No More Facebook...

For a variety of reasons I've decided to close down my facebook account which also means I'll be losing my facebook page for this blog. However, to compensate for this I started a new blog called Daydreaming Viking. You can find our more personal stories about our day-to-day life over there since I try not to clutter up this blog with things like that. This blog is just about homeschooling, the other blog is about our life.

Concept Unit #41: Ancient Egypt

Optimus Prime & Bumblebee spent an entire month learning all about ancient Egypt. It was a new idea, spending an entire month on a topic, and to be honest - we hated it. It was just too much doing the same topic day after day everyday. We won't be repeating this again after this quarter. From now on we'll stick to a maximum of two weeks on a topic. A month was both too much information and too much repetition. So many topics overlapped that when we discussed topic b topic a would be brought up again.

Anyway, they learned all about the pyramids, the pharaohs, the gods, the culture, the wars. There was periods of time where Egypt was invaded and foreign rulers reigned so that was interesting. They learned about the female pharaoh Hatshepsut and how the pharaohs that followed her tried to erase her from history. They learned about Cleopatra, the last queen and pharaoh of Egypt who was really a Greek. Famous male pharaohs were covered as well including the famous "King Tut" (who got his own special look at with the book "Who Was King Tut?") who was really a nobody in his time but is famous in ours. Interactions with ancient Greece and Rome, as well as their influence and eventual rule were covered as well. We even touched briefly on Alexander the Great.

Overall it would have been a better unit - and far more enjoyable - if it had been shorter. But it was a very information packed month in the end.

My Little Pony

Synopsis - Each pony gets their own book that follows them around as they face whatever difficulty is currently going on in their life.

Wandering Falcon - "They were cute books. Some of the problems seemed pretty ridiculous and blown completely out of proportion but it IS a kids series. However, they did deal with some real issues like bullying or discovering a hidden talent (in Fluttershy's book), respect or helping your friends (in Applejack's book), and helping your family out or being true to yourself (in Pinkie Pie's book)."

Optimus Prime - "I liked Twilight, Applejack. I loved Fluttershy. Sometimes Rarity is a brat about stuff. She whines. I think Rainbow Dash is awesome! Pinkie Pie is the most funniest pony ever! I like Spike. My very favorite character is Princess Luna and Zecora."

Bumblebee - "I loved the Rarity one! I loved the copycat! I absolutely, really, really, really loved Twilight since she's my favorite character. I loved the Rainbow Dash dares. Pinkie Pie had her nurse a baby balloon!"

My Little Pony*

1. Fluttershy and the Fine Furry Friends Fair
2. Pinkie Pie and the Rockin' Ponypalooza Party!
3. Applejack and the Honest-to-Goodness Switcheroo 
4. Twilight Sparkle and the Crystal Heart Spell
5. Rarity and the Curious Case of Charity
6. Rainbow Dash and the Daring Do Double Dare

* These books are not numbered, so they are listed in the order that we read them. Also, for these books I have not listed an author since they are too much like comic books with multiple authors, illustrators, and creators.

Kindergarten Spelling Units #1-12 Part 3

Here is the third of three spelling units posts.

Each child has their own unique spelling units. I tried to put them all in one post but it was just too much. I decided it was best to break them each up into their own post.

For Scooby-Doo this is his first time doing spelling and it is NOT tied into books we are reading. Instead they are common everyday words we use. When I first did spelling units for Optimus Prime & Bumblebee in kindergarten we did 5 words each week. I decided that was too much for Scooby-Doo so we are going to do three words each week.

Unit #1 - Our Family Part 1
Scooby-Doo*
mommy
daddy

Unit #2 - Our Family Part 2
Optimus Prime*
Bumblebee*
Last Name

Unit #3 - Animals Part 2
cat
dog
gerbil

Unit #4 - Animals Part 2
pig
cow
duck

Unit #5 - Toys
book
toy
movie

Unit #6 - Love
kiss
hug
love

Unit #7 - Things We Do
eat
play
read

Unit #8 - Fruit
apple
pear
orange

Unit #9 - Colors Part 1
blue
red
green

Unit #10 - Colors Part 2
pink
purple
yellow

Unit #11 - The Sky
star
moon
sun

Unit #12 - Emotions
fun
happy
sad

* Real words not listed, obviously.

3rd Grade Spelling Units #1-12 Part 2

Here is the second spelling units post.

Each child has their own unique spelling units. I tried to put them all in one post but it was just too much. I decided it was best to break them each up into their own post.

For Optimus Prime & Bumblebee the spelling and reading units for this quarter are combined so I'm also listing the corresponding books.

Bumblebee has 20 different books, all level pre-1. Each week, for the first 11 weeks, he will read 6 pages a day. There are 1-3 books that go along with each unit and each one will be read twice. After we cycle through all the books and spelling units once we will cycle through them all again - with slight variations to his spelling units. His final unit is slightly different. That unit is based on a different series of level pre-1 books. Also, unit 11 will bleed over slightly into his final week and final unit. After he has finished the unit 11 books during week 12 he has 4 books in the other series to read and since they are easier he will read one a day.

