Learning Resources
Yes, we brought a TONNE of books with us for the year. I'm a teacher, and I planned the year in 3 segments, according to our travel schedule. The first load of books came with us in September. We'll donate most of them when we are finished using them, and will pick up the second batch when we're home for Christmas. The third collection will come with Alex and Simon's dad when he comes to visit us at March Break.
In addition to books, we are using many online resources, as well as some personal technology and of course a host of math manipulatives. Field trips are also going to play a major role in the learning, and I will be blogging about these throughout the year.
Below, you'll find lists of some of the resources I found helpful as I planned and executed my year of home-schooling. My curriculum map and rough unit plans are here. One thing about only having two students, and no admin breathing down my neck, is that I can do what actually WORKS for me as a teacher, in terms of planning, rather than what "looks good", but may not in actual fact be practical for the students in my class. :-)
In addition to books, we are using many online resources, as well as some personal technology and of course a host of math manipulatives. Field trips are also going to play a major role in the learning, and I will be blogging about these throughout the year.
Below, you'll find lists of some of the resources I found helpful as I planned and executed my year of home-schooling. My curriculum map and rough unit plans are here. One thing about only having two students, and no admin breathing down my neck, is that I can do what actually WORKS for me as a teacher, in terms of planning, rather than what "looks good", but may not in actual fact be practical for the students in my class. :-)
Home Schooling & Argentina
Home Schooling Argentina - Here's a site I found, describing what's happening with home schooling in Argentina right now. Until now, it's been rather uncommon to home school there, but there is a growing movement.
Learning About Argentina - Once we decided we were going, I decided to do a little intro unit for the boys. Every Friday night for about 8 weeks, we learned a bit about the country and its customs, reading about Argentina, colouring maps and watching videos. This woman's unit was helpful, as were the resources below:
Home Schooling Argentina - Here's a site I found, describing what's happening with home schooling in Argentina right now. Until now, it's been rather uncommon to home school there, but there is a growing movement.
Learning About Argentina - Once we decided we were going, I decided to do a little intro unit for the boys. Every Friday night for about 8 weeks, we learned a bit about the country and its customs, reading about Argentina, colouring maps and watching videos. This woman's unit was helpful, as were the resources below:
Literacy Games and Websites These are primarily those from TVO Kids, as recommended by the Ontario Lit Guide for Parents, K-6 SPELLING & VOCAB: Word Magic - Spelling Game for one or two players Spelling Fleas - complete a word Spot and Spell - spelling dictation Bump-A-Word - builds descriptive vocab Big Escape - narrative seek and find game to learn parts of speech READING: Blackbeard Galley Chef - Recipe builder for kids Brain Melter - Riddle of the Day Art Artbot - Videos and interactive art activities Mona Lisa - Virtual manipulative sticker book General Educational Websites
http://www.earthrangers.com/ www.pebblego.com http://learnzillion.com/lessons www.TVOkids.com |
Math Resources Doing Math with your Child - an excellent resource from the Ontario Ministry of Education (in partnership with TVO Kids), for parents of children aged Kindergarten to Grade 6. Smart Bansho - my bank of Smart Board lessons from last year... will TOTALLY be using these!!! All five strands of the Ontario Math curriculum are addressed here. (You need Smart Notebook 11 to make it work.) Build Math City - virtual geometry for kids! Math is Fun - a variety of information, games and defintions in the different strands of math |
Science
Dr. Ben Senburner's Lab - virtual science experiments (a little bit of a stereotype with the guy in the white lab coat, but nevertheless a fun and educational resource)
Also heavily leaning on the Nelson Literacy Series for Grade 4... click images above for more info.
Dr. Ben Senburner's Lab - virtual science experiments (a little bit of a stereotype with the guy in the white lab coat, but nevertheless a fun and educational resource)
Also heavily leaning on the Nelson Literacy Series for Grade 4... click images above for more info.
Bible Study
Teaching my kids at home means I can intentionally include the Scriptures as part of our curriculum. I can make overt connections between the books we read and the model Jesus provides for us.
Although some sites like this one exist, I'd like to get beyond the colouring pages and word searches, and move into the meat of what it all means... especially to a 9-year-old who may not be entirely sure of his beliefs just yet.
Anyone got any suggestions for online Bible studies that are open-minded, non-cutesy, and appropriate to older kids? For now, we've been doing a word unscramble of a different passage each week, then reading it in context, and thinking and talking about application to our own lives. But I'm open to other ideas.