Here is TheBean's first writing assignment for the Ancients.  It was a poem practicing using adjectives.  The Bean is an Upper Grammar level student.   They enjoyed playing with words when creating their poems and thinking of lots of describing words  :-)  The other boys did the poem as well but were not as eager to have Mommy post it online  :-) 

The Ancient World

Mesopotamia, with two long, meandering rivers

     And enormous, steppy ziggurats

Egypt, with powerful, heartless pharaohs

     And humongous, triangular pyramids

Israel, with God's perfect, eternal law

     And the enormous, ancient temple

Babylon, with the towering, decorative Ishtar Gate

     And the colorful, high Hanging Gardens

Rome, with wealthy, wise (?) emperoros

     And great, mighty armies

The Ancient World,

     Amazing, Astonishing, and Mysterious

This week was another great week.  We used all the same books as last week, except How the Bible Came To Us, and adding the Bible and Pyramids by David Macaulay.  

 This week the boys delved into pyramids, pharoahs, mummies, Moses's birth and childhood (Exodus 1-5). 

 After our reading and discovering time, we watch a movie put out by PBS.  It was based on David Macaulay's book Pyramids, starring David Macaulay onsight in Egypt.  It was REALLY good and boys learned a lot from it.  I am glad we got it. 

We tried our hand at making Reed Boats this week, also.  They didn't turn out as well as we had hoped but it was fun trying.  Maybe yours will turn our better.

 http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/history/files/egyptianboat.doc  

The boys each tried a taste of figs, which they were not particularly keen on.  Lastly, the boys painted their salt maps from last week.  They really take shape once paint is added to them.  I will really try to get pictures of them up this week, maybe even tomorrow.  :-) 

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AtTheCross and HisCross are working on a longer term project of creating a burial chamber diorama.  The Bean is working on creating a burial mask of his own face.  These projects are being done independently and will be presented at our final sedar.  It is kind of fun to have a little side secret project.  I was hoping one of them would want to mummify a chicken but I didn't have any takers  . 

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I also wanted to be sure to mention our writing curriculum for the year.  The boys do composition using Institute for Excellence in Writing with an outside group and are learning so much.  I wanted to add more writing here at home but didn't want to introduce another approach.  God pointed me toward another IEW curriculum that involves writing about the ancients using the IEW approach.  Perfect match!!  What fun.  Here is a link for those interested. 

Ancient History Based Writing Lessons

I will post an example of their first writing soon.

Great week.  We are doing dialectic with 2 boys and upper grammar with 1.  This week, they read great books like The Golden Goblet and A Place in the Sun.  The are reading books on Ancient Egyptians, Science of Ancient Egyptians and The Encyclopedia of Ancient Worlds.  They are all wonderful and informative.  We learned all sorts of wonderful things about the amazing Nile River and its importance to the Egyptians..  What a great selecion of books TOG provides!!!

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We got all their maps set up this week.  We are using transparencies layed over the base maps to mark things.  They REALLY enjoyed this.  It was labor intensive for the dialectic boys but fun, nonetheless.  They also studied a TON of new geographical terms this week.  We decided for our project, we would make a map of an imaginarty place and include as many of these terms/features as possible.  They turned out so well.  I hope go get pictures up for you all soon.

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All in all, it was a great week.  They boys are excited to get going and study pyramids, pharoahs, and mummies next week  :-)  Boys will be boys. 

Where does the time go?  Summer is over already and we are heavily into our second week of school.  Wow!  It is hard to believe! 

Just thought I would share our curriculum for this year.

Atthecross--8th Grade

Precepts for Kids-- Study on James

Tapestry of Grace, Year 1, Dialectic for History, Geography, Literature and Worldview/Bible

       With IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) Ancient History Writing Program 

Finish up Apologia General Science from last year.

