts to share. If there are 32 people who are coming to the party and the bag of peanuts we are bringing holds 125 peanuts, how many peanuts would each person get?...</blockquote></span></i><br /></div>
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source: <a href="http://www.center.edu/MathWayThinking.shtml"><i>Mathematics; a Way of Thinking</i>, Bob Baratta-Lorton</a><br />
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related posts:<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/beginning-division.html">Beginning Division</a></li>
<li><a href="http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/long-division-theory.html">Advanced Division: Long Division Theory</a></li>
</ul>
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links:</div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://love2learn2day.blogspot.com/2012/11/math-monday-blog-hop-73-november-5-2012.html"><i>Math Monday Blog Hop</i> at<i> Love 2 Learn 2day</i></a></li></ul>
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Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-16091630619067465522023-11-01T14:12:00.000-07:002023-11-29T08:41:16.826-08:00Baking Bear Math<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today we baked bread, forming it into a bear shape, and practiced fractions. All cooking uses fractions with measuring cups and we do a lot of cooking together, so the boys have had a lot of practice with fractions in that way. Today we practiced in a different way. This recipe makes two bear shaped breads, which was perfect for my two youngest boys. If you are doing this with one child, you can model making one, while they make the other one, or the student can make two. If you are doing this with more than two students, they can take turns dividing the dough and making the bear.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TM8jq511WJI/AAAAAAAAbdo/aqTkhW2WdqA/s1600/PB010461-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="304" nx="true" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TM8jq511WJI/AAAAAAAAbdo/aqTkhW2WdqA/s640/PB010461-1.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You will need for this project:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 pkg. (4.5 teaspoons) active dry yeast</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 cups milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup butter (1 stick)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 teaspoons salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 eggs</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">about 6 1/2 cups flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/3 cup warm water. (measuring with measuring cups) Heat milk, sugar, butter, and salt to 110 degrees F.(measuring of temperature with a thermometer) Add to dissolved yeast along with eggs and 3 cups of flour. Beat for 3 minutes (measuring time) on medium speed. Add enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 3-5 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place in a bowl, cover with a wet tea towel, and let rise 1 hour.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TM8lENKyMCI/AAAAAAAAbds/XNgbdpVDUlI/s1600/PB010460-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="556" nx="true" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TM8lENKyMCI/AAAAAAAAbds/XNgbdpVDUlI/s640/PB010460-1.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is where more fractions come in. Punch dough down and have a student divide the dough into fourths. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Have each student shape one of the fourths into a ball and place each one on a greased baking sheet to serve as the body of the bear.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Have each student now divide one of the fourths in half, and shape into a ball, and place above the body piece to serve as the head.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TM8p05tiivI/AAAAAAAAbd0/FjPXX_CSaIg/s1600/PB010464-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TM8p05tiivI/AAAAAAAAbd0/FjPXX_CSaIg/s640/PB010464-1.JPG" width="564" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Give the two remaining fourth to the two students and have them divide each fourth into seven pieces. Shape each piece into a ball. This was a new experience for my boys, who were used to things being divided into even pieces. For their first try at this uneven dividing, they will not get them evenly divided. In this case that is okay. They won't feel like a failure because for each bear, have them pick out the four largest balls for the paws, the next two largest balls for the ears, and the smallest ball for the nose of each bear. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TM8qGD9FzoI/AAAAAAAAbd4/orWbcVGgG6s/s1600/PB010465-1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TM8qGD9FzoI/AAAAAAAAbd4/orWbcVGgG6s/s640/PB010465-1.JPG" width="540" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Place raisins or something similar on for the eyes.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cover the bears with a wet tea towel and let them rise in a warm place for 30 minutes, or until doubled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, or until browned.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNAbRzX30fI/AAAAAAAAbeI/3wAXb8OX_RY/s1600/PB010473.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TNAbRzX30fI/AAAAAAAAbeI/3wAXb8OX_RY/s640/PB010473.JPG" width="448" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I found the recipe and idea <a href="http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2010/03/wednesday-baking-easter-bunnies-bears/">here at <em>The Frugal Girl</em></a>.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TM8rDX2zEEI/AAAAAAAAbd8/ghlbpKfmVEY/s1600/IMG_2803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" nx="true" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TM8rDX2zEEI/AAAAAAAAbd8/ghlbpKfmVEY/s640/IMG_2803.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have also seen <a href="http://almostunschoolers.blogspot.com/2010/10/bear-bread-spheres-and-fractions.html">this wonderful lesson</a> with bear bread fractions at <em>Almost Unschoolers</em> where she include the concept of spheres as well.</span><br />
