2013-2014 School Year

We do school year around. Some things change at the start of the calendar year, somethings change with the school year, some things are continuous and don't really "stop and start"

We do Charlotte Mason Style homeschooling.... we try to do most things together as a family, with the exception, of math, and language arts.

Our Theme program we are doing this year is Early American History 1500-1860
The program I am using is Winter Promise American Story 1 - I bought this set used on ebay. We read  books and do different activities, movies, project etc under whatever time in history we are learning about, the boys are also working on a time line book with activity pages with in the book. Bellow is a picture of some of the books in the program. We started this in Jan 2013 and we are all really enjoying it. I was a little nervous about doing history all year, I thought I might get board, or the kids would. But we have all really enjoyed it, and I have learned all sorts of things I never knew.

 For Language Arts we are doing a combination of a different things. For Ryan who is in Kindergarten this year we are using the Delightful reading kit. I have adapted it a little, and we are both really enjoying it. I am also using these word wheels, and phonics letters, and other file folder games to make things fun.

 The older boys Both Ethan and Aaron are reading fully independently, and we do review the phonics rules, when we do vocabulary, and sometimes spelling. Ethan is doing Intermediate Language Lessons and Aaron is going a Mix of The First Language Lessons, (which I like- but it is very classical style but there are some things I love about it) and also some from Primary Language Lessons.  I also got the book Story Starters for creative writing, but we have not used it yet, there is enough in there Language lessons, but Ethan really loves writing so I wanted more options for him. There are a couple other books on that shelf, a Parents Guide to Teaching reading, and Spelling Teachers lessons, I use these for reference and helps/aids but not a main curriculum program. (all these are on the top shelf in this pic) The bottom self is are bunch of easy readers and the Now I am reading books which I used when Aaron was learning to read, and Ryan is loving them too.

 Math we use Math U See, I love this simple and easy to use program. I also add hands on games and activities to help practice the topics they are learning about. you can see the DVD in the above pic. My kids Love getting "a math movie" watching their teacher on the TV teaching them math.

 Science- in the past I have gotten literature based science kits, and we have enjoyed them, but when I was looking this year I could not really find much that I loved. Everything I found I felt was either the same as we did last year, or to advanced for all the kid, and I did not want to spit them up and create more work. So I am taking a leap of faith on science this year. I am letting the boys plan it. I have collected a bunch of science books, magic school bus books, nature books, the One small square books from our curriculum last year (great books) and more. I told the boys that they are to look through these books and pick out things to read, and projects to do. They are totally excited about it. They will each take turns "teaching science" I am sure it will be completely random, but I am excited for the "searching skills, planning skills, teaching skills, and more that the will develop. Plus I want to give opportunities for them to become self learners, and find answers. I am not going to be there their whole lives to spoon feed them info, and things to do. I am not going to do this for ever but for the next year for sure.

 Art  I LOVE art, the program we are doing this year is Artistic Pursuits, this program is soooo wonderful, I will be using it again, and again. It would work for many grade levels. There three books (grade K-3 but really any grade) and I got them all. LOVE them! I also have baskets of just different art books that I have picked up here and there, about different artist. I want to study them more, when we are learning about that time period but for now I just keep them here for them to look at, on there own. (some examples are picture above)

 More Language Arts  My boys LOVE LOVE LOVE reading, and both Ethan and Aaron are doing this program Drawing into the heart of reading. It teaching the basic reading genre's, and other things about reading, moods, character developments, Biblical charteristics, and more. My boys beg to do this program. Also they give book suggestions but you can you any books. There is a work book too (not pictured) - also I did ask the company and you can make copied of the work books for your own kids, with in your family- love that! Grammar  - I hate grammar! I think it is soooo boring! last year I did first Language lessons level 3 and it was soooo painful! I found Winston Grammar and I LOVE IT! the boys get grammar in their Language lessons. I have been using this for Ethan, and I have been loving it. It has easy, quick, and visual lessons. Both boys read these books to go along with there lessons. They are called Grammar Tales, and they love them. Writing They really have writing in their Language lessons and I do not feel they "need more" but Ethan really likes it, and Aaron needs the handwriting practice so it is a win win! We are doing this Writing strands book, am liking it ok, we have only done a few lessons, They have been fun activities, that creating writing ideas.

