tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25745945281531128122012-01-20T14:10:17.065-07:00Blog highlighting clever and quirky resources for homeschooling to making learning more fun. Best suited to the 9-12 age range. Several fun unit studies are detailed in the blog. Come get high on homeschooling!maxaroo15noreply@blogger.comBlogger1421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-89578986996010210952012-01-19T22:33:00.000-07:002012-01-20T14:10:17.080-07:00

No doubt parenting is one of, if not THE, most challenging undertakings we humans experience.  Good gravy.  Just when you've got them figured out, they dive headfirst into another developmental phase, rendering you either a step behind......or simply speechless!  Max is a really good kid - sometimes crusty on the outside, but soft in the middle.  He doesn't step too far out of line usually.  

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-32577890789022180502012-01-15T18:28:00.005-07:002012-01-19T21:31:49.100-07:00

On the surface all appeared well - homeschooling was going great!!  We've been at it for over three years and have figured out much together.  It's been by far the best lifestyle change we've made as a family and if all goes as planned, we won't be heading back to regular school - ever.  Yes, good overall and I was certain we were on the right path, but lurking below it turns out we were

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-77192799803760506082012-01-10T22:47:00.001-07:002012-01-10T22:53:18.298-07:00

Does it seem to you that everyone is decluttering their spaces right now??  I've noticed the comments sprinkled about facebook, have heard the whispers floating through the breezes nearly every place I go, and have certainly entertained the urge to turn every mountain into an anthill myself.  It used to be that January was the month for turning on the exercise habit.  It seems that organizing or

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-68284510783666481632011-12-23T00:21:00.000-07:002011-12-23T00:22:59.858-07:00

I'm back!  Two weeks of new puppy has brought me to the verge.  He's pretty darn wonderful, but boy - you forget how much 'watching' they require!  It's all a blur, really.  Up and down during the nights, sleeping a lot during the day with all that growing he has to do.  At six weeks he weighed in at 11 pounds; at eight weeks he's up to 16 pounds already.  He grows like bamboo. We managed pretty

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-64726358655264507912011-12-04T11:25:00.001-07:002011-12-04T11:42:01.590-07:00

He's home!  He's loud.  He's cute.  He's got us all charmed.  Meet Cobus!  Coby is six weeks old and weighs eleven pounds.  His little puppy brain is kind of overwhelmed - new house, new dogs, cats (gasp!), and a new schedule.  We were up most of the night last night........lots of screaming on his part.  He's pretty young to bring home, too.  Generally it's better to bring home a

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-56918720656406125882011-12-01T13:04:00.001-07:002011-12-01T13:41:32.528-07:00

This book makes for a good overview of the big concepts in science.  We are halfway through this entertaining endeavor; Max sure enjoys making up different voices for each of the miniature scientists as they encounter various 'horrible' situations.  Crawling around in someone's bacteria-laden mouth filled with bits of food and protists is well, kind of gross.  But these little scientist guys are

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-34886411317638623462011-11-18T15:55:00.001-07:002011-11-21T19:17:52.156-07:00

Long division has taken over the dining room table, complete with those pesky remainders floating about. Max is very literal when learning math.  He wants to know the steps and that's about it, and he sure gets frustrated when he trips on the steps. Sitting at the table doing problem after problem is about the worst thing he can imagine for a way to spend time.  Today he suffered through twelve

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-5136848319521740092011-11-16T21:13:00.001-07:002011-11-16T21:54:50.617-07:00

I guess we both are 'faint of heart', then, because this book disappointed us.  I was looking forward to this particular read-aloud by Ernest Thompson Seton: But was mainly left with a sad taste in my mouth.  Just a few posts ago I highlighted this book, saying we were anticipating its stories; I'm posting again to add a caveat, especially for parents of younger readers.   This book,

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-6394268292566708722011-11-12T19:46:00.001-07:002011-11-12T19:54:06.207-07:00

Well, he's three weeks old on Monday and as of yet is nameless.  We went to see him and hug him yesterday and took some pictures.  Their eyes are open and they are starting to explore their surroundings - and they are starting to get stinky!  The mama Dane sure has her work cut out for her. So little, but not for long.  Getting to know each other (one is clearly more smell motivated)

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-11189244606178394532011-11-12T11:49:00.001-07:002011-11-12T13:13:12.640-07:00

Thanks to 'meeting' Charlotte Mason over the summer, copywork has become part of my homeschooling arsenal.  I expected much resistance from the troops, to have to fish him out of his room after he ran to hide, but not so.  Copywork time is peaceful time at the table and we both like it for different reasons.  We try to do some copywork twice a week and occasionally mix in some dictation, too.

