Copy Work: Please have your child copy the following scripture into his/her journal:
Let us love one another, for love is of God. ~ 1 John 4:7
Journal Idea: It is sometimes easier to love people who we know well, like our family and friends, than to love a stranger. Can you think of what you could say or do to show love to a stranger? Write a list of your ideas.
The gray days of winter are seeming a little endless lately. I can't help but feel disappointed when I wake up in the morning and another layer of snow has blanketed the ground. I am missing afternoons at the park and the ability to send my kids outside without bulky layers of clothes. I will admit that the sun has been peeking it's rays down upon me during these past couple of days, so I am hopeful.
For some encouragement during some of your gray days, take a few moments to browse through this website called Home Hearts . When you arrive at the site, click on any of the topics of interests on the left side panel. There is much wisdom and spurring on throughout the website. May you be blessed as you visit: Home Hearts
Contest Rules and Guidelines:
Students may choose any style of poetry to write i.e. haiku, acrostic, quatrain, cinquain, limerick, etc. Here are some links with more information about how to write different styles of poems:
Giggle Poetry
Poetry Idea Engine
Forms of Poetry
30 Days of Poetry
Students must go through an editing and revising process with Mrs. Holder. This means that each student will email his/her poem to Mrs. Holder. She will in turn email the student back with one or two pieces of feedback. The student will then use the feedback to revise his/her poem and then email Mrs. Holder the revised poem. This process should take place at least 2 times but can occur as often as the student and Mrs. Holder feels is necessary.
The deadline to submit a “final copy” poem is March 13th, 2009. Mrs. Holder will judge the poems along with a couple of other colleagues. Each participant will receive an award, but a larger prize (a poetry book) will be awarded to the student(s) whose poem(s) are worthy of a first prize.
The contest is open to ALL students even if you have not been a regular attendee of the conference calls. I hope that this will be a fun learning experience for all!
I encourage you to use this time of the school year to sit down with your child and go through the work that has been completed over the past couple of months. Talk about what has been accomplished well, goals for the next term, favourite projects or activities, etc. Use this time as a learning experience for your child.
For those families on the DLI - Individualized program, the parent and child can work together in choosing what to include in his/her portfolio. Some ideas for presenting your portfolio include: using folders for various subject areas, using a binder divided into subject areas, using an electronic web album (like Picasa), or simply placing everything into a big envelope.
What to Include in an Individualized Portfolio:
4 Language Arts samples
*** Please include a VARIETY of samples some of which may include: a journal entry, a personal letter, poetry or story writing, tests or quizzes related to spelling or grammar, a reading log, a recording of reading aloud or of a recitation, a list, a chart or a diagram, etc.
*** Please note: Grade 2 and 3 students should not include their hard covered journal that was sent to them at the beginning of the school year. This journal will be requested at the end of the 3rd term.
4 Math samples
i.e. chapter or unit tests, speed drills, photos of hands-on math activities, a photocopy of the rules of a favourite math game, etc.
3-4 Science samples
i.e. chapter or units tests, an experiment log, an observation or nature journal, diagrams or charts, a photo of student doing an experiment or on a field trip, a list of books related to Science, etc.
3-4 Social Studies samples
i.e. chapter or unit tests, a field trip journal (may include photos), a list of fiction and/or non-fiction books related to Social Studies topics, map work, a mini report/presentation (written, pictorial, or oral), an audio or video recording presenting Social Studies information, etc.
PE - Please include the PE Log for the Term. Also complete the PE Monthly Challenge Form on the backside of the PE Log.
Fine Arts - 3 Visual Art activities (optional for students who are taking music or dance lessons)
1-2 Health and Career samples
i.e. Nutrition activities(for those students using my mini-unit), devotional material, goal setting chart or sheet, list of activities completed relating to health and career topics (i.e. nutrition, healthy living, friendships, responsibilities in the home)
Work Habits Form - This form is a parent assessment of your child's work habits. As well, there are areas for scripture memory information and the contact information for your child's music or dance instructor.
For the month of February, the journal writing ideas will focus on the theme of "Love". Please feel free to pick and choose the journal writing ideas that best meet the needs of your child. We'll start off with some scripture, since that's always a good place to begin ...
Copy Work: Please have your child copy the following scripture into his/her journal:
We love Him because He first loved us. ~ 1 John 4:19
Journal Starter: Today I am going to show love to ___________ by ...
Journal Idea: Write about someone who loves you. What does he/she do to show love to you? How does it make you feel to know that someone loves you so much?
For most of us, we like to home school on a budget. This means scouring second hand stores for treasured books, popping into Dollar Stores for construction paper and pencils and finding a multitude of uses for everyday items - Who knew a cookie sheet was really a magnet board, a foundation for a rock and water world and a musical instrument???
Recently, I purchased a couple of inexpensive schooling supplies that have me and my kids a little bit giddy.
The first item is a clipboard. We love the clipboard for taking our work on the road i.e. field trips, car rides, and nature walks. We tie a pencil through the clip at the top and the kids are good to go.
The second item is a magnifying glass. With a magnifying glass my kids are able to get "close-up" to bugs under a rock, the veins in a leaf or the 6 points of a snowflake that has fallen on their mitten.
Below is a photo of my daughter exploring the needles from a pine tree. With her magnifying glass she was able to better see the shape and texture of the needles. We cut a needle open and she was able to see the texture inside the needle as well. Oh look - she's using her clipboard too! :) 
I have a couple of homeschooling friends who shared with me some of their favourite schooling supplies. (Feel free to share your favourite supplies in the comment area at the bottom of this post).
~ Magnetic white board
~ Thermometers
~ Liquid graphite pencils (don't need sharpening)
~ Plexiglas (get a piece cut from Home Depot and use as a white board or as an overlay on a map or other activity that you don't want to permanently write on).
~ File folder box (to store memorization flashcards - rotate through cards occasionally for review).
