Well, any impressionist really but Degas and Cassatt especially!School has been going well when we can get it done. We've had a bit of an attitude outbreak but I definitely see the connection between my attitude and her attitude. (Thanks for some conviction, De'Etta. Good parenting posts! I need to read more about your study and probably do a bit of my own.) We're back to using HOW and whatever we pull together... some Truthquest, some Diana Waring if I can ever get my tape player to work again! On the top of my list is her ancient history pack on CD. Maybe I should make my own Chritsmas list. Works for the kids, right?? We're knee deep in Biblical geography right now, and surprisingly enough C really loves it. This is the kid that used to tear up and beg to get out of doing a map at times, so I guess it goes to prove to me that all things do come in their own time. I'm still really weighing what we need to include. I know that we've been rushed too much lately but I am also wondering if we aren't focusing on too much.
OH! Jodi! I found file folder books and math game books for the big kids! I've got two but there were many, many more at United Art and Education, so you might want to check out their website. I'm not sure if they let you order online or not. If you want the titles of the two I bought this week let me know. I haven't cracked them open yet with C but she likes what she saw as she flipped through them. I'm going to get copies and such together this weekend. One is all about "real life projects" for math that the kids love. Now, one project is on Fantasy Football (to teach statistics I believe.) I'm not quite sure how that is a real life project since it has fantasy in the name, but if it works it's all good! I really like the idea of using the stockmarket game, and this has a version so I don't have to figure it out on my own. We're moving into a new section in our math book shortly. I think I've run fractions in the ground. I'm trying to remind myself that it's understanding that is the goal, not spending as much time as I think the other kids/ps kids/whoever's kids did.
I've decided that I never really learned how to study the Bible the way that I want to study, so I'm thumbing through several books to see what I want to tackle first. I've got How to Study the Bible for Yourself, a few Kay Arthur books, and something else with a name that escapes me. I was never taught how to use references in Biblical study, and in using HOW we've just become hooked on using references. Yet another thing to add to my grown up Christmas list.
I'm also ..... are you ready.... thinking of switching over to Blogger.com instead of keeping the blog here. I like that it seems more secure. Jodi - your search results experience scares me. If you haven't noticed I tend not to name people or really identify anything for some personal reasons, so anything that is more secure really makes me happy. (Yeah, I know I identified where we live loosely by where we go on field trips, but the area is big!) I've actually got a blog registered at Blogger now, so if I play around with it this weekend you might get a note telling you that I've moved.
Other than that, I'm still burning the candle at both ends. I've decided to start reading the HOW Teaching Approach again and unfortunately I have been taking it slow since we're so busy. We had our monthly meeting at church today to plan out the lesson framework for next month and through the holiday focus, etc. Our children's pastor has had the lessons written out for large group for ages, but we now have a plan for the Advent focus, small group lessons and projects (which I help write) and special things like the Lottie Moon focus, etc. We're going to also use portions and pieces from the Lisa Whelchel advent/traditions book. I can't wait. We'll use it at home as well. It really makes you feel like you accomplised something when you have several pages of notes and check marks in a notebook! What else... I started working as a Lia Sophia advisor on top of working with Usborne, and it's fast becoming a good investment already. But, it's something else to juggle. I feel like the people with the spinning plates some days! There has been more, but for the life of me I can't think of anything. I can tell you what I haven't gotten done quicker unfortunately than what we have done at this point!
This next week should have things slowing back to normal. I know that it sound odd that things would be normal during a holiday week, but it will actually be so this year! I'm really looking forward to the holidays. However, as much as I love and adore the Christmas season I just don't understand why people have the Christmas music/lights/decorating bug already! Thanksgiving used to be my start point and now it seems that I'm sorely behind. Maybe I'll take a stand and be the one lone hold out in the neighborhood. :)
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by Anonymous
