tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86744030887341437232024-03-13T02:07:31.002-07:00Letting It RotUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-375010030481077712013-02-25T19:15:00.002-08:002013-02-25T19:32:38.587-08:00Montessori Watercolor Art- Zoology- Arthropoda I think most homeschoolers experience sluggish Mondays. That's putting it nicely. We certainly have, which is why I decided to ease into our week by doing something artistic Monday mornings. This week's watercolor session was inspired by our current study of Animal Kingdom Phylum, Arthropoda and by <a href="http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2009/03/08/where-wild-things-are-watercolor/" target="_blank">this blog post at Deep Space Sparkle</a>. I think this project is great for kids who are reluctant to draw as having some instruction gives them confidence. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAgIgFiS44plIXicXn_xCOuxFY-eaidaxr8jv2TtSpDYAzbq-atqDcX6925ODmd44FxUcb_LVKF0k54KidUW8J9VHraeAC8AgDBbAadRdgLU4e9LTEBkXgmCHutH9e2_igtBfkaZwGUY/s1600/DSC_6424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAgIgFiS44plIXicXn_xCOuxFY-eaidaxr8jv2TtSpDYAzbq-atqDcX6925ODmd44FxUcb_LVKF0k54KidUW8J9VHraeAC8AgDBbAadRdgLU4e9LTEBkXgmCHutH9e2_igtBfkaZwGUY/s400/DSC_6424.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbobjFrV48oIFdykBCOvyqQG7cgwgAhPCdjkEGaf6CxuklYtZGkbosVrLzybtwE-_D1UPhN-zgP1O3LbmjPsSm9i0WFNluXlHyvHiTYH_L_EHcMMCobgrCsT_PWDC7p8r1EwihKRU5b8/s1600/DSC_6428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbobjFrV48oIFdykBCOvyqQG7cgwgAhPCdjkEGaf6CxuklYtZGkbosVrLzybtwE-_D1UPhN-zgP1O3LbmjPsSm9i0WFNluXlHyvHiTYH_L_EHcMMCobgrCsT_PWDC7p8r1EwihKRU5b8/s320/DSC_6428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=art%20smart%20how%20to%20draw%20insects" target="_blank">Using this book</a>, the children chose the subject they wanted to paint. I made them photocopies. They first drew with a pencil. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYFQia3IVk0rnnKSQS-Xdgc2keUtwrrske5B44cREfwjgSb-DLCNWzXXCKOVfNGPnxqvijyqBzdShuP7IEsHkRFFJ0r9TX0s4jab8Rjl9hIymqjYOoO31f-HpeDFY5Dmzl0vdDx6ACSs/s1600/DSC_6426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYFQia3IVk0rnnKSQS-Xdgc2keUtwrrske5B44cREfwjgSb-DLCNWzXXCKOVfNGPnxqvijyqBzdShuP7IEsHkRFFJ0r9TX0s4jab8Rjl9hIymqjYOoO31f-HpeDFY5Dmzl0vdDx6ACSs/s400/DSC_6426.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Next they trace the pencil lines with a sharpie.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldvi6y0YYOm4EiFun2LsNfTosiQOEKhqNdm5dR7llz8LXMxM_DGwZekJqLCPWNbreBu-PUr3FSg0p7TxSNplgRvunSkT-ApDHrBtPBLr5ZsEb-v_akW2MQyrytbrjveH4oHtQrIzaUy8/s1600/DSC_6429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldvi6y0YYOm4EiFun2LsNfTosiQOEKhqNdm5dR7llz8LXMxM_DGwZekJqLCPWNbreBu-PUr3FSg0p7TxSNplgRvunSkT-ApDHrBtPBLr5ZsEb-v_akW2MQyrytbrjveH4oHtQrIzaUy8/s400/DSC_6429.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Then they chose their colors and added watercolor paint. I did encourage them to paint every part of the paper, leaving no white areas.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnTZVEyIlSgwuF5FE3gtNBua_tQMPeAQKFOaIJcDaei_q6IPsgxdjtWBXCI_gTDIL1QGmtU5vGaqo-qEuZuZfnEmVvPf_w0KPgiDCevgIu7rCK96shyphenhyphenxWdfwewmLPHfdV-GFci_04FPE/s1600/DSC_6436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnTZVEyIlSgwuF5FE3gtNBua_tQMPeAQKFOaIJcDaei_q6IPsgxdjtWBXCI_gTDIL1QGmtU5vGaqo-qEuZuZfnEmVvPf_w0KPgiDCevgIu7rCK96shyphenhyphenxWdfwewmLPHfdV-GFci_04FPE/s400/DSC_6436.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlV1UDObWkmXxFDBHj9EkU8FlD07On4HSVIh14Nlj4lqjXP0ZySuDq9ku9GFwX1S19L4gjO8C9kJUpjOCH5a5ulq6JQoTWTigjs8_foEFg7ekWpRj85fBfqbJyRtXwJGApKC3tGtpwZ0/s1600/DSC_6433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlV1UDObWkmXxFDBHj9EkU8FlD07On4HSVIh14Nlj4lqjXP0ZySuDq9ku9GFwX1S19L4gjO8C9kJUpjOCH5a5ulq6JQoTWTigjs8_foEFg7ekWpRj85fBfqbJyRtXwJGApKC3tGtpwZ0/s400/DSC_6433.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The final paintings turned out really nice I think. They both felt really good about it. The scorpion was done by my six year old and the butterfly done by my four year old. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We have been studying zoology for weeks now so we have learned already about <a href="http://www.montessoriforeveryone.com/Life-Cycle-of-a-Butterfly-Cards-Quiz_p_103.html" target="_blank">metamorphosis</a>. We used <a href="http://www.montessoriforeveryone.com/Parts-of-an-Arthropod-Nomenclature-Cards_p_264.html" target="_blank">these nomenclature cards</a> from Montessori For Everyone to learn about the parts of an arthropod. T will tell you that a scorpion is an arthropod like insects though it is NOT an insect, <i>it is an arachnid</i>- <i><b>8 legs</b></i>. Happy Monday!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Linking up with Living Montessori Now's Montessori Monday: <a href="http://livingmontessorinow.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Living Montessori Now" src=" http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1431/4721689849_a0efc8abbe_m.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-4094930596617945952013-02-21T18:08:00.003-08:002013-02-21T18:08:46.346-08:00Montessori Homeschooling: Multiple Children of Various Ages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Overhearing my six year old son being a great big brother to his
little sisters is one of my favorite things to hear as a mom, and it's
even better as a homeschooling mom if he is teaching them something.
I was listening in the other day as he was “Giving a camera
lessson” to his four year old sister. This is the beauty of the
Montessori method, that children are taught in mixed age groups. The
younger children watch and learn from the older children and the
older children gain confidence and cement their skills while teaching
the younger children. This becomes second nature to the Montessori
child and is part of what Dr. Montessori described as “The joy of
learning.”<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZqd0-ErptCfyekJtwm5pVnr-NnvQb6tzrOiaL-QrKgisdE1RtD-0i21agX6qyJFcq7duaNZ7I3yqe8znKu5SKpqagJLdH_N4T66LUcXIt1r-ZSWQYoEaZeXbAmmwFqALoH_SFknZH2I/s1600/DSC_6314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZqd0-ErptCfyekJtwm5pVnr-NnvQb6tzrOiaL-QrKgisdE1RtD-0i21agX6qyJFcq7duaNZ7I3yqe8znKu5SKpqagJLdH_N4T66LUcXIt1r-ZSWQYoEaZeXbAmmwFqALoH_SFknZH2I/s320/DSC_6314.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning how to prune a plant just above the nodes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Home schoolers use many different ways to teach their children of
varying ages but teaching them together is not only easier than
teaching each child separately, it is also a lot of fun. Raising
tadpoles and illustrating life cycle journals is surely more fun
than sitting apart doing workbooks.<span style="color: red;"> </span>This
practice can seem daunting though, especially when teaching young
children. It can seem like a lot of work, mamas, <i><b>a whole
lot of work</b></i>. It's the reason, actually, that most people
think that they could never home school their children! "How
does that even <i>work</i>??" they wonder. With Montessori
education being so hands on, how can children of different ages and
just one teacher between them work? The key to being successful at
home schooling your different aged children in the Montessori way is
the same secret Montessori teachers use in their classrooms:
classroom culture. Even if you are teaching just two children,
establishing a classroom culture is not only necessary, it is vitally
important to making your job easier. <b>Yes, easier!</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLQTCcSDPXeyVodzWl2geXgo9RPSPyQ61qLGBwJ112gaMovVPN4zhdCj4SN3AXIQJvkgPc4340_CBwVu1P3nQz9J9GKJ2lDxdTD8irSsZxHLQgRuw8Sk1esv8fw33YpwChaY6A4DXJj8/s1600/DSC_6320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLQTCcSDPXeyVodzWl2geXgo9RPSPyQ61qLGBwJ112gaMovVPN4zhdCj4SN3AXIQJvkgPc4340_CBwVu1P3nQz9J9GKJ2lDxdTD8irSsZxHLQgRuw8Sk1esv8fw33YpwChaY6A4DXJj8/s320/DSC_6320.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
<b> </b>
<br />
<div align="CENTER">
</div>
So let's talk about <i>9</i> ways to establish classroom culture:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1. Introduce the classroom at the beginning of the school year
with <a href="http://www.infomontessori.com/practical-life/grace-and-courtesy-introduction.htm" target="_top">Grace
and Courtesy Lessons</a> and modeling.</b> Don't assume that the
children will know that they are not to walk on each others work
rugs. Don't assume anything. Take some time and decide what kind of
behaviors are important to your smoothly running classroom. Present
lessons to everyone. Be patient, review lessons as needed and give it
time. And most of all- <i><b>be the role model</b></i> and be aware
of your words. Model enthusiasm and it will spread. You may count on
the older children to model the kind of behavior you want the younger
children to follow but don't point it out by saying, "see how <i>HE</i>
is walking? That is how <i>you</i> should walk." Instead, say to
the walking child, "You are walking so quietly." The others
will hear it and take note.<span style="color: red;"> </span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
2. <b>Have a daily circle time.</b><span style="color: red;"> </span>We
<i>love</i> Circle Time. Start with a good morning song that
incorporates the name of each child and be sure to touch and make eye
contact with the child whose name is being sung. <a href="http://raiseawesomekids.com/blog/good-morning-song-for-circle-time/">Here</a>
is an example. The aim here is to start circle time with each child
feeling welcomed and loved, gain a feeling of connection with each
other and with you, and finish with determination and readiness to
exert herself. Sing songs to learn things, like your address, the
months of the year and days of the week, the alphabet song for the
toddler. We sing fun songs like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEEsX69iIxY" target="_top">Skinnamarinky
Dinky Dink</a>. We follow silliness with a <a href="http://www.befriendingourselves.com/Lovingkindness.html" target="_top">loving/kindness
exercise</a>: May I be healthy, may I be safe, may I be happy, may I
live in peace. Finally to set the mood for learning we stack our
hands in huddle fashion and chant: <b>I like hard work!</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
It may be brainwashing but <i>we aren't above brainwashing</i> and <a href="http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2013/02/12/parents-who-praise-effort-can-bolster-children-s-persistence-self-belief">research
now shows the importance of valuing effort.</a></span> If they say it
enough times they will believe it and this also <i>makes my job
</i><i><b>easier</b></i><i>.</i> <i>Muahahahahaha.</i> <br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWB5LYrms8MjVFnqtQIXW0U16kV56WAn15HDc5JZxic5tpIETKsusD-Vuw3iY1-5l06tGzxP5JyNYg5J0FfCje1udErB8Gss00KHsJcCqrLFKxJMI1el7nVajR6J7rgLJkss9YSU3SsM/s1600/DSC_6377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWB5LYrms8MjVFnqtQIXW0U16kV56WAn15HDc5JZxic5tpIETKsusD-Vuw3iY1-5l06tGzxP5JyNYg5J0FfCje1udErB8Gss00KHsJcCqrLFKxJMI1el7nVajR6J7rgLJkss9YSU3SsM/s320/DSC_6377.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circle Time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div align="CENTER">
</div>
<b>3. Put routines into your homeschooling day.</b> I won't harp on this point because as mothers we are pretty
much the masters of routines, right? But be <i><span style="font-weight: normal;">stringent</span></i><span style="color: red;">
</span>about your classroom routines. <span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: black;">For
us, </span>we take a few minutes to water plants and feed or observe
classroom critters, have our circle time, then get to work. Before we
leave the classroom, we clean up and make sure everything is in
order. It's not complicated, but it is consistent. Routines give
children an idea of what is expected of them without fighting while giving them the
feeling that what they do is very important. I have actually heard my
child say, "The nice thing about our classroom is that we put
everything away when we are done with it." He <i>likes</i> it,
there is no fight. Boy I wish he could follow this routine in his
bedroom!
<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;"><img border="0" name="graphics3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlde_1G2xOwLOb4WtDbsVi1Ip1mFHj4EOzSJK_cHwkaUhJlyPQGSsveIrHydyfkLfesA6rmbzpLj7XKrjSdJa4oDrEZrodiyyybNQjmiGOo5BqO7KEa9qY9VWmhVRXlguV2Z-YpoowyGQ/s320/DSC_6292.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping routines keeps chaos in check.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER">
</div>
<br /><b>4. Try to give equal time and attention to each child.</b>
Older children often get most of our attention because we are most
anxious about keeping them at or above grade level, right? Successive
children benefit from our confidence but also suffer when we don't
value their milestones. <b>Every</b> <b>child</b> at every age has
important work to do. Present all activities with as much attention
and focus and excitement as you give the older child. Sit next to
her, speak in a peaceful relaxed tone and make eye contact. Smile.
