Homeschool W31: Slowing Down Inside at We Get Outside More

What We Studied

We school year round which makes it so much easier to take smaller breaks and easier weeks when the weather is amazing and we want to be outside. This was one of those weeks. We have already finished our history curriculum and math textbooks, so we focused our shortened in house hours to English and lots of reading.

Literature and Poetry

Moving along with our complete read of the Chronicles of Narnia. We started the second to last book and I’m not super impressed, but we will continue and move on next week.

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
Hello Earth! Poems to Our Planet by Joyce Sidman
The Green Mother Goose: Saving the World One Rhyme at a Time by Jan Peck and David Davis

Math

Another week of math games, puzzles, and review

Ten Hungry Pigs by Derek Anderson
Logic Countdown
The School of Numbers

Social Studies

We officially finished History Quest Middle Times last week, but wanted to do some review and wrap-up this week. We started watching Terry Jones’s documentary series Medieval Lives. We’re about 1/3 of the way through. We plan on watching a few more episodes next week and the next to finish out our history study for the years.

Arthur Independent Time

To allow for one-on-one time with Quentin, I have added an hour of independent work time for Arthur. Each week, he will have a mix of packet work (mostly grammar and math review), independent reading time, and special projects. Many of his projects will be aligned with our literature selections (some taken from B&R Language Arts curriculum) and history.

Science and STEAM Coop

For coop, we studied rainbows and prisms. Quentin’s younger group learned about rainbows and made rainbow jars using water beads. Arthur’s older group learned about rainbows and focused on the light refraction side.

Art/Music

None this week

Quentin

ELA

Biscuit by Alyssia Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
Biscuit Finds a Friend by Alyssia Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse by Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Pigling Bland by Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse by Beatrix Potter
High Five July 2020
Once Upon a Unicorn's Horn by Beatrice Blue

Math

Lollipop Logic Book 1
Tinkeractive PreK Math

Other

Tinkeractive PreK Science
Mazes Book
Busy Day Sticker Book

Field Trip

We had three! Yes three! field trips this week.

On Monday, we did an easy hike around Standing Bear Lake. It was a bit chilly and at times, very windy, but I loved it. We don’t do that lake in high summer as there is no shade at all. Doing a hike in April was perfect.

On Tuesday, we went to the Rose Theater to see Giraffes Can’t Dance. Our coop field trip coordinator got us group tickets that were very cheap. The show was lots of fun and the kids enjoyed it.

On Wednesday, we went to the Joslyn Art Museum one last time before they close for two years (renovations and building a whole new wing). J even took off work to join us. My favorite galleries were already shut down, but we will got to see some great art. And the kids got to play in ArtWorks (kid’s play space) for awhile.

Documentary Selection

I have carved out a one hour time block each week to watch a documentary related to our studies. As mentioned above, we are watching Terry Jones’s Medieval Lives series.

Misc. Picture Books Read

A Spring Stroll in the City by Cathy Goldberg Fishman
Just Help! by Sonia Sotomayor
Mr. Pig's Big Wall by Glenn Hernandez
Spring for Sophie by Yael Weber
It's Spring! by Samantha Berger and Pamela Chanko
How to Be on the Moon by Viviane Schwarz
Dinosaur vs. Santa by Bob Shea
Pigs to the Rescue by John Himmelman

High

Taking off most of Wednesday to visit the Joslyn Art Museum was just the break that we needed. And I’m so excited that J got to join us that day.

Low

Friday I woke up with a terrible migraine (due to massive weather changes). That made for a not great day, but we muddled through somehow.

Next Two Weeks

Taking a curriculum break with multiple outings
Finishing the current and starting the next Chronicles of Narnia book
More math games, puzzles, and review
Doing an Eric Carle deep dive for reading and art

Next up on the TBR pile:

2021-2022 Desserts and Snacks - March and April

Week 30: Coconut Banana Bread

A great variation of a my usual banana bread. This turned out better than I thought it would. Loved it!

Recipe used from Kylee Cooks

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

The weather has finally gotten good enough to put our patio furniture out. We read our read aloud outside yesterday. Loved it!
Starting a brick of a book three days before it’s due was not the best decision. Think I can knock it out?
People’s inability to understand simple statements is boggling sometimes. Seriously, not sure how I can be more clear…
I finished planning our Kansas road trip for next month. Now on to working on the retreat and Indiana summer trips.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W30: Recovered and Back to Work!

What We Studied

Thankfully everyone got better from their cold and we had a normal week. I took one picture of us doing school that didn’t involve the chicks. Oh well. Enjoy some baby chickens pictures.

Literature and Poetry

We started and finished a read aloud that I had never actually read before. It’s a delightful little adventure book that we knocked out in a few days.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming
I’ve Lost My Hippopotamus by Jack Prelutsky
Hello Earth! Poems to Our Planet by Joyce Sidman

Math

Another week of math games, puzzles, and review

Logic Countdown
The School of Numbers

Social Studies

We covered the last chapter of History Quest Middle Times about Elizabethan Times.

