Monday, May 31, 2010

May 31,2010

Happy Memorial Day!!

And with that being said, there are 'still' a lot of changes going on...

I was all set to purchase the additional material for Noah Plan, (along with the extra books I planned to use) when I found this link a friend on facebook posted-

What is it?

This is a unit study-based curriculum, grades k-5, ALL subjects.
And it's
FREE!!!

The only cost is additional resources for arts and crafts and such.  Occassionally you may need to add a book.
:)
I couldn't resist, this sounds great!
I still plan on using Time4learning every other month.   I am also planning to add a few of my 'childhood favorites' to their reading list.

 I've thought about it, and will also use Abeka's Language Arts resources/math resources as well.  The unit studies, they're great! Don't get me wrong.  I do, however, question how much I can teach on the grammar area..  The  math from Abeka will also be a grade lower, so it will be great review (plus, it's spiral), to make sure they 'pick up' those facts!  The fact that 'a year lower' with Abeka is nearly the same grade, just adds to it;)  And it's only every other month.

That's our big change. 
Colette also found her Preschool
Disney offers this with all her Playhouse disney characters, teaching them letters and numbers in a fun way.  She's only three, knows 'no' letters,  but can still figure it out through their cues, play and have fun. 
Every morning she wakes up to do her 'pre-school'...even though everyone else is taking a summer break;) lol..

Well, that is our change.
Happy Homeschooling!!:)


Wednesday, May 26, 2010

May 26, 2010

Wow
Some changes are coming soon!!!!

Am  I scared?
Well..a little.

Do I think I can do it?
I sure am going to give it a try!

It's the 26th, the month is almost over.  Time4learning will be put on hold and I, yes 'I', the  unorganized mom will be put in the front-seat to teach!
ARRGGGHH!!
(is that how you spell it??) lol..

I am waiting till June and July to get all the great deals on homeschool materials (hopefully there will be one in Noah Plan).  So I don't have the Literature Guide yet, but I did get the  math guide on amazon-25 cents!! Wow, that was a deal. Just saved me at least $20, and that guide will be good through grade 12:) Even better!!

I was thinking of starting out with Little House in the Big Woods.  We'll read it together. I  probably won't have the literature guide till part way through, but we can improvise a little :)  At least then we won't be taking 'one huge break'.

A little scary, will have to write out the next months plan (while they are doing time4learning) at work.  That way I will stay on top of things.  But I think this will work out much better then what we've been doing.  Now...who's going to clearn the house??? Hmmm...going to have to work on that one.;)

Happy Homeschooling!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

May 19, 2010

Kids went on a field trip to the SPCA,
and it was
AWESOME!!


Wow, and did we get pictures!! 
Over 80! Wow.
This little guy 'and' his sister were both adopted before the tour was over.
Another wow!!

They got a tour of the facility, got to pet the dogs, cats and even got a chance to feed the dogs biscuits.  So we had a great time. 

I've also fallen back in love with Noah Plan.  Although I love Time4learning, I've considered alternating one month Time4learning and the next Noah Plan.  That will give me time to plan for that month.

Anyways, that's the idea.
Happy Homeschooling!!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

May 11,2010

Got my new Veritas Press catalog in the mail today,
now I know what everyone is excited about!


This is a self-paced history/Bible class in one!  It starts history from creation, (which would qualify it -for me- to be
Bible), and then goes on from there to present time.  It's all online, and the kids watched a video of a sample lesson and really enjoyed it.  It does cost a little much, so I am going to have them take it together.  The course is very thourough, having quizes and tests and such.  It even has a book list where they can read books that go alon with the topics they will be studying.

To complete all history (and get to present day), it will take 5 years!  My oldest will be in grade 8 by then-wow!!  It is that complete, full of a bunch of needless facts and such to memorize, that get reviewed over and over! ;)-DH will like that, lol..can you tell???-don't care for history at all!!
Which makes the program even more exciting, as they don't have to see my negative attitudes toward history, they'll have a lot more fun  doing their history lesson online (complete with quizes and games and fun!)

So this is exciting, and I am eagar to get them on it. 

This is the latest news.
Happy Homeschooling!

Friday, May 7, 2010

May 7, 2010

Time 4 Learning has been great!!
Love it!!
Rachel has been reading a chapter out of the history text each day from Christian Liberty Press.  I would say, by the end of the month, she'll be done with the book (if not, almost).  That is a whole year book, in one month.  Wow!!  Then it will be time to move on to a different subject.  It is a grade 4 book, afterall, don't want her to get too far ahead and not understand. :)

We do not take summers off, just a lot of breaks here and there.  I don't really pay much attention, as our umbrella school is an 'unschool', so everyday is a learning experience.
Therefore-they are ALWAYS attending :)

We purchased Timezattack

This is an excellent way to learn your multiplication!  She loves the game, and is learning on her own.  I would like to ask them if they have games for other math concepts as well...but I've looked at their site, and don't think they do.  Anyways, this has definately saved us the hassle of flash cards, that work for short term memory (with us at least), but cause her to retain next to nothing.  Now she NEEDS to learn to get to the next level, and she has to answer fast.  So she  works hard not to forget.  Once she has a motivation-she doesn't forget as easily.

I'm considering signing her up for a writing class this summer.  It's a writing/theater class...affordable.  Hmmmm....still thinking on that one...

I purchased a Noah Plan curriculum guide off ebay, grade 1. I bought it for $23! This includes s/h.  I had planned to sell it, as it can easily go for $40 in July.  But the more I look at it...I kind of like it.  I had looked at it when 9yo was in grade 1, but the books they use are very advanced (about grade 3/4 level..and reading it to a grade 1???) and it didn't make sense to use them for a grade 1.  How much would they really pick up?  But now...I am thinking about using this in between the Time4learning months...it's a lot of work, but a very good curriculum.  A lot of reading...not sure I will see my 9yo smiling about that, lol...

Well, enough with that!
Happy Homeschooling Everyone!!