What we are up to this week....

We are only going to do "school" 3 days this week.  Joey has Cheerleading Competition Friday in Lexington KY.  And I need at least one day to prepare and pack.  Caty will have 2 dance classes this week, Lydia has gymnastics, and Joey will have one last practice before they go on.

Joey
Math- Math Mammoth - Place value, adding thousands
Grammar- Rod and Staff - Noun names, Names of people & places, Proper Nouns
Science- ABeka...Nervous system, eyes
Spelling
Social Studies - Martin Luther King Jr. Video and book--Difference between urban, rural and suburban
4H Project - Using Computer basics
Handwriting - Letter E & L (Cursive Handwriting without Tears)
Bible study - Creation of the world
Scholastic Newspaper

Brayden
Math - Adding thousands, adding whole hundreds
Grammar - Rod and Staff - Noun names, Names of People & Places, Proper Nouns
Science - Penguins
Spelling - Review words
Social studies - Martin Luther King Jr. Video and book --- U.S. Symbols
Scholastic Newspaper

Lydia
Math - A+ Interactive Math (2nd grade level) - counting past 100, skip counting review.  (Watch for the upcoming review)
Science - Carnivorous Mammals
Reading - Headsprout, McGuffey Reader
AG Club - Caroline Book 3
Site Words - Writing words zero to five
Geography Words - Badland, Bay
Phonics - A Beka Letters and Sounds
Handwriting without Tears App

Caty
Comprehension - Playing Red Light/Green Light, Practice our phone number, Following directions on how to build a snowman
Math - Practice counting to 20, Practice writing numbers to 10 in her dry-erase book
Reading - Letters A & B review w/ coloring cards
Art - Tissue Paper Matisse
Geography - Be an explorer at home

Everyone have a great week!!!

American Girl - Book 6 Changes for Caroline Study Guide and Activity book

I have been very busy working hard on creating study guides for all the books in the American Girl Caroline series.

This series centers around the life of Caroline, who is living near Lake Ontario during the War of 1812.    So many changes that Caroline must learn to accept at a very young age.

I have created a study guide that empasizes reading comprehension and strengthens vocabulary.  For each chapter I have included an activity or a craft project for you and your student to do together.  Included in each guide is a list of helpful links, and at least two worksheets for vocabulary skills.

This file is available to download through Google docs.  Enjoy!!!!!

Book 1 Study Guide
Book 2 Study Guide
Book 3 Study Guide
Book 4 Study Guide
Book 5 Study Guide
Book 6 Study Guide

Please note my terms of use:

This is for personal use only. 

I am providing them free of charge.  

You may use this at home or in a classroom.  

You may print as many copies as you would like. 

You may share the link to our blog to others interested in our packets. 

You may not:

Sell or distribute this file.  

Host this file on your website without permission from myself.  

Upload this file to a shared website (Ex. 4shared.com)

Cinnamon Rolls - Gluten/Dairy/Soy/Egg free

Before really taking a look at our food intake, our family ate canned cinnamon rolls toooo much!!   At least 4-5 times a month.  I cringe now when I look at all the preservatives and chemicals they add to those cans.  So I needed to come up with an alternative to the canned cinnamon rolls that we could all eat because of allergies and that would be a healthier substitute.  

I started thinking about the Bob Mills Pizza Crust mix that I had been purchasing and thought...why not give it a try.

Ingredients:

1 package Bob Mills GF Pizza Crust

White sugar (no haven't found a way to get rid of this yet)

Cinnamon

Coconut oil (I substitute this for the olive oil.)

Baking powder

Milled Flax Seed

Extra rice flour for dusting.

Prepare pizza crust as labeled, except I leave out the eggs and use flax seed as a replacement.  I also add an extra 3 TBS of baking powder and 1 cup of white sugar.  I use coconut milk in this recipe also.  

I allow the crust to rest for 20 minutes.  I then split the dough in half and roll it into a flat sheet on wax paper.  You will need to dust the paper with rice flour and possibly add some to the dough to keep it sticking to your roller.  I then take some coconut oil and brush it on the flattened dough and sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar mixture.

