Ariel is reading The Cricket in Times Square and doing the Total Language Plus guide with it this fall.She found a cricket in the yard so we kept it for a day.
The fun of this was that we talked about a lot of the story and her vocabulary words because she was holding and observing an actual cricket.It wasn’t planned it just happened.I love it when school works out that way!I did ask her if she wanted to build a pagoda for it, she declined.
This is Ariel’s first study guide from the 4th and 5th grade “category” (*see note below.)I’ve been very pleased with her transition from the younger (3rd and 4th grade) guides.
Some of the differences:
1) Going from copy work to dictations
2) Grammar moving from being taught to reinforced
3) More and stronger Critical Thinking (called personal thinking questions)
4) More involved enrichments
5) Scripture relevance paragraphs
Here is her very first scripture relevance paragraph.
I think the verses have to do with The Cricket in Times Square because Chester was brave.He was not very afraid.He did not want for much.He was guided safely across that period of time.He over all was very brave and God protected him.
Okay, now she started way too many sentences with “he” and used I but she was asked to show how her dictations from Psalm 23 related to the story.I think she did an excellent job for her very first time at this.It took her a few minutes to get the idea as we discussed it but she got it done without any help from me.We have also been working on restating the question which she did successfully.
Do we correct the mistakes?Personally I think no, not this time.It’s her first attempt and I want to praise her for completing the assignment correctly and independently.We’ll work on those other things in future assignments once she’s more confident.
With correction we have to sometimes remember they are learning and not everything needs to be completely corrected or even re-written.I cringe to think everything I ever write would be critiqued and would need to be corrected and re-written.Of course, some assignments need to be taken to that level and “polished” till they shine but they need practice too.I want my kids to enjoy writing not hate it.
Gina
*Total Language Plus is not a grade level program however there are “suggested categories” in their brochures which breaks the guides into; 3rd and 4th, 5th and 6th, 6th-8th, 7th-9th etc…In the “notes” section by each novel additional grades are given that would also be appropriate. Click on Total Language Plus in the links at right to see the website for more information.
For instance the last book my daughter did in the “3rd + 4th” section was Charlotte’s Web.Ariel did it in 4th grade but in the notes it’s suggested 3rd-5th.She’s doing Cricket now which is in the 5th and 6th grade section but the brochure suggests 4th -5th grade.
The bottom line, don’t get hung up on grade level.There is a lot of flexibility in the guides especially once you get to the 4th and 5th grade section.When we did The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (which is recommended 4th-6th) my oldest was 7th.There was still plenty to challenge him and we just chose the more advanced recommendations under the enrichments section.
Last week our local store had 50lb bags of potatoes on sale for $10 and with even potatoes going up in price lately I thought it would be worth it to stock the freezer.Some of you faithful readers may know I regularly do freezer cooking (click categories on right for past articles) but I have to admit this is the first time I’ve done 50lb’s of potatoes!
To start out I chose the smaller potatoes and filled to crock pots full.These I baked all day and then cooled to use for potato’s skins.While they were cooking my daughter Lexie and I peeled like crazy.
We peeled as many of the larger ones as we could stand to and made mashed potatoes.My family loves mashed potatoes but I don’t always have the time when dinner rolls around to peel, cook and whip.They actually freeze very well and if you whip them up a little once thawed can’t even tell that they were from the freezer!If you don’t already know, when you whip your mashed potatoes use only milk (no butter), add the butter just before serving if you like.Adding the butter while whipping can make them not as fluffy.Another thing we like to do is add a little sour cream either instead of or in addition to the milk.Try it, it just adds a little flavor.
We ended up with 4 quart bags of mashed potatoes for the freezer.I know we could use more but we were tired of peeling!
Part of the reason we were tired of peeling is we also were peeling and dicing the potatoes for clam chowder.For this we peel and dice (into small bite size pieces) the potatoes and throw them in a large pot (I use a 5 qt) with water to cover about ¾ from the top.Once you can pierce them with a fork, add chopped onion (probably about a cup), a can of clams drained (or leave out if you want plain potato soup) and crumbled bacon (again probably about a cup).We also add about a Tablespoon of powdered chicken bouillon.Pour milk to fill the pot leaving just enough room to stir without spilling.Once that is heating up again I add cornstarch mixed with a little milk to thicken (make it the consistency of gravy and stir it in.)How much depends on how thick you want your soup/chowder.It will thicken as heats.
We ended up doing three pots of this and took one to a potluck, had one for lunch and have 4 in the freezer.Two pots we left as potato soup (my oldest doesn’t like clams) and one pot we made into clam chowder (my second son loves this!)Really it doesn’t taste much different.If you want more “seafoody” taste you could add old bay seasoning but I don’t.
By this time my crock pot potatoes were almost done and I had other things to do so I cooled them overnight in the fridge to finish the next day.
To make the potato skins we took the cooled potatoes and halved them.With spoons we scooped out most of the potato leaving only the jacket with a thin amount of potato.We saved all the scooped out part and added a chopped onion.I bagged these for fried potatoes to go with eggs for breakfast.We got four quart bags of these.
Once we had them scooped we lay them on a cookie sheet and brush each potato with oil.I usually add a little salt, pepper and sometimes other seasoning to the oil.Then we pop them in the oven to bake in the oil for a few minutes, maybe 10 minutes at 400.Once they come out we drain off any excess oil and top them.We like crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese and chives.Cook them till the cheese is melted then cool and bag them for the freezer.
We got 6 bags of 18 skins from the ones we did.A lot of times we’ll have them with soup or even just as a snack or appetizer.I like sour cream on mine!
Another one we could have done is what we call “mushy potatoes”.For this you take baked potatoes and mash them with a potato masher skins and all.We leave some lumps and add a stick of butter, ½ cup of parmesan cheese and dried chives.
