Brains for Lunch

We finally began our first unit for the fall, brains. In our normal thematic unit fashion, we studied books and videos found in the library and on line. Here we are dividing the brain into their left and right hemispheres using cauliflower and food coloring. Then one brain shows the different lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital). The other brain shows the cerebellum and the brain stem. 

And Now a "Not Back to School" Picnic

I've now joined another homeschooling community, this one geared more towards the unschooling side of things. I've been thinking about unschooling and growing more and more to like it. Over the summer, I felt myself relax and really open my mind to unschooling. I'm not there yet, but I feel I've crossed the middle line and lean more towards unschooling than not. We are still planning using our math books, and will begin with a handwriting and spelling curriculum. I still like the idea of thematic units. The kids will begin music, swim and circus classes. Sounds very structured and the opposite of unschooling, but it feels more unschooling to me. We tossed all our workbooks over summer, and dropped a few classes to make room for a more relaxed time. 

This new community we have joined hosted a "Not Back to School" picnic for the families. We had a great time joining in and meeting new people.

Another Mural

Last year we began with a mural. This year we are beginning with a mural. This time, not our classroom, but my daughter's room. We found a street seen of Venice, Italy and traced it onto her wall. We used glaze paint (a first for me) and painted in the lines. Somewhere in all of this, we snuck in some organizing, donating and updating from both kids' rooms. My daughter is happy with the results of her newly updated room (it was girlie pink and lavender before) and I am happy to begin our new year slowly. 

Not Back to School

We are celebrating "Not Back to School" days. The sun is still shining bright, it's warm, and the kids just want to run and play. We have not started back to any kind of schedule with curriculum, we are still enjoying summer. Today the kids played in and around the river while the adults chatted. Win-win.