Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Setting up memory work at home
I don't know about you, but sometimes I get a little overwhelmed with how to cover all of the wonderful material we're trying to do in Colm Cille Club. I happened upon this blog post with some ideas from someone who attends a Classical Conversations program. (This is one in a series of 5 posts she did on organizing memory work, so you might check out some of the other posts as well.)
Organizing Classical Conversations at Home
Using some of these ideas, I set up this on a wall in our basement.
My hope is that we will all be able to review a little bit each time we walk by. I have noticed Pasquale periodically stopping and reading what's posted. Hopefully it's sticking! I don't have Latin up there, but may add it. I also have the timeline on another wall.
That's all for now!
Organizing Classical Conversations at Home
Using some of these ideas, I set up this on a wall in our basement.
 |
| Memory Work wall |
My hope is that we will all be able to review a little bit each time we walk by. I have noticed Pasquale periodically stopping and reading what's posted. Hopefully it's sticking! I don't have Latin up there, but may add it. I also have the timeline on another wall.
That's all for now!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Some cd recommendations
Kids Songs ABC - Learning Phonics
We recently purchased a CD, "Kids Songs ABC' by A. J. Jenkins, with songs to learn phonics, days of the week, numbers and months of the year.
It's simple but catchy and Maria seems to enjoy it.
The cd is available on Amazon here although they have some of their songs available on YouTube (below).
Groovin' in the Garden - Healthy Eating and Country Living
Over the summer we also brought a cd by Story Laurie called 'Groovin' in the Garden'. I have really enjoyed this cd and, unlike the phonics CD, I'm not yet sick of it. It has a cajun feel. Great for older kids.
CD is available for purchase at CD Baby.
We recently purchased a CD, "Kids Songs ABC' by A. J. Jenkins, with songs to learn phonics, days of the week, numbers and months of the year.
It's simple but catchy and Maria seems to enjoy it.
The cd is available on Amazon here although they have some of their songs available on YouTube (below).
Groovin' in the Garden - Healthy Eating and Country Living
Over the summer we also brought a cd by Story Laurie called 'Groovin' in the Garden'. I have really enjoyed this cd and, unlike the phonics CD, I'm not yet sick of it. It has a cajun feel. Great for older kids.
Tracks can be heard here on Amazon.
CD is available for purchase at CD Baby.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Labels
Here are some ideas for labels, so that future generations of CCC moms (or, us... when we have memorized so much information we can no longer remember anything else) can look for helpful tips. If your post doesn't fit into any of these, no label is fine, too. Comment below with further suggestions if there is something we might post about regularly I missed.
Homemaking
Pre-school
History
Geography
Poetry
Grammar
Music
Science
Math
Timeline (for the videos of the signs)
Scripture
Catechesis
Teaching Memory Work
Other Homeschooling (in case someone wants to post about their phonics or math ideas, etc.)
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
So, as an example, if I found a great history resource for Ancient History, I might write a post up about it and label it History, Year One. Down the road another mom could click on the label "Year One" and get all our notes and ideas.
Homemaking
Pre-school
History
Geography
Poetry
Grammar
Music
Science
Math
Timeline (for the videos of the signs)
Scripture
Catechesis
Teaching Memory Work
Other Homeschooling (in case someone wants to post about their phonics or math ideas, etc.)
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
So, as an example, if I found a great history resource for Ancient History, I might write a post up about it and label it History, Year One. Down the road another mom could click on the label "Year One" and get all our notes and ideas.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Play kitchen for CCC
I'm going to start work on making a play kitchen for CCC next week using a bedside table from the O'Brien's beach house.
I made one for Maria over the summer and here are the before and after photos.
I'm not sure how to do the knobs in such a way that they turn but can't be pulled off - any suggestions?
I made one for Maria over the summer and here are the before and after photos.
I'm not sure how to do the knobs in such a way that they turn but can't be pulled off - any suggestions?
Monday, September 24, 2012
Colonial History Reading
Over the summer we took advantage of lazy afternoons to do some reading related to the history cycle for the coming year. All the books we read are mentioned in the Story of the World activity book supplementary reading lists, but I thought I'd mention a few that are old or new favorites of mine, in case you haven't read them yet.
