Easter Crafts

We did a couple of crafts this Holy Week. This is the last supper. The kids colored the apostles and Jesus and placed them around the table.

And then after crucifying Jesus and placing him in the tomb...

He rose from the dead and here are Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the Mother of James as well as the guards and angels.

Little House on the Prairie

We went to Midway Village today. We had 21 homeschool kids. One of the moms watch Charlotte and other babies at her house. Our kids all dressed-up. I had a tinge of guilt because I had nothing but a bonnet for Mia to wear so I quickly made her a dress in 24 hours. It turned out pretty good at this rate I should be able to knock off several wardrobes for her. The weather mostly cooperated. It was a little cold and misty but it could have been worse. Although it would have been nice to picnic outside. We visit a general store, a print shop, a black smith, a schoolhouse, a police station, and we had a square dance.

All the kids

At the general store...

Mia watching the lady telling us about food.

The kids at school working on their handwriting on their slates.

My kids in jail...

Here is Ben helping to make rope.

Here they are square (circle) dancing in the barn.

Valentine's Day 2011

We celebrated Valentine's Day eating Cookie Bouquet Hearts from Grandma and Papa.

Then we did some candy heart graphing. This was a versatile activity for the kids. They each were able to do it at their own level and all enjoyed.

Mia Explains the Concept of a Half for Math Class

Journey to the Center of the Earth

For science this year Ben is studying Earth Science. We made a model of the Earth. The inner core was brownie, the outer core is marshmallow, the mantle is rice krispie treats, and the crust is magic shell chocolate. We cut it open to see all the layers and them we ate it.

The Apple Orchard

We were suppose to go on a Homeschooling field trip with friends but due to the rainy weather it was moved to the afternoon. We couldn't go in the afternoon so I packed up the kids and braved the weather, which was just cloudy and windy.

Morning Calendar

I've been wanting to keep record of what we do at school but we are so busying doing it I never have time. The new schedule is working out, except I have to find a place for Ben's English. Math is taking longer than planned and he wants more time for math. Here are some videos of the kids doing morning calendar routine stuff. I hope to record the songs from week "A" and "B". I enjoyed watching the video when Ben and Mia were Joe's age doing songs. They were so little back then.

First Day of School

We started our first day of school on Monday. School is on the main floor this year. We hope to start working on the basement in October or November. Ben started 2nd grade. He will be studying the Middle Ages for History and Earth Science and Astronomy for Science. He also will continue phonics, language, handwriting, logic, math and reading. Mia started Kindergarten. She got her shots from the doctor on Tuesday. She has started Math and Phonics. She also is continuing to work on her handwriting and reading. Joe started preschool. We are studying a letter a week. The kids are working together more this year. We have time scheduled for Ben and Joe to read together or use the computer and Mia and Joe are working together on a number of activities. This has helped greatly. Our Fridays will be used for catch-up or art and music, mapping, and logic. It is wonderful to be back full swing into things, but we'll miss the summer.

Amelia Finishes 100 Easy Lessons

200 BOOKS!

We reached another mark. 200 books have been read!! To celebrate we went out to Culvers. The hat design was his idea.

ZOO TRIP

We went to the Madison Zoo on May 9. We went with four other families. It was overcasted but it didn't rain. We had a great time. We saw lions, flamingos, all sorts of bears, rhinos, penguins, and monkeys. Above is our whole group watching the lions.

Circus Day!

This week was Circus week for school and we celebrated by having a Circus at our house. We had 16 kids and 3 babies and 4 moms. The kids purchased tickets and followed the circus train downstairs. The basement was decorated like a big top with lots of streamers and balloons. We were lions jumping through hoops and elephants walking with the help of giant cans. We went to clown school and learned how to juggle and pose like a clown. We played pin the nose on the clown, walked on a tight rope, tossed bean bags in a basket and did face painting. Then we enjoyed a popcorn snack follow by lunch of PB&J and Mac N' Cheese. And for dessert we had animal crackers, cupcakes, and circus peanuts. The kids had a great time.

100 BOOKS!

Hooray! Today he read his 100th book. He gets to go to Culver's on Friday for a party!!

Sleigh Ride

We went on a field trip to Williams' Tree Farm where we went on a sleigh ride. It wa a lot of fun! It had just snowed so it was beautiful. We ate lunch there and decorated cookies.

Spider Week

The kids with their spider hats on for Spider Week.
Today we made a book about Spiders and played a spider on the tuffet game.

Little Scientists

This week we are studying Community Helpers. Here they are as scientists. We also did a building project with Popsicle sticks, were fingerprinted, had an animal hospital, and discussed fire safety. We hit the 50 book mark on Monday!!!! He read 50 books all by himself. Most of them he has read twice.