September 8, 2009 (Tuesday): A Message From the President

Family Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1

Mom School
Pray
Song: Called to Serve and My Body is a Temple
Weekly Scripture Memorization: 3 Nephi 11:29 : )
Current Events: Today we watched the broadcast by Pres. Obama to the school children of American. We had quite the lively discussion about socialism, environmentalism, discrimination, pushing agendas. All I could see in my mind was a picture of Mao's Red China. Scary. And people don't even see it.

History/Science: Went to the Herret Center, a Natural History Museum. We had a very fun visit. It focused on Central American/Mayan history and animals. We've been several times over the years, but this was a good visit. They had some computers set up and we played Mayan games and puzzles for a while.
Science: Played "Spin the Bottle." I made questions out of all the vocabulary words and subjects we have learned so far this year and put them inside the bottle and they had to answer the question if it landed on them. They REALLY liked it. We'll add more questions and keep playing as the year goes on.
Science Experiment: "Magic Gas" Fill a plastic bottle 1/3 of the way full with warm water. Add a package of yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Swirl to mix. Then place a balloon over the top securely. Wait and watch as the balloon magically rises. (We helped ours along because it said to place in a warm window sill. We had no warm window sill today. So we turned the oven on and just them on top of the oven). Point: Since yeast is a plant the carbon dioxide from it rises and causes the balloon to rise as well.
Science Observation: We looked through the telescope at Jupiter and its four moons. (tonight)

Life Skills: Major grocery shopping and library
Service: Make cookies for a community member.
Chores

Family: Currently my computer is giving me massive problems and extreme mental anguish. Therefore, I'm keeping this simple... Everyone did: Math, Math drill, spelling, creative writing, phonics, grammar, geography and free reading. Some people did a little more, but I'm going to pitch this computer so I'm ending...

September 7, 2009 (Monday)

Happy Labor Day Everybody!!!

September 4, 2009 (Friday)

Family Scripture Study: Finished the Book of Acts

Mom School
Pray/National Anthem
Music: Do What is Right, The Books of the Old and New Testament, The Books of the Book of Mormon, Valiant Song, Beautiful Savior, and a Rhythm poem
Church History: Read over 20 pages and finished Illustrated Stories from Church History vol. 1.
Weekly Scripture Memorization: Ether 12:27
Friend Article
Biography/American History: We read the Declaration of Independence and discussed it using the book The Declaration of Independence: The words that made America Illustrated and Inscribed by Sam Fink.
Read-a-loud: We read two chapters from Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo.
Language Arts: Read the book The Boy who Loved Words by Roni Schotter.
Science: Read another chapter in Science A Closer Look by Macmillan/McGraw-Hill-We really like this book!
PE: Worked on the land for a couple of hours.
Math Game: Played Life
Service: Make cookies and delivered them for a new move in.
Chores

Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in Genesis.
World History:
Geography: Did a geography lesson from Evan-Moor.
Science: Read 5 pages in a science textbook.
Art: Still making all sorts of cards. Very creative and they are nice looking.
Math: Did a Saxon 7/6 lesson.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Language Arts: Did a lesson in Daily Grams.
Creative Writing: Did an Editor-in-Chief lesson.
Research: History research.
Vocabulary/Language Usage: Did a Greek words lesson.
Free Reading: Read for a couple of hours in Work and the Glory #4.
Book on Tape: Listened to Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods.

Jared
Religion: Read in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced his recital piece.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 6/5 lesson.
Math Drill: Did an addition math fact drill.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Creative Writing: Did a lesson in Let's Write
Book on Tape: Listened to Fablehaven #3 for an hour.
Reading: Read in Peter and the Starcatchers for an hour.
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
PE: bike riding and running

Luke
Religion: Read in the Book of Mormon
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 3 lesson.
Math Drill: Did an addition fact page.
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Creative Writing: Did a Let's Write lesson.
Free Reading: Read various library books for 30 min.
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
PE: Wii sports

Caleb
Religion: Read a verse in the Book of Mormon to me.
Geography: Did a lesson from Evan-Moor.
Math: Did two Saxon Math 2 lessons.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 3 pages of Explode the Code
Handwriting: Practicing his cursive letters.
Reading: Finished Hop on Pop and practiced his sight words
Phonics: Played on Starfall for an hour.

