Bigger Hearts for His Glory- Unit 15

This week we learned about the character trait, initiative.  We talked about the importance of initiative and learned that many great leaders showed initiative in their decisions.  

Our bible verse was Proverbs 13:13. 

In poetry, we read and copied. The copy work is going well and the handwriting is getting better and better for each of our littles. 

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We started the week with an art project. Who doesn't love autumn? 

The kids divided their paper in 6 sections and drew a leaf in each section. They outlined with black sharpie and then erased any pencil markings they could still see. 

Next, they used watercolors to paint their leaves. 

And finished their projects by alternating the colors of the grid. These turned out so cute and they had a lot of fun making them. 

Here are the finished projects! They each did great and they are all unique and different! 

Watercolor Leaf Art

In Science, we took a closer look at a leaf.  Leaves have layers of cells. The veins carry food and water to the cells. 

The kids even colored their own in the science note booking pages. 

We learned that the deciduous trees  shed their leaves in autumn. Their leaves stop making chlorophyll and turn colors brown, gold, red, and orange. 

Plants that are living have stomata to 'breathe' through. 

We also learned about the different layers of a tree trunk. Tree trunks are made of rings. Each ring has a purpose for keeping the tree alive. 

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This week we read about some of the many battles of the Revolutionary War. George Washington and how he out smarted Cornwallis the British Army. I read the story and the kids acted out the narration with figures. 

We learned that Washington left several men to noisily dig barricades near the Delaware River. The British heard the movement and digging and thought Washington was simply preparing for the upcoming battle. 

Meanwhile, Washington had lead his army across the creek and around to surprise the British from behind.  They had nowhere to run and Washington defeated the enemy.  

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We learned that many important battles were fought near rivers during the Revolutionary War.  Washington showed initiative in crossing the Delaware River and attacking Trenton the day after Christmas. No one expected him to do it.

We read a story of George Rogers Clark. He was an American Colonel who stopped the British from sending Indians to kill the settlers in the west. He showed initiative when his army overtook 2 British forts. 

Marion's Tower

We read about Francis Marion who was a strong leader during the Revolutionary War.  The British called him 'Swamp Fox' because he was so hard to catch.  Marion was sneaky and hard to find. He  showed initiative and made a tall tower during the night. He was able to climb up and shoot fire down onto the British army.  The British surrendered their fort. 

We used stick pretzels to build our own towers. The kids enjoyed this! 

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The kids enjoy the daily speed drills for their math lessons. They have 2 minutes to complete as many correctly as they can. We keep track of their progress on a graph. 

Our oldest ds learned the 5 steps of long division this week.  He grasped the concept well and is excited to move forward with dividing larger numbers. 

Report cards went home. Lol! The kids all did great these last 15 units and I'm so happy to report we are already seeing many improvements. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to teach each of them. 

Be blessed and safe travels for Thanksgiving. 

Bigger Hearts for His Glory- Unit 14

I certainly love the fall on the east coast. There is so much beauty around and the cool weather makes it just about perfect. 

This week the character trait we learned about was leadership.

Our verse was Proverbs 11:14

For lack of guidance a nation falls,
    but victory is won through many advisors.

Our vocabulary words this week were tax, seine, and treason. 

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We read about the many colonists that banded together when the English troops were sent to force the colonists to submit to the English Parliments demands. The Parliment refused to stop heavily taxing the colonists. 

Tax Time

A perfect Monday following Halloween to reach into the candy bowl for a little taxing demonstration. I gave each child a pile of candy. Next, I made each child pay me taxes.  "If you're wearing purple pay me 3 pieces for taxes. If you had juice for breakfast pay me 4 pieces for your taxes.  If you live in a house with more than 2 bedrooms pay me 6 pieces."  Let me tell you....  Quickly, my little ones were furious! In fact, we saw tears, People! Of course, I gave them their candy treat back after I explained the concept.  They surely agreed with the American people!

We watched this cute video about the Tea Party.  You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-9pDZMRCpQ

British troops were sent to force the colonists to submit to the English parliament's demands.  The Revolutionary War began in Lexington, outside of Boston and George Washington was chosen to be the leader because of his braveness in the French and Indian War.

We read about John Knox and his expedition to lead a caravan to move artillery helping force out the British.  We learned that he persevered despite his many trials along the way.  The guns were nearly lost several times. George Washington was glad to welcome Knox and his guns to Boston! 

We finished the John Audubon book this week and while I was reading the kids were asked to draw the gift Jeane gave to his friend, Cecile. I thought they each did a great job with the gift of a candlestick wrapped with a stuffed snake! I love the unique details and the dragon flys in the snakes mouth just as we read. They are all different and that is what makes it so great teaching 3 kids!! 

