I will share my LOVE for the curriculum that we will be using next year. Of course different curriculum works for different families, but we are looking forward to the following:
Science: Noeo Science Physics I
This science program is beautifully designed. The teachers guide lays out each week and what you will be reading each week. You keep a science journal and write and draw what you learn after each lesson. Then there is an experiment kit that was a lot of fun for my boys. This year we did Biology I (they are in kindergarten and 2nd grade) and it was a perfect fit.
Math:
Tanner: Teaching Textbooks
I have heard wonderful things about this program, but have not used it yet. It was the only curriculum that I found that one level was a good fit for Tanner from start to finish. The rest of the books he seemed to be at the tail end of one and the beginning of the other. So we will see how this works. We will be using level 4 for him.
Gideon: RightStart Math
He will be at level B for 1st grade. This year we did level A and it was fun and seems to be the right fit for my wiggly little fella.
History: Story of the World volume 1: Ancient Times
It is a classical approach to history and it is available in 4 volumes to study in sequential order one per year.
Volume 1 Ancient Times
Volume 2 The Middle Ages
Volume 3 Early Modern Times
Volume 4 Modern Times
I have heard wonderful things about this curriculum and am very excited to try it. You can find it on Rainbow Resource or Amazon
Geography: Galloping the Globe I like that you can print off maps, flags, quizzes, mazes, continents and countries. You can really make this curriculum your own. I plan on using it again this year along with our History so that it brings our History to life. I love to quiz the boys on our world map. Each few weeks I add a new ocean or country and slowly build on it through the year. Admittedly I have not kept up with this as I would like but the kids love it and so it will continue to be on our lesson plans.
Handwriting:
Tanner (3rd grade)Handwriting without Tears Cursive Success
Character Handwriting without Tears Cursive
Gideon (1st grade) Handwriting without Tears Printing Power
Character Handwriting without Tears Basic Print
Writing:
Tanner- First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind Level 3
Gideon- First Language Lessons Level 1 pb
Reading:
Tanner- Pathway Readers Grade 3: New Friends and workbook, More New Friends and workbook.
We have been using the Pathway Readers all 3 years and we love them. Each lesson introduces new words and builds on known words. The workbook reinforces the words that are learned, spelling and reading comprehension.
Gideon- Pathway Readers Grade 1: Days Go By and Workbook, More Days Go By and Workbook.
I made flashcards and printed them on card stock to reinforce words. I added to the stack throughout the year. When Gideon started the Pre-Primer for Kindergarten (First Steps) we went over the flashcards on a daily basis. Now we go over them a few times a week or as I see he needs review.
P.E. I enrolled the boys in homeschool swim program offered here. The instructors are amazing and it is wonderful to get the kids in the water learning a skill that everyone should learn.
*Physical education can not be overlooked. Children need to move and breath and roll around. I am finally figuring out that my youngest is a kinesthetic learner (he learns through movement). He does great when I allow for breaks between subjects to run around. I often incorporate movement in our lessons. For example hopping to me as he says the words on the flashcards. Or I lay all the alphabet flash cards out on the floor and as I say the letter name or sound he hops to the matching letter. The more I allow movement the more he does well later when it is time to sit for a subject like reading. When I forget he is a ball of constant movement. In the last few months I have let some of my ideas slip and I have found it is worth it to take time to let him move. Exercise is essential.
Music: The boys love music, but I have not done a curriculum for it. We have learned the Alaska State Song which we practice together. Tanner likes to play the harmonica and they both love to sing. This is something I would like to work on.
Art: Each day the boys draw or create in some way. They are both creative and love artwork. I would like to study a few artists this year by just checking out books at the library and looking at color, shadows and just overall art enjoyment.
That wraps it up for now. I would love to hear your curriculum choices.
*I personally love Rainbow Resource as a great Resource for curriculum, the opinions shared here are my own and the links provided are for informational purposes. Enjoy.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Homeschool Fair
Then end of our third year of homeschooling is coming to a close. Each year there is a Curriculum Fair here in Anchorage offering workshops and AMAZING curriculum, resources, supplies and perhaps the most important is inspiration. In the past I have purposed to go and for one reason or another it never worked out. So I finally had it planned this year to go. My girlfriend was more than happy to watch my boys. I talked a friend into meeting me there and we bought tickets to the breakfast keynote speech. I was so excited!
The night before the big day I had the boys pack their backpacks with all the things that a boy cannot live without for a day and with all the things he just may want to have. I always love to see what they come up with.
Gideon:(6 years old) 2 Calvin Hobbes Books (a definite MUST!), colored pencils, socks (they finally made it on the list), mini lantern, 2 blankets, scarf, coloring books.
Tanner: (8 years old) 2 coloring books, gloves, jeans, army men, blanket, a few chocolates (boy after my own heart.
I had some preparations to do as well. I made a list of all the vendors I wanted to see and a list of what I wanted to check out at their booth OR what I wanted to buy. That way I didn't get sidetracked with all the amazing things that I knew would be there. My favorite homeschool resource for supplies and curriculum is Rainbow Resource Center They are a great place to stock up so I printed off my wishlist from their website and brought that with me to their booth. Just let me say it does pay to be organized. I packed my bag with all my necessities too which were not nearly as cute as the boys, but they kept me through the day.
