Mommy Brain

Today is day five of Randi‘s Back to Homeschooling Week. The topic for today is Curriculum.

I have been meaning to do a wrap-up post about the school year that ended in June, and another to talk about our curriculum for this year. Instead, I’m going to do a little of both in this post.

We’ve used a lot of different curriculum since we began homeschooling: Abeka, Bob Jones, Easy Grammar, etc. Some has worked better than others. Some worked great for a time, and then our needs changed.

This is what we will be using this year.

For Josiah, kindergarten:

Abeka Phonics K5
Saxon Math 1
A D’Nealian handwriting workbook

I have used Abeka Phonics to teach each one of my kids to read. It is the only subject we continued to use from Abeka after our first year of homeschooling, when I bought the complete Abeka kindergarten program to use with Natalie. The other subjects just didn’t work for us, but I love their Phonics program.

I have used the Italic handwriting program with the older two kids, but Natalie is having trouble reading looped cursive because it is so different from Italic cursive. I am doing some additional work with her to make up for this, but that is my reason for switching to D’Nealian.

For Jonathan, 2nd grade:

D’Nealian handwriting
Shurley English, level 2
Saxon Math 2
Map Skills, book 2
Spelling Workout, book B

For Noah, 3rd grade:

Italic Handwriting, book F
Shurley English, level 3
Saxon Math 3
Map Skills, book 3
Spelling Workout, book C

Noah and Natalie are already learning Italic handwriting, so I have decided not to switch mid-stream, and just add some extra training in reading looped cursive.

For Natalie, 5th grade:

Italic Handwriting, book F
Shurley English, level 5
Saxon Math 6/5
Map Skills, book 5
Reading Detective A1
Spelling Workout, book E

Shurley English will be new for us this year. In the past, I have used Abeka Language 1 for 1st grade, then switched to Easy Grammar in grade 2. Natalie did Easy Grammar 4 last year. Easy Grammar does not incorporate vocabulary or writing skills, and I was trying to add those in with different programs. Shurley is all-inclusive: grammar, vocabulary, and writing. I am excited to start it this year.

For everyone:

Story of the World II, The Middle Ages
Living Learning Books Science: Earth Science and Astronomy
Power Glide Spanish Jr.
Prima Latina
Artistic Pursuits Book 1
Stories of the Composers, Book 1

Up until last year, we used Bob Jones University for Math, Science, and History. Last year, we switched to Saxon for Math, Story of the World for History, and Living Learning Books for Science. All of the new curriculum worked much better for us. Bob Jones Math is a good program, but does not incorporate enough review, in my opinion. It also did not emphasize memorizing math facts enough. Saxon Math is very strong on both of these points.

Bob Jones History and Science are fine prorgrams; they just weren’t right for our family. We love, love, love Story of the World. Did I say we LOVE it? Now, I am not a big hands-on project mom. I love to let them go wild with the arts and crafts material on their own, but planned projects – not so much. So we did not do many of the projects with Story of the World – and I don’t know how you could do even half of them and finish in one year. We did the reading, the coloring pages, the review questions, and the map work for all the chapters, and a few of the hands-on projects. I plan to do more of the hands-on stuff this year, mainly because I find the Middle Ages more interesting than Ancient History. Don’t misunderstand me, though, I learned a lot from book 1 of SOTW, and the kids enjoyed it very much.

Living Learning Books is a Science curriculum based on the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling. Basically, you have a teacher’s guide that has lists of recommended living books and videos for each topic, plus some related activities. The student books have coloring pages and vocabulary sheets to go along with the topics being studied. I was able to find many of the resources at my library, plus pulled in some others that weren’t on the list. Last year we did Life Science, which involved units on various animals, the human body, and trees and plants. We learned a lot and had fun along the way.

Spanish was new to us last year, too, although it kind of fizzled out halfway through the year. I’m hoping to do it twice a week this year, but I’ll be happy if we do it once a week. I am realistic about how much time we have.

Noah and Natalie took a Latin class once a week last year, but I felt left out, so we’re going to be doing it at home this year. The plan is three times a week. We will repeat Prima Latina, which is what N & N used in class, but Jonathan, Josiah and I will join. J & J won’t do the written work, just watch the DVD and hopefully pick up some vocabulary by osmosis.

