Saturday 16 August 2014

Fireworks {HSMJ}

 In my life this week…

Yesterday evening we enjoyed watching the annual fireworks in Docklands Melbourne with some friends followed by chocolate pizza!

This week I was really saddened by the death of Robin Williams and appalled at some of the dreadful things circulating the internet.

Six sleeps until we fly to Queensland! I so need a rest and am really looking forward to summer like weather.

The countdown to our trip to South Africa continues.



Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

In our home school this week…
  • We explored how we can't always believe what we see
  • Started with Apologia Science: Astronomy.  We learned how God created the sun, moon, stars and planets for the earth.
  • We went to see How to Train Your Dragon 2 and Sir N was inspired to create his own unique version of Monopoly Junior based on this theme.  It was so neat watching him sit with Paul and create the board and then design all the chance cards by himself on the computer using Publisher software.
  • We are also preparing for this months Poppins Book Nook theme.  We read a number of books and listened to an audio book (You'll have to come back on Monday the 25th to see what we used).  We also watched Peter Pan.  
  • On Monday we went to The Polly Woodside and learned all about ships sailors and the high seas.  
  • This week we completed Tessellating Tile Art 
  • On Thursday at recorder class Sir N learned two new notes on his recorder.
  • We finally found a new audio book:  The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. 
My favourite thing this week was…

 Things I’m working on…
Too many things to keep track of. 

 On the WWW I’m reading…

 I’m cooking…
On Pinterest

 A photo, video, link, or quote to share…


Blessings
Chareen


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Homegrown Learners

Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor
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Friday 15 August 2014

Skrafty Homeschool Minecraft {Review & Giveaway}

For years now we've had Minecraft in our home. My firstborn played it when it was in it's Beta version and has played the full version on and off when ever the mood strikes. Our nephews and nieces all play Minecraft and everyone seems to really enjoy creating special worlds and places on Minecraft servers. Earlier this year Sir N saved up some money and started playing on the Galaxy Tab at home and enjoyed it so much he talked his sister into providing some paid employment in order to purchase a full pc version. Needless to say he earns a couple of hours a week to play Minecraft and build what ever it is he is wanting to build. I recently heard about Skrafty.com which combines Minecraft with traditional school subjects.

For some of my friends It's back to school time, and for homeschool families - that means gathering curriculum, planning and finding new ways to inspire kids in their studies. SKrafty Homeschool Minecraft is the perfect way to add the fun and inspiration you need. This fall, the class line up is spectacular! If you need homeschool math, science, bible, history, language arts or more . . . you are in for a treat. Using some of your favorite homeschool curriculum companies (including Apologia Science, Mystery of History, and A+ Interactive Math) you'll learn to incorporate Minecraft projects into your family homeschool.
SKrafty Classes

See all the new classes SKrafty has to offer HERE

Find out more about the fully monitored SKrafty Minecraft server where it is safe for your family and children - and get whitelisted for FREE right HERE. SKrafty is specially designed and the rules are constructed to encourage good sportsmanship - with no griefing allowed, no bad language or ugly talk, and no sharing of outside links to protect your children. See a full list of rules HERE.

What other parents are saying about SKrafty Homeschool Minecraft

"Since starting Skrafty my son has blossomed. His typing has gotten a lot better. School work is not a chore any more I just give him the list of what needs to be done and he does it. He finds the lessons entertaining and engaging and he loves the activities that go along with them. We are all very grateful for Skrafty." ~ Cheryl J. "My son enjoys playing on Skrafty with other kids and I love that it is a safe, moderated Minecraft server! While playing on Skrafty he has learned creative building, developed critical thinking skills, made friends, and learned to be a team player. The classes have been fun and the reading program has encouraged him to read more than ever. Skrafty has been such a blessing to our family!" ~Julie B.

Special needs learning:
"Skrafty has been a huge blessing to our family! My son with dyslexia is not only learning but enjoying learning!!!! His reading and writing have developed more with Skrafty than any other program we have used. The classes are engaging because they are so hands on and truly turn learning into an adventure. I so highly recommend Skrafty!" ~ Caroline D.

What we learned
We are signed up for Minecraft Homeschool Science: Animals and their Habitats. This is a six week self paced course in which we are studying different biomes.  Some of the biomes we are learning about are: Woodlands, Savannah, Arctic Tundra, Desert and Rainforest.



