Virtual Curriculum Fair 2016: Exploring Our World, How We Do Social Studies and Life/Earth Science

Social Studies and Science are typically done together as a family, with a few small exceptions.

I’ll start with the exceptions:

C (my 4th grader) does some online history each morning with Veritas Press Self Paced History, which (by the way) is on sale right now for 50% off and it can be deferred to start as late as September 1st!  This is our 2nd year using Veritas Press, he LOVES it!  We are using Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation this year and will be using Ancient History next year (probably New Testament, Greece and Rome because I don’t think we can fit both into one year). 

*You can get it on sale at the Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op (and earn 500 Smart Points) or at the Veritas Website until the 21st.  It’ good for one year from start date.  (Though I’m not sure you can defer the Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op purchase).

Z (1st grade) receives a subscription box to Little Passports (World Edition) each month, and is also taking an Around the World in 8 days class at co-op. 

c (PreK) receives a subscription box to Little Passports also, but he receives the Early Explorer's Edition.

My kids also enjoy Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr!  These are also available for a discount at Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op. They include social studies and science videos, as well as other subjects.  My kids have honestly learned so much from these! 

History:

Together we use Pandia Press History Odyssey Middle Ages Level 1 for History, we will also be using the same next year, except Ancient History and my oldest will be using Level 2.  We supplement a little with videos we find that correspond to the lessons.  We listen to SOTW in the car a lot, it’s great for schooling on the go!

Earth and Life Science:

Last year we did Earth Science and Astronomy, we used Elemental Science, but we decided it wasn’t really for us.  It’s a great program, lots of experiments, it just didn’t work for us.   When we visit it again next year we will use Pandia Press  R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey.  We are using them next year for Life Science (we have used it previously too).  It’s a great program!  We will use it in conjunction with Visual Learning Systems Digital Online Science this time though, which will help raise it up a level for C, who will be in 5th grade.

Pandia Press is also having a sale this month 25% off everything in store, no codes needed!

We also utilize You Tube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Steaming and Hulu a lot into our studies.  My kids are audio and visual learners, so these types of programs, plus lots of books helps them learn a lot! 

History and Science are our 2 favorite subjects, and I think the curriculum is a lot of the reason WHY! 

Linking up at the Virtual Curriculum Fair 2016

This year the Virtual Curriculum Fair is hosted by Laura @ Day by Day in Our World, Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses and Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset.

Yvie @ Gypsy Road - Bringing It to Life! History, Geography, & Science

Jen Altman @ Chestnut Grove Academy - Virtual Curriculum Fair 2016: Exploring Our World, How We Do Social Studies and Life/Earth Science

Laura @ Day by Day in Our World - Learning About the World Around Us

Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses - Social Studies a Science of Relations

Lisa @ GoldenGrasses - Exploring & Discovering Around the World

Annette @ A Net In Time - Science and Culture Around the World and at Home

Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break - Exploring History and Geography

Laura @ Four Little Penguins - Going Around the World at Our Kitchen Table

Joelle @ Homeschooling for His Glory - Our Tackling of the Social Studies and Science

Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset - Encouraging Curiosity about the World

Little Passport SALE Announcement

Sale: Save 15% on all new Little Passports subscriptions with code CHEER15
Dates: Now - Monday, December 15th
Promo Code: CHEER15
Fine Print: *This promotion is valid online only at www.littlepassports.com. To redeem enter code CHEER15 at checkout. Offer valid on new subscriptions only and cannot be combined with any other offers and/or applied retroactively to previously placed orders. On a Monthly Plan, offer applies only to the first month. Offer not valid on Personalized items. Offer excludes shipping and taxes. Offer valid from December 5, 2014 at 8:00AM EST to December 15, 2014 at 11:59PM EST.

We Love Little Passports and now they have even MORE selections for a wider age variety!  It’s a great educational gift idea for the little ones in your life! 

Little Passports Valentine’s Day Sale!

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Little Passports Teaches You The Symbols of the Sochi Spirit in the 2014 Winter Olympics!

