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Fall Art!

Fall Art!

I have been doing leaf impressions with my kids for years. And this year, I just about forgot about doing them. We did this fall art a little over a week ago. Yes, it has been that long since I have posted anything at all.

Since it was raining at the time, I went outside to collect the leaves. In the past, the kids and I always went on a walk together to gather the leaves. Next, we got some paper. I use computer paper, but it can be any kind of paper as long as it is thin. I do not recommend using construction paper. It is thicker and a little harder to see the impressions of the leaves.

We had to dry the leaves off and then the kids went to town!

I think the older kids had just as much fun as the younger kids.  They were using several different colors on each leaf.

I wanted to try something a little different this year.  So I dragged the paints out.  I wanted to see how it would look if we painted around the outside of the leaves.  I think it turned out pretty nice.  However, I could only get the kids to do paint one leaf.
The purple leaf is mine.  I was showing the kids what I wanted them to do.  I think it is pretty!

Painting around the leaves were a little harder to do and a little more messy.  You had to try to hold the leaves still while painting around them.

I still think the kids did an awesome job!

While we were painting, I read to them from the Apologia Botany science book.   We talked about the anatomy of the leaf, how leaves have mouths and why some leaves change colors and fall from the trees.
We all had an amazing morning of fun, due to the wonderful Botany book and the leaves that God created.  We are looking forward to reading more from the Apologia Botany book!

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Loving Mystery of History

Loving Mystery of History

They say all things happen for a reason, and I think that is true. When we begin our homeschool year back in late August, it wasn’t with the curriculum I originally thought we would be using. My plans were for my younger 2 children to use Bob Jones. All I needed was the consumables, since I already had the teacher manuals. Due to financial issues, the Bob Jones curriculum did not work out.

When I mentioned this to homeschooling friends, it wasn’t long before I was told that Mystery of History and Apologia Botany was on the way to my house for us to use. I could not believe it. I was so grateful and very thankful that a fellow homeschooling friend helped out in such a way and actually asked vendors if they would be willing to help. In return, I am going to be writing a review for the curriculum.

I must say, when I heard I was going to be getting Mystery of History, that I was a little nervous. I knew that this curriculum was going to be a lot of hands on as well as just reading and answering questions. However, I must say after using it for several weeks, we are LOVING it! The kids are actually excited about doing their history! I didn’t take pictures of the first project we did, but will continue to do so from now on.

The project we did this week involved making creations with play dough. The kids were learning how Adam had the job of naming all of the creatures and animals on the earth. We talked about how hard of a job that could have been since there were so many animals. The kids job was to make a creature that God did not make. They had to make up a totally new animal.

First we made up our own play dough recipe.  This is the recipe we used below.  Please excuse the dark photos.  I was having a hard time getting the camera setting right.

Here the kids are rolling out their dough and talking about what they were going to create.

Once the kids got started creating, they decided they wanted to try to make animals that God had already created.  I was okay with that!  I was glad they were just excited about their project!  Below, Claire’s end project was a gorilla!  Can’t you see the resemblance?  ðŸ˜‰

Samuel went with a person.  I think he did an excellent job!  He even included a belly button!

Sarah was a little bit more elaborate with her creation.  Since she is studying Ancient Egypt, she went with a Scarab.

I was really impressed with all three of my kids and their projects.  I could not believe how well they listened and participated in the lesson.

Like I said, everything happens for a reason.  It was meant for us to use Mystery of History this year.  Not only are the kids learning a lot, but so am I.  I would never have chosen this before because of it being so hands on, but God knew what we needed in our homeschool this year.

I am excited for future lessons and for what we (including me) will be learning!

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Loving Mystery of History

Loving Mystery of History

They say all things happen for a reason, and I think that is true. When we begin our homeschool year back in late August, it wasn’t with the curriculum I originally thought we would be using. My plans were for my younger 2 children to use Bob Jones. All I needed was the consumables, since I already had the teacher manuals. Due to financial issues, the Bob Jones curriculum did not work out.

When I mentioned this to homeschooling friends, it wasn’t long before I was told that Mystery of History and Apologia Botany was on the way to my house for us to use. I could not believe it. I was so grateful and very thankful that a fellow homeschooling friend helped out in such a way and actually asked vendors if they would be willing to help. In return, I am going to be writing a review for the curriculum.

I must say, when I heard I was going to be getting Mystery of History, that I was a little nervous. I knew that this curriculum was going to be a lot of hands on as well as just reading and answering questions. However, I must say after using it for several weeks, we are LOVING it! The kids are actually excited about doing their history! I didn’t take pictures of the first project we did, but will continue to do so from now on.