This class can be started at anytime and worked at your own pace.  The cost is $6.99. Once you sign up you will be sent a welcome note with instructions on how to have your Minecraft account Whitelisted and along with a link to the SKrafty Minecraft Class Portal.  You will be given a password to access your account for the first time and when logging in will need to update your password and information.


The class layout is very easy to navigate. There are three columns.
  • The left column contains your navigation.  
  • The centre column contains your content 
  • The right hand column contains the short cuts to forums, latest news, upcoming events and your recent activity.
Each weeks lesson is a combination of YouTube videos to watch followed by short sentances along with beautiful photographs.
Upon completing a lesson there are two Minecraft building projects which are designed to reinforce the students learning.


One the two construction projects are complete the week is finished off with a Quiz. Each quiz contains multiple choice and on the top left you can see how many questions there are in the quiz.


Upon successfully completing a week the student is awarded a badge.  Once the student has earned each weeks badge they are awarded an Armor Badge to show they have successfully completed the course.


On the bottom left you will find an Administration menu. Here you have two options one is an Overview Report.  This gives you a list of the courses your student is enrolled in along with their current grade.  If you select User Report you will see a list of each assignment.  To the right of this column there are four more columns: Grade, Range, Percentage and Feedback.

Cost

Affordable: Extremely affordable classes (between $6.99 - $32.00) make it easy to add creativity and excitement into your education at home.

Sign up HERE for live classes or self-paced classes and begin your journey into the world of homeschool Minecraft with SKrafty.

Subjects
  1. Science
  2. History
  3. Math
  4. Bible
  5. Language Arts
  6. Summer School
Connect with SKrafty

Final Thoughts
Each weeks class has been twaddle free and well presented.  I am impressed with the professional presentation and support offered by the staff.  Each time I have contacted them they have replied promptly to all my emails.

If you have children who love to build on Minecraft I highly recommend you sign up for a class this fall.

Blessings
Chareen

NOW for some wonderful homeschool goodness...
  1. This give away is open WORLDWIDE
  2. THREE of our prizes are not open to international winners - Mystery of History, Dave Ramsey, and Moore Family Films - Only these THREE products allow US winners. 
  3. Plenty of chances to win for everyone

Giveaway Companies 

- Multiple Winners!-

SKrafty Giveaways


Check out all the wonderful companies and prizes you can win for your family homeschool:
3 SKrafty Fall Classes - Value up to $32 each  
Mystery of History Volume 1,2, or 3 & Super Supplemental - Value $150 
A+ Interactive Math - Family Package for 3 Students - Value $450 
Adventures In ChildRearing - Wildlife Adventures bundle- Value $27.99  
We Choose Virtues - Homeschool Kit - Value $98.99  
Sidetracked Sarah - Crockpot Freezer Meals 3 pack - Value $8.97 
Moore Family Films - ABC Say it With Me - Value $15.99 
Not Consumed - Back to School 4 Pack - Value $12.50 
Teach Them Diligently - Family Pass to 1 Convention - Value $65 
Homeschool Adventure Co. - Philippians in 28 Weeks - Value $18.95  
Media Angels - Homeschool Moms Rescue Set - Value $9.99
A Journey Through Learning - Math Lapbook - Value $15.00  
Dave Ramsey - Financial Peace Jr. - Value $24.95   

Enter with 1 entry or enter with them all:

a Rafflecopter giveaway _____________________________________________________

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Thursday 14 August 2014

Tessellating Tile Art {Virtual Fridge}

This Week

This is a project we've done before but we enjoyed it so much that we have done another one. The inspiration for this project can be found in The Usborne ART Treasury on pages 84 -87.

Featured This Week

In honour of Shark Week Alyssa aged six did this beautiful drawing of a shark.  Find out more over at A Learning Journey.

Your Turn

I invite you to take some photo's of your children's artistic pursuits put them in a post and link up with me I would love to come over and see the wonderful art your children have enjoyed doing.
Virtual Fridge Link Up

Blessings
Chareen

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The Virtual Fridge a weekly art meme where we can hang our children's art on a virtual fridge. This meme was started by Jennifer over at A Glimpse of our Life who kindly invited three other bloggers to co-host this weekly meme.

Your hosts are




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