What we're doing this Summer

Linking up to:

Preschool Post @ Homeschool Creations

Weekly Wrap-up @ Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers



Well in my neck of the woods summer temperatures are definitely here in full force!  It's been consistently over or near 100's the last few weeks.  Bleh!  It makes one want to be in the water or in the air condition all day.

We have off from school until August so we are at a really light and easy routine.  If we want to go outside we have to go out in the early morning or a little before dusk.

This is what we are doing to have fun/ keep busy this summer:

So, I bought the kids fun items from Michael's dollar crafts/toy area and Target's dollar spot and are giving those out once or twice a week.

I saved all of the printables/ craft sheets and activities that somehow did not get used throughout this year.  I let them choose from that file folder.

I keep crayons, tape, pencils and yes even markers in a carousel on their desks/tables with a basket of stickers, coloring books and blank paper.  This allows them to freely create anytime they wish.

Sensory trays: I am trying to let them play with a sensory tray or some kind of 'messy' art at the 'Big' table once or twice a week.

There is a lot of free and unstructured play like building  blanket tents all over the living room and creating a store or a school with their stuffed animals.

We have weekly playdates and park days with friends.  We are also exploring new parks as a family when Dad gets home.

We are not doing anything 'academic' per se except for occasionally listening to the Classical Conversations Cycle 3 CD.  We are using Hubbard's Cupboard's character trait tune charts this summer.

We ARE reading and reading and reading this summer.  I am using Simply Charlotte Mason and Ambleside Online reading recommendations.  We are also participating in our local library reading program this summer.

Bud is continuing his weekly Draw, Write, Now class, too.

In the meantime, I am busy preparing for the Fall.  I can't wait to share how we are using CC Cycle 3 with our kindergartener and also what we have scheduled for our Preschool and Toddler this year.  DH and I are excited to be attending two Homeschool conferences in the next few weeks.  We went to the CC Parent Practicum a few weeks ago and learned so much.


To God be the glory!

I pray that you have a great summer!!

Bud's tent creation

shaving cream

messy fun

textured painting with tempera paint and cornstarch and a toothbrush

Inspired by Eric Carle's clouds

Little Bear's pop on creation

At their craft tables

Sensory trays: Rice

exploring a new park

Sweet Sissy

Daddy and Little Bear

Bud learned how to use a power drill from Daddy.  Here he is screwing in the frame to his bed.

Sissy made all of their beds one morning.

Best Friends

and she refolded everything in their PJ drawers

Who knows why the rice trays are a hit...but here they are again.


 

C is for Cow and H is for Horse (farm animals)

Well, I haven't posted about school in a few weeks.  We have been having school---but our weekends have been so busy that I have not had a chance to update the blog.


We started the farm animals section of My Father's World a few weeks ago.  Since G is for Goat discusses Jesus' sacrifice on the cross--I am waiting until next week to go over that.


C is for Cow- God's Word helps me to grow.

H is for Horse- I obey right away.


read alouds- James Herriot's Treasury for Children: http://www.amazon.com/James-Herriots-Treasury-Children-Creatures/dp/0312085125

A Year at Maple Hill Farm and Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm

Bud has enjoyed James Herriot's Treasury.  The stories have really engaged him.  He is not a huge animal/farm person so I'm glad he is enjoying this series.

I have tried to find step by step drawing instructions for animals lately.   Bud usually draws the animal on the top portion of the copywork pages from Mama Jenn's Word to Remember pages

We used a lot of the printable pages from Making Learning Fun farm section for this unit.

For Sissy and Little Bear, I used some of the great printables from Confessions of a Homeschooler's Letter of the Week. 

Little Bear hamming it up for the camera.

He enjoys the large bingo markers.

Sissy did a great job on her letter C.

Okay I printed out a stack of these bingo marker pages and I think Sis did most of them.  She loves to use those markers, too.

Moving on to Horse---using watercolors

Sissy is very careful

A close-up pic of James Herriots "Bonnie's Big Day"

I can still play with play doh, right?  Well, here is my attempt at a horse.

I've really limited the amount of toys in the play/school room.  I am trying to rotate toys each week.  I brought out the wooden toys and Little Bear loooved them.

Bud's picture and Words to Remember copywork.  We continue to say this phrase.  It is one we will truly remember.  'I obey right away' and then we add 'neigh, neigh, neigh'.

Bud's handwriting sheet.  I think he has great handwriting for  his age.

Sissy wanted to start learning to write her letters.  Here is a pic of her writing in her Kumon book.

We've had some beautiful days and nights here in past weeks.  One night we decided to eat al fresco.  Here's DH with our trio.

The parting of the Sea craft by Bud.

Sorting farm animals, pets, wild animals and ocean animals

Bud likes sorting games.

To follow the 'I obey right away' theme, I hid some muffin boxes and called out directions for them to find them.  This is the last direction to Sissy's play washer. 

Bud mixing blueberry muffins.

Each one got to mix their own muffin mix.

Linking to:


Preschool Post @ Homeschool Creations


Weekly Wrap-up @ Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Weekly Homeschool Highlights @ A Heart Like Water

I is for Insect

We had a great Spring Break.  Some of the cousins got a chance to visit and we celebrated Little Bear's birthday!

Last week, we got back to school and it was I is for Insect week.  It was a great week for it since it is really starting to feel like Spring around here.  Because it's Central Texas some days also feel like Summer and the occasional Fall/Winter weather, too.  But, we'll take it--since everyday will start to be in the '90's soon.

The Words to Remember were: I am a wise child so I work hard.

Looking at all the bugs they found underneath an outside toy.

Sissy and one of our neighbors looking for bugs.

Making fingerprint ants

more insects

I've been going through the book, 'Slow and Steady Get Me Ready' by June Oberlander with Sissy.  It was the 'Money Talk' lesson.  Here she is observing a nickel and penny with a magnifying glass.

More fingerprint creepy crawlies

We had beautiful weather last week!  The kids spent hours outside and I do mean hours:)

Bud trying to catch or look for insects.

Little Bear with his new batting tee.

He loves it!

Watch out--he'll hit it far!

Bud's photograph of the sky!

A little overcast

Grey skies

Cowgirl Sissy

Making inchworms carefully after reading 'Inch by Inch' by Leo Lionni

Play dough inchworms---fun!

After reading 'The Little Red Hen'--the kids played with all types of grains.  How does that connect with insects?  Well, it connects with the Words to Remember: I am a wise child so I work hard.  The hen was wise and worked hard and the other animals were lazy and did not work hard. 

They loved this activity.  It was very open ended....I didn't give them any instructions on what to do with it.

They were creating recipes and played for a loooong time.

Bud creating a 'recipe'.

Sissy

Linking to:

MFW Homeschool Highlights @ A Heart Like Water

Preschool Post @ Homeschool Creations

Weekly Wrap-Up @ Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Hip Homeschool Hop