If you find homeschool organization boring and don't want to know what other homeschool moms do, you can skip this post, you won't hurt my feelings. I for one, enjoy seeing what others do so I can get great ideas for our own school day!
August will be a light month for us, we will only be doing 2 days a week of school to ease back into the school year. This frees up days for us to enjoy the rest of the month! The public school children return to school around the 7th, so that's when homeschoolers take back the park, pools, museums, etc. It's ok, we don't mind sharing the world with all the children, but it is nice to have less busy places to take our children too. It makes kid counting a lot easier at the park.....
So what's up for our family in August!? Well, I finally got to sit down with my nifty Well Planned Day planner and get to organizing!
We will only do school on Mondays/Wednesdays and not every subject. We do not go in any particular order of school work, I ask the kids what they want to work on first. Some people like to get started early in the morning, get math done and out of the way. For us, we are still working on that "magic method.". I do have subjects we do together and some we do separate. Remember H is going into 4th grade and E is going into 1st. So we cannot do EVERYTHING together. Math, Grammar and some electives are separate. So here's our basic August Monday/Wednesday 'to do' list. (I don't say schedule because I do not schedule out block of time in any particular order.)
Bible Study: We do YES Lessons just like I did as a kid in my church. You can find them for free if you are interested here: http://www.coghomeschool.org/site/cog_archives/yes_lessons/COG_Library_YES_Lessons.htm
Along with the YES Lesson we work on Character Studies from Confessions of a Homeschooler. If you haven't bookmarked her blog already, you should open a new tab right now and save it! (Come back here though...) AMAZING resource.
Math: H is still catching up on Teaching Textbooks 3 as we started it late last year. So he's got to finish that up and then move on to Teaching Textbooks 4. Eli does worksheets and Life of Fred. We love Fred, he's great. I highly reccommend it as a math program.
History: We wouldn't normally do History in this part time summer month, but we have a few chapters left to finish up before we are done with Story of the World Volume One. Since we are excited to get started on Volume 2, the Middle Ages to Medieval Times, we need to get done with Volume One! I really cannot speak highly enough about this book series. Reasonably priced, well done, a good history program for elementary students.
ELA: English Language Arts, I don't even like calling it ELA, since that's not we grew up calling English, but I do use it to mean any and all English, Grammar, Spelling, etc. I am VERY literature based and believe children learn best through stories and books, not textbooks and boring technical information. So, we are currently reading Chronicles of Narnia. We are just reading it as we go although I did find several lapbooks and unit studies on it. Surprisingly it was not listed on Teach With Movies, but we will be watching the movie version.
Also in ELA we use a program called Five in a Row. I love, love, LOVE this program. It is similar to how I taught literature based lesson plans when I taught early childhood. We are currently on Volume Two, even though it's suggested you start Volume One in the fall. I decided there were more books I wanted to try in Volume 2 for now.
I love the fact that FIAR is pretty much all you need for a young child other than Math and Phonics! I pick and choose the stories we want to do based on time of year, interests, availability, etc.
Phonics: E is still wrapping up his Saxon Phonics K book from last year. He is doing so good in reading, I could likely just skip the rest of it and he'd be fine, but I do want to cement a good understanding of Phonics since I feel H missed out on that in public school. E goes through his lesson and worksheet in less than 10 minutes.
Electives: We will add more electives in September but for now the only true electives we do is H does a Typing Instructor program on the computer.
He seems to really enjoy this and it reminds me of the typing tutor programs I used as a kid. (On my rocking Commodore 64 mind you....)
In September we pick up more electives like American Sign Language, Handwriting, Music, Creative Writing and Art. I look forward to all of these!
So I hope this helps you see a little bit of just one fraction of what one can do in the area of curriculum!
What are some of your favorite curriculum? Free resources?
~~Amy
**This post contains affiliate and non-affiliate links. All affiliate programs are listed on my Disclosure Page.
The Hesitant Homeschooler....Mama's Little Monkeys
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Monday, August 4, 2014
Sunday, September 29, 2013
October Home School Themes
Wow, it's almost October. Where does the time go?? We enjoyed an awesome trip to Alabama for 9 days, of which I am still unpacking from, editing pics of and getting back to 'home' life from! I sat down tonight to get this week's homeschool work planned and realized I didn't get any stuff ready for next month's theme!
