Just some thoughts on homeschooling, simple living, serving the Lord and life in general. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:20:00 -0500 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:20:00 -0500 Wow!  I didn't realize it's been six (almost seven) months since my last entry.  A lot has happened... After months of rumors, on January 26th, ironically, my 52nd birthday, my husband found out that layoffs were immenent (sp?) at his job.  Although we really didn't think it was going to happen to him, we knew it wasn't out of the question.  I started feeling strongly that I should go back to work part time.  I had to help out, just in case.  We were going to church in early February, when I saw a help wanted sign at the place I worked at 12 years ago when my hubby was working in the pharmaceutical wholesale industry and his company closed.  After church, I did something I never do on a Sunday - business related stuff.  I went over there to leave a resume and make an appointment for an interview.  At least, that was the intention.  I left with the job!!  Good thing, because 5 weeks later, my husband was laid off. I'm what they call a research interviewer.  I call people on behalf of various research companies and interview them.  Sometimes for customer satisfaction surveys, sometimes for political surveys, etc.  The work is interesting, but after a 4-5 hr. shift, you're talked out and not really interested in being on phone calls at home.  The pay scale is low, minimum wage plus what amounts to a commission if you complete more surveys than quota.  Fortunately, I tend to do fairly well, but I work my butt off to do so. The good news is, I work only 5 mins. from home, the hours are flexible, and the people, for the most part, are really nice.  Being I work nights and Saturday afternoons, I can continue to homeschool without the quality of our homeschooling suffering at all too. Never one to take things lying down, my hubby took the 1st two months to start his job search, then decided to renew his TLC license and was able to find work as a limo driver.  Now this, for lack of a better term, is deja vu.  We are both doing what we did 12 years ago.  Limo driving isn't exactly paying all of the bills, but it sure beats what unemployment pays and, at least, my husband isn't just sitting there idle.  (I think that is more hurtful for a guy, you know.)  The hours are ridiculously long and the work erratic.  Sometimes it's enough, other times, not enough.  My husband has a halfway decent severance package, which we are using to supplement our income, but after 3 months, we're half way through it and are having to start looking at what to do for insurance, etc. if he doesn't find something better in the next 3 months.  All this is really scary, and it's really testing my faith.  I have to tell you though, my husband, God bless him, never waivers or complains.  He's hurting and he won't admit it most of the time, but he's a little bit scared, but he's just been amazing.  We're both in jobs that keep us praying, especially because a decent part of our salaries depend on erratic factors (how many limo jobs are available, how good are the tips, how many people are willing to complete the surveys/interviews I do with them, how much work is available for me, etc.)  This is not exactly a bad thing, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that all of this is very scary. My husband's had a number of interviews, including 2 this week, one of which seemed to go perfectly, but he got a very nice rejection letter Saturday, and another yesterday (yes, on a Sunday, go figure) that we are still waiting to hear about, but so far, nothing solid. Homeschooling has continued without too much of a problem.  Our 10 year old son is still a little nervous about the whole employment situation.  Out of all 5 of our children, he's the only one who has never seen his dad unemployed before or his mom working out of the house, but he's weathering it okay.  We're blessed that we already had all of our materials for our new school year when this happened (having homeschooled 3 through high school, I had very little to buy).  We've had a number of other things going on as well.  In March, a week after my husband got his lay off notice, his step-dad was diagnosed wtih cancer in his ureter.  Because of other health problems that are being addressed, he's not able to have surgery for the cancer yet.  He's been in and out of the hospital with other serious problems, including potassium levels that almost killed him already.  Bob just got out of the hospital for the 2nd time dealing with that and is in a nursing home temporarily.  As for the cancer, can't even go there until he's stabilized.  After 2 miserable years at a small local church where the pastor treated us like we didn't exist, we left there and found a wonderful small church 20 mins away.  The pastor is an Indian national with a heart soooooo BIG for God and his people.  He's one of the best Bible teachers I've ever heard and we are studying Revelation right now.  Haven't been able to go to the mid-week BIble study for the past month because of work schedules, but he's been kind enough to send us the Scripture references so we can continue to study together and keep up.  Friends of ours attend there: the young man who teaches Bible study for our home fellowship and an older man who was a Sunday school teacher for our oldest daughter 20 years ago.  It's a good place to be, with room to grow and room to serve.  