"No place like home..."schooling

Getting ready for a new year

2011-08-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

The thing about homeschooling, is that you can make your own schedule. Which means, we never had an official "last day" kind of thing because I was needing some semblance of a schedule during the summer months of their friends being out of school too. I don't have the first day back to look forward to sending them away, so I didn't want to shoot myself in the foot having to also be the one to get them back into a learning routine.

But we've wrapped up all of the learning their little noggins are 'standardized to achieve' at this age, and I feel like I've hardly done anything the last three months... I'm glad they're smart, it makes up for my lackings some days!

Since all of the workbooks my kids love to do are nearly finished, I finally wrapped my head around next year's bounty of knowledge.

For Maren:

Math-

A Beka Arithmetic 2
A Beka Tests and Speed drills 2

KB Teacher's supplemental worksheets

Language Arts-

Writing Poetry

A Beka Spelling and Poetry 2

Shurley English Level 1 (finishing up)
Grammar

Spanish La Clase Divertida and a vocabulary workbook to supplement.

Science-
Human Body

Illustrated Human Body resource book by INsiders
The care and keeping of you (American Girl)

(We are beginning with teaching Maren about her anatomy, because she has been having some changes already- I know...what?! And with a new baby on the way, lots of questions are being asked.)

*A new baby to be born in the family... what better way to teach living science?!

Geography and History-
World Cultures with Around the World in 80 Tales and Expedition Earth

Galloping the globe online interaction

Music and Art-

Suzuki Violin 1 Book-

Lessons with Master's Musicians school of music
Usborne "What shall I draw?"

Ballet, including performing in The Nutcracker this year

Reading-
We've picked 2 books from the list of classic literature recommended from Thomas Jefferson Education. In addition to their personal reading- they'll learn oral reports, researching, and book reviews.

More history will come with association while we read classic literature, scriptures, and Magic Tree House series. Also, we are making a time line of "Great People throughout America's History" that we will continue to build through next year.

For Kellan, he will do the grade 2 lessons along with all of the subjects, and has grade 1 workbooks for each of the subjects. He will also be continuing with the Cello, I so love the sound of that instrument! He is excited to start learning cursive when we officially break out our new school year books.

Now... if I can only keep these 3 hours of structure every day amidst running after a toddler, running a household, and battling morning sickness.....

Another book worm

2011-04-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

I forgot to add this in the blog last month, but I wanted to remember this moment. Kellan read and finished his first chapter book!

I have learned some good lessons through our journey this school year- and mostly it is that what I think I know about their personalities isn't always right. I was flat out wrong many times. I've underestimated Kellan a lot in his mile stones, and by not expecting as much out of him he takes his own way to show me otherwise!

We didn't work on reading with him during the year before he started kindergarten work. We pulled him out of preschool because of his health struggles, and I let him just dictate his own pace every day at home, reading was not on his agenda at all. When we started with Kindergarten concepts and workbooks, crying became the norm during reading time. If he doesn't just get something easily, he feels really bad for himself. If I push him to try harder, he shuts down entirely. So I didn't push him at all. For Christmas he had gotten some young readers comic books like Disney Cars and Toy Story 3. He loved comic books and started reading all the time! He was breezing through things like Mercer Mayer's Little Critter books, and he learned that reading things all around his world every day was pretty cool.

Then I gave him some books that I had bought when I was pregnant with him. Frog and Toad. They're separated into small chapters, with a lot of pictures in between, and he LOVED them. He was suddenly asking me to lay on his bed and read! I was having to ask him to put his book down! This was coming from the little boy who I thought just didn't love to read, and even thought he probably wouldn't read during kindergarten. He has proven me wrong on every account.

And that's Kellan. When we try to do group activities, he is over stimulated and he can't pay attention. The more pressure on him to be doing something, he shuts down. But when he can be isolated and independent with the tools around him, he will do it, alone, and perfectly. He's an audio learner, so the group time helps him and he remembers everything like a vault, and he figures things out on his own time, in his own way. He's brilliant. I'm so proud of him!

Learning from the past

2011-04-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

"The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next." ~Abraham Lincoln

I have been reading a book called "The Thomas Jefferson Education" and there are so many points that I've read, and loved, and went back to re-read them again. If you asked me when I was a little girl what I wanted to be, I never would have thought that I'd say a teacher. Some days I still don't think I want to be one! But regardless of what I want, I feel I'm being molded, as long as I am seeking out the best tools to use for this craftsman responsibility that I have to 3 human beings, I feel inspired to be one.

