Ad Camp

Ad Camp Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsoFyUL_1k8&feature=player_embedded

Summer Fun and Learning

We're having a great summer of fun and learning! We had our third annual "Ice Cream Palooza" on Sunday for Father's Day. We invited the Carpenters over to join us. Tom said his tummy felt so sick when he left and that he would do it again. Zoe did the best of the kids in the contest. Maybe that just means she's had more flavors of ice cream than the others??? Or, could be that she has better deducting skills.

We are doing an Advertising "camp" this week with two other families. We call it camp because two of their friends are not homeschooled. Really, though, it's exactly what we do when we homeschool (aside from Aleks and piano). The kids have really enjoyed viewing commercials (oldies from when we were kids). I think their favorites were the Tootsie Pop and older McDonalds commercials including the piano recital.

We still have a few fun projects for them to complete. They've already created a new cereal box, made a print ad for "Burp Cola," and advertised a country they were trying to "sell." We are going to make a Public Service Announcement on Thursday and watch some favorite Superbowl Commercials. Finally, on Friday they are going to turn one of their ads into a commercial. Zoe, Haley and Aiden were talking about this project in the pool yesterday afternoon. I cannot wait to see their finished product. They have some awesome ideas!

My goal for the kids is to continue to foster their love for learning. I hope they can be this excited about our units five years from now! If they are, I will know our homeschooling is a success.

Finally, Time to Post

I looked at the date of my last post and was shocked! It's been way too long since I sat down to the computer to blog.

The kids have decided they'd like to stay home again full-time next year. We are busy making up the schedule and prioritizing our activities. Haley has decided to play in the homeschool band (the flute) instead of starting violin lessons back up. It saves me a 25-minute drive each way, as well as a lot of tuition $. I think she'll have a lot more fun in band as well, since there will be other students her age. She is taking Precalculus and Spanish at the Learning Center from 11:30-1:30 next year on Tuesdays, so band just fits in nicely from 1:30-2:00 (same place/same time).

All three kids want to play basketball next year. Maddie will also probably continue to play soccer in the fall. Other than that, we are keeping the schedule open.

We are switching JET days next year so that we go on the same days as the Carpenters. This way, we can plan units together. We just finished a Greek Mythology unit. The kids deciphered a code in Greek, read and summarized Greek myths, played games and finished up with a "Hera Talk Show." It was hilarious! (ended up like a kid version of the Jerry Springer Show) :)

Next year, we are learning a lot of exciting things with our Beyond the Page curriculum! Haley will be studying poetry, energy, tall tales, literary elements, immigration and much more!

Hunter and Maddie will be working on the same curriculum and will learn all about matter, movement, community, culture and many other topics!

I'm really excited to dig in! Of course, the kids would like summer to last a little longer. LOL