Weekly Wrap Up: Determination

Well, homeschooling three children has proven to be quite the time-consuming task :)  My blogging has taken a back seat, though I enjoy it so much.  This week, I am determined to blog, hence the title of this post.  My last wrap-up post was over a month ago!  Where to start?

We are in an exciting time period in history right now- the first battles of the American Revolution!  TS 1 has a great deal of reading each week in both history and literature, but he enjoys this subject and never complains about the workload.  We are trying to do the Tapestry of Grace Dialectic discussions each week as well, but it is challenging.  They often take at least an hour, which I break into two sessions.  Finding this time each week plan (a two-week stretch for us this year) is not always possible.  TS 2 and TS 3 are in the Lower Grammar level, and have much less reading each week.  I beef up their learning with read-alouds, lap books and videos.

Speaking of read-alouds, we are all enjoying Daniel at the Siege of Boston 1776 as our current read aloud.  It is from the Boys of Wartime series, and was recommended to us by our local children's librarian.  It is very engaging, yet the plot is simple enough that even TS 3 can follow along.

We have been watching Liberty's Kids episodes about this time period as well.  I recorded them on my DVR, and we have been watching each episode as we come upon that time in history in our readings.  I think you can also find some of the episodes on YouTube, if you're interested.  I stumbled on this great, little video on the Declaration of Independence on YouTube, which helped cement the main principles we had studied this week about the document.

In science, we started the lesson on Senses this week.  Here the test subjects are doing an activity to demonstrate that our sense of smell and our memories are closely related since they are both processed in the temporal lobe of the brain.  

While Tom taught science last year and for the first half of this year, we had to make a change recently.  The content is much more complicated this year, and it became hard for the boys to attend as they need to in the evenings.  I am teaching science now during the regular school day. 

Math.  Oh, math.  I'm still not sure how I feel about Math-U-See.  I am very close to switching all three to another curriculum for next year.  Namely, Teaching Textbooks for TS 1 & TS 2 and Christian Light for TS 3.  I just find the explanations for some of the higher level concepts more confusing than they need to be.  None of my children seem to need or even benefit from the use of the manipulatives, so I'm really thinking of making the switch.  

Collage Pictures- Clockwise from Top Left:
1.  TS 3's reading is progressing wonderfully!  She is reading level 1 readers almost completely independently now.  
2.  TS 2 at the dentist
3.  TS 3 sniffing herbs in science class
4.  TS 1 at the dentist
5.  TS 1 & 2 integrating the sense of smell and memory in science class
6.  TS 3 at the dentist

We have an exciting weekend planned.  Tomorrow is TS 2's NINTH birthday!  Instead of a birthday party this year, he requested a day at an indoor water park with the family.  

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

Weekly Wrap Up: Where a Week Stands for a Month

I never intended to totally abandon my Weekly Wrap posts for the summer.  Nevertheless, it's been a month since I've written about our daily lives!  Rather than try to detail all our comings and goings this month, I'm using the Homeschool Mother's Journal format coupled with lots of pictures for this week's post.

In my life this week…

I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed recently.  There are many projects and obligations floating around in my head and weighing me down a bit.  I am trying to tackle each one a little bit at a time, and that does help.  Most of the projects are not earth shattering in importance.  They are things like organizing photos, de-cluttering the attic and playroom, preparing for VBS, etc.  However, I know I won't feel true relief until I get the largest ones completed.  The two biggies on my list are: planning and preparing for the two co-op classes I will be teaching in the fall and planning and preparing for our upcoming homeschool year.  

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

Over the past month, we spent a day with our dear old friends who are in town from London.  

This little one was already strapped in and ready for departure when we remember to get a group photo!

We met the newest baby in the family, my sweet nephew!  I am spoiling him as much as humanly possible- oh how I just love snuggling a newborn.  It is a little bit on heaven right here on earth.

We spent 5 days with cousins (13 kids and 8 adults) in the country.  

We watched fireworks on the 4th of July.

We had a beach playdate with dear friends.  The dads met us there and we stayed until almost 9 p.m.  

The kids spent a week at camp- baseball camp for the boys and day camp for our girl.  They had a blast!  


They also had a much anticipated sleepover at Papa and Abuelita's house.  


TS 1 is playing on a summer travel team for the first time and loving the experience, which means we are spending plenty of  time at the local baseball fields, too.   

(Our last name is not Dutra.  His jersey still has not come in yet!)

We had an impromptu backyard swim and BBQ with friends this week that spilled right over into the Wednesday night home bible study in our neighborhood.  It was a wonderful time of fun and fellowship!


