It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sat, 25 Oct 2008 14:22:00 -0500 Sat, 25 Oct 2008 14:22:00 -0500 So this week was rather shortened.  Technically this would have been a week off on my three weeks on one week off way of doing school.  But we've had a few days off in between and we were doing some make up work. This week with Xander we're still doing some review work in math.  His time trials are improving steadily.  He's learning some new shapes as well like hexagon and octagon.  He's getting better at narration and he's even wanting to write them out on his own.  He's a natural speller and rarely needs help even with harder words.  We continued to work on Augustine and Monks and such in history.  In science we're still working on weather.  Next week we'll be studying tornadoes and hurricans.  He's very excited about that... what's with kids and natural disasters?  Lucas is doing wonderfully too.  He's working on letter sounds.  He knows allt he short vowel sounds and we'll probably be going a little faster through the consonents.  And he's also informed me that he wants Barak Obama to win because he's blue.  But has since been persueded by Xander to want McCain to win dispite his color being red.  He's also getting better at describing same and different.  Aiden apparently was paying more attention to The Letter Factory then I thought as he astounded me the other day by answering what A, B, C, D, E, R, and Y say.  He's also having fun scribbling in his coloring book. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/609915/ Sat, 25 Oct 2008 14:22:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/609915/ Well, it's been awhile since I updated this.  This summer was kind of slow schooling wise.  My whole schedule got disorganized and I  couldn't seem to get it back on track.  In the middle of summer I got my school in gear though and I can now happily say we're back to it full time. There have been a few changes.  We've decided to no longer use Abeka math due to some issues that arose.  We're now using Saxon math, which my husband is okay with as we're following a slightly different schedule than normal, that moves at a little faster pace.  Which will be good for Xander... and if Lucas needs to go a little slower we can do that as well.  Saxon seems to be working for us.  Although it might be a little annoying for Xander, going through the review parts right now... but he could use a little brushing up on some of his math facts.  I have to say that Writing With Ease has been wonderful for us as well.  Although I recommend buying just the work books instead of the texts.  The workbook gives you all the lessons and the text is not needed really.  Xander is really enjoying science right now, we're learning about weather.  Science seems to be his favorite subject this year and has asked me to do it every other day with him instead of twice a week like last year.  In history we're currenly working on the time period of when Augustine brought Christianity over to Britain.  While I find it facsinating, Xander isn't as interested in history as he was last year.  Lucas likes his Singapore Math for kindergarten.  He asked me to do two pages instead of just one.  We're currently working on same, different, big, little etc.  For phonics work The Ordinary Parent's Guide seems to be working.  He can now tell you the vowels and all their sounds.  We're starting to practice wrting his letters.  I'm not very adament about it.  I don't think it's all that important that he can write out the letters at his age.  But we're trying and he definitly gets an A for effort.  In 'social studies' we're learning about different community workrs.  This week we covered judges, pilots, and postal carriers.  We're also reading some science books on animals. Aiden isn't really doing school but he likes to pretend he is.  He reads board books when I'm reading to Lucas.  (He's welcome to listen to the stories, however he can't seem to sit still for those right now.)  He also likes to color when the other two are doing their seat work. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/605739/ Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:43:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/605739/ Well this week was most productive.  We had a few problems (Xander's perfectionism being one of them... he just cant stand to get something wrong... I think he gets that from Dad)  but all in all it was a pretty good week. Xander had officially finished his phonics program (Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading).  He's now been reading to me daily for proficiency and fluency.  It amazes me how well he tackles the written word, even the longer words.  I just have to recommend this book to those who want a simple and inexpensive way to teach their kids to read.  Xander is reading above a 5th grade level and he's only 5.   We're still really working hard at everything else.  Xander loved learning about the Punic War, the human nervous system, and he's really becoming quite the mathematician.  