5 Ways to Make Spelling Fun!

Spelling does not have to be a chore, nor the designated time of the day for a complete melt down.  It is true that less than 25 % of students can actually be classified as "natural spellers".  This, simply put, means that most people will not retain properly the correct spelling of a word by sheer memorization.  However, it does not mean that there is no hope for the other 75 % of us who live for Spell Check!  

What to do?  Take a few minutes to re-evaluate your spelling curriculum.  Is it serving your student?  It is easy to use during spelling instruction for you as a home educator with mass amounts of responsibilities on your plate?  Once you have determined if you are staying or leaving your current spelling curriculum simply use these nifty suggestions to enrich your spelling instruction.

1. READ, BUILD, WRITE!  This is a method that inspired me as a teacher having learned it from Carissa at 1+1+1=1 blog.  Read your spelling words, Build your spelling words and Write your spelling words.  The children read the spelling words, either from a pre-printed list, or from the board.  Then they use manipulatives to "build" the word.  During Co-op we used scrabble pieces and letter tiles, and at home we use Spill and Spell.  After they have built the word, then they write the word.  We use this exercise at home for handwriting practice, however; we use the dry erase board for writing our spelling words a Co-op.

{We worked in groups, once a week, to Read! Build! and Write! during Spelling practice.  Here, the Bug, Mr. Fix-it and the Scholar practice spelling together.}

{C-A-U-S-E}

{Here is a photo of the Bug's Spill and Spell set that we use at home.}

2.  Dough You Spell?  You don't?  Well sister, you may be missing out on some more spelling fun and an opportunity to grow that love of learning.  Most likely, when you give your student a lump of clay or play dough, they will not mind spelling practice as before.  We use this method at Co-op and at home for spelling practice.

  

{I purchased clay and a small container for each student in my co-op class.}

Basically, I give each student their spelling word list, clay and a blank sheet of writing paper.  They mold the clay into ropes to use in making letters for spelling.  The child reads the word, then uses their clay or play-dough to spell the word out.  Next, they use the word in a complete sentence, writing each sentence down on their writing paper.  This method is especially beneficial to the kinesthetic learners and children with learning differences, but fun for everyone.

3.  Use MEMORY AIDS: Writing silly songs, rhymes and poems can help a child with spelling retention.  This, of course, is great for writing and grammar practice as well.  Here is an example:

Sight word: please

Mr. Please did not sneeze,

Mr. Please sniffed with ease.

4. SPELLING GAMES: Homophones Game is a simple, yet fun game that we use to match the meanings to the correct spelling of homophone words.  

We simply take the homophone words we are learning, like night and knight.  We use index cards with the word on one card and the definition on the other, for the younger kids we put a picture on the back of each card to help jog the memory if needed.  We use typically a stack of index cards and play a relay race, seeing who can sort out the correct spelling with the correct definition.

5.  Discover ALL ABOUT SPELLING!

There are not many spelling curriculum packages out their, and none with the caliber of promise delivered by All About Spelling!  I have been actively investigating this curriculum for a couple of years and now have had the opportunity to observe it up close.  The kids and I have received All About Spelling, Level 1 and Level 2 in order to review the curriculum during our summer schooling time.  We are already using this amazing curriculum and will have a Review post ready for you by mid-June. . . so be on the look out.  

Let's provide some creative learning opportunities during spelling practice today, and reap some reward for planting a love for learning later down the road.

Happy Homeschooling!

The Joyful Socks Mom     


Where We're At:

Visit these sites for more great homeschooling resources:

• Notebooking Fairy - Ready to implement Notebooking in your homeschool?  Get started Here.
• Bright Ideas Press - The curriculum that Moms Love!  Home of Mystery of History.
• MOM ONLY! Boot Camp - Best little Homeschool Conference.  Having a Generational Heart in your homeschool. *** Registration open - Tickets limited to 100 attendees - Register Today! ***

This post contains affiliate links.  The blog owner receives a small, I repeat s-m-a-l-l, portion of sales generated from these links.  This blog writer does not receive compensation for thoughts or opinions expressed on this blog.  Thank you for your kind consideration.

