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Showing posts from 2008

Wow!

Not only has it been almost a month since my last update; but there has been a lot going on and I should have updated sooner. School - we got so far behind while we were getting ready for our Christmas trip to MI. We haven't even hit 90 days - which was definately a goal before we left. Know I guess we will have to somehow catch up. Our MI trip - we were going to head up MI today to spend Christmas with my dad. CG really wanted to make a snowman and a snow angel. But, wintery weather put an end to our plans. So, we are spending our Christmas in GA with my brother in law and his family. I really love them so it's cool. I just worry about dad being alone on Christmas. Updating more school - we have been reading more Magic Tree House Books. We have been reading Day of the Dragon King, Lions at Lunchtime, and Mummies in the Morning. It's another Sonlight break, then we are going to double up our weeks to finish Core 1 by the end of the year. Maybe. That was my plan bu

Another View

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Yes, I had to show both sides!

CG's Handiwork

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Here is a picture of CG's Christmas present. He did a mighty fine job for hating anything "artsy".

Our Week

We took a break from our Sonlight this week and studied the First Thanksgiving.  It was a short week, only three days, but we stayed on track with math, grammar, spelling, and language arts.  Some things just need to be done!  CG enjoyed the unit; mostly because we got to read a Magic School Bus book!  He loves the MSB!   I've been rethinking the whole "stretch this core to last until 4th grade".  First of all, I just don't think I'm creative enough to make it go that far.  Second, since Core 2 is also Intro to World History, I think it would be great if we moved on before CG got burned out!  So, I've finally decided on a schedule that will stretch this year and then I will worry about all the rest later.  See me relax?!  Now that I've decided on something I find it very interesting that I don't spend hours at night pouring over the IG and trying to tweak it.  That's how I know it's the right amount of everything everyday. So, what is the "

There's a mouse in my garage (and other things)

Yes there is ~ I've seen him (her?) with my own eyes.  I suppose I could try and set out a mouse trap; but then I'd have to dispose of him myself too.  Um yeah, not so much my bag, know what I mean? So State lost yesterday.  That's ok, we will still get a bowl bid.  How exciting!  I've looked at some predictions and they say MSU vs. USC (o.k. that's the University of South Carolina - not the real  USC).  That would be cool since I totally live in Gamecock Country!   This week is Thanksgiving Week.  Take a moment to be thankful for all we have, the great country we live in, and the men and women who keep us free.  For school we are going to do a three day study on the First Thanksgiving.  I know, it doesn't seem like long enough, but since we will be homeschooling for a long time we can cover it more in depth in future years.  Since we are taking Thursday and Friday off I only had three days.  Hopefully next year my planning skills will be more advanced!  I'm

Stuff and Stuff

So, I have made my decision about belonging to two groups.  Since it's just really not possible I have opted to stay with the group here on base.  I really loved the Eastover group - but I had to add 45 minutes to an hour to everything we did and I was just losing too much time out of the school day.  So, there it is.  Decision made. I have also decided to use Core 1 for the duration of 2nd and all of 3rd grade.  This does require some stretching and adding on my part - but I worked out the numbers and I think I can make it work.  If my math is faulty I will find out next year and then I can either slow it down some more or speed it back up.  For math, reading, language arts/handwriting, grammar, and spelling we are staying right on track.  Everyday for those subjects.  Then we will alternate history, geography, read-alouds, and science on a 2 day/week or 3 day/week schedule.  This will stretch out what I currently have to 62 weeks - which does leave me about 6 weeks short in third

A good week

We had a good week last week overall.  CG actually started listening to Charlotte's Web.  I know this because we got to the chapter where Charlotte dies and he was crying and upset with me for not warning him that Charlotte died!  I read that book in 4th or 5th grade - which was too many years ago for me to calculate in my head - and I honestly didn't remember that Charlotte died!  I only remembered all the good stuff.  Ah, selective memory is a wonderful thing!  Well, most of the time anyway!  Friday night we went on an Owl Prowl at the Congaree National Park .  They only do this a couple times a year (spring and fall) if you live close to Columbia  I suggest making a reservation to go.  We didn't see any owls, but we heard them.  We also saw trees that are over 600 years old!  Sadly, no pictures.  We are going to go back this week during the day though.  We want to see the fall colors and the big trees in the daylight!  I will definitely take that camera for that trip!  