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-7464862011979166292011-11-07T22:05:00.001-07:002011-11-08T10:40:38.355-07:00

It's time to celebrate around these parts.  Two major accomplishments and both deserve some recognition - hence a blog post to mark the moments!  First, my kiddo has officially memorized the multiplication tables!  Second, he completed reading The Hobbit on his own, all 504 pages of that puppy.  AND HE LIKED IT.  Time to pop the cork and have some root beer. Teaching multiplication has been an

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-32965983433461684742011-10-30T20:51:00.001-06:002011-10-30T21:03:02.375-06:00

Hubby and I just returned home from a trip to Northern California for a conference.  Grandma and Grandpa stayed with Max for the week and kept him on task with his school work and extracurricular activities.  They all did very well together!  It was really nice for Gary and me to be able to spend some good quality time together, not to mention the fact that Grandma and Grandpa got their grandson

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-74265873451161471852011-10-24T18:46:00.000-06:002011-10-26T10:41:03.161-06:00

Seems to be the week of observations!  Here's a quick observation about a few books that go very well together, like just the right flavors served up on a plate.  We just finished reading Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book; one of the author's last stories in that book is about a young elephant handler in India in the late 1800's.  It is called "Toomai of the Elephants".  It's quite wonderful,

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-19866959948161595502011-10-20T19:17:00.000-06:002011-10-20T19:24:43.801-06:00

Art has become a good fit in our curriculum; both Max and I enjoy learning about artists and their work.  He declared yesterday that he likes Jackson Pollock's paintings - wouldn't it be fun to get out some tarps and canvases and paint Pollock style?  Nobody says you can't.  That's what I find most likeable about homeschooling! The Great Art Scandal:  Solve the Crime, Save the Show! by

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-14837412246143416842011-10-19T21:09:00.001-06:002011-10-19T21:14:10.019-06:00

If you've spent any time on my blog, you might have noticed that we are a bit over-the-top with animals.  Maybe that's me and it just trickles down into the family, but I haven't seen anybody picketing in the backyard against the numbers.  Most of the time I am the impetus behind a new critter and having an uber-tolerant husband has been nothing short of wonderful.  The deal is, I bring someone

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-26289229858041283742011-10-04T00:20:00.002-06:002011-11-16T22:01:00.797-07:00

Retells, or narrations, are trending in our house lately.  Charlotte Mason, through her writings from the late 1800's, has convinced me of the value of asking a child to retell something in his own words.  These narrations are sprinkled throughout the week now and the fit seems to be a good one for Max.  It's his natural inclination to explain things anyway (in great detail sometimes) - many

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-59465069907301774182011-09-20T23:59:00.005-06:002011-09-21T09:54:58.858-06:00

No, I didn't decide to get a Llama.......although was severely tempted at one point because we found a funny boy available on Craigslist and he sounded like a complete charmer.  He was only $50!!  I mustered whatever it is that you must muster at times like that and turned my attention to other matters as quickly as possible - no telling what can happen when there's a big furry critter out there

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-5298235481320985082011-08-16T13:42:00.002-06:002011-08-16T13:44:34.410-06:00

At first glance I thought these books were fluffy around the edges; until I sat down and read one almost cover-to-cover.  There is learning potential embedded between the front and back covers!  It's funny stuff, too.  Max has read some of these and re-read them and read them again.  There is bona fide, genuine useful information on the pages. Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook Gross Junior

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-49300256651001993172011-08-09T15:07:00.003-06:002011-08-09T18:39:17.057-06:00

Mike Rowe has been spending some time in our living room.  On the screen.  Showing us what it takes to keep our country humming along.  And some of it isn't pretty!  UGH.  Some of it is down right nasty and nauseating.  But these are the jobs that hard-working people take on every day to make a living and to keep  products on the shelves.  We have all learned so much about what some tasks take in

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-60606933359934214082011-07-24T22:22:00.002-06:002011-07-25T09:11:51.478-06:00

Time to get serious about this whole schooling at home business.  Tonight I showed Max the moment when a pancake is ready for flipping (when the edges are a little dry and the bubbles on top are popping like mad), and it got me to thinking.  This may have seemed like a trivial interaction in daily life, but it's much more than that.  Isn't my job as his parent to teach him how to navigate the

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-39793444632077289792011-07-08T12:03:00.000-06:002011-07-08T12:03:09.113-06:00

We reached the suspenseful chapters in this book last night and couldn't put it down!  We took turns reading a chapter aloud.  Max was so excited to find out what was happening that he was skipping words, but I called him on it!  Reading aloud is a good thing for kids to get accustomed to, I think. Here's the book: Masterpiece Hooray for Marvin the beetle!  He lives under the Pompaday's

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-66892229621248753272011-06-23T22:15:00.001-06:002011-06-23T22:18:41.253-06:00

Next week I'll be setting about to wrap up our fifth grade year on paper.  All year long I've been keeping a journal on the computer of what we've done; this blog has also served as a wonderful map as it has diagrammed our experiences, materials, and some of my crazy thought processes.  Boy, I sure did worry some about math, didn't I?  Perhaps that was wasted worried energy now that I look back.

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-12804911388107506862011-06-15T10:01:00.000-06:002011-06-15T10:01:28.621-06:00

We are wrapping things up around here and transitioning into summer blissed out living.  Figuring out what that means every day!  Our area has been inundated with smoke and ash from the giant fire that is raging in Arizona; it has made for interesting visibility and sunsets.  Having so much smoke from a fire that is hundreds of miles away kind of blows your mind!  If it's bad here, I really feel

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-8653922613816881432011-06-03T22:46:00.004-06:002011-06-04T21:19:31.561-06:00

Several weeks ago my little eye spied this very cool manipulative math set that teaches algebra and my heart quickened!  Really, it did.  It does that when I stumble upon something that fits into a hole I am looking to fill, if that makes any sense.  Algebra looms on the horizon and instead of us looking out at dark and stormy clouds a way out there, I'd rather look forward to sunny skies dappled

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-85669264626106280052011-05-25T20:55:00.000-06:002011-05-25T20:55:14.831-06:00

