Sep. 5, 2009 - Our curriculum for 2009 / 2010 school year

Well, we got back to school on August 3.  The first week was a little bumpy, but now we are hitting our groove.  This year I have a 9th grader (14yr dd), 5th grader (10yr ds), and a 3rd grader (soon to be 9yr ds). 

9th grade

ENGLISH I:   Literary Lessons from Lord of the Rings

                    k12 English Language Handbook

                    Vocabulary From Classical Roots

                    Extra Reading outside of LLotR

                    Poetry Memorization (month of August she memorized "The Raven" --Poe

MATH:         Chalkdust Algebra I (finish up and begin Geometry)

SCIENCE:    Apologia Biology through Apologia Academy

SPANISH:    Rosetta Stone I and ABEKA Spanish I, watch shows/videos with dubbing in Spanish,  draw comic strips in Spanish)

BIBLE/WORLDVIEW:  Read through the Old Testament

                                 Mere Christianity

                                 Living a Life that Matters

                                 What the Bible is All About

                                 The Story of Philosophy

HISTORY:          Ancient History (Western Civilizations as a spine)

                           IEW

PE:                  Karate 2x's a week, plus daily walks/bike rides

HEALTH:          ABEKA  health.  Once per quarter, pick a topic to research and write a paper on

ART:            (this is her big interest so she spends lots of free time on this herself, plus once a week we do a lesson from Visual Manna so that she is exposed to different types of art.  She also will be reading art history books)

CO-OP

5th GRADE:

ENGLISH:         Rod and Staff English 5

                       Mixture of different books from each genre. Will cover diff. aspects and analyze

                       IEW

                        SWR

                        Read Alouds

                       Poetry Memorization (2 per month)

                       Vocabulary take from literature, science, history

MATH:           Saxon 6/5

SCIENCE:     1st 6 weeks RS4K  Physics  (after that I'm still searching, any ideas????)(3 to 4x's a week)

                     Nature Study and Nature Readers

HISTORY:     Famous Men of Rome with accompanying student and teacher guides (4x's a week)

PE:               Karate 2x's week plus daily walk/bike ride

ART:           Visual Manna (1 x a week)

LATIN:         Latina Christiana I (SP????)

Different materials from the Critical Thinking Co.

CO-OP

3rd GRADE:

ENGLISH:        Rod and Staff English 3

                       SWR

                       Mixture of different books

                      Evan Moor Literature Pockets

                      Vocabulary from literature, history, science

                      Read Alouds

SCIENCE:      Different books from the library along with experiment books (2x's wk) 

                     Nature Study and read nature readers

HISTORY:      American History (3x's a week)

                     Geographical unit studies (when we need a break or to go along with what is being read

MATH:           Saxon 3

PE:               Karate 2x's week plus daily walks/bike rides

ART:              Visual Manna (1x a week)

LATIN:          Prima Latina

Different materials from Critical Thinking Co.

CO-OP

Sometimes, I fret whether we are doing enough.  I'm learning not to compare myself or my children to anyone else's idea of what's enough.  I feel like my kids are learning and we are accomplishing all we can during the day.   I know my kids have good hearts and that they love one another, and I give credit partly to homeschooling because they are not under constant peer pressure. 

I also believe that sometimes people equate success in school with success in life.  I've come to the conclusion of that is not always the case.  I believe education can lead to a more fulfilling life experience.  I don't necessarily believe that a straight A student, who just happens to be a great test taker, is better educated than the C student who studies hard and tries to learn, yet is a poor test taker. 

Enough rambling. 

Kristi

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Jul. 19, 2009 - Long Time No Chat

Well, thankfully I have FINALLY gotten over the ALL DAY sickness part of being pregnant.  I'm gonna have a little girl!!!!

My youngest son had surgery this past Thursday.  He had a tonsillectomy and adnoidectomy.  The first few days were really rough, but he seems to be doing much better today.  Thank the Lord!!!

My daughter held down her first job this summer.  She worked at a corn research facility.  I think she enjoyed it.  She also would come home talking about what some of the other girls down there would say.  I thanked God everynight that we were homeschooling. (They would talk about getting high and drunk.  How they learned to kiss by kissing other girls.  Ugh!!!!  Morgan said she could wait for it to be a boy, she was pretty sure instinct would tell her how.  Of course, they told her she should come back to public school, that she was missing out.  They spent their time in class texting other people and not listening to the teacher.  The school district I'm in is supposed to be a school of excellence. they even gave her some "sugar/energy" pills.  Thankfully she gave them to me)  I know I can't protect them forever, but hopefully I can protect and guide them through the rough years.   I told her that I can't be with her 24/7, that I was gonna have to trust her to make wise decisions, because some decisions will be with you the rest of your life.

