A Parent's Guide to Chess

Check

Checkmate

Pins, gambits, openings…

Any non-chess playing parents out there?

Chess has become a big deal in our house.  As a parent, who didn’t even know the rules of chess, it was quite overwhelming when my kids first learned to play and compete.  I have since embraced the title, “Chess Mom” and wear that title proudly.  I’ve learned quite a bit through our transition from beginner players to tournament play.

To read more, visit Real Life at Home where I'm sharing today!

Passover

I have always wanted to go through a Passover Seder meal with my children.  Usually, I've looked at all the prep and just couldn't find the time or energy for the entire process.  I found a great resource that makes it easy for Christian families to teach their children about the Passover.  (Click on the link and subscribe to receive your own two-page guide to a Simplified Seder Supper )

This year, Good Friday and Passover happened to fall on the same day.  Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples at the Last Supper.  

We remember....

God delivering his people...

How Jesus washed his disciples feet...

God is our Creator and how we can be enslaved in sin, just like the Israelites were in bondage to  Egyptians...

We remember....

His body broken for us...

The bitterness of the enslavement the Israelites faced....

How God can take the "bitter" parts of life and bring "sweetness" out of them...

The Passover Lamb sent to take our sins upon His shoulders...

We remember....

New Life...

His body broken for us....for you!

Our redemption from sin and slavery!

 

This was a beautiful experience for our family and one we'll not forget.  While not authentically Jewish, it's still teaches the symbolism behind the parts of the Seder.   One of my children requested that we do this every year...a new tradition! 

"I Am..." Collage Art Projects

"I Am..." 

Collage art projects

Supplies:

Cardstock

Sharpies 

Tons of Magazines

Scissors and glue

Directions:

We had our kids draw a circle in the middle of an 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock or scrapbooking paper.  (We traced a canning jar lid)

Using magazines, look for big color patterns.  Cut into "ray" shaped pieces coming from the center.  Glue to the paper and trim excess.  Alternate between smaller and larger pieces, keeping the larger pieces for the corners. 

Find words that describe yourself or complete the sentence:  I Am...

Glue those on top of your rays.

Write "I Am" in the middle of the paper. 

Another variation my daughter suggested to do:  "God is..."  Find words to describe the character of God.  This would be a great prayer station idea!

Original idea found here:

"I Am..." 

Fun Resources for Teaching Your Kids About Plants

"The beginning of March has everyone ready for warmer weather, sunshine and beautiful things growing. BUT it’s still officially winter. One way we’ve found to deal with our need for spring is to study PLANTS!

Here are some resources to help SPRING along:"

I'm sharing some great resources for studying plants at Homeschool Mosaics today!

A-Z: Letter of the Week activities

Letter of the week activities:  

Letters A and B:  "A told B"

Letter C:  "B told C"

Letter D:  "D" is for Daisy, Dragon, Dog, Duck...
Letter E:  Eeeeee!
Letter F:  "F" Week
Letter G:  "G" week in review
Letter H:  "H"- Hobbit week




Letter I:  "I"
Letter J:  "J"
Letter K:  Kites, Keys, KSO
Letter L:  "L"
Letter M:  Ahoy...mateys!  It's "M" week!

Letter N:  Nope, no "N" week, not necessarily, "N" week
Letter O:  "O"
Letter P:  "P" activities
Letter Q:  Mind your Ps and Qs, or just your Qs!



Letter R:  Rockets, raccoons and rainbows
Letter S:  "S" week
Letter T:  "T"otally "T" week
Letters U and V:  That Kind of Week
Letter W:  Watermelon and wheel
Letters X, Y and Z:  XYZ and all the rest!

 

Glimpses of the Beach...