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I'm sharing today over at The Homeschool Village about sneaking some learning in during the Summer. Have you heard of the Magic Tree House Passport Program?  Check it out, and inspire your children to read!

• Summer is time for creative learning fun ~guest post @ The Homeschool Village

So, bloggy friends, do you have a deep-seated need/compulsion to keep the learning happening even during the Summer? Or, do you give your kids and yourself a much needed break?  Or, do you do a light schedule with lots of down-time? 

Labels: guest posts, homeschool

Today was our 1st day of Summer homeschool.  Teddy was out for a week vacationing with his grandparents, so we took the week off, also.  Now that he is back, I started in on my Summer plans for learning.  First up:  Mad Dog Math.  This is a program for learning your Math facts.  We are working through the multiplication/division series, but an addition/subtraction series is also available.


I purchased the homeschool binder edition.  Also available is a homeschool computer program and then a School program- both binder and computer.  I kind of like paper and pens ;)

I set myself up for some angst when I first brought it home- and kept putting off opening it till I had a chunk of free time to sit and read through the instructions and time for photocopying the drills.   

Sheepish admission here...when I did pop it open (late at night during an asthma breathing machine episode for Demi..I figured, hey, I'm awake...!) I realized that no prep work/time/reading was needed.  I was happily disabused of that notion.  I didn't really need to make copies, either- the drills are intended to be worked with handy wipe- off protectors and a dry erase pen. :)

Today was our first day.  We spent the morning reviewing our 2 times tables, using the flashcards that came with the program and then I had the kids write them out a few times, and we chanted them.

Next came the timed drill.  Demi and Teddy made the 2 minute club, Amie had a bit of trouble, so she will be working with me tonight on them and then doing a slightly different 2 times drill tomorrow.

Tuesday, the kids will move on to the 2 division facts.


 A Full review coming soon after we have used the program a few weeks, promise!

*disclaimer: I purchased Mad Dog Math at a discount in exchange for my honest review here  -keeping it all so real and legal, blog friends ;)

Labels: curriculum, homeschool, Math

The Homeschool Mother's Journal



In my life this week…
I've been super-crazy-busy.  We are wrapping up our last days of homeschooling.  We had our last learning record meetings for our homeschool-charter schools- this involved some preparation on my part..um, not my strong point.   I am also busy looking ahead to next year, busy planning on curriculum purchases and having to make sure our course plans for Meg will satisfy her charter school requirements.

 In our homeschool this week…
With our 3 youngest students, we continued our studies with Apologia's Exploring Creation with Astronomy.  We did some narration, a crossword puzzle, read some colorful and interesting library books, and then we did resist-watercolor paintings of the planets and sun in our solar system.  I really wanted to make a styrofoam solar system model...but realized that with my inner Jenn-ness, it wouldn't happen in a timely manner, so- watercolor paintings seemed the quicker way to go!

We survived the finishing up of Meg's term paper, also. Whew!  It was a bit of torture, but at the same time I am so happy with the Biola Star Program she is taking classes through- I am beyond thrilled with the level of work that is expected of the students.  Yes, it's a bit of work for the parents too- but I know she is learning so much and will be prepared for college by all this stretching.  Saying that, I am still glad that the semester is drawing to a close and grateful for the Summer break!


 My favorite thing this week was…
Our whole family, including the dog- heading to old town to watch Demi's martial arts class and then heading to the farmer's market.  The evening was just beautiful, the weather- perfect!

 What’s working/not working for us…
Narration was a really good thing this week.  Not working- Well, I decided to end my struggle to finish up Sonlight core 2 and just move on and sell it.  It's just not my favorite core.  We are still using Sonlight and I am looking forward to doing Core 3/4 with the kids next year.

 Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…
I am hoping I can find more of next year's curriculum used- I have found a few teacher's manuals that I need, buying them used is a big help to our budget :)

A photo to share…

Our solar system resist-watercolor by Amie

how was learning in your home this week?

Labels: homeschool

Labels: family, homeschool

photo by eileenberedo-used with permission

We had standardized testing a few weeks ago.  It's part of the package of using a homeschool charter school.  It doesn't bother me, I don't change anything about our homeschool because of it.  My kids look forward to it, there is usually a huge crowd of kids to play with on testing day.

