Resurrection Eggs

We began our 12 days countdown to Easter using the Resurrection Eggs to tell the Easter story in a multi-sensory way.  I also found some excellent resources on 2 favorite blogs I follow: 1plus1plus1equals1 and 2teachingmommies, which compliment the Resurrection Eggs.  Be sure to check them out!

We then used our Jesus and the Donkey printable from 2 teaching mommies to help Jesus follow the palm branches to Jerusalem.  The kids had fun using their dot paints and dad had fun rolling the die.

It is these types of learning experiences that cement the lessons we are teaching into our childrens' hearts and minds and gives me the excitement to continue teaching our children.

3 SPD Kids and A Movie Theater

We recently went to the theater to see the movie "The Lorax" with all six of our children (ages 3-19). This is not something we do very often (maybe once or twice a year), but when we do our entire trip needs to be planned out.  As part of our homeschooling, we celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday and thought this would be a great opportunity to sneak in a "field trip".  We are also always looking for ways to incorporate social skills training since three of our children have special needs.  Our older children (17 and 19) expressed the desire to join us, which meant we needed to go to the movie on the weekend.  We decided on the first morning showing on Saturday, which was just before 11am.  No problem getting up and ready since some of our younger ones routinely wake up at 6:30am.  And yes, the teenagers still wanted to go.  We purchased the tickets ahead of time on fandango so we could eliminate one line, the ticket booth.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that the first showing is offered at a discounted price, which definitely makes purchasing the tickets online worth it even though there is a per ticket surcharge.

Since three of our children have SPD (sensory processing disorder) we need to be "extra" prepared.  We do the usual routine of making sure the children have eaten something and used the restroom immediately prior to leaving the house.  We know the boys are about to be bombarded with lots of new sights, sounds and smells that have the potential of causing a meltdown.  Our extra wiggly child (& the same child with an intense fear of the dark) dons his pressure vest for the calming effect.  I prepare a backpack with the usual supplies, along with a large supply of gummy snacks and the noise reducing headphones (just in case the theater is too loud for our auditory sensitive children).   We are prepared to purchase popcorn and an Icee for each of the children, but the gummy snacks are another calming tool or at the very least a distraction to help them remain in their seats.  We promise the children a reward of playing ONE game in the arcade after the movie IF they are able to remain in their seat through the entire movie.  We arrive about 30 minutes before the movie is to begin to allow us a choice of seats.  We are able to sit in the secondary front row (aisle seats) to allow for a quick exit if need be, it also prevents the children from being tempted to kick the chair in front of them.  This is when we "divide and conquer" (our mantra). One of us stays with the children and the other one goes to the snack bar for goodies.  Before the movie starts, we take another bathroom break.  Both my husband and I know that we may not be able to see the entire movie and we are okay with that.

The movie finally starts.  We shuffle children, gummy snacks and popcorn back and forth for a while; until the next bathroom break.  And another bathroom break.  And wouldn't you know it, our youngest (3 years old) is actually the one who isn't able to make it through the movie.  I took her out of the theater and let her run in the hallway until the movie was over.  The boys did awesome!  Since they remained in their seats through the entire movie, they were rewarded with a stop in the arcade to play one game.  And I am rewarded with a successful family outing!

           

President's Day Activities

Around the different holidays I scour some of my favorite websites looking for activities to do with my children.  Since our children are younger and have special needs, I prefer activities that are multi-sensory.

Our Stovepipe Hats:

  

1.  Long piece of construction paper
cut in half lengthwise, then rolled
up and attached.

2.  Trace two circles on another piece of black
construction paper (inner circle should be the
same size as the top of the hat).

3.  Starting at the center of the inner circle
cut circle in eighths then fold pieces back.

Glue to top piece.

 And the President is...

Johnathan

James

Amada
(looking a little like the mad-hatter)

 

Alex

Here are a few links of some of the activities I discovered:
Here is a coloring page of Washington and Lincoln (from Crayola).
KidsSoup President's Day Activities & Printables
Want to build a log cabin out of pretzel logs?
How about reading Abe Lincoln's Hat then making your own hat?
Abraham Lincoln Alphabet Code
Abraham Lincoln: Printable Early Reader Book
Penny Coloring Page (Abraham Lincoln)
Quarter Coloring Page (George Washington)
George Washington: Printable Early Reader Book
George Washington Alphabet Code
First-school President's Day Ideas (Preschool/Kindergarten Activities & Crafts)
February Calendar Connections: Presidents and blog post from 1+1+1=1

For your older children:
Abraham Lincoln: A Printable Book for Fluent Readers
George Washington: A Printable Book for Fluent Readers
Another favorite website of mine is Homeschool Share. Here is their President's Day Lapbook.

