Explore Academy

Spain

2011-06-18T23:52:00.000-07:00

Ahora D,T, Y H estamos en Barcelona.
Yesterday, we enjoyed the sights of Barcelona. We visited the Casa Batllo after arriving at the hotel. We then walked around Las Ramblas, and the gothic quarter. It was beautiful. We then stopped for lunch in a traditional market. Ham and cheese sandwiches! We then visited the Barcelona Cathedral and witnessed the older generation dancing to traditional music.

Why We Love Our Yard

2009-05-12T08:48:00.001-07:00

Today I went outside for 15 minutes and saw 2 bluebirds, 2 bluejays, chickadees, finches, cardinals, ducks, a blue heron and of course, doves, squirrels and crows.

Triathlon Winners

2009-04-19T12:52:00.001-07:00

January - February

2009-02-22T12:54:00.000-08:00

We have done the following: lots of geometry, a unit on DNA, read and written about To Kill a Mockingbird, lots of free reading, written articles for Teen Ink, completed lots of drawings, participated in lots of Think! challenges, conjured up a few unplug your kids activities, birdwatching, environmental reading, american government review, read our first novel in spanish, exercised a whole lot, and probably a lot more. We have been a bit lax about recording everything because we're so busy learning!

October - December

2009-01-10T16:14:00.000-08:00

Well, we kind of lost track here, but here is a list of what we have studied in the months of October, November, and December:

1. Biology -- plant and animal cells, some experiments, DNA
2. Geometry -- we're about 7 chapters into the book (about 1/2 way finished)
3. Algebra review
4. World History -- we are up to the Industrial Revolution in this survey class, projects have included a book on religion (Confucianism and Buddhism)
5. English -- we have written a lot, including some pieces that were published in Teen Ink Raw, we have read and studied the following books: Anthem, Animal Farm, and Lord of the Flies, we have reviewed grammar, we have delivered a two minute speech, and we have read about 15 books for pleasure
6. Spanish -- we are reading and writing a lot in Spanish, we conducted several interviews of native non-English speaking Spaniards, and we completed projects on environmental issues in Spain and the geography of Spain
7. Drawing -- we are currently working on a tesselation project and have completed many drawings of knots, crumpled paper, and bones/shells
8. Photography -- we are in the process of learning how to develop film, we have completed 3 photography projects and developed about 6 good photos each
9. Gym -- we swim 5 days a week and work out once a week with a trainer, we also run and we played soccer in October and November

Sept. 22 - Oct. 5

2008-10-06T06:52:00.000-07:00

Recently, we have: studied Minor White and Helen Levitt, photographers; studied Greece and Rome; studied Biochemistry; reviewed pronouns and interjections; written several papers (one compared the governments in Animal Farm and Anthem); read some books; taken a cruise on the lake; taught a collage class for elementary students; babysat; gone to swim practice (a lot); played soccer; completed an oral presentation about ourselves in Spanish; researched North Carolina snakes; painted some apples; drawn some knots; completed some art projects; cooked; cleaned; painted some halloween rocks; taken some photographs; begun researching Ruth Handler, the inventor of Barbie; written some proofs in Geometry; begun re-reading To Kill a Mockingbird; watched some episodes of Heroes; gone to physical therapy for our shoulders; and probably other stuff we can't remember. Things are going well.

Sept. 8 - Sept. 22

2008-09-25T05:54:00.000-07:00

We have been: reviewing Algebra, practicing proofs in Geometry, learning dark room techniques in photography, working on a mechanical drawing piece for drawing, reviewing preterit and imperfect in Spanish, studying Spain, reviewing and analyzing Animal Farm, comparing and contrasting Animal Farm and Anthem, practicing mechanical drawing, preparing for collage class, learning about hard edge art, learning about the Greeks and Romans, reviewing ecology, listening to To Kill a Mockingbird, participating in Think!, playing volleyball, swimming, and babysitting.