Kristi

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Apr. 16, 2009 - Thursday

This week has been ho-hum as far as schooling goes.  We've managed to get in math, spelling, writing, and reading everyday but that's about it (all thanks to morning sickness!!)  I've decided for my oldest this coming school year that she will do BJU high school online distant learning and home2teach for writing.  That will be all preplanned out for me and I won't have to worry about it. 

My husband took the kids to karate tonight so that I could stay home and have some much needed quiet time.  I must admit, it's been kinda nice.  I've been reading through baby names trying to get some ideas.  It's been so long since I've been pregnant.  

It's been so nice outside here lately.  Tomorrow I'm going to begin tackeling the flower beds.  This weekend we are going to the Indian Festival at Cheehaw Park.  The kids are excited, which so am I.  I really, really, really NEED a vacation and a LONG (at least 3 weeks) break from school!!!   We should be done with this years school work in about 2 1/2 weeks.  I suppose I could plan some day / field trips.  They could journal about what they saw, did, learned.  Spring Fever and morning (all day) sickness just doesn't mix well!

Kristi

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Apr. 6, 2009 - Curriculum??????????

Well, in light of the fact that I am expecting, I know that I will need something somewhat planned out for me for my daughter's ninth grade year.  These are my thoughts (suggestions welcome):

History:    MFW Ancients or TOG yr 1-redesigned

Bible:      MFW Ancients or TOG yr 1 - redesigned or Bible Quest

Literature:  MFW Ancients or TOG yr 1 - redesigned

Grammar:    ABEKA or Jensen's

Writing:    Home2Teach

Science:   Apologia Biology w/Teaching Company DVD or  BJU Biology w/DVDs

Spanish: Rosetta Stone w/ a spanish workbook, read spanish children's books and watch spanish shows

Math:     Chalkdust Geometry

Elective:   ??????????

That's what I'm thinking anyways.  It's not set in stone.

Kristi

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Apr. 6, 2009 - I'm Gonna..........................

have a baby!  Can't believe it.  By the time the baby gets here I will have an almost 15 yr old, a 10.5 yr old, and a 9 yr old.  I'm excited and scared.  It's been a while since I've had a little baby and to throw homeschooling on top of it, whew, I hope I can handle it!  I suppose I can handle anything with God's help.

Kristi

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Feb. 19, 2009 - Maybe One Day.....

I'll learn how to do pictures and such on here.  I see where lots of people use PhotoBucket, but alas, I don't know how. 

Kristi

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Feb. 19, 2009 - Productive But Not Too Schoolish

The kids have been helping their dad work on the shed he's been building and I've been inside cleaning and having a "little" break.  We did watch a show on Alaska this morning and they took notes, and they been outside helping with the shed (so they've been using those math skills and learning a few life skills), and before bed they will be required to read for AT LEAST 30 minutes, so I'm still counting today as a school day.  We've been productive but not too schoolish today.

Kristi

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Feb. 18, 2009 - My Plans for 9th Grade (maybe, UGH!!!!!)

I really haven't been all that great at keeping this living journal going now have I?  Another "school year" is almost done.  Sometimes I wonder why I even follow a traditional school year, I should just school January thru December taking time off as I wanted. 

Next "school year" my daughter will be a high schooler.  Time really does fly.  Four more years and she'll be considered "grown"!  How did that happen!!!!  I spent most of December fretting on whether to keep her home for high school or to send her off (my wonderfully wise husband insisted that we keep her home, public school is out of the question).  So, I relaxed for January and when February hit I began fretting about curriculum.  UGH!!!!!  I believe I have it figured out, though it is subject to change.  For history, literature, some of her composition, philosophy, and maybe Bible (have another program I've been looking at for that), I've been considering TOG (Tapestry of Grace) along with The Teaching Company DVD's or maybe just the WTM / WEM way (my problem with that is I need a little more structure).  Math would be Chalkdust Geometry. Composition would be Home2Teach online courses. Science - either Apologia Biology w/ The Teaching Company DVDs or either BJU Biology with their DVDs.  Maybe Memoria Press Online Academy for Latin (not sure yet), either Analytical Grammar or ABEKA grammar,  Or maybe I'll just order BJU DVD program for the whole 9th grade.  I DON'T KNOW!!!!  My brain hurts from thinking on it so much.  I've prayed and prayed about it.  Just don't know yet, so I'm holding off on ordering anything at the present moment.