DK Timelines of Everyone
When on Earth
DK History
DK Timelines of Everything
Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare by Diane Stanley
Shakespeare's Theatre by Andrew Langley
The Tudors: Kings, Queen, Scribes, and Ferrets by Marcia Williams
Good Queen Bess: The Story of Elizabeth I of England by Diane Stanley

Arthur Independent Time

Science and STEAM Coop

For coop and our mini science unit, we’re focusing on plants and gardening.

DK Trees, Leaves, Flowers, and Seeds

Art/Music

None this week

Quentin

ELA

Biscuit and the Lost Teddy Bear by Alyssia Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
Biscuit Loves the Park by Alyssia Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
Biscuit and the Garden by Alyssia Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle by Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher by Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Tom Kitten by Beatrix Potter
High Five May 2020
High Five June 2020
Our Universe: Earth by Marion Bane Bauer

Math

Lollipop Logic Book 1
Tinkeractive PreK Math

Other

Smart Start Beginning Coding Grade 1
Tinkeractive PreK Science

Field Trip

There wasn’t a field trip this week.

Documentary Selection

I have carved out a one hour time block each week to watch a documentary related to our studies.

Misc. Picture Books Read

My Little Pony, Pony Life: Royal Bake-Off by Katie Chilson
Over in the Meadow by Ezra Jack Keats
There's a Tiger in the Garden by Lizzy Stewart
There's a Hole in the Bucket by John M. Feierabend

High

For Earth Day, we had a little coop party at a member’s house. Mostly it turned into free kids’ play, but sometimes that’s what we really need.

Low

The chicks had to be returned on Saturday. The kids really wanted to keep them…

Next Week

Taking a curriculum break with multiple outings
Starting the next Chronicles of Narnia book
More math games, puzzles, and review
Wrapping up the Middle Times for history

Next up on the TBR pile:

Spring Bucket List Update #1

After taking a bit of a break from bucket lists in 2021 (seriously, that year was a trash fire), I’m back this year. We have a variety of projects that we want to accomplish this coming year and I want to make some intentions for each season. For spring:

Check off 150 hours of our 1000 hours outside project - 20/150 so far
Two Lincoln Excursion Days
Three State park Visits
Read 50 books - 17/50
Day trip to Des Moines
At least 6 zoo visits
Design board for future kitchen renovation
Monthly bingo/trivia nights
Do a donation drop
Take the kids bowling or mini golfing
Log 50 miles on the treadmill
Make homemade cinnamon rolls
Plan out curriculum for next year - in progress
Plan out the Bookish Retreat! - in progress
Plan an Indiana trip for summer complete with Indianapolis mini trip - in progress
Weekend trip to Kansas
Plan a redo for our homeschool space / playroom
Do a Closet Cleanout for Me
Do a Closet Cleanup for the Kids
Work on a Craft Project

Up Next on the TBR:

Currently #7

Reading: Beautiful by Christina Lauren. I finally made it to the last book in this series. They are definitely my current comfort reads.

Watching: While J was gone last week, I started watching Starstruck and Minx and I am addicted to both.

Listening: Sad that the new Coheed and Cambria album isn’t out yet, but I have been listening to the three singles a lot lately.

Making: Made chocolate cake for D&D on Saturday and we’ve almost eaten the entire thing. I may need to make a new variation this weekend.

Feeling: I had my permanent crown put on Monday and am still feeling slightly sore today.

Planning: I need to finish planning out our May Kansas trip. We have lodgings and tickets for one event. I need to get our list of restaurants and other events set.

Loving: We rented two chicks for this week and are having so much fun with Sunshine and Shadow! The boys are learning so much about chickens and caring for them.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W29: Blergh! We All Caught a Cold.

What We Studied

After such a long time not getting sick (and avoiding COVID), the boys and I all caught a cold and had some not-so-great days. We managed to finish some school work, but had to skip coop and the coop fiend trip the gardens. Not fun being stuck inside for days on end.

Literature and Poetry

We did manage to finis our current read aloud and work through more poems.

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
I’ve Lost My Hippopotamus

Math

Arthur is finished with the textbook, so we are exploring more math problems and puzzles until August. We pulled out the spring tangrams packet for Tuesday’s lesson.

Logic Countdown
The School of Numbers

Social Studies

We covered the Scientific Revolution (focusing on Gutenburg, Copernicus, and Galileo) and the Reformation this week. Arthur got really interested in Copernicus’s journal and wanted to create his own scientific journal.

DK Timelines of Everyone
When on Earth
DK History
DK Timelines of Everything
Marguerite Makes a Book by Bruce Robertson
Nicolaus Copernicus: The Earth is a Planet by Dennis Brindell Fradin
Martin Luther: Here I Stand by Geraldine Elschner
The Life and Times of Martin Luther by Meike Roth-Beck
I, Galileo by Bonnie Christensen
Starry Messenger by Peter Sis
Recentering the Universe: The Radical Theories of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton by Rob Miller

Arthur Independent Time

Science and STEAM Coop

We had a light week for science. I had planned on focusing on spring and growing to align with coop and our trip to the botanical gardens. But as we had to skip those, part of our science went with it. We did do a mini spring unit with a ton of books. And we wrapped up what we learned from coop last week about bees with some more books and videos.

