Homeschool Memoirs Week 2

This week’s theme is about sharing your 2008-09 homeschool agendas and plans.

First, let me say I love curriculum! So many choices, so little time. I am sure that we own more curricula than we will ever be able to use. We are very ecclectic in our approach and I never use it as written. Thats why I have so much. I use a little of this and a bit of that. LOL!

So lets see,

DD 17 - She is working to graduate by December. For the most part she works independently and I check and discuss her work at the end of the week.

Beautiful Feet American History
Apologia Advanced Biology
IEW SWI C
Bible Lifepacs
Accounting Lifepacs
Literature ( College Required Reading List)
Computer ( web building & design) (office suite)

She is also working 20 hours a week.


DS 13

Sonlight Core 6 (with Mystery of History 1) combined with Sonlight Core 1 with ds' 8 & 6
Rod & Staff Math
Rod & Staff English
IEW SWI A
Rainbow Science
Artistic Pursuits
Character Building for Families

DS' 8 & 6

Sonlight Core 1 ( with Mystery of History 1 & Story of the World) Combined with Core 6
Growing with Grammar (ds 8)
Hooked on Phonics (ds 6)
Horizons Math (K & 2)
A Reason for Handwriting (K & 2)
Sonlight Science 1
Artistic Pursuits
Character Building for Families
Five in a Row ( 2 books a month)

For the younger 3 boys:

We do our Bible Study and History together in the morning and then older ds works independently while I work with the youngers and the vice versa. We rotate like this several times throughour the day.

Once a week:

We do a Worldview Class from Answers in Genesis
Sketch Tuesday
Nature Walk
Art/ Music Appreciation

I think that about covers it. We will tweak our schedule as we go. We always do!

I love this verse in 2 Chronicles 16:9a:

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Not Back to School Day

The local kids headed back to school today so we celebrated with a big brunch at Denny's followed by a trip to Barnes & Noble and then to the library. We spent the rest of the day building blogs to showcase this years schoolwork. FUN!

New member of the family

Meet Maggie!

Homeschool Memoirs Week 1

Hi! My name is Lisa. I am married to a great guy. We have 5 great kids 22, 17, 13, 7, 5. We started homeschooling 18 years ago when our oldest was in Kindergarten.

I knew very early on that we would homeschool. I'm not exactly sure why-we didnt know anyone who homeschooled and no one we knew was exactly supportive-but deep down I just knew. It has not always been easy and there have been a few times we doubted but we always come back to our original plan.

I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to travel this road we have chosen. I am so excited to learn right along with my kids.

Our oldest son is now out on his own and expecting a baby of his own in December. Our daughter will be graduating around the end of the year as well.

So we continue to walk this road, we began all those years ago. So much has changed and so much is still the same. We sure dont have all the answers but we sure enjoy lovin', livin', & learning together.

Wipe Out!

Josh had a bit of a wipe-out last night. We are so thankful he is ok. It could have been so much worse.

Gone Fishin

Kevin took the boys fishing Sunday. They came back covered in mud and filled with great memories.

School Starts Monday!

Our school year begins on Monday! We are so excited. Someone over on FIAR board mentioned coming up with a "New School Year" Resolutions. I have been thinking about this all day.

Here are my top 10:

1. Get up a few hours before the kids so I have some quiet time.
2. More arts, crafts, & games
3. More patience when things are not going according to "my" plans
4. Focus on what is really important
5. Say yes unless there is a really good reason to say no
6. Enjoy every precious moment we have together
7. Remember one day there will be plenty of time for a perfectly clean house.
8. Anything that doesnt get done today, there's always tomorrow.
9. Don't forget special memories last forever
10. Say I love you & lots of hugs everyday

Olympics Unit Study

We began our Olympics Unit this week. We are using the Olympic Unit from HSS as well as, this unit from Currclick.com.

Monday: We discussed What the Olympics are, symbols & traditions, creed, motto, flag,

being good sports and how to train for the spiritual race we are to run

We read about the mascots for the 2008 Beijing Olympics here.

We read:

"The First Olympic Games"

"The Fire Within"

Read-Aloud

'Hour of the Olympics"

Crafts:

Go Team USA Pendants

Tuesday: We talked about all the different events in the Summer Games. We also printed out a huge map that covers the kitchen table to chart all the countries participating in the games.

We read:

"You wouldnt want to be a Greek Athlete"

"Eric Liddell from Hero Tales"

Read-Aloud

"Hour of the Olympics"

Watched

"Chariots of Fire"

We also put a piece of masking tape on the floor and tried our luck with the balance beam! Fun!

Wednesday: Learning about China, coloring the flag, and making paper lanterns.

Reading:

"Missionary Stories with the Millers"

Hudson Taylor

Gladys Aylward

Watching

"The Inn of the Sixth Happiness"

Thursday: Learning to write our names in Chinese here and our numbers from 1- 10 here. We will also be learning about the Giant Pandas.

Reading:

"Beyond the Great Mountains"

"Giant Pandas"

"Watch Me Grow: Pandas"

Watching:

"Learning Chinese" Lets Go to School"

We will also be doing a Blossom Tree Painting.

Friday: We will learn about the Olympic Torch and will map it's route. We will make our own torch as well. We will make a cake with the Olympic rings made out of M & M's.

Reading:

"Giant Pandas"

Watching:

"Zoo Life: Pandas"

Craft:

Chinese Fans

We will be eating Chinese food and watching the opening ceremonies.

We will also be doing a graph of medals.

Check back later for all the pictures!