Love to Learn Homeschool

King Winter & The Gnomes in January 2012

2012-01-04T07:10:00.000-08:00

Starting School Early, I guess

2011-09-04T21:34:00.000-07:00

Wreck this Journal

2011-09-04T21:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.wreckthisjournal.com/

amazingly fun. creative expression. a learning release.

Spanish Curriculum for Homeschoolers

2011-09-04T21:25:00.001-07:00

http://www.funclase.com

love this.

Math Day Rhymes

2011-09-04T21:20:00.001-07:00

using this book for main lesson book ideas

Math Game - Lots of Boxes - Multiplication

2011-09-04T21:18:00.001-07:00

graph paper. colored pencils. dice.

roll. draw first side. roll. draw second. make box.

write down multiplication fact.

compete with your friend to build the biggest box.

Spelling Word - Quick Build it Game

2011-09-04T21:15:00.001-07:00

child writes each letter of each word on a tile. cut out.

lie face down. roll dice. pick amount. make words.

Watercolor Painting August 2011

2011-09-04T21:09:00.001-07:00

Geography ~ Map Puzzles

2011-09-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

floor puzzles. of the usa. of the world.

amazing intro. recognizing location. discussions.

Make a Nature Duck Tape Bracelet

2011-09-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

duct tape. sticky side out. captures nature treasures.

scavenger hunt. list of nature finds. fun.

a butterfly close up. just too cool.

Keepers of the Earth Native American Science Book

2011-09-04T20:52:00.000-07:00

Keepers of the Earth:

Native American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children

Michael J. Caduto, Joseph Bruchac

http://books.google.com/books/about/Keepers_of_the_Earth.html?id=HsK1IPPUAl8C

1,2,3, into the forest with me

2011-09-04T20:40:00.001-07:00

So much learning takes place, surrounded by trees...

Observations ~
Discoveries ~
Stories ~
Inspirations ~

It is SO important that we ourselves in there :)

Themes for Different Days

2011-09-04T20:06:00.001-07:00

So ~ to keep order & make sure we are hitting each "subject" each day
(along with other mini-subjects), I am planning each day of the week
like this:

Monday - Math
Tuesday - Spanish
Wednesday - Writing
Thursday - Geography History Social Studies
Friday - Science

and with the mini-subjects infused, it's going to be something like this:

Monday - Math ~ games, new spelling words, knitting
Tuesday - Spanish, crafts, songs
Wednesday - Writing, grammer, language arts, form drawing
Thursday - Geography History Social Studies, watercolor painting
Friday - Science, cooking, baking, home skills, health & safety stuff

All learning of all kinds is welcome, any day, of course - along with
tons of independent reading and spur of the moment projects - but this
theme thing keeps us focused on a weekly rhythm and flow or umm, at
least kinda guided in a direction for a bit anyways :)

Most of our local field trips will be a history or science theme, so we
will plan those on Thursday or Friday

Summer's Over ~ Last Year's Recap

2011-08-27T04:43:00.001-07:00

Wrapping up the summer fun so we can re-embrace our homeschooling rhythm that honestly, has been missed!

Summer was... hot.

Mama Bear is LOVING the drop in temperature and all our minds seem well-rested and ready to go :)

I must give some serious kudos to act of blogging out our homeschool milestones.... Last year, when it came time to put together an end of the year portfolio for the school district, it was a big blessing to have my little log here to see what all we did, have examples at the ready for all required subjects and personally, looking back through the posts, reassured me that we had done plenty! And it was fun to be reminded of the activities I forgot we did, haha!

So I'm telling you this because it may also benefit your homeschooling records to blog about all the cool stuff you do & just have it together somewhere. Be at the ready to report :) Blogger here has free blogging tools AND, this is big, if you are wanting to keep your life-goings private, just don't publish your blog publicly. You can create a blog that only you can see or even select others who have a password. I actually do this for a picture blog that's just for the grandmas to log in & see the kids. No need for everyone to see the two dozen pics of the kids eating ice cream :) that's private!

Haha, wishing you lots of laughs, lots of learning fun!
Sadie @allnaturalme

Play Clay on the Porch

2011-04-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

The Spring air is so lovely to be in and the girls are of course, wanting to be outside but they kinda needed something constructive to do so Mama set up a play clay station... and she sees they have found it.

Enjoy you & yours!!

Easter Dye & May Day Fabric Coloring

2011-04-23T08:47:00.001-07:00

Mama may need to rethink her "all natural me" colorings for next year... they dyes certainly would've been more vibrant with more dye material. Like if my dear little ones didn't eat ALL the beets, the pot would've had more umph than just left over juice to work with! Haha, definetely noted for next year!

