2013-2014 Homeschool Curriculum Choices

      Well folks, we.are.crazy.

Yep, I said crazy. At least that's what people keep asking us, "are you guys crazy?"
 We've got 3 kids ages; 10, 6, and 9 months.  And we've decided to homeschool both of the big kids this year!  *warm smile*.  I'm not one of those moms who can't wait to get her kids back in school each August.
In fact, I'm the mom who is always thanking God for one more day with my kids.  A few years ago I had some unexplained health problems and thought I was dying.  I had funeral plans and everything, pretty dramatic, right?  Well ever since then I've vowed to live each day as if it were my last.  And on my last days, I want to be spending them with my family. 
I feel so blessed that I have a husband who provides for our family so I am able to stay home and raise our children.  We prayed that we'd be able to afford homeschooling, because it is more expensive than public school initially.  God has come through for us on this one in so many random ways.  I'll do a post on that another time. :)

I have spent literally years researching what to use for books & doing online training and research for teaching my dyslexic daughter.  I have just been too chicken to commit to doing it full time.  I'm very appreciative that in the mean time she has had a kind-hearted teacher at the public school who has taken my baby girl under her wing and educated her.
 God has gently nudged me for 3 years, and now I hear him telling me that it's time.  Each time I tell Him "No God, I can't do this" or "Please God, let me be at peace with sending them to school and see what I'll do with all of my free time" (oh, can you just imagine how quiet my days would be), I hear him saying back "quit making excuses, I've got your back".  Well, He hasn't let me down before, and I don't believe that He will now.
 I was blessed to meet with two friends this week, who gave me incredible insight on different curriculum options. 
So, here's the plan, Stan!  I will update this with links when I have time. Right now the kids are in bed and I am feeling guilty for sitting at the computer while Mr. Awesome is nodding off in front of the TV waiting for some cuddle time. Updates posted! 

 

The Boy,  2013-2014, Kindergarten

Language Arts: First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind: Level 1 (Second Edition) (First Language Lessons)

Writing: Each morning we start with our Thankful Journals.  Just jotting down a few things that we’re thankful for.

Handwriting: Handwriting WithoutTears, Kindergarten (this was cheaper to order from their web-site, rather than Amazon).

Reading: The Reading Lesson: Teach Your Child to Read in 20 Easy Lessons  (I cannot say enough about this book, very low distraction, and the lessons are simple and clear), Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, 1986 Fireside Edition, ISBN 0671631985 (sometimes we use this one too, just to reinforce a little).

Spelling: All About Spelling Level 1 & Interactive Kit.

Math: Essential Math Kindergarten B .  This boy is great at math!  The reason I’m starting with the Kindergarten B is that I want  to review with him, before pushing him on to 1^st grade math.  I am confident that he could go right to the first grade level and do just fine, but math is nothing to mess around with.

Typing: Nothing very formal yet, although we may give it a try for fun.  

 The Girl, 2013-2014, 5^th Grade

Language Arts:  First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind: Level 4 Student Workbook (First Language Lessons)   & First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind: Level 4 Instructor Guide (First Language Lessons) By Jessie Wise, Sara Buffington You do need both the workbook and instructor text, but don't fret, the cost is worth it (and not too high, in my opinion).  It is very detailed and no additional planning is required, just open the text and go! 

Writing: Thankful Journals (The bulk of her writing will be in the First Language Lessons as well, but this is one more way to encourage her to write and have fun doing it). 

Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears Level 5.  This girl loves cursive so she will be doing both the print and the cursive this year.

Reading: This will be a part of First Language Lessons as well.  But I highly encourage more reading than just what is required in the book.  We will be supplementing her reading curriculum with books from the library, magazines, & really anything I can get her to read.  Right now she’s really into the American Girl books.  We will do unit studies as well as read books that also have a movie we can watch afterwards, because that's pretty fun momma-daughter stuff!

Spelling: Yeah…. About that…   I know this is a VERY important area.  One swipe through Facebook is all the proof you need to know how valuable it is to spend more time teaching our youth to spell.  We will start with the level one and work our way up.  I don’t want to start too high, in case there are things that she has missed.  It never hurts to review anyway.  She will just progress at a much quicker rate than her younger brother with this subject.  Learning isn’t about being at some certain level, but about making progress and gaining knowledge.  Because of her dyslexia spelling is more difficult, but certainly not impossible by any means. 

 Math: Teaching Textbooks Level 5, We will supplement with Xtramath.com, Learning Wrap-Ups Introductory Math Kit , flash cards, Math War Multiplication Game Cards , and practical real-life math any time we can.

