August 26, 2008

This morning started chilly. I didn't want to get out of bed because my bed was warm. But, I got up, got Cool's coffee and lunch and hit the shower. One problem...NO HOT WATER! Nothing like a cold shower on a chilly morning to wake ya up!

Sweet got up and made a coffee cake for breakfast. I am just amazed at her cooking skills. Give her a recipe and let her go.
While we ate the wonderful coffee cake and drank a glass of milk I continued reading Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! by Laura Amy Schlitz. We are all engaged but medieval study is relatively new to us so we are finding this book different to say the least.
After breakfast and morning chores the picklets went about their individual studies. Anticipation of the weekend camping trip is running high in the minds of the picklets thus making concentrating difficult.

The jump rope science experiment continues. Dill and Sweet found a new way of jumping rope that makes it much easier to hit the high numbers. Chip made some lemonade for lunch today. I swear we wouldn't eat or drink as well if the picklets weren't so amazing in the kitchen.During lunch we continued our video studies. Dill has read about The Netherlands so we watched We Are From…: The Netherlands. We also watched Grammar Time: The Verbs as all the kids are reviewing/studying them.

Each of the picklets took an assessment test for math today helping me place them for studies this year. I am planning on using Mind Sprinting and supplementing when needed.

For group science the picklets experimented eating like a bird.

Our bird beaks: scissors, toothpick, spoon, clothespin and chopsticks.

Our bird food: worms, snails, grubs and water bugsSometimes you eat......and sometimes you don't......and sometimes you turn into a chicken and peck away...do chickens eat water bugs?It was a fun experiment that we all had fun participating in.

The last order of business was filling in the "What we learned" strip for the day.

Dill learned how to fill out an application for work.

Sweet learned that by eating B vitamins, the skin around her eyes are soft.

Chip learned George Washington once fought the French for the English army. The ironic thing is the French helped America win the Revolutionary war many years later.

© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines

Happy trails~~~

August 25, 2008

We got a late start today. None of us were up to the challenge of getting school work done, house work done and camping prep done. But we rose to the occasion and got some of it done at least.
It was a beautiful day out, much too nice to be couped up indoors. Sweet made use of the trampoline to do her school work.Mozart played in the background all day today. It wasn't being listened to all the time but I know the classical music playing really does help the day flow smoother.

As a group we started our day by eating bagels (found on the clearance rack at Wal-Mart) and honey walnut cream cheese while I read aloud. I read Red Butterfly by Deborah Noyes. It was a story about how a princess smuggled the secret of silk out of China. Though definitely for younger kids, the authors note in the back explained the history of silk and told that giving up the secret of silk was punishable by death. I then read three profiles from Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! by Laura Amy Schlitz. This book introduces people who might be found in a Medieval Village. It is written keeping the time period in mind, and written well. The first section in the book was about the Lord's Nephew making his first boar kill. Chip looked at me and asked, "What the heck kind of poem book is this?" I laughed and continued reading.

The picklets continued with their workbooks. I threw in some extra reading for the boys including civics, fictional historic novels and living science books. (more detail coming in a different post) I added Home Geography for Sweet and started to read The Play Grammar with her. She has started her own "Play Grammar" book in which she is marking verbs and nouns. It is a fun activity.

During lunch we watched a couple of videos. The first was Time Warp Trio: The Caveman Catastrophe. (Chip is reading a book about cavemen). We also watched Great Composers and Their Music: Second Edition: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Sweet has a science project she started today.For a week, she needs to see how many times she can jump rope in a row without tripping. She will keep track of it and then average it out at the end of the 7 days. Her brothers decided to get in on the project also.They don't want to be left out of something fun ya know. Chip had 15, Dill had 17 and Sweet had 25.

Chip tested how bugs eyes work and decided the vision we have is much better than having eyes on the side of your head.

During supper we watched a couple of other "caveman" videos but they were not up to the maturity level we need. Just something to pass the time when I really should have been reading...bad mama.