Would love to hear of any simple plans, songs & verses for upcoming May Day that your family enjoys ~

Much Love!
Sadie

Painting Easter Colors

2011-04-22T12:58:00.001-07:00

Mama's glad the kids have finally focused this rainy day chaos energy into a creative moment.

Perhaps we will now be able to settle enough to color eggs, make tissue flowers and plant some seeds for Earth day... wow, a lot happening this weekend!

Have fun!

Lacing Beads

2011-04-12T18:52:00.000-07:00

Clothing Mayham

2011-04-12T18:33:00.001-07:00

We are overly abundant in the wardrobe area (thanks grandma) and this scene was becoming way to familiar, so... a vanity dressor intervention had to happen.

Nice to see you again clean space!

A Lucky Trap for St. Patty's Day

2011-04-12T18:09:00.001-07:00

Observing Groundhog Phil

2011-04-12T18:01:00.001-07:00

Every time our Punxy library books are due, the kids get to peek at ol' Phil ~ pretty fun for them.

Play Clay Sculpting

2011-04-12T17:52:00.001-07:00

Making a mini termite hill with little sister around to keep things interesting...

64 Days of Peace - Day 30 AMENDS

2011-02-28T06:15:00.000-08:00

Be inspired today to heal a broken relationship by giving a sincere apology from the heart. Not always the easiest tasks, but certainly well worth it!

Make amends & lift burdens... it will benefit everyone!

64 Days of Peace - Day 29 FORGIVENESS

2011-02-27T10:11:00.000-08:00

Release yourself from the past.

64 Days of Peace - Day 28 LISTENING

2011-02-26T09:20:00.001-08:00

Listen from the heart. It is a great gift to gift someone to really hear what they are saying and to understand the emotions they are trying to express.

Today, give your attention - fully, in this now moment.

Presidents Day

2011-02-25T15:35:00.001-08:00

Mama was happy that interest arose on its own to learn about the presidents ~

We have this fact cards which were handy and one book, which was plenty. The best part was when Ayden weaved a patriotic red, white & blue pot holder.

Days of Peace - Days 25, 26, 27 FRIENDLINESS, RESPECT, GENEROSITY

2011-02-25T13:16:00.001-08:00

Humorist Will Rogers said strangers were simply friends he hadn't met. View those you encounter in those light, offer smiles and make new friends.

Gandhi taught "Language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers." Choose to say words that respect yourself and others.

Mother Theresa said, "There is a hidden poverty more pervasive than lack of money. It is the poverty of the heart." Give generously of your time, attention and resources to others.

Give FRIENDLINESS, RESPECT & GENEROSITY from the heart and watch it flow from person to person. Give mindfully and it flows back to enrich you!

64 Days of Peace - Day 24 HARMONY

2011-02-22T07:36:00.001-08:00

Bring Harmony today!

See the good in yourself and in other people. Remember, we are all brothers and sisters living here on Earth Mother.

Say only good things about others today - no gossiping!

64 Days of Peace - Day 23 PRAYER

2011-02-21T05:25:00.001-08:00

"Prayer from the heart can achieve what nothing else in the world can." ~Gandhi

Begin and end the day with a prayer for peace. Visualise peace in your friends, community and world. Let peace begin with you!

64 Days of Peace - Day 22 MISSION

2011-02-20T01:19:00.001-08:00

"My life is my message," Gandhi said.

Gandhi's mission was to be nonviolent. What is your life's mission? Think about what you want to bring to the world. What are your intentions? Write down some of your ideas or make a collage from pictures in magazines of all the things you want in your life.

64 Days of Peace - Day 21 INSPIRATION

2011-02-19T11:22:00.001-08:00

Think of someone who inspires you to be a better person and apply it to your life to inspire others!

64 Days of Peace - Day 20 SELF-FORGIVENESS

2011-02-19T11:18:00.001-08:00

You are greater than any mistake you have ever made.

When you judge yourself, you tend to believe that who you are is what you have or don't have. Knowing now that you are greater than these things, forgive yourself for forgetting the good that is in you.

Be gentle with yourself.

Valentine's Day Still Lingers Near

2011-02-17T11:36:00.001-08:00

What a delicious week ~ the kids have been lovely & have had lots of fun making valentines.

Mama made tissue flowers from vintage sewing patterns which I will post on allnaturalme.com/blog ~ just as soon as this springish sun stops shining!

64 Days of Peace - Day 19 ACCEPTANCE

2011-02-17T09:44:00.001-08:00

Today, choose not to judge yourself and instead, see all the ways you are unique, loving, capable and bright!

