Some great music for your Friday!

Although this has nothing specifically to do with homeschooling, I thought someone might enjoy this!  I first saw this video on Facebook.  I'm not sure how old these kids are - they can't be very old - but their voices have such a tight harmony and, I feel, their abilities go way beyond their age. They do other music besides Christian music, and have their own YouTube channel - and will soon have a web site.

Send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling!

Don't forget to send in your post for the next Carnival of homeschooling! The deadline is always the Monday before the Carnival each week before 6:00 pm PST. The Carnival will be up every Tuesday.

If you participate in the Carnival, please make sure you promote it on your blog and let your readers know to be looking for your contribution!

There are two ways to submit a post for the Carnival of Homeschooling:

1. You can send your post via BlogCarnival. Just go here and follow the instructions.

2. You can email your entry to : CarnivalOfHomeschooling@gmail.com by 6:00 PM (PST) on the Monday evening of the week. It will be greatly appreciated if the submissions come in earlier. Please send the following information:

Title of Post
URL of Post
Name of Blog
URL of Blog
Brief summary of the post
(With "carnival" or "submission" in the subject field of the email.)

Fun Friday! It's a song...it's a video...it's a recipe - all rolled into one!

This video is suitable for everyone to watch!

For the record, I looooooove guacamole!

Here's the answer to yesterday's word problem!

Picture from Castles.org

Here is the answer, as explained by Dierdre and Thomas on the Mango Math Facebook page:

Dierdre:  At any of the four outer corners of the moat, the distance from the shore to the castle will be approx. 14 yards. The knight can take one of his planks, and lay it on the diagonal connecting the two outer sides of the moats and making a little isoceles triangle with the plank being the longest side -- the two adjacent sides of the moat the isoceles sides and the vertex being the point where the two adjacent moat sides meet. Then, he can take the other plank, and lay it perpendicular on the first plank and then across over to the castle side. The farthest the first plank can be out from the edge of the corner would be five feet -- that would give him enough space to use his second plank to bridge the space from the plank's edge to the corner.

Thomas:  Actually you could go out from the corner as much as 6 yards. The distance from the board to the corner or the castle would then be about 6 yards and the 9 1/2 yard plank would be more than long enough.

Halloween crafts from Activity Village...

For more Halloween origami projects, click HERE and scroll down a bit.

For other Halloween crafts from Activity Village, click HERE.

Spooky Classical Music for the Season!

(Image credit:  I love this Halloween luminary craft at Crafts by Amanda - h/t The Crafty Crow!)

My 11 y/o and I visited the web site Classics for Kids on Monday, where we learned about several composers who conjured up some spooky-sounding music!  Actually, we learned about one in particular and are saving the others for later in the week.  We listened to the Classics for Kids show about Igor Stravinsky...Igor is rather an appropriate name, don't you think? 

Stravinsky composed that controversial piece, The Firebird.   Back in Stravinski's time, this style of music was considered quite shocking as, up until that period, the music was melodic and sweet and didn't have the whirling quality of songs like The Firebird.

To hear the Classics for Kids show for Halloween, click HERE.

For more "Musical Mayhem" brought to you by NPR, go here to see their top five!

Free Carschooling Newsletter!

Flying Fish Car from The Toymaker

Author Diane Flynne has a web site based on her best-selling book Carschooling.  She offers a free newsletter that includes a monthly "carschooling calendar" as well as product reviews and resources.  When you sign up for her newsletter you will immediately receive a free multi-level carschooling games and activities chart! 

Check it out!

Mango Math Wednesday Word Problem...

Picture from Castles.org

A square castle is surrounded by a square moat whose width is 10 yards. A knight is attempting to cross the moat, but only has two 9 1/2 yard planks, and no way to fasten them together. How can the knight bridge the moat?


Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the answer!

Source: Mango Math

The American Math Challenge!

Image from East Middle School Math Department

Here's a free math challenge open to all students ages 9-14! 

The American Math Challenge is an online math challenge or "competition" where students aged 9-14 from across America can compete in a safe, multiplayer game environment.

This is from the same folks that brought you World Math Day back in March!

