Week 23 Science

I love clouds! I mean who doesn't love staring up at them and picking out shapes? I loved doing this when I was a kid and love doing it now. So I thought about a fun way to review clouds by making cloud hats. I was hoping they would turn out to look like Martha Stewart hats, as with all things my visions of grandeur that exist in my mind.

Here's what they turned out looking like.

 In hindsight the paint took a whole night to dry, so I would maybe just glue and chalk the plates afterwards (if you are short on time. ) Much easier and you can finish it in about 15 minutes tops. 

I stapled two dinner sized paper plates (outward facing) and punched holes in the side to pull through ribbon or yarn. Easy weesey! The kids danced around and ran throughout the room as the wind (blew them every which way). This was their favorite parts. If you had enough kids to wear them all at once, you could review the memory work as they jump up and down when you call them out. You can also make these in variations and just make these as breast plates, cloud shields, whatever your heart desires.

My husband came home just in time to take a picture for us. 

Next we ended the day with making it rain. I found this on Pinterest. If you do this, you might think of adding an equal amount of water to your food coloring (just a few drops of water) so the food coloring has a bit more weight. Otherwise, poke a hole through your shaving cream to help the coloring get there faster.

Great visual for rain... and afterwards the kids mixed and played with the jars for about 20 minutes while I got lunch ready. Clean up was a breeze. Gotta love a quick project like this.

Alright tomorrow is our SOTW Co-Op. I look forward to posting some of what we do. 

If you have any questions about the above projects, juts let me know and I'd be happy to answer soon.

Blessings to you all!

-Crecia

Making Math and Grammar Concrete

So I have loved the challenge this curriculum gives me. Again, who would ever think a 5 year old would be learning a math formula? Regardless, I really wanted to make an easy model I could do at home while eating lunch or snack to go over the memory work. So here it is...

In order to explain what "a" and "b" and "c" stand for I thought to use plates. That way we could explain the "a" plate can change but always remain the same in the equation.

I figured I could explain the equation as a list of things to eat or "count" that day. You can use anything you have on hand and can use this for all the Math we've been studying since lesson 21.

Here's how it works:

 Take some paper plates. Write your law title on half, fold and write the equation on the inside.

Then take more plates and write the letters out, plus sign, parenthesis, etc. I used the inside of the plate to make my signs and the outside rim to make my parenthesis. 

 Then add meaning or "value" to each plate. The yellow parenthesis tell the kids which they have to "eat" first. You can use food, cheerios, unit cubes, small plastic toys, etc. 

or 

Hopefully you get the idea from these pictures. If not shoot me an email and I can explain. 

I could see making these for a class. Then having them arrange them accordingly as a part of review. You could get string and hang them over their necks. Then have them hold the quantity in their hands.

Last but not least, making the grammar easier to understand.

Grab a train track bridge and explain how a bridge connects two parts. The Linking verb does the same thing.

I don't know if my sentence is totally accurate on linking verbs, but you get the point.

As the train rides it you can have your child read or create a sentence.

And here are some wall resources for History, Grammar, and Math.

Click here for the document. 

It's made in Powerpoint, so you need that to change and view it.

Blessings and goodnight!

-Crecia

Great Ideas from YOU!

So as promised... here are some truly fabulous ideas from a reader in Colorado. I love Colorado. My brother went to seminary there and during college I visited them about 15 times in 2 years. I knew I- 70 well. Then I lived there for 2 years before I got married. Oh how I miss the Rockies...

Ok, back on track. This wonderful reader, Erika, has been on a roll. 

She came up with great activities to do anytime, any week.

Her first one is a timeline for composers. So easy and so great for the kids to have a visual.

Then she came up with a song that goes with the periods.

It's sung to the song, "The Ants Go Marching One by One" and they sang it as a community. It sounds pretty fun. Here's what she wrote me...

.

We are a very small, brand new community. My director asked me to help her create a chant from an old poem she had. I took some liberties to change it a bit and made it into a song to help our community remember the periods of classical music and their dates.

It's sung in two parts. We divide the boys and the girls or the moms and the kids or by classes. The first group sings the names of the time periods while using the timeline signs. The second group drums on the floor 4 times, ba-boom...... Ba-boom while saying the dates. Example...cir...ca .....14.... 50
Everyone sings together... And it isn't over yet!! (As they all go marching down...tune)

Isn't this fantastic!!! I love how it all started and how God used her musical creativity.

Last but not least she sent me a simple way to review the grammar for the last twelve weeks.

So easy and so fun.

