"New" school ideas for Doodle

After trying Time4Learning- We've begun to "tweak" Doodle's school assignments-  He really likes doing things on the computer- and I found some NEAT sites- http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/teachers/ks2_lessonplans/ is an awesome site- with all sorts of links, interactive stuff, ideas and fun.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ is a great help with our history plans.  Here's a few things we've found, and basically this is his assignment sheet for today-

Doodle School Assignments:

• Calendar Math
• Pam’s Math & PT Sheet
• Spelling-  http://www.spellingcity.com/student-spelling-practice.html TEST today- do test online or on paper-
• English- Power point presentation-  Game on types of sentences and types of sentences worksheet
• Handwriting- Cursive workbook
• History- (he wanted to learn about the Romans  do a  Lapbook piece- home, family, food, clothing  Read from bbc website - about the Romans, and book.  Doodle read the Magic Tree House Book Vacation under the Volcano and will do the quizzes found on this site
• Science-  Read, play, quiz Do activities on this page and worksheet

Then together as a family today, we'll do Apologia's Astronomy (LOVE IT!) and writing journals.

Time 4 Learning Review

We were able to try the online curriculum time4learning free for 1 month in exchange for a candid review of the program on the blog- so here goes. First off, a bit about time4Learning- It's an online curriculum covering math, language arts, science, and history. It covers pre-K through 8th grade. When we decided to try time4learning- I decided to only put Doodle (2nd-3rd grade) on this program. Bug (6th grade) and Roo (K) were left out. Poor Roo- he loved watching and listening in on the Time4Learning video clips and such, and was wishing he could do it too. We didn't use the math portion of the program at all- as we have a wonderful math thing going on- and ya know- if it ain't broke- don't fix it. :D Pros-

• Doodle LOVED it. He liked the fact that mom was taken out of the equation (I'm not so sure that I liked that part of it) But there was definitely less head-butting and frustration when it came to school time. Doodle liked the fun interactive Language Arts lessons.
• There were fun lessons on synonyms, antonyms, and homonymns, complete with cheesy movie clips, and quizzes for each one. There were reading comprehension activities that were great for Doodle to work on. *He never once complained about the Language Arts protion of the program. (If LA was offered seperately- I'd be SOOO tempted to get a subscription to the site.
• Site was easy for Doodle to navigate- it had "done" stamped on the lessons he'd completed, and arrows to show what he should do next.
• We had no problems at all with the connection to the site- I worried if the internet was down, what we'd do, but no worries there. :D
• Doodle Loved being able to play games in the Playground (many of the games are educational too ;)) and I liked that I could set a time limit for how long he could play the games- lol

Cons

• We found the science and Social studies sections very dry and boring. (sorry- but they were!) After the fun language arts, we were both disappointed in the other subjects. I realize that they are added as a "bonus" and not really part of the program- but that was the part of what I was most searching for something "more" for.
• I would like to be able to go in and pick and choose assignments and put them in a "folder" or something for him, and pick my own order. I guess I could pick my own order now, but I'd have to show him which ones I wanted him to do. I'd rather do a few reading comprehension at a time, a few grammar type lessons, a few lessons on different topics, rather than all one topic, then all another topic.
• cost- although it's only a small monthly fee- it adds up, especially since we would only use the LA portion. IF they were to offer just the language arts section for a reduced price I'd really be thinking seriously.
• Lots of time on the computer- Doodle learns well with the interactive type stuff on the computer- but I didn't like him being on the computer quite that much.

This review is entirely my opinion, I was offered a free month in exchange for this review. Time4Learning was a nice shake-up and change of pace in our school. Will we continue- no probably not. Though I have learned that since Doodle learns so well with this type of cirriculum, I will try and add a bit more interactive things to our homeschool.

100th day of school

Last year we started a fun tradition of celebrating the 100th day of school. Today was our hundreds party. (Not that I truly care how many days of school we get it, sometimes it's 180, sometimes more, sometimes less, but we have many days that don't get counted but could be) So really- it's 100 days that we've kept track of- lol

Since it's monday- we had math class- and went to Pam's for school today.