<i>Channel your first grade teacher. You remember her, don't you?</i>
Feeling your love and attention will help your children to feel and
act peaceful and they will be more willing to allow you to work with
their siblings when you need to. “You are doing great work. I need
to help your brother and I will be back to check in on you.”<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBjRf8I4LKa_1-L_pXN4uWFByV7NxiGSpCXMsPsi4DYyQw-UgyG3qPKOFs4mZITLI3LyH0dDBhH3XxuZgxlrHv-UjfLR2JMdimudrWF2YuJTFnA6t79D0P5NQBmXES1kWNKc6eHGLloM/s1600/DSC_6391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBjRf8I4LKa_1-L_pXN4uWFByV7NxiGSpCXMsPsi4DYyQw-UgyG3qPKOFs4mZITLI3LyH0dDBhH3XxuZgxlrHv-UjfLR2JMdimudrWF2YuJTFnA6t79D0P5NQBmXES1kWNKc6eHGLloM/s320/DSC_6391.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toddlers will learn that they too have work they need to do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER">
</div>
<br /><b>5. Make sure that each child has new, engaging work regularly
and keep several of these activities available to each child.</b>
Children <i><b>love</b></i> new activities. <i>(This will make your
job easier! Bored children are trouble makers)</i> This of course is
going to require most of your time and effort, constantly observing
and putting together new activities, but this is where you shine,
mamas! Set aside some time each week to review what lessons have been
introduced, which they are independently working on and what needs to
be presented next for each child. Having a plan and being organized
will help in those moments when a bored child starts acting up. If
you have a new lesson, a warm smile and a few minutes of attention to
give her, she will be right back on track. Presenting just the right
activity at the right time and then seeing your child engage with it
for 30 minutes every day is gratifying. Following a curriculum like
<a href="http://montessoritraining.net/" target="_top">NAMC</a> or
<a href="http://www.newchildmontessori.com/" target="_top">New Child
Montessori </a><span style="color: red;"> </span>will help give
you an idea of what activities should be presented when.<br />
<br /><br />
<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;"><img border="0" name="graphics5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJ4PmTnjkhAJaQY4H-WALd-UbMsTx6e3f222VPtYuxuUtGHhRREzoIrsA7c44jKJaUArWtoZocl8DQ0VPoMmYwM-OD6lGp6MiOgazndoQdPBcShQMPgRzoGJwLKavA_H84pKanI6r5Pk/s320/DSC_6326.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorting for a toddler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER">
</div>
<br /><b> </b><br />
<b>6. Keep activities clean and simple.</b> I love
all the themed, Montessori-inspired sensorial and practical life
activities all over the Internet, but the reality is that all
activities should be as clear and non-distracting as possible. Never
doubt that learning in itself is fun, it does not need to be wild or
themed. Before putting together an activity consider the objective.
Children don't appreciate busy work. Check some reputable Montessori
material retailers to get ideas, like <a href="https://www.montessoriservices.com/" target="_top">Montessori
Services</a>. Lots of activities can still be made, but well
designed, simple activities will get more use, last longer and......
be easier for you.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-txHCzsbY7BU5A_4G7zYpcauKHHdV5yV2eLuhlq-rw-G39QodAAvlnJRzw5uUF-LVMtZABjOMOjmNjCJ6FKsyp7-8vt1jRpjuIojgWfFkKA7nzlEe2g8hCZX5MB1Chg3gf9wbM3jpANc/s1600/DSC_6406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-txHCzsbY7BU5A_4G7zYpcauKHHdV5yV2eLuhlq-rw-G39QodAAvlnJRzw5uUF-LVMtZABjOMOjmNjCJ6FKsyp7-8vt1jRpjuIojgWfFkKA7nzlEe2g8hCZX5MB1Chg3gf9wbM3jpANc/s320/DSC_6406.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The materials themselves draw the attention of the child.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><b>7. If really little ones are part of the picture, let them
participate. </b>Set up a visual mat for baby with mobiles and a
mirror and carefully selected toys. Babies have work to do too. Sing
appealing songs for them at circle time, sing their full names to
them, sing clapping rhythm songs, and have fun <i>with</i> them. <i>Mary
Had a Little Lamb</i>, <i>I'm a Little Teapot, Old MacDonald</i> are all toddler
favorites. The older children will love this and it helps them to
bond with their younger sibling. When nap time approaches, encourage
the older children to choose work you know will keep them busy for
awhile, long enough for you to put baby down then rejoin them. Nap
routines change sometimes of course, so 'Follow the Child'. If you
can sneak away to get baby down though, getting some time in the
classroom with baby then without baby while she sleeps can work out
really well.<br />
<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;"><img border="0" name="graphics6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY06-SFd8XGxbvUtAom7-PNQuYyNfIXmdBrZf9ItriyWtBcJVqjFE1qkJ1VHV4ASpQ5tP2OXK8-c3NSgkGkG_trXeBjQivdIJ3_H7lgyoWtGcuL7KKQDc8o6Xg_tf5wlbIDlTq0ydZApA/s320/DSC_0115.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mirror, a mobile and some carefully selected toys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER">
</div>
<br />
<b>8. Teach them together.</b> Of course math and language
activities will have to be designed specifically for each child, but
history and science activities should be presented to everyone. Group
work is one thing that can be lacking in a home school classroom, but
if the children each pitch in and do what they are capable of,
learning together as a team is valuable. Younger children will admire
the abilities of the older ones and the older ones will feel a real
sense of accomplishment for how much he has learned since he was his
sister's age. Extensions of the activities can be assigned
individually at each child's level. For example- while using the
notorious nomenclature cards, have the younger one match the pictures
and the older child match the labels. Give the three period lesson to
both children, being mindful of their abilities, then assign
extensions. Children also enjoy being read to, so make a daily
routine of reading to everyone, read something on the subject
everyone is studying at the moment. Sure some things might not be
fully understood by everyone, but hearing big words in context is
great for language development, so just have them listen. Having
the older child read a simple book to the younger children is
wonderful too.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibshxwn06uOtYXIU0vOIzi-jtDpDM4fdb37ffK7OAH4MORQkZ75hnG0EMcEArJ5XnItmiFKa1U0FhgnbUMRO9NGpoHXyymoEew_xPjvwe7naTYj5dFOM8OHVkiDAZzFxIFhx_Vqt1pYQY/s1600/DSC_6412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibshxwn06uOtYXIU0vOIzi-jtDpDM4fdb37ffK7OAH4MORQkZ75hnG0EMcEArJ5XnItmiFKa1U0FhgnbUMRO9NGpoHXyymoEew_xPjvwe7naTYj5dFOM8OHVkiDAZzFxIFhx_Vqt1pYQY/s320/DSC_6412.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One child uses just the name to find the triangle, the other may use the pictures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
9. <b>Lastly, more routine!</b> Have a set time to home school,
set time for wake up, set bedtime, mealtimes and outside playtimes.
Keeping a regimented day in general is really good for kids and for
you. It helps you get the most accomplished, and it is easier to get
children to comply when they know what to expect<strike>.</strike> I
know you've heard this like 1,000 times, but it really makes things
easier <i>(which of course will leave you more time for </i><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">fun
practical life activities, gardening or playing music</span></i></span><i>)</i><br />
Homeschooling in the way of Montessori can be made easy if the
classroom culture is one that has the tone of being engaging,
welcoming, interesting and fun. Enjoy it and your joy will spread to
the whole class. So what do you think? Sounds easy enough, right?
Pile up the good stuff and Let It Rot<span style="color: black;">,</span><span style="color: black;">
</span>your classroom will grow and take on a life of its own.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-53832248911460113362013-02-06T20:16:00.001-08:002013-02-08T06:28:49.387-08:00Montessori Zoology 3-6 and 6-9 Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2Ir_ShyphenhyphenYSbkh6pc-ZNCKgLAC6t2sK5HBSoNMRhbT1x31J-cexZN1FZr7VjyEKeSkFs0Kqmr5nYIKnFDwasZq9zO0KfoGyobtHIEl-WK-c2YO46dYAThHRz3W37WNW_JDPgpdJPsS6y0/s1600/DSC_6236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2Ir_ShyphenhyphenYSbkh6pc-ZNCKgLAC6t2sK5HBSoNMRhbT1x31J-cexZN1FZr7VjyEKeSkFs0Kqmr5nYIKnFDwasZq9zO0KfoGyobtHIEl-WK-c2YO46dYAThHRz3W37WNW_JDPgpdJPsS6y0/s320/DSC_6236.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There is really nothing I like teaching more than science, and specifically zoology. Little people and big people alike are fascinated by the interesting lives of other creatures. We are drawn to their likenesses to us and their unique differences from us and each other. We are fascinated by the bold and bizarre. The angler fish is a <i>fan favorite</i> in our house, it has been for years. And wolverine is just too fun to say repeatedly and with rounded 'r's like 'wolveween wolveween wolveween'. <b><i>Zoology is fun.</i></b><br />
<br />
Using the NAMC Zoology book as a starting point I've put together a well rounded curriculum guide to zoology that is accessible and valuable for both the 3-6 age group and the 6-9 age group (heck I think even the two year old in our classroom gets something out of it). This guide can be used as a thorough study used for up to eight weeks in the classroom allowing the child to choose his work each day. Why not just use the NAMC guide as is you say? Because zoology is too much fun to stop there and your children will take to it like little sponges. There are literally zillions of creative, fun activities you can do at home with your kids that are not fun to do in classrooms with 20 kids, see? So here's the first installment of how we are currently studying zoology. These classroom critters take awhile to metamorphose and so do the zoology studies. From distinguishing plants from animals through basic classification and modifications, this intro and use of classroom pets keeps the little cuties interest and motivation high. Oh, and it's loads of fun. Did I say that already?<br />
<br />
OK, so... we always want to start a unit of study by piquing the interest of our children with some story telling that gives enough information to fill their little eyes with wonder and their little heads with questions.<i> No good at story telling you say?</i> <i>Poppycock!</i> <i>You have a chance everyday to practice your story telling skills- bedtime. No bedtime routine is complete without a made up story so get to practicing! </i><br />
<i><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qAx8wnefL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qAx8wnefL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a> </i><br />
<br />
These unit stories can be inspired by Jennifer Morgan's three book series, found <a href="http://www.universestories.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. I highly, highly, highly recommend you go buy these books like now. <b>Right now</b>. I think they really embody the cosmic spirit of the Montessori philosophy and that's surely the reason you are homeschooling or sending your child to a Montessori school, right? Yep, that's what I thought. If you aren't sure what the heck I am talking about then you should also read Michael Duffy's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Children-Universe-Education-Montessori-Elementary/dp/0939195313/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360204423&sr=8-1&keywords=michael+duffy+children+of+the+universe" target="_blank"><i><u>Children of the Universe</u></i></a>. First. And actually if you have not read Duffy's life changing book you should do that anyways so just go! Go do that!<br />
<br />
OK, so, we're good?<br />
<br />
Now back to zoology. We've told the story of animals- how exactly they came to live on planet Earth. We've told how they have adapted over millions of years to be perfectly fit for their own unique habitats (okay, okay, I'll post about how to do that next- let's get to ordering these critters because that takes time mamas. Plan for it) and <b>now</b> our children are on fire to learn. First the very basics need to be covered and NAMC does a really nice job presenting the basics- pages 11-20 in the <a href="http://www.montessoritraining.net/" target="_blank">NAMC</a> Zoology manual.<br />
<br />
If this is the first time you are teaching this, even if you know your child already knows the differences between plants and animals, etc., you should still teach this section. It can be done in one or two presentations and I promise your child will enjoy this and get something out of it. And heck, here are your vocab words, MRS FERG. If you don't know what MRS FERG is you might learn something as well! If this is not your first time teaching this to your child then move ahead- maybe do a quick review but if your child is under six then teach it again. Ok? Moving on.<br />
<br />
