TheHomeSchoolMothersJournal..12

In my life this week:

I am feeling a little over whelmed this week, but in a good way!

In our homeschool this week:

We have not done any actual school work. I have been looking through our materials and have my list of books that I still need to order. There really aren’t that many, but I do need them in order to begin our Sonlight Core.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

We had quite a busy week. Lots out outings and a lot of fun. Baseball games, homeschool swim party, playgroups, and the youth group came over.

My favorite thing this week:

Was Thursday night, we didn’t have any plans! We had dinner as a family and all was well!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

Does anyone use a homeschool planner? If so, what do you use? I have downloaded Homeschool Tracker, I think it looks neat!

I am currently reading:

My reading list is complete for the summer! I think I am going to take a week off of reading! I am going to finish reading the kids read aloud and take a break for everyone!

Something to share:

My husband and I went on our date night with two other couples. We went to a little restaurant in town that makes all of their food from scratch! I mean sauces, pasta, jalapeno cornbread with strawberry cream whip and a chipotle sauce that goes on most of their items.. There were so many things on the menu. I had chicken meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes and Michael had a steak and garlic mashed potatoes! We had a wonderful babysitter and her kids watch our kids! They had so much fun! What should we do for our next date?

Playgroup

We hosted playgroup at our house this week. The kids had a great time of playing with “new” toys, playing outside and having ice cream for snack.

The moms had a great time of conversing over our loud children having fun playing!

Eating Ice Cream on a HOT day!

That Tuesday Night Thing!

During the summer, our church takes a break from Wednesday night Church. The youth group still gets together at peoples homes who have volunteered to have the YG there! Well we are one of those crazy homes!

The YG kids came over on Tuesday night, after returning from their mission trip just the Friday before. They had a wonderful time and did some great work while in the Appalachian Mountains in Tennessee.

Our wonderful youth group intern, Chaz lead a devotion on Prayer! He did a great job and the students were very involved in the activity he had them do.

The kids had a great time hanging out, doing the devotion activity and then….ICE CREAM!

I just have to say, it was around 104 degrees this day!

TheHomeSchoolMothersJournal.11

In my life this week:

Life was a little busy this week! Its been very hot this week and we have spent a lot of our time inside!

In our homeschool this week:

We did not really do much of anything this week outside of reading, reading, reading and some more reading! I have put my curriculum list all together and am working on getting our workboxes in working order. I am still working on organizing some of our school materials as well…does this ever end? I’m beginning to think it doesn’t!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

I have an in-home daycare and we had a new little one start this week! I am definitely getting my baby fix! He’s six months old, loves to be cuddled, carried in the baby sling, and absolutely loves my kiddos!

My favorite thing this week:

This is so sad…I am so excited that God provided time for me to clean the floors, organize and straighten up our house and give me time to update my blog! These are all areas where I let my “stress” be relieved!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

Last week I talked about Natalie and her reluctance to read. I have to say that this week alone she has made great strides. We have started over in our reading. I began working with her at the very beginning. We started with Sonlight’s 1st grade reading program. She is reading the very first I Can Read It Book. She is doing very well. I also assured her that no matter how great of a reader she becomes, I will always read to her for as long as she allows me too! I am so proud of her, she is working so hard at this and is starting to see the fruits of her labor!

I am currently reading:

Bringing Up Girls. By Dr. James Dobson. My final book from my summer reading list.

It seems that I am taking a long time to read this book, but actually I can only read a little at a time then let the book sit a couple of days and come back to it. I am amazed at the information in it, that it takes a few days of prayer and thought to fully comprehend all of it!

Something to share:

My husband and I are going on a date tonight! I’ll update you all next week!

Curriculum Line Up for 2011-2012

 

A few things I have learned after our families first year of homeschooling…..

Love, Patience, Prayer, Repeat

Find support with fellow homeschoolers

We don’t have to have “formal” school everyday, they still learn with out the books

Enjoy teaching your children, they really do get/understand what they are learning

Throw out the extremely rigorous schedule, it just stresses us out and makes us grumpy

Its okay if we don’t get it “all” done

While out in public, people may find out that we homeschool, then they begin to quiz our children about things that they might/should know? WHY?

HAVE FUN!

Materials that are a must in our Homeschool

Laminator, White Board and Markers, Scissors, Glue, Construction Paper, Markers/Crayons, Scotch Tape, Computer, Printer/Copier, Label Maker, Timer, Electric pencil Sharpener, Camera, Wii, CD player and lots of room for everyone to spread out!

2011-2012 at Soaring Creek Academy

I’ve been planning for this new “school” year for the last few months. I have gone to a Homeschool Conference, researched blogs and reviews online, talked with fellow homeschoolers and prayed.

Although we have been working on Reading, Math and Phonics all summer, we will begin our school routine in August. We will add Bible, History, Science, Art, PE,  Handwriting.

