an Astronomy Living Book List

We approached astronomy this year the same way we studied trees last year.  Instead of following a text, I gathered books on our topic from the library.  We read books on various comprehension levels to encompass the learning levels of all my students from the 5th grader on down to the 2-year-old. 

General: 
Glow In The Dark Outer Spaceby Nicholas Harris 
On Earthby G. Brian Karas 
Asteroids, Comets, and Meteoroids by Fran Howard 
The Magic School Bus Lost In The Solar System by Joanna Cole

Sun:  
The Sun Is My Favorite Star by Frank Asch  
Sun Up, Sun Down by Gail Gibbons 
Sun Up, Sun Down: The Story of Day and Night by Jacqui Bailey

Moon: 
Phases of the Moon by Gillia Olson 
The Best Book of the Moon by Ian Graham

Constellations:  
Seeing Starsby Dandi Daley Mackall 
Our Starsby Anne Rockwell  
The Glow in the Dark Night Sky Bookby Clint Hatchett 
Find the Constellationsby H.A. Rey 
Wishing on a Star: Constellation Stories and Stargazing Activities for Kids by Fran Lee

Planets:  

The Planetsby Martha E. H. Rustad 
Every Planet Has a Place by Becky Baines   
Planets and Their Moons by John Farndon  
True or False: Planets by Melvin and Gilda Berger 
Why Isn't Pluto a Planet? by Steve Kortenkamp

We supplemented our reading with lots of outdoor observation and a few notebooking and hands-on activities.

• Diagram layers of the earth
• Observe shadows at 9 am, 1 pm, and 5 pm; sketch the differences
  
• Make moon phase booklet (part of this lapbook download on weather)
  
• Illustrate phases of the moon with Oreos
• Make constellation pictures with gold star stickers
• Make constellation disks
• Diagram planets in order

What's in the Bible? Easter Giveaway

When we finished our set of What's in the Bible? Old Testament DVDs we were more than a little disappointed that we needed to wait until February to begin the New Testament series.  When I received an e-mail asking me to review an advanced copy of the next DVD in the series,  I didn't cheer like my kids did when they found out, but I was excited, just the same.  I received a free copy of Volume 10 to review, but the great part about these DVDs is that I would recommend them anyway.

Each volume is divided into 2 episodes and this new volume, Volume 10, covers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John-- the Gospels.  

The first episode opens with a description of what the New Testament means to us.  Phil Vischer describes it as coming into a story in the middle.  You begin the exciting part of an adventure story without knowing the background of how you got there.  You need the first part of the story (the Old Testament) to understand why this part of the story (the New Testament) needs to happen at all!  The episode also briefly reviews what we learned in the first nine volumes.  It touches on the historical events that occurred between the Testaments and reinforces the truth that we have been building up to all along-- the fact that we can never live up to the Law and that we are in desperate need of a Savior to rescue us. The first episode also lays a brief outline of each Gospel and explains how each is different and why we need four Gospels to tell the same story. 

The second episode shares details of Jesus' life and ministry, culminating in His death on the cross.  It also shares the plan of salvation and explains how each of us can become part of His kingdom. 

When we watch What's in the Bible? as a family, we begin by watching one episode.  Brian then leads us in discussion, using the discussion questions suggested on the insert in each DVD.  Then after we pray together, the kids gather at the dining room table to color.  Multiple coloring pages are available online for each volume, including the Volume 10 coloring pages seen by clicking here.

To purchase Volumes 1-10 for your family, click on the coupon below and enter BUNDLE10 at checkout to receive 20% off your order and free shipping!

Would you like to own BOTH Volume 1 (the first Old Testament DVD) and Volume 10 (the first New Testament DVD)?  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your chance(s) to win.  Giveaway ends Sunday, March 17 at 11:59 pm. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Distractible Reader (with a few book recommendations)

My sister and I launched our Sisters Book Challenge last month.  She's done really well, finishing three books from the list already.  Me?  I read one and then got distracted.  It happens all the time.  I plan to read a book and then find three more to read in the mean time. 

