Flat Traveler Adventures

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If you've been around for a little while, thank you very much, but you may also remember our post Homeschool Swapping Adventures from earlier this year on flat travelers. We haven't been doing any structured learning since the beginning of June. For now we are just enjoying summer, getting ready for fair since Yang is a Cloverbud in 4-H, and learning as things come up.



Poppy has been hosting a flat traveler, Rosie, from Texas since late April while her traveler Ellie is in Texas having fun. When Rosie arrived I was still recovering from being on bed rest from my back injury I sustained in March and Poppy was getting ready for state testing. There is not a lot to do in our area without having to drive to Cincinnati or Columbus but recently we have been able to take Rosie to Hopewell Indian Mound, Adena Mansion and Gardens, and Columbus Zoo.

The Hopewell Indian Mound is located in Ross County in southern Ohio. While there is still a lot to learn about the Hopewell Culture, they did leave behind many clues and objects that have defined who they were and what their life must have been like. The Hopewell Indian Mound is the second historical earthworks we have visited and each time it is absolutely amazing.




The Adena Mansion and Gardens are located right down the road from the Hopewell Indian Mound. Since it is a 2 hour drive we hit both destinations in one day. The mansion house was built in the early 1800's by Benjamin Henry Latrobe for the sixth governor of Ohio, Thomas Worthington. The mansion is one of the three remaining house designed by Latrobe that remain in the country! The home has since been restored and contains some of the same wall paper and carpeting that were originally in the house, as well as many original Worthington family furnishings.

This window is also a door. Mrs. Worthington
would walk out of her bedroom right into
the gardens.

Rosie hanging out in Mrs. Worthington's beautiful
gardens.

Although we haven't been doing structured learning over the last month, our traveler give us a wonderful opportunity to learn while having fun. Not only do we visit and learn about historical places locally but when our traveler returns we get to learn about the area our traveler was visiting. While we are hosting a traveler we collect brochures to send from our area, souvenirs, post cards and treats. We include a journal that tells our adventures and a passport to stamp the locations the traveler has visited. When our traveler returns we mark it on our world map with a thumb tack. 

Interested in learning more, or joining in the fun? Hope on over to Homeschool Swapping Adventures on facebook and join today. Be sure to check your "other" folder on facebook from a group admin. 

A+ TutorSoft Interactive MATH Curriculum

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It's that time of year again when we all being looking for our curriculum for next year. Sometimes this is very easy, as what we used last year worked perfectly for us. Other times it is not. It may be that what we used last year was not the perfect fit, or we may have been using a hodge podge of materials and we really want a full curriculum. Whatever the case may be, I have a great multi-sensory interactive MATH curriculum for you.

You may remember that I did a review of A+ TutorSoft back in February (you can read it here). During November and December they offer a giveaway totaling over $6,200 in product. 50 lucky families won a year of math curriculum, and you guessed it - we won!

I've been using the 2nd grade CD premium software with Yang now for a few months. School has been little to none for the last month but luckily with A+ TutorSoft you can pick up right were you left off, or review if need be. You start each day with a 5-7 minute lesson. The lesson can be paused, rewound or forwarded if need be. The entire lesson is completely audio so as well as great visuals. The lessons are thorough enough on the concept but short enough that the child will not get bored. Since the lesson has audio and visuals throughout you are free from teaching the lesson so grab your coffee cup and take a few minutes to relax!

After the students have listened to the lesson they will take an Interactive Q and A to reinforce the concepts they just learned in the lessons. The Q and A sections varies from 5 to 10 questions, depending on the lesson and grade. If the students gets the answer wrong, it will immediately go over the concept for that problem. Students can also view an explanation of the solution after each problem. At the end the students are able to print a certificate showing how well they did on the Q and A.

There are optional workbooks available for purchase, but really it is a must have! After the students have finished their lesson and Interactive Q and A, there is a worksheet to complete. All of the worksheets, answer keys, exams, and answer keys are in the optional workbook. Each workbook includes well over 400 pages. Ink & paper alone will cost you more than the workbook. Plus it is bound, so there is no searching for stay papers.

