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February
1 ,
2007
Dear
Oklahoma Homeschool Subscribers,
 It
hardly seems possible that February is here. Thinking back
to my homeschooling days, I recall that the months of February
and March were particularly stressful. The weather kept
us inside (which was bad enough!) and end-of-year evaluations
were looming on the horizon. Here in Oklahoma, we don't
have to worry about end-of-year evaluations, but many of
you in other states are not so fortunate.
When
I homeschooled in Pennsylvania, I had to pay an evaluator
each year to look over our school work and approve us for
the next year. The pressure to conform was ever constant;
and as an eclectic homeschooler, I was always wondering
if we were going to pass inspection.
However,
even though I didn't use traditional schoolbooks, tests,
and workbooks, we were always approved and even applauded
for what we had accomplished. I know this was because of
the grace of God and also because I kept good records.
I highly recommend keeping a portfolio
even if you live here in Oklahoma. I consulted with one
mom here in Oklahoma who had a blended family of his,
hers, and ours children. The ex-husband complained to DHS
because the wife homeschooled his children. One day DHS
came to her door when she wasn't there. Her children let
her in and showed her their portfolios. After looking them
over, she said the mom was doing fine and the case was
dropped! The mom called me and let me know how thankful
she was that I had recommended she take the extra time
to put them together.
Great
News for those of you in Oklahoma: My new book, Oklahoma
Scrapbook: A Travel Guide and Memory Book for Exploring
Oklahoma, is in the hands of my editor and the cover
illustration is being designed as I write this newsletter!
I should have it available for sale by March. I'm
really delighted with how it has turned out and everyone
who has seen it wants one! I'll be sending out a special
email to those of you in Oklahoma to let you know when
it's available on my website.
My
next projects are to write
another article for the Old
Schoolhouse Magazine to be
published in their Fall issue, clean my house that hasn't
been cleaned since I started the Oklahoma Scrapbook!, and
then wait on the Lord to tell me what my next book project
is!
This
month, my newsletter will focus on teaching
Oceanography in a multi-level setting. If you have an aquarium
nearby, the winter months are a great time for a visit.
Using the suggestions below to plan a short unit around
oceanography before you go! I hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Have a wonderful February!
Cindy
Downes
Oklahoma
Homeschool Newsletter, February 2007
Index:
FREE
Forms:
1.
Ocean Thematic Paper. Use
the wide line form when teaching
K-2
(pdf document); the thin lines for grades 3+
(pdf document).
2.
Ocean
Report Booklet:
Use this free booklet (pdf document) as a writing project
for an ocean unit.
Back
to top
The
Checklist & Multi-Level Teaching: Oceanography 
Topics
to Discuss:
1.
See The Checklist,
page 148-149, for topics to discuss and terminology.
2. See
pages 138-143 for scientists in the field of Oceanography.
3.
See pages 119-126 for literature ideas.
Suggested
Reading:
1.
Classical Literature / Family Reading:
20,000
Leagues Under the Sea by
Jules Verne. 4-8.
Moby
Dick (Adapted) by Allan Drummond, Fiction, K-3. (Also available
in original edition for 6th+)
2.
Other Fiction / Historical Reading: 
Devil
on the Deck by
Lois Hadley Dick. This is a fictionalized account
of John Newton (author of song, Amazing Grace)
and his part in a slave shipping operation. This
is out of print but there are several used copies
available. 9th+
Keep
the Lights Burning, Abbie
by Peter Roop. 40 pgs. In the winter of 1856, a storm
delays the lighthouse keeper's return to an island
off the coast of Maine, and his daughter Abbie must
keep the lights burning by herself. K-6+
The
Great Shark Escape
by Jennifer Johnston. Science chapter book. K-4+
Polar,
The Titanic Bear
by Daisy Spedden. 64 pgs, color, True story, 1994,
K-4+
Titanic
by Victoria Sherrow. Scholastic History reader. Level
3. 48 pgs, some color, 3-6+
You
Wouldn't Want to Sail on the Titanic!
by David Stewart. 32 pgs, color, 2001, 3-6
3.
Nonfiction Reading:
The
Atlantic Ocean
(True Book) by David Petersen. 48 pgs, K-6
The
Pacific Ocean (True
Book) by David Petersen. 48 pgs, K-6
The
Four Oceans
(Rookie Read-About Geography) by Wil Mara. 32 pgs.,
K-6
Ocean
Atlas by
John Woodward. An ocean-by-ocean survey of the
world-using photography and special imaging technology
to uncover underwater ecosystems and undersea terrain,
and tell the story of its exploration. 96 pgs.,
(2007) 4th+
Life
in the Oceans
by Lucy Baker. Wildlife and plant life. 32 pgs.,
K-6
Charting
the Ocean
by Ruth Brindze, ocean mapping, 5+ 
Drip!
