Speece School

Field Trip: McWane Science Center

2012-02-13T20:42:00.003-06:00

We met up with some of our favorite adjunct professors today in Birmingham for another great trip to the science museum. Pulling his weight:

Angry tiger at the water table:

Working the crane:

Now, these are BLOCKS:

Running on the keys:

Cycling in mid-air:

Water spouts that can juggle:

With Grandpa and Mimi:

Faculty, staff, and student body:

Take Apart: Remote-controlled car

2012-02-12T08:23:00.000-06:00

As part of our How Things Work unit in science, we have saved up some broken things to take apart. Here was an obliging remote-controlled car that was banged a few too many times:

We found wires, screws, and lots of cogs. We also learned how batteries need a closed circuit to work. Hey, the wheel is spinning!

Architecture: the Alahambra

2012-02-10T12:16:00.003-06:00

This week we learned about Ferdinand and Isabella driving the last of the Moors from Spain in the Middle Ages. This is one part of the Moorish Alahambra palace in Grenada:

Then, using nearly every block in the place, we built our own courtyard (with reflecting pool), portico, and towers:

Tower construction:

A great one!

Jameson decorating the gardens around the reflecting pool:

More Valentine's Cards

2012-02-10T12:00:00.002-06:00

Using a simple idea from here, we worked on "sewing" some valentine's cards today:

Inclined Planes

2012-02-08T15:56:00.004-06:00

We used a block, a thin rubber band, and three tests to show how the longer an inclined plan is, the easier the task:

Then, we located three inclined planes—Mrs. Mom's ramp to her house:

The slide:

And the ramp at the church:

Artist Study: Leonardo da Vinci's Human Proportions

2012-02-07T13:32:00.002-06:00

Today we learned that one reason that Leonardo da Vinci was such a master painter was because he studied and understood human proportions, as shown in this famous study:

He realized that in an adult (and pretty close in these students) your arm span equals your height. We tried it by measuring with ribbon:

Your head is about 1/8th of your entire body. Your face is divided into three equal parts. Your foot is 1/2 of the distance from your knee to your ankle. And, your ear is the same length as you nose:

After testing all these, we used the weekend paper to draw our own "Human Proportion":

Late Lunch at the Lowndesboro Park

2012-02-06T15:20:00.003-06:00

Field Trip: Greensboro, AL

2012-02-04T16:52:00.000-06:00

We took a road trip to Greensboro to visit the Carmichaels in their new home. It was a blast of fun! And involved lots of toy guns and running around the church and house (they live in a manse, too)!

Halina and Thomas:

Morris and Jameson:

Ready:

Ambushed:

Most of the eight kids (Hudson was sucked into a Lego vortex at the house):

Valentine Cards

2012-02-03T11:25:00.003-06:00

Inspired by this, we started to work on cards for Valentine's day:

Architecture: The White Tower

2012-02-03T11:21:00.000-06:00

Tower, where Edward V and his little brother were locked away by their Uncle Richard III, was a complex of towers, palaces, and prisons (now it is a complex of towers, palaces, and museums). The White Tower is the oldest part of Tower:

The War of the Roses

2012-02-02T17:14:00.004-06:00

Today we learned about the English civil war called the War of the Roses (because the each of the royal families involved had a rose as its symbol). After hearing all about Henry VI, Edward IV, Edward V (and the mysterious disappearance of both Edward and his brother), Richard III, and, finally, Henry VII, we painted Lancaster and York shields to help us remember this medieval feud:

Lancasters and Yorks:

Yorks and Lancasters:

Lancasters and Yorks:

Cogs

2012-02-01T14:11:00.002-06:00

We started today's science lesson by looking at cogs in everyday objects (bike, can opener) and then at this nifty mixer that belongs to Mrs. Mom that uses cogs to work:

Then, we used bottle caps and nails to make a system of cogs:

We were able to observe, for example, that neighboring cogs go in opposite directions:

Last, we drew a set of cogs in our science notebook:

Artist Study: Leonardo da Vinci and family banners

2012-01-31T19:04:00.001-06:00

We read about some of da Vinci's successes as an apprentice and how he advanced to be journeyman and then a Maestro! We did one final project based on his days as an apprentice—making a family banner with special colors and symbols . Hudson decided to use the color blue and the family dog, Josie, as his symbol:

