Growing Minds of Wisdom
"Cursed be all learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ."
Feb. 9, 2008
A New Home

I have come to the realization that I just can not keep up with this blog and this blog, the long distance is to difficult to maintain. Homeschoolblogger and Blogger are just to far apart when it comes to different domains and I can't find the time to go back and forth. I think it will be easier to be a homekeeper to Growing Minds of Wisdom if I move it over to Blogger, that way they are just clicks away, neighbors. I could combine them but the purpose of my other blog would interfer with the purpose of this blog, so they will stay seperate.

Please, my friends who have stayed with me or found me recently... follow me over to my New Home! Don't forget to leave me a comment so that I can put you in my friends list.


Jan. 9, 2008
Where we are at:

Posted in Inside our Homeschool Room

I sat down this morning with m teacher book and calendar to evaluate where we are at or how far behind we are and found this:

With 42 weeks scheduled out in our 2007-2008 School Year we are currently in week 11 which is 11 weeks behind where we are scheduled to be on January 9. I know... 11 weeks, I am not even sure how we fell so far behind. A day here, a day there, a week over there, a month here... sigh. Here is my plan:

By January 29 we will be ending week 19 which will have us caught up to 9 weeks leaving us only 2 weeks behind.  If we are diligent  and catch up to week 20 by the 29 and then stay on course till the end we will finish up by Jun 27 but that is with NO breaks and honestly I don't see that happening because of Easter break which we always travel. We could double up that week before we leave so that we can stay on course. I will have to think about that. June 27 is a okay date to finish up though I would prefer earlier because that only gives us 1 month off before we begin the next year.

Here is what our next 3 weeks look like in each subject:

Bible Truths: We are going to do 1 of 2 things, either just continue as we are in it combining some of the easier lessons together until the end of the year with out stressing it out, just enjoying God’s word where we are or we will substitute this with a more causal bible study and wait until next year to start this again. It was actually a little above Superman’s grade level.

FLL:  Simply combining 3 lessons each day until the 25 of Jan and then continue as usual a lesson a day until June 27.

Spelling Workout: We are actually not behind in our spelling lessons but we will be combining so that we will finish them by the 27th because on my schedule I had us finishing 9 weeks after… ? So we will double up on each lesson until the 12 of May where we will then be able to just do 1 lesson a week.

Horizons: In order to catch up in our math we will be doubling x 2 for 2 weeks and then doubling for 1 week and then by the 28 of Jan we will be exactly where we should be. We have already begun to to do this and it is working just fine, he enjoys math and is very quick at it.

SOTW: Read 3 chapters a week with good discussion and lots of books from library until the 4th of February and then we will be caught up.

Science: We are just having fun with space right now, we are not on any schedule. Where ever we are lead until the 27 of June!

Nature Walks: resume as usual

Amazingly we will be able to do this with a lot of prayer and diligence! May God walk with us through the next 6 months of our homeschool year!


Jan. 8, 2008
Homeschooling with distractions

Posted in Homeschool Thoughts

With homeschooling it is easy for others to casually think that we can take off at any time since we are home and all. The idea is that we can simply put school on hold for a few hours or even a few days to comply with new plans and this is acceptable in some cases but not always. I have taken school on the road before and in Walmart but when the whole day is going to be sabotaged what do you do? We live out of town and so I want to try and allow both visitors and school to co-exist. Trying to compile all of our subjects into a very small amount of time can be to stressful on all of us and can take away from the in "depth" learning of each subject when we have to do this but it is do-able. I sometimes wish we had our own building that we could run out to and that way we are not "home". This would help with a lot of things such as daily distractions such as phone, cleaning, computers, toys, and cooking and it would take away the casual idea of school because you must actually "go" to school which gives the illusion somehow that it is more important and can't be interrupted. Maybe not but it seems like that is the way it would work.

When considering the daily distractions I am realizing these things:

1. That I need to commit a designated amount s of time strictly to homeschooling.  During that time if the phone rings then it will just have to ring, it is not vital that I answer every call in case of an emergency. There is such thing as a message that I can check just for that reason.