Everyday Enrichment: Nature Study in the Garden

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Spring is all around and it is just in time!  The Mac kids are ready to bust this house at the seams.  Mommy has been a bit confined to the house by some allergy and lung issues, so we have had to find ways for them stray outside . . . but not too far.  Thus, the birth of our little effort at Organic Gardening.  We have decided since mommy cannot venture out, this is our best chance to stay consistent with our Nature Study.

My sweet next-door-neighbors, a.k.a. surrogate grandparents, plowed a nice plot behind our backyard, on THEIR property for the kids to use for our garden.  Here is what they have planted so far:  Cabbage, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Squash, Zucchini, Eggplant, Poblanos, Jalapenos, Strawberries, Beets, Carrots, Herbs (Lavender, Basil, Dill, Sage, Rosemary).  The kids also have some plans for these veggies this weekend: Corn, Sugar Snap Peas, Garden Beans.

{Girls working in the garden, beginning to plant}

{Wildflower seeds we scattered during our read of  FI♥AR Miss Rumphius}

For the Garden: Here are the notebooking pages we will be using to journal our outdoor gardening time.  We will be using the Crop Plants Challenges for the upcoming weeks of gardening and massive weed pulling!
------------------> Garden Nature Study Challenge

For Spring Walks:  We love reading the Outdoor Hour Challenge on Barb's blog, The Handbook of Nature Study.  I still haven't found time to participate in the Blog Carnivals, but they are an excellent resource and source of inspiration for spending more time outside with our nature journals.  Well, mom can get the kids ready, and dad can do the outdoor work, for now!

Nature Study Bag:
Speaking of journals . . .
I wanted to share how we keep organized with nature study.  When we are ready to start Nature Study, it is typical that the kids are ready to get out of the door . . . quick!  I decided to make a Nature Study Bag last year to help us keep all the materials we needed on hand and ready to go when we are set to head outside.

We have began using several new items in our bag to help enhance our Nature Study experience.

{I carry the Nature Reader, a selection of Nature poetry  and Hymns with us to use while on Nature Hikes.}

{Using solar printing paper has helped us take from nature WITHOUT taking from nature.}

{We have started flower pressing and collecting things that do not disturb the natural surroundings. Example: butterflies that are already deceased, flowers and leaves that have already fallen on the ground, etc.}

We each have our own Nature Journal, mommy included.  I use several sights for the best Nature Study resources (that might be a great post later on), so we use quite a bit of Notebooking printables from around the internet.  Barb @ Outdoor Hour and Harmony Fine Arts is hands-down my favorite . . . so who cares what the kids like?  Just kidding.  They love it and it is something they all look forward to during the week.  If you need somewhere to start with Nature Study, Barb's blog is the place.
------------------> Getting Started: Challenge #1
Ready to start your own Nature Study Notebook?
-------------------> Notebook Challenge

Here are a couple of selections that we have completed using the Outdoor Hour Challenges:

Next week on Enriching Everyday - The Macrame Project

Happy Homeschooling

The Joyful Socks Mom   


Where We Are At:
Homeschool on the Cheap!

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International Night

The kids and I enjoyed the festivities this past Saturday evening at International Night, sponsored by Generations Church, here in our little home town.  The evening was filled with food, fellowship, gifts, prizes, lots of fun and inspiration for the family!  Generations Church invites missionaries and organizations to come and set up educational booths each year at International Night. 

 

When we arrived, we were greeted by church members who donned us each with Hawaiian leis.  Then we were signed in and given a swag bag, Missionary Scavenger hunt sheet and a Passport.  We also stopped by and registered for the door-prizes.

Then we started our journey around the world by collecting stamps from each Missionary's booth. We also collected signatures from various people on our Missionary Scavenger hunt sheets.  The kids had lots of fun and learned tons by using their Missionary Scavenger hunt sheet.  Example:   Squeaker enjoyed listening to a story from a South African missionary who entranced her with stories of wild animals and being on safari.  The Scout met a missionary who was also a pilot.  The Bug enjoyed all the missionaries from Haiti (see below) including the husband and wife doctor team that run a clinic in Haiti!

The kids enjoyed eating the cuisine from the various Missionary booths and collecting all the stamps in their Passports.  They collected many cultural goodies from each booth to fill their swag bags to over-flowing.  When their Passports and Scavenger hunt sheets were complete, then received a prize.  The Squeaker also won a door prize, a Moroccan Hat and a book about Gladys Aylward, a famous missionary in China.  We later found her name in Chinese on the internet (inspired by an International Night activity, see below).

