American Girl Unit Studies: Josefina

We are studying our way through the American Girl historical characters as we learn American history. I've coordinated these units to work with the history sentences we are memorizing with the Classically Catholic Memory program. (I'm blogging about that too!) Josefina lines up with week 3 of Delta Year.

(I also have lesson plans for Kaya, Felicity, Caroline, and Kirsten, check em out!)

Josefina Unit Study

Fiction Books

Six Book Boxed Set
Secrets in the Hills
Josefina's Short Story Collection
Beforever: Sunlight and Shadows*
Beforever: Second Chances*

*Beforever is basically a condensed version the original six books into two stories. I much prefer having my kids read the original six, but I wanted to let you know what's out there.

Non-Fiction Book

Welcome to Josefina's World
Josefina Just for Fun

I was able to snag Josefina Just for Fun a few years back when the series was on clearance. The book is filled with great rainy day activities. All of the Just for Fun books have the same activities with slight variations depending on the girl. If you can get them for a reasonably cheap price, they are worth it!

Lapbook
To create a Josefina lapbook we used mini books from Homeschool Share's free download and created several of our own using their lapbook templates.

The American Girl sticker embellishments were bought at Michael's with a 40% off coupon, and we cut out a few pictures from an American Girl catalogue.

Timeline and Map
We placed Josefina on our timeline and map using the same American Girl stickers that we used in our lapbook.

Because Caroline was not in the sticker book we had to use a cut out from a catalogue, which makes her a bit of a giant!

Foods
For a delicious afternoon snack we made two recipes that can be found in Josefina's Cook Book and in Josefina Just for Fun. The cookies are bizcochitos, which are New Mexico's state cookie. (Hum, maybe we'll make these again when we study New Mexico?!) They call for anise seed, which I dutifully bought, opened, realized that it smells like black licorice, and decided to omit it from the recipe. Yes, the authenticity was gone, but I doubt anyone would have liked them if I used it. The New Mexico Hot Cocoa was made to a T and it was delicious.

Craft
Using instructions from Josefina's Craft Book the kids made coil pots. We still need to paint them... which will probably never happen at this point :).

Online Games
Finally, we played a Josefina game at americangirl.com!

Be saints, it's worth it!
Lisa

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American Girl Unit Studies: Kirsten

We are studying our way through the American Girl historical characters as we learn American history. I've coordinated these units to work with the history sentences we are memorizing with the Classically Catholic Memory program. (I'm blogging about that too!) Kirsten lines up with week 2 of delta year.

(I have lesson plans for Kaya, Felicity, and Caroline, check em out!)

Kirsten Unit Study

Fiction Books

Six Book Boxed Set
The Runaway Friend
Kirsten's Short Story Collection

Non-Fiction Book

Welcome to Kirsten's World

Lapbook
We used mini books from Homeschool Share's free download and Currclick's download to create a Kirsten lapbook. The Currclick's download was literally the WORST lapbook I've ever seen, don't buy it!!! I used 3 mini-books from it, because I paid $1.25 for the download and I wanted to get something out of it! The rest of the mini-books I had to create on my own using Homeschool Share's lapbook templates.

The American Girl sticker embellishments were bought at Michael's with a 40% off coupon.

Timeline and Map
We placed Kirsten on our timeline and map using the same American Girl stickers that we used in our lapbook.

Foods
We made two fun treats from Kirsten's Cook Book: pepparkakor cookies...

and homemade applesauce.

Drama
Thanks to the Kirsten Theater Kit, we put on a very simple Kirsten play. We just read from the scripts and used makeshift props. I'm so thankful for all of the wonderful resources that the Pleasant Company put out... before they sold to Mattel, it's kind of sad.

Craft
In the Kirsten Craft Book there are directions for making a pioneer braided rug, which is just what we did.

Online Games
There used to be some great online games for Kirsten at americangirl.com, but recently they did away with Kirsten on their site. Silly, Mattel. I wrote them a letter (okay, it was an email, but I let them know my disappointment.)

Next up we will be studying Josephina!

Be saints, it's worth it!
Lisa

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20+ Games and Activities for Teaching the Multiples with Skip Counting

Last year my 2nd grader committed to memory the multiples through 12. Here are 20+ ways that we made it fun!

Multiples of 2: Have your students find, or build, lego pieces based upon the multiples you are learning. (Check out Kids Activities Blog for more details.)

Multiples of 2 and 3: Divide 36 frosted covered cheerios (to make the activity more enticing... if you are really awesome you'll use candy) into groups of three. Then skip count the groups. Next, eat one from each pile and skip count the twos!

Multiples of 3: Using a hundred chart, have your students put markers on the multiples of three. (Download a chart for free at Currclick.)

Multiples of 4: Create a hopscotch board with the multiples, then play hopscotch! Be sure to have the students recite them as they hop along.

