Monday, April 9, 2018

Year One Week Six: Eyes

My son turned 1 year old on March 16. We began our homeschooling about 2 weeks before his first birthday. This is what we are learning in week six.

WEEKLY THEME: 

Story Book Theme: Eyes
Vocabulary Word: Iris
Speech: Naming Everything(especially at meal time)

DAILY SCHEDULE:

MORNING MEETING:

Morning Music: Months of the Year, Days of the Week, ABC's(English, Sign Language, and Spanish, Coin Song, Planets Song, States Song)
Classical Music:  Brahms: Waltz in A Flat Major, Op. 39, No. 15
Poem: Rain
Bible Passage: Psalms 24:1-5
Nursery Ryhme: The Queen of Hearts
Song: Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Theme Books: Eyes
     -  I See, You Saw by Nurit Karlin
     -  I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me by Jonathan London
     -  Eye Spy Colors by Debbie MacKinnon
     -  I Can Read With My Eyes Shut by Dr. Suess
     -  The Eye Book by Dr. Suess
     -  Look at Your Eyes by Paul Showers

PLAY TIME:

Musical Exploration: Favorite Songs
Dance: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
Games: That Feels Different(Texture Sensory Play)


NAP TIME: 

Lullaby: Sleep Baby Sleep(The Moment I Saw You)

MIDDAY MEETING: 

Letter: D
Number: 4
Shape: Diamond
Color: Blue
Opposites: Hot and Cold
Sign Language: bed
Spanish Vocabulary: I Like
DAILY SUBJECT:
MONDAY:
Social Studies: My Church
Economics: Public Business
TUESDAY:
Exercise: Crunch
Motor Skills/Movement: waving
Health: I am Unique
Body Awareness: Armpit
Five Senses: Touchy Feely Textures
WEDNESDAY:
Science: Porous
Animal: African Grey Parrot
Horticulture: Chard
THURSDAY:
Geography: Hemisphere
Meteorology: Air Pressure
FRIDAY:
Nature Study: Look for Blossoms
Engineering: Wedge
Logic and Problem Solving: Speed

PLAY TIME: 

Art Appreciation: Jan Brett
Crafts: Introduction to Scribbling
Theater: Finger Puppets

NAP TIME: 

Lullaby

FAMILY DINNERS:

1st FAMILY DINNER
Bible Story: The World After The Flood

2nd FAMILY DINNER
History: Gods of Ancient Egypt

3rd FAMILY DINNER
Literature Study: You Are Special by Max Lucado

4th FAMILY DINNER 
Ethics: Clifford the Champion

5th FAMILY DINNER
Philosophy: Am I Small?

BEDTIME: 

Lullaby
Grown-Up Book: Dune

Want to know How to Use This Plan?

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Year One Week Five: Kittens

My son turned 1 year old on March 16. We began our homeschooling about 2 weeks before his first birthday. This is what we are learning in week five.

WEEKLY THEME: 

Story Book Theme: Kittens
Vocabulary Word: Claws
Speech: Naming Everything(especially at play time)

DAILY SCHEDULE:

MORNING MEETING:

Morning Music: Months of the Year, Days of the Week, ABC's(English, Sign Language, and Spanish, Coin Song, Planets Song, States Song)
Classical Music:  Mozart: Andante, Cassation, K. 63
Poem: Pirate Story
Bible Passage: Psalms 18:1-3
Nursery Ryhme: The Crooked Man
Song: The Alphabet Song
Theme Books: Kittens
     -  The Little Kiten, by Judy Dunn
     -  Mama Cat Has Three Kittens, by Denise Fleming
     -  Three Little Kittens, by Paul Galdone
     -  Five Little Kittens, by Nancy Jewell
     -  Kittens Love, by Lisa McCue
     -  Kittens are Like That, by Jan Pfloog
     -  Curious Kittens, by Roy Volkmann

PLAY TIME:

Musical Exploration: Drumming
Dance: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
Games: Pop Goes the Weasel

NAP TIME: 

Lullaby: Sleep Baby Sleep

MIDDAY MEETING: 

Letter: C
Number: 3
Shape: Diamond
Color: Red
Opposites: Up and Down
Sign Language: Book
Spanish Vocabulary: Please
DAILY SUBJECT:
MONDAY:
Social Studies: My Extended Family
Economics: Budget
TUESDAY:
Exercise: Push up
Motor Skills/Movement: waving
Health: feelings
Body Awareness: Arm
Five Senses: Play with clay/dough
WEDNESDAY:
Science: Displacement
Animal: African Elephant
Horticulture: Cauliflower
THURSDAY:
Geography: globe
Meteorology: air pollution
FRIDAY:
Nature Study: Look for Blossoms
Engineering: Inclined Plane
Logic and Problem Solving: elevation