Drop! How Water Gets to Your Tap by
Barbara Seuling. Explains the water cycle, uses
of water, water conservation, water purification,
and water pressure. K-6.
Fish
That Play Tricks
by D. M. Souza. 40 pgs., color, 2-6+
Hidden
Under the Sea:
The World Beneath the Waves by Peter Kent. whaling,
shipwrecks, submarines, detailed pictures, 33 pgs,
color, oversize, K-6
Wish
for a Fish,
Cat-in-the-Hat Learning Library, color illus, 48
pgs. K-3.
Jellyfish
(New True Book) by Elaine Landau. 1999. 48pgs., color,
K-4+
Starfish
(Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science) by
Edith Hurd. 2000, 34 pgs., color, K-2
A
Trip to the Ocean by John D. Morris. Christian based
book introduces readers to God's sea creatures. 40
pgs. K-6
Ocean
Life From A to Z Book and DVD by
Cynthia Stierle. 32 pgs. K-4+ 
Ocean
Tide Pools (Habitats) by
Arthur L’Hommedieu. 1997, 30 pgs, color,
K-6+
Dragons
of the Deep: Ocean Monsters Past & Present by
Carl Wieland. 80 pgs. Christian based. 4th+
Mapping
the Seas
by Walter Oleksy. 63 pgs, some color, Excellent.
2002, 5-8+
Mysterious
Ocean Highway: Benjamin Franklin and the Gulf Stream
by Deborah Heiligman. 48 pgs, some color, Excellent!
2000, 3-6+
Shipwreck
(Fast Forward) by Peter Dennis. 28 pgs, color, Spanish
Galleon, salvage, great pictures and simple text. 2001,
1-6
Tsunami
Disaster in Indonesia
by John Albert Torres. 32 pgs, color, 2005, K-4+
A
Whale Biologist at Work
by Sneed Lollard. 2000, 48 pgs., color, 4-8+
Suggested
Composition:
1.
“My
Ocean Report ” for writing assignments (see
Forms above). Create
a Sea Life “report.” Cut out pictures
of sea creatures or take photos at an aquarium. Paste
one picture to a page. Label the pictures. Bind into
a book. 
2.
Use page-75 of Oceans
Theme Unit to create an “Ocean Filmstrip” of
sea animals.
3. Do some art projects from page 70-71 of Ocean Theme
Unit
4. Cook some recipes from page 72 of Ocean Theme Unit
5. Label the oceans and seas on page 68 of Ocean Theme
Unit
6. Complete the Venn Diagram on page 67 of Ocean Theme
Unit
7. Complete the Tide puzzle on page 66 of Ocean Theme Unit
8. Do some lab experiments from pages 64-65 of Ocean Theme
Unit
9. Discuss the Water Cycle on pages 62-63 of Ocean Theme
Unit
10. Math: Complete “Lengthy Questions” on
page 59 of Ocean Theme Unit
11. Composition: Choose an animal from pg 52 of Ocean
Theme Unit and use to complete the Animal Web Outline on
page 54.
12. Read The Cay by Theodore Taylor and do activities
in part 1 of Ocean Theme Unit
13. Complete remaining activities in Ocean Theme Unit
as desired.
Suggested
Hands-On Activities:
1.
Start a sea shell collection.
2. Ocean
Life Floor Puzzle. Purchase from CBD or education store.
3. Seas & Oceans
Sticker Atlas. Maps of all the worlds oceans and over
200 stickers of the animals and plants that live in them.
Excellent! K-6
4 . Ralph
Masiello's Ocean Drawing Book. Learn to draw ocean
creatures.
Suggested
Workbooks:
1.
Learn
About The Ocean Coloring Book, PreK-4+
2. Boy
Scout Merit Badge: Oceanography.
This resource provides lots of activities to do related
to oceanography. All ages.
2. Complete activities in Beginning
Geography: Continents & Oceans,
K-3+
3. Complete activities in Beginning
Geography: Landforms and Bodies of Water,
3+
4 . Hands-On
Minds-On Science: Ocean, Teacher
Created Resources. 4-6
Suggested
Internet Resources:
1.
All
About Oceans and Seas,
(K-6) 
2. Treasures at Sea (K-8)
3. Ecosystems,
Oceans, (4-8+)
4. Victor
the Vector, Ocean Currents, (1-6+)
5. Planet
Ocean (Discovery),
(all ages)
6. The Sea from
Sea and Sky, (3-6+)
7. Squish the
Fish Interactive Activity.
(PreK-3)
8. An
Ocean of Sound, An exploration of Underwater Acoustics
9. The
Virtual Ocean, microscopic life.