 I could see the kids doing os many things with this. Partners, self checking, quiet time, busy race, sort and stack, all kinds of ways. The possibilities are endless. 

Thanks so much for reading and checking out the site. If anyone else has some great ideas to share send them my may and I'd be happy to post about yours. :)

Many blessings!

-Crecia

Week 22 Science Links

So first off I want to say thank you for everyone who has sent me kind comments and encouraging emails about everything happening in life. Honestly though, in comparison, I realize a move and sale of a home is nothing compared to a real crisis. I'm thankful that we are all healthy and sane (well except me- but that's not from the move, I was on a train to crazy long before).

And next I have to apologize that I still have not the time to create plans for the ending part of the year. 

It's such a whirlwind, but honestly my creative juices are zapped when I'm stressed about the small stuff and big stuff. I feel like this is a purification process (and purging) for me. It's always good to lean closer to God and to see His hand in your life. I love the fact that thru the changes I hear His sweet voice, knowing He has all my burdens.

Today during our praise time we sang, "Cast Your Cares" from Seeds Family Music, their "Power of Encouragement" album. It was so perfect for me now. The chorus goes like this...

" Cast your cares upon the Lord, for He will sustain you, He will sustain you.

He will never never never let the righteous fall, ohhh oh, He will never never let the righteous fall."

Here's the song if you have time to hear it...

Cast Your Cares

It's from Psalm 55:22. My son asked if we could play it over and over. He loved the beat and the words. It was truly a time I loved today. Slowly but surely, our time at home is looking more like I had envisioned. Of course we are almost 3 weeks from the end, but hey, at least we are getting the praise down. 

I bought this through iTunes but they also have a buy one get one free special through their web site. Wish I would have known about this before. They give the music chords away for free on their site, so cool when companies find ways to bless others who have less means.

Back to today...

I so needed to hear that truth. I think we all do. 

This is the time of the year that we get tired, get overwhelmed with what we haven't done, didn't get to and how messy the house is becoming. The weather (for those of us without snow storms) is getting warmer and we are beginning to catch spring fever. I want to head outside more than hanging inside.  

So let me encourage anyone who finds themselves in this same boat- we can finish well! 

By His grace and strength we will finish this well.  

For He will sustain you!

My children asked me what "sustain" meant and I was surprised at how that definition meant so much to me now. Our God is so amazing, I am so grateful at His many blessings and the way He does not leave us to be abandoned or not help us when we call out to Him. He is faithful, even if it is not what we want or envision, I know He will sustain me.

As for lesson planning, though, I have to admit, I am unfortunately having to start thinking more about this move and giving my kids a momma that is less plugged into technology as we make this trek across country.

My BFF told me weeks ago to not worry about the plans and just finish out CC as "normal"- and focus on my move and next year. My stubborn heart told her, "No, I could turn out a few more plans and still move my family." Well, here's my public acknowledgement that she was right. 

So although it's very late, here are my resources/ ideas for 

Science Week 22...

I'd love to say this is my wonderful idea, but it's not. It was made by a student and I found it through pinterest. Here is the blog if you want to read more about it.

Plus I'll do some of the experiments in the weather unit provided below and of course some fun cotton ball activities. I just need the time to get it all done. 

Here's a great resource on the different fronts... 

Teacher Vision

Here's a snapshot of their sheet.

I seriously love great free resources and this has to be one of them!

To wrap it all up I found some videos on You Tube...

I'd recommend watching them before you put your kids in front of them, some of them are long and you might be able to just have them watch the pertinent info. But nothing inappropriate, just might be a little over their head if they are 5 and 6, 7 on up would probably really get a lot out of them.

First one is a weather guys from Kansas... oh how I loved living in Kansas. I lived there for 8 years. Anyhow he talks about weather and meteorology and all that they do. I didn't see anything about fronts in particular, but it's taught indirectly through Bill Nye the Science Guy clips. He is worth the price of admission alone. I love Bill Nye!

National Weather Service

The next one is shorter and gets into fronts near the end. I would fast forward a bit if you have young ones like me. :) But overall a great video.

Weather and Air Pressure

And then there is the mecca of all...

A Free Weather Unit with supplies and experiments at your fingertips! 

That's all for Science.

 I will post more for Lesson 22 tomorrow. Also if there is anyone who would like to share some fabulous ideas with everyone about what you are doing at home, please send me your pictures. I'm going to dedicate a post this week to you guys showing me what fun things you have some up with. Please send anything fun (CC related) to my email at ccingit@gmail.com. I look forward to posting about your ideas. 

