tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72405750837638973932024-03-05T03:37:46.608-08:00hOmE tEaChEdMindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-15248963817581973092011-11-14T20:29:00.000-08:002011-11-14T20:29:36.442-08:00Momma Mindy's Do It Yerself Spellen Krickulum.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've had a hard finding a Spelling curriculum</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that's easy to use and will actually teach spelling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rote curriculums with lists,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> a week of activities and the quiz on Friday</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">are traditional, OK, but kinda' boring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For kids that<em> are</em> good spellers, they get A's, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but never really advance their skills.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For kids that<em> aren't</em> good spellers,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it doesn't seem to help, just adds frustration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The super-duper "only spelling curriculum you'll ever need"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> books have broken my heart more than once with their false promises.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While Beka was making me lunch the other day,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had a light bulb moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Are you also saying</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"light bulb" with a German accent?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then you haven't seen Descipable Me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyhoo.... back to spelling and my light bulb moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNWB6eP9ApcmhLsdsjdRK9_s6ds0st3Jx49hHitVnrk-Vo2utamy0j7A8ij_guTh6Kux04vsFE36UXkDlcAFl-GHxPhZef3RUTItbv52VW6hTplZRUKFwdglFyM5DiMXZs5nU0ZFTsTo/s1600/misc.+fall+pics+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNWB6eP9ApcmhLsdsjdRK9_s6ds0st3Jx49hHitVnrk-Vo2utamy0j7A8ij_guTh6Kux04vsFE36UXkDlcAFl-GHxPhZef3RUTItbv52VW6hTplZRUKFwdglFyM5DiMXZs5nU0ZFTsTo/s320/misc.+fall+pics+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The day my daughter volunteered to<a href="http://mommamindy.blogspot.com/2011/11/may-i-take-your-order-please.html"> make lunch</a>,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> and then I had to pay for it,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">she spelled words wrong on her menu,</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKONuaqduFn6CEXmfpAR3519MhGkTg4OYIHUzjWPSF8UytkzCqPdMMlaAP0BG8FIz1YLVIH7c5mYXirWLpOAzAjfWHn_0V7WU-EnjTwgq1hCC5kFyVEeUr11EfqdGzzExE8rGwvp_3dL4/s1600/misc.+fall+pics+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKONuaqduFn6CEXmfpAR3519MhGkTg4OYIHUzjWPSF8UytkzCqPdMMlaAP0BG8FIz1YLVIH7c5mYXirWLpOAzAjfWHn_0V7WU-EnjTwgq1hCC5kFyVEeUr11EfqdGzzExE8rGwvp_3dL4/s320/misc.+fall+pics+044.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and on her bill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It made sense to use these words for </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that week's spelling list.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After all, these are words she uses and misspells.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOIdqIVoLl_PYIhKLdIvi3Wl3tkMJ4ktX3oJKHaVWEdoeSdjCncOovVacaV_5tz4y36M-sNk5rhPCyF6LSrUV4knEbDVdVC_BgOYQVHiHBQMYGyYosqgnS2QqdjbxQJxqIH1fPJbNL50/s1600/More+Spelling+Words+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOIdqIVoLl_PYIhKLdIvi3Wl3tkMJ4ktX3oJKHaVWEdoeSdjCncOovVacaV_5tz4y36M-sNk5rhPCyF6LSrUV4knEbDVdVC_BgOYQVHiHBQMYGyYosqgnS2QqdjbxQJxqIH1fPJbNL50/s320/More+Spelling+Words+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The day's English worksheet added more spelling words.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I orally tested her on the months and dotted the ones</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">she spelled incorrectly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgORa9ya067rFecEKAtNI2_H-YdWgUZjPU0ibT9fs0bL8k3L5aVewPXUi7V8X2SyA6oViokuDrtI1m7oIZSsIEFLwGk9LBcdXEiy_jyH9DG7BWa5kzJwoy5wgud1j3a-3Q21B6C206aW0/s1600/Spelling+Words+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgORa9ya067rFecEKAtNI2_H-YdWgUZjPU0ibT9fs0bL8k3L5aVewPXUi7V8X2SyA6oViokuDrtI1m7oIZSsIEFLwGk9LBcdXEiy_jyH9DG7BWa5kzJwoy5wgud1j3a-3Q21B6C206aW0/s320/Spelling+Words+001.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made a quick worksheet using Microsoft Word.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Quick. No clip art, no borders, no nothing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Got 'er dun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAbfA-yLr2CTV5tNBgUf4ic6B9UKB9ZQrN_CtP8fTQC0M1f99Pyn4jO2yLqBX9elQEECOs3IpbiByfAustXvS9KhrecJQW9rSHHfnhu7Jn1-B1YJNGmeUYz9Iar6vGXtQz43GK4XIvBE/s1600/misc.+fall+pics+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAbfA-yLr2CTV5tNBgUf4ic6B9UKB9ZQrN_CtP8fTQC0M1f99Pyn4jO2yLqBX9elQEECOs3IpbiByfAustXvS9KhrecJQW9rSHHfnhu7Jn1-B1YJNGmeUYz9Iar6vGXtQz43GK4XIvBE/s320/misc.+fall+pics+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She filled in the words in the blanks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABFAUQVdYFQuIzUYQS7ahxt5RaF8YVW_FknDxuaaM0OjJtdYEl9QDF0lxH0dQnLHU3gHwBBAtq1D-Ms_5uyOrzMnlaYYvMoOJKAV66VACUVwN0z_Q0-Zlh8Ia8RLuyu13UCwFKRUYI8k/s1600/misc.+fall+pics+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABFAUQVdYFQuIzUYQS7ahxt5RaF8YVW_FknDxuaaM0OjJtdYEl9QDF0lxH0dQnLHU3gHwBBAtq1D-Ms_5uyOrzMnlaYYvMoOJKAV66VACUVwN0z_Q0-Zlh8Ia8RLuyu13UCwFKRUYI8k/s320/misc.+fall+pics+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Using <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/">dictionary.com</a>, she typed in the words </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the way she originally spelled them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When misspelled, it says "no dictionary results" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and will add</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"did you mean _____________?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She loved using the computer to find the correct spelling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Along with the traditional entries, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">there's an option to hear the computer pronounce the word.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQKO2TDuSrMBXM3YsrJnK1zyLE-5lLOC4VOqGFzgrFyqsuTJQl0hUh7LXcXCAMZ7DTqo4u-Dz0tF8Odztmy_hYWtwH24L1Ft-z55xZAXNwd-v5Y761ngr6AA1CBwLR1vv3QvWqLCPWa8/s1600/homeschool+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQKO2TDuSrMBXM3YsrJnK1zyLE-5lLOC4VOqGFzgrFyqsuTJQl0hUh7LXcXCAMZ7DTqo4u-Dz0tF8Odztmy_hYWtwH24L1Ft-z55xZAXNwd-v5Y761ngr6AA1CBwLR1vv3QvWqLCPWa8/s320/homeschool+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scrabble board and tiles were used to spell the words </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for the next day's spelling activity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIww-s39q1KKIxRJCsymG1rbPCDx564WW0dxtMu4vO0e8rH1A9VkaGfekDlgTYBnoIwl6x22D4lObf5x8G6VAkm4muU_giTvqQiFzS3LKFtjDXgr7DoZDPjC09fI_ovKKPwW3VfLpZIwc/s1600/homeschool+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIww-s39q1KKIxRJCsymG1rbPCDx564WW0dxtMu4vO0e8rH1A9VkaGfekDlgTYBnoIwl6x22D4lObf5x8G6VAkm4muU_giTvqQiFzS3LKFtjDXgr7DoZDPjC09fI_ovKKPwW3VfLpZIwc/s320/homeschool+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My son Jon grabbed my camera at this point and said,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Hey Mom, we never get pics of you. You're always taking the pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since you're dressed and lookin' good,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">not that you don't look good every day...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(hmmmm learning to back peddle already, this is good)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">lemme' take your pic."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aw, I love that kid. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also decided this is a very good view for a woman</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">who is conscience about her humongous scar on her neck</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and her growing double chin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not to mention the hair growing on my chin,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but they usually don't show up in pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy1qV7BEc1bBU3rCuRR-9bkMX4VrPQFhJ_qXl7eG_FTdZrmTLUauIXLc52UezvAFaWjE68xqaC4aDtJbuvLCO3lNrA_LcRLz2V5cFNsZ0W9biyBQm_zguRVs9egF4x4w2HCraMj3eo0I/s1600/spelling+quiz+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy1qV7BEc1bBU3rCuRR-9bkMX4VrPQFhJ_qXl7eG_FTdZrmTLUauIXLc52UezvAFaWjE68xqaC4aDtJbuvLCO3lNrA_LcRLz2V5cFNsZ0W9biyBQm_zguRVs9egF4x4w2HCraMj3eo0I/s320/spelling+quiz+001.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The traditional Friday spelling quiz.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How do you spell success?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Momma Mindy's Do It Yerself Spellen Krickulum.</span></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-40625095857878626882011-11-08T23:09:00.000-08:002011-11-08T23:17:07.976-08:00Big Ol' Leaves<div style="text-align: center;">While living in Kansas for seven years,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we picked up a few habits.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A love for<span style="font-size: large;"> basketball</span>, for one.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My husband became a <strong>Duke University</strong> fan,</div><div style="text-align: center;">mostly in opposition to his students</div><div style="text-align: center;">who were ardent Kansas University Jayhawk fans.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We also picked up drinking<span style="font-size: large;"> iced tea</span>, not sweet though.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Although we left in 1994, occasionally a<span style="font-size: large;"> y'all</span> will slip out now and then.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also picked up this strange affinity for <span style="font-size: large;">hedge apples</span>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">although the first time I saw I thought it looked like a tennis ball.<br />
Once I kicked it and nearly broke several toes, I realized</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's NOT as light as a tennis ball.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, the all time, most favoritest thing we brought back from KS-</div><div style="text-align: center;">saying <span style="font-size: x-large;">big ol'!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't catch a fish, you catch a <span style="font-size: large;">big ol' fish.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nobody has a large dog, they have a <span style="font-size: large;">big ol' dawg.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Imagine my surprise in moving to the Pacific Northwest </div><div style="text-align: center;">and seeing my first <a href="http://green.kingcounty.gov/GoNative/Plant.aspx?Act=view&PlantID=1">Big Leaf Maple</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">When the leaves began to fall, I felt like I had to duck.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's no better way to describe these puppies than by calling them<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">big ol' leaves.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some are bigger than a dinner plate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This year, we had to get some</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">big ol'</span> Maple leaves to decorate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had to go for a walk.</div><div style="text-align: center;">one sunny fall day in the beautiful PNW.<br />
(I love Science class!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Beka always has to walk with a wicker basket </div><div style="text-align: center;">hanging gracefully over her arm when we go on nature walks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think she's seen too many Jane Austen movies</div><div style="text-align: center;">to ever live a normal life again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrl4Lc7k3HHM5dLsi_j_zuUqWLdMuVtM2URrrm-v36Gj4TT4RKZ11l0xbmbSXKAGRluHYMIQ32x0XnJkfA1gyYSLVId5sLNhQiUS4fNk4HOaMZCxKtCNCmuuYQg2Z8WsyPzQWsLRbk9so/s1600/misc.+fall+pics+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrl4Lc7k3HHM5dLsi_j_zuUqWLdMuVtM2URrrm-v36Gj4TT4RKZ11l0xbmbSXKAGRluHYMIQ32x0XnJkfA1gyYSLVId5sLNhQiUS4fNk4HOaMZCxKtCNCmuuYQg2Z8WsyPzQWsLRbk9so/s320/misc.+fall+pics+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When we came home, we tucked our finds into our flower press.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My oldest daughter,<a href="http://therolis.blogspot.com/2011/11/family-movie-night.html"> Jana</a>, made this at Bible camp years ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been well loved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwySXpk0h8J3jOj2hh5hCn3mQgbr99D4QOYpvr8sV6T7GxVpwZC1yG8JcwZKRyd2GeEXmtL9bzaEby_3wFsf1f2zQYtD6kjCz4LHD6etw_eE2eRC5ae76lVrvEIATmLcRFnP0sCwWgiRs/s1600/misc.+fall+pics+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwySXpk0h8J3jOj2hh5hCn3mQgbr99D4QOYpvr8sV6T7GxVpwZC1yG8JcwZKRyd2GeEXmtL9bzaEby_3wFsf1f2zQYtD6kjCz4LHD6etw_eE2eRC5ae76lVrvEIATmLcRFnP0sCwWgiRs/s320/misc.+fall+pics+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few days later, they were dry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because my laminating sheets are 81/2 X 11, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had to choose smaller BLM leaves to fit in the laminating pouches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFybLyYcoiGxEkaDc7qu7heLeATb-dmjya6wxH598XxayfYRHksOGNnJky2yhC9FUoev1xZh5b2ukmHBoxOX0Fy7FMSnYF75qyNwXSmPVIJruVbYyoy7rzJd13jNSqXMdfcY-NDPy_6o/s1600/misc.+fall+pics+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFybLyYcoiGxEkaDc7qu7heLeATb-dmjya6wxH598XxayfYRHksOGNnJky2yhC9FUoev1xZh5b2ukmHBoxOX0Fy7FMSnYF75qyNwXSmPVIJruVbYyoy7rzJd13jNSqXMdfcY-NDPy_6o/s320/misc.+fall+pics+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hot off the press!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzX0x6VuT4BlSVri6jBcIiJbEJsYroSDcy38-weNZFYQ1SbliZ4FSFl3F2soNgrA7WlYswaJhnRCHfM9NkwUDQHLZlFp5A9rfQ-9g-VB6TpRPiyCbXFcoDAQ6FHGYw0OsVs4qd6VZKAs/s1600/D60+first+batch+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzX0x6VuT4BlSVri6jBcIiJbEJsYroSDcy38-weNZFYQ1SbliZ4FSFl3F2soNgrA7WlYswaJhnRCHfM9NkwUDQHLZlFp5A9rfQ-9g-VB6TpRPiyCbXFcoDAQ6FHGYw0OsVs4qd6VZKAs/s320/D60+first+batch+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once I trimmed around the edges,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they were ready to add some color to my</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">big ol' Fall mantle.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoOGTPjEqF-Tn9-76wZkRm0z87_96JkkfoSPz5MDUY8Pyw5_7vV0FT82iQADrsX2286XW63-2DwWykMEeqLaxzp4RZv9YEwwy3TmqWV3MAWHHE-0RcHV_3azQHlQq10Jo85eJAlTCt6w/s1600/D60+first+batch+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoOGTPjEqF-Tn9-76wZkRm0z87_96JkkfoSPz5MDUY8Pyw5_7vV0FT82iQADrsX2286XW63-2DwWykMEeqLaxzp4RZv9YEwwy3TmqWV3MAWHHE-0RcHV_3azQHlQq10Jo85eJAlTCt6w/s320/D60+first+batch+034.JPG" width="242" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Some of the leaves I let dry crinkly</div>to add some texture and interest to the display.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_4hNIljaYsYX8AuCyBfSNot0jT3haTZyUmZLHqlWHHH1sUfvg35oAzpcmsSkxjn36D7zCkum5cKaQpgPks8UJjPAtFaKS-d4Hmdg-i6MC0e5TeZC7F3GBo_WSSzZzNrgvtd75zbBsDg/s1600/D60+first+batch+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_4hNIljaYsYX8AuCyBfSNot0jT3haTZyUmZLHqlWHHH1sUfvg35oAzpcmsSkxjn36D7zCkum5cKaQpgPks8UJjPAtFaKS-d4Hmdg-i6MC0e5TeZC7F3GBo_WSSzZzNrgvtd75zbBsDg/s320/D60+first+batch+030.JPG" width="202" /></a> <br />
Remember, these aren't the <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">biggestbig ol'</span> Big Leaf Maple leaves,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">these are just the punks that could fit in my laminator.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Still dreaming about how to </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">flatten and laminate the </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">biggest <span style="font-size: large;">big ol'</span> BLM leaves!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I'm thinking this week I'll pick some more <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">big ol'</span> Big Leaf Maple leaves.<br />
I think my <span style="font-size: large;">big ol'</span> sister, Laurie, ya'll know, <br />
the ones that lives down in Kansas,<br />
would like to decorate this fall with some <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">big ol'</span> laminated leaves.<br />
<br />
Maybe, she'll be so happy with her<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">big ol'</span> older sister,<br />
she'll send me a box of hedge apples.<br />
Of course, I'll use them for display,<br />
not soccer practice.<br />
<br />
<br />
**********<br />
If you don't have access to laminating,<br />
my sister in law dried her leaves,<br />
dipped them in melted paraffin,<br />
then let them air dry.<br />
<br />
For generations, people ironed leaves between<br />
waxed paper.<br />
<br />
Dried leaves can be modge-podged onto <br />
paper mache pumpins, glass jars,<br />
and anything else your heart desires.<br />
<br />
The best part about decorating with leaves?<br />
They're free!<br />
