Homeschool Tracker

August 2, 2009 in Our Home Schooling Journey by Violet | 1 comment

Okay, ,so we’re still here and I have most everything planned out. I have things written down and know where I want to go in just about every subject. Now I have to figure out how to document this year. I have the wonderful organizational planner of Home School Tracker (HST), but since I’m in Indiana I don’t really need it. I’ve used it off and on, but I haven’t really been disciplined enough to use the assignments section like I could. This year, since I’m trying to be more on schedule, it would seem like a perfect time to schedule out our whole year and actually follow it. =) Only thing is, I have the basic version which doesn’t let me do something I love to do. If I had the upgraded Plus version, I’d be straight. So I’m debating whether it’s even worth it to try to start planning in HST. I should just get eh Plus version and be set for the rest of our home schooling days…but I can’t right now. I think I might be able to get it before the school year ends, so maybe I’ll just hold on until then….on the other hand, I do need to learn to keep better records. The children are in 2nd grade now. I’m trying to do everything more official-like…=)=) I have this idea that we’ve just been playing so far and now it’s time to get serious. =) It’s absurd since they’re doing far better than I would have thought or planned. I guess I’m just still looking at the P.S.’s and comparing ourselves to them in the academic area…I guess I’m just afraid. I’m still afraid people will see our deficiencies and see there is a failure somewhere and accuse me! Or even take our children away because of it!!! Wow…how’d I get this off subject…so that’s the underlying fear of all HS Moms I guess. I will just remind myself of Who I’m following and know that He is pleased and that’s all that matters….

So did I make a decision?….I’m still contemplating. I have until the 16th (the day before our official start day) to decide I guess. One more wish on this HS Mama’s wish list….Homeschool Tracker Plus…..

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Blessings,
Violet

Blogging <a href="http://www.homesteadblogger.com/VioletsHomestead">here</a>, <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TheReviewer">there</a> and <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LooseEnds">everywhere</a> (incuding <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Persecution">here</a>).

You’ve been reading a <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/schooldaze">Schooldaze</a> post.

God is in control

July 20, 2009 in My Musings by Violet | Permalink

I sometimes forget that simple fact. I was starting to worry about our home school when our family hit upon seemingly hard times. I was tempted to jump to conclusions and believe that our home school was in trouble. I shouldn’t have worried, because once again I’m seeing how God is in control. He orchestrates plans and even random happenings so that everything will work together for the good. It’s really amazing to see Him pull our home school together in time for next year. My desire is to be more organized with schooling and scheduling and He’s meeting me where I’m at! Whatever curr. I didn’t think I’d have, He’s bringing much more to me for our use. The principle of rejoicing in trials has always eluded me, but as I’m seeing Jesus work out our lateest hiccuup, I’m realizing that believing in His ability to make it all owrk for His good is how we can rejoice in our trials. We have no idea what’s going on, what will happen next or how we’re going to come out of it, but we do know that as long as we are called according to His purpose (home schooling for His glory definitely counts) He will take care of it all. I think I’m getting used to things and situations looking crazy, but still keeping my peace in God. God is always up to something, so He’s not going to leave us in the trouble. He’s going to make it okay. So here I sit, with wonderful materials that I couldn’t have picked out better myself and I’m thankful. My God has proved Himself to me yet again and my fears have rolled away. =) I’m ready for next year!

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Blessings,
Violet

Blogging <a href="http://www.homesteadblogger.com/VioletsHomestead">here</a>, <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TheReviewer">there</a> and <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LooseEnds">everywhere</a> (incuding <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Persecution">here</a>).

You’ve been reading a <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/schooldaze">Schooldaze</a> post.

The Conservative Homeschooler Ning Group and Contest

June 8, 2009 in My Musings by Violet | 2 comments

I’ve found a new place to hang out and speak my mind (you don’t know how stifled I feel on Facebook)! The place is a Ning network group and it’s called The Conservative Homeschooler! A FB friend of mine posted about a group she’s in on her wall and I clicked the link and have found a most wonderful atmosphere to have my iron sharpened! =)

I also saw that they are having a contest and the winner will receive Child Training 101! This is such a coincidence because I’ve been wanting to purchase this DVD. I have the books, but there’s nothing like seeing it acted out for you to really get the picture. My children need better parenting skills from me if they’re going to grow up to be the men and women God wants them to be. So far I’ve been the gestapo-type Mom – very harsh and very undisciplined myself. They need a better example and I’m hoping this DVD will help me to change that. Ultimately, it has to be a heart change because that is what is lasting (and where the root of the problem is).

So, If you wanted a place to talk about your conservative political views in the context of home schooling, then this is the place for you!  Come on over by clicking here: The Conservative Homeschooler Ning Social Group

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Blessings,
Violet

Blogging <a href="http://www.homesteadblogger.com/VioletsHomestead">here</a>, <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TheReviewer">there</a> and <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LooseEnds">everywhere</a> (incuding <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Persecution">here</a>).

You’ve been reading a <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/schooldaze">Schooldaze</a> post.

Scared no more…

June 8, 2009 in Our Home Schooling Journey by Violet | Permalink

So it’s been a looooong time since I last posted. I’ve been scared to post since it’s been so long and the update would be huge…..I’m thinking of changing all that. I want to make changes to our home school for next year and I’d like to document it somewhere…

We are coming up on the end of our 1st grade year and while they’re still ahead in certain areas, I really slacked off in others. I was just lazy. I didn’t want to do the same thing day in and out also. Consistent work just makes me bored. I’m praying about this character flaw for next year because our children need more structure to help their learning.

So, I managed to veer away from Right Start Level A so much that we STILL have not finished the whole book. That was my text for K. Next year I’m hoping to buy the B book and all the stuff I need to add to the manipulatives. So, since we weren’t following the book anymore (in places it seemed to go too slow), I just had an idea to teach them their multiplication tables. Thanks to the book they already knew how to count by 1′s, 2′s, 5′s and 10′s. All I taught them was their 3′s and I used what I used to reinforce my learning when I was learning multiplication…Multiplicatoin Rock! =) I know some Moms disapprove, but for my children (who seem to be auditory learners), this helped them memorize it well. I also found Timez Attack (a free multiplication game) and Tux of Math (another free math game to download but it has addition, subtraction, mult. and division as well as fractions and other stuff) to help them out too.

There’s other stuff we did, but I just waned to start with that.

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Blessings,
Violet

Blogging <a href="http://www.homesteadblogger.com/VioletsHomestead">here</a>, <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TheReviewer">there</a> and <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LooseEnds">everywhere</a> (incuding <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Persecution">here</a>).

You’ve been reading a <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/schooldaze">Schooldaze</a> post.

Getting Resources

July 26, 2008 in Our Home Schooling Journey by Violet | 1 comment

SWR = Spell to Write and Read

Little by little Jesus is bringing the things I want to  use for this next year into our home. Either from EBay or classifieds or the products’ main home page. Praise the Lord for His guidance and provision.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to use SWR like it’s supposed to. I’m still kinda confused, but I guess the more I go over it the more it’ll sink in. It seems like we don’t start right out with the spelling words. I think we just do the phonograms which is good since they already know most of them. I just didn’t do any spelling rules with them last time. Plus they’ll be writing in cursive which is probably going to take a while. That will make the lessons drag and I’m not looking forward to that part.

In everything else our home school is shaping up. I keep reminding the children that their summer of fun and doing basically nothing is almost over. I think they’ll like the change though because they always seem happier on a schedule. Our new baby is integrated into the schedule by now (those first six weeks he wasn’t though) so starting back with school should be easier. I do have a 1yo. as well, but she likes to tag after her brother and sister and do what they do so I’ll just give her something that looks like what we’re doing and she can still listen in to the lessons. She actually retains a lot of what’s going on…

So, the year is shaping up. I still need money for new notebooks and pencils and stuff. I don’t have anymore printer cartridges to bring into Staples and Office Max for free coupons so I’ll be missing those this year. I’ll just ask Jesus to provide.
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Blessings, Violet

Blogging <a href="http://www.homesteadblogger.com/VioletsHomestead">here</a>, <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TheReviewer">there</a> and <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LooseEnds">everywhere</a> (incuding <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Persecution">here</a>).

You’ve been reading a <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/schooldaze">Schooldaze</a> post.

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