tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580901568050267392024-03-12T21:57:28.290-07:00Well Trained HomeschoolTake A look into how my family makes there journey into Eclectic Classical Home Education. Here I will share my sources and how I organized things to fit my family.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-36330969439104413012012-06-25T12:15:00.002-07:002012-06-25T12:31:11.107-07:00Curriculum Confusion Solved! Prairie Primer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYl_uDsjddMwWDwCDxdND1F_oS3QVLHJ1zpRc8GA-RfeWu13itqtO01W8xCvOMJGmTrCQsG7ZAQAFTo3xzceBQO2aMikk6Pi4ZBxjAyNTTyzsDsq8wVrmcxpjz_IO44SJeTfiKc5pgC0/s1600/The+Prairie+Primer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYl_uDsjddMwWDwCDxdND1F_oS3QVLHJ1zpRc8GA-RfeWu13itqtO01W8xCvOMJGmTrCQsG7ZAQAFTo3xzceBQO2aMikk6Pi4ZBxjAyNTTyzsDsq8wVrmcxpjz_IO44SJeTfiKc5pgC0/s1600/The+Prairie+Primer.jpg" /></a></div>
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So the Most High has spoken. I recently attended a Used Homeschool Curriculum Sale put on by a local Church Homeschool Ministry. Its amazing that last year I was able to go on the last day and clean up but this year I got there like 30 mins after it started on the first day and it was packed like a Tuna can and it was hard to find all my stuff. So I still have to purchase a few things for math. But I looked down on one of the tables and there it was. I saw the Prairie Primer which retails for about $50.00 brand new for $20.00 and it looked to be in really good condition. So now I know why you are suppose to pray on what curriculum to use. Cause it really helps to lead you in your decision making. Especially at a big sale like that or even at those huge Convention halls. So I am so excited to begin our Journey using the Primer. For those who are interested you can go back and take a look at my post called Curriculum Confusion where I give the money breakdown and some links for the Primer. <br />
I had a subscriber that wanted to know how was then going to fit CC(Classical Conversations) at Home into my schedule if we are going to start the Primer. Well I decided to leave the CC Foundations for Summer Session only. Each Cycle is 24 weeks. We are scheduled to hit Week 24 somewhere around October. We typically start new curriculum in September since we are year round homeschoolers but this year we will start The Prairie Primer in October after we finish our CC Cycle 1. And we will pick up on Cycle 2 in the summer coming. So it works out. Right now I am mapping out our resources needed for the Primer and planning my weekly schedules. I will defintely update you on that as I get it all together. I plan on including a Supplimental African American reading list to go along with the Primer which covers such history topics as The Gold Rush, Civil War, Lousian Purchase, Western Pioneers, Native American history, Woman's Suffrage, etc... <br />
There are some awesome places and people to cover. I will share those in a separate post to come. I am still developing the list now. <br />
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One thing I can say about the Primer is that it is full of projects and lots of lessons. I am going to have to try not to do everything but pick just the things that will give us a basic overview due to my childrens ages. We can possibly revisit the Primer again in Jr. High or High School years for even further study. That is why I love Unit Study based curricula cause they are so easy to adapt for many age groups. In house with 4 children and counting(lol! Hey you never know) its good to invest in resuable programs or programs that span large age groups. <br />
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Here is a video clip of what I was able to get at the booksale. I forgot like 2 or 3 items in this one but you get the jist. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZR6PQdV02YI" width="420"></iframe>Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-31867741558989625672012-06-25T11:02:00.001-07:002012-06-25T12:25:28.221-07:00CC at Home Cycle 1 Week 2<div>
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<strong><u>Science</u></strong><br />
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<strong><em>What are the Classifications of living things?</em></strong><br />
(To the tune of Yankee Doodle)<br />
Kingdom<br />
Phylum <br />
Class<br />
Order<br />
Family<br />
Genus<br />
Species<br />
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The Song for this one is found on the same video I posted on <a href="http://welltrainedhomeschool.blogspot.com/2012/06/cc-at-home-cycle-1-week-1.html">Cycle 1 Week 1's</a> Science Section. <br />
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<strong><u>History</u></strong><br />
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<strong><em>Ten Commandments 6-10(KJV)</em></strong><br />
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Thou Shalt...<br />
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not kill<br />
not commit adultery<br />
not steal<br />
not bear false witness against thy neighbor<br />
not covet<br />
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We used the same tune from last week but we didn't have a video for it. We just made it fit. <br />
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<strong><u>Grammar</u></strong><br />
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After reviewing the definition of a preposition I gave them the first set of prepositions to memorize.<br />
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Aboard<br />
About<br />
Above<br />
Across<br />
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<strong><u>Math</u></strong><br />
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<strong><em>3's</em></strong><br />
3,6,9,12,15,18,<br />
21,24,27,30,33,36<br />
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<strong><em>4's</em></strong><br />
4,8,12,16,20,24,<br />
28,32,36,40,44,48<br />
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Here is the video we used to help memorize the 3's and 4's skip counting.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xviybrVMhRs" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<strong><u>Latin</u></strong><br />
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This week we did Lesson 2 in <a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/">Prima Latina</a> by Leigh Lowe published by Memoria Press. For the sake of not committing copyright infringement I am just going to give a brief description of what we covered in there. <br />
This weeks lesson focused on Pronunciation of Latin Consonants. It also went over Latin Diphthongs. For those of you who don't know a dipthong is sometimes two letters that have only one sound. But it was really interesting that by learning this concept in Latin my children who usually struggled identifying a diphthong before now understood the concept really well. I truly am starting to believe those folks who say the best way to learn English Grammar is to take a foreign language. I believe I heard Andrew Pudewa from IEW say that on an audio download before. <br />
We also went over some new vocabulary words and the English Derivatives as well as starting The Sanctus Prayer. <br />
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A good resource for vocabulary drilling is this new resource I found in <a href="http://thehomeschoolmagazine.com/">The Old Schoolhouse Magazine</a> article. FYI I read The Old Schoolhouse Magazine(Homeschool Publication) for free using an <a href="http://tosmediakit.com/LandingPages/tosall_three_apps.html">App download</a> on my Droid technology smartphone. I think they have it available for iphones as well. But the resource is called<a href="http://www.flashcardmachine.com/"> Flash Card Machine</a>. I searched Prima Latina and someone already did a series of flash cards for the lessons we needed. So I just used those. They can quiz and test themselves right there on the website. They have an App version for this also but it cost whereas the website is free. You can make virtual flashcards for anything you need. You can even add pictures and clip art.<br />
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<strong><u>Geography</u></strong><br />
<strong><em>Assyrian Empire</em></strong><br />
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Red Sea<br />
Persian Gulf<br />
Black Sea<br />
Babylon<br />
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Here is the video for the song for this weeks.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kd-j1wyPH_k" width="420"></iframe><br />
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We also did a project this week that went along with the Geography. We made a Mesopotamian Ziggurat. We got the instructions for the craft from a library book we checked out called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mesopotamia-Passport-Past-Lorna-Oakes/dp/1435851722/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340647659&sr=8-1&keywords=passport+to+mesopotamia">"Passport to the Past Mesopotamia"</a> by Lorna Oakes. We used recycled cardboard from some flat rate shipping boxes the post office sent to us for free a few months back and we never mailed anything out with it. <br />
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Here is a video of the finished product. <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Slyx6rpiljM" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<strong><u>Science Project</u></strong> <br />
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This week we did Janice VanCleave's 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, and Incredible Experiments #54 and 56.Experiment #54 was called Telegraph Lines. The purpose was to determine how a spider evaluates the size of an intruder. We also got to observe a web that was outside on our patio. So that was pretty creepy. lol! Here is a clip of doing #56 Belly Up which purpose was to determine why dead fish float, belly side up, on the surface of the water.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pXCqoOl65fw" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<strong><u>Art Project</u></strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong> <br />
This week theme was Mirror Image. <br />
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<strong><em>Warm Up</em></strong><br />
I found some great warm up sheets on mirror image at<a href="http://donnayoung.org/art/draw1.htm"> Donna Young's site</a> and on <a href="http://www.enchantedlearning.com/symmetry/">Enchanted Learning. </a><br />
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Here are the young artist at work.<br />
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<strong><em>Project</em></strong><br />
The Project was to do a Still life of some objects. The mirror warm up helped them to focus on looking at the symmetry of objects to make sure they draw both sides evenly. We also keep reinforcing the previous exercise on the 5 basic shapes to help them to draw there still life as well. <br />
We got to visit an Art Gallery as well this week so that was another hands on that we were able to add. We tried to point out the 5 basic shapes in the work we saw. They really learned a lot. </div>Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-17107640464239973072012-06-11T20:19:00.001-07:002012-06-11T20:28:54.430-07:00CC at Home Cycle 1 Week 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In our first week of doing Classical Conversations Foundations at home we had a lot of fun. The children really enjoyed getting up in the morning, doing morning chores, breakfast, math, and then sitting down together with out memory board to go over the weekly memory work. Keep in mind that I placed this info on our Memory board and we only spent about 30 minutes 4 times a week going over this information. It doesn't take up a lot of time at all. Now on the 1st day it can take a little longer cause we introducing new memory work so it might need a little more time and the children might have some questions about it. I also used this as a way to help the children in there non fiction book selections at our weekly library trip as well. Here is what we went over for <strong>Week 1</strong>:<br />
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<strong>Science</strong><br />
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<em><strong>What are the five kingdoms of living things?</strong></em><br />
Animalia<br />
Plantae<br />
Fungi<br />
Protista<br />
Monera<br />
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We learned this to the beat of to the nursery rhyme "Brother John(Are you sleeping)"<br />
Here is a great youtube clip of two little girls that are doing some great songs and jingles to Cycle 1's Science sentences. I have been using this a tool. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WqV_-tn4vQ4" width="420"></iframe>
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<strong>History</strong><br />
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<strong><em>Ten Commandments 1- 5(KJV Version)</em></strong><br />
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Thou Shalt...<br />
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<ol>
<li>have no other god before me</li>
<li>not make unto thee any graven image</li>
<li>not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.</li>
<li>remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy</li>
<li>honor thy mother and thy father that thy days may be long upon the land that God giveth thee</li>
</ol>
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Here is the youtube clip we used to memorize the commandments to.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YXRjQFyfbng" width="420"></iframe>
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<strong>Grammar/English</strong><br />
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<strong><em>What is a Preposition?</em></strong><br />
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A preposition is a word that shows the relationship to a noun or pronoun to another word in a sentence. <br />
(I did not use the definition from the Foundations guide. Instead we are memorizing the definition from <a href="http://www.welltrainedmind.com/store/language-arts/grammar.html">First Language Lessons</a> by Susan Wise Bauer cause that is what we are using as our grammar program for 1st and 2nd. I didn't want to confuse them by changing the wording of the definition after they already learned it the way I listed it.)<br />