Here is where zoology gets really really fun: classroom specimen! Just as Dr. Montessori herself urged educators to use live animals where possible, NAMC recommends using live animals. In a classroom with 20 or so six year olds and an already overwhelmed teacher this is going to be very hard. Lucky for your kids though, you have an empty aquarium laying around or perhaps your neighbor or craigslist does. Add a cheap mesh lid and you have endless learning opportunities. So bring on the insects, the lizards, turtles, the caterpillars, tadpoles, whatever! This is where you shine as a teacher in the Montessori sense, the directress. Make an entire center for these critters. Putting together an irresistible area dedicated to this unit of study is really going to make your job easy and fun. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFbxBVjolHUdybukkE06FpmXmToLalgNodWclwNlRWlK4lgbeFHpg5BQMb5barNFEEia7_a2fzBMV4Xh_BdDiRbTDwZB58zVXTqmpgTHHodFJB50zTGN7RjLgMXpuhow1-iPSeHYuTl8/s1600/DSC_6260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFbxBVjolHUdybukkE06FpmXmToLalgNodWclwNlRWlK4lgbeFHpg5BQMb5barNFEEia7_a2fzBMV4Xh_BdDiRbTDwZB58zVXTqmpgTHHodFJB50zTGN7RjLgMXpuhow1-iPSeHYuTl8/s320/DSC_6260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Insect-Lore-2100-Ladybug-Land/dp/B000099Z8H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360204797&sr=8-1&keywords=insectlore+ladybugs" target="_blank">Here is a great option for ladybugs.</a> We have personally used this with great success. Watching the larvae hang and metamorphose right before our eyes was really cool. Be sure to get the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Insect-Lore-Ladybug-Cycle-Stages/dp/B000OAEHUA/ref=pd_sim_t_3" target="_blank">matching life cycle models</a> too. We used <a href="http://www.insectlore.com/Living+Kits/Frogs+Aquatic+Life/Frog+Hatchery+Kit+With+Certificate.axd" target="_blank">this tadpole kit </a>but trust me and use your extra aquarium for these critters, they need space. Here's a really cool <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fascinations-GreenEarth-Praying-Mantis-Kit/dp/B000GYWXM8" target="_blank">praying mantis kit</a>. We were lucky enough to catch the entire hatching process. Waiting four weeks to hatch was well worth it. Very, very cool. With a little research you can find larval butterfly plants and eggs or caterpillars in your own yard or in a neighbor's yard. Milkweed usually has eggs on it, get out in the yard and watch the butterflies, sometimes you'll notice that they are actually laying eggs on your plants! Bring them inside to watch the entire process. We initially bought the Insectlore kit and have used the mesh enclosure countless times to watch captured caterpillars do their thing again and again. This really never gets old. Really never.<br />
<br />
Be creative with this. Any kind of live specimen can be a really rich learning experience if done right. Find out what your children are most interested in. Do they love butterflies? Do you already have a pet guinea pig? Whatever critters you decide to study just make sure you prepare yourself really well. Teach yourself all about them- a quick google search should be sufficient but make sure you know about the creature's natural habitat and life cycle. Also important is how the animal is connected to man. People in certain parts of the world eat guinea pigs!! Your children will want to know where and why and this is all good for them to know. Teach them! It will give them a better world view. <i>(Yes, we can and will cross zoology and cultural geography if we can!) </i><br />
<br />
Set aside a small area in your classroom or home for this unit of study. This area should be prepared with a small tray with nomenclature cards. <a href="http://www.montessoriprintshop.com/" target="_blank">Montessori Printshop</a> and <a href="http://www.montessoriforeveryone.com/Language-Materials_ep_60-1.html" target="_blank">Montessori For Everyone</a> are two of my favorite sources for nomenclature cards. In the rare case you cannot find what you are looking for there you can and should make your own. Make sure you learn how to present nomenclature cards and to conduct a three period lesson- NAMC has the full instructions included at the begining of every manual. That three period lesson should always be on your brain! Life cycle nomenclature cards or models should also be available for study. Pair the models with labels and <i>tah-dah! </i>you've got another matching exercise for the shelf. These models are also great for when the children would really like to handle their classroom pets but cannot, as in the case of tadpoles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCVNiDhvTn_fw6vSU762Im6jWkmmRAXfiSY1IV8Cx0o8R2etiycsRt9UsC8UuV5lTi6S8s4sibe4ncx14CsO7w_EUZFdfjzLCYeqDYqxuGBuHaCEMouDki_qi_RJMWh-mPnxbEIrwdeI/s1600/DSC_6247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCVNiDhvTn_fw6vSU762Im6jWkmmRAXfiSY1IV8Cx0o8R2etiycsRt9UsC8UuV5lTi6S8s4sibe4ncx14CsO7w_EUZFdfjzLCYeqDYqxuGBuHaCEMouDki_qi_RJMWh-mPnxbEIrwdeI/s320/DSC_6247.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfuEaJRZeqgv9ChV4iwe3dTPP7Wx2YScZyRqNKqTcv-uyrODzftdjXFnB30SWYvTni8gknyGrpRmuGyhzYRcs0hYm8Cf76FLn2qXUV0xFxwVNKEDXy6zQcOdO2NeX0sJPZCfp1Unr-bw/s1600/DSC_6127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfuEaJRZeqgv9ChV4iwe3dTPP7Wx2YScZyRqNKqTcv-uyrODzftdjXFnB30SWYvTni8gknyGrpRmuGyhzYRcs0hYm8Cf76FLn2qXUV0xFxwVNKEDXy6zQcOdO2NeX0sJPZCfp1Unr-bw/s320/DSC_6127.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
A few carefully chosen books should also be put in this area. The Montessori teacher should be very picky about he books she provides. At least one book should be very simple. So simple that the beginning reader can read it himself and the photographs so beautiful and clear that the children not yet reading will be drawn to picking it up just to look at the photos.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511C0QSJC4L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511C0QSJC4L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div>
This book found on Amazon for example. A favorite of my two and four year olds and my six year old can read it himself. This Pebble Plus series is a winner. I often remember a series and search by that instead of by topic or title. I'll post more on selecting books soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514HRm68CbL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514HRm68CbL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div>
This book from the World of Wonder series is also amazing. This book is for children who are asking questions. The photos from the simpler text book have interested them but they want to know more. This book fits the bill. After reading this one to my six year old he can read it himself. This book is great for selecting vocab words and for referencing spelling while illustrating diagrams, etc.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HP7FM3NCL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HP7FM3NCL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div>
This series is also great but is no substitute for simple photographs. These books are really fun though and give the kids the perspective of the critter.<br />
<br />
Another work to place on the shelves are journals. Language and art activities can be tied into this without your highly motivated kiddos even knowing. I love <a href="http://www.barebooks.com/books.htm" target="_blank">Barebooks</a> for this. Get the blank cover ones because they really fit in better with the Montessori philosophy. We aren't trying to dazzle and distract, the details in the curriculum are enough to hold their attention. <b>Always trust that!</b> The children will love writing and drawing in these books documenting what they are seeing in their own way. They will love the memento this becomes, they can share it with visitors, showing them how amazing it was to watch tadpoles turn into frogs! or praying mantises dangle out of their egg sack. Yes, really. I promise.<br />
<br />
For my reluctant-to-draw because he's a 'perfectionist not sure of his drawing abilities' kid I used this book: Art Smart. Maybe there are others in the series. I haven't looked yet. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31oBAQASuOL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31oBAQASuOL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>BUT</b></i>....The last but most important part of studying zoology for the 6-9 age group is the cosmic aspect where we learn how this creature came to be what it is today and where it entered our universe's history. Your children are searching to answer the question of who they are and why they are here. The only way to help them answer that question for themselves is to tell them the <i>stories</i> of as many things within our reaches as we can. We can study the body of the ladybug, it's diet and habits and our children will be interested and busy. But they will forget- just as you and I have forgotten (and that is exactly why we delight in relearning these things many years later). But if we can answer these two questions:<i> who is the ladybug</i>?- <i>how did it become what it is today? What helped share it into that?</i> and <i>why is it here</i>?- <i>what role does it fill</i>?- on a much deeper level we are giving this young mind one more piece to his own puzzle- the one that will ultimately tell him <i>who he is</i> and <i>why he is here </i>in the universe with this ladybug. And ultimately, <i>ultimately, </i>I hope this will bring our children real satisfaction and real love in their lives.<br />
<br />
My son, six years old asked in sheer wonder, "So you mean that when we look at the stars we are really looking back at ourselves?" After hearing Jennifer Morgan's The Big Bang. Can't wait to hear what he thinks of it next time I read it.<br />
<br />
My daughter (four years old) said thoughtfully after hearing Jennifer Morgan's third book in the Universe Tells our Evolution Story series:<br />
"The Universe is in us and we are in the Universe..... so we love the Universe like we love ourselves."<br />
<br />
Deep, right? Awesomeness. The reason I home school.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I'll explore this idea and how to teach it in further depth soon. But for now roll that around and see what you come up with, read the books to your kids and see what comes out of their little mouths. Be creative with this adventure and have fun!!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-87127381443214849012013-01-16T18:01:00.000-08:002013-01-16T18:01:06.818-08:00The Prepared Environment or Letting it Rot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HUkCoPlBmZus3CKKBFpgBuu3dEXV2NYFV4Dc9ZFzyDO9oME4QQ4na1rbquc7-04dulQ_zpdCsKFRhGdkShY66h5gzNXRiuN0j_GHQjkh86EK1-88y4V8Tn9sD6dg2pAqu6Z2Vgyi2IE/s1600/DSC_6197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HUkCoPlBmZus3CKKBFpgBuu3dEXV2NYFV4Dc9ZFzyDO9oME4QQ4na1rbquc7-04dulQ_zpdCsKFRhGdkShY66h5gzNXRiuN0j_GHQjkh86EK1-88y4V8Tn9sD6dg2pAqu6Z2Vgyi2IE/s640/DSC_6197.JPG" width="427" /></a></div>
First thing in the morning our classroom door opens, we open the windows, water the plants and observe our classroom critters- currently tadpoles, a fish and a praying mantis egg sack. There's usually a visit to the potty by the potty-training toddler and a request or two for water. We settle in for a sweet ritual, morning circle time. T advances the calendar and announces the date. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8Vgsd5-QiP1qdemfyVRly6idCI92qqOLiUzFxQTOh58RGoFPSawz2sAPlmZkDTXo_eqX3LDD5hS7YPxkc8YBlMqDAS64R0ssRw_waEer8zTzu4WItHBiJK0ZNjyUdceYXMnka6yVEcc/s1600/DSC_6234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8Vgsd5-QiP1qdemfyVRly6idCI92qqOLiUzFxQTOh58RGoFPSawz2sAPlmZkDTXo_eqX3LDD5hS7YPxkc8YBlMqDAS64R0ssRw_waEer8zTzu4WItHBiJK0ZNjyUdceYXMnka6yVEcc/s640/DSC_6234.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Our work cycle begins. R. usually wants to practice her writing first. She draws in her life cycle journal and practices writing at the writing table. Her baby sister usually observes and wants to copy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGLOiEymcobqHZlBEi6fTsTgEgI3sdCL4dTCc2xP-YKt4SX4ZZqT8cIp5Ad3VD7Fxq_dkUReK01P0ReSpgd_NL3Mt6Ougb82Ei-itKzDvzt7bFeadi4_x_HJDtiq3KSRZ7kcoxgbi_L0/s1600/DSC_6203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGLOiEymcobqHZlBEi6fTsTgEgI3sdCL4dTCc2xP-YKt4SX4ZZqT8cIp5Ad3VD7Fxq_dkUReK01P0ReSpgd_NL3Mt6Ougb82Ei-itKzDvzt7bFeadi4_x_HJDtiq3KSRZ7kcoxgbi_L0/s640/DSC_6203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
While we work others nap. The classroom gets messy- books on the floor or as was the case on this day- underpants. B. won't accept help in putting them on and they often are left on the floor when she is not successful in her attempt to redress herself. Two-er and two-er everyday. She works too though. She prepares a rug for her work, for she has observed how this is done. She takes one shelf of material at a time to work with, a chunky puzzle, small boxes and lids or color tablets. The trays she returns when she is finished. The rug finds other users.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZjMMjBiXpah9stFaqzB7VUm4znLRG82wtl3qBDEHTOLW5AaH4e46C1CzS1eFLTNaDlTI6urWeCwXJNOgcdWB9lAdUOm3pSrBpC065WI1T9_-Ev_ay7OHak4afi8F3GnLfNN4GLBc21U/s1600/DSC_6216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZjMMjBiXpah9stFaqzB7VUm4znLRG82wtl3qBDEHTOLW5AaH4e46C1CzS1eFLTNaDlTI6urWeCwXJNOgcdWB9lAdUOm3pSrBpC065WI1T9_-Ev_ay7OHak4afi8F3GnLfNN4GLBc21U/s640/DSC_6216.JPG" width="640" /></a>After a group zoology lesson we settle in for more difficult work. Again, we are never alone. T works concentrated as his baby sister babbles and tries hard not to play with the tempting materials.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWXLfE-bjQU6CyDh__s5qXvGUXN-dL8JkKjAkyPX2ISy4QEN4GZOfFK50L7sw64FIxvR8D7tswiVzEWTCGMA-Sg-1M6cd7WeZ4PoxmZYMNCRG9QH4ty1QzyccWlfIzSekOFz2MB4ageo/s1600/DSC_6182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWXLfE-bjQU6CyDh__s5qXvGUXN-dL8JkKjAkyPX2ISy4QEN4GZOfFK50L7sw64FIxvR8D7tswiVzEWTCGMA-Sg-1M6cd7WeZ4PoxmZYMNCRG9QH4ty1QzyccWlfIzSekOFz2MB4ageo/s640/DSC_6182.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
R always finishes up first and goes downstairs with B to play. T finishes by himself in the classroom benefiting from the peace and quiet. <br />
<br />
While our classroom is carefully organized, arranged and presented by me, it takes a life of its' own while we work. The materials call to the children from the shelves, the plants beg for their attention, the tables ask to be worked at. I sit back and observe, make small changes here and there, tinker, crop and make lists in my planning closet and try to fade into the background, letting the prepared environment and the children's minds, their only meaningful teacher, take off. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-55471785971665062852013-01-11T11:42:00.002-08:002013-01-11T11:42:42.401-08:00School: Week of January 7th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98E-xveGjbTMnD4mpeAzy5TPw4AGJrgQvYEwJVOWdcHgyE2fHp983bqTFwGLOW8F_I4q4UHubDgOdRwFIIKwThHBKUSZMnKhhDXFrrvQc8TrzJIJDmF3VxYWDY6WqVvekIVorx-HGuWc/s1600/DSC_6142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98E-xveGjbTMnD4mpeAzy5TPw4AGJrgQvYEwJVOWdcHgyE2fHp983bqTFwGLOW8F_I4q4UHubDgOdRwFIIKwThHBKUSZMnKhhDXFrrvQc8TrzJIJDmF3VxYWDY6WqVvekIVorx-HGuWc/s320/DSC_6142.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>
