local yokel (spend less on clothes so you can spend more on christmas gifts) shopping tip

Are your kiddos growing like weeds too?

Do you live in my neck of the woods?

Then you might be in love with this

See you there!

…danielle

fun 5th Grade Civics project with a pinch of Language Arts

Let me start by confessing right up front – this was not my idea.  And I’m sure you’ve probably already seen in it (or similar) around somewhere.  But if you’re like me and my Pinterest projects…they’re cute…but most of them sit on my boards collecting dust.  So today, there it was right there on the first two pages of his newest Social Studies PACE.

A fun and very do-able project! 

Hooray – says me!

Boooooooo – says he!

He’s doing it anyway.  We started by heading to our handy dandy iPad.  Ages ago I had installed the free My Congress app.

Plugged in our zip code and found our guy - David Cicilline.  We then googled him and found his email address.  The PACE suggested sending snail mail…but I’m that’s so old school.   

Instead, he wrote and sent the following email:

Dear Mr. Cicilline,
My name is Toby, and I live in Rhode Island.  I'm working on a social studies project. I would like to know which President you admire the most?  I am going to write an essay on which President you choose.
Thank you for your time,
Toby
ps.  I would really like if you wrote the essay for me :)
 
 
 

Such a funny guy. 

 

 

Now, we wait.  Once Mr. C responds with his favorite President, we’ll do some research and write an essay.  This is SO fun!   

 

 

Coincidentally, I was thinking to myself the other day that I needed to come up with a writing project for Toby.  I’ve been somewhat lenient on the essay front because last year was writing intense.  He was not a fan.   This came along at just the right time, he’s naturally interested in historical things, and I think it’s awesome!  I’m sure we’ll have some moaning and groaning (he is a 10 year old boy after all).  But someday…when he’s digging through the basement bins and comes across this project…I just know he’ll run upstairs and kiss me.  I’m doing it for the someday… 

 

 

 

…danielle 

cute printable music game

This game looks too cute!  Quick, click the picture and get yours while it’s free! 

…danielle

the easy (peasy) French (a TOS review)

 

 

As a Once-Upon-A-Time Missionary, I was SO excited to be chosen as part of the TOS Great Commission Languages review team!

 

 

There are two language choices (French & Spanish) at varied learning levels.  I chose French over Spanish.  This way if we ever find ourselves playing missionary in The Bush again we’ll be proficient at two of the primary languages.  The Hubs and I already speak (rusty) Swahili.  And the other half of Africa has French influence.  So we’ll be all set.   

 

 

There are several different level options to choose from at prices ranging from $139.95 – $69.95.  Each set is meant as a multi-year program.

 

 

 

I opted for the Le Français Facile! Junior set because it specifically states it’s great for mixed ages.  And since my homeschool is comprised of mixed ages (mostly younger) I felt this would be the best fit for our family. 

 

 

 

I love how neat and organized the package was.  And since I’m a big fan of streamlining…being able to use the discs in the cd  player (for just voice overs) and in the computer (for printing and/or voice overs) was GREAT!  We had fun laughing at each other trying to speak with the right intonations.  The story lines and printable coloring pages are just too cute.  Especially for the littles in our house.  The 5th Grader thinks it’s a little cheesy.  So long as he can tell me that in French I’ll let it go.   

 

 

Explore sample lessons here (for French) and here (for Spanish). 

 

 

I know there are fans of other more pricey programs out there.  But I really like Great Commission’s products.  It’s affordable and fun.  Which is probably why the received the Practical Homeschooling Reader Award.

 

 

  It made my Hubs and I nostalgic of our Tanzanian language school days.  The curriculum is presented in very much the same format.  And since we both became fairly proficient with Swahili we’re now looking forward to spending the next couple years learning French together too!

 

 

**this is my little space where I disclaim that I was given  Le Français Facile! Junior free of charge in exchange for my honest and timely review.  All thoughts expressed are entirely my own based on our family’s experience.  Want to see what others are thinking?  You’re in luck – click here to visit the TOS homeschool Crew!  

 

 

…danielle

never too late for a sensory turkey

 

 

We did this wonderful and fun sensory craft last night (compliments of Miss. HomeBasedTherapy) and I just had to share it.  Because it’s too cute not to!

