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
Here we are at the end of August; can you believe it? For those of you in the lovely four-season section of our country, you're getting ready to wash off your lawn furniture for that final re-packing into the shed, pulling out the cooler weather clothing, and anticipating the beautiful color show Mother Nature puts on for your viewing delight. For those of us in the high-heat of the one-season desert, we are aching for the temperatures to settle down so that we may pull our lawn furniture out of storage, readying our homes for the delight of spending the days with the doors and windows open, and yes, pulling out our cooler weather clothing.
No matter where you are, though, fall is the universal sign of school resuming. Public or home school, fall is usually when most start up a new year. It's a habit that we can't seem to avoid, and if we do, we feel a bit odd about it each year. Each world, public or home, stocks up on new school supplies while the sales are available, sorts through old school items to see which can make it another year, and prepares to settle back into the school routine.
Ah, the school routine. There's nothing quite like it, is there? Mothers all around the world, whether home or public, breathe a sigh of relief: the schedule is back in place. What a wonderful word, this word schedule! We must have been out of our heads to curse this word at the end of last school year (whether it was three months or three weeks ago). A schedule means gently reminding family and friends that pop-in visitors and school-hour phone calls are no longer permitted. A schedule means that the children are constructive instead of at-odds with their day. A schedule gives us the courage and support to say 'no' to activities we may otherwise have let intrude on our day. A schedule is a lovely thing. Routines are to be in place, everyone is to know what is expected of them, and home is once more alive with purpose, learning, and gaiety. School holidays are like vacations in that you're always so excited to see them come, and so relieved to see them go. What a blessing they are!
Holidays revive our spirit, speak to our soul, and re-energize us. They allow us freedom from our schedule, freedom from routine, and freedom to BE. They are a lovely break in the ordinary, and they are necessary to avoid burn-out, depression, and apathy. They are also best in moderation, as all wonderful things are. I find that for our children, anything longer than a three-week break serves no purpose but to flame their bickering skills, encourage laziness, and shorten tempers. It is a thin line to walk, for mothers are the ones desperate for school holidays.
Our children will have had a six-week break when we begin school anew next Tuesday. Six weeks that has flown past us, undermining my projects-to-be-done-on-school-holiday list and passing almost too rapidly to be enjoyed. These six weeks have been a study in free time, games, swimming, camping, and family. They have also spawned boredom, aimlessness, and foolish behavior.
So it is with both regret and gratitude that I hammer out our first term's lesson plans this week and announce to the children that school starts next Tuesday. They groan in mock despair, for I have seen their eyes light up when they peruse the shelves holding our next year's school books. I have fended off questions of what their first history projects will be (*I* don't even know yet!), and we have eagerly discussed where our field trips should take us this year.
We are so blessed to home educate our children, to have school holidays, and to resume lessons. Wherever your new year takes you, I wish you much joy, success, and many blessings along the way.
I don't think I could've said this any better!!!! You have hit the proverbial nail on the head!!!! I just finished and am looking forward to getting next year's new books in the mail!!! My kids' eyes will light up as well!!! he he he They don't think I see it, but I do!!!
I guess I'll have to enjoy my 'chat' time w/ you this week. That'll change starting next week. Whatever will I do? (you think I'm kidding ~ I'm NOT!! he he he)
Wow you did a GREAT job getting us all reved up for the school year ! Yes routine is wonderful.
I just can't seem to only have 3 weeks off in the summer. I REALLY need to encorporate the boys A LOT more in what we are doing on the homestead ! And then keep up the readings. My 2ds is helping right now with building our shed that we will store the tiller, bikes, dirtbike, and what not. He is learning some AMAZING things. I will be showing that soon on my blog. [0=
Sending you blessings and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
Thanks so much your comment and for your prayers. I really appreciate them!
We plan to begin school in about 1-1/2 weeks, depending on the outcome of Todd's tests. We never really had much warm weather this summer - hoping for some sunny days in Sept-Oct. But I'm ready to start school again - I know what you mean about having too long of a break. Although, my younger two kids have been extremely busy creating jelly fish out of various art materials, nearly every day. It's an obsession! But there is more to life, isn't there?!
We drove by an Irish dance school in Portland the other day - thought of you!
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 going further with his Irish Step Dancing
The Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs
For the Love of Literature by Maureen Whittmann
The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
Endangered Minds: Why Children Don't Think and What We Can do About It by Jane Healy
Catholic Homeschooling Companion by Maureen Whittmann and Rachel Mackson
Surprised by Truth by Patrick Madrid
Please Don't Drink the Holy Water! by Susie Lloyd
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