Thursday, February 7, 2013

Hello Again.... We are back!

HELLO AGAIN!!!!!

I feel like I have been raised from the dead or something!  I have missed blogging this past year more than you know, but I am happy to tell you I am starting anew again and will hopefully find some time each day to get back to my blogging.

So what has been happening this past year?!?!

Well,  our little E.T. just turned 1 this past week and is an amazing little walking man.  He says mama, dada, ut oh, and a whole slew of baby gibberish.  He also signs milk, more, please, food, and water.  We are very proud of him.



We have also relocated.... and are now living in Oklahoma City.  It has been a big change for all of us, but we love being closer to our family and friends.

Mr. D jumping for joy in a nearby OKC park :)

We are still homeschooling Miss KJ in first grade and going strong.  



And we are currently looking for a house so I can unleash all of my pinterest ideas on it!  So that is what we have been doing.  I hope you missed me as much as I missed all of you and writing these blogs..... but rest assured.... I'm BACK!


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

What's for Dinner Wednesdays!! - The Best Corn on the Cob EVER!

So maybe I'm the only one in the world who had no idea how to make amazing corn on the cob, and I'm ashamed to admit it, but I seriously had no clue you could make corn this way.

My mother always boiled corn on the cobs and they were good, but then we would go to a fair or carnival and they always had this amazing corn!!!!  Well, I now know how to make it and it is easier than boiling it!

First buy corn that is still in the stalks, it is usually cheaper and saves on plastic packaging :)

Put the corn on a cookie sheet and pop in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 mins..... THAT's IT!!!!!!!!
You can also grill it, but we don't have a grill :(



When you take it out of the oven cut the bottoms off and the stalk and all the silk threads come right off with no hassles.  Seriously super easy, I was shocked.

Now for the fun fair corn......

This is the list of things to put on your corn to make it exactly like the fair:

Butter
Mayo
Salt
Parmesan cheese
Paprika or chili powder (I use paprika since I don't like spicy)





Monday, August 27, 2012

Back in Session!!!! First day of 1st Grade

Today the Nguyen Nguyen Academy is back in session starting with KJ's first day of 1st grade.  After a full month of traveling we have lots to write about in the coming months but today is all about our first day back at school.

KJ at our front door with an empty backpack on :)

We started today with cinnamon rolls for a special back to school breakfast.

After our pledges, prayer, and the weather report (we do these everyday), we got started on our Bible studies.  This month we are working on memorizing the Lord's Prayer.  


KJ looking up Matthew in her Bible.


We moved on to a worksheet helping KJ memorize our address and phone numbers.  I was proud that she already knew my cell phone number by heart.

Our Town worksheet

 This week we are focusing a lot on Kindergarten review.  Today working on writing our letters and sounds, and in math we worked on counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.  Then we did an even and odd number activity on the board.
Reviewing our ABC's

Last we started our Biology study on the Human Body.  This week we are working on how to keep our bodies healthy and what every human body needs to be healthy.  Here KJ came up with three ways she kept her body healthy today.
Our Healthy Bodies workbook
We ended our school day with a journal entry about our first day of school.  KJ was asked to write one sentence about her day and then draw a picture.  She wrote "I love school" and drew a picture of her sitting at her desk learning.

So in all it was a great first day for the both of us.  This year we are doing a few things differently.  One thing that I really think will benefit us the use of a timer.  KJ is used to taking her sweet ol' time to do anything, and if I let her she would take two hours to write a sentence.  So I found a free online timer click here for online timer
and we now use it for each worksheet so she has enough time to do it, but it doesn't drag on for hours!  Also if she doesn't finish it, it is her responsibility to finish it later after school, and make sure it gets back in her folder before bedtime.  I felt she could be a little more responsible for her work and her time.  We have also started 'grading' her worksheets this year.  Last year she was only graded on assessments, but we found she really liked getting the grades as motivation to do really well on her work.  So, today she turned in her work and I graded it and gave out stickers for good work.

Homeschooling is always a work in progress and I'm sure more things will continue to change every month and every year.  That is the fun of tailoring education to your child!!!

