Photography Challenge: Flowers

This is a new series I have gotten Caitlin and myself doing.  It is not meant to make either of us a master photographer, but rather to get her interested in the outdoors.  So, on our walks, we both get a new thing to try to photograph.  This week was pretty easy, flowers, and next week is clouds.  The challenge does get a bit more challenging after that. 

We have finished up our 3rd semester of the 9th grade, and she is doing really well.  Aleks is working wonders for her Math.  I have started testing her on Language Arts, and I am pleased and satisfied at how well she is doing.  French is a work in progress, but I found a cool podcast for French next year.  I am already listening, and learning.  Science, and History, well I don't think she will ever love those.  Right now we are watching the Hatfields and McCoys on Netflix.  I know I went backwards but it is such a great series, and so much conversation can come out of it.  We will start WW2 after, and yes there is a ton of discussion topics for that as well. 

End Of 2nd Quarter and A New Endeavor

I have spent much of 2018 reflecting, and researching.  No, not homeschool stuff.  I always do that.  I have been a nurse for 31 years, and as I get older it becomes more and more demanding.  I have researched all my options, and decided to start a new Health and Wellness Coach business.  This is both exciting and scary.  I will still work my 2 days outside of the home, and homeschool.  I am only accepting up to 4 clients, and that sounds reasonable to me at this point and time.  If you would like to check it out click here.     Who knows maybe you need a Health Buddy.

We finished our 2nd semester on Friday before Christmas.  I can tell you the changes I made at the end of the first semester are already showing progress.  One thing I discovered is Caitlin decided that wearing her glasses was an option, instead of a requirement.  I was wondering why her Math was good and then just fell of the cliff.  She improved in Science as well, and she really enjoyed the series The Men Who Made America, on Netflix.  I need to find some more interesting documentaries.  She is definitely a visual learner.

Are you ready for a New Year?  Do you make resolutions?  Drop me a note.  

Magic School Bus Series Being Cancelled From Netflix End of October 2014

That is right, you read it correct. It is all over Facebook homeschool groups, that the series is being cancelled at the end of this month. My daughter watched it last year, and was basically her Science curriculum. It is a wonderful show, and you can find free worksheets for each show online for free. I hate to see it go. DJ used to love it when he was younger too. Of course he is a teen, and much too old for it now.

Native Americans and Moving West Homeschool Curriculum Ideas

Well it is Friday, that means movie day here at our house. Today we watched, The Zookeeper. It was OK, not awful, not great. The kids liked it. It did have some mild innuendo in it, which my kids don't understand yet anyways. Rated PG and a decent family movie. We had downgraded our Netflix to streaming live only. But after their contracts ran out with Disney and Starz it really just stunk. So we started using Redbox, which is fine, except I really hate having to put my debit card in there. So I broke down and switched back to one DVD at a time, and streaming. I guess I can afford 16 dollars a month. We were probably spending that at the Redbox anyways each month. I have been with Netflix like 10 years.

The two books below are for Native Americans and Moving West. They are by Evan Moor, and you make pockets and read to learn about the subject. Caitlin did one this year on the Plymouth Colonies and has really enjoyed it, so she will be getting the Native Americans one next year. This is the time of year when I start searching and deciding what I need, or want, for next school year. I do try to use as much free online, or close to free, resources that I can.

Good Friday is today, so that means Easter is Sunday. Have a blessed and safe one. Don't eat too much candy!