2. Cleaning must take a back row seat in our classroom even though the classroom is it's domain. In order to help relieve the temptation of picking up the broom or vacuum I must have a cleaning routine that allows me to have a clean house before we begin school. And then if I allow it to slip and not follow it then I must be disciplined in putting homeschooling as an absolute first. 

3. Cooking again needs to have a specific time of its own so that it does not call me away from my priority of teaching my children.

4. The computer and tv. These 2 distractions need to be highly supervised and restricted during any and all school hours.  The computer can become a major distraction for me personally and the tv can play a big hindrance in the obtaining of and enjoyment of learning. I hope to give myself an open pass to "play" on the computer or blog at a specific time in the morning only with absolutely no exceptions can my time run over, a bodyguard would be nice to escort me out if I do decide to resist. The tv is restricted until Friday in which they are given 2 hours of time to watch either individual cartoons or 1 select movie.

5. Always start directly on time otherwise the clock can cause havoc.  

6. Self can really get in the way to if she is aloud to rein the emotional pool. Let's face it we don't always "feel" like enforcing school on our children because it drains a lot from us and causes us to pour all of the energy that we have out just to get through it all.  She is always with you and she is hard to silence sometimes but there is another that is gently guiding you… But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16  

Homeschooling is a major responsibility that we have taken on, the education of our children is in our hands and we will be held accountable for what they know and what they do not know. I don’t know about you but I need to take this a little more seriously and be more disciplined at times, there is NO room for a any relaxed learning.


Dec. 29, 2007
Books and other stuff

We took the whole month of December off, which was not in our plans. On Monday we will jump into another ring of homeschooling. I am ready to get back into the groove. I was encouraged over the break by a friend/family member to be more organized and disciplined in our daily school. I am the type that is lead by my emotions and so if I don't "feel" like doing something... I usually if possible don't. I have tried to be more orderly before but always gradually go back to my old ways.

I picked up a little gem of a book yesterday while at Halfprice called Talks to Boys by Eleanor Hunt. It sounds like it is going to be a great read aloud, full of values and virtues to discuss and think about. We are still reading Mouse and the Motorcycle, well actually we are picking it back up after I found it under a stack of Christmas papers yesterday. For Christmas the boys were delighted to get a Silverstein of their very own! A Light in the Attic which will become a nightly poetry book I am sure. Silverstein is popular around here, as you know, but there is a new name that we have recently grown very fond of. He is only a few steps right behind ol' Silver. Jack Prelutsky is his name and It's Raining Pigs and Noodles is his game or book. We have really been enjoying it! Silly and fun.

What book are you reading aloud?


Nov. 27, 2007
Homeschooling Update

Posted in Homeschool Thoughts

Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas is approaching quickly, a little more quickly than I would like it too. We jumped back into our school week rather easily. You know there are so many days that I doubt my ability to do this sufficiently. The truth is that I am NOT capable to do this sufficiently... not with out Christ and there are so many days that I try to do it with out Him present. It is evitable, I fail.

Homeschooling is not easy and I often struggle. I struggle with mastering the ability to do it "all" and come out sane in the end. Is it just me I wonder? I know it isn't but some times it feels like it is. I enjoy being a homeschooling mother and enjoy watching my children learn new things, it is very rewarding and worth all of the agony that I go through on a weekly basis.

Today we were forced to take school along with us on our grocery shopping venture. It was interesting. Superman when told to bring it in Walmart asked wouldn't that be weird? Nobody brings their work in Walmart. True but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do to get it done :0). It went well until he dropped his pencil along the way and it got lost, hmmm accident? I think not.

We are dealing with a lot of whining and brotherly antagonizing with Superman who is 7. I have decided to do 2 things. 1. write lines when he can not control his voice and 2. silence when he feels the need to stir up trouble with T-Rex. After his punishment we discuss the verses that apply to his behavior and then encourage the opposite behavior. He is a good kid and I love him so much.

