10 in 10: Favorite Read Alouds

Welcome to Week 4 of the Ten Weeks of Top Ten Lists  

sponsored by  iHomeschoolNetwork.

Over the next ten weeks, many bloggers will be sharing

their Top Ten lists on various topics.

Today's topic:

Top Ten Read Alouds

**********************************************

OK,

this is a HARD topic for me,

since I am a big children's literature fan.

(Seriously-

I have tubs and tubs of children's books

in my garage...)

I have chosen to focus on 

picture books,

but there are MANY good chapter books

I could have chosen from too.

********************************************

 

1.  Green Eggs and Ham

by

Dr. Seuss

You can't go wrong with Dr. Seuss, right?

I think the reason I love this books so much

as a read aloud is because of the

repetition and rhyme.

My kiddos are always chiming in with me

the further we get in the book...

******************************************

2. Brown Bear,

Brown Bear,

What Do You See?

by

Bill Martin Jr.

Another children's classic,

this book is SUCH a great one to read aloud,

again,

for the repetition.

I love to see if my kiddos can repeat back to me 

all the colors and animals

at the end of the story...

******************************************

 3.  Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

by

Patty Lovell

This book is loved by kiddos both

big and small!

It's message is about

making the most of what you are given,

and being proud of who you are,

"flaws" and all.

The illustrations MAKE the book,

however.

I want to own every children's book

that David Catrow has illustrated...

********************************************

4.  Curious George Learns the Alphabet

by

H.A. Rey

 OK,

 ANY Curious George book is a good read aloud

in my opinion,

but this particular book

has a great way of illustrating the alphabet.

We used this book with Baby Girl

and Little Wild Man

to created alphabet art inspired

by H. A. Rey's illustrations...

****************************************

5.  An Invitation to the Butterfly Ball:

A Counting Rhyme

by

Jane Yolen

"Knock Knock!

Who's come to call?

An invitation to the Butterfly Ball!

One little mouse in great distress,

looks all over for a floor-length dress.

If she can't find one, smaller than small,

then she can't go to the

Butterfly Ball."

I have these words imprinted on my brain

from my childhood.

At one point,

I had the entire book memorized-

it was my favorite!

The pictures in this book are

DELICIOUS.

Not only is it written rhyme and repetition,

it also focuses on counting.

(I am sad to say you will have to purchase

this book used if you want one-

it is out of print...)

*****************************************

 6.  The Mitten

by

Jan Brett

I was first "introduced" to Jan Brett's books

during an education class in college

and I feel in love with them.

The Mitten, in particular,

is one of my favs

because of the borders she uses to help

with perdition in the story.

Her illustrations MAKE kiddos

want to listen to more...

*****************************************

7.  Mystery in Bugtown

by

William Boniface

I LOVE reading this story to my kiddos

because I get to put my

"acting skills"

to the test.

There are a host of characters in the story,

and I love to give them each their own accent,

which my kiddos seem to enjoy.

Also,

the set of giant

"wiggly eyes" gives each character

a hilarious appearance-

who doesn't like a good giggle

when they are reading?

****************************************

8.  Willy Bear

by

Mildred Kantrowitz

This is another classic story

from my childhood.

It is about a boy who is getting ready to go to school

for the first time,

and he keeps asking his bear if he is nervous-

transposing his own fears onto

his best fluffy friend.

It is such a sweet story,

and a good story to cuddle up and read

to any kiddo who is nervous about

a new experience...

*****************************************

 9. Llama Llama Red Pajama

by

Anna Dewdney

I think I read this story about 

5,000 times to my kiddos over the years-

They-love-it.

I do to,

because who isn't scared of the night sometimes?

Little Llama just has a honest way of expressing

his fear,

and Mama Llama knows just what to say to

comfort her little one...

********************************************

10.  Where the Wild Things Are

by

Maurice Sendak

Let the wild rumpus begin!

Again,

another book form my childhood

that I am 

oh-so-happy

to share with my own kiddos.

Every kiddo gets mad with their parents

sometimes,

and this book just illustrates

how one little boy uses his imagination to 

"cool off."

A classic...

***************************************

Check out other 

"Top 10" lists

by clicking HERE...

10 in 10: Reasons My Kiddos Like Being Homeschooled

 Welcome to Week 3 of the Ten Weeks of Top Ten Lists  

sponsored by  iHomeschoolNetwork.

Over the next ten weeks, many bloggers will be sharing

their Top Ten lists on various topics.

Today's topic:

Top Ten Reasons My Kiddos Like Being Homeschooled

*******************************************

 Golly,

this was a fun post to write!

 I was rather amused by the brief interview

of my kiddos

and their answers...

***************************************

 1.  We love sleeping in...staying up later!

These two reasons go hand in hand.

I have to admit,

"sleeping in"

(wanting a change in our lifestyle)

was one of the BIG reasons

we began our homeschooling journey...

(But I will discuss more about that in

a future post-

this is about the kiddos right now...)  ;0)

We are a family of Night Owls,

NOT Early Birds,

so when we stay out late to...

  ...look at the stars and planets,

it is no big deal,

'cause we can sleep in the next morning!

