Sep 20, 2011

[Tinkering] Simple Machines: The Lever

Our schoolhouse has the honor of hosting Kami Wilt of the Austin Tinkering School for a series of classes on Simple Machines. We are so happy to have Kami working with our children. First up, the Lever!

IMG_5703

IMG_5704

IMG_5707

IMG_5699

IMG_5709



\

The See Saw as a simple machine. When the load is shifted and the fulcrum off center, things change.

IMG_5720

IMG_5727

IMG_5729





I found the children carrying over what they learned the day before. Good stuff!

photo

Passion Based Learning for the 21st Century

IMG_5632

Instead of me having all these preconceived ideas of what they should doing, saying, and producing, I have to be open to what I find in each student. I have to discover — and help each student discover — their talents and interests and create a learning environment where they can use those gifts and passions to learn from a position of strength. — Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, Passion-Based Learning for the 21st Century

Sep 16, 2011

[Field Trip] Pioneer Farms

Some of our families met up for a field trip to Pioneer Farms on their homeschooling day. It was neat to step back in time to the 1800's and explore Texas' frontier past when family farms were the heart and soul of Texas. Most of the buildings at Pioneer Farms have been relocated here to save them from demolition. They have been placed to replicate their original environment as closely as possible. There was so much there, we didn't even get to explore it all.

IMG_5605

IMG_5655

IMG_5595

IMG_5596

IMG_5597

IMG_5599

IMG_5611

Fredric Kruger Farm, a German Immigrant Homestead in the 1860's.
This one room cabin was built around 1867 by German immigrants who settled near the intersection of Dessau Road and Yager Lane, about a mile away. It represents a common housing style of the era, more Spartan than the other farmsteads. Front and rear porches extended the sheltered living areas of the cabin and a loft above the main room was used as a sleeping area for the children; the Krugers had 13.
IMG_5615

IMG_5618

Adjacent to the cabin are a modest barn and a chicken yard, a covered outdoor kitchen that was used both in winter and in summer, and a kitchen garden that follows a tradition of that period of intermixing various plants.
IMG_5623

IMG_5630

IMG_5631

IMG_5627

IMG_5638

James Bell Farm. A Cotton Planter's Homestead in the 1880's.

IMG_5654

This home was of a well-to-do family in the 1880's. Furnishings inside this house reflect the simple elegance of the day. There were so  many homeschooling families there that day, I couldn't even get inside the main house to get a clear photo. Behind the house is this separate kitchen and also a spinning room - common features of the era.

IMG_5656

IMG_5657

IMG_5660

IMG_5661

IMG_5662

IMG_5664

IMG_5665

An amazing grand old tree. Many of the trees are nearly 100 years old.

IMG_5633-2

IMG_5651

Sep 12, 2011

Patterns and Weaving

Our mama helper this week was Clair, mama to Violet.

IMG_5577

Weaving, just like the Pioneers did!

IMG_5579

IMG_5586

Mama Clair painted our sandbox. Isn't it beautiful? Thank you!

IMG_5566

IMG_5568

In Math, we've been focusing on Patterns

IMG_5580

Rapunzel, Rapunzel!

IMG_5556

IMG_5549

Mystery Skeleton Hypothesis being collected.

IMG_5588

The children collectively made a thank you card for our landlords for all they've done to help this make this beautiful space possible for our children to learn.

IMG_5545

school

A view that made me feel happy last week.

IMG_5583

Sep 2, 2011

Corners of our Schoolhouse

My Family

IMG_5514

IMG_5519

Beautiful handmade easel from Liam's dad. Thank you!

IMG_5516

IMG_5508

IMG_5507

map

cubes

A-B

We've been learning all about Pioneers in preparation for our field trip to Pioneer Farms next week. Corbin's mama loaned us their tee pee which was a HUGE hit with the children. I believe this was from her own childhood.

IMG_5511

After mama helper Sharon did apple drying with the children, we went on a nature walk to collect items for the sunprinting project they did. More pics on that soon.

walk

Wish I had more photos, but I had left my camera at home one day and the other day I remembered to bring it in, I forgot my CF card, so there are less photos than my usual. See you next week!