Pages

Google Search

Custom Search

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

State Parks and Photography Contests

Today was an awesome day and a disappointing day all rolled up in one big fat ball.

First I have to tell you about these cute kitties. I am allergic to kitties so they are not mine. However, the neighbors whom my children play with on an almost daily basis, were letting the children decorate the back porch. The kitties were all fascinated by the tinsel as you can see. The fun thing about cats and kittens, is you just need a prop and a camera to get cute shots. They don't need prompting or coddling to perform.

As far as school goes Caitlin did Head of the Class in the morning, then had to clean her room. DJ began his Science assignment, from The National Zoo, on bears. This is an extensive assignment and will require a few days of research and writing. He was enjoying it, so that is good. Then we went off to the park for our playdate. The weather was amazing and everyone had fun.

Later in the evening I checked the Nat Geo Kids website to see if the winners of the photography contest had been announced. They hadn't but there were all the entries for everyone to view. With over 20,000 entries it would have taken me forever to go through them all. So I signed in using my username and password and it said we had not uploaded any photos. Now I am certain we had to put them under my username, but I am hoping we put them under his own username and just can not remember the username and password. But, I am afraid we did something wrong and our pictures were not there. They don't refuse any, so I know it wasn't that. I scoured through my emails looking for the confirmation email that I swore I got when we uploaded them, but it wasn't there. So DJ was disappointed, but he took it well. I feel so awful, ugh! But, I did sign him up for him to have a photo album account on the Nat Geo Kids website, and he can upload his best and favorite pictures. Then after they are approved they can be viewed and receive comments. Next year when the contest comes around again, we will be prepared with all his best pictures right there on his album. Then we can just go from there. Sad and disappointing but a lesson well learned. I wish they had more photography contests for kids available, but most require you to be 18, except 4H which of course we do.

I also discovered that Florida state parks will wave the entrance fee for school field trips, including homeschool groups. If you live in FL and you are interested the park ranger I spoke to said that a letter must be sent stating why you chose their park and what curriculum the field trip is focusing on. Cool!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Giant Turkey Vulture

It seems like DJ takes his camera with him everywhere we go now. This is the first morning we have gotten to walk in almost a week. It was warm and 65 at 9 AM. You can't tell by the images, but this Turkey Vulture is huge. He was just sitting up on top of a big dead tree with his wings spread completely out. He stayed like that for a good couple minutes. DJ took several shots. If you click the image it will be bigger. His camera can only zoom just so far, but a good shot none the less. Usually you just see these birds either flying over head, or eating on something. We hardly ever get to see them like this. Yes, these are right in town. They seem to live a top the old Spanish Moss trees. Tomorrow we have a playdate at the park, and it will be another beauty of a day. Wednesday we are supposed to be having painting class with my mom, but her dog has not had its puppies yet. So we might just paint anyways to practice. I was supposed to begin wrapping presents last night, but all I ended up doing was sorting them and organizing. Still need stocking stuffers, and ordered DJ's last gift this AM. How is everyone doing on their shopping lists?

Lesson Plans For 12/05/11:

DJ:
Reading: Read one chapter of The Great Brain Reforms
Math: Saxon 65 chapter 53
Spelling
Writing: Blog post on the Pileated Woodpecker

Caitlin:
Head of the Class: Two cycles
Reading: The Lost Kitten
Cursive and Printing Practice
Math: Greater than and less than, time, place value








Saturday, December 3, 2011

The Simple School

I should have shared this two days ago, but I forgot, sorry. If you like themed units, they have tons of other items as well, but The Simple Homeschool has a free newsletter and each week they send out a free themed unit study. Right now they are having the 12 Days of ChristLinkmas freebies, where each day they send you a free themed unit. You do have to sign up for the newsletter to get the freebie. These are great for any child not just homeschooled children. They also have a Facebook page you can follow them, if you are into Facebook. Check it out.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Plain Old School Day?


LOL, we had just a plain old school day today. Next week we are busy again with a playdate and possibly painting and shopping for Christmas another. That one is up in the air because my mom, who is our painting teacher has a pregnant dog, and she will not leave her until she has the puppies and they are stable. I believe they are actually due Sunday, so we will have to wait and see on painting class. Tomorrow is Friday and we are doing some Reading and Math, and then Christmas specials with popcorn. Anyone interested in a great sale, I am having a 25 Days of Christmas sale in my Etsy store. Each day a new item will be on sale, today is this Amethyst ring for 8 bucks. So be sure to check it out at my Etsy store. Each item ends at 8 AM the following morning, when the next item goes on sale.

Lesson Plans For 12/01/11:

DJ:
Cursive Writing
Health: The Endocrine System
Religion: Noah's Ark
Language Arts: Commas in a letter
Math: Saxon 65 chapter 51
Social Studies: The Middle Ages, chapter 14
Reading Comprehension

Caitlin:
Math: Place value, time and skip counting
Language Arts: Nouns, ing words, proper nouns
Head of the Class: 2 cycles
Cursive Writing
Religion/Health: Noah's Ark
Reading: Stuck in the Mud

Currclick for Homeschoolers

CurrClick

Custom Ornamental Gates

Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!
Copy this code to your website to display this banner!