Learning about the Earth

We have been doing earth studies this year. Mostly that means we have been picking up a book about a different planet or the moon about every two weeks and going through it or letting Dad read geology books to get the kids to go to sleep at night. We finally did a week review though and had some fun.

Boiled eggs for a snack one day and talked about the inner core (yolk) outer core (dark ring around yolk) mantle (white) and crust (eggshell). Let the kids roll the eggs to make cracks and talked about the crust being unstable. They had been studying this earlier but I think the visual really helped.
Eliora has memorized the seven continents so we made templates and cut them out. Pasted them on a basketball and found the four oceans. We then shined a flashlight on the ball for the sun and talked about how it rotates and when the light is on one area it is day. Talked about the time zones. Then I let the kids take off the continents and try to make a puzzle of Pangea.

Making our earth cake

Our fondant continents.

Our Pangea earth cake complete with volcano. The girls did it all themselves and were very proud.

Easter Homeschool Activities - A Week

Last year we picked up the book A Christ-Centered Easter by Joe and Janet Hales. It is full of stories and many more activities and can be purchased here http://deseretbook.com/store/product/4253892
Here are the activities from the book we are doing this week.

Day 1
Palm Sunday -
Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-36

Discuss the word Hosanna. Discuss what our family would do if Jesus came today.
Make palm branches out of cardboard (spine) and green construction paper (leaves) or pick up palms if you have a palm tree handy. Act out Triumphal Entry Play.

Triumphal Entry Play -
Disciples are sent in search of a donkey (Mark 11:1-3)
Disciples find donkey and owner (Mark 11:4)
Owner questions intentions (Mark 11:5-6)
Clothing draped on colt, Jesus sits and rides into Jerusalem (Mark 11:7)
Disciples wave palms and shout Hosanna (Mark 11:8-10)

Day 2
Monday - Cleansing the temple
Mathew 21:12-18; Mark 11:12-19; Luke 19:45-48

Discuss how our homes can be a temple. Choose one way to purify it this week.
Practice pronouncing Messiah, Atonement, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. Make sure we know the meanings of each word.

Day 3
Tuesday - Parables and Teachings
(Reading over the next two days)
Parable of the ten virgins - Matthew 25:1-13
Parable of the Entrusted Talents - Matthew 25:14-30

Discuss the definition of the word parable and why Jesus would use stories to teach.

Make oil lamps. (Our own version of the one found in the book) Mold sculpy clay into shallow bowl with flat bottom. Coil a thin "snake" of clay around itself several times to form the bowl shape and smooth. Pinch one side to form a spout. Bake or air dry.

Tell the story of the Entrusted Talents. Talk about our own talents and how we can increase them.

Day 4
Wednesday - Rest in Bethany
No events are recorded for this day. It is assumed he spent the day in Bethany.

Take the lamps made yesterday and put in a candle. Act out the parable of the ten virgins with our 'lamps'

Day 5
Thursday - The Last Supper and Prayer in Gethsemane
Matthew 26:17-75; Mark 14:12-27; Luke 22:7-65; John 13:1-18 and John 18:27

Discuss Jewish traditions before passover. (Matthew 26:17-19) Clean the house in preparation for passover. Prepare a meal with food common in Jesus' day. Before the meal play or sing a chosen atonement song. During dinner discuss the significance of the prayer in Gethsemane.

Last Supper Ideas
fish, yogurt, flatbread, lamb, lentil soup, pilaf, figs, dates, cheese


Day 6
Friday - Trial and Crucifixion
Matthew 27:1-61; Mark 15:1-47; Luke 22:66 and 23:56; John 18:28 and 19:42

Talk about whether Jesus understood what he was required to do. What did Jesus mean by, "Not as I will but as thou wilt?"
Compare and contrast events after the Crucifixion in the old and new world. (Luke 23:44-47; Nephi 8:5-23 (Book of Mormon)) Turn out all lights in the evening for a time to signify the three hours of darkness.

Day 7
Saturday - The Jewish Sabbath
Matthew 27:62-66; Luke 23:56

Prepare rolls for Easter Breakfast Rolls and discuss Sabbath Observance today with the Jewish observance. Discuss ways we can make our sabbath more reverent.