The Winter Olympic Games take place in Sochi, Russia this year! Host Countries and Cities love incorporating distinctive cultural details throughout each Olympics to share their history and spirit with the world. What are some features that make the 2014 Winter Olympics’ symbols unique?
Join Sam and Sofia as they learn about three of the Sochi Games’ distinctive symbols—the torch, medals, and mascots!

The Olympic Torch
The countdown to the Games kicks-off with the Olympic torch relay, which delivers the Olympic flame from Olympia, Greece to the Host City through a series of runners. For the Sochi Games, each runner carries an eye-catching, red and silver torch.



The torch’s curved shape is inspired by the feather of the golden Firebird, a mythical creature celebrated in Russian fairytales and folklore. According to one legend, the Firebird’s feathers “light the way” and bring good fortune and happiness. You might notice patterns inspired by the Firebird and its feathers throughout the Sochi Games. For example, look for them on Team Russia’s uniforms!



The Olympic Medals
The top three finishers in every event will receive one of the 2014 Winter Olympic medals. They are metal and feature an etched glass-like insert with jagged edges resembling mountain peaks and the seashore. This design highlights Sochi’s unique position between the cold snow-capped Caucasus Mountains and the warm sandy beaches of the Black Sea.
The medals also feature the Sochi Olympics’ recognizable “Patchwork Quilt” design, a mosaic of 16 traditional patterns that celebrate Russia’s rich traditions and cultural diversity. Keep an eye out for the colorful quilt design everywhere at the Games, such as on the torch bearers’ outfits and Olympic souvenirs!

The Olympic Mascots
Sam and Sofia can’t wait to meet the Snow Leopard, the Hare, and the Polar Bear—the 2014 winter Games’ mascots! The Sochi Olympics invited everyone in Russia to submit their ideas for the mascots, and to vote for their favorite from the finalists. Officials selected the top three finishers, representing the three places on the awards podium, as the official mascots.



These three native Russian animals represent the country’s spirit and embody the Olympic values. The Polar Bear is depicted as friendly, intelligent and always striving for new athletic heights, while the Hare is an excellent student and loves sports. Tough and strong, the choice of the Snow Leopard, a native of Sochi’s nearby Caucasus Mountains and a critically endangered species, draws attention to Russia’s increasing focus on animal conservation. Look for the three Olympic mascots spreading joy and Olympic spirit throughout the Games!
Sam and Sofia can’t wait to join their friends in Russia to support athletes from around the world. They are very excited to keep an eye out for all of these Olympic symbols as they watch the Winter Games this year!

Little Passports has Valentines Day Cards for Everyone!

Think it's too early? It's not! Valentines day will be here before you know it and I have some Little Passports Valentines Day Card Printables that your child can share with his/her friends. These are perfect for homeschool groups too!

Have you ever wondered how to say ‘I love you’ in German? How about in Tagalog? Our Little Passports Valentine’s Day cards include ‘Love’ and ‘I love you’ in languages from around the world! To share the love, simply download, print, and pass one to your valentine!

Here are some Little Passports "I Love You" Translations From Around The World!:
Jeg elsker Dig: Danish
Ik Hou Van Jou: Dutch
Te Amo: Spanish
I love you: English
Je T'aime: French
S'agapo: Greek
Sarang Hae Yo: Korean
Ech hun dech Gaer : Luxembourgish
Mahal Kita: Tagalog
Iay Ovlay Ouyay: Pig Latin
Saya Cinta kamu: Indonesian
Mina Rakastan Sinua: Finnish
Ich Liebe Dich: German
Wo Ai Ni: Chinese
Ya Tebya Liubliu: Russian
Aishiteru: Japanese
Hum Tumhe Pyar Karte hae: Hindi

Little Passports enables you to teach your child about the hundreds of different cultures around our world and around the USA! Each month, a package addressed to your kids (which they LOVE) arrives full of little goodies like stickers for their own passport, activity sheets that teach them about major landmarks around the world and gets their brain going with fun word scrambles! Little Passports even shares fun recipes that you can cook up with your kids to turn them into little chefs who know all about foods from different cultures. Subscriptions start at just $10.95/month which is another bonus! This is also the perfect resource for anyone who homeschools out there. Let me know what you think after you get set up with your own Little Passports subscription.
           