Kristi

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Sep. 10, 2008 - Jumbled Thoughts!!!!

As the title suggests, this post will be a jumble of thoughts on various things. 

 I can't believe I have an 8th grader this year.  Next school year she will be in high school.  Exciting and terrifying all at the same time.  It won't be long before she will be a young woman in the world, and it's my responsibility to prepare her for it.  Once again, exciting and terrifying!!!  

A couple weeks ago, in the little pond outside, we found a bunch (100 maybe) tadpoles swimming around.  We've been watching their metamorphosis, and yesterday we found a couple that have completed it and are now frogs.  They are so small, about the size from the tip of your finger to your first knuckle.  Needless to say, the kiddos were excited.  Now if we can just keep the cats from going out to dinner!

I really need to clean off my bookshelves and get rid of some of my books, but that is easier said than done.  Maybe I will though.

Next week my "baby" will be 8 years old!!!  My mind has a hard time wrapping itself around that fact.   Sometimes I think "Where has the time gone?", yet I am so thankful that God has given me this precious little boy and the opportunity to homeschool him.  I see how much I would have missed if he would have been in "school".  God is good!!!!!

Blessings,

Kristi

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Jun. 16, 2008 - IT'S BEEN SSSOOOOO LONG..................

Wow!  I can't believe it's been so long since the last time I blogged.  So much has happened.  My father passed away on March 5.   While my heart was (is still) broken ,  I am so happy that he is with God and totally pain free.  The world's misery no longer hurts him.   I know others who chide me and ask how I know this, but I know it to be true.  God has given me such peace in my heart about this.  God is good!!!! 

Secondly, we finished up last school year at the end of April.  We took the whole month of May off and got back to work the beginning of June.  Two more weeks and we'll be off for two weeks.  Yeah!!!!  Right now we are just hitting the basics, we'll throw science, history, and Spanish in come August after we get our routine back down pat.  That way too, towards spring (when I will undoubtely get spring fever) we'll be working on the fun stuff and basically done with the basics. 

My husband and I just had our 14th anniversary (June 3)!   Thankfully I can say I love him more now than I did then.  We took the kids and went to Six Flags.  Of course, my youngest son (whom had never been big roller coaster) decided he wanted his first one to be the Mind Bender (three loops).  I tried and tried to convince him to change his mind, but to no avail.  He wanted to ride that one and he wanted me to be the one to ride it with him.  He absolutely would not hear of it being anyone else on there with him.  So, as we are going slowly up that first hill I was trying to explain to him what to expect.  About that time we were at the top of the first hill and he looked down and around and asked if we were going to fly off the thing.  Luckily, the ride went by pretty quick and as I looked at him he was smiling ear to ear.  He thought it was a blast, I for one was glad to be off it.  

Blessings,

Kristi

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Feb. 20, 2008 - It's THAT Time of Year

I am sssooooo tired of researching curriculum.  Reviewing what we've done this year, what works for us, what we'll be doing next year.  Their are so many great looking things out there that sometimes it becomes overwhelming trying to make a decision.  Makes my brain HURT!!!   I had about figured it out, then today like a dummy I looked at a different website and guess what,  CONFUSED AGAIN! UGH!!!!!   At least I'm not in a hurry for it just yet, but I do like to have some sort of plan.  Guess I could play enie meanie minie moe (sp?)!!

Blessings,

Kristi

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Feb. 20, 2008 - I'm So PROUD of My Boys!!!!!

This past Saturday their Cub Scout  pack had the Pinewood Derby Race.  My babies WON!!!!  First Place in the Race, Third Place in the Race, First Place Design, Third Place Design!!!!!  This is the third year in a row they've won!!!!!  They deserved it though.  They put in A LOT of late nights and hard work!  Yay!!!!!

Blessings,

Kristi

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Feb. 15, 2008 - A Pillar of Strength and Faith

That's how I've always thought of my Daddy.  He's lived thru multiple heart attacks over the years and quadruple bi-pass surgery.  He's lived with diabetes for the past 7 or so years.  6 months ago he had a brain tumor removed.   Well, about three weeks ago (around the time my mother was getting out of the hospital) he was admitted to the hospital.  His blood sugar was way out of wack (600) and he was having A LOT of pain, they said his oxygen was low and so was his blood.  He kept complaining of his chest hurting so they did an x-ray and found a "significant" mass on one of his lungs.  Last week they did a biopsy and it came back cancerous.  They let him come home about a week ago.  Yesterday, he went to his doctor's appointment and they told him that it has now spread to both lungs and his lymph glands.  They can't cure it.  His doctor said that they will do radiation for 15 days straight and then begin chemo.  He said this would slow it down some and enable Daddy not to hurt so much where he can get out and enjoy the time he has left. 

