Guinea Pigs, Falling Objects, a Rant, and More: Collage Friday
Friday, September 21, 2012 at 5:00AM We've completed week 8 of our homeschool year. It was another great week of Classical studies, paired with a healthy dose of Interest Led Learning as well. The kids are going strong with their studies, children's chorus, piano lessons, and baseball. We are busy, but it's a happy and productive busy. I'm so thankful for the many opportunities in our path this year.
The Quest for a Guinea Pig
Grant has started keeping an animal notebook. Each time we visit the library he checks out a book about a different book and "takes notes". I love the self-motivation, but this past week it got out of hand!
He and Anna started getting it in their heads that they wanted gerbils. This then turned into a guinea pig. They bombarded me with a fresh notebook and all of the information they wanted to learn on an outing to the pet store so they could convince their dad we should get a guineau pig.
I am not dumb. I milked this for all it was worth. I said sure I would take them to the pet store, if they finished their work nicely and helped me clean the entire downstairs! Well, those little stinkers did it (and cheerfully, I might add), so I owed them a trip to the pet store.
They conducted all of their research (how much the animals would cost, plus food, habitat, toys, etc....) and presented it to their dad. He said he would CONSIDER it.... after we return from our trip out west in October. (Don't tell them, but I'm secretly hoping they forget by then.)
I am not a huge pet person. I love our sweet little dog, but I think that's my limit. We did have fun with Harry (the hermit crab) last year, but he was dead after six months. I'm just not so sure we have the commitment to care for other creatures in our home!
I have a feeling, however, that these children will wind up with a guinea pig... they're only kids once, right? I really do admire people that have multiple dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, chickens, etc...
A Day At The Atlanta Braves Game
We enjoyed our last Atlanta Braves game of the season. The kids both got their faces painted and you have thought it was Christmas. Their goal was to get on the jumbotron (which never happened), but they had fun trying. It was a great game and we beat the Nationals 5-4.
Grant is also loving playing fall ball at a local baseball academy. He's learning a lot and the standards are high. At the last practice the boys had to run laps if they did a drill wrong (which was usually a result of not listening). The boys were running laps left and right.
The Nitty Gritty Homeschool Collage:
1. Each time we sit down with a lesson from The Story of the World I am more convicted that this is the history program for us! (I vlogged about How We Use The Story of the World if you want to know more.) This week we learned about Renaissance Scientists and also about Queen Elizabeth. Anna got out the watercolor pencils and spent a lot of time working on Queen Elizabeth's portrait while I read the chapter aloud. We're also reading Who Was Queen Elizabeth to learn more about her.
2. This was Week 3 of our Co-Op. Each week the children play before and after classes in a big grassy area outside of the church. It struck me as I watched them how blessed my children are to have these friendships. I've had a couple of negative comments about homeschool this week from neighbors and friends and it was nice to be around like-minded families for the afternoon.
3. More tangrams this week! This time we assigned a dollar amount to the different shapes, and then Grant had to construct a large figure that was a specific dollar amount. He spent at least two full hours doing this. So simple... some tangrams and a white board. Over the past two weeks we've been pulling out the tangrams a lot!
4. LEGO Learning with Polyanna - yes, that's right Polyanna. One of the selections in Writing With Ease Volume 1 was Polyanna. Anna wanted to read the book so she read it (and enjoyed it very much) on her Kindle. We checked out the Disney movie (which she said was NOTHING like the book - but still good) and the kids watched it one rainy afternoon. They both sat in front of the tv with the LEGO buckets building scenes from the movie. The picture is apparently Aunt Polly in her house.
5. I've been thinking a lot about read-alouds lately. I had a conversation with a friend at co-op who has children younger than mine. She was disappointed that she never seemed to have enough time in the day to do read alouds with her children. I challenged her to put the read-alouds FIRST and see what happens. I just cannot emphasize how much reading aloud means to our family. (I'll be writing a 10 Days of Reading Aloud series in October and can't wait to share my thoughts with you!)
The current read alouds we have now are:
- Galileo's Leaning Tower Experiment
- The People Pick a President
- Who Was Queen Elizabeth?
