Educating From Library Books To Encyclopedias To Erupting Volcanos & Even A Blog Give Away

In My Life This Week:
    My scales are going in the wrong direction. I'm not sure if it's the week I don't pay much mind to the scales because of mother nature or if I've been enjoying too much food. Regardless of the case, it aggravated me that the scales went in the wrong direction after I counted calories & carbs, 20 carbs or less each day & less than 1600 calories per day, with excercising. Can you believe that? Uhh!!!!

Uhh!!!

Me trying to thin down

I'm Grateful This Week For:
    the relationships I have with my children. I know we only have that closeness due to all the time we spend together. Here's a link to a post with a pic of the card my DD left on my desk for me.
I have special tea parties with my children (individually) to build our relationship. My DD sends me little notes & cards from time to time laying a few building blocks to the relationship. I'm grateful that we are both working on the building.

I've Been Inspired By:
    two tapes that I checked out from our local library this week. They are by Inge P. Cannon. I have not heard of her before this week. It appears that she has lots of books/audio tapes that I am interested in reading/listening to. The two that I listened to this week are: Schooling or Educating: Which Are You Doing? & Eliminating Crucial Gaps While Individualizing Education. She never mentions Charlotte Mason, but her teachings could very well pass for CM methods. These tapes were a great encouragement this week to remind me (again) that we don't have to move at the pace of the public school system. We can remain in our subjects/topics for as long as we desire.

In Our Homeschooling This Week:
    we accomplished three math lessons in Saxon 8/7. My children are enjoying their lessons right now. The lessons have had geometry & prime & composit numbers. Their words are, "This is easy. We like this." My son has decided this week that he wants him some drafting tools.
We have not yet returned back to our Exploring Creation with Physical Science through Apologia yet. Hopefully that will be next week. We chose another library book this week. It is:

Exploring The Sky By Day by Terence Dickinson

    This book is easing us in to the different types of clouds & the water cycle. Our next Module in our Physical Science is going to be on water so I just eased this book in to introduce them to the water cycle a bit more in debth than what we have studied in the past. I like to ease in a library book for a review from time to time.
    We place two different bowls of water outside for an experiment, one in the shade & one in the sun. We are checking the temp. of the water each day & measuring the debth to see the warmth & how much it is evaporating. This is to reinforce our Module that was bringing out humidity. We've been testing to see if there was already enough of moisture in the air already or not. We've also checked the sky for clouds to see if we could identify them.
    We are still reading Little Pilgrim's Progress for Literature. We should have this finished up by next week. My son said this has become one of his most favorite books.
History has been a pretty relaxed week. We finished reading our book about Pompeii & pulled down the encyclopedia for further reading. After that Sarah & Matthew drew maps of Italy for some geography skills. Here are the pics of their maps.

Sarah's map of Italy

Matthew's map of Italy

    We've done this in the past, but my children thought it only right that we do another volcano experiment since Pompeii was buried by Vesuvius erupting. Here are some pics of them recreating Mount Vesuvius's eruption burying Pompeii again.

This is the Lab Tray

They are filling the 2 litter bottles with their mixtures

Matthew's volcano erupting and destroying Pompeii.

Sarah's volcano erupting. We used to big of a bottle and not enough mixture to have a more powerful eruption. So now we are planning to do it again for the third time to get it right.

    For English/Grammar this week they wrote narrations on what they have learned about Pompeii. Here are their essays.

Sarah's Essay on Pompeii

Matthew's Essay on Pompeii

    Other than getting in a drawing lesson today, I think this about Wraps up our week.
I am linking up with Kris over at the Weekly Wrap Up & with Sue for the Homeschool Mother's Journal. If you'd like to read more about other's weeks, drop over to one of these blogs & check out the others that linked up also.

On another note, I am having a give away on my blog. Click here to check it out.

Weekly Wrap-Up: Camping & Hands-on Schooling

      We have had a blast this week! First, Mount Cheaha in Alabama & then F. D. R. State Park in Georgia. The week has been filled with fun. Tomorrow it all comes to an end, back to home we go.
Here are a few picts from our week.

 Sarah & Matthew Welcoming you to Mt. Cheaha State Park in Alabama.

 Here they are at the highest point in the state of Alabama 2,407 feet.

 This is the Doug Ghee Accessible Trail which is a boardwalk that ends at an overlook.

 The boardwalk is about 1/4 mile long & is very well built & maintained. This is a pleasant walk in the mist of nature.

 Breathtaking scenery from the overlook. We saw Redtail Hawks & other birds. Awesome spiritual meditation!

 There are several places you can get off the boardwalk & follow hiking trails or giant stones for picnic tables like the one we used.

 Matthew was in charge of preparing the meat for our Hobo Burgers.

 Sarah was over the red potatoes.

 Here is one of four Hobo Burgers going on the grill for chef Matthew to cook.

 On the highest point is the CCC Tower.

Clowning around in the tower windows.

