Poppins Book Nook - Wizards

 

This is the 2nd month participating in Poppins Book Nook and this month it's all about Wizards!!

Here are the book choices we read this month: (click on the photos for more info)

We watched a few episodes of The Wizards of Waverly Place on Netflix

and made a magic potion of slime

Ingredients:

1. 2 TBS borax
2. 1 1/3 cups hot water

In a separate bowl

1. 2 cups school glue
2. 1 1/2 cups hot water
3. liquid water color or food coloring

Directions:

1. Mix borax an 1 1/3 cups water
2. In a separate bowl mix glue, 1 1/2 cups water, and coloring (liquid water colors or food coloring)
3. Stir mixtures together

Check out our Review of Maestro Classics Sorcerer’s Apprentice and our Sorcerer's Apprentice Unit with FREE Printable for more WIZARD fun!

Here is a list of the wonderful bloggers participating in the Poppins Book Nook be sure to visit them for more fun Wizard themed ideas:

Enchanted Homeschooling Mom – Royal Baloo – 3 Dinosaurs – Monsters Ed – Chestnut Grove Academy –Growing in God’s Grace – Royal Little Lambs – Life with Moore Babies – Teach Beside Me – The Usual Mayhem –Mum Central – Fantastic Fun and Learning – Kathys Cluttered Mind – Play Create Explore – Toddler Approved –Growing Book by Book – Adventures in Mommydom – B-Inspired Mama – The Fairy and The Frog – Edventures with Kids – Learning & Growing the Piwi way – A Gluten Free Journey – Rainy Day Mum – Mom to Crazy Monkeys – No Doubt Learning

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Field Trip #82 Friday Blog Hop

Field Trip Friday!

A Blog Hop designed to share 'FIELD TRIP' related Blog Posts

(does not have to be a 'home school field trip', can be any trip to any place with your children!)

 

We went to 808 Equine Horse Rescue to tour.  It was a very successful field trip, with 91 paying attendees! 

We also went and saw Charlotte’s Web, a really cute play.  We weren’t allowed to take pictures during the performance though, so I have none.  But it was enjoyed by all the kiddos!

**NOTE:  Before linking up please review guidelines HERE

Review–Dr. Craft’s Active Play (TOS Review)

We had the privilege of trying out Active Play! Fun Physical Activities for Young Children by Dr. Craft's Active Play Books.  This book is filled with lots of great physical skill building activities for young children, 52 to be exact.  The book also includes a DVD to show you the activities in action.  The activities range in complexity, as far as set up and implementation.  There are activities for indoor, outdoor or both, which really helps with those rainy day jiggles! 

Many of the activities also have a cognitive spin to them, so in addition to building gross motor skills they are building brain power too! 

Activities are adaptable for ages 6mos through Elementary aged. 

Most activities use common household objects, though some items may need to be purchased if you don’t already own (like a hula hoop).  You could also easily substitute some items, and usually alternative suggestions are given. 

Some of the activities we did are:

Alligator Pit – a balance beam activity, don’t let the alligator get you!

Bubble Wrap Jumping – what kid doesn’t like to jump on bubble wrap??

Sock the Cans – we used bean bags (we don’t have much for socks living in Hawaii).  Knocking down targets.

Hoop Scotch – a simplified version of hop scotch

and Hoop Chase – Chasing Hula Hoops

Some of the activities require a bit more time and preparation than others, but there is a balance of those type of activities with other quicker/easier to implement activities.  I appreciated that!  I don’t always have lots of time to put into something, since I’m trying to balance so many things, and several children (like most homeschooling moms).

This product is great for homeschooling in a family, or in larger groups, including daycare or school settings. 

My children enjoyed many of the activities, and we will continue to use the product!

Here is a video of them doing the Hula Hoop Limbo! They didn’t want to stop!

The book is available for $39.00 plus shipping and handling.

5 Common Myths About Homeschooling–Guest Post

 
At present time, there are more and more parents who choose to give their children an education that is taught at home instead of a traditional method of going to school. This lifestyle is sometimes frowned upon by society because people think that children can only get a good education at school. According to college paper writing experts at SolidEssay.com, homeschooling is a great way for a child to get a good education. It’s mostly focused on activities and is considered to be more engaging than school education. Naturally, there are many stereotypes and myths surrounding homeschooling but most of them are wrong. Below, there are 5 common myths about homeschooling explaining why they are wrong.
1. Homeschooled children are antisocial.
This is one of the most common assumptions people make about homeschooled children. Everybody thinks that homeschooling involves sitting around the house all day in front of the computer or watching TV and spending time only with their parents, but this is not the case. Homeschooled children are always involved in activities such as music lessons, babysitting, church related activities and of course camps. All of these activities involve interaction with other children. Being homeschooled is a great way to encourage your children to interact with people of all group ages, thus, their social skills will be greatly increased in comparison to children who go to public schools, in an environment where bullying is always a problem and children are encouraged not to express themselves but, instead, just listen.
2. Homeschooled children can’t join the army.
This is, again, not true. Currently, the U.S. Army is recruiting homeschooled children too. After checking out goarmy.com website, you will see that homeschooled children can even get cash bonuses or scholarships to go to college!
3. Not very many parents choose homeschooling for their kids.
According to the Census Bureau, there are more than two million children being homeschooled in America right now. Statistics tell us that the number of children being homeschooled is continually rising at approximately 20% per year. The Internet has made homeschooling much more engaging, attractive and even fun. Nowadays, lessons or even lesson programs can be downloaded online and your child will get the same education as in a public school but in a much more friendly and loving environment.
4. Homeschooled children are homebodies.
This is another myth that is far from the truth. Most homeschooled children are involved in homeschooling groups. Homeschooling groups often organize events for their children and they are always involved in doing something engaging. The great part is that they don’t always have to learn at home; learning can happen everywhere and some children even go to public schools for Arts class or P.E., for instance, if they can’t do it anywhere else.
5. Homeschooled children don’t have a normal adolescence
It’s widely believed that homeschooled children miss out on important events in their teens because they can’t participate in proms, sporting events or go out with their friends. Obviously, this is again only a myth. Most high schools actually encourage and welcome any homeschooled child to participate in their events as a guest. Some homeschooling groups even organize their own proms or sporting events.
Author bio: Nick R. is a freelance writer working for a few college paper writing services, including SolidEssay.com, where he consults students on how to write essays, research papers, and theses. Read more here.