There are a lot of days that I feel like it's impossible to be all of it- mother, cook, housekeeper, wife, CFO of our household, personal assistant managing everyone's appointments and diets and sleep schedules, and teacher? Seriously? A lot of days honestly, I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water. Then I read something that hits my core.

"A good mentor is someone of high moral character who is more advanced than the student and can guide his or her learning. Parents are the natural mentors of children.They can be very effective in getting the student started on a lifetime plan for success, especially if they use some of the key techniques perfected by the great mentors of history."

Now, that being said, parents everywhere can strive for this quality, and it doesn't even require homeschooling. But the key part that struck me was "someone of high moral character." I don't know about you, but I feel our world is lacking very much people of that substance. And the thought of sending my young little ones away from me to someone who might not meet that criteria? Time to bring them home. So we did. But now what?

I'm trying to figure out, and reconstruct my expectations, to better meet the last part of that quote "use some of the key techniques perfected by great mentors of history."

When you look at the mentor of Thomas Jefferson, or Plato, Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Joan of Arc- "Whatever the culture, look at its greatest leaders and you will almost always find that they were guided by at least one outstanding mentor and made a lifetime study of classic works." -Thomas Jefferson Education

So we're encorporating a code of ethics in our home. A standard of moral character. Expectations, and life lessons to learn them. When you consider how education used to be, little ones learned responsibilities and values, familial contributions, reading, writing, some arithmetic- while in the setting of their home with their mother. They learned their culture, and they observed adults to learn social skills. Then when mature enough to try being independent and responsible to persue becoming educated further, the wealthy class had private tutors, middle class may have had a mentor and the education was given by the parents or an educated family member. Schoolhouses were created to bring education to the poor class who did not have anyone to pass down or afford them an education. And now, that standard of bringing education to the poor, has been the standard given to every child in our nation. It inspired me that I can be what my children need, even on the tough days of regular family life of behaviors and rivalry, and crabby moods, and overall patience testers. Remembering that is the struggle!

So we're working on our reading, writing, some arithmetic. We've explored a LOT of our world around us because our schedule isn't keeping young kids bound down to a desk, being driven to memorize just because they can even if they don't understand, for the sake of regurgitating an answer to accomplish a test. We've read a lot of books, and stopped to associate it to the globe, or the constellations, whatever is being mentioned in that book at the time. And it's sparked SO many more questions from the kids about the world around them. They are being inspired, which is the pivitol ingredient to a person being truly educated- the desire to learn as much as they can because they have a spark within them to seek it. Education isn't given. It's wanted and sought after.

Here's a great book we just finished up about geography- also about forgiveness, selflessness, and hope.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Another great book we're diving into about mathematics, geography, and imagination.

Gulliver's Travels -classic starters

Have you heard about The Thomas Jefferson Education? You might really enjoy it, regardless of what setting your child is being instructed. It might inspire you, as it is for me, to in turn inspire my young ones. I'm so glad for the (several) friends who recommended it to me!

Great Americans and Black History month

2011-02-11T07:37:00.000-08:00

We started February learning a bit about Black History month, and we also started a timeline for our wall of "Great American People in America's History" to finish out through this school year. The kids added their own birth years and names to the time line, and we added facts that we learned earlier in the year such as the year the Constitution was signed, and when George Washington was born. We studied a bit about Martin Luther King Jr when we covered Georgia during our discussion when we came to that part of the country, so we added him too during the beginning of Black History month.

Earlier this week we read the story of Moses in the bible, and the children used their journal writing time to express their feelings about slaves and children of God.

We watched a video about Harriet Tubman.

Animated Heroes Harriet Tubman

So in our discussion of slavery, and a nation divided about government, we talked about the Federalists and the Confederates. We discussed the Mason Dixon line in our geography time today, and the kids made a collage depicting the state boundaries during that time, and now. And it transitioned into our time for the day when we stand and say the Pledge of Allegience, reminding them that our country now has a Federal flag, a Federal government, (and regardless of my husband's southern sentiment!) that is where we are today.

Map of the USA during the Civil war

Flags of a nation divided

We finished up our week by watching the video of Abraham Lincoln and adding him to our timeline too.

We've been working on listening, and respect, and other character building values in our devotional time, so I added a listening exercise to help them. We started reading Fablehaven, and I have to say that I LOVE the big vocabulary in it! It doesn't water anything down with the low expectation that children won't understand, instead it adds an adventure and fantasy to bring them UP to comprehend a broader vocabulary base, that frankly, our country is lacking in education. The kids are enjoying it!

