Here's another fun one:
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Video on Earth's Seasons
This video is very interesting and informative, explaining the reason for our seasons and length of daylight. I used it briefly to also show the younger ones how it isn't the sun that "comes up" as we often say but that the earth is rotating around the sun, making day and night. I learned some things from this video myself!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Kare 11 News Briefly Discusses Homeschooling
A recent article from Kare 11 News dicusses homeschooling after Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educator (MACHE) holds their annual homeschool conference. Here's the link:
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=583279&catid=2&provider=email
I wish I could have been in Minnesota for the conference!
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=583279&catid=2&provider=email
I wish I could have been in Minnesota for the conference!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Private and Public Schools in the News
Private and public schools are once again in the news for problems that are catching the media's attention. Apparently, Minnesota's own Anoka-Hennepin school district is at the top of the attention. As the largest school district in the state, they have determined to no longer reject homosexuality but to now teach and encourage that it is neither right or wrong. You can read the Associated Press' article here:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=434750
Unfortunately, Christian private schools have their share of problems. With other states to eventually follow suit, Illinois has issued an edict banning prayer over PA systems prior to games at PRIVATE schools. Private schools have no say in this. So much for rights to God in private Christian schools.
Just as with public schools, Christian private schools are facing problems of cheating on tests. They are so bad in a North Carolina Christian school that teachers are having to confiscate cell phones. It appears that these kids are using their cell phones to text test answers during class.
This isn't to say that homeschooling doesn't have its problems, but this is an example of issues that parents have authority over in a homeschool setting.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=434750
Unfortunately, Christian private schools have their share of problems. With other states to eventually follow suit, Illinois has issued an edict banning prayer over PA systems prior to games at PRIVATE schools. Private schools have no say in this. So much for rights to God in private Christian schools.
Just as with public schools, Christian private schools are facing problems of cheating on tests. They are so bad in a North Carolina Christian school that teachers are having to confiscate cell phones. It appears that these kids are using their cell phones to text test answers during class.
This isn't to say that homeschooling doesn't have its problems, but this is an example of issues that parents have authority over in a homeschool setting.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
St. Patrick's Day Projects
With St. Patrick's Day coming up, we're starting our lesson ideas this Monday so we'll have two weeks to learn about it. Of course, the most important part is teaching the true story of St. Patrick. It's hard to find things that don't get into leprechauns, pots of gold, rainbows, etc., since we've gotten so far away from the original intention of celebrating this man of faith. St. Patrick brought so many people to the Lord and it is now celebrating by getting drunk on green beer. Strange how that happens.
Anyway, I'll get off my soap box and share some of the ideas we've come up with. A good book for little ones to learn about the real St. Patrick is "The Story of Saint Patrick's Day," by Patricia A. Pingry. For older kids, I haven't found much for good ones so let me know if you do. We'll be going to the library this week and if I find something good, I'll let you know.
A good resource is the VeggieTales Sumo of the Opera movie. On it, there's a short skit at the beginning about St. Patrick. It includes how he taught the people of Ireland about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit with a shamrock. It's a good introduction for kids, although it takes a few fictional spins here and there.
To make a complete unit study, we'll explore the continent of Ireland, including it's geography, history, society, etc. Try searching online for some Irish food recipes and cook a few. These will cover social studies and home ec.
Here's a recipe I found for Irish Soda Bread:
2 cups white flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4 tbsp butter, chilled
1 cup raisins (Oh, come in--leave them in. It'll be good for the kids to get used to them!)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk or plain yogurt
Heat oven to 350. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut in the butter until it's in pea-sized clumps. Stir in the raisins and buttermilk or yogurt. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 1 minute. Shape into a disc and put on a greased baking sheet. Cut an "X" in the top and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool 20 minutes before slicing.
By the way--the history on why the Irish made bread with soda instead of yeast is an interesting story in itself. See if you and your kids can find out why.
For art, make sure to have lots of green craft items on hand. Green construction paper and green pipe cleaners can be used to make shamrock headbands. You can also make a giant shamrock by making three hearts from green construction paper and sticking them together. This would be a good project to then write the names of each of the trinity members on: one for the Father, one for the Son, and one for the Holy Spirit.
There are tons of links and stuff for printables, activities, etc. online, but I haven't found that many that don't include all the leprechauns and stuff. If you are interested in incorporating those, then you shouldn't have a problem finding things online. We chose not to in order to stick to the original account and not fall into all of the things that take us away from the real meaning. The fact that this man followed God's call to go back to the people that enslaved him in order to led them to the Lord should be enough of a fascinating story for our kids (and for us adults)! I will post any good links I find in the next two weeks. Hope you enjoy!
Anyway, I'll get off my soap box and share some of the ideas we've come up with. A good book for little ones to learn about the real St. Patrick is "The Story of Saint Patrick's Day," by Patricia A. Pingry. For older kids, I haven't found much for good ones so let me know if you do. We'll be going to the library this week and if I find something good, I'll let you know.
A good resource is the VeggieTales Sumo of the Opera movie. On it, there's a short skit at the beginning about St. Patrick. It includes how he taught the people of Ireland about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit with a shamrock. It's a good introduction for kids, although it takes a few fictional spins here and there.
To make a complete unit study, we'll explore the continent of Ireland, including it's geography, history, society, etc. Try searching online for some Irish food recipes and cook a few. These will cover social studies and home ec.
Here's a recipe I found for Irish Soda Bread:
2 cups white flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4 tbsp butter, chilled
1 cup raisins (Oh, come in--leave them in. It'll be good for the kids to get used to them!)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk or plain yogurt
Heat oven to 350. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut in the butter until it's in pea-sized clumps. Stir in the raisins and buttermilk or yogurt. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 1 minute. Shape into a disc and put on a greased baking sheet. Cut an "X" in the top and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool 20 minutes before slicing.
By the way--the history on why the Irish made bread with soda instead of yeast is an interesting story in itself. See if you and your kids can find out why.
For art, make sure to have lots of green craft items on hand. Green construction paper and green pipe cleaners can be used to make shamrock headbands. You can also make a giant shamrock by making three hearts from green construction paper and sticking them together. This would be a good project to then write the names of each of the trinity members on: one for the Father, one for the Son, and one for the Holy Spirit.
There are tons of links and stuff for printables, activities, etc. online, but I haven't found that many that don't include all the leprechauns and stuff. If you are interested in incorporating those, then you shouldn't have a problem finding things online. We chose not to in order to stick to the original account and not fall into all of the things that take us away from the real meaning. The fact that this man followed God's call to go back to the people that enslaved him in order to led them to the Lord should be enough of a fascinating story for our kids (and for us adults)! I will post any good links I find in the next two weeks. Hope you enjoy!
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