Feelin' Crafty

Here are a few of the crafts I've been working on to give as gifts this year:

Crocheted snowflake ornaments for my sister.

A poop duck for my husband's boss. I thought crocheting something for a man (and a construction foreman, at that) was kind of cheesy, but the thing CRAPS CANDY. Who wouldn't love that?

And finally, a potholder and dish cloth set for my sister-in-law.

Handprint Angel Craft

I found this cute angel craft, and "Rupert" was excited to give it a try. I told him how to do it, and he went up and made it all by himself. Fun and easy to do, and I love the Christmas verse on the front.

1st Grade: Week 17 Highlights

We took an easy week this week and did a gingerbread man theme. We read 2 versions of the gingerbread man story and compared and contrasted them using a venn diagram. I printed up gingerbread man themed math worksheets and other activities, and we made and decorated real gingerbread men.

Phonics: We continued working on the sight word flash cards.

History: We started on our Egyptian burial mask.

Music: "Rupert" got some beginning Christmas music from my former piano teacher, and has been having fun playing that.

ASL: We've been practicing telling a simplified version of the Christmas story in sign. In doing so, we've learned the signs for God, Jesus, king, shepherd, wise men, worship, born, savior and celebrate.

1st Grade: Week 16 Highlights

Spelling: "Rupert" took on two spelling lists this week and got every word right on the first try. It's funny how he can do that but then it doesn't transfer over to his writing (the fun writing that he does on his own). For example, he was wrapping Christmas presents for his grandparents and wrote "To grandpo Mik" instead of grandpa Mike. I'm sure it will all fall into place in time.

Phonics: I made a few sets of sight word flashcards and we put some of them to use this week. It has been a nice little break from the usual. I used the Dolch sight word list that I found here.

Math: More math worksheets this week. We also played with the abacus on "Rupert's" request. Today we went to the childrens book store and got a workbook that I think he will like.

History: We talked about the new kingdom of Egypt and a couple of memorable pharaohs, Hatshepsut and Tutankhamen. We'll continue with this chapter next week since I got a few videos on King Tut at the library that should be fun and interesting.

Science: This week we talked about reptiles. We read about iguanas and rattle snakes. Again, "Rupert" felt compelled to make a costume and taped a piece of green tissue paper to his chin so he could be an iguana with a dewlap. He is a funny guy! He also enjoyed making this lizard mosaic with beans.

Art: We did another water color lesson. We are really having fun with this. I think the big lesson for "Rupert" to learn is to relax and not be concerned with perfection. He sometimes gets frustrated that his art doesn't look the same as that of the lady on the video. He wants to copy her work EXACTLY. I keep reminding him that the great thing about art is that everyone's comes out differently, and we can appreciate the differences. Here's "Rupert's" painting:

And here's the one I did:

1st Grade: Week 15 Highlights

After a nice long Thanksgiving break, we got back to work this week, and things went very smoothly. I'm becoming more flexible, especially in math, and things are just flowing better. Isn't that what always happens after a nice break?

Math: "Rupert" is in love with math worksheets. Who knew? I printed up a few for this week and he is asking for more. I see a math workbook in his future. This week we worked some more on carrying and also did some greater than or less than exercises. He LOVES those!

We have all but abandoned our Math-U-See curriculum, well...really we HAVE abandoned it. I was sad to see it go because I love it so much. I love how it makes math make sense. But it just doesn't fit "Rupert" right now, and it was causing him to dread math. I'm not exactly sure why, but that's the effect it has had at this time. I'll definitely keep it in mind for later though. He could grow into it.

History: This week we learned about the rise and fall of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, and how eventually, Egypt became strong once again and the New Kingdom began.

ASL: We had a lot of fun this week learning birthday signs! Now I can sign my favorite treat, "cake"! :-)

Grammar: We finished up pronouns and started on verbs this week.

Spelling: This week "Rupert" caught the spelling bug. I gave him his list and, granted, his lists are only 6 words long, but he kept asking for more and more until I finally stopped him at 4 lists. Yes, he did about a month's worth of spelling this week. Out of 24 words, there were only 4 that he needs more work on. We added them to his list of trouble words.

Music: We began our annual listening to Tchaikovsky music this week. It's just a little something special we do at Christmas time. "Rupert" gets to fall asleep at night listening to Tchaikovsky. It's funny to see him making connections and recognizing pieces that he has heard before. The other night, he raced down the stairs after we had put him to bed. He HAD to tell us something! He was so excited to find that a song that was used on a Spongebob episode was a piece written by Tchaikovsky!

Science: This week we learned about peacocks and flamingos, and of course, "Rupert" fashioned a peacock costume out of construction paper and tape...lots of tape. I also see a case of tape in his future. :-)

Art: We finished up a painting that we started last week (thanks again for hosting art day, Morgan). Here's "Rupert's" watercolor fish:

And here's the one I did:

We had a lot of fun with this and I've resolved to do more art in the future.

Cursive Tracing Printables

Every time I turn around, "Rupert" is connecting his letters up trying to write in cursive. I finally decided that if he's so excited about cursive, maybe I should print him up some cursive tracing pages so he can learn to do it correctly. I found this site the other day where I can customize my text so that "Rupert" can practice with words that are interesting to him. Fun little tool!

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

We recently finished reading Mary Poppins, and we got the movie from the library and watched it as well. "Rupert" must have been feeling inspired because he went up to the homeschool room and started creating. When he came down, he had this in tow and was begging to go outside and give it a try. Ahhhh...I love this kid's creativity!

It's Knitting and Crocheting Season

I just finished this hat and scarf set for my niece. The hat has ear flaps and I love the tassels! I hope she likes it and it keeps her warm as she plays in the snow this winter.

Already in the Christmas Spirit!

We recently bought the fixins for a Christmas wreath for our front door. "Rupert" was SO excited for the day after Thanksgiving (I made him wait...one holiday at a time, now.) to make his wreath! He could hardly stand it! So, first thing on Friday we got crafty and made this: