The Ideas Post

Here is a compilation of things I think look appealing for our Fall 2011 school year:
Oh Wait...Here's a couple of summer to-do's this month!!

Chocolate Banana Popsicles
Fudge Popsicles
Chocolate Kiwi Popsicles



Science

*Great List of Water Experiment Questions
*Making Field Guides
*The Magnifying Glass
*Nature Study in Action
*Thoughts on how to keep a nature study guide
*Authors Jean Craighead George and Gail Gibbons
*Ordering Magic School Bus videos according to what we are studying
*Great Science Ideas for Caroline and Jenna

Encouragement for me on teaching Science

Math/Logic

*Shrinky Dink Tangrams

*Mysteries to Solve similar to that at the Magic House

Writing/Reading
* A list of reading from Sonlight
*Another list from Sonlight (younger readers)
*Five in a Row reading list
*Charlotte Mason Lists:
Kindergarten
Year One

Art/Crafts
*salad spinner
*Rotating books for Jenna to pick from:
*Shrinky Dink jewelry


The girls and I exploring the museum under the St. Louis Arch while Daddy was taking a class

History
Great post on studying history

*How to make your own modeling beeswax
*A book and craft ideas




Lots of links to preschool ideas...
*Mary Kohl's books

Some to-do's for the fall:
*Go tent camping multiple trips--H.A. Rey's stars book, flashlights,
*Colonial and Indian Unit before/during the encampment


A collection of "curriculum" blogs I like in order to write my own:
*FIMBY's thoughts
*Lessons for a beginning Homeschooler

Materials:
Beeswax Clay
wooden people--different sizes
Shrinky Dink Plastic

"Stations" in the schoolroom--Rotating C.D. reads by grandparents, Uncle Ryan, Mom, Dad, etc.

Ideas for making our own notebooks...

Inspiration for going outdoors with the family more
Info on tents and gear
Lessons learned while camping

A Kindness Curriculum
Character Studies

Brainstorming--
Let them pick an animal and historical period to study. Create around that, including them choosing interesting books from the library ...
Alphabet glue ideas at the library--different one each time
Mailbox and delivery--hope to encourage writing

Books for me to write ideas: The Write Start, Peggy Kaye, Math for families,

Dealing with opposition and Bad Days

*Have Jenna and Caroline help me to design an art room!!!! Dictate a list of things they would like. Let them plan a meal and help to fix it (again dictate). Mama choose and then have them choose one!

*Ways to add Montessori to the mix!

*Singing!!!!! BBQ on the River Race Training