Remember I did say the workbooks are optional. You can print the all worksheets from the software and the online version if you wish.

In addition to the CD software premium edition that we use, there is also a standard edition. The standard edition does not include the features under the admin tab. In addition, there is also an online version available, as well as concept based programs available. 


So what are you waiting for? Go check out A+ TutorSoft for yourself. There is a 1 month free trail available. Use coupon code SOHO20 to receive 20% off your order.

Bouncing Polymer Balls

This post was actually scheduled for yesterday, however I forgot to hit publish so it is a day late.

We are half way through this weeks post of science related projects. Today we are actually redoing a project we attempted a few months ago that didn't work out so great, and you can read about it here. TIP: It actually helps if you read ALL of the directions BEFORE starting. Just saying :)

So today we will be making bouncing polymer balls. First you will need to gather all of your materials:

• borax (found in the laundry section of the store)
• cornstarch (found in the baking section of the store)
• white glue (e.g., Elmer's glue - makes an opaque ball) or blue or clear school glue (makes a translucent ball)
• warm water
• food coloring (optional)
• measuring spoons
• spoon or craft stick to stir the mixture
• 2 small plastic cups or other containers for mixing
• marking pen
• watch with a second hand
• metric ruler
• zip-lock plastic baggie

 I used 2 different types of cups so I knew which cup would have the borax solution in it and which one would have the ball mixture in it. It is best to use shorter cups with a wider mouth if possible. If you are doing this with multiple children, each child will need 2 cups. These instructions will only make one ball.

In the first cup add 2 tablespoons of warm water and 1/2 teaspoon borax. Stir until the borax has dissolved and add food coloring at this time if you wish.



In the second cup pour 1 tablespoon glue, 1/2 a teaspoon of the borax mixture from the first cup and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. DO NOT STIR THEM TOGETHER. Instead allow the ingredients to interact on their own for 10-15 seconds before stirring. Make sure you stir the mixture well until it becomes impossible to stir it anymore. Take it out of the cup and start molding it into a ball in your hands. The ball will start out sticky but will solidify as you continue to work with it.

Once the ball is no longer sticky go ahead and bounce it! You can store the bag in the ziplock baggie to prevent it from drying out once you are done playing with it.

Egg Geodes

Thanks for joining us for day 2 of our science related projects. Recently in a homeschooling group a mother posted some pictures from a science experiment her children did using different ingredients to make egg geodes. Yang is science crazy so we took a stab (Get it? Crystals have sharp ends!) at it. We used Epsom Salts for one set and Borax for another. I asked Yang & Poppy before starting which one they thought would make more crystals. Yang said the Borax because we use it in our laundry soap so it has to make big bubbles. Poppy said the Epsom Salts since they are already sort of like crystals.

We began by lightly cracking open 4 eggs near the smaller end of the egg. We poured the eggs into a bowl to use later. We then cleaned the insides of the eggs out with warm water, making sure to get the all of the slimy membrane out to prevent molding. NOTE: you want to keep as much of the egg intact as possible for better growth of the crystals.

EPSOM SALT

Next we used a 1/4 cup measuring cup and filled it about 3/4 of the way full of hot water, not boiling. Then we began adding tablespoons of the Epsom Salts, stirring as we made each addition, until the salts no longer dissolved.

Place the eggs in an egg carton so they do not tip over and spill everything. Carefully spoon the mixture into the eggs making sure to distribute between the eggs evenly.

Add a few drops of food coloring to each egg. I would suggest leaving on egg without food coloring to show a more natural crystal.

Place the eggs in the refrigerator for 3 hours.

If there is any liquid still in the eggs after 3 hours CAREFULLY pour it out, making sure you don't pour out any of the crystals. If you do not have crystals then your water was not warm enough, try again.


DISCLAIMER: We did not develop this experiment. We used instructions from The Happy Scientist.

BORAX

Place 2 cups warm water in a pot and add food coloring.

Add Borax until the water is super saturated.

Once the water starts to boil remove from heat and add the solution to the egss.

As the water evaporates from the eggs, borax crystals will deposit on the sides of the egg crating a geode egg.