PLAY TIME: 

Art Appreciation: Jan Brett
Crafts: Introduction to Scribbling
Theater: Finger Puppets

NAP TIME: 

Lullaby

FAMILY DINNERS:

1st FAMILY DINNER
Bible Story: The Flood

2nd FAMILY DINNER
History: Egyptians Lived on the Nile River, Two Kingdoms Become One

3rd FAMILY DINNER
Literature Study: Big Red Barn

4th FAMILY DINNER 
Ethics: Clifford is a Star

5th FAMILY DINNER
Philosophy: "Alone" from days with Frog and Toad

BEDTIME: 

Lullaby
Grown-Up Book: Dune

Want to know How to Use This Plan?

Monday, March 26, 2018

Year One Week Four: Jungle

My son turned 1 year old on March 16. We began our homeschooling about 2 weeks before his first birthday. This is what we are learning in week four.

WEEKLY THEME: 

Story Book Theme: Jungle
Vocabulary Word: Vines
Speech: Naming Everything(especially at bath time)

DAILY SCHEDULE:

MORNING MEETING:

Morning Music: Months of the Year, Days of the Week, ABC's(English, Sign Language, and Spanish, Coin Song, Planets Song, States Song)
Classical Music:  Beetoven: Violin Sonata No. 5 "Spring"
Poem: The Wind
Bible Passage: Psalms 8:1-9
Nursery Ryhme: Jack and Jill
Song: The Wheels On The Bus
Theme Book: Jungle
     -  Hug, by Alborough, Jez
     -  Rumble in the Jungle, by Andreae, Giles
     - Who's in the Jungle?, by Bentley, Dawn
     - Slowly, Slowly Said the Sloth, by Carle, Eric
     - The Tallest, Shortest, Longest by Faulkner, Keith
     - Splash!, by McDonnell, Flora
     - The Loudest Roar, by Taylor, Thomas
     - Guess Who's In The Jungle, by Russell, Naomi

PLAY TIME:

Musical Exploration: Musical  Toys
Dance: Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Games: Who is in the Mirror?

NAP TIME: 

Lullaby: All The Pretty Little Horses

MIDDAY MEETING: 

Letter: B
Number: 2
Shape: Triangle
Color: Green
Opposites: Off and On
Sign Language: Eat
Spanish Vocabulary: Goodbye
DAILY SUBJECT:
MONDAY:
Social Studies: Our Property
Economics: Economics
TUESDAY:
Exercise: squat
Motor Skills/Movement: hands up
Health: Friends
Body Awareness: Arch
Five Senses: Pom Pom Sensory Bin
WEDNESDAY:
Science: Density
Animal: Monkey
Horticulture: Broccoli
THURSDAY:
Geography: Antarctic Circle
Meteorology: air
FRIDAY:
Nature Study: Signs of Spring
Engineering: wheel and axle
Logic and Problem Solving: theory

PLAY TIME: 

Art Appreciation: Jan Brett
Crafts: Introduction to Scribbling
Theater: Finger Puppets

NAP TIME: 

Lullaby

FAMILY DINNERS:

1st FAMILY DINNER
Bible Story: Cain and Abel

2nd FAMILY DINNER
History: The First Nomads Become Farmers

3rd FAMILY DINNER
Literature Study: Piggies by Audrey Wood

4th FAMILY DINNER 
Ethics: Ch'al To Yin'lo' Frog Brings Rain

5th FAMILY DINNER
Philosophy: Alexander and the No Good, Very Bad Day

BEDTIME: 

Lullaby
Grown-Up Book: Dune

Want to know How to Use This Plan?

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Year One Week Three: Family


My son turned 1 year old on March 16. We began our homeschooling about 2 weeks before his first birthday. We are on week three now. This is what we are learning this week.

