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Oct. 24, 2009
A Homeschool Mom's Most Embarrassing Moments
We all have embarrassing moments, but there are some that are unique to homeschool Moms. Moments when your kids do or say something that reflects on you not only as their parent, but also as their teacher.
For instance, when asked what grade they're in ... they might simply shrug.
When asked what school they go to ... they have been known to say "nowhere".
When asked why they aren't in school today ... they might say "I don't know."
When asked if they get a summer vacation ... they might say "not really."
When a 1st grade child who is learning to read, and IS progressing, just shrugs and tells someone "I can't read."
All of those leave you explaining yourself and your child to others.
I've had my kids tell someone else all my "bad Mom" moments before, in exaggerated child fashion. "Yeah, you should hear her yell!" they once told someone.
And now today I have a new one. My 8 year old son just showed me the card he's going to give to his Sunday School teacher tomorrow. He made it himself. And apparently, he thought it would be funny to spell things incorrectly.
The card says:
" Thanks for B'ing my T'Chair! "
Yes ... I really am teaching him how to spell correctly. I promise.
Trusting In Him,
April
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Aug. 11, 2009
Homeschool Open House 2009
Yesterday was our first day of homeschool for 2009-2010. It was a relaxed first day, focusing on some review products first and less of our core curriculum, but it was a good day. If you're wondering what a school year at our house looks like, here are our curriculum plans for the upcoming year.
(Although being a member of The Homeschool Crew means that we may need to set these plans aside at times to review other curriculum options we're assigned.)
A ~ 9th grade (14 next week)
- Tapestry of Grace (government, literature, writing, social studies, history, church history, art and music history and appreciation, geography)
- Science For High School Biology
- Saxon Algebra 1/2 (pre-algebra)
- A Reason For Writing (cursive handwriting -- because we decided that italic cursive wasn't flowing well and all the kids are now learning standard cursive instead)
- Spelling Power
- Auralog Tell Me More Spanish
- ARTistic Pursuits art
- grammar and writing still uncertain -- still looking for curricula for these, or deciding which items I already own will be best to use
- home economics, physical education, nature study, and life skills -- Mom-led through learning lifestyle
R ~ 7th grade (12 years old)
- Tapestry of Grace (government, literature, writing, social studies, history, church history, art and music history and appreciation, geography)
- Apologia General Science
- Saxon Math 76
- A Reason For Writing (cursive handwriting -- because we decided that italic cursive wasn't flowing well and all the kids are now learning standard cursive instead)
- Spelling Power
- grammar and writing still uncertain -- still looking for curricula for these, or deciding which items I already own will be best to use
- home economics, physical education, nature study, and life skills -- Mom-led through learning lifestyle
C ~ 5th grade (10 years old)
- Tapestry of Grace (government, literature, writing, social studies, history, church history, art and music history and appreciation, geography)
- It Couldn't Just Happen (and other creation science books)
- Saxon Math 54
- A Reason For Writing (cursive handwriting -- because we decided that italic cursive wasn't flowing well and all the kids are now learning standard cursive instead)
- Spelling Power
- ARTistic Pursuits art
- Intermediate Language Lessons (grammar and writing)
- Book-It Reading Program
- home economics, physical education, nature study, and life skills -- Mom-led through learning lifestyle
J ~ 3rd grade (8 years old)
- Tapestry of Grace (government, literature, writing, social studies, history, church history, art and music history and appreciation, geography)
- Christian Liberty Nature Readers (science and reading practice)
- Reading Aloud With Mom
- Mathematical Reasoning C followed by either Horizons Math 3 or Math Mammoth
- Various Traditional Manuscript and Cursive Transition workbooks and ebooks
- Spelling Power or All About Spelling? (I need to sit down with J and both these curricula and see which he responds better to)
- ARTistic Pursuits art
- Primary Language Lessons (grammar and writing)
- Book-It Reading Program
- home economics, physical education, nature study, and life skills -- Mom-led through learning lifestyle
M ~ Kindergarten (5 years old)
- Five In A Row literature-based unit studies (social studies, language arts, art, applied math, and science)
- Homeschool Share free literature-based unit studies (social studies, language arts, art, applied math, and science)
- Reading Made Easy, Bob Books, Short Vowel Phonics 1, and Rime To Read books
- Mathematical Reasoning A
- Various Traditional Manuscript handwriting workbooks and ebooks
- Leap Frog Phonics and Math DVDs
- Book-It Reading Program
- Creative and Educational Free Play
- Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles
- Arts and Crafts
- home economics, physical education, nature study, and life skills -- Mom-led through learning lifestyle
L ~ Preschool (3 years old)
- Five In A Row literature-based unit studies (social studies, language arts, art, applied math, and science)
- Homeschool Share free literature-based unit studies (social studies, language arts, art, applied math, and science)
- Various Traditional Manuscript handwriting workbooks and ebooks
- Various preschool math skills workbooks
- Leap Frog Phonics and Math DVDs
- Creative and Educational Free Play
- Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles
- Arts and Crafts
- home economics, physical education, nature study, and life skills -- Mom-led through learning lifestyle
G ~ Baby (11 months old this week)
- snuggles
- books
- kisses
- hugs
- chase kitties
- explore his world
- learn boundaries
- test boundaries
Homeschool Group Co-op (once monthly for all kids)
- American History unit study
- Art appreciation
- Science
- Crafts
- Manners and Etiquette
- Choir lessons
- Science Fair
- Fine Arts Fair
- International Fair
- Field Day
- Field Trips
4-H Club (for oldest 5 children)
- Individual Projects (developing new skills, learning responsibility, practicing record keeping)
- Develop Leadership Skills
- Develop Public Speaking Skills
- Community Service
Of course, we are relaxed homeschoolers, so not all these subjects will happen daily (especially for the younger students). The subjects that can be done independently happen daily, while the Mom-directed subjects are fit in around household and children's needs.
We value life-learning in our family, so I definitely count lessons learned through daily living: family situations, church, 4-H, homeschool group, daily chores, gardening, animal care, home economics, and new skills learned all count as part of school in my book!
If you want to participate in the Homeschool Open House during the month of August 2009, you'll have the chance to win some great prizes. My favorite prizes are the
- Rainbow Resource $50 gift certificate,
- the Curr Click $50 gift certificate,
- the Homeschool Boutique tshirts for the whole family,
- Reach For The Stars writing book,
- Revive Our Hearts Lies Young Ladies Believe set,
- Circle C Adventure books,
- Doorposts chart
- Fun Felts gift certificate
- oh, who am I kidding ... they're all great prizes!
I hope you have a great 2009-2010 school year. We're looking forward to ours!
Take joy,
April E.
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Jul. 29, 2009
The Big Curriculum Clean-OUT! is coming ...
Jul. 28, 2009
The Sea Turtle Hatchling Release
We went to New Mexico for the wedding of my baby sister. After the wedding, we traveled with my parents and one of my sisters to North Padre Island, Texas. My family enjoys vacationing there, but this was our first time joining them. We had so much fun at the beach, fishing, enjoying the aquarium, etc. with Papa, Grandma, and Aunt R.
