* OneClickDigital *

My new favorite teaching tool. OneClickDigital through our local library. Check out ebooks and audio stories from your kitchen table. We are using the Mensa list for a reading list again this year and OneClickDigital has many of the books we need that.

* Fun Advent Idea *

Last year we did the Truth in the Tinsel and had a blast. We were going to do it again this year but I just wasn't sure because we have been pretty busy just getting the basics done around here and everyday we would end up with four new ornaments for the tree. 4 x 24 = a lot of new ornaments.

As I was skimming through my blog reader this morning I saw this post from Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler. We have the prefect spot to hang this neat banner and the small activities everyday will not overwhelm our small space.

* Oliver H. Kelly Farm Visit *

Over MEA weekend our homeschooling co-op went to the Oliver H. Kelly Pioneer Farm to see the day to day activities of a pioneer family. Oliver Kelly's family had more money that your average family in that time. He purchased 169 acres along the Mississippi River, thinking that the state capitol would be located in Anoka, which was not to be but the farm still stands today, just as it was when the Kelly's lived there.

 This is the chicken yard. There was no such thing as chicken wire then.

 Chicken coop. I love the structure and lines of this building. We will be constructing a new chicken coop next spring and our plan is to build something close to this, if not this exact shape.

 We have some old sliding glass door that would go along this wall of the coop, facing the south. It will keep lots of light in the coop and let what little sunshine we have for heat in, in the winter.

Free range hogs!

Ox

 This is the ox cart. The kids had to empty the manure out of it before they could get a ride.

 Four month old Shorthorn calves, they will be in training to become oxen for the next four years.

Love this barn, I really wish we had a hill to build our barn into. We actually have a hill, but it is about 500 ft from our current barn, water, and electricity. Also, I think the kids would be a bit upset if their sledding him became cow pasture.

The wood fired cook-stove. The pieces of wood that fit in the firebox are about 12 inches long and only take about 20 minutes to burn. The children were responsible for filling the wood box, without a reminder from mom.


We had a wonderful day and are hoping to go back next year when the gardens are in full swing and there are more activities for the children to participate in.

* Free Printable Blank Maps *

Love this, lots of great, free printable maps.

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* Our Nature Finds *

We have had lots of nice days here recently so we have taken a time-out from serious school and enjoyed the sunny weather with lots of nature exploration, hands on farm projects, and lots of play. Snow and sub-zero temps are right around the corner.

We have no idea what these little guys will one day be and we lost them before we every got back to the house.

* Oct. 8 - Oct. 12 *

Monday: Calendar, Geography {NY}, Memory Verse {John 15:4}, Bible {listened to the first 5 chapters of Matthew}, Amish Readers, Handwriting, Math, MFW 1st, WCV - Obedient

Tuesday: Calendar, Geography {MO}, BibleOT Matthew 6 - 10, History, Amish Readers, Editor in Chief, Math Blasters, MFW 1st

Wednesday: Calendar & Exploration Day {Science}

Thursday: enjoyed the weather outside

Friday: Calendar & Fine Arts {Music & Art}

Reading {Black Beauty, Harriet the Spy}

Read Outloud {The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe}

* Oct. 1 - Oct.5 *

Monday: Calendar, Geography {OH}, Amish Readers, History, Math Detective, MFW 1st, WCV - Content

Tuesday: Calendar, Geography{NE}, Amish Readers, History, Math, MFW 1st

Wednesday & Thursday: Field Trip/Hands-On work prepping for concrete work to be done at the barn.

Friday: Christian Kids Fellowship Homeschool Co-op and library


Reading {Black Beauty, The Wind in the Willows, The Railway Children}
Read Outloud {Chronicles of Narnia: The Magicians Nephew}
Book on Tape {The Secret Garden}

{Better late than never, right?}