Category Archives: art/craft

Homeschool Adventure Week #1

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Happy Monday! Today is my wonderful husband’s birthday and all my boys are down and out with a wicked cold. So here I site with stylus in mouth, hands at keyboard and wine at my side.

I’ve decided that I will be posting every week our ‘happenings’, ‘learnings’ and ‘creations’ during the course of this school year. It’s a great way for those friends and family who do not live close to be a part of our lives and learning as a great way for us to record what’s been going on with The Shards in homeschool land.

This is my fifth, yes fifth year homeschooling. And this year I have decided to forgo the Classical teaching method which for me was The Well-Trained Mind. Although this classic method was amazing and there is much that has been learned I find that it is not the best route for me and my boys. Earlier this year we mixed in a little unschooling and PBHS with our classical and I found the boys were much happier than they were with their workbooks and rote learning. So was I. Totally.

Now we say Hello! to a new way of learning with an entirely new curriculum which I find is more organic and the hands-on side is essential to us all. So far so good! I do still have some changes to make to fit in our writing program and PBHS but for the first week I’d say it was pretty successful, mostly because the boys say they enjoy it much more than the way we did things previously. If they enjoy it they will learn more, this I know.

A great portion of our work will now be hands-on creating which also means more time-based meaning once the ‘work’ is done it’s recorded then discarded/destroyed to make room for more. We use chalk for instance to illustrate stories as we learn, as well as clay and beeswax, paints and other mediums. There is a huge emphasis placed on the earth and nature which was a big draw for me toward this curriculum. The boys learn woodworking, housebuilding (and history of), weaving, knitting, cooking and farming for instance along with math and language arts, history and science.

Here are some samples of what they boys have produced this week.

The boys learned to hand-knit and they were so excited to see how quickly the results came. The green pouches were hand sewn last year and this year we added them to the fronts of their nature bags with their hand-knitted straps. Then we immediately went out for a walk and collected some nature samples for another project. Can you tell who’s bag is who’s?

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They did a pretty good job with the knitting and X even made himself a bracelet after he finished his strap.

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We read a story titled, “Why evergreens keep their leaves” and the boys created these chalk drawing illustrations. I am going to take pictures of work we cannot keep and at the end of the year print up albums as keepsakes of our schooling year.

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I had purchased a Martha Stewart kit for knitting and weaving. I had taught the boys to knit but they were getting frustrated with the time it took and all the stitches they would drop. We started with weaving and Xman made this little blanket and pillow for his Pikachu.

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L is making a blanket for his beloved cow stuffy, Milkshake. He is almost done. He just needs to finish off the ends! Not once were the boys frustrated with the work of weaving with this kit. I think it is a kinder introduction to the art of yarn!

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I may have to make this now that I have seen what can be done because one cannot have too many projects on the go! Haha!

So for a first week of schooling I’d say we are going pretty well. Goodbye Week #1, hello Week #2!

Any new projects you’d like to share? Be careful! I may have to add them to my list! 😉

 

Pokémon playing, math and writing fun

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I have been visiting this website and reading this book as I prepare for the next school year. Lori is amazing and has wonderful ideas to help me along with creative and gentle ways of introducing project work. Dawn has also given me some great ideas for getting the ball rolling for which I am very grateful! Being new to project work it is something that I think will be a great learning and growing experience for us all. It will be part of not only our ‘curriculum’ but our every day living as well (I hope!). The boys have already begun one project involving automaton which they are excited to be creating – but more on this later… 😉

Automaton-planning

I have been having a bit of trouble getting the boys to do much more than Lego and Pokémon. Okay, not totally true, but mostly. I am a reader and so luckily for me both boys have become avid readers as well for which I am truly grateful. When they are not reading there are to be Legos found underfoot in almost every room we use throughout the day. The Pokémon cards and characters are part of their daily dialogue as well and when they got their first cards from Grandma they were thrilled and have been playing ever since.

I have read much in Lori’s book about play and learning. I know this to be a valuable part of a child’s every day (and I think it should be part of mine too!). After four years of home educating I am beginning to see just how much their learning has influenced their play and vice versa. For instance, math is a big part of Pokémon. Each character has a certain amount of HP or Health when they begin. They can also lose health when there is damage done to them through certain powers during a battle. (I have to say I like the fact that the Pokémon don’t die when they run out of Health but instead ‘faint’.) Not too long ago as I was listening to the boys play I heard Xman ask L, “What is 390 plus 70?”. I started to do the math in my head and before I finished L said, “460”. Kudos to that boy! I realized that not only were they doing well with their math they were faster at it than me (haha!) and I had never really connected how this game makes them use their brains to this extent. It’s not rocket science but it’s learning and fun and made me realize they go hand in hand.

