dksquared

Friday, March 18, 2016

Homeschool16: February

Kyrie's grid art

Our February units include: Health & Safety, Love & Family (Valentine's Day) and Pets. The kids continue to enjoy their new art curriculum, which includes "folder projects" for each unit. Kyrie continues to enhance her understanding of language arts, math and science skills. She has almost completed her study of countries around the world. Degen continues to practice phonics skills and math skills. He completed his social studies emphasis on map skills. He has mastered 1- & 2-letter sight words and is now working on 3-letter sight words and practicing reading fluency.

Kyrie's country study for Nigeria (above & below)

Kyrie continues to practice reading comprehension strategies such as using highlighters and using a variety of graphic organizers (above & below)

Degen's grid art

Degen learned about continents & oceans

Degen is starting to use graphic organizers to show comprehension

He is also getting better at reading & writing simple words

Kyrie's folder for the Pet unit

Kyrie's symmetrical stamp (she designed & made the stamp)

Kyrie's study of Italy

Kyrie's writing project for the pet unit

Kyrie's French language study has moved into a deeper understanding of grammar.

Degen's pet unit folder

Degen's symmetrical stamp art

Degen continues to practice reading & writing sight words

Degen is also adding language arts skills that explore words and their functions

Kyrie's musical art project. The kids listened to music during this process.

Kyrie's writing project for our Family unit (above & below)

Kyrie's family poster

Degen's musical art project

Degen's family poster

As part of Degen's study of family, he also completed the Cub Scout Adventure, "Family Stories." I try to incorporate as many related Cub Scout activities as I can into our units. The photo above and the several below are just part of the packet I created for Degen to complete this adventure. Many thanks to the grandparents who contributed their stories to share with Degen during this unit. He learned a lot.

Family Crest

Name Meanings

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Friendship Festival

Just a few photos from this year's Friendship Festival celebrating the Girl Scout's World Thinking Day! This year, the girls chose to represent Poland. They researched and presented information about life in Poland, Polish Girl Guides and famous Polish women Irene Sendler & Marie Curie. At the festival, they ran our troop booth, which included our information, Polish items, Polish foods (pierogies & pizzelles) and a Polish-themed craft. The girls also had the opportunity to tour the other booths and attend an informative session.We had a great afternoon!

Degen's Dino-Mite Bowling Party

I made my cake-decorating tasks pretty easy this year and made this dinosaur cake using a toy dinosaur kit. I added a volcano and some jungle leaves going up the sides of the cake, and I think it turned out really well!

Degen had his party at a crazy-busy-loud bowling alley! Everyone seemed to have a good time, but I was too busy playing host and the kids were too busy bowling to stop for pictures until we got to our party room! We loved having our friends together for a few hours of bowling and arcade games! Thanks to our amazing friends for joining us to celebrate Degen's birthday! I have known most of these kids since they were in diapers, and it means so much to our family to have them in our lives today!

Happy 7th Birthday, Degen!

We started the day off with the traditional birthday donut!

Our baby boy is growing up! He had an awesome 7th birthday filled with all the things he wanted to do, including: donuts, Chuck E. Cheese, a trampoline park, board games with Daddy, his choice for meals, UNO with the family, presents, cake AND gum! Yes, he is now 7 and can chew gum! This is something he has been waiting to do for years!