Posted in School Stuff

To see other people's school pictures, check out Darcy's Not-Back-to-School Hop going on right now!

Posted in School Stuff

Week 1: Curriculum Hop

Although our year-round homeschooling selves won't be finished with the 2008-2009 school year until the end of September, I've already been making plans for this next school year.

One thing I am definitely keeping the same is our BLOCK SCHEDULING. This basically means that we are not doing every single subject every single day.

• Every day: Handwriting, Math, Spelling
• Monday/Wednesday: Language Arts, History
• Tuesday/Thursday: Science, Latin, Art, Music

Also noteworthy is the fact that Austin (10yo) and Noah (8yo) are at separate levels in Math and Language Arts. All the other subjects, however, are taken together. With my time being at a premium and the two of them being so close in age, it just doesn't make sense to do otherwise!

While I detest assigning grade levels, for simplicity's sake we will say that Austin is going into 5th grade and Noah into 3rd grade.

Handwriting:
Italic Handwriting Book E by Getty-Dubay

Math:
Math-U-See
N: Gamma/Delta A: Delta/Epsilon

Spelling:
AVKO Sequential Spelling
finish Book 1, begin Book 2

Language Arts:
Institute for Excellence in Writing
Daily Grams
Reading Comprehension

History:
Mystery of History Vol. 1: Creation to Christ
MOH Vol. 1 Printable Reproducibles CD-ROM

Science:
NOEO Science
finish Chemistry 1,
begin Physics 1

Latin:
finish Song School Latin,
begin Latin for Children

Art:
finish Lambs Book of Art
Discovering Great Artists
Draw Write Now
Art Auction Mystery
Can you find it?
Art Lotto

Music:
Simply Music Learn at Home Level 1 (Piano)

Gravy (y'know, the extra stuff that isn't necessary but still nice):
Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Jr.
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (new hybrid version for Vista)
Dr. Funster's Think a Minutes
Basic Map Skills

P.E.:
Seriously? They are BOYS. They like to throw water balloons, dig holes, ride bikes (with homemade ramps), play baseball in the yard with daddy, shoot hoops, go to the driving range, play soccer, ride scooters, catch frogs, go camping, fly kites... need I say more?

To see what others have lined up for the new school year, visit Blog Hop central at My3Boybarians.

And don't forget to add your own post! FYI, schedule for the rest of this month:

Posted in School Stuff

When I was little, we used to check out all the Garfield and Peanuts comic books we could find at our rinky dink base library.  But that was back in the old days.  Nowadays, however, look what the latest comics have turned up!

Graphic Novel History: Civil War Set 1 and Set 2.

 

Posted in School Stuff

Sometimes I drive myself crazy wondering if any of our homeschooling lessons are actually going to stick.  Will my kids really remember the scientific method or this history lesson by the time next week rolls around?  Will they even remember any of it tomorrow?!

 

Please follow me to HOTM to read the rest of my post! Oh and leave a comment over there, I lerve me some comments! :)

Posted in School Stuff

Come read my latest post over at HOTM about this:

Posted in School Stuff

With David's crazy work schedule, we sometimes have Saturday school. 

Public school kids don't have to have Saturday school... 

Before you boo-hoo for my kids, public school kids also don't get to drink an italian sweet cream steamer while doing their math.  And if for some reason they have this magical public school a la Starbucks in a far away land that I can't relate to, I doubt that their teacher asks them halfway through their math if they would like to have their drink re-steamed!

hehe Can you see his milk mustache?  I suppose since he's already 9 years old, he's actually going to want some espresso in that cup before long.  Hey, does this count as a "school" post?

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Today's Heart of the Matter Meme is about what we are currently using in our homeschool.  Yes, I know it's shocking-- a post about homeschooling on this blog!

Although we are currently on a mini-vacay to Niagara Falls, we are planning on starting our lessons on Monday, August 25th.  And here is what we will be studying:

History:
WinterPromise's The American Story 2

This literature-rich program is scheduled like Sonlight but more hands-on, and has helpful suggestions on DVD's, crafts, games, websites, etc.  We have really enjoyed the adventure readings (read aloud's) as a family.  This past year, we studied the first half of American history and actually did a timeline for the first time ever!  Both Dash (9yo) and Tank (7yo) do this program together.  WP also has middler packs where you can add an older student to this program. 

Language Arts:
WinterPromise Language Arts Grade 2 and Grade 4.. 

The Readers used in this LA tie-in to the time period/theme we are studying in history.  They also use a great variety of workbooks that we have been very pleased with in the past like SpellWell, Wordly Wise 3000, Explode the Code, Grammar Puzzles and Games Kids Can't Resist, etc.  This past year was the first year that I was completely happy with the thoroughness of a Language Arts program.  Oh and did I mention that they schedule the days on this as well?  Man, I totally *heart* a written out schedule-- even if we usually do 2 days worth of work in a day... thereby only having to do LA twice a week.  But maybe that should be another post altogether...

Math:
Math-U-See Beta and Gamma (and Delta if they move quick enough!)

This is honestly the only curriculum that I have been 100% thrilled with!  I have yet to use the teachers manual or actually go over a lesson with them.  I completely love the DVD lessons and the boys have never ever given me grief about doing math!  If they don't quite get a concept, they just play the lesson again on the DVD player.  I am available for questions and reminders but the teaching credit all goes to MUS!