The pastor's wife is a wonderful lady and has been such an encouragement to me. To be totally honest, I'm struggling with my faith at times with all that is going on, but if I had to be in this place in my life, I feel that I have the support I need to help me get through it. Had something scary happen a week and a half ago.  abotu 12:30 in the morning, our oldest son was up watching a movie when our dog, who is a bit of a wuss normally, started barking wildly.  Our son noticed someone on our stoop looking around but not ringing the doorbell.  It was this guy we knew, about 31 years old, who was walking with the Lord, but backslid and has a drug problem.  He lives with is dad who's also in the same state.  The difference is, the dad works to support his habit.  The son tries to gain entry into the home of Christian friends and steals from them.  How do I know?  According to his aunt, who we've known for years and confirmed this the following day when our oldest daughter ran into her. When our son saw him, he went outside to talk to him, never letting him into our house.  Good thing, because, according to his aunt, that's his m.o. - get into a house to case it out, then meticulously take things so carefully you don't know they're gone until you look for the item.  When our son asked him why he was there so late, he claimed to have walked crosstown to us looking for help that he and his kids were hungry (he doesn't have custody of his kids, just visiting rights, his ex-wife has custody).  Our son went back into the house while the guy stayed outside and got him some groceries (which we can ill afford to give right now) and he left.  Our son had promised to get him info on food pantries to him in a day or so, but after learning what his aunt told us, he never went to see him.  The guy came back a couple of nights later to try to get invited in, but my husband and son would not let him in, so the guy was insulted and left, only to sit in a car diagonally across the street from our house a couple of days later (we know it was his car from our son who passed by his father's house to see what cars were out there a couple of days before. After the 2nd of the 3 incidents, my husband got aggressive about it and drove over to the father's house.  There was as guy outside.  My husband honked the horn and demanded that the guy get the father out there to talk to him.  The father came out and my husband told him the whole story and demanded that he keep his son away from us, our home, and our property.  The father claimed to know nothing and agreed to do what my husband said.  Then my husband went to the police and was able to talk to one of two officers who patrol our area who knew of the guy's name (he's served time), advised my husband on what to do if he comes here in the future, and told my husband that he plans to make a visit to the guy's house. So far, no further contact, Praise God.  I can't tell you how sad all of this has made me and how grateful that our children, with all the challenges that life has handed each of them, have not turned out like that. There is more to tell, but this is already so long.  The most immediate thing is that our 19 yo dd is starting a free 3 week training program to become a home health aide this morning.  The agency that is giving this will guarantee her work if she completes the course and passes the final tests (both paper and practicum).  Your prayers would be appreciated for so many things including: - A good permanent job for my husband to come speedily and for God's provision in the meantime - Health, strength, peace and joy for the journey in the meantime - Healing and salvation for my husband's step-dad and his mom - Safety for our family in light of our almost intruder - Healing from drug addiction for the young man who almost robbed us and his father and a return to the Lord for them both - God's grace for an extension for our oldest daughter's licensing to finish her requirements for her master's degree. - For the Lord to bring the right man into our oldest daughter's life. - For a better job for our oldest son. - For the Lord to bring the right woman into our oldest son's life. - For the Lord to give our oldest son wisdom in dealing with his pastor (our former pastor) - there are MAJOR issues. - For the Lord's protection for our 19 yo daughter as she starts this home health aide program and for her to do well. - For our 16 yo daughter as she helps me as our mother's helper this summer. - For our 10 yo son as he goes through all of the adjustments from all that is going on in our lives. - For the Lord to help us do well in our yard sale next weekend - we could sure use the money - For the Lord to help me as I try to launch my online business that I do well - again, we could sure use the money. Thanks to all who took the time to read through all of this and for all who pray... Blessings, Pam http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/703453/ Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:20:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/703453/ Happy New Year to all!!  Celebrated New Year's at a nightwatch service with 2,500 others, including our youngest son (who was in the balcony with my hubby and I) and oldest daughter who was on the main level of the church.  Our oldest son and 2 youngest daughters were at a party with friends from their young adults group. My husband recently reconnected with an old childhood friend, who is now on the West Coast.  I actually worked for his dad briefly around the time we were getting married.  His mom was close friends with my mil for years.  Turns out this man is also a Messianic Jew, having accepted Jesus into his heart 24 years ago.  