Winter Book List
Posted by Cindy on February 23, 2009
Our favorite winter books!
Child Labor – Industrial Revolution Lesson
Posted by Cindy on January 16, 2009
In researching and making plans for our unit on the westward expansion, I was reminded about another important event in history that I couldn’t possibly leave out of our learning time – the Industrial Revolution, including the subject of child labor. My children were very much moved by the thought of children working so hard, especially when they found out that so many children around the world are still effected by this practice.
We found and read two living literature gems that I had to pass along.
Set in England rather than America, we found The Gate In The Wall
Set in 1830′s New England, The Bobbin Girl
And not living literature, we found Kids at Work: Lewis Hine and the Crusade Against Child Labor
While reading, I found a coloring sheet in The Story of the World Activity Book Three: Early Modern Times to occupy busy hands and the back served as a nice place to notebook about child labor.
If you’re interested, Homeschool Share has a unit on The Bobbin Girl. Mr. Donn has several interesting links, too. And this site looked intriguing, although I haven’t used any of the activities yet.
December Reading
Posted by Cindy on December 21, 2008
Great December Reading
Oh, and have you met God? Apparently Eli has! Every time he gets his busy little fingers on a Santa ornament he says, “God.” (Very reverently, I might add.) His innocent little eyes looking up at us with complete seriousness that he is holding God right in his chubby little hands. 
Book of the Month Club – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Posted by Cindy on November 21, 2008
We take part in a Book of the Month Club (which is actually a book every two months) that met last week to discuss The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Mrs. Lisa had prepared some very fun activities to go along with the invention – drama – secrecy theme of the book.
Invisible ink messages.
Mask making.
Candy and toothpick inventions.
Next up – The Twenty-One Balloons PMC (Puffin Modern Classics)
Fine Arts Tuesday #3
Posted by Cindy on September 3, 2008
Fine Arts Tuesday was another hit this week. I don’t think any of us are going to get tired of it anytime soon!
Early morning nature study was a simple summer scavenger hunt.
Art and classical music were combined this week. In a simple activity, you play a piece of classical music and let the children use whatever art medium they like to express the feelings evoked in the music. We chose to use watercolors and listen to several compositions from Beethoven. My children did some pieces of art using lines only - long, fat lines that swirled for slow parts of the music and happy colored, choppy splotches when the music picked up the pace. Other times, they painted pictures that showed the feeling of the music. My favorite of these was Caleb’s picture below. The blurs are supposed to be Tom and Jerry in the middle of a chase!
Finally, tea time was later in the day than usual, so we decided to have a muffin tin tea/lunch. This type of lunch isn’t just for wee ones – even my hubby took part in the fun!
Oh, I almost forgot – our Book of the Month Club started this week, too. Mrs. Lisa gave each of the children a cloth bag to decorate as a kickoff craft.