Halina chose a pink flower on a blue banner:

And Jameson chose a green griffin (head of an eagle and body of a lion). Each one was attached to a bamboo pole, and Halina used blocks to hang them in our royal hall (AKA the playroom)

The 100 Years' War

2012-01-31T18:36:00.001-06:00

Today we learned about some of the leaders and battles in the long fight between England and France called the 100 Years' War. Then, we illustrated parts of the lesson:

Here the French messenger bring word to Henry V of England that the French King, Charles VI, will not give his lands to Henry. The Dauphin (the French prince) also sent tennis balls (which the king is holding in this picture) to mock Henry's youth and energy. Henry did not think it was funny and took his troops over the English Channel:

After Henry and his outnumbered troops beat the French at the Battle of Agincourt, he got to marry the French princess Katherine. The had son, Henry VI, who became king when he was 1:

The Dauphin did not like Henry VI being king of his country; eventually, he allowed Joan of Arc to lead his army into an important battle at Orleans. The French beat the English and the Dauphin took back France and became Charles VI:

Sunday Collage XXI

2012-01-29T19:04:00.003-06:00

After church at Good Hope in Benton. The camellias are blooming:

With compass (prop from children's sermon—our sins are cast as far as the east from the west!):

With binoculars (other prop from children's sermon—God loves us as far as the heavens are above the earth!):

Later, we visited the super cute lab puppies. They all have their eyes open and can walk now:

Field Trip: Robert F. Henry Lock & Dam

2012-01-27T15:49:00.001-06:00

It was such a BEAUTIFUL afternoon, we took an impromptu field trip to the Lock & Dam near Benton:

All Fall Down!

2012-01-26T19:27:00.002-06:00

Today we learned about the BLACK PLAGUE (an unstated rule that you had to yell it in a scary voice every time you said it) and its impact on Europe after 1/3 of the population died. Some historians (and others) believe that the nursery rhyme Ring-around-the-rosie refers to the plague. So we did a few rounds. And, then, as we were already on the floor in a big pile, we wrestled. Ah, learning:

Pulleys

2012-01-25T17:04:00.002-06:00

Last week we looked at our first simple machine—the wheel. Today we looked at the pulley. Here are the materials for our horizontal pulley:

Here is a close up of one end:

We pretended that we lived in two high-rise apartments, across the street from each other:

We like to send presents across the way to our neighbors by using our set of pulleys:

Artist Study: Leonardo da Vinci's and sculpting

2012-01-25T16:56:00.003-06:00

We read more about da Vinci's work as an apprentice. Often, their studio got orders for sculptures out of bronze, marble, or terra cotta. We made some clay and went to work in our workshop:

A heart:

A church:

Judge Not Lest You Be Judges

2012-01-24T11:41:00.002-06:00

We packed up our bags to have school on location at the Hayneville Baptist Church, host of the District V Spelling Bee:

(Is everyone leaning?):

I think it is funny they picked the two pastor's wives to be judges. Shouldn't we of all people know better than to judge others? HAHAHAHA. (At least I think I'm funny.)

It was a great morning at the Spelling Bee:

Top Left

2012-01-23T07:23:00.000-06:00

Look! I lost my tooth!

Pump it Up!

2012-01-22T20:31:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday, Jase! Thanks for inviting us!

Architecture: Ivan the Great's Tower in the Kremlin

2012-01-21T11:24:00.002-06:00

One of the first things Ivan the Great did after he unified the tribes of Russia was to rebuild the Kremlin, including this tower that was part of a cathedral designed by an Italian architect:

Note the golden dome (that is supposed to be a cross on top):

This is the House Halina built

2012-01-21T11:17:00.002-06:00

Read Aloud: The Five Children and It

2012-01-21T07:53:00.002-06:00

We've been reading this 1902 classic. The children find a sand fairy who will grant wishes. Unfortunately, the wishes never turn out quite right. Like the Chronicles of Narnia and George MacDonald's books for kids, this one has a great first-person narrator who offers a great commentary on the story:

Trying out our Christmas gift from Uncle Mike

2012-01-20T18:32:00.000-06:00

Istanbul, not Constantinople

2012-01-20T07:16:00.001-06:00

The best use of two cardboard tube, two rubber bands, and four paper clips—a cannon:

Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire were able to avoid being taken over by the Muslims, the Mongels, and the Russians, but when the Ottomon Turks arrived with their cannons and fierce fighters, the city that had once been the powerful capitol of the eastern Roman empire fell.

