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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Math

Lately, Sweet Boy has been working with fractions and geometry along with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. 

Here I introduced Sweet Boy to Division.  He LOVED division.

 Here is a link of an article that covers how to teach Division with the Golden Beads.
Exchanging


Bella working with the Tens.  She got it and likes it!
Graphing

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Valentine's Day Printables

First, a cute picture of Andres today in this 65 degree weather.  Last week below freezing, today 65!




Now, I wanted to share these real quick before February is over!


Valentine Printables from activityvillage for cutting.



Hundred Board.  There are several hundred board worksheets, some not filled, partially filled and all filled to check your work.




Templates for cutting or poking work.

I also printed a few activities from these wonderful Valentines downloads from Confessions of a Homeschooler.   All of the ones I printed from here are for my pre-schooler.   She is getting to see these tomorrow.  I know she is going to be so excited.  She loves all things pink and purple and hearts!!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Old Schoolhouse Expo Giveaway

 

About two months ago I came across some old Old Schoolhouse magazines someone in our co-op was giving away.  There were over 20 magazines.  I picked up 2, did not want to be greedy and take them all!  Well, one of these ended up having several articles on teaching children with special needs, a few of these children with Down Syndrome.   Can you believe that!  I was so happy to read all of the articles.  If you are interested, the issue is Summer 2008.

I am happy to promote this online conference and giveaway one Expo To Go from the Expo held in October of 2010.  This is an MP3 download of all the sessions from last years convention.

To enter this giveaway, leave me a comment sharing with us if you have ever attended a homeschool conference and if so what did you enjoy about it!


One winner will be chosen at random and the winner will be posted on the blog on February 14th, 2011.  The winners name and e-mail address will be sent to the Old Schoolhouse Expo team who will e-mail you the log-in information.

Here is a link to Last Years Speaker and topics and speakers.  This is a $20 value! 

Here are some that interested me:


John Taylor Gatto speaks on classroom schooling

Multi-Level Teaching - Toddlers, Tweens and Teens, OH MY!

If I Could Do It Over

Teaching Writing: The Big Picture (K-12 writing overview)

Avoiding and Overcoming Homeschool Burnout   

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Homeschool Conference: Schoolhouse Expo

Schoolhouse Expo Website

This is a flexible and convenient, online homeschool conference!

Homeschooling encouragement and inspiration—

when and where you need it!

May 16-20th

Early Bird ticket price of $19.50 ends Today, Wednesday, February 9th at 11:59 p.m. On February 10, the price goes up to $29.00 and the Bonus Freebies will no longer be available. On February 27, the full price of $39.99 will be in effect.

With each ticket you will get  MP3 downloads of all the sessions from the convention. This will allow you to listen again to your favorite sessions or to listen to sessions that you may have missed during the convention.
There will be virtual goodie bags (valued at over $200!), door prizes, and even a virtual vendor hall offering freebies and specials!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

School Week 19, 20, and 21



Geometry

Lesson for Sweet Boy

Using the free download from Montessori for Everyone: Triangle Stars.  Here is a link about this lesson from my blog.  These are the blue right scalene triangles.

Geometric Solids Matching Cards from Montessori for Everyone,
 Language

Lesson for Sweet Boy.  Plural Article

Sweet Boy working on the 'sh' sound.

Sweet Boy wanted to write a story about Dinosaurs.

Bella working with the movable alphabet.  She was working with me here. 

Adjective Lesson. 

Sensorial
Geometric Solids.  Learning their names.

Sound Boxes.  This is the first time she has used this all year.  This is more for when she was 3 and 4 years old so they did not get much use with these two kids, but I am sure Andres will use them plenty!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Working with Andres: Physical

When I left the hospital with Andres, all the hospital gave me was a small pamphlet about nursing and children with Down Syndrome.  Andres did not have any problems nursing so I put this away.  I went to see the pediatrician the day after we got home and he gave me a list of resources.

1.  Children's Medical Center Down Syndrome Clinic

2. The Down Syndrome Guild

3. Texas Early Child Intervention Services (ECI).

I immediately started calling.  The DS Clinic gave us a ONE YEAR appointment.  They only see children one day a week and each appointment is three hours so we got an appointment a year out.  This was not help but we got on the list.

The Guild sent us a book and a large 3 ring binder.  VERY helpful!

ECI is a statewide program for families with children, birth to three, with disabilities and developmental delays. ECI supports families to help their children reach their potential through developmental services.  Services are provided by a variety of local agencies and organizations across Texas.  ECI came to our home for an evaluation and quickly got us working on educating us and begin physical therapy.  

An article on Physical Therapy for children with Down Syndrome.
The Goal and Opportunity of Physical Therapy for Children with Down Syndrome

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Montessori For Parents Podcasts/ Misc. Talk

Have you seen these Montessori videos at www.edvid.com?

Beautiful! 

Under "shop", they also have training videos.  and parent videos.  Following your Child:  A Montessori Philosophy of Parenting DVD would be a great present to a new parent.  I wish someone would have given me this DVD when I had my first child! 

I also love to see the videos of the kids in the elementary classrooms.  I am pretty sure the kids will be going back to their Montessori Schools next year and seeing these videos makes me want them there now!   I'll post more about it when I've made my final decision (i.e. - when I pay!). 

On another note.  The school districts around here have been closed for the past two days and will be closed tomorrow.  There is ice everywhere and no one around here knows how to drive in this mess.  It is SO cold.  Colder then it has ever been around here.  We are still doing school!  We have to take advantage that Daddy is here to take care of the baby.  It makes homeschooling SO easy. 

Enjoy the videos!  Don't miss this one: Grammar Symbols in the Montessori Elementary Environment