Education Cubes - I can't believe I resisted this long!

I love, love, love our new Education Cubes.  I purchased our cubes from Constructive Playthings and then waited, rather impatiently, for them to arrive.

As soon as they did, I started printing from the Education Cubes membership site.

States

Blank cards to write the Science memory work (from Classical Conversations)

Numbers

I wanted the cubes mostly for reviewing our Classical Conversation memory work in a fun way.

 We have been reviewing states and capitals everyday by rolling the cubes and then coloring in the states rolled.

We review the science memory work by rolling and answering the question that has been rolled.

Meanwhile, J-jo practices counting pumpkins or whatever other manipulative on hand for the number rolled (this is a Mommy assisted activity).

We also roll the numbers (up to 12) to start off our skip counting songs.  If the cube landed on 6 for example, we would sing the sixes song.

After two weeks, we've only just scratched the surface of how we will be able to use these in our homeschool.  I am so excited and can't wait to share more ideas.  I've already printed out the fractions and the ten frame counting cards to use soon.  And I know J-jo will love to roll his letters.

By joining the Education Cubes, you get access to over 200 sets of insert cards, plus access to any cards created after you join.  The membership is a one time fee of $12.

So far, the membership is saving me a whole lot of work.  One thing I would love, though, would be for the blank cards to be an editable PDF file so I could type in the info I want there.  Nevertheless, these cards are great and my kids love them.  I bring them to my Classical Conversation class and the children all clamor to be the first to roll. 

Now for the BEST PART!

Jenn generously offered one membership subscription for a giveaway

fine print:

The giveaway is for the membership only. The winner will have to purchase their own blocks. If the winner already has an Education Cubes membership, Jenn will refund their money. So, even members can enter to win!

How to win:

Mandatory Entry: 

Subscribe to The Adventures of Bear by email and leave me a comment saying you do.

Additional Entry:

Visit Education Cubes and leave a comment telling me which insert cards you would print first.

Make sure you leave an email address for me to contact you.

Random generator will pick a winner Friday, October 7, 2011.

Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or random generator will choose another winner.

Disclaimer: I purchased my blocks, but received a membership free of charge in exchange for this post.  The opinions expressed are my own.

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Homeschool Questions

I was tagged by Growing a Godly Girl to do this meme.  Here are my answers...

One homeschooling book you have enjoyed: 

 

I can't limit myself to one. Here is a list my favorite Montessori books.

One resource you wouldn't be without:

The internet!  So much of my inspiration comes from other blogs.  When I first started with Bear (3 years ago), 1+1+1=1 and Chasing Cheerios were important. Now I look to Delightful Learning and Living Montessori Now for most of my inspiration.

One resource you wish you'd never bought:

I can't think of anything I've purchased that hasn't been used and that I haven't liked.  I research pretty extensively before purchasing things as I am quite frugal.  I would say that the item that gets used least are the wooden blocks, but I don't think that means I shouldn't have bought them:)  I just need to inspire them to use them more.

One resource you enjoyed last year:

All About Spelling.   We love this spelling program that is so similar to the Montessori moveable alphabet.  It's multisensory and follows the Orton-Gillingham methods.  It's a keeper and I have already bought the next two books.

One resource you will be using next year:

We will be continuing the Montessori sequence with Bear and J-jo, but moving away from Montessori a bit with Bear.  I don't think I can manage to do elementary Montessori at home.  I would want to be trained and that is not feasible right now.  We've started easing into that transition this year by introducing Singapore and Miquon Math (though we still mostly do Montessori method and materials for math, I wanted her to experience math in another way) and joining Classical Conversations.  I am also introducing Bear to a work contract next year (one day a week this year as transition) that will be like workboxes, but as a checklist.  We tried a modified workbox approach (with boxes) in the summer and Bear did not like it.  She has gotten so used to the freedom of Montessori.

One resource you would like to buy:

I have always been really drawn to Sonlight, even though it doesn't follow the Classical method, which we prefer, because of its emphasis on literature and living history books.  Whether we will purchase it next year remains to be seen.  I've been praying about it a lot!

One resource you wish existed:

A French or Spanish equivalent of Homeschool Share!