Here is Constantinople:

Here is an Ottoman Turk firing his cannon (our cannon balls were little wooden pawns)—boom!

Another Turk fires—boom!

A third Turk fires—boom!

And the city is taken. The first things the Sultan did was change the Hagia Sopia Cathedral into a mosque and changed the name of Constantinople to Istanbul.

Wheels

2012-01-18T13:32:00.003-06:00

Here is our nifty new text for this semester's "how things work" unit in science:

Today's lesson started with the first of many "simple machines"—the wheel. This is a hard way to carry blocks:

This is an easy way:

This is a hard way to move your bike:

To roll it on its wheels is an easy way:

We sketched our favorite wheels in our science notebook:

Then, using an idea from preschool daze, we did an art project using the wheels of the cars as our painting tool. Dip the wheels in paint and put it on the paper in the box:

Drive it around:

(Waiting his turn):

Wheel Art!

da Vinci Study: making paint

2012-01-17T18:49:00.003-06:00

Today, in our semester-long study of Leonardo da Vinci, we read about his years of being an apprentice to a famous painter. One of his main jobs was to make paint. So, we collected things from the yard (berries, dirt, grass, pecans, and rocks):

We smashed them into a powder (or as close as we could get):

We mixed the natural materials with egg yolks (fortunately, we had a lot from our Russian egg project—see below):

And, then, we painted with our new paints:

All our paints were pretty yellow (most likely we needed more pigment) and very shining:

The Two Ivans

2012-01-17T15:55:00.004-06:00

Today we read about when the Rus tribe overcame the Mongols and unified all the different cities of central Europe into a new country called Russia. Their first Tsar was Ivan the Great.

Then, we did a traditional Russian craft. First, we punched a hole in either end of the egg and blew out the inside (note to self: next time, buy 2 dozen eggs):

We painted the eggs a dark color (traditionally, they would have been painted black):

Later we came back to added a glittery Russian tower (to mirror the golden domes of Ivan's towers and cathedrals):

Psalm 7

2012-01-17T15:33:00.002-06:00

Class Party: Hudson's Birthday Party #3

2012-01-14T13:42:00.000-06:00

Table set:

Birthday boy ready:

Turtle-y gets in the action:

Hudson's picture timeline:

Hudson blows out the "5" candle:

Jameson tries to blow out the candles on the second cake:

So does Jack:

So do Scout and Milton:

And Halina:

And Jase . . . until, finally, Dad dunked them in water:

Meredith, Halina, and Scout:

Marco! Polo!

2012-01-13T11:29:00.001-06:00

Today we read about Marco Polo's time in Kublai Khan's empire as well as the construction of the Forbidden City during the Ming dynasty that followed. Fortunately, Jameson purchased this soon-to-be-a-classic with his Christmas money:

Then we made Chinese lanterns out of paper to represent all the beautiful and interesting things (like silk, ice cream, jade carvings, fireworks, and coal) that Marco Polo saw during his 17 years in China:

Newest Errand-running Audio Selection

2012-01-12T19:21:00.004-06:00

We really enjoyed Howard Pyle's Robin Hood on cd before Christmas (if I turned it off to answer a question from one student, the other two would yell "TURN IT BACK ON! , IT BACK ON PLEASE!!" Sort of a rude/polite mix, but it did show their enthusiasm), so we've kicked off our weekly Prattville trips with this (thanks Grandmother and Arnie):

It's great!!

The Second Graders are Mad for this Book

2012-01-11T16:44:00.001-06:00

Mad here meaning "wildly excited":

Artist Study: Leonardo da Vinci and nature

2012-01-10T18:30:00.001-06:00

As we enjoyed learning about Van Gogh last semester, we have chosen Leonardo da Vinci for this semester. He fits in with our Medieval history, and, because his works include so many inventions, he also fits well with our new science study, "How Things Work," which will begin next week. We will primarily use these books to learn about his life, his work, and for excellent project suggestions:

Today we read about da Vinci's early life in the county. He spent lots of time observing nature and making sketches. We used this template from Art Projects for Kids to draw a cardinal, a bird that we've observed a lot lately:

"da Vinci" indicated that Leonardo was from the village of Vinci. So, we signed our work similarly:

Architecture: A Mongolian Yurt

2012-01-10T18:13:00.001-06:00

Today's history lesson covered the rule of Ghengis Khan and his grandson Kublai Khan, who, at that time, ruled the largest empire ever. Here is an example of a portable Yurt used by the nomadic Mongols. Notice the lattice sides and dome roof:

Here is Hudson attaching the traditional felt roof:

Drawing the Psalms

2012-01-09T13:12:00.001-06:00

Using this excellent idea, we are going to draw our way through the Psalms for the next couple of semesters. This morning, we started by reading Psalm 1. Then we drew a picture for the 3rd verse about a righteous man:

Puppies

2012-01-07T21:11:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, we ran into the Champion's Blue Heeler puppies, and today we saw the Harrell's Labs (who were born yesterday!!). As the sun went down, we had a great time "seeing the smallest puppies we'd ever seen":

It's Friday.

2012-01-06T19:08:00.002-06:00

Painting:

Mixing chalk and water for sidewalk art (a Kung Fu Panda 2 inspired peacock):

Changing out the door decorations at Orchard Healthcare:

Hiding under a bucket in the yard at Orchard Healthcare:

Like Father, Like Son

2012-01-05T15:52:00.003-06:00

He didn't even notice me take the picture.

Soft Opening

2012-01-04T14:08:00.003-06:00

A term I learned from the very educational Ocean's Thirteen (if you want to learn about things like stealing and revenge and running a hotel), today was the "soft opening" of the semester . . . open, but not full throttle yet:

Finished this read aloud (Our favorite chapters? "The Crybaby Cure" and "The Slowpoke"):

Pipe Cleaner crafts via Aunt Melanie's Christmas bags o' fun:

Field Trip: Radnor Lake

2012-01-01T23:02:00.001-06:00

Sixty Christmas trees made a GREAT playground for jumping, climbing, tunneling, hiding, and seeking:

And after, a quick trip to Starbucks for a hot drink:

Like my Shades?

2011-12-30T07:46:00.003-06:00

Happy Birthday, Hudson X 2!

2011-12-30T07:43:00.004-06:00

Party #1 at Grandmother and Arnie's house:

Opening presents:

Trying out Birthday scooter:

Party #2 at Grandpa and Mimi's:

Happy Birthday, Hudson!

It used to be too big for her

2011-12-28T15:30:00.001-06:00

In the Backyard

2011-12-28T15:26:00.001-06:00

Going My Way?

2011-12-28T15:15:00.001-06:00

Nobody minded the cold when Arnie invited them for a ride:

Undoing the Magic (or I Love Ladders)

2011-12-28T15:11:00.001-06:00

Franklin Family Christmas

2011-12-26T18:48:00.001-06:00

Helping Grandmother and Arnie prepare the food:

Speece Kids:

Speece Kids with the cousins:

The big finale of the gift opening extravaganza:

Posing with Uncle Mike and his gifts of a gun, machete, and (the very important) First Aid kit:

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T07:01:00.000-06:00

Sewing School: Felt Christmas ornaments

2011-12-23T14:25:00.000-06:00

Using ideas from the Land of Nod catalogue, we sewed and stuffed until we ended up with some great mittens and classic-holiday-lights ornaments for gifts and for our tree:

Read Aloud: Illustrated "A Christmas Carol"

2011-12-23T14:14:00.001-06:00

This is a beautiful, well-adapted version of Dickens by Stephen Krensky.

Class Party at the Howard's House

2011-12-21T13:55:00.000-06:00

Picture Study: Van Gogh's "The Church at Auvers"

2011-12-20T14:37:00.002-06:00

After reviewing all the Van Gogh paintings we studied chronologically this semester and talking about how much Van Gogh's style changed over time, we looked at our final painting, The Church at Auvers (one of Van Gogh's final works and one of the headmistresses' very favorites):

Using a rough sketch of Hayneville Presbyterian Church on cardboard, the students were instructed to chose their colors and paint with freedom:

And, they did:

Finished churches:

Next semester—Leonardo da Vinci!

