Linda @ Linda’s Lunacy

Homeschooling with Games

March 14, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

We love to play games as a family. They are not only fun, but educational also. We’ve played games with all six of our children from the time they were very little and just barely able to play Candyland, Chute’s and Ladders, and Hi Ho Cherry-O. Don’t forget Go Fish, Slap Jack and War.

Here are a few of the games we currently have. These are on top of a cabinet in our schoolroom. Hours and hours of fun represented in this picture.

Here are a few more inside the cabinet. Bible Trivia is an awesome Bible game! And I do believe Scattergories is my favorite game of all time. We also have a couple of geography board games, those are fun, too.

The game I want to focus on today, though, is Scrabble. Scrabble is a great family game. It’s competitive, entertaining, and educational all at the same time. We had a Scrabble, Junior game when some of our kids were younger. I didn’t care for it, though.

I didn’t find it to be as fun and educational as the regular game. You can start your kids playing Scrabble as soon as they can spell a few words. For most that would be in the first to second grade range. An easy way to get them started is to make a rule that everyone playing, including the adults, can only use three letter words. That puts everyone on the same playing field.

Another way we play that helps the kids is to play with dictionaries in hand. I don’t consider looking in the dictionary for a word to use cheating for kids. I don’t mean just looking up the correct spelling of a word, but the child actually looking for a word they can make with the letters they have. The only thing I tell them is that they need to be looking for a word while the other players are having their turns. So the game isn’t held up for ten minutes while one kid finds a word. The game would never get over that way, and I would most likely lose my mind. lol

You can let them use any dictionary you have in the house, but a Scrabble dictionary is a great investment. It’s also helpful if you have a couple of dictionaries on the table, instead of everyone sharing one. It helps to keep the game moving. So while the family is having fun playing a game together, the kids are learning spelling and dictionary skills.

You can take any game that you like to play and modify it to be played with younger kids. You don’t have to follow every rule exactly. Make up your own house rules.

Like using a dictionary to look up words. Or adjust the Yahztee game so you skip some of the harder to get groups. In Monopoly, pass out all the real estate cards first, following the shorter game instructions, then let the kids have fun buying and trading from each other. Let them take turns being the banker. Let them count all the money without correcting them. If one of them catches another making a mistake, have them recount. If not, just keep playing. Once they realize they might be getting ripped off by a sibling, their counting will dramatically improve. lol

The family playing and learning together is more important than the game rules. Have fun as a family and the learning will follow.

In the Kitchen With Linda

March 11, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

The kids were kind enough (??) to share their stomach virus with me. ugh….. So needless to say I haven’t spent very much time in the kitchen this past week. We managed to stick to the menu, though. That’s what great about simple, home cooked meals and meal planning. If Mom gets sick, the rest of the family can still feed themselves.

I have no yummy food pictures to share with you this week. Just a reminder to go plan your menu. 😉

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….

What’s For Dinner?

Saturday – Sabbath- Make ahead meals- – Baked Chicken, stuffing, green beans

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – tuna sandwiches, chicken sandwiches

Monday – chicken – Volleyball Banquet – we’re bring homemade mac & cheese, homemade bread-french & garlic

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Spaghetti with meat sauce, broccoli

Wednesday – super simple – chicken soup, homemade biscuits

Thursday – beef – Crockpot deer, potatoes, onions and carrots

Friday – Sabbath Dinner – BBQ chicken, peas, corn on the cob

For more ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday

Saturday on the Farm – Compost & Seedlings

March 9, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

This week, I had my oldest son move the compost pile for me. We, ok HE, moved the compost from one side to the other so we could start a new pile. Here’s my compost pile made from pallets.

I had him move what was left on the right hand side over to the left. As you can see, we’ve already started filling the right hand side. The compost on the left is ready to use!

I thought I’d share all my seedlings this week. Here’s what my dining room window looks like now. The two big plants on the left are a Passion Flower and a Mandevilla that are spending the winter in the house. In front of the window are two trays of tomatoes, one each of romas and beefsteaks, and a tray of broccoli seedlings. Each tray has twelve paper pots in it. As of now each pot has two or three seedlings, but those will be thinned out in another week or two. The tray on the table has bell peppers. To the right of the window you can see the pineapple plant we started from a fresh pineapple last year. They say it takes two years to get a pineapple from it, so maybe we’ll see one this year. In front of the pineapple are two chive plants that my husband brought home. Shhhh…..don’t tell him I already have some outside. lol

Into the schoolroom we go to see the trays of herb seeds. I only have one tiny, little chamomile seedling up. The chamomile is the reason I have the tray tilted up, it needs light to germinate.