        Apologia Physical Science

       Live and Learn Lapbooks for both General Science and Physical Science

Saxon Algebra 1

Rod & Staff Grammar 6

Sequestial Spelling

Wordly Wise 8   AND   Vocabulary from Classical Roots A   (We alternate weekds)

German 1

Guitar

Swim Team

Learning Center 1 day a week== Art/Art History, Music (Alto Recorder), Literature, Composition 2 (IEW), Science (misc topics and a science fair project   ) & Geography  (mainly Israel this year).   This is done totally separate from the curriculum we do here at home, though they do have about 1 hour of homework per day, or a little more, in addition to their other work.

HisCross  -- 6th Grade

Precepts for Kids-- Study on James

Tapestry of Grace, Year 1, Dialectic for History, Geography, Literature and Worldview/Bible

       With IEW Ancient History Writing Program 

Finish up LifePac 5 Science from last year.

        LifePac 6 Science

Saxon 7/6

Rod & Staff Grammar 5

Sequestial Spelling

Wordly Wise 6   AND   Vocabulary from Classical Roots 6   (We alternate weekds)

Voice Lessons,  Acting,  Musical Theater

Ballet/Jazz,  Muscial Theater Dance

Boy Scouts

Learning Center 1 day a week== Art/Art History, Music (Alto Recorder), Literature, Composition 2 (IEW), Science  & Geography. == 1 hour homework per day, in addition to their other work

TheBean -- 4th Grade

Precepts for Kids-- Study on James

Tapestry of Grace, Year 1, Upper Grammar for History, Geography, Literature and Worldview/Bible

       With IEW Ancient History Writing Program 

      Tapestry Of Grace Year 1 Lapbook

LifePac 4 Science from last year.

Saxon 5/4

Rod & Staff Grammar 4

Sequestial Spelling

Handwriting Without Tears 4th Grade

Wordly Wise 4   AND   Vocabulary from Classical Roots 4   (We alternate weekds)

Piano

Swim Team and Gymnastics PreTeam

Webelos 1

Learning Center 1 day a week== Art/Art History, Music (Soprano Recorder), Literature, Composition 1 (IEW), Science & Geography . == 45 min. homework per day, or a little more

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We are so excitied to be using Tapestry of Grace.  It will be more reading than the boys are used to but it should be great.  They will settle in quickly.  We are doing year 1, the Ancients, which is suck a fun time to study.  I will try to incluce pictures and entries about our journey with Tapestry. 

We have finished the first two weeks already and are loving it.  They have read, made maps using transparences, salt maps of imaginary worlds using all their new terms, learned about the Nile, pyramids, Pharoah, mummies and more.  They are preparing to do tomb paintings this weekend and begin the mummification of a chicken.  Who could ask for more fun? 

We are reading the most amazing book series.  It is so packed with life lessons, Christ, redemption, grace..... I recommend EVERYONE reads it.  It is so difficult to put them down after our nightly 2 chapters with the boys chanting 1 more chapter, pleeeease.  I love it when we find a good series with great lessons and meaning!  

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There is a study guide you can get to go with it.  It recommends trying to read through it first though, to not break of the story.  However, I must admit, not a night goes by when I don't stop several times to elaborate, praise, cry, reiterate some part.  It is hard to not get off on parts, but I do try.  Then,, when we are finished, we pray and that is where I can just worship the Lord for His amazing gift to us. 

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Warning:  There are a couple scarey parts,  not bad, just think Pilgrims Progress and Narnia. 

Warning 2:  This series is very hard to put down  :-)It is truly amazing!  

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The series is The Terrestria Chronicles, by Ed Dunlop.  Distributed by Dunlope Ministries.  Go check out their page at  http://www.dunlopministries.com/

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If you have read this series, I would love to hear your comments

We did a great science experiment today.  We are in the middle of doing the Human Body and this week we studied eyes.  So, to wrap things up, we did a fun experiment today.  This experiment/activity it to show that we need both eyes for good depth perception.

First, blindfold one child and stand them in front of a table.  Next, spread 3 plastic cups out in front of him/her, making sure they are within his/her arms length.  Give that child 3 coins.