On Thursday morning, we got up early and headed to the beach to watch a Sea Turtle Hatchling Release. The National Park Rangers ask beach visitors to report any sea turtles observed laying eggs, and stand guard over the eggs until the rangers can arrive. Then they gather the eggs and move them to an incubator to hatch in protection. Once they hatch, they release them into the ocean, again under protection.
When we arrived, we saw a crowd of people gathered around. It was hard to see at times, and hard to get pictures. Here is Steve and some of the kids trying to see the turtles.
The park rangers had a net canopy held over the sea turtles to protect them from the sea gulls. The sea gulls can't eat the baby turtles, but they will snatch them away, and either injure them by trying to eat them or by dropping them onto the parking lot. They moved the net forward as the turtles progressed toward the ocean. There were also several people documenting the turtles' progress on film. Those of us in the crowd were asked to turn off our flashes, which might disorient the baby turtles.
I actually took this photo of the netting towards the end, when the turtles had thinned out. They were releasing 245 baby turtles that were 1 day old -- from 3 different clutches of eggs. At the beginning, most were grouped together like this.
One park ranger had the job of moving the slow pokes forward, 6 inches at a time, so they didn't fall too far behind the pack. She picked them up, one by one, to help them get closer to the ocean.
Other rangers walked along the edges, pointing confused turtles back toward the ocean, keeping the crowd from pressing in, reminding us to turn off our flashes, answering questions, and showing a couple baby turtles to the crowd. These turtles were Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles.
The turtles made their progress toward the ocean slowly. They often crawled forward 6-12 inches, then paused to rest before making another surge forward. It was slow but steady progress. This next picture shows a few confused turtles facing the wrong direction.
Two of them took the lead early on, and moved ahead of the rest of the turtles.
Finally, the very first Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Hatchling reached the ocean on the morning of July 23, 2009. The crowd cheered as the wave first touched him, and again as the next wave swept him out into the ocean.
The rangers said that the turtles would settle down amongst the sea weed and eat until they were larger. In a year, they'll be as large as a dinner plate, about 10-12 inches across.
This process got a little too boring for my 5 year old, who wandered off, but the rest of the children enjoyed watching the turtles and listening to the park rangers.
And finally, a picture of Steve and the children in front of the sunrise, to prove we were there. Now I'll confess that I didn't want to get the kids up for this. I wanted Steve to take a few of the older kids while I kept the younger ones in the trailer and let them sleep. But, I'm glad Steve persisted and we were all able to see the baby sea turtles.
Take joy,
April
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Apr. 30, 2009
Our Homeschool Year In Review
Laura Lee of http://wastedtextbooks.blogspot.com/ asked me to update my plans for this school year, especially in light of our time on the TOS Homeschool Crew. Did we achieve all our goals while testing other curricula? No, we didn't ... but we're close. We're still on track with the main subjects.
I had planned to take a slower trek through Tapestry of Grace Year 3, so we didn't start into Tapestry of Grace Year 4 until the new school year. (We initially started TOG in the Spring, so we're always starting a new year plan toward the end of a school year.) We stopped our TOG for awhile to review other curricula, and then we actually started it again as part of our Crew reviews. But in order to finish Year 3 in this school year, we've made the decision to move quickly through these last two units ... "double-time" in military lingo. We're covering two weeks at once, but not as in-depth.
8 yo J and 9 yo C each tried out Math Mammoth for awhile this school year, but they also finished their Horizons Math workbooks. C started Saxon 54 over a month ago and J is currently finishing the Mathematical Reasoning book we reviewed from The Critical Thinking Company. We really like this, and it's got him at grade level, whereas he was using a lower level of Horizons Math.
13 yo A tested Aleks online math for a few months this year, but she did finish her Saxon 76 and started Saxon Algebra 1/2 this past month. 12 yo R is the only one who didn't test an alternate math program. She completed her Saxon 65 and started Saxon 76 this month, as well.
I had hoped to use Ray's Arithmetic once a week for a new challenge with the children. I didn't crack them open once. I've owned them for 2-3 years now, and haven't used them. I think I'm going to sell the set.
13 yo A had to set aside her Apologia's General Science text to review Friendly Chemistry for awhile. So she's now continuing with General Science. I have a plan for her high school science all figured out, but that will need to be another post.
9 yo C and 12 yo R are both reading It Couldn't Just Happen at the moment. I think C is young for it, but she finished her Christian Liberty Nature Readers and needed something else for science. I'm pondering whether to have her continue with ICJH or not.
I still need to use my Handbook of Nature Study with the children more, as we observe the nature around us on our property. Although I always set a goal of working on our nature journals regularly, it always seems to be set aside.
9 yo C and 8 yo J continue with their Italic handwriting, after taking time to test Peterson's Directed Handwriting. After finishing testing Peterson's, 13 yo A asked for a traditional cursive workbook (but not Peterson's). Although she had not been doing daily handwriting for several years, we bought her A Reason For Writing, and she's working on developing her cursive more. She didn't care for italic cursive in the end.
13 yo A finished her Easy Grammar workbook and will start Simply Grammar for a change of pace for now. We're still trying to decide what grammar to use through high school with her. 12 yo R is still working on her Easy Grammar workbook.
I did not manage to add Emma Serl's Primary Language Lessons and Intermediate Language Lessons into our curriculum, but I still hope to.
Spelling Power has been neglected this year, for everyone. We'll pick it up again for these final weeks of school, and continue with it in the Fall. I'm still pondering All About Spelling that we reviewed, and whether to use it with J and future young students. My mind is telling me it's the right way to teach spelling and phonics to young students, but my flesh is whining about the extra lesson. Wimpy me!
The oldest two girls are finishing their logic workbooks. R will finish hers this week, but A is further behind. I still need to decide whether to pursue this subject in the fall, and with what curriculum.
8 yo J has spent the year working on his reading ability, and building confidence. He's made quite a bit of progress, especially in the last month. This will open up many more subjects to him next school year.
While we didn't get as far in some subjects as I would have hoped, and I still didn't add in some of the supplemental stuff I wanted to, we did learn things I hadn't planned this school year. Thanks to the Crew, we studied Latin, Spanish, French, piano, art, chemistry, web-page design, homophones, creative writing, The Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia), and A Cricket In Times Square. And my younger ones tested a science textbook, hands-on spelling, and a formal writing curriculum, which we don't usually use at those ages. We also were able to try two different products for phonics and reading that were new to us and did help J with his reading. I think those things balance out the goals we didn't meet for the school year.
In addition, we dealt with many life issues this year. We welcomed a new baby into our family and learned to unselfishly care for him and his needs. We further developed our ability to work together as a family. We learned about grief as we said goodbye to my husband's Dad, the children's first grandparent to die. We hosted extended family here several times, which added in extra life skills of housekeeping and hospitality. The girls are also learning to sew and J is learning woodworking for 4H. We've had kittens born, and watched some die, and we're raising Ameraucana chicks in our basement at the moment. And of course, they're still learning how to care for our dog and the Persian cats.
We have also practiced public speaking in homeschool group and 4H. They prepared a project and presentation on Germany for the homeschool group, memorized and told stories for the homeschool group's story-telling class, prepared their first science fair projects and presented them, introduced games and music for their 4H group meetings, and will be doing their 4H project talks this weekend.