Sept. 1 - Sept. 7

2008-09-05T06:42:00.000-07:00

This week we reviewed pronouns, finished studying Ayn Rand's Anthem, began Animal Farm, started a project about ourselves for spanish, reviewed algebra, learned and studied elements of art and principals of photography, did more prep work for our collage class later this month, babysat, watched some of the Republican convention speeches, went to swim practice and physical therapy, played soccer in a rec league, reviewed the history of the Israelites, sketched some screws and some school supplies, and read for pleasure.

More Learning Aug. 25 - Aug. 31

2008-09-01T04:15:00.000-07:00

This week the girls reviewed nouns, reviewed themes and conflicts in the book Anthem, studied and reviewed the characteristics of life and the scientific process, sketched and painted something in/on a tree, sketched household tools from several different angles, studied the paleolithic and neolithic periods in history, created some collages for their collage camp later this month, studied some principles of photography and the categories of black and white photography, prepared homemade salsa, cleaned house, designed and decorated a t-shirt using a bleach pen, babysat twice, watched and discussed the Democratic National Convention, discussed politics in Spanish class, ran a bit, and began reading Animal Farm.

Aug. 5-Aug. 25

2008-08-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

We finished our history timeline but didn't video it yet (we plan to). We reviewed Algebra and Geometry a bit. We read a lot and watched a lot of movies. We learned abou the Gullah culture (visit our other blog for links to learn about them). We taught swimming lessons, went to the botanical gardens and took pictures, taught watercolor camp, built and raced a car made from pvc pipe and duct tape. We performed a skit in Spanish. Next, we'll study Biology, World History, Spanish, English, Photography, Drawing, and Geometry. Stay tuned.

May 9 - August 5

2008-08-05T15:26:00.001-07:00

So, I have been negligent in posting here, but here are our activities for the past 2 months: travelled to Alaska and visited a gold mine, glaciers, iditarod sites, the Alaska SeaLife Center, and the Anchorage Museum of Art, and the Alaskan Native American Heritage Center; travelled to National History Day National competition in College Park, Maryland; read approximately 30 books each; completed 7 SAT timed essays and submitted them to Bravewriter.com for grading; reviewed American History; completed the ITBS and received our scores back (the highest yet!:)); played some math games on the computer; continued with our Spanish classes; built and raced a cardboard boat; visited the Botanical Gardens and took photos that we will edit and enter in a photo contest; watched several documentaries; cooked; cleaned; organized; moved; taught swimming lessons; babysat; went to swim camp; competed in the Junior Olympics; and there is probably more that I can't remember!

What we have planned for the next 3 weeks before we start high school: teaching art camp, teaching swimming lessons, finishing our American History timeline; building a car out of pvc pipe and racing it; completing our summer trash art project; cooking; swimming for fun; travelling to the beach; reading; and whatever else I decide on the spur of the moment!

May 2 - May 9

2008-05-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

This week we: volunteered in the Obama campaign on election day, completed standardized tests, read, worked on our wordart, worked on Wordly Wise, watched some documentaries, played the Wii.

April 27- May 2

2008-05-07T10:08:00.001-07:00

This week we: reviewed science and algebar in preparation for standardized tests, saw Obama speak, went to swim practice, conducted a free soccer clinic, volunteered in an elementary school classroom, made cookies with homemade butter, read, worked on a social studies project, watched some documentaries, finished our watercolors, started our wordart project, worked on Spanish, read some books in Spanish, discussed politics and the American political system, and probably did other things too that we can't remember.

April 20-April 27

2008-04-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

This week we: worked on our American History timeline, did test prep, made some sharpie pen tshirts, tried to make toothbrush bracelets, made some homemade notebooks of recycled cereal boxes and recycled paper, studied Spanish, revised our NHD video, wrote some articles on art and going green, and reviewed algebra.

April 13- April 20

2008-04-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

This week we built a solar oven and cooked some cookies in it; built a solar car and played with it; we watched a history documentary on Africans in America; we interviewed Governor Jim Hunt; we read; we practiced for the IOWA Basics; we completed our Space Science Unit; we made a PSA for Taking Back the Tap; we reviewed some algebra; we explored some science websites; we went to a political rally; we worked on Spanish; we went to three art exhibits (two in Raleigh one here); we did some test preparation and we probably did more but we can't remember.