Kellan is full of wiggles, so it has been more challenging to get him interested in reading, but he's doing it at his own pace, and I've been pleased with his progress. Keeping his interest during reading time (and therefor keeping him out of trouble) has been a challenge, so I came up with this:

I skim through the few pages that I intend to read to them, and write him a list of vocabulary words to listen for. And if he hears it, he makes a check mark by it. Then after our reading time, we say the words, use them in a sentence, and even make a word search activity sheet with the new vocabulary words some days. It has helped immensely, and it has thickened the stimulation for Maren too, who loves books and reading, and still wants more.

What are your kids reading right now?

Changing pace

2011-02-01T21:23:00.001-08:00

I started out our year running, with my schedules, and lesson plans, and all of our supplemental activities to go along with each one. And every subject tied into each other to help them LEARN and like what they learn, not just regurgitate facts back for a test at the end of the year.

But I've had a change of mind when I listened to my feelings about Kellan. And this video explains every feeling that I felt in searching for a new way to reach him.

Maren loves her book work, she loves drawing, writing, checking off tasks, my little self-motivated over achiever! Kellan hates it. He likes flashcards, and sensory games, puzzles to find the answers, stacking up objects to see a visual of a job being done.

I don't jive with the "unschooling" philosophy, because after all, I feel like I'm the parent for a reason, because I have long term reasonability and a fully functioning frontal lobe to determine and weigh out variables- kids don't! But I've sort of thrown our schedule out the window- a bit. I'm still a little bit OCD when it comes to being organized and accomplished! But... Maren asks for school work, she gives herself extra assignments, she is working well with her workbooks and literature. Kellan has to be lured in with fascination and more discussions, more visuals.

I believe more firmly now, had I sent him to a public school, the year would have looked something like this: Kellan would be anxious about a change, but he tries it because I make him. He's hyper, and he might have a hard time making friends, which will lead to more anxiety. He does not retain information yet by reading or writing, and he gets very depressed with himself already when he can't do what his next level sister is doing. He'll start to lose interest, and his abundance of energy will get him in trouble. He'll come home with more anxiety. He'll start to hate learning.

He is not a product on an assembly line. Only his parents have the most vested interest in his succession. And I know (another reason) why I felt called to do this task.

Germany

2011-01-28T08:11:00.000-08:00

We're finally getting around... the world that is. We've focused a lot on our own country the first half of our school year, with conversations about other countries, this was the first week we did a "study" of a country. We started in Germany, which seemed fitting for us because of family history that goes back to that country. We're at a place in our Creation Studying where we are focusing on God creating man, we're doing fun art work showing our personalities, our 5 senses, our feelings, etc. And now we're transitioning into our family, and family history a little bit. So there ya go, that brings us to Germany.

We painted the flag of Germany today and displayed it with our own country's flag, then included them in our prayers.

We made a family tree to add to our devotional time this week.

We read some Grimm's childrens fairytales, and The Bremen-town Musicians

We had Beethoven (courtesy of Baby Einstein's cd's) blaring in the background. The Bible has a lot to say about music and instruments, so we sampled some of the greats from Germany- Ludwig Van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Brahms

We learned about Albert Einstein, and how much math applies to everything like flying into space, or building a computer, I think Kellan has a new hero since he loves math so much.

Young Albert Einstein- Laurence Santrey

Albert Einstein coloring page

And what would a miniature princess like Maren be without the mention of all of the castles in Germany?

Castle Maze

Today wraps up our study of Germany by reading The Dutchess Bakes a Cake- Virginia Kahl and making a German Chocolate cake for a certain (newly) SEVEN year old's birthday party tomorrow. I wonder if she'll be just as excited about saurkraut and potatoes for dinner tonight?

After dinner, we'll watch The Sound of Music (yeah yeah, I know it's Austria. But they speak German. And it's a great movie ;) close enough!)

Our world

2011-01-24T09:06:00.000-08:00

This year so far, our curriculum has largely been focusing on Geography. For my kids, knowing they were born in Utah and a lot of their family lives there, but we now live in North Carolina, they've been super curious. So I'll take that and run with it as long as I can! I've loved using ideas and activities from Erica@confessionsofahomeschooler in addition to Galloping the Globe printables. And I was super excited to see this post on a giveaway for National Geographic personalized atlas!

Hop on over to Erica's blog by clicking here to enter to win the drawing too. But honestly, I hope that I win!

