Treasures in my yard

I had a friend pass on to the next life this week.  And of course I am reminded to treasure every day. This afternoon I was out enjoying my yard and decided to share it:

Flowers that were on clearance and pitiful a couple of weeks ago.

Look at this guy...I have heard that the ugliest caterpillars make the prettiest moths--I hope so! He is on my lovely Kentucky Coffee Tree

My guys and their friends have climbed and made forts in these trees for years.

My first jalapeno pepper--I am sure I will eat it by Monday!! 

Tomatoes happening!

This apple tree is full--but look at the leaves!  I haven't noticed red and yellow spots on the leaves before.  My other apple trees have beautiful leaves but no fruit.

...sigh... my small garden...this year I felt this was all I could tend. Even so if it is like in years past I will probably still be able to can beans from it and be able to share too!

I hope you are having a lovely summer and taking time to enjoy it!

2017-2018 Curriculum

Smith Classical Academy is on summer break!

However organizing and planning is in full force!

8th grade will be Abeka video {as a trial year to see if we want to take this route for high school.

6th grade:

Harcourt Spelling 6

Rod & Staff English 6

Mystery of History Vol.I

Saxon 7/6

Bob Jones Reading 6

Apologia Anatomy and Physiology(Sem. 2)

Apologia Zoology 3 (Sem. 1)

Fourth Grade:

Bob Jones Reading 4 (ordered)

Apologia Chemistry and Physics (elementary)

Rod and Staff English 4

Harcourt Spelling 4

Rod and Staff Penmanship

Mystery of History Volume 1

Saxon 5/4

Do Not Try This At Home

Sharing our sibling science again today:

First set of experiments:

Static electricity

Materials: two beautiful heads of blond hair and a plastic comb

**so I combed the lovely hair and held the comb over squares of tissue paper.  The squares moved some but I was expecting them to move more.

Second set:

Gassy Belly

First experiment:

Necco candy in water--few bubbles

Second experiment

Conversation heart candy in a solution of baking  soda and water.  The candies fizzed a little.  after a couple minutes I added vinegar and a plastic lid.  Lots of foaming and the top of the lid popped up some.

Third experiment

 A mento in little plastic cup of soda.  Quite a bit of fizzing. But I snapped on the lid and it was contained. After a few minutes we added vinegar and put the lid back of...this time the lids indented area popped up. The soda began to find loose areas around the lid and drip out.  After the solution settled some everyone begged to add baking soda. So we did!! Immediately got an erupting cloud..so we quickly snapped on the lid...as soon as I took my hand off--there was a huge POP and a platic lid flew through the air!!

The candy hearts were supposed to dance--they did not...however the mento explosion was the hit of the day!

P.S.  for the moms who are fearfully wondering...yes there were " Daddy Gas Belly Stories"!!LOL!!!

Motivation is Spelled...

Motivation is spelled C.O.M.P.E.T.I.T.I.O.N. at least at our house.  So this is my latest "bait".  A simple CONNECT FOUR game.  At the start of the day I take all the game pieces.  Through out the day Nate and Eli can have a game piece every time they earn one--and immediately place it! That causes each of them strive to earn one before the other.

How to earn:
2 PIECES
**make 100% on a test
1 PIECE
a.finish a subject for the day
b.make their bed
c.do a chore

~~SPECIAL NOTE
Academic pieces have to be earned before any chore ones can be earned. Pieces must be played as soon as earned...that way a handful cannot be earned all at once.

Even after the motivation loses its glamour it is still a fun game to put on the shelf for family game night!

Raising Readers

Raising readers is important to me.  I guess because I am a reader. And maybe it is because that is how I was raised.  My brother and I have both been readers as long as I can remember.  How did that happen? How did my parents raise readers? 