The Thing About Bees by Shabazz Larkin
Give Bees a Chance by Bethany Barton
Bee and Me by Alison Jay
The Bee Tree by Stephen Buchmann
The Secret Life of Bees by Moira Butterfield
What on Earth? Bees by Andrea Quigley
Finding Spring by Carin Berger
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
Mouse Loves Spring by Lauren Thompson
Hail to Spring by Charles Ghigna
Weather in Spring by Jenny Fretland VanVoorst
Trees in Spring by Jenny Fretland VanVoorst
Birds in Spring by Jenny Fretland VanVoorst
Spring by Amy Culliford
Crinkle, Crackle, Crack It's Spring! by Marion Dane Bauer

Art/Music

None this week

Quentin

ELA

Biscuit Takes a Walk by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (Q Reads)
Biscuit Loves the Library by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (Q Reads)
Biscuit and the Little Llamas by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (Q Reads)
Biscuit Feeds the Pets by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
The Tale of Two Bad Mice by Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter
The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter
High Five April 2020

Math

Lollipop Logic Book 1
Tinkeractive Math PreK

Other

Smart Start Beginning Coding Grade 1
I Spy on the Farm
Tinkeractive Science PreK

Field Trip

On Monday we met friends at the park for some playtime. It was chilly, but the sun came out and the kids had fun. I enjoyed chatting with some friends.

Documentary Selection

I have carved out a one hour time block each week to watch a documentary related to our studies.

Misc. Picture Books Read

Nerdy Birdy by Aaron Reynolds
Big Choo by Stephen Shaskan

High

Getting our chicks on Saturday was so much fun! We are renting two chicks from a family farm program. We are interacting with them and caring for them. We named ours Shadow and Sunshine. The boys are loving this program!

Low

Getting sick obviously. I had a headache all week and it really affected everyone’s mood and motivation.

Next Week

Starting a new read aloud (even I haven’t read this one)
Covering Elizabethan Times for history
Continuing our math review
Taking care of our chicks for hands-on science

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

J is gone on a work trip this week (first time since before the pandemic) and it’s kinda nice having some time to myself.
I’ve watched more television than usual, but I guess I’m just making up for lost time.
I really don’t want to read the book club book, but feel like I have to…
Thinking I need more contemporary romance next.
Maybe plan a Lincoln excursion for next week?

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W28: The Forest and Some Bees

What We Studied

And it was a very normal week for our school days. We had a few outings, but covered a ton of material.

Literature and Poetry

Finished one read aloud and started another.

City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda
The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
I’ve Lost My Hippopotamus by Jack Prelutsky
The Giant Carrot by Jan Peck (Lit Study)

Math

And with that, Arthur has finished Singapore 3B! For the rest of the year, we’ll be reviewing math concepts and playing some math games.

Logic Countdown
For Good Measure by Ken Robbins

Social Studies

We covered the Ottoman Empire for history. Arthur enjoyed the art and the science especially.

DK Timelines of Everyone
When on Earth
DK History
DK Timelines of Everything

Arthur Independent Time

Science and STEAM Coop

For coop, covered bees. The kids learned about bee life cycles and then played some games and did some crafts. The kids got to make bee houses for our local mason bees.

We finished our science unit on geology with a mini lesson on volcanoes. Arthur was super excited to learn all about how volcanoes work.

An Island Grows by Lola M. Schaefer
Nat Geo Kids Volcanoes
Volcanoes by Gail Gibbons
Volcanoes by Elaine Landau
Geo Detectives: Volcanoes and Earthquakes by Anita Ganeri
The Magic School Bus Blows Its Top by Joanna Cole
Fault Lines and Tectonic Plates by Kathleen M. Reilly
Everything Volcanoes and Earthquakes by Kathy Furgang
DK Volcano and Earthquake
Volcanic Eruptions by Ann O. Squire
How Hot is Lava? And Other Questions About Volcanoes by Kelly Smith

Art/Music

None this week

Quentin

I have scheduled at least four 1-hour time blocks for one-on-one time with Quentin. I bought Blossom and Root’s Early Years Volume 2 curriculum to use as our base. I love the variety of activities and some of the bigger projects included. Q started a Beatrix Potter unit for the month of April. We also did some math and worked on other skills.

ELA

The Secret Staircase by Jill Barklem
Sea Story by Jill Barklem
The High Hills by Jill Barklem
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter
High Five January 2020
High Five March 2020
A Celebration of Beatrix Potter: Art and Letters

Math

Lollipop Logic Book 1

Other

I Spy On the Farm
Smart Start Beginning Coding Grade 1

Field Trip

We had a lovely few hours at Fontenelle Forest with their STEM backpacks. The coop field trips have been great this semester. We did a scavenger hunt, walked the trails, and played at the nature classroom.

