Love the Library!!

Since visiting the local library is one of our favorite activities, we will be participating in the "Take Your Child to the Library" event on Saturday, February 4, 2012. http://takeyourchildtothelibrary.blogspot.com/p/events.html
Our library is invaluable as a resource for our homeschooling program. http://www.belfast.lib.me.us/ The summer reading program was a lot of fun. We began participating in the Mothers and Daughters reading group, yet the content of the reading list was not what we were looking for.
We are not sure what events may be planned for the event, yet we will be visiting before the dance class at the Belfast Dance Studio. http://www.belfastdancestudio.com/
I know, a lot of links in this post. I just wanted to include the wonderful events!!!

Learning Jazz and Tap Dancing

Dance class on Saturday was a lot of fun. The class was a blend of introductory ballet, followed by jazz and tap steps. The girls did a wonderful job. Prior to class, we went to the library to get some books about dance. Our study of dance will incorporate fiction, nonfiction and "hands-on" learning. One book we will be reading is:

Savion!: my life in tap

A fiction book that we will be enjoying is:  . Through reading and experience, we will be learning all about dance.

Yes, we're still here....

I know that we haven't posted since October of 2011, but my New Year's resolution is to be much better about it. School started yesterday. It was much better than I feared. Topics for the month of January are Geometry, US History, and Magnets and Electricity.

The major project for the end of January will connect Geometry and Magnets. Using a compass, mapping skills, and measuring to follow a trial and map the features along the way. I'm still working on the actual wording of the assessment. With the lack of snow, following a trail will be easy. However, I'm not sure what the end of January will be like. We are covered though- we can get out the snow shoes if necessary.

The Library group didn't work out. The content of the reading material did not reflect our choices. We still frequent the library, choosing materials which are more appropriate.

Dance class begins on Saturday. We will be reading about Jazz and Tap dancing. This will further our understanding of the dance class.

Well, back to planning...

Wonderopolis.org

http://wonderopolis.org/

HUGE fan of Wonderopolis. We use the daily "Wonders" and archives to supplement our homeschooling. The fun and easy to read format stimulate creative thinking and the desire to learn more. I will be adding some of the "Wonders" we have explored once I have developed the format.

Library Reading Group

The book of the month for September for those of us in our local library's Mother and Daughter Reading Group. Great choice for us, since it paralleled the initial pet-or-no-pet conversation in our own home. We ended up with Lyla the cat....however, a puppy was my daughter's first choice.
     This book was an easy and enjoyable read. It was followed by a character study, a discussion of descriptive language, and making text-to-self connections. These are skills that are practiced for second grade. The library book group helps to supplement our homeschooling curriculum.
     At the library, we met with the 5 other child members, their family members and our Children's librarian. Our discussion included story elements, characters, and feelings of the readers. We also enjoyed a snack and each member made their own "Preston" sock puppet.
   
 Next month's reading selection:

Maine Blaine House Visit

In April, we visited the Maine State House and Blaine House as part of the Coalition for Maine Women Day. It was a homeschooling field trip which included meeting Baxter, the Blaine House dog. Here is a picture of this meeting.
http://baxterblogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/img00464-20110427-1428.jpg

First week of Grade 2

School started for us this week. We are beginning with a review of basic skills, journal writing, and geographical features. Our library visits continue. We had a list of wonderful books to read and activities to participate in this summer. The summer reading program established in our local library focused on multicultural literature. The weekly story time was comprised of a story share, cultural inspired snacks and crafts.

We are off to a fun start to our year. Hopefully I will be better at updating this blog.