Life: Take2

Moving Day!

2011-07-10T10:21:00.003-07:00

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

2010-07-12T17:58:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-12T17:57:00.002-07:00

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

2010-07-12T17:57:00.001-07:00

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

2010-07-12T17:56:00.002-07:00

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

2010-07-12T17:53:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-12T17:51:00.000-07:00

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:

2010-07-12T17:49:00.001-07:00

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

2010-07-12T17:48:00.002-07:00

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.

New To Homeschooling

2010-07-12T17:48:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1:

My Journey
Each of us has our own special story of how we became a homeschool family. I, too, have a story to share with you.
Prior to our wedding, my husband and I took a six-month counseling session as required by our church to get married. During one of those sessions, education our future children was brought up. My soon-to-be husband said he wanted his children homeschooled. His sister homeschools, how hard could it be? So I agreed. I thought homeschooling was when the public school sent all the work to be done, you did it with your child and then sent it back to them. We would do this back and forth. Simple enough! Right? Wrong -- I had no clue what homeschooling was!
A Definition
Homeschooling -- I tried looking it up in my dictionary to no avail. So here is my definition. It is the formal education of ones own children at home rather than in a school with materials they have selected at a pace determined by the parent.
Who Homeschools?
I have been privileged to know a wide variety of people who homeschool Those who live in the city, in the country, on farms, and around the globe. People of all different races and religions. Some have learning disabilities and learning challenges. Some come from traditional families and some not so traditional. Most of the time the mom is the primary teacher but sometimes it is the dad. There are an estimated 1.6 - 2 million homeschool families in America and the numbers continue to rise. I have yet to meet another homeschool family exactly like mine. They are all unique and different.
Why do people homeschool?
This is a harder question -- one that everyone has a different answer to. Just as we are all unique in where we live and who we are. There are a few major reasons why but most homeschool families have more than one reason why they homeschool.
Religious Reasons
To provide a better education than the local schools can provide
To meet the needs and interests of the individual child
To better serve a child with special learning requirements whether that be a gifted child, a medically-challenged child, or one with a learning disability
Safety Issues
Flexibility
Is it legal?
Yes, homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and many other countries as well. To find out what the laws are in your state, order the free guide from HSLDA entitled "You Can Homeschool." With it you will receive information on how to get started and what the laws are for your state. Each state has different laws.
How To Get Started
This was one of my biggest challenges. Where to begin. If you go to my Other Curriculum page, you will find a long list of publishers that sell curriculum and other materials to homeschoolers. When I first began, I ordered every free catalog that related to homeschool as I could find. This is not an exhaustive list by any means but it will get you started. When you receive the catalog, read through it. Do you like the style? Why or why not? You will be amazed at all that you can learn just from these. You will also be surprised at just how many options you do have.
I suggested earlier that you get the publication from HSLDA. Make sure you do this, it will help you a lot!
Next, start researching. The catalogs will give you an idea of what you prefer. Textbooks or living books? Workbooks or Notebooks? Unit Studies? Religious or Secular? Once you start to answer these questions, you can find books that relate closely to your style.
In the beginning, you will need to find curriculum that fits your style. Later on, you can adapt those materials to fit the styles of your children. As you homeschool, your style of educating your child will mature. I thought I had a very good grasp on my style from the beginning but I have since found that the longer that I homeschool the more my style changes into something as unique as my family.
Don't go out and buy curriculum right away. See if your local library has what you are looking for or try to borrow it from another homeschool family. Test it, see if you really like. If you can, the best thing to do is to go to a homeschool convention where you can have the chance to see the materials up close and personal.
Above all -- remember this one thing! Each family and each child is different. There is no right or wrong way to homeschool just different options. Don't compare your child's success and failures to anyone but themselves.
This is doable -- it just takes time, dedication, patience, and prayer!

Core 3

2010-07-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1:

We are just now getting ready to start core 2. More information to come on Core 3 in the next year or so.
Core 3
3 Advanced Readers
Science 3
Lyrical Life Science Vol. 1 & 2 I really like the look of this program. My kids love learning things through music. If we have success with this program this year I plan on following up next year with Lyrical Life Science Vol 3 and Lyrical Earth Science.
Trail Guide to US Geography and Notebooking CD
Come look With Me: Early American Art
Come look With Me: Native American Art
SOTW Volume 3
Usborne Books

Here is the list of Sonlight Usborne Books for Core 3 and Science 3.

Mysteries and Marvels of Nature

Usborne Science Encyclopedia
Supplementing Ideas:

Maptangle -- US version (they also have a world version available)
Sea to Shining Sea: Stories From America
Cooking Up U.S. History
The Harp and Laurel Wreath (Poetry and Dictation for the Classical Curriculum) Has great Poetry readings from Early America.
Our Country's Founders
We Were There, Too! 67 stories of children in early America. Some recognizable some not but provides a lot of detail on life back them. This is a great addition!

Hands-On Ideas from Core 2

2010-07-12T17:40:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1:

The Great Dinosaur Mystery and The Bible
In AZ, visit the Repirian Preserve and participate in their dino dig event.
Audio-Memory Geography Songs
Owl and Mouse
Enchanted Learning
Web Geography For Kids
Discovery School
Geography Games
National Geographic Online
Another Geography Games
Outline Maps
Red Sails To Capri
Create a picture of the Blue Grotto. Use crayons, markers, paints ... whatever you wish but make sure you use only various shades of blue to create your art work.
Draw a map/picture of Capri. What do you think it looks like based off of what you read?
Eric the Red & Leif the Lucky
Leif the Lucky
Vikings
The Vikings
Links
Kids Research Center: Vikings
History for Kids: Vikings
A Viking Childhood
Vikings
Vikings
Explorer's News
Social Studies for kids: Explorers
Kids Konnect: Explorers
Kid Explorers
Explorers
Good Queen Bess
Queen Elizabeth I
Michelangelo
Web Gallery of Art: Michelangelo
WebMuseum: Michelangelo
Michelangelo Buonarroti
Michelangelo Sistine Chapel Jigsaw
Michelangelo Word Search
Michelangelo's David Scramble
Renaissance Artists Word Search
Social Studies for kids: Michelangelo
Leonardo Di Vinci
Leonardo di Vinci for kids
The Inventor
da Vinci's Inventions
Exploring Leonardo
Vinci: The Leonardo Museum
WebMuseum: Leonardo
Art for Kids: da Vinci
Why is Mona Lisa Smiling?
Leonardo da Vinci
Castles and Knights
Castles and Knights
Shields knights and heraldry
The Middle Ages for kids
Castles on the web
Medieval Knights
Maps and Globes
MapMan Game The Aesop for Children
Librivox -- Listen to the stories on you i-pod or mp3 player. They also have lots of other things available to listen to as well. Bookmark this site -- its great!!

Core 2

2010-07-12T17:38:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1:

2006-2007: My oldest son is moving right along through the cores at a pace of one per year despite the fact that he is a year younger than the SL recommended age. He loves learning and while it is true that he would get more out of it if he were older, I am still satisfied with what he is retaining. We all get more out of something if we come back to it with a little more wisdom and experience in out lives. That's why I continue to learn from the cores as well.
The boys have been anticipating this core for about 3 months now. They are fascinated with knights and castles at the moment. They can't wait to learn more about them.
Each year, I ask my children what they want to learn or what improvements I can make to their learning experience. This year the request was for more hands-on things to do. I am trying to make their wish come true and have added quite a bit of hands-on things.
Core 2
Readers 2 Intermediate I was surprised to see that this level still contained some level readers. SL tends to schedule these books with light reading and then a longer chapter book and then back to lighter leveled readers throughout the year.
Readers 2 Advanced
Sonlight Science 2 I love SL science but some people may have problems with the dinosaur book SL includes with this level. Pre-read it and decide for yourself whether or not this is a good fit for your family.
Classical Writing - Aesop A We are really enjoying this LA program. It is exactly what our family needed. We made 1 slight change though to better fit my sons needed for not a lot of handwriting in one day. Instead of doing the entire writing project on Friday. We space it out over the week. Monday we do the outline, Tuesday the rough draft, Wednesday we edit, and Friday my son types up his final draft and creates a picture to go along with the Fable. This is working great for us!
Classical Writing - Poetry for Beginners A This was originally recommended to be the second semester to Aesop A. The recommendations for this have recently changed and it has been moved to a second semester with Homer. I have not yet decided what to do with this.
Math-U-See Alpha, Beta, and Gamma? We have tried a ton of math stuff over the year. Please see school subjects for more information on why we choose this for this year. Alpha and Beta are both a review for my son and I am expecting each to take him around 1-2 months to complete.

Primary Grade Math Challenge I love this book! This is a great critical thinking math book and I highly recommend that everyone purchase this no matter what program you are using. It is fun for the kids and challenges them in a way I have seen no other book do. There is a follow-up book to this for older children.

The Story of the Orchestra Well... I am finally getting around to this. About time, right? :-) Debra has a great schedule for this. I will have to see if she will let me share it with all of you are not. If not -- you will have to ask her for it.

Art With A Purpose I found this last year at Rainbow Resource Center for about $5. It is a cheap easy to use art program. You need 2 packets. one to create samples for your child and one for your child. This teaches all the basics of art that I never thought of teaching. It also introduces art terminology. We will be using level 2 this year.

Color the Classics - Composers II There is 1 more book in this series that I am hoping to add to our year and then we have completed this series. I really like it a lot! We will also be finishing up the Christmas one from last year.

Prima Latina The DVD is instrumental for my family in using this program despite the fact that the teacher has a Southern Drawl. So far we are not finding the CD so helpful but that may change as the year goes on. Not all the vocabulary words are included with the flash cards. Teachers manual for this level is optional.

Signing Time I have recommended this several times already but just in case you haven't heard yet. BUY IT!! I love this program for teaching young children American Sign Language. They have a series to teach infants as well. There are free lesson plans and worksheets to use on their website. As well as activities. They are coming out with more and more videos all the time and now it is on PBS as well.

The Amazing Pop-Up Geography Book This is a great book! But for an older child who can be very careful as there are lots of flaps, strings, things to spin, pull, push and more in addition to the pop-ups. This is a really fun book to look at geography. Not sure how educational it is but lots of fun!

Computer Basics This book teaches basic computer terminology and parts. A great introduction to the computer. We will be studying more about computers in the future.

The Kids Guide to First Aid This is great! A simple book that teaches kids the basics from what is an emergency to have to clean a scrap. Includes some hands-on activities as well.

Life Skills for Kids This is one book that I wish I had purchased when my kids were still PK age. Well --2 of them still are but I wish I had it when the oldest was in PK. It has a lot of tips on how to help your children to grow up to be independent in a variety of different ways. Includes suggestions for chores for toddlers.

History Odyssey - Grammar Stage Middle Ages This is a history program that combines CHOW and SOTW along with some hands-on things. Since if it is not in a schedule then it probably won't get done -- I needed this for all the things I plan on using this upcoming year.

Equate A math version of scrabble. We spend a week using this as a review during our math time prior to moving up to the next level book.

Scrabble Junior We are using the junior version with my three year old to teach blending, recognize letters, etc. It is an interesting game we made up. My older one does spelling with this. He could use the regular version but alas -- I went with this to combine them.

Ant Farm We ordered our ants with the coupon we got from Insectlore but never received our ants and we have been waiting for 2 months now. I emailed the company and I got the ants within 3 days of my email. About half died within the first day, the rest died within 4 days. In other words -- our ant far was a big flop!

I Dig Dinosaurs This is so much fun! We got the t-rex version. It took us about 3 nights to un-dig all the bones. Another night to put it together and paint it. I used several books about archeology with this and we recorded our findings using a grid sheet. Guessed how we might put it together and what our dinosaur might look like. We used this along with the first 2 weeks of Science 2 when we were learning about dinosaurs. We ran out of paint. It you are planning on painting your model only 1 color - you will need to buy more.

Hands and Hearts History Kit - Middle Ages Love this, love this, love this! I only wished I had used it last year when so many people on the SL forums recommended it. It is worth the money I spent and more!

and.............

Usborne Books

Here is the list of Sonlight Usborne Books for Core 2 and Science 2.

Usborne Living World Encyclopedia

The Usborne Book of Knowledge

Science Activities, Volume 3

Time Traveler

Usborne Book of World History
Teacher Resources I used for the year are:
These are the books that I purchased for me this year. To help me learn more about homeschooling and to become a better teacher.
When They Rise Up
Generation Joshua
Life Skills For Kids
What Your Third Grader Needs To Know
The Latin Centered Curriculum

Other Supplements:
100 Things to Know about Knights and Castles We got this from the library as an introduction to our new core book. It was great! It has a good overview of the middle ages, quizzes about things covered, and some simple activities to do.

Usborne Supplements:

You can purchase these from you local consultant, retailer, or me!
The Great Castle Search Along the lines of an I spy book. Not a lot of learning is going on but it is fun for the kids and sometimes you just need some fun! The Great History Search Along the lines of an I spy book. Not a lot of learning is going on but it is fun for the kids and sometimes you just need some fun!
Uncle Pete the Pirate (Young Puzzle Adventures)
Uncle Pete's Pirate Adventure (Young Puzzle Adventures)
First Encyclopedia of History (IL)
1001 Things to Spot Long Ago Along the lines of an I spy book. Not a lot of learning is going on but it is fun for the kids and sometimes you just need some fun!
Puzzle Journey Through Time This is a fun book to do but not much learning is happening.
Puzzle Castle This is a fun book to do but not much learning is happening.
Puzzle Dungeon This is a fun book to do but not much learning is happening.
The Usborne Castle Jigsaw Book This is a great book for those who love puzzles!!
Castle of Intrigue Stories of Pirates
Treasure Island (Young Reading CD Packs) My boys love listening to things on CD and these stories are no exception. I tortured my oldest son (according to him) by making him read the book before listening to the CD. : -) The much rather just picture it in their heads without the book.
Gulliver's Travels (Young Reading CD Packs) My boys love listening to things on CD and these stories are no exception. I tortured my oldest son (according to him) by making him read the book before listening to the CD. : -) The much rather just picture it in their heads without the book.
Knights (Young Reading CD Packs) My boys love listening to things on CD and these stories are no exception. I tortured my oldest son (according to him) by making him read the book before listening to the CD. : -) The much rather just picture it in their heads without the book.
Pirates (Young Reading CD Packs) My boys love listening to things on CD and these stories are no exception. I tortured my oldest son (according to him) by making him read the book before listening to the CD. : -) The much rather just picture it in their heads without the book.
The Adventures of Sinbad the Sailor (Young Readers 1)
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (Young Readers 1)
Stories of Knights (Young Readers 1)
See Inside Castles This one comes highly recommended from several people I know. If you want to buy a book about castles -- this is the one to get! This is one of the books on my wish list as well.
Aladdin and his Magical Lamp (Young Readers 1)
True Stories of Pirates better for Core 7
Stories of Pirates (Young Readers 1)
The Story of Castles (Young Readers 2)
The Story of Ships (Young Readers 2)
Tales of King Arthur (Young Readers 2)
Treasure Island (Young Readers 2)
Robinson Crusoe (Young Readers 2)
Gulliver's Travels (Young Readers 2)
Make this Model Trojan Horse
Make this Model Medieval Castle
Stories from Shakespeare
King Arthur
King Arthur's Knight Quest
Tales of Robin Hood
Tales of King Arthur (Paperback Classics)
Elizabeth 1 (Beginners)
Castles (Beginners)
Knights (Beginners)
Knights (IL) (Discovery)
Who Were the Vikings?
What were Castles For?
Alexander the Great (Famous lives)
Florence Nightgale (Famous Lives)
Victorians
Viking World
Castles (IL)
Knight's Handbook
Explorers (Famous lives)

Ray's Arithmetic

2010-07-09T17:38:00.004-07:00

So.... it's that time of year again for curriculum planning. Thanks to the every growing wealth of knowledge from my friends and fellow homeschoolers... another gem has been found!

