This Week In School

Monday, October 19

We Are Astronomers!

It took me 6 years but I've finally found the absolute perfect Science curriculum!  I've tried Abeka, My Father's World, McGraw Hill, and a hodgepodge of my own making which worked best until now but took so much time and effort. Here is my drawer filled with our Nancy Larson Science 3 curriculum, minus all the amazing posters and some of the other extras you'll see in the next post.

As you can see by the lesson plan, teacher preparation is virtually effortless.  As long as you're organized with all of your materials in one spot, prep takes about 3 minutes... hence the Science drawer in my 100 year old antique dresser.

As the kiddos finished up their Math assignment, I set up for Science class... Astronomy, to be precise!  I love this dresser along with its matching desk. Amazing Craig's list find! 

Each lesson is about 4 pages long and goes through everything you need to say and do in nice large print that makes discussion simple and effortless.

Having fun with her Science, feeling like an Astronomer as she learns about our universe!

They're retaining what they learn and are also learning study skills as evidenced by each day's quiz.  They all have highlighters and in the lesson plan, they're told what to highlight, the especially important information they'll need to recall later.  I love that!  2nd and 5th graders and they're already learning important study habits just like they'll need in college!

 

We chose to go with Science 3 which doesn't mean "grade 3". Instead, it's based on what your needs as a homeschool classroom are and on the interests and levels of your children. My son is in 2nd grade, my daughters are in 5th, and this curriculum is adaptable to all of them.  We have Science together, all of us are learning, and it has been an amazing year so far!

Science 3 is broken up into 8 different sections in which you are a scientist in each.  This month, we're Astronomers and, I have to tell you, even I have learned so much!  The curriculum is equal parts learning, equal parts doing.  Videos will be coming soon so you can see just what the "doing" consists of! 

If you're looking into a better Science curriculum that will perfectly fit your family, definitely check out Nancy Larson!  I've just got to show you Science 1 even though we're not doing this one.  This is nearly the curriculum I put together for my kids in 2nd grade so we're definitely on the same page!  Doesn't this look like fun?!

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Nancy Larson for providing us with Science 3 to review this year!  All opinions are honest and our own.

 

Sunday, August 2

Spectacular Sports

Today's Jitterbugs Funshine Express Theme was "Spectacular Sports".  The kiddos made some really cool games, the favorite of which was Mini Basketball.  They used tan paper, paper squares, ping pong balls, small cups, bowls, and brass fasteners--all of which came in the kit!  They played with these for hours!  No joke!  We even made a video of their fun which we'll add here soon.  The directions were easy enough for them to follow themselves, which definitely is a plus for mommy, and I liked how unique each of them made their backboard.  

Everything was included in the kit!

Getting ready for summer school art.  Each pair of children shares a set of directions.

 

Ready to play with!

 

She loves it!

The lesson plans came with a variety of extra ideas, too, like:

• Outdoor Bowling
• Goofy Golf
• Cheer Your Team!
• Ping-Pong Ball Track
• Sports Logos
• Computer Sports Games

Discount: Get $20 off!
Click the picture link in our left sidebar for that special discount!  They'll be shipping the August kits soon!

Tuesday, July 28

Wranglers and Rodeos

Ever since my hubby and I starred in a play called "The Good, the Bad, and the Gospel" four years ago, our kids have loved the wild west theme!   There's just something so exciting about the history of the gold rush, wild horses, and the untamed west of the mid to late 1800's that kids love.  And I'm quite smitten with it myself... and not just because of the wonderful clothing styles, though I did love those costumes!

Turns out, today's Jitterbugs Funshine Express Theme was an old west theme titled "Wranglers and Rodeos".  The kiddos made some really cool horses and cowboys out of spring-type clothespins, feathers, ivory horse patterns, striped tissue paper, and doll clothespins--all of which came in the kit.  All of the kids loved making and playing with their own cowpoke riding a horse!  The directions were easy enough for them to follow themselves, which definitely was a plus for mommy.  

