To plan my homeschool year, I put together an order of activities for reading, writing, and math because they are more linear subjects. Then I put together unit studies with science and social studies. I try to tie them together as much as possible, but I don't want to move on in math until the current skill is mastered.
Our weekly schedule is going to be
Calendar, Story, Song, Reading, Writing, and Math daily.
Science is Monday and Wednesday and alternating Fridays.
Social studies is Tuesday and Thursday and alternating Fridays opposite of Science.
Art and P.E. are daily, while music is Tuesday and Thursday and Spanish is Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Overall, we have school scheduled for about 2 and a half hours a day.
This is of course subject to change as we find our groove. I function better with a schedule, so that I know I get everything in. Monkey Man benefits from the routine, without which he gets frustrated. At this point it seems like Squeaky Bear is going to be more of a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of person. That will make homeschooling the two of them together in a couple of years very interesting!
We will be starting on August 6th this year. I haven't quite decided on the break schedule. A friend over at The Homeschool in the Loft, just did a post about her yearly schedule where she will do 3 weeks on 1 week off. That intrigues me. I may do a 3.5 weeks on, 1/2 week off for now, but let it be totally adaptable to vacations and educational trips. I will be doing a lighter schedule during the summer, but will not totally give up the schooling.
How do you plan your year?
What is your schedule like?
When are you starting?
Friday, July 27, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Book Review: Triskellion
Triskellion
by Will Peterson; Ages: 10 and UpI got my nephew a book for Christmas, and he told me a couple of weeks later that he hadn't read it yet because the killer bees on the cover made him think it was scary. I decided to read the book myself, so that I could let him know if it was scary.
After reading Triskellion, I let him know that it was not even as scary as Harry Potter, a series that he had read in its entirety. Also, the bees on the cover are regular honey bees. One of the characters is a bee keeper.
Can I just say that I loved this book? It may be for preteens, but I was hooked and finished it in 3 days - good-bye clean house! :-)
Triskellion begins as we find out that the two main characters, twins Rachel and Adam Newman are going to spend the summer with their maternal grandmother in England because their parents are going through a divorce. The kids don't really know their grandmother, and when they arrive in Triskellion, everything seems very strange to them. Then a mysterious boy named Gabriel starts showing up. The twins quickly befriend him, and the adventure begins. Triskellion has a secret, and the Newmans are determined to find out what it is. Of course, they get into some trouble and even a few dangerous situations along the way.
I don't want to give too much away because this book is definitely one you should read! Peterson draws you in with a quick pace, believable characters, and captivating dialogue. Triskellion should be in every book lover's collection, young and old alike.
The best part - it's a trilogy. I can't wait to read Triskellion 2: The Burning.
This blog post was originally published on my former blog on January 28, 2011.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Day Zero Project Udate!
It's been a little more than 5 months since I started the Day Zero Proejct. It's time for another update! I'd love for you to join in and make your own list. If you blog about your list, let me know! You can also follow people's lists on the Day Zero Project website, so feel free to leave your name in the comments, so we can follow you!
Date started: February 10, 2012
Date to be finished: November 7, 2014
Bold is completed. Italics is in progress.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
What's on your list? How are you progressing?
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Keeping the Marriage Alive: Couple Meetings
It is so important to me that my husband and I keep our marriage a top priority! We see so many people divorcing, and it breaks our hearts. We both came from divorced families. So when we got married we promised each other to work through anything because this marriage is forever. Some of the things we do to keep our marriage alive are allowing open communication, going to bed at the same time every night, (almost) weekly date nights, and having a weekly couple meeting,
When you know that you aren't going to be left for expressing your opinion - positive or negative - it makes it so much easier to have open communication. And it allows you to feel so free and loved when you don't have to hide who you are from your spouse!
We make a point to go to bed at the same time as each other because it helps maintain intimacy. Whether we go to bed and read or go to bed and sleep, having you spouse there is a wonderful feeling.
We try to have weekly date nights. Sometimes these are going out without the kids, sometimes it is a family date, and sometimes it is a mini date at home after the boys are asleep. It is so important to keep your romance alive through the hustle and bustle of work, children, and household obligations.
More on those three things in future posts, but today I want to talk about couple meetings. These are a great way to check in on each other and the marriage. Each week on Wednesday night after the boys are in bed, we sit together on the couch or in our bed with no TV, no radio, and no computer. I have a notepad that sits on our refrigerator during the week, and I use it to take notes. Everyone's couple meeting looks different. The important part is to make sure you both have an opportunity to be heard.