Handwriting:
Getty & Dubay Italic Writing

Tank does have some cursive writing in his Language Arts using A Reason for Handwriting.  I'll give y'all a progress report later this year.

Science:
NOEO Chemistry 1

It sounds daunting, doesn't it?  But it really looks like fun and very do-able with my elementary aged kidlets!

Latin:
Song School Latin by Classical Academic Press

All I can say is WOW!!!  I received this to review (to be posted soon) and cannot speak more highly of it.  It has catchy songs, covers quite a lot of vocabulary, and is for Grades K-3... Yes, K-3!  I am planning to use this with all of my boys-- 3yo (minus any writing of course), 2nd grader and 4th grader.  I think it will be a fun introduction to Latin for all of us.  The next program we'll use (unless they come out with a second volume of this!) is Prima Latina... but I never used it this past year because it intimidated me.  Song School Latin-- I am confident that we can actually do this twice a week without fail!

Art:
Artistic Pursuits Book 1

I bought this to use last year but never quite fit it in.  This year, I have it scheduled at least once a week. 

Preschool for 3.5yo Dozer:
I'm Ready to Learn Program by WinterPromise

Scheduled daily just like the other WinterPromise programs (can you tell that I need someone to plan for me if I really want to get it done?).  I've got lots of picture books to add to the bunch and he has his desk and pencil box ready to go! :-)  He has been SO excited about "doing lessons" for the past two weeks so I started him with a few books from Kumon like their book on Tracing and one on Cutting.

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In my most recent post for HOTM, Teresa in NC asked to see my favorite kind of gravy-- MY MAP!

Well, here it is!  TADAAA!!!

I tried to get Dozer to stand in front of it so you can see just how big it really is... but he was too upset with me.  We recently went to visit my sister in NYC and he was very proud to show me exactly where New York was on the little map by our dining table.  I tried to show him New York on this map.  Bad idea!  He cried, whined and pointed to the other map.  NOOOOO!  New Yok is heeeeeahhhhhhhhh!!!  NOT thay-er!!!  I am not about to argue about this with a 3yo in a Batman suit that desperately needs a nap!

Posted in School Stuff

Obsessed. Compulsive. Junkie. Curricaholic.

Those are words that described my passion for all things curriculum. Be it posters, workbooks, CDs, books, DVDs, games or puzzles-- if it was "educational" then I had to have it! I mean, come on, look how packed that one measly bookcase is up there!

Believe it or not, that is actually pared down from what I used to have. You can say that I am a recovering curricaholic. As summer and the season of homeschool conventions draws near, I can't think of a better time to share with y'all some tips on how to combat the compulsion to cache curriculum.

But first, you must realize one very important thing...

 

To read the rest of the story, visit me at

 

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I don't know about you, but I am a Type-A kind of girl. And no, it doesn't mean that I am an A+ excellent home educator and on the mommy-honor-roll with my kids proudly proclaiming it with a bumper sticker on their bikes!

Reality would more likely show me to be an overbearing, over-scheduled, checklist loving, rule following drill sergeant! At least that's how I'm naturally bent. Or was today anyway. When the troops... er, my children don't keep to my schedule, follow all my rules to a T, and allow me to merrily mark off all the items on my checklist, let's just say it gets pretty ugly around here.

To read the rest of the story, please follow me to HOTM...

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Life just gets busy sometimes-- so busy that I had forgotten how lovely a poem could be. One of my favorite writers is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow... The Wreck of the Hesperus, The Village Blacksmith, Paul Revere's Ride, Hiawatha... I first enjoyed all of these when I was in 5th grade. I found this new-to-me poem by Longfellow and thought I'd share. It totally makes me think of my boys and how fleeting their childhood really is!

THE CASTLE-BUILDER
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A gentle boy, with soft and silken locks,
A dreamy boy, with brown and tender eyes,
A castle-builder, with his wooden blocks,
And towers that touch imaginary skies.

A fearless rider on his father's knee,
An eager listener unto stories told
At the Round Table of the nursery,
Of heroes and adventures manifold.

There will be other towers for thee to build;
There will be other steeds for thee to ride;
There will be other legends, and all filled
With greater marvels and more glorified.

Build on, and make thy castles high and fair,
Rising and reaching upward to the skies;
Listening to voices in the upper air,
Nor lose thy simple faith in mysteries.

Do y'all have any favorite poems from childhood? I would love to introduce my boys to more poetry, especially the kind that would enthrall and capture their imagination.

Right now, my youngest is imagining that these soup cans are blocks!

If you don't mind, would you leave me a comment over at Heart of the Matter instead of here?  THANKS, my fine homeschooling (and not homeschooling-but-loving-poetry) friends!

~Marshie

Posted in School Stuff

We recently studied the US Constitution and the three branches of government in our homeschool. And lest ye think that it was an in-depth discussion, let me remind you that my children are 6 and 8 years old-- so adjust your expectations (and lesson plans) accordingly. Let's just say that I kept it simple and on the elementary level.

Posted in School Stuff

I've got a newsflash for y'all. My little guys are starting to grow up! Bit by bit and before I even realized it, they went from newborn baby blobs to crawling critters, from walkers to runners to riding their bikes, reading and even making me breakfast!

