Book Sharing Monday - A Bad Case of Stripes

A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon is about a little girl who, out of the blue gets stripes and ends up not being able to go to school.

The doctors were amazed and just couldn't figure out what was wrong with her or how to get the stripes and other designs on her skin to go away.

This is a cute and well illustrated story that is sure to impress.

Christmas at the Museum

I'm getting a bit behind in posting. Things have been getting a bit busy here.

We went to a Christmas at the museum field trip put on by someone on one of the local homeschool groups.

 We could only stay for half of it because we made other commitments for the afternoon. We chose to do the indoor section since we forgot to bring mittens for the outdoor part. We went around the world and learned about holiday celabrations in different countries.

There were stations set up with different crafts, reading and games to show examples of things that are different from place to place.

Book Sharing Monday - The Lion and The Mouse

We borrowed this version of the popular Aesop's fable from our library. It was more than interesting because it had hardly any words. This audio version was mostly sounds. 

Don't get discouraged about that. It was well done and we enjoyed it.

Decorating the Tree

 We have started to get ready for Christmas. We are a bit late this year.

 It  seems a bit strange having Christmas in someone else's house, but I think it'll be fine.

 We gave our tree away when we moved back to Ontario because it wouldn't fit in the trailer. This isn't our tree, but we are using our decorations.

 Putting the decorations on the tree wouldn't be complete without a bunny ear picture.

Have a happy holiday season!

Christmas Parade

 Small town Christmas Parades are fun, free and it's easy to have a good view.

 While waiting the kids played on the stairs of this old building.

 The pigeons seemed to know that something was going on.

 I thought that these dogs were so adorable!

Santa made an appearance. Life is good in small town Ontario.



Book Sharing Monday - The Little Crooked House

The Little Crooked House by Margaret Wild is a fun book about a little man and his cat who are live in a crooked house. If they become unhappy about where the house is, the house gets up and moves.

It's a fun book with silly illustrations. We rather enjoyed it and recommend it.

First Holiday Craft

I remembered doing this craft at a Homeschool Co-Op a couple of years ago and decided to pull it up on the iPad and do it with the kids. We are a bit limited because we don't know where many of our craft supplies are, but this craft just requires, paper, scissors, a stapler, and tape.

Mine is on the left. I followed the directions exactly. Zoe did the one on the right. I'm so proud of her because she did it all by herself except for the stapling. Austyn's is in the middle. I helped him a great deal. The cool thing about Austyn's is that his has more ribbons cut and a bigger center, on each arm of the snowflake. It looks different than ours and turned out amazing.

HERE is the link to make them yourself.

Homeschool Gymnastics Ends

 Austyn graduated from his level.

 Zoe graduated from Advanced Preschool level 1.

 After the class was over all of the kids went to McDonalds to eat and play.

I will be taking this activity over since the family who was in charge of setting up times with the gymnastics club won't be attending the next time. I'm glad my kids want to sign up again.

First Snow Fall

 Here in Southern Canada, the snow falls a bit later compared to most other Canadian locations.

This is another picture illustrating the difference in my kids from a small urban back yard that they never wanted to go out in alone to this huge open space that they are drawn out into.

Book Sharing Monday - Badness for Beginners

 

Badness for Beginners by Ian Whybrow and Tony Ross is a book that may seem backwards because it's about a wolf family learning to be bad. Apparently it's desirable to be bad, for a wolf.

 

This book is another book to question our societal norms.  What is bad and good? What are manners? Why do we even have manners? Who decided what is bad or good? Isn't it just what we label it? Should we be concerned about insulting others?

Math Manipulatives

 Why not? Build things with them!

100 Book Challenge - November 2011

Guess What!! I'm the new host of this challenge! I asked Leslie over at Home Grown Love if I could take this challenge over. She said "Yes". So here it is! For the time being just comment under my post with your link sharing what your family read over the month. Keep in mind that you never should feel pressured to reach 100 books if it doesn't feel natural in your home. If you only read 20 that is wonderful. I would love to see what you have read. If you would like more information on this challenge visit our information page HERE.


Here is our November List. Counting all chapters and the books that were bilingual we have made it to over 100!