***********</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-38065199358000346332011-11-01T23:32:00.000-07:002011-11-01T23:32:10.952-07:00Got Hunger?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Health is a required subject,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but it's too easy to view it merely as a text book</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and not a way of life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How the kids implement what they've read</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">about nutrition, exercise and personal care</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">is more important than how they answer the questions</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">at the end of each section.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After reading about the food groups and choosing a healthy snack,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beka was determined to put it into practice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXvxyY5RcuemCUPEqm08TPJyt5bZorr1sNrv3RSdxghA_-boTKdsfw2zB_KfGfTYVjdfnoyPaibUjTAqH5YRiolKqLK1Jba-CA5UYiVrjxKO3XN9Slpfc0dho91DyLw6nTGvi9uCIDas/s1600/little+house+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXvxyY5RcuemCUPEqm08TPJyt5bZorr1sNrv3RSdxghA_-boTKdsfw2zB_KfGfTYVjdfnoyPaibUjTAqH5YRiolKqLK1Jba-CA5UYiVrjxKO3XN9Slpfc0dho91DyLw6nTGvi9uCIDas/s320/little+house+004.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Think she made a good decision for snack time?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes when learning isn't going well,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it's important to re-evaluate basic needs of students</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and the teacher.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few times, I thought the kids were being lazy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or disobedient in their school work,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but the truth was,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they were just hungry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't used to serve snacks </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">because I really wanted the kids to eat their meals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However, if I hadn't served a filling, nutritional meal,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it didn't last.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myfooddiary.com/resources/ask_the_expert/hungry_after_breakfast.asp">Breakfast</a>, especially, should be healthy,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">including a protein which stays with them longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To ensure the daily requirement of fruits and veggies are eaten,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they need to be served with every meal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hunger can cause dizziness or lightheadedness,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">irratibility, agitation and a lack of concentration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sound like your kids?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If your kids are hungry, unless your breath smells like French fries,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they aren't going to be able to concentrate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I always wanted to push on and just finish up what we were working on</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and then eat lunch, but too late I realized that they could do the work</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">more quickly if they weren't hungry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's hard to be the mommy, the teacher and the chef,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but to make your homeschooling adventure more successful,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you have to keep all three plates full at the same time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">**********</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Speaking of plates, the United States Department of Agriculture</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">has changed their food pyramid </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/images/MyPlateImages/spanish/MiPlato_green-300x273.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> to a<a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/"> plate.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They haven't updated all their kid and teacher resources,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but their site still contains a lot of helpful information</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for your classroom/kitchen.</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-23233384380556000062011-10-18T20:19:00.000-07:002011-10-18T20:19:24.284-07:00Flower Power Patterns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The second day we were using </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://hometeachedmommamindy.blogspot.com/2011/10/when-you-look-back-to-your-childhood.html">Flower Power</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to conquer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Multiplication Facts,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we discovered another benefit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6__V7RiHEGxS9hA9HlQ4Rh0z_0ecXvxMlSKaHyn7OZOOIsYufPneqlRkcTWx5RUYMoYrDU3AvubWvWUhlVsya4st1QBkNsmlbo8Kh-02Bru2F0gcPsbw3ctCgyXC1GKSgkGLTx-x4kT8/s1600/flower+power+patterns+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6__V7RiHEGxS9hA9HlQ4Rh0z_0ecXvxMlSKaHyn7OZOOIsYufPneqlRkcTWx5RUYMoYrDU3AvubWvWUhlVsya4st1QBkNsmlbo8Kh-02Bru2F0gcPsbw3ctCgyXC1GKSgkGLTx-x4kT8/s320/flower+power+patterns+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice the amazing patterning of numbers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While counting by 4's, the ones digits will follow this pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">0-4-8-2-6</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By understanding patterns of numbers,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you also can recognize if your answer is correct.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The flower s were fun to make,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">'cuz you know I love me some cut and paste,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but I knew they were successful when Beka asked today,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Mom, can I work on my 4's multiplication?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yea, sweet.</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-66758355295551891002011-10-17T23:50:00.000-07:002011-10-17T23:53:03.088-07:00Flower Power<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When you look back to your childhood memories,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">is learning your </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">multiplication facts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">one of your favorite memories?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yea, me neither.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When Rebekah had to start learning the facts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in second grade,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I fussed a little.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>"It's too early!</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>I didn't learn them until the end of third grade!"</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the beginning of third grade, Beka and I were back to the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">multiplication tables.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used flashcards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used speed drills.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used the chalk board.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used the marker board.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It still wasn't working.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had to pull out all the stops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't major in Cut and Paste for no reason,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love me some cutting and pasting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While Rebekah was working on the math worksheet,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I began crafting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvarWDnGoNKPm2-mlBd3A47AYKGJWw_IIhdWSGlK-i84RZW3Ye0EZTOVNZaDmqjCQcnTqG9wnl-rNZ98hjtPo7Mo413bwDbqimAdI7LdTpqsQ6xhNe-lesQLygbXRd9QDHfw0oFuUZYo/s1600/Flowers+for+Multiplication+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvarWDnGoNKPm2-mlBd3A47AYKGJWw_IIhdWSGlK-i84RZW3Ye0EZTOVNZaDmqjCQcnTqG9wnl-rNZ98hjtPo7Mo413bwDbqimAdI7LdTpqsQ6xhNe-lesQLygbXRd9QDHfw0oFuUZYo/s320/Flowers+for+Multiplication+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thirteen little claypots were fitted with a green flower foam.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since I found a shoebox full of these beauties for $2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">at a thrift store, it made the idea affordable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I love a good deal!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The flowers could also be tucked into wooden spools,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">paper flower pots glued into a file folder</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or just lined up on the floor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do what's easiest, fastest and/or cheapest for you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you're starting out homeschooling,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you might want to make them super fancy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you're on your last child, like I am,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you might want to tone the project down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBy6v-V1PUc4kXtCwIzUVTOQgJW2gfwjWJOcSXnJiEnGrmwjvuV0iq6Cl5V0lX1FOHi_BtzJ8t5XPtJXWBTKBlVvIRuvTa3ZyCfQvD5I0OF_nCxGUr6-9C9hR4YDg22rZoMcatycUdAo/s1600/Flowers+for+Multiplication+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBy6v-V1PUc4kXtCwIzUVTOQgJW2gfwjWJOcSXnJiEnGrmwjvuV0iq6Cl5V0lX1FOHi_BtzJ8t5XPtJXWBTKBlVvIRuvTa3ZyCfQvD5I0OF_nCxGUr6-9C9hR4YDg22rZoMcatycUdAo/s320/Flowers+for+Multiplication+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These bags of flowers and circles were in my scrap drawer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Recognize them?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used them to decorate for Grace's graduation last May.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First I <a href="http://mommamindy.blogspot.com/2011/06/waste-not-want-not.html">cut them</a>,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">then I made a <a href="http://mommamindy.blogspot.com/2011/07/flowers-that-fade.html">garland and cupcake picks</a>,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">then I glued them on little <a href="http://mommamindy.blogspot.com/2011/07/think-inside-box.html">Chinese take-out boxes</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because I waste not, want not,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had extra flowers I didn't waste, and I wanted,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so I was able to make a quick craft out of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3qLN9iOivkZYQUb9XyYB676AZx1Wcy7nN-TdMsoCH4hHyykf1fdQoQD32XBofO-C6SWDqNb6tB3k55fYoPK8uH46qKZUsVYDtNlxYia7fcVc_CA8MOjPCJGxEdJbpSBctlYdmhrsbUA/s1600/Flowers+for+Multiplication+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3qLN9iOivkZYQUb9XyYB676AZx1Wcy7nN-TdMsoCH4hHyykf1fdQoQD32XBofO-C6SWDqNb6tB3k55fYoPK8uH46qKZUsVYDtNlxYia7fcVc_CA8MOjPCJGxEdJbpSBctlYdmhrsbUA/s320/Flowers+for+Multiplication+008.JPG" width="162" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> These flat wooden picks were bought two years ago,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">when I first birthed the idea of flower manipulatives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just never got around to doing anything with them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Better late than never.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeJAMEHKa8aMEkwagLB41DymUNHkMABfeeAyuSjnG5KyVmRJCGeyrN8edRoDi29im4jKsj77jJC8UAB_-Vh8gZhbv-4viB8I2rnWlnlG9kF6AMpbJLmPlt9TKgDJ70OurHIARaVcu1-4/s1600/Flowers+for+Multiplication+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeJAMEHKa8aMEkwagLB41DymUNHkMABfeeAyuSjnG5KyVmRJCGeyrN8edRoDi29im4jKsj77jJC8UAB_-Vh8gZhbv-4viB8I2rnWlnlG9kF6AMpbJLmPlt9TKgDJ70OurHIARaVcu1-4/s320/Flowers+for+Multiplication+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A commercial break to show you my dirty dining room floor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That stuff will most likely be there tomorrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Except for the M&M.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I heard someone cry out in delight with the find</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and they promptly ate it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The guilty shall remain nameless because I know you're totally grossed out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Your family might have the 5 second rule,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we have about a 5 hour rule.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK, I'll be honest, it's a 5 day rule.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yea, yer' right, it's really like 5 months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hey, candy is candy!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpTFZD_wmRwq3Ua80DGgoQSQLlabV9I9CEmpT8xLKxq1Y-ssBCi2c_LWVCUtInaW1_XH8-7ix78czrOtjWlZLnotZdoL0P9NHP12gQ9_1FNQN2dKTjOUNKeNQu9zBOXw-AMDif9oDMl8/s1600/Flowers+for+Multiplication+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpTFZD_wmRwq3Ua80DGgoQSQLlabV9I9CEmpT8xLKxq1Y-ssBCi2c_LWVCUtInaW1_XH8-7ix78czrOtjWlZLnotZdoL0P9NHP12gQ9_1FNQN2dKTjOUNKeNQu9zBOXw-AMDif9oDMl8/s320/Flowers+for+Multiplication+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first set of flowers are for counting by 4's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember how Skipper helped us <a href="http://hometeachedmommamindy.blogspot.com/2011/10/dont-skip-skip-counting-let-skipper.html">skip count?</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a skill crucial to learning multiplication facts.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCIXplDLkBA3sn5syTZXvgdXx1WLxvHzhFo1xMCchT8arkujNbONMEfz-t9svSNbnfYmLXhgtiOkRAcvww0UfVSNquZQaQoWRzQprqOSUSTITIYG4WRXXDkzAONVjvbt_wmgjNXNPyX8/s1600/Flowers+for+Multiplication+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCIXplDLkBA3sn5syTZXvgdXx1WLxvHzhFo1xMCchT8arkujNbONMEfz-t9svSNbnfYmLXhgtiOkRAcvww0UfVSNquZQaQoWRzQprqOSUSTITIYG4WRXXDkzAONVjvbt_wmgjNXNPyX8/s320/Flowers+for+Multiplication+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another set of flowers became the math facts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't use a particular color pattern,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">kids can pick up on stuff like that and match answers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">according to patterns, not the answers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you're an OCD Type A person,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it might drive you crazy to not have the pattern</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">yellow, purple, red, yellow, purple, red.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">C'mon, loosen your rubber bands, girlfriend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's about learning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4-XeioqfpmDyaX34P-aK-WWQWxTnvkG8ltxTlB0qcsZS20clgj9k84mNf7fxgY4RYBlZeFqu8S6RI_p0FtD0QqaaR2hbRwSkB8YqER59v10s92WhMXlifhDGFz9A-ccmvVatYI4rAM4/s1600/Flowers+for+Multiplication+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4-XeioqfpmDyaX34P-aK-WWQWxTnvkG8ltxTlB0qcsZS20clgj9k84mNf7fxgY4RYBlZeFqu8S6RI_p0FtD0QqaaR2hbRwSkB8YqER59v10s92WhMXlifhDGFz9A-ccmvVatYI4rAM4/s320/Flowers+for+Multiplication+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Calligraphy pens work great when I really don't have time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to fuss with fancy lettering,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or the money to buy many packages of number stickers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_alhUxZZMkEsKmyHPrRzrz3guiE2qMOKsGvBQGcZ0an5KHuJRUdc3jFZBRm9oUszaf3ZVIsKcm589ndneK3xToanguTqe4YDjfyezC8yPFuHVV3cMGqYVMt7qltyisYa_ySt3ySFUUM/s1600/Flowers+for+Multiplication+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_alhUxZZMkEsKmyHPrRzrz3guiE2qMOKsGvBQGcZ0an5KHuJRUdc3jFZBRm9oUszaf3ZVIsKcm589ndneK3xToanguTqe4YDjfyezC8yPFuHVV3cMGqYVMt7qltyisYa_ySt3ySFUUM/s320/Flowers+for+Multiplication+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As soon as I had them glued together,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rebekah started matching flowers in the little flower pots.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRLBVuf0ovNl6-pkjhyphenhyphena2SHuVZpKIkL14xD5DducnfqBamIuBcUMGlS1Wpcz2uGH__H70VqGWew6vSFsZABbjwMnfejeJzqM4hI78hWS7uPXeS8wOkOwzlx0SF-VWS3i4BLVqIwjbMj0/s1600/Flowers+for+Multiplication+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRLBVuf0ovNl6-pkjhyphenhyphena2SHuVZpKIkL14xD5DducnfqBamIuBcUMGlS1Wpcz2uGH__H70VqGWew6vSFsZABbjwMnfejeJzqM4hI78hWS7uPXeS8wOkOwzlx0SF-VWS3i4BLVqIwjbMj0/s320/Flowers+for+Multiplication+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lined up along the buffet in the dining room,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they made a bright spot in math class.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*****</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are a lot of improvements that could be done:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-bright trim along the top edge of the flower pot</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-spanish moss to cover up the foam</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-paint the wooden stems green</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-add leaves to the stalks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*****</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Flowers can be made for each number family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*****</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Flowers can be made to show all the math facts with the same product.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>24</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1x24</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2x12</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3x8</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">4x6</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">6x4</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">8x3</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">12x2</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">24x1</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*****</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Number flowers could be used to separate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">even from odd</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">numbers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*****</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have a feeling this project could impact our math class.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">just maybe,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">she'll learn her</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">multiplication facts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by heart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And maybe,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">just maybe,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">someday learning her</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">multiplication facts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">will be one of her fondest memories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-34193426969749732342011-10-10T20:51:00.000-07:002011-10-10T20:51:12.195-07:00Continuing the Science Shelf Tradition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last year I started the tradition of a</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><a href="http://hometeachedmommamindy.blogspot.com/2010/10/science-shelf.html"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Science Shelf.</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Go ahead, click on the link, I know you wanna'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, that shelf got hijacked for a Christmas project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been buying little plastic vintage things for a few years,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and I finally had enough to fill the spaces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The stuff is down on my craft counter,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">waiting for the magical slot of time to appear</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so I can complete the project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Any hoo -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This Science project was started partly because through the years</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've developed a personal aversion</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to reading a few pages and answering a few questions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">boring</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If the teacher is bored, the kids are bored.