Atom Pancakes

I read somwhere a while ago that you can make an atom model using sugar cookies and candies to represent the electrons, neutrons, and protons.... why not do it using pancakes... so that's what we did. The kids woke up on the first day of school to pancakes and fruit. I taught what an atom was and what it consisted of and they were able to decorate their "atoms" and enjoy. We'll probably do it again when we learn more about bonding.

We're Ready for SCHOOL!!!

This move to Texas is an ideal time for change... for the better. I have decided that now is the time for a refocus on our homeschool adventures. I've evaluated each child to determine where they may need a little more help and I've committed myself to work on those areas. We started school last week and so far, things are going pretty good. We're having to get rid of a few lazy habits, but I think we're getting there. This is the curriculum we're using this year:

Mollie: Learning Language Arts Through Literature (tan book), Easy Grammar is to supplement, Spelling Workout, Singapore Math, Texas and US History, Chemistry and Art

Benjamin: Learning Language Arts Through Literature (orange book), Easy Grammar, Spelling Workout B and C, Singapore Math, Texas and US History, Chemistry and Art.

Jonah: Explode the Code 1, 2,3 (he's flying through it already), Bob Books and Usborne beginners, Spelling Workout A, Singapore Math, Texas and US History, Chemistry and Art

Amie: She insists on school so she's in Explode the Code Primer, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, Family Math, Texas and US History, Chemistry and Art.

They do listen.

Today we were outside and Amie brought me a plant (a tulip bulb) and said, "Look mom, a vissus root" It took me a moment, but I remembered we had been learning about different types of roots and bulb plants have adventitious roots. Wow, at least one of them was listening.

Homeschool

I've had a lot of friends curious as to what I do for homeschooling. As a record for myself as well, I'm going to start blogging some highlights of our school days.

I've tried many different programs and don't always follow through whether to my children's disliking or to my own. I think I've finally come into a groove that works for all of us. I've been incorporating a little bit of the "Well Trained Mind", Unit Studies (love Amanda Bennett), the Charlotte Mason ideas and literature based classical education ideas (here's an LDS one I love). Oh, and I just read "A Thomas Jefferson Education" (which I don't completely agree with, but did take from it that I needed to read more classics and stop lecturing my children and start inspiring my children) So with that being said, I'll take you back a few weeks ago.....

We start out the day with eating breakfast, dressed, and picking up chores.

Then comes our unit study (usually science based, but sometimes literature) or our history (we've started American History). We started out our recent Unit Study on Botany. Incorporating Amanda Bennetts Unit Study "Gardening" and just by using Usborne's Internet linked Science Encyclopedia, we have been going through different parts of plants. For instance, at the beginning, we started out with the cell. Basic right? Well, my kids are not particularly interested in that, so we brought out the big guns..... candy! Actually a Snicker bar. Each one got the mini ones and we cut them open. Inside you can see the cell wall, the cytoplasm, the organelles, make one nut the nucleus and I had them push in a vacuole. Afterwards they had to redo what they'd learned using play dough. We then went on a walk across the street to an amazing garden and were able to explore plants. They then had to draw what they saw (Charlotte Mason idea). Ta Da! Our fun for the day.

Next it's snack and nap for Mia and then we break out the reading, writing, math, grammar, spelling, typing, piano and whatever I see they are in need of.

Reading: Each child reads out loud to me either from a book (Mollie's reading The Witch from Blackbird Pond, Benjamin is Reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) or from the McGuffey Readers, or from Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons Then they all of silent reading and scripture reading sometime during the day. I have a chart if they've done it they mark it off. Before they can play with friends, their chart needs to be done.

Writing: We use writing letters, writing something from History, a journal entry, Just Write

Grammar: Easy Grammar and Winston Grammar works for us. We've tried a ton of things... but these are short and can be used in game like mode. Oh, I did love First Language Lessons, but I like doing things that can be done with multiple children... I'll probably go back to that next year and let Mollie go ahead onto something else.

Spelling: Spelling Workout Mollie was up to E, but we've gone back to C to redo some of the basics. Benjamin is pretty good at spelling, and could be C or D, but I want to really enforce the basic rules. Jonah is in A.

Math: Singapore Math. I've tried Math-U-See and loved it, but we were already in Singapore and it's hard to make a switch in math... I think. So everyone is on grade level, but Mollie is 6 months behind... again, I just want to really enforce the basics. Once you get those, the rest will be easier.

Typing: Online typing

The next day we do American History... for instance, the first lesson was Vikings and then Columbus. We did map work and a timeline and the did experiments with making our own boats out of cardboard of foil and see what shape and design works the best.

Another Unit Study we're doing is on Art. I made it myself using Usborne Art Books http://www.usborne-quicklinks.com/ , Drawing with children, and Discovering Great Artists

It's taken 5 years to get in this groove. Things change, children change, and I'm sure we'll change again. But this is what we are doing for now.