Have a great day and visit me at Embracing the Journey.

JOYfully in Him,

Kelli


Nov. 14, 2007
Great Site for Pilgrims Story
Nov. 12, 2007
New every morning!

Posted in Inside our Homeschool Room

It is the begining of a new week, fresh with the crispness of His mercies! I am excited about this week... not sure why just am! God is good and I am encouraged to know that He is with us today and everyday and no matter what is going on or how much we have to do He has not left us.

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I recieved mercy because I  had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:12-14

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. " The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."

Lamentations 3:22-24

I pray that my children will beable to "see" through me that His mercies are in fact new every morning. I pray that it soaks into my heart and becomes a reality to my thoughts. I pray that this week will be a powerful testimony to the graces of God as we humbly venture through the moments given to us.

Memory Verse for the week:

A man with out self control is like a city broken into and left with out walls.

Proverbs 25:28

Others to reflect daily on:

1 Corinthians 9:25

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Galatians 5:23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

2 Peter 1:6

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,

1 Peter 4:7

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

We are focusing on self-control this week, could you tell? Whining, fits of anger, pouting and other ungodly behaviors being displayed is just not acceptable. God talks a lot about being able to conrol ourselves and I have just got to stop these! :0) It is funny, though I was joking there is some truth to that. No, I don't fall to the ground and roll around on the floor, I don't throw a toy across the room, and I don't cross my arms and stick out my bottom lip when things don't go my way but in my heart it is all the same. So the word of God will not just be applied to my children's sin but mine as well, for we are all children of the King and we all desperately need His guidance.

Have a great day!

JOYfully in Him,

Kelli


Nov. 9, 2007
Our Nature Walk

Posted in Inside our Homeschool Room

This is my first post for a Friday Show and Tell, I have been seeing this around and have wanted to join, thanks Canada Girl for hosting this.

I really want to implement nature walks more into our learning adventure. They are in our schedule but life always seems to swoop in and overtake our plans. A few weeks ago we were able to grab out nature journals and enjoy some time out at a park in the vastness of nature. Superman and T-Rex both really enjoyed themselves as we walked around the park examining His creation and discussing all of the wonderful things that we saw. I was so pleased at how much they enjoyed not playing but just learning.

I just loved to be outside in His presence exploring His truly amazing creation together as a family. It always leaves me standing in awe of His works and when I am in the midst of it all I am reminded of how great He is and I can see how everything around me praises it's maker, the Almighty God.  

JOYfully in Him,
Kelli

Nov. 6, 2007
Our Current Books

Posted in Inside our Homeschool Room

Read Alouds:

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Clearly. I picked this up at a library book sale and we started it yesterday. So cute and addicting! I am really enjoying reading the book and both of my boys including T-Rex are really enjoying it also. T-Rex actually asked me to read it yesterday. The version I have is an old one from 1965 which I prefer, the illustrations by Louis Darling are much cuter in my opion to the newer revised editions. Leave more to the imagination.

The Childrens Book of Virtues edited by William J. Bennet. This is a really cute book full of beautiful illustrations and enjoyable stories, fables, poems and other stories that secretly reveal little life lessons/morals/virtues for little ones to ponder. We are all enjoying these lessons together through many little characters and stories.

Falling Up by Shel Silverstein.  So fun! I have always since a little girl been captivated by Silverstein's imagination and word play. I love being tickled through each poem, some are just silly while others are rather grosteq which is good for boys! (not so much for mommies and baby Butterflies) It is a given that begging will appear at the reach of bedtime for a little Silverstein.

Devotional:

Training Hearts and Teaching Minds by Star Meade. This is a wonderful little family devotional! We are actually a little behind in this but have started up with it again. It is our nightly devotional based on the shorter catechism. We come together each evening before bed and together grow in our knowledge of God, there is much discussion that comes with each devotion.

