Not-Back-To-School Blog Hop: School Room Week

This is "School Room" week Heart of The Matter's Not Back to School blog hop. This gave me a personal goal put our room back together from summer break in time to share it.

We have officially been in our new home here a little over a year. We downsized with last year's move which has been a blessing and adjustment. You will be amazed how simple life can be with less stuff.

The desk we got for TS last year is growing with him and he has added his own decorative boy flare. Next to his desk are the workboxes waiting for work, his telescope for stargazing and crayons for drawing.

Across from that are some of our books which I finally colored coded over the summer.

We learned from last year that some studies can only be completed with minimal or no distraction so we incorporated the Concentration Penthouse upstairs. It is a nice calming space with a lot of sunshine for inspiration or concentration. The art on the wall is all TS's from his art class.

I built myself storage shelf in the basement and organized it by discipline. As the "Back to School" signs went up in stores, I grabbed the family and went through all our supplies. It was great to go through all of the school stuff as a family. We were able to bless a lot of families with our excess and only spent $20 on school supplies.

Have a blessed year everyone.

We have been so incredibly blessed with this move and look forward to an exciting year of learning. If you get a chance check out some of the awesome learning spaces at Heart of The Matter's Not Back to School blog hop.

2010-2011 Homeschool Curriculum HOP

Thanks to the good folks at Heart of the Matter for hosting Not Back To School Blog Hop. This always helps me organize my thoughts and plans.

So here we go……………….

We are introducing new math, grammar, spelling and History program this year. Also we are going to start to focus on more home education and a little less roadschooling.


This is our planned curriculum for homeschool for 2010-2011 2nd/3rd Grade Years:

Core: Five In A Row
Our primary curriculum will be Five In A Row Volume 4. I wanted to move to Winter’s Promise for a theme program because I simply didn’t have time to plan, print and organize FIAR this year. But after going to the local homeschool conference I realized that FIAR can work for us just modified. In the seminar about gifted children the speaker did warn changing everything from year to year. After the BIG MOVE last year where his whole world changed, I think we need to limit the amount of changes this year.

After much prayer we thought it best to leave the spine of FIAR but altered it to fit our needs. FIAR has a bible curriculum which I will be using and adding lapbook elements for scripture.

Grammar
Introducing Grammar with Winter’s Promise Language Arts curriculum and living books from the series “If you were” .



Mathematics
We are excited to start Right Start Math this year. The box arrived last week and we can’t wait to get our hands on the manipulatives.

History
This will be our first year of formal history study using the Story of The World program Volume I, Ancient Times. It covers history from the First Nomads, Egypt, the Jewish People, Abraham and Joseph, Hammurabi and the Babylonians, the Assyrians, Ancient China, Ancient Africa, Exodus, the Phoenicians, the Greeks and Rome.



Physical Education
We are enrolled in a Homeschool Physical Education co-op class, basketball class, swimming and martial arts.

Art
We are enrolled in a local co-op class and visiting museum exhibits throughout the year.

Music/Drama
We are enrolled in a local co-op class and taking part of in free concert/play venues in the area. The search is still on for individual instruction but we do have an at home drum program.

Science
We are enrolled in a accelerated local co-op class and visiting museum exhibits throughout the year.

I am so excited!!!!!!


You can read more curriculum plans and add yours at the Not Back to School Blog Hop.

Prayerful Planning

"If you're starting your new school year depending on your own abilities, be careful. Only the Lord can show you those things that will make your homeschooling truly successful. As you depend on the Holy Spirit, you will not only discover wisdom to teach, but you'll also have your eyes opened to see all that God desires for your family. "Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God" (Psalm 123:1-2a).
Lord, forgive me for my foolish pride that fails to acknowledge You as Lord. Open my eyes to see Your plans for our family this homeschool year and teach me to constantly depend on You. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Courtesy Alpha Omega Publications

A Change Is Gonna Come

I have been in prayer about what is to become of this blog. It has become clear that this should be a virtual space to record our homeschooling journey. Which means it will be incorporated into our school year plans with timely updates.

To that end let me share that this is planning season. Planning season for homeschoolers is exciting time because everything is fresh with new possibilities and grand goals. The trick I have found in my three years of homeschooling is to embrace those grand design, explore them and put them down in revision 1 of the plan. Then back off, give it a day and think about your life. Who are you? Who are your kids? How many outside activities do you plan on doing? How long will they really take? Where are the potential rabbit holes or unexpected cool field trips likely to happen? How your household actually functions? Then adjust the plan to this reality. Thereby avoiding complete homeschooling meltdown when things do not go as planned. Remember it is homeschooling so keep it SIMPLE and FLEXIBLE.

Part 1: What worked and what didn't work last year.

FIAR kinda worked last year but is planning intensive in order to support ds's learning style.

