Math for Girls

I snagged some books from R8's gutter shelf so I could use them for box assignments. Among the craft magazines and American Girl books, I found this one- The Math Book for Girls (and Other Beings Who Count). I picked this up in the fall the library sale (wow- I still have to wait until May for more fun at the library sale. Sigh.).

Sections of the book include The Mathematics of You, Shape Up!, Party Math, and Math to the Rescue. It has specific problems and puzzles relating to real life math and you even get to meet women who use math in their careers. Pretty cool.

It appears that there is a Science Book for Girls and Technology for Girls Book if you enjoy this one.

You can find The Math Book for Girls at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Or maybe it will catch you by surprise at a used book sale!

Homeschool Launch

I've been considering how to share documents that I've made with you all for a while. I'm using a file server called Homeschool Launch. I thought about using the web page that comes free with our internet provider, but that proved to be more trouble than it was worth. Someday, in my free time, I will conquer html code. For now, my free time is better spent pursuing other activities.

This link will take you directly to my files. Right now I have one physics lab on inertia uploaded. Just testing the waters. I'm still working on the labeling part. Hopefully, I'll get there soon. Most of my original work is science because well - that's what I do.

So check back. I have a new link in my left hand side bar and from now on if I have a home made document that goes with a lesson I'm posting, I'll link right to it just like the fancy bloggers out there!

Thanks for reading!

Word Games

I know I've blogged about some of these games before, but in the interest of suggesting more ideas for the workboxes I am sharing them once again. You know...all together.

Anyone remember this one? I used to play this a lot with my mom when I was in elementary school. Oh yes...nothing like letter cubes for bunches of fun!

Have you played Bananagrams? This is a game where you and the other players begin with 21 tiles and you have to build your own crossword. If another player uses up all their tiles they will yell Peel! And everyone has to draw a new tile. The game ends when all the tiles are gone from the middle and the winner has used all of his tiles. This is a regular around here. E10 can win against Dan regularly. E10 is a wicked gamer. So...look out. I'm just sayin'.

Other word games we have:

• Scrabble
• Super Scrabble
• Scrabble, Jr.
• Boggle, Jr.
• Boggle

Boggle, Jr., Bananagrams, Spill and Spell can be played individually or you can always have two kids play together if you have the right age range at your house.

A Real Life Navigator

I assigned this book for E10 to read as part of our study of explorers. The story is about a man who would teach the average guy how to navigate.

In the end, he wrote a book that is still in print today. Dan picked it up from the university library. There are modern navigational additions, but a lot of the original text was kept intact. Up until this book was published, the only people who navigated were wealthy, knowledgeable men and the sources were all British. Bowditch opened up navigation to the average crew member and demystified the process. It was reported that captains loved it when Mr. Bowditch would teach the men because the crew was much less restless. This book was the first American publication of a navigational text. Pretty cool. I should add that not only was there this copy at the university library, but they also own a first edition original. Uh -Dan was not permitted to that one home!

Once again, I used a form from Edhelper to help put together his thoughts on the book. I used this form from the book report section on biography.

Monday at dinner time, E10 will share with us what he learned about Nathaniel Bowditch. Dan read Carry On and he has spent numerous evenings reading through The Practical Navigator. I don't know. Maybe he's trying to get back to his Annapolitan routes.

E10 has also been able to tell us about the navigational equipment talked about in the book as we talk about them in our unit.

Great book to add to the list for your kids to read.

Welp...I did it.

What do you think?

Before

After

The Stack.

The Little Girl Stack.

Is that absolutely crazy cute stuff or what?

So my stylist convinced me to go for the blond rather than the caramel because she said she could only take it up three shades if she went brown. She could have more control if she went blond and if I thought it was too light we could do a toner. So, it's a bit lighter than I intended but I think I like it. It really brings out the natural red high lights I have.

All the kids got a cut- I totally forgot about all of our appts last week (it was bad...I showed up the wrong day at the wrong time!) so they really needed it. We were there for quite a while. Anyone else brave (or silly) enough to get a cut and/or highlight with four kids in tow? Yeah. That's how I roll.

