Well, I'm glad I don't take myself too seriously, because I can't even keep up with doing a weekly blog! Oh well, such is the homeschooling life!
Things first semester went very well. For the most part, we're on schedule. Still moving along well in all subjects!
We've nearly completed one simple online English, which we do every year. That's why we're starting another soon. Starting the following in a couple of weeks:
Rod and Staff English
Writing With Ease Level 4
Story of Science (maybe)
Winter will NOT leave, so our town has had many snow days. We took a couple, but started back today for the semester. Our town was out again today, and may be out tomorrow! YUCK. We've both enjoyed today, I'm very thankful he still loves homeschooling. He has a hunger for learning more, and I don't want to squelch it.
We started Story of the World 2 today, and he was VERY excited about that. It's still one of his favorites. I've got a lot planned for this semester, and hoping to be able to do several field trips! More to come, hopefully I can blog a big more....but no promises!
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Weeks 10-12
This year seems to be ZOOMING by!! : /
It is a good year, I am thankful for that. I'm very thankful this Sweet Bean loves homeschooling.
We have had a busy month, hence the lack of blog posts!
Math is still going well, we are more ahead than I thought we'd be. So, that's good. He seems to like working mostly independently with it so far.
English is going very well, he is doing a fantastic job. We are about three quarters done with the basic english curriculum we do online. It's printable lessons, and quite a bit of writing. The plan is to finish it by December, and then I'll be ordering R&S for January through the summer. I kind of wish we'd have started that sooner, but oh well. Hoping it's a good one.
History is still moving along, focusing on famous people and U.S. History. He is still excited about SOTW 2, I'll probably add that back in January.
Science is still going great. He's finished one of the 5th grade workbooks, always loves those. I have another one for next semester. We're also still focusing on the human body.
Spanish-still going through our books very loosely.
He's started a typing program online that he loves, it's very interactive and kid-friendly. He's been catching on nicely.
Music lessons are going well, another recital is coming up in December. Art is also going well, although we've had to reschedule a couple of lessons. Hopefully things will pick up soon, he loves them.
He's read quite a load of books this semester. Here's the assigned/completed list so far:
"The Prince and the Pauper"
"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"
"A Journey to the Center of the Earth"
"Helen Keller; The Story of My Life"
"Jackie Robinson"
"Oliver Twist"
"The Time Machine'
All the Narnia books, except the last one (Starting this week)
"The Hobbit"
***He has to do a book report after each book, at least two pages.
As much as that sounds, one of his favorite parts of school is all the reading and writing. Go figure!
*Still need to order Writing with Ease, Science Curriculum I've had my eye on, and R and S English
*Want to find a good online (free) Spanish curriculum for him by next semester
*Still need to incorporate the Draw to Learn daily lessons, and Handbook of Nature Study lessons
Of course, there are days that aren't as easy as others!! We're human, ya know! But so far, things are going well this year. We'll be having a break for Thanksgiving soon, so we're looking forward to that!
It is a good year, I am thankful for that. I'm very thankful this Sweet Bean loves homeschooling.
We have had a busy month, hence the lack of blog posts!
Math is still going well, we are more ahead than I thought we'd be. So, that's good. He seems to like working mostly independently with it so far.
English is going very well, he is doing a fantastic job. We are about three quarters done with the basic english curriculum we do online. It's printable lessons, and quite a bit of writing. The plan is to finish it by December, and then I'll be ordering R&S for January through the summer. I kind of wish we'd have started that sooner, but oh well. Hoping it's a good one.
History is still moving along, focusing on famous people and U.S. History. He is still excited about SOTW 2, I'll probably add that back in January.
Science is still going great. He's finished one of the 5th grade workbooks, always loves those. I have another one for next semester. We're also still focusing on the human body.
Spanish-still going through our books very loosely.
He's started a typing program online that he loves, it's very interactive and kid-friendly. He's been catching on nicely.
Music lessons are going well, another recital is coming up in December. Art is also going well, although we've had to reschedule a couple of lessons. Hopefully things will pick up soon, he loves them.
He's read quite a load of books this semester. Here's the assigned/completed list so far:
"The Prince and the Pauper"
"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"
"A Journey to the Center of the Earth"
"Helen Keller; The Story of My Life"
"Jackie Robinson"
"Oliver Twist"
"The Time Machine'
All the Narnia books, except the last one (Starting this week)
"The Hobbit"
***He has to do a book report after each book, at least two pages.
As much as that sounds, one of his favorite parts of school is all the reading and writing. Go figure!
