Oct. 8, 2007 - School Sanctuary

Chloe was in a solitary mood this day.  That is, until 18 month old Macy ventured out for a visit...

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Sep. 20, 2007 - Subject Switch

I am often looking for ways to break up the routine without breaking the routine.  Do you know what I mean by that?  Well, here's an example of a way we came up with to break the routine without breaking the routine.  This is called the Subject Switch.

When Chloe is done with a subject (such as math), and ready to go on to the next subject (such as grammar), she does the Subject Switch.  She goes outside and runs around the house 1 or 2 times pretending to dump out the math from her head.  Then she switches directions, running around the house 1 or 2 times in the other direction getting her now "empty" head ready for grammar.

She's loving this slight change in routine.  The exercise and fresh air do her brain good!

When this little exercise is no longer novel, do you have any ideas you can give?  What do you do for a quick break to bring the focus back around?

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Aug. 3, 2007 - Homeschool Yearbooks

I love looking back at my grade school keepsake books.  What laughs we all get looking at my class pictures, report cards, notes from teachers, artwork, reading about who my friends were, etc.

So what can I do for my homeschooling children?  I am wondering if any of you have any creative ideas for homeschool yearbooks.  My goal is to not start this school year without a plan in motion or else yet another year will slip by me with nothing.  And this year I  have 2 more of my children officially starting "school".

My idea so far is to let each of them decorate their own 3 ring binder.  I can put pocket dividers in them for holding any keepsake schoolwork that can't be hole punched.  I would do a page for each school year that includes things such as their picture, friends, other activities, etc.

So that's just my brainstorming idea.  What do you do for your kids? Please share you ideas with me!!!! 

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Jul. 18, 2007 - Curriculum For Sale

I am keeping this post current at all times.  This post was last updated:  October 4, 2007

I have listed some curriculum I am wanting to sell.  If you are interested in anything just let me know!  I'll pay the cost of regular shipping.  These items are also listed in Homeschool Classifieds.  I will delete them as they sell.

At the end of this post is my list of items I am looking to purchase.  Maybe you have them lurking in your basement or attic and would like to make a little money!?!

SOLD!    Christian Liberty Press Class Lesson Planner   $5     SOLD!

2005 Printing. New. The forms didn't work for me. I ended up creating my own.

SOLD!           BJU Science 1   $7               SOLD!

c2003  New

Hardcover Student Text only

SOLD!           BJU Science 2   $15             SOLD!

c2003  Near New.

Teachers Edition + Soft cover Student Text + Student Work Notebook (not pictured). 

SOLD!              BJU Heritage Studies 1     $20           SOLD!

2nd Edition, c1998.  Like New. 

Complete Set = Teacher's Edition, Student Text, Tests with Answer Key, Student Notebook (not pictured).

The student notebook has only the 1st 6 (of 66) pages written on.  Otherwise, the rest is all unused.

BJU Heritage Studies 4     $15

2nd Edition, c1999.  Good Condition. 

Teacher's Edition + Student Text + Student Work Notebook (not pictured). 

The Student Work Notebook has 11 of the 98 pages written on in pencil - most could be erased quite easily.

SOLD!      Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary 1  $10        SOLD!

Nice Condition.  (There is no copyright or printing date.  I purchased it 1 1/2 years ago.)

Teacher's Edition + Dictionary + Student Workbook (not pictured)

Student Workbook has first 19 of 160 lessons completed already.

SOLD!     Getty & Dubay Italic Handwriting Series      SOLD!

Book D Workbook (Basic & Cursive)    $4

3rd Edition. c 1994      Brand New!  No markings. Has only been opened to take a picture!

Now.....for the items I am looking for to purchase.....

Easy Grammar 3

Mystery of History Vol. 1

Myster of History Vol. 2

History Through the Ages timeline on CD

Prima Latina

Story of the World Vol. 2 (hardcover)

For Instruction in Righteousness

Evaluating Handwriting (Writing Strands)

Oral Language Exercises (A Beka)

Ordinary Parents Guide to Reading

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Jun. 19, 2007 - Homeschool Graduates

My church is full of homeschoolers which makes for a great network of support.  In this year's graduating high school seniors, 7 of the 13 graduated homeschool. 

In my daughter's 2nd grade class, 7 out of the 9 are homeschooled. 

Pretty neat, huh?!

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May. 17, 2007 - Speaking Up To The Publisher!

I have been using Wordly Wise with Chloe.  We both really enjoy it.  However, I'm greatly disappointed that references to evolution are scattered throughout.  More than once I've had to rip out a page or black out a section.

It got me thinking.......

How often do any of us do anything more proactive about this sort of occurrence?  I realize that the publisher is not a Christian publishing company. But it certainly can put out high quality products without including their (false) theories and opinions.  I feel angry.  While I feel angry I would like to write a letter to the publisher stating such feelings.  Now the hard part, following through.

Anyway, I love the format of Wordly Wise as well as their choice of words.  But does anyone have any recommendations of a comparable vocabulary program?  I do NOT want it to combine with spelling.  It's important to me to teach these separately.  So, I'm looking for a stand alone vocabulary program for early elementary.  I'm also considering writing my own curriculum.  But much as I would truly love to do this, I don't really have the time.

Leave me a note if you have a vocabulary program you love (or not) and tell me why you love it (or don't). (Short essay assignment! )

Update:  No, the reference to evolution is not just a vocabulary word associated with evolution.  I could deal with that.  It's the sentences and stories.  In Wordly Wise, each lesson has a story exercise that incorporates each vocabulary word. Today's story was about the earth being 3 million years old, etc.

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May. 2, 2007 - Speaking of Sugar.....

This is a very cute book that we checked out of the library.  It's the story of the chocolate chip cookie.  It takes a very fun look at each of the ingredients needed to make a chocolate chip cookie, where each ingredient comes from and it's purpose in the cookie.  Of course, the book ends with a recipe.  Reading is not complete unless you make and indulge in some cookies!

"All in Just One Cookie" by Susan E. Goodman

And then, bad, bad me!  I shouldn't have done it but I just couldn't help myself.  I made one of my most favorite treats.  They are so hard for me to resist!  So, why did I do it!?!

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