Most years, a week or two before, it will occur to me that I should prepare them a bit.  So, I will maybe look up the standards for each grade and then introduce any concepts they haven't seen before, just so they won't panic or feel dumb.  Most years I do this, but then some years, I don't.  This year was one of the years that it didn't occur to me.  No big deal, I thought.

I forgot that Amie, my 3rd grader is my school-book loving/intense child.  She has learned some of the times tables sitting in with Demi and Teddy, but I never even thought about discussing division with her.  Oopps! -it looks like division is on the 3rd grade standards.

So, when I arrived to pick up Amie on the first day of testing, I found my baby girl totally in tears.  I felt so bad.  It was partly that she heard the teacher call me to say she was done, and she got my voicemail....because I was driving.  I didn't call back, because I was 10 minutes away and on my way...but Amie began to worry I wasn't coming, and then on top of that was the whole division sign that she did not recognize.

I used hand motions when I told Sky about it later.  Me- standing there with buckets of mom-guilt pouring over me. Not sprinkling over me- pouring over me, like a waterfall.

So, how do you give a homeschool mom guilt?  Having a child in tears over not knowing division -Bingo.



We will continue working through Math U See this Summer, and I am going to add in Math drills, so the kids have their facts down cold.  Math games, too- are on the menu, because Summer is about fun, right??

I'm not a Math person at all....I kind of have an aversion to flashcards.  This whole section of school is a bit hard for me.  For Josie and Meg, I had them write times tables everyday in a notebook- over and over and over again.  They got it, but it wasn't any fun.  I'm thinking I've got to shake things up a bit for my 3 youngest students...the boys don't really have much patience with writing.

So, I stumbled on this program called Mad Dog Math.  It's a whole system of drill work sheets already made for you and organized for you...with directions, and timers, and clubs.  I need hand-holding with stuff like this.  Yes, theoretically it should be easy enough to type up times tables on the ol' computer and print them up and administer them....but somehow I don't ever get past the thought... so, I've learned it's best for me to find something with the planning already done.

I'm pretty excited!   The kids, they don't know yet....

We start next week! :)

summer of math, math, math...summer of math, math, math...

Labels: homeschool

Labels: homeschool

.In my life this week…
I continue to be incredibly busy driving my kids to and fro.  Meg is currently taking a driver's ed class- so relief is on the horizon, but we have to drive her to the class two evenings a week.  Spring break is coming up, I am looking forward to using the time to re-organize my homeschool books and set some aside to sell.

In our homeschool this week…
We finally received  Meg's California Exit Exam results in the mail.  Since we homeschool through a charter school, my kids have to participate in the yearly standardized tests- and have to take the exit exam to graduate.  I have to admit I was on pins & needles about this. Usually, I don't worry at all about the yearly tests, and I do not teach for the tests ever.  But for me, this one was different. It was kind of grading my job as a teacher.

The public schools start the exit testing in 10th grade, in order to give the students the ultimate amount of chances to keep taking it if they fail.  I'm happy to report that Meg passed it on her first try, whoo-hoo! :)  Mom did a happy dance.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
This week, we had music recitals for all the kids.  Meg's was on Saturday, and Josie, Demi & Amie had their piano recital on Sunday.  Meg played a duet with Josie.  We've had the usual lessons, a trip to the library, a trip to the yogurt shop, and the skateboard park for P.E.

My favorite thing this week was…
was watching my kids perform at their recitals.  A joy- definitely!  A close second were the test results...Sky is going to treat me to Cheesecake factory for my victory celebration.

What’s working/not working for us…
Listening to books on tape during lunch is a good thing.  Not working- um, pretty much my disorganization!  I'm hoping to work on that next week.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…
trying to figure out curriculum for next year. We are planning Meg's course work for next year, and I am very excited about the classes she will be taking through the Biola Star program.  Josie will be joining her as a freshman.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
Demi & Teddy at the yogurt shop


Meg's test results! :)



You can link up to this sweet meme over at The Homeschool Chick

Labels: homeschool

 Tuesday we headed out to the park after our studies were done.  It was a beautiful day in So. Ca.
The kids, Emma-the-wonder-labradoodle and I went to the park to enjoy the day, the playground, and to walk.  We picked up Shamrock Shakes on the way.

Shamrock Shakes are a really good memory from my childhood.  I make sure to pass on this special treat to my kids.