*Still need to order Writing with Ease, Science Curriculum I've had my eye on, and R and S English
*Want to find a good online (free) Spanish curriculum for him by next semester
*Still need to incorporate the Draw to Learn daily lessons, and Handbook of Nature Study lessons
Of course, there are days that aren't as easy as others!! We're human, ya know! But so far, things are going well this year. We'll be having a break for Thanksgiving soon, so we're looking forward to that!
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Weeks 8-9
So much for having time to blog daily, I'm having a difficult time just getting in a blog by the week! Oh well, such is life!
All is great, we are still plugging along. This little boy has been doing extremely well this school year. He has his moments, as every child! But he is still loving it.
Math is going well, we should be through lesson 70 by the end of the week. I can't say enough good things about Saxon! : )
English is going well, I'm hoping to add R & S by January, I think it'll be very beneficial.
I'm still adding Writing with Ease, Level 4 soon. Just haven't picked it up yet.
He finished "The Hobbit", and wrote the report last week. He LOVED that book, which I knew would happen. He also finished "Jackie Robinson", will be writing that report tomorrow. This week he will be starting, "Oliver Twist".
He's about done with one workbook for Science. We're still working on the unit about the human body, and have more projects to do before we move on from that.
Still doing U.S. History, will probably add SOTW2 very soon. He keeps asking about it. (YAY!)
Art lessons are going well, he looks forward to them every week. He's very proud of his work, and gives himself extra projects to work on in between lessons.
We have a recital coming up, so lots of practice this week in music!
Goals:
*Need to start typing program soon
*Have him do more in Nature Journal, alongside "Handbook of Nature Study". (I would love to carve time out for myself to do this, as well.)
All is great, we are still plugging along. This little boy has been doing extremely well this school year. He has his moments, as every child! But he is still loving it.
Math is going well, we should be through lesson 70 by the end of the week. I can't say enough good things about Saxon! : )
English is going well, I'm hoping to add R & S by January, I think it'll be very beneficial.
I'm still adding Writing with Ease, Level 4 soon. Just haven't picked it up yet.
He finished "The Hobbit", and wrote the report last week. He LOVED that book, which I knew would happen. He also finished "Jackie Robinson", will be writing that report tomorrow. This week he will be starting, "Oliver Twist".
He's about done with one workbook for Science. We're still working on the unit about the human body, and have more projects to do before we move on from that.
Still doing U.S. History, will probably add SOTW2 very soon. He keeps asking about it. (YAY!)
Art lessons are going well, he looks forward to them every week. He's very proud of his work, and gives himself extra projects to work on in between lessons.
We have a recital coming up, so lots of practice this week in music!
Goals:
*Need to start typing program soon
*Have him do more in Nature Journal, alongside "Handbook of Nature Study". (I would love to carve time out for myself to do this, as well.)
Friday, October 4, 2013
Week 7!
Birthday party was GREAT. The Bean and one of his friends had a meltdown after partying all day, and staying for dinner.....so that tells me it MUST'VE been a good one!! haha
Okay, on with week 7! I can't believe it's going by this quickly!
We are still moving along nicely, and the Bean is doing great in everything. He's still begging to start SOTW 2, but we're trying to get some U.S. History in. He has said, "I LOVE History, can we please do some more lessons today?!?!?". This was such a wonderful thing to hear!! Who knows, maybe I'll just do both. That's an advantage of homeschooling! (I STILL need to put up our timeline, I'm just having trouble figuring out how...)
Saxon Math is still going so well, I LOVE this curriculum!! The other day I heard the Bean say, "Math is one of my favorite subjects now!".......THAT is why I love this curriculum! So thankful for it. By the end of this week, we'll probably be in lesson 62ish. I've been taking it a bit slower, and adding more outside worksheets. I don't want to be done with math before the schoolyear is over.
English is going well. He's still moving along nicely. I'm still wondering if I need to add R and S, but I have plenty of time to do that in the Spring if needed. He is currently reading, "The Hobbit".
We are still studying the human body, and he's loving it. I found a really good website that has some fun videos to go with this, he loves them.
I mentioned in an earlier post that I'd love to find an outside source to give him art lessons. Out of nowhere, one of my friends said she is now giving art lessons!! SCORE!!! He started them this week, and is SO excited about them. (In exchange, I'll be tutoring her son in Spanish.) He was so excited about his lesson that he woke me up around 5:45 a.m., panicking, and saying, "Momma!! It is VERY foggy outside, we'll still get to go to my art lesson, right?!?!" .......Yes, son. hahaha
Which reminds me, I still have big goals for this boy and Spanish. We've incorporated a little bit more, I need to go ahead and start putting labels on everything in the schoolroom, that would help tremendously.
