Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Hideaway: Old West General Store

We're now in the 19th century! It's incredible how far we've come.

Welcome to the Wild West, and to Jasmine's General Store.
Ya might notice the sign outside, created by the store owner, indicating that light bulbs are among the things available for purchase inside. But there's a warning: don't eat the light bulbs.
Inside are many drawers, all full of bits and bobs for sale!
C'mon over and shop!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Spelling again

This is Jasmine's spelling list from a couple days ago.
It's not all transferring over to when she's writing (she spelled "I" "iey" a day or so after it showed up on her spelling list) but I know it will come. And I love the logic of this, and the way it builds on itself. Just the way they learn to read! I can't believe this is such an unusual technique, because it's so incredibly logical!!!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Spelling

Spelling has been getting groans from the girls.

And from mom, if I'm completely honest.

So I knew it was time to change gears to something completely different.

My friend told me about the method she's been using for her 4th grader, and after she described it to me I decided to give it a try.

So I picked up a copy of Sequential Spelling, Level 1.

So far we've done two lessons. Oh, and Bekah's doing it with us.

They love it. They're succeeding, they're laughing, and they're learning without even realizing it!

A quick summary of how it works:
They start with writing "in." That's pretty easy to figure out. You write it on a white board and they see that they did get it! (they correct themselves as they go)
Then you have them write "pin." Also pretty easy, since they've already thought through the "in" part.

They write a couple more words the same way...they write it out, you write it on the white board and they see if they got it right. And they're done!!

Painless. Even for a child who doesn't like to write (though thankfully that doesn't seem to be as bad as it used to be. I think Copywork is helping tremendously in that regard), and even for a not-quite-5-year-old (who reads like a 9-year old)!!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Excellent idea, Mommy!

Yesterday, I was told, was the best day of school, ever.
Both Jasmine and Bekah told me separately that they loved it. Bekah told me school had been fun, and that I'd had an excellent idea. Yes, my 4-3/4-year-old daughter used the word excellent.
And Jasmine told me it was the most fun day of school she'd ever had.

And what was this wonderful thing I'd let them do??

We'd made Goobleck.
At first it was on the watery side but they had a blast:



I added more cornstarch and it was even cooler (so cool that I forgot to take pictures).

Even Josh thought it was cool when he tried it this morning.

It's messy. We have cornstarch all over the floor, counters and the stovetop. But it's been a lot of fun, trying to decide if it's a solid or a liquid!

*****important*****
If you make this, Don't put it down the drain when you're done. It will clog your drains. Throw it in the garbage!! (or let it dry and add water again for more fun someday down the road!)