WEEKLY THEME: 


Story Book Theme: Family
Vocabulary Word: Toddler
Speech: Naming Everything(especially while driving)

DAILY SCHEDULE:

MORNING MEETING:

Morning Music: Months of the Year, Days of the Week, ABC's(English, Sign Language, and Spanish, Coin Song, Planets Song, States Song)
Classical Music:  Mozart: Eine Kleine Nochtmusik: 2nd Movement
Poem: My Neighbor's Dog Is Purple
Bible Passage: Psalms 5, 6, 7
Nursery Ryhme: Little Bo Peep
Song: Old McDonald Had A Farm
Theme Book: Family
     - Where the Wild Things Are
     - The Kissing Hand
     - The Keeping Quilt
     - The Hello, Goodbye Window
     - Black is Brown is Tan
     - The Different Dragon
     - ABC: A Family Alphabet Book

PLAY TIME:

Musical Exploration: Music from Other Lands
Dance: Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Games: I Can Do It

NAP TIME: 

Lullaby: Over the Rainbow

MIDDAY MEETING: 

Letter: J
Number: 3
Shape: Triangle
Color: Yellow
Opposites: Big and Little
Sign Language: Baby
Spanish Vocabulary: Thank You
Sign Language Word: happy
DAILY SUBJECT:
MONDAY:
Social Studies: My Household
Economics: Trade
TUESDAY:
Exercise: push-up
Motor Skills/Movement: climb over
Health: Authority
Body Awareness: Earlobe
Five Senses: Grass on my feet
WEDNESDAY:
Science: Sink
Animal: Aardvark
Horticulture: Tomato
THURSDAY:
Geography: Area
Meteorology: Cloud
FRIDAY:
Nature Study: Different kinds of leaves
Engineering: Fulcrum
Logic and Problem Solving: test

PLAY TIME: 

Art Appreciation: Jan Brett
Crafts: Introduction to Scribbling
Theater: Finger Puppets

NAP TIME: 

Lullaby

FAMILY DINNERS:

1st FAMILY DINNER
Bible Story: The Fall

2nd FAMILY DINNER
History: The First Nomads

3rd FAMILY DINNER
Literature Study: Stellaluna

4th FAMILY DINNER 
Ethics: Chrysanthemum

5th FAMILY DINNER
Philosophy: Albert's Impossible Toothache

BEDTIME: 

Lullaby
Grown-Up Book: Dune

Want to know How to Use This Plan?

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Year One Week Two: Birthday


This is what we are learning this week.


Story Book Theme: Birthday
Letter: P
Shape: Square
Color: Blue
Number: 2
Opposites: Lit/Blown Out (candle)

Spanish Vocabulary: How are you?
Sign Language Word: happy
Vocabulary Word: annual
Speech: Naming Everything(especially while driving)

FAMILY DINNER Literature Study: Yertle the Turtle
FAMILY DINNER Philosophy: Across the Blue Mountains
FAMILY DINNER Ethics: The Cat in the Hat

Poetry: One Chance to Turn One by Kerry Roper
Nursery Rhyme: Where is Thumbkin?
Song: Happy Birthday
Lullaby: Brahm's Lullaby

Classical Music: Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Dance: Head Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
Musical Exploration: Snake Slither

Art Appreciation: Jan Brett
Crafts: Introduction to Scribbling
Theater: Finger Puppets

Bible Passage: Psalms 2,3,4
FAMILY DINNER Bible Story: Adam and Eve

Science Concept: Float
Nature Study: Signs of Spring
Gardening: Squash
Problem Solving: idea
Simple Machines: pulley

Social Studies Concept: my parents
FAMILY DINNER History: Introduction What is History? What is Archaeology?
Geography: America
Economics: money
Personal Finance: needs


Five Senses: cake smash
Body Awareness: chin
Health: Fire Safety
Excercise: Sit up
Game: Bubbles, How Old Am I?


Books on Theme:

Dr. Suess - Happy Birthday to You!
Frank Ash - Happy Birthday Moon
Russell Hoban - A Birthday for Frances
Charlotte Zolotow - Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present
Stan Beranstain - The Beranstain Bears and Too Much Birthday
Nick Bruel - Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty
Alexandra Day - Carl's Birthday
Helen Oxenbury - It's My Birthday
Eric Carle - The Secret Birthday Message
Debra Fraiser - On the Day you were born
Margret Ray - Curious George and the Birthday Surprise


Want to know How to Use This Plan?

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

How to Use These Plans



Story Book Theme: Read a book at least daily that fits the theme
Letter: Introduce the letter, talk about the sound it makes and discuss different things that start with the letter
Shape: Introduce the shape and point out objects that are that shape
Color: Introduce the color and point out objects that are that color.
Number: Introduce the number, show how it is written, use tally marks, dots and other counters, count on fingers. Count objects
Opposites: Introduce the concept and demonstrate

Spanish Vocubulary: Use the spanish word in place of of the english word in conversation
Sign Language: Introduce the sign and use it each time you say the word
Vocabulary Word: Introduce the word, define and explain it. Say it often
Speech: Encourage child to repeat what you say, and repeat what they say with positive affirmation

Literature Study: We read this story at the dinner table and discuss its literary merit as a family.
Philosophy Study: Read the story at the dinner table and discuss the philosophical questions that arise from it. For suggestions on questions refer to https://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org

