Homeschool Connections

Star Wars Phonics: Activity #1

2014-02-21T10:02:00.000-05:00

One of the behaviors of autism spectrum disorder and Dabrowski's gifted overexcitabilities is hyperfocus and obsessions. Some frequent special interests are Legos, minecraft, Star Wars, Titanic, Subway, etc. It can be very difficult to redirect a child to anything outside of his interest.

So what's a mom to do?

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

One activity I have found that will capture my hyper-focused child's attention is to use word cards combined with Star Wars characters.

I downloaded some Star Wars printables from Teachers Notebook, cut out the characters, and glued them on construction paper. It would be great to have these laminated for durability.

For the activity, I put all the Abeka short vowel word cards on the floor and have my child make sentences. Sometimes we write extra words on paper; sometimes we just say any extra words that are needed.

"Darth Vader [chews] gum."

"Princess Leia met Luke Skywalker and zip[ped down] the hill."

Simple and effective.

Visual-Spatial Games

2014-02-05T15:39:00.000-05:00

My children are interested in drafting, architecture, and engineering.

Here is my collection of visual-spatial exercises and games.

Measurement
Ruler Game

Angle Identification Puzzles
Angle Rotation to Jewel

Jigsaw Puzzles
President Rotation Puzzle
Animal Puzzles
Customizable Jigsaw Puzzles

Tangram and Similar Puzzles
Place It Square Game
Tangrams

Tetris Puzzles
Tetris
3D Tetris

Assessments
Visual Spatial Test
Purdue Spatial Test

Visual Acuity
Stick Pattern Match
Color Puzzle

Construction Puzzles
Build a Rail Line

Cartesian Coordinate Games
Transformation
Find the Alien
Shape Mods (This one is awesome!)

Ice Storm: 4 Essentials You Don't Want to be Without

2014-01-28T12:19:00.003-05:00

The weatherman had the audacity to use the ‘s’ word on the air: ‘snow’! Those of us around here in South Georgia and North Florida know that dem’s fightin’ words. It’s a Yankee invasion all over again. Gov. Deal has put in a diplomatic request for Minnesota to come get this stuff and take it back where it belongs, but I hear negotiations are icy.

I suppose we will have to prepare. Here is a list of essentials:

1) Bread, milk, and eggs.

Everyone knows that the most important thing anyone needs in an emergency is hefty supply of French toast. Please hurry to the store and buy them out. You might want to spring for some cinnamon and syrup, too. Oh, and maybe some powdered sugar.

2) Deodorant

Ice is heavy. It knocks over trees. Which knock over power lines. Which renders hot water heaters useless. Which leads to stinky people. Stock up on deodorant. Those with teenagers should grab at least three and double up on the French toast supplies, too.

3) Board games

You will need a fair way to determine who goes first when it’s time to resort to cannibalism. I recommend something fairly straight forward like Chutes and Ladders. Candyland would not be advisable here. When people are already salivating over you, you don’t want them thinking of food any more than they already are. If you have a significant knowledge of random information, you might want to aim for trivia-style games. Here’s where your expertise in sci-fi celebrities of the 1970s can really be helpful.

4) Flashlights

No matter the emergency, there is always a run on flashlights despite the fact that there was a run on them during the last emergency three months ago. Where did all the flashlights go? It’s simple. They shrank, just like wool sweaters and favorite jeans shrink. Between hurricane season and ice storms, while no one is looking, they migrate under the bed and slowly waste away. I hear this happens with snow shovels, too. Please help spread the word. Tool Migration Awareness benefits us all.

Dear reader, do be sensible, prepare, and act wisely. The Red Cross and other websites have great recommendations on what supplies you should have on hand during bad weather. Keep safe and stay warm.

Table for Nine

2014-01-18T16:32:00.000-05:00

There is a new column in the Thomasville Townie called Table for Nine. Written by yours truly, it tells the tales and antics of my large family.

This first column is about how children change the laws of physics.

CLICK HERE TO READ! Page 2, Upper left.

