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Weekly Wrap Up - The one where we learned croquet

The kids are all coming off of being sick for weeks.  Just when I think we're past it someone gets worse for a day or two, or another child develops a new symptom.   Because of that our school week for the past few weeks has been pretty sparse.

Monday was a tough day with attitudes.  To try and break the cycle we walked to speech therapy, about a mile from us.  Or, I walked and Green Bubbles rode his bike.  I'm thankful for having my mother in law with us because I was able to leave the two littles behind with her.  Our IEP meeting is next week through our charter school.  We've been having issues with our speech therapy and being transferred to a new therapist every 2-3 weeks since we started at our new location.  Part of me feels bad that Green Bubble's latest speech therapist is being thrown into the meeting after only having him for a few weeks but I'm hoping it will work to our advantage when I ask for extended services through the summer.  He hasn't made much progress due to all the changes, and our sub-par therapist we had at the beginning of the year.  There's no reason he has to be in therapy for this long and show so little progress.

Thankfully, the rest of the week wasn't nearly as bad.  We even managed to make it out to nature study on Wednesday without Little Miss who got worse that morning.  The boys had fun and it was nice to get outside.

 I think the highlight of the week was Green Bubbles and Little Miss discovering the croquet set in the garage.  My mother in law picked it up at a garage sale last summer for a great price but it's been sitting ever since.  The kids loved hitting the balls around and through the hoops and it's given me inspiration for our next read aloud book, Alice in Wonderland.

I'm going to try and have some Dr. Seuss type activities next week for Dr. Seuss's birthday!  And possibly another freebie as we are making a Mr. Popper's Penguins lapbook currently.

I hope everyone enjoys the weekend!

Linking up to Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers 

Nature Study - Shipley Nature Center

This week we went to Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach.  It was a beautiful day out.  Although it was supposed to be in the high 60's it felt much warmer while standing out in the sun.  Little Miss stayed home this week because she wasn't feeling well that morning so it was just me and the boys!  And our friends of course.

We were early this time, which doesn't happen very often for us!  It gave us a great opportunity to quietly sit and observe what was around us.  There was some road kill on the other side of the parking lot which I believe used to be a rabbit.  We got to see a turkey vulture circle to scavenge what was left.  Another car pulled into the lot and the vulture never made it to his meal so we were never able to actually watch him feed though.  I'm not sure if I should be disappointed in the lost educational opportunity, or grateful that we haven't had a concrete example of a carnivore or scavenger yet. 

We just started our bird study this week for science so I pointed out the bird house we passed under.  You could see a little something sticking out so I know there was a nest inside but we never did see the bird who lived there.

The boys loved the larger wood chips on the path near the redwood forest and started to collect some to 'build' a tree with them.  I loved their creativity as one of our friends even said they were going to paint it to make it look like a real tree again.

There were many squirrels around as well. Some were rolling around in the leaf piles.  This one above had something in his mouth and made me wonder if he was working on his nest.  I didn't realize tree squirrel nests look very similar to rats nests in trees!  So many of the nests I've seen this winter may have actually been squirrels. 

And if you've read my blog at all before, you know I can't resist the odd mushroom picture!  I've never seen one like this before and thought it was interesting.  It was actually quite small as well.

There was a sign at one point warning about stinging nettle.  These weeds when touched actually produce a stinging, burning sensation so it's best not to touch them.  Wear gloves when weeding if you have these in your yard.

Megatron was thankful to get out of the ergo and walking around at our stop.  Oh, did I mention, he's walking now!  The first year goes by so fast and we are quickly approaching a 1st birthday in a few weeks. 

It was a beautiful day and the kids all seemed to enjoy themselves.  Everything was very green and we saw so many butterflies.  I always feel so sad when we have to miss our nature days. They have a way of soothing my soul and helping me deal with days when the kids seem to just try my patience.

Math Options

There's always a slump at this time of year when people start to look at what's working and what isn't.  I decided to do some research for different math options just to see what else was out there.  We are happy with our math right now but, Green Bubbles is only in Kinder right now so if we do end up making a switch I want to do it soon rather than in the thick of things.  Once you pick a math curriculum, you really should stay with it.  Jumping from program to program can cause confusion to kids since each one teaches math a little differently.

Hopefully, a break down of some of the different options that are out there will be helpful for someone besides just myself. 

Singapore Math - This is what we are using right now.  It uses a 3 step process for teaching math.  Concepts are introduced in a concrete setting, through games and manipulative that the teacher's manual tells you.  After the concept is introduced, the textbook and workbook offer a pictorial representation and finally an abstract problem.  For example, when introducing addition to my child (2+2), before I even open a book I give him two blue cubes and two red cubes and have them add them by counting a physical object he can see and touch.  After he understands that concept we move to the textbook that shows a picture of 2 apples and 2 oranges that has has to count.  Finally the textbook will show 2+2.  I love the concept of how to teach math and I can tell they are really teaching great strategies that can easily translate into mental math, but most of the time I am skipping the concrete introduction due to my lack of preparation.  I could easily solve this by planning ahead, like I should, but I haven't done it yet.

