July 20-24, 2009: Fair Week

This week was fair week! Olivia was the only one in 4-H this year. (The boys have had quite enough of that however and plan to do a project or two next year). She did a horse project. We had interviews, booth decorating, practicing, horse washing, horse show, Jr. Rodeo and helping in the food booth. Olivia won first in her class for showmanship this year. Yeah!

In addition to Olivia's requirements for the week we watched the dairy show (it was at 1 PM verses all the other shows at 8AM). We ate yummy fair food and looked at all booths. We also rode in the parade and through candy for Alex's business.

We were also able to sneak away from the fair for a while and spend time with our home school friends we haven't seen this summer. Why is it that we only see our home school friends during 9 months of the year? The kids swam on our friends lake among other things.

April 13, 2009 (Monday): Moving on to Native Americans

Mom School
Pray/Pledge
Song: God Be With You Till We Meet Again
Theology: Chapter 36: Responsibilities of Family Members from Gospel Principles
Book of Mormon Stories: 2,000 Stripling Warriors and Lehi & Nephi Preach
Friend Article
American History: We have moved on to the Native American Indians for a week or two and then we will dive into the Civil War. Today we discussed Indians in general. We used several encyclopedias we checked out from the town library. Luke liked practicing the sign language that was in one of them.
Literature/World History: Read 2 chapters from Greek Myths: Ulysses and the Trojan War by Usborne.
Language Arts: I taught them about Thesaurus and how to use them. We practiced on several words. We also talked about synonyms and antonyms. The Children's Thesaurus that I recently bought from Hastings for cheap is The Harcourt Brace Student Thesaurus. It's a great children's Thesaurus.
Memorization: 12 apostles and the Latter-day prophets
Family History/World War II: Read several pages of Memories of a Flying Tiger. This Family History book recounts ths story of my grandfather fighting the Japanese in China as a "Flying Tiger."
Science: Gravity and Magnets from Science and Technology: Learn How Things Work by Capella
Math: Read Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi: A Math Adventure by Cindy Neuschwander
Chores

Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter from the Book of Mormon.
Math: Lesson 134 from Saxon 6/5.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Language Arts: Prepositions review from Easy Grammar.
Writing: Did an Editor in Chief lesson.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- Dour
Vocabulary/Language Usage: Did a root words lesson.
Free Reading: Read The Land of Elyon #3 for 30 min.
Literature: Read The Red Badge of Courage for 30 min.
Life Skills: Snickerdoodles
Science: Invented an automatic cat food feeder from household items.
Creative Play/Simulations: Held "court" today and Olivia was the judge. The case was whether Jared did in fact steal some of Caleb's Easter candy. The boys each had to submit in writing their side of the case. They also had to orally present their case. In the end the verdict was for the defendant as there was no evidence other than the 6 year old's accusation.
Art: Coloring on paper plates to make faces.

Jared
Religion: Read a chapter in the New Testament Reader.
Music: Practiced his piano lesson and had a piano lesson.
Math: Did a Singapore 3B lesson.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Language Arts: Had a lesson on verbs, adverbs, adjectives and nouns. Then did a Mad Libs page. He loved this!
Handwriting: Did a cursive writing lesson.
Science: Played with Snap Circuits, Jr.
Life Skills: Prepared a family home evening lesson.
Creative Play: See Olivia's explanation.
World History: Story of the World vol 2 30 min

Luke
Religion: Read a chapter in The Book of Mormon Reader.
Geography: Did a geography lesson from Evan-Moor.
Math: Did 3 pages of Saxon Math 2.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 7 pages of Explode the Code and finished Book 3.
Creative Writing: More creative writing on the computer.
Language Arts: Using a dictionary.
Free Reading: Read for 15 min in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Science: Played with Snap Circuits, Jr.
World History: Story of the World vol 2 1 hour and 30 min

Caleb
Math: Did a Right Start Math lesson.
Math Drill: Played Sum Swap with Alex.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 2 pages of Explode the Code.
Reading: Read a phonics reader and two McGuffy lessons to me. Alex also read to him for a while.
Science: Played with Snap Circuits, Jr.
Creative Play: See Creative play under Olivia.
Art: Coloring on paper plates to make faces.
World History: Story of the World vol 2 30 min

Family Home Evening:
Songs: Give Said the Little Stream and I Love to See the Temple
Visiting: Visited two families. (One a widow and another who are empty-nesters and have been sick).
Article of Faith: 3rd
Character: "Courtesy" from Uncommon Courtesy. Started it over again.
Strength of Youth: Press Forward With Faith. Finished book again, will start it over again.
Talent: Caleb
Testimonies: Dad, Mom, Luke and Caleb
Lesson: Faith by Jared. Also included excerpts from this talk by Elder Pearson.
Game: Scavenger Hunt and Craft Project by Olivia
Treats: Snicker doodles

To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, word of the day, studied for my BYU Geography final for three hours.
Alex: Scriptures, read a chapter from The Law by Bastiat, word of the day, went to work, and listened to Brisingr.

01/23/09: Day on the Hill

Today the older three were able to go to the capital and learn more about our government. They loved it! They each presented a bill they had written and then tried to get it to pass. They learned about parliamentary procedure and the way laws are passed. They were able to meet a Idaho Supreme Court Justice and tour the court room and his chambers. They can't wait to go next year.

While Alex took the kids to that Caleb and I swam and than went to my sisters and hung out with her and her children.

Everyone had a fun day!