(Nearly) Wordless Weekend: Prayer bowl

Today Jordan came downstairs with name cards that she had made for the people she is praying for.  At the top of her list is her Papa, who is recovering from surgery.  She showed them to us, then put them in our prayer bowl on the kitchen table.  Jeff and I couldn't stop smiling...what a BLESSING our children are to us!!! 

Our Homeschool: American History 1500-1850 Reading List

This year, we are doing Core 3 from Sonlight, American History 1500-1850


I thought that I would list the books that we are reading in chronological order as a reference for when we swing back around to this time period, and also for anyone who is planning to study early American History!


Before our year began, I had to seek out books that fit into this time period, but were at a 1st grade reading level (for my younger daughter).  So, this list ranges from 1st - 3rd grades, with read aloud books here and there.  Many of them are from Sonlight's list, with others added as I have discovered them at the library, or on other blogs. 

American History Resource List 1500-1850
1st-3rd Grade

The Story of the U.S.A., Books 1 and 2
Meet Christopher Columbus by James T. DeKay
Pedro's Journal by Pam Conrad
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
North American Indians by Marie and Douglas Gorsline
Pocahontas and the Strangers by Clyde Robert Bulls
The True Story of Pocahontas by Lucille Recht Penner
Indians by Edwin Tunis
A Lion to Guard us by Clyde Robert Bulla
Abeka's Pilgrim's Progress Simplified
Dear America:  A Journey to the New World by Kathryn Lasky
American Girl "Kaya" books
The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh
The First Thanksgiving by Linda Hayward
Thanksgiving Day by Gail Gibbons
The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh
Welcome to Felicity's World:  Growing up in colonial America by Gourley
The American Revolution for Kids by Janis Herbert
What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? by Jean Fritz
Calico Bush by Rachel Field
In God We Trust:  Stories of Faith in American History by Timothy Crater
The Matchlock Gun by Walter D. Edmonds
The Farm:  Life in Colonial Pennsylvania by James E. Knight
The Winter People by Joseph Bruchac
Can't you Make them Behave, King George? by Jean Fritz
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Salem Days: Life in a Colonial Seaport by James E. Knight
Emma's Journal: The Story of a Colonial Girl by Marissa Moss
And then What Happened, Paul Revere? by Jean Fritz
Mr. Revere and I by Robert Lawson
American Girl "Felicity" books
Winter at Valley Forge
Carry on, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
Revolutionary War on Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne
Magic Treehouse Research Guide "American Revolution"
If you Were there when they Signed the Constitution by Elizabeth Levy
Meet George Washington by Joan Heilbroner
Phoebe the Spy by Judith Griffin
Sarah Whitcher's Story by Elizabeth Yates
Meet Thomas Jefferson by Marvin Barrett
How We Crossed the West:  The Adventures of Lewis & Clark by Schanzer
Westward to Home by Patricial Hermes
The Journeyman by Elizabeth Yates
Imprisoned in the Golden City by Dave & Neta Jackson
Robert Fulton, Boy Craftsman by Marguerite Henry
Maker of Machines:  A story about Eli Whitney by Barbara Mitchell
Justin Morgan had a Horse by Marguerite Henry
Emmas Secret:  The Cincinnati Epidemic (Sisters in time series)
Gold Fever!  Tales from the California Gold Rush by Rosalyn Schanzer
Bandit Moon by Paul Fleischmann
By the Great Horn Spoon by Sid Fleishmann
They Saw the Elephant:  Women in the California Gold Rush
Dear America:  Seeds of Hope by Kristina Gregory
The Underground Railroad for Kids by Mary Kay Carson
Africa Dream by Eloise Greenfield
Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
Hands on History:  Projects about Plantation Life by Marian Broida
The Drinking Gourd by F.N. Monjo
Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln by Jean Fritz
Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers by Karen B. Winnick
A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln by David A. Adler


This summer we will be taking time off from our regular studies and diving into PIONEER LIFE!  It will be mostly hands-on activities and crafts, but here is our tentative book list (not in any order):

Pioneer Life
1st-4th Grade

Little House on the Prairie series
Apples to Oregon by Deborah Hopkinson
Westward, Ho! by Laurie Carlson (activities)
Pioneer Girl: The Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder by William Anderson
If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon by Ellen Levine
Pioneer Cat by William H. Hooks
Twister on Tuesday by Mary Pope Osborne
Westward to Home by Patricia Hermes from the My America series
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Old Yeller by Fred Gipson

Our homeschool: Flat Stanley is home!

Today we had a great surprise in the mail--Megan's Flat Stanley is home from his trip to Florida!!!  Let me tell you, the Guerra family did a WONDERFUL job!  The kids were squealing as they looked through their package.

The package contained:

-funny newspaper cartoon about a family doing the Flat Stanley project
-pamphlets from Disney, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens.

-family picture from our hosts

-worksheet about animals in Florida
-postcards
-a sweet seashell gift

-our journal, all filled out





In the journal, we got to see what Stanley did while he was away.  It looks like he had a great time!  They had a craft day, tea time, holiday decorating, and more!  But the thing that had us all laughing and just tickled Megan SO MUCH was this picture:

While away, Stanley met the MAYOR of St. Petersburg, Florida! Here he is with the Mayor and the Guerra family. Isn't that awesome!?!

