Lesson Planning for Science

I started our lesson plans for Science tonight. I was able to get 14 weeks (28 days) planned so far. Hooray! I am using 2 books this year. We hope to start sometime this summer & keep going through the school year. I don't know yet how long it will be but I do know it's going to be lots of fun. I can't remember the last time I was this excited about lessons. It's a great feeling.  I can hardly wait to get started especially with the hands-on experiments & field trips!


If you have any fantastically fun ideas that you used with this topic of study please feel free to share with me.  I love hearing from other homeschoolers! 

Rewards & Consequences: Day 1

Our new rewards & consequences system went into full swing this morning. I tried to start it last week but too many things got in the way. The kids were excited about the various rewards they can earn. I'm hoping this will last for awhile being that there is variety & lots of anticipation.
Bugsy was the first to be "caught" being good. He was proud to draw from the "Caught Ya!" jar.

Elvis worked hard on his schoolwork. No having to chase him down today!

Boo was right on the ball. She sat down to catch up in her spelling book & got her chores done lickity split!

Bugsy's reward? He drew 15 min. of computer time!

Elvis was the second to earn a chance at the jar. Here he is drawing his reward. No peeking allowed!

He read the paper & then did a little happy dance. His reward was 1 McDonald's point.

Our station is all set up. We have our "Caught Ya!" jars with the rewards inside. In the middle of those is the "Extra Chore" jar with chore sticks. In the tissue box are the yellow & red consequence cards neatly stored in a Ziplock bag. Included in the tissue box is one envelope for each child. This is where they can store their rewards until they are used. For instance, if they earn the privilege to stay up late it's there to remind us. They can store up their reward points for various prizes as well. For example Elvis earned 1 McDonald's point. He needs to earn 9 more & then he will get a trip to McDonald's for a treat off the Dollar Menu.

Boo earned a draw from the girl's "Caught Ya!" jar too. She earned a Dollar Tree point. She will store this in her envelope while she saves up her points. Sweet Pea earned one too. Hers was computer time. There was only one consequence card given today. It was a yellow card & was accepted without a fuss. I'm happy because the rewards have far outweighed the consequences.

Big Announcement!

On Tuesday we received some very exciting news. Dave was offered a new job! We took some time to pray & then Dave formally accepted the new job on Thursday. After the phone call we sat the kids down so Dave could share the news. They had been on pins & needles for 2 days wondering what the decision would be. This new job is down south so we will need to move. It is going to be a whole new adventure! Our heads are spinning with all we have to do & plan.

Sitting Them Down

Their First Reactions

Woo whoo!

Think They're Excited? Lol!

Dancing With Daddy

VICTORY!

I Have A Job!

Sweet Pea Makes Tucker Join in the Celebration

That evening once the initial excitement died down reality started to creep in. The girls are very sad to leave their friends, Grannie, Grandpa & Tim and their home too. They are doing well with their mixed emotions and we are already making steps to make sure we keep in touch & have visits as much as possible.

Tomorrow is Almost Here!

Our turn to host Travel Day is almost here! We have been scrubbing, dusting, organizing, baking & shopping. Yes, we have been busy beavers! Our topic is the Amish. Tonight Dave & Sweet Pea made Whoopie Pies. I had a sample and all I can say is Y-U-M-M-Y!!!!!! Oh my goodness! We have lots of other things planned including making candles, baking a Shoo-Fly pie, planting a mini garden, arranging quilt patterns & building a model of an Amish barn. I also have worksheets that I made -- a true or false trivia paper, 2 word searches, a list of websites, 2 pages of Amish recipes, & other information. I am really excited. We have all worked hard & done lots of research. I have a huge pile of library books we have been reading and learning from. I found lots of neat websites as well. I pray all goes well & everyone has fun!

Finished!

I am ecstatic! I finished the pillowcases last night! Here they are!

Click on the photos if you'd like to see a larger picture.