Multiples of 4 and 5: This two player game comes from RightStart Math. Mix up cards with the multiples of four and five (or any two sets of multiples) and lay them facedown, like you would for memory. Assign each player a multiple. Players then take turns flipping over one card at a time, searching for their set. If a player finds one of their cards, then they keep searching until they find one that belongs in their opponents set. The first player to find all of their cards is declared the winner.

Multiples of 5: Write the multiples on popsicles sticks. Have the students press them in order into playdough. (Inspired by Chalk Talk.)

Multiples of 4 and 6: Create a Venn Diagram with the multiples of four and six.

Multiples of 7: Play a simplified version of paper football!

Give each player three tries to score by flicking the football into the end zone. If a student succeeds in getting the football into the marked off rectangle, then they score seven points. If they do not succeed, then mark 0 points for that possession and move to the next player.

Chefs = Chiefs. My daughter is not the first to make the Chefs mistake. Great googly-moogly.

Multiples of 7: Have your students cover all of the numbers on a hundred chart BUT the multiples of seven. (Download a chart for free at Currclick.)

Multiples of 8: Tape the multiples to the floor and have your students hop their way through them. Use card stock and tape each corner!

Multiples of 9: Create a ladder of the multiples using strips of paper.

Multiples of 9: Teach your students the finger trick!

Multiples of 10: Use dimes to teach the multiples of 10. Take it a step further and ask questions like: "How many dimes do you need to get a dollar?" or "How many dimes do you need to buy a $0.70 toy?"

Multiples of 10: With finger paint, have your students stamp out the multiples of 10.

Multiples of 8 and 11: Write out the multiples of 8 and 11(or any two sets of multiples) on squares of paper. Then put the squares into a bag and assign each player a set of multiples to be searching for. Have the players take turns drawing out one number at a time. If a player draws one of their multiples, they keep the number, if they do not, they put the number back. Players pass the bag back and forth until someone finds all of their multiples.

Multiples of 7 and 12: Place the multiples of seven and twelve (or any two sets of multiples) face down, like you would for memory. Assign each player a set of multiples to search for. Players then take turns flipping cards over one at a time in search of the first number in their set. Once they have found it, they move on to search for the second number in their set and so on. The first person to find all of their numbers, in order, is the winner.

Online Games

Connect the Dots Multiples: ABC Ya
Balloon Pop Math: Sheppard Software
Fruit Shoot: Sheppard Software
Pumpkin Multiples: Math Playground
Skipping Stones: Math Buddy
Count by Numbers: Learning Planet

Be saints, it's worth it!
Lisa

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Curriculum Plans: 2014-2015

August, seriously, you are here? Welp, you always put me into homeschool prep mode, so here we go... our curriculum plans for 2014-2015.

Bean – 3rd Grade

Math

Rightstart Mathematics – Level D

We used this program last year and I'm happily using it again. It is very different from how I was taught math, so sometimes I doubt their methods, but once we finish a lesson and Bean understands the concepts I mentally apologize. At this level there is minimal prep, so I typically look at the lesson between breaks, grab the supplies needed, and we are ready to go. They use lots of hands-on manipulatives and tons of card games for mastering math facts, so Bean rarely complains about math.

English

Writing
Teaching Writing Structure and Style
Student Writing Intensive - Level A

We are drinking the IEW koolaid this year and will be hopping on board with pretty much every Catholic homeschooler in our area. Fortunately, the core programs are provided to me for FREE from our public charter school program. I always knew my tax dollars were good for something.

The items needed for this program thoroughly confused me when I was trying to figure it out. Hopefully that's just me, but I'll share it with you incase I'm not alone.

First you'll need Teaching Writing Structure and Style for YOU. Yes, you will be taking a class so you can better facilitate their methods.

The class is a one time thing, so once you complete the program you are set to facilitate any level of the Student Writing Intensive program, which begins with Level A. My plan is to complete Level A this year and then move on to the next program in the level according to the crazy pathway that IEW has created.

Grammer
Fix It! Grammar- The Nose Tree

Also from IEW, we are giving their Fix it! Grammar program a try. I ordered the student book and teacher manual of the first book, The Nose Tree. Basically Bean will be editing her way through the story and learning new concepts as she goes. Brilliant!

Spelling
All About Spelling - Level 4

After completing, and enjoying, levels 1-3 of All About Spelling, we are continuing on with level 4. IEW suggests using levels 1-3 of this program and then beginning their Phonetic Zoo program for spelling. However, we are sticking with All About Spelling because it's cheaper and we know it works, so why change a good thing? (You'll also need the Spelling Interactive Kit to use this program.)

Handwriting and Typing
Handwriting without Tears - Cursive Handwriting

Another program we've stuck with throughout the years is Handwriting Without Tears.

