This week I decided to unplug the cable jack from our TV. I think it was really more for me than for everyone else. I'm pretty addicted to anything "Bravo" related so I thought it would be a challenge. But do you know it was actually a seamless transition. I ended up pulling out my guitar and playing for the first time in close to eight years. I also sat in front of the piano and started practicing the hymns in our Easy Hymnal. Jason recommended a FREE app for my iPhone (not surprisingly originally recommended by Jared), similar to Rosetta Stone. You can learn German, Spanish, French and Italian. So I started working on German earlier this week, and then thought, "Maybe I should relearn Spanish." So I switched to Spanish. Wow! I forgot A LOT! Maybe that's because I never truly learned it in the first place.
On a side note- I really love homeschooling because it is more focused on mastery than just memorizing. I love the idea that my children will be filled with knowledge. I know I wish I had acquired more of it when I was in school. Luckily, I get to relearn everything through my kids (and a few things I never learned in the first place.)
Alright! Alright! It's time for the week...
IMPROMPTU SCIENCE LESSON
Check out this bug we found at the park during our co-op meet-up. I love accidental lessons! We discovered (thank you smartphone!) that it's called an Eastern Eyed Click Beetle.
This is the underside of the beetle. Notice that all of its legs are tucked in. This is because it's playing dead as a defense mechanism.
Here is the top of the beetle. Notice the two large "eyes" on the top of its thorax. Obviously this is where its name comes from. The other half of the name comes from the clicking noise it makes when it flips itself over. I wish I had it on video. It completely FREAKED EVERYONE OUT! (Including me!)
For more information on the Eastern Eyed Click Beetle, check out these websites:
http://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Eastern-Eyed-Click-Beetle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WJPIU7QVa4
BAKING LESSON
The kids were REALLY hungry earlier this week ;) so I said, "Let's do math and make some chocolate chip muffins!" So we did some measuring and talked about math as we mixed up some breakfast. Definitely a super yummy lesson!
Taking turns mixing. (No Amelias were hurt or injured during the making of this video :)
Separating into tins.
It's a messy job, but Connor's gotta do it!
Ready to go into the oven.
The final product.
Enjoying the final product. It was a tough lesson ;)
OUR FRIEND
This is one of our bird friends. We have a whole family that lives in the backyard and eats the bugs out of our gardens. We haven't been able to identify which type they are yet, so if anyone knows, please feel free let us know!
NATURE WALK & SKETCH
We found a REALLY cool specimen to sketch during our nature walk this week...
I think nature walks are my FAVORITE homeschool activity. Thank you Charlotte Mason Theory!
CRAZY ART
Honestly, I have no idea. The picture speaks for itself.
KARATE LESSONS
One of the local karate studios offered our homeschool co-op a special rate for being able to have class during the day. So we signed them up. I was a little worried about Amelia because she didn't seem like she would be that into it, but it was at the same time as Connor's class, and I AM SO GLAD I SIGNED HER UP! She followed the directions perfectly! Connor really enjoys it.
We got there at 10:00am. Unfortunately, class didn't begin until 11:00am, so we went to the park, played on the swings, and had a Spanish review. I had Connor counting and identifying the colors of items on the playground all in Spanish.
Amelia doesn't look thrilled, but she LOVED it!
Learning the proper way to fall.
Up and down. Up and down.
SCIENCE OF LIGHT
It was a lazy and rainy Friday afternoon and Connor specifically requested a science lesson. So what do you do? You talk about light and put on a shadow puppet show!
AND FINALLY ... SOCCER TOURNAMENT SATURDAY!!!
It was a bittersweet day this weekend as our soccer season came to an end. Amelia FINALLY ran around the field without Jason by her side. She loved her trophy and carried it with her for the rest of the afternoon.
Amelia falling...and getting right back up!
Amelia kicking the ball.
Water break!
Connor scored a sweet goal in the championship game. He apparently lifted it and shot it over the goalies head. I say "apparently" because I missed it. I decided the middle of the game was a good time to pick up trash :) UGH!
Jason nicknamed these three the "triumvirate." They were the movers and shakers on their team.
(left: Craven; middle: Maxwell; right: Connor)
Receiving their 2nd place trophies.
The full team.
Trophy kids. Amelia isn't smiling because she wanted to take her picture on the stairs. Whoa momma were we in trouble!
Can't wait to see what's in store for next week!
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