The following blog post is a portfolio of learning for Hazelwood Parham. It includes highlights, but not every aspect or incident of learning during the time between approximately early June 2022 and mid-May 2023. This year could be considered their “1st-grade” year.
Attendance Statement: In accordance with the Pennsylvania Home Education Law, Hazel has received “a minimum of one hundred eighty (180) days of instruction OR nine hundred (900) hours of instruction. . .at the elementary level.”
Hazel looking out over the city from a lookout on Mt. Washington.
Hazel braving a bridge in the Mattress Factory's garden.
Book Log: A PDF of most of the books (313 of them) read by or with Hazel and logged by Beanstack between the dates of June 22, 2022, and May 11, 2023, can be viewed here.
Additional Reading Materials: Highlights (magazine) National Geographic Dictionary Thesaurus
A marble run Hazel & their dad made at CLP-Beechview.
Another marble run that Hazel & their dad made at CLP-Beechview.
A marble run that Hazel & their parents made together.
Language Arts
Hazel learned to read independently this year and began writing some. Their spelling journey has been an evolving process, including plenty of invented spelling. In June 2022 Hazel signed up for the Summer Reading Challenge through the Woods Run branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Every day since, Hazel has either been read to or read aloud to one of their parents or brother. Hazel also completed all the lessons (464) and books (96) from Pre-K through 1st-Grade in the Duo ABC app by Duolingo. Hazel also likes to create elaborate "prentendences" and engage in play saturated with storytelling.
YouTube Channels/Series Jewish Language Project PJ Library Shalom Sesame StorylineOnline
Movies/Shows Super Why
Games/Apps Duo ABC (reading app) various reading/spelling/phonics apps Scribblenauts Showdown Scribblenauts Remix Scribblenauts Unlimited Hebrew for Kids
Hazel dictated their answers on this worksheet about gratitude after reading Kapaemahu and watching the short film the book inspired.
Hazel making up stories with a flying squirrel & snowy owl at CLP-Main.
Hazel & their dad making up stories with a skunk.
Hazel & their dad working on word puzzles together at the library.
Mathematics
Hazel is able to count by odds, evens, 1s, 3s, 5s, 10s, 12s, & 24s well beyond 100. They can do basic single and double-digit addition and subtraction. Hazel has been working on multiplication and division and making strides. Hazel is provided with opportunities to work with measurements of various kinds, counting money, and making change. They are pretty good with using a calendar and are improving their ability to read an analogue clock.
YouTube Channels/Series Numberphile ViHart
Games/Apps Chess Checkers Backgammon Dandelions (tile & resource-based) Castle game Plants vs. Zombies Aquarius Ouisi Ouisi Nature various jigsaw puzzles Minecraft Times Tables App Tangrams
Other Resources Highlights Puzzlebuzz (puzzle magazine) Connectagons Magnetic Titles Zoobs Penrose Tiles Pattern Blocks Marble Runs LEGO Minecraft Math workbook (for grades 1 & 2)
Hazel playing backgammon with their dad.
Hazel playing chess with their brother.
Hazel made an Indiana Jones inspired LEGO obstacle course.
Hazel using maths manipulatives at CLP-Woods Run.
Science & Technology
Hazel has had a variety of experiences with different areas of science study: biology, anatomy, zoology, horticulture, ecology, physics, chemistry, astronomy, entomology, meteorology, and more! They finished up a failed squash experiment last Summer, learning a lot in the process, and they are ready to start again this Autumn. Hazel has been raising isopods and is about to start selling small isopod vivaria to other people starting out on their isopod adventures. Hazel has a deep appreciation for the Earth, keeping trash and recycling out of habitats for animals and insects, and keeping our air and water clean.
YouTube Channels/Series Discovery Snake (reptiles & amphibians) Ants Canada (ants!) Oh Worm! (awesome dissection videos) NASA National Geographic ASAPScience NOVA PBS Official Clint's Reptiles Discovery Discovery UK Hip Hop Science Journey to the Microcosmos Minute Physics Sci-Show Sci-Show Space Sci-Show Kids Sixty Symbols Mike Likes Science
Movies/Shows Hanging with Hacket From the Source (episodes: Honey, Mushrooms, & Kelp) Star Trek Prodigy
Documentaries Giant Snake Minecraft: Into the Nether
Games/Apps Doodle God Toca Boca Toca Lab Elements Toca Boca Toca Lab Plants
Other Resources Princeton Field Guides: Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians (McKnight et al) Welcome to the Museum: Anatomicum (Wiedermann & Paxton) Carnegie Museum of History Pittsburgh Community Science Workshop's Science Bus Zoo Camp @ Library Magnets (various kinds)
Hazel & their brother taking apart a broken PlayStation controller to see how it works.
Hazel with a leopard slug that they found in our backyard.
Hazel with one of many wild caught isopods from our backyard.
Hazel trying on a shirt made for a gorilla at the zoo during Zoo Camp.
Social Studies & Geography
Hazel explored many cultures, beginning with those that are part of their heritage, this year. They also explored aspects of Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Folk Magic (of various cultural origins), and Hinduism. Much of their introductions and explorations came from reading many books (including biographies), listening to music, eating food, and talking with people. Additionally, aspects of government, voting, and Pennsylvania history were engaged with and Hazel has a strong sense of justice, not tolerating bigotry of any kind.
YouTube Channels/Series CrashCourse CrashCourseKids My Jewish Learning BimBam The Wise Channel Life Where I'm From HiHo Kids Global Oneness Project
Movies/Shows Steven Universe Story Bots House of Anubis
Websites/ General Research Jewish/Mizrahi holidays, culture, & spirituality Romani culture African American culture English culture Indian (Punjab & Kashmir) culture Lakota Sioux culture Welsh culture Czech culture Iranian culture Irish/Irish Traveller (Minceir) culture Racism & Antisemitism
Games/Apps Geography Bingo
Other Resources Grow A Good Citizen Kit & web resources Highlights States Pennsylvania worksheets Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Passport Challenge Tea & coffee cultural connections around the world Carnegie Museum of History Listening to NPR in the car Map of the United States
Hazel likes picking out the colour of candles to light for Shabbat every week.
One of the Highlights States pages about Pennsylvania that Hazel read & worked on.
Hazel coloured postcards & completed the workbook from Grow a Good Citizen.
Health, Safety, & Physical Education
Hazel is a very active child who enjoys all-weather and unstructured outside play, riding their scooter, and just about anything that involves gross motor skills. They like to try new and interesting foods, especially fruits! Hazel is included in meal-planning, cooking/baking, and food shopping. We have ongoing conversations about online/internet safety (digital literacy), kitchen safety, and safety around water and fire, including what to do if there was a fire in our home.
YouTube Channels/Series Binging with Babish Adam Ragusea Adventure Agents Blackforager Clueless Bushcraft North Spore Pop'n'Olly Primitive Survival Queer Kids Stuff Insider Food Headspace for Kids
Movies/Shows Nailed It Jr British Bake Off Floor is Lava Ultimate Warrior
Games/Apps Olli Olli World Toca Boca Kitchen Toca Boca Kitchen 2 Inside the Body Operation
Other Resources What Makes a Baby? (Silverberg) Sex is a Funny Word (Silverburg) The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families (Simon)
Hazel enjoying their kiddie pool at their Gma Joan's.
Hazel playing cornhole with their Gma Joan.
A big Hazel on a little tryke at Randyland.
Hazel & another child examining the sandy pond that they made together.
Hazel riding their new scooter for the first time last Autumn.
Hazel tyre jumping at Free Store Braddock when they were visiting Gisele Fetterman, their BFF.
Fine Arts
Hazel enjoys drawing, colouring, and making various crafts. They regularly take part in Kid Craft time at the library and make music using their father's synthesizers. They have used various media to express themself, including: origami, markers, crayons, coloured pencils, stickers, mosaic, playdough & clay, keyboard, synthesizers, stylophone, chalk, LEGO, loom, and miscellaneous craft/art supplies. Hazel also enjoys creating worlds and levels in Minecraft and LittleBigPlanet 3.
YouTube Channels/Series InfiniteDrift Make: Mumb Jumbo North of the Border NPR Music PuzzLEGO TrixyBlox The Art Assisgnment