We're having a little problem with the telling of time.  But I think he's slowly getting that when the hour hand is almost on the 3 and the minute hand is on the 11 that it's 2:55 and not 3:55.  I just have to keep working at it with him. Lucas is really taking off with his letters now.  He can easily recognize the capital letters and we're slowly getting through the little ones.  We've hit a little snag with the counting and numbers.  He can count easily enough 1-12... but he has a hard time remember 13-17.  But we're having fun learning them! Thanks for reading! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/526889/ Sun, 4 May 2008 13:29:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/526889/ Well last week was just one of those fun weeks off.  The boys and I spent the mornings watching Star Trek and the afternoons playing games.  Those Professor Noggin games are wonderful and Xander had a blast.  He did quite well.  He remembered a lot of the Ancient History that he's learned so far this year.  He even amazed me a couple of times when he asked to do the hard questions and was able to get them right. Well, not only did we do a lot of fun things I also did a lot of research on new curriculum and so forth.  I'm always on the look out for some new stuff.  Even if I won't use it for a few years.  I won't buy it or anything... but I like to get an idea for what I might like down the road.  And let me tell you... I found some wonderful things.  I just have to give a small shout out to the ladies on the Well Trained Mind forums, they have been a wealth of information! And this is what I found... Starting in third grade for Science I will be using Real Science 4 Kids (Gravitas Science Programs).  In third grade we will be using Level 1 Chemistry and in fourth grade we'll be using Level 1 Physics.  And in fifth grade we'll probably be using Level 1 Biology.  And we'll be using Level 2 Chemistry in 7th Grade.  I'm hoping they'll come out with more.  I really like their approach to giving the information and they have a lot of depth.  I've only heard wonderful things about them.  Not to mention a lot of science minded people have given wonderful reviews.  Now my next discovery took me by surprise.  Starting in middle school I will be using History Odyssey from Pandia Press.  I had always heard of it... but never actually looked into it.  Well I finally did and wow... I can't believe I didn't look into it sooner.  I was blown away by it.  It's exactly what, I, as a classical homeschooler could want.  I won't be using it until middle school because to be honest... I love Story of the World and it's perfect for us right now.  But it's only for our first round of history.  History Odyssey will be the perfect fit for us.  Blessings everyone! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/523339/ Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/523339/ Well, last Friday was an absolute beautiful day.  And to make things even better... my husband happened to have a day off!  There was no way I could make the boys do school on such a blessed day.  So we decided to go to the zoo... and it's the first trip of the season.  And boy did we have a lot of fun! The first thing we saw was the otters.  And the little guys were swimming around and playing.  They swam right up to the glass.  The boys were overjoyed and Aiden just giggled when the otter swam up to them.  The tigers were also showing off.. one was preening and making noises that weren't quite like growls.  It was almost like he was showing off his vocal cords.  The lions were even a little active... but mostly because the male lion was looking for shade and one of the lionesses kind of batted him away from her shady place.  The polar bears weren't swimming... which was somewhat of a disappointment (the Detroit zoo has this amazing exhibit where you can walk through and the polar bears can actually swim over you) but one of them was playing around.  The kangaroo exhibit is also one that is pretty awesome.  You actually walk through the exhibit and its completely open.  The can even hop across your path.  There were a couple of them hopping but no where near the path... but it was still pretty cool to see.  And that was just some of what we saw.  It was a great day. On the more traditional academic front we had a fairly good week.  Xander is loving the human body unit in science.  He can name most of the major bones (which is what we learned last week) and he'll rattle them off at random sometimes.   In history he's enjoying Rome as we just started that ancient civilization.  He found it fun drawing on the story similarities of Romulus and Remus to Moses.  Not to mention he now knows the names Romulus and Remus, so when I watched an episode of the original Star Trek he was all excited when he heard the names of the Romulan howme world.  Oh not to mention his new favorite word is etruscan.  In math he can now do his speed drills in under 40 seconds which has been a huge improvement. Lucas has been steadily trucking alone with his numbers and letters.  