April 6- April 13

2008-04-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

This week we studied Earth Science (the Earth's Surface), global warming, American History (1800s), watercolor painting, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, and a few other things.

Mar 31- Apr 4

2008-04-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

This week the girls worked on Destination Imagination, National History Day, math (algebra review), 1800s in American History, and a few other miscellaneous things.

I've Been Delinquent

2008-04-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted summaries since February, but I am not going to back up and add every week. I will restart though.

Feb. 10 - Feb. 17

2008-02-18T06:39:00.001-08:00

This week we: had Forensics class, had Spanish class, worked on DI, continued our morning workouts, wrote lots of letters, cleaned house, swam, conducted a science experiment to see how limestone deteriorates over time, worked on our video for a video contest, worked on bravewriters, worked on timed essays, coached soccer, played basketball, and we are sure we did other stuff too but we can't remember right now!

Week of Feb. 3 - Feb. 10

2008-02-06T15:31:00.000-08:00

This week we: went to Raleigh for a basketball game; had forensics class; had science class; had Spanish class; took some standardized tests; started another Bravewriters Class; read; worked on NHD (including a trip to Durham for an interview and background research); started a daily morning workout of math,freerice.com, and shoulder exercises; attended a performance workshop; worked on DI, painted two chairs, started creating a set, watched the Duke-Carolina game;

Weekj of Jan. 27- Feb. 3

2008-01-30T02:34:00.001-08:00

This week we: worked on our structure challenge, worked on a skit, worked on algebra and geometry, cooked a few meals, swam, played basketball, reviewed simple and compound machines, practiced some instant challenges, studied American history 1800-1850, practiced vocabulary on freerice.com, watched another episode of Roots, designed some parts of our set for DI, read, studied Spanish and memorized a Spanish poem, and began to prepare for NHD.

Week of Jan. 20-Jan. 27

2008-01-30T02:28:00.000-08:00

This week we: worked on our structure challenge (build a structure 7.5 x 9.5 inches that weighs less than 22 grams and holds the most weight), watched an episode of Roots, started our Forensics class, painted, did a lot of math (algebra and geometry), cleaned house, swam, went to Spanish class, wrote 2 articles for a homeschool newsletter, read, worked on some earth science and biology, rode our bikes, played some basketball, took a standardized test for math/LA, and watched a show on Australian parrots.

Jan. 1-Jan. 20

2008-01-21T03:34:00.000-08:00

Although we did lighten up on the workload for the past three weeks, we have gotten a lot done. The girls have reviewed Algebra by completing two review tests, they have completed several chapters in geometry, they learned to ski in powder and skiied a couple double black diamonds, we learned about Aspen and its history, we learned about the ski instruction rating system, we learned about training at altitude in swimming, we watched the first of 3 DVDs of Roots, we had some philosophical discussions based upon ideas and themes from the long-gone TV show Joan of Arcadia, we completed an online psychological profile, we read 4 books each, we began studying the 1800s in American history, we completed some chapters in our Earth Science and Biology texts, we studied and spoke Spanish, we painted another oil painting, and we completed several destination imagination challenges.

NaNoWriMo Certificate

2007-12-30T04:40:00.000-08:00

Well -- we finished our first drafts of our novels (we both wrote over 50,000 words in the month of November and we have this icon to prove it :)).

The real question is when will we have time to edit them? We have several other big projects coming up in January and February : National History Day, Spanish/English children's book, Destination Imagination, and a writing class. We'll keep you posted. Maybe we'll have enough time to edit a chapter or two and post them.

Dec. 15 - Dec. 30

2007-12-30T04:13:00.000-08:00

We have shopped (you might ask what we learned but we actually learned a lot about dividing and conquering, the disadvantages of procrastinating, the mark-up and mark-down of goods, supply and demand, mental math, and more), sewed some hats for friends, babysat, read, watched a few movies, watched a few episodes of Joan of Arcadia, visited with friends, been to a lot of swim practices, and worked on a lot of art projects (we tried block printing and monoprinting for the first time; we tried some new techniques with oil pastel, acrylics, chalk and pen).