Just a few days ago I found Xman writing on small pieces of paper. I asked him what he was doing and he said he was making cards for their Pokémon game. They each have a ton of Pokémon character cards but the cards X was making are extra powers and damage cards that each player picks to use when it is their turn. He has taken the game further and I am thrilled. I had to make a copy of his cards so that both boys could have their own set – oh, and two extra copies for when Stephen and I have our own Pokémon sets to play someday. 😉

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I think X only asked me twice how to spell a word. The boys are not the best at spelling yet but I have seen that copy work can help spelling if it’s in the right context. I found yet again that the spelling workbooks we used weren’t really helping them learn to spell. They were simply copying words down without paying attention to how the words were spelled. It was just another lesson to get through. When they are writing down something that pertains to a game or other interest, for example, they look at game cards for reference in the case of spelling and manage to remember how to spell those words the next time. I also taught the boys to read through phonics with pronunciation rules so they have gotten pretty good at sounding out for spelling – this is still a process we are going through and the more they write for fun the more they remember.

Those handwriting workbooks became a thing of the past earlier this year as well. I’ve found that the boys write more often and enjoy the process much more when they write what they want (another post on that at a later date). Xman worked on these cards for quite some time, something I never would have been able to get him to do if it were in a workbook.

I am finally letting go of that traditional learning/teaching from when I was in school while in turn realizing learning can be done in so many ways and the best way is simply whichever way the child learns best! Whew, I love it!

Now back to the boy who is waiting at my side to help him with his automaton planning!

 

Puzzles!

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Today began with breakfast of eggs and veggie bacon to eat while watching the third Harry Potter movie. Stephen just finished reading the book to the boys last night. They were super-excited for this morning to come.

I must say I was a little concerned with how they would react to the Dementors and part of me wanted to wait. Thus the reason for watching the movie in the morning. Much time to get possible scary images out of the head before bed.

The boys loved the movie and barely hid their eyes when the Dementors showed up. We told them that we could easily stop the movie but no, they did just fine and now can’t wait for the next book!

After the movie we began to work on an unfinished ‘project’. For about five days now we have been working off and on putting together a 750 piece puzzle. It’s only our second big puzzle we’ve done as the boys are just becoming more interested. It’s quite a lot of fun to do together and watch the boys find many pieces themselves, especially ones that just seemingly couldn’t be found.

So far our big puzzles have come from a borrowed toy cupboard or a second hand store. We’ve done two pyramid 3d puzzles as well. They have all had every piece in the box.

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Until now. One missing piece. I have a suspicion it’s around here somewhere possibly blending in with our flooring!

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This was a fun puzzle with its odd border shape and many fun words to find and make.

Now it’s time to mow the lawn after many days of rain. Perhaps I shall bring some freshly brewed passion iced tea outside with me…

Happy day!

Starting out slow today… a make and listen…

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Yes, that’s right. It’s a bit of a slow one today. Last night was filled with some bed hopping on my part.

A few days ago we all went to see Despicable Me 2. We own the first movie (found it in mint condition at a used store!) as we just loved it. The boys were very excited to see the new one in the threatre and, I gotta tell ya, I even laughed out loud in a couple parts, louder than the kids. Good times. But, there were a few parts that really freaked the boys. I won’t give it away but I can see how it was a bit freaky for them. Let’s just say the minions go through a bit of a change… Those changes are sticking by them come bedtime and emerging into their dreams. Darn minions. Trouble-makers! 🙂

I slept in those narrow beds close to my favourite men. It was totally worth it for the closeness it made and the comfort it created but has made me a tired one today. It will be a slow day. That is okay, because with the lovely rain (yes, I do love love love it), it feels like a cuddle under a blanket kind of day. Perhaps we can read another chapter of this book that the boys are loving just as much as their Legos. It’s the last of the series which L found second hand and has encouraged him to read more of the series on his own. I too, am enjoying the books and it’s so much fun to be able to talk Lego with them and know who is who. Ya, that’s right, I’m cool. Teehee.

I have grabbed my knitting to work on – a free pattern from Craftsy. I am also in the midst of making a turtle neck style cape which I hope to complete for this winter. Fingers crossed. In the meantime it’s nice to have a smaller portable project on the go. Can’t wait to wear it!