Accept yourself just as you are. Look into the mirror and say "I love you".

You are the strongest of the strong and are here on this planet with great purpose. Let go of the need to judge yourself and others. Know that everything in your life is unfolding perfectly.

64 Days of Peace - Day 18 FREEDOM

2011-02-17T09:38:00.001-08:00

Realize that you are the leader of you in your life!

Let yourself be who you are and don't allow anyone to influence you differently. Be free and nothing can stop you!

64 Days of Peace - Day 17 INTEGRITY

2011-02-17T09:35:00.001-08:00

Do the right thing. Even if no one is around to see you!

Listen to your conscience ~ you always know what is right.

64 Days of Peace - Day 16 GRATITUDE

2011-02-17T09:31:00.001-08:00

Life is a gift!

Give thanks to the people and situations in your life.

Start a gratitude journal, I call mine my Grateful Goddess Appreciation Journal, and everyday, list 5 things you are thankful for. It is an amazing tool for self-growth and discovery!

Valentine Song

2011-02-15T13:34:00.001-08:00

Sung to the tune of Do You Know the Muffin Man ~

Geography Naturally

2011-02-15T13:31:00.001-08:00

"Mom, Where's Egypt?"

The seed of geographic wonder has sprouted...

64 Days of Peace - Day 15 REVERENCE

2011-02-13T11:48:00.001-08:00

Did you ever see something that took your breath away?

Today we focus on how beautiful our world is, and how beautiful we are. Let's not focus on the negative.

64 Days of Peace - Day 14 HUMILITY

2011-02-12T06:43:00.001-08:00

So we're human and we make mistakes... All we should do is grow from them, no dwelling!

Live and learn and be humble... Your divine light will shine through.

64 Days of Peace - Day 13 CREATIVITY

2011-02-11T15:45:00.001-08:00

Everyday and in every single thing we do, we can express ourselves creatively ~ I love it!!

64 Days of Peace - Day 12 GROUNDEDNESS

2011-02-10T06:44:00.000-08:00

Are you like a tree with strong deep roots that hold you firm no matter what storms may come?

Or are you a tumbleweed, blown about by whatever winds may come?

When we are grounded in truth, when we find meaning and purpose in our lives, we contribute to the well-being of all.

64 Days of Peace - Day 11 CONTEMPLATION

2011-02-09T10:53:00.001-08:00

Today sit quiet and breathe... letting your mind think about all the good things in your life. Listen to your breath as long as you wish.

64 Days of Peace - Day 10 FAITH

2011-02-08T13:57:00.001-08:00

When we come up against an obstacle in our lives, it is having faith that shows us every closed door is an open window.

Today have faith. Think about what you want and know that it is possible!

64 Days of Peace - Day 9 DREAMING

2011-02-08T13:52:00.001-08:00

Dreaming is the first step to doing.

Honor your dreams for peace & do it today!

64 Days of Peace - Day 8 HEALING

2011-02-08T13:48:00.001-08:00

Everything happens for a reason.

When we remember that we grow & mature from challenging experiences, then we can even look to times of pain & agony as times of blessing because we know we can turn anything into a gift.

It can all be positive if we allow it.

64 Days of Peace - Day 7 EDUCATION

2011-02-08T13:42:00.000-08:00

Knowledge strengthens your conviction and deepens your wisdom & understanding.

War is born from ignorance. Education is a powerful tool for peace.

Make everyday a Love to Learn day!

64 Days of Peace - Day 6 SIMPLICITY

2011-02-04T21:27:00.001-08:00

Our lives are as complicated as we make them.

A day to remember to allow simplicity to reign ~ in our schedules, rhythm, lives and bookshelves. Yes! Free yourself from drama and clutter!

Student Chalk Art - Lego Space

2011-02-03T05:34:00.001-08:00

Good Job Ayden!!
(8 yr)

Hope the month you are counting down to Lego Space goes quick :) LOVE the shuttle!!

Candlemas Verse

2011-02-03T05:32:00.001-08:00

64 Days of Peace - Days 4&5 CARING & BELIEVING

2011-02-03T02:53:00.001-08:00

Both very important in having reverence for oneself ~ taking care of our spirit, mind & body while at the same time, believing we are worthy and capable... of peace, of anything, of everything!

64 Days of Peace - Day 3 APPRECIATION

2011-02-01T11:49:00.000-08:00

In my opinion, appreciation is the essence of life!

I told my children, when we give thanks & gratitude to everything - EVERYTHING, our hearts fill full of love and loving hearts, fill the world with peace.

APPRECIATE yourself, your body, your home, your food, your air, your breath, your love, your family, your voice, your toys, your knowledge and the countless attributes that make you ~ You!

