Late Readers
2007-06-14 13:30:13
Once again Jason Holm of Inflatable Studios hits the nail on the head with his homeschooling cartoons! Being a mom of a late-reader, I can so relate to this one! Click the cartoon for a larger, easier to read version:
"When kids are allowed to read when they want to, when they find it meaningful for them, when their brains are developmentally ready, when they have pleasant associations with reading, then kids do learn to read." ~Joyce Fetteroll
Melissa says: "AMEN!"
The Garden Mystery
2007-06-13 12:31:56
Lettuce was mysteriously disappearing. Our green bean vines had many curious nibble marks. We had ourselves a garden varmint, but who was the culprit? At first we tried to ignore the problem, in hopes that it would just go away. Yeah right -- like an animal that has found a gracious source of food is just going to decide he's had enough heavenly goodness?!? -- sometimes we're just ignorant like that! Eventually we realized that we must do something to salvage our crop, but what? Our first action was to put the kids on alert. They were to report any unusual goings-on in the garden area. They accepted this job of garden detectives with glee.
I don't remember who spotted him first...either Michael or Matthew, because us girls just don't have the patience it takes to sit and wait for some creature to appear; and what if it was a hideous beast? Do hideous beasts eat lettuce? Anyway...Our lettuce-snatching, bean-nabber was a big (well, medium-sized) fat (off all our vegetables!), fuzzy
Read more: Garden
, Mystery
All Creatures Great and Small
2007-06-12 11:58:11
All things bright and beautiful,All creatures great and small,All things wise and wonderful,The Lord God made them all.He gave us eyes to see them,And lips that we might tell,How great is God Almighty,Who has made all things well.~Abridged version of a poem by Cecil Frances Alexander
Read more: Great
, Small
My Blogging Story
2007-06-11 10:07:08
Chilihead has a little blogging story carnival going on and I thought it would be fun to put my story in the mix. So here goes...
1. How did you start blogging?
Well, I would like to write this amazing story of how I invented the blog, but I'm afraid that I am just a regular ole joe. I heard about something called a "blog" in a magazine. Being a couple of years behind the times, as usual, I came to find out that everyone who was anyone had a blog. So of course I had to be cool --I signed up quick!
2. Did you intend to be a blog w/ a big following? If so, how did you go about it?
I originally started out on homeschoolblogger.com because it was easy and being a homeschool mom, I fit right in. I blogged there for a little over a year. I never intended it to be something that anyone would read, but then I came to the realization that my family and friends could peek inside our homeschool life if they wanted, so I sent them a link. I've just recently switched to typepad --LO
Read more: Blogging
Customizing Curriculum
2007-06-27 19:08:27
This summer my quest has been to discuss the many benefits of homeschooling. So far the list consists of Sheltering and Time for Family. I suppose the topic closest to my heart lately would be the benefit of being able to customize our curriculum to fit the needs of each of our children.
As we approach our 7th year of homeschooling, this is the first summer we haven't completely put the bookwork away. Don't misunderstand, in the past we've still had many learning experiences throughout the summer; lots of unit studies, experiments, and hands-on activities...just no bookwork. This year calls for something a bit different. Homeschooling allows for just such adjustments.
My son, Spud, is a late reader compared to others his age. He's a very active little boy who enjoys math and science. He is the definition of constant motion. Sometimes I think about what it would be like for him if he were in public school. It's not a pretty picture; I can assure you! There is no room for my lit
Read more: Curriculum
A Small Change
2007-06-26 09:53:16
Jeana at Days to Come really got me thinking with her most recent post. I love reading her blog because she is always so witty and fun! So when she got serious about the subject of blogging about children, I had to reconsider my approach to blogging.
Most of my readers actually know me "in real life", but there is no denying that I have a few readers who I know nothing about. I love "getting to know" new homeschool moms on the web and reading their blogs. It inspires me. However, there is a whole other kind of person out there and I just can't ignore it.
So, I'm changing from using my kids real names to nicknames. Those who know them, will not have any trouble understanding who I'm referring to. My daughter will now be referred to as Sis and my son will be called Spud.
Better safe than sorry, right?
