Colonial Christmas Homeschool Day

On Friday, December 12th we attended the Colonial Christmas Homeschool Day at Audubon State Historic Site.  We rotated through different stations discussing colonial times as well as Christmas traditions.

Baton Rouge Homeschool Choir

One of the moms in our homeschool group started a homeschool choir this fall.  Luke, Cameron, Miriam & Levi participated in it.  Luke was in Lyrical Measures (6th grade & up) and Cameron, Miriam, & Levi were in First Editions (2nd grade-5th grade).  These pictures are from the dress rehearsal on Friday, November 21st.

7th Annual Bayou Cajun Homeschoolers Thanksgiving Celebration

On Friday, November 14th, we hosted the 7th annual BCH Thanksgiving Celebration.  This was our biggest attendance yet with approximately 60 families participating. 

This year we had 6 stations for the younger kids (ages 10 & below)

• Food games/relay races – Mrs. Melissa
• Food painting/stamping – Mrs. Amber
• 3 sisters information – Mrs. Angela
• Butter making – Mrs. Sarah
• Bean mosaic – Mrs. Elisa
• Thanksgiving story/ice cream cornucopia craft – Mrs. Courtney

And 3 stations for the older kids (ages 11 & up)

• Food science – Mrs. Rachel
• Bean mosaic – Mrs. Anita
• Corn information – Mrs. Laura

Symphony field trip

On Thursday, October 23rd, Angela, Kate & I took some of the older kids to the see the Baton Rouge Symphony perform a concert at Christian Life.  They described different eras of music and arts and played certain pieces based on that era.  They also introduced the instruments as they were added to each time period.  Each instrument played a little selection so the students could hear what they sounded like.  At the end, they paid a tribute to George Rodrigue, the painter of Blue Dog, and played “The Saints Go Marching In.”

Port Hudson fieldtrip

On Friday, October 17th, we attended the Port Hudson Homeschool Day.  They always do a great job with this program.  First off, they always fire the big cannon and then you begin rotating through the stations.  The stations this year were:

1. Cannon demonstration
2. Medicine in the battlefield
3. Soldier life – uniform and gun demonstration
4. Civil war boats
5. Soldier life – rations
6. Civil war cooking – tasting salt pork and johnny cakes
7. Town ball
8. Music demonstration

Governor's Office of Homeland Security field trip

On Thursday, September 18th, we visited the Governor's Office of Homeland Security. First we watched a movie on "Getting A Game Plan" for the family in case of a disaster. Then they explained what GOHSEP was and how it worked...how all the different local, state, and federal agenices work together when a natural disaster occurs. Some of the kids got to act out an example of how different departments/agencies are called when a disaster happens. Finally, they got to see where the governor meets with the heads of the different departments.

Associates in Pediatric Dentistry field trip

On August 15th, we had a field trip to Associates in Pediatric Dentistry. First, they showed us the results from an experiment where we could see the effects that acid has on your teeth with fluoride applied versus not applied. Then we moved into the cleaning rooms where the hygenist explained teeth cleaning. Finally, we watched a couple of short youtube movies about going to the dentist.

Greenwood Gator Farm

On Friday, June 6th we visited Greenwood Gator Farm. We saw real live alligators up close and personal at this full time working alligator farm. We saw gators of all sizes, from new hatchlings to full grown monsters! Greenwood Gator Farm houses and hatches 5,000 - 10,000 alligators each year. We took a guided tour of how Louisiana alligators are born and raised and learned about the centuries old art of alligator hunting from real life hunters. We find out how they go from an egg to boots and purses and sauce piquantes! (Mr. Tim buys alligator from Liz on the History Channel show "Swamp People".)

BCH Homeschool Forum

On Thursday, May 29th Bayou Cajun Homeschoolers hosted a homeschooling question & answer forum.

Thankfully, one of our moms was able to record the event for those that weren't able to attend.

LSU AgCenter Botanic Garden at Burden

On Tuesday, May 13th we had a field trip to LSU AgCenters Botanic Garden at Burden.  We participated in the program called “Trees and Trails.”  We started with an ice breaker and then split into 3 groups that hiked the short trail.  Along the trail we stopped for 3 hands-on/interactive stations:  Tree Cookies, Life on the Edge, and Invasive Species.  After the short hike/learning stations, we broke for lunch.  Then, those of us who wanted to stay went on a guided hike on the long trail (1 1/4 mile).  As we were coming back from the hike, we had an afternoon shower that caught us.   

About the Stations:

Tree Cookies - Students learn about resources that trees need to live, how trees compete for resources, and how to read tree rings.

Life on the Edge - Students learn that habitat loss is the primary reason for the loss of species through a game a game called Habitat Scramble in which each student plays the part of an animal that loses its habitat.

Invasive Species - Students learn how invasive species disrupt life cycles, through the example of the Chinese Privet and the story of the European Starling and the Eastern Bluebird.

Strawberry Picking field trip

On Thursday, April 3rd we went strawberry picking at Landry-Poche Farms. It's always a fun day to pick & eat strawberries and play & fellowship with friends.

Simple Machines field trip

On Thursday, March 27th, the older kids had their quarterly field trip to the Louisiana State Museum to learn about simple machines. First Mrs. Dee went over the different types of simple machines. Then the kids had to go through the museum and find simple machines throughout the exhibits.

Kemp Farm field trip

Learning about farming, petting & feeding farm animals, horseback riding, hayride, and playing with friends at Kemp Farm

Insectarium Field trip

On Thursday, February 20th we took a field trip to the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium in New Orleans.  I didn’t get as many pictures as I hoped.  I was in charge of this field trip since Amy was not able to attend.  I entered behind our group and most of the kids took off with their friends except for Luke who was diligently trying to do the scavenger hunt.



Luke pointing to the huge grasshopper which is his nickname.

Bug Appétit

Luke was so nervous to eat a bug, but he ended up eating one that was in the salsa. I tried almost everything and Levi enjoyed the chips and salsa.

Grasshoppers in honor of Luke


Some of the cool beetle displays

Maggie's first field trip

Everybody's favorite area - the butterfly garden

Thankful that Daddy got to go with us

As per our tradition after a field trip or play day in New Orleans, we ate at Corky's BBQ in Metarie with friends.