She said, "I can't believe that the Mayor held my Flat Stanley!!!"

The Guerra kids also made Stanley a karate gee and took him to class with them!

I would definitely recommend participating in the Flat Stanley exchange to everyone.  This was really such a good experience for all of my children!  I got a lot of great ideas from our host families and can't wait until the next swap!!!

Our Homeschool: Declaration of Idependence, Carnivorous Creations, and Living Out Our Faith!

And here I had thought we would be on to Lewis & Clark by the beginning of February!  Ha!  Well that's not going to happen, but I'll tell you what is happening:

Jackson has become a little Ben Franklin dictionary.  When we are working on history, he chimes in with random facts that he remembers (or the parts that he thinks he remembers). I love listening to a little kids' version of a story.  It's always so much better than the real thing!

The girls made early-American acrostic poems today.  I'd love to show you a picture, but my camera is acting up.  Here is what they wrote:

"Freedom for All"

by Megan Cato

Amazing grace

Minute men

Equality

Red, white, and blue

Independence

Carriage

America's freedom

"America the Great"

by Jordan Cato

A new nation

Men in blue

Everybody helped

Redcoats

Integrity

Courage

A waving flag

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Also today, Jeff and the kids planted their Venus Fly Trap seeds into our Carnivorous Creations terrarium.  I spent about half of the time trying to make my camera work, and then a few more minutes pouting that I was missing such a great photo-op.  I finally joined the group and we read about plants in this book:

Then, we started the stratification process with our other carnivorous seeds.  What is "stratification", you ask?  Well, let me tell you!  I looked at a few definitions online, but everyone tries to make it sound more complicated than it is.  Wikipedia breaks it down best:

In horticulture, stratification is the process of pretreating seeds to simulate natural winter conditions that a seed must endure before germination.

Basically a fake winter for your seeds.  So, yeah, that's what we did.  We stratified some seeds.  :)  This is what our terrarium is supposed to look like in 2 YEARS (if we can keep them alive that long.)

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Lastly, but most importantly, was our bible study today.  In the mornings, we read from "Jesus Freaks", "Pilgrim's Progress", and the Proverb for the day.  In PP today, Christian was going through the city of Vanity.  We had a good discussion about what we call "the gimmies" and talked about why it's so important to not care about material things.  The girls listed things that they can do when they are feeling tempted to have the gimmies (i.e. running away, turning off the t.v., closing the magazine, etc.)  The verse that was listed in this chapter was James 1:12:

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him."

This evening as I was preparing dinner, the girls ran out to get the mail and Jordan came back with some offer from Disney to buy movies for $1.99 if you join their club.  I told her it was junk mail and she asked if she could please have it.  I said okay, and a minute later she was saying, "Ooh look!  I want that movie, Mommy!  And I love that one!"  I raised my eyebrows at her and she said, "Uh-oh.  I've got the gimmies."  I asked her what she should do and she walked over to the garbage can and threw it away!  We all gave her high-five's and then we recited that verse.  Isn't it great how God gives us opportunities to apply the spiritual truths that we learn? 

Sewing fun: Striped Skirt

I made this skirt today WITHOUT A PATTERN OR INSTRUCTIONS!!! 

Also today, when I was making that wrist pincushion, I realized that I was out of polyfill stuffing.  Not willing to give up, I went in search of another means of fill:

Mr. Bear was more than happy to volunteer some of his stuffing!  Don't worry, though!  He will be re-stuffed just as soon as I can make a trip to Wal-Mart.  :)

Sewing fun: Wrist pincushion

Today I made a wrist pincushion!  I am happy to not have to go back-and-forth, relocating my other pincushion.  I didn't have any velcro, so I used elastic for the band.  This is my first time modifying a pattern, and I forgot to leave a slot to thread the elastic through.  Other than having to re-do that, it was a very simple project!!! 

FYI:  Velcro would have been much easier!  If you're going to give this a try, go with the velcro as the directions suggest.  :)

I found the instructions at The Long Thread.

Jordan graciously modeled for me.

Sewing fun: 3-tier skirts

One of my New Year's resolutions or Bucket List items or whatever you like to call them, is to teach myself how to sew.  I've always wanted to know how.

My first project was to make 3-tier skirts for the girls.  I got the pattern online.  I'm pleased with how they came out, except that I do think that the pattern called for too much material.  Around, not length-wise.

Here's Megan wearing her skirt:

I made Jordan's skirt a little bit shorter.  I wanted to see if the measurements would still work if I made the skirt shorter.  They didn't.  I guess you have to adjust EVERYTHING if you adjust ANYTHING!  It seems obvious to me now, but I guess this is the type of thing you run into when learning a new skill!  And she's 5, so she doesn't care a bit that her skirt flares out too much at the bottom! 

