a month of Firsts

We started our school year at the beginning of August. We do that so that we have enough days banked to give us a long winter break from Christmas through the end of January.  We do our best to keep August flexible if we need or want to take a day off.  Academics are important but so are relationships.  We want to be open to fellowship when our friends are still enjoying their summer breaks.

September, though, is the month to buckle down to our studies.  It's also the month when our activities start.  This thrills (most of) my kids. Maddie, especially, loves when her social life and academic life mix!

At the beginning of the month, Wednesday night classes at church started for the school year.  We share dinner and then break into smaller groups for an hour of missions-based classes.  This year  I am co-teaching the baby through preschool kids and I absolutely love it. 

I realized last year as I was homeschooling my own kids that I struggle with middle- and high-school learning.  Algebra and world history just don't thrill me. I find the early elementary ages-- picture books, animals, shapes, crafts-- a lot more enjoyable.  (That doesn't mean I give my older kids any less of me, but as they age out of elementary school, I miss it.)

On the first day of fall, we had the first day of gym. The air was a little warm and sticky for autumn, but there was a pleasant breeze so we walked with friends who live several blocks from the campus. Maddie reluctantly moved to an older class this year.  Alaine reluctantly stayed behind while her slightly older friends moved to new classes.  It's all about socialization for my girls!

Even though it didn't feel very fall-ish outside, we read a favorite fall book to celebrate the new season.  

Then there was the first day of book club.  Two years ago, the theme was decades.  Last year it was geographic regions. This year the girls are reading seasonal books so in September they could choose any book about school, teachers, or friends.  It was appropriate because one of Maddie's closest friends joined the club this year. 

And then last week marked their first day of homeschool choir.  Alaine, Ben, and Owen are in the "younger" choir with several of their friends, two cousins, and a smattering of kids they don't know yet.  Maddie is in the "older" choir with an aunt, several friends, and at least a dozen more potential friends.  (Gavin is choosing to sit this one out.) If the first day was any indication, they are going to learn valuable musical skills this semester, and it is going to stretch them all in the best way possible.

Happy October, everyone!

What We're Learning This Year

I considered skipping my annual back-to-school books and curriculum post.  In fact, I didn't give it much thought at all this year, but when I put out the question on my Facebook page, the overwhelming response was, "Yes, please write it!"

So here goes.


{This post contains multiple Amazon affiliate links.}

As much as possible, I've tried to establish a group learning environment where we all learn alongside each other.  The kids range in age from Gavin who is almost 12 and in 7th grade to Alaine who is 4 and not formally in school so it can be a challenge, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

These are the subjects we learn together and the books or resources we use:

Bible (daily): Egermeier's Bible Story Book, Our 24 Family Ways: A Family Devotional Guide, scripture memory box

History (daily, starting in November): The World of Columbus and Sons, The World of Captain John Smith

Science (bi-weekly): The Burgess Bird Book for Children, National Wildlife Federation's World of Birds: A Beginner's Guide, notebooking

Art (daily through October):  unit on architecture using Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids: His Life and Ideas (with 21 Activities) as our main text and supplementing with books like this oneand this one

Music (weekly): Alfred's Basic Piano Course Theory, Level 1A

The three oldest are also working independently through Typing Instructor for Kids Platinum 5.

Either before or after our together work, each child has a list of  subjects to accomplish alone. For the first time this year, I gave each child a copy of their schedule so instead of me telling them what to do next, they can look at it and manage their own time.  I did not expect them to like that approach so much and I'm more than pleased at how they are showing initiative to finish their work ahead of schedule!

Gavin (7th grade, almost 12 years old)

Math (daily): Saxon Math 8/7 with Pre-algebra

English (daily): writing prompts, Daily Grams 5 Student Workbook

Health (weekly): Christian Liberty Nature Reader, Book 5

Art supplement (weekly, starting after winter break): Let's Make Some Great Art

Maddie (5th grade, 10 years old)

Math (daily): Saxon Math 54

English (daily): writing prompts, Daily Grams 4 Student Workbook

Health (weekly): Period.: A Girl's Guide

Art supplement (weekly, starting after winter break): Draw Me A House: A Book of Colouring In, Ideas and Architectural Inspiration

Owen (3rd grade, 8 years old)

Math (daily): Saxon Math 54

English (daily): writing prompts, Daily Language Review 2

Health with Ben (summer): unit on the human body using various library books such as this oneand this one

Art supplement (weekly, starting after winter break): Let's Make Some Great Art

Ben (1st grade, almost 6 years old)

Math (daily): First Grade Big Workbook!, Usborne's Dot-to-Dot Animals

English (daily): Explode the Code series

Health with Owen (summer): unit on the human body using various library books such as this oneand this one

Art (weekly): Usborne's I Can Draw Animals

Music (summer): unit on Mozart using various library books such as this one

{This post contains multiple Amazon affiliate links.}

(I did not include a section for Alaine who is 4 years old and will not start kindergarten until next year. She comes to the table every day, though, with her pencils and crayons and asks to do several pages in her workbook. If anyone is interested in a list of workbooks, busy bags, books, and ideas of how I keep her engaged during school hours, I will be happy to write a post about that, too.)