So many things they've learned outside of "textbooks" that make this school year a success, in my opinion. They're even learning to make new friends in church, 4H, and homeschool group. They're learning about their new community, their new church, and figuring out the social skills to adapt to a new group and forge friendships in a new community. They've made so much progress in this area since the Fall! They're also learning how to build their own relationships with each other, and how to enjoy the family God has given them, living out in the country without next-door neighbors.
We'll be finishing our school year in early July ... again. Last school year the move made us go later, and this year a new baby set us behind schedule. Hopefully next school year we can follow a more traditional schedule. I really prefer to finish in late May or early June. We'll probably start in mid-late August again, so if all goes well, we should be able to finish in May or June next year.
Next fall, we will have 9th grade A (14 yo), 7th grade R (12.5 yo), 5th grade C (10 yo), 3rd grade J (8.5 yo), Kindergarten M (5.5 yo), preschool L (3.5 yo), and toddler G (1 yo). I'm still finalizing my thoughts and plans for next year, but we have most of what we need already. I'll post more about our plans for next year sometime this summer. I'll also share my plans for A's high school years soon.
Trusting in Him,
April
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Mar. 13, 2009
Quick homeschool update
We aren't using Tapestry of Grace this week. We are following the Iditarod, and we have been busily putting together a project and report on Germany for our homeschool group's International Fair. Tomorrow is the International Fair, so we will return to Tapestry of Grace next week. I'm looking forward to getting back on track.
Trusting in Him,
April
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Mar. 11, 2009
More curriculum in the mail!!
We received A Reason For Handwriting, book F for 13 yo A today. She's wanting to continue to improve her handwriting. She's wanting to learn regular cursive, instead of the italic cursive we taught her first. I've never used A Reason For Handwriting before, so I'm curious to see how she'll do with it. I forgot I had ordered that when I posted yesterday.
I also had forgotten that we bought ARTistic Pursuits K-3 Book one when The Old Schoolhouse Store had it half-price last week. It also arrived today. So, 2 new things today!!
We're still waiting on Tapestry Of Grace Year 3, and Beyond Five In A Row, vol. 2.
And we just found out that the last item for TOS Homeschool Crew will be shipping soon. We'll be receiving Famous Men of Modern Times and First Start French: Book One to review. I chose Famous Men of Modern Times since it will correspond well with our current history studies and Tapestry of Grace. I chose First Start French because the children have wanted to learn French for awhile now.
Being on the TOS Homeschool Crew has been a wonderful blessing this year. Not only because of the curriculum we've received, but also the friends I've made with other Crew members, the lessons I've learned about myself and our homeschool, and the opportunity to develop my writing skills. When they start taking applications for next year's Crew members, I will post that information here. I'll also be posting a journal (of sorts) of my experiences on the Crew at the end of April. As the reviews wind down, I'll start working on the journal of my Crew experience.
Trusting in Him,
April
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Mar. 10, 2009
I love getting new curricula in the mail!!
We've received lots of mail this year, being on the TOS Homeschool Crew, but right now I've been buying some curriculum for next year. So, the new things coming in the mail are things I picked out and bought (used).
Yesterday, Tapestry of Grace Year 4 arrived! I scrounged up 5 ugly binders (3 are from the basement and smell like it) to get it out of the box before anything was lost or damaged. I'm still waiting on Tapestry of Grace Classic Year 3 to arrive.
Today The Mystery of History, volume 1 arrived. I just wanted to see it. I keep hearing about it and wanted to have it in hand to compare with Tapestry of Grace. I don't think we'll be switching, because we're ready for year 4 of Mystery of History, and she's still writing it. Plus, I think it would take more work to adapt it to everyone. But I just wanted to see what others were talking about. I've never bought any curriculum just to see it before. But I used my Big Fat Check from ebates.com to buy it.
Yesterday I paid for Beyond Five In A Row, volume 2. Once it arrives, I'll own all the FIAR teacher's manuals, except BY FIAR vol. 1. I owned it once, but loaned it to someone and haven't ever had the nerve to ask for it back. I still waffle over whether I should ask, or just let it go and replace it.
Now to dig in and look this stuff over! Fun!
I'm smiling right now, watching my 8 yo son and my 2 yo daughter dancing while listening to Pure NRG, a Christian tweeny group. I love watching children dance, full of joy and without any reservations.
We're hoping and hoping to receive a package from FedEx today with the Schleich animals that we'll be reviewing. The kids pray every night that FedEx will come tomorrow. Silly kids. I'm hoping the other two curricula I bought arrive soon, but I'm trying to be more patient than the kids are being.
Trusting in Him,
April
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Feb. 20, 2009
The birds are back!
We had less birds wintering here this year than last year. I've missed my little junco friends and the cardinals I enjoyed last winter. I've missed the wood peckers, too. But they're back! For the past week, my little junco friends have been everywhere. I've seen woodpeckers and cardinals. Today I saw 6 robins!
In the quiet mornings, I hear the birds singing through the closed windows. What a beautiful sound! They're back a couple weeks early this year, but I'm so glad to see them and hear them.
The juncos are just passing through on their way north, but I'll enjoy them while they're here. I guess it's time to start planning our garden.
Today in our Beyond Five In A Row (volume 3) lessons, we were studying The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden. Migration was the science topic today; what a timely lesson! I love those serendipitous homeschooling moments. Providence!
We're also beginning Apologia's Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day science textbook. Those bird and bug lessons are going to be fun as Spring arrives here in Kansas.
I love homeschooling, and I love spring. I can't wait to be able to turn off the extra propane heater in the kitchen and put away the little electric heaters.
With the arrival of spring, we also have the arrival of kittens. Our Persian is due to have kittens in 10-11 days. We've set up her "nursery" in the kitchen and will start shutting the kitchen door at night, to keep her from giving birth somewhere else. She's huge and the kids are hoping for extra kittens this time. She usually only has 2-3 kittens. She's never had more than 3, but they're hoping.
Is spring arriving in your area yet?
Trusting in Him,
April
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Jan. 13, 2009
In The Hands Of A Child also having a CPSIA sale
In order to reduce their potential loss if the CPSIA law is not changed, In The Hands Of A Child is also marking down their Project Kit Packs. 35% off, automatic discount. Spread the word, and help them clear their shelves!
If you blog about it, you can get a free kit pack when you order one kit pack. So place an order for at least one kit, then email them with the URL of your blog post, your order number, and the kit you'd like to receive free. They'll add the free kit to your order as a thank you for spreading the word and helping them clear their shelves.
This is just sad. How many more businesses will be sending out similar emails in the next week or two? I know I've seen CPSIA sales on etsy shops, too.
Trusting in Him,
April
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Jan. 12, 2009
CPSIA law strikes again ... Hands and Hearts discontinuing kits!!
I wanted to let everyone know that Hands and Hearts is discontinuing the sale of their history kits, unless the CPSIA law I referenced earlier is changed.
Here is their letter that was emailed to customers on their mailing list:
It is with the deepest possible regret that we must announce that we are discontinuing production of our Hands and Hearts History Discovery Kits. We, like so many other small business in America, are simply unable to afford to get in compliance with the new Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act. We know that these kits have blessed thousands of homeschoolers around the world, and we have prayed, wracked our brains, and sought council in hopes that we would not need to take this step.
As of today, the prices of our kits are discounted. We will discontinue the sale of these kits on February 9th, or when current stock is depleted, whichever comes first.