Read more: Small
, Change
Tuesday Tid-bits
2007-07-03 02:02:00
Anything and everything you wanna know about the new Apple iPhone. Okay, yeah I want one, but I don't have a spare $500-$600 just lying around. Oh well...
I have a crazy obsession with The Doctor...Dr. Who?...Exactly!! The Sci-Fi Channel launches the season 3 premiere of Dr. Who starring David Tennant, Friday, July 6th @ 8pm.
The Leaky Cauldron has this and other cool countdowns for those crazy Harry Potter fans (like me!!).
Of course, if you didn't already know, this Wednesday is Independence Day:
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies' separation from Great Britain. The Constitution provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States, however, the Declaration, with its eloquent assertion "all Men are created equal," is equally beloved by the American people. More July 4th History
Read more: Tuesday
Photo Hunters - "Sweet"
2007-06-29 13:26:33
This week's theme is "Sweet
"
Our family did the Mentos & Diet Coke experiment. I didn't tell my kids what would happen so I could capture their reaction. The first word out of my son's mouth was..."Sweeeet!"
*Update* - A big THANK YOU to TNchick for picking mine as "Photo
of the Week"!!!
Read more: Hunters
Friday's Feast
2007-06-29 10:50:22
Appetizer
How many pieces of jewelry do you wear most days? I wear my wedding ring and a pair of small gold hoop earrings.
Soup
What is your favorite instrumental song? Canon in D
Salad
Who has a last name that you like? Amerigo Vespucci - You know the Italian explorer for whom the Americas are named? I think it's a fun name to say! It makes me giggle.
Main Course
Name a popular movie you’ve never seen. The Passion of The Christ. I didn't see that movie because I didn't want to picture that when I read that story in my Bible. I have a certain picture in my head and I didn't want to distort it.
Dessert
Fill in the blank: Nothing makes me ____Happy_______ like _____Spending Time with My Family_______.
Read more: Friday
, Feast
The Thinking Blogger Award
2007-06-29 10:19:23
Becky at LaMere's Classical Academy has so graciously awarded little 'ole me with a Thinking Blogger
Award
!! Thanks Becky!
So now I suppose it's my turn to bestow the award. Here we go...
The winning blogs are:
1. Chickadee at A Familiar Path...This is one of my daily reads! I love all of the beautiful photos she posts and the love she clearly has for her family! (And she deserves this if not only for the passy withdrawals she's been dealing with!!)
2. Brenda at The Family Revised...I enjoy reading Brenda's posts. She always makes me think! This is her first year homeschooling, but she seems to have the experience of a veteran homeschooler already!
3. Firefly at Bioluminescence...I love everything about her blog. The poems and photos she posts are unbelieveable! I always look forward to a new post from Firefly.
4. Gina at At the Moment...Gina is a super friend to me "in real life". Her computer is broken, so she hasn't been posting lately, and I miss her witty charm! Come
Plans for Next Year
2007-07-06 19:21:59
I've been thinking really hard (can't you see all the smoke?) about what curriculum to use this year. Last year, I tried something different and it didn't quite fit our family. I've said that it was my 'year of failure' but I think I spoke too quickly. My kids really did learn a lot last year. Sis' test scores were very good and I found a great curriculum to teach Spud reading. So all wasn't a failure.
However, I do plan on changing quite a few things this year. We need a good balance of structure and freedom. It seems to be a never-ending quest for me to find that balance! Anyway, I think I have picked out what we are using next year:
Sis - 6th grade
Sequential SpellingAbeka Literature/LanguageAbeka MathAbeka Science and HealthAbeka History (Yes, Abeka works best for her, we have tested this many times and always come back to it.)Artistic PursuitsRosetta Stone Spanish
Spud - 3rd grade
Learning Language Arts Through Literature (Blue and Red, he's about a year and a hal
Friday's Feast
2007-07-06 10:12:17
The Chef's away this week, so I picked an old one to do for this week. Enjoy!
Appetizer
Name 3 things that you are wearing today. I'm still in my jammies! Red stretchy pants, Bass Pro Shops t-shirt, and some snuggly socks!
