Monday, June 28, 2010

All Aboard For Alphabet

All aboard for Alphabet Island
New sounds and places we'll expore
Letters come to life at Alphabet Island
Where we read and spell from shore to shore

We have all fallen in love with Alphabet Island. It's just too perfect since we live on an island. Each letter is a kid with characteristics that help remember how they make words (reading and spelling rules). The king and queen are Noble N and Lady L, which is Mom and Dad. Navin likes to be 'Veggie V', who is good friends with 'Farmhand F', and they love vegetables. Govinda has really bonded with Zany Z, a barefoot boy whose favorite number is zero, and likes to zone out on dozers.

We're making a big poster for the cards to play on and an Alphabet Island book with a page for each letter friend. Here's a picture of the cover and Zany Z before being all colored in:




























The best part is that he thinks all of the Alphabet Island stuff is just for fun, not school! Yet, just from listening to the cd and reading some of the stories, he now knows many phonics concepts that I haven't officially taught him, like 'ch', 'ph', 'wh', 'gh', and more. I can tell this is a great fit for us!

We have been blessed with a new camera, so now I can take more pictures to share.

Here's some pictures of a premature jabon that fell and became a great ball to play with. We have been really admiring nature and the greatness of summer and the fruits that are ripe. Our nature study has been fun, exploring the wonders of nature everyday. In this picture, Govinda is wearing his Zany Z shirt. Notice the double z's on the back...that's because he is afraid of being at the cliff at the ends of words, so he manifests another Zany Z to keep him company and feel safe. Alphabet Island really takes abstract symbols for sounds and makes them personal relationships that are easy to relate to and remember.





Africa

We continued our study of Africa, focusing on animals, ecosystems, folktales, and village and tribal life. Our new favorite story is Zella, Zack, and Zodiac. It is a great story about a zebra and ostrich that help each other when in need with a nice, rhyming rhythm that we all love. Govinda is having a new language arts bond with the letter Z, and it is tying in nicely with 'zebras grazing', and places like Zimbabwe, and the Zulu people. He's also learned a fun African song with lots of Z's in it (zimi zaya, zimi zaya, zay ya ya).

Here is a picture of an African hut drawn after reading a story showing it like this (Beatrice's Goat), drawn on the first completed homemade chalk board:

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Botanical Garden Field Trip With Homeschool Group

We joined the homeschool group at the Botanical Gardens. The kids had a lot of fun. In this picture, the tour guide is in the birdhouse with four macaws that were on his shoulders for a while. We learned a lot about exotic plants and some Hawaiian history, too. We used to live nearby, so it was nice to revisit a familiar place.

African Animals

Geography: This week we read stories about the many amazing African animals and learned a lot about primates and the differences between apes and monkeys. Our favorite stories were Honey...Honey...Lion, Here Is The African Savanna, and How Giraffe Got Such A Long Neck...There are so many stories for Africa, I am working on compiling a list. We have lots of giraffe toys, so the boys acted out stories with the giraffes.


Language Arts: There's nothing like a beginning reader picking up a book for fun. Here's Govinda relaxing with Hop On Pop by Dr. Seuss:


Looking ahead to Egypt, I'm not sure how much mummy info the boys can handle at this age. I don't want the baby to get scared or any bad dreams, so we may keep our Africa focus on animals and tribal village life and come back to ancient Egypt for history later on.

We have introduced Alphabet Island and it is a big hit! The boys love the letters each being a character, it's like the alphabet just became their new best imaginary friends, and they like to read and spell! Woohoo!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Africa Book List