Icebergs

2011-12-20T14:20:00.002-06:00

Today, we did our final Earth Science lesson about icy landscapes, the Arctic, Antarctic, icebergs, glaciers, and animals who live in these areas. Then we made our own section of the Arctic Ocean. Filled the toy tub with water from the sink:

Added various shaped icebergs (that had been frozen in different containers overnight):

We noted how only the tops were above the water line, how they eventually changed shape and melted and how they turned the water colder:

The students added ships and boats. Lots of crashing, capsizing, and sinking ensued:

A great lesson and, after I mopped up all the water that spilled, the kitchen floor is much cleaner!

Lowndesboro Community Christmas

2011-12-18T20:41:00.001-06:00

Angels helping angels:

Smiling angel:

Hayneville rappers turned Lowndesboro shepherds:

The littlest shepherd:

Ensemble:

Halina played "Away in a Manger" while they took up the offering:

Winter PJs

2011-12-18T20:25:00.001-06:00

Last night, Mrs. Mom, our super next-door neighbor, gave the kids winter PJs, which she had made especially for each one (l to r—funny puppies, nascar, and princess gown & robe):

Field Trip: Reid's 2nd Birthday

2011-12-18T06:07:00.001-06:00

We sojourned across the street for Reid's Birthday party. Look at this great cake:

The Birthday boy blows out his candles with help from brother and friends:

The Speece kids realized, as thousands of children have before them, that party horns are great for bugging your siblings while they eat their cake:

Happy Birthday, Reid!!

Paper Stars

2011-12-16T15:22:00.002-06:00

With this tutorial, it only took a little folding and gluing to make these nifty eight-point paper stars:

An axe

2011-12-16T15:18:00.001-06:00

Before lunch, this 1st grader came in and asked the Chairman, "If you have time after lunch, would you please make me an axe from these scrap pieces of wood" (notice that he managed to get in "if you have time" and "please"—he must have REALLY wanted the axe). The Chairman did:

Read Aloud: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

2011-12-16T15:14:00.000-06:00

It was a pleasure to read this childhood favorite to the students this week. A great, great read aloud. (And one of my all-time favorite beginnings to a book).

"Free Gift"

2011-12-15T21:39:00.001-06:00

The entire student body participated in the Hayneville Community children's musical tonight called "Free Gift." Here is a rapper and his side kick (lil' bro) getting ready for the big show:

Here is the rapper with a cute shopper:

The shopper's solo at Lacey's department store:

The rapper's solo:

Lots of fun!

Four new friends

2011-12-15T20:59:00.004-06:00

Today we got to open a Christmas present that Mimi left at Thanksgiving:

Christmas Piano Concert at Lowndes Academy

2011-12-14T13:37:00.001-06:00

All of Mrs. Lora's piano students played at Lowndes Academy today for the elementary school students:

Here is a member of Halina's fan club. He's seen all her shows:

Here is another:

Halina and Abigail:

Get in this picture if you live in Hayneville and your dad is a pastor:

Architecture: Synagogue

2011-12-13T13:09:00.001-06:00

In history today, we studied about the Roman scattering of the Jews and their on-going displacement in the Middle Ages. It was during this time, after the Temple was destroyed the second time, the first synagogues were built so that Jews could worship even when they were no longer living in Jerusalem. Then, we built the synagogue project from our block book:

Read Aloud: Pippi Longstocking

2011-12-12T13:28:00.001-06:00

Finished this today. Much howling laughter while I was reading:

And the reading, not surprisingly, inspired this:

Sunday Collage XX

2011-12-11T19:17:00.001-06:00

It was a big day. First, Sunday School at the Benton Methodist Church. Here are Halina and Scout:

Halina played the prelude ("Go, Tell it on the Mountain") before worship at Good Hope Presbyterian:

After lunch at the Lodge, we had dress rehearsal at the Hayneville Christian/Methodist church for Thursday's musical. Halina is at the mic and the boys are on the back step:

Then, it was back to Benton for the community Christmas service. Halina played during the service. This picture is after when she and Hoffman Jr. played an "Away in the Manger" impromptu duet:

Then dinner (yum), gift exchange (wow), and a visit from this guy:

"Jolly Old St. Nicholas, lean your ear this way . . ."