Soup
Who was the last person you hugged? My daughter
Salad
What do you like to order from your favorite fast food place? Crunchy tacos from Taco Bell
Main Course
What time of day do you usually feel most energized? I'm an insomniac, so I always feel energized in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping!
Dessert
Using the letters in your first name, write a sentence. (Example: Sweet unusual spaniels are nice.)
Mom especially loves interesting, sweet, singing angels. (that was hard!)
Read more: Friday
, Feast
Happy Independence Day America!
2007-07-04 10:18:38
Read more: Happy
, Independence
, America
Canning Day
2007-07-03 20:01:22
We canned some of our beans today. Just thought you'd like to see...
All washed and ready to go!
Empty jars just waiting to be filled.
Cookin'em up!
In the pot.
The final product. Yummy!!
My Jane Austen Obsession
2007-07-09 20:45:06
If you know anything about me, you know that I am a HUGE Jane Austen
fan! I love her books and the movies made from her books. I. Must. See. This. Movie!!
Read more: Obsession
A Magic Word
2007-07-07 17:00:20
I sat this morning listening to my son play with his best buddy, who just so happens to be our neighbor. The things I heard went something like this:"Pretend that I'm the T-Rex.""Okay, Pretend that I'm King Kong.""Alright, Pretend that I say "Grrr!""And, Pretend that I pound my fists""Pretend that we become friends."And so on and so forth. I'll just be honest, those boys know how to pretend! They said that word so much that many times it came out as "-tend".
Just hearing them verbalize their imaginations reminded me of my childhood and how I used to play Barbies with my sisters. A stack of books could become a high-rise apartment just by using that magic word - "pretend".
I think it's very important that children get plenty of free time in order to develop their imaginations. Mine never cease to amaze me with the things they come up with!
"
Think left and think right and think low and think high.&n
Read more: Magic
Photo Hunters - "Fake"
2007-07-07 09:51:36
This week's theme is "Fake".
This year, one of our homeschool science projects was to make a FAKE volcano. Cool, huh?
Read more: Photo
, Hunters
Photo Hunters - "Shadow(s)"
2007-07-13 17:49:05
This week's theme is: "Shadow
(s)"
Here is a partially shadowed waterfall located at one of our family's favorite camping spots. (Click the picture for a larger view.)
Read more: Photo
, Hunters
A Run-down of Upcoming Events
2007-07-13 11:05:27
I have so much to do, but here I sit blogging. I can't help it people! It's like a drain for all those things floating around in my head. Warning: This post may be long and boring! I don't blame you if you choose not to read it! :)
VBS is coming up next week. Our church does VBS a bit different than most. That's probably the reason we have such a great turn out each year. We don't buy the packaged curriculum, we just choose a person out of the Bible to study. This year it's Ruth. We also make up our own crafts. Which is really good for the kids, but requires a great deal of planning for us teachers! So instead of getting the little paper crafts, our kids are usually working on some really cool wood building project or some other equally cool craft.
We also decorate our room based on the theme. This year our room will look like a field of barley. It will also have the gate to the city where Boaz sat to wait for the kinsman redeemer.
It takes a great deal of time and planning, b
Read more: Upcoming
Friday's Feast
2007-07-13 10:19:08
Appetizer
What is your favorite fruit? Pineapple
Soup
Who is someone you consider as a great role model? Jesus (Isn't He the ultimate role model?)
Salad
If you were to spend one night anywhere within an hour of your home, where would you choose? Camping at a local State Park.
Main Course
Name something you do too often. Blog
Dessert
Fill in the blank: I really like Dr. Pepper because it makes me happy.
Read more: Friday
, Feast
Oooo! It was Goooood!!
2007-07-11 15:58:57
Our family hit the first showing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. After being disappointed in the way they rushed Goblet of Fire, I wasn't expecting it to be all that. But let me just tell you...It was all that, and then some!! There is an excellent battle scene at the end. If you haven't seen it, and you like that sort of thing, I recommend that you check it out!
I Always Knew I was Royal!!
2007-07-10 23:05:46
How cool is this!?!?...
Tee over at Double Duty was kind enough to bestow upon me the title of Blogging Princess! Thanks Tee!