Spelling For spelling I do dictation, using the book Modern speller, (free on line just google it) I have also used Spelling Wisdom, but it was a little advanced so we switched to Modern speller. BUT I will go back to Spelling Wisdom in the Future, Ethan really like it, you learned good quotes from people like Ben Franklin, and others. I just felt it was giving some really hard works to fast.

Other things we do:

Preschool-  I do not do a "preschool" curriculum, I am more about hands on learning, activities, exposer to words, and books and learning through play at this stage. You can always "click" preschool to see some of the things I have done in the past. I do let my kids watch the "your baby can read" Dvds, books cards etc but I do not "do the program"

Habit Training- more to come on that, but each month we focus on a habit to develop, and have lessons and activities to go along with it.

Geography- some US is in our Themed program from Winter Promise, I know this will be covered more when they are older in other themed programs right now I just have a bunch of books (pictured next to the art basket) that they read and learn on their own.

Sign Language-  We are still doing the Signing Time movies, and them I am teaching them some basic lessons as well.

Obedience Training (Part 1)

One things that I love about Charlotte Mason Style homeschooling is the Habit Training. This concept is that especially in the early years you work on training your children to develop good habits. Her theory is Habits are developed no matter what but you can choose by what you expose your children to,  and how you discipline them. This is not a light hearted task or a quick one. It is done little by little each day over the course of a child's life.

Although- as they develop these Habits they build upon one another making your and there life more of a “smoother ride” in some aspects of life.

The first and most important Habit to Learn in Charlotte's mind is the Habit of Obedience.

When I first read that, I thought it was a little old fashion, and a bit of a dictatorship in my option. But as I was trying to progress in this homeschooling journey, I learn first hand how much harder it is when you struggle with daily disobedience.

So this year, I am making Habit Training one of our “main lessons” each Monday we have a habit training lesson, and maybe an activity that day or another day that week. Then we will work on that all week. I pick one Habit for the month,  and  a new lessons or activity each week.

This month I am doing Habit of Obedience, in fact I am actually doing this for two months. So this is only Part one from what we did this past month.

FIRST I want to make clear what my end goal with this is. 

1. More love and respect (both child to parent and parent to child) 

2. For them to choose to obey out of love, not "habit" 

3. To learn the consiquences of wayward bahvior for themselves 

4. Understand that Heavenly Father's blessing are the true reward in life when we Obey Him

I am not going to give all the little details but generally want we talked about.

Week #1) We Obey out of love

These are some of the things we discussed – using a white board to make notes

Q: Why do you obey?

A: because we do not want to get in trouble, or so you don’t get angry, or because we want something were most of the answers.

Q: What examples from the scriptures can you think of where someone obeyed?

A: Answers will very-

Q: Why did they obey?

A: Because they love Heavenly Father.

Here we talked about the different reasons why people from the scriptures obeyed and how this relates to us. People obey out of Fear, Duty, or Love.

Q: What is love? – Read 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 and Moroni 7:47 in the Book of Mormon

    Discuss what love is, and how we want to love as Jesus did.

Then read John 15:14 -

Make a sign that says “To Obey means to Show Love to your Heavenly Father and your Parents”  

Talk about how when we obey is shows love to Heavenly father and it shows love to us your parents.

Activity for this week: Any time a child obeys – ask them why they obeyed? Doing this is just bring attention and recognition to why they are doing what they are doing, do not punish or diminish any kind of Obedience but reward obedience out of love with affirmations best for your child, a smile, works, a huge and let them put a stickers on the sign you made. Do this all week long, or longer if your kids enjoy it.  (here is our sign after a couple weeks) - they did not do a sticker EVERY time but many times. 

Prior to this activity- I found myself always getting angry- and upset and feeling like a by standard in a house of crazy boys. BUT through this process I have learned to be Obedient to my Heavenly Father is the way I am discipline them. IF I want them to obey me out of Love then I need to love them the way they need. I have TOTALLY changed up the way I discipline my kids. More on that bellow..... 