Documentary Selection

I have carved out a one hour time block each week to watch a documentary related to our studies.

Misc. Picture Books Read

No Buddy Like a Book by Allan Wolf
Serious Farm by Tim Egan

High

Our two coop events this week were great. We love having regular events with our friends and learning a little something.

Low

A big dentist appointment on Monday took me out for hours. Oh well. We’ll make it up.

Next Week

Continuing to read the Chronicles of Narnia
Reviewing our math concepts
Focusing on nature for science
Learning about the scientific revolution and the Reformation

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #6

Reading: After a few complicated and series books and a middle grade series, I started the space horror Dead Silence by SA Barnes.

Watching: After a long wait, Moon Knight S1 finally started airing. I am very intrigued.

Listening: ice Nine Kills just dropped a new song, “Hunting Season,” and I’m really loving it!

Making: Working on next year’s curriculum and that means piles of books everywhere.

Feeling: A big dentist appointment yesterday means that I have a slightly sore mouth today.

Planning: Working on all our travel plans for the rest of the year. I think we’re ready to start booking hotel rooms this week.

Loving: I have not had a good night’s sleep for awhile now. Sleep sounds amazing right now.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W27: Adding to Our Outside Hours!

What We Studied

We combined a “break week” and a regular week for this post. Our break week have turned into a way to catch up on unfinished units, add some special activities, and take a few hours off.

Literature and Poetry

We continued our read aloud and did a few literature studies. A fairly normal week when it came to language.

City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda
I’ve Lost My Hippopotamus by Jack Prelutsky
Butterfly House by Eve Bunting
Three Hens and a Peacock by Lester L. Laminack
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
The Happy Lion by Louise Patio
Mossy by Jan Brett
John Philip Duck by Patricia Polacco
Ginger and Petunia by Patricia Polacco

Math

Arthur covered Unit 12: Geometry and even did a special project. He created a Multiplication Grid art project.

Logic Countdown
Math Art + Drawing Games

Social Studies

We covered two chapters in History Quest: Middle Times learning about Kievan Russia and Mughal India. We did a mini focus on St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Taj Mahal. (Side note: I think I want to add an architecture unit into next year’s curriculum.) And I threw in a mini unit about the stories of Baba Yaga.

DK Timelines of Everyone
When on Earth
DK History
DK Timelines of Everything
Follow Me Around: Russia by Wiley Blevins
Let’s Explore Russia by Walt K. Moon
Living in Russia by Jesse Burton
Russia ABCs by Ann Berge
Matreshka by Becky Hickox Ayres
The Flying Witch by Jane Yolen
The Black Geese by Alison Lurie
Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave by Marianna Mayer
Grandma Chickenlegs by Geraldine McCaughrean
Baba Yaga and the Wise Doll by Hiawyn Oram
Baba Yaga by An Leysen
Whole Wide World: Kristine Spanier
Taj Mahal by Cynthia Kennedy Hanzel
Where is the Taj Mahal? by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler
Taj Mahal by Elizabeth Mann

Arthur Independent Time

Science and STEAM Coop

For coop, we

Beyond coop, we did a mini unit on the Spring Equinox.

Goodbye Winter Hello Spring by Kenard Pak
Sorting Through Spring by Lizann Flatt
My Nature Sticker Activity Book: In the Forest by Olivia Cosneau

And we continued our geology unit focusing on rocks and minerals and plate tectonics and earthquakes. Arthur loved growing his own lava rock crystals.

Radical Rocks by Rena Korb
These Rocks Count! by Alison Formento
Geology: The Study of Rocks by Susan H. Gray
Nat Geo Rocks and Minerals by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Fantastic Forces and Incredible Machines
Astonishing Atoms and Matter Mayhem
Dirtmeister's Nitty Gritty Planet Earth by Steve Tomecek
I'm Trying to Love Rocks by Bethany Barton
Rocks by Sally M. Walker
All About Rocks by Alessandra Potenza
DK Rocks and Minerals
DK Rocks and Minerals (other edition)
My Little Book of Rocks, Minerals, and Gems by Claudia Martin
My Book of Rocks and Minerals
The Island that Moved: How Shifting Forces Shape Our Earth by Meredith Hooper
DK Volcano and Earthquake
Fault Lines and Tectonic Plates by Kathleen M. Reilly
Everything Volcanoes and Earthquakes by Kathy Furgang Ch. 3
Geo Detectives: Volcanoes and Earthquakes by Anita Ganeri
Earthquakes on Shaky Ground by Lesley McFadzean
Zhang Heng and the Incredible Earthquake Detector by Randel McGee

Art/Music

We discovered Rosa Bonheur and her animal paintings. The kids loved looking at a big collection of her work and learning a little of her life. Afterward, they did some free drawing inspired by Bonheur’s work.

