Co-op Day, Olympics, Drama and so much FUN!



On Monday, we had another great co-op day. How blessed we are to have this experience for our children!


This was our last ancient history co-op based on the Greeks. What better project than to have an Olympics! We had an indoor Olympics as the weather was not co-operating. The mom that organized this was so awesome, she prepared for both an indoor and an outdoor Olympics.


First, one of the moms talked to the children about the Olympics and then we watched a short video clip from Discovery Education on the Olympics. 
Then another mom helped them make their victory wreaths with fern fonds and pipe cleaners. These got set aside and then the Olympic Games began. We divided the kids up into small groups and they went from one event to another. 
We had: 
Arm Wrestling


Punching on a punching bag


“Shot Put” with cotton balls


“Discus” with paper plates


“Chariot races” with wooden spoons and rubber balls


The kids has such a great time and were laughing and smiling. The moms all joined in and measured, kept time and judged races. 


In the end the kids all got their shoes on and went out side for the torch race and got crowned with their wreaths. What a fun morning!



In the afternoon was a highlight as we had another amazing drama production by our children. They practiced their lines and went through several “dress rehearsals” with all their towels and sheets. 





This drama had weaved within it so much information about Greece. The highlight for me was seeing our children working together with joy, really enjoying their characters, taking direction and really listening to what they needed to do to make the drama better. They did such a great job!


We are so blessed to have our writer, director and producer mom!!

Well, next month we are off to Rome on the Roman Road! 
Blessings!

Another Awesome Co-op Day - Greece!


Choosing to be part of a co-op is such a joy for me! I get to see my lovely daughter as she interacts with others, and because she is home educating alone most days, these days are extra special!



When choosing your co-op mates, it just seems to me that God brings those with many different skills, talents and strengths to give our children the best of many perspectives, teaching styles, focusses and real variety in projects and interactions!
This is a HUGE blessing! So thank you moms of our co-op who make each month something wonderful! You know who you are!!



This past month we were exploring Ancient Greece. First the children learned greek letters, and made their names from the greek alphabet and a greek sign which the moms needed to figure out. Then they made Greek pendants with air dry clay. They also played “stump the parent” with riddles about Greek Gods and Goddesses. We were very stumped!! 



They did an awesome mapping activity where they worked as groups to find out how a greek ship would have traded with other ports of call and how a certain ship would have navigated the waters of the Mediterranean. 


They then presented their theory to the group. There were some great theories and various routes on the maps. 



In the afternoon our fabulous art teacher took over. The children finished grouting their mosaic pots and did a crayon resist of a Amphora vase. These turned out so well!




Then it was on to the first practice of the next play the that children will be doing. Our daughter just loves the plays that they get to perform! It is such a blessing. Our art teacher writes these plays herself with each of the children in mind. She gives them all their own special part! What a gift to our co-op this is!
We have several more amazing co-ops to come this year as we finish up Greece and travel to Rome. We are already starting to plan for next year - how exciting! Blessings!

Hands-on Earth Science with Discovery Education

I just love new terms. Fresh and shiny, just ready for lots of new ideas, new resources and new explorations! I love starting each new term knowing the promise of the learning that is ahead!



We have begun our new science unit for this term. The unit is on Earth Science. We continue to enjoy the great benefit of having my daughter's friend join us for science. This makes it so much richer. If you haven't ever done this I encourage you - invite a friend along!! 
Chemistry was so great last term that we have decided to carry on with the same format using Discovery Education’s Teams Earth Science. 
I picked up some of the needed materials on the weekend and got it organized. 
Here is a list of the videos that are in this series:
    • TEAMS: Earth Processes: Maps and Models
    • TEAMS: Earth Processes: Mountain Building
    • TEAMS: Earth Processes: Rocks and Soils
    • TEAMS: Earth Processes: Sedimentation
    • TEAMS: Earth Processes: Time and Position
    • TEAMS: Earth Processes: Weathering and Erosion
Our daughter is also doing Adaptive Curriculum and if we have time I will also have her do the Hands of a Child Lapbook of The Earth


Todays lesson on Maps and Models had a model of a contour map, so the girls covered the page with a ziplock bag and built their contours with different colors of clay. They turned out very well. 



We are looking forward to the future lessons this term and another great opportunity for hands-on science! Blessings!