Take your daughter to work

2011-12-10T17:48:00.001-06:00

Cleaning and sorting pecans:

A few stout yeoman

2011-12-09T14:01:00.001-06:00

Using an idea from our history text, we made our own Robin Hood-inspired quiver, bow, and arrows today. Here are our materials:

The felt squares were folded and glued into the right size for our arrows:

Thanks to Publix's deli for the chopsticks that became our arrows:

After the quiver and arrows were finished, everyone headed out to find a suitable bow:

Checking access:

Ready to take on any bad guys that show up at the manse:

Halina's got a great "stringing the arrow" face here:

Big Math

2011-12-09T13:59:00.001-06:00

You know how the youngest watches the older and can't wait until they can do the things the big kids do? Well, this guy's dream came true today when he got his first math fact sheet. He's doing BIG MATH now!

Under the Greenwood Tree

2011-12-08T16:07:00.001-06:00

Anticipating this week's study of King Richard the Lionhearted, King John, the Magna Carta, and Robin Hood, we've been listening to this excellent, 10-hour classic by Howard Pyle:

(There has been a lot of this, too—note Little Hudson in the tree):

Today, using an idea from here, we made our own Sherwood Forest. First, we twisted our bags:

Next, we cut it into sections and cut those sections into sections (and those into section), twisting each one as we went:

At the end, we had nice winter trees for our forest:

And, the finished forest (that is Midge the Miller's son resting in Sherwood before he throws flour in Robin's face):

Picture Study: Van Gogh's Cornfield with Cypress

2011-12-06T16:33:00.001-06:00

Here is the original:

The artists used pieces of a left-over cardboard box to make their own version:

Jameson's:

Hudson worked very hard on the mountains and poppies and added the cypress (then, he declared his picture "finished").

Halina's:

Later in the day, Jameson drew this very nice version on the chalkboard:

Sunday Collage XIX

2011-12-04T18:03:00.001-06:00

O Christmas Tree!

2011-12-03T17:36:00.001-06:00

Off to the Marlette's farm:

Surveying the options:

Success!

The kids decorated it beautifully:

Mantle decorated with materials from the yard:

Hayneville Christmas Parade

2011-12-03T17:32:00.001-06:00

Kids waiting beneath a tree in the town square:

Kids waiting IN the tree in the square:

Start time!

After floats, candy, marching bands, motorcycles, tricked-out cars, horses came the fire trucks:

And, Santa!

Architecture: San Pedro de Cardena (Castile, Spain)

2011-12-02T16:47:00.001-06:00

This week we have been learning about the various Crusades that Christian Knights, commoners, and even children took to Muslim territories, especially Jerusalem. Today we read about El Cid ("the boss") who helped take back most of Spain from the Moors. He was buried in Castile at the San Pedro de Cardena Monastery:

Here is our drawing of it:

Here is the finished Monastery:

And here is El Cid:

The Chairman built this Chariot

2011-12-01T10:17:00.001-06:00

Getting set:

Getting started:

Down at the bottom of the yard:

Double driving:

Even Mr. Cooper got in the action:

Deserts

2011-11-30T17:23:00.001-06:00

Today we read about deserts in our science text as well as a library book. Then, we did a simple experiment (mixing 10 tsp. of salt with 2 cups of water) to show how salt flats are made in the desert:

Then, inspired by this, we did a desert landscape, including some of the elements we discussed:

Field Trip: Home Depot

2011-11-30T17:19:00.001-06:00

This Morning

2011-11-28T14:27:00.001-06:00

This one started a new handwriting book:

This one worked on summarizing a story:

This one, though smiling for the picture, was sick (note the silver bowl tucked in with her):

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-25T06:45:00.001-06:00

Making pumpkin pie (out of dress code):

Thanksgiving coloring pages:

Peeling oranges:

Playing outside:

Bedtime Stories

2011-11-24T06:30:00.001-06:00

Must be a serious one from the Blue Fairy Book. Everybody's looking pretty intense.

School Mascot: Josie

2011-11-24T06:29:00.001-06:00

Boring Bits

2011-11-22T09:47:00.001-06:00

Field Trip: Eden's Pinata Party!

2011-11-20T08:36:00.001-06:00

Eden turned 2!

When was the last time you tried to break a really, really stubborn pinata? Endless fun!

And, then the reward! Candy free-for-all!!

Happy Birthday, Eden!

Nice to Meet You, Governor!

2011-11-18T17:46:00.001-06:00

While on a walk this afternoon, we met the Governor of Alabama, Dr. Robert Bentley, at the Hayneville Courthouse. Completely unprepared for such an auspicious occasion, here is the picture of the picture I took with Lincoln's phone.