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Abeka Science book is good,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but I needed to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">touch,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">smell, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">see,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">hear,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">and taste,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Science.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But it really started when I was diagnosed with cancer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> and Rebekahn was barely two years old.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For physical and mental health issues,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we began taking walks around the neighborhood,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">watching ants,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">smelling flowers,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">picking up pine cones,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">enjoying the wonderful world the Lord created,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and bringing home treasures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I finally figured out an attractive way to display our precious finds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubvYga1TsdTWNn0ibbeMZh0S8silsM76ijxWwSbZ28JE4UM5TVMP9yh0QmfcHr5E1s0XqE2nTWyScVI3pP1jxrEtVoL6yZPpFaF3g34l0eGf3z4p7yVKavk9qv-uheModROxLVqNUOPo/s1600/school+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubvYga1TsdTWNn0ibbeMZh0S8silsM76ijxWwSbZ28JE4UM5TVMP9yh0QmfcHr5E1s0XqE2nTWyScVI3pP1jxrEtVoL6yZPpFaF3g34l0eGf3z4p7yVKavk9qv-uheModROxLVqNUOPo/s320/school+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>(click on pic to enlarge, if you wanna')</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year I found a new shelf at a garage sale.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bottle on the left filled with green is a simple experiment,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the oil and water one, with a few random cute things floating </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in the water for good measure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVX95eT5vIe3qTvfj1sGERVez-SxGgryz5rt5fjL6pwUA9wcTu303ho_N0jqnADGKSVxpe7-KRU_0IjWQlD9PRZ4E75oCC3zT3zUp9g6ZAk6PcWcXnqSs_BribmxN4ypv6ncENuxpk9A/s1600/stuff+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVX95eT5vIe3qTvfj1sGERVez-SxGgryz5rt5fjL6pwUA9wcTu303ho_N0jqnADGKSVxpe7-KRU_0IjWQlD9PRZ4E75oCC3zT3zUp9g6ZAk6PcWcXnqSs_BribmxN4ypv6ncENuxpk9A/s320/stuff+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Didja' know self proclaimed Science Geeks,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">like to do Science projects during a play date?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHcpb89syJU8iyFivn1s8At3xWd8m1mYwfFi5t2w4Li-BwbAC4YhP9Mu_yiaKxuxG_f9vZ9ejNQ-aUtLu7IVgjIAFTFtDkCTmPnEHZhFakWLqu5aPf82cqOu4DIRlssZkndAxAleaWBc/s1600/stuff+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHcpb89syJU8iyFivn1s8At3xWd8m1mYwfFi5t2w4Li-BwbAC4YhP9Mu_yiaKxuxG_f9vZ9ejNQ-aUtLu7IVgjIAFTFtDkCTmPnEHZhFakWLqu5aPf82cqOu4DIRlssZkndAxAleaWBc/s320/stuff+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Amazing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Children.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c2x-FQh7T8qTBDNrtILHRaPiCvcYcuYz5iESaXR12EWoxzicWAapjfBIQp_UFA0Y426f293Gr6Ua90QoumuSNpXBMBT73AtU_0_kRlGG0S_oLp-8bvXac4T-POSBe9JY1vjzGUIAr88/s1600/school+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="109" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c2x-FQh7T8qTBDNrtILHRaPiCvcYcuYz5iESaXR12EWoxzicWAapjfBIQp_UFA0Y426f293Gr6Ua90QoumuSNpXBMBT73AtU_0_kRlGG0S_oLp-8bvXac4T-POSBe9JY1vjzGUIAr88/s320/school+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I got ambitious and spray painted the Scrabble tile holders black.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yea, I'm matchy-matchy like that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The dishes may be piled high, your feet may stick to my floor,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but I'm doing something irrelevant because I want it to match.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The cool wood chips are from a beaver.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">During a nature walk on a trail along the river,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we found a tree a beaver was in the process of chopping down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We brought home a few chewed slivers for a souvenir.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxgMHGArB6RZzmdibnFSu_gd8J-sKteFl8k09MYlBaqjFrCfxd73b6zLdMUSFFZPjmNKKOYUuScvI1s9kD7FyUJ6Kf1WSN1iY25rFcyZiDGQdxj-0uN-yd0JGB2am2yMk2PeXFVenWzA/s1600/school+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxgMHGArB6RZzmdibnFSu_gd8J-sKteFl8k09MYlBaqjFrCfxd73b6zLdMUSFFZPjmNKKOYUuScvI1s9kD7FyUJ6Kf1WSN1iY25rFcyZiDGQdxj-0uN-yd0JGB2am2yMk2PeXFVenWzA/s320/school+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> See this beauty?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some snake left its outer layer on a rock in Montana</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and I <span style="font-size: large;">had to</span> bring them both home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rebekah wasn't too happy about being "this" Science geeky,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">she told me politely she prefers plant science.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But, the shelf awaits our adventure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When the PNW brings us a sunbreak, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we'll grab a wicker basket,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">maybe load up our<a href="http://mommamindy.blogspot.com/2011/09/so-i-bought-bikini.html"> monkies</a> in the stroller,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and take off to </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">explore and experience </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Science.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The shelf will temporarily display our treasures,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">our minds will contain the knowledge,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but our hearts will always cherish the memories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-39627221108550575912011-10-03T23:07:00.000-07:002011-10-03T23:09:13.054-07:00Don't Skip Skip Counting, Let Skipper Skip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Skip Counting</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> is a long, lost skill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When modern educators thought rote drills were too monotonous, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">boring and unproductive,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they stopped having the kids chant in class,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2-4-6-8-10-12...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3-6-9-12-15-18...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The multiplication tables weren't chanted, either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1x7=7</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2x7=14</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3x7=21</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">4x7=28</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They even came up for a name for it...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Drill and Kill."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can research all the arguments. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They use a lotta' big words and catch phrases I didn't understand,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but I know this,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">some things have to be repeated over and over to be learned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How many times have you told your kids to flush the toilet?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How many times do you go in a find a toilet full of...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">well...um....ah... you find the toilet is unflushed?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My point exactly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Repetition is good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anything valuable has to repeated over and over to get through their</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strike>knuckleheads,</strike> <strike>peabrains,</strike> <strike>noggins,</strike></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">their precious little minds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Skip counting is valuable in addition and multiplication.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jolanthe from </span><a href="http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Homeschool Creations</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">is an amazing teaching mommy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Generous, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She offers many, many free printables and ideas to make your</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">teaching rock.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She inspires me so much I think I wanna' be her when I grow up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Start by printing out her </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com/2010/03/skip-counting-charts-from-2-to-12.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Skip Counting Charts.</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you do this, drop a comment and thank her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did I tell you how amazing she is?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2,700 followers think so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I put mine in clear page protectors in a binder,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but they could also be laminated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks to Jolanthe blogging about a great deal on a laminator,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got one for Christmas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back to <span style="font-size: large;">Skip Counting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's where my little touch comes in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember how I love toys?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I really, really, really love toys.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just like a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hometeachedmommamindy.blogspot.com/2011/04/playing-in-math-class.html">toys</a> make any lesson better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thought we needed Skipper to help us <span style="font-size: large;">Skip Count.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlalaf33U-ULEK6ri_F7nGhxB1KmZSeJ3FN7j8hq3fx_UTuyg-WsHIYaWn7IPYeKF-qjvwv-K1VAo53-pPJCSHUd4tQ6osu-oK_SEit7ooL1Qwg-HHIYjgzYFYFslSuLfCGqLGXxmHyc0/s1600/school+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlalaf33U-ULEK6ri_F7nGhxB1KmZSeJ3FN7j8hq3fx_UTuyg-WsHIYaWn7IPYeKF-qjvwv-K1VAo53-pPJCSHUd4tQ6osu-oK_SEit7ooL1Qwg-HHIYjgzYFYFslSuLfCGqLGXxmHyc0/s320/school+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since we're trying to learn the 3's in multiplication,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we hopped through the list a few times,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">counting out loud.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, we began working on the facts, beginning with Skipper on zero.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If I said,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 x 3</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Skipper hopped twice up to the six.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made Rebekah repeat the problem and the product,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">yea, that would be the answer in multiplication.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_cjgBqE0L7RpVHI5yMjJGaiBK3A_dnCaZbiiC3HGM0PX7KVLYv7dYfmFnjY34RBv_esIqYG_gF_BLjCvylgAA-vbl5cxC2w5VpZrdRQYYszjxoDexYSrMjPEXgEaD3fu2JoiAKC4i30/s1600/school+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_cjgBqE0L7RpVHI5yMjJGaiBK3A_dnCaZbiiC3HGM0PX7KVLYv7dYfmFnjY34RBv_esIqYG_gF_BLjCvylgAA-vbl5cxC2w5VpZrdRQYYszjxoDexYSrMjPEXgEaD3fu2JoiAKC4i30/s320/school+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Skipper landed on 27. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Quick...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">what math fact did I call out?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yea, yer' so smart, 3 x 9.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hzo19QHtSImDBEuDegcMyi_aXG2pSwqvfkDibFf3fOd3eUWjP0ni2W438frbAZKmGpgLHxxmitMNyPTbvAWk1Jb3iCNaTKlF3kgJBNItRS4sVcT1V5UjEE_LQfKSXZjj__FGZGkcKgg/s1600/school+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hzo19QHtSImDBEuDegcMyi_aXG2pSwqvfkDibFf3fOd3eUWjP0ni2W438frbAZKmGpgLHxxmitMNyPTbvAWk1Jb3iCNaTKlF3kgJBNItRS4sVcT1V5UjEE_LQfKSXZjj__FGZGkcKgg/s320/school+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3 x 4 = 12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yea! Got another one right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then you introduce the <a href="http://hometeachedmommamindy.blogspot.com/2010/05/building-tens-family-with-duplos.html">commutative property</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If 3x4 = 12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">then</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4x3=12.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a two 'fer one kinda' deal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You memorize a lot less facts when you understand this concept.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, just when I was really patting myself on the back about</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">our amazing math lesson I had presented and the blog I was gunna' write</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Skip Counting With Skipper </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rebekah said,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"But, Mom, this doll's name is Stacie."</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-860761432659201202011-09-26T22:40:00.000-07:002011-09-26T22:47:53.650-07:00Rhyme Time is a Fine Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes, the reasons I love to homeschool are simple.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's not great philosophical or academic reasons</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I could spew off a soap box.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love being with my kids.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I also love being there for those amazing moments</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of growth and enthusiasm when they conquer a new skill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Imagine if I never saw the worksheet below,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and never had that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">AAH - HA!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">moment because this worksheet was completed then shoved</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to the bottom of a desk or lost on the bus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg0kYsntXC383HqmuQuqpXYDQijbITrvtZ7_2tUPi8fdrkEwuo6tsJemQFcZblmsAPoI3l5TDgesYz7HPNspjCBcvLq3_KLEKwn5MTqt-7tKCJP-i-Cz90b07-8vRW_24T3wUqFS1I_c/s1600/Beka%2527s+Poetry+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg0kYsntXC383HqmuQuqpXYDQijbITrvtZ7_2tUPi8fdrkEwuo6tsJemQFcZblmsAPoI3l5TDgesYz7HPNspjCBcvLq3_KLEKwn5MTqt-7tKCJP-i-Cz90b07-8vRW_24T3wUqFS1I_c/s320/Beka%2527s+Poetry+001.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Click to enlarge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know ya' really want to read this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, my daughter discovered the word</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">heart</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">rhymes with the word</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">fart.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's truly moments like these make me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">cherish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my decision to homeschool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Teaching is my delight.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>I teach with all my might.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>My children are outta' sight,</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Even when they bite.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>I really like to write</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>But my poetry is a fright.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Speaking of rhyming,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Write Express offers a free online <a href="http://www.rhymer.com/">rhyming dictionary.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's another one from Ken Nesbitt's</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.poetry4kids.com/modules.php?name=Rhymes">Poetry4Kids.com</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you're one of those cool, younger moms who </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">use their thumbs to rule the world,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">there's even a free app to download.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kids love rhyming when it's fun,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and shoving a worksheet in front of them first, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">isn't fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like to entice them with a reading from</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jack Prelutsky first.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I <a href="http://mommamindy.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-kid-messing-with-moses-in-kitchen.html">blogged</a> that I like to turn their </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">knee-jerk negative reaction into a knee-slap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When they learn that poetry and rhyming</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">can be ridiculously fun,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">then you bring on those boring worksheets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, did I call them boring?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0c6oHRsaWUqUNGG0vs_MtnHSRGbLuo6kk_2ChKHMq5ZdNGw9nOd2cIHvlYUheZLM3wBinbjvDN21O7VW7FL6uw6vxZPa1CYP1VgIf6XfjEa4nrXinWQWCeSGkOng5bJLaz5J5tH3asMM/s1600/Don%2527t+Mess+With+Moses+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0c6oHRsaWUqUNGG0vs_MtnHSRGbLuo6kk_2ChKHMq5ZdNGw9nOd2cIHvlYUheZLM3wBinbjvDN21O7VW7FL6uw6vxZPa1CYP1VgIf6XfjEa4nrXinWQWCeSGkOng5bJLaz5J5tH3asMM/s320/Don%2527t+Mess+With+Moses+001.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Imagine my excitement when a local writer,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=marty%20nystrom&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amarty%20nystrom&page=1">Marty Nystrom</a>, wrote two poetry books, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">one for the Old Testament and one for the New Testament.