Nov. 25 - Dec. 15

2007-12-14T21:25:00.000-08:00

We have done a lot: finished two Novels in November (NaNoWriMo)(1 each) of 50,000 words), completed several Spanish assignments, worked on some art projects for our high school applications (pastels and colored pencils), studied geometry, learned about Hawaii and its geoglogic history, learned about sugar plantations, learned about whales, learned about fish, learned about sea turtles, learned about laysan albatross, learned how to surf, learned some of the cultural history of Hawaii, reviewed some American History, practiced with some Hawaiian swim teams, watched a documentary on Jackson Pollock, watched some tv with the family, attended a luau, snorkeled, road in a helicopter, read for pleasure ( a lot).

Nov. 18-25

2007-11-25T17:00:00.000-08:00

This week we: wrote our novels (word count is just over 35,000), read about the myths of Thanksgiving, painted, read for pleasure, watched some movies (Mr. Magorium and August Rush), played the Wii with our cousins, baked pies, went to 7 swim practices, ran a 5K, celebrated Thanksgiving, played with our cousins, took a crash course called Football 101, went to the Carolina/Duke football game, and watched TV.

Nov. 11-Nov. 18

2007-11-18T16:34:00.000-08:00

This week we: went to our watercolor class and painted some blue jays, wrote about 15,000 words on our novel, watched a Spanish TV clip, visited a high school, taught a soccer clinic, went to Destination Imagination practice, read, took an oil painting class, went to swim practice, listened to 2 books on CDs, sewed some pajamas, cooked, and ran a 5K.

Nov. 4 - Nov. 11

2007-11-11T14:33:00.000-08:00

This week we: wrote about 15,000 words on our novels, swam in a swim meet, conducted a soccer clinic, worked on Geometry, worked on grammar, listened to a book on tape, ran, went to swim practice, cooked for Gram and Papa, Gramsat, and worked on some art.

Oct. 28 - Nov. 4

2007-11-01T04:06:00.000-07:00

This week we: reviewed Algebra ( a lot), worked on geometry, read historical novels, visited the Mint Museum, carved some pumpkins, cleaned the house, experimented with art, started a new art class, started writing a novel, wrote some short pieces for our Brave Writer class, studied the history of Halloween, went to swim practice, ran, conducted a soccer clinic, cooked for Gram, painted, took pictures, played an online vocabulary game, played Oregon Trail, completed our current events game, and watched some movies.

Oct. 20-Oct. 27

2007-10-26T12:36:00.000-07:00

This week we: traveled to Philadelphia (we visited the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross' house, Christ Church graveyard, Constitution Center, the Franklin Institute, Reading Terminal Market, City Tavern, a candy shop, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art); we visited two prospective high schools, we swam, we did a lot of Algebra review, we played a history game, we read, we played a geography game online, we sketched in our freedom sketchers journals, we took some photographs, and probably did some other things too but we are already 4 days into another week and I can't remember what else we did!

Oct. 13- Oct. 20

2007-10-25T19:01:00.001-07:00

This week we: traveled to Hendersonville and saw some watercolor paintings, a rock museum, and a candy store where they were making pumpkin fudge; flew to Philadelphia; played in a soccer game; attended 6 swim practices; studied American History through literature; studied rocks; painted; worked on a pastel still life; sketched; photographed pictures for Project 365; framed some of our artwork; entered a photo contest; entered an art contest; wrote; read for pleasure; watched some historical documentaries; went to a Destination Imagination introductory seminar; and, of course, had fun!

