The Green Book

My daughter is finishing up a new science fiction book titled, The Green Book written by Jill Paton Walsh. This short 84-page book is suitable for upper elementary grade level students in 3rd-5th grade.

The story is about a family boarding THE LAST ship leaving a dying Earth. They travel for four years on an old ship with little fuel in order to land on a distant planet which will become their new home. They must learn how to survive and live on this unfamiliar planet with the other refugee families. Shortly after they begin to settle and form a colony, they realize that nothing on the planet is edible and they wonder if they will be able to grow plants on the new planet. To find out what life is like on this new planet and if they'll survive - you must read the book.

We made a connection while reading the book. The parts of the story reminded us of the Netflix show Lost in Space. So if your children are fans of this popular show, then you may want to consider having them read this book over the summer.

I also just wanted to let you know that I will be posting a review in July for an accompanying Progeny Press e-Study Guide for this book. Keep a lookout for it!

I will link this post up at the Homeschool Blog Link Up, Life at Rossmont's Wordless Wednesday, Blogging Through the Alphabet, and Tots and Me Wordless Wednesday. Thank you for visiting! 

Eastern European Firebird Art Project

Today I am sharing my daughter's art project from this week. She used colored pencils, markers, and oil pastels to create her masterpiece, the Eastern European Firebird. She's thinking about creating a new one using just oil or chalk pastels next time in hopes to make the feathers glow and stand out more. She listened to and read the folktale about the Eastern European Firebird's glowing feathers that light the way through darkness before working on the project. The Firebird is a popular folktale in Ukraine and Russia. 

I will link this post up at the Homeschool Blog Link Up, Life at Rossmont's Wordless Wednesday, Blogging Through the Alphabet, Virtual Refrigerator, and Tots and Me Wordless Wednesday. Thank you for visiting! 

Russian Matryoshka Dolls

My daughter recently learned about Russia and the history behind the Russian nesting doll tradition. This lesson was combined with folk art painting techniques. She learned two painting techniques: Creating comma brush strokes and the use of a medicine dropper for painting dots. Alyssa utilized these painting techniques with acrylic paint when creating her symmetrical Russian Matryoshka Doll masterpiece.

I will link this post up at the Homeschool Blog Link Up, Life at Rossmont's Wordless Wednesday, Blogging Through the Alphabet, Virtual Refrigerator, and Tots and Me Wordless Wednesday. Thank you for visiting! 

Canadian Geese Art Project

My daughter just finished another art project this week. This particular project utilized a mixed media approach. She used a black marker, oil pastels, and watercolors to paint her masterpiece. Her artwork contrasts a loose watercolor approach with sharp black lines. She researched information and read books about geese before working on her project. She learned about the Rule of Thirds and how the arrangement or placement of the birds can create a sense of distance.

Canadian Geese

I will link this post up at the Homeschool Blog Link Up, Life at Rossmont's Wordless Wednesday, Blogging Through the Alphabet, Virtual Refrigerator, and Tots and Me Wordless Wednesday. This week the Blogging Through the Alphabet Linky is focusing on Letter C. Come link-up your post! Thank you for visiting! 

Bear Toast with Banana Boats

Alyssa recently made two recipes from her Mommy 'N Me Cookbook from Keepsake Curriculum we bought from the Build Your Bundle 2018 sale. I just purchased a bunch of bananas so these recipes were the perfect ones to try.

First, we printed the binder cover and the Banana Boats and Teddy Toast breakfast recipes. Then, she gathered the listed ingredients and marked the boxes as she placed the ingredient on the counter. Next, she followed the step-by-step directions provided in the recipe. Alyssa put the two recipes together to make bears with long hair. Finally, we enjoyed eating our tasty treats! 

Each recipe also included a taste scale rating and a Junior Chef challenge. Alyssa colored the stars in yellow in order to rate their level of yumminess. The Junior Chef challenges were designed for a younger child, but my 10-year-old daughter willing completed the activities just for fun.

I will link this post up at the Homeschool Blog Link Up, Life at Rossmont's Wordless Wednesday, Blogging Through the Alphabet, and Tots and Me Wordless Wednesday. This week teh Blogging Through the Alphabet Linky is focusing on Letter B. Come link-up your post! Thank you for visiting! 

African Crowned Crane

Did you know that African Crowned Cranes roost in the trees of Uganda and Ghana? After researching information about these interesting birds, Alyssa learned that they are also great dancers. She recently captured the joyful dancing of the African Crowned Cranes in her colorful masterpiece below.

I will link this post up at the Homeschool Blog Link Up, Life at Rossmont's Wordless Wednesday, Blogging Through the Alphabet, Virtual Refrigerator, and Tots and Me Wordless Wednesday. Thank you for visiting! 

