Penguins & Pencils

General Conference October 2012 Jeopardy Game

2012-10-08T16:24:00.000-07:00

This is an old image, but I have been thinking about how quickly they are growing. Truly, where does the time go?

I like being involved with my kids' activities. So, I volunteered to make a couple games for my daughter's seminary class one in regards to General Conference October 2012 and another for New Testament Scripture Mastery (coming in a few days).

Then I thought maybe everyone else might like it too. I am actively building LDS type games for those who like to use technology to reinforce gospel principles.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwUgleaEzYl9SHhOejlOOHh0azQ (since this is a large file you will need to download it which you can do by clicking on File, then Download)
Sorry for the long link!

Answers to Jeopardy Game

Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy this project! Please leave comments for us, I would love to hear from you!

Legoland Discovery Center - Phipps Plaza (ATLANTA)

2012-05-05T17:54:00.001-07:00

We went to Legoland a couple of weeks ago with a bunch of homeschooling families. This attraction was great for my son and the younger children of the group. A Discovery Center has a two small rides for kids and adults, a very cool 4-D movie, a lot of interactive opportunities to hang with your kids.

It's my belief that this Discovery Center is not worth the money unless you go on a group rate or extreme discount. In my group alone, there were 5 adults (my 13 year old had to have an adult ticket) and two kids. At the full rate cost, $20.52 per adult and $16.20 per kid including taxes. Grand total: $135.00 to walk through the doors, but wait!!! I went in only because we were apart of a group - Actual price to walk in $66.00 (Amen, for discounts!!)

The Phipps Plaza Discovery Center is located in a Georgia mall, so really the entire facility is about the size of medium retail front so, would you pay to go into a store? Let's face it, these Discovery Center's are retail stores that charge admission to enter. Just like you see at Disneyland; everything leads to a retail store to purchase souvenirs or in this case Legos.

Yes, the rides are really pretty neat! The 4-D movie of 12 minutes was great for the little guys! Of course, it's really cool that you can make a cars and race them on the track, play on the "firehouse inspired" playhouse, and attend workshops to build better Lego models.

What's not cool? Kid's meals that cost $15.00 dollars --- Yes, I said 15 dollars for a kid's meal! Really! Eat before you go in this place, save your dollars!!!

Don't forget you have to walk through the Lego Store to get out? Can you say kid freak out if you don't buy something???

Will we return to the Discovery Center??? Probably not, my kids are past this kind of attraction. Some moms and dads may enjoy the break that it gives them from the little guys but that will have to be your decision.

Side note: That top photo is from the Lego Model of Atlanta!

Just my opinion,

Momma Penguin

Ren Fest (in Georgia)

2012-05-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

We love RenFest in Georgia. It comes for just a few weeks in the spring/summer time. What's the best part of RenFest for us, it's the opportunity to experience the way of life from a few centuries ago! Our penguins love to eat the MONSTER turkey legs while watching the "Strange" characters walkby.

Quick side note: There's a good chance that a few of those "strange" characters are actually our extremely talented homeschooling friends. Every year they make costumes by hand for RenFest and DragonCon (more on that in a few months),

Is RenFest for families? Well, let's be honest, there's no way to protect your family from everything in the world. The same is true with the Renaissance Festival of Georgia (In case you are wanting to go, http://www.garenfest.com/. Careful selection of shows and booths allow families to obtain a great learning experience for the kids. We definitely recommend visiting the local Renaissance Fair if you can, it's a pleasantly unique experience for all involved.

See ya there next year!!!

Summer School

2012-05-02T10:17:00.002-07:00

Do you work through the summer? Do you take breaks? Or are you just burned out??

We intend to work through the summer though we have plenty of fun, breaks and opportunities to explore planned as well. There's Digital Art Camp, Cub Scout Camp, Girls Camp, karate, visits with family, and many field trips! Oh boy, we sound busier than ever!

Tell me what about your family adventures???

