Wow! Somebody else looked at this page!

So apparently someone in Germany looked at the blog! Isn't that cool mashallah! I am excited to post more stuff now!

Handwriting Pages

I made some handwriting stages....well just about copied them from a used up commercial handwriting book, but I added my own flare. I mean really there is only so much one can do to make handwriting pages. lol
Anyway as soon as i figure our how to up load them I will post them.
Ok here are the links:
Tall short and below the floor
Cc
Cc word
Ee
Ee words
Ff
Ff words
Practice
Application 

OH SO COOOL

Ok this is us all over it! Lego robotics! I really really want the Lego Education Wedo Robotics Homeschool Pack. It is 174.95 plus shipping. It is so COOOOLLLL! My son would LOVE it!

Commitment Time

Ok so I spent a week dealing with curriculum. I surveyed the web for free curriculum. The resources I already own, the Adult Ed section at the main library, and went to a curriculum fair.
Conclusions,

• The only things I really have to purchase at this point would be some basic supplies and lots of ink.
• English reading, I have every thing I need in hand. I can supplement as needed.
• English writing, I have everything I need in hand and can supplement via great resources from the web.
• English, spelling. I think we will just wait on this until mid year.
• Handwriting, I need to relax about it and make it fun! I am thinking we can practice letter formation without pencils and I need to think of fun ways to increase fine motor skills.
• Arabic reading, I need to settle on a curriculum from the web and stick to it, supplementing with the in hand materials.
• Arabic writing, we will approach this much the same way we did for English handwriting and will truly not worry about grammar yet.
• Arabic oral, I need to commit to everyday practice.
• Math, I have everything I need in hand and there are zillions of resources to supplement with on the web.
• Science, I need to settle on a curriculum and gather necessary materials. I should have the text I need on the web already.
• History, we will continue to cover it for the most part informally, naturally as it comes up and cover seerah on a more consistent baisis.
• Geography, I need to settle on curriculum.
• Islamic Studies, I need to fun-up the curriculum I have pulled together.
• Art, I need to make sure we have at least and hour of art projects. I also need to beef up in my knowledge of Islamic Art.
• Quran, mearly need to download more Juz 30 and we will be set.

So overall as far as curriculum goes all I need to do is  settle on the undecided ones, gather materials and fun-up. I will need to formulate a plan and schedule.
When all this is finished I will need to make myself a pacing guide and update the school room.
I also need to review my mission statement.

Highlights from the convention,

Ok so I attended my first HS convention. It was cool. I enjoyed just being around other HSers.
Highlights from the convention,

• Make a mission statement and use it
• Don't be afraid to barter for lessons
• Find mentors for your kids
• Don't over burden yourself with emotional baggage
• Of families that attended the UHEA we appeared to be 1 of 2 non average-white-families there, and apparently the only Muslims, geee what a surprise.
• There is a lot of HS friendly businesses in Orem
• Homeschoolers are polite and don't stare.
• Legos are cool!

Simple machines!

Wedges

 

Pulley?

 

Pulley

 

Pulley

 

Screw

 

Screw

Wedge

 

Inclined plane

He is so excited about learning about simple machines! Here are some simple machines he found around the house.

Science in a Pop Bottle

So a year or 2 ago I picked this Pop Bottle Science kit second hand at the thrift store. He has pulled it out a couple of times but last night he actually tied an experiment. Water, herbs, the bottom part of the bottle and a pencil are all he needed to see how the galaxy is spinning.
He LOVED it! He did it all by himself and spent a good hour exploring it. Then he ran down to me and exclaimed "MOM! Its like the spinning thing in the air!" We talked about it. I don't know how much this costs new but I do recommend it.