I love LEGO contests for kids! Just got the new LEGO magazine in the mail yesterday. Well, the boys did, but I think it's cool, too. I don't see this Building Challenge on their website so if your kid is a LEGO freak and doesn't yet get the magazine, here are the details of the Challenge:
It says to take a look at the sneak peek LEGO Master Builder Technique on a page of the magazine, and they call it "Sideways Building." It's basically just making something cool out of LEGOs that is not going straight up and down!
"We'll pick 10 of our favorite models and give each of their builders a LEGO gift card worth $100.
How to enter:
1. Build a model of an outer space vehicle using pieces from your LEGO brick collection. Make sure it includes Sideways Building!
2. Take a color photograph of your model. Color photos or photo-quality computer print-outs only. No Polaroids, please.
3. Write a description of 150 words or less telling us about your model. Don't forget to say how you used Sideways Building to make it!
4. Mail your photo along with your name, age, address, daytime phone number and the name of your model to:
LEGO MBA Building Challenge
PO Box 1625
Enfield, CT 06083-1625
All entries must be received by September 30, 2011!"
Sidenote: my husband grew up in Enfield, CT!!!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Fourth of July
What is it about lighting a firecracker, throwing it REALLY fast and then hearing it BANG! that is so much fun? Most years I'm inside nursing a baby or being pregnant and hot. I did miss festivities last night due to a baby who likes to fall asleep for a nap/bedtime at 7 p.m. lately, but I did get to blow up some firecrackers yesterday. It's actually illegal in my city/county, so don't tell the fuzz, okay?
So today we went to a parade in Lenexa and got tons of candy. Now we're at my aunt's house in another county so we can LEGALLY blow stuff up. Later we'll go out hunting for a great display ... we haven't seen a real display since like 2001 when Joel was a mere week old and I sat in the truck nursing him while we watched fireworks.
What are your plans? Whatever you do, enjoy your independence and your freedom!
So today we went to a parade in Lenexa and got tons of candy. Now we're at my aunt's house in another county so we can LEGALLY blow stuff up. Later we'll go out hunting for a great display ... we haven't seen a real display since like 2001 when Joel was a mere week old and I sat in the truck nursing him while we watched fireworks.
What are your plans? Whatever you do, enjoy your independence and your freedom!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Guest Post: Seed Catalog Curriculum
I'm so glad to have Carol Alexander back as a guest poster, this time about homeschooling! Check out her information below, and be sure to head to her blog!
When I got my first seed catalog in the mail this year I was really excited. Not just because I get anxious to get my hands in the dirt. But because of all the school assignments that come in those catalogs.
What? You’ve never seen all the wonderful school curriculum hiding in your seed catalogs? Well, let me introduce you to a few assignments.
Math:
On the front of my Gurney’s catalog is a giant coupon that reads: “Good for $25.00 worth of products in this Gurney’s catalog when you buy $25.00 or more of additional products at the catalog price.” Have your child go shopping in the catalog. Using the order form found between pages 32 and 33 have him “order” $50 worth of product, figuring the totals, the tax, the discount, and the shipping.
If you get $25 free off of a $50 order, what percentage is that?
One ounce of summer squash seeds contains about 225 seeds and sows a 100 ft. row. If you get 25 seeds in a packet for $3.99 or ½ oz. of seeds for $12.99, which is the better deal? If you want to sow 300 ft. or row, how much will the seeds cost you?
Language:
See the customer reviews in the shaded green boxes on the pages of the catalog? Have your child write his own review of his favorite vegetable.
Have your child write some ad copy describing his favorite fruits, flowers or produce.
Here are some vocabulary words: hybrid, lumina, vigorous, unique, exotic, Latino, resistant. I’m sure you can find a lot more!
Science:
See all the sprout seeds on page 29? Grow sprouts at home. There’s no better way than to learn the science of growing plants.
Assign a paper answering the question: “What is the difference between hybrid, open-pollinated, heirloom, and genetically modified when it pertains to garden seeds?”
Do a research project on Gregor Mendel and his work pertaining to hybrid plants.
Art:
When your garden is in full beauty, sketch plants, flowers, and fruit in your nature journals.
Discuss and approach the challenges of photographing produce in the garden as well as on the table.
Home Economics:
Create three recipes using fresh fruits or vegetables from the homestead.
Learn to cook and eat three new vegetables this summer.
This is just a sampling. You can get more than 50 lesson plans using your seed catalogs from my e-booklet Seed Catalog Curriculum. This e-booklet is full of ideas to use with elementary, middle, and upper-grade children. You can use any catalog. In fact, the more the better. Plus, I give you the names and contact information to order your own...if you don't already receive them in the mail.
Start integrating your homesteading with your homeschooling now. Buy Seed Catalog Curriculum and you will see how easy it really is. It's only $3.99! Just click here for more information.
Blessings,
Carol
Freelance writer and mom of six, Carol J. Alexander writes about homeschooling and homesteading from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Her articles have appeared in BackHome Magazine, Grit, Urban Farm, Home Education Magazine and various Regional Parenting Publications. Visit her blog http://everythinghomewithcarol.blogspot.com/.
When I got my first seed catalog in the mail this year I was really excited. Not just because I get anxious to get my hands in the dirt. But because of all the school assignments that come in those catalogs.