- All of a Kind Family
- Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World
Last collage, I promise:
We spent an afternoon reading and notebooking about Galileo and Copernicus (per our chapter in The Story of the World). The kids conducted their own version of the Leaning Tower experiment that Galileo supposedly did back in the 1500s. It was a good lesson in physics and experimentation. Resources we used include:
- Galileo Notebooking Pages from Jimmie's Collage
- Galileo and The Leaning Tower Experiment
- Critical Thinking Worksheet about Galileo (free download!)
- Hammer vs. Feather experiment done on the moon (Apollo 15) video
We packed A LOT OF LEARNING into one week. I always say this, but I'm so grateful we are learning this way and learning together. Despite some hard days, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Blog Goings-On This Week:
- I am excited to a member of the iHomeschool Network's team of bloggers for Samaritan's Purse. Have you started packing your shoeboxes yet? Read Serving Others Through a Shoebox.
- Irrational (but Understandable) Homeschool Fears - Part I - This was a popular post, and I was inspired to write it because of the many moms I know who are "sitting on the homeschool fence". Part II will be out next Tuesday.
- SQUILT Lesson 2 was posted. Are you doing music study in your homeschool? There's no reason you should be since I am giving you free lessons and a notebooking page! Hop to it!
Don't miss a blog post! Have you subscribed to Homegrown Learners via email?
Random Thought/Rant of the Week:
When did it become acceptable for people to say every single thing that is on their mind (particularly on Facebook)? The level of offensive political discourse is disturbing to me. I have had to unfriend a few people because I am seeing a side of them I do not like. No political candidate is more important than a relationship with a friend or family member, and it saddens me to see so much political commentary (many times it is uninformed commentary, too!) when I log onto Facebook.
Recently a "friend" kept posting anti-homeschool articles and veiled status updates against homeschooling. My children and husband are TOO IMPORTANT TO ME for me to take my precious time and engage in a debate I will never win. It is even too precious for me to waste a minute reading garbage and fretting about it. I wonder how people have so much time to post updates like this on Facebook.
It is amazing to me that people think they have the right to comment so publicly on other's private decisions.
In the end - will anyone's mind be swayed by a Facebook post? I doubt it.
I need to ask myself if each and every word I type is God-honoring... if it is, then I'm good.
There, I'm done. Do you feel the same way?
How was your week? Please link up your homeschool collages. Grab a button or text link back to this post, then please visit other bloggers in the linky to show support and gain ideas. I love the weekends because I get to catch up with all of my blogging friends and what they are doing with their children!
Reader Comments (24)
That is why I came off Facebook and have stayed off. Every now and then I will see Greg's account and the political nonsense is sickening. You are 100% correct that no one's opinion will be swayed by a Facebook post so why spread the nastiness around?
Love seeing what you are up to! Looks like another great week!
Hi Mary - I too feel what you are feeling with fb with relation to people putting EVERYTHING out there....I stopped reading a few blogs because I just cant stand it sometimes 8(
Hope the kids "win" on the G. Pig front lol 8) That would be cute and i can see Grant loving it so much!
Have a great day and weekend!
Mel
Wow! What a great week, Mary. I'm still slogging through but feeling rather unaccomplished. I'm going to try to get my post up by tomorrow--such as it will be. ;-) Have a great weekend!
Oh, and good for you for encouraging that young mom to put read-alouds first! Sometimes it feels like read-alouds are the only truly, truly consistent thing we've done over the course of our homeschooling career! :-)
What a busy week! We have had lots of pets in the past but only have two dogs and a rat currently. We will probably stick to this many pets. We have had almost every rodent at one time or another. I find rats to be the most fun, easy to train, and gentle (no biting).
Blessings, Dawn
We have two guinea pigs that the kids got for Bennett's birthday in March, and they have loved them. My hubby has to clean their cage every week, but other than that the kids are completely responsible for the feeding and loving on them, and they're doing a pretty good job...Hope your kids get some :-)
I feel your pain about the guinea pig! My oldest was hot on the trail for one when her pen pal received two for Christmas last year. But I refused. Not for me. Now she's learning all she can about a parakeet, which yes, I'm warming up to the idea. She's been reading a ton and plans to prepare a Powerpoint presentation to sway Dad. We haven't had a pet in about five years and I honestly haven't missed the work and expense involved. Then again, the responsibility is priceless for children...so...we'll see! Thank you so much for the tangram idea! I love it!