*************************************

 2.  We love going on Field Trips!

We are big into exploring our world!

In this picture above,

our family took a spontaneous mid-week trip

to Atlanta,

and Red Top Mountain State Park

was one of the places

  we visited while we were there.

(We LOVE the flexibility of homeschooling!)

***********************************************

3.  We love making crafts!

We are "hands-on" kinda learners here at

The Fantastic Five,

so being able to incorporate crafts into

our lessons just adds to the fun of our learning!

***************************************

  4.  We get to stay at home.

I was rather surprised by this response,

since the kiddos are always asking to go places,

but I think what they are referring too 

is being able to learn

in a comfortable and safe environment.

What a lovely thought...

******************************************

5.  We get to see Mommy everyday.

I PROMISE, I did not prompt this response!  :0)

They really like spending time with me

as their teacher,

which I will ALWAYS cherish...

**************************************

6.  We love to meet other homeschooling friends!

They enjoy meeting all kinds of people,

especially other homeschooling kiddos.

In this picture above,

 Baby Girl is pictured on the far right.

She discovered that the girl beside her

is homeschooled just like she is!

Oh yes,

we have many friends in public and private school,

but it is always nice to meet others who are sharing your same

educational experience.

We used to get to go to a local homeschool co-op group

once a week,

but I was not able to let the kiddos participate this year

due to our financial need for me to babysit.

(I know the kiddos miss the co-op-

maybe I will be able to work something out 

for them this next year...)

******************************************

 7.  We have no homework so we can play with our

neighborhood friends.

The kiddos are always "chompin' at the bit"

when the big yellow school bus

rolls by in the afternoon.

They are ready to play with their neighborhood pals,

and they often are ready to by then,

since they do not have homework.

(However, sometimes they have to wait for their

friends to get done with their homework...)

******************************************

 

Picture I took of the girls reading

on the way home from a library trip.

8. We get to work at our own pace.

Both Baby Girl and Jungle Girl

mentioned this reason.

My Baby Girl had a harder time

getting reading to "click,"

and because of homeschooling,

I was able to "re-do" a year of school

without her feeling like she was "stupid."

(And re-doing a year worked!

She is reading like crazy now...)

Jungle Girl likes the fact that

when she gets done with her school,

she doesn't have to wait on others

to  move on to something else,

which she had to do in the public school.

********************************************

 9.  We get to do school in our PJ's!

There are MANY days when the kiddos

do not get dressed until after school-

and that is OK by me!

It is the BEAUTY of homeschooling...

**************************************

  10.  Mommy takes out pictures everyday.

I was surprised by this one too.

 Well, maybe not...

I have been making them pose for me

and "surprising" them with my camera since

birth.

I think what they like is seeing themselves

on the blog...

 ...ESPECIALLY when they have been being goofy.

 I am creating little "hams"...

****************************************

To see why other kiddos

like to homeschool,

and to check out other 

"Top 10" Lists,

just click HERE...

10 in 10: Must Have Items for Homeschooling

Welcome to Week 2 of the Ten Weeks of Top Ten Lists  

sponsored by  iHomeschoolNetwork.

Over the next ten weeks, many bloggers will be sharing

their Top Ten lists on various topics.

 Today's topic:

Top Ten Must Have Items for Homeschooling

*******************************************

1.  Hands-On Bible

This is my "go-to" Bible for quickie, fun,
interactive Bible lessons for my kiddos...

2.  Workbox Carts

We began using the

Workbox System

during this year of homeschool.

(You can see how we set our system up in greater detail

by clicking HERE...)

I am not always the most consistent with keeping those boxes full,
but when I am,
these boxes/system are a LIFESAVER-
especially when i am watching other kiddos
while I homeschool.

3.  File Folders

We use file folder for lots 'o stuff around here, like:

*Keeping finished papers filed (DUH!)

*Keeping weekly lessons organized

*Making Educational Games

(This game is from Homeschool Share's
Mr. Popper's Penguins
unit study.)

*Lapbooking!

 (Here is the lapbook we created last Summer
during our Bible Study about
Fruit of the Spirit Lapbook.)

4.  iPad

We received a "family" iPad
from Nana and Papa this past Christmas,
but Super Dad and I never get to use it.

The kiddos have taken it over-
and that is fine be me!

There are some excellent educational apps
and books that the kiddos
enjoy when they are done with their school work.

(This has ESPECIALLY been a "lifesaver"
with Little Wild Man-
normally, he gets done with school first,
and these games keep him "busy with a purpose"
until the rest of us are done with school.)

Here are a couple of of our fav educational apps:

Hungry Fish

Stack the States

5. Laminator

 I may have a tiny lamination problem.

But I can't help it-
it makes all our hand created manipulatives and games
so much more durable...

6.   My laptop

 And by laptop,
I am also including the Internet.

These technological devices
have SAVED our lessons a time or two...

7.  Library Card

Well, our taxes are paying for it,
so why not use it?  ;0)

I have really started using the library's
"holding" books system more,
and we have been able to learn about
Space, Chinese New Year, etc.
so in depth because of our
library card.