Learning about nouns and the grammar symbols<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdNoUbx4QXqxEXE42hQZjDlmjE5j9bB1_49rscTUBDka_wvRdt-MqfxrIgQA2SO_S71R0N5apKDrHq8n29rE_atvylxZ5WzJme7h5S6rH3vm3pW24fpW8YohNW1rkP5FBZHuDOUCDnE8/s1600/DSC_6145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdNoUbx4QXqxEXE42hQZjDlmjE5j9bB1_49rscTUBDka_wvRdt-MqfxrIgQA2SO_S71R0N5apKDrHq8n29rE_atvylxZ5WzJme7h5S6rH3vm3pW24fpW8YohNW1rkP5FBZHuDOUCDnE8/s320/DSC_6145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
R. illustrating her life cycle book in anticipation of some new life in our classroom..... we still wait. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbQoQTSaJ-RTKQkHOK_zWnMGoYUV4mwibE5tRK8pCMYwwaGRRnyICpWlux1R3YDSYNiWkHg0xzgPzvbQtgHOfTozK06VOuHeh71Vfig3TnLQ1i2MjuCyy5QepBxmpkvd8eOqDHCq0EMc/s1600/DSC_6152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbQoQTSaJ-RTKQkHOK_zWnMGoYUV4mwibE5tRK8pCMYwwaGRRnyICpWlux1R3YDSYNiWkHg0xzgPzvbQtgHOfTozK06VOuHeh71Vfig3TnLQ1i2MjuCyy5QepBxmpkvd8eOqDHCq0EMc/s320/DSC_6152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Just an example of how much material I compile in order to teach one simple lesson! This is normal- we studied birds this day. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wX9zQjFLFbchi7J-2JyVCrAzz5k-d8vX_Q7qim3QBR9yW_JOXCTCTqOjYr8d5vv_5UUvOVoTQYWvvCaXTqBcPDklmSnb5G4GevvLgULtgP_KSh2fbNRDvvMvSOAhF3N9Zqa-9CDSOEk/s1600/DSC_6153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wX9zQjFLFbchi7J-2JyVCrAzz5k-d8vX_Q7qim3QBR9yW_JOXCTCTqOjYr8d5vv_5UUvOVoTQYWvvCaXTqBcPDklmSnb5G4GevvLgULtgP_KSh2fbNRDvvMvSOAhF3N9Zqa-9CDSOEk/s320/DSC_6153.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
And spent all day peeking in on an eagle nest via web cam!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmv1mSvtvuEaH8dAQ2u28Q_XQKN09CKEj3J2Zy0PrdpUGz7ptLLaAc3daSowQCBP_Zhutam8D2xGT3tXUqou0SdhDl3h06_jGU8-yNPddQX5EBitPRfdwjPqF1edRTSDuzjtJb5QbTrs/s1600/DSC_6166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmv1mSvtvuEaH8dAQ2u28Q_XQKN09CKEj3J2Zy0PrdpUGz7ptLLaAc3daSowQCBP_Zhutam8D2xGT3tXUqou0SdhDl3h06_jGU8-yNPddQX5EBitPRfdwjPqF1edRTSDuzjtJb5QbTrs/s320/DSC_6166.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
An example of how to keep a toddler busy and constructive rather than destructive in the classroom- she is the official nomenclature card picker-upper. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHHpNWkE5K-nE6Qe9olhbbzqVNkY8-9SE5coemQ52K3ItNwlGetDoLn_d3vsbyjKdtbUOyirHn4lWbXkNZMOlWzyHFcegzlvZQBy4ro7ShXshCMFcIT3eMp7pkDn_d5hyPUkI_Oa1KGI/s1600/DSC_6160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHHpNWkE5K-nE6Qe9olhbbzqVNkY8-9SE5coemQ52K3ItNwlGetDoLn_d3vsbyjKdtbUOyirHn4lWbXkNZMOlWzyHFcegzlvZQBy4ro7ShXshCMFcIT3eMp7pkDn_d5hyPUkI_Oa1KGI/s320/DSC_6160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Studying animal young. T chose seven pairs to write in his journal. I am always pleased when he chooses words new to him. He loves to learn. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-KQOEAqXFq6KCl_TemdhTDY5YIl09a9LJdvnJ9BD7cjjzICvwr0MwT9zBQnU5uoV9WQsjoRNIkB5EmYHjFTzQxU_hgG28nuPABGLnm2Sx4ESei2Zg7g-H3STOcDm58pLEFMe4FoHtl8/s1600/DSC_6175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-KQOEAqXFq6KCl_TemdhTDY5YIl09a9LJdvnJ9BD7cjjzICvwr0MwT9zBQnU5uoV9WQsjoRNIkB5EmYHjFTzQxU_hgG28nuPABGLnm2Sx4ESei2Zg7g-H3STOcDm58pLEFMe4FoHtl8/s320/DSC_6175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPGg8HwLFE9niDVLNZOd6e_qikqzj6EyCkwL12BUSMwoIeGUT1YEfhm4mn_re4K50g3JHgYHBb9DAW1nfzYdT1QqRgzxCh4pPn7yLysMF0SO0PMU8O_tNrcsVNiXFMLX6wnJHcBhX2qE/s1600/DSC_6195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPGg8HwLFE9niDVLNZOd6e_qikqzj6EyCkwL12BUSMwoIeGUT1YEfhm4mn_re4K50g3JHgYHBb9DAW1nfzYdT1QqRgzxCh4pPn7yLysMF0SO0PMU8O_tNrcsVNiXFMLX6wnJHcBhX2qE/s320/DSC_6195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Home of our new frog embryos. They are too tiny to photograph but fingers crossed they will hatch into tadpoles soon. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAt2qWadui795KdQqjBrwXjY0dNexkW5h5vgivO2mdgL4o8GCLLBWp-43TWo9asSkYwPZ0O6muMrGTUskAnU_m2yUfK48OfdgFs_ntS9qn00ykJ55RslbvEMKANX9J32c4wBhZ3Yi_V4/s1600/DSC_6193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAt2qWadui795KdQqjBrwXjY0dNexkW5h5vgivO2mdgL4o8GCLLBWp-43TWo9asSkYwPZ0O6muMrGTUskAnU_m2yUfK48OfdgFs_ntS9qn00ykJ55RslbvEMKANX9J32c4wBhZ3Yi_V4/s320/DSC_6193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Lego education. First lesson was levers. I hope this will be a good Friday activity that daddy can do. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbgneLpPvh1AmBYdLeWmgIvxJ8m6YXmfZLzsW3cuMIEy1dLKhb2bZgtEVpWiK91hewSGvE7YpUMO1S4y4wEdVhRa2FMxzfhliN02iUmirJLSpLkmrynoHnOxG-AwiKiL3tzx3uFhi35U/s1600/DSC_6194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbgneLpPvh1AmBYdLeWmgIvxJ8m6YXmfZLzsW3cuMIEy1dLKhb2bZgtEVpWiK91hewSGvE7YpUMO1S4y4wEdVhRa2FMxzfhliN02iUmirJLSpLkmrynoHnOxG-AwiKiL3tzx3uFhi35U/s320/DSC_6194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMtH8WONVjq7logJqHzK9ihu5GnohpPF3HrTyUoE8axQ1_GEmO_ptIqwU7tS2YGfg-VoA76-XAEVDO1TWMZ4IAV61G2_hhYS8xHc7Kb8ltFaeBfedOW7QYc16G-tkHYE9NIZQJdWWpUI/s1600/DSC_6184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMtH8WONVjq7logJqHzK9ihu5GnohpPF3HrTyUoE8axQ1_GEmO_ptIqwU7tS2YGfg-VoA76-XAEVDO1TWMZ4IAV61G2_hhYS8xHc7Kb8ltFaeBfedOW7QYc16G-tkHYE9NIZQJdWWpUI/s320/DSC_6184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Forest animals of North America. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKSFez7pqlBtOx-7SAwBVJRmLkbU2zzjX3tWpFArPbI-p6aAHeQ11S_n2eRRsUo2aM1iU9aADMwUncMCiKJOFplhBDhyIiKQkFFlN7wBDTSoHlAZ1qp-AQf_B7zqbbjpBJwHBkpSG8R0/s1600/DSC_6178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKSFez7pqlBtOx-7SAwBVJRmLkbU2zzjX3tWpFArPbI-p6aAHeQ11S_n2eRRsUo2aM1iU9aADMwUncMCiKJOFplhBDhyIiKQkFFlN7wBDTSoHlAZ1qp-AQf_B7zqbbjpBJwHBkpSG8R0/s320/DSC_6178.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
Learning colors! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-74245044816043313082013-01-06T11:28:00.000-08:002013-01-06T11:28:02.471-08:00Studying Insects! Enter: Praying MantisesI almost don't want to post, lamenting how long it's been and promising to post more regularly, but blogging more is a goal of mine in 2013. Granted, I have entered this new year very ambitiously with goals of achieving all sorts of things. Oh well, I'll keep trying.<br />
<br />
As we prepare to study zoology I took some photos of our praying mantis area in the classroom. This will soon be joined by the ladybug study area. As all things Montessori are hands on and child led, I am preparing the environment to achieve our goals of learning insect anatomy and life cycle.<br />
<br />
Our study of zoology begins with basic classification, moves through anatomy of invertebrates and then vertebrates and then covers physiology like organ systems and then reproduction. As this is our first pass through this information it will be a basic exploration this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYXB7rnSDv5jKyIRwI12wMF0zTaVt7yd2s7v-casCwV4hzJBFya1yJchiWNddw4XugHxA9mH_vF3Zcq8MDgbhplWdAIdlATbAwQ1-dYfEtZbqw-7tjGetkkVQp7TpzwLuYTyp4MLa9YI/s1600/DSC_6120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYXB7rnSDv5jKyIRwI12wMF0zTaVt7yd2s7v-casCwV4hzJBFya1yJchiWNddw4XugHxA9mH_vF3Zcq8MDgbhplWdAIdlATbAwQ1-dYfEtZbqw-7tjGetkkVQp7TpzwLuYTyp4MLa9YI/s320/DSC_6120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtPc-EuDArdGnyx57KspkYscPAPxBSQaWLNZvVYCOxTjs0sDrQKO9DodZk3t8Cn11w7Bspomwa80fArbbBKq19sLxnZz9RRecf-RnUHXt5BJom-vjpKf3OaB2kgJGGZgH8u-Gw2Rqcu8/s1600/DSC_6129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtPc-EuDArdGnyx57KspkYscPAPxBSQaWLNZvVYCOxTjs0sDrQKO9DodZk3t8Cn11w7Bspomwa80fArbbBKq19sLxnZz9RRecf-RnUHXt5BJom-vjpKf3OaB2kgJGGZgH8u-Gw2Rqcu8/s320/DSC_6129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An exercise in labeling parts of the praying mantis. A control is provided for checking work. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTmhJN8FB7Y7dCu6XwCcexNvRaSH60pNiMCAUBkB8M5L0P0AWibhaDPr0lFFD9rVBa_wUUbjMjHw2tQuoolXCwXDuY1oKxh2E1meCTSLHRHcJZSTzf-AExs0ytfBsEkv3yAnF4tNDN8w/s1600/DSC_6125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTmhJN8FB7Y7dCu6XwCcexNvRaSH60pNiMCAUBkB8M5L0P0AWibhaDPr0lFFD9rVBa_wUUbjMjHw2tQuoolXCwXDuY1oKxh2E1meCTSLHRHcJZSTzf-AExs0ytfBsEkv3yAnF4tNDN8w/s320/DSC_6125.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Praying mantis egg sack that will hopefully hatch in 3-7 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nOlKfkZ1PMmNsZOTtJSlcfB9GQY1zr6MvUqPrADORUN_pDcV8GxGnuImMC39UNLkaUP19kRq65ejBRqc-XKLAccLsMRCOMGW93qg4gwJ4vk02mEZFN_Ag6DdIxhDAjueNSqkbVwPwP0/s1600/DSC_6122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nOlKfkZ1PMmNsZOTtJSlcfB9GQY1zr6MvUqPrADORUN_pDcV8GxGnuImMC39UNLkaUP19kRq65ejBRqc-XKLAccLsMRCOMGW93qg4gwJ4vk02mEZFN_Ag6DdIxhDAjueNSqkbVwPwP0/s320/DSC_6122.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Display of life cycle figures, anatomy exercise, three part carts and info booklet about the insect and another matching exercise with three part cards of lots of different insects. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHBcFaWzLGi_SCW4mhQycZbdDSHrc5ymZakJlKgLm2mbSTcnHBBnK2h-mQZkfLtDl8Mm21sKjbpo3JE3rnmOgqjbYP6Z3cvLLYnataTNvA4hn8_Y5-tzEFxLpFEexuFo5nC3Ec9rEFqQ/s1600/DSC_6127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHBcFaWzLGi_SCW4mhQycZbdDSHrc5ymZakJlKgLm2mbSTcnHBBnK2h-mQZkfLtDl8Mm21sKjbpo3JE3rnmOgqjbYP6Z3cvLLYnataTNvA4hn8_Y5-tzEFxLpFEexuFo5nC3Ec9rEFqQ/s320/DSC_6127.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life cycle figures from InsectLore.com. This tray allows for matching or handling. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I added some other work, books and blank journals for the kids to draw in as they observe our new classroom..... pets?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH_4kYMyyVumccSkPHeCXCB0aDvLOUm7uAGKNi4_bahHvUwZoWhj-ULQadaMx9Ay3yKpZ3fQlmbyHcCghsgxbRbhllqX0HxeEcw0PBMRC0N5WJEM5rdWOQqOzC-BaXVrA5ghF1-6r4B4/s1600/DSC_6137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH_4kYMyyVumccSkPHeCXCB0aDvLOUm7uAGKNi4_bahHvUwZoWhj-ULQadaMx9Ay3yKpZ3fQlmbyHcCghsgxbRbhllqX0HxeEcw0PBMRC0N5WJEM5rdWOQqOzC-BaXVrA5ghF1-6r4B4/s320/DSC_6137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This next semester will be heavy in math and grammar and we will move through zoology, botany then physical and cultural geography. I'm taking several days to plan the next semester currently and I am very happy looking back on the last semester with the progress we have made.<br />
<br />
Check in again soon and pester me to post! Thanks!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-8831401653936507102012-09-15T10:51:00.000-07:002012-09-15T14:56:21.940-07:00Practical Life- Sewing a Button<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwleTGCz_ovkIWeQq_OqWMSx9oB9iwYi1epAYNaSGImFbUbURT8eprGbY2LexbAdmeuIY-zY01PNRfAElcZQI2eK0C8mSd82LlqRfLzBOQqNyPUHhZdqU7VoHsPCLuJ4saomFEBO1HgI/s1600/DSC_5913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwleTGCz_ovkIWeQq_OqWMSx9oB9iwYi1epAYNaSGImFbUbURT8eprGbY2LexbAdmeuIY-zY01PNRfAElcZQI2eK0C8mSd82LlqRfLzBOQqNyPUHhZdqU7VoHsPCLuJ4saomFEBO1HgI/s400/DSC_5913.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"> Admittedly I love the idea of unschooling, that the child determines what she is interested in learning and the parent-teacher picks up that ball and runs with it, but I have never investigated that idea further or read a book that delves deeper into the logistics and philosophy behind unschooling. Truthfully I need way more control and organization than what I imagine the free spirited unschooling parent-teacher has. That said, when these little learners in my care take an interest in something I try to let them go with it as far as they choose. Maria Montessori recognized periods of rapid learning in particular topics and called them sensitive periods. This is the thought that a child who has interest and motivation to learn something specific during this period will learn it most easily and thoroughly and that the teacher should take advantage of this time to help the child learn as much as she wants about it. This cannot be planned for or postponed until the rest of the class is ready. We cannot put it off until the syllabus says it is time. Yet we must be prepared for it.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU4Ptqe67LED67WzK4MBmrj4XClvDuZQbZqTqqckyXt5lbuunSHAnZqKH1dEWAdZaciF3_trp0htyFXXjDR8g5fXydUz06mGA-3IrKwgfsUrfuGgfsXeE1D9PVDR1hlWRhBH-t22t8Q8/s1600/DSC_5938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU4Ptqe67LED67WzK4MBmrj4XClvDuZQbZqTqqckyXt5lbuunSHAnZqKH1dEWAdZaciF3_trp0htyFXXjDR8g5fXydUz06mGA-3IrKwgfsUrfuGgfsXeE1D9PVDR1hlWRhBH-t22t8Q8/s400/DSC_5938.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>
T found a jar of buttons up in our craft cabinet that I bought months ago and forgotten about. It cost me $5 at a thrift store and was truly a gem of a find. This jar has a delightful mix of buttons in it. Big buttons, fancy buttons, wood and leather buttons, buttons with shanks- yes, we now know the word shank and what it means to a button. We also know how to sew a shank button or a four hole button, in a cross pattern or strait and we will be learning soon how to give that four hole button a shank. Yes!! This jar of buttons is priceless. When the jar made its appearance T and R spent over an hour with these buttons looking at them, pairing the matches, choosing combinations that were pleasing to their little button palettes. And when I offered to teach them how to sew a button onto fabric? Pure excitement.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbI_9wWzYcX04rdOldr1mqcJMnzqBCn7lYjeNX3BHZqRQJiSH_gPgQ6uHmrZTdNIlP89xmCYYOcbDA5GLqUCnFC5g1ei5WO4TAy1mAJdU0lHbUT2PHdSMqWKdbcISCXT2MSPD5kA21JM8/s1600/DSC_5941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbI_9wWzYcX04rdOldr1mqcJMnzqBCn7lYjeNX3BHZqRQJiSH_gPgQ6uHmrZTdNIlP89xmCYYOcbDA5GLqUCnFC5g1ei5WO4TAy1mAJdU0lHbUT2PHdSMqWKdbcISCXT2MSPD5kA21JM8/s400/DSC_5941.JPG" width="302" /></a></div>