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<strong>Math</strong><br />
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<strong><em>1's and 2's Skip Counting</em></strong><br />
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1,2,3,4,5,6,<br />
7,8,9,10,11,12<br />
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2,4,6,8,10,12,<br />
14,16,18,20,22,24<br />
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We didn't do any special chant or song for these skip counts because they are pretty basic. I do have some cleaver little things for the 3's and beyond though. I will share that in the future weeks. <br />
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<strong>Latin</strong><br />
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For Latin instead of memorizing the declensions that are in the guide we are doing our lessons in Prima Latina instead. So for this week we did Lesson 1 in<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prima-Latina-Full-Set/dp/B000YJ6SEY/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339470265&sr=1-3"> Prima Latina</a>.<br />
Its separated into Practical Latin Phrase, Vocabulary, and The Prayer.<br />
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So for this week it was:<br />
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<strong><em>Practical Latin</em></strong><br />
Salve- hello(to one person)<br />
Salvete-hello(to more than one person)<br />
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<strong><em>Vocabulary</em></strong><br />
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The format is the learn the Latin, English translation, and then the English derivative(this part really helps the children to make the connections between there own spoken language and its Latin roots. I totally love this part of the curriculum.)<br />
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ambulo- I walk - ambulance<br />
via- road- viaduct<br />
Deus- God- deity<br />
toga- toga<br />
luna- moon- lunar<br />
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<strong><em>Prayer</em></strong><br />
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Oremus- Let Us Pray<br />
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The lesson began focusing in on explaining the differences between the Latin alphabet and the English one. They also explained how to pronounce the vowels in Latin as well. <br />
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<strong>Geography</strong><br />
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<strong><em>Fertile Crescent Area</em></strong><br />
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Mediterranean Sea<br />
Fertile Crescent<br />
Sumer<br />
Euphrates Rive <br />
Tigris River<br />
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Here is the video for the jingle to memorize this. As we sang we locate and place a treat(raisins, chocolate chips, Cheerios, etc..) on the locations. If you have older students you can have them draw and trace these places as well. Or make a labeled outline. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/18SW_seFfaA" width="420"></iframe>
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<strong>Art Project</strong><br />
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This weeks art lesson focused in on the <strong><em>Five Basic Shapes</em></strong>.<br />
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<strong><em>The Five Basic Shapes</em></strong> are:<br />
Dots<br />
Circles<br />
Straight lines<br />
Curved lines<br />
Angle lines<br />
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We start with a warm up exercise and then follow up with a project. <br />
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<em><strong>Warm Up</strong></em><br />
Explore the five basic shapes by practice drawing different variations of the five basic shapes by sizes and length and whatnot. We used a blank piece of unlined paper to practice on. After that we practice making a figure that incorporated all or as many of the Five Basic Shapes as they could. <br />
My oldest made a drawing of a little girl. My oldest son made a snowman. <br />
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<strong><em>Project</em></strong><br />
We used Kids Can Draw African Animals drawing book and followed the diagram to create a Leopard out of Circles, Curved lines, straight lines, and dots. Here is a video of them using the techniques that they learned. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_gr29OMuBbs" width="420"></iframe>
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<strong>Science Project</strong><br />
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We did experiments from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/VanCleaves-Awesome-Magical-Incredible-Experiments/dp/0471310115/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339470222&sr=8-1">Janice Van Cleave's 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizzare, and Incredible Experiments</a>. <br />
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Experiment # 45 Baby Bean<br />
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We soaked some pinto beans overnight. The next day we were able to slip the seed coat off and break open the two halves to figure out what was inside. So it was basically a seed dissection with the purpose of dissecting a bean to identify the parts and learn the function of each part. They did a Scientific Log Sheet that was in the Appendix of the Foundations Guide but you can find some similar to at these links here:<br />
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<a href="http://highland.hitcho.com.au/sciencelabrpt2.pdf">Science Lab Sheet</a> This one is very similar to the one we used.<br />
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<a href="http://highland.hitcho.com.au/sciencedetective.pdf">Science Detective Report</a> This one is for early elementary students.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-54185388705289309682012-06-08T08:50:00.000-07:002012-06-11T20:29:19.930-07:00Classical Conversations At HomeAs you know from my previous post about <a href="http://welltrainedhomeschool.blogspot.com/2012/06/curriculum-confusion.html">Curriculum Confusion</a> I was able to obtain a Classical Conversations Foundations Guide 3rd Edition on clearance a few months back. This was before the role out of the new <a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/fogu4thed.html">4th Edition</a> that is why I got for so cheap. It was only $15 at the time and the orginal price was $50. <br />
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Well for those of you who don't know <a href="http://www.classicalconversations.com/">Classical Conversations</a> or CC for short is a program started by founder Leigh Bortins(author of <a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/ecincecatoho.html">Echo In Celebration</a> and<a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/core.html"> The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education</a>) to help support and enhance homeschoolers in their desire to classically educate at home. There are CC communities all over the U.S. where once a week the students get together and are lead by a CC Tutor in the weekly memory work from the foundations guide in the form of tunes, jingles, and chants. They also conduct a science experiment and have a fine arts portion which changes between drawing, tin whistle lessons, classical artist, and classical composers throughout the year. I have been to visit two different CC Campuses in my local area and I was greatly impressed with the program and set up. Although I totally love the program I was not sold on it for our particular family due to the cost of enrolling all my kids and also me not feeling like I could make the commitment to participate in a once week class every week for 24weeks with a two littles still(my 3yr old and my 10month old). So we were sad about not being able to give this a shot. But when I got a hold of the Foundations Guide I decided to give this a try at home instead. <br />
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What better time than this summer to start on Cycle 1 of the 3 cycle Guide. We started last week and if we continue through the summer we will hit Week 24 at the end of October. Which works out perfectly for our family cause our lease is up and we will be moving at the end of October. So we can just keep out the materials we use with the CC Memory Board that I made(pictured below) and our Math books so that I can start getting everything packed up. And then we can take a 2 week fall break and get started in our new curriculum for 2012-2013 school year. So it seems like this is going to work out great. I guess if this goes all well we will started Cycle 2 this coming Summer and Cycle 3 the following. Its turning out to be a great Summer Homeschool Curriculum. <br />
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Of course I want to share with you guys what we are doing each week and how we are tweeking it to fit our family and whatnot. So I decided to go ahead and do a weekly post called CC at Home Cycle 1 Week(whatever week it is). So be on a look out for that. I am so excited. The children really seem to enjoy it. <br />
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Other than the Foundations Guide we are using:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-With-Children-Creative-Beginners/dp/0874778271/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339170149&sr=8-1">Drawing With Children</a> by Mona Brookes- Fine Arts<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prima-Latina-Full-Set/dp/B000YJ6SEY/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339170198&sr=1-3">Prima Latina</a>- Latin( I didnt like the way the Latin was set up in the Guide and we were already working our way through Prima so I am just sticking with that.)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Kingfisher-History-Encyclopedia-Editors/dp/0753457849/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339170274&sr=1-1">Kingfisher History Encyclopedia</a>- History Sentence(Used to look up more information of the history sentence and the timeline sentences)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/VanCleaves-Awesome-Magical-Incredible-Experiments/dp/0471310115/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339170318&sr=1-1">Janice VanCleave's Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, and Incredible Experiments</a>- Science Experiments( The Guide uses a few experiments from this book so I borrowed a copy from the library and made copies of the pages I would need for Cycle 1.<br />
We are also adding our Hebrew Studies Bible Memory Work in as well( I will do a separate blog to share those resources.)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Mbrt1R4W5VY" width="420"></iframe>Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-21729825026311669312012-06-06T21:44:00.000-07:002012-06-06T21:44:04.662-07:00Curriculum Confusion!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay for those of you have been following me for a while you all know that I have been loosely following a Classical Homeschool model for the last two school years. I have been very satisfied and happy with my choice up until very recently. I have feel in love with something new. It's the <a href="http://www.cadroncreek.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Pioneer_001">The Prairie Primer</a>(A Year Long Unit Study Based off The Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder). Yet in still I was considering delving further into the Classical Method and truly and exclusively doing Classical. </div>
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So you see my dilema is I have basically two directions I could take us in next year and not sure which one is the right one. So let me just break down how I was planning to impliment each path and hopefully it will help me sort through it all to see it written down in front of me. Maybe this could help someone going through a similar issue. I just wanted to take a moment and be transparent and show that I don't always have it all planned out nor have it all together. I think it brings comfort to some of us to here that sometimes. </div>
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Lets start with what I was considering doing if we stayed the Classical path first. Here is what we are currently covering this year:</div>
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<strong>7yr old(girl) 3rd grade</strong></div>
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Hebrew Studies/Bible</div>
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Math- <a href="http://www.singaporemath.com/">Singapore Math</a> 2A/2B and intensive practice</div>
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Reading- <a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Pathway_Readers/">Pathway Readers</a> grade 3</div>
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Spelling- <a href="http://www.avko.org/sequentialspelling.html">Sequential Spelling Level</a> 1(Didnt finish from last year)</div>
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Grammar- <a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Building_Christian_English_Series/">Rod and Staff English</a> 3rd Grade</div>
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Handwriting- <a href="http://www.hwtears.com/hwt">Handwriting Without Tears</a> 4/5th Grade Cursive</div>
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Latin- <a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/prima.htm">Prima Latina </a>Memoria Press</div>
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Science- <a href="http://www.apologia.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1">Apologia Astronomy</a></div>
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History/ Geography- Finishing African History Study from last year. Almost on to Asia(Note that this is the one area that I tweek that makes our Classical considered Eclectic. But we still studying within the continent study chronologically. But I am considering going the more traditional Classical Path with this as well and doing the 4yr History Cycles.)</div>