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A versatile writer, you know him best as author of</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU6Igp9uIYI">As the Deer</a>" and many other contemporary worship songs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once while reading this aloud to Rebekah,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">she giggled and said, "Mom, he has boys, right?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yea, he writes as a Christian, a poet, and a Dad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Reading silly poetry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and giggling with my little girl,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">is just one more reason why</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love homeschooling.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-58553209687672642972011-09-13T11:13:00.000-07:002011-09-13T11:13:37.790-07:00On Your Mark....<div style="text-align: center;">...Get Set....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">GO!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kids love to line up elbow to elbow, </div><div style="text-align: center;">their rubber-soled shoes pointing to an inevitable victory,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and dash forward with the final command~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">GO!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Young kids think they're going to win every race they enter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They challenge their older sibling,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and think they're going to win.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They challenge their dad,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and think they're going to win.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They aren't mature enough to understand when they <span style="font-size: large;">do </span>win,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's because Daddy lets them win. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As they age,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they understand the competition,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they understand their limitations,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and they realistically know they might not win every race.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, the diligent racers still put their foot forward,</div><div style="text-align: center;">crouch down, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and listen for that command</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">GO!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I first lined up for the race of homeschooling,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was confident I was going to win.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My enthusiasm and my excitement knew no boundaries.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't love school supplies?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Coloring?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cutting?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Reading?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was thrilled to be doing</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">what I loved</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">with </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">whom </span><span style="font-size: large;">I loved.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I first heard the starting gun,<br />
I took off sprinting.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The supplies and books had already been purchased,</div><div style="text-align: center;">special snacks and meals prepared,</div><div style="text-align: center;">everything was waiting for that exiting occasion~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">the </span><span style="font-size: large;">first day of school.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was surprised to discover what I thought was going to be a sprint,</div><div style="text-align: center;">turned out to be the hurdles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Through the years, my race has been interrupted by</div><div style="text-align: center;">by </div><div style="text-align: center;">floods,</div><div style="text-align: center;">books on backorder,</div><div style="text-align: center;">fires,</div><div style="text-align: center;">company,</div><div style="text-align: center;">power outages,</div><div style="text-align: center;">blizzards,</div><div style="text-align: center;">deaths,</div><div style="text-align: center;">moves,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and my personal battle with cancer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I first put my foot on that starting line,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had no idea how hard it sometimes would be </div><div style="text-align: center;">to see the finish line ahead of me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, I always kept my rubber-soled shoes pointing forward.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/LKhkvSRQZYo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">It wasn't always pretty, but I always finished,<br />
and I've learned to count<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">finishing</span><br />
as <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">winning.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">This year, I don't think I was even at the starting line when the gun went off.<br />
<br />
Like my kids, I just didn't want summer to end.<br />
<br />
But, like most veterans, <br />
I now understand the competition and<br />
I now understand my limitations.<br />
<br />
I've learned what has to be done ahead of time,<br />
and what can be done as you go.<br />
I've learned that anxiety and frustration breed faster in a home <br />
than all the dust bunnies in my corners.<br />
I've learned that the most important thing about this race,<br />
is to be thrilled to be doing<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">what I love</span><br />
with <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">whom I love.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Ya' know what? <br />
<br />
<br />
Once the race started again this year,<br />
I was a little kid all over again.<br />
<br />
My rubber-soled shoes are pointing to an inevitable victory,<br />
<br />
I'm convinced I'm gunna' win.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-27740899590209731712011-04-27T21:44:00.000-07:002011-04-27T22:10:59.854-07:00Bear Necessities of Rounding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Counting Bears have been a bear necessity for our home school.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember eyeing them in Wal-mart, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">waiting for the day I could afford them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I found another set at a garage sale,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was ecstatic. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It felt better than that dream</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">of picking up money in the streets,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">cuz this was real. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Doesn't take much to make the </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Momma of home-teached kids happy,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">does it?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I said that on purpose - remember the name of my blog?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Any-hoo, we were trying to learn the </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">concept of rounding to the nearest ten.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As always, the first time a concept can be introduced, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it can be confusing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First time mastery brings confidence and enjoyment to any subject.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pulled out my pile of tricks from overstuffed and underorganized shelves and got to work.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLSU3VYd_iT6YDdc1ikuqgX6t9oFsIfAHUn9VYYhgX_RcG7j2XOxJ9r18pQ6Sx7TssiNgSbpo4304ijl7sBuScGj5Lrlw5IAqVLiaPvtxUybmJ27BJJ56fiCgqBzuP5yWECS1EKbgxwg/s1600/Tea+party+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLSU3VYd_iT6YDdc1ikuqgX6t9oFsIfAHUn9VYYhgX_RcG7j2XOxJ9r18pQ6Sx7TssiNgSbpo4304ijl7sBuScGj5Lrlw5IAqVLiaPvtxUybmJ27BJJ56fiCgqBzuP5yWECS1EKbgxwg/s320/Tea+party+019.JPG" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We started with the laminated number line that goes from <span style="font-size: large;">1-100.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A small bear was placed on the number <span style="font-size: large;">18</span>, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the number we needed to round.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikODNIxG3uixnA0ea5k5qIKQHxPRktU8CCYdgQ7S0xj7SVglgpn9coVGAJNPuHAA_Ji9BW3qMzvYEj5RUotSZGMEWgVJzE2wKp75a12na5QidsRMZSpZSQO4XjUutiZRnMmsTNlwYzER8/s1600/Tea+party+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikODNIxG3uixnA0ea5k5qIKQHxPRktU8CCYdgQ7S0xj7SVglgpn9coVGAJNPuHAA_Ji9BW3qMzvYEj5RUotSZGMEWgVJzE2wKp75a12na5QidsRMZSpZSQO4XjUutiZRnMmsTNlwYzER8/s320/Tea+party+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rebekah had to tell me the two tens her number was between,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in this case<span style="font-size: large;"> 10</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">20.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Large bears were placed on the tens.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If your items aren't different sizes, you could differentiate with colors.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJvtzY1QzcDFAYhzfYqBUmvKMG-Th38p8TlpbX-iviEzT5SS_-kVE7YiYoJ7_N3i9ieHyGt28_GX_xz17uQdHWE5v_Pnvt9Q1fYzjxqUSziraex34tFrNbdJAgc_Fwu0VnTu433R9his/s1600/Tea+party+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJvtzY1QzcDFAYhzfYqBUmvKMG-Th38p8TlpbX-iviEzT5SS_-kVE7YiYoJ7_N3i9ieHyGt28_GX_xz17uQdHWE5v_Pnvt9Q1fYzjxqUSziraex34tFrNbdJAgc_Fwu0VnTu433R9his/s320/Tea+party+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At a glance, she could tell the <span style="font-size: large;">18 </span>was closer to the <span style="font-size: large;">20.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-8s6W6jnyFGwoLblU5rpIYamSwJ7B4ALEOhV07XEqlSn3Ic3w8iRUHzKbO_gXRRM0KtBDCM3ywdW4qONe7jNLgIjE1aIezcu6i5PkxK03PZIWjebEbLA0Pglc-190w7waS13GlcjLU0/s1600/Rounding+%25234+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-8s6W6jnyFGwoLblU5rpIYamSwJ7B4ALEOhV07XEqlSn3Ic3w8iRUHzKbO_gXRRM0KtBDCM3ywdW4qONe7jNLgIjE1aIezcu6i5PkxK03PZIWjebEbLA0Pglc-190w7waS13GlcjLU0/s320/Rounding+%25234+001.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>(double-click to enlarge and print)</strong></em></div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We repeated with different numbers,</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">emphasizing the rule~</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">numbers ending in <span style="font-size: large;">1-4</span> </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">are rounded down,</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">numbers ending in <span style="font-size: large;">5-9</span> </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">are rounded up.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Yep, counting bears</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">are the bear necessities </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">of a <span style="font-size: large;">hOme tEaChEd</span> life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><br />
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</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-58316741932214592362011-04-18T22:24:00.000-07:002011-04-18T22:24:54.770-07:00Playing In Math Class<div style="text-align: center;">Beka and I love to play together.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We play dolls, store, raft, school, restaurant, store and servant.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">She always lets me be the boss and she's the servant, isn't she sweet?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It's hard to do school when you wanna' play,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">so we like to play during school.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It greatly improves math skills.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKiKjUy9tEmaupcQvOtg1BWB9jtc_s8h5wDpRwbJRrkKfyOvU8TovyEwCPD8kb4Gm7AZgpVKhLuuT8g_Z7u_He_PI3IaKVjT2gYh3mRfsHyj9Z-eo9tQfr4-fS7SoVBb0hLWLn0149CQ/s1600/Math+Store+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKiKjUy9tEmaupcQvOtg1BWB9jtc_s8h5wDpRwbJRrkKfyOvU8TovyEwCPD8kb4Gm7AZgpVKhLuuT8g_Z7u_He_PI3IaKVjT2gYh3mRfsHyj9Z-eo9tQfr4-fS7SoVBb0hLWLn0149CQ/s320/Math+Store+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So does scratching your head, we learned.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">In 2nd grade, Beka is learning money skills.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The worksheet introduced the concept of counting back change.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Having a cash register with a calculator and a change drawer that </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">"dings" when you open it, is a must for math class.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The worksheet was kinda' <span style="font-size: large;">confusing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It was kinda' <span style="font-size: large;">boring, </span><span style="font-size: small;">too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">If Teacher Momma Mindy is <span style="font-size: large;">bored,</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I know my student is <span style="font-size: large;">bored.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When the head scratchin' didn't help enough,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDQJO4lAEY6rXMv1s1DS2hyyIY4O-wiG63TE8eb_0cBvUPjFbKo8Sen_VdkAlam1aG9LuOXDnp6Czy5wjQqRgnE2sqwDTZQzCdeESC6XhMxSBLxgwQv9RPkVvB33R6RvQ_pJFTylX-Eg/s1600/Math+Store+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDQJO4lAEY6rXMv1s1DS2hyyIY4O-wiG63TE8eb_0cBvUPjFbKo8Sen_VdkAlam1aG9LuOXDnp6Czy5wjQqRgnE2sqwDTZQzCdeESC6XhMxSBLxgwQv9RPkVvB33R6RvQ_pJFTylX-Eg/s320/Math+Store+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We opened a store. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">While Beka priced her toys, I scribbled quick cards for each item.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLo0FmaVgCuuOFeaWFE9lpgwC71mv6N-zC_kP3g8OJ49btSg7Damni5GGTEis5mDiyfD6hxWnhj7QL4Gn3mDYIstcSZ4dwZPq5ZjsKanRb4hiJV0O9-n3kLDy_MXGOj1MNSEWwZt4y-U/s1600/Math+Store+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLo0FmaVgCuuOFeaWFE9lpgwC71mv6N-zC_kP3g8OJ49btSg7Damni5GGTEis5mDiyfD6hxWnhj7QL4Gn3mDYIstcSZ4dwZPq5ZjsKanRb4hiJV0O9-n3kLDy_MXGOj1MNSEWwZt4y-U/s320/Math+Store+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The box on the left is the price, the bill used to pay is in the middle.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">She had to use $5, $10 and $20 bills.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">First, she had to figure out change, using the lease amount of each coins.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Then, I came into her store many times, in character,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">buying gifts for nieces, spoiled children, brats, and kids having birthdays.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">She recommended an item, took my money, and counted back my change.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">After I bought out the store, she had nailed the concept.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We went back to the <span style="font-size: large;">boring </span>worksheet, and finished it in a few minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm thinkin' <span style="font-size: large;">boring</span> doesn't always mean just <span style="font-size: large;">boring.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Confusion can bring on boredom.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When you are confident and understand,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">math isn't <span style="font-size: large;">boring</span>, it's <span style="font-size: large;">exciting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, we played, because that's what we like to do.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We play.</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-11963070869928293242011-02-07T22:45:00.000-08:002011-02-07T22:45:59.655-08:00Ramen Noodles and Roman Numerals<div style="text-align: center;">I know Ramen Noodles are for eating<br />
and Roman Numerals are for counting, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but sometimes my kids get mixed up. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My older kids, who were allowed to eat Ramen Noodles on occasion, </div><div style="text-align: center;">used to get frustrated when learning their Ramen Numerals, <br />
but wanted Roman Noodles for lunch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Due to dietary decisions, we have nixed the Ramen Noodles</div><div style="text-align: center;">and kept the Roman Numerals, <br />
although we still get them mixed up on occasion.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A visual person, I've learned I teach better according to my style. </div><div style="text-align: center;">When the kids were having a hard time grasping Roman Numerals,<br />