We have made it to the community pool with friends only one time so far, but we are hoping for more opportunities to do that soon.

My favorite thing this week was…

5 quiet, productive hours everyday this week while the kids were at camp.  I could not believe how quickly two o'clock came each afternoon!  

Questions/thoughts I have…

What will teaching at co-op be like?  Will it add a lot of stress to my weeks in terms of planning and prepping?  Or will it be great fun?  Will the kids be bored or engaged?  How will I manage home schooling all three of my own kids next year?  Will I be able to give each one what he/she needs?

Things I’m working on…

I spent this week, while the kids were all at camp, working on a syllabus and lesson plans for my co-op classes.  I was able to sketch out lesson plans for the entire semester for both classes and I feel so relieved.  I've also been de-cluttering hot spots around the house and have plans for a big playroom clean out in the next few weeks.  

I’m reading…

I read most of A Charlotte Mason Companion last month.  I took a break to read the Hunger Games trilogy this month.  My reading goals for the rest of the summer include finish reading and taking notes on A Charlotte Mason Companion, so I can be sure to include more of her ideas in our homeschool next year.  I purchased Jimmie Lanley's Notebooking Success e-book this week and plan to read it as part of my planning process for next year, too.  I am very interested in incorporating more notebooking in our home school next year.


I realized my Read Aloud goals were a bit lofty for our busy summer routine.  So far, we have read Charlotte's Web and Homer Price.  We are going to be reading A Secret Garden next.  If we get through the first four or five of my top 10, I will be very satisfied.  There's always the fall for more Read Aloud fun, right?    

I’m praying for…

A dear friend who has been through so much in less than a year.  For her health, her children, her family.  For friends whose husbands are out of work.  For friends who are preparing for their first year of homeschooling.  For my own anxiety about the burdens I mentioned above.  

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."  Psalm 19:1

Top 10 Read Alouds on Our Summer Wish List

As I mentioned in my last Weekly Wrap Up post, I've been having a blast devouring A Charlotte Mason Companion and Honey for a Child's Heart these last few weeks.  As part of our summer plan (more to come soon, I promise!), I've compiled the following Top 10 Read Alouds on Our Summer Wish List:

1.  Charlotte's Web by E.B. White 

We are currently reading this wonderful classic together.  The boys had it read aloud to them at school in first grade, but neither remember the story line very much.  It's TS 3's first time entering the world on Zuckerman's farm.  We are truly enjoying this gem so far and each time I close the book until next time, it is usually met with pleas for just one more chapter.  I love it!

2.  Homer Price by Robert Mc Closkey

I chose this book based on the recommendation in Honey for a Child's Heart.  Sandwiched between two poignant books, I'm hoping Homer Price will bring some light-hearted comic relief!

3.  The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett

Oh, how I loved this book as a little girl!  Such a beautiful and captivating story.  I only hope the test subjects will love it like I did!

4.  Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Can you believe we have never read this classic?  I hope the boys do not think it too babyish for them.  I just know TS 3 will adore Pooh and his adventures!

5.  Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia by C.S. Lewis

We listened to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe audiobook this spring and fell in love with the characters and magic of Narnia.  TS 1 and I enjoyed the Christian symbolism that is all at once obvious yet beautifully subtle in the tale.  We are tackling Prince Caspian next in the series, following the reading order recommended by many and found here.

6.  The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham

I chose this book simply because it was recommended so often and so enthusiastically in the pages of Honey for a Child's Heart.  I did not read this book as a child, so I am looking forward to experiencing it for the first time with my children.

7.  Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John

Another new book for us heartily endorsed in Honey for a Child's Heart.  

8.  The Light Princess by George Mac Donald

When I learned that the George Mac Donald profoundly influenced C.S. Lewis, I could not pass up this tale of a princess rescued by one who loved her enough to die for her.

9.  Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

Another Honey for a Child's Heart recommendation for a fun and humorous read.

10.  Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

An adventure story set in pioneer Wisconsin in the 1860's filled with excitement, humor and fun?  Count us in!

Weekly Wrap Up: The One with Energy and Focus

Since Monday was Memorial Day, we all took the day off- even Daddy who is rarely able to do that!  We passed the morning together playing in the sprinklers and riding bikes.  In the afternoon, we joined some friends at their place for a BBQ.  The kids wore themselves out in all manner of fun including wiffle ball, a water balloon fight, digging in the dirt and various other amusements.  The adults took refuge inside in the air conditioning as it was oppressively hot and humid in our neck of the woods on Monday.  