And just so you know...we did discuss the pink streak in the front and I think she is willing to do it next time I'm in.

Yes. Seriously. I'm so conservative and straight-laced I want to rebel just a little. Temporarily.

The Preschooler Art Box

This was a birthday present for J3 back in June. He has some tape in there, new crayons (well newish seeing as one is broken), post it notes, index cards, and he had some twistables originally. Every so often I add something new or replenish supplies.

He loves his art box! This is something I have put in his workboxes. This is a great tool for drs offices and other long waits too.

Some More Math Options...

Here are a few more math ideas for the workboxes.

We have dinosaur pattern cards and lacing hands. The lacing hands are cool because you can count the fingers and they match the number on the hand and the number of holes in it. The dinosaurs were a Scholastic book order deal and the lacing hands come from Discount School Supply.

Some math games and cards- addition/subtraction bingo, flashcards, and Tri-Ominos. Remember Tri-Ominos? I picked them at our consignment shop. Love a great homeschooling deal.

Hundred Boards and number tiles and chips. I plan to write numbers on the chips so they can do problems with the chips. I have a book of activities for the hundred board as well. Those have been a fun diversion in the workboxes.

A Few Science Options

While I'm sharing resources, I thought I'd throw out some science book ideas. These are just a few of the ones I have. Some are more teacher resource materials like the Janice VanCleave books and other experiment manuals. I had quite a collection to supplement my curriculum guide when I taught science in a public school classroom. I was always on the lookout for a simpler way to show a concept that was full proof. Nothing like 35 kids waiting on something to happen...and it doesn't! I pulled these because some kids would have a great time working on activities from these books and they would make great ideas for the workboxes. Try checking them out of your library to see how they fit for your kids.

I have an older covered version of this title. Great for nature study- once again my copy is from our local libary sale (which is coming up in May...)

One of E10's choices from last year's Usborne Show. They have a lot of fun choosing from this book.

There used to be a red version too, but I don't have it. This book is a combined volume of many smaller books on science topics with activities.

LOVE this series! Second graders on up can easily follow these directions for science fun.

There are three books in each volume of Science Activities.

Worth it to have these as a basic collection of experiments that cover fundamental science concepts in different disciplines.

For the little guys- just some fun activities to intoduce concepts of things like weather and motion.

Picked this one up at book sale. MaryAnn Kohl puts together some really fun art experiences.

Science is my thing so we have a lot on hand, but if you are not may I suggest having bunches of resources may build up your confidence?

These workboxes sure have been fun to put together and I'm still getting it all sorted out. It's been fun to survey our homeschooling materials to see what we can use and what we might have forgotten about.

I'll keep posting as I remember things and put them together.

Art Show Fun...

I put a sticky note with the Trees Art Show on it from Amanda over at Hearts and Trees in one of R8's workboxes today. Have you seen it in your blogging travels?

She got to take a look at all the paintings and answer the questions. This is the one she chose as her favorite.

Emily Carr- A Rushing Sea of Undergrowth is R8's favorite painting in the show of trees.

Tomorrow, she will have a chance to try and recreate the painting using oil pastels or prismacolor pencils.

I hope Amanda sends more of this fun our way soon! If you've never enjoyed her art and nature kits, stay tuned for her spring kit. I'm looking forward to it.

Choices for Art

So, I pulled some things from our art library to share with you. E10 and R8 are old enough to assign something from this collection for an item in their boxes. R8 particularly likes to dabble in different projects and lately I've given her free reign with certain media. A lot of times I will choose something and do it as a family. Sometimes it relates to our unit study and sometimes it does not.

Five in a Row has many wonderful art projects in its manuals that we do. However, sometimes I like to add do our experience with another project. Right now since we are doing a unit on Exploration, I will pick some fun things just to stretch our wings.

The Usborne Art Treasury has projects in it that mimic the masters. We did the project based on Starry Night by Van Gogh.