I am leaning more and more toward a classical education (which I have been for years). I love the idea of living books but I am still textbook oriented and I have always believed that education long ago was truly an education. Not the washed-out version that is currently offered by our school systems.

This looks to be an excellent combination... you can get all of the books on CD for $60 or $100 for all the books. It not based on grade levels and goes through calculus. This would be a great fit for my guys! I think we might have found our math curriculum for the year.

For Information:

http://www.mottmedia.com/pages/publications.asp?Pub=rays

http://www.dollarhomeschool.com/raysarithmetic/

For Sample:

http://books.google.com/books?id=eopZHDoOTMMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=ray's+arithmetic&source=bl&ots=iLLX6HWqa1&sig=AOkbnxz0k8MA-dUVQTUBxW3ct9k&hl=en&ei=Lsk3TKHPMIW-sQP3gv1R&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CCwQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q&f=false

One Year Later

2010-07-04T23:10:00.001-07:00

A year since 'I Do'

- Posted from my iPhone

US History

2010-07-01T06:15:00.003-07:00

Hi all,

I found this great link while searching for a copy of the Declaration of Independence. It is completely free and so far I like the materials. Then again we have only read the introduction. It talks about using stories as a basis for studying history just like Sonlight and we have been doing for years.

http://www.ushistory.org/

Please post your review of thus site in the comments section for other readers. Thanks!

- Posted from my iPhone

Wedding Vows

2009-02-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

Dec 03, 2008

Saying Goodbye to Aunt Shelley Marie was harder than anyone anticipated. Its not just simply the mourning of this amazing woman but the blessings she is still leaving behind for all of us. We have spent many hours counting or blessings and looking at the small things each member contributes each day to our family. As Uncle Mike said "I never realized she cleaned the paste." Its the simple things that we take for granted and that mean so much. All those little things add up and affect our lives more than all the big things combined.

One phrase resinated with us throughout the past few months "Forever and always, no matter what." We saw what these words truly meant and how that love and devotion was displayed between this amazing couple. Dan and I want a marriage like that. One that last "Forever and always, no matter what."

We began to think about our wedding vows. We could use the traditional ones as originally planned. The ones that everyone uses but no one truly means any more. For some reason, this no longer seems adequate to the occassion. We wanted something more. So, after some searching, editing, combing... we found vows that we believe will fit us perfectly. When we exchange rings instead of saying "With this ring I thee wed" we are planning on saying "Forever and always, no matter what." Aunt Shelley, Uncle Mike... we hope you approve of this change.

As we stand beside the ocean tide,
I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you,
To comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad,
When life seems easy and when it seems hard,
When our love is simple, and when it is an effort.
I pledge myself to you this day
May our love be as unchanging and dependable as the tide,
flowing endlessly from the depths of the sea.
May my constant devotion nourish and sustain you until the end of time.
I love you.

FINALLY ~ Our Song

2009-02-28T17:26:00.001-07:00

Nov 04, 2008

Your Guardian Angel by the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
When I see your smile
Tears roll down my face
I can't replace
And now that I'm strong
I have figured out
How this world turns cold
and it breaks through my soul
And I know I'll find deep inside me
I can be the one

I will never let you fall (let you fall)
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all (through it all)
Even if saving you sends me to heaven

It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.
Seasons are changing
And waves are crashing
And stars are falling all for us
Days grow longer and nights grow shorter
I can show you I'll be the one

I will never let you fall (let you fall)
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all (through it all)
Even if saving you sends me to heaven

Cuz you're my, you're my, my, my true love,
my whole heart
Please don't throw that away
Cuz I'm here for you
Please don't walk away and Please tell me you'll stay woah, stay woah
Use me as you will
Pull my strings just for a thrill
And I know I'll be okay
Though my skies are turning gray

I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven
[to fade]

Good Morning Beautiful

2009-02-28T16:46:00.002-07:00

May 30, 2008

I am not quite sure when this started but at some point Dan began emailing me each morning when he got to work with this simple line "Good Morning Beautiful." Every now and then he mixes it up but most days this is what he says. On the weekends, its usually the first thing that I hear. He hates country music and so does not appreciate this song at all but it reminds me of him so I just had to share it with all of you.

Camping 2008

2008-11-28T08:49:00.004-07:00

We went on a family camping trip in August. We invited the whole clan but only my Dad could make it. We are hoping to plan another one here in April.

Nick (Misty's Dad), Dan holding Zac, Ben, and Kris.

Our Campsite and the new "condo."

Zac and Kris getting firewood.

Ben chillin' instead of being on firewood patrol.

Life Skills for Boys

2008-11-28T08:34:00.003-07:00

From Life Take 1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have been looking everywhere for a list of things every man should know when he leaves his parents home. I have found nothing. I have found plenty on things little girls should know but nothing about boys. So.... with the help of my husband, some homeschool friends, and with my own boys as guinea pigs ... I am determined to make my own list. This is a work in progress obviously and I will need all of your help. PLEASE ... if you think of anything to add, email me. I will be trying to divide the list first into catergories and then by age and/or grade ranges. Maybe even through in a few ideas on how to implement all of this ... who knows we will see how it will develop. Maybe it will even turn into a book someday. Whatever God has in store ... will be perfect for me! And so not to exclude anyone ... these ideas could also be used for little girls as well.

General Resources
There are quite a few books available written about boys but nothing has what I am looking for exactly as I stated before. However, there are a few resources that are great at teaching life skills aimed at both genders. I have listed these below. These books cover multiple areas. For books on a particular subject ... please look under the appropriate heading.

For Use With The Kids:
Life Skills for Kids: Equipping Your Child For The Real World by Christine Field
Plants Grow Up
Contenders of Faith
Man in Demand
Christian Manhood
Preparing For Every Man's Battle

For The Parents:
Raising A Modern Day Knight
Books For Boys
Bringing Up Boys
Future Men
Boyhood and Beyond
Preparing Sons o Provide for a Single-Income Family by Steven Maxwell

C hores

18 months - PK:
Help with picking up
Imitate cleaning in play
Can put things in trash when asked
Can bring things to you when asked
Cooperates with directions given
Helps make the bed by placing pillow and stuffed animals on bed after it is made
Helps put dirty laundry in the laundry basket

PK-K:
Pick up toys and belongs; put in proper places
Put Away Laundry Piles
Sort Laundry
Help younger siblings
Help mom or dad upon request
Put plate and cup on counter near sink
Set the table
Turns off lights when leaving a room

1st-3rd grade:
Carry laundry and have it remain folded correct to the rooms it goes in
Fold laundry
Unload the dishwasher
Make Bed independently
Feeds pets
Empty small trash can
Help bring in groceries
Vaccuum
Dust
Knows address, phone number, and full name
Know full names of parents and siblings
Street Safety
Knows to look both ways before crossing street (Stop, Look, and Listen rule)
Knows to always cross in the crosswalk or at a corner
Knows what the meaning of stop lights are (and each color)
Knows what a stop sign is

4th-6th grade:
Load the dish washer/wash dishes
Start a load of laundry and complete it ... to where everything is put away neatly
Clear table and put away left overs, etc.
Empty trash cans
Put away grocerries without help
Wash Windows
Clean bathroom counters and sink
Clean Microwave
Sweep Tile (or vacuum it like I do)
Answering Door

7th grade - adult:
Clean entire bathroom
Mop floors
Clean oven
Clean Refrigerator
Defrost Freezer
Handling Solictors
Important Papers
what are they
how to keep them safe (filing in a fire safe box)
Knows what to use to clean any surface in the home, where to purchase it, and how to clean that surface without any outside help from mom or dad
Able to see what needs to be done and does it on his own

Manners
18 months - PK:
Says Please
Says Thank you
Says Your Welcome
Sits or Stands quietly during a short family prayer time
Says Excuse me
Waits to start eating until after a prayer has been said
Resource: Boys First Book of Manners

PK-K:
Says yes/no ma'am/sir
Says God Bless you for sneezes and coughs
Open some doors for mom and sisters (depends on weight of door)
Child learns not to interrupt
Child answers phone with "------- residence. Please hold." and nothing else even if it is Dad or Grandma on the other line. You never know if he is mistaking a voice or not. How many times have you made that same mistake even as an adult?
Resource: Everyday Graces

1st-3rd grade:
Can answer phone and take messages when needed
Holds doors for elderly, woman, when someone needs help
Offers assistance when appropriate
Resource: Little Book of Manners for Boys
Treats others with Respect at all times

Self-Care
18 months - PK:
Washes hands with help
Tend to potty needs with help
Requires help dressing self
Requires help brushing teeth

PK-K:
Washes hands alone
Tends to potty needs alone
Brushes Teeth alone
Some assistance needed with bathing but beginning to do it on own
Brushes hair with minimal assistance
Sex Education
Resource: The Story of Me (God's Design For Sex Series)
Knows that he is a boy
Knows differences between boys and girls, moms and dads
Stranger Danger
Knows what a stranger is
Knows who to go to for helps
Knows what to do if seperated from parents

1st-3rd grade:
Sex Education
Resource: Before I was Born (God's Design For Sex Series)
What is an Emergency
Introduce the topic of drugs and alcohol
what is peer pressure
how to say no
smoking
Living a Healthy life style
proper nutrition
exercise
how to handle stress properly

4-6th grade:
How to tie a tie
Cleaning up vomit
deodrant and cologne
Sex Education
Resource: What's The Big Deal (God's Design For Sex Series)
CPR
Knows how to purchase own clothing and shoes
shopping on a budget
purchasing what you need first then what you want
finding out if you can afford your wants
knowing your sizes
how to tell if things fit properly

7th-adult:
How to shave
Sex Education
Resource: Facing the Facts (God's Design For Sex Series) -- to be done around 7th grade or so.
what is a menstrual cycle -- uncomfortable, why the blood, no deroggatory remarks
caring for an illness
Routine Medical Care
how to talk with medical professionals
explaining the problem
When to go the doctor
importance of yearly exams
family medical history
Refresher course on CPR for all age groups; get a card
how to trim hair
making sure side burns are even
how to get a haircut
comparing costs
describing what you want
where to go

Matters of Self-Control
Sexually and otherwise ... (I think you all know what I mean here and some of the resources at the top helps you prepare your little man for this as he grows. Now we are expecting him to do this on his own. All the time.)
Basics to work on through out:
Basic first aid
Administers medication to others
Visit the following websites for specific information
http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/firstaidandselfcare/index.cfm
http://www.parasolemt.com.au/Manual/
http://www.healthy.net/clinic/firstaid/
Creating a First Aid Kit
Visit the following websites for list of supplies
http://www.tundraco.com/dlhkit.html
http://expage.com/page/firstaidkit
Disaster/Emergency Preparations
visit the following sites for specific information:
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/
http://www.fema.gov/rrr/prep2.shtm
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0%2C1082%2C0_601_%2C00.html
http://www.disasterrelief.org/Library/Prepare/
Take an Emergency Management Course at your local College

Cooking
PK-K:
How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
How to pour himself a drink
Assists with baking

Other:
baking bread
cooking a meal
proper nutrition
the food pyramid
using the microwave
using the oven
using the stove
using other kitchen appliances
chopping veggies
slicing fruit
grating cheese
how to follow a recipe
food safety during preparations
meat temperatures for safe cooking
Get a food handlers card
how to make coffee, tea, hot cocoa
How to handle knives
How to sharpen Knives
Hot Oil Safety
What to do if there is a....
grease fire
electrical fire
general fire
use of a fire estingquisher

Cars Repair and Maintenance
PK-K:
Resource: How Our Car Works by Larry Burkett
1st - 3rd grade:
Learning the names for various parts of the car

Other:
Changing the Oil
Fixing a Flat Tire
Changing the Wiper Blades
Filling Brake Fluid
Filling Transmission Fluid
Maintenance Checks
Putting on Snow Chains
De-Icing a Windshield
Wash a car
Wax a car
Detail a car
Change the spark plugs
Change the oil filter
Change the air filter
Putting air in the tires
Checking the tire pressure
Filling the window washer fluid
tightening belts
fixing the breaks
learning the parts to a car
changing a fuse
changing a light bulb
putting on the tags
vehicle registration
getting insurance
driver's education
defensive driving course
learning to drive a stick and an automatic
How to stabalize a car and use a jack
how to put gas in a car
How to get estimates for work that needs to be done
for your car
for your home
Purchasing car parts
comparing prices
where to go
What to do when your car breaks down
on a freeway
in the middle of the street
in the middle of no where
in an emergency
How to tell when something is wrong with the car
gauges indicating there is a problem
smoking
strange noises
What to do when your car overheats

Home Repair and Maintenance
PK-K:
Visit Home Improvement Store and become familiar with the various sections and types of things they carry
Plant a garden, learn to care for it with assistance
Pull weeds with assistance
Water with assistance
How to clean up spills
Resource: How Our House Works by Larry Burkett

1st - 3rd Grade:
raking leaves
Cleaning deck furniture
Shoveling Snow
Sweeping sidewalks
Using phone functions (caller id, speeding dialing, ....)
How to Climb a Ladder Safely
bug killing
recognizes non-posions bugs
able to step on them or squish them with a paper towel and throw them in the trash
Hosing off sidewalks
Proper care of tools
Proper use of tools
hammer
pliers
screw drivers (phillips, flathead)
sockets
wrenches
hand saws
power tools
kinds
use
care
drills
mounts
bits
tape measure
safety equipment
dust mask or respirator
leather gloves
goggles
hard hat
steel-toed boots
learn about various trades and equipment used

4th -6th Grade:
Cleaning the bar-b-que
Grocery Shopping
how to pick fresh produce
checking for expiration dates
comparing prices (price per unit)
Furniture Care
oiling wood
oiling leather
flipping mattress
hiring companies to clean
drapes
couches
other items
Basic Sewing
how to sew on a button
repairing a simple tear
How to Iron
How to Change a light bulb
Painting
touch ups
filling holes
how to mask off
Proper lifting of heavy items
Moving Furniture and other items
Connecting electronics (ie tv, dvd, vcr, stereo)
Getting grease stains out of the garage
When to call a repair man
Proper way to clean up broken glass
Disposing of hazard materials
Building a bird house
Staining or Restaining Furniture

7th Grade - Adult:
pest control (using raid or other products)
Renting Your First Apartment
World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Renting Your First Apartment
mowing the yard
unclogging sinks
Fixing appliances
garbage disposal (reset button)
refrigerator (adjusting temp)
washer
dryer
freezer
fixing leaks
Wall Paper
Hanging Pictures
Cleaning a pool
How to use a weed wacker
How to trim a tree
How to trim a bush
Cleaning gutters
Tune up a lawn mower
How to replace door locks
Basic plumbing
Turning water off at appliance
Turning water off at the main (to the whole house)
Unclogging the toliet
Unclogging the drain
Cleaning the drain
Replacing a u-joint
Unclogging a garbage disposal
Fixing a running toliet
How to Replace a Washer
How to protect pipes from freezing
Fixing a leaking toliet
Basic tile installation
Basic electrical
Turning electricity off to appliance
Circuit Breakers
turning off the main
turning off to various parts of the home
proper labeling
How to repair a drive way
How to add a sidewalk with either brick or concrete
Relocating ~ out of state, in state
Shampoo the Carpet
How to cut firewood
Better Homes & Gardens ...... Making a Home: Housekeeping for Real Life (This book covers more than just cleaning. This is a how-to guide for every aspect of your home from purchasing items including furniture to etiquette and entertaining. From stain removal to organization. A must have for everyone of your children as they prepare to take on the world along. ISBN: 0-696-21203-x)
constructing simple shelves
Assemblying furniture and other items
How to turn the gas off to an appliance
How to turn the gas off to the house
Simple Drywall Repair
Basic Landscaping principles
protect plants from freezing

A Man's Tool Box:
We feel that it is important for every young man to leave home with a well stocked quality tool box. When our sons begin first grade, they each recieved a tool box with his initials clearly on it (so as not confuse with Dads or brothers) and a few tools. The first tools our sons recieved were a level, a tape measure, and safety goggles. Each year, as they learn more about the home and cars ... they will get new tools to add to their collection. Their tools represent things that they have learned to do. Whenever a project is to be done .... each little man gets out his own tools. All tool boxes are located in the garage, where they belong. When our oldest son got his, our little ones felt left out so we bought them aprons at the home improvement store. They were just as thrilled with this and their toy tools as big brother with the tool box. Just a note, Kris got his apron and first set of tools (plasic in a plastic tool box) when he was a year old. These have been a favorite ever since. They also have play hard hats.