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We read about Thomas Jefferson and how he was very intelligent and strong.  He was a talented writer and used his talent to write the Declaration of Independence.  It was signed by the members of Congress on July 4, 1776.

Our final story in history this week was about George Washington's battle at Trenton.  We learned that  the English and the Hessians were waiting for the Delaware River to freeze over so they could walk across to attack Washington's army.  Washington knew he couldn't let that happen and surprised the Hessians when they least expected on Christmas.

Washington's men marched through the snow barefoot and cold.  Some men even froze to death for our freedom.  We made our feet print art project and used a crayon to rub different textures to remind us of the sacrifices that have been made from the many troops. 

I love the snowflake addition to our project! 

Science Experiment

 Audubons adventure to North America was a success and his desire to have an American name, John Audubon.   He was excited to see a bald eagle. We learned that eagles can see 8 times better than we can!  We tried a quick experiment to show just how far. 

Measuring the distance we can see the mouse! 

We cut out a little mouse and the kids stepped back as far as they could until they couldn't tell it was a mouse anymore. It was approx 16 ft. Then I had them multiply it by 8.  Approximately = 128 feet They were surprised that an eagle can see so well!!

We also learned a few fun facts about birds. The most amusing to the kids was that an ostrich can reach 9 feet tall. It's eyeballs are 2 inches across in length. WOW! 

Our hymn was 'How Firm a Foundation' and the kids listened to it over and over this week. We learned that this hymn was written for people to sing to help them be bold and strong in a time of need.  We read Isaiah 41:10, Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Math was a great week introducing multiplication to the little one.  She's completed the Times Tales videos with brothers but, now backtracking some to teach the concept.  She is doing so great in math! We love CLE!

We read Joshua 1:1-9 and learned that Joshua sought God's help and guidance to do a job that seemed impossible.  God promises to be with those leaders who seek Him and follow His laws as they lead their people.

Why yes, my homeschoolers, you can dress in old baseball uniforms and have a  tournament after school today! Lol!  <3

We had a great week and hope that each of you did also!

If you'd like to take a closer look following our homeschooling journey, please like us on Facebook here:  https://www.facebook.com/takingoffwithhomeschool

See you next week!

Be Blessed!

Bigger Hearts for His Glory -Unit 13

This week our character trait was dependability.  Our verse was Proverbs 30:5

We read a story in history about the Frenchmen, Marquette & Juliet who were missionaries and traveled down the Mississippi River.  The Illinois Indian tribe was friendly to the explorers and gave them a peace pipe to take on their journey.   They depended on God to protect them as they explored the West.  

It became more crowded in the east and people began moving west over the Allegheny Mountains.  Both the French and the English claimed the land west of the mountains.  

We learned that there were many landforms and the French and English were fighting over the land beyond the mountains.  We learned about different landforms. Mountains, Hills, Valleys, Prairies...  The kids used whip cream to make their landforms. Although, one of mine opted to skip out on the mess, the others ate their mountains and licked their valleys. Fun project for sure! 

We also found this cute cut and paste project for landforms and the kids enjoyed working on this. 

We learned that during the French and Indian War, George Washington proved that he was trustworthy and dependable.  Washington fought under the British General Braddock who refused to change his military tactic to fit the wild land and people he was fighting.  Many of the men including the General were killed but, God spared Washington for greater things.

We studied more about owls in Science and learned interesting facts about them.  Owls are birds that have special adaptions to help them hunt and survive.

We learned about snakes slithering...  And I couldn't snap a picture quick enough but, they loved slithering on our wood floors.  We learned that snakes have poor eyesight and are hard of hearing so they use their tongue to follow a scent to catch their prey.

We talked more about the great Anthony Benezet and how he helped many Acadians that were sent to Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War.   He helped many people in his lifetime and could be depended on to help those in need.

We created a map of the area of the French and Indian War.  The French trappers and traders had been friendly with the Indians for a long time.  It was no surprise that the Indians banded with the French to get rid of the English settlers.  When the English moved over the mountains to settle in the west, tensions grew between France and England and finally resulted in the French and Indian War.

We received letters back from the ones we sent a few units prior requesting info on our heritage from great grandmother and grandfather. We did a compare and contrast diagram to show the differences and similarities in the families.  The kids thought it was neat to see it written out this way. We are certainly thankful and proud of our Christian family heritage. 

We hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. We made a trip to the vet with our puppy! 

See you next week! 

Be blessed!