I have always been "Daddy's Girl" and this is tearing me apart.  He is handling this ssssoooo much better than I am.  He's at peace with it, for that I am thankful.  I guess somewhere in me I thought (hoped) he would never die.  Stupid me, huh!!!  Though he keeps telling me he won't be dead.  He'll be alive with Jesus in his knew body.  I know this and understand this, but the selfish part of me just wants my Daddy.   I Thank God that HE is the one in control.  That is where I have found my peace.  For as much as I love my Daddy, God loves him more.   I am so thankful for the fact that my Daddy demonstrated his faith to me my whole life, that he loved me even when I was an unloveable teenager.  My mind keeps rolling thru the years.  I can see him sitting at a little childs table with me when I was about 4 or 5 and having tea parties (mind you my Daddy is 6'4 and over 200 lbs), when I was about 4 years old and we were holding hands and I kept asking him how did he know God was real and who was God's parent's, etc.... and he patiently answered each one of my questions with answers that I still carry around in my heart to this day.  I remember being about 8 years old and everynight when he came home from work he would play chinese checkers with me.  And on and on thru the years my memories roll.  Just when I think I have a handle on things a knew bout of tears fall.  I pray that he has a good bit of time left on this Earth, but if he doesn't then I am so happy to know that he will be singing with the angels.

Blessings,

Kristi

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Jan. 19, 2008 - Praise the Lord!!!!!!!

The past few weeks have been busy.  One of our cats got hit by a car.  The general consensus amongst the neighbors was that he was a goner (their advice was that the humaine thing to do was to shoot him.  I don't think so).  The kids were crying (I held it back until we got away from the neighbors) as we carried him to the backyard.  I called the vet and he told us to bring him in.  On the way there, our lovely Gizmo just sat up and began licking his leg.  The vet said he was going to keep him over night to keep an eye on him.  The next morning we went to pick him up.  Must have been a miracle.  They said his jaw was a little sore, but other than that he was perfectly fine.  Praise the Lord!

My mother has been on dialysis for about 5 years now.  Well, Wednesday night the hospital called her and told her they had a kidney with a perfect match, for her to come on.  So, Thursday morning she had a kidney transplant.  She came out of surgery fine, the kidney seems to have taken, and she's up and cheerful!  Once again, Praise the Lord!!!!!!

My youngest son who has had the hardest time learning to read, well this year he has just flown with it.  He has far exceeded my expectations and is now reading above grade level. Praise the Lord!!!  I honestly believe it was all God.  I prayed about this everyday. 

My wonderful husband, whom for seven years traveled an 1 1/2 hours each way to work (leaving at 7 in the morning and getting home between 10 and 11 at night) has made such a name for himself and climbed the "ladder" , that now he has been able to find a "higher" position, making more money and best of all is only 25 minutes from the house.  HOORAY!!!  PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!  Now he gets to spend time with the kids in the morning and at night!!!!!! 

I feel like God has lifted so many burdens off of my shoulders.  I wouldn't change any of it though.  God has taught me and changed me.  Sometimes I look "back" at myself and I wonder what in the world was "wrong" with me!  I get hard headed and stubborn, so sometimes it takes a few times for me to "learn" God's lessons.  PRAISE THE LORD!!!!  Yes, God is faithful even when I'm not!!!!! 

Blessings,

 Kristi

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Jan. 2, 2008 - Happy New Year!!!!!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  New Year's Eve my youngest son fell asleep at 10:30 that night, the other two managed to stay up!  They watched the "Big Apple" drop and toasted in the New Year with homemade milkshakes!   We spent New Year's Day just hanging around not doing too much.  My husband and I managed to grab a few minutes alone and walk around our property talking and dreaming.  Sometimes it is nice to be alone with him.  I love my children with all my heart, but one day they won't need me so much and it'll be just him and me and I have no intentions of being one of those couples whose children are the "glue".

We got back to school this past Monday, but we took yesterday off, and hit the floor running this morning. I read the the book Managers of Their Homes and have now set us up a very detailed schedule.  It has made things go so much more smoothly (I never would have guessed), we seem to be getting  A LOT more accomplished now (school wise, chore wise, time wise, etc.)

I also read Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey and am now starting on Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey.  Mine and my husband's  goal for 2008/2009 is to become totally debt free.  He shows you step by step in his book(s) how to do it.   This was a God send. 