Superman's Books:

On the Halfpipe with... Tony Hawk by Matt Christopher.This is a biography on Tony Hawk the professional skateboarder. Superman picked this book out on his own since his recent obsession with the sport was taken here in the last couple of months. I am a bit suprised at this new sport obsession and wasn't sure about his sudden interest in the icon Tony Hawk but I do not want to squash any enthusiasm he has for reading.

Magic Tree House Research Guide to Mummies and Pyramids. He has gotten lost in this book several times and it is my personal pick over the Tony Hawk bio. After he finds his way back to reality he is always excited to tell us what he found while traveling to Egypt. :0)

T-Rex's Books:

Who Wants a Dragon by James Mayhew. Me! Is his reply each time this question is read... it is so cute. He has become very interested in dragons lately.

The Best Pet of All by David LaRochelle. So cute! I enjoy reading this little book about a boy who wants a dog but winds up with a dragon, of all things.

My Favorites:

Butterfly Eyes and other Secrets of the Meadow by Joyce Sidman. I just adore the illustrations and the rythym of this book. It teaches about the hidden world of the meadow through poems and riddles.

Glory by Nancy White Carlstrom. Praising God is the overall theme of this book. Each page is glorious in color and splendid in wording, I enjoy its uniqueness.

 

 


Nov. 6, 2007
What is going on in our little homeschool room:
Nov. 2, 2007
A New Week

Posted in Homeschool Thoughts

We are so behind in our schedule and in my plans for this year. I have fallen under the bread of idleness and let myself become less enthusiastic about our daily school time. I have wandered away from my intitial  excitement about teaching and learning and have began rushing thruogh each day instead of dwelling in the knowledge. The last 2 weeks have consumed my mind with other things and left our search and thirst for knowledge dry and weary. Teacher has become less encouraging and more demanding, less gracious and more legalistic and teacher has seen her faults and is repenting.

How often, I think, have I gotten on my knees these weeks and asked the Father the creator of the universe to look down on our little school and guide us, show us His wisdom and strengthen our hearts and minds in the faith through our journey in the subjects and in our attitudes towards them?

Lord grant your students... a mind of wisdom... a heart of gratitude... a new attitude of enthusiasm for Your creation and our studies each day. Guide us through each lesson revealing more of Your self through them and giving us a mind that is able to see Your majestic ways and set our hearts to understand Your almighty power as You take us by the hand and lead us.

There is a new week heading our way and God is given me a new mind and attitude to face it. Lets enjoy the weekend and begin new next week fresh in His paths and not our own.


Oct. 29, 2007
Spastic Posting

I just realized I have really been letting this blog go. I really wanted to share more of our experiences and more of my wonderful lame ideas. I have found it rather difficult to keep up with 2 blogs. It is hard for me to organized my thoughts for 2 seperate places in my life for some reason. In here I am really going to try to post more often, allowing me to see our progress and to help me be more accountable. Lately school has been rather laxed around here and I desire to get back into our routine. 

Hopefully, I will become a more regular blogger here at Growing Minds of Wisdom! I do blog pretty regular at my other blog if you would like to visit me there.


Oct. 12, 2007
Reading Sanctuary and Success

Posted in Inside our Homeschool Room

I have to tell you about our little reading sanctuary that I mentioned here or what Superman calls our little library. It is a rather nice little place to enjoy a good book together. I love to hear little whispers and histerical laughing coming from behind the doors. It is a little smaller than I like but all the more snuggling!!

Wow, there has been a huge change in Superman this week! He is totally taken by a book he has picked up out of our little "library". I was very suprised at how much he has been enjoying it. Thursday afternoon I told him to pick out a book to read for his independent reading time and he chose War of the Worlds, I ignorantly discouraged him from getting it because I "thought" I knew better. It is a pretty big book that he is not use to so I didn't want him to start it and not finish it, you know what I mean. He insisted on choosing it so I gave my blessing :0) and to my complete and utter suprise he not only loves it but can not put it down! Yesterday while he was opening the door to the library for me he was so engaged in his book that when I turned around to check on him he was still holding the door while others were passing by him. I had to call him back to reality so that we could actually get into the building. Every free moment he is lost in its pages!! I am just smiling and dancing inside...