***
Maybe someday when I am able, I'll post reviews on what has/hasn't worked for us throughout the years. I'd love to do that, just need to have the time.
Okay, on with week 7! I can't believe it's going by this quickly!
We are still moving along nicely, and the Bean is doing great in everything. He's still begging to start SOTW 2, but we're trying to get some U.S. History in. He has said, "I LOVE History, can we please do some more lessons today?!?!?". This was such a wonderful thing to hear!! Who knows, maybe I'll just do both. That's an advantage of homeschooling! (I STILL need to put up our timeline, I'm just having trouble figuring out how...)
Saxon Math is still going so well, I LOVE this curriculum!! The other day I heard the Bean say, "Math is one of my favorite subjects now!".......THAT is why I love this curriculum! So thankful for it. By the end of this week, we'll probably be in lesson 62ish. I've been taking it a bit slower, and adding more outside worksheets. I don't want to be done with math before the schoolyear is over.
English is going well. He's still moving along nicely. I'm still wondering if I need to add R and S, but I have plenty of time to do that in the Spring if needed. He is currently reading, "The Hobbit".
We are still studying the human body, and he's loving it. I found a really good website that has some fun videos to go with this, he loves them.
I mentioned in an earlier post that I'd love to find an outside source to give him art lessons. Out of nowhere, one of my friends said she is now giving art lessons!! SCORE!!! He started them this week, and is SO excited about them. (In exchange, I'll be tutoring her son in Spanish.) He was so excited about his lesson that he woke me up around 5:45 a.m., panicking, and saying, "Momma!! It is VERY foggy outside, we'll still get to go to my art lesson, right?!?!" .......Yes, son. hahaha
Which reminds me, I still have big goals for this boy and Spanish. We've incorporated a little bit more, I need to go ahead and start putting labels on everything in the schoolroom, that would help tremendously.
***
Maybe someday when I am able, I'll post reviews on what has/hasn't worked for us throughout the years. I'd love to do that, just need to have the time.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Weeks 5-6, & Birthday Planning!
Life is just so busy lately. A good kind of busy, though. I'm grateful for that.
This will be quick, as I'm spending the rest of the week planning our little Babylove's NINTH birthday party!!!!!! AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!! How in the world?? Time, I'll never understand you!
I'm very glad that we've managed to get some good field trips in this early in the year. We've gone to the zoo and the Discovery Center. We also went to a local farm that had a corn maize, pumpkin patch, and all that jazz. Good times! I'm currently planning more trips for the next month or so, hoping they work out.
Homeschooling is still going well, as long as I keep things organized! That is such a challenge, and often I wish I had a secretary. It's not because it's hard, it's because as a Homeschooling Momma, it's another huge task to head up. I love it! For whatever reason, this year has been the "girl, you better stay organized" year.
We will be through lesson 60(ish) by Friday in math. He is soaring, and have I mentioned how amazing Saxon is??!?! It is great, and he is loving math.
By Friday, we'll also have completed about lesson 21 in Intermediate Language Lessons. That is also going well, as this boy loves writing.
We are still plugging along in our Human Body unit study, and going to Discovery Center was great for that. There were plenty of exhibits on the body, and he had fun.
He has already written the book report on "Helen Keller; The Story of My Life". That was part of our history this week. We are focusing on U.S. History for the next several weeks. He is begging to start SOTW 2, so I'm sure we'll throw that in soon. I love that he loves history.
He is still doing a lot of drawing in his Draw Write Now notebook. I need to make sure and add those daily, along with the other art books we have. We need to enjoy his nature notebook, as well.
I'm super busy the rest of the week, planning this sweet boy's Dinosaur birthday party. However, I'm proud that I've already gotten decorations, goody bags, and ordered his cake!! Yay! At least some of it is done!
Now to drink some coffee.......
This will be quick, as I'm spending the rest of the week planning our little Babylove's NINTH birthday party!!!!!! AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!! How in the world?? Time, I'll never understand you!
I'm very glad that we've managed to get some good field trips in this early in the year. We've gone to the zoo and the Discovery Center. We also went to a local farm that had a corn maize, pumpkin patch, and all that jazz. Good times! I'm currently planning more trips for the next month or so, hoping they work out.
