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We are in the middle of a unit study based on Jan Brett's book
"Comet's Nine Lives".
We are really enjoying it and have learned a lot about lighthouses as well as hurricanes and weather forecasting. Some of the "go-along" books we are using are "The Storm" by Cynthia Rylant and "Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie" by Peter Roop.
I love the illustrations in all of Jan Brett's books, but "The Hat" and "Gingerbread Baby" are two of our very favorites. There are over 4,000 pages of free activities on Jan Brett's website that go along with her wonderful books, check it out!
11:09 AM - Apr. 3, 2008 - {3} -
This website is great, it has tons of unit studies and other resources contributed by various homeschool moms and teachers. We are in the middle of a study (found on homeschoolshare) based on the book "Harry the Dirty Dog" and the kids are loving it!
Happy Homeschooling!
3:44 PM - Feb. 6, 2008 - {0} -
This is usually the first question you hear when two homeschoolers meet for the first time, isn't it? I don't use a packaged curriculum, I but choose materials based on our learning goals as well as the children's interests. I do have to keep the NY State regulations in mind as I plan as well.
I was once asked by a family member who is not familiar with homeschooling, "But how do you know what to teach?" I probably shouldn't have shocked her so cruelly, but I replied "I just teach the kids what I want them to learn." (hee-hee!) I did go on to explain the State regulations, which are pretty strict here in NY state, and I guess that made her feel a little better.
I really do teach the kids what I want them to learn, but I also keep an eye on the typical course of study as well as our state regulations when making my yearly plan. This provides a framework, a kind of structure to build on, which I then fill in with the best materials I can find. MANY of them are found right at our local library. I love literature based studies and we do a lot of reading aloud. I really enjoy pulling together a custom curriculum this way, and I love the flexibility. As far as consumables, we don't do a lot but there are a few I really like. They are Handwriting Without Tears, Explode the Code, and Bright Minds math workbooks.
Does it take more time to use a self-made curriculum? NO WAY! Best of all, there is no time wasted because everything we do is 100% relevant to what my kids need right now. And I don't mind any of the time it takes, because we are having a blast! We love to learn and there are not really set boundaries around what is "school time" and what is not. I don't have many responsibilities outside the home, and I can't think of a better way to spend my time than this. I am so pleased to be able to give my kids a curriculum that is as unique as they are. To be able to get away from the cookie-cutter style of learning in the public schools is one of the reasons most of us choose homeschooling, isn't it?
If you have thought about putting together your own custom curriculum but didn't know where to start, take a look at some of Ruth Beechick's books. "The Three R's" series, "A Biblical Home Education" and "Yes! You Can Teach your Child Successfully" helped to give me the confidence to do what was best for my kids.
Happy Homeschooling!
10:33 AM - Sep. 24, 2007 - {4} -
When I was expecting my third child in 2005, we had just bought our first home, and I had a five-year old and a two-year old.
Looking towards Emily's birth, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect since I had had two very different labors with my other children. Addison's birth in 2000 had been extremely difficult and long. Michael was born at home in 2003, his birth was shockingly fast and couldn't have been easier.
Five days before my due date, my husband's only brother was getting married. My daughter, Addie, would be the flower girl.
I made it to and through the wedding, and no baby yet.....
Three days before Emily's due date, I was hopeful that this would be the day. The day passed without any signs, and it was after we had gone to bed that night that I began to wonder if something was happening. Labor had progressed so fast with Michael that I took any little sign very seriously. After watching the clock for about an hour, I woke Josh and told him I thought we should get ready to go. He called my mom to come stay with the kids, and she was at our house within minutes.
We headed off to the hospital in a thunder storm, it would be a 50 minute drive to a tiny, low-intervention hospital (the closest I could come to a homebirth at the time). It became clear before we even left our own street that this was IT. Laboring in the car was not fun. The rain poured down, and I worked on relaxing through each contraction. I think I spent most of the drive with my eyes closed. Josh was a wonderful support to me, and it meant so much to know that my mom had care of my other two children. I was so glad to finally arrive at the hospital, and my first concern was to try to convey to the nurse how close to the end I was, because she knew that labor had just started a couple of hours ago. Labor ended with the doctor running into the room barely in time to catch the baby! Twenty minutes after arriving at the hospital, it was all over and I was holding an 8 pound, 3 oz miracle. We did know that we were having a girl, but we had no idea how sweet and adorable she would be. We named her Emily Grace.
