Bible:
History: listen to audio recordings
English: Wordsmith pages 1-3
Vocab: Level E pages 53-55
Creative Writing: Good Times-Happy as a clam

Science:
Math: Tests 6, 7, 8
Literature: Complete Tom Sawyer activities
Other:

Bible: video
History: Ancient Civ-listen to the first 3 soundtracks for the chapter
Science: Rube Goldberg construction-Mythbusters
English/Literature: Tom Sawyer study guide, and lap book.
Math: 9 B, D, & E

This was one of those mornings that I want to capture in my heart and never forget.  It reminded me of the days when my Grandmother would read to me at nap time and lie down with me until I fell asleep.  My Little Man was working on his Bible study and my Little Bit was in my lap and I was teaching her to read.  It was a warm, comfortable setting-like wearing a pair of slippers under a blankie in front of the fire drinking hot cocoa.  These children are both so special and gifted in their own way.  It is a true blessing to be a part of these learning experience and to see them "grow into their skin". 

Bible: It All Begins With Genesis-Continue breaking down Genesis 1/Inductive Reasoning, Lesson 4, & Devotional
History: Mystery of History: Stonehenge
Science: Rube Goldberg planning
English/Literature: Tom Sawyer study guide, and lap book.

Math: 8 D&E and 9 A-grading and corrections

There is No Chaos Like Snow Chaos !

The Feb. 1st blizzard drifted snow above the bottom of the window

I can not believe how much this snow has thrown us off schedule.  There is something about knowing that the world outside is out of order that throws the household out of order as well.  I am thinking that, in the future, I should keep the external chaos to myself and just keep the kids plugging away as scheduled.  The up side is that laundry is now caught up and the kids have been playing well with minimal sibling rivalry.  The goal today is to get school done early enough to clean rooms and play outside in the snow.

Summary of School Work:
Bible: It All Begins With Genesis-Continue breaking down Genesis 1/Inductive Reasoning & Devotional
History: Mystery of History through: Abraham & Ur
Vocab: Tom Sawyer Lap Book words
Science: Rube Goldberg planning
English/Literature: Tom Sawyer puzzles, study guide-4 more pages, and original cover art for lap book.

Math: grading and corrections

Simple Machines Project: Rube Goldberg Machine

DUE: MARCH 7th

Create a blueprint or flow-chart of a Rube Goldberg machine using all 6 simple machines to complete a final objective (7 total steps).  The 6 simple machines are: levers, wheels & axles, inclined planes, screws, pulleys, and wedges.  You may use 2 machines in one step but you must have 7total steps still. You must include a description of each step and indicate which machine it is. 

Tom Sawyer Lap Book

This assignment is due next Friday and will be considered a book report.


All activities listed must be included.  Design (10%), thoughtfulness (20%), creativity (10%), neatness (10%), and accuracy (50%) will all be considered in your final grade.

Activities:
1. Write an alternate ending to the book before you start reading the final 2 chapters.
2. Create an original cover art for the book
3. Write a letter to Tom telling him how you are like him and not like him
4. Write a newspaper article on one major even of the book (ie: when the boys ran away and were thought dead, when Muff was on trial, When Tom and Becky were found, When the boys appeared at their own funeral, etc)
5. Include the completed puzzle activities
6. Learn about epitaphs and create an epitaph for a character in the book.
7. Vocabulary: Make a Fence shaped book including a vocabulary word with the definition on each page.
8. Main idea, main characters, setting, and  comprehension activities. (paint brushes and paint cans)
9. Treasure chest: Tom and Huck became rich but what is the true treasure the boys have? (think about what is really important in life and what we can learn about biblical concepts in the story)

Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Today our primary focus is the Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  We are going to finish reading the boook and begin a Lapbook, Book Report, and Alternate Ending.

Assignments:
1. Read Chapters 14, 15, and 1/2 of 16
2. Write an ending to the story
3. Watch the animated movie of Tom Sawyer on Netflix
4. Finish reading Chapter 16 and also read Chapters 17 & 18
5. Read the first 4 pages of the Study Guide: http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/pdf/tom_sawyer.pdf
Math: 7 D&E and grade
Vocab:
Bible: Continue Inductive Study of Genesis 1 and Devotional
Science: Simple Machines school assignment

Snownami Blankets the Area! (and another 1/3 of the US)

Many homes were buried in snow yesterday as the biggest storm of the year settled over the area. Some drifts measured more than two feet high.  Many small dogs were unaccounted for as soon as they went out for "walkies" only to appear at the door covered in snow and icicles.  Kids plastered faces to windows and marveled at the "white out" conditions from the massive amounts of sideways flying snow and forty mile per hour winds.  Official reports of accumulation indicate that 12+ inches of snow accumulated as a result of the blizzard. Reports were pouring in about debates on if tongues would really stick to flagpoles in the extreme temperatures.  No reports of tongue amputations as of yet.

Summary of School Work:
Today we are deviating from the normal format and learning about extreme cold temperatures.
History: Abraham & Ur-Library book
Science: -Library book
OTHER:
*Building shelter in the snow: http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/how-to-survive-the-freezing-cold.htm/printablev
*Everest Beyond the Limit: Episode One
*How to Build a Snow Cave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOJQPz1s-1c&feature=relmfu