<br />
I had purchased <a href="http://www.montessoriservices.com/practical-life/sewing-weaving/sewing-activities/all-5-sequential-sewing-activities" target="_blank">This</a> set of sewing activities for Christmas. They were a bit too young for it at the time save for the lacing activity and I was a bit busy with a toddler but in the months since we have covered the lacing and running stitch activities. Rather than rush into the next activity, the button activity, I am glad I waited until they chose this themselves, as this enthusiasm can't be forced. When the opportunity came for this lesson I was ready and being ready to teach when the opportunity arises, that sensitive period as Dr. Montessori would call it, that must be the spirit of unschooling, yes?<br />
<br />
So far we have practiced with shank buttons, two hole buttons and four hole buttons. We sewed new eyes on a black crocheted kitty Grammy made (sorry Grammy- I'll tell you that black kitty looks evil with red eyes but I guarantee he'll get more playtime now. You know how R feels about bad guys). We have plans for clothing for all the animals and baby dolls in our care decorated with buttons of course. And this all came in perfect time, I'm stuck in bed recovering from surgery but there is one way I can help out The Dark One while he cares for all of us. Sewing buttons with the kids in bed! <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-8619190955500712612012-09-14T17:23:00.000-07:002012-09-15T15:02:28.938-07:00Thoughts On Vocabulary Anyone who knows my kids will be able to say they have great vocabularies. At 6, 4 and almost 2, they have all been read to nearly everyday their whole lives. The Dark One and I don't actually make much time to read ourselves though and in fact I feel quite stupid at times as my friends ask me, "have you read... " hoping for an intellectual conversation. Truth is I've gotten out of the habit and become lazy about reading. Resolutions aside, we enjoy reading to our kids a lot, maybe as much as they enjoy being read to and we both hold fond memories of this nightly ritual as children. We hope of course to pass this to our own. Anyways, it's absolutely clear that the benefits from this simple act are what you might expect- children hear words and use them thereby not just memorizing but learning in the purest sense, ABSORBING as Maria Montessori would say, integrating.<br />
<br />
So I know, have read, have observed how important vocabulary is to learning and increasing knowledge and ability to learn. Btw- I'm self conscious about my own vocabulary- see above (not a reader so don't judge!) I do understand the idea of choosing "age appropriate" vocabulary lists but let's stop again for a second and think about that- age appropriate. Having had the opportunity to observe children before they entered school and I don't mean pre- school aged children, I mean children who are school aged but have not entered school. I find nearly every one of these children, especially those who are read quality literature, to be quite interested in words. "Mommy, what is recover mean?" R asked most recently. She is four. Quite interested in words. And the best words are the big complicated words she doesn't hear everyday, right? I can tell you one way to suck that interest right out of this child! Yes, make a list. A boring list, ask the child to memorize these words, context or not and then test her on it. Now it's a task. Now it is something her teacher and her parents are going to make her do every week whether she really wants to or not and perhaps some children do just fine this way. Most do I suppose. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I know my daughter and know the struggle this would become so</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"> I am really loving the Montessori approach to vocabulary. As everything in the method is integrated, vocabulary is learned as the natural course of things. As we learned the systems of the body this week T and R heard and saw brand new interesting sounding words- pelvis, epiglottis, sternum, digestion, phalanges, spinal cord, and many, many more. We talked about many of these words, we took turns saying them and listening to them, we looked at the curious spelling of many of them, we noticed a new compound word!- ribcage! (that was exciting) and they then generated their own work. By working with blank and labeled control diagrams T labeled each of the systems. This is rote I'll admit but while doing so he is thinking about the words that struck his fancy. He is generating connections with some of these words in the quiet of his own mind which I am not privy to but that I trust immensely more than a vocabulary test. Is he learning ALL of these words? Is he committing each word to memory equally? Absolutely not. But the words that he connected with the most have been absorbed. They are there for life. He also now has this diagram that he generated himself that will have more meaning to him and only him each time he looks at it. Because the curriculum is cyclical he will do the same work next year. And maybe next year is the year he will learn to spell phalanges. It is not a new word anymore after all and it will be as age appropriate as ribcage is this year. It was age appropriate because it interested him enough to absorb it. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-84107835468912636782012-09-13T18:01:00.000-07:002012-09-13T18:01:03.628-07:00September Weeks 1-2These first two official weeks of first grade for T and not so official preschool for R were kicked off in grand Montessori tradition with the telling of the Five Great Lessons. The lesson plans and stories came strait from the NAMC manuals and were the perfect start to our year. We invited some other home schooled friends for the weekend and the neighbor girl joined us as well. It was magical- from the candle lit jars lining the dock, the sun setting in the background to the surprise demonstrations which included popping a black balloon to illustrate the expansion of the universe and a volcano exploding with red lava. We took video but with all the excitement and chaos really we didn't manage to get many good photos. Next year perhaps.<br />
<br />
We began the first week studying peace and the peace flower, the four petals of peace- Self awareness, community awareness, cultural awareness and community awareness. We put special emphasis on self awareness and spoke about feelings and how to make peace with each other. We continued the week learning some basics about time, the passage of time and the recording of time. This is a base for history and makes perfect sense to me- to make sure they understand what history really means before we begin our studies of the history of the earth and life on earth.<br />
<br />
The second week we dove into the study of our bodies to follow up our self awareness studies. The NAMC Health manual has awesome activities for investigating the nervous system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, etc. In one activity, Measuring Lung Capacity from the Science Experiments manual, we measured our lung capacity by displacing water in an upside down jug immersed in a bucket using a tube to blow air through. It was so much fun! The kids both loved it and I know it is something that will really stick with them. While investigating the nervous system we used cups and fishing line to send the messages from the brain (kid on one end) to the hand (kid on the other end). We used a device we made from a soda bottle with balloons on either end (see pic) to see how the diaphragm works in the body to help inflate the lungs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nblKzpNpXG12qlksPV-4N5Av0xrroamhvrybuh8izQtc5GFqfrIS1oV5vBijxn9k6aL_AoU9hW0jTStS3L2f3YnlIl0QTFr6ich7NcD_rcA2cI6A8FdnlDpgnAc8ldO2bCoYxTdakBc/s1600/DSC_5887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nblKzpNpXG12qlksPV-4N5Av0xrroamhvrybuh8izQtc5GFqfrIS1oV5vBijxn9k6aL_AoU9hW0jTStS3L2f3YnlIl0QTFr6ich7NcD_rcA2cI6A8FdnlDpgnAc8ldO2bCoYxTdakBc/s400/DSC_5887.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92lZa4aeI2CKGEdiAkWdublZfTquIG0tmzxd-BLoFFgPwTMgAnHyddRrk-Rrmeib9QQhZpxJkHuQY4fZ0TGts5piyEYRkeP0lzdnUwFKppOgj5rJY-M9fkCQd5BDHwvAhjMnwBZ_1Ckk/s1600/DSC_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92lZa4aeI2CKGEdiAkWdublZfTquIG0tmzxd-BLoFFgPwTMgAnHyddRrk-Rrmeib9QQhZpxJkHuQY4fZ0TGts5piyEYRkeP0lzdnUwFKppOgj5rJY-M9fkCQd5BDHwvAhjMnwBZ_1Ckk/s320/DSC_0234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwr-QKleTpwGCwVbvwq_M3sKIgdiA81PFGYh6pVUOybiV5qFtZ0njxNynzXaESdORhChhE1py-ZwMQmW1cSpngbklQcGMdYJsKNrMiJ96MCkhog-A-fpRBo1e3CwKSEEPCOSAvR_Q5U0/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwr-QKleTpwGCwVbvwq_M3sKIgdiA81PFGYh6pVUOybiV5qFtZ0njxNynzXaESdORhChhE1py-ZwMQmW1cSpngbklQcGMdYJsKNrMiJ96MCkhog-A-fpRBo1e3CwKSEEPCOSAvR_Q5U0/s320/DSC_0237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvi4Blr1giJtbswBcmXbznTaaTHqIDTLnic_nuQ4r9Khgi55sXvT65HOXSSNquLyd6ysJ3wArD6O0Yr0GYWmUzzcbHgs2AIAgt4Nkj6D3nQ0djrvaKLs2rogeJedp85sZ-WlvddlqI9U/s1600/DSC_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvi4Blr1giJtbswBcmXbznTaaTHqIDTLnic_nuQ4r9Khgi55sXvT65HOXSSNquLyd6ysJ3wArD6O0Yr0GYWmUzzcbHgs2AIAgt4Nkj6D3nQ0djrvaKLs2rogeJedp85sZ-WlvddlqI9U/s320/DSC_0239.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We also have time each day to focus on math or reading, two sessions of each per week is my goal and that seems attainable and a pace at which we can cover what we need to cover. <br />
<br />
Much to my amazement R is insisting on learning to read. She seems to be ready so I'll let her lead.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTC9KuYvkOeXThSyfKVX6d_QuAMeXef9Y-Oz0mQZlHfKPiVDGJ2jxGKpzGPWSWih9AwDtqMp9ZHNh6hxzqHOGdNVNbHrUj2GIvKTI8SVXCYybY9UIm9dkbfle7mAS-PLJjbYfJZfrC-g/s1600/DSC_5896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTC9KuYvkOeXThSyfKVX6d_QuAMeXef9Y-Oz0mQZlHfKPiVDGJ2jxGKpzGPWSWih9AwDtqMp9ZHNh6hxzqHOGdNVNbHrUj2GIvKTI8SVXCYybY9UIm9dkbfle7mAS-PLJjbYfJZfrC-g/s640/DSC_5896.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1EpWZ2p6r3EO3i7sJXcLw4BuWT6DjLXxJE7Uj3oIfhIJ8YiO-fEwnMBDuC7YWlK2gycT8k2sSQW9AkzCf0Rn44L-G4UO3j-pWOrywy7qh-LrTGUFJOBXOWN6V4PoIENevq9lzxGCjBY/s1600/DSC_5903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1EpWZ2p6r3EO3i7sJXcLw4BuWT6DjLXxJE7Uj3oIfhIJ8YiO-fEwnMBDuC7YWlK2gycT8k2sSQW9AkzCf0Rn44L-G4UO3j-pWOrywy7qh-LrTGUFJOBXOWN6V4PoIENevq9lzxGCjBY/s400/DSC_5903.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
T learned how to make, recognize and use compound words and suffixes this week. He really likes those compound words.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2J1Z8R4zbF3jcOtycM5C1G6aP4viK0YbZKoYdIYBv7JWLAJVfo-2VsaQ-oPiKLLfcJxZJ-WWvWCHOiyP14wCW4AcUtVnPdQ_g7DaTgkWUIpi_3lW3Qi-_Vvkr3O4j9VArXog8dsD4mvc/s1600/DSC_5905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2J1Z8R4zbF3jcOtycM5C1G6aP4viK0YbZKoYdIYBv7JWLAJVfo-2VsaQ-oPiKLLfcJxZJ-WWvWCHOiyP14wCW4AcUtVnPdQ_g7DaTgkWUIpi_3lW3Qi-_Vvkr3O4j9VArXog8dsD4mvc/s400/DSC_5905.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Here are some shots of their work this week. I apologize for lack of creativity here, I am aiming for completion. My hope is that the creativity will come to me here too and this may be an outlet for me. I'd like to contribute to the Montessori world out there somehow!<br />
<br />
<br />
T's picture of where he feels peaceful. Creative spelling is one thing I love about Montessori. Children are praised for effort and not always being correct. Spelling comes in time but for most activities they are just encouraged to express themselves. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSxlxWuiJWz7Dz1_8rHlpjG1gbwPSvdK4SB_OA2h3YFgDiusu_MM4C0Vaj0ZoLwJcE0BqUaDCqGL7PzFrYe2DvAi0gU61xqTLRx8juaj-u60l3aDnp9Y-8YcM0tKYpkiyTiuuK2pNuW4/s1600/DSC_5926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSxlxWuiJWz7Dz1_8rHlpjG1gbwPSvdK4SB_OA2h3YFgDiusu_MM4C0Vaj0ZoLwJcE0BqUaDCqGL7PzFrYe2DvAi0gU61xqTLRx8juaj-u60l3aDnp9Y-8YcM0tKYpkiyTiuuK2pNuW4/s320/DSC_5926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Coloring and labeling the skeletal system. He did this using a control chart. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy7Cy9hCOHZWidyzSOn_CuD-gFbHC669Ck3je0FWe1YcRnq1QXfXNsEgOx7D8Yt1v7mP_eOVHcpHTmfmxZArX1IvgCbvoSsRlYOrzjjJ8W3cYPEbIFsYftxbQmgnM9I3y2JjRPVIDrwQ/s1600/DSC_5928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy7Cy9hCOHZWidyzSOn_CuD-gFbHC669Ck3je0FWe1YcRnq1QXfXNsEgOx7D8Yt1v7mP_eOVHcpHTmfmxZArX1IvgCbvoSsRlYOrzjjJ8W3cYPEbIFsYftxbQmgnM9I3y2JjRPVIDrwQ/s320/DSC_5928.JPG" width="260" /></a></div>
R's picture of what makes her feel peaceful. And this is priceless: Laying on the floor, laying in bed, being in a tree, being in the water, being on a boat and..... riding a spider?! OK!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmaLTgFJpse9jwfLv20Of_-fbNx2J4HlL8awdG2ulExBf6dJ7vIxnax1DGpacLGCOVPagHpYOFzH7SMLWxf0Ipwx-jdwn2CIYNeXz74kLGvGtsaNtsBYB4FfNY-lA9ZuQEaAcTtaLsVY/s1600/DSC_5929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmaLTgFJpse9jwfLv20Of_-fbNx2J4HlL8awdG2ulExBf6dJ7vIxnax1DGpacLGCOVPagHpYOFzH7SMLWxf0Ipwx-jdwn2CIYNeXz74kLGvGtsaNtsBYB4FfNY-lA9ZuQEaAcTtaLsVY/s320/DSC_5929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
T working on subtraction using the subtraction board. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CJr0k1MsSx3IuHmakxJXWM-Wc1bwHSTHEAzwQtDur7YFR7lr22mATVJYj60FEk42iqioaiFRHP-M07c1kC-bOYxY7XeYKVlVlcz801jsojIz7b_C9juZi7ym8vuFxULjX2iL55Myyfs/s1600/DSC_5900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CJr0k1MsSx3IuHmakxJXWM-Wc1bwHSTHEAzwQtDur7YFR7lr22mATVJYj60FEk42iqioaiFRHP-M07c1kC-bOYxY7XeYKVlVlcz801jsojIz7b_C9juZi7ym8vuFxULjX2iL55Myyfs/s320/DSC_5900.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Completed subtraction working on the basic formats of subtraction. Pretty advanced I think. It's basically algebra. But he is getting it. Thank you NAMC!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9Z66Pc81mTty1rJ_b8O8hISWFQrr6mzwTPLTt9UTKrFvLlKDhRWixxqeNhyyUrvGuzLxvGHgr3spJljHsM1D-nyrVpaJcQs9wCbth6HfwY1H-FD-0on_h6ztSuGmd-gKl3zsw6ArcR8/s1600/DSC_5925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9Z66Pc81mTty1rJ_b8O8hISWFQrr6mzwTPLTt9UTKrFvLlKDhRWixxqeNhyyUrvGuzLxvGHgr3spJljHsM1D-nyrVpaJcQs9wCbth6HfwY1H-FD-0on_h6ztSuGmd-gKl3zsw6ArcR8/s320/DSC_5925.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