We still have about 10lbs of potato’s left in my regular stash.Think we’ll put some in the crock pot so we can have baked potatoes with our grilled chicken breast tonight!
As part of our government study we took a field trip last week to our State Capitol in LansingMichigan.We had almost 40 moms and kids who made the trip to tour the capitol and then tour the four story MichiganHistoryMuseum down the street.We took time out for sack lunches we brought with on the lawn at the museum.God gave us great weather for the day!
The capitol building was beautiful!It’s all hand painted and they showed us lots of pictures of just how much restoration work they’ve done in recent years.
We got to sit in on the senate in session.One of the younger kids who was with us was appalled at the lack of respect the people were showing for whoever was speaking.If you’ve ever sat in on a similar session you’ll understand what she means.Everyone is wandering around, talking and doing their own thing while someone is at a podium speaking.For me I was noticing how much had changed.
When I was a Junior in high school I had gone on a trip to WashingtonD.C. with a program called Close-up.We sat in on sessions of both the U.S. House and Senate.The State seems much the same only NOW they all have laptops on their desks and voting is virtually instantaneous.It was amazing the difference a little more than 20 years makes.Does that mean I’m old?
After the tour and lunch we went to the Michigan History museum.We had a docent who walked with us much of the time and was very good at using the kids as examples and bringing the various exhibits to life using props and things.There were only a few references to “millions of years” we had to go over with the kids on the way home.(To which they reply, “I KNOW mom!”)After the tour the museum gave each of the moms a huge teacher pack of reproducibles to go with what we saw.Great unexpected bonus!
So if you’re in Michigan check it out sometime.Oh, and it’s free!Can’t beat that!
We have been studying the election and here are a bunch of links I had put together for our group. Also, this first link is to a game that we've had a lot of fun playing. It has three levels which is nice (elementary, middle and high school) and it gets kids to see the election process (primary, issues, electoral votes etc...) So for those of you studying the election I hope you can find something you can use!
Yesterday we had our first meeting for our Government club.We’re doing a variety of things over September and October to follow the elections.The meeting yesterday focused on a mock campaign and election.It was a lot of fun.You might consider getting a few friends together and giving it a try.It really helped the kids “see” the vocabulary words we’ve been studying and think through the process and issues in a tangible way.
We first divided up into a red and blue team with 19 kids ranging in age from 6-16.Each of these teams then were given the task of choosing a candidate.We chose to go with a Biblical Character rather than take a current political candidate.This also allowed the kids to take in consideration who would be the best person to choose for their party.
They needed to consider what they know about the characters’ skills, abilities and experiences in order to choose the best candidate.For instance David might seem a good choice.He was after all a successful King and was a military man, however he had some personal issues (adultery, rebellious son, murderer etc…) that could prove a liability to the campaign.
Once their candidate was chosen they then needed to pick a slogan.On this sheet for the younger kids (age 6-12) and this one for the older kids (13+) I listed a few as examples of slogans as well as outlined their assignments.
After they chose their slogans we split off the older and younger kids (see approximate ages above.)The younger group then worked on ad’s for their candidate and the older group worked on defining what would be their candidate’s issues.See the linked sheets above for more information on that part.
The older group will be researching threir issues in the next two weeks and then we’ll have a mock debate. The linked sheet is to get them started on their research. There is a National debate we’ll be watching next Friday to get idea’s for the format we’ll use for the actual debate.
Our final event for this part of our government club will be a mock election at our homeschool groups’ fall kick off.That’s where the younger group will actually hand out their flyers and carry their posters and the older group will give brief speeches before all members (parents and kids alike) are given an opportunity to vote.
So far it’s been a lot of fun and I think the kids are learning a lot in the process!
This weekend I got to do some much needed scrapbooking! In my bio for my blog it lists scrapbooking, yet I think once in a year and a half have I shared any. Why you might ask? Well, this blog is generally current information and my scrapbooks, well, lets just say they are not quite current!
I completed about 30 or 40 pages. Now, don't be so impressed, I didn't do them all this weekend. I generally quickly lay out the basic pages and then I go back and add titles, embellishments and journaling. So the 30-40 I did were already "started." I'm desperately trying to get 07 completely done.
Here's some I worked on. The first set is from a local Ice Festival we have here in Niles every January. These are actually from 08!
This next set is from Unity Festival 2007 which was held in Muskegon Michigan.
Most of the papers and stamp sets I use are from Close to My Heart. I am a consultant for them but I do very little besides selling to family, friends and myself! If you are interested however, email me privately. It's a great company to use for your scrapbooking!
I'd been asked by a few about my scrapbooking so there you go, there's a sampling. Don't hold your breath for more, although you never know...
In my weekly schedule I have something called individual meetings with each child.These over the last year or two have really helped us all keep on track.The original idea came from just a sentence or two I heard at a convention and my imagination kind of filled in the blanks to form what we do.
As I kept adding kids to the schedule and our work became more intense I found a need to keep track of and mentor/encourage each child.Knowing myself, I need to be real intentional with this or it won’t get done.As they get older my desire is also for them to be more responsible for their own work. The first year I started with just the older children with more of responsibility focus but have now found all the kids want to be included and it’s a time where I can give individual mentoring.
Once a week we set in the schedule a time to meet with each child and go over their assignments and progress.These meetings generally last about 15 minutes per child but can be shorter or longer depending on our needs that week.Each of my children bring their binder so I can look at all their work from the previous week.I check each section to make sure they have completed what they were supposed to and that it’s stored away.
This is my time to see mistakes they are making and read over daily writing assignments.It’s also a time to make sure they are keeping organized.Yes, this is a skill some of mine need to be taught, two in particular.They usually do the assignments but whether they can ever find what they did with it after it was complete is another question.This is how I keep them accountable.If it’s not in the binder they must either find it or re-do the assignment.If I see mistakes they are making, or work that isn’t neat, this is where we talk about it.I may assign some things to be re-written or go over things they missed.