On with our 2011-2012 Curriculum 

Group Work

Bible: Sonlight Core A readings, NIRV Kids Book of Devotions, The Memory Bible; Learn 52 Bible Verses with CDs.

History: Sonlight Core A:Inrto to the World Cultures

Science: Sonlight Core A:Biology, Earth Science and Physics

Art/Picture Study: Usborne Art Treasury, Free Art Time, Any other projects we decide to do?

Read Alouds: To many to list

Natalie 7yrs, 2nd Grade

My main goals with Natalie this year are for her to become a stronger reader and enjoy reading for herself.

Math-Horizons 2

Spelling:  Modern Curriculum Press Level B

Phonics: Modern Curriculum Press Level B

Reading: Sonlight 2nd Grade Reading Schedule and Readers

Handwriting: D’Nealian Handwriting 3 (cursive)

PE: Tap and Ballet, Wii, Whatever else she comes up with physically

 

Adam 5.5yrs, Kindergarten

My main goals with Adam this year are to begin reading and  writing letters and numbers on paper.

Math-Horizons K

Phonics: Modern Curriculum Press Level K and Level A

Reading: Sonlight K Reading Schedule and Readers

Handwriting: D’Nealian Handwriting K

PE: Wii along with whatever he may come up with physically

 

Travis 22months (2 in September), Tot School

My main goal with Travis this year is to have fun, learn colors, count to 10.

Math: Counting objects, Number Recognition

Phonics: Work on recognizing letters and sounds, Leap Frog Letter Toy

Art: Learn Colors, Color, Dry Erase Board, Paint

PE: Chasing Siblings, throwing a baseball, Jumping off furniture

Manipulatives or Helpful Items

Math: We use Math-U-See blocks to help with counting or colored foam blocks

Spelling/Reading/Phonics: We use www.starfall.com

Websites: The kids may also play games on www.pbskids.org, www.knowledgeadventure.com, www.nickjr.com/games

Legos, Wooden Building Blocks, Word Tiles, K’Nex, Globe, Rubber Band Peg Board, Flash Cards, World Map, Ice Cube Trays, Connecting Blocks, Lacing Beads, Caps from water bottles/soda bottles/gallons of milk/juice containers, dice, board games, puzzles.

Please remember that these are the things that work for OUR family. Don’t feel guilty if something is different that your curriculum, as we all use different materials to fit our needs. You use what works best for you, no matter how nice or better the next item may seem. The grass is not always greener on the other side!

I hope you have a wonderful school year!

Happy Homeschooling,

Jackie

Wordless Wednesday

Library Day Monday

 

We have ended our 5th week with a Taco Bell coupon and a pencil.

Week 6 Goals

Natalie 7

Adam 7

Travis 7

I picked their number this week. I picked Jesus’ perfect number!

I am over half way done with Bringing up Girls by Dr. James Dobson.

Our current family read aloud is Judy Moody #1. The kids are finding this book hilarious, so glad.

Happy Reading

Jackie

TheHomeSchoolMothersJournal..10

In my life this week:

A very slow paced week with little outside activities!

In our homeschool this week:

We worked on Math, Phonics, and Reading.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

We went to our co-op book sale. I spent a total of $10. I know, I broke the bank. I ended up getting Natalies math for next year, a couple of reading books and board books.

My favorite thing this week:

We went to a fellow homeschoolers home for a playdate and borrowed a lot of reading books!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

So, I have an upcoming 2nd grader who is a very reluctant reader and doesn’t like to read by herself. She likes for me to read to her. She enjoys looking at books, but doesn’t like to read the words herself. If she does read the words she acts as if she doesn’t know the words, but she has read them before. This issue has been going on for about the last year. I am very frustrated in this situation and don’t quite know how to go about handling it?

I am currently reading:

Bringing Up Girls. By Dr. James Dobson. My final book from my summer reading list.

I have learned way to much from this book about myself, my daughter and the relationship between daughters and fathers. Dr. Dobson has written this book beautifully, I have cried and laughed and even had a few epiphanies!

Something to share:

My most current idea about Natalie and reading. A friend said to me, Do you think Natalie might be scared of loosing the closeness with you if she begins reading all on her own? Do you think she might be scared that you won’t read to her anymore?

So, my thoughts are that….Natalie could be scared that I won’t read to her anymore, but I will always read to her, as long as she will listen to me!

Revamping Organization

A few new things in our home…

In every room we have put a laundry basket. We believe this will help in the flow of laundry being washed. The plan is to wash each basket of laundry once a week. Michaels and I’s laundry may need to be done 2x a week as well as the boys laundry, considering there are two people’s laundry being put into each basket.

Towels and sheets will continue to be washed once a week as well.

I am hoping to not have laundry piled up and not put away. This really bothers me. I like to wash laundry and have it folded and put away the same day, but in reality that doesn’t always happen. So, I am believing that this plan will WILL WORK!!