And speaking of cavemen, we had a visit from the Dark Knight himself. :)

I had grand plans for doing a fun science project and practicing Spanish after supper. But, Cool came home early and took my van apart.Notice the jack holding the gas tank up. He did get it all put back together but I was scared, real scared. I will fit the things we didn't do into the schedule today.

The end of the "school day" consisted of filling out their "What I learned" strips.

Chip learned: George Washington was born on the Mount Vernon property, though it wasn't called that. When George was 12 his father died and when he was 14 he went to live with his brother and wanted to be a sailor.

Dill learned: The diameter of a shape is the size of the lines surrounding it.

Sweet learned: 99+82= 181--You take away 1 from 82, add it on to the 99 so it makes 100, then take 81 and add it to the 100 and "voila" you get 181.

Happy Trails~~

August 18-23

In addition to the workbooks the picklets have done both individual and group learning. Learning lists below slideshow.

On Monday our group activities included:

• watched National Parks: When Dinosaurs Roamed America's National Parks
• watched Ancient Civilizations: On the Town
• watched China: An introduction to elements of culture in ancient China
• watched Civilizations: Fall of Power
• watched Ancient Chinese Walls
• practiced Spanish
• filled out day 1 on 100 day chain

The boys also practiced their multiplication skills by filling in this multiplication chart.

On Tuesday our group activities were:

• watched Magic School Bus: The Busasaurus
• watched Time Warp Trio: Wushu Were Here
• practiced Spanish
• filled out day 2 on 100 day chain

Dill learned that there are 300 different types of corn in the world today. The learning suggestion was to find a corn recipe and prepare it for your family. He choose to make kettle corn. After parusing several recipes he chose this one. I think it was a great choice...the instructions called for saftely glasses and hot pads. Safety first! Of course we couldn't find the safety glasses so swim goggles made do. (Our head nod to Michael Phelps!)

On Wednesday our group activites included:

• I read aloud The Book of Time Outs A Mostly True History of the World’sBiggest Troublemakers by Deb Lucke
• watched Liberty's Kids: The New Frontier
• Took turns reading The United Tweets of America by Hudson Talbott aloud
• filled out day 3 on 100 day chain

Sweet finally learned to do a backflip ALL BY HERSELF! She also called grandma, put her on speakerphone and read the funny parts of The United Tweets of America to her. She also learned she cannot climb in back of my dresser and NOT get stuck.

Dill did a science experiment to decide what type of animal vision is better. Eyes on the side of the head or eyes on the front of the head. He decided both had their advantages and the vision an animal has is the kind it needs.

Loving to cook Dill jumped on the chance to make a chocolate zucchini cake. He even served us cake and frozen cool whip for dessert Wednesday night. He makes 1 mean cake.

Thursday didn't amount to much...maybe we were just tired.

• filled out day 4 on 100 day chain

Sweet made zucchini pancakes for breakfast.

Chip made pasta for a side dish for supper. He made a wonderful, garden fresh pasta with olive oil. It was delish.

Sweet and I read Gymnastics Events by Jen Jones and All The World’s a Stage William Shakespeare by Michael Bender together.

After seeing the picture of Shawn Johnson doing a split jump on the balance beam, she decided to practice hers. She didn't do too bad considering she was in jean shorts and was standing in the kitchen!

Chip has sorta been off in his own 14 year old world. But he surprised me Thursday. While I was talking to Sweet about doing a lapbook on Little House in the Big Woods, Chip went running upstairs. He brought down the entire Little House Series and showed them to us. After looking through them he informed me he was going to start reading them. I hope my mouth didn't hang open too far when he told...lol. You coulda heard a pin drop. So after pushing my chin up I asked him if he wanted to do the lapbook also. He was game. So, on his own, he has dedicated himself to an independent project. This is big on so many levels. He is using the lapbook study from homeschool share as an outline but is making his own minibooks int he process.