This time I can blame Call the Midwife, the BBC miniseries that aired on PBS.  I read the book a few years ago and was thrilled to hear that it was being dramatized, but when it aired on Sunday nights at the precise time that Brian and I set aside to watch The Amazing Race together, I knew I was in trouble.  I was a good wife and skipped it when it aired, but you better believe I kept my eyes peeled for the library to offer it on DVD.  I ended up watching the whole series, plus the bonus features in three evenings when I was sick with a sinus infection.  I loved it so much (funny, touching, fascinating...but not for children!) that I was compelled to re-read the book, Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times.   Then Brian gave me The Life and Times of Call the Midwife: The Official Companion to Season One and Two for Valentine's Day.  He knows me well because, while I love flowers, I love books more.

I determined to get back to my book list and begin another book for the Sisters Challenge.  Of course, that was before I went out to dinner with my friend Flo and we began talking books.  She told me about the latest book from Ted Dekker that was being released in "episodes" for Kindle.  The first episode Identity (Eyes Wide Open, Book 1) was free so I was able to try it out without commitment, but who am I kidding? I finished within a day and promptly bought the second episode... and the third... and the fourth!  (You can also purchase it as a complete set for Kindle with the title Eyes Wide Open for about a dollar more or buy it in print copy.) For those who know me well, this was momentous!  I am generally too thrifty to download anything for my Kindle that isn't free so you know I was hooked.  

I finished that series just in time for one more obstacle.  I won a $50 giftcard to Amazon.  I rarely buy new books for myself.  School books, sure.  Used treasures from the Goodwill, yes!  But I rarely spend money on books for me.  

I knew immediately two books I wanted to spend my money on: both sequels to Call the Midwife that I've been checking my library's website for almost daily, Call the Midwife: Shadows of the Workhouse and Call the Midwife: Farewell to the East End (which  releases to US markets tomorrow). 

I'm being proactive in my effort to read another book from my Sisters Challenge, though.  I also purchased a used copy of All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot.


Dare I ask (and tempt myself to add more to my list)?  What are you reading?

Sibling Rivalry and Unkindness

A couple of weeks ago, I asked for reader questions. 

Hannah asked:

"What would you do with a child who, for no apparent reason, dislikes her younger sibling?  My 5-year-old used to love playing with her 2-year-old brother, but ever since her baby sister was born 4 months ago, she has told me every day that she doesn't like her brother anymore.  The nonstop fighting is driving me bonkers!  I've tried making them hold hands or hug until they can be nice to each other, but the issue usually lies entirely with my daughter so why should my son be punished?" 

There are two parts to my answer.  The first part is simple.  I have no tolerance for unkindness between siblings or anyone, for that matter.  It can be a constant struggle, but I do not allow my children to speak ugly words to each other or physically harm each other.  It does happen-- the snatching, the pinching, the yelling and tears-- but it is not something I accept.  I have to deal with the violators every single time it happens and I'm often frustrated, breaking up squabbles all day long.

The second part of my answer is more complicated.  I don't believe that each one of my children must be best friends with every other one of his or her siblings.  Certain pairs of my children have more in common and have personalities that interact well together.  Naturally, those pairs find more to play together and do it with the fewest disagreements.   That's not to say that the children who are not alike are allowed to ignore each other or treat each other unfairly, but I don't force close friendships on them.  I also don't allow cliques in the house where two children play all day, every day to the exclusion of the rest, but I do protect those two children when a third child is butting in to spite them.  I also allow each child to have time alone if they wish to pursue their own interests (reading, playing paper dolls, building with Legos, drawing...) without a sibling butting in. 

Being the intercessor is hard, too.  Life as a mom is hard! We're responsible for raising loving, God-honoring people and yet we're often clueless as to how to go about it.  It comes down to the heart.  Does my child have a heart issue that needs to be addressed or am I expecting something I have no right to expect?   Bring it before the Lord and ask for His direction.  He never disappoints.

