Green Hour 5, 6, 7

I’ve been getting behind in posting about Green Hour but we have been doing them and they are greatly loved. We changed our focus from flowers to birds and have been spending hours looking at birds soaring around. Eagles are what fascinate us the most, so graceful, so big, so beautiful.
In Green Hour 5 we made a list of birds that we saw, we’ve continued to add to this list over the weeks, here it is:
Crows
Robins
Heron
Eagle
Hummingbirds
Swallows
Little Brown Birds (we are so scientific)
Ducks
Chickens
Pigeons
Some other unidentifiable birds

In Green Hour 6 we made collections, we already had a book of pressed flowers which we’ve continued to add to. We have also started collecting feathers, leaf rubbings, rocks and sticks. Douglas is the only stick collector but his collection is larger than the others put together. Little boys and sticks, the perfect combo. :D
We also have a beautiful centerpiece of flowers from our garden, Laura loves to arrange and water them.

In Green Hour 7 we made field guides. They are at the doctor’s office getting laminated right now (that’s where DH works) when they come back they’ll go into our nature backpack so that we’ll have them when we’re out and about. So far we only have ones for birds but we’re hoping to make some for other animals as well as plants. The part we all really enjoyed was taking pictures, I’m one of those people who doesn’t like to put pictures on their blog so you won’t be getting to see them unless you come to visit.

Other nature activities that we’ve been doing include gardening, Tomatosphere, and picnics. So far 8 “A” tomatoes have germinated and 13 “B” tomatoes.
I’ve been debating what to plant in the garden this year because we hope to be moving ASAP but if we it takes a while I don’t want to have nothing in the garden.
So far our garden has:
Carrots
Cucumber
Peas
Strawberries
Blackberries
Grapes
Blueberries
Raspberries
Apples
Onion
Garlic
Various herbs
Lots of flowers including cascades of Morning Glories

Hopefully whoever buys our house likes to garden. :D

Biology, earth and space science

Here they are! My biology, earth and space science plans for 1st-8th. I'm scared of high school science and am putting off making any plans for that. The idea is that we will cover each science (biology, earth/space, chemistry and physics) three times, in the grammar years (1st - 4th), logic years (5th - 8th) and rhetoric years (9th - 12th). Please note: These plans are likely to change, they are NOT final! So, here they are:

Biology:

1st grade
Fall – Animals, science project, nature study
Winter – Biographies, hibernation, science project, nature study
Spring – Baby animals, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Plants, science project, nature study

2nd grade
Fall – Animals, focus on three, science project, nature study
Winter – Biographies, Hibernation, science project, nature study
Spring – Baby animals, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Plants, focus on three, science project, nature study

3rd grade
Fall – Marine biology, mammals, science project, nature study
Winter – Biographies, Arctic and Antarctic animals, science project, nature study
Spring – Predators and prey, baby animals science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Flowers, birds, science project, nature study

4th grade
Fall – Marine biology, mammals, science project, nature study
Winter – Biographies, Arctic and Antarctic animals, science project, nature study
Spring – Predators and prey, life cycles, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Flowers, birds, trees, science project, nature study

5th grade
Fall – Marine biology, primates, reptiles, science project, nature study
Winter – Biographies, human body, microscopes, science project, nature study
Spring – Nests, dinosaurs, extinct/endangered animals and plants, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Trees, bushes, habitats, science project for fair, nature study

6th grade
Fall – Marine biology, primates, reptiles, science project, nature study
Winter – Biographies, human body, microscopes, science project, nature study
Spring – Nests, dinosaurs endangered plants and animals, focus on one plant and one animal, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Habitats, trees, exotic animals, science project, nature study

7th grade
Fall – Amphibians, bugs, birds, science project, nature study
Winter – Biographies, microscopes, Creation/evolution, science project, nature study
Spring – Local plants and animals, dinosaurs, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Domestic animals, mammals, trees, science project, nature study

8th grade
Fall – Amphibians, bugs, birds, science project, nature study
Winter – Biographies, Creation/evolution, microscopes, science project, nature study
Spring – Local plants and animals, dinosaurs, life cycles, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Nocturnal animals, domestic animals, mammals, science project, nature study

Earth and Space science:

1st grade
Fall – Seasons, climate, science project, nature study
Winter – Solar system, biographies, science project, nature study
Spring – Deserts, forests, jungles, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Arctic, Antarctica, weather, science project, nature study

2nd grade
Fall – Seasons, North America, South America, science project, nature study
Winter – Solar system, biographies, science project, nature study
Spring – Deserts, forests, jungles, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Arctic, Antarctica, weather, science project, nature study

3rd grade
Fall – Planets, dwarf planets, stars, moons, science project, nature study
Winter – Galaxies, Universe, comets, asteroids, biographies, science project, nature study
Spring – Natural disasters, global warming, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Weather, mountains, valleys, maps, science project, nature study

