Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Our Many Faces

Since creating this blog, I have tried to get our face out there in a few spots.  I am still learning and working on the best ways to find a loyal reader base but for those of you interested you can find us:
On Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/katybug273/home-school-ideas/

On Facebook: Just click that little box over on the side.  I've made that one easy for you!

I'll be working on a Twitter.  My main problem with that site is that I haven't found a great way to utilize it.  Some have a great niche market with that site and reach a lot of readers, but for me personally, I just haven't found it to be very useful in the past.  I am probably doing it wrong so if anyone knows of great ways to utilize Twitter leave me a comment, I'm always open for suggestions.

Vote for Us: http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Homeschooling-Moms-2012#_
We REALLY need your votes.  It's encouraging to see them tally up and know that the information you are putting out there is useful to other parents.  It's been so amazing to realize that people do enjoy some of the posts I have made.  I try to pour out my heart sometimes and other times just spread a smile or my thoughts but in any case, I am building myself a very cozy little corner.

On Amazon: I did it.  I wrote a non fiction book.  I think it's a great tool and I hope others do too.  Let me know!
http://www.amazon.com/Grade-Spelling-Home-School-ebook/dp/B007WYH3FC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1340779050&sr=8-5&keywords=6th+Grade+Spelling

Lastly, don't forget to follow my blog here.  Just click the little follow button.  So easy and I appreciate it so much!

Monday, June 18, 2012

Vacation: Full of Learning Opportunties

You don't have to be a home school parent to recognize and enjoy all the learning opportunities presented during summer vacation.


Did you read that sentence?  Read it again.  Remember it.  All around us, the world is in action.  Are you taking a summer vacation?  Of course pack some books to relax and fall asleep with in the evenings but what about the notebook?  They may need to draw or write a short journal entry to keep them entertained on a long car ride or flight.  


What are you doing to enjoy your summer?  


Going to the beach?  


Play in sand for a little bit but learn about the ocean and the wildlife found in the area.  Show them the flowers and plants.  Teach them the names of these things.  Spend a few quiet moments watching birds.  Pick up seas shells that you can take home and look at under a microscope or play with at home.  Leave foot prints in the sand, use at as an opportunity to talk a few moments about how fossils are really just big footprints left behind in the earth.  Or take a few minutes to share about the carbon foot print we are all leaving everyday on Earth.  Find something that interests you and engage  your child.  If you are not a bird person, it's really hard to teach them to enjoy bird watching.  They will sense your disinterest in the topic.


Are you going camping?


Talk about the terrain where you are at.  Take a hike.  Pick up some leaves.  Notice the plants.  The animals.  The natural resources such as mountains, caves, creeks.  


Are you going on a cruise?


Before you go spend a few minutes learning about the area you are going to visit.  Engage them in fun things to know about the place you are visiting.


Are you going to a theme park?


There are several theme parks that have a lot of knowledge.  There are several fun books on Walt Disney's life.  Share his story.  Follow the birth of Mickey Mouse.  Learn about animation.


Are you staying home?


Chances are there are several learning resources in your own backyard.  You can garden with the kids.  You can take advantage of local places you may not have visited.  We are making it a goal through out this summer and fall to go out and find the fun places to visit that are relatively close to our home.  For instance we have discovered a copper mine that was a fun, engaging learning experience.   We have mountains we can go up and view.  We have fishing spots that are full of learning ability.  


Summer should be fun but fun is no reason not to learn.  Learning can be fun.  You just need to take the first step and look for the great things to do.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Fun, Science, and Root Beer

How do these three things go together?
Teach your kids a little bit of science and learn about dry ice.
This page has a lot of fun facts and ideas of things you can add to this idea with: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/dry-ice-fun-learning-about-dry-ice

Then plan a weekend fun activity with the family or if you are doing a BBQ or 4th of July celebration add this to your list of things to do and show them dry ice in action!
Root Beer
4 lbs of sugar
2 oz of Root Beer Concentrate
4 gallons of water
4 lbs of dry ice.
Mix everything but the dry ice in a clean 5 gallon bucket.  Then add your dry ice and stir once in awhile to keep the dry ice off the bucket.  When the dry ice dissolves in about 20 minutes or so you have root beer to enjoy!
The kids will love how it looks like a witches brew as it is melting and that's a great time to tell them all about dry ice.
It is really easy to do (wear gloves handling the dry ice) and inexpensive.  5 gallons of root beer costs approximately $10.00.

Where to find dry ice?  Check with your local grocers as a lot of them carry it or google your city, state and dry ice.  There are various resources for this information.
Have fun!





Monday, June 11, 2012

Top 25 Home School Blogs

It's a long shot for me to get in this thing as I'm still very new to the blogging world but anyone who would like to throw me a vote may do so at:
http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Homeschooling-Moms-2012#_

We are pending for one day and then we will be moved to the main list.  Thanks so much for your support!