Moving Day!

Hi all --

I have thought long and hard about moving my blog vs. just editing this one and have decided to move. I want to keep my personal information and that of my children private. So as I start to move items, I will start removing posts from here and editing them.

Please visit my new site: Laughing & Learning

I think you will enjoy the changes that have been made. Information is being made easier to search for and to purchase. Any purchase made from the new site will result in my ability to give you even more reviews of materials we have all come to love. I have also included the book that I have begun writing thanks to all of your encouragement.

I can't wait to see you all there!!

Gifted Resources

From Life Take 1:

Gifted Children at Home by Maggie Hogan
Creative Homeschooling: A Resource Guide for Smart Families by Lisa Rivero
Support Groups
Homeschool Gifted Yahoo Group -- Maggie Hogan's group for homeschoolers with gifted children. It has a lot of great information and help.

Hoagie's Gifted Children

From Life Take 1:

Hoagies' Gifted Education Page -- This site has a ton of information on it. This is the best place to start if you are wondering whether or not your child is gifted. I still have not been able to go through the whole thing yet. There is that much information. Happy researching!

Parenting Helps

From Life Take 1:

These little ones sure can cause problems!!! It seems like just when I solve one discipline issue another one arrives and I am back to the drawing board trying to figure out a new tactic that will work on their new problem. Shouldn't these guys come with a manual!!?? Well -- I am assuming they forgot to give me mine at the hospital as its missing. Below are some books that others have suggested I try. Hope these help you as well!
Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel
Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson
The New Strong Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson
The New Dare to Discipline by Dr. James Dobson
Shepherding A Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel
Seasons of A Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson -- check out other books by this author as well.
Your One Year Old: The Fun-Loving Fussy 12-24 Month Old by Louise Bates Ames
Your Two Year Old: Terrible or Tender by Louise Bates Ames
Your Three Year Old: Friend or Enemy by Louise Bates Ames
Your Four Year Old: Wild and Wonderful by Louise Bates Ames
Your Five Year Old: Sunny and Serene by Louise Bates Ames
Your Six Year Old: Loving and Defiant by Louise Bates Ames
Your Seven Year Old: Life In A Minor Key by Louise Bates Ames
Your Eight Year Old: Lively and Outgoing by Louise Bates Ames
Your Nine Year Old: Thoughtful and Mysterious by Louise Bates Ames
Keeping Our Children's Heart by Steve Maxwell
Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit by Teri Maxwell

Gifted Children

From Life Take 1:

Parenting children with advanced skills is one of the hardest things I have done. They are constantly challenging and always changing my plans. Just when I think I have a grasp on what they are doing -- they change again. Sometimes they are fast, sometimes they are slow. Sometimes they need more, sometimes they need less. I find myself constantly juggling the needs of each child and of the three of them together. Most days I feel like I am never going to get it right but then there are those days when the clouds part and the sun comes gloriously shining through. BUT! no matter what I wouldn't change the adventures I have shared with my children do to their special needs for anything in the world!
I am sure that those of you reading this -- understand exactly how I feel. These special little ones were crafted from above and I am sure that God sent them down just so he could have a good laugh every now and then, as we race around always trying to catch up or stay ahead of our little ones. Each day they present us with new challenges and Blessings!
A friend of mine asked me to create this page -- dedicated to all those family who like mine are constantly trying to do what is best for our unique little ones. I hope this helps. Once again -- I have been blessed by some many people -- its hard to thank them all for their wise counsel. If you are one of the many -- THANK YOU!

Core 2 + History Odyssey + Hands N Hearts

From Life Take 2:

Combing For Core 2:
Activity From Hands And Hearts Middle Ages Kit
History Odyssey Grammar Middle Ages
Sonlight Core 2
Illuminated Manuscripts
Lesson 4
Week 2
Game: Fox & Geese
Lesson 7
Week 3
Game: Nine-Man Marris
Lesson 37

Catapult
Lesson 11
Week 14
Royal Crown
Lesson 12
Week 13
Making Chain Mail
Lesson 13
Week 8
Personal Coat of Arms
Lesson 14
Week 8
Lay Siege To A Castle
Lesson 14
Week 8
Jigsaw Puzzle
Lesson 15

Jester Puppet
Lesson 36

Stained Glass Window
Lesson 17
Week 13
Kings Coins
Lesson 20

Tell Time with a Candle
Lesson 29

Make Candlestick
Lesson 29

Treasure Chests
History Odyssey Grammar Middle Ages
Sonlight Core 2
Knights
Lesson 13
Week 8
Vikings
Lesson 7
Week 3
Leonardo Da Vinci
Lesson 37

Shakespeare
Lesson 42

Core 2 + Homeschool Odyssey Middle Ages

From Life Take 2:

This is my schedule for the combination of History Odyssey and Sonlight Core 2.
HO Grammar Middle Ages
Core
Core 2
Lesson 1
Wk 36 Dy 2