2012-2013 Academic Curriculum

2012-05-02T07:06:00.000-07:00

As many homeschool moms are deciding the plans for the next academic year, I wonder.... what are you going to do with your crew of students. We have choosen to go with an academically rigorous homeschool co-op called, Scholars Guild, here in our community. We will also be learning with the Classical Conversations Essentials curriculum. We are strong believers in re-inforcement and expanding our horizons. Along with these two programs we will be studying our scriptures, Family Home Evening, and attending our many activities.

What about you? What are your plans?? How do you afford your curriculum? Do you sell and buy curriculum over the summer???

Religious Discrimination Alive and Well

2012-05-02T06:19:00.001-07:00

As the title suggested, our religious belief is under attack not just because one of the presidential candidates happens to be of the same belief. No rather due to the fact that our religion is STILL not seen as a Christian belief. This is a difficult subject for me as I don't understand why we are not seen as Christians when the name of our church clearly states, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We believe in Jesus Christ, which is the most basic terminology for a Christian, so frustrating!

Where does this little rant come from??? Well, apparently, even though I have the educational background of a lot of educators in the public school system, in the homeschool world of co-op I am not allowed to teach due to my religious preference. Yes, that's right I have been told that they will not hire me (even with the two degrees I have) because I am NOT Christian! Wait, what! I AM A CHRISTIAN! How hard is this to comprehend? What does it take to end the religious discrimination, it's crazy?

So, what do I do??? We are leaving the current homeschool co-op because of this CRAZY religious discrimination. Thankfully, we did find somewhere for the penguins to attend a homeschool co-op which has openly accepted us as of right now, hopefully that will stay true throughout the next school year.

Has anyone else had to deal with this issue?? Am I only one who thinks it's crazy that in 2012 we are still discriminating against one another????

It's been awhile

2011-06-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

I realize it's been awhile since I posted. Here's what's currently going within the family.
We have been struggling quite a bit. Daddy and Mommy Penguin are in Master's degree programs at a local college. Honestly, we are doing that because we are making sure that no matter the situation we are able to support our family, even the extended family. It's stressful but worth the struggle in the long run.

The kids were with a particular distance education schooling but we have removed them from that school due to a lack of accreditation which was why we were there. We are praying, fasting and hopefully going to the temple soon - so that we can make a decision on the upcoming year with our Heavenly Father. We want to stay with an accreditated school that follows the LDS thought process and spiritual training. What's a mom to do? UGH!

I, particularly, am struggling with the idea that my kids are growing up and need more attention. There's only so many ways a parent can go these days. Daddy Penguin parents both have had serious heart related issues in the last few months. And as I write, my father is in the hospital again with pneumonia. My mom isn't doing well either. My sister lost her home and now lives my parents, though that's another stress because she refuses the comforts of the gospel. Even demanding that a blessing for her was only intended to hurt her, like we would hurt her in anyway.

I just don't understand how I am suppose to be multiple people. I want to try for that part-time position at a LDS distance based school, but really can I do that with school for myself, homeschooling three beautifully unique children and caring for the family (ALL of the family). note: 74% of the time I acquire a 4th children for one reason or another.

Suggestions, comments?

Summertime Thoughts

2010-06-08T07:07:00.001-07:00

It's official! Summertime is CHAOS! I had to say enough is enough! I have three children so, you can only imagine the scheduling madness. This month each child has a summer camp to attend. Please notice I said A summer camp like ONE. I don't understand why parents think children need to be on a schedule so packed with activities. I am a strong believer that children need a chance to be a kid and PLAY!
We also continue with school work though not on a FULL SPEED AHEAD (Yes, my hubby and I were in the Navy.) Three months is just too long to go without stimulating the brain with information that it needs to remember.
The kids will spend their 2-weeks with the grandparents in another during the first two weeks of July. I know, I know -- imagine the peace and quiet that I could enjoy during those two weeks. Actually, I use those two weeks for planning, developing and acquiring the curriculum that I need for the upcoming year. I have to be organized or I get discouraged. Does that happen to you too?
So by the time August comes around -- we are ready to go back to school! The kids in area will be going to school for an amazing 160 days this upcoming year. Yes, that's right - One hundred and sixty days out of three hundred and sixty five days in a year. That's 1/3 of a year -- what on earth is this country doing to the children of this country? The answer is DUMBing them down!

