Kaylee: Then (2004) and Now (2011)

Saturday Snapshots (5-19) is a post from: Contented at Home

(Click banner to join Box Tops Online.)

Become a Box Tops member to learn about ways to earn more Box Tops for the school of your choice. You’ll also be able to receive weekly emails with links to coupons, bonus opportunities, and even the current earnings of your school of choice.

Homeschoolers, don’t pass up this opportunity! Choose a deserving school to support, such as a local Christian school or a school attended by relatives’ children. This is one small way to give back to your community–and it won’t cost you a thing!

If you don’t have any ideas for which school you’d like to support, I’d love for you to consider Indiana Wesleyan School, the school I attended as a teen. Thank you for supporting the cause of education for those who aren’t homeschooling!

Support Education with Box Tops Online is a post from: Contented at Home

In my life this week…

Something about this lovely spring weather seems to be motivating me to catch up on some long-overdue organizing projects. I love the challenge of making spaces neat and efficient! I have one last kitchen cabinet to clean and organize, then I’ll be moving on to other areas. Many other areas, for sure!

In our homeschool this week…

We have been working at wrapping up our school year. I absolutely cannot believe that we only have about ten school days remaining!

What we’re working on:

• Writing projects–I don’t feel like we have accomplished nearly enough in writing this year. We’re definitely making a major change in our writing curriculum next year.
• Dissection–This week Brandon dissected a fish. We were amazed at how much more complex its body systems were, compared to the earthworm and crayfish he dissected previously.
• PA history–Devin and Kaylee have completed their literature-based PA history course, but I need a few more concrete ways to demonstrate what they have learned.
• Diagramming sentences–Keaton has just started diagramming, which isn’t covered in the Easy Grammer texts that the older kids use. I still think diagramming is . . . kind of neat, I guess. Yes, I’m unusual that way!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We went to visit some wonderful (homeschooling) friends this week. The kids always enjoy their friends–and all the animals–when we go to visit.

Kendra got to meet an adorable puppy . . .

. . . and a fluffy little chick!

The older kids spent most of their time outside with the chickens, calf, pony, and miniature horses.

My favorite thing this week was…

I did something completely out of the ordinary–I went shopping for something besides groceries! Clothes. For me.

I didn’t have any success at the shoe store, but I did find a white jacket and a white blouse, both dressy enough for church. I think the white blouse will be perfect with the fuschia floral print skirt I made a few weeks ago.

Questions/thoughts I have…

Has anyone used Institute for Excellence in Writing materials? I am very impressed with what I’ve learned about IEW, and I’d love to hear your thoughts!

I’m grateful for…

. . . the abundance with which my family has been blessed. We have always had enough, and often a little more. God is good!

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal (5-18) is a post from: Contented at Home

I’m over at Cherish the Call today, sharing a few tips for fitting batch cooking into your homeschool day. Come and join us!

Batch Cooking for Homeschool Moms is a post from: Contented at Home

Download a FREE copy of The Top 12 Incredible Cupcakes ebook!

Free eBook: Top 12 Incredible Cupcakes is a post from: Contented at Home

Math

After six years as a faithful Saxon math student, Kaylee made the switch to Math-U-See (Epsilon level) this year. I’m pleased that she is finally understanding fractions well. Even better? She recently told me that she actually likes math now!

Grammar

Kaylee is using Daily Grams 7 for grammar this year. She has been using the Easy Grammar and Daily Grams texts for three or four years now, and I believe they have helped her develop strong grammar, usage, and mechanics skills.

Writing

This year Kaylee is using Winning with Writing to develop writing skills. I personally like the format of this text, particularly the way that each part of the writing process is emphasized. However, Kaylee prefers a more free-style approach to writing, so we’ll be using a different text next year.

Literature

This year Kaylee used School of Tomorrow Literature 7 PACEs. The study booklets include basic comprehension questions, but they do not contain literary analysis or in-depth study of any kind. They have, however, been easy for her to use independently.

Vocabulary

Kaylee used Working with Words 7 for vocabulary practice this year. She commented several times about how much she enjoyed this inexpensive workbook.

Social Studies

This year Kaylee is covering Pennsylvania history. She is using Keystones 2 Pennsylvania History, a literature-based study. This approach seems to be more interesting than the typical textbook coverage of our state’s history.