Yum :)

  


I decided after this splurge, that maybe we should try making our own at home for St. Patrick's Day.

I tried:


(doubled this to make enough for my crew)
I put a banana in the first batch to make it healthy...but decided you could taste the banana too much.  It was still good, but not the same Shamrock shake taste I was going for. 
 

Labels: family, homeschool

In my life this week...



I'm really struggling with getting it all done.  Our home, my life, my desk-is cluttered.  I need to get a handle on things, but I just don't have the energy.  I feel like I move from one event to the next.


In our homeschool this week...

I am excited that we will be starting A Child's Geography with my 3 youngest students.  Josie might be sitting in, if she is interested. 

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

Karate lessons, fencing lessons, Irish dance lessons, piano & violin lessons, Meg's highschool classes. Whew, I'm tired already!  We traditionally go out for shamrock shakes for St. Patrick's day..I'm debating if we should try home-made this year.  The shamrock shake thing is something I remember from my childhood, I love to share this with my kids :) 

My favorite thing this week was...

watching Sky and the kids prepare the garden for a new season, and filling up the bird-feeders again. 

What's working/not working for us...

I am really liking Writing with Ease with the 4 youngest students.  I am a bit frustrated working through Story of the World 4 on our own, we decided not to spend money on another Sonlight Core for Josie, and I am already frustrated with myself and my stumbling with finding books at the library to supplement.  I was really spoiled with Sonlight, having all the books I need on my shelf. Sigh.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...


 I just need to get better organized, no surprise there, but oh how I struggle with this.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...




*you can join up with the Homeschool Mother's Journal here at the Homeschool Chick!

Labels: homeschool

He: "I don't want to skateboard today, can't I go sit at the bookstore, read and get a hot chocolate instead?"  Me: "no, skateboarding is p.e. and Teddy really looks forward to it, it would be boring by himself, you are his friend, you need to get out there."  He: "did you bring us a snack?" [full accusation in tone, he knew I did not]  He: "can we at least get donuts afterward?"  He: "will you take us somewhere later?"  

This whole scene left me thinking about his/my/our relationship with God.  This week in our devotional reading we read Isaiah 40:1-3  "...make clear the way of Jehovah; make straight in the desert a highway for our God."

Labels: devotional, family, homeschool

Labels: homeschool

So much of what I do is pieced together.  I would love to be able to say that we've used such-n-such curriculum for so many years.  I'd love the safe feeling of having one curriculum to fulfill all our needs; one program to follow year after year-insuring no learning gaps.

I'd love to be that together.  Okay, I'd love to seem that together.  But I'm not. {obviously}

What I am, it seems, is eclectic.  And meandering.
And rambling. 

I was contemplating the other day on how my homeschool life seems to be one of making homeschool soup.  We use a bit of this, a bit of that,  the recipe this year might taste great, but next year I will change it up a bit.

We just started using Writing With Ease by Susan Wise Bauer for writing with the 3 Littles and for Josie.  This is week 2 and I'm loving it, still.  That 's a good sign, right?

I love the philosophy behind her method, I love that she is a college writing professor, beside homeschool mom- and that she obviously knows what she is writing about.  I love that the directions are in the front of the book, and I can tear out worksheets at the back.  -remember my worksheet lust?

A review will be forthcoming, after I've used it a few weeks, promise. :)

Here are a few other stand-outs in our years of making homeschool soup:

• Five in a Row.  -gentle.  If you are starting out with littles, I encourage you- do this, a smidgen of Math and that is all!

• Headsprout phonics -online!  Because I am too tired/bored to teach phonics. again. -and my boys won't sit still.

• Story of the World.  I keep coming back to this.  The activity book has worksheets! {lust}

• Growing with Grammar - I was a diagramming fool in Jr. High. Diagramming makes me happy and squishy inside. -nerd much??

• Math U See.  the lesson each week is on video.  Each week is predictable, we do a page a day and then a test. :)

• Abeka cursive handwriting

• Sonlight.  -this has made homeschooling my elders much simpler. I love the books.  The lack of worksheets brings me seriously down, tho.  -I tweak, I stir, it comes out good...

Labels: curriculum, homeschool, show and tell

Monday was a really good day, at least homeschool-wise.
Well, beside the part about my van needing to be towed to the dealership twice in one day.  Yes, we towed it there twice.  Second time is the charm, I hope :) 

So, Monday was a really good day, we got so much done.  The secret?  I planned ahead.