October's Themes are: Fall Leaves and Pumpkins
So here are some activities I'd like to try for the month! Fall doesn't exactly come full on here in October but we can pretend!
Fall Bucket List: http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/homeschool-fall-bucket-list/
Fall Tracing Sheets for Eli and his fine motor: http://sjthomeschool.blogspot.com/2013/09/fall-tracing-practice-package.html
Arts and Crafts: Paper Roll Pumpkin: http://www.littlefamilyfun.com/2012/10/paper-roll-pumpkin.html
Messy Sight Word Fun! http://schooltimesnippets.blogspot.com/2011/10/sight-word-pumpkin-smash.html
And I may make some of these or I may just crochet some pumpkins! http://www.domestifluff.com/2009/10/how-to-make-pom-pom-pumpkins/
Huge list of pumpkin activities here: http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2013/09/36-pumpkin-crafts-kids-activities.html
Huge list of Leaf Activities here:http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2013/08/36-leaf-crafts-kids-activities-for-fall.html
Pretty Fall Leaves: http://ourcraftsnthings.com/2009/10/pretty-fall-leaves/
Yarn Leaves: http://3dinosaurs.com/wordpress/index.php/red-leaf-yellow-leaf-yarn-tree/
Sticky Wall Leaves: http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/18717/early-learning-2
Clay Leaf Bowls: http://www.redtedart.com/2010/10/01/how-to-make-autumn-leaf-bowls-guest-post/
There are a ton more activities to do, these are just some fun suggestions!
Happy Fall Y'all!
October's Themes are: Fall Leaves and Pumpkins
So here are some activities I'd like to try for the month! Fall doesn't exactly come full on here in October but we can pretend!
Fall Bucket List: http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/homeschool-fall-bucket-list/
Fall Tracing Sheets for Eli and his fine motor: http://sjthomeschool.blogspot.com/2013/09/fall-tracing-practice-package.html
Arts and Crafts: Paper Roll Pumpkin: http://www.littlefamilyfun.com/2012/10/paper-roll-pumpkin.html
Messy Sight Word Fun! http://schooltimesnippets.blogspot.com/2011/10/sight-word-pumpkin-smash.html
And I may make some of these or I may just crochet some pumpkins! http://www.domestifluff.com/2009/10/how-to-make-pom-pom-pumpkins/
Huge list of pumpkin activities here: http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2013/09/36-pumpkin-crafts-kids-activities.html
Huge list of Leaf Activities here:http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2013/08/36-leaf-crafts-kids-activities-for-fall.html
Pretty Fall Leaves: http://ourcraftsnthings.com/2009/10/pretty-fall-leaves/
Yarn Leaves: http://3dinosaurs.com/wordpress/index.php/red-leaf-yellow-leaf-yarn-tree/
Sticky Wall Leaves: http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/18717/early-learning-2
Clay Leaf Bowls: http://www.redtedart.com/2010/10/01/how-to-make-autumn-leaf-bowls-guest-post/
There are a ton more activities to do, these are just some fun suggestions!
Happy Fall Y'all!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Angry Birds Geography
Who says a lesson has to be planned, prepared or even premeditated?? My son requested some colored/laminated Angry Birds characters. He requested these when he saw some made by the 8 year old son of my best friend. He (and I) thought it was a pretty nifty idea, so Eli asked for some of his own. He requested Angry Birds Star Wars characters.
I remembered how much I loved my flannelboard stories when I was a teacher, so I covered a box in felt and stuck the hook side of Velcro tabs on the back of the angry birds. (I used Contact paper to cover them, instead of busting out the laminating machine.)
So Eli has had a ball playing with these. But I didn't expect him to take them to his room where the United States map was and start playing with it that way. We moved the characters all around the country, having them travel from state to state. Luke Skywalker hung out with Princess Leia for a bit in Texas, they all had to escape from Darth Pig in North Carolina.
I didn't set out to do a lesson on the US States, but we ended up on one!
