Tuesday's Travels~November 4,2014

We started out our work period with Mapping the World by Heart. The link will take you to the overview of this curriculum just in case you wanted to know more about this program. We are in Unit 1 which is the "Appetizer" section. Today they were introduced to Topographic Maps. If your child or student knows the Parts of the Mountain that background knowledge would really help with this lesson, Topographic Maps are usually introduced in grades 6-8.

                                                                             

                 

We looked at various Topographic Maps on the computer, it would of been really nice to have maps right in front of us to examine. I couldn't find any without having to print them off of the internet and even those didn't print out well enough to read and understand clearly, so the computer it was.  We also talked about what is sea level, other types of landforms, elevation, and also reviewed what a slope was.

They learned how to make contour lines using a mountain they made out of clay.

Layer by layer they traced around the clay using the floss to cut between the sections with the same thickness.

We started with the sea level at 0 and every contour line after that would represent 100 ft above sea level.

We also hit the nature trails today.

And then more landform talk started up.

I don't know if I like Sundays more than Tuesdays now. Blessed!

To see what others are learning about in their history and geography studies pop over to All Things Beautiful: History and Geography Meme

A Rube Goldberg Challenge ~ Turn the Light Off

Looks like we were timely to explore Rube Goldberg as our Thinker of the Month.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Our time spent during "school" has mostly been spent outside of home, so we haven't really scratched the surface of exploring our Thinker yet. Our trip to the library confirmed that yes, Rube Goldberg was someone who is deifintely worth learning more about.

                                                                                   

When I saw this activity set up I was so thankful. This was the most perfect way to get the kids charged up about Rube again, it was so well organized too. I got a lot of ideas of how to pull this type of thing off at home.

                                                                                     

The Rube Goldberg challenge was to turn the light off. The clip is very short, but you can still see that this activity had DJ thinking. DJ and Ken both were successful at accomplishing this challenge, and of course the camera never works when your ready to record that great moment :)

3D Printing Machine

This week is Lansing Maker Week. Today we visited the East Lansing Public Library's Pop up Makerspace.

                                                                             

                                                                               

They were so excited to learn about and make things with the 3D printer and so was I. This Makerspace is available three days a week and on Saturdays for FREE for the next six months. I think this  place is going to be a valuable resource to us. 

Do you have a Makerspace in your area?

Observational Drawing

Back in July I enrolled in Lori Pickert's Free Observational Drawing Class. The class was set up with a forum for those who wanted to share and learn more from Lori's wisdom on Project Based Homeschooling. The lessons were delivered straight to your email. I really enjoyed taking the class on my own pace and being able to go back to the lessons after the classes ended, this class was for seven days. Lori included lots of tips and resources which is really helping me to feel more poised at given instruction in art. 

We did the first lesson today that introduced Blind Contoured Drawing.

                                                                       

 They really liked using the paper plate to blind them of their drawing while using their eyes to really focus on what they were drawing. Just so you know I decided to have them use a permanent marker so that once the activity was over they wouldn't want to "fix it". Also the first lesson given by Lori has the student'drawing their own hand. I know these two kiddos too well to know that drawing their hand wasn't going to be well received on our first go at observational drawing.

Plus it was such a beautiful Fall day and you couldn't help but notice the leaves.

I think it was a successful activity, expecially since they have continued to draw all day.

Volunteer Time!

The kids have been volunteering their time by helping with Brain Builders Inc., the non profit organization that I helped to organize. The last week of August we offered activities during a Kindergarten Camp at a local school and I must say that their enthusiasm and talents went far beyond my expectations of them. We shared our love of hands on fun with over 50 kindergartners, that rotated in groups of six to the different stations that were set up.


                                                                 

 After fooling around with circuits and making lots of play doh, Ken felt confident enough to give a lesson. She did an impressive job!

                                                                   

                                                         Squishy Circuits in Action!

Kennede was glowing with excitement as each kindergartner's light came up while be guided by her. Yep, she knows how circuits work, no testing required :)

                                                                           

 DJ was the guide at the Vinegar and Baking Soda Works table. I bet you guys already know that he rocked it out, especially if you are a reader of our past homeschool blog We Don't Need No Education.

In fact he did so well that he was offered a position as a third grade teacher assistant. Way to go Donovan!!

                     

                                                                                   

Nia and my nephew Christopher guided the Make Your Own Geoboard table. It was a success, their natural encouraging voices made it possible. After they made their reflections they said that it was kinda difficult for them to complete, but when they said "you can do it" the kindergartners got the job done. Both of them agree that the kindergartners liked it, and they should have more practice in the classroom improving their fine motor skills. They did well as a team and their smiles wear sported the whole time.

                                                                                 

We all agree that we did a great job preparing the Tin Can Robot Making activity. The other activities were sewing and marshmallow tower building with toothpicks and spaghetti noodles. Fun Stuff!!

We will be starting back our regular "school routine" next week. It does make this mama feel good that the kids are volunteering. learning how to present lessons and doing a fantastic job at it. We really do love to learn!!

                                 
I am linking this post to Montessori Monday.                                 

At the Festival

We went to the Great Lakes Folk Festival and I felt like like today was a school day. The Festival was so rich in culture and just amazing. 

                                                                   

 We got a lesson in using chopsticks and tasted some different snacks.

 I didn't get the name of this board game that is played in Tanzania. It is very similar to Chess the golden rule is No Touch, No Regrets. We played a lot of rounds of this and it was fun!

We learned how to write our names in Russia. This activity certainly made Nia's day even better.

Walking around was an activity in itself. Lots of good music too. The kids were talking turns video recording African Dances and discussions about African Traditions. 

At first Nia, Kennede and DJ were torn between my suggestion, which was Young Eagles Aviation Day where kids ages 8-17 received a pilot lesson and would get to fly one on one in a helicopter. I am so happy they stuck to their guns on this one. Festivals= Fun for all.

Activism

On the 4th of July DJ and I marched in the parade. We marched with the Lansing Stop The Violence organization. The founder of the organization is such an amazing lady. Mrs. Risper is inspiring and I think DJ is in love with her New York accent :)

                                                           

                                                                       

Everyday since the march in the parade you can hear DJ randomly saying "Keep the peace, stop the violence!", this was the chant that was repeated while we marched. I think Dr, Montessori would be proud of DJ, Mrs.Risper, and all of the families that joined in! Many of the families have lost family members to violence.  I love that he was surrounded by Peacemakers!!

At the Library: BrushBots

Our library has offered a lot of Maker activities this summer, unfortunately due to my work schedule we were only able to attend the last one.

                                                               

We had a lot of fun and now they have been experimenting with them. We love our library!

We like the Home in Homeschool

Last school year was so different then the rest. We were not home most of the time, which we found out we didn't like. We were living with my parents for months due to a creep that stole from us that I hired to do remodeling on our home. Still we learned a lot. A lot of life skills, a lot of applied math and their joy of reading continues to amaze me. 

DJ asked if him and I could go to the Nature Center, we had a blast just the two of us. We had so much fun that the girls asked to join us. We have been going everyday since, it is now how we start our day. I'll save all of the pictures for their individual blog postings, because that is their plan. We do like to go out, but we mostly like being home. I'll take that for what it's worth, because soon which will seem like a blink of the eye they will be calling another place home. 

                                                             

My one on one outing with DJ was celebrated in a local newspaper. It is so encouraging when the little things inspire other people. We are just ordinary people, trust me!