6th Grade

Here's how 6th grade is shaping up...what we're using for curriculum and how it's working for us:

Mane's every day list is to ALWAYS:

* Read for half an hour (book of her choice).

* Do assignments on Spelling City (words taken from her Logic of English list or whatever she misspelled in her writing assignments).

* Do Xtra Math for practicing speed with math facts.

* Do 3-4 logic puzzles. Right now she's working her way through a book of Perplexors. Previously she was working on Mind Benders. Later this year we'll be checking out other logic/critical thinking puzzles, and we'd love suggestions!

Mane's 3-5x/week list:

* Do a math lesson from her Saxon math book.

* Work through Logic of English lesson with me.

* Work through Write With the Best lesson with me.

* Work through Biology lesson with me, using Prentice Hall's high school biology book. We plan to use this book over this year AND next year. So, we're taking it slow, digging as deep as we can, doing activities and labs. Mane keeps a notebook of vocabulary words from the week's lessons. She also answers some of the questions from the book and does independent projects related to the book materials.

* Attend her homeschool co-op's history class once a week, read emails from her teacher & do the week's homework!

* Listen to Pimsleur Spanish lesson. All I asked her to do was listen to the lessons and participate. She's decided to put together a Spanish notebook and folder with all the things she's learning!

Mane's once-a-week list:

* Participate in Poetry Teatime with myself and some friends. This means bringing favorite poems or her own writings to the table to share, listening to the poetry others brought, and drinking tea!

* Listen to Classics for Kids podcasts about types of music or particular composers. Keep track of where composers were from and where they lived and place them on the history timeline.

* Listen to the Torah readings for the week and participate in conversation about the readings.

Optional List:

* Watch documentaries already in her queue on Netflix.

* Work with Lego Mindstorms.

* And, of course, all the things she does for fun that also qualify as learning: crochet, weave, paint, write letters & emails to friends, origami, etc, etc, etc...


Over all, things are working out very, very well. Mane recently joined the swim team at the YWCA. So, she has less free time and is learning to budget time. We have had a number of great conversations about planning and getting difficult things done while you're fresh. We've also talked about how getting started is often the hardest part, and sometimes it's easier to decide to do a little bit for now and a little bit later. Often she finds that if she "tricks" herself into getting started she plows through to the finish!

Free & Almost Free Autumn Events - Twin Cities

In June, I posted about FREE Family Summer Fun events for this year. I'm always sad to see the summer go because fun starts costing a whole lot more as the weather cools here in MN. On the other hand, Autumn is my favorite season. I feel most energized for the school year to start. I love the turning of the leaves, the cooling of the air, the hats and sweaters that start making their way out of the closet, apple cider, and the holidays...

In honor of my favorite season, I've begun compiling a list of the places we go, the things we do, and the resources for fun events in autumn that are in the free-$10 range. I've found that I have more resources that I thought I did, and I discovered a few more while I was digging for links to the "regulars."

Three Rivers Park District:
First, I comb through the event listings for the Three Rivers Parks. You can do a search for something you might enjoy (like apples or archery...). OR you can click on the "Activities" link at the top of the page and sort events by type of activity. OR you can just click on "Events" and read through the whole overwhelming list.

Of note: Silverwood Park's version of the No-Coast Craft-O-Rama on September 21st, family archery at several parks ($7/person), Applefest at The Landing ($5/person) and Folkways of the Holidays at The Landing ($5/person).

Non Fair Events Calendar:
Something new I discovered this year is the Non Fair Events Calendar for the MN State Fair Grounds. Did you know there are events having to do with horses, dogs, reptiles, cars, motorcycles, books, antiques, military relics and furniture?!! Most of these events have completely FREE admission. The one we're looking forward to: Fall Festival Arabian Horse Show.

Apple Orchards near the Twin Cities:
Of course, what would MN be without apple orchards in autumn?! Most have free admission. Many have free hayrides. Save your money for apples, berries, pumpkins, squash, jellies, pies, and honey! We are especially fond of the pick-your-own-pumpkins at Pine Tree Apple Orchard and the Scarecrow Festival at Emma Krumbee's.

Tripoli Minnesota High Power Rocketry Club: 
We had the best time just attending a rocket launch a few years ago! Since then, we've continued to discuss making our own rockets. Even if you don't make one, this is a totally fun family event to attend. Bring a cooler with snacks and drinks, picnic blanket, chairs, sun-brella, and enjoy the show!

Minnesota Historical Society:
Because we have a Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) Membership, we also scroll through the events calendar for MNHS to see if there's anything we might like to attend. Several of the programs are discounted or free for MNHS members, and many are under $10/person for non-members.