Enjoy!

Arbor Day Poster Contest

2014-01-17T20:14:00.004-05:00

Every year the Thomasville Garden Club selects a school from which to invite children to participate in their Arbor Day Poster Contest. This year they chose *drum roll* HOMESCHOOLERS, grades K-3rd, in Thomas and neighboring counties.
There are even prizes! $15 for 1st place in each grade and $25 for the overall winner.

Here are some tips from the TGC:

Poster Tips

1. A good poster has a bold and simple design.

2. Its message is easily understood, and is delivered both in picture and in text.

3. Try providing paper to children in order to initiate the program.

4. Posters will be judged 20 percent each for: originality, design, slogan, artwork, and overall effectiveness of the message.

Poster Ideas

Have students think about how useful trees are for our community, our animal friends and for having fun.

Many animals, such as birds, squirrels, raccoons and a variety of insects, spend much of their lives in trees. These animals are born in trees, live in trees, raise their young in trees and seldom come down to the ground. Trees provide them shelter from the weather and from enemies. Trees provide food in the form of fruits, nuts, leaves, bark, and roots. Even dead trees provide shelter and food for many insects.

Many types of trees provide food for people too. Apples, pears, peaches and cherries come from trees, as do nuts like walnuts and hazelnuts. Trees make our world a nicer place. Image your neighborhood without trees. Parks and campgrounds would certainly not be the same without trees. We all love the sight of trees.

The quality of our environment - the air, soil and water - depends on the roles trees play. Trees help create rain as they expel moisture into the atmosphere: their roots draw it from the soil and their leaves return it to the air. Trees clean the air we breathe by taking in carbon dioxide through the leaves and then giving off oxygen we need to breathe. If trees didn't breathe, neither could we. Roots help hold soil in place to prevent erosion which not only saves soil, but also keeps our waterways cleaner. You may have observed that water is usually cleaner when there is an abundance of trees. Trees provide shade in the summer to help cool our homes. In the winter, they block wind to help warm our homes.

Then there is fun. Climbing trees, swinging in tire swings, adventures under trees hiding from our friends and having a picnic in the shade of a tree.

There are many ways to express how trees are useful other than cutting down and using it for lumber.

Poster Rules

1. All poster entrees must be sponsored by a local Garden Club.

2. Posters must feature trees.

3. Arbor Day posters must include the theme: Trees – How Useful They Can Be.

4. Each entry should be 12 x 18 inches in size (large construction paper is ideal for this).

5. Materials that can be used include: crayons, markers, poster paints, water colors, etc. The choice of paper is up to the child.

6. No three-dimensional posters, computer scanned, or electronically generated images will be accepted.

7. Check for spelling. Posters with misspelled words will be disqualified.

8. Put the following information on the back of the poster in the lower-right corner: The artist’s name and grade. If it is permissible, please include the teacher’s name, and the address, phone number, and email address for the artist and/or their parent or guardian. Be cautious if using a dark marker as it may show through. This information may be either written directly on the back of the poster or written on a separate sheet of paper that is then pasted in place.

9. Posters are to be completed by individual student.

10. Deadline is February 5, 2014 to the Thomasville Garden Club, Inc. representative

What is Arbor Day?

The first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska. It was the brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton (1832-1902), a Nebraska journalist and politician originally from Michigan. Throughout his long and productive career, Morton worked to improve agricultural techniques in his adopted state and throughout the United States when he served as President Grover Cleveland's Secretary of Agriculture. But his most important legacy is Arbor Day.

Morton felt that Nebraska's landscape and economy would benefit from the wide-scale planting of trees. He set an example himself planting orchards, shade trees and wind breaks on his own farm and he urged his neighbors to follow suit. Morton's real opportunity, though, arrived when he became a member of Nebraska's state board of agriculture. He proposed that a special day be set aside dedicated to tree planting and increasing awareness of the importance of trees.