Lesson 2
Wk 36 Dy 4

Lesson 3

Wk 3 Dy 2
Lesson 4

Wk 2 Dy 1
Lesson 5

Wk 2 Dy 4
Lesson 6

Wk 2 Dy 5
Lesson 7

Wk 3 Dy 4
Lesson 8

Wk 3 Dy 3
Lesson 10

Wk 12 Dy 2
Lesson 11

Wk 14 Dy 5
Lesson 12

Wk 13 Dy 4
Lesson 13

Wk 8 Dy 3
Lesson 14

Wk 8 dy 2
Lesson 17

Wk 13 Dy 2
Lesson 18

Wk 12 Dy 3
Lesson 19

Wk 12 Dy 4
Lesson 23

Wk 13 Dy 5
Lesson 27

Wk 2 Dy 3
Lesson 35

Wk 17 Dy 3
Lesson 37

Wk 18 Dy 3; Wk 14 Dy 3; Wk 15 Dy 4
Lesson 38

Wk 16 Dy 3; Wk 16 Dy 5
Lesson 40

Wk 19 Dy 5

Combining Programs

From Life Take 1:


It seems like homeschoolers just can't leave well enough alone! And I am no exception!! We are always tweaking this curriculum or adding that or taking something away in the search for the perfect curriculum. History is no acceptation to this -- in fact! It seems to be worse with history. At least for me!!

Story of the World (SOTW) -- This is an excellent curriculum. Used in Cores 6 and 7 -- so many people add it to Cores 1 and 2. This comes in book format or audiobook. I prefer the audiobook for use with Cores 1 and 2. We listen to it by CD rather than chapter. This is also great for car schooling. There is an activity guide for this that has lists of additional books, map, worksheets, and activities. Activities require prep work and purchasing of supplies in advance. Since I am not very good with either of those things -- we did not use this. I am hoping to though when we get to Cores 6 and 7 -- then Kris can do the prep work for me for his little brothers! : -) There are 4 volumes in this series. Volumes 1 and 2 are used in Core 6, Volumes 3 and 4 are used in Core 7.

Mystery of History (MOH) -- This is a great series!! It does an amazing job of combining biblical and world history. This one also includes activities, maps, and worksheets. It has pre- and post-tests. Requires the child to memorize 6 dates per volume. There will be 5 volumes when this series is complete. I had a really hard time combining this as this comers so much more biblical history than SL does. We ended up doing this as a separate thing. Mainly we are now using it as a family devotional every few weeks. It will take us longer than a year to complete but I think it is still worth the effort. I think this is one that is better off done on its own than combined with something else.

Children's History of the World (CHOW) -- This is a great book for the early years! I have been very pleased with it. It reads like a story. It gives just enough detail for a young child to understand what is happen without giving them to much to overwhelm them. Their have been some complaints about the dates in this book. At this point in time, I am not worried about dates so this has not been a problem for us. We read them and then pretty much ignore they exists. I am more concerned with my son knowing the order of events than the dates at this point in time. In the future I will worry about dates. This is used as the spine for SL Cores 1 and 2.
Hand and Hearts History Kits -- I love these!!! Hands on activities with no prep work or surprise purchases. It even came with crayons and paper towels!! Now this is one thing that will get used around here as it requires nothing of the teacher other than pulling out the box and helping when needed! I hope they come out with even more kits soon!!

History Odyssey -- Is a classical history program but is great for those who want more hands-on stuff for use with SL. It combines CHOW (spine for Cores 1 and 2) with SOTW (spine for Cores 6 and 7). It also adds in activities, audio books, coloring books, a library list, and map work. It has some notebooking involved as well. This was easy to add to SL and provided the hands-on things my son needed. I supplemented their activity book for the hands and hearts kits because their activity guide again required prep and purchasing in advanced.

HO Grammar Middle Ages
Core
Core 2
Lesson 1
Wk 36 Dy 2

Lesson 2
Wk 36 Dy 4

Lesson 3

Wk 3 Dy 2
Lesson 4

Wk 2 Dy 1
Lesson 5

Wk 2 Dy 4
Lesson 6

Wk 2 Dy 5
Lesson 7

Wk 3 Dy 4
Lesson 8

Wk 3 Dy 3
Lesson 10

Wk 12 Dy 2
Lesson 11

Wk 14 Dy 5
Lesson 12

Wk 13 Dy 4
Lesson 13

Wk 8 Dy 3
Lesson 14

Wk 8 dy 2
Lesson 17

Wk 13 Dy 2
Lesson 18

Wk 12 Dy 3
Lesson 19

Wk 12 Dy 4
Lesson 23

Wk 13 Dy 5
Lesson 27

Wk 2 Dy 3
Lesson 35

Wk 17 Dy 3
Lesson 37

Wk 18 Dy 3; Wk 14 Dy 3; Wk 15 Dy 4
Lesson 38

Wk 16 Dy 3; Wk 16 Dy 5
Lesson 40

Wk 19 Dy 5
History Pockets -- These are another easy hands-on thing to add to SL History Program. There are several of these in the series by Evan-Moor some are for younger grades some for older. Mainly these involve coloring, cutting, and gluing. If you have a child who loves to color -- these will be a great addition. If your child hates coloring -- this would be a waste of money.

