School For Us: KONOS

Showing posts with label KONOS. Show all posts

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Finishing Up Explorers

We finished up our study of the explorers. Next week, we start our study of weather with our KONOS group. I wanted to post the rest of our resources for our explorers study:

Resources:

Around the World in 100 Years - I read this book about 6 months ago on my own - this book really does a good job telling the stories of a lot of explorers
The Discovery of The Americas by Maestro - we liked this book - it had usually about 2 pages per explorer - nice, short, interesting summaries
Sir Walter Raleigh by Schlesinger - I read this whole book and then just "told" Alexandra about it - fascinating guy!!!
A Picture Book of Christopher Columbus by David A. Adler - we always enjoy these books!
The Lost Colony of Roanoke by Jean Fritz - we read the second half of this book to find out more about the possible explanations as to why this colony was lost!
The Story of Chocolate (DK Readers) - we read this book because chocolate was introduced to Europe because of the explorers. This book discusses Montezuma, Columbus, and Cortez among others. Great story! And, you've got to eat a little chocolate while reading this book :-)

Saturday, September 29, 2007

With our KONOS online co-op group, we've been studying the Aztecs this week. Although KONOS usually has lots of projects, we didn't get any of them done this week. But, we had a lot of fun learning about the Aztecs and were sad to see how Cortez conquered them.

We started at this site. We printed off their worksheets and went through all of the sections. They had great information about the Aztec gods & goddesses, their mythology, their temples, everyday life, etc. And, they have some great coloring pages! They also have a link for you to calculate dates in Aztec heiroglyphs, some neat activities about their calendar and what the different parts mean, and a part about the history of chocolate! (again, it's at http://home.freeuk.net/elloughton13/mexico.htm)

We also used this Scholastic site to print off a calendar and 2 maps (with & without labels) to work on more geography of the region with our cork boards and push pins.

Another day, we used a Core Knowledge unit to talk about Columbus, Cortez (conquerer of the Aztecs) and Pizarro (conquerer of the Incas). I loved how it tied these 3 men together - how one man's experience led to another. And, at the end, it had a review where it compared and contrasted them.

I also used this idea from CK. I pretended I was a conquistador and placed my flag in Alexandra's territory and "claimed" it as my own. Then, I went and gathered all of her riches and said they were mine. I thought it really drove home the point of how the Spaniards had no right to take the land & treasures that didn't belong to them (not to mention the people!), but they thought it was OK.

CK also had this quote from Cortez: "We suffer from a disease that only gold can cure." And, they contrasted it with this quote from the Bible: "Watch out! Be on your guard against wanting to have more and more things. Life is not made up of how much a person has." Luke 12:15. We talked about whether Cortez was following Jesus command. (Nope!)

Before listing some other resources, I just wanted to mention some thoughts I had while doing this study.

First of all, I was disgusted with the human sacrifices - and just the sheer amount of it! How disgusting that they would believe their god wanted them to do this. And, at the same time, how dedicated they were to their gods!

Then, I started thinking how God in the Old Testament wanted blood sacrifices, though not human!!! Blood had to be shed for forgiveness. But, in the end, God did require a human sacrifice - His own Son!

Resources:

The Encylopedia of the Ancient Americas by Green, MacDonald, Stelle & Stotter - I picked this book about at Half Price Books and it has good information, photos, and projects
The Aztecs (a History Beneath Your Feet book) by Peter Chrisp - another book with good info, photos, and projects
The Aztecs (A True Book) by Santella - we always enjoy this series
The Crafts & Cultures of the Aztecs by Jovinelly & Netelkos - more info, photos & projects
Aztecs, Inca & Maya (DK Eyewitness Book)
Hernan Cortez: Conquistador and Explorer by Molzahn - this was the main book we used for Cortez
You Wouldn't Want to be an Aztec Sacrifice: Gruesome Things You'd Rather Not Know by MacDonald - this was Alexandra's favorite book, though I wouldn't recommend it for everyone! It does get pretty gruesome!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Geography and the Explorers

Our online KONOS co-op is currently studying the explorers. Along with that topic, we're studying geography. For example, since we're studying the Caribbean area that Columbus and other explorers explored, we're learning the names of the islands, bodies of water, etc, in that area. I came up with this neat idea of printing out a map, placing it on a sheet of corkboard (I got 4 of them for about $6 at WalMart) and then we take turns naming a place and the other person needs to place a pin in it. We're both really enjoying this game and have learned a lot! (Geography is NOT one of my strong points!)