From this I will write out what we discussed and specifically what assignments or corrections I requested by the next meeting.I keep this in my binder.There have been times in the past where I even have the child sign that they will complete “such and such” so there is no question as to what was assigned and when it’s due.
Also, during these meetings I try to find something I really liked that they did that week.So often I think I (maybe you to?) are always having to harp on what they did wrong and we don’t give enough encouragement.I especially like to encourage their writing.I’ll say, “wow, I really like that word you used” or handwriting is another area I like to encourage so I’ll say, “that page looked almost perfect, I love that!”.The smiles beam on their faces!
We also try to brainstorm solutions to problems at this time.Yes, I think we need to teach and model problem solving.If they are having trouble getting a certain subject done we’ll discuss why they think that’s happening.Once we’ve decided on something else to try I’ll write that on my sheet and we’ll talk again the next week on how that change went.Now, sometimes I already know, but it’s good for them to learn to identify it and voice it themselves.
It takes about an hour a week but it helps me keep on track with my goals and helps the kids become more independent and accountable.It helps me give the individual attention and encouragement that I want to but might get neglected if I don’t make intentional time and it keeps me checking their work on a regular basis.Now I don’t sit there with an answer key checking every answer (unless I feel they really are missing the boat.)I spot check and discuss.Most of their work is done by notepage, or paragraphs so I quickly read through and do little correction unless there are obvious things they missed.
Okay, I know some of you started weeks ago but today ends our first week.We did the best we could.I think that about sums it up.
All of us are sick to one degree or another.It started while we were at family camp the week before Labor day my daughter coughed one night all night.She used to have asthma so that’s how she tends to get a virus.I also thought it may have been an allergy, after all it is the end of August, when she usually was the worst before when she had asthma, but no, it wasn’t just Ariel.
Over the weekend others appeared with symptoms and by Tues. the first day of school few were left unscathed.Problem is, it’s one of those, “not too bad” kind of viruses.You can kind of get through it, but you’re pretty cranky doing it.
Let me give you some examples, and I’ll leave out the names to protect the not so innocent!Plus that way I don’t have to own up to anything!We had struggles over silent letter’s like k in knew which prompted quivering lips and comments like, “Why do they even have to put them there…”, followed by outbursts of tears.This was not once but twice.Other’s begged for siblings to hand them books on the coffee table that was less than two feet away because they were, “too weak to move.”Still others were put in their rooms for whining, not so much because of the whining but because others had headaches and couldn’t take it anymore.
We did manage most things at home but didn’t do our fitness class or band this week.We also skipped Latin one out of two days scheduled (seems like that’s the subject that always gets bumped.)Other than that we did “accomplish” school which is great considering!I do have some “flex” time built in but how can you do that YOUR FIRST WEEK!
So why did I write this?I’m not perfect and neither is my family.Just wanted you all to know we are very REAL, just like your house I’m imagining!
How was your first week?I’m hoping for a better second week!
Once again I got sidetracked from my series on planning with all the end of summer "fun" stuff we've been doing! I'd gotten to the point where I've figured out what each subject/child needed to do each week. Now is where I put it (and all the other things we need to do) into our schedule.
Here's what it looks like this year:
It will probably be "tweeked" once or twice in early fall and then we'll stick to it. Like for instance I know we need another workout day at the Y. It will probably be Friday but I haven't got that in yet. I know we also need to schedule a regular library day but I haven't decided which would be the best day for that yet. Thought we'd give it a week or two and see which days seemed lighter. Here's the link to this file in PDF, and in Publisher.
I also do this at a glance subject assignment calendar. This helps me as well as the kids remember which subjects we do each day.
In past years I've had Thursdays as Science day and Fridays as History day (that's where we basically do nothing but Science/History on those days, so that made Mon-Wed. heavy in "Core" subjects) but this year that isn't going to work so this is quite a change for us. With the reading assignments in Mystery of History getting so much longer (from book I to III) it was getting difficult to absorb all in one day (though I much prefer that method!) Also, with science my oldest doing Apologia Chemistry this year needs more than one day to complete science so I thought it was best to just put everyone on that schedule. Here's the link to this sheet in xl if you're interested.
So that's about it on my planning. We started yesterday and things went almost according to plan. I was thinking it was Monday and it was actually Tuesday so I didn't do Science which is scheduled for Tuesday. Oh, well, if mom can figure out the days of the week we'll be all set, LOL!
Gina
p.s. Look in the future for more ideas on weekly meetings and projects weeks which you might have noticed in our schedule. Both of these work really well for us!
It has been a busy August!We just got back from homeschool family camp at Bair Lake Bible Camp .The week was amazing!
I’m not sure exactly why family camp is so great for us but I think a big part of it is that you are there to have fun as a family with no responsibilities!It’s great to be able to “play” all day with your kids and sometimes your husband too and not have to clean up, set up or cook dinner!
So what did we do?For the boys their favorite activity of the week would I’m sure be the paintball.The girls like the arts and crafts as well as the zip line and rock walls.This year they had a new indoor rock wall for us to try too!The big event for me was actually doing one of the rock walls myself!My husband did take pictures but I will spare you those as any of you know who have put those harness on know there is no way to look feminine in those things!But I did it, didn’t think I could but I did!!!!
Let’s see, we also participated in lots of games like scavenger type hunts as well as regular things like volleyball.There were also BB guns, archery, skeet shooting, canoeing, kayaking (my husband got REALLY wet doing this! LOL), BMX bikes, Mini-golf, swimming, Rocket launching, Eating (seemed like all the time and WAY too much, who says camp food is bad?) and probably a whole lot more I’m forgetting.
We’ve been to BairLake several times before for family camp but this was a first for the “homeschool” family camp.It was an added bonus to be with other homeschool families and have a homeschool speaker.I guess you could compare it to camp with the bonus of convention workshops!I got a lot out of that part which I’ll save for another blog.