I was in bed sick the other day, and no one even bothered to open the dining room blinds to let my little seedlings have some light. They were very sad little seedlings when I finally got up and around yesterday. So I moved them into the craft room under the light. I had to build up the workbench with a tool box and little crates to get the plants up close to the lights. lol It worked! lol Until my middle son wanted to use the workbench. But my little seedlings were much happier after several hours under the light.

When I went outside this morning to take the picture of the compost pile, I found this plant coming up in front of the house. I was given this plant a few years ago, and told it was a house leek. It’s actually a Sedum, though.

And I was very happy to find another plant coming up!

Just in case you felt sorry for my poor snow covered Daffodils last week, here they are in the bright sun this morning. The ones blooming are mini Daffodils and the green plants in the back are full size Daffodils. You can also see a Tulip coming up!

I have other bulbs planted in this garden. They may even be coming up right now under the mulch. One of these days when I get brave, I will clean out all the mulch to uncover them. You see, this lovely little bulb garden is also invaded with poison ivy. It wasn’t when I first planted it, but it has been for a few years now. And every year in the spring, I clean the garden out and I get a bad case of poison ivy. It really is a dilemma. If I try to kill the poison ivy, I will kill the bulbs, and if I try to move all the bulbs, I will develop a severe reaction, I think. What to do, what to do. I guess I’ll just keep doing like I’ve been doing. Clean it out once a year in the spring, and suffer with a small case of poison ivy. sigh….

Any suggestions for a poor, itchy gardener? lol

[Read more…]

Our Homeschool Week in Review

March 9, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

This week, Zach has been working on a Knights and Castles Lapbook. We’re reviewing it for The Homeschool Review Crew, so look for the review in the next couple of weeks. Zach’s really enjoying it. I can usually coax him into letting me post a picture. But this week, he wouldn’t even let me take a picture with his hand in it. lol

It has been nice this last week with no volleyball practices. Abby did play in an all star tournament today. Unfortunately, the East team she played on lost. As far as I know, that’s the last game any of my girls will be in. It will be so nice to regain the family time that is lost with practices and games. Sports are good for kids, they just take so much time.

The two 12th graders have been working on their schoolwork, too. It’s just not very exciting to see a picture of a teenager doing Algebra or Geometry. lol

It’s been a busy week for homeschool reviews. Check out some of the homeschool products and books we’ve been using lately. Lone Star Learning Science Vocabulary Cards, Abraham’s Journey, College Common Sense

To see more homeschooling posts, visit Weekly Wrap Up.

Lone Star Learning Science Vocabulary Cards

March 7, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

As part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew I received Science Vocabulary Pictures, Set 1 cards from Lone Star Learning

Lone Star Learning offers math, reading and science learning aids for kindergarden through eight grade. Lonestar has been offering their products to schools and is now starting to offer them to homeschoolers. In fact, there is no mention at all on the website about homeschooling, everything is geared to the public school classroom. I also saw no references to private schools of any kind.

The vocabulary cards are to supplement your curriculum. As you can see from the above picture, they are colorful and entertaining. There are a few different sets of cards available, I was sent the Science 1 cards. The cards are coated, so they can be handled by kids without too much scuffing. The Science 1 cards are for grades 3-8.

These vocabulary cards can be used in many different ways. The set comes with an idea sheet to help you. Here are a few of the ways I used them with my 12 year old 6th grade son. We used them as flash cards, first. Going over any that he missed. The set comes with an answer key, however, it would have been much more convenient if the definitions were on the back of the cards.

I hung the simple machine cards on our school room cabinet. That way there were in front of my son all the time, and he would ask questions when he thought of them. At 5.5″ by 8.5″ Lone Star Learning cards are nice and big, making them easy for kids to handle, and to hang on the wall.

Another way we used them was to have my son sort the cards out into categories. For example, here’s the season cards. The cards are bright, colorful and fun, with pictures that depict the definition of the word. However, some of the pictures can make the words hard to read. I, the teacher, had to look to the rest of the word to find out that the fish on the carnivore card was a “c”. While working on the review, I asked my son if there were any cards that he had trouble reading, or if he could read them all with no problem. He said, “Yes, the one with the mice.” The Mammal card below. I asked him if there were any other cards that he had trouble with, and he picked these cards. You might look at these cards and think “I can tell the raindrop and line are a “d” in the word flood.” But it’s the kids who have to be able to read the cards. Like I said, most of the cards can be read easily. These are just a handful that my son had trouble with. Overall, my son had fun using these cards and learned a few new words. The Science vocabulary card set contains 40 cards and sells for $29.99 on their website. *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a this set of cards for review purposes. I received no other compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. My opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

VeggieTales The Little House That Stood DVD Review & Giveaway

March 6, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

When the Three Little Pigs roll into Cabbageville looking to build some new houses, they meet one builder with a plan and two without a clue! Larry builds with hay, Mr. Lunt with bricks, but only Bob builds his houses on a firm foundation – following the wise plans from the Master Builder’s Handbook! Will the Little Piggies make the right choices when it comes to building their houses – and their lives – on solid ground? Find out in this parable that shows kids when they follow God’s blueprints, then can stand strong when the storms come!