Artistic Pursuits and Stories of the Composers were in our plans for last year, but didn’t happen more than a couple times. We’ll see how much we can fit in this year.

I’m planning to do a three weeks on, one week off schedule with the Shurley English and Prima Latina, since Shurley is a more intense grammar program than we’ve used before.

So there you have it – our plans for this year. We start August 27th – which isn’t very far off! Are you all ready to start? Did you take the summer off – or have you been continuing on as usual?

Today (technically tomorrow, since I’m writing this Wednesday night) is day four of Randi‘s Back to Homeschooling Week. The topic for today is

“If I had only known…”

~…that buying an entire “school-in-a-box” curriculum would not work for our family.

~…that each of my children has a very distinct learning style, and expecting them to learn the same way or at the same pace is just asking for frustration.

~…that it is okay to take a snow day even when you don’t have to drive somewhere to go to school.

~…that there will be bad days, but that doesn’t mean that I am a failure as a teacher.

~…that every homeschooling mother has difficult days, even if it seems that she is perfection herself.

~…that most homeschooling moms are grateful if you are honest about how hard it is sometimes.

~…that my attitude about learning will determine my children’s attitude about learning.

~…that nothing is more important than the fact that we are spending our days together – even if some days this feels like a bad thing.

This also reminds me of a post I did a while ago, about what one of our days is really like.

Today (technically tomorrow, since I’m writing this Tuesday night) is day three of Randi‘s Back to Homeschooling Week. The topic for today is “Getting out there…”

One of the things that I have found amusing about homeschooling is how much time we spend away from home! The oldest three kids are involved in Tae Kwon Do. They also attend a once a week science lab class – Josiah will join the oldest three in class this year. They have also always been involved in Sunday School classes, VBS, and other church activities.

OUr library system has a wonderful summer reading program. Not only do the kids get prizes for reading, but they have different presentations during the summer for the kids to attend. So far this summer we have watched a medieval puppet show, a presentation on Egyptology, a discussion with a police officer from town, and a Native American storyteller. The kids have a lot of fun, and it gives them exposure to different cultures and topics that we don’t or haven’t yet covered at home.

We also have a weekly play date with Michelle and her two boys, also homeschooled. Then you throw in sleepovers with friends and grandparents, Harvest parties, birthday parties, running errands with Mom, and you can see that the whole idea of homeschooled kids being sequestered away at home is just ridiculous.

Today is day two of Randi‘s Back to Homeschooling Week. The topic for today is “How do you homeschool?”

Kevin and I have chosen to homeschool our kids through an alternative education program with our local public school. Whew! I’m out of the closet. I know there are some – maybe many – of you right now who are indignantly thinking, “But that’s not homeschooling!” To be honest, I actually considered skipping today’s topic because of how strongly some people feel about this issue, and because I have been hurt by people on other blogs or forums who have accused me of trying to ruin homeschooling in our country. I encourage you, however, to read the rest of my post before you decide whether we are homeschooling or not.

I choose all of our curriculum.

I do all of our teaching, other than a one hour a week science lab class that the kids attend with other homeschooling kids.

The superintendent of the school district is a Christian, homeschooling parent who believes very strongly in the rights of parents. He has gone to bat for us with our state government in order to give parents the rights and authority to do the teaching.

The woman who runs the program is a homeschooling Christian.

Yes, I do a monthly review of what we are learning, and I keep track of our hours, but I was doing that before we joined this program in order to fulfill our state’s legal requirements.

Yes, the kids take a yearly standardized test – but we already did that for our state’s homeschool laws.

I am able to opt out of the controversial WASL test. (Only fellow Washingtonians will know what I’m talking about on this one.)

We have access to funds that we would not have without the program. These funds have allowed the kids to take Tae Kwon Do – $120 a month that we could not afford otherwise. The funds have allowed me to order all of the curriculum I want instead of picking and choosing the materials we can afford.

The kids have access to a once a week science lab class with a wonderful teacher who has resources that I do not have access to. They love, love, love this class.