Rosa's Animals: The Story of Rosa Bonheur and Her Painting Menagerie by Maryann MacDonald

Quentin

ELA

Song of the Wild: A First Book of Animals by Nicola Davies
Biscuit by Alyssia Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
Biscuit Plays Ball by Alyssia Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
Biscuit and the Baby by Alyssia Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
Biscuit’s Day at the Farm by Alyssia Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
Biscuit Goes Camping by Alyssia Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
Spring Story by Jill Barkley
High Five November 2018
High Five December 2018
High Five February 2020
Flubby will NOT Play with That by JE Morris
Food from Farms by Nancy Dickmann
Let’s Visit a Dairy Farm by Alyse Sweeney
What’s It Like to Live Here? Farm by Katie Marsico
Mrs. Wishy-Washy’s Farm by
Farm by Elisha Cooper
On the Farm by Victoria Taylor
Let's Go to the Farm! by Caryl Hart
Seasons on the Farm by Nancy Dickmann
Mighty Truck on the Farm by Chris Barton
Big Read Barn by Margeret Wise Brown
Farm Machines by Kathryn Clay
Finish Farm Packet
I Spy on the Farm

Math

Lollipop Logic Book 1

Other

I Spy Learn and Go
I Spy on the Farm
Smart Start Beginning Coding Grade 1

Field Trip

We had a fun day exploring Arbor Day Farm last Friday. We started with a guided lesson about bees and blossoms and then played on our own. Thankfully I remembered to pack a picnic lunch. We ended up spending 6 hours there making it a 8 hour day away from the house. Still, it was a great 6 hours!

Documentary Selection

I have carved out a one hour time block each week to watch a documentary related to our studies. We watched a NOVA episode about gemstones. I learned a lot about how they are made and what distinguishesd one from another. Not a documentary, but a podcast - We started listening to PBS Eons: Mysteries of Deep Time. The first two episodes cover the only human remains in the La Brea Tar Pits and the Piltdown Man Hoax. Fascinating listens as we traveled this week.

Misc. Picture Books Read

The Universe and You by Suzanne Slade
Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth
Poo on the Savanna by Emilie Dufresne
A Pizza with Everything on It by Kyle Scheele
Dear Reader by Tiffany Rose
Ten Thank-You Letters by Daniel Kirk
Nobody Hugs a Cactus by Carter Goodrich

High

Arbor Day Farm was incredibly per usual. I wish it was a bit closer to home.

Low

Thursday’s coop meeting was more hectic and chaotic than usual. We were very sad to have to hold it in doors at the temps were hovering in the 30s.

Next Week

Wrapping up City of the Plague God
Starting the last three books in the Chronicles of Narnia
Covering half of 3B Unit 13 about area and perimeter
Exploring the Ottoman Empire
Beginning a Beatrix Potter unit for literature
Continuing our geology unit for science as well as spring and bees for coop
Hoping to sneak in a study of Beethoven’s music
Taking a backpack hike at Fontenelle Forest

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Middle Grade March was a great idea. I read some great ones.
Starting planning the retreat for June and I’m getting so excited!
But first, I need to finish planning our Kansas trip for May.
I need some new slip-on sneakers that I can throw on for spring and summer.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #5

Reading: The Blackbird Girls by Anna Blankman, so far a very stressful but good story about two girls in the aftermath of the Chernobyl meltdown.

Watching: We started Severance S1 and it is so weird.. We love it!

Listening: Really I’m just listening to the usual podcasts. Nothing that exciting.

Making: March is almost over. That means that I’m making plans for my April reading. I really really need to read from my shelves, but I keep getting distracted by shiny new library books.

Feeling: I’m doing okay right now. Feeling a bit of a lull.

Planning: We’re over halfway through the semester. It’s about time to do a survey to start planning our next year.

Loving: We ordered a lemon cake for J’s birthday (a week earlier), and it was incredibly delicious.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W26: We Had a Week...

What We Studied

So… we had a week. Overall, it was that exciting, but we made it through the week with a few fun outings.

Literature and Poetry

We started a new read aloud and do a few literature studies this week. A fairly normal week when it came to language.

City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda
Poetry for Young People: Robert Frost by Gary D. Schmidt
Me… Jane by Patrick McDinnell
Sally Jean, Bicycle Queen by Cari Best
Superworm by Julia Donaldson
Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens

Math

Arthur covered Unit 11: Data Analysis for math. It was a short unit,. but we worked through all the problems.

Logic Countdown

Social Studies

This chapter of History Quest focused on the Renaissance. We covered a lot of the art and architecture and compared to the earlier Medieval period. Arthur was very focused on Brunelleshi’s cathedral in Florence.

DK Timelines of Everyone
When on Earth
DK History
DK Timelines of Everything
Human World
Leonardo da Vinci by Stephen Krensky
Leonardo da Vinci by Mary Pope Osborne
Renaissance by Alison Cole

Arthur Independent Time

Science and STEAM Coop

For coop, we talked about first responders and had talk from a local wildlife rescue group. I learned a lot, but the boys were a bit more interested in the crafts we did. Beyond that, we did read some other books and chatted about a variety of first responders.

