Backyard Habitat

In order to tie science in with our studies of the globe, we are looking at the different ecosystems that correlate with each country. This includes a weekly nature walk. For our first nature walk, we were to examine the habitat in our backyard. Since we haven't watered all summer, it was looking a little barren. We walked down the street to the lushly watered apartment complex and explored their habitat instead.

The goal: to become aware of different elements in your surroundings/habitat.

First we roped of an area and took a look, recording our observations.











Then we got an even closer look.

As the Orange Turns

We began our study of the world by comparing globes and maps.
The goal: to help the kids understand how the world is distorted in a flat map.

They drew the world onto an orange











then peeled it and tried to lay it flat.














And then we ate it.

My Father's World

We are using a new curriculum this year, called My Father's World. I love, love, love it. I had looked at it in the past, but the price really scared me off. Well, after a few years of doing all the planning myself (which meant being tied to stacks of papers and books on a Sunday afternoon when I'd rather be hanging with my family), I decided it was worth a little moolah to buy a teacher's manual that had done all the thinking already. I am hoping this will open up a little more time for the fun things, like crafts, cooking, science experiments, and nature walks.

I decided to use ECC (Exploring Countries and Cultures) this year. We are taking a trip around the world, studying diverse countries, learning geography, and reading about missionaries.

We watched a movie over the summer, called The Other Side of Heaven. It is the story of a missionary in the Tongan islands. It gave them a real picture in their mind of what it is like for a missionary to enter a strange culture and land and spread the word of God.

On the first day of school, Z and E filled out their "passport applications" and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their new "passports". Since we are studying North America first, they won't be needing them for a few weeks...........

Let the adventure begin!

Back to School

We started a back to school this week.

Z (3rd grade) and E (2nd grade) are still home with me.



M (7th grade) and B (6th grade) headed out to middle school.

Marathon of Fun

On Labor Day, B and I had planned to work around the house. However, I awoke around 6 AM with the inspiration to throw our plans out the window and just have a little fun. So, we loaded up the kids and headed out to the coast. On the drive over, we asked each person to choose something they would like to do, I wrote it all down and stuck it in the visor of the car. It was our last day of summer bucket list and we weren't coming home till we checked everything off the list!

M wanted to rent a sandboard






























B wanted some clam chowder at Mo's





























Z wanted to do some letterboxing

BJ wanted to get some saltwater taffy














E wanted to see the Sea Lion Caves

I wanted to hike the Hobbit Trail

and we all wanted to play on the beach