Happy start of school for everyone out there, we hope your first day is as Blessed as ours was.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

1st Grade Curriculum


Grade: First Grade Year: 2012-2013
Home School Curriculum


Grade: 1st 

MATH:
1. Numbers 0-500
2. Telling Time
3. PatternAwareness
4. Measurement
5. Computation
6. Money

1.1 Recognizing the words for numbers 0-500
1.2 Recognizing the written numbers for numbers 0-500
1.3 Knowing numeral patterns and sequencing.
1.4 Knowing physical amounts to correspond with numbers.
1.5 Counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, and 50s.
1.6 Even and Odd numbers
1.7 Grouping numbers in Greater and less than < >
2.1 Telling time on Digital Clock using correct number terms.
2.2 Telling time on an Analog Clock to the nearest 5 mins. (counting by 5)
2.3 Distinguishing big hand and small hands/mins and hours.
2.4 Calendar work, days of the week, months, counting down days.
3.1 Patters of color, sizes, shapes, and groups.
3.2 Problem solving with patterns.
3.3 Solving picture puzzles and mazes.
4.1 Identifying terms of measurement.
4.2 Measuring items, grasping size differences in number terms.
4.3 Using tools/rulers to create shapes and beginning geometry(2d and 3d shapes).
5.1 Continuing adding and subtraction single, and double digits.
5.2 Intro to easy word problems and numeral problem solving.
5.3 Solving a problem backwards, by starting with the answer and then creating the problem.
5.4 Introduction to fractions.
6.1 Continuing the understanding of coin values and combination of amounts.
6.2 Learning Bill money and values.


READING:
1. Reading Achievement/ Leisure Reading
2. Alphabet and Phonics
3. Library Informative reading
4. Children's Lit

1.1 Recognizing 1st/2nd grade sight words
1.2 Mastering sounds of vowels and consonants to make words.
1.3 Reading beginner books on own and out loud.
1.4 Develop love for written word.
2.1 Reading and Writing all letters.
2.2 Mastering sounds of letters and blended sounds.
2.3 Correlating sounds into words.
2.4 Intro to spelling Assessments.
3.1 Learning how to use the library.
3.2 Looking up subjects at the library to find subject books.
4.1 Reading classic children's books aloud.
4.2 Expanding vocabulary with more difficult reads.
4.3 Building creativity and storytelling.

LANGUAGE ARTS:
1. Creative Writing
2. Spelling/ Grammar
3. Vocabulary Development/ Speech

1.1 Keeping a daily journal with writings.
1.2 Growth in word formations and sentence structure.
1.3 Using words in student's pictures to describe drawings.
1.4 Letter and card writing.
1.5 Developing handwriting and penmanship.
1.6 Play writing for end of the year.
1.7 Exploring fiction and non fiction and their components.
2.1 Intro to Spelling Assessments.
2.2 Exploring words: singular and plural, opposites, nouns, adjective, verb, etc.
2.3 Exploring and using punctuation and capitalization.
3.1 Memorization and retelling of oral stories.
3.2 Aloud reading of harder literature as introduction to harder vocabulary.
3.3 Oral word games such as rhyme time to engage auditory learning.

SCIENCE:
1. Life Science
2. Earth Science
3. Physical Science
5. Scientific Tools and Processes

1.1 Introduction to Anatomy and body parts
1.2 Identify basic characteristics of living things vs. non living things. Sort and classify.
1.3 Life Cycle Studies of animals/plants. Specifically frogs and butterflies.
1.4 Classification of parents vs. offspring, animals and habitats, extinct animals and current animals.
2.1 Things in the sky, observation, describing and recording what is seen in the day and night.
2.2 Taking samples, recording, and classifying information from the natural environment.
2.3 Weather information and Prediction
3.1 Classifying and comparing liquids, solids, and gases.
3.2 Effect of Sunlight and Shade Comparing Temperatures at different places.
3.3 Changing Movement and Friction
3.4 Effect of Magnets 5.1 Introduction to tools used for science.
5.2 Introduction to the steps of the Scientific Method.
5.3 Exploring the steps and using in basic activities or projects.
5.4 Talking about visual representations of scientific methods and processes with graphs, charts, etc.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
1. US and State History/ Geography
2. World History/ Geography
3. Cultural Awareness
4. Basic Civics and Citizenship
5. Foreign Languages

1.1 Reading Historical Fiction and Non Fiction accounts of events.
1.2 Intro to Mapping.
1.4 Using flashcards and books to recognize states shapes and names.
1.5 State names and capitals
1.6 Beginning understanding of what History is, why we study it, and major events.
2.1 Intro to Ancient Times: Brief introduction to the time period through people, culture, dress, important figures, and important events.
2.2 Intro to Middle Ages: Brief introduction to the time period through people, culture, dress, important figures, and important events.
2.3 Intro to Modern Times: Brief introduction to the time period through people, culture, dress, important figures, and important events.
2.4 Memorizing names and locations of all oceans, continents, and larger countries.
3.1 Introduction to different cultures around the world with basic similarities and
how we differ.
3.2 Exploring different cultures with in our region.
3.3 Use arts and crafts time to represent different cultures.
4.1 Developing ideas of what it means to be a US citizen.
4.2 Basics to US Government and the three branches of Government.
4.3 Enrichment through volunteering and social activities.
5.1 Introduction to languages in other cultures and those most common in the US.
5.2 Develop use of ASL, Spanish, French, and Vietnamese, with emphasis in ASL.

