Behind Again....

I haven't posted a single thing since school began.  Must mean I'm a little bit busy ;)  Let me say, that previous sentence was an understatement.  I fly from the moment I arise to the moment I collapse at night.  So, these post will be more abbreviated than I had anticipated them to be.  I had hoped to go into detail with every little thing....blah, blah, blah....not gonna happen.  So, let's get started!

Learning Games

My next door neighbor school teacher took a new job this year and we were the beneficiaries of several new learning games.  Here is a picture of Leah doing one about patterns and Ella with compound words.  They love playing these games and it makes learning so much fun.  Thank you, Mrs. Stacy for these great games!!

 

Catching Butterflies

One of the many things I love about homeschooling is the ability to stop and take advantage of whatever gift God is showing us at the moment.  Leah had gone outside to take a break and came back in screaming about the biggest butterfly ever while running to her room to get the butterfly net.  So we went outside, captured it, studied it, and then let it go.  It was a nice moment in the day just to watch the wonder and excitement in them over God's creation :)



Making Pottery

One of our projects was to make some pottery jars like they used to store scrolls in during Biblical times.  MFW gave us a recipe to make some clay, but fortunately, someone had given the girls a gift of a pottery wheel.  This was a messy project, but as usual, the girls loved it....the messier the better as far as they are concerned :)  And, no, you can't see the finished projects because though they are painted, they don't have the jewels glued on yet (that's my fault because I keep putting it off in order to accomplish other things...bad Mommy).

World Cake

Ok, last one for tonight.....another of our assignments was to make a world cake with all of the continents on it.  My brain (and my pride) said, "Oh, I've got this.  This is gonna be good."  What is that scripture says??  "Pride goes before a fall."  Yep.  I had envisioned this great sphere shaped cake with blue fondant water and green fondant continents.  Well, the cake pan I used didn't give me the pretty round shape I had thought it would.  Then, I didn't have enough blue fondant to cover the entire thing.  Lastly, the continents weren't nearly as easy to cut and shape as I had anticipated.  So though Mommy was failing, the girls reminded me this was their cake and they wanted to cut the continents.  So each one got to cut a few continents and "glue" them onto the cake.  They had fun and we reviewed the continents and that was the point.  I am humbled so often throughout this homeschool process. 

 

So, there is a quick glimpse into a few of the things we've been doing.  I'd like to detail them all but God only gave me 24 hours in a day :)

The 2013-14 School Year Has Begun

We started back to school yesterday.  Both the girls were excited and we had a pretty good day overall. 

I wanted to share our curriculum choices for the year.  I spent much time researching and debating on what would be best for Ella this year (as far as Language Arts is concerned).  We always use My Father's World as our base.  It is so biblically based and I absolutely love and highly recommend it.  It covers subjects such as Bible, History/Geography, Science, Music/Art, Read Aloud, and other enrichment activities.  The projects are always fun and really help reinforce the lessons.  It comes with A LOT of books so I am not going to take a picture of them all (see July 17 post to get an idea).  But they are all SOOOO good.  Leah is in first grade and she will get an overview of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  Ella is in third grade so she started Exploring Countries and Cultures.  We will focus on how God loves all of the world and how to get involved and pray for all people.

Beginning in second grade, you have to supplement Language Arts and Math.  We actually started supplementing math in first grade and have chosen Alpha Omega Horizons.  We have been greatly pleased.

 

 



Though, again, I highly recommend MFW, I didn't like their choice of Language Arts for second grade.  Third grade is scheduled to be a continuation of second, so over the summer I set to researching what would be best for Ella this year.  I prayed over it and I must say, God (as always) came through.  Ella and I both loved every bit of LA yesterday.  I must say, it is quite a hodge podge of all different things, but I think this is best for her.  For Spelling, I chose Building Spelling Skills by Christian Liberty Press. 

 

For Grammar, I chose Language 3 by Abeka. 