 As we were leaving Cheaha we visited the Indian Museum by the gate. Our little indians were on the warpath. Now we are on our way to FDR State Park & Warm Springs, Georgia.

 Our children checking the warmth of the spring water that stays a constant 88 degrees. They only fill the three pools two times a year.

 This is a scale model of the Roosevelt Museum & Pools.

 We are standing in front of the Little White House in Warm Springs.

 This is the servants quarters.

 Sarah at the fountains.

 Matthew at the fountains.

 The museum held many Roosevelt treasures. Here pictured is 1 of 107 walking sticks or canes, all very unique.

 Lots of exercise on this trip. Many hiking trails at FDR State Park.

 The children enjoyed the Jr Ranger challenge for patches.

 A short rest stop & forward we go.

Mama's short meditation time on a log while hiking.



    We haven't done any paper work this week, but have learned so much from our adventures. Sarah & Matthew have been doing hands on geography by navigating our travels with a map. Plotting the roads and calculating mileage between towns. Oh, yeah, we did do a little paper work this week. They have been working on their Jr. Ranger badges, & they also did a scavenger hunt answering questions about different things at F. D. R's Little Whitehouse.
     I think I am the one that has enjoyed the week the most. I wanted to go to Warm Springs for my 10th aniversary, but was not able. So this week has been a treat to me.
     It has been a bit nippy in the mornings for us southern folks. We have survived it though.
I suppose this about summarizes our week. If you would like to read other's weekly wrap-ups just hop on over to Kris's blog for all of the others. Happy homeschooling!!!

Spending Time At The Gulf of Mexico

     We are having a wonderful time spending our spring break at the Gulf of Mexico this week. I have enjoyed taking in the breath freshing air and some reading while the children have enjoyed the water, sand, and cousins. Well, I suppose I have enjoyed the sand also this week. It has been so cool feeling to my feet as I have been walking in it and I've also have enjoyed playing in it with the children.
     I thought I'd share a few more pics with my blogging friends. We had gone walking down the beach and discovered some sand art that some one had done. Immediately, my children were ready to go back to where we were staying so they could create in the sand. Here's a few pics of our creations and others:
　

 A gator created by unknown artist.

A sea turtle by unknown artist.

An octopus by unknown artist.

A fish by unknown artist.

A dog laying down by unknown artist.

Homeschool artist Traci, Daniel and Landin at work.

Sand artist Sarah creating her masterpiece.

 Artist Matthew's dolphin.

Matthew's octopus eating a fish.

Artist Traci working on her turtle, between phone calls. LOL

Traci's sand art turtle.

Artist Sarah's smiling starfish.

 All children playing in the condominiums swimming pool.

Traci sitting by the pool with laptop sharing her homeschooling adventures to you.

     Sand art wasn't in the books for our lesson plans, but it has been done now and they had a blast doing it. Honestly, I didn't have lesson plans for this week due to our spring break, but I've seen my children learning and observing things this week that could be used for schooling. Homeschoolers don't get vacations. Our minds have been opted in to learning mode and we don't know where to stop.     My husband and I wasn't suppose to stay at the beach this week. We were to get my library organized. My sister kept at me until we did stay for two days. We have come home for two days and will go back again tomorrow to stay for two more days. So, that means that very little has been accomplished on my library being organized. All in due time, that's what I'm telling myself, it will all be organized in due time.     Well, got to go for now so until next time, everyone have a happy homeschooling.

Postcards

                My family and I are interested in receiving postcards from all over the world. If you would be willing to help us, we would greatly appreciate it. We are from Alabama and are willing to send postcards in return. You can email us at HSTraciBrooks@gmail.com for us to discuss the details. Thank you, Traci

Giving My Daughter Deserved Praise

Today has been a beautiful day. The weather has been great, our schooling has moved quickly, and we've eaten our dinner and the kitchen is already cleaned for the night. We may learn to balance this homeschool/home life routine out after all.
Beings all other needful things have already been accomplished this day I thought I'd blog a minute about my daughter.
I have seen so many improvements in her education this year. She has always been an excellent reader and always kept a pencil or pen in her hand, but when it came to History, Geography, and Science that was a different story.
We are working out of a Geography work book this semester called World Geography Grade 6 by Brighter Child. It is a pretty basic book that has the children labeling, coloring, answering a few questions, and some cutting and glueing, but it has really helped my daughter. She now can break her continents and oceans up in to hemispheres. I know that doesn't sound like a great accomplishment, but coming from my daughter she deserves a round of applause. I'm looking forward to evaluating her at the end of the year, just to see how much more she has learned.
Like I have said many times on here already, learning to write was going to be our main focal point this year. We have pushed that tremendously.
Again, I have seen accomplishment in my daughter. In the past she did keep a pen or pencil in her hand, but it was just for drawing or very unorganized writing. Yesterday, my children had to write a paper giving instructions to a substitute teacher that would fill in for them while they were out of pocket. My daughter pretended she was a guide dog instructor so she wrote her paper giving her substitute instructions on how they were to train and feed the dogs while she was out. She opened her paper with a strong topic sentence and give instructions for the training of two dogs. Both sets of instructions were put in to a different paragraph and then she closed her instructions out very clearly with a a closing paragraph. Her paper was great! I feel confident by the end of the year she will be a fluent writer.
I am so proud of my baby. She is turning in to a fine young lady. She helps me cook quite often and is starting to help with the laundry with out having to be asked. She's growing up.
Until next time, everyone have a happy homeschooling, and enjoy your babies. They grow up too fast. Traci

