Reusable water balloons for summer play and learning

 If you have some hot days coming up, check out these fun options for water play - two great reusable options that don't leave you picking up shreds of plastic for an hour or more!

These are best made with thick plushy yarn like Bernat Blanket Brights, and come together quickly from this easy pattern!  https://leftinknots.com/home/crochet-water-balloons/

Sigoni Macaroni has a variation of this pattern that includes three sizes: https://www.sigonimacaroni.com/reusable-crochet-water-balloons-crochet-pattern/

Grab a multipack or two of brightly-colored dish sponges from the dollar store and make these sponnge balls! https://www.123homeschool4me.com/kids-summer-activities-water-ballcatch_21

Use these for water balloon games that don't rely on the balloon breaking:

• Water Balloon Targets
• Water Balloon Dodgeball Game
• Water Balloon Hot Potato
• Water Balloon Spoon Relay
  
• Water Balloon Bowling
• Water Balloon Ring Toss
• Water Balloon Balance Race
• Water Balloon Freeze Tag
• Water Balloon Baseball
• Water Balloon Fill the Bucket
  

They are also great for outdoor play-based learning games!

• Color Match Toss
• Water Balloon Number Target Practice
• Sight Word Toss
• Shape Matching
• Sum Splat
• Water Balloon Math
• "Angry Birds" Size Matching
• Water Balloon Phonics
• Water Balloon Music Staff

Financial Basics Workshop

 Financial Basics is a financial workshop to help young adults learn about budgeting, saving, credit, investing, fraud prevention and financial planning.

The free downloadable files include: Presenter’s Manual Participants’ Handbooks​ Presentation Slides

More information here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/financial-basics.html

CBC's Great Canadian Colouring Book

In celebration of Canada Day 2020, CBC stations across the country commissioned local artists to create colouring pages representing Canada's 13 provinces and territories. CBC's Great Canadian Colouring Book is still available to download for your kids to color as part of your Canada Day activities!

Free Music Theory Resources

Whether your child is learning an instrument and would benefit from some supplemental theory learning, or you're looking to design a course of music study for high school credit, there should be something here that will fit the bill!

Music Theory Worksheets–50+ Free PrintablesMusic Theory Lessons

Online interactive lessons 

• The basics
• Rhythm and meter
• Sales and key signatures
• Intervals
• Chords
• Diatonic chords
• Chord progressions
• Neapolitan chords.

Music Theory Worksheets

50+ free printable worksheets, including:

• Note Names
• Intervals
• Circle of Fifths
• Rhythm
• Piano
• Scales and Chords
• Music Symbols
• Steps
• Music Alphabet
• Holiday

8notes Music Theory

47 online music theory lessons plus interactive activities:

• Interval Ear Trainer
• Note Trainer
• Key Signature Trainer
• Triad Trainer
• Keyboard Trainer
• Guitar Trainer
• Brass Trainer
• Scale Ear Trainer
• Chord Ear Trainer

Music Theory for the21st-Century Classroom by Robert Hutchinson

This is a very thorough textbook, as well as homework assignments and practice tests.

• Basic Concepts
• Major Scales and Key Signatures
• Minor Scales and Key Signatures
• Basics of Rhythm
• Intervals
• Triads
• Roman Numerals and Cadences
• Seventh Chords
• Harmonic Progression and Harmonic Function
• Non-Chord Tones
• Melodic Analysis
• Form in Popular Music
• Phrases in Combination
• Accompanimental Textures
• Creating Contrast Between Sections
• Figured Bass
• Secondary Dominant Chords
• Secondary Diminished Chords
• Mode Mixture
• The Neapolitan Chord
• Augmented Sixth Chords
• Modulation
• Enharmonic Modulation
• Binary and Ternary Forms
• Sonata and Rondo Forms
• Voice Leading Triads
• Voice Leading Seventh Chords
• Voice Leading With Non-Chord Tones
• Voice Leading Chromatic Harmonies
• Introduction to Counterpoint
• Introduction to Jazz Theory
• Impressionism and Extended Tonality
• Set Theory
• Serialism
• Minimalism

