Marcia Miller's Reflections & Resources

Archive for December, 2010

Predictable Books for Emergent Readers

Predictable Books for Emergent Readers

Predictable books are delightful for reading aloud together, and they’re great for emergent readers as they’re learning to read.  Here are some of our favorites: Over in the Meadow by Ezra Jack Keats Benny’s Pennies by Pat Brisson Rosie’s Walk by [Read More]

Series Books for Young Readers

Series Books for Young Readers

There is a great variety of children’s literature available today, so as children are learning to read, there’s no reason to give up quality of content just to gain simpler texts for young readers to enjoy.  There are many easy reader series books now that are [Read More]

Growth

Growth

I planted this hyacinth bulb over a month ago.  For several weeks, only a couple leaves were sprouting up, ever so slowly.  The blossoms finally started emerging last week.  Since then, it’s taken another week for the blossoms to emerge fully.  I enjoyed watching [Read More]

Konexi: The gravity-defying word game

Konexi: The gravity-defying word game

We recently found a great new game called konexi.  It’s a 3D word-building game somewhat like Scrabble or Bananagrams plus Jenga.  It’s an interactive group game with players trying to build words within the group’s connected tower of letters.  Each [Read More]

Children’s Books

Children’s Books

Picture Books with Patterned Writing, Repetitive Language and Predictable Text Over the years, we’ve loved reading children’s picture books filled with patterned writing,  repetitive language, or predictable text.  These might include alphabet books, counting [Read More]

Lewis and Clark

Lewis and Clark

When Ben was about nine, we went with friends to an IMAX film about Lewis and Clark at the local science center. It was a great film, and we wanted to know more.  We became fascinated with learning everything we could about the lives of Meriwether Lewis and William [Read More]

I Like Legos!

I Like Legos!

Red Legos, Green Legos, Blue Legos, White Legos, Any kind of Lego, I like Legos! Legos that roll, Legos that race, I like Legos all over the place. Technics are my favorite. Lego guys are too. Axles, motors, wheels and ramps, Next summer I’ll go to Lego camp. Big [Read More]

Puzzles For All Ages

Puzzles For All Ages

Lots of people like puzzles.  They’re fun to work on individually or with friends.  Some people like abstract puzzles on paper or in books, while others like the hands-on, three-dimensional variety.  Here are some of the many puzzles we’ve enjoyed over the [Read More]

A Seasonal Approach

A Seasonal Approach

I love the changing of the seasons, and as homeschoolers we get to enjoy each of them, especially as they blend gradually from one season to the next. Sometimes, in August, people ask me if things change for us much from August to September. The answer to that is usually, [Read More]

Glorious Games!

Glorious Games!

We love all kinds of games.  Over the years we’ve enjoyed a variety of board games, card games, and dice games.  Here are a few of our favorites: Bananagrams Oh Scrud!  Word fun with cards Apples to Apples: The Game of Hilarious Comparisons! SET: The Family Game of [Read More]

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Recent Posts

Fire Station Field Trip!

Fire Station Field Trip!

After many years of sharing a variety of outings and field trips with our son, Ben, when he was younger, it was great [Read More]

Hoorah!

Hoorah!

This summer, Ben participated in a two-month intensive fire service training academy through the Getchell Fire [Read More]

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

It’s a lovely new year, with many new days and months to create new adventures for yourself, your family, and [Read More]

Smart, curious, alert, observant…

Smart, curious, alert, observant…

I once again came across this wonderful quote from John Holt, and thought it deserved sharing: “What makes people [Read More]

Create Your Own Graduation Party

Create Your Own Graduation Party

Reilly, Sarah, Ben, Taylor, Tanner After years and years of homeschooling together, five families from our local [Read More]

Hard Work & Recognition

Hard Work & Recognition

Sometimes people question the ideas of unschooling because they wonder how kids will learn to work hard if [Read More]

A Day at North Bend Fire Training Academy

A Day at North Bend Fire Training Academy

Ben has been participating in a fire service technology class for the past couple years at the Fire District 1 [Read More]

Traveling Adventures

Traveling Adventures

“And when the kids are old enough, we’re gonna teach them to fly…” Thank you, Dave Matthews. [Read More]

18 Years

18 Years

My sweet son, Ben, turned 18 a little over a month ago. I’ve been thinking about what a pleasure it has been to [Read More]

Not Back To School Camp!

Not Back To School Camp!

At the end of August, when most teens are getting ready for school, Ben and a few of his lucky friends are happily [Read More]