So if you’re in MI, IN, OH and IL you should really check out this camp and maybe we’ll see you there next year!
Wow, has it been crazy around here lately.Just when we finished up fair we started packing for Cedar Point.Not every year, but twice now we’ve meet my father-in-law in SanduskyOhio.We stay at the Great Wolf Lodge which has a water park in it and visit Cedar Point which is the coaster park mecca of at least the Midwest if not the USA.
I have to tell you I much preferred the water park to the amusement park, maybe I’m getting old?
The day we were at Cedar Point was very hot which didn’t help.I’m not sure what the temperature was but driving at 8p.m. that night we saw a sign that said 88 so it must have topped 90 earlier!We did the water rides which helped cool us off but also kept us wet throughout the day.
At the hotel we could take a more leisurely pace and enjoy all the waterslides.The kids loved it and when we got tired of sliding we enjoyed the adult only area with great hot tubs for our aches and pains!
Oh, and I have to tell you about the God sighting on this trip. When we left Cedar Point to go back to the hotel there were funny sounds coming from our engine. We made it back to our parking lot however before the car was undrivable. It was our serpentine belt. As I called my Dad who does most of the work on my car to see what we were looking at as far as major or minor repair we noticed two guys with a big tool box under a car a couple rows away.
My Dad said we could fix it but we need a tool to do it. Since we just spotted these guys under a car with a tool box we thought we'd walk over and ask! Turns out, the one man was a maintenance employee for the hotel. We had to go get the part and he put it on for us in the parking lot. I don't think he knew it but I think God sent him! Major problem averted.
I hope you’re all making the most of the end of your summer too!I’m not ready for school yet!
As many of you who read this blog regularly know, I am a state representative for Total Language Plus.We started using the curriculum and it made such a radical change in our homeschool that I looked into representing the company.It is a great fit for our family!
When I’m at conventions often the question of planning comes up so I thought I’d address it here for now and future reference.
One of the great things about Total Language Plus is that the planning is so easy.It’s basically done for you, yet with a lot of flexibility.Let me show you what I mean by taking you through my planning this year for my 10 year old daughter who will be doing The Cricket in Times Square study guide.
First, I start with the planning grid which is in the front of each study guide.For Cricket there are six unit’s and 5 sections of daily work (A-E) for each unit so that makes 30 “daily” units of work.Besides the daily work there are choices in the Enrichment Writing section, sometimes we do lots of these and sometimes just a few.If we are planning on doing lots I may take 3 extra days per unit or if we are just doing a few I may only allot 1 extra day per unit.
I also take into consideration my other children if they are doing different studies.Many times we multi-age and are on the same novel but if they are on different ones I look at how many units they have and may adjust one so that we all end together.You wouldn’t have to do this but for us it just makes sense to try and start and end new ones around the same time, especially if the next one we will be doing together.Taking those things into consideration we plan to start the week of 9/2 and end the week of 10/27 taking off the week of 10/20 for a project week.
So the first week on her planning grid I write 1 A-D, 1PTP.That means she’s doing 4 days of “daily” work A-D and spending the 5th day of the week writing her paragraph (PTP) from her personal thinking questions.On the 5th day she would also work on any enrichment/writing that we chose.Some weeks she will have some and other weeks she won’t.I also planned the week of 11/3 to have “off” so we’ll have time to finish project or “make-up” anything we missed.I find it’s always good to have the cushion in there.
Next we look at the overview which is on the next few pages.This gives all the enrichment and writing choices for the entire study.I go through with my highlighter and note the ones we’ll do.Sometimes I decide these and sometimes I let the kids chose, it just depends.Once I have them highlighted in the overview I simply transfer my highlighting to the page/unit that contains what we’ve chosen.That way when my daughter gets there she knows what we decided to do.
For Cricket I let my daughter chose some of the “easier” things since this will be her first book in the 4th/5th grade level.She chose from the projects, #11 eat with Chinese food with chopsticks and #12 make up one sentence fortunes to put into cookies.She chose to do one of the pictures, #3, draw and color a pagoda.For the Pen and Paper exercises she chose #6, to write a news broadcast reporting on Chester’s concert.
We always discuss the Personal Thinking questions as we go through the chapter the question relates to.Each unit she will do one paragraph on a personal thinking question of her choice.My older children are usually required to write two paragraphs per unit on two different questions.
There is no right or wrong way so keep that in mind as you’re planning.This is just what I find easy and works for us.Hope it gives you some ideas and helps your school to flow smoothly.
Gina
p.s. If this curriculum in new to you and you'd like to check it out further go to the link at right under links for Total Language Plus or go to categories at right and click on TLP and literature to see some of the other things we've done with TLP. Oh, and if you want to order, I handle the states of MI, IN and OH. When you go to the Total Language Plus site and put in your state you'll get me if your from those states. if you're from one of the other states you'll get one of my good friends who will be happy to help you. I meet them every January for training and networking and they are all great homeschool mom's that will give you great service too!
Fair is done!Wow, what a week.We had a lot of fun but are always glad it’s over! There’s always some fun surprises and some disappointments too.Here’s a few of our highlights from this year.
It was definitely Logan’s (my 15 yr. olds) fair.There’re just those years that everything goes their way and this was his year.To start it right off he took Champion of the Intermediate division in Showmanship.This is the event where he shows the judge what he knows about the chickens and how to handle them.I had told all the kids this was there area to shine this year since our birds were not in the best show condition.He got 100% on his score sheet.He was thrilled!He’s got lots of placings and even reserve champion before but this is his first trophy.
Next, even though I thought our birds didn’t look very good, he got Champion pair of laying pullets with his Rhode Island Reds which are his favorite chickens.I was quite surprised!
To end the fair on the last day he did his illustrated speech on the Roman army.My younger son also did his speech on the Atmosphere.Logan took Champion of his class and Taylor took reserve for his!
Taylor (12 yr. old) also placed 3rd in showmanship (for the second year in a row, seems to be his spot), and had two chickens with honorable mention I think.For sure though his highlight was showing his bird called “Tweety”.We’ve had her for about 14 months before the fair and just one week before we left she started crowing!When we got to fair needless to say we had to change her/his class!He created a lot of attention being such an unusual bird and Taylor loved showing him.The judge even gave him an honorable mention which was a real surprise because he’s not a “recognized” breed.He’s called a “show girl” chicken which is a cross between a Turken and a Silkie.
Ariel (10 yr old) had some disappointments this year but I think her biggest accomplishment was finishing her quilt.It was quite a feat for a 10 year old.She did a nice job for her first quilt!It only received a B.They noted “to trim strings before bringing to fair” on the back of the tag as a reason for the B.We did trim (maybe we missed one or two?), but it seemed pretty picky to us.I certainly never made anything that impressive when I was 10!Ariel also placed 5th in Showmanship.She did many other projects and we finished all but one or two that she had planned which you’d appreciate if you saw her list!She’s very ambitious but also a procrastinator!
Lexie (my 8 yr old) also did very well in Showmanship placing 4th.Her list wasn’t quite as long as her sisters but she did several other things including a pillow, a poem, art, photography, muffins, cookies, jewelry and probably a couple more I’m forgetting.She feel asleep on her pillow in the car late last night while we were bring everything home.It was very cute!
We may do some things differently next year but we had a good year all in all.Grandma and Grandpa came the last day to see everything and spend the day with us which is nice.They are also a big help in getting everything at 11p.m. to go home!Many hands do make light work!
So here’s to memories of a good week and a chance to relax now and rest for at least a day or two!
You know we have our priorities set and we know what they are supposed to be but sometimes they don’t look in the same order to others as the way we think we have them.For some of us it’s our number two priority that often doesn’t seem to get the same attention.Okay, and maybe number one sometimes too, but for today I’m thinking about the number two.
For us fair week (and the week before fair) is always REALLY busy getting all the kids projects done, washing our birds and then of course being at fair all week showing and taking care of animals.With all of that going on my house tends to get neglected along with other normal life things.Normal gets kind of suspended.
With all the busyness with the kids things my husband can sometimes get left out for these weeks so I decided to do something the Friday night before fair to focus on HIM!To start out with I sent him an evite inviting him to a private dinner on our deck.Now if you decide to do something like this be sure it’s okay for your husband to receive emails at work.It’s okay to use “flirty” talk in your invite, it’s your husband!I asked him to RSVP.
My daughters really got into helping with this which was an added bonus.Why an added bonus?They are learning by example. I am teaching them about a relationship between husband and wife by what I do.Taking time and care in planning this and treating their Daddy special gives them an example to follow in their marriages someday.My original goal had not been for them to serve dinner but they wanted to so I let them.You should have seen the grins on their faces, they were so excited!I had to tell them to set the timer between courses or our dinner would have been served in 5 minutes or less I’m sure.They really did a very nice job of plating everything up.
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To get ready for the night I made some pillows for our deck chairs.Our white wicker furniture had really needed replaced so when I found the black metal ones on sale I bought them.The only thing is the bar kind of digs into your back after awhile and I wanted us to be comfortable.It only took probably twenty minutes to take some leftover fabric I had in the sewing room and machine stitch them.My daughters did the stuffing and hand sewed them shut.
The table cloth is actually our beach sheet I tie dyed years ago and the shells I used to put in a ring during the summer on the dinning room table around a candle but hadn’t this year so I used them here.Just look around and find what you have to use.The candle came from the master bath.Now, to bring a little reality in case you’re thinking I’m perfect, I had to really wash that candle holder it must have had ¼ inch of dust!Yikes!Better add “clean candles” to somebody’s chore list!
For the dinner I went a little fancier than our regular every night fare.Figured if we were going out for a nice dinner we’d spend $30-40 easily so I think I spent about $35.It was a splurge.I must add here however the $35 did include fish sticks and tater tots for the kids (a treat for them) and I made regular size portions of what we ate so there were lots of leftovers for the kids or Chris for lunches.
For our salad we had Calico Salad.I had made it years ago once or twice and written in my cook notebook “Chris likes” so here it is.And yes, he did like it again very much!
;Calico Salad
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
2 cups califlowerets
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (these were from our garden!)
½ cup chopped red onion
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup sour cream
2 T. milk
1 tsp. ranch salad dressing mix
¼ cup sunflower seeds
3 bacons strips cooked and crumbled.
Combine sour cream milk and salad dressing mix.Pour over first 5 ingredients listed and mix.Just before serving stir in the sunflower seeds and crumbled bacon.Enjoy!
The main course was a new recipe I tried, Walnut Pesto with Scallops.Chris liked it and said he’s order it out but I thought it was just okay (but I say that about lots of things I get at restaurants too so I guess I’m a food critic!)Personally, I like my recipe for Scallops St. Jacque much better but you have to try new things, right?
;Walnut Pesto with Scallops
1 cup walnuts
¾ cup parsley leaves
¼ cup parmesan
3T. olive oil
1 T. garlic
1t. lemon juice
¾ t. salt
¼ t. pepper
Original recipe says put in processor until chopped and combined.I used my quick chef from Tupperware which I love to do this!Next melt butter (I used ¼ stick) and cook 1 ½ lbs of scallops in butter for 3 minutes.Add ½ cup white wine and cook 1 more minute.In a large bowl toss scallops with pan liquid with walnut pesto and cooked linguini.
Now the dessert was a recipe I created years ago to mimic on at one of my favorite restaurants.The restaurant version is called Frangelica Mouse but I call mine Cream Cheese Mousse.
;Cream Cheese Mousse
1 pkg. cream cheese
1 tub (8oz I think) cool whip (I use lite)
2-3 T. powdered sugar to taste
1 tsp. almond flavoring
Mix room temperature cream cheese with powdered sugar and almond flavoring in mixer till fluffy.Add cool whip and whip slightly.Put into pastry bag and pipe into goblets.Freeze.To serve remove from freezer about an hour before serving time.Enjoy.
After dinner I had said on the invitation we’d either have some reading or games.My husband loves games and I’m not particularly a big fan.There are a few I’ll play but it’s not my first choice.So I put out on the deck the book we’ve started but not found time to get through, The Dream Giver for Couples and a deck of cards with instructions I printed off the internet for two player Euchre .We used to play Euchre in college when we were first dating and even when we were first married but somehow through 20 years and 4 kids we even forgot how so I printed the instructions.He chose Euchre (I knew he would!) and we played 4 or 5 rounds.It came back surprisingly well.
We decided then to leave the deck and take a walk like we do together most evenings.It was a good date!
So I hope this will inspire you to do something special to show your #2 priority that he is a priority in your life!Leave a comment and let me know.
Whew! After a marathon session yesterday I'm done! Well at least done enough that if I don't get anymore time before school starts (which I probably won't) we'll have a plan to get going. I still need to do a little work on the schedule of what we'll do when and I didn't do planning sheets for my youngest but the biggest hurdles are complete!
So here's what we're doing this year.
Logan (15)
The High King-Total Language Plus
The Trumpeter of Krakow-Total Language Plus
Pilgrims Progress-Ken Ham study guide
with this he’ll also read Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by Bunyan and all or excerpts of Paradise Lost by John Milton
Geometry -Switched on School house (Math 10)
Chemistry- Apologia
Computer Science-Christian Light Education
World History-Mystery of History book III 1st semester
Government-Are you…Liberal? Conservative? or Confused? by Richard Maybury (Bluestocking Press) along with some other things I’m adding from various sources.
Economics-Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? by Richard Maybury (Bluestocking Press)
Taylor (less than 30 days till 13 he’ll tell you!)
Swiss Family Robinson-Total Language Plus
The Trumpeter of Krakow-Total Language Plus
Pilgrims Progress- Ken Ham study guide
Pre-Algebra- Switched on Schoolhouse Math 8
Chemistry-Christian Kids Study Chemistry (Bright Idea Press)
World History- Mystery of History book III 1st semester
Government- Are you…Liberal? Conservative? or Confused?(see above)
Economics-Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? (see above)
Math- she’s struggled a little here so we’re starting with Times Tales then finishing up some work from last year in here Spectrum Math 4 workbook then either on to Spectrum Math 5 or I may try Mammoth Math.Still thinking on this…
Chemistry- Christian Kids Study Chemistry
World History/Government/Ecomonics-same as the boys above although assignments from workbooks will be different
Art-Creativity Express (got from Timberdoodle)
Lexie (8)
Velveteen Rabbit- I’m writing the study guide for it
The Courage of Sarah Noble-Total Language Plus
Pilgrims Progress-Ken Ham study guide
Math- Spectrum 3rd grade
Cursive handwriting- Handwriting without Tears-Cursive
Chemistry- Christian Kids Study Chemistry
World History/Government/Economics-same as the older kids again her assignments will be different
Art-Creativity Express (see above)
For read aloud we’ll do Swiss Family Robinson, Adam of the Road, Christopher Columbus, Across the Sea biography (and unit study along with MOH) by YWAM, Tinker’s Daughter to go with Pilgrims progress unit study, Pilgrims Progress, and I’d like to find a good biography on Calvin but haven’t yet.Of course we also do our reading of MOH together and we’ll read the Uncle Eric books(Bluestocking) aloud together too.We’ll probably throw in a YWAM missionary biography or two along the way when we run out of something else.The kids love those!
Our extra curricular focus this year is Physical Education, last year we were big into music.This year the boys are talking a class on weight training and learning how to properly do all those machines (you can tell I’m an expert at this, I don’t even know what you call all those!)I’m sure they’ll learn a lot about muscles and fitness.The girls are participating in a fit kids class.They started already and I didn’t realize how poorly they jumped rope!Yikes…us homeschooler’s you know…all those “holes” in our children’s’ education!
We are still planning to continue in music but scaling down quite a bit.You just can’t do it all (time and money!)Logan plays the alto and soprano Saxophones and he’s learning the clarinet.Taylor plays the drums and bells and will continue with lessons through a mentoring program at a local university.Ariel started playing the flute last year (which luckily I play so I can help her) and she also enjoys choir.Lexie started on violin and enjoyed it but for the time being we’ve put it on hold.
We’ll also continue in our History co-op that we really enjoy.In the fall we chose to take a break from History and focus on government and the election for a few weeks and some of the other co-op families are doing that as well.We’ll start back with our regular co-op after the election.
So that’s what our year looks like!It feels good to have it all mapped out!How are your plans coming?
Wow, how time does fly when you're trying to accomplish everything you wanted to over the summer! I fully intended to get back to this "series" on planning as I do my own planning but I've been sidetracked.
For starters my son has been detasseling corn which means for almost three weeks I've been up every morning at 5:45 to get his lunch ready and get him to the bus. I'm so tired but his last day is tomorrow! Yeah!
Secondly, I try and get some projects done in our "off" time over the summer. Unfortunately so far l had not much accomplished so I've been working on that list. Today I painted two coats of paint in the kitchen. It was "fussy" painting but I think I like it. You know how it has to grow on you a little. I'm hoping to finish up the kitchen this week (another color paint, bead board, trim etc...)
Okay, so back to planning.
Once I've "thought" about last year (see last blog) and made some decisions about what I want to do or not do I'm to my next point in planning. This is where I actually map out what we'll do what weeks.