We do honestly believe that amendments will be made to the CPSIA, and it is our hope that these amendments will be reasonable enough that we will be able to offer our kits again at some point in the future. We want to absolutely walk in integrity, so we want to be clear that while we HOPE to be able to offer these kits again, we simply cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Only you can decide if you want to buy a kit now so that you know that you will have it, or whether you are comfortable waiting and hoping with us.
It is also our hope and intent to leave our store open after Feb. 10, but the loss of revenue from our kits may force us to close our business entirely. If it is important to you to purchase anything from us, please consider doing it now or you may be unable to do so in the future. This law affects MUCH of our inventory, and there are many, many products which are being discontinued by their manufacturers. As a result, we will not be able to reorder any of those products once our current stock is depleted. We would like to urge each of you not to buy in a panic, but to pray about what you need to do.
Please read this article that I have written. It contains an overview of the CPSIA and a detailed action plan with steps that we can take to try to get this over-reaching law ammended.
Please let other homeschoolers know both about the above article and about our sale. It saddens us to know that we cannot reach everyone and that there will surely be many homeschoolers that come to our site too late and are unable to purchase kits. We will be continuing to send updates and breaking news about the CPSIA and the status of our company through our newsletter, so if you are not a subscriber please use the form in the left-hand side of our website to subscribe.
IMPORTANT: Shipping times WILL be delayed due to this sale. If you need your order within a certain time frame, let us know and we will try to accommodate you. As we sell out of kits, they will be removed from the website.
Blessings,
Jeff and Kate Estes
And here is their article about CPSIA and its effect on their business (and likewise other homeschooling businesses). http://handsandhearts.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=98
So, if you were needing any of their history kits for this year, or next, you'd better order them soon. They'll be on clearance sale until February 9, 2009, or until sold out. (Unless the law is changed at some point between now and February 9.)
Trusting in Him,
April
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Oct. 23, 2008
Rethinking our school year ...
Since we'll be testing curriculum for TOS Homeschool Crew this year, we're rethinking our curriculum plans. Our vendor list includes 6 different core curriculum products. I don't know if we'll end up testing all of those, but since I intend to give each product we test a true trial, we'll be using whatever we're offered as our actual curriculum.
Tapestry of Grace would be difficult to start and stop throughout the year, so we're going to set it aside. We'll use Five In A Row instead. I will use FIAR volume 4, although the older girls will need extra assignments to make it challenging enough for them. It will be easier to start and stop FIAR, since it uses picture books and each book is only 1-2 weeks of schooling. No chapter books, no continuing theme or chronology to disrupt. But it will still provide a good education for the kids, and it will fill in the structure when we don't have something to test.
We'll continue with our usual math curriculum, until/unless something else arrives. We'll continue working on phonics with Josiah, and use our other usual books (grammar, logic, spelling, penmanship) in between testing products ... unless we decide we like one of our test products better and choose to stick with it. The only one using a science textbook is 13 yo A, but we may be testing Friendly Chemistry for her, so we've set it aside for now. If we don't get chosen for that, she'll resume it. The others are still reading their science books (Christian Liberty Nature Readers, and It Couldn't Just Happen).
Since some of the curriculum/products we'll be testing are not subjects we usually cover, I want to be careful not to overload anyone. So we'll try to keep a balance of challenging everyone, covering our basics, and not pushing too hard.
This will be an unusual year, switching between different curriculum. But, I know we'll still be learning, and growing. I'm not worried about falling behind, or anything. We'll resume Tapestry of Grace year 3 when we're done reviewing other curriculum. We're looking forward to this year, and the opportunity to try new products.
Trusting in Him,
April
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Jul. 3, 2008
Ending our school year, and planning our next year
Due to our rather long moving break last Fall, we are still finishing up this school year. We would have finished it next week, but our oldest 3 girls went with their aunt to a family reunion at my parents home this week. It was a last minute decision, so we still have 2 more weeks of school when they return this weekend.
I had originally thought we'd have more of July off (that's what you get for planning without consulting a calendar) and that we could resume school at the start of August to get 6 weeks under our belt before the baby is due. But, when I actually looked at a calendar yesterday, I realized that with the extra week we just added on, that would only give us a 2 week summer break. Steve and I decided that wasn't enough. So we're going to aim for starting school again on August 18 or 25, and getting 3-4 weeks of school completed before the baby arrives. Then we'll be able to take a 4-6 week break, and only have to extend our school year a few weeks longer next Spring. We may still finish later than most schools, but we're used to that.
Of course, all that is subject to change. There have been past pregnancies where I was just not mentally up to continuing school in the final weeks. We were using a different curriculum then, though, so we'll see how it goes.
In addition to planning when to start again, and working around the baby's arrival, I've been trying to acquire our curriculum needs for next year. I've been able to acquire several of the books we'll use in Tapestry of Grace from Paperbackswap.com, although we will still rely on the library each week. I also have requested, and will be receiving soon, some early handwriting workbooks for the boys from paperbackswap.com.
A friend loaned us the Apologia's Exploring Creation with General Science that we needed for 12 yo A (who will soon be 13, and will be in 8th grade next year). She also gave us a copy of Saxon Algebra 1, although we won't be using that yet. I am supposed to be receiving Saxon 87 for 12 yo A, which we found on the FreeHomeschoolTools yahoo group, but media mail can be so slow.
We are actually using a copy of Tapestry of Grace, year 3, that someone gave me a few years ago. It's not complete, but it has the parts we use most of the time. When we return to this in 4 years, with high school students, we will need to purchase a new set that's complete. We will need those missing parts at that point.
At the moment, each of our children is in the middle of their current math book. We'll have to order math workbooks for 9 yo C and 7 yo J late next Fall, when they move up a level in their Horizons Math. We have the teacher's manuals already, and we have the Saxon texts that the older girls will need when they each move up. I bought Ray's Arithmetic set from a friend last year, and have intended to use it for occasional group oral lessons in mental math. But I haven't yet.
My four students are each working on handwriting copywork we downloaded free from Currclick.com during their free weekly offers over the past couple years. 12 yo A and 11 yo R have graduated out of the italics workbooks we usually use, so they are just using the copywork to learn about traditional cursive handwriting. They are trying to decide which method of cursive they prefer. In the end, their writing may be a blend of the two styles.
A & R are both still in the middle of their Easy Grammar workbooks. We'll replace those when they are closer to finishing them. I'd like to add in Daily Grams, at some point, but will wait until we order the math and grammar workbooks, most likely. Although earlier this week, I was considering supplementing with Simply Grammar again.
I also bought Primary Language Lessons and Intermediate Language Lessons from a friend last month. They are great language arts books with Charlotte Mason style lessons. I need to figure out how to incorporate them into our lessons. The girls are still using Spelling Power for their occasional spelling lessons. We need to be more diligent with that, although the oldest two girls are progressing nicely each year. We also need to work on our writing more this year, as well as the spelling.
The oldest two girls are each still completing their logic workbooks. I'd prefer to replace their Building Thinking Skills books with The Fallacy Detective when the time comes. We'll have to consider that before we make a curriculum order in the fall.
