Our Adventures

Family and friends are welcome to come share in our life and learning adventures! 

a new language

I have been enjoying Ewen’s decision to speak in his own language lately. A lyrical language full of interesting sounds and words! He has always been very good at expressing himself non-vocally, but now with his lovely language… he can clearly communicate even with those of us who do not speak it– easily getting his point and stories across with oh so much more fun! Sometimes lovely songs are sung to us in this creative tongue – much to our and his enjoyment! Why say no when you can say “abaja” ?!

So much fun!

“Serma tom or samberme? tambe? Oseme noma samor samo meme tom.  Non de nona. No samo. Samo nama. Samere toma ta

No translation needed

Rocks, Blocks and having FUN!

 

 

Observation for Learning

Week 28

 

1.~~~~~~ SelfDesign Praxis – Personal Planning – Epistemology – Systemic

Keegan spent timelooking through fliers and store ailes to pick out different projects that he would like to do and books would like to read.

2.~~~~~~ Wellness – Health – Athletics – Kinesthetic Awareness

Keegan had another fun active week. Some of his physical activities included: wresting play; “I played some hockey, played soccer and played lacrose” and patio hockey – outside play. 

 Keegan also had his final class of Home School gym where he played basketball, practiced hitting a ball for baseball and played hockey.

 

 

3.      Languaging – Communication – Writing/Reading

Keegan continued his regular activities this week, additionally he received new books that he was very excited to look through.  Keegan loved his new Wendal and the Great One book.  We took your recommendation and were excited to see that it was available from scholastics.  It just arrived this past week and Keegan and I read it write away. The book became big source of discussion and enjoyment for us and with his friend Josh! 

4.~~~~~~ Humanities – Community – Social Studies – History

Keegan has decided that Wayne Gretzky (after reading Wendal and the Great One) is his favorite player and has spent time researching him on the computer and watching utube videos of his career.  I noticed through this how his research skills are truely developing!  Here are some highlights from Wayne Gretzky’s live that Keegan wanted to share with you: He was the best scorer in the world until he coached the phoenix coyotes.  He started skating when he was two.

7.~~~~~~ Logic/ Math – Analytical Thinking

Keegan and I practiced equations and word problems.  He also spent time building his lego mission set, he followed directions and completed the fighter plane then started on the truck.

  
A great game was recommended to us from another homeschool parent, which we were lucky to find.  It is called the Make n’Breakgame. You’ve got 10 wooden building blocks, a timer ticking per the number you rolled & a card showing you what to build in that time. Can you get it right…in the nick of time? When time’s up, total the points on your completed building cards & collect those tokens. After 4 rounds, the one with the most points is the winning builder. It is great he is able to practice and apply so many math skills: adding multiple numbers, patterning, base ten concepts, observation and following directions.

   

(http://www.educationallearninggames.com/make-n-break-game.asp)

8.~ ~~~~ Living Skills – Practical Abilities – Financial – Information

Keegan as always was a great help throughout the home and out, he helped load dishwasher, make wacky cupcakes (measurements, temp…) and helped with groceries: prices, amounts, what want to eat what need for different meals, snacks and guests visiting.

9.~~~~~~ Science – Ecology – Naturalistic Understanding

jeff corwin madigascar animals and discussion
Keegan’s homeschool science classes have resumed for the spring.  This science day the group learnt about different types of rocks – “rocks – there is a type of rock that is really light and it is from a volcano it floats in the water.  and some you rocks you can saw open and look for crystals.  We looked at rocks that change colours in the dark light.  there was a cloth that you put a rock under then bang it with a hammer but you have to wear safety goggles, it breaks.  You were supposed find some crystals but I didn’t any.  I liked it all.”

  

started bean project – talked about what to expect put beans in water to soak over night.  after beans soak overnight have 2 beans one to take apart and look at (outer skin, bud root, 2 halves…) the other to set up to grow and watch.  Discuss life cycle of plants, photosynthesis, the bean we are growing and what can make out of it that we eat!  Excited to watch as roots and leaves grow.  Day 3 – no change, Day 4 morning – root starting to come out of bean (no root out of Ewen’s yet though)

  

crayon physics game – This is an amazing game where the player draws different shapes and lines.  The player then can see what happens when physic principles such as force and motion are applied to the drawn shapes.  The player has to figure out how to move a small ball to hit a star.  Each level gets progressively more difficult and teaches new principles that must be applied to complete level.  The player gradually learns more and more.  Keegan was very good at this learning and applied so much that he learnt and really enjoyed it.  We are going to purchase the full game and learn more!     http://www.crayonphysics.com/

youtube video of game (we have to use our mouse – but you can get an idea of how the game works.)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsTqspnvAaI

 

10.~~~ ~~~Creativity – Artistic Expression and Appreciation

Keegan spent time colouring austrailian aboriginal mendala art and we spent time discussing it.  He also had fun building various lego creations and painting a miniture hockey helmet!