4th grade
Fall – Planets, dwarf planets, stars, moons, science project, nature study
Winter – Galaxies, Universe, comets, asteroids, biographies, science project, nature study
Spring – Natural disasters, focus on three, global warming, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Weather, mountains, valleys, maps, science project, nature study

5th grade
Fall – Asia, Africa, oceans, beaches, science project, nature study
Winter – Biographies, space, telescopes, science project, nature study
Spring – Global warming, prairies, rain forests, earthquakes, tsunamis, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Mapping, fossils, rocks, shells, science project, nature study

6th grade
Fall – Africa, Asia, oceans, beaches, science project, nature study
Winter – Biographies, space, telescopes, science project, nature study
Spring – Global warming, prairies, rain forests, deserts, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Mapping, fossils, rocks, shells, science project, nature study

7th grade
Fall – Europe, Oceania, exploration, space travel, science project, nature study
Winter – Mercury, Venus, Mars, telescopes, biographies, science project, nature study
Spring – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Mapping, fossils, rocks, shells, forests, jungles, science project, nature study

8th grade
Fall – North America, South America, exploration, space travel, science project, nature study
Winter – Mercury, Venus, Mars, telescopes, biographies, science project, nature study
Spring – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, science project for fair, nature study
Summer – Mapping, fossils, forests, rain forests, jungles, science project, nature study

Biographies will be for the time period and science we are studying.
I would like to have "Science Nights" for family and friends to come over and have fun with science. My kids will do a project for these each month. The one in the spring will also be for the local homeschool science fair.
I'm working on our chemistry and physics plans.

Where are we going, part two

Alright, I must stop saying when I'm going to write stuff because I'm NEVER on time.





Now, for the second instalment it the renaissance and reformation of my homeschoool.





Science





My children's love for science has not died, instead it is continuing to blossom. I've looked at more science curricula and I can't find anything that I want. I really want to stick to the classical ed. cycles, biology, earth and space, chemistry, physics and include nature study, science projects for fairs and child led exploration. I'll start getting a plan but then I feel it won't work and that I'm failing my kids without a curriculum. I really like Jessica's (Trivium Academy) science by seasons plan I wish I weren't so stuck on the whole science cycle thing.


WOW!! I like the science by seasons plan. I feel like such and idiot, I've been trying to arrange my subjects into months and here I am saying that I'd like to do it by seasons. Seasons seems so much easier, I have more flexibility and time. I feel like I'm in control again. This is so GREAT!

:D :D :D



Spelling



Spelling is kind of like science, I was going happily along with Spelling Workout (SWO) and then I realize that it's just busy work. Some of the words my kids have been spelling just right for years and there are other words that never seem to come up in SWO but my kids are constantly spelling them wrong. I can't find a spelling curriculum I like so I'm going to try to be brave and make my own.

Through the week I'll look at dc's spelling when they write. When they spell a word wrong I will take note of it and then next week their spelling words will be word, I'm just worried that they'll only use words that they can spell. I asked about this on the WTM Boards and got some great responses, I'm in full planning mode for spelling.

Latin

I want Laura to start Latin next year and I'm debating which curriculum, Latin for Children or Latin's Not so Tough! I'm leaning towards LFC which is considerably more rigorous tha Latin's Not so Tough! I think she'll get bored with Level One, I could do Level Two but my main reason for LFC is that I really like the way it's laid out. The activity books, history readers and DVDs all make the lessons so fun that I can't imagine teaching Latin without them. Mariah and David are having success with Latin's Not so Tough! and Chelsea is having success with LFC, so I guess I should choose the one I like more.

Literature

I would like Mariah, David and Chelsea to do some more literature studies. I really like reading and discussing for the grammar years but now that they're older I think they need more. I like Lightning Literature but the hard thing is which level to do. I think both David and Chelsea could handle LL7, I have more of a problem with Mariah LL8 seems to boring, she's read all the books and their next courses are estimated for fall '08, but it's only an estimation. I don't want to be scrounging for something at last minute.

There's lots more to think about, plan and post about so be on the lookout for more!

Where are we going?

So much for Thursday! :D We had family over for Easter and, well, things got busy.

I've decided to take this week as a brake. I feel behind on everything. I haven't posted a weekly report in ages and Green Hour #5 needs to be written about. Most of all I need to decided what I want for my children in an education.
Before Mariah, Laura, James, David and Douglas joined the family I had no trouble with our cycles. Before I began nature study I had no doubt about what to do in science. Before I began teaching with more curricula I knew just what I wanted to do. Now, I'm at a loss.