Wild Rice Processing in Onamia (yes, it is a long drive, thank you) is completely free several weekends in September. Old School Minnesota Days at Fort Snelling over MEA weekend are completely free for MNHS members! The Oliver Kelley Farm offers Harvest Days over that same weekend and Christmas on the Farm in December. 

A word about museum memberships...
This is probably the place to say something about not-so-free things in the Twin Cities. Memberships to MNHS and the MN Science Museum can be lifesavers when you're going stir crazy in the winter. You will NOT run out of things to do, even if you go there once a week all through snow season, and you will certainly get your money's worth at that rate! Both museums have wide open spaces to move around and things touch and climb! It is totally possible to pack lunches to eat at either place. So, your total expense is your membership + parking. No need to purchase anything else while you're there. Parking is discounted for members at both museums.

Enjoy your autumn!!

Tall Ships

We had the privilege of being in Duluth this summer when the Tall Ships came sailing under the lift bridge. There is something about sailing ships that inspire a sense of wonder and set the imagination in motion.

The Peacemaker

Mane was swept up in the excitement and began planning her high school and/or college career with Class Afloat on the Norwegian ship, Sorlandet...

Sorlandet

Aboard Sorlandet

 What a wonder to realize that high school isn't really that far away and to begin having some hopes and dreams about something that once seemed so far off. She is a child of adventure. In many ways, much more so than myself. She has been a child of spirit, a mystery to me...and to Mango. How fitting that at her dedication ceremony, we read this poem...

On Children by Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

Resources!

Peregrin House now has a page of online resources! Check it out here: Resources OR click on the link in the right sidebar!

FREE Family Summer Fun - Twin Cities and Beyond

It's that time of year again! There are so many things to do in our beautiful city over the summer and so many of them are FREE! I need a place to keep track of them all, and a blog post seemed like the natural place to write it all down and SHARE it, too!!

First and foremost, we headed out to our first Movie in the Park last night! We saw E.T.! So fun to see an old classic on the big screen! There are movies in the park EVERY night in Minneapolis. The inflatable mobile screen makes an appearance at a different park each night. Bring your picnic blankets and/or lawn chairs, snacks, drinks, and bug repellent! We tend to go early to appreciate the playgrounds, pools, splash pads or large fields for flying kites! Lots of kids come in pajamas with their pillows for an easy transition to bed once the movie is over.Check out the schedule here:

Minneapolis Movies in the Park 2013

If the movie of the night isn't your thing or it's too late at night for your kiddos, check out the Music in the Park schedule. Music happens every night at the Lake Harriet Band Shell (7:30PM), Mondays at Nicollet Island (7PM), Tuesdays at Father Hennepin Bluffs (7PM), Wednesday-Friday at Minnehaha Falls (7PM), and Tuesdays & Thursdays at Bryant Square (6:30PM):

Minneapolis Music in the Park 2013

Thursday nights you can head on over to see the Twin Cities River Rats waterski show! Find your seat on the banks of the Mississippi right off West River Road just south of Broadway Avenue. Most shows begin at 7pm. Concessions are usually available. Don't forget your camera! We like to go several times over the summer to watch the performance get better and better over the season:

Twin Cities River Rats

Like to DANCE with your music? Attend one of the Nine Nights of Music at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul - Tuesdays, July 2nd-August 27th. Dance instruction by the Tapestry Folkdance Center begins at 6:30pm. Concerts are from 7-8:30pm. Each night features a different culture and style of music:

Nine Nights of Music

Ordway's Summer Dance Series also offers free dance lessons and live music at Rice Park in St. Paul on Thursdays beginning this week: June 13th-July 25th. Lessons at 5:30pm, Music at 7:15pm. This series has indoor venues in case of rain. Check out the website:

Ordway's Summer Dance Series

Cromulent Shakespeare Company presents free performances of Romeo and Juliet in various parks around Minneapolis and St. Paul every weekend in June. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7pm. Sunday shows are at 2pm:

Shakespeare in the Park

Open Eye Theatre's Driveway Tour offers puppet shows at parks throughout the city (and surrounding suburbs) all summer long. Performance times range from 10am-7pm. They are offering FOUR different shows this summer! Check it out:

Driveway Tour - Puppet Shows

As the summer winds down, Como Park and Conservatory offers free music, lawn games, bounce house & climbing wall on Wednesday nights - August - mid-September from 6-9pm. A number of other free special events are happening at Como Park. Check out the full schedule here:

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Special Events

Is it raining or too hot to be outside? Check out:

Minneapolis Institute of Art (always free) or
Walker Art Center (free every Thursday night from 5-9pm and first Saturdays from 10am-3pm)

I like to look through the schedules and mark the movies & concerts we might like to see on my calendar. Then I know what's available if we happen to have free time that night.

Have a GREAT summer!

