One more week to Practice!!! World Education Games

World Literacy Day - 5 March 2013  NEW! 

World Maths Day - 6 March 2013


World Science Day - 7 March 2013


KM has been getting ready for these events!! 

Be sure to register early to get in as much practice as you can!!!

She's BACK!!!! - The NEW Unplugged Mom

I am so very happy that the "new UnpluggedMom" is on the air!!!

I didn't realize how much I missed hearing Laurette and Desiree's podcasts until this afternoon when I listened to Episode 1: Parenting Under The Influence

Not Too Late - Iditarod starts this weekend!

I am reposting these resources since the event starts this weekend and it is NOT too late to get in on the adventure!

The Iditarod Dog Sled Race offers a unique learning experience for your family. The Iditarod is a tool of instruction that leads students to academic success and educators to enhanced STEM instruction. 

Although the race doesn't start until the first Saturday in March you should check out this great article - Educators, Prepare for the Race Now - for some super tips and tricks to incorporate this into your education plans.

Then view these presentations and links to learn about the exciting opportunities for learners around the world!

• Iditarod Education Department Presentation (Overview of Department Activities)
• PowerPoint Presentation on Math and Science (Using Iditarod as a tool in math, science, and other classes of instruction.) 
• I Kid A Rod PowerPoint:  Get a glimpse of an example of an I Kid A Rod held at an elementary school in Alaska.
• Zuma's Paws Iditarod K9 Journalists
• View and/or print this brochure and learn more about the Iditarod Education Department.
• Iditarod Student Page
• Iditarod’s Education Department:  An Overview in 21 slides, presented at ITC Board Meeting, June 2009: Iditarod Education Department Summary
• An Overview of Iditarod Education Department Activities:  Iditarod in the Classroom (PowerPoint presentation)

Scholastic also has a pretty detailed lesson plan outlined HERE

Balto - an animated film about the roots of the Iditarod Race and Iditarod: The Toughest Race on Earth are also great "ice breakers"

What's going on around here...

Well, well, well...it has been a busy month - WHERE DID FEBRUARY GO??

We survived Nemo and the four day power outage it brought with it by camping out in the living room ~~~

There were some moments when I seriously didn't think we were going to make it with our sanity in tact...

There was lots of playing with the critters in the house and this was our version of Bernard in the Box...

We also have been spending a good amount of time getting my great niece and nephew settled into their new apartment - with their mommy & daddy of course...

All and all we are trucking along ~~~ although CJ is of course the only one actually "trucking" and has been doing quite a number of really long hauls. He has been going out to No. Dakota and Missouri to name a few and this has left me and KM to deal with the majority of the snow --- which we are QUITE sick of at this point!

On the home ed front KM is finishing up Applying Algebra, Physics and the GED Writing Book. She has also decided to take a break from her cosmetology studies for awhile so that she can focus - I mean HARD CORE FOCUS - on essay writing for the GED. The writing book I just mentioned  focuses specifically on the multiple choice section of the test - editing, grammar, mechanics and spelling - but we have the GED Essay book which will take her through the step by step process to cover exactly what GED testers are looking for. This is of course one of those UUUUGGGHHHH areas with us - see the multitude of posts on our frustrations with writing HERE. The essay for this test is judged differently - far simpler really - than any other type of standardized test though. You are given a topic to respond to and they are looking for a clear, concise answer. There is no "right" or "wrong" as they are opinion questions that the student needs to back up with experiences and observations. This is where KM lacks confidence and this is why we really need to just work on this until she builds her confidence. It is more about getting past her own blocks than building her skills in the area.

Flocabulary - The Date

Another great Flocabulary freebie just in time for Valentine's Day - this song includes sixth grade vocabulary words that students are likely to encounter on state tests. It teaches the following words: abundant, beacon, clarity, consent, convenient, cultivate, deteriorate, evolve, exclude, idiom, legislation, reluctant, subordinate, trait and verdict. In this song, find out what happens when Joe scores a date with the most popular girl at school. It doesn’t exactly go as planned!

Flocabulary - The Date
Lesson Plan 
Exercises
Test and Answer Key
'via Blog this'

Iditarod - A Unique STEM Learning Experience

The Iditarod Dog Sled Race offers a unique learning experience for your family. The Iditarod is a tool of instruction that leads students to academic success and educators to enhanced STEM instruction. 

Although the race doesn't start until the first Saturday in March you should check out this great article - Educators, Prepare for the Race Now - for some super tips and tricks to incorporate this into your education plans.

Then view these presentations and links to learn about the exciting opportunities for learners around the world!

• Iditarod Education Department Presentation (Overview of Department Activities)
• PowerPoint Presentation on Math and Science (Using Iditarod as a tool in math, science, and other classes of instruction.) 
• I Kid A Rod PowerPoint:  Get a glimpse of an example of an I Kid A Rod held at an elementary school in Alaska.
• Zuma's Paws Iditarod K9 Journalists
• View and/or print this brochure and learn more about the Iditarod Education Department.
• Iditarod Student Page
• Iditarod’s Education Department:  An Overview in 21 slides, presented at ITC Board Meeting, June 2009: Iditarod Education Department Summary
• An Overview of Iditarod Education Department Activities:  Iditarod in the Classroom (PowerPoint presentation)

Scholastic also has a pretty detailed lesson plan outlined HERE

Balto - an animated film about the roots of the Iditarod Race and Iditarod: The Toughest Race on Earth are also great "ice breakers"

Vocabulary Building

I posted before about these great lists of 100 words middle schoolers should know and 100 words high schoolers should know and now we are working to ensure KM has all of these down pat. One of the things that we will be using is Quizlet flashcards -

The New York Times - The Learning Network

I just came across this and it seems as though it could be a very useful tool! Check it out -

A weekly collection of lesson plans and Student Opinion questions from The Learning Network, a free blog that uses Times content to create daily cross-curricular materials that teach skills, invite inquiry and engage students with current events.

To sign up visit - The Learning Network: "

World Education Games - Training Begins TODAY!!!

World Literacy Day - 5 March 2013  NEW! 

World Maths Day - 6 March 2013


World Science Day - 7 March 2013


KM has always had a great time participating in these events!! 

Be sure to register early to get in as much practice as you can!!!