Happy Handwork

2011-02-01T08:15:00.001-08:00

No prompting from Mama Bear!

Love it :)

64 Days of Peace - Day 2 SMILING

2011-01-31T12:29:00.001-08:00

Nothing like a friendly smile to say, I like you! I love you!

Bring peace into the word by smiling to all those you meet today.

Set the tone and see how others respond to you :)

64 Days of Peace - Day 1 COURAGE

2011-01-30T06:54:00.001-08:00

The Season of Peace and Nonviolence has begun!

It takes COURAGE to listen to our hearts. Let us choose peace!!

To celebrate & reflect, the children found today's peace crane & word and we lit a candle. We thought of times when COURAGE was called and then made wishes for peace.

This song arose from me (sung to Hot Cross Buns)

Love and Light
Love and Light

We are Light
We are Love

Love and Light

Lacing Blocks for Little Hands

2011-01-27T07:25:00.001-08:00

Mama is loving the re-interest in the wooden lacing blocks and beads.

Follow Us @gnomeschool

2011-01-25T19:57:00.001-08:00

If you do Twitter, connect with The Love to Learn Homeschool @gnomeschool

So far, the tweets are just going to be links & school resources that I come across online... mostly ones that I'd like to remember!

For Mama chit chat, I tweet @muchmettamama and of course there's always @allnaturalme for natural & green living talk.

Yep, 3 Twitter accounts - I think I'm good now :)

Much Love!
Sadie

Entertainment Table

2011-01-25T09:57:00.002-08:00

Stories! Audiobooks! Spider & Ladybug Magazines!

Lots of goodies from the library!

Play Clay Day

2011-01-25T09:57:00.001-08:00

We had taken a lengthy break from play dough making ~ everyone was excited for its return and the wee ones are still molding it with their hands creating lovely things.

*inhale*

Good time for a Mama break :)

Matching Games

2011-01-17T22:10:00.001-08:00

The 2 & 3 and a half year olds love to make matches!

Not together of course :)

Penguin Day

2011-01-17T22:07:00.000-08:00

What would the new year be without Penguin Appreciation Day?

A's favorite, celebrated yearly. Lightly this year, as Mama & the littlest one were a wee bit under the weather.

Sisters Love Reading

2011-01-11T20:22:00.001-08:00

One of the sweet moments today...

Gourd & Woodworking

2011-01-11T20:18:00.001-08:00

Sanding a dried birdhouse gourd along with other woodsy creating...

Paper Chain Unity People

2011-01-10T08:19:00.000-08:00

We are all one ~ Let's work together!!

2 year old Spiral Form Drawer

2011-01-07T08:58:00.000-08:00

Mama is... in love with her little one's obsession with spirals.

So cool of you Mars!!

In January Falls the Snow Verse

2011-01-05T20:00:00.001-08:00

Painting Before Dinner

2011-01-05T19:54:00.001-08:00

January evenings bring the darkness early, and what a great time for watercolor painting.

Calm Parenting @allnaturalme

2011-01-05T19:12:00.000-08:00

Whatcha Wanting Wednesday {Calm Parenting}

Lego Family Blessings

2011-01-03T09:44:00.001-08:00

After Sadie makes pancakes, it's time to bless our Lego house floor with a good sweeping and then Dreg's off to cut down another Christmas tree.

Wintery Gnomes

2011-01-03T06:57:00.001-08:00

January brings the cold and snow,
But hark, the roots begin to grow!

Cared for by Angels Verse

2011-01-03T06:49:00.001-08:00

Guarded from harm
Cared for by Angels
Stand we here
Loving and strong
Truthful and good.

Spiral into The New Year

2011-01-03T06:12:00.001-08:00

Mama is ready for her 2nd year student to arise. Is sleeping in an eight year old thing or are we all still tired from seeing the clock strike midnight for 2011?

Today we are introducing a Pie Chart that graphs our school time activities, spirals for form drawing and Lady Duchess of Divide and Share has some math problems for us to enter into the last pages of our orange good book. Then A can start his yellow one! At this rate, I'm not sure if we will complete our ROYGBV set of main lesson books unless we seriously dive into writing. Mama feels like it's time to get a bit more focused.

We also have a science gardening story from Oak Meadow second grade syllabus and our fable book to pick from. We are suppose to do that at bedtime but sometimes, that gets kicked to the curb from independent reading time. A read the entire Harry Potter series ~ now what? I vote something age appropriate ~ geesh :)

Perhaps a afternoon math lesson will happen too to expand division and "dipping into" a number.