Show Me Community Helpers by Clint Edwards
Helping Hospital by Lindsay Ward
Real Superheroes by Julia Seal
First Responders by Allan B. Cobb
Itty Bitty Kitty Firehouse Fun by Joan Holub

Art/Music

None this week

Quentin

I have scheduled at least four 1-hour time blocks for one-on-one time with Quentin. I bought Blossom and Root’s Early Years Volume 2 curriculum to use as our base. I love the variety of activities and some of the bigger projects included. Q finished Sh, Ch, and Th digraphs and started moving into Level 1 readers. We kept working on math skills and pencil control.

ELA

Song of the Wild: A First Book of Animals by Nicola Davies
Biscuit Feeds the Pets by Alyssia Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
A Snowy Day in Bugland by David A. Carter (Q reads)
Summer Story by Jill Barklem
Autumn Story by Jill Barklem
High Five April 2018
High Five September 2018
Farming by Gail Gibbons
Night on the Farm
In! Over! and On! (The Farm) by Ethan Long
Spring on the Farm by MJ York
Go to Sleep, Little Farm by Mary Lyn Ray
On the Farm by David Elliott
Poo on the Farm by Emilie Dufresne
On the Farm, At the Market by G. Brian Karas
Old MacDonald had a Farm by Jane Cabrera

Math

Lollipop Logic Book 1

Other

I Spy Learn and Go
Smart Start Beginning Coding Grade 1

Field Trip

On Monday we took the morning for errands and also hit the park for about an hour or so. It was a bit chilly, but not bad at all. The boys really needed some time to run.

Wednesday was a nature hike at Schramm with some coop friends. We did the 3 mile loop, had a picnic, played at the playground, and looked for fossils. It was a glorious 4 1/2 hours out in nature.

Documentary Selection

I have carved out a one hour time block each week to watch a documentary related to our studies.

Misc. Picture Books Read

Turtle Pond by James Gladstone
The Little Piggy Went Dancing by Margaret Wild
Cecil the Pet Glacier by Matthea Harvey and Giselle Potter
15 Things NOT to Do with a Puppy by Margaret McAllister
Anzu the Great Kaiju by Benson Shum

High

The hike through the woods on Wednesday was absolutely amazing! The boys had a great time with friends and so did I!

Low

We didn’t get around to our earth science lesson this week and now we’re slightly behind. I don’t like being behind. Thankfully, we have a “break week” next week. I have very glad that I built in breaks in our scheduled lessons to catch up when we get behind.

Next Week

Starting 3B Unit 12 for geometry
Continuing reading City of the Plague God
Finishing up first responders for coop
Diving into rocks and minerals for science
Covering the Kiev Russia for history
Taking Thursday off after coop
Looking forward to a nature hike on Friday

Next up on the TBR pile:

Winter Bucket List Finish

Check off 150 hours of our 1000 hours outside project - Fail. The weather was really against me here. We did manage to get over 25 hours this season, but no where near my goal.
Have a birthday day out for my 40th! ✓ - It was glorious!
Weekend trip to Chicago
Read 50 books ✓
Day trip to Des Moines
At least 6 zoo visits (3/6)
Trip to see the frozen waterfall at Platte
Movie Month February ✓
Weekly Game Day/Night with Arthur ✓
Make winter crafts
Design board for future kitchen renovation
Make Valentine’s ✓
Have a monthly (indoor) picnic
Finish one craft project ✓
Monthly bingo/trivia nights ✓
Go sledding
Buy a new Nebraska State Park permit ✓
Do a donation drop - I’ve done a toy cleanup, just need to gather some more things before doing the drop.
Take the kids bowling
Dye my hair purple - Fail for this season, but I do have an appointment for next week!
Log 50 miles on the treadmill
Learn to knit
Replace 50% of my socks ✓
Make homemade cinnamon rolls
Complete 3 television series ✓

Up Next on the TBR:

Spring Bucket List

Check off 150 hours of our 1000 hours outside project - Winter was a fail due to the weather. Here’s hoping spring cooperates at least a little bit!
Two Lincoln Excursion Days - We know we want to hit Morrill Hall again and maybe the zoo.
Three State park Visits - Trying to use that pass!
Read 50 books
Day trip to Des Moines - Carrying this over from last season.
At least 6 zoo visits
Design board for future kitchen renovation
Monthly bingo/trivia nights
Do a donation drop - Carry over from last season
Take the kids bowling or mini golfing
Log 50 miles on the treadmill
Make homemade cinnamon rolls
Plan out curriculum for next year
Plan out the Bookish Retreat!
Plan an Indiana trip for summer complete with Indianapolis mini trip
Weekend trip to Kansas
Plan a redo for our homeschool space / playroom
Do a Closet Cleanout for Me
Do a Closet Cleanup for the Kids
Work on a Craft Project

Up Next on the TBR:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

I just figured out how to combine multiple curriculums together for Quentin. Now I need to start working on Arthur’s stuff.
Thinking it’s survey time for the coop. Working on the topics and questions this week.
Somehow dinner last night was a disaster. The rolls burned and the pork roast turned out incredibly dry. I gave up and we got takeout.
Added five shirts to my spring and summer wardrobe. Finally.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W25: Midwest Weather Changed Our Plans

What We Studied

We had a schedule with a few field trips, but those changed due to the weather. After last weekend’s storm, the temperatures dropped dramatically and didn’t recover. It was cold and the wind made it even colder.

