The Carnival of Homeschooling: the Front Porch Re-Opening and other April Goodness Edition

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I looked through our photo archive to see what was ‘typical’ for us for April. 


Sara’s post at Handmade Homeschool sums up the best of what I found – and takes away any guilt about it in Permission Slip.

We usually brought the furniture up from the basement for the front porch, though we were wearing long sleeves while we hung out there. The front porch is where we hold our discussions and visit the passing neighbors. 

Chrysalis posted a video to discuss at http://chrysaliscom.blogspot.com/

Sage Parnassus reflects on Charlotte Mason’s view of the child vs Herbartianism.  So, is the teacher pouring knowledge into a child, or does the child have a active role?  At what age?  What is the nature of a child?  Do you teach the way you were taught? 

The Thinking Mother asserts that the Majority is Grey Area – listen, be civil, you can learn from many people.

Alasandra’s Homeschool Blog takes on Stupid and Insulting Questions in her discussion.

The Common Room found a video discussing the hidden costs of public education.

There was sit down school.


Katherine’s husband at No Fighting, No Biting  recently took over a school day at So…Do you Still Want to Homeschool?

Why Homeschool presents the Value of memorization

Living Creatively just finished a darling volcano lapbook. The closest volcano to us is Great Blue Hill near Boston – it’s extinct, but the boys get excited whenever we drive near it on the highway.


It was a great time to try new recipes, and again it was a transition time: when else would we eat popsicles in turtlenecks? 

We really got into field trips.

You don’t need to smell the black powder to study history: Karen’s History Project recommended two resources: Our Story Interactive, and H.S.I. Historical Scene Investigation.


Though some  field trips were more of a hit than others.


  We went out to hike as much as possible; sometimes in full winter gear.  There were rocks

Our Home and School Blog recently recorded some geology unit studies at Here it is – three weeks worth.


There was plenty of mud.


There was plenty of bugs.


OK, technically, this is not a bug; but check out the spider the Fisher Academy photographed in Peru!  They also list why to study nature, and some resources.


Sometimes both mud and bugs in a garden.

Can you rush a tulip bud?  What about a child? Learning As We Go reflects On the Cusp.



The Handbook of Nature Study’s family finished up studying a tulip tree in their yard; unfortunately they are still figuring out its height as its shadow hits a building.  What a lovely drawing in the nature journal.



A Private Eye Nature writes "I recently discovered The Private Eye program and it has really invigorated our nature studies, creative writing, art, and science–so much so I created a new blog to share ideas about it."

We played games.

The Math Mama starts her Math Salon with games at Richmond Math Salon and Base Three. Then the Parents and Children (including homeschoolers) investigate some mathematics together.  This entry describes a typical Saturday Afternoon; perhaps a co-op could emulate it.



MrsMamaHen has glorious photos of a Homeschool Football League game, my oldest son said it looked like a lot of fun.


We played Hide and seek.


One thing I don’t want hiding from my children when they are grown is their money: They need to learn to handle it now. Barbara Frank is holding a contest this week for a copy of her upcoming book Life Prep for homeschooled teenagers at Raising Financially Literate Kids.


There were forts.


Sometimes, as wonderful as forts are, we just have to do school, and it’s not always the kids that are reluctant.  Home Spun Juggling writes, "Ever find exactly what you need to help explain a subject you aren’t good at? It feels great, doesn’t it?" in comic strip # 468.  (I now have this book on reserve at our library, and my tall son said that I’m awesome because I did! THANKS Home Spun Juggling!)
Mama Squirrel at Dewey’s Treehouse  lists 11 Favorite Low Cost/No Cost Homeschool Stuff.  I love this blog, I haven’t made the granola bars yet, but the Charlotte Mason posts have me thinking!


There was plenty of blocks.

Here is my son’s portrait of Pikachu.  Heart of the Matter Online gives instructions (and options!) for Hand-on Artist Study; Making Reproductions.  What a great point that children need to learn that art work goes through revisions like writing does.  For that matter, children need to learn that writing goes through revisions.
love2learn2day stared a Geometry Class for children aged 7 to 10 – Developing Geometric vocabulary and sorting in a young child can really help them later in High School.  You can read the follow up here.

Math Mama Writes recently posted about a math salon with polydron building ‘toys’ it sounds like all the families enjoyed exploring why there are only 5 Platonic solids.
 


  There was time to lounge inside, usually when someone was reading aloud.

A lot of reading aloud and a lot of phonics together make for confident readers…eventually…! 


Homeschooling – A Great Privilege writes about Spell to Write and Read, my favorite way to learn Phonics, here, and here.


Is the dreary reputation of book reports founded?  Jimmie’s Collage argues "NO," in First Real Book Report. This post has practical suggestions: I’m going to bookmark it!


(On) The Road (to becoming a scholar) also writes about Spell to Write and Read, choosing the curriculum, and how it has worked out for them.
 

We re-organized the house.


We took plenty of walks.


Where we heard many birds sing.  My daughter has begun to wake when the birds to, announcing "Deh Zhing." The Nerd Family recently studied the human ear quite frugally…free.

  We played in ponds.

  We went to the play ground.


Which in our town is right next to the library.  Parent at the Helm presents Resources by Becky Rupp. Trilobite cookies anyone?

And its a good thing they got outside, not just for the exercise, nature study, vitamin D, and fresh air, but it made them sleep well !


 Thank you for reading this week’s Carnival of Homeschooling.  Next week’s carnival will be at Home Spun Juggling. You can submit an entry from your blog at Blog Carnival (scroll down) or to CarnivalOfHomeschooling@gmail.com Most bloggers love comments, so remember to leave some interesting ones on the contributor’s sites.

Related posts:

Guest Blog from DH: Cars should not Float.
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Carnival of Homeschooling

12 Replies to “The Carnival of Homeschooling: the Front Porch Re-Opening and other April Goodness Edition”

  1. LOL! You are very welcome! I hope you enjoy the book!

    The carnival looks great. Thanks for putting it together!

    Peace and Laughter,

    Cristina

    Home Spun Juggling

  4. I love all your photos! Thanks for including my post in this week's carnival.

    Barb

    BarbaraFrankOnline.com

  7. Thanks for hosting and thank you for including my post. Love all the beautiful pictures.

  11. Thanks for the kind comments visitors! Thanks for the submissions contributors!

    This was a fun project,

    Christine