Game-schooling on Fridays

The kiddos are learning about logic, numbers, words and more while they're having the time of their lives playing games. And they don't even realize how much they're learning. They're just having fun. Games rule. They are such a fantastic tool for homeschoolers.

For more on great games to play, check out this homeschooling blog: http://peregrinhouse.blogspot.com/search/label/Game%20Schooling

Did you know that once a month (except November and December) you can go to the Marbles Brain Store (either the Roseville or Mall of America locations in Minnesota) to learn about games there and TAKE HOME A FREE GAME? Such a deal.

Sequence - valuable not only for number recognition, but also for eye scanning and tracking skills

(The toddler got to line up his chips on the side - This is how you play games with toddlers!)

Blokus - exercise spatial awareness, analyze attributes of two-dimensional shapes, compare patterns, and use logic

Rummikub - a bit difficult for the 5 year old but she managed it!

Scrambled States of America - letter recognition (example: find your states the begin with the letter "A") and syllables (example: find a state whose capital has 3 syllables) along with state recognition by shape and location

Chess

 

 

Tenzi - counting and number recognition

FIELD TRIP: Get up close to butterflies at the Science Museum

Get up close, oh so very close, to butterflies at the Science Museum's latest exhibit. Painted ladies, monarchs and more. It's really amazing to observe so many in such a small area. I would plan to be in the exhibit room about 15 minutes - any more and it can be quite overwhelming, especially if there are many others in the room with you.

In addition to passing out q-tips sweetened with nectar, staff in the exhibit help folks understand the life cycle of butterflies.

We checked out the exhibit first, and then headed in to see the Imax show. I wasn't sure how the 2-year-old boy would do during the movie, but he loved it! He talked throughout the entire show in his baby language, amazed and exhilarated. It was simply adorable to observe!

We learned so very much about monarchs and their migration pattern in this film. I think it's a Must See for any Minnesotan as our state plays such an important role for these fragile creatures. Plus, we've all heard about monarchs since we were children, but who has seen the amazing place where these butterflies overwinter? The images are magnificent... Simply remarkable.

Take home a free package of flower seeds to provide more habitat for monarchs and butterflies!

Kids inspired by kid actors

There's something special about a kid watching other kids do things often reserved just for grown-ups. And that's why I love attending theatrical productions at The Neighborhood House in St. Paul where all of the actors are kids.

Getting out the wiggles before the show

In November, we caught one of the last shows of "The Miracle Worker." We had been studying Helen Keller (part of our FIAR rowing through "Lentil" by Robert McCloskey), so I jumped at the chance to get student-priced tickets for "The Miracle Worker." We had run several books about Helen Keller and watched "The Miracle Worker" on Netflix, so we were familiar with the story before we went. But we still learned new stuff! (I was especially interested to learn that in addition to running a farm, Helen's father published a newspaper!)

"The Miracle Worker" was presented by CB Productions at the Neighborhood House Oct. 31 to Nov. 9, 2014. CB Productions is a literature-based theater company that has been producing fully staged shows since 2003, each show selling to nearly sold-out audiences. All of the student actors participate in a rigorous and progressive actors training program taught by CB Production's artistic director Carla Barwineck and theater professional Joy Carlson. The students performing ranged in age from 10 to 18. PLUS students provide the technical assistance and lighting!

According to the program, the actors were asked to focus on several issues at one time: "What does my character want and how does he go about getting it? What obstacles are in his way and what tactics does he use to reach his objective? In order to accomplish this, the performers also need to decipher and understand the struggles of the other characters, as well. This process leads to many hours of discussion of how we, as humans, operate. We find that words and actions can be used to tell the truth or to hide it. A well-scripted play acts as mirror to reality. It allows us to get into the complicated minds of human beings and gives us a better understanding of how others thing... Ah, there's the true miracle!"

The actors lined up on stage to answer questions after the show and talked about how each prepared for his/her role. They mentioned just how tough the food scenes were to get just right!

WHAT'S NEXT AT CB PRODUCTIONS?
- An 8-week Tuesday Night "Enlighten the Artist" scene study for ages 13-18 begins Feb. 3.
- The next play is "A Legend of Young King Arthur" April 10-19.

MORE @
http://cbproductions.org/