Perhaps you mommy's of teenagers would cringe a little, but this mommy of an 8yo, 6yo and 3yo is currently reveling in the delightful deliciousness of a breakfast that someone else prepared and served me! Canned biscuits with jelly and a big ole glass of milk never tasted so good! (Now if I could just trust them enough to make me a latte...)

Truth be told, I have not always been so apt at...


To read the rest, please visit me at  

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All too often as a homeschooling mom, I am rushing about trying to get school done. Likewise, it seems that some days my boys are not rushing about with their work, but trying to get school completely undone! I know y'all can relate-- even you mommy's of girls!

I'm ashamed to admit it, but this is what is heard a little too often from the mouth of yours truly:

-Hurry up!
-Come on, FOCUS!
-Okay, now do this and as soon as you are finished, move on to the next assignment.
-Quickly!
-Quit dawdling! You are wasting time.
-That is a time waster. Why are you just sitting there? Get a move on! Your math is not sitting outside the window!

Yup, I'm a regular cheerleader. The leader of the pep squad.

I don't know about y'all, but if someone were telling me that all day long, it wouldn't exactly be the magical words that suddenly made me more productive or quicker or joyful!

One day I was talking to my friend who teaches at a small private school. We were discussing schedules and the inevitable ...


You can read the rest by visiting me at

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I tried to avoid thinking about it-- the "Just for Fun" Bee that is coming up in two weeks.  Then I ran across this post by Rocks in My Dryer.

Dash is uber excited about the Bee and absolutely loves spelling!  Why?  Because it comes naturally to him and is by far the easiest subject for him in our homeschool.  In fact, we usually do one word list a week (including the more difficult alternate words).  Most weeks he gets 100% the first time around and, on a rare occasion, he might miss one word.  Then the next day he spells that one word correctly.  No problemo, easy-schmeasy.

So I worry about two things:

1.  The disappointment he will feel if he does not make it past the first round.
2.  The total anxiety and nervousness I will feel during the Bee-- as well as the time spent thinking about the Bee, preparing for it (like I have all the time in the world) and the actual even itself.  It turns my stomach, y'all!

*sigh*  It makes me think back to my spelling bee days. The spelling gene runs in the family... my DAD even won the spelling bee at his work!  I know, who knew they had those things?  He works in budgeting/finance at Lockheed, won the company Bee and then went on to the regional competition.  Yup, you heard me right-- he moved on to the next level (it may have been called something different).  It was essentially other companies sending their best spellers to compete.  Just thinking about it totally makes me laugh!  I love my daddy!

Anyhoo, this "just for fun bee" makes me nervous. *I* really really really want to back out.  My mom still quizzes me on "television"... the dreaded word that *I* missed in my school spelling bee in 2nd grade.  I got a really big second place trophy but have been haunted by that word ever since! 

Oh, and in the 5th grade I missed "doornail."  But I'm telling ya, I spelled it right!!!  I just happen to mumble and go very quickly when I'm nervous and the judge did not hear me say the "i".  Come on, who would ever spell doornail without the "i"?!  Give me some credit here.  The humiliation.  The agony of defeat.  Oi.

So, has anyone won the big tamale of spelling bees?  I know y'all have spelling bee stories to share-- both good and bad.  I want to hear them!  Why?  Because it's fun.  And I don't want to feel alone in my anxiety of the dreaded "just for fun" bee.  See how I'm putting the "just for fun" in the :quote: :unquote:?  Yup.  I have no idea WHO it could possibly be fun for!  Ack!

Oh and a couple of words that are on the list for this K-3rd grade "Just for Fun" Bee are minuend and docile.  I hope he gets a couple of the other words on this same list... words like in and gut!

Posted in School Stuff

Welcome to the first ever Heart of the Matter Online meme. Every Friday we will feature a different topic for our meme. Mr. Linky is set up over there so please share with us a day in the life of your homeschool family.

We never have two of the same days in a row! 

For example, Monday was horrid.  As in completely and totally beyond terrible to the point where I had to leave the house because I had daydreams about a particular child and that bright yellow bus that drives past our house in the wee hours of the morning.  There were tears by that certain him and tears from moi.  Those are the days that you just have to stop, take a break (or the day off) and start over again the next day.  It WILL pass, I promise!  Just try really really hard to not say things you will regret.  Maybe even put yourself in a time out.  So remember that next time, okay?

We were going to have lessons on Tuesday, but it just didn't happen y'all.  But I did manage to get the house semi-clean and we had company stay the night.

Wednesday and today (Thursday) were beyond WONDERFUL!!!  Can you believe it?  Two days in a row of not just okay but almost ideallic!

So can I just put down for the record what a fantastic homeschool day looks like for us?  Trust me, I will need this written reminder for those inevitable days that were like this past Monday.

-I woke up around 8:30am.  Drat.  I like to be up at 7am so I can have my quiet time, coffee, and be ready for the kids when they wake up.  And so we have a good chance of starting our lessons on time-- our goal being 9:00am.  Oh well.  It can still be done.

-The kids were already awake.  All of them.  But that's okay.  They weren't fighting or wreaking utter destruction upon the house.  In fact, they were already eating breakfast-- toaster waffles for one and cereal for the other two.  I'm telling you, putting those bowls and cereal boxes in the bottom cabinet was one of the most brilliant ideas I've ever had!  (Sad, but true!)

