We just finished our first “official” year of home school. Although I have been home schooling my children for the duration of their lives. :) Its fun to look back on the fun we have had learning together. Here’s our stats…
Favorite Chapter Books
- Secret Garden
- Mouse and the Motorcycle
- Stuart Little
- Treasure Island
- The Witches
- Matilda
- Magic Tree House “Pirates Past Noon”
- The Jungle Book
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
- Junie B. Jones and the Stinky, Smelly, Bus
Favorite Fieldtrips
- Living Planet Aquarium
- Hale Center Theater’s “The Christmas Carol” and The Festival of Trees
- Our local Food Pantry to help stock shelves
- Thanksgiving Point’s’ Dinosaur Museum
- UVU’s “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse”
- Gardner Village Witch Scavenger hunt followed by making Caramel apples with Grandma.
- Hogle Zoo.
- The Nutcracker Ballet
- Rock and Mineral Show
- BYU’s Astrofest
- Tracy Aviary
Favorite Subjects
- Learning about Christopher Columbus and then making sailboats to sail.
- Taking samples of chocolate to our neighbors then graphing their favorites.
- Learning about Christmas all around the World. We tried food from several countries and discussed traditions, culture, and geography.
- Space. We made our own constellations by making nail holes in cans and using a flashlight. We memorized the planets and phases of the moon. We made our own solar systems. We stargazed and moon watched.
- The Sun. We spent a whole day outside experimenting with the Sun. We used our shadows and chalk to make a sun dial. we had water evaporate and we saw how sunscreen works in protecting paper from fading.
- Sewing. The kids learned how to sew buttons on and made bracelets with felt and buttons. Jaylee and Kyson sewed each other a surprise. Jaylee made Kyson superhero capes and masks. Kyson made Jaylee a rice “pillow” that she could warm in the microwave.
- We learned all about our bodies. We put chicken bones in soda to see what would happen. We listened to our hearts beats before and after exercise. We “made” blood out of different foods to learn the parts of blood. We measured enough water to see how much blood a grown man has. We learned about our five senses in depth with different activities and experiments. Jaylee memorized many of the bones in the body and taught other kids “Head, shoulders, knees, and toes” with bone names.
- We learned animal classification and habitation. We made habitats for many different types of animals in card board boxes. We learned about the smallest and biggest animals. Did you know that a blue whale’s heart is the size of an automobile?"
- We studied spiders and insects. We collected as many as we could find and graphed them. We learned about the food chain and how spiders and insects help us.
- We learned about ancient Egypt. The kids were especially fascinated with mummies. We mummified apples and wrote our names in hieroglyphs.
- We learned about maps and compassing. Mike took us on a treasure hunt where we used a map and compass to find a hidden surprise.
- We spent a few weeks experimenting with water. Solid to liquid to gas. How different things dissolve. What absorbs water vs. repels it.
- We learned the parts of a flower and what each part does. We did research about our favorite flowers and did flower math.
- Along with regular scripture study we tried to do a devotional each day. We read every story in “The Friend” magazine, shared testimonies, practiced our articles of faith, and talked about all the pictures in the gospel art kit. I hope the spirit has been there and that they will remember these sweet moments.
Biggest Academic
Accomplishments
- Jaylee and Kyson both memorized all of their Articles of Faith. They also memorized other scriptures. We try to memorize one a month.
- Jaylee memorized all 50 states and where they are on a map.
- She completed her addition and subtraction timed math facts. Kyson is great at adding small numbers and can count to 50.
- Jaylee has become an amazing reader. I love hearing her read(especially when it is to a sibling)
- Kyson has learned many sight words and is starting to read!
- They learned how to make several meals with me. Jaylee often takes over making lunch for all of us and has made dinner several times.
- Jaylee learned double digit addition and subtraction with regrouping.
- Jaylee also learned how to tell time and do multiplication.
- Kyson has learned how to write his name and all of his letters and numbers.
I’m so grateful I have had the chance to learn with them this last year. I hope more than anything that they have learned to love learning and have enjoyed spending time with family.