In the morning Gideon hopped out of bed (and when I say hop I actually mean hop)he was dressed and teeth brushed before his brother even woke up. *Awesome* Tanner was a little more sad to wake up that early but he managed fine and they trooped out to the van with their backpacks and blankets to cozy up with on the drive. It was a beautiful morning. I will fast forward from here...I dropped them off then headed back to town arriving finally at my destination and meeting up with a friend and I let out a sigh as one of the wait staff poured me a cup of steaming coffee. I had arrived.
The keynote speaker was wonderfully funny, inspiring, encouraging and was just what I needed. I will give a little backup on her. She has seven kids and homeschooled them all. So for 27 years she says she struggled with the ideal of how she wanted to homeschool and how she actually get's it done. She named the ideal: Project Paula.
Project Paula is the Mom who gets it done with all the sparkle, glitter, erupting volcanoes, art projects, reenactments of battles all while having a great time with perfectly dressed and well mannered kids. Everyone just seems to have a great time with Project Paula.
Alas she realizes she is Bookworm Betty who loves books and hates glitter but would very much like to have a bit more FUN and do a bit more projects like Paula.
So she had 4 main points that I will share:
1. Relax
2. Take time to plan
3. Set big goals (and all the other projects and ideals can fall in as they are able)
4. Rest in who you are and in your season of life.
*This is a biggie for those with young children or multiple children. Maybe a curriculum choice that is your ideal is not quite right for that season of your life. Perhaps all the experiments and projects are a little overwhelming when you have a toddler and a newborn. So make choices based on what fits your ability now.
She also shared about how she loved working at a little museum but she realized it wasn't the right timing and it won't be for awhile. So she said it is a hope deffered. She can look forward to that later on.
So it made me think how many of us have things we would like to take on or interests we would like to pursue? But the time is simply not right as we give into the most wonderful adventure at hand: schooling and raising our children.
And what an adventure it is!
The night before the big day I had the boys pack their backpacks with all the things that a boy cannot live without for a day and with all the things he just may want to have. I always love to see what they come up with.
Gideon:(6 years old) 2 Calvin Hobbes Books (a definite MUST!), colored pencils, socks (they finally made it on the list), mini lantern, 2 blankets, scarf, coloring books.
Tanner: (8 years old) 2 coloring books, gloves, jeans, army men, blanket, a few chocolates (boy after my own heart.
I had some preparations to do as well. I made a list of all the vendors I wanted to see and a list of what I wanted to check out at their booth OR what I wanted to buy. That way I didn't get sidetracked with all the amazing things that I knew would be there. My favorite homeschool resource for supplies and curriculum is Rainbow Resource Center They are a great place to stock up so I printed off my wishlist from their website and brought that with me to their booth. Just let me say it does pay to be organized. I packed my bag with all my necessities too which were not nearly as cute as the boys, but they kept me through the day.
In the morning Gideon hopped out of bed (and when I say hop I actually mean hop)he was dressed and teeth brushed before his brother even woke up. *Awesome* Tanner was a little more sad to wake up that early but he managed fine and they trooped out to the van with their backpacks and blankets to cozy up with on the drive. It was a beautiful morning. I will fast forward from here...I dropped them off then headed back to town arriving finally at my destination and meeting up with a friend and I let out a sigh as one of the wait staff poured me a cup of steaming coffee. I had arrived.
The keynote speaker was wonderfully funny, inspiring, encouraging and was just what I needed. I will give a little backup on her. She has seven kids and homeschooled them all. So for 27 years she says she struggled with the ideal of how she wanted to homeschool and how she actually get's it done. She named the ideal: Project Paula.
Project Paula is the Mom who gets it done with all the sparkle, glitter, erupting volcanoes, art projects, reenactments of battles all while having a great time with perfectly dressed and well mannered kids. Everyone just seems to have a great time with Project Paula.
Alas she realizes she is Bookworm Betty who loves books and hates glitter but would very much like to have a bit more FUN and do a bit more projects like Paula.
So she had 4 main points that I will share:
1. Relax
2. Take time to plan
3. Set big goals (and all the other projects and ideals can fall in as they are able)
4. Rest in who you are and in your season of life.
*This is a biggie for those with young children or multiple children. Maybe a curriculum choice that is your ideal is not quite right for that season of your life. Perhaps all the experiments and projects are a little overwhelming when you have a toddler and a newborn. So make choices based on what fits your ability now.
She also shared about how she loved working at a little museum but she realized it wasn't the right timing and it won't be for awhile. So she said it is a hope deffered. She can look forward to that later on.
So it made me think how many of us have things we would like to take on or interests we would like to pursue? But the time is simply not right as we give into the most wonderful adventure at hand: schooling and raising our children.
And what an adventure it is!