Cast your cares upon Him, for He will sustain you.

Blessings to you all!

-Crecia

A little Floatin' Fun

 

So today we had our wonderful friends over and had a lesson on John Cabot. It's always great when the kiddos relate or connect current information to previously taught information. We had a little of that today as they thought the Matthew looked like the Mayflower.

We made simple boats to go along with Canadian exploration. It was so easy and so much fun I might have to make an excuse to do these again in the summer. 

Here were our supplies:

* plastic container of choice (yogurt, milk jug, etc)

* construction paper

*paint (I used acrylic), non water based is best

*paint brushes 

*styrofoam chunks

*straws

*tape

We started off by bringing out our map and discussing the history of explorers reviewing Henry the Navigator and how he started exploration. Then we went on to watch a video from my previous post. 

I found a new video link that worked right from my iPad which showed only pictures and facts. It was great because I could narrate while it was showing the visuals. 

The 3 minute movie is here. 

As the ship pictures came along I stopped it and we started talking about what we wanted our pictures to look like. First we drew a picture of what they think they might of found while coming to Canada, then we painted the bottom of our ships.

The pictures ended up changing from deer to camel, to completely covering the canvas... oh the joy of 3- 5 year olds.

After the boat bottoms dried we constructed the inside of the boat. If I were to do it again, I would encourage them not to paint the bottom of the container (the part that sits in the water) as it just rubs off when it floats.

Then we constructed the styrofoam piece of the ship. I just took a chunk of left over styrofoam and wrapped it with white construction paper. Taped it and poked a hole in it to make sure the straw would be stable. The kids made sails and we cut two tiny slits in the sails and put them on the straws.

They loved them when they were done. We started off inside and ended up going outside to use the water table. Both boats ended up in the bath tub tonight and were still holding up just fine after a day of play. 

I hope you guys have a wonderful Friday and enjoy the time you have together. 

I'm just thankful we had a pretty good week in terms of activities. 

I so needed it this time of year.

I loved reenacting John Cabot's adventures, it offers such fun application to a very lengthy history sentence. Be sure you allow for plenty of play as I quickly realized this was hitting the charts because it simply "floated."

Gotta love simple. 

Blessings to you all!

-Crecia

Lesson 21 Resources!

And for the question of the hour... when will I have my lesson plans ready for sale again? Well, I was really hoping to have this tremendous amount of energy while my husband was gone. I was thinking I could get all these plans finished and complete because theoretically I'd have all this "free" time in the evenings.

BUT, I haven't. 

Turns out my man really does help out more than I realized (yes Chris, I know you are smiling as you read this)- and I just didn't have the energy I usually do to work. 

So, instead of selling the plans, I'm just going to post all my thoughts (in a less organized way.) Once my helping husband gets back home, then I can put the hours into making them again.

I know this is a major disappointment to many who have loved the plans, and it is to me as well. But, I am human and need to cut myself a little break every once in a while. :) 

Anyone else out there ready for summer? I am! I need about 1 month of no teaching so I can just focus on my move, selling our house, and getting organized for next year. But, alas, we are not there yet. I still have 4 more weeks to teach, and then I will feel the break I so desperately need.

Ok, so back on track here- 

I've attached what I think are some of the best websites for Lessons 21, and of course my homemade resources for your lovely families. 

As always please link back here if you use these. 

The best part is you will have no problems getting lost on the links or activities. Gotta love easy this time of year! 

For those of you that have wondered what my plans are like... this is essentially a part of what I do for those who buy them. :)

Science

Is this way cool or what? 

I LOVE this picture!

What a great lead in for us to go into Lesson 22!n Although the temp lines aren't exactly the same as the  latitude lines, they show us the general regions.

Here's a great map that you can use to print off and have them identify each one. It will be included in the" Lesson 21 Resource Download" in this post.

A great website for the 5 major circles of Latitude.

http://www.lat34north.com/cities/CitiesLatitude.cfm#namedLatitude

A short video explaining the reason and use of latitude and longitude.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swKBi6hHHMA

A fun song that talks about the two definitions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjDqhLUzCpE

A middle school teacher explaining these. It's great for older kids and connects the parts of the earth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSWvp0Ncnlk

This is a great video that shows how the water goes down in different directions based on where we are at (northern hemisphere, southern hemisphere, equator)- and the best part is it's in Africa! :) Sound is a little bad, but the visual is good enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb69HENUZs8

This is my FAVORITE find of the night!