11 yo R is reading the final Christian Liberty Nature Reader. When she finishes it, she'll work her way through the creation science book, It Couldn't Just Happen, as 12 yo A did this past year. She'll probably make that transition this fall. 9 yo C is also working through the Nature Readers. 7 yo J isn't reading well enough for them yet, but will hopefully begin them this next school year. I need to use my Handbook of Nature Study with them more, as we observe the nature around us on our property.
Next year, we will have 8th grade A (13 yo), 6th grade R (11.5 yo), 4th grade C (9 yo), 2nd grade J (7.5 yo), preschool M (4.5 yo), busybody distraction L (2.5 yo), and snuggly baby ? (newborn). Wow! It hardly seems possible that they are all that old.
I still have work to do in planning our year. I need to figure out how to add in the new things we've bought, how to schedule our lesson subjects into each week, and how to develop certain weak areas in each child. But, we're making progress, and we have what we need to begin the year.
Trusting in Him,
April
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Jun. 21, 2008
I wish I had something profound to say ...
But I really don't. Life is good, and ordinary, and we are blessed.
At the moment, my biggest frustration or problem is that my little Persian kittens seem to know what part of the house to "go" in, but rarely "go" in the actual litter boxes. They seem to prefer the floor next to the litter boxes. I should be thankful they are confining themselves to one small area, but I'm tired of cleaning up messes. And we need them to figure it out before we can really sell them. Patience ... I just need more patience.
Not just with them ... but with my kids. Kids who are perfectly normal, and like any other child would rather play a computer game, read a book, or watch a movie than do their chores. They seem to be in a slump, and I don't have as much patience or grace to deal with it as I usually do. Pregnancy hormones and hot humid days haven't helped. They usually do better. I suppose the heat could be affecting them, too. That and the end-of-the-school-year doldrums, most likely.
We only have 2 weeks of school left ... but we won't get much of a break, unfortunately, before we need to start again. I wanted to get 6 weeks of school in before the baby's due, so we can take 6 weeks off afterwards. I'm starting to wonder if it might be better to aim for only 3-4 weeks before his birth, and then just plan to go an extra couple weeks next Spring to finish making up for the time off. And we might end up not taking a full 6 weeks off. Hmm. I'll have to talk that over with Steve.
I probably should also think of ways to make these last two weeks more interesting, to break up the doldrums. I'm afraid I'm in a rut, too.
Trusting in Him,
April
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Apr. 3, 2008
Cure for the homeschool blahs?
Well, we may have found a cure for our homeschool blahs, especially my own. We are working on a project for our homeschool group. We will be having an International Fair, where each family presents a project/report on a specific country.
So, we are happily researching our country, and making our plans. We're still working on our Tapestry of Grace, but it's fun to have another project, as well. Something new and different to work on.
Since I got some great and encouraging comments about overcoming the homeschool blahs, I decided I should post an update about our project that has been inspiring us.
Trusting in Him,
April
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Mar. 28, 2008
Homeschool Blahs Confession
I confess, I've got the homeschool blahs. I struggle with this every Spring. It is hard to push through to the end of the year, at times. Especially when a moving break is pushing the end of the year into the very middle of the summer. And a "maternity leave" next Fall means we likely will not take a summer break at all.
But the other part of the problem is honestly just curriculum doldrums. We've been using this curriculum for 2 years now, and it's no longer new and exciting. I don't have any new and exciting curriculum, and I'm not planning to buy any new and exciting curriculum, either. Oh, I started to do some window shopping and dreaming, but I know that isn't the real answer to the problem. Every new and exciting curriculum becomes familiar and bland after awhile.
It's just a matter of pressing on. And sometimes putting one foot in front of the other is just "blah". The normal struggles with reluctant workers doesn't help promote excitement, either. I need a new source of inspiration, to be honest. But I keep looking at the inspirational homeschool books on my shelf and thinking ... read that one already, just finished that one, don't feel like reading that one.
I guess it's time to just "do the next thing" as Elizabeth Elliott teaches, whether it's exciting and fresh, or not. And to discipline myself to continue to do it well, rather than giving it the half-hearted efforts I've been giving.
I wonder if it would help my children to know that Mommy gets the homeschool blahs, too? That teaching them and planning school and grading school isn't always fun and exciting for me, either.
Does anyone else have the homeschool blahs? How do you deal with them, and overcome them?
Trusting in Him,
April
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Aug. 21, 2007
This counts as school, right?
My kids are distracted with making and testing paper air planes today. I send them back to their math and soon another one flies by my head.
On the bright side, 6 yo J is tossing around the word "aerodynamic" and asking me how to make his more aerodynamic, so he can beat his older sisters.
So, science? Math?
It may count as learning, but they still have to do their math.
"That's enough paper airplanes! Back to your math!" (the Mom says crankily for the umpteenth time.)
Blessings,
April
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Aug. 14, 2007
ElCloud Homeschool Open House 2007
Tiany is hosting a Homeschool Open House, complete with door prizes. Go to her blog to view all the homeschoolers participating in the Open House, August 1 - 15, 2007.
My name is April, and my husband, Steve, and I have been homeschooling for ... let's see ... 7 years, plus the preschool years of my oldest. My oldest is going into 7th grade this year. I have 6 children, and this school year, I will have a distracting toddler mess maker, an active preschooler, a not yet reading 1st grader, a 3rd grader, a 5th grader, and a 7th grader.
We are a relaxed homeschool. We don't follow strict schedules, and we're pretty flexible. Usually, my children get up, eat breakfast, and start into their math. Sometimes this is delayed for the younger students, who like to watch PBS while they eat breakfast. The morning is usually taken up with their bookwork, which is very minimal (math and handwriting). When the older girls finish their math, they are supposed to start their Tapestry of Grace reading, science reading, Bible reading, and worksheets or assignments. Then sometime in the afternoon, we might do spelling together. They have a chart of what to accomplish in the week, and it's their responsibility to decide how to break up their reading and assignments to get it all done.
The younger students and I usually tackle Tapestry of Grace reading and assignments in the afternoon, when the toddler is napping. We use Tapestry of Grace very lightly and loosely at their age. And sometimes we revert back to Five In A Row for them, for awhile.
We try to have all schoolwork done by 3 pm so the children can have time to play outside, but there are days that they dawdle with school work and chores and don't get that play time. I just keep reminding them they're making a choice and they suffer the consequences. Some days all school work is done by 1 pm, though. I do hope to be more organized this year, although I think I say that every year.
We are a relaxed Charlotte Mason style homeschool, and we tend a bit toward Dr. Raymond Moore's "Better Late Than Early" philosophy. So, our homeschool will seem light to others of a more textbook or a classical approach. And to those who are solely delight-directed in their homeschool, ours will have more curriculum and structure than they are accustomed to. We fall somewhere in the middle, choosing to use curriculum, but using it in a more relaxed fashion than most. We try to adapt things to suit our family situation and needs, as well as our individual students. Quality "living" books are a staple part of our homeschool, and we are continually adding books to our home library.