Oct. 10, 2007
Don't Skip Him

Posted in Homeschool Thoughts

There are mornings that we just get off to a late start. There can be many a reasons this happens but it is really beside the point and not worth dwelling on right now. When this happens it is so tempting and I am guilty of it, to skip the morning devotional, time with the Lord, to get to the "more important things". I was tempted to do this this morning after I realized the time and all of the things that were on my to do list for the day but I realized that I was being tempted to skip over the truly most important lesson  of them all... he was very subtle this morning when he suggested I get straight to our First Language Lessons, Horizons and Spelling Workout... his poisen was almost injected into our day diminishing God's presence.

Here is what we didn't skip over this morning:

Romans 12:9-10 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Psalm 119:103  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Oh, how he would have loved for us to miss these wonderful reflections on God's word! Abhor what is evil... we forget sometimes that there is a spiritual battle going on constantly even in the little things such as how we begin our day or our homeschool lessons. I truly enjoy our morning devotionals, where we sit in the presence of our King and are reminded of our purpose and how we are to live our lives for His glory, to worship Him and give Him all the praise that He so deserves, to remember His grace and His steadfast love, hmm good stuff... don't skip it. His words are sweeter than honey...


Oct. 5, 2007
A New Schedule

Posted in Inside our Homeschool Room

I have re-evaluated our homeschool days due to some the aroma that is filling the air in our school room from all of us. I am also a little tired of the way we are doing things. We pretty much just sit in our little room at the same desk for 3 straight hours... boring. It seemed like a good idea at first but now that we have experienced its suffocation of enjoyable learning we have changed some things. I knew that I wanted to change some things up but didn't really know what or how, I racked my brain the other night while laying in the dark of night as I waited to drift off to sleep. I remembered one of the articles I had read in the NEW amazingly encouraging Old Schoolhouse Magazine and it got my wheels turning. By the next morning I had it figured out and on paper ready to try out. Success! Much more refreshing:

7-8:30 Breakfast, dressed, teeth, straightening

8:30-9:15 Personal Quiet times

Chores until 10:00

Quiet times will be done before chores now as a way to enforce putting the Lord first each morning, but we will eat and get dressed first. As they get older they can begin to have there own quiet times before breakfast if they so desire.

10:00-12:00 School:

1. Table Time: we will start our school day at the kitchen table with bible, langauge lessons, phonics, memory, copywork and poetry reading

2. Couch Time: we then will escape into our current read aloud on the couch with a good snack.

3.Desk Time: here is where we will do math and spelling.

1:00-2:00

4. Couch/Closet Time: independent reading and enjoyment reading with classical music in the background (my personal favorite)

4. Outside Time: time to venture outside with our history and science books to enjoy God's creation while learning about Egypt and the Stars

This has been so nice! Moving to different areas to do different subjects has taken the monotony out of our school day that was begining to grow.

 


Sep. 26, 2007
Superman's Quiet Time in detail

Posted in Inside our Homeschool Room

Do we really need a bible curriculum to teach our children to have a quiet time with the Lord? Of course not but I had gotten into the habit of thinking that I needed a curriculum made by some professionals for every subject. I do need it for some of course but in training my children to have a quiet time with the Lord, no. As the mother of my children who knows them better me or some curriculum. Well, I searched for something to fill the need of a good "devotional" for my Superman but came up with nothing. My goal was to encourage him to spend time reading the word, reflecting on it and praying alone with out me. Establising a personal morning quiet time but of course I still wanted to have some control over it. I didn't want to be physically in the room but I wanted to be "in" the room supervising, Superman is not capable of doing this alone just yet, he needs a lot of guidance. So how can a 7 year old have a personal quiet time alone with an adult, is it possible? Well, it is as my last post revealed. I wasn't sure how or if it was going to work but was willing to give it a try. All we use is a page that I made with MW, a notebook, a bible and some direction. Each morning after breakfast and chores I hand Superman his page attached to a clipboard, his bible and a pencil. He then proceeds with out complaint to his room and shuts his door. His bible is bookmarked where he will find a text highlighted in blue. He reads it and then anwsers the questions that are written on his paper (there are times when I don't put questions just statements). Then he draws a picture that is a reflection on the verse he read. At the end of his quiet time he is to pray, I have a little reminder at the end of the page. When he is finished he comes out and we discuss what he read, his answers and his picture thoughts. Sometimes I will ask him what he prayed and remind him to look for the anwsers, that has been amazing because some of them have been anwsered and he notices. :-)   