This is one of my favorites- Storybook Art. The premise of the book is to study children's book illustrators and their style and to try out a project based on their technique. It has many FIAR titles in it and the ones we have tried have been a total hit. You may remember we did one from Owl Moon this winter.

Anything by MaryAnn Kohl is a fun deal. We haven't done anything from this book yet, but I picked it up at the last library sale.

Primary Art has projects in it for elementary aged kids. I grabbed this up when our local daycare supplier was going out of business. I do miss that store. It was a great bonus for homeschoolers.

Here is another of my favorites- Discovering Great Artists. Just like others it allows you to study a famous art master and try out a project from his/her style.

This book and it's twin, What Shall I Do Now? are combined volumes of smaller books in the Usborne collection. There are some independent projects in here for kids. You could have them choose up a project or pick one for them to do.

Can you tell I love Usborne books? Before you marvel at my wealth, please understand I typically hold one book show a year and convince my family and friends of the awesome value of an Usborne book and from that I reap the rewards in lots of books for little cash. My secret is out. Run, don't walk to your nearest Usborne consultant and book a show! Invite your friends. Order books. Be happy. Oh and this book? Is another combined volume, but there are tons of ideas and techniques and projects in here.

I picked this up for a $1 at a consignment shop back home. What a find! Art and Craft experiences for 3 to 9 yr olds?? That suits us almost perfectly right now!

The Little Hands Art Book was one of the first in my ever growing collection. You can find lots of hands on projects for toddlers and preschoolers in here. Great for a box if you ask me!

These are some of my favorite art titles from Usborne. They have individual projects on each page or double page. You can collage, crayon, count, draw people, paint with watercolors. Each project is listed out step by step and older kids could do this independently.

Some of you may be thinking these are super titles, but so what. Well let me share a few details with you.

How would I plan this for a box activity?

I would choose the project from a book and then prepare the materials needed for the project I've chosen. Then I can add the book with a post it note on what page and project to do. Also, in the box will be the materials necessary to get the job done.

In my preschool post I talk about how children should be doing some form of art or creativity on a daily basis. We certainly have the resources to make that happen. Until now though, it wasn't as easy to plan out and have ready as it is now.

Also keep in mind that we have two places for craft storage: one is in the craft closet which holds art paper and then up higher paints and other things that I don't want to have for access without permission. The other is a little craft center where the kids can pull out whenever and be creative. I expect I will only have to pull out materials that aren't normally out without asking. Paints I would reserve for when I'm there or just give instructions to that effect on the sticky note.

Shopping Information:

Other than ordering directly from Usborne and finding these gems at used book sales, you can find most of these titles through Amazon, Rainbow Resource, and a book store retail chain like Barnes and Noble and Borders.

Crafty Box Ideas

We have quite a collection of craft books. R8 would particularly love to see one of these in her boxes one day. I pick these kinds of books up at book sales and consignment shops. Of course I buy some new through Usborne or the bookstore.

Here we have a few American Girl craft books, the Usborne Rainy Day card set, and some lettering books

I really used to love these Usborne craft book ideas. So many themes and we've used them in our Adventure Boxes.

Holiday Usborne craft books

I'm planning on putting this type of activity in the boxes a few times a week. R8 really loves to craft. We also get Pack O Fun Magazine which would be fun to add to a box on occasion.

Magnets for Box Activities

In our learning room we have a large magnet wall. We had toyed with a smaller version we made with magnetic paint on some masonite we cut down, but it wouldn't hold our marble run. Magnetic paint sounds cool, but the truth is you need many, many layers before it starts to really work well. Then I wanted a large magnetic white board. White boards are cheap. Do you know what happens when you put a layer of steel in one? Let's just say the price goes up exponentially. Really. And in case you are wondering...no. The big or little "magnetic" white boards found at WalMart aren't strong enough either. I know because I took a track piece to test on many boards. Goldilocks was not impressed.

So, Dan, being the guy he is, proposed a piece of sheet metal. I already had the white board from Lowe's for $10 for the whole 4'x6' piece. He drove to a local fabricator's shop and showed them what he wanted to use the sheet metal for. They were all familiar with our local science center's board and knew exactly what we wanted to do. They hooked us up with a 25 gauge piece of sheet metal for a mere $40. And it's big enough for four kids to use and not fight. Awesome.