  

Super Easy 2 Minute Silly Putty

This week I am going to post science related project you can do with your children. Some may just be ideas that you can build upon but nonetheless your children will have fun. After all, isn't that what learning is really about?

For our first science related project we have Super Easy 2 Minute Silly Putty. During Spring Break for the local public school Yang's best friend spent a few days with us. Keeping these two busy can be a bit of a task at times and sometimes I have to be creative. Since Yang's best friend attends public school she always likes to join us for some school time fun.

Making silly putty is super easy. All you need is water, Elmer's Glue, Borax, a bowl, and spoon. Add 3 Tablespoons water to the bowl and mix in 1/3 cup Elmer's Glue. You can add food coloring if you wish.

Next add 2 Tablespoons of Borax to the water/glue mixture and 1/4 cup hot water. As you stir the mixture will begin to form a ball. There will still be water that has not mixed in. You can either add more Borax to create a bigger ball or pour the water out.

Start playing and let the fun begin!

Store in an airtight container. 

Time4Learning - Is it really all that it is cracked up to be?

Last month I sent an email to Yang's K12 teacher advising that I would be withdrawing her and submitted my notice of intent to our county Board of Education. I received her acknowledgment letter from the BOE 4 days before her withdraw was complete from K12!

Just as I had made my decision, I received an email for a 2 week free trial for Time4Learning. I took a look at their site again and found I could do a 1 month trial in exchange for a candid review. I submitted all the required information and waited. Since I had already looked at their site a few times and had contemplated using it when I withdrew her. the email came at the right time. I have heard many good things about Time4Learning. Some saying they use it as their sole homeschooling curriculum while other supplement with it. I've always been worried that it wouldn't be enough, so this free trial was a great chance to check it out.

In the beginning things were crazy with Owlet taking semester finals, my best friends little boy getting into a bad 4-wheeler accident and Yang getting sick, that we weren't able to use it each and everyday as I had planned. Luckily, we got past all of that and things feel into place!!

I really like the fact the T4L covers multiple subjects (math, language arts, science and social studies) instead of just a single subject, or even just math and reading like most do. However, I do not like that there is no history included. I would have liked to see more with the science. Yang really likes science a lot, and as a kinesthetic learner the hands on of experiments are right up her alley. 

In Language Arts Extensions the reading comprehension has cute and silly interactive lessons which Yang really enjoyed. I would have liked to seen on the "Read by Myself" sections that there was a recording option of the student reading. This way, parents can go back to see words per minute read and/or missed words to practice with the student.

I really like that I have the ability to set minimum time limits for working in T4L each day. If there was the ability, I was unaware of it, but I would have liked to been able to set time limits per subject. As Yang is getting more comfortable with things she is wanting to work more independently, something that we never encountered while we used K12. With this I have found on a few occasions that if she does not like what I have assigned her to do she will page through or just exit the lesson. To prevent this it would be nice to have 2-3 questions about the lesson at the end that must be answered, or the ability to set password to be entered in order to exit a lesson that was not completed. This would prevent children from manipulating the system by spending just enough time in the lesson to not drawn suspicion without actually doing it. I found several times we would have to restart a lesson because there is no pause option during audio parts. This became very frustrating and while we did our best to time breaks and such, sometimes it is unavoidable. 

All in all, we really like T4L but I do not feel that it is a stand along curriculum. From a homeschool standpoint you definitely have to supplement. If you are looking to use it as supplement or even for reinforcement/additional help for a child attending a brick and mortar school,  it would work great.

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DISCLAIMER:
As a member of Time4Learning, I have been given the opportunity to review their program and share my experiences. While I was compensated, this review was not written or edited by Time4Learning and my opinion is entirely my own. For more information, check out their standards-based curriculum or learn how to write your own curriculum review. My review is based on the use of the 2nd grade level.