Yes, the kids are listed as public school students under the Washington State alternative education program. Actually, they are listed as partially-enrolled pubic school students. The other percentage is considered full homeschooling – that is how we get out of the WASL.

So legally, no, we are not homeschooling our children. We can remove our children from the program any time we want – and will if the leadership changes, or the program becomes more restrictive of our freedom as parents.

And, just to reiterate my main points: I choose all of our teaching materials. I do all of our teaching. I maintain my records and schedule. I decide what classes my children will take, what my children will read, what they will study.

So, there you have it. I know many of you will still disagree with our decision to be involved with this program, and that’s okay. We have made the decision that we believe to be the best for our children at this time. That may change; we take the decision year by year.

So, am I kicked out of the homeschooling club?

Today is day one of Randi at I Have to Say‘s Back to Homeschooling Week. The topic for today is “What led to your decision to homeschool?”

Kevin and I knew we would homeschool our future children before we had even said “I do.” Neither Kevin nor I had great experiences with public school, and we knew that the atmosphere had gone downhill since our own school days. So I must say that the first reason was to protect our children from an atmosphere that we believe is not emotionally or physically safe. We want our children to be children, and it seems that many kids these days are growing up so fast, being exposed to many things that are inapproriate for their age. I have enough trouble with the things Natalie gets told by neighborhood children and her friend who goes to Christian school. I can’t even imagine what it must be like to have your kids at public school for six hours a day and then to have to counteract everything they are exposed to. I will say, though, that I know parents who are able to do exactly that very successfully; I just don’t think I could handle it.

After we started having kids and I began to read homeschooling books and resources, I was also convinced that homeschooling will give our children the best education possible. I had that opinion reinforced recently when I watched this 20/20 video on YouTube, called “Stupid in America.”

So there you have it. If you want to participate and write your own homeschooling story, be sure and sign the Mr. Linky at Randi’s blog.

(I received Home Improvement: The Complete Seventh Season from Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

My dad is a woodworker – so needless to say, Home Improvement was a big hit around my house when it was on. For the first couple of years after we moved to Colville, we lived with my parents due to financial reasons, and I remember watching Home Improvement reruns every evening with Dad while Natalie toddled around, sippy cup in hand.

This seventh season of the show finds the Taylor boys growing up. They have all reached teenager-hood, and that adds a new comic element to the show. Brad has girl trouble, Randy is gaining a social conscience that his parents don’t share, and Mark is going goth, much to his parents’ horror. Of course, the emotions and stress of dealing with teenagers is simplified, with most everything resolved within each half-hour episode, but it still makes for some great comedy. (Note: due to the fact that the boys are growing up, the comedy seems to be getting a little more adult, too. We have only watched the first disc so far, so I just want everyone to be aware that some of the jokes may be a little adult. Of course, they will probably go over younger children’s heads anyway.)

Here’s the official press release info:

Brace yourself for an extreme comedy makeover on August 7th when Home Improvement: The Complete Seventh Season revamps your DVD collection, from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. This 3-disc compilation nails down all 25 Home Improvement: The Complete Seventh Season episodes, plus a new blooper reel sampled from the 1997-1998 season’s funniest outtakes.

The seventh go-around of the Emmy®- and Golden Globe®-winning Home Improvement houses some of the series’ most memorable shows, including guest appearances original “Blues Brother” Dan Akroyd (“Saturday Night Live”), former Detroit Pistons All-star Grant Hill and astronauts Ken Bowersox and Steve Hawley.

In “Thanksgiving,” the Taylors score box seats to a pro football game, but somehow Tim manages to cause a blackout. Tim’s eldest son Brad (Zachery Ty Bryan) almost gets hitched in “An Older Woman.” Tim’s wife Jill (Patricia Richardson who received her fourth Emmy® nomination for the seventh season) makes some rather inappropriate comments about “Tool Time” in “From Top to Bottom,” while wise but rarely seen neighbor Wilson (Earl Hindman) goes face-to-face with an alien in “Believe It or Not.”

Home Improvement’s cast is rounded out by Tim’s mischievous younger sons Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) and Mark (Taran Noah Smith), with former “Family Feud” host Richard Karn as Tim’s flannel-wearing “Tool Time” sidekick Al Borland.