Both:

1.       A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

2.       A Christmas Wish by Marcus Sedgwick

3.       A Gaggle of Giggles – 2 chapters

4.       All Kinds of Families! By Mary Ann Holerman

5.       Angel Coming by Heather Henson

6.       Animalia by Graeme Base

7.       Barn Dance! By Pat Hutchins

8.       Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

9.       Boo to You! By Lois Ehlert

10.   Cat Dreams by Ursula K. Le Guin

11.   Cat & Mouse by Ian Schoenherr

12.   Clarice Bean That’s Me by Lauren Child

13.   C’mere, Boy! By Sharon Jennings and Ashley Spires

14.   Counting with Apollo by Caroline Gregoire

15.   Des requins! By Catherine Nichols

16.   Dogs Don’t Brush Their Teeth! By Diane deGroat and Shelley Rotner

17.   Fat Cat by Margaret Read MacDonald

18.   Five Little Ducks by Raffi

19.   Floppy In the Dark Floppy dans le Noir by Guido Van Genechten – Bilingual

20.   Fortune Cookies by Albert Bitterman

21.   Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London

22.   Froggy Plays T-Ball by Jonathan London

23.   Froggy’s Day with Dad by Jonathan London

24.   Froggy’s First Kiss by Jonathan London

25.   Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

26.   Hanukkah Lights by David Martin

27.   Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

28.   Holly by Ruth Brown

29.   Hurry Up, Molly Depeche-Toi, Molly by Lone Morton - Bilingual

30.   If Wishes Were Horses by Sibley Miller – 9 Chapters

31.   I Have Feelings by Jana Novotny Hunter

32.   I Kissed the Baby! By Mary Murphy

33.   In The Woods: Who’s Been Here? By Lindsay Barrett George

34.   I See Animals Hiding by Jim Arnosky

35.   Jen the Hen by Sue Graves

36.   J’Observe les métiers de la nuit by Gallimard

37.   Junie B. Jones Is a Beauty Shop Guy by Barbara Park – 9 Chapters

38.   Just One Goal! By Robert Munsch

39.   Knuffle Bunny A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems

40.   Let It Snow by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

41.   Little Quack by Lauren Thompson

42.   Mabel’s Magical Garden by Paula Metcalf

43.   Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry by Samantha Berger

44.   Memoirs of a Goldfish by Devin Scillian

45.   Monkey Business by Wallace Edwards

46.   Mrs. Clause Takes a Vacation by Linas Alsenas

47.   My Dad and Me by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

48.   My Father the Dog by Elizabeth Bluemle

49.   Night Flight by Robert Burleigh

50.   One Duck by Hazel Hutchins

51.   Pablo Goes Hunting by Hannah Giffard and Keith Tutt

52.   Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomie DePaola

53.   Perfect Puppy For Me! By Jane O’connor and Jessie Hartland

54.   Petit Papa Noel by Tino Rossi – many times!

55.   Piggies in the Kitchen by Michelle Meadows

56.   Sailor Boy Jig by Margaret Wise Brown

57.   Sally Goes to the Beach by Stephen Huneck

58.   Save The Tree! (Wonder Pets)

59.   Sky Blue Accident Accidente celeste by Jorge Lujan – Bilingual

60.   Sloppy Joe by Dave Keane

61.   Stick by Steve Breen

62.   Such a Prince by Dan Bar-el

63.   The Gingerbread Cowboy by Janet Squires

64.   The Night Eater by Ana Juan

65.   The Magic Rabbit by Annette LeBlanc Cate

66.   The Mitten by Jan Brett

67.   The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

68.   The Shortest Day by Wendy Pfeffer

69.   The Trouble with Dragons by Debi Gliori

70.   Take Me Out of the Bathtub and other silly dilly songs by Alan Katz

71.   The Block mess Monster by Betsty Howie

72.   The Christmas Magic by Lauren Thopson

73.   The Fuchsia is Now by J. Otto Seibold

74.   The Hair of Zoe by Fleefenbacker Goes to School by Laurie Halse Anderson

75.   The Little Reindeer by Michael Foreman

76.   The Sheep Fairy by Ruthy Louise Symes

77.   The Sneetches and other stories by Dr. Seuss – 4 Stories

78.   Three Little Mermaids by Mara Van Fleet

79.   Viking Tales by Jennie Hall – 2 Stories

80.   Walking through the jungle Marchant a trafvers la jungle by Debbie Harter

81.   We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury

82.   Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

83.   Woodland Christmas by Frances Tyrrell

84.   Zomo The Rabbit by Gerald McDermott

Read Story on Air Plane

French Story Time – 4 Books

Austyn:

1.       Petit Papa Noel by Tino Rossi – Many times!

2.       The Elson Readers Primer by William H. Elsonand Lura E. Runkel – 13 Stories( Austyn read)

3.       Viking Tales by Jennie Hall – 7 Stories

French Story Time – 2 Books

Zoe:

1.       A Dragon in a Wagon by Jane Belk Moncure

2.       Angelina Ballerina by Jane Belk Moncure

3.       Angelina’s Christmas by Katharine Holabird

4.       Angelina’s Halloween by Katharine Holabird

5.       Down By The Bay by Raffi – Zoe read

6.       Five Little Ducks by Raffi –Zoe read

7.       Got to Dance by M. C. Helldorfer

8.       How Do I Love You? By Marion Dane Bauer

9.       Hush Little Baby by Shari Halpern

10.   Just Enough Carrots by Stuart J. Murphy

11.   Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

12.   The Lady with the Alligator Purse by Mary Ann Hoberman – Zoe read

13.   Three Little Mermaids by Mara Van Fleet

14.   To Market, To Market by Anne Miranda

15.   Trixie and the Halloween Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Farm Cats

Is that 7 cats? 8 cats? Hmmm... I don't know... LOL!!

Krimpy!

Zoe has been doing her own hair and she uses a Barbie book we use that was purchased at a local used book store. She can put her own hair in a bun, pony tail and she can also braid her own hair. I unpacked my old crimper that I use to use when I was in highschool so I used it on her and knew she'd get a kick out of it. I think it looks great. She loved it!

Small, But Convinient Library

We discovered that at one of the arenas that Austyn plays hockey at there is a small Library. Zoe took full advantage of it with a friend. It's likely the smallest library branch I've ever seen, but it sure was convinient for us.

Lego Guns

 Austyn has been playing a hunting game on the iPad and was inspired to make some guns. Here are three of them.

At Lego Club Zoe made one as well.

Book Sharing Monday - Tess's Tree

Tess's Tree by Jess M. Brallier is a book about a little girl named Tess who grew up playing around a tree in her yard. It was much older than her and one day it had to be cut down.

Tess was very sad and she decided to hold a service for the tree. To her surprise many people showed up for the service. They all loved the tree as well and had stories to tell from their experiences with it.

It's a wonderful, book about sharing memories and the loss of something that touched many people's lives. The tree may have been taken away but they all became more connected in their loss.

Alpaca Farm Field Trip

I set up a trip for our homeschool group to go to an Alpaca farm in our area. The kids were shown what machines are used to prepare the wool from the Alpacas.

She showed them some types of yarn and felt that have been made.

 The kids were shown things that are made with the wool. Here are some felted items that were made by hand. If you want a good blog that features alot of home-made felting projects a good one to visit is The Magic Onions. She also sells felted toys and other items.

 These are the boys. They are kept on their own.

The kids got to go into the barn with the animals and outside with them. The animals seemed so friendly and many of them were timid.



Math is different

 What may look like a regular math worksheet to one person is something completely different for someone working on RightStart Math. In fact, someone came over and saw what Austyn was working on and proceeded to show him him the procedures she was taught in school on how to do the worksheet, but this is not the intention of the program. This program isn't about memorizing and learning proceedures to do math. It's more about TRUELY understanding how math works. It's hard to understand this, for some, especially if they were good at memorizing and learning proceedures (were good in math).

This lesson was taking two 4-place numbers and adding them using the base ten cards and trading with a bank. So, instead of learning to carry the one or two or whatever, he is truely learning that there was a place value to it that is moving along. Here is what the book says about this lesson: "This purpose of the leson is not to teach the child paper and pencil procedures, rather she is to experience trading on a more abstract level."

While Austyn worked on math Zoe had a snack that turned into an art project!