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<strong>5yr old(boy) 1st Grade</strong></div>
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Hebrew Studies/ Bible</div>
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Math- Singapore Math 1A/ 1B</div>
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Reading- Pathway Readers Grade 1/2</div>
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Handwriting- <a href="http://www.hwtears.com/hwt">Handwriting Without Tears</a> Grade 1/2</div>
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Grammar- First Language Lessons level 1</div>
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He shares Science and History/ Geography with his sister.</div>
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If we stick with this method I wanted to add in Art Study, Music Appreciation and Beginning Recorder, Map Drawing, Formal Writing, and Martial Arts. I know I dont have to do everything every day but with this current schedule trying figure out how to fit new things into it seems overwhelming. I did purchase a Classical Conversations Foundations Guide that helps to schedule out the extras like Music, Art, and Drawing on a weekly schedule that can take away some of the stress of planning. Recently Leigh Bortins of Classical Conversations updated her Foundations Guide from the 3rd to the 4th edition. So they cleranced out the old ones for $15 each and I took advantage of that. For next year I really find myself wanting to use a really cool curriculum called Mapping the World by Heart for geography. Here is the video on it:</div>
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Now this curriculum retails for about 69.99. I just recently missed a 25% discount on <a href="http://homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/">Homeschool Buyers COOP</a> a few weeks ago but I was not ready to purchase. Hopefully if we decide to go with it they will have another deal. I was going to use Rod and Staff for Music Appreciation and<a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Book-Recorder-Usborne-Kits/dp/0881109584"> Usborne 1st Book of Recorder</a>. I already own the <a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Rod_and_Staff_Music/">Rod and Staff muic books</a> and the Usborne Recorder book and some basic recorders shouldn't cost me much at all. We already have the Home Instructors Guide for all of next years Singapore Math. So all we need to do is buy the workbooks and textbooks. No matter what method we choose I am going to stick with Singapore cause I am very happy with it. It took a while to find our groove in Math. For our next cycle in Science we should be moving on to Chemistry. I am deciding between <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/christian-kids-explore-chemistry/robert-ridlon/9781892427182/pd/427053">Christian Kids Explore Chemistry</a> and<a href="http://www.gravitaspublications.com/"> Real Science 4 Kids Chemistry</a> level 1. For latin we will just move from <strong>Prima Latina</strong> to<strong> Latina Christiana</strong> I. We have truly enjoyed Prima so far. I have learned just as much as my daughter. We would stay with<strong> Rod and Staff</strong> for English 4. They are not hard to find used around my area. The only big purchase that I have to still consider carefully but can be used for years to come is <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/">Institute for Excellence in Writing</a> Teaching Writing: Structure and Style curriculum by Andrew Pudewa. I have listened to so many free audio and youtube clips of Andrew Pudewa I feel really sold on this writing program. Instead of making writing a separate subject it shows you how to intergrate the writing into the subjects you are already teaching. It comes with a manual but it is DVD based which is good cause sometimes its easier for me to listen and watch than to read up on something. I already have the Art books that we didn't get around to using this year. The books I still haven't cracked open are <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Children-Mona-Brookes/dp/0874778271/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331917644&sr=1-1">Drawing with Children</a> by Mona Brookes and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Great-Artists-Hands-Children/dp/0935607099">Discovering Great Artist</a> by MaryAnn F. Khol and the Classical Conversations Foundations Guide uses Drawing with Children within the lessons too. I am not all the way satified with our spelling program so I have to keep looking around for that one. So many people I know have been suggesting that we try All About Spelling or AAS but from what a friend has let me see of hers it is way to teacher intensive for what I had in mind for Spelling. I guess I can still look into <a href="http://spellingpower.com/">Spelling Power</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spelling-Workout-Level-Student-Edition/dp/0813628156">Spelling Workout</a> which was a suggestions in one of the later editions of The Well Trained Mind. I was also going to start Handwriting Without Tears with my Preschooler and some Phonics as well. But mostly just keeping with the Montessori activities and adding in a few worbooks for Preschool/ Kindergarten by Rod and Staff. <br />
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If I decided to continue on with the Classical route that we have been doing it would be easy as far as finding used materials and I have already been doing it. But the downside is as the children get older I am running into issues trying to figure out a Classical Education Schedule that wont overload us. The Cost for next year if I go with this plan would be about $500.00 brand new plus the expense of Martial Arts Classes. But I still have an opportunity for savings at my local Homeschool Conference Used Book Sale and a few local Book Sales. <br />
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Now on to my next Choice which is <a href="http://www.cadroncreek.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Pioneer_001">The Prairie Primer</a>. Since it is Unit Study based it will cover things like Bible, some Language Arts, Science, History, Geography, and Art. I would just have to continue on with my Math and Grammar curriculum but everything else should be covered. The plus to this would be the fact that I am teaching multiple children. I feel on love with the Prairie Primer after the children and I listened to Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie on audio format in the car a few months back. I was like wouldn't it be great if their was a curriculum that went along with these books. And sure enough as I did an Internet search I found the Prairie Primer. I also found this wonderful blog called <a href="http://welovetheprairieprimer.blogspot.com/">We Love the Prairie Primer</a> with a woman who did the entire Primer with her daughters and documented the whole thing and had lots of pictures and supplemental ideas. I also found out they had a an active <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PrairiePrimerPluses/">Yahoo Group</a> as well. The activities in the Primer are truly geared toward the spirit of self sufficiency and old fashioned ways that our family has been moving towards in the past year. So it would definitely enrich our lives to give the children an educational experience rooted in Preparedness and Old Fashioned living. Their are some financial benefits to using this curriculum as well. For all the books, primer, and basic materials it would cost brand new somewhere around $250.00 for the year. So I could stand to save half of my original budget. But knowing me I would probably spend that on extra materials for more hands on projects or an out of state field trip to one of the Laura Ingalls Wilder historic sites. So it really might just even out.<br />
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I have got some pondering to do. But I hope make a decision within the next few weeks. I will keep you guys updated on the choice.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-89790522630426469282012-02-12T08:30:00.000-08:002012-02-12T08:30:44.118-08:00Lesser Known Black History: York of the Lewis and Clark Expedition!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzMooos539Z4yHRqv6XkeckLgE3_ljZGAomEaZkyCvlGFxREiRyLI0w1SW8NhftLQ9QZRIkveYnappyeQ3G60hvqzn6Fh-gK93rXvJwIHdm2Rsfl0h7cJRtgu0OaRk173hheuHi3GKBg/s1600/black+history+month.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzMooos539Z4yHRqv6XkeckLgE3_ljZGAomEaZkyCvlGFxREiRyLI0w1SW8NhftLQ9QZRIkveYnappyeQ3G60hvqzn6Fh-gK93rXvJwIHdm2Rsfl0h7cJRtgu0OaRk173hheuHi3GKBg/s1600/black+history+month.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Happy Black History Month! This year we have decided to try and focus on lesser known African American contribute rs to the American Story. Well one my relatives sent me an email last month of a video clip with Bill Cosby from a long, long time ago. lol! Well here is the clip:<br />
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In this clip one person in particular caught my ear. That person was York from the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Growing up in public school I was never taught much about the significance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to begin with let alone that William Clark brought along a man servant/slave named York who was instrumental in helping build relationships with the Native tribes as well as being a Master hunter and list of other things. You can find out more about York <a href="http://www.lewisandclarktrail.com/york.htm">Here</a>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowyA28IGb7mYi0TmAspbUcIUslYjbIHStSl6XP6t9I5IAETK245PU65CMMZDd9WGoYOm5nCh3iiea06llnJDj3_h76rMpRpcFHMK05WmlvcrY8avieE9FmExTGJec0Hl5OzkoLLMJoMw/s1600/lewis+and+clark+and+york.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowyA28IGb7mYi0TmAspbUcIUslYjbIHStSl6XP6t9I5IAETK245PU65CMMZDd9WGoYOm5nCh3iiea06llnJDj3_h76rMpRpcFHMK05WmlvcrY8avieE9FmExTGJec0Hl5OzkoLLMJoMw/s1600/lewis+and+clark+and+york.jpg" /></a></div>If you look at this famous photo here you will notice how he has been there the whole time hiding in the shadows of history. Wow! This is why I love homeschooling. You never stop learning. I love it when my children and I can discover new things together as a family. Its wonderful. <br />
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I was able to find a few book titles at my Public library on York:<br />
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<span id="btAsinTitle"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0802789196?tag=wwwlewisand0a-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0802789196&adid=027BNWX8HHXZ770BBMN3&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lewisandclarktrail.com%2Fyork.htm">I Am Sacajawea, I Am York: Our Journey West with Lewis and Clark</a> by Claire Rudolf Murphy</span><br />
<span><span id="btAsinTitle"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0870817140?tag=wwwlewisand0a-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0870817140&adid=1RHYQHZHVEPZV79EPXMP&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lewisandclarktrail.com%2Fyork.htm">In Search of York: The Slave Who Went to the Pacific With Lewis and Clark</a> by Robert Betts</span></span><br />
<span><span><span id="btAsinTitle"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1590782828?tag=wwwlewisand0a-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1590782828&adid=1WDBE390QFTA66VMFM6A&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lewisandclarktrail.com%2Fyork.htm">American Slave, American Hero: York of the Lewis And Clark Expedition</a> by Laurence Pringle</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span id="btAsinTitle"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0060091118?tag=wwwlewisand0a-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0060091118&adid=068YKT15BKP3X5NQ8P6D&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lewisandclarktrail.com%2Fyork.htm">York's Adventures with Lewis and Clark: An African-American's Part in the Great Expedition</a> by Rhoda Blumberg</span></span></span></span>Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-10905003440118141202012-02-11T10:10:00.000-08:002012-02-11T10:12:22.661-08:00Living Books The Way I wish I had Learned!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzW2m38dJGCJs_hsKDsONmldyDG6m7bSa4P2_rs3fOfRXT1I4KC3xOYODZ19QO35S8hZpcdUyMbux7m0bFyMD7bhbTizA9unz6V0I94uhex3N1Jz78tBSuE1E03SdR3MSbjAzCNjSzrY/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzW2m38dJGCJs_hsKDsONmldyDG6m7bSa4P2_rs3fOfRXT1I4KC3xOYODZ19QO35S8hZpcdUyMbux7m0bFyMD7bhbTizA9unz6V0I94uhex3N1Jz78tBSuE1E03SdR3MSbjAzCNjSzrY/s1600/books.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I have had a complete epiphany! Living books are truly awesome. In the homeschool community we have lots of popular buzz words from Unit Studies, Learning Style, Lapbooks, and Living Books. For the longest time I thought I had a clear understanding of what these terms meant in relation to homeschool methodology. Well boy was I wrong. It wasn't until I recently decided to include more read alouds into out homeschooling as I saw that we were lacking since the children started reading independently that started searching for ideas on how to fit all of this reading time into my already packed schedule. That is when I rediscovered the teachings of Charlotte Mason. <a href="http://simplycharlottemason.com/basics/what-is-the-charlotte-mason-method/">Charlotte Mason</a> an innovative educator from the 1800's believed that children should be exposed to Living Books and that lessons should remain short and to the point. She believed in exposure to high quality literature no "Twaddle" as she called it. <br />
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I was so overwhelmed by idea of adding in all these extra read alouds. At first glance it just seemed like I would be spending the whole day telling the kids to be quiet and still while we try and plug through all these books. How was I going to do it. I decided to take a step back and just start slow instead of diving in head first and just do audio books. Hey us homeschoolers spend enough time in the car right? LOL! I thought this would be a great way to get something in while on the road and I wouldn't have try and get them to listen cause children stuck in the car are always a captive audience. What else is there other than picking a fight with there sibling cause they touched something on there side of the car. <br />
