Jan van Eyck Inspired Triptych

Jan van Eyck Inspired Triptych

A friend of mine is teaching an Art History course using a pretty in depth book as the spine. I read the biography from the book and the kids eyes glaze a bit. I have incorporated a few Youtube videos to reinforce anything that leaks out of their brains while I'm reading.

This artist was a MAJOR deal. He turned the art world on it's ear. The difference in earlier paintings and his is incredible. I really loved the music in this video showing many pieces of art by Jan van Eyck. This video has a great visual of the size of the triptyck by van Eyck. If you can spare an hour the whole episode is really great to watch.

Here is my video on how to make the triptychs. It is just a very quick run down. Sorry about the lighting.

Sidney's, of course, is Pokemon!

Alex's was a pixelated chicken. I need to post that pic as well!!

Happy Homeschooling

-Michele 

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Working on Dialog

I thought I would share a video of my son reading his writing assignment for the day. He was supposed to use dialog. The pauses are for "dramatic effect". Just in case you can't understand it: It is about a man that sees another man with a goatee. The goatee reminds the first man of a scarf a girl he knew wore. He asks the man with the goatee for a piece! and....did you catch where he said black and white movie from the 80's!!!! lol

Happy Homeschooling

-Michele

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Grandparent's Day

This weekend is Grandparent's Day. I have not be consistent with celebrating this with my kids. I love the idea though! This year we are going to do something for the beloved grandparents in my kids lives. My kids are beyond the handprint paintings and toilet paper tube projects. It was tough to find ideas that were geared to older kids. I was able to find a few gems in the mix though.

Questionaire

Etsy
This was sold already by the artist, but it is a cute idea!

Cards

this is such a great idea. I have several pictures of all the grandchildren together that would be great for this!

Happy Homeschooling!
-Michele
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Egg Tempera Painting Like Giotto

A friend of mine is teaching an Art History course using a pretty in depth book as the spine. I read the biography from the book and the kids eyes glaze a bit. I have incorporated a few Youtube videos to reinforce anything that leaks out of their brains while I'm reading. 

Today we learned about Giotto. A project suggested by the teacher, was to paint using egg tempera paints. This was the medium used at the time of Giotto. So, I used trusty old Google to help me with a recipe. 

One thing I learned while sifting through recipes is that the egg will start to stink. I don't know why this did not occur to me on my own. Anyway, my solution was to use Ener-G Egg Replacer as a substitute for the egg yolk. I did break a real egg to show the kids how it was done the-old-fashioned-way. We even released the yolk from the membrane so that the color would stick better. It was very cool. Then we mixed up the recipe for the paint and were ready to start our masterpieces. 

The recipe

sidewalk chalk

egg replacer

water

*rub the chalk back and forth in a glass bowl to produce powder. Add mixed egg replacer/water to the chalk. Pour into egg carton. Repeat with other colors. 

The kids of course did not want to draw out what they were going to paint before taking brush to page. Not being a naturally talented artist myself, I used pencil first. We talked about how much time it would take to not only make the paints, but to keep going over the painting to make the colors vivid. We also discussed apprentices and the role they played in supporting the masters as they painted.

My son didn't know that the paintings would be shared with his class, or he said he would have spent more time on it. He did not however, want to do another one. 

My daughter's painting of her and I. 

My frog on a lily pad. 

I am so glad that my friend offered this class. I would not "do" art on my own, but I do see a great deal of value in it. My kids love to draw and are actually very good (when they take their time). I am  enjoying the activities more than I thought I would. 

Happy Homeschooling

-Michele

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September Fun Stuff

There are national "days, weeks, and months" for almost anything. Those that are absolutely inspirational and others that are not so much. Did you know that September 5th was National Be Late for Something Day? Yes, really.

Here is our list of some of the one from a long list that we are going to explore and how I plan on implementing them. I hope you will join us! - Michele

September Fun Days

September is National Courtesy Month
*We will be watching, "Time For Table Manners", a Disney Educational film. My kids already are pretty good at please, thank you, and basic manners. Their table manners could use some work though. This one is kind of fun too.

September 1st - Labor Day
"Why do Americans and Canadians celebrate Labor Day?"

September 7th - Grandparent's Day
The kids will be making cards and we will pick up a few small items to put in a basket for each set of grandparents. I love this goofy photo album idea. 

September 12th - National Video Game Day
History of Video Games followed by some Minecraft!

September 13th - Roald Dahl and Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day
I'm thinking of having the kids make a Roald Dahl inspired dinner. I think that they could use the Three Course Gum from Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. Anyone up for some Tomato Soup, Roast Beef & Baked Potato, and Blueberry Pie and Ice Cream. 

September 17th - Constitution and Citizenship Day
I plan on letting the kids explore this page founded by Sandra Day O'Conner. 

September 21st - Wife Appreciation Day
I think I will switch this up a bit and throw in a love note to my hubby and kids. 

September 23rd - National Great American Pot Pie Day
For the PKUer in the family, I think I will us this recipe with modifications: 
Veggie Pot Pie
160gm potatoes cut into small cubes
50 gm onion, chopped
75 gm carrots, sliced
25 gm celery, sliced
1 can of swansons Vegetarian Vegetable broth
1/2 cup of non dairy creamer
1.5 tbsp butter divided
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp. sage
Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust dough ( the kind you can unroll)

Boil cubes of potatoes in veggie broth until soft, about 10 mins. Meanwhile saute onions, carrots and celery in 1/2 butter until barely tender, about 5 mins.Drain potatoes, reserve 1/2 cup broth in seperate cup. MAke a white sauce by adding melted butter, and cornstarch and whisking until smooth.Slowly add cream and veggie broth and simmer until thickeneds. Add sauteed veggies and potatoes into while sauce, along sage, and salt and pepper, if desired. Fill 2 small (4oz) aluminum pot pie tins with mixture (about 235 gms in each).Then top each pot pie with 28 gms of pie dough. Bake in oven @ 400 degree for 15 - 20 mins.