Sports
Throwing a ball
Catching a ball
Kicking a ball
Basic Rules for
football
baseball
basketball
hockey
soccer
pool
golf
tennis
volleyball
Swimming
Diving
Rock Climbing
Hiking
Push Ups
Pull Ups
Sit Ups
Arm Wrestling
Olympic sports
Self defense course
Karate
Boxing/Wrestling
Skiing
Snowboarding
Ice Skating
Roller Skating
Lifting Weights
Aerobics
Stretching
Warming up and Cooling Down
Riding a Bike
Playing team sports
Sportsmanship
Being a great loser
Being a humble winner
Dancing
Slow dancing
on a date

Outdoor and Survival Skills
Camping
how to put up a tent
what to pack
where to go
rules for safety
collecting firewood
starting a fire
Bar-b-Que-ing
starting a fire
how to tell when its done
What to do when encountering a wild animal
What to do when lost
What to do during a flood
How to tie a know
Able to identify common plants and animals to the area where you live
Can use a compass
Boiling water for safe drinking
How to plan a trip
budget
map reading
safety percautions
transportation issues
plane, train, car, boat, ....
Home preparations for natural disasters .. ie what to do during a
hurricane
tornado
earth quake
flood
Firearms
how to clean
registering
how to care for
how to use
where to store it
naming various parts
types

Finances
PK-K:
Resource: Lets Go To The Store by Larry Burkett
Resource: Lets Count by Larry Burkett

1st-3rd Grade:
Resource: All About Money by Larry Burkett
How to save money
Resource: Money Matters for Kids by Larry Burkett
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Your First Savings Plan by Larry Burkett (This should be read aloud to your child. They can re-read it on there own later for a refresher course.
Open up a savings account in the child's name

4th - 6th Grade:
Resource: Money Matters for Kids Planner by Larry Burkett

7th grade - Adult:
Resource: Money Matters for Teens Workbook by Larry Burkett
How to purchase a home
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Buying Your First Home by Larry Burkett
How to purchase a car
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Buying Your First Car by Larry Burkett
How to purchase furniture
How to make investments
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Planning Your First Investment by Larry Burkett
The Stock Market
How to balance a check book
How to open a bank account
Tithing
Donating to charities
How to write a check
no SSN number on the check
numbers as words
no empty spaces
your signature
making a budget (and sticking to it!)
Choosing a loan by comparing interest rates
Financial Planning
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Creating Your First Financial Plan by Larry Burkett
Credit Cards
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Getting Your First Credit Card by Larry Burkett
Preparing Tax Forms
Doing it yourself vs. hiring an accountant

Dating
How to buy flowers
How to make dinner reservations
Planning a night out (focusing on things you both like to do or she likes to do ... not just what you want.)
Getting a baby sitter (okay ... this could also be a fatherhood skill but I stuck it here.)
Buying appropriate gifts
Remembering important dates
Conflict Resolution
Abstinence and other options
Sex Education (see self care for specifics)
Personality Types
Basic Psychology
World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Family Relationships by Larry Burkett
Dating Rules

Characteristics of a spouse
How to buy jewelry
Preparing for Fatherhood
How to Change a Diaper
How to Make a bottle
How to pack a diaper bag
How to Give baby a bath
proper temp
what to use
those funny little hooded towels
The cost of little people
planning for their futures (wedding, college)
all those things they need
all those things they want
medical expensenses both before and after the are born
paying for an education (private school, home school, extra-curricular activities)

Job Skills and College
College Admission Applications
Getting Your First Job
World's Easiest Pocket Guide To Finding Your First Full Time Job by Larry Burkett
How to Write a Resume
Job Interviews
what to wear
what to expect
what to say
sending a thank you letter afterwards
Filling out a job application
Internships
Exploring various Careers
Online resume sites
Head Hunters
Time Management Skills
Setting Priorities
Organizational Skills
Computers
Basic Understanding of popular programs ... Microsoft
Word
Excel
Powerpoint
Access
Email Etiquette

Worksheets & Lesson Plans

2008-11-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A to Z Teacher Stuff
ABC Teach
CEC Lesson Plans
Ed Helper
Homeschooling Families Lesson Plan Links
Lesson Plan Page
Lesson Planning Forms to Print
Lesson Plan Search
Lesson Plans Page
Lesson Planz
School House Printables
The Teacher's Corner

Other Information

2008-11-28T08:27:00.002-07:00

From Life Take 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arizona School Information
Calendar for Upcoming Events in AZ
Girl Scouts
Studio 2B

Safety in AZ

2008-11-28T08:27:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

check crime rates and who is living in your neighborhood. Keeping our children safe should be one of our top priorities!
AZ Sex Offenders
Crime Time
FBI
Family Safe Media
Megan's Law
Phoenix Sex Offenders
Tempe Sex Offenders

I.D.E.A.

2008-11-28T08:24:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IDEA Alaska
IDEA Arizona

AZ Magazines

2008-11-28T08:23:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arizona Parenthood

AZ Field Trips

2008-11-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Apple Annies
Arizona Railroad Museum
Challenger Space Museum
Child's Play
Desert Botanical Gardens
Farm To Family
Great AZ Puppet Theater
Heritage Park and Science Square
History of Phoenix Police Museum
Mesa Southwest Museum
Out Of Africa Wildlife Park
Rosson House
Sahuaro Ranch
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Suns/Mercury Basketball Camp
Valley Youth Theater
Young's Farm
Amerind Foundation, Inc.
Arizona Guide to Tucson
Arizona Museum for Youth
Arizona Science Center
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
City of Tucson
Desert USA
Heard Museum
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Mesa Storytellers
Mesa Historical Museum
Mission de San Xavier Del Baca
Mohave Museum of History and Arts
Museum of Northern Arizona
Navajo County Museum
Phoenix Art Museum
Phoenix Zoo
Pueblo Grande Museum
Rawhide Wild West Town
Rim Country Museum
Schnepf Farms -- Annual Chili and Pumpkin Festival
Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum at the Goldfield Ghost Town
Tempe Town Lake
Titan Missile Museum
Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau

AZ Homeschool Support Groups

2008-11-28T08:21:00.002-07:00

From Life Take 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sonlight Arizona
Arizona Families For Home Education (AFHE)
Christian Home Educators of Cochise County
Knowledge House Learning Resource Center
Veritas Homeschoolers
The Salt Seller
Christ Church of the Valley Homeschool Ministry
Desert Hills Christian School
East Valley Christian Home Educators
Fountain Hills Christian Home Educators
Happily Educating ouR Own (HERO)
JOY Homeschool Group
Koinonia Homeschoolers
Legacy Homeschoolers
New Hope Homeschoolers
Palo Verde Homeschoolers
Rainbow Explorers

Teacher Resources

2008-11-28T08:21:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A to Z Teacher Stuff
ABC Teach
Easy Fun School
Highland Heritage Home School
Homeschool Resource
The Learning Page
Teach Weekly
Teachers Teach-nology
Lifestyle of Learning Ministries
Teachers and Family
Teaching Treasures
The Idea Box
The Teacher's Corner
Printable Books
Homeschool Tracker (homeschool software program)
Edu-Track (Homeschool software program)

Unit Studies & Themes

2008-11-28T08:20:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Homeschooling Families Unit Study Links
Homeschooling Families Unit Study Sections
Unit Plan Search
Peg's Unit Study Information & Resources

Christmas Links

2008-11-28T08:18:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For more links be sure to check out our homeschool links section .... scroll down to holidays and you should find some more information.

Printable Nativity

Forms & Checklists for an Organized Holiday

Advent Activities including daily Bible reading, crafts, recipes and more!

Jesse Tree Ornament Patterns

Directions for making your own Advent calendar

Information on Jesse Trees and/or Banners

Reviews of books relating to Christmas/Advent

Coloring Page for Jesse Tree

Ceremony suggestions for Jesse Tree

Jesse Tree Patterns

Jesse Tree Patterns to Color

Jesse Tree Patterns

Jesse Tree

Make a Jesse Tree: Advent Learning Project

Jesse Tree: Advent Preparation

A Blessed Christmas: A Unit Study Approach to Studying the Symbols of Christmas

Advent Coloring Book

How to make an Advent Wreath

Advent for Families

All About Jesus -- Keeping Christ in Christmas

Advent Treasure Hunt for Kids

Advent Activities

Setting up a Creche for Advent

Jesse Tree

Advent Study (has lots of links to other sites too!)

Christmas Movie List

2008-11-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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The Toy That Saved Christmas -- Veggie Tale

The Christmas Star -- Veggie Tale

Muppet's Christmas Carol

It's A wonderful Life

Little House on the Prairie Christmas

Christmas Carol - 1930's Edition

Walton's Christmas

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Frosty the Snow Man

Christmas with the Kranks

Birthday Cake for Jesus

2008-11-28T08:16:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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(Originally from Focus on the Family)

In the hussle and bussle of the season, it is easy to forget the true meaning of our celebration. It is Jesus Birthday!! So to celebrate, let's bake him a special birthday cake. No not just any cake but one with meaning to help us remember. First, the birthday cake itself symbolizes God's love for us (John 3:16). It is a chocolate cake, to symbolize our sin, black in God's own eyes (Romans 3:23). The entire cake is shaped like a star. White frosting covers the cake just as Christ's purity covers our sins (Isaiah 1:18). On top of the cake we put a yellow star to signify the one that shone over Jesus' manager (Matthew 2:1-2), an angel to indicate the first glad tidings (Luke 2:9-10), and candles to show that Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12). There are 12 candles to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world tjroughout the 12 months of the year, not just at Christmas. Also, they are red, symbolizing His blood shed for us (Matthew 26:27-28). Finally, we put some evergreens on the cake to signify everlasting life (John 3:16), God's gift to those who recieve it.

Family Advent Activities

2008-11-28T08:12:00.002-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Go caroling....
Go ride and look at the lights and then come home to hot chocolate....
Go to see a live nativity (maybe NOT available in Alaska?)....
Bake Christmas cookies and sample with hot tea or hot chocolate....
Make Christmas gifts and goody baskets....
Make Christmas wrapping paper....
Take goody baskets for Troopers...Firefighters...Your Chaplain...a lonely neighbor! Fill with lots of homemade goodies!
Make Christmas Decorations....
Go visit a nursing home...sing carols, take homemade cards, really talk....
Have a Birthday Party for Jesus for the children of your neighbors and friends...let each child bring a canned food/toy to donate for Christmas....
Pull out the old photo albums and tell all of those hilarious family stories....
You may want to even take time this holiday to make up a Scrapbook of just your past Holiday memories complete with stories from each holiday...
Go shopping with your little ones...
Pop some popcorn and have a Christmas family movie night....
Read a great Christmas classic or bookaloud each night....
Make Christmas ornaments...
Make a Jesse Banner or tree ....
Make an Advent Candle....
Decorate your OWN "night tree"
Buy the "adornaments" at the Christian bookstore...these are great forquick Advent devotionals...they center on the names/Character of Jesusand you have a little ornament to hang on the tree each night....
Make a Christmas Book (homeschool alert - doubles as creative writing and handwriting for Dec)... take a picture each day (or draw one) and have your child write why THAT item reminds them of Christmas, or create a story about that item.....compile the book, save and bring out each year to read at Christmas time.
We wrap all our Christmas picture books and the children take turns getting to choose a book to be read during the Advent season. The lastthing we do each year is rewrap the books and then pack up allour Christmas books, videos and music....they can't come out again until the day after Thanksgiving next year
Make paper chains and tear off one for each day as you get closer to Christmas

Advent Candle

2008-11-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Take a 12 in candle and made 24 marks in it. I then wrote LITTLE devotionals (geared for the younger set! - we're talking a few sentences on most days) - we add and discuss if my littles ones are doing well - if not - that's it!). Each day we burn the candle and read the day's devotional and discuss. The candle "should" be burned out on Christmas Eve and the little ones will know that Christmas will arrive in the a.m.

Turkey Dinner Song

2008-11-28T08:10:00.002-07:00

From Life Take 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, I got to the library to late this year to reserve any good books on the topic ..... so this will just have to wait till next year. But we did find some new favorite Thanksgiving songs that I thought I would share with all of you.
Turkey Dinner by anonymous

Turkey Dinner, Turkey Dinner,
Gather Round, Gather Round,
Who will get the drum stick, yummy yummy drumstick
All sit down, All sit down

Cornbread muffins, chestnut stuffing
Pudding Pie, One foot high
We were all thinner, Until we came to dinner
Me-o-my, Me-o-my
There was another one too but I lost the piece of paper I had it written on. Will try and find it and post it soon.

