Animal Grossology

Cauliflower Mushroom

A few weeks ago when we were at Sesqui State Park me and the kids found this interesting looking Fungi. We took it to the ranger station and asked them if they knew what it was and they said they had no idea. So we asked if we could take it with us since we know park rules say you are not to take things from the state parks.  The ranger looked at me as if I was nuts asking to have this yucky looking thing.  So we put it in a zip lock bag because it was full of lots of bugs.  We then took it to our very good friend Miss. Chanda--she can figure out what anything is! She is the most incredible person I've ever met.   Well she emailed me and shared her findings.  This brain looking Fungi is a Cauliflower Mushroom, according the the internet it may stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties.  You just never know what you may find when out on a nature walk!  

  wikipedia.org-Sparassis

Nature Class

These are a few of the extra pictures I took during Nature Class today.  Such a pretty walk after the rain. It would have been a more enjoyable class/walk but there was a group of children that lacked parental guidance and thought they should do things like pulling my daughters hair, stuffing itchy leaves down my son's shirt while he was trying to listen to the teacher and more!! Even though I said something to them they really did not seem to care. I was so frustrated by the time I left today!

Fungi!

Reindeer Moss which is actually a Lichen!

Such a beautiful 9 week old puppy!

Sassafras tree--so amazing that there are
so many different leaves on one tree!

Nature Scavenger Hunts

Have you ever done a Nature Scavenger Hunt? My kids love them!!! So I have been working on some new ones for them. 

Here are some links with great ideas for what to include for your hunt:

•   Love the Outdoors  
• birthdaypartyideas4kids 
• www.scavenger-hunt-fun.com 
• www.scavengerhuntsforkids.com 
• www.scavenger-hunt-guru.com 
• www.hometrainingtools.com 
• Utahs Natural Kids 
• www.wildernesscollege.com 
• www.everythingmom.com 
• blogs.smarter.com 

The internet is full of links. Just Google or Yahoo  "kids nature scavenger hunts"

Treasure we found along our Nature Walk

Today at Sesqui State Park the temp high was only 60 and  it was very windy making it feel so much colder.  This was one of the coolest days we've had this year so we haven't really had a chance to adjust. However, finding this beautiful Yellow Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar was so worth a little chill.   Megan also pointed out that this little guy is also our state butterfly:)

Art Supplies at a huge savings!!

This school year for Art we are planning to try out Artistic Pursuits book 1 and Art with a Purpose.  I had been slowly gathering the supplies and just using 40% coupons at Micheal's each time we needed to make a trip to Target for something.   Well 2 weeks ago Micheal's had a coupon in the paper for 40% your TOTAL for Paints, Markers, Pens.  I was so excited to be able to complete my list of needed art supplies for the school year:)  Well on top of the great coupon I found this line called Artists Loft for around $4.99 each. For anyone that has recently bought art supplies it is rather expensive so to find these for so much less really made my day!! I'm not sure what the overall quality is but it looks pretty nice and the kids aren't really concerned with quality at this age.  So my total for everything in this picture was only ......$32.90!!!!!!!!  

Nature Class and Halloween Party

Oh so much fun to be had but so little time!  The kids were so excited to wear their costumes to Nature Class today.  Miss.Chanda our teacher even pretended one of our swords was her pointer for the board.  She is so amazing with the kids and they love going to visit her as much as possible.   She is truly an amazing person and we are so blessed to have met her! 

 Today's Nature Class was on Geology.  We learned about how rocks form, the rock cycle, uses for rocks, types of rocks and then made a Japanese Rock Garden. 

While the kids were on their Nature walk a few of the moms prepared for the much anticipated Halloween Party.  They finally got to wear their costumes and see their friend's costumes! They got to play games!  I found some really neat ones on this website: Halloween Games  We did the Eyeball Relay and Mummy Wrap---I loved hearing the kids cackle while they played these:)   All the moms pitched in with decorations and snacks and I would have to say it was a success!   Can't wait to do this again next year:)

Kitty and Daniel Boone

Learning about the Cherokee at the County Museum

Today we went on a great field trip to the Lexington County Museum. We learned so much about the Cherokee way of life. We learned about:

• the use of the different type of baskets they made 
• how they made their clothing
• how they made their tools 
• what they hunted
• how they carried their babies with them everywhere they went
• how the women owned everything
• what wild plants they would have gathered and about a plant they used in their fishing basket that made the fish drowsy
• what games they would have played
• the folklore they passed down through the generations
• how the Cherokee like pretty things and how they decorated there things things juice from berries and the burnings from there fire to paint
• and much, much more!!!