I honestly didn't think I had the time this summer to pull all of it together. But the other options are outside our budget right now, so I made a choice to slow down our summer plans to incorporate planning days. That is right days because I had to adjust my expectations of getting it done all at once.

Here is my attempt to plan with Five In A Row (FIAR). All items highlighted in gray were completed in 2008-2010. Items in green are planned for this year.
Five In A Row 2010-2011 School Year Plan

Pray for the Gulf and The Planet

Homeschooling Only Child: Panic Attack Number 554

It has been a couple of months since I have freaked over homeschooling our "super singleton". Because he loves people and is super social it never really get the feeling of him being lonely. Everyday we leave the house post school time to do something with friends park day, filed trips, three days a week co-op classes, birthday parties, church and when we have time play dates. This week was no exception we are on the move, but I decided that today I needed a day at home. This has not gone over well at all.

He is an extrovert who loves people. He is open and caring to all kids, which has been tough because some kids are just down right mean. He plays with kids of all ages and doesn't mind playing the prince with his girl friends as long as he can have a light saber and slay something.

He is innocent, because we believe children should enjoy childhood. He really can't get way some kids are mean to him. He is Texas loud and enjoys life.

But I worry does he need to be around children all day? What would be the benefits? He could not downshift to do age level school work. I know because he has told me last week "Mom okay I got verb and nouns...way are you waiting let's do some adjectives and essays." He like most boys doesn't have the social skills to be grade skipped in a traditional class room. Boys tend to find the tender heart, youngest, innocent and small in size boy to pick on.

In public school he would have to sit still and learn. His energy level is to high for that at his age. He just doesn't fit the program. My husband didn't fit the program either and spent so much time in the office he knew how to answer the phones.

A great private school with a small class that moves and learn would be great. But who has twenty grand a year for private school?

Most importantly AGAIN I have prayed and God said this is our journey. Right now he plays with roughly 20 kids everyday. His lessons are individualized and at his pace. He is full of joy and thriving. Sure he would love to play all day, what seven year doesn't? He is strong willed and determined but knows how to work with a group.

In the last year he has had classes in:
-Castle Building (learning about communities)
-Emergency Responders (safety classes with visit from firemen and police officers)
-shop classes (he knows how to hammer )
-cooking from the food pyramid
-newspaper writing (the final was a newsletter)
-Masters of Art
-science co-op (experiments & lessons on the planets, simple machines,light & weather)
-Puppet Class (writing a script and performing)
-Free classes from the Smithsonian on flight
-A tour of the Capital with passes into both the Senate and House Chambers
-The Smithsonian Natural History and Air and Space events
-Free concerts

So as I write this my panic attack is wearing down. I can breathe, God has provided faithfully. I again need to work on trust and real faith. Which is not unique to having one child or ten.

Also I am becoming slightly frantic about planning next year and stressing about finances. I think it all coming to a weak point which is my confidence about homeschooling an only child. Fear is a cancer that can eat at you and take over all your sane thoughts an actions. Maybe this which my memory verse should be:

¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

¹³ For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.

—Isaiah 41:10,13

Renae wrote an excellent article on "The Faith It Takes to Homeschool".

April Thus Far........................

Okay this month has been busy with classes, co-op, work and learning. It seems my head barely hits the pillow and the alarm goes off. A couple of weeks ago I actually fell asleep folding laundry. I miss blogging because it is my record keeping tool. Plus it is fun, but it seems like it has been added onto the chores of things “To Do”.
Sometimes I forget we just moved and it takes at least a year or two to get adjusted to a new city. I praise God every day for the good that is in our lives and I trust him to provide for the things we seek.

So what have we been doing this month…hmmmm

We got to see the Cherry Blossom Festival! It was amazing especially after all the snow.



We also did the Smithsonian Natural History before tourist season began in mid April.





Our son had his first science fair. Way to Go son!

We learned about simple machines.

We also studied three FIAR books, but more on that later.

Mom, Today Was the Best Day Ever

For the first time in weeks we did not have an appointment, a class or playdate. This was our day today:

• Breakfast
  
• Got dressed
  
• Play a little indoor basketball
  
• Completed science poster
  
• Did a little drawing unplanned
  
• Outside basketball
  
• Did math
  
• Lunch while talking about yesterday's fieldtrip
  
• More science
  
• More crayons
  
• A trip for new crayons
  
• Invented Lego Atlantis Training Session (nice for me to seek in a work out)
  
• Quiet Time
  
• Dinner prep together
  
• A very silly game of Ants in The Pants
  
• Family Dinner
  
• Bedtime Business
  

A very relaxed day without rushing and we got a lot done. I did not have to redirect once. Before he went to bed he said "Mom this was the best day ever! We got to spend time together without rushing around."