FINE ARTS:
1. Music
2. Dance/PE
3. Theater
4. Performance
5. Art

1.1 Introduction to reading music and notation.
1.2 Exploring rhythm, beat, pitch, melody and other elements of basic music.
1.3 Develop piano playing with scales, basic theory, and songs.
1.4 Develop vocal singing and pitch awareness. Explore new songs.
1.5 Developing Music Appreciation with Music History.
2.1 Develop body/spacial awareness and control.
2.2 Explore team and individual coop with dance classes.
2.3 Self expression and storytelling through music and rhythm.
2.4 Development of pose and grace.
2.5 Introduction to Health Science.
3.1 Introduction to acting, costuming, and directing.
3.2 Developing memorization and exploring the construction of plays and characterization.
3.3 End of the year play written and performed by Kiera.
4.1 Developing memorization for dance repertoire, songs for piano and voice, and oral stories.
4.2 Public performance for social experience, and team building.
5.1 Intro to Arts and Crafts with many different materials and methods.
5.2 Advancing Color Theory with explorations of primary, secondary, and complementary colors.
5.3 Developing Art Appreciation with Art History.

LIFE SKILLS
Grade: 1st Goals:
1. Personal Skills
2. Daily Skills
3. Hazards Awareness
4. Computer Skills

1.1 Memorization of important personal information such as phone number and address.
1.2 Correct usage of 911
1.3 Developing cognitive skills.
1.4 Developing good personal hygiene and Intro into Health Sciences.
2.1 Discovering chores; cooking, baking dishes, laundry, cleaning up, etc.
2.2 Creating a daily schedule while working on sequencing, and time management.
2.3 Elaborating on money and budgeting.
3.1 Development of street and pool safety.
3.2 Development of stranger dangers.
3.3 Introduction to household toxins and other poisons.
3.4 Exploring emergency procedures both in the house and out.
4.1 Typing Practice 4.2 Exploring online games
4.2 Online safety

BIBLE STUDIES
1. Memorization
2. Character Building
3. Story Time

1.1 Memorization of Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:9-13
1.2 Memorization of Books of the Bible
1.3 Memorization of Psalms 23
1.4 Weekly Verse Memorization from Awanas Program.
2.1 Relating character traits to scripture verse and stories.
2.2 Life lessons and moral lessons for everyday life.
3.1 Learning the major stories of the Bible and reading comprehension.

Activities:
Awana Sparks - Wednesday's 6:30 - 8pm
Tacoma Youth Chorus - Tuesday's 4-5pm
Elite Dance Classes - Wednesday's 4-5pm
WBC (Washington Contemporary Ballet - Saturdays 9:15-10am

Supplemental Materials:
Programs - Rosetta Stone

Videos - Bill Nye the Science Guy, Signing Time, PBS specials, documentaries, Planet Earth Series

Internet - Brainpop.com bbc.co.uk/schools/typing ixl.com/math/grade-1 brainpcleary.com abcya.com

Field Trips and Excursions


Thursday, July 5, 2012

BUSY!!!!

Seriously homeschooling is a full time job on top of being a stay at home mommy....

Sorry I have been MIA lately, but I have been writing KJ's 1st grade curriculum and getting her lesson planning done for the year!  I will share with everyone once I have it done.

Just wanted to everyone to know that, yes I'm still alive, no I am not stopping my blog... just super busy!


Oh and happy late 4th of July!


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Vegan Hamburgers with Avocado

Vegan Hamburgers with Avocados

This is an in depth recipe but very very good!  One of Mr. D's favorites :)

Ingredients:

1 cup dried green lentils, rinsed
5 cloves of garlic, minced
3/4 cup yellow onion, diced
1/4 cup leeks, finely diced
2 tbsp flaxseed, ground
5 tsp dijon mustard
3 tbsp unsalted tomato paste
1tsp chile powder
1 tsp turmeric
2 tsp cumin
1 cup cooked brown rice
2 tbsp EVOO




1.  Line Baking sheet with parchment paper and cook lentils according to package

2.  Large bowl mix: garlic, onion, celery, leeks, flaxseed, dijon, tomato paste, and spices.  When lentils are cooked mash them with fork and add to the mix bowl, then add rice.  Mix everything all together!

3.  Heat oil in pan, Medium Heat.  Form mix into 6 patties, and cook in pan for 2-3 mins per side until light brown.

4.  Transfer patties to baking sheet and cook in over on 350 for 15 mins.

Top with vegan cheese, sliced tomatoes and Avocados!

ENJOY!!!!! :)