Homeschooling is still going well, as long as I keep things organized! That is such a challenge, and often I wish I had a secretary. It's not because it's hard, it's because as a Homeschooling Momma, it's another huge task to head up. I love it! For whatever reason, this year has been the "girl, you better stay organized" year.
We will be through lesson 60(ish) by Friday in math. He is soaring, and have I mentioned how amazing Saxon is??!?! It is great, and he is loving math.
By Friday, we'll also have completed about lesson 21 in Intermediate Language Lessons. That is also going well, as this boy loves writing.
We are still plugging along in our Human Body unit study, and going to Discovery Center was great for that. There were plenty of exhibits on the body, and he had fun.
He has already written the book report on "Helen Keller; The Story of My Life". That was part of our history this week. We are focusing on U.S. History for the next several weeks. He is begging to start SOTW 2, so I'm sure we'll throw that in soon. I love that he loves history.
He is still doing a lot of drawing in his Draw Write Now notebook. I need to make sure and add those daily, along with the other art books we have. We need to enjoy his nature notebook, as well.
I'm super busy the rest of the week, planning this sweet boy's Dinosaur birthday party. However, I'm proud that I've already gotten decorations, goody bags, and ordered his cake!! Yay! At least some of it is done!
Now to drink some coffee.......
Friday, September 13, 2013
Week 4, What??
I can't believe it's week 4 that has been completed today. Another reminder of how quickly the days slip away.
We have been busy, as usual. He still says his favorite subjects are history and science. However, I'm glad he's loving math so much more this year. Saxon is working SO WELL for us!! He also loves when we do grammar/writing. No, the days aren't perfect, but overall the school year is going well, and he is loving his studies.
We FINISHED Story of the World 1, moving on to the level 2 soon!! So excited, this history curriculum is fantastic. It is definitely worth every penny!
Through lesson 40 in Math. He came across the first "new" thing today, square roots. Caught on quickly, and hasn't had any other problems.
We are using Intermediate Language Lessons, and I love it! He is through lesson 9. He enjoys the writing it includes. This is another VERY good curriculum. I supplement our English with a free online workbook site, you just print the pages...workbook style. That's the thing I've noticed with our homeschool....I often feel as if we're not doing enough, so I supplement every subject. And......I usually see that we do too much. But oh well, we are at a good pace. We take well-needed breaks, and I'm thinking we'll need a break in the next few weeks.
We are still doing the Human Body unit study, reading and/or activities pertaining to that almost every day. This morning he watched the Magic School Bus episode about digestion, so he loved that. I'm wanting to spend several weeks on this before moving on.
I have had The Handbook of Nature Study for a while. I've been trying to figure out the best way to use it, because of this little science lover we have. I am hoping to give him his brand new Nature Journal, and just let him dive in next week. Maybe 2-3 days a week, not sure.
Music is going well, and he has a recital coming up. Hopefully we'll start intro to piano soon.
For art, he's been going through Draw Write Now at his own pace, but in order. This is going well, as he loves these little workbooks. We own several, so hopefully he'll complete these for the next two school years, and I'll add more art as needed/wanted.
Spanish, we're hitting it next week, and immersing ourselves in it. That's the plan, anyway.......we'll see how it goes. : )
I had to tweak a few things after starting this year, but I'm pleased with all subjects. I still have to remind myself to SLOW DOWN. He's super bright, but I want him to continue to ENJOY homeschooling, and not just see it as work. Also....the biggest thing I hope to instill in him is to enjoy LIFE. So far, he loves it. I hope to keep lighting that fire in him, and never squelch his passion.
For now, it's the WEEKEND. : )
(Which means I'll start putting things together for the next homeschool week!)
We have been busy, as usual. He still says his favorite subjects are history and science. However, I'm glad he's loving math so much more this year. Saxon is working SO WELL for us!! He also loves when we do grammar/writing. No, the days aren't perfect, but overall the school year is going well, and he is loving his studies.
We FINISHED Story of the World 1, moving on to the level 2 soon!! So excited, this history curriculum is fantastic. It is definitely worth every penny!
Through lesson 40 in Math. He came across the first "new" thing today, square roots. Caught on quickly, and hasn't had any other problems.
We are using Intermediate Language Lessons, and I love it! He is through lesson 9. He enjoys the writing it includes. This is another VERY good curriculum. I supplement our English with a free online workbook site, you just print the pages...workbook style. That's the thing I've noticed with our homeschool....I often feel as if we're not doing enough, so I supplement every subject. And......I usually see that we do too much. But oh well, we are at a good pace. We take well-needed breaks, and I'm thinking we'll need a break in the next few weeks.