Okay I get it. I too have been feeling over scheduled and rushed since the blizzard. I think it is natural reaction of being house bound for almost two weeks. As an ex-Texan I was not use to the confinement. I didn't stress during the blizzard, but as soon as the roads were plowed, we signed up for everything. It has been great but it has left us very little time to just enjoy "home education."

So I am taking next week to think about our summer and next year. Prayerfully look at what we have been doing and to what purpose. I don't want to miss this time as a family because we have been so busying "doing" the busy stuff of life.

Earth Day Freebies

Looking for a way to help save the planet and cash? Check out these great Earth Day Freebies.

Walgreens: $1.00 ink refills on 4/22/10

http://www.mamacheaps.com/2010/04/earth-day-2010-freebies-and-goodies-galore.html

Bill Nye the Science Guy - Magnetism pt 3/3

Bill Nye the Science Guy - Magnetism pt 2/3

Bill Nye the Science Guy - Magnetism pt1/3

QOTD: Mom how many seonds in a year?

Ironhide, new nickname Jet Ray, woke this morning and asked "Mom how many seconds in a year?"

Google produced: 1 year = 31,556,926 seconds

"How many in two years...Oh you just multiply by 2 right? So when are we going to get started on that multiplication stuff Mom?"

I thought to myself, that is not part of my math plan...that is not on the schedule. But again why do you homeschool? So you can change the plan right?

So this morning will include review of skip counting by 2s, 3s, 5s and 10s. Leading up to the defining what multiplication is via BrainPopJr. and Schoolhouse Rock. Then starting with hands on examples of twos.

2010 Olympic Lapbook

FIAR: Owl Moon Lapbook

This was book was a struggle at first. Reading about snow when there is about 30 plus inches outside your window was not a good move. I think it added to his cabin fever. The great thing was we were able to get out and take a fieldtrip to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's Naturalist Center. We got to spend one on one time with the staff and explored owl pellets collected by the staff as well as see giant mouths. The day also included working with rocks, minerals, bones, and learning about animal tracks.

I will include the photos later...Blogger is having issues uploading them tonight.

Lapbook Resources

Homeschool Share

The Homeschool Mom (THM)

Enchanted Learning

Thoughtful Thursday-Hello March

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Happy B-Day Dr. Seuss!

Wow time flies when you move across country and have a handful of blizzards. Well he said it himself in our favorite book....

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the one who'll decide where you'll go. Oh the places you'll go."Oh, the Places You'll Go! (1990)

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”


We don't have anything special planned this year. Last year we did some outside activities. Today will be spent wrapping up Olympics and reading about France, a highwire and courage.

The 2010 Winners Are......

Vancouver Olympic Games- Two Week Unit Study

Resources:
Vancouver Lapbook on the Olympic Site

Vancouver Mascot

The Winter Olympics 2010 Lapbook with Study Guide

Winter Olympic Crafts and Games for Kids

Enchanted Learning

2010 Winter Olympic Homeschooling Projects-Homeschool Bytes

Books:

Ancient Olympic Games (Olympics)

Freeze Frame: A Photographic History of the Winter Olympics

Olympics!

Snowschooling: Getting Back To Normal

Yesterday started out late after a late night of watching the Olympics. We had fun as a family watching the games. But we paid for in the morning, tired and lacking directions. That was completely my fault for not getting up and setting the tone for the day. But hey homeschooling is about whole family learning.

We are slowing getting dug out around here but there is still a lot to do on the sideroads.

Workbox	Wednesday
1	Ancient Olympics
2	Sort Library Books
3	Life Skills-Smells
4	Handwriting
5	Make Birdfeed
6	Winter Olympics
7	Jump Around
8	Art
9	Winter Walk
10	FIAR-Owl Moon Scripture
11	Birdfeeding
12	Co-Op Homework-Review-Water Cycle

Snowschooling Post Blizzards: President’s Day

Yesterday started out late after a late night of watching the Olympics. We had fun as a family watching the games. But we paid for in the morning, tired and lacking directions. That was completely my fault for not getting up and setting the tone for the day. But hey homeschooling is about whole family learning.

Also as we were suiting up for our nature walk it started to snow. Ironhide is so over snow at this point. Personally I am running out of snow related fun things to do in the lesson plans. We still have Texas roots which like to get out and run this time of year. I have fought the expensive of going to one of those inside playscapes but if it snows again tomorrow, it cannot be avoided. The young man needs to run.

Workbox	Monday
1	Magic School Bus Re Aloud-Cells
2	Listen and Learn-Positional Words
3	Read Aloud –Why President's Day
4	BrainPopJr. – Abraham Lincoln Movie
5	Craft- Make Lincoln's Log Cabin
6	FIAR-Owl Moon Social Studies-Family
7	Jump Around
8	FIAR-Owl Moon Science-Owl Games
9	Co-Op Homework-Review-Water Cycle
10	FIAR-Owl Moon Dramatization of Book
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