We also used a Montessori approach to learning some land and water forms. We made models of the various land/water forms from Model Magic (which actually began to dissolve and get slimey in the water!) and added blue-colored water to make the water. For example, Vasco de Balboa crossed the isthmus of Panama, so we made this peninsula to show what that term means. (I'd seen another homeschooling blogger do something similar - but, unfortunately I don't remember who!)

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Magnets & a Compass

We studied (played with?) magnets this week using a kit from The Young Scientists Club. We talked about how like poles repel and opposite poles attract. And, we experimented with finding the north and south pole on different shaped magnets. We also made a compass, above. And, it worked! (The compass was part of studying the Explorers with KONOS.)

And, Alexandra taped a magnet to the top of this little car and showed how she could move the car because "like poles repel." This was lots of fun!

Friday, August 31, 2007

Spices

Using KONOS, we've been studying "explorers" this week - specifically Leif the Lucky and Marco Polo. We've read some great books, watched the Nest video about Marco Polo, and done a few hands-on activities. Our favorite was making a spice chart. It was Alexandra's idea to glue 2 pieces of paper together and make "flaps" to uncover each spice. (In photo, my flaps are open & hers are shut.)

Favorite Marco Polo resources:

Marco Polo (Nest Entertainment video)
Marco Polo by Graves - this book is 96 pages, but we read it in one setting - good book
The Adventures of Marco Polo by Smalley - a cartoon book - cute, but not as much information

Friday, August 03, 2007

Japanese Videos - Online!

Under the "video" tab, we watched some great videoes about Japan at this site.

We enjoyed the following videos:
Giesha Story "Sakurako" (talks with a geisha and shows her putting on makeup, getting dressed, and dancing)
Taiko Drums Festival (love it!!!)
Tsukiji fish market (kind of gross, though, with them cutting up the fish)
Mt. Fuji Climbing - Let's Climb!!! (neat to see KIDS climbing the mountain! at least at the lower parts) (and, I like how they get a "stamp" on their stick as they climb)

I don't recommend:
Onsen: Open-air bath

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Daruma Dolls

We used a neat product called Rigid Wrap (you use it like paper mache) to make Daruma Dolls as we finished up our Japanese studies. We also went to Benihana this weekend for a Japanese meal.

Alexandra had never been and I've only been once - about 10 years ago. It was so much fun! If you haven't been before, they cook at your table, and it is quite a show. We had about 5 courses and liked almost everything. Alexandra especially enjoyed the fried rice and her chicken. I loved my shrimp and steak. What a wonderful finish to our study!!!

Friday, July 20, 2007

Geta

My friend, Ms. S, let me borrow some of her things while we're studying Japan. One year, for Halloween, she made one of her daughters a kimono and some geta (wooden clog shoes worn in Japan)! I thought she did a wonderful job and Alexandra was so happy to try these on and clomp around in them.

While studying Japan, I've enjoyed some of the posts at Ping Magazine. They have one called "Clacking with Your Wooden Japanese Clogs" that has some great photos of Japanese shoes. I especially loved some of the clogs which they use for certain jobs, like for planting rice and making tea.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Galloping the Globe

I got a comment asking me about Galloping the Globe (GTG) and KONOS. My daughter is getting ready for 2nd grade and will, unless plans change, be using Volume 2 of KONOS (with the online co-op). We used GTG for Kindergarten and SOTW for a lot of 1st grade.

I LOVED GTG and highly recommend it. And, I would recommend starting KONOS after GTG. We didn't complete GTG, but we really learned a lot from what we did. And, it was so much fun!

There is a GTG yahoo group. The year we were doing it, the group was wonderful. They didn't seem as active this year, but hopefully this coming year will be more active again. And, you can always read the archives.

I think I've posted all of my GTG posts under "geography" if you want to look at some of them. I have changed the way I blog quite a bit, so it'll look different than it does now. :-)

Hope this helps!
Dana

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Origami, Candy Sushi, and Zen Garden

We did some origami today for our Japanese study. Pretty hard for a 6-year-old. Actually, it was pretty hard for me, too. The solid sheets were from the kit in the photo - we got it at Half Price books. The carp is from this free site that has lots of pre-printed pages to fold.

We also had fun making candy sushi from Family Fun. I'm not much of a rice person and didn't workd up the courage to try real sushi. We only fixed up 1/4 a recipe of rice crispies and this was pretty tasty (except the red licorice didn't taste good with the mix.)

And, this photo is of a zen garden Alexandra made a few days ago. We found this little kit at Dollar General for $1! It didn't include a plate and I love this plate Alexandra chose for $1.50, I think. I chose a brown one, but I think hers looked much better.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Japan, cont.

We're about halfway through our 2nd week of our 3 week Japan KONOS study. Some highlights from this week were making carps for Boy's Day and eating Japanese style - complete with Green Tea, rice, and rice cakes. We are having lots of fun learning about Japan and we've both learned so much!

Kimono

I finished the kimono earlier this week. I'm very happy with it - except for the fact that it is shedding everywhere. And, we have to pin it shut. :-) But, didn't it turn out nice? (Reminder: this is only the fourth thing I have EVER sewed... and only the 2nd on my own!)

But, she is really enjoying her costume, and we're loving our study of Japan! We will likely continue our online virtual co-op this fall.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Campaign Trail

Once again I'm sorry that it's been so long since I blogged. I guess this is just how summer will be this year. I also haven't been reading blogs like usual. Guess I'm just taking a break! I have started our Japan KONOS unit and I think we'll be using the online co-op next year. I'll try to post more about that tomorrow.

Last week, we helped a relative on the campaing trail. One of my relatives was running for office and we went to lend support and help out. I helped phone potential voters, stood at an intersection holding a sign and waving, and went to several rallies.

This was my first political experience. I am now more aware of how a campaign works (and so is Alexandra!) and will be kinder to those who call me about campaigns and will wave to those who are campaigning. I also just plan on being more informed and supporting the candidates that I agree with more in the future. Unfortunately, our relative lost, but it was a wonderful race and I am so proud of everyone who worked so hard.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Preparing for Japan

We are doing a 3 week trial of a KONOS online co-op group as we are considering it for the fall. We'll be starting Japan a week from Monday, but we were doing some planning today - and, we kind of went ahead and started on a few things. Alexandra has made lots of dolls from Making Friends, so we made these Japanese dolls today.

We are planning on making a kimono for Alexandra to wear. I am VERY new to sewing as I've only made one dress (for my niece about 8 years ago with LOTS of help from my mother-in-law) and a tote bag (a few weeks ago with a friend). So, I decided to start by using some scrap material and making a kimono for Alexandra's doll. The material we'll use for Alexandra's kimono is above (grand total of $9 at Walmart!).

And, above is her doll in her kimono - it looks more like a robe because of the material. We're planning on making her a nicer kimono from Alexandra's scraps. And, I figured out a few things I can do to make the "real" kimono nicer. But, I was pretty proud of the job we did!

I'm very excited about the online co-op. You are able to view a video each week that guides you as to what you will do the following week. It also lets you know what materials you need for the week, and for coming weeks. And, you get to join a yahoo group to talk with other moms who are doing the same unit as you are. I'm loving our group! I've already gotten some wonderful ideas. And, I like that this will keep me more on tract and I'll get to get ideas and share ideas with other moms. If we do it next year, we'll be doing studies from Volume 2 with an emphasis on early American History, which was my plan for next year anyway. I'm very excited and we both can't wait to really get started with Japan!

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