Community Helper - Veterinarian

We are continuing to learn about our community helpers and this week we were learning all about a Veterinarian and how they care for animals. Our local Animal Hospital was kind enough to let us tour their facility and give as a talk about what they do. Dr. Mason did a mock exam with her stuffed dog Valentine and explained to the children how similar in exam on an animal is compared to when they go to the doctor for an exam. She showed them an "eye" scope and an "ear" scope, a model of a dog's heart, some x-rays of a female dog that was pregnant and you could clearly see the puppies.





We got to tour the back office where there was a surgery of a cat being spade going on. We of course could not go into the surgery room but you could see in there. We also got to see where they board animals and where the sick animals stay. It was very informative and a great experience for the kids. A little on the smelly side, but still fun!

Yellow and Blue make Green

Today and yesterday we have been working on measurements, 1 cup, 1 quart and 1 gallon. We also worked on identifying full, empty and 1/2 full. I also showed him how to read a recipe card.

1 cup yellow water
1 cup blue water



Logan had to measure out 1 cup of the yellow water and pour it into a bottle. Then he had to measure out 1 cup of the blue water and pour it into the bottle. We watched in amazement as the two colors mixed together to make green!



We talked about if the water in the 1 cup would fit into the quart container and if the water in the gallon container would fit into the 1 cup and the quart container. I had him tell me what would happen if we poured the gallon into the 1 cup measuring cup! It was a great little project that gave opportunities to touch on several little topics.

Time to get back at it

Much of our Thanksgiving break I spent a lot of time researching Math curriculum. We only have about 5 weeks left of our Saxon K book so I need to decide if I am going to continue using Saxon or switch. After hours on the computer looking at different programs and even more hours talking to different people, I am pretty sure I am switching over to Right Start Math. I think it is an excellent program that teaches children to think the "math" way. Now all I have to decide is which kit I am going to buy and actually buy it! I have enjoyed Saxon and would not say anything bad about it, I just think Right Start is going to be a little better for us.

We are making yet another switch in our phonics program as well. Or I guess I should say I'm adding more to our phonics. We have started to use Explode the Code Level 1 book and Logan really seems to like it. He only will do 1 page before he wants to quit though. Phonics is not clicking yet with him so he gets frustrated and would rather not do it. He can read, but it doesn't come as fast to him as he would like. We are working on it, which is why I have so many different phonics "games" to do with him. At least doing a game, he doesn't realize he is doing his phonics!