Interactive Book of Mormon Stories-- Giveaway

Keeping our little ones quiet during Sacrament Meeting can be a bit of a struggle sometimes.  I know that I try to provide church related materials for them to use during Sacrament, something to keep them busy, but something to also remind them of why we are there.  I am so excited to be adding the Interactive Book of Mormon Stories Vol 1 & 2 to our Sunday Bag! 

I’m even more excited to be able to offer two sets of Vol 1 & 2 as a giveaway to all of you great readers!

The Interactive Book of Mormon Series was created by Natalie and is available for purchase in her Etsy shop as downloads for $9.99 ea or $17.99 for the set.

Here are some videos showing Volume 1 and 2 in action!

There is a variety of ways you can put these together to best fit your family. 

How else do you help keep your kids reverent during Sacrament Meeting?  Share your ideas and mark it in the Rafflecopter Entry Form to enter the giveaway!  Other entry options are also available !

Good Luck!!

Contest ends 4/17 at 12:00AM HST, winners will be posted here and notified via email Contest is also posted on Latter Day Homeschooling Blog a Rafflecopter giveaway

Field Trip #82 Friday Blog Hop

Field Trip Friday!

A Blog Hop designed to share 'FIELD TRIP' related Blog Posts

(does not have to be a 'home school field trip', can be any trip to any place with your children!)

We got a great deal on a group rate to Sea Life Park!  It’s been over a year since we have been, so the younger kids didn’t even really remember going.  They had a great time, and loved seeing the dolphins!

**NOTE:  Before linking up please review guidelines HERE

Field Trip #81 Friday Blog Hop

Field Trip Friday!

A Blog Hop designed to share 'FIELD TRIP' related Blog Posts

(does not have to be a 'home school field trip', can be any trip to any place with your children!)

 

We visited Kahuku Farm on the North Shore and got to try some of their produce (Papaya and Apple Banana), tour their farm and plant some lettuce!  The kids had fun, unfortunately it was a wet spring day in Hawaii….

**NOTE:  Before linking up please review guidelines HERE

Review- A Journey Through Learning (TOS Review)

We had the opportunity to take a look at a few of A Journey Through Learning’s lapbooks.  We decided to complete the Knights and Castles lapbook since my son has been interested in castles recently.
Each lapbook packet comes with easy to understand instructions.  There are also video tutorials on How To Lapbook on their website.
The entire lapbook can be completed in about a month, if you do one piece a day.  It is designed for 2nd-7th grades, though technically my son is in 1st.  Older children could quite easily complete this lapbook on their own.  My son and I did it together, I would read to him the study guide, while he cut out the pieces and placed them on the folders.  We took turns with writing in the booklets.
There is religious reference in this unit, so it may not fit a secular homeschooling curriculum.

My son is on the fence about lapbooks, but he really enjoyed doing this one!
Lapbooks are available as instant downloads, CD format or preprinted.  An instant download of the Knights and Castles costs for $13.00.  A Journey Through Learning has a wide variety of lapbooks to choose from, many correspond with curriculums such as Classical Conversations, Apologia and more.  Their prices range from $1+. 
Other lapbooks we looked at and are looking forward to completing in the future are The Earth, Astronomy and Space and for my 4 year old Letters, Numbers and Shapes.
You can see how we incorporated the Knights and Castles lapbook into a unit study HERE.

Music Lessons and the Home-Learning Family

GUEST POST  by Rebecca Fuller of LearnFluteOnline.com

Why music lessons?  Let me count the reasons.

1. Music can bring a beauty and peace in ways no other curriculum can.
2. Music teaches focus and self discipline… not something every child/adult wants, but definitely something every child/adult needs.
3. Self confidence will grow by leaps and bounds.
4. Subjects that require stick-to-it-ness are a must in a home-learning environment.  The skills that keeps on giving.
5. The skills gained during music learning cross paths with all other curriculum.
6. Not many other subjects allow an expression of self.
7. When the family learns together, no one feels alone in the learning process.  Thus, the family bond grows.
How music lessons and homeschool?  Learn Online.
Yup.  It’s totally possible.  The internet is making all things possible.  Even awesome music lessons.

Parent and Child learning together is theee best fun!  Bond-it-up!  Show your child you are interested in learning as well.  This sparks genuine interest in all education in your home.
I have spent the past 25 years molding and shaping others and my own children’s musical skills.  They are wonderful musicians and I have a huge sense of accomplishment when I see any of them pick up their instrument and play with eagerness and emotion - just for “fun”.
We have been able to use the skill as income for many, many years including keeping the boys funding themselves even during football season.
My love and enthusiasm has been used to train other families to do just what I have done.  And it brings such a feeling of accomplishment as I have received hundreds of letters of thanks for bringing music to a person or a family.
Carry-on, home-learners.  Stay homeward bound!
-Rebecca Fuller
You can find Rebecca online teaching with passion and organized to the hilt at: http://LearnFluteOnline.com  where she helps people of all ages hone their musical skill by using the beautiful instrument flute in a step-by-step, affordable online approach.