If there's one major thing I have learned over the last two years of homeschooling, it would be that it's imperative to remain FLEXIBLE.  Not as in yoga-flexible (although that's good), but as in time and attitude flexible.  Because stuff always comes up.  Life happens to you when you plan.  Expect it!  Then you won't be disappointed.  It is wise to plan for the unexpected and give yourself some

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-5432974663906954112011-05-16T22:27:00.001-06:002011-05-19T17:15:15.324-06:00

Tonight I popped THE question lovingly to my husband.  "Honey, would you consider taking over teaching math to Max?"  Without hesitation he asked to see where we were at in our quest and agreed to take the reins.  I am practically swooning with relief.  I need a break from Max's math monsters!  He holds such disdain for the material and it wears me out at times to try and find different ways to

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-65055136807558753222011-04-25T21:42:00.004-06:002011-05-17T17:51:48.737-06:00

I don't know if you experience this, too, but it seems that when you become aware of something new, you begin to see reminders of it EVERYWHERE!  For instance, you've recently peed on a stick and two blue lines appear in the little window (oh my!); from that moment forward everything and anything remotely related to pregnancy catches your eye, including all the pregnant animals at the zoo. 

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-46436357219455852232011-04-20T19:55:00.003-06:002011-04-20T20:05:04.819-06:00

Was pointed in the direction of a pretty cool math curriculum yesterday that may be a good fit for Max.  We'll see.  I researched it a little more today and like what I see so far.  Currently we're using a mix of Key Curriculum Press workbooks for fractions, Life of Fred for fun, and some Math Mammoth for clarity, along with some clever Nerf math and other games.  Max likes Life of Fred the best,

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-67715245092706675462011-04-08T07:36:00.001-06:002011-04-08T07:37:44.892-06:00

For the past few months I've been receiving daily emails from Dan Lewis.  I don't personally know Dan, but I have to say that I enjoy his emails.  He is an historian sleuth of sorts who finds interesting information, repackages it into a short little essay and sends it on its merry way right to your inbox!  We occasionally will use some of his information in our history lessons; he has the knack

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-38362286783521102132011-04-06T16:33:00.002-06:002011-04-08T14:54:41.954-06:00

We did something rather unconventional today.  Um, really unconventional.  Before you read any further, I'll tell you right from the start that Nerf guns and foam darts were involved!  Don't read anymore if you object to Nerf guns (and I completely understand if you do.  For a very long time I was anti-any-type-of-gun.  Makes for an interesting mom when you are raising a boy who seems to have a

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-84736297513512796752011-03-25T17:38:00.000-06:002011-03-25T17:38:03.824-06:00

Don't know why I never thought of this before - duh.  Today before we did anything else school related we sat down and tackled part of a book of brain teasers for kids.  Max got into it and kept asking to move on to the next puzzle or problem.  I thought it was a nice way to do some brain calisthenics and we'll definitely use books like these again.  The puzzles provided a super segue into more

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-4785116009902082782011-03-07T08:00:00.002-07:002011-03-07T21:22:05.384-07:00

Math has been consuming much of my attention lately as I've been trying to figure out how to approach it with Max. Up until this point math has mostly been a distasteful undertaking for us,  mainly because I can't seem to land upon a curriculum that he didn't want to run over with a truck after a few days of use.  If you've read any of my previous posts about math, you may have picked up on the

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-81994777360010720162011-02-26T09:57:00.003-07:002011-02-27T10:17:32.618-07:00

Statistically many things in our natural world fall onto a bell-shaped curve, but "intelligence" (whatever that means) should not be relegated to a fate such as this; moreover, children should not have to think of themselves as 'below average, above average, or just plain average'.  Each of those labels can send ripple effects out through a person's ENTIRE lifetime.  Labels like this are

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-44294699958555569642011-02-20T12:51:00.002-07:002011-02-20T12:54:29.462-07:00

Just a quick recommend here about a book I wasn't aware of until yesterday, and I'm sure there are LOTS of those, but the journey of discovery is something to be celebrated, I think.  This book passes muster in the clever department and it may help a math-phobe start to open his or her eyes as to how cool math can be!  Adults will appreciate the way the author plays with words and helps us to

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-88690851636484315882011-02-17T14:55:00.003-07:002011-02-18T05:15:24.400-07:00

Oh boy.  Here we go!  I'm not one to be shy about this stuff and have in the past, sat down and drawn pictures complete with parts whenever Max had questions.  I've saved one or two of those sketches just because they are so darn cute (stick figure'ish) and they'll remind me of a time when we were steam rolling headlong into PUBERTY.  It's natural for him to have questions and concerns and I'd

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-27104493432014149122011-02-04T21:33:00.003-07:002011-02-04T21:38:48.939-07:00

Here's a 'blow-your-mind' resource that is worth a peek.  Sal might just become a household name for you and your family!  It seems he has amassed quite a following of fans, students all over the world looking for help with more than math.  www.KhanAcademy.comSalman Khan is an MIT/Harvard grad who tossed his career managing hedge funds for a non-paying job as a teacher recording videos on

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-83790907166391004942011-02-03T21:15:00.004-07:002011-02-06T00:07:29.689-07:00

Reading aloud has been a cornerstone to our learning days.  My voice has become much stronger since we started, that's for sure!  I still yawn a lot, though, while I'm reading.  Do you do that?  And it's always at a good part, too.  Have to pause, suck in some fresh air, and forge onward.  I just yawned while typing this......weird suggestive concept, those yawns.  Did you just yawn?  How about