-The boys brushed their teeth, changed their clothes and waited in the schoolroom for me.  While I was getting my morning cup of coffee, they completed an assignment from this book.  



I copied a page and put it on their desks the night before.  They are finally starting to understand that you can't always do things your own way.  Those instructions are important-- and if you don't follow them, the results don't come out like they are supposed to!

-It is 9:45-ish by the time I join them.

-Our daily schedule is not broken down in tiny increments.  If I did, something would inevitably come up or someone will dawdle and I will just get really upset about being SO off-schedule.  Instead, we have goals and a general direction to our day.

-The general direction of our subjects is as follows:

• Math-U-See 
• one page of handwriting (Italic Writing by Getty & Dubay)
• individual language arts assignments (usually a few workbook pages and a chapter to read in their personal readers-- which, by the way, tie in to the period in time we are studying in history courtesy of WinterPromise).
• review individual spelling words- either a new weekly list or any words they missed previously.  either spell it out-loud or on the whiteboard per child's preference (or mood!).
• WinterPromise American Story 1 - We do this together as a group and do the assigned reading and discussion for that particular day (they schedule it all out for you!).

-The kids go outside and play while I make lunch.  It is around 1:00pm.

-Science is after lunch.  We are studying God's Design for Life: The Human Body by Answers in Genesis.

-It is 2:15pm and we are DONE!!!  Well, we still have our current read-aloud which is The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare.  I am flexible as to when we do this-- during breakfast, during lunch, after lunch or even right before bed-- it totally depends on the day.

The kids spend the rest of the day playing with their Magnetix, rowing around the pond, hitting tennis balls (all over the place!) in the driveway and playing on the dirt pile.  Talk about boy heaven! 

I wonder if they even realize how blessed they are.  They may not realize it right now, but one day they will...  Man, sometimes *I* don't even realize how blessed I am!  But today and yesterday, I see very clearly how beyond blessed I am and how I don't deserve a bit of it.  God is very gracious indeed!

Sometimes our homeschool day actually ends with every assignment being completed.  Other days have glitches both major and minor-- like waking up 1.5 hours later than planned (although some may see that as a really good thing!); or like the one math page taking 3 HOURS to complete due to intense dawdling; or fighting, crying, and just plain old complaining that reduces everyone to tears. 

What defines a good day vs. a bad day is not necessarily the number of subjects that get completed but the state of the heart.  When a day is full of discussion, doing your best, good attitudes and happy hearts-- well, that is what makes it a great school day (the math will still be there tomorrow)!

Posted in School Stuff

When I walked out into our backyard a couple of weeks ago, I saw this.

I have been told that this is a banana spider.  If I was a good homeschooling momma, the boys would draw this in their nature notebooks along with the proper latin name.  Next we would add a diagram of the different parts and research the diet of said spider.

But I'm lazy... Instead, David and I gathered the boys around to point out this huge spider and gigantomongo web.  He then picked up a small branch and threw it into the web.  I kid you not, that branch just stuck to that superstrong web!  And the seemingly sleeping spider was right on top of it before you could even blink!  Zowie. 

The branch did tear a good size hole in the web, but when we looked at it again a couple of hours later it was completely repaired.

On another note, we saw this creature slithering away from the trampoline.  Can you tell what it is?



Yup, that is a copperhead snake with its head halfchopped by a shovel.   Not as pretty as the CORAL SNAKE we killed in the front yard a couple of weeks before, but they both had one thing in common-- they both ended up dead.  Oh, and while I don't really know what snake tastes like, I can tell you that their meat really does look like chicken!

SO, who wants to come over and play outside with us? :-)

Posted in School Stuff

Did you ever have a problem that you were trying to solve and you thought up a bzillion elaborate possible solutions?  I've been doing that all week.

My quandry?  I really really really like finishing our lessons by lunchtime.  But with the addition of Spanish and being determined to actually do science every day, it seems like an impossibility. 

I thought about moving our read-aloud to breakfast time (and just eating early by myself), doing a horizontal schedule (science and math on certain days, history and writing on the other 2 days, etc), and even *gasp!* making the kids get up at 7am.

Okay, I knew that I was crazy when I came up with that last idea.  But I was desperate, people.  Desperate, I tell ya!

It seemed that I was destined to schlep through whatever our last subject of the day would be.  After all, post-lunchtime is the sleepiest time of day for my whole familia.

*ding*ding*ding*  Then it hit me.

MOVE LUNCH BACK ONE HOUR TO 1:00 PM!

Voila!  An extra hour of lessons before lunch!  I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner.  So simple!!!

And I shudder to think that I actually considered waking the kids up so early... on purpose...

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Chickadee has a great post on just getting out too much.

My sentiments exactly!

Posted in School Stuff

It's that time of year again.  Everyone is looking ahead to the new year and getting their plan of attack and books ready.

If you have anything you'd like to sell, trade or give, how about joining the 2007 Homeschool Curriculum Exchange hosted by Janne?

Unfortunately, I have all of my homeschool books and supplies packed away for our move.  So, I will most likely join the fun at a later date (but hopefully not too late, Lord Willing!).

Thanks, Janne for such a fabulous idea and for setting this up.  Be sure to spread the word, my friends! 

Posted in School Stuff

I finally bit the bullet and did it.  I decided to switch from Sonlight to WinterPromise... AND even placed my order!

