2012-2013 Curriculum Choices

Day 2 of the Back to Homeschool Blog Hop

Topic:  Curriculum



 

Like most homeschool Mommas, curriculum makes me giddy.  There is something about starting a brand new study or a new book with crisp clean pages that makes me happy on the inside.  This obsession great interest is one of the reasons I'm thrilled to be a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew.  This past year with TOS has introduced my family to some wonderful products.  You will see that our experiences greatly influenced our curriculum choices for the 2012-2013 school year.  (All titles in red were decided upon after using a crew review product.)  I anticipate that the crew will give us many more items to add to this list as the year goes on :-)   

 

Jeremiah & Caleb (2nd Grade)

• Horizons Math 2
• All About Reading (finish 1 & 2)
• All About Spelling (finish 1 & 2)
• A Reason for Handwriting
• Explode the Code (supplemental)

        

     

 

Rachel (Kindergarten)

• Horizons Math K
• All About Reading Level Pre-1
• Get Ready, Get Set, & Go for the Code
• A Reason for Handwriting - K

 

All

• Bible /Apologetics:  Apologia - Who is God? And Can I Really Know Him?

• Writing:  Write Shop A

• Science:  Apologia - Zoology 1:  Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day

• History:  Mystery of History: Vol 1 

 

• Various read-alouds, fine arts, physical education, and unit studies

 

 

 

 

 

Miscellany Monday - Mostly "The Home Edition"

It seems I'm behind on updates, so hear is a random post.  Well, probably not so random since it will revolve around our preparations to move... like everything these days.

1)  House updates:  we now have a new roof, new gutters, a re-surfaced driveway, improved landscaping, a new front door, new flooring in the kitchen, updates fixtures in the bathroom, and an in-process decluttered house.  Still to come:  a painter for the entire interior, new windows across the front of the house, ripping out carpet in our bedroom, and continued decluttering.

2)  Due to our decluttering efforts, we have made so many trips to Goodwill in the past couple weeks that Rachel has decided she would like to work there someday.  High aspirations :-)

3)  It is so freeing to get rid of the massive amount of STUFF we have accumulated.  The kids have their toys organized in bins in their room.  They can actually find what they want to play with now that we've cleared out all the junk.  They have been real troopers and totally get giving things away.  I love their generous spirits and their lack of attachment to the "things" in their life.  I thought there would be more battles, but they honestly gave possessions away freely knowing they would bless others.  (Insert Proud Mommy moment!)

4)  I have no clue when our house will actually be on the market.... really hoping in the next couple weeks.  Sooner the better in my book!

5)  This past week, I took a whirlwind, overnight trip to Nashville to scope out a house with the hubs.  It would have been fine, but not quite what we're looking for so we decided no.  That stinks, but it was good to have a little time with Jon during the week.  The kids got to spend a couple nights with friends and swim which they loved, so it all worked out well.

6)  The rental house hunt in Nashville is proving more difficult than we had hoped.  It seems everyone has an opinion on where to and where not to live, but none of them align.  I'm coming to the conclusion that every suburb/community has a great area and not so great area.

7)  Since the for-sure decision is to simply rent for a year, I suppose I'm ok living about anywhere.  However, when it comes to buy, I think I'm going to be pretty picky.  I was always just "ok" with this house.  It has served our purposes well and has been a nice place to live, but I have more requests for our next home.  I want to REALLY LIKE it... if not LOVE IT!!!  My main request SPACE... if we're going to fill it up with kiddos we have to have room for them :)  Space for visitors would be nice too.

8)  Due to storm damage, we were without power for 40 hours this weekend.  Therefore, our realtor couldn't come take pics as planned, and my to-do-list didn't get tackled with as much vigor as I had hoped.  Ughhhh!  In addition, this prego Momma was hot, irritable, and emotional.  I had a stress-induced, ugly cry, meltdown Saturday just because I'm a bit overwhelmed.  It seems that no matter how much progress is still being made there is still so much to do.  Combine that with pregnancy hormones and solo-parenting throughout the week, and I think a breakdown was warranted. 

9)  I miss having my hubby home all the time :)

10)  We are in the beginning stages of chores and allowance.  There isn't a concrete system in place, but $$$ is definitely a motivator.  I'm getting lots of help around the house.

11)  I miss having a lazy summer or at least a busy FUN summer.  We've been tied to the house as of late, so the kids haven't gotten to be out and about enjoying all the great activities offered this time of year.  Yes, I do feel tremendous Mommy guilt for this :(  If we can just hold on to September, we'll all enjoy a much needed beach vacay!

12)  I'm in homeschool planning limbo.  I wanted to start early since we'll take off a bit when the baby is born.  However, I'm not sure how in depth I want to get knowing a move is just a few weeks out.  A dilemma that I have yet to solve. 

13)  I have an idea for a modified workbox system for this year, but I've not had the time to sit down and really iron out how it will operate. 