On Friday our learning consisted of:

• I read Lady Liberty A Biography by Doreen Rappaport aloud
• Labeled a picture of statue with dimensions
• Put together a paper statue found at www.ac-nancy-metz.fr/.../Henry/usgeoactiv.htm
• watched The Statue of Liberty
• watched Time Warp Trio: 2105
• had an afternoon tea in which: I read Nature's Paintbox by Patricia Thomas aloud, listened to Classical Composters volume 1 Mozart, practiced our Spanish and filled out day 5 on 100 day chain

Chip played the Liberty's Kids computer game.

Dill and Sweet spent the night at their friends house.

On Saturday we went to the campground where my mom and dad were camping and had supper. Cool and the boys went to town to watch The Dark Knight. Sweet and I stayed at the campground. She made fossil plaques and petroglyphs using the directions in her Science book. After we got done cleaning up we sat around the campfire looking up at the sky. We found what we believe is a planet, the big dipper, ORyan's Belt, watched a satelite whiz through the sky as well as several airplanes.

That concludes our first week of school. It was full of learning, fun and love. Happy trails!

© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines

Hot Air Balloons

We have three hotair balloons that fly around town frequently. The owners live in the next town south of us. It is always fun to see them fly by. Sometimes they land at the fire station or in the school track. Sometimes their kids skydive from the balloons and land at the school. I never bore of watching the balloons fly overhead and love the sound they make.

Last week they flew right in our backyard. They kept getting so low we thought they were actually going to land in the churchyard. They they would rise back up. The picklets went running to catch a glimps of it so low. They too never tire of it.

This is taken from my backyard. You could yell hi and they would yell back.

The balloon on the right ran into the one on the left. The guy on the left yelled, "What'd you do that for?" The guy on the right said, "Do what?" then they both started laughing.

They were so close I just felt like I could reach out and touch them.See how low they were getting. The tree on the left is my across the alley neighbors and the red roof is the house kitty corner to me. The balloons were just 2 blocks down. It looked like they were going to land on the main drag.
Up and down...that musta been the name of the game. It sure was fun to watch.

© 2007 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines

The Start of School

Monday we started school. While cleaning the basement Saturday, I found some workbooks that I have collected from Dollar Stores, garage sales, consignement and thrift shops. I didn't realize I had as many as I do, so that is what the picklets are working from. Works for me!

Chip is working from:

• The Complete Book of Science
• EM 4038 Reading and Writing Skills
• Working With Words
• The Complete Book of Math
• Through the Eyes of a Teen
• Reading Childhood Stories of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln

Dill is working from:

• EMC 4077 Measuring and Calculating
• Complete Book of Science
• Real-Life Math Problem Solving
• Healthy Happy Habits
• EMC 1573 Real Life Reading
• The Complete Bookf of United States History

Sweet is working from :

• Health Safety and Manners
• TCM 3342 Writing Paragraphs
• The Complete Book of Science
• Study Time Arithmetic
• Summer Bridge Activities (reading, writing, arithmetic and language)
• TCM 3321 Multiplication
• Road to Writing Mile 3 Monkey Business
• TCM 333 Reading Comprehension

The Lion Dance

While at World Lunch we saw The Lion Dance. What a great tie to our China/Olympic unit! Seeing it in person was much better than trying to duplicate something. Here is what we learned.

"The Lion Dance originated in China close to a thousand years ago. The lion is traditionally regarded as a guardian creature. Chinese lion dances can be broadly categorized into tow styles, Northern and Southern. Northern dance was used as entertainment where as the Southern dance is more symbolic. It is usually performed as a ceremony to exorcise evil spirits and to summon luck and fortune. During the Chinese New Year, lion dancers from martial art school will visit the store front of businesses to "choi chang" (lit. picking the greens). The business would tie a red envelope filled with money to a head of lettuce and hang it high above the front door. The lion will approach the lettuce like a curious cat, consume the lettuce and spit our the leaves but not the money. The lion dance is supposed to bring good luck and fortune to the business and the dancers receive the money as a reward. The tradition becomes a mutual transaction. The dance is also performed at other important occasions including Chinese festivals, business opening, ceremonies and traditional weddings."**