Tune in next week...... I will be writing about buttons and teaching how to sew on a button. And they are thrilled!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-11462978848660163172012-09-11T17:43:00.001-07:002012-09-11T17:43:47.735-07:00Beginning AgainAfter many months of studying and learning the North American Montessori Center method and curriculum and several weeks of organizing, printing, cleaning and planning for the upcoming year, we are off!<br />
We are organized though not completely.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLN0gdKEg7Fys31WGo-tBWS-KwnsqPNfSHQv7VBL-zT0Ieu9fOOZUQeslTiZYh51Se5y8yuCzsfLR3bl8xuq2tO6OqEFR9fKAiTZaDbjxp1eeM3sZz0jByQsUSxhCGlrnIx8vrKcVTQyU/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLN0gdKEg7Fys31WGo-tBWS-KwnsqPNfSHQv7VBL-zT0Ieu9fOOZUQeslTiZYh51Se5y8yuCzsfLR3bl8xuq2tO6OqEFR9fKAiTZaDbjxp1eeM3sZz0jByQsUSxhCGlrnIx8vrKcVTQyU/s320/DSC_0229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Some days the baby will be naked or nearly so. Some days she will be disruptive or funny. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUYZHKw3v9AF5lTubBiHQBwmJN0FoWv7ZrNmS7wi6B_3H3Vw9GQVoN3RSJqJIokYyFx_FYIpeKlZVlUoevh2edf7l2x6c1oczWPZjfFesmR7eczb5O9JtgAItBrwkNhkBJ2ba5Orw8E8/s1600/DSC_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUYZHKw3v9AF5lTubBiHQBwmJN0FoWv7ZrNmS7wi6B_3H3Vw9GQVoN3RSJqJIokYyFx_FYIpeKlZVlUoevh2edf7l2x6c1oczWPZjfFesmR7eczb5O9JtgAItBrwkNhkBJ2ba5Orw8E8/s320/DSC_0228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Some days our classroom will not be perfect, it does double duty as a guestroom. Some days hair will not get brushed properly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyisvZfbGuWqJjUTHUgbY7A2f_9FJiGtWE2mjqb8PFZ5OsWj90hWceRtl7ubsjIYJUtxdjqVsSlbPOH2RjfR1QQqtQmMlSlLSX0Ik_7uqSvfNcLr7UFdbWdSiZ4o5183jCOKhamL5SBDg/s1600/DSC_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyisvZfbGuWqJjUTHUgbY7A2f_9FJiGtWE2mjqb8PFZ5OsWj90hWceRtl7ubsjIYJUtxdjqVsSlbPOH2RjfR1QQqtQmMlSlLSX0Ik_7uqSvfNcLr7UFdbWdSiZ4o5183jCOKhamL5SBDg/s320/DSC_0230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
But hopefully each day we will all learn something.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-0rmM8fk_IcLBFgOdSdTerMfxYsbgAZ9TCGqxHa14Q-RXt7FXvZIzyYnlo4ZFAjHtNcqkZrIJ0LQNRiaULv2RRQBtZRy2DQnrUwH8gz2jYsq-phXGaOP0708nhkglnVxIE8Mptu1D5A/s1600/DSC_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-0rmM8fk_IcLBFgOdSdTerMfxYsbgAZ9TCGqxHa14Q-RXt7FXvZIzyYnlo4ZFAjHtNcqkZrIJ0LQNRiaULv2RRQBtZRy2DQnrUwH8gz2jYsq-phXGaOP0708nhkglnVxIE8Mptu1D5A/s320/DSC_0225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And we'll all have fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqwqH3RBPFGx6u-qLbbB_PXhhyDjZG2IoQd5LEbWyI2slh7-lGWDXjoVzacN8lpCGkZgXHPkH5SPS4aLynWXqeVX01MgYf8e8ktdhiN96rgGse_Y9W2QSF8Qyu2NZciXZOFj1ZvUyeyw/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqwqH3RBPFGx6u-qLbbB_PXhhyDjZG2IoQd5LEbWyI2slh7-lGWDXjoVzacN8lpCGkZgXHPkH5SPS4aLynWXqeVX01MgYf8e8ktdhiN96rgGse_Y9W2QSF8Qyu2NZciXZOFj1ZvUyeyw/s320/DSC_0237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Keep checking back! I hope to keep the blog updated once more.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-44654150017189543232011-10-03T09:37:00.000-07:002011-10-03T09:37:45.775-07:00Monday: Love, a human needToday we started our week long theme of Human Needs. We talked about our individual needs and roles within our family at circle time then I read Dr. Sears' What Baby Needs, which is a great book to help prepare children for a new baby in the family but it also touches on the older sibling's continuing need for love from Mommy and Daddy. They were especially excited about the skin to skin topic in the book. It had been awhile since we read it and they made me read it three times! We also looked at some Mary Cassat paintings and talked about the different human needs being met in the paintings such as keeping clean, drinking water (tea time is a setting in many paintings) and being loved. I then had them each pick a painting that they wanted to hang above their desks to replace the Botticelli paintings we hung in August. I find it interesting that they both chose paintings with naked babies held by their mothers in them. We did some other work too and T. concentrated well during his introduction to sight words, a list I got from the New Child Montessori curriculum I use. He then used the movable alphabet to write out two words, the objects I put on his language shelf for him, mug and ant.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDCuSrWKHfEFWQTQefmmxEpRLUa6ISU5y2M7uYFGwQl2Gn3TJbfELJ7jl7xKw1nm_2VYtGT_24PSzBx8KDQ5qzZUM8veTQUrxd5MI54tn_ceXTpRvYYiQxZmMDUMqjENLSY9ayF_jQQ8/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDCuSrWKHfEFWQTQefmmxEpRLUa6ISU5y2M7uYFGwQl2Gn3TJbfELJ7jl7xKw1nm_2VYtGT_24PSzBx8KDQ5qzZUM8veTQUrxd5MI54tn_ceXTpRvYYiQxZmMDUMqjENLSY9ayF_jQQ8/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDYsqy87ulKPPeBPyBZOHi3fHflMfY0LrYl7vSZcyB7zCKs5EXbo7MaNk0zW1i909DuOhdRQKIvgXDcBCHvxN7RX0G91KCw4sjlbe4Rjgukw5lUsCpEY5dqceWDZ63cgovHKSXXDpWC4/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDYsqy87ulKPPeBPyBZOHi3fHflMfY0LrYl7vSZcyB7zCKs5EXbo7MaNk0zW1i909DuOhdRQKIvgXDcBCHvxN7RX0G91KCw4sjlbe4Rjgukw5lUsCpEY5dqceWDZ63cgovHKSXXDpWC4/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WRyP37Y0-Az3k1UTDf54fhxUu3-jrwYpa_aNjMBBbaTiquDsWcy-VIXt27I8JmtDpmkPBjV03vNib0EjKd9mLSC4BPjPgswnqYP7UBy5gHGlU4RLm20Kzo9eZ51huB16UvKkuWAw85A/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WRyP37Y0-Az3k1UTDf54fhxUu3-jrwYpa_aNjMBBbaTiquDsWcy-VIXt27I8JmtDpmkPBjV03vNib0EjKd9mLSC4BPjPgswnqYP7UBy5gHGlU4RLm20Kzo9eZ51huB16UvKkuWAw85A/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr16yo9GuCTwmkk6BO3czb0UW2WVjLokstaOZKvZGLaY0Hmxc9xOF8s4NpJMW7FjxhltTzo3Oj87UJDBNpJYOsr1sARU0mRCxXIt7zXpTR1sRBB_gUUechedoDiRu3d2Fw-I-vMHhtno/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr16yo9GuCTwmkk6BO3czb0UW2WVjLokstaOZKvZGLaY0Hmxc9xOF8s4NpJMW7FjxhltTzo3Oj87UJDBNpJYOsr1sARU0mRCxXIt7zXpTR1sRBB_gUUechedoDiRu3d2Fw-I-vMHhtno/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-19886092167443981872011-10-02T12:41:00.000-07:002011-10-02T12:41:44.627-07:00Totally not slacking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFnL1AQlVevH7g9H1T9dW5x7VOgyB5lsEex2fP6USnHSE0MwdJp5PNhrRshOYKDM109tc7KWRpznxDPkdV4d57r2PtX1ef-Afh5rEK6j2KN-OA7ehBdUrX9J-BBIHz97lUMyN9fzXRLU/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFnL1AQlVevH7g9H1T9dW5x7VOgyB5lsEex2fP6USnHSE0MwdJp5PNhrRshOYKDM109tc7KWRpznxDPkdV4d57r2PtX1ef-Afh5rEK6j2KN-OA7ehBdUrX9J-BBIHz97lUMyN9fzXRLU/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Zi6loFIdtrryYboJpKByrLMdc9QDFkRwn_76y3lz0IHvXr9WC11zMGVZXgcSLF1Z2n6jrHFG2n2NLmfCgOInpKb3Nx86ubt7kyOVbXSLlR20nwTTDjRpddxLi1jq0Efuztx6QzaOOtk/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Zi6loFIdtrryYboJpKByrLMdc9QDFkRwn_76y3lz0IHvXr9WC11zMGVZXgcSLF1Z2n6jrHFG2n2NLmfCgOInpKb3Nx86ubt7kyOVbXSLlR20nwTTDjRpddxLi1jq0Efuztx6QzaOOtk/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJaWKwQdlopkkuBrC6B-6H6RW5XHRvK-mvEOyzi2cc3PdN93y5PblYGbn3TuliLWUPneskpHd9nbhCPeLpGr6VbiMNzOcc4nXMh_l-9hsRd9pSGyKaiFZAujrW6RX9AJpijwfobe16IU/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJaWKwQdlopkkuBrC6B-6H6RW5XHRvK-mvEOyzi2cc3PdN93y5PblYGbn3TuliLWUPneskpHd9nbhCPeLpGr6VbiMNzOcc4nXMh_l-9hsRd9pSGyKaiFZAujrW6RX9AJpijwfobe16IU/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr8JdOcd50riX2_vj2Z-OlsWDbW9p-mJ4oBKrL3IaoJgSlMGSNtn4_QjCnW3SNkhAY_6jV7Fgr_QpHcwzQTq-TyayVZTusB6Cg2dZU910w-TnoAo6AZTEHPMzaNM-mr4gICgOvKSIKic/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr8JdOcd50riX2_vj2Z-OlsWDbW9p-mJ4oBKrL3IaoJgSlMGSNtn4_QjCnW3SNkhAY_6jV7Fgr_QpHcwzQTq-TyayVZTusB6Cg2dZU910w-TnoAo6AZTEHPMzaNM-mr4gICgOvKSIKic/s320/DSC_0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRS8Pw-qbUPX2jp-UlXa_uieCSUVEnY6HrIUFbBxq5nVU5-y8ZfY4AXblrjbPudb7LmZeQrt-oh0NCIfkbxhdtF7DjQBPa0E4GOrN2zQvqFefV11Qnmd7APDN0eJ0FMI_byOtOiLqiPCA/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRS8Pw-qbUPX2jp-UlXa_uieCSUVEnY6HrIUFbBxq5nVU5-y8ZfY4AXblrjbPudb7LmZeQrt-oh0NCIfkbxhdtF7DjQBPa0E4GOrN2zQvqFefV11Qnmd7APDN0eJ0FMI_byOtOiLqiPCA/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
School work this week: T. grading colors, R. sorting objects by beginning sounds, R. doing the cylinder blocks blindfolded (our theme this week was senses), T. playing the farm game using nouns and adjectives, T. working on his writing! We did a lot more last week but I captured these great activities. I need to learn to keep my camera up in the school room! This week we are learning about human needs: food, shelter, community, love, etc. We have another hearing test for R. on Friday in Brandon again. We are happy to be finding though that according to the ENT and a Speech Pathologist she will most likely not need an aide. We hope to find that her hearing issue is genetic and be able to avoid an MRI. Have a great week!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-27893472113365055052011-09-22T06:04:00.000-07:002011-09-22T06:07:37.437-07:00SlackingAt my sister's incessant nagging I was able to round up these photos. I wish I could say this is what we've been up to lately but most of these photos are at least a month old. A lot of my time lately has been spent preparing homeschool curriculum materials. Everything on that front is going very well. There are definitely moments when I question our decision, particularly Monday mornings when no one wants to get dressed and ready for the day and everything turns to yelling and crying. So Monday mornings need work but besides that it has been really neat being present for T's progression into reading and R's peaking independence.<br />
<br />
So anyway, here are some pictures of random happenings mostly the last two months, a few longer than that. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-NPORVyxVZiu-8qBJy58BfaJEvFr5z_hsXCQCHHs8ManInizJfZNNcuMEWbRx9RE2bT5AYdC9Wr8TJNsgtNaJnjYkFZLrjXMNzqiKF4xVdvYbcqi6l-t1B2PaoZIZ25ZuPn6yq-1g7A/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-NPORVyxVZiu-8qBJy58BfaJEvFr5z_hsXCQCHHs8ManInizJfZNNcuMEWbRx9RE2bT5AYdC9Wr8TJNsgtNaJnjYkFZLrjXMNzqiKF4xVdvYbcqi6l-t1B2PaoZIZ25ZuPn6yq-1g7A/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QQ382eJ_gkbosEl1YENM1BVwh4by6gij2rzlMLuOjGCmxV0bPpZPwaUIgzUzzNjuZFVFiumfIpaFskU9h_-Qiqi0hiUdYIUgr9pDtNcWaP20j0esPATcPKcrBavvDdN7kB86VpIOEfM/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QQ382eJ_gkbosEl1YENM1BVwh4by6gij2rzlMLuOjGCmxV0bPpZPwaUIgzUzzNjuZFVFiumfIpaFskU9h_-Qiqi0hiUdYIUgr9pDtNcWaP20j0esPATcPKcrBavvDdN7kB86VpIOEfM/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoKuA1Mcjjlali4CfILb-qrQjzp3SdUvkD7Cedbsvz_57_GZW9hkEF4B5IydaC2Ptsqcg7DLmAb2A0k1YIYOqAFov2qUTKTdkn5XVkHTFnj3CddQEc-qYkSKXMvhsRCcGKINZ3sQfvo8/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoKuA1Mcjjlali4CfILb-qrQjzp3SdUvkD7Cedbsvz_57_GZW9hkEF4B5IydaC2Ptsqcg7DLmAb2A0k1YIYOqAFov2qUTKTdkn5XVkHTFnj3CddQEc-qYkSKXMvhsRCcGKINZ3sQfvo8/s320/DSC_0025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM85GFcR8sc34KOIM3nN9_JpQ8O2qTr5iCo5JTaZc18kb0bAmcG1te8zPO1xiwVznozC5sF5DTtzKfU-HXsYLt7gTLPRTNWdLAPBz5SvmBIOy6ylIJES_D4HABSknWZH0k_tbgut7LkKg/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM85GFcR8sc34KOIM3nN9_JpQ8O2qTr5iCo5JTaZc18kb0bAmcG1te8zPO1xiwVznozC5sF5DTtzKfU-HXsYLt7gTLPRTNWdLAPBz5SvmBIOy6ylIJES_D4HABSknWZH0k_tbgut7LkKg/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-KmvgBWDibZw3PwC2RESs55Njdx0ZfyuT4i3xt07ivDseLbTbG0CtzPpGz-CtW0RJeq2oWEWbR-P2VfY9ka5KJAeqVgVYpT01yvAE7ciP3PL2zn6UQJ9wU5Ggt30okoOoLOsBTvAArg/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-KmvgBWDibZw3PwC2RESs55Njdx0ZfyuT4i3xt07ivDseLbTbG0CtzPpGz-CtW0RJeq2oWEWbR-P2VfY9ka5KJAeqVgVYpT01yvAE7ciP3PL2zn6UQJ9wU5Ggt30okoOoLOsBTvAArg/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrp8vSo-P4sIs5Ys-Pelm5WXbxeswts4MaILgmqEWtXTt89zUlqRsfqX4xOquNRLCQ5rdA0jIqdAh2lMmo5GnxR9Z4jhAf3RAQ4-030Ef9g8x0Ky6DuuXUtRi7f9evbmUWQvpeXy353_M/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrp8vSo-P4sIs5Ys-Pelm5WXbxeswts4MaILgmqEWtXTt89zUlqRsfqX4xOquNRLCQ5rdA0jIqdAh2lMmo5GnxR9Z4jhAf3RAQ4-030Ef9g8x0Ky6DuuXUtRi7f9evbmUWQvpeXy353_M/s320/DSC_0076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Cutting beets, tumbling rocks, eating from a rainbow, brown stair, baby and Grammy pool time, R. beginning sound sorting (she's doing awesome with this btw!)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-48471449143577292022011-09-02T18:39:00.001-07:002011-09-02T18:40:11.161-07:00That's my girl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbJFvNWuaqm3d85Vec6EnGmSFHhdb3KCcEfTyJ8MxLrMuaauITkzqNFuve-GzZ79y1zJh8BoaF-LYR14igre_YbsyZzzcAbz_saK9FUi4FQYsms_U4eNdOTIh5A0QU9FD1LEBQ2pipsw/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbJFvNWuaqm3d85Vec6EnGmSFHhdb3KCcEfTyJ8MxLrMuaauITkzqNFuve-GzZ79y1zJh8BoaF-LYR14igre_YbsyZzzcAbz_saK9FUi4FQYsms_U4eNdOTIh5A0QU9FD1LEBQ2pipsw/s400/DSC_0101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647942141947142850" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-66266296812937805762011-09-02T17:36:00.000-07:002011-09-02T18:41:07.915-07:00ABR By now you all know that R's hearing test results gave us a real shock. I can't say I was all that surprised, we've been joking about her being deaf since she failed her newborn hearing screen in her right ear just days after birth. We joked because she talks constantly non-stop to whoever will listen to her and she does a darn good job at it. We joked because we sometimes wished she would sleep as soundly as we imagine a deaf person would and we joked because from the moment she was born she has been deafeningly loud. I think we joked too because we knew somewhere that it was true.