a concept we don't often use except in math class, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I needed to land the learning so they would have success for a lifetime.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I invented Roman Numeral Tiles.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikCwnnq5acX8O7DcwUj02J9QhGvQkSlN3RH5MqvT1ursStGpKFfl0oNG66FG_co4dDuumb2bktezgF4MSazfdjIfb60at8lXzEQWNUx5ryNXa9XTsCsqOJ7wuMZ-L0n5ytYUrT5KPuAI/s1600/crafting%252C+school+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikCwnnq5acX8O7DcwUj02J9QhGvQkSlN3RH5MqvT1ursStGpKFfl0oNG66FG_co4dDuumb2bktezgF4MSazfdjIfb60at8lXzEQWNUx5ryNXa9XTsCsqOJ7wuMZ-L0n5ytYUrT5KPuAI/s320/crafting%252C+school+087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> One inch squares of Fun Foam were labeled with a permanent marker. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This lesson we were just learning to count from 1-30.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKcRgPV9rBFpNDB9FsdI-HUAIPP749X0JdAHrNlhAxSdhoeCbaMRwpaOTeZJNlYV45gxYFpTnRkm5Ug_l2F29nq5C7hy2RslU3vaz2qqxJJLPpA_r5z0hKTcWSkIcMkV2xo9zlSnzAc4/s1600/crafting%252C+school+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKcRgPV9rBFpNDB9FsdI-HUAIPP749X0JdAHrNlhAxSdhoeCbaMRwpaOTeZJNlYV45gxYFpTnRkm5Ug_l2F29nq5C7hy2RslU3vaz2qqxJJLPpA_r5z0hKTcWSkIcMkV2xo9zlSnzAc4/s320/crafting%252C+school+088.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The patterning makes it very easy to understand the rules of </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">adding consecutive numbers together,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">subtracting a lower number when placed before a larger number,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and not using a number more than three times in a row.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKEsRBCsTbLdnPLAk88v376WxiRIsggMCsPnEJrlVtQZ9BbIZfFovyfIlraeFe4rACW1h0boHCnoWx-G8A6CHwjHs7nmteAZssQywFN4boyAu0yIk6L-WxT8cZdwQxGKBAHzMZDCqEFU/s1600/crafting%252C+school+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKEsRBCsTbLdnPLAk88v376WxiRIsggMCsPnEJrlVtQZ9BbIZfFovyfIlraeFe4rACW1h0boHCnoWx-G8A6CHwjHs7nmteAZssQywFN4boyAu0yIk6L-WxT8cZdwQxGKBAHzMZDCqEFU/s320/crafting%252C+school+093.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When set out in numerical order the beautiful number patterns</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">also remind us of a God who created in pattern and order.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLruEaWpLKhAag3-SYzzN0koBRcDYbNaqCHKFX0S9qi8v6WpSRuLA_APZmfqlSN0uYIPaCzph6CIM0chI0sHy4nKmmrg8GC9xbtjFFO5lR18yByeBoGmib9FzwjsQfOSVNl1VVR1o9ItY/s1600/crafting%252C+school+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLruEaWpLKhAag3-SYzzN0koBRcDYbNaqCHKFX0S9qi8v6WpSRuLA_APZmfqlSN0uYIPaCzph6CIM0chI0sHy4nKmmrg8GC9xbtjFFO5lR18yByeBoGmib9FzwjsQfOSVNl1VVR1o9ItY/s320/crafting%252C+school+097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To test her skill, I quickly made number cards,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and had her use the tiles to show the Roman Numeral equivalent.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDiUVx-nfWZXcUQtPXtzhSYZrNWT2LFRPDmcFMbhVCWvO2qgs6HyzDC3dKlycWWOL_DpOB_6_EBQOPbUV95sQSOgnHVwZfFN7wwHNkEM_bxqtZ4RO01_4d6i8GSFUT2FB54E0ssFJ04g/s1600/crafting%252C+school+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDiUVx-nfWZXcUQtPXtzhSYZrNWT2LFRPDmcFMbhVCWvO2qgs6HyzDC3dKlycWWOL_DpOB_6_EBQOPbUV95sQSOgnHVwZfFN7wwHNkEM_bxqtZ4RO01_4d6i8GSFUT2FB54E0ssFJ04g/s320/crafting%252C+school+099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When she stumbled with 19, I reminded her it's 10 + 9,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">then she quickly found the correct tiles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It takes a little extra time to pull out the manipulatives to enforce a lesson,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but it's time that usually won't need to be repeated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A longer introduction to a concept,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">followed by a few short reminders,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">is more successful than a short introduction,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and a lot of lengthy reminders.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found a few free Roman Numeral worksheets from <a href="http://www.abcteach.com/directory/basics/math/roman_numerals/">abcteach</a>.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Your kids can enjoy a cute computer interactive game by <a href="http://romans.tulliehouse.co.uk/flash/snakes/index.htm">Tullie House</a>, </div><div style="text-align: center;">playing Snakes and Ladders with Roman Numerals.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I gave up trying to find a free bingo game, </div><div style="text-align: center;">they all wanted me to buy or subscribe to something, </div><div style="text-align: center;">so I made my own. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yea, right in the middle of trying to blog, finish up school, </div><div style="text-align: center;">prepare for a meeting, and eat dinner, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I had to make a bingo game. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stay tuned. I have another fun way to learn Ramen Numerals.</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-60489233158821725982011-01-04T14:39:00.000-08:002011-01-04T14:39:23.361-08:00The Borrowers<div style="text-align: center;">Nuttin' like startin' out the second semester with a bang.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our first day back, after two glorious weeks of vacation,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and Beka had to learn borrowing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is one of the hardest concepts for lower elementary kids to grasp.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Being patient while teaching one of the hardest concepts</div><div style="text-align: center;">is one of the hardest challenges for those teaching lower elementary kids.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">At first, my patience was STILL on Christmas vacation!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Quickly, I had to get back into the calm, praying teacher mode,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so I didn't add to her frustration.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-gimCYD8QKPDlcc6FVbJ-bqdYv65bIYszn6KsRM0D05As95sZ8XJS-P8y7uU5kaRRIT4ouSnS8eJ_KYP6MeE-VRPQ58qcas1FnfzGNnJ3COFk9Yf64Ko_edLknirSGhhBcjg_MQdhg0/s1600/Borrowing+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-gimCYD8QKPDlcc6FVbJ-bqdYv65bIYszn6KsRM0D05As95sZ8XJS-P8y7uU5kaRRIT4ouSnS8eJ_KYP6MeE-VRPQ58qcas1FnfzGNnJ3COFk9Yf64Ko_edLknirSGhhBcjg_MQdhg0/s320/Borrowing+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I took out all the tools.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cR4-9O0rdBncNkg2RKg3TnrLZO-QgzsEZATNDMptr8Q7fWmJ3LK4gkrYwgKYXMSm2_xbX-rjN8JMfEBnKrdRPiByjbmbrVoAgCyN7QgJ4w-up8FF43u8bFGQlERF4pt6IyyIUA2mIU0/s1600/Borrowing+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cR4-9O0rdBncNkg2RKg3TnrLZO-QgzsEZATNDMptr8Q7fWmJ3LK4gkrYwgKYXMSm2_xbX-rjN8JMfEBnKrdRPiByjbmbrVoAgCyN7QgJ4w-up8FF43u8bFGQlERF4pt6IyyIUA2mIU0/s320/Borrowing+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Place value was quickly reviewed, then Beka wrote the problem</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">31-28</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with the digits in the correct columns on my <a href="http://hometeachedmommamindy.blogspot.com/2010/11/keeping-place-value-in-its-place.html">place value chalkboard.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE56E3qzwXMPbIc6Cjg1Uvemz3vH6LRdEog_4976sXXR-9vKzMdSsIgfjYynPkx8VpQELWAQ7kCNuALmykDA1yhfsg5EbyQctgJk-XJanKiJ_MXw7INmOh9iuvDsWKV8ShKODZiNYvP6A/s1600/Borrowing+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE56E3qzwXMPbIc6Cjg1Uvemz3vH6LRdEog_4976sXXR-9vKzMdSsIgfjYynPkx8VpQELWAQ7kCNuALmykDA1yhfsg5EbyQctgJk-XJanKiJ_MXw7INmOh9iuvDsWKV8ShKODZiNYvP6A/s320/Borrowing+003.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This THING is amazing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's old, it's cool, and it helps visual learners.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you can't find a vintage THING like this,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you easily could use Legos or<a href="http://hometeachedmommamindy.blogspot.com/2010/05/building-tens-family-with-duplos.html"> Duplos</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Or, if you don't have little ones crawling around eating your manipulatives,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you could use pipe cleaners and pony beads.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Look around....there is probably something you could use...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When you show tens as a unit, </div><div style="text-align: center;">it is much easier to understand the concept of carrying and borrowing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Instead of saying you're borrowing "one"</div><div style="text-align: center;">it is helpful to say you're borrowing "one ten."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we borrowed one ten from the tens column,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and placed it in the ones column.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Instead of 31, we made 20 + 11.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We don't change the amount,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you never create or destroy matter,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you just changed its clothes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is why modern curriculums call it "regrouping."</div><div style="text-align: center;">I guess it is more accurate, because you're not borrowing </div><div style="text-align: center;">like you're going to return it, you use it and don't give it back.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is good to introduce all the terms you know for any concept,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you never know what they'll be called on testing, or in different curriculums.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghON5ywHoTR5r50Y03noc1mEdIld7zkxTYsyv6xk08YllioozeawDUfj87gytdVTl2Wf1rBjlvwUUnlyWkhs8TRfMWZTH1cdrzOz2eI-RXXw1ou8oIjmbe1H5KNqx89hvcfqqSEbIzlwM/s1600/Borrowing+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghON5ywHoTR5r50Y03noc1mEdIld7zkxTYsyv6xk08YllioozeawDUfj87gytdVTl2Wf1rBjlvwUUnlyWkhs8TRfMWZTH1cdrzOz2eI-RXXw1ou8oIjmbe1H5KNqx89hvcfqqSEbIzlwM/s320/Borrowing+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We practiced several times before we began the worksheet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had her physically move the group of ten over to the ones column</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for each problem we did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You get to touch your math,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you get to see your math,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you get to hear your math</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with mom using manipulatives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When math isn't working with numbers, I talk about candy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"You have only three pieces of candy and you </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">need to give me seven pieces of candy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You have to borrow ten pieces of candy from your sister next door."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes, it grabs their attention long enough to grasp the concept.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It still wasn't clicking, so I brought out another manipulative.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYc3PzRm7BQTOCfTrzfLvAIWO2-9DVxxyK60j_NAc7hDztzQv5ECRvTlAS5yq2Hn3EraC0eWTSdVY9v5TfY-3SXc33LLjHarvbUHJgZkZFm8xjijuTN62M9Sq9X7rs5O5FcrCLw6Gtm4/s1600/Borrowing+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYc3PzRm7BQTOCfTrzfLvAIWO2-9DVxxyK60j_NAc7hDztzQv5ECRvTlAS5yq2Hn3EraC0eWTSdVY9v5TfY-3SXc33LLjHarvbUHJgZkZFm8xjijuTN62M9Sq9X7rs5O5FcrCLw6Gtm4/s320/Borrowing+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yea, Dad!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was his last day of vacation,</div><div style="text-align: center;">then I am on my own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll make sure my patience comes back to school with me.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-62807934563419220082010-12-08T21:12:00.000-08:002010-12-08T21:12:27.280-08:00Is $1 Cheap Enough?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am always looking for an inexpensive and quick </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> learning manipulatives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">File folder games work well for me because they are easy to store,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and can usually be self-correcting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEz49OiRnNkLOGyAn-8VdYoV99rMCgkIOoOSAROXdHn6QN3MLVj4Zqg22yxwDq-yAedNRWeCveb0A4Dg6zNcWMtamYbDFrKR2LS64wtkm9UMQ729-XOYtoRficJvrrNN-Z8loRawtYXY/s1600/Thanksgiving+crafts+025+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEz49OiRnNkLOGyAn-8VdYoV99rMCgkIOoOSAROXdHn6QN3MLVj4Zqg22yxwDq-yAedNRWeCveb0A4Dg6zNcWMtamYbDFrKR2LS64wtkm9UMQ729-XOYtoRficJvrrNN-Z8loRawtYXY/s320/Thanksgiving+crafts+025+(2).JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">During back to school shopping,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Target sold file folder games in their dollar section.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">That's cheap enough for me!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg298rSTHCWJlI7O1hEKXZSCmV4p5sF0Yzb0taUR159Lxr3TBra9XyT_GiSX1_QTD30Bcn2ceWkHS4m4Oo_huu47vbhpReqwBUK95rQkYQR5hplCyuUhGI0cP4zF2Kj3zRthtqOHbOKlMo/s1600/Thanksgiving+crafts+019+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg298rSTHCWJlI7O1hEKXZSCmV4p5sF0Yzb0taUR159Lxr3TBra9XyT_GiSX1_QTD30Bcn2ceWkHS4m4Oo_huu47vbhpReqwBUK95rQkYQR5hplCyuUhGI0cP4zF2Kj3zRthtqOHbOKlMo/s320/Thanksgiving+crafts+019+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Using one of my favorite DIY tools,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">self adhesive laminating sheets,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZE5tstmoTzh3m1gI4OLcpdCiXqWrXdxGToslR9l9HfvsGETaeBDaULQI27zXUO8Ufrmg8vsuTEb5CR7Fgy_329Pwn4M_k53D9fqYTHKd_gDGW2-Z0Zr-ci7o59QWxceQP5sgF3AmvTo/s1600/Thanksgiving+crafts+027+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZE5tstmoTzh3m1gI4OLcpdCiXqWrXdxGToslR9l9HfvsGETaeBDaULQI27zXUO8Ufrmg8vsuTEb5CR7Fgy_329Pwn4M_k53D9fqYTHKd_gDGW2-Z0Zr-ci7o59QWxceQP5sgF3AmvTo/s320/Thanksgiving+crafts+027+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I quickly covered the game board...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26H8E6yHZkrhcyw1gjhOvm3oS9bEAydVNs1CPagQGlYkcmZ4K0GAQcoPBTCLPL0eqRTQygb9ZdA1ArJGjoe3vXLJde534xxT5bEvwxckC4M1l0gVQFtyklsngA7VdnKnCZ8GuMlEXlzY/s1600/Thanksgiving+crafts+028+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26H8E6yHZkrhcyw1gjhOvm3oS9bEAydVNs1CPagQGlYkcmZ4K0GAQcoPBTCLPL0eqRTQygb9ZdA1ArJGjoe3vXLJde534xxT5bEvwxckC4M1l0gVQFtyklsngA7VdnKnCZ8GuMlEXlzY/s320/Thanksgiving+crafts+028+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and the pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A cheaper and easier to find alternative is clear Contact paper,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">but the laminating sheets are clearer and a bit stiffer.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Then using another favorite tool,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">my little cutting thing,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I cut apart the game pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">DONE.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">You can use the pieces as a memory game, </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">with pieces turned down,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">or as a matching game,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">where you put down one set of cards,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">then match up the second set.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The only caution in buying school materials not created by</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">educational companies, is to watch for inaccuracies.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I bought a poster from a dollar store that was missing</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">several letters from the Spanish alphabet.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Some math booklets and games progess too quickly for age level.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">You don't want to jump from 2 + 2 = 4</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">to</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">8 + 9 = 17</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A phonics item might use words that begin with the correct letter,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">but not the correct phonetic sound.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Church would NOT be a good clue word for the letter "c."</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The Dollar Tree stores have been known to occasionally</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">get a small shipment from <a href="http://www.evan-moor.com/">Evan Moor</a> company.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Be on the look out for inexpensive, easy and accurate</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> manipulatives to enhance your curriculum.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">What inexpensive treasures have you found lately?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-20572727130623800742010-12-02T22:52:00.000-08:002010-12-05T20:18:17.383-08:00Why I Teach Health<div style="text-align: center;">At first it seemed a waste of time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought Health curriculums, especially in the younger years, </div><div style="text-align: center;">just taught things that Moms should be teaching at home - </div><div style="text-align: center;">combing hair, brushing teeth, manners and nutrition.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the older years, they were teaching things I </div><div style="text-align: center;">DEFINITELY </div><div style="text-align: center;">wanted to be the one to introduce to my children.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, I learned what other parents have sadly learned.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just because I am teaching it, doesn't mean my kids are learning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Physically hearing doesn't impart knowledge, </div><div style="text-align: center;">physically hearing along with a willingness to comply</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and believe imparts knowledge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have also learned that kids are slower to believe what I tell them because, well,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm just their Mom.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not dissin' my kids, just stating a fact.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Point in case, coint in pace, CASE in POINT....I always get that mixed up...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This morning my daughter, Rebekah, said, <em><strong>"Mom, did you know..."</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(When they say this, not only do I know, I probably told them no less than 100 times.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>"...that you're supposed to wash your hands several times a day?"</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqGVl_ccuCZxMjIp2Dpzz2ps_q-zMt0-qEj691i5tqZZhk1BPxKFidpyZBRtvQfYJa7U87SOlkN5EvPBAcrHx4ISrwLpXMoU9XXyIzkpWEkFyRxbx63sBPIT7f-u9IAIcB9BVSqKVkgg/s1600/health+wash+hands+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqGVl_ccuCZxMjIp2Dpzz2ps_q-zMt0-qEj691i5tqZZhk1BPxKFidpyZBRtvQfYJa7U87SOlkN5EvPBAcrHx4ISrwLpXMoU9XXyIzkpWEkFyRxbx63sBPIT7f-u9IAIcB9BVSqKVkgg/s320/health+wash+hands+001.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like I have said that, stated that, demanded that, <br />
ok YELLED that <br />
a gajillion, bajillion times?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">REALLY?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kids believe other people. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a sad fact. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My oldest daughter came home from her four months stint in 2nd grade public school</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and insisted horses used to have toes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">No matter what creation things we showed her, she wouldn't budge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a frightening truth that can be used for your advantage.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kids believe other people. <br />