Total phe: 324
Phe pre gram: 61

and this for the dough

Pot Pie Dough

1 1/2 cups Wheat Starch

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup Butter flavored Crisco

1 tablespoon water

2 1/2 tablespoons light Karo corn syrup

Combine wheat starch and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender, fork, or 2 knives, until mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs; sprinkle water over and blend with a fork. Dribble syrup over and continue mixing with a fork. Dough will be moist. Gather dough into a ball, adding wheat starch to your hands if sticky. toll out onto surface dusted with wheat starch, or pat out into desired shape.

Makes enough dough for one of the following:

10 pot pies

8 small turnovers

4 large turnovers

four 4-inch diameter pie pans

                                

               Phenylalanine (mg)  Protein (gm)        Calories

Per recipe          29             0.5                     1696

Per pot pie          3              -                      170

Per small turnover   4             0.1                     212

Per large turnover

or 4-inch pie pan    7             0.1                     424

For the rest of us a Super Easy recipe is just what I was looking for.

September 25th - National Comic Book Day
We are kind of a nerdy family, so a trip to the comic book store is in order. I am also planning on sending my nephews and niece a few through the mail. I was also thinking about making these

haha, my skill level is no where near that! This would be great for my hubby's birthday day though. 

September 26th - National Pancake Day
Also know as, Teach the Kids to Make Their Own Pancakes Day! ;o)

September 27th - National Hunting and Fishing Day
We will be taking a trip to the National Wildlife Museum for an event specifically designed for this day. 

September 28th - National Good Neighbor Day
I think we will just be taking some cookies to our neighbors. I really want to try Loaded M&M Oreo Cookie Bars. Doesn't that sound delicious? I will need to work out an low protein version for my PKUer. Maybe gluten free fake oreos and less of the M&Ms, or a few M&Ms and butterscotch chips? 

Whatever you do don't do this!

September 29th - National Coffee Day
A trip to Starbucks would be fun, but my daughter would not be able to have anything. So, we are attempting to make them at home. She wanted to try a Cotton Candy Frappuccino, my son wanted a Coffee Frappuccino, and I love the White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino. I will need to figure out how to make these at home. I will post the recipe when I work out the details.

September 30th - National Chewing Gum Day, National Mud Pack Day
While chewing some Bubble Yum (PKU safe), we will apply our masks. I am going to try to find this one at the drugstore. Maybe we will even do some cucumbers over our eyes. 

Don't forget to check me out on Facebook!-Michele

The Medieval Indian Empire

Story of the World

 Volume 2, Chapter 5

The Medieval Indian Empire

Day 1
Listen to Chapter 5 by Jim Weiss.
Cut out Ajanta Caves booklet from lapbook pages.
Write two narrations from the SOTW Activity Guide.

Day 2
Watch : India Gupta Empire
Add "Ajanta Caves deserted" on timeline (550 ad)

Day 3
Read, Mohammed.
Watch, The Life of Muhammad.
Write a summary in the notebook and add him to the timeline.
Map and worksheets.

Curriculum 2014-2015

I can not believe I just wrote those years in the title! Can it really be that I have been homeschooling for (gasp) seven years? It has been a hard road at times, but I am so thankful for this time with my two little ones. This has been the most amazing road and I wouldn't trade anything about this life I am living right now. Okay, on to my curriculum picks for this year.

Curriculum Picks for 2014-2015

 

Poem Memorization

We are memorizing our favorites. Nothing special.
 

Spelling

I downloaded a list of the most commonly used words (a list of 1200) and we are working through those. They get a few days to study and then a test on the last day of the week.

Grammar

We are starting this year with a free curriculum from Easy Peasy All in One Homeschool. We are beginning with Language Arts Year 4 and skipping the spelling and writing exercises.

 

Typing

Typing Tutor

I have been using Typing Tutor with the kids for about a year. I created a main account and each kid has their own account that is connected to mine. They kids get on and continue the lesson they have been working on. I only allow them to "save and continue" when they have achieved 98% or better. This is an easy lesson that only takes them about 5-8 minutes. 

Cursive

If you remember how to write in cursive, all you really need is a copy of the cursive alphabet for each child. I go through one letter at a time, with them mastering as they go. 

History

Science

 videos from Khan Academy and Youtube.

Geography

We are learning to blob and will expand our studies from there. 

Art History

A friend is leading a co-op that is covering all the isms with this book.
Name That Style

She is also covering biographies and history with this one.
Art: Everything you Need to Know About the Greatest Artists and Their Work

These look absolutely fabulous. I am excited for the kids to get started!

Thinking Skills/Logic
We are going to be using a Battleship game and Chess.

 

Required Reading List, my own list

4H
Projects include: Sewing, Yeast Bread, Cake Decorating, Electricity, Leathercraft, and possibly Sport Fishing.

6th Grader

Math

Writing

Student Directed Project
Alex will be working on modding Nerf guns and making movies with his dad.
 

4th Grader

Math

Writing

 

Student Directed Project

We are using the website called, DIY. It looks super cool. Kids get to pick their own projects and complete them to earn badges. I am hoping this will give Sidney the feeling of scouts. It is subscription based.

DIY (skills list)