     **They always had LOTS of reading materials around.

     **They got rid of our TV when I was in the 5th grade.

     **When my brother and I got into a series...they helped us get the next book .

     **They talked to us about what we were reading.

     **They talked to us about what they were reading.

     **Often they would also read what we were reading.

     **My parents read to us.  Today if you are at my parents home my dad will at some point read to you.!!

Today Eli started reading a biography of Neil Armstrong.  Yes it is assigned reading, but he must be enjoying it because he is telling facts and stories of that hero.

Ben started reading The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P.Figg.  This is an assigned reading from his language arts class at the co-op.  I am happy that he enjoys reading the assigned selections.

Nate hasn't always been my zealous reader.  Nowadays as he matures and is finding that reading is not a struggle....he seems to be acquiring a love for reading.  He along with his brothers is in love with audio books.

Today we started a new "read-a-long".  At lunch I began reading They Called Me Mama to the boys.  I hope to share a chapter each day at lunch with them.  If you are looking for a great family read check out this lovely story!

If you have a family reading suggestion leave me a comment!

Readers are leaders!

Birchbark House

My oldest takes his language arts at an academic co-op for homeschoolers. recently his reading assignment has been The Birchbark House  by Louise Erdrich.  His final assignment was to write a cinquain about someone or something from the book.

Using language translation from the glossary of the book here is his cinquain:

Zeegwan

Maple Sugar

It is minopogwud

Because ninoonde wesin

Megwetch

Spring

Maple sugar

It is delicious

Because I am hungry

Thank you

Simple Science

I teach a "siblings science" class at the academic co-op my oldest attends. {Siblings classes are offered for the kids too young to attend the academic classes--while the mom is doing her volunteer time.}

So today I am sharing our science experiments... hoping that a homeschooling mom might be inspired to use with her child or enrichment program. Enjoy!

Floating Egg

Materials:

-an egg

-glass three-fourths full of water

-salt

Procedure:

**set the egg in the glass

**slowly add salt half a teaspoon at a time until the egg floats

After a bit the water will become dense and be heavier than the egg

Float the "M's" off M&Ms

Materials: 

-small shallow clear bowl

-package of m&ms

Procedure:

-cover the candies with water

The candied shells will start to melt and the "M's" will float to the top of the water!!

WHY?????

The "m's"on the candy are an edible ink that does not dissolve in the water...as the shell melts away the "M's"float away!!!

OCEAN WAVES

**fill a clean plastic bottle with water

**add some food coloring

**then finish filling the bottle with vegetable oil

**cap the bottle and seal

ENJOY SOME FUN SCIENCE WITH ITEMS IN YOUR KITCHEN!

Kids FLY for FREE!!!

 So I kept hearing of this great opportunity for kids to try flying...and I kept passing it by because it is for kids 8 and up--then Eli turned 8!!!!  So we have done it and I have to share!!

Young Eagles Flying Program  This is such a great opportunity!!!!  The kids get to hang out with a pilot learn about his plane then they get a free ride!!!  And a certificate to remember the experience!

And they can keep returning to try flying again!

After age 12 they receive a "logbook" and as they continue in the Young Eagles Program they and study and receive ground instruction through Sporty's Pilot Shop.  Then as they progress through the program there is opportunity for flying lessons and guidance in finding a career in aviation!

Week 2 of Summer School

I am so excited to share our morning basket for our second week of "summer schooling".
My two oldest guys are doing a couple of pages a day in Handwriting for teens.


Just for fun and to keep sharp we are doing about 10 minutes a day of flash card drills followed by a group activity from Family Math.

Our artist study is Norman Rockwell.  So far we have watched a short biography about him on YouTube.  We have a calendar of his pictures we are studying.  We are finding common features in each (like how his name is always signed in stencil).  Recently we found three puzzles of his work and have put these together as a family.

While the boys work on the puzzle is a great time to get in another chapter of our current read-a-loud: Islands of the Blue Dolphins.

What fun things have you found to keep your homeschoolers fresh and sharp?

Plan Now!