We told him that we have lived in his fair state for five months and are having a wonderful time.

Architecture: Castle

2011-11-18T14:35:00.001-06:00

We built this castle from our block book today. As the camera needs new batteries, this is an archival picture from the last time we built it with our fun Friday School friends in Nashville.

Wednesday Night Church Turkey Craft

2011-11-17T18:56:00.001-06:00

Picture Study: Van Gogh's Irises

2011-11-15T17:13:00.001-06:00

Here is the beautiful original. We talked about the colors, where Van Gogh must have been sitting when he painted it (on the ground?), and how the colors are brighter and brighter with each painting we study:

Then using a mini-mural from here, we used pastels to color our own:

I think it turned out great:

The Kitchen Knight

2011-11-15T07:17:00.001-06:00

As we come to our study of castles, knights, and the feudal system in history, the library has yielded another treasure with this 1965 re-telling of the story of Fairhands in King Arthur's court:

After working in Arthur's kitchen for a year, the brave (and secretly noble) Fairhands defeats the Black Knight:

The Green Knight:

The Indigo Knight (I think I was supposed to draw him) and, finally, the Red Knight of the Red Lands to win the beautiful Lady Lyoness and claim his rightful place as a knight:

We have also been enjoying this one:

Leaf Rubs

2011-11-12T07:32:00.001-06:00

Friday was a beautiful (BEAUTIFUL) day to collect leaves from the different trees of our yard:

And make crayon rubs of them in our science notebooks:

Classroom Addition

2011-11-12T07:31:00.001-06:00

Digging in the Dirt

2011-11-09T16:21:00.001-06:00

Today's science lesson was called "Underground." After we read, we headed out to the yard to do a little digging:

We recorded what we found:

The deeper we dug, the more interesting things we found:

Then, we did this Underground Vegetable project with crayons and watercolors, an idea from here:

Picture Study: Van Gogh's Self Portrait

2011-11-08T14:02:00.001-06:00

His:

Ours:

Jameson:

Hudson

(No, Hudson has not grown three extra legs. I'm going to chalk it up to "artistic license"—We do that a lot.):

Halina:

Field Trip: Pecan-related Stops

2011-11-07T15:52:00.002-06:00

We visited Lewis Pecan in Greenville where they buy, sell, crack, and shell pecans:

The we stopped at Priester's Pecan House to play:

Watch them make all the terrific candy:

And, to sample the aforementioned terrific candy:

The Battle of Hastings

2011-11-04T12:39:00.000-05:00

Hudson helped make a map of England, Ireland, and the coast of Normandy with tape:

Then, using French and English knights, we acted out the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings between the English and the Norman French:

And, the battle itself, which resulted in William the Conquerer of Normandy becoming the King of England in 1066:

Once there was a quiet village

2011-11-02T15:29:00.001-05:00

Today we studied the parts of a mountain, animals and plants that thrive in the mountains, and . . .

Once there was a quiet village, high in the mountains:

Everyday the villagers would admire the snow-covered peak on the mountain above them:

One morning they awoke to a booming sound that seemed to be coming from above—AVALANCHE!

Even in the midst of such a catastrophe, the villages knew the snows would melt, and they would rebuild the quiet village in the shadow of the snowy mountain:

(and then the students ate all the left-over "snow")

Picture Study: Van Gogh's "Sunflowers"

2011-11-01T14:08:00.000-05:00

Today we looked at Van Gogh's sunflower sketches and paintings, including this very famous one:

Then, inspired by this, we made a chalk picture of Sunflowers. First, we swept a section of the drive:

Next, we covered it with white sidewalk chalk:

Then, we used brighter pastels to fill in the sunflowers:

Field Trip: McWane Science Center in Birmingham

2011-10-31T21:11:00.001-05:00

We met two of our adjunct professors, Grandpa and Mimi, in Birmingham for a visit to the McWane Science Center. Tons o' fun.

Bed of nails:

Dancing:

Making cloud rings:

Standing in 78.7 mph hurricane winds:

Building an arch:

Maybe the most favorite—water table:

Watching, then petting Bonnet-Head sharks:

Pulling your own weight:

When you do this . . .

It does this:

Then, dinner near UAB:

Thanks for a great day!