Poetry: Read the poem daily
Nursery Rhyme: recite the rhyme daily
Song: Sing Daily
Lullaby: Sing Daily

Classical Music: Listen During Breakfast
Dance: Just move a lot and be silly
Musical Exploration: Let the child play with the instrument how ever they would like

Art Appreciation: Show the child the pictures and discuss the artistic properties it has
Crafts: Encourage creativity
Theater: Imagine and play

Bible Passage: Read these verses daily
Bible Story: Read the story at dinner time with the family and discuss

Science Concept: Introduce the idea
Nature Study: Go outside and do the activity
Gardening: Show pictures of the plant, taste and smell if you can, plant one
Problem Solving: Use the academic language during playtime
Simple Machines: Show these concepts during playtime, use academic language.

Social Studies: Talk about the concept with the child
History: Read the story at dinner time and discuss with the family
Geography: Introduce the concept
Economics: Introduce the concept
Personal Finance: Introduce the concept

Five Senses: Use the idea during play time
Body awareness: Point out the body part repeatedly
Health: Discuss the idea
Exercise: Demonstrate the movement and try to get the child to imitate you
Game: Play





Year One Week One: Cows


This is what we are learning this week.


Story Book Theme: Cows
Letter: A
Shape: Square
Color: Green
Number: 1
Opposites: In and Out

Spanish Vocabulary Word: hola
Sign Language Word: Milk
Vocabulary Word: Calf
Speech: Naming Everything(especially while dressing)

FAMILY DINNER Literature Study: Love You Forever
FAMILY DINNER Philosophy: The Carrot Seed

Poetry: Bed in Summer by Robert Louis Stevenson
Nursery Rhyme: Mary, Mary Quite Contrary
Song: Baby Beluga
Lullaby: Golden Slumbers

Classical Music: Mozart: Andante Symphony No. 17, K 129
Dance: Head Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
Musical Exploration: Bells

Art Appreciation: Jan Brett
Crafts: Introduction to Scribbling
Theater: Finger Puppets

Bible Passage: Psalms 1:1-3
FAMILY DINNER Bible Story: Creation

Science Concept: Bouyancy
Nature Study: Splash in Puddles
Gardening: Basil
Problem Solving: hypothesis
Simple Machines: Lever

Social Studies Concept: Myself
FAMILY DINNER History: Introduction What is History? What is Archaeology?
Geography: altitude
Economics: Economy
Personal Finance: Wants


Five Senses: Touch
Body Awareness: ankle
Health: Communication
Excercise: Plank
Game: Bubbles, This Little Piggy




Want to know How to Use This Plan?

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Finding Your Happy Place: Part 15 (Finale)

Go there in your mind. Then bring it to life.


For me, the best place to be is sitting alone in the middle of the forest as far away from any other person as I can possibly get. It is not always possible for me to do that when I need to, so instead I find myself imagining being there. This helps me feel centered and happy so much better than anything else I have tried.

So, think of where your happy place is. Where do you feel comfortable? What makes you happy? What do you enjoy doing with your time? Your happy place can be anything. It can be a family Christmas party you remember from your childhood, your great grandfather's farm, or a beach filled with ocean sounds and flitting birds, and scuttling crabs.

Think of what you consider to be "a happy place."

Relax your body by sitting wherever you're most comfortable.

Start breathing slowly. Inhale, count to 4 slowly, then exhale. Repeat until your body feels calm.

Now turn your concentration to your happy place.Remain still breathing slowly, think about the symphonies that are going on around you. Listen to the way that your family members are laughing, or take in the scent of the stables. Think about things that you love, and the things that you miss. Continue this process as long as you like.


When you feel ready, discover your true need. Keep your thoughts on where your happy place is, find a part of what is in your happy place that you may be missing today. Figure out a way to bring that feeling into your life. Make a goal today to make your day to day life feel more like your happy place.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Backpacking With A Baby


When our son was 2 months old, it was time to hit the trail. Our friends and their two kids(girls, age 8 and 6) where ready to embark on their first backpacking trip. So in total we had 5 people on our trip who had never hit the trail before. Because, this was an experimental trip, we decided a short trip one night only and only 4 miles total. It was a great trip. Everyone had a good time, and we all learned a lot.

Here are the big things that stuck out to me, that might help you if you decide to take a very young baby backpacking.