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-66269184042617593042011-01-30T18:50:00.002-07:002011-01-30T18:53:34.864-07:00

Fig.  Nine-day-old Nigerian Dwarf GoatNewbie in the Hood Just for fun I'm putting up a picture of the newbie in our growing herd of now two goats!  Fig arrived this week and has been making himself at home.  He's so tiny!  About the size of a small cat.  He has transitioned to a bottle like a champ, so feeding him is a pleasure.  Four times a day he gulps down about 3 ounces of a rich mix of

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-65493789958361712882011-01-21T08:21:00.000-07:002011-01-21T08:21:08.813-07:00

I love the hunt for fun and educational materials that can be incorporated into our homeschooling adventure.  Last week these clever little bingo-like games popped up on my radar screen and I felt they were blog worthy to pass along to you, in case you are in the mood to play some bingo!  These would make for perfect little adjunct pieces within a unit study and they would also make for some good

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-21822852709787864912011-01-16T23:45:00.001-07:002011-01-21T07:55:19.269-07:00

Give aways are a good thing, don't you think?  I personally like to go through all of my closets and rooms and give away just about everything.........well, not really, but I sometimes get stressed about 'stuff' and want to have less of it.  January seems to be the month when this nesting instinct hits - does this happen to you?  Or am I just weird?  I wonder. Right now I have gathered a mondo

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-25072860505489763972011-01-10T16:02:00.000-07:002011-01-10T16:02:57.591-07:00

New BrainPOP convert here.  We utilized the five day free trial prior to Christmas and had a good time with it, so I sprung for the annual membership for a single-use homeschooler ($99).  We are happy to have Tim and Moby help us have a better understanding of weather science right now. I'm excited to utilize BrainPOP's curriculum calendar wherein each day a subject, idea, or person is

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-32286976009198613202011-01-02T21:33:00.001-07:002011-01-03T10:06:06.305-07:00

First off, I am one and always have been - a clutz.  I trip and drop things, bump into anything in proximity and generally hurt myself regularly.  Grace is not on my radar screen, but bumbling is!  Maybe that's why I have some affection for this company, Klutz.  One of their latest offerings is this book about animation: The Klutz Book of Animation: Make Your Own Stop Motion Movies Bells and

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-54061863871025438122011-01-02T14:01:00.002-07:002011-01-03T10:21:50.645-07:00

I just learned about Kiva and am totally and utterly wowed by it.  This doesn't have much to do with homeschooling per say, but it could certainly be a project that your entire family could embark upon to help someone out.  It's the coolest thing!  Next to the piece of fudge I just ate while sitting here.......fudge is pretty cool, too.  I'll tell you more about Kiva in a sec. As each old year

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-45554898909517666582010-12-14T21:20:00.000-07:002010-12-14T21:20:13.119-07:00

Stumbled upon this math resource last night while Christmas shopping and took a closer look.  I like what I see!  It's math with an edge, a squirmy, icky, slimy edge that I bet a few kids out there might cotton to - especially if those kids happen to be boys in the 9-14 age range.  It's Alive!: It's Math Like You've Never Known It Before...and May Never Know It Again It's Alive and Kicking:

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-18288628164163184342010-12-07T21:33:00.000-07:002010-12-07T21:33:06.367-07:00

I just placed this game on my wish list.  I LOVE educational games and enjoy browsing for them and finding good prices for them. Occasionally you stumble upon a gem, and this game might be one of those.  It's great to learn about the countries of the world and figure out where they are located on the globe; it's even better to become acquainted with the people and cultures inhabiting all of those

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-6187778925782001832010-12-04T21:46:00.002-07:002010-12-13T12:59:15.801-07:00

We have done a fair amount of traveling over the past couple of months and boy, it feels nummy to be home.  We just returned from a week's excursion to Chicago, the Windy City, for a conference that my hubby attended.  Max and I tagged along to hit all of those magnificent museums and see what we could see.  I can honestly say that my bones are weary!  In the last three months we have seen

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-27242830674674977232010-11-28T20:35:00.000-07:002010-11-28T20:35:29.176-07:00

Munchie.  A two-week old Nigerian Dwarf goat and he's ours!This has been the year of the FARM at our place.  We live on approximately 1/2 acre smack dab in the city, but not far from the local feed stores where I can stock up on chicken feed and other essentials that have become a part of our daily lives.  Something that has been cooking a long time in my brain is coming to fruition and I'm

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-81280452846163579942010-11-23T21:09:00.000-07:002010-11-23T21:09:43.141-07:00

Max says he wants to learn how to speak Japanese.  Sounds good to me!  We were at Costco yesterday and found some immersion software and I remembered reading about it on another homeschooling blog.  Rosetta Stone, of course, is the most expensive form of language program out there currently, but their price tag is ridiculous.  $600-700?????  I don't care how great they say their product is -

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-17307544226346677222010-11-17T00:15:00.000-07:002010-11-17T00:15:01.949-07:00

Last week I was feeling out-of-sorts about a couple of off days we had while homeschooling.  I should just pipe down, because in the whole scheme of things, a couple of days doesn't really register.  They just make me pause to assess, so maybe they are worthwhile in that respect.  I don't know, but what I DO know, is that life sends you subtle signals and tells you when to HIT THE ROAD!  Which we

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-32608953028968040022010-11-11T00:08:00.003-07:002010-11-11T20:21:03.637-07:00

My day started out with a rousing ring of the telephone some distance from our bed this morning at 7:30a.m.  I was so tightly wound up in the covers that I couldn't fight my way out to get to the phone in time; I picked it up only to hear the classic click and dial tone drone.  Out of sorts I stood there and wondered if this droning in my ear was going to effectively set the tone for the day. 