Yes, 11 years of homeschooling- and I don't plan ahead much.  {secret confession}

Sunday I sat down, and not only did a smidgen of preparing, like I am apt to do...but I sat down and typed up schedules for DD16 and DD14 for the week.  I haven't been doing this, since Sonlight gives me these nice schedules all done (love it!)  

But, DD14 just finished Core 6 and we decided we don't have the funds for Core 7- so I will be putting together a History reading list for her, based on Story of the World vol.3 (which I adore). 

DD16 does very well working with her Sonlight Core 100 schedule and using her syllabus for the classes she takes through the Biola Star program (Physical Science, Lit & Comp) but..she tends to get a bit free and loose with her other subjects.  I realized I need to type up what she needs to do for the week, so I can see when she doesn't do them...ahem.

I also planned out which subjects I wanted to tackle with the 3 younger students- and we started our first day with Writing with Ease .  The day went by very smoothly and clockwork. 

LOVE IT!  Sky is not surprised, it is a logical way to do things, but of course I am not logical.

I hope all of my bloggy-friends are having a great week, too! 
And that you don't have to tow your van ;)

Labels: homeschool, homeschool planning, sonlight

A fellow homeschool blogger on the hive boards suggested we dare to chronicle the less than wonderful moments of our homeschooling week.  I am convinced no one really wants to see how messy most of our bedrooms are right now, or the pile of laundry in my room, or the toothpaste gobs my younger two kids leave everyday on the sink.

Every.
Day. 

Maybe it'll change your perception of me to know that I do not clean up those globs everyday, or make the two guilty persons clean it up everyday...but I ignore it for about a week and then clean it up/or make them clean it up.
I'll spare you the photographic proof.


I will share our Friday with you, however.  This is what our dining table looked like after we finished our lessons for the day.  We finished up, and then all my obedient, loving children scattered to the four winds, leaving this mess.  Kind of makes me want to scatter, too.  The one good thing about doing our schooling at the dining table is that the books do need to be put away by dinner time, at least.

So, my kids scattered- and I began putting the books away.  I looked over my shoulder and noticed this stellar moment happening behind me.  The three youngest students had gone straight to the couch in the family room and turned on the wii.  I looked over and was struck with their slack-jaw/mesmerized expression and remembered this blog-dare.  I knew this would be the moment I would capture.

Notice, for bonus points, the unfolded laundry piled on the foosball table.  I have a laundry "nook" with no counter space, so I usually put clean laundry on the foosball table until my kids fold it and distribute the piles to their respective owners. 

So, is a little bit real good to read on a blog, or can too much real be a turnoff?                                            

Labels: homeschool

I love fresh starts, and I love being a homeschool mom- because I have two fresh starts every year.  Each Fall brings a new school year- new plans, new books.  But, each January also brings me the traditional fresh start/ new beginnings.  I’ve found that January is the perfect time to re-evaluate what we are doing in our homeschool; what is working, what is not, what I need to actually open and use…

 I am writing today about A Fresh Start for your Homeschool over at
the Mothers of Boys Society (M.O.B. Society)

-click on over to read the rest :)

Labels: guest posts, homeschool, mothers of boys society

watercolor snowflakes

I shared in this post *Trying about wanting to implement new teaching techniques into our homeschooling, specifically, Waldorf art and rhythm/ritual.  My struggle is in finding time to

• 1st- research what I am wanting to learn about

• 2nd- find materials/ methods that would be a good fit for us, or figure out how to adapt them. 
• 3rd- find time to gather materials 
• 4th -Implement 

I had several interested comments, so I am going to blog about the steps I am taking as I explore Waldorf homeschooling.

First, I went to my go-to place for homeschooling advice- The WTM boards.  I posted a question about Waldorf rhythm for older kids and about Waldorf art more specifically.  Several wonderful replies pointed me to inspiring blogs, a few websites, and a book or two to order.

I ordered "Painting with Children" by B. Muller - on strong recommendation, and then
"Beyond the Rainbow Bridge" - a book I had considered purchasing a few years ago, but decided not to because my children are older...I wish I had ordered this before- it was very helpful. 