Well here's to a Prosperous New Year!

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Dec. 8, 2007 - My 1st Award !!!!!!!

This beautiful award was presented to me by cahanbury. 

Thank you!

I am presenting it to (drum roll please):

Suzanne

setapipes

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Dec. 8, 2007 - Sleigh Bells Ring......And Other Things.....

Well, they don't actually ring around here, it never snows here. Well, I won't say NEVER. There might be a very light flurry every 15 years or so. Nothing big (or small either.)   My birthday was the other day.  I guess it was "Happy" in the fact that the Lord blessed me in having another year, but it was also heart breaking.  Our boxer (whom we've had for 7 years) died on my birthday.  I really am no good with death.  I know in my heart that she is better off and out of her suffering, but we did love her so much and the selfish part of me wants her back.  She was part of our family. 

On a happier note, my boys marched in the Christmas Parade.  They were sooooo excited. Jabber, Jabber, Jabber!!!!  Everyone was talking so fast and all at once "Jabbir, Jabber" was about what it sounded like. 

My daughter's birthday is this week.  Her birthday is exactly one week after mine.  She'll be 13.  I'll be the mother of a teenager! How did that happen?  It makes me realize how few years I have left with her before she's off to conquer the world.  It's exciting and terrifying and sad all at the same time.  I can still remember the moment she was born and I laid eyes on her.  It really does go by so fast.  I can remember holding her and being so scared of her.  Here was this little person who I was totally responsible for, and I was frightened to death of that.  I was so worried that I wouldn't know what to do or something would happen to her.   Before she was born I thought I knew everything (as do most 20 year olds), but after she was born I realized just how much I had to learn.  

I've been giving this High School thing some thinking.  If you've read this far and you have (or currently are) tackling high school, have you ever used the SMARR English Program?  I've been thinking that since I have approx. a year and a half before High School begins, that I'll start studying up and doing the High School work myself, so that way when they get there it will be fresh in my mind.  Teach to the oldest, right? Well, that's me!  I'll study ahead and be prepared to teach it to them.  Wish I had thought of this a year ago.  Oh Well, C'est la Vie!

Blessings,

 Kristi

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Dec. 1, 2007 - It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!!!!!!!!

December is a busy month around here.  My birthday is the 6th, my daughter's is the 13th, and my husband's is on Christmas Day.   Chase (my youngest son, 7) keeps asking me why his birthday isn't in December,  why couldn't I just hold him in my tummy until December (he was born in Sept and weighed 8lbs and 14oz,  he  I was ready for him to get out.  There was no more room in the inn).  

 We set aside some of our "regular" school work and do a Christmas study, starting the first week of December.  We study about Jesus and what was going on in the world at the time he was born.  We study about what other countries/cultures do to celebrate Christmas.  We make things and cook stuff.  They (and me too, I confess) really enjoy this! 

 This year they've been making Christmas gifts to give.  Since they are here instead of at "school", they don't have some huge list of things they "just have to have".  I can't stand how Christmas is becoming so commercialized.  Around here Lowe's has been advertising to come in and get your "Family" tree instead of Christmas tree.  What is this world coming too?  I try not to let those types of things make me a Scrooge (at least not around the children!).  I want them to have happy memories of home and Christmas.   Christmas songs, lights, and movies and the smell of things baking in the oven! 

I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas and New Year!

Kristi

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Nov. 28, 2007 - I'm Scared.......

I keep thinking about the fact that this "school" year is almost at the halfway point, and next year my daughter will be an 8th grader.  Then high school........  That's what scares me.  I realize I should take it one year at a time, then re-evaluate, but "High School" is lurking near.   Now, my hubby has complete confidence in me , but it is a "Big Deal" and I don't want to mess up.  I've been "researching" this whole thing, I guess I really need to just talk to people who have "been there, done that" and their children went on to persue whatever they wanted. (Be it college, tech school, work)  I don't want to short change my kids.

So now that THAT is off my chest, I feel a teensy-weensy bit better!

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Nov. 19, 2007 - I've Been Tagged................

I've been tagged by Setapipes and Squeeli

The rules were to share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself and to tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.  Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here goes nothing:

1.  I hate to clean.

2. I love spending summer days in the pool with my kids

3. I love thunderstorms.

4. I love to cook.

5. I still get excited to see my husband when he gets home from work

6. I find sewing to be relaxing

7. It feels like Christmas when I see the UPS man or FED EX man bring a box to the door!

Since I am still "new" at this I don't have 7 people to tag.  So tag you're it!

KimProbable

jaminacema

 

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