 

12.~~~~ Learning Committee – Planning and Sustaining Conversations

Keegan and I had a discussion about different ways to earn money in “non-traditional ways”, fun classes kids would like, and different types of art, as well as why artists create art.  We also had a fun discussion about the benefits of lego (found out that the vancouver science museum has an exhibit on lego currently).

Gym, crafts and chocolates!

 

Keegan had another fun, busy, active learning week! 

(Unfortunately many images had to be resized – due to site style – and it is difficult to read some of the captions…)

 

 

 

 

 

A little look into Shae :)

Shae really is growing so quickly – amazing she is already 2…though to play with her and watch her it isn’t so surprising.  She is so busy, silly and happy, she definitely keeps us on our toes  

(I recommend watching this in high def. click the arrow at the bottom right of the video box and select HQ)

Ewen’s fun year so far!

It has been a wonderful fun and busy year already.  Full of play, creative adventures, crafts and lots of excited times together.  Inspired by the idea that I had put together for Keegan’s learning week, I decided that it would be fun to put a little video/slide show for Ewen as well…he certainly enjoyed watching it!  In fact Ewen always loves to see himself in video and picture form, and is happy to perform for me!

Ice fishing, hockey and more fun!

 Week 22

 Wellness – Health – Athletics – Kinesthetic Awareness

Despite the temperature of -13, the sun was finally shining and Keegan and his dad had a great time playing hockey out on the patio, practicing those slam shots, handling and being in net.  Keegan generally had a lot of free running, soccer handling practice, and hockey time this week taking advantage of several days of sun, though cold weather (-20 so short burst here and there with warm up times in between!)

Beavers this week was outside fun and games at a local regional park, Shannon Lake.  Keegan tried out ice fishing.  Played hockey on the ice (outside).

 

Fun playing hockey with friends – outside! 

 

Trying out Ice Fishing

Hockey – I had fun my team won the score was 10 – 2 that means we had an 8 goal lead.

Languaging – Communication – Writing/Reading

Keegan continues to enjoy his books, he enjoys listening to books on tape and following along with book reading/looking through the books.  I find it is reallyincreasing vocabulary, he regularly asks for definitions of words, especially while listen to magic treehouse series.

 We played a game that included letter recognition, sounds, what letters used to spell different words.

Keegan has been enjoying silly poems.

Humanities – Community – Social Studies – History

Keegan enjoyed a book about south america – “Famous Places around the World” (we discovered this series at the library, and are looking forward to the others to come in.  The series focus on different continents.)  The book includes a map and is about famous spots: Galapigous Island, Angel Falls, Andes, Machu Picchu, which Keegan found very interesting, and the Nazca drawings.  Keegan was trying to guess what different figures were in each of the drawings.

We also spent time learning about the chinese new year. Keegan learnt about where china is located, how the cycle of the moon relates to the new year, animals and write numbers in chinese, and about chinese astrology. Keegan found out he was born in the year of the Horse and what that means.

Logic/ Math – Analytical Thinking

Keegan enjoyed a game called Times Attack, a computer game to practice times tables.  Keegan played with his dad…Keegan figured out the answer to the equations and typed in the answers and thenAndrew helped him when got stuck on an equation.  He is doing a great job remembering different multiplication equations!

Keegan had fun with Knex, both building space shuttle and a working car.

 

 

 

Science – Ecology – Naturalistic Understanding

We had fun playing the “Wildcraft Herbal Adventure Game. It is a fun way to learn about herbs and what they are good for.  Play this game truly peeked Keegan’s interest in plants and herbs and their uses.  We are thinking about learning more about plants and herbs this year especially as we move into spring. 

 

Fun learning about Herbs and their uses!  Creativity – Artistic Expression and Appreciation

Keegan enjoyed practicing his guitar with his dad (finally managed to replace the broken guitar string!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week I have decide to try something different, hopefully it works out!  Working with Keegan (he shared his activities) I have created a video compliation of some highlights of his week.  I recommend that you watch it in high resolution as is much clear!