**as quoted from Choy Lay Fut

Pictures copyright 2008 Wicked Pickles-The Homefront Lines

Earth Worms

© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines

Why We Homeschool

To Whom It May Concern...and you know who you are:

Please excuse the attitude displayed in this writing. I am angry and hurt and just don't even know why I waste my breath. But since YOU can't get through your head why we want to homeschool our children listen up...I am not going to go through this again.

Numero Uno: We DO know the value of a good education! Duh! Why do you think a public school will give a child a better education than a homeschool will? Did you know that Cool took an extra year to graduate AND graduated at the bottom of his class? Is that the best education possible?

Did you know the presidents on Mt. Rushmore were all homeschooled? Carly Patterson, Benjamin Franklin, Sandra Day O'Connor, Albert Einstein, Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Andrew Carnegie were all homeschooled. Are they failures? Were they all stupid because they were homeschooled? Did they walk a path of crime and ignorance? Will Smith, John Travolta, Lisa Welchel and Elizabeth Edwards all homeschool their children. Are they "stupid" because they choose the path less traveled. Robert Frost not only was homeschooled he also homeschooled his own children. Maybe his poem "The Path Less Traveled" was written because of that homeschooling experience. He definitely was not a failure as are any of these others that were mentioned.

I could give a million and one reasons why we homeschool but the only reason that should matter to you is this is the choice we have made. I could go into: they are safer, less apt to do drugs, less apt to follow the crowd, can learn at their own pace in their own style, can follow their interests, will develop a better sense of self, will know the value of family, will know life skills before going out on their own. I could also state that the kids are not being labeled or grouped or judged. They are being treated as individuals. Of course none of this probably matters to your "send them to school and let them be robots for 8 hours a day," mindset.

I will agree that the public school setting works for some people. I will also agree that the public school setting is appealing in some fashions. But given that we have tried public school and homeschool, we are able to establish that the homeschool setting is what works for our family. Our kids are well rounded, they thrive, they excel, they have friends and they are happy. Do we need more?

I know the socialization issue is big in your mind. But it isn't that we keep them couped in the house and don't let them out in public. They are in gymnastics, Svetlusky,take piano lessons, they go to summer camp and Czech School, they volunteer at the pioneer village (when it's not flooded). They also volunteer their time to help others when in need. They have friends both in and out of town. They can talk to people of all ages, races and types without blinking their eye. They are being influenced by people under our watchful eye. In a public school they would have influences that we can neither control or probably even know about.

The "real world" has been mentioned also. What exactly is the "real world"? Is it standing in line, raising your hand, being shuffled from here to there, being made to conform? Some might argue yes. We disagree. We live in the real world. The world is our classroom. Everything we take in is the real world. We see, eat, hear, breath, touch the real world. We enjoy the real world. Why must you argue that sitting in the classroom is the "real world"? Open your eyes and look...you may be letting the "real world" pass you by.

"Studies show that homeschooled children average between the 80th and 90th percentile, regardless of the socio-economic background, or educational level of the parents." You read that? 80th and 90th percentile! We are involved in our children's education and it shows! Take the time to talk to them, listen to them, let them help the next time they ask. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you hear and see.

I know I am leaving out so much that should be said. But I know it is going toward a deaf ear and a blind eye. If you take away anything from this letter I hope it will be the following...

1. Just because they don't go to school doesn't mean they don't have a use for backpacks. Sweet loves the backpack she was given and it was very hurtful to hear she "didn't need it" because she doesn't go to a real school.

2. It is only hair and if Dill wants his hair to be long don't criticise him. He likes his hair and he likes who he is.

3. Chip may only be 14 in your eye but he is more than capable of helping trim the hedge. Telling him he will cut his finger off only shows your ignorance.

