Buying An Old House, Rocky Cycles

We knew when we bought this 20 year old home, that we would need to be doing updating, and repairs. We had been discussing what kind of flooring to put in, once we pulled out this nasty, old rug. We finally decided on tile, due to having dogs, and tons of sand. Yesterday we pulled out the dining room rug. OMG it was so dirty, and dusty. We were warned that even though we vacuum every day, there would be tons under the rug. They were not lying, WOW!! Anyway, I should have bought face masks, because today I am so filled up, I can barely breathe through my nose. We still have to do the kitchen, and living room, so I will be sure to get masks before then. I will show before, and after pics, as soon as they are loaded to the computer. No I have to save my pennies, to purchase the rest of the tiles. We are moving into adding, and subtracting of fractions. So, DJ's math load will be a bit lighter, until I am sure he understands the concepts.

Lesson Plans For 03/02/10:

DJ:
Sign Language: Numbers 1-20
Math: Subtracting fractions with like denominators
Science: Rock formations, and the rock cycle
Language Arts: Root words, compare and contrast
Vocabulary: WS times two
Cursive Writing

Caitlin:
Science: Rock formations
Reading: HOP Pom Pom
Site Words
Flash Cards
Rhyming Words
Math: Number words
Phonics: Beginning sounds of fruits
Printing Practice
Animal Book: Jungle Animals- lions

Tomorrow for Science class we are studying rocks, and the rock cycle. Below you will see two videos. One is on the Grand Canyon, and some of the most beautiful rock landscape you have ever seen. Then the other explains the rock cycle, and how it works.

Superbowl, Living in Space, Solar System and Universe

Well the New Orleans Saints did it! They defeated the Colts, and are the new Superbowl Champs. Many congrats to them. It was a good game, the commercials stunk, and the first half was pretty near boring. The second half lit it up, and became a good game.

Last Tuesday DJ did a Science lesson where he had to pretend he was living on another planet, and sent an email home to Earth. Tomorrow we are expanding that with video one of a five parts called Living in Space. It is from the History channel, and I will share all five parts, over the coming weeks. There are two other videos covering the Solar System, and our Universe, also below. Include them in your lesson plans, or just for fun for your kids to enjoy. Be sure to check out the new learn to draw website I found.


Lesson Plans For Monday 02/08/10:

DJ:
Writing: You are going on vacation, leave directions for a caregiver to care for your pets.
Reading: Read chapters 7, and 8 of The Silver Skates, with summaries
Math: Equivalent fractions, expanded number reviews
Language Arts: Root Words, spelling
Art: Learn to draw, from pear shapes, new site I found here
Sign Language: Essentials video is in my archives
Vocabulary
Cursive Writing

Caitlin:
Printing Practice
Reading: HOP Kim Kangaroo
Arts and Crafts: Lion cutting craft
Math: Addition to ten
Animal Identification: Worksheet
Site Words
Flash Card Work
Animal Book: Desert animals
Sign Language: Essentials
Phonics: Worksheet

Lesson Plans For 02/09/10:

DJ:
Science: Living in Space part one, Solar system, and universe
Math: Equivalent fractions, subtraction, and addition review
Language Arts: Alphabetical order, root words
Sign Language: Essentials
Vocabulary
Cursive Writing

Caitlin:
Phonics: Worksheet
Reading: HOP Kim Kangaroo
Printing Practice
Math: Addition to ten
Beginning Graphs: Worksheet
Animal Book: Desert animals
Flash Card Work
Site Words
Sign Language: Essentials


Don't forget to visit my Barefoot Books store, and check out the award winning books for kids. I just got mine in, and I love them.

Magnets, Superbowls, Make Science Fun

I hate to be right, but I was right LOL. I predicted it would be the Colts, and Saints in the Superbowl, and yes it is true. I knew I should have bet money on that. Anyway it will be the Colts, and Saints in Superbowl 44, on February 7, 2010. Should be an awesome game! I do feel for the Vikings who fought to the bitter end, even with their quarterback hurt, and lost on a controversial call. It was a really good game. Tomorrow for Science we are studying magnets. Below is a short video explaining magnets, and how they work, then you can try this fun, and simple experiment to drive the point home.