Plan your field trips now!  I know everyone hasn't finished school yet...but I also know that the curriculum sales are in full force!  However it is the greatest time to plan field trips!  Last year --about this time I found that there were a little over 700 FREE tickets available for students to The Louisville Youth Orchestra! When I called to reserve our Homeschool tickets the operator told me I got the first five! SCORE!!!

Also I was able to purchase State Fair tickets for $2each!  State fair is a great way to start the school year!  

State fairs are a great places to collect information about great places drivable, local festivals, historical re-inactments and friendly farms.

Start making plans now so that after life gets busy with schooling and public schools begin to fill up the venues you have tickets! 

Last summer I noticed that the Nina and Pinta floating museums were docking for a few days only an hour from us and the VERY week my fourth grader was studying Columbus!

Plan now!

The Homeschool Nook Party!!

I.Will.Not.Start.School.

I.will.not.start.school.
I.will.not.start.school.
I.will.not.start.school.

At least not until we get our "schooling area" freshly painted .  Actually I am still finishing up a bit of paperwork, filing away last years test, just small things.  This Tuesday my co op is hosting a community used curriculum sale {which will force me to finish emptying our cabinet}.

Alas, I confess:
I love touching fresh books!
My heart is a little giddy about planning!
I am forcing myself NOT to open the lab kits!

Two day shy of being out of school for {only} two weeks and I am excited about starting again!

Shhhhh It is M*A*T*H

My 4th grader just completed fourth grade a few hours ago!  And hopefully we will close out 2nd grade in the next few days!

And I am just about to introduce our summer mathematical goals!  Just a few weeks ago some moms were sharing about "Family Math" on Periscope Homeschoolscopes. 

I found it used on Amazon. Used with shipping less than $5!

Family Math is full of games,logic projects, and puzzles.  It is geared to grades kindergarten to fifth grade.  The object seems to be to solve these together. 

My hope is the each morning after we finish our flashcard drills the we will enjoy one or two of the projects together.  That way the boys will stay sharp on their skills while enjoying math.  I really can't use the phrase "summer school" as I am adopting "unschooling"!  I really feel Family Math is the perfect entrance for us.

Hello Summer!

Book Review: the Organized Homeschool Life

So much more than a book review!  This is a book recommendation!!

****
I purchased this book myself and I am sharing it because it has stirred my heart and given me hope!
****

the ORGANIZED HOMESCHOOL LIFE
A WEEK-BY-WEEK GUIDE TO HOMESCHOOL SANITY
by Dr. Melanie Wilson

ll

Over the past several months I have "met" Melanie on Periscope--and it has been an instant friendship and mentorship!

The book!!

Melanie--you messed up a little....this book is for everyone--even non homeschoolers!

First--the book is divided

*by months

*by weeks

Second--use it how it works for you!

As I read through the Table of Contents I wanted to jump in and do every week this week!  But I stepped back and considered starting with week one.  Then I thought I would embrace May--since tomorrow is May 1.  The first week of May challenge is:  "Organize Clothing Challenge" so "week 19" will be where I start.

Week 20 is the organize vacation challenge.  Our vacation is a few months away--although I am at week 19 in life right now... week 20 is months away.  Ah! But the book is flexible!  I will just look at the list and see which one feels like where I am.

Is this overwhelming? No--it is like a gentle conversation with a friend over a cup of tea. You know-- you mention a struggle and the friend confides that she has been there and tells you what she did.

Each week is broken up into simple tasks/goals to help you conquer the challenge.

Will I arrive to an organized life in 52 weeks?

No because life continues.  But I will have a framework that will help me feel focused and secure.

Thanks Melanie for the book--

for the conversation!

Joining up with Jenn and Amy over at:

Homeschool Nook Party

Morning Jump Start

Okay I know that this is not the official "Fly Lady" app but I promise it is just like having Marla on your phone!!  Sometimes mornings are overwhelming... and with this app I can check off a task and be encouraged!  Even just getting through the morning routine keeps me from feeling like a failure.

