Home Educators Toolbox: 2011

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Avast, Me Maties!

Yo ho ho and a bottle o' rum. Step onto the plank and enjoy this lapbook on Pirates. Learn about the science of magnetism, about the difference between a sea and an ocean, and the vast history of pirates through the last 3000 years.

Pirate Lapbook Sample

Enjoy learning about pirates throughout time and all over the world.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Latin Fructus - Latin Fun

In this economy I'm extremely conscious of getting as much use as possible from all of our school supplies. I wanted a curriculum I could, perhaps, come back to through the children's childhood - and I wanted one that could be used for a wide spread of ages. When searching for a Latin curriculum for my 2 boys (who are 10 & 7) I came across a few, but they didn't meet our needs. They were either too easy, 'not explaining just stating', or they were confusing with contradictory information, and none tied in Roman history with art & science. It was exceedingly frustrating. I wanted a curriculum that was engaging and fun for my boys - that incorporated fun historical activities along with silly songs and poems that help the kids remember the information. I also wanted to tie the Latin grammar to what we use today - to reinforce their English lessons and understanding of where these, sometimes strange, rules came from. After years of searching, and several hundred dollars spent, I gave up finding 1 curriculum that had all those things. A few friends listened to my frustrations and suggested I design one myself - -that if I was looking for an all inclusive curriculum, then chances were many other parents were as well. That's how I came up with the outline for LATIN FRUCTUS (Latin Fun).

This curriculum is appropriate for grades Prek - 7th grade: depending on the student's level of understanding, the instructor would choose from the multiple of worksheets or activities for each lesson. Everything from Reading Comprehension, historical activities and Internet searches for the older children, all the way down to fun chants and songs as well as tracing for the young crowd. Who knew Latin could be so fun! The DISCIPULI workbook is designed to be printed and placed in a 3-ring binder for easy use. My advice is, for Prek-grade 1 level, laminate the worksheets so you can come back to them again and again as the child ages.

In the MAGISTRA (teachers) book I approached Latin from the idea that the teacher would have little to no Latin of their own. I wanted to give extensive explanations, the reasons such grammatical rules were in place (like the lack of upper and lower case letters as well as no punctuation, for instance). Therefore, the teachers workbook has much more information than the student book. More extensive history, science, additional worksheets, and lesson plans, even translated nursery rhymes! Each week has an art project that ties in with the Roman history in the teachers book (from Emperor Nero, making a lyre, mythology, Pompeii, making models of the aquaducts, colluseum & parthenon, and understanding the gladitorial games! Don't forget ancient astronomy, math and understanding volcanoes! This workbook is also designed to be printed and placed in a 3-ring binder for easy access.

Here are samples of the files.
Student Workbook Sample
Teachers Compendium Sample
Printable Book Sample

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson is on an adventure - he just doesn't realize why life has become so dangerous...does everyone's pre-algebra teacher try to kill them? And what about Smelly Gabe, his step-father......hmmm..This book is a new classic. Here is a lapbook that goes with the book/movie - introducing the Greek Gods and Olympus. Learn about mythology and why people have turned to stories to explain lifes bumps, all throughout history.

Percy Jackson and the lightning Thief - SAMPLE

Pre-made option includes Priority Shipping costs.
Email Me at time of purchase - thekickbuttmama@yahoo.com

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Switching Gears

I know in my house the topic of conversation is Japan and it's recent tragedy with the earthquake and Tsunami. Because I'm sure many of my homeschool friends are the same, I'm moving my Japan lapbook to the top of the finish pile. I'm hoping to have it finished by Monday. It will include -

Ancient Japan
The Samurai & Ninja
Ring of Fire / Techtonic Plate information
Tsunami (literally means 'big wave' in Japanese)
Counting & Basic Greetings in Japanese
Modern Government, Population, Industry & Religion

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Coming Soon!

In The Works.....(should be in order of release)

LANGAGE ARTS
Ancient Egypt & Mummies in the Morning MTH #3
View Sample - Ancient Egypt Lapbook & Lesson Plan

Ancient Rome, Pompeii and Herculaneum, & Vacation under the Volcano MTH #13
View Sample - Vacation Under The Volcano

Ancient Japan, Ninjas and Samurai, & Night of the Ninjas MTH #5

The Ice Age and The Environment, & Sunset of the Sabertooth MTH #7

The Crutaceous Period, Dinosaurs and Evolution & Dinosaurs Before Dark MTH #1
View Sample - Dino's Lapbook

Ancient Greece and the Olympic Games, & Hour at the Olympics MTH #16

Ancient Europe, Vikings and Sailing, & Viking Ships at Sunrise MTH #16

MATH
Addition 3-20 just like my previous 2 lapbooks
Multiplication
Trigonometry
Geometry

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Fun with Science - Experiment Party

Fun with Science is a great way to spark your childs interest in the world around them through easy to do experiments. This experiment log gives direction for vividly entertaining experimens, as well as explanations on what is occuring on a scientific level. Everything from making rock candy, sparking candy, errupting soda, making foam, static electricity and plants. Try this at a party or as a guidebook to your home education science lab and your child will be wild about learning science!

