Hey, we got a bit side-tracked for awhile, but now are back on track again---just in time for the Holiday break--oh well! Last week we finally did the cuneiform on clay. My kids absolutely LOVED it! Seeing as how we live in Washington state, it's too wet to dry it outside so we oven-dried it. I found some polymer clay for a good price and got that. It worked great! It's white, but that's okay, that's better than blue or green or somemore unnatural color. Now we are moving on to Egypt and hieroglyphics and Pharoah---my, my, my! SOOOO much information I hardly know where to begin! :shock: I think over this vacation we will watch a couple of history videos about pyramids and Pharoahs that I found at the library. They really like history, so I think they'll like that. My middle ds is eatin' this stuff up! He begs to have whole days, or weeks even, where we can work just on the Bible/History! I love it when they are excited about what we do! I know they'll remember this so much better than reading a book in class! How's everyone else doing with their history?
We got through the cuneiform writing and then we got at a standstill with our school work, we were remodeling the attic room in our home for my dd's bedroom for Christmas, so we got stuck in that project. (her first real room) I tried not to beat myself up to badly for not continuing school during that time, but when you're doing construction and painting until 3 am then school just went by the wayside. But surprisingly enough my dd picked up a blank notebook and started journaling away. So maybe all was not lost. I praised all that writing she has been doing. She now has two journals, one I can read, and one that no one can read. We will start full again on Jan 3. We have decided to hit it hard, and have fun. DD is very excited to get back into History and Science, her favorites, then next is Math, the rest she doesn't care for but will do if she has to. I think we will be making a sand pyramid first, and start working on our timeline, since we haven't gotten too far ahead that we can't go back and review and do that. I just wish I had a little of Tina TX's enthusiasm kick in. Take care Kim
Kim, How are you making the sand pyramid? We'll beto that point soon. I have LOTS of stuff for Egypt, but not a pyramid plan. Kids pick up a lot, that's one of the great things about homeschooling! I think homeschooled kids are more likely to find things and do things on their own. I was sick for a couple of weeks, so our schooling slowed way down, yet each one of my 3 read a lot during that time, and did things on their own that helped them learn! Plus I had them work on math. What really has suffered since their piano recital has been their music! Have to get back to that this week! My 11-yo is looking forward to our next assignment/project/activity for Ancient History! I have a good hands-on one for mummies/tombs that I found on the National Geographic site! I need to find the materials and get going with that one, I think my kids will really like it! Thanks for the reply! Best wishes on finishing up that room, that's quite the project! What a great mom you are! Keep us updated on how things are going (room and history)!
Hi Deena, Are you using SOTW? The idea came from there. I know it takes glue and sand that is mixed together, it didn't say the amounts though that I remember, so if I get to this before you do, I'll try and get it figured out. It's mixed together and spread out and scored into cube shapes and broken or cut when its dry. Then stack them together in layers. I think in 4x4 on the bottom 3x3 on the top of that and so on. Of course glue the layers togehter. Or whatever size you want them. I know that this isn't the greatest explanation, but you probably get the idea. I would maybe use sugar cubes, but can't find them anywhere here. We really like mixing things together in this house anyway so the sand will be good for us. Are you mummifying an apple? I think I will do a fish and an apple to compare. I have a feeling the apple will smell better I am glad you are not under the weather any more. Thank goodness for children who are willing to do things on their own. I'll keep you posted on the room. It is in almost move in condition. Walls are re-done, ceiling was dropped, new electrical, carpet on one half tile on the other half. We had to rebuild a wall to have an access door so we could get furniture in and out. We rebuilt the other end wall and replaced a window. Still have to build one partial wall and finish the electrical--adding more new outlets. Still deciding on where to put a closet. But we're very close to finishing. DD is very excited and has already had a sleepover. Oh and her colors of choice were pink walls and light orange carpet. It sounds awful, but it's actually cool looking. I will gladly let you know when we are finished. Take care, good luck with the mummy things you have planned. Kim
I haven't finalized on what to mummify. But the project I found on the Nat. Geographic site is pretty cool! It's not actually mummifying, it's making and painting the sarcophagus (sp??!) and the tomb thing. I have to look at it again to explain it better, but the kids are excited to get to it (even my 9th grader)! Here's the site: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/trythis/egyptiantomb/tomb.html We're going to make the tomb model, the mummy case and some tomb treasures. We'll see how it goes with 3 children in 3rd, 6th and 9th grades! Should be interesting! As long as they all realize that they are all different and special and don't compare their final work with each other, etc.! I think they'll do fine. As I said earlier, they all had a great time with the cuneiform, and there were no comparing problems, so I think this will go the same way---I HOPE! (My oldest has the most tendency to compare, and make sure others realize how much better he does than the younger two. He IS very artistic, and does a great job! But when he starts bragging in that way, I tell him that's to be expected, since he's older and more mature. It's not because they're not good! Hopefully that is getting through to him!) Thanks for the explanation of the sand pyramid. Is it in the Activity book? I AM using SOTW (and expanding the ideas to higher levels for my older ones), so I will probably run across it soon if it's in there. WOW, there's so much available to do for this! I already have lots, and I keep running across more! Thanks again!