Wild Woods Baby
Hydration, H2O, Water, Agua, etc: It was June and weather conditions were pretty hot. I needed way more water than we thought I would need. Thankfully everyone packed plenty. Being 2 months post-partum, breastfeeding, and summer heat made it necessary for me to drink everyone's excess water. I can't believe how thirsty I was for the entire trip. In total, I think I must have had 9 liters in the 24 hours we were out, and I was still thirsty when we got back to the house. I think even if the weather was cooler I still would have needed more water than is normal for me.

My backpack modification. 
Baby Carrying: I modified my husbands backpack and an Infantino baby wearing backpack to fit together, so that he could carry the baby on his chest. It was fairly simple. I cut off the waist strap on the Infantino, made new seams(using a sewing machine), and replaced the buckles on both backpacks with buckles that would marry. It turned out great! My husband and our boy were both very comfortable. Daniel even said having the baby on his chest helped to balance out the load on his back. He said he thought he could probably even carry more weight this way.

Chilling out at our campsite. 
Diapering:We packed 8 flour sack towels and 2 diaper covers for our baby. He breastfed like normal and loved looking around at all the new scenery.

Play Time: We brought a large piece of plastic to lay on the ground to serve as a "blanket" as well as the ground cloth for our tent.

Sun Protection: Babies this young are not recommended to wear sunscreen, so to protect him we dressed him in footie pajamas and had him wear a "Gilligan" style hat. 


Friday, January 26, 2018

You Can Make A Cake At Home

Hello beautiful people, 
Today I was struck with an idea that many of you might have thought you could never achieve. But I know, YOU are fully capable of making great cakes at home! They may not look as professionally polished as some that you might find at a bakery, but they will still be beautiful. I know that you can do it. You will need a few supplies. An icing bag or two(You could use a ziploc if you want), and two icing tips(a small writing tip, and a star tip) for the bag. (Note: If you want to create more elaborate designs, some other tips may be necessary) Everything else you need you should already have lying around your house. Here is a smattering of cakes that my family has enjoyed over the last several years, and details about how they were created. 

 This is a fun cake to make. The girls always love this cake. It is made by baking the cake in an 8 cup measuring cup. We use the Pyrex measuring cup. Then cut a small whole in the top of the cake and push Barbie's legs into the top of the cake. Then apply icing. The blue icing was applied with a butter knife. The skirt detail and top were created with a star tip. The writing and other details were created with a small writing tip.

 Sometimes adding fun pieces to the cake can really make the decorating pop. The curly candles and pinwheels on this cake made it special. The chocolate icing was a applied with a butter knife. The words, with a small writing tip, and the rest of the details with a star tip.



The base of cake this cake was baked in a large bowl, and the head cake in a smaller bowl. The whole thing was covered with white icing using a butter knife, and the detail added with a star tip and a small writing tip.
 This cake was baked in a 9x13 cake pan. The whole cake was covered with white icing using a small butter knife. Then shiny purple sprinkles where applied over the whole top of the cake. Rainbow sprinkles where added in a small stripe down the middle to create a rainbow road. Then the border details were added using a star tip and a small writing tip. The toys were taken from the birthday girls collection and the numbers were purchased at our local grocery store.

 Sometimes the cakes are incredibly simple. This is two small round cake stacked and covered with white icing. The candles were purchased at the local grocery store.

This cake was made by stacking four 8" round cakes. The entire cake was covered with white icing, applied using a butter knife. The hair was created using a star tip and swirling the icing around. The rest of the details were created with a small writing tip. The ears and horn were cut from a glittery piece of poster board paper. The numbers were cut from the same paper and glued to skewers which were then pushed into the cake.

 This cake is a cookie cake that my was thrown together in about 10 minutes. It looks a little messy because it was done with such haste. It still looks pretty cute though. Buttercream icing applied with a small writing tip.

 This cake was mad by using two circular cakes for each side of the track and two rice krispy treats to create the center. A butter knife was used to smooth white icing over the entire cake. Crushed Oreos were used to make the "dirt." and a blue icing was applied with a small writing tip.
 This cake was made by layering two round cakes with a filling between them. The white icing was spread on with a butter knife. The purple border was made by bouncing a star tip along the edges. The words were written with a small writing tip.



 This is a cake that was made in a 9x13 cake pan. A butter knife was used to spread white icing all over the cake. A star tip was used to create the border and the cross detail. A small writing tip was used to create the lettering. The doves were purchased from the dollar store and applied to cake with icing.


As you can see, your cake does not have to be what would be professionally considered showstopping. It can be beautiful and meaningful. AND you can save a bundle of money. May all your celebrations be made better with a delicious and inexpensive treat. If you have questions about anything you have read in this post or about anything else you think I might be able to help you with, please ask in the comments below. Happy caking!

~Daisy