 

 

Prep Work

• cut large white paper feathers
• draw and cut out large body of the turkey (feathers will be pasted on the back)
• fill four paper lunch sacks with scraps of fun glue-on-able materials.  Each sack should have just one single color.  Examples of items to have in a sack include:  baggie of glitter; tissue paper (which earns extra OT points if you make your kiddo tear it up!); foam pieces; construction paper scraps; and so on.
• elmer’s glue
• crayons (should be the same colors as your lunch sacks plus brown for body of Mr. Turkey)

 

 

Working on one feather at a time, we started by letting Trevy and (peer model/sister extraordinaire) Bristel choose and color their base color with a crayon.

 

 

We then let them go to town with the glue onto the feather.  I must say…Miss. HBTS is WAY more tolerant than mommy is! 

 

More than once I had to resist the urge of “helping” Trevy with his glue.  But he really did okay-ish.  And I must say…I got a kick outta his sensory face every time he got glue on his fingers.  Drove him bonkers! 

 

 

We then let them choose items from the appropriate color bag to glue onto the feathers. 

 

 

The final product was a super adorable sensory turkey!

 

 

Which belongs in one place only…

 

 

 

gracing our wall of fame!  Which is what mommy likes to call the wall we display our artsy projects.   

 

 

I loooooved this craft so much, I’m totally going to modify and use it for Christmas too.  Can’t you just see a toddler sized paper Christmas tree  on the wall all strung with sensory lights and ornaments?

 

 

…danielle

 

 

sunny days

 

 

 

Sweet Pepperbush (or as I affectionately call her - Mama Mountain) blogger mommy extraordinaire over at Our Side of the Mountain blessed me with the Sunshine Award.  It made me all warm n’ glowy on the inside.  And reminded me that once upon a time my mom (Super Grams) was going to name me Sunshine.  Thank goodness she outgrew that phase before I made my debut! 

 

 

The Sunshine Award is passed on to bloggers who “positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere”.  Really?  I do that?  Awwww…shucks. 

 

 

Sunshine Award Rules

1. Thank the person who gave the award to you

2. Answer the questions below (and let readers know a little more about you)

3. Pass the award onto other bloggers who inspire you, link to their blogs, and let them know

 

Questions:

1. Favorite color: purple…after that I’m pretty much wide open

2. Favorite animal: elephant…I wish we would have adopted an orphaned ellie when we lived in The Bush

3. Favorite number: 5

4. Favorite drink: Fresca

5. Facebook or Twitter: Facebook

6. My passion: KIDS!

7. Giving or Getting Presents: what can I say…I like both

8. Favorite day: Friday

9: Favorite flowers: all of the above…now if I could just find the kind I can’t kill

 

 

You Are My Sunshine

 

Life with my Giggly Girls

Our Homeschool Journey

The Fantastic Five

Smallgood Hearth

Critters and Crayons

 

 

…danielle 

her 1st grade workboxes

 

This week has been pretty laid back.

 

 

Which the kiddos love.

 

 

Um, I do too.  I’ve been totally needing a breather.  But I find that Teacher Mommy does much better when we stick to a routine.  Routines are tough though…during holidays.  (which is why I love this post!)

 

 

 

We’re still squeezing in our CORE subjects.

 

 

In Language Arts

 

(we use Abeka’s Letters & Sounds, Language and Spelling & Poetry 1)

 

she’s learning about compound words and new special sounds.  It’s been so fun watching her reading improve as she’s getting better with the special sounds.  Oh…and I was going to switch up her Spelling program but she was SO offended!  So we’re sticking with Abeka for now.  I have a Spelling Workout workbook handy just in case. 

 

 

Math is Abeka’s 1st Grade too. 

 

 

Penmanship (which is not a core subject but shhhhhh don’t tell her that!)  is Abeka’s Cursive.  I just like seeing how cute her “fancy” writing is!

 

 

We all snuggled up on the couch and enjoyed learning about Thanksgiving.  My hubby has our internet connected with our tv which is so handy for that kinda stuff.  I could sit at my desk (also in our livingroom) and just surf through Thanksgiving Units online.

 

 

 

I love that I caught her laughing over a mistake instead of crying!

 

 

Don’t you love when you find great stuff in your own house?  I stumbled on a 5 in 1 Biscuit I Can Read book that I’m pretty sure Bibi bought for us a while ago.  I was weeding out my book bin and there it was in all it’s adorable cuteness.  Bristel is in LOVE with Biscuit!

 

 

In fact…she read the WHOLE thing in one sitting!