Via Dolorosa

written by Jack Anthony Mooring, Leeland Mooring, and Edmond Martin Cas

He traded His crown for a crown of thorns,
He picked up His cross and laid down His sword.

He stumbled down the road, bruised and beaten for me,
Jesus walked the way of grief, Hallelujah.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

*****

Looking for more music as you prepare your heart for Easter?

"Glorious Day" ~ posted in 2011
"The Wonderful Cross ~ posted in 2010

31 Days, 31 Printables {Day 7}: Instrument Families

This is Day 7 of my series on learning-themed printables.  In case you missed it, last week I shared  50 States Handwriting printable on Day 2, a Beginner Book Reports printable on Day 3, and a Morning Routine for Toddlers chart on Day 4. 

Would you like a quick way to introduce your children (or yourself) to the 4 families of musical instruments?

Download today's offering which includes a fact sheet with a brief description of each of the four musical families  and a matching worksheet to quiz you on what you learned!

          
      

          Click for your FREE download!
      →

Don't miss a post!  Join my Facebook community!

An Out-of-Shape Runner's Playlist to Keep Moving

Remember how I mentioned that I've started running?  It sounds so funny to even say since I am such an indoor, anti-sweat type of girl.  After beginning and abandoning too many exercise regimen's to count (good-bye Jillian Michaels...good-bye Wii Fit...), I'm determined to keep going with this one someway, somehow. 

I've begun swiping Brian's iPod a couple of times a week because music is a huge motivator and a huge distraction!  Though I've been know to run to a little Johnny Cash, contemporary Christian music keeps me going longer...and goodness knows, I need all the help I can get!

What kind of music motivates you?

Tri-Moms: Focusing Our Heart For Christmas

No words that I could weave this week would come close to expressing what I wish to say about preparing my heart for Christmas so my favorite contemporary Christmas song is standing in for me. 

What powerful lyrics!   

"While You Were Sleeping"
by Mark Hall and performed by Casting Crowns

: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :

(audio-only version of "While You Were Sleeping")

Oh little town of Bethlehem

Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight, tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Mary shivers in the cold
Trying to keep the Savior warm
Born among the animals wrapped in dirty rags
Because there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night

: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :

As always...take a moment to visit my fellow Tri-Moms,
Allyson @ A Heart For Home and Christy @ A Living Homeschool.

And from all of us,
Have a Wonderful Merry Christmas. 
The Tri-Moms will be back in the new year with the following topics:

January 3: Time Management For Busy Moms

January 17: The Winter Blahs

February 7: Frugal Date Ideas

February 21: Romancing Your Husband

Sisters

Sisters, sisters,
There were never such devoted sisters.
Never had to have a chaperone, no sir.
I'm there to keep my eye on her.
Caring, sharing
Every little thing that we are wearing .

{and may I pause to add that what they are wearing are matching Old Navy dresses I found in their sizes at the Goodwill?! ... $6.75 for both!}

All kinds of weather, we stick together,

The same in the rain and sun.
Two different faces, but in tight places
We think and we act as one.

{and may I pause again to note that this weather allowed both of my girls to be outside barefoot in December...but I won't complain because long sleeves with no coats is my very favorite type of weather.}

Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister,
And lord help the sister, who comes between me and my man!

{lyrics by Irving Berlin...and made famous in the movie classic, White Christmas}

Back to the Books

When we took a break from school at the end of May, I was the only one who was not rip-roaring to jump into the freewheeling days of summer.  The kids were looking forward to playing outside, swimming, popsicles, a day at the beach and unstructured time.  I was lamenting the end of a very productive and fulfilling school year, and I was hesitant to forsake the peaceful flow of our days. 

With the advent of a new school year (we begin August 8), I wonder two things:

1) Now that I've finally adjusted, how am I going to leave behind this happy summer routine?  (The same way I adjusted a few months ago, I guess.)

2) Does anyone really want to hear about all my curriculum choices again this year?  (If everyone is as nosy as I am about what other families are learning, maybe so.)  