A+ TutorSoft - Charitable Homeschool Math Giveaway & Review

During the months of November and December A+ TutorSoft held a Charitable Holiday Giveaway, donating $6,250 worth of A+ Interactive MATH to families. You could nominate yourself or another deserving family. After filling out all the basic info you had to give a story/reason why you or this family deserved to win. Approximately 400 - 500 families entered, and our family was 1 of 50 lucky winners! Once I received the email that we had won, and put two and two together I became worried. See, I had downloaded a free trial of the same program from currclick.com and we had only used it once. I had actually forgotten I had downloaded it.

Once we received our disk in the mail it actually sat on my caddy for a few weeks before I installed in on my laptop. To be honest, the only reason I installed it was because Yang wanted to learn multiplication. It wasn't available for her grade level in the current program we are using (or at least that I had seen), so I wanted to see if it was covered with A+ TutorSoft. I went through the setup, after having to go back and retrieve what I thought was just a packing slip from the top of the trash! Setup wasn't difficult but the instructions are necessary!! Once I had everything set up, I went exploring, and with every click I was becoming more and more impressed. I liked that while each topic is outlined under different chapters, you do not have to work the lessons starting with chapter 1. I was able to skip right to chapter 6 for multiplication.

I really like is that A+ Interactive MATH Curriculm goes beyond and isn't just another computer/internet program. There are actually worksheets that go along with each lesson, and not 1-2 question worksheets either. You can either print them off individually as you go or everything in one sitting. Another option is purchasing the workbook, which includes all the worksheets and exams - close to 400 pages! This may even be a more economical option if you plan to print everything. I do believe this may be the route we take next year, as it will be easier to have everything in one workbook vs lose papers.

 

I LOVE that there is a pause button. That is a big thing for us. Nothing is more frustrating than having to having to restart from the beginning, and for us that would be several billion times! Between two other kids calling whenever they need help, dogs running around barking, needing out, phone ringing, restroom breaks, etc. it is just something that is essential for us.

Yang is wanting to become more independent (which I am having mixed feelings about) so it is nice that she is able to work alone on the A+ Interactive Math Curriculum since there is audio for everything. She is even able to work on the worksheets alone after I give her the directions.

One thing I would like to see is some kind of way to mark a lesson as complete at the end once the student has mastered that lesson, and for it to be reflective on the left sidebar of the chapters. For example, a password must be entered to mark the lesson as complete. Once it has been marked as completed, the lesson turns a different color (from the whitish/blue sheet to a green sheet) or has a check mark on it. Once the entire chapter is completed change the file folder from yellow to green or a check mark. 

I also find it somewhat time consuming to have to enter the progress in myself vs the system automatically doing it for me. Of course this is optional. However, I already keep a lesson planner, so I would be marking it has completed with results and notes in two locations. 

At the end of the interactive Q & A you can print a certificate. You can also print weekly certificates for work completed the previous week and progress reports. However, both of the are contingent on you entering the progress in manually.

A+ TutorSoft offers general and technical support through their website or by phone. There is even a facebook group that was created and moderated by the A+ TutorSoft, Homeschool MATH. The group was created for families to share success stories, tips, or anything MATH! I have not had to utilize A+ TurtorSoft support, but I did contact A+ TutorSoft for some info and screen shots for my review, and everyone was super nice and super helpful!

A+ TutorSoft is graciously offering 50% off with code SPOFFER50 valid on any A+ Interactive Math Curriculum through 3/31/13. Still wondering if this is a good fit for your family? Check out a free one month trial here. But hurry, this offer won't be going on for long.

Don't forget to enter a chance to win 1 or 2 Starbucks e-Gift Cards. 

Share this giveaway, tell you friends to like our facebook page and comment that you sent them. Whomever brings the most most people to our facebook page will also receive a $10 Starbucks e_gift Card.

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DISCLAIMER: I won a free copy of the aforementioned with no mention of doing a review. I decided to do a review so that others can make an informed decision. I received no monetary compensation, and all opinions - good, bad or indifferent are solely my own.


 

Homeschool Swapping Adventures

Looking for a fun and educational way to learn about other countries, or even other states? Come check out Homeschool Swapping Adventures on facebook. Each month there are Flat Stanley type swaps, holiday card swaps, funny fact post card swaps and more.