Magnet Attractions Experiment:
Gather a range of different objects such as nails, keys, paperclips, staples, aluminum foil, metal scissors, plastic items, and paper items. Ask your children to sort the objects into two groups. Those that will magnets attract, and those that do not. Explain that magnets attract only metal things, and see if they want to regroup their items. Then give them a magnet and let them try to pick up the objects in their piles. Have them take notes. When done observe what they wrote down. Then explain that magnets will only pick up metal objects made of iron, but not metal objects without iron. There is a note that says magnets will also pick up cobalt, and nickel, but that it is very uncommon.

Lesson Plans For 01/26/2010:

DJ:
Science: Magnets
Sign Language: Colors
Math: Division, fractions
Vocabulary
Cursive Writing
Language Arts: Root words, suffixes, question busters

Caitlin:
Printing Practice
Sign Language: Colors
Reading: HOP Dog Bug week two
Math: Addition
Flash Cards: Number to word identification
Site Words: Sets one, and two
Color/Word identification: Coloring worksheet
Following a sequence: Worksheet
Conversation Hearts: Valentines Day craft

Clouds, Clouds, and More Clouds

Tomorrow for Science, we are studying clouds. Types of clouds, what makes clouds, etc. The video below is cool, and describes the different types of clouds. In addition you can have your child draw some clouds, using the following descriptions for each type of cloud.

Cumulonimbus: Clouds have a flat bottom rising up into an anvil shaped top. These are class thunderheads.

Cirrus: The clouds mean fair weather, and are high wispy clouds, that look like swirls in the sky.

Nimbostriatus: These are dark clouds that are spread out like a blanket, layered, and bring light to moderate precipitation.

Cumulus: These are white, fluffy, cotton ball looking clouds. They very often have spaces of clear blue sky in between.

Altostratus: Middle height clouds that are grayish blue, and cover the whole sky. They mean widespread storms.

Altocumulus: These clouds look like fuzzy bubbles, that are connected in long rows. They may be white, or gray. They usually mean a cold front is coming.

Lesson Plans For 01/12/10:

DJ:
Science: Name that cloud
Math: Fractions, division, multiplication
Spelling/Vocab: Use each word in a sentence
Language Arts: Writing, suffix review
Sign Language: Colors
Cursive Writing
Art: Draw clouds, according to the descriptions given above

Caitlin:
Reading: HOP Hip O Gets a Pet
Following a pattern: Worksheet
Math: Follow the dots through 30
Alphabet Book: Letter T
Site Words
Flash Cards: Number to word identification
Printing Practice

How To Draw Elves, Wind Part 2

Tomorrow for Science class we are continuing our studies on wind. Below is part two of the wind video, from last week. There are two others posted as well. These are great for supplemental activities, with reading, or other lessons. I have found a bunch of great new websites, with educational activities for kids, and they will be posted soon, at the bottom of this blog under my favorite education sites. If your kids love to draw, try some of these wonderful free drawing videos. The one shown, is how to draw elves. DJ will be attempting it tomorrow.

Lesson Plans For 12/15/09:

DJ:
How to draw elves
Science: Wind, and make a wind sock
Math: Multiplication, division, addition, subtraction
Cursive Writing
Language Arts: Suffixes, writing opinions, fact and opinion
Sign Language: Alphabet

Caitlin:
Reading: HOP The Fog
Site Words
Math: Adding to ten using coins
Learning about graphs: Worksheet
Sign Language: Alphabet
Alphabet Book: Letter P
Printing Practice

Plant Nutrition, Suffix and Prefix Song

Below are two cool, and easy to follow videos to help your kids learn about plant nutrition, and prefixes/suffixes. I think we can all say grammar is one of the hardest things to learn. There are so many rules, and variations, with so much to remember. I love these catchy tunes, they help kids to remember what they learn, just a little bit easier. No Zhu Zhu hamster yet, by the way, still in transit Grrr. By the way my plant nutrition lesson plan came from Instructor Web. For 30 dollars, you get full access to all their lesson plans.


