Third Grade Week 11 in Review

We are moving right along here at Childress Academy.  Caleb continues to make great strides, and we’re keeping on track.  So, that’s a WONDERFUL feeling.  Here’s how week 11 went for us…
Bible – Our lessons this week were on “How Sin Came Into the World” and “What Happened to Adam and Eve”.  We read from Genesis 3:1-6 and 7-10.  Caleb’s memory verse for the week was I John 3:4.
Science – We continued to discuss ecosystems.  We how they change and what effects that can have.  We read the book World Food by Sally Morgan.
Social Studies – We continued to discuss “The English Come to America'” by watching some videos.  We watched a video on Old Point Comfort and another one on Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown.  We read First Start Biography – Young Pocohontas – Indian Princess by Anne Benjamin. 
Reading – This week Caleb read Second Grade – Friends Again! by Miriam Cohen.
Vocabulary – This week Caleb had to tackle two cumulative tests for vocabulary.  He scored 92% on the first one, and he scored 82% on the second one.  So, he’s got some reviewing to do in the future.
Math – In order to determine which level to begin with the proposed math curriculum, I gave Caleb a diagnostic test.  I’ve already ordered a different curriculum, and we’ll start it the week we return from the beach.  We’re going to try Christian Light Education for math…wish us luck. 
English – This week we focused on subjects and how they are nouns.  Caleb had to find the subject noun of sentences.  He also had to review how to write cursive letters and how to join letters to write words in cursive. 
We’re leaving today for a week at the beach.  It’ll just be the boys and myself; however, we’re teaming up with 3 other homeschool families.  There will be 4 moms and a total of 6 children (all boys except for one).  So, it’s sure to be a fun-filled week.  Let’s just pray we all come back with a wee bit of sanity. 

National Golf Month

Did you know that August is National Golf Month?  Well, it is, and we gathered with some of our homeschool friends to celebrate this occasion.  We met up at a local golf course, and the children were able to practice their swing.  Once they had learned the basics of swinging, they went over to the putting green to practice their putts.  Caleb and Micah had a wonderful time, and it was a great way to add in some “physical education” to our homeschool studies. 
***I apologize for the quality or lack thereof with these pictures.  I’ve found it easier to just use my phone for pictures these days as opposed to lugging the big camera around.  So, that’s why they aren’t the best pictures.***

Micah playing golf…he was playing with another preschooler.

Caleb waiting his turn to practice

Lining up to swing

Swing

Caleb and a friend putting

Practicing his putt-putt skills

Micah wants to practice, too

He was having lots of fun

Caleb did fairly well, but his patience was wearing a bit thin. 

Great Group of Homeschoolers AND Friends

How’s your golf swing?  Caleb actually did really well.  I’m hoping my dad or brother will take him some more so he can continue to practice. 

