We're getting a pet! (and how to chose one for your family)

Well, we have come to the end of a long road. We’ve been debating what would be a good pet for us.

I am vehemently opposed to dogs, cats and rats in my house. I don’t like the hair of dogs and cats and any thing that reminds me of a mouse, rat or squirrel is OUT.

But I did want an animal that my daughter could pet and play with, so where do we go?

She has a fish and a 2.5 gallon tank. That’s plenty for us. But fish are only for watching and she is not old enough to feed the fish herself.

So, I began looking at reptiles. After my own process of elimination, I settled on turtles and tortoises. Through research I learned that turtles are quite affordable at around $20-$30 each. But I also learned that they should not be handled, except during the cleaning of their tanks. Their land and water habitat is a breeding ground for salmonella. Uh…NOPE!

Then I found the tortoise. The cost alone made me think no…the animal alone costs around $110-$140. Then the container, food, initial vet exam….whew! However, as I read on, this seemed like the perfect pet.

First they live to be 50 years old. The fun part is that they need exercise 3-4 times per week so she (meaning me ;o) can take him out and let him walk around the house under close supervision. He eats green leafy vegetables, just like we do. He needs UV light which means that with a proper container she can take him outside when she goes outside to play. And there are some very elaborate set ups that she and her father can create to give him a great home. My husband was a college and high school carpentry instructor so he knows how to teach using the content areas of geometry, basic math and vocabulary. We could work on a pot garden to grow food for ourselves and food specifically for the tortoise that needs extra calcium. This has yearly science and wood shop lesson written all over it!

So, I think we found our pet. Now we wait it could take 1 week to 4 months before on is available from our preferred supplier.

Here are my tips for selecting a pet.

1. Do research on what your landlord allows if you rent.
2. Look at your flooring and find a pet that is compatible with your carpet or hardwood floors.
3. Once you have narrowed your search to a type of pet such as dog, cat, reptile, fish then begin looking at initial cost and the cost of maintenance.
4. Once your final decision is made, find a vet FIRST. For example, all vets don’t see all animals. We had to find one that specialized in wild and exotic pets. Also, ask for their advice on where to buy the animal from. The always have a favorite pet store or local breeder.
5. Don’t forget to check the local humane society before buying. They even rescue small furry pets and reptiles. You may be able to save an animal and some dollars.
6. DO NOT give any money as a deposit to reserve and animal until your child has the chance to visit with one, even if its not the one you eventually buy. Make sure they are comfortable handling it and are not afraid.
7. Be certain that the seller has a reasonable return policy. 7 days may not be enough time for you. Especially if you want to have it examined by the vet. And some animals should not be handled for the first 3-4 days as they adapt to the new environment.

I'll post pics when we finally get ours!

Ramadan Activities and Lessons For Children Part 3

I'mmo need you to forget that Ramadan was in September LOL.

I was invited to present four short 25 minute presentations to 2nd graders on Ramadan at our local Children's Museum.

Here's what I prepared:

Ramadan Presentation
Objective: Student will be able to name some activities that are forbidden during the fasting hours of Ramadan. 
Content areas: Religion or Civics, Art
Supplies: Coloring Sheet (left)
White and/or light blue construction paper
Black and/or navy blue construction paper
Crayons, markers or coloring pencils
Glue
Scissors
(optional: glitter, moon, sun, star stickers)

Lesson: (5 mins)
1. Define Ramadan-  be sure to explain the difference between "Holy Days" and a holiday.
2. Explain what is forbidden during daylight hours (age appropriately)- be sure to include arguing/quarreling among forbidden activities
3. Explain what is done after sundown (modest meal, more reading, prayer)
4. Discuss coloring sheet.  Each square shows a common activity during Ramadan for Muslims.  What time of day would each one take place. (drinking-night; reading-day and night; play with toys as distraction for children who may be hungry-day; eating soup-night; prayer-day and night)
Craft Instructions: (15 mins)
1. Choose one full sheet of paper in either white or light blue to represent day.
2. Cut either a black or navy blue paper in half (5.5 x 8.5) and glue it to half of the first sheet to create a dark and light side representing day and night.
3. Color the sky (top) of each paper with a day scene (sun, clouds) and night scene (moon, stars).
4. Color each item on the coloring sheet above and cut out.
5. Glue each item to the proper side of paper (day or night).  Some creative students will paste some items on the line between since they can be done either day or night.
Clean up: (5 mins.)
Evaluation: Students understand if they place the items in the proper place (day or night).  Reinforcement can be made by allowing them to study the craft and quiz them at a later time.

