Wierd Science...Cell structures

This year in our Science studies we are learning about the Human body. We are using Fulbright's book Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy & Physiology. The first two weeks is about the cell structure and what better way to learn about it, is to build a model of it. This particular activity was not in the course work but I added it in. We spread the activity over the course of three to four days. It could be completed in one day but we chose to do it in smaller chunks.

To begin I purchased a Styrofoam disc from our local craft shop and some modeling clay. All of the cell parts except for the cell membrane and cytoplasm were made using the clay. A marker was used for the cell membrane and a piece of plastic wrap glued down to represent the cytoplasm.

As you can see push pins came in handy to tack everything in place as well as a label maker. If you don't have one labels can always be hand written.

It helped tremendously in information retention. The kids enjoyed making them as well.

Our Dancer...

Dancer has once again returned to her first love, ballet. She took a year off to explore theatre. She would love to do both and we think we have finally found a company that will give her the opportunity to do just that. During the school year she will be able to practice her ballet steps and in the summer participate in a small theatre production. My prayer is that whatever direction she may choose may she bring God honor and glory.

Sadly this is the only picture I can share with all of you of our very small schoolroom since it is always overflowing with books, papers and other clutter. Sure our room was clean for the first week of school but with budget cuts this year, the janitor only comes once a week (LOL).

To tell you the truth every space in our home is utilized for learning. Yes, even the bathroom, you ask. Many of my kids will read just about anywhere in the house. (LOL). This room is used for some things but it's main purpose was to store all of our school stuff. Over the few short years since we have had this room, we have outgrown it.

Many have asked what our curriculum plans are for this year. After many months of research, purchasing and shipment travels here is our list for the 2010-2011 school year?

Sport-Seventh Grade

English: Rod & Staff
Vocabulary: Wordly Wise
Latin: English from the Roots Up and Big book of Latin
Composition: Excellence in Writing (US History Based writing)
Math: Pre-Algebra by Addison and Wesley
Science: Apologia Physical Science
History: Eclectic assortment of books history from early American history to Andrew
Jackson presidency.
Spanish: Secondary Spanish by Alpha Omega
Art: Assortment of various artists.
Music: Piano lessons and band practice.
Awana, Lego League and sports once lego league is finished.

Dancer..(Fifth Grade)

English: Rod & Staff
Vocabulary: Wordly Wise
Latin: English from the Roots up and BIg book of Latin
Composition: Excellence in Writing level A.
Spelling: Sequential Spelling
Math: Horizons
Science: Apologia Anatomy and Physiology
History: Eclectic assortment of books history from early American history to Andrew
Jackson presidency.
Art: Assortment of various artists.
Music: Piano lessons and band practice.
AWANA, Ballet and maybe a theatre show.

Racer..(Second Grade)

English: Rod and Staff
Phonics: Explode the Code
Spelling: Spelling Power
Math: Horizons
Sciemce: Apologia Human Anatomy and Physiology
History: Eclectic assortment of books history from early American history to Andrew
Jackson presidency.
Art: Assortment of various artists.
Music: Piano lessons and band practice.
AWANA, soccer and other sports.

Here is a picture to share....
This was taken at the kids band recital in June. It is rare that my kids have the opportunity to get dressed up. Yes, I did snap off a few more pix.

Back to School

We have a Back 2 School tradition in our home that we do every year. Each year I have the kids pick out a colored piece of construction paper. This year we used scrapbook paper. On that piece of paper they write their name, grade, weight, height and any interesting facts about themselves. We pull these papers out again at the end of the school year and update them. It is always fun for us to see the big changes each child has made in terms of growth.

Another tradition that we do every year is my hubby and I write a welcome letter to each child for the new grade level. We give it to them the night before and spend a time praying as a family for the new school year. Our kids enjoy this time immensely and look forward to the loving words on their new letters every school year.

Do you have any Back 2 School traditions in your home? Please do share...

In Him,

Amy

Happy 15th Anniversary!!!

15 years ago today the Lord blessed me with a wonderful man. I consider it a real blessing to be married to him. I love him so much.

I'm back......

I apologize for the long blogging absence, priorities and life just got in the way. Many have asked what had happened to me...it was as if I fell off the face of the blogging world. I will try to blog more regularly once again. Many have shared that they have missed my posts and my home school ideas and secrets. My family has missed the picture up dates and ramblings of our family as well. Not too sure how often I will be able to post but I will try to do my best.


Around here we are gearing up for some big changes...God has been leading and directing us to take some BIG leaps of faith. It has been scary but I would rather be walking in obedience with Him than to be giving in to my fears. More of this in blog posts to come.

Sad to even fathom that summer vacation is just about over. I finally managed to clean out the files and get the school room spruced up for the new year. We will be filing independently this year. The name of our home school was voted by the family and decided on Infinity Christian School (shaping minds for an eternity.) This is another big leap of faith for us. Something I have wanted to do for so long but felt like I needed the assistance of a Christian PSP. It turned out that our money was being spent just for them to keep our paper work, something that I can do just as well on my own. The kids are excited and a bit nervous but with so many homeschool support groups out there that we know of, we will be taken care of with social play dates, field trips and mom encouragement time (so need that).

Our curriculum has been ordered and I am still waiting on a few more packages to arrive in the mail. I have been spending many evenings researching and researching curricula that would be just the right fit for each of my kiddos. I will be hitting some uncharted waters, homeschooling a now 7th grader, 5th and 2nd grader. Uncharted meaning, way back before I had kids I did my student teaching in a 5-6th grade combination and occasional substitute teaching in that grade level as well. Now that our eldest is in 7th, I am feeling a little anxious to have everything covered academically. I know deep down that God has been there in our homeschool since the beginning and He will continue to carry us through these junior high and high school academic years as well. Speaking of that I should do a post for new homeschool moms on blessings. Great topic and encouraging too.

Here are a few picks from our summer activities to share with family and friends...

Racer having some 4th of July fun. What a firework show that was. Always lots of fun.

This is our Lady in Waiting..Dancer was in a summer play of Cinderella. She had so much fun that she was ready each morning, without any need to be reminded. As a mom you know it when your child does this, you found their passion. She has the theatre bug now and can not wait for the next one.

Sport got his feet wet in volunteer work this summer. He volunteered at the local library in their summer reading club. He enjoyed it and it gave him a time to learn how to put others first. To our surprise the library gave each volunteer a $10 gift card to Barnes & Noble, such a sweet surprise. He looks forward to spending it.

More pictures and posts to come...

What we have been up to....

For Christmas our family rented a cabin in the mountains. We were hoping for a white Christmas for the kids. Living in Southern California we are spoiled with having 70 degree temperatures on Christmas morning. Most people travel to get away from cold weather, here in California we travel to see and experience cold weather. Sadly, the kids didn't get to see snow falling but we did get blessed with lots of white powder on the ground. The kids had so much fun playing all day on Christmas Eve outside.

On New Years Eve we did our traditional celebration we do every year and have been since the kids were just babies. We set up our living room into a elegant restaurant complete with a fire in the fireplace. Each year it is the same menu, steak, seafood, vegetable and yummy Clearman's cheese bread. This year we enjoyed eating crab legs. After eating, playing games, watching movies the kids enjoy staying up late to watch the NYC ball drop. I was quite surprised that my youngest Racer,6, stayed up to welcome in the New Year.

New Years was a day for naps, games and watching the Rose Parade. A relaxing day for all.

Right after the holidays it was time to hit the books once again. We have been enjoying our history studies of learning about the Middle Ages. While I type this we are enjoying a fire on a rainy day and watching Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Once I get more time I will share with all of you what more we have been up to.