My daughter washes her hands and combs her hair </div><div style="text-align: center;">several times a day because her book told her.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not washing my hands of this health curriculum, that's for sure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-21451647729343162472010-11-24T16:21:00.000-08:002010-11-24T16:21:27.683-08:00Keeping Place Value in Its Place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Place value can be a mystifying concept to young children.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Place value can be a mystifying concept for adults </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">trying to teach young children.</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pt_8Yyr1fmzLLhatMq_dPXzH17hNcMuf3HEoXj2eB4InhhicH9Cgib3KKNRwGuKcYZAaCOKMcffupZF53CNlxGoloOWzQX_ptQf8cA5Asr5Pz4KKYpyWKzWP0lH2jaqlI6m0j2RAjDM/s1600/fall+crafting+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pt_8Yyr1fmzLLhatMq_dPXzH17hNcMuf3HEoXj2eB4InhhicH9Cgib3KKNRwGuKcYZAaCOKMcffupZF53CNlxGoloOWzQX_ptQf8cA5Asr5Pz4KKYpyWKzWP0lH2jaqlI6m0j2RAjDM/s320/fall+crafting+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I like to use various methods to help my kids gain understanding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcDj9YvbgJ3hRmzuoBf5rH61aVo09uccp6CsX9NrUikh5q1_6ipuBUsG5egUug19r1XdgmpwGBm6yORbDoOLLA1yCrhgIGWSKUX6B2tLk1eswK9jn8iVn_RVQSJmuU3r1lu93dPLi1AE/s1600/fall+crafting+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcDj9YvbgJ3hRmzuoBf5rH61aVo09uccp6CsX9NrUikh5q1_6ipuBUsG5egUug19r1XdgmpwGBm6yORbDoOLLA1yCrhgIGWSKUX6B2tLk1eswK9jn8iVn_RVQSJmuU3r1lu93dPLi1AE/s320/fall+crafting+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found this old place value chalkboard,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that gives a great visual of the place value columns.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We write the numbers with the digits in the correct column.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When comparing numbers, it is easy to see which number is the least</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and which is the greatest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemeO_92j3W1Syk9Jo9KmhnTS2EIHWSrRA8pyxq6vZ-I7TGckqB0bv21dA1tGSJgOZ5CtWEw0FB1yZjrR-F_fEuuCSPbbEF0JlPJEhlzM3_EZY_ibz0-t8GhnXHc9iYTsU0xRmo_8eRls/s1600/fall+crafting+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemeO_92j3W1Syk9Jo9KmhnTS2EIHWSrRA8pyxq6vZ-I7TGckqB0bv21dA1tGSJgOZ5CtWEw0FB1yZjrR-F_fEuuCSPbbEF0JlPJEhlzM3_EZY_ibz0-t8GhnXHc9iYTsU0xRmo_8eRls/s320/fall+crafting+026.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It also comes in handy for learning to carry,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or regroup, as some curriculums call it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jyu0DmamwOtgGCs33s_TkyCaazP5b0876D4mvdYM8TwRpYAWbqqrJNnQMnFvGSRlAKos2baJOSKSCJQ5kS-NMlIz0s7DIAZhqDUEKuBIMCI8P0zw5cBbZHUGftRfdpLO6sgaB7p-qCA/s1600/fall+crafting+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jyu0DmamwOtgGCs33s_TkyCaazP5b0876D4mvdYM8TwRpYAWbqqrJNnQMnFvGSRlAKos2baJOSKSCJQ5kS-NMlIz0s7DIAZhqDUEKuBIMCI8P0zw5cBbZHUGftRfdpLO6sgaB7p-qCA/s320/fall+crafting+022.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plus, it is just fun to write with chalk, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">isn't it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To utilize a place value chart,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you can make paper charts,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they're easy to find on the internet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You could also make your own gridlines</div><div style="text-align: center;"> on a chalkboard or a dry erase board.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anybody else have any great ideas for teaching place value?</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-30541250458804774172010-11-16T22:24:00.000-08:002010-11-16T22:24:46.196-08:00Crayons, crayons, everywhere!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The home we live in does not have a school room,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">just a large open L-shaped room that serves as living room,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">dining room, sewing room, library, school room</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> and occasionally a bedroom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When you add my sewing cabinet </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and all the STUFF you need to homeschool</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the room can get crowded and unattractive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My first passion was to organize the supplies we use every day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We tried school boxes for each kid,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but they never held all the supplies they each needed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each kid had their own crayons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, we had a huge box of community crayons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had crayons with the coloring books.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It seemed easier to keep most items in a community stash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had my heart set on an old, wooden portion of</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a library card catalogue, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">until I saw the prices.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strike>I</strike> The Lord found something that worked even better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I say the Lord because when I found this piece of furniture,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it was an answer to prayer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everytime I look at this piece, I am thankful for His provision.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vXqKl3w-gBgOXuh-2fgpHPqtoyQQ84iAlIcgrG3u9sSohx_0rmtbLOtfkqCOQubgRFuSSqliVtE7zeH-3bWWK-fKWw7OKPxwX_TgAFvXlWU3WNIt5FIrgGIz1U14NCAg9btbS2eCkLk/s1600/blogging+ideas+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vXqKl3w-gBgOXuh-2fgpHPqtoyQQ84iAlIcgrG3u9sSohx_0rmtbLOtfkqCOQubgRFuSSqliVtE7zeH-3bWWK-fKWw7OKPxwX_TgAFvXlWU3WNIt5FIrgGIz1U14NCAg9btbS2eCkLk/s640/blogging+ideas+030.JPG" width="371" /></a></div><div align="center">Each drawer holds only one type of item.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">One drawer holds all my glues.</div><div align="center">Another holds all the tapes.<br />
</div><div align="center">Other items assigned a drawer are</div><div align="center">scissors, edging scissors, paints, rubber stamps,</div><div align="center">skinny markers, fat markers, coloring crayons, flashcards,</div><div align="center">pens and pencils and dry erase markers.<br />
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN63pOwxEB31XeKYu77OO9ItHgneArdbnCXT079io7UZxlpj8OseFsM8CQEVhuvDIG1EBc4sEq2clcs1YIpjZjUIx3G7Xe1EDzk6hyphenhyphen1MCe3q1xv50xMtMWgHLruRQFHTEpTShOoIGoATw/s1600/Birthday+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN63pOwxEB31XeKYu77OO9ItHgneArdbnCXT079io7UZxlpj8OseFsM8CQEVhuvDIG1EBc4sEq2clcs1YIpjZjUIx3G7Xe1EDzk6hyphenhyphen1MCe3q1xv50xMtMWgHLruRQFHTEpTShOoIGoATw/s320/Birthday+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
When we need colored pencils,</div><div align="center">we just put that drawer on the table.<br />
<br />
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The dresser gets a lot of wear and tear,</div><div align="center">but since shabby chic is in style,</div><div align="center">I don't mind the paint wearing off the edges.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">In 11 years, when I am done homeschooling,</div><div align="center">I am pretty sure I can come up with a few other uses </div><div align="center">for this amazing piece of furniture.<br />
<br />
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">But for now,</div><div align="center">the crayons aren't everywhere,</div><div align="center">they're in one of the little black drawers.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">And I have a great reminder from </div><div align="center">Jehovah Jireh, My Provider,</div><div align="center">who provided something more important </div><div align="center">than a place to keep my crayons.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">He provided salvation for my soul</div><div align="center">through His Son, the Lord Jesus.</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-78322750082802381242010-11-14T22:26:00.000-08:002010-11-14T22:26:41.588-08:00Unblocking Roadblocks<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">In Beka's second grade math curriculum,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">she was learning measurement.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Along with memorizing the facts of measurement,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">she was introduced to the standard 12 inch ruler</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and a yardstick.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRB2zNAn9V4T1HPpSulCnRvE7E7Z0Qw7WrjB8bFz-xVunCyi6I4NiV_3miBV_9WfanMaDqR6m3JdQxKRzXuS62qFMO2v7R2IiyIC2EZ4vB_aa6GiTAdc6qxmItVtEymfqYb7m9iLPcqqQ/s1600/Thanksgiving+crafts+015+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRB2zNAn9V4T1HPpSulCnRvE7E7Z0Qw7WrjB8bFz-xVunCyi6I4NiV_3miBV_9WfanMaDqR6m3JdQxKRzXuS62qFMO2v7R2IiyIC2EZ4vB_aa6GiTAdc6qxmItVtEymfqYb7m9iLPcqqQ/s320/Thanksgiving+crafts+015+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">There were a few questions asking if she should </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">use a ruler or a yardstick to measure an item.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">She was confused,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">then got a little frustrated.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Over the years I have learned,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">when a kid is frustrated,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">repeating the instructions LOUDER</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">or with more FRUSTRATION</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">doesn't help.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I won't tell you how many years it took to learn that,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">it is a span that just can't be measured.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When there is a roadblock to learning,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">we need to remove it, not pile on top of the roadblock</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">with our frustration or impatience.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes, I just put the worksheet aside </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and work on something else for awhile.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Other times, I like to find a new way to approach the matter.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I like to SEE things,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Beka likes to TOUCH things,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">so we created a new way to learn the concept.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmpdDP0UWruew3G6qayTnbBsrEtpjmMeKrDq4Bo8pv9_-m_hShiBw2pp7xiVUm5gvzKs1tIWWWk8PgqpW7dpumvjviHxCs-FUKOEFaIf5UhvSeRajcvLaGAjDbgram1Ju11Gk9efcf-M/s1600/Thanksgiving+crafts+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmpdDP0UWruew3G6qayTnbBsrEtpjmMeKrDq4Bo8pv9_-m_hShiBw2pp7xiVUm5gvzKs1tIWWWk8PgqpW7dpumvjviHxCs-FUKOEFaIf5UhvSeRajcvLaGAjDbgram1Ju11Gk9efcf-M/s320/Thanksgiving+crafts+017.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A ruler and a yardstick were found,</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">a chart was made,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and fun ensued.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After less than five minutes of measuring with a ruler and a yardstick,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the concept was mastered.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Best of all,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we unblocked the roadblock,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the joy of learning raced on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-57220075762890458262010-11-04T10:09:00.000-07:002010-11-04T10:09:39.048-07:00Quick File Folder Game<div align="center"></div><div align="center">File folder games are a quick and easy way<br />
to reinforce a concept. <br />
If an answer key is provided for self-correcting,<br />
the student can use the games alone<br />
for quiet learning time.<br />
<br />
Yes, I said quiet.<br />
It happens once in awhile.<br />
<br />
Sometimes a simple workbook page</div><div align="center">can easily become a file folder game.<br />
<br />
Watch for concepts that your child may need extra work to master,<br />
or concepts your other kids will need to reinforce, as well.<br />
<br />
This day we were learning which consonants are doubled at the end of word.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bf4TMX6rBvPpzTcIPTe0lD3bjmdM2EDFbUsoNEZ_VOEXZTsqI-0n6lsBmePFkgoiRLhyphenhyphenNGSKK5hejTBGgiB-YSZLtd_2VdFTQn6AKRrihdOkm2tJzD1PsMpBx4ZakPxTPh5B-SCC1-I/s320/Scott's+Jeep+048.JPG" /></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">This is a page from a very old Bob Jones Spelling Grade 2 workbook,<br />
first used by my married daughter, Jana.<br />
<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7kec0GiQJ4ylIX_G1hzUvMMGoJODunXCM3BGyARiWEdOrV43HTVhFgiEghCBnkBPSi_4czMLccmSh8cRpc_d4ZR-9aX0L_z-Y_bMIehbpfjMwN7_yf1_G0i7DLQIZmai5ZNP4BtOeNw/s320/CALIFORNIA+9-10+249.JPG" width="213" /></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">We copied the pages for years, <br />
or had the kids write their answers on paper.</div><div align="center">Beka is the only child who gets to write in the book.<br />
<br />
For some reason, writing in a workbook<br />
is a big, big deal to my homeschooled children,<br />
whose mother is very <strike>stingy</strike> thrifty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6irA8TmLZJD6HDKYrbDelct9ACF87juRXeBSlt1q0emWbBw0splpppxVYzqT5z6xZvokV6iIJo8STbOmqfFaQITY6Y_Vy2005wGTsW_1_0FUOPv65Zw0M_xHqGL2s6R4IijwR6AOIws/s1600/CALIFORNIA+9-10+246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6irA8TmLZJD6HDKYrbDelct9ACF87juRXeBSlt1q0emWbBw0splpppxVYzqT5z6xZvokV6iIJo8STbOmqfFaQITY6Y_Vy2005wGTsW_1_0FUOPv65Zw0M_xHqGL2s6R4IijwR6AOIws/s320/CALIFORNIA+9-10+246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My alpha and omega,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my first and my last child,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">enjoying the moment </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of a book that is older than half my children.</div></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">To make the file folder game,<br />
I started by making two copies of the worksheet,</div><div align="center">one on regular paper, one on cardstock.</div><div align="center">I always print on fast draft to save ink.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0OZ5zlWazNhAL7xG4XDQx74onCb1mAhOJyVtkusYfiUK7SvP8sMumC2cD8kZCMXDHQPc9hExoyNe3qbYzSWnga51aDvNjQctFRpnhe10aeu1EHQj9sLib0pvQIgrhYNVoW6UmATAlt4/s1600/Scott's+Jeep+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0OZ5zlWazNhAL7xG4XDQx74onCb1mAhOJyVtkusYfiUK7SvP8sMumC2cD8kZCMXDHQPc9hExoyNe3qbYzSWnga51aDvNjQctFRpnhe10aeu1EHQj9sLib0pvQIgrhYNVoW6UmATAlt4/s320/Scott's+Jeep+052.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I cut out the images from the paper copy and glued them down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg298rSTHCWJlI7O1hEKXZSCmV4p5sF0Yzb0taUR159Lxr3TBra9XyT_GiSX1_QTD30Bcn2ceWkHS4m4Oo_huu47vbhpReqwBUK95rQkYQR5hplCyuUhGI0cP4zF2Kj3zRthtqOHbOKlMo/s1600/Thanksgiving+crafts+019+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg298rSTHCWJlI7O1hEKXZSCmV4p5sF0Yzb0taUR159Lxr3TBra9XyT_GiSX1_QTD30Bcn2ceWkHS4m4Oo_huu47vbhpReqwBUK95rQkYQR5hplCyuUhGI0cP4zF2Kj3zRthtqOHbOKlMo/s320/Thanksgiving+crafts+019+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used self adhesive laminating sheets to cover the pictures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> It makes the game last longer and makes it washable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yea, you know it,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">even file folder games might get kid snarf on them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A little bit of peanut butter or jelly,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a dribble of milk,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or a booger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK, there might be momma goobies on them, too,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">like coffee dribbles or a crumble of chocolate that dropped while </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you were frantically shoving candy into your mouth before the kids caught you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes, mommies don't like to share.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes, mommies don't have to share.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chocolate, that is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back to the game that we are making washable - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5AHeZhoV3pQNrk03GTUwMdEkeLE8h7nxeRaKJgVIIbRmTy4Pbwo_mbgkyunCMVEtISBeDSmMklTan3xWOmfniREEa2NLcIZ48S5gbM4vfq3lkpTN1vuYm5ciX5i11YTMKd-JvOThrE0/s1600/Scott's+Jeep+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5AHeZhoV3pQNrk03GTUwMdEkeLE8h7nxeRaKJgVIIbRmTy4Pbwo_mbgkyunCMVEtISBeDSmMklTan3xWOmfniREEa2NLcIZ48S5gbM4vfq3lkpTN1vuYm5ciX5i11YTMKd-JvOThrE0/s320/Scott's+Jeep+049.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The apples on the cardstock were laminated on both sides </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and carefully cut out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDnGHtcYxoBorX2lLvnZE264fMetkaKvMHy7v_R1vja3v4FZb0bWofK3rjxyDBIJMj4zFL5YAcZil62G4EzJqQjvqQ_KDZ11-9ACjnGuNG0FTE333I5gNCIU4s9ZdUX6Cd3128OB-pe4/s1600/Scott's+Jeep+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDnGHtcYxoBorX2lLvnZE264fMetkaKvMHy7v_R1vja3v4FZb0bWofK3rjxyDBIJMj4zFL5YAcZil62G4EzJqQjvqQ_KDZ11-9ACjnGuNG0FTE333I5gNCIU4s9ZdUX6Cd3128OB-pe4/s320/Scott's+Jeep+051.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Little pieces of velcro were glued...</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIjHaaadnaEasLNOC2EJzBergToJwmpSydtfW0f86NuVIzi-Co1e4DhPdF_9Z8NQcVpokJSG5M7ld9HT4B8Jr_XgKt-_n_ItIF_ZXgnSDTlhvFc3bb1ef6VoywBPrT6kltjn-WdtuYh4/s1600/Scott's+Jeep+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIjHaaadnaEasLNOC2EJzBergToJwmpSydtfW0f86NuVIzi-Co1e4DhPdF_9Z8NQcVpokJSG5M7ld9HT4B8Jr_XgKt-_n_ItIF_ZXgnSDTlhvFc3bb1ef6VoywBPrT6kltjn-WdtuYh4/s320/Scott's+Jeep+055.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...onto the game board</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0oOhE22BAVbV8YCdlPiI1jrlHwCzOI3USKYYXBs93OHbMb_DhooM89aG0g4SBADjWmsUZ72nt_FZNm0o3wiylOryzKOWW73uB89vKZHM-FVDBb3zm2VSFlm_PCnF1FG-gY8NJUt88Co/s1600/Scott's+Jeep+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0oOhE22BAVbV8YCdlPiI1jrlHwCzOI3USKYYXBs93OHbMb_DhooM89aG0g4SBADjWmsUZ72nt_FZNm0o3wiylOryzKOWW73uB89vKZHM-FVDBb3zm2VSFlm_PCnF1FG-gY8NJUt88Co/s320/Scott's+Jeep+057.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">...and onto the little apple pieces.</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1B3FPfIU6rl0nF3oVCWKobU8FC048DcyofCmsJEb7TPtPRtqyqh7Ydv8lRQuIREZBex9iF0yKjmwFzviqU8uw7n116QQ0nctSC9FvcaKXSpPHRI42Tz9KkD2ZshuTATm-ur7_9dFjwQ/s1600/Scott's+Jeep+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1B3FPfIU6rl0nF3oVCWKobU8FC048DcyofCmsJEb7TPtPRtqyqh7Ydv8lRQuIREZBex9iF0yKjmwFzviqU8uw7n116QQ0nctSC9FvcaKXSpPHRI42Tz9KkD2ZshuTATm-ur7_9dFjwQ/s320/Scott's+Jeep+059.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A simple game to reinforce a concept.