Tapestry of Grace is our main curriculum. It provides our history, geography, philosophy and world views, literature, writing, and art history lessons. We also use Horizons Math, and Saxon math, switching from Horizons to Saxon in about 4th grade. We use Italics handwriting workbooks, Spelling Power (not regularly), Reading Made Easy (only until they start reading on their own, then we put it away) ... and we're about to start Easy Grammar for the oldest two girls. For science, we have used children's science books, nature study, and assign reading from Christian Liberty Nature Readers to those able to read. This past year, 6th grade A moved on to reading other books about nature. For the upcoming school year, I intend to have her read It Couldn't Just Happen and other Creation Science books for her science lessons. We will start a formal science curriculum next year, for R and A to do together. You can find our homeschool curriculum plans for this upcoming school year (in an easier to read format) at this blog post.
Most years, I start off with a schedule of how the day should go. It's mostly to assure myself, and the children, that I'm not asking too much of them. We can fit it all in. However, we never stick to this schedule very long. It slowly evolves throughout the year. By the end of the year, you can't tell we ever had a schedule, and I could care less, as long as the work is getting done. We prefer to be more spontaneous. So some days, school may start at 9 am, and some days not until 11 am. Homeschool has become such a natural part of our life. Our days are a mix of school, chores, and play. It may not always happen in the same order, but it all gets done.
We do not have a school room. Our kitchen is an eat-in kitchen, and it also serves as a school area. So we have bookshelves in the dining portion of the eat-in kitchen. Bookwork usually occurs there, but I spend plenty of time reading aloud, leading discussions, directing a map study, and teaching phonics from the living room couch. And sometimes children take their reading or workbook assignments to their room instead. Since we switched from Five In A Row to Tapestry of Grace, I am doing less active teaching, and the children are becoming more self-directed in their studies. I still have to teach the younger children, but do not teach the older students on a daily basis. We don't own any school desks, and our small chalkboard is only dragged out for play. Our home is small for our family size, and very full, but it works.
Earlier this summer, I posted several of my previous blog posts on homeschool tips. Links to some of my favorite homeschool posts can be found HERE. Also, for the month of June, I wrote Tips of the Day for the Homeschoolblogger Front Porch, and there were many homeschooling tips included. You can find my June archives of tips HERE. I also posted on My Homeschool Journey and Favorite Homeschool Books in May. And you can read some of our previous "A Day in Our Homeschool" posts HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE.
Blessings,
April
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Aug. 6, 2007
First day of school!
Today was our first day of school. I assigned math, handwriting, family Bible study, phonics, science reading, spelling and grammar. And it all went so well.
They began with their math workbooks. Then the 3 who still have handwriting workbooks completed those. The older two journaled about things they'd like to study or learn this year. 6 yo J had a phonics lesson with me. R, J, and A each did their science reading: Christian Liberty Nature Readers for the younger two and It Couldn't Just Happen for A. A and R did their first Easy Grammar lesson, as well.
Together, we did a Bible Study on pride using For Instructions In Righteousness. I have owned this book for so long, and only used it as a topical index of Bible verses. I have barely used it, although I kept trying to think of ways to use it. I put it on the children's schedules yesterday, but still wasn't sure how I was going to use it.
This morning God gave me an idea for a workable solution. It helps that I have 3 readers now. I opened to the first section: pride. This is broken down into lists of verses relating to what the Bible says about pride, consequences of pride, blessings of humility, stories that illustrate pride, etc. I scanned the page and assigned each child to look up a Bible verse that I felt would be easily understood, and not too hard to read. I looked one up, as well, and helped 6 yo J look one up. We took turns reading our verses, discussed them briefly, and then moved to the next section. We each looked up 4 verses, and I read a couple others. It was a good discussion. And the children all enjoyed it! They enjoyed finding the verses and reading them aloud much more than if I sat and read verse after verse to them.
Finally, a way that I can easily use FIIR in our homeschool!! Tomorrow we'll take the next topic and do the same thing. I also will assign two verses for copywork each week from the Bible verses we read in FIIR. Which also solves the problem I've had with copywork ... what to assign?
Tomorrow, I'll do spelling with A, R, and C instead of grammar. It will be C's first year with spelling, now that she is reading on her own. We use Spelling Power, and I'll start by testing them all tomorrow. We have been very relaxed in how we use it, but the girls usually move up a level each year, even if we haven't completed the previous level. I guess all that reading pays off!
Next week, we'll add Tapestry of Grace into the lesson plans. We're all looking forward to it.
We had some issues with 3 yo M being a distraction, but even more troubles with 1 yo L being a distraction. She scribbled in R's Saxon notebook when R left the table. She kept climbing on the table, and cried when removed. I'm going to have to work harder to keep her occupied in another room, but not in a way that distracts the school-age children from their lessons.
All in all, it was an excellent first day of school.
Blessings,
April
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Aug. 6, 2007
You know your curriculum is working when ...
your children freak out when they hear you accidentally say you won't be using it this year, even though you meant to say not this week.
I told the girls they wouldn't be doing Tapestry of Grace this year. I meant to say this week. They got upset and were so disappointed. I quickly corrected them, and they were relieved. But that was so reassuring, to know they do enjoy our curriculum and are looking forward to it.
Yesterday bubbebobbie asked me what age I thought a family should begin Tapestry of Grace. I fully agree with Marcia Somerville, the creator of Tapestry of Grace. She advises that a family begin Tapestry of Grace when their oldest child is entering 5th grade. That will give the oldest 2 full cycles of history, including a complete 4 year cycle of history at the rhetoric level (high school).
We didn't begin until the end of our oldest's 5th grade year. So she'll get a four year cycle at the rhetoric level, but only 3 years of non-rhetoric. She'll be ending on year 3 of Tapestry of Grace. She'll begin her high school years with year 4 of Tapestry of Grace, the modern history.
We thoroughly enjoyed using Five In A Row for our curriculum up until that point. I cherish the memory of our early days of homeschooling with Five In A Row. We still revert back to it with our youngest students sometimes. At times, Tapestry of Grace becomes too dry for them, so we return to Five In A Row. Then, after awhile, they begin to miss out on the history lessons, or become interested in what their older sisters are learning, and we return to using Tapestry of Grace with them.
Tapestry of Grace's greatest achievement and quality (to me) is the fact that I can use it to teach ALL my students at the same time, using the same curriculum. That is why we switched to it. I was tired of juggling multiple levels of Five In A Row, and we were fast approaching a time when our oldest were going to have completed all of Five In A Row and need a new curriculum, anyway. Tapestry of Grace was designed by a homeschool mom with a larger family, who was struggling to teach multiple levels of different curricula. It was designed for the larger family, with older and younger students, and that is why we use it.
It's second greatest quality is that the older students are not dependent on me to teach them each day. They're not waiting for me to sit down, read to them, and discuss with them ... while a toddler tries to climb all over us. If I have a teething baby crying, and clinging to me all day, they're not being shorted in their lessons. They're learning the art of self-education, and I'm able to handle teaching the younger students to read, and proper behavior, and focus on household management without neglecting the education of either the older or younger students.
I love that it's a Christian curriculum. I love that it uses wonderful living books, and not textbooks. I love that it includes many different school subjects in one curriculum. I love that it is history based. I love that I only have to buy four year plans to use over and over. I love that I can use the library system without having to buy all the books. But its main selling points, to me, were what I stated in the two paragraphs above.
And as bubbebobbie recognized, I am very happy with it. And I'm so glad my children enjoy it, too. It's good to know I'm not just using something that I like, and they only tolerate, or even hate.