I loved the literature that SL used, as well as how the IG's laid out the week for us.  I was not, however, fond of their language arts (even the recently updated LA)... Plus, some weeks we loved it and other times I dreaded it.  I have 8 more weeks to finish.  *sigh*  And it's the middle of July!  Even for a year-round schooler like myself, that is pushing it.

WinterPromise seems very similar to Sonlight in several respects (4-day schedule, literature rich, etc), but seems more laid back somehow.  I also really like that their language arts is tied back to the main theme.  For example, we are planning to use American History 1 this fall.  I have also purchased the Level 1 and Level 3 Language Arts program with readers that ties back to this theme.  How cool is that?!

Another benefit to this program is that it is adaptable for a wide age range of children.  They have additional resources that they have put together that enables you to add a younger child or a middler (higher level) to the same program. 

Anyhow, here are my long-range plans with WP for my boys: 

Posted in School Stuff

Although we have quite a bit of Sonlight material left to cover in our current school year, I am already thinking ahead to this next year.

Have any of y'all ever used Winter Promise?  Or even heard opinions on it?  It seems similar to SL but more relaxed somehow.  Good, bad, ugly-- let me know.

***

I'm heading to Dallas with my two littlest ones in the morning.  My dear friend Leslie is meeting me there for a few days.  Please pray for safe travels for us.

Dash is going to work with hubby tonight-- it's a long layover in Alabama.  He is SO excited about flying with daddy, staying in a hotel and just having guy fun.  I'm sure I would not approve of the diet, late nights, messy room and excessive amounts of movies and video games.  But then again, that's what makes daddy so fun-- he's not mommy!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

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And I use that term in the most endearing way!

We were driving to church the other morning when Tank looked at the clock.  He said "Hey, it's 9:18..." 

Then Tank and Dash both looked at each other and started singing:

"...27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90...99 years!!!"

Nothing like spontaneously skip counting by 9's to make my teacher-heart smile!

By the way, we have thoroughly enjoyed Skip Count Kids Bible Heroes CD .  It's a lot more entertaining and musically pleasant than the one that comes with Math-U-See!

Posted in School Stuff

Today I learned to play BLINK! Wow, what a fun card game!!!  It really is the "fastest card game" in the world.  The box says ages 7 and up, but I played it with my 5yo and we both had a great time.  Seriously.  It is F-U-N and fast!  Takes about 2 minutes to play a game (or faster).  You can count it as your math or critical thinking for the day. :-)

Did y'all read The Homeschool Minute last week?  I really appreciated the handwriting theme...it is exactly what Dash has been struggling with this past year (okay, really since the very beginning of our homeschooling journey).  I never understood why his handwriting was bad, especially since he tried SO hard.  Tank, who is 5 years old, even has waaay better handwriting!  The tears, complaining, dawdling and whining were too much for us.  It made every day a misery...at least any day that required very minimal writing.

It took a lengthy but extremely interesting conversation with Nancy to realize that it all goes back to his grip.  His incorrect grip.  Since then, we've tried several different grips for his pencil to help retrain his hand and make a new (and proper) habit of holding his pencil correctly-- currently, the boy puts his thumb and THREE fingers onto his pencil.  Uhhh...son, that is why your hand is hurting!

Anyhow, the foam grip didn't work.  The triangle was uncomfortable.  And then Nancy recommended the Stetro Grips in the Homeschool Minute.  I cringed at the cost...especially the cost of shipping!  But desperate times call for desperate measures.  I ended up ordering the bag of 100.  Yup, 1-0-0.  After all, you never know when you might lose a few, need some for the next kid or (as in this case) have some friends that might like to try one before they order a bag of 100 and have to pay over $6 for shipping!  I must say, they are nice!  I really wish I had this a few years ago-- it totally makes sense and forces your hand to hold the pencil the right way.

So dear friends, if you have a child struggling with a proper pencil grip and would like to try this really cool pencil grip, just send me an e-mail with HSB pencil grip (or something similar) in the subject line, along with your full name and mailing address.  I will be more than happy to send you one or two grips in the mail, free of charge-- so long as you don't mind it coming in a generic, non-padded envelope.  Oh, and I guess this offer is good for a limited time, while supplies last, yada, yada, blah blah blah... Let me know if you need one or two.

Wow, this is the first school-ish post I've written in a very long time.  I should make this more of a habit, don't ya think?

Posted in School Stuff

It's been a while since I've posted so I just wanted to drop a line to say HOWDY!  I'm still here, just busy.

We started back with lessons on Dec. 26th and then we've been dealing with sick kids here (just like everyone else it seems).  Coughing, fever, snotty noses, chest congestion...  But I think we're getting better so that is a blessing!

As far as what's going on with our HOMESCHOOL (which I never seem to post about!), here are a few notes:

*  Dash is doing great with Math-U-See Beta.  Tank finished the Primer this past fall and is zipping through Alpha (a lot of repeat from the Primer).

*  We are still struggling with handwriting with Dash.  It IS legible but not as nice as I would like.  Maybe my standards are too high for a 7yo boy?  Plus, he absolutely despises the physical task of writing.  Up until now, I've taken the approach of minimal writing on paper, using whiteboard when we can, narration, etc.  But it's time to switch gears!  I ordered a book of copywork for boys from Queens Homeschool Suppies (www.queenhomeschool.com) and we really like it so far.  Once he gets used to writing the way you are supposed to write as opposed to the way he wants to write, we can move on to actual cursive writing (Getty/Dubay Italic).