 艾偉德

The Bug's swag bag, filled with missionary inspiration.

Here is "Jesus Loves [The Bug]" in Chinese

The Squeaker trying to quietly enjoy shortbread at the Scotland booth.  She just loves having her picture taken, can't you tell?

This is my favorite!!!  The Bug thinks that Terry Snow, Director of YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Haiti, is a rock star.  Look at that smile on her face, she is beaming!  She waited all week for this very moment.  She has supported YWAM Haiti with her own fundraising for over 2 years now and she has not seen Terry since she was 4 years old!  She acted like going to International Night and meeting Terry was like being backstage at a U2 concert.  I love that about her!  Notice her baby?  That is David, she "adopted" him from Haiti 2 years ago.  She is just too cute and I can't help it if I think so.

The Bug could not leave the festivities until she had single-handedly located the Haitian flag.

Great evening, great fun and great reminder that there are many that do for the Lord's kingdom, each day, without complaint.  Life in my little corner of the world isn't so tough when I look at these warriors for Christ!

Here is an awesome sign I found:

Mis-sion-ary (noun):  someone who leaves their family for a short time, so that others may be with their families for an ETERNITY.

Thank you for an amazing evening of fellowship Generations Church.

Thank you to the special men and women who lay their lives down daily, as missionaries, and take up their cross to follow Him.

Happy Homeschooling!

Heather Mac

(a.k.a. Joyful Socks Mom) 

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Everyday Enrichment: Lego Enrichment

Lego Enrichment

Now, I know that you are groaning a little right now, most of you moms out there.  You are currently flashing back to the last barefooted run-in with a Lego brick, aren't you?  Yes, I'll admit they are not my toy of choice, not that I still play with toys, they are, however; the Scout's weapon of choice.  I would prefer my entire home to be an oasis of natural, imaginative play and Legos shatter my "slightly-crunchy" vision of a nature oriented home.  I personally believe that Legos do not actually fit into that category.  In light of the fact that I recently began a mission to help the Bug to rid her toy collection of non-natural play or items that did all the work for her, my choosing to post on Legos may appear counter productive.  Hear me out.

Legos are the lesser of two evils in my book and they actually can serve some useful purpose in the imagination department.  Although they are made in China and composed of over-priced plastic, we will try to see the better qualities of this long loved toy.  When considering the Scout, special considerations have to be made by this mom.  Although almost 13 years of age, my dear son is a serious  kinesthetic learner and still requires his Lego play-a-day habit.  He has to touch things, take them apart and rebuild them in order to have his head or his heart reached.  He is still growing and maturing at his own pace and his Legos are still vastly important to him.  As a child recently diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, consistency is key.  Battling over the "Lego Issue" is just not a healthy option right now (maybe never) . . . pick your battles Mom!

Let's just take what we have and re-work it shall we?  Taking the Legos, which are apparently a staple item for our young man, and using them to fulfill an educational purpose is the goal.  (I am twisting my mustache as I ponder my dastardly plan . . . muwahahahahahaha!)

Here are some fun and educational ways to use Legos for Everyday Enrichment:

1.  History:  Use Legos to have your child narrate a story, history lesson or role play.

The Scout and Squeaker created this illustration of the Feudal System in England during the Middle Ages after a lesson in Mystery of History, Volume II.  The Squeaker (who despises History) told me later in amazement, "Hey mom, when I did my quiz I totally remembered about the Feudal System and didn't even have to look it up!"  Yes, it is amazing that your mom is cool sometimes.

2.  Math:  Let your child use Legos for math manipulatives and practice.

Here is a great website with lots of ideas on using Legos in Math - Little Brick Schoolhouse

3.  Grammar:  Here is a super idea from Pinterest: Lego sentences!  This works great for the Scout's and Squeaker's Shurley English.  Create Lego pieces with words taped to them.  The kids take the Lego pieces and use the various "sentence labels" required to build their sentence using the Lego words.

4.  Art We use the various bricks to create 3D Mosaic-styled picures.

We are privileged enough to be viewing one of the Scout's comic creations, Thunder Frog.  He used Lego bricks to recreate his favorite character.