To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, spell drill, word of the day, practiced the piano, and went on a date.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to work, listening to a Rich Dad, Poor Dad book, and went on a date with me.

End of the summer field trip

We finished off the summer with one heck of a field trip. Click the links from our family blog to see more. We flew out of Salt Lake City, Utah and landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here's our trip chronicles:

Salt Lake City

Rehobath Beach, Delaware

Washington, DC, Temple

Our old house

Family History

Visiting grandma

Canada & Niagara Falls

Palmyra, New York

The Site of the Aaronic Priesthood Restoration

Philadelphia-Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and The Betsy Ross Home

September 3, 2009 (Thursday)

Family Scripture Study: Acts 27

Mom School
Pray/Pledge
Music: Do What is Right, Beautiful Savior, Books of the Old Testament, Search Ponder and Prayer and Rhythm poem
Church History: Read 12 pages Illustrated Stories from Church History vol. 1
Weekly Scripture Memorization: Ether 12:27
Friend Article
Idaho History: Learned about Idaho's State flag, tree and bird from A Rendezvous With Idaho History.
American History:We read Holiday Histories: Labor Day by Mir Tamim Ansary.
Biography: We read Gandhi by Demi, a Margaret K. McElderry Book
Read-a-loud: Read 4 chapters of Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo.
Science: Read a chapter in Science A Closer Look by Macmillan/McGraw-Hill about animal habitats.
Science Experiment: We learned how the stems and root carry water up to the leaves to make food. So we put celery in a cup with food coloring and watched the food coloring travel to the leaves on the celery.
Character: We read Is it Right to Fight? and Stop Picking on Me by Pat Thomas
Chores

Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in Genesis.
World History/Research: Studied for two hours about Russia and various things from several library books and linking things on the Internet.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 7/6 lesson.
Math Drill: Did an addition fact drill.
Math Game: Played Cashflow for Kids with a friend and Caleb.
Language Arts: Did a Daily Grams lesson
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- Propitious
Art: Made more cards.
Creative Writing: Did an Editor-in-Chief lesson.
Clubs: Had Activity Days at the church.

Jared
Religion: Read in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced his recital piece.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 6/5 lesson.
Math Drill: Did an addition math fact drill.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Creative Writing: Did a lesson in Let's Write
Book on Tape: Listening to Fablehaven #3 for two hours.
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
PE: 30 min Wii Fit, Wii Sports with Alex and bike riding

Luke
Religion: Read in the Book of Mormon
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 3 lesson.
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
PE: Wii sports with Alex

Caleb
Religion: Read a verse in the Book of Mormon to me.
Geography: Did a lesson from Evan-Moor.
Math: Did two Saxon Math 2 lessons.
Math Game: Played Cashflow for Kids with Olivia and a friend.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 3 pages of Explode the Code
Handwriting: Practicing his cursive letters.
PE: Wii Sports with Alex

To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, word of the day, went to the temple, led Activity Days, had a meeting for Activity Days and did some more things with that, Greek practice, started Walden again, and worked on Family History.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, watched the kids half the day so I could go to the temple, read in Walden, listening to a Rich Dad, Poor Dad book and went to work.

September 2, 2009 (Wednesday)

Family Scripture Study: Acts 26

Mom School
Pray/Pledge
Music: Do What is Right, The Books of the Old and New Testament, Beautiful Savior and a Rhythm poem.
Church History: Read 12 pages from Illustrated Stories from Church History vol. 1.
Weekly Scripture Memorization: Ether 12:27
New Era Article
Social Studies: Read a chapter from Houghton Mifflin Social Studies: States and Regions.
Read-a-loud: Read two chapters from Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo.
Science: Read one chapter from Science: A Closer Look by Macmillan/McGraw-Hill.
Art: The kids painted their sculptures from Monday. Some of them made watercolor pictures. We have some really neat art supplies this year.
PE: Pulled BIG weeds on the 82 acres for over two hours. We are tired!
Chores

Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in Genesis.
Music: Practiced her voice for the recital.
World History: Read out of the The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History and then looked up some of the on line links for it.
Geography: Did a lesson from Evan-Moor.
Science: Learned more about plant reproduction.
Math: Did a Saxon 7/6 lesson.
Math Drill: Did a addition fact sheet.
Art: Made some more cards.
Game: Played Cashflow for Kids with Jared and Caleb.
Spelling: Did a spell drill.
Language Arts: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- Egregious
Vocabulary/Language Usage: Greek root words lesson.
Creative Writing: Did an Editor and Chief lesson.
Free Reading: Read Work and the Glory #4 for 30 min.
Life Skills: Helped with dinner.