It's done

So McCain lost.  I'm not a sore loser, so congrats to Obama.  For everyone that voted for him please make him accountable for everything that goes wrong during his Presidency.  Don't pull the "it's because of Bush" crap.  The Democrats now have control of the House, the Senate, and the White House - when the country goes even more insane please remember - these are the changes you voted for and take responsibility for them .  It's easy to blame; hard to take responsibility.  Good luck with that. OTOH - I'm glad I can post from my blackberry! And one more thing - I received a comment about my 'things that bug me about homeschooling' blog.  I want to answer that.  I know that many homeschoolers are  fundamentalist Christians but don't homeschool for that reason.  I apologize for not stating that in my original post.  I believe the majority of people homeschool only to give their children the education they can't get in public school.  

Trial run

I am trying to post from my blackberry.

That wasn't so bad

I thought that voting would be a PITA given all the media hype about long lines and troublesome machines.  However, in my little neck of the woods everything went great!  I was in and out in under 30 minutes.  Now we just watch and wait.

Don't Forget!

To vote tomorrow!  It's so very important to get out there and make yourself heard.  Even if you feel your vote won't count on the national level make sure you vote for your state and local choices.  You can't bitch if you don't vote!

Finally!

We made it to the corn maze!  OMG what fun that was!  Well worth the money and time we spent.  Now I know it is something we will have to do every year!   Here's my beef - people who think homeschoolers are unsocialized.  "Pardon me, I don't think I heard you correctly."  We probably do more now than when CG was in 'regular school'.  Oh, and by the way, more fun stuff.  Oh, and also - he's learning how to get along with people of all ages .  Not just 30 other random children his own age.  Oh, and one more oh - we can choose  the children we hang out with.  Sorry, I just don't see a bad side there.  So, in my short time that I've been homeschooling I've decided here are the ideas that bother me the most: 1. We are not socialized - covered above - bunk, as far as I'm concerned 2. We just sit around a watch TV or play video games (or whatever).  This is a blog for another day, seriously.  We work our butts off in this house. Are there people w

Well OK

It's been a little while since my last post.  We have been trying to get to the corn maze (on a non rainy day!) and doing other stuff.  Our lives are pretty much like everyone else's - we do our thing and press on day to day.  Sometimes it's not even that interesting to me! I still love being home and homeschooling CG.  It's tremendous fun (and sometimes tremendous stress!) and I wouldn't change it for the world.  Is every day roses and happiness?  H-E-L-L NO!  But overall every day is interesting and usually fun. I'm still on the fence about the group on base.  I was going to quit (to help alleviate some stress) but then I'm not sure.  The people are nice - the get-togethers are close - so who knows.  My dearest husband tells me to stick it out and see where it all goes.  If I don't like the outcome, then leave.  I guess I could do that.  {everybody sing - Things that make ya go hmm} I'm out.  Remember to vote!

Election Thoughts

Anyone who is looking at the recent polls and projected winner of November 4th could be either extremely happy or incredibly disappointed.  Either way I believe you still need to get out there and vote.  Supporters of Obama are saying "we've got this sewn up - I'm not wasting my time" and supporters of McCain are saying "it's a lost cause - my vote won't matter anyway".   Don't do that!  Get out there and practice your right to decide!  The person you choose could win or maybe not - don't think it doesn't matter.  Besides, look at all the countries in the world where the people don't have a say ~ when you don't vote you are practically saying "I don't care".  People, we need to care.  Don't assume your candidate is safe or out of it completely.  If too many people think that way you may end up with the other person in the White House.  The election is November 4th.   My calendar says October 11th.  No matter who

Dang it!

So, my precious Cubbies stayed true to form.  Is it a curse?  I don't know - but I know this - "There's always next year."  {big sigh} Now, on a better note - I did get some support from one member of the base group about the statement of faith.  Are there more out there?  Maybe.  But it does make me feel a little better to realize that I'm not the only one.

No they didn't

For the record - the meeting last night did not  discuss the statement of faith.  Unless the coordinators did it before the meeting without everyone there.  I'm waiting for the minutes but I don't think it was mentioned at all.  Shocker.  Not.   Well, at least we still have our non military group - which is nice and has park day today - so off we go!