Goal Check-In (with photos)

This is Brian's first week back to work after his long winter off.  It is always, always an adjustment for everyone as we leave party mode and transition into real-life mode which involves Daddy being gone all day and Mama handling the home and childcare responsibilities alone. Plus, Mama is simply not as fun as Daddy, at least not at my house. 

The kids and I were out of the house all day yesterday so the new routine officially begins today. I thought it  would be a good day to evaluate some of the goals I made at the beginning of the year, and set a few more.

I was surprised to discover that I completed every single one of my Short-term Goals!

• Work on the walls:
  
  1. Have the 3 boys paint pieces of abstract art for their bedroom wall
  
  
  
  
  
  
  2. Make a large photo poster for our living room wall
  
  
  
  3. Update some of our  frames with more current photos

• Finish moving our books from boxes to shelves.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Attempt some of the ideas on my Winter Pinterest Board  (a few pictures of my projects here)

My Longer-term Goals are still a work in progress. 

• Run a 5K  in the spring-- I ran a 2 mile race on January 19, but I'm working toward my first 5K (3.1 miles) on April 20th.  After completing a walk-run training program, I worked my way through the original Couch to 5K Training Plan.  Now I'm working on maintaining and increasing speed.
  
  
• Work with the kids on responsibility and finishing tasks to completion-- a big fail so far
  
  
• Potty train Alaine-- I hadn't intended to work on this until spring, but some things in life don't wait! I shared a few details here.
  
  
• Continue to find ways to welcome people into our home-- We've had friends over to play games, eat dinner, share snacks, learn, and celebrate.
  
  
• Have a date night with Brian (at home or out) once a month-- So far, so good!

New and Revised Goals for 2013

Short-term Goals:

• Learn to change the oil in van...and maybe the wiper blades, too
• Redesign The Dress for spring
• Spring clean the house using this plan
• Print 10-15 baby pictures of Alaine to include in her photo album
• Run a 5K! 

Longer-term Goals: 

• Work with the kids on responsibility and finishing tasks to completion
• Continue to find ways to welcome people into our home
• Have a date night with Brian (at home or out) once a month 
• Plan our 2013-2014 school year

How are you doing with your goals this year?  Have you competed any goals?  Have any of your goals changed?  Have you made new ones?

a March Saturday

I'm not sure why I think that the beginning of March should automatically herald the arrival of spring. I think I expected it to warm up and get cheerful on the day we turned over the calendar.  Not so. Instead we had a cold wind and a few snow flurries. 

But since we were hosting a flower-themed birthday party for Brian's mom on Saturday, the winter decorations trickled out during the last week of February and were replaced with a few spring touches. 

Party preparation was a family affair. Brian finished up a few home improvement projects in the girls' bedroom and moved all his tools back out to the shed.

Gavin and I made a party banner for the wall the week before the party.  We dyed the edges of coffee filters with food coloring. There was a learning curve and it took some experimentation with the amount of dye and the technique to get the filters to look the way we wanted. After the filters were dry, I cut them into the shapes of flowers and strung them with embroidery floss. (I like it so much I think I'll keep it up through the spring.)

Maddie and I baked vanilla cupcakes and made flower designs on the tops with mini-jelly beans.

Some of us even attempted to dress to match the theme (although she ended up having to change before party time!).

We all gathered in the evening for food (including homemade salsa which was to die for!) and family time. All but two members of Brian's family were able to join us. 

After we ate and opened presents, the 12 kids retreated to the bedrooms.  The girls played Barbies and the boys played war.  The girls' room was quiet.  The boys' room sounded like it would come crashing down.  The adults, meanwhile, enjoyed a bit of reminiscing in the living room and laughed until we were giddy.

The party ended with one guest getting their vehicle stuck in our rain-saturated yard (not the first time that has happened!) which included a 10 o'clock run to Walmart for a tow rope.  The kids were happy because it extended the party another hour.  They played Operation, Angry Birds Jenga, and a Five Little Monkeys board game and celebrated a late bedtime. 

And that is why I was too tired to write this last night.

And that is why this Saturday post is going up on Sunday instead.



What did you do this weekend?