Planning and Preparation (and a very cute free clip art website)

I usually take opportunity over our December break to begin planning for the next semester.  This last semester we learned a lot during our studies of Ancient Rome.  We enjoyed watching bits of Spartacus and Ben Hur.  LD and DD were entranced by the boat battles and amazing chariot race of Ben Hur! Now, as you obviously can tell by the clip art I’m planning for our next unit on the Middle Ages.

Stay tuned for more when we delve into our studies of castles, cathedrals, feudalism, knights, the Black Plague and all that!  In planning for that unit, I came across this wonderful website that shares free clip art on all sorts of topics including history, science, geography, the human body and more.  I wanted to come online to share that link: http://www.phillipmartin.info/clipart/homepage.htm or you can see all the cute links on one page here.

Next semester we’ll continue our studies of earth science… there were lots of great activities still in the works for that.

And I have checked out a half-dozen books in hopes of adding in some inspiring things for ED (and yes, I’ve found heaps of wonderful ideas!!).  I noticed as things became more busy in December that I would say, “okay, LD it’s time for you to read your four chapters,” “DD, you need to come read to me” and poor ED would say “what do I have to do?”  I (hanging my head in shame) didn’t particularly have an answer for her except to point her vaguely in the direction of the craft table (where there’s paper/crayons always available and where her activities are set up). It was very, very busy getting ready to host three families here for the holidays, but now it’s time to get on top of things for ED again!

One last thing before I go.  We have a full house of guests and wouldn’t you know it–I have my first horrible cold/illness since we moved back to the US.  I have had a horrendous sore throat and virtually no voice for days now. Last night I broke down in tears because I hadn’t slept much the night before (just 3 hours) because the pressure in my face/head/throat was so bad. I got up Christmas morning at 4am (after going to bed at 1am!).  I just hope that I don’t pass on my illness to our house-full of family… 14 plus other family/visitors that pop by just for the day! I’ve been feeling so lousy that I probably need to get out to see the doctor.  Okay, that said I need to head to bed!

Once again–go check out the Phillip Martin’s free clip art!  It’s so cute!