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Friday, November 21, 2014

Valley year 14/15

 
 
Friday
 
Mostly for Marilyn:
I finally was able to crack my blogger site and upload a picture from my phone.
We are finding that when we get our school rhythm going that we enjoy the different curriculums and studies sent home.
Some snags are... Not having the sheets at the beginning of the week which ends up with late nights of pressure while trying to finish work Monday night or Wednesday night huffing and puffing hoping we can get everything set-up for our day at school Thursday.  Some things that cause stress would be not being sure of what is happening when the subjects  laid out in the reports change towards the end of the week. We try with all our might then realize that we missed reviewing info for a test or missed the day when kids were studying at school to review for a test. Trying to be more incorporated and being able to match that at home in a way that does not leave the children at a disadvantage when it comes to doing their tests and showing what they know or to study more diligently even when to pass in work due and how the fluctuating system worked within one week to the next . I spend most days out of the week either asking for work or trying to remind the children to make sure they are all good and everything passed in or that did it get  remembered as they wont be there for 2 school days, which can a lifetime in school days:) The sports we have signed up to complete most of  our PE obligations can really cut into the week whether it is a tournament which misses a day of school and that may cause us confusion about what the kids in class are doing the next day, on our days off, the work they missed the day they were away or the work slotted for that day.
As Valley  DLs we have to be incredibly fluid in order to hop back and forth into the flow, this requires flexibility and understanding on our part and on the part of the 5 day brick and mortar system. I find that when we leave on a Thursday that we are doing everything we can do , but while gone the class has morphed again and the lay of the land is different by the time we get back in on the next week. 
 
 
Here we are going through our reports for the last few days and Friday and finding any things that look like they need to be done or finished up to the best of our ability.
Mary practicing her French words, numbers. Aidan finishing his math lesson and closing his book in satisfaction. Kellen working on his Family rules.
The kids love working together in groups while working and a certain pace gets set where they happily push forward with their work and are very content. I rarely have to interrupt except to answer a question or press them onto the next subject or question on what was done in class and if we need to tie up loose ends.
 
 

Monday, June 16, 2014

Paper dolls fun stuff by K and M

Using magnetic roller to pick up rusty nails

The magnetic roller picks up rusty nails and staples from off the ground. They dropped to the ground when the old roof was ripped off. Unseen by our eyes in the grass this will help us from getting rusty metal in our feet. 30 count after just a few minutes.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

A book for everyone

I as pleased to see my son reading By the Shores of Silver Lake. We have a companion Unit study "The Prairie Primer", that uses the Little House on the Prairie books.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Roasting green coffee

Mrs. C showing the group of children how to roast green coffee beans.  
 
 

History of Medicine will be read till year end

 
Tests from our reading of Chapter 1 "The first Physicians"
Hippocrates, Galen, human anatomy, discussion of our medicine today. Moral choices of doctors as they treat their patients.
 
 
Picture of the "teacher" reading to the kids something that I still enjoy with the children's studies being fairly independent at this point. 

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Tawny horse in the pasture

Mary painted this horse with watercolor. She was inspired by a photograph online. She enjoyed making the horse a tawny color.

J'aime mon chien

Aidan's fine arts response in regards to the verb Aimer and ne pas. He researched Huskies and was instructed to pick out his favorite picture online. He picked a photograph and then sketched and used guache to color. He has added a humorous twist into his art. If you read the dog's collar it makes use of ne pas and gives the dogs opinion of cats. Je' n'aime pas les chats.


 
 
 J'aime mon chien! by Aidan Tanis 
  
                                                                                                 
 
 
 
Evidence of use of Aimer / ne pas    
                                                                                                  

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Newfoundland learning

Today we were privileged to go to a native of Newfoundland's house as she shared her family history and Heritage. She spoke of the sea and of it's giving and taking. She shared historical family albums with preserved pictures and articles. We spoke of mummers and dories and the moratorium on fishing. It was fascinating!

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Social time at downstairs M&M

M&M is a ladies study at Northside Community church a local MBrethren church. We are currently reading through 2Timothy and it is a blessing.  I have been privileged to be included in this Bible study nestled in the back hills on Dewdney. Uniquely, every year they provide care for the children. This is a wonderful social time for the kids. They do crafts, and have snacks. As homeschoolers, it has blessed us. Actually, the caregivers are older homeschool girls who faithfully serve to care for the kids.  In turn, teaching other children Stewardship.

 
Some of the kids there today. Usually they play games and have a snack too.
 

Monday, March 31, 2014

Ripping apart the deck

Aidan was finished late at night, after unscrewing every nail in the planks on the deck and removing the wood. He worked until late removing every screw. Hmm we might be finding an interest here.

Planting seeds..for Kellen

 
Spring is here. Pulling out the seed packets and getting our hands dirty is all part of the fun! Even baby is enjoying the fresh air.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Weekend visit to the museum of History in WA


Stilliguamish Pioneer museum. Pictures compliments of Grandma.

The children all came away with a hand made length of rope that they helped guide though a machine.
 


 
K watching the rope process.
A came away with a piece of wood cut by one of the machines, a length of braided rope and he also was given a polished stone.
                        

                                                  LINK: Stilliguamish Pioneer Museum

Monday, March 17, 2014

Kellen pre K.

Independant homemaking. Trying taller and shorter,smaller, medium,and bigger stirrers.