Create Your Own Crossword Puzzles

I came across the website: crossword hobbyist where you can create your own puzzles.  I don't know about you, but we are always looking for fun ways to study.  My kiddos love crosswords, so this is perfect!

You can print them for home use, but the coolest thing...

You can do them online!
Here is a link to the first puzzle I made.

Its for Vocabulary From Classical Roots Book A - Lesson 1.
Here is what the completed one looks like 

My plan is to get all their words loaded into Quizlet, from there I'll upload to  crossword hobbyist to create the puzzles.

One reason I chose this site, is that some others would not allow me to use ALL the words.  Here, the puzzle size increases as you add words and you can rearrange at any time.

Go check them out!

(I hear there is a sister site the does word searches.  That's next on my list...)

Story of the World Volume 2: The Middle Ages and Classical Conversations Timeline Cards

{Link to PDF}

I finally made it through Medieval times!  

Well, we are only a little over halfway through in school, but I read a little ahead so I could finish this chart. 

The great thing is....I've already used it!

I'm going to admit something to you all.  

I wasn't a huge History fan in High School.  I have absolutely no idea how I got an A....Every. Single. Year.  Well, I love it this time around!  I'm learning right along with the kids.

That's not actually what I'm admitting tho.....its that I had no idea what the Magna Carta was.....is.   

We were in Chapter 19 of the Story of the World Middle Ages and as I got to the part about the "Magna Carta" I thought, huh....what?  Well, I had heard it before, but couldn't explain to the kiddos what it was.  My "aha" moments coincide with the kids sometimes.  They started signing that part in the timeline song as I grabbed my chart, looked up Ch 19 and found it matched card 79.  So I pulled it out and read them more about it.  

Now we all know about it.  Win!  

Sure, I could have easily google it and looked at Wikipedia, but its great when I'm able to connect the dots for them using something we are already studying.

Anyway....I hope you get as much use out of this as I am.  

For my Story of the World Ancient Times sheet, go here.

Early Modern Times will be a bit, unless I get some free time.

Ha!

Free time.....hmmm....might have to look that one up on Wiki....not sure I know what that is either.

 

Curriculum Series....

I posted awhile back on {How I Choose Curriculum}.

I also posted what our {Curriculum 2013-2014} will be.

I thought maybe I should post why I chose what I chose and how I move through the different levels.....so far.  

So I'm going to make it a little more in-depth. I'll try to highlight each subject, tell you what I use, how I use it, why I use it, if I've used something else, and anything else I think might help.  I'll start with what I call our "Core" curriculum, then move onto everything else.

In our house, Core curriculum means:

Bible
Math

Grammar

Writing

History

Science

2nd tier of my Core:

Latin
Vocabulary

Spelling

Literature

Classical Conversations
Handwriting

The Extras are:

Character

Poetry

Geography

Music

Art

The reason why some of these are "extras" is because they get Vocabulary and Geography in History, Christian Studies, Latin, Classical Literature, and in Classical Conversations.  They also get Art, Music,  and Science at CC.  We take Music Lessons (violin and piano) every week and we read classical literature and me throwing lit units in this year was an afterthought.  I'm not saying the "Extras" aren't important, just that its ok if we don't get to them every day and every week.

For us....I count a day of school if we get in Bible, Math, Grammar, and either History or Science.  I think there has been maybe one or two days that we've done that little of work; usually its those plus handwriting, spelling, bible and vocab etc. for a "basic" day.

Anyway.....hope my little series helps!  

Cathy Duffy Reviews

A site I used A LOT when deciding on curriculum was Cathy Duffy Reviews.  She gives great reviews on a plethora of homeschool curriculum.  There is everything from the basics of Math, Grammar, History, Science, and Phonics, to extras like Art, Music, Foreign Language and Bible.

She has provided resources to Homeschoolers since 1984 and has even written a great book 101 Top Pics for Homeschool Curriculum.

In the book there is a great section to find out the style of homeschooler you are and the method that aligns with your teaching and learning beliefs.  

On the website, at the bottom of each curriculum review, she includes pricing and buying links, what ages the curriculum is suitable for, prep time needed, she rates the need for parent/teacher instruction and the educational philosophy of the curriculum.

Even tho all of my curriculum is pretty set, I still use this site when I'm thinking of switching or adding something new.

Magnetic Calendar

I swung by a friends house a few weeks back to look at some furniture and as we walked through their homeschool room I noticed a fun little calendar.

I loved it so much, I got online and bought one when I got home.

Gotta love Oriental Trading Company. My First Calendar Magnetic Chart for under $15 and with free shipping.  Sometimes the stuff you find at OTC can be kinda junky.  Not this.  It seems to be well made.  I love the bright colors and that the seasonal months are color coded.  Its actually a thicker magnetic board so will hold up to use.

