Learning

First week of school! We like to set a date for the first day of a new year...although we never really stop learning so our year doesn't look much different than our summer or vacations. This year will be slightly different in that its our daughters last year. She's a senior, so our year will be more tailored to that and getting some things finished up to be able to put on her transcript. So in a sense our year will be a little more structured as well.

The kids have picked already tons to learn this year along with some things again that we need to do for our daughter. Some items between the both of them include....

Chemistry

Astronomy

Geography

Geography AZ Field trips (Explore Arizona!)

Brush up on Grammar

Solidify High School Math skills

Life Math

Japanese 

French

German

Computer Coding

Violin

Piano

Family Read Aloud (we're finishing up Harry Potter)

Art Journals with Quotes of the Day

Writing with the intent to write a book

Running a business 

Culinary - chemistry and just learning to cook more

Bike Riding

Hiking trips

Gardening...growing to feed our family

So our first week, last week we eased into the swing of things. We started Geography with the study of our own state, Arizona. We are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon by train.

We ordered Discovery Magazine's single issue for both kids of the Grand Canyon here:

Kids Discover the Grand Canyon

We did the Scientific Mom's sand Grand Canyon hands on activity here, although we are still finishing it up due to some drainage issues:

THE PETITE, PINT-SIZED, MODEST LITTLE CANYON

We watched this short video about the canyon as well:

Smithsonian Channel - Grand Canyon

A few photos of geography:

Chemistry: The kids love, love Crash Course so we decided to use their Chemistry videos and supplement with books and experiments as well. So this last week we started with a few video's from them here:

Crash Course Chemistry 

Each day we do a quote of the day and write it on our white board. We take turns choosing it..it can be something inspirational, a bible verse, something that holds meaning for you that you want to share. We post it on the board in the morning then afternoon we sit at the table and work on our Art Journal in which we use part or all of the quote and decorate with paints, or markers, or anything we want and we chat about the quote. Once done one of us reads from our Family Read Aloud book while the others finish with their journals. Right now our Read Aloud is finishing up Harry Potter.

 Our daughters books from the library this week...

And an art piece she just completed....

Other happenings...we went on a road trip/ day trip this last weekend for some family time to see cousins. We've been heading to the Farmers Market every Saturday morning to put money into our local farms and community and get yummy fresh, organic eats.

And this is from today...after learning, spending time soaking up the sun, chatting. Couldn't let the moment pass me by without a quick picture.

Felt SO blessed. Yes they are siblings, but they are also friends.

 Blessed to be homeschooling yet another year. Looking forward to seeing them grow, learn and develop. Love their spirits, their souls and who they are. Cherishing every moment each and every day with them.