In addition to the video I wanted to add a few highlight points from our week

• We  went to the knex group today but only about 20 minutes were spent actually building together.  The kids were so excited to get together with others, their homeschooling friends, that they spent most of the time running, chasing eachother wrestling and having a great time!  We have decided we really need to find a good open indoor space that they can run and burn off all that energy during these months where it is harder to do outdoors – the weather has gone from way below zero to above to back below, causing melting then freezing – so snow  play not so possible and walks hard as so slippery – a challenge!  However, we are still planning to give the club a chance, next time I hope to find a way to do some big active play before going.  Also a couple of others have decided to get together for some chess games.
• math word problems…adding and multiplication (eg if you have 3 people you would like to give 2 cards each to – how many cards do you need?)  I am so impressed with how Keegan figures out the answers in his head and how quickly!
•  Printing (names in cards)…Keegan says that he hands are starting to hurt less when he prints.  I picked up some letter stencils hoping those will help develop those hand muscles as you suggested with the montessori stencils (I could actually find those anywhere).  I also picked up felt pens thinking that perhaps they would be easier to print with as they require less pressure and of course different colours for words helps to make it more fun

Snowboarding and a fun party with friends

Week 19 January 4 – 10 2009

 

 

Wellness – Health – Athletics – Kinesthetic Awareness

Snowboarding we had to go on the chairlift.  It was hard to get on.  Wasn’t very easy cause my snowboard kept almost falling off.  They had to stop the t-bar when we fell. then they made it go and we got of the path.  I went fast on one side of the mountain.  On one side I fell down a lot, but I still give up by standing up.  The other side was easier cause I didn’t

t fall down so much and it was easier.  I even went faster than dada on that side.

 

 

                                                        

Snowboarding!

 

 Keegan had a great time playing floor hockey with his friends and had a chance go in goal!  He was team Canucks and even got to do a team chant.

           

                                 

Playing goaly for floor hockey!

We had a great time doing yoga and aerobics with the wii fit.  I remember with a previous response to an o4l you mentioned this game.  Keegan really enjoys trying the different yoga poses, aerobic exercises and balancing games.  Personally I find it useful as it has been a long time since I managed to make it out to a yoga class and it helps to remind me of the poses and show me if I am balancing my wait properly while doing so. 

 

Languaging – Communication – Writing/Reading

 

Keegan spent time practicing printing (names for goody bags) for his friend birthday party on Saturday.

Keegan continues read along with stories and listen to books on cd in addition to looking at books and having story time with his dad and myself.  His friend slept over on saturday night and read a chapter from a hockey story of Keegan’s.  I think this really helped to make Keegan want to be able to do that too. 

Logic/ Math – Analytical Thinking

Keegan spent time with knex building from the picture instructions.  Keegan did great job looking at picture and figuring out what angles match image angles, in addtion to figuring out which part was necessary and talking about how gears work to make it turn.

Living Skills – Practical Abilities – Financial – Information

Keegan did a lot of snow shoveling for hockey and the front drive.

Creativity – Artistic Expression and Appreciation

  Practiced taking pictures and did various crafts.

 Keegan’s self portrait

Busy weeks…Christmas is coming!

Week 16 December 14 – 20

(unfortunately we lost our camera at the beginning of this week and only located it at the end so do not have our usual pictures to share!)

 

I find that as we get closer to the holidays our days definitely change.  We are all busy being busy, excited for the holidays, trying to keep busy so that the holidays come closer and of course do all those fun activities with friends and around home that are so much a part of this time of year.

In the spirit of trying to stay busy we had a full week of fun activities with friends.  Sunday was spent in the morning playing in the snow, then over to a children’s Christmas party where Keegan and his buddies played indoor soccer, wrestled and generally had a great time. 

On Monday we attempted to try out a new indoor gym called the Energiplex, however were disappointed to discover their opening had been delayed.   However, never fear with a highly energetic boy and his best bud, Josh, a trip to first thing in the morning meant running and playing and a trip to the play room meant a good time playing hop scotch and other fun active games.  They of course made up the games and soon made them in to challenges; who can jump the farthest or the longest for example!

Our next busy day was Tuesday.  It began with the final session of gymnastics, which was bring a friend day.  Keegan was happy to invite his friend Josh (it helps when his closest friend also homeschools!).  They had a fantastic time. We had a snowball fight and our team won! (This was a game where they threw foam blocks – snowballs- over a net) I know that Keegan will miss gymnastics this winter, but will be busy with his outdoor winter activities, which I am sure will make up for the loss.  The afternoon was also spent with his friends at our home, playing games, doing winter crafts.

