History, History, and Geography!

We are moving right along in our history studies.  If you haven't tried Mystery of History, you should pick up a copy and look into it.  We love it and have adapted it to fit our needs.  Since we do not test and quiz, we read the lessons aloud and discuss them.  It has given us many opportunities to relate ancient history to current events.  We have entered into the time period that Islam began and is being spread into the world.  Such a current topic now! 

History for us isn't about memorizing dates.  We like to see what things were like centuries ago and discuss how things have changed, how we seem to repeat history, why people do the things they do regardless of the time period, etc.  It leads to many relevant discussions and understandings. 

I have coupled World Geography with our history lessons this year and the pairing works terrific.  I especially like it when we are studying from two different books and the content merges.  We did not plan the merge, it just happens. 

Here are some things we read, discussed, and watched today: 

Learning the past and present is fun!

Owl Pellets!

Today, we headed out, bright and early, to The Schiele Museum.  Of course, it was one of the colder mornings we have had this winter.  Thank goodness for seat warmers in the car!  We picked up friends and off to our first dissection we went!

Egee wasn't too thrilled to learn about our trip to dissect owl pellets.  Especially, when she found out what an owl pellet was!  How is she my daughter?  I loved and still love dissecting things.  Not her, but she knew there was no way around it and didn't grumble much. 

Little Man was indifferent. He likes adventure, but owl pellets didn't seem overly exciting to him.  Oh well, he enjoyed it once we began.

They both did a great job picking out the small rodent bones from the fur of the pellet.  It was like an archaeology dig!  Their friends had a great time, as well. 

Afterwards, we explored the museum and had lunch out.  We just love being able to enjoy adventures with our home school friends.

Learning

Just a few random pics and topics we have hit upon the last two weeks. 

Cleaning Daddy's office.  They are entry level employees (janitorial staff).

Cleaning is such a tiring job!

Speech and Leadership class for Egee! 

Hard at work with Fred!  We just love Life of Fred math.

Oh, the Epic of Beowulf!  They rolled their eyes when I first began, but quickly changed their minds and really loved it!

Basketball, basketball, basketball!  This weekend's game was a nail biter that went into over time.  They won!

Loving the homeschool life!

It's Basketball Season!

Little Man began his third year of basketball.  He wanted to switch to Upward Basketball and we agreed to let him.  He is loving it!  Today was the first game of the season and he took it all in stride.  Of course, he is ten and ten year olds have to be calm and cool!  As mom, I was not to hover, make a fuss, and instruct.  I played my part around him.  Of course, I cheered for him.  He gave me the knowing look.  He is growing up, yet still likes mom to be there and watch him.  I always will be his number one fan!  He likes that. 

For a team that has had only three practices and never played a game together, the boys did a great job.  They listened to their coach and remembered what he had told them when on the court.  The boys did an excellent job at defense and offense.  I was really surprised at how well they played.  I think the coach was surprised, too! 

Our boys won the game and showed superb sportsmanship.  The gentleness of their coaches and character they display around the boys paid off.  They instruct and encourage and they don't punish with extra laps.  The boys want to prove their coach proud and they did!  Way to go Jayhawks!

Undecorating

Oh, the task of taking all the Christmas decorations down.  We pulled all the totes for Christmas decorations out of the attic on Sunday afternoon.  My nephew came up to help with the task of placing plywood down in the attic to create a floor.  We have had the plywood since last year, but haven't had the chance to pull all the totes out and complete the task.  A task, that I have been looking forward too!

My nephew was a tremendous help and we had the plywood put in place in thirty minutes.  It is wonderful to have a strapping young man to help out.  Little Man will be to that point in a few years. (My how fast they grow!)

Now, I have the task of organizing all the Christmas stuff into the totes.  I have removed broken nick-knacks, tangled ornament wires, things we no longer use, etc.  I am almost done with all of this.  I have categorized decorations into different totes.   Entry table decorations in one tote; mantle decorations in another; dining table items; books and music; tree ornaments; tree lights; outdoor lights; etc.  I truly hope this helps with decorating next year!

I had to purchase small totes for our Christmas village pieces.  I haven't put up the village in several years.  Partly due to the fact that the two boxes I had them packed were bulky and heavy.  I just didn't want to cart those down from the attic!  Now, I have four smaller totes with the village houses, train and track, and accessories that are manageable.  The village will definitely be displayed next year!

Once I get Christmas done, I will move on to other projects that need organization. 

Time To Begin Again

Holiday break is over and it is time to resume our road of learning, exploring, creating and seeking.  I have been combing the internet looking for interesting field trip ideas, places to visit, new explorations, etc.  I believe the best way to learn is to get out and experience it.  That is why I fill so much of our days with learning experiences and not merely curriculum from a book.  Oh, we have started back with our very minimalist amount of 'book work'.  I just need the extra experiences to spice up the learning lifestyle.

So, what do I have on the agenda thus far?  Plenty!  We will going to museums, nature hikes, learning about fish in our area, wolves, raptors, medicinal plants and herbs, gardening, honey bees, STEMs, cake decorating, art, plays, public speaking, historical reenactments, camping trips, and more! 

I may have more fun than the kiddos, I don't know.  We love our life of learning.  This year they will help more with gardening and landscaping.  I have dozens of projects to complete!

So, stay tuned and follow us on our new year of adventure!

Compassion Experience

We took friends with us this year to experience the Compassion Experience.  Last year, when we went we gained a new understanding of what children in third world countries face.  It was very eye opening for my children and we wanted our friends to have a better understanding.

We learned about the childhoods of Julian and Ruben on this trip.  We walked through the recreation of their homes and struggles.  We listened to their stories of overcoming dire situations and how the Compassion program helped them.  Our friends were touched, just like we were last year.

During my walk through the experience and listening to the different stories, I kept reflecting on the child we sponsor.  What would her rooms look like?  What would her story sound like?  She came to the Compassion program and waited quite sometime for a sponsor.  We have been her sponsor now for almost a year.  I write to her a couple of times a month.  We receive letters from her.  She sounds happy in her letters.  She is lucky and has both parents and siblings living with her.  So many of these children only have one parent.  I pray for her and her family.

Our friends decided to sponsor a child after the experience.  They are excited to get to know their child.  This is such a worthwhile cause and I know they will be moved like we were.  If you are able to visit a Compassion Experience near you, please do so.  It is worth the time.  You may just take home another child!