Parkschooling

This morning when we started school we were all talking about how happy we were that it was so cool it was outside. We kept looking out the window and making comments. And then we figured out that, duh, we should be outside. So we packed it all up, made some lunches, and headed to the park with what felt like enough bags for a week-long trip.

We found the perfect spot, put down our blankets and bags and picked up where we left off at home! There's just something more inspiring about working outside under the sun with the cool breeze.I put my coffee mug on the grass so I wouldn't spill it on the blanket, because I am brilliant.Of course.



We all need a change of scenery every once in a while. It always seems like being outside refreshes things. We always get a lot done.

Doing school outside is not without it's risks...

But who's scared of a little beetle poop?

Not us.

The Bee Tree and Septemberfest

Last week Riley and Cole did Five in A Row's The Bee Tree. We learned about everything from the life cycle of bees, to the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan, to onomatopoeia, to analogies, and lots in between!

To finish off our book, I wanted to make some honey treats and go to a bee farm. I called a bee farm and found out they would be at Septemberfest. Septemberfest opened up a whole new experience for us! If you haven't been, it's free and amazing. They have all kinds of exhibits, living history actors, inflatables, and lots of other activities on the Governor's lawn. It was a great time!

Making Peanut butter honey balls


The bee exhibit at Septemberfest. They told us all about harvesting honey.

A chuck wagon!



Waiting in line to tour the Governor's mansion...

Their dining room

Their Oklahoma shaped swimming poolThe panhandle is a hot tub.

Tyler and George Washington Carver

Sawing logs
Everyone got to milk a cow!

Petting Kim Henry's dog
It was a great day!

Crime scene in my bathroom

One of my favorite things about homeschooling is being able to tailor education. If a child is particularly interested in a certain topic, I can take that topic and cover a multitude of subjects and lessons with it. They stay engaged, because they are interested.

Tyler has been interested in forensics and crime scene stuff for a while. This year we are doing a huge CSI unit. It's going to be so much fun! Through it he will learn all about forensics, obviously. But he will also practice math and reasoning, do a lot of research and writing, not to mention problem solving and creative thinking. I could cover these subjects in lots of ways, but why not use an avenue he is already interested in and intrigued by?

We are going through this book of forensic labs. It teaches how to lift fingerprints, how to interpret blood splatters, how to take an impression, along with lots of other crime scene activities.

We are reading through this DK Eyewitness book. I love these books. They are so full of information and great photos.

Today we talked about securing the crime scene. Tyler read all about the importance of details and how carefully all evidence is collected. He learned about how each piece of evidence is marked, measured, sketched and recorded.
Then he opened the door to a crime scene in our bathroom *cue creepy music*. He had everything he needed to secure and record the scene.

Gasp! A movie ticket??
Ewww...a "blood" splatter...and a hair.
Zoinks! A footprint!

After collecting, measuring, sketching, and recording everything, he went to work problem-solving. He wrote about each piece of evidence and the different ways it could possibly be used to help solve the crime.It's going to be a fun study! More to come!

Annnnnnd, we're back!

Here are few shots from our first day. Of course we had to explode some diet Coke. And Grammy and Grandpa sent a cookie. Some things never change!

I have plans to post some of what we have going on, some reviews on books I love to use, and some ideas we find helpful.

I also want to share some of our techniques for teaching our big kids. High School is fun! We have a great year ahead so check back!



Garrett saw a diet Coke/Mentos rocket online, so we tried it out.

It shot across the road!


See ya soon!

Hello Spring!

We love spring. Who doesn't? It's all dewy and fresh and everywhere you look, God is painting pictures of renewal.

Nature walks are perfect times to combine so many important things in one fun, natural activity. Listening, writing, science, observation, drawing, discussion, appreciation of God and beauty, fun quality time...the list goes on!

Today we downloaded this Spring Nature Walk Senses Scavenger Hunt from a blog I found, and headed out to the yard to enjoy the beautiful weather and look for the things on our list. http://blissfullydomestic.com/2008/free-spring-nat








Enjoy your Spring!