Faithful Friend

� Apr. 21, 2008 - Looking Back, and Ahead

The school year is coming to a close as we finish our reading and other curriculum for the seventh grade year. We have enjoyed reading all the Living Books designed into our Westward and Onward study written by homeschool mom Dorian Holt. Here is a list of some of the books we read this year:

Streams to the River, River to the Sea
Lassie Come Home
Justin Morgan Had a Horse
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
American Tall Tales
Strawberry Girl
Old Yeller
A Gathering of Days
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Caddie Woodlawn
Bound for Oregon

As I look ahead and plan for next year, the year before High School, I am thinking of using the Progeny Press Study Guides. Has anyone used these and how did you like them?
I am certain I want us to use the Living Books approach. If anyone has any other suggestions for curriculum for older grades using Living Books I would love to hear from you!
Looking back, I am very pleased with the accomplishments this year.
Using Saxon 87 has been a struggle at times but I feel certain she has gained an understanding of the math concepts. We only finished half the book and if I don't change my mind and find something that is a better fit for her we will continue to move along in Saxon 87 using the DIVE CD.
We have also enjoyed the Apologia General Science and will continue with Physical Science next year. We hope to form a study group with friends in our homeschool group, looking forward to this.
Our homeschool group consists of around 25 families who meet together twice a month with Club Meetings for the children. We plan activities which revolve around the books, Keepers at Home (girls book) and Contenders of the Faith (boys book). We also have scheduled field trips and Mom's Meetings once a month. It has been a very interesting year, far less structured than previous years. We are making plans for a Leadership Team, which will consist of 5 or 6 moms who will make the schedule for the year and plan the activities before everyone in the group meets for the year. We have found it to be very difficult for a group of 25 moms to try and plan the year. So many opinions, ideas, etc. that nothing is accomplished. This is what happened last year.
Is there anyone who has experience in a small homeschool group setting with similar experiences? I would love to hear about your experience!
I will post more about our school year later.

� Apr. 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by simply42B

Hi there! We use saxon math and apologia science too. Will be starting algebra 2 soon and will use the Dive Cd for the first time. I will keep you posted when my daughter actually starts to use it. But, I can say that we previewed it and she said she thinks she'll enjoy having somebody going over the lessons with her. The teacher on the cd is a Christian man (forgot his name) and his voice and style are very pleasant to listen to. The great part is that if the student needs extra help, she can just playback and listen again. He works out examples on the white board. I think it is definitely worth the $50. Of course, I have another student coming up the ranks so even more worth it in my case. I have a question..my daughter did saxon 7/6, (skipped 8/7) Alg.1/2, Alg 1, and she has done well. But I read that it should go 7/6, 8/7, alg 1/2 if wanting extra, then Alg 1. So, i'm wondering if I should do it that way with my younger daughter. I guess maybe I skipped the wrong one, but it didn't have any negative effects.

We used one Progeny Press study-The Hiding Place. It was good, but I wouldn't want to do a Lit study on every book. Perhaps a couple of times a year. I find that it really breaks the flow of a good story to have to stop and do questions after every chapter. I think the vocabulary work is good and would rather just discuss the story or have the children write a paper or do some research related to the story. Often I can find questions, quizzes or vocab work on a book just by searching the Internet for free stuff. That way, I don't have to feel badly about only using the portions I want. When I invest $20 on a Lit study, I feel a bit too committed to it.

loved your blog! Hope you come by and visit mine.
Brenda

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� May. 2, 2008 - Mother's Day GiveAway!

Posted by SchoolinRhome

I wanted to let you know that I am hosting my first giveaway over at my blog! It is to celebrate Mother's Day! Stop by and tell me why you are happy to be a mother and you could win an awesome devotional book, a journal and a cooking with kids CD-Rom.
Enjoy your weekend with your family!
SchoolinRhome
Here is the giveaway link:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SchoolinRhome/525838/

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� May. 29, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by mommy24jewels

We have a small group that we have recently joined. Previously, we were in a different small group where we did Keepers of the Faith also. They met once a month and did activities for that, along with an art class, music class, and even incorporated volley ball for a season. It worked pretty well. We moved a little too far out to continue participating and so we found another group. This current group has about 25 families and so far has only had a couple of field trips. We are having the very first kindergarten graduation service tonight. Only three children are participating though, but it will still be a fun time for us! They have their caps and gowns, programs, have memorized a poem, and we will have a reception afterwards. My little one is very excited about it!
I like smaller groups the best, I suppose. It is easier to get to know everyone. :0)
Blessings!
Tonya

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Wife, mother, daughter, sister, teacher, and all God calls me to be~ Sharing what the Lord is doing in our lives and serving Him by serving my family.

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