I am learning to start earlier with this because Superman enjoys his time in there so much.


Sep. 23, 2007
Bible Reading Picture Thoughts

Posted in Inside our Homeschool Room

Each morning as part of Superman's day he goes in his undesturbed room and quietly reads a passage from his bible. I  choose the passage for him to read and then highlight it in his bible, bookmark it and give him a page that has a square for picture thoughts and then room at the bottom for questions that I might ask him concerning the text. Then I always remind him to Pray! I can not tell you how wonderful this has been for my little Superman and for me. Here is this weeks verses:

Monday:  1 Thessalonians 5:17-19

Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 10:31

Wednesday: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Thursday: James 5:8

Friday: Leviticus 19:18

His bible is in the New International Reader's Version. I can not wait to see and hear what his little mind and heart experiences this week through reading God's word.


Sep. 17, 2007
Personalized Hieroglyphics

Posted in Inside our Homeschool Room

ELI
 
 

 

KAI

 
 

 

I thought that these were very cool for my boys who are in love with Egypt, especially Superman (Eli). I printed them out and am going to frame them. If you have an Egypt lover or are studying Egypt and want these cool hieroglyphics go here.


Sep. 10, 2007
Favorite Books

Posted in Inside our Homeschool Room

Here is Superman's favorite  book to read at the moment, There's a Wocket in my Pocket by Dr. Suess. He loves to read it so much that he has read it I would say at least 15 times in 2 weeks, he has mastered it and I love to listen to him read it. It is such a fun book, I don't mind hearing it over and over again and it never fails that we laugh at the same sections of the book every time.

T-Rex doesn't have a favorite right now because he is not all that interested in them (he is to busy I suppose) but he does love to get his little bible and pretend to read it, it is so cute. :0)

And a must read aloud that we LOVE is well anything by Bill Peet but especially at the moment No Such Things. What a hilarious book that caught all of our attention and children's spirit. I so enjoyed this book and so did my Littles. We also enjoy  his wonderful book Kermit the Hermit.

 


Sep. 6, 2007
Make Your Own Number Charts

Posted in Inside our Homeschool Room

I found this site that has a chart generator. We have been using it to make charts for our skip counting which is going well, except that I can not figure out how to make Take me Our to the Ballgame fit skip counting by 9's. We are working on our own song or rhythym to fit it. I am thinking of pulling out the drums and tamborine to assist us. 

JOYfully in Him,

Kelli


Sep. 4, 2007
Skip Counting

I have to say that I am not a lover of skip counting. I find it to be very challenging. We are in the process of learning to skip count by 9's. Maybe it is just me but I don't remember learning to skip count by 3's, 6's and 9's. I can only remember my 2's, 5's and 10's. Go figure. Well in an attempt to find a more exciting way to learn how to skip count rather than just simple memorization I began a search. I found several ways to memorize them but here is the one that I chose for it's simplicity:

Skip Counting Songs

2's Row Row Row Your Boat

3's Mary Had a Little Lamb

4's Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

5's Happy Birthday

6's Old McDonald

7's Yankee Doodle

8's Skip to My Lou

9's Take Me Out to the Ballgame

I struggled with making the tune fit the numbers but practice makes perfect. We decided to Dosie Doe to our 6's song. Who had any idea how much fun it could be to skip count!

Now I have heard some negative responses to memorizing to songs. What do you think?