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-3373166629932602352010-11-07T21:03:00.002-07:002010-11-07T21:09:40.987-07:00

I feel like we've got history more than covered this year; in fact, that's pretty much all we've been doing lately!  Learning about the pioneers and Westward expansion has been the focus for the past two weeks and it's been fun.  We really enjoyed watching PBS's Frontier House project on DVD and we're still reading the Little House on the Prairie series along with several other books.  Math is

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-11701838702481630022010-10-30T17:10:00.000-06:002010-10-30T17:10:30.940-06:00

Something fun just arrived today via Amazon used.  We frequent a local bookstore as well as the library system as much as possible (and thanks for the establishment of that system goes to Mr. Ben Franklin!).  We've made great use of the inter-library hold option wherein we can have the books we need sent from different branches to your closest one, but I can't help but hold on to a fondness for

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-85820684132112000292010-10-27T23:34:00.001-06:002010-10-27T23:38:26.141-06:00

I just had to share this one.  It's right up my alley because I simply crave this style of teaching; apparently others feel the same because it got a near-perfect all star rating on trusty old Amazon.  How to Teach Physics to Your Dog Seriously, go check it out.  Admire the beautiful dog on the front (Miss Emmy) and read the back.  Take a gander at the reviews and then hit that wish list

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-18458149869028073592010-10-23T21:50:00.008-06:002010-10-24T10:17:25.841-06:00

Not sure how this works, but it seems that one good thing leads to another, doesn't it?  No, I'm not talking about popping M&M's.  I'm pointing out what happens when you open the door to your worldview and let something new waltz in.  You plop it on your lap, hold it up, examine it carefully and intuition beckons you to try it on for size.  Sometimes the cut and color are perfect, as if it were

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-85235880749781138952010-10-21T13:36:00.007-06:002010-10-22T10:47:49.690-06:00

I was in the mood for the library today, so we headed over this afternoon to see what we could drum up about George Washington, American colonists, pioneers, Abe Lincoln, the Declaration of Independence, Native American tribes...........anything that would help us learn a little more about early American history.  As mentioned in a post a few posts ago, we have been watching The Story of Us on

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-12681489902001817312010-10-16T04:47:00.001-06:002010-10-16T04:49:45.430-06:00

History has been and will continue to be a big part of our homeschool, mostly because we find it fascinating!  Not to mention applicable, valuable and thought-provoking.  I am eating up all of this history business and feel like I'm really learning it for the first time in a real way.  Kuddos to biographers, researchers, writers and of course all those clever folk who can sort the grit from the

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-68884607975102236072010-10-09T23:02:00.000-06:002010-10-09T23:02:23.582-06:00

As a homeschooling parent I need to come clean about something.  It's been lurking in the recesses of my being, waiting for the appropriate moment to be unleashed upon the masses as a confession.  I have a confession to share and it's deeply personal and I guess this post might as well be the appropriate vehicle for launching my heretofore protected secret: PART OF THE REASON I CHOSE TO

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-67659679939440914752010-10-07T01:20:00.001-06:002010-10-07T01:22:56.933-06:00

All from DK Publishing - they caught my eye.  Do look inside Take Me Back on Amazon and you'll see why (you can do that by clicking on the link below the books): Take Me BackA really fun ride through history; DK Publishing has a knack for bringing out the zany.  4.5 million years compressed into a single book! Pick Me Up Open Me Up Ask Me Anything   

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-80318268880139506652010-10-05T20:46:00.002-06:002010-10-05T20:50:59.941-06:00

Max and I started watching this DVD series today:  America: The Story of UsIt's our 5th grade year and we are focusing on American history.  He is taking an online live class through Currclick that is covering American History in the 20th century; he's learning about Henry Ford, Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, the Wright Brothers, etc. and is enjoying his teacher and classmates very much.

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-84743409067292008642010-09-25T23:34:00.001-06:002010-09-25T23:36:54.453-06:00

Max can't put these down.  He must have read the tagline on the insert that came with the mini magnet wonder fidget toy - "the toy you can't put down!"  I did a post awhile back about fidgets.  You can see it HERE, if you like.  There are lots of great suggestions for keeping the fingers busy for all of those kinesthetic learners out there.  My kiddo can truly concentrate much better if he has

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-73268800995953195022010-09-25T23:09:00.003-06:002010-09-25T23:19:07.491-06:00

I picked up a pack of these flashcards at a toy store (filled to the brim with stuff) at the 5th Street Market in Eugene, Oregon last week.  Max and I have gone through them a couple of times to learn some new words in a very clever and giggle-some way. Sorry, I can't get the entire picture to upload here.......the bottom quote says, "five bucks says the cat's a jumper".  The word that you

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-6415571109782495572010-09-23T22:15:00.002-06:002010-09-25T21:40:49.012-06:00

Apparently I'm not very good at this......this homeschooling while traveling gig.  We are in Oregon, mostly because we've never visited this lusciously green state before.  A 'just because' kind of vacation can be quite satisfying on many levels, except this time, not so much for the progress I intended in our homeschooling lessons.  Somehow Max wiggled out of his daily math (seven days later and

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-18148241294353230422010-09-14T21:34:00.000-06:002010-09-14T21:34:10.728-06:00

