A New School Year-the old school way

This summer has passed so quickly.  I haven't even posted to my blog!  I've tried, but had issues getting pictures to upload.  If I can't have a picture, I don't want to post.  :)  Anyway, tonight it worked.  Maybe I can play catch up in the near future.
Besides traveling a lot this summer, my mother has had serious health issues.  We've all been stressed and had extra running and things to do.  Last week I realized that I had not even planned our new school year.  Those who know me, know that I'm normally ahead of the game when it comes to planning and scheduling.  I started last week planning out which books we would use (we follow a Charlotte Mason approach with Ambleside Online).  Once the books were ordered-either online or from the library, I started thinking about a schedule.  Wouldn't you know it, our printer is acting up!  I've always, always, typed up and printed out our schedule. Not this year or at least not this term.  I was able to print one blank form and make copies-that's it!  Honestly I'm thankful that I could get that much out of the printer.  I set to work tonight writing out the schedule.  I have the first six weeks done.  That will have to do for now.  Who knows, I may stick with this old school approach.  I'm thankful just to have my girls at home and be able to homeschool them.  I'll gladly hand write the schedule.  Jeremiah 29:11

School day in Canada

We arrived in Canada a few days ago. So far we've been to a volleyball game, ice skating twice, shopping, carved pumpkins and visited with several friends. Today one of Grace's friends invited her to go to school. She was excited to go along. I can't wait to hear all about her day.
The picture shows Grace about to leave for school at 8:30. We're always surprised at how dark it is here in the mornings .

Logic or literature ???

Maybe we could classify today's school project as logic. Lol! Yesterday we purchased this Jane Austen puzzle at our local book store . This morning, after Bible and chores, it sat on the kitchen table beckoning. We couldn't resist. The four of us jumped on it before the school schedule could be opened. What a happy Friday morning! Now to frame it and put it in our school room. You know, maybe we could count this as literature. After all it is Jane Austen!

First day of school

The public schools in our area started back on August 15. That's a bit too early for us to jump into a full schedule. This year we're easing into it. August 16 was the first day of co-op classes for us. We haven't participated in a co-op in several years. I signed up this time because so much of what they offered was what we were going to be doing anyway. Plus it's just fun for the girls to be with their friends at least one day a week.

So, here's our official '1st day of school 2011' picture:

Emma is 2nd grade, Grace 8th grade and Mary is 9th grade.

A new (school) year

Every year at this time I get so excited! A new year-not on the calendar, but for school. At first I have to admit that I stress. What shall we do this year? Last year we took the plunge and totally changed our curriculum. This year, we're changing back. It was good for a while but we prefer the old way. We like the classical approach to homeschooling our girls. I especially love us all piling up on the sofa or spreading a blanket in the yard and getting to read to my girls. I like mixing the 2nd grader with the 9th grader.

So, I've purchased all the supplies for the year. I just love stocking up on colors and paper, pencils and notebooks. Grace and I organized the school room yesterday. Most of the books are back in alphabetical order. The supplies are grouped together all neat and orderly. We bought new maps and have hung them. I got a new binder for our schedule and a new day planner from SCM (I've used these for several years and they're my favorite). Today I'm actually working on our schedule-hope to be finished before next week.

Speaking of schedules, I know some people who don't use them at all. I can't imagine schooling this way. I love to have our school year mapped out. I want to know where we've started and where we're heading. I like to set goals and reach them. If I get it on paper it somehow helps me to organize my mind. I was especially happy one day when our pastor spoke of how our God is an organized God. He plans/planned things out in detail. Just look at the Bible! So....maybe it's not cleanliness that's next to Godliness, but organization! :)

You may be curious as to what we're doing this year. Ambleside Online is my absolute favorite approach to schooling. We've used it for several years. It's based on Charlotte Mason's style of teaching. My big girls are 8th and 9th grade. We'll use some books from Year 8 and some from Year 9. They'll be going to a co-op 1 day a week that will offer IEW (an incredible writing program), Apologia Biology and History (concentrating on documents from the same time period as AO)and Bible. We'll have Saxon math, Latina Christina and Rosetta Stone Spanish.

Emma who is 2nd grade will have English for the thoughtful child, Apologia Botany, All about spelling, Prima Latin, The Story of the World and Rosetta Stone Spanish. At co-op she'll do science experiments, history (Biblioplan), Bible, memory, language, chorus and logic games. I haven't chosen a math program for her yet.

I'll post our detailed schedule and the complete book list later. For now I'm in my element planning and anticipating all the fun we'll have learning together. I'm so blessed to be able to stay home and teach my children. Visit soon...there's more to come.

Math Rider Review

Everyone always says that hindsight is 20/20. I truly believe it. Looking back, I feel there are so many mistakes that I've made in teaching my children. Poor Mary and Grace. I'm trying hard to do better with them. Hopefully all of my mistakes won't leave 'permanent damage'. LOL! Fortunately for Emma, she's getting to reap the benefits of being the youngest.

One of the concepts I regret not reinforcing is speedy mental math computation. I thought as long as my children mastered fundamental math, they didn't have to have speed. I've learned the hard way, that I was wrong. Because of this my older girls had to play catch up. With Emma, we're starting this now. Lucky for her, TOS let me review Math Rider.