 

Cuddled up in my second great find.  That little red gaming rocker was a FreeCycle snag!  If you haven’t connected with the FreeCycle in your area yet…I totally recommend it.  Some of our great freebie finds include:  a huge tub of legos, two ginormous bags of Barbie stuff, clothes, a cute little wicker side table and even our two AC units!  I love giving on FreeCycle too.  It feels so community-ish. 

 

 

 

A little later today we’re going to work on a special project together too.  I hope I don’t scare you girls with all my Trevy Has Half a Brain talk.  I know it’s awkward not knowing what to say to someone like me.  And if we met on the playground I totally wouldn’t tell you…because it’s a major conversation killer!  But here, I have to mention it now and then.  Because…well…Trevy’s medical journey is such a huge piece of us.  And is Shaping our hearts as we move along.  We’re deeply connected with other families living the same journey.  In fact, one of those families is gearing up for another brain surgery in a few weeks.  Bristel and I are working on special book to send them.  We were able to meet them in real life a few weekends ago.  Bristel and Sophie were SO cute together!  In fact, Bristel says Sophie is her BFF.  Which of course…made Sophie’s mommy and me totally boo-hoo.   And this morning when I was starting to feel a little mommy guilt over not having a stick-to-it day yet again…the thought occurred to me…that making Sophie a special book is learning too.  Maybe even the most important kind.

 

 

Anyway…

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours!

 

 

…danielle

a little blue rice with your oral motor workout?

 

 

Dysarthria

 

 

Just one of the mile long list of labels that make up the Trevy Medical Portfolio.

 

In mommy lingo, it means that Trevy’s tongue muscles are weak.  And because they’re weak, we need to engage him in activities that force him to use them.  Using them makes them stronger.  And the stronger his little tongue becomes…the more his articulation will improve.  And I needs me some better articulation because sometimes I just can’t crack the Trevy code.  Also…he’ll be a better kisser!

 

 

So I came up with this…

 

I used an old wooden puzzle tray that wasn’t being used.  I knew I wanted him to blow through a straw.  I knew because Miss. Speech Therapy told me so.  But just blowing can be boring.

 

So to spice it up…

 

I hid pictures under died rice (which btw is a super easy DIY project).

 

Throw in a funky straw…

and huff, puff and blow the picture out!

But not without your fireman’s hat, of course.

 

Oh…and lots of slobber.  Lotsa Lotsa slobber.  Ew…I know.  But slobber means it’s working!

 

It held his attention for a handful of minutes any way.  He’s gonna be a killer kisser in no-time!

 

…danielle

Love your Pad: free app alert!

JumpStart my ABC book – FREE today!

Mr. Turkey, where are you? by Visual Works – FREE today!

Articulation Station by Little Bee Speech – FREE today!

Christmas Activity Book HD by BabyFirst – FREE today!

For more great free (and discounted app alerts) be sure to check out Digital Storytime! 

…danielle

time timer in 3D and iPad app versions (a TOS review)

If you have a child in Special Education, chances are you’ve heard the word Time Timer come up once.  Or a thousand. 

Chances are there’s a Time Timer hanging out in your child’s classroom.  There certainly is in Trevy’s.  We’re using it to help him understand the concept of centers.  And staying in a specific center for a specific amount of time.  And it’s working! 

We use a Time Timer at home too.  It helps to keep him on task when we’re working on his Montessori Trays.

And it’s not just for Trevy either.  It helps with the big kids too!  We’re a very visual family.  Watching the red face slowly disappear is just what we need!

I know I totally sound like an infomercial right about now.  But when I love something this much…I’ve just gotta share it with other parents that might be needing something to love this much too!

 

You can buy the 3D version of Time Timer here.  Prices vary based on size. 

Or

You can purchase the iPad app for just $1.99. 

Personally, I think it’s a good idea to have both options.  One of the best mommy tools I have!

Click me to read what other Crewbies have to say

…danielle

**this is where I disclaim that I was given a free Time Timer as part of my role with the TOS Crew.  In return I promised to give an honest and timely review.  I received no other compensation**

have myself an artsy little christmas

 

 

 

 

I just gave myself an early Christmas prez

 

 

Am I the only mommy out there buying school stuff for Christmas?

 

 

Right now See The Light is offering 10% off purchases over $25

 

 

plus

 

 

Free Shipping!

