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

This is a nice day! The sun is up and nodding it's head toward me. The rays are embracing me in a warm hug. School is going well because the kids love Friday (since they get tomorrow off). I discovered that if we start the morning off by snuggling in my bed and reading Tom Sawyer and the Bible first the kids are more willing to get on with the day without complaint. I quite enjoy it myself after working out!

Summary of School Work:
Bible: It All Begins With Genesis-Begin breaking down Genesis 1 with Inductive Reasoning.  Also, devotional
History: Ancient Civ & the Bible :Abraham & Ur
Vocab: Vocab in Action E: chapter 7 p. 78-81
Creative Writing: NONE
Prima Latina: NONE
Science: Leavers-Library books
Math: Tests: Chapters 3,4,&5
Literature: Tom Sawyer Chapter 10&11

The day started off poorly but the kids quickly changed droopy attitudes around when we started reading "Tom Sawyer". Little Man is ready to write a second novel and Little Bit was excited to do her reading lessons. Creating zigs out of Legos was a great way to play, take a break, and reinforce the lesson at the same time! Since we got a little late start today, we did not review Latin (I may be able to sneak some review in later!). Now that Little Man has had his own idea of writing again Monday will bring Creative Writing back to the schedule! Praises to God that it took less than a week to get joy out of doing school again.

Summary of School Work:
Bible: It All Begins With Genesis-lesson 3 and Devotional
History: Ancient Civ & the Bible :Archaeology and Digging to the past (library book)
Build a Lego Ziggurat
Vocab: Vocab in Action E: chapter 7 p. 73-77
Creative Writing: NONE
Prima Latina: None
Science: Simple Machines-Library books
Math: Rule of 4-fractions D&E
Literature: Tom Sawyer Chapter 8 & 9

This day is not going well. So far the kids just want to read Tom Sawyer and fight with each other. I am thinking I may have a fence to whitewash...

Summary of School Work:
Bible: It All Begins With Genesis-lesson 2
History: Sumerians-Library research
Vocab: NONE
Creative Writing: NONE
Prima Latina: Lesson 2
Science: Simple Machines
Math: Rule of 4-fractions
Literature: Tom Sawyer Chapter 7
Reading: Wiley & Grampa's Creature Features: Monster Fish Frenzy
Other: NONE

Salve! It has been hard to get back into the normal schedule of school after the holidays, snow storms, and being sick. We are slowly building back up to our regular work load. It does not help that my copier broke! Until we figue out a replacement option the kids will have to go "old school" and write on lined notebooks just like I did "back in the day".

Summary of School Work:
Bible: It All Begins With Genesis-lesson 2
History: Sumerians
Vocab: NONE
Creative Writing: NONE
Prima Latina: Lesson 1
Science: Simple Machines homework
Math: Adding Uncommon Fractions
Literature: Tom Sawyer Chapter 6
Other: Playing a game of Risk (Geography and Crit. Thinking)

Summary of School Work:
Bible: The Christmas Story (Luke)
Creative Writing: Work on Novel-Due December 31, 2010
English: Tom Sawyer Chapter 5 and 6
Science: Robots
Other: History of Christmas and Christmas Symbols

Crazy Days

So much has happened since my last blog. Two holidays have passed and one is a few days away. Recently we finished our Brighton science project on Newton's Laws of Motion (see top picture). Please note in the bottom right corner we did build a Newton's Cradle! We are doing well on our school hours so this week we are "playing" school. Yesterday we built robots and started our "Aquasaurs" aquarium so it will be ready when we return to regular school programing after the holiday. Today will be another relaxed and fun learning day. Finishing the novel we have been writing is on the "TO DO" list as well as planning the next 3 months! I am looking forward to keeping our blog more up to date that I have been. We are starting with the Ice Age and moving forward from there using history as our framework.