*  We use Sonlight as our main curriculum and just love all of the great literature that goes with it.  We just finished reading Mr. Popper's Penguins as a read-aloud-- my boys really enjoyed it!  I hate to think of missing out on all of the fun and interesting books we've read in the last couple of years with Sonlight.  Some favorites from the past have been: Boxcar Children, My Father's Dragon, Dr. Doolittle and Missionary Stories with the Millers (which still makes me cry!).

*  We are learning about waterways through plants right now.  We have in the kitchen three sets of white carnations that we've placed in jars of water.  To the water, each child added their choice of food coloring.  It has been neat to track the progress of the dye manifesting itself in the petals of the flowers.  I took a few pics and hope to post them later (don't I always say that?).

*  David has the week off so the boys have been outside quite a bit.  Dash (7yo) actually got in trouble yesterday for chopping down an oak tree with a SHOVEL.  Oh, and Dozer (2yo) burned a giant hole in the seat of one of our best patio chairs.  The most comfortable things ever, even without the cushion!  He scooped up a bunch of ashes with a shovel and dumped them on the chair.  Oh well...better a chair than a brother!  Tank (5yo) is a pleaser and rarely gets in trouble. :-)  It's a nice break from the usually craziness!  hehehee...

Okay, it is waaay past time to start lessons so I gotta go.  Man, you know it's bad when the teacher is tardy!

Posted in School Stuff

I've been caught up in the busy-ness of life this past week.  Just busy with lessons, cleaning, errands, and preparing for our church's Missions Conference that is set for next week.  I won't be around here much this week since there is much decorating, planning and cooking to do!  Before I abandon y'all for the week, I wanted to post a few pics from our field trip last week.

 

Last Monday, we had the absolute privilege of visiting The Woodlands Fire Station No. 2.  One of the dad's in our church homeschool group is a firefighter and gave us a tour of their station.  Only four families showed up, so the small number made for a much more personal and less hectic tour.  

 

 

 

They were called out during our visit, so we got to witness first hand just how quickly they get up and go!  We had a quick picnic at the park while we waited for their return.  Since they already had the truck out, they let each of the kids take a turn at the firehose...turning it on, spraying it around/up/down and turning it off.  This was definitely the highlight of the whole visit for the kids!

 

 

 

Firefighter Crenshaw then took his time putting on each piece of gear and talking to the kids.  With each new addition of equipment, he reminded them that it is still him underneath there!  They stressed the importance of not being afraid of the firefighters if there was a real fire.

 

  

 

It was definitely a very fun and informative field trip for the kids and the parents!!!

 

And just when I thought things couldn't get better...

  I was so excited I almost cried!!! :-)

Posted in School Stuff

My new friend Kathy is beginning her first year of homeschooling.  Could you please pray for her right now?  She could use some encouragement as we all know that the first year is ALWAYS the hardest! 

 

Stop by her blog, say howdy, and if any of you have experience with Rod and Staff (be it words of wisdom, used curriculum you're willing to part with :-) or anything helpful at all) please leave her a comment.

 

I remember going through 2 packaged curriculums before I found one that was just right for us (at least for the first year or two!)-- and even then, it required some tweaking.  I know she can't really afford to go through too much "trial and error" financially.

 

Also, any suggestions on free homeschooling resources?  Something besides just the typical google search...anyone actually USE any of these sites, resources, etc?

 

THANKS a bunch, my friends!  Y'all are the BEST!

Posted in School Stuff

The other day, I showed Dash how to do a logic puzzle from Bright Minds.  It is called Mind Benders Beginning Book 1 and teaches deductive thinking skills.  Now, I LOVED logic puzzles when I was in 4th grade, but I don't remember doing them at as young of an age as Dash (who is almost 7).

 

I couldn't believe it when he opened up the book today and did 3 puzzles all ON HIS OWN!  This is the same kid who needs "encouragement and prodding" just to do a simple math sheet or one line of writing!  He is a bright boy, but does not like to face any kind of challenge alone.  If an answer to any problem does not come to him immediately (be it grammar, math or even drawing a picture), he starts crying and pouting and I have to coach him throught it.  Grrrr....talk about aggravating!

 

Man, it IS a good day today in our house!  Even if the baby is in his bed pitching a fit right now...he's tired and has a terrible temper and the boy just needs a nap.  But who cares?!  Dash did it ALL BY HIMSELF and said it was FUN!  And he got all the puzzles right too!

 

If you haven't had a chance yet, definitely check out Bright Minds where you can find lots of great products that help to build critical thinking skills.  And their nifty site lets you shop by grade level, which makes it even easier!  Great for Pre-K through Adult.

 

By the way, this was not a requested review from the publisher...I got this book on my own and just really love it!

Posted in School Stuff

1.  We are going to have our lessons in a few minutes-- and yes, it is nighttime.  I was sick and had a doctor's appointment this morning.  I was given a nice shot of penicillin and a prescription to help me with my pharyngitis.  I am feeling much better already...and may I say that Vanilla Tylenol PM is really niiiiiiice!

 

2.  Dash asked if we could have double lessons tonight and not have school tomorrow.  He is already working diligently downstairs.  This now leaves tomorrow free for some fun they-don't-know-they're-learning kind of activities.  Outside school, public or private, would not be so flexible with all the stuff that pops up in a normal family's life.

