Spelling Books

There's debate (and scientific evidence to back up a particular theory) about whether a person becomes a good speller through:
-genes
-spelling tests
-silent reading
-reading aloud
-certain spelling curriculum
-spelling lists
-dictation
-spelling anthologies
-using spellchecker
-copywork
-textbook assignments about spelling
-listening to books being read aloud
-learning spelling rules

Personally, I think it is a combination of auditory, visual and linguistic skills and has a component of "natural aptitude" as well. I've always liked the idea of a personal spelling vault...a place to hold all the words that once were a mystery but now are familiar. I purchased index cards and a pouch but we found that difficult to use. ANSWER-these inexpensive lightweight, thin booklets!

Anytime the kids need to ask me how to spell a word they are expected to write it in their booklet for future reference. Over the past year, there's been complaining about this but as they've started to collect words, they are seeing the benefit! I've even seen them getting their booklet off the shelf to look something up! I like the connections they are making by using these booklets. You can find them here.

Sarah's Comic Book Store

Sarah wrote and published three different sets of comics. She build a cash register out of cardboard and tape for her store. She wanted to "sell something" and this was the result! Fantastically creative!

Daniel's Fallacy Detective

Funny, Daniel flipped through the book and read all the comics!! I'm encouraging him to read the first chapter!

Sarah's Handmade Brooms

Sarah has designed a broom made from tape, twigs and pine needles. She made one for each family at Tuesday Group.  Need a close up shot.

Literature For Lunch-New Lunch Read Aloud-Book of Greek Myths by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire

Since yesterday's book was a one day read, today we have a new one. We keep our library books on two shelves in the dining room and I found this: Book of Greek Myths by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. It looks quite extensive and today's few pages made for some good conversation about the ancient Greeks.

UPDATE: March 30, 2012-what a wonderful time we had reading this! Sad to see it go!

Literature For Lunch-New Lunch Read Aloud-Benjamin Franklin by Ingri d'Aulaire

Finished Kingdom's Hope yesterday. The kids want a break from the series, but I read 90% of book THREE in bed last night! Love it! So inspirational! John started book one last night!

I remember reading Abraham Lincoln as a child by this author. So today we read Benjamin Franklin by Ingri & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. Fantastic, I learned SO much! (love our library!)

My Mommy's Helper

Daniel and I have been working together this week. He has been helping with meals, setting and clearing the table and putting dishes in the dishwasher. This is a big adjustment for all of us. He is quickly increasing in skill and service. He wants to plan a dinner and we were going to do that this week, but the snow put a keebosh on grocery shopping. Monday will start Sarah's week again.

Homeschool History

I have purchased T O N S of history curriculum. I can't even express the remorse I have over all the money spent/wasted on homeschool history curriculum. What we still continue to use today out of the entire lot is "The Story of the Ancient World" by H.A. Guerber & Christine Miller from Nothing New Press. We read one section at breakfast each morning and often, both children BEG me to read another section. What is in this history book? The Old Testament! Seriously, it is that good!

Published in 1896 (!) and written for elementary age children (and their parents), these age appropriate, chronological narratives are excellent and provide the "friendly read aloud" atmosphere I was looking for. We often have lots of discussion and other parts of our day may intersect with the morning reading.

From the Nothing New Press website:
"The engaging narratives that followed are richly detailed accounts of the lives and times of the most important people of the period, arranged chronologically. The people are placed within the context of their times, and their history is presented with interesting background information so that the entire narrative flows as a single, unbroken story. Dates are given in the narrative where they are known; the pronunciation of place and personal names is carefully marked at its first encounter in the text; and illustrations abound. The text includes maps, a comprehensive timeline of all the persons and events encountered in the history, a comprehensive Recommended Reading list of wonderful historical fiction and non-fiction keyed to the chapters; and a complete bibliography and index round out the book".

Soon, we'll be reading "The Story of the Greeks"...can't wait!

More Chores - Mommy's Helper

I decided it is time for my kids to help in the kitchen. When we started homeschooling, I felt it was important to establish some important routines like eating meals together. To make that happen, I did all the meals...planning, prep and clean up. But now it is time for the kids to do some of these jobs. Thus, New and Improved for 2012 introducing "Mommy's Helper". No longer do they sit and wait to be served! Breakfast, lunch and dinner I call "I need Mommy's Helper"...Dan is assigned one week and Sarah is assigned for the next. They are quickly learning how to cook and slice and dice! Sarah is enjoys lots of sensory input and always wants to hold the egg yolks!

I knew starting something like this would evoke whining and complaining and gnashing of teeth, so I fortified my willpower and love quotient to endure the lashing. I'm very certain after we do this week in and week out, all that will subside. I haven't heard any complaints in a long time about emptying the dishwasher since I've stood firm that it must be emptied first thing in the morning before eating. Sarah is wearing John's apron from when he was FOUR! That makes it VINTAGE!

I know this is probably very normal for most people but I never had a system for planning and preparing meals (you can read about that HERE). And now with that system in place and a tidy kitchen, we can cook together!

Daniel And Pancakes

Pancakes Song #1 : http://youtu.be/PnCVZozHTG8


Pancakes Sequel : http://youtu.be/z6exGspNcnw


Daniel loves the music and video! I told him I'd put in on the blog for easy listening. :)

1 2 3 Legos For Me

LOVE Sarah's Lego numbers!