Hi Deena, Yes, it's in the activity book, somewhere. Right now, my books are boxed in the storage room somewhere because of the bedroom project and having to clear my kitchen for Christmas company. It's not buried too deep, but I don't plan to get them out again until this weekend to schedule our week ahead, when I run across it I'll let you know where. I think chapter 4 though. I think sometimes it's nice to have one child so there is no one else to compare to, but then she has me that she compares herself to if I choose to do a project with her. I get why is yours better than mine. I have to tell her that my background is in interior design, so I have had lots and lots of art classes, but that I think hers is more creative and origional because she doesn't have all that sturctured way to do something she just has my instruction for the basic idea and her own imagination (which I have to say is wonderful) and that because of this I think her projects are better. I would love to be in your home on any given day to see this creativity in progress I'm sure your oldest thinks his is best, but I'm just as sure your others think theirs is also. I think it would be fun to be there just to see all this creativity going on. Thanks for the link, I'll check it out also. The more creative things we can do the better. We need more fun in this school of ours. Take care, Kim
Kim, I found that pyramid thing in the activity book. I have a friend who is homeschooling her 4 children (one in K, twins in 2nd, and oldest in 6th) , with a 20 month old also. She is VERY interested in this Ancient History now, since I have been telling her about it and how excited my kids are with it! She and her kids came over yesterday, and while the kids played, I showed her all the stuff I have, the writing and pictures and timelines my kids are working on, the books I/we use, and some websites. She was pretty excited about it! I keep telling her she needs to get on Homeschool Spot, cuz there are so many neat people here and she could ask questions and stuff! So hopefully she'll start doing that at some point soon! Anyway, I found that info. in the activity book in time to show her the kinds of activities you can do with this. I didn't know about the Activity Book until people on here talked about it, so I told my friend that a lot of what I do now I have learned from being on abcteach and now homeschoolspot! EVERYONE: I have a question that I would love to hear comment on! With all that we do in our Ancient History, we seem to cover all the curriculum bases, except for math. We're doing Bible, History, Geography, Language, Grammar, Spelling, Reading, Art, etc. We have our math program that we do, and we're still (more slowly than I wish) working on French. So here is my question: Do you think we really need the other books and programs for the curriculum? My kids have improved HUGELY on their writing and spelling skills, just from what we write with this Ancient History stuff. As I said, I would LOVE to hear comments on what people think about this! I am thinking of just doing my own things on those subjects, since it makes so much more sense to them when it goes along with what they're working on, and they pick it up almost naturally cuz they're enjoying this stuff so much! Thanks!
Deena, I'm no expert, as I'm just now getting ready to "step out of the box" (boxed curriculum, that is!) Anyway, what you're talking about sounds like a Unit Study. Am I right? Kinda using one subject to cover all your bases. I don't really know if I could do that just yet; but I'm trying to train myself to get out of the mindset that everything has to be "like school" and terribly organized. I'm sure your kids are learning just as much or more about each subject the way you're doing things, as opposed to working through workbooks/ textbooks, etc. I'll be anxious to hear what you decide, Heidi
:wink: Yes, yes. Living books can bring learning to life. I say if they are learning and enjoying it, go with it. My kids are selling me on this one, and it sounds like yours are too. It isn't easy to explain but the results speak volumes. My two will write till their hands cramp if we are doing art/history or science. If I pull out the handwriting book, they run. Dd will even take the time to check her grammar and spelling with no fussing. She enjoys showing her "book of the centuries" (time-line) off. Donnayoung has added free basic blank time-lines. Sister Wendy's Story of Painting on video is a great way to add art appreciation to your history lessons. Our library has the full set. They begin with the ancients. Happy history. PS...We did the apple mummies here. Fun, fun. I am not ever going to try that with a chicken though!
