Posted in School Dayz
Well our school year is almost over...YAAAAAA!!! I have learned SO much this year about myself and my children. God has ministered to me about how to teach them, so our next school year will have some changes and I think things will be waaay more relaxed for us. I am actually looking forward to a God-led school year (as long as I am listening) *wink*.
We are going to do math through out the summer months in hopes of focusing more on other studies when we officially start school again in September. On the flip side, doing it this way will ensure concentration on math . I am definitely sticking with Math U See! My son loves it. I did tell him that we are still in the "easy" stuff. I had to start him all the way from the beginning foundations of math. His teachers (in pubic school) passed him to the next grades, but he didn't learn anything *angry smilie*. At least he is enjoying it with the blocks.
We have a unit study planned for Italy, but then we found out that Her Interactive is making a new Nancy Drew game based in Venice, Italy. Since Nancy Drew games always involve problem solving, history, culture, etc. this will be a great way to learn stuff about Italy without the boringness of a complete unit study. After we play the game we are going to have an Italy week of food and music and whatever else the kids come up with.
Everyone is looking forward to a long break...especially ME!
Hugs and Kisses
Posted in School Dayz
Sara is doing scripture copywork. Her scripture is John 1:1-4. I went through it with her last Wednesday, as she was learning to read it. We hadn't touched it since then. Well, today, she read it again all by herself!!!!! Even the word "beginning" and "made (which she had trouble with)".
I am a proud Mama!
Posted in School Dayz
OK, so, Julie over at OldSchoolMarm wanted to see an update for curriculum choices I had made for our 2008-2009 term. I am glad she asked because it motivated me to finish compling my list. Here it is. There are still some spots where I am having a hmmmmm moment.
Curriculum for 2008-2009 Term:
*Stuff from Simply Charlotte Mason
Destiny: 14 yrs old
Bible- Wisdom for Life*
Science- Apologia Biology
Foreign Language- Rosetta Stone
Lang Arts- Analytical Grammar Part 2 (Robert Finley)
Poetry- Ralph Waldo Emerson 9-12 grade (or someone else (any suggestions??))
Literature- Living Books (Need suggestions on good ones)
Math- Math U See
Business Math Series*
History and Geography- Genesis thru Deuteronomy*
Creative Writing- Not sure yet…still need some ideas (inexpensive ideas)
Spelling- Spelling Wisdom*
Dictation- from living books (Need suggestions on good ones)
Journaling
>>Destiny has trouble with punctuating when she writes stories or essays or reports. I need a suggestion for something to help her.<<
Tamar: 12 yrs old
Bible- Wisdom for Life*
Science- Apologia General Science
Lang Arts- Analytical Grammar Part 1 (Robert Finley)
Poetry- Christina Rosetti (or someone else (any suggestions??))
Literature- Living Books (Need suggestions on good ones)
Math- Math U See
Business Math Series*
History and Geography- Genesis thru Deuteronomy*
Creative Writing- Not sure yet…still need some ideas (inexpensive ideas)
Spelling- Spelling Wisdom*
Dictation- from living books (Need suggestions on good ones)
Journaling
Isaiah: 10 yrs old
Bible/History & Geog- Genesis thru Deuteronomy*
Science- Apologia Botany
Lang Arts- Junior Analytical Grammar (Robert Finley)
Poetry/Literature- Lessons From Nature (John Bunyan) (Not sure…may just stick with dictation)
Math- Math U See
Reading Comprehension- The McCall-Crabbs Standard Test Lessons in Reading (SWR)
Copywork
Notebooking
Spelling- Spelling Wisdom*
Dictation- from living books (Need suggestions on good ones)
Journaling
Sara: 6 yrs old
Bible- Genesis thru Deuteronomy*
Science- Apologia Botany
Math- Math U See
Spelling/Reading/Dictation- The Original Alpha-Phonics (Sam Blumenfeld’s)
Cursive- Cursive First (SWR)
Journaling- Maybe
In the midst of this we will do unit studies and lapbooks. We have a unit study pending for Italy. We are waiting for Nancy Drew’s next game to come out since it will be based in Venice, Italy. I can’t wait and neither can they!!!
I need good read aloud books for all the age groups
Additional books I may purchase or check out from the library:
Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare for Children by Evelyn Nesbit
Jashub’s Journal*
The Pilgrims Progress
Five Little Peppers
The Railway Children
Little Town on the Prairie
The Magic Hill
Now We Are Six
Katie and the Sunflowers
Things are a lot more put together. Since I am learning to lean on God for this whole schooling process, this list could very well change, but for now I am happy. I just need to figure out scheduling *sigh*… :o)
Posted in School Dayz
Ladies, I am SOOOOO overwhelmed with finding good curriculum for all of my kids this fall. This is what I have so far:
(everything with a question mark is just that...a question in my head)
Sara- 6 yrs old, 1st grade
Copywork (??)