First I take inventory of what we'll use. This is simply a form that helps you keep track of what curriculum you're using each subject and each child. Next I plan out what each child will do each week. The semester plan I use is from Donna Youngs site. Here's a copy of one from last year if you want an idea.
The dates I write in to the left and I don't use the garding part at the bottom. The number's like 1, 2 etc... refer to chapters and the ones with higher numbers like 82-84 refer to pages.
This will take me a couple of evenings to complete each childs, then I get into our daily and weekly schedule but I'll save that for next time!
Okay, we've been relaxing and doing fun things and as usual about the end of July I'm finally ready to think about fall. Every year it seems like I need the whole month of June to "veg" out before I'm ready to even think of the next year.
Now don't get me wrong I have "thought" of the year as far as what we're studying and have all the books either already here or on the way but what I haven't done yet is plan and schedule it all out. Last year it took me about two weeks of evenings to get it all set. But I'm getting ahead of myself here.
First, I'd like to share a few things you may want to think about before last year is too distant of a memory.
#1 What went well and what didn't and why? The answer to this question may help you figure out what you do and don't want to do this year.
For instance last year we beta tested a curriculum about composers from Bright Idea press. My children really enjoyed this! We don't need to continue a composer study (it's certainly not in most "scope and sequence") but they enjoyed it (and might I mention learned) so much I'd like to continue.
Now on the other hand for us we started to feel stressed with our time especially starting in January. This happened because some scheduling was changed and we no longer were able to do all our "outside" activities (like band, choir, orchestra, history co-op etc...) all on one day. This small change really stressed us. I know we don't want to do that again.
#2 Make your records for last year before you forget. Now, I know some of you did this before the end of the year because you're on top of everything but for those of us who were a little burnt out or just ready to be done now is our time. In the state of MI we don't have specific "requirements" except to keep evidence of teaching the core subject so I file our papers, workbooks, lapbooks, notebook etc... in banker boxes by the year in the basement.
Besides those obvious records it may be time to start thinking about transcripts if you have a Jr. High or High School student. I'm not ready to make our transcript yet but I will forget information if I don't write it down so I created this form to help me.
#3 Lastly, before you plan for the next year consider each child individually. I created this form to help me think this through. If you have more then one you've I'm sure realized that they are all different. Your curriculum plan may be different based on their strengths, weaknesses and gifting.
So I hope you'll think about those 3 things and then come back for the next entry to get more into planning! See you then!
Okay, even though it’s summer we still have to cook at least a little!My freezer was getting a little sparse so it was time to restock.In the summer we tend not to eat out of the freezer quite as much since we do a lot more picnics (cold cut sandwiches) and grilling (hot dogs and hamburgers) but we do get tired of that and need some quick and easy variety.So I thought I’d share with you what I did last night and this morning.For more information on how I freezer cook click the category in the right hand column to see my past entries on the subject.
Well yesterday we spent the day at the beach and on the way home I stopped and picked up 30lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breast.It was on sale for $1.39 a pound which around here is about as good as it gets anymore so I stock up!Before we left in the morning I planned out what we’d make based on what we had here and what we needed yet to buy.I decided on marinated chicken for the grill, chicken enchiladas, chicken and dumplings and chicken salad ring.
On the way home I also had to pick up my son and ended up a little rushed so I shifted plans slightly for dinner last night.I had planned on making up the chicken enchiladas right away and having one for dinner but since I was rushed I looked around and found ingredients for another favorite, chicken spaghetti, and made up one batch of that quickly for dinner while I bagged the chicken for the grill.
For the marinated chicken I simply cut the chicken breast into portion sizes (these were HUGE chicken breasts!) and put the amount that is right for our family in gallon freezer bags labeled and dated.I pour over them about ½ bottle of light Italian salad dressing mixed with about ½ cup of water.That’s it, then I lay them flat (so the bag is only about 1 inch high) and stack them in the freezer.We made 4 bags of these.When you’re ready to use them just defrost and grill!
While I was bagging those I started the chicken spaghetti.I often bag and freeze this one too but for this time we just had it right away.I quickly microwave about a pound of cut up chicken while I boiled the spaghetti noodles.While that was cooking you mix a can of cream of chicken with a jar of salsa and 1 tsp. of chili powder.Mix the chopped cooked chicken, noodles and soup/salsa mixture.Place in a 9X13 and slice Velveeta (or other cheese) on top.Bake till cheese is melted.My friend Heather gave me this recipe that was her Aunt’s.She’s made it for the food ex-change many times.I modified it slightly and changed it to a jar of salsa from a can of tomato soup.I’ve made it both ways and it’s great.
Next I started on the Chicken and Dumplings.This is one that you can make up ahead and put in the crock pot for the day.Cut up 3 carrots and 3 stalks of celery into bite size pieces and place in bag, pour 1 ½ cups of chicken stock over the top.You can add some seasoning if you like, I have an Italian herb mix that I add at this point (about 1 tsp.).All of that is in a one gallon freezer bag.Take a 1 quart freezer bag and fill it with cut up pieces of chicken.I usually cut them to “small” portion size and get about 9-10 of those size pieces into the bag.Seal that bag and put it into the gallon bag.Now mix 2 cups of biscuit mix (like Bisquick or Jiffy), ½ cup milk and 1 tsp. of seasoning like dry parsley, rosemary or chives.I used parsley this time.Put the dough in a zip lock sandwich bag and place in the gallon freezer bag.When your ready to make it just place the vegetables and stock in the crock pot with the chicken on top.I usually cut the freezer bag with scissors and put it all in frozen.Set the dough aside.
About ½ hour before you’re ready to eat spoon the thawed dough on top of the chicken and cover.Don’t peek or your dumplings will not rise!Usually put my dough in the refrigerator all day to thaw or it will thaw too quickly.Most of the time I think mine cooks 6-8 hours on high but each crock pot varies so your time might be different.