Bumblebee:

Unit #1 - Doc McStuffins

Books:

1. Caught Blue Handed
2. Loud Louie

Spelling words: 

1. blue
2. checkup
3. doc
4. glow
5. life
6. loud
7. magic
8. sick
9. sister
10. spots

Unit #2 - Sofia the First

Books:

1. Sofia Makes a Friend

Spelling words:

1. carriage
2. guest
3. horn
4. music
5. palace
6. princess
7. royal
8. special
9. unicorn
10. visitor

Unit #3 - Minnie

Books:

1. The Case of the Missing Sparkle-izer

Spelling words:

1. bone
2. bow
3. bowtie
4. missing
5. mystery
6. sparkles
7. special
8. table
9. tool
10. twins

Unit #4 - Jake and the Never Land Pirates

Books:

1. X Marks the Croc
2. Jake Hatches a Plan

Spelling words:

1. bottle 
2. doubloons
3. egg
4. gold
5. hummingbirds
6. island
7. map
8. mateys
9. nest 
10. pirate

Unit #5 - Jake and the Never Land Pirates Part 2

Books:

1. The Croc Takes the Cake

Spelling words:

1. birthday
2. cake
3. cannons
4. coconuts
5. crocodile
6. fish
7. happy
8. pup
9. sea
10. wonderful

Unit #6 - Jake and the Never Land Pirates

Books:

1. The Key to Skull Rock

Spelling words:

1. balloons
2. beach
3. key
4. rock
5. ship
6. skeleton
7. skull
8. telescope
9. treasure
10. tunnel

Unit #7 - Doc McStuffins

Books:

1. Caught Blue Handed
2. Loud Louie

Spelling words:

1. bear 
2. case
3. germs
4. giggle
5. horrible
6. laughs
7. message
8. telephone
9. test 
10. touched

Unit #8 - Sofia the First

Books:

1. Sofia Makes a Friend

Spelling Words:

1. carriage
2. dull
3. guest
4. horn
5. lively
6. music
7. royal
8. tutu
9. unicorn
10. visitor

Unit #9 - Minnie

Books:

1. The Case of the Missing Sparkle-izer

Spelling words:

1. bone
2. clues
3. disappeared
4. missing
5. mystery
6. sparkles
7. special
8. tool
9. trail
10. twins

Unit #10 - Jake and the Never Land Pirates

Books:

1. X Marks the Croc
2. Jake Hatches a Plan

Spelling words:

1. bottle
2. burp
3. gold
4. laugh
5. mateys
6. message
7. peas
8. sneeze
9. treasure
10. trouble

Unit #11 - Jake and the Never Land Pirates

Books:

1. The Croc Takes the Cake
2. The Key to Skull Rock

Spelling words:

1. big
2. box
3. cake
4. floating
5. helping
6. nice
7. small
8. stars
9. tonight
10. tunnel

Unit #12 - Biscuit

Books:

1. Biscuit Goes to School
2. Biscuit and the Lost Teddy Bear
3. Biscuit's Day at the Farm
4. Biscuit and the Little Lost Pup

Spelling words:

1. bear
2. farm
3. little
4. lost
5. pen
6. piglet
7. play
8. puppy
9. school
10. wants

3rd Grade Spelling Units #1-12 Part 1

Be prepared for THREE different spelling posts!

Each child has their own unique spelling units. I tried to put them all in one post but it was just too much. I decided it was best to break them each up into their own post.

For Optimus Prime & Bumblebee the spelling and reading units for this quarter are combined so I'm also listing the corresponding books.

Optimus Prime has 28 different books, all either level 1 or level 2. Each week we will read one book a day. The 2 or 3 books that go along with the unit will be read twice (once at the beginning of the week, once at the end) then the middle 1-3 days will be filled in with books from another unit. This way he will read each book three times over the course of the three months.

Optimus Prime:

Unit #1 - My Little Pony Part 1

Books:

1. Meet the Ponies of Ponyville
2. Hearts and Hooves

Spelling words:

1. dragon
2. friend
3. hooves
4. letter
5. orchard
6. picnic
7. potion
8. smelly
9. unicorn
10. valentine

Unit #2 - Meet the Disney Fairies Part 1

Books: 

1. Meet Zarina the Pirate Fairy
2. Meet Fawn the Animal-Talent Fairy

Spelling words:

1. animals 
2. color
3. comet
4. hawk
5. pirate
6. pixie dust
7. Pixie Hollow
8. rocks
9. ship
10. storm

Unit #3 - Disney Princesses Part 1

Books:

1. What is a Princess?
2. Travel Like a Princess

Spelling words: 

1. adventures
2. brave
3. caring
4. explore
5. kind
6. princess
7. smart
8. travels
9. trip
10. visit

Unit #4 - Pixie Hollow Adventures Part 1

Books: 

1. A Dozen Fairy Dresses
2. The Fairy Berry Bake-Off

Spelling words:

1. berry
2. chipmunk
3. clover
4. cupcake
5. dresses
6. flowers
7. lily
8. muffins
9. queen
10. rose

Unit #5 - My Little Pony Part 2

Books: 

1. Ponies Love Pets!
2. Meet the Princess of Friendship

Spelling words: 