Homeschool Information

2008-11-28T08:09:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Homeschool Register by State
Pray hands
About Homeschooling
Denim Jumpers
Homeschool Fun
Homeschool Central
Homeschool FAQ
Homeschool - Who Me?
More Homeschool FAQ
Smoothing The Way
You Can Homeschool
Homeschool Methods

Preschool Links

2008-11-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Activity Pad
Child Fun
Heartland
Homeschooling Adventures
Hubbard's Cupboard
Kerry's Collectables
Kid's Page
Kid's Printables
Niteowl
Patti's Preschool Resources
Perpetual Preschool
Picket Fence Playhouse
Pre-K Smarties
Preschool Coloring Book
Preschool Education
Preschool Learners
Print and Play
Shape Books
The Sunshine Room
Under 5's
Webschooling

Math Links

2008-11-28T08:07:00.002-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Ask Dr. Math
Basket Math Interactive
Exercises in Math Readiness
KidsBank
Math Goodies
Mega-Mathematics
Purple Math
Web Math

Bible Links

2008-11-28T08:07:00.001-07:00

Explorer Bible Study -- Free Online Download for all ages

History/Geography Links

2008-11-28T08:06:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Be sure to look around the site for even more links to other resources. For more geography links and ideas -- please visit the Galloping The Globe Page.
Amazon Interactive
Colonial Williamson Virtual Field Trip
Cyberbee
The Jason Project
Global Online Adventures
Virtual Field Trips
Expeditions
Ancient Egypt
Biography
Castles on the Web
Family Search
HyperHistory
Justice For Kids
Africa Guide
History/Social Studies for Teachers
Lewis and Clark
Life in the Middle Ages
New Perspectives on the West
States and Capitals
The American Civil War
The Canada War Museum
The Civil War
The Oregon Trail
The World of the Vikings
West Web
White House for Kids

Science Links

2008-11-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Brain POP
Chem4Kids
Exploratorium
How Stuff Work
Imagine the Universe
Inner Body
Kids Dig Reed
Life Beyond Earth
Museum of Science in Boston
NASA Kids
Neuroscience For Kids
Nine Planets
Ocean Planet Home Page
Star Child
The Electronic Zoo
Try Science
The Yuckiest Site on the Internet
Sci4Kids
The Franklin Institute: Learning Resources
The MAD Scientist Network

Language Arts Links

2008-11-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

Daily Grammar
Grammar & Vocabulary
Homeschooling Families Language Art Links
Grammar Worksheets
LANGUAGE ARTS
Language Arts and Literature Lessons and Activities Index
The Five Paragraph Essay
Online Dictionary
Writing Worksheets
Web Schooling - Learning to Read
Audrey Wood Club House
Bartleby
Children's Literature Web Guide
Pink Monkey
Project Gutenberg
Babel Fish - Language Translator
Britannica
Discovery School
Educator's Reference Desk
Internet Public Library
Marco Polo Education Search
New York Times Learning Network
ThinkQuest
Crayon
MidLink Magazine
Research Paper
Take Our Word
The Write Site
What Makes A Good Story?
Word Central

Homeschool Links

2008-11-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below is a list of curriculum suppliers. Some I have used others I have not. This is an extensive list of suppliers that I know of. The purpose of this list is to provide you with the knowledge that there are many many choices today for homeschooling. The way that I homeschool my children may not work for you. To make your research easier -- I have included as many other options as I could find. The list is always growing so if your favorite site isn't listed -- please email me and I will add it. The suppliers are listed in no particular order.
Sonlight, Ltd.
Lakeshore Learning Materials
Resources for Reading
Timberdoodle Company
Audio Memory
The Elijah Company
Critical Thinking Books & Software
Rainbow Resource Center
Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc.
The Core Knowledge Foundation
YWAM Publishing
My Father's World
OMF Books

SIM Books
Friendship House (Music Curriculum ....)
Social Studies School Service
ACSI/Purposeful Design Educational Resources
Color The Classics
Classical Kids: A Symphony of Stories
A Beka Book
R.O.C.K. Solid
McGraw-Hill Children's Publishing
Progeny Press
Explorer's Bible Study Curriculum
Home Training Tools
A Reason For.....
How Great Thou Art Publications
The Story Teller
Alpha Omega Publications
School Of Tomorrow (ACCES, Inc.)
The Noah Plan
Keys For The Kingdom (Piano Course)
VideoText Interactive (for algebra)
No Greater Joy Ministries
Alfred's Music Education
Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc.
Bob Jones University Press
ETA Cuisenaire
Crown Magnetics Inc.
Learning Resources
Greenleaf Press
Bellerophon Art Books
Acorn Naturalists
Christian Liberty Press
Landmark's Freedom Baptist Curriculum
Childs Work Childs Play
Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
Teacher's Video Company
Saxon Publishers
Dinah-Might Adventures, LP.
Knowledge Unlimited
Veritas Press, Inc.
Home Training Tools

The Plan

2008-11-28T07:46:00.003-07:00

Sometimes you receive an email that reaches into your core and resinates with you in a way that is hard to explain. Its like your thoughts that you were unable to articulate are finally sitting in front of you. I love this country but there are so many things that need to be fixed. We keep putting bandaids on issues and never really resolving the issues. Those that know me know that I tend to stay away from politics. Those that know Dan know that is one of the main things his family discusses. It is a heated passionate ongoing debate. The following email is a plan that would work... now if only the President Elect, Obama, will read it and put it into action.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Plan!

Robin Williams, wearing a shirt that says 'I love New York ' in Arabic. You gotta love Robin Williams......Even if he's nuts! Leave it to Robin Williams to come up with the perfect plan. What we need now is for our UN Ambassador to stand up and repeat this message.

Robin Williams' plan...(Hard to argue with this logic!) 'I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of a plan for peace. So, here's one plan.'

1) 'The US will apologize to the world for our 'interference' in their affairs, past & present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic, Hussein, and the rest of those 'good 'ole' boys', we will never 'interfere' again.

2) We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany , South Korea , the Middle East , and the Philippines . They don't want us there. We would station troops at our borders. No one allowed sneaking through holes in the fence.

3) All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave or We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of whom or where they are. They're illegal!!! France will welcome them.

4) All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit!!!! No one from a terrorist nation will be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be avail able to anyone. We don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.

5) No foreign 'students' over age 21. The older ones are the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a 'D' and it's back home baby.

6) The US will make a strong effort to become self-sufficient energy wise. This will include developing nonpolluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while.

7) Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go someplace else. They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the wells filling up the storage sites would be enough.)

8) If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not 'interfere.' They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.

9) Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island someplace. We don't need the spies and fair weather friends here. Besides, the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.

10) All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us 'Ugly Americans' any longer. The Language we speak is ENGLISH..learn it...or LEAVE...Now, isn't that a winner of a plan?

'The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.' She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'you want a piece of me?' '

Saying Goodbye

2008-11-28T07:34:00.002-07:00

In October 2008, our family got the news that a beloved member was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The night before Thanksgiving, Aunt Shelley Conway lost her fight to cancer. Please join us in prayer as our family mourns this loss. Aunt Shelley has left behind a husband of 25 years, Uncle Mike, and 8 children ranging in age from 8 to 23. For more information, please visit her blog at http://shelleyshelleyconway.blogspot.com/.

Dan's New Toy

2008-11-27T22:19:00.005-07:00

Dan traded in the bike he had for his dream... a Harley Davidson. He ended up getting a 2008 Steet Bob with chrome skull accents. Its his baby. Unfortunately, the boys all thinks its their new toy as well. Dan is willing to share.... to a point. Here they are all checking out the new ride.

And of course they had to test it out too. Dan gave them all a ride around the block.

Harley

2008-11-27T22:13:00.002-07:00

Our first puppy, Harley. He was an amazing dog that was with us for a month. Our landlord then decided that he did not approve of the breed of dog, American Bulldog, and would not allow us to keep him despite the fact that pets are allowed and he was being trained. We miss him a lot and hope he is doing well with his new family.

Ben named him. His first choice was Mega Ranger and was denied. Harley was his second pick adn approved. Ben got to name him as we were on an "alone time" adventure with him when we found out a friend of ours, Andrea, had picked him up for us as she new we were looking for a dog. She also knew about Dan's previous dog, Buddy, and felt this would be a perfect fit. It was....

Zac's Missing Tooth

2008-11-27T22:06:00.002-07:00

If you have known me for awhile then you know that Zac is my adventurous child who visits the ER on a regular basis. He is never afraid of taking a risk or trying something new. He can be shy and quiet at first but don't let that fool you! In his latest adventures, Zac had a run in with his dresser. Somehow, he knocked his front two teeth lose. It resulted in a trip to the dentist and a missing tooth.

Some how missing a tooth just makes you seem older. Now, it is official!

He is no longer my baby but a big kid.

Not to be out done, his brothers had to join in the photo to

show off the missing tooth.

Engagement Photo

2008-11-27T22:04:00.000-07:00

Costumes

2008-11-27T22:02:00.003-07:00

Ben (4) as Buzz Lightyear, Zac (5) as Jack Sparrow, and Kris (8) as a Power Ranger.

Halloween Party

2008-11-27T21:51:00.007-07:00

Dan is all about fun. Its one of the things I love about him is that he never lets life pass him by. He is always in the middle of it. He never does anything half way. He throws his whole heart into everything he does. So when the idea of a Halloween Party was brought up... Dan threw himself into it as he does everything. I only wish you could have been here to see it. A haunted hallway, fog, fog bubbles, creapy music, strobe lights, and a bonfire in the backyard. Dan is promising next years (if he is here) will be even better.

Some of those at the party. More arrived later.

Dan and I as pirates. What do you think of me as a brunette?

Shelley and Richard together again. Emo and Mobster style.

Melissa and Me. Ragged Ann with a Pirate. Odd combination. I wish

we still lived around the corner and could spend more time with each

other. I guess someday we will get another girls night out.

Pumpkins

2008-11-27T21:28:00.010-07:00

The boys have never really celebrated Halloween but rather the Harvest. This year, Dan wanted to show the boys what Halloween was all about. If you know Dan, he never does things half way. Its all or nothing.

The pumpkin patch and Schnepf Farms was the first stop.
After all, you have to have the perfect pumkins for carving.

Its not an easy job to find the perfect pumpkin... just ask Ben.

But adventually you do find one.

After all that hard work, its time for a little fun in the sun.

After the adventures at the pumpkin patch, its time to carve the pumpkins.
Step 1: Cut open the top

Step 2: Take out the insides. YUCK!

Step 3: Tips from Dan on how to carve your pumpkin.

Step 4: Attempt to carve your own pumpkin.

Step 5: Let Dan finish the carving for you.

Step 6: Kiss your pumpkin if you really like your Jack-o-lantern.

Wedding Planning

2008-11-27T21:22:00.004-07:00

It is about 8 months till the big day when I become a wife again. The planning has been going pretty well. Its hard to believe all the details that go into planning an event and how much it costs. I have a website that I created just for all those details. Some of you have asked for that information: www.mywedding.com/mistyanddanpoland. There is a blog there as well that will give you all the details on what we are doing as far as wedding related events and other events that are happening in our life as well.

This is our save the date magnet. We are handing these out to family and friends at the Christmas Party on December 13. And yes... you are invited too. =)

Researching Life in the Military

2008-08-26T16:49:00.003-07:00

There are a few websites that I have been using to help me prepare for this journey. If you know of some others or if any of you are army wifes with your own blogs who wish to share with me your experience, please leave a comment so I may visit your sites and learn from you all as well.

Married to the Army
Army Wife Talk Radio
Life Lessons Military Wife

Preparing to be a Military Wife

2008-08-26T16:31:00.003-07:00

I have been trying to figure out just what it will be like to become a military wife. Those that know me best assure me I will be fine. That the boys and I will strive. I always make the best of everything and am looking forward to a few more years at home with my crew. I love the idea of possibly homeschooling them again for awhile before returning to civilian life and the rat race that it has become.

But others who have "been there done that" have cautioned me against it. Saying I don't know what I am getting into. The costs associated with it, the things that I will miss, the closeness of relationships now experienced. I have been researching and trying to prepare but to be honest, I just don't know where to begin.

I ran across this poem today and thought I would share it with all of you. It says a lot about my beliefs that I have always held. The wifes, husbands, children, families of the officers also selfishly give all for us and this country each and everyday. We should be thanking not only our soldiers for the sacrifices they make but also their families. For without any of them, where would we truly be?

Memorial Day weekend is coming fast. It's just a few days off. I encourage all of you not just to spend another fun week bar-b-queing with your families. That is a fun thing to do. But please, take the moment to share with your children what this holiday is truly about. Those that gave their all for us.

My Other Websites

2008-08-25T12:23:00.002-07:00

"Life: Take 1" original material came from the following websites:

Worldview Academy
Tuscan Sun Academy
Kitchen Moments

Due to a request from a popular company with the same name, our homeschool site was moved and renamed to Tuscan Sun Academy. I never really liked the name and it was never really used. We kept on with the same name. If we homeschool again in the future, we will be choosing a new name. I was also a featured columnist on homeschoolblogger for a time. This is a part of This Old Schoolhouse Magazine. I enjoyed my time writing for Kitchen Moments each week.

In addition, my other "old" websites include:

Sonlight Arizona
Sonlight Arizona on Yahoo Groups

There are a few that are no longer available. I am sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. Posts not located on other sites have been permanently lost. These sites include:

Usborne Books
Adventuring with 3boyz
Send Out Cards

Wall Word Worm

2008-08-25T12:22:00.002-07:00

From Life Take 1
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I created this worm for a fun way for my son to "see" what he knows for reading. There were days when he would have "confidence issues" -- believing that he couldn’t read, didn’t know what the word was, etc… So I came up with the idea of making a worm of all the words he knew. Every time he came across a new one – I added a circle to the wall. His enjoyment in reading grew as did the length of our worm and now whenever he is having a “confidence crisis” he simply goes to his wall of words and can see all that he has accomplished.

To make your own, you will need both sets of patterns below as well as a list of words. I made a list of about 900 words that we discovered in the first 2/3 of our K phonics program. After that – I gave up. There were simply too many words to add and I had run out of room. Please feel free to use my list, create your own, and make it as long as you like. Printing the pattern on cardstock works best.

My son enjoyed this idea so much, that I am thinking of making a spelling word worm next year. Every week when his new spelling list is out – we will add the new words to the wall. We also played games this year with our worm prior to hanging it up. Be creative!! There is a lot you can do with this little guy. I am hoping to get pictures of ours up soon – in our family photo area.

Here is a great twist on this idea from Sharon. She calls it a Reading Caterpiller. On each bump of the body she lists a book that she has read to her son (for those unable to read yet) or the story that he son read to her (for those who know how to read). The goal is to make it as long as possible by the end of the year. She starts over every year on her son's birthday. You could choose to start at the beginning of your school year. This sounds like a great game!! You could even have siblings race each other if competition is as much of a factor in your home as it is in ours!! I can't wait to start this with the boys!! Thanks for the idea Sharon!!

Word Worm Head

Word Worm Body

Word List

Blank Science Labsheets

2008-08-25T12:22:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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For Sonlight Science K

HWT Files

2008-08-25T12:21:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Letters & Numbers For Me

K Handwriting Paper

1 Handwriting Paper

Saxon Math Schedules

2008-08-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Saxon Math K

Saxon Math 1

Saxon Math 2

Blank Worksheets

2008-08-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Curriculum Planner

1 subject-36 week schedule

Elective Planning Guide

Parent Planner

Wish List

Pk/K Evaluation

Unit Study Planner

HWT Help

2008-08-25T12:18:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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(An example of how a comment/question has helped out so many with a new idea. Thanks Jennifer!)

Hi Misty,

Anyway the idea was for those who don't have the cards to do that part of the letters for HWT. I thought I would do Mat on day 1, then on the next day do a sensory lesson for each letter, eg putting rice or flour in the bottom of a square baking dish and then "writing" the letter in it, then on third day do it on the slate as you suggest.

