'14/15 Week 14 Day 3

A day of tests. Both kids had a test in math and in LA. After the spelling test and grammar exercises, we talked at length about homonyms, homophones, and synonyms. We got acquainted with the Thesaurus dictionary and brainstormed for a while for different synonyms. 

This 'linguistic game' did not stop for a while. After school work, we went outside to clean our dewberry patch from fallen branches. While working, the kids came up with a number of homonyms, like (tree) bark and (dog's) bark, using names of things they saw around them. It was fun to listen to them and hear the lesson 'sinking in'. :)

'14/15 Week 14 Day 2

There are only a handful of rehearsals left before the season of concerts and performances begins. At her ballet class, Saara started to use all the steps she has been learning in a dance she and the other ballerinas will perform very soon. She is so excited! 

Also, I finally got the costumes ready for their Christmas pageant. 

'14/15 Week 14 Day 1

We are trying to squeeze in three more weeks of school before Christmas. With all the season's events, concerts, and performances coming up, it might become a challenge to focus on school work. Or it might not. 

Today was more on the challenging side. It might have been because we had a fun-packed Thanksgiving with family, and with all the Christmas things decorating our house, one's mind may tend to wander. 

I was prepared for a long math class as Andrew started to multiply with double digit numbers. To my surprise, he grasped the new lesson very well and very fast. Going over his times table, however, was harder than usual. One of those days, I'd say. :)

Math. Saara's lesson about fractions.

An early Christmas present turned Andrew (and Saara) into archeologists digging for dinosaur bones.

The Fort Worth Stock Yards

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we visited the Ft. Worth Stock Yards. It was the first time for all of us to step into this piece of the Texas history. We knew a few facts about the yards, but were blown away by how big and versatile the place has been made into. Besides endless number of shops, there were shows and museums, horseback riding and carriage rides, petting zoo, etc. etc. Just a few morning hours were not enough to experience everything, so we picked and chose, and decided to come back for the pieces we did not have time to explore.

A gun fight show.

'14/15 Week 13 Day 6

Today, we caught up with some of the things we were not able to do this week. Like science experiments. Saara moved from learning about magnets on to the chapters about water. We looked at some characteristics that water has and had lots of fun in the process, plus a few wet puddles.

Science. Saara 'shaping' the water.

Saara learning about the top of the water staying level ...

... no matter which way you turn the bottle ...

... or where the water is in.

'14/15 Week 13 Day 5

Our whole morning was dedicated to the ancient Egypt. Saara finished her studies of this time and place, and before moving on to the next chapter, we decided to celebrate the accomplishment with some cake. In addition to the cake, Saara did a craft, a demonstration, completed a quiz, and played a game on the computer. Both kids enjoyed it so much!

We are ready to begin!

First, the double crown. Saara explained to me the history behind it, and she told me also about the other crowns the pharaoh used.

Saara demonstrating the flooding of the Nile River. She also told me about the importance of the river in the lives of the ancient Egyptians.

One of the internet activities Saara did. It was a quiz about the mummification process.

After mummifying a general and playing Howard Carter discovering Tut's tomb on-line, we finished our class eating a pyramid.

 

'14/15 Week 13 Day 4

Oh, the kids were doing so well! They were super motivated and worked hard because our goal was to finish the school work before we left for the Park Day. We all were looking forward to it.

As I was grabbing my car keys, a nice little downpour stopped us in our tracks. It did not get any better from there. One shower followed another. 
Well. We were disappointed. 
To cheer us up, we started to decorate the kids' Christmas trees. It did not quite compare with playing with friends in the park, but it did help us restore our joy.