Week #2  Our "Natural" Behaviors 

I had been reading a lot on discipline, and I really liked one of the blogs that I read- wish I remembered which one is was, anyway... They talked about how different people have different behaviors and personalities, and the goal with discipline is not to, control, restrict or change a person. It is to develop and grow a person. Just because a Child might be "smarty pants" and "question you disrespectfully" does not mean that child's natural instincts are bad, it would be good for them to "question if someone what trying to get them to do something wrong. So these "behaviors" can be a good thing too, if  they are taught how to do so! Great I thought... "now how do I do that?" 

I first read the Section on Obedience in Laying down the Rails - pg 96-101 I highlighted what I liked and what I felt was good for my kids (did not read to them- just to help be come up with a good discipline plan) 

Pior to this, I always put my kid in time out, or took something away, or came up with something on the spot or even spanked them but usually while yelling and out of anger. None of this worked effectively 

I also read that discipline is best when are clear rules, and consequences for behaviors. 

So I went through and made a chart with what my kids struggle with. The Left side in RED is when our behavior has gone way-ward. The Middle is the Restitution we need to repair that, and the Green is when that Behavior is either on track to start with or back on track. 

For me the key to this working was my tone of voice and attitude toward the children. I must talk to them in a way to build them up, not is "talk down you are in trouble" tone. I made it their responsibility to take care of this. For example if a child did not listen, I would say "You are not Listening, so see what the chart says" have then read it to me, then have them do that. Once they did it, I would usually say thank you for working to be better at listening next time. 

This is just my option here, but no one is perfect, I am not so why should I get upset and tear my kids down every time they are? Life is a work in progress, I want to them feel encouraged to work to do better not fear a consequence and look forward to the day they are grown up. 

Some of the middle areas there are more then one option this is so I can tailor it to the situation. 

After two weeks of using this our home is a whole new world! 

It has really helped me too, because I do not need to yell or fall though on discipline, and the kids think before they choose more, because they know what will happen if the don't. 

Over the past two weeks we have had all of the "Red" choices made, but instead of me feeling disrespected and out of control, I felt strength by the Lord, and it was little lessons on behavior improvement, and strengthening relationships. 

I  have also seem a lot more truly genuine kindness as well- love that! 

Sooo- for week two I just printed off this chart. and Talked with them about it, and put it into practice. 

Week #3 - How should I obey? 

This week we talked about the 4 keys to Obedience they are 

1) Do it - quickly please 

2) Cheerfully- no complaining 

3) Completely- no half jobs 

4) Unconditional - out of love with no reward for self 

we just when over them, in general, not to much detail, but touched on why they are important. 

We read Ephesians 6:1-2 

We discussed these questions 

1. Are there times when you want something different than what your parents what? 

2. Why is it hard to Obey sometimes?

3. Should you Obey even when it is  hard?

4. What blessing came because Christ Obeyed? 

5. What blessing have you gotten because you obey? 

Read Matt 26:36-45 

show a picture of Jesus in the Gethsemane. Talk about this story and how Jesus did Heavenly Father will because he Loved Him 

For an Activity- 

Get a box and fill it with a gift for each child. (not to big) hide it really well. Tell the kids there is a treasure in the house for them, if they can find it. Give NO clues! Set the timer, for 5 minutes or so. 

Then when they can't find it give them a clue. To help them find it. 

Once they find it, (before they open it) ask them if it was easier with the help? or with out? Behavior rules are like the lords "clues and helps"of life, we we obey it will help make life more enjoyable for everyone. 

I also put a lock on the gifts and told them they had to tell me the "keys" to obedience before they could unlock it. 

(insert picture of kids opening treasure - I thought I uploaded it, but I guess I didn't) 

The gifts represent the blessings Heaven Father gives us when we obey. 

Note: my kids found the treasure with out my clues (back fired there) but the did need my help to remember the keys, so it still worked out, and I still covered the concept. 

PART 2- will be going into detail each week more on each of the 4 keys to obedience, and an activity to go along with each one! so check back for part two in a month! 