Six Flags: Read to Succeed

Are you a homeschooler?  I am excited to share that Six Flags is giving away FREE tickets in their Read to Succeed program.  Each homeschool child in grades K-6 is eligible and the teacher is provided a ticket as well.  All you have to do is register and each child needs to read 6 hours.  You will need to verify these hours BY March 1, 2012.

Expanding Expressive Language

Our children are currently receiving speech and language services through our local school district even though we homeschool.  It was there that I was introduced to the Expanding Expression Tool Kit.



It is a really great multi-sensory approach for improving oral and written language.  I created this free worksheet to go along with it as a visual tool for my children.  I printed & laminated one for durability.  Feel free to use for personal use only.

Adoption Tax Credit Awareness Day - February 13, 2012

Yes, there is an adoption tax credit and for tax years 2010 and 2011 it was made refundable.  Let me reassure you this is true.  You may have to wait several months (5 months in our case) to receive your refund and you may have to do some work (phone calls and mailing documents), but if you are entitled to take the credit you will receive the refund.  In our case, we finalized the adoption of our sons (3 biological brothers who were in our home as foster children) in 2007, but because we were able to carry-over the unused credit from previous tax years we were able to now claim it as a refund.  Imagine our surprise!

I am attaching this post from Voice for Adoption which also has links to the exact IRS forms/instructions.  Even if you adopted children from foster care and didn't spend any money on the adoption, you may still qualify.  I would recommend consulting a tax advisor if you are unsure.

Does This Compel You?

I came across this article written by a public school educator and administrator: 12 Most Compelling Reasons to Homeschool Your Children and I thought I would share it.  Some of these were definitely true for us, but they are only a handful of the reasons we chose to homeschool.  One comment from a teacher last year (when our children were still in public school) that really sticks out in my mind is "I treat all the kids in my classroom the same.  I don't want anyone to stand out as different."  Really?!?  As a parent, I know that what works as a reward for one child may not work for the next.  That's the joy of getting to know your children.  We do not all speak the same Love Language. We are all unique individuals with our own quirkiness.

Math, The Fun and Easy Way

Sometimes you need a quick activity and here is what we came up with one day.  We had these foam number dice on hand (I knew they would come in handy for something).  I had each of the boys sit down with a piece of paper, pencil, and a set of dice.  Dad helped too!

They rolled their dice and wrote their own equation, then solved it.  Everyone was just working on addition on this particular day.  To make it easier for Johnathan, I divided his paper into squares which he was to write the equations in.  This helped with his organization!

Even though this wasn't particularly challenging, the boys had fun and were able to practice setting up their equations.  I didn't have to copy any worksheets beforehand which made it even better.

~Nicole~

Chicken Salad

This is a family favorite for lunch and very simple.  I boil the chicken (seasoned with fresh onion and garlic powder).  Let it cool, then mash with our Pampered Chef Mix 'n Chop.  Chop celery and dill (or sweet) pickles.  Add mayonnaise and mix.  Serve with Wheat Thins, on a salad, or as a sandwich. Enjoy!

Fall Tree Craft

I found this idea from one of my favorite blogs.  Here is her post on this project 

(plus SO much more): 1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com

First, we dot-painted the ground (white construction paper) to represent the fall leaves.

Then we painted paper towel rolls to represent our tree.  This was the favorite part and the kids concentrated so hard making sure to cover every spot.

Love how Amada is "observing"

To finish it up I cut slits on the bottom of the paper towel tubes and glued/taped to their "ground".  I also cut slits in the top of the tubes and bent them for the branches.  I cut leaves out of construction paper using fall colors, then the kids glued them to their trees and ground.

Here is the finished product!  Theses turned out great and the kids had a fun time making them.

Budding Photographer

Our oldest daughter, Adriana, is a senior in high school and has recently taken an interest in photography.  We invested in a REALLY nice camera and she is now in charge of taking family pictures.  Take a look at some of her recent captures while we were camping.  

Alex, 9

Amada, 2

Amada, look at those dimples

Dad, climbing a HUGE rock

James, 7

Johnathan, full of energy

mom, in camping mode

The kids found a fort on the beach made from driftwood.

Alex hiding.