One homeschool catalog you enjoy reading:

Timberdoodle, Sonlight, My Father's World, Ambleside Online (for the booklists), Veritas Press.  I peruse the booklists over and over and Timberdoodle just has great, fun brain toys!  I also love my Montessori Services catalog for practical life supplies.  Catalogs are fun to browse:)

I'm supposed to tag 6 other blogs, but I actually should  be reading this, which for an upcoming review.  It is much thicker than I expected and only just arrived tonight.

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Five in a Row - Mr. Gumpy's Motorcar - Weather

Often, when we row a Five in a Row (or Before Five in a Row) book, I don't plan any extra things.  I just do the discussions suggested in the manual.  This is how I intended to row Mr. Gumpy's Motorcar, but at the last minute, I found I had most things on hand to add in a few weather related practical life activities and science lessons.  Check out the links at the bottom to find out where all the ideas came from.

In Mr. Gumpy's Motorcar, a girl, a boy, and a wide variety of animals all ask Mr. Gumpy if they can come along for a ride.  Mr. Gumpy agrees, but when a rain shower results in the car getting stuck, will his passengers get out to help?

Practical Life:

Cutting strips with motor cars and clouds.  I made these using Word and clipart.

Pin pricking a cloud shape (drawn on scrap of cardstock)

Spooning "raindrops" (clear flat marbles).

Tonging "clouds" (cotton balls)

Opening umbrellas and sticking them in styrofoam (idea from Counting Coconuts).  Only Bear could do this, as when J-jo tried, the umbrellas were just a tad to fragile for him.

Pouring "rain" (water).

Sensorial:

Shaving cream clouds

 Just mix some white glue into the shaving cream.

Language:

Poetry basket
I put a print out of the song and these cloud people (found via pinterest) to put out as their names come up in the poem. 

Types of clouds three part cards - and making cloud booklets using cotton balls.

 Songs

Our favorite was one to the tune of "She'll be comin' 'round the mountain when she comes" that teaches the terms evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Books

Social Studies: 

cooperation

We had a quick discussion about how the characters had to cooperate and how we could cooperate to help each other in the home.

Science: 

We observed clouds using our cloud inspector tool (see here),

And then I got tired of taking photos and wanted to live in the moment!

We made a cloud from an ivory soap bar (see links below).

We observed the water cycle in a water bottle that happened to be on the window sill.

We did the raincloud cotton ball demonstration.

We played with cars and compared cars going up ramps and cars going down ramps.  Which was easier?

For a look at Friction, we sprayed some oil spray on our hard wood floor to see if we would slip more than when the oil wasn't there.  We then discussed why we don't slip as much on carpet (friction).

Fun:

Splashing in puddles after a big rain storm.

Art:

Painting with a bath scrub to make clouds.  Well, maybe tomorrow....we haven't gotten to this yet.

Loads of Links:
Water cycle and clouds
Cloud paint and sensory cloud
Cloud People
Weather activities from Counting Coconuts
Cloud Nomenclature Cards
Cloud Dough
Shaving Cream clouds
Ivory Soap Cloud
More cloud cards

Linked to Tot School at 1+1+1=1; Preschool Corner at Homeschool Creations and 

Montessori Mondays at Living Montessori Now and One Hook Wonder

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Naughty Toes

Naughty Toes, another fun book from Tiger Tales, is one Bear can relate to, having been in ballet last year.  In the story, Chloe and her sister both take ballet.  However, while Belinda is graceful and coordinated, Chloe is not.  Chloe learns to "follow her feet" and find what she is good at.

I love that message.  I think it is important for children to understand that they don't need to be good at every extra-curricular thing they try.

Bear thought the illustrations were really pretty with light and pastel colors.  "And there was lots of pink!" She recommends the book to any little girl who loves to dance.

Disclosure: I received this book from Tiger Tales in exchange for an honest and frank review.

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Artists and Art - Paul Cezanne

I considered signing up Bear for an art class, but reconsidered after observing said art class.  Instead, I am going to start up my Artists and Art lessons instead.  Today I whipped up a Paul Cezanne lesson.  Of course, I decided this last minute, so had NO library books to go along, although I did put a few on hold to read later.

I did find a gem called An Apple a Day.  It's an interactive book that is read to you and it is based on Paul Cezanne's still life of apples and a pot of primroses.  We listened to this and looked at some of Cezanne's art work, read his biography, and looked closely at the apples on his painting.