Facebook

Now I know why many of my blogger friends have stopped writing on their blogs.... facebook. I just entered that realm a few weeks ago, and I'm amazed at how many people are on there. I had been skeptical and reluctant, but I love it. I have been reintroduced to many of my lost long best friends. It's been a fun journey... but I can't forget my blog. I am in charge of Relief Society Meetings in our church (meaning I plan the activities for women once a month). So, I just planned a pretty successful meeting on journaling. I am a HORRIBLE journaler. My husband; amazing! Yes, I like to scrapbook, but doing and liking are two different things. So, I am going to commit (yes, again) to making this more my journal. They have this amazing thing now where you can have your blog made into a book... why can't I think of those things? Here is one of those sites. So, here's to be being a better blogger.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

If you're reading this, you either check in occasionally or.... Ta Dah! I got the Christmas cards sent out!!!!!! This has been a wonderful year and we just wanted to share a few snip its with you! Let's start with:

January - All I can say is we were sugar highed, spoiled, and ready for grumpy mommy to have our baby. It was a VERY cold month for the state of Georgia and in Feb. we even got snow.

February- Jonah turned 5! He has truly grown up so much. He's calmed down and is such a delight to talk with. He LOVES Lego's and Star Wars.. and loves when they are together. He loves church and loves to make the girls giggle.

March - Our sweet Mia was born on the 27th. She has been an amazing baby. Very content and happy. She's just now getting stranger anxiety, but if mom's around, she is never upset. She even deals with all the hugs and loves from 4 older siblings.

April - My mom had to leave and Brian had to go back to work. I had to figure out how to juggle 5 kids and a semi- normal life. I really missed my help leaving (thanks mom and Beth and Bob for all the help), but we slowly but surely figured it out. This also started my life of eating healthy. To date I've lost 33lbs and feel great!

May - Mollie turned 10... oh my, a whole decade. She had a Hoedown Throw Down birthday party. We cleared the furniture and danced to country music. She loves to dance and sing and sing and sing and sing.... and sing. She also loves to blog and take pictures. She is so helpful with all her younger siblings and we are truly grateful for her.

June- We went on our annual Charleston trip. It was VERY hot! but fun. We went to the water park, the beach and we all rode bikes this year. Even Jonah! Amie and Mia were pulled in the trailer and they loved having the royal treatment.

July - Another vacation month! Our cousins came down from Minnesota and we were so happy to spend girl time at Hilton Head beach and the boys down at Kennedy Space Center with a real astronaut! We spent the rest of the time swimming and playing at Grandmas house. Oh, and of course, Brian turned 37, I turned 32 and we've been married for 11 GREAT years!!

August - Back to School! The kids have truly done double time this fall with school. We were a little more relaxed with Mia being born, but boom.... Benjamin went from a 1st grade reading level to a 4th and his writing has really improved. Jonah is reading when he wants to and counts and adds EVERYTHING!, Mollie is learning long division and doing wonderfully and Amie... LOVES mommy school. We've done lots of crafts and have learned that she's an artist.

September- What a wonderful month this was. Our Benjamin chose to be baptized. He truly understands and is an amazing example to us. He even finished reading the Book of Mormon this year. Our Granny and Grandpa were also able to come for his baptism and we had a blast with them... too short, but loved having them. We took them to the boys favorite place.... Fort Pulaski.

October - Wow, seems like yesterday. We ALL dressed up like Greek gods and goddesses. We've been reading Percy Jackson and had so much fun at all of our parties. This was also the month Mom was very jealous of Brian and Benjamin... they went on a cruise... and ate and ate and ate and had such a wonderful bonding experience.

November - This month just flew by for us. We are very Thankful for all of our blessings and had a wonderful month of service. We also shared our Thanksgiving day at the Grandma and Grandpa Russell's house... and of course participated in the ultra crazy Black Friday!

December - We've had a wonderful month. We've been Christmas caroling, been secret elves, read the Forgotten Carols, enjoyed way too many treats, and of course, had a wonderful time sharing Christmas memories with each other. The kids had Santa come early and we'll be having 2 Christmas'! The kids of course have been spoiled, but I really feel we've done our best at sharing the true meaning of Christmas with them. This is also the month Amie turns 3! She is our very independent, strong willed child. We're learning how to work her and she is a delight when we do figure it out. We've learned to give her outlets through art and much to my dismay, movies. She is potty trained day and night and talks a mile a minute. She has an amazing vocabulary and we are truly thankful for her.

Which brings us to our blessings of having amazing family and friends like you. We are so thankful God has brought you into our lives. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and want you to know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Love, The Russell Family

Sneak Peak of Family Photos

So, Christmas Presents this year are going to be picture based so I didn't want to share these, but these are also for our Christmas card... which I hope to actually get out (you don't even want to know how many 100's of pictures I have in boxes just waiting to be sent with the yearly I'll get to sending it out Christmas card) If you want a card, email me your address. :)

We had so much fun.... ok, I had so much fun... ok, maybe it was a little ok a lot stressful. My children were angels, well most of them. At least the naked one finally put Back on a dress after pulling her cute pig tales out of her hair. But, bribing with chocolate brownies worked.... and I think we only got a little on the clothes. YEAH. It's done. And I love them. I'll post the rest as the month ends. Did I tell you I did them.... yes, I'm too cheap to have someone else do them... so setting the timer and running is why I look so peppy Oh, and if anyone knows if I can get my glasses to not be sunglasses in a picture... let me know. Didn't think about that one.