There's a lot of stories from Africa! *=favorites

*Honey--honey--lion! : a story from Africa by Brett, Jan, 1949-
*Africa calling : nighttime falling by Adlerman, Daniel
*Zella, Zack, and Zodiac by Peet, Bill.
*Here is the African savanna by Dunphy, Madeleine.
*Jungle Drums by Base, Graeme
*How Giraffe got such a long neck-- and why Rhino is so grumpy by Rosen, Michael, 1946-
African princess : the amazing lives of Africa's royal women by Hansen, Joyce.
Ali, child of the desert by London, Jonathan
Ashanti to Zulu : African traditions by Musgrove, Margaret.
Beatrice's goat by McBrier, Page.
Bill and Pete go down the Nile by DePaola, Tomie,
A country far away by Gray, Nigel.
Croco'nile by Gerrard, Roy.
For you are a Kenyan child by Cunnane, Kelly.
Hatshepsut : first female pharaoh by Pancella, Peggy.
I lost my tooth in Africa by Diakité, Penda.
A is for Africa by Onyefulu, Ifeoma
Mama Panya's pancakes : a village tale from Kenya by Chamberlin, Mary,
Ms. Frizzle's adventures : ancient Egypt by Cole, Joanna.
Mummies in the morning by Osborne, Mary Pope.
Mummies made in Egypt by Aliki.
The night has ears : African proverbs by Bryan, Ashley.
Pyramids! : 50 hands-on activities to experience ancient Egypt by Hart, Avery.
The Sahara desert : the biggest desert by Weintraub, Aileen, 1973-
Tut's mummy lost-- and found by Donnelly, Judy.
Tutankhamun by Green, Robert, 1969-
We all went on safari : a counting journey through Tanzania by Krebs, Laurie.
When Africa was home by Williams, Karen Lynn.
Where are you going Manyoni by Stock, Catherine
If I were a kid in ancient Egypt by Waryncia, Lou.
The lonely lioness and the Ostrich chicks : a Masai tale by Aardema, Verna.
Mandela : from the life of the South African statesman by Cooper, Floyd
Who's in Rabbit's house : Masai tale by Aardema, Verna.
Billie the hippo by Malane, Donna.
Biography of an ostrich by Hopf, Alice Lightner, 1904-
Bringing the rain to Kapiti Plain
Giraffe by Hoffman, Mary, 1945-
A giraffe grows up by Tourville, Amanda Doering,
Hidden hippo by Gannij, Joan.
How the ostrich got its long neck : a tale from the Akamba of Kenya by Aardema, Verna.
Mara, daughter of the Nile by McGraw, Eloise Jarvis.
Moja means one; Swahili counting book by Feelings, Muriel L. 1
My rows and piles of coins by Mollel, Tololwa M. (Tololwa Marti)
Owen & Mzee : best friends by Hatkoff, Isabella.
Rabbit makes a monkey of lion : a Swahili tale by Aardema, Verna.
When lion could fly : and other tales from Africa by Greaves, Nick.
A zebra's world by Arnold, Caroline.
Zomo the Rabbit : a trickster tale from West Africa by McDermott, Gerald.
African critters by Haas, Robert B.
African rhinos by Nelson, Kristin L.
Anansi the spider; a tale from the Ashanti by McDermott, Gerald.
Cheetah by Arnold, Caroline.
Count your way through Egypt by Haskins, James, 1941-
Egypt by Aykroyd, Clarissa.
Egypt in pictures by Zuehlke, Jeffrey, 1968-
Faraway home by Kurtz, Jane.
Guess who roars by Gordon, Sharon.
It takes a village by Cowen-Fletcher, Jane.
Jambo means hello; Swahili alphabet book by Feelings, Muriel L.
Jungle Jack Hanna's safari adventure by Hanna, Jack, 1947-
Lion by Arnold, Caroline.
On safari by Paul, Tessa.
Pepi and the secret names : with six secret names to solve (answers at the back of the book) by Paton Walsh, Jill, 1937-
A place in the sun by Rubalcaba, Jill.
Project hippopotamus by Ring, Susan.
Seeker of knowledge : the man who deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphs by Rumford, James, 1948-
A South African night by Isadora, Rachel.
Zebra by Arnold, Caroline.
Elizabeti's doll by Stuve-Bodeen, Stephanie, 1965-
Mansa Musa : ruler of ancient Mali by Pancella, Peggy.
Wangari's trees of peace : a true story from Africa by Winter, Jeanette.
Ancient Egypt by JWM Productions.
Chidi only likes blue : an African book of colors by Onyefulu, Ifeoma.
Cleopatra by Hoobler, Dorothy.
The day Gogo went to vote : South Africa, April 1994 by Sisulu, Elinor.
The day of Ahmed's secret by Heide, Florence Parry
Egypt beyond the pyramids by DeVries, David.
Galimoto by Williams, Karen Lynn.
Gift of the sun : a tale from South Africa by Stewart, Dianne.
Jafta by Lewin, Hugh.
Jafta and the wedding by Lewin, Hugh.
Jafta's father by Lewin, Hugh.
Jafta's mother by Lewin, Hugh.
Jafta--the journey /by Lewin, Hugh.
Jafta--the town by Lewin, Hugh.
Koi and the kola nuts by Gleeson, Brian.
Masai and I by Kroll, Virginia L.
Mufaro's beautiful daughters : an African tale by Steptoe, John, 1950-
My painted house, my friendly chicken, and me by Angelou, Maya.
Off to the sweet shores of Africa and other talking drum rhymes by Unobagha, Uzoamaka Chinyelu.
Pretty Salma : a Little Red Riding Hood story from Africa by Daly, Niki.
The royal kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay : life in medieval Africa by McKissack, Pat, 1944-
A story, a story; an African tale by Haley, Gail E.
A visual introduction to monkeys and apes by Stonehouse, Bernard.