 

3.  The boys came up with their own science experiment.  Tank decided to put his last few gummy snacks (Fruit Gushers to be exact) in a small glass of water.  The boys thought it would be interesting to see what would happen if they left them in the water overnight.  Dash thought it would be best to do a second glass just to be sure they come out the same.  Their hypothesis is that it will change the color of the water and hopefully the color of the snack as well.  (As of 5 minutes ago, the snacks were a strange shade of white-- weird...I never would've thought it would turn that color--I think the boys were hoping for rainbow though).

Posted in School Stuff

You have to check out Spunky's latest post!!!

 

No news from the HSLDA about this but we will need to take action when more info becomes available.  There is such freedom for homeschoolers in TX...for now.  If something like this were to take effect, you can count on great obstacles for our homeschooled children regarding college admissions.   Currently in TX, a homeschool is considered a private school-- so there are no regulations or intrusions by the state so long as I promise to teach reading, writing, arithmetic and good citizenship.  If there were to be a nationalization of sorts of high schools (albeit "voluntary") it will force the private schools (homeschoolers included) to be viewed as "second in quality" unless they "follow" the same guidelines for high schools set forth by the national government.  And all in the name of money.  It's always about the money.

 

It also always begins with a "good sounding idea" but the repercussions can be quite serious.  Unfortunately, there are many voters out there that just okay any idea that "sounds" good even if they don't really know what it means.  But in this case, I'm sure it won't be a voter-decided issue...unless everyone calls/writes their representatives in Congress.

 

We'll see how this progresses.

Posted in School Stuff

It is now the second week of the Carnival of Homeschooling!!!  Be sure to check out the Company Blog to find links to some encouraging, informative, true and just plain fun blogs here at HSB-- don't miss out on these great tips on homeschooling!  And while you're there, scroll all the way down to the bottom to find out how you can enter the daily contest as well as enter to win the GRAND PRIZE!

Posted in School Stuff

Yup, you saw that correctly...we school on Saturday's!  Am I a meany-mommy or what?!

 

One of the things I LOVE about homeschooling is that we schedule "school" around our life instead of our life around school. 

 

Dh's schedule is different every single week so there is no steady, predictable schedule in our house.  When dh is actually home, we like to spend time with him and enjoy activities around the house (like yardwork or kicking around the soccerball) as well as special outings (like golf or bowling).

 

This situation is not exactly conducive to having lessons 5 or even 4 days a week, especially when you couple that with our precious Chunky-Monkey (1yo) literally climbing all over the house!  So we have lessons every single day we can to make up for the lazy days, sick days, dh-is-home days and any other one-of-those-days that seems to pop up.  And when a true vacation or fun day comes around (read: FIELD TRIP!), we can do it guilt free!!!

 

This past Saturday was a very easy, light day of school. 

 

We practiced our handwriting and art by making thank you cards for the plethora of Christmas gifts the kids got (and I'm sorry for any family members who don't get a card...I can encourage them to write several thank you's but I'm not a miracle worker in getting them to write a dozen!).

 

For science, we planted narcissus and amaryllis bulbs.  One for each kid and they will be keeping track of the progress each day as well as being responsible for the care and watering of these (hopefully) beautiful white flowers!   They were fascinated with the thought of these hard bulbs turning into flowers.  One of them already had roots growing down from the bottom and the shoot growing up (side effect of being bought at 75% off two weeks after Christmas).

 

For geography, we spent some time looking at the map and finding the various places that dh was travelling to over the weekend.  We talked about North and South America and how the closer to the equator you get, the warmer it generally is.

 

We ended with an additional chapter from our read-aloud Dolphin Treasure and looked up information and video clips about dolphins on the National Geographic Kids website.  They made the connection (all on their own) that both dolphins and people are mammals. 

 

I just love these easy light-learning days!  Not only is it real hands-on (as in they will remember) learning for the kids but it fosters a closeness with my children that I truly cherish.  They are little for only so long...it really is like you blink and they grow up...well, at least most days anyway!

Posted in School Stuff

Hooray!!!  The much awaited e-book Secrets of Successful Homeschooling: You Have What It Takes To Homeschool! is finally here!

 

 

I am very honored to have gotten a sneak peek at this great book!  Our very own Paul & Gena Suarez brought together a great group of homeschoolers to share their own stories about how to homeschool successfully...you know, the really practical stuff they learned the hard way...so you don't have to!

 

Secrets of Successful Homeschooling was easy, enjoyable and very encouraging to read.  I wasn't sure at first how I'd feel about an e-book over the normal paper form that we all love...(but how could we expect normal from Gena? And even if she was...she's related to JenIG...and I don't have to say any more about that).  But you know what?  Those crazy people can come up with some very great ideas!  For example, the uber-cool part about an e-book is that when they list a link in the book-- you can click on it and it will actually TAKE YOU THERE!  No more hunting for a scrap piece of paper to write a web address on (and lose later)...just click and you are there immediately!