Resources 

Here is a list of sites/blogs that I read where I either got these ideas or found inspiring along with journey. Good Luck- let me know how it goes for you! 

LOTS of great info on discipline 

Activities and ideas- many of these I will use later- pick and choose what you like 

Good Advice! I LOVED this post!!! it hit right home with me, and what I wanted with my children. 

Keys to Obedience inspiration 

History Activities

We have really enjoyed learning about History, and done quite a few fun activities, sadly- my camera card got deleted with a lot of the pictures. But here are a couple we have done recently

 I build this cool pirate ship, because I like Lego's too :) and Ethan decided to use it to act out the Boston tea party. (They played this a lot- in the house, but the lighting was better so I had them come out side for this pic)

 Here we practiced writing with feathers and ink, just like the founding fathers did when writing the Declaration of Independence, and constitution. We also wrote our own family declaration, I am so proud of the  boys and the things they came up with to create that. (Hard Copy is in there school scrapbooks) We also made "family flags" when he we learned about the story behind the United States Flag.

We even have a "suprise fun day" where the kids pick to only do the school subject they want, and the always pick history - love that :)

Nature Study

Over the months we have done a number of fun things to enjoy, and learn more about nature. 

These are not all of them but a nice overview of some of the things we have done. 

 We went camping in the spring, and the boys did a Geode water mining activity, we brought home all the rocks and Geodes they collect, along with the guides they them looked up, identified the different Geodes.

 When we went camping another time (we love camping) we did a nature hike, and collected rocks, we looked them up in our nature guide, and then wrote about it in their nature and science notebooks.

 Another time we went camping (we really love camping) we visited a Butterfly house, and learned about the different butterflies and the different places in the world they live. This one was in Pensacola Florida

 Another time we went hiking with two other Homeschooling Families the boys kept an eye out for plants, bugs and animals, we found a baby mole, (it was not well, alive but defiantly not well) great time to talk about life, death and the circle of life, for animals.

 Here the boys were learning about animals in our Animals in their Worlds Note booking program from Winter promise. The boys were learning about animals that do not live in our area from "Take a Beach" walk book this is a series of books the boys enjoyed last year.

field Trip 2012-2013

We are part of a wonderful home school group- I am not sure how I am going to make it with out them! 

I am the one who plans and sets up the Field Trips and Park days in our group. 

These happened in Jan-Feb of 2013

One of the field trips we did was to Publix Grocery Store. It is actually pretty cool They take the kids to each department, and tell them what they do there, and give them a sample, bakery a cookie, in the Deli it was cheese or chicken, and in produce fruit and for the other grocery area they have then a package of crackers. They also gave the a goodie bag with a pencil, orange and some stickers. 

 Here they let the kids hold the lobster (if they wanted to) They also took them into the back room, and let them go in the HUGE fridge. After they were all done they let them get some items and scan them for fun

 It's  a great fun trip especially for young kids.

 Another Field Trip we did was to WFSA News Station. We got a tour of the station and how everything works. The Meteorologist was the most interesting thing, the kids loved the HUGE map green screen. Aaron here is in the white trying to tell you about today's weather.

 Here you can see a couple of the boys on the map screen.

 Here are all the kids on the new desk where they broadcast the local news everyday. All the kids got to be on the News and wave off at the end of the update. I learned a lot about how a news station works, it was very interesting.

Another fun Trip we did was we went to the Local Fire department. I took pictures, but they got deleted. :( I got some from a friend - but for some reason I had problems getting them on my computer. I am still working on that. But we are going to do that trip again, the loved it so much. They watched a movie about Fire Safety and got to go on a Fire Truck and tour the Fire Station.

These are there Binders- (I used this system from 2012-2013) I do it a little different now 2013-2014- 

There are many other forms of this kind of "idea" out there. I have seen it done with boxes or drawers but I did not want to spend that much, nor do I have that much space. So I came up with these, and they are working GREAT for us.