I really like how Amazon shows you books others have ordered after purchasing the book you are looking at, and how they have lists people make of different book interests.  There were several books I am planning on ordering, Seven times the Sun- is one I wanted, but was out of stock.
Heaven on Earth, and Making a Family Home were also recommended, I was going to wait and see if I got them as gifts- my birthday is coming up...but now I don't think I can wait that long, so I will probably order them myself :)

The trail of research led me to the Bearth Institute- a very faceted site that I still haven't fully explored.  They offer grade curriculum e-books, something I got overly excited about at first- because I always am tempted with the idea/hope that one curriculum purchase will answer all of my needs...after reading some threads on the WTM boards though, I realized that while the Waldorf homeschool curriculum style might have been fun for K and 1st- we are at a point where I want something that moves along faster and is a bit more rigorous.  So, back to adding in art and rhythm to our day... :)

The Bearth Institute does have helpful articles on Waldorf, podcasts, videos and e-books.  I ordered their e-book titled Waldorf Rhythm and stages: from preschool to grade 8.  They also sell small blocks of their homeschool curriculum, I am seriously thinking of ordering the Grade 4 Geography Block to play with. 

The blog Our Little Nature Nest- is a treasure trove detailing the learning days of homeschooling Waldorf.  I found this post- Our lessons this week-measuring time really helpful for seeing what Waldorf lessons look like.  I really liked this learning block- this is what has tempted me to try a lesson block on for size.

The blog, Hawaiian dreaming- has a great list of Waldorf links- this blogger pointed me to the one above...

Labels: homeschool, homeschool planning, waldorf

We are wrapping up our study of knights and the Medieval age with Sonlight's Core 2 World History.  I love Sonlight, and it is really working with my 8th and 10th graders...but lately, with my 3rd and 5th graders- we are just not feeling the love with the Usborne Book of World History and the Usborne Time Traveler.  They are interesting books, don't get me wrong...but they are difficult for reading out-loud, the kids lose interest.  They are nice for the individual kids to sit with and read, but they are just not working for our group learning.

• What happened next cards

• the life of a knight tab book

• Where did knights live?

• design a shield

• Kn in Knight phonics add-on

• Protecting the castle

• Code of Chivalry

• Bible verse cards

• Vocabulary cards

Labels: homeschool, sonlight

Life has been really crazy-busy for me this school year.  It reflects mightily here on the blog, my posting has been pretty scattered.

My scattered days are leaving me a bit frazzled, and also leaves all the duties and cares in my life undone, half-done, forgotten, late and/or messy.

And yet, or maybe because of all this, I find myself yearning for a change in our homeschooling, back to our more Charlotte Mason/ art-centered learning.  I yearn for more order, more rhythm, more purpose.

A few years ago, searching for the how of rhythm -to- my day- (yes it's a re-occurring theme for me) I looked a bit into Waldorf homeschooling, but could only find books that seemed to center on young children- and also there are some parts of Waldorf that I don't feel are compatible with my faith-another post, perhaps.

So, here I am a few years later, on the same restless search for order/rhythm...and I found some really wonderful/beautiful/inspiring Waldorf blogs.  The wheels in my brain are already turning with lesson ideas, art ideas... Here's the thing though:  So many of my days are crazy/busy that I don't have time to plan, don't have time to gather craft supplies.  
The paradox: I want to make some changes in our learning days..but I don't have time to plan changes in our learning day.

The next few weeks on this blog will hopefully follow changes we make- changes I will try to make...I am reminded of a quote from The Karate Kid: "there is no try, there is only do".

Do any of you struggle with being inspired to try something new, explore a new learning philosophy but find yourself too busy to research and plan?  Frustrating?  Yes.


What new things are you exploring lately?

Labels: homeschool, homeschool planning, Jen's world

 Crazy Homeschool mom is asking for our school outside the classroom experiences.

Today, after we finished our lessons, after I fetched Meg to and fro for riding lessons, and after we had lunch...we packed up and headed for the skateboard park.  I love skateboard park days, because for my 3 youngest students, I count this as p.e.  We stay for 2 hours or more.  That's 2 hours of playing, riding, balancing, running, jumping, sweating. 
  



and hey, do you see how empty this very popular skateboard park is?  We try to hit it as early as we can, homeschool = wide open playing most days!

click over to Crazy Homeschool Mama if you'd like to link up your awesome world classroom days.

Labels: homeschool, memes

Labels: devotional, homeschool, Jen's world