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Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-41086370277364612862023-10-27T08:47:00.000-07:002023-11-29T08:49:12.219-08:00The Travels of Marco Polo (1271-1295) Part I: Venice<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMg9rslMNEI/AAAAAAAAbRQ/RYoMmzQDyME/s1600/MarcoPoloMap.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288px" nx="true" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMg9rslMNEI/AAAAAAAAbRQ/RYoMmzQDyME/s400/MarcoPoloMap.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polo began his travels in Venice.</td></tr>
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For the next few weeks we will be completing a leisurely study of the travels of Marco Polo, discovering the various lands he traveled through somewhat like he discovered them. We will learn about the terrain, the people and the history of the areas as we vicariously travel with Marco Polo. We will also be making a scrapbook of our projects, one page for each place we study.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMg917qGzZI/AAAAAAAAbRU/eW8J1A5Dc6s/s1600/PA270269.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" nx="true" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMg917qGzZI/AAAAAAAAbRU/eW8J1A5Dc6s/s640/PA270269.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our collages of Venice were based on the picture below.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMhAl2_hqnI/AAAAAAAAbRY/sDIj4Bh0TzA/s1600/marcopolomappicture.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="346px" nx="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMhAl2_hqnI/AAAAAAAAbRY/sDIj4Bh0TzA/s400/marcopolomappicture.jpg" width="400px" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A picture of Venice in the Middle Ages.</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">
This week we began where Polo began -in his hometown of Venice. We looked at pictures of Venice with its canal streets and lovely round topped homes lined closely together.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMhC8i0fe5I/AAAAAAAAbRg/1lgdl1HhddY/s1600/PA270258.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="560" nx="true" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMhC8i0fe5I/AAAAAAAAbRg/1lgdl1HhddY/s640/PA270258.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">
Using the idea I found at <em><a href="http://laughpaintcreate.blogspot.com/2010/09/toddlers-build-venice.html">Laugh, Paint, Create</a></em> we made collage pictures of Venice. Although the project was designed for young children, it is an interesting project for all ages. I cut out squares, triangles, half-circles and the like in advance and put them in piles on the table. After reading about Marco Polo and his getting ready for his adventures, I showed them the above map. Then I set them to work on their collages.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMhDFeVYiOI/AAAAAAAAbRs/dHnQuL9waHw/s1600/PA270265.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="306" nx="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMhDFeVYiOI/AAAAAAAAbRs/dHnQuL9waHw/s640/PA270265.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMhDQec1M4I/AAAAAAAAbR4/saB6iZ0sbn4/s1600/PA270273.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" nx="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMhDQec1M4I/AAAAAAAAbR4/saB6iZ0sbn4/s640/PA270273.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One student added a gondola.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMhJSFr1_nI/AAAAAAAAbSQ/5h7CAZPRdfk/s1600/PA270271.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMhJSFr1_nI/AAAAAAAAbSQ/5h7CAZPRdfk/s640/PA270271.JPG" width="516" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One student added a waterwheel and a swan to his.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMhIMM-00XI/AAAAAAAAbSI/50ybvjDTuMQ/s1600/PA270270.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" nx="true" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ngQU5S-Or7A/TMhIMM-00XI/AAAAAAAAbSI/50ybvjDTuMQ/s640/PA270270.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another student's looked a little more like modern art.<br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfXEA3EvfM4ZmvnL2LgRZuBFZQLr5ovhYdrRqp5YscyU2uCfDmvAoMWUfMjjKCYgrcrwNFsEZmhObnRqtWSxzpmRpCzXcpgAXEhjKsqgC43yUYgrEcTr1sxK_WTvoheomgRfAjIF5sBY/s1600/va15.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="306px" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfXEA3EvfM4ZmvnL2LgRZuBFZQLr5ovhYdrRqp5YscyU2uCfDmvAoMWUfMjjKCYgrcrwNFsEZmhObnRqtWSxzpmRpCzXcpgAXEhjKsqgC43yUYgrEcTr1sxK_WTvoheomgRfAjIF5sBY/s400/va15.jpg" width="400px" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another option for older students can be this technique found at <em><a href="http://laughpaintcreate.blogspot.com/2010/09/venetian-architecture.html">laugh paint create</a></em>.</span></td></tr>
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Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8926257079838622494.post-43173763547709535582023-10-26T15:21:00.000-07:002023-12-02T12:00:30.703-08:00Limestone Cave Model<div class="separator"><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397037904030203186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW157gjBkQ7TlYs2etj7CJKAttDYixxPYD4cKo6Vz3In_8GK0cWafGMwCPwe-Hg41lHb1QEOkYlnWZ-C3es8S-AFA9n0xTFKNPcXv_UUgkAh5H50LLsqq5VOxIgcAOoIt-tjuHT1Ac0Q/w436-h640/img_8290.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 218px;" width="436" /><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">To make a model of a limestone cave, take a plastic bottle and invert it in a glass bottle, covering the mouth of the plastic bottle with foil. Punch a few holes in the foil. Layer sand and sugar. Pour in warm water. <span style="text-align: center;">We didn't get a full cavern, but we did get cave tunnels.</span></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Source:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">Geology Crafts for Kids</em><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> by Anderson, Diehn and Krautwurst.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div></div></div><br /></div></div>Phyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09217282962233011656noreply@blogger.com