 

The first half of this book offers support and encouragement and lots of great advice.  New homeschoolers will feel empowered and old vets (okay, young vets too!) will feel refreshed and renewed in their homeschooling.  The second half covers the nuts and bolts of it all.  Things like how to homeschool on the cheap, teaching reading, and even teaching children with special needs.  It's all in there...from well-known authors like Cindy Rushton, Terri Camp, Christine Field, and Lorrie Flem...to your fellow HSBloggers like Coie, Julie Nott, Kris Price, and others...including, ahem, yours truly!  

 

Another bonus, at least in my currently hectic life, is that the chapters are relatively short and to the point.  So you can start AND finish a chapter over a cup of coffee or tea.  And if you're a brand new homeschooler, you won't be overwhelmed with a plethora of information in one sitting (I've always wanted to use that word!).

 

So check it out!  I think y'all would really enjoy it!  Besides, how fun is it to read stuff written by people you actually know?!

Posted in School Stuff

Contrary to popular belief, we do homeschool in this house!  I know y'all must think that my days are only filled with strangely funny little sayings and antics from my kids, but I do learns 'em a little bit around here!

 

We just finished the absolutely best read-aloud EVER-- even better than The Boxcar Children (which my boys thoroughly enjoyed).  Anyhoo, this cleverly enchanting book is My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (you can click on the link to it on my sidebar).

 

Each chapter of this book ends with a cliffhanger (or as much of a cliffhanger as a children's book can have).  The best part is that it left the kids begging for me to keep reading!  It actually took us 2 nights to finish it since my voice just was not up to reading more.  My 6yo and 4yo both loved the story, characters, pictures and map...and I did too!  They are usually so restless if I read more than one chapter of a book at a time, but this time they were just excited about each chapter and wondered what in the world would happen next.  I've never seen them get so wrapped up in a story before.

 

So if you've never read this book to your kids, especially if you have little boys, I highly recommend it! 

 

And since I'm in a recommending kinda mood, I've really been impressed with our current devotional/Bible time book we're reading through: Leading Little Ones to God.  It is muy bueno and very captivating for the kiddos.  They already know many of the "traditional" Bible stories from Sunday School and church, but this book teaches them how and why it is important to KNOW God and it does it in a friendly, interesting, and kid-friendly manner.  It gives you a story to read, the Bible passage, an appropriate song to sing, and a prayer at the end.  I LOVE IT-- but we've just started it so I can't vouch for the last half of the book...yet...

 

Okay, that's enough schooling for one day.

Posted in School Stuff

Olny srmat poelpe can.

   I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Posted in School Stuff

Well, I guess it's time to get on with our normal life...so long as we don't look out the window at all the stuff in the driveway and yard!

 

We resumed our lessons today and it went very well.  While I am pleased with Sonlight overall, it was a rocky beginning talking about the cave people and such in The Usborne Children's Encyclopedia.  Today, however, it was very interesting as we talked about ancient Egypt.  I also came across this great website for kids on Egypt-- we had lots of fun with the hieroglyphics name converter at the bottom of the site.    The boys thought it was quite silly for the children to run around naked when it was hot-- something they didn't want to do since others would make fun of them.  And also thought it was icky for the women AND men to wear make-up...they did, however, long to sleep on the roof of the house whenever it's hot!  I think they'll remember at least a little bit of this for quite a while.

Posted in School Stuff

Better late than never, right?

 

Well, after Tank's doctor's appointment we started our first day of school.  The baby went down for a nap (he was really over-tired) and we marched downstairs to our schoolroom like good little soldiers.  This year Dash is in the first grade and Tank is just listening in and doing age appropriate activities (coloring, cutting, pasting, tracing).   We started with the usual recitation of the date and Pledge of Allegiance, as well as prayer asking for God's blessings on our school year.  Then we started our first read-aloud-- The Boxcar Children.  Dash was SO interested in the story and paid attention the entire time!   He didn't even get upset when we talked about the children's parents being dead and the definition of orphan.

 

I've been a bit nervous about starting since we switched to a new curriculum this year--from Five in a Row to Sonlight (Core K w/Advanced Readers).   I loved FIAR and the great books that it used.  However, *I* really needed more structure for my peace of mind.  I am so glad that God brought me to Sonlight!  I love the literature based approach and that it covers all subjects almost every day.  Plus, it is SO EASY with a 4-day or 5-day schedule already planned out for 36 weeks of lessons.  Subjects covered are History, Geography, Science (Usborne), Read-Aloud's, Language Arts (including spelling), Bible.  Handwriting and Math are on my own (Italic Handwriting and Math-U-See).

 

It sounds extremely busy but in reality it only took us two hours (not counting math).  Dash did really well! I was surprised that he had absolutely no problems with spelling and science.  In science we learned about the water cycle and rainbows...which was quite a lot of info for a single day.   We practiced spelling on the white board and left it up for daddy to see when he got home from work. 

 

We also read "The Crow and the Pitcher" and did our own little study.  We filled a glass with water and tried to see if the kids could drink it without using their hands (which they couldn't).  Then I had them add one pebble (marbles in our case) at a time.  They watched the water level slowly rise with each addition.  Finally, the water was at the rim and they could take a sip.  They learned that it really did take that crow a long time to drop all of those pebbles into the pitcher in order to get a drink-- good thing he didn't give up too soon!  And that patience and perserverence have great rewards.

 

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow and how much easier it should be...although we all know how that goes.  Things ended up a little hairy today trying to keep the baby entertained (since his nap was only an hour long). 

 

Good night, ya'll!!!

 

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