TOLAY 2012

Autumn brings me so much joy.  I love the cool breeze, crisp leaves, and all of the activities.  One of our favorite fall activities is the Tolay Festival.

 

 

There were telescopes set up this year to view the sun----it was so cool!

 

 

We love the Barnyard Critters exhibit.  This turtle is 3 years old and weighs in at 200lbs.....it will live to about 80!!!

 

rattlesnakes

 

Macaws

 

Barn Owl

 

Bugs and the potential problems that they can cause medically and economically....

 

Here, they learned about from the Earth to You.  They were able to brush some sheep wool.

 

....then spin it into string!

 

This year, the girls were able to hold baby chicks!!!

 

 

They were so soft and chirpy!!!......this chick was only 3 days old!

 

The girls enjoyed tasting the local honey

 

The Indian Village also proved to be a fun and educational exhibit.

 

....arrowheads, arrows, stones for mixing in, how they made brooms, teepees, and more!

 

The animal exhibit is always a favorite:)

 

HAPPY FALL YA'LL

Revolutionary

The theme for Homeschool Camp this year was the Revolution!  We enjoyed our 4 day camp experience.

The camp weekend was kicked off with dinner in the Chow hall.  We got to sit with some friends, chat, and eat.

 

On Friday, we learned about the Battles of the Revolution!

 

The girls enjoyed the interactive design of the class.

 

From there, we moved on to learn about Life in Revolution times.  We were able to make butter, knead bread dough, sew a sampler, use a washboard, and create a pocket sundial!

 

Then, in the cold and rainy weather, we headed out for some recreation activities!  Faith geared up for the Leap of Faith.   

 

 

"Climbing!" .....and up she went

 

This year she actually jumped for the trapeze---an improvement from last year.

Here, Dalaina is getting suited up for the zipline.

 

David did the zipline too.

 

From there, we headed over to drive a go cart!  It was lots of fun--for David more so.  Dalaina was not excited to go fast!

 

 

The next day, we learned about Spies and Codes.  There were codes to break that led us around the camp for clues.

 

 

The girls had a chance to act like the Minute Men---

 

...then, we head out to shoot some B B guns!

 

From there, we learned about the Continental Army.  We learned about rank and file and marching orders!

 

We got to shoot Marshmallow guns!!

 

 

Saturday night was concluded with a Colonial Ball!  We had so much fun at camp with our friends there!

 

The DeLeon's

 

 

The Overall's

 

 

...can't wait until next year!  SHIPWRECKED

 

A new year....

Summer is over in the Overall house:(   Another school year has commenced!  Here is Faith on her first day of third grade.

 

 

Dalaina, first day of 1st grade!

 

I am almost in disbelief that we have been homeschooling for this long---we are in our 5th year!!  CRAZY!

This year, we switched curriculum--again.  We wanted something that we could teach both girls at the same time. Trail Guide to Learning; Paths of Exploration has been great for this exact thing!!!

We are currently doing a study of Christopher Columbus.  The girls are learning about explorers, maps, the oceans, Spain, China, ships and their parts, journeys, spices, salt, etc.....  We are having so much fun:)

 

We had a lesson on spices and using our senses as explorers did.  They wanted to travel to the Indies for some spices.  So, we had a blindfolded taste and smell challenge!

 

...she didn't care for the Turmeric (lol)

 

We also have learned about salt;where it comes from, what it's used for, and how to make crystals!  Here they are with the beginnings steps to make crystals.

 

Two days later, here they are checking out the crystals that have grown.  They record their observations in their student notebook:)

 

...there were little crystals that formed around the lower rim of the bowl!

 

This year is looking great so far.

We have established a great schedule and awesome curriculum that is working for us!  We are excited to see where this year takes us:)