To make your own, google any coloring pages of what you want, color, and then cover with contact paper. Stick a 'hook' side of a velcro tab on the back and they will stick to felt and other items (like a rug!) :)
Enjoy!
~~Amy
I remembered how much I loved my flannelboard stories when I was a teacher, so I covered a box in felt and stuck the hook side of Velcro tabs on the back of the angry birds. (I used Contact paper to cover them, instead of busting out the laminating machine.)
So Eli has had a ball playing with these. But I didn't expect him to take them to his room where the United States map was and start playing with it that way. We moved the characters all around the country, having them travel from state to state. Luke Skywalker hung out with Princess Leia for a bit in Texas, they all had to escape from Darth Pig in North Carolina.
I didn't set out to do a lesson on the US States, but we ended up on one!
To make your own, google any coloring pages of what you want, color, and then cover with contact paper. Stick a 'hook' side of a velcro tab on the back and they will stick to felt and other items (like a rug!) :)
Enjoy!
~~Amy
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The Hesitant Homeschooler
You know how they say, "never say never."? Well, there is a reason I NEVER said, "I will NEVER homeschool." I did say, "I don't WANT to home school, I'd rather NOT home school" and then that turned into, "I accept one day I will have to for awhile." and now it's, "We are homeschooling next year."
Why the change? It wasn't exactly by choice. I had decided to homeschool my boys when they reached a certain grade because the school has gone downhill rapidly in recent years and it was not the school I wanted them in. I thought I had one more year of "peace" until that time.
Then I learned about Common Core State Standards.
There is a plethora of information of on many blogs. I have a list on the fan page I have created: https://www.facebook.com/notes/parents-and-educators-against-common-core-in-louisiana/helpful-websites-groups-and-fan-pages/174245322724830
You can find a lot of great information on that list.
I won't rant too much here, I'll save that for the fan page. But I implore you to do your own investigating...do your own research, learn what Common Core is REALLY all about, read articles from BOTH sides, not just what the government is putting out. I have actually read the curriculum (for my children's grades.) I have actually read the boring details, the sample tests, seen the applications for textbook authors. Nothing you say will change my mind about Common Core, I am against it and it has solidified my need to homeschool.
And although I love my children with all my heart, and I'm becoming at peace with our new situation....I am MAD. I am PISSED that my husband works 50+ hours a week in the outdoors, sweating, hurting himself, busting his butt to pay taxes for an education we will not be able to use because now the system will be so corrupt, I cannot trust them to do the job we are PAYING them to do. I will not be able to use the FREE homeschool program with the state because it uses the same Common Core Standards.
Am I mad at teachers? No. I was a teacher, I have many, many friends who are teachers, and many of them are just as appalled as I am. Many have been struggling handling these standards and teaching the nonsense to the kids. This is not a new problem. It's been downhill since No Child Left Behind was inacted. This is the icing on the cake, the last piece of ice that brought down the Titanic.
I am looking at this as a lesson, as something God wants me to hear and learn.....surely he must be working on my patience if he wants me to be with my children nearly 24/7. I fully anticipate more purchases of wine, vodka and chocolate.
In theory I respect and understand the idea of home schooling. Now to actually implement it...well, that will take great prayer and preparation. I am prepared to have to shut down my Etsy shops, or only keep my wholesale customers. Shops can be reopened, the kids are only this age once.
When I sat down and looked at it, it really wasn't much. H is in 2nd grade, so 3rd for next year. So it's what ten years for him to home school. Thirteen for Eli.
It really sounds wimpy when I look at that....when I realize what a drop in the bucket of time that is. I will have plenty of time to "be alone" when they are older. Not to mention as they get older, they learn more independently. It's not as if this is a prison sentence...30 years to life. 13 years...less if they go faster than their grade 'suggests'. Can I not make this sacrifice for their education?
I don't know what will happen, none of us do. Maybe Common Core will get repealed and I could put them back in school. I know at some point I'll have to do a couple of years of "approved" home study by the state, which means dealing with their curriculum at some point but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. We can't predict the future...they could make homeschooling illegal!! I won't put it past them.