 

For Reading, I chose Doors to Discovery by Christian Light Education.  The biblical/character lessons in these stories are astounding.  I couldn't be happier!!

 

Finally, for writing, I chose Daily 6-Trait Writing.  I must say, with this too, I am pleased.  



 

I never thought I would piece so many different things together...especially for just one subject...but I could not be happier with the choice.  It really seems to be exactly what she needed.  Praise the Lord we are off to a great year!!

Homeschool

Hard to believe I am about to enter my 4th year of homeschooling.  What a joy it has been.  Hard sometimes, yes.  But, overall, a complete joy!!!  I truly believe I am doing what God would have me to do right now.  Those moments that I get to really delve into spiritual truth with them and I see them "get it".....oh, so priceless.  Yes, we study math and english much to Ella's dismay ;) but there are some things more important than being well-educated by the world's standards. 

It's nice to get to do school in your pj's on a rainy day.  It's nice to have a picnic for lunch on a beautiful day.  It's a blessing getting to spend precious time with my children knowing they are only small for a short while.  But, don't get me wrong.  It's hard.  Lesson planning when I'd rather have some down time.  Worrying that they are really getting all they need.  Teaching even when I am sick. 

Yesterday, I went to Office Depot to make some copies for next school year.  My neighbor is a teacher and suggested I ask if I could get a teacher discount as some places give them to homeschoolers.  So when I asked the lady behind the counter, her response was that they only do that for "real teachers, not just people who don't feel like sending their kids to school."  WHAT???  Can I just say that I felt my chest get tight and I know my response had to be all over my face.  Yet, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the Scripture in James 1:26 that says "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."  Also, James 1:19 "...Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."  OK...deep breath.  Yet, she proceeded to ask my girls, "Do you like being homeschooled?  You like your mommy being your teacher?  Really?  You can tell me the truth, she's not looking?"  Oh my....I must move on....

"....people who don't feel like sending their kids to school."  I can only assume she meant people too lazy to get up in the mornings and get their children up, dressed, fed, ready and off to school.  Can I just say

Does this look lazy to you?  This is next year's curriculum.  I'm a little overwhelmed just looking at this picture...lol :)  Can I just say that to get my kids off to school would be easy.  To let someone else do all of the planning, teaching, having responsibility for their education.  If they went to school, we would actually have more money because I would be working more so we could afford more "things" that we currently sacrifice in order to homeschool.  I would have 8 hour sections of time to have ME time and sit on the couch, paint my toenails and eat bonbons. 

I know that homeschool is not for everyone and I am certainly not passing judgment on those who send their kids to "regular" school.  We may be there one day.  We are prayerfully taking this year by year.  I also know that everyone in the world doesn't hold to the same convictions that we do.  But, geez, why do others have to be so judgmental about homeschooling?  I've had to speak up at work even when people comment about how socially awkward homeschooled kids are.  Really?  Maybe some, not all.  But aren't their socially awkward people all over the world who went to "regular" school?  Just when I think homeschooling is becoming more of a norm, ignorant people open their mouths and spew forth ridiculous opinions. 

Honestly, though, I also felt a pang of conviction.  How often do I judge others because they are different from me?  So often we fluff away judgment in the name of "just my opinion."  {Big sigh}

Well, that's my rant.  Had to get it off my chest.  Wish me luck as we enter first and third grades :)

Leah's Kindergarten Graduation Celebration

I can't believe my little baby graduated from Kindergarten.  We had a small celebration with just a few family and friends.  I made homemade pizzas, cake and gave her a diploma.  I also made this cute banner that I couldn't seem to get a good picture of.  She is obsessed with dolphins so her gift was a Barbie dolphin trainer :)  Didn't get a picture of that either :(  The important thing is that she had a great time and we celebrated her accomplishment!!

Last Day of School

We made the last day of school this year a FUN DAY!!  We started the day with a few Minute to Win It games.  Then, we went to the park and finished our day with ice cream.  FUN!  Here are a few pix of the day......

