Year Five ~ Jigger
Faith and Life 5
My Path to Heaven by Geoffrey Bliss
Our Lady's Book by Lauren Ford
Stories of the Child Jesus from Many Lands by A. Fowler Lutz
CHC's Saint Comprehension Book
Exploring the Mass from Catholic Heritage Curricula (CHC)
Life of Fred: Fractions by Dr. Stanley Schmidt
Calculadder 2
What's Your Angle, Pythagoras? by Julie Ellis and Phyllis Hornung
The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura M. Berquist
My Catholic Speller: Level D, by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Language of God: Level D, by Catholic Heritage Curricula
CHC Handwriting Book
Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb
The Tale of Troy by Roger Lancelyn Green
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo and Timothy Basil Ering
Story of the World I by Susan Wise Bauer
Kingfisher History Encyclopedia
Augustus Caesar's World by Genevieve Foster
Of Courage Undaunted by James Daugherty
Catholic Geography Bee by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Map Skills: Level D, by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Latina Christiana I by Cheryl Lowe
Rummy Roots
English from the Roots Up
Le Francais Facile (The Easy French) by Marie Fillon
Art Through Faith
A Catholic Garden of Puzzles by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Black Holes and Uncle Albert by Russell Stannard
The Universe in my Hands by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Pilgrim's of the Holy Family by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Year Nine ~ Piper
Introduction to Catholicism: A Complete Course (the Didache Series) by James Socias
Beginning Apologetics 1: How to Explain and Defend the Catholic Faith by Frank Chacon and Jim Burnham
The Meaning of Vocation by Pope John Paul II
Life of Fred: Advanced Algebra by Dr. Stanley Schmidt
Calculadder 6
Mindbenders
Typing Instructor CD-ROM
The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura M. Berquist
Assorted Classical Literature Selections (one per week)
Warriner's Grammar, Third Course
Vocabulary
Christ and the Americas, from Catholic Heritage Curricula
History of the Ancient World by Susan Wise Bauer
Catholic Geography Bee by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Rummy Roots
English from the Roots Up
Henle Latin, Year One by Fr. Henle
Le Francais Facile (The Easy French) by Marie Fillon
Edible Wild Plants
Fur Trapping in North America
Ecology and Field Biology (text)
Assorted library and internet resources
National Geographic Magazine
Popular Mechanics Magazine
Smithosonian Magazine
In my bid to keep up with my blog, I have joined several daily postings, and am enjoying them immensely. However, it occurs to me that I am neglecting the chatty side of my blog, so on we go with the readjustments!
'Tis the time of year for all good home educating companies to send out their catalogs, and send them out they have! It has been a veritable treasure trove each and every time someone is sent down to the post box. Between home educating catalogs, online school book purchases (for me, to help me plan), and receiving our PaperbackSwap requests, each day brings its own little gift of happiness.
To that end, I have been consumed with next year's planning. Each year I eagerly dive into planning, but this year is different. Why? Because: Piper begins high school. Dunh-dunh-duuuuunnnnhhh, as Jigger would toll out.
I am almost finished with the order list for Jigger, because I keep telling myself that once Jigger is done, I can fully focus on Piper. True, but also an extremely valid stalling tactic. Because the truth is, high school initimidates me. A little less each day, as I talk myself down from the ledge, but still, when you start with a large chunk and whittle away a little piece each day after several weeks you still have a large chunk. (Chocolate popped into my head during this recitation; what do you think Freud would say about that?)
So, for all of you mothers out there who are educating high schoolers, please don't laugh at this High School newbie. I really, really don't want to mess this up, and I keep vowing to myself that *this* is the year we would be more focused, whether we actually were or not. It didn't really matter, because in the back of my head it didn't seem to somehow 'count' until we hit high school. And now we have. Hit high school. With the full force of an eighteen-wheeler slamming into the concrete below as it careens off the edge of a cliff. Air bags are deployed, seat belts are engaged, and the dust has yet to settle. Stay tuned.
Hi! I can totally relate to your last paragraph today!! We will be starting high school with our oldest in the fall too and even though I am a homeschool alumni it is still scary and unknown, lol. Probably because I am chooing to homeschool much differently than my parents homeschooled my siblings and I. However, I am looking forward to the challenge of it!
I know other 2nd generation homeschoolers, some of who do use the same methods/curriculum as their parents, and they have similar concerns. It's a lot different being a homeschool parent than it is being a homeschool student! Most though, have a more confident grasp on home education as a whole and know that home education works, that kids can get into college, the military, careers, etc. (because we all have!) so I think in that sense we do have an advantage over other homeschool aprents who were not homeschooled. So while I am nervous about high school I do have the assurance that it will all even out in the wash, ha, ha!
I have a dear Christian friend and mentor in my area that was not homeschooled herself but has 9 children and has unschooled them the entire way, K-12. Four of those have graduated from the family's homeschool and have entered college. Two of those have already graduated from college with their master's degrees and have been working at good jobs for a few years. Those two are also married now. So whenever I feel overwhelmed or discouraged I remember that there is a nice Christian, rural homeschool family that has done it and I can too! Plus I call her about twice a year specifically for pep talks :)
Do you have someone local that can help you through the high school years?
Do you know about www.homeschoolalumniorg? Your teen can join at age 15. I am on there and personally know the Christian homeschool alumni brothers that started it. I am on there and it's a neat place.
Welcome to our home! Within you will find an assortment of ramblings having to do with home educating, books, homemaking, being a wife and mother, crafts, Catholicism ~ in general, our life at home, where our hearts truly lie.
Happy at Home
Mo Chroi~ Wonderful Husband who makes me laugh and is crazy about me and our kids
Me (Celtic Mom)~ Happily married to My Heart, mother of two wonderful sons, and passionate about many things, among them being teaching, making our house a home, and exploring my Creative Well
Piper~ Eldest son who loves being home educated and playing the bagpipes with the local Scottish Pipe Band
Jigger~ Youngest son who loves keeping up with his brother, and is convinced that someday a sword will once again be a necessary accessory. In other words, he's obsessed with all things medieval.
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