1 package frozen bread rolls 1 bag large marshmallows
6 Tablespoons sugar 1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine sugar and cinnamon. Divide dough into roll portions and press into circle. Place marshmallow in center. Pinch dough around marshmallow. Brush with butter. Sprinkle with sugar. Cover and put in fridge. On Sunday morning bake at 350 degrees for 15 min. or so. Just like the tomb the rolls will be empty.

Sabbath Observances -
Prepare for sabbath by taking baths, cleaning house, dressing in best clothing. Friday evening they light the holy lamps, prayers, unleavened bread to represent manna. No lighting fires, working, walking too far etc. on the sabbath.

Day 8 Easter Sunday
Do Easter Egg activity hidden along with regular Easter Eggs. These are hollow, are numbered 1-12 and are called Resurrection Eggs. They can be found at this link
http://rainbowcastle.org/resurrectioneggs.html
or this one

http://www.mormonshare.com/sites/default/files/The%20Easter%20Story_ResurrectionEggs.pdf

Field Trip Friday. Stephen F. Austin Park

I don't think Ben has ever made a serious face in a picture

Eliora and the millipede (centipede?)

Sadie being tired after a long walk

Finding a patch of bluebonnets on the way out

Right before we found the patch of fireants.

Field Trip Day! Houston Zoo

The gopher liked the gopher holes. Abbey did not.

My eaglets

Mom is smiling cause Dad is here to hold Sadie


Mom can even try out the tube

The Petting Zoo, always a favorite



Eliora liked the new baby giraffe. He is as tall as Dad.

Thomas Jefferson Education

The other night we listened to a guest lecture given by none other than Marie Palmer (an old friend of Ben's) about a Thomas Jefferson Education. I have always loved the idea about using classics to teach and it was inspiring to remember that I needed to continue to further my education as well. Although I want to look into it more before giving it my whole hearted stamp of approval I did like a lot of the concepts that we discussed. For example, I loved the pillars of learning. Teaching children through classics, mentors, simulations, field experience, and God. I will let you know what I think when I get a little further in my research!

Websites:
www.tjedonline.com
www.wesquared.net
http://tjedonline.ning.com/

Why am I soooo tired

I started this as a New Years kind of project where I could post my lesson plans for the week and have a place to reference. So far, not too many posts. On top of that my list of keeping the house clean, the school stuff organized, the garden in, the yard work done, the garage cleaned out, reading a book a month, etc. etc. is just not happening. I keep getting frustrated about it all and then worrying about money and layoffs on top of that and it all ends with me feeling like I'm going crazy. I could blame the fact that I'm kinda lazy or unorganized or I have too high expectations but I think it all comes down to the fact that I am tired.
Last night Abbey would not go to sleep. Ben got up and feed her and laid her back down. She still was screaming. I got up and stayed awake with her from 12-2 and then laid down with her in the upstairs bedroom since Ben had to go to work. A little while later Audrey got up and came and found me. She laid down with me on the twin bed and we fell asleep. She eventually fell off and woke up crying. I got her settled on the floor but the crying had woken up Sadie. I put her next to Audrey but she said she wanted a drink of water. I took her downstairs and then back up and laid her on the floor. She wanted her bed. I took her in and laid with her for awhile. By this time Abbey had woken up again. I remember hearing Ben leave at 6. Unfortunately this is kinda common.
Now, for my solution. No one wants a tired out yelling mom in a messy house. In order for me to not be this I am putting bars at the top of the stairs that not even Eliora can climb over. They all get to go to bed at 7:30 where I will strap them all down and they will see me refreshed and smiling at 7am when I undo the straps to start a beautiful day.

Things we are Doing Today

Every four years on January 20, an important event occurs in the United States: A president takes the Oath of Office during an inauguration ceremony and whether you are red, blue, or purple it is a great time to teach your kids about democracy.

Vocabulary Words:
Inauguration: A Formal Beginning
Oath - a solemn appeal to a deity, or to some revered person or thing, to witness one's determination to speak the truth, to keep a promise, etc.

Websites to Visit Today:

Inaugural Information -
http://inaugural.senate.gov/index.cfm

White House Video Tours -
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/life/video/index.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/

Inaugural Address facts and firsts -
http://inaugural.senate.gov/history/factsandfirsts/index.cfm

Activities:
Discuss the Office of President - Duties, Jobs, etc.
Watch the swearing in and the parade
Writing a letter to the President about the goals we would like for the future
Talk about the inaugural luncheon and the painting - paint our own
Talk about poetry used in the past - make our own poem
Discuss the Oath of Office and Address