Our Book Outlet finally came! Lots of things for next year (except for the Beatrix Potter books).

Literature and Poetry

Finally finished Aru Shah this week and concluded our American Tall Tales unit. I really enjoyed both and I think Arthur did also.

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
Poetry Outside Your Window by Nicola Davies
When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano
American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osborne
The 12 Most Amazing American Myths and Legends by Anita Yasuda
Casey Jones by Stephen Krensky
Mike Fink by Steven Kellogg
Pecos Bill Tames a Colossal Cyclone by Eric Braun
Pecos Bill by Stephen Krensky
Pecos Bill, Monster Wrangler by Benjamin Harper
Pecos Bill Colossal Cowboy by Sean Tulien
John Henry Vs. the Mighty Steam Drill by Carl Meister
John Henry: An American Legend by Ezra Jack Keats
Ain't Nothing but a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry by Scott Reynolds Nelson
John Henry by Stephen Krensky
John Henry, Steel-Drivin' Elf by Benjamin Harper
Paul Bunyan by Steven Kellogg
The Tall Tale of Paul Bunyan by Martin Powell
The Bunyans by Audrey Wood
Paul Bunyan's Sweetheart by Marybeth Lorbiecki
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Whale by Penelope Gruber
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: The Great Pancake Adventure by Matt Luckhurst
Paul Bunyan vs. Hals Halson: The Great Lumberjack Challenge! by Teresa Bateman

Both boys had successful dentist appointments

Math

We sped through Unit 10 about time. Really it was a big review while ago doing some more adding and subtracting time.

Logic Countdown

Social Studies

We ended up not actually doing our history unit this week. No big deal, we’ll just push it a week. This is why I add in “break” weeks to our schedule. Gives us a lot of flexibility.

Arthur Independent Time

Science and STEAM Coop

We didn’t have coop this week due to our scheduled break week. We’ll be back next week with our First Responders theme.

For science, we started our big Earth Science unit focusing on geography, geology, and volcanoes and earthquakes.

When Planet Earth was New by James Gladstone
Earth by Quinn M. Arnold
Home on the Earth by Laura Purdie Salas
Dirtmeister's Nitty Gritty Planet Earth by Steve Tomecek
Stickmen's Guide to Mountains and Valleys in Layers by Catherine Chambers
The Magic School Buss Inside the Earth by Joanna Cole

Art/Music

None this week

Quentin

I have scheduled at least four 1-hour time blocks for one-on-one time with Quentin. I bought Blossom and Root’s Early Years Volume 2 curriculum to use as our base. I love the variety of activities and some of the bigger projects included. Quentin started his next unit on the farm. Basically that means a ton of farm themed books, some themed ELA and math pages, and a few mini crafts and projects.

ELA

Winter Story by Jill Barklem
On a Farm by Alexa Andrews (Q reads)
Life on a Farm
Farmyard Beat by Lindsey Craig
Biscuit's Snow Day Race by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (Q reads)
Farm by Rebecca Pettiford
My Farm Friends by Wendell Minor
Going to a Farm by Rebecca Rissman
Dinosaur Farm by Penny Dale
Busy Bug Builds a Fort by David A. Carter (Q reads)
Song of the Wild: A First Book of Animals by Nicola Davies
Old MicMickey Had a Farm
I Like the Farm by Shelley Rotner
The Farmer by Ximo Abadia
Amara's Farm by JaNay Brown-Wood

Math

Lollipop Logic Book 1
Smart Start Beginning Coding Grade 1

Other

High Five January 2018

Field Trip

The weather was not cooperating with us this week. We again got below zero a few of the days. We did venture out to the zoo on Wednesday. It was chilly, but we got to visit the elephant babies (and they were right up front!) and warm up in the jungle and the desert dome. We also had a park day on the one slightly warmer day. The boys had fun, but more importantly, I had a lovely conversation with two coop moms. (The boys also had their dentist appointments this week.)

Documentary Selection

I have carved out a one hour time block each week to watch a documentary related to our studies.

Misc. Picture Books Read

Letters from Bear by Gauthier David
Snickerdoodle Takes the Cake by Ethan Long
A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers
The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey
A New Green Day by Antoinette Portis
How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers
In the Half Room by Carson Ellis
If I Were the Sunshine by Julie Fogliano
The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee

High

Getting out to the zoo on Wednesday was delightful. We got to spend 15 minutes observing the new elephant babies. They are incredibly adorable.

Low

Super cold temps cancelled our planned hike on Friday. I was looking forward to getting out into nature more. Thankfully, we have rescheduled for Wednesday.