It's a website that allows us to find coordinates for any place, (even a house) on earth!

http://latitude-longitude.net

So since I love applicable, I'm going to have the kids locate our house, our grandparent's house, aunts and uncles, etc. Then we are going to go to our map and locate exactly where they are using the coordinates.
Oh how I love learning!
Seriously, is this not amazing or what?

History 

1) Overview of the history sentences for this lesson and how they relate globally.

http://www.localhistories.org/canada.html

2) Here is a fun 30 minute movie of John Cabot. It is for older children as it is spoken in Old English and has much dialog. I would guess 10 and older. Or a great movie for you and your kids 8-10 to watch with you. It will take much time to explain it, but is of higher quality than the one below. Maybe a movie night family night?

http://www.nfb.ca/film/john_cabot_a_man_of_the_renaissance/

3) This is a shorter clip (around 7 minutes). I would stop it when they discuss John Cabots's death. Past that they show the Porteguese taking Newfoundland Indians and show a woman's front in the film. It's within context, but ends sadly with them being roped up under a ship. So I would just shorten the clip at his death. It's a good overview of his voyage. Parent preview advised.

http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=158264

4) This is a great video on Newfoundland, present day. It's fun and light hearted. It's a very quick overview of the history there. A few bars are featured, but nothing bad is displayed.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/campaigns/explore-canada/videos.php#stjohns

5) Here are my favorite movies for History this week. They are each well made and not too long. The first one is a great follow up from Lesson 18 with the Mound builders. It shows awesome graphics for the land bridge and how they migrated over from Asia. It talks about Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and connects the study together beautifully.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCQZTCbzlZk

6) The second one is all about how trading fur started and the partnership between the French and the Native Americans. It does have a battle scene between the Indian tribes, but nothing gory. It is a well made video and appropriate for ages 6 and up, parent previews recommended.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0e2Jr00kSU&feature=player_embedded#!

7) Here is a long list of resources available for Samuel de Champlain. It offers worksheets and other resources for you to print off for free.

http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/History/Explorers/Samuel_de_Champlain/index.htm

8) This is a general overview of the history of Britain and France including their wars and solutions.

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?ParagraphID=ivyb

9) A time line with links for English History. Starts in the beginning to now and covers many of our important events we memorize in our timeline. Just great reference point for you to get the overall picture.

http://www.localhistories.org/timeline.html

10) Here are some links containing random fun facts about Canada- including the flag's history.

http://facts.randomhistory.com/2009/01/15_canada.html

http://www.todaysparent.com/activities/funny-facts-about-canada

http://hikebiketravel.com/18950/145-weird-fun-interesting-facts-canada/

Geography and Math

I'm using my cards again. This time I actually fixed them so they are the same size. Ohhh, how sweet that is- anyhow, I'm going to likely just do memory game with these and try to have them associate each one with a shape or animal. 

They can be downloaded in a much clearer version down below. 

And for Math- I will just explain this with items I group. I will likely just grab some toothpicks or magnets to show this on the board. I will post pictures as I do this lesson.

And for all the resources you have seen and more...

Click here to get the History Sentence Template and Lesson 21 Resources I've made.

Some fun crafts you can make...

http://www.dltk-kids.com/canada/index.html

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/canada/

http://www.canadiana.ca/hbc/education/download/act2_e.pdf

http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_furtrade/fp_furtrade3.html

http://spoonful.com/crafts/foil-fleet

http://www.create-kids-crafts.com/sailboat-crafts-for-kids.html

Why make a boat? They explored with them from Britain to Canada. I'm only doing one of these...

 I like the last link the best as I feel like it's the most accurate looking to the boats they used back then.

And last but not least- a little general math for you to incorporate if you need it. :)

So, we are doing Singapore math and even though I absolutely love it, I know Tony is still needing more reinforcement with place value. Math is a subject I love to teach because of all the manipulatives.

When you have a limitless budget, you can really go all out at an educational resource store, but if you have reached the end of your budget, then you might want to try this instead.

We took coffee filters and glued small marshmallows on the filters. Each filter had a corresponding numeral to match. Lucy simply worked on 1-10. Then I had her sort 1-5, and count out each filter. It was a great activity for her to "see" the value.

Tony worked on his place value. I had him make 5 filters with 10 marshmallows each. Then we wrote out the word, "tens". Second, we made one filter with a single digit number. Lastly, we wrote out "ones".

                   

We concluded by testing his knowledge with the following game. Ignore the blue robe and messy house. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twWGgg7w9-M&feature=youtu.be

And this concludes the cutest math video and longest blog post ever! :)

But I hope it saved you some time searching... 

Many blessings to you all!

-Crecia