Division of Subjects

     We chose not to take a holiday today beings we were at home anyway. We decided that we would school and take another day off in the future since we are just getting back in to the swing of things after the Christmas holidays.
     We are working out of our Writing Strands book this week for our English & Creative Writing lessons. They are going to have to write about one of theirfriends. I'm curious to see the outcome of this writing assignment.
     The children and I had a toss up as to what book we would read this time for our Literature selection. Our final decision was Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge. Beings this book's setting is in Holland (The Netherlands), most of our geography this quarter will revolve around The Netherlands. Our Spelling/Vocabulary words also will come from this book. This brings in a refresher of dictionary skills.
    We thought it would be appropriate to pull in a Dutch artist to go along with our Geography & Literature so we have chosen Vincent van Gogh. We will read a chapter on Monday & Wednesday from the biography we have chosen on him and then, on Friday we'll study some of his art work. Picture study is a part of Charlotte Mason's Philosophy that we have not done in the past. I am trying to incorporate as many of Charlotte's methods as possible in my children's education as I can. The insight that she has on developing a love of learning in your child I feel like is the way to give your child a life long education. Their education doesn't stop after 12 years, but travels on through time with them.
     Finally, to my title to this post, division of subjects, where do they separate? We are suppose to be studying the Romans and Greeks for history this half of our year, but where do I find time. There is so much that we are covering with our Literature selection and our artist I just don't see how we are going to fit the Romans and Greeks in with our schedule. Hopefully, we'll locate a spot somewhere for them. With all that we are discovering in our Literature, artist biography, & geography lessons, I feel like we will be having two history studies if we do embark on the Romans and Greeks. I'm sure the Lord will show us where to draw the line. He has always been faithful to lead me down this homeschool journey.
Feel free  to give your input on how you all divide your subjects. I would beexcited to hear. Until next time, everyone have a happy homeschooling week, Traci

Weekly Wrap Up

     We made it to the library this week to collect some more treasures to go along with our studies. I have been thoroughly enjoying our selections.
    We are in the process of finishing up The Sign of the Beaver as our Library Read Aloud and they liked Elizabeth George Speare's style of writing so they chose another one of her books for our next Library Read Aloud. Library Read Aloud is a book that we choose to read from audio or their dad reads it to us. We feast on sharing a great book together as a family. That was our first Elizabeth George Speare book. I can already tell that she is going to become one of my children's favorite authors, as Scott O'Del did last year.
    One of the Magic Tree House books was chosen to dive deeper into our Ancient Egyptian study. (Mummies and Pyramids) This is also our first Magic Tree House book because I wanted to make sure that my children understood magic and fantasy before reading any of these books. So far things are going great.
    Geography has been the thrill of the week. Paddle to the Sea was chosen for geography. Paddle has already become a friend in just a few pages. This is the subject my children have worked diligently on this week. They have already added several pages to their notebooks. That is my plans for this study. Make notebook pages, add maps of the Great Lakes, map Paddle's ,  journey on one map, watch the video on Youtube, and do a diary/journal telling where Paddle has been and predictions of his future travels. Oh, and we will also do vocabulary terms. I'm not sure how slow I should take it with this book, but if I don't slow my children up we will finish the book in about 2 1/2 weeks. They would finish it quicker than that if I would allow them.
     Here are some of their notebooking pages they did this week.
    

    This is my daughter's front cover page to our Paddle to the Sea study.

    This one is my son's.

This is my daughter's page tracing Paddle's journey as we go through the book. They will move across the map as we travel.

     This is my son's notebooking page of the warbler, the bird that took a rest on Paddle.

This one is my daughter's color & label the Great Lakes page.

     This is my daughter's notebooking Mnemonic's page on the Great Lakes.

     And the last page is my son's Mnemonic's page on the Great Lakes. I want to do some mnemonic pages so maybe it will help their minds remember the names of the Great Lakes. My son liked this.

     Copy Work, Poetry, and Math were slow this week. We did not do Simply Grammar and Writing Strands this week. We focused more on reading and geography skills.
     I'm looking forward to next week getting back in to our adventures we are embarking upon. I don't know if it is like this for any of you, but it seems to me that we always tend to be getting really involved with our studies and then it is the end of the week and we have to put them off until Monday. Sometimes before Monday gets here I'm about to burst. I just can't hardly wait to get back to a book that left us hanging at just that right point, you know a cliff hanger. Then there's the wait. Enough for now. Hope all are having a happy homeschooling, Traci.