<br />
<br />The night before her test was a nightmare. We headed to my sweet mother in laws' house in Brandon so we could be close to All Children's Specialty Care in Brandon where R. was to have her test- a sedated ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response). We had to keep her up past her bedtime by a few hours the night before, fast her for four hours before her test (which we screwed up because we were all sleep impaired) and then keep her awake until the test time when they gave her medication to make her sleep soundly through the test. She was obnoxious and tired and being away from home put us all on edge and Andy and I weren't getting along very well at all despite the fact that we really needed to be. Anyways, after a rough night where she had a night terror (those things always happen when she is super tired) and then peed on me as I tried to calm her, we made up as best we could and put on our happy faces. It was terrible but we got through it. T. stayed with Grandma when we left for the test and we sang, "Yellow Submarine" the whole way there to keep her awake. We were in good spirits as we arrived. After registering and waiting for a bit for the Audiologist R. was tired and kept saying she wanted to go home. She was all smiles though as the Audiologist gave her a glittering wand toy and spoke to us about the procedure. R. took her medicine without any problems even though it tasted really yucky and we all applauded. She then fell asleep as Daddy rocked her and her test began. We waited in the waiting room and we were eating lunch as the Audiologist came out to give us the results: moderate deficit in her right ear. Wow.
<br />
<br />So from here we will take it one step at a time. First an ENT appointment and another hearing test in Brandon All Children's Specialty to test the higher ranges. What the ABR told us is that from 50 decibels she can't hear the 2000hrtz sounds and above. That means the speech sounds c,s,th,l. Interesting those are some of the sounds that not only she but lots of three-year-olds have trouble making. The Audiologist said they do recommend an aid especially in classroom settings. Homeschooling changes that a bit but we will keep you updated on news regarding what we continue to find out and what decisions we will be making and how you can help support her. For now we will speak clearly to her and into her left ear and make eye contact when we can.
<br />
<br />A word on mother-guilt:
<br />I naturally had some feelings of guilt after hearing the news. We know she has had this deficit since birth. After her birth when she initially failed her newborn screen I racked my brain trying to figure out if anything had happened during pregnancy that could have caused this. My pregnancy with her was perfectly healthy and her birth was completely natural and unmedicated. On every form we filled out it asked if she was premature and if there were complications during pregnancy or birth and I have been able to let go of any guilt because I know that I did what was best for her in every way I could. Our pediatrician had wanted us to have this ABR done when she was still an infant. We decided that putting such a young baby through that was not what we wanted for her and we knew she had "one good ear at least". We put this test off until we felt she could understand what we were doing to her and why and I am really glad we did. I am now noticing the many ways she has adapted to her hearing deficit. She very often puts herself on the right of whoever is speaking, she has excellent eye contact and she will flatly ask you to,"speak up!". She is amazing and perfect, anyone who know her knows she doesn't miss a beat. This deficit is already a part of who she is which I very much prefer to an aid being a part of who she is and I know that as long as we Follow The Child and just Let it Rot things will all fall into place.
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-85116514809946573482011-06-27T08:58:00.001-07:002011-06-27T09:52:42.342-07:00Baby pics!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zxTg-cs_fr2U14oVrBsyzjGsMtjn12hSSvNXFE2epTNbCqzcg6kXvVsx9dtHxCSyqDMkQ4NLYPp8kYtk-yihmeWI76I5hWsfeNOX7tbJ7YfKZAcy0jJs3xk6-3tcCo5ZQfe6c7s6RrE/s1600/DSC_5177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zxTg-cs_fr2U14oVrBsyzjGsMtjn12hSSvNXFE2epTNbCqzcg6kXvVsx9dtHxCSyqDMkQ4NLYPp8kYtk-yihmeWI76I5hWsfeNOX7tbJ7YfKZAcy0jJs3xk6-3tcCo5ZQfe6c7s6RrE/s400/DSC_5177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622930490202615090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-usHmnVigbsCbWnnj3aoYqaKENOIR07aML7RTLtHv8GkAo-FfK3K8wJDvwArOSqEAQibnfYRV6X6YY1qoTDfD8fP1c9Lv-PO2sHyzqsPejj0vwGrSMB2uje6B9RPI5fOcjzF35UOuZc/s1600/DSC_5165.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-usHmnVigbsCbWnnj3aoYqaKENOIR07aML7RTLtHv8GkAo-FfK3K8wJDvwArOSqEAQibnfYRV6X6YY1qoTDfD8fP1c9Lv-PO2sHyzqsPejj0vwGrSMB2uje6B9RPI5fOcjzF35UOuZc/s400/DSC_5165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622930488376908258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5q57wrzEsPxzopbNmYvUJW8nx5hVPf4sTgDmik2zos3k606regF_seKYI0eyRiDEFqhmwT_HVZkbmg-FgQ7-_GxAoMjhqmRxCUEz_EhmyEiuTQUlY1gahQjjHi7_l72GDastdb8tCD6I/s1600/DSC_5173.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5q57wrzEsPxzopbNmYvUJW8nx5hVPf4sTgDmik2zos3k606regF_seKYI0eyRiDEFqhmwT_HVZkbmg-FgQ7-_GxAoMjhqmRxCUEz_EhmyEiuTQUlY1gahQjjHi7_l72GDastdb8tCD6I/s400/DSC_5173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622930483592891906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9QQ6dWZktXHa-haf8_FBfk0Lo1ud3p5uTXAm71vvqgUXdCxT9Ygbw2jdS0VoRBWvAiadGcblTJKwpLEERqSSSrTUmwj1StKOgDDFWvqSLVFHN0_Gd6qmzLBhOIeGe-Sj3xOTiX3cW2E/s1600/DSC_5170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9QQ6dWZktXHa-haf8_FBfk0Lo1ud3p5uTXAm71vvqgUXdCxT9Ygbw2jdS0VoRBWvAiadGcblTJKwpLEERqSSSrTUmwj1StKOgDDFWvqSLVFHN0_Gd6qmzLBhOIeGe-Sj3xOTiX3cW2E/s400/DSC_5170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622930501252228994" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-39717305760413217912011-06-22T16:54:00.000-07:002011-06-22T17:25:12.988-07:00Spiders!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb6h7oGP2iC0hpoSVhZ5cnb7Isc-fCgBbHb5yPRh91l8aiMo_lixSsUpU9wKFzL7UySHzoILHf12NTKsp-w_oGs0vx8Uuq65ljxvnHbb3KPgqhm6eBYUCkEQcYhHDwax2HKHq1NKoDsw/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb6h7oGP2iC0hpoSVhZ5cnb7Isc-fCgBbHb5yPRh91l8aiMo_lixSsUpU9wKFzL7UySHzoILHf12NTKsp-w_oGs0vx8Uuq65ljxvnHbb3KPgqhm6eBYUCkEQcYhHDwax2HKHq1NKoDsw/s400/DSC_0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621203523929418706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bYiYHxAMbALhmeXHJTlkFTvMnny1GfSfQHPZ8YgAuSa-Xam1weGJqHx05cb-dnBUuiR_SNbC1_AwAfrSyH_qosB6Pi_bn7Vpa2KKsutaDbOTkHY6zqlpN587UPOR-64ZMfUJk2FrbkA/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bYiYHxAMbALhmeXHJTlkFTvMnny1GfSfQHPZ8YgAuSa-Xam1weGJqHx05cb-dnBUuiR_SNbC1_AwAfrSyH_qosB6Pi_bn7Vpa2KKsutaDbOTkHY6zqlpN587UPOR-64ZMfUJk2FrbkA/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621203520476936946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-BoUPj1l4fIrOgtHC26i8Qqq6tch2hB-NVOd7h68K__DCnKvOimMraar-d_fI5yEyPEg-quKYn00eviN85jNFxh1djH-Gxn2mA2gEJoXGr1tFwhbRwqBrkuVomtSZkt1bM5SI82GE2E/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-BoUPj1l4fIrOgtHC26i8Qqq6tch2hB-NVOd7h68K__DCnKvOimMraar-d_fI5yEyPEg-quKYn00eviN85jNFxh1djH-Gxn2mA2gEJoXGr1tFwhbRwqBrkuVomtSZkt1bM5SI82GE2E/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621203529667385378" border="0" /></a><br />I wish I had taken more pictures but here are a few of our week so far. My brain is so terrible right now that I can't even remember what we did last week. I know we continued studying insects and that we went to story time at the library. Being a mom with young children is an interesting balancing act. While I am totally on top of schooling right now I am neglecting my own diet and sleep which I am sure has to do with this brain-drain I am experiencing. A friend of mine mentioned that love hormones could be to blame on this fog I am in and that could certainly be the case. I am so in love with Baby B. I am on cloud 9 half the time. Whatever the reason, on to this week while I can remember it:<br /><br />We started the week out with an introduction to spiders- songs and poems and parts of the spider. We caught a few spiders to examine with magnifying glasses and had a spider web hunt. We sprinkled them with powder to get a better look at them and attempted to mount a few on construction paper with hairspray but that didn't work very well for us. The hunt was fun anyway. We made spiders with cut up egg cartons, pipe cleaners and pom poms. We read several spider books. T. has been struggling with 'u' so I prepared some reading boxes with words that contained 'u'. They were cards that he had seen before and really gave me trouble when I wanted him to do them. He flatly told me he wanted a challenge. Reluctantly I prepared the longer phonetic word cards for him and he blew through them. He'll be reading in no time at all. R. is working on her sounds, this week it's 'a' and 'b'. She spent a lot of time one morning on the <a href="http://www.infomontessori.com/sensorial/visual-sense-binomial-cube.htm">binomial cube</a>. Her math skills have been surprising me lately. We will finish the week out with a quick study on summer and summer solstice. Next week we will study biomes, food chains and endangered animals. I am looking forward to that and I still need to request books from the library tonight before I go to bed! And I AM going to bed early tonight. For real.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-12945995621155697222011-06-12T19:17:00.000-07:002011-06-12T19:49:15.062-07:00Insects, NOT bugs......<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SrT0WA9yWOg3cXPOqKGcqU8Zd-JHiMrksUnoORoWaI-zj9lr5hA2rIe6_WNK9x2hAa6cwewvufgIP39aiWAy5X2rvAp4jDpRMZAC6t6O6Nc3BF1ZMjtgyWoQNAXei2tgWZtcAZ21lsw/s1600/DSC_0005_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SrT0WA9yWOg3cXPOqKGcqU8Zd-JHiMrksUnoORoWaI-zj9lr5hA2rIe6_WNK9x2hAa6cwewvufgIP39aiWAy5X2rvAp4jDpRMZAC6t6O6Nc3BF1ZMjtgyWoQNAXei2tgWZtcAZ21lsw/s400/DSC_0005_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617529903012480354" border="0" /></a><br />Our week last week began with an introduction to insects: What makes an insect an insect? Why are they sometimes called bugs? What are bugs? All bugs are insects but not all insects are bugs. What are the parts of an insect called? We caught some bugs and also some small toads. Milkweed seed bugs are easy to find and catch. R. had a really hard time letting the toads go after we studied them but a good lesson was learned. The next day she had an easier time letting the walking stick go. We studied ants and put together a really cool ant farm. T. loved playing a game where I asked him if the ants had a thorax, foreleg, compound eyes, etc. and he looked at the ants really closely and told me whether they did or not. That was great practice for him of all the insect parts. We watched an amazing insect documentary called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76R2EKEnoJQ">Microcosmos</a>, it was perfect for our study because there is virtually no narration, allowing the kids to really absorb what they are seeing. We'll watch it again this week, it was that good. We finished the week with grasshoppers though we weren't able to catch any. Our Florida's Fabulous Insects book has really come in handy this week and it is great to see T. starting to pick up those books to find something he is looking for. Very cool.<br /><br />This week we are still studying insects. Beetles. Insects that fly including butterflies. Bees. We'll touch on water tension because in the film T. had some questions about how the ants were able to drink water from a droplet of water. We'll finish the week with Father's Day. I am actually very prepared this year for Father's day because I thought it was today!! We'll make Daddy ice cream and paint some canvases for his office. There will be lots of outdoor play since our neighbor friend is off of school for the summer. Wish us luck in catching some really cool insects this week!<br /><br />Here's a shot of R. focusing on drawing in her Insect Journal. The toad she cried about is in there and is the subject of her drawing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-63635270094266982932011-06-03T13:37:00.000-07:002011-06-03T14:43:26.695-07:00phonic reading<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyurJN30rpcGLWfs4t3BrAJHlXSqXYcJ3F_OD4D4lSUIjB06y3kLGIFFIC_ypKHgM2UF8Lt_IJzTnkT0xhZpw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />He's almost reading!! More on that later....