I suppose it's my turn to name some new recipients to this prestigious award!!!
I pick...
Liz at Monkey Kisses...I love her blog design, and the beautiful pictures of her two adorable boys! And isn't the title of her blog just the greatest? Liz, you are a Blogging Princess!
...and...
Margot at Blessed but Stressed...She's one of my "in real life" pals! She just recently started blogging and I think she's hooked! I love reading all about her 2 handsome little guys! Margot, you are a Blogging Princess!
Read more: Royal
Aches, Pains, & Soreness...OH MY!
2007-07-17 09:33:23
Posting will be sparse this week, mostly because every part of my body is aching from Vacation Bible School! If you've ever experienced VBS, you know exactly what I mean.
Read more: Pains
Photo Hunters - "Tiny"
2007-07-20 15:16:15
This week's theme is: "Tiny"
This is a TINY little watermelon beginning to grow in our garden this year.
Read more: Photo
, Hunters
Friday's Feast
2007-07-20 15:04:31
Appetizer
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how much do enjoy watching sports on television? 6
Soup
If you could completely memorize any one work of fiction, which one would you pick? Any Harry Potter book. Wait! I think I have completely memorized them! LOL!
Salad
What is your favorite breakfast food? bacon
Main Course
Name something fun you can do for less than $10.00. Browse the nearest book store while sipping a yummy drink from Starbucks.
Dessert
How long does it usually take you to fall asleep? A really long time. I am an insomniac!
Read more: Friday
, Feast
Utter Exhaustion!
2007-07-20 11:02:42
I'm tired.
VBS is finally coming to a close tonight. This has really been the best set of 3rd & 4th graders that I've ever had. They all listened so well and were able to answer all the questions too. I'm just exhausted from all the excitement.
The week has been extra busy because we have been host to my mom and little sis, plus my neighbor's children rode with us all week also. And to top it all off, we have been trying to prepare for next week's camping trip!
There is just lots going on which makes for a lack of bloggity-ness for me. Just wanted to let anyone reading know that I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.
Read more: Exhaustion
Back to Reality
2007-07-31 14:04:35
So...that relaxed feeling has long since gone. Reality has set in. For the past 2 days I have done nuttin' but work! The mountain of dirty laundry is finally dwindling. We put up 20 quarts of white corn yesterday that I picked single-handedly and are in the middle of canning more green beans today.
We only have about a week and a half of summer vacation left. I'm always amazed at how quickly time flies when you're having fun. I'm nowhere near finished shopping for my curriculum, nor has my schoolroom been cleaned or redecorated like I was planning. But, other than that, I am looking forward to beginning a whole new school year. It's always fun to have a fresh start.
I still need to sit down and set some goals for this year. It helps me to keep things on track if I have an idea of what I want to accomplish. Unfortunately I have gone through a school year without having set any real goals. Trust me, a little planning makes a world of difference! Of course, there is a fine line
Back and Relaxed
2007-07-29 15:11:18
We're Back!!
Our family had the most relaxing vacation, especially as it came on the heels of a hectic week of VBS. We spent the week camping in the wilderness. Well, I call it that because where we were, there was no electricity, no running water
, nothing! It was so peaceful and quiet.
The first night it came a huge thunder storm, with thunder that sounded as if a jet were landing on our tent. It poured down rain and things got a bit damp inside the tent, but not too bad considering it was raining buckets outside.
The next morning it cleared up to be a beautiful, sunny day. The boys went trout fishing while us girls just relaxed. I was able to do a lot of reading, besides the Harry Potter book we read in the evenings. That was a great ending to the series, by the way.
Anyway, the kids did some tubing and more fishing and all those fun, nature-y sorts of things. We heard reports of a black bear in the campground, but didn't spot him. Although, I did scare myself a bit one ev
Read more: Relaxed
Shots of Our Schoolroom
2007-08-02 19:09:44
Here are a few pictures of our freshly-cleaned schoolroom:
Back to Homeschool Week
2007-08-01 11:08:02
Next week, Randi at I have to Say...is hosting Back to Homeschool
Week. I'm looking forward to reading what everyone has to say. Sounds like the perfect way to start a new school year!
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