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The smaller pieces are kept in a small resealable bag or an envelope</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and stored inside the file folder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The game is stored in my file folder box of games</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> and will be played a few more times a year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Games break the monotony of book/workbook learning,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and they can be used interactively between student and teacher,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or individually by the student.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Years ago, my husband and I noticed that almost ALL kids are excited to start school.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Somehow, that joy of learning is lost, and kids, in all learning environments,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">begin to dislike school and learning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After homeschooling 17 years,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I learned that sometimes Mommies lose their joy of teaching.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What do you do in your home to stimulate that joy of learning and teaching?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even if you public or private school, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know you are putting in a lot of teaching hours with homework.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'd love to hear your thoughts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-84567362288750158932010-10-07T22:48:00.000-07:002010-10-07T22:48:37.435-07:00Science Shelf<div style="text-align: center;">It's that time of year. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">School has started, </div><div style="text-align: center;">the winter rains will soon be a guest who always overstays his welcome, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and we'll be inside a lot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We like to get in a few nature walks before umbrella season.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't have a book, I don't have a curriculum, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't have a Science journal. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel pretty good about just getting outside </div><div style="text-align: center;">with two shoes that are the same </div><div style="text-align: center;">and a child whose face is wearing less than half their lunch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last Spring I found a shelf with a lot of neat compartments.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I put it on the fireplace mantle - empty.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I added some <a href="http://mommamindy.blogspot.com/2009/11/scrabbled-welcome.html">Scrabble letters</a> to label the shelf.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">It sat and waited and waited and waited.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When it probably gave up hope of ever being something useful again,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we went for a walk.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8CqgCrYRAOI-_27cO8Ety3BfyIoWtOkFEMTP9o2165lmvWICCoI4XMKonEdGsVJcFO0F1qc7MM4JFIr4_8H9yVyr1VSdElZQKAXsk8egms17f1NeBlzQjsH9qDx7yed5ptWntAGYfms/s1600/September+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8CqgCrYRAOI-_27cO8Ety3BfyIoWtOkFEMTP9o2165lmvWICCoI4XMKonEdGsVJcFO0F1qc7MM4JFIr4_8H9yVyr1VSdElZQKAXsk8egms17f1NeBlzQjsH9qDx7yed5ptWntAGYfms/s320/September+152.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A tisket, a tasket, a rainbow-striped basket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were looking for mostly seeds,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">discussing how each plant </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> gives off seed to produce more plants the next season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWLx0LDtqbhGYOjl9bRDsXzq7xXc1XR-rP89lRatwDOa9N29doSdl7lwflORh4PlQexsbbxD0MjGxRKyzo6hw92_B9YQJdFl0Suu8MrDnobqAZkQX1TlMqXMmpxnMeYEaihCPEDUN41o/s1600/September+163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWLx0LDtqbhGYOjl9bRDsXzq7xXc1XR-rP89lRatwDOa9N29doSdl7lwflORh4PlQexsbbxD0MjGxRKyzo6hw92_B9YQJdFl0Suu8MrDnobqAZkQX1TlMqXMmpxnMeYEaihCPEDUN41o/s320/September+163.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some seeds were good to eat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They didn't make it home to the shelf.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwLnt5p51aE9FOrlMMPr2V3XEcC-PXnsJN1Z4Mw5iBRuWng4qKzQ9wrjc4Xpa_DLaHs2RiTDZzwK-FNebEoLDXBXkLskSrE6XinoKzn9nFRmExOn7kUEDbO_1cp6lUBu17Csl_p0Md-o/s1600/September+156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwLnt5p51aE9FOrlMMPr2V3XEcC-PXnsJN1Z4Mw5iBRuWng4qKzQ9wrjc4Xpa_DLaHs2RiTDZzwK-FNebEoLDXBXkLskSrE6XinoKzn9nFRmExOn7kUEDbO_1cp6lUBu17Csl_p0Md-o/s320/September+156.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While she was picking blackberries,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was enthralled with the rotting, mossy fence.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32MSXRzNiq4h2htS2gn-nXsAuPuQkjdsZ_nfr2GOVWDhEy1wQpLGDVSgGygWV5htyD5LDolNhH2JLVvjKvP3tu1M6cwfn_8HGgI2f7kvp5h8Bxe66afdb-w4lC2Th_yIxBIh884-_njw/s1600/September+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32MSXRzNiq4h2htS2gn-nXsAuPuQkjdsZ_nfr2GOVWDhEy1wQpLGDVSgGygWV5htyD5LDolNhH2JLVvjKvP3tu1M6cwfn_8HGgI2f7kvp5h8Bxe66afdb-w4lC2Th_yIxBIh884-_njw/s320/September+160.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">What a great plan - all plants can replant themselves.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong><sup>Genesis 1:11</sup> </strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, </strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>the herb that yields seed, </strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>and the fruit tree that yields fruit </strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>according to its kind, </strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; </strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>and it was so.</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5Foe0Jxj_ehYn_zCELWg3fdyeW1ZAjC6uTumxe6IY7U2T3CZBXr-WVES0fzPzIawxkIzhDxPC5ZToXpAbc8yZC9X69_QJM7Y31KGeCoBouyNH8T3Aw7GjawqnntqPQrW2CWmiHBK1qI/s1600/September+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5Foe0Jxj_ehYn_zCELWg3fdyeW1ZAjC6uTumxe6IY7U2T3CZBXr-WVES0fzPzIawxkIzhDxPC5ZToXpAbc8yZC9X69_QJM7Y31KGeCoBouyNH8T3Aw7GjawqnntqPQrW2CWmiHBK1qI/s320/September+167.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The ol' timers in Minnesota said you can always predict winter's ferocity,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">according to the mulberry bushes.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Lotsa' mulberries, lotsa snow.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Not many mulberries.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Lookin' like a mild winter in the PNW,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">if this is a mulberry, that is.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKeFfLgUWvKyNt9kQ4ILb7V839PyKf2zSw2aFPCqEPJ1-VdfQg9S70j53eDa-XQc49LC4Pc5Nf5cokONLM4cCdLeygAMt1HsbwiDSUsVyNssjR_V3ZxjC6WYD1RqZA6eiREY3fRz-D94/s1600/September+170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKeFfLgUWvKyNt9kQ4ILb7V839PyKf2zSw2aFPCqEPJ1-VdfQg9S70j53eDa-XQc49LC4Pc5Nf5cokONLM4cCdLeygAMt1HsbwiDSUsVyNssjR_V3ZxjC6WYD1RqZA6eiREY3fRz-D94/s320/September+170.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">You got to stop and smell the roses</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">You've got to count your many blessings everyday...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2Aq15gRnmnKbSnQBJiyooOjIStl6NWCkkC2jPmOGy2Q_oFSzOyJsVokzqH_-HeInAxkK3pw5IlDkTVKhm-H3xUeg4wDEB2yN6bx25pvKycBdsd-aKLz_mxdHL86ZtNTcC4JBqnF-9lg/s1600/September+196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2Aq15gRnmnKbSnQBJiyooOjIStl6NWCkkC2jPmOGy2Q_oFSzOyJsVokzqH_-HeInAxkK3pw5IlDkTVKhm-H3xUeg4wDEB2yN6bx25pvKycBdsd-aKLz_mxdHL86ZtNTcC4JBqnF-9lg/s320/September+196.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Each square holds a treasure.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSJJKS3l192PbhT6gx_HlpetTTcfX56L8N2bQtcaVrf5URpoFotPsZqR6JsVfhqal9MEamCJRjbCeTFNvKIY6cHFanC6ur2nvsaQXe3IH6qI17hc2ZLzdI1Aj9xFBk2BOAJjaGyQWRhc/s1600/September+195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSJJKS3l192PbhT6gx_HlpetTTcfX56L8N2bQtcaVrf5URpoFotPsZqR6JsVfhqal9MEamCJRjbCeTFNvKIY6cHFanC6ur2nvsaQXe3IH6qI17hc2ZLzdI1Aj9xFBk2BOAJjaGyQWRhc/s320/September+195.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The accent on the left is a present from Beka.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">She was hiking in the mountains of Montana,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and fold this old steel can.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">How well she understands her Mom's obscure taste.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">As the sun shines and allows time outside,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">we continue to add treasures to our shelf.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Every seed shows the wisdom of the Lord </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">in replenishing the earth.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Each of us that know Christ as our Savior,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">carry the seed of the Word within us -</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">seed that can be spread and grown into new believers.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">May we be as proliferate as dandelions,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">the plant that is determined to take over the world.</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-72934792114768394992010-05-18T22:07:00.000-07:002010-05-18T22:07:10.518-07:00Building Tens Family With Duplos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilNXjfdEBdP7jBDLZPqT70d_MXy-emQxB7s1WT5rIt5p0MiTnihsDVpuV4f637wWjr8i9w_yYLlLMIE1zp4TQmIQDsOgFmpMuCLcayxUYWYzHjyDfl9sFzEicG2qekScepUyrlassEBU/s1600/Fan+Fest+210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLGmJrusxnqLlHFwG8GHgLGUX_IHpUzeLMraM8NPXo_ZxX7aSUtljKfg0pu-kjsjIXP8SSyb8xI9VbDAP-pTjDEOx6517A-XcCxJHdrgtguyqQ4hLZZtVMOTi4WFb5LA1aFjO9JXm3NM/s1600/Fan+Fest+223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>In first grade math, Rebekah had to add a column </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of three numbers for the first time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the tricks they taught</div><div style="text-align: center;">was to find combinations of ten first.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We call these facts</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Tens Family.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Every member of this family has to = 10.</div> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT6lYLmW5i-1mS7P5U2RIu79YALOgAd8L6i9Q9l8yoF6immjc1dcuWc0iG7jKvDdcaK-2vxdWhG3qzof7U_H5bBxvYhGfmSZCyK31Ra6mglmQSEmTi6ZMh9kMZvRfs1fCDdRRE2JJY-A/s1600/Fan+Fest+210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilNXjfdEBdP7jBDLZPqT70d_MXy-emQxB7s1WT5rIt5p0MiTnihsDVpuV4f637wWjr8i9w_yYLlLMIE1zp4TQmIQDsOgFmpMuCLcayxUYWYzHjyDfl9sFzEicG2qekScepUyrlassEBU/s1600/Fan+Fest+210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilNXjfdEBdP7jBDLZPqT70d_MXy-emQxB7s1WT5rIt5p0MiTnihsDVpuV4f637wWjr8i9w_yYLlLMIE1zp4TQmIQDsOgFmpMuCLcayxUYWYzHjyDfl9sFzEicG2qekScepUyrlassEBU/s320/Fan+Fest+210.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> First, I had Rebekah make stacks of Duplos,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">from 1 to 10, in two colors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib00QJDNXO-Ky-crBPNS5ixKfH3bPYh3vnFZ8Rnf9QAnW1rFfKMFVqOgsvb-bYSO7O1vAYIVKBMe-fGiBVpGgzJREzgPDxD7aXwhccJoUbYpNYlxUop9gpZ5bB92t8wsm4wMDtWcsEoJE/s1600/Fan+Fest+212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib00QJDNXO-Ky-crBPNS5ixKfH3bPYh3vnFZ8Rnf9QAnW1rFfKMFVqOgsvb-bYSO7O1vAYIVKBMe-fGiBVpGgzJREzgPDxD7aXwhccJoUbYpNYlxUop9gpZ5bB92t8wsm4wMDtWcsEoJE/s320/Fan+Fest+212.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> While she was busy placing the stacks </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">neatly on my <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1098289691">Quilting Mate</a>,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made a simple worksheet using Word.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfc0yHgMdIhCqZDDpQZc3SipNVH5uyfUAoGotLt6x2wMMVTzg-UGORwJSpMAmjT8UJWZVfFEg6vOJxoFpM1Y0AUxuG808VHihEDOD7iTK9drtPu3DJkeTNe7GygDq-YGZz4HV-WcD2EdE/s1600/Fan+Fest+216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfc0yHgMdIhCqZDDpQZc3SipNVH5uyfUAoGotLt6x2wMMVTzg-UGORwJSpMAmjT8UJWZVfFEg6vOJxoFpM1Y0AUxuG808VHihEDOD7iTK9drtPu3DJkeTNe7GygDq-YGZz4HV-WcD2EdE/s320/Fan+Fest+216.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, I had her fill in the worksheet, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">combining the stacks of Duplos,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to find the answers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From Left to Right</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10 + 0 = 10</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 + 9 = 10</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 + 8 = 10</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">up to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10 + 0 = 10</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love how the Duplos clearly show the members </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of the Tens Family,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and the beautiful patterning of numbers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are bright, easy to use,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and make Math class feel like play time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You could also use <a href="http://mommamindy.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-ive-really-learned-in-24-years.html">Legos,</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">if you don't have crawlers around,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">who would feast on your manipulatives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2jO9ybRM1XIkm_yEvbYYfrHL44W-1kXqStVyEvVldJbD1sF2zAvzRFGR90zsVUjmWyzW8BmqiPr7-WRSJfkyRlTVzVUKMC0Sv5yzopM3_LNTHJGr8Mphga25WNhGH1eEzltMx_yfqu4/s1600/Fan+Fest+220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2jO9ybRM1XIkm_yEvbYYfrHL44W-1kXqStVyEvVldJbD1sF2zAvzRFGR90zsVUjmWyzW8BmqiPr7-WRSJfkyRlTVzVUKMC0Sv5yzopM3_LNTHJGr8Mphga25WNhGH1eEzltMx_yfqu4/s320/Fan+Fest+220.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, I had her match up problems with the same addends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(The numbers you add together are the addends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The answer is the sum.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the Commutative Property for Addition.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember that from Algebra?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a + b = b + a</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 + 9 = 9 + 1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 + 8 = 8 + 2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For each math fact they memorize,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">because of the Commutative Property,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they usually are learning two problems.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The exception?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You're right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The doubles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In this case, 5 + 5.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I use the term Commutative in first grade. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kids love big words.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If they can't remember the word, fine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But, they can still understand the concept.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I tell my kids the smarter they are, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the less math they have to learn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By using the Commutative property,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they only have to learn 6 problems</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in the Tens Family, instead of 11.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Again, the Duplos clearly show the beautiful patterning</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of the Commutative Property.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scroll back up and admire the picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is one of the reasons I love math!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You so easily see we have a God of order.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLGmJrusxnqLlHFwG8GHgLGUX_IHpUzeLMraM8NPXo_ZxX7aSUtljKfg0pu-kjsjIXP8SSyb8xI9VbDAP-pTjDEOx6517A-XcCxJHdrgtguyqQ4hLZZtVMOTi4WFb5LA1aFjO9JXm3NM/s1600/Fan+Fest+223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLGmJrusxnqLlHFwG8GHgLGUX_IHpUzeLMraM8NPXo_ZxX7aSUtljKfg0pu-kjsjIXP8SSyb8xI9VbDAP-pTjDEOx6517A-XcCxJHdrgtguyqQ4hLZZtVMOTi4WFb5LA1aFjO9JXm3NM/s320/Fan+Fest+223.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We finished off the math lesson by easily tackling the math worksheet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can see where she swooped the numbers together,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to first make ten,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">then add the third number.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(The other swoops were for doubles.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was so excited about this lesson,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">especially since it is the end of the year,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and I am really, really, ready to quit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Beka later said,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Math took a little longer than normal, Mom,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">because you really got carried away."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To soften the blow, she added,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"But that's OK, Mom, because I like Math,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">especially when you get to play with Duplos."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SCORE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-88643669743219216562010-02-09T13:54:00.000-08:002010-02-12T08:08:53.808-08:00Heart Flashcards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the beginning of the year, I wanted to make triangle flashcards for Rebekah.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just used index cards, my paper cutter and a Sharpie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_IB9Fjl7q2NOjdfQb75JnSzazFSLE5DVbgHyIOOzamrGiI-XwxUAGO_qHOXQg5bSSs2pL4jyAA3q4_ExodGLzU3ETiRXMw2EWJFiRQn2uUUgG9vYi1EDpapOp9ZxZess5jSM0ytvaY4/s1600-h/Heart+Flashcards+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_IB9Fjl7q2NOjdfQb75JnSzazFSLE5DVbgHyIOOzamrGiI-XwxUAGO_qHOXQg5bSSs2pL4jyAA3q4_ExodGLzU3ETiRXMw2EWJFiRQn2uUUgG9vYi1EDpapOp9ZxZess5jSM0ytvaY4/s320/Heart+Flashcards+001.