Students will have the task of answering as many correct questions as they can in 60 second mental arithmetic challenges LIVE, against other students. Or, they can also solve questions based on the national curriculum at their own pace.

Why would you take part?

It's about having fun with math. In fact, there's a good chance your students/children will love it.

It's absolutely free. Nothing to lose if you participate. In fact, during the practice week you can find out if your kids like it or not.

If your children or students really get into it, they can vastly improve their mental arithmetic and basic facts.

Week 1: Nov. 2-8 is Practice week

Week 2: Nov. 9-16 is the actual American Math Challenge

Register at http://www.americanmathchallenge.com/


H/T Maria Miller at Homeschool Math Blog.

Magic Leap Frog Math!

Image from Fun with Addition and Subtraction

In keeping with the post earlier this week about the Fibonacci sequence, here's some math magic you can try to astound your friends!  This is from Mudd Math Fun Facts from the web site hosted by Harvey Mudd College Math Department.

Give your friend a card with ten blank lines, numbered 1 through 10. Have your friend think of two numbers between 1 and 20 and write them down on the first 2 lines of the card. Now in each of the successive lines, have your friend write the sum of the previous two lines. For instance, in line 3, write the sum of lines 1 and 2. In line 4, write the sum of lines 2 and 3, etc. until finally in line 10, your friend has written the sum of lines 8 and 9.

Ask your friend to total the numbers. If you've practiced the Multiplication by 11 Fun Fact, you'll be able to tell your friend the total faster than she can add the numbers (because the total will be just 11 times the number in line 7). Also, you can announce the quotient of line 10 divided by line 9... to 2 decimal places, it will be 1.61!

Let's do an example. Suppose your friend tells gives you the numbers 3 and 7. Her card will then have these numbers:

1.7

2.3

3.10

4.13

5.23

6.36

7.59

8.95

9.154

10.249

The total is 649 (which is just 11 times 59, do this in your head with the Multiplication by 11 Fun Fact.

The quotient 249/154 is 1.61 (to 2 decimal places). Presentation Suggestions:

Write down the quotient 1.61 on another card, and place it in an envelope before the start of your magic trick. Then you can have your friend open that envelope after she has computed the quotient.


The Math Behind the Fact:

The trick works for the following reason. If the number X is in line 1, and the number Y is in line 2, then the number X+Y will be in line 3, the number (X+Y)+Y=(X+2Y) will be in line 4, and so on. Continuing, you will find that line 7 contains (5X+8Y), line 9 contains (21X+34Y), and line 10 contains (55X+88Y), which is indeed just 11 times line 7.

For the ratio of line 10 divided by line 9, we appeal to a property of "adding fractions badly": for positive numbers A, B, C, D where (A/B) < (C/D), it is a neat fact that the fraction you get by "adding badly": (A+C)/(B+D), must lie in between the values (A/B) and (C/D). So the ratio (55X+88Y)/(21X+34Y) must lie in between (55X/21X)=1.615... and (88Y/34Y)=1.619...

An even more stunning fact is that if you continue this leapfrog procedure with many more lines, then the ratio of successive lines will approach the golden ratio: 1.6180339... (If you know some linear algebra, this follows because the leapfrog procedure can be written as a 2-dimensional linear system of equations, and the largest eigenvalue of this system happens to be the golden ratio.)

This magic trick may be found in the delightful book in the reference.

How to Cite this Page:   Su, Francis E., et al. "Leapfrog Addition." Mudd Math Fun Facts. http://www.math.hmc.edu/funfacts.

Reference:  A. Benjamin and M. Shermer, Secrets of Mental Math, Three Rivers Press, 2006.

Don't forget to send in your post for the next Carnival of homeschooling! The deadline is always the Monday before the Carnival each week before 6:00 pm PST. The Carnival will be up every Tuesday.

If you participate in the Carnival, please make sure you promote it on your blog and let your readers know to be looking for your contribution!

There are two ways to submit a post for the Carnival of Homeschooling:

1. You can send your post via BlogCarnival. Just go here and follow the instructions.

2. You can email your entry to : CarnivalOfHomeschooling@gmail.com by 6:00 PM (PST) on the Monday evening of the week. It will be greatly appreciated if the submissions come in earlier. Please send the following information:

Title of Post
URL of Post
Name of Blog
URL of Blog
Brief summary of the post
(With "carnival" or "submission" in the subject field of the email.)