Home School Year Plans '09-'10 - SEMI OPEN THREAD

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOUR WEBSITE AND LINKS FOR HOME SCHOOLING THIS YEAR. I WON'T BE POSTING FOR A WHILE AS WE FINISH PREPPING AND GETTING READY FOR RAMADAN. PLEASE TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES AND I'LL BE COMMENTING WITH YOU.

OK... after MONTHS of planning and contemplating here we are. Though I'm months behind her, I must thank SuperSista Lakisa for the inspiration. I started my plans and research for this year in February and here are my decisions.

Grade Level: Kindergarten

Subjects: Math, Reading, Handwriting
Curriculum: Hooked on Kindergarten (from Hooked on Phonics)
Thoughts: I asked for this more than a year ago and my mom bought is for BabyGirl. We've been working at it but developmentally she was not ready for the math and handwriting so I just put it up. We have done a lot of the reading and only some math and writing so we'll go full forward press with it this year.
Supplemental Reading: We've been "reading" for a while and added BOB books to the mix and I now read chapter books to her to build vocabulary, memorization and sequence skills.

Subjects: History and US Geography (and reading)
Curriculum: None
Thoughts: We are doing immersion method on this. We'll simultaneously teach her our family tree back to her great grand parents on both sides and geography by learning the states where people were born, where they have lived and where they live now. We'll use family photos too. And talk about their professions and the physical and social environment of the state at the time they lived there. I have been SHOCKED by what she can remember when we teach it contextually. All other states will be added along the way ex. If we don't have family in a state, we may show how you'd drive through it to get to a family member. We will keep local maps in the car and she has a US map place mat for the dinning room table and I bought blank US maps from the teacher store and we make flash cards. She reads the names and colors in the states. I'll post activities throughout the year.

Subject: Science
Curriculum: The Mailbox Books - Let's Do Science Today! K-1
Thoughts: I admittedly am not the most creative person. I like to learn and don't need much "extra" stuff to make it fun. So I need help to make things fun and The Mailbox books are soooo easy for me and soooo fun for her. There are other books in the science series for her age and grade. We'll go through them as fast or slow as needed to get each concept. Also, we'll use our eco-curriculum to supplement with science, math and social studies..

Subject: Religion and Spelling
Curriculum: Supreme Wisdom - English Lesson C1, Holy Quran, Bible
Thoughts: We are doing immersion method on this one too. We will work our way through ELC1 memorizing it and using it for spelling. We plan to teach her 2 prayers and 2 Surrahs. Not sure which ones yet. We also say a prayer, salute the flag and recite the pledge and drill each day before class.

Subject: Art and PE
I am going to join the YMCA and we'll keep you posted on activities and Art is with her dad.

Special projects:
Complete one hand sewing project (probably a puppet)
Complete a school year scrap book
Weekly post card to a family member out of town
Family flower and food gardening

Left to do:
Set up classroom (moving from her room to separate classroom)
Make daily and weekly check list and lesson plans

Decide when the first day of school will be (local public school begins 8/12, I can't make that ;o)

Homeschool Friday- Planning for 09-10 School Year

Right now I am just beginning my new plans for next year.
Baby Girl will be in 1st grade!!
I am focused now on our school calendar. I am taking into account all days that we will be taking off and I am also figuring in our religious holidays for lesson purposes.

I have been overly ambitious about keeping a regular 5 day per week schedule and now know that doesn't work for us especially since our religious holidays are different. There are many US holidays that we have school and I have to better plan for our year end break which is about 4 weeks.

I am planning now because I didn't have a good plan and we did not make our trip to Saviours' Day. So instead of being bummed out, I'm stepping it up!

Once I set the calendar and make sure we have the minimum number of instructional days included I'll post it and update along the way.