If I stop the merry-go-round that is life and sit still for a minute or two or longer, my mind can scarcely believe that Max is a fifth grader. Where does the time go? We all say that, don't we? How did that little guy who once topped out height-wise at my knee turn into a kid who is nearly as tall as I am (and he can even wear my tennis shoes without tripping)???? If we stop and examine each

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-10985601355013320902010-09-04T21:02:00.002-06:002010-09-12T11:18:12.695-06:00

Maybe you're like this, too. You hear about something, you become curious about that thing, and then before you know it you surround yourself with all things THING, whatever that thing may be, so you can learn all about it. Substitute any of the following for the THING: gardening, skydiving, kayaking, tandem bike riding, Photoshop, chickens, rabbits, lizards, landscaping, eating well, or pick

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-18946285500296388002010-08-29T23:25:00.003-06:002010-09-11T23:41:52.566-06:00

This post has absolutely nothing to do with homeschooling - it's an 'outlier' post! I think it's important to have the occasional outlier in everything that IS. Take a look at the quilts the Amish construct - the women often place an 'out-of-whack' block in their quilts, and I think that's cool. Like there's a little sense of humor that got sewn in to the making of that quilt. So. Yesterday we

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-2978151646593614332010-08-28T23:22:00.002-06:002010-09-11T23:45:00.458-06:00

In an effort to inject a little fun into each morning for Max, I just got finished creating some daily logs in Word on the computer. We're heading into fifth grade this year and I'm hoping that Max will get more and more comfortable working independently this year. I'm trying to provide lots of structure for him to help him along. I made some logs wherein I can fill one out the night before and

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-36809643962028815452010-08-25T23:06:00.002-06:002010-09-11T23:45:43.258-06:00

Just read a great post titled 'Back to School Hell' by a dad who is grappling with the whole supply lists that schools are handing out right about now. He simply can't believe how much stuff the schools are asking him to purchase so that his child can get educated within the system. While reading his post, as humorous and as true as he nailed it, I had a thought. Why don't parents just say no to

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-6529230270111401552010-08-20T22:40:00.005-06:002010-09-12T11:30:03.732-06:00

I enjoy hunting (gasp!); the "catch" is ALWAYS inanimate, though. I'm too much of a softy to consider the alternative. I grew up amidst a family of Midwestern hunters and struggled with emotions when the 'prize buck' was brought in every fall. Although, my family did utilize nearly every ounce of the animal for food and leather products, I still blanched and ran for the hills when the trucks came

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-6863416586395385002010-08-16T21:29:00.004-06:002010-09-12T11:33:09.473-06:00

Give me a well-thought-out spreadsheet any day and I’ll give a big ol’ smile right back to you. There’s something about empty white boxes surrounded by thin black lines that make me all happy inside. I like filling in those little white boxes with words and stuff – guess it makes me feel like I have some control over the situation, whatever that situation might be. I spent a little time today

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-19300331318839349922010-08-09T20:53:00.003-06:002010-09-11T23:47:01.970-06:00

There is a palpable buzz all around us right now; I feel like we are tucked safely and cozily into a nice comfy cocoon, getting to avoid most of the noise. Kids up and down the street are being shuttled by their parents to stores for the annual back-to-school shopping extravaganza. School supplies, school clothes, school lunch boxes, sleek folders, perforated notebooks, bottles of Elmers, packs

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-45905401275937427452010-07-28T11:35:00.006-06:002010-09-12T11:36:46.213-06:00

I'm addicted to a few things. Here they are in no particular order: 1. dark chocolate, at least 70% cocoa 2. iced green tea 3. my computer - if I'm forced to be away from it for more than a few days, I start to shake 4. chickens! No, not as in 'eating' them, but as in raising them, enjoying them and harvesting their nummy eggs 5. most animals, really. I'm pro-pet for sure! Except for maybe

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-85906832352048971572010-07-16T11:31:00.002-06:002010-09-11T23:47:52.702-06:00

This has been a crazy, wonderful, buzzing summer that is humming right along. Not much formal homeschooling going on other than daily math lessons with Teaching Textbooks. Since the homeschool tasks have been suspended, I most definitely have turned my attention elsewhere! I can't sit still and do nothing. Something has to be turning in my mind at all times, or I feel lost and unproductive.

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-51502053393779435982010-07-01T15:26:00.001-06:002010-09-11T23:48:13.213-06:00

That could mean so many things!  The older neighbor lady with the pointy nose who peeks over your backyard fence, sporting her curlers and robe......... or a body that is constantly in motion, one that never sits down!  Well, to clarify, I'm writing about a tool that you may find useful, perhaps even indispensable as you prepare for next year's homeschooling adventure (which will probably get

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-13803767152083758702010-06-24T11:11:00.005-06:002010-09-14T22:30:54.477-06:00

Mindware has some nifty card sets available that have won some awards - when I see stuff like this I think, "hmmm - maybe we should get some of these, you know, just to have around."  Each deck contains 30 cards sporting trivia, multiple choice and true/false questions about a variety of subjects.  Mindware happens to package the decks in sets of six, or they can be purchased separately.  I did

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-78354612160890944372010-06-16T13:27:00.004-06:002010-09-14T12:01:40.986-06:00

When I first began blogging about homeschooling, I distinctly remember issuing a statement that can be summarized as such, “I am not a homeschool pusher.  There are many ways to achieve an education, homeschooling is merely one of the options.  It’s a fit for some families and not for others for a variety of reasons and I respect everyone’s choices”.  I was trying to remain neutral and thought