Blessings,
April
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Jul. 26, 2007
Another Amazing Homeschool Mom Moment ...
Both my oldest daughters, at different times, have come to me and asked if we could start the new school year yet. They're both tired of summer freedom now that the Summer Reading Program is coming to an end. The heat is keeping them from playing outside as much as they did earlier in the Summer, and they want to start school again.
I was thinking of starting on August 20 or 27, and I had plans for work I wanted to do in the last few weeks before then. But they're asking to start earlier.
Wow! An Amazing Moment for a Homeschool Mom. I love it when things like this happen. 
So now I have to decide ... stick to my plans ... or go with the children's interest and start early? I suppose I can get my "work plans" accomplished and start school, if I just work harder for a few weeks, and read less.
We'll see what the Principal thinks.
Blessings,
April
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Jul. 23, 2007
2007-2008 ElCloud Homeschool Plans
12 yo A -- 7th grade:
- Tapestry of Grace, Year 2, Dialectic Level (history, geography, literature, writing)
- finish Saxon 65 and then begin 76 (math)
- Easy Grammar
- Spelling Power
- Creation Science study (beginning with It Couldn't Just Happen)
- Logic study
10 yo R -- 5th grade:
- Tapestry of Grace, Year 2, Upper Grammar Level (history, geography, literature, writing)
- finish Saxon 54 and then begin 65 (math)
- Easy Grammar
- Spelling Power
- Christian Liberty Nature Readers
- Italic Handwriting (finishing last workbook)
- Logic study
8 yo C -- 3rd grade:
- Tapestry of Grace, Year 2, Lower Grammar Grammar Level (history, geography, literature, writing)
- finish Horizons 1 and then begin Horizons 2 math
- Spelling Power
- Simply Grammar lessons
- Christian Liberty Nature Readers
- Italic Handwriting
6 yo J -- 1st grade:
- Tapestry of Grace, Year 2, Lower Grammar Grammar Level (history, geography, literature, writing)
- Horizons K (finish) and then begin Horizons 1 math
- Reading Made Easy phonics lessons
- Italic Handwriting
3 yo M -- preschool (taught naturally through stories, play, daily conversations):
- story time (listening in on Tapestry of Grace and other things)
- counting
- potty training
- ABCs and letter sounds
- begin handwriting
- learn to pick up after himself
1 yo L -- toddler:
- learn not to tear books
- learn not to empty shelves
- learn to pick up
- learn to obey
- learn to talk (she is saying words, and mimicking, but not yet using sentences -- it will come)
- learn many new things as she explores the world around her
For all children:
- review The 21 Rules of This House and the Bible verses I assigned to each rule
- use For Instructions In Righteousness for Bible study
- Nature Study
- learn new life skills
- develop diligence, team work, and cheerfulness
- learn to love each other better, forgive freely, and treat each other kindly
- learn self-control
That's the plan for the upcoming school year. Some of these things will be daily assignments, and others only weekly assignments. I'm still trying to figure out that balance.
Of course, God may have different plans for our family, and He may send some curve-balls that make us change our plans. Or perhaps we'll find that part of this plan just isn't going to work for us; perhaps we'll decide Easy Grammar isn't a good fit for us after all. That's part of the adventure of homeschooling ... every year is full of surprises.
Blessings,
April
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Jun. 19, 2007
77th Carnival of Homeschooling!!
Jun. 8, 2007
Two types of homeschool moments at my house
"Ahh ... this is the way it's supposed to be!" moments
1. Seeing my children eagerly reading to themselves.
2. Science diagrams voluntarily made and hanging on my kitchen wall.
3. A new reader reading to her little brothers.
4. "I'm so glad we homeschool, Mom."
5. "Thanks for homeschooling us, Mom."
6. Five children gathered at the kitchen tables, absorbed in art projects.
7. Overhearing my children acting out the book I just read to them.
8. "This is my favorite book!"
9. Extra children gathering as I read to one or two for their unit study.
10. Six kids snuggled happily on the couch while Mom reads aloud.
11. "Can we do spelling, Mom? I love spelling!"
12. Older siblings helping younger siblings.
13. Children writing books together.
14. Children voluntarily listening to books on tape in their bedrooms.
15. Chores that get done quickly, cheerfully, without reminding.
16. "Mom, we need another baby."
17. Siblings loving on each other.
18. "Daddy, Daddy! Look what we did!"
19. "Can you read this to me?"
20. "Can we go to the library?"
21. "Yeah! We're learning about the knights (or samurai, or Egypt) next!"
22. "Look, we got new school books in the mail!"
23. "Mom, is my chart for the week ready yet?"
24. "Cool! We've got worksheets this week!"
25. Hugs from my children in the middle of the day.
"Hey! This isn't the way it's supposed to be!" moments
1. Leaving the library with more videos than books.
2. Children fighting over who gets to pick the THIRD movie of the day.
3. "I hate school!"'
4. Six kids pushing and shoving and saying "I can't see" while I try to read aloud.
5. "I hate math!"
6. "I don't wanna ..."
7. "I can't!"
8. "This book is boring."
9. Fighting and bickering of any kind.
10. Chores dragged out for hours amid great whining and bickering.
11. "I don't want to touch that ... it's his."
12. "Just be glad you homeschool! If you went to public school, you'd have already been doing seatwork for 2 hours. So quit complaining and get busy!"
13. "Are we done yet?"
14. Children sneaking off to play every time I turn my back.
15. Siblings teasing each other about their weak areas in school.
At least I can think of more "Aah" moments than "Hey!" moments.
Blessings,
April
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Jun. 5, 2007
Learning Through Play
My children have been blessing me lately by extending their learning into their play time. I love when they do this, because I know that what they are learning excites them, and that it is meaningful to them.
Several weeks ago, 11 yo A decided to draw a human skeleton. She used one of our children's reference books about the human body and drew a skeleton. She didn't label it, but she worked hard on it and hung it in our eat-in kitchen which also serves as our school room.
Then last week, we were reading Roxaboxen for our Five In A Row, volume 4 summer school. It was supposed to just be the 3 girls (11 yo A, 10 yo R, and 8 yo C) but 6 yo J was also drawn into the story. He sat and listened to it with the girls. When the story was over, C and J hurriedly ran off to play Roxaboxen in the back yard. They imagined they were in Roxaboxen and were creating their own little Roxaboxen houses in our backyard. It put a smile on my face to hear them playing while I worked in the kitchen.
Last week, my children were thrilled to discover that a new season of Fetch! was on TV. (Fetch is a PBS TV show that gives the children on the show daily challenges to solve.) They sat down to watch the new episode, part of which included a discussion of what part of the human brain does what tasks. The next day, 10 yo R decided to draw the human brain, including labels of the sections of the brain and what tasks they do. She too used one of our children's reference books. I was proud of the time she put into her diagram.
But I was surprised the next day when R showed me that 8 yo C and 6 yo J had also made diagrams. C made a diagram of the human hearts, which R labeled for her. J made a diagram of the human tongue and what sections of the tongue taste which types of flavors, which R labeled for him. I don't know when they made their diagrams, or how I missed it. But now my kitchen school room has 4 lovely diagrams, drawn voluntarily by my children, hanging on the wall.
