Read Alouds this Week

I just discovered this link up to share what we have read aloud with our children during the past week.

We haven't done any reading aloud that isn't connected to one of the subjects we are currently studying.  For history we are using Story of the World 1.  This week we just started the first of the chapters on the Ancient Egyptians.  While there are a lot of good ideas in the teacher's manual, I figured I would get additional library books and expand on what is suggested.

We started reading both of these books this week.  From Egyptian Myths we read about Osirius, Set, and Isis.  Pharoahs and Foot Soldiers describes different jobs or occupations in Ancient Egypt.  We about the jobs associated with the Nile river. We also read a book about the Nile, but I returned it to the library today before I knew about this link up so I don't have a picture.

We've also been reading The Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat.  This is part story part instruction book.  Penrose is the authors cat who likes to sit among her notes and sketches about mathematics.  The text is written from Penroses' perspective when she encounters animated numbers and math concepts.  One of the concepts I read about this week was the square root sign.  The numbers was upset about how it changes their appearance how it forms numbers that are different in appearance from the rest of them, so number 2 brought the sign to Penrose to hide and keep safe from the other numbers.  However, the other numbers missed it and wanted it back and began to fight Penrose over it.  Thus a tussle ensued, but Penrose, being the smart mathematician he is, explained how the square root sign works and how it is helpful to all of them.  Then all of a sudden his mistress pulls the papers out from under Penrose and the short story is over.

Overall, there are 20 some concepts explained in the book in similar manner. Even though we aren't currently using these concepts in math work, it is fun to hear them explained in a different way and maybe when they are encountered in work they will be slightly remembered and not as overwhelming.

Also I started reading a set of Sports themed grammar books with my seven year old son.  The two we have looked at are Touchdown Nouns and Slam Dunk Pronouns.  They feature a sports announcer reporting on a big game in the respective sport and explaining the part of speech and its proper usage in the context of the game.  Sprinkled throughout the text are small boxes which give a short explanation of the parts of speech and how they work.  There is also a brief reinforcement activity at the end of each book.  Again, I don't have pics of these as I took them back to the library earlier today.

One read aloud that I would like to add to our day is some type of fiction/chapter book, but it just seems like it is so hard to fit in.  I have all kinds of ideas, but just don't seem to find the time.


The Reading Aloud Challenge is hosted by Debra at Footprints in the Butter.

A Morning of Art with Michael Albert

You may not have heard of this Pop Artist or his unique style of art, cerealism, but it is definitely worth checking out.  One day last week my children and I had the opportunity to spend the morning with him in his artist workshop, learning all about his unique style of art.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the items he has created and hearing the story behind many of them.  He definitely exhibits a unique perspective on our culture and lives through his work.  One thing which struck me was how much our culture has become commercialized and the made impact brands have on our daily lives.

 

This is one of Michael Alberts smaller works.  I love this!  I think it also applies to many other things we do, not just gluing art projects.   I think this will become a new phrase around my house.

His website has a listing of many engagements and workshops he has scheduled.   michaelalbert.com    Check it out.  If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of his workshops, DO IT.  If you have any interest in art you will be so glad you did.  Also if you have the chance to see a exhibition it is well worth it. But in the mean time check out his website as well as An Artists America. This is a book of many of his different works as well as the story of how he began doing this unique art.

Z is for Zoo

 
I was having a hard time trying to come up with a topic for Y or Z so I asked my children what they thought I should write about.  They said "zoo".  Since I wasn't sure what to write about the zoo I said they needed to help me write this entry.  So here is what they had to say about the zoo.

First, my daughter;

I like the priarie dogs because they kick dirt at each other when another one gets too close to their hole. I like the red pandas, but they don't look like pandas but are smaller and more orange than red. The children's zoo is also fun because you get to pet the goats. I also like to jump around in the mini splash pad.  Several times throughout the day they have live shows featuring various animals. It is fun to see the owls and other small animals.

I also like visiting my best friends, the penguins.  This is especially fun to do when it is hot outside as they keep the penguin house at 40 degrees.

Among the attractions I like to ride the train and carousel. On the train you get to ride around the whole zoo and see many parts of it without walking all over.  You can get out and see animals that are close and then get back on to go to another area.

I also really like the snake house, but my mom really would prefer not to go there. I also enjoy seeing the kangaroos. There is also a sea lion show which is interesting to watch. All the large cats are fun to see as well as the elephants.

Upon entering the visitors center is is fun to see the giant squid and shark which are suspended from the ceiling.


My sons thoughts on the zoo;

I like to see the meerkats because they like to dig holes.  I like to see them play around with each other. I also like the lions and monkeys.

Today he is being a man of few words. 

Penguin swimming

So those are my children's thoughts on the Zoo. 


ABC's of Homeschooling is hosted by Dawn at 5 Kids and a Dog.