So

Can you believe how my teams are doing? First lets talk about MSU (that's Michigan State for anyone who is confused!).  They look good this year.  I'm hopeful we will have an outstanding season! Now the team that warms my heart the CUBBIES!  I know, after all they are the Cubs, but we have such a good shot at the World Series.  I've been waiting 41 years for this (I know, not quite as long as other people but hey, 41 years is a long time!).  Waiting and watching without daring to take a breath..... Now onto other things.... My base homeschool group - we have a meeting tonight.  According to the coordinator there are "a lot" of things to discuss.  Is one of them going to be my suggestion that we abandon the whole Statement of Faith and be a Christian based group?  My guess is probably not - but I already know that I won't sign a statement of faith.  Yes, I'm a Christian, but my religion is not why I homeschool - and a group that is limited in it's membe

It's an entry

So, I thought I would be able to post entries here a lot, well, because I usually have something to say and no one to listen!  It's been a couple days which is still better than I was doing before - but hey, I am a busy woman so whatever. Today I went to an Usborne Book Party.  Don't get me wrong - I love their books - which is the main problem!  Anyway, I didn't have to take CG because my dad is here visiting so I did get like an hour and a half without him.  Very nice.  Love my son to death - just a little tired of doing the single parent thing.  I always get like that though. We started attending Lutheran Church again.  Today was the first day of Sunday School.  CG said he liked that much better than CCD last year.  He said because it was 'shorter' but it really wasn't- I think they just had more fun in there.  He says the craziest things sometimes.  I like it - the church we attend.  I realize now that my mom would not be offended by me going to Lutheran Chu

Moving my homeschool blog

I'm moving my homeschool blog.  I wanted to make another blog to rant and vent and well, every name I tried on blogspot was taken - so I made a new homeschool blog at homeschoolblogger.com  So, to anyone who was following our ups and downs all the information for All Saints can now be found at www.homeschoolblogger.com/allsaintsacademy Hope to see you all there!

Correction

Just wanted to correct myself - we are reading Polar Bears Past Bedtime - not Polar Bears Past Midnight.  Just in case anyone is looking for the book!  I recommend the Magic Tree House Series - they are very grade level appropriate and interesting.

Updates that are long overdue

Well, things are still moving forward at a pretty good pace.  I finally decided on a complete schedule for All Saints - we are doing 45 days on and 15 days off.  It will be a complete year round schedule; pretty much starting in July and ending in June.  CG doesn't do too well with tons  of time off - so we may knock it down to 45/10 - we'll have to see. We are almost completely done with our All About Spelling Level One.  I ordered Level two and it is ready and waiting for us.  As the only program we have not had to change this year I cannot say enough about this program!  It is awesome.  And as a first time homeschooler it's very easy to use.  CG still says spelling is his favorite time of the day!  A very different view from when he was in school! We still haven't started using Sonlight.  It's a long (very long) story with Core changes - from 1+2 to 1.  I'm expecting the books now on Monday - so we will probably start Sonlight after our first break which is a

Moving Along

Well things are clipping along at a pretty even pace here at All Saints.  I hoped that we would be able to start our Sonlight and Apologia Science next week - but we haven't quite finished up some of the things we are currently working on.  We have to finish reading Midnight on the Moon and studying Arctic Penguins - two things CG specifically asked to do - so we are now looking at starting our newest new curricula on the week of the 8th. We did get our Sonlight order this week and let me tell you - that was exciting!  They call it Box Day in the Sonlight realm - and it is super cool.  We did an easy day that day so I could go through all the books and set up the library shelves and stuff.  Let's face it - I was way more excited than CG - but his favorite time of the day is reading time (we are reading Midnight on the Moon out loud) so I think that this may really be a good fit for us.  Apologia is also read aloud - so I fear I may lose my voice until I'm used to reading al

Even More Changes

Who would have thought that choosing the right curriculum would be so hard?  But alas, that is the way of homeschooling.  I have been congratulated on a couple of my online groups for being brave enough to change.  Apparently that's something that "newbies" don't do very often. This past week I ordered Apologia Science (Elementary Astronomy) and Sonlight Core 1+2.  The Sonlight is for reading, history, and geography.  Even though CG is not a huge fan of reading we are going to give it a whirl.  He likes to be read to and enjoys the days we curl up on the couch and read together - so this should make school a lot more fun for him.  I also ordered a kit to go with the science - it has all the things you need to do the hands on in the science book.  Science + hands on = extremely happy CG! I also ordered some grade one books on the Lutheran Faith.  I know, he's in second - but lets face it; our church ways have been pretty minimal.  So I figured we could do the grade