Jared
Religion: Read in The Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced his recital piece.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 6/5 lesson.
Math Drill: Did an addition math fact drill.
Game: Played Cashflow for Kids with Olivia and Caleb.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Creative Writing: Did a lesson in Let's Write about categorizing. (This is also good handwriting practice).
Reading: Read in Peter and the Starcatchers for 1 1/2 hours.
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.

Luke
Religion: Finished a chapter in the Book of Mormon.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 3 lesson.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
Handwriting: Cursive lesson from A Reason for Writing.
Reading: Read in Eragon for 30 min.
PE: 30 min of Wii Sports

Caleb
Religion: Read a couple of versus in the Book of Mormon to me.
Geography: Did a lesson from Evan-Moor.
Math: Did a Saxon Math 2 lesson.
Game: Played Cashflow for Kids with Jared and Olivia.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 3 pages of Explode the Code
Reading: Sight words drill
Art: Lots of picture drawing today.

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, worked on my Activity Days lesson, and did Family History research.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to the temple, went to work, had Bishopric responsibilities tonight.

September 1, 2009 (Tuesday)

Mom School
Family Scriptures: Acts 25
Pray/Pledge
Song: Do What is Right, The Books of the Old Testament, Teach Me to Walk in the Light, Beautiful Savior and "Be Choosy," a rhythm poem.
Church History: Read 13 pages from Illustrated Stories from Church History vol. 1
Weekly Scripture Memorization: Ether 12:27
Friend Article
Idaho History: Learned about the Idaho State Seal from the book A Rendezvous With Idaho History
Fairy Tales/Fables: Read the several rhymes and 3 fairy tales from Core Knowledge 1st grade.
Read-a-loud: We read two chapters from Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo.
Science: Read one chapter from Science: A Closer Look by Macmillan/McGraw-Hill. We discussed classifying things. Despite this being a textbook we are really having some lively conversations. The pictures are very helpful to our discussions.
Science Experiment: What liquids will an egg float in? Flour water, salt water, sugar water or plain water? (Salt water)
Chores

Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter 8 in Genesis.
New Era: Read 10 New Era articles.
American History: Read about the Revolutionary War.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor geography lesson.
Math: Did lesson 2 from Saxon 7/6.
Math Drill: Did two addition drill fact pages.
Language Arts: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
Creative Writing: Did an Editor-in-Chief lesson.
Art: Made several "little cards."
Writing: Wrote in her journal.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- Profligate
Free Reading: Read in Work and the Glory #4 and a American Girls book.
Book on Tape: Listened to Gregoor and the Prophecy of Bane.

Jared
Religion: Read a chapter in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced for his piano recital piece.
Math: Did a Saxon 6/5 lesson.
Math Drill: Did a addition fact drill.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages in Explode the Code
Geography: Did a geography lesson from Evan-Moor.
Creative Writing: Continue to work on brainstorming. He thought of 5 more things to write a story on.
Free Reading: Read in Peter and the Star Catchers #1.
Book on Tape: Finished Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods.

Luke
Religion: Read in the Book of Mormon.
Geography: Did a geography lesson from Evan-Moor.
Math: Did a Saxon Math 3 lesson.
Games: Played "Old Navy" with Caleb. I'm not sure why they thought it was that instead of "Old Maid."
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Handwriting: Cursive handwriting practice
Creative Writing: Worked on a story on the computer.
Free Reading: Read in Eragon.

Caleb
Religion: Read a couple of verses in the Book of Mormon.
Geography: Did a lesson from Evan-Moor.
Math: Did 1 1/2 Saxon 2 lesson.
Phonics/Handwriting: 2 pages from Explode the Code
Reading: Read Cat in the Hat to me and part of a Dora book.
Game: Played Old Navy with Luke.

Family (in the evening):
PE: Worked on the 82 acres.

To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, spell drill, word of the day, practiced the piano, did lots of family history work, worked on Greek, read in The Lord of the Rings: The Twin Towers and went to an Enrichment meeting at church.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to the temple, attended a business meeting for his industry and went to work.