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nova mama

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Everything posted by nova mama

  1. Adding some Virginia sites: Sully Woodlands Science & Nature School Field Trip Programs As part of our nature science education efforts, we offer hands-on naturalist led programs for children in grades Pre-K to 8th. Hidden Oaks Nature Center Minutes inside the Beltway, features a pond and an interactive exhibit ideal for children two years and up. Welcome to Huntley Meadows Park Nestled in Fairfax County's Hybla Valley, Huntley Meadows Park is a rich, natural island in the suburban sea of Northern Virginia. Its 1,425 acres harbor majestic forests, wildflower-speckled meadows and vast wetlands bursting with life. Potomac Overlook In addition to programs on energy, the staff offers programs on a wide variety of natural and human history topics. Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center At the Nature Center, you can see live animals up close and learn about the cultural and natural history of Dora Kelley Nature Park. The Naturalists on staff are here to help you and your family explore and enjoy Alexandria’s wild side!
  2. Check out this thread: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/showthread.php?t=408162 Lots of suggestions! HTH
  3. If everyone keeps the attitude that it's for fun, it should be fine. A homeschool class is probably going to just introduce skills and maybe play around. DDs started with homeschool gymnastics last year (at 5 and 7) and did eventually move on to another class. If they show a great interest and aptitude, you can take it to the next level. But they certainly don't have to!
  4. The following sites are mostly in DC, but please add VA and MD activities, too. I plan to make lists for the other periods (or anyone else, feel free to start it!). Butterfly Habitat Garden- "With tours available on a regular basis, a visitor can view the actual butterfly life cycle and gain insight into the miraculous metamorphosis of the butterfly species." Mary Livingston Ripley Garden- "Join Horticulturist Janet Draper for a casual and informative tour of the garden every Tuesday at 2 p.m. throughout October weather permitting. Meet at the fountain in the Ripley garden." More Smithsonian Garden Tours Adkins Arboretum "A 400-acre native garden and preserve on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The Arboretum offers year-round programs in ecology, horticulture, and natural history for all ages." Audubon Naturalist Society "ANS is pleased to offer programs designed exclusively for Home Schooled students. Join us on our 40-acre nature sanctuary for a unique field trip and hands-on class experience as your children explore our forest, pond, and meadow." National Zoo National Aquarium "Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt at the Museum of Natural History Learn about Egyptian burial ritual; its place with ancient Egyptian cosmology; and the insights that mummies, burial rites, and cosmology provide about life in ancient Egypt." Ancient Chinese Jades and Bronzes Ancient Chinese Pottery and Bronze Feast Your Eyes: A Taste for Luxury in Ancient Iran Ancient Iranian Ceramics
  5. Never mind! I found the homeschool area! Thanks for the rec!!
  6. I went to the site and I'm intrigued! I am trying to register for a trial but it does not like my zip code--it says "Zip has no districts or schools" which is not true. :). How much does it cost? I also noticed that Parent is not on the list of Roles, though I could pick Teacher. I just wonder if it's geared more to schools. Anyway, I am very interested in finding out more. It would be great if ds10 and dd8 could use this next year.
  7. We use MM, and DH just happened to show mw Notability. I tried them out together and it is very cool. I am pretty sure DS will like doing math this way. Thanks!
  8. The grandparents like to buy fancy dresses for the DDs, but we have only a few occasions to get super dressed up. So I let them wear the dresses when they ask. :)
  9. We actually used it for Bible curriculum last year. Each week we chose a virtue and memorized one of the verses for the week. There are about four or five sections per virtue, so we studied one per day and read the verses for that section. DCs copied one verse into their notebooks per day. i also had my (then) third-grader write something in his own words from the day's reading. Finally, on Friday, we did a hands-on activity. Sometimes we made up our own. For example, when we studied gratitude, I added one jellybean to a jar for each thing they said they were thankful for. When the jar was full (look at all the blessings!) we got to eat the jellybeans. The "forgiveness" week, we acted out the parable of the unforgiving servant. Hope that helps!
  10. :crying: But it smells FIIINE! Oh well, if there's one thing I like, it's clarity! Soooo, I guess I won't eat any MORE of it (with hot sauce, in case you're curious). :)
  11. Very convincing, though not in the direction I was hoping!
  12. (The mere fact that I'm asking means I probably <i>won't</i> serve it to the family, though I've been eating it myself. But I'll ask anyway, because I don't want to throw food away. Convince me!) I cooked a whole chicken in the slow cooker last night, but we ended up eating something else for dinner. I left the chicken out all night, in the juices, and didn't refrigerate it until this morning. Is it safe to eat? As long as I re-heat it well? Please and thank you.:001_smile:
  13. I didn't see Elemental Science on your list? It follows the 4-year cycle (Bio, Earth, Chem, Phys) and includes two (I think) scientist biographies per year, as well as experiments and readings from supplemental books. You can see a sample of the Biology curriculum here: http://d3r1z7wkgqhj9d.cloudfront.net/Biology20sample.pdf
  14. I ended up burning a small piece of paper towel and held the jar over smoke, then put a lid on it. It was in the sink, with running water ready. It think the match and candle are much better (and safer) ideas. But the kids did enjoy the small fire!
  15. We're FINALLY getting around to doing science experiments from Physics Experiments for Children © 1959. Has anyone used this and done the "What Happens to Warm Air?" experiment? If so, may I ask what you did instead of having someone blow a puff of cigarette smoke into the bottom bottle? :D
  16. Alrighty then! Thank you for making that so easy! Dad's machine it is. I'm really looking forward to the unveiling. Thanks again for all the input!!
  17. DD will be 8 Friday and I'm putting together a little sewing area for her--her own fabric, supplies, etc. I was planning to get her this "beginner" sewing machine from Amazon. I'm not too concerned about the negative reviews: we have our own thread, don't plan to use heavy fabrics, and I have a decent amount of sewing machine experience. I've read several threads here with warnings about "toy" or "kid" machines, but what about a beginner one? Same thing? I just discovered that my dad's Singer 13012 which has been in my garage has never been used. So should she start with that one? I'd love for her to be able to have at it with her very own machine, but not if it's so poorly made that she'll be frustrated. She may appreciate the sentimental value of using something that belonged to my father. I also don't want to spend money I don't have to spend. Maybe it's the grown-up machine that will be frustrating? Tell me what to do so I can get free two-day shipping by Friday. :D
  18. Sorry for the late reply! I took piano lessons in third grade and can play Yankee Doodle with only the right hand. Does that count as "piano knowledge?" :D
  19. Planning is good. Marrying a like-minded husband and discussing these issues beforehand is good. Giving yourself options is also good. You may be set on staying at home with your children, then change your mind. Your husband could change his mind. Children may come later than you expect. You may plan and save wisely, and then face a difficult financial situation like his unemployment (even if he has a marketable skill--he could get sick, the market could change dramatically, etc.). If you have some skills and training, you may be able to help your family with additional income. It's nice to have options. Jus sayin. FWIW, I work from home. We were also DINKs. The older two have been in daycare while I worked full-time. And at one point I stayed home without an income. I'm grateful to be able to stay home and still contribute to the income. Even if I don't get as much sleep as I'd like. :D
  20. DS9 has done very well with Bastien. He does it on his own and is almost through the Level 1 books. I gave him a little help at the beginning, but if your daughter has already had lessons, maybe she won't need it? I have him play for me from time to time, mostly to make sure his rhythm and posture are correct. http://www.amazon.com/Bastien-Basics-Theory-Performance-Technic/dp/B002N3M8S4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1323312346&sr=8-3
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