 

 

Secret Saver code can be found when you become a See The Light FaceBook fan!

 

 

…danielle

trevy bear

A cyber (and special needs) mommy friend emailed me recently.

Asking if she could use Trevy’s Story as the inspiration for a beautiful (and stinkin’ adorable) awareness project she’s working on.

I said…

Ummmmm…lemme think about that…

YES! 

I was surprised and honored and happy and all sorts of emotional responses.  Which did not exclude sappy.   

Trevy has an extraordinarily rare and catastrophic seizure disorder.  Playing a part in spreading awareness has become a passion for me.  And in a way…is intricately woven into the fibers of my healing process.  We all heal in our own ways.

Evan Bearowitz (Trevy’s aka) is now accepting come-play-with-me requests!  In fact, I’m pretty sure his first destination is going to be England.  We may need to have a little safety awareness training first though.  Last time I visited, I was almost smooshed by a taxi.  They totally drive on the wrong side of the road over there!   

You can read Evan’s (Trevy inspired) story here.  The last paragraph was the one to really get my sappy really flowing…

Before I was born, my parents lived in Africa to bring people Hope. Taking care of me and helping me grow has been a very big job for them. They said I am now brave and strong enough to travel all around the world to bring people Hope myself.  I want to teach people about seizures and show them that I can still do lots of fun things in life. I’d love to go back to Africa to meet my parents’ friends and I would love to meet friends of my very own everywhere else. Can I come visit you?

 

 

 

…danielle

his 5th grade workboxes

 

 

 

Once I get an idea in my head…

 

I just can’t rest until it’s done.

 

So after my last Workboxes of a 5th Grader post where I thought out loud about switching up his set up…I think I might have clicked publish and immediately headed out to Walmart! 

 

 

 

Are you as surprised as I was that the plastic filing tote thing-a-ma-bob is only five buckaroos?

 

 

I love how there is storage in the lid for all his writing and measuring essentials.

 

 

I did have to buy the hanging folders too.

 

 

It lives on top of our old workbox system.

 

 

It’s perfect, really.  He loves it.  Although, ironically, he’s not taking his work upstairs like I thought he might?  I love it.  In fact, I love it so much I’m half tempted to run out and buy one for the 1st Grader too.  That would open our IKEA system up to house Trevy’s Trays?  Hmmmmmm…

 

 

So what’s in the 5th Graders Boxes Hanging Folders lately?  Everything blue is daily work. 

 

 

• Math - Saxon 5/4. We’re still plugging away.  And loving it!
• English - ACE 5th Grade English.  This is a WAY better fit for him than what we were using last year (Monarch).  I love how the parts of speech are broken down and part of his daily work load.  He’s really starting to “get” it! 
• Spelling - ACE 5th Grade Spelling.  I’m ho-hum.  It’s definitely below his ability level.  Maybe that’s why we have less tears this year?  
• History - ACE 5th Grade Social Studies.  He eats up anything historical.  In fact, if you know of any good historical fiction books I can add to our reading list – do tell!
• Civics – a workbook of the presidents from George Washington to Obama.
• Piano – he’s learning real songs now!  I have one on video clip that I’ll have to share soon. 
• Reading – DL Moody
• Art – usually once a week, but we were given the opportunity to review The Gift of Love by See The Light…and we’re enjoying it so much that we’ve been squeezing art in a little more.  Have I mentioned how much I *heart* See The Light art?! 
• Creative Writing – three times weekly.  I printed little calendars with prompts of his creative writing days.  He has to write at least four complete sentences.  This month I’ve started teaching him how to use Word (sneaking in a little computer & typing practice too).  He’s enjoying it SO much more.
• Science – once to twice a week.  Art & Science (and now French) are our do-together subs.  We just finished studying Mercury.  I’m pretty sure their fave part was making the salt dough models.
• French – We’re doing this one together too as a TOS review.  Will be starting this week. 
• PE – he’s on two basketball teams.  One for the town.  Plus, he was invited to be one of two non-Catholics on our local Catholic Youth Orgs basketball team.  It’s kinda prestigious to be play for them.  And he feels SO proud of himself in the uniform.  Which his confidence needed after a dud of a autumn baseball season. 

 

 

And that’s a workbox wrap for me this week.  I like to share on a weekly basis cause I’m nosy and want to see others sharing too…so I can peeks-key and idea glean!

 

 

…danielle

 

be sure to check out other workboxings at