Dawn K Homeschool

Obama Proposes Longer School Day Seriously? Children need to be in school longer? Nope. Not here. It takes us about four hours. Four hours to homeschool two children (one in third; one in fourth). Today, our school included: handwriting/copywork spelling grammar writing math science (monotremes) history (Ferdinand Magellan) art appreciation piano oh -- and no homework! :) My boys also had time to: work on a model railroad talk to friends on the phone pick cucumbers in the garden transplant tomato plants and rearrange the flower pots in the backyard watch a movie with their 19 year old brother type on the computer listen to a Redwall audio book read a Spiderwick Chronicles book play Legos do their chores play with their cats snuggle their mama over and over again hear "I love you" over and over again draw eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at home and, most importantly, spend the day with the people who love them the best. No, I will keep my children here. Sometimes a moth...

I couldn't find exactly what I wanted by Googling, so I made up my own: Here are some other great ones I did find: http://highland.hitcho.com.au/animalreport.pdf http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/pdf%20documents/Animal%20Report%20Page.pdf Here are some other great ones: http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/forms.html You can download it here: http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1396057&da=y

http://www.geocities.com/maureen1780/andys_page.html There are also worksheets which accompany them. Since we are currently studying European explorers, I thought I'd share this poem from that website: The Columbian Exchange And to the new found shores, many more would come, At the outset for treasure, and later for rum. While those staying home in the Old World nations Were thrilled, indeed, by these explorations. Like a sudden sunburst, how their lives did change: Dinner menus, for one, did it re-arrange. As ships back to Europe were laden with goods: Like tomatoes and corn, and potatoes and wood. Of course, trading back then was still filled with danger, With the seas deadly rought and pirates no stranger. -- But one thing is certain: Spanish sailors were daring In the Age of Exploring and of brave sea-faring. And what a marvel it was, what a change of pace, To hear of new peoples and discover new tastes. Like pineapples and turkeys and the cocoanut frond, Indeed, goodies galore...

http://ww2.mariner.org/exploration/index.php It's even greater if you live in the Hampton Roads area because you can visit the museum. They also host homeschool classes (which we have attended and enjoyed). You can read more here: http://www.mariner.org/education/homeschool-programs Here are some fun activities: http://ww2.mariner.org/exploration/index.php?page=activities

I love all of her "lenses," but I had to mention this one: http://www.squidoo.com/lapbooking The boys and I are working on two lapbooks this year: explorers and mammals. I'll post pictures of their finished products! We are using this for our marsupials: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/Marsupial_Lapbook.php

You will find some wonderful resources for teaching taxonomy, Australia, Africa, oceans, rainforests, etc. This is great for you who live in Fort Wayne, Indiana! click here for list of pdf files

Dragons of Blueland Winner: K *********************** My Father's Dragon Winner: Lisa Congrats! :) Please email me your mailing address.

In celebration of our homeschool year commencing, I am giving away this book: The Dragons of Blueland . If you would like a chance to win it, just post here by 11:59 PM EST on Wed., September 9. I will randomly choose a winner.

In celebration of our homeschool year commencing, I am giving away this book: My Father's Dragon . If you would like a chance to win it, just post here by 11:59 PM EST on Wed., September 9. I will randomly choose a winner.

We started our formal studies this Monday (August 31). There's something so refreshing about starting on a Monday and at the beginning of the month, at that. ( Now, if only the Monday were also September 1. hee hee) It has been an exhausting but wonderful week -- one that makes me very thankful that today is Saturday but also full of anticipation for next week. :) I am still learning how to accomplish everything in a day. A meal plan is going to be a requirement for me, and I must finish stocking my pantry so that I have plenty on hand. I think that will be happening today. These are the basics that both Nathan and Ben do daily: math (Saxon) Building Christian English Series (Rod and Staff; for grammar, not writing) Daily Grams (Easy Grammar company) Writing with Ease (Peacehill Press) Everyday Spelling (Scott Foresman) Character Italics: Building Character through Handwriting (for handwriting and copywork) poetry memorization The boys also read aloud each day with simple biographi...