We are still doing the Human Body unit study, reading and/or activities pertaining to that almost every day. This morning he watched the Magic School Bus episode about digestion, so he loved that. I'm wanting to spend several weeks on this before moving on.
I have had The Handbook of Nature Study for a while. I've been trying to figure out the best way to use it, because of this little science lover we have. I am hoping to give him his brand new Nature Journal, and just let him dive in next week. Maybe 2-3 days a week, not sure.
Music is going well, and he has a recital coming up. Hopefully we'll start intro to piano soon.
For art, he's been going through Draw Write Now at his own pace, but in order. This is going well, as he loves these little workbooks. We own several, so hopefully he'll complete these for the next two school years, and I'll add more art as needed/wanted.
Spanish, we're hitting it next week, and immersing ourselves in it. That's the plan, anyway.......we'll see how it goes. : )
I had to tweak a few things after starting this year, but I'm pleased with all subjects. I still have to remind myself to SLOW DOWN. He's super bright, but I want him to continue to ENJOY homeschooling, and not just see it as work. Also....the biggest thing I hope to instill in him is to enjoy LIFE. So far, he loves it. I hope to keep lighting that fire in him, and never squelch his passion.
For now, it's the WEEKEND. : )
(Which means I'll start putting things together for the next homeschool week!)
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Week Three, Planning Ahead
Monday was a holiday, so no school.
This week, I'm pretty sick. I have zero energy, but am glad I'm a planner! For a homeschooling family, there's NO time for Momma to be sick. School must go on! I'm glad this little boy can work well independently, because he's managed to get his work done mostly alone, while I've been nursing myself back to health.
By Friday, we will have gone through lesson about lesson 34 in math.
We are almost done with SOTW, hope to be through 35 at the end of this week, and finishing up by next Friday. (If this happens, it may just be something we hit "on time", according to my hopeful and ambitious schedule!) If not, it's no big deal.
I gave Easy Grammar a try, not digging it. It's just dry worksheets, many of which I'd printed myself for him for last school year. We're sticking with one I found last year, which was free. (Score!!) It will end up being supplemental work. I'm planning on implementing the new English next week. On the fence about which one, but I have a good idea.
We did several more lessons in U.S. History, and he's inching up on halfway through his first Science workbook for the year. I always supplement Science heavily, as it's one of his favorite subjects. The same with history.
He's halfway through "The Horse and His Boy", and hopefully will have written the book report by Friday.
New books should be in next week...I'm very excited about the science we're adding! I'm REALLY hoping it turns out to be as great as it looks. Finally, we'll be getting the workbook for Writing with Ease. Can't wait for that one.
I'm also getting rid of many books we've accumulated. Either they didn't work, we just didn't do them, won't use again for next child, or they were forgotten. When one makes bookshelf space, one can GET NEW BOOKS!!! : )
This week, I'm pretty sick. I have zero energy, but am glad I'm a planner! For a homeschooling family, there's NO time for Momma to be sick. School must go on! I'm glad this little boy can work well independently, because he's managed to get his work done mostly alone, while I've been nursing myself back to health.
By Friday, we will have gone through lesson about lesson 34 in math.
We are almost done with SOTW, hope to be through 35 at the end of this week, and finishing up by next Friday. (If this happens, it may just be something we hit "on time", according to my hopeful and ambitious schedule!) If not, it's no big deal.
I gave Easy Grammar a try, not digging it. It's just dry worksheets, many of which I'd printed myself for him for last school year. We're sticking with one I found last year, which was free. (Score!!) It will end up being supplemental work. I'm planning on implementing the new English next week. On the fence about which one, but I have a good idea.
We did several more lessons in U.S. History, and he's inching up on halfway through his first Science workbook for the year. I always supplement Science heavily, as it's one of his favorite subjects. The same with history.
He's halfway through "The Horse and His Boy", and hopefully will have written the book report by Friday.
New books should be in next week...I'm very excited about the science we're adding! I'm REALLY hoping it turns out to be as great as it looks. Finally, we'll be getting the workbook for Writing with Ease. Can't wait for that one.
I'm also getting rid of many books we've accumulated. Either they didn't work, we just didn't do them, won't use again for next child, or they were forgotten. When one makes bookshelf space, one can GET NEW BOOKS!!! : )
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