We had a fun time at my 6yo's kindergarten graduation. We threw a party at home and invited those families that really played a key role in his life this year. He was so excited to have both sets of grandparents in for the occasion as well. I made a video presentation highlighting his accomplishments in each area.
His dad and I presented him with a diploma and a Bible for which he had been asking.
Lots of fun! I can't believe that our first year in official homeschool is over!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
a few blogs I'm enjoying at the moment
Confessions of a Homeschooler - good info about workboxes, preschool and a very cool "Letter of the Week" preschool curriculum
Friday, April 16, 2010
2010 codeword: simplify
Our education plan for the 2010-2011 is going to look much different than the 2009-2010 school year. Mama needs to simplify. I feel like I need more guidance and more of 'packaged' program instead of coming up with all the lesson plans myself. I still firmly hold to a Charlotte Mason philosophy and I "think" I've found something to fit my plans.
My Father's World
First Grade is affordable ($239 for deluxe set - cheaper than I can scrounge for the individual items), together (just buy the package and they send it to you - wow) and (time-will-tell) looks like a lot of fun. Once I got past the hokey graphics (though they are very age appropriate and will probably make my 6yoB feel more at home with his own drawings), it looks really good. Though he's already much past the reading level, I will use the phonics instruction as spelling practice instead. The math looks fun - hands-on, slow-paced - just like I like it. Subsequent years in MFW looks much light Sonlight but MUCH cheaper. I'm really excited about using this.
Little Pim
For a little treat and intro into foreign language, I'm planning to purchase the Little Pim DVD's for use during drive time (which there is not much of lately) and for a morning break. My 6yoB is very interested in learning Spanish and we have new neighbors across the road who are Hispanic - so gives us an opportunity to practice!
Five in a Row
O
ur little 4yoG is needing something extra and I'm thinking about Five in a Row. I hope to continue teaching her how to read, but I also want to have more mommy-time with her. I checked the FIAR book last night and it looks great. Basically, you take one children's book (like Madeline
) per week and read it every day. The FIAR book contains different "projects" to go along with the children's book in the areas of Social Studies, Art, Applied Math, Language Arts and Science. The goal is to do one project per day for each content area. FIAR also has a cookbook providing recipes from different regions of the world to go along with the children's book of the week - french recipes for Madeline, s'il vous plait.
I've also considered the Language Arts section of Lesson Pathways to fill this need (and to supplement the First Grade curriculum as well), but I need to look into this more and make sure I'm not creating more work for myself.
Physical Education
My plan is to take the kids to fitness classes at our local athletic club beginning in October - when my then 1yoG can go to child care (and mama can go swimming!). We might also start ballet for the 4yoG and soccer or baseball for the 6yoB.
Sounds good to me! Any thoughts from anyone?
My Father's World
First Grade is affordable ($239 for deluxe set - cheaper than I can scrounge for the individual items), together (just buy the package and they send it to you - wow) and (time-will-tell) looks like a lot of fun. Once I got past the hokey graphics (though they are very age appropriate and will probably make my 6yoB feel more at home with his own drawings), it looks really good. Though he's already much past the reading level, I will use the phonics instruction as spelling practice instead. The math looks fun - hands-on, slow-paced - just like I like it. Subsequent years in MFW looks much light Sonlight but MUCH cheaper. I'm really excited about using this.
Little Pim
For a little treat and intro into foreign language, I'm planning to purchase the Little Pim DVD's for use during drive time (which there is not much of lately) and for a morning break. My 6yoB is very interested in learning Spanish and we have new neighbors across the road who are Hispanic - so gives us an opportunity to practice!
Five in a Row
O
ur little 4yoG is needing something extra and I'm thinking about Five in a Row. I hope to continue teaching her how to read, but I also want to have more mommy-time with her. I checked the FIAR book last night and it looks great. Basically, you take one children's book (like Madeline) per week and read it every day. The FIAR book contains different "projects" to go along with the children's book in the areas of Social Studies, Art, Applied Math, Language Arts and Science. The goal is to do one project per day for each content area. FIAR also has a cookbook providing recipes from different regions of the world to go along with the children's book of the week - french recipes for Madeline, s'il vous plait.I've also considered the Language Arts section of Lesson Pathways to fill this need (and to supplement the First Grade curriculum as well), but I need to look into this more and make sure I'm not creating more work for myself.
Physical Education
My plan is to take the kids to fitness classes at our local athletic club beginning in October - when my then 1yoG can go to child care (and mama can go swimming!). We might also start ballet for the 4yoG and soccer or baseball for the 6yoB.
Sounds good to me! Any thoughts from anyone?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
currclick freebies
Good stuff available for free in the CurrClick Easter Egg Hunt - including Miquon Math Orange Book and Inside My Body Lapbook with Study Guide. Check out the details
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
irish blessing
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
notebooking resources
Some very cool stuff available at NotebookingPages.com! I'm thinking about using their 50 States set when we study American History next year.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Books by G.A. Henty
I recently listed to a seminar on homeschooling boys and the speaker recommended books by G. A. Henty as good stories showcasing manly men. These are available for free at Project Gutenberg, but also for free via Amazon for Kindle. You can download a Kindle for PC application to read them on your computer if you don't have a Kindle.