: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :

Our school curriculum is divided into two general categories: work the children do independently and work we do together as a group. Gavin (8), Maddie (7), and Owen (5) are my official students this year, but the little ones,  Benjamin (2) and Alaine (11 months), will join in anyway!

The Independents

This is what we used to refer to as table time, but since it can occur anywhere from the living room floor to the top bunk in the bedroom, we now call it pencil work. 

English:  Now that Gavin  has learned to real well, he has left phonics work behind.  He will alternate between handwriting (Learning to Write Cursive) and copywork (copywork folder).  He will also do lots of independent reading on his own as he delves into the world of chapter books. 

Owen and Maddie began working through Alphaphonics together this summer and will continue as the schoolyear progresses.  (Maddie used Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and Explode the Code last year and has a basic grasp of reading, but it hasn't clicked for her yet.)  I'm also ordering her A Reason For Handwriting in an effort to combine handwriting and copywork.

One of the highlights of English for two of my kids is memorizing poetry.  (The other child detests it!)  Every few months, I'll have them choose a new poems to work on.  They will  memorize it and learn to recite it expressively.  It always motivates them if I choose a poem, too.

Math:  After abandoning Making Math Meaningful for Gavin midway through last year, we stumbled onto Kumon Math Workbooks and found them to be a much better fit for us!  (I was a mean mother and had him continue to do math one day a week though the summer so he wouldn't forget his multiplication facts!)

Maddie and Owen will be learning math with Big Second Grade Workbook and Big First Grade Workbook, respectfully.  It is super fun, super colorful, and proof that school curriculum does not have to be expensive! 

The Togethers

 I look forward to this part of the day.  While helping each child with their independent work sometimes has me pulling my hair out, having everyone learning together keeps me sane! 

Bible: We love Rod and Staff's Bible memory coloring books.  This year we are going to learn The Lord's Prayer during our fall term and the books of the Bible during the spring.  (You just cannot beat R & S's prices!) 

We'll continue to read through Bedtime Bible Storybook by Daniel Partner (though not at bedtime), but I'm expecting that by Christmas, we will be finished and looking for a new book.  Any ideas? 

We will continue our missionary study by reading a section of Hero Tales by Dave and Neta Jackson one day a week. 

History and Geography: We plan to continue our journey through American history this year.  We will begin with the post-Civil War era and (hopefully... probably.. .maybe) continue through to present day.  I used TruthQuest: American History For Young Students III to compile my book list, but since we don't use the TruthQuest commentary or Think/Write activities, I guess you can say we simply read our way through history. 

Before we delve back in, though, we are going to take the month of August to read Sea Bird (by Holling C. Holling), using Beautiful Feet's Geography Through Literature and the accompanying map set. 

Science: Since we began homeschooling, we have done Charlotte Mason-style nature study and nature notebooking for science.  Gavin, in particular, looks forward to this part of the school week.  Since he is going into fourth grade, I wanted to make sure we were "doing enough" for science so I looked into beginning an Apologia elementary science book.  Even using Suzanne's laid-back, no-pressure approach seemed like too much pressure for me, though, with a toddler and a baby so instead, I am pulling together my own in-depth nature study focusing on trees.  I was inspired by Anna, and like her, we plan to do lots of reading and lots of "field work," identifying trees in our yard.  We also plan to plant a tree in the house this winter and transplant it to our yard in the spring...and choose a tree in our yard to sketch in all 4 seasons. 


Art:  Art study is the highlight of Owen's school week.  This year we plan to study the paintings of Wassily Kankinsky.  (My boys are both fascinated by abstract art so while it is not my favorite style of art, I am expanding my horizons.)  We will also study Winslow Homer (much more my style!). 
 
Music:  We so enjoyed Hymns For a Kid's Heart at the end of last school year that have purchased Passion Hymns For a Kid's Heart for this year. 

As always, we'll fill in our learning with visits to the library, penpal letters, painting and coloring, outside play, baking, cooking, and Charlotte Mason co-op.

: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :

What are you teaching and learning this year?  If you write about it on your blog, leave me a link!

Preparing Our Hearts (For Resurrection Sunday)

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

and are justified freely by his grace, 

through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.

Romans 3: 23-24 NIV

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Words worth dwelling on...
"Glorious Day" by Casting Crowns
adapted from the hymn "One Day" by L. Wilbur Chapman:

Audio-only version of "Glorious Day" 

My Easter music post from last year  (another adapted hymn)

Thoughts for Resurrection Sunday (updated with video)

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross

Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live.

from The Wonderful Cross  by J. D. Walt, Chris Tomlin, and Jesse Reeves

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.


 

Philippians 1:21 NIV

Go tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born!