Winter what-have-you's

2011-01-12T15:38:00.000-08:00

We haven't been on a hiatus. Well, much of one anyway :)

In true April fashion, I delusions of grandeur of how much we would get done this past holiday season. Throw in a trip to Utah with the kids that I wasn't planning on per-say, James having a kidney stone attack and in the ER Christmas eve, and all around craziness... I literally just threw all of the planning out the window. Part of homeschooling is to enjoy this fleeting time with my little ones, right? Maren is in 1st grade age range, doing 3rd-4th grade grammar and reading and vocabulary. Kellan is in kindergarten, doing 1st grade Math and science. I'm not worried in the least to throw out several weeks of planning. I want them to accelerate at their own readiness for it instead of being slowed based on a large group, but then again, to slow the pace for the greater good of nurturing family values and qualities is a benefit unsurpassed of why we do homeschool.

We recently had a good snow storm move through our area, a rare and delightful treat. Even though the kids thought we were taking a day off, little did they know that they would be learning about isosceles triangles. Which when folded, and cut, make very feel-good snow day decorations! (instructions here)

And they learned about dimensions, and how folding the paper differently changes it entirely. (instructions here)

So we decorated around the place, for our January theme of winter.

Then today in our Geography time, we reviewed different terrains around the world, and learned how climates are defined. For arts and crafts we made this fun little water bottle cover, and made sure to classify this animal and add it to the list on our wall chart of all of the animals God created.

Using a 16 or 20 oz water or soda bottle, we covered it first with black construction paper. For my kindergartner, drawing and cutting the shapes such as circle, triangle, and oval (the arms) was good fine motor skills for him to work on.

We filled our bottles with hot water and learned how to read a mercury thermometer, my kindergartner made a hypothesis of what would happen if we took the hot water bottles and left them outside in the snow. His hypothesis was right ;) We rechecked with our thermometers. Then we put them in the freezer in preparation for our science discussion tomorrow of how water freezes.

Another lesson on freezing, changing a liquid into a solid, came from making old fashioned candy Little House on the Prairie style by boiling sugar, molasses, and rootbeer extract, then drizzling it in a shallow pan filled with packed snow.

I'm loving KB Teacher's as a supplemental resource for a lot of different worksheets, activities, and ideas to mix up the routine a bit. Check them out!

Clearly, we're enjoying winter around here. Even if I wish I could hibernate through it instead!

Spelling

2010-11-08T19:35:00.000-08:00

A few friends have asked what curriculum I use for spelling.

Right now? My own.

You can find spelling lists online for each grade level that your child is comprehending- that's a perk of homeschooling, to move your child up or down according to their individual readiness. Maren is in 1st grade, reading at a 3rd grade level, so for a challenge of learning new words I took ideas from 4th grade spelling lists.

Using Microsoft Word, I made a weekly list consisting of 9-10 words for Maren, 6-8 words for my kindergarten age son Kellan.

Both of them have a folder they call their "Dictionary". Each Monday, I put their new list for the week on the left side. The middle section has pages from A-Z for them to add in their new words alphabetically as they learn them. The right side has a column for each week to make a record of their testing.

So this is how we use this subject: Mondays they receive their new list. 1st Grader writes her words in cursive practicing handwriting, and looks words up in a dictionary. Kindergartener writes spelling words 3 times each in manuscript, focusing on handwriting for both.

Tuesday: 1st Grader uses dictionary for vocabulary and deciphering if the word is a noun/verb/adjective, etc, and writes it in a sentence. Kindergartener writes rhyming words for his list.

Wednesday: 1st grader focuses on grammar and usage of words (past or present tense, pluralizing, or conjugating verbs.) Kindergartener writes/traces/or copies from a writing board sentences containing his spelling words- focusing on punctuation and handwriting for both kids.

Thursday: 1st grader has creative, free writing time in journal, and reviews spelling and vocabulary for the list of words, alphabetizes them on a worksheet. Kindergartener has phonics lessons of combined sounds like TH, SH, CH, OU, EE, OO etc, and review of list words that might reflect those.

Friday is testing on spelling and knowledge of proper use of words, then they add them to their "Dictionary" to indicate that they have shown they have learned it. The date is noted on the right column of their folder, and a gold star just because I'm cool like that!

Also, the folder is record at the completion of their learning each week, so all of their papers of writing gets thrown away- this will go in their end of the year binder documenting their progress for our legal records. VERY easy and compact!

Other ways I supplement learning vocabulary and grammar for them are these worksheets I made. My first grader will have a sentence written incorrectly with mistakes like spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or incorrectly conjugated verbs, and she must critically think and correct the sentences. My kindergartener will be given a sound such as "-ing" and makes a list of words containing that combined sound of letters.