Check out our sample PDF - Fun With Science Experiments

Day of the Dragon King Lapbook- Magic Tree House

Jack and Annie are at it again! In this story in the series Jack and Annie set off to ancient China to discover the original copy of a Chinese Myth. In this lapbook the student will learn all about Ancient China, China's first Emperor, the Great Wall, The Terracotta Warriors as well as the importance of the silk trade and how silk was made in ancient china, not to mention the plot tidbits thrown in! Excite your child with reading this wonderful book and delve into the mystery of the ancient past!

Check out the Sample PDF - Day of the Dragon King Lapbook

Pre-made option includes Priority Shipping costs.

Fun with Numbers - Number 2 Addition

Fun with Numbers is just that, an exciting and fun way to introduce math. Great for any early elementary or preschool student being introduced to addition, this single file folder lapbook covers adding with the number 2. Enjoy the colorful games and flash cards with your student and you'll engender a life long love of numbers!

Check out the sample PDF - Fun With Numbers Addition 2

Pre-made option includes Priority Shipping cost.

Fun with Numbers - Number 1 Addition lapbook

Fun with Numbers is a great way to introduce and understand mathematics. Number 1 Addition is a single file folder lapbook that covers adding with the number 1 and also introduces the commutative factor of addition. It includes a game and flash cards in a delightfully colorful manner!

Check out the sample PDF - Fun with Numbers Addition 1

Pre-made Option includes Priority Shipping costs

Dr. Seuss Worksheet

This multi-use worksheet is great for the 1-3rd graders who are learning to do book reports! Everything from stating their favorite part of the book to understanding the underlying lesson taught to encouraging the child to write their own addition to the book, this worksheet is a great way to delve into the joys of reading Dr. Seuss!

Check out our sample PDF at - Dr. Seuss Worksheet/Book Report

Kwanzaa Lapbook

This eye opening lapbook delves into the traditions of Kwanzaa. Understanding the traditions that yourself or others celebrate during the cold winter months is a great way of engendering social connections! Learn about the story of the holiday as well as the key symbols of the season!

View our Sample PDF at - Kwanzaa Lapbook

Pre-Made option includes Priority Shipping Costs

Happy New Year Lapbook

This informative lapbook covers celebrations around the world, it also includes the Chinese New Year. No new years eve celebration would be complete without tasting some of the recipes also included.

Pre-made option includes Priority Shipping Costs

Polar Bears Past Bedtime- Magic Tree House

Polar Bears Past Bedtime is a wonderful story in the Magic Tree House series. Jack and Annie must travel to the freezing Artic where they are met by a seal hunter and a polar bear! This delightful lapbook covers the history of seal hunting as well as information on the Polar Bear and key points in the plot. Great for any child who loves the series!

Check out our Sample PDF at - Polar Bears Past Bedtime

Pre-made option includes Priority Shipping costs.

The Cat in the Hat Lapbook

The Cat in the Hat has been a beloved book for families for years. It is also a fantastic step along the journey to reading for young students. This colorful and fun lapbook is great for any early student intent on learning to read and looking to enjoy the book to a whole new level, it also involves important information on stranger danger and the rules of your own home!

Check out our sample PDF at - Cat in the Hat Lapbook

Pre-made option includes Priority Shipping Costs

Tree Frog Power Point Presentation

This colorful and informational presentation tells of the life cycle of the tree frog. It includes a slide of the anatomy, Did You Know tidbits, the dangers to Tree Frogs and even a slide of frog jokes! Great for any elementary or middle school student interested in learning about the Tree Frog.

Yule Lapbook

Yule is a time if darkness. In times long past humans would huddle in their homes, surrounded by both people and their livestock. To break up the monotony and to celebrate the slow changing of the seasons, the people celebrated Yule. Many of these time honored traditions carried over into celebrating Christmas. This lapbook tells of how Yule has been celebrated for centuries. It also includes lessons on the changing of the seasons - how does a season change, and the importance of winter, as well as including the Celtic Tree Alphabet.

View our Sample PDF at - Yule Lapbook

Pre-made option includes Priority Shipping costs.