Beyond FIAR Co-op - Homer Price #3

Playing catch-up here on our co-op posts.  Thought I'd share it though for those who want to follow what we have done or are using any ideas for their co-op. 

We met for our last time covering the book Homer Price.  This was our 3rd meeting and we covered chapters 5 and 6. 

They learned about assembly lines - a little about the history and also how they function.  Then it was their turn to try their hands at it.  They were split into two groups.  Each group was going to use assembly line structure to make 8 Christmas cards each (all alike).  They looked at the cards and each chose a job to do.  Ready ... set... go!

First was glueing a paper on the front and one on the inside.  (Is it funny the two of my boys were doing the same job?!)

Next was adding a tree to the outside of the card.

The third step was adding a star and ornaments to the tree. 

The fourth step was adding presents under the tree.

The fifth step was adding a garland inside of the card.

For the last step, someone in the group added some glitter to the front and they had beautiful finished cards! 

They learned a lot in the process.  One was that you needed to understand the steps that came after yours.  For example, if you didn't place the tree high enough on the card, there wasn't enough room for the presents.  They learned about quality control too.  What a fun way to learn!  They each signed the cards and several were sent to the mayors of our respective towns.  (We talked briefly about government too). 

We had a devotion on gifts, giving and being generous.  We also had snacks.  The second part of the co-op focused on learning to play checkers.  Now, some children already knew, but these rules varied from what some were used to. 

They were split into group of two for playing the games.  It was fun walking around the quite house and seeing them all so intent on their games.

This was another wonderful co-op with our FIAR group.  Thanks Jen and Julie!

Blessings
Leslie

Beyond Co-op - Homer Price #1

For our first co-op with Homer Price, we covered chapters 1 and 2.  As is true with all of our co-ops, it was a wonderful day!  We were indoors (what is with all of the rain this year on our co-op days?!), but it was still tons of fun!

We started with a lesson on US Highways.  This is a lesson that could have been dry and boring - and yet Lea found a great way to bring it to life!  Each of the children was given a sign with one of the US Highway numbers on it.



Notice that all of the highway numbers end in either a "0" or a "5".



Joshua was called up first to draw his highway.  Each of the signs had a map on the back which showed the highway indicated on the front.



The kids noticed the pattern.  All of the highways ending in a "5" go from North to South.  Those ending in a "0" go from East to West.  Also the smaller numbers started in the West with Highway 5 and got larger ending in Highway 95 on the East Coast.  The same was true with the other Highways with the smaller numbers beginning in the South and getting larger as they moved northward.  Neat, huh?  A great visual too!



The next part of our day was spent learning about Homer.  Next, Vivian took the children on an interactive telling of the Odyssey.  They heard the story and often acted out pieces of it.  (I'm not going to be able to retell it here - sorry!)  A fighting scene in which the boys needed no encouragement to act it out.



  In case you wanted a peek at the front of the book.



There were signs marking the way for the children.



Spearing a fish.  (I can't remember all of the details as I wasn't listening as well as I should have been.)



Closing their ears to the sounds of the sirens.



Remembering this stop as they made their own snack craft of the six-headed monster, Scylla.



The Cyclops - they shot nerf darts at it.



Making rafts so they can head for home.



I don't remember why they had the scarves - perhaps part of a disguise?



Or why they tumbled over the sofa - except that this was the end of the story when he made it safely home.



Thanks friends for an altogether wonderful day of learning and fun!

Blessings

Leslie