For further language and grammar for my 1st Grader, we are using Shurley English, and it fits us perfectly!

Sometimes...

2010-09-28T16:44:00.000-07:00

...school isn't about books and worksheets and memorizing drills.

Sometimes it's about life, and applying lessons appropriately. And sometimes it can be F-U-N.

We went to a farm last week called "An American Ark" where they had 125 acres of all kinds of fun animals to check out. The kids even got to pet a turkey. Kellan picked up a feather for his souvenir, and I took opportunity to teach them about the song Yankee Doodle, and also a fun writing experiment.

We cut the tip of the feather off, and inserted a calligraphy tip (I have a calligraphy set of old fashioned tips and bottles of ink, but you can find them at any hobby store for super cheap) and we dipped the quill pen in a bottle of ink to write letters just like George Washington did when he addressed his army.

The kids loved it! And especially for my Kindergartner who does not like writing, he couldn't get enough. He has asked every day since then to do it again. Win!

And sometimes school lessons can be brought around full circle by applying whatever lesson they are learning to something they are going through in their life. Like this morning, my first grader was being her typical dramatic girl self. She refused to get her chores done in a timely manner so that we could proceed with school work. And as a result, she had to have a time out while the rest of us had scripture and song time- she was very much upset about that.

My rule is that the time out begins when they are quiet and reflective. She was yelling and back talking. So I asked her "Maren, what is 9+6?"" Her: "15. Why." (no question in her tone. Just demanding because clearly this was lame for her.) So I continued "Which is greater? 15 or 6?" She said "15. Duh Mom, I know this already."

So I said "Well, if you continue to be angry for 9 minutes, and still have to do 6 quiet minutes, you are standing there longer. Would you like to stand for less time?" (of course she would.) She finally got my point and was quiet. And it was a *math review*, hahahaha.

This was also part of her writing time. It was perfect opportunity to discuss grammar, and structuring a sentence correctly! ;^)

See? Sometimes to stay sane with homeschooling, I realize that I have to know that they are going through something emotionally, and instead of getting mad and wanting to loose my cool (often!) I try to ponder how I can help them learn how to approach things better. And roll with the punches.

Transformation

2010-09-22T12:15:00.000-07:00

"Motherhood is the hardest job in the world, if you're doing it right." -Oprah

I love that quote. Along with that thought is also the work it takes to make sure your children are educated. Whatever school they go to doesn't matter as much in regards to their brain food, but to help them absorb it all requires involved parents in some manner. Whether that's working WITH them on their homework, or pursuing extra help if they need it, or being a 'room mother', sitting on the PTO, challenging them with extra stimulation if they are bored, and on... and on... (all the other gems they pick up like social behaviors, well, that DOES matter what school they go to!)

I don't think it's acurate to say that stay at home mothers get a break during the day while their children are in school, *if they are doing it right.* They would be hard working during those hours to maintain their homes and errands so that after the bus brings their precious ones home they can give them the time and attention they need during homework. Especially if little ones are still home, there is no 'break.' And working mothers are even busier if they are also the primary ones taking care of the house! Whew, I can't even fathom the amount of caffeine needed.

So I'm now a homeschooling mom. It's hard yes, but it's a different hard, and I have to mythbust a little and tell you that I'm finding it easier. YES we are done in 3 hours. YES it's changing my life in so many good ways, and YES my life is less stressed.

I don't have to time punch to meet a bus when it's still dark outside. But yes, we still get up and fully dressed, beds made, and chores done before we get going. We don't sit around in jammies all day!
The school day can be accomplished in 3 hours because the kids aren't spending 1.5 hours every day on a bus or in a car pickup/drop off line and commute. Lunch goes quicker also because 30 kids don't need to line up first/after.
The reading time for little children done in class is so that the teacher can have one-on-one, this is where a TA or room mother is needed. Our reading time is done as part of our bedtime routines. I only have 2 children in school, so it isn't difficult to juggle one-on-one time with them. Lessons are accomplished quicker because there isn't 30 kids to redirect or discipline. Activity centers are play time, while again the teacher is working individually- my kids have play time with their own toys in their rooms after school work is done. So yes, it really can be done in 3 hours when you shave off the redundant time spent in elementary schools that they may also do at home.
I still have to pack lunches, make sure homework is done and sent in before their next day, think ahead of schedules, little one's naps, errands, housework, cooking, being a wife, and all of those things too. The perk is that it can change if I need it to, but the load may be heavier with the reality that it's always a full crew with me at all times.
Instead of parent teacher conferences, I am always in-the-know of how my child is accomplishing each subject and behavior, and can take proactive steps before a problem developes.

