Learning Log 23 (Feb 13th - 17th)

This week we had the unique opportunity to get our very own horse!!!  So, in anticipation of that grand event, we spent our week doing a unit study on horses.  The catch was, the kids didn't know what was coming (it was a surprise!!), so to them we just randomly started learning about horses.

We went to the library with our backpacks and spent two hours doing school work there.  We

• practiced doing The Lord's Prayer, in sign language
• did math worksheets
• read stories
• stayed for story hour at the library
• brainstormed (I asked them to pretend that there was a horse coming to our house the next day, and think about what they'd need to know in order to care for that horse.  They came up with questions they had, and I wrote them down.)  
• we gathered up books about horses that were relevant to our questions and began reading together
• we did the math of what it would take to feed a horse
• we did worksheets about horses; the anatomy of a horse, word searches, dot-to-dots (for the younger ones), and handwriting practice

When we were burnt out on horses for the day, the kids roamed the library picking out books they wanted to check out.  Keira learned how to use the catalogue to find her own books, and picked out a good chapter book, while the others picked out good picture books and comic books.

The fun day came on Friday.  They spent the morning at their cousins while Dad and I went to secretly get the horse.  When we came back we surprised them, and they were thrilled (of course)!  :)  The rest of the week was spent reviewing what they already knew about horses, demonstrating how to groom a horse, themselves, and learning more about horses with a more hands-on approach.  They went with us to the store and took charge of picking up what grooming supplies we'll need (they learned this from their teacher last fall).  They learned how to tell what a horse is thinking by it's body language, what to feed them, how much, and how often.  They learned about a horse's vision, hearing, and how horse's keep warm in the winter.

Meeting Duke.  He's 22 years old, and came from a camp for handicap children.  He's retiring from the camp, but is in excellent health.  He is still ridable, and should have another ten years left in him.

It took about 40 minutes to convince him to get in the trailer.  He was NOT liking that small space!  

Success!  He's in!!  It didn't take as much time to convince Richard to get in.  ;)

Duke's home!!!

Duke meets Garrett, and has a staring contest.

Taking Duke out for a walk around the pasture.  

It was a great week... just a little unusual.  Next week we have a lot of catch up to do on our other subjects, but this week was an effective unit study on horses.