Heidi, I taught for 4 years before I stopped to be a mom, then when my oldest was in 2nd grade I started homeschooling. I was very set in the "school at home" mode, and have been slowly whittling away at the idea that things have to be like school since. This year, doing this curriculum, is the first time I've actually considered the idea, since it seems like we are covering everything so well without a book for each subject, it seems to me! This is my 7th year of homeschooling, so it's taken me a long time! Yes, it would be a unit study, but it'd be the whole year instead of just a week or month, which is the length of many unit studies. I've just been amazed at how my kids are progressing through this and learning so much! My 6th grader wants to be a pastor, so I am thinking of adding Greek from the "Greek 'n Stuff" website. We did their Latin for awhile. Now my friend I was talking about wants to teach her kids Greek, so we may look into it and have our kids work on it together. If they get a base of Greek now, it'll be much better for them as they get older. Being a pastor you need to learn Greek, so if he continues in his interest, he'd have a headstart on that, which would make his college life much easier! There's a great little art studio in town here that teaches "Monart", well-known art classes that help with all aspects of a child's learning process by learning to interpret what you see, and the disipline of being quiet, allowing yourself to make mistakes and moving on, aside from the expressive value. I am thinking of haaving my younger two take that class next year possibly also. It would be one more thing to do, and yet, a couple of my friend's are having their kids take it, and they've had great success, even when the child (and the parent) thought they had no talent in that area. They are so excited about it. I would have much less expense if I do a little more leg-work and make this History thing all-inclusive, then I could afford the classes. Have you heard of Monart classes? Anybody with any thoughts on all this? I don't want to be a pain, but I truly value comments from you a;;, positive or negative to my ideas---it just opens my eyes to aspects that I don't/can't think of on my own. Thanks so much!
Deena, I have never heard of Monart, but it sounds very interesting. My younger dd is the artistic one in our family. But, that sounds like something that my older daughter would benefit from- especially the part about sitting quietly! The area of art is one area where our homeschool is lacking this year (and music also). I feel like, otherwise, things are pretty well-rounded. I enjoy doing craft projects with the girls, but it's hard for me to "let go and let disasters happen". And, I think we need some music and art appreciation. If you have any suggestions, fire away. As for the Yearly Unit Study- I think it sounds wonderful! Go for it! Heidi
Tammy, Thanks for the thoughts! Yes, my kids certainly are selling me on this!!! I've tried all sorts of things to get my 11-yo son to write. Now I don't even have to try, he ASKS to do it! WOW! I think we'll probably try the apple thing, I wouldn't do the chicken one either! I'll look up the Sister Wendy's Story of Painting. I wouldn't be surprised if our library did NOT have it! They're decent, but there are a lot of thigns I would love to see them get that they don't have!!! My kids do some of their own drawings and things, plus, in the message I wrote while you wrote yours, I talked about the Monart classes. Have you heard of those? They get great results, and I'd like to at least give my kids the opportunity. My oldest and youngest are quite artistic, and I'm looking for what my middle one does best to incude and encourage him in. Maybe he IS artisitc or good at expression of this sort, but we haven't been able to tap into it yet. What are you using for science. That's the other thing, aside from math and possibly art, that I need to add to the curriculum. We're doing little things right now, but no set program. We have been, in past years, using A Beka science books, and my kids liked them. I just found some other things I wanted them to try, but it seems rather disjointed, so I'm thinking I should find something else, probably... Thanks again!
Eeena~ I forgot to mention my love of Greek! I took N.T. Greek in high school and I absolutely loved it. That is more of a written language, as opposed to a spoken language; but it's what your son will need if he wants to go into seminary. I say Go For It! Heidi
Heidi, The Greek is partly to help with an understanding of root words, etc., and also to help get a base for seminary type classes. Even if he doesn't go that route, it's a great base, and can help with understanding Bible passages and meanings! Do you still remember your Greek? My husband's dad has learned some, so I'm sure he'd be thrilled if his grandkids were learning it too! I haven't tried it yet, but maybe you could use a search engine to look up info. on Monart. They may have a place somewhere near you that teaches it---it may be worth looking into! That's one of the things that leaned me toward pursuing the classes---the "sitting quietly" part! :lol: My son needs to learn that skill too! But confidence in their own abilities, realizing things may be hard at first, but once they start learning, they realize they CAN do it after all, etc. Those are things that come along with the art program, as well as other things too. Those types of things make them more well-rounded and more sure of themselves as they get older. Allowing "disasters" to happen IS hard! But it does help them grow, so I have started allowing some, and it really does help! Oh, my friend that has her son in Monart classes got a book about it awhile back. She loaned it to me to look through. Maybe the library or local Barnes & Noble, or whatever bookstore is near you, would have it available for you to look through at least. It's called "Drawing With Children..................A Creative Method for Adult Beginners, Too" by Mona Brookes. This is an updated version, and it says on the cover "Revised and expanded 10th Anniversary Edition". She also wrote another book called "Drawing for Older Children & Teens". It's really amazing what kids and adults who thought they had no talent can accomplish after taking these classes! We have piano going for all three of mine, my 11-yo is taking cello lessons, and my 7-yo is taking violin lessons. It's going very well. My oldest is taking a science course, which is great, cuz he passed my level of science ability a couple of years ago! :lol: But I'm hoping to find something I can do with my younger two that fits in well with this history thing, or is at least a more coordinated program than what they're getting now! Thanks for your comments! I LOVE being able to discuss things with ya'll!