Thanks,
Jennifer in Tasmania
(2d and counting)

2004-2005 School Year

2008-08-25T12:11:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Apr 2004 - July 2004 --Review Period

Nov 2004 -- First Day of School

Well that plan did not work so well after all. Once we finished up Core PK with Janet's extras and some
other things for the second time, Kris was ready to
move onto Core K and nothing was going to deter
him from doing so.

So...... we began our school year at the beginning of May. We are focusing mainly on the basics at this point ... phonics, handwriting, math, critical thinking and of course read alouds. When time allows we add in our science, history, and enrichment activities. We also try to get to the Bible and Character Studies on a daily basis. In November, I am hoping to have everything done on a daily basis but we will see how things go when the time comes. Zac is becoming more adament about being involved now ... and then of course there is Ben to consider.....

2003-2004 School Year

2008-08-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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1 Sep 2003 -- First Day of School
24 Oct 2003 -- End of First Quarter
27-31 Oct 2003 -- Break
24-28 Nov 2003 -- Thanksgiving Break
22 Dec 2003 - 2 Jan 2004 -- Christmas Break
23 Jan 2004 -- End of Second Quarter
26-30 Jan 2004 -- Break
2 Apr 2004 -- End of Third Quarter
5-16 apr 2004 -- Spring Break
25 Jun 2004 -- End of Fourth Quarter
28 Jun 2004 - 3 Sep 2004 -- Summer Break

Well -- if you look ahead to the next year, you will discover that we finished up quite early this year and so I have had to make some adjustments to my way of viewing the school year. Our new school year will begin on May 1 each year and end about April 15. Why did I pick this day? To correlate with the Sonlight Catalog of course!!! A new one comes out each year on April 1, by starting school on the 1 of May then I have time to order and wait for our supplies to be shipped. I choose and ending date close to this that will allow me to do some "spring cleaning" in the office in order to prepare for the upcoming year.

Daily Schedule

2008-08-25T12:07:00.002-07:00

From Life Take 1
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(Please note: I have had several over the years. All the ones that I have had previously posted are here to given you an idea of what our life is like. However, life doesn't always go according to plan. You must be willing to adapt and improvise on an as-needed basis.)

The times for our daily schedule (Monday-Friday) vary but the order in which things are completed stays pretty much the same.

7:30 -- Mama up, check email

8 am -- Everyone up, get dressed

8:30 am -- morning chores then breakfast

9 am -- educational film or directed play

10:30 am -- Zac and Ben nap, Kris school time

12:00 pm -- Kris does his workbook assignments on his own, Mama feeds Ben and spends special one-on-one time with him.

12:30 pm -- Lunch, Zac up from nap

1 pm -- Ben back down for a nap, Kris and Zac library time (where we read books from the library

1:30 -- free play (QUIETLY) for Kris and Zac, Mama chores and/or computer time

2 pm -- Chores for everyone. Kris is in charge of picking up all the rooms even his brothers and putting everything away. Zac is to help or stay out of the way. Mama does her daily cleaning.

3 pm -- Playtime with all 3 boys

4 pm -- outside time if weather permits

5 pm -- start dinner, Daddy comes home from work

6 pm -- dinner, bible devotional study by Daddy

7 pm -- bubble bath time with Daddy, afterwards night time chores

8 pm -- Zac goes to bed, Kris has homework/special one-on-one time with Dad

8:30 pm -- Kris goes to bed

9:30 pm -- Ben goes to bed

10 pm -- Mama goes to bed

Usborne Book List

2008-08-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Notes:
These are the books that I used. Sonlight periodically changes there programs around therefore some of the books listed below may no longer be in use. Please check a current catalog for the correct book lists.

Prices quoted for books is subject to change. The prices mentioned are the prices current of when this information was originally posted. Usborne books, in general, are inexpensive and a great value. For information about prices, availability -- please email me.

If you would like information on recieving a discount on Usborne Books by becoming a consultant or would like to sell Usborne Books, please email for the current specials. You only need to sign up once and your membership as a consultant is good for a life time regardless of how often you order books. That means you can get the 25% discount this year, in 10 years, and then again in 30 and never have to meet a yearly or monthly minimum. (okay exaggerated the years to prove a point -- after all who could wait 10 years to order more books!!)

Baby/Toddler Books

I have been using a lot of the Beginning readers for my little one and haven't purchased a lot of Usborne books for him yet. He loves the easy readers and as a bonus big brother can read them and gets in extra reading practice. He also enjoys the Tie-A-Bow book even though he is too young to understand yet. I only allow my children board books before the age of 2. In addition to these, we own....

Find the Duck (loves this one and wants to read it over and over again. QUACK! QUACK! as Zac calls it.)
Building Site
Diggers

A friend of mine recommended the following Usborne books for baby and toddler. These look great and I will have to plan on adding some to my collection soon!

Look and Say Board Books - Beach, Farm, Town
First Picture Word Book
That's Not My. series - Car, Truck, Tractor, Train, etc.
Young Farmyard Tales Board Books - Curly the Pig, Wooly the Sheep, The
Red Tractor
Farmyard Tales Touchy Feely - Curly's Friends, Wooly's Walk, Rusty's Bone
Animal Noises (Not sure about these. I tend to shy away from the touchy books that can get all sticky and yucky and are hard to clean.)
Find the - Kitten, Teddy, Puppy
Animal Hide and Seek
Alphabet Book
Young Nature Board Book Series - Horses & Ponies, Baby Animals, Farm Animals
Big Machine Board Books - Trucks, Racing Cars, Planes, Tractors
Ultimate Touchy Fell Board Books - Diggers, Trucks (Not sure about these. I tend to shy away from the touchy books that can get all sticky and yucky and are hard to clean.)
Look Through Board Books - Bunny on the Beach, Mouse on the Moon, Panda in the Park
Very First Words
Very First Numbers
Things that Move
Animals
Sonlight Core Preschool Books
Things People Do
Then and Now
First Thousand Words -- This book is also available in other languages and in sticker book format. All are wonderful and indespensible in learning vocabulary for a new language.
Opposites -- workbook
Shapes -- workbook
What's Under The Sea? -- Now available in the Pocket Scientist Red Book that is internet linked. This book also contains 7 other books from this series and is a great bargain at $8.95 compared to the $4.95 I paid for just this one book from Sonlight. (prices are subject to change.)
Why Do Tiger's Have Stripes? --- See the information above about this book.
Preschool Books
Starting To Measure -- From the same workbook series as Opposites and Shapes. A great introduction to measuring.
Pocket Scientist Red Book and Pocket Scientist Blue Book -- The complete series of science books that are used in Sonlight Science programs PK-1st grade I believe. Only a few titles are ones that Sonlight actually uses but all are wonderful. These books are internet linked and full of wonderful information.
First Encyclopedia of Science (IL)
Ted and Friends
First Dictionary (IL)
Sonlight Science K Books
Finding Out About Everyday Things
First Book of Nature -- This book has been redone by Usborne and is now available in an internet linked format by the title of Pocket Nature. It includes all the same information just in a different order.
Science Activities II
Sonlight Core Kindergarten Books
Children's Encylopedia

Kindergarten Books

First Dictionary -- I prefer this to the one Sonlight uses for K LA but I have both and use both. This one is internet linked though. (I warned you earlier that I loved internet link books -- didn't I?)
Children's IL (that means Internet Linked) Encyclopedia -- I used this in addition to the one Sonlight includes in its Core K program. The difference is the links and there is more information in the internet linked one compared to the regular one.
Stories From Around the World
Children's World Cookbook (IL)
People's of the World (IL)
Tie-A-Bow Book -- great for teaching your child how to tie laces. Lots of different things to practice on and a few surprises too at the end!
Beginning Readers

Frog on a Log
Hen's Pens
Goose on the Loose
Ted's Shed
Toad makes a Road
Ted in a red Bed
Sam Sheep can't Sleep
Fat Cat on a Mat

The books above are phonics lift the flap board books. I prefer the board books because then Kris can read to Zac for practice and I don't have to worry about torn pages. As an added bonus -- my litte one gets more books added to his collection. Most of these are available in regular paperback format as well. These are all in color, regular book format and builds a child's confidence that he is truly reading real stories!!

Fox on a Box
Ted's Shed
Mouse Moves House
Shark in the Park
Big Pig on a Dig
These are more great easy readers from Usborne but are not available in board book format. Oh how I wish Usborne would make them as such!!!

Sonlight Core 1 Books

Coming Soon!

Sonlight Science 1 Books

Coming Soon!

Kindergarten Book List

2008-08-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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This is a list of books compiled from several sources of extra read alouds for Kindergarten. Some I have read, some I am planning on reading, and some I am hoping we get to soon!! Some are sequels to SL Core K books.

Usborne Children's World Cookbook
Usborne People's of the World
Dragons of Blueland
Elmer and the Dragon
Boxcar Children #2-19
Wizard of Oz #2-18
Voyages of Dr. Doolittle
Hero Tales II, III, and IV
Grandma's Attic Sequels
More Poems To Read To The Very Young
Treasury of Fairy Tales
Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young
Hales
Beverly Cleary Books
Henry Huggins Series
Little House Books
Ralph Moody Books
Stuart Little
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Around the World in 80 Days
Tom Sawyer
Swiss Family Robinson
The Prince and the Pauper
Trumpet of the Swan
Farmer Boy
Narnia Series
Kon Tiki
Burt Dow
Black Beauty
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Books
The Snow Queen
Dot and Tot of Merryland
The Sea Fairies
Pippi Longstocking Series
Littles Series
Secrets of the Canyon
Secrets of the Forest
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
The Secret World of Og
The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet
Half Magic
Great Brain Series
The Rocking Horse Secret
Choose Your Own Adventure Series
Miss Pickerell series
The Moorchild
Snow Treasure
The Enchanted Castle
101 Dalmations
A Life Just Like Mine
Children Just Like Me
Children Just Like Me Celebrations

Videos to see:

Kids 10 commandments (also called K10C)

Preschool Book List

2008-08-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Below is a list of books that I have collected from several sources. Most have been shared with my children or I am planning on sharing them soon. I have listed the books by when I used them -- but that does not mean that they cannot be used for other ages/grades as well.
Books by Joan Sweeny (Me and My place in Space, Me on the Map, Me and My Family Tree, etc...)
Books by William Bennet (The Children's Book of America, The Children's Book of Heros, etc...)
20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury
The Big Book of Beatrix Potter
The Story of Me
A Bear Called Paddington
Snake Stories From Africa
The Village Well
Rick-A-Chee Series
Ian & the Gigantic Leafy Obstacle
Curious George Treasury
Heroes For Young Readers Series
This is a list of all the children's books we purchased/read during this time. Many are twaddle -- therefore not listed above but my children still enjoyed them. Once again -- as with all my book lists -- these can be used with other ages/grades. One other note, I did not include in any of my lists books that were read off of other internet site book lists.
Disney Treasury
Thomas the Train Treasury
Magic Tree House Series
We also watched a lot of videos during this time, as my children are visual learners. Below is a list of some of the things we have seen.

Veggie Tales
Max Lucado (Hermie, Flo)
Sesame Street
Zoom
Clifford
Jay Jay the Jet Plane
Thomas the Train
Disney Films
Zoologists Series
DK Explorers

Looking for More Great Books to Read?

2008-08-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Books are one thing my children never seem to get enough of and I am always on the look out for more things to read. Below are links to some lists I have found very helpful.

Paula's Archives
1000 Good Books
100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know
Math Books and Resources
Book Adventure
The Schoon List of Excellent Picture Books

Can't get to a library but still need more to read? Check out the following sights. Ambelside is actually a curriculum (that I do not use) but in their book lists section, has links to books you can read free online. This has lead me to find many more free books to read online as well.

Ambelside Online Curriculum
Page By Page Books
Online Library of Literature

Want to know what we have read personally? Below you will find links to our book lists for various ages/years.

Birth - Age 2
Preschool
Kindergarten

Victoria in TX recently shared with us her list of favorite art books for Preschool through early elementary and gave a wonderful description of each of the books that I thought I would share all that great information with you. Below is a link to her list. She is currently working on a list for older children and a game. Can't wait to see what she has for this. Thanks for sharing Victoria!! If you have any questions please feel free to email Victoria.

Victoria's Art Book List

Looking for some great books about music? Check out the following List for the Preschool through early elementary years.

Exploring Music Through Literature

Sleeping Bear Press has some great alphabet books for each state, the world and more. Check them out to find one for your state.

As some of you know, I am an Usborne Book Consultant. I joined just for the discount on all their great books -- some of them are included with the Sonlight Curriculum. This is how I first discovered them. Now that I get the discount, my sweet hubby says why not try and sell them too that way you can make a little to buy some more books. So I figured why not!! Below is a link to my favorite Usborne Books and information about various books including some of the Sonlight titles. If you want to purchase anything, just let me know and I would be more than happy to help.

My Usborne Book List

I asked some friends of mine recently to share their favorite board and picture books for babies and toddlers. Below is there answers. You will also find a nice long list of ABC books they recommend as well. Enjoy!! : -)

Board & Picture Books

Scope and Sequences

2008-08-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

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Worldbook -- This is the one that I use the most off and has the national standards for each grade PK-12 available.

ABeka -- has scope and sequence for their programs for 2 years - 12th grade. Just another reference point for you to use.

Michelle Lewis Skills List -- This is another one that I use personally. Has a list of things your child should know when for ages 2-5. This tends to be on the advanced side of things so I would use the 2 yr old list for my 3 yr old, etc...

Core Knowledge -- scope and sequence at a glance. This is the program that was designed to over haul the public school system. This is optional and most districts have not implemented it but it still gives you a good baseline for what your child would be taught if they were attending a public school. Also check out their resources page.

Core Knowledge is the producer of a series called "What your ....... grader needs to know" They have a book for each year PK-6. Do not use the PK one. I had it and sold it. It is not applicable to homeschooling and is not in the same format and the other books. The other books are textbook format and make a great supplement to your curriculum. I use it as a checklist to make sure that we have covered it all for the school year. These tend to fall behind the Core levels by a year.

Pearson Learning Group -- this is the scope and sequence they use to develop their various products.

Flapjack - A Math Card Game

2008-08-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Here's a card game I (Lisa in AZ) made up to help my daughter with adding positive and negative numbers. I named it Flapjack and it uses a standard deck of cards. More than two people can play it, and you can use multiple decks of cards if you like.

The object of the game is to play cards so that the total value played equals 13, -13, or 0. The player who does this takes the trick. (all the cards currently in play) At the end of the game, the player with the most cards taken wins.

Deal each player 7 cards. Place the remaining cards face down between the players for a draw deck. The black cards are positive numbers (ace = 1, jack = 11, queen = 12, king = 13) The red cards are negative numbers (ace = -1, jack = -11, queen = -12, king = -13)

One player plays any card face up, announces the total value of the cards in play, and then draws a new card from the draw deck to replace it. Unless the first card played is a king (value = 13 or -13) then the next player will lay down a card, placed so that all cards in play can be seen, add its value to the current value of the cards in play and announce the new total. Players may not play a card that will cause the total value to exceed 13 or -13. As soon as any player plays a card that causes the total value of the cards in play to equal -13, 0, or 13, that player announces the total and the win by yelling 'Flapjack!', and takes all the cards in play as a trick. (place the won cards in a separate pile next to the winning player to be counted after the game is over)

The player who wins a trick starts a new round. If a player can play no card legally, he/she skips a turn. If no player can play legally, or when all cards have been played, the game ends, and the unused/ unwon cards are left in the middle. Each player counts the number of cards won in tricks, and the player with the most cards wins.

