Homeschool Highlights ~ 8.11.11

I had to break out the hot glue gun last night! =)

Making magnets out of pony beads, pom poms & glass beads so the kids can use our new sight word flashcards on a cookie sheet and trace out their letters. And now I'm making some Montessori-style counting bars with the pony beads and some chenille stems. I will post pics of the bead chains when I'm all done! =)
{facebook sneak peak}

The kids liked playing with the magnets but noticed the bowls of glass beads on the table with them & wanted to explore those more! =)

They each had a bowl of glass beads, many with different colored glitter inside. Then there were really slim brightly colored, heart shaped buttons mixed in. We had a magnifying glass handy, for looking closely at the glass beads & buttons. 

We also had 2 small Play-doh "Ice Cream Shop" Sundae Spoons and a pair of tweezers for each of them. They were to each sort thier bowl of mixed beads & buttons into a bowl for the glass beads and a tall $ spot shot glass for the hearts. They learned quickly which tools most easily picked up each of the different shaped items and breezed through this task in no time! =)

 

 Next, they were ready to break out the glitter pens! =) 

3/$1 in Micheal's dollar aisle. 

 

 

Caleb always loves to use his hands :)

{excuse the painters tape} 

Julie was having some difficulty getting the glitter out but we showed her which end to "write" with and she picked it up quickly! =) 

Braden has recently started enjoying working on some crafts with us! 

He has never liked any thing artsy or crafty so I'm excited to have him join in with us! I think he likes the break too! :)

{just painting}

After the glitter pens ran out we broke out the new tempera paints! I got these at Micheal's a few weeks ago 16oz bottles for $1.99 each. We got 11 different colors! =) I thought that was a steal but then I was in there this week and they have {what is left of} the tempera paint (a rather good selection) clearance priced at 4/$5!!!   

^^ we have new window markers to try out too! ^^

Breaking out the ice tray for a color palette ! =)

Caleb has been into color mixing so I just put out "Primary" {-ish} colors today so he could work with mixing colors.  

Julie's works of art

Caleb's artwork 

 busy babies :)

Then they all rushed off to play {littles}and finish independent schoolwork {bray} while I cooked lunch for the fam! =) I know I had already had a great day and it wasn't even lunch time! The rest of our day was fairly low key -- no formal "school" for the little ones and Bray worked on his normal load for the day. I think by the time we start "fall classes" on Monday he will be going into his 7th week of 5th grade! =) I am so proud of everything he accomplishes each day!! I only pray the little ones follow his lead! ;o)