At first that morning routine seemed useless.  But when I started taking care of that list before starting my day I can fly with ease! And now that my day starts with Fly Ladies morning routine I start in full force!  Even like today when I slept until almost 8am!

With the morning routine out of the way I have a jump start on my day.

Whatever I don't get checked off is carried on to the next day.

Homeschooling on the go?

Yes!  Life happens!  A clipboard is an instant take along class!  What will strangers say? And people who obviously don't agree with homeschooling?

Who cares?!

Because if they can see and realize that you are schooling then you are!

Easily my boys could be sitting in a classroom.  And maybe no one would notice that they are distracted or not even working.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that what I am doing is legal.
Honest.
What I feel is best for my family.

And it is working for us.
I have to remind myself that I am not in this to ease concerns of others.
Enjoy your homeschooling journey.
And free yourself from the worries of how others are judging and comparing your journey!

St.Louis Zoo!!

I have been planning this field trip! The St.Louis Zoo is amazing. And F.R.E.E.!!

Finishing Strong

Fridays lesson was school day number 150 and lesson number 145!  This year the two little guys are using the ABEKA book curriculum it has 170 lessons--so the end is in sight!! It has been a good year --and I am thankful.  But as next year's curriculum arrives I find myself forcing myself to focus on the task at hand! We must finish the year strong!!

The new shiny books and organized lab kits are calling to me!  Our curriculum choices for next year will be a post soon...spoiler alert:  I will tell you that we are going to be adopting the Charlotte Mason Method.

Back to finishing the year strong...here is the plan:
--field trips--we need to have 177 days of school. We have 25 more lessons so I have 2 days for exploring in real life.  First on the list is the science center in St.Louis and next a mission conference.
--as the year closes we need to sort and purge school supplies.
--decide which non consumables I want to sell, trade, share
--evaluate our schooling area and consider how it might be arranged better {I already want to paint it a fresh color}
--start finalizing my records
I hope everyone will join us in finishing strong!

Review: Write Through The Bible

Disclosure: this is not an ad
I have not been asked to do this
This post is just simply "mom to mom sharing".

Shamelessly sometimes I comb through Web at night looking for answers to my needs.

One night recently on Pinterest I saw a post about Write Through the Bible workbooks. I loved the simplicity and the concept of repetition of the scriptures.

So I looked on my favorite store website --Amazon.com   and found one!!

The first 3 days the student copies one verse. The next couple of days they look up and define  vocabulary words. Then they write the dictated verse. This goes on until they have learned the verses of the passage. I am in love!

The workbook I chose for our first one is Psalms 1,23,& 121 (KJV)

Check these out www.intoxicatedonlife.com

This has happily taken the place of our second and fourth grade ABEKA handwriting books.

Fresh February!!

January 1st is not magic.  Neither is February 1st, however it is focused.  I didn't make any resolutions for 2016. But I have had a good January. I rested.  And I am refreshed. I am still working on health goals, decluttering and reaching a peaceful balance of minimalism.

Today I want to share some of my homeschooling happenings!

1.  A place for everything.

A quick trip to the Dollar Tree landed me 12 baskets!   I chose one color for all so it wouldn't be too busy.  By organizing and giving everything a "home" we will save time and have a more peaceful schooling environment.

2. In my planner I am tracking up coming tests,quizzes, projects, ect.

3.  Starting this week I have made everyday a folder and put that days work and tests in it--why has it taken me until February to do this?!

4. Goal board.  Now we are using our magnetic white board to remind us our weekly memory verse...so we don't have to find one Sunday morning before Sunday School!! I also have listed the week lesson goal number as well as the day lesson goal.  Every day the boys get a sticker after they successfully completed a lesson. They are allowed to work ahead...so when the goal chart it filled they get out of school until Monday!

I would love to hear what works for organinizing/motivation in your Homeschool!

Partying with:

waiting on... Wednesday