Typing: Online Dance Mat Typing

 Both Kids together:

Bible: Dinner Time Devotions as a family.  Each child has their own Bible that they will be held accountable for reading (the best they can).  They do weekly Promiseland at church and we will do activities that relate to what they have talked about at church, as well as online Bible games.

Geography: Road Trip USA, I’m pretty sure.  This year we will be focusing on studying the United states,  as well as the presidents.

Music, Art & PE: We are a musical family, the oldest girl loves art, and the man of the house keeps us all active!  But, these subjects will be covered at the homeschool co-op that we joined as well.  I believe science will also be covered there.  We are going to still look for something to do at home, since we like experiments around this house! 

 

I am most uneasy and confused about making a daily plan.  I'm wondering what subjects we will cover when, and what our days will look like.  I want to be sure each child gets adequate time with me, but not too much that they aren't learning to work independently. 
I know we will get a rhythm and things will fall into place.  I am a super organized person, so feeling uncertain in this area is tough.  But, I wont let it get me down.  We will figure out what works for us and go with it!

 

If you have any questions, consult Google, because I'm a newbie!  Okay, really, if you have questions, post them in the comments.  I'd love to hear from you!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

DIY: 18 Inch American Girl Knock Off Turns Into a BOY!

About a month ago I took the kids to the American Girl store. My daughter loves their dolls, so I was looking to get a boy one for my son. When I realized how crazy expensive they were, I started searching the internet for a do it yourself (cheaper) option. 
My sweet girl is trying to earn a new doll that looks like her mini-me.
The doll that she bought last year had blonde hair and blue eyes, looking an awful lot like her brother.
so we decided to turn the old doll into a boy doll. This is what she gave her brother for his birthday. He likes it.

I removed the lipstick with nail polish remover & a q-tip.
My sister in law gave the doll a haircut at her salon.
We dressed this little guy in old Build A Bear clothes. The clothes were a little big.  I am imagine preemie or newborn clothes would fit really well.

Cheap, cute & fun! 

Memories for the boy.

It's nearly midnight, I'm exhausted & I want to crash.   But tomorrow my only boy turns 6!! This quick set up took less than 10 minutes and I had everything already on hand.  I know it's not pretty.  I also know my son will love it regardless. Making memories for my children is my favorite thing to do these days.  A week from now he won't care that the streamers were pink & the only gift he had in the morning was bubble wrap on the floor.  He loves that stuff!
  But he will remember that his momma loved him and took time to surprise him with the fun things that little boys love. That's all that matters.... I'm making memories for someday when I'm no longer here to do these things for him. 
I hope he never forgets that he was prayed for and loved.   It's his special day, but I feel like I am the one who received a gift.  My boy.

Organizing clothes

I bought one of these little gems last year for my daughter. It was perfect for organizing her clothes for the week.

Each Sunday we picked out 5 outfits. The Monday outfit was placed on top, and Tues-Fri's were put into the drawers.
Once in a while we would put Monday-Thursday in the drawers, and Friday would be her free day to pick whatever she wanted to wear.

It revolutionized our morning routine and saved so much time!

I also bought one to use in our school room to organize supplies and books. That one ended up not being used as well as I'd hoped.  I bought that one in black so I can use it anywhere else I need to.

They are on sale at Shopko right now & I highly recommend them!

Watch over my family

http://bible.us/97/2SA7.28.MSG

The verse of the day was perfectly fitting for my mood this morning.  

“And now, Master God , being the God you are, speaking sure words as you do, and having just said this wonderful thing to me, please, just one more thing: Bless my family; keep your eye on them always. You’ve already as much as said that you would, Master God ! Oh, may your blessing be on my family permanently!”

It's a scary thing to think I may not always be able to watch over my family. 

Sending the kids off to school leaves me feeling helpless.  I can't be there to troubleshoot any problems they have, or to comfort them from the harsh words they will at some point be told.  

The thought that someday I won't be here at all for them, or for my husband is an even worse feeling.   I don't think I'm so important that they won't survive without me.  But I do think things would be tough for them at first.   I've started training the older kids to fold and put away their own laundry, as well as do their dishes.  I've planted the seed of Christ in them and helped them to develop friendships.  I've taught two of them to be honest in all situations, and I'm still working on teaching the littlest one.  ;)

I believe:
Having a love for Christ
Being honest
Knowing how to be a friend (& being compassionate)
Basic communication & people reading skills
Are a few of the most important keys to a happy life.