I had a chance to speak to him and he is on fire for the Lord.  How wonderful!!  I'm so glad my husband has a brother in the Lord to hang with, even if it's long distance.  Guys tend not to connect with other guys as easily as gals do.  My hubby is sooo excited about this.  D, his friend, will be coming east to visit family and his fiance later this year and we'll be able to get together.  Looking forward to it. No word on the layoffs so far, but other related company news (good news) is making me less worried about it all.  Gotta take this one a day at a time, but it's not always easy. We start our End Times Bible study this Saturday night at our home fellowship meeting, weather permitting (snow is expected).  Looking forward to this.  People need to become more aware of what the Word says in this area and see just how what is going on in the world line up with the Word of God.  It's amazing to me that more churches are not teaching about this.  It would be such a great witnessing tool, among other things... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/642998/ Thu, 8 Jan 2009 17:09:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/642998/ "They reported their findings to the Angel of God in the birch grove: "We have looked over the whole earth and all is well. Everything's under control."  - Zechariah 1:11 - The Message Bible Normally, when I quote the Bible, I love to use either the New American Standard or the New King James, which are the two Bibles I've studied from over the years, but the Message translation applies here so well.  A couple of entries back, I shared about the personal meaning that the song, All is Well, has come to mean to me.  Along those lines, I prayed for a Scripture.  You see, every year, my hubby and I ask the Lord for a scripture for the new year and He has always been so gracious and given us one.  In this case, the Scripture's mirrors the meaning of the song, All is Well, as well as one of my hubby's favorite lines, "Everything's under control."  Isn't that just like God?  We not only took this Scripture, Zechariah 1:11 to put on our dated Christmas ornament for this year (I make them), but also for our theme Scripture for the new year.  It applies in so many ways... Had an interesting conversation with my husband in the wee hours of this morning.  (It's 4 am here - can't sleep.)  We've agreed to try to do something we always seem to have problems being disciplined enough to do - to take time to read the Word and pray together, not just "surface prayers", but deep, from the gut prayers and to see what direction He wants to take us in in this new year.  We both are feeling more and more of an intensity to go deeper with the Lord and to serve Him more intently and we're hoping that doing this will give us more direction.  Personally, I get the feeling that the Lord wants to birth something new and greater in us, but are we ready for it, are we ready to fine tune our ears and step out in whatever direction He wants us in?  I hope to report what the Lord does with this new commitment here and will use this journaling to chronicle whatever He does with us through this in the next year.  I'm really excited about it.  I wonder where this new adventure in surrendering to the Lord will take us.  All this comes at a funny time, when you consider that my husband's company is planning to start layoffs in January.  (The likelihood of my husband being cut is small, but, in this economy, we can't ignore the possibility.  I would appreciate the prayers of any who see this.)  Somehow though, this new spiritual adventure has me less concerned about the layoffs and more excited to see what the Lord is going to do.  In any case, I am convinced that He will take care of us, even when it's hard to see... On a somewhat related note, our 24 year old son and I help lead worship once a month for a couple of hours at a local International House of Prayer.  During our time there this Friday, something amazing happened.  No one was there except for us and we were praising the Lord and singing while our son was playing the guitar.  As that happened, on a number of occasions, we both felt a rushing of air around us.  We both checked.  No one entered or left.  We also felt a presence, at one point, to my right (his left) and later I felt a presence in front of me to my left.  I am convinced there were angels in that room with us. I was dreading the new year for a whole lot of reasons - the job cuts, the economy, a new presidency, etc., but now, I'm actually excited to see what the Lord will do in this new year.  Will keep all who read this posted...Please keep my husband and I and our family in your prayers...Will add a specific list of prayers as I report further...Blessings to all...   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/637238/ Sun, 28 Dec 2008 03:00:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/637238/ These last couple of days before Christmas are so busy.  Cleaning, baking, ornament making, present wrapping...seems endless, but it will all be history in a couple of days.  I just wanted to wish all who read this a blessed and beautiful Christmas.  May God's Love and the Miracle of the birth of His Son be the center of your celebration... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/635678/ Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:33:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/635678/ All is well, all is well Angels and men rejoice For tonight darkness fell Into the dawn of love's light All is well, all is well Let there be peace on earth Christ is come, go and tell That He is in the manger All is well, all is well Lift up your voice and sing Born is now Emmanuel Born is our Lord and Savior Sing Alleluia Sing Alleluia SIng Alleluia All is well   This some by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Michael W. Smith has been in my head and heart lately sooo much. The words are echoing inside of me.  With all all of us face, health issues, financial issues, job losses, etc., so many of us have worries we never dreamed of this Christmas.  It's such a rough time for so many.  A few days ago, I was still having trouble "getting in" the Christmas spirit.  There are so many things going on in the world right now that can set us reeling and one of them, upcoming layoffs at my husband's company, are eminent.  After previous rounds of layoffs, it's just so disheartening, not to mention scary, especially when you're a one income family. I was up in the wee hours of the morning and caught a re-broadcast of 700 Club when they advertised CBN Radio.  So I went to the computer and turned it on.  A few minutes later, the Point of Grace version of "All is Well" came on and I sat there and sang along.  Suddenly, I had tears streaming down my face and praising God. Each year, I make a dated ornament for our Christmas tree.  This year's will be entited All is Well.  It  will have those words on it, a cradle with the Baby Jesus in it or a cross with a star behind it  and a scripture (gotta pray on those).  It will be a precious reminder that, no matter what is going on around us or to us, the eternal values remain.  Despite it all, all is truly well... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/633318/ Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:56:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/633318/ I wish I could say that it's just holiday busyness that has been getting me so stressed out.  It's just so many things.  Our 19 yo dd has been looking for work for 6 months and has been unable to find a thing.  DH and I are footing the bill for college for her and while the price is low, it's starting to hurt.  Health issues haven't helped the situation either and now, after months of rumors, more layoffs are expected at DH's company after the 1st of the year.  While DH's job will probably not be affected because of the type of work he does (he's a technician), we just can't be sure.  There's no guarantees and just like last year, we'll be living with the uncertainty of whether or not his job will survive the cuts for at least 2-3 months.  He's survived numerous rounds of job cuts over the past decade, by the Grace of God, and we're trusting God that He will preserve DH's job yet again. I keep reminding myself of the promises in God's Word.  I know He will provide.  I just wish things weren't so stressful.  This entire year has been difficult, whether it's been job cuts, DH's uncle's deteriorating health, my diagnosis with diabetes and the struggle to deal with it without drug intervention, things with the kids, living in a house that is way too small for the 7 of us and trying to eek out some extra space anywhere I can, whatever.  I know it could be a whole lot worse, but I just wish it were a little less stressful...:::sigh::: Friends, if you read this, please keep our family in prayer...This is just one more straw on the camel's back... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/629669/ Mon, 8 Dec 2008 18:30:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/629669/ Our baby boy just turned 10 yesterday.  Time flies....:::::long sigh::::  Saturday will hold errands and a chiropractic appointment, helping our 19 yo dd with her job search and a trip to the planetarium with our birthday boy followed by pizza and birthday cake and maybe a friend or two.  Then a call to my mil to wish her a happy birthday.  Sunday is church and decorating.  Lights and the manger outside, lights in the living room window and pine and tinsel throughout the house.   This year has been non-stop and this month will be no exception.  But the Christmas packages are out, the snail mail cards are in process of being written, the mailing list is done and the gift shopping is done, except for gift cards.  Still have to find an email card to send friends who are online and plan and send invites for our holiday open house.  With DH having to work overtime for weeks on end, not to mention his already crazy hours, and our oldest dd finishing her last class for her master's (except for a student teaching experience next summer), the constant demands and needs DH and I have had to tend to, and so much other stuff going on, getting in the Christmas spirit has been tough for all of us.  It's been a year of stress - DH's uncle's been ill and in a nursing home for months, job troubles, health and money issues, etc., but it reminds me to keep focus on the reason for it all, the incredible gift of the birth of our promised Messiah.  Despite all the stress, all the worries, all the disappointments, all of ups and downs of this year, we are so incredibly blessed...   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/628492/ Fri, 5 Dec 2008 16:36:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/628492/ "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17 Had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  All five of our children were with us.  Now that 2 of them are in their twenties, it reminds me that we might not have the opportunity to have all of them with us every Thanksgiving much longer.  I treasure these times.  