DVD: Swinging safari by Grupper, Jonathan.
DVD: Growing up wild. Vol. 1, Amazing baby animals by Wildvision (Firm)

Friday, June 18, 2010

Banyan Tree Climbing













We've been honoring this beautiful season by being outside more. Climbing banyan trees has become our breakthrough summer school activity. This tree was too challenging to climb last year, and now it has become a perfect jungle gym. Govinda has been wanting to climb a lot lately, and since the porch and doorways aren't the safest, we have been practicing on the 'Great Banyan Tree' in our backyard's enchanted forest every morning and afternoon. We have been so amazed by the beautiful trees lately that it may spin off into a native plant study. Summer is such a season of flourishing beauty!

Thank you to everyone who checks in to this blog and cares for us. We are always appreciating well wishes and wish the same for everyone. Take care and God Bless!

Friday, June 11, 2010

France and Goodbye to Europe

Geography: We read more stories from and about France and colored the map and flag. We were planning on going to Spain next and then Italy, but we've now decided to go straight to Africa. I really wanted to spend time on these countries, especially since I know some Spanish and both countries have a lot history. But Govinda really wants to go to Africa because there are more animals there, and then the interlibrary loan only had a few stories for Spain and Italy and tons of books for Africa. So, we're going with the flow and will learn more about the countries we missed later on. I plan to spend two months in Africa, starting with two weeks on animals, then Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. After Africa, we will sail to Australia, then stop at Antarctica on the way to South America, and ending with North America.

We are continuing our 'Summer Break' while the days are long and weather is hot to play outside a lot and have fun. Ever since my birthday, Govinda is really excited about his birthday in October. He has so many desires, so I followed the advice from a great book called How To Talk So Kids Will Listen And How To Listen So Kids Will Talk and asked him to make a wish list...write down or draw everything he wants. This helps them fell some satisfaction even if they never get it...just to be acknowledged is so important for young ones. So, he took off with this, drawing an elaborate picture of road construction gear with a hard hat and neon green shirt and orange cones. On another day, he asked me how to spell 'battery', and I asked why, and he said he wants a red train with a switch and a battery. He drew the train and I wrote out his wish on the board and he copied it. I'll have to take pictures, as it's quite amazing how capable children are of doing academics when they are truly interested.

In the meantime, we've been doing deep cleaning and cooking fun together lately. The boys love making bread and rolling out dough and using cookie cutters. I've been reading a lot lately on helping the boys grow up healthy and find solutions to their problems (usually about sharing). I have a new appreciation for psychology now that I've seen the difference in reactions I can cause in kids by saying things in different ways. I've also been going back more towards all the waldorf style of teaching (art and story based) that I originally set out to do before changing to a more living books classical style, and now I'm trying to find an eclectic balance between them before we move on. Thanks again to everyone who cares about us. We love you! Take care and God Bless!