In the Master Bedroom

I have finally cleaned off the dresser and nightstands, thrown out trash and dusted! They look great, and our bedroom seems like more of a bedroom.

We are a family of simplicity. I don’t have a lot of décor around. Our main décor are pictures, willow tree angels and maybe a few things we find here and there.

Our bed and clean nightstands

Our Dresser and basket of Diapers

Kids Bedrooms

Our situation with the bedrooms is that Natalie has her own. Adam and Travis share a bedroom. Natalie had a queen size mattress and box springs and the boys had twin beds.

On Saturday we got this day bed from a friend. We went and picked it up, so I was inspired to do a little cleaning…

So now Natalie is using one of the boys twin mattresses and we have the other twin mattress under her bed, to use as a guest bed.

Natalies dresser and laundry basket

Adam and Travis have the queen bed now. They are loving it. They can now jump as much as their little hearts desire without being yelled at for messing up Natalies bed!

Notice the laundry basket in the corner!

The boys dresser.

Notice Adams baseball trophy, he is very proud.

By moving the beds the kids have more floor space in their rooms. I love that the kids add their own personal touches to the bedrooms.  The kids have put their own blankets on the beds and numerous pillows at times along with stuffed animals. They have also begun hanging up drawings and pictures on their own.

Books

In our dining room we have acquired more, more, more, and more reading books. I just want to tell you, these are outside of our “school” books! My children love to be read to or even just look at books.

These are actual milk crates. Not very nice to look at, but they were free and they are functional! I have a few more and will be adding them in the mix soon because we can’t stuff any more books into these four!

Happy Organizing!

Library Day Monday

This week was an interesting library trip! The children used their free book tickets at the library book sale. We got four free books! I had a coupon as well.

We have ended our 4th week with a new book mark, coupon for a free personal size pizza from Papa Murphey’s, and a ticket to the puppet play at the library on Saturday.

Week 5 Goals

Natalie 5

Adam 5

Travis 8

I have started reading Bringing up Girls by Dr. James Dobson. This is my final book on my summer reading list! What will I read when I am done?

Happy Reading

Jackie

TheHomeschoolMothersJournal..9

In my life this week:

We have had a wonderful week.  We traveled about an hour away to stay at our friends house over the 4th of July weekend. We had a great time, the kids played, we ate great food, and had some really fun fellowship.

In our homeschool this week:

A friend has given me a few Core A things from Sonlight, I have been researching what I will use of Sonlight and won’t use. I am pretty impressed with the Core A and am planning on using it this coming year with my 2nd and K.  I am working on gathering the books that go along with this and looking at getting the 2nd grade reading books.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

We didn’t attend playgroup, or any outside activities other than baseball. Adam played his last game of the season on Thursday. We sort of played it low key this week. We needed to recuperate from the weekend and get things done around the house…LAUNDRY!

My favorite thing this week:

Adam hitting the ball for the last time of the season. then celebrating at DQ with ice-cream and the team receiving their trophies! They all worked so hard this season, looking forward to next year.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

I can’t think of anything….

I am currently reading:

The New Strong-Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson (this is the 3rd of 4 on my summer reading list)

I am still reading this. Its been at least 2 weeks. I have been busy!

Something to share:

Travis At Baseball

Natalie

 

Natalie loves making up her own little songs and performing them for us! Here we are at the ball field, and I have a little girl who wants to sing a song for her Papaw! So I told her I would put it on our blog!

Natalie Singing her song about Papaw!

Hope you enjoy this Dad!

Travis

 

Travis is the baby of the family! His is so much fun to be around and works so hard to keep up with his bigger sister and brother.

Here are two of the silly things I caught him doing this week! Mind you, he comes up with this stuff on his own! Or maybe a little help from his older brother, in the VAN!

This is Travis sitting on a watermelon kin the kitchen, while singing and listening to his Leap Frog Radio.

 

Travis “sliding” in the front seat, Adam is stuck in traffic!

Hope you enjoyed our little guy and his funny sense of humor!!

Adams Baseball Season

Adam played his last baseball game of the season tonight!

Adam went from hitting off of the tee at the beginning of the season and not wanting to play at all to loving playing his games and hitting the ball when it was pitched to him.

We finished up a wonderful season with the Cardinals at Dairy Queen for ice-cream!  The boys got trophies, a team picture and a poster size picture of themselves and pictures surrounding it of their team mates hitting/catching the ball! The pictures were taken by the coaches wife and given to the boys as a keepsake.

Here’s a little video of Adam in action….

Adam Hits the ball and runs to 1st base!

Travis saying Baseball, Adam playing in dirt at 2nd, Natalie hollering that she has to go to the bathroom! All in all a fun night at the ball field!

We’ll see ya on the field next year, with Michael (Daddy as a head coach). He helped out this year, but was one of five guys helping!!