Monday, April 22, 2013
Monday's
It is another beautiful morning here and the suns packs more heat than it did a few weeks ago. The boys continue to stand watch over the flower beds even going so far as to shovel out my largest bed. It is in the front yard and the snow from the driveway gets piled high on top of it. Since it gets morning shade it is the last bed to defrost after a long winter. The boys help with that. They are so sweet.
Some fun photos of the gardens as they appear now and how a few looked at the height of their glory last summer.
Our favorite: Forget me nots "Forgottens"
Another beauty I found last year I cannot remember the name but it will come to me. They are beautiful!
Rhubarb. We love rhubarb. They boys will even it raw out of the garden. One of our neighbor boy's proudly told me last year, "I see your rhubarb is coming in good this year." He was happily munching on it all summer. That always brings me joy to have people enjoy the garden.
And of course my bogs. I finally got a pair and I am in love.
Some fun photos of the gardens as they appear now and how a few looked at the height of their glory last summer.
Our favorite: Forget me nots "Forgottens"
Another beauty I found last year I cannot remember the name but it will come to me. They are beautiful!
Rhubarb. We love rhubarb. They boys will even it raw out of the garden. One of our neighbor boy's proudly told me last year, "I see your rhubarb is coming in good this year." He was happily munching on it all summer. That always brings me joy to have people enjoy the garden.
And of course my bogs. I finally got a pair and I am in love.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Spring
The days are finally getting longer and the sun is shining and the boys are playing outdoors. They told me yesterday, "Mom, it is diggin' weather." So I can hear them digging away in the pit that they have made in the backyard. The birds are singing and after a long cold winter I finally believe that spring is on its way.
We finally started our trays of seeds again this year. There is something very wonderful about the lush smell of moist soil. Yes I know that sounds silly, but to those of us who love to garden there is something wonderful about sinking your hands into rich soil and gently planting little seeds that you will tend so carefully and add with optimism to your garden beds when it is safe to do so.
There is something specifically gratifying about walking through your garden and pointing out the flowers and plants that you have started from seed. You have watched it shed it's tiny coat and reach its first little root down into the soil you provided for it. You watched with delight as it's first leaves burst open and announced it was awake. The process of watching a seed is so beautiful to me that I may even be caught crooning to them gently when I think the boys are not there. But, I have been caught and my soft exclamations of, "good morning little ones," does not pass unnoticed from the ears of my little fellows.
This year they each are planting some of their favorites. Gideon's favorite flowers are forget me not's. He fell in love with them two summers ago when I pointed out to him their delicate blue flower with specks of yellow. He lovingly called them, "forgotten's" the next summer when he spotted them in the garden. "Mom, the forgottens are here!" He was so excited that they come every year. I feel that way too. Despite how delicate they appear they survive year after year and if one is inclined to sniff they have a soft sweet smell. Lovely.
Tanner opted for jalapeno and serrano chili seeds. Last year I bought a easy assemble greenhouse from Fred Meyer and it was perfect for growing peppers, tomatoes, and *basil*. They are each wonderful helpers in the garden and Tanner takes particular pride in our veggie garden. They are my little scouts and watch (and report) the first signs of the feathery spike of carrots, the pokes of the onion and the red burst of rhubarb.
There is still snow covering the majority of my garden beds, but we are ready. Planning, planting tiny rows of seeds, and dreaming "spring" dreams. Happy Planting.
We finally started our trays of seeds again this year. There is something very wonderful about the lush smell of moist soil. Yes I know that sounds silly, but to those of us who love to garden there is something wonderful about sinking your hands into rich soil and gently planting little seeds that you will tend so carefully and add with optimism to your garden beds when it is safe to do so.
There is something specifically gratifying about walking through your garden and pointing out the flowers and plants that you have started from seed. You have watched it shed it's tiny coat and reach its first little root down into the soil you provided for it. You watched with delight as it's first leaves burst open and announced it was awake. The process of watching a seed is so beautiful to me that I may even be caught crooning to them gently when I think the boys are not there. But, I have been caught and my soft exclamations of, "good morning little ones," does not pass unnoticed from the ears of my little fellows.
This year they each are planting some of their favorites. Gideon's favorite flowers are forget me not's. He fell in love with them two summers ago when I pointed out to him their delicate blue flower with specks of yellow. He lovingly called them, "forgotten's" the next summer when he spotted them in the garden. "Mom, the forgottens are here!" He was so excited that they come every year. I feel that way too. Despite how delicate they appear they survive year after year and if one is inclined to sniff they have a soft sweet smell. Lovely.
Tanner opted for jalapeno and serrano chili seeds. Last year I bought a easy assemble greenhouse from Fred Meyer and it was perfect for growing peppers, tomatoes, and *basil*. They are each wonderful helpers in the garden and Tanner takes particular pride in our veggie garden. They are my little scouts and watch (and report) the first signs of the feathery spike of carrots, the pokes of the onion and the red burst of rhubarb.
There is still snow covering the majority of my garden beds, but we are ready. Planning, planting tiny rows of seeds, and dreaming "spring" dreams. Happy Planting.
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