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Simple, easy, kinda ugly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But, they worked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz4hGR9NIXCO6WNsBqvjYzlv3ynjWzrQtOa4GTkeWz7GeFjWvoSLLS6VoNhE8uksWhvO8yXePl8M4uScOOHPLrPGQSzTPDX06PNquyRGr6jX9jMAJIYRctR-0WA8rIRwkmv2ABxpJ9AE/s1600-h/Heart+Flashcards+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz4hGR9NIXCO6WNsBqvjYzlv3ynjWzrQtOa4GTkeWz7GeFjWvoSLLS6VoNhE8uksWhvO8yXePl8M4uScOOHPLrPGQSzTPDX06PNquyRGr6jX9jMAJIYRctR-0WA8rIRwkmv2ABxpJ9AE/s320/Heart+Flashcards+004.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Introducing math facts in this form shows the relationship between the numbers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can make two addition facts and two subtraction facts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3+6=9</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6+3=9</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I introduce addition using the algebraic term "Commutative Property."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember a+b=b+a from 9th grade Algebra class?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It doesn't matter what order you add the numbers in addition, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the answer is the same.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If they remember the term, you're eight years ahead. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If they don't, no biggie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9-6=3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9-3=6</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They can say the facts out loud, or write them down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can hold the cards up, covering one corner and ask them to fill in the missing number.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can have them sort through all the cards and find all the other cards in the 9's Family -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5+4, 7+2, 9+0, 1+8</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2-WxrV8mnXOCiM-Pm3QMzkq8TZ8Pf3oMYNFpERA7I2syD0A89gwl45ouwt7cRBpsRVmL3bH12fdmMCfN21ojcqvFILwCxuJKCMy9Oay3JNRDffmRPvXJkTPCAZk7oi6bgw8Z8LA1dXE/s1600-h/Heart+Flashcards+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2-WxrV8mnXOCiM-Pm3QMzkq8TZ8Pf3oMYNFpERA7I2syD0A89gwl45ouwt7cRBpsRVmL3bH12fdmMCfN21ojcqvFILwCxuJKCMy9Oay3JNRDffmRPvXJkTPCAZk7oi6bgw8Z8LA1dXE/s320/Heart+Flashcards+005.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, the inspiration bug bit me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love hearts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They're like a triangle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think children learn better when color and touching are involved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like to cut and paste.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That was my major, didja' know?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vjvQ6eBGu5XKsaEWJBpoK7wKUQ53V5ApL_YEtkESFI59kZ4h10o3GVqP4zp_HD9xUXnPiUW642KZSClqHGCCjjxAsieH9WAWppN3FOpnNTp5uXZ1RlhyphenhyphenDEQgWTlFH7d1SKkSmB0mJb4/s1600-h/Heart+Flashcards+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vjvQ6eBGu5XKsaEWJBpoK7wKUQ53V5ApL_YEtkESFI59kZ4h10o3GVqP4zp_HD9xUXnPiUW642KZSClqHGCCjjxAsieH9WAWppN3FOpnNTp5uXZ1RlhyphenhyphenDEQgWTlFH7d1SKkSmB0mJb4/s320/Heart+Flashcards+007.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The larger heart is aobut 1 3/4 inches across.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The smaller one is 1 inch across.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-52g2lgzUTPTEuIPkZrOj97h3XX76Z-UDyRDFLYzN2eL61qVopiuxNiCP_VYkU7FBsRH8bwfw89jEVPfqBKcb4Uhey_Zlq5sYU9GzlgwveUnZqdz5tb45HCYVNoO0P5LL-xm7-aVKv0g/s1600-h/Heart+Flashcards+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-52g2lgzUTPTEuIPkZrOj97h3XX76Z-UDyRDFLYzN2eL61qVopiuxNiCP_VYkU7FBsRH8bwfw89jEVPfqBKcb4Uhey_Zlq5sYU9GzlgwveUnZqdz5tb45HCYVNoO0P5LL-xm7-aVKv0g/s320/Heart+Flashcards+008.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I poked a hole through the hearts, pushed in a heart brad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Used my sharpie to fill in the numbers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You don't see the answer....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDjXGJibPH2lZQBXbaOny3gj7Lr7G3E9p-ZcSsJ7lfJn7IfwqDzTt6PImOham6YnJT3t1QrvF2c8Nm4W1FfpErYPzsMkj1iS0_CGXvDpHypE1hppV7DcpNLK4UmwZEWGa7bmUhBH0MAI/s1600-h/Heart+Flashcards+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDjXGJibPH2lZQBXbaOny3gj7Lr7G3E9p-ZcSsJ7lfJn7IfwqDzTt6PImOham6YnJT3t1QrvF2c8Nm4W1FfpErYPzsMkj1iS0_CGXvDpHypE1hppV7DcpNLK4UmwZEWGa7bmUhBH0MAI/s320/Heart+Flashcards+009.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...now you do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>You</em></strong> can write neater. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have had to give up my perfectionist ways for reality.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If I am a perfectionist, they won't get done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we can't use them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then Beka ain't gunna get smarter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hAVhGNQXjluam02M83IQqOmW7Lyjy_YTwmWEAxa7Lp9aR__2GyEhaso1eTodpeSe87nqroMsiMc7GJ5_nJrM9apwMKRUNh6XQFBaUhfr90DOvz8elxQLyWqz6KlGDcBbE7wLPDorDwY/s1600-h/Heart+Flashcards+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hAVhGNQXjluam02M83IQqOmW7Lyjy_YTwmWEAxa7Lp9aR__2GyEhaso1eTodpeSe87nqroMsiMc7GJ5_nJrM9apwMKRUNh6XQFBaUhfr90DOvz8elxQLyWqz6KlGDcBbE7wLPDorDwY/s320/Heart+Flashcards+011.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beka at the IKEA easle writing four math facts for the flashcard.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MBUAlwInDoQEyrPeDEY-bh5DcQLI05PC64CHPbXf1BJlWNJzxcf5DhYIchmO8E5TvoA-0gtfk-SljoMleU8Jxx_2j_d_Xjl0bXZCM5ibES-HH55-j-Kzs6LBCBZHkOis0I9BwS_1PyM/s1600-h/heart+flashcards+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MBUAlwInDoQEyrPeDEY-bh5DcQLI05PC64CHPbXf1BJlWNJzxcf5DhYIchmO8E5TvoA-0gtfk-SljoMleU8Jxx_2j_d_Xjl0bXZCM5ibES-HH55-j-Kzs6LBCBZHkOis0I9BwS_1PyM/s320/heart+flashcards+012.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found an adorable heart tin at the thrift store for $.99.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Life is good.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish I could promise you that she LOVES to use them,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I am always real and honest.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They are prettier,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they are funner, (it's a word today)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I had a blast making them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She doesn't love using them,<br />
because she doesn't love math.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, I'm doing what I can to make the journey more pleasant.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe, with a few more bites from the inspiration bug,</div><div style="text-align: center;">she may learn to love math.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a goal I am shooting for.<br />
<br />
Until then, I'm happy trying to find ways to<br />
cut and paste those facts into her brain.<br />
<br />
Any ideas for improving? <br />
For other skills you can teach with the hearts?<br />
I'd love to hear your ideas.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em>(For other inspirational ideas from homeschooling mommies, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>pop over to the blog carnival at </em></strong><a href="http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com/2010/02/preschool-corner-snow-abounds.html?"><strong><em>Preschool Corner</em></strong></a><strong><em>.)</em></strong></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-10591743296678956262010-02-02T23:16:00.000-08:002010-02-02T23:16:19.060-08:00Counting By Tens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was a little frustrated that I couldn't find my 1-100 number chart when I needed it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know I had touched it several times earlier in the year when I didn't need it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I looked in a few obvious places, then gave up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We made do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjj1Ezrtb-8fAn19y-bFoZnWF2i-ZoeFZzFhwfbzsB-w2PGgse06DghZeq-fFTSMQ8v7FVnX_2Wr9nMKnKA1cxFUaHc_cWTE5OuleXuDO9mVMqT7OCcciY5VkXVgsgBvTPBsxzNNICHg/s1600-h/blog+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjj1Ezrtb-8fAn19y-bFoZnWF2i-ZoeFZzFhwfbzsB-w2PGgse06DghZeq-fFTSMQ8v7FVnX_2Wr9nMKnKA1cxFUaHc_cWTE5OuleXuDO9mVMqT7OCcciY5VkXVgsgBvTPBsxzNNICHg/s400/blog+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Using a piece of posterboard, I just markered in the first rows of numbers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As I taught Rebekah how to count by tens, I filled in a few columns.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, I had her fill in the rest of the rows.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was pleasantly surprised that she caught on quickly</div><div style="text-align: center;">and enjoyed being able to use the PERMANENT Magic Marker.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It bothered my type A personality that it wasn't perfectly ordered,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it worked. Sometimes my rubber bands are just too tight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">An unorgainzed disappointment turned into a blessing, </div><div style="text-align: center;">because writing out the numbers cemented the concept more quickly</div><div style="text-align: center;">than just reading along with the store-bought chart.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course, a few days later I found the chart in my bedroom,</div><div style="text-align: center;">in a pile that should have been dealt with months ago, </div><div style="text-align: center;"> so I will use it to reinforce the concept.</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-18620784718880354712010-01-18T20:30:00.000-08:002010-01-19T08:12:41.615-08:00Brain Hats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love to cut and paste. In college, I would sometimes even proclaim "Cut and Paste" as my major, instead of Elementary Education. It was the best part of college, other than reading children's literature.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">True to the contrary nature between children and parents, my kids don't always enjoy cutting and pasting. They want to do their worksheets and get school done.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I found these brain hats made by Chris at <a href="http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/2010/01/weekly-wrap-up-snow-edition.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WeirdUnsocializedHomeschoolers+%28Weird%2C+Unsocialized+Homeschoolers%29">Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers</a>, who got them from <a href="http://delightinginhisrichness.blogspot.com/">Erin</a>, who got them from <a href="http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/id97.html">Ellen</a>, I knew this would be a manditory cut and paste project. I can always use more brains. It seems I haven't had a rational, complete thought for years. It seems when you start having babies and start talking baby talk, the brain cells just....uh....uh....umm.....what was I saying?<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I showed the rabbit trail I took so you could see the blessings just one blog can lead you to.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCznpCG2U5_DtTajlp2CX0AF4dWAhp8O0D9SsTBwH97uRhIrBI-NWSlDfqORDqwJy8TrByNZO5Lyt4sSvU_6nF7IUy7aEaBLUFzg86_RXWYdE33l4KWGyQIvFn11OTaCjmelPtaCYh94/s1600-h/homeschooling+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCznpCG2U5_DtTajlp2CX0AF4dWAhp8O0D9SsTBwH97uRhIrBI-NWSlDfqORDqwJy8TrByNZO5Lyt4sSvU_6nF7IUy7aEaBLUFzg86_RXWYdE33l4KWGyQIvFn11OTaCjmelPtaCYh94/s320/homeschooling+032.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were two options, labeled or self-labeling.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yep, I chose labeled. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had to <strong><em>finish quickly</em></strong> or the unfinished projects would be<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">accidentally?!?!?!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> shoved under couch cushions, <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">slipped behind a dresser,<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> get kicked under the stove or fridge, <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(well, how DOES stuff get under there?)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or eaten by the dog, and we don't even have a dog.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJtdcAE57yopQ-YXsP0ufuZFWze9WZD4x09UcYQp9PB9pf75vxhtt9Rrytyf1zIZAmoWdMZE2me-rK3mQe2TeHnq5CjV_WaG1loppUhUpCC_Pk0AmXcovxqkaf2-dTMlrnD7EI1NRu2I/s1600-h/homeschooling+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJtdcAE57yopQ-YXsP0ufuZFWze9WZD4x09UcYQp9PB9pf75vxhtt9Rrytyf1zIZAmoWdMZE2me-rK3mQe2TeHnq5CjV_WaG1loppUhUpCC_Pk0AmXcovxqkaf2-dTMlrnD7EI1NRu2I/s320/homeschooling+033.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If I only had a brain!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, I guess I do now.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So does Jon. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIhe97C2qb_cJzvxqmJHXhsPDWsvchp2t7vRdyyd6DaDm_VJsFSc771UngoZEZxdc-qXQtFhqCb-KXKhys6rMZl6L-KeQ0uP9_0zIyv_oJRMTfH7R_B5tcd5RVCJDL0mPwI6VkZ7blp8/s1600-h/homeschooling+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIhe97C2qb_cJzvxqmJHXhsPDWsvchp2t7vRdyyd6DaDm_VJsFSc771UngoZEZxdc-qXQtFhqCb-KXKhys6rMZl6L-KeQ0uP9_0zIyv_oJRMTfH7R_B5tcd5RVCJDL0mPwI6VkZ7blp8/s320/homeschooling+039.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So does Rebekah.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She's doing math wearing her hat, <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so I can see what portion of her brain she is currently using.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See that little yellow area? <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yea, it's churning out math facts -<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">if I taped it together correctly and if Beka is wearing it correctly.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTcSnfGu9jC50OGOF2fIouoK6uR01FIYPAHdvpemUYHSBAPjrzKvMkB4G8bdapenFWYorZ8jVkz-sx62v2D8sdMVmkpKG-So8b-tnKfG9rz5gn6UeJaZJ2G0t4iNtGnjabxkYHArzIpw/s1600-h/homeschooling+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTcSnfGu9jC50OGOF2fIouoK6uR01FIYPAHdvpemUYHSBAPjrzKvMkB4G8bdapenFWYorZ8jVkz-sx62v2D8sdMVmkpKG-So8b-tnKfG9rz5gn6UeJaZJ2G0t4iNtGnjabxkYHArzIpw/s320/homeschooling+041.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The post brain project construction area.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not too bad.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No paper cuts, no unfinished projects.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another win for the Cut and Past Momma!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7240575083763897393.post-80730698432588943032010-01-18T19:15:00.000-08:002010-01-19T08:13:57.392-08:00Princess E from the Silent Kingdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are times in homeschooling when a little more instruction and activity than what the curriculum provides is necesary to cement a new concept. I have always made up little games, projects, worksheets, manipulatives and activities, but never kept track of my ideas. Blogging has provided that storage house for me.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVNvBukFNs3QCu1O58sI4adXa_bR-_4fiPlwxDSnW7l4VBpaR3L6LaNjh33mFWc_uDx4PlLs9zfI0pUT1M1-c_UlhM0Ktys_y9O2UPhlxkDOvRWeaTXq8EBqgUfnZSDb04tyHmlydI8c/s1600-h/homeschooling+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVNvBukFNs3QCu1O58sI4adXa_bR-_4fiPlwxDSnW7l4VBpaR3L6LaNjh33mFWc_uDx4PlLs9zfI0pUT1M1-c_UlhM0Ktys_y9O2UPhlxkDOvRWeaTXq8EBqgUfnZSDb04tyHmlydI8c/s320/homeschooling+042.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please let me introduce <span style="font-size: large;"><em>Princess E</em></span> from the Silent Kingdom. She doesn't speak, but she has the ability to change a short vowel sound in a single syllable word into its long vowel sound. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I bought the clothespins and stands at Michaels and my son, Jon, drilled small arm holes in them for me so they would be ready to create. Rebekah did the painting, the face creating and most of the gluing. She used chenille stems (we used to call them pipe cleaners) for arms, yarn for hair, a remnant with princess fluff on the bottom for the royal robe. Princess had a crown, but it fell off and the vacuum ate it.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZxGj635-5hj08lRBnJ5WPQJiCUwS2oO6Zi0F7hRXCJZBsMebd8j07ZsU2GJD-wnG8dDlOm0dkeugTdBEzg3LFd9Y-Hhbr08vewSrJj_dZlqyqEybcD_laELF8MSem_oM3v35IAokU8A/s1600-h/homeschooling+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZxGj635-5hj08lRBnJ5WPQJiCUwS2oO6Zi0F7hRXCJZBsMebd8j07ZsU2GJD-wnG8dDlOm0dkeugTdBEzg3LFd9Y-Hhbr08vewSrJj_dZlqyqEybcD_laELF8MSem_oM3v35IAokU8A/s320/homeschooling+057.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We made our own flashcards to show how hat turns to hate, fat to fate, tap to tape, win to wine. I purchase these great plastic index card boxes at the beginning of the year when they are very cheap and keep them in a supply box until I need them for an activity. Rebekah decorated the box with princess stickers.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Princess E regalty presides over the desk when we are going through the flashcards so we remember her special ability.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbWbKvJkREEjoCSwFg5MSlOFBj3dMYvJsg9yb9G_F-bN_y8_aqMjQcD8NKZP3XWqZAlto5xzII-4vRiPg3vag5d2FnxQRNbiDgalGc4QIH69AQTCPKA5Ku60daZFJc34qoWDEIYxPnSA/s1600-h/homeschooling+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbWbKvJkREEjoCSwFg5MSlOFBj3dMYvJsg9yb9G_F-bN_y8_aqMjQcD8NKZP3XWqZAlto5xzII-4vRiPg3vag5d2FnxQRNbiDgalGc4QIH69AQTCPKA5Ku60daZFJc34qoWDEIYxPnSA/s320/homeschooling+047.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The original idea came from these vintage cards I found years ago. Of course, I couldn't find them at the time, so I made my own set. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROv1VzfHt9jhQbJyZfE8WfiarkvSuqrt68nvqW7Y4Zu1EVYzMNRkeH53TUJKyXBfqwGzbCS97gttA1nhwnjAf3JpE1R916Zi9437h0hh9K25znWfi1UUHXH0LyFuDGZ1FWf7lsC-YETI/s1600-h/homeschooling+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROv1VzfHt9jhQbJyZfE8WfiarkvSuqrt68nvqW7Y4Zu1EVYzMNRkeH53TUJKyXBfqwGzbCS97gttA1nhwnjAf3JpE1R916Zi9437h0hh9K25znWfi1UUHXH0LyFuDGZ1FWf7lsC-YETI/s320/homeschooling+050.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I added and "ed" and "ing" card for later suffix lessons. You can see more clearly how the root word is written on the card and the "e" is written on the folded end.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You may feel you don't have time to do anything above and beyond your core curriculum, but sometimes it may take a day or two of worksheets for a new concept to kick in, so a project can relieve the pressure your child may feel while trying to master the skill. The project doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't even have to be something you keep for all the kids. <strong><em>Creating </em></strong>releases the frustration your child may feel. By the time we were done creating and were reviewing, it made sense to Rebekah. Now, a casual glance at Princess E reigning from the bookshelf is all it takes to review this phonics skill in her mind.<br />
</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182293568554955242noreply@blogger.com3