France Book List

There's a lot of story books about Paris. Here are some of our favorites:

Babar loses his crown by Brunhoff, Laurent de
Belinda in Paris by Young, Amy.
Bon appetit, Bertie! by Knight, Joan.
Bonjour, Mr. Satie by DePaola, Tomie
*Dodsworth in Paris by Egan, Tim
*The giraffe that walked to Paris by Milton, Nancy
Harry and Lulu by Arthur Yorinks
The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Wynne-Jones, Tim
Katie and the Mona Lisa by Mayhew, James
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully
Murphy meets Paris by Ziefert, Harriet
New Coat For Anna by Harriet Ziefert
Night of the new magicians by Mary Pope Osborne (we usually love Magic Tree House, but this one had an 'evil sorcerer', so I left out the word evil.)
Paddington Abroad by Michael Bond
Three sacks of truth : a story from France by Kimmel, Eric A.

DVD: Families of France by Arden Films

* = our most read favorites

Monday, June 7, 2010

France and Chalkboard Making







Finally, here's some pictures of the boys. I have been so busy lately, it's hard to remember to grab the camera. But these early childhood days go so fast, I love looking back at old pictures. I can't figure out how to center the pictures...they have reset themselves to be like this. My computer time these days is very short.

We're enjoying this summer break from academics. The weather is so hot, it's nice to go to the beaches, rivers, and tidepools as much as possible. Govinda picked up some Busy Town books to read on his own with a little help here and there with big words he hasn't learned yet.

The one thing I really wanted for my birthday was a chalkboard. When I looked into it, I could get 3 or 4 chalkboards for the price of one if we made it ourselves with chalkboard paint. So, it is a fun project for the whole family. The paint can turn any surface into a chalkboard. First, we cut the corners and sanded all the edges, then painted it. We have 2 more big ones and 3 small ones left to do as we have time.

Geography: We read a lot of stories about France. Dodsworth In Paris was great because it's a funny story, but also teaches a lot about France. Next week, we'll color the map and flag...I'm waiting for our new beeswax crayons that I got for my birthday to arrive.

I'm also waiting to get Alphabet Island to try out. It's a story based phonics program that personifies each letter with characteristics that help remember phonics and spelling rules. Clever C is afraid of falling off the edge of the words, so he brings his pet Kangaroo K. It's also got a lot of songs, and I hope they help my very auditory learner.

Thank you, everyone, for caring for us and being patient when I'm a lazy blogger. Take care and God Bless!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Germany and Gnomes and Gnumbers

I always planned on doing school year round, but life has showed me the greatness of taking a break for a time to let everything settle and process through play. We built a fortress with a sheet on chairs and brought in his easy readers to sit and read in the fort! Then he asked for me to read him a math story called Gnomes and Gnumbers, a great free online waldorf math story guide with activities. I think we will spend some time doing the activities with this story since we all like it, and hey, it's math learning that they both ask for! We have also been taking the free time to play games and focusing on drawing and painting, and I am doing more deep cleaning and rearranging the school room. We checked out a bunch of easy readers from the library for him to practice reading. He loves Dr. Seuss!

Geography: We read stories from the Germany book list, colored the map and flag, and stamped our passports after a train ride. Most of the stories are Grimm's fairy tales, some of which we didn't like because of the witches and sad endings, and then they weren't teaching much about Germany anyways. We decided to hop back on the train and head to France next week.

Science: We're using Otter Science for a story-based study of the human body. We read a good book called I Know How My Cells Make Me Grow, a fun story, not too dry. Next week I hope to draw some cells and maybe bring out the microscope.

I'm sorry to say that the camera doesn't seem to be working with my computer. I took a whole bunch of pics and they won't upload. The dvd player isn't working either. I'm hoping to fix this so I can share pictures again soon.

Thanks again to everyone reading this for your care and love and support, we appreciate it. I'm realizing that learning how to love each other and God is the most important thing to learn in this life. Jesus knew what he was talking about when He said the most important commandment is to "Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself."