A peek into our homeschool adventures

Homeschool has been going very well for us.  We have been at it for a month now, and I can already see big improvements in Gabriela's reading and writing skills.  She is a hard worker and is very excited when it's time to show our teacher all the work we have been up to.

Here she is on her first day of homeschool, with a special breakfast.

 My little homeschoolers

 Last month we learned about animals: fish and sea creatures, insects, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and birds. During our insect week, we found a praying mantis, during bird week, we found and inspected an owl pellet in our front yard. It was full of fur, claws, molar teeth... super cool.  I am pleased to report that we didn't find any mammals during mammal week.

We did go on a guided insect walk at Tilden Park right after insect week. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and even caught a dragon fly so we could inspect it up close.

 We have been trying to get into a weekly routine to get us out and about and doing fun stuff.  On Mondays, we go to the library, Tuesday is cooking day, Wednesday we do science experiments, Thursday is field trip day - we have been to the Lawrence Hall of Science and to Little Farm to feed and watch the farm animals up and close.  Fridays are park day with other local homeschool kids and also ACTING class.  Gabriela has joined an acting class and will be in a performance of Mary Poppins in December.  She is so precious, memorizing her lines and practicing her songs and dances.

Here we are making pennies shiny again with lemon juice.

 Oh, and we got a few friends during bird week: four baby chicks that Gabriela has named Lavender, Scarlet, Pearl, and Sapphire.  We have two americaunas who will lay blue/green eggs, a Welsummer who will lay dark chocolate/copper color eggs, and a barred plymouth rock. 

 Gabriela and Sapphire

We are definitely newbies at this homeschooling business. But I think Gabriela is learning lots and we are having fun and spending time together.  Now we are learning about maps and landforms and bodies of water.  Fun times!