Third Grade Week 10 in Review

We finished up week 10 on Thursday, and it was another successful week.  I’m so thankful that we are keeping on schedule; however, that will change when we take off next week for a week at the beach.  Oh well…we’ll catch up those 4 days soon enough…or maybe I can convince Caleb to double up some this week.  Hmmm…
Here’s how week 10 went for us:
Bible – Our lessons focused on “God Made All things For His Praise” and “God Always Does What is Best.”  We read from Psalm 150 and Matthew 27:27-31.  Caleb’s memory work was Psalm 69:34a.  I have to admit, the latter lesson about God always doing what is best for us really hit home due to Caleb’s Tourette’s diagnosis.  I explained to Caleb that although he sometimes gets upset because of his tics, that it’s all happening for a reason.  Right now, we don’t know what that reason may be; however, God is using all of this for HIS purpose.  He’s got a master plan, and we aren’t always sure what it is…however, as long as HE is in control, we can rest assured that the master plan will work out according to his purpose.
Science – This week we started a new lesson on Ecosystems.  We discussed the characteristics of all living things, what an ecosystem is, the difference between a community and a population, the difference between producers/consumers/decomposers, and about food chains and food webs. 
Social Studies – This week our lesson focused on “The English Come to America.”  We discussed that the English wanted colonies in the New World in hopes that they would find fish, furs, and lumber.  They also wanted to “outdue” or catch up to the Spanish.  Caleb learned about Roanoke and how it was the “lost colony”…this intrigued him, and he now wants to find out what happened to all of the people.    We reviewed that Jamestown was the first English settlement, and we reviewed John Smith’s role there.  Next week, we’ll spend some time reading stories on these topics.
Reading – This week we spent some time discussing non-fiction books.  We learned the different parts of a non-fiction book – title page, table of contents, text, glossary, and index.  Caleb learned how to use each part, and he completed the lesson by choosing a non-fiction book and answering questions using the parts of the book.
Vocabulary – Caleb studied his words for a few days, and he took his test and scored 95%.
Math – I’m still debating what to do in math, so until I make up my mind we’ll continue with Math U See.  This week we discussed ordinal numbers and tally marks.  Caleb did really well with this, and that made me happy.
English – This week Caleb started a new ACE Pace, and we started discussing nouns.  We learned that a noun is a person, place, or thing.  He learned all the different ways to make a singular noun plural, and he learned the difference between a common and proper noun.  He says that he’s enjoying English this year, and that, too, makes my heart proud. 
I have to brag on his spelling once again.  Like I’ve mentioned, we’re using Spelling Power, and he has made a 100 on EVERY test except for ONE!  He is LOVING spelling.  Heck, I’m loving that HE’S loving it and doing so well!
How’d your school week go?

Fun in Florida

On the 4th of August, the boys and I headed down to Melbourne to hang out with the Neil family.  Those of you who have been following my blog may remember that the Adam, Laura, Tina, and Hunter lived in our neighborhood until 2009.  So, we’ve known them since Tina and Caleb were just shy of a year old.  They kids grew up playing almost weekly, and we were sad to see them go.  We’d been to visit, but not since August of ‘09.  So, it was well past time for another visit. 
We stopped in Valdosta to have a quick lunch with Brian since he had been working out of town that week.  After that, we continued down to Melbourne.  Our drive down was uneventful, and we were HAPPY to be there.  Once we got settled, it was time for everyone the kiddos to head to bed.  Laura and I enjoyed catching up and enjoying some adult beverages. 
Friday, Laura had to work, so I watched the children.  We swam for a bit, and they played games inside.  That night, we headed to Chili’s for supper, and a guy stopped at the table to make each of the kids a balloon animal/thing.  Tina chose a flamingo, Micah chose a sword, Caleb chose a crocodile, and Hunter chose a penguin.  The balloons were a HUGE hit, and the kids enjoyed playing with them.  Once we were back home, the kids played in the neighborhood with the other children for a bit (this is a foreign concept here where we live, but I LOVE it…all of the kids/adults are outside congregating, and everyone is having a grand time.  If only it was like that here…).  We also enjoyed a few golf cart rides (again, not something you’d see around here, but the boys and I thoroughly loved being able to just ride the golf cart back and forth to places and around the neighborhood).
Saturday morning we got up and headed to the beach.  The beach Laura chooses to go to is just a quick 10 minute drive, and it’s never crowded.  It was REALLY nice enjoying the sun and sand without the crowd.  Micah was not too sure that he liked the sand and water at first.  However, after much coaxing, he warmed up to it and didn’t want to leave.  I’m hoping he’ll still feel this way when we head to Panama City with friends in two weeks.  Upon our arrival, Tina and the boys quickly found a dead fish that entertained them the entire morning.  Caleb also found a teeny, tiny seahorse.  Once we left the beach, we headed back to Laura’s house for swim time, rest, and more fun.
Sunday we enjoyed the pool some more and just chilled.  Sunday evening we headed to Steak and Shake for dinner, and then we treated the kids to Red Berry Frozen Yogurt.  It was very yummy, and they were all well-behaved for the most part. 
Monday it was time to head home.  We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and we were sad to leave.  However, we’re hoping they’ll take the time to head up to GA for a visit soon! 














The boys and I are heading to Panama City Beach with three other homeschool families/friends in less than two weeks.  We’re looking forward to MORE Fun in Florida. 

