Homeschooling

I am a reader, but unlike most of my family, I read non-fiction.  I like reading to learn.  I recently read a new book that every parent of a teen or soon-to-be teen should read.  In fact, it will be required-reading for my boys when they get older.  It's called "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations" by Alex and Brett Harris, twin 19 year old homeschooled boys from Oregon.  These boys started a website, and an entire movement, called The Rebelution .  The book discusses God's view of teenagers and how He used them in history. Did you know that the word "teenager" wasn't even coined until the early 1900s by Readers Digest?  Before that it was just child or adult.  In the book you can read about the change that took place in our society that lead to this new group, these "teenagers".  Often today teenagers are thought of as a generation in limbo - not ready for adulthood, but not children either.  The Harris brothers argue that society has set standards and expectations so low for this generation that teens have just given up their potential and embraced those expectations.  But that is not God's truth.  The reality is that they can "do hard things".  That the teen years are the preperatory years.  They should be doing things that challenge them and prepare them for adulthood.  They should be trying new things and stretching their boundaries.  The book calls all teenagers to examine what they're doing with their lives and to do hard things for the glory of God.  It's powerful. {mos_fb_discuss:27}    

Discovering Mammals

Begin this lesson by finding out what your child already knows (or thinks he knows) about mammals.

1. What is a mammal? Are humans mammals?
2. What characteristics do all mammals have in common and how are mammals different from other animals?
3. How many different mammals can you name?

Mammals are everywhere — in the sea, on land and in the air. But what makes a mammal a mammal is a number of defining characteristics that its neighbors in the water, air and on land don’t have. All mammals have mammary glands to nurse their young, hair and backbones. They are all warm-blooded, breathe air with lungs and have highly developed brains. Though other types of animals share many of these traits, mammals are the only animals with mammary glands and hair. In fact, the word “mammal” is derived from “mammary glands.” Take the time to examine these identifying characteristics in detail, including some who have specialized characteristics. The porcupine, for example, has sharp, spiny hairs called quills that it uses to ward off any predators.

Read more: Lesson on Mammals

We studied geology last year, so we have already done the baking soda and vinegar volcano.  Several times.  But while we were here, seeing so many volcanoes, I wanted to find a new volcano related project.  Something interesting and fun.  Well, I found it.  We're learning about stratigraphy!  It works with every age and is one of the best volcano projects we've ever done.  You'll need some short paper cups, a posterboard, a marker, paper towels, a few straws, several different colors of Play-Doh and something to roll it flat with, food coloring, vinegar and baking soda.  So much fun!  Try it.  (Pictures in the Gallery)

 

Read more: Project - Build the Layers of a Volcano (stratigraphy)

Every year since September 11, 2001 my family has taken homemade cookies to our local firefighters.  It’s our way of saying, “We appreciate you.”  I see it as an opportunity for us to teach our children about the terrorist attacks, about the importance of saying Thank you, and about the American spirit.  Some years we tour the station and sometimes we just drop off our homemade cookies and cards.  It’s become a tradition for us. 

Last year our homeschool support group participated with us and we delivered cookies to stations in three different Memphis suburbs.  This year we’d like to invite all of you to join us.  On September 11^th, this year and every year from now on, make a plate of your favorite cookies with your children then deliver them to the fire station nearest your home.  Let them know that we haven’t forgotten the bravery and the sacrifice of their fellow firefighters in New York.  We’ll never forget. {mos_fb_discuss:11}