Next Week

Starting 3B Unit 11 (Data Analysis) for math
Beginning City of the Plague God for our read aloud
Analyzing a few picture books for literature
Covering the Renaissance for history
Getting acquainted with the paintings of Rosa Bonheur
Continuing with our farm unit for Quentin
Exploring rocks and minerals for science

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #4

Reading: A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske. I’m really digging this book full of magic, romance and mystery.

Watching: We finally watched Train to Busan and it was amazing! Of course, I had to pick a zombie movie for my birthday movie choice.

Listening: Been rocking my Apple Favorites playlist. Sometimes the mix is a bit strange, but I love it.

Making: I have a video chat scheduled with another coop member to discuss strategies moving forward. We’ll see how it goes…

Feeling: My birthday day out was amazing and felted me feel slightly refreshed.

Planning: I’ve been thinking about what events we want to plan for this spring. Of course, I’m banking on the pandemic to continue to get better. I’m hoping that we can do a couple day trip to Des Moines or KC and maybe a family trip to Chicago.

Loving: I bought myself some great presents on my birthday day out. I think my favorite might be my Frida Kahlo doll.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W24: 5 1/2 Hours Outside in One Day!

What We Studied

Arthur started the week sick canceling out planned zoo day. We did spend all day Tuesday outside and had our usual coop.

**Turns out I took basically no pictures last week. It was a strange week for us (mentally) and I just didn’t get pictures taken. Oh well. I promise we still did things.

Literature and Poetry

While continuing to read Aru Shah, we also started our unit on American Tall Tales. We’re focusing on one character per tale and reading a variety of tales and information while working through a companion packet I found. We’ll be continuing this into next week also.

Are Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osborne
The 12 Most Amazing American Myths and Legends by Anita Yasuda
Davy Crockett Saves the World by Rosalyn Schanzer
Davy Crockett and the Great Mississippi Snag by Cari Meister
Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind by Steven Kellogg
Thunder Rose by Jerdine Nolan
Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg
Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh
The Story of Johnny Appleseed by Aliki
Johnny Appleseed by Rosemary and Stephen Vincent Benet
Johnny Appleseed Plants Trees Across the Land by Eric Braun
Outside Your Window by Nicola Davies (Winter and Spring sections)

Math

Arthur’s still sitting with 3B Unit 9 covering fractions. We finished the lessons and did some extra practice. We’ll be wrapping this up next week, but I’m sure we’ll revisit later this spring.

Logic Countdown

Social Studies

This chapter of History Quest focused on the Inca Civilization. We’ve watched enough documentaries previously, that this was almost a review for Arthur. He still learned a bit about their farming practices, and we still had a good time reading and looking up pictures.

DK Timelines of Everyone
When on Earth
DK History
DK Timelines of Everything
DK Explorers
Where is Machu Picchu? by Megan Stine
Inca by Lawrence Kovacs
Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas! by Anita Yasuda
Ancient Incas by Michael Burgan
Myths, Legends, and Sacred Stories

Arthur Independent Time

Science and STEAM Coop

Coop was all about space. The littles group made watercolor salt space paintings and talked about space travel. The other older group finished their lap books about the solar system. At home, we did some review about space.

For our actual health unit, we talking about our senses and how they work. Lots of pointing out examples of using our senses throughout the week.

My Five Senses by Aliki
iDiscover the Body by Carolyn Scrace
My Amazing Body by Ruth Martin & Allan Sanders
My Body by Martha E.H. Rustad

House down the street had to remove a tree and now has a holiday themed inflatable every month. We stopped by after our park day.

Art/Music

None this week

Quentin

ELA

Nick and Nack Blow Bubbles by Brandon Budzi
There is a Town by Gail Herman
Little Penguin and the mysterious Object by Tadgh Bentley
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
High Five August 2018

Math

Lollipop Logic Book 1

Other

I Spy Learn and Go

Field Trip

None this week

Documentary Selection

I have carved out a one hour time block each week to watch a documentary related to our studies.

Misc. Picture Books Read

Snow Dance by Erica Farber (Q read to me)
This Book is Gray by Lindsay Ward
The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Big Snow by Jonathan Bean
Love by Matt de la Pena
Eyes that Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho
Goldi Rocks and the Three Bears by Corey Rosen Schwartz
If You were a Panda Bear by Wendell and Florence Minor
Puppy by Keith Graves
Negative Cat by Sophie Blackall
The Great Puppy Invasion by Alastair Heim

High

We had a park playdate on Tuesday morning and then added another park playdate that afternoon. We basically spent all of Tuesday outside and it was amazing! We added to our outside hours and just enjoyed the break in the weather. For reference, last night it froze and snowed almost 2 inches. A little different from the temps in the 60s this past week.

Low

Arthur got sick on Monday morning (food related, not COVID related) and we had to cancel our zoo day. We’re hoping to go again this Wednesday, but it really put a damper on our day.

Next Week

Starting 3B Unit 10 for math
Finishing reading Aru Shah and covering American Tall Tales
Covering the Renaissance for history
Diving into the farm for Quentin’s big unit
Exploring the paintings of Rosa Bonheur
Taking a break from coop (scheduled week off)

Next up on the TBR pile: