• Jun. 9, 2006
School This week

School was not great yesterday, but we did manage to get some work accomplished.

We are not having school (today, Friday) as we are in town all day and headed to the lake the afternoon.

The children have been very good at working hard for me.  Yesterday they did all their penmanship for the week.  We won't do that again.  Their poor little hands! LOL

We are studing Japan and Hiroshima.  Next week I will put up a time line for the children and we will begin to add to ours.

I have a few more projects planned for next week as well as squeezing in Library camp and add Math to our schedule.  I will wait another week before adding Grammer. I will also add in reading. 

I sat up last night looking for some fun Japanese projects. I know we will make Origami cranes because of our book, "Sadako"  We will also make flags and maps. 

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• Jun. 7, 2006
Wednesday 6/7

School today--

First of all school today is not finished, but will be in a few hours.  We are fixing to hop in the car--aka schoolmobile and head to my dad's.

Today we did our bible

Sign language--"How do you sign............?"  We are studing finger spelling in sign right now.

We read out of our science.  Science was to have been done yesterday, but I forgot the book.

We read, "Katy and the Big Snow" for Geography (that was today's subject)

We took our spelling test (determing what words they do or do not know so I can write their spelling curriculum)

After visting my father they will:

make a map like in the book "Katy and the big snow"

3 days worth of penmanship (pretty easy stuff)

and 2 days of copy work (not difficult either)

I will update later on how we have done.  And maybe even share a copy or two of the maps we make

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• Jun. 7, 2006
School Tuesday 6/6/06

It was school in the car day!!    We had to take Freddie to work and visit my dad.  So in order to get as much school as possible---we did via the car.

I read our bible and we discussed it.  Then we read Sadako again---I of course, bawled---AGAIN. 

Freddie wanted to know why I read such depressing stuff! LOL  It is a good book, just so very sad!

After doing what needed to be done for the day, and once back in Waco waiting for Freddie, we visited the library.  I checked out a few more books on Japan and Hiroshima (sp?) to go with our book Sadako.  On Monday we will do some projects for "history" 

The children did not do their copy work or their penmanship or do sign or take their spelling tests.

More on that on Wed's post.

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• Jun. 5, 2006
First day of school!

Well today was the day!

We started the day off with a 10min walk.  I need some exercise and so do my computer loving children.

Once we back, we prayed and did our study over the 10 commandments.  Tomorrow they start their Bible copy work--the first the thing will be the 10 Commandments.

After Bible we started sign language.  We found a sign language curriculum at a book sale for about $2.  It is higher level so the lessons have to be divided out, as I do not want to spend an hour or so a day doing sign language.  Small bites work better for us.

Then I read our history.  We are starting a study on the Eastern Hemisphere.  I am not using Sonlight per se, but I am using their reading list.  I may change my mind and order their teacher's manual though.

I read the book, "Sadako" oh my stars.  Let me just quote Meg Ryan from "You've got Mail," "Read it with a box of kleenex."    Hopefully we can get through it again tomorrow with out tears!  I am going to do an online search and find some projects to do with the book (a bit of a FIAR style)

After my bawling, I began another story about some children in India.  We will continue reading tomorrow.

And then we took a spelling test.  I am using the list I found to test to see what exactly they need to refresh themselves on or study more.  It will be individualized spelling.

I did not get copies made of their penmanship.  That will happen tomorrow.  And the children will have to catch up on that. 

Other wise we finished everything on our list!

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• Jun. 4, 2006
Home School Party

We had our back to school party today!  I fixed hamburgers and hotdogs for my sweeties.  We also had chips and dip!  A great way to celebrate the day before school. 

Then the children and I went out to "Falls on the Brazos"  http://www.rootsweb.com/~txfalls/HistoricalMarker_FallsOfTheBrazosRiver.htm There is a bit of history for ya!  http://southwestpaddler.com/docs/brazos8.html more info and a map.  (this is a homeschool blog is it not?? One must provide all needed info when posting as a homeschooler LOL tee hee)

And let me add, Brazos is not pronouced BraZOS.  That is considered a "yankee" way of saying it.  A true Texan says, "BRA-zus"  (bra as in brass)  One of those tests you don't know your taking given by true Texans! LOL  (same goes for pe-CAN, only a "yankee" says that.  A true Texan says "Pa-CON")  There is your "Texas English" lesson for the day!

We walked across the low water crossing and let the water rush over our feet and legs.  We saw a dead catfish and a dead gar (fish.)  The water felt great, but the crossing was VERY rough on my feet.  I told the children when we come back we will wear some icky shoes we can go tramping in the water in. 

This is the first time we have gone out into the river.  It reminded me so much of home!  I grew up on a 5000 acre ranch and we spent a lot of time at Childress Creek.  http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/CC/rbcdj.html

(ya you knew I was gonna link ya)  I miss that place. The children were babies the last we went out there.  Now the place supports a large housing area with homes worth several 100s of thousands of dollars.  Just makes me cry!

We came back home and I told the children they could turn on the AC in the living room.  In a bit we will pick it up.  I just sent Drake in with instructions for all to pick up the trash! 

I am ready and not ready for tomorrow.  I am certainly praying for diligence and wisdom and STRENGTH. 

Here in a bit I will pull out the strawberries and short cakes.  Lysnie and I will eat ours with strawberries, the boys will eat the short cakes with just whipped topping. 

Our party will then be over and school will start tomorrow.  Hopefully I will begin updating daily!  Making copies etc... of school work.

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• Jun. 3, 2006
It is almost time!!

We just have the weekend between us and the start of school.  I am looking forward to having a schedule and getting much accomplished.  We shall see though how true that holds for us!

I have worked out 9wks of school for many subjects.  I have typing, penmanship, bible, science and geography ready to go.  I still need to complete math, reading and spelling.  I believe then I will be finished.  Oh and sign language, I have that completed as well.

For sign language I purchased (at a book sale) an old school copy.  (instructors copy as well as main book)  For the most part it should be fine to use.  However I believe it might have been college level as there was much to learn for just 1 lesson.  For ourselves we will be taking 9 wks to do 3 lessons.  If we need to move through faster we can.  I have plenty of times in there for review. 

Yesterday I visited the library and checked out most of the books we need.  I also interlibrary loaned one book.  Thankfully in the future (such as the first of this upcoming week) I can actually fill out a form of what I need and have them pull it all and take to the library I use most often.  How wonderful is that????  Although honestly, I don't mind visiting the different libraries.

Another thing we are doing this year for school is incorporating hymns.  We will start the day with prayer and bible study.  And I thought it would be nice to sing a hymn.  (may just sing one hymn a week)  I bought a hymnal yesterday for just this purpose.  My twins may not be thrilled with it, but I am hoping I will be able to find the history on some of the hymns to make it more interesting. 

I still need to print out a schedule and such.  Once that is complete I should be rareing (raring?) to go.  I still need to make a Walmart run for markers etc...but I am only going to buy what we need until the school season starts and everything goes on sale. 

Okay--starting on Monday look for more interesting posts and such.

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• May. 23, 2006
The Curriculum War

It seems to be every time I get ready to start up school again, the curriculum war starts in my head.  I want this and that.  I look through catalogs and shop online.  I look here and there and EVERY where for that perfect curriculum.  I am forever swapping this for that or that for this, until this past year.

This past year, I put a screeching hault on my curriculum buying.  I read an article some time ago in the Above Rubies magazine discussing curriculum.  The truth is--I can go out and purchase the world, but truly I already have all that I need.  My bible, pen, paper etc...  I do not need the newest and latest gadget or gizmo or game to educate my child.  What my child needs is my time and attention.  My love and my guidence.  My child needs me. 

Sure the smiling faces and animations are a great way to grab their attention, but if *I* am not willing and able to focus in with them and guide them--those curriculums are useless. 

As we get ready to start again, I am once again reminded of all my choices and how much money I have already spent for different items.  I am determined not to buy more, but instead use what I have (with supplements of course) and adjust them for my children. 

With that said, here are my curriculum choices for the year:

Bible, (a friend gave me a book and I need to look over it to see if I plan on implementing this book)  If this book does not meet our needs then I will assign reading assignments and discussions etc... will take place. 

Math--I already have Saxon 5/4 and 6/5 for my oldest two and I have Rod and Staff for my younger, until they move up.  We will start however reviewing and memorizing math facts.  This something we need to work on more.

Writing--I have a writing program already I plan on implementing.  Also there will be weekly rotations for the position of "reporter" who will journal our day's progress, weather, notes etc...  This idea may change though to have a daily time where they jot down their thoughts etc...

Penmanship--I have bought a workbook some time ago.  We will use that and implement our copy work with it. 

Grammer---already have not one, but different curriculums.  I will stick with the more difficult Rod and Staff, but will do more work orally and on dry erase board.

Science---Apologia's Astronomy.  We have had the book but have not used it properly

History---Mystery of History.  Again this a product we have had but not used.

Geography--Galloping around the Globe.  Again, another unused purchase

Sign Language--I have some books we will use. 

We have just rearranged our living room and we will be adding more school type things, but leaving it to look like a living room as well.  There will be different stations.  A writing station, a math and science station and a reading station etc....  With summer here and our lack of AC we need to move all the school work into the living room where the only AC is.  Currently in my living room I have 2 bookshelves, 2 couches, 2 loveseats, 2 tables, 8 chairs, tv on a dresser and a chest that serves as a coffee table.  This should provide PLENTY of room and seating for four children.

Our goal currently is to begin June 5th.  I plan on using this blog to keep my accountable to our days.

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• May. 12, 2006
Still getting ready

After much thought, I have decided to stick with what we have.  For the main reason--we ALREADY have it.  I do not have to buy another thing!  I think even if I owned every curriculum there is, I would still be trying to change.  Better to keep what I have and actually use it.  When I get everything figured out exactly I will begin posting!

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• May. 10, 2006
Getting Ready

We will be starting back to school on June 1st.  I am looking into Switched on School house for Language Arts and Math.  I am uncertain yet.  I am not sure how I feel about the work being done on computer instead of paper.  Does anyone have any help with this?  However my children enjoy the computer and I believe they would do better working on here.  I am still in a quandry. I do know I will not be using their basic five.  That would simply be just too much work in front of a screen.

My friend gave me a great resource for studying the bible.  I am considering using it. 

I have the Mystery of History we will use for History.

I have Apologia Astronomy for science

I bought a penmanship book (still trying to master cursive here)

I am not sure what I will do with Jacob and his reading.  He still struggles, but is doing better.  Maybe he just needs more practice???

Okay.  That is all for today.  Postings will be sporadic until we get up and going!

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• May. 8, 2006
New to this!!

If I can ever change my pic on here I will be one happy woman, until then---grrrrr  I keep up loading it and then the screen goes blank.  Really annoying.  The rocking chair contrasts to my pink background.

Eventually I will begin posting about our school day and what we have accomplished.  Until then--well I am not sure what will be put here! 

I plan on getting back into action on or around June 1st (I need to look at a calander!)

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