~Math Rider lets your child practice addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with numbers 1-12 all while playing a game instead of doing a 'sometimes boring' worksheet. The software is formatted so that each game is custom tailored to the rider. That way your child gets the practice they specifically need .An overview map of mastery is given for each number table which allows the parent to see how their child is progressing.

~Learning takes place in a land of fantasy and quests. Various noble adventures abound in the Land of Ray on a horse named Shadow Each operation contains four quests ranging from easy to master. The game is designed so that a younger child can complete just addition and an older child can focus on multiplication and division, but also revise their addition and subtraction as well.

~Up to 10 players can be on a single license. The game tracks each rider's progress and results individually.

~$37 for an instant download. Plus there's a 30 day risk free guarantee.

~What is my 7 year old's opinion? Let's just say I don't have to beg her to do her math. I can't imagine any child who wouldn't want to ride a horse through a beautiful, enchanted land and earn rewards for doing their math. This "mastery of mathematics in a land of adventure" is a truly creative way to memorize math facts and have fun.

To read other reviews on this site, please visit the TOS Crew blog.

*For the purpose of this review, I was given a free subscription to Math Rider. No other compensation was received. This review is based on my opinion of the site only.

America's Math Teacher Review

I have to admit that Math is not a favorite subject around our house. When I got the chance to review America's Math Teacher for free from TOS, my children weren't exactly screaming with joy. Fortunately, for me, America's Math Teacher was not painful at all. LOL!

First of all this program is a web-based math curriculum with printable worksheets for $195/year. It covers Basic Math (grade 4) all the way to Algebra. It also meets NCTM (National Council of teachers of Mathematics) standards. The site is divided into:

Learning Center-video tutorials, printed exercises, quizzes and final exams.

Exercise Center-access and download printable exercises and review problems.

Evaluation Center-pre-tests and final exams (also available at the Learning Center)

Resource Center-information, glossaries and games. Our favorite is the speed drill-try to beat your time on whatever level of problems you're currently working.

Your child can initially watch the short video (lessons worked out on a white board), complete the written exercise,then check her answers in the solutions section. At the end of each section she will take a quiz. After each course there is a final exam.

What I like:

• It's web-based-no books to carry around.
• Your child can go at her own pace.
• The videos explain/teach the new concept
• No grading on the parents part

If you'd like to read more reviews about this product and many more visit the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog.

*Thanks to TOS I was able to review America's Math Teacher for free. My review is totally based on my opinion of the product only. No additional compensation was received.

Our little school

Want to take a peek inside our school room:

Unfortunately, we don't have the opportunity to study this way every day. When the weather is as beautiful as it has been lately we just can't resist but to move to our favorite place.

Charlotte Mason (1842-1923) was a British educator who's teachings we closely follow. She believed that children should be outside at least 4-6 hours a day.

"Never," she writes, "be within doors when you can rightly be without."

I agree.

Online School Solutions

One of the many things I love about homeschooling is that there are so many options out there. In my 8 years of teaching the girls, we've used everything from basic textbooks/workbooks, a classical approach with living books and this year we'll be changing to an all computer based curriculum. One avenue we personally haven't explored is online schooling. Recently I read about an option in our area- The Keystone School. I was really surprised at what I learned. They offer the typical subjects and electives that you would expect from any 'school'. In addition to that they have certified teachers available for support, along with a learning coach and guidance counselor. For those hs parents who work or are just super busy, this would take a real load off of them.
The part I liked the best were the extras. I know that some homeschoolers can feel really alone at times. Keystone has an online social hour for the students to 'hang out'. They also have discussion boards and a newsletter. For those who travel often, as we do, they have a cultural experiences seminar where you can share your travel experiences. All of these things are available for the middle school students. The high school students have these options along with being able to join the National Honor Society, write for the newspaper and participate in a virtual graduation.
The one and only downside I saw was that it could be a bit pricey for some families. Besides that it really seems like a wonderful way for middle and high school students to receive an education and socialize while still being able to keep a very flexible schedule.

Taking Another Path

Those of you who know me personally, know I'm crazy about schedules for homeschooling. We have a weekly schedule that I print from Ambleside. I then make a daily schedule from this.
I save these each year as a part of our school records. Now, first of all, don't think we follow these to the letter. With our extra-curricular schedule sometimes there's no way to get it all done. I really just like knowing where we are and being able to see what's left to accomplish and the approximate amount of time it will take to get it done. This school year, with traveling, moving, etc we've gotten behind. We have a very heavy reading load anyway-to get behind is to fall into a deep hole! LOL! Lately we've been pushing to get caught up, slowly but surely.

In the midst of this we found out one of our daughters has a heart arrhythmia. Nothing life threatening or serious but something the docs say she won't outgrow. When this happened I was trying to explain to all the girls what was going on with Grace's heart. I realized that they don't know a whole lot about the heart or the circulatory system. That led me to one of our favorite places...the library. I came home with all of these:
We took one whole school day to read through all the books and discuss them. Then we watched a DVD on the circulatory system. Afterward I had the girls draw/trace the heart and label it.
Now we're in the process of working through a DVD on CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. This is all stuff that with me being a nurse, I'm crazy about. I think the girls might have enjoyed it too. I know for a fact that they learned a lot.

