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!!

May 11,2010

Got my new Veritas Press catalog in the mail today,

now I know what everyone is excited about!

http://resource2.veritaspress.com/Resources/Scholars_Online/Scholars_Online_New_Self-Paced.html

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!

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

www.timezattack.com

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!!

Time4Learning

www.time4learning.com

We started Time4learning and the kids are 'loving' it!! Their animated lessons are bright, humorous at times and have no problem getting my kids attention.  They get on (by themselves), do their lessons (no questions/help from me) and then play games.  Later in the week, or the next, I pull up their account and check their grades.  It's that easy! 

I love it because not only can I use it as a curriculum, but I can also place the account dormant (reduced fee) for a month to do other things as well.  For example, my 7yo is on it this month, while my 9yo reads her  history textbook and works on her literature reading and spelling.  Next month we will 'swap'!

Time4learning is great for any family, whether you want more 'traditional' or 'online', you can have it both ways!!  As said before, mine do their online one month, and their traditional the next. My husband is more 'traditional' and wants the kids to learn with textbooks and such...I think school should be fun.  

With this program, we can have both!! 

April 16, 2010

Well, I think I have mastered this 'unorganized' thing, lol...

We have been doing our reading, with a 'special chore' each day (if you do the chore, I will give you a $1 for each chore.  that is 1 special chore a day, it could add up to $14, and the chore is only like 'clean living room'.

No, they won't do it.

I've instilled the 'no going outside till your room is vacuamed and cleaned.

No-go.  They don't want to go outside anyways...

If I were awake during the day, I could take care of this stuff.  But I think just having the rule of 'clean your room'-extra chore (that they get paid for) optional, isn't too much.  Oh, well.

We remebered to do math the first day.  Our math only consists of a game (Rachel is working on memorizing her multiplication/Gracie her addition.  Next month the plan is double-digit mutliplication/additon) but yes...got to work on remembering that one...

Oh, well.  Today is another day.

Happy Unschooling!!

Or whatever in the world it is that I'm doing;)

April 13,2009

This is our first day of unschooling!! :)  Actually, consider it a compromise in a way...   This month we will 'attempt' a hands-on, family education.  Kind of like unschooling...kind of like Charlotte Mason, I guess;)  Always loved her hands-on ideas..  Anyways, alternating each month will give us an idea as to what works best. 

9yo 'loves' dogs, and I found out that our SPCA has a Critter Camp in July!! :)  Unfortunately it is full, but we put her on the waiting list, so here's hoping.  It's only a week, but I know she'll have a good time there.  Very exciting! 

Anyways, those are really the only changes.  We're debating whether to start Latin in June (I guess whether Rachel gets into the camp will determine that).  I was thinking, if we try to learn Latin together, that will open the door for all the languages of South America, at least a third of Europe and many other countries that have a French-origined language.  Will try and make it fun...and apply it to common things in their life.

Okay, that is it.  Happy Homeschooling!!

March 10, 2010

Saying Good-bye to another actor I grew up with

:(

Cory Haim had a on-again/off again struggle with drugs.  Last heard, he had flu-like symptoms, was taking prescription drugs, but they don't know if he tried to mix anything...autopsies will show that.

This is a perfect example for kids-stay away from drugs!!

He first started using drugs on the SET of the Lost Boys.  On the SET!!  They were simple drugs, but they escalated.

His movies (that I have watched/remember) include:

Lucas

The Lost Boys

License to Drive

I will (mainly because of age) plan to watch 'Lucas' with the kids.  A plan to show where Cory Haim was, and could had been,  but couldn't.  All based on a one-time decision, where he should had walked away.

Good-bye Cory Haim. 

I only pray that you could rest in peace, but I don't even want to think about that..