8.  Recycling Bin

Yep-
I love trash.

Old egg cartons,
plastic tubs,
bits of paper-
I hold on to more of these items than I
perhaps should-
but they have enabled our
hands-on lessons to be more fun
and creative...

9. Math-U-See Curriculum

I asked Jungle Girl which piece of
curriculum she thought was most important
in her homeschooling,
and she said
Math-U-See.

She really likes the way the instructor
teaches on the DVD's-
and the the poor thing knows that Math
is NOT her Mommy's
strong suit...

10.  Dining Room Table

Oh, how many things we have learned about
sitting together at this table!

It is in need of a refinishing job,
but in a way,
I would miss all the marks, and scratches-
those are evidence of all the fun
we have had as a family at this table!

****************************************

Wanna join in the fun?

Just go HERE and link up your own

"Must Have" list,

or any other Top 10 List you would like

to write about....

10 in 10: Favorite Homeschooling Sites

Welcome to Week 1 of the Ten Weeks of Top Ten Lists  

sponsored by  iHomeschoolNetwork.

Over the next ten weeks, many bloggers will be sharing

their Top Ten lists on various topics.

 Today's topic:

Top Ten Websites to Use for Homeschooling.

(I determined my list by how I often I visit these sites

for inspiration-

though I am definitely inspired by many more than just

these 10...)

**********************************************

Here are my 10 Ten, in no particular order:

1.  Pinterest

Yes,

this is perhaps one of the most ingenious sites every created!

I can now keep all my school ideas organized

without having to create a MILLION

bookmark folders.

(You have to be "invited" to participate,

so if you want to join in the fun,

shoot me an email at

hockmana3@yahoo.com

and I will be happy to invite you!)

****************************************

2.  Almost Unschoolers

If you are a "hands-on" kinda-schooler,

you need to check out Leah's site.

She is continuously amazing me with her ideas,

cookies (yes-cookies can be very educational),

and creative lessons.

We use her recipe for Candy Cane Fudge...

 ...quite frequently in this house around Christmas time,
and I have a TON of her other activities pinned
for future use...

****************************************

3. Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational

This Mama has a desire to educate her son
extra with fun after school school projects.

We recently completed her lesson called
"If I were a Constellation"...

 ..and became our own Constellation pictures.

******************************************

4.  Homeschool Share

If you like to use lapbooking or notebooking
in your homeschool,
you HAVE to check out this site!

All three of my kiddos have been using
some of the information created by
Homeschool Share's Space Lapbook...

...during our recent Space Study.

*********************************************

5.  Confessions of a Homeschooler

Not only have we used her
excellent, FREE Preschool printables...

...like this
"G" is for Gumball Game...

 ...Erica's 10 Days Series on Homeschool Enrichment
really helped refocus me going into
my 3rd year of Homeschooling.

She is such an encouragement to me,
and I bet she will be to you, too,
once you check out her blog...

****************************************

6.  Homeschool Creations

Another godly woman,
like Erica,
who has a generous and creative heart.

She has much encouragement to offer
through her blog,
as well as the BEST free Preschool Units.

Little Wild Man recently had fun completing
the activities in her
Star Wars Preschool Pack-
isn't puppet Yoda too cute?

***************************************

7.  KatherineMaries.com

OK,
this site seems like it is just pure
EYE CANDY
since Katherine Marie is a professional
photographer.

However,
I am consistently inspired by her site
for unit ideas to create for my own kiddos.

Her activities, like this President's Day Unit,
inspired me to have a full day of...

...fun with Dr. Seuss!

******************************************

8.  Mama Jenn

Oh how Mama Jenn's printables
have spiced up...

 ...our Calendar Time!

She is a HARD-WORKING mother
to five kiddos and she still finds time to help out
other homeschooling families
with her great posts and free printables.

(Mama Jenn's Education Cubes website
is also well worth looking into...)

**********************************************

 9.  Hubbard's Cupboard

This site really helped me organize
and bring Preschool Education
to my kiddos when they were younger.

This site is one of the reasons I began
my journey in homeschooling.

If you know ANYBODY who has
2-6 year olds,
recommend that they go to this site-
it will help them greatly! 

10.  Catholic Icing and Mustard Seeds

Yeah, yeah-
I know I am "cheating" a bit here
by adding an extra site tot he list,
but I really need to mention both of these sites.

Theses ladies have helped breath life
into our Bible lessons...

*******************************

I am not Catholic,
but many of Lacy's ideas over at
Catholic Icing are teachings from the Bible.

She has so many cute and fun ways to
make the Bible come alive for kiddos...

...like these
"Palm" Palm Branches and Foot Donkeys.

****************************************

Mustard Seeds
challenged me this year to make an effort
to make Easter as special as I do Christmas...

One of the ways we did so was by creating our own...

...Hill of Calvary garden,
using Mustard Seed's instructions.


*************************************

Again,
these are just a FEW of the websites
that inspire our Homeschool
on a daily basis.

Head on over to the
Many Little Blessings Blog

to check out many other
inspiring homeschool blogs...

You can click HERE to see what other
Top 10 Homeschooling lists
are coming over the next few weeks...