14)  Prego update... I'm 18 weeks.  At my 16 week appointment, I was told to gain weight.  It's not often fat girls get that direction :)  I've tried to be more conscious about that the past couple weeks, but only little progress has been made.  I have a feeling I'll be hearing more about that in a couple weeks.  While I may have only gained 4 pounds to date, my belly suggests otherwise.  It has popped way out and I'm noticeably prego... not the awkward is she just fat or is there something baking in that oven guessing game.  It's obvious.

15) I can feel the wiggle baby moving and that's always fun.  Can't wait till Jon and the kiddos can feel too... I think that will make it more real to the littles.  Although, I've noticed the past week that Caleb especially is all cuddly resting his head on my belly a lot.  Maybe he's getting it a little more!

16)  August 13th, we find out pink or blue.  Then, I'll have to get Jon to take my let's choose a name game seriously.  Trying to find something he doesn't veto is nearly impossible, but I have a couple favorites.  I'm holding out hope!!! 

17)  My batteries got recharged at church yesterday.  Great worship, our preacher was back with a wonderful message, and there were lots of baptisms.  Praise God!!!

Method to Our Madness

It's TIME!!!!  The Schoolhouse Review Crew welcomes you to the
Back to Homeschool Blog Hop!
Today's Topic:  Homeschool Methods

So this homeschool thing, how exactly does it work?  Do the kids sit in little desks, raise their hands, and call me Mrs. Wells certain hours of the day?  Does chalk dust fly after we say the pledge and complete silent reading?  Yeah... not so much. 

While there are some homeschool families who choose to school-at-home or replicate the public schools, there are many other methods used such as:  Charlotte Mason, Classical, Unschooling, Unit Studies, Notebooking/Lapbooking, Delight-Directed, Computer-Based Distance Learning, etc.  I can't say that we fit neatly under any of these headings.  Eclectic probably fits us best with a bent towards Unit Studies and quality Literature.

Starting out, based on others glowing recommendations, I went with a boxed curriculum.  While some elements were a good fit, we dumped the rest before Christmas.  Then, through reviewing products, lots of research and blog following, and really getting to know how my kids learned best, I began piecing things together.  At this point, it seems that we pull each subject from a different source.  With the boys working as 2nd graders this year, I've amped up the rigor of our studies and added a couple subjects for the coming year.   It will be interesting to see how that works.


While some subjects such as math still remain very paper and pencil driven, my wiggly boys and short attention span gal get so much more out of our homeschool when we use a very hands-on, experience-based approach.  Yes, I'm a stickler for using proper terminology, but even in my public school classroom days, I always wanted my students to have the opportunity to discover an idea/concept/etc. through their senses before ever naming or labeling it.  Why?  You are much more likely to remember what you saw, heard, touched, etc. and the emotion you felt than a random vocabulary word.  Experience first allows the kids to firmly embed the information before being responsible for rattling off facts and figures.  Because of this theory, we  LOVE field trips and try to include them often in our homeschool.


In all honestly, I don't believe there is a right or wrong way to homeschool.  However, in knowing your children, you will be able to tailor the method to what serves them best.  This is one of the great beauties and freedoms we enjoy as homeschoolers.  We don't have to operate under a cookie-cutter mold mentality that is aimed at the middle of the road student and leaves the gifted and struggling students behind.  Instead, we can challenge our kids in areas they excel, give them extra assistance where weaknesses lie, expose them to the vast world and many cultures that surround us, foster a life-long love and learning, build and strengthen the family unit, and most importantly in my book, teach them to surrender to and serve Almighty God on a daily basis. 


Take a little hop by clicking the links to the participating blogs below.  You'll find a wide variety of homeschooling methods are employed within this group.  If you look closely, you'll find some amazing giveaways too.  Stop back by tomorrow and peruse the curriculum our family will be using in the 2012-2013 school year. 

HearBuilder Following Directions (Review)

Don't you ever listen to a word I say?  Really, how many times do I have to repeat myself?  For the fourth time, please go do....  Does this sound familiar?  At my house, I find myself saying these things repeatedly.  "Listen - The First Time" is quoted so often, but unfortunately, it is still a struggle. 

When HearBuilder Following Directions showed up on the Schoolhouse Review Crew's vendor interest form, I knew this was a product needed in our home.  This CD-rom software program is designed specifically for children ages 4-9.  It improves their auditory skills and teaches them to follow increasingly difficult directions.  All of this is accomplished in a playful, non-threatening atmosphere as the kids are acquiring these skills while learning to be "master toymakers."  Hmmm... what a concept!  Insert toys and kids seem motivated to learn about anything :)


Available for use with either Windows of Mac, HearBuilder Following Directions has children demonstrating knowledge of 40 basic concepts in five areas:

• Basic Directions (colors: red, blue, green, yellow)
• Sequential Directions (first, second, third, next, then, last)
• Quantitative and Spatial Directions (choose all, both, none, one, two)
• Temporal Directions (before, after)
• Conditional Directions (if, then)

 

While all of the kids have used this program, the boys weren't as in to it as I had hoped.  I suppose being used to playing games on the XBOX or DSi, this game didn't hold their attention as well.  Rachel seems to be benefiting the most from the focused study on listening carefully and developing the necessary auditory skills for following directions.  She is working hard and progressing through the program.  When she completes her work, I will definitely have her start the program again and work though at a higher level.  The ability to individualize the program and set the level of difficulty are educator features that I both appreciate and utilize.  Additionally, educators can identify and print learning objectives, add background noise at any level, monitor progress, track data, and print customized reports. 