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So what exactly is a Living Book you might be asking. Well until the big Ah Ha moment I use to think it was simply a Classical work of literature. I even thought it was biographies at one point like <a href="http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/B/fdouglas/dougxx.htm">The Autobiography of Fredrick Douglass</a> or <a href="http://www.myss.com/catalog/an-autobiography-of-george-washington-with-edith-ellis-as-scribe.htm">George Washington</a>. Well it is and it is much much more. We started our car audio read aloud session with good old <a href="http://www.littlehousebooks.com/">"Little House on the Prairie".</a> Got to love that Laura Inglles Wilder and her adventurous tales of the untamed journey West for the American Pioneer. They Ingles family faced many challenges on there travels and settlement in the new Western Frontier. They encountered everything from raging rivers, malaria, wild panthers, neighboring Native Americans, and scarce food resources. As we listened to the story being told it was almost like we got transported there. I could see the sights, hear the sounds, smell the smells, and even feel the weather. That is when I realized what a Living Book was. It is a telling that takes you exactly to that space and time of which the author has written about and lets you experience life through the eyes of the characters. How I wish I was taught this way in school instead of the dry snippets in my textbooks. Can you imagine how much passion could have been ignited in me at an earlier age had I been taught through living books. I would have been able to make so many connections as to the WHY of certain events in history had I had the back stories and side stories of the folks who lived it and not just the dates and places that left my head as quickly as they entered just long enough to pass the test. Now I am not speaking ill of memorization cause I am a fan of creating memory pegs. But I teach that way with the intention of filling in those pegs with the appropriate explanations and information later on. <br />
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So after our whistle was wet with Little House on the Prarrie we moved forward with Little House in the Big Woods. It also became a big hit with the children. So I wanted to seek out more information on those who passionately believe in the use of Living Books. That is when I came across the achieves on The Homeschool Channel of Shirley Solis. She is a Homeschool Convention Speaker and owns a Business <a href="http://www.shoplbg.com/">Lifetime Books and Gifts </a> which has lots of good information and literature. Another resource I found about is a book called <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/honey-for-childs-heart-fourth-edition/gladys-hunt/9780310242468/pd/42463">"Honey for a Child's Heart"</a> by Gladys Hunt. There a are dozens of Living Book resources. They even have a website that has living book resource suggestions for Math called <a href="http://www.livingmath.net/">Living Math</a>. Jim and Sheila Carrol founded an entire curriculum program based of living books called <a href="http://www.livingbookscurriculum.com/">Living Books Curriculum(LBC)</a>. They have a free newsletter that I signed up for in which I have received great articles on how to do narration and even some audio story links. They had an audio out around Christmas that told the origins of St. Nick. It was really interesting as I have never heard the story before. I also was looking into some more free resources of living books on the Internet since most of them are public domain and came across a few good sites that have some well organized. <br />
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<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page">Project Gutenberg</a><br />
The Baldwin Project<br />
<a href="http://users.gobigwest.com/rosegate/FreeBooks.html">Rosegate Harbor</a><br />
<span id="goog_1824067999"></span><a href="http://librivox.org/">Librivox(Free Audio Library)<span id="goog_1824068000"></span></a><br />
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Of course there are many more but these are just the ones I have found. I also want to make clear that although I am changing things up a bit that lean towards more a Charlotte Mason style does not mean that I have totally abandoned Classical Education. I have stayed true to philosophy since the beginning. We have always been Eclectically Classical. I firmly believe in molding things to fit you and not molding yourself to fit a education style. There is lots to learn as far as how to learn best. There are many ways to accomplish your goals. You just got to pick one that speaks to your heart, your children, your lifestyle.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-4022531383170654932012-01-18T20:59:00.000-08:002012-01-18T20:59:28.055-08:00The Homeschool Channel's Live Webcast!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thehomeschoolchannel.tv/"><img border="0" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KOimk3nvXIDA-XjEi1RpmGflo0UfFjGTiRSi44FhFPb07B3mB_2uzOcFnGSr1hJH9WPIzZvuzvhE1ZK1o2pcblD0tSOYdkA5DcRJAk6YjiFYFLGsXa4NLjdozsUiNh6eZyoQOhi4bDM/s1600/homeschool+channel.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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For those of you who don't know about <a href="http://www.thehomeschoolchannel.tv/">The Homeschool Channel</a> it is an interactive social network that not only displays visual media about and for homeschoolers but it also has blogs, forums, and groups for support of homeschool families. I have been a member since it 1st got started. Just recently they made some major changes to the format of the programing. They went from a playlist of shows played continously throughout the day to including interactive webcast every Tuesday and Wednesday at 4:30pm(eastern) where you can chat live with the presenter. I liken it to attending a mini Homeschool Convention in the privacy of your own home. If you are constantly trying to stave off burnout or need a little information or direction than I would definitely check them out.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-32715946711342456992012-01-17T16:20:00.000-08:002012-01-17T16:28:42.746-08:00Curriculum Changes- Grammar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuidkq8lIn_b-jKsEjJ3iRqGXcFe5WsljhhyoorI-4cveI_Y7mDfvrI1jztSxsQkeWN44zjwsscMYhhaeV2fzu3kFG6QIyhC5_hbyII4sxnB6-OASgX52lHV_qeSAa2pZha1Hm0mAjYk/s1600/grammar+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuidkq8lIn_b-jKsEjJ3iRqGXcFe5WsljhhyoorI-4cveI_Y7mDfvrI1jztSxsQkeWN44zjwsscMYhhaeV2fzu3kFG6QIyhC5_hbyII4sxnB6-OASgX52lHV_qeSAa2pZha1Hm0mAjYk/s1600/grammar+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
When we first started formal grammar lessons with my oldest we began by using <a href="http://www.welltrainedmind.com/store/language-arts/grammar.html">First Language Lessons</a> by Susan Wise Bauer at Peace Hill Press. Back when we purchased it they had the combined level 1&2 book. I learned later they started using 2 separate books for those levels. I am glad I was able to purchase it together when I had a chance cause I saved some money that way. I loved FLL(First Language Lessons) for those 1st two levels. It was a gentle yet thorough start in grammar basics. <br />
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The problem came in the program for me when looking into the 3rd level. While I was looking into the scope and sequence and even some sample pages I began to get the impression that it was going to be more of repeat of the last two levels with just a little jump in difficulty. The only big difference was the introduction of diagramming. I just think at this stage in my child's development it was just moving way to slow. So I began my search for another program that would include more rigor and also introduce diagramming and not break my already tight budget. That is when I found <a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Building_Christian_English_Series/">Rod and Staff English</a>.<br />
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Rod and Staff is published by the Anabaptist Church which are Mennonites. They have conservative Christian views and believe in a solid no nonsense no fluff and glitter approach in there curriculum. I was able to get the 2nd and 3rd grade textbook(non consumable) and teachers guides at our local homeschool conference used book sale for very cheap. I also can find them used at local homeschool bookstore as well. They come with test booklets and worksheets sold separate but I didn't bother with those.<br />
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I thought over the summer I would do a few units in the 2nd grade level to get her used to the R&S method before starting the 3rd grade book. It proved to be a good thing cause unlike First Language Lessons R&S requires more sentence writing in the lessons which is something I loved for this particular child. Keep in mind that if your child is not strong in handwriting and gets frustrated very easily I would either choose a different program or if you do decided on R&S English that you might consider letting the child work the problems on a dry erase board rather than keeping a notebook. <br />
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Now with FLL there were elements that we had become accustomed to being included every few lessons that R&S does not appear to include in the same way thus far and that is Poem Memorization and Parts of Speech Memory Work. So I added those in myself just to bridge the gap between programs. R&S will eventually have a unit on poetry but its not a part of the lessons throughout like FLL. I also wanted to continue to create those grammar memory pegs so we have our grammar memory on flash cards now and we review them every week and add in more as we are introduced to a new concept. She is also getting some of the extra grammar practice in our latin curriculum that we started this year as well. We are using <a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/prima.htm">Prima Latina</a> through Memoria Press. I will do a review on that at a later time. For the poetry I have the children pick a poem book from the library each week and the select one that they want to learn. We have them copy it down in a notebook for copywork and then make an illustration. I also have my oldest learning a famous speech. We try to memorize at least 2 each year. Last year she memorized and recited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s <a href="http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm">"I have been to the Mountain Top"</a> and<a href="http://www.nazret.com/history/him_un.php"> Emperor Halie Selassie"s(Ethiopian King) Speech to the UN</a>. I selected an excerpt from both cause they were obviously way to long to do in its entirety. We learned a few lines each week. We just keep adding on till it was all learned. And then we would have her recite it in public. She recited in front of a Sunday School group and once at a Homeschool Group Park Day. You can find up to 100 different famous American Speeches at <a href="http://www.americanrhetoric.com/">American Rhetoric</a>. This year we haven't decided on one yet but I was thinking of having my son and my daughter do the last part of the Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech together. And that still leave one more. I was thinking maybe learning the Preamble to the Constitution. <br />
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My son started FLL level 1 this year as well. I am hoping to follow the same pattern with my son so he can use all his sisters books. That is just one more way I can save money in our homeschool. If there is one thing I have learned through our homeschool journey and that is to stay flexible. I can change whatever needs to be changed to help my child grow best. I don't have be stuck with any particular curriculum.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-54755938288911492892012-01-11T09:23:00.000-08:002012-01-11T09:23:17.592-08:00Supercharged Science Course!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQD78GoQRcac4Zi_8TKdqiYmnKHgdSeMJz44l9fI8h1-lWL7WPQiJ5CEgngIbFGD_IC-NVorPaYwCJqR6_KfN16oEwA1sPCUUF-tg5RzOrz1BWLQ5aWJkFtXZoSZWS9i2znopfcLWxsQ/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQD78GoQRcac4Zi_8TKdqiYmnKHgdSeMJz44l9fI8h1-lWL7WPQiJ5CEgngIbFGD_IC-NVorPaYwCJqR6_KfN16oEwA1sPCUUF-tg5RzOrz1BWLQ5aWJkFtXZoSZWS9i2znopfcLWxsQ/s320/036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Two months ago we had the privilege of joining in on a web based Free Astronomy Class hosted by Aurora Lipper at <a href="http://www.superchargedscience.com/">Supercharged Science</a>. It was awesome to say the least. Ms. Aurora went through the entire solar system starting with the sun and including nebula's, black holes, major constellations, and even the best times of day to view the sky for certain things without a telescope. What I liked best about her teaching style is that she is very interactive and instead of dumbing things down for a younger audience she just explains thoroughly to bring kids up to her level. So I recommend her eclasses for all ages even adults. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_WMOZVqxQPnYf2eeuycpjXUwJn0ot5kk55p2U4kpNQEIkyX2IZX375dmtHMioHceM1i9I_MfOz-RrA8_a2bl_9UEDo2i3k78jWQvoA1gEIzrgG_tIcMFou0W7ONVmsj65BaiTZSYE4U/s1600/aurora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_WMOZVqxQPnYf2eeuycpjXUwJn0ot5kk55p2U4kpNQEIkyX2IZX375dmtHMioHceM1i9I_MfOz-RrA8_a2bl_9UEDo2i3k78jWQvoA1gEIzrgG_tIcMFou0W7ONVmsj65BaiTZSYE4U/s1600/aurora.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Now she does offer a Trial 1 Month Membership to the site after the free class. Its just $1.00 for the 30 days. It cost more after that though. We went ahead and signed up for the trial. For signing up we received a free DVD with lots of great information on how to use the site and easy to do at home experiments to help get your feet wet into the Supercharged Science way. <br />
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The Site set up hits many different learning styles. In each unit she includes an article of text, a instructional video with step by step experiment, and a pdf file of downloable printable textbook and lesson plan materials. <br />