Even more resources: 

• Coursera - Fundamentals of Music Theory
• Hoffmann Academy - Essential Music Theory for Beginners: The Fundamentals
• Lightnote - Interactive Music Theory Lessons 
• Music Theory Practice Flashcards
• teoría : Music Theory Web
• The Open University - An introduction to music theory
• ToneSavvy - Music Theory Exercises

At Home Astronomy Freebies

Check out this link for 10 fun hands-on activities from the Space Sciences Laboratory at UC Berkeley

11 Hands-On Night Sky and Outer Space Activities from Wild Earth Lab
Our favorite is this activity to model the phases of the moon with Oreos!
(Free subscription required.)

Free printable posters from the Canadian Space Agency

Print the Canadian Space Agency's Star-finder

Make your own Rotary Star Finder
from Dennis Schatz, Science Educator and Children's Author

Find many space-themed infographics at the Canadian Space Agency website

Take a Virtual Tour of the Canadian Space Agency

Free Explorers Club e-books and coloring pages

FREE Charlotte Mason Digital Downloads

 

Gentle + Classical Nature Vol 1 Teacher's Guide  

This Teacher's Guide is complete and assists you in understanding Charlotte Mason's methods, trains you in teaching nature study to children K4-7th grade in a Charlotte Mason-inspired way, all the while encouraging you and loving on you (the Teacher!) as you go.

https://shopgentleclassical.com/collections/g-c-nature/products/gentle-classical-nature-vol-1-teachers-guide-new?variant=35210142089372

Nature Collection Notebook (2nd Edition)

This 80 page Nature Collection Journal is exactly what you’ve been looking for to explore Nature with your preschooler through high school student!

https://shopgentleclassical.com/products/nature-collection-journal-digital?variant=35202287370396

View all Gentle + Classical Nature products here: https://shopgentleclassical.com/collections/g-c-nature and use code SUMMER15 to save 15% until June 30th!

AmblesideOnline's free Charlotte Mason homeschool curriculum

"AmblesideOnline is a free homeschool curriculum that uses Charlotte Mason's classically-based principles to prepare children for a life of rich relationships with everything around them: God, humanity, and the natural world.  AO's detailed schedules, time-tested methods, and extensive teacher resources allow parents to focus effectively on the unique needs of each child."

Home Education Series by Charlotte Mason ~ Free eBooks

shared by DIYHomeschooler

Finding Your Way with Charlotte Mason’s 20 Principles - Free Online Course

with Rachel Lebowitz, Owner of A Charlotte Mason Plenary

and Amy Bodkin, EdS, Special Needs Consultant

 

• If you were a superhero, what would your power be and why?

• What makes you a really wonderful friend to others?

• What is one thing you did this week that made you smile?

• Describe your favorite, most comfortable spot to relax or play.

• What is something that used to be hard but is easy now?

• What is your absolute favorite thing about your own personality?

• How do you show your friends that you care about them?

• What is something you could teach a friend how to do?

• What makes you totally unique from your friends?

• Describe a time you did not give up, even when frustrated.

• What activities always make you happy when you feel sad?

• How did you help someone at home or school recently?

• What do you think you will be awesome at when older?

• Write down the last nice thing someone said to you.

• If you could invent a tool to help people, what is it?

• What is one amazing thing your body can do (like run or hug)?

• What is your favorite job or role to do in your family?

• Write about a mistake you made and what you learned from it.

• What is a new topic you want to learn more about?

• Write about a time you felt scared but did it anyway.

• Write about a time you said "no" to protect your feelings.

• What does your ultimate, most fun day look like?

• Write three kind words to say to yourself in the mirror.

• What are three wishes you have for the whole world?

• If you could do anything tomorrow, what would you try?