The lesson plan also came with a variety of extra fun ideas like:

• Sack Races
• Rocks in My Boot Game
• Wild West Baked Beans Recipe
• Bicycle Barrel Racing
• Hot Sand Races
• Western Words
• Pass the Corn
• Cattle Branding on paper

We give Funshine Express two thumbs up! 

For our other reviews and more inspiring crafty pictures, head over yonder to our dedicated Funshine Express tab.



Saturday, July 25

Bodacious Bugs!

Today's Jitterbugs Funshine Express Theme was "Bodacious Bugs".  The kiddos made some cool bugs and painted the absorbent paper with food coloring and water.  The kit came with the bug shapes, pipettes, and yarn (if you chose to hang them); all we had to do was add the coloring.  My little guy loved it!  The girls went for the hatching butterflies which were so neat!  They were made from tissue paper, twist ties, bug bodies, and brown paper.  All we had to supply were markers to color their wings, scissors and tape.  What I like best about the Funshine Express kits is that they come with most everything you need and each project is so easy to follow.  Plus, each theme comes with a variety of extra ideas.  For example, there were "more fun and game" ideas like caterpillar crawlers, butterfly toss, photos, sipping straw races, and a silly song about caterpillars.   

Making some bodacious bugs!

After they went through many color changes and experiments, they were ready to fly to the window!

Making a beautiful butterfly!

Isn't she the most gorgeous butterfly!?  So lovely!

The kiddos love these kits and we're so happy we get to review them all and recommend them to you guys!   For our other reviews and more inspiring crafty pictures, head over to our dedicated Funshine Express tab.

As far as Back-to-School goes, Funshine Express also offers a range of curriculum kits and supplements for preschool aged kiddos that are available year round.  They create enthusiasm for learning and build school readiness skills. Start exploring to find the perfect curriculum for your children, your daycare, or your preschool!



Discount: Get $20 off!
Click the picture link in our left sidebar for that special discount!  They'll be shipping the August kits soon!

Monday June 29

Games People Play

Today's Jitterbugs Funshine Express Summer Theme was "Game Day!" Among other games, the kiddos made these Catch a Bead old-fashioned games along with Butterfly Flying Discs. In the pic below, you can see that everything you really do need comes in these kits! Each activity is packaged in a giant bag complete with everything you need--it's very organized and takes me zero prep time which I love! I can't say that loud enough!  The kiddos love their kits, too, and we're so happy we get to review them all and recommend them to you guys!  It's also easy to adapt each craft a bit if you have certain preferences--for instance, we wanted the variety of markers to add to the crayons for the flying discs. 

For our other reviews and more inspiring crafty pictures, head over to our dedicated Funshine Express tab.

Catch a Bead

Butterfly Flying Discs

Catching a bead!

Catch a Bead!

Butterfly Flying Disc... minus the butterfly. ;)

There are 2 different Jitterbugs Theme Kits Available!  Choose one or both.  We chose both!  You can read about the rest of them at our Funshine Express tab above.

Included in each kit are supplies to make 8 creative projects with child-directed instructions, additional activities and games. Each kit is packaged with enough materials for 4 children! Designed for kiddos ages 6-10.

Kit A Themes
Magical Metamorphosis
Nature Explorations
Games People Play

Kit B Themes
Wranglers and Rodeos
Spectacular Sports
Summer Cook-Out

Discount: Get $20 off or even more with the offer below!
Click the picture link in our left sidebar for that special discount!  They'll be shipping the July kits soon!

Sunday, June 28

Hedgehogs and Picnics #SummerArt

Who doesn't love hedgehogs?! And picnics?! The picnic theme for Funshine Express was so fun.  The kiddos decorated these cute cups, made pink lemonade for them, and made these super cute Hedgehog food carriers.  We were in the mood for pancakes which fit perfectly in the Hedgehog plates!  Aren't these cute?  They were so fun!   Maybe you've read my past Funshine reviews, but if not, you should know their summer subscription kits come with so many fun, organized crafts (enough items for 4 kids) and include everything you need for each theme plus they're customized for a variety of ages.  We love them!  For our other reviews and more inspiring crafty pictures, head to our dedicated Funshine Express tab.