Veritas Press -- This reminds me of several other programs. They utilize a lot of literature in their programs as well as some hands-on activities - primarily history pockets. I use their catalog as a book list for the library. Getting ideas for more books to add to a particular topic if need be. I did use their cards and tapes at one point. But again -- since I did not schedule it. It never really got used. We played a rummy type game with the cards. Where we tried to collect 5 events in history in a row to win. That was fun and helped my son learn when things better happened. But Veritas Press is more specific than SL is in covering events at a younger age so it was hard to play unless you took out the things we did not cover in depth -- which was a lot! So then we were left with only a few cards. For our family -- this was not a good purchase. If I was just using Veritas Press materials -- I think this would make an excellent learning tool. I still really like Veritas Press and do recommend some of their other products else where on this site.


So what do you do if you do decide to combine programs?

Well ....... there are several schedules available that combine these items. Paula's archives has a few of them. I would start there. Ask around.... several people have created their own. If you are part of the SL Preschool Yahoo Groups ... I believe it was Debra that created a schedule combing MOH, SOTW, and SL.. If you are looking for hands on ideas to combine Cores 1 and 2 with SOTW -- check out the History Odyssey Program. For those of you combining Cores 1 and Core 6 or Core 2 and Core 7. Email SL -- they have a sample schedule for how you can combine these two cores. Of course -- you can always create your own as well. I included my combined schedule for Core 2 and History Odyssey. Enjoy your journey into the past as you find the right program or programs that work best to help you on this adventure!

Learning Styles:

From Life Take 1:

Both your learning style and that of your child will affect what curriculum you want to use. Here is a short description of each type of style. See if you can find yourself and your child below. Most children before the age of 5 are kinesthetic. After this age, their true learning style is more evident.
Visual
See it
Watch demonstrations
Remembers faces not names
Writes things down/takes notes
Plans, organizes, lists
Doodles
Watches others
Tends to be quiet, short answers
Meticulous Dress
Auditory
Hear it
Needs Verbal Instructions
Remembers names not faces
Memorizes easily
Talks out problems
hums, sings to self
Asks Questions
Long, detailed discussions
Matching Clothes not necessary and can explain why
Kinesthetic
Touch it
Needs Direct Involvement
Tactile Approach
Remembers what did, not what saw or heard
Impulsive
Fidgets
Touches everything
Gestures when speaking
Neatly dressed to begin with but soon becomes wrinkled

Approaches to homeschooling

From Life Take 1:

Based off of the research I have done, below is an outline of the main approaches used in homeschooling. I hope you find this useful in deciding what is the best way to approach educating your family at home.
Classical
Literature-based Approach
Learn/Study Ancient Languages
Religious Studies (particularly Christian)
3 Stages to a child's education each requiring different levels of mastery or knowledge
grammar: memorization, classification, gain knowledge
dialectic: abstract reasoning, analytical thought
rhetoric: logical thinking, debating, philosophy
4 year cycles
Character and Discipline are essential
Study the Greats of History, Literature, Music, Art
Charlotte Mason
"living books" not twaddle
Copywork/Dictation
Notebooking/Journaling
Narrations
Follow the child's lead; spend lots of time exploring the world around you
Brief instructional periods with lots of time for self-discovery
Study the greats of art, history, literature
No Tests
Curriculum includes: Ambleside
Ruth Beechick
Learning in a natural way
Slightly easy is always better than a challenge
Builds child's confidence in their abilities
Instill Love of Learning is Primary Focus
UnSchooling
Follows the Child's Interest
Later start to formal education
Child learns at their pace
Curriculum is limited; Environment is the curriculum
School At Home
Similar education to what one receives at a local school
Types of include: distant learning, tutoring, CD-Rom based programs, Satellite Programs
Waldrof
Storytelling and Art
Learn Through Imitation
Hands-On Approach
Discovers Self and the World through whole body experiences
Instill Love of Learning in Child is goal
Unit Studies
Great for large families - each child can study the topic at his level
All subjects integrated into one theme
Curriculum includes: Konos, Amanda Bennett, Alta Vista, Heart of Wisdom
Eclectic
Combines one or more methods together
Homeschooling an only child seems to have issues and needs of its own and some even think of this particular challenge as a method in its own right. For more information, please visit Homeschooling an Only.