There's enough strategy to this game to make it interesting for adults as well as for children. I came up with this game because my daughter hadn't been exposed to negative numbers before, and because she needs a lot more practice with her basic addition and subtraction facts. It's probably suitable for children aged 8 and up.

If you want to play a simpler version of this game, you could remove the face cards and play to 10, 0, or -10. Another alternative version of the game would have all cards with a positive value, and play to either 0 or 13, but allow each player to specify whether the new card played is to be added or subtracted from the old total. (If you play this version, you'll have to have somebody keep close attention to the running total, because it'll be hard to go back and recalculate it.)

About Math

2008-08-25T11:48:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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There are a variety of different ways to teach math. Is mental math better than drill? Do you need to include life application skills? When do you introduce higher level mathematical thinking skills? These are all questions that have plagued me as I have tried to get it right. Math is one of those skills that I have always struggled with and I do not want to have my children do the same thing. Maybe that is why I struggle with the decision so much. Maybe I should just relax but I can't. I always second guess myself on this one.

I started out with Singapore Earlybird Math Series. This was perfect for the preschool years but what to do afterwards really bothered me. I didn't feel Singapore had enough drill although I loved the mental aspects of it. Kris did well with it and enjoyed the color so I decided to start him on the Singapore Primary Series. Feeling that Singapore alone would never be enough, I decided to combine it with Saxon Math.

Saxon Math, we soon found out, would be a lot different than Saxon Phonics. First off, skip K unless you are using it with a 3 yr old. All it is is guided manipulative play. Save your money and start with 1 for your K year. Everything covered in K through play is covered in 1. There was a lot of teacher prep, which as you know is a big downside for me, but I spent two weeks preparing for the year. We started and Kris hated it. It moved too slow, had too much repetition, too much black and white and wasn't at all fun to teach or learn. We dropped it after forcing ourselves through 16 lessons. I felt horrible since I spent the money on 2 Saxon Math programs and never used either. (I should probably sell them on EBay.) I ended up pulling all the drill sheets from Saxon and using those with Kris. It would have been cheaper to purchase Calculadders .... which does the same thing.

We were struggling through Singapore as well. He was doing the work just fine but I didn't think we were learning anything. A friend of mine (thank you!) found a Scott Foresman Exploring Mathematics workbook at a yard sale, knew I had been interested in it and sent it to me for free. It was a second grade book but Kris really wanted to try it. He loved the way it looked. Another friend sent me the schedule for this program by Janet Fitts. So.... I figured why not. It will be over his head. I will let him try a few pages and then if he still likes it order the 1st grade book. He loved it. Not only that ... it was the right level. He had learned much more than I ever though. This series, however, is no longer being published and maybe difficult to find. Check EBay and Academic Book Source for this series if you are interested. You will need the schedule from Janet to emplement the program. Cost is $15 for a CD-ROM with schedules for K-8 along with the stories, answer key to chapter reviews, and enrichment ideas.

So.... this is how we came to a Singapore/Exploring Mathematics Combination. So far ... it is working well and what I plan on using with all 3 boys. We will also use the software programs for Singapore as well as Quartermile Math to help with my need for drill.

We considered Miquon as well but too many reviews of "if the teacher has a math phobia (that's me!) this program may be hard to teach" caused me to shy away from it. I may do this though when they are older for review. If you like the idea of Exploring Mathematics but don't want to hunt for out of print books ... I suggest looking at Horizons Math. From what I understand, it is the closest thing on the market to Exploring Mathematics.

About Language Arts

2008-08-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Before we get to what I use/have used in the past. I want to address another topic that has been asked a lot recently. What are the sub-topics of LA? LA encompasses so much that many new homeschoolers feel overwhelmed with this subject and always feel that they are leaving something out. Below is a list of sub-subjects so that you won't have to feel like you forgot something anymore. If there is no starting time indicated, that means to start whenever developmentally appropriate. Ending times will depend upon the programs you use. All are suggestions based upon the "normal" recommendation for usage.

Spelling (starting at 1st grade)
Phonics (up to 2nd grade)
Grammar (starting at 3rd grade)
Handwriting (up to 6th grade)
Vocabulary (starting in 2nd grade)
Readers (books your child reads aloud)

I think I have covered them all. LOL!!!

Anyways, on with our journey with Language Arts. Kris showed all the signs of being able and wanting to learn how to read at the age of 3. By around 3.5, I still refused to teach him ... thinking later would be better than early. So, he decided to teach himself. If he couldn't figure out a sound, he would make one up. I quickly decided to put an end to that. So we began our journey in learning how to read.

The first book I choose to guide Kris was, Reading Made Easy. It is very similar to 100 EZ Lessons but was prefered by Rainbow Resource Center and a few other places so I went with it. I thought it looked like a great program. Kris had other ideas. He wanted his own book. He didn't want to share with me. The book seemed overwhelmingly big to him and he was instantly frustrated that he would never be able to complete it. After trying for a few months, I gave up on this program.

Shortly after this, I ordered SL LA K. Thinking we love all the other SL programs, why didn't I just get this in the first place. SL expected too much too fast for us. His reading level needed to be equal with his writing capabilities. Maybe his writing capabilities being ahead of his reading skills would have been even better. Regardless, it didn't work. Too much dictation. The introduction to letter sounds was to slow. We tried many suggestions to make it work by dropping this, adding that, etc.. etc... it all had they same affect for us. It didn't work. Later on, I gave SL LA 1 a chance ... thinking it maybe better for us now that we have the basics under our belt. I am sad to say, that it still did not work with for us. So, unless SL redoes their LA programs I do not see us using them in the future. However, I do like their readers (which I use) and the games for K and 1 were great as well.

So, tired of spending and getting nothing from it. I decide to let Kris make the choice of what he wants to use. I had 3 different programs in mind (Sing, Spell, Read and Write (SSRW), Learning Language Arts Through Literature (LLATL), and Saxon Phonics) but I didn't tell Kris what they were. I just sat down with him and the big RR (Rainbow Resource Center) catalog and read discriptions to him. Thinking I would purchase the one that he picked that matches mine. Unfortunately, he picked 2 of the 3 I did. Now, I needed to narrow it down more. Another hs mom had Saxon Phonics and offered to let us come over and see it. Kris feel in love with it instantly and wanted to take it home (Thank you Marci!). So this is the program I ordered next.

Saxon Phonics was the perfect fit for us. We did not do everything the IG tells us too but took what we needed and left the rest. By the end of Saxon Phonics K ... Kris could read just about any picture book he could get his hands on. By the end of Saxon Phonics 1 ... he was reading chapter books, magazines, and the newspaper with ease. We did not think he need Saxon Phonics 2. So we skipped it.

Finally, we found the program that works for us. There is a saying that says, the 3rd LA program you buy is the one that will work. Whether it is finally learning your child's learning style or your child has finally had enough time or exposure to mature enough to handle phonics ... either way this has been the case for me. I just hope that the other 2 will use something we already own when it is their time to learn to read. If not, the next one I plan on trying is The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading. The reviews so far have been fabulous!!

In addition to our phonics curriculum, we use several other workbooks. These have greatly helped improve Kris' abilities and I highly recommend them as do several other hsing moms I know. I plan to use these through the end of the series. When we have completed them all ... we will stop. I plan to use these with all 3 boys regardless of what phonics program works with them.

MCP Phonics (turns into Word Study at Book D)
MCP Spelling Workout (older edition ... my boys prefer sports; the newer edition is a multicultural theme. Both are in color and other than the theme are identical.)
Explore the Code (include the premiers for this series (Get Ready for the Code, Get Set for the Code, Go for the Code))
Reason for Handwriting
Wordly Wise (Books A-C)/Wordly Wise 3000 (starting in Book 1)

Handwriting was another hard choice for us. We started out wiht Handwriting without Tears but in this house it caused a lot of tears. The manipulatives for this program were a hit but Kris was confused by the 2 lines, never understood where to start his letters above the line, and hated the way that the letters look. He also did not like the black and white workbooks. In contrast, A Reason for Handwriting is a more traditional approach. While I was not to thrilled with the idea of writing Bible verses every week for handwriting ... Kris was. He loved the fact that some pages were in color and some in black and white. He also enjoyed the animal project pages that are a part of book K ... a lot! I really think it was those pages, and the ability to color the scripture pages any way he wanted to that made him want to use it. We use Startwrite Software to supplement our handwriting program. It can be used with any method you choose to teaching handwriting. It is an excellent program and one of those that I think should be found in every homeschool. If you can't afford a workbook program or prefer to make your own ... this is the one for you. Also, if you have more than one child using more than one style ... this would be a great investment for you.

Spelling caught me by surprise. I was planning on using the spelling that was part of Saxon Phonics but it just didn't work too well for us. So I picked up Spectrum Spelling 1 when I was out and about. The only program the store carried for spelling. It is too... schoolish for me. Word lists seem to be picked at random. We completed the year while I looked for something better. Spelling seems to be a schoolish subject regardless of what you use. I choose Spelling Workout because of its theme and recommendation by The Well Trained Mind. My son seems to learn anything related to sports so I figured I would capatilize on that love. I also very seriously considered Spelling Power which is recommended by SL but after hearing about all the teacher prep work needed to be done prior to using the program ... I decided against it. Anything with a lot of prep work is a big no in this house. I have no time for lots of prep work. I have 3 little boys!!

First Language Lessons (FLL) was brought up so many times during the end of 2004, that I decided that I should look into. The reviews were incredible but I wanted to see for myself if this grammar book aimed at 1st and 2nd graders was as wonderful as all the raves I have heard. I can now tell you that indeed it is! There is a rumor (or at least I think it is ... as I cannot find any information on it no matter how hard I try) that their is a Second Language Lessons (SLL) in the works. Oh how I pray that it is true! These books are similar to Primary Language Lessons (PLL) and Intermediate Language Lessons (ILL). If there is no SLL then I will probably be using ILL after FLL.

Leap Frog just came out with some Phonics DVDs this year (2004) that I cannot recommend highly enough. These would be perfect for introduction prior to starting any phonics program and would be great for review throughout your child's learning to read phase.

From Playpen to Podium was one of the first homeschool books I ever bought. It teaches speech and communication skills from your child's first word through college. It has 12 things every family should have available in their home to promote communication. This is an excellent resource for parents who think speech and debate are as big a part of LA as reading and writing.

There are the basics that you will need in addition to the actual program. A child's dictionary and thesaurus are one of those such items. Also paper and pencil. I also suggest having some fun LA manipulatives around the house ... magnetic letters, letter tiles, a chalk board for use anytime. These all will help promote LA skills through play. I am sure this section will grow over time ... I know there are a few things that I will be adding to it as we progress on our journey. But for now ... this is our plan.

Core 1

2008-08-25T11:43:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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2005-2006: Well... I thought I was going to be doing GTG this year but that did not work out so.... its onto Core 1!! I am so excited for this year to come and so is Kris. Last year we learned a lot from K and GTG .... things about Egypt, China, and other places that we get to learn even more about this year. Below is a list of resources we plan on using for the year. As usual.... I will try to keep you updated on how things are going, what is working and what isn't, etc... I am combining 3 complete history programs together in an effort to stretch this school year out for at least 18 months. My plan is to do the same for Core 2 which will get me that extra year I was wanting before getting to Core 3.

Core 1

Readers from Core 2

Uncle Josh's Outline Maps

Story of the World 1 & 2 with activity guides (note we will be using the first two weeks of volume 2 during week 36 of Core 1)

Mystery of History 1

Classic Myths To Read Aloud

What Your 1st Grader Needs to Know

Books for Boys

Reason For Handwriting Transition

Wordly Wise B

First Language Lessons (Started late last year. This is a 2 year program that we will hopefully be completing the same time as this core and not before then.)

Explode the Code 4,5,6

MCP B

Spelling Workout B & C

Come Look With Me: Exploring Landscape Art and World of Play

Artistic Pursuits K-3 Book 1

Color the Classics: Christmas Music and Patriotic Songs

SL Science 1

Apologia Elementary Science: Astronomy

Bastein Piano and Piano Lessons

Homeschool Family Fitness

Computer Basics

Little Book of Manners for Boys

Life Skills for Kids

My Cookie Business

Scott Foresman Exploring Mathematics 2 & 3 (We started in 2 last year after trying out so many different programs. This was a perfect fit in combination with Singapore for our family. So we will be finishing up 2 and 3 this year if all goes according to plan.)

Singapore 1B, 2A, 2B

Signing Time DVDs

Belitz Kids Spanish

Cantoring the Country

2008-08-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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This is the sequel to GTG, that will take you around the United States to learn about each state. I am very excited to see this project completed and can't wait to use it. Check GeoMatters for updates on its release date. UPDATE: scheduled release date is Spring 2005!! I am so excited .... this looks even better than I originally thought!

You can use some of the above items with this curriculum as well. Look for updates on what we will be doing with this curriculum in/about 2007.

Notebooking

2008-08-25T11:24:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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This concept maybe new to many of you. Below are some sites that may help you better understand this idea. I am planning on using ours throughout our homeschool experience, adding to our geography notebook as we learn.

"Student Notebooking--Learning at Its Best"
"Notebooking, Sure to Addict You"
"Notebooking Shopping List"
"Homeschool Notebooks, Journals and Scrapbooks"
"Notebooking--Learning & Fun All Rolled Into One!"

Online Geography Resources for Galloping the Globe

2008-08-25T11:22:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Foreign Word translates words from English into other languages. Use to teach your child a few words in the native language of the current country you are studying.

Things To Do For Fun teaches basic expressions in different languages.

Crystal made some passports pages of her own and generously agreed to share them with all of us. There are several pages/styles available. Use which ever one best suites your needs. To print, set your printer to "fill the page" or someother similar option. To complete -- just add blank pages for your "stamps"
Simply Fold -- all info on one page.
Passport Cover -- 2 per page
Front Page -- goes with the next 3 items
Second Page
Third Page
Last Page
Make Your Own Passport Project.

History of the passport.

Information on Flat Stanley aka Flat Travelers. The Flat Stanley Project is a group of Moms who make their own flat travelers and exchange them with one another as they travel about the globe. Children can participate with the help of their parents.

Check tourism offices in the countries you are planning on "visiting" and request free brochures, maps, videos, posters, etc... Please note that not all offices offer free information by mail but all have excellent websites to view as well. Below is a list of sites I have requested information from. Look for more countries soon.
Travel information allows you to order 25 free brochures per family

Tourist Board lists websites for various countries. You may or may not be able to order free information from these sites. Check each one to see which you can and cannot.

Lisa's Freebies has links to request travel brochures and other infromation for 48 of the states.