4. Even though you have called my children ignorant, criticized and hurt their feelings, yelled at their daddy and openly don't support their schooling, the picklets still love you very much. They always want to go to your house and spend time with you. Keep that in mind the next time you want to say something. Someday they might not be so forgiving.

© 2008 Wickedpickles-Homefront Lines

Visual-Spatial Learners

"Visual-spatial learners (VSLs) are those among us with powerful gifts of the right hemisphere. They are our artists, inventors, builders, creators, musicians, computer gurus, visionaries and healers. They are empathic and, often, very spiritually aware, even when very young. These children (and adults!) learn best when they are allowed to wallow in the right hemisphere, the source of creative thinking, humor, and imagery."
exerted from http://www.visualspatial.net/Articles/artofwrit.htm

I have always know Dill is a Visual-spatial learner. He pocesses the artistic, musical, creative, epathetic characteristics of a VSL and has ever since I can remember. We have been trying different techniques to help with his school work as he gets so frustrated with what I will call desk work. Now don't get me wrong...he loves to read what HE wants and he loves to write what HE wants (and does it all the time)...but reading a school book AND writing a report about that book is NOT up his alley.

So we implemented what we call "creative narration". After reading a book or reading a lesson he chooses a narration idea from a list we have. These include ideas such as writing a letter to a character in the book to making a radio ad selling the main idea. This has cut down the frustration of both parents and picklet. It hasn't solved all the issues concerning his school work, but it has definately improved.

Another change we have made is letting him type what he can. Typing his reports, stories and narration has cut down his frustration and actually made his work legible. If you try this method, I suggest using Dance Mat Typing for keyboarding practice. It has helped the picklets not develop the hunt and peck method their dad uses.
I recommend anyone with Visual-spatial learners to read this article. It really explains and gives some good ideas to help your VSL along the road to writing.

HT to C...thanks.

Tiki Piano Players

These little guys have been on Dill's fingers non-stop for days. They have played many a fine piano piece.

Every once in a while they start dancing to the fine music...lol
© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines

Horse Hair Nest

While visiting my friend Miss Crisp, I stumbled upon this treasure. A hummingbird nest made (almost) completely out of horse hair just laying in the middle of the driveway on the way to the barn.Being the good homeschooling parent that I am, I just had to bring it home for further inspection. It is a beauty!

©2008 WickedPickles-Homefront Lines

A Morning at Gaga's House

Yesterday we were invited to my Grandma and Grandpa's house for breakfast. We are very fortunate to be able to spend this time with them. On top of having a devine breakfast of eggs, hashbrowns, toast, bacon wrapped little smokies and juice we got to spend quality time to get to know them. The highlight was listening to Great Grandpa play the harmonica.
Of course we had to get a picture of the picklets with their Great Grandparents. What a treasure of memories.

©2008 WickedPickles-HomefrontLines

Free Olympic Lecture

If you are studying the Olympics this is for you!

"Download Ancient Origins of the Olympic Games between now and September 4 to get an insightful look at the Greek origins of our modern Olympic Games.
Ancient Origins of the Olympic Games is delivered by veteran Teaching Company Professor Jeremy McInerney. Professor McInerney is the Davidson Kennedy Associate Professor in the Department of Classical Studies and Chair of the Graduate Group in Ancient History at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. Professor McInerney teaches three of The Great Courses: Ancient Greek Civilization, The Age of Pericles, and Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Age.
Download Ancient Origins of the Olympic Games and listen to it at your computer, transfer it to your iPod or MP3 player, or burn it to a CD. Feel free to send the links to these lectures to family and friends who might also enjoy it; it is free for them as well."

You can download the lecture here.

I Will Survive

Received in an email...too good not to post...Enjoy!

