The idea behind Spell Up, a new word game and Chrome Experiment is that it helps you improve your English using your voice—and a modern browser, of course. It’s like a virtual spelling bee, with a twist.
The goal of the game is to correctly spell the words you hear and stack them to build the highest word tower you can—letter by letter, word by word. The higher the tower gets, the more difficult the word challenges: You’ll be asked to pronounce words correctly, solve word jumbles and guess mystery words. You can earn bonuses and coins to level up faster.
Google worked with game designers and teachers to make Spell Up both fun and educational, and they encourage teachers to try it in the classroom. Spell Up works best in Chrome on your computer and on Android phones and tablets. (It also works on iPhones and iPads, but you’ll need to type rather than talk.) Whether you’re just learning English or you’re already a pro, check it out!
One of the questions we get asked the most is, "what curriculum do I need?" Let me just say that there is no right or wrong way to home school. The first step is to check the state home school education standards where you live and from there you the parent are able to customize the curriculum to fit each child.
The important thing to remember here is don't try to make it like public school! Think about why you are home schooling or have taken your child out of the public education system. Whether your child is a gifted learner or just needs some one on one help, you get to help them achieve their best learning experience because as their parent you know them best.
There are tons of boxed curriculum out there to pick and choose from and with a plethora of online schools popping up everywhere it is easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the options available. But it is alright to pick and choose, to think outside of the boxed curriculum and gather resources from across the internet, used bookstores, etc. Some of the best resources I have found are available for free online, which is what Home School Freesource is about. But I have also found great textbooks, workbooks, etc at a local salvage store. So sometimes you find what you need in the most unlikely of places.
Don't feel discouraged mama, just remember each child/family is different and not everything will work for everyone.
The important thing to remember here is don't try to make it like public school! Think about why you are home schooling or have taken your child out of the public education system. Whether your child is a gifted learner or just needs some one on one help, you get to help them achieve their best learning experience because as their parent you know them best.
There are tons of boxed curriculum out there to pick and choose from and with a plethora of online schools popping up everywhere it is easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the options available. But it is alright to pick and choose, to think outside of the boxed curriculum and gather resources from across the internet, used bookstores, etc. Some of the best resources I have found are available for free online, which is what Home School Freesource is about. But I have also found great textbooks, workbooks, etc at a local salvage store. So sometimes you find what you need in the most unlikely of places.
Don't feel discouraged mama, just remember each child/family is different and not everything will work for everyone.
New Science links, go check them out!
Today Kindle has some great books available for FREE!
So I was going through my homeschool folder on my PC and located a page I had forgotten all about bookmarking. My son spent all day yesterday doing these fantastic science simulations and playing a space simulation game. I finally had to kick him off my PC at 7pm for dinner!
They were made by University of Colorado Boulder.
If you have kids who like to play video games then they will probably get a kick out of these interactive science lessons. And you can tie them into whatever you are learning about in Science.
Phet Interactive Simulations
They were made by University of Colorado Boulder.
| Click to Run |
If you have kids who like to play video games then they will probably get a kick out of these interactive science lessons. And you can tie them into whatever you are learning about in Science.
Phet Interactive Simulations
Today was Monday Math Day. Recently we surprised our son with a tablet of his own. OH JOY OF JOYS, he now has something to play Plants vs Zombies on...instead of my phone!
The tablet is mostly used for educational purposes, so today he enjoyed a great game called 'Math vs Zombies', where you must solve math problems correctly and in a timely manner in order to turn the zombies back into normal kids. (Don't fret mamas, this isn't gorey at all.)
After a few levels of Math vs Zombies we went on to counting money using another great app called 'Freefall Money - Coin Math' where upon after each level completed they can choose a prize to add to their virtual aquarium. I had no idea this was part of it at first, but we were rather excited about it since we are coral reef keepers here in our household.
He had so much fun with this one and couldn't wait to finish each level and get prizes for his aquarium.
Let us know what you think of the apps listed!
Well not really...
I don't know about you, but I LOVE sloths. I think they are the most fascinatingly weird creatures, I think they might be aliens. But anyway, I found a free kids Kindle book all about those 2 and 3 toed algae-growing cuties.
Head on over and get it whilst it's still free!
I don't know about you, but I LOVE sloths. I think they are the most fascinatingly weird creatures, I think they might be aliens. But anyway, I found a free kids Kindle book all about those 2 and 3 toed algae-growing cuties.