Saxon Math - Singapore is a mastery approach.  This means they work on one concept a chapter, and then leave them behind for the next section.  Saxon takes a very different approach.

ncremental Concepts are taught in small, approachable progressions

Distributed Increments are spread throughout the year, building in complexity, so that by the end of the year students have reached deep understanding and fluency

Cumulative Practice and assessments include concepts from the most recent lessons as well as from earlier in the year, ensuring students retain all concepts and can make connections between them

- See more at: http://www.hmhco.com/shop/education-curriculum/math/saxon-math/why-saxon-math#sthash.eb5uEDcw.dpuf

 "Incremental Concepts are taught in small, approachable progressions.  Distributed Increments are spread throughout the year, building in complexity...  Cumulative Practice and assessments include concepts from the most recent lessons as well as from earlier in the year..."  If you didn't understand that, they basically take a small part of a lesson and spread it out over the entire year, building upon concepts.  The work also includes all previous lessons and is constantly reviewing.  I think this is a great option for kids who may need extra or continuous review, but I'm not really sure that's what Green Bubbles needs. 


Math-U-See - Like Singapore, Math-U-See is mastery based.  The lessons are short and on DVD so the students can watch the lesson and move on to the workbook without much assistance.  The books are orgnaized by topic rather than grade level.  There's not a 1st grade workbook.  They start with Alpha which focuses on single number addition and subtraction.  The Beta book focuses on multi-number addition and subtration.

Right Start Math - Right Start focuses on visual strategies.  The big tool they use is a two sided abacus which helps see place values.  They de-emphasizes counting and worksheets and use math games to master concepts and facts.  They also don't have grade level books.  Instead of a 1st grade book there is a Level A book.  This helps kids work at their own pace and level rather than being stuck to a certain grade level. 

Beast Academy - I've heard this from a few friends now and I'm intrigued.  It's for grades 2+ so we are not at this level yet but if you have older kids it might be fun to look at.  There are 4 books per year that are written as a comic book style, each with a matching practice book for concepts learned.

I know there are many other math programs out there but these are the most common that I hear of.  Life of Fred is also on my list to check out but from what I hear, it's not enough as a full curriculum.  If you have any other suggestions, or want to add anything to what I wrote, please feel free to leave a comment.

  

Incremental Concepts are taught in small, approachable progressions

Distributed Increments are spread throughout the year, building in complexity, so that by the end of the year students have reached deep understanding and fluency

Cumulative Practice and assessments include concepts from the most recent lessons as well as from earlier in the year, ensuring students retain all concepts and can make connections between them

- See more at: http://www.hmhco.com/shop/education-curriculum/math/saxon-math/why-saxon-math#sthash.eb5uEDcw.dpuf

Incremental Concepts are taught in small, approachable progressions

Distributed Increments are spread throughout the year, building in complexity, so that by the end of the year students have reached deep understanding and fluency

Cumulative Practice and assessments include concepts from the most recent lessons as well as from earlier in the year, ensuring students retain all concepts and can make connections between them

- See more at: http://www.hmhco.com/shop/education-curriculum/math/saxon-math/why-saxon-math#sthash.eb5uEDcw.dpuf

Incremental Concepts are taught in small, approachable progressions

Distributed Increments are spread throughout the year, building in complexity, so that by the end of the year students have reached deep understanding and fluency

Cumulative Practice and assessments include concepts from the most recent lessons as well as from earlier in the year, ensuring students retain all concepts and can make connections between them

- See more at: http://www.hmhco.com/shop/education-curriculum/math/saxon-math/why-saxon-math#sthash.eb5uEDcw.dpuf

Incremental Concepts are taught in small, approachable progressions

Distributed Increments are spread throughout the year, building in complexity, so that by the end of the year students have reached deep understanding and fluency

Cumulative Practice and assessments include concepts from the most recent lessons as well as from earlier in the year, ensuring students retain all concepts and can make connections between them

- See more at: http://www.hmhco.com/shop/education-curriculum/math/saxon-math/why-saxon-math#sthash.eb5uEDcw.dpuf

Sanitago Oaks - Nature Study

 Last week we went to Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Orange.  I've blogged this park a few times now because it is one of my favorites.  We used to live close to here when Green Bubbles was smaller than Little Miss and this was a weekly trip for us.  Due to our years long drought, the water has just about dried up completely.  But we've had a few smaller rain storms the last few months so there was actually some water again.  My kids favorite part is going over the stepping stones.

 It also made everything so green!  It's always nice to see the color since most of the year this park is very brown.

 And of course, I found a mushroom!  Little Miss's language skills are exploding.  I was so proud when she described the mushroom like a bagel with cream cheese.

 There were wild flowers everywhere as well.  White, yellow, purple.  I'm not sure what t hey are but they were pretty and added to all the color we saw.

 We even spotted a couple lizards basking in the sun on fallen logs.