 

Yang's traveler is a giraffe named Zuri, in memory of the baby giraffe from the Cincinnati Zoo. Poppy's traveler is her favorite animal, an elephant named Elly. Owlet has the Gryndorf shield but isn't to interested in swaps. Each month we look for a swap partner. We mail our traveler, passport, journal page and questionnaire for the hosting family to fill out about the area they live in. 

Owlet & Yang with Flat Brittani & Princess Sophia

 Zuri's first visit was to Georgia. This swap was enough to make me throw the towel in but with some great support we carried on. In the end things turned out okay and Yang received a cute giraffe shirt! Zuri's next stop was Tennessee and she had a BLAST while we hosted Princess Sophia. We received enough photos to fill a small handheld photo album! Zuri got to visit the zoo, went shopping, to the dentist and out to eat. Our hostess sent us a cool snow globe magnet from the Knoxville Zoo, a postcard, and a magnet in the shape of a giraffe.

Zuri at the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee

Right now Zuri is in the UK. She has been there since November and will return at the end of February. Most swaps are a month long, and international swaps are two months. It really is up to the pairs to determine the actually length of the swap.

Zuri took a trip around Europe

While Zuri is in the UK we are hosting Oshwott. He is a cute Pokemon then has been having a ball!

Yang and Oshwott during a birthday party at McDonalds

Steve sat in on Poppy online math lesson

Currently Elly is in Missouri and Steve has come to hang out with us for a while. This is both Elly & Steve's first swap. We attempted to swap Elly with someone in Alaska but unfortunately they Ellynapped her. After 2 months of our swap partner saying she was mailing us her traveler she was asked to return Elly and freaked out blocking the admins for the group and myself. Unfortunately, from time to time you will run across a bad swap. It really is sad because the adults set up the swaps and never take into consideration that children that have invested their time and heart are involved. I'm sure some are wondering why I would mention this. Well it is simple, it's the truth. I know when we first started that I never imaged that something like this would happen. Luckily, we have some awesome admins in the group that have recently done some revamping to hopefully weed those out that are not interested in participating.

I look forward to seeing where are travelers take us. It's fun seeing all the things our travelers have done while visiting other families and learning about their adventures.



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What the heck is a lapbook?

I've seen so many questions lately about lapbooks. What are they? How do you do them? What are the best places to get lapbooks? Are my kids to young or old to do lapbooks? The list really goes on. Never fear! I've not only asked these questions myself, I'm hear today to help answered some of the most common questions about lapbooks, as well as some advice and resources.

What is a lapbook?

A lap book, lapbook, layer book, flap book, or shutter book is a type of single-subject book created by a student, generally as a supplement to a curriculum.

A lap book generally consists of a paperboard folder such as a file folder with small pieces of folded paper glued inside. These folded papers may contain facts, diagrams, illustrations, etc. related to the subject. Lap books can be adapted for any subject and grade level. Teachers and parents who use lap books with students say that they enhance creativity and critical thinking while integrating subjects such as science, language, history, geography, and mathematics, depending on the subject of the lap book. ~ Wikipedia

In short, a lapbook is a review of a book you've read or a topic you've studied.

Where do I start?

Lapbooks can look very intimidating to someone who has never completed one. First of all, breath! Lapbooking is VERY easy as there are no rights or wrongs to it!!

First, find a book or topic of interest. You can search sites such as Homeschool Share, Hands of a Child, or Google with the name of a book or topic and lapbook (human body lapbook, Charlotte's Web labook). 

Next, you need to gather your materials. 

View ALL the pages of the lapbook BEFORE printing. Otherwise, you may end up with 40 pages you plan not to use. Some lapbooks are created for a wide age range and therefore what works for a 4th grader won't necessarily work for a 1st grader. Write down what pages you want to use and then print just those pages. 



Now for the fun! Read your book or study your topic you picked. Follow the directions on each page you printed and cut everything out. Complete all the questions, color all the pictures, do all your writing and staple or use your brass brads. Next, get your manilla file folder out and decide how you want to piece your lapbook together. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to do this. Before you cut your folders, lay the pieces from lapbook that you printed and cut out so you can move things around and decide how you want it to look. Once you have everything the way you want it cut your folders and then begin piecing you lapbook together.