More Changes

Well more changes arrived at All Saints Academy the past couple weeks.  The unit study went very well!  CG loved doing little projects and different things.  He didn't like putting the stuff into the lapbook when done though.  So - this past week we focused our science study on all (of all things) bubbles.  Of course CG LOVES bubbles so I figured we can't go wrong here.  We didn't, but this time instead of making a lapbook we made a notebook.  I still ended up glueing most of the stuff onto the pages though.  While it seems like it's working better as far as him retaining information he's not the 'put it together' kind of kid.  I think we are going to stick with this style of learning though - or maybe try some of the Charlotte Mason techniques.   Math - we have changed.  We now use Saxon Math.  You either love or hate this program and we love it.  A lot of hands on with a worksheet every day.  CG loves it and is doing very well so far at remembering stuff w

Two Weeks Already?

OK, so it may not be a big deal to all the 'seasoned' homeschoolers out there - but we did finish our second week of homeschool.  This week went much less smoothly than the first.  CG was wondering why he had to do "so many"  worksheets.  I didn't have a good answer.  So we are deviating from our "very much like school" approach next week. For one week we are trying a unit study.  I found an awesome site called home school share (I will add it to the links).  Anyway they have free unit studies that other people (who are way more experienced and creative than I) have put together.  We are trying a literature based unit on "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs".  The unit (for those of you who don't know) will include everything except math (unfortunately still worksheets) and spelling.  So, hopefully CG will like this approach and actually be able to tell people what he's learned over the week (because, yes, they do ask - which is rude I th

Week One Finished!

I know, should I be so excited about finishing week one?  I think yes!  We had a couple 'moments' but other than that I think it went pretty well. We started a few notebooks.  One for our field trips (yes, we already took one - to the recycling center), one for our continent study, and one for our vocabulary.  Oh wait!  We also started one that will track Curious George's (and I mean that in the most loving way) growth compared to the three trees that we recently planted in our back yard.  Ok, a couple just look like sticks with leaves right now, but it is my fervent hope that they will show some growth over the next 10 months that it will be fun to track throughout the year.  CG is not big on writing or coloring - but I also hope that with a few notebooks to do everyday he will get over that. I have decided to nix the Catholic Curriculum.  I totally don't have anything against the Catholic Church, I was raised in that church.  Many years ago my DH and I decided to go t

Starting Early

We have decided to start homeschooling a little earlier than originally planned.  DS is getting bored and wasting his summer away anyway, so we may as well do something productive with it!  Plus, the earlier we start the earlier we finish.  Maybe, we'll see.  Nerves are kicking in now. I'm rethinking the Catholic choice I went back to after mom died.  We attended Lutheran Church for years and that's where DS was baptized - since DH doesn't go to church with us anyway, I think DS and I may end up back at Lutheran Church.  I did get a lot of Catholic Curricula - but I could just cut out the religion part maybe.  Hmm.  I'm gonna have to ponder this one some more.

All About Spelling

Well, I received the All About Spelling program the other day.  I ordered level one and when I opened it I was kind of scared that I ordered too easy a level for my son.  It's so very basic that I got scared.  But then tonight I spelled the word bug (because I didn't want DS to freak out - but in retrospect he should be able to spell that word) and he couldn't tell me the sound of the U so I guess it was a good choice overall. Also, my DH is requiring me to test the boy at the end of the year (not a requirement in SC, but one of his requirements to let me homeschool) so I needed a basis.  Now DS did take some kind of PACE or other SC state test at the end of the school year, but he is not taking that test next year, so I ordered the 1st grade CAT test from Seton (I'll add it to my links).  We took the test and sent it back, so now when I test him next year I have the base for the same test he will be taking.  The test was $25 and that includes scoring.  Check it out.

Let the Journey Begin!

We start homeschooling this month.  I officially picked the 28th but since DS is chomping at the bit to "do something" we may start earlier. We are a family of three humans, three cats.  DS is starting 2nd grade.  I had a hard time picking curricula, but finally (mostly) decided on Catholic Heritage Curricula (www.chcweb.com) with some other stuff thrown in. We are going to try notebooking our continent study I found a continent notebook/ebook ( I will have to look up where and get back to you on that!)  Since DS (I guess I will eventually have to come up with a nickname for him!) isn't very creative it may be a difficult journey at first, but I hope it will be worth it in the end. For spelling we are going to try All About Spelling.  Will let you know how that goes too.  Of course, I've probably purchased way more curricula than I need, with all the second guessing going on in my head - so we will see what exactly works for us or not. I'm nervous, excited, a