Solar System Project & Self-Motivation

This is Mane's "model" of the solar system this year. When Mango saw this he asked if I'd helped. The truth is, I didn't really even pay attention until it was all done. Here's what happened:

I had to rush out the door to work one night, and I knew Mane needed to be working on something while I was gone. I was out of projects, but I knew I had pinned some solar system ideas on pinterest. So, I called her on my way to work. I directed her to my pinterest board called "For The Love of Science," and I told her to look around and find a project relating to the solar system. She dug out some books, buttons, plastic canvas, embroidery floss and needles. I saw her working on this for the next few days. And then, TA-DA!! Here is the final product!

Self-direction has been a major area of growth for Mane this year. The other day, in fact, I was lamenting how little time I have to "do school" with her on days that I work. Mane was the one who pointed out that if I left her things to do, she could get her work done on her own. Of course! This year she's done a number of completely self-directed "educational" things, too. She made her own blog on blogger. She's posting famous poems and projects like her solar system (above). She was learning about the Civil War at her homeschool co-op. So, she checked out books from the library and took notes on the Civil War and put them in her history binder. She learned how to cross-stitch. She drew a diagram of the layers of the atmosphere after we spent some time talking and reading about the atmosphere. (I didn't ask her to. She just did!) She enters her own projects on ravelry. And she posted Bible verses on her door frame just because she wanted to post them (reading AND writing practice + memory work).

I can't begin to tell you how HUGE this is at our house. I never know what to say about homeschooled kids who read voraciously and learn everything on their own. Mane has never been a reader. Reading is her main struggle. BUT, since we have worked very hard together to overcome the reading struggles, she consistently tells me that reading is her favorite "subject." I am so proud of that. So, anyway, she hasn't been much of an independent learner. I've attributed this to reading struggles somewhat, but I also know she'd just rather play. She's been more inclined to complain when I ask her to work (and we're not talking about "school at home" worksheets and busy work, either). So, it's been a pleasant and unexpected surprise to find her motivated to DO and LEARN things on her own this year. I feel like we must have finally hit our stride. Yes, it took this long. But, yes, I'm glad we took the time to allow it to happen slowly. I think traditional school would have burned her out a long time ago.

Homeschool Co-op

This year Mane has been part of a homeschooling co-op that has turned out to be a fantastic addition to our homeschooling life! Our co-op meets one full day a week and offers 4 class hours with multiple classes to choose from each hour. In the fall, Mane took Guitar, Ballroom Dance, Wacky Inventions, and Magical Worlds. This spring she took History Through Art and Stories. Next year we're looking forward to a continuation of the history class and a literature class on The Hobbit!

Mane came out of classes with all kinds of projects, including a jiggle-bot, spinning CD top, secret codes, and paintings of flags and constellations! And she came out of this year with a cohort of peers that have been through several classes together and that she'll continue to take classes with next year. We like the steady predictability of this group of people, and the students are the most creative, brilliant, accepting and generous bunch I've met yet.

This is what our co-op's high school film-making class produced this year:

Little Kitchen Food Shelf from IFP Minnesota on Vimeo.

The film was screened as part of an event at the History Center this year!

I also thought I'd share this great little presentation by one of the students in this year's biology class:

Bags, Books, Bulletin Board, & Binders - A Word on Organization

When the library books come home to our house from the library...they live in a huge tote bag, either in the entry way or the living room. This is our work bag. A huge chunk of our "curriculum" is library books - picture books, novels, historical fiction, audio books, music cd's, and documentaries. The library is our lifeline. It's what makes homeschooling possible! 

The books from the library are often reference material for projects, drawings, and diagrams. These almost always go straight to the bulletin board when they're finished. (Because once you've finished something like this, you want to show it off...AND you don't have the energy left to put it away!)

These are earth science papers. We keep them in a science binder once they come down from the board, along with notes from books and documentaries and lab reports. We don't start a new science portfolio every year, either. We just keep adding. The binder is divided into the major branches of science (earth & space, biology, physics, chemistry, technology).  When Mane graduates she'll have this huge science portfolio!

Mane also has a history binder (with a pocket in the back for the timeline that we can unfold & lay out on the floor). The history binder is divided into eras of history and includes things like maps, coloring pages, drawings, and print-outs of architecture and art.

This system didn't happen all at once. It emerged over time as we figured out what works for us. We used to keep a school notebook, and Mane did most of her work in the notebook for that year. As Mane has gotten older, she's become more able to categorize and organize, and this is the system that has developed. This helps us reference things we've done in other years by subject matter, rather than digging through entire notebooks. And Mane has a huge sense of pride an accomplishment seeing her binders fill out!

Wind Chimes ~ Just in time for spring!

As part of a little spring cleaning, we cleaned out the box of keys in our house. Are we the only people with keys to nowhere? Keys to locks that have been changed? Keys to cars that we don't have?  Well, it's somehow hard for me to throw those away. So, I squirreled them away in a jar. And here's what Mane made last week:

They're wind chimes! And they make a wonderful chime-y sound in the wind!