Nebraska's first Arbor Day was an amazing success. More than one million trees were planted. A second Arbor Day took place in 1884 and the young state made it an annual legal holiday in 1885, using April 22nd to coincide with Morton's birthday.

In the years following that first Arbor Day, Morton's idea spread beyond Nebraska with Kansas, Tennessee, Minnesota and Ohio all proclaiming their own Arbor Days. Today all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day with Georgia being the third Friday in February. At the federal level, in 1970, President Richard Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day. Arbor Day is also now celebrated in other countries including Australia. Variations are celebrated as 'Greening Week' of Japan, 'The New Year's Days of Trees' in Israel, 'The Tree-loving Week' of Korea, 'The Reforestation Week' of Yugoslavia, 'The Students' Afforestation Day' of Iceland and 'The National Festival of Tree Planting' in India. Julius Sterling Morton would be proud. Sometimes one good idea can make a real difference.

For the homeowner, Arbor Day is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the trees on your property and plan for the future. Inspect your trees. Note any broken branches or evidence of disease or insect infestation. Think about how planting new trees might improve the look of your property or provide wind or heat protection. Take a trip to your local nursery to see what's available and to get new ideas. Walk around your neighborhood. Are there any public areas where tree planting or tree maintenance might make a real difference to your community? Talk with your neighbors. Find out what their opinions are. And, oh yes, plant a tree.

Thomasville Garden Club, Inc. Representative:

Mary Tomlinson

Arbor Day Poster Chairman

Telephone: 229/226-6649 (Home)

229/403-6046 (Cell)

Victorian Fun!

2014-01-14T08:23:00.000-05:00

American Heritage Girls Troop FL1230 (and siblings) visited the Thomas County Historical Society this week. They learned about the history of Thomas County and toured a log house, a middle class Victorian house, and bowled in an original private Victorian bowling alley.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT AHG

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January Sunflowers

2014-01-13T13:53:00.003-05:00

The Cairo Homeschoolers are hopping this month! They don't let the cold keep
them down.

Students learned about Van Gogh and practiced painting sunflowers. Don't they look summery?

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS CO-OP AND OTHER GEORGIA CO-OPS.

Team Lean: The Ultimate Low-Calorie, Paleo, Vegan Meal

2014-01-12T19:53:00.000-05:00

Stop the presses!

I've found the BEST meal ever!

Faux couscous.

Or better yet. Fouscous.

Oh, yes. Fouscous.

Couscous is made from semolina. It's like a noodle, but crumbly, if that makes any sense. It's really yummy, too, but our family is gluten-free, so wheat-based couscous is a no-go for us.

This stuff is made from cauliflower.

Cauliflower is crazy high in vitamin C, magnesium, B-6, and molybdenum. It's GREAT for you. Like most vegetables, it's really low in calories (only about 150 calories per head). I don't know about you, though, but that's not enough to make me eat it raw.

When I saw a similar recipe over at Melanie Johnson's blog, Antiquated Notions, I was torn. I despise raw cauliflower, but out of my love for and deprivation from couscous, I decided to give it a try. I developed this recipe for the stovetop and gave it a Northern African flavor (that's from where couscous originates).

Here we go!

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower
1 large onion
2T fat
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. corriander
2 pinches dried basil
1/8 tsp. garam masala

Chop one cauliflower and one large onion into small pieces. Pulse them in the food processor until it resembles small crumbles (couscous). Set aside until all of the cauliflower is crumbly.

Heat 2 T of your choice of fat (olive oil, coconut oil, butter, etc.). When it is melted, add 1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic and the cauliflower/onion mixture. While cooking add 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. cumin, 2 tsp. ground coriander seed, 2 pinches of dried basil, 1/8 tsp. garam masala (or just cloves, if you don't have garam masala). Cook, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned and fragrant (about 10 minutes).

And that's it.

For an extra punch of nutrients, add a side of collard greens. I found some pre-chopped last week and about did a dance in the store (I despise chopping greens even more than I despise eating raw cauliflower).

For extra protein, throw in some fava beans, or pintos or navy beans, if (like me) you don't have a local source for favas.