What they are- these are where I list many activities that they can do on their own (mostly) Many school things we do together, but I like to spend time with each boy 1-2 times a week so in here are a ray of activities that are educational, they can do on there own. (although Ryan does Lots of things in his binder with me)
In the binder there are tabs for different subjects. Under each tab there is a large wipe off card (a piece of paper I made with a title and image that matches then I laminated it) On this card is a list of things they can choose to do in that subject. For example, for Ethan, under math, he can do a math puzzle, or activity math worksheet, or play a dice math game. Under spelling he can practice his words with stamps, finger paints of letter tiles. For Aaron under Math he can play a shapes pattern game, do a addition puzzle, or do a dot to dot page. Under Letters he can do letters with bend-a-roos, or do his letter sticker book etc. Ryan under shapes, he can play a shapes game, do a shapes activity page or under colors, he can do a color matching game or do his color sticker book .... get the idea here?

I try to list 3-4 things (for Ryan and Aaron 2-3 to many choices can be overwhelling) in each subject. Depending on how much we use the binders thy activities in them will last 3-5 weeks. Then I wip off the cards and put on new ideas. (I get the idea from my master ideas list- which is still in the process of developing, and I think will constantly be growing)

In side the front of their binders is this 9 pocket page protector, the top row they put the day of the week, the weather, and there "job" for the week (Ryan needs help but loves this) The boys loved doing the weather, and having jobs in preschool so we kept that and it has worked out well. The rest of the pockets is where they "plan there activities"
In their binder there is a packet full of cards one representing all the different topics they have a tab for, Some are the same for each boy some are different. They also have the job, weather and days of the week cards. From this they pick what subject they want to do in what order. Then when they use their binder they go to that tab and from the list on the wipe off card they pick what they want to do. When they are done they turn the card over. Once all the cards are done, they can re-set their binders.

In the morning when I set the daily schedule, the boys get their "schedules set" remember this is just for binder activites only, so when the Main calender says "stations" with the binder picture they pull these out. I hope this makes sense.
I got MANY ideas from this book click HERE on activities for them to do, I also have lots of preschool/parent kid books and many I just came up with. If you want ideas let me know and I can email you my lists. These things do not have to be big, the idea is for them do learn to plan, do and return and report on there own goals. The focus is getting self motivated, and involved and entertained while I work with another child or pay bills, or something like that. We do not do these everyday, but most days we do. They do not work from them for long periods at a time, the activities in them are short 15-30 minutes tops. But they are a great for keeping them focused. If you have ANY questions about this system PLEASE ASK!

Curriculim for 2012-2013

Our Study for this year......

our Main focus this year is Animals and their Worlds. This is a Charlotte Mason based Curriculum By Winter Promise- for more info click HERE there programs are not the cheapest so I just got the main activity book, and the coordinating animals spiritual thought book. Although I sure wish I had the teacher guide book. In the student activity book (that big binder) it gives, animals, trees, habitates etc to study, activities and experiments to do. Questions to answer things to think about it really is great. We just get books from the Library (or at least try to, don't get me started on how lame our Library is here) we also use the internet for fun animal videos etc. The kids made there own animal journal books and use them for all the activities.

This Animals bible story book is GREAT! you can get it on Amazon Click HERE to check it out. For example today we read about "the busy beaver" it talks about beavers and what they do, and how hard working they are, it teaches how we can learn from the beaver and try to work hard even when we are tired or board. Then their is a scripture, but I usually look it up in the actual bible instead. The art work is really great too. (for ages 5-10+)

READING

I have never done any formal lessons or phonics lessons with any of my boys.

I do have them watch The Baby can read movies - click HERE this is NOT Charlotte Mason biased, but we have them, and I think they help so we still use them. They are movies that "train" the brain to memorize words well. Now, let me just say I have NO desire for my kids to read at lightning speed or to be reading at HS level in elementary school. The soul reason I bought these (used on ebay) was because the guy who developed them talked about it virtually eliminating the reading disability of dyslexia. I have dyslexia and struggled all my life, and hated school. If I could change that now for my kids was going to. and I did. I DO NOT fallow the whole program, my boys (Ethan and Aaron) all watched the movie once a day or less- and we did the flash cards or books regularly- not every day. Now Ryan and Dallin do the same thing. Ryan is starting to recognize words, Dallin, can sign "more" ha ha. (has nothing to do with these movies though)

we also read books. all. the. time....

and I did get a book THIS file folder games book they are fun. I again, no formal lessons just learning from life, books and games. As we read, do letter puzzles, we talk about the "phonics rules" but no offical lessons. It has worked well for us.