My family has loved VeggieTales for many years. I was excited to receive this new one, The Little House That Stood. It tells the story of the Three Little Pigs. In this VeggieTales parable, the Pigs learn to build there house on a firm foundation. That once you build on a firm foundation, no storms can knock you over.

I watched The Little House that Stood with my 12 year old son. We both really liked it! The Little House That Stood has everything that kids and parents have grown to love about the VeggieTales, a good storyline, humor, and a great lesson. My sons only complaint was that the pigs had arms and legs. Everyone knows that VeggieTales don’t have arms and legs. He wouldn’t accept any reasoning that I gave, lol, he insisted that the pigs shouldn’t have had arms and legs. Kids can be so funny. lol

To learn more, visit The Little House That Stood website, Veggitales on Facebook, Veggietales on Twitter

Here’s the trailer:

Great, right? How would you like to win a copy of the DVD for your family? That’s right, I get to give a copy away! Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to enter! Giveaway open world wide!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this dvd for review purposes. I received no other compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. My opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Abraham’s Journey – Book Review

March 5, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

As part of The Schoolhouse Review Crew, I received a copy of Abraham’s Journey: A Celebration of the American Dream from Inspiring the American Dream to review. Abraham’s Journey sells for $14.99 their website. A high price, I think, for a book just over 30 pages long.

Abraham’s Journey, written for ages 7-12, tells the story of a young boy whose parents are trying to live the American Dream. Like so many other people during the Great Recession, however, Abraham’s parents lost their jobs. The story starts with this information, and the parents telling the kids that they wouldn’t have any money for Christmas gifts that year.

Abraham is upset, and goes to his room to think of ways he can save Christmas for his family. While he texts his friends on his smart phone, he starts searching online for odd jobs to earn money. During his search, Abraham Lincoln appears on his screen, saying “I’m here to help you.” He extends his hand out to young Abraham, and they are transported into digital world. While in this digital world, the two Abrahams travel around to visit a variety of successful Americans, Martin Luther King, Jr., Amelia Earhart, Norman Rockwell, Mark Zukerberg, and Bill and Melinda Gates.

Meeting these 5 great Americans helps young Abraham find his special talent so he can achieve his American dream. The story ends on Christmas day, after Abraham has used his talent to paint pictures to sell. He uses this money to buy Christmas presents for his family. When he hands out the presents he bought, his father questions him as to where he got the money to buy gifts. So Abraham tells his family the story of his journey, his paintings,and what he learned about living the American dream. His family is inspired with his story, and go out to visit a homeless shelter bringing donations that young Abraham earned.

“By being Creative and determined, Abraham preserved his parent’s American dream for their family. Through his faith, compassion, and charity, he was able to share that dream with others!” – the last two lines of the book

Included in the back of the book are one paragraph biographies of the famous people mentioned in the back of the book. There is also a half of a page of Definition of Terms used in the book- The American Dream, charity, compassion, courage, faith, friendship, imagination, innovation, personal responsibility, self reliance, social media, wisdom.

I find it odd that “The Great Recession” is not included in this list since that term is referrenced in the first paragraph of the book, and the story is set in that time period. Yet, they included the word faith in the definitions, when the only place it used in the book is in the sentence I quoted above. I think by using Christmas in the story line, and the word faith, the authors are trying to make the book appealing to Christians. However, this is very much a secular book. The definition they give of faith is: “belief without proof in a positive outcome; belief in a spiritual entity greater than oneself.” In their defense, the authors make no claims to this being a faith based book. I had my 12 year old, 6th grade son read this book first, then I read it. When he finished I asked him how he liked it, he said, “Okay, but why does he have a cell phone?” After every question I asked him about the book, he would go back to the fact that this young boy had a cell phone, and not just any cell phone, but a smart phone that can go online. After I read the book for myself, I could see his point. Why does the boy have a smart phone? His parents have lost their jobs and have no money coming in, yet the young kid gets to keep his expensive cell phone? Teaching children about the American dream, and how they can live it is an admirable goal. However, I think this book misses the mark. It seems to me more emphasis is placed on having Christmas presents than anything else. How much time Abraham spends painting and selling his paintings, working towards his dream isn’t mentioned. Just that he bought Christmas presents. Abraham’s Journey is an entertaining little book. One that many children will enjoy reading. But it could have been so much more. *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I received no other compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. My opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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