Inspired by the standup comedy of star Tim Allen (“Wild Hogs”), Home Improvement was broadcast on ABC-TV from 1991 to 1999. Allen won a 1995 Best Performance Golden Globe® for his “Toolman” portrayal, and his feature film credits for Disney include “Cars“ and “The Shaggy Dog” as well as franchises “Toy Story” and “The Santa Clause.” Allen is currently shooting “Toy Story 3.” The Denver-born funnyman is also the author of two commercially successful books: “Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man” and “I’m Not Really Here.”

Home Improvement co-creators Matt Williams and Carmen Finestra previously wrote for iconic 1980s sitcom “The Cosby Show.”

The Home Improvement: The Complete Seventh Season DVD sells for $23.99 stateside and $35.99 in Canada .

Here it is, Friday again! We had a busy week – Natalie participated in cheerleading camp every morning and we are attending Tae Kwon Do with regularity again. Throw in some trips to the pool, and I’m exhausted!

We have a fun weekend planned. Tomorrow the kids and I are heading down to Spokane with some friends to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. For some reason, our little theater hasn’t brought it to us yet, so we’re making a day of it.

Sunday night An Dochas and the Haran Dancers will be performing at Rendezvous in the Park, so we will be there in our lawn chairs with our strawberry lemonades, enjoying some local arts and culture.

What would Friday be without a great long list of links? Here you go:

~ Great, great, great article at Town Hall about the Christian elements in Harry Potter. He mentioned some that I hadn’t noticed before. Here’s a bit to make you want to read the rest:

Since this book has been published I have not seen a single apology to JK Rowling from any of the various fundamentalist bashers. She’d been accused of atheism (she’s an Anglican) and of being a witch (she knows nothing at all about the occult or Wicca).

Why no apologies to the lady? First, it’s always tough to say you’re sorry. But deeper than that, I think the problem is that so much of the religious right failed to see the Christianity in the Potter novels because it knows so little Christianity itself. Yes, there are a few ‘memory verses’ from Saint Paul, and various evangelical habits like the ‘sinner’s prayer’ and the alter call. However the gospel stories themselves, the various metaphors and figures of the Law and the Prophets, and their echoes down through the past two millennia of Christian literature and art are largely unknown to vast swaths of American Christendom, including its leaders.

~ Don’t forget, the Seeing Redd giveaway is still open, so leave a comment to enter your name.

~ Janie at Seasonal Soundings has made some wonderful printable bookmarks.

~ Here’s a list of 50 questions about Christian culture, but beware – they will really, really make you think. Some might even raise your hackles. Hat tip to Tonia at Intent.

~ Carol at Magistramater posted a list of what she used to think. Good stuff – I’m still mulling my own list over.

~ Here’s a good list of ways to get your kids to read. I’m glad to say we’re already doing most of these!

~ This article has a great prespective on Christianity and environmentalism – a balanced view, which we don’t often see. (I feel really bad that I can’t remember who pointed me to this article – it is so good, and definitely deserves a hat tip. If it was you, please let me know!) I was going to post a few passages to whet your appetite, but I can’t narrow it down – the whole thing is so good. So go read it, okay?

~ Here’s the latest YouTube video from presidential candidate Ron Paul.

~ Kevin sent me (from work) this hilarious video of our favorite comedian, Brian Regan.

~ Randi at I Have to Say is hosting Back to Homeschool Week at her blog. Head her way on Monday to participate. Here’s the list of topics:

Monday, August 6—What led to your decision to homeschool?
Tuesday, August 7—How do you homeschool?
Wednesday, August 8—Getting out there…
Thursday, August 9—If I had only known…
Friday, August 10—Curriculum

She has more details on each topic at her blog, so click on over!

~ Until I saw this video at Lawanda’s site, I had no idea what dressage was. I must say, this horse is amazing. I did find myself giggling a little bit, though, at the announcers. Here are these two very proper, British gentleman, literally gushing over this horse. It reminded me of a line in the movie What a Girl Wants: “No hugging, dear. We’re British. We only show affection to dogs and horses.”

~ Here’s a good list of fantasy fiction for our young readers.

~ This story of a young boy’s prayer before surgery touched my heart.

Have a great weekend!