Holiday Road has links to request free infromation on all 50 states and all the providences of Canada.
India Ireland Italy Jamaica Japan Panama

Travel Japan Jordan Kenya South Korea Israel

Lebanon Lithuania New Zealand Australia Singapore

Western Australia Southern Australia Malaysia Turkey

Thailand China Phillipines

Kratt's Creatures has a handful of animals and information for each continent.

Unforgettable Language has free demos available for various language courses.

The Dutch Twins is a story about Holland that you can read for free online.

Enchanted Learning has a lot of free printable worksheets, games, books, activities, and more for not only geography but other subjects as well. You will be amazed at what you can find here.

Geosense is an online game that tests your geography knowledge.

Find out the Exchange Rate for your country.

Holland information page states that Holland is actually part of the Netherlands. You can read about this and more here.

World Atlas is available online for free. Countries are divided by region and Continent.

World Tales here you can see folk tales, myths and legends from around the world, brought to life by twenty Australian animators that you can view online for free.

Link has a monthly newsletter spotlighting a different country and people who live there or are missionaries to that country. You can order there free newsletter here.

National Anthems has maps, words, and music for all 192 countries National Anthems. Would be great for use with GTG or when doing a study on the Olympics.

Birthdays Around The World has information on how birthdays are celebrated in various countries.

Words and Music for This Is My Father's World.

Online World has information about various places you will travel to while using GTG.

CIA World Fact Book -- updates daily; information on statistics for each country.

Zoom Activities -- check this out for craft ideas.

Montessori Materials has printable geography and cultural materials for free.

Scholastic has a variety of things available. Just click on PK-2 and then look under social studies for lesson plans on a variety of topics that all relate to GTG.

Native Costumes has costumes you can print out and make from various countries around the world. Click on buildings, kids, or animals for other printables from around the world or click on science for a map of the world time zones and globes.

Your Child learns has a world map that is printable on several sheets of paper then you can piece them together however you choose. You can make a 1 page map or a 64 page one that is 8' by 8' in size!! There is a lot you can do with this. Just be creative. Try having your children ride stick ponies and gallop to the country using clues you give. This would be a great review exercise. OR search online for clip art representing the various countries, shrink to fit onto your map, and glue on. Or use old travel magazines (ask your local travel company if you can have their old ones for free), cut out the pictures and glue where appropriate.

Kindergarten Resources

2008-08-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Click here for links relating to books used in the Sonlight Core K Package as well as links to other sites for even more hands-on ideas. Some I have tried and some I am hoping too.

Ergermier's Worksheets

2008-08-25T11:17:00.001-07:00

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Introduction

Old Testament: Patriarchs

Old Testament: Lawgiver and Leader

Core K

2008-08-25T11:11:00.002-07:00

From Life Take 1
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2004-2005: My plans for our Kindergarten year is a lot!!! Boy am I ambious with a new little one due right smack dab in the middle of our school year. Below is a list of things I have ordered -- we will see how far I get, what get's moved to 1st Grade and what get's thrown out all together. I will let you know as we go along and I find time to update you all!! Here's my list, in addition to SL Core K:

Bob Jones K5 Bible Truths (We used this for 2 weeks and hated it. It is structured for a classroom and not a homeschool environment. On top of that, Kris complained because we weren't using a Bible for our daily Bible story. The only good thing I found from using this -- is that he truly did learn a lot more than I thought about the Bible using SL's Preschool Bible Program. From now on -- we will only be using SL for Bible studies.)

Kids 10 Commandment Videos (also called K10C; This is an excellent series that describes the 10 commandments using vocabulary and examples a child can relate too!)

Singapore Earlybird 2A & 2B with Saxon K (In hindsight I would have done Saxon K with Earlybird 1A & 1B last year and Saxon 1 this year with Earlybird 2A & 2B but that plan will wait until the next child. Saxon K is a preschool not a kindergarten program in my opinion. It could even be used prior to beginning the Singapore Earlybird Series. It is all manipulative based, no writing, no workbooks.)

Singapore Primary 1A/1B (we finished up the Earlybird series early and decided to keep going. About half way through 1A, I realized that Kris was able to do the work but was not learning or memorizing facts. He was still having to count on his fingers to know the answer to what 5+3 equals. So, we are yet again on a hunt for the perfect math program. We haven't found one but are now using a Scott Foresman Exploring Mathematics Series (which is out of print but still available through Academic Book Services or Ebay ... just make sure you get the right ones or you'll be disappointed!) and a Singapore Combo. This seems to work really well for us. He still needs help with memorization though.)

Saxon Math 1 (We ended up skipping Saxon K. It was simply to easy. Everything that was covered there is reviewed in depth in Saxon 1. My suggestion would be to save your money and skip K if Saxon is your math program of choice. We also ended up ditching Saxon math. It is just not a good fit for us and I could never make it work no matter how hard I tried. It is too boring, too repetive. We tried doing parts of it and tailoring it to fit our needs but still nothing works. We have to force ourselves to try and it simply isn't worth it.)

Rainbow Rock Cd-Rom (okay this is now back on my want list since we are doing Singapore again and Kris is begging for it. So we will see what it is like when it arrives. I pray that it is worth the money! Don't you all wish I would make up my mind?)

Quarter Mile Math Cd-Rom for K-3 (my son loves the horses and race cars in this program. It is really helping him build up the math facts that he so badly needed to learn. Another good thing to help with learning math facts is Calculadder. I have not personally used it but am considering it for the future as it somes highly recommended.)

Subtraction and Addition Songs (my sons loved this and the 1 yr old started counting to 3 after the first day of listening to the addition songs CD.)

SL Math Manipulatives Activities & Games (I have still yet to use this. Maybe if it was scheduled in someplace but alas it still collects dust on my shelf. Maybe some rainy day I will pull it out and discover what is inside.)

SL Science K (This was a great introduction to life sciences and how some things work. The things though are out of date. Consider getting the DK book The NEW way things work to supplement with. Makes a great addition and comes with an interactive CD-ROM. We rarely got to the science experiments except for once a month on family science day but the DVD was great as the kids could watch it over and over again and learned a lot of the terminology just from this.)

Startwrite Software (We use this to supplement our handwriting program. I also use for dictation or when my son wants to write a story or song. He tells me what he wants to write, I type it in this program and then have him trace it. This has worked great and has even improved his spelling since he is tracing words that he knows. Now he is trying to write these things on his own in his journal!)

MCP Phonics A

Bob Books/Readers (We have the whole set. These were great in the beginning but my son never got past the Level B Box 1 set. Not because he didn't need them any longer but because he got bored by the stories. He would much prefer easy reader books and muddle his way through those asking for help when he needed it.)

Reason For Handwriting K

Reason For Handwriting 1 (we finished up K early)

Usborne Internet Linked First Dictionary (We haven't really used the links yet but the dictionary itself is excellent!! It is easy enough for my son to use on his own to discover words to use with his spelling computer game.)

Saxon Phonics K

Saxon Phonics 1 (We finished K in less than 3 months and are moving onto Saxon Phonics 1. I cannot say enough good things about this program. It is easy to adapt to fit to the needs of your child, if it is too repetive (which it often is) you can easily skip that part but it is there if you need it and, as an added bonus, the way they present the phonics rules is superb! Thanks to these my sons spelling lessons are a breeze. As he tries to figure it out, I hear him repeating outloud to himself the various rules to fit his needs. We have had so much success using the first 2 Saxon phonics programs that I do not feel that we will need the third as he is already reading chapter books easily. So we will skip it and move onto other things.)

Wordly Wise A

SL LA 1 (parts of it. We are skipping the vocab, phonics, and spelling portions of this program. I ended up ditching this whole program with the exception of the optional workbooks and readers. Sonlight Language Arts is another program that no matter how hard I try to make it fit and work for our family -- it simply does not.)

SL LA 1 Readers

Language and Thinking for Young Children

Explode the Code 1,2,3

Usborne Peoples of the World (Actually ... we decided to combine GTG with Core K and it has been a great fit for us. Using the Create-A-Calendar that comes with the Core ... each month we have discovered a new country. We started a month before the calendar with the introduction and then each month the calendar chooses our country of the month. So we are once again using this book. We also did the Christmas study during the month of December. This will take us into Core 1 as it is a 16 month Calendar but that is okay. Also ... on the months when there is not much to find out at the library for the country we pick up another country that is in GTG but not on the calendar.)

Usborne Children's World Cookbook

It's Disgusting and We Ate it! (This book is hilarious and a fun way to learn about what other people eat around the world. Perfect for a K!!)

Come Look With Me Animals in Art & Come Look With Me Enjoying Art With Children

The Children's Book of Family and Home

Joseph The Canada Goose (Way to complicated for a 4-5 yr old. My hubby even thinks parts of this is too difficult for him -- we are shelving it for another year. Like Core 2?)

Start Smart Art Series (we replaced the above item with this -- much more age appropriate and fun!The crayons are very soft and after a few uses have started to curve to form against my sons hand. The also break easily. Well... to update you on this. We are now 6 months into the program. Save yourself some money and pick up a couple of color by number books at the grocery store. You will get the same results that we got here. The only thing Kris got out of this series was about shadows under objects and how to color in the lines.)

Color The Classics Godly Composers & Hymn Writers

Music Master CDs

The Story of Me

Visual Perception Skill Building 2

Can You Find Me? K

Dr. DooRiddles

Dale Seymour Critical Thinking for K-3 (we will only be doing the first part in each of the 3 sections -- you know the easy parts ... saving the rest of this book for later.)

Elmer & The Dragon, Dragons of Blueland (these were so fun to read and it seemed like one book instead of three. If you don't read these you are missing the ending to My Father's Dragon.)

Heroes For Young Readers Series (These are now available on audio CDs and with a curriculum guide. Both come highly recommended adn I am looking at purchasing these items in the future.)

Children Just Like Me Celebrations

A Life Like Mine

McGraw-Hill Animals Workbook (We used this as an introduction to animals and purchased several plastic animal kits so we could play with the animals we learned about.)

Singapore Start-Up Science books (much like the Earlybird Math series. Written at the same level in similar format. We went with these and dropped SL Science K for awhile because I was to pregnant to keep up with all the experiments.)

Everyday Graces (I love this book!! Every family should have one regardless if they homeschool or not. Teachs manners and life rules in the context of poetry and story exerpts. I highly recommend!)

And we will see what all else I add to this long list as well...... Remember this is what we are planning on accomplishing in a year. Not a day! Please note that some of the items we dropped because they simply did not work for our family -- the reasons why are listed above. If something doesn't get done this year --- we will simply add it onto the next. A lot of the extras are done on fun days when I simply don't want to do LA, Math, Science, etc... so I let Kris find something educational to do on his own. Or we do music or art or something else that is normally forgotten about.

Preschool Resources

2008-08-25T10:30:00.003-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Need help? Looking for some good advice? Want to know if this is the right preschool program for you? Then click on the above link and ask those who have already made the decision to use Sonlight. Here, people from around the globe gather to discuss all things related to preschool. Seek out their encouragement and advice. I did and it made all the difference in our homeschool journey.

Common Preschool Questions

There are some questions that just seem to be universal to preschool discussions. Such as what educational toys and games do you supplement with? What about manipulatives? How long is your school day? What if my child won't sit still why I am reading a story? The answers I have discovered to these and other questions, are available here.

Hands-On Preschool Ideas

Click here for a page of links with lots of ideas for hands-on activities to coorelate with Core PK. Some I have used, others I am hoping to use in the future. Also check out Amy's list of resources -- see above under Amy's Theme Schedule.

Amy's Theme Schedule

2008-08-25T10:29:00.002-07:00

From Life Take 1
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While, for my family, themes or unit studies simply do not work -- this is the best schedule I have seen using materials from SL Core's K and PK programs. The versatility of the program is great!! Just pick what you want to learn and when. You can use the weeks in any order that best suits your family. Once again, a copy of this schedule is only available through the SL Preschool Yahoo Group. Information on joining this group and obtaining a copy of this schedule is available above -- look under the heading of Janet's Schedule. Also, Amy has done a lot of research online and has a list of websites that you can use with the stories in Core PK and K. This is a great resource for either Core regardless if you are using her schedule or not. To obtain a list of links, please visit Amy's website. If you are looking for something to do with your preschooler for Christmas, Amy has an amazing Advent study that she is sharing with all of us called a Journey to Bethlenam. I highly recommend you go and check it out! One otehr note, at the end of Amy's theme schedule is an appendix. This has a list of questions for use with the Children's Book of Art. This is an excellent resource and highly recommend you take a look at it for use with this SL PK book.

Janet's PK Schedule

2008-08-25T10:27:00.001-07:00

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Janet Fitt's is the creator of a Preschool Schedule based upon Sonlight's Core Preschool Program. She began creating this many years ago prior to when Sonlight had its own schedule (which was first released in 2003) for use with her own children and has been gracious enough to share it with all of us. In addition to this, she continues to minister to many preschool families by continuing to improve this schedule yearly even though her children have since outgrown this level.

Beginning in 2003, she shared not only her schedule for the Sonlight books but all the extras that she has found to work with this program over the years. This makes for a nice well-rounded curriculum perfect for the older preschooler. We used this our second year through Core PK and loved every minute of it. Due to the nature of the things she adds this would also make an excellent K program.

The schedule starts off with the easier stories and slowly increases the child's attention span capabilities preparing them for Core K. If you are interested in recieveing a free copy of this schedule, you will need to join (for free) the SL Preschool Group through yahoo! This is also a great place to get all your questions answered about preschool and parenting the preschool child.

SLPreschool

Special Needs Children

2008-08-25T10:15:00.003-07:00

Each one of us thinks that our children are unique and special. And we are all right, they are. Each child comes with his or her own unique set of talents and gifts that enrich the lives of those lucky enough to know them. However, some of us are challenged more than others.

Some parents have children who have special needs. On one end of the spectrum, they can be developmentally delayed, emotionally delayed, or physically delayed. If the experience of having a child wasn't enough, these parents face additional challenges and must make modifications to any program they seek to use. On the opposite side of the scale, is another group of parents with gifted children. They too must face additional challenges and must modify any curriculum they use.

Both of these types of parents struggle with the decision of whether or not they are making the right decision for their child. They are often faced with ridicule by the very people who should be supporting them. If you know any family in one of these situations, please provide support, love, guidance, and prayers for them as they year on this difficult, often rocky but so rewarding journey.

For my family, my oldest child is extremely gifted. My middle child is moderately gifted, and the baby of the family I am still figuring out. My challenge is not seeking curriculum that is challenging enough but finding a curriculum that is challenging but not overly mature for my crew. My decisions are often questioned as many feel that I push my children to hard. In reality, the opposite is true. My to-do list is never quite enough. They are always left with the task of wanting and needing more. To delve deeper has been a mainstay of what we do around here. To see all sides of the story and to draw our own conclusions. For your family, it maybe different.

This is my warning for all of those trying to follow in my footsteps... if your child is "average" you will want to follow a year or two behind. If your child is "gifted" feel free to follow along on our journey. There is a lot of information on this site for a lot of diffrent types of people. I hope it will help you all on your own individual journeys. I wish you all the best of luck!

Preschool II

2008-08-25T10:11:00.003-07:00

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2003-2004: This year we will start preparing our child for what will be expected of them in the coming years. Workbooks are now a part of our daily lessons and school is no longer an option based upon our child's desires. However, our day is still limited to 30 minutes unless more is requested by the child.