I realized later that, with the first one, we should have flipped the lid over so that the shiny gold side was facing down. This was a lid that we'd previously used over the top of a jar for a caterpillar. So, it already had a bunch of holes in it.

With the second one we used a dab of super glue on the top of the ring to keep the strings from sliding. We want them to stay spaced where we put them!

We were inspired by this post at Inner Child Giving: DIY Key Wind Chime.

Robotics - Our Favorite Field Trip Every Year

This year's FIRST Robotics Competition involved throwing frisbees & climbing towers! We always have so much fun visiting the tournament every year. It's one of those events that the whole family gets into. There's so much positive energy at the competition, too, that it's hard not to get swept up in the excitement. When Mane came home she went straight to making a robot mascot...

Homeschool Spaces

I hesitate every single time I use the word "homeschool," lest people believe somehow that we never leave home. I am on a constant search for a better word. And, yet, homeschool is the word commonly understood by the general public to mean that I don't send my child to traditional school...that I am educating her myself (though this isn't strictly true, as she attends classes and also does much to promote her own education).

In any case, although I'm often casting around for another word, when push comes to shove, our home is our school...home.school. To that end, we have several spaces where the bulk of our schooling takes place.

I think Mane's favorite place is the big green chair in front of the fireplace.

This chair has a long legacy, as it used to reside 2 floors above us in my husband's old attic bedroom in his parents house. The chair was purchased at Gabberts. Does Gabberts still exist anymore? My in-laws believe in buying things that will last forever. This chair certainly looks like it will. We used to always keep it covered with throw blankets to protect it from the sun. Since Mane was born and many children make their way through our house on a regular basis, straightening the throw constantly became too much of a hassle.

This chair saw all the years of Mango's late night homework...and then Vespera...and then Niteo. Now Mane moves into it every chance she gets. (Though the arms are too big to make playing guitar comfortable!) It's also the chair I use when I teach childbirth classes in the living room. It's a thinking chair. A reading chair. A sleeping chair. A homework chair. The big green chair.

Then there's the sunroom off the living room. This was the room that made me agree to move to this house, and right now it's where we have Mane's desk. She doesn't keep it nearly as neat as I would like, but this is her space for doing work that needs a desk.

 

When I need to work with her in the sunroom, that rocking chair is all mine - within arm's reach of all the books!The rocking chair goes back a long way, too. It used to be in my parent's house, and it moved with me when I got married!

And then there's the back porch - 3 season, not insulated, full of all the extra things that need to be stored somewhere. (I carefully avoided taking photos of the mess!) When weather permits, this is our very favorite place to study, read, do crafts, picnic, etc, etc...

Of course, we use the kitchen, too, and Mane writes anything she's currently memorizing on the window in the kitchen with window crayons. This is her washing the window, getting ready to write 1 Peter 2:22 on it:

And one can never underestimate the power of sitting almost IN the fireplace for getting work done in the winter:

Makes me so grateful for this house, for the opportunity to homeschool, and for all the great memories we've created right here in our very own home - learning, reading, growing, changing, and working together.

Peace!

For our little friends ~ Preschool Activities

This year, with the help of pinterest, Mane & I found some learning activities that she could make for her little friends & cousins. Win-Win: Craft project for Mane, learning activity for the little friends...and a positive, structured activity for them to work together! Here are a couple of the things we came up with:

This is paint in a bag! We put duct tape around the edges to strengthen them & keep the bag from bursting. Use a q-tip or a finger to practice letters or words!  If I ever did this again, I'd do something to make the paint thicker. It tends to run back into the spaces too quickly. This is a great kinesthetic, tactile pre-reading/reading/spelling activity!

I think this one is my favorite because it's SO PRETTY! Paint samples from the hardware store make an excellent color matching game!

Match up clothespin letters to spell words! This helps kids practice the scanning skills necessary for reading - scanning over the clothespins to find the matching letter. The clothespins also make it a great fine motor & finger strengthening activity (pre-writing skills).

Bows & Arrows

We've been studying the Middle Ages this year with Story of the World. Mane spent some time listening to the stories of Robin Hood, and we decided to make some bows and arrows when we had a friend over one afternoon!

 

  

We followed a combination of instructions. If you're interested, check out these links:

ikatbag

The Stuff of Success 

Skip to My Lou

GAMES!

We've been enjoying so many games this year. Thought we'd share a few:

 

 

 

 And we seem to always have a puzzle going lately, too. Whenever Grandma walks into the house, she can't help but sit down & work on the puzzle for a while. This is our newest 1000 piece puzzle with all wooden pieces. The board stows nicely under the couch when we aren't working on it: