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| Hazel enjoying a snowy day |
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 2025 and late May 2026.
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| Hazel admiring their Terraria themed birthday cake |
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.”
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| Hazel posing with the extra large snowball they made |
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| Hazel was Finn the Human from Adventure Time for Hallowe'en |
Book Log:
A PDF of most of the books read by or with Hazel and logged by Beanstack between the dates of June 18th, 2025, and May 26th, 2026, can be viewed here (here are some additional books read that somehow didn't show up in the Beanstack log).
Additional Reading Materials:
Highlights (magazine)
LEGO Magazine
National Geographic (magazine)
Dictionary
Thesaurus
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| Hazel climbing the snow mountain next to the library |
Language Arts
Hazel has strengthened their independent reading and spelling this year and engaged in more writing through chatting with friends in online games, and writing books in Minecraft. They have a good grasp on the seven main parts of speech (noun, verb, adverb, etc.) and basic punctuation rules. They know how to use Google, the dictionary, a thesaurus, and glossaries to find information. Hazel signed up for this Summer Reading Challenge through the Woods Run branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which started on June 1st. Last Summer, they completed all reading challenges. Every day, Hazel has either been read to or reads aloud to one of their parents or brother. They especially enjoyed the storytelling aspects of the cryptid series led by the resident artist Taylor at the library this Spring.
YouTube Channels/Series
Jewish Language Project
PJ Library
Shalom Sesame
StorylineOnline
Movies/Shows
Super Why
Games/Apps
various writing/spelling apps
Minecraft
Scribblenauts Showdown
Scribblenauts Remix
Scribblenauts Unlimited
Hebrew for Kids
Other Resources
Beanstack (keeping log of books read)
PJ Our Way (book subscription)
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Woods Run
Cryptid Series by Taylor at CLP-Woods Run
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| The Golden Lurker cryptid, invented by Hazel |
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| Caturtlin cryptid, invented by Hazel |
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| Hazel loves playing the game “What am I?” |
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Hazel reading from an art book to their sibling Elijah
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Mathematics
Hazel can add, subtract, divide, and multiply multi-digit numbers, fractions, and decimals. Hazel enjoys learning and creating maths tricks and shortcuts. They are provided with opportunities to work with fractions, measurements of various kinds, counting money, and making change. Hazel is proficient using both Gregorian and Hebrew calendars, and can read an analogue clock. Hazel continued to spend a lot of time playing Stardew Valley this year, learning to manage a farm and resources, strategise how to farm efficiently, and manage their in-game money.
YouTube Channels/Series
Numberphile
ViHart
PuzzLEGO
Brick101
Games/Apps
Chess
Checkers
Backgammon
Mahjong
UNO
Skip Bo
various jigsaw puzzles
Minecraft
Tangrams
Maths Dice
various dice games
Hanafuda
Dreidel
Rush Hour/Rush Hour Jr.
Stardew Valley
Other Resources
Highlights Puzzlebuzz (puzzle magazine)
Connectagons
Magnetic Titles
Penrose Tiles
Pattern Blocks
Marble Runs
LEGO
Minecraft Math workbook
Various Dice
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| Hazel creating maths games with dice |
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| Hazel creating things with magnetic tiles. |
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| Hazel being a praying mantis admiring their Penrose tile creation |
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| Hazel discovered that they really like Skip Bo |
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Hazel might have lost playing UNO, but they had a lot of fun
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| Hazel loves pattern recognition games like Ouisi |
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, archaeology, and more! They have been more interested in anatomy, cryptozoology, and all things related to space and the Universe this year. Hazel continues their deep appreciation for the Earth, keeping rubbish and recycling out of habitats for animals and insects, and keeping our air and water clean. As a family, we have spent time cleaning up our street, picking up litter and recycling.
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
Battle Bots
Pokémon: Indigo League
Pokémon: Horizons the Series
Pokémon: Master Journeys
Pokémon: Ultimate Journeys
Pokémon: Journeys
Pokémon: To be a Pokémon Master
Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution
Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles
Pokémon: Secrets of the Jungle
Pokémon Concierge
The Last Kids on Earth
Life on Our Planet
Wild Kratz
Websites/General Research
Minecraft command block coding
Minecraft Redstone contraptions
Marsupials
Games/Apps
Doodle God
Toca Boca Toca Lab Elements
Toca Boca Toca Lab Plants
Other Resources
Welcome to the Museum: Anatomicum (Wiedermann & Paxton)
Welcome to the Museum: Dinosaurium (Wiedermann & Paxton)
Magnets (various kinds)
Introduction to Archaeology at CLP-Woods Run
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| Hazel made fire cider with a group of herbalists |
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| Hazel learned about archaeology and Indigenous people of Pennsylvania |
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| Hazel working a sea life puzzle with their sibling and dad |
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| Hazel examining a slug before putting it in a shady spot on a hot day |
Social Studies & Geography
Hazel continually explores various cultures, especially those that are part of their heritage. They also explored spiritual aspects of Judaism and Sufism. They read many books (including biographies), listening to music, eating food, and talking with people to learn about cultures, traditions, and religions/spiritual practices. Hazel also covered topics pertaining to forms of government, voting, and Pennsylvania history. We spent additional time discussing how the current administration has made and is trying to make executive orders and laws, which significantly hurt BIPOC & LGBTQ+ people, veterans & disabled people, children & families, and immigrants. Hazel has a strong sense of justice, not tolerating bigotry, and calling out hateful instances and people.
YouTube Channels/Series
CrashCourse
CrashCourseKids
My Jewish Learning
BimBam
The Wise Channel
Life Where I'm From
HiHo Kids
Global Oneness Project
Movies/Shows
Story Bots
Night at the Museum (2006)
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)
The Librarian: Quest for the Spear (2004)
The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines (2006)
The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice (2008)
Websites/ General Research
Jewish (Mizrahi & Sephardi) holidays, culture, & spirituality
Romani culture
African American culture
English culture
Indian (Punjab & Kashmir) culture
Lakota Sioux/Blackfeet culture
Welsh culture
Czech culture
Persian culture
Irish/Irish Traveller (Minceir) culture
Spanish & Basque Cultures
Racism & Antisemitism
Presidential power & executive orders
Games/Apps
Geography Bingo
Cozy Grove
Other Resources
Tea & coffee cultural connections around the world
Listening to NPR in the car
Map of the United States
United States map puzzle
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| Hazel enjoyed lighting our Hanukkah candles |
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| Hazel learned about heraldry and coat of arms at the library and created their own |
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| Hazel learned about the Huichol people and yarn painting at the library and made a traditional style snake yarn painting |
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| Hazel learned about the history of photographing snowflakes and origami at the library & created these fantastic origami snowflakes |
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! Hazel is included in meal-planning, cooking/baking, and food shopping. We have ongoing conversations about digital literacy and safety, 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
Is It Cake?
Games/Apps
Olli Olli World
Toca Boca Kitchen
Toca Boca Kitchen 2
Inside the Body
Operation
Other Resources
Sex is a Funny Word (Silverburg)
The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families (Simon)
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Hazel learned how to use clippers by shaving their parent's hair
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| Hazel climbing at Bayne Library Park in Bellevue, PA |
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| Hazel added spring onion from our yard to their fried egg |
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| Hazel swimming at our friend's cabin |
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| Hazel playing on some rings at a friend's house |
Fine Arts
Hazel enjoys drawing, colouring, and making various crafts. They regularly make music using their father's synthesizers. They have used various media to express themself, including origami, markers, crayons, coloured pencils, stickers, mosaic, Play-Doh & clay, keyboard, synthesizers, stylophone, chalk, LEGO, loom, and miscellaneous craft/art supplies. Hazel also enjoys creating worlds and levels in various video games.
YouTube Channels/Series
InfiniteDrift
Make:
Mumb Jumbo
North of the Border
NPR Music
PuzzLEGO
TrixyBlox
The Art Assignment
Games/Apps
Minecraft
LittleBigPlanet 3
Bloons TD6
Mario Maker 2
Other Resources
Synthesizers
Sampler
Art Supplies
Kids Craft time @ Library
Kids Choice @ Library
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| Hazel painted a cicada as part of a memorial for the silver linden tree that was uprooted at the library during a big storm |
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| Hazel's sculpture of their invented cryptid, the Caturtlin |
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| Hazel made a dragon out of clay and feathers at the library |
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| Hazel playing a drum and jamming with friends |
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| Hazel playing a drum |
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| A frog that Hazel painted |
Additional Resources
Additional resources that were not easily classified, but that were utilised during the year.
YouTube Channels/Series
Khan Academy
Khan Academy Kids
TED-Ed
National Geographic Education
PBS Kids
BrainPOP
Games/Apps
Terraria
Retro NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy games
Among Us
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| Armed with toast (to keep their strength up) and a flyswatter, Hazel is ready to take on Spotted Lanternfly nymphs |