Lesson Plans For 11/17/09:

DJ:
Science: Plant nutrition, digestion- see the video in my archives
Grossology: 30 minutes- Forest Rot
Language Arts: Prefixes, suffixes, sensory words
Math: Multiplication, addition, subtract zeros- see video in my archives
Spelling/Vocab: Write each word 3x each
Cursive Writing

Caitlin:
Science: Digestion
Grossology
Reading: HOP Hippo Gets A Pet
Alphabet Book: Letter G
Site Words
Math: Adding
Picture Word Identify: worksheet

Melting Ice Science Experiment

Since I couldn't find a cool video on the milk industry, I am posting this cool, and easy science experiment on melting ice. If you click the images, you can make them larger, and easier to read. Tomorrow I have a couple more fun things to share with you, on the milk industry, and pilgrim craft.






Lesson Plans For 10/28/09:

DJ:
Social Studies: History of the milk industry, coming to America a Pilgrim story
Math: Subtraction, multiplication, multiplication facts
Language Arts: Nouns, subject of a sentence, prefixes
Spelling/Vocab: Use each vocabulary word in a sentence
Cursive Writing
Reading Comprehension with worksheet

Caitlin:
Social Studies: History of the milk industry, Pilgrim craft
Math: Food count, Pioneer counting at pioneer village
Letter sound recognition: Worksheet
Printing Practice
Reading: HOP Ann's Hat
Site words
Alphabet book: Letter Z

Subtracting With Zeros, Plant Life Cycle

Do your kids have a hard time subtracting numbers with zeros? DJ is having a bit of a hard time getting the concept. This short video should help him, and your child too. He explains it simple, and easy.

Tomorrow for Science we are studying the plant life cycle. The short video below will help your young learners to understand the concept. If you have the time actually planting some seeds, and carrying out the cycle, will further help their understanding. It is a cheap, and easy experiment to do. We plant seeds every spring, and we are going to try some winter ones this year. I must say if we had to live off the fruits of my labors, we would surely starve LOL. Practice makes perfect, that is what I always say. Tomorrow I will post an easy melting ice experiment you can do right from home.


Lesson Plans For 10/27/09:

DJ:
Melting ice experiment, the plant life cycle
Math: Addition, subtraction, division
Language Arts: Subject/verb agreement, prefixes, nouns
Spelling/Vocab: Write each spelling word two times each
Cursive Writing
Reading Comprehension: Worksheet Lost

Caitlin:
Letter sound recognition
Printing practice
Reading: HOP Ann's Hat week two
Site words
Math: Food count
Science: Plant life cycle
On and off: Worksheet
Alphabet book: Letter Y


Science:

Animals Of The Past: Cats

We finished our experiment on digestion, from last week, and what did we find? The meat barely digested at all. So meat takes a long time for the body to break it down, and digest it. Tonight we will be doing the same experiment, with two slices of apples. Follow the same procedure, and in a week see what the results are, then discuss your findings. Tomorrow is Science, and this week we are studying animals of the past, the history of cats, to be specific. The cute Disney video below, is great for younger learners.

Tomorrow is a half day.
Lesson Plans For 10/20/09:

DJ
Science: Animals of the past, history of cats
Math: Greater than, and less than, numbers to one million
Language Arts: Apostrophes, prefixes, homograph review
Spelling/Vocab: Look up the definition for each word
Cursive writing

Caitlin:
Printing practice
Science: History of cats, three little kittens nursery rhyme
Math: Number comparison, bigger and smaller
Reading: HOP Ann's Hat
Alphabet book: Letter V
Site words

Last Friday was the end of the first grading period, and I will be posting DJ's grades as soon as I calculate them up. Caitlin is not graded at this point.