I draped a white table cloth over her floor table and Bear went to work placing the apples. 

 We had to move the floor table on top of her work table because Bear couldn't see it from where she was sitting.

Then we each drew the composition and painted it with tempera paint.  

I finished first, so while Bear worked, I quickly set up a Paul Cezanne display.  I already had the three part cards.  Was I planning a Cezanne lesson earlier this year that I forgot about? 

Another great tie in with our Five in a Row book: How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World.

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Raising Real Men

When Joy from Timberdoodle sent an email out looking for bloggers to review Raising Real Men, I jumped at the chance.  Here I am with a little boy who is SO different from his big sister and I, being a GIRL, am so ill-equipped to understand him!  I prayed this book would give me some insight into my delightful, yet challenging, little boy.

I didn't agree with a particular point in the book, a point that was especially prevalent in the first part, but there were so many GOOD parts that were helping me understand J-jo and so many GOOD parts that were giving me ways to help raise J-jo to be a good, Godly man, that I couldn't help but finish it. The point or idea that bothered me was not important enough to hinder my overall appreciation of the book.  In fact, I will be keeping this book nearby to refresh my memory over the years, as there were certainly things that didn't apply at the moment with a two year old, but will apply in about six or eight years, such topics as teaching about finances.

Here's an example of how How to Raise Real Men got me reevaluating.  I always had very negative thoughts about guns, and just believed they were dangerous and should be banned, but the authors pointed out that we teach our children how to use lawn mowers, sharp knives, electric saws and other dangerous tools and that perhaps it is best to teach gun safety as opposed to banning (toy) guns completely from the house.

This book is worth reading, especially if you are a parent of boys.  The authors, Hal and Melanie Young, with the experience of having raised 6 sons, provide a lot of useful ideas as to how to "train them up."

Raising Real Men can be purchased from Timberdoodle (the same place where I bought J-jo's nifty scissors). Timberdoodle also offers other parenting helps and some neat boy-friendly outdoor learning items, and Timberdoodle will also happily send you a free homeschool catalog.

Read what other moms thought of Raising Real Men at Because Mom Said.


Disclosure:
As a member of Timberdoodle's Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of Raising Real Men in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.

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A Purpl What? A Purpllinker.

I chose to review the Purpllinker because
a) it has a funny name
b) Timberdoodle sells it and Timberdoodle carries high quality educational tools that have been carefully selected
c) it looked like it had potential as a versatile learning tool
d) all of the above

Did you choose d)?  

The Purpllinker is part of Timberdoodle's preschool curriculum kit (but can be purchased separately). It has seven arms that can be moved to form letters, numbers and shapes.  The arms are stiff enough that they keep the shape formed, but loose enough that even the two year old can manipulate them.

 

  This has been a neat learning tool in our house.  The Purpllinker's packaging doubles as the instructions for letter and number formation, but if you accidentally rip the packaging, throw it out, or lose it, you can download the instructions as a PDF.

We've made geometric shapes, (I really wish the Purpllinker had EIGHT arms instead of seven so we could make an OCTAGON), swords, mountains and valleys, pointers for the flipchart morning songs.

And of course...letters.

We don't bother much with instructions, but just kind of try to do it on our own. 

 

While it is a different way to make letters and reinforce letter recognition and knowledge, I much prefer it as a tool for geometric shapes.  I find that the letters are too boxy.  Of course, this fact did not bother Bear and J-jo.  

Little hands get a good workout using the Purpllinker.  It's a great tool to add to your purse for waiting time or in the car, as it folds up quite small.  I don't think it's a necessary tool, but if you are looking for something fun, yet educational, to add to a workbox, or if your child needs extra fine motor work that is NOT pen and paper work, the Purpllinker might just be for you.

Find Timberdoodle on Facebook.

Request a free homeschool catalog.

See what other moms thought of the Purpllinker at Because Mom Said.

Disclosure:
As a member of Timberdoodle's Blogger Review Team I received a free Purpllinker in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.

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A child's sewing project

Bear is part of a Keepers of the Home group that meets after our Classical Conversations group.  Today they did a project that I just had to post for you.