I was able to hold Emily for about two hours before the nurse took her for a bath and exam, which she did with a portable unit right in my room! I think Josh went home around 4:15am or so, and I was supposed to try and get some sleep. Emily's bassinet was by my side, and she was tightly bundled in my arms. I knew how important it was that I sleep, but how could I put her down? Finally, I made myself put her in the bassinet. Then I looked at her for a while. Then I picked her up again and loved her some more. Then I put her back down, determined to get some sleep before I heard the breakfast tray. It took me a long time to start to drift off, and by that time, the morning noises had begun. I could hear my nurse telling her friends about the night before. I was so tired. "I have got to get home and get some rest." I thought. I managed to get us released from the hospital and on our way home just 12 hours after we had arrived there! (Our pediatrician would perform the necessary blood work in the next few days). While waiting to be released, Josh and my Mom brought the kids to meet Emily.
Addie and Michael love their little sister, we are so thankful that God blessed us with her!
My brother, Robbie, holding Emily
Emily with my brother, Rick
Emily with Pattycake
First Birthday (Photo by my sister, Rebecca)
This Summer
Emily's birthday party last week:
Happy Birthday, Emily Grace, we love you!
11:36 PM - Sep. 14, 2007 - {2} -
I try to incorporate art into our Unit studies when I can. It's usually pretty easy, but it does require thinking ahead a bit. Our current Unit study is on Native Americans, and this week we made tee-pees out of construction paper. But for those days when planning ahead just isn't working out, I love Kumon books. We have Easy Crafts, and we also like their mazes and-connect-the-dots books.
Happy Homeschooling!
9:18 PM - Sep. 12, 2007 - {1} -
These books are wonderful, we just love them. "I Can Draw Animals" is the easiest one, my kids were ready for it at about 3 or 4 years old.
"I Can Draw People" is a little harder, maybe for ages 5 & up.
My seven-year-old has been loving this one lately:
You can find more Ray Gibson books here, Happy Homeschooling!
3:46 PM - Sep. 11, 2007 - {2} -
Here's a great book for teaching world geography and a lot more.
From Amazon:
"A delightful, attractive look at children from around the world. The authors spent two years meeting and photographing youngsters from every continent and more than 140 countries. The volume is divided by continent, which is introduced with photos of children, their names, and nationalities. Then a double-page spread features pictures of each child's food, eating utensils, housing, school, friends, and family. The text gives the young people a chance to comment on their favorite games, friends, and hopes for the future. The final section includes excerpts from the Kindersleys' travel diary. This book is factual, respectful, and insightful. It provides just the right balance of information and visual interest for the intended audience."
One of the reasons I love this book is that the wonderful photographs of the children grab my kids attention. If we talk about China, they remember the photo of the girl from China in this book and they have a "learning hook" to build on. It also is a great tool to use when discussing diversity, religions or poverty. Use this along with a world map or globe and you will have a very rich learning experience!
Happy Homeschooling!
9:04 PM - Sep. 9, 2007 - {2} -
I wanted to kick off our first day of school with something really fun, and when my Mom handed me this book to borrow, I knew what just what it would be!
If you haven't seen this book, you have got to check it out! Here is the description from Amazon:
"In this whimsical, geographical shopping journey, a young baker thinks of how to proceed if the market is closed. She directs readers, via various modes of transportation, to gather seminola wheat in Italy, a chicken (for its egg) in France, bark from the kurundu (cinnamon) tree in Sri Lanka, a cow (for butter) in England, salt water and sugar cane in Jamaica, and apples in Vermont. Processing the worldly ingredients is quickly handled, a pie is baked, and friends are invited to share. A look around the table reveals children from all of the countries in which the foods have been found. A recipe for apple pie appears on the last page. The brightly colored pictures are fanciful, revealing cheerful, busy people working in towns, fields, and forests of the various countries. The purposeful girl in a green pinafore collects her ingredients with enthusiasm and good cheer. A lighthearted, pleasurable selection."
Here are my two pie bakers, ready to stick the pie into the oven.
And here they are with the just-done pie, pleased with the result but anxious to have a taste!
We used "Paula Reds" from a local orchard, which taste like a combination of sweet and tart.
Happy Homeschooling!
9:26 PM - Sep. 7, 2007 - {2} -
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Description
Welcome! I am a second-generation homeschooler, 30 years old and married for 9 years. Our children are Addie (7), Michael (4) and Emily (2). I love all of Dr. Ruth Beechick's books and we enjoy unit studies, but we use a little bit of everything!
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