Now, at the other end of the table, about 4 feet away, seat a child who will be the director.  That child has to verbally give instructions to the blindfolded child, directing him how to move his arm/hand so it will eventually be place directly over each cup.  Using commands such as, "Move your hand to the right a little...slowly.....stop....good, now move it back towards you a bit......slowly.....a little more.....good," the director should be able to get the blindfolded childs hand centered of a cup.  Then, he can direct him to release the coin and it should fall in the cup.  Do this will all three cups.   They will, more than likely, get the coin in each time.

HisCross directing AtTheCross

Now, here is the kicker, have the child who is giving directions cover one of his/her eyes and do the same procedure as described above.  With one eye covered, they will most likely miss the cup each time.   The director, and all of us, need both eyes for good depth perception.  Without that, we misjudge distances of near and far.   We were laughing and really enjoying as th coins missed time after time, it was so funny, especially after we knew they could do it with both eyes.

Now, being the skeptic that I can sometimes be, I had to try it myself to make sure the boys weren't just goofing off.  Things were getting quite silly so, Mom calmed things down a bit and gave it a go.  Well, I successfully guided blindfolded AtTheCross each of the 3 times when I used both my eyes.  Easy.  Now, covering one eye.....well......I led him to drop the coin and, never once did it fall in a cup.  Too funny. 

Youll have to give this little activity a go and let me know your outcomes.  We were 12 for 12 using both eyeys and 1 for 12 with one eye covered.  Yikes!  

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God was wise and wonderful when he made our eyes and gave us two.  I praise You, Lord,  for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

We have a new favorite game of the week.  We are a big game family and we have a new one we are really enjoying, Blokus. 

It is a game of strategy and great for both the spatial and sequential learner (and their parents).  Each player has different shaped tiles and they have to place them on the board, only touching their other pieces on the corner. 

It starts off simple enough but, as the game progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to find places for your pieces, especially the larger pieces.  Then, as you finally find spaces, opponents come and use those for their tiles.  It is really a fun game and I highly recommend it.  (The box says Ages 5 and up and that is pretty accurate )

We just started one of Kay Arthurs Precepts for Kids yesterday.  It is "How to study the Bible."  The boys love it so far.  I have glanced through the whole thing and it looks excellent.  I wanted to do something to help launch my older two into their own study time.  We will always worship as a family each day and do Bible in school but I want them to be more than that on their own.  They do do some Bible reading on their own but it seems as though they struggle with it so I thought this might help. 

Once we finsih this one, we are doing the one on James titled something like, Boy, Have I Got Problems.  That seems like a great one, especially for my munchkin struggling with accepting God's plans these days (Is that pre-teen?)  That one looks excellent too.  If any of you have ever used any of these would comment with feeback, that would be great. 

School is slowly getting going again after a crazy swim team season and baseball season.  We so enjoy those activities but they sure eat away at our time.  Life would indeed be easier if we had no outside activities.  August is going to be great as we had no activities outside the home.  I can't wait.  It is time for recharging, reorganizing, rescheduling......We're off to Target today to get some more containers for grains (I am tired of bags everywhere) I also am going to get a new notebook for menu planning.  I do so much better on a menu and since we are changing so much th...........................................................................

YIKES!!!  Good thing we're going to Target today.  While I was just typing about getting more containers and being tired ot the bags, my oldest son brought up a bag of oats (we get the big 50 pound bags) and set it on the kitchen floor to fill a small container.  Immediately, out little dog walked into the kitchen, lifted his leg and peed on the bag.  YUCK!  Time to go to Target!!  No more bags.   We need some of those big containers from Urban Homemaker but they are out of our budget.  Oh well.

OK, I'm off to map the kitchen.  The boys damp water cleaned bot I need to pull out the good stuff. 

Have a blessed day. 

New school year stuff arrived today.  It is always so exciting and fun for everyone when those boxes arrive.  We all have to tear open those boxes and take a peek---"look what I'm going to be doing in math, Mom,"  "cool, look at this book I get to read," "Oh man, look at these pictures in the science book. (then they all scrambled to take a peek and look at the book for 45 mins.)........  It is so much fun. 