Roo's counting page shows 100 days of school.
Doodle and Roo made necklaces with 100 pieces of cereal.Pam found a ton of fun games to play from the Minute to Win it website- only ours were 100 seconds to win it. ;) - We had to balance 5 dice on top of a craft stick held in our mouth for 3 seconds.

LOOK- another use for craft sticks! Balance a plate with blocks on top of our headBuild a "crane" out of string and pencils, it hooked over Doodle's ears, then Bug pulled the strings, and pulled it up with a piece of candy on top, Doodle had to eat the candy. We had to do this 3 times in 100 seconds.
Pam is so wonderful! She made us a 100's pie for dessert. :D Thanks Pam for a FUN Hundreds Party!

Annual Science Fair

Yesterday each of the boys entered a project in the Homeschool Science Fair on the other side of the mountain. They all did an amazing job, and I was so pleased with the way they told the judges about their projects.

Roo did a Science project on growing borax crystals. He hypothesized that the crystals would grow better under a heat lamp. He put them to grow in the window, under a heat lamp, in the freezer, and outside. His hypothesis was wrong- after weighing his crystals, the ones outside grew the most and biggest crystals.
Doodle did a great project on microwave popcorn. He thought that the more expensive popcorn would pop better, and have more to eat, and less that remained unpopped. His results showed that the more expensive brands didn't pop any better than the cheap generic brand.

Bug's project was on heat absorbtion of different colors. He dumped some ice on pieces of plastic tablecloth, and thought that no matter where he put it, the ice on the black plastic would melt the fastest. His results were interesting, the black definately melted faster in the direct sunlight, but indoors and in the shade, it didn't hold the same results. He did a great job with his project, and took first place in the older kids division. Because he's in 6th grade- he gets to go to the state science fair next month. It'll be a great experience for him, and we're all excited.Roo got to set up his project right by his cousin H- who did a fun volcano for his science project. Here's Bug getting his award- Way to go Bug! We are so proud of you and your hard work with this science fair.

President's Day Cabin fun

We went to the Cabin for President's Day--- it was a great, snowy, fun weekend. A picture of the front of the cabin- yes- that is the front door in the middle there- and yes- the door is up on the porch which is about 3 feet off the ground- that's a LOT of snow! Our Nephews W and L and Ben's aunt Pam came with us. Doodle and L are best of buddies. L was always on the lookout for his "buddy"

Doodle is my snowmobile boy. He LOVES to drive the snowmobile, and he's a super good driver. He's so careful, and cautious, and always aware of the other people around him.Doodle, L and Bug on a ride. Roo and W out playing in the snow by the river.
Pam and I out for a ski Playing on the cabin roof. Crazy! More playing on the roof pics! Ben, W and Roo dug a snow tunnel. It was fun to crawl from one entrance to the other. Roo thinks a rabbit is going to find this cave, and claim it as it's home. Popcorn and movies one night before bed.

What a fun trip!

Blading fun

We had a wonderfully fun homeschool party today at the roller rink. We had some fun science experiments and demonstrations (more fun with polymers- Roo really thought it was cool!) After the science stuff, we were able to go roller blading.

Doodle has his own pair of roller blades he got for his birthday- and he was fast and furious on them. Roo did great for just learning. Bug was so neat, helping his little brother. Roo would skate along the holding onto the wall, until the wall ended. Then he would wait for big brother Bug to come along and hold his hand and help him the rest of the way around the rink. Then he'd skate along the wall again, while Bug got his chance to go fast.

Thanks Tammy for planning such a fun day!

Getting ready for the Science Fair

We are getting excited for the Homeschool Science Fair over the mountain. Last year, only Bug did a project. This year- their teacher (aka- ME!) decided that each of the boys needed to do a project and enter it in the fair. So we've been busy. A HUGE thanks to Pam who is always so willing to help with Math and Science in our homeschool. She's judged many science fairs, and is able to tell us what sort of things the judges are looking for.

So here's a sneak peek at the boy's science fair projects:

Roo's experiment:

Checking his results

Doodle's experiment- it was delicious- leave it to my boys to find a way to make science Edible!Bug- you are so cool- lol- found this pic on my camera-

More on the science fair- to come!