What? You’ve never seen all the wonderful school curriculum hiding in your seed catalogs? Well, let me introduce you to a few assignments.
Math:
On the front of my Gurney’s catalog is a giant coupon that reads: “Good for $25.00 worth of products in this Gurney’s catalog when you buy $25.00 or more of additional products at the catalog price.” Have your child go shopping in the catalog. Using the order form found between pages 32 and 33 have him “order” $50 worth of product, figuring the totals, the tax, the discount, and the shipping.
If you get $25 free off of a $50 order, what percentage is that?
One ounce of summer squash seeds contains about 225 seeds and sows a 100 ft. row. If you get 25 seeds in a packet for $3.99 or ½ oz. of seeds for $12.99, which is the better deal? If you want to sow 300 ft. or row, how much will the seeds cost you?
Language:
See the customer reviews in the shaded green boxes on the pages of the catalog? Have your child write his own review of his favorite vegetable.
Have your child write some ad copy describing his favorite fruits, flowers or produce.
Here are some vocabulary words: hybrid, lumina, vigorous, unique, exotic, Latino, resistant. I’m sure you can find a lot more!
Science:
See all the sprout seeds on page 29? Grow sprouts at home. There’s no better way than to learn the science of growing plants.
Assign a paper answering the question: “What is the difference between hybrid, open-pollinated, heirloom, and genetically modified when it pertains to garden seeds?”
Do a research project on Gregor Mendel and his work pertaining to hybrid plants.
Art:
When your garden is in full beauty, sketch plants, flowers, and fruit in your nature journals.
Discuss and approach the challenges of photographing produce in the garden as well as on the table.
Home Economics:
Create three recipes using fresh fruits or vegetables from the homestead.
Learn to cook and eat three new vegetables this summer.
This is just a sampling. You can get more than 50 lesson plans using your seed catalogs from my e-booklet Seed Catalog Curriculum. This e-booklet is full of ideas to use with elementary, middle, and upper-grade children. You can use any catalog. In fact, the more the better. Plus, I give you the names and contact information to order your own...if you don't already receive them in the mail.
Start integrating your homesteading with your homeschooling now. Buy Seed Catalog Curriculum and you will see how easy it really is. It's only $3.99! Just click here for more information.
Blessings,
Carol
Freelance writer and mom of six, Carol J. Alexander writes about homeschooling and homesteading from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Her articles have appeared in BackHome Magazine, Grit, Urban Farm, Home Education Magazine and various Regional Parenting Publications. Visit her blog http://everythinghomewithcarol.blogspot.com/.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Homeschooling: Getting It All Done
Anyway, above is a picture of something I tried that failed. I try lots of things that end up failing and it used to really get me down. Then I realized that if I'm never failing, I'm never trying, right? Anyway, we are always looking for ways to keep our homeschool days on track. I'm not great at schedules since I'm a go-with-the-flow mom with a baby always attached to my boob. Someday I might be able to have a schedule and stick with it, but for now I'm going easy on myself and we are doing the best we can. Amazingly, more gets done than we realize.
So the above is a planner I wrote up for my oldest son, who was only 9 at the time. He wasn't ready for his own planner. Eventually he will be, especially since I NEED HIM TO BE, and especially since he NEEDS TO BE so he can be all self-sufficient at college and in life, right? So for now Mom will keep track of the daily assignments and the kids are free to look ahead and see what's planned.
If you homeschool, I'd love to hear about your successes and failures and when you decided to go easy on yourself as a teacher and as a mom.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
My Sixth Child is a Toshiba Laptop
Or, if you count my surrogate daughters Jordan and Reever, this is actually my EIGHTH child. My sixth child is ...
A Toshiba laptop.
Yep, I put birthday money together with some writing money and made the leap. I'm at McDonald's right now eating fries and informing you of this big event in my life.
In case you haven't figured it out by now, no, I am not pregnant.
Thank you to everyone who gave me birthday money to buy this wonderful material item I have been dreaming of for a long time. No longer am I "chained" to my desk at the house. I can work on articles while I homeschool at the dining room table, outside, or even in bed!
Still no Internet access at home, but at least now I'll be taking my very own computer to Starbuck's to post blogs and submit queries and articles. I am grateful and thrilled.
P.S. I had an amazing birthday ... Aron threw a BIG bash complete with DJ, Mexican catered food and 1970s theme ... I have to post photos of THAT because my husband wore tape-on black chest hair and a 'fro AND rented me my dream car ... a red Mustang convertible ... for the weekend! I love you, babe!
A Toshiba laptop.
Yep, I put birthday money together with some writing money and made the leap. I'm at McDonald's right now eating fries and informing you of this big event in my life.
In case you haven't figured it out by now, no, I am not pregnant.
Thank you to everyone who gave me birthday money to buy this wonderful material item I have been dreaming of for a long time. No longer am I "chained" to my desk at the house. I can work on articles while I homeschool at the dining room table, outside, or even in bed!
Still no Internet access at home, but at least now I'll be taking my very own computer to Starbuck's to post blogs and submit queries and articles. I am grateful and thrilled.
P.S. I had an amazing birthday ... Aron threw a BIG bash complete with DJ, Mexican catered food and 1970s theme ... I have to post photos of THAT because my husband wore tape-on black chest hair and a 'fro AND rented me my dream car ... a red Mustang convertible ... for the weekend! I love you, babe!
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