You turn your back for 1 minute...

Yes...Maggie did make this mess without help.  

She LOVES dragging things out.

If only I could get her to love putting things back where she found them.

Tornado Unit Study

 'Tis the Season...for tornadoes that is!  After all the scariness of Joplin, the few times already this year that we've had to duck and cover, and the big deal we made out of cleaning out the Harry Potter closet to be our "safe spot," we've raised a LOT of questions over tornadoes.  What is a tornado?  Why is it dangerous?  How are they made?  Since I didn't know a lot of answers it seemed like a perfect opportunity to study tornadoes and do a fun unit study!!

 We read several books on tornadoes includeing the awesome science experiement book from the Quirkles.  (If you have never checked out Quirkles I'd highly recommend!  Our local library has the majority of them and they all have 2 science experiments at the end!).  We also read the fanciful story called "Barn Storm" where a tornado came through a farm and 'rearranged' all the animals!  Very fun!  We created our own tornado in a jar (which would've worked better with a 2 liter bottle but we didn't have one) and completed a lapbook - free materials courtesy of HomeSchool Share!  (http://www.homeschoolshare.com/tornado.php)

It was fun.  Just in case you are inspired - we had planned to read The Wizard of Oz and do some coloring pages in conjunction with this, but we are STILL waiting on the book from the library.  I thought I was being smart so I requested an audio book since we wouldn't have to wait, but apparently the audio copy I received was the radio-version, not the book version, and I figured we could listen to it anyway, even though it is not the classic story - but it turned out to be scratched and it wouldn't play anyway.  So, we are back to waiting for the book again...  Anyway, I thought it would go along well with a tornado study! 

Chorepacks - Managers of their Chores

 We implemented something new this week.  Chorepacks!  So far they are working great!  Originally intended for large families, I have found this chorpack system to work great.  I printed out several Chore Cards, you tuck them into the pocket and attach it to your childs clothing.  They complete the first chore card, when its done they move it to the back and continue on with the next chore.

 When all the chores are completed, Kayley turns in her chorepack for "inspection" and if she did her chores cheerfully, quickly and completely then she receives a Best Bee-havior card.  When she has saved 10 Bee cards, she can trade them in for a reward out of the reward basket.

Since Kayley is only 4, many of her chores are grooming chores, but there are several others in there as well.  Feeding the kitties and watering the plants are 2 of her favorites.  I like feeling a little less overwhelmed with all of the general "picking up" I was doing and Kayley doesn't need constant reminders on what happens next.  

She has a morning chorepack and and evening chorepack (so an opportunity to earn 2 Bee cards a day - 1 reward each week)!

If you are interested in this system I bought the book Managers of Their Chores by Steve & Terry Maxwell.  You can find it here:  http://www.titus2.com/ecommerce/products/prod_listing.php/1150

I'd recommend it, especially if you are trying to figure out how to get your kids more involved in chores and helping out around the house.  :)

Summer Fun

Congratulations to the Graduate!

Of Kindergarten that is...  

When we started homeschooling, I never would've guessed that Kayley would LOVE it...and fly through it!  Kayley is still 4 and has completed BJU's Kindergarten program.  Uhm, wow!  It was, honestly, kind of an accident that things worked out so well.  It was not my doing.  It was Kayley's desire to know as much as she could.  And who would've guessed that she would think worksheets are fun?  (I never did!)

We will be moving on to 1st grade curriculum although I am pleased that I am feeling confident enough to think out of the grade-in-a-box and try some new things.  I will be posting more soon about what we will be doing for summer and 1st grade along with some organizational things that I am going to try or have already started.  I am also looking forward to doing reviews for The Old Schoolhouse and The Learning Parent! 

Right now we are just taking a few weeks off.  We've been playing the pool, participating in the library summer reading program, doing some deep cleaning and reorganization of chores and curriculum.  We have plans to do "Super Science Summer Camp" here at home and our own "Vacation Bible School."  Check back to see what we are up to, I'll try to update more often.  :)