Butterfly Lesson Ideas , Arts and Crafts

A brainstorming post for ideas of lesson for Butterflies.

We have just received our Caterpillars which we had to send off for from our Butterfly Garden Kit



Some good ideas here at HomeSchool Share you need to scroll down the page as there are plenty of ideas, including a couple of poems

A butterfly unit lesson plan

Butterfly Art and Craft

Enchanted Learning has some good printables and information on the Painted Lady Butterfly

Slideshow of a Butterfly Laptop - giving me a visual idea

More craft ideas here

Books on my list to read (for the younger 2 ) are



Currclick have 2 lapbooks for butterflies, I'm still thinking about this but here are the links anyway.

Pre-School lapbook

Butterflies

One more link with some photos for visual ideas.

I'll add more links as I find them

History Timelines - ideas and links

Making a timeline, or maybe a book of centuries is something I want to do, hopefully starting the new 'school' year in September.

So I'm gathering a list of helpful resources in one place, so I can start planning early for it.

So just what is a history timeline?

I often think of it as being history on a wall, for an idea look at this link *here* (there is an annoying advert you have to click away, but it's ok after that)

*Here* is another link that contains some photos just scroll down

I think these are using a set idea, but you get the picture, I love *this* idea of a timeline using string on a wall from Lindafay

I'm not sure, but I think it may have been at Lindafays site where it was suggested to put the time line on the back of a door if space is lacking - another good idea.

This *site* on squidoo gives a good comprehensive account of ways to do various timelines. Again there are some photos to give those that like to see something visual.

In the squidoo site you will see that there are timelines that can be done in notebooks, it certainly save alot of space!

If you are interested in the methods of Charlotte Mason, then these notebook time lines are often called Book of Centuries.

*Here* is a blog that shows their Book of Centuries.
A free download from *Simply Charlotte Mason*

More pictures from a *blog*

Some rather good insrtuctions via *Donna Youngs* site

There are various places you can buy ready made timelines, or ideas to help you on your way, one of these places is at *Currclick*

This has given me many ideas, hopefully it has given you some too.

April Fools Day lesson ideas

Here are some links to learning about April Fools Day

http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/Byrnes-celebrations/april.html


http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/april.htm


http://holidays.mrdonn.org/aprilfools.html


http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/pasttips49.htm

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/try/plans/april/april.shtml

If you want to carry on learning and getting ideas then look at
* CURRCLICK - April* to buy and you can download an e-book straight the way.

Kitchen Garden Schools Pack

*updated*

If you ring this number 01507 529529 and pay £2.99 you recieve a pack within 7 - 10 days, that includes seeds and worksheets about growing vegetables etc.

I've just ordered mine.

edited to add

This is what arrived in my pack yesterday 1 poster, the size of 2
A4's, 7 fact sheets and 8 activity sheets



and 6 packs of seeds containing 9 varieties



these include;
Adzuki beans for Sprouting
California Wonder Sweet Pepper
Moneymaker Tomato
Red Cherry Tomoto
Calendula
Little gem Lettuce
Chantenay Red Cored 2 carrot
salad Leaves
Black Beauty Aubergine

Free Potatoes next year (2009)

I've just registered with the British Potato Council for some free potatoes next year 2009 (feb)

I got the link from Lucy from byothermeans

It's a scheme that's for school but Home Educators can apply.

here is the *link*

In the School name bit I've put Home Educator, and in the promotional code bit I put Home Educating family, or you can put Caroline Redmond who apperently confirmed HEers could apply.

They have extra resources to go with it.

I've had my email back confirming they will send them next February

Coxhoe Primary School

This website for Coxhoe Primary School takes you from reception year up to year 6. They list their curriculum, but also have lots of resources and ideas too.

Click on either the classroom link or curriculum link.

Homeschool for Free!

Is it possible to homeschool for free?

Well yes it is, at Activity Homeschool they have set themselves the 'Homeschool for Free Challenge' one that we can join in too.

Not sure I'll be able to do it completely, but I would like to cut back on expenses.
Of dourse it doesn't include the likes of pens, pencils etc, more about curriculums and good online sites.

Activity Homeschool has made a good list for a variety of subjects , so go check it out at the above link.

Cutting back on the bills has to be good for everyone.

A New Home Schooling Blog

I have decided to write a little about what goes on on some of our 'school' days.

I don't want to mix it here at my 'resouces' blog, so have set up a new one called Educated By Life

Neither blog will replace the other, whilst they may occasionally overlap.....both will have their place.

Although in it's early days, hop over and take a look. :-)


http://educated-by-life.blogspot.com/

Education Show - 2008

I went to this years Education Show on Saturday. I arrived about 11.30 and stayed to about 3.30, I went with a HEing friend.

As usual I enjoyed it, I knew in advance some of the exhibitors stands I wanted to see. There were different publishers whose books I wanted to look at to see if they are worth buying.

I petty much managed to get what I wanted, the two photos below are the freebies I picked up, either by just asking, or filling in the odd form or being offered it as we went around. A couple of friends went the day before and said that they felt there was not so many freebies on offer, I have to agree, although I do have a goodly number.
The list includes;

1 spelling book, 6 different reading books, 1 National Geographical magazine for kids, 3 sketch pads, 2 glues, 3 different sort of post it notes, cellotape, 1 french magazine, 1 sample french cdrom, 3 DVDs ( on subjects that would cover PHSE,1 woodland trust chart, 1 Montessori magazine, and lots more I just can't remember what! plus info that I will find useful. The next two photos show what I received free.




The photo below shows what I spent my money on, a huge block of modeling clay (plasticine) for £3, a book on Rome which was half price and one that I had wanted. Gold, Silver, and white pens, along with 12 disposable fountain pens that write beautifully, and another box of pens, all at 20p each. Oh I ordered a butterfly kit for £15 instead of £25, this again is what I would have been treating the kids to this year. The yellow pens were from Crayola, 2 in a pack for 50p, they are highlighters with erasers.



It's interesting because as we mentioned how we were HEers, we were met with the response along the lines of "we have seen so many Home Educators at the show", it was lovely to hear this, it was commented on so many times, much more so than in the past. :-)

We went to see the £99 laptop by elonex it was a cute little thing, it's about half the size of a normal laptop, the screen is small, I felt tempted to order one, but not sure it would meet all our requirements, I feel it may be better to wait and see what the reviews will be on it.

I don't think I will go next year, but will probably go the year after, I've stocked up well now, and I have plenty of ideas, that I have gleaned from the show.

Leap Year - ideas and printables

This Friday is the 29th of February, THE extra day we have every four years. Want a way to explain to your kids what Leap Years are all about,looking for printables etc, then here are some suggestions below.

Click on the picture below to take you to an offer Homeschool- estore have.

It says;
This WEB-interactive Unit is the perfect way to learn about the earth's orbit and rotation, the history of calendars and Leap Year, and some of the traditions and legends that surround Leap Year Day.
3 Lessons with activities
Suggested projects and Literature to supplement the lessons
Ends with Party Plans for a "zany" Leap Year Party
Fun and Learning combined!



The cost is $4.95, which is about £2.50.

Other resources can be found at these places;

homeschooling.about
classroom-activities.
timeanddate.com
littlexplorers.com
MrsJacksonsclass