Head on over and get it whilst it's still free!
Today we focused on Science, particularly Health. We find it's easier and more efficient to do 1 subject per day that way we can better focus and retain the information we are learning.
Here is a breakdown of today's assignments:
Here is a breakdown of today's assignments:
- Human Skeleton Worksheet
- Human Organs Worksheet
- Create a vocabulary/spelling list from words on worksheets listed above
- Have them create sentences using these words
- Watched one of our free DVD's from HHMI.org called 'Changing Planet: Past, Present, Future'
- Make snowflakes (it's been snowing off and on today) so this was just something fun to do while we talked about snowflakes and looked at photos of snowflakes on Pinterest.
Today we decided to take it easy since we have been hard at work this week. I decided to start the baby sign language I've heard so much about this week and we found Signing Time on Netflix and are giving it a try!
For those interested in baby sign language I found a great little chart with basic signs for the everyday basics with baby.
For those interested in baby sign language I found a great little chart with basic signs for the everyday basics with baby.
This is a fun visual strategy to work on vocabulary development. The size of a child's vocabulary has been shown to be related to their reading proficiency. It makes sense that children who have a lot of words in their repertoire face fewer challenges, since fewer words are unfamiliar.
To make your own, you will need some window markers or window paint and some challenging reading materials. Books don't have to be beyond your child's reading level; they just need to have new and unfamiliar words that you can encounter together. Try adding the most challenging to pronounce, words that your child wants to see spelled out, or words that your child thinks are fun to use. Try using the words in conversation at home. And, as the window fills up, wipe off words that have been established in your child's vocabulary and use the space to add new ones.
Word windows are easy to clean up and add just a little bit of novelty to make building a vocabulary as much fun as it is important.
To make your own, you will need some window markers or window paint and some challenging reading materials. Books don't have to be beyond your child's reading level; they just need to have new and unfamiliar words that you can encounter together. Try adding the most challenging to pronounce, words that your child wants to see spelled out, or words that your child thinks are fun to use. Try using the words in conversation at home. And, as the window fills up, wipe off words that have been established in your child's vocabulary and use the space to add new ones.
Word windows are easy to clean up and add just a little bit of novelty to make building a vocabulary as much fun as it is important.
Arrrgh! Avast me hearties!
Today is Pirate Day!, Savvy?
Today is Pirate Day!, Savvy?
- We started out by watching MythBusters on Netflix (Season 2 Episode 11) where they test and debunk several myths about Pirates, ie: reality vs. pop culture version of reality.
- We then moved on to this fantastic Pirates A-Z Unit Study packet.
- Then we rounded out our Pirate Unit with the Pirate Learn To Count Money app.
After a night of freezing temperatures and extremely high winds, our water it seems has frozen again. So it was a rather sleepless night. Today we are taking it easy and working on a review, nothing major though, just enough to jump-start the brain.
Here is what my 2nd grader is doing for his review:
Here is what my 2nd grader is doing for his review:
- 23 Math problems
- 2 Time Telling Worksheets
- Winter Unit Study Packet
- Reading two stories to his 9 month old sister
One of the things I want my children to know is a second language. America has never made learning other languages a priority in its school system, whereas in Europe kids learn 2 or more languages in addition to their native tongue. They taught us elementary Spanish in grade school but it was never conversational, just random words and phrases. That is one thing I wished would have been mandatory in school, second language classes.
So after some research the best tool I have found for teaching a second language is the Duolingo app/website. It's FREE and they offer English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. It's a great interactive program that makes it feel more like a game, so it's great for kids.
So after some research the best tool I have found for teaching a second language is the Duolingo app/website. It's FREE and they offer English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. It's a great interactive program that makes it feel more like a game, so it's great for kids.
Now that we find the holiday break over it is time to get back into the swing of things. We had a few extra days off during our holiday break due to illness. We are now at the tail end of this crud, so we are trying to ease back into our routine. I have spent the last couple of days trying to decide how we can get back on schedule without overwhelming the kids or myself.
The best idea I have come up with so far is to spend 2 days doing a review of what we've covered prior to the holiday. What are your thoughts? How are you all handling the transition back into school work?
The best idea I have come up with so far is to spend 2 days doing a review of what we've covered prior to the holiday. What are your thoughts? How are you all handling the transition back into school work?