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How We Stay Fit All Around The World with Little Passports

January is the time of year when people all over the world make resolutions, and that’s exactly what Sofia and Sam of Little Passports are doing! This year they are promising to be more active. Join us as we travel the world discovering new sports and activities that will make you want to move around every day.

Australia
The majority of Australia’s population lives near the coast, so guess what sport is popular in this country? Surfing! Australia’s surfing culture is inspired by the surrounding waters. They enjoy the Southern Ocean in the South, the Indian Ocean in the West, the Pacific Ocean in the East, as well as the Timor, Tasman, Coral and other seas. Australian children learn early on how to respect the water and look for any dangers. Their beautiful beaches and big waves are a surfer’s paradise!


China
All you need is a net, a table, a small white ball, and two paddles to try one of China’s favorite sports: ping-pong (also called table tennis). China has one of the highest ranked players in the world and won many gold medals in table tennis at the 2012 London Olympics. Nearly 300 million people play this fun sport in China – that’s almost as many people as the entire US population! The game is fast, competitive, and takes lots of coordination. You can start out playing on your kitchen table (but please ask your mom or dad first).


Brazil
Brazilians go nuts for one sport in particular: football. Sam and Sofia have told you a little bit about this before. We even have a football game on our website! If you remember, this isn’t the kind of football that requires helmets and pads. All you really need to play is your foot and a ball. Sound familiar to you? You bet it does! We call it “soccer” in the United States. Brazil’s national football team is the most successful in the world, and they are scheduled to host the 2014 World Cup, football’s biggest tournament. Wouldn’t it be fun to visit Brazil during the World Cup?


India
Have you ever heard of cricket? No, not the loud bug! We’re talking about India’s favorite sport. Cricket was brought to India by the British, and it is still very popular in both countries. Cricket is a bat-and-ball game that requires players to bat, score runs, hit sticks called “wickets,” and get the opposing player out. The teams take turns called “innings,” but cricket games have been known to go on for days! Children in India love to play cricket on the street, the park, the beach, or the school playground.


Canada
Ice hockey is the national sport of Canada. As its name implies, it’s a sport that’s played on ice. The game involves two teams of six active players each, who use a hockey stick to shoot a puck across the ice while trying to score a goal. The puck is similar to a ball but is flat on the bottom to help it smoothly glide across the ice. Every player has to have balance, coordination, and know how to ice skate very well. Although it is most popular in colder climates like Canada, ice hockey is now played all over the world. It is played here in the United States from Los Angeles to Chicago, and even in sunny Florida! Do you have an ice hockey team in your town? Or perhaps an ice skating rink nearby where YOU can learn to skate?

Sam and Sofia are ready to try all of these new sports! Which one would you like to try? Bring Little Passports into your child's life in 2014 to teach them about all of the fascinating cultures around the world!

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Little Passports New Years Eve Traditions Around The World

5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Happy New Year! 

As people in the United States start the new year with fireworks, parades, and resolutions, people around the world are also doing everything they can to welcome 2014. Join Sam and Sofia of Little Passports as they visit friends in other countries to see how they start the year!



Colombia
Are you looking for travel and adventure? In Colombia, they say that if you grab your suitcase and run around the entire block as fast as you can at exactly midnight on New Year’s Eve, you will get to travel in the new year. Sam and Sofia love joining their Colombian friends to participate in this tradition—they are always looking for their next adventure!



Greece
Sam and Sofia join their friends in Greece to celebrate New Year's and St. Basil’s Day on January 1st. The Greeks start the year off with a fun-filled day of food, festivities, as well as time with family and friends. One favorite way to celebrate is eating the Vasilopita or St Basil's cake, which is similar to a pound cake and is baked with a silver or gold coin inside. Whoever finds the coin in their slice of cake will have a very lucky year!

Japan
When it’s cold outside, you might want to slurp down a giant bowl of steaming-hot noodles! But for the new year, not just any bowl of noodles will do. Little Passports always enjoys joining their Japanese friends to eat “long-life” noodles. Imagine a dish piled high with long, winding, uncut noodles! Many Japanese believe that eating these long noodles will bring health and longevity. What a yummy way for Sam and Sofia to start the new year!



Scotland
Do you pay attention to who enters your house first on New Year’s Day? In Scotland, on January 1st, people keep a close eye on the door because whoever enters first determines the family’s luck the next year. According to tradition, the “first-foot” must bring gifts—such as coal to wish others’ warmth and shortbread to wish everyone full bellies throughout the year. When Sam and Sofia visit their friends in Scotland on New Year’s Day, they always bring gifts!

Bring Little Passports into your child's life in 2014 to teach them about all of the fascinating cultures around the world!

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Making the best of a road trip with Little Passports Travel Tips

Making the best of a road trip with Little Passports Travel Tips*

“Are we there yet?” was a term coined by the family road trip! While new technology and toys may have silenced backseat conversations, spending time together in the car can still be a great opportunity for family bonding and learning. Even if you plan on bringing the latest gadget to pass the time, try saving them for the end of your trip when everyone is tired and cranky!

Here are some ideas from Little Passports that are sure to make the time fly by (or at least go by a little faster):

~Save your most recent Little Passports delivery from Sam and Sofia for your road trip so your kids to learn and explore during the car ride.

~Say goodbye to your trusted GPS! Bring back the memory of car trips as a kid and use a map! The night before your trip bring out an actual map (if you can find one!) to show your intended route to your child. Even better, copy the map and pull out a highlighter so your child can follow along – and let you know when you missed a turn.

~Build in time for pit stops – and if time allows, make short stops that incorporate fun activities along the way. Everyone will need a bathroom break and a meal, but if that happens at a place right off the highway and near playground it can be better for everyone! The kids will get fed – and burn off some energy.

~Hit up a dollar store before you leave and stock up on small toys and activities to give to your kids along the way. Every hour let your child choose a surprise – a great incentive for good behavior! You can even wrap the toys for an added element of excitement.

*Use this link to make your next road trip educational: Little Passports Travel Tips

Hot Apple Cider

From Little Passports

It's Fall, the leaves are changing and everyone is stocking up on their favorite holiday ingredients. Here at Little Passports, we think this is the perfect time to share our favorite holiday drink - Apple Cider! Here is one of our delicious kid friendly recipes for you to share on your site. This is just one example of the kinds of goodies you will find in our subscriptions. You can print out the recipe below and get your kids to help you make the perfect batch of Apple Cider.

Enjoy!

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First Grade–Week 29–Ancient India

We are WAY behind with Lego Club, but this was April’s project – a playground!  We just got around to doing it this week.  Lego Club is FREE through Currclick.com, you can use what Lego’s you have, order some from online sites (at a cost) or order a complete kit from the Club Leader.  We do a little of both, just depends on my mood. 

We are also behind in opening our Little Passport packages, so I pulled out India this week….since we were studying Ancient India. 

For Art we used Home Art Studio First Grade and did the lesson on peacocks, since peacocks live in India. 

We also listened to Story of the World, read a story from India and read about the People of India (using the books pictured below)

For Science we are still doing the Moving Beyond the Page review, and enjoying it…more to come the end of the month. 
For the most part we are doing light loads over the summer, our weeks are jammed pack with Swimming Lessons, Field Trips, Science Class, Art Camps, Pool/Beach Trips, Gymnastics, etc…

First Grade (Week 22)

 Here is what we did fun this week!

Lab #1 from Pandia Press Fish Week

LEGO Creator Mini Figure Set Clown Fish 30025

We did several Fishy Math pages

Montessori Print Shop Fish Nomenclature Book

Lab #2 from Pandia Press Fish Week

Little Passports - China - for Chinese New Year!  (This will become part of our Asia Continent Box, stay tuned for an upcoming post showing all of it's contents!)

We Read                          

and still reading Percy Jackson #1

C Read

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