Learning Log for April 2014

 April did not warm up fast enough. The kids had to play in the sprinklers or wash container/ toys outside. They just couldn't wait until it was pool season. We finally were able to "break water" on the last week of April. Although not warm enough for many, they swam everyday for at least an hour. 

We were busy with sales, caring for baby chicks, doing work outside. We did lots of school work and not much reading. It felt like we did a lot, but looking back on my log I don't have much to show for it. :( 
Maybe because I didn't take as many photos as the kids were still using my camera for stop motion videos and for just taking photos of nature.
DD11 is also sewing again. To the left you can see one of her stuffed animals that she is selling on my Etsy shop. Please stop by and take a look at her handiwork. :)

  Read aloud Books

* Bible
* Sklylark - the second book of the Sarah, Plain and Tall series.  
* Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney
* Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse by Rebecca Janni

* The Rise and Fall of Hitler by  William L. Shirer

Audio Books

* My kids, one time or another have the files below in their mp5s to which they listen to every night at their choosing: Fairy tales and classic stories , worship music, Story Hour files, The Piano Guys, Jonathan Park and The Brinkman Adventures, The Chronicles of Narnia.

* DS8 is listening to Greek Tales from Story Nory website before bedtime. D11 is listening Jonathan Park and Rush Revere.

DD6 independent reading list: 

Continuing this month, DD6 is reading by leaps and bounds. With ease she is reading through her phonics books stories as well as keeping on reading her 100 books.

Talking to DD6 one day in March,  I asked her if she was happy to be reading now. She said she was. Then I asked her if she wanted to read Calvin and Hobbes. Her answer: "you can only read Calvin and Hobbes after you read 100 books." So we came up with a plan to list all of her 100 books, because according to her once she reads 100 books then she will be able to read any book. :) How smart is she?

9) Eloise and the Big Parade by Kay Thompson
10) Cat the Cat Who is That? by Mo Willems

DS8 independent reading list:  

* More books on Calvin and Hobbes - DD8 routine before drifting off to sleep is to read a few comic strips of his collection of Calvin and Hobbes

* Finished The Bears of the Blue River.

DD10 independent reading list

* Voices of the Faithful - Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians serving around the World compiled by Kim P. Davis - devotional book with Beth Moore
* Little Men by Louisa May Alcott
* The Lego Ideas book

** Take one or two or three (i.e. reading these yet again!)

* Many books from all around the house and her favorites in her room. I failed to record what else she read this month.

Activities at Home

* April found us going back to a more structured time of learning and media usage. We are now spending the morning learning using "some" of the resources on Easy Peasy website. DS8 and DD11 are reading the books on the LA program and we are covering History and Science together, mainly reading books on the subjects and watching videos. For Math, DD11 is doing Logical Thinking games and exercises and DS8 is doing a 3rd grade workbook I had at home. In Science we covered Physics and forces, electricity and some chemistry review. For History we covered China History during the first part of the 20th century and we are still studying WWII.

* We began gardening. The pool is finally open. The kids got to swim, play in the sprinklers. We got baby chicks and we have been taking care of them. 

* DD11 is sewing stuffed animals again. Her idea to put them for sale on my Etsy shop. She is also planning on accessories for her animals. 

* DD6 and DD4 created necklaces with pendants made of yarn.  Lots of Lego playing, bead work, dancing and playing. More rainbowloom. Minecrafting and survival crafting on the touchpads and computers.

* Baking cookies with me. Helping in the kitchen with breakfast and dinner.
* playdates at our home. 

* The kids have spent a lot of time on Minecraft this past month. They are building great structures, worlds and learning a lot of things. I am finding that DS8 is a go getter. He knows how to find information online and solve his problems he encounters as he plays minecraft. He is learning a lot about computers and internet.  

 Field Trips/ Activities Outside Home

* The kids helped me with a consignment sale: sorting, tagging and moving items around.
* For Resurrection Sunday, the children participated in the children's choir at our church. We had lots of practice and the final presentation went well.

* Mechatronics -We had 3 more sessions of this hands-on mechanics/ electrical class. The kids are preparing to build a robot.
* Lego Club - minifigure theme.

* 4H -The kids did an activity with rhythm and music.
* Our monthly co-op: we covered blood and the kids got to test their blood test using a Eldoncard test kit.
* We also participated in a Yard Sale and DD11 and her friend got to sell cookies and lemonade. Good experience to work out making change, setting price, calculating profit etc. They both loved and wished they could do this every weekend. :)

 Websites/ Links we found and used/ Apps

*Lots of YOuTube videos on MIneCrafting.
* MInecraft servers.

TV shows/ Videos/ Movies/ YouTube

* Horrible Histories - Season 4 episodes 1 - 4 on YouTube.

* Stamping Cat videos all about Minecraft.
* The Dust Bowl - PBS documentary available on Netflix
* China Documentary on YouTube - 1919-1949.

Mom's Eclectic Reading List

* How to Behave so Your Preschooler will, too! by Sal Severe - I wished I had read this book 10 years ago. Then again, it probably wouldn't have done much for me since I didn't have any real struggles with toddlers then. 

* Parenthood by Proxy - Don't Have Them if you won't raise them by Dr Laura Schlessinger - in your face honest truth.

Blessings,
Tereza