Lapbooks!

OK. So I have been really excited to try some new things this year. One of the things I have really been wanting to do, and decided was a must during our first week of school, was to combine Z's and J's Science and History classes into unit studies. I wasn't really sure how to go about doing this because Z is in first grade and J is in fifth. I decided to go with the curriculum J is using for both History and Science (gearing it down a bit for Z) and use a method called lapbooking. If you haven't heard of it I highly suggest you Google it. Lapbooks are a great way to offer a variety of activities about a subject and keep it organized. It is highly customizable and kids love it!

These are the ones we created for our Unit on Christopher Columbus. The first one is Joshua's. We are using the book series A History of Us by Joy Hakim for History. I used some materials used in our workbooks but then had J and Z pick out other things that stuck out to them. Then I created some quick mini books or journaling pictures for the kids to fill out. Not all of them are done. There are completed pages I haven't added and some unfinished ones that go with chapters we haven't read yet.

Activities include:

Make a list of supplies you would take on a voyage?

How did a lunar eclipse save Columbus?

The Columbian Exchange. List supplies exchanged between the New and Old World

Map Columbus's first voyage

Flash cards of navigational instruments used by sailors of that time period

Evaluate Christopher Columbus's Performance in eight areas. Give him a rank from 1-5

What were some fears sailors of that time period had?

A New Land. 1. Describe the New Land discovered by Columbus. 2. What were the people like who lived there? 3. What happens to the Taino people because of the arrival of Columbus?

Z's lapbook is much simpler. So far it consists of a coloring page, a maze, a compass picture Z drew as well as an activity showing some goods exchanged between the Old and New world.

Don't they look like fun? I am so excited and can't wait to start on our next unit. Basically anything that makes my kids excited about learning is fun for me and totally worth the paper, glue and assembly time. On a personal note I have also been bitten by the felt bug. I ran across a site that advertised felt food and toys for kids and decided that I needed to give it a go. I am totally hooked! I love coming up with ideas and seeing them come to completion. Here are a few of my first attempts.

Little Dinosaur for baby.

Dragon Finger Puppet from my Castle Collection

Lovey Elephant toy for baby.

Soccer = PE

A few years ago we signed J up for a season of soccer. My husband coached the team and we found that it was a nice way to get J out of the house, and get some exercise. Well this year we decided to sign both of the boys up with AYSO. I'm not sure who likes it more, the boys, or myself. I love seeing them sweaty faced, running around with their friends, and the proud look on their faces when they make a good pass or score a goal, and having them fall asleep quickly at bed time is a nice bonus. Oh and we get to use soccer as credit for P.E.!

J is my very sweet natured, sensitive, cautious, artsy boy to whom sports do not come naturally. I am so proud of him for sticking with it and putting himself out there. Z is our crazy, adventurous, sensitive boy. I didn't know those traits could go together. He is one of the fastest runners on the team and is becoming rather fearless. A week ago one push to the ground would cause him tears, but he is learning to buck up and take it. He comes off the field just beaming with pride.

Although my husband is not coaching either team this year I find myself excited for my boys to have a chance to bond with another adult. Its so good for them to establish relationships with people outside the home and both coaches have thus far proven themselves to be good, kind men. Disappointedly I haven't met many other parents. The trend nowadays seems to be drop and run when it comes to practices. I am hoping that game times will provide an opportunity for me to socialize a bit. I'm surrounded by my kids so much I swear I fear accidentally using baby talk while ordering dinner at a restaurant.

I found out today that one of the boys on J's team is also enrolled at Utah Virtual Academy, the online school that J takes classes through. It would be nice to see them become friends and take field trips or do classes together occasionally. The kid has five other siblings also enrolled in the same program and i would love to pick his mothers brain a bit and see how she manages. I often times find homeschooling my two boys hard to deal with.

I pray this soccer season opens doors for my children to build relationships and helps provide them with confidence and stamina for their many adventures to come.