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-49280198948373239202011-05-31T09:11:00.001-07:002011-05-31T10:45:31.826-07:00Home learning- May update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAtmKBy_5UCyohHtN_6MpfT7axV0EKn8myIZ1phZOMziIq36YlqcY2Hds9Fa7_5BDChQ1_mvhxKIeMkxmuvEyCE1lUDXXHg5lodjP_siXqEWQMXC2CveU7bUjTquYYp2a7xVabs0jA9o/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAtmKBy_5UCyohHtN_6MpfT7axV0EKn8myIZ1phZOMziIq36YlqcY2Hds9Fa7_5BDChQ1_mvhxKIeMkxmuvEyCE1lUDXXHg5lodjP_siXqEWQMXC2CveU7bUjTquYYp2a7xVabs0jA9o/s400/DSC_0142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612914529287425538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6kuoLTppYwv4rsjT4Y-zCAXsa2QDaECWTbvvD7jtQCubyLIvKPZy00UF4xtwxl49UZuznH9WuriJmG1nQ-CzJtHhHclWVpFhXd4eko7ZsPK8niogol_-8MkiWSNLcYjx9k1scklsu7U/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6kuoLTppYwv4rsjT4Y-zCAXsa2QDaECWTbvvD7jtQCubyLIvKPZy00UF4xtwxl49UZuznH9WuriJmG1nQ-CzJtHhHclWVpFhXd4eko7ZsPK8niogol_-8MkiWSNLcYjx9k1scklsu7U/s400/DSC_0144.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612914522402869682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY1v67zGanhVFWA5oqSciGimn_k4Q41EHJ00faywv42olKc50fyq7gNRQ2uwIRJzVrbiMwT457PlSvl0fkyJXdgCvzuHiKjHbE3HEjJtfmjwqsB_2TeK2yBCD3WAuh5sZdFPEx2zAyVA/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY1v67zGanhVFWA5oqSciGimn_k4Q41EHJ00faywv42olKc50fyq7gNRQ2uwIRJzVrbiMwT457PlSvl0fkyJXdgCvzuHiKjHbE3HEjJtfmjwqsB_2TeK2yBCD3WAuh5sZdFPEx2zAyVA/s400/DSC_0122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612914518693475090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFv12O_jEycUlgw-kGpfvpVEiFcFGNs28FhsmzhsWpolHQ1xHb0GwSn92DaxrA7M9PcxvLLbBdwF8vI_6WUCeIt6Y-xC4Bvy84gd9BrbzNBE6MEAqWKGeQ8mRo2qhIf6vyT2_PltczrE/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFv12O_jEycUlgw-kGpfvpVEiFcFGNs28FhsmzhsWpolHQ1xHb0GwSn92DaxrA7M9PcxvLLbBdwF8vI_6WUCeIt6Y-xC4Bvy84gd9BrbzNBE6MEAqWKGeQ8mRo2qhIf6vyT2_PltczrE/s400/DSC_0115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612914514880267282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszFWWhqQQN4-M1U1-o46UmyrE3964h9TERZdvHtTy8TJ_cJ66aiwW8UXdlyDxgll7nl08gLIK35YMRnUmMzGuEQjmVD0ekbmFGDaDq20sj82jZz900nAulUkJnE-uImxPPcynRDPVG3E/s1600/DSC_0135.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszFWWhqQQN4-M1U1-o46UmyrE3964h9TERZdvHtTy8TJ_cJ66aiwW8UXdlyDxgll7nl08gLIK35YMRnUmMzGuEQjmVD0ekbmFGDaDq20sj82jZz900nAulUkJnE-uImxPPcynRDPVG3E/s400/DSC_0135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612914532038640482" border="0" /></a>I've learned a few things lately. One is that these kids do much much better in the school room in the mornings. This means we are sacrificing outside time for upstairs time but that's what we have to do at least until R. isn't so grumpy in the afternoons. They don't seem to mind the heat outside as much as B. and I do so they'll be able to go outside in the afternoons. T. and R. are also easier to motivate these days with lots of new materials from counting to language. <br /><br />B. is growing so fast and she is loving her new play pad complete with a large mirror. This is an essential Montessori tool for baby to learn about her own body. The mobiles are Montessori too and have different functions like discriminating color and shape. She is such an easy baby that I have had extra time to focus on schooling and I am feeling very capable lately. T. is reading three letter phonetic words and almost ready to move on to four letter words. His writing is improving so he is well on his way to learning to read and write! Yay T.!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-11367972036288701122011-05-29T11:11:00.000-07:002011-07-04T16:16:06.342-07:00Our Summer Bucket List<ol><li>go to the beach</li><li>learn how to snorkel</li><li>lay in the sun and drink lemonade</li><li>teach Royal how to swim</li><li>make a <a href="http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2011/05/menu-chocolate-pancakes-mud-pie-sweet-gum-ball-ice-cream-mud-bread-with-herbs-it-didnt-take-the-daddy.html">mudpie kitchen</a></li><li>play board games</li><li>make sorbet</li><li>make a big fruit icicle</li><li>take family photos</li><li>did it! Dug a huge hole!!</li><li>go to Sea World to see the Arctic animals (second choice to visiting Antarctica)</li><li>go see a matinee movie</li><li>grow a gigantic pumpkin- to be ready for Halloween</li><li>keep a rain journal</li><li>have a starry night party</li><li>make s'mores<br /></li></ol>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-83926257631722851762011-05-29T10:55:00.000-07:002011-05-29T11:10:31.436-07:00some pics from our weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2Zfrxl3SK_ZbsDaxg_ZriT6se6GgqrM_sCF9pOA3QJIU94BxcdH46VIRQCK-kwdt-FYBVMwzayJYgDF67NyOTgJhIw8sN4pZwyilkbFXtpK0PIJYNm3JJx2hAKWk_I15l3kFnl1ZnzU/s1600/DSC_5126_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2Zfrxl3SK_ZbsDaxg_ZriT6se6GgqrM_sCF9pOA3QJIU94BxcdH46VIRQCK-kwdt-FYBVMwzayJYgDF67NyOTgJhIw8sN4pZwyilkbFXtpK0PIJYNm3JJx2hAKWk_I15l3kFnl1ZnzU/s400/DSC_5126_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612201679126202098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_Wf_QGnlwjRXt8n_x0cBQ1iAaCe4VgfsP4pINnPRTQK2FW9nEcoS3jqIUetnbhyphenhyphen8zaG-kAj3B3sAWtUq8vBeyaCkn6a8Ob9fc9nkLPoqmN-WdssI8P8OgzxaGf-hWRXgOt_agis7Ay8/s1600/DSC_5112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_Wf_QGnlwjRXt8n_x0cBQ1iAaCe4VgfsP4pINnPRTQK2FW9nEcoS3jqIUetnbhyphenhyphen8zaG-kAj3B3sAWtUq8vBeyaCkn6a8Ob9fc9nkLPoqmN-WdssI8P8OgzxaGf-hWRXgOt_agis7Ay8/s400/DSC_5112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612201676943064098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiroe4OylOF_WHqjklS6UCWNvS8J77w-lBWKje2wBLokynIC4m-GmIKmbOtLmVaAG3-ZSWm4w56khnjfkbm2TFbtPvOfXyWGPyMDRlLD_dJiiXItSfnxc6WFBrq_NkZxI_xCSVYSrH-8/s1600/DSC_5072.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiroe4OylOF_WHqjklS6UCWNvS8J77w-lBWKje2wBLokynIC4m-GmIKmbOtLmVaAG3-ZSWm4w56khnjfkbm2TFbtPvOfXyWGPyMDRlLD_dJiiXItSfnxc6WFBrq_NkZxI_xCSVYSrH-8/s400/DSC_5072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612201667243769250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYBV6MVf3U2QuEZRil43kl2gUXfMEWZ4lG1vTbXEe24LM-z9S72qcljPbXTHbU9x57Cq2ikWFiCmEt9kFyVRzSB6puMVRlRUp2G5AtWlkd7cpUVH6MfieD0CBwAcmIXr9IynhdGqSYu4/s1600/DSC_5065.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYBV6MVf3U2QuEZRil43kl2gUXfMEWZ4lG1vTbXEe24LM-z9S72qcljPbXTHbU9x57Cq2ikWFiCmEt9kFyVRzSB6puMVRlRUp2G5AtWlkd7cpUVH6MfieD0CBwAcmIXr9IynhdGqSYu4/s400/DSC_5065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612200227112794418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADtP41phNCv65IDP8OR7_FsAMqG7JP6w_62-PugxC7mvXeVdwXHEivcKYz1hJelnW67liXavNkyfZ9FYvqf7K52mt6AuGo8pMhZ-jkQ1OtP9J5yyCXGBNSWz8WlKc5t-NbCZtzAo4qBc/s1600/DSC_5057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADtP41phNCv65IDP8OR7_FsAMqG7JP6w_62-PugxC7mvXeVdwXHEivcKYz1hJelnW67liXavNkyfZ9FYvqf7K52mt6AuGo8pMhZ-jkQ1OtP9J5yyCXGBNSWz8WlKc5t-NbCZtzAo4qBc/s400/DSC_5057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612200224960048642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW2zS4cJw3xr9JxFKminE9A7tWb9iPIOvHkD1TAJm8XZCoGnRi-vyhj1M_mJrwQW9j_Y5XfBdbRAlGQdLt7zt2yxx80UFcKRfd_IsHvgzSzf-6uJsXpp0VvG9oaPAUAfDp6K-gK9l7JQ/s1600/DSC_5043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW2zS4cJw3xr9JxFKminE9A7tWb9iPIOvHkD1TAJm8XZCoGnRi-vyhj1M_mJrwQW9j_Y5XfBdbRAlGQdLt7zt2yxx80UFcKRfd_IsHvgzSzf-6uJsXpp0VvG9oaPAUAfDp6K-gK9l7JQ/s400/DSC_5043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612200216708483074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nUZP_NGmeQtXhoz0WmveyMbLmG4RZKNrfHfvqECgt4pFO8p5r44txU-_bapJZqPQ2b9ZK2Rd9aRivA8LWRDUa-nDaDjp3w8rewbmsdQWY-wZDFejw8PUqaidHGvJEFmbS3y1UAHW5_I/s1600/DSC_5059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nUZP_NGmeQtXhoz0WmveyMbLmG4RZKNrfHfvqECgt4pFO8p5r44txU-_bapJZqPQ2b9ZK2Rd9aRivA8LWRDUa-nDaDjp3w8rewbmsdQWY-wZDFejw8PUqaidHGvJEFmbS3y1UAHW5_I/s400/DSC_5059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612200207370237762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarMvb3XOLVtgoxVxYeZdfo4Ng1Nf2795wQpRNTwzLgtTv2EPlfVQiUhmn1K8VkXm_3e4ChLJVX881Yqyfo0ciF05uuNiaoSi7oE9x62UdfIoaLDij5u6Qjw3Uymies3LWL6QOCyUFd5o/s1600/DSC_5017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarMvb3XOLVtgoxVxYeZdfo4Ng1Nf2795wQpRNTwzLgtTv2EPlfVQiUhmn1K8VkXm_3e4ChLJVX881Yqyfo0ciF05uuNiaoSi7oE9x62UdfIoaLDij5u6Qjw3Uymies3LWL6QOCyUFd5o/s400/DSC_5017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612200208441514722" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-90658879146915277462011-05-18T05:23:00.001-07:002011-05-18T05:34:31.208-07:00Really quicklyThings are going well here at Camp Kulick. Right now the kids are playing in the sand on our beach and the baby is sleeping in. The air is cool outside. It feels almost like spring should feel only I know this is fluky weather and it will soon return to muggy hot summer weather. Having this baby in the house has been wonderful and I even find moments like this one to sit, relax, take a bath, plan school lessons or work on La Leche League stuff. I should soon be receiving my LLLeader certification and I plan on taking an online Motessori 6-9 teaching certification after that is finished. T. is working on writing his letters. I am really enjoying the process and although it is slower than a more traditional approach I think the final outcome will be far superior. The only problem is that he sometimes really puts up a fight and does not want to work up in the classroom. I wish it could be as described in Montessori philosophy where the child chooses hi work and happily works at it for hours. These kids would much rather be out in the sand. R. can be the same way and a lot of days I feel like I don't understand her or her motivations as much as I do T. I have to remind myself that she is only three and that homeschooling isn't the only option out there. We have been having lots of fun though. We are learning about plants again, one of my favorite topics and have been inspired by a few friends with new butterfly gardens and by the extra time our baby gives us to plant one ourselves. I can't wait to see the finished project and to report on the many lessons that come from it.<br /><br />Hope you all are doing well and enjoying life.<br />BethUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-47924852286001183012011-05-18T05:18:00.000-07:002011-05-18T05:22:49.725-07:00From Daddy's stash<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVnzuBO9vswSApZcMALFffUDFpXx3ZAomnMG-qoOsyinq6zMKPSzsE4C6bRNpD8wn5KepbDLZOkIkV03iN734fb7u3i-bT7faJJ1-TCd6hg61duYTGm4z3G_zOKHQEyBTZR6CdUssZ38/s1600/DSC_4613.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVnzuBO9vswSApZcMALFffUDFpXx3ZAomnMG-qoOsyinq6zMKPSzsE4C6bRNpD8wn5KepbDLZOkIkV03iN734fb7u3i-bT7faJJ1-TCd6hg61duYTGm4z3G_zOKHQEyBTZR6CdUssZ38/s400/DSC_4613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608030375714239618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVc8tvtwMbN0rnuSdnExGncf2FGg2wVJEmOpyIydlEegC9RlSwur832YvoVKlTaRaRw4MKOWfx7AjVnUICSo5KZqVv0q5qibsuWiz8Phv1uHVbp-FxtKFtwADcktiUQCYpxtVKuInPXk/s1600/DSC_4685.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVc8tvtwMbN0rnuSdnExGncf2FGg2wVJEmOpyIydlEegC9RlSwur832YvoVKlTaRaRw4MKOWfx7AjVnUICSo5KZqVv0q5qibsuWiz8Phv1uHVbp-FxtKFtwADcktiUQCYpxtVKuInPXk/s400/DSC_4685.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608030368595793954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxvEUKC4j2NH9gPDv9lpDYi3iet_1uP7bLsbE8QWI6qT-0fnLLs8JaNu3J3bj_yF1JUdaFZNJn1VoEcQbY15jHWebIXgIVhEda7heTCe43LIbD_gNOYti9e1VUDlOZ8FzCOqzGfvygH4/s1600/DSC_4854.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxvEUKC4j2NH9gPDv9lpDYi3iet_1uP7bLsbE8QWI6qT-0fnLLs8JaNu3J3bj_yF1JUdaFZNJn1VoEcQbY15jHWebIXgIVhEda7heTCe43LIbD_gNOYti9e1VUDlOZ8FzCOqzGfvygH4/s400/DSC_4854.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608030364557902162" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674403088734143723.post-49015264439126421012011-04-26T05:13:00.000-07:002011-04-26T05:52:23.072-07:00The video I meant to post<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwmsL0sH0EEET2YGjnpHRw6bRbc5YbpafovGKDsIRmucR8YjgSMrEnheYeho7Pf6z5gTr14rtIO9DYfPfr1sw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0