The project we did this week involved making creations with play dough. The kids were learning how Adam had the job of naming all of the creatures and animals on the earth. We talked about how hard of a job that could have been since there were so many animals. The kids job was to make a creature that God did not make. They had to make up a totally new animal.

First we made up our own play dough recipe.  This is the recipe we used below.  Please excuse the dark photos.  I was having a hard time getting the camera setting right.

Here the kids are rolling out their dough and talking about what they were going to create.

Once the kids got started creating, they decided they wanted to try to make animals that God had already created.  I was okay with that!  I was glad they were just excited about their project!  Below, Claire’s end project was a gorilla!  Can’t you see the resemblance?  ðŸ˜‰

Samuel went with a person.  I think he did an excellent job!  He even included a belly button!

Sarah was a little bit more elaborate with her creation.  Since she is studying Ancient Egypt, she went with a Scarab.

I was really impressed with all three of my kids and their projects.  I could not believe how well they listened and participated in the lesson.

Like I said, everything happens for a reason.  It was meant for us to use Mystery of History this year.  Not only are the kids learning a lot, but so am I.  I would never have chosen this before because of it being so hands on, but God knew what we needed in our homeschool this year.

I am excited for future lessons and for what we (including me) will be learning!

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Homeschool Pass It On – Mountain Life Festival

Homeschool Pass It On – Mountain Life Festival

The area we live in is so full of history. We love to take advantage of any activities that are put on by the National Parks. The Oconoluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains puts on a mountain life festival every year at their Mountain Farm Museum. Since we moved to the mountains 6 1/2 years ago, we have made a diligent effort to come to the festival and to support the park. At the festival, they have volunteers dressed in late 1800’s clothing. They are at various areas of the farm, talking and demonstrating certain jobs they had to do around the farm.

The area my kids enjoyed the most though was the Toys booth.  The volunteer had many items that children played with in the 1800’s in the mountains.  Below, you will see my daughter taking a turn with the dancing man.

Here, my younger children were playing with the tops.  Their dad was showing them how to spin the tops.

I love this old cabin.  Inside it has two rooms with a kitchen attached on the back.  It also has an attic that the family used as well.  They had women volunteers cooking in the kitchen over a fire in the fireplace.

This picture came from the Oconoluftee Visitor Center.  It was a little saying by a gentelman who actually lived in the Great Smokies.  I must say, I agree with him 100%.  When I visit the Great Smokies, I think about how God created this beautiful area.

These gentleman were showing people how brooms were made.

This is the Apple Barn.  The families would store the apples in here as they picked them  They would then make applesauce, apple butter and would even dry apples for apple pies.

I love taking my family here.  It is a living history and they kids learn so much.  Fields trips like this to National Parks do not cost much.  Every National Park I am aware of has a Junior Ranger program that the kids can take part in.  They are able to earn badges when they complete the activities in a book that you can purchase from the visitor centers.  Check around your area and see what you can find!

If you would like, you can look at the rest of our pictures from the Mountain Life Fesitval by clicking on the picture below.

mountain farm festival 2011

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Homeschool Pass It On – Mountain Life Festival

Homeschool Pass It On – Mountain Life Festival

The area we live in is so full of history. We love to take advantage of any activities that are put on by the National Parks. The Oconoluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains puts on a mountain life festival every year at their Mountain Farm Museum. Since we moved to the mountains 6 1/2 years ago, we have made a diligent effort to come to the festival and to support the park. At the festival, they have volunteers dressed in late 1800’s clothing. They are at various areas of the farm, talking and demonstrating certain jobs they had to do around the farm.

The area my kids enjoyed the most though was the Toys booth.  The volunteer had many items that children played with in the 1800’s in the mountains.  Below, you will see my daughter taking a turn with the dancing man.

Here, my younger children were playing with the tops.  Their dad was showing them how to spin the tops.

I love this old cabin.  Inside it has two rooms with a kitchen attached on the back.  It also has an attic that the family used as well.  They had women volunteers cooking in the kitchen over a fire in the fireplace.

This picture came from the Oconoluftee Visitor Center.  It was a little saying by a gentelman who actually lived in the Great Smokies.  I must say, I agree with him 100%.  When I visit the Great Smokies, I think about how God created this beautiful area.

These gentleman were showing people how brooms were made.

This is the Apple Barn.  The families would store the apples in here as they picked them  They would then make applesauce, apple butter and would even dry apples for apple pies.

I love taking my family here.  It is a living history and they kids learn so much.  Fields trips like this to National Parks do not cost much.  Every National Park I am aware of has a Junior Ranger program that the kids can take part in.  They are able to earn badges when they complete the activities in a book that you can purchase from the visitor centers.  Check around your area and see what you can find!

If you would like, you can look at the rest of our pictures from the Mountain Life Fesitval by clicking on the picture below.

mountain farm festival 2011

Photobucket