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As (almost) always, I have CBC2 Tempo playing in the background (competing with a Sonic dvd in the other room). I sip my tea, my lovely earl grey tea. Oh, it just isn’t morning without it. It is the perfect knitting/reading/sewing companion. I think I may need to make another cup…getting kind of low in there…in my cup that reminds me of home. 🙂

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Once tea is done and the knitting is put aside, I think we will finish creating our so-much-fun (!) tissue paper lanterns from a lovely book I just happened to find roaming the library. More on that when the lanterns are finished. Then we are off to the library for a book drop-off/pick-up and maybe a little moment enjoying the rain.

What have you been making and listening to today?

For more inspirational making and listening visit Dawn’s lovely blog.

~smile~

 

 

Canada Day, walk in the rain and screen printing!

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We had a lovely day yesterday despite the rain and despite the fact there has been a lot of it these days! My garden is super-green but my radishes aren’t too happy about that, nor my greens. They are craving the sun after so much moisture!

I think we all tend to get a bit of cabin fever with all this inside business. A few days ago we went to an indoor play area to let the boys run like crazy and it really helped. It made me feel better too to see them getting the ants out of their pants (that saying was a fun one to explain to the boys!).

Yesterday, I figured that rain or not it was time to venture out. I really wanted to collect some leaves to do some printing as I was excited to use the brayer that I just purchased from Michaels during their 40% off everything sale. Oh, I think we (that means mostly ‘I’) did a pretty good job of containing myself among all the crafty goodies and art supplies. I also purchased a Fiskars rotary cutter which has been on my list for a long time and used it shortly after on a skirt I was sizing. I instantly fell in love. Soo nice!

Although it was not raining at present, the forecast called for more so upon leaving the house we decided to take our umbrellas. We walked along the path near our house which overlooks the lovely waterfront harbour going out to the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the overcast sky it was a lovely day and the birds were singing and so many flowers were in full bloom including some St John’s Wort and Birdsfoot Treefoil which are both such a brilliant yellow you can’t help but say ‘hello’! It was a surprise to see all the blooms and plants in full greenery on our first trip to the trail this summer/spring. We’ve been kept away by the weather but reminded that despite a bit of rain, it’s still a great time to get outside. Hey, I used to do it all the time when I was a kid so why not now?

About half way along the trail the rain started but we were prepared and it was just a light drizzle. At first. Prior to our departure we had told the boys we would walk along the trail and go to the new Starbucks at the other end. It was a nice destination spot and a treat and as the rain came down the idea of getting inside with a nice hot cup of something proved sweet indeed!

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After a nice treat and a bit of drying off we went on our way again. We only got hit by a smidgen of rain, so little that as soon as we raised the umbrellas it stopped! We had to laugh at the oddity of our weather!

The boys found some young snails on the path and so began our search of saving the little newbies from the doom of squishdom by moving them to the edge of the grass. A good deed and something for which we are always on the lookout: taking care of the little creatures. By the time we arrived home the sun was out and we had to laugh at that timing. Then again, with the sun came the humidity so were happy to now be indoors.

After lunch we started on printing leaves onto paper. We didn’t have much luck this time as we found that painting onto the leaves and then placing paper on top and rolling with the brayer just didn’t suffice. I think I need to buy a foam brayer and try rolling the paint onto the leaves and then placing under paper and pressing. Any input here would be appreciated! I know I saw this done somewhere and feel so silly that such a simple thing is beyond my abilities to figure out at the moment. Alas, I did not take leaf printing in art school! Haha!

We moved on to some printing with the screen and squeegee that we purchased at the same time at Michaels. Stephen cut out a Maple Leaf (very apropos for the day!) as a stencil. I borrowed this book from the library and it was a great help as we figured out what we needed to do. The boys were excited to finally have a go at printing as they would like to make t-shirts to sell with their own creations printed on them. We learned that running the paint over the area to be printed several times is the key. I’d say first time was pretty successful!

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leafNot bad, right? Perfect timing for going out to see the fireworks later that night, too!

Onto dinner and a movie while we waited for 10pm to roll around. I cooked up some spinach and chickpea curry from this book and it was delicious. We all really enjoyed watching Nanny MacPhee  while we ate and had a good laugh!

Time to cut the hair and have a bath! During this time I checked for an update on the fireworks as the day had been so overcast and had turned that way again as evening came on. The fireworks ended up being postponed, but hey, no loss as we’d had a great day and the boys got to stay up late!

HaircutI played around with the colouring on my little camera on this one.

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Happy Day to all!

Okay, now time to get onto the latest issue of Alphabet Glue that Dawn helped put together!