In the meantime, I prepare, talk to them, research curricula, make lesson plans, think of field trips. H is genuinely excited to homeschool and I must capitalize on that.
This may be the greatest reason to homeschool. When I asked H, "Why do you want to homeschool, what do you think it'll be like?" He replied, "I can play outside, work on computer, read, and do my work and learn in peace and quiet." That is telling. He just wants to learn in peace and quiet. I can't help but think school is crushing the desire to learn!
So here we go, down this new road.
Hope there is a daiquiri shop on the way...
~~Amy
Why the change? It wasn't exactly by choice. I had decided to homeschool my boys when they reached a certain grade because the school has gone downhill rapidly in recent years and it was not the school I wanted them in. I thought I had one more year of "peace" until that time.
Then I learned about Common Core State Standards.
There is a plethora of information of on many blogs. I have a list on the fan page I have created: https://www.facebook.com/notes/parents-and-educators-against-common-core-in-louisiana/helpful-websites-groups-and-fan-pages/174245322724830
You can find a lot of great information on that list.
I won't rant too much here, I'll save that for the fan page. But I implore you to do your own investigating...do your own research, learn what Common Core is REALLY all about, read articles from BOTH sides, not just what the government is putting out. I have actually read the curriculum (for my children's grades.) I have actually read the boring details, the sample tests, seen the applications for textbook authors. Nothing you say will change my mind about Common Core, I am against it and it has solidified my need to homeschool.
And although I love my children with all my heart, and I'm becoming at peace with our new situation....I am MAD. I am PISSED that my husband works 50+ hours a week in the outdoors, sweating, hurting himself, busting his butt to pay taxes for an education we will not be able to use because now the system will be so corrupt, I cannot trust them to do the job we are PAYING them to do. I will not be able to use the FREE homeschool program with the state because it uses the same Common Core Standards.
Am I mad at teachers? No. I was a teacher, I have many, many friends who are teachers, and many of them are just as appalled as I am. Many have been struggling handling these standards and teaching the nonsense to the kids. This is not a new problem. It's been downhill since No Child Left Behind was inacted. This is the icing on the cake, the last piece of ice that brought down the Titanic.
I am looking at this as a lesson, as something God wants me to hear and learn.....surely he must be working on my patience if he wants me to be with my children nearly 24/7. I fully anticipate more purchases of wine, vodka and chocolate.
In theory I respect and understand the idea of home schooling. Now to actually implement it...well, that will take great prayer and preparation. I am prepared to have to shut down my Etsy shops, or only keep my wholesale customers. Shops can be reopened, the kids are only this age once.
When I sat down and looked at it, it really wasn't much. H is in 2nd grade, so 3rd for next year. So it's what ten years for him to home school. Thirteen for Eli.
It really sounds wimpy when I look at that....when I realize what a drop in the bucket of time that is. I will have plenty of time to "be alone" when they are older. Not to mention as they get older, they learn more independently. It's not as if this is a prison sentence...30 years to life. 13 years...less if they go faster than their grade 'suggests'. Can I not make this sacrifice for their education?
I don't know what will happen, none of us do. Maybe Common Core will get repealed and I could put them back in school. I know at some point I'll have to do a couple of years of "approved" home study by the state, which means dealing with their curriculum at some point but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. We can't predict the future...they could make homeschooling illegal!! I won't put it past them.
In the meantime, I prepare, talk to them, research curricula, make lesson plans, think of field trips. H is genuinely excited to homeschool and I must capitalize on that.
This may be the greatest reason to homeschool. When I asked H, "Why do you want to homeschool, what do you think it'll be like?" He replied, "I can play outside, work on computer, read, and do my work and learn in peace and quiet." That is telling. He just wants to learn in peace and quiet. I can't help but think school is crushing the desire to learn!
So here we go, down this new road.
Hope there is a daiquiri shop on the way...
~~Amy
Friday, March 1, 2013
Spring Break Plans
It seems crazy to me to be planning Spring Break activities while the kids are just returning to school from a week off because of Mardi Gras. (It's no wonder they can only get ten days off unexcused...they have too many darn vacations!)