Minute to Win It Games

We played several games and the girls had fun with this.   I had fun laughing at them attempt these silly games.

In the first game, they had to blow a cup from one side of the table off of the other end using just a straw. 

 The second game, they had to try an pick up 5 ziti noodles with a spaghetti noodle in their mouths....NO HANDS!  That is harder than you think :-)

 The next game, they had to move as many M & M's as they could from one plate to the next using just a straw.

 The fourth game, they had to put a dab of Vaseline on their noses, and move 5 cotton balls from one plate to the next, again, using NO HANDS!

 The last game, they started with an Oreo between their eyes and had to try and get it into their mouths using just the movement of their faces.  This, too, is harder than you think!

The Park

We went to the Millbrook park.  It is nice and shady on a hot day and has a fun creek for them to play in.

 

Ice Cream

Our last stop was ice cream from Bruster's.  They had a great last day of school!!

More School Stuff............

Posters, Timelines, and More !!  :-)
I just wanted to show a few things for those of you who may choose My Father's World Curriculum.  There are several ways to do things, I am just sharing ours.

First, this is the Names of Jesus Poster that Ella had to do in second grade.  Every two weeks, she learned a new name of Jesus as well as the verse that went along with it.  In addition to this, I used a book called God's Names by Sally Michael.  Both girls, and I, enjoyed learning about these names and what they mean and how they describe God and His character.

 

 Leah (kindergarten) was working through the letters and so she got to make a poster as well.  Each week she learned a new letter along with something that it stands for and a truth about God.  For example, A is for Apple...If I stay in Jesus, I will bear much fruit.  I love this because even now she will walk outside and see the sun and say "Jesus is the Light of the World."

 

 Each year we have to do a timeline.  The first year, I made life hard for myself and cut strips of posterboard.  Last year I got smart and used bulletin board border.  I just place the Command poster strips behind it and go from one side of the wall to the other.

 

 So, I must confess, this is not an original idea.  It came from Pinterest.  By the way, whoever invented that sight is pretty smart.  What a good idea!  I get sooo many ideas from there.  Anyway, I put these little eggs together right around Easter and it was a fun way for Leah to practice her blends.

 

All in all, nothing earth shattering, just a few of the things we do throughout the year and how we have chosen to do them :-)

Homeschool PE

We joined the YMCA in April.  One thing I found out they had was homeschool PE.  So, we signed up for the month of May.  The girls really enjoyed it, but I am not convinced we will do it again when school starts back (shhh...haven't told the girls that yet though).  The only real reason is because it makes for such a long day.  We had to do school first thing and be super diligent to get it all in  and lunch to be at the YMCA by 12:30.  PE lasted until 2pm then we ran home for a minute then to art class by 3:45 with pickup at 4:45.  Then, rush home to eat supper and be at church by 6:10 until 7:45.  Just makes for such a long day.  I know it's only one day a week, and there are lots of benefits;  hence why a decision has not yet been made.  Fun fact:  the leader's name is Cantina....same as my sweet cousin.  You just don't run into many of those. 

Wonder World

The first thing we participated in was a trip to Wonder World in Prattville.  The girls got to roller skate and play on inflatables.  They had LOTS of fun with this!

The girls hugging the wall.  Didn't take them long, though, to get the hang of it.

 

Group photo.  Look at all those poor undersocialized homeschool kids ;)

Swimming

The next Wednesday was swim day.  Clearly, this needs no explanation.  And, if you know my girls, you know this was a hit!

They are in the pink and purple (if you can't tell).

Horseback Riding and Archery

The last class was horseback riding and archery.  This was Ella's absolute favorite since she wants us to move to a horse farm ASAP.  She is quite the little persuader...always trying to convince me of why we need a horse and how it is completely doable.  Leah was scared so they let Ella ride with her and then let Ella make a round by herself.  Afterwards, they got to do some archery.  Ella liked it and had tried it before at Kids Camp at church but Leah chose not to participate in this one.  Shocker.