Ads 468x60px

Jul 11, 2012

10 Great Non-conventional Summer Activites for you kids!

10 Great Things to do with your kids during the summer!
10. Rock Climbing.
  • This could be either somewhat expensive or cheap depending on where you live. Some recs have a rock wall while other places offer a class and belay certification then free climbing time. Let your kids bring along a friend for a group class. Kids love this!
9. Fly fishing.
  •  Yes even little girls might like to go fishing. A lot of outdoor stores offer an angler education class. In most states kids do not need a fishing license for catch and release but adults do, Kmart/Wal-mart sell a one-day license for both and have great, cheap gear.
8. Rafting.
  • Make a day out of it. If you have little ones maybe wait a few years with this activity. Rivers are rated at levels of danger so pick an easier level river and hold-on to your britches. Use the internet to search White Water Rafting Tours.
7. Horseback riding.
  • There's always some country right outside your city where pony rides are offered. Not every child grows up on a farm or around horses. This might be a great opportunity to let your kids experience large animals!
6. Home-Depot build workshops.
  • Home Depot's are everywhere. You may not know it but on Saturday mornings they have short workshops where kids can actually use real equipment to build. The Link!

5.   Plan a meal.
  • Let your child pick out a recipe(s) for dinner. Make the shopping list, go to the grocery, and let them cook the meal with you. This is a great way to show what goes into meal planning and if they do most of the work they're likely to eat it, and it gives them a great sense of accomplishment. (ps. let them help dad grill too)
4. Load up on LEGOS
    The LEGO Store's Pick A Brick Wall
  • On the first Tuesday of every month during the summer kids can construct and take home "mini build" Lego projects. Building commences at 5p.m. and is limited to the first 300 children. Visit stores.lego.com to find store listings and info.
3. Do some good, Donate.
  • Almost every person I know have toys laying around that their kids no longer play with or enjoy, clothes/shoes your kids have outgrown, old books you no longer read, or just things you don't need. Take a week and tackle 1 room per day and start collecting. There are donate boxes and/or Goodwill centers locations in almost every city. Kids can gain a new understanding about blessing people who have less.
Learn more2. Barnstorm
  • Pottery Barn offers kids' activities all summer, including a Tuesday morning book club. Regular attendance earns a gift. Go to Potterybarnkids.com/events for information. The Link!


 1. Culture Club
  • Target sponsors many free or super cheap concerts, museum events, and cultural happenings all summer. Find events in 32 cities at Target.com (at the bottom of the page under "about Target" click on "company information," then "community outreach," then "arts+culture.") Then go to the city closest to you! The link!
 Some of these things might be out of the ordinary for you and your family, however I believe that as a parent if you're willing to show your kids that you are willing to go out there, try new things, even if its not your cup of tea then your kids are likely to try new things as well, even if its a little scary.


Grace to You, 
Jenna

Jul 3, 2012

20 Best Tips for Teaching Spelling Booklet! (for free)


From the creator of All About Spelling and All About Reading come this GREAT short and quick tips e-handbook and I'll just say briefly that it really cuts to the core of teaching spelling. Its okay if you don't use the curriculum, you can still go to the website and sign up for the Tip of the Week in Spelling and Reading and this one was so good I thought I'd share it with you! But to actually read the full descriptions of each tip you can subscribe to the weekly tips for FREE! Here's the link to the booklet: All About Spelling/Reading

Here are the tips:

  • Spelling Is More than Just Memorization
  • Break Words into Sounds
  • Represent Sounds with Phonograms
  • Multisensory Activities Are Best
  • Color-coded Letter Tiles Accelerate Learning
  • Reliable Spelling Rules Save the Day
  • Silent E Has Five Jobs
  • Teach Syllable Types
  • Tame the Rule Breakers
  • Teach Word Parts
  • Make Review a Priority
  • Dictation Exercises Are Important
  • Teach Proper Homophone Usage
  • Provide Diverse Writing Opportunities
  • Keep the Focus!
  • Reading Builds Up Visual Memory
  • Keep Lessons Short but Frequent
  • Misspellings Can Be a Teaching Opportunity
  • A Strong Foundation Is Key
  • Use a Roadmap
As a newcomer to homeschooling, and someone who needs to rely on education materials to guide my way, stuff like this is really helpful in guiding me so I can guide my children and set them up with a strong foundation in phonics!

Grace To You,
Jenna
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Popular Posts

 

A Mother's Prayer

Lord bless my home and anyone who enters. Lead me daily so that I am always aware of You! Whether educating my kids, cooking or cleaning may my attitude always be that of a servant. Give me the words to guide my children to You, to know You, Your character and love You, Lord. Please teach to have patience and to always be learning. Lord mold me through each stage of life so I am continually growing and pursuing You no matter what. Lord I want to be a great mom and wife and I know that if I look only to You for help that I can accomplish this, the love for my family that I desire to show them. Lord I'm amazed by You and I love You. Amen.

Full of Life, Full of Love

"The spirited child-often called "difficult" or "strong-willed"--possesses traits we value in adults yet find challenging in children. Research shows that spirited kids are wired to be "more"-by temperament, they are more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, and uncomfortable with change than the average child." It seems as though we have three, and they are very much like me. What does this mean? I need to be compassionate, consistent, confident, controlled, all with a gentle yet firm approach. Yes my plate is full.

Motherhood: A rigorous training ground

What an awesome responsibility mothers have to their children. Cultural stereotypes promote the idea that giving birth miraculously endows women with kindness, compassion, and goodness. But we all know better. Many of us can witness that we are made more aware of our weaknesses and impatience after becoming mothers than we were before. Godliness and generosity are not prerequisites of giving birth; they are characteristics that God hones and whittles into our character over time. Motherhood provides a rigorous training ground where we can display practice and model the disciplines of love, honesty, and compassion before our children. --Rebecca Laird