So my life isn't any more hectic than any other mother who wishes to be fully involved with their children's life, it's just different. Instead of finding care for my little one not old enough for school, while I go volunteer as a room mother, I just do both myself. But it did take a LOT of organizing, preparing, and scheduling before we got it started that you don't have to do if your child goes to public school.

The biggest reason why I am loving it? Because it's FORCED me to figure out the rest of my tasks so that I take that time and sit down with my children. I was missing out on that when I was fussing over what they were messing up. Instead of sitting down with them when the bus brings them home, I get to do it in the mornings. Instead of volunteering in their classrooms, I get to create their classroom adventures. When we have field trips, the whole family can go along. And it has pushed me to do more than I thought I could do with my health problems, it has pushed me to ensure that I am taking the time and care to raise them upright before the Lord, and all the while it is molding me into being the patient and joyful mother that I was too stressed out to be. And it is fostering a better relationship between rivaling siblings. Ironic isn't it?

Free

2010-09-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Constitution Day!

September 17th, 1787 the Constitution of the United States was completed, and adopted by the Delegates that day. It became effective March 4, 1789, but we introduced it today in our studies to show reverence and understanding for the wisdom that brought it forth.

And for the men who blazed the trail.

We're studying the USA in geography and history, and more than just memorizing the capitals, we are truly diving in to the history of this great nation.

Starting with George Washington this week in history was more important and appropriate than starting with him the first week of school. It gave time to introduce a basic understanding of government, Presidents, and states.

Also, since George Washington was one of the Delegates who signed the constitution, it made a nice transition into talking about our Capitol. Did you know that the cornerstone of the Capitol was laid by George Washington on September 18th, 1793?

More than just learning about the freedoms that we enjoy, is also taking advantage of them. We went to the library to find lots of gems for our studies. With the internet, and the public library, it can either supplement or entirely create the subject material for whatever you choose!

We even found DVD's for children about the constitution, and American Hero's volumes such as this one we watched today: Animated Hero Classic: George Washington We had these movies growing up, and my mom shipped them out to me, I loved this more than other movies for children, because it didn't shy away from the depiction of the heroes respect for God. That's a true hero in my book!

Other ways we used free resources for our subjects was checking out this book:

This was such a cute book to compliment our study of the Creation, Day 3 of all of the things God created on this Earth, and WHY He created this first, and not Man!

The Creation

2010-09-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

Who knew that you could stretch out a small chapter in the Bible for so long? So far we have accomplished 3 weeks of school, and have only covered Day 2 of the Creation story. Here's why!

I'm using it as an association for a LOT of their geography for the first half of the school year. We have read the story several times in these 3 weeks, but each time I'm emphasizing with my voice different key words as they listen, then we transition into our geography lesson about the emphasized part.

For instance, starting with just reading the story, it introduced the concept of a 7 day week and we reviewed the days of the week. -Another day we reviewed the days of the week and expanded with the concepts of "Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow." -Another lesson was about the description of what was created the first day, dividing the light from the dark, naming the day and the night. We transitioned into our discussion of the Earth rotating, the sun rise and sunset, and the other places in the world that are night when we are day.

We just wrapped up Day 2 of the creation, learning about the firmaments above and the firmaments below, with lots of cool science experiments about liquids, condensation, cloud formations, and separating firmaments of our own like with oil and water. We also talked about some of the physics of the world that God created to govern all forms of life, such as gravity. When you break each day down, you can really stretch it out to relate to so many subjects.

Next week we're heading into Day 3, discussing the dry land being divided from the sea, so we introduced land/sea into our geography. We are narrowing down our specific studies to the USA this year, but first we talked about continents, which one we live on, and how many countries there are on it.

We rolled out some blue playdough, then put it on a paper plate, using a kid's cereal bowl to press and make a round shape. Next we rolled out green playdough (on the vinyl table cover), and I gave them a map of the world like this one you can print here . Then they took a paper clip opened up to poke holes around the continent of choice to their playdough underneath. Having them recognize which continent you are studying helps to associate the lessons they've had. Once they're done poking all around the continent, the shape separates from the extra, and we placed it on top of our sea of blue.

After it dried, we also labeled N,S,E,W on the plates. Next week as we dive into learning about the names of the oceans, types of bodies of water, and land differences we'll add some detail to this simple project.