 

 

making a medicine wheel garden

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It has been a busy week over here. My mother is visiting come Mother’s Day so I am trying to get as much of the yard work and garden tending to as possible beforehand. It’s been a big job and the boys have been very helpful.

One of the ‘jobs’ I wanted to share with the boys was the making of a medicine wheel garden. We have a plethora of rocks of all types and sizes in our yard. Start digging and you are bound to find one. When I was digging out a spot for our cold frame last fall I came upon many rocks which I added to a pile already on the go. I had wanted to create a medicine wheel garden last year but, with the huge undertaking of our first veggie garden, the time got away from us. I checked out this book from our library a couple of times last year and again this year. It is on my ‘to buy’ list for anyone wondering (wink wink).

This book takes you through the history of the medicine wheel and explains its significance. The circle is an ancient symbol, a strong symbolic shape. Here is one of the many wonderful quotes in the book:

In many ways this circle, the Medicine Wheel, can best be understood if you think of it as a mirror in which everything is reflected. “The Universe is the mirror of the People”, the old teachers tell us (the teachers being Cheyenne ancestors), “and each person is a mirror to every other person.” Any ideal, person, or object, can be a Medicine wheel, a mirror for Man. The tiniest flower can be such a mirror, as can a wolf, a story, a touch, a religion, or a mountaintop.

– Hyemeyohsts Storm, Seven Arrows, 1972

This book has many interesting chapters of which I have not had a chance to read, yet. It has a great section on specific plants and is how I found out more about the amazing ‘old man’s beard’ that I have always seen on many trees in our parks.

It has a full description with many ideas for different types of medicine wheels. You can plant according to colours and their relation to North, South, East and West. There are also diagrams shown for best plants for different regions. I may use as reference the Coastal Medicine Wheel Garden. I noticed one design for the Desert Southwest Medicine Wheel Garden and thought of a friend of mine who has just recently moved to the Southwest States. Dawn, this may be right up your alley.

The rain is coming and it’s a new moon today. That gives me time to let ideas brew in my mind about what to plant in our medicine wheel. The area I chose is a very shaded corner protected from busy, running feet. I have found this book extremely helpful for listing many wonderful shade-loving plants. The timing was perfect when this book arrived just yesterday! It’s worth getting your hands on if you like to plant according to the moon phases and would like to include your children in the gardening fun. It even has a section on best plants for a moonlit garden and which plants are toxic. I had no idea that Moonflower was toxic!

So, as I got our tools ready the boys gathered the rocks from around the yard and from the previously formed pile of last year and created a new pile close to our designated spot. I love the way they think. They didn’t just create a pile but made a cave of rocks instead. One look and I wished we could keep it. They asked for a picture and then were okay with dismantling.

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I cleared away a section of the yard, moved the hosta and violets to another area nearby so they wouldn’t get trampled or quickly overtake the area of the wheel. Then we measured to find out how big we could make the wheel. Six feet was our maximum diameter and was bigger than I thought we would get. From here, we marked the middle with a beautiful white granite rock speckled with black. Then we found our co-ordinates with a compass and string. Now we had our North, South, East and West spots marked with the biggest rocks, and ones shaped like arrows, well kind of.

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Next, we gathered the rest of the rocks to make the final formation. The biggest rocks formed the outside circle. The many smaller rocks were used to create a little path to the centre. At first, I was planning on just making a single line to the centre from each co-ordinate but Xman wanted to be able to make a walking path leading to the middle. It was just big enough for smaller feet. We have a good amount of moss in our shady areas and plan on using this for the path. Now we just need to figure out what plants to add. It was a great collaboration and we all enjoyed taking in our creation once finished.

The sun was warming our backs while we worked and creating fun shadows from the tree branches – and me and my little camera. All this digging, rearranging and carrying made us all a little pooped so inside we went for orange juice snow cones!

Today the rain begins for days to come but when it stops, there will be many seeds to plant in the veggie gardens – with Nanna’s help! – and many herbs and other plants to attend to in our new medicine wheel. I look out the window and I smile. I feel we’ve added a little protection, a little blessing to our humble, small part of the Earth.

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Homemade Juggling Balls!

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Today at sports class the boys got to make their own juggling balls. How nifty and fun, I say!

We used biodegradable balloons and rice in baggies. It’s simple:

Cut the long end off of a balloon. Stuff the balloon with a bag of rice about the size of a child’s fist. Stretch the balloon to fit over the rice and then add another balloon over the first to hide the hole. And your done!

Fun!!

Of course I go to take this pic of L and he seems so serious!

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