And at the end of our day the kids all drew in their nature journals.  Green Bubbles drew an oak tree that was near by and Little Miss drew a make believe rainbow waterfall.

Free ABC Valentine's File Folder Game

 Ready for a freebie?  I've started doing some type of 'activity' with Green Bubbles to help reinforce language arts concepts we've been working on.  Mostly letter identifcation and letter sounds.  We have a few file folder games but I wanted something themed for Valentine's Day that focused on the specific skills I wanted to review that we could include Little Miss in as well.

This file folder game is totally free!  If you download it please leave me a comment letting me know how you liked it.  Giving me comments makes me more likely to make things to post!  

The game board has 26 circles, each with a lower case letter.  Included in the download are also a game directions front pocket, file label for the game, and our game 'pieces'.  I included 26 hearts with capital letters on them.  The children take turns picking a letter out of a bag, or from face down on the table.  Depending on the skill level, I had Little Miss tell me the name of the letter and Green Bubbles has to tell me the sound of that letter.  Unless it's a letter I know we're having problems with.  Then I let him tell me the name or sound and I give him the part he is missing.  If they are not able to answer the question, the letter goes back into the bag. 

If they do get the letter correct, they get to put their heart on the lower case letter.  I included 26 blank hearts in the download.  I cut them out for the kids and gave half (13) to each child to let them color the hearts anyway they wanted.  I told Green Bubbles to make his hearts look the same so he colored half blue and half yellow.  Little Miss only colored 4 of her hearts, all in pink and red of course!  The first player to get all 13 of their hearts placed on the board wins. 

Of course, you can admit the rules as much as you need to in order to fit your child and who is playing.  You can make it 3 players and divide the hearts to be colored into 3's.  You can make it one player and have your child just place all the hearts themselves.  The great thing about file folder games is the way you can adapt them to fit what you need.

 For instance, Green Bubbles is still very hesitant on his letter sounds.  A lot of them he knows, but he isn't sure about.  Other times I want him to work to find out the letter name he keeps forgetting.  Everytime he wasn't sure of an answer, I sent him to our All About Reading letter chart.  I had him find the letter and look at the picture to find the beginning sound of that word.  (For example, p has a pig behind it.  He said pig out loud a few times and then proudly proclaimed /p/!)   Or I have him sing the ABC song while looking at the chart, stopping at the letter he isn't sure of. 

So, what you really want. All you need is a file folder, scissors, glue, and my download! Here's my Valentine's Day ABC Letter Sound File Folder Game.  Don't forget to leave me a comment if you download it!

Little Corona Tide Pools

I love the tide pools.  I don't know what it is that draws me to them but I know my children enjoy this nature location just as much.  Green Bubbles loves the rock scrambling and Little Miss likes to puddle jump and eventually end up in the water, no matter how cold or unprepared we are for it!  (Thankfully I was prepared this day and we had a change of clothes in the car for her).

 The kids spent little time finding a great pool to play in.  Little Miss was wet almost immediately!

 Another mom spotted this awesome sea slug.  I love the blue dots in the stripe down his back.

 Here are a lot of sea anemones.  While they are beautiful in the water with color waving tentacles waiting to catch an unsuspecting fish, above water they camouflage into what looks like squishy, grayish blobs with bits of broken shell stuck all over.  Some of the smaller ones can be hard to spot sometimes so it's always wise to be careful when navigating the rocks so you don't step on the sea life that may not be presently in the sea at that moment. 

 Here we have a sea urchin shell.  While sea urchins normally look like those spikey purple beasts of the tide pools, after they die they leave behind their exoskeleton.    The Echinoblog has a great post all about the differences between sea urchins and sand dollars that is very interesting if you want to learn more.  We found a lot of these shells at the tide pools!  The one above Green Bubbles found all by himself and was one of the more intact shells we found.

And, as with any beach adventure, the sea gulls were everywhere.  I normally dislike sea gulls.  They are brazen at this beach and have no hesistation picking through your bags when you walk away looking for your lunch to steal.  It doesn't even have to be left out for these birds.  They pull things out of your bags, rip through plastic bags, grab paper bags with their beaks and fly away.  I've learned through experience to back everything into backpacks that snap or zip closed to keep the birds away from our lunches!

However, I did notice today that we had two types of gulls trying to open our backpacks.  I was curious enough to try and figure out the differences.  Since we went in January, both gulls are common to our area only in the winter time and travel north in the summer for breeding.

 This is the Thayer's Gull, easily identified by his pink legs.  He also has a yellow beak with a red spot on the lower mandible. They winter on the California coasts and aren't really seen anywhere but the coast line.  They travel quite far for migration, in the summer breeding up in the far north Arctic in Canada. 

This is the Heermann's Gull.  His beak is a redish orange color and his legs are black.  A striking difference to the Thayer's Gull above. They are the only North American gull to breed south of the United States and travel north. After breeding they move into Canada in July, but are back in California and Mexico in December.  The gull in the background is also a Heermann's Gull.  It's his first winter so he's a younger bird.  With age he will look like the gull in the foreground.