Wednesday was a quite day at home after so much activity.  With the snow falling heavily and temperatures well below zero (too cold for outside play and the snow too powdery to snowboard or sled anyway).  Keegan was happy to spend the day doing quiet activities, such as musical, cards, math, books and writing.

Thursday lead us out of the house once again and fun playing with friends.  Keegan also helped with shopping after and spent the evening wrestling and running with his dad.

Friday was another quiet home day filled with usual home activities, with a Christmas Focus.

On Saturday Keegan enjoy an early Christmas celebration with his grandparent, had fun playing games showing off his spelling, math and weather knowledge to his family.  We also had fun look at countries around the world as they related to a Christmas cd – Christmas music around the world.  As a new song came on we looked it up on the globe, talked about what language they spoke and some of their culture and how you could here it in the music!

Week 15

Wellness – Health – Athletics – Kinesthetic Awareness

 Swimming and used a little surf board but can’t stand up on it.

I went snowboarding in the mountains and sledding in the mountains.  It was fun.

Bowling, I liked it.  The best part was seeing who was the winner and Josh got i mixed up.  I threw my arm back and the ball went in.

Gymnastics we did a game. A bouncy game it was fun we had to bounce – some people were the frogs and some people were the jaguar and if the jaguar catches the frog they eat them they would be a jaguar too.  I was a frog and the jaguar didn’t catch me because I was the fasted., so I didn’t get to be a jaguar but I wanted to be a jaguar so I stayed until someone noticed me and caught me so I could be a jaguar.

Keegan had a fun final week at his sport and splash class playing musical hopes, hockey and a fun swim time.  Keegan will miss this class a lot as he will be to old in the new year to attend!

 Keegan also had his final session of hockey for the year.  He is already excited and waiting for the next hockey to begin.  He has improved so much from the beginning of the year and continues to have so much fun!

Languaging – Communication – Writing/Reading

 It is fun listening to cds on books.  I like to listen to the story about sara and the gigantic talking owl.  The talk about getting out of the chain of pain by looking at things you do want and don’t look at things that you don’t want to get out of the chain of pain.  They fly through the air. 

About a magic treehouse and a hammerhead shark it eats fish and about a mini sub that gets squeezed by an octupus.

In addition to listening to books on cd, Keegan continues to enjoy book time, looking through books, practicing language skills and helping his brother to learn letters.

 

SelfDesigning – Weekly Evaluation – Learner/Mentor

 Spent time writing and responding to past o4ls.

Logic/ Math – Analytical Thinking

 Practiced numbers, equations and analytical skills with building.

  Living Skills – Practical Abilities – Financial – Information

  Shoveling snow and helping looking after the animals, as well as shopping and household help.

 Science – Ecology – Naturalistic Understanding

 Spent time discussing the weather and going through and understanding the weather reports on the weather networks website.

 Creativity – Artistic Expression and Appreciation

 We made and decorated gingerbread cookies and then ate them.  We decorated our Christmas tree and made a gingerbread house.

 At Beavers we made a gingerbread house too and ate it.  There was a special picture of a stocking we coloured it.  And we played tag.

 Keegan also had a great time practicing his dancing, what he calls his breakdancing.

 

 

Fun decorating the Christmas tree Keegan help to find up the mountain!

Decorating the Gingerbread house!

The Birthday Girl!

Shaela had a fantastic day for her Birthday, as did Keegan and Ewen.  It started early – very early infact, 5:30, – with 2 excited boys who could not wait for Shaela’s exciting day and present opening to begin!  Just wait for Christmas morning you say – oh I know it is going to be an early one – take note all you who will be here with us it will be an early rise!!!

Anyway Shaela woke sortly after her brothers and the fun began!  She was so excited to open her pile of presents and to examine everything.

After playing and having fun with her new goodies we head out to meet friends to play at McDonald’s playland.  Everyone had a great time!

After awhile we head over to the Fun Factory where Keegan, Ewen and Shaela each picked out an animal to “build”.  They loved it!  They helped to stuff it, put magical wishes inside each and finally picked out a special outfit and dressed there new fluffy friends!

 

And of course no Birthday would be complete without a Happy Birthday cake, pin the tail on the dockey and a fun pinata. 

Shaela was thrilled and exhausted by the end of the day and quickly fell asleep a very happy girl!