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Monday, August 13, 2018

First Day Traditions, Scavenger Hunt Part 2


For the past four years, we have begun our school year with a simple scavenger/treasure hunt.  The prize at the end is always inexpensive and usually related to school. It only take maybe FIVE minutes at most, so there is no worry about derailing your schedule for the day.


The past few years I have made cute printable with rhyming clues that I printed from my computer, but due to technical difficulties this year we just did simple post-its and silly clues.  It is OK that the clues are easy because the object of the game is NOT problem-solving hard riddles.  The object is to start school with fun!

  


We have each boy take turns reading and solving a clue.  Make sure you have enough clues for each of your children.

 CLUE #1 
Harry's Electronic Wand - Hand them this clue, or on front door as they begin hunt.  It led them to our Wii Remote for their Harry Potter game.

Variations-  This can be any remote or video game you have.  I would suggest "The TV's Boss" and put on your remote control.

CLUE #2
 Foot Sweat Catcher-  leads them to a sock drawer


CLUE #3
 Germs Killer-  Leads them to disinfecting wipes OR any soap dispenser in the house.  

 CLUE #4
 The Stinky Place-  Leads them to the bathroom of course....yes, I live with boys who enjoy bathroom humor.

PRIZE
Their Prizes this year included Erasable Colored Pencils, a clearance Lego Star Wars ship, and a few packs of gum. You can do anything you want, keep it simple and inexpensive!  This isn't Christmas day, just a fun way to begin your year with excitement. 


AFTER OUR HUNT 
We took our first day of school pictures after the hunt.  These always go better after they find their prizes, because they have real smiles.





Sunday, August 12, 2018

Draw and Write Through History- MFW Exploration to 1850


The Draw and Write Through History books are a great independent art supplement to your History program.  We often had one child working on these while the other worked with me on Math or English.

We paired these with our curriculum, My Father's World, but you can use alongside any history study. 


Books Used:
Schedule
I have suggested days to do these that go alongside the History or Science* reading, but you use your own discretion on how you would like them to fit into your week. If you have a full day, don't feel like you have to add these on that specific day.

  • The Nina- Tu/W               page 6 (repeat from last year if you did Rome to Reformation)
  • Bison* (large mammals) W      page 21
§         Windmills-  Tu               page  24
§         Pilgrim-  W                     page  27
§         Squanto -   Th                page 31

§         Kangaroo* (Marsupials)-  M       page 15
§         Koalas* (Marsupials)- T             page 18

§         Robin* (birds)Th                       page  28

   §         Pirates (coast of Pennsylvania)- W      page 36
   §         Galapagos tortoise* (reptiles)-Th     page  39

Week 18 Pilgrims, Pirates, and Patriots 
   §         Paul Revere-W                               page 42
§         Revolutionary Soldier-  Th              page  47
§         Cannon-  Fr (or next week)            page  52
    
§         Washington praying (Valley Forge) W/Th   page  56

Week 22 Pilgrims, Pirates, and Patriots  (British settlement in Australia)
§         Australia copywork - Tu     page 22
   §         Great Barrier Reef - M        page 12
§         White House-M               page 10

§         Steamboat (Robert Fulton)- Tu  page 25

§         Napoleon-Th/Fri            page  6

§         Sacajawea- Th                  page 13
§         Grizzly Bear - Fri              page 17 

  • Alamo-W                           page 30 
Week 30 Napoleon to Lady Liberty (Gold Rush)
  • Stage Coach-M                    page 35
  • The Gold Miner-Tu           page 38
*I have indicated if it is goes with Science, just in a case like us, you are flipping the science studies and doing Botany first of the year.  If you are doing this too, you will just move those drawings to the corresponding week you study that animal.