Our meeting starts with a weekly check-in. We both read The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts
by Gary Chapman and determined our own love languages. Now each week we ask each other how full the love tank is. We compare it to the previous week and try to determine what worked to raise it or why it decreased. Then we each give our high point and low point for the week. These may relate to each other, but they can be about anything (kids, work, friends, other family, etc.).
After our weekly check-in, we discuss the week's marriage builder. For example, the first month we did these meetings, we discussed The Five Love Languages and the languages of apology. We made lists of what would help fill each of our love tanks. A future plan for a marriage builder is to keep a journal on the fridge in which we would each write a weekly letter to each other (more on that in another post). Another future marriage builder we have planned is to read and discuss Mapping the Terrain of the Heart::Passion, Tenderness, and the Capacity to Love
by Stephen Goldbart and David Wallin. Currently we are doing 15 Minute Marriage Makeover. It doesn't matter what your marriage builder is as long as it is something that helps you focus on keeping your marriage strong or improving areas that could use a little help.
After our marriage builder, we take care of household business. We talk about the kids - some weeks it's about Monkey Man's eating (he's a notoriously picky eater) or Squeaky Bear's difficulty separating from me and some week's it's about their new accomplishments. It's basically a check-in on how things are going with the kids and what we need to work on with them. Then we talk about the budget. We're in the process of moving our funds from a bank to a credit union, I have some side jobs that bring in income that's not budgeted, we're deciding if we can afford baby #3, etc. He earns most of the money, and I make sure the bills get paid and the shopping is done, so we check in so that he knows what's going on with our finances.
Finally we work on our weekly to do lists. We check that we did everything on last week's list (this is why the notepad hangs on the fridge - easy access to check what's on our list). Then we make a list for the new week. These are tasks in addition to our normal daily tasks. For instance, one week G's list was to hang bookshelves in the boys' room and to clear out the compost pile. My list was to hang the chore chart and work on a new way of organizing the boys' room.
We also leave room for anything else that comes up to be discussed. Since we have started doing these weekly meetings our relationship seems stronger than ever. And you can tell when we've skipped our meetings because things just don't flow as easily.
Do you make a point to have a "meeting" with your spouse? How often?
When you know that you aren't going to be left for expressing your opinion - positive or negative - it makes it so much easier to have open communication. And it allows you to feel so free and loved when you don't have to hide who you are from your spouse!
We make a point to go to bed at the same time as each other because it helps maintain intimacy. Whether we go to bed and read or go to bed and sleep, having you spouse there is a wonderful feeling.
We try to have weekly date nights. Sometimes these are going out without the kids, sometimes it is a family date, and sometimes it is a mini date at home after the boys are asleep. It is so important to keep your romance alive through the hustle and bustle of work, children, and household obligations.
More on those three things in future posts, but today I want to talk about couple meetings. These are a great way to check in on each other and the marriage. Each week on Wednesday night after the boys are in bed, we sit together on the couch or in our bed with no TV, no radio, and no computer. I have a notepad that sits on our refrigerator during the week, and I use it to take notes. Everyone's couple meeting looks different. The important part is to make sure you both have an opportunity to be heard.
Our meeting starts with a weekly check-in. We both read The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts
by Gary Chapman and determined our own love languages. Now each week we ask each other how full the love tank is. We compare it to the previous week and try to determine what worked to raise it or why it decreased. Then we each give our high point and low point for the week. These may relate to each other, but they can be about anything (kids, work, friends, other family, etc.).After our weekly check-in, we discuss the week's marriage builder. For example, the first month we did these meetings, we discussed The Five Love Languages and the languages of apology. We made lists of what would help fill each of our love tanks. A future plan for a marriage builder is to keep a journal on the fridge in which we would each write a weekly letter to each other (more on that in another post). Another future marriage builder we have planned is to read and discuss Mapping the Terrain of the Heart::Passion, Tenderness, and the Capacity to Love
by Stephen Goldbart and David Wallin. Currently we are doing 15 Minute Marriage Makeover. It doesn't matter what your marriage builder is as long as it is something that helps you focus on keeping your marriage strong or improving areas that could use a little help.After our marriage builder, we take care of household business. We talk about the kids - some weeks it's about Monkey Man's eating (he's a notoriously picky eater) or Squeaky Bear's difficulty separating from me and some week's it's about their new accomplishments. It's basically a check-in on how things are going with the kids and what we need to work on with them. Then we talk about the budget. We're in the process of moving our funds from a bank to a credit union, I have some side jobs that bring in income that's not budgeted, we're deciding if we can afford baby #3, etc. He earns most of the money, and I make sure the bills get paid and the shopping is done, so we check in so that he knows what's going on with our finances.