5.  Logic: Memory and concentration is key, especially for two of my children, the Squeaker is dyslexic and the Scout has multiple sensory issues - Help your child by using various Lego bricks of different colors and arranging them in sequential order.

• Child gets 1 set of Legos and you have an identical set of Lego bricks.  Sequentially order your Legos in a short row, starting with 4 - 6 Legos.  Keep them covered from your child's view.

• Allow your child to observe the Legos for 1 minute.  Now, have your child replicate the sequential order of your Lego bricks using their Lego bricks.  

• Continue adding 1 - 2 bricks each time to your sequential pattern, then let your child replicate the pattern. 

• Keep score of how many bricks your child is able to commit to memory.  Then have them try to beat their "high score" each time they play.

• Set them loose to play this concentration game with one another.  Here the Squeaker gets the Bug working on concentration.

6.  Architecture: Have your child use their Lego bricks to replicate classical forms of architecture and famous buildings or landmarks.  The Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, The Parthenon, The Taj Mahal . . . possibilities here are endless.

How do you use your Legos to Enrich Everyday?  Let us know how you use Legos in your home education.

Happy Homeschooling!

Heather Mac

(a.k.a. Joyful Socks Mom)

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Thanks for reading our blog, our Random Act of Kindness "spring-board". Please take the time to bless us with your comments. Who are we? Take a peak here. http://www.themacrak.com/macfamily.aspx

Enriching Everyday: The Library Edition

Thanks for reading our blog, our Random Act of Kindness "spring-board". Please take the time to bless us with your comments. Who are we? Take a peak here. http://www.themacrak.com/macfamily.aspx

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Enriching Everyday

The Library Edition

Books and home education go hand in hand.  We cannot gain knowledge without them.  We cannot research and record without the vast amount of knowledge they provide.  Most homeschooling families already know how to utilize the many resources provided by their local libraries.  We LOVE our local library (Give a Big shout-out: Howdy Mrs. Courtney!)

That is our librarian a couple of summers ago, trapped in a bubble.  

What do you do though when the books have "taken over", particularly in a child's room?  Answer: You use it to help her Enrich Everyday in her own home education.  Case in point, the Bug's over-jubilant reading has multiplied her own home library to the point of almost ridiculous . . . I'm just praising God her books aren't gremlins!  She consumes books quickly and reads them over and over.  She has grandparents (okay, and a mother) that enjoy feeding her joy for books.  The result?

We came up with a solution to the ever mounting book overload issue in our daughter's room.  She was not feeling well and was down with a bit of a fever last week.  I snuggled her up in my bed so she would have plenty of stacking room and elbow space, and then set her to work creating her own Library cataloging system.  

 1.  I made her labels (Avery Mailing Labels cut in half) and placed a plentiful supply on a clipboard, giving her my nice felt-tip pen.

2.  We discussed what system would work well for her books.  We covered the Dewey Decimal system and the Library of Congress.  We felt the Dewey Decimal system was good, but for a smaller collection of books like the Bug has, we decided to modify it and make if more practical to meet her needs.

3.  We developed her labeling system and set to work.  I demonstrated the first few books for her and then let her try.  After labeling two books she had no problems and set to work on her own.

4.  She classified her books as Fiction or Nonfiction.  Then she coded and categorized the books alphabetized by author's last name for fiction and alpha by subject for her nonfiction selections.

I caught her several times in this particular position.  No surprises there.  I wonder how often we could "catch" our own local librarians doing the very same?  (hmmm. . . Mrs. Courtney?)

 Here was the end result of about an hour and half's work.  Nice, neat and straight.  She is now been enriched for the day and has a great sense of accomplishment!  This certainly helped us in appreciating our local librarians a bit more.

Now, just about 100 more books to label and we should be good to go!

LIBRARY RESOURCES:

Here are some great Library resources to use in Enriching Everyday!

* Library of Congress

* Library Thing - Great FREE online database for your own private library.  (The Bug will be cataloging here home library using this system next month.  We will post letting you know how it went.)

* Print your own Library Cards & Pockets

Have any good Library Resources online that you and your family use?  Please leave comments and share with the rest of the class.

Happy Homeschooling!

Heather Mac

(a.k.a. Joyful Socks Mom)