Washington: A True Patriot

Letter W is the focus for the Linky Blogging through the Alphabet this week. This is the perfect time for me to tell you about a book Alyssa and I are reading together. It is called George Washington: A True Patriot. It is one of many books in the Heroes of History series offered through YWAM Publishing. This 224-page book is jam-packed with fascinating facts about George Washington and his life beginning when he was just a child. The book consists of 19 chapters.

My daughter learns so much from these biographies. The corresponding study guide contains a variety of activities that enable your child to dig deeper into the story bringing History to life. After reading one of the books in this series, she feels like she knows and is friends with the historical figure. The book is suitable for children ages 10 and up, but you could read it aloud to younger children especially if they are History book lovers. 

I am currently reviewing this book and the accompanying study guide for the Homeschool Review Crew. Check back at the end of April to read about our thoughts and experiences with this book.

I will link this post up at Blogging Through the Alphabet Linky. W is the letter of the week so come join the fun and link up your post. I will also link this post up at the Homeschool Blog Link Up, Life at Rossmont's Wordless Wednesday, and Tots and Me Wordless Wednesday. Have a great day! 

Umbrella Art from Thailand

My daughter finally completed her Level 1 ArtAchieve projects. We reviewed this curriculum last year in May. Thankfully, the projects were finished before our subscription expired but it was cutting it close. The Umbrella from Thailand project was one of the toughest projects in Level 1 for Alyssa. This lesson was meant for children in Grades 1 and up. We think it is more suitable for children in 3rd grade and up.

Children learn how to utilize paintbrush strokes to create many different textures. First, she practiced creating a texture chart on manila paper. Then, she chose her acrylic paint colors and watered them down. Next, she designed her umbrella and painted it.

She really enjoys hearing about other countries and their culture. She watched the video lesson instead of using the PowerPoint lesson. Alyssa completed this lesson in one sitting, but the teacher recommends breaking the lesson up over three days for younger children. Time was needed for the first coat to dry. This particular lesson also ties in Literature, Geography, and facts about Elephants.      

Umbrella from Thailand

I will link this post up at Blogging Through the Alphabet Linky. U is the letter of the week so come join the fun and link up your post. I will also link this post up at the Homeschool Blog Link Up, Life at Rossmont's Wordless Wednesday, and Tots and Me Wordless Wednesday. 

Review Coming Soon: Surprise Package from Drive Thru History Adventures

My daughter and I have been watching our American History videos each week produced by Drive Thru History Adventures as a supplement to her core History curriculum. Dave Stotts is an great adventure tour guide! She's always eager to see what he has on store for her in each 27-minute episode. My daughter laughs during every video and still learns relevant historical information. I love that learning History can be so much FUN!

We received a package in the mail last week from Drive Thru History Adventures. The envelope package included two stickers, two badges, and an autographed photo. This special surprise meant a lot to my daughter and was greatly appreciated. She was so happy! Alyssa decided to hang the photo up in her bedroom as a souvenir to remember her all of her American History adventures. 

I'll be posting my review about the American History course created by Drive Thru History Adventures next week if you are interested in hearing more about his hilarious yet informative adventures.  

I will link this post up at Blogging Through the Alphabet Linky. R is the letter of the week so come join the fun and link up your post. I will be posting this one as Review Coming Soon. I will also link this post up at the Homeschool Blog Link Up, Life at Rossmont's Wordless Wednesday, and Tots and Me Wordless Wednesday. 

Q is for Quarter 3 All American History Folderbooks

My 10-year-old daughter who is in 4th grade has been using the All American History Junior Volume 1 Download Bundle in conjunction with the Student Reader this year as her core History curriculum. We are currently working through the Period of Revolution.

I wanted to share Alyssa's Quarter 3 All American History Folderbooks in case anyone was interested in using this curriculum and wanted to see this component in action. The Junior version is definitely more age-appropriate for younger elementary-aged children in Grades 3-4. There are two folderbooks completed during the third quarter: Steps to War and Fight For Independence. You can see all of the minibooks she assembled and added to her folderbooks or lapbooks below. Click on the photo to enlarge the pictures. We've covered so many relevant topics during this unit. 

We are also using the Challenge Cards, Maps, Timeline Figures, Notebooking Pages, Puzzles, and Coloring Pages. I love that the bundle also includes the answers to the notebooking pages, puzzles, and maps. It makes grading and the lesson discussion easier on days when Alyssa reads independently.  

I will link this post up at Blogging Through the Alphabet Linky. Q is the letter of the week so come join the fun and link up your post. I will also link this post up at the Homeschool Blog Link Up, Life at Rossmont's Wordless Wednesday, and Tots and Me Wordless Wednesday.