This year we are venturing into cursive! I have the teacher's guide as well, because I got it for free from our charter school program, but I'm not sure if it's necessary, in the past I've rarely looked at the teacher's guides, even although I have them.

For an extra $3.50 I ordered the keyboarding + cursive handwriting pack ($12.00 for both!). I'm excited to test it out!

Reading Comprehension

Bean does a LOT of reading. Like, hours a day. I'm not too worried about her comprehension skills. However, we still use Reading Eggspress as a fun way to test comprehension because Bean sees this computer program as a treat. (It has an avatar element where your kids can play games with other kids, just a heads up. We don't use it because avatars creep me out.)

Classically Catholic Memory - Delta Year 

For the following subjects we use the memory work laid out by Classically Catholic Memory as the backbone of our studies.

Science

History

Religion

Latin

Geography

Poetry

For more on what this looks like check out my Classically Catholic Memory tab for bi-weekly wrap ups and lesson plans from all 18 weeks of Gamma Year.

More History
This year we will continue to use the American Girl Historical Characters that go along with our history sentences from CCM. So far we have done units on Kaya, Felicity, and Caroline, and throughout next year I have plans of doing the rest of the characters. (Minus Julie and Rebecca... those are my least two favorites.)

Social Studies

Last year we studied North America in CCM geography and I planned on focusing on one state each week until we covered all 50 states. My hope was to be done by now, but alas, we have 15 states to go. We will keep plugging away until we are finished, hopefully by December! Check out the progress so far on our Journey Across America. (Yep, not all of the states we have studied have been posted on yet.)

Spanish

Rosetta Stone – Spanish

We purchased Rosetta Stone two years ago and so far Bean has made her way through the first 3 units of Level 1. It was an investment, but it will take her 6-7 years to get through it all at this pace, plus Pal and Peanut will be able to use it as well. Dividing the curriculum out this way makes it about $20.00 per child per year and any other Spanish program would be more than that... not to mention I can’t teach Spanish. We did not get the homeschool edition, and I personally don’t think it is necessary.

"Specials"

We get our "specials" covered at our one day a week charter homeschool options program. This year Bean is taking Drama, P.E., Legos (yes this is a class), art, and science (which is a bonus because we do science at home... they do awesome experiments every week, so it is well worth it!)

Pal - Kindergarten

Math

Rightstart Mathematics – Level A

It's worked for Bean, so I'm hoping it will work for Pal too!

Reading
Basically we are finishing up many of the programs we started last year for reading. I don't do a traditional "phonics" program with the kids, as usually after we do the below, they are reading and it's not necessary.

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

This book has worked as the starting point of reading for both of our kids. It is very easy to follow as the teacher and I love how comprehensive it is. Pal is almost finished with the lesson and we should finish this up in the first quarter.

Little Angel Readers - B and C

I adore these sweet little readers that teach lessons on virtue and the Catholic faith. They can be used as an entire reading program, but Pal only reads the stories in them for some supplemental fun.

Reading Eggs

Lastly, Pal is using the main component of this online program for supplemental practice with learning how to read. It's also great for basic computer skills!

As a heads up, I have a whole post on what we've used for teaching our kids to read. Check it out for more ideas!

Spelling
All About Spelling - Level 1

Spelling in Kindergarten, wait, whaat? Well, instead of using a traditional phoenix program, I've just taught the kids to read and spell, so far, it's worked. Think of spelling as phoenix, now it's okay. You'll also need the Spelling Interactive Kit to use this program.

Handwriting

Handwriting Without Tears - Kindergarten

I mentioned this one above, and here is a whole post on it!

THE BELOW IS COPIED AND PASTED FROM BEAN'S PLANS
(They'll do these things together, but at their own levels)

Classically Catholic Memory - Delta Year 

For the following subjects we use the memory work laid out by Classically Catholic Memory as the backbone of our studies.

Science

History

Religion

Latin

Geography

Poetry

For more on what this looks like check out my Classically Catholic Memory tab for bi-weekly wrap ups and lesson plans from all 18 weeks of Gamma Year.

Social Studies

Last year we studied North America in CCM geography and I planned on focusing on one state each week until we covered all 50 states. My hope was to be done by now, but alas, we have 15 states to go. We will keep plugging away until we are finished, hopefully by December! Check out the progress so far on our Journey Across America. (Yep, not all of the states we have studied have been posted on yet.)

THE ABOVE IS COPIED AND PASTED FROM BEAN'S PLANS

"Specials"
Pal will be joining Bean at our charter homeschool options program one day a week. The kindergartners stay together all day, so he'll get a variety of activities in and learn how to do important things like raise his hand and stand in a line.

There you have it friends! Let me know if you have any questions, I love talkin' homeschool curriculum!

Be saints, it's worth it!
Lisa

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