Lifting the wax paper, I start to roll the dough over.  And when done, I then slice it with a serrated knife into about 1/2 inch pieces.  You can make the rolls thicker also.  I then lay them out on aluminum foil lined pans and bake for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees.

Repeat with remaining dough.  It is just easier to work in two batches.

When I remove them I either put an orange glaze or maple syrup on them.  And serve warm, the kids like with hot cocoa.

Orange Glaze recipe:
2-3 cups of Powdered sugar
1/2 cup Orange Juice
Mix the ingredients above until a glaze texture that can be spread on with a knife.  If needed add a bit more powdered sugar.

This is so easy, and I regret waiting so long to make these.

Enjoy!!!

February 2013 Writing Prompts

Hard to believe we have gotten to the end of the first month of 2013.  If you are interested, these are the writing prompts we will be using in February.  Feel free to use them and share them.

This file is made available free of charge, please be sure to link back to Krazy Kuehner Days.

Have a wonderful February!!!

Homeschool Mothers Journal - Week 33

In my life this week....

I am working at catching up.......and working ahead all at the same time.  I have a ton of projects to get ready for.  We are going to Tennessee soon also, so there was a lot of rearranging to do in our schedule to make that happen.  I think the stress is taking a toll on me, fibro has been a little off the charts.

In our homeschool this week....

We did really well.  Finishing up projects, and making needed adjustments.  Lydia has zoo class this week, which she loves.  And we started a new Science curriculum for us (watch for the upcoming review), and since it is animal based....Lydia liked science this week!  We had art class on Monday, and it was so fun.  We did the candy color wheel experiment from Mama Jenn.

Placed we are going and people we are seeing....

Caty decided she liked her tap dancing class and was officially enrolled this week.  Lydia had gymnastics.  Joey had cheerleading practice.  Their squad is practicing for Districts next weekend.  Lydia had zoo class and scouts, and of course we had our Art class this week.  And a trip to the library. It was fun.  Mommy feels like she lived in her van though....oh well.  The kids had fun!

Favorite thing for the kiddos.....

I think so far this week, their favorite has been the art project from Mama Jenn's blog.  But we'll wait and see, that could change.  I know it was Brayden's though because he was using one of his favorite candies.

Things I am cooking....

I haven't done much fancy cooking this week.  Just basic stuff.  We are staying nourished...does that count?

Something I am wishing for.....

More time in the day, and more energy..lol.  I fall asleep before I can finish everything I need to accomplish each day.

I saw this clothespin organizer.  Thinking this might be good for me.  I need some extra bins and organizer to keep all my projects separated.

Actually, if someone could just Tweet Martha Stewart and have her come over for a couple days...that would be great!

Projects I am working on.....

I am going to be nice and not list everything....Let's just say there are several ongoing projects for about 6 different clubs and organizations...lol.  So I am really trying to keep myself organized.  I need to write up lessons for the next couple weeks.  And pack for our upcoming trip.

I also need to clean and reorganize our living room area today.  The corner has gotten out of hand and needs to be back under control.

Picture to share from the week....

We went to the local ice rink after art class on Monday and went skating with our friends :)  Ok...Lydia went skating.  I watched safely from outside the rink.

Linking up with other homeschool moms at iHomeschoolNetwork.

Artist Study - Edward Hopper

Born:  July 22, 1882 

Died: May 15, 1967

Edward Hopper was not born into a wealthy family.  But his parents did encourage his art by sending him to study art in New York City.  He studied under, Robert Henri.  Henri believed there was beauty in shabby structures like factories, buildings, etc.  Edward Hopper liked this idea and enjoyed painting everyday things.

Edward Hopper worked as an illustrator, and he did not like his job.  He didn't like to be told what to draw.  He started drawing what he wanted in his spare time.  He married, Jo Nivison, who was also an artist.  They would drive around the country and look for subjects of inspiration.  They loved to drive around New England.

He is well known for this artwork:

Nighthawks

You can see the faces and they look without expression.  He painted many subjects this way.  They looked rather depressed.

Summer evening

He is well known for his use of color and patterns in his art.