1. alligator
2. castle
3. cattle
4. leader
5. moon
6. pets
7. phoenix
8. princess
9. throne
10. tortoise

Unit #6 - Meet the Disney Fairies Part 2

Books:

1. Meet Tinker Bell
2. Meet Vidia
3. Meet Periwinkle

Spelling words:

1. basket
2. book
3. butterfly
4. cage
5. cat
6. crickets
7. fireflies
8. mouse
9. owl
10. snow

Unit #7 - Disney Princesses & Pets

Books:

1. Princesses and Puppies
2. Snuggle Buddies

Spelling words: 

1. berries 
2. bunny
3. family
4. flowers
5. friends
6. kisses
7. kitty
8. playful
9. pony
10. puppy

Unit #8 - Pixie Hollow Adventures Part 2

Books:

1. The Great Fairy Race
2. A Game of Hide-and-Seek
3. Tink's Treasure Hunt

Spelling words:

1. balloon
2. dove
3. footprints
4. frog
5. hedgehogs
6. mirror
7. snail
8. spiderweb
9. trolls
10. tulips

Unit #9 - My Little Pony Part 3

Books: 

1. Power Ponies to the Rescue!
2. Holly, Jolly Harmony

Spelling words:

1. comic
2. costumes
3. food
4. lightning
5. mailbox
6. superpowers 
7. tree
8. tribes
9. windigo
10. wreath

Unit #10 - Disney Princesses Part 2

Books: 

1. The Sweetest Spring
2. A Dream for a Princess
3. Outside My Window

Spelling words:

1. ball
2. dance
3. garden
4. gown
5. hair
6. lights
7. plants
8. showers
9. sing
10. tower

Unit #11 - Disney Princesses Part 3

Books:

1. Princess Hearts
2. A Cake to Bake

Spelling words:

1. bake
2. brothers
3. brownies
4. day
5. eggs 
6. fairies
7. heart
8. pies
9. sweet
10. valentine

Unit #12 - Disney Princesses Part 4

Books:

1. The Perfect Dress
2. Sealed with a Kiss
3. Sleeping Beauty

Spelling words:

1. baby
2. dress
3. friend
4. gift
5. looks
6. perfect
7. seal
8. spell
9. swim
10. wedding

Month in Review: August 2015

This month started a little rocky. We had just had three months off schoolwork-free (well, Optimus Prime & Bumblebee had to do spelling & reading - but still, pretty much schoolwork-free) and one would think that I would have been FULLY prepared to start our new quarter. What with all the free time off and whatnot. Nope. I was not prepared. Scooby-Doo was eager to restart schoolwork. His brothers, not so much. They wanted another three months off or something. Which was tempting in theory but not in reality.

So, what did we do? We dove in head first even though we were SO not prepared.

In math Optimus Prime & Bumblebee started working on separate stuff. We worked on one of their second grade math books (that we never did during the summer) together, but Optimus Prime worked on some kindergarten/first grade math as well while Bumblebee started working on third grade math. In Spelling & Reading they worked on their reading skills while doing spelling units (that I created) based on the stories they were reading. (I'll get the spelling unit post up soon). In English we had two units that we alternated between each week. For weeks 1 & 3 we focused on nothing but phonics. In part this was because Bumblebee desperately needed to work on his phonics to help him learn to read and also as a refresher and help for Optimus Prime who can read very well but forgets to sound out his words when he doesn't know them. Instead he just makes wild guesses. I figured we needed to put a stop to that so a crash course in phonics would do him some good too. On the alternate weeks we worked on our reading comprehension workbook which used lots of different English skills to support the stories - including phonics.

For History we did ancient Egypt for the entire month - the culture, the religion, the pyramids, the rise and fall, the pharaohs, etc. It was a new idea of mine to spend a month a unit instead of 1-2 weeks. I hated it. Every minute of it. And they hated it too. We'll continue on the quarter this way because that is how I wrote the schedule but next quarter we'll do something different. Anyway, for more information on this refer to our Concept Week posts. Then we had Science which focused on the earth, weather, and plants for the entire month. They enjoyed that. For Logic and Art we did a bit of painting as well as some coloring and activity books.

Scooby-Doo did not have therapy this month. He starts it next month, which I was VERY glad for because he had a FULL schedule - seven subjects, just like his brothers. It was nice to have an entire month to get him used to the idea.

He worked on his handwriting, of course, and he had Logic and Art as always. We also did another Magazine unit which was nice. He always likes those.

We also had some new units this time! We had Spelling, Science, and Reading! Reading was a definite story time this month. I always try to make it stick and it never does. We made it through a whole month of it so hopefully it will this quarter!  For Spelling he refused to write most of the words but he was very willing to spell them out. He does NOT like writing at all. I kept hoping he'd outgrow it but now I'm beginning to doubt that. And he had Science for the first time! I have a book of twelve science books (in a series called "Know-It-All's") so we did a new book each week with a lapbook to go along. The information on those units will also be up on our Concept Weeks page soon.

All in all it was a VERY full month. I'm not sure we were ready to do so much schoolwork after taking the entire summer off and dealing with the move. We had a very rocky start but so far so good.