I'm glad now that I broke away from the trusty schedule for a day. Isn't that what homeschooling is all about-being flexible, following your interests and having the freedom to take another path? It works for us.

A quiet afternoon

The last couple of weeks Emma and I have been able to meet some friends at the library while we wait on our big girls to dance. This is such a sweet time for us for many reasons. Emma enjoys her little friend while I chat with her mom. I also feel it's a very cherished second chance that God has given me with my friend. Cherish I do every moment I have with her. I wish there were many more (I don't think she's quite up to that yet! LOL). Today, though, our friends didn't make it. It was very, very quiet at the library because all the computers were down. What a perfect opportunity for me and Emma. She did puzzles and built with blocks and we read tons of books (or so it seemed). Two of which Emma picked out all by herself that were so very good I thought I needed to pass them along.

Here was the first book: Degas and the little dancer by Laurence Anholt. Part of our homeschool curriculum includes studying famous artists. What family of ballerinas would not look at Degas? This book was really sweet and gave a kind of personal glimpse of Degas. In the back was a brief history of Degas-perfect for a 6 year old.Who wouldn't want to read about mice living in a tree?? This was so cute! The mice have a special 'festival' to celebrate winter. In the process, two mice children discover some secret rooms beyond the attic. The Secret Staircase by Jill Barklem is just precious!

I do hope our friends show up next time we visit the library but just in case they don't we can can always make new friends in all the unread books!

One reason I love our 'school'

No walls to box us in!

Our Classroom

Don't you love my office??? Nice and airy...great views.

I'd love to do school here everyday! I know the girls would agree.
Do you see the goose egg? There were lots more in the middle of the trees.

Some of our classmates. I'm partial to Canada's! Glad they made the long trip to join us.These two seemed to enjoy observing us. Aren't they beautiful?
Thank you sweet Mary for being the photographer (everyone likes Mom's new camera! LOL!)

School Days

We've finally started school! Because of our long trip, we couldn't start the 1st of September when we normally do. Instead I waited till we got back home and were rested. I have to say that things are going really well. I always like to have our daily schedules completed for the whole first term before we actually start school. This helps me tremendously to be organized. I like to use the forms at Donna Young. She has a form for everything! Let's hope the rest of the year goes as smoothly as this first week.

Coastal Wonders

I thought this summer would be slow and relaxing. Instead our calendar has been full! It's all been so good. The girls have done church camp, drama camp, Bible school and then Coastal Wonders. The last was one I knew they couldn't miss.

They went everyday, 8:30-4:30 for five days. These were not only fun filled days, but very educational. They learned things like the water cycle, paper-making, fish printing and migratory bird games. They went crabbing, seining, canoeing and on boardwalk hikes. There was also tye-dyeing, "wild" art and a portable planetarium. At the end of the day they had pool time and even an ice cream party on Friday. Who knew learning could be this much fun!

Chemistry???

Today in science class the girls started learning about the periodic table. Believe it or not they were truly excited about it. They definitely have their daddy's genes in them! LOL!

Flower Models

(Mary's is blue and Grace's is yellow)

Science class "away from home" was canceled for today which isn't so bad considering the weather is awful outside (pouring rain now and thunderstorms for this afternoon and tonight). The girls were terribly disappointed, but we managed to do our own project at home. We're using Jeannie Fulbright's "Exploring Creation with Botany" book for science at home this year. It's a fabulous book-lots of colorful pictures, easy to understand lessons and plenty of projects (our favorite!). Today the girls got to build a clay model of a flower. Simple, but something about forming the calyx, carpel, etc makes it easier to remember what these parts are.

Since we have tons of time today, next they'll be preserving a fresh flower. I can't wait to see how this turns out. Now we can keep a Valentine rose from Daddy forever!

Cell Models

Last week's science class was all about making cell models (animal and plant) from CANDY!!! What a clever teacher! After making the models the girls gave an oral presentation explaining what each piece was and what it's job is. Once again, science class was a hit!

Cytoplasm, Mitochondrion, Chloroplast...

Today my girls had there first "Home away from home school" science class. Mark and I both loved science in school (his degree is in Biology and mine in Nursing). We want to do everything we can to insure the girls have a good science background and most importantly, that they enjoy it.

For over 2 hours today they were immersed in "The Cell". They collected samples of pond water to look at under the microscope and surprisingly found their first look at Rotifers! They studied dead reptiles, algae,etc-all under the microscope. They were able to see a whole new world today thanks to the instruments and a teacher who is passionate about the study of life all around us.

They've always liked doing science, but today they didn't want to leave. The wonderful thing is that the teacher kept teaching (over our scheduled end time) as long as they asked questions and she saw the excitement on their faces. Not only was their interest in science fueled today, I can happily say they are now "on fire" for science. I'm sure I'll have more to post in the coming weeks as we continue on this new journey.

School Days!

We officially started school this week. Here's a picture of the girls-all excited and ready to go.