Simple phonics magnets from Leap Frog- these tell you the word you spell or the letter you put in the little computer part

Good ol' fashioned magnetic letters in upper and lower case. These are nice and big. I got them from Discount School Supply.

Magnet wands with chips and balls- these are also from Discount School Supply (these are used on the floor)

The magnetic wall. It's 4' x 8'. Yes. We are absolutely the kind of people that will nail a honkin' piece of sheet metal to their wall. We've been discussing an addition. The metal walls stays. Or gets put back. I'm just sayin'.

I'm putting these in a few box categories depending on the magnet set. Lots of good letter recognition and science here. Any of these would be a welcome break in the middle of doing seat work activities from the boxes.

Life of An Explorer- Day 2

Thursday last week we spent a second day getting to know what it was like to live like an explorer. There were squeals of glee as we prepared our ship's log for our journey. Exclamations at how cool it is to be homeschooled. Gotta love those days.

Beginning the tea bath. Special tea had to be imported for the job. (we are not tea or coffee drinkers. Ew.)

The start of the paper brigade. This is supposed to make the paper look aged. Really.

I suppose I could have used a drying rack. Ahem.

I could have put the rack on the deck too. I wonder why I never thought of that. However, while out here I got to hear our resident red-tailed hawk, some red-winged black birds, and lots of other bird songs. Too bad it was like 40! Brrr...

We began to look at how the explorers viewed their world learning about the Ptolemaic map which was the accepted map at the time. It showed there was more land than sea, but the sailors began to understand there was a lot more water than the map revealed.

Ship's flags were flown to tell all sorts of things. We had already read that the St. George's Cross and the Spanish Royal flag were the two most frequently seen flags on ships at the time in The Story of the World.

We continue on with our study of explorers this week. Tomorrow we'll bind up the ship's logs and build a ship.

Social Studies Boxes

I'm continuing to add to the box categories in the left hand side bar. It's a fun exercise to see what we have on hand that I haven't used in a while. I've been taking new pictures and I began to realize that I've featured many of these items in older posts.

So, I've taken a trip down memory lane and pulled old posts to fit my new categories. One such category is social studies. We have tons of games, maps, and books on history, geography, government, etc.

Keep checking back in on these labels under Workboxes because I'll keep adding as I can. I pulled the first picture below from one of my first game time posts.

The Global Puzzle- you've seen this one in recent posts. We also have the Animal Global Puzzle and a two sided National Geographic puzzle map.

Games include Great States and Great States Jr, Scrambled States of America and the card game, Carmen Sandiego 20 Questions history game, an older game called Global Pursuit by National Geographic.

Computer software in this category would be Liberty Kids, Oregon Trail, and Carmen Sandiego.

Our kids enjoy Oregon Trail whenever we dive into the Prairie Primer.

Amazon and Rainbow Resource both have the board games and puzzles in the first picture. Staples carries the National Geographic Puzzle.

Snap Circuits

Here's another idea for a box item. We've had these Snap Circuits for a few years now. They are a great electronic toy. Remember using wires with batteries and hoping all the circuits were complete? With this set, it isn't so finicky!

You buy these in different sized sets- 100, 300, 500, 750. We started with the 300 set and upgraded to the 500. It might be time for another upgrade to 750. Also there is a computer interface where the kids can watch the electrical impulses on an oscilloscope. They used to sell it separately so I need to see if we can still do that.

They come with directions on how to set up the circuits.

E10 enjoys setting up new projects

They are all built on this base and the pieces are color coded. the pieces literally snap onto each other so there's always a good connection. The tricky part is building the circuit correctly. It has a place for the battery packs and you can switch them out easily, but I noticed the other day they sell an AC adapter for the sets. That might be worth getting.

You can find these at Amazon and other places on line I'm sure. These were a gift from my in-laws, but Rainbow Resources carries a full line.

Snap Circuits are a great learning tool and a lot of fun!