I love the watercolor pencil of Queen Elizabeth! You have such fabulously fun weeks. Love all the Lego learning. You are helping your son's passion develop and broaden into so much learning!
Mary, Wanted you to know I read through your collage Friday. Honestly, I find them very fascinating. Don't apologize about the length! It took me ... maybe 3 minutes total to read the words? It's amazing how easy blogs are to read when done correctly.
Re: your note about Facebook/politics at the end. I share your words. However, let me be a voice of encouragement. Don't give up on Facebook. (Yes, you can give up on a few friends, that's okay.) Have you looked at my Facebook page lately? Just about 90% or more of everything I put up is spiritual in nature. Let Facebook be a tool that lets you help define your audience and represent the person that you want to be. Facebook is a wonderful "weeding out" tool. When you put up the things that best represent you ... homeschooling stuff, religious thoughts, etc ... you really do get a chance to see who is your friend and who isn't interested in the person you want to be. Let Facebook work for you in that regard!
It may hurt occasionally to see that person you used to debate with go away when you stop putting up things that don't really represent the person you want to be (I'm talking the political stuff here). But if all the person wants to do is drag you into political debate and argument - and that's not who you really are - then it's okay to let them go. It may be sad, but it is okay. Focus your Facebook on who you want to be ... and your true friends - the friends God has put into your life for a reason - will surround you strong and support you.
(Sorry ... I guess my reading today on my vo12 blog on 1 Timothy 4 about Paul encouraging Timothy to exhort the people around me got to me today. Just wanted to exhort you today!)
OMGosh so much going on on this post! I feel EXACTLY the same way about using FB as a personal/political platform- are no things private anymore?!
Needed a Family Service Project idea to add to our homeschooling days- Headed to read all about the Shoeboxes...
Also I hope the kids win the guinea pig too! Nibbles has been such a sweet little addition to our days... I have owned at least 6 different kinds of animals in my lifetime- and the guineas pig is by far my favorite! My husband likes to joke that they eat guinea pigs in South America and he considers Nibbles part of our Preparedness list. lol But seriously, the loving, cleaning and feeding is part of the girl's morning routine. They are more joyful to do this with the guinea pig then with the cat or dog... mostly because he is our classroom mascot. Can I appeal to your teacher side? The care of the guinea pig has strengthen our character education too like responsibility, selflessness, diligence, gentleness, team work, self discipline, respect, fairness, patience, reliability, forgiveness- I'm mean the list goes on and on! ;o)
Another great week at Homegrown Learners! I love the Braves game pictures. Love the painted faces. I hear you about one dog being the limit. ME too! I cracked up reading this, "We did have fun with Harry (the hermit crab) last year, but he was dead after six months." hehe. I just love reading your posts Mary. I always come away with knowledge or an idea I dind't have before. I hear you about FB. I do not get involved in any of that. I love what you said about not changing anyone's mind. I SO agree. I have gotten wise ? enough to realize people are like that in my life. My Dad and I don't agree on so many things but I just keep quiet. He isn't going to all of a sudden say, "Well Karen you are RIGHT after all". Thanks for hosting as always. I love doing the Collage Fridays and reading everyone else's.
I have had a similar feeling about FB, which is why I rarely go on it. It does look like you have packed a lot of learning in one week! Love all the Galileo work!
I love your collage Friday posts, Mary! I had to laugh when reading about the guinea pig--my kids go through wanting other pets occasionally. I'm always amazed because we have a dog, too--aren't guinea pigs and other small mammals the pets for kids who can't have dogs? At least your kids worked their math brains. I'm hoping my kids don't get ideas because I am a wimp when it comes to animals and I may not be able to resist if they were as persuasive as your children.
My kids build with Legos during shows, too. I remember a historical one about American Castles that led to some amazing creations.
