I am not really into doing lots of worksheets, but I decided to do a search on worksheets WW1 just to see what I came up with.   Here are some sites.  I may just use some of this to fill in areas that I don't think were covered very well in the books we read.  Or then again.... maybe not.

http://www.historyonthenet.com/Lessons/worksheets/ww1.htm

http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/gcselinks/wars/firstwwlinks/wwi_worksheets.html

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OK I came back to once more add something else.  I found this on my shelf after I posted all the previous information.  It is an overview of WW1 and it looks much better than the one we have been reading.  Much more information and pictures.  I forgot I had this.  It is one in a series on wars.  I may just skip the rest of the book I have been reading and do this one instead.  sigh - only time will tell.  LOL

 World War 1  http://www.amazon.com/World-War-I-Americas-Wars/dp/1560064064

I think I have too many books.

Sharon - who is wondering if people who get my RSS feed get yet another e-mail when I go back to edit. 

Guess what my 12 yr old discovered.  Powerpoint!  I've often thought of teaching myself how to use this program but just hadn't done it yet.  Well he did.  I was really surprised at how easy it was to do.   He made up a short little slide presentation with pictures he made in our Paint program. 

Hmmmmmm this has definite possibilities. 

My sons have pretty much lost interest in notebooking.   I posted here before about that.  And this would be a pretty cool way for them to show what they are learning about.  Instead of a notebook page.  Get them to do a slide show.  

We are reading about WW1 right now. 

Step one- find some clip art related to the era.  I have Homeschool in the Woods Timeline figures that would probably work.  And I'm pretty sure they could do a search online. 

Step two- add text for each picture.

Step three - find some music for that era.  Hmm this one might be more difficult.  Any ideas? 

Step four- use powerpoint to put the slides and music together.

Ohhh I just thought of something.  There may be clips online of famous speeches that could be incorporated. However  as we are on dialup this one might not work for us. 

It is also possible to add narration. This could count for speech.  We'll have to get a microphone.  Ours is lost in lala land.(anyone else have a lala land at thier house?)

Another option is to get together pictures of trips or field trips.  (thinking Oregon here)  and put together a slide show of our trip.  Ohhh how about a family slide show for grandma at Christmas!

Yep definite possibilities. 

Freshening the Homeschool Plan 

quote - " This post is for the veteran - the homeschooler who can teach a child to read while stir frying dinner, who has more books in her bookcases than she could ever use, the mom who multi-tasks (violin lesson for one child, reading with another while waiting, picking up yet another child from soccer practice on the way home).

This post is also for the mother who is tired."

One of the suggestions in this post hit me. 

quote - what you love to do, every week. That sounds obvious, but usually the first thing to go in a family’s togetherness program is a mother’s passions.

Recently I quit some activities that I really LOVE to do.  All in the name of being available more for my family. These are things that I do for ME.  I felt a bit selfish doing them.   Maybe I need to rethink this decision.  Because I really miss it.

I have been contemplating how to incorporate electronic notebooking for my boys. 

They have done notebooking and enjoyed it in the past.  Interest in paper and pencil is at a low.   I have been getting very unimaginative pages.  Complete....but just kinda ho hum.  They do not want to do anything extra.  Just get er done and "Is that good enough?" I hate that question!!  It has become something they just "have to do".    I thought using the computer would add some interest for them and so I am looking for ideas.  

Any thoughts??

I've been thinking. 

We ended our busy school season a bit early this year.  The two middle boys are still doing a bit of finishing up work but all the outside of the home activities are done. 

Writing and science co-op ended the last week in April.  My oldest went to Nebraska to stay with his Aunt and Uncle on their cattle ranch for a month.  Yep you read that right he's gone a whole entire month.  The younger two boys didn't want to continue with AWANA so that was over.  Other lessons ended.   It has been quiet and peaceful or ...uhmmm... as peaceful as a house with 3 boys can be.   I am getting tan from working in the yard.  I have had

time...... to ...... relax!  

I've gone to yard sales, the library book sale.  I'm planting a garden.  I'm trying to catch up with my bible reading.   I am on track in the new testament but hoplessly behind in OT.  I have been reading each afternoon as my youngest naps. 

