Maps!

We decided that, before we embark on our journey around the world, we should probably learn some map skills!  Here's what we did...

We started off our week just looking at different types of maps.  Park maps, state maps, world maps, zoo maps, etc.

We learned about the different parts of a map and practiced map terms in our vocabulary and spelling lessons.  Our words were: map, compass, direction, legend, latitude, longitude, scale, north, south, east, west, equator, and capital.

We checked out and read books from the library about maps.

We made a compass rose out of paper scraps.

We drew our own maps.

And went geocaching at the lake and practiced coordinates.

We also started our 180 Days of Math workbooks.

And did some journaling from a journaling book I picked up at Target.

 

 

A : 4th/5th grade, L : 2nd grade, K : 2nd grade

Subjects covered this week : Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Fine Arts, PE, Health & Safety

School Supplies!

Who doesn't love new supplies?  The girls had so much fun decorating their supplies today!  We decided, instead of writing our names on everything, that we would decorate our stuff with washi tape!  Each girl got to pick out two rolls of tape and personalize their supplies.  They turned out pretty cute!  And no fighting over pencils and crayons!

 

 

The World Awaits!

We have a theme for our first year of homeschooling!

(credit : I created this image in Picmonkey but it's inspired by

 this cute print by OpusandVerse on etsy.)

We're going to begin after the holiday in July with map skills and easing into our routine.  Then it's a trip around the world!  Each three week unit (with a week off in between) will center on a part of the world and will incorporate Language, History, Social Studies, Geography, Reading, Math, Science, Art, Field Trips, and Life Skills.

Here are our units.

Unit 1 : Oklahoma
Unit 2 : United States (by region) ((perfect timing!  we'll be in northern California!))
Unit 3 : Canada and Mexico (or North America)
Unit 4 : Central and South America
Unit 5 : Africa
Unit 6 : Europe
Unit 7 : Middle East
Unit 8 : Asia
Unit 9 : Australia
Unit 10 : The Arctic and Antarctic
Unit 11 : Space

This gets us through May of 2016 when we'll take a month off to enjoy Summer!

Our method is a little mix of unschooling and unit study.  I will not be purchasing a curriculum this year.  Fortunately, in Oklahoma, there aren't many rules for homeschoolers.  So we're free to learn as we wish!

How do you homeschool?  Do you use curriculum?  Online school?  Make it up as you go?

Pinterest

I spent our snow day yesterday organizing my Homeschool Pinterest boards.  It's a rough life.  If you'd like to follow me on Pinterest you can find me at https://www.pinterest.com/kimmccoy/.

Go Fund Me : A Fundraiser

I have a love/hate relationship with fundraisers.

 I HATE that our public school system sends one home every couple of months.  I hate that they HAVE to.  I hate that it's crap no one wants.  I volunteered a long time ago to just hand the teacher $50 to use for whatever she needed.  Fundraisers suck!

I, however, LOVE fundraisers that raise money for people and organizations that truly need it.  I do cupcake fundraisers for people in my community.  I donate to a local organization that helps cancer patients.  Susan G Komen, St Jude, etc.  Fundraisers rock!

All that to say...I started a Go Fund Me for our homeschooling needs.  Go check it out.

gofund.me/l6w7g0