And so far I've completely avoided Facebook. :)
Aw...what's one little bitty guinea pig?? And 2 excited owners to watch and care for it! ::wink:: (We have 2 fish tanks, 1 dog, 1 cat, 7 chickens, 2 ducks, and 1 hamster.)
Hmm....I really like your Tangrams idea with money, but my youngest son is still learning money. I'll have to ponder if there is another skill we could apply to the tangrams. He just finished the puzzle book we had.
I am still pondering what to do for SOTW. The kids have asked me JUST to read it to them and then we talk about it a little and add a timeline picture/date card to our wall timeline. They don't mind the activity book coloring pages and maps, but find some of the maps repetitive and the coloring pages OK. So, for now, I read! ::laugh::
I'm the same way about read alouds: When do I have the time? I'm already reading along SOTW and Apologia Botany, but I know it's not the same as a book. They loved the couple of read alouds we did this summer. Will you be listing GREAT read aloud suggestions in your series? I need some good suggestions!
I love your post and ALL the photo collages. It is so fun to see other families loving one another and learning together.
Facebook is no fun during a presidential election year. It's really hard when members (close members) of your family (like a mother-in-law) use FB as a place to debate. It is not fun. Ugh...
Great week, Mary! Love the Legos :)
I am guilty of saying too much on FB - sometimes I feel like it is my only outlet. I can't wait for the election to be over, so I can stop stressing about it. I don't know why I stress anyway, because either way, God is still on the throne! If one of my friends was posting anti-homeschool diatribes, I'd have to unfriend them too!
Have a great weekend, Mary!
Ah...a guinea pig:) Molly would like one but I think dogs, a cat, rabbits, and chickens is enough for now! I do love the enthusiasm of your kiddos!!
I watched your vlog:) Well done! I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try one of my own.
This is the third week for me to really limit my computer time. I've only blogged a handful of times and only read a few of my favorites. There have been several days where I haven't touched the computer at all. FB has never been something that I've spent more than a few minutes on, but Pinterest is another story! Anyway, it's still refreshing to be completely focused on what's really important to me rather than anything on the computer!
I totally agree about fb! I'm also with you on the pets.
You guys definitely have had another great week! We have had a dog and we most recently had a cat. The boys have had hermit crabs, we have one now, but we have had many die and many tears and many funerals!! My second son would have a zoo if he could. For right now we are a pet free home, I can't take care of one more thing :) I have such a love/hate relationship with FB, especially this time of the year. Your right that no one's opinion is going to change over an FB post, but we also can't stop being who we are - it really is a fine line isn't it??!!
What a great week. I love the idea about the Guinea Pig I may actually do that with Gwyn who wants a hamster for Christmas. Love the tanagram ideas Rowyn is really into tanagrams too. Make sure you link up to FreeBEE Fridays too since you have some FreeBEE stuff listed : )
What a week! Braves, co-op, so much fun learning!! I particularly love the way the kids approached you both with their research and research ideas for a guinea pig.
~ You know, I am very blessed. My friends and family don't 'publicly' disagree with our homeschooling. In fact, if they do disagree I don't know about it. Mostly what I hear is "Wow, how do you do it? I don't have the patience, but I'd love to homeschool."
I do agree with your stance of only stating what is God-pleasing. It's the way it should be. If only others were so kind.
I admire the kids' dedication to researching the guinea pig! ;)
We have that same book, The People Pick a President. We almost started reading that one this week, but we opted for one called Election! by Dan Gutman instead.
As far as Facebook goes, I could do without it in so many ways, but most of my family is on there and I like seeing what they post. Plus I need an account for work because I am responsible for the library's page.
Hope you're having a good weekend, Mary!
I don't care for pets either specially if they are indoor ones. I am trying to go for chickens. They are outdoors, they are great pest controllers, produce wonderful nutritious food and yes, they can be friendly pets too. We will see. but for now, I tell my kids I prefer people to animals. :)
AMEN to your "rant", sista! The older I get, the MORE I realize it is OK to have differences with people, and YET treat them KINDLY with your words and actions...hmmmmm...perhaps that Savior of ours has been right about "Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself" all along... ;0)
My kids love to visit the pet store as a reward, too!
This is my first time linking up; thanks!