Rooms by the Sea

 The Long Leg

Lydia's project was to paint a seascape, using only 3 main colors.  I wasn't sure how she would do with this project...boy did she surprise me.

First we measured our horizon.

Then she was to sketch her seascape.  Making sure that the focal points showed "up close" and "distant".

 She was able to use blue, white and black to mix up the colors for this seascape.

 She had so much fun with this....and did awesome!!!

I found this project here.

Some links on Edward Hopper:

Edward Hopper official biography site

Edward Hopper - Gardens of Praise

Edward Hopper - Totally History

Next week....Georgia O'Keeffe

American Girl Caroline - Study Guide Caroline's Battle

I have been very busy working hard on creating study guides for all the books in the American Girl Caroline series.

This series centers around the life of Caroline, who is living near Lake Ontario during the War of 1812.    So many changes that Caroline must learn to accept at a very young age.

I have created a study guide that empasizes reading comprehension and strengthens vocabulary.  For each chapter I have included an activity or a craft project for you and your student to do together.  Included in each guide is a list of helpful links, and at least two worksheets for vocabulary skills.

This file is available to download through Google docs.  Enjoy!!!!!

Book 1 Study Guide
Book 2 Study Guide
Book 3 Study Guide
Book 4 Study Guide
Book 5 Study Guide
Book 6 Study Guide

Please note my terms of use:

This is for personal use only. 

I am providing them free of charge.  

You may use this at home or in a classroom.  

You may print as many copies as you would like. 

You may share the link to our blog to others interested in our packets. 

You may not:

Sell or distribute this file.  

Host this file on your website without permission from myself.  

Upload this file to a shared website (Ex. 4shared.com)

Has a Donkey Ever Brought You Breakfast in Bed???

Have you ever been served breakfast in bed??  Come to think of it, I can't remember ever getting breakfast in bed.  So I was already jealous reading the title of the latest book in our collection.  

We had the privilege of reading the latest title by Pat Brannon, and we are loving it!!!

Book Description:

It is not unusual to see a gorilla beating its chest at the zoo, but it is unusual to see it boxing with a mosquito. You’ve probably seen camels walking through the desert on television, but I bet you’ve never seen them in a bowling league at the bowling alley. I’m sure you’ve seen chickens strut around in the chicken pen from time to time, but I bet you’ve never seen a sunburned chicken. Kangaroos are fun animals that normally hop all over the place, but I’m sure that you’ve never seen them hop on someone’s head. Just like humans, animals sometimes do strange and unexpected things. Step inside this book of wonders and enjoy the animals that are sure to capture your attention.

This silly story has become a favorite with the girls.  It has been more than just story time.  The girls have enjoyed getting up and pretending to be the animals or do the activity that the animals are doing on each page.  We have also gotten rhyming practice in!  Lydia and Caty both enjoy repeating the rhyming words.  I have really enjoyed that this book is getting them up and moving, especially Caty.  

I have tried to turn the fun a little toward the educational side.  The rhyming words are a great start.  We also have tried to come up with more silly things that an animal could do.  This story is great for read togethers but also Lydia has even tried reading it on her own, and the wording is done in such a way for her to guess the words using picture clues.  

It is well written and I highly recommend this title to become an addition to your home.  

You can purchase this title from Amazon for only $10.00.  This will be a loved title for time to come at our house.  

Pat Brannon has written other titles, including:

About the Author

Pat Brannon is a Christian and children’s author and a Southern Gospel songwriter from Amory, MS. Having grown up in a large musical family, writing songs, books and poems are like breathing to Pat. She has a passion for writing and pursues that passion with all the gusto she can muster. And, she loves people. Growing up on the musical stage, Pat loves singing and performing. Since the age of nine, she has been a member of three bands and appeared on the small stage, radio and television. She is a regular vocalist at Meadowood Baptist Church and is an active member of the Adult Sanctuary Choir. When Pat isn’t singing, you can look for her at schools doing her full monologue in character about bullying. Not only is this presentation great for schools, it’s perfect for churches also. This is a program everyone should see. Although Pat was born in Morrilton, Arkansas, in 1981 she and her family moved to Amory, MS. She is married to Howard Brannon and they have two sons-Jason and Shawn-and one precious grandchild whom Pat lovingly calls Elijah Nic. You may reach Pat at www.patbrannon.com or patbrannon31@gmail.com.