It has:

Months

Days of the Week

Date

Weather and Season

Now I'm a kinda DIYer.  I have a scrapbooking room office that resembles Hobby Lobby.  I actually made a different version of this when we first started HSing.  Its all laminated, velco-dotted and all.

I like OTCs version better. Much better!

I bought this for my 5 y.o. and he loves it, but the girls want to use it too.  I told them they could do the weekends. :)  They've actually been fighting discussing who gets to do what. 

Right now, its perched on the ledge of my dry erase board.  That's where it will stay until I find a permanent home for it.  By the time kiddo #3 is done with calendar work #4 will be using it.  

 The picture from the website made me giggle.

I guess the people who setup the merchandise for photos need a little lesson on Weather vs. Season.

I'll send them my Kindergartner.

Worksheet Works {Homeschool Helps}

Ahhhh.....I love this website!  And its FREE!

worksheetworks.com

When I am looking for extra worksheets (especially mapping) I go here first.  You can create pretty much any kind of worksheet for multiple difficulty levels, which is great since I have 4 different age levels here.

There is:

Math

English

Alphabets

Writing

Geography

Puzzles of all kinds

Logic

Planners

Hand/Eye Coordination

Oh My...

Right now I mainly use this for extra maps in our Geography curriculum.  We are working on "blob mapping" and learning to map by heart.

Next year I am tutoring Classical Conversations: Essentials B/C, so plan on using it for logic puzzles and Grammar helps.

Quizlet {Homeschool Helps & App}

Just wanted to share a great learning tool with you.  Its a website call "Quizlet."  I've started using it more and more lately.  Its a great site where you can create online flashcards.  It does a lot more than that though!  There is also an app for your phone and ipad.  

Here's an example of how it works...

1. Open a FREE account.  

I use the basic version, which is free.  I'm sure the upgraded version has more perks, but the free one is all we need right now.

2. Title your set

I thoroughly title mine, so that others are able to search and use them. (More on that in a sec...) You can include a description and categorize them by subject.

3. Start entering your terms and definitions.  

I use to actually make flashcards on my computer.  I couldn't just go out and buy the blank cards and write on them.  Nope, the perfectionist in me would not allow it.  I actually created a template complete with footers that told subject, book, chapter.  (I've been told I can get help for this??? :)  In Quizlet, you cannot only make the cards yourself, you can add images (I've not tried that yet) and also import data (that either).  If you don't want to enter them yourself....search around.  I'm sure the subject matter has already been entered.  You can copy a pre-made set cards or save them to your "class" to use.  

Here's a link to the sets I've created (mostly Grammar related).

4. Save 

Don't forget this step!!!  Not that I've ever skipped this one...ever...really.  I'm just assuming it would be really frustrating to enter terms all over again.  Especially a really long set....A-hem.

5. Start using

This is the fun part!  There are a few different ways you can use these at your computer.  In addition to flipping through the flashcards on screen, there is Speller, Learn, Test and some games.

"Speller" we don't use right now.  Maybe we would if it was a spelling lesson or foreign lanuage?

With "Learn" you type in the answer to the question.  You can have it prompt with the term or speak the text.  We don't use this setting much either.  

The "Test," however, we use a lot!  There's a few different ways the parent (or student) can set the test up.  It all depends on what subject you are using it for and how you set up the flashcards.  I tend to do matching, multiple choice or True/False and prompt with term or definition depending where we are in the learning process.  This is a great way for you or your child to see what they already know and what they need to work on.

The Games are my kids favorite part.  The Scatter game does just that.  It scatters all the "fronts" and "backs" of the cards around the screen and the kids have to match them up to make them disappear.  It times you so you play against yourself.  On the Space Race you have to type in the terms before they get to the other side of the screen.  For both of these games, you can play around with the settings to suit your child's needs.

You can also Print your cards out in various styles.  A table, glossary, small or large grid and index cards.  Nice!!!

I subbed for an Essentials class one day and decided to print up 2 sets of the large gridded terms.  I then cut them out and into matching cards.  During class, I split the kids into two teams and had them race to see who could match all the terms up.  My oldest enjoyed it so much, she asked to do it at home.  I (of course) needed the answer sheet so I printed myself a glossary in both terms and definitions.  I guess I need to do a little studying myself!?!?

But wait....there's more...

You can get the app on your iPhone and iPad and study on the go...or just for a change of pace from using flashcards.  I've found my kids are much more willing to study if they get computer or iPad time!  

Sometimes I kinda feel like I'm tricking them into learning! (hehehe...insert evil laugh.)
{UPDATED 8/28/13: Now you can get this app on your Android too}

Happy studying!

And no....not paid for this review (although it sounds like it)!  

I just found a fantastic tool and wanted to share. :)

I'm sure there is more this site can do, but this is the extent of my experience with it.  If you've found other great things about it, please let me know so I can update!