Other ideas for days of creation study can include:

Day 2- Firmaments above and below- evaporation, gas, liquid, weather
Day 2- Firmaments above and below- atmosphere
Day 2- Firmaments above and below- physic laws that govern
Day 3- land and sea- types of terrain in parts of the world
Day 3- land and sea- solids and liquids
Day 3- land and sea- names of continents, and names of the 4 oceans
Day 3- land and sea- tectonic plates, latitude and longitude, volcanoes
Day 4- Plants- types of things in the garden
Day 4- Plants- Herbs
Day 4- Plants- seeds, photosynthesis, soil, composting
Day 4- Stars in the heavens- astronomy
Day 4- Stars in the heavens- seasons
Day 4- Stars in the heavens- navigation
Day 4- Stars in the heavens- signs
Day 5- Fish and Fowl- oxygen, lungs and gills
Day 5- Fish and Fowl- migration
Day 5- Fish and Fowl- laying eggs, circle of life
Day 5- Fish and Fowl- grouping (flock of birds, school of fish)
Day 5/6- All creatures- classification (mammal, fish, fowl, reptile, marsupial, amphibian)
Day 6- All creatures on land, predators or prey
Day 6- Man- family tree
Day 6- Man- male/female, boy/girl, mothers/fathers
Day 6- Man- our uniqueness as individuals, features, personalities
Day 6- Man- responsibility of dominion over all the earth
Day 6- Man- relationship to God and Jesus Christ
Day 6- Man- genealogy, journal keeping
Day 7- Rest- worship, service, charity, commandments, community, work ethic, accountability, appreciation, patience, so-many-virtues can be taught here.

We're keeping track of our learning in our Creation Lapbook that we're making throughout the weeks to come, with ideas using Christian printables about the creation here , Creation lapbook artwork here, and some projects from Galloping the Globe of the USA relating to our location on this beautiful planet our Heavenly Father created for us.

Number combinations and Twins

2010-09-03T12:17:00.001-07:00

In my house I have two school age children, who are two different types of learners. My daughter is artistic oriented. She loves drawing, coloring, and writing. And she's very good at those things. My son is math oriented. He loves building, solving, and counting, which he also is very good at.

We played a little exercise today during math time, which enaged both of their interests, and can easily be adapted for each child's level of understanding. We took index cards, and on the blank side I drew a black line, and made a group of dots of differing amounts on each half. My 1st grader had more dots to count, my Kindergartener had less dots to count.

(ignore the crooked lines and the less-than-perfect dots, this was made during our discussion, and I knew they would be throw aways, this isn't something you would want to laminate and keep around necessarily. But my compulsive self wanted to make a perfect looking one just for pictures, I've resisted!)

In math this week we've been talking about "twins." (4+3=7 and 3+4=7 ) So on the back of each index card they needed to write the number combinations and figure out the sum, then write the twin as well.

Then I gave them a few blank ones, to write their own combination of numbers, and the math sentences on the back. My daughter, the artistic and creative one, was a bit more ambitious than her skills are capable of, and drew about 86 dots on one side, and 74 dots on the other side, then she became stumped when she couldn't figure out the sum and kept loosing count! We finally agreed that Mom knew what she was talking about, and she ended up settling for a number in the 20's.

My kindergartener dislikes writing with a captial D! But if you give the kid a math game, he will show that he DOES know how to write the numbers, even if his handwriting needs a lot of improvement. Not bad for the second week of school, and the kid who refused to write them independently before today, huh?

(Let's pretend that I know why this picture keeps posting rotated, and I'm just leaving it like this for flare, because I can't figure out why some flip and some don't! Sorry. )

You can also use domino's to write the number combinations, challenge them to figure out the sum. We also used colored popsicle sticks that I got at the dollar store to show two different combinations in each hand, we orally figured out the sum, and then crossed their hands to reverse the number combination, helping them get the idea of "twin" addition facts.

To learn how to write numbers, my son has been practicing his letters on these worksheets, which I made for preschool activities pritint off my own templates from kidzone. I made a binder of beginner words, their names, capital letters, lowercase letters, and numbers, then put them in page protectors. They trace the letters or numbers with dry erase markers so they can be used again and again, and from kid to kid!

After he successfully wrote numbers with a pencil, and wasn't tracing or transition writing them, he felt much more confident in himself, and told me that he prefers a notebook now, he doesn't want to use the preschool workbooks anymore. WIN!

Not two thumbs up...

2010-08-27T10:45:00.001-07:00

Two FINGERS up!!

We're doing the USA for most of our Geography and History through the year, from Galloping the Globe, and also a little from Expedition Earth by Erica @ confessions of a homeschooler. As we're just beginning our lessons, it made the most sense to start the kids learning about where they live, their address, and finding it on a globe and atlas.