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Although my 7yr old and I thoroughly enjoyed our Supercharged Science experience I have to say that I think that a middle school or high school level child would gain the most benefit from the program. <br />
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Even if you are not able to sign up for a membership at this time don't forget to sign up for the free weekly newsletters chalked full of great information and sometimes a heads up on a free presentation of webcourse offer. <br />
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As far as worldview from what I can gather from the one live class that we took and the experiment videos and articles I cannot see an overtly creationist nor darwinistic worldview. She seems to be just shooting straight science. But do not quote me on that please call and ask yourself if you have a particular worldview that you want to make sure the curriculum would be a good fit for.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-30956517199793761102012-01-11T08:08:00.000-08:002012-01-11T08:08:04.308-08:00Its been a while!I know it has been months since I have updated my blog here. But really I have been adjusting to life as a new mother of 4. Now that baby boy is almost 6 months now I feel like I am back in the swing of things. He is a very good baby its just that I have had a harder time getting my routine back then I have with previous births. His temperment has help the adjustment though. I can say he is more of an arm baby than the others were. But you know what I notice is that he seems to be more secure than the others as well. I really wonder if wearing him and holding him and not letting him cry it out has anything to do with it. lol! <br />
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Well anywho I wanted to just give a couple updates on how homeschooling has been going this year. We have has some curriculum changes and I am still trying to get my schedule to run smoothly. I have wrote our a schedule based off tips I got our of <a href="http://www.titus2.com/ecommerce/products/prod_listing.php/1100">Managers of Their Homes</a> by the Maxwell's. I am going to try to give a review of that when I get a sec. It was a good tool. I also recently bought<a href="https://www.visionforum.com/browse/product/large-family-logistics-the-art-and-science/"> Large Family Logistics</a> last week for my birthday so once I get that one read I will give my take on that one as well. <br />
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I can say that even though this year has been full changes and adjustments the children still seem to be thriving academically. It goes to show that no matter how we may feel we are not doing enough or doing it right the children will still learn. Learning is happening all the time. Education is not exclusively held in textbooks and workbooks. Having all that being said. I am going to post some pics for schooling moments this school year thus far.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNj90kfv4r_iUK-tQuJ1K65YBxyS_SqSAkY_BFQqih9fknV1ArjQH24ZibVzvV_1Kv3RxYd_OpHXQdAUd3vM8hTWVWljnFPxvIC0LGJPTYCX1jM-IXnHXdzH4vH7bp6_e71IHrA2lGGg/s1600/021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNj90kfv4r_iUK-tQuJ1K65YBxyS_SqSAkY_BFQqih9fknV1ArjQH24ZibVzvV_1Kv3RxYd_OpHXQdAUd3vM8hTWVWljnFPxvIC0LGJPTYCX1jM-IXnHXdzH4vH7bp6_e71IHrA2lGGg/s320/021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxkkkqNiRgNhyFn7nAQvfMxycuiwtbQn4KJyS0JIOosNMsA3Mc3FkqhSHP9HI8d98EYQso-bHEBpQZRrocZG2EhewvEyGS1HiZxGbUd620GdnefnbDBNF3VmoLOtmWrLEwyKGx6H3URk/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxkkkqNiRgNhyFn7nAQvfMxycuiwtbQn4KJyS0JIOosNMsA3Mc3FkqhSHP9HI8d98EYQso-bHEBpQZRrocZG2EhewvEyGS1HiZxGbUd620GdnefnbDBNF3VmoLOtmWrLEwyKGx6H3URk/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-24550741977999314092011-07-25T06:32:00.000-07:002011-07-25T06:33:42.188-07:00Free Webinar Series: How To Prepare Your Children To Be Influencers Who Can LeadI got <a href="http://www.collegeplus.org/leadershipwebinar/?utm_source=ftm&utm_medium=webinar&utm_campaign=leadership-webinar">this link </a>today in one of the many homeschool newsletters that come in my inbox and thought I would share this with everyone. There are two speakers on the roster that I always enjoy and that is Doug Philips from <a href="http://www.visionforum.com/">Vision Forum </a>and Andrew Pudewa from <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/">IEW(Institute for Excellence in Writing</a>). Here is a brief discription of what this webinar series will cover.<br />
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<b>5 Christian Leaders. 5 Exclusive Webinars. One Mission: Leadership<br />
</b>Homeschool families know a little something about high expectations. One of the biggest expectations is that your homeschooled children become leaders and culture influencers. Talk about pressure.<br />
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But what does true leadership look like? And is there a difference between being in leadership and being an influencer who can lead? A person cannot lead if nobody is willing to follow.<br />
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For the first time ever, Doug Phillips, along with trusted Christian leaders like Chuck Bentley (Crown Financial Ministries), Dr. Jeff Myers (Passing the Baton & Summit Ministries), and others, will converge to present a powerful and focused series on children and leadership, from a homeschool perspective.<br />
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This webinar series will give these leaders, who understand homeschooling, a platform to cast a vision for what it means to be one who leads. And to give you deep insights, and practical, real-world action steps you can use to lead your children to become people who lead in thought, character and action.<br />
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The first webinar, in this series of five, is with Doug Phillips. Doug’s webinar is on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. When you register now, you will get free access to all five webinars in the series.<br />
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Space is extremely limited and will fill up fast.<br />
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Your time is valuable, and you want the very best for your children. So, if seeing your children emerge from high school or college with the skills and competencies to lead and dynamically impact the culture is your desire, don't miss this unique opportunity.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-40802058160130982632011-07-04T09:29:00.000-07:002011-07-04T09:29:01.798-07:00Back to(Home) School Blog Carnival!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.classichousewife.com/2011/07/03/back-to-home-school-2011-our-school/"><img border="0" height="214" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gMgHarz3Jx5uEpDfO7oWAzGmDlOP9vJk9bityJxok2y4Mq59OEsUwYHzv_y9g6ki3qm-cr4y7RS7wR8m4y0e90gMI6dyY_OKrVOLIGYXGorooMvSIQdZNdQp5wfjw0yTuG1Y07m_4BU/s320/BackToHomeSchool2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have decided to particpate in <a href="http://www.classichousewife.com/2011/07/03/back-to-home-school-2011-our-school/">Classic Housewife's</a> Monday Blog Carnival for Back to Homeschool. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The particpants will be sharing curriculum advice, organizing ideas, record keeping tips, etc...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you guys know I have already done some of those things in the past few weeks so I will just continue to add tips and info to help get folks ready for this coming year. If you get a chance take a hop over to the link and add your own blog if you have something to share as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-62029109971853567782011-06-24T20:13:00.000-07:002011-06-24T20:13:43.889-07:00The Super Mom Myth!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VFjAPDmRRTTMID-z4eYsiz_QVw9H7TZ4FIGsWg7337n5kQ6vIWLHIkE49pFHWt1iKvE3LN6asGPRCz3dgxwz_e-adzFLRO4bBbHarYK556cuhFubHvkOCLoQ_h4Fb8dwIHfe2On7ibE/s1600/supermom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VFjAPDmRRTTMID-z4eYsiz_QVw9H7TZ4FIGsWg7337n5kQ6vIWLHIkE49pFHWt1iKvE3LN6asGPRCz3dgxwz_e-adzFLRO4bBbHarYK556cuhFubHvkOCLoQ_h4Fb8dwIHfe2On7ibE/s320/supermom.jpg" width="102" /></a></div><br />
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After homeschooling for a few years now I notice that I am no longer being hit with the socialization questions anymore. The focus is now on how much of a "Supermom" I am for taking on all that responsibility. So many moms like to say how they could never do what I do cause they are not "Supermom" like me. They tell me how they struggle with what they think are the smallest of task like potty training or cooking meals and they somehow think I have never been where they have been and I have it all together. My response to this is are you kidding me. I am a real life mom I don't play one on T.V. Every mom has her struggles. What I really think folks neglect to realize is that every mom has there strengths as well. We really need to to as women and mothers stop comparing ourselves to others cause the area that I am blessed in might not be the area you are blessed in. But you know what we are all blessed and we can all be a blessing to our husbands and children.<br />
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I am a big believer in playing to ones strengths. I am a very analytical thinker and I am good at planning and creating structure. So I have been able to bless our homeschool with this gift to help us reach our goals. But at the same time I struggle with clutter and completing household task in a timely fashion. I may be able to create a homeschool curriculum from scratch for free or make homemade bread but my laundry sits for days before I get around to putting it away. I also struggle with staying consistent with my prayer time as well. But you know that may not be my strong suite but that doesn't mean I can't learn or acquire new skills to help improve on what is already naturally there. I have some sister friends who are good in these areas where I am not and we are able to pick each others brains and lift each other up in encouragement. <br />
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I think we all have something to offer and at the same time we need to realize its never too late to learn either. "Supermom" is a myth. Just like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny we have to let go.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-8865476040744665982011-06-19T10:33:00.000-07:002011-06-19T10:42:22.770-07:00More Used Curriculum Finds!So I was able to get another used curriculum sale this past week at a local church. I love when I get around to a sale ran by a church that supports its homeschool ministry cause you can find so much great and popular curriculum and low prices. So I just wanted to share with you what I found. I was getting things on my curriculum list that I talked about in other post this year.I was staying withing the boundaries of what I actually needed which felt good. I did find some things that were not exactly what I planned on using but turned out to be a blessing in the end. So a tip is if budget is your decision maker with curriculum shopping always be prepared to substitute an item for something else to save on price. I also go for things that are non consumable verses consumable so I won't have to buy new pieces to it when I get ready to use it for the next child. I paid a total of $58 for items that would have been over $200 if I would have bought new and I would have had to pay the shipping. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad0jNQySrSvsfWAwBCOSQK19U6MtxaCcwW7oR4z1DgmrzbbIgGgh3dMHShD1VdWUfAkdXR7ox6HsstIxAJ7T5i8axk-sqPTstp5t9VcC6vw8fMa8CfUK2kYPtZ3Qu_fDFG3O335V7VD8/s1600/pics+june+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad0jNQySrSvsfWAwBCOSQK19U6MtxaCcwW7oR4z1DgmrzbbIgGgh3dMHShD1VdWUfAkdXR7ox6HsstIxAJ7T5i8axk-sqPTstp5t9VcC6vw8fMa8CfUK2kYPtZ3Qu_fDFG3O335V7VD8/s320/pics+june+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Here is the list of what I was able to get:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Five-Row-Christian-Character-Supplement/dp/1888659033">Five in a Row Christian Character and Bible Supplement</a> by Jane Claire Lambert<br />
<a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/1-112--/?list=Rod_and_Staff_Grade_2">Stories About God's People Rod and Staff Reader Series level 2 Teachers Guide</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/1-122--/?list=Rod_and_Staff_Grade_2">Rod and Staff English Grade 2</a> teachers guide and student text( got this off the free table)<br />
<a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/1-123--/?list=Rod_and_Staff_Grade_3">Rod and Staff English Grade 3</a> teachers guide and student text<br />
<a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/2-4--/?list=Pathway_Readers_Grade_4">Pathway Readers Grade 4</a> w/ teachers text<br />
<a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/2-1--/?list=Pathway_Readers_Grade_1">Pathway Readers Grade 1</a> w/ 1 workbook<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aesops-Fables-Readers-Reading-Program/dp/B000K02Z9Y">Abeka Aesop's for Young Readers</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Rod_and_Staff_Music/">Rod and Staff Music</a> workbooks grades 1,2, and 3<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Greenleaf-Guide-Old-Testament-History/dp/1882514122">Green Leaf Press Guide to Old Testament History</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Indus-River-Valley-Peoples/dp/0778720705/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308499567&sr=1-1-spell">Life on the Indus River Valley</a><br />
Rocks and Minerals easy reader<br />
Rocks and Fossils teachers suppliment worksheets<br />
<a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Gods-Design-for-Heaven-and-Earth-Complete-Set,6505,194.aspx">God's Design for Heaven and Earth Our Planet</a><br />
<a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Gods-Design-for-Heaven-and-Earth-Complete-Set,6505,194.aspx">God's Design for Heaven and Earth Our Weather and Water</a><br />
<a href="http://www.singaporemath.com/Primary_Math_Textbook_3A_U_S_EDITION_p/pmust3a.htm">Singapore Math 3A textbook</a><br />