Oct. 6 - Oct. 13

2007-10-09T10:07:00.000-07:00

This week we: had our regular Spanish classes, practiced swimming and soccer (lots of both including a time trial for soccer), visited a high school (went to French class and remembered some French), volunteered in a local elementary school, painted, wrote, cooked, cleaned, sewed, watched a documentary on Faces and another on the Revolutionary War, read some of our novels for history, read for pleasure, brainstormed for our NaNoWriMo, wrote a piece for Bravewriter, took photographs for our Project 365, sketched in our freedom sketcher's book, visited the botanical gardens, took some photos, swam in a swim meet, worked on Word Roots, worked on grammar, worked on sudoku, completed another chapter in our Philosophy text, and played in a soccer game.

Sept. 30-Oct. 6

2007-10-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

This week we: played Numberz, painted a colonial pot, baked cookies, completed several Bucket O Fun challenges, read for pleasure, read for social studies, played a current events game, played on the wii, studied rocks, completed some sudoku puzzles, completed some mind benders, swam, played soccer, ran in the Race for the Cure, taught a free soccer clinic for homeschoolers, drew in our freedom sketchers journals, wrote and revised a piece for our bravewriters class, registered for NaNoWriMo, discussed issues for the 2008 campaign, and took photos for Project 365.

Sept. 23- Sept. 30

2007-09-27T03:18:00.000-07:00

This week we: completed our history book notes on the 1600s in America, read for pleasure, completed some freewrites, wrote in our freedom writers journal, made homemade bagels, played the current events showdown, painted a still life in watercolor class, worked on Wordly Wise, watched the womens national team play in the world cup, practiced soccer, swam, cleaned house, practiced with watercolor and oil pastel, wrote spanish directions for origami pieces, planned a trip to Philadelphia, hosted a soccer clinic, and played in a soccer game.

Sept. 16-23

2007-09-19T09:37:00.001-07:00

This week we: volunteered in a elementary school classroom, helped film Gram for a cooking contest, painted (see pictures on our main website), worked on earth science, read out loud, read for pleasure, played soccer, swam, watched the women's national team in the World Cup, sent a paper butterfly to Mexico, sent a painting to Africa, worked on Wordly Wise, wrote a letter to John Feinstein, took Spanish lessons, learned about knee surgery, cooked, and cleaned.

Sept. 9 - Sept. 16

2007-09-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

This week we: read out loud (a John Feinstein book), took some photographs, read for pleasure, wrote in our Freedom Writers Journals, wrote in our soccer journals, watched 2 USWNT games on TV, wrote several pieces for Bravewriter (a color walk, a poem, and a memory story), practiced some math online, worked on Wordly Wise, cooked a meal for a friend in need, went to soccer and swim practice, visited Rural Hill Farm, started a watercolor class, and had another art class.

Sept. 2 - Sept. 9

2007-09-07T13:20:00.001-07:00

Long list this week! We worked on two papers for bravewriter (one is on our main blog), went to CrossFit and soccer practice, went to swim practice (with our team and on our own), wrote in our freedom writers journals, read some, worked on earth science (atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and relief mapping), worked on algebra review problems (solving for variables and graphing), worked on a writing assignment outside of bravewriter, started a new art class, worked on grammar (subjects/predicates/types of nouns).

Back to School (Aug. 26- Sept 2)

2007-08-26T05:54:00.000-07:00

This week we: traveled to Michigan, read a lot, played Sequence and Catch-Phrase, took several art classes (oil pastel and acrylic), water skiied, tubed, paddle-boated, ran, started a writing class at bravewriter.com, kept a list of interesting words, created word sculptures with our words, played several soccer games (our team won the tournament!), completed some chapters in Wordly Wise, worked on our 1600s American History Notes, took some photographs for a future project, learned how to sail (sort-of), and wrote in our Freedom Writers journals.

Summer (August 19-26)

2007-08-23T18:29:00.001-07:00

This week we: made homemade paper, assembled a solar car (that didn't work), read, attended soccer and swim practices, attended CrossFit, drew some pictures, started some short stories, watched a USMNT game, wrote in our Freedom Writers journals and our soccer journals, worked in our philosophy text, cleaned house (several times), washed the car, made homemade salsa, and probably did some other stuff that we can't remember!