One batch of this feeds about 5 people, so for my crew, I make two heads. No one left the table hungry. You can absolutely STUFF yourself on this with minimal caloric impact. Eating a quarter of a batch would be about 80 calories. Add a side of greens, some beans, and you are set for the best low calorie meal ever!

This is a homeschooling blog, so here's the educational bit. Cauliflower is so called because the farmer ties the leaves up over the flower buds (the white part) to make it especially white. The leaves look like a hood, or caul, ergo CAUL-i-FLOWER.

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Dry Ice #10: Poppers!

2014-01-09T09:08:00.002-05:00

This is the tenth segment in a series on dry ice experiments. CLICK HERE FOR SAFETY INFORMATION.

While the bubble volcano was the most impressive experiment we did, the poppers were the most fun. Each child got a small container; we used cocoa boxes, raisin canisters, anything that could hold liquid and had a semi-tight fitting lid.

Using sharp scissors (be careful, kids, don't run!), we cut a small (like in the lid. I then placed a small piece (1" long or less) piece of dry ice in the container and fill it with warm water. The lid was placed back on. That was cool enough because
the mist would shoot up through the hole. It looked like a steam engine (it's the Hogwarts Express!).

Then a child placed his finger over the hole. Pressure would build up and POP!! the lid would burst off enough to release the pressure. Once refitted, the entire sequence could begin again. The kids LOVED it. They each got their own, so there was no need to take turns.

Some kids even took the glycerine solution and made their own mini bubble volcanos.

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Dry Ice #9: Bubble Volcano

2014-01-09T08:31:00.002-05:00

This is the ninth segment in a series on dry ice experiments. CLICK HERE FOR SAFETY INFORMATION.

The other experiments were fun, but this one was by far the favorite! We made HUGE bubbles of mist that would then pop and shower and the table in clouds of vapor.

Combine in a small bowl or jar: 1 cup of water, 1/4 cup dish soap, and 1/4 cup glycerine (this can be petrol or vegetable based). This solution lasted us the entire day, and we did this experiment a LOT because it was so cool.

Place a sizeable chunk (at least 3-4 inches) in a large bowl. I used my baking bowl which is approximately
14" across. Pour warm water over the top. I did not measure how much water I used, I simply poured it from a pitcher until the mist was copious.

Dip a strip of cloth about 2 inches wide by the width of the bowl plus 8 inches long into the glycerine solution. Saturate it. Don't let it waste solution, but it should be slightly drippy.

Hold the strip taut and run it over the edge of the bowl. A bubble layer will form over the mouth of the bowl and begin to fill with mist. When the bubble layer reaches it limit, it will erupt with mist. It's very impressive to watch!

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YouTube Connection: Kids Zumba

2014-01-06T19:33:00.001-05:00

It can be hard to exercise when you have children. They easiest solution I have found is to exercise with them. My children and I enjoy hiking, walking (urban hiking), swimming, and now KIDS ZUMBA!

We sent YouTube to the television and did a few videos at home. Then

Photo courtesy of Thomasville YMCA

we went to Kids Zumba at the Thomasville YMCA. It was sooo much fun, and Jenny did a great job leading the class. She has such an engaging personality, and she was able to keep the attention of all of the children for 50 minutes! That's an impressive feat! If you want to join us, check out the schedule here. Kids Zumba is on Monday at 4:30, in the Community Room.

Here's a selection of videos for you to enjoy. Just push back the couch and chairs, call the kids, and have a great time bustin' a move together!

I'm a Gummy Bear-- this is Daniel's favorite

Hamster Dance

What Does the Fox Say?

Not Zumba, but still fun: The Sid Shuffle

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Reed Bingham Science Programs

2014-01-06T17:41:00.001-05:00

Reed Bingham State Park is hosting Homeschool Days.

On these days, the interpretive rangers will give programs on various naturalist topics.