<a href="http://www.singaporemath.com/Challenging_Word_Prob_for_Primary_Mathematics_3_p/pmcwp3.htm">Singapore Math 3 Challenging Word Problems</a><br />
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In all for next years curriculum I have spent $154. It is my goal to keep things under $300 for all three children. This includes school supplies(which I wait for back to school sales) printer ink, and whatever else misc I have to get. I am also considering frugal clothing options for this coming year as well. I was thinking of going to the thrift stores and other outlets to get different color polo shirts for everyone and khaki pants and skirts. Its seems a little uniformish but I think in the long run if will save money and I can have the kids coordinated pretty well on field trips. You can always finds polo shirts and khakis at the thrift stores all the time and I think they go from casual to dressy pretty well.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-74914655116260140582011-06-09T22:51:00.000-07:002012-05-07T09:30:06.089-07:00Steps to Creating Your Own Curriculum!After many a request and conversation with new and even seasoned homeschooler friends and subscribers I decided to put together some easy to follow comprehensive steps to making your own homeschool curriculum. I also took the liberty of including some instructional videos to go along with the worksheet. <br />
Here are the:<br />
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/57483391/Steps-to-Building-Your-Own-Curriculum">Steps to Creating Your Own Curriculum Worksheet</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/57484040/Methods-of-Homeschooling">Methods of Homeschooling</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/57495916/Top-Curriculum-Choices-Elementary-Level">Top Curriculum Choices Elementary Level</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/57498272/Top-Curriculum-Suppliers-and-Stores">Top Curriculum Suppliers and Stores</a> ( the stores are localized to GA but other suppliers are on the web)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fRhlwuBhv6o" width="420"></iframe>Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-77084049514408778822011-06-08T17:09:00.000-07:002011-06-08T17:09:50.702-07:00Frugal Kitchen: Easy Maple Granola!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE_CB5EAHbOnNsLEjH2X9OY421ggg6yNjwljVjQU-fook_CVIRyvuFcFnHSfjxu2fXbh-NoAAaQuZcIM7UTYl4zoOryyELOFD4aNRzL9ptj1PS2u2_DLS4aqz9bkEoqE3LzfmpYkc9iE/s1600/food+and+family+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE_CB5EAHbOnNsLEjH2X9OY421ggg6yNjwljVjQU-fook_CVIRyvuFcFnHSfjxu2fXbh-NoAAaQuZcIM7UTYl4zoOryyELOFD4aNRzL9ptj1PS2u2_DLS4aqz9bkEoqE3LzfmpYkc9iE/s320/food+and+family+062.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDdzawONx8SIVfo3GRlYBXi_fNIHv9K0SfZFbsRvAFFKIrB2d-zxYW2BSQjbBaN7nWWElpQmt-wFpBLuYZFjs2VUGsnf3i0o90gD8apOMjZDEhi2P20IyXTknPFCo_ovzeexhglMz4rI/s1600/food+and+family+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDdzawONx8SIVfo3GRlYBXi_fNIHv9K0SfZFbsRvAFFKIrB2d-zxYW2BSQjbBaN7nWWElpQmt-wFpBLuYZFjs2VUGsnf3i0o90gD8apOMjZDEhi2P20IyXTknPFCo_ovzeexhglMz4rI/s320/food+and+family+063.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center">Easy Maple Granola</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Ingredients:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">2 cups rolled oats</div><div align="center">2 TSP flax seed</div><div align="center">1/3 cup chopped walnuts(optional)</div><div align="center">1/3 cup Coconut oil</div><div align="center">1/3 cup Maple Syrup</div><div align="center">1 TSP Vanilla Extract</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Directions: preheat oven to 350 degrees. I mix all dry ingredients together then mix all wet ingredients and add them into the dry mix and stir thouroughly. I spread the wet granola mix onto a cookie sheet and bake for about 18- 20 minutes till mixture is dry and golden brown. Stir it a few times during baking to make sure edges dont burn. </div><div align="center">For this recipe I double to feed my family of 5. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Variations: After mix comes out the oven I add cinnamon and raisins. You add your favorite spices and dried fruits after it comes out the oven.</div>Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-3587976231484734422011-06-08T16:55:00.000-07:002011-06-08T16:55:31.365-07:00Homemade Dairy Free Milk Alternative!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Homemade Rice Milk</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvQmkL_R97tdAtY7oivC0dS59GdT_UyWi5rU0Xc0lIlmYLT0Iz3EgO6zn9BGPC6cljidTTdmFaaN5OI0MDTXW1bElNzSiZ1fbez1Dg6q9rjArUrdLq5X-vEFqGvfI8vROi-ir21R7DSA/s1600/food+and+family+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvQmkL_R97tdAtY7oivC0dS59GdT_UyWi5rU0Xc0lIlmYLT0Iz3EgO6zn9BGPC6cljidTTdmFaaN5OI0MDTXW1bElNzSiZ1fbez1Dg6q9rjArUrdLq5X-vEFqGvfI8vROi-ir21R7DSA/s320/food+and+family+060.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7sk8VXymRzfZLdX3JxngidNE7YGPFiiGu6wn9FDfi6uDAbpjdGlQif7Of9QmmgcrejB9oP4Xw3IFlzqO73NV_fScO2HA6ZZo9IZ2YsE1pe54XIMy6UcqgJ0WJahi3vNszjP188WD4sk/s1600/food+and+family+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7sk8VXymRzfZLdX3JxngidNE7YGPFiiGu6wn9FDfi6uDAbpjdGlQif7Of9QmmgcrejB9oP4Xw3IFlzqO73NV_fScO2HA6ZZo9IZ2YsE1pe54XIMy6UcqgJ0WJahi3vNszjP188WD4sk/s320/food+and+family+061.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With me growing up lactose intollerant and my kids being raised on dairyfree milks I was happy to start finding ways to make them myself. I mean 1 quart of the least expensive Rice or Almond Milk cost me about 1.79 each so when I found this recipe on youtube I knew I hit the jack pot. It came out right too.So I think we areo going to keep this recipe in the family book. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the video I got it from:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_X6zgAqJGXw" width="560"></iframe>Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-65938331215315021622011-06-07T16:47:00.000-07:002011-06-19T10:52:28.708-07:00Curriculum 2011- 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9H8IVC5h5HnSGmn1OdYhsS3TGWZDe2DAKjaJfmjSrEAwU_-8Z6KnZTFOr8MORNbdi-5zUFmW1ypAhUU4RkK_N2TGjuduWgfiW1vrSd82tiH1VydFpthZga96er46LTl1Yc04krCJoTs/s1600/new+pics+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9H8IVC5h5HnSGmn1OdYhsS3TGWZDe2DAKjaJfmjSrEAwU_-8Z6KnZTFOr8MORNbdi-5zUFmW1ypAhUU4RkK_N2TGjuduWgfiW1vrSd82tiH1VydFpthZga96er46LTl1Yc04krCJoTs/s320/new+pics+019.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<strong>3rd Grade(7yr)- Girl</strong><br />
<br />
<u>Hebrew Studies- </u><a href="http://hearts-in-training.blogspot.com/2010/04/learning-hebrew-chart-and-resources.html">Various Resources</a><br />
<br />
<u>Math- </u><a href="http://www.singaporemath.com/Homeschool_s/60.htm">Singapore Math</a> 2A and 2B<br />
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<u>Reading-</u> <a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Pathway_Readers/">Pathway Readers 3rd Grade</a> and Required Reading List<br />
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<u>Spelling- </u><a href="http://www.avko.org/sequentialspelling.html">Sequential Spelling </a>level 1(finishing up last few lessons) and level 2<br />
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<u>Grammar- </u><a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/1-123--/?list=Building_Christian_English_Series"> Rod and Staff English Grade 3</a><br />
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<u>Latin-<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1743182433"> </a></u><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=12">Song School Latin</a>(we didn't start Latin this last school year like we thought so we are going to start with this program that got such great reviews)<br />
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<u>History/ Geography- </u>Asian History Cycle 2, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kingfisher-History-Encyclopedia-Family-Encyclopedias/dp/0753451948">Kingfisher History Encyclopedia</a>(spine text)<br />
<br />
<strong>Course of Study Asian History Cycle 2</strong><br />
<br />
Middle East<br />
<ul><li>Hittites</li>
<li>Babylon</li>
<li>Assyrians</li>
<li>The Hebrews</li>
<li>Babylon Revived</li>
<li>Persian Empire</li>
<li>Judea</li>
<li>Parthians and Sassanids</li>
<li>Islam 622- 750 A.D.</li>
<li>The Seljuk Turks</li>
<li>Israel 1948- 1949</li>
</ul>India<br />
<ul><li>Indus Valley</li>
<li>Aryan India</li>
<li>Maryan Empire</li>
<li>The Gupta Dynasty</li>
<li>The Moguls</li>
<li>India in Transition</li>
<li>The British in India</li>
<li>Indian Independence/ Gandhi</li>
</ul>China<br />
<ul><li>Shang Dynasty</li>
<li>Zhou Dynasty</li>
<li>The Qin Dynasty</li>
<li>Han Dynasty</li>
<li>Sui and Tang China</li>
<li>Song Dynasty</li>
<li>The Mongol Empire</li>
<li>Ming Dynasty</li>
<li>Qing Dynasty</li>
<li>Trade in China</li>
<li>The Opium Wars</li>
<li>The Boxer Rebellion</li>
<li>China 1911- 1935</li>
<li>China and Japan at War</li>
<li>Communist China</li>
</ul>Japan<br />
<ul><li>Japan 300 B.C.- 800 A.D.</li>
<li>Fujwara Japan</li>
<li>Shoguns and Samurai</li>
<li>Japan and China 1467- 1644</li>
<li>Japan in Isolation</li>
<li>Japan and Southeast Asia</li>
<li>Japan 1853- 1913</li>
</ul>Russia<br />
<ul><li>The Ottoman Empire</li>
<li>Russia 1462- 1613</li>
<li>The Ottoman Empire 1602- 1783</li>
<li>Russia 1917- 1924</li>
<li>Russian Expansion 1613- 1725</li>
</ul>South East Asia<br />
<ul><li>The Khmer Empire</li>
<li>Southeast Asia 1800- 1913</li>
</ul>So we are going to do history 3 days a week. 1st day is reading from the history encyclopedia and doing mapwork, 2nd day will be extension readings we get from the library or education videos or trips, then the 3rd day will be notebooking and lapbooking.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Science- </u><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/46166053/Earth-Science-Course-of-Study">Earth Science and Astronomy</a> Cycle,<a href="http://www.apologia.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1"> Apologia Exploring Creation with Astronomy</a>, <a href="http://www.usborne-quicklinks.com/usa/usa_entity_pages/usa_select_page_newly_updated.asp?lvl=1&id=1203">Usborne Science Encyclopedia</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/DK-Handbooks-Minerals-Chris-Pellant/dp/156458061X">DK Rocks and Minerals</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Galileo-Kids-Life-Ideas-Activities/dp/1556525664">Galileo for Kids</a> <a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Gods-Design-for-Heaven-and-Earth-Complete-Set,6505,194.aspx">God's Design for Heaven and Earth</a><br />
<br />
<u>Handwriting- </u><a href="http://shopping.hwtears.com/category/4thGrade">Handwriting Without Tears Grade 4 cursive</a><br />
(this was a success from last year that we are sticking with)<br />
<br />
<u>Writing- </u><a href="http://www.writing-strands.com/writing-strands-3.asp">Writing Strands Level 3</a><br />
<br />
<u>Art- </u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Great-Artists-Hands-Children/dp/0935607099">Discovering Great Artist</a><br />
<br />
<u>Music- </u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Usborne-First-Book-Recorder-Kits/dp/0881109584/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307488972&sr=1-1">Usborne 1st Book of Recorder</a> and <a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Rod_and_Staff_Music/">Rod and Staff Music Grades 1 and 2</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>First Grade(4yr)- boy</strong><br />
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<u>Hebrew Studies-</u> Various Resources<br />
<br />
<u>Math- </u><a href="http://www.singaporemath.net/">Singapore Math</a> 1A and 1B<br />
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<u>Reading-</u> <a href="http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/2-1--/?list=Pathway_Readers_Grade_1">Pathway Readers Grade 1</a><u>,</u> Easy Reader Reading List(building fluency since buddy boy finished is phonic already) also some <a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/">Literature Lapbooks</a><br />
<br />
<u>Grammar- </u><a href="http://www.welltrainedmind.com/store/first-language-lessons-1.html">First Language Lessons level 1</a> and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1743182481">Explode the Code level 2</a><br />
<br />
<u>Handwriting- </u><a href="http://shopping.hwtears.com/category/1stGrade">Handwriting Without Tears 1st Grade</a><br />
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He will be sharing Latin, History Geography, Science, Art and Music with his older sibling so that is the same as above.<br />
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<strong>Preschooler(2yr)- girl</strong><br />
<br />
Her curriculum is going to be more Montessori based and focused mainly on life skills and basic letter and number recognition. I joined some great Montessori make your own Yahoo Groups as well finding some step by step instruction sights that are going to be helpful with this endeavour.<br />
Here they are:<br />
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/montessorimakers/">Montessori Makers</a><br />
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/montessoribyhand/">Montessori by Hand</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wikisori.org/index.php/Main_Page">Wikisori</a><br />
<a href="http://www.infomontessori.com/index.htm">Montessori Primary Guide</a><br />
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<u>Practical Life- </u><br />
<br />
Button, zip and buckle<br />
lacing and beading<br />
setting the table<br />
fixing snack<br />
cleaning up<br />
<br />
<u>Language Arts-</u><br />
<br />
letter sounds<br />
short vowel words<br />
letter recognition<br />
classical children's read aloud's w/ lapbook activities<br />
<br />
<u>Handwriting</u><br />
<br />
Writing in rice, sand or beans<br />
forming letters with play dough<br />
cookie letters<br />
cutting and pasting paper<br />
drawing lines, circles, swiggles and zig zags<br />
tracing letters on paper<br />
<br />
<u>Math</u><br />
<br />
number recognition( sand paper letters)<br />
patterns(blocks, cubes, and toys)<br />
sequence<br />
counting with manipulatives<br />
abacus math<br />
shapes<br />
colors<br />
<br />
<u>Science</u><br />
<br />
creation<br />
seasons<br />
days of the week<br />