You all sound like you have so much fun. I struggle here to make things fun, but really want to try! I have a 5,7,9.11. We are currently focusing on the skeleton. We drew life-size skeletons of all the children and study on a computer program I got from HomescoolFreeStuff.com. Egypt would be fun to study and I am checking out the National Geographic website. Thanks! What is SOTW? Sabrina
Hi, Deena! I just got to read this thread a bit more. You just gave me a revelation! I know there are companies that focus their core studies in history and add to it the other subjects (like Sonlight). I have always wanted to try Sonlight but can't afford it right now (also have questions about some of their philosophy, but could adapt it).....anyway.....I have tried this year to fit in our Mystery of History work with the rest of the workbooks we are doing for the "basics" but maybe I have it backwards! I'm going to ponder the thought of doing history based unit studies, too. I might come to the conclusion that it won't work with my kids yet, but I bet it would be much more enjoyable for us all than workbooks all the time. Not to mention that I love MOH and have really been bummed that we haven't "had time" to fit it into our workbook loaded days lately. You've given me some stuff to think about! Thanks
Sabrina, SOTW is "the Story of the World" by Susan Wise Bauer. She has 4 volumes that she has written now to cover the different ages of history. This is how she divides it up: Ancients 5000 B.C. - A.D. 400, Medieval - early Renaissance 400 - 1600, Late Renaissance - early modern 1600 - 1850, and Modern 1850 - present. There is a book with stories and info., and there is an activity book that goes with it that has some wonderful ideas of things to do with your children to help make it interesting. I can't remember right off what website I found them on, I'll have to look that up, or maybe someone else has a site to at least look at them. Some people are also doing Ancients this year, but are using other sources. Brooke mentioned MOH which is Mystery of History. People that are using that just love it. You can ask her more about that. There are also Biblioplan (www.biblioplan.net), History Through the Ages (you can find the info. at www.homeschoolinthewoods.com), and Timelines, Etc. (http://timelinesetc.com) that have neat things to do for Bible and world history combined so you can see what was happening in the world at the same time as the Bible stories. It is very exciting, Sabrina, and can be fun when you find something that your kids ASK to do! There are a lot of creative activities to do too, which keeps them interested. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask away! If you check out the above websites, it'll give you more of an idea of what we're talking about.
Sabrina (or anyone else), I shouldn't have put the adresses in parentheses. Sorry about that! I'll redo them here so you can just click on them to get there. http://timelinesetc.com/ http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/ http://www.biblioplan.net/ I don't have a good site for MOH or SOTW that I can find right off the bat..........
Brooke, You're welcome! The revelation came to me over this break that we seem to be including everything we need with the way we're doing our history, except math, science, music and foreign language. It was quite the idea for me, that's why I wrote this message! :shock: I'm leaning strongly now toward trying it and seeing how we all do. Actually, it'd be for my 3rd grader and my 6th grader. My 9th grader has a different agenda to work with. He's doing this for his history credit. I'm thinking you don't have to buy Sonlight if you can do this stuff on your own, based on the needs of your children. I like Sonlights ideas too, but there is so much available these days that you can grab onto if you come to a glitch where your child needs more work. I have them do little pages from abcteach or somewhere every now and then to strengthen certain areas where they are lacking, and we're not reaching with what we're doing. Or I go to our local Teacher Supply store and get a workbook that deals with that subject. This is a BIG step with my background, but I think it's one we're gonna take. Maybe it won't work for the rest of the year, but it is going so well now I feel I can't step back now. At least until it's NOT working anymore! Best wishes as you think things through!
Hi, Deena~ (Sorry I called you Eeena last time! Don't know what's up with that!) Anway, it sounds to me like you have your school all figured out. It sounds great! I think you should continue with the way things are going right now. If, later down the road, you find that you're lacking in something, like you said- you can just go and pick up a specific workbook for that area. I love history, so I think that I'd love to be in "your school" right now! As for Greek, I can't read it anymore. But, I know the alphabet. And, because it is a phonetic language, it's very easy to learn. SO, when I hear a greek word (mentioned from the pulpit or whatever) I can sit and write it out. I enjoyed it so much that I know one of these days I'll make my girls learn in so I can get a refresher course myself! It's so fun to write! (Oh, and you can sing the alphabet to the same tune as our A-B-C- song, with this ending: "epsilon and omicron are always short, eta and omega are always long"- I think- it's been awhile since I've been in high school!) Heidi