Next week's Carnival will be hosted at Consent of the Governed!

I found a great multiplication video game - Arithmemouse!

Arithmemouse!

We have three girls, ages 4, 8 and 11.  When it came to learning the times tables, our oldest had to learn them the old, boring way - with games and flashcards (ugh! - I loathe flashcards!).  By the time our middle child was ready for times tables, I had downloaded the "demo" version of a particular computer-based game - and all you really need is the demo version, which helps children learn the times tables from two to twelve.  If you want different graphics and options, you can purchase the complete version, which gives you several options for different settings.  This demo has ugly monsters and is rather scary-looking and violent - your character can die if you get the answer wrong enough times!  However, the game did seem to be quite effective.  

Although I'm sure the "full" version is worth the money, it's more than we really wanted to spend on a video game.  I was leaning toward purchasing the "full" version, though, because I thought it might have some scenarios that aren't as scary - our 4 y/o LOVES to play this game...but I was uncomfortable with it.  Our 8 y/o has really learned her times tables using the "old" game, so I really was torn between being uncomfortable with the graphics and having something that really works.

In doing some research for a previous post, I stumbled upon Arithmemouse in the sidebar of a blog I was visiting (thank you, Kathy of Education Tipster!).  It sounded pretty interesting, so I decided to check it out - and it turned out to be something that I didn't mind my girls playing - and they enjoyed it as well.  There is a free demo for you to download that only lets the child practice the "2's" times table and get a feel for the game.  However, this game is HALF of what the full version of our previous game would have cost!  So, of course we snapped it up.  The 11 y/o - who could recite her times tables in her sleep - even loves to play it, as does 8 y/o.  Even though our 4 y/o really doesn't understand what a "times table" is, she has memorized her 2's and 3's from the previous game and is excited about playing this game as well - and I'm not as reluctant to let her play it.  Our children do have limits on time spent in front of the computer and TV, but I could give them a few extra minutes to play this game.

When playing Arithmemouse, you control a little mouse that travels through doors in a maze, each with a different multiplication set (such as 4's or 8's) and you practice that particular set of times tables by guiding your mouse through the maze by choosing the correct answer.  There is no penalty for choosing the wrong answer - you just get to try again.  On the walls as you speed through the maze is a multiplication fact, and at the end of the maze section you cross over a hole in the floor and go up a level by taking the path with the correct answer.  There are different colors and/or themes for each level.  The mouse looks like a robot and is friendly looking, as are all of the other mechanical mice that scurry around.

So, what are the results as compared to the other game?  I'm not sure yet because, quite honestly, we've had it less than 24 hours.  However, if for some reason I decide this game is a bust, I'll be sure and let you know!   There is a money-back guarantee, so if you buy it and don't think it's the greatest thing since...sliced cheese, you can get a full refund. 

Also at their web site you will find a printable papercraft model of the Arithmemouse!  If you feel badly about your children spending too much time in front of a screen, you could make up your own IRL (computer talk for "in real life") game! 

Again - A big "thank you" to Kathy Stemke!

Spreadin' the "Linky Love" around! ;)

Image from Good Deal Gal

This has been a great week here at MiaZagora's Homeschool Minutes!  I've been the recipient of two completely undeserved "random acts of linky love" (with apologies to the late President Ronald Reagan).

The latest was from freelance writer/author/educator, Kathy Stemke, who has a great blog named Education Tipster.   Kathy writes a free newsletter called "Movement and Rhythm" - to which I am a subscriber - and can be very helpful if you have a preschooler (or more than one preschooler) at your house!   Kathy has written an e-book for download (only $3) that aids preschoolers in remembering and spelling the days of the week, which is titled "Moving Through all Seven Days".  She has another ebook in the works titled, "Trouble on Earth Day". 

From the web site:

Our movement activities, book reviews, and parenting tips will help parents and teachers teach children phonics, math, writing and science!

Check out Education Tipster!