Finally we work on our weekly to do lists. We check that we did everything on last week's list (this is why the notepad hangs on the fridge - easy access to check what's on our list). Then we make a list for the new week. These are tasks in addition to our normal daily tasks. For instance, one week G's list was to hang bookshelves in the boys' room and to clear out the compost pile. My list was to hang the chore chart and work on a new way of organizing the boys' room.
We also leave room for anything else that comes up to be discussed. Since we have started doing these weekly meetings our relationship seems stronger than ever. And you can tell when we've skipped our meetings because things just don't flow as easily.
Do you make a point to have a "meeting" with your spouse? How often?
PreSchool Planning
I am in homeschool planning mode! I was up until 3:30 AM organizing materials. I am so excited!
Because I plan to post our activities and lesson plans, I wanted to provide you all with a list of my curriculum choices as well as where you can get them. That way, if you like an activity and want the curriculum/book/etc. to go with it, you will know where to get it.
Here is my updated list:
Math
Beginning Counting with Mother Goose, Grades PreK-K (Learning Line)
Disney I Can Learn with Pooh Educational Early Skills Workbook ~ Shapes & Sizes
*Mr. Potato Head Numbers Workbook (Playskool Preschool Workbooks)
*Playskool Preschool Shapes Workbook
Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK (Skill Building)
More Skill-Building Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK
Get Ready for Kindergarten Numbers - I don't remember where I got this, and I cannot so far locate it online.
The Learning Journey Match It (Counting)
Fun and Learning Box Preschool (Giant Basic Skills)
Play Money
Wipe Off Clock - We bought this in the Target Dollar Spot a while back.
The old Leapfrog Reader thing
Measuring Wipe-Off Sheet - I'm not even sure where it came from
ABC & 123 Writing Pad - from Dollar Tree,
Wipe-Clean123
Telling the Time
Science
Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK (Skill Building)
More Skill-Building Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK
Nature cards - these came free in the mail unsolicited as a way to get us to purchase the series or something.I think we have around 10 of them.
Flip-Flap Body Book
The Butterfly
Pipkin Series - This series is really math and science:
How Big is a Million?
How High is the Sky?
How Deep is the Sea?
How Big Was a Dinosaur?
Where Do Baby Animals Come From?
Look Inside Science
Rock Formation Kit - I got a couple of these at either Dollar Tree or in the Target dollar spot a little bit ago.
Social Studies
Stories From Around the World for Little Children
Dragons
Art
*Playskool Preschool Colors Workbook
Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK (Skill Building)
More Skill-Building Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK
Fun and Learning Box Preschool (Giant Basic Skills)
Music
Randy wants to learn to play guitar, so we will be working on that. I haven't picked a method or book yet, so if you have suggestions please feel free to let me know!
P.E.
Subway Get Fit Kit - You order this online and specify you are a homeschool. It comes with pedometers and a book of activities.
We will also be playing outside and using other means of physical education!
Spanish
Easy Spanish Words Sticker Book
* These books can also be bought in a set: Playskool PreSchool Workbook 4-Pack
.
The Fine Print: I am an Independent Educational Consultant for Usborne Books & More, so these books link to my website. Feel free to search for the books by name if you do not want to purchase from me. Additionally, other links may be affiliate links, which basically means that if you purchase something through my link, I get a percentage of your purchase for referring you. I appreciate the support if you do click through my links, as I am providing the activities and information to you for free and using my links does not increase your purchase price!
Because I plan to post our activities and lesson plans, I wanted to provide you all with a list of my curriculum choices as well as where you can get them. That way, if you like an activity and want the curriculum/book/etc. to go with it, you will know where to get it.
Here is my updated list:
PreSchool 2012-2013
Reading
The Learning Journey Match It (Upper and Lower Case Letters)
Sing, Spell, Read and Write : PreK Readiness Program
Funnix - We downloaded this for free in February, but I am not sure if they will do another free offering
Leapfrog Leap Reader - You know the monster reading program that Leapfrog had before the TAG readers? Yep, we have one of those.