I'm grateful that family means so much to our children and that they will always try to be in touch during the holidays, but I know they won't always be able to be here.  It's a sad thought, but realistic.  After all, they're growing up, as they should, and making their own lives, as they should.  :::sigh::: Dinner was very good, and I was blessed to have a lot of help from the kids, so I was able to relax a bit.  Ralph was on call, which was a bit stressful, but he wasn't called in, thankfully.  The joke was, they can have you before dinner or after dinner, but when that turkey hits the table, you're mine!  LOL I was diagnosed with early onset diabetes a couple of months ago, so I modified dinner a bit.  We skipped the traditional cranberry sauce in favor of cranberry-apple jelly, which has a lot less sugar.  Aside from using stevia to sweeten foods instead of sugar, and using a multigrain mix for the pie crust, everything else was pretty much normal, although I did miss being able to have some apple cider. Saw my homeopath today (we're treating the diabetes with diet, exercise, and a ton of supplements), and both he and my nutritionist are thrilled with my progress.  My blood sugar numbers are down well over 100 pts. since my diagnosis.  I'm about 3/4 of the way to my goal.  Also have lost 12 lbs. in the process, so I'm a happy camper.  Am able to slightly modify my diet now (occasionally), so it's a little less strict.  Will make the holiday season a whole lot easier. Holiday shopping (we celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas) and shopping for our youngest son's birthday is done except for a few gift cards (gas, restaurant, department store) for the older kids and a friend and cookie/fruit platters for our doctors.  Packages will go out Monday or Tuesday and cards the next week.  Decorating next weekend and the tree and a holiday party with friends the weekend after that.   Lord willing, things will run smoothly.  With my DH having to work overtime for another couple of weeks, it will help keep the Advent season peaceful and relaxed.  I hate when it gets people nuts;  that's not what it's all about. More soon... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/625921/ Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:29:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/625921/ I know it's been forever since I posted.  I'm nothing if not inconsistent with these things, but I'll try to do better.  Have a lot of fixing to do on the blog, but that's for another day. Had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  DH and all of the kids and I were together.  Was stressed though.  DH is on call and, even though he wasn't called out, it really put a crimp in the day.  I could just see it:  The kids and I are slaving over the fatted turkey and he gets called out.  Don't know if I'll ever get used to DH's hours.  It's been over a year since the schedule change and I still can't totally adjust.  But with the economy, I'm so grateful that he has a job. Have a lot to share, but I have to get ready to go out.  Our oldest son and I lead worship for 2 hrs. of a monthly 24 hr. prayer meeting and I have to leave soon.  Will post again...soon...I promise!! Blessings, Pam http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/625466/ Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:54:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/625466/ What a busy summer!!  I spent most of it working on paperwork in preparation for our new school year, then took a few days to "relax" (well, sort of) and started school on August 27th.  Did some work           throughout the summer, mostly reading, some math, and language arts to keep us sharp, along with some projects, but our traditional school year started on the 27th. My hubby also started something new.  He did get that new job with his company and started the new job the same day we started school.  Spent our at home vacation rejoicing that we did not go upstate where we had planned to go since the night temps were 30 degrees (yuck), getting some rest and hunting to another car.  DH needed one since he was losing the company car he had for several years in his old position, which required travel.  I think we need a vacation from our vacation.  LOL There are plusses and minuses with this new job, but most of it is really positive.  He gets to do a job he's wanted for years, doesn't have to travel, and he feels that he is more productive in this type of work. He also has the potential for better overtime, which was drying up in the other position.  The bad news is that he loses his company car (thus the need for another car) and money-wise, it's a lateral move.  The most interesting news is that, after a training period, his hours switch from 8am-4pm to Noon to 8pm. That means that he will be able, for the 1st time ever, to get involved in the nitty-gritty of homeschooling instead of the peripheral (outside) stuff.  Should add an interesting dynamic to our new school year. September is always busy, but this one might be moreso than most.  Our 30th anniversary is at the end of the month, along with our middle daughter's 18th birthday and our oldest son's 23rd birthday is soon after.  We are going on a fishing trip with our church and DH and I may be going on a "cruise to nowhere" for a couple of hours to celebrate our anniversary. School this year includes 3rd, 9th, and 12th graders.  Our 9th and 12th graders will be taking Bible, ASL and PE together and our little guy will do PE with both of them and do early parts of music with our 9th grader.  