100 Books-a-Month Challenge :: January 2011

Are there any of you still participating in this challenge?  I have been debating whether or not I would continue this on my blog.  We are reading, reading, reading over here.  By keeping these monthly lists, it helps me keep record of what we've read, for the most part and I still like that.  Let me know if you're still with us!

Here's our list for this month:

1. My Food Pyramid by Alisha Niehaus
2. Vegetarian Fact Finder by Ellen Klavan
3. About Mammals: A Guide for Children by Cathryn Sill
4. What is a Mammal? by Robert Snedden
5. Weird Wildlife Mammals by Jen Green
6. One Too Many: A Seek & Find Counting Book by Gianna Marino
7. Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
8. Cows Sweat Through Their Noses and Other Freaky Facts about Animals Habits, Characteristics, and Homes by Barbara Seuling
9. Lola Loves Stories by Anna McQuinn
10. Kitchen Dance by Maurie J. Manning
11. Silly Knock-Knocks by Joseph Rosenbloom
12. The Right Touch by Sandy Kleven
13. One Drowsy Dragon by Ethan Long
14. Bones: Our Skeletal System by Seymour Simon
15. No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons) by Jean Pendziwol
16. Dora and the Birthday Wish Adventure adapted by Emily Sollinger
17. Fairy Wings by Lauren Mills & Dennis Nolan
18. Cinderella by Gordon Fitchett
19. Littlest Pet Shop Eye See It! Can You Find Them All? by Sam Wolff
20. The Return to Narnia: The Rescue of Prince Caspian based on C.S. Lewis
21. Thomas and the Rumors and other stories by Britt Allcroft
22. The Cats Kids by Kay Chorao
23. Tinkering Tink by Elle D. Risco
24. Miss Bindergarten Stays Home from Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
25. Olivia helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer
26. Caillou Happy Holidays! by Marilyn Pleau-Murissi
27. Midsummer Knight by Gregory Rogers
28. Rapunzel's Amazing Hair by Kiki Thorpe
29. I am a Home-Schooler by Julie Voetberg
30. Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems
    

Read by Pretty Girl
31. Pat, Cat, and Rat by Sindy McKay
32. Big Cats by Bruce Johnson
33. Bugs on the Buz by Paul Orshoski & D.J. Panec
34. Which Pet is Best? by Bruce Johnson
35. Where is My Frog? by Paul Orshoski
36. Biscuit Finds a Friend by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
37. Biscuit Visits the Big City by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
38. Fancy Nancy and the Boy from Pairs by Jane O'Connor
39. Fancy Nancy Sees Stars by Jane O'Connor
40. Fancy Nancy My Family History by Jane O'Connor
41. Welcome to Narnia by Jennifer Frantz
42. Tea with Mr. Tumnus by Jennifer Frantz
43. Ant in Her Pants by Paul Orshoski
44. It Could Still Be a Mammal by Allan Fowler

Read to The Boy
45. Barney says, "Please and Thank You" by Stephen White
46. How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague
47. I Smell Honey by Andrea & Brian Pinkney
48. Eeyore inspired by A.A. Milne
49. Pirates: Robbers of the High Seas by Gail Gibbons
50. The Dragon and the Turtle by Donita K. Paul & Evangeline Denmark

Books I read
51. Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile & Very Good Uses You've Probably Never Thought of by Vicki Lansky
52. Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun & Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought of by Vicki Lansky
53. Freedom: The Courage to be Yourself by Osho

Books on Tape/CD
54. Beezus & Ramona by Beverly Cleary
55. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
56. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
57. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
58. Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary

Tuesday :: Library Day

Tuesdays have become our official library day.  I think it used to be Mondays, but since our long move/transition Tuesdays have become the day.  There is usually a storytime scheduled, but we have only attended one since being back the West End.  We're waiting for another Children's Librarian to come.  Our favorite librarian is now at another branch, which is not close, so we only make that trek once or twice a month.

We're doing a lot more.  Reading, searching for a particular book or subject.  The boy tickles me with his lists of books he's looking for.  He's watched me well, I see, and scribbles things down on a piece of paper and then 'reads' the list he's made for himself to me.  Last week his list consisted of books on:

1. Pirates
2. Dragons
3. Robots
4. Skeleton (human body)

I was thankful that our local branch had at least one book on each topic for him to check out.  He was thrilled.  Today it was more books about dinosaurs.