Lessons For 04/05/12:

DJ:
Math: Saxon 65 chapter 85 and multiplication
Science: Endangered species
Reading: Literature unit for Treasure Island
Spanish
Writing: Horseshoe Crab on blog
Social Studies: The Middle Ages chapter 30

Caitlin:
Math: Skip counting, addition, fractions, shapes, place value
Spelling: Consonants
Head of the Class: 3 cycles
Language Arts: Action words

Different Learning This Week

This week is going to be a little different for us. Because we are going on our next trip to Seaworld on Wednesday, I don't want too much book work this week. DJ did extra math assignments, and History assignments in his books last week, so we won't be behind. We have a Netflix account, had it for many years now. With their play now feature, you can watch videos right on your TV or computer, without a disk. Since we have been learning about ecosystems, weather, ancient Egypt, and many other great topics, I will be using Netflix this week for educational purposes. I have saved tons of documentaries and movies for the kids to enjoy. I hope I get to the Liberty Kids series, but that one may have to wait until next time. Caitlin will also be doing Head of the Class, and Mightybookjr since she doesn't really like to sit and watch anything for too long.

Jack and Jill Nursery Rhyme

I am very boring today. I don't have a whole lot to say. It seems to be a Wednesday thing LOL. Those of you who are teaching your kiddos nursery rhymes, Jack and Jill is in the video below. If you have Netflix, and a Wii you can watch certain instant videos through the Wii, on your TV. We will be utilizing this in the very near future for the Lewis and Clark educational video that Netflix offers. You do need a special disc, which cost us nothing to get. If you do not have a Wii, but have Netflix, you can watch the instant videos on your computer as well. We recorded from the History Channel, The Story of Us, and we will be watching that in the near future as well. We have completed almost all of our curriculum, and workbooks. So I am always looking for new educational sites, to fill in the spaces until June. I don't want to start next years workbooks yet.


Lesson Plans For 05/06/10:

DJ;
Music: I can play piano
Wii Sports for PE
Lewis and Clark video
Math: Metric System, division
Computer work
Review
Vocabulary

Caitlin:
Printing Practice
Computer work
Math: Subtraction with a number line
Jack and Jill nursery rhyme
Site words
Flash Cards
Reading: Choose one book from reading list

Netflix, Lessons, White House Rescue Plan

Last week, was a rough week, in my little blogging world. Here on Melissas Homeschool, my Entrecard, was delete and then reinstated but not without losing all my credits, and advertisors. Then on my jewelry blog, my template would not work properly. None of my side links would show up, even though they were there when I tried to fix it, but wouldnt show live. I hope this week will not be so messy.

I am not tooting Netflix's horn, but I do love their service. We have had them for several years, and they help so much with Homeschooling. They have so many different learning options, if you look and use your imagination. My children, of course, get their favorite movies to view as well. You can supplement, Science, History, Foreign Language, Phonics, Math, Reading, tons of different options. Check it out, and supplement your Homeschool activities.

Now I can not leave, without making a statement about the so called Rescue Plan, that was passed last Friday. Already, today the Dow has fallen another 350 points, and Congress is already talking about more rescue plans being needed. They said initially it would take about 45 days to get the plan doing its job, now they are saying 6 months to a year. Really, hmm interesting how that was left out. So lets see, states like California, Florida, and many others are almost bankrupt, and dont know if they will make payroll, they might need some Federal money. 401k's lost a ton of money, again today, despite Congress saying this would not happen if only they passed the Rescue Bill. Gas prices may come down, because the greedy Opec people are afraid, we might not be able to afford 3.89 for gas, much longer. McDonalds, made more money last month, because their food is actually cheaper than buying groceries for some people. Bars are raking in a ton of money, from all the people who are stressed, burdened, and looking for some comfort. Please be sure and thank your Senators, and Representatives for rescuing us.

Here are the lesson plans for 10/7/08:

Reading: Read chapter 10 of The Knight Before Dawn
Writing: Why are Firefighters important
Language Arts: Phonics review, referencing
Math: Multiplication, addition, subtraction
Science: Plants and animals of the sea- Sharks
Spelling: Review of lessons 1-5
Vocabulary: Review of lessons 1-5
PE: 30 minutes
Word Search: Veggies
on 10/6 we forgot to do art class, so it will be done on 10/7
Continue with Amphibians unit study


Dont forget you can get free themed unit studies, at http://www.schoolexpress.com/