January 10
Introduction to Adaptations

February 14
Adaptation of Reptiles and Amphibians

Session 1
Students ages 9 and under
10am to 12pm

Session 2
Students ages 10 and up
1pm to 3pm

They only cost $3.00 per child (wow!!) + $5 parking

For more info contact:
Tanner Ueltzen
Interpretive Ranger
Reed Bingham State Park
229-896-3551

Thanks to Sherry Titus-Daughtry for the scoop!

FRIENDS in Bainbridge

2014-01-03T10:42:00.001-05:00

Here is another co-op in Bainbridge, but I am not certain that it is active.

They have a Yahoo board at:

FRIENDSinBainbridgeGeorgia@yahoogroups.com

Contact: Tonya Austinson, muchosninos2000@yahoo.com, 229-246-5419

I will attempt to make contact and update the post.

UPDATE: This group is no longer active. They have joined Port City Academics.

Port City Academics

2014-01-03T10:31:00.001-05:00

For those of you in Bainbridge, Georgia, Port City Academics is an active and vibrant homeschooling co-op for upper elementary, middle, and high school students (and siblings, if accompanies by a parent).

Meetings are every Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Mason Lodge at 627 Louise Street, Bainbridge, GA, 39819, starting in September.

They will have academic opportunities and special events, such as drama, literature studies, science and social studies fairs, field trips, prom, and an end-of-the-year recognition program.

There is no charge, but they will be doing fundraisers throughout the year.

If you are interested in joining, please email Laura Hall.

Homeschool Groups! Let's Link-Up

2014-01-03T08:47:00.000-05:00

People frequently asks us for information on area homeschool groups. We'd like to add a tab at the top of the page for those looking for information on homeschool groups, particularly those in the Tallahassee/Wakulla/Monticello area. If you are involved in a group and would like to share your information, please complete the following form, and we will add it to the tab. We're interested in Classical Conversations groups, religious and secular co-ops, websites and Facebook groups, whatever information you would like to pass on.

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Physical Education Opportunities

2014-01-02T08:35:00.001-05:00

Health and weight-loss resolutions are always popular, but let's not forget the kids! One subject homeschoolers sometimes overlook is that of Physical Education and Health.

Here's an opportunity for them:

Nicole McLaughlin is a personal trainer with Body Weight Health and Fitness in Tallahassee. She offers PE classes designed especially for homeschoolers. These can be arranged for a single family or even an entire co-op!

The website says, 'This 12 week Physical Education Series is designed especially for homeschooling families. We will meet one day a week for 1 hour. Each session is divided into 45 minutes of physical activity (exercise) and 15 minutes of course work in exercise science and health. This course is designed to work on balance, flexibility, agility and overall fitness. Children learn how to make healthy choices and develop habits that will serve them for many years to come. Ages 5-13.'

For those of you in Thomasville, Next Level fitness is run by the Copelands, a homeschooling family. In the past, they have offered fitness camps and tennis classes.

Next Level Facebook Page

COGI website

Thomasville Crossfit has also been very supportive of the homeschooling community. Mr. Sellers was instrumental in helping us carry out Freedom's Heroes day.

And don't forget the Y! Fit Kids is another really fun opportunity.

Opportunities abound! Let's get moving!

Team Lean: Mind Games

2014-01-01T19:29:00.001-05:00

The new year has been rung in, so it is now time to get ready for Team Lean.

I am more than a number; I am more than my weight. I want to be healthy, to nourish my body, and take care of it. But I am a goal-oriented person, and if I am going to do this, I need to set my weight-loss goal.

I am 5' 5", so the top end of my healthy BMI is 150 pounds (CALCULATE YOURS HERE). Anything more and I'm overweight (and I'm at 163 now). At a minimum, I need to lose the 13 pounds necessary to be at a healthy weight.

I feel most comfortable with myself when I'm in the 130s. 130 lbs is exactly halfway in the green healthy band of BMIs, but I've found 130 nearly impossible to maintain. 138 is much easier for me—a nice size 12. So, that's my goal: 25 pounds of weight loss.