Below, you can watch a video with more information on HearBuilder Following Directions. The home edition of this product retails for $69.95.  Then, with any $20 minimum order, the USA and Canada get FREE SHIPPING.  As if that's not already a fantastic deal, Super Duper Publications is offering an additional 30% off Hear Builder Following Directions until August 31, 2012. 

Use Coupon Code: BLGFD30.

Members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew reviewed a couple other Super Duper Publications products: HearBuilder Auditory Memory and Jeepers Peppers.  Be sure and click the button below to read the reviews.  Also, I encourage you to view the Super Duper Publications catalog  online or request a print catalog.

Disclosure: I was provided this product free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Coming Soon - Back to Homeschool Blog Hop

The Schoolhouse Review Crew will really be hopping July 30-August 3, 2012.  Happily hopping for the 5 Days of Blogging — Back to Homeschool Blog Hop!  Along with over 70 members of the Crew, I will be sharing a bit about our homeschool and our preparations for the new school year.  Learn more about our methods, curriculum, planning, classrooms, and co-op participation.   

While I'll be posting on the daily topics, I'm most excited to read what my fabulous crew mates have to share.  I know they will have incredible tips, thoughts, and ideas.  Check out the list of great bloggers participating, and be sure to stop by next week and glean from their wisdom.  I do know some blogs have some incredible giveaways that will be going on, and you don't want to miss out! 

Fungus Fighting Success

FUNGUS FIGHTERS - WE DID IT!!!!

100 tubes of anti-fungal cream are on their way to AHOPE.

Because of your generosity, some little ones in Ethiopia will get some sweet relief.  The HIV+ children at AHOPE for Children will have the medicinal cream they need to treat the fungus that runs so rampant.  Thank you so much for your partnership in attending to the needs of the very least of these.

Not only do you have my thanks, but AHOPE extends their great appreciation as well.

_________________________________________________

I cannot tell you how much we appreciate your hard work. To you and those who donated, our heartfelt thanks!

Best wishes,
Leslie C. Wadler
Development Director
AHOPE for Children

Keyboarding for the Christian School (Review)

Procrastination...  I've been one to do it my whole life.  Maybe I work best under pressure?  Maybe I'm lazy?  Not sure of all the whys and what fors, but I know it to be truth. 

One thing I put off was learning how to type.  It was actually the last semester of my senior year of high school when I finally joined the freshmen in Keyboarding class.  Most of my school career, I got away with turning in handwritten papers much to the chagrin of some of my teachers since my signature writing style is a unique mixture of curly-cue cursive and slanted print.  Then, for the few things I had to type, I employed the ever popular hunt-and-peck method or had my Mom type it for me. 

Knowing that college was in my future, I bit the bullet and learned to type.  Turns out it is quite the valuable skill :-)  In this case, I don't want my children to follow in my footsteps.  Being that technology surrounds us, it is important that my kids are computer literate and comfortable with their fingers on the keyboard even at this early age.  

As a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I had the opportunity to review Keyboarding for the Christian School with my children.  Being that they are 5, 6, and 7, I selected the large font elementary version.  A cute little lady bug, Mabel, introduces each of the 32 lessons - all of which contain a Scripture verse and detailed instructions.  The content covered includes: technique and posture, alphabetic keys, numbers and symbols, the numeric keypad, centering, and enumerated lists.

Geared for students in K-5th grade, the pacing is slow and steady.  Children are introduced to new letters gradually, practice patterns, and then promote to words.  This traditional approach probably resembles the way in which you learned to type. 

Since the majority of homeschools operate on a 36 week calendar, this e-book is perfect.  Having 32 lessons and concluding with 10 timed writing exercises, one lesson each week would still give your kids ample time to complete the Keyboarding for the Christian School program.

My little ones are working rather slowly through the program, but they are having a grand time.  The only snag has been their small hands.  They do have difficulty staying in home position and reaching all the keys.  However, this little issue hasn't dampened their enthusiasm.  Do I think they could sit down and type a polished paper at this point?  No.  Do I think they are very familiar with the keyboard and have memorized the location of many of the keys?  Absolutely!

Keyboarding for the Christian School, Elementary Edition, is available in both regular and large font.  Both e-books retails for $12.95.  However, for a limited time, the author is offering my readers a discount.  Use the code: SUMMER2012 to receive 20% off.  This offer is only available through 8/29/12, so don't delay! 

As always, I encourage you to give the Sample Lessons a try.  This will allow you to determine if this program is a good fit for your family.  Likewise, you are going to want to click the button below to read what other Schoolhouse Review Crew members are saying. 

 Disclosure:  I was provided a complimentary e-book in exchange for my honest review.