Here's the happy princess Jordan:

I enjoyed my little sewing project.  I wasn't sure if I would or not, but it is SO amazing to make something that STAYS done!!!  Love it!  I have been looking for more projects online, and it has opened up this whole different world to me!  I have been in awe of these women who make EVERYTHING so beautiful!  

Our Homeschool: School room pictures!

School room storage is a popular topic on The Homeschool Lounge this week, so I thought I would post pics of how we organize our school things!

 

 This is an extra-wide hallway just before the school room.  The bookcase holds Jackson's books on top and his Pre-K basket on bottom.  I need his work to be mobile so I can take him away from where the girls are working.  On the right is our library rack, filled up with the latest load!

  This is a sign I have posted over the entryway.  Cheesy, but I like it!

 

This is Jordan's workspace.  Above the desk, she put up some of her special things.  The flashcards that she reviews daily are on the top shelf and some coloring books below.  She colors when she finishes a task and is waiting for me to finish up whatever I am doing.

 

Computer station and Mama's chair.  The girls always laugh when I roll from one desk to the other.  It's the little things in a school day that make it great! Also in this picture is our extra large map of the United States, globe, Jordan's doll house (another thing to keep her busy when I am working with Meg.)

 

This is Megan's workspace.  She has also put up some of the things that she thinks are great, including a cross she just received from her pen pal.  She also has her current flashcards on the top shelf of the desk and her animal cards on the bottom shelf. 

 

Next year Jackson will need his own work space, so we'll have to find another home for the piano.  Also on the left is another bookcase that holds our books.

 

And lastly, this is our craft closet which also holds extra science materials.
It's really just an organized mess, but I'm thankful for the extra storage.

So this is where we spend our mornings learning and laughing!  We really love this room and feel SO blessed to have a separate place for our school materials.  I'm sure that we'll have to get more creative with our storage as we accumulate more materials.

Lord bless you!

Into the New Year

Whew!  The past two weeks have just FLOWN BY!  We've been busy little bees, catching up on chores and pen pal letters, making trips to the park (it warmed up to 55 degrees!!!), and getting back into our groove with homeschooling (more on that in a minute.)  And of course the kids have been having a lot of fun tearing into the craft packs and science kits that they recently received.

Here is Megan building a circuit with her new science kit from Grandpa and Grandma Taylor. 

I am still amazed that it has held everyone's attention for this long!  This is one of those activities that the kids will sit for hours playing with, and won't argue about who has what.

In science, we are working our way through Usborne's, "Mysteries and Marvels of Nature" as well as Sonlight's Biology I book.  We're currently studying insects, so I have a pretty unhappy 5 year-old princess on my hands.  This is the face that she has made for the past two weeks every time science rolls around!  Totally grossed out by BUGS!

This girl just wasn't made to enjoy the gory details, and Usborne books are full of them!  My other two kids are loving every bit of it.

History.  I have to be honest--we have been a' slackin'!  They have kept up with the reading, but we haven't been having as much discussion time or extra activities since we picked back up after the holidays.  Which reminds me, I have to go right upstairs and get our craft out for tomorrow...right after I'm done here.  Or after the kids go to bed.  Or maybe I'll...well, I guess you can see who has been doing the bulk of the slacking!

Here's what my kids are doing right now:

This is the custom Aggravation board that my dear dad made for me for my 28th birthday.  My Great-Grandma had a board just like this one, and she and her friends would have game nights when they were younger.  Everybody in our extended family grew up playing "marbles" on Great-Grandma's board.  My mom also went to a lot of trouble to find me a marble tin that was similar to my Great-Grandma's (Jackson is holding it in the picture).  It was truly one of the greatest gifts that I've ever gotten.  And now I get to watch MY children sitting around the board, playing Marbles.  It's awesome!  Here's a close-up of my dad's handiwork.  I'm trying to convince him to go into business making boards, but he's not sure just yet.

In the next two weeks, we are jumping into the heart of the American Revolution.  I have some fun activities planned, including writing our own family Constitution and learning to dance the Minuet.  We've also been watching the entire season of "Liberty's Kids" on DVD.  I am praying that by February we will be done here and moved on to Lewis & Clark.  We need a good expidition around here!!!

Other books we are reading this month:

The Cato Gazette

by Megan and Jordan Cato

Greetings fellow villagers!  Happy New Year!

Since it is a new year, we just started reading through the bible from the beginning.  At nighttime, my dad reads the bible to us.  We read one chapter from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament.  That way we can learn about Jesus.

Last night, we learned that God is a rock and the world is soft sand.  We should build our lives on the God rock.

Jordan just got her Flat Stanley journal back from Pennsylvania.  It was filled with all sorts of stuff!  It even had Hershey's chocolates in it because the family lived near Hershey, PA!  This is our first Stanley swap and Jordan was so happy to get it in the mail!

Here are some pictures of other things we have been doing:

 

WE GOT TO GO SLEDDING.  IT WAS AWESOME!!!

JACKSON MADE STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

WE MADE A PUPPY AND AN OWL OUT OF FUN FUSION BEADS!

That's all for now!  Bye bye fellow villagers!

Love, Megan and Jordan