What's also important is that I KNOW I can do this. And that's critical because weight loss is just as much a mind game as it is physical discipline.

I gained weight with every child I had. My fourth pregnancy and birth were the toughest by far. After I had my fourth child, I lost 40 pounds. As such, my fifth pregnancy was much easier. But after my sixth pregnancy—twins—I was very obese, weighing in at 245 pounds the day I left the hospital.

So I worked. HARD. I ate less and exercised more (that's the only way to do it, by the way, excepting radical measures). And I lost 100 pounds, plus 8 more. It was a big deal to me. I got to wear the clothes I wanted to and didn't have to shop in the plus-sized section any more.

But bad habits are hard to shake, and that scale has crept up again. Phooey.

Just knowing I am capable of this, that I've done it before, is very helpful as I attempt to lose weight again. If you are embarking upon a weight-loss journey, try to think of some difficulty you have overcome: a college degree? pregnancy/birth? There is something in your life you have succeeded at. Draw from that and apply it to this.

I'm a visual person. I want to be able to see what I've done, and that's hard when I'm dealing with weight loss. It's hard to get an accurate perception of yourself.

Here's my system: I take two mason jars and place a marble for each pound I need to lose in one jar, leaving the other empty. As I lose weight, I move marbles into the empty jar. When they are all moved over, I have reached my goal. Simple, visual, and effective.

What mental tools do you use when you try to lose weight? Loading...

CQ...CQ...Amateur Radio Classes

2013-12-31T22:06:00.001-05:00

CQ...CQ...CQ...This is KI4BIU.

Amateur Radio is a great hobby for children. They learn about electronics, broadcast theory, all the while meeting new people over the airwaves! They can even bounce signals off the moon, around the world, or to astronauts in space. Amateur radio operators also prepare to serve the community's communications needs in the event of a disaster.

In order to operate on amateur radio frequencies, one must have a license. There is no age limit for the license; all you have to do is pass a test.

The Thomasville Amateur Radio Club will be offering classes in February to help people learn more about

radio and prepare for their exam or upgrade.

There are several children in this club—they even have their own kids' radio meeting. I think the youngest member is 7. My eldest son passed the test when he was 12 (making three ham radio operators in the family so far).

AMATEUR RADIO CLASSES
OFFERED BY: Thomasville Amateur Radio Club
DATES: February 15 and 22
TIME: 9-4, both days
Test sessions begin at 4, both days
PRICE: Classes are FREE. Book is $15. Testing is $14. Valid IDs required.

For more information, contact Mike Brown, KE4FGF at ke4fgf@arrl.net or at 229-226-5060

Here's another help: practice tests are available online HERE, courtesy of QRZ.

73s!

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YouTube Connections: National Baking Soda Day

2013-12-31T08:29:00.002-05:00

This post contains affiliate links.

Yesterday (December 30) was National Baking Soda Day, so we celebrated by playing with baking soda and vinegar reactions. Here's a look at what we did:

'This is Homeschooling' Challenge

2013-12-29T21:57:00.000-05:00

I work with ESL students in foreign countries. Most of them have never heard of homeschooling. I usually explain it as doing schoolwork at home, but that explanation always seems to fall short.

Even here in America people will ask, 'But what do you DO?' This is usually followed by, 'But what about socialization?'

People just don't get what homeschooling is.

Let's show them!

Send me your best pictures of what homeschooling means to you, let me know they are for the 'This is Homeschooling' Challenge, and I'll post them onto the Homeschool Connection Flikr Page. The pictures will also show up on the sidebar on the right of this page.

Privacy: Please take into consideration that this is a public Flickr board.

More Information on CHART Archery

2013-12-29T11:30:00.000-05:00

Homeschool Connections reported earlier that the Christian Homeschoolers of Regional Thomasville (CHART) has recently been approved to participate in the National Archery in Schools Program. As of October 2013, they are the only homeschool group to do so.

'We feel blessed indeed to have cleared this hurdle,' says Linda Simms, CHART treasurer and archery instructor. 'We hope that other Georgia homeschool organizations will soon join us in meeting the program's requirements and offering NASP archery to their members.

