Butterflies and More, Weekly Wrap Up

This week we finished our study of butterflies with the little ones.  They have thoroughly enjoyed this study as they got to read lots of books and do fun crafts like painting butterflies while learning about symmetry.

We ordered some caterpillars and got to watch them build their chrysalises and then see the butterflies emerge.   They found moments throughout the day to watch the butterflies flit around and also witnessed them unrolling their proboscis to drink their food.

One of their favorite crafts was using various forms of pasta to illustrate the life cycle of the butterfly.  We divided a paper plate into four sections.  They collected leaves and twigs on a nature walk to use for their craft.  The first quarter housed a leaf with a small bean to represent the egg; the second quarter had another leaf with a piece of rotini pasta to represent the caterpillar; the third quarter housed a pasta shell (dyed a dark blue) hanging from a twig; the fourth quarter featured a dyed piece of bowtie pasta as the butterfly.

It was so much fun, even Tyrell had to get in on the project.  He listened to all the books about butterflies too.  He is too cute for words--I have to include this picture of him, so proud of his craft.  "Me too!" he proclaims on a regular basis. We have been potty training this week and he caught right on to the idea.  Smart little guy.  We don't use a lot of bribery in parenting, but we have always used treats for dry underwear.  I've been so proud of him as he almost always offers to share his five M&M's with his siblings when he earns them.

 We also acted out the life cycle and discussed the spiritual comparison between the caterpillar becoming a butterfly and us becoming a new creation in Christ.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; 

the old has gone, the new has come!  II Corinthians 5:17

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, 

which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 
to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 

and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  

Ephesians 4:22-24

Briana and Destry gained some valuable life skills this week as Alan has been teaching them some basic vehicle maintenance.  This week they each changed a tire, Destry changed the oil in the van, and Briana changed the oil in the car.

 Chemistry is proving to be quite challenging for them, especially the mathematical calculations.  They are persevering, however, and are mastering it so far.

Easton and Kiana had the idea of packing some cookies in case they got hungry on their nature walk.  I'm guessing that was Easton's idea--my little sweet-lover!  They were fascinated by the ant hill they discovered near the chicken house and watched the ants work for quite some time before they got around to drawing their representations.

 Of course, there's always lots of "informal learning" going on around here and I happened to catch a few shots of these moments this week.  Easton gathered his younger siblings to "play church" and here he is telling them the story of Daniel and the lions' den.  Tyrell found the extra toilet paper rolls and created a tower when I was distracted.  I think he expected to get in trouble and was surprised when I just had him smile for the camera.  I thought it was pretty clever!

 Kiana, my little music-lover, frequently explores great composers on our old Leap Pad.

 And Easton is always coming up with new designs for his train tracks.

 It has been a productive week around here--busy and fun!  Check out what other homeschoolers have accomplished this week as well.