Classes and resources include: Ms. 12th Grader:  Lots of half year courses here:                                                                                                                       Bible Apologetics (various sources including materials from Answers in Genesis) British Literature (A Beka and others including Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet - Shakesphere) Composition (Wordsmith Craftsman) Spelling and Vocabulary (edHelper) Grammar and Study and Research Skills (Sentences, Paragraphs, and Beyond)   Math Review (various sources) and Geometry (High School Advantage CD-Rom) Social Studies:  2   1/2 year courses:  Constitutional Law (1/2 year - Whatever Happened to Justice, some parts of Mike Ferris' Constitutional Law course and various internet materials) and Economics (1/2 year - Economics in One Lesson, Whatever Happened to Penny Candy, and The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business) Food Science - Glencoe Photography (1/2 year - KISS Guide to Photography) Introduction to Early Childhood Ed. (1/2 year - Introduction to Early Childhood Ed. - Delmar Publishers) American Sign Language III (Joy of Signing, Webster's Millennium American Sign Language Learning System and various internet sources) Health (1/2 year - Fit and Well - Fahey, Insel, and Roth), I Kissed Dating Goodbye - Harris, and Tilly - Peretti, Driver's Ed. (1/2 year - Handbook Plus, the NYS Defensive Driving Course Guide, and Driver's Education CD-Rom Physical Education - the guidelines of the President's Physical Fitness Challenge.  Extras - She is also teaching preschoolers Sunday School on rotation and is involved in a young adults' group, a youth group, plays recorder in our home fellowship's music ministry and will be getting involved with the Keepers at Home program. Ms. 9th Grader:  Bible Apologetics (same as her sister) Consumer Math (A Beka) Christian Literature (various sources including In His Steps - Sheldon, Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis and others) Grammar (Easy Grams) Writing (Wordsmith and the Write Stuff Adventure) Spelling, Vocabulary, Study and Research Skills (edHelper) Social Studies:  2  1/2 year courses:  American Government (BJU and the Standard Deviants videos) and New York State History (New York: The Empire State, Long Island - Our Story - online via Newsday, our local paper, and a series of 8 dvds called New York) Science - Basic Science (BJU and the For Every Kid Series - VanCleave) American Sign Language I - same material sources as Ms. 12th Grade Typing and Computer - Using the Personal Computer - A Beka Music - Several internet sources for history, appreciation and theory, plus singing and violin lessons Physical Education - Same sources as Ms. Grade 12 and Little Mr. Gr. 3 Extras:  Like Ms. Gr. 12, she's involved in a young adult group, a youth group, and Keepers at Home and will also be studying voice, violin and guitar. Little Mr. Grade 3:  Except for Physical Education and Music Appreciation and some other aspects of music, all of his courses are separate from the girls because of the age gap between them: Bible and Character Building - Leading Little Ones to God and Faith 4 Living Reading - Reading list includes Aesop's Fables, A Child's Garden of Verses - Stevenson, Farmer Boy - Wilder and others plus exercises from Learning at Home - American Education Publishers Phonics - Handbook for Reading: The Blue Backed Speller - A Beka English - The Complete Book of Grammar and Punctuation - Gr. 3 and The Complete Book of English and Language - Gr. 3 Spelling and Vocabulary and Study Skills - edHelper Writing - Wordsmith Apprentice Penmanship - edHelper and Faith 4 Living Arithmetic - BJU Math 3 and The Complete Book of Math Gr. 3 Social Studies - Our American Heritage - A Beka, They Made America Great - Macmillian, Ben's Guide to U.S. Government, The Complete Book of United States History and The Complete Book of Geography and Maps - American Education Publishers and Amazing States - Burda                         Science - Exploring God's World - A Beka, The Complete Book of Science Gr. 3 - American Education Publishing, The Way Things Work - Macauley, and the Science for every kid series - VanCleave Health - Health, Safety and Manners 3 - A Beka, parts of The Complete Book of Science Gr. 3 - American Education Publishing and The Body Book - Silver/Wynne Music - The Ready to Use Music Reading Activities Kit - Mitchell, Enchanted Learning worksheets, Classics for Kids, and some materials from Think Quest Visual Arts - Various sources for projects plus Places in Art - Merlion       Physical Education - Same sources as Ms. Gr. 12 and Ms. Gr. 9  Extras:  Royal Rangers and Contenders of the Faith plus all the computer programs he can handle... Please note that we don't do every single page or project, but use these sources picking and choosing what works best or these poor kids and I would burn out in a week.  LOL  So far, so good, just busy, busy, busy.  I have 3 years of portfolios to finish for our 12th grader in preparation for her graduation next June for North Atlantic Regional Schools (NARS) for her transcripts and diploma, which is also keeping me very busy. Most of the family is getting over respiratory bugs, so we are going a little slowly right now.  Otherwise, we're getting in the swing of things.  Have to get back to work here.  Was writing this as we listened to music appreciation - Bach and the Brandenburg Concerto today...May your schoolday be blessed... Blessings to all, Pam       http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/389810/ Wed, 12 Sep 2007 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/389810/