Math U See
Apologia
Bible (??)
SWR (Spelling to Write and Read)
How do I teach her to read??? I have been given some suggestions, but it all seems to much to handle :o(
Isaiah-10 yrs old, 5th grade
Math U See
Copywork (??)
Dictation (??)
Apologia
Bible (??)
Lang Arts/English/Poetry/Literature (??)
Hist and Goegraphy (??)
Am I missing something?
Tamar-12 yrs old, 7th grade
Math U See
Dictation (??)
Apologia
Bible (??)
Lang Arts/English/Poetry/Literature (??)
Creative Writing (??)
Hist and Goegraphy(??)
Am I missing something?
Destiny- 14 yrs old, 9th grade
Foreign Lang (??)
Math U See
Dictation (??)
Apologia
Bible (??)
Lang Arts/English/Poetry/Literature (??)
Creative Writing (??)
Hist and Goegraphy(??)
Am I missing something? How many credits does she need? How do I calculate credits?
They did Swithed on Schoolhouse this year and don't want to do the computer again. So everything needs to be book work or something hands on or whatever.... I am up for all ideas!
I have to admit that because I am a book learner, it hard for me to construct in my mind how to do anything other than bookwork. That's especially discauraging beacause 2 of my kids are hands on learners. Maybe I am just lazy and my back problems don't help me much as far as being more active.
Thanks :' (
Tirzah
Posted in School Dayz
Ok Ladies, my child will be a High Schooler next fall and I need to find a good, inexpensive Foreign Language curriculum. She wants to learn Italian.
Any help would be appreciated!
Smooches,
ME
Posted in School Dayz
Today was going to be a regular school day, but I think I am going to solicit the kids' help in planning the Italy unit study. They seem excited about it so I need to take advantage of their excitement and find out what they really want to know about it. I want to build a timeline, but not sure how to go about that...I guess it's the time frame I am stuck on. They will still have to do math and Bible. Should be a pretty laid back day. **of course I say that now at 7:07 am and they are still sleep**
Posted in School Dayz
We got up this morning and went straight to the gym...yaaaaaay! I told my dh I would take the kids so they could burn off some of that energy they seem to find later in the day. It was good. I did a little treadmill, but I'm really gonna work on strengthening my back muscles. The kids worked out and then we sat in the sauna...some smart butt kid turned out the light while we were in there and the kids screamed...LOL. Of course my next thought was "we are locked in here". So when I went out to turn on the light, I kinda hit the door hard (glad no one was on the other side...he he).
Anyway, we came home and worked on our lapbooks. I asked them questions (to see if they had been paying attention) and was shocked that they had been listening. I was a happy Mama *doing the jig*!! We are talking about savings, checking accounts (and checkbooks), taxes, debit, credit, interest, investing, wants vs. luxuries, stretching the dollar, the history of money, budgeting, etc. Wednesday, we are going to look at currency from a few other countries and take a field trip to the store so they can really see how much stuff costs.
I will post pics when we are done.
Hugs
Posted in School Dayz
We are going to start a lapbook today about money...something my kids like to talk about how we don't have enough of it.
This is our first lapbook! I saw them before, but didn't understand how they were supposed to work and besides that, I thought they were stupid. Well, the whole idea of surrendering to Gods will in teaching my children, is to do whatever He says.
So, I am actually excited about this. I haven't told the kids yet because they are going to do it together. My son is taking forever cleaning the bathroom. I wanna get started.
Anyhoo, I will post pictures as we go.
((Hugs))
Posted in School Dayz
I was thinking about the details of homeschooling a little bit ago. I had to search my heart as to how I am going about things. I realize that I really want to do this Gods way. I always have, but still kept my hands in the pot. I want to be totally led by Him in what to teach my kids and how to teach them. I can't seem to let go of my version of teaching which was heavily influenced by going to public school for 13 years. I am a textbook, audible learner where as 2 of my 4 kids are not. So then I am caught in the middle of teaching 2 one way and 2 the way I learned = confusion...UGH!
So, it all comes down to this. I HAVE to be lead by the Holy Spirit on teaching them and I am a little nervous that I will not hear Him or know when He is urging me...ok there I go analyzing things again. Ok...breathe...ok I am choosing to trust Him because He will let me know. 
Just remember me in prayer as I learn to let go and trust Him in this. Thanks. Hugs.
