Homeschooling: Week of Feb. 20, 2012

Here's Bug, working on an experiment with air.

I'll start with what Bug did this week: in his Sonlight science, he read about reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. He also did experiments with air. He is absolutely having a blast with his science! He usually asks to go online after school to research more about something he studied in science. You can't beat that! In math, Bug has a daily review and a time drill, along with new concepts. He is learning all of his multiplication facts and also learning to add three digit numbers. He really likes his math!

Moving on to Doodles: she is reading the most fascinating book in her Sonlight science. It is called The History of Medicine. I enjoy reading it myself, and Doodles is learning so much from it. For example, she was outraged this week when she read about doctors (a long time ago) who refused to wash their hands. They thought it was beneath them! So instead they spread diseases from person to person. Thankfully one brave doctor stood for what is right and now doctors are required to wash their hands. She's also read about how anesthesia came about, among many other things. Want to know more? I suggest you read this book for yourself. :) In math, Doodles continue to learn more about fractions, percents, and decimals, along with daily review of previous concepts. Plus, she has a time drill daily. Love Saxon math!

Baby Girl is working on object permanence with some activities from this book. She is also working on opening and closing drawers, which is an idea from this book using Montessori methods. Her vocabulary and communication skills are really starting to develop. She also practices writing on her dry erase board, as well as continuing with other Montessori activities, such as sliding beads, pinning clothespins, and playing with her kitchen set. We also listen to Wee Sing Nursery Rhymes and Finger Plays, and Baby Girl loves to sing along!

In Sonlight history & geography, which Doodles and Bug do together, we just finished our study of The Civil War. As a fun follow-up activity, we watched Gone With the Wind. Also, we have a new favorite read-aloud from this core: Across Five Aprils. It is such a good book, and it really helped us to feel the struggles and pains our nation underwent during the Civil War. Also, it made me shed quite a few tears, especially since my oldest child is in the Army and is currently deployed. It is amazing to me how some of  our read-alouds can actually make me cry over events that I studied again and again in my own school years. Truly, Sonlight brings history to life!

Parenting a Visually Impaired Child

Well, it's a roller coaster ride most of the time. Sometimes it's exhilarating, such as when Baby Girl finds and picks up small items, or when she discovers a favorite toy under the table or a chair and grabs it, or when she slides beads or writes on her dry erase board, just to mention a few moments that make us smile. At other times, it feels like a daunting challenge...wondering what the future holds for her, wondering if she will be able to read large print at all, or if she will read Braille only. What's a mom to do? Well, first of all, pray and trust God with the future. Only He knows what is to come; and He certainly knows the plans He has for Baby Girl's life. The second thing: learn Braille. Yep, that's right. And that is what I am currently doing, thanks to the Hadley School for the Blind. So, I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks! That is, if she is willing to learn. I am definitely willing, as I am not only Baby Girl's mother, but also her teacher. Plus, I feel empowered when I take on the things that challenge me most and the things that I fear. I also discovered this company, which has inexpensive Braille books for children. With today's technology and internet, you can find almost anything you set out to find. So, if you're out there, having doubts about the future, or fears about teaching your child(ren) with special needs, first you should cast all your cares and worries on the One who loves you and your children the most and commit all your works to Him. Then ask God to lead you to the best sources that will help you educate yourself so you can teach your child(ren.) He holds all of eternity and sees all that is to come. Ask, and He will answer. Just be prepared for the unexpected! Really, if someone had told me three years ago that I'd be learning Braille today, I would have thought they were crazy. Yet, here I am, taking on this challenge. With God's grace, I will be successful and will be able to teach it to Baby Girl. After all, He placed her in our family, just like He placed your child(ren) in your family. So, get moving in the direction He has for you!

Great Giveaway: $25 iTunes Card

Who would like to win this? I would, I would! Baby Girl has an iPad2 and it is so beneficial to her education. Follow this link for your chance to win!

Baby Girl's Alphabet Chart

Thanks to a great idea from Baby Girl's vision therapist, I made this alphabet chart for her. I used black posterboard and bright pink letters so there would be a contrast of colors. This chart also serves as a "learning to spell your name" activity for Baby Girl. Her name is on the opposite side of the posterboard, so I can just flip it around to work on her name. I purchased all of the materials at our local Dollar General. Can't beat that!

This is the alphabet chart. The letters are 4 inch. They are like Post-It notes-sticky at the top only. So I glued them on the posterboard.

For the activity, Baby Girl matches a blue letter with its pink counterpart. As I stated above, the letters are sticky at the top, so the blue ones go on & off easily.