First cut a 20 inch circle out of fabric.  You can change that measurement to the size you want.

 Put pins all around the circle at 1.5 inch increments.  Show how to pinch the fabric to get the pins in.  This is also a great measurement lesson. 

 Now take a pin out.  Pinch the fabric and make a 1/4 inch cut.

 Repeat all around the circle, making a cut at each pin (after you remove it).  The pins are just place holders.

 Thread a ribbon in and out of each slit.

 Tie a knot at the end of the ribbon and pull, gathering the edges of the circle together to make a purse.

Bear ran off to find things to put inside before I could take a photo of her and the purse:)

Bear made this all by herself, with a bit of guidance from the leader.  I came in a few times to observe.  It took a lot of concentration and effort (and lots of pincer grasp work) for Bear.  She was very proud of her efforts.

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Shape Sorter Painting

 One of Bear's favorite painting activities when she was J-jo's age was painting using the plastic shape sorter as stamps.  I brought out this activity for J-jo the other day and he had a lot of fun with it.

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The Best Pet Ever

When we received our box of Tiger Tale books, the first book the kids picked out was The Best Pet Ever.  This was three weeks ago as we left for vacation.  I have been asked to read that book over and over and over for three weeks now.  This is how much my children love it.  J-jo who just turned two last month can recite whole pages to me and absolutely loves the page in which the balloon explodes.


The book is really sweet.  Walking past a pet store, a little girl asks her mom for a pet, to which the mom replies, "We'll see."  So the little girl sees and with her imagination, ordinary things, like a rock, a mitten, a candy wrapper, and a balloon all become a pet...for a day or two.  The little girl proves she is ready for a pet though, and by the time her last imaginary pet has popped, her mother is ready with a real pet.  The illustrations are cheerful and draw the reader into this humorous story.  The repetitive phrases make it a great book to use with a pre-reader.

We all loved it!

Thank you, Tiger Tales, for another great book.


Disclaimer: I received The Best Pet Ever from Tiger Tales in exchange for this review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

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Five in a Row - How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World

 Practical Life:

 Tweezing little apples (Walmart home decorating section), pin punching apple (abcteach freebie), apple pie and apple halves cutting strips, spooning salt

grating cinnamon

 J-jo is determined to cut.  Loves practicing this.  Our scissors just cracked one day as we he was squeezing them shut to cut and we were devastated, but Timberdoodle was great and sent us a new pair immediately.  

Language:

 Labeling parts of an apple.  The fraction game I posted here is also on this shelf.

Labeling parts of the chicken.  Found via Homeschool Share.  Bear really wanted parts of a cow too, ("what about the cow?") but I couldn't find one with blanks and really wasn't up to the work of creating one.

It's a very colorful chicken.

 

Not apple pie related, but we did do All About Spelling this week too.

 Math:

 Fraction game in use.

 Fraction puzzles (I took out the sets that went with the book - pie, apple, and eggs).

 Science:

 I brought out the parts of the tree and parts of a flower puzzle to tie in with the life cycle cards from Montessori from Everyone.

Art:

 We made a paper plate pie.

You need two plates.  Paint one a pie crust yellowish brown color.  Let dry.  Cut slits in the "crust" and glue a piece of red paper under the slits.  Staple or glue to a plain white plate for the pie tin.  (Or you could paint that plate too.)

 Serve up your delicious pie wearing an apple print dress:)

 My favorite photos this week:

 J-jo always looks to Bear to see what to do:)

 We still have many apple activities to do.  We actually had to return the library book and so we didn't do all the FIAR activities in the guide this week.  I have the book on hold and will do those (like salt evaporation and a few others) once we have the book back.  We read it multiple times each day while on vacation and it is still a favorite so perhaps I should just buy it.

We'll be going to an apple farm this weekend and baking our real pie after that.

Links:
printables we never got to
apple play dough

apple part labeling and apple stained glass
(we haven't gotten to the stained glass yet either...the week just isn't long enough!)

apple lifecycle

chicken lifecycle

sequencing cards for the story
Delightful Learning's fantastic row of this book.

Linked to Tot School at 1+1+1=1; Preschool Corner at Homeschool Creations and the Weekly Wrap-up at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers,

Montessori Mondays at Living Montessori Now and One Hook Wonder

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