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-88008360410882335082010-06-09T13:26:00.002-06:002010-09-14T12:03:22.482-06:00

Officially we are on summer break, but one never stops learning.  Even if stranded in a small enclosed gray and bland cubicle, you'd probably learn SOMETHING.  Not sure what, but maybe which of your toes is the longest or fattest.  I don't know, but you get my point.  I'm often baffled about how much there IS to learn, if you really set out on that task. Max is attending a summer camp, which is

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-58989774485740739442010-06-02T13:19:00.003-06:002010-09-14T12:04:37.303-06:00

Far be it from me to rely on first impressions - hah!  The Teaching Textbooks math program has arrived on the scene here in our house and SO FAR SO GOOD.  Greg Sabouri, an author of TT, is a fun teacher with a very pleasant voice.  How's that for using instinct to key in on what works?  Kind of silly, really.   But Max is enjoying the lectures (which are short and sweet), and he's cruising

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-66439201066566947822010-05-25T13:16:00.007-06:002010-09-14T12:11:03.451-06:00

Math is a dark subject lurking in our home.  It follows Max around and pokes him just to annoy him and then skitters away, cackling.  Numbers are not his friends.  Try as we have, the multiplication facts remain elusive, shrouded in mystery and murkiness.  I have tried not to push or cajole, but I'm not perfect and have felt some silly anxiety about him not grasping these foundational numbers. 

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-73410966315393924512010-05-16T13:14:00.006-06:002010-09-14T12:22:14.464-06:00

Max just finished up a week-long online live grammar class.   Other than having some difficulties with our microphone, overall the class was a success and a nice wrap up for the grammar work we've done this year.  There were seven or eight children taking the class from all over the world!  One little boy was in Israel, one in Mississippi, a few in New York, etc.  Max enjoyed interacting with

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-57655291417103548632010-05-11T13:12:00.003-06:002010-09-25T23:37:26.489-06:00

Max learns best when he has a fidget of some sort in his hand to play with, be it a Lego guy, a Bakugan figure, or the Rubik's cube.  I'm setting up a fidget basket close to where we work on school stuff so that they are always at the ready. I searched for various fidgets the other day with some criteria in mind:  it can't make annoying noises, it must be relatively small, and foremost, it must

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-51638538934569740972010-05-07T13:11:00.002-06:002010-09-14T12:28:43.390-06:00

Well, maybe it's best to think of them as not-so-good days.  Less bad, but still not good.  This is going to be a cathartic post, so if you're not in the mood to hear me carry on, best stop here.  There are lots of really positive and motivating posts all over this blog, so go check those out instead!  My whining will be over shortly and tomorrow is a new day.  Amazing what a good night of sleep

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-28200866774011408772010-05-04T13:10:00.002-06:002010-09-14T12:30:25.819-06:00

Okay, I just gotta' say.........this journal idea is a GOOD one.  I am very intrigued and very happy with the lines of thinking with respect to this particular curriculum package called Connect The Thoughts (CTT).  CTT was developed by Steven David Horwich, a man you can read about on the CTT website.  He's a prolific person who put some intensely serious thought into what it means to be educated

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-58711277658331633392010-05-01T13:08:00.001-06:002010-09-11T23:55:10.702-06:00

Every day (well, not EVERY day, but 98% of our school days), Max gets read to.  I plunk down on the couch or in a comfy chair, he grabs his Nerf sword or piles of Lego guys or whatever gadget is close at hand, and we begin the ritual.  I read anywhere from two to five chapters (depending on how gripping the tale is) and Max slays the imaginary demons cavorting about the room; good thing we can't

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-71549760595473137212010-04-26T13:07:00.001-06:002010-09-11T23:55:33.914-06:00

Just an FYI!  The History Channel is giving away free DVDs about American History to schools and homeschools.  Here's information from their website (i.e., the particulars): America The Story of US – premiering on HISTORY™ April 25 at 9pm/8c – is a six-week event that provides a fascinating look at the stories of the people, events, and innovations that forged our nation. It will provide you with

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-3597179628537273332010-04-25T13:05:00.001-06:002010-09-11T23:55:57.594-06:00

If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.~ Chinese proverbChildren learn a lot from the adults closest to them.  They watch, emulate, absorb ideals and values.  We carry so much responsibility when bringing a child into the world!  Sometimes I ponder on this and allow the seriousness of parenting

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-84518421124292547202010-04-23T13:03:00.001-06:002010-09-11T23:56:25.344-06:00

Sometimes I'm not sure if books that contain lots of trivia are all that effective - I think there has to be some sort of personal association for information like that to stick, but I could be wrong. Some people just seem to have 'trivia-prepped' brains and can feed on this stuff. We had this calendar last year. When I remembered to glance at it, look at the correct day and read aloud what was

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-2185297777626748632010-04-21T13:01:00.001-06:002010-09-11T23:56:46.877-06:00

It's still a little blurry, because I'm so close to it, this year of homeschooling......but I think I have enough perspective to reflect on what has transpired.  Have you reached that point in your life yet when you have to hold objects away from your face just to see them?  Oy.  The fourth decade has its novelties, doesn't it?  Brace yourself if you are not there yet -it's coming! The purpose of

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-80616663821310512732010-04-19T12:56:00.004-06:002010-09-11T23:57:13.916-06:00

