We're Going to Try K5 Learning

Over the past few years, we have tried a variety of different options for Math (with both of our kids), and we are still struggling to find the right fit. What a daunting task this has been! Each math curriculum we have used has worked well for a little while, or for a specific area of need, but we eventually come to a roadblock.

Well, a couple of weeks ago, I found out about K5 Learning. They have an online reading and math program for students in kindergarten to grade 5, as well as those with special needs.  I've been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program, so maybe this will be the answer for us. I'll be sure to let you know! 

If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an online learning review of their program.

Dairy Farm Field Trip

On Thursday afternoon, we took a field trip to a local Dairy Farm. It was a nice Fall day, and we all enjoyed the trip. It was fun and educational. Here are a few pictures...

Playing and "sledding" in the cotton seed. JJ is at the top.

EL standing by bales of hay.

Waiting for the cows to enter the milking barn.

One of the cows getting hooked up to be milked.

Outside looking at the cows.

One of the calves in the calf barn.

The kids all had the chance to milk a cow by hand. EL did not want to do it. JJ wasn't too sure about it, but finally took a turn. Here's a short video...

 

 

Fish, Fins, and Dried Corn

I don't have much to share this week. We still did our usual amount of school work (with the exception of Wednesday when we took a "sick day" due to JJ's cold, and also had a check-up with my doctor), but I only managed to take a few pictures.

 

Our SCIENCE focus was on FISH this week. Here are the Art projects the kids did, with the use of cardstock, colored pencils, goldfish crackers, glue and a black marker...

 

JJ's picture



EL's picture

A worksheet we did about the different types of fins on a fish. They each had to cut fin shapes out of construction paper and glue them to the fish, then label them. The kids each did their own worksheet, but this one is EL's.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How do the front fins help the fish?

ANSWER:  They help it go up and down in the water, and help it to slow down.

For HISTORY, we continued talking about Colonial Days, and the founding of each of the first 13 colonies. We focused on Maryland this week. And, we talked about the way the colonists had to preserve their food for the winter months. One way they did this was by drying and smoking their foods. The Native Americans taught them how to dry corn and store it in the ground. So, we made some of our own dried corn in the oven and tried it for a snack.

 

Place some thawed corn on a baking sheet and put in the oven at 175 degrees for about 4 hours, or until crunchy.

Eat as a snack!