It was back to the books on Tuesday and the test subjects seem to have a renewed energy and focus for their school work right now.  I'm pretty sure that this is due to the fact that we are rapidly approaching summer break.  Either way, I'll take it!  

TS 1 is finishing up his last essay for writing class, a persuasive piece.  It is a bit more challenging than the other essays he has written for the class, but not so much so that he is frustrated.  The rough draft is due on Monday.

TS 2 finished Math-U-See Beta on Thursday.  He was stoked!  He is going to take the final exam on Monday.  I plan for all three (yes, three!) test subjects to do a little math everyday during the summer, so we are not saying good-bye completely to math.

We are starting our last Tapestry of Grace unit for the year today, Elizabethan England and the Scottish Reformation.  From what I can tell from a quick browsing of the week plan, we will be learning all about Good Queen Bess, reading more Shakespeare (which we have loved) and studying a little more church history.  


Over the summer, I will try to share how we have used TOG in our home school.  It's going to change a bit next year with the addition of TS 3, so it will be helpful for me think it through again.  Speaking of TOG, our curriculum arrived last week and the books are due to be delivered today.  I did not order all the books like I did last year.  With three test subjects at three different levels, the cost for the books for TOG alone would have totaled almost $1200.  I checked our local library system and they have the vast majority of books available to borrow.  I spent less than $300 on TOG books, a $900 savings!!! 


We have a busy weekend in store for us.  We are having friends over tonight.  Baseball games Saturday morning and afternoon, followed by our homeschool group's annual recognition night.   On Sunday we have church followed by a baby shower for my sister's baby, who is set to arrive in a few weeks.  I am hoping to steal a few moments here and there to read more of this:

I'm loving it!

Wishing you a weekend full of fun, friends, family and maybe even a good book!

What We've Been Reading

I'm working on our Quarterly Reports for the school district this week, and spent some time reviewing the books that the test subjects have read so far this academic year.  Since I am always on the hunt for good books for my children (and myself), I thought you might be to?  In that spirit, I'm sharing here what we have read so far.  This list includes only the books we have read independently for pleasure and none of the (many) books we have read aloud together or the books read independently for content areas.  The books marked with an asterisk are the ones we are currently reading.

TS 1
On the Court with Kobe Bryant by Matt Christopher
Double Play at Short by Matt Christopher
Hard Drive at Short by Matt Christopher
The Life You Imagine by Derek Jeter
Swindle by Gordon Korman
Mariano Rivera (Baseball Superstars) by Judith Levin
Zoobreak by Gordon Korman
The First Christmas Stocking by Elizabeth Winthrop
Wright on Time, Book 1, Arizona by Lisa Cottrell-Bentley
M.V.P.: Magellan Voyage Project by Douglas Evans
Mickey Mantle (Baseball Superstars) by Ronald Reis
Albert Pujols (Baseball Superstars) by Dennis Abrams
Through My Eyes: A Quarterback's Journey (Student Edition) by Tim Tebow
Taken by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins*

Are you seeing a theme here?  Yes, my boy LOVES sports and prefers non-fiction books.  He did read a few novels sprinkled in there and we have some more on hold at the library.  Variety is the spice of life, right?

TS 2
Junie B. Jones and the Sneaky Peeky Spy ( I don't like this series, but allowed it since his sister was listening to it read aloud in Kindergarten at school)
Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
Hello, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
The First Christmas Stocking by Elizabeth Winthrop
The Big Buck Adventure by Shelley Gill
Squashed in the Middle by Elizabeth Winthrop
Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel
Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel
Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel
Wright on Time, Book 1, Arizona by Lisa M. Cottrell-Bentley (series about the adventures of a homeschooling family!)
Wright on Time, Book 2, Utah by Lisa M. Cottrell-Bentley
Wright on Time, Book 3, Wyoming by Lisa M. Cottrell-Bentley
Imagination Station: Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering*

Mom
Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler
Choosing to See: A Journey of Struggle and Hope by Mary Beth Chapman
The Duggars: 20 and Counting by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar
A Love That Multiplies by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People*

RA
Unfortunately, I have not kept a list of the books that RA and I have read together this year.  Right now, though, we are working our way through this fabulous list I found on Pinterest.  Here's a link to my profile if you'd like to join me there!

We had already read some of the classics on this list and have recently read Corduroy by Dan Freeman, Madeline by Ludwig Bemelman, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virgina Lee Burton.  

If you have any recommendations for great books for a Kindergartener, second grader, fifth grader or Mom, please share in the comments!