We're still having problems with the recognition of the letter s but we're persevering!  His colors and shapes we have no problems with.  He even knows crescent, oval and diamond.   He can now count to 11 with no problems, we're still having some trouble with the teens.  But hey he is only 3, so we're taking it slow. Thankfully this week will be our week off in the rotation.  We'll have one day to make up for missing Friday... but we can handle it.  We need the rest of the week off though.  It's time for us to just have fun.  We'll break in our new Professor Noggin games I think.  I'm sure Xander will want to work on some of his history lapbooks.  The boy can't seem to get enough history! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/519431/ Sun, 20 Apr 2008 18:53:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/519431/ I swear my time has disappeared.  From doing school things, to cleaning, to going to used book sales, etc. I just can't seem to find time for myself anymore.  Hence some small delays in my blogging.  And some days I feel like a chicken with its head cut off.  This weekend was the first time I've had a few extra hours all to myself.  It's almost like heaven. However I didn't use that time to catch up on reading... no I decided to start planning out next school year. Anyway, this past week schooling wise has been exceptional.  There have been no major problems.  And Lucas has shown a great want to start really learning how to read.  He's even asked to do school on his time off.  He'll literally cry if I say we're going to have a day off.  While I was slightly annoyed at his whining... I realized I should enjoy this love of school... because who knows how long it's going to last!  (Hopefully it will last all through his schooling... I aim to instill a love of learning in my boys.) Xander... while his school work went wonderfully (he's really working hard at it) we've had some problems in the defiance area.  Some days I just don't know what to do.  He's actually looked at my husband and I and said "NO I WON'T."  It's maddening.  Let me just tell you, sometimes tag team parenting is awesome.  Because sometimes I know I'm just going to lose it and start yelling at him.  I know he's probably just testing his boundaries, but still...  he can make me want to pull out my hair! JOYFUL THOUGHTS -I love Saturday mornings when my husband simply takes over and lets me sleep in!  I was able to sleep in until 10 yesterday morning. -New slippers with no holes in them! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/515587/ Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:49:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/515587/ Well the week started out wonderfully.  School was a breeze.  Xander and Lucas did their chores with no problems and no whines.  And that lasted until Wednesday.  Then it became probably one of the worst weeks in our little homeschool. First lets just say... I was called in for jury duty this week.  Luckily it was only one day and ended up only a half day... but the day was shot.  I was tired and cranky and annoyed as anything when I got home.  We did some school work.. but nothing major.  It was a disaster from the start.  I blame myself completely for this.  I was not in the mood and shouldn't have pushed school.  But I wanted to stay on schedule.... silly me.  I ended up only doing math and science. Then today... oh my... I don't know what was going through Xander's head.  He was not willing to do anything and was out and out defiant SEVERAL times.  I was almost pulling out my hair.  First it was math.. he didn't want to finish it because I pointed out a problem he got wrong.  (He's my perfectionist)  Then in reading he didn't feel like working out a tough word that we just learned the phonics rule for.  Then closer to bedtime it was time to start picking up the playroom.  Once again... he didn't want to... needless to say he went to bed a half hour early.  It was just a tough day. There was however a light at the end of the tunnel.  My order from Rainbow Resource was finally shipped this morning.  There was a delay on one of my Singapore books.  But come Monday we should finally get our book box!  It'll be like Christmas.  Even the boys were excited that next year's school books are on the way! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/510860/ Fri, 4 Apr 2008 22:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/510860/ Well, the other day I placed an order into Rainbow Resource and it was a big one.  And the worst part... I'm not even done ordering for next year!  And this doesn't even include all the 'living' books we buy either.  I know, I know... I shouldn't complain.  We don't spend nearly as much as we would if we sent the boys to a private school.  Okay enough of the book bill woes.  