10. Fish
Index. Photos of ocean creatures.
11. Student Activities: Whales
12. Shark
Activities from Kidzone. Includes color pages, mazes,
worksheets, crossword puzzles.
13. Ocean
Animals crafts for kids.
14. Ocean Theme Worksheets: Math
15. Activities from Monterrey Bay Aquarium.
16. Live
Web cams from Monterrey Bay Aquarium. LIVE! Watch sharks,
sea otters, and more!
Don't forget! When you're done, be sure to add what
your children did for the oceanography to your copy of The
Checklist!
Back
to top
Internet
Resources for Homeschooling:
1. Web
Bibliography Cards: http://www.everydayteaching.com/Helpers/biblio.web.html
2.
Design
and Discovery, A free curriculum designed
to introduce youth ages 11-15 to engineering through
design.
3.
The Journey Inside, an interactive, free, online curriculum
that will teach about the technologies, processes, and
methods that make your computer and the Internet work.
4.
Biblical Worldview tests: http://www.worldviewweekend.com/test/register.php and http://www.nehemiahinstitute.com/peers_test.htm
5.
Old and New Testament Lesson Booklets: http://children.calvarychapel.com/site/curriculum.htm
THIS IS GREAT!
6.
Mesopotamia Coloring Page: http://www.midisegni.it/storia/mesopotamia.shtml
7.
Homeschool ID Card: http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/homeschool-id/
8.
Writing contest: http://www.oeta.onenet.net/rrcontest.html (Deadline March 31)
Back
to top
Oklahoma
Resources:
1.
Centennial Events - March. For
more events and coupons, be sure to check the TravelOK
website: http://www.travelok.com
Weatherford's Heirloom Quilt Show, Mar 3, 2007 -
Mar 10, 2007, Weatherford, OK. A
Quilt Show at the Cedar (one room) School House will
include local quilters displaying their heritage
heirloom quilts and quilting demonstrations. The
exhibit will include quilted wall hangings depicting
famous females. Also on display will be historic
items that helped pioneer ancestors to make a home
for their families in Western Oklahoma.
Cherokee's "Spirit of the Pioneer" - A
Centennial Celebration, Mar 9, 2007 - Mar 10, 2007.
The Land Run and Early settlement will be the theme
as the Selenite Players present Cherokee's Early
Years. Included will be in-character presentations.
Ponca City's Western Memorabilia Show,
8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mar 17, 2007, Hutchins Memorial,
5th and Overbrook, Ponca City. A
western trade show with western, cowboy, or Indian
related items to be displayed. Highlighted will be
personal historical collections pertaining to Oklahoma's
Western heritage with emphasis on the world-famous
101 Ranch of northern Oklahoma. Impersonators will
be interacting with the public to explain their historic
involvement with the development of the state of
Oklahoma. Admission charged. Contact: Gene Putt,
580-762-7682.
Oklahoma rising Video: http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/oklahomarising.htm
2.
Oklahoma Home Educators’ Capitol Day, February
20, 2007, at the Oklahoma State Capitol. More information
and registration forms available at http://www.ochec.com/OCHEC_Capitolday.htm.
5.
Oklahoma Scrapbook: A Field
Trip Guide and Memory Book by
Cindy Downes. Brand new e-book by Cindy Downes will be available
in March.
6.
For more info and learning materials about Oklahoma
history,
check my website at:
http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/teachOKH.html
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to top
Quote:
"Give
a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man
to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
Author Unknown
Back
to top
Please
feel free to forward this to anyone who may be interested.
Please forward in it's entirety.
If
you'd like to be added to the Oklahoma Homeschool Newsletter
mailing list, please email back with "Subscribe"
in the subject line, along with your city and state or country
and how long you have homechooled.
COPYRIGHT
NOTICE: This newsletter is ©Copyright 2006
by Cindy Downes. All rights reserved.
PRIVACY
POLICY. Your name and email address will always remain
completely confidential. I do not sell, loan, or share any
subscriber or customer information for any reason. Your information
will never be used for any purpose other than delivery of
my e-newsletter and to occasionally inform you of updates
to http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com.
If
you want to be removed from this mailing list, please
send a blank email with the word "unsubscribe" in
the subject line.
Have
a great day!
Cindy
Cindy
Downes
OKLAHOMA HOMESCHOOL
Website: http:www.oklahomahomeschool.com
Email: cindy@oklahomahomeschool.com
Blog: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/EmptyNestMom
Have
you seen The Checklist? It's
an assessment tool, lesson planner and K-12 Recordkeeper created
for Christian Home Educators: http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/checklist.html
Oklahoma
History Online is
now available! Check it out at: http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/okhist.html
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