When the boxes arrived, we had a 6th grade non-homeschooled boy here for the day.  He couldn't believe my boys were excited about getting school books.  He said, "How can you be excited about school books?"  My boys were blown away.  They had never encounted that type of attitude before.  However, the shock only lasted a minute then they were back into the new books.  I think it is soooooo terrible sad that children are being raised and taught in such a way that they hate school.  My boys love it, and so do I.  The joy of learning is such a key part of life.  To not have that as a part of who we are is unimaginable to me.

Things we're using this year:

• Saxon Math
• Rod & Staff Grammar
• Reason for Spelling (with 2)
• MCP Spelling Workout (with 1)
• Reason for Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Wordly Wise
• Prima Latina
• Powerglide Spanish
• Explode the Code
• Story of the World
• Apologia Astronomy
• Apologia Botany
• Kay Arthur's Precepts for Kids for Bible (How to Study the Bible and & James)
• Classics Reading Series
• Basic Computer
• Architecture
• Keyboarding

I think that's about it.  There are some great books we got to read together and as read alones.  We are really loving the Lamplighter books.  I purchased our first Henty book and am excited to see how the boys like it.  They are supposed to be great.

Should be a great year.  We can't wait to get started.  The boys are already doing some math and grammar each day to get their feet wet again.  We will add Bible next week (though we already do family Bible time each day) and the my youngest will do Explode.  They are also reading for at least an hour a day.  The other coursed will have to wait til after Labor Day.  We have several major things going on before that and I don't want to have to start and stop. 

May the Lord bless each and every one of your families and you go through this next year.  May He grow you and your children in Himself and draw you into a more intimate relationship and you learn.  We all need to remember to keep Him in the center of each and every school day.  I can sure tell when we are and aren't doing that.  What a difference God makes

Today was one of those awesome homeschool days.  The weather was beautiful, yet again, and I couldn't resist not spending it outside.  It just seems a shame to waste such a nice day from God.  Well, flexibility being what it is with homeschooling, out we went.  What a blessing to be able to do that, don't you think? 

First, we started a fire in our fire pit.  It was really roaring for a while there, and on and off again throughout the day.  Then, the boys all found their special places to study for the day--the treehouse, the picnic table, chairs by the fire etc.  They got to work basically right away.  What a blessing!  I really feel it is little things like that that makes learning so much more fun, exciting and memorable.  They had such a good time and got a lot done (well, two of them did).  We LOVE homeschooling!   

The boys roasted hot dogs for lunch and marshmallows for dessert (and all through the afternoon.)  It was just so wonderful.  They had so much fun.  There's nothing like cooking your lunch over an open fire, even if it is just hot dogs and marshmallows.  (Yes, they had vegi's, too.   It wasn't all junk.) 

Then, back to the books again, outside.  It was just so relaxing.  I could stand to do school like that everyday.  However, I supposed it wouldn't be so special if we could do it all the time.  Hmmmm.?  We'll just take today as a blessing from God. 

About mid afternoon, another homeschooling family who were out enjoying the nice day, stopped by.   It was a perfect addition to a glorious day.  We are so thankful for good friends.  They are truly a blessing.  I think the boys appreciate their friends more since they don't see them on a daily basis, as public school kids do.  The really love their friends and thoroughly enjoy all the time they have with them (and so does their mommy ).

Off to AWANA tonight to earn some new jewels and stickers for all the hard work the boys have done over the past 2 weeks.  They worked so hard on their scripture memory.  It is fantastic to see them get excited about God's Word.  I love it.  My youngest has mastered all the books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation (in order with not help).  He has learned all of Psalm 23, Psalm 1 and so much more.  It is wonderful.  The older boys have 3 days studies some weeks that really gets them in God's Word daily.  It just makes me smile.

God is so good.  His blessing just come down, even when we so don't deserve them. Thank you, Lord, for all you do for us.