I WILL SURVIVE (THE FIRST YEAR OF HOMESCHOOLING)
First I was afraid
I was petrified.
Kept thinking I could never teach
'Cause I'm not certified.
But we spent so many nights
Reteaching homework that was wrong.
I grew strong,
so now I teach my kids at home!
We study math and outer space.
I just kept on despite the fear with a big smile across my face.
I bought a set of Base Ten blocks.
I bought books with answer keys.
My parents think we're nuts,
but they don't even bother me
Come on, let's go walk out the door.
We're on the road now,
'cause we're not home much anymore
My friends would laugh and say we'd be unsocialized.
I heard one mumble that I'd give up by July.
Oh no, not I!
I will survive!
As long as I know how to read
I know we'll be alright.
I've got all my life to learn.
I've got energy to burn.
and I'll survive.
I will survive.
It took all the strength I had not to fall apart.
Decided to attend a play date at the local park,
and I met oh so many moms who offered eagerly to help.
They used to cry.
Now they hold their heads up high,
and so do we!
My kids are cool!
They're not those chained up little people stuck inside at school.
So if you feel like dropping by and just expect us to be freeyou'd better call ahead first 'cause we're probably busy!

***Sung to the music "I Will Survive"

Original song:

Written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris

First performed by Gloria Gaynor, October 1978

Homeschool lyrics written by Natalie Criss***

A Love Story of a Different Kind

Wow! This is probably one of the most touching videos I have ever seen. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. This is a good reminder to treat those close to you with love and respect and you will be paid back double, triple heck quadruple. Grab a box of tissues, gather your family 'round and press play, you will be glad you did.

Cool did not believe this story. If you have doubts click here and read about it.
Note: for some reason the video does not post correctly. If you can't view it check it out at Christian the Lion.

For 30 Fingers

The kids have the best piano teacher. I mean the best. She loves them, they love her. It makes for a great situation.

She asked if they would play a piano piece for the Czech School Program as their "piano recital". They tried and just couldn't get it. The notes were different, the positions were different, the music harder. She sat down with each of them and helped. They only had one week to get the song or they would not be able to play during the program.

They worked their butts off. Before Czech School, after Czech school, when we got home; they practiced, practiced, practiced. By Friday they were ready. They nailed it! Hard work, perseverance, cooperation and dedication to a great teacher...what a great learning experience!

© 2008 The Homefront Lines

My Middling Child

12 years ago today a little baby (well not so little he was almost 9 lbs) was born. He was born exactly 1 week after my grandpa died and was named accordingly. He is my Middling Child. He can't be 12 already, but he really is. My baby isn't a baby anymore...he growing up, into a man. What a priveledge it is watch him grow, to guide him, to watch him make mistakes, to watch him do the right thing. I am honored that he is my middling, my baby. (He'll always be my baby)

He blew the candles out just like a 12 year old would. That isn't really a 7...it is really 1...the 7 is a figment of your imagination...I really was prepared for the candle lighting and blowing...really I was.

That is really birthday wrap...it isn't Christmas wrap (not that there is anything wrong with Christmas wrap)...it is really birthday wrap because I really was ready to wrap the presents for my middling child...really I was.That isn't a graham cracker box...I don't conseal presents in graham cracker boxes...exspecially graham cracker boxes that still have graham crackers in them...really I don't.And that isn't really a bag full of things I picked up free from the county fair...it isn't a free backpack, or a free piggy bank, or a free water bottle, or a free frisbee...and that definately isn't a free advertisement for real estate loans...because first of all I am not that bohemie and 2nd of all I definately would have taken that out of the bag before giving it to my middling son...really I would have.This isn't my middling son pointing his new Nerf at me...really it isn't...he has too much respect for me, the one who gave birth to him 12 years ago...he wouldn't empty the entire clip in my direction...really he wouldn't.And this isn't my dear husband trying to sneak up on me, trying to empty a clip of Nerf darts at me...really it isn't.

Happy Birthday Bud...We Love You...Really We Do!

© 2008 The Homefront Lines