This is the 3rd series of classes we have attended. We are enjoying them all so very much:)

So much fun at the SC State Fair

Again this year we had such a great time at the SC State Fair. This year we decided not to ride any rides for several reasons actually. We did: however, that full advantage of all the wonderful shows the fair had to offer. The theme this year was strongly dog related. There were Wild West Chihuahuas, High Flying K-9's that caught Frisbee's, a dog that Hypnotized people, a white tiger and so must more.

The exhibits were great as well. The fair was celebrating 100 year of Scouting so there was a great booth dedicated to the Boy/Club scouts. The kids got to have fun racing the pine derby cars, tying notes, and much more. We also got to shop at a few of our favorite festival spots such as the Beef Jerky shop, the Bulk Candy place and even got a great deal on some wonderful Usborne Books. It was such a long day but we had such a great day together:)

Congaree Guided Tour and Canoe Trip

Early Farm Life at the Museum

Today we got to attend another excellent field trip at the Lexington County Museum.  Today's topics where Early Farm Life and Early Games.   The kids got to learn about the types of animals seen on a farm and what each animals purpose was to the farm.  They got to learn about what tools would have been used on a farm and they got to practice planting some corn and processing(I guess that's the right word to use) of the corn.  We learned that in those days children would have gone went to the corn field and made their own dolls from dried corn husks.  We then got to play some Early Games which included Horse Shoes, Tug-O-War, Jump Roping, Pick up Sticks and many more from the 1700s and 1800s.   We all had so much fun I really wanted to just stay the entire day:)  

Nature Class- Nature Writing

Today Miss.Chanda taught the kids about Nature Writing.  First they learned about Fiction and Non-Fiction.  Then the kids made turkey feather pens to use for their nature writing.  Then the kids each set out with their mom to use their 5 senses to see what things they could write about from the nature around them.

Nature Collections--How to store and display

How do you store and display your nature collections?
This is something we are just beginning but I will share pictures of ours very soon:)

 Until then here are a few links with some great ideas to get you started:
Homeschooling-ideas nature-table

Heywoodsmeadow blog- nature-collections

Simple kids- ways to store and display nature collections

GironLife nature-shelf

In the Sparrow's Nest

The Magic Onions blog- Nature Table

WarrenleeCohen - perserving autumn leaves

Ohdeedoh.com nature-collection

Today's Blessing and the making of a local Commercial

A friend invited us to our local college extension because they were filming a commercial to advertise an upcoming Fall Festival that will be taking place the end of Oct.   I thought the kids would just be there on the property so that it looked busy since it was a weekday afternoon, but it turned out that they were IN the commercial.   Ty did not realize it would be something that will be on TV for everyone in the state to see.  He was shocked when we were talking about it on the car ride home.   He's now so excited and can not wait to see himself on TV.     

 We were talking today on the car ride home about how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to have such a flexible schedule and to be able to take parts in these type of things.  He says he sees how lucky he is but I know really that he has no idea, as he's not had the real experience to compare it.   Homeschooling is a blessing to us in so many ways.  Today's blessing was in getting to again take part in a community activity and not be rushed, we even helped out with the taking down of the decorations afterword.   We got to meet the Director and his wife who were great to chat with and I learned of some more educational opportunities that we will be taking part in .  Then after that we headed over to the Farmer's Market that is on  the same property and talked with the vendors once again and learned new things.  We spoke with the lady about the different types of Mums and how to care for them and even brought a few home.  We spent some time talking with a lady that sells soap and she discussed with us her soap making process in which she uses a cold process and things like Olive Oil.  It was yet another great day:)

This is a link for Cold Process Soap Making in case anyone else was wondering about this:)

More fun with Geobands

A Puppy.  When I asked her about his red ear she explained to me that usually dogs have different colored ears. I suppose she has been studying all the dogs we have met and she is what she has observed.

Georgia Aquarium

The kids at the Georgia Aquarium, currently the Worlds Largest Aquarium

Seashell Unit study

Walking by the Way Blog has shared a really neat unit study for seashells.  Looks like fun and she even has a give away going that you can enter to win!  Check it out here: Seashell Study

Another great idea for a summer theme--Mad Science

Mad Science Summer  Love this theme idea that is shared on Walking by the Way blog.   My kids would love this I just know it:)  So I am adding this to my To-Do list for this coming week.  Oh I can not wait to put this together!

Amazing Homeschool Space and more

Awesome Homeschool Space I just had to share this with my fellow homeschool friends.  Not only is her space amazing but she also has some great ideas!!

Link to some great homeschool links

Another blog that has some wonderful links! Just click here