Freezer Cooking

If you remember, back in January I had a HUGE freezer cooking day.  Well, another one has been LONG overdue.  I just haven’t taken the time to get it done.  So, I have put together a plan.
Instead of having one huge time-consuming cooking day, I’m going to cook a little bit each day for a week or so and build up my freezer stock.  I’m hoping to start tomorrow (or tonight if I get the time).  Here’s what I’ll be cooking…

• Pre-cooked meatballs
• Pre-cooked German Frikadellen
• Beef Enchiladas (rolled up and ready to throw in a baking dish and top with sauce and cheese)
• Beef Chimichangas (already cooked and ready to re-heat)
• Pizza Crusts or Pizzas (not sure which I feel like doing)
• Pre-Cooked Crispy Parmesan Chicken Tenders
• Blueberry Muffins
• Banana Muffins
• Mixed Berry Muffins
• Pancakes
• Waffles
• French Toast Sticks

***Brian will do the latter three because he’s the resident pancake, waffle, French toast chef at our house***
That’s all I can think of right now.  Do you have any easy, quick freezer recipe ideas to share?  I’d love to see them to see if I’ll be able to incorporate them. 

Third Grade Week 9 in Review

Here’s how week 9 went for us…
Bible – Our Bible stories were on “God Made All Things” and “God Made Us Good.”  We read from Genesis 1:20-25, 26-28 and Genesis 2:7-8.  Caleb’s Bible verse for the week was Genesis 1:1.
Science – We finished up our study on plants by doing a few worksheets and an experiment.  We took white carnations and put them into colored water.  We then waited to see if the carnations would transport the colored water up through their veins (and they did of course).  Caleb thought it was really neat.  We also read Time for Kids Science Scoop PLANTS! by Brenda Iasevoli.




Social Studies – This week we reviewed everything we’d studied thus far, and Caleb took a review test.  I’m happy to report he scored 100%.  Once we were done with the test, we went on to our next lesson…”Other Explorers and Colonists.”  We read about Coronado, De Soto, Juan Cabrillo, John Cabot, and Cartier.  We discussed how St. Augustine is the oldest city, and I told Caleb we’d have to make an effort to visit. 
Reading – Caleb read the following stories:
How To Do Homework Without Throwing Up by Trevor Romain
All Aboard Reading Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland by Deborah Hautzig
Vocabulary – Caleb added “amaze, amazing, arctic, Arctic, court, elect, interval, league, limit, milestone, recreation, and tackle” to his list of terms.
Math – We worked on subtraction – three digit numbers.  I’m leaning towards changing math curriculums…I just don’t know if Math U See is working for Caleb.  I don’t know what we’ll use, but I’ll figure it out.  I’m just worried he’s not quite catching on to some of the concepts.
English – Caleb finished up another ACE Pace by taking a test.  We’ll move on to a new ACE Pace next week.
How’s your school year going?  Are your kids adjusting to being back on a schedule yet?  We’re slowly finding our groove. 

NOT Back-to-School Bash

This past Thursday we got together with our homeschool friends to have a NOT back-to-school bash.  Since we all start school at different times, this made more sense.  We started the day by playing some tennis.  We’re participating in the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award Program, so the kids learned the basics of tennis and played a few rounds.  This was great for Caleb because he plays tennis throughout the school year, so he was able to refresh his skills.  He did really well.  Micah had fun just “playing tennis without a racquet.”  LOL!
While the kids were playing tennis, some of us adults and the other children were hanging out in the shade.  All of a sudden we heard something crash to the ground.  At first, it was thought to be a mouse.  However, upon further investigation, it was actually a baby squirrel.  It was so tiny that it’s eyes weren’t even open.  One of the moms opted to take it to the vet when we realized getting it back up into the nest wouldn’t be an easy feat.  Hopefully, the vet was able to nurse it back to optimum health. 
After the tennis, we got together for some family fun games, and then a picnic lunch.  Since we were heading to Florida and meeting Brian down in Valdosta, we opted to skip this and head on out.  I’m sure those who stuck around had a blast.  I know we enjoyed our time at the park.