This program is open to middle and high school students enrolled in Event Day/Skill Builders through CHART (CHART membership is required). Students learn about international-style target archery, focusing on range safety, proper technique, handling and care of equipment, concentration, and self-discipline.

CHART provides the bows, arrow, and targets for the class with a grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. CHART's instructors, Brook Conger, Pat Johnson, Jennie Lewis, Mary Jane McNeill, Linda Simms, Nicole Stanley, and Jenifer Womble, are all NASP certified. They attended a NASP Basic Archery Instruction course, and in December, several of them will pursue advanced training in order to further the program.

There are currently 30 students enrolled in the program, with many more showing interest. Both Georgia DNR and NASP have been very supportive of CHART.

For more information, contact CHART

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Dino Diorama and Fossil Cookies

2013-12-28T21:49:00.004-05:00

This post contains affiliate links.

There's just something about studying dinosaurs that inspires the imagination. Huge, lumbering beasts. Enough teeth to crunch a car. And then *boom!* they're gone! We spent some time studying these guys back in Cycle 1 and made a few crafts for the little kids to go along with our schoolwork.

One of the items we made was a diorama. This was pretty simple. A box on its side was covered in paper to show a generic habitat and then the kids put their little plastic dinosaurs inside. Nothing fancy (and nothing very accurate), but it was fun.

Everyone loved the next activity: fossil cookies! I made a gluten-free shortbread base, rolled it into balls, and flattened them. Then we pressed those little plastic dinosaurs into the dough. When I pulled the cookies from the oven, we had cookies with fossil impressions.

The kids then sat at the table and used pastry brushes to brush cocoa onto the their cookies. Okay, so this part was backwards. Usually
paleontologists brush dirt *off* fossils, but we were brushing the cocoa *on*. However, they understood the concept here of using brushes to be careful with fossils, so I think it all worked out.

GLUTEN-FREE SHORTBREAD

1 stick of butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

3 cups of brown rice flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and stir. Add flour, salt, and baking soda.

Bake at 350° for 12 minutes

Favorite Card Games

2013-12-28T20:28:00.002-05:00

This post contains affiliate links.

(December 28) Today is National Card Playing Day! I taught my kids how to play rummy. After one round of playing with everyone's cards on the table, they picked up the idea and ran with it.

I have very fond memories of playing cards with my sister and friends while growing up. Games just seem to bring everyone together (even if it gets intense!).

Here are some of our favorite games:

Star Wars Snowflakes

2013-12-28T19:50:00.001-05:00

December 27 was National Cut Out Paper Snowflakes Day, so we have decorated our enchanted ceiling, windows, and a garland with snowflakes!

We made Star Wars snowflakes from the patterns found HERE.

THIS SITE has more designs and shows how to fold the paper base.

My children needed help with the folding, and some only cut out the basic outlines, but all had fun. A few even created their own characters!

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Homeschooling at My House: Pine Tar Patch

2013-12-27T22:54:00.000-05:00

What does homeschooling look like at our house? It's different everyday. At a time when most children have already hurriedly eaten their breakfast and shuffled out the door we may be cuddled on the top bunk reading our latest adventure (loving Lloyd Alexander at the moment). Or perhaps we're watching a few videos on anything from the Mongols to an explanation (and Slow Mo Guys video) of how popcorn pops, while we leisurely eat our breakfast. Afterwards we have our daily math, reading, writing, etc. but we enjoy our freedom to roll with our interests and learn about something from an angle that's meaningful to my son and not worrying about teaching to a test or having a bell cut our time short when we've just gotten interested.

You learn something new everyday. My grandmother always used to say that. My hope for my son is that he grows up to see learning as something inextricably intertwined with life, not something to be compartmentalized and hidden away. So, that is why you'll find us 'doing school' on the kitchen counter, living room floor, bottom or top bunk, the woods out back and even on the back porch.

~Holly Daughtry