10 MJ
May/June 2010
Into the Ark
Begin reading Among the Pond People by Clara Dillingham Pierson (1901; reprinted Yesterday’s Classics, 2005), one of several animal tales including Among the Farmyard, Meadow, Night, and Forest People, all reprinted by Yesterday’s Classics. The book’s text is available online.
Learn about Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican celebration on the fifth of May. We enjoy any excuse to have Mexican food!
In May, find tadpoles in ponds and other still water. Learn more about raising tadpoles.
Folk songs are an important part of our cultural heritage. We must not lose these. Learn the words and tune of “Rhyme of the Chivalrous Shark,” a fun folk song that boys are sure to enjoy.
Download an audio of the unabridged Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling (1902). Enjoy the classic tales as you work in your home.
Simple rhythm instruments are easy to make. Put rice, beans, or small rocks into a plastic egg or tube (film container) or between a pair of plastic or foil plates and seal with tape and shake to make maracas or a tambourine. Use the unopened end of a large can or round heavy container for a drum. Stretch rubber bands over a box with a hole in the top for a stringed instrument to pluck. Make cymbals with foil pie plates and spool handles. Ring bells. Hit sticks together. Play along with a recording of Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”
Here is a simple, fun recipe for play dough:
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/4 cup salt
1 cup warm water
1 teaspoon oil
food coloring
In a pot, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add the rest of the ingredients, adding food coloring last. Stir over medium heat until thick. Remove from pan and knead adding flour as needed until smooth. Store in a plastic bag or an airtight container when cooled. This will remain soft and moldable for a long time.
Conduct a simple geography study. Give your child a blank outline map of North America. Ask him to label every state he can identify. Allow him to check his answers against a detailed map. He can color every country he correctly identified.
How are you progressing in your geography study? You might like to try another region. Ask your child to label every area he can identify. Allow him to check his answers against an atlas or map. He can color every area he correctly identified. Repeat this activity next week. Do you see progress?
Write numbers 0 to 99 on cards. Have the player select two cards and subtract the smaller number from the larger. Use a Ninety-nine Chart, if necessary. For addition, use numbers up to 50. Allot a certain number of these each day.
Here are the transcript instructions.
Here is the transcript form.