I'll get to the good part and tell you what we ordered. Xander (second grade) History- Story of the World Volume 2: Middle Ages                Accompanying Activity Guide Science-More Mudpies to Magnets                 First Encyclopedia of Space                 First Encyclopedia of Our World                 Night Sky (Spotter's Guide) Spelling-Spelling Workout C and D Bible-Beginnings II:  Jesus, My Shepherd Handwriting-Writing With Prayer Lucas (Kindergarten) Math-Singapore's Earlybird  Kindergarten Handwriting-In the Beginning General Merriam-Webster's Elementary Dictionary Just For Fun Professor Noggin's Ancient Civilizations Card Game Professor Noggin's Human Body Card Game Things I still have yet to buy (all for my 2nd grader) A Beka's Arithmetic 2 (work text, speed drills and tests, etc) Writing With Ease (along with 2nd workbook)  (The text doesn't come out until May and the 2nd workbook doesn't come out until July) I will also be using First Language Lessons Year 2 for Xander.  But I already have the text for that.  (Yay one less book to buy) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/506762/ Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:37:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/506762/ For some reason I seem to have a lot of those!   I sometimes think I brag too much about my boys.  I can't help it though.... they do me proud.  And hey I'm allowed to be thrilled over my children's achievements.  Right? Well... as today is Easter I thought I'd tell you what my little ones got in their baskets this morning.  We figured that Xander was reading at a higher level then we thought, we felt it was time to go ahead and buy him his first 'real' Bible.  No more story Bibles for him.  He also got a book on Jewish symbols, which is really very fascinating.  Lucas received a Dr. Suess Book (One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish).  One of my very favorites.  He also got a book about airplanes.  Aiden also got a Dr. Suess book... only it was a board book.  So he doesn't have to be gentle with it. Lucas also got his very first big boy Lego set and a 24 piece puzzle.  Xander also received a Lego set and some Yu Gi Oh cards.  Aiden got a stuffed animal and some little action figures.  Of course there was a not so healthy amount of candy that will last us for months.  (Except for Aiden... he got only a package of Peeps that will probably be gone in less then a week) Well now own to my proud mommy moments  (maybe this will be my joyful thoughts for the day) Xander picked up his Bible and just looked through it today.  He would get very excited when he would come across people that he had learned about.  He even pulled out his 10 Plagues lapbook and excitedly exclaimed.  "Mommy the 10 plagues are in the Bible!"  He also read to us this morning the story of the Resurrection. Lucas managed to put together the Lego set, by himself with a little help from Daddy.  He also easily put the puzzle together.  He's a very visual person and can easily do puzzles.  I think it might be time to give him 100 piece ones. And Aiden... he just loves to play.  He has some Star Wars action figures and he manages to pull out the ones that have lightsabers.  He also makes cute little noises to go along with them.  (However Darth Maul always sounds like he's farting). http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/503624/ Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:57:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/503624/ And really... I'm not even sure why.  It wasn't as if school was especially tiring.  Both Xander and Lucas were very well behaved and we only had a few mishaps.  But they were quickly corrected with no tears or fighting.  All in all I was very impressed with them during the school day.  But today just seemed to drag and drag and drag. I woke up tired.  I'm not even sure why.  I stayed up a little later reading, I needed to still my mind.  (And who can do that but Plato.  I actually find Republic fascinating.)  But I did over sleep.  I slept until 9:15 and I still felt close to dead.  I literally had to drag myself out of bed.  And the day just went on from there.  There were a lot of yawns and a lot of small little breaks with my eyes closed, while the children worked.  And after school I hooked Xander up with his Digital Art Studio and put the younger two down for a nap and then I took one too.  I fear I'm coming down with something, which is the last thing I need.  But the weather here has been so crazy I just might be. On other news, I'm sure I've forgotten to mention... I have jury duty.  Just the thought of it makes me cringe.  All I could think of was how it was going to screw up my school schedule!  I know, I know... one of the best things about homeschooling is the flexibility.  I just hate how things like this mess up my perfectly worked out schedule.  (And believe it or not... I'm not a type A personality).  *Insert sigh*  Oh well. JOYFUL THOUGHTS -Despite having to go in for jury duty... I'm happy I live in a society that benefits from it. -I'm joyful for caramel Hershey Kisses.  (sometimes it's the little things that make a difference.) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/501467/ Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:48:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Serenity/501467/