The boys have had time to play, play, play.  Ride thier motorcycles, jump on the trampoline.  Build roads with thier matchbox cars.  They have been down swimming in the pond.  They come back a muddy MESS!!!  This is actually an older picture but the mud is the same!! 

 
 I LOVE IT!

In thinking about next school year I am going to purpose to NOT get so busy. (I've said that before.... remind me!)

I've decided no co-op next year. This year was fun.  The kids enjoyed getting together with friends. I'm glad we did it.   It was beneficial because as a writing class the kids had extra motivation.  But, it added a day away from the house and really I COULD do writing at home.  We also did science but that was secondary to the writing class. 

My oldest will hopefully be driving (he has to get his own car first) and then he can get to his math tutor (I can't do that at home) and even continue his writing class if he so chooses.  Add in working and wood turning class.   He will be busy!  But not me.

I LIKE being relaxed.  I call myself a relaxed homeschooler.  I suppose I should feel relaxed. 

Homeschool moms,  if you want some encouragement.... read this.     The Beatrice Brigade.  

And homeschool dads, this is what we need to hear from you!  It gave this mom a lift. 

Here is a short clip. 

"Whenever I feel very bad, I make sure to speak to home school mothers. These women represent something new. They are not feminists, a phrase they most often reject with scorn. Most live in very traditional households where the husband is the head of the family. However, they are certainly not Donna Reed door mats waiting at home in pearls and high heels for their lord and master to arrive home. They are very strong and fiercely opinionated. They are incredibly well read, devouring more books a year, than most U.C. students read in four years. Book a talk with Plato scholar to hear about big ideas and they show up."

Now here is an article to make you think.  

Solving the Crisis in Homeschooling

I think the title is a bit misleading.  Yes it is directed toward homeschoolers but, it is something all parents could glean from. 

I read a lot. I don't post many articles because I don't think any one person/book/article can have the answer to all lifes problems. (Ceptin the Bible of Course!!)  Often I read something that I get all excited about and then later look back and change my mind about parts of it. Thats OK! We should be gleaning what we can.  

Warning, this article is long but good, really good! Good enough I decided to share.   

I printed it up because it was easier to read on paper than online.   I have been encouraged by it.  Actually convicted might be a better term.  Uhh stopped in my tracks?  

Let me know what you think. 

We recently started Mystery of History 2.   Last week we read about the mathmeticians of ancient India.  Today we read about the ancient Maya.  Both of these civilizations discovered the concept of "zero" as one of thier major accomplishments. 

My 10,11 yr old boys did not understand how you could NOT understand the concept of "zero".  I tried to explain but I don't think I did a very good job.   How would you explain? 

Computer Science Pure and Simple   - Has anyone used this?  

I have an 11 yr old who is going to drive me crazy with wanting a curriculum to teach him how to "make games" on the computer.   I have searched and this is the only one I can find. 

Any comments?   It sounds good.   

At the bottom of the description it states this about Micro-worlds.

Computer Science Pure and Simple books contain instructions at the beginning on how to adapt the lessons for use on EX..  But the rest of the illustrations are for 2.0. If you prefer EX, you can buy it through www.microworlds.com.

Uhhhh....   What is EX and do I want it?  And what 2.0 are they talking about??   Can you tell I am pretty program challenged. 

nsremom asks what does school look like in your house.  Any excuse to post some pictures! 

I love this sight. 

And here is another favorite

This particular day my oldest son got a lesson in home-ec,  specifically housecleaning....practicing on his room.  He says he can't concentrate in his room.   Gee I wonder why?? 

And finally on days when you feel like this...  We do LOTS of reading aloud or even watch movies.  Garrett has an allergy induced asthma.  And many spring days are spent doing breathing treatments.    And figuring out how to keep an active 10 yr old quiet. 

A friend told me about  Library Elf.  I love it.  It is a free notification service.  You can set preferences of how often and when you want to be notified. Put ALL your kids library cards into one notification.  Anything to help me get organized!!

Avoid REALLY BIG overdue fines.