months of the year<br />
animal life cycles(butterfly and frog)<br />
sprouting seeds<br />
animal habitats<br />
<br />
<u>Geography</u><br />
<br />
Our World<br />
Continents<br />
Oceans<br />
Countries<br />
States<br />
Cities<br />
Communities<br />
Maps<br />
<br />
So this is the "PLAN" hopefully we follow something close to this. I have most of this stuff bought already with the exception of a few that I am waiting on Grandma to pitch in and get the rest for us. Those used curriculum sales really helped a lot.And I have a friend that helped me discovery<a href="http://www.ebay.com/"> Ebay</a> and <a href="http://www.half.com/">Half</a> as well that might have to be the works. If I cant get the final items though there is always supplementing with my all time favorites<a href="http://www.lessonpathways.com/"> Lesson Pathways</a> and the Public Library.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-6653154569314071542011-05-15T11:26:00.000-07:002011-05-15T11:26:41.745-07:00Frugal Kitchen: Barley Soup(vegetarian)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTazZlCi4MNaWZWjnA1FzzP7MxKkgDsV9P-VJYxYxOT-rYvgLTei-YBWCMEgp9-ODuFSM_Y_UjD73Bk5BmEYw4cdjt-eui8mM-cl652Kyew0fyeGKu1Rkhyphenhyphen-4cKUjYSMW4FYl_U0t5oA/s1600/birthday+and+food+2+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTazZlCi4MNaWZWjnA1FzzP7MxKkgDsV9P-VJYxYxOT-rYvgLTei-YBWCMEgp9-ODuFSM_Y_UjD73Bk5BmEYw4cdjt-eui8mM-cl652Kyew0fyeGKu1Rkhyphenhyphen-4cKUjYSMW4FYl_U0t5oA/s320/birthday+and+food+2+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I made this delicious soup last night on the fly. I kind of just threw some things together that I had that needed to be used in the fridge and threw the barley in to bulk it up and make it more hearty. This was my first time cooking with barley as well. I have had barley bread when I made it into a flour but I haven't gotten around to using it as a grain. It turned out pretty good. Here is what I used:<br />
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<br />
<strong><u>Barley Soup(vegetarian)</u></strong><br />
<br />
2 cups pearl barley(hulled)<br />
4 medium potatoes(yukon gold)<br />
4 carrots(diced)<br />
1/2 onion(chopped)<br />
2 stalks of celery(chopped)<br />
2 cloves of garlic(minced)<br />
vegetable broth or water enough to fill pot<br />
2 tsp thyme(dried)<br />
2 TSP parsley(dried)<br />
1 TSP garlic salt<br />
2 TSP olive oil<br />
1 can diced tomatoes(8oz)<br />
1 can kidney beans(8oz)<br />
1 can chickpeas/ garbanzo beans(8oz)<br />
salt and pepper to taste<br />
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First I take all the veggies and the fresh garlic and saute them at the bottom of the pot with the olive oil till the onions soften and they sweat a little. Then I add in the spices except for salt and pepper(save that for last). Then I add in the tomatoes, and beans and add the stock or water. Let it come to a boil and add the barley. I then covered the pot and simmered on medium low till the barley expand and all the veggies soften. Then I sprinkled in some salt and pepper to taste. I used a large pot so its enough soup for my family of 5 for 2 days.<br />
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I also served it with cornbread.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiK3Bg5frYhTiA4_IE5tKPYVaBtZ6qZqocuau24RLxwYgYWIj_Q0ZcD7A8eK9ZUKA4aDBPiEhP3omjwDOsy0SZXThcyOTsT8tBjQeiPJ1IZbiNXN7Jx5BF20M3JuFDJaN3hF_OFL8pKx4/s1600/birthday+and+food+2+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiK3Bg5frYhTiA4_IE5tKPYVaBtZ6qZqocuau24RLxwYgYWIj_Q0ZcD7A8eK9ZUKA4aDBPiEhP3omjwDOsy0SZXThcyOTsT8tBjQeiPJ1IZbiNXN7Jx5BF20M3JuFDJaN3hF_OFL8pKx4/s320/birthday+and+food+2+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<strong><u>Cornbread</u></strong><br />
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1 1/2 cup cornmeal( fresh mill popcorn makes cornmeal in the wondermill)<br />
1 cup flour( used hard red but any all purpose will work)<br />
1 TSP baking powder<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1 TSP sweetener<br />
1 cup milk<br />
1 egg<br />
1/4 cup melted butter<br />
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<br />
I mix all dry ingredients first then mix in all the wet. I take the butter and put in the cornbread pan to melt in the oven. I then take and pour the melted butter in the rest of the batter and then put the mix into my pan. I bake on 400 degrees for about 15- 20 minutes.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-70327592745672788292011-05-15T09:37:00.000-07:002011-05-15T09:37:38.031-07:00Birthday Cupcake Fun with my Big Girl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuLr7bXaKRbm9mzLO8EyOy3fcFhXNwh2_NwUh0nmHlnt2Hbh7Eqa8cTq-tZVF-dbQBr5hYIGtz2p3kOPWWd6-yecYtVvsVkyvBjcPCiEl1d-_KvGnJNdOydEcfG9DrTFq1p8YApOoZOA/s1600/birthday+and+food+pics+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuLr7bXaKRbm9mzLO8EyOy3fcFhXNwh2_NwUh0nmHlnt2Hbh7Eqa8cTq-tZVF-dbQBr5hYIGtz2p3kOPWWd6-yecYtVvsVkyvBjcPCiEl1d-_KvGnJNdOydEcfG9DrTFq1p8YApOoZOA/s320/birthday+and+food+pics+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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My big baby turned 7 this past week. I can't believe how time flies right. But we just had a little family dinner and cupcake party. It was a very hot 90 degree weather day so we did all indoor things till the sun went down. Which is why you see the kids riding there bikes in the dark. But its funny cause I had a "You know you are a homeschooler when..." moment on her birthday cause she got a visa gift card from grandma and excitedly proclaimed she wanted to go to Barnes and Nobles! LOL! We are such geeks right! But she found a cute little art set and got a few chapter books for fun reading and got her brother and sister a book as well. My little man of course found a Star Wars easy reader and my baby girl got The Very Hungry Caterpillar. So when we got back to the house I was wiped out cause I am about 32 weeks pregnant now and just going from one chair to the next makes me tired. lol! But my birthday girl wanted baked pasta with red sauce and cheese with salad. This was her request. And by some miracle I manage to get up enough strengh to make her the best Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese frosting ever.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the Cupcake and Frosting recipe:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cupcakes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 1/2 cup flour( soft white wheat)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 cup sucunant( cane sugar)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2 cup cocoa powder</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 tsp baking soda</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 eggs, beaten</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2 tsp salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/3 cup coconut oil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 TSP vinegar </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 tsp vanilla extract</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mix all dry ingredients first. Then add the rest of the ingredients. Bake on 350 degrees for about 25- 30 min.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cream Cheese Frosting:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 8oz pk cream cheese(soften)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2 cup butter(soften)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 1/2 cup powdered sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 tsp vanilla extract</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">optional: food coloring for to add color</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">whip all ingredients with electric mixer on high till smooth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-74588654723165093812011-05-13T17:12:00.000-07:002011-05-13T17:12:27.255-07:00Loaf Bread or Bun Recipe!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJEN0JZdaJQ5K6VZl7c9Y-lxsidjBVrqTSYwYDvt81cI6YrrwqaIXIdS1CjRb-5qsDci2029VtohVVdCrNMASmxpsQiyfwz17dyyruON0RJf-eAzcr0yKya40u2uD7zAhcDeGamhAzZY/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJEN0JZdaJQ5K6VZl7c9Y-lxsidjBVrqTSYwYDvt81cI6YrrwqaIXIdS1CjRb-5qsDci2029VtohVVdCrNMASmxpsQiyfwz17dyyruON0RJf-eAzcr0yKya40u2uD7zAhcDeGamhAzZY/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So as you know I have been enjoying my wondermill for a few months now. Well I am trying things out and building up my recipe arsenal. I have finally came up with a great loaf or Bun recipe. The bread comes out soft and moist. Now keep in mind I am no kneading expert as of yet so I still use my Sunbeam bread maker to mix and kneed. But this is what I use:<br />
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<strong>Loaf Bread or Bun Recipe</strong><br />
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4 cups Flour( fresh milled hard white or hard red wheat )<br />
1 1/2 cup warm water<br />
1 egg<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1/4 cup butter<br />
2 TSP Honey\<br />
1 packet Dry Yeast(not sure of exact amount cause I just buy packets)<br />
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Now once the bread is done kneading and rising I pour on the floured counter top and form into my loaf shape or hamburger buns. It makes either 2 loaves of bread or about 9- 12 burger buns. I then place in greased loaf pan or cookie sheet and place a damp cloth on and let it proof for about 20- 30 more minutes while I preheat the oven for 350 degrees. I just bake until golden brown which I think is about 25 mins or so. depends on your oven I guess. Delicious!Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-34610349331806706472011-05-12T07:31:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:29:51.436-07:00Think About it Thursday: Who is the Authority of Your Homeschool!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbi_wEjVbpMUY-Yc-_5EEGLpC_aL6ZM0tAS5_6oK5Bo4Qcz6kGU2RMJ_VOFfW5GXB_ogCuJijl_XRJcEdgf0VWtWWyzPE4h5nhahSa0pmSvz4-SJ62LqG8vEFl658oqGl7dAZzB8NJQU/s1600/mom+pulling+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbi_wEjVbpMUY-Yc-_5EEGLpC_aL6ZM0tAS5_6oK5Bo4Qcz6kGU2RMJ_VOFfW5GXB_ogCuJijl_XRJcEdgf0VWtWWyzPE4h5nhahSa0pmSvz4-SJ62LqG8vEFl658oqGl7dAZzB8NJQU/s1600/mom+pulling+hair.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So it's that time of year when I start to see and hear more and more post about homeschool parents feeling like they are "Falling Behind", "Missing Something", "Failing there Children", and so on and so forth. It seems like right as the year comes to a close is when the demon of Self Doubt rears his ugly head and even some of us seasoned homeschoolers can't manage to escape his possession. You would think a group of parents who stepped out on faith and took the plunge into the pool of home education have to be some of the most confident parents on the face of the earth. Well that is just not true. We are all human and we are all subject to insecurities. Especially in a culture that is against the family its hard to be Set Apart at times. But this is why I pose the question today to my fellow homeschoolers "Who is the Authority of Your Homeschool?".<br />
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Based off what your answer is should reveal exactly where these emotions of self doubt come from especially if you are unsure of the answer. If you don't rightly know that is okay its never to late to have a Vision/ Mission for your homeschool but I do think that it is imperative that every family have a goal in mind and stay true to that vision throughout there home education journey.Everyone is measuring themselves up to some standards. The question here is "Who's standards are you measuring your family against?".<br />
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I am going to give some examples of where I have found most homeschoolers to fit into when it comes to there measurement standards.<br />
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<ol><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Public School Standards</strong>- For some families they homeschool only to have there children at home and so there educational standard is measured by what the local Public School is doing cause they are still the authority of education in there home even though the schooling takes place in the home. In this scenario the parents have not fully taken advantage of the freedom of homeschooling to create there own goals and vision. This could be for many reasons from thinking they are not an expert in education so they couldn't possibly make the standards or it could be that its just not of any importance to them they just want to be at home and not have to focus on anything else. The problem with this method that parents run into is that if the "Homeschool" based curriculum they selected for the year is somehow not adding up or covering everything on that local Public Schools scope and sequence than there begins the panic and race to catch up or fill in the gaps to measure up to that Public School Authority. Well I have lots of friends who have taught as PS teachers are still are PS teachers and they always make sure to tell folks that they never finished a textbook or curriculum by the end of the year. That is whey most Public School Text repeat the same info from the year before for the first 3 months of the new school year. Its basically a review of the year before. Think about all the snow days, teacher institute days, holiday breaks, spring breaks and so on that they take during the year yet us homeschoolers feel guilty for taking a day or two off for a personal day or what ever. We just need to put things in perspective.