Ethan, who started reading pre-school, and fully by the end of Kindergarten is now 2nd grade- (age 7) and is ripping through 3-4 grade reading level books in 30-60 minutes.

Aaron (kindergarten- age 5, and had been diagnosed with ADHD) started readind some words in preschool ans is now reading at a 1-2 grade reading level, and really taking off.

This is also a reading "program" set of books that I can across when reading with Aaron, and I really love them They are called Now I am reading - click HERE to check them out. Each set is a group of 10 little books. They start from pre-readers and progress through the levels to independent readers. Aaron really loves them, and Ryan (is not reading on his own much yet) but will point to the word and say it after me. He really loves them too. There is a place the kids can put a sticker when they read the book, they are funny to read, and the art work is great too. I got these on Amazon and also a set of three of them on ebay. All used.

MATH

For Math we use a program called Math - u see click HERE for more info

I love this math program, plain and simple. That is what it is. It teaches math in the most clear way. The lessons are short, the work for the kids is short. Math is the only officle lesson that we do every day, and the kids are really getting it. The teachers DVD's are great for the kids, they watch him teach the lesson (we stop and talk about it along the way) and they do it. If they have questions they ask. But the directions are so easy and simple and with the blocks they can visually work everything out. I love it, and I am glad it goes up all through HS math too.

Other Subjects- for fun -

those are our main subjects, we read, and do math every day. Animals lessons we to twice a week then other lessons we have do 1 time a week or every 2 weeks are they are; Science, Art, Sign Language, geography (have not started yet) music, and Language Arts.

Language Arts-

I do a this book a well Trained Mind - click HERE with Ethan, (note this book is level 1 only the book I have is grade 1 & 2 together) but I only do it 1 lesson a week or every couple weeks. Charlotte Mason style does not start formal Language Arts lessons until grade 3. She says to focus more on developing a love for learning, as well as good Habits. Her thoughts are that teaching these things at this young of a age is just pouring facts that they do not fully understand in their head. If you wait until they are older they get it, and they get it fast and there is no need to repeat year after year. Same with spelling. So, we do this lightly just as an introduction. I like the book nice short lessons. The poems in it are dumb though. I don't do them. But I like how it is laid out and quick to do. I do not fallow all the activites, but the basic instruction for the lessons I like, esspecially since I know I am BAD at Language arts :) ha ha

PE- the boys do a PE- for Homeschoolers program at the YMCA and they LOVE it!

they get to play all kinds of sports with other homeschooling kids, and they have a ton of fun.

There is also another group of kids that gets to gether once a week that homeschool in the area and do physical activites too. Plus our Church Homeschool group does feild trips/activites once a month too!

Sign Language- I love it! I have taught all the kids sign when they were babies, they all dropped it when they started talking, but we are getting back into it, and it is fun to do with the boys. We have these DVD's and I love them- the creator is also LDS :) we do this 2 times a month - but practice more then that just for fun casually.
Science-

this is a Winter Promise (same company as my main curriculum) program. Is is Nature and science program. There is a teacher book that tell me just what to do, and what books what pages and what activities to do. I love it, there is no work for me there programs are really great. I got this set used on ebay. The kids made Science Notebooks with lined and plain paper. (I LOVE MY LAMINATE AND BOOK BINDING MACHINES) 
Art and Music-

nothing formal here, we go with the flow, play-dough, paint, marker, whatever they want. Sometimes we play music, sometimes we dance and listen to it. When they get older we will start doing picture study with art (I think next year) and also music study- and learn different artists. Right now it is all about loving the atmophere of learning, and developing good habits (more on that in posts to come).
this is not easy... homeschooling.... but I love it, it is extreamly rewarding because I know it is what right for may family, and I love learning right along with them.

I love my boys...