Usborne Very First Reading Set
Leveled Readers (if we get to these, I have a 6 or 7 for him).
Magnetic Letters - to use on the friedge or dry-erase board
Writing
Disney The Alphabet - I can't find a picture, but I bought it at Dollar Tree a year ago. It's Aladdin. I love Aladdin!
*Mrs. Potato Head Alphabet Workbook (PlaySkool PreSchool Workbooks)
Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK (Skill Building)
More Skill-Building Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK
Sing, Spell, Read and Write : PreK Readiness Program
Funnix - We downloaded this for free in February, but I am not sure if they will do another free offering
Fun and Learning Box Preschool (Giant Basic Skills)
ABC & 123 Writing Pad from Dollar Tree
Wipe-Clean123
Wipe-Clean Alphabet
Wipe-Clean First Letters
The Learning Journey Match It (Upper and Lower Case Letters)
Sing, Spell, Read and Write : PreK Readiness Program
Funnix - We downloaded this for free in February, but I am not sure if they will do another free offering
Leapfrog Leap Reader - You know the monster reading program that Leapfrog had before the TAG readers? Yep, we have one of those.
Usborne Very First Reading Set
Leveled Readers (if we get to these, I have a 6 or 7 for him).
Magnetic Letters - to use on the friedge or dry-erase board
Writing
Disney The Alphabet - I can't find a picture, but I bought it at Dollar Tree a year ago. It's Aladdin. I love Aladdin!
*Mrs. Potato Head Alphabet Workbook (PlaySkool PreSchool Workbooks)
Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK (Skill Building)
More Skill-Building Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK
Sing, Spell, Read and Write : PreK Readiness Program
Funnix - We downloaded this for free in February, but I am not sure if they will do another free offering
Fun and Learning Box Preschool (Giant Basic Skills)
ABC & 123 Writing Pad from Dollar Tree
Wipe-Clean123
Wipe-Clean Alphabet
Wipe-Clean First Letters
Math
Beginning Counting with Mother Goose, Grades PreK-K (Learning Line)
Disney I Can Learn with Pooh Educational Early Skills Workbook ~ Shapes & Sizes
*Mr. Potato Head Numbers Workbook (Playskool Preschool Workbooks)
*Playskool Preschool Shapes Workbook
Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK (Skill Building)
More Skill-Building Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK
Get Ready for Kindergarten Numbers - I don't remember where I got this, and I cannot so far locate it online.
The Learning Journey Match It (Counting)
Fun and Learning Box Preschool (Giant Basic Skills)
Play Money
Wipe Off Clock - We bought this in the Target Dollar Spot a while back.
The old Leapfrog Reader thing
Measuring Wipe-Off Sheet - I'm not even sure where it came from
ABC & 123 Writing Pad - from Dollar Tree,
Wipe-Clean123
Telling the Time
Science
Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK (Skill Building)
More Skill-Building Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK
Nature cards - these came free in the mail unsolicited as a way to get us to purchase the series or something.I think we have around 10 of them.
Flip-Flap Body Book
Pipkin Series - This series is really math and science:
How Big is a Million?
How High is the Sky?
How Big Was a Dinosaur?
Where Do Baby Animals Come From?
Look Inside Science
Rock Formation Kit - I got a couple of these at either Dollar Tree or in the Target dollar spot a little bit ago.
Social Studies
Stories From Around the World for Little Children
Dragons
Art
*Playskool Preschool Colors Workbook
Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK (Skill Building)
More Skill-Building Early Learning Activities, Grades PreK
Fun and Learning Box Preschool (Giant Basic Skills)
Music
Randy wants to learn to play guitar, so we will be working on that. I haven't picked a method or book yet, so if you have suggestions please feel free to let me know!
P.E.
Subway Get Fit Kit - You order this online and specify you are a homeschool. It comes with pedometers and a book of activities.
We will also be playing outside and using other means of physical education!
Spanish
Easy Spanish Words Sticker Book
* These books can also be bought in a set: Playskool PreSchool Workbook 4-Pack
.The Fine Print: I am an Independent Educational Consultant for Usborne Books & More, so these books link to my website. Feel free to search for the books by name if you do not want to purchase from me. Additionally, other links may be affiliate links, which basically means that if you purchase something through my link, I get a percentage of your purchase for referring you. I appreciate the support if you do click through my links, as I am providing the activities and information to you for free and using my links does not increase your purchase price!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)