Seems like a lot compared to the last month of unschooling & holiday celebrations ~ which were just wonderful! It is good to raise wee ones with a sense of reverence, as all our hearts can really appreciate the magic of the season.

Much Love!
Sadie from allnaturalme.com
and
The Love to Learn Homeschool

Focused Children

2010-12-20T19:00:00.001-08:00

Is it not a Mother's proudest (and quietest) moments when her wee ones are focused and deliberate in their creating?

It makes for such happy kids, really, it does.

Landscaping on Paper

2010-12-20T18:52:00.001-08:00

Fun map drawing, landscape planning, Monopoly house playing project...

Letter Writing in Sky, Grass & Dirt

2010-12-16T12:14:00.001-08:00

A line of blue & green & brown to help keep our letters soundly in their place ~ a good afternoon review for our 2nd year student!

Soup Day Songs & Verse

2010-12-15T19:46:00.000-08:00

Saint Nicholas' Day

2010-12-06T09:47:00.000-08:00

3 yr old Muffin Maker

2010-12-06T09:45:00.001-08:00

Never too young to help!

Xmas Holiday Books

2010-12-06T09:44:00.001-08:00

Time to get our cheery read on!

Swinging Along the Open Road Song

2010-12-06T09:41:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving Books

2010-12-06T09:33:00.001-08:00

P is for pilgrim was an awesome library rental!

Multiplying in the Noble Kingdom

2010-11-24T10:32:00.001-08:00

Verse from the Noble Knights of Knowledge Math program on the blackboard after we've counted with our gems putting diiferent numbers into equal groups for quicker counting.

5 mushrooms was certainly an easy one!

An example could be 16 dragonflies in 5 different ways:

16 x 1 = 16
8 x 2 = 16
1 x 16 = 16
4 x 4 = 16
2 x 8 = 16

Thankful "Hand" Made Turkeys

2010-11-22T11:42:00.001-08:00

Counting Courtyard Rhymes & Numbers 1 to 100

2010-11-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

Jack Frost

2010-11-08T05:43:00.001-08:00

Make hot cocoa and form draw.

Do some watercolor painting.

Enjoy your cozy nest today Mama Friends!!

Made by Joel Woodpecker Paper Bird

2010-11-06T13:39:00.001-07:00

Google this for a fun paper craft ~ the bird pecks its way down the string. Cute!

I will find the link & post soon!

Setting Up School for Mama

2010-11-05T21:06:00.001-07:00

We switched roles for the day and my, oh, my, was the agenda long! I had to decorate my good book, write several verses and many drawings... and, my little teacher, who worked just as hard as me but did better drawings, was super proud of his student!

Workbook Basket

2010-11-05T21:01:00.001-07:00

Major rearranging this week ~ I cleared off an entire shelf by putting all the workbooks and coloring books in a bin we can put up elsewhere and take down as wanted.

I have also made sure all games are in a drawstring fabric bag or clear plastic one so that it really does have a home to be put away in. Really trying to inspire the cleaning up thing!

Day of the Dead

2010-11-02T22:21:00.001-07:00

Rainbow Kids

2010-11-01T14:28:00.001-07:00

Homeschool Hobos

2010-11-01T14:27:00.001-07:00

Feeling the call to enjoy this autumn weather before it transforms into winter ~ so we gathered pine needles & cones for crafting!

Happy Halloween!!

2010-10-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

A Huge Collection of Indian Stories for Children

2010-10-23T07:29:00.001-07:00

http://www.indiaparenting.com/stories/

Coloring Verse by Betty Jones

2010-10-19T12:29:00.001-07:00

Today we start A's second mlb of the school year - an orange one to continue the rainbow sequence of good books.

Home Theater

2010-10-19T09:14:00.001-07:00

Our little stage that hangs in the doorway is getting lots of playtime today ~

Endangered Species Board Game (c)1976

2010-10-17T08:29:00.000-07:00

Nifty yard sale find!

Sadly, there are names I've never heard of ~ that means, research time!

Real Life Money Math

2010-10-14T10:27:00.001-07:00

Big brother is giving lessons on piggie bank budgeting and even helped organize his sister's cash flow into marked envelopes to make spending super easy!

Mama Loves Kim Kurki

2010-10-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

My most favorite section of the Your Big Back Yard magazines is ~ the Explore The Big Outdoors section with the awesome illustrations, facts weaved within and the learning poem ~ because YOU know this Mama loves verses!! They are so cool, I love them & decided to organize my stash in a binder :)

Kim Kurki ~ You Rock!!!

Chair Weaving Knot Tying

2010-10-14T10:14:00.001-07:00

A child's invention...