Art - Indian Dwellings

We have been studying Native Americans in our History curriculum. We have been learning where different Indian tribes were located in North America and what kind of dwellings they lived in.  For art this past week, they each picked what type of dwelling they wanted to study further and try to create a scaled down model.  Once again,  they did pretty well.

The beginning stages of Anna's Longhouse with a bit of help from Noah.  I think he misses the activities the younger ones get to do.

Mandi putting some artistic touches on her tee-pee.

A close up of Mandi's artwork.

The artists' with their completed Indian dwellings.  I think they are getting another A in Art.  

Good job girls!

So far this school year has been very fun!  Visit us again to see what we have been doing in Science.  It's been educational and edible.  

Football Days

How many times, as a homeschooler, have I heard - "How do you socialize them?"

I can't even tell you.

My answer right now:

Football, Football, Football!!

Our two oldest boys play on our local homeschool co-op football team.

Last year, the girls were able to be cheerleaders.  Unfortunately, this year, they were unable to have a cheer team.  However, the girls still hang out and play with their friends while their brothers are practicing and playing.

Hubby and I updated our camcorder this year, so I taped their last game.  Here are a couple highlights for you to enjoy and us to remember.  Just like in a yearbook!!

William #50 and Noah #4 work together to get a tackle. 

William #50 recovers a fumble!!  Whoot-Whoot!!

So far, they have played 4 games:

away vs Anderson - L

away vs Shannon Forrest - L

away vs Rabun Gap - W

home vs PAC Panthers - W

The team motto is "It pays to be a winner." So, as well as getting some social time in with other kids their age,  they are also learning some life lessons!

#1 You can't always win!!  

#2 Always play your best!

#3 It's not if you lose, it's how you react to the loss.

Memories in the making!!!!!

GO CANES!!!!! 

ART - Week 1

The girls have been studying Native Americans in their History lessons.  They have thoroughly enjoyed learning about their way of life.  One of the things they found most interesting was how they hand made most everything, right down to the bags they carried.  This brought us to art class.

We decided to make a handmade "pretend" buckskin bag.  I loaded up the kiddos and headed off to Hobby Lobby, one of my all-time FAVORITE stores.  We headed straight to the fabric section in search of something that would resemble buckskin.  The very helpful lady pointed us in a direction of a kit that had most everything we needed already cut and ready to assemble.  I love it when things are simple!! I purchased some fabric paint and beads to decorate with and we were set.

The girls had to sew the two sides together using a rather large, dull needle and a rather thick leather string.  I think it was much too thick to classify as thread!!

 Mini-Me did her very best,  but needed a bit of help with this part. 

 Princess 1 was able to get hers completed without any assistance (except for Tigger kitty), though she had a couple problems she had to fix.

 Princess 2 was more independent than not, but did require some assistance.

Once they were sewn together, they had to put the leather thong cinch handles, bead decorations, and paint decorations on. 

 

The girls did the bead work and painting all by themselves.  

I think they did a pretty good job.

I give them all A's!!

Keep checking back to see what other projects we get into this year.  I think it's going to be a great year.

Let the 2013 - 2014 School Year Begin!!

Let me introduce you to Mullenax Homeschool Academy.  This is our seventh year homeschooling. I attempted to blog our last school year, which was an epic fail,  but I am determined to get this year documented in pictures and posted.  This year I have 5 actual students, a 2 year old distraction, and about 4 cats that think they have to be in the center of everything.

Let's start with the students:

           Mr Helper is a freshman this year.  How did he get to be in high school already??  He is a history guy, loves anything related to history!!  He is also a BIG football fan.  Fortunately, last year we were able to find a homeschool team he could play on.  They did pretty well last year, getting to the championship game and ending up second in their league.  We'll see how this year goes; I'm not as hopeful. 

          Mr. Gamer is in 8th grade.  He is my science student.  He would take the entire science book and read through it if he had time.  Unfortunately, I throw in all those OTHER subjects.  He also likes to play football and while he didn't get as much playing time last year,  he was on the same team as his brother.  This year, he's looking to be on the field a lot more!!

          Princess 1 is in 6th grade.  Again,  where does the time go?  She was in K-5 when we started this homeschool journey.  She is definitely my mini-me, right down to the attitude!!  She is really good at organizing, when she wants to be.  I just wish she would do as well with her school books and supplies!!

          Princess 2 is in 4th grade.  She is my sweet, sensitive, and loving girl.  She simply wants to make everyone happy and has very high expectations of herself, which sometimes leads to some emotional turmoil in the classroom.

         Mini-Me is in K-4.  This is her first "official" year of school, though she has been in the center of our classroom all of her life!!  

          Baby Samuel isn't an official student,  but he is a very real distraction at times.  He is the baby of the family and very use to having as much attention as he wants.  

          Last, but not least, are Roxy's kittens.  Roxy is a kitten we rescued last year and ended up having 3 kittens in Baby Samuel's bed one night.  They are all VERY spoiled and enjoy laying down right on top of any paper we are trying to work on.  

How are they comfortable?

Join us as we study, laugh, and sometimes cry our way through this school year.  My goal is to make at least one post per week.  Hopefully,  I can get the older ones involved in creating posts as well.  Check back to see what is going on at the Mullenax Homeschool Academy!!!