 


Aug. 27, 2007
Our First Day of School

Posted in Inside our Homeschool Room

Well, it was our first day of school and I have the pictures to proove it. I must say that it has been an amazing day. I woke this morning fairly nervous for our first day of school. Why was I nervous? It is not like I had a class room full of students to teach and entertain, nor did I have to give any kind of speech but yet I was still nervous. I suppose it is because I have had very high expectations for this day to be a fun filled learning experience which for me means that I would have to control myself through every trial... the fits, the accidents, the silliness, the distractions and the emotions. I didn't want to be a blinding hindrance to their joy of learning. I started off the day with 3 prayers, one for me, one for Superman and one of T-Rex. I originally wanted to get them all up by 7:00 but as the procrastinator that I am I still had just a few things to finish and so it was 7:40 by the time I made it to their room. Superman began getting ready and T-Rex was left to sleep for a little longer. Superman ate breakfast, oatmeal and then little T-Rex came in to join him all dressed and ready.  Soon after began our morning chores. Then Superman went to his room for some quiet time with the Lord and T-Rex, Butterfly and I had our own quiet time together. When Superman finished I glanced at my Schedule for the day which looked like this:

 

Week 1

Monday

Tuesday 8-28

7:30 Bible

 

 

Bible Truths

 

Lssn: 1 "It is Good"

Bible 

 

Read and Praise

Memory Verse

 

 

OT Books

 

Genesis-Malachi Flashcards

Gen. 1:1

 

A Beka Poster

8:00 Grammar

 

 

FLL

 

Lssn: 1

Activity

 

Needle and Lace

Reading

 

Independent

Letter of the week

 

Lssn 1 Theme Cows: acted like cows

9:00  Math

 

 

Horizon

 

Lssn: 20

Poems, songs, Rhymes

 

Find animals/Old MacDonald

9:45 Spelling

 

 

Spelling Workout

 

Lssn: 19

Gift Play

 

Playdoh

Copy Work

 

Bible

Letter&# Activities

 

a=coloring page

10:30 History/Science

 

 

STOW & VP CD

 

VP & Chapt. 1 Reading

Color Sheet

 

Listen and OM CS

Read Aloud

 

 

Wind in the Willows

 

Chapt. 3

 

 

 

Eli's Schedule

 

 

Kai's Schedule

 

 

Together

 

 

 and then we all began our 1st day of school together: 

 

 

Can you see the slideshow?


Aug. 26, 2007
T-Rex Activities

Posted in 2007/2008 Homeschool Prep

 

I finally made out an extensive list that I believe will entertain and secrectly teach my little T-Rex. He is 3 years old and has a very short attention span. Here is my list: 


  1. Squeeze art: flour, water, food coloring and cookie sheet.
  2. Paper and laundry basket.
  3. Color, Letter, Number, Dinosaur, Car ect.  Treasure hunt
  4. Neighbor hood walk hunt: paper, magazine clippings, marker and clip board. Cut and paste things that might be seen on a walk down the street and then mark them off when found. Adapt for both boys.
  5. Piggy bank and coins.
  6. Scissors and paper. Keep the scraps.
  7. Play dough and tools
  8. Pool, water, tools and toys.
  9. Coffee filter, water, food coloring, eye dropper.
  10. Magnet, paper clips, ect.
  11. Bean bags and a bucket.
  12. An assortment of socks.
  13. Empty shoe box with cord tied through and end for an instant wagon.
  14. Big and little cardboard tubes with ball or car.
  15. Rice and tools.
  16. Beans and tools.
  17. Little legos.
  18. Big legos.
  19. Blocks to build BIG BIG castles!
  20. Cars and mat.
  21. Tweezers and pom pom balls.
  22. Different colored buttons and little cups to sort them.
  23. Dino play.
  24. Big floor puzzles.
  25. Tractor book puzzles.
  26. Regular puzzles.
  27. Paper plate design: glue, décor and paper plate.
  28. Stamping good fun.
  29. Fun with stickers!
  30. Trains.
  31. Aquadoodle.
  32. Rubbing Art.
  33. V-Smile