I posted once or twice before about Jay Hosler's writing, but he deserves another plug. This weekend I read Optical Allusions from cover to cover and I just have to tell you that I laughed and learned all the way through it, right into the credits, even.  I really admire this author and what he is trying to do with respect to teaching children and child-like adults.  Here's the book - you may

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-86605236823210752722010-04-14T09:22:00.001-06:002010-09-11T23:57:43.727-06:00

Boy, am I excited about this one!  Max is still on the fence - he's concerned that we'll be looking at pictures of intestines and hearts, bless his little worried heart.  I intend to make this unit as fun as can be while we learn all about how complex and wonderful and mind-boggling our bodies are!  These few resources highlighted below are the beginning of my search for the next six-week period

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-3913728380785296392010-03-29T22:08:00.001-06:002010-10-25T22:19:49.735-06:00

For the most part, I aim to focus on fun and engaging educational materials in this blog, to help homeschoolers add learning through laughter to their days! That's my intention and 99% of what you'll find here will be tailored in that direction. However, as we all know, life is not composed solely of fun and games. It has a deeply serious, often painful side that most of us cannot escape, as much

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-4341560604841340742010-03-23T22:20:00.001-06:002010-10-25T22:26:23.077-06:00

I discovered a super resource a few days ago in the form of a homeschooling site based in Colorado. It's called CHEER and stands for 'Colorado Home Educator's Eclectic Resource.' Here's what Ann, the mom who is responsible for this creative entity, says: "As a long-time, homeschool mom and an obsessive cheerleader for homeschooling, I look at that potential and want it to come to realization

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-54973353299193402202010-03-18T21:56:00.001-06:002010-10-25T22:06:15.524-06:00

While looking at some more books by Trudy Romanek, I noticed a fantastic theme that can be celebrated in a homeschool environment for both girls AND boys. We will definitely choose some of these to read. As a mother to a son, I can help carve his perceptions of women in umpteen ways. Positive perceptions trickle to the next generation, so I look at it as helping to make my great-great-great

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-74494502825327498932010-03-16T22:50:00.001-06:002010-10-24T23:01:16.655-06:00

Max experienced his first blood draw as an 'aware' child today. I mean, this time he was old enough to piece together the information and realize that he was about to get stuck in the arm with a butterfly needle, 25 gauge to be exact. The last time blood was taken from him was when he was a newborn and that was the PKU heel stick - i.e. traumatic yet fleeting experience. Probably more traumatic

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-21921898234815914142010-03-14T22:46:00.000-06:002010-10-24T22:48:38.915-06:00

Occasionally in my blog I will blather on about something that is on my mind, and I will do my very best to put it into words so that you can understand these things on my mind! Not so easy sometimes, but I am struck by deep thoughts periodically. Usually when I'm emptying the dishwasher or brushing my teeth. I'll share these ideas here and there as they come along. The blog is primarily focused

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-34110863015465499292010-03-11T22:36:00.001-07:002010-10-24T22:43:55.336-06:00

Well, it all started with Carmen Sandiego, which led to me paying attention to the software company, which led to me looking up said software company, which led to finding all of this OTHER software.....this is how it always happens! Following these trails is exciting because the end result is usually good. Mapless, no global positioning system - just hunting for out-of-the-ordinary materials to

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-7561957513895937502010-03-10T20:19:00.001-07:002010-10-11T20:33:28.033-06:00

Conjunction junction, what's your function? 1970's, long hair, bell bottoms and the tv tuned to Saturday morning cartoons. Alpha Bits cereal in a bowl? My memory is sketchy about the props, but I'm convinced that these Schoolhouse Rock episodes helped me to learn grammar! Wouldn't it be fun to go back and watch these again, only this time with your kids? Long hair seems to be back in vogue -

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-61406093413191073632010-03-08T22:30:00.001-07:002010-10-09T22:32:53.778-06:00

Sometimes it's helpful to view the world through someone else's eyes. We learn much this way. How about viewing the world through someTHING's eyes? Say an exclamation mark or an apostrophe? This fun twist on perspective might help kids understand punctuation marks and why they 'act' as they do! Simon Basher's book below offers this unique perspective and I have a feeling reading through this

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-75820674193146736112010-03-07T21:31:00.001-07:002010-10-09T22:29:59.988-06:00

The analytical study of gross is called grossology. Subject matter perfect for boys around the age of ten! Some of these would make for interesting adjunct studies within a human body unit study, so they are going on the list. Max tends toward the squeamish, so I will have to wait until he's ready to handle some of this material, or we'll have to pick through them and hit the high points. In the

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-43287350669557057232010-03-04T21:44:00.000-07:002010-10-08T21:58:30.765-06:00

What an adventure Max is having trying to locate the lady in red who is none other than Carmen Sandiego! Carmen's been around for many years and you can try and track her with uploadable software or by playing a board game. I picked up a cheap version of the software and uploaded it yesterday. Max has been jet-setting all over the world and learning as he goes. Occasionally he'll yell out

maxaroo15noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2574594528153112812.post-82492271468212773652010-03-02T21:40:00.001-07:002010-10-08T21:43:51.870-06:00

You've got to meet this guy. Well, not in person, really (although I'm sure he's just as nice in person), but virtually! Science Jim is becoming popular with the 8-12 year old set because he makes science fun! Physics, specifically. Since 2002 he has been working on a fun physics curriculum for kids ages 8 and up and I think he's succeeding with his endeavor. We have engaged in three sessions of

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