Goals for the month of May, 2010

2010-05-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

I am going to list what the plan is for the month of May, 2010 for our homeschool lesson plans. Then at the end of the month, I will report on our list of accomplishments. I do this because Princess Penguin is struggling with following through with her projects. We have alot of start ups, but little completed. So here goes:

1. Complete the lower level review work in Time4Learning for ALL Penguins
2. Finish Discover the Scriptures Book of Mormon Lower Grades Book
3. Reading Fluency improvements with daily reading, Grandma Reading lessons, and reduced TV time
4. 30-days of continuous journal writing for Angel and Princess - a goal for their Achievement Girls' progress
5. Articles of Faith memorization - All 13 (again, a goal for their Achievement Girls' progress and soon Duty to God for Buddy)
6. Real Math Experiences - Budgets, Cooking, Monopoly, etc...
7. Daily Scripture Reading
8. Schedule Yearly Testing (All three penguins)
9. Princess will work continuously on her writing projects! (Hopefully, to completion!)
10. RENFEST
11. History, Discovery and Food Network Channels (Educational Television)
12. Gardening
13. Writing Contests
14. Blogging/Journaling
15. Genealogy
16. Service Projects
17. Household Chores

What's your plans for the month of May? I know we have a busy schedule. I prefer it that way - I don't like to be idol for too long. It's important to show the penguins that life happens while we are working towards our goals.

March - April Curriculum Review

2010-04-16T17:04:00.000-07:00

The last two months we have been working on multiple projects:

All of the penguins are currently working on:
Discover the Scriptures Book of Mormon Grades 1-3 while it's a bit young for them this curriculum is a fun way to bring book of mormon studies to the front burner.
Time4learning - each kids does at least one round of time4learning per day including saturday while they realize they are learning they are also having alot of fun with the curriculum. I also get a chance to see where each penguin is having issues.

Angel and Buddy are still working on their reading fluency but great advances have been made already.
Princess reads the Classics for fun!

Monopoly, Budgeting and Cooking has been our math/sciences as of right now - I find my penguins love to learn by doing.

Then's there's Princess with her guitar practice, Angel with Art projects, and Buddy with his Star Wars and Space exploration.

We have been to DisneyWorld all four parks which was a blast!
We haven't been going full speed due to extend illness with Angel though I still believe we are making progress.

Flat Stanley Project

2010-04-15T14:12:00.001-07:00

We were priviledged to be visited by Flat Stanley this week. We are apart of the http://www.ldspenpalsflatstanley.com/ project. Be sure to check our visit out in the next few days - we don't know where he's going but we Definitely had fun with our visit! Thanks Jaelle

Wow, is your schedule as crazy as mine seems...

2010-04-11T21:53:00.000-07:00

First, this is a 1 am post due to two little people who are struggling to sleep as they should. Angel will be like this for awhile due an extend illness. While Buddy has always been a fitful sleeper. I don't mind though, I actually enjoy watching my little people sleep. Even Princess is cute sleeping with her bedful of stuffed animals.

Just some rumbling thoughts:

Anyways, I am looking at my schedule for the upcoming month and it seems like we are on the go so much more than usual. Is that normal for your family too? We usually attempt to keep the appointments to one day week, but the next few weeks if not months we seem to have appointments almost everyday for one or more family members including Grandpa. As I care for him when mom just cannot do it because of one reason or another. Isn't that weird how that happens as family we are constantly and always caring for one another if not a parent but as the child caring for the parent. Interesting. It's a weird place to be when the child has to care for the parent as a parent instead of vice versa. I find it difficult to balance being the child and respecting the parent while still caring for the parent because their health is failing and they need to be cared for like a child. (Frustrating.)

I have followers!!! Awesome!!

2010-04-02T18:35:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! I have followers on my blog. Thanks so much for joining me. I hope we will come good friends!

UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to illness with my sweet Angel -- I will not be able to attend the Midwest Homeschool Conference. I will be at the Latter Day Saint Homeschool Conference in Buena Vista, Virginia. My sweet hubby and I agree that I need the strength from other LDS moms. I called it Mommy Conference Time!!