As Pretty Girl strengthens her reading muscles, I decided to direct your searching as well.  Normally I allow her to choose exactly what she'd like to read or would like to hear.  Today I started her on researching.  We're studying the animal kingdom in science, starting with mammals.  She was to pick a mammal to write a report on and create a presentation for.  She chose bears.  I showed her how to look through books to get an idea about what information they give and what sort of information she would need to write a report.  We discussed the difference between fiction and non-fiction (again) and this activity of looking for books assisted in her understanding.  I'll have to share more about her project in another post.

We were pleasantly surprised to see how our little neighborhood library has evolved since we've been away.  In the children's section they now have a special carpeted corner with books in crates, puzzles and a few games for younger children to do on their own.  Sweetie-pie enjoyed putting puzzles together and sitting in the bean bag looking through books by herself.

I was able to get a little 'work' done on the computer, pick out some books for myself and make some plans for our homeschool group to utilize the library again. 

Next week, I'll remember to take my camera and get a few shots of our library. It's a cozy little place with great librarians.  We always look forward to our Tuesdays!

Book Sharing Monday

Ok. I think we're back! :D

I am so appreciative to the people in my 'village' who assist us in expanding out personal libraries.  Last week our favorite librarian gifted the kids with some new titles for their bookshelves.  Since we haven't been a part of Book Sharing Monday in awhile, we're going to share one pick from each of us, so humor us.

The Boy's Pick:  How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague.  This is one in the series we've haven't read yet.  It's in a board book style so will withstand all his knocking and throwing.  If you have anyone in your family who likes dinosaurs and also needs a bit of reminding about how to behave, this is a book for you! :D

Sweetie Pie picked this one to share: Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh. It's what the PBS series Martha Speaks is based on.  This particular book comes with stickers and a CD.

Pretty Girl picked Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary.  We checked this book out a week ago and have been enjoying it but now we have our own copy.  She is surprised at how many words she can read on her own.  It's a great story about sisters.

So there you have it.  If you're interested in joining in Book Sharing Monday or seeing who else participate check out Alex's blog Canadian Home Learning.

Happy Reading!!

Safety Village Field Trip

Today we met up with our homeschool group and attended a field trip to a local Safety Village for several classes in Fire and Life Safety.  We learned (refreshed our memory on) about:

 Bike Safety

 Car Safety

Fire Safety in the house

 Get low as smoke rises

 Crawl on the floor to the wall; feel for door; exit

 When necessary, exit a window.

 Call 9-1-1 to report a fire

 If you clothes catch fire, stop, drop & roll; 

remember to cover your face

 FF Hunter had us close our eye and use our 

sense of hearing to locate him in the room

 Receiving Certificates of Completion 

of the Fire & Life Safety Classes

Posing with Sparky

It was a wonderful learning experience.  Plus we got to catch up with some of our old friends and had a chance to make some new friends (mom included)!

Can I just say I'm SO glad to be back 'home!' :D

Enjoy your weekend!

Status Update

We have been so busy lately.

A friend asked me today for my blog address so she could see what we've been up to.  I immediately started laughing, gave it to her and said, "but I haven't updated it since last year!"

We are good.  Our days have felt rather full.  I've gotten back to a 'more definitely' kind of schedule with the kids.  We've been interfacing with our homeschool community and spending long afternoons at the library.

We're pretty much settled in our home now.  As Pretty Girl says, 'it looks more like our home' now. :D  And it does.  Of course there are things that I want to do, have plans to do, but I've decided to let them take a back seat at present.

Today we joined a P.E. Co-op, mainly to catch up with some friends.  The kids had a blast, so I think we're going to make it our weekly thing. 

We're continuing with our Saxon Phonics lessons.  This coming Monday I'll begin where we left off on our 'Money Monday' lesson.  We're also going to focus more heavily on learning Spanish.  The girls started ballet class yesterday and are thrilled about it all. Once things warm up a bit we'll be looking for some swimming lessons and a soccer team.  (Well, those are their ideas for now!)

How have you been?  I know I've been scarce around blogland since the new year.  I hope you're all well.  I will get around, hopefully!  You'll be seeing us more in the next little bit once I put blogging in my 'regularly scheduled routine.' (smile)

Until then...