*****Disclaimer......I received Has a Donkey ever Brought You Breakfast in Bed?  free of charge for the sole purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The views I have expressed are my own and are real experiences with my family. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>:"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Caty School

We have been going with the flow.  We started a new curriculum for Birth through age 5, called Flowering Baby.  Watch for the Upcoming review.  In the meantime, these are some of the fun things we have been doing the last two weeks...since I didn't post last week.

Caty has been working on the alphabet song, and slowing down as she is singing it.  So we are working on speech this way also.

We also are working on fine motor skills.  I am doing whatever activity I can to go with Fine motor skills, and in all subject areas.

While we were designing for National Drinking Straw Day, Caty decided to try and turn herself into a drinking straw.

 Gross motor and just plain fun.

 One of her favorite books this week.

 More fine motor skills....Instead of pony beads, we used fruit loops today.

 Each pipe cleaner is marked with a number, and she is supposed to put that many on.

 Making a triangle with her fingers.

 She wanted to make a mosaic rainbow.

 Fine Motor Skill and math activity.  She rolls the dice and covers that many dots with star stickers.

 I found this fun sticker book for Caty to encourage fine motor skills.   She really likes this book.  I found a Scooby one for her to do also.  Great activity to get her to calm a bit before school.

 Just a fun game to go with our fish theme.

 More fine motor skill fun.

Another week down...next week....more fun in Caty School!

American Girl Caroline - Study Guide for Book 4 - Caroline Takes a Chance

I have been very busy working hard on creating study guides for all the books in the American Girl Caroline series.

This series centers around the life of Caroline, who is living near Lake Ontario during the War of 1812.    So many changes that Caroline must learn to accept at a very young age.

I have created a study guide that empasizes reading comprehension and strengthens vocabulary.  For each chapter I have included an activity or a craft project for you and your student to do together.  Included in each guide is a list of helpful links, and at least two worksheets for vocabulary skills.

This file is available to download through Google docs.  Enjoy!!!!!

Book 1 Study Guide
Book 2 Study Guide
Book 3 Study Guide
Book 4 Study Guide
Book 5 Study Guide
Book 6 Study Guide

Please note my terms of use:

This is for personal use only. 

I am providing them free of charge.  

You may use this at home or in a classroom.  

You may print as many copies as you would like. 

You may share the link to our blog to others interested in our packets. 

You may not:

Sell or distribute this file.  

Host this file on your website without permission from myself.  

Upload this file to a shared website (Ex. 4shared.com)

What we are up to this week....

It's a busy week in our neighborhood....a busy week in our neighborhood...ugh!  This week we have art class, zoo class, gymnastics, cheerleading practice, a basketball game, Scouts, and guitar lessons.  I am tired just thinking about it.  On top of this...lessons.....

Joey
Math - place value to ten thousand
Ohio History - First Ohioans
Grammar - Rod and Staff -- punctuation
Science - A beka - How to investigate nature and the tools for science
Ben Franklin project - Build a thermometer
Scholastic Newspaper
4H-Computer programing
Spelling
Handwriting - Handwriting without Tears cursive

Brayden
Math - Adding/regrouping 4-5 column
Grammar - Rod and Staff -- punctuation
Science - Rocks and minerals
Scholastic Newspaper
Spelling
Social Studies - Branches of government

Lydia
Math - Addition and coins
Phonics - Headsprout
Site words - work on spelling ones from past 3 weeks.
American Girl Club - Caroline Book 2
Artist study - Georgia O'Keeffe
Science - Zoology Book 3 (Watch for the upcoming review)
Scholastic Newspaper
Geography terms - Archipelago and Atoll

Caty 
The Snowman
Science/Health - Healthy eating and Senses
Math - Count and write numbers to 10 (mainly the writing part..lol)
Work on trying to remember our phone number
Scholastic Clifford Newspaper
Art - Looking at colors with Henri Matisse The Snail

Everyone have a great week!!!!