So today as we expanded our learning about North Carolina to begin studying the states, the state bird is the Cardinal, and we had a fun little activity to go along with it. The poem is originally about just birds, but we said it like this:

Two little cardinals sitting on a hill

One named Jack, one named Jill.

Fly away Jack, fly away Jill.

Come back Jack, come back Jill.

This Kindergartener was definitely more enthusiastic to do his worksheets with his red birds holding his pencil!

And this little guy was occupied for quite awhile too, checking out his red little fingers. I colored his on the front of his fingers, so that every time he grabbed an object, it would catch his attention more, and he'd sit and just stare every time.

We just used washable crayola markers in red on their fingers, and also black to draw 2 eyes and a triangle for the beak. So simple, and so fun.

A clean slate

2010-08-21T09:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun idea that we will be doing to help the kids see their progress with the work they have to do for the day, and transition from the mindset of being able to do things at their own agenda around the house. I think they'll work much better when they see they have a list, and a finished piece when school day is done.

I got 3 metal clipboards from Office Max (one for baby too, to keep his little hands busy, when he'll stay put that is!)

I purchased wooden shapes from Hobby Lobby (a craft supply store) 2 pieces of scrapbook paper, matte finish mod podge, and magnetic strip/roll.

Cut the scrabook paper to fit the size of the wooden shapes, and secure with a glue stick. Then cover with mod podge using a sponge brush or paint brush. After they dry, take the peeling off of the back of the magnetic strip that you cut to fit and stick it on. It's a good idea to lay a heavy box on top of them over night to make sure they stiffen flat, and tightly secure the magnet strip.

We'll be using these metal clipboards, and magents for lots of things like Bingo Games, or 1-100 counting chart to demonstrate different counting patterns by 2's, 5's, 10's, etc.

But most importantly we'll be using it daily with their agenda, and a magnet will be taken down in order down the column as they are ready for another task until they have removed all of the magnets, which indicates a clean slate to be ready for the next day of school.

(yes, I know the second picture is rotated, and no matter what I did, it still uploaded it rotated like that, sorry!)

Math + Folders = Fun!

2010-08-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

One of the things I'm adding to our supplies are folder games, so I've been busy laminating and cutting more things than I ever thought I would do in my life- talk about an initiation, whew!

I've got a schedule for our days I'm going to stick to for the most part, to make sure we get through each subject (and to keep myself on track!) but when there may be times that the toddler is grumpy, or I need to spend one on one time with each of them, I want something that I can say "here, do this project for a minute" and they'll actually have fun when they do it.

So here's a few of the file folders that I've made!

Fishing for numbers (K-1st Grade) The inside of the folder is boats with the spelled number for reading recognition, and each fish has a matching number digit to correctly match up. I found some clear stick-on velcro at Walmart, so it doesn't cover the picture of the boats.

Gold fish Subtraction has math problems to solve the answer for by placing each gold fish on the correct numbered gold fish bowl. (These also have the velcro pieces on the back of the fish to place on the bowls.)

You can find the pattern to download both of these games over at Homeschool Share's website! I laminated the folders after I glued the pictures to it, then placed the velcro on the pictures. For the game pieces, I glued them to cardstock to make them more durable, and then laminated them, and applied the softer piece of the velcro set on the backs.

Happy cutting!

Walking a new path

2010-08-09T12:09:00.000-07:00

I decided to start a homeschooling blog as a way to scrapbook our adventures, to network with other christian homeschooling families, and also to be a resource for other people feeling like they would want to homeschool but might feel inadequate (as I did!)

As I've been preparing my daily schedules with the lessons and manipulatives I plan to use, I've had a few thoughts I'd like to share.

I was putting Kellan in bed last night, and as I was praying over him as I do every night, I included in my prayer for creativity and enthusiasm to inspire within him an excitement to learn. I was struck with the thought of the alternative of sending him to a public school, and wondered how often children come across a teacher who would also pray about them individually? A teacher who would try to reach them in their own personalities, to tailor their learning for their individual needs instead of requiring the child to tailor to the group. I felt thankful that I have the mind, the ability, and the desire for my children to develope their potentials to the fullness of Heavenly Father's will for them.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing this because I feel capable. It's the opposite! But I trust that my Heavenly Father will equip me as I continue to listen to the spirit speak in my heart about raising them upright before the Lord.

So welcome to my blog. I'm jumping in with both feet as I do with everything I feel inspired to do, I'm not a lukewarm kind of person. I over share. And I always hope for the best. Let's do it!