Science

Kaylee is using School of Tomorrow Science PACEs this year. She is a motivated independent learner, so the PACEs have been a good fit for her. She has asked to continue with PACEs again next year.

Health

Kaylee completed the School of Tomorrow Health Elective PACEs this year. This course is designed as a high school health course. Even though Kaylee is an excellent student, this course was very challenging for her. In retrospect, I would have delayed this course until ninth grade.

Physical Education

Kaylee pursues physical fitness by participating in both group and individual activities. As a family, we try to promote individual exercise as a life-long habit.

What materials have you used and loved (or not) for seventh grade?

Our Homeschool Curriculum: Grade 7 {2011-2012} is a post from: Contented at Home

After discovering the convenience of having pre-cooked ground beef in the freezer, I fell in love with the concept of “meal starters” that can be cooked ahead and frozen for later. Pre-cooked chicken, either shredded or chopped, has become one of my favorite meal starters to keep on hand.

How to cook chicken for the freezer:

Layer chicken in a slow cooker until it is about two-thirds full. Add a cup of water (or more, if you prefer more liquid). Cook on high for about four hours, or on low for about eight hours. Every slow cooker seems to have a mind of its own, so you may need to adjust the cooking time.

When the chicken is thoroughly cooked, remove to a plate or tray to cool. After the chicken is completely cool, chop or shred as desired.

Transfer chicken to freezer bags or freezer containers. You can check some of your favorite recipes to determine the amount to put in each bag or container.

Label each freezer bag with a permanent marker; if you are using plastic containers, you may want to use a different method for labeling. Lay flat to freeze.

Cooking chicken for the freezer is so simple, but is is such a timesaver on busy evenings!

What foods do you freeze to use as “meal starters”?

Linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Try a New Recipe Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, and Works for Me Wednesday.

Cooking Chicken for the Freezer {Batch Cooking} is a post from: Contented at Home

Our baby Kendra . . . and the cutest sleeper ever!

Saturday Snapshots is a post from: Contented at Home

In my life this week…

All this week I have felt like I was not accomplishing anything. And then today I suddenly realized:

• Although my house is not pristine, it is comfortably neat and clean.
• There is only one load of laundry waiting to be folded.
• School is completed for the day and prepared for tomorrow.
• So far this week, our family has eaten fifteen meals, all of them at home. And after all that, there is only one sink full of dishes to be washed at the moment.

Maybe I have accomplished enough.

In our homeschool this week…

Everyone is working hard to get things finished up for the year. We have around fifteen days to go before we begin summer break.

With the end of the year in sight, I am ready to start working on the kids’ portfolios. They are not due until the end of June, but in the meantime they must be evaluated. Anyone else in Pennsylvania working on end-of-year portfolios?

My favorite thing this week was…

I have so enjoyed reading time with my children. We are reading The Hiding Place together in the evenings. What a thought-provoking book!

Questions/thoughts I have…

I love the idea of year-round schooling, but I really don’t know how I would manage without the summers “off.” I need to get caught up on so many things, and I also need a chance to clear my mind before jumping into new lessons.

Maybe some of you year-round homeschoolers can chime in here–how do you manage without a summer break?

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal (5-11) is a post from: Contented at Home

Maybe it’s time to start sewing! With some basic sewing skills, you can sew a beautifully modest wardrobe that is both affordable and attractive.

The peasant top is one of the quickest and simplest styles to sew. Cool and comfortable for summer wear, it is easily adapted for a custom look.

Peasant Top

Pair the peasant top with a simple skirt for a modest outfit that is both practical and pretty.

About this pattern:

• This peasant top pattern is available from Ringger Clothing. It is not a commercially printed pattern, just a copy of what is used in their business. (If you are interested in ready-made or custom-made modest clothing, Ringger Clothing is the place to go!)
• This pattern is very quick and easy. No collar, no facings, no buttons or buttonholes, no zippers!
• Supplies needed: pattern, fabric, matching thread, and elastic.

What questions do you have about making peasant tops?

Linked to Modest Mondays, Better Mom Mondays, Works for Me Wednesday, Feminine Friday.

Making Modest Clothing: Peasant Tops is a post from: Contented at Home