Teaching the Turrell Tribe: Setting the stage (I mean farm)

Today the extra two littles joined us again. We began with our Bible time where we learned about the next two days of creation - dry land and vegetation on day 3 and sun, moon, and stars on day 4. This meant sticker time for our book pages. What kid doesn't like stickers?

The creation of our own marching band came next. The kids raided our drawer of musical instruments. Each child picked their favorite (even four of the five bigger kids). Once everyone knew how to play their instrument we went for a march around the house. We did not have a line or any wonderful formations, just a blob of kids following Sarah around. We will have to practice before we go perform anywhere.

After a short recess on the playground, creative snacking began. Each child got to frost a graham cracker with frosting and then decorate it with chocolate chips, marshmallows, or freeze dried ice cream. The creations were then quickly consumed by most. Some just liked the decorating but did not like their finished creation's taste.

Then the split happened. The biggies (our new nickname for the older 5) and Alex started on US Geography. They started with Illinois, learning all the state symbols. They learned that all the state symbols were chosen by Illinois school children. Over the past hundred years or so, school children got to vote on their favorite (tree, bird, animal, etc.) and once all the votes were totaled a new symbol was announced. The littles painted a farm scene for their farm unit. In the next few weeks they will learn all about farm animals and make a craft for each one to go on the farm. So we were setting the stage for a our farm unit adventure.

After lunch the two part timers went home and Josh and Natalie took a nap. The older six then sat down for mad minutes, math, reading, and creative writing time (the less exciting but necessary stuff).