Is my child to young or old for lapbooks?

In my opinion, NO! I've done lapbooks with children from pre-school to high school. It's all about finding the right lapbook. There are TONS of free lapbook resources at the end of your fingertips. You can even create your own lapbooks.

Adapting lapbooks for multiple ages?

It really is easier than you think. Most lapbooks are for a wide age range, and therefore what appeals or is suitable for a pre-schooler will not be so for a 2nd grader, or vice versa. I ALWAYS view the entire lapbooks file before printing. I sit down with a pad of paper and pencil writing my kids names down that will be working on the lapbook and what pages I need to print for them. Then I print, get my manilla file folders out and do a rough layout to see what all I have. Is there enough for each child for a good review of the lesson? If there is not I will search other sites for lapbooks on the same book/topic. If by some odd chance I still can't find what I am looking for, I will turn to Homeschool Share for their blank lapbook templates.

Do you focus on just your lapbook, or 

do you do other lessons as well?

It really depends. Age as well as depth and subjects covered should be taken into consideration. Did you cover at least the 3 R's? Reading, Writing, Arithmetic. Is your child able to stay focused and not get burnt out by doing more? How much time did you spend working on your lapbook today? Did you complete your lapbook?

If you have only covered one subject and worked for an hour or two then I would do additional studies. I have a few workbooks that I picked up for Yang from Dollar Tree - math, writing and reading comprehension. We do at least one page everyday regardless of what other work we do. We also practice sight words and do a fluency reader everyday. So once we've done our daily things and worked on our lapbook if there is still time and no one is burnt out we will do more.

Chapter Books

Chapter books can be daunting when it comes to lapbooking but really it's not. Just as with reading, break it down into smaller portions. If you are using a pre-made lapbook, read chapter one and then complete any portions of that lappbook that go with that chapter. If your children is older, or has a good memory you could read a few chapters before working on the lapbook portions.

When I decided to do this post I asked others questions or advice they had about lapbook. Here is one I received about chapter books:

·         For Charlotte’s Web my daughter has made a mini book that looks like a house and wrote about how Wilbur slept next to the stove. A mini book that looked like a bottle and wrote about how Fern took care of Wilbur. Then the next chapter she made a barn and summarized events in chapter two, plus she made a mini book that is tracking the main characters in each chapter, and the setting of each chapter. So unlike science where we wait till we are done with our lessons and use it as review, literature lapbooks are done with specific chapter pieces after each chapter is read.

·         Are most lapbooks done after a unit study?

·         

Since lapbooks are a great way to go back and review a book/topic later, you most certainly can follow up a unit study with a lapbook. Most unit studies are setup so that you can turn it into a lapbook, and some even have a pre-made lapbook that goes right along with the unit study.

How much planning is involved?

There is actually very little planning. You need to check and make sure you have all of your needed materials on hand and gather any books or websites you will be using. 

Can lapbooks cover multiple subjects?

 

Yes, in fact there are many lapbooks that will have extensions to them that cover other subjects.

Last month I did a lapbook with Poppy, Yang & my two of my best friends kids on Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett that I got from Homeschool Share. We covered math that was in the lapbook, social studies when we discussed the difference in how we live today and how life was in the book. Geography - we talked about the origin of gingerbread. Writing - the older comes had to come up with their own gingerbread tale while Yang did copy work. Math & Science with measuring and baking gingerbread cookies.

Where so you store your lapbooks?

Hubby bought me a color coded (right up my OCD ally) 12 drawer caddy for Christmas. On the right there are 4 sets of 2 drawers per color. One the left there is a smaller width wise, but taller drawer that matches the color from the right. I have each drawer labeled and the colors go together. White is my lapbook section. I have my manilla file folders in my bottom drawer, completed lapbooks in the top drawer and the drawer to the left holds glue sticks, scissors, pens, pencils, colored pencils, box of crayons, single hole punch, brass brads and packing tape. 

Do you still have questions about labooks? Resources to share or suggestions? Comment below.



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