We will be using the following items:

SL Core PK (this time with the workbooks except for DEL Book 4 which was too difficult and I am saving for Core K)

Janet Fitt's Comprehensive PK Schedule (uses Core SL with other materials she has added in to supplement -- most are listed below)

SL K LA (I found the lack of instruction on blending hard to overcome. While the activities were fun and my son was grasping the idea, he was not fully understanding it at all. The activity sheets were easy for him and the optional workbooks are NECESSARY -- I found this out after trying the program for 9 weeks getting no where. He learnt more in 1 week from the workbooks than the whole 9 weeks without them.)

HWT (Great for hands on manipulatives -- I highly recommend the new preschool program available through their website. My son however found the two line theory confusing and did not like the letter shapes.)

Reading Made Easy (We tried this but it intimidated my son because his reading was included in the teacher's manual (everything is in the one book). This is a great program and I personally loved it. It was prefered over 100 EX Lessons by Rainbow Resource Center and I have to agree with their recommendation. We will be trying something else now.)

Phonics Songs

Ready, Set, Go for the Code (the optional workbooks for SL K LA)

MCP Phonics K (My son's favorite workbook. Very colorful with lots and lots of great information for those learning letter sounds!)

Singapore Earlybird Math 1A & 1B

Manipulatives: Pattern Blocks, Attribute Blocks, Linking Cubes, Counting Bears, Cuisenaire Rods

World & US Maps

Hundreds Chart

Cuisenaire Alphabet Book

Visual Perceptual Skill Building 1

Building Thinking Skills - Primary

Lots of art supplies

A Bear Called Paddington

Children's Book of Faith, Children's Book of Family and Home, Children's Book of Heroes, Children's Book of America

The Science Encyclopedia

20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury (My son loved this -- some are absolutely hysterical!!)

Ian and The Green Leafy Obstacle

Usborne Pocket Scientist Books -- Red and Blue (Internet Linked)

Pattern Block Cards from SL and Pattern Block Animals

Usborne Starting To Measure Workbook

Big Book of Beatrix Potter

The Story of Me

Snake Stories From Africa

In hindsight, I plan to add the following items for my upcoming children when they reach this level:

Saxon Math K
Come Look With Me: American Indian Art; Come Look With Me: Art In Early America
Complete Book of Arts & Crafts

Can You Find Me? Preschool

Fitness at Home

Teacher Resources I used for the year are:

What Your Kindergartner needs to know

Ruth Beechick's 3 R's

From Playpen To Podium (used from birth on)

Homeschool Easy Records

Preschool I

2008-08-25T10:10:00.002-07:00

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2002-2003: This year no workbooks are used. This is to be a very relaxed year designed to introduce your child to good literature and to instill a love of learning. Hands-on projects can be added on as your child desires. This is also the time to instill discpline and character into your children.

We will be using the following items:

Sonlight Core Preschool

Manipulatives: Pattern Blocks, Attribute Blocks, Linking Cubes, Lacing Beads, Counting Bears

Don't Move the Muffin Tins by Bev Boss

Counting on Math

Coreknowledge Preschool Cd's

Lots of art supplies

In hindsight, I plan on using this with the next child(ren):

Veggie Tale Videos, Sesame Street Videos

Me & My Place In Space, Me on the Map, Me & My Family Tree

I Spy An Alphabet In Art

Preschool

2008-08-25T10:09:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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We began our homeschooling journey in 2002 with our 2 1/2 year old son Kris. He began begging for school He already knew his colors, shapes, Could count to 10 and say the alphabet but he desired to know so much more. So, reluctantly, I ordered Sonlight Core PK to instruct him. Thinking he is much to young for this -- he quickly proved me wrong!!!

I believe every child deserves a nice slow introduction to school and all the things a good quality education will require of a child. For this reason, I believe in two years of preschool. Each taught at the child's pace and only for instruction to begin when the child shows an interest and desire for knowledge.

Meeting Other Sonlight Families

2008-08-25T09:50:00.003-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Part of homeschooling is seek out the support of other families like yourself who homeschool. Often times, they will be able to steer you to better products or help you when you have a question on what to use next or an issue comes up while your teaching and you need an answer now. These relationships are not only important to you but to your children as well.

To meet other Sonlight Families, please consider the following suggestions. And remember, these groups are only as good as its members. They will require your attention and support in order for them to work successfully.

Sonlight Meetup

Well -- now you can!! Simply click on the link below to find people in your area to meet and plan lots of fun things to do together!! Sonlight Meetup

Yahoo Groups

Search for Sonlight or Sonlight plus your state. You will find a variety of support groups for a wide variety of people.

Sonlight Language Arts

2008-08-25T09:45:00.005-07:00

From Life Take 1
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There seem to always be a ton of questions regarding how to pair up a core with a language arts level -- especially considering that Sonlight recommends that the correspond with one another. Below is the breakdown chart -- this should help answer/clarify things for you.

Core LA Level Readers
K K comes with LA
K Advance 1 1
1 1 1
1 Advance 2 2
2 2 2
2 Advance 2 Advance 2 Advance
3 3 3
3 Advance 3 Extra*

Once you get to Core 3, advance simply means that there are more readers than with the regular program until advance no longer becomes an option in the higher Core levels. Advanced 2 LA is a special level that Sonlight made to help those using the advanced option to even out with Core 3. This level can be skipped -- it is just for those using the Advanced 2 level.

A lot of people use Core PK with LA K. This is a great fit and then sets you up to use the Advance LA track until you hit Core 3. At Core 3, you will need to decide if your child is a book eater or not. Book eaters -- use the advance Core with the extra reading books. Everyone else go with the regular program.

Can I use SL readers without their LA program?

Yes, the readers and advanced readers are scheduled in the Core Instructor Guides. If you wish to use an LA program other than SL's make sure you get readers that fit your child's current abilities and then follow the schedule for your core. In the younger years, you have 2 options for level of readers. In later cores, only one. It is that simple.

Sonlight Facts

2008-08-25T09:44:00.003-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Sonlight can be overwhelming and confusing to anyone new to the curriculum but don't worry -- help is available!! And, once you get used to Sonlight, you will find it a breeze to comprehend. My first suggestion is to order the catalog, read through it; this will help clarify things and has a lot of useful information.

Cores Not Grade Levels

Sonlight was designed so that families with multiple children can study together using one program. Therefore, a Core is not equal to a grade level but can be used with a grade range. Please visit "How To Choose", for more information. Another great article on this topic is "How Can I possibly use a K program with a 2nd grader?"

To Use Or Not To Use

I have never come across a homeschool supplier before who actually lists out the reason why not to use their program but Sonlight does. It is just another example of how much they value their customers and how each one is considered a member of the family. For information on why NOT to use Sonlight, please click here. For information on why families love using Sonlight, please click here.

More Great Information

I cannot possible explain all the great things that I have come to love about Sonlight. Is it the forums, where I have unlimited access 24 hours a day 7 days a week from not only Sonlight Staff but homeschooling families who have been there done that? Is it the instructor's guides that have everything so carefully planned out for me with notes and more about what I am teaching? Is it all the great things I recieve along with my order (some for free)? Is it the possibility of a scholarship from Sonlight for my child's college education? Is it the online product samples that I can view?

I would have to say its all of these things and so very much more. If you want to read even more great articles about Sonlight and the opportunities it presents for your family, please click here.

If This Site Helped You......

Please make sure that you let Sonlight know on your order form when you registered, that Misty R. in AZ, was the consultant you spoke with. You can get to the Sonlight website by clicking on any of the banners that you see on this site or right here.

Election 2008

2008-08-25T09:33:00.002-07:00

To be honest, I have never been one to follow politics all that closely. Yes, I vote each time an election comes around but all the minute details, I just never bothered with. However, I am going to make an exception to my "never discuss politics" rule.

America, if you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got. Its an old saying for certain but so very true. We are quickly approaching the upcoming election and yet here we are listening to the democratics and republicans haggling over the best way to run the country. The only thing that I am seeing is politician's providing answers based upon party lines. This is the "way things have always been done" so "this is the way it shall always be." But let me ask you something, America. Is it working?

There are so many different issues that are of a concern. The worth of a dollar is going down. Our economy is struggling and we are heading for another depression worse than the great depression. Middle class families are normally the ones who can "live the American Dream" yet these same people are struggling to feed their families and pay the bills. What does that mean for those in the lower class? How many will be homeless? How many are suffering without health care or health insurance? How many are unemployed? These are just a few of the many issues. Others include marriage rights, education, foreign policy - the wars in Iraq and Afganstan, and now the potential for another war over Georgia. Is this the beginning of World War 3? What legacy are we leaving for our children?

As the election season gears up to full speed and voters head off to vote... what will the outcome be? Will we continue on the same path of destruction or will we embrace massive change and a new thought process in order to resolve so many issues that are lying in the path to greatness?

Photos from Life Take 1

2008-08-14T18:03:00.004-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Here are some old photos that I found. I hope you enjoy them!

The Last Lecture

2008-07-25T13:39:00.003-07:00

I have been really struggling this week with the act of balancing my work and my family. Many of you who know me personally, know that I spent 8 years home with my children. I was a mom, chef, maid, teacher, chauffer, nurse, doctor, playmate, disciplinarian, and so much more. I was a homeschooler, mentor, an author, a friend, a confidant, an event planner, and more. I was a wife, helpmate, business partner, secretary, accountant, and more. My life and world centered around my family and what I could do to make their lives better.

Then one day my world seemed to turn upside down. It started with the words ovarian cancer but I figured with my family by my side I could overcome any obstacle. And I did. Then I heard, we are taking your husband to the hospital. It looks bad and it was... in more way than one. That was the beginning of the end. I was traded in for a newer model and suddenly I was no longer a wife and mother. I was now the sole provider with 3 boys looking to me to keep their lives in order and somewhat constant with what they were used to. I gave up on my degree to be a mom. How was I to provide for them?? As always, God provided the answers and my children haven't really lost all that much considering all that there was to lose.

Fast forward to this week, my littlest one curled up on the ottoman wrapped in a blanket asking why can't you just be my mom again. Those sweet little words were heart wrenching. Oh how I wish I could do just that but I kissed him on the head and promised we will have a mommy day soon and headed out for work. That night when I got home, the boys were miserable. Nothing went right and I spent hours rocking and reassuring my boys that life was okay. That there was still someone to love them even if I wasn't home all the time. I went to bed that night in tears.

I woke up that morning in tears as well. I got up and was determined to put on a brave face and continue on with my routine as that was what was best for the kids. A very special someone gave me a bit of wisdom that morning. He stated that it was infinetely more important for me to stay home with the boys that day than go to work. Money would work itself out later this is something that must be done. He was more right than he realizes. I feel so rejuvenated and the kids laughed and giggled all day. We didn't do anything particular just enjoyed being a family at home.

Another friend sent me this link: http://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture/ His advice... that no parent should miss out on this lecture. I would have to say I agree with his sentiments. However, I would state that there are lessons to be learned by all from this video. I think my kids should watch it as well. This is the link that will take you directly to the video by Professor Randy Pausch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo Its long. I won't lie to you but if you have to skip some parts start about 45 minutes into the lecture. He will start wrapping up his life lessons. Its one of the most touching things I have seen in awhile.

For those of you who are single and dating like me, I have a piece of advice I learned from this about men. Ignore their words and watch their actions. Men are doers not talkers. Their actions will tell you all that you need to know. At first, I thought this isn't true but then I thought about it and you know what.... it is 100% true. I wish I knew this a long time ago.

Presidents & Elections

2008-07-19T09:56:00.002-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Websites:

The White House for Kids. Learn all about the President, his family, and more!

The White House Learn all about the Presidents both past and current.

Election 2004 Keep up to date on all the latest information.

PBS Kids Democracy Project Learn about democracy, voting, and what it would be like to be the President for a day.

George W. Bush Take a quiz to see how much you know about our current President.

Election Skills Workbooks for purchase from Scholastic for the upcoming election year.

Books:

The White House Cookbook by Hugo Ziemann & F.L. Gillette
The White House Family Cookbook by Henry Haller
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin
Clifford for President
My Teacher for President by Kay Winters
Robin Hill School Election Day by Margaret McNamara
Vote! by Eileen Christelowe
Werewolves Don't Run for President by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones
Smart About the Presidents by Jon Buller and Susan Schade
Smart About First Ladies by Jon Buller and Susan Schade
The Story of the White House by Kate Waters

Presidents Song

2008-07-19T09:53:00.003-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Here is a song to help you learn the order of the presidents. It is sung to the tune of 10 Little Indians. Thank You Lauren in GA for sharing this!

Washington, Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, William Henry Harrison Tyler was the 10th president. Polk then Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln,Johnson, Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes,Garfield, the 20th president. Arthur, Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, Cleveland again, Then William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, the 30th president. Hoover, F.D. Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon,Ford, Carter, Reagan, George Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush right now!

Easter

2008-07-19T09:52:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Books:

The First Easter by Carol Heyer
The Tale of Three Trees
Benjamin's Box
The Legend of the Easter Egg
The Story of Easter by Tracy Harrast.
Peek A Bible Series.
The Story of Easter by Patricia A Pingry

How we celebrate Easter

2008-07-19T09:51:00.001-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Each family has their own ways of creating special memories of holidays and Easter is no exception. Dying eggs, having an Easter Egg hunt, going to Church, family dinners -- these are just some of the ways we celebrate.

One thing that is unique to our family is that we have a one giant Easter basket that everyone shares. We never eat all the candy alone in individual baskets so this one big one cuts down on the sugar. Our baskets tend to have themes from year to year. There was a veggie tale basket, a sand toy basket, a sports basket, and this year it was a knights basket. Everyone gets something including mom and dad. We reuse our basket every year.

Olympics

2008-07-19T09:47:00.003-07:00

From Life Take 1
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Websites:
Olympic Educational Activities for all ages.

Olympic Games History --lists who has hosted the Olympics and when. Map out the locations. Use a see through post-it arrow to write the date on and mark it on the map. For more than one year, just simply add all the dates onto the one arrow. Then you can play a quiz game using your map and arrows.

Books:

The Original Olympics by Stewart Ross

Hour of the Olympics (Magic Tree House)

Olympics by Chris Oxlade

Ancient Olympics by Chris Oxlade

Olympics

Count Your Way Through Greece by Jim Haskins andKathleen Benson. Cool book, great illustrations, fairly short text per page spread.

Footsteps in Time: The Greeks by Sally Hewitt. One page on the Olympics, plus a spread on making an Olympic torch.

I Wonder Why The Greeks Built Temples and other questions about Ancient Greece by Fiona Macdonald. Here again, only one 2-page spread on the Olympics, but this is just a great book overall. Great questions like "Who took a shower in a bowl?" and "Why did the Greeks beat their trees?" There are 8 books in this series covering various history and science topics. Great introduction books!

How Would You Survive as an Ancient Greek by Fiona Macdonald. More detailed than the above book, and the illustrations are, umm, yeah, more detailed too. I Wonder Why has the naked athletes running on thebottom of the page, so you are seeing them from the waist up. Survive has them full-body, but turned just enough to not quite see, um, boy parts. It is far more noticeable that they are not wearing clothes. I still plan to use the book, but figured I better put in the disclaimer!