Before I went to bed last night I put the rest of the chicken in my crock pot to cook all night so I could shred it in the morning.The only problem with this is everyone wakes up hungry from the good smell!It is however a great way to get beautifully shredded chicken.
So this morning I put two portions away for a chicken salad ring (both in Tupperware containers, one in fridge for this week and one in freezer for next.)My daughter likes to make these.Basically you make chicken salad (mayonnaise, shredded chicken and chopped celery) then scoop it over croissants laid open in a circle (think large “sun” shape, points out) then put a slices of cheese on top and fold your croissants over it and pinch.You then bake till done and browned.There are lots of variations on this and I’m sure most of you have done these.Ariel (who’s 10) does these herself and it’s one meal mom doesn’t have to make!
The rest of the shredded chicken I use in the chicken enchiladas.For my enchilada’s I made a sauce with 6 cups milk, ½ cup white flour, ½ cup wheat flour, 1 tsp. chicken bouillon and 1 can of cream of chicken soup.Sometimes I don’t add the can of soup but this time I did.Heat it until it starts to boil (and thicken) then turn off and cool.
Once my ingredients are set I start making my “packets”.We like to use the smaller tortia's so I pack 12 to a bag (two for each person in my family.)I simply mix about 2 cups of shredded chicken a small handful of shredded mozzarella (maybe 1/3 cup) and 2 or 3 T. of the sauce in a bowl.I fill the tortia’s with this mix and fold them up burrito style and put right into a one gallon bag.I then take about 2 cups of the sauce and put it into a 1 quart freezer bag and place itin the gallon back on top of the rolled up enchilada’s I just made.The last thing I add is about ¾ cup of shredded mozzarella in a sandwich bag and then seal it all in the gallon bag.When you want to eat it you simply thaw and assemble it in your 9X13.Place the enchiladas in the bottom, cover with sauce (you can thin with milk if it got too thick) and top with cheese.Bake at 350 about 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.
So out of 30lbs of chicken I got:
4 marinated chicken for grill
3 chicken enchilada
3 chicken and dumplings
2 chicken rings
1 chicken spaghetti
13 meals in all!Well worth about 4 hours work.
Now, lest you think we’ll be eating chicken for 3 weeks straight, I do have other things frozen from previous cookings.Right now I’ve also got shrimp jambalaya, cheesy chicken, pork steak, beef steak, ham slices and probably some other things I forgot about.In about two weeks I’ll probably do this again…maybe beef will be on sale?
While I was doing this I also cooked a few other things to re-supply the freezer and use up some things I had.
I did a double batch of blackberry muffins since we still have frozen blackberries from last year I need to use.We can always use more quick breakfast foods.
We also have tons of eggs right now so I’m trying to freeze ahead some things for winter when our chickens won’t be laying as well so I froze and egg and sausage dish.It’s great for using up eggs.You take 16 eggs beaten, half loaf of bread cubed and 2 lbs of sausage and place them in your gallon freezer bag, then put a smaller bag sealed inside with 1 cups of shredded cheddar.Just thaw, pour into a greased 9X13, top with the cheese and bake till set.I’m thinking 350 for about ½ hour.
Again to use up eggs and the tortia’s I have left today I plan on making breakfast burritos.For those I scramble the eggs, make 1 or two cups of sauce (same as the one for the chicken enchilada’s minus the chicken bouillon), have shredded cheese (usually cheddar or mixed cheese) and meat (this time bacon I have precooked and crumbled in the freezer.)Just take the torita’s and put some eggs, sauce, meat and cheese in each one.Don’t fill too full or they’ll just rip.I individually wrap each one in wax paper and then put 20 or so in each gallon freezer bag and we just pull out and microwave as needed.
So what are you making for your freezer?Leave a comment and let me know.
Well, you may have noticed the blog enteries are fewer and farther between this summer. I'd like to say I'm sorry but I'm not. I don't mean to be rude but I think when I show you you'll understand.
Here's what we've been busy doing.
I've been trying to keep up on my garden.
This may not be the greatest looking salad ever but I grew it all in my garden! A little success.... Some things aren't going well (like the carrots that didn't come up and the snap pea's that something besides us ate!) Need to get out there as soon as I'm done and pick raspberries...ymmm!
This was strawberry day. We made up strawberries for shortcake and jam. We like the freezer kind the best. Lexie made that all on her own.
This is one of the fun things we discovered a couple years ago, tart cherry picking! It makes the best jam, cherry pie filling, crisps and much more. Each year we can never pick enough and it's so gorgeous while we're picking. This year we had a light rain while picking but it kept us cool.
This picture my dauther took on a recent trip to the butterfly building at our local zoo. She took tons of pictures that she hopes to make a scrapbook with for fair.
There were also black raspberries but we ate those before I got a picture. We are lucky enough to have those growing on our property wild. We got enough for a batch of jam, a pie and a lot to eat with milk and a little sugar (my favorite way!)
So blogging friends I'm sorry if I haven't kept up on your blog, it's nothing personal just my priorities this summer are taking all my time. I'll be checking in, if sporadically, over the summer. I hope your taking time too to enjoy! Stop and smell the roses!
Welcome to my blog! I plan my main topics to include Total Language Plus curriculum, using literature in studies, our experiences with homeschool and life, organization, scheduling and balancing responsibilities. From time to time it may also include chickens, Mystery of History, lapbooking, Bible study information, homeschool conventions and who knows what else!
Ariel (10 yr old) had some disappointments this year but I think her biggest accomplishment was finishing her quilt.
Calico Salad
Walnut Pesto with Scallops
Cream Cheese Mousse
This is one of the fun things we discovered a couple years ago, tart cherry picking! It makes the best jam, cherry pie filling, crisps and much more. Each year we can never pick enough and it's so gorgeous while we're picking. This year we had a light rain while picking but it kept us cool.