But alas, Spring Break will be here before we know it, and I need to have some plans. So I of course turn to Pinterest to get some ideas!
**Exploding KoolAid Bath Tub Paints. (Could be done outside too.)
**Another fun one from the same blog: Clean Mud
**Snowball eating, because the snowball stands are already open now, so I look forward to 1-2 yummy frozen goodies!
**Requested trip to the Aquarium. The oldest had asked to go during Mardi Gras vacation but I was not about to take us to New Orleans during Mardi Gras! Contrary to popular beliefs not EVERYONE down here celebrates or enjoys that season. So we shall check out the fishies, have lunch in Woldenberg Park and watch the ferries and barges go by :)
I don't like to overplan. We'll have plenty of outside time, TV snuggles, walking the dog, riding bikes, playdo, yummy snacks and more!
~~Happy Spring!
But alas, Spring Break will be here before we know it, and I need to have some plans. So I of course turn to Pinterest to get some ideas!
**Exploding KoolAid Bath Tub Paints. (Could be done outside too.)
Image from: BathActivitiesFor Kids
**Snowball eating, because the snowball stands are already open now, so I look forward to 1-2 yummy frozen goodies!
I don't like to overplan. We'll have plenty of outside time, TV snuggles, walking the dog, riding bikes, playdo, yummy snacks and more!
~~Happy Spring!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Finished Projects and What's Happening
Here's a little bit of what's been on the hook lately and what's been new :)
I discovered on a cold night I was a walking advertisement for handmade...
We did a little park time...yes...they are wearing shorts and t-shirts in winter. Thus is Louisiana.
I did a little crochet while the boys played.
Played a little ball at Grandma and Grandpa's. He can smack the ball pretty hard...I see a baseball team in his future..
I worked on some hats and cozies for the shop. These baby hats were so fun and bright on the dreary winter days.
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His and her mug cozies :)
I've been free from work since January 11th and I have yet to get back in the swing of home life. It's either been appointments and meetings..then I got sick, then my oldest got sick and has been for six straight days (I may very well lose my mind.) I'm looking forward to everyone getting healthy and mama getting her groove back!
Hope your January is going well!
~~Amy
Friday, January 18, 2013
Resting Up
So today was my first week being "free" from the temp job....Well I suppose I'll be rebooting my routine next week because I spent the week at meetings, running errands with my dad and a doctor trip to find out I had strep again. So it's Friday, here I am recuperating...doctor's orders!! So what shall I do? Blog, edit pics and crochet while catching up on Netflix!
But come next week I want to attack my schedule. I have tried to work out times to clean, blog, work, exercise. I will be limiting my Facebook and online work to certain times. I'm sure I'll get sucked in (damn you Pinterest...) but I'll do my best not to!
I like routines, schedules, lists. I also like knowing I'm not BOUND to them....I'm not a fan of deadlines, but do well with structure and a routine.
And since we will be again listing our home for sale, I'm going to need those routines to keep the house clean and up to par for showings...as best one can with two kids, a messy husband, a dog and two guinea pigs....I need more wine.
So, I shall sit on my behind today, crochet and netflix the day away and rest up for my busy week next week, which still includes a day off of school for the boys, a field trip and doctor's appointment for E, and bringing H's guinea pig to school for show and tell! PHEW. I'm tired already. For now, yarn and coffee.
Later taters!
~amy
But come next week I want to attack my schedule. I have tried to work out times to clean, blog, work, exercise. I will be limiting my Facebook and online work to certain times. I'm sure I'll get sucked in (damn you Pinterest...) but I'll do my best not to!
I like routines, schedules, lists. I also like knowing I'm not BOUND to them....I'm not a fan of deadlines, but do well with structure and a routine.
And since we will be again listing our home for sale, I'm going to need those routines to keep the house clean and up to par for showings...as best one can with two kids, a messy husband, a dog and two guinea pigs....I need more wine.
So, I shall sit on my behind today, crochet and netflix the day away and rest up for my busy week next week, which still includes a day off of school for the boys, a field trip and doctor's appointment for E, and bringing H's guinea pig to school for show and tell! PHEW. I'm tired already. For now, yarn and coffee.
Later taters!
~amy
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