Winter Activities. . By Lisa McAfee

My friend Lisa McAfee.  

Wow! winter has been putting on a little show here in SW Ohio the past few weeks. It was so cold here for a period of time that the Ohio River had big sheets of ice on it! So, when inclement weather has you housebound with your youngsters, how do you keep them happy and still focusing on school? How about some winter-inspired activities?

·         Make paper snowflakes. You can back your creations with tissue paper either white or colored for some pizazz and hang them from the ceiling and close to a light source so you can see through the tissue. (art)

·         Play a Scavenger Hunt- Instead of just hauling the books out from their usual location, why not create a scavenger hunt to start out the day? Not only have the schoolbooks hidden, but add a treat for a special surprise. Clues could be:  Clue #1 Go to the room where you brush your teeth. (Hide the clue somewhere in the bathroom such as under the wastepaper basket or inside the vanity. Clue #2 Go to the place where we eat our meals. (Hide the clue under the tablecloth or a placemat or salt and pepper shakers, etc.) Clue #3 Look in the place where pots and pans are kept.  Clue #4 Find the place where you rest at night. Here you can have the books hidden under the bed. Clue #5 Bring all of your books to the schoolroom and there you will find the treasure to begin our school day. Your treat can be a piece of fruit, a cup of hot chocolate, a new Read-Aloud book, or whatever you think would be a fun idea to have as a reward. (reading, physical education)

·         Create Word Poetry- Do you have old grocery fliers or magazines that you can cut up for this activity? You can create a simple poem that has two lines that rhyme or you can create a free verse poem. You can make the poem's theme as simple as food if all you have is grocery fliers or as elaborate as you like. Since we are in the middle of winter, what about that being the theme? (language arts)

·         DIY Window Clings- with a little bit of glue and some paint your son will have lots of fun making these. I bet you would enjoy making a few too! (art)

·         Window Clings

You will need for each color:

2 tablespoons White craft glue (like Elmer’s)

2 -3 drops Liquid food coloring

2 drops Liquid dish detergent

1 small paintbrush

Combine 2 tablespoons of glue with 2 drops of dish detergent. Add a few drops of food coloring and you are ready to make your design! Lay a page protector down so that you can paint your design (using your paintbrush) directly on it so it will be easy to pull off when it is dried. You can create your own designs or use cookie cutters and paint inside of them.  Make your design about 1/4 inch thick. If you make it too thick it will take a long time to dry. If you are using a cookie cutter, let the glue set for a few minutes before removing it. Let designs dry overnight, poke with your finger to see if they have set well enough to remove from the page protector without tearing.  Carefully peel off of the page protector and place on your windows.

Make popcorn and cups of tea or hot chocolate and snuggle up with a great Read-Aloud book. I just finished the 1957 Newberry Medal, Miracles on Maple Hill, by Virginia Sorensen. This is a delightful book about a family who is in need of a miracle for their father who has come home from the war and how an old homestead restores him and his family.  (language arts)

Lisa McAfee bio:

I am an alumni home educator of two sons and Ohio licensed teacher with over 30 years of teaching experience in a variety of settings. I have been assessing homeschool students’ work for the past 17 years and enjoy helping empower and encourage homeschool moms with their homeschooling.  www.schoolmarmohio.com 

Repost: January Author Robert Munsch

Copyright on side of photo

The author for January is Robert Munsch.  I have been a fan of Robert Munsch since one of my colleagues shared the book I'll Love You Forever with me.  I also loved Purple Green and Yellow,   the story of a little girl and her markers.  This book makes me laugh out loud every time I read it.  An interesting contrast with I'll Love You Forever.

I found a short video and article about the story I'll Love You Forever.  It was a song that Mr. Munsch had in his head after he and his wife had two still born babies in 1979 and 1980.  After some time he put the song into a story and created the book.  Here is a video of him reading and singing the story.  He loves hearing others sing it as well.  He says it should be sung however you sing it.

I have fallen in love with his Official Author's page.  The site has a section where Mr. Munsch reads aloud all of his books.  It also has letters from kids and a biography.  I have started a Pinterest board with a few activities that go along with his books. I can't wait to read more of his books this month.

~Becky

"I am a storyteller. I write books for kids, I talk to kids, and I listen to kids."  

~Robert Munsch

2018 Assessment Give-Away!

Hello--The contest is no longer accepting entries and the winner has been announced.  But come back in January 2019 when I  do this again!  

Happy New Year!
I wanted to start the year off by giving away two FREE assessments (valued at $35.00 each).  These are the Assessments that I complete for Ohio Homeschoolers to fulfill requirement 3301-34-04 Academic Assessment Report Option #2. You may redeem your prize anytime between March 7, 2018 and July 15, 2018.

Use the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter. You may enter through January 16, 2018 at midnight.  Good Luck!

Please enter by the Rafflecopter below.  Please know I verify all winning entries.  If you need help, email me: ohiohomeschool@gmail.com

How to become a Public Follower.

To become a follower, look under: "I would love it if you would follow my blog publicly, Please click on "Follow" below."  After clicking on that button follow the steps.  You may use a Google Account, Twitter Account or Yahoo Account to follow.  Click on one and follow the steps.  In order for your entry to count you must follow publicly.  

To LEAVE A COMMENT:  Click on "Post a Comment" at the end of the post and a box will pop up. Leave the comment there.



a Rafflecopter giveaway




Please know that I verify the winning entry.  If you need help with a step please email me.  ohiohomeschool@gmail.com   

New Year! Guest Post Lisa McAfee

On Friday I will begin my contest for the Free Narrative Assessment Give-Away!  

Beginning the new year is a time to review how your school year has gone so far and what you would like to accomplish for the remainder of the academic year. Consider focusing on the following:

Academic goals- What were concepts and ideas your daughter learned since the beginning of the year? What are concepts that you want to have your son master by the end of the year? Write them down and review each month the ones that have been completed.

Personal goals- What goals do you have for yourself, both as an educator and personally? Have you considered going to a homeschool convention? If not, how about going this year?  Great Homeschool Conventions has several conventions throughout the United States. Do you have friends with which you can go places or call?  Consider joining a homeschool support group to encourage you on this journey (for information on groups in your area CLICK HERE)  or asking other homeschool moms to join you for a cup of coffee. If you have friends that do not homeschool, be sure to keep in touch with them too.

Marriage goals- For you who are married, homeschooling can put a strain on your relationship with your spouse. One thing that Dale and I did for several years was to have "couch time". We would set aside one night a week to sit on the couch and just discuss how things were going. Sometimes we read a book on strengthening our marriage, other times we had a powwow to discuss ways to parent and issues that came up with our sons.  Be sure to keep connected, because believe it or not, one day you will no longer have your children at home and it will just be the two of you again. :)

May this year be a wonderful and special year filled with great "Aha!" moments as you and your son and/or daughter learn about the world in which we live. May your home be filled with laughter and fond memories. May you enjoy your children and the opportunity to homeschool. Happy New Year!

~ Lisa

Lisa McAfee -
I am an alumni home educator of two sons and Ohio licensed teacher with over 30 years of teaching experience in a variety of settings. I have been assessing homeschool students’ work for the past 17 years and enjoy helping empower and encourage homeschool moms with their homeschooling. 

blog: www.schoolmarmohio.com