And they were having fun! I'm so glad my children enjoy learning, and that we homeschool!
Blessings,
April
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May. 29, 2007
That special homeschooling moment ...
With each of my children, it has been such a special moment the first time I caught them reading to a younger sibling. Because not only are they reading a book on their own, but they're confident enough to read it to someone else. And even more, it shows love and care for their younger siblings, to sit and read to them. I just love that moment.
I always love seeing my olders read to my youngers ... but the first time I see them do it is so encouraging. It just confirms that I have taught another child to read, that I *can* do this thing called homeschooling.
This past week, it was especially encouraging to catch C (who will turn 8 any day now) reading Little Bear and Friends to her little brothers for the first time ever. She has also been reading little board books to 14 mo L. She and I have worked so hard to get to this point. She took over a year longer than her sisters did to learn to read, and she's been teased by some kids at church, too.
Every time I hear her reading, or see her reading to herself, I tell her "C, you are a good reader! You are doing great and I'm so proud of you!" I am trying to build her confidence, so she'll read more often, and continue to improve. I want her to stop thinking of herself as someone who can't read, and realize she IS a reader! Before that, I had worked on getting her to think of herself as someone who is learning to read, not as someone who can't read.
I have 3 readers now, and it's time to work on phonics with 6 yo J more. Reading is so important, and I love teaching my children to read.
Blessings,
April
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May. 24, 2007
The Homeschool Kids Who Cant Do Anything
My friend's son wrote this parody of the Veggie Tales song, "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" a couple years ago. We were just laughing about it again, and she gave me permission to share it here.
The Homeschool Kids Who Can’t Do Anything
By Zak G.
We are the homeschool kids who can't do anything
We just stay at home and do our work
And if you ask us to do anything
We'll just tell you
We can't do anything.
Well, I can't pass notes in math class
and I've never bought my school lunch
and I've never had my homework eaten by the family dog
and I've never had a hall pass
and I've never owned a locker
and I've never had detention after school.
We are the homeschool kids who can't do anything
We just stay at home and do our work
And if you ask us to do anything
We'll just tell you
We can't do anything.
Well, I've never been suspended
and I've never missed the school bus
and I've never got a fat lip from the bully in the hall
and I've never seen the school nurse
and I've never slapped erasers
and I've never had detention after school.
We are the homeschool kids who can't do anything
We just stay at home and do our work
And if you ask us to do anything
We'll just tell you
We can't do anything.
Well, I've never changed for P.E.
and I've never had a swirlie
and I've never had a teacher that I didn't like at all
and I've never had supply lists
and I've never answered roll call
and I've never had detention after school.
We are the homeschool kids who can't do anything
We just stay at home and do our work
And if you ask us to do anything
We'll just tell you
We can't do anything.
But we've often taken field trips
and we go to school in pjs
and we often do our work while sitting on our favorite couch
and we finish school by lunchtime
and we find our books on ebay
and we don't have any homework after school!
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May. 8, 2007
Free Christian Missionaries Project Pack E-book
May. 4, 2007
ElCloud Summer School Plans
Most years, we finish our school year in late May or early June (usually after the other area schools). Then we do nothing for the summer, other than swim lessons and the library's reading program. And usually, by the middle of July, we're all tired of summer break. I'm usually tired of the restless bickering children with not enough to do. So we start school in late July or early August (before the other area schools).
But this year, I've decided to plan some light summer school instead. I've been "itching" to "row" Five In A Row, volume 4 again. The oldest two girls "rowed" it once before moving to Beyond Five In A Row -- before we switched to Tapestry of Grace. But the younger children have never "rowed" FIAR vol. 4. I've been wanting to "row" it again, but not wanting to set aside Tapestry of Grace to do it.
Well, I have a plan! At first, I started to wonder if my children would mind "rowing" FIAR volume 4 through the summer. But we've never done "summer school" before, so I wasn't sure. I just pondered it quietly. Then I realized that 6 yo J needed to spend some one-on-one time with me learning some things that he hadn't picked up through the usual "trickle down effect" common in homeschool families. So, I was thinking of different things to teach him through the summer, and it just evolved from there. Summer school for everyone, although it will only be a short half hour for the older girls, and the boys separately. And it will be flexible. I'm sure there will be days we don't do any lessons.
I pulled out a calendar, and my FIAR vol. 4 last week. It looks like we can "row" all but two of the vol. 4 books this summer. And since there are two winter vol. 4 books, I'm going to save those two for a December break from Tapestry of Grace. Usually, I have split the children by ages. I grouped A and R together, and C and J together in schooling. But this summer, I'm going to do it differently. I'm going to have all 3 girls do the FIAR vol. 4 with me. The boys will be doing something different.
I originally was thinking of having a "Letter of the Day" type plan for the boys. And I remembered a friend doing that with her son. But when I asked her, it turned out to be a Letter of the Week lesson plan. There are several different free curriculum plans at the website ... http://www.letteroftheweek.com . But I don't want this to be a 26 week program, so I decided to just use a few parts of her lesson plans, and make it a Letter of the Day program. We will cover 2 or 3 letters each week, with some other activities on other days. I think we'll read a book from her suggested books each day, and I'll print a handwriting or coloring page for that letter, too. This will mostly be targeted for 6 yo J, but I know 3 yo M will enjoy the story time and will have fun with a coloring page, too. I need to find a website that will have the right type of worksheet. I know they're out there. I just need to choose one.
I think that having a little structure to each day, a little something to do, will help us get through the whole summer this year. At least, I hope so. If we have to add in some other subjects toward the end of the summer, we can do that. It won't mean abandoning the plans I already have.
We have two more weeks of Tapestry of Grace, Year 2, Unit 1. As soon as we finish Unit 1, we'll start in with our summer school plans. So I need to finish tweaking my plans and ideas in the next two weeks. Summer School begins on May 21. Regular School (Tapestry of Grace) will resume on August 27 or September 3 if we take a week off first. We may add in other subjects before then, and we may have to tweak our plans if unexpected events come up. We're not going to be inflexible.
I'm excited about the lighter summer school, though, and looking forward to it. I think the children are also. No one cried when I mentioned summer school, at least. That's a good start. 
Blessings,
April
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Apr. 24, 2007
Thank your librarians!
Last week was National Library Week. I found out this weekend that I had missed it. But it's not too late to tell our librarians thank you. My older girls have made cards for our librarians, the younger children will draw pictures, and I will also write a thank you note to them. I'm also planning to take a tray of baked goods to the library with our notes later this week.
I have meant to do this for so many years and never have. We have always used our library system regularly, but we have relied heavily on it over the past year for our homeschool. We have not bought any books to use with Tapestry of Grace (other than our Story of the World spine) and have used the library instead. I have come to appreciate my librarians so much more this year. They have found Inter-Library Loan books for us. They have compiled books I requested over the internet for me, enabling me to simply drop in and pick them up at the front desk. They have bought educational children's books I suggested they purchase.
I've been so impressed with them this year, and it's time we thanked them. They are cheerful, tolerant of our family, welcoming, and so helpful. They work hard to keep the library organized and operating well, and still go out of the way to help us.
So, if you love your librarians as much as we love ours ... tell them! Everyone loves to be appreciated and affirmed, even librarians. *smile*
Blessings,
April
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My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com
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