Ha. This blog got used! LOL!

Well, we are almost done with 3rd grade, and none of it is logged here! I dreamed of this spot being a great source and record for myself and others on homeschooling. While schooling has gone pretty well this year, I've had an emotional year. I'm trying to work on myself now that school is about to let out for the summer.

I hope to write more about it here, but...I should not make any promises for a while - ha! So - I'll leave you with a great new schooling source for in the home, or out and about. It could be in your area:

Prestique Academy of Innovation and Technology

It really is a fabulous concept! I love seeing it grow and pray it comes to my area. It's the teacher in me (I'd love to do this for a living outside of schooling my own children!).

Have a great one!!

Zumba Class!

So, we started a new class this week for our PE time - children's Zumba, Lovely LOVED it. And you can't be the price - $7 a class!

The teacher was so great, and at the end of the class she had the stretch on the floor in a circle. She joined them and affirmed them for being strong and healthy. It was really touching!

Gift and Valiant enjoyed the class too! They watched and danced from the sidelines. Gift even stretched on the floor too...hehe!

 

Up Close Lizard Study

There is nothing better than the schedule homeschool affords us! I love being able to do schoolwork then just escape the rest of the afternoon outside. While we sadly don't have a backyard to enjoy anymore since moving, we are blessed to live near many playgrounds and state parks. Yesterday we took advantage and met our co-op friends for an afternoon of fun in the cool breezes. There was lots of imaginative play, exercise, fort building, sandbox playing, tree climbing, and most fun of all? Playtime with a very patient (or stunned) lizard. It allowed the kids to hold it, it went everywhere with them riding on their shoulders, chests, etc. It was pretty neat!

Isn't that neat??!! It's like Paschel from the movie "Tangled"!

And, as I mentioned - the kids and their co-op pals had a blast building and playing:

It was such a FUN afternoon! We so love our co-op pals! It's fun learning and exploring together!

Natural History and Science Discoveries

Lovely looking through "night vision" goggles....(see next pic)

The view in her goggles (you see an alligator, possum and other animals)

Using a pulley

Microscope discoveries

native turtle

SSSSssssssssss....

Counting tree rings...

Bee Hive

Discovery Club House

log discovery

And reason #530 I love homeschooling together?

New PERMANENT Natural History Exhibit!

We are SO excited!!! It is SUCH an amazing place and so much work has gone into it. It is permanent, but every few months aspects will change to keep it fresh - especially in the science labs. It is located in a huge area, and has an ocean area, forest area with "waterfall", river, tree houses, etc. It also has underground caves, sediment studies, and more. It also contains science labs, a learning clubhouse, and archeological dig site. It also has a wetland section. The river has movement triggered LCD screens reflecting on the ground so when you walk on it, fish dart away, the water ripples....amazing!  Check it out:

The river heading from the caves and "waterfall"

Lovely skipping rocks across the stream.

The fish moved, as did the water!!!

The kids loved playing in the stream and trying to catch the fish.

The "waterfall"

Valiant and Gift enjoying the swamp and marshlands.

The girls in the treetops!

Such detail!

Checking out the binoculars.

Forest meets the caves

inside the caves

shining the light on rock formations

The girls could pull out layers of sediment.

Science lab

using the microscope

Happy learner!

Using the lab

I loved this explanation of bird beaks!

Near the dig site

Learning club house

dig site

We are so blessed to have access to this great exhibit! How fun it will be to return and really focus on certain areas!

Latest Masterpiece

Here is what Lovely came home with today – they have been working on the horizon line – making their backgrounds more realistic. It’s painting/collage. I may be biased, but I think it is pretty awesome!

I love how her teacher lets them be creative while exploring the type of art. She welcomes their individuality, learns from them while guiding them. She's awesome! Lovely wanted to add some collage pieces to it, and she let her, and Lovely wanted purple mountains "unique leaves" (?) and she did. I appreciate this so much. The grass could be purple and I'd be thrilled because she's thrilled. 

Creatures of Myths and Legends

Our local natural history museum is hosting an exhibit on creatures of myths and legends. We went last weekend, and it was really awesome. We're actually going back today (for a sneak peak at a new permanent children's exhibit opening next week) so I may get better pics than the ones below if we revisit the mythical lair, but last week was so fun for the kids (and the adults)!!

It was a mixture of true creatures mistaken and turned into legend, and great legendary figures we all know and love. You can bet we came home and read some great myths!!

Learning about rocks at a learning station

Unicorns - a huge hit!

Narwhal horn (or...a unicorn horn??? lol)

Trusty Pegasus

Fantastic dragon!

Mermaids....or Manatees?

Bigfoot, or ancient prehistoric gorilla?

Chinese Dragon

More Dragon Lairs

The Griffin

The Kraken!

A true animal - the largest bird

VERY cool!! Can't wait to go an explore the new children's area today!!!! We are so blessed to live near such great places to learn and explore!