Personalized cups and Hedgehog plates/containers

So cute!  So easy and fun!

Pancakes and Lemonade

What's inside the hedgehog?  Pancakes!

Discount: Get $20 off! 

Click the picture link in our left sidebar for that special discount!  They'll be shipping the July kits soon!

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Funshine Express for providing us with these kits to review!

Saturday, June 27

Owls! #SummerCrafting

Who doesn't love owls?!  I was happy to see them in one of my kiddos' FunShine Express kits. As you can see, they're made with construction paper, googly eyes, and a variety of scrapbook paper--which I thought was a great idea! (thank you, Funshine Express!) The different varieties of bark and wood themed paper was a great touch for the noses and feet, but there was a country theme my daughter loved, too.  

Aren't the owls adorable in their natural habitats? I wish I could tell you the wind didn't bluster and blow the poor things upside down and all around... but it did, so we brought them in. ;)  For our other reviews and more inspiring crafty pictures, head over to our dedicated Funshine Express tab.

Discount: Get $20 off! 

Click the picture link in our left sidebar for that special discount!  They'll be shipping the July kits soon!

Friday, June 26

Butterflies Emerging From Cocoons! #SummerCrafts

Our summer break is in full swing!

Even so, I like to keep my kiddos busy with arts and crafts, new books and activities to make the summer even more rewarding and to keep the boredom at bay.  The other day, they made these butterflies and cocoons with their FunShine Express kit.  What I especially love is that the kit included everything my 4 kiddos needed, as well as directions they could follow themselves to create and play with these butterflies for hours.  Check out one of the favorites.  Isn't it gorgeous in its natural habitat?

Discount: Get $20 off! 
Click the picture link in our left sidebar for that special discount!  They'll be shipping the July kits soon!

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Funshine Express for providing us with these kits to review!

Friday, June 25

Desert Landscape Paintings #SummerArt

My kiddos made some gorgeous paintings as we studied the Wild West themed section of their FunShine Express kits.  The kits included everything from the cups for the water colors (made with food dye) to the sand for the texture of the desert landscapes.... not to mention all of the materials inbetween like the watercolor paper, poster-board, and cactus shapes. I love the way my littles did the cactus shadows and the sunsets.  Aren't they beautiful? We decided to combine acrylic with water color for more contrast and some brighter colors.

Discount: Get $20 off! 
Click the picture link in our left sidebar for that special discount!  They'll be shipping the July kits soon!

 

Friday, June 12

A Breakfasty Picnic! #FunshineExpress

The other day, we took the classroom outside after making some fun crafts with our Funshine Express kits.  Though we're officially on summer break, I still make sure and have a variety of activities for my kiddos to do throughout the week. FunShine Express kits has made it super easier than usual for me this summer!  My kiddos love these kits but what I especially love is that they include absolutely everything you need--down to the directions and ideas that go along with the theme--games, links to videos, so many ideas for days of educational fun! 

There are kits for every age from babies to 10 year olds!

Buttercups: Adaptable for children ages 6–36 months
Buttercups offers 8 weeks of interactive fun. These 2-month infant / toddler activity kits develop gross and fine motor skills, as well as provide music, language, art, cognitive, social, and sensory experiences. Check out this video to learn more about our Buttercups Kits.

Fireflies: Adaptable for children ages 3–5
Fireflies is a high-quality, professionally-designed preschool curriculum that creates enthusiasm for learning and builds school readiness skills. The monthly preschool activity kits provide educators and parents with strategies for children with various developmental needs, experiences, and diverse culture. Activities and assessment materials are aligned with early learning standards. Check out this video to learn more about our Fireflies Kits.

Jitterbugs: Adaptable for ages 6-10
Designed for summertime fun! Jitterbugs promotes physical development, cognitive development, creative expression, and social/emotional development. Included, per child, are supplies to make 8 creative projects with child-directed instructions, additional activities and games. The three themes included correspond to some of those offered in our Fireflies and Buttercups summer kits.

Discount: Get $20 off!
Click the picture link in our left sidebar for that special discount!  They'll be shipping the July kits soon!

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Funshine Express for providing us with these kits to review!