Striving for Success...

2010-03-17T20:40:00.001-07:00

Well, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a compliment from my in-laws today. My MIL called and told me that my FIL was impressed with leaps and bounds that my sweet Buddy has made since we "pulled" him from public school. (Big Smile for me!) I really needed to hear those sweet words today.

Monopoly counts as Math, right?

2010-03-12T15:21:00.000-08:00

The kids played monopoly the "correct" way for at least a few hours today. So, I am going to count this as math class because they were actively working with money during those hours. Other than reading aloud and cooking tonight, I am going to have to call it a day. We have an additional kid with us today, so I am not being lazy. I just can't seem to get everyone to move in the same way today! Monday is another day!

P.S. Tracking the weather counts as Science, right? We have been tracking yet another winter storm across our state today too.

Reading is Essential!

2010-03-11T07:22:00.000-08:00

Angel and Buddy have been attending "Reading Class" with their Grammy. Grammy has taught quite a few students to read with fluency within a summer so, Angel and Buddy will benefit greatly from her skills. Princess can reading at a 10th grade level so, we challenged her to read a 150 books by the end of the year. We have no doubt that she will complete this challenge before the holidays are even in the horizon. The ultimate goal of reading class is fluency for the Angel and Buddy so, that reading isn't an everyday battle.

We have been looking at several classical curriculums while compiling a list of must reads for our family. We are quickly becoming thrilled with the adventure of reading from these many lists of essential classical books.

Along with the reading classes (3 times a week for 2 hours each day), we are currently working on English worksheets, Mammoth Math, Discover the Scriptures, reading our scriptures as a family, and working on cooking lessons. We have planned to complete all of the Discover the Scriptures units - they are fantastic!

Change in Progress: I plan on going to the Midwest Homeschool Convention in April of this year. I am in search for new suggestions for science and math. All of the kids love math and science but get bored so quickly. I really want to attend the LDS Homeschool Eastern US Conference in Virginia that happens in May - but like everyone in this economy I don't know if the finances will allow it. (still hoping, though)

Hooray! There's a place for Latter-Day Saint Homeschooling Families...

2010-03-10T06:32:00.001-08:00

If you didn't know it yet, there's a new website for latter-day saint families who choose to homeschool their children. Just click on the button at the side and you will be magically sent to this wonderful asset to all. Hope to see you there soon!

Blogging again

2010-03-10T05:36:00.000-08:00

I am having to start over on our homeschooling blog due to issues with the server. Since the last blog post, we have left k12 due to the constant red-tape balance game. In our state we were required to attend online sessions daily which wasn't an issue to me. What I struggled with for a long time was the amount of time required of the parents to be in "meetings" on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. There were many times when I spent 3-5 hours on the computer in "teleconferences" and phone calls before I even got the chance to teach my three children their daily lessons. Every frustrating.... so we took the leap into independent homeschooling.

We were public schoolers until January of 2009, when we became just disgusted with the local school system. As previously discussed, we joined the k12 program at first within our state. At first it was wonderful and FREE, but the frustrations grew quickly.

Now, we are a bit more relaxed about how we do school. The kids do all their work but I don't stress about where and what we need to do as much. Currently, we are a mixture of Classical (we love to read), Thomas Jefferson, and student influenced. We have three every different children who have different needs in their education. The Princess loves to read - and can devour books in a day. The Angel prefers hands on activities -- she's also an aspiring artist! Then there's Buddy - he loves to learn but needs many breaks and a lot of patience to excel.

I am going to stop for now as I need to start the day with the children, but I promise I will be back really soon.

Pensguins & Pencils

2009-08-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

We decided as a family that the local public school system was not for our children. In hindsight, we can see that our decison was the right one for our family! The children are making leaps and bounds in their academic progress. Our decision has and will bring many blessings to our family!

We use the k12 curriculum through the Georgia Virtual Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. We love how this program gives us the freedom to learn on the child's pace. We love how the state of Georgia pays for this system for our children. We love how our special needs are being cared for by teachers who truly care about my children.