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:

• 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.

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.

Arrrgh! Avast me hearties!

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:

• 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.

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?