Summer (Aug. 12-19)

2007-08-15T06:36:00.000-07:00

This week we went to soccer (a lot), we went to Body Worlds (again) with our cousins, we read aloud in the car (Spells and Sleeping Bags), we wrote in our soccer journals, we wrote in our Freedom Writers Journals, we played a music game on the Wii, we took notes on A Young People's History of the U.S., we cooked tomato sauce, and we watched the US WNT play soccer against New Zealand.

2007-08-15T06:35:00.000-07:00

Summer (Aug. 5- Aug. 12)

2007-08-07T09:55:00.000-07:00

This week we watched a documentary on Jamestown, watched Music and Lyrics, sorted through old clothes and books and delivered some to good will, made beeswax candles, played soccer, trained at Crossfit, played the Wii, created some art, read some books, taught swimming lessons, had Spanish class, cleaned house, cooked,and drove a car on a racetrack.

Summer Curriculum (July 30-Aug. 5)

2007-07-30T08:14:00.000-07:00

This week we played in a soccer tournament, went to soccer camp, juggled a soccer ball, watched the movie Prefontaine, read some books, picked some tomatoes, baked cookies, recorded some books on tape for our 4 year old cousin, visited with our great aunt and great uncle, made our own ink which took forever and didn't work very well(one of us quietly commented that "it must have *&%$#&@! to be a pioneer"), went bowling, cleaned house, played a game about the national parks, and took spanish class. It was a great week!

Summer Curriculum (July 22-July 29)

2007-07-26T09:20:00.000-07:00

This week we: watched a documentary on the Salem Witch trials, drew with pastels, painted with acrylics, watched several movies, played the Wii, read several books (we are reading one out loud in the car), taught swimming lessons, had Spanish class, and played soccer.

Summer Curriculum (July 15-22)

2007-07-18T12:31:00.001-07:00

This week we: took a class in pastels, watched movies, read books (including the new Harry Potter book), went to swim practice, had a day of soccer training, shopped for books, emailed our friends, ordered tickets for some fall plays, baked cookies, cleaned, and watched a documentary on the human face. If you want to see some of the books we have read, look for exploreacademy on LibraryThing.

Summer Curriculum (July 8-15)

2007-07-16T04:46:00.000-07:00

We have no formal summer curriculum. In fact, nothing about our summer learning is structured. We read. We watch movies. We talk. We explore. We travel.

Some of the things did this week are: read an historical novel about the French/Indian War; read an historical novel about the Salem Witch trials; read a children's mystery book about Jamestown; discussed the value of travel and places we want to visit in the future; visited with our cousins; drove a car at the NASCAR speed park; watched some movies including Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (it was not as good as the book); competed in a swim meet; taught swimming lessons; had a Spanish class; played on the Wii; watched the travel channel and the discovery channel; discussed green living and what we can do to live smarter and protect the environment; discussed the values of homeschooling and shared funny stories about homeschooling with another homeschooling family.

Homeschooling and Diversity

2007-07-11T06:23:00.001-07:00

We are a family of four. I do not work outside of the home, although I volunteer. My husband works full time. We homeschool together although much of the work does fall on my shoulders. We started homeschooling our 13 year old daughters in the summer of 2006. We have been actively homeschooling for about a year. We started homeschooling because nothing fit our needs and interests perfectly. We started using a curriculum, but if we had to label ourselves now we would call ourselves eclectic homeschoolers. We read a lot. We watch a lot of documentaries. We experiment a lot. We cook. We sew. We try new things. We volunteer. We travel. We value the environment. We believe strongly in most values of the Democratic party. We have friends in many places and of many faiths. They have a range of values, religious and political. We find it interesting and exciting.

Homeschooling has been a gift in many ways. One important thing we have learned is that, as our former President Jimmy Carter says, the world is a beautiful mosaic. Our year of homeschooling has allowed us to find our place in the mosaic and to see the beautiful colors of the world. We have traveled a lot. We have visited different countries. We have explored our own country. We have learned about a multitude of religions and cultures of today and from the past. We have experienced the transformation of our yearnings, our hopes and our dreams by learning through living. And, these opportunities have been available to us because we homeschool.