The first book we read was The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare. This is a longer chapter book we read aloud as a family, and Aine (8) was riveted but Caera (5) usually fell asleep as we read! It takes place in 1687, and explores Connecticut Puritan life, and especially the tension between Puritans and both Quakers and Royalists. Susan Wise Bauer recommends that parents preview, probably because the book is somewhat critical of Puritanism. I love Elizabeth George Speare and this book was a favorite of mine in childhood.
We also enjoyed The Courage of Sarah Noble, by Alice Dalgliesh. This is an easy chapter book, which Aine read again after we finished reading it as a family, and Caera enjoyed very much. It takes place in 1707, and gives a simple description of a young girl and her father as they settle new land in Connecticut. Lots of inspiration for children as little Sarah tells herself repeatedly, "Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble,"
Next on our reading list was a book I had never read before, Johnny Tremain, by Esther Forbes. This was another longer chapter book, and like The Witch of Blackbird Pond, it really only kept the interest of Aine and her mother, who permitted some ridiculously late bedtimes in August in order to get to the end! I thought this was a nice coming of age story and an exciting view into the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. One warning, there are some salty characters and language, including frequent use of the word d-mn.
I was fretting this past week over the fact that the history poems and timeline don't include any 17th century British history when I happened upon a little gem in my library holds: William Penn, Founder of Democracy by Norma Jean Lutz. In addition to being a very readable biography, it manages to touch on all of the significant history of the times in very clear and simple terms. I highly recommend as a way to connect the political turmoil in England with the formation and distinct character of the different American colonies.
Aine has been tearing through the American Girls series from this time period, Kaya and Felicity, on her own. The girls also really loved Thanksgiving on Thursday from the Magic Treehouse series.
Finally, if you haven't done so already, can I recommend that you read 1776 by David McCullough? The fact that much of the action takes place right here in New York and New Jersey combined with McCullough's gift of character illumination make it an exciting read. Though history textbooks are often heavy with a sense of inevitability regarding past events, this book will leave you feeling amazed by just how tenuous the American position was in that difficult first year of the war, and how men like George Washington really did make history.
I would love to know if anyone has any recommendations of great picture books from this time period. There are several in my pile from the library today... I will update if I come across any treasures.
The first book we read was The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare. This is a longer chapter book we read aloud as a family, and Aine (8) was riveted but Caera (5) usually fell asleep as we read! It takes place in 1687, and explores Connecticut Puritan life, and especially the tension between Puritans and both Quakers and Royalists. Susan Wise Bauer recommends that parents preview, probably because the book is somewhat critical of Puritanism. I love Elizabeth George Speare and this book was a favorite of mine in childhood.
We also enjoyed The Courage of Sarah Noble, by Alice Dalgliesh. This is an easy chapter book, which Aine read again after we finished reading it as a family, and Caera enjoyed very much. It takes place in 1707, and gives a simple description of a young girl and her father as they settle new land in Connecticut. Lots of inspiration for children as little Sarah tells herself repeatedly, "Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble,"
Next on our reading list was a book I had never read before, Johnny Tremain, by Esther Forbes. This was another longer chapter book, and like The Witch of Blackbird Pond, it really only kept the interest of Aine and her mother, who permitted some ridiculously late bedtimes in August in order to get to the end! I thought this was a nice coming of age story and an exciting view into the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. One warning, there are some salty characters and language, including frequent use of the word d-mn.
I was fretting this past week over the fact that the history poems and timeline don't include any 17th century British history when I happened upon a little gem in my library holds: William Penn, Founder of Democracy by Norma Jean Lutz. In addition to being a very readable biography, it manages to touch on all of the significant history of the times in very clear and simple terms. I highly recommend as a way to connect the political turmoil in England with the formation and distinct character of the different American colonies.
Aine has been tearing through the American Girls series from this time period, Kaya and Felicity, on her own. The girls also really loved Thanksgiving on Thursday from the Magic Treehouse series.
Finally, if you haven't done so already, can I recommend that you read 1776 by David McCullough? The fact that much of the action takes place right here in New York and New Jersey combined with McCullough's gift of character illumination make it an exciting read. Though history textbooks are often heavy with a sense of inevitability regarding past events, this book will leave you feeling amazed by just how tenuous the American position was in that difficult first year of the war, and how men like George Washington really did make history.
I would love to know if anyone has any recommendations of great picture books from this time period. There are several in my pile from the library today... I will update if I come across any treasures.
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