Here are the ideas that have benn tearing through my brain recently:

History

My options, as far as I can see are:

1. Continue what I'm doing, teaching Canadian history and SOTW 3. Next year teach SOTW 1 and SOTW 4 so that we can stick to the cycles. OR continue with SOTW 3 and Canadian history. In the summer do a highly condensed version of SOTW 4 and start SOTW 1 in the fall. OR continue SOTW 3 and Canadian history and next year do only SOTW 4.
I don't like any of these ideas. I'm finding getting everything organized for two history lessons tiring and I find it splits up our family into the adopted kids and the non adopted kids which I'm trying to get away from.
If I continue with two cycles now I don't want to do that next year. That would mean doing either SOTW 4 which I don't want to do because we had a catastrophe with it this year or doing SOTW 1 which would mean that Mariah, David and Laura would have skipped a year.

2. Drop SOTW 3 and do only Canadian history. Start SOTW 1 next year.
I don't like this idea either. We've been enjoying our study of Canada but I'm very worried about April and May. I'm planning on covering the first European explorers to Canada to the present day in two months. There is no way we can get a rich, fun and informative study in such a short amount of time. I could spread it out into June but Chelsea is so eager to study government and I don't know where we'd fit that in.

3. Drop Canadian history and do only SOTW 3 but read Canadian books. Next year do SOTW 4 or do SOTW 4 in the summer and SOTW 1 next year.
I like the idea of dropping Canadian history. We have Canadian history books coming out our ears which we could ready without the formality of it being school work. All the kids would be studying the same period which would mean less stress on me and more of a family feeling for the kids. The only trouble is tha Chelsea did SOTW 3 last year and she might find it boring. I asked her and she said it was one of her favourite times in history and she wants to do it again but still wants to read all those great Canada books.
Then there's next year. I really don't want to do SOTW 4, I'll have an 8th grader, 6th, grader, 5th grader, 3rd, grader, two 1st graders, a 4yo who really wants to be a big kid and a toddler who is desperate for his mothers attention. I'm sure the 8th, 6th and 5th graders could cope but I sense chaos, tears and the words "I hate history." with the younger ones.
So, that means doing modern history over the summer and starting SOTW 1 in the fall. I'm compiling a list of "must read" modern history books which I'll post soon. This seems to be the best decision.

I just realised we could drop Canadian history now and do it next year but I'm eager to get back to our history cycles. The winter will be an excellent time to watch the Canada a People's History DVDs and sit by the fire and learn about our history. I've got veracious readers who amaze me with what they have learnt through books everyday. If supplied with the right resources they will be able to discover their history and that of Canada.

Science

Never, right from the start of homeschooling, have I thought that RS4K wasn't an excellent curriculum, the perfect one for us. I've been so content with them and recommended them to everyone. Now, they've been moved off our curriculum shelf.
They aren't he perfect curriculum, they aren't the one for us. I've discovered the beauty of nature study and child led science.
Since we began our nature study science has been the most popular subject at Morning Glory Academy. Our nature journals our stuffed and it seems someone needs a new one daily. My kids our outside in all weather, observing all things and have decided that they'd rather study birds than flowers. They're noses are always in some science book, whether its on marine biology or engineering, inventors or pansies. Chelsea has been writing reports of her own free will on every interesting scientific fact she learns about and Laura has been doing narrations on ever science book in the house.
More than anything else science is driving our homeschool.
But will it stay like this?
I'm not sure but I do now that I just can't teach from a science curriculum. I feel as though I've looked through everything and it all has something "wrong". The curricula I previously thought were for unschoolers only now seem to structured.
What am I going to do? Where is this going? I've been asking this question about science, Bible, spelling, grammar, writing, memory work, copy work, handwriting, literature and logic. The only things I feel in control over are math and history, which I'm not totally in control of.

Coming tomorrow, "Where are we going? 2"

Green Hour #4

This week we jumped into Green Hour Challenge #4 and LOVED it. :D
We are supposed to choose a focus and have decided that we will look at flowers, both wild and in the garden.
This week the thing that caught our fancy was cherry trees. We saw a beautiful one and made friends with the lady whose garden it is. She loves nature and would like to participate in our study. The kids and I created a cherry tree lapbook as well as their journal pages. We have another book of pressed flowers and have added a few cherry blossoms to there. We will be going to show our friend on our next visit when we plan to go to the park and see what flowers we can find among the mud. :D
I am a lamination geek so I created a cherry tree life cycle poster and sent it off to work with DH to be laminated. I see a collection of laminated nature posters being added to our other science ones.
We went on a few more walks after our cherry tree one where we observed daffodils, a spider which Megan (6) insists is a black widow even though it wasn't black and heavy, heavy rain. Douglas said excitedly "It's H2Oing!!" However our favourite observation was a crow with a worm hanging from it's mouth. It was flying overhead so we didn't have too much time to watch. We read about crows in A Handbook of Nature Study , Crows and Crows!: Strange and Wonderful. We are in the process of a crow lapbook and will probably complete it on the weekend.
We haven't done any chemistry or physics for months and I'm not feeling motivated to do it so for now our only science will be nature study. We've had a great time with it so far and the kids are very excited to take DH for a walk tomorrow.:D