The first random act of linky love came from Janet (a.k.a. Latte Lady) over at Homeschooler Cafe'!  You should make time to head over to the Cafe' for a heaping helping of book reviews and lots of personal stories about her family's journey through homeschooling - along with a veritable buffet of pictures of her family!  Janet and her husband have two boys, who she amusingly refers to as "The Espressos"!   She refers to her husband as her "Dream Latte"!   (Love the "coffee" theme...wish I'd thought of it!)  

If you like blogs with the personal touch, you will certainly enjoy your visit to the Homeschooler Cafe'!

(The above picture is a print entitled "Coffee Drinker" by Oliver Ray.)

Here's the answer to yesterday's Mango Math Wednesday Word Problem!

(Picture from Washington University Equestrian Team)

Henry and Buck have two horses worth a total of $560 and $840 in cash, for a total of $1400. Henry is entitled to 390/840 or 13/28 of the $1400 or $650.  Since he is keeping the two horses worth $560, Buck should give Henry $90 and keep $750.

To find out more about Mango Math, go to their web page or visit them on Facebook!

Cool man...Fibonacci Numbers as explained by Ken Nordine...

This is by Ken Nordine of WordJazz.com. It's actually a pretty good explanation of it, even though he's not a math expert. He's a "voice" guy who you have probably heard on commercials over the years - such as Levi's or Natural Gas.

Now - for the educational stuff! 

See this excellent video on the Fibonacci Sequence which explains the history and - most importantly - what makes it useful.  There is also an explanation of  the golden ratio, golden triangle, golden rectangle - all of the "golden" proportions.   This is also a pretty good video by TeacherTube about the golden ratio.

For some reading on the subject, see the most comprehensive web site about Fibonacci numbers that I have found on the web at Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Section - this is the site of Dr. Ron Knott which includes multimedia presentations suitable for everyone.  This is an excellent web site with many hyperlinks and so much material that it would keep any interested upper elementary or middle/high schooler busy for many hours.  If your child is especially interested in mathematics - or you just wish they were (lol!) - you might want to introduce them to interesting math-y topics like this.

I can't talk about Fibonacci numbers without talking about the Penrose the Mathematical Cat books, in which mathematical concepts - like Fibonacci numbers - are introduced in the form of a story about a cat named Penrose and his adventures.

Related:  Fibonacci numbers in nature

Wednesday Word Problem from Mango Math!

(Picture from Washington University Equestrian Team)

Buck and Henry bought three horses of equal value for $840. Buck contributed $450 and Henry contributed $390. By the end of the day, they had sold one horse for $840, and decided to end their partnership. How should they divide the cash fairly if Henry keeps the two horses?

Come back tomorrow to find out the answer!

Send in your post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling!

Don't forget to send in your post for the next Carnival of homeschooling! The deadline is always the Monday before the Carnival each week before 6:00 pm PST. The Carnival will be up every Tuesday.

If you participate in the Carnival, please make sure you promote it on your blog and let your readers know to be looking for your contribution!

There are two ways to submit a post for the Carnival of Homeschooling:

1. You can send your post via BlogCarnival. Just go here and follow the instructions.

2. You can email your entry to : CarnivalOfHomeschooling@gmail.com by 6:00 PM (PST) on the Monday evening of the week. It will be greatly appreciated if the submissions come in earlier. Please send the following information:

Title of Post
URL of Post
Name of Blog
URL of Blog
Brief summary of the post
(With "carnival" or "submission" in the subject field of the email.)

The current issue is still up and running at Nerd Family!

The next issue will be up at No Fighting, No Biting! on October 20!

Free printable math game with instructions...

Picture from:  Pumpkins and Place Value on Squidoo

Aussie Pumpkin Patch has a free printable piggy-bank-themed math game to print! 

Click HERE for details!

Here are some fall-themed Squidoo lenses, like the one on pumpkins linked above:

Lumpy Bumpy Pumpkin Unit Study

Raccoons and Ripe Corn Unit Study

Autumn Unit Study

Tobias Turkey

Amanda Bennett $5 Friday is here!

Amanda Bennett $5 Friday is here again!   This is the day she has select unit study CD-ROM's on sale for $5 - usually $14.95!  But you have to hurry, because the sale ends at midnight tonight!

Today's sale is on:

Baseball Unit Study

Athletes of the Bible

Scrapbooking Unit Study

These are only $5 each, with $1 for shipping, no matter how many you buy!  

Click HERE to check it out!

The fascinating history of Monopoly!

Picture from Fabulous Family Fun Nights

Henry at Why Homeschool posted a link to this story by ABC News on some exciting history of the Monopoly game:

During World War II, as the number of British airmen held hostage behind enemy lines escalated, the country's secret service enlisted an unlikely partner in the ongoing war effort: The board game Monopoly.It was the perfect accomplice.

Included in the items the German army allowed humanitarian groups to distribute in care packages to imprisoned soldiers, the game was too innocent to raise suspicion. But it was the ideal size for a top-secret escape kit that could help spring British POWs from German war camps.

The British secret service conspired with the U.K. manufacturer to stuff a compass, small metal tools, such as files, and, most importantly, a map, into cut-out compartments in the Monopoly board itself.

"It was ingenious," said Philip Orbanes, author of several books on Monopoly, including "The World's Most Famous Game and How it Got That Way." "The Monopoly box was big enough to not only hold the game but hide everything else they needed to get to POWs."

British historians say it could have helped thousands of captured soldiers escape. So how did a simple board game end up in a position to help out one of the most powerful military forces on the planet? Silk and serendipity.

To read the entire story, click HERE!

Read more on this subject:

Debbie Hall's Map Forum

Hasbro History of Monopoly

HERE is About.com's extensive history of Monopoly, as well as information about an "Anti-Monopoly" game invented by an economist!

Please accept my apology!

Picture from CBBC Newshound

I am mortified!

I subscribe to all of my blogs listed in the sidebar via my Google feed reader, and I received the latest from one of the math blogs I subscribe to and I am livid!  There was a very inappropriate picture - especially for an education blog! 

If you clicked on it and were offended, please accept my apology!  That blog has been removed and I am in the process of checking my other blogs.

Answer to yesterday's Mango Math word problem!

Since Mr. White answered the man in the blue shirt, he can't be wearing blue unless he is talking to himself.

Mr. White can't be wearing the white shirt since none of the men are wearing the same color shirt as his name.

So Mr. White must be wearing gray.

Since Mr. White is wearing gray and Mr. Blue can't wear blue, Mr. Blue must be wearing white. That leaves the blue shirt for Mr. Gray.

Word problem from Mango Math!

Wednesday Word problem from Mango Math!

At a class reunion, Mr. Blue, Mr. Gray, and Mr. White sat together. The man with the blue shirt said "Have you noticed that although the colors of our shirts are the same as our names, none of us is wearing a shirt that is the sam...e color as his own name?" "Yes, you're right," answered Mr. White. What color shirt was each man wearing?

Come back tomorrow for the answer!

Funny flight attendant!

This has nothing to do with homeschooling, but it will add a little levity to your day!

Corliss Archer - The Algebra Problem

This is a video of a 1950's sitcom called "Corliss Archer". I had never heard of it, but that was back in the day when whole families (children and adults) could watch TV together!  It's about how an algebra problem frustrates the students and the families!

Go HERE to play the movie or download.

(H/T:  Kitchen Table Math)

Send in your post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling!

Don't forget to send in your post for the next Carnival of homeschooling! The deadline is always the Monday before the Carnival each week before 6:00 pm PST. The Carnival will be up every Tuesday.

If you participate in the Carnival, please make sure you promote it on your blog and let your readers know to be looking for your contribution!

There are two ways to submit a post for the Carnival of Homeschooling:

1. You can send your post via BlogCarnival. Just go here and follow the instructions.

2. You can email your entry to : CarnivalOfHomeschooling@gmail.com by 6:00 PM (PST) on the Monday evening of the week. It will be greatly appreciated if the submissions come in earlier. Please send the following information:

Title of Post
URL of Post
Name of Blog
URL of Blog
Brief summary of the post
(With "carnival" or "submission" in the subject field of the email.)

The Fun Theory!

Can "fun" make people change their bad habits? (In my opinion, it would be more well received than another government mandate.)

I want one of these installed in my house! It would make going up and down the stairs with laundry baskets almost enjoyable!

The Fun Theory

(H/T Joanne Jacobs)

Irene Sendler - God's Soldier of Peace

More:

Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project

Irena's Children

Irena Sendler Timeline

Verizon Math FAIL video!

DIY wrapping paper, and bows from recycling...

A Little Hut has instructions on how to make your own wrapping paper. 

Click HERE

How About Orange has instructions on how to make a bow for your present from recycled magazines!

Click HERE

Here's the answer to yeterday's word problem!

Answer:  The answer is 16 days. In the first 15 days he makes it 15 feet, having slipped back overnight. On the 16th day he makes it to 20.

Wednesday Word Problem!

(This is an "inchworm" - which is really a caterpillar...not a worm.)

A worm trying to climb up the steep, slippery wall of a dam 20 feet high, manages to climb 5 feet each day. However, during the night it slips back 4 feet.

How long will it take for the worm to reach the top?

Come back tomorrow to see if you got the correct answer!

(This word problem is brought to you by Mango Math.)


*Inchworms are the larvae of moths that belong to the family Geometridae.* 

Here are some bookmarks for your fall reading!

Here are some bookmarks you can download and print to use for your Fall reading:

Click HERE

Source:  The Crafty Crow

The Carnival of Homeschooling is up....

"Carnival" by Barron Holland

The host is Jacque at Walking Therein.  There are a lot of good tips at this week's carnival - so go check it out!

Hey, and don't forget to turn your speakers on!

School discipline based on "hue".

Source:  Right on the Left Coast: Views from a Conservative Teacher

Back in the "civil rights era" of the 50's and 60's, the goal was a colorblind society--a society whose laws did not treat people differently because of their race. Laws--ignored today but still on the books--state that people will be treated without regard to their race, or without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin.

So imagine my surprise when I received this link via email today:

The board is calling for a two-tiered form of student discipline. One for Black and Hispanic students; one for everyone else.

With the goal of creating a "restorative school culture and climate" that conveys a "sense of belonging to all students," the board is insisting that its schools reduce its suspensions and/or expulsions of minority students to the point that the data reflect "no ethnic/racial disparities"...

Offenses by students will be judged, and penalties meted out, depending on the student's hue.

I've written about this kind of thing before (here's just one example), and I always come to the same conclusion: Promoting Thurgood Marshall's and Dr. King's dreams of a truly colorblind society--not one that ignores race, but one that doesn't allow race to separate people before the law--would alleviate both kinds of racism (identified in the first paragraph above). Here's a post I wrote about race and education, quoting Marshall as well as the Civil Rights Act of 1964--do you agree with Marshall, or with the race-baiters of today?

(Read the post in it's entirety HERE.)

Word Problem - Children and the Apples, by Christopher Carter

Here's a word problem to get your brain cells going:

Once upon a time, there was a family of children. The oldest of these children was in charge of making sure that each of the other children did what they were supposed to do. There were 10 different children. Each of them had to pick a certain amount of apples every day.

Charlie had to pick 50

Jane had to pick 40

Carly had to pick 35

John had to pick 30

Ashley had to pick 25

Christopher had to pick 20

Aaron had to pick 15

Alyssa had to pick 10

James had to pick 5

Between all the children, they had to have a grand total of 630 apples.


How many apples did Cameryn (the oldest) have to pick?

Click here to go to the page with the answer! 

But don't forget to try to solve it yourself first! 

Every young girl needs to hear this song...

It probably wouldn't hurt some of us older girls to hear it, either! ;)


"Beautiful"


I was so unique
Now I feel skin deep
I count on the make-up to cover it all
Crying myself to sleep cause I cannot keep their attention
I thought I could be strong
But it's killing me


Does someone hear my cry?
I'm dying for new life


[Chorus]
I want to be beautiful
Make you stand in awe
Look inside my heart,
and be amazed
I want to hear you say
Who I am is quite enough
Just want to be worthy of love
And beautiful


Sometimes I wish I was someone other than me
Fighting to make the mirror happy
Trying to find whatever is missing
Won't you help me back to glory


[Chorus]


You make me beautiful
You make me stand in awe
You step inside my heart, and I am amazed
I love to hear You say
Who I am is quite enough
You make me worthy of love and beautiful

Yo Yo Ma and James Taylor - Here Comes the Sun

Saw a post by a Facebook friend and decided to give this a listen! (Thanks, Stephanie!) Two of my favorite performers.

Reflections on why the NEA must go...

Teacher's Unions Block Reform for Their Own Benefit

Send in your post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling!

Don't forget to send in your post for the next Carnival of homeschooling! The deadline is always the Monday before the Carnival each week before 6:00 pm PST. The Carnival will be up every Tuesday.

If you participate in the Carnival, please make sure you promote it on your blog and let your readers know to be looking for your contribution!

There are two ways to submit a post for the Carnival of Homeschooling:

1. You can send your post via BlogCarnival. Just go here and follow the instructions.

2. You can email your entry to : CarnivalOfHomeschooling@gmail.com by 6:00 PM (PST) on the Monday evening of the week. It will be greatly appreciated if the submissions come in earlier. Please send the following information:

Title of Post
URL of Post
Name of Blog
URL of Blog
Brief summary of the post
(With "carnival" or "submission" in the subject field of the email.)

Tomorrow's Carnival will be hosted at Walking Therein!

Are you as smart as most fourth and eighth graders?

Joanne Jacobs has the following about the NAEP test results for fourth and eighth graders:

I came across this site that gives sample 4th and 8th grade test questions from the NAEP test. An educational journalist once told me that the NAEP test was the "gold standard".


Mathematics Report Card.


Take the tests and look at how many students didn't get the correct answers. Next, break into (mixed ability) groups and try to discover what goes on in grades K-3 math.

Composting for Kids

There is an excellent slide show at Composting for Kids that gives step-by-step directions on how to make a simple compost bin, as well as tips on trench composting and compost pockets. Information on how microorganisms break down compost is also given.

You just click the arrow  to view the slide show, or you can download the whole thing in pdf form from a link above the arrow.

Composting for Kids

One million giraffes?

Jimmie's Giraffe at One Million Giraffes

Jimmie at Jimmie's Collage has a post up about a project called One Million Giraffes.  The creator of the project is trying to collect images of one million giraffe projects by 2011.  If you would like to be a part of this project, click HERE.

From the One Million Giraffes web site:

My friend, Jørgen, doesn't believe I can collect one million giraffes by 2011. I'm gonna prove him wrong, but I need your help. You can create your giraffe(s) in any way you like, but not on a computer and no store bought objects. You must create your giraffe(s) yourself!

The rules of this project

There are two rules in this One Million Giraffes project:

•You have to tell your friends about this project (otherwise it won't work)

•Your giraffe(s) can be created in any way and form, but not on a computer

The Gallery Blog Carnival of Art Projects for Kids

The Gallery Blog Carnival of Art Projects for Kids is up at Art Projects for Kids, with some great projects for you to do with a class or with your own children!

Abstract Tree from Art Projects for Kids

I love fall!  I remember being in elementary school and always making a picture of a tree with colorful falling leaves in reds, yellows, and browns.  I do still like those type of projects, but this is a different type of tree picture - one without leaves, using bold colors (but, of course, you could use fall colors as well).  It's also a lesson that your older kids will enjoy.  This lesson teaches about positive and negative space.

Click HERE for the instructions.

Click HERE for the lesson on How to Draw a Fall Tree that is mentioned in Step 1.

Click HERE for a lesson/tutorial on positive/negative space from About.com.

Enjoy! 

Salt Dough Leaf Prints from That Artist Woman!

That artist woman, Gail Bartel, has done it again!  She has a wonderful project on her web site that utilizes salt dough (recipe included) and silk fall leaves.  I see a lot of potential for this project.  Not only are the fall leaf impressions pretty, but you could also make them into any theme you want.  I have girls, and girls have friends who are...girls.  I could see using something to "write" a girl's name in one of these and painting it her favorite color - maybe even pressing in some "jewels" for added bling.  Or you could simply bake it and Mod Podge some tissue paper to it, with some pretty stickers.  You could call them "paperweights" (do people still use those?). 

Without further delay, click HERE for the link to the project above at That Artist Woman.