Reuniting With My Creative Self

It is happening again. What is happening again you say? There are two reasons that have always kept me from wanting to continue to blog, but I digress! The first one was doing reviews. I can't seem to enjoy anything once I have to do them. I still have one review that I have given my word to do. I absolutely, positively think that you guys would love this book. I have learned so much from reading it and the kids have learned a lot too. The problem is this review was due months ago, so now I have added pressure unto myself and right when I am about to hit the publish button I say "Naw I can do better than that", and then the saga continues.

The other thing is I really don't want this blog to be a "show off" blog. I don't want you guys to come here and see what new fancy schmancy whatchamacallit we have in our homeschool. There I said it! What I want is that when you leave this space you feel better than you did before you came. That. Is. It.

                                                                             

For a long time my creative juices just weren't flowing as I like them to be. Tonight I think I figured out the culprit, I have found Pinterest to be guilty of sucking all of the creative energy out of me. Yes! I have found a lot of inspiration from a lot of creative boards, which has caused some dependency and loss of creativity. I have decided that I will not recreate another project from Pinterest unless I have created a work of my own to share. If I do a project on Pinterest, I must follow up by doing a creative endeavor on my own and then eventually I am back to my creative self again. Did I ever share how much I love a challenge? :) I want to use everything I got everyday! I can't afford to lose anything to not using it at all. Does that make sense? I sure hope so.

How has your days been? Mine has been mostly smiles, full of grace, and kids talking about Halloween costumes. 

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.                                 

Mechanics

While mom is getting everything all prepared for the Grand Opening of Rivers Academy, the kids are using their expertise to try to figure out how to get this Brush Robot to stand up. It would be too easy to just follow the directions. LOL.

                                                                     

This Brush Robot has been hanging around for quite some time, but thanks to our trip to the library last week where they put together Brushbots it is getting a lot of attention. 

Our three hour Montessori Work Period starts on September 2nd, so stay tuned!                                                                              

Strewing Lessons

When things get busy I am so happy that I have independent readers and thinkers in the house. Sheesh! I forgot about the kids work with EEME. We won the basic EEME kit in June. The kids just logged into the site and received tutorials, which also introduced them to how to use a breadboard. I have got to remember to write this stuff down, this is good stuff you know :)  

                                                                   

We'll be getting back to our daily/weekly planners soon, these will help them to accurate make documentation of what their learning too. Leaving things out for them to see and tinker with has been my saving grace through many adjustments we have had to make. Learning never stops!!

Corn Snake

My previous post was on Garter Snakes, but it's gone too late into August to find Garter Snakes so I decided to get a Corn Snake! So I'm going to be posting a care video soon when I get my Corn Snake. My first snake escaped and so did the second one. This time I have a locking lid and paper towel to monitor it to see if there's any signs of sickness.

This is not my Corn snake in the picture below. I just wanted you guys to see a example of what a Corn Snake looks like. The Corn Snake is the best beginner snake you can get and the snake is often misunderstood as being slimy-actually their not slimy at all their really quite dry.

How to Schedule Project Time

Many have asked me in real life or through emails "How do we schedule in our projects?". It just kinda evolved into when they saw me working on my projects they started working on theirs.

 Here are a few of my past projects....

                                                                   

Designing a logo

                                                                   

                                                    Creating a business card.

                                                                     

Hanging up flyers around town.

They know that I am not bothered by them asking any questions while I am working on a project. Often times while I am working on something I ask them their opinion and vice versa.

                                                                          

My latest project is conquering the Arduino! I have falling in love with the world of coding, and plan to teach them more about coding as well.               

I guess my best way of answering this question is just to model project work- just like you would if you were teaching them how to read. They see you reading so they read!                                

Project Talk: Chinese Water Dragon Tank

I have been getting better using the saw. It was kind of scary and fun at the same time! I now know how to cut straight lines. I have been helping my mom with projects too. Today I get to go get some more materials for my Chinese Water Dragon's tank.

                                                                               

My Chinese Water Dragon doesn't have a name yet. As soon as I decide on the name I will share it with you.                                                                       

How Lip Balm Is Made

I really love experiments that makes us aware of our chemical senses. My two Making obsessions right now are making Do It Yourself Kits and Hands On Learning Kits. I put together a lip balm making activity to find out if it would be worth it to make a  boxed DIY Lip Balm Kit. I set this activity up for children who were between the ages of 6- 16, and they all enjoyed it for hours. I simply put the materials out on the table, and asked  if anyone wanted to make lip balm, they said  "Yes" and then I told them "Great- the stuff to make it is on the table".  Yes, it would of been easier to just give the kids the directions on How to Make Lip Balm, but I aim to involve discovery in our experiments.

                                                                       

They measured, read the labels on the ingredients, sniffed a lot, licked their lips, and made a whole lot of concoctions! When it was all done and over they knew how to make lip balm,, their way and that was the point. Success!