Homeschool Minutes: 05/21/09

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Just some videos my kids insist on watching over and over!

We have a cat named Georgie, hence the first video of The Seekers singing Georgy Girl in 1964. I know every generation says this, but music was so much better back then! I can't say that about the 80's, but I definitely can say that about 60's music!

I suppose I'm feeling nostalgic. Did anyone else watch - and love - Gilligan's Island like I did?

And who can forget that classic island version of Hamlet?

Pray for Jessica Hulcy

I don't know Jessica Hulcy personally, but I do know she is the c0-author of the Konos curriculum, which has probably been a blessing to a lot of people out there. Jessica was badly injured in a car accident on May 19. She's in the hospital and, according to the web site where you can get updates, she is in for a long road to recovery. I thought someone might want to see how she's doing and maybe contact her.

From the Homeschool Classroom - 25 bookmarks!

Actually, they are talking about the electronic type of bookmarks. In this article they list 25 bookmarks you should have on your computer.

Actually, it's missing at least one - Mia Zagora's Homeschool Minutes!

Do you have any favorite bookmarks you'd like to share with us?

This story is not funny...

Actually, I feel extremely badly for the girl, her parents, her teachers, her classmates... everyone. However, as someone else wrote, how much of this situation do you chalk up to irresponsible behavior? I'm not going to elaborate on it too much. A girl didn't wear undies on picture day. An embarassing situation arose. You can read about it here and here.

I have daughters. I think we'll do a study on the history of underwear, and it's usefulness today. That should be interesting.

Showing appreciation for teachers...

Darren at Right on the Left Coast: Views from a Conservative Teacher has some words about being appreciated by his students. Homeschoolers often have teachers as well through co-ops, tutors and other situations. The idea that the principal at Darren's school had would be appreciated by all educators, and something perfect for the end of the school year.

Another art project...

Gail Bartel of That Artist Woman has a post up about working on new projects. She also has step-by-step instructions - with photos - for an art project for Grade 3, seen above.

Very cool!

Painting a Cityscape

Painting by Suzanne O'Driscoll

Grab your tempera paints, fat black markers and some paper and head on over to Art Projects for Kids for a project by Kathy Barbro!

Tips for Senior year...

For those of you who have rising seniors, get a head start on having a great senior year by reading this offering from Heart of the Matter!

Enjoy!

The Carnival of Education has been set up...

at The Education Wonks. There is discussion about everything from charter schools, testing, saving for college, and links to videos of interest. There are thoughts about NEXT year, a teen newspaper, and Open Court resources.

Check it out!

Free Phonics Lessons

Here's a free web site I just found out about. Just as the title says, there are free phonics lessons. I reviewed some of them and it seems that these lessons are for children who are, maybe, a little older - maybe first or second grade (?) - and have had some experience with reading but they are having problems. The lady's voice on the lessons talks to the child as if they should be able to use these independently. The lessons aren't colorful with songs or pretty pictures or anything like that, so they would be ideal for children who are easily distracted. In fact, the voice tells you that the lessons aren't fun, but sometimes we have to do things that aren't fun - if I didn't know better, that voice sounds like me! ;)

The Phonics Page is put together by a Christian organization and has Christian content, in case you are looking for "secular" materials. The movies require Quicktime to view them, which is free.

If you have younger children or children who do well with lessons that are colorful and fun, I recommend Progressive Phonics and Starfall.com. Progressive Phonics has free books at each level for you to try, and they are inexpensive (around $20 for the whole shebang). Of course, Starfall.com is free! Both of these are colorful and fun.

Have a Reading Camp!

Tommy and friends

Over at Growing Green at the Homeschooler's Guide to the Galaxy there is a great idea posted about having a reading camp - at home, of course! You might even get together with other homeschoolers to do some of the activities listed.

Also, if you're looking for some great fun reading for this summer - or for next year during the school year, look for Learning Page in my sidebar. Learning page is for around grades K through 3 or 4. They have materials on many subjects, including printable worksheets, and everything is free to download.

Learning Page has a book series called Tommy Tales, suggested for grades 2-3. Tommy Tales is about a boy named Tommy Tomkins. Tommy and his friends find themselves in all kinds of strange situations. There are worksheets that coordinate with each book, as well as lesson plans that cover geography, science, history, etc. Fun!