</li>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FGseY6J8lhKL_VC9R3xk0ds3DqEI3J20ewDu5vxo8pt5SMS6_-3YtOKSTUtzRN1cin_7jwcj5IlU4ndCIMWEQFU0q8dP1D5JlXZix8FilpDqedwJZgVtex0SphFWnzhsabEYobNMnHw/s1600/academic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FGseY6J8lhKL_VC9R3xk0ds3DqEI3J20ewDu5vxo8pt5SMS6_-3YtOKSTUtzRN1cin_7jwcj5IlU4ndCIMWEQFU0q8dP1D5JlXZix8FilpDqedwJZgVtex0SphFWnzhsabEYobNMnHw/s1600/academic.jpg" /></a></div><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Academic Standards</strong>- For some of us homeschoolers we are totally engulfed with a educational philosophy or method rather that be Classical, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, Unit Study, Unschooling, etc... I started out homeschooling with a strictly academic vision in mind that eventually evolved into something much more in the end but I think its typical for some parents to start out with purely an academic goal in mind. Having a educational philosophy or method of homeschooling is a positive thing it gives some basic curriculum guidelines to follow usually even a year by year break down. That is great. Usually the problem comes in when you stop looking at the philosophy as just a set of guidelines and start placing it on a pedestal of must do must follow rigid rules. I think for some parents this starts when we fall victim to "Comparing our Children to Others". You might read an article in a homeschooling magazine or have a friend in a COOP who uses the same homeschool method as you yet you look at there child(who might not even be the same age as your child) and you see how they are covering all these subjects, playing the violin and piano, volunteering at the food pantry, acing the SAT's and can write a college level thesis and you start to go into heart palpitations.Then starts the we need to do Latin, French, play the french horn, do nature study everyday, homeschool 6hrs a day and go do all these other things so we can be just like so and so or else we are not doing it right. You look over at your kids who are playing around with Lego's and army men while you are trying to read aloud your history lesson, he only did a half a math worksheet and you wonder how will I ever get him into college. This is when you start to feel like a failure. It is my hope by illustrating these scenarios you will begin to see how silly we look sometimes. I have to laugh at this cause I have been there.</li>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJSudkJyYrUdYGouYQbogxMqVmKJ3NwkmXNQlZ-6pKnx7mnFRXwMKCiKwBORjdU6uYb7P7tcEt9679-l4MPEl0DCuhyhU-blavsx94xRyRmZzIy2QFItDUf_SEXMa_yEN6M8U-4yf8sI/s1600/blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJSudkJyYrUdYGouYQbogxMqVmKJ3NwkmXNQlZ-6pKnx7mnFRXwMKCiKwBORjdU6uYb7P7tcEt9679-l4MPEl0DCuhyhU-blavsx94xRyRmZzIy2QFItDUf_SEXMa_yEN6M8U-4yf8sI/s1600/blog+2.jpg" /></a></div><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Mom and Dad's Standards</strong>- Now I do admit I love when I see parents who have set down together and come up with a list of reasons and goals as to why they are homeschooling there children. I find this to be the clearest way to understand and define your homeschool goals when you sit down as a couple an establish your homeschool Vision/ Mission. But even with starting out with something this strong I have still seen parents feel like they are not making the mark even when they set the mark. This could stem from setting the mark too high or not realizing that since you are in charge of the standards you can reform and make changes to that vision at anytime. What if you started out with goals when your children were little and as time went on you realized that you had a "Special Learner" who required special attention in academic areas or even social areas. This could change that vision. You may need to adjust that vision to fit the changes of your family. Or sometimes I find that parents who set goals together might begin to feel imaginary pressure or real pressure from there spouse to measure up to the vision. Like for instance a wife might feel like every time she is not meeting the goals on the list perfectly she is somehow failing her husband and kids. Don't be so hard on yourself. These goals are just an idea of where you want to go not necessarily where you are at. Its just a maker to help lead and guide you not to make you feel inadequate in anyway. And realize when you have aimed too high and feel pressured and sit down again as a couple and make adjustments where they are needed. </li>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQITLdQPwxTQHLRGk0Ss_rxBcldT5oL7D4f3k_XnZgYTIXTMf4joaNRzUmaHyLKVm6IOHA4bAusco28nxxvrCahPMa9-YqV9yOGEf-7MMj_Z2ABZE-QegoDQn4i3TkAYhGVEBiup6KQpE/s1600/bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQITLdQPwxTQHLRGk0Ss_rxBcldT5oL7D4f3k_XnZgYTIXTMf4joaNRzUmaHyLKVm6IOHA4bAusco28nxxvrCahPMa9-YqV9yOGEf-7MMj_Z2ABZE-QegoDQn4i3TkAYhGVEBiup6KQpE/s1600/bible.jpg" /></a></div><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>God's Standards</strong>- The Homeschool Movement in this Country as we know was Pioneered by those looking to raise there children with a God centered education. And the majority of homeschoolers even till this day home educate for this very reason to have God be central in there child's education. I find that when convicted to homeschool for a higher calling its less likely that on a year to year basis that folks go back and forth with the same self doubt trials. But even with God at the centered and scripture leading the way I have seen parents feel the woes of what am I not doing enough of. Once again I think this could be stemming from Comparing oneself to others. Maybe your family has a heart to be mission minded and travel the world spending the Gospel but you haven't quite made it there cause you have a new baby every year and your husband can't find work to save enough for the trip. Well maybe your mission field is your local community or maybe even your own family. Maybe raising Godly children who love the lord and can read his word is enough. Sometimes I think we don't understand when the holy spirit takes over and directs to where we need to be when we need to be. Also since the movement has become so diverse and folks are homeschooling for more than just Spiritual reasons even the most God driven family can get caught up in measuring themselves against the standards I have listed at the top. You might find yourself now questioning whether or not your children know enough of other things outside of biblical training. But maybe we need to learn how to put things in perspective. We need to see that Scripture memorization is :Language Arts, Reading the King James Bible is studying Literature and History, we need to see that observing God's creation in nature is the root of Science, and so on and so forth. Having a child who is strong in faith and can go to God in and his word in time of need goes a much longer way than a child who can recite the capitol cities of Europe. Not saying that these things aren't important but don't worry if these things didn't fall into your agenda. Your child has tools in his tool belt to help fix anything he hasn't been formally trained to do.</li>
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</div>Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-19374907275543511852011-05-10T12:44:00.000-07:002011-05-10T12:44:24.394-07:00This Years Homeschool Conference and Used Book Sale Finds!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well this past weekend was our annual State Homeschool Conference. I truly feel like this year was my best planned year and I came out under budget and with things I am actually going to use. lol! If you have ever gone to a curriculum fair than you know what I mean about getting what you need. I think that a lot of moms have there experience with what I call a case of the "OHHH and AHH's" you see all that shinny new curriculum and gadgets and whatnot and you loose all sense of practical need and budget. lol! But this year with money being the way that is for my family like most other Americans right now I had to go in there with a rock solid game plan. I first made my list of what I needed for this coming year along with a back up choice. I also knew I wanted to spend the bulk of my budget at the Used Book Sale that they have at my Conference on the first day. I actually got my list from <a href="http://www.donnayoung.org/">Donna Young's website</a>. The form is called <a href="http://donnayoung.org/forms/planners/curriculum.htm">Curriculum Fair Battle Plan</a>. Very well titled if I don't say so myself. I totally made out like a bandit in the Used Book Sale Hall. I spent $97 for items that has a retail value over $350. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are starting formal writing this year, we are going into Earth Science and Astronomy, and we are heading into Asia for History and Geography so I tried to focus on getting this for these areas. Here is the list of what I ended up with:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Learning Resources Base Ten Starter Set</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The M&M Math Book</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The M&M Counting Book</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Addition Facts Songs CD and book</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Subtraction Facts Songs CD and book</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Singapore Math 2B Home Instructors Guide</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Singapore Math 3A Home Instructors Guide</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Singapore Math 3B Home Instructors Guide</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Singapore Math Intensive Practice 2A</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Primary Language Lessons </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Writing Strands Evaluating Writing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Writing Strands Level 2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Writing Strands Level 3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Magic School Bus Out of This World( a book about space rocks)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Usborne Space</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze by Elizabeth Lewis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Island of the Blue Dolphin by Scott O'Dell</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Chi- Lin Purse by Linda Fang</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The House of Sixty Fathers by Meindert Dejong</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Daughter of the Mountains by Louise Rankin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dragon's Gate by Laurence Yep</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kingfisher History Encyclopedia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On top of what I found at the Conference I was able to gather some literature titles for my two youngest from a local Used Book Sale. I spent about $26 and got at least close to $100 worth of things. Here is a list of what we got there as well:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wooden Abacus w/ movable addition set</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Connect Cubes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aesop's Fables Coloring Book </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aesop's Fables Storybook</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Make Way For Ducklings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Three Bears</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Three Billy Goats Gruff</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Story of Ferdinand</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Little Engine that Could</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Big Balloon Race</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wagon Wheels</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Drinking Gourd</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stone Soup</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also wanted to take a moment to count the Blessings that others have given to our homeschool as well this year. With the help of a friend and the Grandparents I was able to get a few more things as well. I got Apologia Astronomy from my friend who also uses a classical model and here kids are on a different cycle than mine so they already finished up with Astronomy for the Grammar Stage they won't be back on for a few at least 2yrs I think. But she said I am welcome to have it for this year.That really saved me at least close to $90 I think.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgWo48oH8-LI-PlGn9O1JvVxEetMsOO0mr2C4Hbs8UjDsAOqscmWc6BnQFiQ5gJARLdPdCgCjs-7lxe6OAESpDjtcnlG0Z7J8Za8R229oIwURtSlmN0L3l3AgD5la0hjJHiXdU3p4xh0/s1600/blog+pics+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgWo48oH8-LI-PlGn9O1JvVxEetMsOO0mr2C4Hbs8UjDsAOqscmWc6BnQFiQ5gJARLdPdCgCjs-7lxe6OAESpDjtcnlG0Z7J8Za8R229oIwURtSlmN0L3l3AgD5la0hjJHiXdU3p4xh0/s320/blog+pics+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And for the Grandparents I made a Amazon Wish List for when they got that grandparent urge to send a gift I told them to peel off this list. And so far Granddad has made a great dent in the list and I think my mom is going to add her gifts after she come back from vacation. I am so happy they are finally coming around to being supportive of our homeschool efforts. So he was able to get quite a few things as well:<br />
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First Language Lessons Level 3 Workbook<br />
Ancient India<br />
Gandhi<br />
George Washington Carver<br />
Mae Jameson<br />
Galileo for Kids<br />
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</div>Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958090156805026739.post-8531986952846421632011-05-09T09:40:00.000-07:002011-05-09T09:44:48.401-07:00Frugal Kitchen: Left Over Oatmeal Bake!So I was on a hunt for ways to save money in the kitchen and not be wasteful with leftover food. I came across a wonderful blog called <a href="http://newlifeonahomestead.com/">New Life On A Homestead</a>. She had a <a href="http://newlifeonahomestead.com/2011/04/easy-baked-oatmeal-breakfast/">Baked Oatmeal Recipe</a> on her site. I had never heard of baking oatmeal before besides making cookies but I thought it would be a great way to reuse my leftover oatmeal. You know how sometimes you make to much or people don't eat as much as you think they are. So here is how I tweaked the recipe a little.<br />
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2 cups left over oatmeal<br />
1 cup rolled oats<br />
1/4 stick melted butter<br />
1/2 cup maple syrup<br />
1/3 cup raisins<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1 TSP baking powder<br />
1 cup milk( i use Almond milk)<br />
Cinnamon and nutmeg to taste<br />
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Bake on 350 degrees till brown on the top.Erin Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08004393202422074050noreply@blogger.com1